The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 166
by Little PandaNow You Know It’s Shameful?
Lin Xizhao sent someone to fetch Zhao Jiayu, intending to hand Qu Zhimu to her and then go to the Lin Residence. But Zhao Jiayu felt there was no need to be so anxious. She had heard that the Jin family had been bumped into a noseful of ash1 at Jin Yunfei’s place. Though nothing had been said explicitly, the relationship was likely strained.
Lin Xizhao thought it over and still decided to make a trip to the Lin Residence.
Seeing Lin Xizhao’s insistence, Zhao Jiayu handed her daughter to Qu Zhimu’s grandmother and accompanied her. Though her martial arts were lacking, at least her mouth could help Lin Xizhao — she would not let the Lin family suffer any disadvantage.
The two took a carriage and soon arrived outside the Lin Residence. The moment Lin Xizhao lifted the carriage curtain to step down, she saw scattered gifts on the ground. A moment later, a heavily made-up woman was thrown out from inside the Lin Residence — apparently a matchmaker from the Capital City.
Zhao Jiayu stared at the gifts on the ground and the woman who had fallen, her face blooming with delight. She hurriedly looked toward Lin Xizhao.
Seeing Lin Xizhao’s expression darken slightly, she immediately covered her mouth to hide her smile.
Lin Xizhao descended from the carriage, her brow lightly furrowed, and entered the residence with Zhao Jiayu in haste.
By now, quite a crowd of onlookers had gathered outside the Lin Residence. Inside, Aunt Jin was loudly cursing Lin Xirui.
“What do you think you are? A name with no substance! Which prince in Tiansheng doesn’t have his own territory? Your father was nothing but a dog of the previous emperor. That our Jin family would look upon you should be your good fortune—”
“Pah! Everyone in your Jin family knows that if not for Uncle Qu, there might not even be a Jin family today. Sheng-meimei is at the Northern Frontier right now, leading soldiers in bloody battle, while your Jin family throws its weight around on her coattails — and you still want my sister to be your replacement wife2? What kind of trash is that!” Lin Xirui, who had read so many books, was acting this wildly for the first time — he had something of Yu-shi’s shadow in him. But he knew that in all things, one must stand on reason.
The Jin family had come to pay respects, and he had treated them with courtesy. But wanting his sister to marry Jin Mingjun? In his dreams!
The reputation Lin Jianhai cared so much about was, in Lin Xirui’s view, all empty fame — useless to keep. As long as he could protect his family, he didn’t fear tearing his face off or letting everyone in the Capital City know that their Zhuangyuan had the manners of a ruffian.
“Xirui!” Lin Xizhao hurried over. She had heard their argument from outside the courtyard.
Inside, everyone turned toward the door. Jin Mingjun had been standing to the side with furrowed brows. The moment he saw Lin Xizhao, he suddenly grew anxious.
He worried his mother would turn her spear toward Lin Xizhao.
Sure enough, the moment Lin Xizhao entered the hall, Aunt Jin’s eyes filled with resentment the instant she saw her. “I wondered who it was — so it’s the one who has a home but won’t return. Before, you hid and wouldn’t show your face, but now you come running fast enough. I don’t know how the Lin family raises its children — even peddlers and porters know more about manners than you do.”
Lin Xizhao stood to the side, her brow slightly creased, all warmth gone from her face.
Aunt Jin’s barbs made Lin Xirui flare with anger at once. “Your Jin family certainly knows manners — coming to propose marriage while my father’s bones aren’t even cold. Is that showing him any respect? Don’t think I don’t know — you, Jin Mingjun, let your mother mistreat your late wife until she died of depression. Not even three years of mourning have passed, and you’re already thinking of marrying someone else. What a mannerly Jin family indeed! A widower wanting to marry a Junzhu from the House of King Wenze — forget being just a Shizi, even if it were the Crown Prince himself, we wouldn’t want him!”
“Enough!” Lin Xizhao called out urgently when she heard Lin Xirui speaking without restraint.
