The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 164
by Little PandaThe Hostage Exchange
When Qu Jiqin heard that Qu Sheng intended to take only two thousand soldiers to the exchange point designated by the enemy, he came immediately to her location.
Qu Sheng heard the soldier’s report, folded the letter in her hands, and carefully placed it in the wooden box that was nearly full. After closing the lid, she put on her armor and exited the tent.
Seeing Qu Jiqin approach, she asked, “Why has Third Uncle come?” Qu Jiqin’s main camp was not at this location.
Worry filled Qu Jiqin’s eyes. “You are the commander of the three armies and cannot afford the slightest mishap. I think I should go in your stead to bring your Third Brother back.”
“Rest assured, Third Uncle. I have already sent people to scout the location chosen by the Chemu Tribe. It is surrounded by mountains on both sides—indeed a good place for an ambush—but I already have a countermeasure. Third Uncle need not worry.”
Qu Jiqin wanted to persuade her further, but Qian Shuangying arrived. Seeing the two speaking outside the tent, Qian Shuangying guessed it was about the exchange for Qu Ting.
“Father.” Qian Shuangying first bowed.
Qu Jiqin nodded, looking at his daughter-in-law who had followed him to the Northern Frontier. Her thin appearance filled his eyes with heartache. The Chemu Tribe claimed they wanted to exchange Qu Ting for their prince, but they had no way of knowing whether there was any deception involved.
“Sheng-meimei, I am ready. Shall we set out now?” Qian Shuangying looked at Qu Sheng, her eyes bright with hope that Qu Ting was still alive.
Qu Sheng nodded. “Yes, I have given the orders. We are just waiting for Third Sister-in-law to set out together.”
“Good.” Qian Shuangying tightened her grip on her sword.
Qu Sheng looked at Qu Jiqin, who seemed about to speak but hesitated. “Third Uncle, guard the camp well. If there is any unusual movement, proceed according to what we discussed beforehand.”
Qu Jiqin knew now that he could not dissuade Qu Sheng, so he could only nod. “Good. Third Uncle will wait for your return.”
Qu Sheng left the camp, selected her soldiers, mounted her horse, two light swords at her waist, and rode off with Qian Shuangying.
One thousand heavy infantry and one thousand cavalry followed. Half a shichen1 later, they arrived at the location designated by the Chemu Tribe. Qu Sheng sat on her horse, surveying the surrounding mountains. In winter, the trees had nothing but bare branches, but because the Northern Frontier had much wind and snow, icicles hung from the branches while a thick layer of white frost covered them.
Even if there were ambushers, they were not impossible to overcome. The Chemu Tribe had chosen this place, agreeing not to engage in battle, but for an invader, how could Qu Sheng trust them completely?
Qu Sheng reined in her horse and stood in place. Soon, she saw the Chemu Tribe’s carriage approaching.
Fur caps were the distinctive attire of the Chemu Tribe. Qu Sheng scanned the group and quickly spotted a general she had fought against before.
This man was said to be the strategist for the Chemu Tribe’s prince. The exchange plan was likely his decision.
As the Chemu Tribe’s forces approached Qu Sheng’s army, the warhorse beneath Qu Sheng pawed the ground uneasily. Qu Sheng glanced at the surrounding forest, then turned to the Assistant Commander behind her.
The Assistant Commander understood and immediately rode away.
“Tiansheng actually sends General Qu, a mere woman, to command a million soldiers. Has Tiansheng run out of usable men? Hahaha.” The Chemu Tribe strategist appeared and immediately mocked Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng’s expression remained cold. She snorted and said, “In my Tiansheng, whether man or woman, all are loyal heroes. Whether the invaders are humans or ghosts, as long as they are my Tiansheng’s subjects, they can all draw swords to kill them. I, Qu Sheng alone, have made you flee like stray dogs in defeat after defeat—isn’t that because everyone in your army is useless trash?”
“You—!”
The Chemu Tribe strategist frowned, stymied. Before he could retort, someone behind Qu Sheng dragged out their prince. Bound tightly, stripped of his upper garment in this winter cold, a feather stuck in his hair.
