The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 136

Our Lin Family Has No Desire for Such an Ungrateful Person

When Lin Xizhao heard Qu Sheng’s words, she was stunned silent for a long time. The Emperor’s sudden gambit was likely not because he had discovered Qu Sheng was feigning foolishness. If the Emperor knew, he would only need to state it plainly and then issue a decree to bring Qu Sheng into the palace. To act like this was clearly a soldier making a risky move.

The Emperor likely guessed that Qu Jinian refused because he feared his simple-minded daughter would meet with misfortune in the palace.

            

For now, the Emperor would not make things difficult for Qu Jinian, but his haste suggested that trouble was brewing elsewhere.

There was another possibility: the Empress had instigated it.

The defense of each of the Capital City’s main gates was overseen by a different official. The East Gate was the responsibility of the Lord National Uncle,​¹ Cheng Ziying. The fact that those people had been able to leave the city in time was all thanks to the Empress’s arrangements. She had even sent someone to speak with the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review when his investigation reached the East Gate. The Minister had been promoted by the Empress years ago.

            

When it came to palace affairs, only the matter of the Crown Prince’s position could drive the Empress to act so recklessly.

Prince Fucheng appeared to be working for the Emperor, but he was really the Imperial Noble Consort’s right hand. The Qu family had laid all the evidence of Prince Fucheng’s collusion with the Imperial Noble Consort before the Empress. If Prince Fucheng was not eliminated, then once they grew powerful enough, the position of Crown Prince would inevitably change hands.

The Empress had acted while the ministers who favored the Little Prince were still few in number, felling the great tree he relied on in order to protect her son’s position. But even that was not enough to put her completely at ease. She needed the great tree of the Qu family.

            

“Has Prince Zhangning made a move?” Lin Xizhao asked after a moment of thought.

Qu Sheng’s eyes blinked softly, her brow relaxing slightly. “Not yet,” she replied. “But I heard His Majesty secretly summoned several ministers yesterday. It’s not clear what they discussed.”

Lin Xizhao pondered for a few moments, then said, “Let’s go find Third Uncle.”

            

The two of them went to Qu Jiqin and explained their thoughts. After listening, Qu Jiqin mulled it over for a long while before saying, “If this can work, I will go to the palace at once to persuade Eldest Brother to agree.”

“Please go, Third Uncle, but remember to stall for time,” Qu Sheng urged.

Qu Jiqin nodded, his expression grave. “Alright.”

            

Qu Jiqin went to the palace. At that moment, Qu Jinian was sitting in the Emperor’s bedchamber, being served fine wine and food. The Emperor personally poured him a cup, and Qu Jinian, overwhelmed by the favor, hastily raised his hands to cup the wine cup in a gesture of respect.

The Emperor filled Qu Jinian’s cup and smiled. “I know that Little Sheng’er is different from others, but her cleverness is also well known. Ahem, Beloved Minister Lin often praises her in my presence. I heard his son once said he wished to marry Little Sheng’er as well.”

“Your Majesty, this little daughter is truly unruly. This humble subject fears—”

            

“Ah, the girl is young. It’s inevitable that she has a bit of a temper. In the future, she and the Crown Prince will support each other, and This Emperor and the Empress will certainly not treat her poorly. After their grand wedding, This Emperor will make the Crown Prince regent,​² and Beloved Minister Qu will then be the Crown Prince’s left and right arms.​³ Our two families will rule the country together—”

“Your Majesty!” Hearing the words “rule the country together,” Qu Jinian scrambled to his feet and knelt on the floor. “This humble subject has never had a disloyal thought toward Your Majesty.”

Seeing Qu Jinian’s agitated reaction, the Emperor paused for a second before hurrying to help him up. “This Emperor does not doubt you, Beloved Minister,” he said with a smile. “What This Emperor means is, if they have an heir in the future, we will make him the Heir Apparent. Then wouldn’t this Tiansheng belong to our two families?”

            

Hearing this, Qu Jinian looked up, his eyes blinking. A moment later, he knelt on the floor again. “Your Majesty, although this little daughter’s epilepsy has not acted up again, the Crown Prince is the future ruler of the nation. This little daughter is muddle-headed all day; how could she possibly be a good Crown Princess? This humble subject fears the officials will mock her in the future, damaging the nation’s prestige.”

