Hearing Zhao Feng's words, Wang Jian's expression turned peculiar.
Zhao Feng's sudden declaration seemed entirely out of place in the current situation.
"What do you want to say? Speak," Wang Jian said with a slight smile.
Zhao Feng raised his head, his gaze steady and unwavering. In a loud and clear voice, he declared, "I am in love with your daughter, Wang Yan, and she feels the same for me. I humbly ask the general to grant us your blessing."
As soon as these words fell, the smile on Wang Jian's face disappeared, replaced by a steely expression.
"What did you just say?" Wang Jian's voice dropped to a low, cold tone as he fixed Zhao Feng with an intense gaze.
"I am in love with Wang Yan, and she loves me in return. I humbly ask for your blessing," Zhao Feng repeated without hesitation.
Wang Jian stared deeply at Zhao Feng, silent for a long moment.
Zhao Feng's expression was resolute, his gaze forthright and fearless. As a man, he knew he had to face this matter head-on.
After a while, Wang Jian finally spoke. "You've only known Yan'er for a short time. How can you claim you're in love with each other already?"
"It was love at first sight," Zhao Feng replied.
"I know you saved Yan'er's life, and such gratitude could indeed lead to feelings of affection," Wang Jian said, his tone tinged with helplessness. "But you don't understand the circumstances of my family, nor do you know that since Yan'er grew up, she has had no choice in such matters not even I, as her father, have the power to decide."
"Even if it costs me all the military merits I've earned from this campaign, I only ask the general to bless our union," Zhao Feng said, bowing deeply with sincerity.
Seeing Zhao Feng's steadfast attitude, Wang Jian shook his head. "Zhao Feng, perhaps you still don't understand the meaning behind my words."
"I understand perfectly," Zhao Feng said calmly. "You mean to say that the court has already decided to marry Wang Yan to the Crown Prince Fusu, and His Majesty supports this decision. Yan'er has told me about it."
Wang Jian's eyes narrowed, his voice stern. "If you know this, then why bring it up at all?"
"As the Supreme General, my status rivals that of the Nine Ministers, but all authority stems from the King. Should His Majesty issue a decree, who would dare defy it? To resist a royal edict is to court the annihilation of one's family. Even if the King himself showed mercy, the court would not."
"Has His Majesty truly decided to enforce this marriage?" Zhao Feng asked, his brows furrowing.
"Zhao Feng," Wang Jian said gravely, "you may be brave and talented, but you still lack insight into the true power dynamics of the court."
"In court, word of the King's intent to arrange this marriage has already spread. Alongside it, news of His Majesty's decision to grant my son a royal marriage has also circulated. The latter is a certainty His Majesty has personally discussed it with me."
"Do you understand what this means?"
Zhao Feng's mind worked quickly, and he nodded. "The spread of such news is deliberate, a calculated move by the King."
"Exactly," Wang Jian affirmed, a look of helpless resignation on his face. "To outsiders, marrying Yan'er to the Crown Prince may seem like an honor, but in reality, it's a means for the King to tighten his control over my family."
"I have no choice."
"Royal authority... royal authority," Zhao Feng muttered, but his expression remained unyielding. "General, Yan'er and I have already shared a bond as husband and wife. I will not abandon her, even if it means defying royal authority!"
The moment these words were spoken, Wang Jian shot to his feet, his brows furrowed tightly.
A powerful aura, honed over years of command, surged from him, bearing down on Zhao Feng like a tidal wave.
But Zhao Feng met Wang Jian's gaze squarely, showing not a hint of fear.
Having chosen to voice his intentions today, Zhao Feng was prepared for any reaction Wang Jian might have. If it truly came to the worst, if Wang Yan were forced into a marriage, Zhao Feng resolved to take her away even if it meant becoming an outlaw.
His abilities had grown significantly, and if it came to it, he could leave Qin and seek refuge elsewhere. The world was vast; Zhao Feng was confident he could find a place for himself.
And when the time came for the Qin dynasty to falter, he would return.
This might seem reckless, but Zhao Feng could not stand idly by while the woman he loved was forced into a marriage against her will.
The next moment, the sharp sound of a blade unsheathing echoed through the air.
Wang Jian's sword left its scabbard, the tip pointing directly at Zhao Feng.
"Do you realize that with the words you've just spoken, I could kill you right here?" Wang Jian said coldly.
"If the general wishes to kill me, then go ahead," Zhao Feng replied calmly.
"Defying royal authority is a crime that warrants death," Wang Jian said, his tone icy. "As a general of Qin, you dare utter such treasonous words?"
"For Yan'er, it's worth it!" Zhao Feng replied firmly, his voice unwavering.
His words carried unshakable determination.
Wang Jian glared at Zhao Feng, his sword steady, his gaze cold.
After a long moment, Wang Jian slowly lowered his blade.
"You saved Yan'er's life. If I were to kill you, how would the world view the Wang family?"
"Let's consider the words you've just spoken as if they were never said," Wang Jian said evenly, though his tone revealed a slight retreat in the confrontation.
In the end, he could not bring himself to strike down the man who had saved his daughter's life a brave and capable young general, no less.
Moreover, Wang Jian could see that Zhao Feng was entirely serious about what he had said.
"My words stand. I will not change my mind."
"I ask the general to grant us your blessing," Zhao Feng said, bowing deeply again.
He cared little for the King's intentions regarding the marriage. What mattered to him was Wang Jian's stance.
"I've said it before," Wang Jian said with a weary sigh. "If Yan'er were a commoner, I would agree. But as a daughter of the Wang family, she has no choice in the matter nor do I."
"If it truly comes to that, I will take her away. I will not stand by as Yan'er is forced to marry another, even if it's the Crown Prince himself," Zhao Feng said, his eyes flashing with resolve.
Hearing Zhao Feng's bold declaration, Wang Jian let out a cold chuckle and shook his head. "Take her away? Such arrogance!"
"The capital is guarded by thirty thousand imperial guards and twenty thousand patrol troops. How do you propose to take her away?"
"Zhao Feng," Wang Jian said, his voice firm yet tinged with regret. "Listen to me: forget about Yan'er. You cannot change anything. Neither can I."
"General, do you truly know Yan'er?" Zhao Feng asked, his gaze fixed on Wang Jian.
"What do you mean by that?" Wang Jian's brows furrowed deeply.
"Though I haven't spent much time with Yan'er, I know one thing for certain: she will not submit to such a fate," Zhao Feng said, his voice steady and sure.
Wang Jian fell silent, his expression unreadable.
A moment later, he turned away, hiding his face from Zhao Feng. "Enough. I don't want to hear any more of your nonsense. Today's conversation never happened. You are dismissed!"
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