The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 160
by Little PandaMy wife, Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng looked at the light sword presented by the soldier, her eyes narrowing slightly. Though it was night, her deep gaze took it in with absolute clarity.
It was Qu Ting’s sword. When she was young, she had used his sword to practice her forms; she knew its exact weight and flexibility.
“What else did the messenger say?” Qu Sheng asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
The soldier raised his head. “He said you must surrender without a fight, or they will kill General Qu Ting.”
Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed at once. She lowered her eyes to the sword in her hand, her gaze flickering. A moment later, she looked up and hoisted the light sword high.
Facing the troops, she shouted, “This sword is a fake! My Third Brother is not in their hands. Soldiers, hear my command! The enemy dares to invade tonight—we will ensure they never return!”
“Never return! Never return! Never return!”
Morale surged through the ranks. The Qu family army had just been worrying that Qu Sheng would hold back out of fear for Qu Ting’s life. Hearing that the sword was a forgery, the Shoulin forces were instantly fired up.
Qu Sheng led her troops out of the camp, dividing them into three routes to flank from the northwest and encircle the enemy. Just in case, she also left the camp brightly lit to lure the enemy forces deeper in.
Half a shichen1 later, Qu Sheng’s forces had circumvented to the rear. Her cavalry smashed directly into the enemy’s backlines, slaughtering the archers and light armored infantry until they were completely routed.
The army then drove straight through the enemy’s center, splitting them in two, and swiftly devoured the rear guard. They rolled forward, crushing the vanguard and almost completely annihilating the 80,000-strong enemy army.
By dawn, Qu Sheng sat astride her horse. The fresh blood staining her red armor had already begun to freeze into frost.
She ordered the bodies to be burned or buried on the spot.
“General, the enemy’s main force has already engaged General Dingyuan. The current situation is unclear,” a mounted soldier reported, dropping to one knee.
Qu Sheng turned her head to look in the direction of Qu Jiqin’s army. His forces were their main defensive line.
Qu Sheng’s vanguard had just fought a fierce battle and could not fight again immediately. When she had separated from them, she had given clear instructions; nothing major should go wrong.
Once the soldiers finished burying the dead, Qu Sheng led the army back to camp.
After a day of rest, word reached her: not only had Qu Jiqin successfully fended off the enemy, but he had pursued them for a hundred li2, reclaiming several cities.
Upon hearing the news, Qu Sheng immediately consulted the topographic map.
The main army’s current position was pushing deep into the enemy’s heartland, with hostile cities on both flanks. Fearing Qu Jiqin would be caught in a pincer attack, Qu Sheng instantly dispatched a messenger ordering him to withdraw from the reclaimed cities and leave not a single soldier behind.
Receiving Qu Sheng’s order, Qu Jiqin paced his command tent for a long time. Ultimately, he broke camp overnight and retreated to his original staging ground. At the same time, scouts reported that the enemy’s main force—along with the troops from the flanking cities—had all converged on the newly reclaimed territory, intending to swallow Tiansheng’s main army from three sides.
Hearing the scout’s report, Qu Jiqin broke out in a cold sweat. He immediately sent a missive to Qu Sheng, asking her to command the main force while he took over the vanguard.
Qu Sheng read the letter but was in no rush to reply. It was still too early to swap commands. From her current position, she had other tasks to complete.
Driving the five kingdoms out of Tiansheng was not difficult; the difficulty lay in completely annihilating them.
That night, around the Hour of the Rat3, Qu Sheng split her forces into two routes and reclaimed three cities in quick succession. However, she did not massacre the defenders.
Instead, she picked out the weakest soldiers and released them, executing all the strong ones. Firstly, this prevented the five kingdoms from launching a desperate counterattack in their final throes. Secondly, these sick, weak, and crippled troops would consume the enemy’s manpower and resources, effectively dragging them down.
The war continued for half a month. As Lunar New Year’s Eve4 approached, Qu Sheng used Qu Jiqin’s main army to draw the five kingdoms’ primary forces. Using a smaller force to defeat a larger one with the momentum of a thunderbolt, she reclaimed the vast majority of their lost territory before leading her troops to rendezvous with the main army.
