The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 119
by Little PandaSheng’er Didn’t Hear Clearly
Hearing Zhao Dian’s unfriendly tone, the doctor, well aware of the tempers of these high officials and nobles, glanced up and went along with his words. “If General Zhao feels there is someone with more brilliant medical skills, you may invite them to diagnose the young lady again. This humble one’s skills are limited; I have already done my best.”
Seeing Zhao Dian’s hesitant expression, the doctor wrote out a prescription and departed. If he stayed any longer, he still wouldn’t be able to save the child, and if the blame was pinned on him, there would be no good outcome for him.
By now, the night was deep. A servant of the Zhao Residence took the doctor’s prescription to fetch the medicine but did not seek out any other physicians. This doctor was already the best in the Capital City for preventing miscarriages; finding another at this hour was impossible.
All they could do was resign themselves to fate.
Qu Sheng left Zhao Jiayu’s room, only to return a short while later with Cheng Xi. Upon entering, Cheng Xi saw Zhao Jiayu’s face beaded with sweat from the pain and glanced at Qu Yu, who was sitting by her side.
Qu Yu was currently holding Zhao Jiayu’s hand, the anguish in his eyes so profound it nearly made this grown man1 cry out.
“Let me try.” Cheng Xi walked over, showing no reservation in front of the Zhao family members.
Hearing this, Zhao Dian and Mother Zhao showed a hint of surprise on their faces. But a moment later, he looked at Qu Yu, who nodded, and quickly made way.
Qu Sheng handed the pouch of silver needles she had brought from Xiao Bingying’s courtyard to Cheng Xi. Cheng Xi glanced at it and said to the people behind her, “You all should leave first.”
She needed to undress Zhao Jiayu.
Only Mother Zhao and Qu Sheng remained in the room. Qu Sheng stood to one side, awaiting instructions, while Mother Zhao went forward to help Cheng Xi remove the clothes of Zhao Jiayu, who was now in too much pain to speak.
When Cheng Xi’s needles went in, they were like some kind of hidden weapon, flying directly into the acupoints on Zhao Jiayu’s body.
Mother Zhao stood by, momentarily stunned. Although she knew nothing of medicine, she could tell that such a needling technique, no matter how brilliant one was, could not be mastered in just three or five years.
After a few needles, Zhao Jiayu’s pain subsided by more than half, and her trembling lips began to steady.
“Bingying is just asleep; you needn’t worry too much. If she knew you lost your child because of her, she would blame herself for a lifetime,” Cheng Xi murmured as she rotated the silver needles in her hand.
Hearing this, Mother Zhao was completely bewildered. She wondered if Cheng Xi’s mind had become addled from the shock of Xiao Bingying’s death.
“What do you mean?” Zhao Jiayu was the worst at understanding such roundabout talk, but she had one virtue: whenever she didn’t understand something, she would ask.
Cheng Xi looked up at the still-weak Zhao Jiayu. In her current condition, acupuncture could only play a supporting role. She still needed to take her medicine, but most importantly, her spirit could not endure any more shocks.
“Bingying is not dead.”
Although she hadn’t known Xiao Bingying for long, she knew that if Xiao Bingying’s feigned death were to harm the younger sister she doted on most, she would never forgive herself.
“She’s still alive.” Cheng Xi raised her eyes to meet the gaze of Zhao Jiayu, whose brow was now furrowed.
Qu Ting was currently standing guard there. The Qu family had come to hold a vigil, but it was more accurate to say they were here to protect Xiao Bingying. They had been worried about someone like Xiao Yaocai today causing harm to Xiao Bingying’s body, which was why they had disregarded propriety to come and keep watch.
Originally, the Qu family had wanted to take Xiao Bingying away, but the Zhao family had received the news first and taken her. Left with no choice, they had come to the Zhao Residence.
“What did you say?” Mother Zhao’s reaction to Cheng Xi’s words was even greater than Zhao Jiayu’s.
