The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 190
by Little PandaI Will Not Leave You, Not Until Death
Lin Xizhao heard Qu Sheng’s words and nodded, not at all surprised. She had heard everything Feng Sugao and Qu Jixian discussed.
Shoulin was in a state of emergency, but Feng Sugao was even more anxious. He wanted the Jin family’s rule over the realm to be secure. As soon as Qu Sheng’s army left, he would immediately take his troops back to the Western Frontier to prevent the Sishi Kingdom from invading.
Qu Sheng had already issued orders for Cai Daozheng and Kou He to withdraw from the Northern Frontier and firmly defend the territories of several vassal states north of Shoulin. The Beian Army had not been completely wiped out. Although the remaining stragglers posed no major threat, they still needed to be guarded against.
“General, the carriages and horses are ready,” an Assistant Commander reported, coming over and cupping his hands in a salute.
Qu Sheng glanced over and nodded. She then turned to Jin Yunfei and said, “Mother, I have already ordered the carriages prepared. Feng Kang will lead a troop to escort you all back. This child will not be going with you.”
Xiao Bingying’s forces had set out first to circle around to the rear. Qu Sheng needed to march her army at top speed to ensure that once Xiao Bingying’s sneak attack succeeded, she wouldn’t end up heavily outnumbered1.
Jin Yunfei looked at her daughter. Though she didn’t want to part ways, she knew she couldn’t hold Qu Sheng back. With so many family dependents, taking them along on the march would only delay the army’s progress.
Jin Yunfei nodded and looked at the people behind her. The others were also looking over. Qu Jixian had already boarded a carriage by now.
As the group walked toward the prepared carriages, Qu Sheng tightly gripped Lin Xizhao’s fingers. The impending separation seemed to make her afraid to look at Lin Xizhao. Her throat felt blocked, her heart churning yet simultaneously empty.
“Sheng’er,” Jin Yunfei called softly as she reached her carriage, turning back to look at Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao took a few steps forward, supporting her from either side. Jin Yunfei looked at Qu Sheng, gently loosening her grip on Qu Sheng’s supporting hand to reach up and stroke her daughter’s face, taking a long, careful look at her.
Her daughter had truly grown up. Her facial features had become increasingly defined and handsome, looking so much like her Ce’er.
“You must protect yourself well,” Jin Yunfei instructed softly, her voice brimming with reluctant, caring concern.
Qu Sheng nodded. “This child will.”
Jin Yunfei still had much more she wanted to say, but seeing the several generals gathered around Qu Sheng, she knew the war effort was more important. She slowly turned around, stepping onto the small wooden stool as Lin Xizhao helped her into the carriage.
Jin Yunfei went inside, but Lin Xizhao did not follow. She looked at Qu Sheng, feeling even more reluctant to part than Jin Yunfei had been. They had only just reunited, yet they already had to separate. It felt as though something heavy was pressing down on her chest.
The two gazed at each other for a long time. It wasn’t until everyone behind them had boarded their carriages that Lin Xizhao finally moved to get on, her heart aching. But she had only taken half a step up when she turned her head back around.
Seeing the tears welling in Lin Xizhao’s eyes, Qu Sheng could bear it no longer. She crossed the distance in two or three strides and lifted her back down from the carriage.
Brought down from the carriage, Lin Xizhao was pulled into Qu Sheng’s tight embrace, where she heard the words she most wanted to hear in that moment.
“Sheng’er doesn’t want Wife to leave.”
Even to war, she would take her along. She would absolutely protect her wife.
“Alright.” Lin Xizhao hugged Qu Sheng back, tears slipping from the corners of her eyes as she agreed with a smile.
Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng stood by the carriages, watching them depart one by one and bidding everyone farewell.
“Aunt, you have to come back soon. Mu’er is going to miss you.” Qu Zhimu poked her little head out, looking at Lin Xizhao with great reluctance.
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao walked over and placed a gentle kiss on her small forehead.
Zhao Jiayu sat inside the carriage and corrected gently, “That one is also your aunt. She’s your Little Aunt.”
