The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 125
by Little PandaYour Highness, Sheng’er Doesn’t Hold Back
When the Empress heard the Crown Prince’s voice, she turned to look and saw him walking over in a great hurry, as if wind were sprouting from his feet.
“Mind your conduct,” the Empress said, a little helplessly.
Once the Crown Prince was closer, Lin Xizhao greeted him with a bow. The Crown Prince’s gaze lingered on Lin Xizhao as he smiled, then he turned to the Empress. “This son and subject knows. It’s just that this son and subject heard Xizhao-meimei was here and got a little carried away with joy.”
“You are the Heir Apparent. How can there be a time for you to get carried away? Your Father Emperor—”
“Alright, Mother Empress, you start lecturing the moment this son and subject arrives. Father Emperor can’t keep an eye on this son and subject all the time. Besides, this son and subject only acts like this around you,” the Crown Prince said, smiling again in a wheedling manner.
The Empress sighed internally and said no more. She had spoiled the Crown Prince. In front of outsiders, she couldn’t very well rebuke him and make him lose face.
“It has been a long time, Xizhao-meimei. You’ve grown even more beautiful,” the Crown Prince said, smiling at Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao merely lowered her head at the Crown Prince’s praise, offering no reply. Qu Sheng, who had been standing to the side, had been watching him ever since he entered.
Recently, she had heard that the Imperial Noble Consort was making moves, seemingly with the intent to contend for the position of Heir Apparent. But no matter how much she tried to influence the Emperor with pillow talk,1 the Emperor refused to budge.
The choice of Crown Prince was a matter concerning the rise and fall of the Tiansheng dynasty. Unless the Crown Prince committed a major error, he could not be replaced lightly. Qu Jinian had been assigned to investigate the matter of the Crown Prince’s alleged rebellion, but it had not been publicized.
The Emperor had already cut off the Crown Prince’s left and right arms,2 but the Qu family was the one thing he could not restrain. However, the Qu family had shown no intention of rebelling even during the peak of their military power, and had always been resigned to adversity. Thus, the Emperor did not harbor too much suspicion toward them.
Furthermore, the close relationship between the Qu family and the Crown Prince was not without its benefits. When the time came for the nation to be handed over to the Crown Prince, Qu Jinian would be his greatest supporter, which would also help consolidate the Tiansheng dynasty. The Emperor had no further thoughts of suppressing them.
Dispatching the Qu family to provide aid in the north this time was the Emperor’s way of signaling his trust in them.
“Everyone, be seated.” The Empress seemed to be in poor health today, frequently pressing a hand to her forehead. Just then, the maids removed all the porcelain lids covering the dishes.
Lin Xizhao watched the Crown Prince sit down before pulling Qu Sheng down to sit as well.
“There are no outsiders here today. There’s no need to be so formal,” the Empress said gently to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao waited until the Empress and the Crown Prince had picked up their chopsticks before placing some food in Qu Sheng’s bowl. When she was young, the Empress would often have Liang shi stay to dine and talk with her, and Lin Xizhao had accompanied her mother many times, so she did not feel constrained.
Qu Sheng paid no mind to anything else. She ate whatever Lin Xizhao put in her bowl, but after a few bites, she lost her appetite.
Lin Xizhao glanced at her. Qu Sheng had only eaten half a small bowl; it was obvious she wanted to be fed. As Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, the Empress noticed Lin Xizhao seemed somewhat reserved, constantly glancing at Qu Sheng. “What is it?” she asked.
Lin Xizhao looked up at her words. Before she could speak, Qu Sheng said, “Sheng’er wants jiejie to feed her.” Her voice was very quiet, and her eyes were fixed on Lin Xizhao as she spoke.
The Empress and the Crown Prince both looked at her, perplexed. After a moment, Lin Xizhao explained, “Sheng’er has been accustomed to following Xizhao since we were little. Sometimes she gets willful and wants someone to feed her.”
She was explaining that Qu Sheng was capable of eating by herself, as they had just seen. But when she threw a tantrum, it was also real. This sort of thing had happened often long ago, and Lin Xizhao had always indulged her.
Here in the palace, Lin Xizhao kept looking up at the Empress, hoping for permission to feed Qu Sheng. Otherwise, if she didn’t eat her fill, Qu Sheng would, by habit, throw a fit later.
These were habits from childhood. Before Lin Xizhao knew that Qu Sheng was doing it all deliberately, she had always been indulgent. Today would be no exception.
