The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 177
by Little PandaWho Else Dares to Step Forward!
Lin Xizhao glanced sideways at the newcomer. “Who has come to summon me?”
“A palace attendant, and not of low rank.”
To be stationed beside Qu Jixian, his rank would naturally be high—but the palace was no longer under Qu Jixian’s control.
“Do you know what he wants with me?” Lin Xizhao asked, her expression composed.
“This old servant does not know.”
“Xizhao-meimei, wait here a moment. I will go and see.” Qu Yu rose to his feet as he spoke.
As the man of the household, it was his duty to protect the women of the family.
“I will go too.” Zhao Jiayu stood as well, took two steps, then turned back to Lin Xizhao. “Xizhao, if it comes to that, pretend to be ill.”
Before Lin Xizhao could respond, Zhao Jiayu hurried after Qu Yu.
Watching the two of them leave, little Zhimu looked on curiously, then turned back to Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao met Zhimu’s gaze, but her thoughts were already elsewhere.
Zhao Jiayu quickened her pace to catch up with Qu Yu, walking beside him. “It must be that white-eyed wolf1 Jin Mingjun who sent someone.”
“Mm. Wife, don’t clash with them,” Qu Yu cautioned as he walked.
Zhao Jiayu nodded. “All right. But we cannot let them take Xizhao away.”
“Don’t worry.” Qu Yu glanced at his wife. Though his expression was grave, a trace of tenderness showed in his eyes.
The couple reached the main gate, where the palace attendant still stood waiting.
Qu Yu strode forward and cupped his hands. “My lord, may I ask what brings you to the residence today?”
The attendant glanced at the steward who had followed them over and answered impatiently, “I have already told him.”
The Qu family had lost power. Palace attendants who had once kept their heads down were now turning the tables, flocking to the capital’s new ruler. Naturally, they would not regard the Qu family—or Qu Yu and his wife—with any respect.
“I would like to ask—my Second Uncle has summoned my Xizhao-meimei to the palace. For what purpose?” Qu Yu forced a polite smile.
“How would I know? Lord Shangqing has countless matters to attend to. He only ordered me to invite Miss Xizhao. He said nothing else.” The attendant did not even deign to look directly at Qu Yu.
“I see.” Qu Yu nodded, then turned to his wife. “Since he does not know the purpose, please return to the palace and ask for details before coming back.”
“The one I have come to invite is not—”
“See the guest out!” Qu Yu’s expression had turned cold.
At his words, the guards all drew their swords. The attendant’s own guards drew their long blades, and the two sides faced off.
“If anyone dares take one step forward, kill them on the spot!” Qu Yu clasped his hands behind his back, murder in his eyes.
“You dare!”
The Qu family had fallen so low, yet Qu Yu remained this arrogant. The palace attendant was not about to indulge him. He immediately stepped forward, sneering, “What if I do take a step?” His face was pure provocation.
The attendant lifted his chin, looking down his nose at the Qu family—but in the next instant, his head rolled to the ground.
The head tumbled a few times. The guards behind him stood frozen, unable to react.
Zhao Jiayu’s sword dripped blood. Though her hand trembled, the anger she had been unable to vent these past days now poured out upon this man.
“Who else dares to step forward!” Zhao Jiayu pointed her blood-soaked sword at the guards who looked ready to charge.
A flicker of shock crossed Qu Yu’s eyes, but the moment Zhao Jiayu’s words fell, he stepped forward, placing himself in front of her. He glared coldly at the guards who gripped their long blades, itching to move, and shouted, “If any member of my Qu family comes to harm today, you had better think carefully about how you will explain it to your Shizi.”
Qu Yu could no longer fight, yet still he stood before Zhao Jiayu, his hand closing over hers where she gripped the scabbard. His martial strength was gone, but the pride of a warrior remained in his bones.
The guards exchanged glances. None dared to advance.
Seeing they would make no further move, Qu Yu ordered the guards beside him, “Hold the line.”
Then he took his wife by the hand and walked toward the dining hall courtyard.
Zhao Jiayu’s fingers still trembled, but with Qu Yu’s warm hand wrapped around hers, she felt much steadier.
When they entered the courtyard, Zhao Jiayu could walk no farther. Qu Yu stopped with her.
She looked up at him, her voice stripped of its earlier bravado and arrogance. It came low and unsteady. “Ah Yu, I have killed someone again.” Her eyes were filled with nervous helplessness.
