The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 193

Are You Comfortable, Wife?

Lin Xizhao’s ink-black hair hung loosely. Qu Sheng carefully set her down before the bronze mirror, unable to resist leaning in to breathe in her scent. When she lifted her head, her deep eyes were exceptionally bright. “Wife…” The voice was laden with tender affection, making Lin Xizhao involuntarily withdraw her gaze from the bronze mirror to look at her.

Raising her slender hands, Lin Xizhao cradled her little lover’s face. Under that gaze that so clearly begged for intimacy, she took the initiative to satisfy her.

            

As the kiss fell, their posture was entirely different from usual. Lin Xizhao remained seated while Qu Sheng knelt before her. And yet, when Qu Sheng lifted her head, she perfectly met Lin Xizhao, who was looking down, able to kiss her without expending the slightest effort.

One reached up to receive, and the other leaned down to give.

Sash strings loosened and fell, letting in a chill. Dense, fiery kisses blanketed Lin Xizhao’s softly trembling body. Qu Sheng’s kisses, however, caused that lost heat to return to her body, flowing straight into her heart.

            

The lingering friction before the plundering was always the most agonizing. Wave after wave of heat swept over her, yet she could not reach the opposite shore.

Kneeling on the thick fur beneath the stool, Qu Sheng spared no effort in seeking the clear spring at the heart of the lake. Faint, broken sobs echoed again and again in time with her movements. Her shoulders, clad in a white sleep-robe, were gripped tightly by a pair of slender jade fingers that pressed deeply into her skin, yet drew no blood.

“Sheng’er…”

            

Her fragmented voice was filled with pleading, but the one she called never paused for a moment.

For a moment, Lin Xizhao felt as though she were no longer herself.

In her daze, she caught sight of her own reflection in the bronze mirror from the corner of her eye. It looked like the omen of shattered jade and sunken pearls¹, as though a single passing breeze could scatter her into broken pieces…

            

Finally, when her body was pushed to its absolute limit, Qu Sheng let her go.

Lifting her head, Qu Sheng took in the scenery reflected in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. She leaned over and captured those soft lips, kissing her deeply before pulling back just enough to give her room to breathe. She kissed away the tears at the corners of her eyes, then trailed her lips behind her ear.

Her heart ached for her, yet she was just as intoxicated by that ethereal bliss as Lin Xizhao. “Did Wife like it?” she asked in a low, tender murmur. No one answered her question, but the answer was already clear in her heart.

            

As the afterglow slowly began to recede, Qu Sheng picked up the weak, pliant Lin Xizhao. She sat in the spot where Lin Xizhao had just been, settling her into her lap.

Lin Xizhao’s delicate, strengthless arms looped loosely around Qu Sheng’s neck. She allowed herself to be kissed, teased, and completely possessed…

Beneath the dim, amber glow of the lamps, amidst soft, broken whimpers, the room grew unreasonably hot.

            

Early the next morning, having just dozed for a short while, Qu Sheng awoke. Looking at her wife, who had nearly passed out from exhaustion, she couldn’t stop the corners of her lips from curling upward.

Qu Sheng slipped out from the covers, tucked Lin Xizhao in, and reclined there, unable to resist staring at her for a while longer. A moment later, she gently kissed her wife’s soft lips before reluctantly climbing out of bed.

By the time Lin Xizhao awoke, the sky was already bright. No one had come to rouse her; even Zhao Jiayu and her daughter hadn’t disturbed her. The sun was three poles high² when she finally rose, washed up, and made her way to the front courtyard to pay her respects.

            

Dressed in a gown the color of clear mountains, Lin Xizhao formed a picturesque scene as she walked through the courtyard. She was as beautiful as a fairy stepping out of an immortal realm. But only she knew just how agonizing it was to maintain that dignified posture.

When she had gotten up earlier, her waist had been so incredibly sore and weak that she had barely managed to get out of bed…

Lin Xizhao arrived at the front courtyard, where Jin Yunfei was still looking after Qu Jinian. Since returning to the Nanting Courtyard and seeing Qu Jinian, Jin Yunfei’s all-day sorrow and constant anxiety had been soothed, and she no longer furrowed her brows.

