The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 189
by Little PandaYou’ve Worked Hard, My Sheng’er
Everyone standing in the room was momentarily stunned to see Jin Weifu bowing to Jin Yunfei.
Jin Weifu had stayed at the Qu Residence for a few days, so everyone already knew him. Although he was young, he was quite well-mannered. While he hadn’t seen much of Lin Xizhao during his stay, his relationship with the rest of the Qu family was quite harmonious.
Jin Yunfei wasn’t sure if she should respond. She glanced sideways at her family, seeing the same confused expressions mirrored on their faces. Then she looked back at Jin Weifu, who was now the Emperor, scrutinized him for a moment, and raised her head to look at Feng Sugao.
“I wonder if Marquis Feng’s visit at this hour means you intend to kill us, or release us?”
Hearing this, Feng Sugao smiled. “The Jin family and the Qu family are tied by marriage. You are the Grand Princess of our Great Jin Dynasty, and it is an indisputable fact that half of General Qu’s blood belongs to the Jin family. With such a relationship, how could we possibly speak of killing you? Moreover, His Majesty still hopes to beg you for a way out.”
As Feng Sugao spoke, he lowered his head and glanced at his maternal grandson, Jin Weifu.
Jin Weifu stood there listening to the adults converse, but his gaze fell upon Lin Xizhao, who was holding Qu Zhimu.
He had heard that his Imperial Father had disregarded his mother for the sake of this Eldest Aunt—whom he too had once thought very beautiful—and had even intended to leave the position of Crown Prince to their future child.
When he first heard of this, he didn’t think much of it. But whenever he recalled his mother’s emaciated, skeletal appearance before her death, hatred festered in his heart.
Originally, he had hated Lin Xizhao too. But when his maternal grandfather told him that Lin Xizhao had never wanted to marry his Imperial Father, and that it was his Imperial Father who had tried to force the marriage, he took that hatred and pinned it doubly upon his own father instead.
Now, seeing Lin Xizhao again, she still looked exactly as she had when he first met and liked her. He watched her cradle that little sister; when she looked at the little sister, her expression was incomparably gentle.
“Your Majesty?”
Seeing his grandson staring blankly ahead, Feng Sugao couldn’t help but follow his gaze, meeting Lin Xizhao’s eyes.
No wonder Jin Mingjun had been so obsessed with Lin Xizhao. She was indeed a beauty capable of toppling nations. But if a person lacked the strength to protect what they had, they shouldn’t harbor delusions of seizing things that belonged to others.
Jin Mingjun was a warning from the overturned cart ahead1. When he ordered Qu Sheng to kill Jin Mingjun, she hadn’t hesitated in the slightest—likely largely because of Lin Xizhao.
With the city gates posing such a grave danger, Qu Sheng had dared to come alone, risking everything. Given how deeply she cared, Jin Mingjun’s death had not been an injustice in the slightest.
Jin Weifu retracted his gaze, recovered his wits, and looked at Jin Yunfei. He bowed deeply once more and said, “I beg Great Aunt, for the sake of Weifu’s grandfather who sacrificed his life for the country, to go and speak with Cousin-Aunt, so that our two families may call a truce, make peace, and remain on good terms forever.”
Jin Yunfei looked down at her young grandnephew. He wouldn’t have thought of such words himself; Feng Sugao must have taught him.
“Don’t you find it somewhat despicable to use a child?” Zhao Jiayu, standing to the side, couldn’t bear to watch any longer. How old was Jin Weifu, really?
Instead of getting angry, Feng Sugao laughed. “Although His Majesty is young, he understands the consequences of the city falling and the losses a war between our armies would bring.”
Sitting to the side, Qu Jixian spoke up. “How do you propose to make peace?”
“The same agreement as before. We will grant the Qu family the thirty-six prefectures you demand, but we require you to withdraw from the territory of our Great Jin at the fastest possible speed.” Feng Sugao spoke with measured composure. Though it sounded like a negotiation, his words carried a subtle threat.
Qu Jixian narrowed his eyes at the man’s confident expression. “And if we refuse?”
“Heh. Marquis Qu, you must know that a battle between our two sides will yield no profit for either family. But if you insist on a struggle where the fish dies or the net tears2, then we will oblige.”
Studying Feng Sugao, Qu Jixian asked, “What makes you think you can tear the net?”
Feng Sugao smiled again at the question. “With the allies who helped found my Great Jin.”
Hearing the word ‘allies,’ Qu Jixian immediately furrowed his brow.
Feng Sugao continued, “This land can be surnamed Sheng, or it can be surnamed Jin. Of course, it could also be surnamed Qu. But that depends on whether certain people find it profitable.