Qu Yu gazed into her panicked eyes and pulled her into his arms. “Don’t be afraid. I am here. You did the right thing, Wife.”
If no one had acted decisively to stop that attendant, a fight would surely have broken out in the residence.
Zhao Jiayu held Qu Yu, her chin resting on his shoulder. Her heart pounded like a drum. She nodded.
After composing herself for a while, Zhao Jiayu worried that Lin Xizhao and the others inside might still be anxious. Hand in hand, the two of them went to the dining hall.
The meal still sat on the table, untouched.
When those inside saw Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu return, they all rose hurriedly.
“Ah Yu, did you send them away?” Jin Yunfei asked anxiously.
Qu Yu glanced at Zhao Jiayu. She met his gaze, then looked at everyone. “I… I killed him.”
Shock washed over their faces. Qu Yu spoke to the group, “It is all right. They will not do anything.”
If Jin Mingjun wanted to use force, he would not have sent someone to deceive them. Jin Mingjun knew he could not afford to offend the Qu family at this moment. If any member of the Qu family came to harm, neither Shoulin nor Qu Sheng would ever let him go.
This stratagem showed he did not want mutual hatred between himself and the Qu family.
Lin Xizhao held Zhimu, watching Zhao Jiayu, whose composure had not yet fully returned. Gratitude filled her heart. Though Zhao Jiayu could be brash and loud, at her core she was a gentle woman. Lin Xizhao remembered that after the last killing in Shoulin, Zhao Jiayu had been ill for some time. Now she worried again.
“I am fine. Do not worry.” Zhao Jiayu saw Lin Xizhao’s concern and looked up at her. She was the only one in the household who knew martial arts; like Qu Yu, she must protect the family.
The storm passed for now, but Lin Xizhao knew Jin Mingjun would not stop here.
At the Northern Frontier, Qu Sheng stood atop the city tower, looking down at the Bei’an army hurling insults. Listening to the vile words, she slowly turned away. She lowered her gaze for a long moment, then lifted her head to face the generals before her.
“Liang Ming, Shen Zan, Fu Rui—each of you take ten thousand cavalry. Go to the eastern, western, and northern gates respectively. When the wolf smoke2 rises, charge out of the city. But remember—do not linger to fight. Drag them along and keep them moving. Return by a quarter past the Hour of the Rooster. Do not linger to fight.”
She emphasized the last instruction three times.
The three generals cupped their hands and departed to carry out her orders. They had endured insults for so long; they could wait no longer. Qu Sheng watched from the tower. The enemy soldiers below looked vigorous and alert—they must have taken the drug.
After the cavalry had assembled, Qu Sheng ordered the wolf smoke lit.
Gray smoke billowed from the chimneys. Soon, the sound of battle rose from all three city gates.
Qu Sheng looked down at the Bei’an army. For a moment they panicked, then grew excited and scattered in all directions.
At dusk, the cavalry returned from all sides. Though they had taken losses, they had fulfilled Qu Sheng’s orders, dragging the Bei’an forces dozens of li in pursuit.
Deep in the night, Qu Sheng ordered the city gates opened for a night raid on the Bei’an camp.
A night raid in name only—she knew the city was under surveillance and the Bei’an army would be prepared. Qu Sheng led her troops into battle, knowing there was no chance of victory, yet still she fought them.
The two armies clashed. Qu Sheng’s forces were too few. Soon she ordered the retreat, with archers providing cover and deer-horn wood barriers3 deployed to stop pursuit.
The army withdrew into the city, soldiers gasping for breath.
At first light, Qu Sheng contacted the other cities and ordered them to launch feigned attacks.
After several rounds of this harassment, the Bei’an army had not slept all night. Moreover, the scouts Qu Sheng had sent out reported that the Bei’an camp was far quieter than usual.
No drills, few soldiers in sight—they were all resting inside their tents.
Qu Sheng received this news with a smile. She summoned the generals of the main city and explained her plan in detail.
Many Bei’an soldiers had taken the drug to enhance their strength, but it had one weakness: several hours after consumption, it left the user exhausted.
They needed to choose the right moment to repeat yesterday’s tactics and wipe out the Bei’an army in one stroke. But their numbers were too few. They would need reinforcements from Shoulin and the capital before she could execute her plan.
Lin Xizhao had slept fitfully through the night. She dreamed of her Third Brother, Lin Xirui, calling to her for help.
She sat up in bed, staring blankly at the quilt covering her. Her heart felt as if something had struck it, her nerves pulled taut, leaving her unable to sleep.
