The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 175
by Little PandaThe Second Master says to open the gate.
The main gate had been under continuous assault for a quarter of an hour. Inside the residence walls, objects were being dropped from above. The residence guards pressed themselves against the walls, one man every five paces—if anyone tried to climb over, they would be killed on the spot.
Qu Yu was the only adult male in the residence. Though his body remained weak, he felt no fear. He stayed in the room for a while, then ordered people to find a way out.
But everyone who returned reported the same thing: the outside was sealed tight as an iron barrel, not even a bird could fly through.
Staying in this room and waiting was no solution. Zhao Jiayu held a sword, her anxiety mounting. “Should we fight our way out?”
Qu Yu glanced at her, his tone gentle but unable to hide his inner anxiety. “Only you in this room know martial arts. If those men kill without blinking, we would be like sheep entering a tiger’s mouth1.”
Zhao Jiayu frowned at Qu Yu’s words. “Then what should we do? We can’t just wait for them to come in and slaughter us. Stick your neck out and it’s a blade, pull it back and it’s still a blade2…”
“Jiayu, don’t be rash yet. Second Uncle hasn’t sent word. The situation outside is unclear. The residence guards can protect us for now. Mother, the aunts have all been frightened, and Zhimu…” Lin Xizhao said, glancing at Qu Zhimu, who had already fallen asleep on her shoulder. How could they fight their way out like this?
“These people dare to act so brazenly in the city. There must be changes outside the city as well.”
“That’s bad! My father.” Zhao Jiayu, reminded by Lin Xizhao’s words, thought of her father who had also returned to camp tonight—she didn’t know what had happened to him.
“Wife, don’t worry. Father-in-law is a military commander; surely nothing will happen to him.” Qu Yu said this, but he had no confidence either. Hearing Zhao Jiayu recount what Zhao Dian had told her about the situation in the military camp, he also found it suspicious.
If he were in the military, he would have replaced those men long ago.
Talking was useless. Qu Yu’s heart grew increasingly uneasy.
Before long, the sound of pounding against the wall stopped. Someone outside shouted for them to open the gate, but after shouting for a long time, no one inside responded.
Rows of guards stood inside the gate. If the gate broke, a bloody battle would be inevitable. But before long, a familiar person arrived outside.
Jin Mingjun’s guard.
“We are here under orders from our Shizi to protect the Elderly Aunt3. We ask our brothers guarding the gate to open it.”
The guards all heard it, but no one dared to casually open that gate when they didn’t know whether those outside were human or ghost.
A guard hurried to the main hall to report. When Qu Yu heard “Shizi,” he was momentarily stunned and asked, “Which Shizi?”
“It seems to be Jin Shizi.”
“He’s supposed to be guarding Lingyi—why would he come here?”
Lin Xizhao’s heart was now certain: the people outside, whether the first wave or the second, were all Jin Mingjun’s men.
“I’ll go see.” Jin Yunfei, hearing it was her nephew, felt less afraid.
“Mother.” Lin Xizhao saw Jin Yunfei stand up and quickly stopped her. “Uncle has gone to the Northern Frontier, and no one is guarding Lingyi. Why would Cousin come here at this time?”
Lin Xizhao didn’t say it explicitly, but if one thought carefully, the answer was clear.
Jin Yunfei heard Lin Xizhao’s words and stood there stunned for a long time, her gaze growing troubled. She couldn’t understand why her nephew would rebel.
Everyone in the room looked at Jin Yunfei. Zhao Jiayu’s mind seemed to sharpen at this moment. “Could it be that the one rebelling outside is Cousin Jin?”
Now everyone in the room looked at Zhao Jiayu. Qu Yu also lowered his gaze, understanding roughly what was happening.
The vassal kings’ military forces had been reduced again and again. Only the Jin family of Lingyi had not decreased but increased. Qu Sheng’s intention had been to slowly strip the vassal kings and feudal lords of their military power, sending officials to govern, separating military and administrative duties, and establishing supervisory commanders to create checks and balances, preventing power from concentrating in one person or one family—this would avoid rebellions.
