The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 117

First, Detain the Prisoner and Await a Retrial

Qu Sheng’s sarcastic words made Aunt Jin lose face. She looked up at Qu Sheng, her eyes narrowing to slits, a venomous glint seeming to shoot from them. But in the next instant, she smiled. “Sheng’er is still young, so this aunt won’t hold it against you. In the future, you should listen less to such troublemaking gossip. A young lady should take it as her duty to assist her husband and teach her children,​¹ and find a good family to marry into as soon as possible.”

“My aunt certainly married into a good family. Your husband and son are completely obedient, letting you rule the household. You also caused my two young nephews to lose their mother at such a young age. I wonder, now that you’ve come to the Capital City, which family’s young lady are you planning to torment and make a stepmother to my two nephews?” Qu Sheng seemed to be spitting out all the most acrid and harsh words she had ever known.

            

She knew perfectly well that the Jin family was targeting Lin Xizhao, yet she deliberately made her words this nasty. For a family like this, what family of equal social standing​² would dare to marry into theirs? If they had any sense of shame, they would surely be unable to propose marriage to the Lin family again.

But Qu Sheng had misjudged the thickness of the Jin family’s skin. Back then, to get Qu Jinian to work hard for them in managing their fiefdom, Aunt Jin had cried, pretended to be weak, and finally even knelt before Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei. Only then did Qu Jinian agree to take a great deal of manpower and resources to help them.

“You—” Aunt Jin was so angry she could barely remain seated. Just as she was about to stand up and point a finger at Qu Sheng’s nose to curse her, Jin Yunyou cleared his throat softly and said, “Eat.”

            

Hearing this, Aunt Jin glanced at her husband, reined in some of her anger, and slowly forced herself to sit back down.

They were guests from afar, on someone else’s territory. To bicker like this with a junior of the household—if word got out, wouldn’t they become a laughingstock?

“The daughter my sister raised is certainly eloquent and sharp-tongued, not losing out in the slightest to my ill-fated nephew.”

            

Qu Ce had once contradicted her in the same way, simply because she had interfered in their Qu family’s affairs and stirred up trouble.

When Aunt Jin mentioned Qu Ce, Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei, along with everyone else from the Qu family, all turned to look at her.

Qu Sheng had choked her with words like this, yet not a single member of the Qu family had stepped in to stop it. Aunt Jin was deliberately saying this for Jin Yunfei and Qu Jinian to hear.

            

Upon hearing her words, Qu Jinian slowly chewed and swallowed the food in his mouth, then placed his jade chopsticks aside. Without a word, he stood up and left.

Seeing this, the rest of the Qu family also stood up and left one by one. Zhao Jiayu watched them go, blinking, before Qu Yu pulled her away as well.

In an instant, only Qu Sheng, Jin Yunfei, and the three members of the Jin family were left at the dining table.

            

Jin Yunyou and Jin Mingjun could no longer sit still either. Jin Yunyou stood up, shot his wife a glare, and took his son to find Qu Jinian.

After a moment of silence, Jin Yunfei also rose and led Qu Sheng away.

Now, only Aunt Jin was left at the dining table.

            

“Hey, why has everyone gone?”

The moment Aunt Jin’s words fell, the Qu family servants were already coming over to clear the table.

“You people are bullying me too much!”

            

The Qu family servants ignored Aunt Jin, clearing the dishes from the table one by one. Then they removed the table itself, leaving Aunt Jin sitting alone on her stool, stuck in place.

---

Not long after, Jin Yunyou emerged from Qu Jinian’s quarters and had his servants pack their belongings.

“Where are you going, my lord?” Just as Aunt Jin was about to return to her courtyard, she happened to see the Jin family servants carrying out luggage of all sizes.

            

“This is your doing.” Jin Yunyou glared at Aunt Jin again.

She could have said anything, but she just had to bring up Qu Ce.

Qu Jinian hadn’t told them to leave, but his words had left them with no face to stay any longer.

            

Just now, when Jin Yunyou went to find Qu Jinian, Qu Jinian had asked, “Big Brother has been here for several days. Has Jinian been remiss in his hospitality in any way?”

“No.”

The Jin family was treated with more respect here than in their own residence. Of course there was nothing lacking.

            

“Then why would my sister-in-law do things that are detrimental to our Qu family?”

Qu Jinian didn’t specify what, but how could Jin Yunyou not know what she had done?

It was the Jin family who had tipped off Lin Jianhai about the matter between Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao. Although they hadn’t been explicit, they had planted a seed of doubt in Lin Jianhai’s mind, prompting him to question his household servants and his own son.