In Tiansheng territory, anyone with a feather or wild grass stuck in their hair was regarded as a slave. The Chemu Tribe strategist knew some of Tiansheng’s customs, and his lips tightened in anger, his brow furrowing. The warhorse beneath him also pawed the ground continuously.
Qu Sheng looked at him coolly, wasting no words. She called out, “Where is my Third Brother?”
Qu Sheng shouted, but the Chemu Tribe did not respond for a long time. The Assistant Commander standing behind the Chemu Tribe prince kicked him in the back, forcing him to his knees.
This action startled the Chemu Tribe strategist into hurriedly gesturing for them to bring their hostage forward.
Qian Shuangying sat on her horse, gripping the reins tightly, her face tense with anxiety, wishing she could run directly to the enemy camp to check if the hostage in their hands was Qu Ting.
“Third Sister-in-law, don’t be anxious.” Qu Sheng glanced at Qian Shuangying, knowing she was impatient, and also afraid she might rush over recklessly and disrupt their arrangements.
Qian Shuangying controlled her agitated emotions. She looked at Qu Sheng and nodded. “Yes.”
Soon, from the enemy ranks, a figure appeared—thin as if boneless, wearing tattered clothes, walking so weakly he could barely make large movements. Qu Sheng frowned.
The way he walked seemed somewhat like Qu Ting, but his appearance was unrecognizable. His hair was matted, covering his face, his whole body filthy, as if he had suffered immense inhuman torture.
“Third Sister-in-law, can you tell if that is my Third Brother?” Qu Sheng kept her eyes on the hostage in the enemy camp, asking Qian Shuangying beside her.
By now, Qian Shuangying’s face was already streaming with tears. She had never seen Qu Ting like this, but after years of marriage, how could she not recognize him?
“Yes, it’s him…”
Qu Sheng heard Qian Shuangying’s confirmation and immediately raised her hand to have the hostage exchanged. Fearing any further mishap if they delayed.
The Assistant Commander behind Qu Sheng pulled the person up and pushed him forward, but Qu Ting could not walk as fast as the Chemu Tribe prince.
Seeing the Chemu Tribe prince about to reach the enemy camp, Qu Sheng did not hesitate. She immediately leaped from her horse, stepped on the horse’s hindquarters, flew toward Qu Ting, caught him, and swiftly carried him back.
Qu Sheng did not even have time to recognize him clearly before bringing him back. When they landed, Qian Shuangying, who had already dismounted, ran over. Only then did Qu Sheng see that Qu Ting’s eyes were dull, and clear knife scars were visible on his face.
“Husband, husband.” Qian Shuangying called out to Qu Ting in agitation, reaching to hold his hand, only to discover that his right arm was missing.
Qian Shuangying followed the empty sleeve, reaching forward, but still found no arm. She froze in place.
Qu Sheng also saw this, her lips trembling, tears of hatred sliding down. In an instant, she turned, drew the bow from her back, and fired three arrows in rapid succession at the Chemu Tribe prince.
The Chemu Tribe prince fell. The Chemu Tribe forces immediately fell into disarray.
“You broke your word, despicable villains!” The Chemu Tribe strategist helped up their prince and immediately began cursing.
At this moment, the prince had been hit by arrows but not fatally. Those men dragged their prince and hurriedly retreated toward the rear of their army.
“We broke our word? Then how do you explain the ambush you set here?!” Qu Sheng roared, pointing toward the mountains. The snow on those tree branches had been reduced by half—if not for a large number of people passing through, it would not have fallen off.
Seeing their plot exposed, the Chemu Tribe immediately gave the order, but the moment the horn sounded, an avalanche began in the mountains.
The accumulated snow on the high peaks slowly collapsed. The enemy soldiers hiding in the forest wrapped in snow heard the commotion and all turned to look. For a moment, chaos reigned. They all rushed toward the flat ground, but Qu Sheng’s heavy infantry and cavalry had already begun slaughtering them there.
The Chemu Tribe camp saw this and immediately ordered a retreat, avoiding the collapsing mountain snow. Qu Sheng also withdrew her hateful gaze and had Qu Ting placed on a horse, letting Qian Shuangying take him away.