The Jin family was related to the Qu family by marriage. Jin Yunyou was still at the Northern Frontier. If Jin Mingjun rebelled now, it must have been long premeditated. But didn’t he fear that Qu Sheng would kill his father at the Northern Frontier?
Was it Jin Mingjun’s intention, or Jin Yunyou’s intention, or had father and son conspired together? At this moment, they couldn’t know. But launching a rebellion during this time of internal trouble and external threats—what was the Jin family’s goal? Just for the throne?
The Qu family had never treated them poorly. Qu Sheng dared to give military power to the Jin family, which showed how much she trusted them. Qu Yu raised his head to look at Jin Yunfei and said, “Eldest Aunt, you can go call Cousin Jin over and ask him yourself.”
Everyone in the room understood without saying more. Jin Yunfei left the main hall and went to the gate.
“Is that the Elderly Aunt outside?”
Someone outside pressed against the gate crack, peering inside.
“Go call Mingjun here. I have questions for him.” Jin Yunfei was now certain it was Jin Mingjun—she recognized the voice.
“My Shizi ordered me to invite—”
“Tell him to come personally!” Jin Yunfei rarely showed anger, but at this moment, her heart had gone cold.
Hearing the harsh tone outside, the guard didn’t waste more words. He climbed the wall and looked down—people were still there, all wearing armor and carrying heavy sabers. The sky was beginning to brighten. The guard noticed that only the Qu Residence was surrounded.
Jin Yunfei waited outside for a long time. In late autumn, the early mornings were very cold. Lin Xizhao handed the child to her grandmother and came out with a thin cloak.
“Mother.” Lin Xizhao draped the outer garment over Jin Yunfei’s shoulders, her voice gentle. “Let’s go back inside and wait.”
Now that she knew it was Jin Mingjun, Lin Xizhao was no longer so afraid. She was certain Jin Mingjun wouldn’t dare harm the Qu family.
The Qu family’s men might no longer be able to fight, but there was still Qu Sheng, and there were thousands of soldiers from Shoulin. If Jin Mingjun dared to touch them, not just Qu Sheng—any general from Shoulin wouldn’t let him off.
Jin Yunfei turned to look at Lin Xizhao. She never imagined her nephew would do such a thing.
“Xizhao, help Mother back.” Lin Xizhao supported Jin Yunfei and was about to return when there was movement outside.
“Aunt.”
Both heard the voice and turned simultaneously—it was Jin Mingjun’s voice.
“It’s Mingjun. Aunt, please have them open the gate first.” Jin Mingjun spoke without arrogance or aggression, just as gently as before.
Jin Yunfei heard this and exchanged a glance with Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao supported Jin Yunfei as they walked toward the corridor beneath the gate.
“Are those soldiers outside yours?” Jin Yunfei demanded. Even though it was already fact, she still held a sliver of hope, thinking it couldn’t be him.
Jin Mingjun wore armor. Hearing footsteps and voices, he turned his body toward the gate crack. “Aunt, please open the gate first. Let your nephew explain slowly.”
Jin Yunfei lowered her gaze. Jin Mingjun didn’t even offer a single word of defense. Now it was confirmed—Jin Mingjun had rebelled.
“Your father is still at the Northern Frontier, fighting to the death with your cousin, and you do such a thing!” Jin Yunfei said, tears welling in her eyes. She hated herself—because of her, the Qu family had trusted this wolf-cub nephew with wild ambitions4.
“Aunt, Father is already dead.” Jin Mingjun stood outside, his voice seeming to choke. “Cousin was wounded and is still unconscious. She probably doesn’t have much time left.”
“What did you say?” Jin Yunfei froze completely. Even Lin Xizhao’s face went pale at Jin Mingjun’s words.