            

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao were always ceaselessly intimate, sometimes not even bothering to avoid the servants, who reported everything truthfully to Lin Jianhai. That in itself wasn’t much, but the main problem was that Lin Xirui had let something slip.

The original words the Jin family had someone pass along were, ‘It is said that among the daughters of many official families, if they are overly intimate, it can often give rise to certain unconventional and indecent affairs.’​³

Lin Jianhai hadn’t believed it at first, but after just a few inquiries, his suspicion grew. This was especially true since his own daughter had been revolving around Qu Sheng ever since she returned, the two of them practically inseparable.

            

It was one thing when they were children, but for them to still be this way as they grew older, and with someone guiding his thoughts in that direction, he became more and more doubtful.

The servants reported in detail everything they had seen and heard, especially how Qu Sheng, who was usually emotionless, would become angry whenever Lin Xizhao’s marriage was mentioned. There was also Qu Sheng’s excessive attachment to Lin Xizhao, even coming over late at night to sleep with her.

Lin Xirui seemed to have long since noticed something about Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng’s relationship, but had been unwilling to believe it. Lin Jianhai only had to bluff a little, and he confessed everything.

            

The Jin family hadn’t been certain this would work, but Qu Sheng had been deliberately avoiding them with Lin Xizhao for the past few days and hadn’t returned to the residence. Even if their relationship wasn’t what they implied, given Lin Jianhai’s personality, he would still prevent Lin Xizhao from having much contact with Qu Sheng to avoid suspicion.

As long as they could separate Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao, they would have an opportunity to get to Lin Xizhao, draw her closer to them, and even use this matter to control Lin Jianhai.

Hearing that Lin Jianhai had come late last night to take Lin Xizhao away, and seeing only Qu Sheng today, they were already certain that there was some truth to the matter.

            

But just now, Qu Jinian had also warned the Jin family not to covet what they shouldn’t.

He knew that they had gone behind the Qu family’s back to propose marriage at the Lin Residence.

Setting aside the relationship between Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao, Lin Xizhao was their goddaughter, so they had a right to know. Although Lin Jianhai was the one to decide on marriage matters, if Lin Xizhao was unwilling, their Qu family would still intervene.

            

They couldn’t control Lin Jianhai, but they could control the one proposing marriage.

Jin Yunyou and his son had thought their plan was foolproof and that the matter would be tacitly accepted without outsiders knowing, but the Qu family had found out. Now, all the blame was placed on Aunt Jin.

They had originally wanted Aunt Jin to come along so she could talk with the young ladies, but who knew she would ruin everything. Now they couldn’t even go to the Lin Residence. If Qu Jinian were to get angry and cut ties with their Jin family, the loss would be far greater than losing a marriage alliance with the Lin family that they never even had.

            

“Back to Lingyi!” Fearing he would be overheard, Jin Yunyou hissed at Aunt Jin in a low voice.

No one saw them off when they left.

Not even Jin Yunfei came out. Using her deceased son to make a point had crossed Jin Yunfei’s bottom line.

            

Standing in the room, Qu Sheng saw the poor expression on Jin Yunfei’s face but couldn’t bring herself to offer any comforting words. What she said today, she had said on purpose.

“Is this how you treat your uncle who came from so far away?” Jin Yunfei was also angry; after all, that was her maiden family.

Even if they did something wrong, the adults should be the ones to resolve it. Why should a junior step up to reprimand an elder?

            

Qu Sheng stood to the side with her head lowered, silent. She didn’t feel she was in the wrong. If he weren’t her uncle, she would have said even nastier things.

Although she wasn’t skilled in such matters, she had spent years with Zhao Jiayu and had learned how to use sarcasm and passive-aggression to ostracize people.

Seeing Qu Sheng with her head bowed, Jin Yunfei knew she was this upset because of Lin Xizhao. She sighed and said, “Forget it. I wonder how Zhao’er is doing now.”

            

Although Qu Sheng had said this morning that Lin Xizhao was only confined to her residence, what mother wouldn’t worry about her child?

“This child will go find jiejie again in the evening,” Qu Sheng said, breaking her silence.

Jin Yunfei looked up at her. Seeing her obedient expression and her delicate, deceptively charming face, she couldn’t stay angry. Although her daughter could be stubborn at times, she was a good child at heart.

            

For the Jin family to do something like this—stabbing them in the back for their own benefit—was something she couldn’t forgive either.

