Longevity by Picking up Attributes in the Battlefield Chapter 704 - 287: Ying Zheng: Ying’er, Her Surname Is Ying! She Is My Daughter! (2)

Respectfully, Li You spoke, his heart surging with anxiety.

He bowed toward Ying Zheng next.

As for this matter.

Ying Zheng felt little surprise.

Li You's unyielding pursuit of Zhao Ying over the previous four years had long circulated widely in the court.

Plenty of people even whispered mockery at Li You's folly for clinging solely to the Zhao family's daughter and overlooking alternatives.

"Have you thought this through?"

"After you wed Zhao Ying, should you ever bully her, Zhao Feng won't spare you, and neither will I."

"I refuse to let her endure any wrongs once she's married to you."

Ying Zheng declared solemnly, his voice laden with stern warning.

With events reaching this point.

Ying Zheng openly revealed his care for Zhao Ying in his speech.

"Rest assured, Great King."

"I vow to never mistreat Ying’er."

"I’ve sworn to Lord Wu’an that Ying’er will be my only one in this life." Li You responded swiftly.

"Are you sure?" Ying Zheng inquired deeply.

"Absolutely certain." Li You nodded firmly.

"I’ve heard your pledge."

"Should you violate it later, I won’t spare you." Ying Zheng warned gravely.

Hearing those words!

Li You nodded vigorously: "I’ll etch it in my heart."

Yet suddenly.

A realization dawned on Li You.

"Does the Great King approve my union with Zhao Ying?" Li You asked, thrilled and astonished.

"Zhao Feng has consented, so why would I deny it?"

"Furthermore."

"I’ve observed your steadfast affection for Zhao Ying all these years."

"I have just one demand: should Zhao Ying shed even one tear in your Li family later, I won’t let you off." Ying Zheng cautioned anew.

Li You bowed at once: "Gratitude for the Great King’s grace."

"Fengchang will select your wedding date—not immediately, but following Qi’s conquest." Ying Zheng stated calmly, motioning to Li You.

For this prospective son-in-law, Ying Zheng extended his blessing.

"Thanks to the Great King’s grace." Li You thanked him again.

Having Fengchang choose the wedding day was a privilege typically for royal offspring—what merits did Li You hold to deserve it?

Still.

This elevated the prestige.

It underscored the reigning King’s high esteem for both the Zhao and Li families.

Meanwhile, Li Si pondered deeply; with his sharp mind, he easily perceived the King’s affection for the Zhao daughter exceeded that for a typical official’s child.

Such care resembled an elder’s.

"Does the King truly see Lord Wu’an as a son, caring so much even for his sister’s wedding?"

"Fengchang presiding over the rite honors only royal children."

"The King’s favor upon Lord Wu’an’s entire clan stands unmatched."

"Today, he summoned Lord Wu’an’s mother alone to the palace for a private meal."

"Placing You’er under Lord Wu’an’s command proved wise."

"Now, this marriage to the Zhao family benefits my Li family greatly—even if troubles arise later, our line endures."

"Though the Zhao family rose just a decade ago with Zhao Feng’s service, it now leads Qin’s nobility."

Unlike Li You’s jubilation, Li Si reflected carefully.

His son’s choice and their mutual love were genuine, yet Li Si valued the alliance with the Zhao family.

For the Li family, this alliance was a profound boon.

"Li You."

"You can retire for now." Ying Zheng gestured dismissively.

"I heed the command."

At that instant, joy overwhelmed Li You.

No barriers remained to his marriage with Zhao Ying.

For him, this was an immense fortune.

He could at last wed his heart’s desire.

Elated thus, Li You departed Zhangtai Palace with fervor.

"General Li appears joyful today."

Commander Ren saw Li You emerge beaming and grinned promptly.

"The Great King approved my marriage."

"I’m finally wedding—come to the feast for celebratory wine, Commander Ren." Li You invited warmly.

"To whom?"

"The Zhao family’s daughter?" Commander Ren queried, astonished.

"Indeed." Li You nodded emphatically, striding off swiftly.

"This fellow truly captured her heart."

"Lord Wu’an’s sister, a renowned healer too."

"The Li family’s standing rises further." Commander Ren mused in shock.

He hadn’t anticipated Li You’s success.

Inside Zhangtai Palace!

"What are your thoughts on Li You’s marriage?" Ying Zheng’s eyes turned to Li Si, laced with evaluation.

"To the Great King."

"I support it fully."

"It’s You’er’s own wish."

"With only this son, how could I oppose?"

"Frankly, Great King, years back I tried convincing You’er to abandon it, but couldn’t defy his heart." Li Si smiled wryly.

"When Ying’er joins your household, I want no ill tidings about her."

Ying Zheng rose gradually, addressing Li Si with grave intent.

This abrupt gravity.

Startled Li Si inwardly.

He had misjudged the depth of the Great King’s favor for the Zhao family.

"Rest easy, Great King."

"A Zhao family daughter wedding into my Li family honors us deeply."

"My Li family pledges utmost respect for her." Li Si assured promptly.

"Ying’er isn’t merely a Zhao family daughter." Ying Zheng uttered deliberately, seriousness etching his features.

"What?"

Li Si appeared stunned and perplexed.

"She’s a Ying family daughter." Ying Zheng stated once more.

Li Si’s eyes bulged, staring at Ying Zheng in utter disbelief: "Ying... a Ying family daughter?"

"This... this..."

In that moment.

Li Si’s heart raced furiously.

Wholly unforeseen, especially Ying Zheng voicing it outright.

"What? You doubt it?"

Ying Zheng eyed Li Si amusedly, sternness easing from his face.

"Great King."

"Lord Wu’an’s siblings hail from Shaqiu—how could they be Ying family daughters?"

"The former Lord Chang’an’s daughter wed the Wang family; are there other heirs?" Li Si probed cautiously.

"Who said it was Chengjiao’s?" Ying Zheng smiled subtly.

To stun a mind like Li Si’s so thoroughly revealed the revelation’s magnitude.

"Not Lord Chang’an’s, then perhaps royal kin?" Li Si remained dazed.

He hadn’t considered Ying Zheng himself.

It defied all imagination.

"She’s my daughter."

Ying Zheng ended the suspense, declaring firmly.

"What?"

Li Si shot to his feet, eyes gaping, incredulity etched deep.

That declaration struck like thunder.

"Impossible."

"How could the Great King sire children among commoners?"

"All your concubines reside in the palace, save... except..."

The thought halted there.

Li Si grasped a possibility instantly.

Over two decades prior.

That woman scorned by royals and nobles alike.

The near-Queen of Qin.

Daughter of healer Xia Wuqie.

Xia Dong’er.

Right then!

Li Si recalled Zhao Feng’s mother from his recent Zhao Mansion visit—past thirty yet alluring.

Her demeanor exceptionally refined.

"Your suspicion rings true."

"Ying’er is truly Dong’er’s and my daughter." Ying Zheng smiled faintly.

"And Lord Wu’an?"

Li Si lifted his gaze, comprehension dawning, then ventured.

"Ying’er and Feng’er share full blood. If Ying’er is mine, whose son do you suppose Feng’er is?" Ying Zheng chuckled.

At those words.

Li Si’s mind reeled—this secret, colossal.

"Zhao Feng is the Great King’s son after all."

"No wonder... no wonder."

"No wonder the Great King fears no challenge to his throne, issuing edicts to boost his fame, promoting all Zhao Feng’s allies in court, elevating Han Fei to prime minister—all for Zhao Feng."

"Now it makes sense!"

...