Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 352: Chapter 159: Zhao Feng’s Excitement (Part 3)

But now, he had inherited the legacy of a Third Order Alchemist.

This was worth more than ten thousand gold pieces—no, not even for a mountain of Spirit Stones would Zhao Feng trade it. For him, and for Yanting, this would be a tremendous boost. The power of Spirit Pills would undoubtedly make Yanting even stronger.

「...」

After attending the wedding banquet, Zhao Feng returned to his residence, eager to claim the Alchemist’s legacy.

”Claim the legacy,” Zhao Feng commanded.

The next moment, a stream of knowledge belonging to an Alchemist surged into his mind. Even with his advanced medical skills, the pharmacological knowledge he possessed paled in comparison to that of an Alchemist. It was safe to say that the Alchemist’s legacy was profoundly vast.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Feng slowly opened his eyes.

”As expected of an Alchemist’s legacy,” he remarked. ”Truly impressive.”

The memories of a Third Order Alchemist’s legacy... to fully master this Third Order will take time, not to mention hands-on experience concocting pills, Zhao Feng thought.

Immediately, he called out to someone outside the hall, ”Zhang Ming.”

”My Lord.” Zhang Ming pushed the door open and entered.

”Have Han Xi find me a few Alchemy Furnaces,” Zhao Feng instructed. ”Search for them discreetly and have them delivered secretly when the time comes.”

”Understood,” Zhang Ming immediately complied. He didn’t ask what Zhao Feng needed the Alchemy Furnaces for. As a subordinate, it was not his place to ask questions. It was a taboo.

In a couple of days, I have to attend the grand wedding of the Eldest Imperial Son, Fusu. And then it will be my own. Historically, it seems Fusu married Li Si’s daughter, only to neglect her completely. The consequences of differing political views, I suppose. But Fusu still seems rather childish. A political marriage is a political marriage, and consummation is consummation. What’s the point in neglecting her? It’s not like he’s the one losing out. I really don’t understand, Zhao Feng mused.

”My Lord,” Zhang Ming reported respectfully, having returned. ”Doctor Xia Wuqie requests an audience.”

”Xia Wuqie?” Zhao Feng was a little puzzled. ”What’s he here for?”

Back in the Wounded Soldier Camp, Zhao Feng had often worked alongside him treating the wounded, so they were somewhat familiar with each other, but they didn’t have what one would call a deep friendship.

”Show him to the main hall,” Zhao Feng said. ”I’ll head there now.”

”Understood.” Zhang Ming bowed and took his leave.

A short while later, in the main hall of the residence.

”Doctor Xia, your visit truly graces my humble abode,” Zhao Feng said, greeting him with a clasped-fist salute.

”General Zhao, I have yet to congratulate you on becoming the fourth Senior General of Great Qin,” Xia Wuqie said with a smile.

”Doctor Xia, you’re too kind,” Zhao Feng replied, then asked in surprise, ”Have you just returned?”

”Although the war is settled, there are still many wounded soldiers in the former Zhao territory. I remained there to treat them and only returned today,” Xia Wuqie explained, stroking his beard with a smile.

”Then, Doctor Xia, what brings you here today?” Zhao Feng asked directly.

”Where is General Zhao’s wife?” Xia Wuqie smiled. ”Didn’t you ask me to take her pulse, to see if there were any hidden injuries after she gave birth to twins?”

Hearing this, Zhao Feng was startled. He had indeed said that. When he learned that Wang Yan had borne him a son and a daughter, Xia Wuqie had been about to leave for the state of Zhao. Knowing of Xia Wuqie’s exceptional medical skills, Zhao Feng had casually asked him to check on Wang Yan and prescribe some nourishing medicine. He had only mentioned it in passing and never expected Xia Wuqie to actually remember.

”I’m surprised you still remembered this, Doctor Xia,” Zhao Feng said with a smile.

”How could I forget a matter concerning General Zhao?” Xia Wuqie laughed. ”Besides, when will you be holding your wedding banquet? I’m still waiting to attend.”

”The wedding banquet will be a few days after the Eldest Imperial Son’s. I plan to hold one in Xianyang first, and then return to my hometown to host another for my fellow villagers,” Zhao Feng said with a smile.

”That sounds wonderful,” Xia Wuqie nodded. ”Now that you are a Senior General, having the Great King attend your wedding is a truly grand occasion.”