“A few days ago, my men intercepted… received an 800-li expedited message from the frontier. My father was ambushed by Bei’an forces while trying to save Cousin. Three hundred thousand troops, and Third Uncle Qu didn’t survive either.” Jin Mingjun only told half the truth, but that was exactly what he wanted to say. “Cousin took an arrow wound. The army retreated and is now holding the city. Cousin is still unconscious.”
Jin Yunfei’s body went weak hearing this news a second time. Her entire weight leaned on Lin Xizhao’s support.
“You few, come quickly.” Lin Xizhao had enough strength to support Jin Yunfei, but she worried that if she slipped, Jin Yunfei would fall. She urgently called the guards over.
“Aunt, Aunt, what’s wrong?” Jin Mingjun heard Lin Xizhao’s voice and called out anxiously from outside the gate.
Jin Yunfei felt dizzy. After the guards supported her, she was carried into the main hall.
Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu hurried over to take over. Zhao Jiayu asked frantically, “What happened to Eldest Aunt?”
Lin Xizhao’s heart pounded like a drum, but she subconsciously looked at the Third Aunt of the Qu family.
Third Uncle Qu, Qu Jiqin, had also died in battle—but she didn’t know if Jin Mingjun’s news was reliable.
“The Second Master has returned.” The steward hurried in from outside.
Several pairs of eyes looked over at once. Lin Xizhao turned and asked, “Have the people outside withdrawn?” She hoped Qu Jixian had brought troops back, but she knew that hope was very slim.
“No.”
When the steward said no, Lin Xizhao guessed that Qu Jixian had been brought here under guard. The imperial palace had also been seized by Jin Mingjun’s forces.
“What did Second Uncle say?” Lin Xizhao continued to ask.
“The Second Master says to open the gate.” The steward answered truthfully.
The steward had come to ask because he couldn’t make the decision himself.
Everyone in the room looked panicked. Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu couldn’t decide, and the two aunts couldn’t make the decision either. Only Lin Xizhao, after careful thought, spoke in a gentle but unwavering voice: “Go open the gate.”
“Xizhao.” Zhao Jiayu worried when she heard they should open the gate.
Qu Yu, after Lin Xizhao spoke, reached out to hold his wife’s hand. “Let’s do as Xizhao-meimei says. Go open the gate.”
Lin Xizhao supported Jin Yunfei and raised her head to look at Qu Yu. Qu Yu nodded to her. Though neither spoke, their thoughts were the same.
Qu Jixian was not a man who feared death. If he had been captured and brought here, and there was danger outside, he wouldn’t have told them to open the gate. Even if it meant fighting to the death, there would still be hope—he wouldn’t send everyone in the residence to their deaths.
Lin Xizhao watched over the unconscious Jin Yunfei. The other aunts stayed in the room. Only Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu went out.
Though Qu Yu’s body could no longer fight, walking was no longer difficult.
“Is that Second Uncle outside?” Qu Yu called through the gate crack. He needed to confirm.
“Ah Yu.” Qu Jixian’s voice came through—warm but carrying natural authority.
Qu Yu heard the voice and confirmed it. He raised his hand to signal the guards to open the gate: “Open the gate.”
The main gate of the Qu Residence opened with a creak. Qu Jixian stood with his hands behind his back, raising his eyes. On both sides and behind him stood soldiers holding swords.
Jin Mingjun stood elsewhere, a sword also at his waist.
Looking more carefully, Qu Jixian’s hands appeared to be bound behind his back.
“Second Uncle.” Qu Yu saw Qu Jixian and hurried forward, but was surrounded by soldiers rushing in. The guards also drew their swords at that moment, facing off against them.
Qu Yu was blocked. Qu Jixian glanced sideways at Jin Mingjun—his gaze wasn’t cold, but it carried disapproval.
“Put down your swords.” Jin Mingjun gave the order.
The soldiers lowered their swords. Qu Jixian also glanced at the residence guards.
Qu Yu blinked and raised his hand to signal the guards to lower their swords.
