The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 140
by Little PandaInvite the Bride to the Wedding Sedan
Lin Xizhao stared at the bloody, severed head, and the hatred in her heart suddenly vanished.
“If you’re frightened, jiejie, Sheng’er will have someone throw it away,” Qu Sheng said, her voice laced with concern.
She felt like she might have made a mistake bringing Lin Xizhao here. But she had always felt that Lin Xizhao was weighed down by melancholy over Liang shi’s death. Every time they paid respects, she saw the grief on Lin Xizhao’s face, and the helpless frustration of being unable to kill her enemy with her own hands.
And then there were the nights she woke from nightmares.
She knew Lin Xizhao was no fragile flower. She knew that, like herself, Lin Xizhao hated evil as if it were a personal enemy. But in this world, if you didn’t actively fight for what you wanted, how could you ever get your wish?
“There’s no need.” Lin Xizhao turned to look at Qu Sheng. Though still startled, the panic from a moment ago was gone.
Worry still clouded Qu Sheng’s eyes. She took Lin Xizhao’s hand and slowly led her inside.
“Ahem.” Seeing them enter, Lin Jianhai let out a soft cough and slowly rose to his feet.
Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng looked over. Lin Xizhao noticed that Lin Jianhai looked much older than the last time she had seen him. He seemed completely drained of spirit, as if he were only just beginning to recover from a major illness.
“Father.”
Lin Xizhao’s gaze wavered for a moment, but she quickly looked back at the head on the offering table.
“Did you go to the Qu family just for this?”
His words made Lin Xizhao freeze again. She hadn’t even known Qu Sheng would kill the Imperial Noble Consort for her. In the past, she would have shot back a sharp retort, but seeing Lin Jianhai looking so dejected and lost, she couldn’t find it in her heart to be cruel.
“What is Father doing here?” In Lin Xizhao’s memory, Lin Jianhai almost never set foot in the ancestral hall.
Lin Jianhai’s breathing grew heavy. He didn’t answer, instead asking, “Did you two cause such a huge disturbance just to avenge your mother?”
“Does Uncle Lin think that jiejie is merely using me?”
The speaker’s words were pointed, and the listener took them to heart.
“Is she not?” Lin Jianhai shot back, looking at Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng’s expression remained unchanged. She glanced at Lin Xizhao, her fingers tightening around Lin Xizhao’s hand. A slight smile touched her lips as she looked back at Lin Jianhai. “Whatever jiejie wishes is my desire. Never mind avenging my mother-in-law—even if jiejie wanted Qu Sheng’s head, I would not blink an eye.”
Even now, Lin Jianhai was still trying to drive a wedge between them. He was truly incorrigible.
Qu Sheng’s simple words left Lin Jianhai with a stifled breath caught in his chest.
Seeing this, Qu Sheng let out a soft laugh. Just as she was about to say something even harsher, Lin Xizhao gently squeezed her hand.
Feeling the pressure, Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao and obediently fell silent.
“This daughter wishes to write a new ancestral tablet1 for my mother and pay my respects,” Lin Xizhao said, changing the subject.
Lin Jianhai looked at her, a sense of guilt rising within him. He truly owed her. And he owed her mother a great deal.
He said nothing. The Qu family was now in power, and the Emperor’s family was dead. He had thought that Qu Sheng becoming the Crown Princess would separate the two of them, but it seemed that was impossible now.
Qu Sheng was certainly not a fool. Someone who could avenge Liang shi and be entrusted with such great responsibility by Qu Jinian—how could she possibly be a fool?
Lin Jianhai left the ancestral hall. Lin Xizhao watched his slow, desolate figure walk away. Her heart ached for him, but she did not step forward to help.
After paying their respects to Liang shi, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng returned to the Qu Marquis Residence.
As Qu Sheng bathed, Lin Xizhao stood behind her, ladling warm water over her shoulders and neck, gently scrubbing her jade-like back.
Qu Sheng rested her arms on the edge of the bathing tub. Lin Xizhao was so focused on washing her back that Qu Sheng didn’t even entertain any wicked thoughts. She had avenged Lin Xizhao’s mother, but she had never once thought of taking credit for it.
