The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 181
by Little PandaAunt, is Little Aunt named Sheng’er?
The Bei’an army kept their camp gates closed and refused to come out, so Qu Sheng ordered her men to harass them from the flanks. She knew very well that the majority of the Bei’an soldiers were currently exhausted, but the troops she led were not faring much better. Their current morale was merely fueled by the anger accumulated over many days.
As night fell, Qu Sheng had no choice but to lead her troops back to the city, dispatching scouts to closely monitor the Bei’an army’s movements.
The segment of the Bei’an army that had routed were likely those who had not taken the mysterious drug. Having suffered a disastrous defeat in today’s battle, they definitely would not dare to act rashly again. As for those inside the main Bei’an encampment, she needed time to drag things out.
Drag it out until their withdrawal symptoms flared up.
Before returning to the city, Qu Sheng issued an order: the defending generals in Huaiyang, Fenglin, Baocheng, and Suicheng were to ride out and intercept the Bei’an reinforcements. She allocated the necessary weapons to them; the new catapults had detachable wheels installed underneath, making them easier to transport and maneuver.
Immediately after, she recalled Feng Qi and ordered Cai Daozheng to lead troops to ambush the defeated Bei’an soldiers along their retreat route.
She would ensure they had no way back!
Two days later, heavy snow suddenly arrived, freezing the land for ten thousand li1.
The soldiers of Tiansheng donned extra padded cotton coats. After Qu Sheng delivered an impassioned speech from the commander’s platform, their morale reached a boiling point.
“The Bei’an army has bullied our Tiansheng too far. You soldiers have toiled day and night with me to defend this city, enduring humiliation until now. Today, heaven shows its signs; the disaster star dims. The Bei’an army is doomed to perish! I have chosen this day to launch our crusade. The time for all of you to establish your merits, build careers, and earn titles for your wives and children is now!”
Qu Sheng drew the sword in her hand, pointing it to the sky to swear an oath. Amidst the soldiers’ courageous roars, they charged toward the Bei’an main camp.
Two hours earlier, Qu Sheng had learned that internal strife had broken out within the Bei’an main camp.
Many of the Bei’an soldiers took the drug. Even when not in battle, they would take small doses to manage their addiction. But due to the frequent battles, their supply had not been replenished. The Bei’an army had wanted to take advantage of the heavy snow to launch a sneak attack when Qu Sheng led her soldiers out of the city. Unexpectedly, the Bei’an forces within the main camp refused to deploy.
Without the drug to soothe their addicted bodies, the sensation was truly unbearable. Even Qu Sheng, who had only taken it once, had felt the pull of addiction; she knew that craving all too well. For the Bei’an soldiers who had taken it long-term, their internal torment and agony would certainly be no less than hers.
The Shoulin cavalry were the first to break into the Bei’an military camp.
The Bei’an army chaotically retreated from their camp. Qu Sheng ordered her men to give chase, executing a pincer attack from both sides. They herded the enemy into the bottom of a valley, slaughtering them with a barrage of arrows and hurled stones.
Even as their combat effectiveness plummeted, there were still those among the routing Bei’an forces who fought back desperately.
Qu Sheng’s army met resistance and immediately changed tactics, splitting the enemy forces to destroy them one by one.
At the same time, the Bei’an reinforcements hurrying over upon hearing the news were intercepted by the generals Qu Sheng had stationed in the various cities. In the low-lying areas of their march route, the Tiansheng generals set up wooden barricades2 and scattered caltrops3, blocking their advance and shattering their hopes of passing through the area quickly.
A sky-blotting volley of arrows and stones from the catapults smashed into them. The remnants of the Bei’an reinforcements were forced to retreat.
The other locations followed suit, repelling the Bei’an reinforcements and ensuring that the main force led by Qu Sheng could defeat the Bei’an main army.
After fighting fiercely for a day and a night, the soldiers were utterly exhausted. Although the Bei’an army was at a disadvantage, their weapons, armor, and physical builds still gave them a considerable edge when there were no catapult attacks.
The Tiansheng army had suffered many losses before. Even though their morale was high and they could see hope, a large portion of the soldiers who had witnessed the Bei’an army’s ferocity still harbored deep-seated terror, too frightened to step forward and engage in close combat.
As the battle between the two armies briefly paused, Qu Sheng paced back and forth inside her tent.
Unable to think of a solution inside, she stepped out into the heavy snow, crunching through the drifts. The sound of her boots crunching on the snow was exceptionally clear, but Qu Sheng did not hear it at all.
