The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 179
by Little PandaInsolent! Why do you not kneel before His Majesty?
“His Majesty has unfortunately passed away. He left behind a posthumous edict, which we must naturally obey. Jin Shizi has received the mandate of heaven and ought to inherit the throne. We now invite Lord Shangqing to preside over the rites and prepare the succession ceremony, to pacify the realm.”
An official aligned with the Jin family stepped out from the ranks, breaking the silence in the grand hall.
“We invite Lord Shangqing to preside over the succession ceremony!” A small half of the courtiers in the court began to echo the sentiment.
Hearing this, Jin Mingjun’s chin unconsciously lifted a fraction as he waited for Qu Jixian’s compliance.
“What, is Lord Shangqing feeling unwell today?”
Since Qu Jixian had remained silent for a long time, Jin Mingjun mocked him with this remark.
Qu Jixian lifted his eyes to look at Jin Mingjun, then glanced at the officials kneeling on the floor. His expression and tone were entirely unruffled. He tugged his cuff straight and said, “His Majesty has passed away. A wise and capable successor should be chosen from among the imperial bloodline. Is Jin Shizi acting in too much haste?”
“I hold His Majesty’s posthumous edict in my hand. The edict commands me to succeed the position of the Son of Heaven. What need is there to choose any wise candidate?” Jin Mingjun stood above the hall, looking down at Qu Jixian. Hearing his response, Jin Mingjun knew Qu Jixian would never support him. But he had already taken the first step; there was no turning back now. “I see Lord Shangqing’s complexion is slightly yellow. You must not have fully recovered from your long illness. Men, escort Lord Shangqing back to his residence to rest.”
Qu Jixian held absolute authority when speaking in the court, but if he were absent, the court would be like a tray of loose sand.
Soon after Jin Mingjun said this, someone reprimanded him.
“Rebellious officials and treacherous sons1! How dare you disrupt the court order of our Tiansheng!”
A civil official stood up in righteous indignation. Every eye in the hall turned toward him. But very quickly, before Qu Jixian could even turn around to look, a guard standing beside them drew a long saber and directly cut him down.
In the grand hall, those who had intended to echo the sentiment all turned deathly pale in this moment, standing dumbstruck. Qu Jixian’s gaze swept over the ministers belonging to his own faction. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.
“Lord Shangqing, please,” a general to the side, wearing a long saber at his waist, said as he stood beside Qu Jixian, his tone arrogant.
Qu Jixian looked back at Jin Mingjun; after the imperial family members had been killed by Jin Mingjun, he already knew he could not stop him.
“From Emperor Wuchu, the Sheng dynasty has lasted two hundred and fifteen years, passing through fourteen emperors, ending with Emperor Daxi. At this time of national hardship, of internal and external peril, when the people have no livelihood and sorrow fills the land, the late emperor, on his deathbed, abandoned the old to embrace the new. He left a posthumous edict abdicating the throne to Yun, changing the state title to Jin, in the hope that he might save the state, restore its prosperity, grant the multitudes a safe return, and unite the four seas.”
The Palace Attendant stood in the grand hall, reading Jin Mingjun’s succession edict aloud, and the news was subsequently dispatched to all regions.
“Now the new emperor ascends the throne, honoring the Marquis of Lingyi as Emperor Zhongwu, and issuing a general order to all vassal kings, marquises, and tributary nations to come and offer congratulations within a month’s time. Any delay shall be strictly punished! Respect this!”
Jin Mingjun hurriedly usurped the throne, renamed the dynasty Jin, and honored his father as Emperor Zhongwu, commanding all nations to come and pay their respects. For a time, voices calling for a punitive expedition were endless in the court. In response, Jin Mingjun initiated a massive massacre, tying all dissenters up at Caishikou2. Over a thousand people were simultaneously beheaded. The bloodstains on the ground could not be entirely removed even after a day and a night of washing.