Back in the military camp, Qu Sheng carried Qu Ting forward while urgently sending someone to summon Liu Wuxiang.
Qu Ting was placed in Qian Shuangying’s tent, sitting there blankly, saying nothing. Qian Shuangying wiped his face and arranged his hair, but he just sat there, staring straight at the ground.
Qu Sheng watched Qian Shuangying holding back tears, biting her lower lip tightly. She frowned and exited the tent, asking, “Why hasn’t Doctor Liu arrived yet?”
“Replying to General, the Pillar of the State has woken. Doctor Liu is examining him and will arrive shortly.” A soldier who had hurried back bowed and reported.
“My father has woken?” Surprised and delighted, Qu Sheng’s expression relaxed slightly.
“Yes.” The soldier bowed his head and reported.
Qu Sheng looked back. Qian Shuangying was still wiping Qu Ting’s face. After thinking for a moment, Qu Sheng exited the tent. She entered Qu Jinian’s tent, where Doctor Liu was treating Qu Jinian with acupuncture.
Although Qu Sheng was puzzled, she did not interrupt until Liu Wuxiang withdrew his hand. Only after Liu Wuxiang put away the silver needles did he whisper, “Third Young Master Qu has returned?”
“Yes, thank you for your trouble, Doctor Liu. Please take a look.” Qu Sheng said hurriedly.
Doctor Liu nodded and was about to leave when Qu Sheng asked, “I just heard the soldier say my father woke up. How is he now?”
When Qu Sheng had entered earlier, Qu Jinian had his eyes closed, showing no sign of waking.
“Oh, just some signs. The poison in his body was too intense before, and it may have damaged his brain… Sigh, this old man told you about this before.”
Qu Sheng nodded. “Yes, you also said before that if my father can wake up, he should be fine. Earlier… I was too anxious.”
Liu Wuxiang nodded. “Recovering your father’s health is not something that can be done in a day. Saving his life was already fortunate. You cannot rush it.”
Qu Sheng nodded, glanced at Qu Jinian who was sleeping with closed eyes, and followed Liu Wuxiang’s footsteps.
The two went to Qian Shuangying’s tent. Liu Wuxiang was slightly startled when he first saw Qu Ting. When Qian Shuangying saw Liu Wuxiang arrive, hope appeared in her eyes, and she said hurriedly, “Please, Doctor Liu, treat my husband.”
Liu Wuxiang nodded. Qu Sheng helped him set down his medicine box, placed it aside, and watched as Liu Wuxiang began to examine Qu Ting.
Qu Ting had lost his right arm, his expression dazed. Liu Wuxiang rolled up his sleeves and felt Qu Ting’s left arm.
Liu Wuxiang’s eyelids twitched slightly. Qu Sheng and Qian Shuangying were both anxious with worry.
While taking his pulse, Liu Wuxiang reached out to open Qu Ting’s eyes. Seeing that he did not react much, he withdrew his hand, stroked his beard, and said, “He has been poisoned.”
“Can it be cured?” Qu Sheng had suspected poisoning from the start. Hearing the confirmed answer, she could not help but worry.
“The poison he was afflicted with is the same as your father’s, but he has already woken up, while your father has not yet.”
Qu Sheng heard Liu Wuxiang’s words, her heart skipping a beat, and she asked hurriedly, “Then can my Third Brother’s condition be cured?”
Liu Wuxiang had said before that Qu Jinian’s poison was neutralized, but they had to wait for him to wake up, and after waking there would be a long recovery process. So Qu Ting was now in the stage of needing recovery.
Liu Wuxiang shook his head. “This old man is not certain. This old man studied this poison before and does not have complete confidence. This old man can only preserve his life and slowly nurse him back to health. Third Young Master Qu, like your father, needs a long process.” Liu Wuxiang had discussed this with Qu Sheng before.
Qian Shuangying heard this, her mind going blank for an instant. She looked dejectedly at Qu Ting, but slowly, hope returned to her eyes. Qu Ting was still alive—wasn’t that the greatest fortune?