Cheng Xi paused her work with the silver needles, lowered her gaze for a few moments, then turned to look at Mother Zhao. “My apologies. As this matter concerns Bingying’s life, we could not inform you.”
Mother Zhao was highly skeptical of Cheng Xi’s words at this moment; she thought Cheng Xi was just trying to comfort Zhao Jiayu.
“Bingying took a type of Silkworm Poison. This poison paralyzes the body and weakens the pulse and respiration. Unless one knows about it beforehand, it generally goes undetected. However, the poison will slowly dissipate on its own after three days, and the pulse and breathing will gradually return.”
Cheng Xi had given this poison to Xiao Bingying in the prison cell, telling her to use it in case of an emergency. When she heard the news of Xiao Bingying’s death, she had been apprehensive, unsure if Xiao Bingying had used her medicine.
When first taken, the medicine rendered one almost completely without pulse or breath. The body would also be paralyzed, showing no reaction even if pierced by a blade.
Slowly, as time passed, breathing and pulse would gradually become apparent. When she entered Xiao Bingying’s room, the first thing she did was check her pulse. Though faint, it was there. She had also leaned over Xiao Bingying’s body to listen for a heartbeat. These were all methods to determine if Xiao Bingying had taken the medicine.
Without being detected, Cheng Xi confirmed that Xiao Bingying had indeed taken it.
At this time, Xiao Bingying’s breathing and pulse were beginning to recover. Qu Ting’s suggestion to bury her tomorrow was also out of concern that someone with ill intentions might come to verify if she was truly dead.
Outside, at Qu Sheng’s suggestion, Qu Yu was also explaining the matter of Xiao Bingying’s feigned death to Zhao Dian.
They could see that the Zhao family genuinely cared for Xiao Bingying, and because of Zhao Jiayu, they had decided to take this gamble.
Cheng Xi slowly removed the silver needles from Zhao Jiayu’s body. By now, the Zhao couple had already gone to confirm if Xiao Bingying was still alive.
“I want to see A-jie.” Zhao Jiayu had just finished dressing when she tried to get out of bed.
Cheng Xi glanced at her and didn’t physically stop her, but she did use her words to persuade her. “Your body is too weak right now. If you move about freely and something else happens, there will be nothing I can do.”
Cheng Xi wasn’t trying to frighten Zhao Jiayu; her physical condition truly didn’t permit it for the time being.
Hearing Cheng Xi’s words, Zhao Jiayu’s eyes filled with grievance. She wanted to see her jiejie; she hadn’t even seen her face since returning.
Seeing Zhao Jiayu’s pouting face, Cheng Xi lowered her gaze. Just then, a servant from outside brought in the medicine.
“Give the medicine to me.” Cheng Xi reached out and took the bowl from the maidservant.
Cheng Xi stirred the medicinal soup and blew on it at her lips.
Seeing Cheng Xi about to feed her the medicine, Zhao Jiayu was somewhat overwhelmed by the favor. She gazed at Cheng Xi, hesitating to drink.
“Just think of it as me taking care of you on Bingying’s behalf.” If Xiao Bingying could stand up right now, she would surely be the one waiting on Zhao Jiayu.
At this moment, Zhao Jiayu believed Cheng Xi. She had managed to pull even Qu Sheng back from the gates of hell; Xiao Bingying must still be alive.
Zhao Jiayu drank the medicinal soup Cheng Xi fed her. Soon, Zhao Dian and Qu Yu returned.
Mother Zhao had remained by Xiao Bingying’s coffin, unwilling to go anywhere. Upon his return, Zhao Dian told Zhao Jiayu the news confirming that Xiao Bingying was still alive.
Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu hid in Qu Yu’s arms and wept with joy.
“Regarding my uncle and aunt’s side, what do Father and Mother plan to do?” Now that Zhao Jiayu knew Xiao Bingying was alive, she began to feel sad for her paternal uncle.
