The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 157
by Little PandaDid We Do Something Wrong?
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Qu Sheng paused for only a fraction of a second. Knowing exactly what was on her mind, she smiled and pressed a kiss behind Lin Xizhao’s ear.
There were no outsiders present, though they were currently in Lin Xikuan’s room. When the fingers resting against Lin Xizhao’s slender waist began to misbehave, Lin Xizhao reached up and caught Qu Sheng’s hand. “Xikuan will be leaving shortly, and I have too much to handle here. Go find something to eat first.”
Her hand firmly held down by Lin Xizhao, Qu Sheng’s lips curled into a smile. “Alright,” she agreed softly.
She gently turned Lin Xizhao around, seeking out her soft lips. They shared a lingering kiss before Qu Sheng reluctantly pulled away. “Then Sheng’er will go eat first,” she murmured.
Lin Xikuan was departing in a rush today, though not because she had demanded it. He was not traveling to Tongshui alone; Zhai Zhong and numerous officials from the Ministry of Revenue were accompanying him. Qu Sheng had also arranged escorts for them, hoping solely for the mission’s smooth success.
Qu Sheng returned to their courtyard to eat. The food had barely been served when Feng Qi arrived with a report: Lin Jianhai had vomited blood again.
By the time Qu Sheng rushed over, Lin Xizhao was already inside the room.
Ever since Lin Jianhai had first vomited blood, Qu Sheng had withdrawn the heavy military guard. Now, a crowd of servants stood anxiously outside.
Seeing Qu Sheng approach, the servants hurriedly bowed in greeting. Beside them, Lin Xirui stood pacing, fraught with anxiety.
“How is Father-in-law?” Qu Sheng asked him.
Lin Xirui frowned deeply. “The servants said he was perfectly fine this morning. He even ate quite a bit. The Imperial Physician is inside examining him right now, but we don’t know his exact condition yet.”
“Has someone gone to fetch Doctor Liu?”
“Yes, but he hasn’t arrived yet.”
Lin Jianhai had only just vomited blood moments ago, and the servant sent to fetch Liu Wuxiang had barely left the residence gates. It would be some time before the doctor arrived.
Qu Sheng’s gaze shifted to Lin Xikuan, who was standing to the side with his head bowed, an expression of deep anxiety etched onto his face. “When you went inside just now, did Father-in-law show any symptoms?” she asked.
Lin Xikuan looked up, seemingly at a total loss. “He was perfectly fine when I went in. I was even talking to him for a while, explaining the details of my departure. Who could have known he would suddenly vomit blood?”
Qu Sheng studied him. There was not a trace of guilt on Lin Xikuan’s face. After observing him for another moment, she withdrew her gaze. Soon after, the Imperial Physician emerged from the room.
Spotting Qu Sheng, the Imperial Physician hurried over and bowed. “King Wenze’s body is far too weak, and he just suffered from a sudden, severe surge of rage attacking his heart…”
The group waited in tense silence for him to finish. The Imperial Physician shook his head. “You should prepare for the aftermath.”
Lin Xirui froze in shock. Lin Xikuan blinked repeatedly, as if unable to process the news. Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed, and she stepped into the room.
Lin Xizhao was tending to Lin Jianhai. Hearing footsteps, she turned her head. When she saw it was Qu Sheng, tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes, though she fought to hold them back. “Is Doctor Liu here?”
“Not yet,” Qu Sheng replied instinctively.
Lin Xizhao was truly frantic with worry. She had grown up walking the distance between the Lin Residence and the Qu Residence; she knew exactly how far it was. The servant had only just left. Even on horseback, it would take time.
Realizing this, Lin Xizhao turned back to look at Lin Jianhai, her face marred with worry. Lin Jianhai’s breathing was impossibly weak. It had only been a few days, yet he had deteriorated to this state. She had been far too negligent.
By the time the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Physician was boiling, Liu Wuxiang finally arrived. Lin Xizhao had pinned all her hopes on him, even though she knew deep down that the chances of curing Lin Jianhai’s failing body were incredibly slim.
