"Reporting to Your Majesty."
"A message has arrived from the Grand General's residence."
"The Grand General's wife is about to give birth. The Grand General is requested to return at once," Zhao Gao's voice came from outside the hall.
"What?"
"She's going into labor?"
Zhao Feng abruptly stood up, completely disregarding formalities.
Ying Zheng, sitting beside him, did not take offense. Instead, a look of anticipation appeared on his face.
"My daughter-in-law is truly remarkable. She's giving me another grandson," Ying Zheng thought to himself with a smile.
"Your Majesty."
"I must take my leave."
Zhao Feng bowed to Ying Zheng, then, without waiting for a response, turned and rushed out, pushing open the hall doors and striding away quickly.
"Summon the imperial physicians to the Grand General's residence."
"Nothing must go wrong," Ying Zheng instructed Zhao Gao.
"As you command, Your Majesty," Zhao Gao responded immediately.
"Wait."
"Also, go to the treasury and select some of the finest tonics."
"Prepare them and deliver them to the Zhao residence," Ying Zheng added urgently.
"As you command, Your Majesty," Zhao Gao acknowledged and left.
After Zhao Gao departed, Ying Zheng remained seated, but his mind was elsewhere.
After a brief moment of thought, he called out, "Ren Xiao!"
"At Your Majesty's service," Ren Xiao responded immediately.
"Prepare the imperial carriage. We will go to the Zhao residence. No need for too many attendants," Ying Zheng ordered in a deep voice.
He then slowly stood up.
Ren Xiao bowed. "I will make the preparations at once."
To Ren Xiao, the king's actions were astonishing.
"The Grand General's wife is giving birth, and His Majesty is personally going to visit?"
"This is an unprecedented honor," Ren Xiao thought to himself.
Meanwhile, the Zhao residence was in a state of frantic activity.
Maids bustled in and out, while inside, Wang Yan's cries of labor echoed throughout the hall.
Outside the chamber, Wang Jian and his wife anxiously waited.
Even though their daughter had already given birth once to twins, childbirth in this era was dangerous enough to keep them on edge.
"Father-in-law, Mother-in-law."
"How is Yan'er?"
Zhao Feng arrived in haste. Hearing the agonizing cries from inside, his face was filled with concern.
"Don't worry."
"Yan'er has already given birth once. She will be fine," Wang Jian reassured him, patting his shoulder.
As someone who had experienced this before, Wang Jian remained composed, unlike Zhao Feng, who was facing this situation firsthand.
Last time, when Wang Yan gave birth, Zhao Feng was on the battlefield and could not return in time.
"Mm."
Zhao Feng nodded, his gaze fixed on the hall in deep concern.
At this moment, there was nothing he could do but wait.
However, compared to her first childbirth, this time, Wang Yan gave birth much faster.
Before long
"Wah… Waaah…"
The cries of a newborn filled the air.
Moments later, a midwife rushed out of the chamber.
She quickly approached Zhao Feng.
"Congratulations, Grand General!"
"Madam has given birth to a son," she announced with a beaming smile.
"Good!"
"Good!"
Zhao Feng took the child into his arms and looked down.
The baby's face was still wrinkled, far from the picture of beauty.
Newborns rarely looked adorable right away those who did were an exception often praised out of courtesy.
"Rewards!"
"Everyone is to be rewarded!"
"Steward!"
Zhao Feng addressed everyone present.
"Yes, sir!"
The steward responded immediately.
"Thank you, sir!"
The maids and servants knelt in gratitude.
"Another boy?"
"Zhao Feng, marrying my daughter was truly your fortune."
"She's blessing your Zhao family with more heirs," Wang Jian joked.
"Yes, it is indeed my fortune," Zhao Feng nodded repeatedly.
"Go check on Yan'er."
Wang Jian signaled his wife with a glance.
Lady Wang did not hesitate and immediately headed into the chamber.
"His Majesty arrives!"
At that moment, an announcement rang out.
With a group of imperial guards protecting him, Ying Zheng strode forward.
"Your Majesty?"
Both Zhao Feng and Wang Jian were taken aback, not expecting Ying Zheng to come in person.
A subject having a child was not usually significant enough for a king to visit.
However
Wang Jian quickly realized.
"I was so immersed in the moment that I almost forgot Zhao Feng's true identity."
"My daughter has given birth to a royal grandson."
"The king's direct grandson of course, His Majesty would come in person," Wang Jian thought.
Yet, he maintained his composure.