“The Western Frontier’s army of three hundred thousand, along with the local garrison troops, have already arrived at the capital. Add to that the forces from the south, and if it comes to a bloody battle, I don’t think you would gain much of an advantage. Oh, right—I imagine General Qu has already received news from the Southern Frontier. The Zongshang Kingdom in the south has launched an attack on Shoulin. Whether you want to finish the fight here and take your remaining battered forces back to reinforce them, or rush back as quickly as possible without losing a single soldier, is entirely up to you.”
The command camp outside the city.
Qu Sheng stared at the missive on her desk, her brows locked tightly together. The forces from the Western Frontier and the south had arrived, but no orders had been issued from within the city.
She had also received Shoulin’s plea for reinforcements. The Zongshang Kingdom in the south had dispatched a massive army to invade Shoulin. Although Shoulin had recruited new soldiers, they could only hold out temporarily; they wouldn’t last long.
“General, the Second Master and the Eldest Old Madam have returned.”
Just as Qu Sheng was at her wits’ end over the unfolding situation, an Assistant Commander hurried in to report the news.
Qu Jixian and Jin Yunfei had been escorted out of the city.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng froze for a moment. “What did you just say?” she asked, uncertain.
The Assistant Commander hurriedly repeated, “Feng Sugao gave the order to release the Second Master and the Eldest Old Madam.”
Qu Sheng’s blank expression quickly reacted. Grabbing her helmet, she strode outside.
Just as Qu Sheng emerged from the camp, Jin Yunfei and Qu Jixian’s carriage approached from the distance. She stood rooted in place, staring fixedly at the carriage without blinking. Only when the horses stopped right in front of her did she take a step forward, watching her mother step down.
“Mother.” Qu Sheng hurried forward in two quick strides, reaching out to support Jin Yunfei, her eyes scanning her for injuries.
Looking at her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in over a year, Jin Yunfei tried several times to hold back her tears, but finally failed.
“Sheng’er.” Jin Yunfei wiped her tears. Then, as if remembering something, she hastily reminded Qu Sheng, “Your Second Uncle is still behind us.”
Qu Sheng nodded and looked back. Qu Jixian was already being helped down.
Seeing the two of them, Qu Sheng looked slightly confused. “Why is it just the two of you?” The Assistant Commander had only reported her mother and Second Uncle’s return.
Before Jin Yunfei could answer, Qu Jixian walked over from the rear carriage. Supporting her mother, Qu Sheng went to meet him. “Second Uncle, where are the others?”
Qu Jixian’s brow eased slightly. “Let’s go inside to talk.”
Once the three entered the tent, Qu Jixian recounted his conversation with Feng Sugao inside the city.
Qu Sheng stood there, frowning. “What if I refuse?”
Qu Jixian let out a breath. “Second Uncle knows you can win this war. But the Xie family and the other aristocratic clans that have entrenched themselves in Tiansheng for centuries are not as simple as you think. Right now, the armies inside and outside the capital obey the Jin family. But if the Jin family falls from power, the Wang family, the Li family, or anyone with enough strength could become the next Jin family.”
“But…” Qu Sheng didn’t want to see Tiansheng’s vast territory split in two like this.
“The Jin family has already torn a massive rift by mobilizing the Western Frontier’s forces. They are prepared to see both sides suffer3. Even if we win this war, we will lose Shoulin and the western territories, and perhaps more. The aristocratic families in the heartland, led by the Xie family, will not easily let us establish a foothold here.” Qu Jixian frowned as he spoke.
In addition to the imperial examinations, Tiansheng also relied on recommendations from the gentry. Most local officials were their disciples. The last time the major aristocratic families united to incite unrest, they caused a considerable upheaval. This time, with the Xie family at the helm, the participants wouldn’t just stir up small waves.
The Jin family had assassinated the emperor and usurped the throne, yet the Xie family was still willing to help them mobilize local forces. Trying to completely unify the empire right now would undoubtedly lead to countless casualties and an extremely slim chance of victory.
Years of war in Tiansheng had drained countless fortunes and caused a sharp decline in population. The Beian Army could also stage a comeback at any moment. With all these factors piling up, Feng Sugao’s request for peace might seem like an act of desperation, but it was actually beneficial to both sides.
“Your Fourth Brother and the others are still in the city,” Qu Jixian reminded her, seeing her hesitation.
Qu Sheng looked up at Qu Jixian. At those words, her hands, resting by her sides, clenched into tight fists.
“General Qu, I have already sent your Second Uncle and your mother out of the city. This demonstrates our Great Jin Dynasty’s sincerity. As long as you agree to the peace talks, I will safely return the rest of your family.” After the reinforcements had arrived, Feng Sugao ordered the city gates opened and rode out personally.
Qu Sheng sat atop her horse opposite him, her face completely unreadable.