After taking Lin Jianhai’s pulse, Liu Wuxiang examined the prescription left by the Imperial Physician and found no need to change it. “The Imperial Physician’s medicine treats the symptoms correctly,” he said flatly. “But your esteemed father’s temper has been far too explosive recently, causing a drastic, sudden decline in his physical state. If his state of mind can be altered, I can administer a heavy dosage that might save him.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao immediately opened her mouth to ask him to prescribe the medicine, but Liu Wuxiang raised a hand to stop her. “Do not be hasty. What this old man means is that you must untie the knot in his heart. If that knot cannot be untied, then this medicine will be a deadly poison that merely hastens his end.”
Those words extinguished the last spark of hope in Lin Xizhao’s chest. She turned back to look at Qu Sheng standing behind her. The utter helplessness in her eyes made Qu Sheng’s heart ache terribly.
That afternoon, Lin Xikuan delayed his departure to discuss with Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui how they might untie their father’s heart knot. The three siblings sat in the room in heavy silence.
Qu Sheng had initially returned to her courtyard, but at some point, she had wandered back to stand outside Lin Xikuan’s door.
Lin Xikuan’s luggage was already packed, and his carriage waited outside the residence gates. After a long, quiet stretch, Lin Xirui finally broke the silence. “Official duties are paramount. Second Brother, you should go.”
Lin Xikuan looked up, meeting his younger brother’s gaze, before turning to Lin Xizhao. He pressed his lips together for a moment. “Ajie… what about Father?”
“You go on ahead. Do not delay your journey,” Lin Xizhao said. “Xirui and I are here in the residence…” She wanted to tell him not to worry, but the truth was, she had no solution for Lin Jianhai’s heart illness.
She could not possibly ask Lin Xirui and Lin Xikuan to forget the blood feud of their mother’s murder, just as her brothers could not possibly ask her to leave Qu Sheng. They all knew this perfectly well. Because of that unspoken reality, none of them knew how to convince Lin Jianhai to let go of his resentment.
“Second Brother, just go. We will take good care of Father here in the capital,” Lin Xirui added, his chest tight with grief. If Lin Jianhai truly reached his final moments, he would send word. “If anything happens, I will send a flying letter immediately. It won’t be too late for Second Brother to return then.”
Lin Xikuan blinked slowly. “Very well. You and I are both court officials now. We must not allow personal matters to delay affairs of state. I will leave immediately. I leave Father in your care.”
“Ajie,” Lin Xikuan said, turning back to Lin Xizhao. “Do not blame yourself too harshly. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all dictated by fate.”
Lin Xizhao nodded gently. “Mn. Your things have already been loaded onto the carriage. It is a long journey—take good care of yourself.”
“I will.” Lin Xikuan nodded and turned to walk out.
Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui followed him. As the doors opened, the three of them saw Qu Sheng standing outside.
Qu Sheng stood there, her face devoid of expression. Lin Xikuan glanced back at Lin Xizhao and murmured, “Ajie, do not let Sheng-meimei down.”
Lin Xizhao stared at him, slightly startled, before suddenly understanding exactly why Qu Sheng was standing out here.
She was terrified that Lin Xizhao would leave her.
“Sheng’er,” Lin Xizhao called out, walking toward her.
As Lin Xizhao approached, the tension in Qu Sheng’s body visibly relaxed. She stepped forward to meet her. “Wife.”
Qu Sheng didn’t say what she was thinking, but all three siblings understood why she had come. Lin Xizhao took her hand, a pang of heartache tightening her chest. “Let’s see Xikuan out together,” she said gently.
Qu Sheng glanced at Lin Xikuan, then back at Lin Xizhao, and nodded. “Alright.”
The four of them walked out of the residence together. After exchanging formal farewells, Lin Xikuan boarded his carriage. For the sake of his safety, Qu Sheng had specifically selected two elite guards to accompany him, ensuring he would face no trouble on the road.