Qu Jinian still had not awakened. He had been traveling with Qian Shuangying’s unit. Qu Sheng decided that if he remained unconscious after the new year, she would have him sent back to the Capital City first.
The Capital City.
When the lights of ten thousand homes burned brightly, Qu Jixian—who had long since arrived at the Qu Residence—was having dinner with the rest of the household.
Zhao Jiayu held her daughter while Lin Xizhao fed her. The little one had already started to speak. Though her babbles were unclear, the word “Aunt” was exceptionally practiced.
“Aunt, eat.”
The moment Lin Xizhao slipped the food into the little one’s mouth, her tongue rolled and she swallowed it down. She opened her mouth and called for Lin Xizhao again, seemingly asking for another bite.
Lin Xizhao had just picked up a dish specially made for the toddler. Hearing the demand, she looked at the tiny Qu Zhimu with a heart full of joy. Cupping her hand beneath the baby’s chin to catch any spills, her eyes curved into crescents as she fed her again.
Before leaving, Qu Sheng had exhorted Zhao Jiayu time and time again not to slack off. Zhao Jiayu had a martial artist’s physique; holding a child required no effort at all. But Lin Xizhao was different.
Zhao Jiayu’s ears had been worn down by Qu Sheng’s nagging, and she had quickly promised to obey. She had kept that promise, too—but Lin Xizhao loved feeding little Zhimu, and there was nothing Zhao Jiayu could do about it.
The bond between aunt and niece almost seemed to surpass the affection between Zhao Jiayu and her own daughter.
“I remember when Yu’er was little, he always chewed carefully and swallowed slowly. Little Mu’er is certainly carefree,” Jin Yunfei said with a laugh.
She had tried to correct Qu Zhimu’s habit of swallowing her food whole countless times, but the child just wouldn’t change.
“Cough.” Qu Yu immediately let out a light cough.
The Third Aunt of the Qu family shot him a glance and smiled. “Not at all. Yu’er was just like this when he was young. It’s just that when there were a lot of people around, I would feed him smaller bites. Little Mu’er takes after her father.”
The Third Aunt pinned Qu Zhimu’s habit of barely chewing squarely onto Qu Yu. But anyone who had ever eaten a private meal with Zhao Jiayu knew that Qu Zhimu took entirely after her mother.
Lin Xizhao smiled without a word. A bashful Zhao Jiayu hugged her baby, pretending she hadn’t heard. Beside her, Qu Yu picked up some food with his chopsticks and fed it to his wife.
After dinner, everyone sat in the room drinking tea and teasing the now-walking Qu Zhimu.
Once the little one tired herself out playing in the hall, she rested directly by Lin Xizhao’s side.
Zhao Jiayu called for her several times to no avail, so Lin Xizhao had to scoop her up. It was nearly her bedtime anyway, and soon the little one couldn’t even keep her eyes open.
Lin Xizhao didn’t even need to coax her; just holding her and gazing down at her gently was enough to send her to sleep.
Lately, however, Zhao Jiayu had noticed that her daughter seemed different from ordinary children. She couldn’t articulate exactly how.
It seemed she was only lively when she was around Lin Xizhao.
“Give her to me.” Zhao Jiayu reached out to take her. Lin Xizhao tried to hand little Zhimu over, but the child woke the moment she was moved.
Sensing that Lin Xizhao was trying to pass her to her own mother, Qu Zhimu’s little mouth puckered, ready to cry. Lin Xizhao had no choice but to pull her back into her embrace.
This time, the toddler’s fists gripped Lin Xizhao’s sleeves even tighter.
Just as the little one was about to drift off, Zhao Jiayu tried again. At the slightest shift, the baby popped one eye open, looked up at the person holding her, and upon realizing it wasn’t Lin Xizhao, burst into loud wails.
After a few rounds of this, Zhao Jiayu lost her patience and wanted to hand her off to the wet nurse. But Lin Xizhao said, “Why don’t you let her sleep with me tonight?”
“How can I do that? Little Sheng’er nagged my ears off before she left. She’s too fussy at night; I’m worried you won’t sleep well,” Zhao Jiayu said hurriedly.
Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved in amusement. “It’s no trouble. If you don’t tell her, how will she know? Having this little hand-warmer at night is something I could only wish for.”
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Zhao Jiayu knew she wasn’t just being polite. She glanced at Qu Yu, and seeing his nod, she agreed.
Zhao Jiayu escorted Lin Xizhao back to her courtyard. Seeing the little girl still sleeping soundly after Lin Xizhao laid her on the bed, she left feeling reassured.
By the time Lin Xizhao finished washing up, changed into her nightclothes, and climbed into bed, the little one was sleeping peacefully and had already warmed up the blankets.
Lin Xizhao slipped under the covers. Before long, the toddler snuggled up against her. Her soft, squishy little face looked exactly like Qu Sheng had at three years old. A smile touched Lin Xizhao’s lips. She pressed a gentle kiss to the baby’s forehead and went to sleep.
Early the next morning, Qu Zhimu’s wet nurse came over. Once the adult and child awoke, she hurried inside to attend to them.
Maids helped Lin Xizhao into her outer robes, while the wet nurse took little Zhimu to wash her face.
The wet nurse carried little Zhimu back over. Although Lin Xizhao was dressed in plain mourning white, her gentle, elegant demeanor still drew the toddler in, making her kick her arms and legs, demanding Lin Xizhao hold her.
Lin Xizhao smiled, took her into her arms, and carried her to the front hall for breakfast.
Zhao Jiayu was tending to Qu Yu and hadn’t come over yet. Lin Xizhao was playing with little Zhimu in the hall when she heard the butler reporting to Jin Yunfei that the Jin family had arrived.
Jin Yunyou had brought his son to the capital to report on his official duties; they had come straight here after leaving the palace.
Hearing this, Jin Yunfei looked up at Lin Xizhao, who was teasing little Zhimu. Lin Xizhao had heard it too. Meeting Jin Yunfei’s eyes, she instantly thought of Qu Sheng’s jealousy. She scooped up the playing toddler and said softly, “Since Uncle and Cousin have arrived, this daughter will take Mu’er back to the courtyard.”
Jin Yunfei opened her mouth to say there was no need, but Lin Xizhao had already curtsied and was walking out with little Zhimu in her arms.
Seeing this, Jin Yunfei didn’t press the matter. If Qu Sheng were here, she certainly wouldn’t allow Lin Xizhao to see Jin Mingjun.
Since Lin Xizhao was deliberately avoiding him, Jin Yunfei couldn’t very well force her to stay.
The Jin family soon entered the estate. Jin Yunfei welcomed them, and after Qu Jixian exchanged pleasantries, they were invited to stay for breakfast.
Jin Yunfei sent someone to invite Lin Xizhao. Knowing that her Jin family uncle had stayed, Lin Xizhao sent word back that little Zhimu was terribly sleepy today, using it as an excuse to decline.
As the maid relayed Lin Xizhao’s message to Jin Yunfei, Zhao Jiayu listened in confusion. She was about to go check on Lin Xizhao, but Qu Yu pulled her back down into her seat, giving her a subtle shake of his head.
Zhao Jiayu blinked. Her initial bewilderment faded into realization—Lin Xizhao was hiding from the Jin family.
Once she figured this out, the look she gave the Jin family cousin, Jin Mingjun, soured considerably.
Jin Mingjun’s expression was rather poor as well. Hearing the maid’s report, he stared in disbelief. Looking at Jin Yunfei, he asked, “I heard Xizhao-meimei has been staying at the residence lately. When did she marry and have a child?” The maid had just referred to the baby as the ‘Little Miss.’
He had heard rumors that Qu Sheng took Lin Xizhao to the military camp during the rebellion, but it was only hearsay; he had never seen her himself.
Everyone at the table looked up. Jin Yunfei glanced at her nephew, but just as she was about to explain, the Third Aunt of the Qu family laughed. “It’s not Zhao’er’s child. It’s your cousin Yu’s daughter, just over a year old. She clings to Zhao’er every time; last night she fussed until she got to sleep in her room.”