“Who would dare! With This Emperor here, I will never allow such a thing to happen,” the Emperor said, feigning a stern expression.

The Emperor had naturally considered this. But just as the Empress had said, as long as Qu Sheng could sit still or give birth to an heir, she would not need to concern herself with anything else.

            

What they wanted was the Qu family’s military power, not Qu Sheng herself.

Even if Qu Sheng could not bear children in the future, a child born to another consort could be adopted under her name. Of course, that would require an imperial edict, and the contents of that edict could be discussed later, after Qu Jinian agreed.

Qu Jinian remained hesitant. The Emperor tried to persuade him several more times, but Qu Jinian only said he wanted to return to his residence to discuss it. Before long, however, Qu Jiqin arrived.

            

The rumor that Qu Jinian was being held under house arrest had been deliberately spread by the Emperor to force the Qu family to make a decision in exchange for Qu Jinian’s freedom.

Now that someone had come, the situation was naturally within his control.

“This humble subject, Qu Jiqin, kowtows to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, for ten thousand years.” Qu Jiqin was led into the Emperor’s bedchamber by a Eunuch Official and prostrated himself on the floor.

            

“Beloved Minister, you may rise.” The Emperor looked at the hurried Qu Jiqin with a smile.

Qu Jinian looked at his third brother in confusion. The Emperor glanced between the two of them and said to Qu Jiqin with a smile, “You’ve come at just the right time. This Emperor was asking Jinian to agree to the marriage between Little Sheng’er and the Crown Prince, but he said he needed to return to his residence to discuss it. You two brothers are the only ones in the residence now. Since you’re both here, you can discuss it right here.”

With that, the Emperor stood and walked toward the outside.

            

Qu Jinian and Qu Jiqin were stunned for a moment. They watched as the Emperor stopped at the entrance of the bedchamber without going any further. Not daring to say much, Qu Jiqin began, “Eldest Brother, I have discussed it with Eldest Sister-in-law, and I’ve also asked Sheng’er. They have all agreed. What Eldest Brother worries about is simply Sheng’er’s unruliness. Eldest Sister-in-law told me that we could have Second Sister-in-law discipline her for a while. It won’t be too late for Sheng’er to enter the palace after she has curbed her temper.”

“This…” Qu Jinian heard Qu Jiqin’s words. Their eyes met, and Qu Jiqin gave a slight lift of his chin, glancing toward the Emperor.

Qu Jinian hesitated for a moment, then also looked at the Emperor.

            

The Emperor had heard their conversation. He folded his wide sleeves, turned sideways, and glanced at the two Qu brothers.

“I’ll ask His Majesty,” Qu Jinian whispered.

The Emperor saw Qu Jinian walk toward him as if he had something to say, and turned to face him with a welcoming smile.

            

“Your Majesty, this humble subject has discussed it with my younger brother and wife. This humble subject is willing to marry off my daughter. It’s just that this little daughter is unruly and needs some time to be disciplined. How about she enters the palace after her temper has been curbed?” Qu Jinian said with his head bowed.

The Emperor’s lips curved slightly. “There are plenty of palace maids in the palace to teach etiquette. Beloved Minister Qu need not worry about that.”

“No, no, Your Majesty. What this humble subject is referring to is not a matter of etiquette—though of course, etiquette is also an issue.” Qu Jinian looked a little embarrassed as he spoke. Qu Sheng hardly ever bowed to people, which was indeed a problem, but that wasn’t what he meant to discuss. “What this humble subject means to say is that this little daughter is… simple-minded, and her temper is quick. Furthermore, this humble subject taught her some martial arts out of fear she would be bullied. So she needs someone to guide her patiently and teach her some discipline. Only then would this humble subject dare to let her enter the palace.”

            

Qu Jinian was being tactful. He was telling the Emperor that Qu Sheng knew martial arts, and if no one was there to restrain her, she might lose her temper and injure people indiscriminately. If she hurt anyone in the palace, it would invite criticism, and he, Qu Jinian, could not bear the blame.

“Who can teach her? This Emperor will immediately issue a decree and summon her to the palace,” the Emperor asked, feigning ignorance.

Qu Jinian gave a dry laugh. “It is this humble subject’s second sister-in-law. This little daughter once returned to Shoulin for a year after her hairpin ceremony. When she came back, her temperament had changed greatly, supposedly due to my second sister-in-law’s careful guidance.”

