The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 123

Keep Observing.

Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng wash her fair back, her gaze lowered for a few moments before she asked, “Yan Fengwu accepted a share of his business. Did you get a clear look at which shops they were?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng recalled the scene. Her eyesight had always been excellent, and she could see in the dark, so she had read every character on the document clearly.

            

“They were only in Gaozhou and the surrounding county towns.”

Lin Xizhao pondered for a moment. “This matter must be handled sooner rather than later.” After a pause, she added, “Let’s tell Godfather about this first, but if we want to inform His Majesty, it’s best to have my father do it.”

It would be more effective coming from Lin Jianhai than from Qu Jinian, and the emperor would not be suspicious.

            

“But…” Who should they have deliver this message?

“Fifth Uncle.” As Qu Sheng hesitated, she thought of Liang Lianhui.

Liang Lianhui had come here for them, but leaving them out of the picture, he could also claim he was here to scout out the mountain bandits.

            

He was a military official. Using his leave to come here wouldn’t give anyone grounds for criticism. It was entirely plausible for him to say he was trying his luck at figuring out the bandits’ situation and then petition the emperor to send him to suppress them.

Qu Sheng turned around. Seeing Lin Xizhao look up at her, she leaned in for a kiss, unbothered by her own nakedness.

Lin Xizhao was a little helpless against her kisses. Only after Qu Sheng had kissed her fill and pulled away did she continue to wash her body.

            

Lying on the couch, Qu Sheng seemed to still be plotting their next steps. Simply having the emperor punish Yan Fengwu felt like letting him off too lightly. But it was indeed inconvenient for their Qu family to get involved in this matter.

As Qu Sheng was thinking, she caught sight of the person in her arms staring at her. She looked down, a smile touching her lips, and asked, “Jiejie, why are you always looking at Sheng’er?”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked like she’d been caught doing something wrong. She bashfully turned her face away, but only for an instant before her gaze returned.

            

Lin Xizhao met Qu Sheng’s eyes. At that moment, Qu Sheng’s gaze held no particular thoughts, but when she saw the light shining for her in Lin Xizhao’s eyes, she understood in an instant. She lowered her head and kissed her.

Their lips met, intertwining. As Qu Sheng savored the kiss, Lin Xizhao suddenly darted her tongue out, aggressively parting Qu Sheng’s teeth. In a wanton plunder, Lin Xizhao flipped her body on top of Qu Sheng’s.

Qu Sheng’s hands rested on Lin Xizhao’s slender waist. As her palms began to caress, Lin Xizhao reached out and pressed them still, ending the kiss.

            

Qu Sheng looked up at Lin Xizhao, a puzzled expression on her face.

Lin Xizhao bit her lower lip, then pecked Qu Sheng’s lips once more. She lifted her head to meet Qu Sheng’s gaze, cast aside her shyness, and said in a low, slow voice, “Tonight, you are mine.”

Qu Sheng froze for a moment, not yet reacting before Lin Xizhao’s lips descended again. Without giving her any time to prepare, she thrust her tongue inside, stirring Qu Sheng’s heart into a dizzying flutter.

            

The teasing of Lin Xizhao’s fingertips sent pleasure through Qu Sheng’s body, even with just the lightest touch. She felt her entire being immersed in bliss.

That ethereal pleasure left her exceptionally satisfied.

Soon routed, Qu Sheng turned her head aside, her face flushed red, not daring to look at Lin Xizhao, who was staring at her with a smile in her eyes.

            

Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng clean herself, her gaze burning with tender affection. She had never imagined being like this with Qu Sheng, yet now it had happened, and she seemed to be growing addicted.

She loved the way Qu Sheng bit her lip to endure it, and she loved how her body trembled with every muffled moan, as if releasing some deep emotion that sent a pleasure she had never known through every corner of her body and heart.

She committed the feeling to memory. She wanted more of it in the future, much more.

            

Afterward, Lin Xizhao didn’t hold Qu Sheng, but instead curled up in her arms. Those small arms had once been her harbor in the dark night. They still were, but now their scope had expanded, becoming the source of light for her entire life.