Hearing this, Qu Zhimu watched as Lin Xizhao stepped aside, revealing Qu Sheng staring steadily at them. She did remember Qu Sheng in her impressions, just not much.
“Little Aunt…”
Qu Sheng looked at Qu Zhimu and gave a nod, a rare, tender smile appearing on her face.
“Xiao Sheng’er, we will wait for you to come back.” Zhao Jiayu poked her head out, her gaze similarly filled with reluctance as she looked at Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng nodded again. “I will.”
“Sheng-meimei must come back safely.” Qu Yu looked at Qu Sheng, an unpleasant bitterness in his heart. Letting his younger sister go to the battlefield while he, an older brother, could do nothing at all—if Qu Ce and Qu Ming were still alive, they would definitely curse him to death. Yet, aside from causing trouble, he couldn’t even manage to ride a horse in the dead of winter.
“Fourth Brother, take good care of them for me.” As Lin Xizhao squeezed her fingers, Qu Sheng glanced back and immediately understood her meaning.
Qu Yu’s ambitions had always remained, but his physical condition made him feel utterly useless. Right now, what supported his will to live well were his wife and daughter.
Hearing this, Qu Yu hurriedly nodded. “Alright, Fourth Brother definitely will.”
The carriages slowly departed. Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao’s hand, standing in place and watching them leave for a long time.
“General, we can depart now,” a Vice General reported once again, leading a warhorse over.
Qu Sheng took a glance and nodded. “Notify the generals of all divisions. We set out immediately.”
The Vice General received the order, saluted with cupped hands, and left. Qu Sheng turned to Lin Xizhao, her features softening as she said, “Wife, let me lift you onto the horse.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved in a smile. Qu Sheng lifted her up, setting her upon the horse’s back before climbing up to hold her from behind.
“General.” A soldier nearby handed over a prepared cloak. Qu Sheng leaned down to accept it, wrapping it around Lin Xizhao to shield her from the wind.
“If you feel you can’t bear the cold, you must tell me,” Qu Sheng murmured softly into Lin Xizhao’s ear.
Lin Xizhao turned her head slightly and answered, “I will.”
Qu Sheng’s massive army advanced, soon leaving the vicinity of the Capital and marching rapidly south.
They marched until the zi hour of the night, when Qu Sheng ordered the army to make camp. Seeing Lin Xizhao chilled after a day of traveling, Qu Sheng felt a deep pang of heartache. Having hot water brought in from outside, Qu Sheng gently washed and warmed Lin Xizhao’s feet.
Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze, looking at Qu Sheng half-kneeling before her. An indescribable softness filled her heart. “Sheng’er.”
While Qu Sheng was wiping her feet, Lin Xizhao called out to her softly.
Hearing her, Qu Sheng gave a soft, questioning hum. She looked up at her wife and asked, “What is it, Wife?”
Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng’s earnest expression and shook her head, a smile touching the corners of her lips.
Seeing Lin Xizhao staring fixedly at her, a tickle brushed across Qu Sheng’s heart. After drying Lin Xizhao’s slightly flushed, jade-like feet, she stood up, leaned in close, and pressed a kiss to her soft lips.
Lin Xizhao’s eyes fell shut, savoring the warmth of Qu Sheng’s lips as a sense of comfort spread through her entire body.
Qu Sheng’s kiss was brief, pulling away to place Lin Xizhao’s feet upon the camp bed. Then, taking the basin of water, she stepped outside.
Lin Xizhao was already wearing her nightclothes. Qu Sheng didn’t want any soldiers coming in and seeing her, so she handled everything herself.
When Qu Sheng returned, Lin Xizhao was still sitting there. Qu Sheng took one look and said with a heartached tone, “Wife, why haven’t you laid down?”
Although there was a brazier in the tent, it couldn’t compare to the warm rooms of the residence. No matter how tightly sealed, there would always be drafts. Qu Sheng hurried over and draped the blanket over Lin Xizhao.
“I’m not cold.” Lin Xizhao obediently lay down.