Zhao Jiayu stood to the side, listening to Lin Xirui’s retorts, genuinely impressed. She cast an admiring gaze his way. This was the first time she had seen this formerly sweet-tongued younger brother speak so sharply against the now-powerful Jin family for Lin Xizhao’s sake.
“You’re spouting nonsense — I’ll tear your mouth off!” Aunt Jin, hit where it hurt, lunged forward as if to strike Lin Xirui.
Lin Xirui might be a scholar, but he was still a man. How could he let her punch and kick at will? He stepped back half a body’s length and dodged her. But Aunt Jin, having missed, still tried to hit him. Lin Xirui couldn’t dodge in time and grabbed her wrist, pushing her to one side. Aunt Jin was about to fall when her son rushed over to catch her.
Seeing her son protecting her, Aunt Jin immediately began wailing. “My son! Your mother did this for you! Today we’re humiliated like this, and you still won’t do anything?”
Jin Mingjun knew martial arts — Lin Xirui was certainly no match for him.
His proposal rejected, his family’s dirty laundry dragged out for all to see, Jin Mingjun was holding in his anger too. He had always listened to his mother. Now that she had been insulted, he could no longer stand idly by.
Jin Mingjun grit his teeth in fury. The moment he helped his mother to her feet, he lunged toward Lin Xirui. Lin Xirui scrambled backward in alarm — and at that instant, Zhao Jiayu stepped in to block Jin Mingjun.
“Cousin, what are you doing?” Zhao Jiayu’s face went cold.
She had seen what just happened. Lin Xirui hadn’t been trying to hit his mother — his mother had been the one rushing forward to find a beating and a scolding. And this was the Lin Residence.
Lin Xizhao also stepped forward anxiously at this moment. Seeing Zhao Jiayu intercept him, she stopped.
“My son!” Aunt Jin saw Jin Mingjun wasn’t moving and immediately began wailing again.
As if controlled by something, Jin Mingjun clenched his fists and tried to go around Zhao Jiayu to strike Lin Xirui.
“Enough!” Jin Yunyou finally spoke.
Jin Yunyou looked at Lin Xizhao, who had gone from tense to relieved. Lin Xizhao’s tension wasn’t because she feared Jin Mingjun would hit her brother — she was worried about the two guards outside who were already prepared to enter the room.
One was Zhao Jiayu’s guard, Xu Jiang. The other was Feng Qi, whom Qu Sheng had assigned to Lin Xizhao — he had grown up with her.
Neither of them would hold back when protecting their master. Lin Xirui was Lin Xizhao’s own brother. Feng Qi certainly wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.
“Today’s matter is our Jin family’s fault. We have given offense today. Another day, we will send someone to apologize.” Jin Yunyou no longer had the face to stand here any longer.
Jin Yunyou walked toward the outside. The Jin mother and son remained standing in the hall. When Jin Yunyou reached the doorway, he glanced at Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao understood and followed him out.
“Today’s matter is my fault as your uncle.” Jin Yunyou took the blame on himself, still calling himself Lin Xizhao’s uncle — apparently not wanting things to become too ugly.
Lin Xizhao knew the reason. She simply stood there, neither speaking for Lin Xirui nor blaming him.
“Mingjun’s feelings for you — you’ve surely heard about them. Today’s unpleasantness with Shizi Lin is entirely my Jin family’s fault. We shouldn’t have come to propose marriage at this time. Though you’re a young lady, your uncle knows you’ve always been sensible. You’ve managed the Lin household’s affairs for years. Your uncle just wants to ask you one thing — is it that you don’t care for Mingjun?”
Jin Yunyou’s heart also ached for his son. Jin Mingjun had knelt and begged him multiple times back in Lingyi. After being mocked by Qu Sheng at the dinner table, his pride was thin — but for his son’s sake, he had thickened his face and come to the Capital City.
Just now, hearing his wife and Lin Xirui trading insults inside, he had also been angry at Lin Xirui’s sudden lack of restraint, so he let his wife argue back. Who knew it would spiral completely out of control?