She would revolve around her forever, until she died of exhaustion.

Qu Sheng looked down at the soft, warm woman in her arms, who had just been like a tiger on top of her. The blush on Qu Sheng’s face had not faded, but she suppressed her earlier shyness and sought Lin Xizhao’s lips for a long kiss.

            

A late-night kiss always carried a searing heat. Seeing the sky about to brighten, Lin Xizhao gently pushed Qu Sheng away and chuckled. “Let’s sleep for a while. We have to travel early in the morning.”

It was already past zishi,​¹ and the two had been entangled for so long that a sliver of white light was showing on the horizon. They had to leave the city and head back to the capital as soon as the gates opened.

Qu Sheng hadn’t had her fill of kissing, but she had to listen to Lin Xizhao. They still had important things to do.

            

When the sky was fully bright, Lin Xizhao awoke from her sleep. The lingering tremors in her body briefly robbed her of the ability to think. By the time she regained her senses, Qu Sheng had already emerged from the bedding with a mischievous grin.

Lin Xizhao bit her lower lip, a hint of shyness on her face, and raised a hand to wipe the moisture from the corner of Qu Sheng’s mouth. The two shared a tender moment, ate breakfast, and then led their people out of the city.

The journey to the Capital City would take some days. They had disguised themselves when they left Changzhou, so even if someone was waiting by a stump for a rabbit,​² they wouldn’t be recognized. Thus, just as when they left Changzhou, they traveled light and headed straight for the Capital City.

            

Several days later, after a long journey, they entered the Capital City. Qu Sheng lifted Lin Xizhao onto her own horse, letting her relax against her.

They rode slowly through the main street. When Lin Xizhao looked back at Qu Sheng with a radiant smile, looking as beautiful as a fairy, Qu Sheng’s arm around her waist tightened.

The two returned to the Qu Marquis Residence, while Liang Lianhui went directly to the Lin Prime Minister Residence.

            

Hearing what Qu Sheng told him, Qu Jinian’s brows knitted together. The news had come a little late.

In the month or so they had been away, two major things had happened in the capital.

One was that at the little prince’s 100-day feast,​³ the emperor had enfeoffed Lin Jianhai and several other powerful court officials as kings and marquises of a different surname,​⁴ effectively kicking them upstairs. The emperor also took the opportunity to abolish several official posts, including that of the Prime Minister.

            

The other was that Qu Ting and Fourth Uncle Qu had gone north to reinforce the front lines. Originally, Qu Yu was supposed to go, but since Zhao Jiayu was due to give birth in a few months, he couldn’t bear to leave. Qu Ting had proactively gone to the palace to request permission to take his place.

“Why did they choose our Qu family?” Qu Sheng didn’t understand. There were so many skilled generals in the capital, why single out their family? Besides, the Qu family’s battlefield was on the border near Shoulin.

Qu Jinian shook his head. “A few days ago, someone submitted a memorial saying that the Chemu Tribe on the Northern Frontier was growing more and more rampant, having massacred two cities. The surrounding commoners are all fleeing this way, creating a refugee crisis. Someone recommended that our Qu family is full of talent, and His Majesty approved it on the spot.”

            

Although going to the battlefield was perilous, it was the best way to earn military merit. Countless people were eager for a chance to achieve glory, so such a recommendation was a good thing. The Chemu Tribe was fierce and wild, but not impossible to suppress.

Qu Sheng lowered her eyes for a moment, then asked, “Who made the recommendation?”

“Several old generals from the Capital Outskirts Garrison.”

            

Qu Yu held a military post in the capital. Although it wasn’t high-ranking, he did have dealings with these people. His Fourth Uncle, Qu Jian, was especially close with them in private.

With uncle and nephew going into battle together, they could look out for each other.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng didn’t dwell on it. The most urgent matter now was to wait for Liang Lianhui to get Lin Jianhai to report their findings to the emperor. They needed him to put the bandit issue aside for now, concentrate his forces, and drive out the Chemu Tribe first.