When commoners passed by this place, they all took detours to avoid it, and there were even children who cried endlessly at night.
Qu Jixian was sent back to the Qu Residence. From the day of his return, all news from the outside world was cut off. The weather grew increasingly frigid, and his leg ailment also grew increasingly severe. Qu Yu had people go and fetch a doctor, but the guards outside blocked them and did not permit it.
Zhao Jiayu and the others were as anxious as ants on a hot pan. Zhao Jiayu cursed while trying to think of a solution.
“Let Second Uncle use a hot water bottle to ease the pain for now. I will go try.” Lin Xizhao handed Qu Zhimu, who was clinging to her, into Zhao Jiayu’s arms, and walked outside.
Everyone in the room looked at her; no one stopped her. Lin Xizhao walked a few steps outside, and in a short while, Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu followed after her.
“Xizhao, we’ll go with you.” Zhao Jiayu took quick steps to Lin Xizhao’s side.
Lin Xizhao glanced at them and looked ahead.
When the three of them reached the estate gates, the guards directly lifted their sabers along with their scabbards, blocking their path.
Lin Xizhao glanced at the two guards with crossed sword scabbards. Lowering her eyes for a moment, she said, “I am feeling somewhat unwell today. Could I trouble you two to find a doctor to take a look at me?”
Hearing this, the two guards exchanged a glance; they seemed moved, but did not agree.
Seeing that they were unwilling, Lin Xizhao took a banknote out from her sleeve and said, “A little token of my appreciation. Please treat yourselves to some wine, my lords. Could I trouble the two of you to fetch some medicine for me?”
The two guards looked down at the banknote; it was enough for them to eat for several lifetimes.
The two exchanged a look, and soon one of them raised his hand, took the banknote, tucked it into his breast, and asked, “What medicine?”
Hearing this, a trace of a smile appeared on Lin Xizhao’s face. She took out the prescription; it was the medicine Qu Jixian had been using all along.
The guard took the prescription, glanced around, and sought someone to take his place before leaving.
Lin Xizhao and the others returned indoors. Very soon, the guards brought the medicine that the outsiders had brought in. Lin Xizhao took the medicine and personally brewed a bowl.
However, while the medicine was brewing, an Imperial Physician from the palace arrived. Lin Xizhao did not refuse him; she directly brought the Imperial Physician to check Qu Jixian’s pulse. The Imperial Physician looked at the prescription and did not change it. He took out his silver needles and eased the pain brought on by Qu Jixian’s leg ailment, then used fire cupping to slowly restore Qu Jixian’s swollen leg back to its original state.
After Qu Jixian drank the medicine, his body, which had not had a good sleep in a long time, quickly fell asleep once the pain eased.
Lin Xizhao and Qu Yu saw the Imperial Physician off and went into the hall. Just now, when the Imperial Physician was treating Qu Jixian’s leg ailment, they had asked about the situation outside. Jin Mingjun had already ascended the throne and changed the state title to Jin.
When Qu Jixian returned, he said that Jin Mingjun had killed the imperial family members and wanted to declare himself emperor. They were somewhat worried that he would be disadvantageous to Qu Sheng.
Because of the Shoulin army, Jin Mingjun would not do anything to their Qu family for the time being, but how could one mountain accommodate two tigers3? Judging by the level of Jin Mingjun’s ruthlessness toward the Tiansheng imperial family members, if he neutralized the threat of the Qu family, he would certainly not let them survive in this world.
It had been some time since Qu Sheng dispatched people back to the Capital City to gather intelligence. The Northern Frontier had already begun to freeze over, and the nighttime temperatures had also begun to plummet abruptly.
The Bei’an army possessed tall and strong physiques, and having lived in cold regions for a long time, they naturally did not fear the winter cold. But the soldiers of Tiansheng were completely different from them.
Many of them were southerners who simply could not endure this world of ice and snow. Right now, they were still in the city, which could block out the howling winds outside, but once they went outside…
The winter clothing and provisions Qu Sheng was waiting for still had no sign of arriving.