Hearing this, the Empress blinked slowly and lifted her chin slightly. “Then you may feed her.”
Lin Xizhao nodded, picked up Qu Sheng’s bowl and chopsticks, and began to feed her. Qu Sheng sat there obediently, her eyes fixed on Lin Xizhao, but her peripheral vision was gauging the reactions of the Empress and the Crown Prince.
The morning meal proceeded in relative quiet. Qu Sheng ate her fill. Lin Xizhao ate little, and after feeding Qu Sheng, she too was soon full.
The Empress had the dining table cleared and some tea and snacks brought out, asking Lin Xizhao to stay and chat with her.
Qu Sheng sat to the side, peeling lychees. While Lin Xizhao was answering one of the Empress’s questions, she stood up with a piece of peeled fruit and popped it into Lin Xizhao’s mouth.
Lin Xizhao was interrupted mid-sentence, a lychee now in her mouth. She was about to spit it out, but one look from Qu Sheng made her chew and swallow it instead.
Lin Xizhao lightly covered her lips, quickly chewed, and swallowed. The Empress smiled. “You two seem to have a very good relationship.”
Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, who had sat back down, then turned to the Empress and smiled. “Godmother has treated Xizhao very well and feels at ease entrusting Sheng’er to Xizhao.” For so many years in the Capital City, any mention of the Qu Marquis Residence’s legitimate daughter would invariably be followed by a mention of Lin Xizhao. It was no secret in the capital that the two were inseparable.
The Empress nodded. “A few days ago, His Majesty decreed that your uncle should go to Gaozhou to suppress the bandits. If he can return triumphant this time, His Majesty will surely place great importance on the Liang family in the future.”
“Xizhao asks for nothing else, only that Uncle can eliminate the mountain bandits and return safely.”
The Empress’s eyes curved into a smile. “I know that you, like your father, have no craving for power and status. But a man can only bring glory to his family by achieving great things… It’s just a pity your mother was a woman and died in her prime, wasting all her talent and wisdom.”
Back then, the Empress had relied on Liang shi to gain a foothold in the palace. Of the countless new ladies sent to the palace each year, Liang shi had helped the Empress suppress them all without bloodshed. Who would have thought she would die in that dark ditch in her own residence? If only Liang shi had been a little more ruthless, what kind of jackals, wolves, tigers, or leopards could have gotten near her?
At the mention of Liang shi, Lin Xizhao lowered her head, her eyes filled with sorrow.
“Jiejie.” Qu Sheng walked over to Lin Xizhao’s side and wrapped her arms around her, pulling Lin Xizhao’s head into her embrace. She rested her forehead against the crown of Lin Xizhao’s head and rubbed it gently.
The Empress had by now tacitly accepted Qu Sheng’s improper behavior. Seeing how much Qu Sheng cared for Lin Xizhao, she seemed to understand why Lin Xizhao treated her so well.
To have a little person by your side who is so considerate and attentive, and who is completely without any ulterior motives—what a rare and precious thing that was.
However, Qu Sheng had repeatedly interrupted the conversation between the Empress and Lin Xizhao. The Crown Prince, who had been sitting to the side and occasionally interjecting, stood up and, with deliberate dissatisfaction, said to Qu Sheng, “Last time at Yan En… Yan Fengwu’s residence, I saw Sheng-meimei kill that bird all by herself. Your skills must be extraordinary. Why don’t we take this opportunity to have a little spar today?”
The Crown Prince felt that Qu Sheng had used brute force and a bit of luck that day, which couldn’t compare to the archery and martial arts he had studied since childhood. Seeing how well Lin Xizhao treated her today, he assumed it was because she thought Qu Sheng could protect her. He was determined to take her down a peg.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, you must not,” Lin Xizhao immediately refused on Qu Sheng’s behalf. The Empress looked over at her upon hearing this, and Lin Xizhao explained, “Sheng’er has a reckless nature. I’m afraid she might injure Your Highness. It’s best not to—”
“Okay,” Qu Sheng agreed loudly.
Lin Xizhao turned to look at Qu Sheng, but Qu Sheng wasn’t looking at her. The Crown Prince heard her and laughed. “Don’t worry, she can’t hurt this palace. See, she agreed herself. We’ll just have a friendly spar and stop before we go too far.”3 After speaking, he looked at Qu Sheng with a cunning smile in his eyes.
Qu Sheng didn’t speak, but her expression told the Crown Prince that she understood.
