The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 114
by Little PandaThis Father Can Help You Too.
The Lin Residence’s steward had seen Cheng Xi a few times. Noticing the way she avoided him, he shifted his gaze and nodded at Lin Xizhao. “Very well, this old slave will return to report to the Master.”
Feng Qi led the Lin Residence’s steward out. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao hurried to find Cheng Xi under the small tree. Seeing the bloodstains on Cheng Xi, Qu Sheng frowned and asked, “What happened to you?”
Cheng Xi took her hand off the tree she was leaning on, and Lin Xizhao rushed to support her.
Cheng Xi’s breathing trembled, her dry throat bobbing once. “Xiao Tong and Chen shi1 are dead,” she said. “Bingying and I killed them.”
Tonight, after dark, Xiao Bingying had been invited to Xiao Yaocai’s rooms under the pretense of an apology.
Xiao Bingying had originally wanted to refuse, but Xiao Yaocai had said, “I already gave Cheng Xi to Ajie.2 It was the Qu family that wanted her, so you can’t blame your didi for that. If Ajie is still upset, why don’t you take this and hit me a few times to vent your anger.”
As he spoke, Xiao Yaocai took a broom from a nearby servant and tried to hand it to Xiao Bingying. She raised an arm to dodge it, looking at him with a slight frown. “Cai-di,3 what are you doing?”
Speaking of Cheng Xi, if they were to follow the rules of propriety, she was the one at fault. Cheng Xi had been gifted to Xiao Yaocai by the Emperor. It was she who, seeing Cheng Xi’s beauty, had been moved by pity and developed feelings of affection, taking Cheng Xi for herself.
The Qu family had taken her away because she wanted to protect Cheng Xi.
But although she was at fault, she didn’t regret it. Cheng Xi was indeed beautiful, but if it had been an ordinary-looking girl with nowhere to turn, she would have done the same. As for whether she would have developed feelings of affection, she didn’t know.
“Ajie, just come and drink this cup of wine as my apology,” Xiao Yaocai said with a fawning smile.
Xiao Bingying looked at Xiao Yaocai’s placating gesture and sized him up cautiously.
Seeing her wariness, Xiao Yaocai quickly said, “If Ajie feels it would be unlucky to go to my place, then I’ll have the servants set up the banquet here at yours. How about that?”
Xiao Bingying thought for a moment, then replied, “No need. I’ll go to your place.”
Cheng Xi would be coming over in the evening, and there was no telling how long this banquet would last. Xiao Bingying glanced toward the courtyard gate and said to Xiao Yaocai, “You go back first. I’ll be there in a moment.”
“Eh, alright.” Hearing Xiao Bingying agree, Xiao Yaocai’s face broke into a smile. When she wasn’t looking, he raised his eyes to glance at her.
After Xiao Yaocai left the courtyard, Xiao Bingying turned and went back inside. She had someone bring her a brush and ink, dismissed everyone, and left a note for Cheng Xi.
She didn’t know when the banquet would end, nor when Cheng Xi would arrive. If Cheng Xi came early, at least she would know where she had gone.
Xiao Bingying set the ink brush aside, blew on the ink, and placed a paperweight on the note to hold it down.
Xiao Bingying left her courtyard and went to Xiao Yaocai’s. The last time she had been here was when she had carried Cheng Xi away in the snow. Back then, she hadn’t known anything about Cheng Xi.
She had thought Cheng Xi was just a weak, pitiful woman. Who knew she…
Standing there, Xiao Bingying couldn’t help but smile. Cheng Xi was far more clever than she was.
“Ajie, hurry and come in.” Xiao Yaocai, having been informed by a servant of her arrival, rushed out to greet her.
Xiao Bingying heard him and looked up, the smile on her face slowly fading as she walked over.
“I’ve found a few dancers for today. If Ajie takes a liking to any of them, you can take them back to your room tonight.”
As Xiao Yaocai finished speaking, Xiao Bingying’s brow furrowed, and she turned to leave.
“Hey, Ajie.” Xiao Yaocai quickly stepped forward to block her path. “They’re from a proper song and dance house. Your didi was just spouting nonsense.”