Qu Jixian walked forward, approaching Qu Yu. Qu Yu quickly asked, “Second Uncle, what’s happening?” As he spoke, he began untying Qu Jixian’s bonds.
Jin Mingjun just stood to the side watching.
The rope around Qu Jixian’s wrists loosened. He glanced at Qu Yu and said, “Let’s go inside to talk.”
Qu Jixian walked forward. The guards quickly filled the gap, blocking the soldiers who tried to follow. Jin Mingjun saw this and said coldly, “All of you wait here.”
He had already persuaded Qu Jixian to help him ascend to the throne. The two families would remain in-laws, bound together—only now the situation was reversed.
The Jin family would be the masters.
Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu followed Qu Jixian back into the room. Qu Jixian looked up first, his gaze falling on his third sister-in-law.
“Second Uncle, has something happened at the Northern Frontier?” Lin Xizhao asked when she saw Qu Jixian standing in the room, looking around.
Jin Yunfei had already been helped to a small couch inside to lie down.
Qu Jixian turned to Lin Xizhao and nodded. “Yes. Your Third Uncle and Marquis Jin died in battle. I only received the news last night.” That was why he hadn’t returned to the residence earlier.
With trouble at the frontier, Jin Mingjun dared to launch his rebellion. But Qu Jixian couldn’t understand how Jin Mingjun had convinced the other southern feudal lords to follow him and provide provisions and funds.
Jin Mingjun’s silent seizure of the capital had been brewing for a long time—it must have started before the Jin family’s troops even arrived at the capital.
The two forces Qu Jixian had summoned had been intercepted. Among them were some who had defected on the spot. The garrison outside the capital had descended into infighting, their forces scattered like loose sand, all captured by Jin family soldiers who had appeared from who knows where.
The news Qu Jixian received was from another 800-li expedited message.
When the Third Aunt of the Qu family heard this news, her face also went pale in that instant. But she didn’t faint like Jin Yunfei—she wasn’t that fragile. Going to the battlefield meant carrying your head in your hands. She had imagined it thousands of times, prayed thousands of times, but in the end, the tragic news still came.
“Mother.” Zhao Jiayu burst into tears upon hearing this news, looking worriedly at her mother-in-law.
Qu Yu also looked over with concern. Only Lin Xizhao was still waiting for Qu Jixian to continue.
“Second Uncle, what about Sheng’er?” Lin Xizhao finally asked, unable to wait any longer.
Qu Jixian saw Lin Xizhao’s anxious and urgent expression. He blinked and said, “Sheng’er took an arrow while retrieving Marquis Jin’s body, but she’s fine now. She’s currently figuring out how to deal with the Bei’an forces.”
Lin Xizhao breathed a sigh of relief at this, but remembering what Jin Mingjun had said, she questioned again, “Earlier I heard Jin Mingjun say that Sheng’er was unconscious and didn’t have much time left…”
Qu Jixian had been worried about looking at Third Aunt, but hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, he immediately turned to her. “He said that?”
“Yes.” Lin Xizhao was certain she hadn’t misheard.
“No wonder.” Qu Jixian said quietly.
“The previous battle report went missing—it was probably intercepted by Jin Mingjun’s men. When that letter arrived, Sheng’er hadn’t rested for a long time, so the military physician gave her medicine to sleep. But don’t worry, she’s awake now.”
Lin Xizhao felt reassured hearing Qu Jixian’s explanation. Like Qu Jixian, she now understood why Jin Mingjun had suddenly launched this rebellion in the past few days.
Qu Sheng was at the Northern Frontier. Even while confronting the Bei’an forces, she was a deterrent to the interior of Tiansheng. But if Qu Sheng and the Qu family fell, it wasn’t surprising that Jin Mingjun would suddenly act this way.
Qu Jixian comforted the Third Aunt of the Qu family for a while, asking Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu to take good care of her, and shared his thoughts with everyone.