“The betrothal gifts​⁴ you asked to have prepared have been in the wing room for some days now. Tell this mother, what are you planning to do?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked up and said, “This child wants to go to the Lin Residence tomorrow night to present the betrothal gifts.”

            

---

Qu Sheng stood in her courtyard, waiting for night to fall. When the bright white moon hung on the tips of the branches, Qu Sheng began to walk briskly out of the courtyard.

“In such a hurry? Are you going to the Lin Residence?”

Before Qu Sheng could leave the courtyard, Cheng Xi walked in, meeting her head-on.

            

Qu Sheng looked up at the sound and, seeing it was Cheng Xi, gave a soft “en” before asking, “Is something the matter?”

“Yes. The matter you asked me to investigate is clear now,” Cheng Xi replied with a nod.

Qu Sheng’s gaze froze for a moment. She glanced around, seeing only Feng Qi behind her. After a moment, she said to Cheng Xi, “Let’s talk in my room.”

            

The two entered the room. A quarter of an hour later, after Cheng Xi had left, Qu Sheng held a small porcelain bottle, rubbing it in her hand for a long time.

In the dead of night, Lin Xizhao sat in her room where the candles had been extinguished, anxiously waiting for Qu Sheng, who had said this morning that she would come tonight.

The moment the door creaked, Lin Xizhao stood up. But when the door opened, the moonlight that spilled in illuminated a figure that was not Qu Sheng’s.

            

“Father?” Lin Xizhao stood frozen for a second before calling out.

She was very familiar with Lin Jianhai’s silhouette.

The moment Lin Xizhao spoke, the servants accompanying him entered the room first and lit the candle lamp on the table.

            

Lin Jianhai entered the room in silence. Lin Xizhao stood to the side and glanced toward the door again.

“Why are you not asleep so late at night?”

Lin Xizhao glanced at Lin Jianhai and lowered her eyes. “Your daughter cannot sleep.”

            

Without Qu Sheng, she had never slept well. During the year they were separated, although she had slowly gotten used to it, she had never slept as soundly as she did by Qu Sheng’s side.

“You can’t sleep, or are you waiting for someone?” Lin Jianhai said as he reached for the teapot on the table.

Seeing this, Lin Xizhao took a few steps forward, took the teapot from Lin Jianhai’s hand, and poured him a cup of tea.

            

Lin Jianhai watched as the teacup filled. The moment Lin Xizhao respectfully presented it to him, he gently clenched his jaw.

“Are you waiting for Qu Sheng?”

Lin Xizhao looked up at Lin Jianhai. Although she didn’t answer, her eyes had already told him the answer.

            

She knew Lin Jianhai must have investigated Qu Sheng.

Lin Jianhai picked up the tea, took a sip, then set the cup down. “When did Qu Sheng learn martial arts?” he asked.

Lin Jianhai had only known that Qu Sheng practiced martial arts to strengthen her body, but he never knew she could single-handedly subdue several large birds at Yan Fengwu’s birthday banquet.

            

The investigators had also reported that Qu Sheng knew qinggong.

“When we were young,” Lin Xizhao replied softly, her head bowed.

Qu Sheng had been able to draw a bow at the age of three and had even shot an arrow at the Son of Heaven. There was nothing that couldn’t be said about that.

            

“I heard that Mr. Yuan had a very high opinion of Qu Sheng. Is she really, as outsiders say, a person of incomplete intellect?” As Lin Jianhai asked this, his gaze was fixed on Lin Xizhao, observing her slightest reaction.

Lin Xizhao’s eyes were downcast. After a moment, she looked up and said, “Sheng’er has never been a foolish girl. Didn’t your daughter tell Father this long ago?”

Lin Xizhao had said it. She had never thought Qu Sheng was a fool, and neither had Zhao Jiayu and the others who were with them.

            

Seeing that he couldn’t get anything out of her, Lin Jianhai glanced back at the door and asked, “Is she coming over tonight?”

Lin Xizhao’s gaze flickered, and she lowered her eyes without answering.

“I have already had people stand guard in the courtyard. Rest early tonight.” After saying this, Lin Jianhai slowly stood up. Hearing his words, Lin Xizhao’s expression froze for an instant.

            

“Your daughter will see Father out.” Lin Xizhao offered no accusation or rebuttal to Lin Jianhai’s words.

Seeing Lin Jianhai walk out, Lin Xizhao followed him.

Lin Jianhai glanced around, and when he turned to look at Lin Xizhao, she was surveying the courtyard.

            

There were indeed many more guards in the courtyard.