"Your servant greets Your Majesty."
Wang Jian immediately bowed.
"No need for formalities," Ying Zheng said with a wave of his hand as he walked forward, his gaze falling upon the newborn in Zhao Feng's arms.
"The second child is always born faster."
"A boy or a girl?" Ying Zheng asked with a smile.
"Another son," Zhao Feng replied with a grin.
"Excellent!"
"The family lineage grows," Ying Zheng said, his face lighting up with joy.
In this era, even for King Qin himself, having sons was of paramount importance.
Daughters, after all, were secondary in this period.
This was simply the reality of the age.
"Master."
"The Fourth Lady is going into labor!"
A maid rushed over.
Zhao Feng turned his head in surprise.
"Princess Yan?"
He asked in astonishment.
"Yes, Master," the maid confirmed.
"When did she get pregnant? Why didn't I know?" Zhao Feng was even more shocked.
"The Fourth Lady never mentioned it to anyone," the maid respectfully answered.
"Everyone, prepare for the Fourth Lady's childbirth!" Zhao Feng immediately ordered the maids and midwives around him.
"Understood!"
The servants hurried off.
Even the midwives who had just finished assisting Wang Yan moved to assist.
"Have you chosen a name yet?"
Ying Zheng looked at the newborn in Zhao Feng's arms and asked with a smile.
"I hadn't decided, as I didn't know if it would be a boy or a girl," Zhao Feng replied.
"Shall I name him?"
Ying Zheng smiled, testing the waters.
But in truth, he was nervous, fearing that Zhao Feng might refuse him this privilege.
After all
Ying Zheng was not here as a king but as an unacknowledged father.
And now, he wanted to name his grandson.
"It would be an honor for my child to receive a name from Your Majesty," Zhao Feng immediately responded.
"I've already decided."
"If it's a boy, he will be called Zhao Wu," Ying Zheng declared, addressing the infant.
Upon hearing the name, Wang Jian's thoughts stirred.
"The second son, as a younger prince, has no claim to the throne."
"Naming him 'Wu' (Martial) suggests a path of military service."
"His Majesty has chosen a name with deep meaning."
After contemplating, Wang Jian smiled. "A great name!"
"Zhao Feng met my daughter on the battlefield, and later, he made a name for himself as Grand General of Qin."
"This grandson of mine, named Zhao Wu, will inherit his father's warrior spirit."
Zhao Feng pondered the name and nodded.
"Zhao Wu it is indeed a great name."
Deep in his mind, another thought surfaced.
"After the fall of Qin, I shall sweep across the world."
"My eldest, Qi'er, will be the heir."
"Then Wu'er shall support him, commanding the military."
"The world is vast."
"Not just the Central Plains."
"The Middle Kingdom will reign supreme, but beyond its borders, my descendants shall rule as kings."
Zhao Feng envisioned the future.
"This is my duty; it's not something to call hardship," Wang Yan replied softly.
"This is our child."
"His Majesty has bestowed a name."
"Zhao Wu."
Zhao Feng gently handed the infant to Wang Yan for her to see.
Wang Yan smiled tenderly, her delicate face carrying a hint of frailty. "His Majesty's bestowed name this is something you have earned, husband. In the future, Wu'er will surely achieve great things."
"Indeed." Zhao Feng nodded with a smile and then said, "You must be exhausted today. Get some rest. I will entrust the child to a wet nurse to be fed."
Wang Yan obediently nodded.
This was the privilege of women in noble households; there was no need for the mistress of the house to overly exert herself.
After reassuring Wang Yan, Zhao Feng carefully tucked her in and then stepped out of the hall.
As soon as he emerged, a voice called out
"Zhao Feng, congratulations! Another fine son!"
"Thank you, Grandfather Xia," Zhao Feng replied with a respectful bow.
"It's a pity your mother refuses to leave Shacheng and come to Xianyang. Otherwise, she would be overjoyed to see this," Xia Wuque said with a hint of regret.
"Please don't worry, Grandfather Xia."
"As soon as Yan'er has recovered, I will take them back to Shacheng."
"This time, I will also try to persuade my mother to come live in Xianyang," Zhao Feng said, his voice filled with longing.
"There's no need to persuade her."
"Your mother has always been strong-willed. If she doesn't want to leave her homeland, there's no fault in that," Xia Wuque replied immediately.
The empire was not yet unified.
There were still those in the court who recognized Xia Dong'er. If she were discovered, it could create unnecessary turmoil.