Xiao Bingying’s frown didn’t ease. Xiao Yaocai’s eyes darted around, and he smiled again. “The wine today is a fine vintage I brought back especially from our family’s estate in the suburbs. Ajie must honor me by drinking a little more today.”
Xiao Bingying had wanted to leave, but she figured that if she didn’t stay, Xiao Yaocai would probably keep pestering her. After some thought, she decided to go in.
Xiao Bingying entered the room. After Xiao Yaocai guided her to her seat, he clapped his hands, and people entered the main hall from a side room.
The melodious sound of a pipa filled the hall. Xiao Bingying glanced up as dancers in thin gauze dresses entered.
She looked away after a single glance, but Xiao Yaocai watched with great enthusiasm, his eyes glued to the dancers, to the glimpses of skin revealed when the gauze fluttered.
Xiao Yaocai’s eyes were fixed on the dancers, but his head slowly began to turn toward Xiao Bingying. Yet because he was so reluctant to look away, his eyes ended up askew. Finally, after hearing Xiao Bingying clear her throat lightly, Xiao Yaocai came to his senses for a moment, gave an embarrassed laugh, and looked at her. “Food and sex are part of human nature.4 These dancers are all so voluptuous; your didi was momentarily captivated.”
“Come, Ajie, let’s have a drink, just the two of us,” Xiao Yaocai said, raising his wine cup.
Xiao Bingying’s expression darkened slightly. After a moment, she picked up her cup, toasted him, and drank.
The wine was good; wine was the Xiao family’s main source of income. But Xiao Bingying had never drunk much. The few times she had were thanks to Zhao Jiayu.
Growing up, Xiao Bingying never asked for anything from the residence, but she never lacked for anything either, because even if the Xiao Residence didn’t provide, the Zhao Residence would.
Every year, whatever dresses Zhao Jiayu had, Mother Zhao would also make a few for Xiao Bingying. Thus, aside from being beaten and scolded by Xiao Mu, her life wasn’t too difficult.
But if it was something truly fine that the Zhao family couldn’t spare, then she went without. Xiao Bingying never cared about these things. She was grateful for the Zhao family’s care and content that the Xiao family had given her a place to live.
But recently, because of Cheng Xi’s sudden appearance in her life, her heart had begun to change.
No matter how well she did what her mother asked, she would still be scolded. And Xiao Yaocai’s words from a few days ago—that she wasn’t a young miss of this residence—had stuck with her.
That darkness had slowly begun to sprout in her heart. And with Xiao Tong’s increasingly improper behavior toward her since his return to the capital, that sprout had begun to fester.
After Xiao Bingying drank, the maidservant beside her refilled her cup. Xiao Yaocai glanced at the maidservant, his eyes flickering, signaling her to serve Xiao Bingying some food.
The maidservant understood, put down the jade pot of wine, and picked up the nearby chopsticks to place some food on Xiao Bingying’s plate.
When Xiao Bingying saw the maidservant serving her, she turned her head, only to find that this maidservant was dressed even more revealingly than the dancers. And that chest…
“I’ll do it myself.” Xiao Bingying subconsciously pulled her arms in, sat up straight, and stared at the wine on the table, frowning and wanting to leave.
At that moment, Xiao Yaocai was still watching the dancers twirl lightly. “Bravo!”
Hearing him, Xiao Bingying looked over. Seeing him completely engrossed in the dancers, she abandoned the idea of leaving.
She had only just arrived and had one cup of wine. If she left now, Xiao Yaocai would likely pester her relentlessly.
“Come, Ajie, your didi toasts you.” Xiao Yaocai, in the midst of his busy viewing, spared a glance for Xiao Bingying. He raised the cup he had already picked up—and had almost drunk himself while watching the dancers—and toasted her.
Xiao Bingying glanced at him, picked up her cup, and drank with him.
The dances changed one after another. Xiao Yaocai would toast Xiao Bingying from time to time, and she would always drink with him. Half an hour later, the dancers withdrew, and only then did Xiao Yaocai begin to speak with her properly.
“Ajie, were you satisfied with the dancing?” Xiao Yaocai asked, raising his cup.