“Auntie.” Zhimu had woken without her noticing, crawling out of her small quilt and onto Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao looked at the soft little creature, her eyes not even fully open, as if still in a dream, finding her by instinct and nuzzling against her. Then the child lifted her small body, reached out two chubby hands, cupped Lin Xizhao’s cheeks, and kissed her. Before Lin Xizhao could speak, she had curled up on her chest and fallen back asleep.
Lin Xizhao smiled at the sight.
She gently stroked the little one’s back, letting her sleep until full daylight.
Jin Mingjun had sent someone to summon Lin Xizhao and failed. When he heard that the man he sent had been killed by Zhao Jiayu, he turned his sights on King Wenze’s Residence.
Lin Xirui was as stubborn as his father, Lin Jianhai. Since Jin Mingjun had seized the capital, he had feigned illness and stopped attending court, though he still went to the yamen to handle official business.
That day, Lin Xirui had been busy until noon. He intended to grab a quick lunch, then hurry back to urge the Ministry of Works to speed up production of heavy weapons and defensive armor.
Everything Qu Jixian had told him that day, he had committed to memory. The war at the Northern Frontier came first.
In the Ministry of Works dining hall, Lin Xirui sat with the minor clerks, showing none of a noble young lord’s airs. He picked up his bowl, took a sip of soup to warm himself, then bit into his steamed bun.
“Vice Minister, you have a good appetite today.” A clerk who seemed quite familiar with him sat down beside him.
Lin Xirui glanced at him and smiled. “After eating at so many different yamens, the Ministry of Works has the best food.”
“My lord, try this.” The clerk pushed a small plate of meat he had brought toward Lin Xirui.
Lin Xirui looked at the meat and ate it without ceremony. “Short on silver again?”
The clerk gave an embarrassed smile. “Thanks to you, my wife’s illness has improved. She made this specially for you.”
Lin Xirui looked at him and smiled. “That is good. If you need a little silver, just tell me.”
“No, no, I am not short anymore.” The clerk waved his hands quickly.
Lin Xirui smiled and pushed the plate of meat between them. “I cannot eat all of this. Let us share.”
The clerk nodded. “Yes, sir.” But though he agreed, he barely touched the food.
When Lin Xirui finished his own meal, most of the meat still remained. He wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and smiled. “I am full. The rest is yours. Do not let it go to waste.”
The clerk saw that Lin Xirui had eaten little, but knew it was not because he disliked the food—he was deliberately leaving it for him.
Yet he could not bring himself to eat it either.
Not long after Lin Xirui left, the clerk packed up the meat. He would take it home to his wife, who had only just recovered.
After lunch, Lin Xirui went as usual to inspect the Ministry of Works and discuss matters. But before long, someone came to summon him, saying Qu Jixian sought him at the palace.
Lin Xirui was busy discussing weapons with the officials. Hearing that Qu Jixian had sent soldiers, he turned with impatience. “Can you not see I am busy?”
The palace attendant, faced with Lin Xirui’s coldness, hesitated. “When will Vice Minister Lin be available?”
“When I am finished, I will speak with you.” Lin Xirui turned back to the Ministry of Works officials.
“The spacing between these iron armor plates is so dense…”
When Lin Xirui finished his discussion and rose, the attendant hurried over.
Lin Xirui glanced at him and walked straight toward the exit.
“Vice Minister Lin, my lord, please do not make things difficult for me.” The attendant jogged to keep up with him.
Lin Xirui grew impatient. Looking up, he spotted the clerk who had shared his meal and called him over.
The clerk approached with a smile. “My lord, what are your instructions?”
Lin Xirui drew him close and whispered a few words. Then he removed the jade pendant4 from his waist, along with several banknotes, and pressed them into the clerk’s hands. “You must see this done.”
The clerk accepted them, his expression solemn. He nodded. “Rest assured, my lord. I will not fail.”
Lin Xirui glanced at the sky, then at the attendant behind him, and strode away. The attendant followed him all the way to the Ministry of Works gate.
Lin Xirui intended to climb into his sedan chair, but several guards stood beside it.
The capital was under Jin Mingjun’s control. The guards were naturally his men. Lin Xirui’s lips pressed into a thin line. He exhaled slowly and climbed into the chair.
The bearers from King Wenze’s Residence, led by guards with long blades, made their way toward the palace.
Once Qu Sheng confirmed that the Bei’an army was indeed using the drug, she began to consider how to exploit it.