Hearing this, Jin Mingjun looked visibly relieved. Seeing his reaction left a bad taste in Zhao Jiayu’s mouth. She secretly rolled her eyes at him and began eating once everyone else picked up their chopsticks.
Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu ate in silence. Since the two most talkative people at the table weren’t speaking, and there were unfamiliar faces present, the meal was relatively quiet.
After breakfast, Zhao Jiayu hurried over to Lin Xizhao’s quarters. The toddler was eating with relish as Lin Xizhao fed her—she wasn’t the least bit sleepy.
Seeing Zhao Jiayu enter, Lin Xizhao arched an eyebrow and teased, “What, are you worried about me looking after her?”
“How could I be? Out of the entire household, I don’t even trust myself, but you are the one person I absolutely trust to take perfect care of her.”
Listening to Zhao Jiayu’s sweet words, Lin Xizhao smiled and went back to feeding Qu Zhimu.
“How is it? Have you recaptured the feeling of feeding little Sheng’er? We met her when she was three; doesn’t our daughter let you make up for the regret of not looking after Sheng’er before she turned three?” Zhao Jiayu said, her face beaming.
Lin Xizhao didn’t seem to struggle at all with looking after the child. Moreover, strange as it was, her daughter was exceptionally well-behaved whenever she was with Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao chuckled. Recalling how Jin Yunfei had told her that Qu Sheng had started feeding herself at one year old, she shook her head. It was best not to burst Zhao Jiayu’s bubble.
Once the toddler was fed, Zhao Jiayu held her and played off to the side, while Lin Xizhao finally ate her own meal.
“That Jin family cousin—why do I get the feeling he came here specifically for you?” Zhao Jiayu asked, holding her daughter’s hands and guiding her to walk.
Lin Xizhao glanced over, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
When no answer came, Zhao Jiayu turned to look. Seeing Lin Xizhao’s puzzled expression, she explained, “He said today that he heard you were staying here recently. Why does it feel like he’s asking around about you? Did they always come here when they visited the capital to report on their duties before?”
Lin Xizhao swallowed her food slowly. “I’ve heard Mother say they do come, but usually just for a brief meeting before leaving. They never stayed long.”
In fact, they hadn’t seen each other in many years.
Zhao Jiayu pouted. “Listening to them talk just now, it sounds like they plan to stay here for a few days.”
“Mn.” Lin Xizhao offered a soft hum, not seeming to care much.
Seeing her indifference, Zhao Jiayu hurriedly pressed, “Why aren’t you reacting at all?”
Lin Xizhao was taken aback for a second before laughing. “How do you want me to react?”
“He’s here coveting your wife’s wife! Aren’t you angry?”
Zhao Jiayu’s tongue-twister nearly spun Lin Xizhao around. Hearing her righteous indignation, Lin Xizhao nodded along, feigning gravity. “Yes, I suppose I should be angry. So, if I just don’t see him, that solves it, right?”
If she didn’t see him, there would be no trouble. She hadn’t planned on seeing him anyway.
Qu Sheng always got angry whenever someone else liked her. Since she was currently away from the capital, if Lin Xizhao had any entanglement with Jin Mingjun and word reached Qu Sheng, it might disturb her peace of mind and distract her. Avoiding him altogether would eliminate the possibility.
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s half-joking tone, Zhao Jiayu blinked and laughed. “That is a good method.”
But while Lin Xizhao had no desire to see him, there was someone deliberately scheming to see her.
The Jin family did not leave that day. Since Jin Yunfei was their blood relative, she couldn’t kick them out.
That afternoon, before lunch, Jin Yunyou stepped forward to say they intended to buy a house in the capital. They were currently staying at a posthouse, but with New Year’s Eve approaching, the place was too crowded and chaotic. He asked if they could stay at the residence for a few days; once they bought a property, they would move out.
Naturally, Jin Yunfei couldn’t refuse. Her own biological brother had come knocking to ask; how could she turn him away? Even if Qu Jinian were here, he wouldn’t have been able to refuse either.
Once Jin Yunfei agreed, the Jin family father and son moved in. When Zhao Jiayu heard the news around noon, she completely lost her appetite.
