The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 129
by Little PandaBring Him Back, I Can Bear It
Qu Sheng wanted the seamstress dead. When Lin Xizhao stopped her, it wasn’t because she truly wanted to ask the woman anything. Rather, she deliberately asked some random questions to make the seamstress lower her guard, letting her think she would really be allowed to leave.
With a newfound hope for survival, the seamstress was determined to live. But she also knew that the people outside wouldn’t let her go.
She was now avoiding the main roads and sticking to small alleys for her own safety, but how could those people be as foolish as she thought?
In the darkness of the night, Qu Sheng watched as the men kept a tight watch on the seamstress below. She drew the sword from her waist.
“Miss,” Feng Qi called softly from below.
Qu Sheng looked down at the sound of his voice. Feng Qi came up and whispered, “Those three have been captured.”
Qu Sheng nodded and looked toward the distance. “There are people over there. Come with me.”
“Yes.” Feng Qi couldn’t see them; the men were dressed in night-travel clothes and concealed among the roof tiles.
The two of them used their qinggong to fly over, stopping a short distance away.
Feng Qi asked, puzzled, “Miss, aren’t we making a move?”
Qu Sheng stared at the seamstress, her gaze flickering. “Wait a moment.”
Just as Qu Sheng said to wait, the men had already leaped down from above. The seamstress was suddenly ambushed, but she didn’t cry out in shock.
She looked at the assassins who had come to take her life and assumed a defensive posture. When the first assassin slashed at her with his saber, the seamstress dodged sideways, locked his arm, and twisted his wrist until it broke. As his saber fell, she kicked it up with her foot and claimed it for her own use.
Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly. Lin Xizhao had told her this seamstress was no ordinary person. She had just stopped Feng Qi precisely because she wanted to see what the woman was capable of.
She had originally thought the mastermind was making a mountain out of a molehill by sending so many killers, but she never expected the seamstress to be so skilled.
Qu Sheng stood on the roof looking down. The seamstress was holding her own against ten men. Although three of her fingers were broken, she wasn’t at a disadvantage.
Her terrified, incoherent act in the Zhao Residence woodshed had all been a pretense. Her desperate attempt to pin the blame for poisoning Qu Yu on the dead Yan Fengwu was likely because she knew there was bad blood between them.
Having reached this conclusion, Qu Sheng continued to watch from the rooftop.
The seamstress killed three men and injured two, sustaining injuries herself. Qu Sheng waited on the roof for a moment. Just as one of the men slashed the seamstress’s arm and was about to cleave her in two, Qu Sheng threw her own sword.
The blade plunged straight into the assassin’s back, a single fatal blow. At that moment, Feng Qi also jumped down and engaged the other assassins. After landing, Qu Sheng stepped on the assassin’s corpse and pulled her sword free.
The seamstress recognized her rescuer. Clutching her arm, she stood to the side, unmoving.
A moment later, the Qu family guards arrived. Feng Qi pinned one of the men down. Seeing that the man was about to commit suicide, he pinched his mouth and dislocated his jaw.
Seeing this, the remaining few tried to flee but were surrounded by the guards, who held blades to their necks.
The guards weren’t as quick to react as Feng Qi. The men all turned their heads sharply against the blades, committing suicide in unison.
Qu Sheng glanced back, her brow creasing. To have raised so many deathsworn1… it seemed their opponent was no minor figure.
The seamstress was still standing to the side. Qu Sheng stared at her for a moment, then said, “You saw it for yourself. These people are all here to take your life. If you come back with me, I can guarantee your survival. The choice is yours.”
Qu Sheng didn’t force her. The city gates were already closed. If she didn’t offer help, more assassins would surely come for the seamstress, and she would undoubtedly die.
She knew that if she had ended the woman’s life back then, she wouldn’t have been afraid. But now that she had a glimmer of hope, how could she be willing to give it up?
Qu Sheng had only taken a few steps before the seamstress followed.
Under the cover of night, the group entered the Qu Marquis Residence. The men Feng Qi had captured were also brought back.
Qu Sheng had someone stitch the seamstress’s broken fingers and tend to her wounds simply before taking her to the Qu Marquis Residence’s dungeon.
Three people were already imprisoned inside—the three from the Zhao Residence.
“Which one was with you?” Qu Sheng asked the seamstress behind her, staring at the three men.
The seamstress sized up the three bound men before her, then raised a finger and pointed at one of them.
