Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield

Chapter 360: Chapter 162: Homecoming, Reunion with Mother! Xia Wuqie’s Joy!

There were even many newly built houses. Many people heard that Sha Village had produced a Shangjiangjun and felt that Sha Village was a place of remarkable people and auspicious land.

Many even moved to Sha Village to live. When Zhao Feng had left, its population was only a few hundred, but now it had surpassed two thousand, growing into a small market town. This was all because Zhao Feng had become a Shangjiangjun, making Sha Village famous. Of course, the current population of over two thousand was not the limit; it was expected to grow even more in the future. After all, this era had no laws restricting travel, unlike the travel permits of later eras.

”Zhang Ming, my house isn’t that large. It can’t accommodate all our brothers. Take them and set up camp outside,” Zhao Feng said, lifting the carriage curtain.

Upon hearing this, Yan Bing immediately said with a laugh, ”You may not know, Shangjiangjun, but the Great King specifically ordered the Royal Palace craftsmen to build a mansion for you. Your current residence is enormous. It can accommodate these few hundred Guards without issue, and even more if necessary. The Great King’s favor toward you was made clear years ago.”

Zhao Feng was startled and a little surprised. ”Is it really that big?”

”Absolutely,” Yan Bing chimed in with a smile. ”I’ve been here many times, so I’m quite familiar with the Zhao Mansion.”

”In that case, there’s no need to make camp. Follow me home,” Zhao Feng said.

”Yes, sir,” Zhang Ming replied respectfully.

Afterward, the trusted aides escorted the carriage toward the village.

”What’s that noise outside?”

”Does that sound like an army?”

”Could something have happened in the village?”

”Quick, let’s go have a look...”

The sound of hooves and clattering Battle Armor soon drew many villagers out to see the commotion. Under the cover of night, they saw a long procession heading toward the Zhao Mansion.

”They’re going to the Zhao Mansion.”

”Could it be that General Zhao Feng has returned?”

”It’s possible.”

”The Zhao state fell so long ago. General Zhao Feng should be coming home.”

”The Shangjiangjun has returned, should we go see?”

”Definitely! Our family is renting five mu of the Shangjiangjun’s land, all at a low price. That land is what’s made our family so prosperous. We have to go and thank him.”

”That’s right.”

”Our whole family will go.”

”Let’s go...”

Seeing so many Qin Army soldiers heading toward the Zhao Mansion, the villagers naturally assumed Zhao Feng had returned. Whether they had old ties or not, everyone began rushing toward the Zhao Mansion.

「Zhao Mansion」

”Madam! Miss!” the housekeeper shouted as he ran into the residence. ”The Shangjiangjun has returned! And the Young Madam and the others have returned as well!”

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao and Zhao Ying, who were in their small house, both put down the herbs they were holding. Their faces filled with excitement, they ran quickly toward the mansion gate.

At the mansion gate, all the servants of the Zhao Mansion had gathered.

”We respectfully welcome the Shangjiangjun back to the mansion.”

All the servants knelt. As they possessed the legal status of slaves, not even considered commoners, they naturally performed the grandest of salutes.

”Alright.” Zhao Feng nodded and waved his hand. ”Prepare food for five hundred men. You are all dismissed.”

”Your servants obey.” The servants scattered to prepare the food. Clearly, feeding so many people meant they were destined for a long, busy night.

Just then, Mrs. Zhao and her daughter hurried out. When they saw the Zhao Feng they hadn’t seen in so long, both mother and daughter’s expressions were trembling with emotion.

”Feng’er,” Mrs. Zhao called out, her voice trembling.

”Brother.”

Hearing their voices, Zhao Feng whipped his head around and saw the two people he had missed most during his four years on the battlefield.

”Mother. Little Sister. I’ve returned.”

Looking at them, Zhao Feng strode forward and pulled them both into his embrace, a gesture filled with the deep affection of family.

”It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back. Four years. You’ve finally returned. You’ve become more mature, taller, and stronger. This is wonderful.”

Mrs. Zhao looked her son over from head to toe. Seeing him return unharmed was the greatest possible relief for her.

”Mother. Sister,” Wang Yan also stepped forward, calling out softly.

”Yan’er, you’re back,” Mrs. Zhao said with a joyful face.

”Grandmother. Aunt,” the two little ones also toddled over, calling out with great joy.

”Good, good. It’s good that you’re back,” Mrs. Zhao said, looking affectionately at her two grandchildren. ”My little treasures.”