“This old man will prescribe some medicine for him first. Let’s see how he responds after taking a few doses.” Liu Wuxiang went to the side and wrote a prescription.
Qu Sheng took the prescription and had someone fetch the medicine. She looked back at Qu Ting, who was wearing a cloak over his tattered, filthy clothes. Qu Sheng glanced at Liu Wuxiang and asked, “Can my Third Brother bathe?”
Liu Wuxiang looked at Qu Ting and said, “Yes. The wounds on his body have already healed and scabbed over. You can bathe him and change his clothes.”
After Liu Wuxiang finished speaking and walked outside, Qu Sheng looked at Qian Shuangying. Although Qu Sheng and Qu Ting were siblings, she could not help here.
“Sheng-meimei, go. I can take care of him.” Qian Shuangying forced a smile.
Qu Sheng heard this, looked at Qu Ting with worry, nodded, and left.
Qu Sheng followed Liu Wuxiang to his quarters and asked about Qu Ting’s condition.
“Doctor Liu, how much confidence do you have in my Third Brother’s condition?”
Liu Wuxiang saw Qu Sheng’s anxious appearance, thought carefully, and said, “Not much confidence. This poison was developed by the Chemu Tribe’s royal family. This old man has heard people mention it before. If a victim survives, the two most common symptoms are becoming a living dead person2, or becoming like a three-year-old child.”
“Then if my father wakes up, will he be like my Third Brother too?” Qu Sheng asked anxiously.
Liu Wuxiang nodded. “This old man is not sure. Everyone’s symptoms are different. This old man just examined the toxins in Third Young Master’s body—the poison has been neutralized, though some residue remains. His internal organs are intact. If he wakes from his dream one day, he should be fine.”
“What do you mean?” Qu Sheng did not understand what Liu Wuxiang was saying.
Liu Wuxiang looked up at Qu Sheng, stroked his beard, and said, “He is currently living in his own dream.”
Qu Residence.
Many days had passed since the New Year’s Day festival. The Jin family still had not left. Lin Xizhao stayed in the residence’s courtyard as usual, not going out. Court officials had begun attending morning court.
Qu Jixian, the Qu family’s Second Uncle, was holding down the fort in the capital and was aware of Qu Sheng’s plans. Every day he stood before the throne, listening to the reports of civil and military officials.
At this moment, the Emperor was like a decoration, but there were still those in court unwilling to give up, making plans for the Crown Prince and the Emperor. Seeing that the war at the Northern Frontier was at a stalemate, the pro-imperial faction began to make moves. Qu Jixian had been in charge in Shoulin for so many years—how could he be a paper tiger?
Before these people could make any moves, Qu Jixian nipped them in the bud.
Seeing that Qu Jixian’s methods were no less effective than Qu Sheng’s, the court temporarily quieted down, waiting for an opportunity.
On this day, the weather was clear, with no wind in the courtyard. Lin Xizhao was holding Qu Zhimu, playing with Zhao Jiayu in the courtyard, when they suddenly heard noise outside. They both looked toward the courtyard gate.
The two children from the Jin family had not come these past two days. Lin Xizhao had not sent anyone to ask, thinking things would remain peaceful, but today when she heard children’s noise, Lin Xizhao and Zhao Jiayu exchanged a glance, knowing the Jin family was up to something again.
“You take Zhimu back to the room first. I will go see.” Zhao Jiayu stood up and placed the thick blanket she was holding over Qu Zhimu.
Lin Xizhao nodded, glanced at the courtyard gate, and carried Qu Zhimu back inside.
Zhao Jiayu walked unhurriedly toward the courtyard gate. Feng Qi stood at the gate, looking coldly at one side of the entrance. Zhao Jiayu poked her head out and saw the Jin family’s old lady hitting the Jin family’s eldest son. She said “Oh” and pretended to be surprised. “Aunt, what are you doing? How can you hit a child?”
Aunt Jin heard this, looked up at Zhao Jiayu, and the ferocity on her face receded. She smiled hurriedly. “The child would not listen, insisting on seeing his eldest aunt. He ran over here the moment I was not looking. I had no choice.”