Seeing the seamstress point at him, the man hung his head, looking utterly dejected.
“Take the other two away,” Qu Sheng said, turning around.
The seamstress also lowered her eyes, remaining silent. Qu Sheng watched her for a few moments, then walked to the side and picked up a red-hot branding iron. “There are only a few families who hold a grudge against our Qu family. Frankly, whether you talk or not will only affect how soon we deal with them. These people will be dealt with sooner or later. It’s just a matter of when.”
Qu Sheng’s gaze shifted to the seamstress.
The seamstress stood there without moving, so Qu Sheng turned her attention to the man beside her. The branding iron swept past him, and the smell of scorched fabric filled the room. Then, the iron moved toward the assassin at his side.
It burned a large hole through his black outer garment, the scorched fabric curling and dripping downward.
With his jaw dislocated, the man couldn’t scream loudly, only producing miserable, muffled whimpers.
A moment later, Qu Sheng removed the branding iron and handed it to Feng Qi, who took it and placed it back in the charcoal brazier.
“We aren’t sure who it is, but the person who contacted us spoke with a southern accent. One thing is certain, though: they are definitely not from an ordinary family,” the seamstress said in a low voice.
Qu Sheng glanced at her. She had already figured out that they weren’t from an ordinary family.
The seamstress looked at Qu Sheng, who was widely rumored to be a fool, and fell silent for a moment before continuing, “The cloth was also given to me by that person. The material is special.”
“How is it special?” Feng Qi interjected.
The seamstress glanced at him. “It’s a tribute item.”2
Upon hearing the words ‘tribute item’, Qu Sheng’s expression turned to shock as she whipped her head around to look at the woman.
“Where is the antidote?” Qu Sheng asked after a few stunned moments.
“I don’t have it,” the seamstress said, her gaze flickering as she lowered her head.
Qu Sheng stared at her for a long while. “Send her back. Kill the rest.”
“Yes,” Feng Qi replied with a bow.
“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I can make amends!” the bound servant from the Zhao Residence on the floor struggled and cried out.
Qu Sheng turned back at the sound. Her expression was icy, and her voice was just as cold and curt. “Speak.”
“Our meeting point is inside Prince Cheng’an’s Residence,” the man said, pushing himself up and shuffling forward on his knees until he was at Qu Sheng’s feet.
Qu Sheng looked down at him, frowning at his words. “What Prince Cheng’an?”
“Miss, Prince Cheng’an was His Majesty’s uncle. He was executed and his family’s assets were seized for the crime of treason. His residence is now located behind Yan Fengwu’s former residence,” Feng Qi reminded her in a low voice.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if recalling the residence she had entered through the secret passage when she had explored Yan Fengwu’s old home.
“What is the relationship between Yan Fengwu and your master?” Qu Sheng suddenly thought of this question.
“I don’t know, but the person who gave us orders said that if we were caught, we should push the blame onto him,” the man replied hastily.
“How do you make contact?” Qu Sheng asked, looking down.
The man replied, “We use a whistle signal: three long, two short.”
Qu Sheng stared at the man, lost in thought, then turned and left after a moment.
“Miss Qu! Miss Qu! My life, my life!”
After Qu Sheng left, Feng Qi glanced at the man but ignored him. He didn’t kill him, instead ordering his men to take the seamstress away.
The other party already knew the seamstress had been captured, but no one knew about this man. Qu Sheng had to lure the others out before they found out.
Feng Qi took a dozen guards and followed Qu Sheng. The guards set up an ambush around Prince Cheng’an’s Residence.
Qu Sheng stood before the residence gates. The surroundings were silent, without even the chirping of insects. Qu Sheng pondered for a moment, then pushed the gates open.
The instant the gates opened, a longsword glinting with cold light shot out. Qu Sheng dodged sideways, but the sword turned, its flat side slicing toward her head.
Qu Sheng bent backward to evade it, then kicked the man in the chest.
At the same time, many more assassins rushed out from inside. The Qu Marquis Residence guards all emerged at this moment, forming a protective circle behind Qu Sheng.
Feng Qi was at the forefront, showing no mercy with any of his strikes.
Qu Sheng watched for a while, then flew directly inside. The grounds of Prince Cheng’an’s Residence were overgrown with weeds, but the ground underfoot had been trampled flat, suggesting they had been waiting here for a long time.
And now she understood. It wasn’t that they had been discovered; it was that these people never intended for their contact to live.