It wasn’t until she looked up at the snow that she noticed a commander’s flag nearby, flapping wildly in the biting wind. The perplexity in her eyes slowly transformed into a confident, calculating smile.
Qu Sheng gathered the Shoulin generals to discuss who would penetrate the enemy’s heartland and take down the enemy’s green commander’s flag.
That green commander’s flag represented the Bei’an main commander; it was the banner they absolutely had to coordinate with when issuing orders.
If someone destroyed this flag, the Bei’an soldiers would be unable to see it and would inevitably assume their commander had fallen in battle. Their morale would descend into chaos, and the Tiansheng soldiers would seize the moment, finding the courage to charge forward and fight.
After discussing with her generals, Qu Sheng arranged for three squads. Once everyone left, only Feng Qi remained in the room.
Feng Qi stood behind Qu Sheng, looking as though he wanted to speak but stopping himself. Qu Sheng sat there, studying the topographic map. When she glanced up and saw Feng Qi rooted to the spot, his lips slightly parted, she asked, “Why haven’t you gone back yet?”
Feng Qi was about the same age as Qu Ting. He had already taken a wife in Capital City, and she currently lived in the Qu Residence.
“Feng Qi wants to go.”
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s expression turned serious. “Penetrating deep into enemy lines is no joke.”
Her implication was clear: it was far too dangerous. Feng Qi had followed Qu Sheng since she was a child. Although they were master and servant in name, she considered him half family. How could she send him on a mission she knew meant near-certain death?
“Feng Qi is not afraid.”
“I am.”
Qu Sheng cut him off the moment the words left his mouth. Over the past few years, she had lost too many loved ones. As a commander, she shouldn’t be so selfish, but to her, Feng Qi was not just family—he was a helpless attempt to make amends for the elders who had died, an effort to stop that feeling of powerlessness from resurfacing.
She did not want to see any more of her family leave her.
Feng Qi looked up at her uncompromising, solemn expression. His throat bobbed for a moment before he lowered his head. “Feng Qi understands.”
“Wait.”
Qu Sheng called out just as Feng Qi was about to reach the door. He turned and cupped his hands in a bow, waiting for her orders.
“Tomorrow, you will lead a squad of men. If those three generals cannot complete the task, you will step in.” In the end, Qu Sheng maintained a thread of rationality. She was a qualified commander.
She knew Feng Qi’s combat prowess intimately. If the generals who had volunteered could not take down the enemy’s flag, she would let Feng Qi try.
The next day, the falling snow stopped, and the bitter north wind also somewhat abated. Although the sun shone brightly, the accumulated snow on the ground showed no signs of melting.
Qu Sheng mustered her army and ordered the final all-out assault.
The remaining Bei’an main force still accounted for more than half their original number. When Qu Sheng ordered the attack and the two armies clashed, the Bei’an soldiers seemed accustomed to such severe cold. After a night’s reprieve, they had regrouped and reorganized.
Qu Sheng ordered her troops forward. During the melee, without the support of the catapults, the Tiansheng army was clearly at a disadvantage.
At this moment, Qu Sheng fixed her gaze on the enemy commander’s flag.
The three generals set off from the right flank of the Bei’an army, leading cavalry to plunge into the enemy’s center. However, the enemy had long been prepared for Qu Sheng’s previous tactics, setting up wooden barricades around their carriage crossbows to block the assault.
Unable to use their warhorses to charge, the soldiers were quickly trapped in the middle. When they tried to retreat, it was nowhere near as smooth as their entry had been.
Qu Sheng ordered the catapults to be moved, but the distance was simply too great to reach them. Just as she was about to abandon the rescue, Feng Qi led a squad of men charging down the slope, forcing open a path.
Seeing this, the trapped soldiers immediately turned their horses to escape, only to realize that Feng Qi was not there to save them at all.
When Feng Qi’s horse encountered the wooden barricades blocking his path, he leaped into the air with sword in hand. He stepped on the heads of the Bei’an soldiers in front of him, bounding toward the great flag.
Seeing this, the cavalrymen deep in the enemy’s heartland abandoned any thoughts of turning back. They immediately drew the enemy’s fire to cover Feng Qi, clashing fiercely with the Bei’an troops from horseback.
The enemy quickly realized Feng Qi’s target was the great flag. But Feng Qi’s lightness skill allowed him to move far too quickly, and the flag was too cumbersome. Even with over a dozen men guarding it, they could not stop him.