But whether they would stop before going too far was for her to decide.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, Sheng’er doesn’t know how to hold back. Xizhao is still worried she might accidentally injure you,” Lin Xizhao reiterated.
The Crown Prince looked at Lin Xizhao and smiled. “If she injures this palace, this palace will pardon her.”
“But…” Lin Xizhao was still worried.
The Empress did not intervene to stop them. It seemed she also wanted to see Qu Sheng’s martial skill for herself.
The Qu family were all military commanders. Although Qu Sheng was a woman, both her sisters-in-law were skilled in martial arts.
Logically, a simple-minded child like Qu Sheng shouldn’t have learned martial arts. But if she really had some skill, it meant she wasn’t as simple as she seemed. Swords and blades have no eyes; at a critical moment, she would surely reveal some flaw.
“This palace has also heard that Qu Sheng’s martial arts are quite good. It just so happens that we are at leisure today. Crown Prince, be careful not to injure her later,” the Empress declared.
Lin Xizhao glanced at the Empress, a hint of worry in her eyes. A moment ago, as long as she had held firm, this could have been avoided. But now that Qu Sheng had spoken, she couldn’t fathom her thoughts. She was afraid Qu Sheng would bring her personal grievances into this and not hold back against the Crown Prince.
And that resentment stemmed from her.
She had frequently entered the palace since she was a child. She felt her relationship with the Crown Prince was just like that with an older brother. Although the Crown Prince was sometimes childish, he was always polite to her, unlike the son of Marquis Yongshen, and had never shown any untoward intentions. She worried that Qu Sheng had agreed just to give the Crown Prince a beating and vent her anger.
The group exited the bedchamber and went into the courtyard. Lin Xizhao took the sleeve-ties and other items from an attending eunuch and helped Qu Sheng arrange her dress to make it easier for her to move and not be at a disadvantage.
Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao, studying the small hill formed by her furrowed brow. “Jiejie, don’t worry,” she whispered. “Sheng’er will be fine.”
This Crown Prince is just a flower rack.4 The palace instructors had coddled him so much that he had no idea there was always someone better out there.
Lin Xizhao looked up to meet Qu Sheng’s gaze. She wasn’t worried that Qu Sheng couldn’t win; she was worried that Qu Sheng would beat the Crown Prince.
“This slave thinks it would be better to use wooden staffs. These swords and blades have no eyes. If His Highness the Crown Prince is truly injured, I imagine the Marquis Qu will give Miss Sheng a beating when she returns home.”
He had heard from the imperial physician that Qu Sheng had been beaten once before at her residence for some unknown reason, and it had nearly cost her her life.
“What nonsense are you spouting? How could a mere girl injure this palace?” the Crown Prince said unhappily upon hearing the eunuch’s words.
The Empress glanced at the Crown Prince. Seeing his confident expression, she too worried that he might injure Qu Sheng. It would be difficult for her to explain it to Qu Jinian.
“Go and replace them with thin branches,” the Empress ordered, ignoring the Crown Prince, who had already walked over to select a weapon.
Qu Sheng also turned around. The weapons the Crown Prince was about to take were removed, and soon an attending eunuch came over holding thin branches.
Qu Sheng looked down at them with a dazed and blank expression. The Crown Prince took a branch and swung it around casually a couple of times.
Maids prepared chairs. The Empress sat down, while Lin Xizhao stood to the side.
Qu Sheng laid a branch across her palm, running her fingers from one end to the other.
Seeing this, the Crown Prince smiled. “Sheng-meimei, please, you first.”
Hearing his words, Qu Sheng’s face remained impassive, but she sneered inwardly. Let me go first? Then you won’t even have a chance to fight back.
Qu Sheng’s movements were nimble. With just one glance at Lin Xizhao, she launched her attack on the Crown Prince.
Her body shot forward. The Crown Prince reacted by dodging, but as he spun on the spot, he found that the thin branch in Qu Sheng’s hand was still sticking close to his side. When he tried to dodge again, the limitations of his body made it impossible to evade.
The branch in Qu Sheng’s hand, despite the close distance, still whipped through the air as if attacking from afar. It struck the Crown Prince in the armpit, making him cry out in pain.
Immediately, Qu Sheng snapped the branch back and struck his leg, nearly causing him to fall. Just before this, someone had come from outside and whispered something in the Empress’s ear.
The Empress nodded, and the attending eunuch departed.