“General, someone from Shoulin is here.”
Standing in the courtyard, Qu Sheng was overjoyed upon hearing this and hurriedly asked, “Who has arrived?”
“It is General Cai Daozheng,” the Assistant Commander replied, raising his head.
“Quickly, invite him in.”
“Miss.” Before the Assistant Commander could go and invite him, Cai Daozheng directly came in. The moment he saw Qu Sheng, there were actually tears of excitement in his eyes. “Miss, has your body fully recovered?”
Hearing this, Qu Sheng smiled and said, “I am entirely well, General Cai need not worry. On this trip, have you brought anything?”
Cai Daozheng wiped away a handful of tears and said, “This last general heard you were injured several times and wished I could fly over overnight. I greeted General Xu, traveled light, and came over first while scouting the path ahead.”
Hearing that he had not brought the provisions, the smile on Qu Sheng’s face faded considerably. She asked, “Did General Xu receive my letters?”
“He received them, even the later one. Oh right, that little girl from the Zhu family and our guards in the Capital City sent word, saying Jin Mingjun has rebelled and already controls the Capital City. Our people went to the Capital City and found that layer upon layer of checkpoints have been set up around the Tongshui area, but our people also managed to slip past them. Miss, should we lead the troops back to the Capital City now?”
Following Cai Daozheng’s barrage of words, Qu Sheng only froze slightly before accepting this fact. She had already guessed earlier that it was the Jin family stirring up trouble.
Even if there was a rebellion in the south, with the Lingyi soldiers she had arranged to guard the region, it should have been absolutely foolproof. For an army to appear out of nowhere like this and the Jin family failing to suppress it was obviously impossible. And all conclusions were telling Qu Sheng that the Jin family had mutinied.
Jin Yunyou dying in battle was not something she could control, and the Jin family’s mutiny was something she had not anticipated beforehand. If Jin Yunyou were alive, she could be absolutely certain that the Jin family would never stab their Qu family in the back.
But now, Jin Mingjun leading troops to rebel was confirmed, and Qu Sheng worried for her wife and relatives in the Capital City.
“Miss, make a decision early. As long as you give the order, I, Cai Daozheng, will definitely charge into battle for you. I will absolutely not let you suffer even half a bit of injury again.”
Qu Sheng had yet to make a decision, but Cai Daozheng was already clamoring to charge into battle for her. Qu Sheng raised her eyes to look at him, some helplessness in her eyes.
Jin Mingjun had rebelled, but he had only set up defenses against Shoulin and had not attacked Shoulin, which proved that Qu Jixian was currently dealing with him.
But the person Jin Mingjun sent to deliver the imperial decree last time had been killed by her; Jin Mingjun would absolutely not let the matter rest, and there was also her family letter.
Qu Sheng worried that Jin Mingjun would play petty tricks behind their backs.
However, with the Northern Frontier army she led and the Shoulin army flanking him from both sides, Jin Mingjun definitely would not dare to do anything to her family for the time being—except for Lin Xizhao.
If Lin Xizhao were not in the Capital City, she probably would not need to worry too much. Jin Mingjun did not dare to touch the people of the Qu family, but he dared to touch Lin Xizhao. She also knew deeply that Lin Xizhao would not submit, but she feared that Jin Mingjun would use Lin Xirui to threaten her.
Qu Sheng had already thought it through very clearly at this moment; she wanted to lead the troops back to the Capital City and, while Jin Mingjun had not yet gained a firm foothold, rescue her family members.
But before Qu Sheng could summon the generals, news came from the Heyi Kingdom side.
The Bei’an army’s medicine was about to enter Tiansheng territory. If they did not strike early, once this batch of medicine entered the city, it would be extremely difficult to obtain.
And regarding this batch of medicine, her people had also already confirmed that the vast majority was that kind of medicine Qu Sheng had taken last time.