            

When they entered the city, the mountain bandits had been killing people merely to create a distraction and stir up hatred, thereby prompting the emperor to dispatch troops to suppress them. Hearing this didn’t agitate Qu Sheng too much.

But the news of Lin Jianhai being made a king left her looking worried.

Lin Xizhao had returned to the Lin Prime Minister Residence first. Guessing that Lin Jianhai wouldn’t want to see Qu Sheng, she hadn’t gone with her. However, she still had to go over in the evening to bring Lin Xizhao back.

            

Qu Sheng waited at her residence for news. Soon, Liang Lianhui sent someone to inform her that Lin Jianhai had been told and had already entered the palace.

The Chemu Tribe wanted to use the mountain bandits to tie up nearby military forces; they certainly had a bigger move planned. Qu Sheng wrote a letter and had someone ride at top speed to catch up with her Fourth Uncle, Qu Jian, and Qu Ting, who were on their way to reinforce the Northern Frontier.

Although she didn’t know what they would do next, it was better to be cautious.

            

In the evening, Qu Sheng took a carriage to the Lin Residence. The gate plaque had now been changed. Lin Jianhai had been enfeoffed as King Wenze.

Although Lin Jianhai had been stripped of his Prime Minister post, his responsibilities hadn’t changed at all. He had gone to the palace and still hadn’t returned. When Qu Sheng entered the residence, no one stopped her.

Lin Xizhao was currently in the residence going over account books. These were records of gifts sent by various officials who had caught wind of Lin Jianhai’s enfeoffment as a king.

            

Lin Xizhao had people take inventory of the gifts from the past few days and place them all in the storeroom. Hearing that Qu Sheng had arrived, Lin Xizhao put down her brush and ink and went out of the courtyard to greet her.

“Sheng’er.” Lin Xizhao’s brows curved as she called out to the approaching Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng had heard her footsteps a moment ago and had been watching her the whole time. Hearing Lin Xizhao call her name, she quickened her pace.

            

Lin Xizhao reached out to take the hand of the arriving Qu Sheng. As their fingers clasped, Lin Xizhao smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid I can’t go back with you today. There are some leftover account books I haven’t sorted through yet.”

If she wanted to go to the Qu Marquis Residence to be with Qu Sheng, she had to speed up the process and finish these account books. She had been betrothed into the Qu Marquis Residence, but she was still a daughter of the Lin Residence. With Lin Jianhai busy and Lin Xirui occupied with his studies, she had to personally handle the remaining household matters.

Qu Sheng nodded, not making things difficult for her. “Then Sheng’er will stay and keep jiejie company tonight.”

            

Lin Xizhao glanced at her, her brows still curved, but her smile grew even more gentle. She looked at Qu Sheng for a few moments, a light in her eyes. “Alright.”

She knew that if Qu Sheng had no other important matters, she would offer to stay. But even if she did have something, as long as Lin Xizhao asked her to stay, she would.

But to avoid forcing Qu Sheng to put aside things she felt were important, she let her decide for herself whether to stay.

            

The two returned to the Accounts Room. Lin Xizhao had someone bring some fruit.

Qu Sheng sat to one side, eating. The maids outside would occasionally glance at her. Several times when Qu Sheng looked up, she would see the maids in the room looking at her.

A moment later, Qu Sheng popped a grape into her mouth, chewed it, and spat the skin onto the floor.

            

Seeing this, a maid hurried forward to clean up the grape skin. As she looked up at Qu Sheng, Qu Sheng quickly ate another one and spat the skin to the side.

“Miss Sheng, please spit into this.”

The maid couldn’t keep up, so another maid quickly brought a spittoon and placed it beside Qu Sheng.

            

Qu Sheng looked up at her, her chewing slowing slightly as she glanced over at Lin Xizhao.

By now, Lin Xizhao had noticed Qu Sheng’s behavior, but she didn’t quite understand why Qu Sheng was suddenly being so deliberate. Seeing Qu Sheng’s innocent eyes, Lin Xizhao stared at her thoughtfully for a moment, then noticed the maids on the side kept looking at Qu Sheng.