When the three remaining family members returned to the residence, they sat quietly in the main hall. After about fifteen minutes, Lin Xirui stood up. “Ajie, Father’s illness is beyond our ability to reverse. We can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. You needn’t blame yourself so much.”
His words made his stance painfully clear. He would never forgive Lin Jianhai. Even setting aside the death of Yu-shi, the terrible things Lin Jianhai had done to Lin Xizhao alone were entirely unforgivable.
Neither of the two younger brothers had sided with Lin Jianhai, nor had they made things difficult for Lin Xizhao. Qu Sheng watched the siblings quietly. Lin Xizhao’s expression held genuine guilt, but she wasn’t consumed by it.
Qu Sheng had been terrified that Lin Xizhao would be forced to choose between her and Lin Jianhai. It seemed her fears had been entirely unfounded.
“There are still matters at the government office that need attending to. I’ll head over and return quickly. Don’t wait for me for dinner,” Lin Xirui said, bowing respectfully to Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng nodded. She watched Lin Xirui give her a meaningful look before he turned toward Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao’s eyes were downcast, lost in thought.
After Lin Xirui left, she sat there in silence for a long time. Qu Sheng walked over and pulled her into a deep embrace. “Wife, as long as you don’t leave me, I’ll do anything.”
Qu Sheng had been consumed by anxiety all afternoon. Even though she felt much more grounded now, she was still terrified that Lin Jianhai’s illness might drive a wedge between them.
Lin Xizhao rested her soft cheek against Qu Sheng’s waist and looked up. The guilt in her eyes melted into profound tenderness. Her soft lips parted. “I won’t leave you.”
It was a solemn promise.
Leaving Qu Sheng would not only destroy Qu Sheng; it would end her own life as well. How could she ever bear to leave the girl she loved down to her very bones?
Hearing those words again, the heavy stone pressing on Qu Sheng’s heart finally vanished. She pulled Lin Xizhao closer, lowering her head to kiss her dark hair.
Lin Jianhai’s condition worsened with each passing day. Originally, the two brothers had taken turns caring for him, but now only Lin Xirui remained. Lin Xizhao offered to take his place several times, but Lin Xirui steadfastly refused.
Men and women were different; even between a father and daughter, there were limits to how she could care for him intimately. Seeing Lin Xirui grow visibly thinner by the day, Qu Sheng hired several experienced Imperial Physicians and servants to watch over Lin Jianhai in rotating shifts, finally allowing the siblings to rest.
A month later, a flying pigeon brought news from Tongshui. With the local government’s backing, Lin Xikuan and Zhai Zhong had begun the process of remeasuring the land, but they had met with fierce opposition. The powerful noble families, in particular, obstructed them at every turn. Officials sent out to measure were cornered in alleyways; if not for the timely arrival of the city guards, they would have been beaten to death.
That was only the resistance on the surface; what lay in the shadows was undoubtedly far more treacherous. However, according to Zhai Zhong’s report, Lin Xikuan had performed exceptionally well. During a public posting of a new notice, Lin Xikuan had drawn a sword and stabbed the ringleader of a mob to death right in the middle of the street. He had then produced a stack of pre-collected criminal evidence, silencing the crowd. Afterward, he called in the military to suppress any remaining dissent, effectively crushing the opposition.
The incident sent a crystal-clear message regarding the imperial court’s determination: they would rather see rivers of blood than allow the deeply rooted corruption of land ownership to continue.
Reading the report, Qu Sheng realized she had slightly underestimated Lin Xikuan’s ruthless methods. She immediately drafted an official document promoting Lin Xikuan to Vice Minister of Revenue, granting him even greater authority to carry out his work.
As late autumn deepened, the air grew increasingly frigid. The Northern Frontier had already plunged into early winter. Qu Sheng ordered the Ministry of War to expedite the production of new winter uniforms for the army, striving to ensure the soldiers would not suffer from the cold before the deepest freezes set in.
Qu Jinian arrived at the Northern Frontier and rendezvoused with Qu Sheng’s Third Uncle, Qu Jiqin. With Qu Ting’s fate still unknown, Qu Jinian officially assumed command of the army and attempted to open negotiations with the Six Kingdoms, demanding they withdraw from Tiansheng territory and return Qu Ting.