Zhao Jiayu looked at Jin Weifu, the Jin family’s eldest son, with his pouting face. This was not about wanting to see Lin Xizhao—this was clearly about not wanting to come, being forced to come.
Zhao Jiayu smiled and just stood there watching, not responding.
Aunt Jin looked behind Zhao Jiayu, did not see Lin Xizhao, and after a standoff where Zhao Jiayu did not invite them into the courtyard, looked at her eldest grandson and could only say, “Why are you not going back? Standing here making a fool of yourself.”
Jin Weifu heard this, his chest heaving with anger. He did not say a word and walked away directly. The younger one, seeing his brother angry and having just watched his grandmother hit his brother, hurriedly chased after him.
Aunt Jin looked up at Zhao Jiayu, gave a dry laugh, and wanted to speak, but Zhao Jiayu did not respond, just watching with a fake smile.
Aunt Jin knew the plan to enter through the children would not work, and she left in frustration.
Zhao Jiayu watched the old lady walk away and hurriedly returned inside. Lin Xizhao was holding Qu Zhimu in her lap, the two of them holding hands and playing.
Hearing her daughter’s giggles, Zhao Jiayu felt happy too.
“They are gone?” Lin Xizhao looked up and asked casually.
Zhao Jiayu nodded. “Gone.”
“Lingyi is holding a lantern festival in fifteen cities. Uncle and Aunt need to return, so they will not stay long.” Lin Xizhao was not worried about the Jin family staying here indefinitely.
Lingyi placed great importance on the Yuanxiao Festival3. She had heard that night, the territory would hold a grand dance party where men and women, young and old, could all participate—it was a major festival.
Lin Xizhao thought of this and suddenly remembered her mother. When she was young, her mother had her learn dance—presumably that was preparation for marrying into the Jin family. What a pity that her mother had also misjudged sometimes, having the engagement ruined by the Jin family.
At noon, Lin Xizhao was eating lunch in the courtyard when Zhao Jiayu brought news that the Jin family had taken their leave and would leave tomorrow.
Lin Xizhao was eating and was not too distracted, just giving a soft “mm” in response. Zhao Jiayu saw Lin Xizhao’s calm demeanor, took her daughter who had been fed and was being held by the wet nurse, and smiled. “Now Little Sheng has no more worries.”
Lin Xizhao looked at Zhao Jiayu and gave her a playful glare. She certainly hoped that was the case.
Sure enough, in the afternoon, the Jin family went to find Jin Yunfei. Jin Yunfei saw the whole family arrive, had tea served, and asked with a smile, “Eldest Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, have you come now because you are planning to leave early?”
Aunt Jin heard this, her expression worsening slightly. “We have only stayed a few days and you, Meimei, are already trying to drive us away. Why do you not show any family feeling at all?”
Jin Yunfei smiled. If she did not show family feeling, they would not be able to stay even a single day.
“Eldest Sister-in-law, what are you saying? The Qu family has plenty of space. You can stay as long as you like.”
Jin Yunyou heard this and smiled. “Your sister-in-law is joking. Yunfei, do not take it seriously.”
Jin Yunfei smiled at her eldest brother and asked, “Eldest Brother, is there something you need by coming to see me now?”
Jin Yunyou’s lips curled in a smile as he got straight to the point. “It is about Jun’s marriage. His wife has been dead for three years, and Fu and Zhen are still young and need someone to teach and care for them. I am thinking of arranging a marriage for him in the capital.”
Jin Yunfei heard this, nodded thoughtfully, and said, “Which family’s daughter has Eldest Brother set his eyes on?”
“It is not about setting eyes on someone—there was already a previous engagement.” Aunt Jin hurriedly interjected with a smile.
Jin Yunyou was displeased that his wife interrupted, his expression stiffening for a moment as he glared at her, signaling her to shut up.
“A previous engagement?” Jin Yunfei pretended to be surprised.
Jin Yunfei already knew that Lin Xizhao had an engagement with the Jin family. “Which family?” she asked, playing dumb.