The assassins outside saw that the newcomers were not who they expected. Seeing that half his men were dead, the leader immediately blew a whistle, signaling a retreat.
Qu Sheng emerged from the gates. Seeing Feng Qi about to lead his men in pursuit, she called out, “There’s no need to chase them.”
These were all deathsworn. They likely wouldn’t get anything out of them through interrogation, and they would just commit suicide anyway. The most urgent task was to investigate the origin of the cloth.
Qu Sheng glanced back at the gates of Prince Cheng’an’s residence. The plaque was gone, but its wide gatehouse still hinted at its former grandeur.
Qu Sheng led her people back to the Qu Marquis Residence. Lin Xizhao was sitting in her room, examining the wrapped handkerchief.
The fabric was truly ordinary. Back when Liang shi was alive, the Empress would often bestow gifts, which included tribute cloths. But this piece of fabric… she really couldn’t tell how it was any different from what was currently available on the market.
Qu Sheng pushed the door open and came in. Lin Xizhao looked up, her furrowed brow smoothing out as she said gently, “You’re back. Did you catch anyone?”
Qu Sheng shook her head. “No. They had already set up an ambush. They were there to silence their own.”
When Lin Xizhao heard the word “ambush,” her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes immediately began to scan Qu Sheng for injuries.
“I’m fine. They can’t hurt me,” Qu Sheng said, a faint, reassuring smile on her lips.
Lin Xizhao already knew that Qu Sheng had gone to Prince Cheng’an’s Residence. She had thought they might capture a key person, but she hadn’t expected them to be so ruthless as to not leave a single person alive.
Such viciousness was rare. But today’s events had also revealed that there were enemies of the Qu family hiding in the capital.
These people were not trained overnight, and the Imperial Noble Consort didn’t have that kind of capability. Since giving birth to the little prince, she seemed to have shifted her focus to vying for the position of Crown Prince.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had left the city several times without encountering any more danger, so it was likely she couldn’t spare the attention.
“I saved some food for you. Eat after you’ve bathed,” Lin Xizhao instructed softly.
Qu Sheng looked down at the handkerchief on the table, then raised her head at Lin Xizhao’s words, her eyes curving slightly. “Alright.”
Lin Xizhao led Qu Sheng into the bathing room. She had just taken off Qu Sheng’s outer robe when Qu Sheng lifted the standing Lin Xizhao into her arms.
Lin Xizhao was half a head taller than Qu Sheng. She looked down at Qu Sheng, a hint of shyness in her eyes. “Let’s not tonight.” There had been so much going on lately; she was worried about tiring Qu Sheng out.
Ever since returning from Gaozhou, and in the days since coming back to the residence, Qu Sheng hadn’t been intimate with her. Her mind must have been in turmoil.
Qu Sheng looked up at Lin Xizhao and placed her on the wooden steps outside the bathing tub. After setting her down gently, she began to kiss Lin Xizhao’s lips while reaching out to untie her clothes.
As she was being kissed, Lin Xizhao’s upper body leaned back. Qu Sheng supported herself with one hand on the side of the wooden steps while the other undid the sash at Lin Xizhao’s waist. In no time, the pale jade-colored sash was tossed aside, and soon her pale cyan dress, embroidered with white floral patterns, was peeled away as well.
By now, Lin Xizhao was kissed until she was dizzy and confused.3 When her clothes were all off, Qu Sheng lifted her into her arms again.
Qu Sheng stepped into the bathing tub, holding Lin Xizhao so they were face to face, and had her sit on her lap.
Seeing Qu Sheng’s insistence, Lin Xizhao didn’t refuse further. She turned her cheek slightly to find Qu Sheng’s lips and kissed her, beginning to do to Qu Sheng what had just been done to her.
Lin Xizhao untied Qu Sheng’s middle garment and slowly removed her top. When she tried to kiss her again, Qu Sheng gently pushed her away and just looked at her.
Lin Xizhao blinked her steam-moistened lashes and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Qu Sheng’s thin lips curved into a slight smile. She leaned in and whispered, “I’ll have to trouble jiejie for what comes next.”
Lin Xizhao froze for a second in confusion, but she quickly understood Qu Sheng’s meaning. Her faint smile deepened, revealing her pearly white teeth. Before Qu Sheng could say another word, she found her lips and kissed her.
She couldn’t have wished for anything more than Qu Sheng’s request.