”My wife is currently at the Wang Estate and will only return after the wedding ceremony, so I’m afraid you’ve made a wasted trip today,” Zhao Feng said apologetically.

”No matter,” Xia Wuqie replied, not taking offense. ”I will visit again when your esteemed wife is at home.”

”Thank you for your trouble,” Zhao Feng said gratefully.

「...」

A few days later, Zhao Feng attended Fusu’s wedding banquet.

The Imperial Clan had decorated Fusu’s Residence to be full of festive cheer, but the atmosphere of the wedding banquet itself couldn’t compare to that of the Royal Mansion. Fusu wore a stern expression, as did Li Si’s daughter beside him. Even during the tea ceremony, with Ying Zheng and Fusu’s mother, Mrs. Mi, seated before them, Fusu maintained his grim face. He was even colder when serving tea to Li Si and his wife.

Ultimately, the wedding banquet proceeded in a strange and eerie atmosphere.

Fusu, oh Fusu... historical records indeed don’t lie. So cold toward Li Si’s daughter. This political marriage is truly bizarre,

Zhao Feng reflected with a hint of amusement as he departed.
Even Ying Zheng’s face was cold when he left, completely devoid of the joy he’d shown when marrying off Liyang.

「Inside Fusu’s Residence!」

In the bedchamber, Li Si’s daughter sat on the bed, waiting. But as the night deepened, Fusu never entered the room. A look of distress crossed her lovely face, but as a woman, she ultimately had no power to defy her fate.

Wang Yan... I am not your equal. You changed your own destiny, avoided a political marriage, and even found a Senior General of Great Qin, the state’s youngest prodigy. And I... I am married to my father’s enemy. For the rest of my life, I am destined to be neglected, Li Rou thought, her expression filled with sorrow.

Before the wedding, Li Rou had understood her fate, but she had still harbored a sliver of hope that things might be different. In the end, reality was exactly as she had feared, and it was unchangeable.

「Inside Li Si’s Residence!」

”Father,” Li You said, his tone a mixture of helplessness and indignation, ”are we really just going to let my sister suffer neglect in Fusu’s residence? You saw how Fusu was today, so cold even during the tea ceremony. My sister is bound to suffer after marrying him.”

Facing him, Li Si’s expression was just as grim.

”You’er,” Li Si sighed with a bitter smile, ”this is the nature of royal power. The Great King decreed the marriage; how could a subject dare to defy it? Rou’er’s only mistake was being born into our Li Family. Even I cannot save her.”

”But... is there really no other way?” Li You asked, unwilling to give up.

”If you want to change things, there is only one way: Fusu cannot be allowed to succeed the throne. If he were just an ordinary prince, our differing political views wouldn’t matter, and perhaps Rou’er’s situation would be better. But... alas...” Li Si sighed deeply.

”Fusu is the Eldest Imperial Son, the highest in rank and oldest among the princes. His mother’s clan is powerful, and he has the support of the Imperial Clan. The position of Crown Prince is almost certainly his. It’s impossible to change,” Li You sighed in resignation.

”Who can say for certain what the future holds?” Li Si said, then suddenly changed the subject. ”You’er, you have served as the Prefectural Governor on the Northern Frontier for some years now. Have you ever considered joining the army?”

Li You was taken aback and looked at his father in confusion. ”Father, what do you mean? I have always wanted to join the army, but you never permitted it. Why are you asking me to join now?”

”Heh heh,” Li Si chuckled. ”The situation is different now. You know of Zhao Feng, don’t you?”

”Who in all of Great Qin doesn’t know the name of Senior General Zhao Feng?” Li You said solemnly, the reverence in his eyes unwavering. ”In the military, I have only ever admired Senior General Wang Jian. But now, there is also Senior General Zhao Feng.”

”Zhao Feng has been appointed as a Senior General, but his grand camp has not yet been established. A grand camp has at least two main battalions, but I suspect his might have three. Therefore, I intend to make some arrangements for you,” Li Si said with a smile. ”To obtain a position as a Main General. We, father and son—one in civil affairs, one in martial affairs.”

”I will follow all of Father’s arrangements,” Li You replied after a moment’s thought, not refusing.

Besides, he truly was filled with admiration for Zhao Feng.