“Meimei, do not play dumb. Xizhao is closest to you—how could you not know?” Aunt Jin smiled and deliberately made it clear. Last time Qu Sheng had呛ed the Jin family at the dinner table, Aunt Jin remembered it clearly.
Jin Yunfei’s originally smiling face froze, slowly turning cold, then slightly frosty.
Jin Yunyou saw this and blinked, seeming somewhat embarrassed to continue. Aunt Jin hurriedly winked at her son, motioning with her head for her son to step forward and beg Jin Yunfei.
“Aunt, your nephew knows that the previous broken engagement was our Jin family’s fault. But if I had seen Xizhao-meimei back then, I definitely would not have listened to my mother and chosen another family’s daughter. I regret it deeply. Now my wife has been dead for many years, and Xizhao-meimei has never married. Please, Aunt, make the decision for your nephew and help make this match, to fulfill your nephew’s devoted heart.” Jin Mingjun stood to the side, speaking in a low, sincere voice. His use of “we” pulled Jin Yunfei into their Jin family’s camp.
Jin Yunfei looked at her nephew, her eyes becoming somewhat distant, but she just stared without speaking.
The Jin family saw Jin Yunfei’s cold face. Aunt Jin hurriedly added, “That year was all my fault. I was blinded by greed4, short-sighted. I saw that the Feng family’s daughter was beautiful and her father was a marquis in the region, so I thought I would gain some benefit for our Jin family. I was momentarily foolish. Good Meizi, please, for the sake of your poor nephew, help him this once. Xizhao listens to you the most—if you make the decision, she will not refuse.”
Lin Xizhao had her own residence but did not live there, coming here instead. From childhood to adulthood, she had been under Jin Yunfei’s care. The Jin family figured that, like her mother, as long as Jin Yunfei spoke up, Lin Xizhao would surely agree.
Jin Yunfei did not speak, just waited for the Jin family to finish. After Aunt Jin finished, Jin Yunyou added, “Now our Jin family is not what it used to be. With Sheng’er here, no one dares look down on us anymore—they are all rushing to propose marriages. But I think a girl raised by you, Meimei, is more suitable for our Jin family. Jun is also very interested in her. Why do you not make the decision, Meimei, and betroth her to Jun?”
Jin Yunfei’s gaze shifted to her brother, her expression still cool. The Jin family saw this and could not figure out what Jin Yunfei was thinking.
Jin Mingjun looked at his mother. Aunt Jin winked again. Jin Mingjun did not hesitate at all—he knelt directly on the ground, his expression sorrowful and sincere. “Aunt, your nephew has been married before, but I have never been moved by any girl. Since I saw Xizhao-meimei that time here, it is like I lost my soul. I will not hide it from you—coming here to disturb you for so long was also because I begged my father and mother to come together. I wanted to be closer to Xizhao-meimei, to use my sincerity to move her over time, but I have seen her so few times. I also know that as a man, I should not privately meet with someone else’s daughter, but I just cannot stop thinking about it. This is the first time your nephew has liked a girl like this. I also know I am not worthy of Xizhao-meimei, but I just cannot let go. Aunt, if you are worried that Xizhao-meimei will be wronged marrying me, then your nephew swears that as long as Xizhao-meimei marries me, I will treat her well and never let her suffer any grievance. Please, Aunt, for the sake of our aunt-nephew relationship, fulfill your nephew’s wish.”
Jin Mingjun spoke a long string of moving words and bowed his head to the ground.
Footnotes
- A traditional Chinese unit of time. One shichen equals two hours.
- A Chinese term (huó sǐrén) meaning 'living dead' — someone who is physically alive but mentally unresponsive, existing in a catatonic or vegetative state.
- The Yuanxiao Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. It marks the end of the Lunar New Year celebrations with lantern displays, riddles, and traditional foods such as yuanxiao (sweet rice balls).
- A Chinese idiom (zhūyóu méng le xīn) meaning 'pig fat covered the heart.' It describes someone so blinded by greed or self-interest that they lose their moral compass and make terrible decisions.
I feel for Qu Ting 😭😭🤧💔