Qu Sheng stripped off her outer robes and quickly climbed onto the bed, as Lin Xizhao lifted a corner of the blanket for her.
Qu Sheng slipped inside and nestled into Lin Xizhao’s arms, the two of them holding each other close.
At this moment, what lingered between them was not lust, but a profound sense of belonging.
“Mu’er looks more and more like Jiayu.” After a moment of silence, Qu Sheng spoke up, bringing up casual family matters.
Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze briefly, smiling tenderly as she replied, “Yes, they look very much alike. Is my Sheng’er jealous?” Today, she had only kissed Qu Zhimu’s forehead.
Having the jealousy she hadn’t even noticed in her own words pointed out, Qu Sheng didn’t blush. She lifted her head to look at Lin Xizhao, their eyes meeting.
Light rippled in both their eyes. Soon, Qu Sheng’s gaze fell to Lin Xizhao’s soft lips, bathed in the gentle glow of the night, but after only a moment, she prepared to look away.
Lin Xizhao’s arm, which was holding Qu Sheng, shifted beneath the blanket. She pressed her slender, pale hand against Qu Sheng’s jaw, tilting her head up so they were looking into each other’s eyes once more.
“I am by your side right now, and I always will be.” Lin Xizhao realized that Qu Sheng seemed to harbor a slight sense of unreality toward her, likely because of the woman who had fallen from the tower.
Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao, her expression a little dazed. Ever since that day, when she saw that bloody figure so strongly resembling Lin Xizhao, she had remained somewhat in a trance. She knew she had been terrified back then. She had killed countless people on the battlefield, yet she had never been so frightened by a corpse.
“Wife…” Qu Sheng murmured, looking at Lin Xizhao as the daze in her eyes cleared a fraction.
Hearing Qu Sheng’s low voice calling to her, Lin Xizhao gave a soft hum. Her gaze drooped slightly, landing on Qu Sheng’s warm lips.
The two were already very practiced in this sort of intimacy, and Qu Sheng knew exactly what Lin Xizhao wanted to do. Yet, for a long moment, she offered no response.
A moment later, Lin Xizhao leaned down and took the initiative to kiss her. As their lips met, they shared the same warmth, but tonight, Lin Xizhao’s temperature seemed to burn a little higher.
Lin Xizhao caught Qu Sheng’s soft lips, grinding and gently sucking, drawing more from her as Qu Sheng slowly began to respond.
Lin Xizhao’s fragrant tongue knocked open the barrier of Qu Sheng’s teeth. Slipping past her weak defenses, it soon entangled with her wetness.
They kissed each other, and soon Lin Xizhao slipped her arm out from beneath Qu Sheng’s neck and began to hover over her body.
Qu Sheng held the wife atop her, offering no resistance at all. She actively responded to what would inevitably follow, the things that would leave her flushed and burning.
Lin Xizhao’s soft lips trailed downward, gliding along Qu Sheng’s neck. A tremble passed through Qu Sheng’s heart as she tilted her neck back. An unspeakable comfort and satisfaction caused a stirring moan to spill from her throat.
Hearing that sound, Lin Xizhao’s fingertips shifted slightly, pulling open the ties of Qu Sheng’s collar. As her cool fingertips brushed against that fiery body, Qu Sheng shivered for a second before swiftly adapting to the temperature that belonged uniquely to Lin Xizhao.
“Wife…”
Lin Xizhao gently took her in her mouth, the tip of her tongue swirling to plunge Qu Sheng deep into a familiar sensation. Only Lin Xizhao could make her feel this way, and only Lin Xizhao was allowed to treat her like this.
“Do you want it?” Without Qu Sheng realizing when, Lin Xizhao had moved up from her chest to hover near her ear, asking if she wanted what was to come next.
Her gentle voice spoke of things that would make anyone blush deeply, yet Qu Sheng felt no dissonance in it. Every facet of Lin Xizhao belonged to her—completely and utterly hers alone.
“I want it…”
After resting for several hours, the great army broke camp before dawn. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao shared a horse, and traveling at a rapid march of more than fifty li a day, they quickly reached the area west of Shoulin.