Xiao Bingying raised her cup and drank with him. “It was very good.” The dancing was naturally beautiful, but she was in no mood to watch.
Besides, compared to Cheng Xi, these people were far inferior.
Xiao Yaocai laughed. “What a pity. If Cheng Xi were still in our residence, these women wouldn’t even be fit to carry her shoes. Ai…”
Xiao Yaocai sighed, then continued, “When Father told me the Qu Marquis Residence had come to ask for her, I disagreed ten thousand times over. I even defied Father and argued with him. Ajie, it’s really not that I didn’t want to keep Cheng Xi in our residence. Please don’t blame me anymore.”
Xiao Yaocai spoke with great drama. He had indeed tried to stop it that day. He had been thinking that after Xiao Bingying had had her fun, she could give Cheng Xi to him, or they could share her, as a way to win Xiao Bingying over.
Xiao Bingying’s martial arts were unmatched by any guard in the residence. If she were willing to work for him, he would have nothing to fear in the future. But who knew the Qu family would interfere, taking the person away and ruining his plans.
His words made Xiao Bingying’s gaze drop guiltily for a moment. She grunted in agreement. “I never blamed you. Don’t overthink it.”
Hearing her words, Xiao Yaocai sighed again, raised his full cup, and started drinking with her once more.
Xiao Bingying drank several cups in a row, all out of guilt. After drinking for a while, Xiao Yaocai urged her to eat.
The maidservant beside them also refilled her wine at the opportune moment. This time, the maidservant didn’t press her chest against Xiao Bingying, so she didn’t refuse.
After they drank, Xiao Yaocai brought up the time Xiao Bingying had risked her life to save him. He even started crying as he spoke.
“Ajie, tell me, why is my life so bitter? I was born with a problem with my body. It finally got better, but now something else has gone wrong.”
Listening to him, Xiao Bingying’s gaze flickered over the dishes on the table.
When she was a child and had vaguely understood some things, she had pitied Xiao Yaocai. But what happened later was purely his own doing.
Who knew where he had developed such a fetish, specifically targeting married women. With such a depraved hobby, it was only a matter of time before he got a beating.
Xiao Bingying had once tried to advise him, but after just one sentence, Xiao Mu had told her to mind her own business and not point fingers at others. After that, she never brought it up again.
“Come, Ajie, let’s have another drink.” Xiao Yaocai sniffled and raised his cup again.
Xiao Bingying glanced at him. Seeing his mournful expression, she raised her cup and drank with him.
After downing several more cups, Xiao Bingying felt she couldn’t drink anymore. Just as she was about to tell Xiao Yaocai she was leaving, he had the dancers brought back into the room.
With the music and dancing starting up again, Xiao Bingying couldn’t very well say she was leaving.
Xiao Yaocai raised his cup to toast her again. Just as Xiao Bingying was about to say she couldn’t hold her liquor, he drank his down.
After that, when Xiao Bingying refused, Xiao Yaocai claimed she was looking down on him. Helpless, Xiao Bingying had no choice but to drink a little more with him. By the time she felt dizzy, she refused to drink any more, no matter how he persuaded her.
“Let’s stop here for today. I want to go back and rest.”
“Hey, it’s not often Ajie honors me with her presence for a drink. You have to drink to your heart’s content.” As Xiao Yaocai spoke, he signaled the maidservant to refill her cup.
Xiao Bingying looked down as her cup was filled, then looked at Xiao Yaocai. “I appreciate your sentiment, Cai-di, but I really can’t drink anymore. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be heading back now.”
Xiao Bingying said this and went to stand, but her body was a little unsteady. Seeing this, Xiao Yaocai quickly stood up and smiled. “Since Ajie feels she can’t drink anymore, then we won’t. But this…” His gaze shifted to the full cup in front of her.
Xiao Bingying followed his gaze, picked up the cup, drained it in one go, and set it down. “I’m heading back.”
“Eh, alright. Didi will see you out,” Xiao Yaocai said, walking out with her.
Once outside the room, Xiao Bingying turned to him. “You can stop here.”
Xiao Yaocai nodded and stayed where he was, watching her turn around.
