The first moment Wang Yan saw Zhao's mother and sister, her assumptions about Zhao Feng's family were immediately shattered.
In her mind, she had envisioned her future mother-in-law as an ordinary village woman and her sister-in-law as much the same.
But with just one look, all of those notions were overturned.
The natural elegance and poise of these two women could not be faked.
For someone like Wang Yan, who was born and raised in the capital city, such subtleties were even more obvious.
Her future mother-in-law carried herself with the demeanor of a former noblewoman. Although her clothing was simple, there was not a trace of the roughness typical of rural women in this era.
Meanwhile, her future sister-in-law exuded an air of refinement and elegance. She was no less beautiful than Wang Yan herself and possessed an otherworldly charm.
As Wang Yan stood there momentarily stunned, Zhao's mother took a step forward and asked tentatively, "And you are?"
Wang Yan composed herself and stepped forward gracefully, her tone gentle and respectful. "Auntie, are you Zhao Feng's mother?"
"Yes," Zhao's mother confirmed with a nod.
With this confirmation, Wang Yan immediately curtsied politely and said, "Wang Yan greets Auntie."
Hearing this, Zhao's mother's eyes lit up, and her expression relaxed completely. She glanced over at Zhao Ying beside her, and the two exchanged looks that conveyed a mutual thought: It's true.
Still, Zhao's mother maintained her composure, stepped forward, and helped Wang Yan up.
"Quickly, get up," she said warmly. "I had only heard rumors that Feng-er had become engaged to a young lady from the royal Wang family, but I didn't expect it to be true."
"Thank you, Auntie," Wang Yan replied as she allowed herself to be helped up.
"This must be Zhao Feng's younger sister," Wang Yan continued, turning to Zhao Ying with a soft smile.
"Big sister-in-law," Zhao Ying greeted gently.
Hearing this heartfelt greeting, Wang Yan's smile grew even brighter.
"Ying'er, I've brought some gifts for you and Auntie," Wang Yan said with a smile.
She turned to a guard and instructed, "Bring everything into the house."
"Yes, ma'am," the guards responded immediately.
One by one, the guards began carrying boxes into the house.
At that moment, the cries of babies pierced the air one cry followed closely by another.
The sudden sound made Zhao's mother and sister look toward the carriage in confusion.
They had no idea that Wang Yan had already given birth to a pair of twins with Zhao Feng.
From the carriage, two maids stepped down and approached Wang Yan. "Miss," one of them said, "the young master and young miss are awake."
Wang Yan smiled softly and approached the carriage.
"Could they belong to my brother?" Zhao Ying murmured under her breath, her tone full of curiosity and disbelief.
Zhao's mother's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at the two crying infants swaddled in blankets.
"Auntie," Wang Yan said gently, "these two children are Zhao Feng's. They're almost three months old. They're your grandson and granddaughter."
The revelation left Zhao's mother visibly stunned. Her expression alternated between shock and joy.
"Feng... Feng-er's children?" Zhao's mother asked, her voice trembling.
She couldn't help but step forward to look at the crying babies more closely.
"These... these are my grandchildren?" she asked, almost unable to believe it.
Wang Yan nodded with a smile and pointed to the infants. "This one is the older brother, and this one is the younger sister."
"A pair of dragon-and-phoenix twins!" she added.
"Wonderful! Feng-er is so fortunate!" Zhao's mother exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy. She looked at her grandchildren with trembling hands, unsure of how to hold them properly.
"Auntie, why don't you hold one?" Wang Yan suggested immediately.
One of the maids holding the elder twin stepped forward and carefully placed him in Zhao's mother's arms.
Zhao's mother instinctively tightened her grip, holding the baby with extreme caution as if she were afraid he might fall.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ying stood frozen in place.
"I'm an aunt now?" she muttered, almost in disbelief.
"My sister-in-law gave birth to a pair of twins just like me and my brother. Should I try holding one too? They're my niece and nephew, after all," Zhao Ying thought, feeling both excited and hesitant.
Wang Yan noticed Zhao Ying's internal struggle and walked over to her with a smile. "Ying'er, don't you want to hold your niece?"
"Can I?" Zhao Ying asked nervously, fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.
"Of course you can," Wang Yan replied with a laugh. "You're their aunt."
"Thank you, Sister-in-law," Zhao Ying said earnestly. Her voice was filled with sincerity as she carefully stepped forward to take the baby girl from the maid.
"She's so small," Zhao Ying murmured as she looked down at her niece. Her face radiated joy. "This is my niece. This is amazing!"
Zhao's mother, meanwhile, gazed at her grandson with a loving smile. "He looks just like Feng-er when he was a baby like they were carved from the same mold."