Whether or not there was trouble at the Northern Frontier, whether or not Qu Sheng was in danger, Jin Mingjun wouldn’t dare touch them right now. As long as they didn’t provoke him, they could coexist peacefully. The priority was still the war in the north.
Qu Jixian didn’t want to mobilize large forces for civil war and give foreign enemies an opportunity.
The Shoulin garrison was still there, but if civil war broke out in the interior, it would be a catastrophe. Too many casualties had already occurred in the interior; there couldn’t be more losses.
Once war started, the Sishi Kingdom in the west, the Zongshang Kingdom in the south, and more than twenty smaller tributary states would certainly rebel. And agreeing to let Jin Mingjun become emperor was just a way to stall him.
What the Qu family hadn’t been able to accomplish for so long—how could the Jin family sit securely on that throne?
Everything had to prioritize the Northern Frontier war.
“If nothing comes up, don’t leave the residence in the coming days.” Qu Jixian gave his final instructions.
Even if they wanted to leave, Jin Mingjun’s men probably wouldn’t allow it.
“At the Northern Frontier, Third Brother and Marquis Jin’s bodies couldn’t be brought back. Sheng’er has already presided over their cremation.” Though the weather was cold now, bodies couldn’t be kept for long.
Qu Jixian looked at his third brother’s wife and children as he spoke. He knew Qu Sheng would have wanted to bring them back, but with the war ongoing and them being besieged, even burial was difficult—how could they transport bodies back? That this battle report had made it back at all was already remarkable.
Qu Yu’s eyes were red. He raised his head and could only nod in acknowledgment.
What could they do but accept? Should they make things difficult for Qu Sheng? Even if they did, there was no solution. He had heard the previous battle reports from the Northern Frontier—the Northern Frontier army was trapped inside the city, being insulted by Bei’an forces daily. If not for the commander’s broad mind, going out to fight would have meant heavy casualties.
“Alright. Remember what I said—don’t fight them head-on.”
“Second Uncle, we’ve remembered everything.” Qu Yu responded, his voice choked.
Qu Jixian nodded and said, “I’ll go back with them. Remember the signal I mentioned—if the messenger doesn’t use it, you can refuse.”
Qu Jixian’s gaze swept toward Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao raised her eyes, seeming to understand the meaning in Qu Jixian’s words.
This residence was mostly women, but they were all elders. Zhao Jiayu was Qu Yu’s wife, and only she, in the Qu family, was known outside as an adopted daughter. Qu Jixian was worried someone might harm her.
Lin Xizhao lowered her head in acknowledgment.
Qu Jixian took a deep breath, exhaled, and turned to leave.
Jin Mingjun stood at the entrance to the outer courtyard, sword at his waist, his gaze occasionally sweeping inside. Seeing Qu Jixian emerge, he immediately straightened, his hand moving to the sword hilt at his waist.
“Second Uncle, have you convinced them?” Jin Mingjun asked.
Qu Jixian walked to his side, glanced at him, and said, “Your aunt is still unconscious.”
He had told them everything, but Jin Yunfei didn’t know. However, when she woke up, Lin Xizhao and the others would certainly tell her.
“I’ll have a physician brought immediately to examine my aunt.” Jin Mingjun signaled to a soldier.
The soldier received the order and ran off.
Qu Jixian glanced at him and continued walking forward. There were still people in the palace he needed to persuade, to prevent Jin Mingjun from slaughtering everyone. He also needed to find a way to identify and eliminate the collaborators within the palace.
After cremating her uncle and maternal uncle’s bodies, Qu Sheng, whose body was gradually recovering, stood beneath withered yellow leaves, wrapped in a thick outer cloak, watching the leaves drift down from time to time, sighing at how quickly time passed.
A year. She had been at the Northern Frontier for a year. But now there was no time to carefully mourn the past. The Assistant Commander had urgent news to bring.
“General, Military Physician Han says the medicine you gave him has been analyzed for its effects.”
Qu Sheng turned at the sound. “Where is Military Physician Han now?”
“In your side hall.”