He watched as Xiao Bingying, walking unsteadily, left the courtyard. His eyes stared blankly at the courtyard gate as he said to a servant beside him, “Go and call Father.”
When Xiao Bingying returned to her courtyard, Cheng Xi had already been waiting in the room for a long time. Hearing footsteps, Cheng Xi went into the inner room.
When Xiao Bingying entered and saw the note on the table was gone, she looked up and saw Cheng Xi emerging from the inner room.
Cheng Xi looked at Xiao Bingying’s tipsy state—though she wasn’t drunk—and deliberately asked, “How much did you drink?”
“Not much.” Xiao Bingying wasn’t one for wine, but she had been pestered by Xiao Yaocai today and couldn’t get away.
Cheng Xi walked over, leaned close, and sniffed at Xiao Bingying’s lips. Then she pressed her own lips against them, tasting for a moment before smiling and humming in agreement. “Indeed, not much.”
How could Xiao Bingying dare to drink too much? The way she had been walking just now was merely to make Xiao Yaocai believe she was truly drunk.
The moment she finished speaking, Xiao Bingying had already raised her hands to circle Cheng Xi’s slender waist. That kiss just now had been too tempting; she hadn’t had enough.
Xiao Bingying sought out Cheng Xi’s rosy lips and kissed them. Cheng Xi cooperated, but also pushed her away lightly in a playful show of resistance.
Xiao Bingying wasn’t drunk, but she was slightly tipsy. Cheng Xi’s light push, instead of making her feel rejected as it might have before, ignited a possessive desire within her.
As their lips and tongues tangled, her palm began to wander up from Cheng Xi’s waist. They kissed passionately, their panting growing louder in the room. A moment later, Xiao Bingying lifted Cheng Xi directly into her arms and started toward the inner room. But she was only halfway there when a knock came from the outer door.
At the sound, Xiao Bingying immediately grew alert. The passion Cheng Xi had been displaying also vanished, and she looked at Xiao Bingying’s profile.
“Who is it?” Xiao Bingying asked, looking to the side.
“Bingying, it’s Father.” It was Xiao Tong’s voice.
Hearing this, both of them tensed. Xiao Bingying looked down at Cheng Xi and carried her into the room.
“You hide for a bit. I’ll go open the door,” Xiao Bingying said in a low voice after putting Cheng Xi down.
Cheng Xi nodded with a soft “en” and released her arms from around Xiao Bingying’s neck.
Xiao Bingying closed the inner room door, straightened her clothes, and walked toward the outer door.
“Father, what brings you here so late?” she asked as she pulled the door open.
Seeing that she had only opened the door a crack, Xiao Tong, with his hands behind his back, chuckled. “To see you.”
Xiao Bingying forced a smile. “I had some wine with Cai-di today and am a little tired. Bingying will come to pay respects to Father tomorrow.”
Hearing her words, Xiao Tong showed no intention of leaving. Instead, he stared at her, scrutinizing her. With Xiao Tong not leaving, Xiao Bingying didn’t dare to send him away. They stood in a stalemate for a moment before Xiao Tong chuckled. “I heard you were drinking with Yaocai just now. This father had someone make some sobering-up soup. Drink it while it’s hot.”
Xiao Bingying was stunned for a moment. She glanced at the servant behind him, who was indeed holding a tray. But she had only just returned, and Xiao Tong had already sent over sobering-up soup. The timing was too coincidental.
After a few moments of thought, Xiao Bingying opened the door wider.
“Just put it here. I’ll drink it later.” She let them in but did not invite Xiao Tong to sit.
Xiao Tong stood there, surveying the room. He saw that the door to the inner chamber was closed, then glanced at the sobering-up soup on the table. “Drink it while it’s hot.”
Xiao Bingying looked up at him. She didn’t want to drink anything he brought. She placed her hand on the side of the bowl and, after a moment, said, “It’s too hot. Daughter will drink it when it cools.”
Xiao Tong raised an eyebrow slightly and placed the back of his hand against the bowl. It was a bit hot.
He smiled and sat down without being invited. Looking up at Xiao Bingying, he said, “Then wait for it to cool before you drink.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying seemed a little anxious. Xiao Tong noticed but didn’t point it out. He looked at her, standing beside him, and said, “Sit.”