Seeing the dejected look on Lin Xizhao’s face, Lin Jianhai’s brow twitched slightly, and he led his men out of the courtyard.

Qu Sheng arrived after Lin Jianhai and also saw the guards that had been added with his arrival. Crouched behind the roof, Qu Sheng watched Lin Jianhai leave the courtyard, then saw Lin Xizhao standing dazed in the yard. She took off the jade pendant from her waist.

            

The pendant landed on the ground not far away. Lin Xizhao heard the sound and looked over. As she picked up the pendant, she looked in the approximate direction from which it was thrown.

Qu Sheng stood on the rooftop, a dark silhouette, and raised her hand to point outside the courtyard.

Lin Xizhao glanced in the direction Qu Sheng was pointing. It was Lin Xikuan’s courtyard. Since Lin Xikuan was rarely there, it was deserted except for the scheduled cleaning during the day.

            

Lin Xizhao looked around. These guards were only responsible for standing watch in the courtyard; she didn’t know if they would follow her out.

Lin Xizhao walked toward the courtyard gate. The guards exchanged glances but remained standing where they were.

Soon, Lin Xizhao, without any servants, entered Lin Xikuan’s courtyard. The moment Qu Sheng landed, she swept Lin Xizhao into her arms and went straight into the room.

            

The door was shut smoothly as they entered.

“Sheng’er.” Lin Xizhao was startled by Qu Sheng’s sudden embrace, but she composed herself in an instant and said urgently, “Father has already arranged for people to guard the courtyard. In the future…” She wanted to tell Qu Sheng not to come anymore, but the words caught in her throat.

Her own heart yearned for Qu Sheng to come even more than Qu Sheng herself wanted to be there.

            

“Does jiejie want Sheng’er to stop coming?” Qu Sheng asked, looking down at the person in her arms.

“Father knows you know martial arts and has people guarding against you.” She didn’t know if Lin Jianhai’s defense against Qu Sheng was merely preventative, or if he would harm her.

Although Qu Sheng was a frequent visitor here, she was not, after all, a member of this residence. Trespassing on a private estate at night was, by law, an offense punishable by being beaten to death with clubs.

            

“Is jiejie nervous for Sheng’er?” A faint smile touched Qu Sheng’s lips. She liked it when Lin Xizhao was nervous for her.

“Sheng’er.” Lin Xizhao was speaking of her worries, yet Qu Sheng could still smile. This puzzled Lin Xizhao.

Hearing her, Qu Sheng chuckled softly, found Lin Xizhao’s soft lips, and kissed her. Their four lips touched, as if it had been a long time since they had last done so.

            

Qu Sheng had missed her terribly this day. As she kissed her, her hands didn’t forget to seek out soft places to soothe her longing.

Lin Xizhao’s nervousness, which had been at its peak, was sent soaring the moment Qu Sheng kissed her. But a moment later, she was moaning softly as Qu Sheng’s lips and tongue caressed her.

After the kiss, Lin Xizhao panted and glanced toward the door.

            

When she came out just now, she hadn’t been unseen. She was terrified that those people would report to Lin Jianhai, and he would come here and corner Qu Sheng.

She had originally wanted to come and tell Qu Sheng about this, but she… hadn’t been able to control herself and had cooperated with Qu Sheng.

She had missed her too.

            

“You should go back quickly,” Lin Xizhao said, still worried.

“If I go back, what will jiejie do?” Qu Sheng didn’t want to leave.

“Sheng’er, just bear with it for a few days. I will find a way to get out after some time.”

            

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Qu Sheng seemed a little doubtful. If Lin Jianhai had confined her, how could Lin Xizhao possibly get out?

“Jiejie doesn’t need to get out. Tomorrow, Sheng’er will come to pick you up.” Even if she couldn’t get her out, she would break the current stalemate.

Lin Xizhao’s expression froze for a moment. “How will you pick me up?” she asked.

            

The corners of Qu Sheng’s lips curved up. She sought out Lin Xizhao’s soft lips again, kissing her lingeringly for a moment before pulling away. “Tomorrow, I will come to the residence with Father to present the betrothal gifts. At that time, I will also discuss some old matters with Uncle Lin.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s willow-like brows furrowed slightly. “What old matters?”

---

When Qu Sheng left, she explained everything that had happened outside. Though she was brief, Lin Xizhao understood everything clearly.

            

Hearing that Xiao Bingying’s life had been spared, she breathed a sigh of relief. But as long as she was in a prison cell, they could not relax for a single day. They had grown up together and were as close as sisters. Right now, Lin Xizhao desperately wanted to see with her own eyes that Xiao Bingying was safe and sound.