Jin Yunyou’s question to Lin Xizhao was something he had weighed carefully. Lin Xizhao’s avoidance before — he hadn’t taken it to heart, thinking perhaps the young lady was shy, or that Jin Yunfei was interfering and didn’t want to marry Lin Xizhao to his son.
But coming to the Lin Residence today and seeing Lin Xirui defend his half-sister so fiercely — he hadn’t expected that. His wife had told him she assumed the two siblings had a grudge over their mother’s death, and that Lin Xirui would take the opportunity to send Lin Xizhao away since she managed the household. But instead…
“What Uncle says, Xizhao doesn’t know. Cousin Mingjun is talented and distinguished. It’s only Xizhao who has no such fortune.”
Jin Yunyou heard this and understood. He suddenly grasped why Lin Xirui had reacted so strongly to the proposal — it turned out Lin Xizhao was unwilling.
“May your uncle ask the reason?”
Setting aside Jin Mingjun being a widower, in Tiansheng today, apart from the Qu family, the Jin family was the high gate everyone wanted to climb. Lin Xizhao was the Qu family’s adopted daughter. Marrying Jin Mingjun would make the connection even closer — beneficial for all three families. He truly couldn’t understand. Was it really just because Jin Mingjun was a widower, or because of his wife?
“Xizhao already has someone in her heart.” Lin Xizhao admitted openly.
Jin Yunyou suddenly understood. He nodded and asked, “Then why haven’t I heard of this before?”
“My father didn’t agree before.”
“Which family’s young master is so lucky?” Jin Yunyou wanted to confirm the truth of Lin Xizhao’s words.
Lin Xizhao looked up at Jin Yunyou. Jin Yunyou saw she seemed unwilling to say, and smiled, about to say it was fine — but Lin Xizhao spoke: “He’s at the Northern Frontier right now, leading troops against the enemy.”
Jin Yunyou froze for a moment. His mind ran through several young generals at the Northern Frontier, but couldn’t guess which one.
“Does your adoptive mother know?”
“She knows.” Lin Xizhao answered firmly.
A young lady had been pressed this far — Jin Yunyou couldn’t ask any more. He said, “If that’s the case, then it’s my Mingjun who lacks the fortune. You’re a good girl. When you marry, send word to your uncle — there will be a generous gift.”
Lin Xizhao lowered her head. “Thank you, Uncle.”
Jin Yunyou nodded and glanced behind Lin Xizhao. His son was supporting his wife and walking toward him.
Jin Yunyou turned and didn’t wait for them.
Lin Xizhao saw them all the way to the gate. Jin Mingjun climbed into the carriage but couldn’t help looking back at Lin Xizhao. Perhaps someone inside the carriage pulled at him, because he had to nod at her before lowering the carriage curtain and departing.
Lin Xizhao watched the carriage grow distant, showing no particular reaction — only the courtesy a junior owed in seeing them off.
Zhao Jiayu watched the Jin family leave, heading in the direction of the Qu Residence. She glanced sideways at Lin Xizhao. “Should we wait a while before going back?”
Running into them at the Qu Residence would be awkward.
“Now you know it’s shameful?” Lin Xizhao shot her a look, then turned back toward the residence.
“Hey, I don’t think so. It’s not my shame anyway — I was just worried you’d be uncomfortable.” Zhao Jiayu hurried after her.
Lin Xirui was standing in the courtyard. When he saw his sister return, he rushed forward with a smile — but seeing Lin Xizhao’s unsmiling face, his smile slowly faded. He hung his head, waiting to be scolded.
Lin Xizhao sighed at the sight and walked past him into the room.
“Didn’t I tell you to avoid seeing them?” Lin Xizhao entered the room and turned to question Lin Xirui behind her.
Lin Xirui had one foot inside and one foot out. He stopped at her question, and only moved when Zhao Jiayu gave him a push from behind.
“That Jin family has no shame!” Lin Xirui’s temper flared again. He lowered his head but still talked back.