Ever since returning from the Lin Residence, Lin Xizhao had seemed preoccupied. Qu Sheng guessed that with her great enemy dead, the hatred that had filled her heart was gone, leaving a kind of emptiness.
“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng called out in a soft, sweet voice.
Lin Xizhao hummed in response. When Qu Sheng didn’t reply or turn around, Lin Xizhao thought for a moment that the water had grown cold. She dipped her hand into the tub and found the temperature was still fine. “What is it?” she asked again.
Only then did Qu Sheng turn her head, looking up at Lin Xizhao. “Let’s get married,” she said.
“Now?” Lin Xizhao was a little surprised.
The Qu family had just helped Prince Zhangning secure the throne, and news of the new Emperor’s succession had not yet spread. Once it did, some of the more restless vassal kings and marquises would surely take the opportunity to raise troops.
Besides, Lin Jianhai still didn’t approve of them being together.
“Yes. We can have a simple ceremony for now, and then wait until…” Qu Sheng trailed off, suddenly feeling it was inappropriate.
What did ‘simple’ even mean? Her desire to marry Lin Xizhao now was just for her own selfish reasons.
Lin Jianhai’s disapproval was her greatest worry. When she saw him today, although Lin Xizhao held some resentment, he was still her father. If one day Lin Jianhai were to risk his life to oppose them, she worried Lin Xizhao might leave her.
Lin Xizhao saw the guilty look on Qu Sheng’s face as her words faltered. She thought for a moment, then lifted her fingers from Qu Sheng’s shoulder and slowly walked around to the front of the tub.
Lin Xizhao bent down and pressed a soft kiss to Qu Sheng’s moist, water-beaded lips. As she pulled away, Qu Sheng instinctively followed.
It wasn’t until she heard the splash of water below that Qu Sheng realized she had followed Lin Xizhao’s lips and stood up.
Lin Xizhao took in the beautiful sight before her and chuckled softly. “Then let’s have a simple ceremony.”
When they returned to the bedroom, Qu Sheng found herself pressed against the door by Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao kissed her thin lips, and with every entangling touch, she felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
But the more satisfied she felt, the more she wanted.
The next morning, Qu Jinian went to the palace. Qu Sheng, dressed in armor and wearing her gold-patterned mask, also attended the court session. The Emperor had everyone discuss rewards based on merit.
Cai Daozheng was enfeoffed as an Upper Commandant of Light Chariots. Qu Jinian was granted the long-abolished title of Upper Pillar of the State. The Emperor also promoted the generals closest to him, bestowing them with higher ranks and titles.
The Qu family had no objections to this.
The remaining officials were all rewarded for their merit in supporting the new Emperor, either with a promotion of one rank or an increase in their stipend.
It had been three days since the new Emperor ascended the throne. The city gates had remained sealed, but after today, they would be opened. Envoys carrying the edict of the new Emperor’s enthronement would be dispatched to all regions.
At that time, the various vassal kings and marquises would come to the capital for an audience with the new Emperor.
Qu Sheng had already sent people to the areas surrounding the capital to replace the various military commanders.
“Why hasn’t King Wenze come?” the new Emperor asked, glancing down.
“Your Majesty, King Wenze has been feeling unwell recently and has already requested sick leave,” a Eunuch Official standing nearby reminded him in a low voice.
“Hmph.” The Emperor snorted. He knew Lin Jianhai was Emperor Baoguang’s trusted confidant. But Qu Jinian had said he couldn’t be killed for the time being, so he would tolerate him for a while longer.
After the rewards were distributed, the Emperor appointed the not-yet-officially-invested Crown Prince to visit Lin Jianhai at his residence. It was a gesture to show the ministers in the hall that he was not a tyrant who would arbitrarily kill Tiansheng’s pillar subjects.
Once the bestowal of rewards was temporarily concluded, the Emperor issued a decree, announcing that a ceremony to worship Heaven and receive the Mandate would be held in three days.
The Eunuch Official saw the Emperor glance at him, immediately took a step forward, and called out to the great hall, “If you have a memorial, present it. If not, the court is dismissed.”
With the new Emperor’s ascension and the city gates sealed for days, the officials had no memorials to present. The Emperor took one look and had the eunuch announce the end of the session.
“Court is dismissed.”
The Emperor rose and left, and the officials below began to buzz with chatter.