As soon as lunch was over, she rushed off to tell Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao wasn’t terribly bothered by the news. As long as she didn’t leave her courtyard, could the men of the Jin family really force their way in?
However, this meant she would inevitably have to neglect certain matters of etiquette, so she needed to inform Jin Yunfei in advance.
A few days later, Jin Mingyi and Zhu Ming’an returned from Shoulin. They planned to spend New Year’s Eve with Lin Xizhao and the others.
The north wind was piercing. Fine, sweeping snow fell rapidly, blanketing the army tents in a layer of pure white. Overnight, the Northern Frontier had been dressed in silver.
Qu Sheng returned from eating lunch at Qu Jiqin’s camp. As she untied her cloak, her gaze flicked toward her makeshift desk.
She had heard that letters from the capital had arrived and had hurried back after barely taking a few bites. Seeing the missive on the desk, Qu Sheng quickened her pace, crossing the distance in two or three strides. She stopped untying her cloak and picked up the letter with both hands, her lips curving into a smile as sweet as honey.
My wife, Qu Sheng.
She didn’t need to read anything else; those few words alone made the corners of Qu Sheng’s mouth lift uncontrollably. But the content that followed made her smile vanish.
Mu’er is already a year old, but her behavior is vastly different from ordinary children. Jiayu has mentioned this to me several times, feeling incredibly anxious. Please ask Physician Liu for clear guidance. Her differences are as follows: she rarely speaks, ignores people when called, is quick to anger, and prone to violence…
By the time Qu Sheng finished reading Lin Xizhao’s letter, her brow had slowly knit together. She quickly shoved the letter back into its envelope, re-tied her half-undone cloak, and left the tent to find Liu Wuxiang.
Liu Wuxiang read the letter Qu Sheng brought him, looking completely unsurprised. He set the letter aside and quickly wrote out a prescription, handing it to Qu Sheng. “Fill this prescription and make the medicine into sugar pills for her to eat. Have her take them consistently for twenty days, then we’ll see.”
Qu Sheng took the prescription, glanced down at it, and nodded briskly. “Alright. I’ll write back to the capital immediately.”
She turned to go, but before she took a single step, she spun back around and snatched Lin Xizhao’s letter off the desk.
Watching Qu Sheng hastily depart with the letter in hand, Liu Wuxiang stroked his beard. Smiling with great amusement, he muttered the two words he had spotted at the start of the letter: “My wife.”
Back in her tent, Qu Sheng wrote her reply to Lin Xizhao. She told her not to worry too much and to let nature take its course; even if something was wrong with Qu Zhimu, the Qu family could take care of her for a lifetime.
She had the letter sent off. Watching the courier ride away, Qu Sheng stared into the distance, feeling an empty hollow in her chest. In this letter, Lin Xizhao hadn’t mentioned missing her.
In her previous letters, she had always written the sweet things Qu Sheng loved to hear. But this time, apart from the opening, she hadn’t said a single word about longing for her.
Qu Sheng retreated into her tent, looking entirely crestfallen. When Qian Shuangying came by to help her tidy up and asked why she looked so unhappy, Qu Sheng merely shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she replied flatly.
She would sort out her emotions eventually; she just didn’t know how long it would take.
Finished cleaning, Qian Shuangying saw Qu Sheng still sitting there in a daze. Filled with concern, she reminded her, “Fifth Sister, don’t let this delay tonight’s plans.”
Qu Sheng glanced over. After a moment, she nodded, her expression solemn. “Don’t worry, Third Sister-in-law. Nothing will go wrong.”
Lunar New Year’s Eve was the most important festival in Tiansheng, but this was not the case for the nations north of the border. Qu Sheng had anticipated that the five kingdoms would launch a sneak attack while they were celebrating the new year, and she had drawn up a battle plan in advance.
However, Qu Sheng’s gloom didn’t even last the night; it was entirely soothed away that afternoon when she received Lin Xizhao’s second letter.
It was pages full of longing and yearning. Reading it, Qu Sheng’s heart brimmed with sweetness once more.