Lin Xizhao looked at her younger brother helplessly. This matter had started because of her. She had thought about telling the Jin family directly that she already had someone in her heart, but doing so directly would have been inappropriate — so she had chosen the worst option. And still, she couldn’t avoid this conflict.
But at least Jin Yunyou was reasonable.
Today the Jin family had lost all face. She didn’t know if that Jin family wife and Jin Mingjun would hold a grudge and seek revenge.
“Alright, Xirui did nothing wrong. Protecting his own sister — what fault is there in that? I’m on your side.” Zhao Jiayu patted Lin Xirui’s shoulder. The moment she finished speaking, Lin Xizhao saw a childish smile spread across Lin Xirui’s face — like a boy who’d gotten into a fight outside and come home to be praised by his elders.
“Someone needs to manage you.” Lin Xizhao looked at her brother with resignation, thinking it was time to discuss marriage for him. And Xikuan too.
Lin Xizhao didn’t scold Lin Xirui. They didn’t return to the residence until afternoon, by which time the Jin family had already left.
The moment Lin Xizhao returned, Jin Yunfei sent someone to summon her. She apologized for not being able to make the matter of Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng public.
On the Jin family’s side, she told Lin Xizhao not to worry. She had recounted everything about Qu Jinian promoting the two Lin sons — Jin Yunyou wouldn’t be foolish enough to target the Lin family.
The Jin family had barely left when the two from the small courtyard arrived, having heard the news.
Jin Mingyi listened to Zhao Jiayu’s vivid account and was stunned for a long while. She didn’t think the Lin family was at fault — she knew exactly what kind of people her mother and brother were. She just felt that as their family member, she was somewhat embarrassed in front of Lin Xizhao and the others.
“They are them, and you are you. We’ll always be one family. Don’t think too much.” Zhao Jiayu comforted the downcast Jin Mingyi.
Zhu Ming’an also hurriedly added her own comfort from the side: “Right, it’s not — not your business.”
Jin Mingyi turned to look at Zhu Ming’an, her eyes carrying a hint of a pout, bright and glistening. Zhu Ming’an’s expression froze for a moment, and she swallowed.
Zhao Jiayu held her daughter, watching the two exchange glances. She covered her smile and whispered to Lin Xizhao: “I think those two…”
“Hey, we’re still right here.” Jin Mingyi interrupted Zhao Jiayu and Lin Xizhao’s whispering.
Zhao Jiayu straightened up at the sound, smiling as she looked at the two of them.
Jin Mingyi grew uncomfortable under her gaze, her eyes wandering for a moment before she admitted: “We… we’re together.”
She confessed before Zhao Jiayu could even ask. She had never spoken clearly with Zhu Ming’an about this matter. Admitting it today in front of Zhao Jiayu and the others made Zhu Ming’an look at her with excitement.
Lin Xizhao saw Zhu Ming’an’s excited expression and seemed to understand. She smiled and said: “Congratulations.”
Zhu Ming’an was about to say thank you, but Jin Mingyi started grumbling: “What’s there to congratulate? My father and mother will never agree.”
She couldn’t exactly wait until her parents were dead and buried — that would be too unfair to Zhu Ming’an. She had thought about this for a long time and still hadn’t found a good solution.
“Xizhao-jiejie, what should I do?” Jin Mingyi turned to Lin Xizhao for help.
Lin Xizhao heard this and looked at Zhu Ming’an. How could she interject in this matter? Besides, they had just had an unpleasant confrontation with the Jin family.
“I… I’ll take… take you to… to see…” Zhu Ming’an stammered.
“Slow down.” Jin Mingyi began correcting Zhu Ming’an’s stutter again, but this time her tone was much gentler.
“Oh, okay.” Zhu Ming’an knew she was stuttering from excitement. She glanced awkwardly at the people around her, waited for her emotions to settle a bit, then said to Jin Mingyi: “I’ll take you to see my mother first. Let my mother help us.”
Zhu Ming’an’s mother doted on her. If Zhu Ming’an could persuade her mother, then going to the Jin family would be better.