Their passion in the bathing tub didn’t fully satisfy Lin Xizhao. After they returned to the bedroom and lay down, Lin Xizhao once again stirred Qu Sheng’s desires.
Tonight, Lin Xizhao was exceptionally fervent. Her eyes held not her previous shyness, but a strong desire for complete possession of her lover.
Her soft tongue swept across Qu Sheng’s neck, making Qu Sheng’s breath catch. Only when Lin Xizhao began to seek out her soft fragrance did Qu Sheng finally exhale the breath she had been holding.
At this moment, Lin Xizhao, like Qu Sheng, had her shoulders bare, but she no longer felt any shyness.
Lin Xizhao’s fingertips caressed her smooth, delicate skin. The light friction sent an involuntary shiver through Qu Sheng’s body.
Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng, who was breathing rapidly, her face flushed with passion, and her own heart began to pound erratically. A series of unknown sensations shot through her heart, filling her with bliss.
Just as one was about to rest, the other had other ideas. Qu Sheng rolled over, pinning Lin Xizhao, who had just finished cleaning her up and lain down, beneath her.
Her cheeks were still flushed a captivatingly tender red. Lin Xizhao raised her hands to cup Qu Sheng’s face.
Qu Sheng said nothing, slowly bringing her face closer. Lin Xizhao moved her hands to her shoulders and neck.
A long time later.
After several rounds of back and forth, Lin Xizhao nearly passed out. But she had taken her medicine today, so once she fell asleep, she slept even more soundly.
Qu Sheng kissed the hair on Lin Xizhao’s forehead, gently tucked the quilt in around her, and pulled her into her arms to sleep.
The next morning, although Lin Xizhao had slept very sweetly, her body was a bit sore. Hearing Lin Xizhao instinctively suck in a breath from the ache as she moved, Qu Sheng decided not to go anywhere and helped soothe her body instead.
Lin Xizhao lay prone on the couch while Qu Sheng’s hands massaged her gently. When Lin Xizhao turned her head to look at her, Qu Sheng leaned down and kissed her soft lips.
Lin Xizhao smiled, her brows curving. “It’s alright. It’s not a big deal. I can get used to it.”
Qu Sheng wouldn’t have it and continued to massage her until she was comfortable before they got off the couch together.
The two went to the Main Courtyard. After breakfast, they returned to their own courtyard. Zhao Jiayu followed them over. Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng still had to go to Qu Yu’s place today, but with Zhao Jiayu there, they could only sit in the room and pretend to read.
They knew Zhao Jiayu didn’t like to read, and it wasn’t long before she started to get drowsy. Zhao Jiayu yawned but didn’t want to leave. “Let me borrow the bed in your room for a bit,” she said. After speaking, she suddenly remembered the love bite she had seen on Qu Sheng’s neck. She blinked, then added, “Never mind, I’ll make do out here.”
Zhao Jiayu held her belly and lay down on the beauty couch in the outer room. Seeing this, Lin Xizhao went into the bedroom to get a thick woolen blanket to place underneath her. After she lay down, she covered her with another thin quilt.
After a long while, Qu Sheng looked up at Zhao Jiayu. Seeing her sleeping soundly, Qu Sheng slowly stood up and walked over to Lin Xizhao. She cupped Lin Xizhao’s gentle face with one hand and, after a pecking kiss on her lips, whispered, “Jiejie, watch over Jiayu for a bit. I’ll go take a look by myself.”
Lin Xizhao nodded lightly. “Go on.”
She knew Qu Sheng still had many things to do today: find the mastermind and find an antidote for Qu Yu’s poison.
After Qu Sheng left, Lin Xizhao, who had no mind for reading anyway, sat there in a daze, afraid of waking Zhao Jiayu.
Yesterday, Lin Xirui had come to find her, saying that Lin Jianhai wanted her to return to the residence for a visit when she had time.
She didn’t know what Lin Jianhai was up to now, but she had a feeling it was related to Qu Sheng.
Lin Xizhao was so lost in thought that she didn’t even notice when Zhao Jiayu opened her eyes.
“Did Little Sheng’er go to see Ah Yu?” Zhao Jiayu’s voice startled the relaxed Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao turned to see Zhao Jiayu sitting up. Her tense expression faded, and she asked with a smile, “Why are you awake?”
Zhao Jiayu didn’t speak, just stared at Lin Xizhao. Her gaze seemed to be telling Lin Xizhao that she knew everything.