Qu Jinian had been made the Upper Pillar of the State. As he was the head of a marquisate who had led the officials in kneeling to the new Emperor at his ascension, granting him such a title was clearly a move to win him over.
The ministers were all watching, waiting for an opportunity to act.
Qu Jinian stood in the great hall, glancing at the officials around him. Before long, the Emperor sent someone to summon him to the Imperial Study.
“His Majesty requests Lord Pillar of the State to come to the Imperial Study to discuss matters,” the Eunuch Official said to Qu Jinian with utmost respect, bordering on fawning.
Qu Jinian looked up, and after a moment, raised his hand in a salute, gesturing for the eunuch to lead the way.
He stood outside the Imperial Study as the Eunuch Official went in to announce him. “Your Majesty, Lord Pillar of the State has arrived.”
Hearing that Qu Jinian had come, the Emperor hastily stood and went outside to greet him.
“Beloved Minister Qu, you’ve come at the perfect time. This Emperor wishes to ask, when can your troops arrive at the Capital City?” After ascending the throne, Sheng Hezhang’s initial excitement had given way to sleepless nights.
He knew the saying that conquering a kingdom is easy, but ruling it is hard. Though he had not been the heir apparent, he had understood this since he was a child.
He had obtained his position illegitimately. If the marquises came to challenge him, how could he possibly fend them off with just the few tens of thousands of shrimp soldiers and crab generals2 from his own fief? Everything still depended on the Qu family.
“They can arrive in another five days,” Qu Jinian replied with a bow.
A portion of the Shoulin troops had been moved to a position west of Shoulin long ago.
When Qu Jinian left the palace and returned to his residence, he received a message by carrier pigeon from Shoulin.
Kang Yugong, the minister sent by the late Emperor, had somehow received the news first. Knowing that Prince Zhangning had usurped the throne, he had ordered the Qu family army to go to the capital’s aid and denounce the traitor. When the Qu family army did not obey his command, he directly led his soldiers to storm the Qu family’s marquis residence in Shoulin.
Qu Jixian had refused on the grounds that the information was unconfirmed. At that moment, Qu Yu and the others had just arrived at the residence. Seeing their lack of cooperation, Kang Yugong had tried to use Qu Yu to threaten Qu Jixian into dispatching troops, but unexpectedly, he was stabbed to death by the seemingly delicate Zhao Jiayu, who was by Qu Yu’s side.
On the grounds that Kang Yugong had trespassed into a marquis’s residence and attempted to assassinate the Fourth Young Master Qu, the Qu family had his residence in Shoulin searched and seized, and the spies he had planted were rooted out one by one.
The main army from Shoulin was now marching toward the Capital City.
Because she had killed someone, Zhao Jiayu had not slept for several days. To comfort her, Qu Yu had actually managed to sit up…
“Liu Daifu said that Fourth Brother’s condition has improved. As long as he is carefully nursed, there is a great chance his life can be saved.” Qu Sheng held another letter that had arrived by pigeon, her eyes moist with happiness.
Lin Xizhao also looked down at the letter, her feelings mirroring Qu Sheng’s. The two of them looked at each other and broke into smiles.
Qu Yu’s father, Qu Jiqin, was so moved he could only purse his lips and nod repeatedly.
The others were also smiling, sharing their joy with one another. Seeing everyone immersed in happiness, the smile on Qu Sheng’s face slowly faded. She glanced at Lin Xizhao, then at Qu Jinian.
“Father, this daughter has something to say.”
The smile was still on Qu Jinian’s face. Hearing that Qu Sheng had something to say, he asked, “What is it?”
Qu Sheng raised her hand from her side and took Lin Xizhao’s slender fingers in her own. She led her before Qu Jinian, glanced at Jin Yunfei, and then said, “This child wishes to marry Xizhao.”
The smile on Qu Jinian’s face vanished. It wasn’t that he opposed their marriage, but now was not the right time.
Qu Sheng seemed to sense his concerns and quickly added, “Something simple will be fine, just our family. We can hold another ceremony later when we return to Shoulin.” As she spoke, she looked at Lin Xizhao.
Seeing Qu Jinian’s gaze turn to her, Lin Xizhao gave a slight nod. “This daughter will listen to Sheng’er. A simple family banquet will be enough.”