The Bei’an soldiers were taking the drug, but she did not know how many. With such a vast army, it was impossible that all of them were using it.
The drug could temporarily enhance a person’s strength, but long-term use would damage the body.
Even without the drug, the Bei’an army still held the advantage with their fish-scale armor and advanced carriage crossbows.
Qu Sheng paced back and forth in her room, a thick cloak over her shoulders. When she could not devise a perfect plan, her gaze fell upon the medicine bottle on the desk.
It was the drug the Bei’an soldiers used.
She approached slowly, lowering her eyes to look at the bottle. She lifted her arm—but just as she was about to touch it, her hand clenched into a fist.
Qu Sheng put on her outer cloak and went out.
Early the next morning, the scouts Qu Sheng had stationed outside reported that a secret messenger had arrived from the capital.
Qu Sheng immediately arranged for men to receive him, using thirty thousand cavalry to draw away the Bei’an forces before bringing the capital’s messenger into the city.
Qu Sheng looked at the palace attendant before her, holding an imperial decree and asking her to receive it. She frowned.
She studied the man, her gaze sharp with scrutiny.
Seeing Qu Sheng hesitate, the attendant spoke again. “I ask the Shanghujun to receive the decree!”
The generals in the room looked at one another. Qu Sheng lowered her eyes, deep in thought.
Qu Sheng had always communicated with Qu Jixian without using imperial decrees. This attendant had arrived demanding she receive a decree, and had brought no weapons or useful intelligence. Suspicion crept in.
“This subject, Qu Sheng, receives the decree.” She knelt on one knee and cupped her hands to accept it.
She would see exactly who this was.
The generals beside her followed her lead and knelt. Some still wore armor; as they knelt, it clattered.
The attendant began to read the decree.
“We have heard that the Shanghujun has fought poorly, causing heavy losses to our army, and has now lost two of our great generals. We hereby appoint the newly promoted Upper Light Cavalry Commandant, Li Shijing, to take over command. This decree is issued; the transfer shall be immediate. Let there be no delay. Respect this!”
When the attendant finished reading, the kneeling generals all looked up in shock at Qu Sheng. Seeing no reaction from her, they turned to the man beside the attendant.
Newly promoted. Upper Light Cavalry Commandant.
“My lord, is there perhaps an error in the decree?” one general raised his head to question.
“The imperial brush has written it. How could there be an error? Lord Shangqing specifically instructed me to escort the Shanghujun safely back to the capital.” The attendant folded the decree and tried to hand it to Qu Sheng, but she remained motionless.
“Shanghujun, receive the decree.” The attendant lowered his voice, speaking to Qu Sheng in a soft, feminine tone.
Qu Sheng did not move. The generals beside her grew anxious. When Qu Sheng had first arrived at the Northern Frontier, she had won against overwhelming odds, burning the enemy forces with brilliant strategies. In the end, she had persuaded the enemy to withdraw from Tiansheng territory without bloodshed. The Bei’an army was fierce as wolves and tigers—everyone knew how vicious they were. How could they dismiss a commander over temporary setbacks?
This was wartime. Changing commanders now would shake the army’s morale.
“Shanghujun?” Seeing Qu Sheng still with her head lowered, the attendant called softly and stepped toward her.
At that moment, Qu Sheng rose to her feet.
“Seize this Bei’an impostor posing as an envoy!”
At her command, before anyone from outside could enter, the kneeling generals drew their swords and subdued them.
They had been seething with anger over this decree. Now they vented it.
“General, let me kill them!” General Fengkang pressed his blade against the attendant’s neck.
“No, no, no—General, do not kill me!” The attendant’s voice turned to sobs of terror.
Qu Sheng’s face remained cold. She slowly reached out and took the decree from his hand, unfolding it to examine it.
The seal was indeed the Emperor’s jade seal. But she knew Qu Jixian would never issue such an order.
Qu Sheng crumpled the decree in her hand. She signaled the other generals to leave.
When they had gone, she turned her gaze to the young general who had come to replace her. Seeing his fearless expression, she drew a sword from beside her and slashed a deep wound across his throat.
The general holding him froze for a moment but did not let go.
Blood sprayed from the man’s throat. Qu Sheng turned her face aside by reflex.
Blood splattered across her armor.
The attendant’s legs gave out beneath him.
The man choked on his own blood, unable to breathe. His body struggled for a moment before the general released him.
He fell to the ground, clutching his throat. After a long convulsion, he went still.
Qu Sheng lifted her cold, dark gaze to the attendant, whose face had gone pale with terror. “What has happened in the capital?”