Xiao Bingying lowered her gaze for a moment and had no choice but to sit down with him.
Xiao Tong took a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, sniffed it, and glanced at the maidservant, who then retreated. He then toyed with the bottle, occasionally glancing at the soup on the table as if waiting for it to cool.
Meanwhile, Xiao Bingying was also staring nervously at that bowl of soup.
A quarter of an hour later, the soup had cooled. Xiao Tong capped the bottle and said, “The soup is almost cold. Hurry and drink it.”
Xiao Bingying looked at Xiao Tong. Seeing his expression was normal, she thought for a moment but still didn’t dare to drink it. “Daughter ate too much at Cai-di’s place today. I’m afraid I can’t drink it. I’d like to wait a little longer.”
Xiao Tong nodded and didn’t press her. He stood up, walked halfway around the table to the calligraphy and painting on her wall, and examined it for a moment. He turned sideways. “This father remembers that when Yaocai was beaten before the new year, it was you who stepped forward to protect him.”
Xiao Bingying looked at him, not understanding why he was suddenly asking this. Her slightly dry lips moved. She stood up. “Yes, daughter took silver to ransom Cai-di at that time,” she replied, bowing her head.
Xiao Tong nodded and slowly walked toward her. Seeing him approach, Xiao Bingying took a step back to maintain her distance.
Xiao Tong’s eyes roamed over her body. After a moment, he raised a hand, adjusted his sleeve, and reached for her hand.
Xiao Bingying was prepared. The moment he reached out, she dodged to the side. In her panic, Xiao Tong awkwardly placed his wrist on his own waist and chuckled. “I heard from Yaocai that you took quite a beating at that time. I wonder if it left any scars. Let this father see.”
At his words, Xiao Bingying’s mind buzzed. Her injuries were all in places that couldn’t be shown to others. What did he mean by that?
“Come, take off your clothes. Let this father take a good look for you.” As he finished speaking, Xiao Bingying abruptly raised her head, her eyes wide with shock.
But Xiao Tong was unconcerned, and the smile on his face was now exceptionally disgusting.
Seeing her shocked expression, his face was no longer gentle. The look of a predator staring at its prey was now on full display.
“This father can help you too.” As Xiao Tong spoke, he reached for her, but she quickly moved back again, dodging him.
“Stop dodging. You can’t escape tonight.” Seeing her continuous evasion, Xiao Tong dropped all pretense. “Come here, I’ll help you undress.”
He moved forward again. Xiao Tong grabbed her arm, but when she tried to use her strength, she found she had none.
In an instant, the possibility of being drugged flashed through her mind. But she couldn’t figure out where the drug had come from.
“Come on!” Xiao Tong yanked her arm and pulled her into his embrace.
Powerless to resist, Xiao Bingying could only use what little strength she could muster to strike the back of his neck. But her arm was too weak; it had no effect on him at all.
“Father, Father!” Xiao Bingying panicked, trying to push away his approaching mouth, but she couldn’t move him. The next moment, the inner room door swung open.
Hearing the door, Xiao Tong froze in fright. In that instant, Xiao Bingying found an opening, escaped his grasp, and ran to Cheng Xi’s side.
Cheng Xi looked at the man before her, recalled his actions toward Xiao Bingying just now, and frowned. “How dare you do something worse than a pig or a dog to your own daughter.”
Xiao Tong was stunned for a moment, then sneered in response, mocking their relationship. “I was wondering who it was. My daughter and you, aren’t you also doing things worse than pigs and dogs?”
“It seems I’m in for a treat today. Both of you at once wouldn’t be bad either.” As he spoke, he stepped forward, but as he got close, Cheng Xi sent him flying with a kick, smashing the table to pieces as he fell.
Xiao Tong was not just for show. He had become a general on his own merit; he was bound to be a skilled fighter. He pushed himself up, saw Cheng Xi shielding the weakened Xiao Bingying behind her, and frowned in shame and anger.
“You know martial arts?” Xiao Tong seemed incredulous. He had heard that Cheng Xi was just a delicate woman, but the force of that kick was in no way inferior to his left and right lieutenants.