Right now, Qin needed to concentrate its power on conquering the remaining three states.
Internal conflicts had to be avoided.
Once the empire was unified and external threats eliminated,
there would be nothing left to worry about.
Even if there were disputes then, they wouldn't amount to much.
"Grandfather Xia, you truly know my mother well," Zhao Feng said with a smile.
"I remember every disciple I have ever taught," Xia Wuque replied with a vague grin.
At that moment
"Master!"
"The Fourth Lady has given birth to a young mistress!"
A maid approached, beaming with joy, cradling a newborn baby girl in her arms.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng immediately reached out to take the child into his arms.
"Wonderful, I have another daughter."
"As expected, daughters truly are more beautiful than sons."
Looking at the tiny baby girl in his arms, Zhao Feng's face softened with affection.
In this era, unless a man was deeply fond of a concubine, he would not pay much attention to the children born of concubines.
After all, the status of a primary wife and a concubine was vastly different.
That was the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate offspring.
However,
Zhao Feng was not that kind of man. Though the future responsibilities would fall on Zhao Qi, his eldest son, he would never neglect his other children.
"Master,"
"The Fourth Lady hopes you will choose a name for the young mistress," the maid said respectfully.
Zhao Feng gazed at his newborn daughter, pondering for a moment before smiling.
"Let's name her Zhao Pan. May she always have hope in her heart and success in all she does."
The maid bowed deeply. "Then I shall take the young mistress back to rest."
"I'll go with you," Zhao Feng said with a smile, carrying his daughter toward the side hall.
Though a concubine,
she was still one of his women.
Now that she had given birth to his daughter, she should be generously rewarded.
"Zhao Feng is different from other men," Xia Wuque remarked.
"He treats his concubines with great kindness."
"Perhaps this is simply Feng'er's nature," Ying Zheng smiled faintly.
Wang Jian nodded, unconcerned about his daughter losing favor. After all, the status of the main wife was unshakable.
Inside the side hall,
Wu Yang lay weakly on the bed.
Several maids attended to her, while midwives and other servants waited outside.
"Steward,"
"Prepare two sets of rewards."
"These are also gifts from the two madams."
"Except for the attending maids, the rest may withdraw and rest," Zhao Feng ordered.
"Thank you, Master."
"We humbly thank Master for his great kindness."
The servants and maids knelt in gratitude.
Zhao Feng then stepped into the chamber.
"Wu Yang, you've worked hard."
Zhao Feng sat beside her bed, speaking gently.
"Husband, you've returned?"
"That's wonderful."
"I… I cannot properly greet you," Wu Yang attempted to rise but winced in pain.
"Enough."
Zhao Feng gently pressed her down.
"You needn't worry about formalities. Right now, your only duty is to rest and recover."
"Husband… has our daughter been given a name?" Wu Yang asked, looking at him expectantly.
"Zhao Pan," Zhao Feng said softly.
"Our daughter's name is Zhao Pan."
"It's a beautiful name," Wu Yang smiled weakly.
"You've just given birth and your body is still frail."
"I will make sure you receive proper nourishment."
"The child will be cared for by a wet nurse."
"Your only task is to rest well."
Zhao Feng's voice was calm and reassuring.
"Husband, you are so kind," Wu Yang murmured, deeply touched.
As a concubine, she had never expected such care and affection from her husband.
"Since you have entered my household, as long as you remain faithful, I will not treat you unfairly."
"You, and our daughter, will have everything you deserve."
"Rest well."
"In some time, I will take you to Shacheng to meet my mother."
Zhao Feng's words were warm and comforting.
"Thank you, husband." Wu Yang nodded, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
For a woman in this era,
having a husband who cared so deeply was a rare blessing.
"You are my wife; how could I treat you poorly?"
"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer."
"Rest well."
Zhao Feng smiled as he stood and walked toward the exit.
"Husband."
Wu Yang hesitated, looking at Zhao Feng with a conflicted expression.
Zhao Feng turned back, puzzled. "Is there something you wish to say?"
"N-No… nothing," Wu Yang ultimately remained silent.
"Rest now," Zhao Feng said before leaving.
Wu Yang silently watched his figure disappear.
"Father,"
"Perhaps I cannot fulfill your wishes after all."
"If I truly attempted to assassinate my husband, not only would I bear the stigma of a treacherous woman, but my daughter would also be doomed to a miserable existence."
"Sigh…"
A deep sigh escaped Wu Yang's lips.
In her heart,
a battle of emotions raged.
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