            

“Then I shall issue a decree for her to come to the capital.”

“No, no, Your Majesty. Since this humble subject has already agreed, I will not go back on my word. What this humble subject wishes to say is…” Qu Jinian’s voice grew sorrowful. The Emperor looked at him in confusion and asked, “What is wrong, Beloved Minister Qu?”

“Your Majesty, my Fourth Son’s life hangs by a thread. You previously sent an imperial physician to see him, and medicine and stone needles are no cure.​⁴ Now, his only wish is to return to Shoulin, to return to his roots. This humble subject originally planned to have this little daughter accompany him, and also to bring our Second Son’s remains back with them…” Qu Jinian’s voice choked up.

            

Beside him, Qu Jiqin couldn’t help but shed tears as well.

Qu Jinian fought back his tears and continued, his voice thick with emotion, “It would be a good opportunity for this little daughter to escort them back. Besides, our Second Son doted on this little daughter the most when he was alive, and our Fourth Son also said he wants this little daughter to see him off on his final journey… This humble subject begs for Your Majesty’s grace to permit this little daughter to make a trip to Shoulin. When she returns, she will fulfill the marriage contract with His Highness the Crown Prince.” With that, Qu Jinian knelt on the floor.

The Emperor seemed moved but remained hesitant.

            

Seeing the Emperor’s silence, Qu Jinian looked up. “Your Majesty, after a king or marquis sends betrothal gifts, the wedding ceremony can only take place after half a year. You can send the gifts first and announce it to the world. With this humble subject and my family here in the capital, surely this little daughter cannot run away?”

The Emperor’s eyelids fluttered rapidly. What Qu Jinian said was not without reason. Even if Qu Sheng were kept in the capital, it would still take time. What he needed right now was to announce the marriage between the Crown Prince and Qu Sheng to the world, so that the Qu family army would know and not cause any trouble.

“Very well. This Emperor will immediately have the Ministry of Rites draft the betrothal letter. Beloved Minister Qu may return to your residence now and await the decree.” The Emperor spoke as if he had made a great sacrifice to accommodate Qu Jinian.

            

At this, Qu Jinian and Qu Jiqin quickly kowtowed in gratitude. “Many thanks for Your Majesty’s grace! Long live the Emperor, for ten thousand years!”

The Emperor bent down to help them up, smiling. “Beloved Ministers, please rise.”

After Qu Jinian and Qu Jiqin left, the Empress emerged from behind a folding screen, a worried look on her face. Seeing her, the Emperor asked, “Is the Empress not at ease?”

            

The Empress curved her lips into a smile. “Since Your Majesty has already consented, what is there for this wife to be uneasy about? It is just Qu Sheng… this wife is also worried for the Crown Prince’s safety.” The reason she was worried was that she knew how ruthless the Qu family was. They had slaughtered Prince Fucheng’s entire residence—not a single one of the more than two thousand people was spared. With such a vicious streak, she feared that if Qu Sheng went mad in the future, she might harm the Crown Prince.

The idea had been hers, but as a parent, how could she not worry about her own child? Marrying the Crown Prince to Qu Sheng was merely a stopgap measure, a calculated decision for the time being.

“It’s no matter,” the Emperor said with a sneer. “After they are married, we will have them live separately. She is nothing more than a decoration. We can just have people keep her under watch.”

            

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No sooner had Qu Jinian left the palace than, less than two hours later, the Crown Prince arrived at the Qu Marquis Residence with a retinue of Rites Officials and betrothal gifts.

A Eunuch Official read the imperial edict aloud. The Qu family knelt to receive it. Lin Xizhao did not go. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but that Qu Sheng wouldn’t let her.

Qu Sheng didn’t want her to hear words that would make her uncomfortable. Although this was a delaying tactic they had planned together, the public announcement could never be erased.

            

Qu Sheng was ashamed of it, but she had no choice. Although the Emperor’s intentions were threatening, if Qu Jinian had not agreed, it might have stirred up trouble and given the Emperor a handle to use against them.

She wasn’t worried about the Empress. While she hadn’t been directly involved in the slaughter of Prince Fucheng’s family, if word of such a shocking case were to leak, not only she but the Crown Prince would be implicated as well. Lin Xizhao had been certain that the Empress would not dare speak of it, which was why she had the Qu family seek her out for a coordinated effort in the first place.

