Shortly after, the two soldiers who had entered placed boxes on the table opened them, and laid out an assortment of dishes and a box of wine.
"Time flies," Zhao Feng muttered as he glanced out the window and noticed the darkening sky. Night had fallen.
However, something caught his attention. "Wait, why is there wine today?"
"This was arranged by Military Commander Wang," one of the soldiers replied respectfully before the two bowed and left.
"Wine in the main battle camp? That's against regulations. What's Wang Yan up to?" Zhao Feng murmured, puzzled as he eyed the jars of wine on the table.
He didn't dwell on it too much. Technically, he wasn't officially part of the main battle camp until tomorrow. For now, he was still considered part of the logistics unit.
"Tonight's feast is unusually lavish," he remarked with a chuckle as he picked up his chopsticks and started eating.
Just then, light and deliberate footsteps reached his ears from outside the hall.
"Walking so slowly? That's not like you," Zhao Feng said teasingly, without even turning around.
Sure enough, when the doors opened, it was Wang Yan. She stepped into the hall and gently closed the doors behind her.
Over the past few days, Zhao Feng had spent a lot of time at the camp, growing increasingly familiar with Wang Yan. Their conversations had become more casual and less formal.
Wang Yan didn't respond immediately. Instead, she walked forward at an unhurried pace.
When Zhao Feng finally turned to look at her, he was stunned.
"You… you… you…"
Despite all he had been through, including battles and life-or-death situations, Zhao Feng was momentarily speechless. His mind seemed to freeze as he stared.
Wang Yan, tonight, was unlike anything he had ever seen. Gone was her military uniform. Her hair, usually tied back in a soldier's bun, now flowed freely, cascading down her back in silky black waves. A single ornamental hairpin adorned her locks. She wore a black and red gown that accentuated her figure, exuding both elegance and strength. Her face, previously concealed by a subtle military disguise, was now fully revealed stunningly beautiful, breathtakingly so.
Zhao Feng was utterly captivated. In his heart, he thought, Even Diao Chan, the legendary beauty of the late Han Dynasty, could hardly compare to this.
Wang Yan noticed his dazed expression and couldn't help but smile faintly, her heart swelling with a quiet sense of triumph. Her transformation had left a deep impression on him.
Still stunned, Zhao Feng watched as Wang Yan gracefully approached and knelt on the mat across from him. She poured herself a cup of wine, then poured one for him.
"What are you doing…?" Zhao Feng stammered, still caught off guard.
Wang Yan's sudden change in appearance had left him completely unprepared.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow," Wang Yan said softly, her voice as light as a songbird's melody a stark contrast to the deliberately rough tone she had previously used.
"Leaving? Where are you going?" Zhao Feng asked, startled.
"Home," Wang Yan replied quietly.
"Home? You're leaving the military?" Zhao Feng couldn't hide his surprise, nor the faint twinge of reluctance he felt.
"What can I do here?" Wang Yan said with a bitter smile. "No matter how hard I try, nothing changes. I thought I could earn military merit and prove myself, but even that doesn't matter. And I've never been given the chance to truly achieve anything. Even if I managed to earn accolades, it wouldn't change anything."
Her face showed a mix of sorrow and resignation. Zhao Feng instinctively nodded, understanding her frustration.
"Drink with me," Wang Yan said, forcing a small smile. "Consider it a farewell."
"And a way to thank you, my savior."
She raised her cup and gestured toward him. Zhao Feng hesitated briefly, then picked up his cup.
"To us," she said with a wry smile before downing the wine in a single gulp.
Though she smiled, Zhao Feng could see the pain and bitterness beneath her expression. Unsure of how to comfort her, he drank his wine in silence.
Wang Yan had tried to defy her fate, but Zhao Feng was all too aware of how little power either of them truly had to change it at least for now. She, the daughter of a great general, was trapped by the expectations and limitations imposed upon her. Breaking free seemed almost impossible.
"Why are you staring at me? Eat and drink," Wang Yan said, attempting to lighten the mood. "This is the last time we'll meet."
Her voice wavered slightly as she continued, "I know you look down on me. You think I'm just a useless girl in the army who can't accomplish anything."
"But…" She paused, her eyes glistening with tears. "This is goodbye."
Zhao Feng said nothing. Instead, he poured himself another cup and drank it in one go.
Then, he smiled faintly and said, "Who told you I look down on you?"
"Honestly," he continued, "I admire you. Truly."
"You're a woman living in an era that gives you no choices, yet you dared to fight against your fate, to push back against the hand life dealt you. That alone proves your strength."
"Even if you don't succeed, you've already shown what you're capable of."
Wang Yan stared at him, her voice trembling. "You mean that?"
"I do," Zhao Feng said with a warm smile, nodding firmly.
"I… I know you're just trying to comfort me," she said, her voice quivering. "But it means a lot to hear it. Zhao Feng, thank you. Truly."
She raised her cup and drank, her expression a mix of gratitude and melancholy.
The two continued drinking, the alcohol gradually loosening their tongues and their inhibitions.
"Do you know who my father is?" Wang Yan suddenly asked.
"Of course. He's Wang Jian, the great general of Qin," Zhao Feng replied. "Why else would Li Teng treat you so well?"
"And do you know who I'm supposed to marry?" she asked, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The court wants me to marry Fusu, the crown prince of Qin."
"Don't you want to?" Zhao Feng asked.
"No. I don't want to marry into the royal family. I don't want a political marriage. I just want to find someone I truly love and marry him. I don't want to be a pawn in their games."
"But in this era, women have no say in these matters," Zhao Feng said softly. "Most don't get to choose whom they marry."
"I know," Wang Yan said, her voice filled with sorrow. "But… I've found him."
Zhao Feng froze, sensing the weight of her words.
"Zhao Feng, I like you," Wang Yan said, her voice trembling. "Maybe it's gratitude, or maybe it was love at first sight. But if I could, I'd want to marry you."
Before Zhao Feng could respond, she stood up, her movements slightly unsteady from the wine. She took a step closer, her eyes locking onto his.
"I can't change my fate. But I can change myself."
"Zhao Feng," she whispered, her voice filled with determination, "I want you."