Coupled with his remarkable archery, he swiftly shot down the several men holding the flag while on the move.
The commander’s flag toppled, and a nearby soldier immediately hoisted it back up. Seeing this, Feng Qi leaped directly onto the flag pole itself. Sliding from the top down, he used the edge of his blade to shear the banner away.
A bare pole served no purpose, but Feng Qi still moved with blinding speed to hack the thick wooden pole in two.
With the Bei’an commander’s flag gone, the distant relay soldiers who didn’t know what was happening immediately panicked, running around and shouting.
Within Qu Sheng’s army, someone immediately shouted on purpose: “The enemy commander has been beheaded by our forces! Soldiers, charge with me!”
At that moment, the soldiers regained their confidence, finding the courage to surge forward and cross blades with the enemy.
Although the enemy’s armor gave them an advantage, the red-eyed Tiansheng soldiers, their morale multiplied, felt absolutely no fear.
The Bei’an commander had been slain, which surely meant the Tiansheng army had breached the enemy lines. With their own men at the front, what was there to fear in fighting these Bei’an soldiers caught in a pincer attack?
Qu Sheng rode her warhorse, swinging her sword to slaughter the enemy. As far as her eyes could see, there was a sea of blood.
Row upon row of Tiansheng soldiers fell into pools of blood, and the Bei’an soldiers fared no better.
After twelve hours of fierce battle, the Tiansheng army finally achieved victory under the cover of catapults and archers.
The Bei’an main commander led his routed troops and fled north. Just as the Tiansheng soldiers wanted to give chase, Qu Sheng ordered the gongs sounded to recall the troops.
With the Bei’an main force gone, Qu Sheng needed to quickly reorganize her army. After a brief rest, she would wipe out the remaining Bei’an forces and reclaim the lost territories.
The Tiansheng main army set up camp. Qu Sheng ordered someone to notify Cai Daozheng. She had already calculated the retreat route of the Bei’an main force, and Cai Daozheng had set up an ambush right there.
She would never let the Bei’an army leave alive!
Qu Sheng ordered the cooks to prepare extra rations and meat. Once the soldiers had eaten their fill, she let them rest properly.
Feng Qi had sustained several knife wounds during the battle, but fortunately, none were fatal. Qu Sheng personally brought a bowl of thick porridge to check on him.
Feng Qi lay on his cot, his lips pale. He had failed to stay by Lin Xizhao’s side to protect her and always felt he had neglected his duty. This time, he had begged Qu Sheng for the mission because he wanted to make up for his mistakes with merits.
“Miss.” Seeing Qu Sheng enter, Feng Qi hurriedly tried to sit up.
Noticing this, Qu Sheng quickly stepped forward to soothe him. “You have wounds on your body. There’s no need to get up.”
Feng Qi nodded, looking a little constrained. Qu Sheng stood to the side, watching as someone fed Feng Qi the porridge. Only when he lay back down to rest did she leave with peace of mind.
With the continuous heavy battles these past few days, the soldiers were overly fatigued. Qu Sheng had a mind to push north, but seeing their physical condition, she couldn’t bear to do it.
Even without the drug, the Bei’an army’s combat capabilities remained formidable. Qu Sheng had to admit this point.
Although the Bei’an army had routed, her own forces had suffered heavy casualties.
Within Tiansheng’s borders, there were no more reinforcements to deploy. Shoulin could not send out its entire garrison either.
Moving forward, she had to advance steadily and strike carefully, exterminating the Bei’an forces within their borders with minimal casualties.
At night, the north wind suddenly flared up again. Although the soldiers in the tents felt the cold, their overly exhausted bodies did not want to move an inch.
Qu Sheng led a patrol around the camp, ordering her men to distribute extra bedding to the wounded.
Qu Sheng patrolled until the second half of the night, when someone rode over on horseback to report that the Emperor had sent reinforcements.
Qu Sheng looked down at the messenger and asked, “Who is leading the reinforcements? How many troops?”
The messenger did not hesitate. “It is Cavalry Commandant Liang Lianhui. There are two hundred thousand troops.”
When Qu Sheng heard Liang Lianhui’s name, she froze for a moment, though the generals inside the central command tent harbored no suspicions.
Qu Sheng pondered whether this was orchestrated by Qu Jixian. But she didn’t understand—how could Jin Mingjun dare to send reinforcements to her at a time like this? Was he not afraid she would retaliate?
While Qu Sheng was deep in thought, a nearby general asked, “Where are the reinforcements right now?”