After receiving the news, Qu Sheng fell into a dilemma.
The Bei’an army was invading Tiansheng. If she led her troops back, it would inevitably attract a massive pursuit from the Bei’an army. If she went back regardless of everything, it would be having a wolf in front and a tiger behind4.
The best method was to first resolve the Bei’an army, then return to the Capital City to provide rescue. But right now, the state of her army simply could not contend against the Bei’an army, and at this moment, a shortcut was laid out before her, yet Qu Sheng found it difficult to make a decision.
As the night deepened, the gates of the main city quietly opened a crack, letting two people in.
Feng Qi led Lin Xirui as they traveled day and night, rushing to the Northern Frontier. They hurriedly went into the city to find Qu Sheng to request reinforcements.
“General, Guard Feng and King Wenze’s Shizi have arrived.”
Just as Qu Sheng was at her wit’s end, she heard the news that made her reach a decision at this moment.
The moment Lin Xirui entered the door, his gaze went to search for Qu Sheng. Upon seeing Qu Sheng, he did not even salute. With his mouth parched and tongue dry, he still clearly explained the whole story from beginning to end.
“Sheng-meimei, you need not worry about my Ajie, Jin Mingjun dares not do anything to her. My Ajie said that as long as you are safe and sound, they will not be in any danger.”
After Lin Xirui finished speaking, he took the hot water Cai Daozheng handed over with a, “Here.”
Hearing this, Lin Xirui looked over, hurriedly took it in his hands, and drank it down without any ceremony. After drinking, he wiped his mouth and only then said a “thank you”.
“Miss.” Feng Qi had not spoken since arriving. He had failed to protect by Lin Xizhao’s side, and this time, he had neglected his duty again.
Hearing his voice, Qu Sheng looked toward Feng Qi and saw his seemingly guilty expression.
“You did very well.” Qu Sheng praised Feng Qi.
She had already sorted out everything Lin Xirui had just said; this matter could not be blamed on Feng Qi. If Feng Qi had not been outside to rescue Lin Xirui, right now she would certainly still be entangled in indecision.
Feng Qi pressed his lips tightly, seemingly not feeling that he had done well anywhere. Lin Xirui, completely unrestrained, poured a cup of tea for him, handed it over, and said, “Along the way, many thanks to Guard Feng for your care. Xirui will certainly repay this kindness in the future.”
“Shizi Lin exaggerates.” Feng Qi took the teacup, glanced at Qu Sheng who had been constantly thinking about things, and drank it down.
“You two go down and rest first, do not wander randomly around the city.” Qu Sheng raised her eyes and looked at Lin Xirui as she spoke.
Lin Xirui nodded and said, “Alright, if Sheng-meimei needs any help, you can dispatch me at any time.”
Qu Sheng nodded, ordering someone to lead them away.
Lin Xirui walked outward, but Feng Qi stood there unmoving. He looked at Qu Sheng, seemingly having something to say.
“What is it?” Qu Sheng asked in confusion.
Hearing this, Feng Qi pursed his lips and said, “Miss, I want to help you.”
Qu Sheng exchanged a glance with him, then looked toward Cai Daozheng. With Feng Qi’s martial arts skills, serving as her guard was truly a waste of his talents, and right now she was just pondering who would be best to send out of the city.
Qu Sheng pondered for a moment, looked at Cai Daozheng, and said, “General Cai, having endured the hardships of travel, do you feel fatigued?”
Hearing this, Cai Daozheng shook his head like a rattle-drum and smiled, “Whatever arrangements the General has, just give the order. This last general will certainly accomplish it!”
Qu Sheng hooked the corners of her lips, looked at Feng Qi to the side, and said, “From today onward, you will follow General Cai.”
Feng Qi exchanged a look with Cai Daozheng, who was looking at him, then looked at Qu Sheng again and cupped his hands, saying, “Feng Qi obeys.”
