"Who might this be?" Wang Yan looked toward Mrs. Zhao.
"This is the Prefectural Governor of our Shaoqiu County. He has come specially to deliver a gift bestowed by the Great King," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile.
"Ah, so you are the Prefectural Governor." Wang Yan immediately returned a bow.
"Miss Wang is too polite," Yan Bing said with a smile.
He, too, was extremely excited at this moment.
The rumors are true! Zhao Feng really is General Wang Jianâs son-in-law. This is incredible. With this connection to the Wang Family, Zhao Fengâs path is sure to go even further. Heâs already a Main General, so heâs bound to become a Shangjiangjun in the future.
To have established a good relationship with the Zhao Family will certainly be of great use down the road,
Yan Bing thought joyfully.
He had been navigating the bureaucracy for many years. Now in his forties, he had become a Prefectural Governor, but Shaqiu was not a wealthy county, meaning his prospects for advancement seemed bleak. But now, by connecting with the Zhao Familyâand by extension, the Wang FamilyâYan Bing saw a chance for future advancement, an opportunity to enter the court as an official. After all, what Prefectural Governors stationed in the outer regions desired most was the chance to serve as officials in the Capital, for those were the truly high-ranking positions.
A single Zhao Feng represented limitless potential. Everyone in the Court knew that as long as Zhao Feng continued to advance steadily, he would one day become one of Qinâs esteemed Shangjiangjun (Senior Generals). Now that he was the son-in-law of the Wang Family, his future was set to rise even higher.
Mrs. Zhao and her daughter each held one of the twins, both of them beaming with happiness.
Standing off to the side, Wang Yan watched with a tender gaze, not wishing to interrupt. She had come to check on Zhao Fengâs mother and sister, but more importantly, to let his mother see her grandchildren for the first time.
After a good while, the housekeeper who had been standing nearby stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Madam, the Young Madam is still waiting outside. Should we invite her into the mansion to talk?"
Hearing this, Mrs. Zhao came back to her senses.
She immediately turned to Wang Yan with a smile. "I was so lost in looking at my grandchildren. Yanâer, come, follow your mother into the mansion."
That single word, "mother," signified that in her heart, Mrs. Zhao had already accepted Wang Yan as her daughter-in-law.
In response, a radiant smile spread across Wang Yanâs face as she nodded. "Yes."
"Housekeeper," Mrs. Zhao called out. "Arrange for my daughter-in-lawâs guards to rest within the mansion and prepare a meal for them."
"Rest assured, Madam," the housekeeper immediately responded.
After giving her instructions, the family walked at a leisurely pace into the house.
Yan Bing, being quite tactful, did not enter the mansion and disturb the new daughter-in-lawâs visit. Instead, he left the Zhao Mansion directly. To intrude at a moment like this, he would have to be a complete fool.
"Go prepare some necessities for the infants. After youâve purchased them, send them directly to the Zhao Mansion," he instructed his steward before stepping into his carriage.
"Yes," the steward immediately nodded.
This connection to the Zhao Family must not be broken,
Yan Bing thought, his resolve hardening.
ăInside the Zhao Mansion!ă
Mrs. Zhao led Wang Yan into the rear courtyard, where the familyâs original thatched cottage had once stood.
"Yanâer," Mrs. Zhao said gently, holding her eldest grandson. "Iâll just call you this, shall I?"
"Yes, Auntie," Wang Yan nodded.
"Sister-in-law, why are you still calling her âAuntieâ?" Zhao Ying chimed in with a smile. "Youâve already given my brother a son and a daughter, youâre a daughter-in-law of the Zhao Family now. Itâs time to change how you address her."
"Mother," Wang Yan called out sweetly.
"Yes," Mrs. Zhao replied affectionately. "Yanâer, rest assured. Fengâer is on the battlefield now, so I canât ask him to hurry back. But I promise, as soon as he returns, I will have him marry you immediately and give you a proper status," she said, her tone firm with commitment.
Wang Yan would naturally not refuse such kindness. She nodded obediently, "Thank you, Mother."
"Sister-in-law, how did you and my brother meet?" Zhao Ying asked curiously.
"In the army," Wang Yan said with a faint smile, her expression softening with reminiscence as if recalling the first time she met Zhao Feng.
"The army?" Zhao Ying was taken aback.
"Your brother saved my life," Wang Yan replied with a smile.
"Oh! So you repaid the debt of him saving your life by marrying him," Zhao Ying laughed. "My brother really struck gold! He joined the army and came back with a wife."
Wang Yan simply smiled shyly.
In the end, there wasnât a deep, romantic love between Wang Yan and Zhao Feng. It all stemmed from a single act: he saved her life. It was because of that debt, combined with her unwillingness to be forced into an arranged marriage, that Wang Yan had given herself to Zhao Feng. It began with him saving her life, and it was for the sake of that debt that she was here today, to become a member of the Zhao family.
"Yanâer, youâve only recently given birth. You should be resting and taking care of your health, not undertaking such a long and arduous journey," Mrs. Zhao said with concern.
"Mother, since Fengâer isnât here by your side, it is my duty as your daughter-in-law to come see you. Besides, it was only right that you get to see the children," Wang Yan replied gently.
Upon hearing this, a touch of emotion showed on Mrs. Zhaoâs face. She was naturally very pleased with her daughter-in-law.
"Where is that blood ginseng from earlier?" she asked, turning to a maid standing nearby.
"Madam, itâs right here." The maid immediately presented the box containing the blood ginseng.
"Yanâer, your visit is timely," Mrs. Zhao said with a smile. "This is the blood ginseng that Fengâer was granted. It is the finest of nourishing remedies. I am well-versed in medicine. Today, I will personally prepare it to help you recover your strength and replenish your body."
"Mother," Wang Yan protested. "You canât.
"This blood ginseng is a Supreme Treasure of Qin. The Great King granted this to Fengâer in recognition of his filial piety."