“They are twenty li away and will arrive momentarily. The Grand General is requested to receive them at once.”
The moment the man finished speaking, Qu Sheng’s gaze immediately turned sharp.
She had set up military sentries fifty li away. How could they have slipped past her posts without her noticing? Furthermore, the scouts she had sent to Capital City to investigate had not yet returned.
Qu Sheng’s silence caused the generals in the central command tent to grow suspicious as well.
“Tie him up!”
With Qu Sheng’s command, the generals inside the tent immediately kicked the man to the ground, pinning him down and tying his hands behind his back.
As the messenger was bound, he cried out, “Grand General, why are you doing this?”
“Fengkang, quickly order the three armies to prepare for battle!”
General Fengkang received the order and sprinted out with the long saber at his waist. Soon, the resounding clang of gongs and drums shook the encampment. The exhausted, snoring soldiers were forced to rise, completely stripped of sleep.
When Qu Sheng had launched her attack against the Bei’an army, she had set up sentry posts along the official roads heading south. If this massive army had arrived without her noticing, there was certainly foul play, and it absolutely would not be this man before her delivering the news.
Her people had all been uprooted by Jin Mingjun.
Now, he actually treated her like a fool, coming to inform her to receive ‘reinforcements.’
The soldiers had just fought a brutal battle during the day and were now forced to face another attack. Although they were wide awake, their bodies were still exhausted.
When Qu Sheng inspected the state of her troops and realized this, she had no choice but to take a massive risk, ordering her soldiers to retreat to the nearest city for cover. With the protection of city walls, her men might be able to rest before fighting again.
The imperial city was already controlled by Jin Mingjun. Anyone sent by the “Emperor” was undoubtedly sent by Jin Mingjun. Even if Qu Jixian had convinced Jin Mingjun to send reinforcements, at this critical juncture, she had to be on her guard.
The nearest city was thirty li away, located slightly southwest. If their army’s movements hadn’t been grasped by the ‘reinforcements,’ they might have a chance.
But even if they were being watched, she could order a forced march and attempt it. Regardless, they could not sit around waiting to die.
However, the city’s capacity was not large. Qu Sheng needed to transport the sick and wounded soldiers inside before making further plans.
Qu Sheng issued the order: the army was to strike camp and march toward Linqu County.
Halfway through the march, the snowdrifts illuminated by the moonlight were clear, but not as clear as Qu Sheng’s eyes, which could see as if it were day.
Qu Sheng ordered the army to halt. After whispering a few words to her lieutenant general and several assistant commanders, the officers spurred their horses and rode toward the rear of the troops.
Qu Sheng remained standing where she was. Her gaze swept the surroundings. A quarter of an hour later, she tugged her horse’s reins and bolted off to one side.
The main army followed suit. Soon, from the path they had been preparing to take, the shouts and clashes of battle erupted.
The reinforcements from the capital were hardly twenty li away. The messenger had deliberately lured Qu Sheng into bringing her army here!
At this moment, the last sliver of hope in Qu Sheng’s heart shattered. She immediately ordered her men to form ranks and prepare for battle.
When the army dispatched by Jin Mingjun charged over, Qu Sheng ordered a volley of arrows to greet them. She then led her troops in a retreat, targeting Guian City to the north of Linqu County, and ordered the wounded to be escorted there first.
The vanguard defended, covering the rearguard’s retreat. Once the main army had pulled back a certain distance, the vanguard also began to withdraw. Seeing them retreat, the capital’s ‘reinforcements’ gave chase.
Under the cover of night, Qu Sheng stood at the peak of a narrow valley passage, looking down coldly at the capital troops pursuing her army.
“Light the fires,” Qu Sheng ordered. The extinguished torches were instantly ignited.
The mountainside suddenly flared with bright light. Qu Sheng waved her hand, and the torches were hurled downwards. Streaks of fire illuminated the dark valley passage. The capital troops quickly wanted to flee, but as the falling torches revealed their exact positions, boulders began rolling down from the slopes.
The enemy forces on other paths were similarly bombarded into a scattered rout by Qu Sheng’s catapults.
When the enemy had suffered nearly fifty percent casualties, Qu Sheng ordered her troops forward for close combat.
The two armies fought fiercely until dawn. The two hundred thousand troops sent by Jin Mingjun were nearly completely slaughtered by Qu Sheng’s forces.
As the survivors broke and fled, Qu Sheng’s army rode the momentum to pursue them, only to unexpectedly fall into an enemy encirclement.