Qu Sheng walked to the side of the topographic map in her room, pondered for a moment, then raised her head and addressed Cai Daozheng to the side, “I just observed the astronomical phenomena; there will be no heavy snow within half a month. At three quarters past the Hour of the Ox, you will take my command token, lead a cavalry unit, and mobilize the soldiers in Sui City and Shanguan City. Have General Lian lead the way. At Pengshu Pass and Hexiang Valley, gather firewood for a fire attack to intercept and pincer attack the Bei’an army’s medicine convoy at these two locations. This battle can only succeed and must not fail. Can you do it?”
“Rest assured, Miss. If it cannot be done, I, Cai Daozheng, will bring my head to see you.” Cai Daozheng only glanced at the terrain on the topographic map before patting his chest to guarantee.
If Qu Sheng said to use a fire attack, then it would definitely be able to burn.
“Good. This battle concerns the subsequent survival of our Northern Frontier army. This mission is solely to burn the medicine. By no means should you linger in combat. After leading the troops back to Zhishou County to rest, wait to hear my news.”
Cai Daozheng was a fierce general, just setting a fire to burn the medicine…
“Feng Qi, you will supervise the army. If Cai Daozheng is greedy for battle, you may execute him on the spot, and you will command the troops, bringing them to Zhishou County to stand by.”
Qu Sheng’s casually spoken words made both Cai Daozheng and Feng Qi freeze for a moment. The two looked at each other, both cupping their hands and saying, “We obey.”
After the cavalry headed by Cai Daozheng left the city, Qu Sheng stood atop the city gate tower, scanning the surroundings.
Although the Bei’an army shouted curses below the city gate tower every day, they had moved the position of their main army very far away.
Night raids were no longer possible; the nights were even colder than the days, and the provisions and army from Shoulin would still take several days to arrive. During this period, she could not let the Bei’an army perceive her intentions.
The next day, the Bei’an army, as usual, sent soldiers to come and shout challenges and curses. On the city gate tower, Qu Sheng laid an ambush of archers. Ten thousand arrows fired simultaneously, shooting the Bei’an army until they fled in a sorry state, unable to care about cursing Qu Sheng and the others anymore.
But also because of this action by Qu Sheng, the Bei’an army, who had failed to capture the city for a long time, became enraged.
They began to besiege the city.
The military equipment for the city defense naturally went without saying. If the Bei’an army could easily attack their way in, they would not be confronting them outside.
The generals of the various divisions led their soldiers and, when the enemy forces used siege ladders attempting to come up, unhesitatingly dropped the Yacha Rolling Logs5. The Yacha Rolling Logs, fully ringed with wolf-teeth spikes, directly and heavily struck the Bei’an soldiers climbing up. Plummeting from the heights of the city walls, they were maimed if not killed.
Even worse, they also poured down boiling excrement6 from the city, making the besieging Bei’an army directly abandon their efforts and flee.
The siege battle proceeded for a day and a night. The Bei’an army went into battle in turns, and Qu Sheng also deployed her troops, arranging her tactics.
Below the city walls, the dead enemies were countless. Qu Sheng ordered people to set fire and incinerate the corpses.
At dawn the next day, the Bei’an army’s men and horses were exhausted, and they temporarily paused their siege plan.
Qu Sheng sat on the city wall, leaning against the cyan bricks of the wall, and could be considered to have breathed a sigh of relief.
The temperature at night cooled by a few degrees again, and some of the soldiers had already fallen ill. The medicine in the city was not lacking, but Qu Sheng worried that without thick winter clothing, the soldiers would repeatedly fall ill.
Finally, on the fifth day, Shoulin’s reinforcements and provisions hurried over. Qu Sheng opened the city gates wide, welcoming the reinforcements and provisions into the city.
Opening the city gates would inevitably attract the Bei’an army’s attention. Every time Qu Sheng had to open the city gates, the troops she sent to lure away the Bei’an army had already been somewhat noticed by them; this time, they actually left half of their military strength behind.