All the events of yesterday, Qu Sheng’s constant evasiveness, the gloomy faces of the family members before she saw them, her father-in-law and eldest uncle-in-law who were often out. And after returning, Qu Sheng also frequently went out. She knew something must have happened to Qu Yu.
Lin Xizhao wanted to prevaricate, but Zhao Jiayu said, “I want to see Ah Yu. Just for a moment.”
She just wanted to confirm his current condition. Why wouldn’t they let her see him? Was he so injured he couldn’t get up, or was he already… dead?
Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes, her soft lips pressing together slightly.
“You don’t have to lie to me. The doctor who came yesterday, that was Liu Wuxiang, the one who treated Little Sheng’er’s eyes, wasn’t it?”
She had figured it out. If Qu Yu’s illness wasn’t serious, why would they have summoned this traveling physician? She had also guessed that the problem was with that pair of handkerchiefs.
Yesterday, Qu Sheng had been so agitated when she heard the handkerchiefs were with Qian Shuangying. The handkerchiefs must have been the problem. Afterwards, they went to the Zhao Residence, and not long after returning, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao went out again.
Just now, she had sent her personal guard to follow Qu Sheng. Even if Lin Xizhao didn’t tell her, she would soon be able to find where Qu Yu was staying.
Lin Xizhao looked up at Zhao Jiayu. She didn’t want to lie to her either, but she believed that lovers always had a kind of telepathy.
Qu Sheng’s panic yesterday had probably revealed many clues. Although Zhao Jiayu wasn’t meticulous, she wasn’t incapable of thinking.
“It was Doctor Liu,” Lin Xizhao admitted.
“How long until I can see Ah Yu?” Zhao Jiayu didn’t press Lin Xizhao. She just needed to be sure that Qu Yu was still alive and well.
“In half a month, you will definitely see Fourth Brother.”
“Will Ah Yu be recovered in half a month?” Zhao Jiayu asked again.
Lin Xizhao couldn’t answer that question. She looked up at Zhao Jiayu, her gaze wavering. “I’m not sure.”
When Zhao Jiayu heard Lin Xizhao’s uncertainty, she became even more certain that something was seriously wrong with Qu Yu.
“Bring him back. I can bear it,” Zhao Jiayu said, tears welling in her eyes.
Lin Xizhao’s lips parted slightly, and she bit them for a moment. “I need to ask Doctor Liu.”
She wasn’t sure if Qu Yu could be moved right now. Moving him rashly might cause him discomfort.
“Fine. Go ask him now.”
Seeing the tears in Zhao Jiayu’s eyes, Lin Xizhao’s heart ached. Everyone was hiding it from Zhao Jiayu, isolating her. It was indeed for her own good that they didn’t let her know, but if it were Qu Sheng in her position, she would definitely not want everyone to hide things from her.
Lin Xizhao left the room and ordered a horse to be prepared. Feng Qi also followed behind with his men.
Shortly after the two of them left, Zhao Jiayu’s guard returned.
Seeing him return, Zhao Jiayu said as she walked out, “Have someone prepare a carriage.” She was going to go herself.
“Miss, we lost them,” the guard said, following behind Zhao Jiayu with a guilty look.
Zhao Jiayu stopped in her tracks and slowly turned to look at him. Qu Sheng’s martial arts were good enough to shake off her guard?
When Lin Xizhao arrived at the residence where Qu Yu was staying, Qu Sheng was feeding him.
Qu Sheng heard the servant announce a visitor from outside, then heard footsteps. She turned her head and saw Lin Xizhao.
“Jiejie, why are you here? Where’s Jiayu?”
Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, then at Qu Yu, who was now awake and smiling faintly at her. She hesitated. “Jiayu already knows something is wrong with Fourth Brother. She wants him to come back to the residence to recuperate.”
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly, while the smile on Qu Yu’s face vanished.
“She seems to be in a stable condition, not like someone who would collapse after a setback. But if we don’t do as she asks and let her keep guessing, I’m afraid problems will arise over time,” Lin Xizhao voiced her concerns.
Zhao Jiayu was pregnant and would give birth in just over a month. If she were left to worry and speculate all day, the problems could be even more severe.
Qu Yu lowered his gaze. His eye sockets were slightly sunken; he was no longer the high-spirited, dashing young gentleman he once was. But he knew his wife wouldn’t mind.