After surviving two fierce battles, Qu Sheng’s remaining army—including the wounded—numbered less than four hundred thousand.
But the capital’s ‘reinforcements’ far exceeded that number.
Capital City, the Imperial Palace, the main audience hall.
Jin Mingjun had been on the throne for many days. Among the civil and military officials in court, aside from the retainers he had brought from Lingyi, the vast majority were sycophants flocking to power.
The officials connected to the Qu family had already received Qu Jixian’s implicit instructions: stay alive at all costs and avoid clashing with Jin Mingjun.
During today’s Morning Court, discussions regarding the new Emperor’s ascension grew heated. Using Sheng Hezhang4 as a cautionary tale, the court fiercely debated whether to name Jin Mingjun’s eldest legitimate son, Jin Weifu, as the Crown Prince.
The candidate for Empress had already been chosen. The Ministry of Rites had issued the documents and betrothal gifts, and the Empress’s investiture ceremony would be held in a matter of days.
Marquis Feng—the father of Jin Mingjun’s deceased first wife, Feng-shi—submitted a petition stating that the Crown Prince should be established early to pacify the people and stabilize the state.
“This humble subject believes this matter can be discussed at a later date,” an official stepped forward, neither denying Marquis Feng’s petition nor supporting it.
Jin Mingjun originally wanted to use this opportunity to gracefully drop the subject, but Marquis Feng immediately fired back: “Since ancient times, we establish the elder, not the younger. The Eldest Prince is His Majesty’s eldest legitimate son, the obvious choice right in front of us. Why must it be discussed at a later date?”
Hearing this, Jin Mingjun’s expression looked as though he was considering Marquis Feng’s words. However, before anyone else could speak, Lin Xikuan stepped forward.
Seeing him step out, the considering look on Jin Mingjun’s face morphed into a trace of confusion.
“Your Majesty, since ancient times, it is not an absolute rule to establish the elder over the younger. Emperor Xiaocheng of the previous dynasty was not Emperor Longhe’s eldest legitimate son. This humble subject believes we should establish the virtuous, not simply the eldest.” Once Lin Xikuan’s words left his mouth, the ministers in the hall immediately broke out into murmurs.
Marquis Feng listened to Lin Xikuan. His mouth twitched as though he were pondering the matter, then he said, “Lord Lin, if we are discussing virtue and talent, the Second Prince is still young, but one can already see his intelligence. Why not let the two princes compete, and the victor shall be named Crown Prince?”
“Heh. Marquis Feng, the two princes are both still very young. Isn’t it a bit too hasty to have them compete now?” Lin Xikuan’s tone carried a hint of mockery.
Marquis Feng retorted, “This won’t do, that won’t do! Don’t tell me we must wait until the princes are grown before establishing a Crown Prince?”
“Marquis Feng is right. His Majesty is still young, and currently only has two imperial heirs. By the time the two princes are grown, how could His Majesty’s dragon heirs only number two?” After Lin Xikuan finished speaking, he laughed out loud.
But his laugh was entirely devoid of warmth. Watching him, Marquis Feng suddenly felt a chill rise in his spine and furrowed his brows. “You!”
“His Majesty has already decreed that the Junzhu of King Wenze’s Residence will be Empress, and the investiture ceremony will be held in a few days. At that time, when Her Majesty the Empress gives birth to a dragon heir for His Majesty, that child will also be a legitimate son. Right now, the two princes are still young. This humble subject believes the matter of establishing a Crown Prince can be discussed at a later date.” At this moment, another minister stepped forward in the hall, echoing Lin Xikuan’s words.
Hearing this, Marquis Feng’s expression instantly turned icy.
Lin Xikuan looked at Marquis Feng with a half-smile. Seeing the marquis trying to hold in his anger, Lin Xikuan deliberately looked him up and down before lifting his gaze to Jin Mingjun on the dragon throne.
At this time, Jin Mingjun was also frowning, seemingly considering this very issue.
“Your Majesty, the position of Crown Prince cannot be delayed like a child’s game! The Crown Prince must be established early—” Just as Marquis Feng tried to make a final struggle, Jin Mingjun interrupted him.
“Enough. My beloved Minister Feng need not say any more. We shall go with what the other beloved ministers have suggested. This matter will be discussed at a later date.” Jin Mingjun pinched the bridge of his nose in feigned exhaustion and waved his hand, signaling the dismissal of court.