She now understood the whole story and didn’t blame Xiao Bingying for killing Xiao Tong. If she had been in the same situation, she would have done the same. Although the method was a bit extreme, for a father to want to violate his daughter like that was worse than a beast.
But because he was her uncle, it was inevitable that she felt some sadness in her heart.
“We’ll just proceed as planned.” The matter of Xiao Tong drugging and attempting to violate his adoptive daughter had already spread through the capital. Aside from those who were usually on good terms with him, everyone else looked on with contempt and was unwilling to come pay their respects.
The Xiao family line was considered finished.
Hearing this, although Zhao Jiayu was sad, it was nothing compared to when she first heard the news of Xiao Bingying’s death.
Qu Sheng knelt in Xiao Bingying’s mourning hall. Hearing footsteps outside, she looked up and saw Feng Qi, who had escorted Lin Xizhao home.
“The young lady has arrived safely at the residence,” Feng Qi reported quietly with his head bowed.
Qu Sheng nodded with a soft “en,” and asked, “Did Lin Jianhai give jiejie any trouble?”
“No, he just exchanged a few words with the young lady and told her to go back to her room to rest.”
After escorting Lin Xizhao back to her residence, Feng Qi had gone around to the back of the Lin Residence and snuck inside.
The next day, after noon, Xiao Bingying’s coffin was carried out of the city by people from the Zhao Residence.
Zhao Dian, in the capacity of a father, saw her off on her final journey.
After Xiao Bingying left the city, Qu Sheng and the others brought Zhao Jiayu back to the Qu Marquis Residence. Both she and the child in her belly were safe and sound.
Qu Jinian was still in the palace. Qu Sheng had also sent people to investigate who had been advising Xiao Yaocai. When she saw Xiao Yaocai yesterday, he had been walking without any abnormality. These fifty blows of the prestige-killing cudgel2 must have been dealt extremely lightly.
As Qu Sheng pondered, the person she had sent out came to report that Xiao Yaocai had previously been in contact with the son of Yan Fengwu. After Xiao Bingying’s incident, Xiao Yaocai had met with Yan Fengwu’s son.
“Go and call Third Brother here.”
Qu Ting could not enter the palace without a summons, but because he was from the Qu family, the guards at the gate, upon hearing he had evidence to prove Qu Jinian’s innocence, sent someone to where the Emperor was to relay the message.
The Emperor’s own Attending Eunuch Official came personally to receive Qu Ting.
“Third Young Master Qu, there is no need to worry. For the past two days, the Marquis Qu has been eating and sleeping well. His Majesty has not made things difficult for him,” the eunuch official said with a smile as they walked.
Hearing this, Qu Ting smiled. “I must trouble Lord Huang to take care of my Eldest Uncle. This Qu Ting will certainly pay a visit to your home another day.”
“Aiya, no need, no need. What are you saying,” the eunuch official said, waving his raised hand with a smile. He added, “Who doesn’t know that the Third Young Master Qu manages ten thousand affairs a day3? In the future, the burden of the Qu family will fall on your shoulders. His Highness the Crown Prince will also have to rely on you.”
Hearing the eunuch official’s words, Qu Ting was stunned for a moment, but he quickly smiled and said, “Lord Huang, please speak cautiously. We are all subjects of His Majesty. His Majesty is still young; how could there be any logic in serving two masters?”
Eunuch Huang was also taken aback for a moment, then quickly smoothed over the awkwardness with a laugh. “Indeed, indeed. This mouth of mine was truly improper. Third Young Master Qu, please don’t take it to heart.”
Qu Ting nodded, a smile on his face, indicating that he would not speak of this matter.
Soon, Qu Ting was brought before the Emperor.
“You said you have evidence. What evidence is it?” the Emperor asked, looking up at the kneeling Qu Ting.
Qu Ting raised his head slightly. “Your Majesty, this humble subject has discovered that Xiao Tong’s son, Xiao Yaocai, has had some dealings with the son of Hanlin Academy Scholar Yan Fengwu.”