The reinforcements and provisions did not entirely enter the main city. Qu Sheng opened the city gates wide precisely to attract the Bei’an army’s main force.
When the provisions and reinforcements were only halfway into the city, the Bei’an army led their troops and charged over. Qu Sheng ordered the soldiers to counterattack to guarantee all the provisions entered the city.
Looking at cart after cart of provisions being transported into the city, how could the Bei’an army be willing to resign themselves to it? When Qu Sheng repeated her old trick and arranged for her own soldiers to lure them away, the Bei’an army actually quickly returned outside the main city where Qu Sheng was located after pursuing for five li.
The Bei’an army did not go intercept the provisions, but instead led their troops to attack into the city first. During this time, the generals on the city gate tower ceaselessly shouted to close the city gates, but the soldiers guarding the city gates abandoned the gates and fled.
When the Bei’an army entered the city, Qu Sheng ordered the city gates closed.
A three-linked city barbican7 trapped the Bei’an army beneath bows and arrows. Qu Sheng stood atop the city wall, looking down at the crowded Bei’an army below. With a single command, ten thousand arrows fired simultaneously.
The Bei’an army that entered the barbican were shot and killed. The enemy troops who did not die also perished amid the continuously thrown hot sand and quicklime.
An hour later, Qu Sheng drew the sword at her waist, took her soldiers down, and carried out finishing strikes on the Bei’an army that were still struggling and clinging to their last breaths.
In this battle, the Tiansheng army lost merely a thousand people, while the Bei’an army fully lost thirty thousand.
Qu Sheng ordered people to strip the iron armor from the corpses of the Bei’an army wearing iron armor, collecting it for their own use. It was just that the Bei’an soldiers wearing the fish-scale iron armor were truly too tall and large; there were very few Tiansheng soldiers who could put it on and have it fit properly.
Qu Sheng ordered the craftsmen in the city to quickly improve it, but when the blacksmiths disassembled it to forge, they could no longer connect it back together.
Moreover, this iron armor was exceptionally heavy. Unless a soldier drilled year-round, it was very rare to have someone able to walk freely upon wearing it.
Helpless, Qu Sheng could only have people stow the iron armor away, ordering the craftsmen in the city to continue researching it.
Shoulin’s reinforcements and grain and fodder had all arrived, and they had also engaged in battle with the Bei’an army several times. Based on what Qu Sheng had the military physician estimate previously regarding the number of uses and dosage of the medicine bottles carried by the Bei’an army, right now it seemed they had reached a state of depletion.
With a slight lull in the fighting, Qu Sheng went to inspect the weapons brought by Shoulin.
The old-style weapons she requested had not been newly made because the time was too short; they had merely brought over the inventory from the armory. However, Shoulin was already urgently manufacturing them.
Qu Sheng convened the generals in the city and revealed a rough outline of her layout.
It had been some time since Jin Mingjun usurped the throne. After Qu Jixian was diagnosed and treated by the Imperial Physician, his leg ailment had also improved considerably.
During this period, Jin Mingjun issued a decree promoting him to Pillar of the State, letting him sit on equal footing with Qu Jinian.
He also ordered the retraction of Qu Sheng’s special exemption to inherit the Marquis title. On the grounds that Qu Jinian’s body had been unable to wake up for a long time, he had Qu Jixian take over Qu Jinian’s Marquis position.
When Jin Mingjun’s imperial decree came down, the people in the Qu Residence had already seen through his trick.
This was an attempt to cause internal conflict in the Qu family, making Qu Jixian take Shoulin and become enemies with Qu Sheng. It was just that he seemed unclear about the temperament of the Qu family members.
Whenever anyone from the Qu family opened their mouth, whether it was money or power and influence, the Qu family members would yield it with both hands. They would not get into disputes for the sake of power and money.
This day, the Qu family was gathered together eating breakfast when two squads of Imperial Guard guards opening the way arrived outside the residence.