Qu Sheng finished processing the day’s memorials, left the palace, and headed straight for the Qu Residence. Lin Xirui and Lin Xizhao were already there, and even Liang Lianhui, who was commanding the city’s defenses, had been invited.
Today was the one-year birthday of the youngest girl in the Qu family, Qu Zhimu.
Because the men of the family were away and Qu Sheng was occupied with court affairs, the traditional picking ceremony1 had been postponed until the afternoon.
By the time Qu Sheng arrived, the evening banquet was already being set out. Lin Xizhao and the others each presented gifts to little Zhimu. Even Lin Xikuan, far away in Tongshui, had sent an aide to deliver a piece of fine jade.
A thick blanket was spread across the floor of the main hall. Lin Xizhao gently set little Zhimu down onto it.
Various objects were scattered across the blanket, but the little girl merely looked around before plopping down on her bottom, completely unbothered for a long time.
Seeing her refuse to move, the adults grew anxious. Zhao Jiayu wanted her daughter to pick a piece of jade, so she stood near it and called out to her, but the baby ignored her completely.
Smiles lit up everyone’s faces as they watched the little one look left and right. Suddenly, she scrambled to her feet and began to walk.
A collective gasp of surprise went up from the crowd, because the little girl was walking straight toward Lin Xizhao.
Qu Zhimu had never walked independently before. To suddenly stand up and stumble forward so quickly—Lin Xizhao hurriedly bent down and caught her in her arms as the room erupted in delighted cheers.
The moment she was in Lin Xizhao’s arms, the little girl began to nuzzle against her affectionately. Zhao Jiayu laughed and scolded gently, “The moment you see your Eldest Aunt, you forget all about your own mother!”
The room burst into laughter. Whenever Qu Zhimu saw Lin Xizhao, she absolutely demanded to be held, and if she wasn’t, she would cry. Lin Xizhao held her and played with her for a while before saying softly, “Shall we pick one more time? You have to pick something you really like this time.”
Over to the side, Qu Yu conferred with Qu Sheng and rearranged several of the items on the blanket. Qu Sheng even ordered a servant to fetch her sword from her room and placed it among the choices.
Lin Xizhao set little Zhimu down again and guided her gently. “Pick something you like and give it to Eldest Aunt, alright?”
The little girl watched Lin Xizhao’s lips move, seemingly understanding her words. She turned her little head toward the floor, took one look at the spread, and toddled straight toward Qu Sheng’s Xuanwu Sword.
But the sword was far too heavy for her to lift. Undeterred, she dropped to her knees and tried to wrap both her tiny arms around it. Seeing this, Zhao Jiayu slapped a hand to her forehead and closed her eyes, refusing to watch any longer.
Lin Xizhao walked over with a bright smile and helped her lift the sword together. She praised her affectionately, “Our little Zhimu is going to grow up to be a great female hero just like her Little Aunt, isn’t she?”
Hearing this, although Qu Zhimu didn’t understand what it meant, she nodded cooperatively and giggled, flashing the few small teeth she had just grown.
Seeing the little girl’s grand ambitions, the family laughed and showered her with praise, agreeing that Qu Sheng would definitely have to teach her martial arts when she grew older.
The items were cleared from the floor, and everyone took their seats. The family banquet officially began.
Since there weren’t many people, they all sat together at one large table. Liang Lianhui already knew about Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao’s relationship, though without their explicit permission, he had not sent word of it back to the Liang family in Changzhou.
As the family sat together, fireworks began to bloom in the sky outside.
Before long, a steady stream of calling cards was delivered to the residence gates. Qu Sheng reviewed the cards, thought for a moment, and ordered the servants to decline them all. She hadn’t planned on making today a grand affair, nor did she want irrelevant outsiders ruining a private family dinner.
The steward accepted his orders and headed out to dismiss the officials who had come bearing gifts.