"Mother," Zhao Ying interjected, holding her niece closer, "doesn't my niece look like me?"
"You silly girl," Zhao's mother laughed. "My granddaughter will take after her mother, not you."
"Hmph," Zhao Ying pouted playfully, but she couldn't hide her joy as she continued to cuddle her niece. "I can't believe I have a niece now. I finally have someone to keep me company."
At that moment, a voice broke the warm atmosphere.
"Greetings, Miss Wang," it said.
The speaker was Yan Bing, who approached respectfully and cupped his hands toward Wang Yan.
"And this is?" Wang Yan asked, looking to Zhao's mother for an explanation.
"This is our county governor, Lord Yan. He came personally to deliver a gift from His Majesty," Zhao's mother explained with a smile.
"Ah, so it's Lord Yan," Wang Yan said, bowing politely.
"You're too kind, Miss Wang," Yan Bing replied, his expression filled with excitement.
He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the confirmation of the rumors.
"So it's true. Zhao Feng is the son-in-law of General Wang Jian. This is incredible!"
"With the Wang family as an ally, Zhao Feng's future is limitless."
"As it stands, Zhao Feng is already a commander. It's only a matter of time before he becomes a general."
"If I can solidify my connection with the Zhao family now, it'll be invaluable in the future," Yan Bing thought to himself, his heart brimming with hope.
Meanwhile, Zhao's mother and sister couldn't take their eyes off the twins. Both of them were overjoyed.
Standing to the side, Wang Yan watched them with a gentle smile, choosing not to interrupt their happiness.
The reason Wang Yan had come to Zhao Feng's home was to visit his mother and sister on his behalf and, most importantly, to introduce them to their new family members.
After some time, the steward stepped forward and whispered to Zhao's mother, "Madam, the young mistress is still outside. Shall we invite her into the house to talk?"
The words brought Zhao's mother back to reality. She turned to Wang Yan with a warm smile.
"I got so caught up with the grandchildren that I forgot to invite you in. Come, Yan-er, let's go inside," she said.
This single call of "Mother" signified that Wang Yan had already become Zhao Shi's daughter-in-law in her heart.
And in response to this acknowledgment, Wang Yan wore a bright smile on her face and nodded, "Yes."
"Steward."
"Arrange for my daughter-in-law's guards to rest in the residence and prepare some food," Zhao Shi instructed the steward.
"Rest assured, Madam," the steward promptly replied.
After giving the orders, the family slowly began to make their way into the house.
Meanwhile, Yan Bing, being astute, did not follow them into the residence to disrupt the new daughter-in-law's arrival. Instead, he quietly left the Zhao family estate.
At that moment, he knew well enough not to intrude it would be foolish to do so.
"Prepare some supplies needed for infants. After purchasing them, have them delivered directly to the Zhao residence," Yan Bing instructed his manager before boarding his carriage.
"Understood," the manager immediately replied.
"We cannot afford to lose the connection with the Zhao family," Yan Bing thought to himself, his resolve firm.
Inside the Zhao Residence
Zhao Shi led Wang Yan to the courtyard at the back of the house, the very place where the family's original thatched cottage had once stood.
"Yan'er," Zhao Shi said warmly, holding her eldest grandson in her arms. "May I call you that?"
"Yes, Auntie," Wang Yan nodded politely.
"Auntie? What are you saying, Sister-in-law?" Zhao Ying interjected with a teasing smile. "You've already given my brother a pair of children you're already part of our Zhao family. You should change how you address her!"
"Mother," Wang Yan immediately called sweetly.
"Yes," Zhao Shi responded with affection, her voice filled with joy.
"Yan'er, don't worry," Zhao Shi promised warmly. "Although Feng'er is on the battlefield right now and I can't rush him back, the moment he returns, I'll make sure he marries you properly and gives you the official status you deserve."
Touched by Zhao Shi's kind words, Wang Yan nodded obediently. "Thank you, Mother."
"Sister-in-law, how did you and my brother meet?" Zhao Ying asked curiously.
"In the army," Wang Yan replied with a gentle smile, a hint of nostalgia appearing on her face as she seemed to recall the moment she first met Zhao Feng.
"In the army?" Zhao Ying was taken aback.
"Your brother saved my life," Wang Yan explained with a smile.
"Oh, a life-saving grace turned into a promise for life!" Zhao Ying chuckled. "My brother hit the jackpot. He went off to join the army and came back with a wife!"
Wang Yan blushed shyly, her smile tinged with modesty.
Truth be told, Wang Yan and Zhao Feng didn't have much of a romantic courtship. It was all because of four simple words: life-saving grace. That, along with her refusal to accept an arranged marriage, had led Wang Yan to entrust herself to Zhao Feng.
Out of gratitude for saving her life, she came here today to repay that debt and in the process, became part of the Zhao family.