Qu Sheng left Lin Xizhao in the rear, assigning a dedicated squad to protect her. She then led her troops to intercept the Zongshang Kingdom’s main force, severing their vanguard from their rearguard. Coordinating with Xiao Bingying’s sneak attack from behind, they deliberately made a massive show of force. This threw the enemy’s rear into complete chaos2, shattering their formation and sending them fleeing in all directions.
Seizing the momentum, Qu Sheng joined the defending troops of Shoulin to decisively crush the Zongshang Kingdom’s vanguard in one fell swoop. With morale surging, Qu Sheng led her forces south, pushing all the way to the Zongshang capital and giving them no chance whatsoever to mobilize reinforcements.
The city gates of the Zongshang capital were thrown wide open. Qu Sheng ordered their ruler to step out of the city and surrender the seal.
Qu Sheng’s massive army spent the New Year in a foreign land, but very soon, they successfully annexed the Zongshang Kingdom into the territory of the Qu family’s empire.
News of Qu Sheng’s grand victory in the southern expedition reached Shoulin. Upon his return to Shoulin, Qu Jixian ordered the preparation of rewards and supplies for the troops.
Many of these soldiers still had families in the north. However, they had reached an agreement with the Jin Dynasty that, after the new year, the border passes would gradually be opened. Qu Sheng would dispatch designated personnel to bring their families back and resettle them in new homes.
On the army’s return journey, Qu Sheng hardly left Lin Xizhao’s side for a single moment. The two of them shared a horse, allowing Lin Xizhao to lean back and nestle into her arms.
It wasn’t until they were more than halfway back and making camp that Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi came looking for her.
The war was over, and they needed to return. The troops they commanded were soldiers and officers from various large and small vassal states of Tiansheng.
Qu Sheng had no intention of swallowing up their military forces. Instead, she chose to release them back, promising that they would be exempt from tribute for three years to allow them to rest and recover3.
Although Tiansheng had fractured, these vassal states were situated on the periphery of Shoulin. They ought to know perfectly well who was the safest power to rely on.
But if any of them wished to break away, Qu Sheng would permit it—with the condition that free border trade would no longer be open to them.
If they wanted to come to Shoulin to exchange goods, they would have to pay a trade tax several times higher than that of the loyal vassal states. Which carried more weight4, they could decide for themselves.
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi did not express an opinion, while the generals of the various states lowered their heads in thought.
“Do not worry. Just note it down for now. This is not a decision you can make on your own anyway. When the time comes, I will issue a decree ensuring that within the Qu family’s territories, you will face no obstruction.” Qu Sheng addressed the matter these generals feared the most.
They were still on Qu family territory. Even though the war had died down and Qu Sheng had allowed them to leave, her laying out such terms had made them fear she might not let them return safely. Hearing Qu Sheng’s reassurance now, the generals of the several states breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“Go back and rest for now. If you are anxious to return, you may depart tomorrow.” Looking at these generals who had charged through enemy lines with her, Qu Sheng genuinely felt reluctant to see them go. They were the elites of their respective states, highly talented commanders—but the one she was most reluctant to part with was Xiao Bingying.
They had carved up more than half of Tiansheng’s territory, and now, after conquering the Zongshang Kingdom in the southern expedition, her forces were severely short on capable hands—especially people she could completely trust.
As the other generals took their leave, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi also prepared to step out.
“Bingying,” Qu Sheng called out to stop her just as Xiao Bingying turned around.
Xiao Bingying paused and looked up at her. Qu Sheng looked back in silence, casting a brief glance at Cheng Xi standing beside her.
Cheng Xi met Qu Sheng’s gaze, then exchanged a look with Xiao Bingying, who had turned her head. Lowering her eyes, Cheng Xi said, “You two talk. I’ll head back first.”
Cheng Xi didn’t even bother finding an excuse. She knew exactly what Qu Sheng wanted to do by holding Xiao Bingying back.