After a short while, Lin Xizhao rose, washed her hands, and walked over to Qu Sheng. She peeled a grape for her and coaxed with a smile, “You have to peel the skin before you eat it.”

            

“I don’t want to. I want jiejie to feed me,” Qu Sheng whined petulantly.

Lin Xizhao was stunned for a moment. A maid over there said, “Allow this slave to do it.”

“No,” Qu Sheng said flatly, refusing.

            

Qu Sheng rarely spoke in the Lin Residence; it was only recently that she had become more talkative.

“I’ll do it. You may all leave,” Lin Xizhao said, feeding the peeled grape into Qu Sheng’s mouth.

Qu Sheng ate it, sucking in half of Lin Xizhao’s finger along with it. Having eaten a lot of fruit, Qu Sheng’s lips were slightly cool. Lin Xizhao felt it but didn’t immediately pull her hand back.

            

She watched Qu Sheng’s cheeks puff out, watched her swallow the fruit, and the moment she heard the door close, she leaned in and kissed her.

Those cool lips were quite refreshing now.

Qu Sheng was taken aback by the sudden kiss, but after a moment’s pause, she began to respond. The sweet and sour taste of grapes mingled between their lips and tongues, a novel experience for them both.

            

Just as their breaths began to tangle, Lin Xizhao stopped in time.

They were still in the Accounts Room, and now she was being pulled by Qu Sheng to sit on her lap. If anyone saw, what a disgrace that would be.​⁵

Only then did Lin Xizhao realize she had been a bit indulgent and willful.

            

Lin Xizhao got off Qu Sheng’s lap, cleared her throat, and hurried back to the desk with the account books.

Qu Sheng sat there without moving, watching Lin Xizhao the entire time. She watched her go from wanton, to dazed, to the shy and flustered state she was in after regaining some clarity.

It was a rather unique flavor.

            

Qu Sheng stopped eating after a while. It took Lin Xizhao a good moment to calm down and examine the remaining account books.

They both sat there. Lin Xizhao hadn’t looked at Qu Sheng for a long time, but when she finally raised her head, she saw Qu Sheng propping her chin on her hand, seemingly having watched her for a while.

Lin Xizhao met Qu Sheng’s gaze. Seeing the smile on her lips, she shyly lowered her head again.

            

Qu Sheng chuckled softly, and then a voice came from outside.

“Is Zhao’er inside?” Lin Jianhai asked a maid standing outside.

“Replying to the Master, the Eldest Young Miss and Miss Sheng are both inside,” the maid replied in a low voice.

            

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng both turned to look at the sound. As the words from outside fell, Qu Sheng glanced back at Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao understood and stood up, opening the door just as a knock came.

“Father.” Lin Xizhao curtsied.

            

Lin Jianhai looked at Lin Xizhao, nodded, and asked, “Why aren’t you asleep yet? It’s so late.”

Qu Sheng had also risen and walked to Lin Xizhao’s side.

Lin Xizhao and Lin Jianhai both looked over. Lin Xizhao smiled and took Qu Sheng’s hand, replying, “There are only a few pages left to check.”

            

Qu Sheng kept her head down and said nothing. Lin Jianhai sized her up, then gave Lin Xizhao a soft “en” and said, “Did you have a good time at your uncles’ home?”

“Yes, my uncles and aunts treated us very well,” Lin Xizhao replied with a faint smile.

Lin Jianhai nodded, his gaze flicking back to Qu Sheng. He said to Lin Xizhao, “The account books can be looked at anytime. You should go rest early.”

            

“This daughter is about to go back now.” Lin Xizhao didn’t plan to continue looking. There were only a few pages left; she could finish them tomorrow morning.

She and Qu Sheng had been rushing about for days. It was better to rest early.

Lin Jianhai watched Lin Xizhao lead Qu Sheng away. Staring at Qu Sheng’s back, his brow twitched slightly. He turned to a nearby maid who was preparing to tidy up the Accounts Room and asked, “Did you notice anything?”

            

Lin Jianhai had previously instructed the maids who had the most contact with Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng to pay attention to Qu Sheng’s every move.

The maid curtsied. “Replying to the Master, Miss Sheng is still the same as before. Today, she even spat grape skins all over the floor while eating.”