When Lin Xizhao returned to her courtyard, she was so nervous that she didn’t even notice her dress was in disarray. It was only when she paused at the courtyard gate that she realized with a start that her sash was much looser.

At a time like this, and Qu Sheng still hadn’t forgotten to do that to her…

            

The next morning, Qu Sheng and the others went to attend the public trial for Xiao Bingying’s case.

Xiao Bingying, in shackles,​⁵ knelt on the bluestone slabs of the court hall. As it was early in the morning, there weren’t many people outside.

General Zhao and Mother Zhao were also in the hall. They were the victims’ relatives, and also the only relatives Xiao Bingying could find now. Since General Zhao and Mother Zhao had previously expressed their wish to spare Xiao Bingying’s life, the Prefect did not ask too many questions in court.

            

The evidence that Xiao Bingying had killed them was conclusive, and she herself had confessed. It was only when asked about certain details that things seemed strange, even though Xiao Bingying’s explanation was coherent.

For example, Xiao Tong had not been drinking that night and was a military man. How could he have been killed by Xiao Bingying, who had ingested Tendon-softening Powder?​⁶

There were also the marks of a struggle on Xiao Tong’s body. Although he was dead, some suspicious points could still be found.

            

But regarding this matter, Qu Jinian had hinted that he should not investigate too deeply.

“The prisoner has confessed to the crime of murder. The verdict is as follows. The prisoner, Xiao Bingying, murdered her adoptive father and adoptive mother and should be sentenced to death by a thousand cuts.​⁷ However, due to extenuating circumstances, as it was an act of self-preservation at the time, she is sentenced to one hundred strokes of the heavy cane​⁸ and will be made a government slave, never to be redeemed.”

“Your Honor, isn’t this sentence too light? She killed my father and mother!” Xiao Yaocai, who was kneeling to the side, straightened up indignantly upon hearing the verdict.

            

The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture’s gavel​⁹ had not yet fallen. Hearing Xiao Yaocai’s words, he paused, seemingly struck by a guilty conscience.

The sentence was indeed light. According to the law, Xiao Bingying could be given a suspended death sentence for killing Xiao Tong due to the cause, but killing her adoptive mother was a crime punishable by death by a thousand cuts.

“Ahem, are you trying the case, or is this official trying the case?” The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture slammed down his gavel.

            

“I object! Your Honor, if you do not kill this snake and scorpion woman, I will file an imperial petition​¹⁰ and ask the Son of Heaven to seek justice for my Xiao family.”

“Do you know that to file an imperial petition, you must first endure fifty strokes of the prestige-killing cudgel?”​¹¹

Filing an imperial petition did indeed have such a procedure. The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture had heard about Xiao Yaocai’s character. He was only saying this now to scare him.

            

“So be it! If I, Xiao Yaocai, do not seek justice for my deceased parents, then I would be unworthy of being a son!​¹² Lord Shen, I advise you to retry this case. Otherwise, I will definitely report the details to His Majesty, and at that time, you will not be able to escape responsibility for accepting bribes.”

Xiao Yaocai was actually threatening the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture in open court.

“You—” The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture’s brows furrowed at Xiao Yaocai’s words.

            

He hadn’t received any bribes, but the sentence he had passed after the trial was indeed light. Qu Jinian had hinted at it, and the Zhao family wasn’t pursuing the matter, so he was just going with the flow to do them a favor. Who knew that this person, who was usually the most cowardly, would suddenly grow such a backbone.

Just then, a clamor arose from outside.

“She killed someone’s parents and gets to live? Lord Shen, you truly are a good ‘father and mother official’​¹³ to us in the Capital City. Who would believe there’s nothing fishy going on here?”

            

“That’s right! Could it be that Lord Shen has taken a fancy to this murderer and let his personal feelings get involved?”

An unknown number of commoners had suddenly swarmed in from outside, each one accusing the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture of an unjust verdict.

The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture had specifically chosen a time in the morning when there were few people, but who knew so many would suddenly appear.

            

“Silence!”

“Wei—wu—”​¹⁴ The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture slammed his gavel, and the two rows of yamen runners picked up their water and fire cudgels and struck the ground.

But even so, the noise from outside flooded the courtroom.

            

The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture was starting to panic. He had passed similar sentences out of sympathy before, but the commoners outside had never reacted with such force.

At this moment, Qu Sheng, Cheng Xi, and her two brothers all turned to look.