“N-no… we… we truly were sent by Lord Shangqing.”
Qu Sheng looked at the general beside her. He understood and drew his sword, cutting the man’s throat.
The Qu family would never do such a thing.
If Qu Jixian wanted the throne, she would hand it over without hesitation. But she knew he would never take it.
“General, what about the men outside?”
There were still soldiers outside who had escorted the false envoy.
Qu Sheng drew a deep breath and slowly released it. “Leave no one alive.”
Since being brought to the palace, Lin Xirui had been confined to a hall. The food was pitifully meager and wretched—half as good as the Ministry of Works fare.
Lin Xirui had passed the days in idleness. There were a few books in the hall, but he had nearly read them to tatters.
His appetite had been off; he had grown thinner. At first he refused to eat, but in the end he cleaned every plate.
He was a young lord raised in comfort, but no mere ornament. He could endure this much hardship.
Jin Mingjun had spent these days gathering supporters in Jiangnan, intent on laying a trap across the region—if an army from Shoulin came, he would be ready.
In Jiangnan, he was still recruiting soldiers. With the Xie family funding him, silver was no concern.
But he had also promised the great families and merchants of Jiangnan, as well as the feudal lords who followed him, that once he became emperor, Jiangnan would remain as it was. The feudal lords would receive absolute autonomy in their territories. The great families and merchants would have their taxes reduced.
After his discussions, Jin Mingjun felt weary. He leaned back on the throne and exhaled.
“What time is it?” he asked the guard beside him.
The guard replied, “The end of the Hour of the Dog.”
Jin Mingjun opened his eyes. “How is Lin Xirui?”
He had brought Lin Xirui to the palace but had not seen him once.
“Still the same.”
Jin Mingjun nodded. “Come with me.”
A guard walked ahead with a lantern to light the palace path. They made their way to the hall where Lin Xirui was held.
The guard opened the door. The room was brightly lit. “Shizi, please.”
Jin Mingjun looked straight ahead and entered. They walked inside, but Lin Xirui was nowhere to be seen. Jin Mingjun glanced around in confusion, then spotted the corner of Lin Xirui’s robe behind a pillar.
He walked over and saw Lin Xirui fast asleep. He frowned.
He could still sleep?
The guard saw Lin Xirui leaning against the pillar, sleeping soundly, and kicked him.
Lin Xirui woke with a start, startled, and instinctively scrambled aside to dodge—then heard laughter behind him.
The guard’s laughter brought Lin Xirui to his senses. He looked up at the guard with disdain, rolled his eyes at Jin Mingjun, curled up again, and lay back down.
Jin Mingjun had intended to make him suffer, to force him to beg, then offer him wealth and glory in exchange for persuading Lin Xizhao. Clearly, that would not work.
Jin Mingjun suppressed his anger and signaled the guard with his eyes.
The guard understood and drew his blade, pressing it against Lin Xirui’s throat.
“If I die, do you think my older sister will grieve for me? Will she avenge me?” Lin Xirui had heard the blade slide from its sheath and slowly opened his eyes.
In this bitter cold, a blade at his throat—how could he not notice? He guessed Jin Mingjun would not dare kill him. But even if he did, so be it. Everyone dies eventually. To die for a worthy cause was enough.
The guard hesitated and looked at Jin Mingjun. Seeing Lin Xirui show no fear of death, Jin Mingjun’s upper lip twitched with suppressed fury. “Since you will not help me, then stay here.”
Lin Xirui had long guessed what Jin Mingjun wanted with Lin Xizhao.
Early the next morning, a brocade box arrived at the Qu Residence. The moment Qu Yu opened it, Lin Xizhao’s face went pale as ash.
Inside lay a blood-soaked finger.
The author has something to say:
Lin Xirui: “Sis, sis, he’s forcing me to eat pig slop!”
Zhao Jiayu: “…Isn’t that laying it on a bit thick?”
Qu Sheng: “But when you come back, I’ll personally cook something good for you.”
Lin Xirui: “…Then I’ll stick with the pig slop.”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
Leave a comment for a red packet!
Footnotes
- An idiom (bái yǎn láng) describing someone who is ungrateful and betrays those who helped them.
- Signal smoke used for military communication, lit from city towers to coordinate troop movements.
- Defensive barriers made of wooden stakes shaped like deer antlers, used to prevent enemy cavalry charges.
- A jade ornament worn at the waist.
Oh gosh this is getting intense 🤧💔