Hearing this, Lin Jianhai slowly let out a breath, his brow furrowed. “Keep observing.” With that, he left.

            

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao returned to their room. While waiting for the hot water in the Bathing Room to be prepared, the two did not remain idle.

Lin Xizhao sat on Qu Sheng’s lap. It was unclear who took the initiative, but as they kissed, Lin Xizhao became less and less submissive.

Her fiery, proactive, and seductive kisses soon made Qu Sheng yield, becoming the one to be taken from at will.

            

“Eldest Young Miss, Miss Sheng, the hot water is ready,” a maid called from outside, knocking on the door.

Lin Xizhao snapped back to her senses. She glanced nervously at the door, then down at Qu Sheng, who was still looking up at her with her neck craned. Seeing the lips she had sucked swollen and red, Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze for a moment, bit her lip, and stood up.

She didn’t know where she had found the courage after entering the room to become as domineering as Qu Sheng.

            

Lin Xizhao led Qu Sheng into the Bathing Room and dismissed all the servants. She walked to Qu Sheng’s side and helped her undress.

Once the sash was untied, Lin Xizhao told Qu Sheng to get in first, but Qu Sheng stood her ground, refusing to move.

As Lin Xizhao untied her own sash, she was suddenly embraced by Qu Sheng.

            

“Be good, I’ll be done in a moment.” Lin Xizhao’s lips curved into a smile, but the words had barely left her mouth before Qu Sheng lifted her into her arms.

“Sheng’er will help jiejie.” A sly glint appeared in Qu Sheng’s eyes.

Still dressed, Lin Xizhao was placed into the bathtub, and Qu Sheng immediately followed.

            

The moment Qu Sheng got in, she sought out Lin Xizhao’s soft lips and began to kiss her. That kiss from before had been truly tempting.

Under the water, Qu Sheng’s fingers untied Lin Xizhao’s outer clothes one by one, tossing them outside the tub. When she reached the undergarments, Qu Sheng did not rush.

Her hand slipped under the red undergarment, and when she grasped the unseen softness, a soft moan escaped Lin Xizhao’s throat.

            

Tonight, Lin Xizhao was excessively alluring. Although Qu Sheng had seen through Lin Xizhao’s intentions, she felt she had to eat her fill first. Otherwise, the desire that had built up over the past few days would not be sated, and she would go mad.

They went at it in the Bathing Room for an unknown number of rounds, but even so, Qu Sheng did not let Lin Xizhao off.

They put on their outer robes. Qu Sheng picked up Lin Xizhao, whose sash was not yet tied tightly, and teased, “You’ll have to take it off again in a bit, so jiejie needn’t bother. Sheng’er will just carry jiejie back to the room.”

            

Although she was being carried, Lin Xizhao’s hands kept moving. Tonight, Qu Sheng was like a beast from the jungle, impossible to satisfy. Hearing her words, Lin Xizhao’s face instantly flushed red. She shot Qu Sheng a coquettish glare and said, “You should put me down.”

This wasn’t the Qu Marquis Residence. There were many eyes and ears here. Although no one would spread rumors, it wouldn’t sound good if it reached Lin Jianhai’s ears.

Tonight, she had noticed the servants in the residence sizing up Qu Sheng. Lin Jianhai must have suspected something and wanted to confirm it.

            

And the only thing Qu Sheng was hiding was the matter of her foolishness.

Naturally, Qu Sheng wouldn’t listen. She was already eagerly anticipating how she would ‘torment’ Lin Xizhao next.

Qu Sheng carried Lin Xizhao out of the room. When the maids saw Qu Sheng carrying Lin Xizhao out, they hurried forward to open the door wider.

            

Qu Sheng carried Lin Xizhao down the steps and toward the bedroom. But halfway there, she saw Lin Jianhai walking in from the courtyard.

Lin Jianhai stared at the person in Qu Sheng’s arms, his brow twitching, and he stopped in his tracks.