Jin Mingyi understood Zhu Ming’an’s meaning. But she knew exactly what her own mother was like. After thinking it over, she still felt it would be better to have her uncle Qu Jinian explain things.
But Qu Jinian was far away at the Northern Frontier and couldn’t be seen right now.
Jin Mingyi and Zhu Ming’an stayed for dinner at the Qu Residence before returning. The moment they entered their room, before Jin Mingyi could even take off her cloak, Zhu Ming’an kissed her.
The sudden kiss made Jin Mingyi instinctively step back, but Zhu Ming’an was prepared — she extended her arm, wrapped it around Jin Mingyi, and pulled her close.
After a moment, Jin Mingyi adapted to Zhu Ming’an’s kiss and began to respond.
She liked Zhu Ming’an. Her feelings for Zhu Ming’an weren’t just about playing around. She had anticipated Zhu Ming’an’s kisses, but the people around her had always taught her that women should be reserved, so she had been restraining her desire for Zhu Ming’an.
And because she couldn’t give her a future, she had been hot and cold toward Zhu Ming’an before. Now that she had given herself, she no longer held back from Zhu Ming’an’s intimacy.
Zhu Ming’an sensed Jin Mingyi’s returning kiss and her heart bloomed with joy. After kissing for a while, she lifted Jin Mingyi in her arms and walked toward the bed.
Jin Mingyi’s clothes were stripped away one by one, falling to the floor. Zhu Ming’an’s kisses never stopped. When Jin Mingyi’s clothes were finally removed, Zhu Ming’an’s desire was plainly visible in her eyes. She breathed heavily, her heated gaze admiring what she saw before leaning in to kiss Jin Mingyi — but Jin Mingyi pushed her away just as she drew close.
Zhu Ming’an’s face showed a moment of confusion. She was about to ask when Jin Mingyi said: “Why don’t you take off yours?”
Zhu Ming’an looked down at herself. She had undressed, but only her outer robe — she still wore her middle garment.
Jin Mingyi raised her eyes. Zhu Ming’an quickly understood, placing her hands on her sash. She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Jin Mingyi, who was watching her steadily.
Jin Mingyi stared at Zhu Ming’an until she slowly removed her middle garment. Seeing skin even fairer than her own, Jin Mingyi froze for a moment, her gaze taking on a different quality, before she actively kissed Zhu Ming’an. Zhu Ming’an, receiving Jin Mingyi’s initiative, leaned in and pressed Jin Mingyi onto the bed.
In their intimate union3, Jin Mingyi had experienced its wonders the day before. Today she let Zhu Ming’an plunder as she pleased.
The fierce winds of the Northern Frontier had lessened somewhat, making life easier for the soldiers.
Since Qu Ting had been exchanged back, he had not spoken a single word. Qu Sheng had entrusted him entirely to Liu Wuxiang, and Liu Wuxiang was doing his best to treat him. But the Northern Frontier was truly not a place for convalescence. Qu Sheng listened to advice and decided to have Qian Shuangying take Qu Jinian and Qu Ting back to Shoulin to recover.
Qu Jinian had not awakened. The Capital City was not a place he could return to. The fact that Qu Jinian remained unconscious was still unknown to everyone in the Capital — even Qu Sheng had not mentioned it in her letters to Lin Xizhao.
Qu Jinian’s unconsciousness would not affect the Qu family army, but it would affect the court officials and feudal lords of Tiansheng.
Qu Jinian was like a great mountain blocking the view. If the mountain collapsed, even if the waters surrounding him were deep, people would not fear them.
Qu Sheng was those waters. The waters might be turbulent, but some people, having never witnessed their power, would issue challenges. At this moment, Tiansheng could not afford civil war. A few days ago, Qu Sheng had received news that the ships Bei’an Kingdom was building were ready. Large numbers of troops had already arrived at the river, waiting only for the thin ice to retreat before they would launch their attack on Tiansheng.