Seeing his disgusting face, Cheng Xi wanted to take Xiao Bingying and leave. After what happened today, Xiao Bingying could no longer stay in this residence.
But as she took Xiao Bingying’s hand to leave, Xiao Tong threw a punch, blocking their way.
Cheng Xi dodged, holding Xiao Bingying. Seeing that he wouldn’t give up, she could only push Xiao Bingying behind her and meet his incoming fist.
Cheng Xi raised her foot to block the punch, but Xiao Tong used the opportunity to twist his body, supporting himself with one arm as he swung both his legs up to kick at her chest.
The force of those two kicks was immense, sending Cheng Xi crashing into the wall.
“Hmph, you want to take my daughter away with that three-legged cat’s kung fu?5” Xiao Tong looked disdainfully at Cheng Xi, who had fallen to the ground.
Cheng Xi held her breath to lessen the pain coursing through her body. Xiao Bingying hurried over, but her body was weak, and she nearly fell as she ran.
“Xi’er!” Xiao Bingying tried to help her up, but before her hand could reach, Cheng Xi grabbed her and rolled them both to the side.
Xiao Tong had kicked out again.
“You go first!” Blood was already trickling from the corner of Cheng Xi’s mouth. The earlier twist had drained her strength, and for a moment, pain shot through her entire body, leaving her powerless.
“No, no…” Xiao Bingying was so anxious that tears welled up in her eyes.
“Neither of you is leaving tonight.” Xiao Tong walked over, step by step.
Dealing with one Cheng Xi was more than easy enough for him. But after tonight, Cheng Xi had to die.
He had figured that even if he succeeded tonight, Xiao Bingying wouldn’t dare to speak of it. But Cheng Xi was a different matter.
Cheng Xi got to her feet. The pain was immense, but she could bear it. She needed to find a way to get Xiao Bingying out of here.
Seeing her stand up, Xiao Tong frowned and kicked again. Cheng Xi dodged to the side and copied his earlier move. Supporting herself with one hand, she twisted and swung both her legs up in a kick.
Xiao Tong took two kicks and stumbled back a few steps. Once he steadied himself, shame and anger surged again, and he attacked viciously, his eyes filled with killing intent.
Cheng Xi fought with him for several rounds but was ultimately no match. Finally, as she leaped up to kick at his head, he ducked, and the moment she landed, he kicked her in the back, sending her to the ground.
As Cheng Xi fell, she coughed up a mouthful of blood. She gasped for air as Xiao Tong approached. He gave her no chance to speak. As she slowly turned to look at him, he dropped to one knee and his hands closed around her slender neck.
The force in his hands made a cracking sound. Cheng Xi’s face turned purple from lack of air, her hands weakly beating against his arms.
Just as she felt she was about to die, the pressure on her neck suddenly released. Then, drops of fresh blood began to fall on her. At the same time, her chest began to rise and fall as she sucked in the outside air.
Xiao Tong’s body was moved aside. When Cheng Xi could see clearly, Xiao Bingying was holding a sword, viciously stabbing Xiao Tong’s body, creating who knew how many holes.
“Bingying…” Cheng Xi raised a hand. Her voice was too hoarse to speak. She used a whisper of air, trying to get Xiao Bingying—who had seemingly lost her mind and was still stabbing Xiao Tong’s corpse—to stop.
“Open the door! You shameless seductress!” Xiao Mu’s voice sounded from outside, and the door was being kicked, again and again.
Hearing the voice, Xiao Bingying showed no fear. Her eyes were crimson as she slowly stood and walked toward the door.
Carrying the bloody sword, Xiao Bingying stood behind the door. As it was kicked again, she reached out and opened it.
Seeing the door open but no one there, Xiao Mu stormed in angrily. But when she saw Cheng Xi sitting on the floor in the distance, and Xiao Tong lying on the ground with blood still seeping from his body, she froze on the spot.
Just as her eyes widened and she was about to scream, Xiao Bingying’s sword ran straight through her body.
Her scream was choked off as the sword pierced her. As Xiao Bingying pulled the blade out, Xiao Mu’s body swayed, turning slightly until she saw Xiao Bingying’s face.