As the reigning Zhuangyuan, Lin Xirui was called upon to compose impromptu poetry to enliven the feast. Qu Sheng held little Zhimu in her arms, but the baby’s head was constantly swiveling to look at Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao blew on a piece of fish from her bowl to cool it, then offered it over. Qu Sheng leaned in and ate it right off the chopsticks. Watching her food get intercepted by Qu Sheng, little Zhimu’s round eyes went wide. She stared at Qu Sheng’s chewing jaw, her little mouth pulling down into a devastating pout as if she were about to burst into tears.
Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng with eyes full of utter indulgence, but seeing that little Zhimu was about to cry, she quickly hurried to prepare another piece of fish.
She used to feed Qu Sheng just like this. Though it had been a long time since she had done so, watching Qu Sheng eat the food she offered somehow reminded her of the soft, sweet three-year-old Qu Sheng from years ago.
The family sat together, drinking wine and reciting poetry. With Liu Wuxiang’s permission, even Qu Yu was allowed a few small cups of wine. Just as the atmosphere reached its peak of warmth and joy, the steward of the Lin Residence arrived in a rush.
He reported that Lin Jianhai was breathing his last, and begged Lin Xirui and Lin Xizhao to return immediately.
When they had left the residence earlier today, Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui had checked on Lin Jianhai, and the attending Imperial Physician hadn’t said anything out of the ordinary. However, Lin Jianhai’s body had been failing day by day, and the siblings had long since prepared themselves for this moment.
Lin Xizhao had tried countless times to persuade Lin Jianhai to let go of his resentment, but she had never received a single word in response. When Lin Xikuan learned of this, he wrote to Lin Xizhao, telling her not to blame herself.
Lin Xirui also comforted her, saying that aside from showing filial piety to one’s elders and loyalty to the nation, a person also had to live for themselves.
In truth, Lin Xizhao had already guessed it: Lin Jianhai’s sheer, stubborn spite was likely a deliberate attempt to make his three children live the rest of their lives consumed by guilt over his death.
And he had succeeded. For the past several nights, Lin Xizhao had been unable to sleep, which meant Qu Sheng ended up staying awake with her. A few days ago, Lin Xizhao had suggested they sleep in separate beds so Qu Sheng could rest. The suggestion had terrified Qu Sheng so badly that she had clung to Lin Xizhao like a pitiful, homeless child.
Lin Xizhao had only been worried about disturbing Qu Sheng’s sleep. Not wanting to frighten her like that again, she dropped the idea and instead asked the Imperial Physician to prescribe her some soothing herbs.
The banquet at the Marquis Residence had already wound down anyway, so Qu Sheng immediately escorted them back to the Lin Residence, bringing Liu Wuxiang along with them.
The Lin family had always been thin in numbers. When they were destitute, no one had offered them a helping hand. When Lin Jianhai rose to the noble position of Prime Minister, he felt a profound sense of vindication; he had dismissed those fair-weather relatives and cut ties with them completely. Liang-shi, knowing how highly Lin Jianhai valued his pride, had tried to persuade him a few times, but seeing his stubbornness, she eventually stopped suggesting they reconnect.
Now, as Lin Jianhai lay at death’s door, not a single old acquaintance of the Lin family came to see him. The only visitors were their maternal uncle from the Yu family, who resided in the capital, and their Fifth Maternal Uncle from the Liang family, who had accompanied them.
Lin Xizhao and her brother stood in the inner chamber, watching Liu Wuxiang take his pulse. Liang Lianhui and the others waited quietly in the room. Outside in the courtyard, Qu Sheng was busy delegating tasks to the servants. If Lin Jianhai truly died today, there would be a mountain of affairs to manage for the funeral, and Qu Sheng, taking on the role of the ‘son-in-law,’ was preparing to handle it all.
“How is my father?” Lin Xizhao asked urgently the moment Liu Wuxiang withdrew his hand.
Liu Wuxiang looked at the anxious siblings and replied, “It will be today or tomorrow. If you wish to delay it by a few days, you can have someone brew ginseng soup to keep him hanging on.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao immediately turned to a nearby servant. “Quickly, go—”
“Ajie,” Lin Xirui interrupted, cutting her off. “Let it be. There is no need.”