“Alright, we’ll go back,” Qu Yu agreed after only a moment’s thought.
Lin Xizhao then looked at Qu Sheng, who still seemed to be hesitating.
“Let’s listen to Fourth Brother.” Qu Sheng didn’t dare to gamble either. Zhao Jiayu had already guessed the general situation. With her impatient nature, if her wish wasn’t granted for a long time, she might become sick with worry.
She had also noticed someone following her when she came today, and she figured it must have been Zhao Jiayu’s guard.
Hearing that Qu Sheng also agreed, Lin Xizhao still felt uneasy. “I’ll go ask Doctor Liu,” she said.
Lin Xizhao turned and left with a worried expression. Qu Sheng handed the bowl of congee to a nearby maid and said to Qu Yu, “I’ll go listen as well.” She wanted to hear if Qu Yu could stand up.
Lin Xizhao went to find Liu Wuxiang, who was currently preparing medicine for Qu Yu. To make it convenient for Liu Wuxiang to care for Qu Yu, the Qu family had temporarily set up a pharmacy for him, saving him the trouble of going out to fetch herbs every time he prescribed something.
They had every kind of medicine available on the market. Some rare ones were also available, but obtaining even rarer ones would take some time.
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s purpose, Liu Wuxiang smiled. “It should have been like this long ago.”
Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng looked at him, puzzled.
Seeing their expressions, Liu Wuxiang chuckled. “You two don’t know, your brother here isn’t just poisoned, he’s also lovesick. If you don’t let him see his wife soon, I reckon he’ll die of lovesickness before the poison gets him.”
Liu Wuxiang had added a lot of medicine for lovesickness to his prescriptions, but Qu Yu’s obsession was too strong. He probably knew his days were numbered and was worried about what would become of his wife and child after he was gone.
But Qu Yu had thought about this as well. If he died, and Zhao Jiayu could find someone who treated her well and whom she also liked, he would let her remarry.
He had already discussed this with his father.
As for the child, if Zhao Jiayu wanted to keep it, she could. If not, she could take it with her. After all, she was the one who carried the child for ten hard months. In the future, the Qu family would just have to look after them in various ways.
“But Fourth Brother’s current condition—”
“It’s no matter. It’s not the cold season yet. Just wrap him up well, put him in a carriage, and bring him back,” Liu Wuxiang interrupted Qu Sheng, speaking nonchalantly.
Listening to Liu Wuxiang, Qu Sheng couldn’t help but feel he was unreliable. But the apprentice he had trained was genuinely skilled, which made it difficult for her to make a decision.
“Then I’ll have someone prepare a spacious carriage,” Lin Xizhao said, trusting Liu Wuxiang.
Ever since Liu Wuxiang’s arrival, although he knew Qu Yu’s poison couldn’t be cured for the time being, he hadn’t worn the same愁眉苦脸 (chóuméi-kǔliǎn – worried frown) as the previous doctors.
This likely meant he was very confident about Qu Yu’s condition. And since his arrival, Qu Yu’s complexion did indeed look much better.
“Go on,” Liu Wuxiang said. He glanced back at the simple pharmacy and added, “Don’t forget to have all this brought back too.”
Lin Xizhao returned to the Qu Marquis Residence and told everyone that Zhao Jiayu knew. She also relayed what Liu Wuxiang had said about letting Qu Yu come back, and how his anxiety was affecting his condition.
After hearing this, everyone’s initial shock turned into telling Lin Xizhao to handle the arrangements.
Lin Xizhao had the largest carriage in the residence hitched, and several quilts were laid inside. Qian Shuangying and the others went to Zhao Jiayu’s quarters to prepare the room.
Zhao Jiayu sat in her room watching them bustle about, wringing her hands, her heart filled with anxiety. She now knew about Qu Yu being poisoned, and she hadn’t realized it was so serious.
If she hadn’t noticed the mandarin duck handkerchiefs the seamstress was embroidering back then, Qu Yu wouldn’t have been poisoned.
Qu Sheng had someone bring over a stretcher padded with soft bedding. Feng Qi and Zhao Jiayu’s guard, Xu Jiang, lifted Qu Yu onto it and carried him to the carriage.
The other servants were busy packing up the pharmacy.
Lin Xizhao, Qu Sheng, and Liu Wuxiang sat in the carriage, looking after Qu Yu. It wasn’t long before they arrived at the Qu Marquis Residence.