Everyone in the Qu family knew that she was completely devoted to Qu Sheng. To be in such a hurry to get married now must have been Qu Sheng’s idea.
“This father feels this would be unfair to Zhao’er.” Although now was not a good time, it wasn’t impossible. But Qu Jinian was worried it would be a slight to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Jianhai already disapproved. If they were to hold a hasty wedding for them, he feared Lin Jianhai would cause trouble again.
“It doesn’t matter. We won’t invite my father, just our family. Sheng’er also said we can hold another ceremony later when we return to Shoulin.” Lin Xizhao had no intention of letting Lin Jianhai come.
To this day, Lin Jianhai still did not approve. Inviting him would only fuel his anger, and she didn’t want her happy wedding to be ruined.
“This father wishes to ask, why the rush?”
“This child is afraid of losing Xizhao,” Qu Sheng replied directly.
At her words, everyone in the room turned to look at her. This fearless young lady of their residence, who had already eaten her fill, was now saying something like this.
Lin Xizhao, standing beside her, looked up at her. After a moment, she took the blame for Qu Sheng. “It is I who wants a proper status.”
Speaking of status, even if Lin Xizhao married Qu Sheng, it could not be announced publicly.
“The status of being a member of the Qu family,” Lin Xizhao added.
She wanted to truly become Qu Sheng’s wife and be recognized by the Qu family.
Jin Yunfei and the others exchanged glances for a few moments. Then, as if having made a decision, she smiled. “Then let’s hold a ceremony. I’ll have someone start preparing right away.”
Jin Yunfei had agreed first. For the past year, Lin Xizhao had been with Qu Sheng in an ambiguous state. Although they were both women, they always felt that Lin Xizhao was the one making concessions for Qu Sheng, and that she had been wronged.
Since she wanted a proper status, how could their Qu family refuse to give it?
Qu Jinian was silent for a moment, then smiled and agreed. “Alright, then let’s hold a ceremony. In three days—”
“Tomorrow. We’ll get married tomorrow,” Qu Sheng said hurriedly.
“Why so soon?” Jin Yunfei couldn’t help but ask.
Qu Sheng looked at Jin Yunfei and explained, “Right now, the various vassal kings and marquises have not yet received the news. Once the message arrives, the closest, Prince Xingji, could reach the capital in two days. This child is afraid that if chaos breaks out then, I won’t be able to attend to it.”
Jin Yunfei nodded thoughtfully. But a moment later, thinking of all the preparations, she realized they might not be able to get everything ready in time. “But we can’t prepare all the wedding items in time.”
“Adoptive Mother, keeping it simple is fine.”
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s indifference, Jin Yunfei still felt in her heart that she was short-changing her. After thinking it over, she decided, “The day after tomorrow. I will definitely have everything ready by the day after tomorrow.”
Qu Sheng considered for a moment, glanced at Lin Xizhao, and said, “Alright, let’s listen to Mother.”
“Alright.” Since Qu Sheng had agreed, Lin Xizhao didn’t insist. To her, one day more or less made little difference.
Two nights later, the Qu Marquis Residence was hung with red lanterns, but its gates were closed to all guests.
However, Lin Xirui, who had been hiding in the Yu Residence since the trouble in the capital began, did come. Qu Sheng had sent someone to invite him.
Lin Xirui hadn’t known that Lin Xizhao had returned; Lin Jianhai hadn’t told him. As a trusted minister of the late Emperor, Lin Jianhai had sent Lin Xirui to the Yu Residence to protect him from potential disaster, a temporary refuge from a fatal calamity.
As soon as Lin Xirui entered the residence, he saw the courtyard festooned with lanterns and decorations. Along the path he walked, all the lampposts were lit.
Though he didn’t know why he had been invited, he knew that hanging red lanterns with the “joy” character meant someone was getting married.
He just never imagined it was Qu Sheng marrying his sister.
“Heir Apparent, this way please.” The steward, smiling, led Lin Xirui toward the main courtyard.
Lin Xirui entered the hall, looked at the decorations, and asked the steward beside him, “Who is getting married?”
The steward smiled. “It is our Young Miss and the Eldest Young Miss.”