As soon as the Assistant Commander finished speaking, Qu Sheng walked toward the side hall.
“Military Physician Han.”
“General.” Military Physician Han heard Qu Sheng’s voice and quickly clasped his hands in salute.
“Skip the formalities. Tell me quickly.” Qu Sheng couldn’t wait to know the medicine’s composition.
Military Physician Han heard this and lowered his clasped hands, not hesitating. “General, the medicine you gave this humble subordinate is an herb that can temporarily concentrate one’s spirit. This humble subordinate cannot fully explain its components, but it’s similar to certain varieties of our tea—drinking it keeps one awake and energetic. But this is hundreds of times more potent than our tea.”
“Is there anything else?” Qu Sheng asked urgently.
Not getting tired—that effect matched. But there should be more.
“Increased strength, boundless energy.”
“Anything else?” Qu Sheng frowned.
Military Physician Han thought for a moment. “General, you want to know the side effects of taking this medicine, correct?”
“Yes.” Qu Sheng nodded.
Military Physician Han thought and said, “This medicine has only been tested by this humble subordinate on animals. Humans, this humble subordinate hasn’t tried yet.”
“However, after taking it, animals become excited, but then experience a period of lethargy and listlessness.”
Qu Sheng listened to Military Physician Han’s words, blinking her dry lips that stuck slightly before slowly parting. “I’ll try it.”
“Absolutely not! General, you cannot! This medicine is only preliminarily understood by this humble subordinate. I don’t know if there are side effects. If something goes wrong, what will happen to the Northern Frontier soldiers?” Military Physician Han was frightened by Qu Sheng’s words and quickly begged her to abandon this idea.
Qu Sheng blinked. “This medicine was found on Bei’an soldiers’ bodies. I suspect they took this medicine. If Bei’an soldiers can take it, why can’t I?”
“General, all medicine has some toxicity. We physicians all know that the human body is maintained by the balance of five elements. Energy and strength suddenly gained through medicine must come from somewhere—the body is being depleted. From this, we know the medicine will certainly damage the circulation of qi and blood. General, please don’t develop the intention to try it.” Military Physician Han pleaded earnestly, urging Qu Sheng not to take it.
Qu Sheng heard Military Physician Han’s words and lowered her gaze, her fingers curling slightly together.
Seeing that Qu Sheng wasn’t going to try it, Military Physician Han said, “Give this humble subordinate some time, and I will certainly research this medicine thoroughly for you, General.”
“Alright.” Qu Sheng paused for a moment before agreeing.
But by afternoon, Qu Sheng’s Assistant Commander hurriedly went to find Military Physician Han, saying Qu Sheng had taken the medicine found on Bei’an soldiers’ bodies and he should come quickly, in case something happened to Qu Sheng.
Military Physician Han grabbed his medicine box and ran faster than the Assistant Commander. He had said so much today, yet still couldn’t stop Qu Sheng from trying it. If something happened to Qu Sheng, the fate of hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the Northern Frontier would hang by a thread.
When Military Physician Han entered Qu Sheng’s courtyard and was about to rush toward the room, he discovered Qu Sheng standing outside in the courtyard, wearing only thin clothing—and in her hands, she was lifting a rockery of moderate size!
But that rockery’s weight—even the Assistant Commander beside Qu Sheng couldn’t lift it!
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Want a bite of spinach?”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
Zhao Jiayu: “…”
Xiao Bingying: “…”
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Footnotes
- An idiom (yáng rù hǔ kǒu) meaning to walk into a dangerous situation with no hope of escape, like a sheep entering a tiger's den.
- A saying meaning that whether you face a problem head-on or try to avoid it, the outcome will be equally bad.
- A respectful address used by a nephew's servants for his aunt (father's sister).
- An idiom (láng zǐ yě xīn) describing someone with the savage ambition of a wolf. It refers to treacherous, predatory intentions hidden beneath a seemingly civilized exterior.
I hope nothing bad happens gosh 🤧