In the first exchange between Qu Sheng and the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince had only been on the receiving end, which made him not dare to underestimate Qu Sheng any longer. The Empress hadn’t seen clearly either; all she saw now was the Crown Prince grimacing in pain while pretending to be calm.
The Crown Prince’s face was clearly displeased, and a hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes as he looked at Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng, however, simply stood there, stroking the thin branch in her palm again.
She kept her head down, looking somewhat naive and cute. The Empress glanced at her but couldn’t see any difference from before. It wasn’t until the Crown Prince clamped one arm over his armpit and leaped forward to attack Qu Sheng that she looked up, swept her eyes over him coolly, and easily dodged. In the instant she turned, the thin branch in her hand struck the Crown Prince’s back, followed by his shoulders. Then, Qu Sheng’s gaze targeted his legs.
Qu Sheng’s rapid strikes made the Crown Prince hop and jump about in pain, trying to dodge, but every one of her moves was faster than his. He had no time to evade at all.
By now, the Empress’s expression had darkened. The attending eunuch at her side couldn’t bear to watch any longer and rushed forward, shouting, “Stop, stop at once!”
Qu Sheng, as if she hadn’t heard, continued to whip the constantly hopping Crown Prince. Seeing this, Lin Xizhao also stood up and called out in a louder voice, “Sheng’er, stop!”
Qu Sheng glanced at her, and her movements paused. But that single moment of hesitation gave the Crown Prince an opening. Enduring the pain from being struck all over, he whipped his own branch back at her.
But as Qu Sheng heard the branch whistle through the air, she leaned back and dodged it. Then, steadying herself, with quick eyes and fast hands, she once again struck the Crown Prince’s arm, making him drop his branch in pain.
Just as Qu Sheng was about to continue, Jin Yunfei’s voice suddenly called out, “Sheng’er!”
Hearing the voice, Qu Sheng stopped her attack, but the tip of the branch still caught the Crown Prince on the arm. He yelped in pain, clutching and rubbing his arm, his face contorted as he looked at Qu Sheng.
At the sight of Jin Yunfei’s angry expression, Qu Sheng immediately threw down the branch and, like a mouse seeing a cat, ran to Lin Xizhao and hid in her arms.
Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng. Jin Yunfei came over, glanced at them, and then looked toward the Empress. Still panting from her fright, she dropped to her knees with a thud. “This little daughter of mine was mischievous and offended His Highness the Crown Prince. I beg Your Majesty the Empress, for the sake of the Marquis’s years of dedicated service to His Majesty and the court, to grant a lenient punishment.”
Jin Yunfei’s immediate plea for mercy left the Empress at a bit of a loss. They had only been sparring with branches, and she herself had permitted it. Although the Crown Prince had gotten the worst of it, it was ultimately because his skills were inferior.
The Crown Prince had also promised not to press the matter. If she were to punish Qu Sheng now, wouldn’t that be a slap in the face to the imperial family?
“Madam Qu, please rise. The Crown Prince and Little Sheng’er were just sparring. This palace will not blame her.”
Qu Sheng’s martial skill was superior to the Crown Prince’s; that was beyond doubt. A moment ago, when Qu Sheng saw Jin Yunfei arrive, she had been so frightened she had immediately run to hide with Lin Xizhao. It was likely that the Qu family forbade her from fighting with outsiders.
But watching Qu Sheng’s subconscious actions, she felt that although Qu Sheng had studied martial arts, her intellect was still somewhat lacking. She didn’t believe such an instinctive reaction could be faked.
Now, watching Qu Sheng bury her head in Lin Xizhao’s embrace, while Lin Xizhao looked nervously at Jin Yunfei, seemingly wanting to plead but not daring to speak in her presence, confirmed her thoughts.
Hearing the Empress’s words, Jin Yunfei’s heart remained unsettled. Only after a moment did she dare to look up. She saw the Empress nod, then glanced at Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao gave her a faint smile and a nod, which finally set her mind at ease. However, after rising, Jin Yunfei still pulled Qu Sheng out of Lin Xizhao’s arms and dragged her over to apologize to the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince’s entire body was stinging from the beating. Since it was only early autumn, his clothes were still thin. If he were to roll up his sleeves now, his arms would surely be covered in red welts like earthworms.
Jin Yunfei bowed to the Crown Prince, but Qu Sheng just stood there stubbornly, her fingers intertwined, her thumbs circling each other restlessly. She refused to lower her head and apologize. At that moment, she looked just like a stubborn donkey flicking its tail.