Noticing the disagreement between the siblings, Liu Wuxiang lowered his eyes for a moment before speaking. “Your esteemed father suffers from a physical ailment; his abdomen burns with constant pain. Previously, I prescribed medicine to suppress it, but recently it has lost its efficacy. I imagine he is suffering from another flare-up today, and the agony is unbearable…”
Lin Xizhao’s chest tightened as if something were crushing it. “Is there any way to ease my father’s pain?”
Liu Wuxiang looked at her and shook his head. “Your esteemed father has already lost all sensation.”
Lin Jianhai couldn’t feel the pain because he had already slipped into unconsciousness. If he woke up, he might live another two days. If he didn’t, he would simply remain like this until he passed away.
Staring at Lin Jianhai’s withered, sallow face, Lin Xirui’s mind drifted unbidden to the days when his father and mother had loved each other so deeply. But in the very next breath, he remembered Lin Jianhai murdering his mother in that cold prison cell.
He had always suppressed his hatred, but right now, for whatever reason, it felt overwhelmingly heavy.
The entire room fell into silence. Having finished instructing the servants outside, Qu Sheng walked into the room. Seeing Lin Xizhao’s fragile, trembling silhouette, she untied her own cloak, draped it gently over Lin Xizhao’s shoulders, and pulled her into a warm embrace.
Qu Sheng didn’t ask any questions. She didn’t interfere. Whatever Lin Xizhao wanted, Qu Sheng would ensure it was done.
Jin Yunfei and Qu Yu arrived later. Though they had a terrible relationship with Lin Jianhai, they were still in-laws. Even if Lin Jianhai refused to acknowledge the connection, the Qu family acknowledged it.
Qu Yu had to be carried in. As the only remaining male heir currently residing in the Qu Residence, it would be inappropriate for him not to attend. If he hadn’t come, it would have been difficult for Jin Yunfei, a woman, to come alone.
When Jin Yunfei and Qu Yu eventually left, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng walked them to the gates to see them off. When they returned, they didn’t go back inside the room. Lin Xizhao stood outside the door, her heart drowning in a profound, suffocating guilt.
Qu Sheng held her, softly murmuring words of comfort. When she looked down, she saw Lin Xizhao raise her red, swollen eyes. The pure heartache reflected in them brought tears to Qu Sheng’s own eyes.
“Wife…”
“Did we do something wrong?”
Lin Xizhao’s sudden question made Qu Sheng’s heart stutter. She stared blankly at Lin Xizhao, unable to formulate an answer. For a long time, she couldn’t even draw a breath.
Hiding her face against Qu Sheng’s chest, Lin Xizhao wept in silent, agonizing sobs. Qu Sheng only held her tighter.
By midnight, the deep autumn wind was howling mournfully outside. Lin Xizhao and the others stood in the room, watching as the Imperial Physician pulled a white cloth over Lin Jianhai’s face.
His breath was entirely gone. Without leaving a single word behind for his children, Lin Jianhai’s soul had returned to the Western Paradise.
The sounds of wailing erupted throughout the Lin Residence. Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui knelt to the side, sobbing uncontrollably. Qu Sheng stood nearby, staring blankly at Lin Jianhai’s corpse, before slowly sinking to her knees. Seeing this, the rest of the room knelt as well.
When the news of King Wenze’s death spread, an endless stream of mourners arrived to pay their respects—largely because Lin Xizhao was the adoptive daughter of the Qu family.
Lin Xizhao knelt before Lin Jianhai’s spirit tablet, burning paper money, while Lin Xirui handled the formal bows of gratitude to the guests.
Qu Sheng brought her own family to pay their respects, and Zhao Jiayu and the others attended as well. Seeing Lin Xizhao’s eyes swollen from crying, Zhao Jiayu’s heart ached, and she went over to hold her tight.