The dishes on the dining table had only been half-eaten when the steward hurriedly came to report that the new emperor, Jin Mingjun, had arrived.
The complexions of the people at the table abruptly changed. Qu Jixian swallowed the food in his throat, set aside his jade chopsticks, and looked at the crowd, his expression peaceful as he said, “There is no need to be afraid, just follow me outside.”
Qu Jixian got up, and everyone also stood up following suit.
Lin Xizhao and the several juniors followed behind, and Qu Zhimu was also carried over together.
Jin Mingjun wore a well-fitting bright yellow dragon robe, with Palace Attendants on both sides holding ceremonial fans to open the way, leading Jin Mingjun to pass by from there.
“Insolent, seeing His Majesty, why do you not kneel?” The head Palace Attendant at the side reprimanded the Qu family members uniformly standing before them.
Zhao Jiayu rolled her eyes; what kind of emperor was Jin Mingjun?
“No matter.” Jin Mingjun looked at the crowd with a smiling face; his mood today seemed exceptionally good.
Qu Jixian stood there unmoving. Jin Mingjun also did not take the initiative to strike up a conversation with him, but instead turned his gaze toward Lin Xizhao.
“Xizhao-meimei, look who I brought.” Jin Mingjun said, turning sideways and glancing back.
Lin Xizhao was attracted by this sentence and cast her gaze over.
Lin Xikuan stood out from Jin Mingjun’s side, looking at Lin Xizhao with a face full of smiles. Then he glanced at Jin Mingjun, seemingly waiting for Jin Mingjun to give the order letting him go over.
As Jin Mingjun looked at Lin Xizhao’s surprised expression upon seeing her own younger brother, he smiled at Lin Xikuan, raised his chin, and said, “Go on.”
Lin Xikuan cupped his hands in salute and walked toward Lin Xizhao with a smile.
Everyone’s gazes also followed Lin Xikuan, looking toward Lin Xizhao.
At this moment, Lin Xizhao was obviously somewhat astonished. She had only just had Feng Qi take her third brother away; how come her second brother was here again?
“Ajie, I am Xikuan, do you not recognize me?” Seeing Lin Xizhao’s worried expression, Lin Xikuan reached out and tugged at Lin Xizhao’s sleeve.
“Xikuan.” Lin Xizhao looked at her own younger brother; just now she had been thinking about how she could let this younger brother extricate himself as well.
But when Lin Xikuan’s subsequent words were spoken, Lin Xizhao froze entirely in place.
“Ajie, His Majesty promoted me to Minister of Revenue and let me inherit the king’s title under the name of our Lin family’s heir. Although I am very sorry to Third Brother, I also have no way to refuse His Majesty’s decree. You won’t be angry with me, right?”
As Lin Xikuan spoke, it seemed as if he was pleading for forgiveness in his eyes.
Lin Xizhao stared blankly at this younger brother of hers, finding it hard to believe that he would lean toward Jin Mingjun.
“Ajie.” Seeing Lin Xizhao had no reaction, Lin Xikuan reached his hand over, using his sleeve as cover, and actually grasped Lin Xizhao’s fingers.
And Lin Xizhao, at that moment, was forced to stop her movement of pulling her hand away.
Footnotes
- An idiom (luàn chén zéi zǐ) referring to traitors, usurpers, and those who disrupt the established order.
- A major intersection and traditional public execution ground in the Capital City.
- An idiom meaning that two rival powers cannot coexist in the same territory.
- An idiom describing a situation where one is surrounded by danger on all sides, facing threats from both front and rear.
- A spiked cylindrical siege defense weapon. When rolled down from city walls, its heavy weight and sharp spikes crush and pierce enemies attempting to scale the walls.
- Boiling human/animal feces used as a deadly and infectious siege defense weapon.
- An inner gate or enclosed defensive courtyard within city walls. Qu Sheng traps 30,000 Bei'an troops here.
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