But the Crown Prince, for the sake of appearances, could only endure the pain and pretend not to care. He forced a smile. “This palace was just playing around with Sheng-meimei. Madam Qu need not take it to heart.”
Even if he was humiliated and angry, he didn’t dare show it. Even His Majesty had to give some leeway to the Qu family. How could he, a powerless Crown Prince, dare to shout at a member of their family? He would need to rely on the Qu family in the future. Besides, it wasn’t entirely Qu Sheng’s fault.
Lin Xizhao had warned him repeatedly, and he was the one who had insisted. But no one had expected that what he asked for was a beating.
As Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao, and Jin Yunfei were leaving the imperial palace, Jin Yunfei quietly scolded her the entire way. Even the attending eunuch escorting them out couldn’t bear to listen anymore, but Qu Sheng didn’t say a single word in her own defense.
Once they left the palace, the three of them sat in the carriage, and Qu Sheng no longer pretended to be simple-minded. Jin Yunfei looked at her clever little head and said helplessly after a moment, “How could you dare to hit the Crown Prince?”
This morning, when she heard that Qu Sheng had entered the palace, she had hastily changed her clothes and rushed over. She already knew that Lin Jianhai wanted to find out if Qu Sheng was truly simple-minded. When the Empress suddenly summoned Qu Sheng to the palace as well, her heart had nearly leaped into her throat.
If Qu Sheng’s simple-mindedness was exposed as an act, it would be the crime of deceiving the monarch.5
Fortunately, Lin Xizhao had cooperated. From what she had observed of the Empress and the Crown Prince, it seemed they hadn’t seen through Qu Sheng’s act. So she had added oil and vinegar,6 saying some misleading things in front of the Empress and the eunuch.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng lowered her eyes. She had wanted to hit him. If Jin Yunfei hadn’t arrived so quickly, she would have beaten him all over again.
The attending eunuch saw the three of them out of the palace. When he returned to report, the Crown Prince was arguing with the Empress.
“Mother Empress saw it too! If she weren’t simple-minded, how would she dare to hit this son and subject? And even if she isn’t, she’s so fierce and unreasonable. In the future, this son and subject will have to live in constant fear. Who knows, one day she might go mad and kill this son and subject!” The Crown Prince had been bottling up his anger since they left. Now, hearing the Empress say she would summon Qu Sheng to the palace again in a few days, he erupted.
“Nonsense! You are the Crown Prince, the future ruler of our Tiansheng. How could you be swayed by a mere child?”
“Mother Empress!” The Crown Prince was extremely reluctant. “If you truly dote on this child, you might as well betroth Xizhao-meimei to this son and subject…” As he said this, he suddenly had a realization and blinked.
Qu Sheng was so obedient to Lin Xizhao. If he could bring Lin Xizhao into the Eastern Palace as well, even if Qu Sheng was a fool, he could have Lin Xizhao manage her. Then he would have the Qu family’s military power and a beauty by his side. Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?
The Empress saw through the Crown Prince’s intentions and immediately dismissed the idea. “Lin Jianhai is your Father Emperor’s trusted confidant. Even if he were willing to wrong Xizhao, would the Qu family agree?” Although the imperial family was noble, no one wanted to be placed in a subordinate position.
Back then, Qu Jinian had rushed about for Liang shi’s sake and had his head smashed by the Emperor. Over the years, it was said that the Qu family treated Lin Xizhao like their own daughter and had been trying to arrange a marriage for her, but none of the candidates had met their approval.
Many who came to propose were rejected after only a few words. Lin Jianhai had also let the Qu family handle the matter of Lin Xizhao’s marriage.
Once in the palace, anyone who wasn’t the Empress would feel wronged, and she knew what her own son was like. If Lin Xizhao entered the palace, the Crown Prince would surely be led by the nose by her.
The reason Lin Xizhao hadn’t married all these years was because of her high standards. She had even rejected the heir of a marquis. If she wasn’t coveting the position of Crown Princess, the Empress would find it hard to believe.
If that happened and she wanted to interfere in politics and conspire with Lin Jianhai, wouldn’t that be rearing a tiger to one’s own detriment?7
Moreover, it was still unclear whether Qu Sheng was truly simple-minded. If Qu Sheng wasn’t simple-minded and entered the Eastern Palace as the Crown Princess, then gave birth to a son who was named the Heir Apparent, wouldn’t Qu Jinian do everything for the Crown Prince’s sake?