Xiao Bingying watched Cheng Xi leave. As her back disappeared from sight, a faint unease stirred in her heart.
Qu Sheng and Xiao Bingying spoke for a long time inside the tent. She made it clear that she wanted Xiao Bingying to stay, but Xiao Bingying offered no definitive answer.
When Qu Sheng returned to her own tent, Lin Xizhao was having the soldiers pour hot water into a tub, preparing a bath for her.
“Have you finished your military affairs for the day?” Lin Xizhao asked, holding back her sleeve with one hand while her fingers swirled the clear water in the wooden tub.
“En, they’re finished,” Qu Sheng replied, beginning to untie her bracers.
“You may leave us,” Lin Xizhao instructed the soldiers carrying the water.
Once the soldiers were gone, Lin Xizhao walked over to Qu Sheng’s side. As she undid the armor on her body, she remarked, “You were a bit faster today than usual.”
Although the fighting was over, the troops Qu Sheng commanded were constantly being rotated and reassigned to defense perimeters along their return journey.
The corners of Qu Sheng’s lips curved slightly. Opening her arms to let Lin Xizhao help undress her, she replied, “Bingying and her people are leaving.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s hands paused for a moment. Qu Sheng looked down at her and added, “Just like you, I don’t want her to leave.”
Lin Xizhao resumed unfastening her clothes and replied, “However important I am to you, that is how important Cheng Xi is to Bingying.”
Qu Sheng nodded. She naturally understood this. But if she didn’t at least ask, there would be no chance at all.
When Xiao Bingying returned to their tent, Cheng Xi was bathing. Xiao Bingying stepped inside and naturally rolled up her sleeves to help scrub Cheng Xi’s back.
Cheng Xi’s eyes were closed. She had recognized her from her very first step inside, but right now, she was pretending to be asleep.
Xiao Bingying finished washing Cheng Xi’s body. Seeing that the woman still refused to open her eyes and look at her, Xiao Bingying grabbed a nearby towel, bent down, and scooped Cheng Xi up out of the water.
The moment she broke the surface of the water, Cheng Xi opened her eyes. Their gazes met, but neither of them said a word.
Her arms still dripping with water droplets, Cheng Xi looped them around Xiao Bingying’s neck. She tilted her head up, staring intently at the sharp, defined curves of her face.
Xiao Bingying looked down, catching the hidden resentment in Cheng Xi’s eyes. She carried her over to the bed, her gaze locked on her. The moment Cheng Xi tried to shrink back, Xiao Bingying aggressively claimed her soft lips in a kiss.
Cheng Xi knew that Xiao Bingying had a delicate mind and was exceptionally sensitive. Because of this, ever since they had established their relationship, she had never once refused Xiao Bingying’s kisses.
This time was no exception.
Xiao Bingying kept kissing her. As Cheng Xi’s arms hooked around her neck once more, she undid the leather belt at her waist. As her clothes slipped away, the kiss only deepened.
The desperate, clinging kiss slowly drove up the temperature between them until Xiao Bingying pressed her body down over hers. The instant their tangled lips parted, Xiao Bingying’s eyes shone brightly. Looking down at that face—the face she would be powerless to resist in this lifetime—she panted slightly. As though swearing an oath, she said, “I will not leave you. Not until death.”
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “Call me ‘Jiejie’. Show some respect for your elders.”
Qu Sheng: “I refuse.”
Xiao Bingying: “It’s fine, it’s fine. Anything is fine.”
Zhao Jiayu: “Bingying.”
Xiao Bingying: “…”
Footnotes
- An idiom (寡不敌众, guǎ bù dí zhòng) meaning the few cannot fight the many; heavily outnumbered.
- An idiom (方寸大乱, fāngcùn dà luàn) where the 'square inch' refers to the heart or mind, meaning to be thrown into a state of panic or confusion.
- An idiom (休养生息, xiūyǎng shēngxī) meaning to rest and build up strength, typically used for a nation or army recovering from war.
- An idiom (孰轻孰重, shú qīng shú zhòng) meaning to weigh the relative importance or pros and cons.
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