Hearing this, the Emperor blinked slowly. “What is the connection?”
Qu Ting’s face showed a hint of indignation. “Your Majesty, this Qu Ting remembers that my Eldest Uncle once had a dispute with Lord Yan. Later, my younger sister attended a birthday banquet at his residence and was nearly harmed, yet not a single person from the Yan Residence came out to help. This humble subject thinks that when Xiao Yaocai submitted the imperial complaint4 this time, his desire to seek justice for his father and mother was exploited by someone with ulterior motives, and that person is Yan Fengwu.”
“Explain in detail,” the Emperor said, his expression growing serious.
“Xiao Tong’s adoptive daughter has always been on good terms with my younger sister. Knowing that something had happened to her and fearing she would never see her again, my younger sister begged my Eldest Uncle to take her to the prison for a visit. Prefect Shen gave my Eldest Uncle some face and permitted the visit. Afterward, Prefect Shen’s judgment was entirely based on the laws of our Tiansheng kingdom. Although the sentence was somewhat light, the law is not without human sentiment. If one knew the reasons behind it, the verdict was not impossible. Besides, there were still one hundred strokes of the cane before she was to be exiled as a government slave. Your Majesty, just imagine, who could survive those strokes? Prefect Shen was giving her a chance from the heavens.”
As Qu Ting spoke that last sentence, he raised his hands in a salute, his expression extremely agitated. He continued, “Your Majesty, if my Eldest Uncle wanted to bribe Prefect Shen, why would he let her suffer those one hundred strokes? Now that the Xiao family’s adoptive daughter has already committed suicide, and no one has produced any evidence that Prefect Shen accepted money from my Eldest Uncle, this baseless accusation is a true grievance for my Qu family to bear.”
When all was said and done, Qu Ting still hadn’t produced any evidence, but one point he made struck a chord in the Emperor’s heart.
Qu Jinian had indeed had disputes with Yan Fengwu, even in the imperial court. This did not seem like a fabrication. And it was true that Qu Sheng had been harmed at Yan Fengwu’s birthday banquet.
Yan Fengwu had treated the Qu family this way, yet when the Emperor gave Qu Jinian the authority to investigate him thoroughly, he did not use public office to avenge a private grudge5.
The Qu family was known for repaying every debt.
Could it be internal strife? Two men serving one master; if their opinions differed, it was possible they would try to oust each other.
A few years ago, because he had protected the Imperial Noble Consort, Qu Jinian had likely harbored some resentment. But Qu Jinian had always been one to consider the bigger picture. Yan Fengwu’s magnanimity, on the other hand, was rather lacking.
Listening to Qu Ting’s words, the Emperor pondered for a while, then turned to the Attending Eunuch Official. “Summon Qu Jinian.”
“Summon Marquis Zhengyi, Qu Jinian.”
When Qu Jinian was summoned, he was still wearing yesterday’s official robes, but he looked to be in good spirits, showing no signs of discomfort.
“This guilty subject, Qu Jinian, kowtows to Your Majesty.” Qu Jinian knelt and bowed his head.
“Beloved Minister Qu, what crime have you committed?” The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, looking down at Qu Jinian.
“This guilty subject, due to my young daughter’s tearful pleas, had a moment of weakness and entertained a crooked thought. I offered Prefect Shen of the Capital Prefecture some benefits, coercing him to spare the life of Xiao Tong’s adoptive daughter, Xiao Bingying. This guilty subject now knows my crime and begs Your Majesty to issue a decree of punishment.” Qu Jinian kept his head down the entire time he spoke.
Hearing this, the Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly and looked at the young eunuch who had led Qu Jinian in.
The eunuch clasped his hands and, when he looked up at the Emperor, gave an imperceptible nod.
He had informed Qu Jinian of everything that had just happened in the hall.
For Qu Jinian to come in and immediately confess to the very thing Qu Ting was trying to clear him of made the Emperor all the more suspicious of Yan Fengwu. Falsely accusing a court official was a crime that could be major or minor. If Qu Jinian took this opportunity to retaliate against Yan Fengwu, it wouldn’t be impossible.