After the edict was read, the Qu family invited the Crown Prince to stay for a banquet. Qu Sheng, however, hurried back to her courtyard to find Lin Xizhao.

            

The Crown Prince knew Qu Sheng was a simpleton, so he didn’t question her absence as a hostess, and was instead deferential and polite toward Qu Jinian.

When Qu Sheng returned to the courtyard and saw Lin Xizhao sitting there in a daze, her heart ached.

“Why aren’t you accompanying the Crown Prince?” Lin Xizhao asked, a little puzzled to see her back.

            

Qu Sheng didn’t answer. She walked over to Lin Xizhao, lowered herself, and buried her head in Lin Xizhao’s embrace.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng, and in a moment, she understood what was wrong.

Her eyebrows curved as she smiled and soothed, “I’m fine. It’s not like you’re really going to marry the Crown Prince. Are you worried I’ll be sad?” Lin Xizhao was a little worried. If the plan they had devised failed, then in half a year—or even less—Qu Sheng would have to enter the palace.

            

Qu Sheng remained nestled in Lin Xizhao’s arms. After a moment, she lifted her head, her eyes filled with apology and affection. “Sheng’er will not betray jiejie. Never.”

Lin Xizhao slowly raised her hands to cup Qu Sheng’s cheeks, her lips curving slightly. “I know. I’ve always known.” How could she not believe in Qu Sheng?

With that, Lin Xizhao pressed a soft kiss to Qu Sheng’s lips, her eyes overflowing with tenderness.

            

The excuse Qu Jinian had found even involved the deceased Qu Ming, but this was also part of their prior plan, just moved up. The Qu Marquis Residence had already sent people to determine the auspicious time to exhume Qu Ming’s cenotaph​⁵ and bring it back to Shoulin.

Looking at the understanding Lin Xizhao, Qu Sheng’s guilt deepened. Even though it was a stopgap measure, she could feel the unhappiness in Lin Xizhao’s heart.

If their roles were reversed, she would probably be seething with anger by now.

            

Just as Qu Sheng lifted her chin to kiss Lin Xizhao, a commotion erupted outside.

“Heir Apparent, you can’t just go in like this! My young miss and the eldest young miss are still…”

“Scram! I want to see my A-jie.” Lin Xirui, rarely so angry, roared at the Qu Marquis Residence servant.

            

Feng Qi heard the disturbance and hurried over. Seeing Lin Xirui’s furious expression, he guessed the reason but still stepped forward to block his path. “Heir Apparent, please wait here. Allow Feng Qi to announce you.”

Lin Xirui, facing the more powerfully built Feng Qi, showed no fear in his eyes. “Tell your young miss to get the hell out here!” he fumed.

Feng Qi frowned, his displeasure instantly showing. But Lin Xirui was oblivious.

            

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao heard the noise outside, and the servant from before rushed in to report.

Lin Xizhao knew it was Lin Xirui. After a moment’s thought, she and Qu Sheng hurried out.

The moment Lin Xirui saw Qu Sheng, he looked ready to curse her out, but though his mouth opened several times, no sound came out. Frustrated, he clamped it shut again. He had never insulted a woman before, let alone a girl he had once liked.

            

Qu Sheng saw Lin Xirui’s furious face and glanced at Lin Xizhao with a slight frown.

Lin Xizhao met her gaze and hurried to Lin Xirui’s side. “Xirui, what are you doing here?”

Lin Xirui immediately reached out to grab Lin Xizhao. “Xirui is here to take A-jie home! Our Lin family has no desire for such a person who forgets kindness and betrays righteousness!”

            

Seeing Lin Xirui pulling Lin Xizhao away, Qu Sheng shot out a hand and struck his, the pain forcing him to let go. She then smoothly pulled Lin Xizhao into her arms.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Qu Sheng was getting angry now.

Lin Xirui raised his voice. “Do I really need to spell out what your Qu family has done?!”

            

Lin Xizhao now understood the purpose of his visit. She stepped out of Qu Sheng’s embrace. “Xirui, come with me first.”

The Crown Prince and the Rites Officials from the palace were still in the main courtyard’s reception hall, drinking and feasting. Although there was some distance, she was afraid they would be overheard.