The Capital City, Lunar New Year’s Eve.
The Jin family father and son had been staying at the residence for several days. Not only did they show no signs of leaving, but they had also brought over the Jin family aunt and her other two sons.
Hearing that her family had the audacity to spend the New Year at the Qu residence, Jin Mingyi stomped her foot in anger.
“Then where are we supposed to spend the New Year?” Jin Mingyi let out an exasperated groan.
“You, don’t want to spend, the Spring Festival, with your family?” Zhu Ming’an had forgone staying with her own family specifically to keep Jin Mingyi company.
Jin Mingyi’s face pulled into a long scowl. Remembering her family trying to force her into marriage, she pouted. “Only a ghost would want to be with them.”
She had originally planned to spend the New Year with Zhu Ming’an at the Qu residence, enjoying the lively atmosphere with Lin Xizhao and fulfilling Qu Sheng’s request to look after her. But now that her entire family had moved in, she didn’t even have the face to go over there.
She knew exactly what her family was plotting. “No, you need to hurry over and tell my cousin-in-law to watch out for my brother. It’s best if they don’t cross paths.”
“Right, now?” Zhu Ming’an asked.
Jin Mingyi nodded vigorously. “Yes. There’s no time to waste.”
Receiving Jin Mingyi’s ‘order,’ Zhu Ming’an hurriedly took a carriage from Lin Xizhao’s small courtyard to the Qu Residence.
Because Zhu Ming’an was only formally calling upon Lin Xizhao, she was quickly admitted into the estate. Lin Xizhao was currently teasing little Qu Zhimu.
“Ming’an is here,” Lin Xizhao said mildly, picking up Qu Zhimu as Zhu Ming’an walked over.
Hearing her voice, Zhu Ming’an looked up, a smile touching her face. She bowed in greeting and smiled. “Pardon the, intrusion.”
Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved as she invited her to sit. “Have a seat.” Once Zhu Ming’an sat down, Lin Xizhao added, “The Zhu family and our Qu family are generational friends, and you and my older cousin are as close as sisters. There is no need for such formality between us, so there is no intrusion.”
Hearing this, Zhu Ming’an felt the distance between her and Lin Xizhao close considerably. She smiled. “Alright, it’s my, fault for being too distant.”
Lin Xizhao let out a soft laugh and asked, “Why didn’t my cousin come with you today?”
She had already heard from the servants at the small courtyard that Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi were back. She had originally planned to go see them, but found herself trapped in the estate.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t go out, but if she did, she would have to send someone to inform Jin Yunfei. She was afraid the Jin family would stage another “accidental” encounter, so it was better to stay put.
“She, she doesn’t want to see, her family,” Zhu Ming’an explained.
Lin Xizhao gave a slight nod and adjusted her hold on Qu Zhimu. “Then what brings you to see me today?”
“Mn. Mingyi asked me, to tell you, to avoid them, the Jin family. The Jin family wants, to take a wife. You, had better not, meet him.”
Though Zhu Ming’an spoke slowly, her meaning was perfectly clear.
Lin Xizhao smiled, her eyes curving. “Alright, I understand.”
Having delivered the message, Zhu Ming’an showed no signs of leaving. She sat there, her hands clutching her knees, her fingers digging nervously as if she had something more to say.
Noticing this, Lin Xizhao first took out a handkerchief to wipe away the drool from little Zhimu’s mouth. Then, in a gentle voice, she asked as if in passing, “How have you and my cousin been lately?”
Being asked the very question she had wanted to broach, Zhu Ming’an’s restless fingers froze. She looked up and hurriedly said, “I, I, I, just, just, just, have something, to, to, to ask… ask you.” In her excitement, Zhu Ming’an began to stutter wildly again.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “If you don’t come back, someone’s going to steal your wife!”
Qu Sheng: “!!!”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
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Footnotes
- A traditional Chinese time period equal to two hours. 'Half a shichen' is approximately one hour.
- A traditional Chinese unit of distance. One li is approximately 500 metres.
- Corresponding to the period from roughly 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
- Lunar New Year's Eve, the most important traditional festival, marking the end of the year and a time for family reunions.
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