Qu Yu hadn’t smiled once since getting into the carriage. He was still worried that Zhao Jiayu wouldn’t be able to handle seeing him like this.
The carriage stopped, and everyone in the residence came out. Qian Shuangying stood by Zhao Jiayu’s side, not daring to leave her for a moment.
Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao, and Liu Wuxiang got out of the carriage. Zhao Jiayu’s eyes were fixed on the carriage without blinking.
After Feng Qi and her guard, Xu Jiang, went up, they soon carried Qu Yu down.
Feng Qi and Xu Jiang’s hands were steady, and they didn’t jostle Qu Yu. A thick quilt was draped over him. Surrounded by a crowd, Qu Yu saw Zhao Jiayu as they passed by the residence gate.
The moment their eyes met, their mutual worry transformed into smiles.
As Zhao Jiayu smiled at Qu Yu, tears streamed down her face along with the curve of her smiling eyes.
Qu Yu raised a hand, and Feng Qi and Xu Jiang stopped. Qian Shuangying helped Zhao Jiayu walk over, and Zhao Jiayu quickly took Qu Yu’s hand.
“Don’t linger here. Be careful you don’t catch a chill,” Liu Wuxiang’s unsentimental voice interrupted their reunion.
Zhao Jiayu raised a hand to wipe her tears and looked up at Feng Qi. “Let’s go.”
Feng Qi glanced back, then continued forward. Zhao Jiayu followed along, her pace not slow, but the men’s strides were too large, and she was pregnant. Soon, she fell behind.
Qu Yu couldn’t see Zhao Jiayu and tried to crane his neck to look, but he couldn’t lift his head.
“Aiya, you’re already inside the residence. You’ll see her in a moment, this little delay won’t matter,” Liu Wuxiang teased with a smile as he walked alongside them.
He didn’t want Qu Yu to exert himself. It would be much better to save that energy to fight the poison in his body.
Hearing this, Qu Yu looked at Liu Wuxiang beside him, smiled, and didn’t try to force it anymore.
Qu Yu was carried into the room and had just been placed on the couch when Zhao Jiayu came in from outside. By now, she had composed herself and was no longer crying.
With a faint smile in her eyes, she took the hot towel from a maid, wiped Qu Yu’s face and hands, and then took the offered ginger soup.4
Qu Yu’s body was too weak. If he didn’t drink some ginger soup, he might really catch a chill.
Zhao Jiayu sat there with her pregnant belly, blowing on the ginger soup and feeding it to Qu Yu spoonful by spoonful. Zhao Jiayu didn’t ask anything, and Qu Yu didn’t explain anything.
This was already very good. Having seen Zhao Jiayu, Qu Yu could die with no regrets. And having seen him, Zhao Jiayu’s heart, which had been wildly guessing and even imagining he was already dead, finally settled.
She now had a rough understanding of Qu Yu’s condition. Without an antidote, Qu Yu wouldn’t last much longer. But to be able to accompany him in his limited time left was enough for her.
No one could challenge the King of Hell. Even if she became hysterical, it would be of no use. She had accepted this fact.
After Zhao Jiayu finished feeding Qu Yu the ginger soup, he couldn’t hold on any longer and fell into a deep sleep. Zhao Jiayu reached out and stroked Qu Yu’s gaunt cheek, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
The people outside were all gathered together, worried about Zhao Jiayu.
Zhao Jiayu tucked the quilt in for Qu Yu, then stood up and went out. When the people outside saw her emerge, they all looked at her with concern.
“Everyone, go back. I will take care of Ah Yu,” Zhao Jiayu said calmly.
Although she was pregnant, she could still do things within her ability. And if worst came to worst, there were still servants in the residence.
Seeing that Zhao Jiayu didn’t have a strong reaction, the others exchanged glances, seeming still uneasy.
Lin Xizhao saw this, glanced at Zhao Jiayu, then turned to the people behind her. “Adoptive Father, Adoptive Mother, Third Uncle, Third Aunt, Fourth Aunt, you should all go back first. With us here, nothing will happen.”
With everyone gathered here, Zhao Jiayu also felt uncomfortable. She knew they were all worried about her.
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Qu Jinian looked at Zhao Jiayu, sighed, and said, “Let’s all go about our business.”
Everyone then dispersed, leaving only the younger generation.