“Why are you silent, General Qu?” Feng Sugao grew anxious when she didn’t speak. He had convinced Qu Jixian, but he didn’t know if Qu Jixian had managed to convince Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng raised her eyes, seemingly still chewing over Qu Jixian’s words. After a moment, she lifted her chin. “I want to see them first.”
A smile broke across Feng Sugao’s face. He had been worried she would refuse to listen to reason entirely. Since she wanted to see them, there was hope.
Feng Sugao turned sideways and spoke to a general beside him, who quickly hurried back into the city. One hour later, voices rang out from the city wall, and Qu Sheng saw her wife, along with the rest of her family.
“Fifth Sister,” Qu Yu called out to Qu Sheng from the city wall.
Hearing his voice, Qu Sheng looked up. Due to the arrival of the Jin family’s reinforcements, she was stationed quite a distance from the city gates, and the sound barely reached her.
“Fourth Brother…” Soon, Qu Sheng caught sight of Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao was draped in a red cloak, holding a child in her arms. Lin Xikuan and Zhao Jiayu stood by her side.
Though she couldn’t make out her features clearly, Qu Sheng could feel Lin Xizhao’s gaze resting steadily on her.
“Wife…” Qu Sheng murmured anxiously. In that moment, her heart felt as though it were trembling. Her horse seemed to sense her turbulent emotions, its hooves shifting restlessly in place.
“General Qu, as per your request, you have seen them. Will you agree to sign the agreement now?” Seeing Qu Sheng’s anxious state, Feng Sugao knew he had made the right decision to keep Lin Xizhao behind.
Hearing his voice, Qu Sheng tore her gaze away from Lin Xizhao and looked at Feng Sugao.
“I agree to the peace talks. But I want the thirty-six prefectures, and not a single one can be missing.” Qu Sheng’s answer was absolute, without a second of hesitation. Even if Feng Sugao had refused to give her the thirty-six prefectures, she still would have agreed to the armistice, simply because she had seen Lin Xizhao.
She didn’t want to wait another second.
A gleam immediately sprang into Feng Sugao’s eyes upon hearing her agreement. “Good. What my Jin Dynasty promises you, we will not short you by a single inch.”
Feng Sugao was terrified that Qu Sheng might go back on her word and fight to the bitter end. If it came to mutual destruction, they would definitely die, but Qu Sheng might not.
Two hours later, Feng Sugao left his son to hold the fort in the city and brought the drafted armistice agreement4 into Qu Sheng’s main camp.
Qu Sheng sat at the desk where the agreement was to be signed. She watched as Feng Sugao signed his name and stamped it with the imperial seal5, before handing it to her Vice General.
Qu Sheng scrutinized the handwriting, reading every single word, before signing her own name and stamping it with her official seal.
The documents were exchanged, signed, and stamped once more, finalizing both copies of the agreement. Feng Sugao stood up and cupped his hands. “I will go into the city now and return the general’s family in full.”
“Wait.”
Qu Sheng also stood up. Feng Sugao’s heart skipped a beat; just as he thought Qu Sheng was about to treat him as she had Jin Mingjun, she spoke. “Zhao Dian’s family is to be sent out as well.”
Zhao Jiayu’s father and mother had been confined to their residence. Although they hadn’t been mistreated, once her army withdrew, she could no longer guarantee their safety, so she needed to take them with her.
“Very well, I will make the arrangements.” Feng Sugao cupped his hands again. “We part ways here. I hope General Qu will honor her promise.”
Feng Sugao entered the city. Soon, several carriages emerged from the gates. Sitting atop her warhorse, Qu Sheng kept her eyes glued to them. The moment the carriages entered their perimeter, she squeezed her horse’s flanks and galloped toward them.
Two squads of soldiers immediately followed, swiftly surrounding and escorting the carriages. Qu Sheng rode alongside them, her gaze sweeping back and forth over the vehicles, searching for Lin Xizhao.
Soon, Qu Sheng saw the curtain of one carriage lift, revealing her wife.
“Wife.” The moment Qu Sheng saw Lin Xizhao, she stared blankly, terrified that this was all a dream.
Looking at Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao felt exactly the same. The two simply stared at each other in a daze.
“Sheng’er.” Calling out Qu Sheng’s name, Lin Xizhao moved toward the front of the carriage. Qu Sheng immediately vaulted off her horse and ran to the side of the vehicle.
As Qu Sheng reached the carriage, Lin Xizhao stepped out.
“Wife,” Qu Sheng called out. Just as Lin Xizhao was about to step down, Qu Sheng reached out, took her hand to guide her down, and immediately pulled her into a fierce embrace.
The two clung to each other, necks entwined. Qu Sheng’s embrace was so tight it was almost suffocating. “Wife…” Qu Sheng mumbled against Lin Xizhao’s ear, calling out to her over and over, making Lin Xizhao’s heart ache fiercely.