Perhaps it was a common failing of the era to prefer boys over girls—a flaw that persisted even in later generations—but for Mrs. Zhao, this was never an issue. She adored her grandson and granddaughter equally. She had never treated Zhao Ying any differently, always regarding them with the same affection.

”Mother,” Wang Yan said, pointing to the two little ones. ”My husband has given them names. The older brother is Zhao Qi, and the younger sister is Zhao Ling.”

”Zhao Qi, Zhao Ling,” Mrs. Zhao repeated. ”Yes, they have a nice ring to them. Good names.”

She then knelt, embracing the two small children, and said lovingly, ”Grandmother’s grandchildren have names now. Qi’er, Ling’er. Say ’Grandmother’ a few more times for me to hear.”

The two little ones were very well-behaved and immediately called out sweetly, ”Grandmother.”

”Yes,” Mrs. Zhao responded, her voice full of sweetness.

”Call me Aunt,” Zhao Ying also knelt, playing with her niece and nephew.

”Aunt.”

”Aunt...” the two little ones called out sweetly.

Zhao Ying answered each call, thoroughly enjoying it.

Zhao Feng watched this warm scene with great joy. This was what he had always pursued: a family, happy and together. He had started his own family and had children; it had all come true. On top of that, he had gained immense power and influence. It wasn’t just power, either—he now had a secret force at his disposal. The future was full of promise.

”Brother, I still can’t believe it,” Zhao Ying said, moving closer and starting to pinch his cheek. ”You actually became a Shangjiangjun. Are you sure you haven’t been replaced by someone else?”

In all of Qin, only Zhao Ying would dare to do such a thing.

”You silly girl, how could your brother have been replaced?” Zhao Feng swatted her hand away in mock annoyance.

”See, Mother? He’s still the same as before, always bullying me,” Zhao Ying whined to Mrs. Zhao.

”You were asking for it,” Mrs. Zhao replied, amused.

But in that moment of family reunion, Mrs. Zhao didn’t notice a pair of eyes that had fixed upon her, nor that the owner of that gaze was trembling from head to toe.

It’s... it’s Dong’er. My daughter. She’s still alive, it’s really her. Dong’er is still alive. Still alive...

At that moment, Xia Wuqie was trembling all over, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. For him, his life’s greatest wish had been fulfilled. He had finally found his daughter.

”You’re the housekeeper, right?” Zhao Feng’s gaze shifted to the man waiting at the side.

”Yes, Shangjiangjun. I am,” the housekeeper replied immediately.

”Arrange accommodations for my trusted aides, and tell the servants to hurry with the food,” Zhao Feng said.

”The Shangjiangjun hasn’t eaten yet, has he? Your servant has already arranged for your meal to be prepared with the others,” the housekeeper said at once.

”Good. Go on,” Zhao Feng nodded.

The housekeeper hurried away. The other servants were tactful enough to withdraw, leaving Zhao Feng’s family to themselves. Zhang Ming also left with the trusted aides, following the housekeeper.

It was only then that Mrs. Zhao noticed someone else standing at the doorway, and her gaze drifted over. At the sight, her expression changed. A mixture of panic, shock, astonishment, and guilt flooded her eyes. All sorts of emotions churned within her.

Zhao Feng, however, wasn’t looking at his mother. He was still watching his sister play with his children.

Then, Zhao Ying stood up and saw Xia Wuqie standing behind them.

”Brother, who is this?” she asked curiously.

Hearing her voice, Zhao Feng was brought back to the present.

”Ah, that’s right. I almost forgot.” He clapped his hands, turned, and gestured to Xia Wuqie. ”Mother, Sister, this is the greatest physician in all of Qin, Doctor Xia Wuqie. I met Doctor Xia in the Zhao state and am also familiar with his disciple. While in Xianyang, he took Yan’er’s pulse and happened to see the jade bracelet you gave her, Mother. He said the bracelet looked familiar, very similar to an item belonging to an old acquaintance. So he made a special trip home with me to see if you might be the descendant of that person,” Zhao Feng explained with a smile.

At that moment, Xia Wuqie’s eyes met Mrs. Zhao’s. An unspoken understanding passed between them, a silent exchange whose meaning only they could comprehend.

”Doctor Xia, what’s wrong?” Zhao Feng asked with a smile, seeing him frozen in place. ”Don’t tell me you actually recognize my mother?”

Hearing this, Xia Wuqie finally snapped back from the storm raging in his heart. He forced a smile and said, ”Indeed... she truly does resemble the descendant of an old acquaintance.”