Right now, Qu Ting wanted to retaliate or state the facts to clear the family name, but Qu Jinian did not. Qu Jinian’s protection of him…
The Emperor paced with his hands behind his back, lightly rubbing them together. He didn’t quite understand why the two were singing different tunes. Had Qu Jinian not said anything to Qu Ting? Or was Qu Ting young and impetuous, unable to see the bigger picture? But regardless of the reason, it proved that Yan Fengwu was indeed working with them.
“Eldest Uncle!” Qu Ting was so agitated by Qu Jinian’s words that he almost stood up.
“Silence!” Qu Jinian cut off Qu Ting’s next words with a low voice, even glaring at him.
The Emperor looked down at Qu Jinian, then at the currently indignant Qu Ting.
“Ahem, this matter is not of great importance. Since Beloved Minister Qu has already confessed, and the Xiao family’s adoptive daughter has now paid for her crime… This sovereign, this sovereign will consider that this is Beloved Minister Qu’s first offense. Go home today and close your doors to reflect on your misdeeds6.” The Emperor did not pursue the matter further, but he added one more sentence. “Beloved Minister Qu, this sovereign has always regarded you as an elder brother.”
Regardless of whether Qu Jinian was involved, he could not touch him at this time, given his suspicions about the Crown Prince’s plot to rebel. For now, the only way was to cut off the Crown Prince’s left and right arms, then win over Qu Jinian’s heart to prevent this from happening.
At present, the Crown Prince had committed no fault, and there was no concrete evidence to indicate he was plotting a rebellion. But someone with ill intentions could stir up trouble between father and son.
He absolutely could not tolerate it.
“This guilty subject is terrified. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your leniency. In the future, this guilty subject will certainly do my utmost to share Your Majesty’s burdens.” The Emperor’s words comparing him to an elder brother had left Qu Jinian genuinely alarmed and terrified.
The Emperor nodded and glanced at Qu Ting, whose face still bore a hint of anger.
“Escort my two beloved ministers out of the palace.” The Emperor asked no more questions and gave the order for the two to be sent out. After speaking, he glanced at the eunuch official beside him, raising his chin slightly and giving him a look of instruction.
“This nephew just doesn’t understand. It was clearly Yan Fengwu who provoked us. Why must Eldest Uncle endure it again and again?” Qu Ting said in a low, angry voice as they walked.
Hearing this, Qu Jinian immediately became alert and glanced at the eunuch official leading them out of the palace.
“Do not speak carelessly in the palace,” Qu Jinian advised in a gentle voice, turning his head.
Qu Ting reined in his outward agitation and also looked up at the eunuch official leading the way, who seemed to be glancing back at them.
Their eyes met for an instant, and they walked the rest of the way out of the palace in silence.
“The Master and the Third Young Master have returned,” the steward hurriedly reported.
The members of the Qu family were all seated in the main hall, anxiously awaiting news of Qu Jinian and Qu Ting. Hearing that the two had returned, they all stood up to welcome them.
Qu Ting’s angry demeanor from the palace was now gone. He greeted the elders and, when he looked at Qu Sheng, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Without any prior knowledge, Qu Jinian had perfectly played along with the act Qu Ting had staged—a drama where, for the sake of a greater goal, one does not fuss over minor details.
The more Qu Jinian shielded Yan Fengwu, the more suspicious the Emperor would become of him.
It was just as Lin Xizhao had said: the current emperor was a suspicious man. And for a suspicious person, as long as there is a sliver of doubt, any little disturbance will be associated with that person.
When the moon was high in the sky, Qu Sheng went to check on Zhao Jiayu. Cheng Xi had been watching over her all day.
“When can I go see her?” Cheng Xi asked as Qu Sheng was leaving.