“You…” Xiao Mu looked down at her chest. The sword had pierced her body, and warm blood was already flowing out.
Xiao Bingying’s eyes were filled with a vicious crimson. Hearing her mother’s voice, she suddenly seemed to snap out of it, freezing for a moment.
“Mother…” Xiao Bingying had been in a murderous rage just now. Waking up, her voice trembled as she called out to her mother, who was already struggling to stand.
As Xiao Mu’s body began to tilt, Xiao Bingying rushed to catch her.
Xiao Bingying was in a complete panic. She was dissatisfied with her mother, but she had never wanted to kill her.
“Mother, Mother… I’ll save you, I’ll save you right now.” Xiao Bingying threw the sword aside and began tearing strips of cloth, trying to stop the bleeding.
But her sword had shown no mercy, piercing straight through her mother’s heart.
“Mur-murder!” The servant who had come with Xiao Mu, who had been standing outside the door, now saw Xiao Bingying holding the matriarch with blood on the floor. Terrified, she fell to the ground and scrambled away, running out of the courtyard.
Xiao Bingying’s hands trembled as she continued to try to stop the bleeding, but it was useless.
“Bingying.” Cheng Xi had stood up and walked to her side, her voice having recovered slightly.
Hearing her, Xiao Bingying startled and looked up. Seeing it was Cheng Xi, the desperate despair in her eyes gained a sliver of light. “Xi’er…”
For a moment, it was as if Xiao Bingying had forgotten Cheng Xi’s existence, but she quickly came back to her senses.
She looked down at her mother, then up at Cheng Xi. Thinking of the servant who had just run away, she quickly stood up. “Xi’er, you have to get out of here, quickly.”
Killing a court official was a capital offense. Moreover, Cheng Xi was a princess of the Haichao Kingdom. If she were involved, it would surely give Tiansheng a reason to launch a punitive expedition. At that point, it would be beyond their power to stop.
“We’ll go together,” Cheng Xi said, trying to help her up.
“No, I can’t go.” Xiao Bingying refused frantically.
That servant had only seen her. She had personally witnessed her kill Xiao Mu. She couldn’t escape this crime.
“You go, quickly! It’ll be too late if you wait!” Xiao Bingying stood up and pushed Cheng Xi out the door.
Cheng Xi looked at her panicked state and heard the clamor of servants in the courtyard outside. She had no choice but to leap onto the roof first.
Her body was injured, and Xiao Bingying had been drugged. Although she could walk, she couldn’t use qinggong.6 She couldn’t possibly carry Xiao Bingying away.
Cheng Xi thought for a few moments. Rather than both of them being trapped here, it was better to find Qu Sheng and the others for help. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao wouldn’t watch Xiao Bingying die.
Back in the small courtyard in the Capital City, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng now knew the gist of what had happened. Lin Xizhao saw the blood on Cheng Xi and brought her inside.
“You rest here. Sheng’er and I will go over now,” Lin Xizhao said soothingly.
“No, I’m going with you.”
Hearing Cheng Xi’s anxious tone, Lin Xizhao looked down at the bloodstains on her clothes and found a black, thin cloak to put over her.
The three of them took a carriage and hurried to the Xiao Residence. But by the time they arrived, the residence was already brightly lit, inside and out.
“We’re too late,” Qu Sheng said, lowering the carriage curtain.
The Xiao Residence was now surrounded by government runners from the yamen. They couldn’t get in now, nor should they.
Footnotes
- “Shi” (氏) is a suffix used after a married woman’s maiden surname, indicating her marital status.
- A respectful term meaning “older sister,” used here by a younger brother to address his elder sister.
- A familiar form of address combining part of the name (Cai from Yaocai) with “didi” (younger brother).
- From the philosophical text Mencius, meaning ‘The appetite for food and sex is human nature.’ It’s often used to excuse indulgence.
- Literally ‘three-legged cat’s kung fu,’ a colloquial phrase for clumsy or amateurish skills.
- Literally ‘light skill,’ a common trope in Chinese martial arts fiction referring to the ability to move swiftly and lightly, as if defying gravity.
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