Hearing it was Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao’s wedding, Lin Xirui was stunned for a moment, then quickly asked, “My A-jie is back?”
“Yes, she returned a few days ago,” the steward replied.
Hearing that Lin Xizhao was back, Lin Xirui turned to leave the reception hall and search for her in Qu Sheng’s courtyard, but the steward stopped him.
Seeing Lin Xirui’s excitement, the steward smiled. “Heir Apparent, please wait a moment. The two brides will be here shortly.”
Lin Xirui frowned, then asked, “Will my father be coming?”
The late Emperor and Crown Prince were dead, so Qu Sheng’s betrothal was naturally void. It wasn’t the first day Qu Sheng had wanted to marry Lin Xizhao. Hearing that they were back and now holding a wedding, Lin Xirui suddenly thought of Lin Jianhai.
“The Eldest Young Miss did not ask for King Wenze to be invited,” the steward replied, still smiling.
Lin Xirui’s expression darkened. After a moment, he looked outside.
Just then, several people were approaching. Qu Jinian, dressed in festive, splendid robes, was walking over with the Qu family, all of them laughing and talking.
Seeing them approach, Lin Xirui hurried forward to salute them. After greeting each of them, Qu Jinian said with a smile, “I hope Virtuous Nephew will forgive us for not informing you of Zhao’er and Sheng’er’s wedding sooner.”
He had heard that Qu Jinian had been rewarded for his merit in supporting the new Emperor and was now an Upper Pillar of the State. For someone of such an illustrious status to apologize to him, a mere provincial graduate, left Lin Xirui feeling overwhelmed by the honor.
“Not at all, not at all. My elder sister’s wedding should indeed not be publicized. Xirui understands,” Lin Xirui said. He was already nervous speaking to Qu Jinian, and now he was even more so.
Qu Jinian chuckled, his voice gentle. “Thank you for your understanding, Virtuous Nephew.”
Qu Jinian was treating Lin Xirui as the guest of honor from Lin Xizhao’s side. Lin Xizhao was marrying into the Qu family alone. Besides Lin Xirui, no one from the Lin family had been invited, nor had anyone from the Liang family.
It wasn’t that Qu Sheng didn’t want the nearby Liang Lianhui to come, but Lin Xizhao felt the matter could not yet be made public. She would explain to the Liang family later. It wouldn’t be too late to invite them when they held another ceremony back in Shoulin.
Her agreement to a simple wedding in this residence now was merely to ease Qu Sheng’s mind, to stop her from feeling insecure, and to fulfill her own long-held wish.
Qu Jinian took his seat, and the sound of celebratory music started in the courtyard. Hearing it, Qu Sheng, who was standing in Qu Yu’s courtyard, gazed at the room for a long while.
Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu were not present, so their room was being used as Lin Xizhao’s bridal chamber. It was also an opportunity to counteract Qu Yu’s bad luck with a joyous event.3
Originally, Qu Sheng should have been in the main courtyard, accompanying the wedding sedan over, but she had stubbornly remained in Qu Yu’s courtyard, unwilling to leave for even a moment.
The wedding sedan and musicians entered the courtyard. Qu Sheng glanced behind her, a bashful look on her face. She wanted to smile but suppressed it into a silly grin.
“Invite the bride to the wedding sedan.”
Inside the room, Lin Xizhao, her face covered by a red wedding veil, heard the voice and glanced out the window. Seeing Qu Sheng staring intently in her direction, she smiled and raised her slender arms.
Dressed in bright red wedding robes, Lin Xizhao was helped to her feet by a maidservant. Qian Shuangying, who was a member of the Qu family, was acting as the bride’s family today. She had combed Lin Xizhao’s hair and was now sending her off to the wedding sedan.
The moment the sedan curtain fell, Qu Sheng was still craning her neck to look inside. Qian Shuangying, standing beside her, patted her with a smile. “You’ll see her in a moment.”
The wedding night was tonight. Everything was simplified and held in the evening—wasn’t it all for the convenience of the young couple?
Qu Sheng looked up at Qian Shuangying. It was a good thing the moonlight wasn’t too bright, or her blushing face would have surely been discovered.
Qu Sheng did not ride a horse; she too was in a palanquin, though it was a step-in palanquin.