Xiao Bingying had been sent out of the city, and people from their Qu Marquis Residence were already waiting to receive her outside. She should be waking up around tomorrow.
“Not yet. We have to wait a few more days.” Qu Sheng understood Cheng Xi’s feelings, which were just as urgent as her own desire to see Lin Xizhao right now.
When Xiao Bingying was sent out of the city, no one from the Qu family had followed. For now, apart from the people arranged in advance outside the city, they could not go out.
Yesterday, Xiao Yaocai had gone to the Zhao Residence to test whether Xiao Bingying was dead or alive. If even a fool like him was suspicious, how could others not be?
Qu Sheng persuaded Cheng Xi to wait a little longer, but she herself could not wait. That very night, she went to the Lin Residence again.
Lin Xizhao was already in bed but was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. On one hand, she was worried about whether Xiao Bingying could be settled properly; on the other, she was worried that if Qu Sheng came, Lin Jianhai would make things difficult for her.
One was her father, the other her lover. She couldn’t bring herself to defy her father to follow her lover, but she would certainly never choose to obey her father and sever her relationship with Qu Sheng.
She wanted both, which meant she had to think of a reason to persuade Lin Jianhai. Right now, Lin Jianhai was merely keeping her under house arrest, forbidding her from seeing Qu Sheng in the hopes that Qu Sheng would forget her. But that was almost impossible.
Lin Xizhao turned over gently on the couch. As she faced outward, she jumped in fright.
“Sheng’er?”
In the dim light of the room, she saw Qu Sheng’s figure.
A smile touched Qu Sheng’s lips. She paused for a moment in the act of undressing and gave a soft “en.” She had thought Lin Xizhao was already asleep; just a moment ago, she had only wanted to hold her and fall asleep.
“How did you get in?” Lin Xizhao sat up, casting a cautious glance toward the door to the inner room.
“I had Feng Qi lure them away for a while.” Qu Sheng’s movements to undress quickened slightly.
Lin Xizhao didn’t light a lamp, but watching Qu Sheng take off her clothes, she asked in confusion, “Are you staying the night?”
“Is that not good?” Qu Sheng removed her outer robe and knelt directly on the couch, coming face-to-face with Lin Xizhao.
Seeing Qu Sheng suddenly lean in, Lin Xizhao instinctively shrank back, but she had barely moved before Qu Sheng grabbed her.
“You—”
Before Lin Xizhao could finish, her soft lips were sealed by Qu Sheng’s. Lin Xizhao couldn’t see Qu Sheng clearly, but Qu Sheng could see her perfectly.
Though it had only been a day, it felt like three or five days, or even a month, of longing. Especially now, seeing Lin Xizhao with her dark hair unbound, without the decoration of hairpins or cold ornaments, her already gentle face was now overwhelmingly tender, giving Qu Sheng a strong urge to ‘bully’ her.
Before her nimble little tongue could probe inside, her hand had already arrived at a soft place.
Because that place could make Lin Xizhao hum unconsciously and willingly part her teeth.
And just as Qu Sheng wished, following Lin Xizhao’s soft moan, her slick little tongue slipped past all barriers to entwine with Lin Xizhao’s sweet, saliva-kissed one.
As her sash was gradually loosened, Lin Xizhao, realizing Qu Sheng’s intentions, resisted for a short while. She was currently under house arrest by her father. If Qu Sheng was here secretly and her father suddenly came, and they were like this, then wouldn’t that be…
The more Lin Xizhao thought, the more worried she became, to the point that she surrendered under Qu Sheng’s simple assault and ‘pulled’ up the Qu Sheng who had been buried below.
“Sheng’er…”
Lin Xizhao tried to reason with Qu Sheng and bring her back to her senses, but under Qu Sheng’s next kiss, she compromised once again.
Before, she had thought Qu Sheng was very clingy and also very cute. Now, she was just so clingy that she couldn’t handle it.
After several rounds of amorous indulgence, Lin Xizhao’s body was left limp and weak from Qu Sheng’s exertions, and her suppressed moans finally broke at the end.
Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao in her arms, gently stroking her smooth, jade-like back, listening as she spoke of matters outside.
“Bingying-jiejie has been settled outside the city for now. Once she wakes up, she will be sent to Shoulin.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao shifted in Qu Sheng’s embrace, raised her shimmering, watery eyes, and asked in a slightly hoarse voice, “What about Cheng Xi?”
Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao. Seeing her listening so intently, she couldn’t help but lower her head to seek out the lips she had already nibbled and sucked swollen, and kiss them again. “Cheng Xi can’t leave the Capital City for now. Their relationship is special, and I’m worried Xiao Yaocai will have people watching the city gates.”
Xiao Yaocai naturally didn’t have the brains for that, but the person behind him might. Xiao Bingying’s life was at stake; they had to be careful about everything.
Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes for a few moments. She could find no fault with Qu Sheng’s decision. After a short while, she nodded and asked again, “You said my adoptive father deliberately admitted to bribing Prefect Shen, and His Majesty didn’t punish him at all?”
Qu Sheng nodded. “En. Today, Third Brother deliberately used harsh words to try and pin the blame on Yan Fengwu, and Father cooperated by deliberately shielding him. Next, His Majesty should make a move against Yan Fengwu. It’s just unknown when, and how he will be dealt with.”
“Yan Fengwu is the Crown Prince’s former teacher. His Majesty cannot punish him casually.” After a few moments of thought, Lin Xizhao added, “Based on His Majesty’s way of handling things, he will probably first give him a difficult task…”
Lin Xizhao’s speculation made Qu Sheng’s eyes light up.
Their gazes met for an instant, and they understood what the other was thinking.
The next morning, just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Qu Sheng got up. Lin Xizhao helped her put on her outer robe, reminding her not to clash verbally with Lin Jianhai.
“Jiejie doesn’t need to worry. Sheng’er will speak properly with Father-in-law.” Last night, Qu Sheng had said she was going to come to the residence today to propose marriage.
Lin Xizhao watched the smile lingering at the corners of Qu Sheng’s lips. She was slightly stunned by Qu Sheng calling Lin Jianhai her father-in-law, and said helplessly, “Don’t speak nonsense.”
Although it was a fact that they were together, Qu Sheng’s sudden change of address felt a little improper to her.
“Does jiejie not want to marry Sheng’er?” Qu Sheng asked, placing her hand over Lin Xizhao’s as she was adjusting the clothes on her shoulder.
Lin Xizhao’s hand was held by Qu Sheng, whose thumb was caressing the back of it. Seeing the anticipation in Qu Sheng’s eyes as she asked, Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze for a moment, bit her lower lip, and her voice became as small as could be.
“I do.”
“Sheng’er didn’t hear clearly.” Qu Sheng had heard, but she wanted Lin Xizhao to say it again.
Lin Xizhao looked up and met Qu Sheng’s exceptionally bright eyes. After a moment, she raised her hands to cup Qu Sheng’s face. Her gaze flickered over Qu Sheng’s face, which was now inviting her to kiss it, before her voice, soft and filled with lingering affection, said, “Jiejie wants to be with Sheng’er. I want to never be apart from Sheng’er.”
Footnotes
- Literally “a seven-chi man”. A chi is a traditional Chinese unit of length, and this is a common phrase for a tall, grown man.
- Literally “prestige-killing cudgel”. A beating given to a new prisoner or subordinate to establish authority and break their spirit.
- An idiom meaning “to manage ten thousand affairs a day,” used to describe a very busy ruler or high official.
- An imperial complaint or petition filed directly with the emperor, bypassing lower levels of bureaucracy.
- An idiom meaning to use one’s public position to settle a private grudge.
- Literally “to close one’s doors and reflect on one’s misdeeds.” A form of punishment, essentially house arrest, where one is expected to contemplate their errors.
Thank God Bingying is still alive 😭😭😭🥹🤧