"Yan'er," Zhao Shi said, her tone filled with concern. "You just gave birth recently and should be recovering your health. You shouldn't have traveled such a long distance."
"Mother," Wang Yan replied gently. "Since Zhao Feng isn't home, as his wife, I must visit you. Besides, I wanted you to see the two children."
Hearing this, Zhao Shi's face lit up with emotion. She was moved by Wang Yan's thoughtfulness. She was very pleased with this daughter-in-law.
"Where's that ginseng?" Zhao Shi suddenly asked, turning to a maid standing nearby.
"Madam, here it is," the maid quickly presented a small box containing the blood ginseng.
"Yan'er, you came at the perfect time. This ginseng was a reward granted to Feng'er it's the finest tonic available," Zhao Shi said with a smile. "I'm well-versed in medicine. I'll personally prepare it for you today to help you recover and replenish your strength."
"Mother, no!" Wang Yan immediately refused. "This ginseng is a national treasure of Qin, and it was granted to Zhao Feng because of his filial piety. I remember Zhao Feng telling me that after giving birth to him and his siblings, your health has always been poor and frail. This ginseng is meant for you to nourish your body."
"You're my daughter-in-law, and you've given me two grandchildren. You must take it," Zhao Shi said firmly.
"No, Mother," Wang Yan persisted. "Not. I come from a military family and trained in martial arts since I was a child. I'm naturally strong and don't need such a precious tonic."
Seeing the two of them politely refusing, Zhao Ying couldn't help but chime in, "Mother, Sister-in-law, the medicinal potency of this blood ginseng is extremely strong. Even when prepared, a single person wouldn't be able to handle its effects, but splitting it between two people would be just right."
"That's true," Zhao Shi nodded thoughtfully. "Yan'er, we'll share the ginseng this way, you can't refuse."
"Thank you, Mother," Wang Yan finally agreed with a smile.
"That's more like it," Zhao Shi said, visibly satisfied.
After a moment, Zhao Shi seemed to think of something. "Xiao Lin," she called.
"Yes, Madam?" A maid quickly stepped forward.
"Go to my room and fetch the jewelry box from under the bed," Zhao Shi instructed.
"Right away," the maid said and hurried off.
Not long after, the maid returned with a small jewelry box and handed it respectfully to Zhao Shi.
"Yan'er, this is for you," Zhao Shi said as she held Wang Yan's hand and placed the box in her palm.
"Mother, what is it?" Wang Yan asked, hesitating. "If it's too valuable, I can't accept it."
"Open it and see," Zhao Shi encouraged her with a gentle smile.
Wang Yan slowly opened the box, revealing a jade bracelet inside.
"This bracelet looks extraordinary," Wang Yan remarked, awestruck.
"Yan'er," Zhao Shi began, "you came to our home today. Although you're not officially married into the family yet, you've already given us two grandchildren. You're already part of the Zhao family. I don't have much to offer, but this bracelet is a family heirloom. It's not particularly valuable, but it holds sentimental value for our family. I want you to have it."
"Mother, you're being unfair!" Zhao Ying interjected, feigning jealousy. "I've had my eyes on that bracelet since I was a child, and now you're giving it to my sister-in-law the moment she arrives!"
"Your sister-in-law has given us two grandchildren she's the family's greatest benefactor. You'll just have to deal with it," Zhao Shi said with a laugh.
Before Wang Yan could refuse, Zhao Shi took the bracelet and placed it on her wrist. "Look, it fits perfectly," Zhao Shi said with satisfaction.
"Thank you, Mother," Wang Yan said gratefully.
"By the way, have you named the children yet?" Zhao Shi asked.
"Not yet," Wang Yan replied. "I'm planning to wait until Zhao Feng returns so he can name them himself. They're still young, after all."
"That's a good idea," Zhao Shi agreed with a smile. "It's only right for their father to name them."
"Sister-in-law," Zhao Ying chimed in again, "how long are you planning to stay?"
"Can I stay here as long as I want?" Wang Yan asked tentatively. "Since Zhao Feng isn't home, I'd like to spend more time with Mother."
"Nothing would make me happier!" Zhao Shi replied with delight. "Yan'er, you're already my daughter-in-law. This is your home now. Stay as long as you like!"
Zhao State
The smoke of war rose in all directions.
With the fall of Jinyang to Qin forces, Zhao's main defensive line against Qin was also breached.
The three main armies from Lantian were divided into three routes, advancing rapidly.
In just over a month, they captured dozens of cities and towns, with one-fifth of Zhao's territory falling into Qin's hands.
However, as Qin's forces pushed forward, Zhao's Grand General Pang Nuan led his army back to defend.