These people had come on aggressively, swarming in suddenly as if they had been prepared in advance.

            

“Silence! Silence!” The Prefect of the Capital Prefecture was at his wit’s end. For some cases, if public opinion was against it, he had to retry them. And looking at the crowd outside, he had a nagging feeling that something was wrong.

“First, detain the prisoner and await a retrial,” the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture finally conceded.

Hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Yaocai’s face. He glanced sideways at Xiao Bingying, whose expression had remained largely unchanged.

            

Xiao Bingying was led away by the yamen runners, the chains on her feet clanking. She looked up and glanced outside the hall.

Qu Sheng and the others were watching her intently. Seeing the worry on Cheng Xi’s face, Xiao Bingying pressed her lips together and pulled them into a faint smile.

Death was nothing for her to fear. She just felt that she had let down Cheng Xi, and let down the people who were trying so hard to save her.

            

---

Inside the Imperial Palace, Qu Jinian was reporting to His Majesty on the matters he had secretly investigated over the past two days. “Your Majesty, this humble servant has already ascertained that the Crown Prince has no intention of rebelling. The wine was sent merely to repay Lord Yan for his teachings. Lord Yan is the Esteemed Teacher Your Majesty appointed for the Crown Prince, and he is also an indispensable minister​¹⁵ whom Your Majesty relies upon. He would certainly not harbor any dissent. Furthermore, although Lord Yan received a batch of silver, furs, porcelain, silks, clothing, and tea, his son recorded them all before handing them over to the Imperial Household Department. The officials who attended the birthday banquet did not visit his residence again afterward. Lord Yan has also maintained a certain distance from them, with no frequent contact, and the Crown Prince has done the same.”

Qu Jinian knelt in the Imperial Study. He had recorded his findings in a memorial, and as the Emperor reviewed it, he briefly summarized the contents.

“Mm. We thank you for your hard work, Beloved Minister Qu.” After listening to Qu Jinian, the Emperor set aside the memorial he hadn’t finished reading. He quite liked Qu Jinian’s concise and clear way of speaking.

            

But he didn’t fully believe what Qu Jinian had investigated. He still remembered that years ago, when Qu Jinian had fought for justice for the Prime Minister Lin’s wife, the Empress had helped him. And after Yan Fengwu’s birthday banquet, the Crown Prince had paid a personal visit.

It was not a good thing for the Crown Prince to be too close to a court minister who held significant military power in Tiansheng. Last time, he had listened to Lin Jianhai and deliberately had Qu Jinian investigate, but Qu Jinian had reported that neither the Crown Prince nor Yan Fengwu had any intention of rebelling. The more Qu Jinian insisted on this, the more uneasy he became.

“Your Majesty, someone outside the palace is filing an imperial petition.” The Chief Palace Attendant entered the room and handed over the written complaint.

            

The Emperor looked up and took the complaint, glancing over it. A moment later, he looked up again, and the way he looked at Qu Jinian had changed.

Qu Jinian looked up, puzzled, but did not dare to ask.

“Qu Jinian, someone accuses you of bribing Shen Yansi to spare the life of the Xiao family’s adoptive daughter. Is this true?”

            

---

In the evening, at the end of xushi.

Lin Xizhao, who had been waiting anxiously in her residence, still had not seen Qu Sheng, who had said yesterday that she would come to present the betrothal gifts.

“Ajie.” Lin Xirui knocked on the door from outside.

            

Lin Xizhao got up and hurried to open it. She didn’t know what was happening outside, but Lin Xirui could find out.

Lin Xirui didn’t understand the feelings between Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng, but he could see that the two were like one person. That day, Qu Sheng had risked her life to save him and his sister. Because of that, he couldn’t bring himself to feel any resentment toward Qu Sheng.

He had also apologized to Lin Xizhao for letting things slip. He truly hadn’t realized at the time that his father was bluffing when he said he already knew about their relationship.

            

Lin Xirui entered the room, a panicked look on his face. Seeing his anxious state, Lin Xizhao said in a gentle voice, “Don’t rush. Speak slowly.”

Lin Xirui swallowed to moisten his dry throat and said, “Xiao Yaocai filed an imperial petition, accusing Uncle Qu of bribing the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture. His Majesty has ordered a full investigation, and Uncle Qu is currently being held in the palace and has not yet come out. Also…”

“Also what?” Lin Xizhao watched Lin Xirui hesitate, a bad feeling rising in her heart.

            

“Bingying-jiejie… Bingying-jiejie committed suicide in her cell.”

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