The most precious treasure in Qu Sheng’s heart had returned, yet she was still reeling from the lingering terror. That day, when the woman fell from the city wall, she had almost believed it was Lin Xizhao. The suffocating agony of seeing the ground stained with blood was something she never wanted to experience again in this lifetime.
Lin Xizhao let her hold her, gently stroking the back of her neck with profound tenderness. She had heard how Qu Sheng thought the woman was her, and she could imagine the sheer despair Qu Sheng must have felt.
When they finally parted, Qu Sheng’s lips were trembling slightly, and the tears welling in her eyes instantly slipped down her cheeks.
“It’s alright. I’m alright now.” Her heart tightening at the sight of Qu Sheng’s tears, Lin Xizhao raised her pale, slender hand and wiped the moisture from her face with her thumb. With a soft, soothing voice, she coaxed, “You’ve worked hard, my Sheng’er.”
They hadn’t done anything in the city, leaving Qu Sheng to suffer all the fear and anxiety alone.
Qu Sheng shook her head, feeling as though something was lodged in her throat, preventing her from speaking.
Seeing Qu Sheng’s aggrieved expression, Lin Xizhao’s gentle gaze softened further. Her own eyelashes dampened with tears. Ignoring the people standing around them, she tilted her chin up slightly, pressed closer, and kissed Qu Sheng’s trembling, thin lips.
Qu Sheng’s cool lips, seemingly weathered by the bitter elements, were captured by Lin Xizhao’s soft ones, as if she wanted to draw out all the fear and grievance in her heart.
Being kissed like this, the comfort Qu Sheng felt far outweighed the pleasure. Like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline, she kissed back.
But Qu Sheng’s kiss wasn’t aggressive like before. It was as if she was afraid the person before her would vanish, or that she might hurt or bruise her—just as she hadn’t known where to touch when holding that bloody corpse that day.
When the kiss ended, both were breathing slightly raggedly. The tears on Qu Sheng’s face had stopped, and Lin Xizhao felt a thread of satisfaction. After so many days and nights of yearning and worry, how could she not be satisfied seeing Qu Sheng safe and sound?
By now, everyone else had stepped out of their carriages. Shielding her daughter’s eyes, Zhao Jiayu watched their reunion, and for some reason, the corners of her own eyes grew damp.
“General, it’s not safe here. Let’s head back first,” an Assistant Commander standing nearby gently reminded Qu Sheng.
The people on the opposite side were all watching them, and up on the city wall, Feng Sugao’s gaze was locked tightly onto them, as if he feared Qu Sheng would change her mind.
Qu Sheng looked up, meeting Feng Sugao’s eyes for a moment. Then she turned to Lin Xizhao, swept her into her arms, and carried her onto the carriage.
“Return to camp.”
Sitting in the carriage, Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao tightly, utterly unwilling to let go. Lin Xizhao’s body was like an anchor, continuously channeling warmth into Qu Sheng, slowly piecing her fractured, fear-torn heart back together.
The carriage soon entered the military camp. Qu Sheng stepped down and carried Lin Xizhao down. The two aunts, her Second Uncle, and her mother had already been waiting for them there for a long time.
“You all made it out safely. You’re safe,” Jin Yunfei muttered. Seeing Qu Sheng leading Lin Xizhao over, the heavy stone in her heart finally dropped.
“Mother,” Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng called out in unison as they walked over to Jin Yunfei.
Jin Yunfei nodded, a joyous smile lighting up her face.
Zhao Jiayu searched through the crowd but didn’t spot Xiao Bingying.
“Xiao Sheng’er, where is my Ajie?” Xiao Bingying knew they were returning; there was no reason she wouldn’t come out to greet them.
At her voice, Qu Sheng looked over, her lips pressing together. “I ordered her to lead the troops ahead to reinforce Shoulin.”
Shoulin was under attack, and this was not a place where they could linger either.
“General, all units are prepared according to your orders,” a Vice General reported, walking over with cupped hands.
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked over. Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao first. Sensing her gaze, Lin Xizhao met her eyes. Before she could speak, Qu Sheng said, “Wife, I might have to subject you all to further hardship.”
Today, they would strike camp and rush to Shoulin with reinforcements.
Footnotes
- 前车之鉴 (qián chē zhī jiàn): An idiom meaning to take warning from the mistakes of one's predecessors, literally 'the overturned cart ahead is a warning to the carts behind.'
- 鱼死网破 (yú sǐ wǎng pò): An idiom meaning a life-and-death struggle where either the fish dies or the net tears, signifying mutual destruction.
- 两败俱伤 (liǎng bài jù shāng): An idiom describing a conflict in which neither side wins and both suffer heavy losses.
- 停战协议 (tíngzhàn xiéyì): A formal ceasefire or peace treaty document.
- 玉玺 (yùxǐ): The official seal of the emperor, used to stamp edicts and state documents.
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