Qu Sheng had to eliminate these five kingdoms before then and reach the Mushui River ahead of time to block them within the waterway. If Bei’an Kingdom crossed the river, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Qu Sheng thought it over and decided to lure and destroy the five kingdoms on the day of the Yuanxiao Festival.
After making her plans, Qu Sheng went to Qian Shuangying’s tent. Qian Shuangying was feeding Qu Ting. After being washed and cleaned up, Qu Ting’s face still bore visible knife scars, but they didn’t affect his appearance as a refined young nobleman.
Qian Shuangying looked up at Qu Sheng, the corners of her lips curving slightly. “Today your Third Brother can hear sounds from outside.”
Qu Sheng sat down and looked at Qian Shuangying, her eyes bright with surprise. “Doctor Liu said if Third Brother can hear, that’s a sign of improvement.”
Since Qu Ting had returned, he hadn’t spoken a word and paid no attention to the outside world. But last night when Qian Shuangying dropped a porcelain bowl, he had actually looked down at it.
Qian Shuangying had been talking to him constantly these past few days, hoping to pull him out of his dream state.
Qian Shuangying raised her eyebrows and continued feeding Qu Ting. Qu Sheng watched from the side for a while, then said: “I’ve already had the carriage prepared. You can leave tomorrow.”
Qian Shuangying heard this and, while feeding Qu Ting, looked at Qu Sheng with some concern in her eyes.
“Third Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I can handle things here. Besides, Third Uncle is here. I just hope Father and Third Brother wake up and recover soon.”
Qian Shuangying knew Qu Sheng could handle the enemy forces, but the battlefield was dangerous. She worried about Qu Sheng’s safety. When Qu Sheng entered the battlefield and killed until her eyes went red, sometimes even Qian Shuangying found it frightening — she had intercepted her several times. She worried Qu Sheng might lose control. Getting injured was one thing, but if she lost her life…
Qu Sheng shifted her gaze from Qu Ting to Qian Shuangying and smiled. “I know Third Sister-in-law worries about Sheng’er. Sheng’er promises not to be like before — I’ll treasure my life.”
She was confident. Even if she killed until her eyes went red, she still cherished her life, because in the Capital City, there was a wife who kept thinking of her.
Early the next morning, Qu Sheng dispatched an elite squad, disguised, to escort Qian Shuangying and the others back to Shoulin.
After sending off her family, Qu Sheng began deploying troops and arranging formations, preparing to wipe out the enemy forces on the night of the Yuanxiao Festival.
But before the fifteenth day of the first month arrived, Qu Sheng received a letter from Lin Xirui. Lin Xirui reported everything that had happened at the residence and suggested that Qu Sheng reduce the Jin family’s military power.
Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xirui’s letter and fell into deep thought. The Jin family had been at their residence before the New Year, and she hadn’t known a thing. Lin Xizhao hadn’t mentioned it in her letters either.
Qu Sheng lowered her head to look at the letter, her fingertip tapping the desk. After a long while, her deep, shadowed gaze shifted, and she glanced at her brush.
Qu Sheng issued an order: Jin Mingjun was to bring two hundred thousand troops from his territory and immediately reinforce the Northern Frontier.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “I really want to see my wife. Another day of missing her so much.”
Lin Xizhao: “I miss you too.”
Zhao Jiayu: “I miss my cousin, I miss my cousin-in-law.”
Xiao Bingying: “Just popping up for a moment.”
Footnotes
- A Chinese idiom (pèng le yī bízi de huī) meaning to be snubbed, rejected, or meet with failure. The literal image is of bumping one's nose into a pile of ash — an embarrassing and frustrating experience.
- Tiánfáng — a second wife taken by a widower, often implying lower status than the first wife and sometimes a role as a mere replacement for household management rather than a true marriage partner.
- Yúshuǐ zhīhuān — literally 'the joy of fish and water,' a classical Chinese euphemism for sexual intimacy between lovers, derived from ancient texts describing the harmonious union of yin and yang.
Omg Bingying!! she better appear in the next chapter 🤧