Every detail of the funeral arrangements within the Lin Residence was managed by people Qu Sheng had assigned. Everything was executed according to the highest possible specifications. The Crown Prince arrived bearing imperial orders, leading the civil and military officials to offer their condolences.
After the formal mourning rites, Lin Xirui excused himself to accompany the Crown Prince and his retinue of officials to the reception hall to exchange pleasantries. Once Qu Sheng finished her tasks, she walked straight over and picked Lin Xizhao up, carrying her away.
Lin Xizhao hadn’t slept a wink the night before, and Qu Sheng was deeply worried about her health.
But Lin Xizhao couldn’t sleep even when she returned to her room. She managed to force down some of the porridge Qu Sheng offered her, then immediately went right back to the mourning hall. Unable to talk her out of it, Qu Sheng had no choice but to kneel beside her.
After the Crown Prince departed, the court officials began to filter in. Seeing Qu Sheng kneeling there, the officials were utterly bewildered as to why, but none of them dared ignore her. They all bowed respectfully to her before moving on to offer their condolences to Lin Xirui.
Noticing how wary the officials were of Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao tried to convince her to go back and rest. Hearing the subtle implications in Lin Xizhao’s words—that she didn’t want Qu Sheng to stay—left a bitter taste in Qu Sheng’s mouth. She reached out and took Lin Xizhao’s pale, cold fingers in hers. “Sheng’er won’t make Wife wait much longer,” she whispered.
If she were recognized openly as the legitimate son-in-law of the Lin family, she would be expected to kneel right here. But because her true status within the Lin family was a secret from the outside world, her kneeling here would only invite gossip. She assumed it was her complicated status that was making things difficult for Lin Xizhao.
At first, Lin Xizhao didn’t understand what Qu Sheng meant. By the time she realized Qu Sheng had completely misunderstood her intentions and opened her mouth to explain, an urgent military report arrived from the outside.
Because Qu Sheng was here, the urgent dispatch from the Northern Frontier had been routed directly to the Lin Residence.
An eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch2—the courier practically ran into the courtyard, only to freeze for a moment when he saw the white mourning banners and funeral arrangements. Seeing the man, Qu Sheng lowered her head to whisper a word to Lin Xizhao, then stood up and led the courier toward a side hall.
Once they were alone, the courier dropped to one knee. “Miss, the Marquis was struck by an arrow and fell from his horse. Third Master ordered this servant to bring an urgent letter, asking if Doctor Liu could be brought to the front lines to treat him.”
He framed it as a question, but the unspoken truth was that he had orders to bring Liu Wuxiang back at any cost. Qu Yu’s life was precious, but in Qu Jiqin’s eyes, his eldest brother’s life was far more important. If the supreme commander of the three armies died, military morale would be devastated.
Qu Sheng frowned sharply. “My father was hit by a poisoned arrow?”
The courier blinked, visibly hesitating over whether he should tell Qu Sheng the full truth.
“I want the truth,” Qu Sheng said, visibly suppressing her rising fury.
The courier was one of Third Uncle Qu’s personal guards and had traveled with the army from the Marquis Residence. Hearing Qu Sheng’s tone, he bowed his head lower. “It was a poisoned arrow. Our forces engaged the enemy four times, and the Marquis decisively defeated them in every clash. But during a duel between the commanding generals, they fired a cold arrow3 from the shadows.”
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Wuwuwuwu, Wife, wifey, Jiejie, please don’t abandon me.”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
Leave a comment to get a red envelope, I’ll keep handing them out (200 available).
Footnotes
- A traditional ceremony held on a child's first birthday (zhuāzhōu) where various objects are placed before them. The item the child chooses is believed to predict their future inclinations or career.
- An ancient Chinese military communication system using a relay of fast horses. An 'eight-hundred-lǐ' dispatch was the highest level of urgency, requiring couriers to cover roughly 400 kilometers in a single day.
- A 'cold arrow' (lěngjiàn) refers to an arrow shot from hiding, or a sneak attack.
Omg I hope Qu Sheng’s dad is okay😭😭🤧.
Also I feel sad for Lin Jianhai but oh well🤧