Seeing him, Lin Xizhao quickly gestured for Qu Sheng to put her down. By now, Qu Sheng had also seen Lin Jianhai. Feeling the person in her arms gently push her, she reluctantly set Lin Xizhao down.

            

After being set down, Lin Xizhao remembered her sash wasn’t tied tightly. She quickly straightened her clothes before going to greet Lin Jianhai.

“Father.” Lin Xizhao curtsied. “Did you come looking for this daughter about something?”

It was so late, and they had been in the Bathing Room for a whole hour. The simple couch in there was now soaked with water droplets from their bodies.

            

For Lin Jianhai to come at this hour, he must have something to say.

Qu Sheng stood beside Lin Jianhai without speaking, her face sullen, neither smiling nor talking.

Lin Xizhao followed Lin Jianhai’s gaze for a moment, then heard him say, also with a hint of displeasure, “Many more officials will be coming to send gifts in the next few days. Xirui still has his studies. This father hopes you can stay in the residence for a while.”

            

If there was nothing to do in the residence, Lin Xizhao would definitely go to the Qu Marquis Residence. Lin Jianhai had long guessed this. He used to turn a blind eye as long as household affairs weren’t neglected, but now he had other ideas.

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes and thought for a few moments. “Alright. This daughter will certainly not disappoint Father’s trust.”

Lin Xizhao wanted to ease the current awkwardness by saying something to congratulate Lin Jianhai, but on second thought, his title of king was just an empty name, less prestigious in court than his former title of Prime Minister, so she gave up the idea.

            

The three of them stood in awkward silence for a few moments. Lin Jianhai lowered his eyes and asked in a deep voice, “Do you know about your Fifth Uncle coming to the capital?”

Lin Xizhao looked up at Lin Jianhai. “I do. Fifth Uncle arrived in the capital around the same time we did. I heard he made a trip to Gaozhou and wants to petition His Majesty to let him lead troops to suppress the bandits.”

Lin Jianhai nodded. “I spoke with His Majesty today. Your Fifth Uncle will receive the imperial edict to lead troops to Gaozhou to suppress the bandits. I hope he can achieve a swift victory and annihilate all these long-entrenched mountain bandits.”

            

Lin Xizhao nodded but didn’t reply.

She didn’t know if Lin Jianhai was deliberately testing her, but saying nothing was better than saying too much and making a mistake.

Seeing Lin Xizhao remain silent, Lin Jianhai glanced at Qu Sheng, who was standing to the side with her head down, her sullen expression gone. “This father will head back now. You two should rest early.”

            

Lin Xizhao curtsied. “Father, take care.”

Watching Lin Jianhai leave the courtyard, Lin Xizhao let out a rare sigh of relief. That was just too awkward. She had expected word to get back to him, but she hadn’t expected him to see them directly.

The moment Lin Jianhai had appeared, Lin Xizhao had felt her face burning. Now that he was gone, the heat still hadn’t subsided.

            

Lin Xizhao stood in place for a while, the gentle breeze outside dispelling much of her heat. She composed her flustered emotions, took Qu Sheng’s hand, gave her a gentle look, and led her back into the room.

After that, their mood was mostly gone. Lin Xizhao lay down and obediently let Qu Sheng hold her.

“Uncle Lin is keeping jiejie in the residence. He must have some suspicions about me.”

            

When she had come to propose marriage before, although she had deliberately slowed her speech to sound like her usual self, the things she said were not something a fool could come up with.

The medicine in that porcelain vial was what Lin Jianhai had made Lin Xizhao’s stepmother, Yu shi, take back then.

When Lin Jianhai was released from prison that year, Yu shi died mysteriously. There were no marks on her body, and the coroner couldn’t find any poison. The only explanation was that she had a pre-existing illness and had died of depression after being frightened and unable to adapt to the prison environment.

            

But even if she died of depression, it was far too quick.

How long had Yu shi been in prison? Barely a day in total.

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The author has something to say:

            

Qu Sheng: “When eating grapes, don’t spit out the grape skin.”

Zhao Jiayu: “You have to spit out the seeds, right?”

Qu Sheng: “Mind your own business, pretty girl.”

            

Zhao Jiayu: “…”

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