Lin Xizhao saw that Qian Shuangying hadn’t left. “Third Sister-in-law, you should go attend to your things as well.” Lin Xizhao gave Qian Shuangying a meaningful look.
Qian Shuangying understood, nodded, and said, “Then I’ll go to the kitchen first and instruct the cooks to prepare something for Fourth Brother to eat.”
Lin Xizhao nodded. After watching Qian Shuangying leave, she looked toward Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng glanced at Lin Xizhao, lowered her eyes for a moment, and said, “I’m going out for a bit.”
Lin Xizhao nodded without asking any questions. As Qu Sheng was leaving, she took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Help me take good care of Fourth Brother.”
When Qu Sheng said this, she actually meant for Lin Xizhao to take care of Zhao Jiayu. Zhao Jiayu had a strong personality and rarely showed weakness in front of others.
Only around Xiao Bingying and Lin Xizhao would she act a little spoiled. Now that Xiao Bingying wasn’t here, she thought Lin Xizhao would become the outlet for her emotions.
Lin Xizhao nodded. Watching Qu Sheng leave, she turned to look at Zhao Jiayu, her eyes filled with undisguised worry.
“Are you okay?” Lin Xizhao asked softly.
In front of so many people, Zhao Jiayu, who was soon to be a mother, had to control her emotions. But now that there were no outsiders, when she looked up at Lin Xizhao, the tears burst forth like a broken dam.
Zhao Jiayu moved closer to Lin Xizhao, and upon reaching her, she hugged her tightly, her sobs gradually rising. Lin Xizhao gently stroked her back, comforting her.
A quarter of an hour later, Zhao Jiayu slowly reined in her emotions. She still had many things to do for Qu Yu. Now was not the time to be sad.
Lin Xizhao helped Zhao Jiayu dry her tears. Seeing that her complexion had improved slightly, she told her about Qu Sheng’s investigation into the mastermind.
After listening, Zhao Jiayu asked about something she had been suspecting for a while. She looked at Lin Xizhao and asked, “Little Sheng’er was never really a fool, was she?”
Today, Lin Xizhao had also asked many people about the origin of the cloth, but no one knew what was special about it. The seamstress only said that when the cloth was brought to her, it had the seal of a tribute item on it, and she knew nothing else.
Lin Xizhao thought it over and over but couldn’t figure it out. Qu Sheng paced back and forth in the room. Their clues had hit a dead end here; she needed to find a new lead.
“I’ll go to Prince Cheng’an’s Residence again later to have another look,” Qu Sheng said, turning and stopping.
Lin Xizhao looked up and nodded. “Take Feng Qi with you.” She was also worried.
Qu Sheng nodded. “I’ll take more people tonight.” They had nearly suffered a loss that day. It was better to be prepared.
After Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng change into her night-travel clothes, Qu Sheng left with her men.
They arrived at Prince Cheng’an’s Residence and gave the courtyard a cursory search. The only thing they found was the secret chamber and passage she had discovered before. There was nothing else.
Qu Sheng stood at the entrance of the secret chamber inside the house. After a moment’s thought, she led her men down.
Passing through the narrow secret passage, the guards and Qu Sheng entered the secret chamber within Yan Fengwu’s residence.
Qu Sheng had already searched this place; there was nothing suspicious.
Qu Sheng was about to lead her men up to search Yan Fengwu’s residence when she heard a guard behind her say, “Miss, the wall behind this painting seems to be newly bricked.”
Qu Sheng turned around. The guard was holding a torch, lifting the faded scroll painting. As his gaze moved down, he saw the new bluestone slabs and gray mortar below.
Although it had been artificially aged, the discrepancy was still noticeable.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “If I don’t give my wife a little hint, she won’t know how the flowers bloom for her.”
Lin Xizhao: “……”
Footnotes
- Original term: 死士 (sǐshì). These are retainers or soldiers who have pledged their lives to their master and are expected to fight to the death or commit suicide to avoid capture.
- 贡品 (gòngpǐn) were high-quality goods, such as silks, teas, or crafts, that were sent from various regions of the empire to the imperial court as a form of tax or offering.
- Original term: 七荤八素 (qī hūn bā sù), literally ‘seven meats and eight vegetables’. An idiom meaning to be utterly dizzy and confused, as if one’s head is spinning from a large, chaotic feast.
- Ginger soup (姜汤, jiāng tāng) is a common traditional remedy in China, used to warm the body, ward off colds, and aid in recovery.
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