Seated in the palanquin, Qu Sheng kept turning back to look at the wedding sedan carrying Lin Xizhao. The Qu Marquis Residence was very large, and the path was somewhat long, but for Lin Xizhao, it felt very short.
Marrying for the first time, and to the person she loved—how could she not be nervous? Her earlier composure was just a facade.
Soon, both the palanquin and the wedding sedan arrived at the main courtyard.
Qu Jinian and the others had been waiting for a long time. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao were already familiar with the wedding procedures. The wedding sedan tilted slightly, and Qu Sheng walked over, lifting her foot.
Her foot paused in mid-air for a few moments, then she lowered it and knocked on the door with her hand instead.
In the wedding ceremony, kicking the sedan door was meant to assert authority over the bride.4 Qu Sheng was unwilling to do that, so she used her hand.
Hearing the soft knock, Lin Xizhao let out a quiet laugh and opened the sedan door. Seeing the door open, Qu Sheng quickly extended an arm for Lin Xizhao to rest on for support as she stepped out.
Soon, Lin Xizhao’s hand reached out. Looking at those slender, fair fingers, Qu Sheng was suddenly reminded of last night, when she had been so entangled by Lin Xizhao that she had cried out…
Qu Sheng cleared her throat, feigning composure, and banished the chaotic thoughts from her mind, focusing wholeheartedly on the upcoming wedding ceremony.
Lin Xizhao looked down at Qu Sheng’s offered arm, squeezed it for a moment, and then stepped out of the wedding sedan.
They each held one end of the red wedding ribbon,5 but their other two hands were clasped together.
Qu Sheng led Lin Xizhao into the ceremonial hall. Everyone except those seated in the places of honor stood up, including the stewards and maidservants.
The two walked to the center of the hall. Lin Xirui got a clear look at Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng wore a red robe embroidered with mandarin ducks. As she was a woman, she had been hesitant when choosing the wedding robe, finally settling on one with wide sleeves.
The jade belt at her waist was not tied tightly, and it swayed as she moved, giving her the air of a scholar but also highlighting her feminine grace. This was also Lin Xizhao’s choice for her.
Qu Sheng was not petite, and the robe suited her perfectly. The mandarin ducks embroidered on it were all deliberately made to be female ducks.6
“The brides will perform the kneeling and bowing ritual,” the steward announced, acting as the master of ceremonies.7 The smile had not left his face since they entered.
Qu Sheng felt everyone’s smiling gazes upon them and nervously squeezed Lin Xizhao’s fingers. A moment later, Lin Xizhao squeezed back.
“First bow to Heaven and Earth.”8
Qu Sheng led Lin Xizhao to slowly turn and bow to the world outside.
Lin Xirui sat there, watching them intently. There was a smile on his face, but it was tinged with guilt. Not long ago, he had come here to curse Qu Sheng, and in the blink of an eye, his sister was marrying her.
Though Lin Xirui couldn’t see Lin Xizhao’s face, he could imagine how devastatingly beautiful his sister must be today.
Lin Xizhao most resembled their mother, Liang shi. Since he was a child, he had always thought Liang shi was more beautiful than his own mother. But every time his mother heard him praise Liang shi or Lin Xizhao, she would scold him, so eventually, he stopped mentioning it.
“Second bow to the parents.”
While Lin Xirui was lost in thought, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had already completed the first bow.
Qu Sheng led Lin Xizhao to slowly turn and face Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei.
Qu Jinian’s smile was somewhat restrained, but Jin Yunfei was grinning so widely her eyes had narrowed into slits.
As Jin Yunfei watched the two of them bow to her and her husband, she couldn’t describe the joy in her heart. Although she hadn’t supported them at first, seeing how inseparable the two children were, she had come to support them from the bottom of her heart.
Even if they couldn’t have children, she accepted it. You only live once; how they chose to live was their own business. As long as they were happy, that was all that mattered.
The two performed the bow. Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao bend at the waist and followed suit. But before they could straighten up, someone came rushing in from outside.
“Marquis, it’s bad! Prince Xingji received news of the new Emperor’s ascension and is leading his garrison! He’s gathering troops from all the prefectures and counties along the way and is marching on the capital!” The city-guarding general appointed by the Qu family had rushed to report.