With an army of over 200,000, he fortified Wu'an City, consolidating the nearly 100,000 remnants under Yan Ju's command. Using Wu'an as a center, he once again established a defensive stronghold.
Meanwhile, the three armies of the Lantian camp converged near Wu'an City.
Inside the Military Tent
"General Zhao has arrived!"
The guards outside the tent announced loudly.
Zhao Feng walked in slowly, followed by two deputy generals.
Inside the tent, Wang Ben and Yang Duanhe were already present, each accompanied by their deputies.
"Subordinate greets the Grand General."
Upon entering, Zhao Feng bowed deeply to Wang Jian.
"Take a seat," Wang Jian said with a slight smile and a wave of his hand.
"Thank you, Grand General." Zhao Feng, along with his two deputies, took their seats.
"General Zhao's offensives have been swift and decisive, capturing 17 cities in Zhao. That's the best record among the three camps," Yang Duanhe said with a smile.
"Indeed. General Zhao's command skills are truly remarkable," Wang Ben echoed with a laugh.
"You flatter me, generals. Both of you have also made significant contributions this past month," Zhao Feng responded with a smile.
"Alright, enough mutual praise," Wang Jian interjected, waving his hand with a serious expression. "Let's get to the matter at hand."
"Yes," the three generals replied in unison.
"Zhao's forces have regrouped faster than I anticipated," Wang Jian said, his expression solemn. "Having retreated from Yan, Pang Nuan now holds Wu'an City with an army of 300,000.
"The force includes not only the remnants of Zhao's defeated troops but also Pang Nuan's 200,000 elite soldiers. Taking this city will not be easy.
"Even if we breach the city, we will face an unprecedentedly brutal battle. Are you prepared for this?"
The three generals responded in unison, their voices firm: "We are ready to fight to the death for Qin!"
"That said," Wang Jian continued, "there is one advantage to this battle.
"Unlike Jinyang, which was a military stronghold, Wu'an is a city deep within Zhao's territory. Capturing it won't be as grueling as Jinyang."
"Our usual tactics should suffice: start with bombardments from trebuchets and arrows to weaken the defenders, then use the cover of archers to launch an assault," Wang Ben suggested.
"Although Zhao's forces in the city are numerous, they are fatigued from their march, and morale is low due to the presence of defeated troops," Yang Duanhe added.
"For this battle, I suggest attacking three gates simultaneously, leaving one gate open for the Zhao troops to retreat," Zhao Feng proposed.
"Three gates, leaving one open?" Wang Jian looked at Zhao Feng with curiosity.
"If we block all escape routes, the defenders will fight to the death. But if we leave them a way out, they will prioritize survival over resistance," Zhao Feng explained with a slight smile.
"General Zhao makes a valid point. Offering an escape route undermines the enemy's will to fight," Yang Duanhe agreed immediately.
"The key to this battle lies in breaching the city. Whoever breaches it first will claim the highest merit," Wang Jian said firmly. "If we take Wu'an, we'll be poised to strike Handan. Zhao will have no strongholds left to defend."
"Requesting permission to lead the assault on the main southern gate!" Wang Ben declared.
"Since General Wang requests the southern gate, I'll take the eastern gate," Yang Duanhe said.
"Then I will take the western gate," Zhao Feng said, leaving no room for further argument.
The key to victory still lay in the strength of one's forces. With the support of the Seal of Fortune, Zhao Feng's troops were undoubtedly stronger than those of Wang Ben or Yang Duanhe.
Zhao Feng felt confident that his army could stand against any force in the world.
"Very well. It's settled," Wang Jian concluded. "Whoever breaches the city first will be credited with the highest merit.
"I will personally report their success to the king. I'll also oversee the battle from the command post and personally beat the war drums to boost morale.
"Victory in this battle will bring great rewards from the state of Qin!"
"Subordinates will give it their all!" the three generals said in unison.
"Dismissed. The army will rest tonight and begin the assault tomorrow afternoon," Wang Jian commanded.
"Understood!" The generals responded in unison and left the command tent.
Zhao Feng's Camp
"Tomorrow, our forces will attack the western gate of Wu'an City. The first to breach the city will earn the highest merit."
"Whether we succeed depends on the bravery of you, my officers," Zhao Feng said with a smile to his commanders.
"We will follow General Zhao to the death!" the officers, including Tu Sui, Zhang Han, Wei Quan, and Liu Wang, shouted in unison.
"Good. Dismissed."
"Understood!" The officers saluted and left the tent.
"Wu'an City the gathering place of Zhao's elite forces.
"After this battle, I wonder how much my attributes will increase," Zhao Feng thought to himself, filled with anticipation. "Once this city falls, the road to Handan will be clear. It won't be long before Zhao is fully annexed into Qin."
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