“I’m not going. A-jie, you’re coming with me. Xirui may not be very capable right now, but supporting A-jie is no problem at all.” Lin Xirui reached for Lin Xizhao again, but this time she pulled him back. “Xirui, listen to me.”

            

“A-jie!” Lin Xirui felt Lin Xizhao pulling him, refusing to leave. He was so anxious his eyes widened. “It was clearly your Qu family who was rushing to send the betrothal gifts, and now you’ve agreed to marry the Crown Prince! A-jie, Xirui doesn’t understand why you’re still staying here!” he said, his brow furrowed.

Lin Xizhao wanted to explain, but this was not the place, and besides, she couldn’t tell him about this matter.

“Did Father send you?” A worried look appeared on Lin Xizhao’s face.

            

“What if he did, and what if he didn’t? The Qu family has already broken the marriage agreement! Our Lin family may not be as prominent as theirs, but we will not allow them to trample on us like this!” The more Lin Xirui spoke, the angrier he became.

He knew how much Lin Xizhao liked Qu Sheng, but no matter how much she liked her, she couldn’t be so shameless as to throw herself at her.

“She’s already sought another new love! What are we still doing here? A-jie, Xirui is begging you, let’s go,” Lin Xirui pleaded.

            

Lin Xizhao grew anxious as well. She glanced at Qu Sheng, only to find that Qu Sheng’s expression did not look like she wanted to de-escalate the situation.

Qu Sheng’s fists were clenched, her brow furrowed. She took a step and started walking out of the courtyard. After a few quick steps, Lin Xizhao shook off Lin Xirui’s grip on her sleeve and hurried after her. “Sheng’er, what are you going to do?” she asked nervously.

Qu Sheng stopped, and when she looked up, her eyes were red-rimmed. “I’m going to tell Father to refuse His Majesty.”

            

“Sheng’er!” Lin Xizhao’s sharp cry stopped her.

Her face was taut, as if she were angry. She grabbed Qu Sheng’s arm. “Listen to me, please? I don’t care. I really don’t care.”

“But…” Tears welled in Qu Sheng’s eyes. She had already felt she was wronging Lin Xizhao. With Lin Xirui’s outburst, her already guilty heart felt like it was being fried in boiling oil. She could barely breathe.

            

“No buts. I trust that you won’t betray me,” Lin Xizhao said softly, her eyes full of entreaty.

Qu Sheng looked at the trust in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. Her own eyes trembled, and a glistening tear slid down her cheek. After a moment, she nodded, her throat tight. “Mm, Sheng’er won’t betray jiejie.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s racing heart finally settled a little. She took Qu Sheng’s hand and led her over to Lin Xirui.

            

Lin Xirui stared at their joined hands, annoyed that Lin Xizhao cared so much for Qu Sheng that she would debase herself like this.

“Xirui, I will not leave Sheng’er. The Crown Prince will not like Sheng’er’s temperament. Sooner or later, he will grow tired of her, and then Sheng’er will return to my side. Don’t come here and make a scene again, or I will no longer acknowledge you as my brother,” Lin Xizhao said, her gaze resolute.

“A-jie!” Lin Xirui was in disbelief that such words could come from Lin Xizhao’s mouth. “Has she put some kind of spell on you?”

            

“Go back. Tell Father that even if Sheng’er enters the palace, I am a member of the Qu family. I will not leave the Qu family.” After speaking, Lin Xizhao turned away from Lin Xirui and led Qu Sheng back inside.

Lin Xirui stood there, utterly dumbfounded. He watched until their figures disappeared, then started to go after them to demand a clearer answer, but was stopped by Feng Qi.

“Heir Apparent, you should go back. Don’t make a scene again, or the eldest young miss will no longer acknowledge you as her brother.”

            

“You—” Hearing Feng Qi repeat Lin Xizhao’s words, Lin Xirui’s mouth twisted in anger. But this was the Qu Residence, and his own sister was unwilling to leave. Even if he had all the power in the world, what could he do?

Lin Xirui glared at the distant building, angrily flung his sleeves, and left with a huff.

Back in the room, Qu Sheng was still brooding. She didn’t blame Lin Xirui for coming to cause a scene, but she couldn’t help but blame herself.

            

Even though she had been against it at the time, she had ultimately agreed.