Right now, she had already fallen out of favor, and the Emperor spent his nights with the Imperial Noble Consort. According to the spies she had planted, the Imperial Noble Consort was constantly whispering in His Majesty’s ear, trying to get him to change the Crown Prince.
Although the Emperor’s resolve hadn’t wavered yet, he was still young. If that young prince grew up and developed ambitions for the throne…
Compared to Lin Xizhao’s beauty, if Qu Sheng wasn’t too simple-minded, as long as she could sit properly in the palace, the Empress could turn a blind eye and accept her.
After leaving the palace, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng returned to the Qu Marquis Residence with Jin Yunfei. During the midday meal, a carrier pigeon arrived from the territory of Shoulin in the southeast.
Since there were no outsiders present, Qu Jinian opened the letter a servant handed him.
He glanced at it, his eyes flickering as his brows furrowed.
“Father, what does it say?” Qu Sheng asked, puzzled.
Qu Jinian looked at Qu Sheng and handed her the letter. She glanced at it. The few short words on it made her think of Cheng Xi.
‘King of Haichao replaced by Cheng Feng. Will soon come to the capital to present tribute.’
There were no details. The garrison at Shoulin hadn’t even received a request for help. To seize power with such speed… this Cheng Feng, who had been defeated twice, had made a comeback8 with a swiftness that was beyond her expectations.
A more detailed letter would arrive by fast horse in a few days, so Qu Sheng didn’t press further. After the meal, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao went to see Cheng Xi and told her the news.
Whether the King of Haichao was replaced or not had little to do with them, but for Cheng Xi’s sake, they felt it was worth celebrating.
The new king of Haichao was Cheng Xi’s biological brother. He would surely come to take her away, which meant they wouldn’t have to go to the great trouble and risk of sending her away themselves.
After relaying the news to Cheng Xi, Qu Sheng left Lin Xizhao to talk with her and returned to her own courtyard first.
A letter requesting help had arrived from Liang Lianhui’s side, and Qu Jinian had sent someone to the Lin Residence this morning to inform her. Now she needed to come up with a countermeasure for Liang Lianhui, but it would be best if she went there in person to command the bandit suppression campaign.
But right now, she didn’t want to leave Lin Xizhao. After much thought, Qu Sheng wrote a letter to Liang Lianhui. If things became truly dire, it wouldn’t be too late for her to go then.
Qu Sheng stayed in her courtyard for a while before Lin Xizhao returned from Cheng Xi’s place. The two of them went to check on Zhao Jiayu together before returning to the Lin Prime Minister Residence.
Some time had passed since their return from the palace. Lin Jianhai had people observing Qu Sheng. If she stayed at the Qu Marquis Residence and didn’t go over, it would surely arouse his suspicion.
In the evening, as Lin Xizhao was helping Qu Sheng bathe and dry her body, a servant from outside came to announce that Lin Jianhai wanted to see her and was currently in the courtyard.
Qu Sheng, sitting in the bathing tub, frowned slightly upon hearing the maid’s message.
It was impossible that the maid hadn’t told Lin Jianhai that Lin Xizhao was helping her bathe.
What could be so urgent?
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “I’ll beat him until he blossoms everywhere.”
Footnotes
- Original term: 吹枕边风 (chuī zhěnbiānfēng). An idiom for a wife or consort using the intimacy of the bedroom to influence a powerful husband’s or ruler’s decisions.
- An idiom (左膀右臂, zuǒbǎngyòubì) for one’s most trusted assistants or right-hand men.
- Original term: 点到为止 (diǎndào wéizhǐ). A common term in martial arts sparring, meaning to demonstrate a successful strike without actually harming the opponent.
- Original term: 花架子 (huājiàzi). This describes someone or something that looks impressive but lacks real substance or skill, like a decorative trellis for flowers.
- Original term: 欺君之罪 (qījūn zhī zuì). This was a capital offense in imperial China, as the emperor’s authority was considered absolute and sacred.
- An idiom (添油加醋, tiānyóu-jiācù) for embellishing or exaggerating a story.
- An idiom (养虎为患, yǎnghǔ-wéihuàn) for nurturing a potential threat that will bring disaster upon oneself later.
- Original term: 东山再起 (dōngshān zàiqǐ). An idiom for staging a comeback after a defeat, originating from a historical figure who returned to power from retirement in the Eastern Mountain.
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