Hearing the news, Qu Sheng, still bent at the waist, turned her head to look. Qu Jinian, seated in the place of honor, frowned.
He thought for a moment, then said, “Have the soldiers assemble. I will be there shortly.” After speaking, he looked at Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao. “Finish the ceremony first.”
“Father, it’s better if this child goes,” Qu Sheng said, straightening up. “Right now, a large portion of the officials are still waiting to see which way the wind blows. If Father leaves the city now, it will inevitably cause turmoil in the palace. It is most appropriate for this child to go.”
Qu Jinian heard her reasoning and agreed. “Even so, you must finish the ceremony.”
He insisted they perform the final bow, but Qu Sheng remained motionless.
“Let’s complete it when I return, jiejie,” Qu Sheng said, then looked at Lin Xizhao and whispered, “I’m sorry, jiejie. Will you wait for Sheng’er to come back?”
“I will.” Lin Xizhao lifted her veil, her eyes showing no blame.
She understood what Qu Sheng meant. A wedding was a joyous occasion. Though they had completed the earlier rites, their state of mind for this final bow was no longer the same.
With such urgency weighing on their hearts, the things that were to happen in the bridal chamber could not be done either. It was better to start over again later. She knew Qu Sheng didn’t want to wrong her.
Qu Sheng knew Lin Xizhao would agree. No one understood her better.
Qu Sheng began to pull at the jade belt on her robes while telling someone to fetch her armor and the fire-patterned sleeve-ties Lin Xizhao had embroidered for her.
But the robe proved difficult to remove. Seeing this, Lin Xizhao stepped forward to help. Qu Sheng glanced down, then looked up and saw Lin Xizhao’s focused, gentle eyes. She couldn’t help but lower her head and kiss Lin Xizhao’s now-crimson lips, tilting her head up to meet them.
Lin Xizhao froze for a second. There were so many people in the room. Her face flushed red, but she continued to act as if nothing had happened, untying the jade belt at Qu Sheng’s waist.
Once the belt was undone, Qu Sheng grasped Lin Xizhao’s hands and said earnestly, “Wait for me to come back.”
Lin Xizhao nodded gently. “I’ll wait for you.”
Their eyes met, and anyone could see their reluctance to part. But the window of opportunity to meet the enemy was fleeting and could not be delayed any longer.
Qu Sheng continued to undo her robes as she walked out of the residence. A maidservant had already brought her armor.
She mounted her horse and put on her gold-patterned mask.
By the time Lin Xizhao chased after her, Qu Sheng had already spurred her horse and galloped away.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Waaaaah, I was so, so close.”
Zhao Jiayu: “It wasn’t just a little bit close. I mean, you had to enter the bridal chamber, right? And drink the nuptial cup wine, and tie your hair together, and eat the auspicious fruits to pray for children, and and and… you know…”
Qu Sheng: “I’m not listening, I’m not listening to Fourth Sister-in-law’s chanting.”
Footnotes
- An ancestral tablet (páiwèi) is a plaque inscribed with the name of a deceased ancestor, used in rituals of veneration.
- Literally ‘shrimp soldiers and crab generals’ (xiābīng xièjiàng), this idiom refers to a disorganized and ineffective fighting force, like the undersea armies in classic Chinese mythology.
- Literally ‘to wash away with joy’ (chōngxǐ), this is a folk custom of holding a happy event, such as a wedding, to counteract bad luck, like an illness, and bring about a positive turn of fortune.
- In some traditional Chinese wedding customs, the groom kicks the sedan door to display his authority and ward off evil spirits. Qu Sheng deliberately choosing to knock instead is a gesture of respect and equality.
- The ‘qiān hóng’ is a red silk ribbon or sash held by the bride and groom, connecting them as they walk during the wedding ceremony.
- Mandarin ducks are a symbol of love and fidelity, and are usually depicted in male-female pairs (yuānyāng). Embroidering only female ducks (yāng) on the robes is a specific and meaningful choice for their same-sex marriage.
- The bīnxiàng is the master of ceremonies for a traditional wedding, responsible for announcing the stages of the ritual.
- The ‘Three Bows’ are a central part of a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony. The first bow is to Heaven and Earth, the second is to the parents and elders (gāotáng), and the third is to each other.
I really love this story so much 🥹🫶