“Court is dismissed!” the inner court attendant relayed the order. The ministers all turned and orderly filed out of the hall.
Marquis Feng remained at the front, refusing to move. He wanted to wait until only Jin Mingjun was left to discuss the Crown Prince matter with him again, but Jin Mingjun simply stood up and left.
“Your Majesty.” Marquis Feng gazed after Jin Mingjun’s departing figure. He called out, but received no response whatsoever.
Lin Xikuan stood to Marquis Feng’s side, watching the joke play out. As he turned to leave, he deliberately laughed loudly inside the hall.
Seeing him exit, Marquis Feng angrily flicked his sleeves and followed him out. But just as they reached the doors of the main hall, a waiting inner court attendant invited Lin Xikuan to the Imperial Study to speak.
Lin Xikuan wore a polite smile. After bowing courteously, he cast an amused glance at Marquis Feng before departing.
Inside the Imperial Study, seeing Lin Xikuan enter, Jin Mingjun quickly smiled. “Xikuan, it’s a good thing you reminded This Emperor today. Otherwise, This Emperor would have definitely caused the Empress to suffer grievances in the future. This Crown Prince position will surely be given to the child This Emperor has with the Empress.”
Hearing this, Lin Xikuan hurriedly cupped his hands in a bow. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for considering my older sister. On my older sister’s behalf, Xikuan thanks Your Majesty.”
Seeing Lin Xikuan express his gratitude, Jin Mingjun hastily said, “Ah, there’s no need for such words between you and me. You are the Empress’s biological brother. In the future, you will be the Imperial Brother-in-law of our Great Jin Dynasty. This Emperor will still need to rely on you to share This Emperor’s burdens.”
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. Xikuan will spare no effort to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
“Good, good, good. This Emperor hasn’t seen the Empress for many days. The investiture ceremony will still take some time. This Emperor wishes to go see the Empress. Will you accompany This Emperor?”
Lin Xikuan looked up with a smile. “With Your Majesty’s invitation, this humble subject is deeply honored.”
Jin Mingjun’s imperial procession left the palace, with Lin Xikuan accompanying him on horseback, and they soon arrived at the Qu Residence. Jin Mingjun had Lin Xikuan go in alone first, wanting him to call Lin Xizhao out before he entered. However, when the steward went to report, Lin Xizhao refused to even see Lin Xikuan.
Jin Mingjun had arrived in high spirits, but he left utterly deflated.
Lin Xikuan felt absolutely nothing toward this outcome. However, when evening came, Lin Xikuan sent someone to the underground dry well passages beneath the residence to relay what had happened in court today.
With Jin Mingjun wanting to invest an Empress, Marquis Feng would certainly not agree—and even if he did, he would insist on naming a Crown Prince first. Jin Mingjun had definitely taken Lin Xikuan’s words to heart today. In order to please Lin Xizhao, he would not establish a Crown Prince at this time.
When the time came, Jin Mingjun’s grand investiture ceremony for the Empress would inevitably face complications.
At night, Lin Xizhao, who had been suffering from frequent nightmares recently, was often startled awake. As the occurrences increased, the little girl beside her, Zhimu, began to notice.
Every time Lin Xizhao woke in a panic, her forehead covered in fine sweat, the little one would rouse from her dreams. It was as if she wanted to hug Lin Xizhao, but because her body was too small, she ended up sprawled completely over Lin Xizhao’s chest.
Lin Xizhao’s initially drum-like heartbeat slowly returned to its normal rhythm under the little one’s comforting presence.
“Aunt, is Little Aunt named Sheng’er?” Zhimu suddenly asked as Lin Xizhao raised a hand to gently stroke her head.
Lin Xizhao’s eyelashes fluttered. Assuming the girl had overheard the adults talking, her eyes curved in a smile as she said in a soft voice, “Yes, but Mu’er cannot address her directly by that name.”
“Mu’er knows.” Zhimu bobbed her little head. An adult’s given name could not be spoken aloud directly—both her aunt and her father had taught her that.
It was just that when she woke up a moment ago, her aunt had been continuously calling out this name in her sleep.
Footnotes
- A figurative expression meaning a vast, endless expanse.
- A defensive barricade made of wooden stakes, often sharpened and crossed, used to stop cavalry or infantry charges.
- Spiked metal devices thrown on the ground to impede the movement of horses and foot soldiers.
- The former emperor of Tiansheng, who was recently overthrown and killed. His reign is being cited as a cautionary tale for unstable succession.
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