She had to go to Shoulin on this trip. Otherwise, even if she refused now, she would be forced to agree later. And once the Emperor discovered that Prince Fucheng was still in their hands, he would surely become an enemy of the Qu family.

Lin Xizhao listened to Feng Qi’s report that Lin Xirui had left the Qu Marquis Residence. Though her heart ached for her brother, she couldn’t explain to him right now why Qu Sheng had to agree to marry the Crown Prince.

            

Lin Xizhao let out a breath. When she turned around, Qu Sheng was still standing in the same spot.

“Sheng’er…” Lin Xizhao had just driven away her own brother, only to turn and find that her little lover’s emotions were still not soothed.

“Xizhao,” Qu Sheng used her given name, her heart in even more turmoil than Lin Xizhao’s. “I’m sorry.” If only she were stronger, perhaps she wouldn’t be manipulated like this.

            

Lin Xizhao walked over and gently wrapped her arms around Qu Sheng’s waist, pressing her cheek tenderly against Qu Sheng’s chest. “Don’t think about anything else. Once the Crown Prince leaves, we’ll prepare to set out.”

Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao, her eyes filled with apology and care. A moment later, she raised her arms and held Lin Xizhao tightly. “Alright,” she agreed.

One Lin Xirui was enough to worry Lin Xizhao. If she continued to make a fuss after Lin Xizhao had already been so wronged, she would truly be failing her. But even so, the guilt in Qu Sheng’s heart did not diminish in the slightest.

            

After the Crown Prince and his retinue finished their wine and left the Qu Marquis Residence, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had the horse-drawn carriages prepared outside the residence gate.

Qu Ming’s cenotaph outside the city gate had already been exhumed and was now resting by the side of the road they would take.

Servants loaded the prepared luggage onto the carriages. Qu Yu was carried onto a spacious carriage, and Zhao Jiayu, wanting to stay with him, entrusted their child to Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng.

            

The wet nurse sat to one side. Lin Xizhao held the baby, her mood seemingly stable as she gently cooed at the little one.

“Do you want to hold her?” Lin Xizhao saw Qu Sheng’s perpetually downcast face and tried to cheer her up.

Though the little girl had not been born long, everyone who saw her would smile, and Qu Sheng was no exception.

            

Qu Sheng turned to look at Lin Xizhao. Her fingers twitched, and she looked a little hesitant. “Maybe I shouldn’t.”

“Just for a little while. It will give me a chance to rest,” Lin Xizhao said, her eyes curving into a gentle smile.

Hearing that Lin Xizhao wanted to rest, Qu Sheng extended her arms before she could say another word. As Qu Sheng took the baby, Lin Xizhao moved closer. While looking down at the baby, as if by chance, she lifted her head and lightly kissed the corner of Qu Sheng’s lips.

            

Qu Sheng felt it and looked up at Lin Xizhao, her eyes blinking in disbelief. A moment later, she glanced at the wet nurse, who had seen the exchange and quickly lowered her head. A smile bloomed on Qu Sheng’s face.

Seeing Qu Sheng finally smile, Lin Xizhao felt a little more at ease. The journey ahead was long. If she remained unhappy, she might fall ill from worry.

As the several carriages and their escort of guards were leaving the city gate, they saw two rows of the Imperial Forest Army standing on either side of the road.

            

The carriage exited the city, and someone stepped forward to block their path.

“This slave greets the Crown Princess. A thousand years, a thousand thousand years to the Crown Princess.”​⁶ A Eunuch Official addressed Qu Sheng’s carriage with a smiling face.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng heard the voice and exchanged a look. Lin Xizhao lifted the carriage curtain. “May I ask what this is about, my lord?”

            

The man quickly replied with a smile, “In response to the Commandery Princess, His Majesty has ordered us to protect the Crown Princess along the way. Furthermore, once we reach the territory of Shoulin, we are to reward the Qu family soldiers in the name of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess.”

When Qu Sheng heard they were to be protected along the way, she got up and lifted the curtain on the right side of the carriage. Feng Qi saw this and quickly drew near, but Qu Sheng said nothing.

Feng Qi read her gaze, and a moment later, he spurred his horse and galloped away.

            

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Jiejie, I want a hug.”

Lin Xirui: “Have some shame.”

            

Qu Sheng: “…”

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