            

“Eldest Old Madam, the Eldest Miss has arrived.” Spotting Lin Xizhao approaching, a maid hurried inside from afar to announce her.

Hearing this, Jin Yunfei stood up from the side of Qu Jinian’s bed. She looked at Lin Xizhao with a face full of concern as she entered through the doors. “Why didn’t you sleep a little longer?”

Listening to Jin Yunfei’s words, Lin Xizhao almost thought Jin Yunfei was reprimanding her. But Jin Yunfei would never scold her. The only possibility was that Qu Sheng had already spoken to her—though exactly what she had said, Lin Xizhao had no idea.

            

“Mother.” Lin Xizhao dipped into a curtsy.

Jin Yunfei smiled, pulling her over to sit down. Holding her hands, she said, “It was so exhausting in the military camp. I heard from Sheng’er that you accompanied her in handling military affairs late into the night every day. Now that you’re home, you must get some proper rest.”

Lin Xizhao froze for a moment, then quickly masked it with a smile. “It’s nothing.” If it were any other excuse, she might have offered a few words to help cover for Qu Sheng. But considering Qu Sheng was the actual reason she hadn’t slept last night, how could she follow along with the excuse Qu Sheng had found for her?

            

“I had them save some food. You must be hungry by now. Come, eat here with Mother,” Jin Yunfei said, instructing the servants to serve the meal.

Watching the servants leave, Lin Xizhao could only agree. But she had barely eaten a few bites when Zhao Jiayu arrived, carrying her daughter.

The moment Qu Zhimu was set down on the ground, she immediately sprinted toward Lin Xizhao. As she ran, she called out in her milky voice, “Auntie!”

            

Lin Xizhao turned and caught her in a full embrace. Yet as she lifted the child, her sore, weak arms nearly failed to find the strength.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Zhimu closely. The little one seemed to have missed her terribly after not seeing her for so long. Furthermore, during dinner yesterday, Qu Sheng had pulled a long face, and she was carried away by her mother. She hadn’t even been allowed to play for a while after eating. Now, hiding in Lin Xizhao’s embrace, the toddler rubbed against her and kissed her vigorously.

Watching them, Zhao Jiayu said with a beaming smile, “Early this morning, the servants from your courtyard came over with instructions. They said little Sheng’er’s heart ached for you and that you needed more sleep. She specifically singled out the two of us, forbidding us from disturbing you. Look at how protective she is. Goodness, even I’m jealous.”

            

Lin Xizhao looked up and shot her a smiling, reproving glare. “Have you two eaten?”

“We did.”

“No, we haven’t.”

            

The mother and daughter answered—one saying they had, and the other saying they hadn’t. Qu Zhimu pouted, turning to look at her mother. “Mu’er didn’t eat.”

She truly hadn’t eaten. She had been throwing a tantrum to see Lin Xizhao all morning, but because of Qu Sheng’s message, Zhao Jiayu couldn’t take her over.

“Then you can eat with your Eldest Aunt,” Zhao Jiayu said. She knew the child had been waiting for Lin Xizhao; during breakfast, she had only taken a few bites. The little one was far too sharp.

            

Lin Xizhao had the servants bring another set of bowls and chopsticks. Zhao Jiayu sat beside Jin Yunfei, sipping tea, while the aunt and niece—one large, one small—sat together, placing food in each other’s bowls and smiling at each other.

Taking in the sight before her, Jin Yunfei couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret that the two of them didn’t have any children of their own.

Lin Xizhao stayed with Jin Yunfei for a long time, only returning to her own courtyard after eating lunch. Qu Sheng didn’t show her face all day either; she was supposedly out rewarding the returning soldiers.

            

At sunset, Qu Sheng returned from outside the estate. She first went to see Qu Jixian to brief him on the day’s events, then greeted Jin Yunfei before hurrying back to her own courtyard.

Lin Xizhao lay on the bed, not wanting to move a single muscle. Between the madness of the previous night and spending the entire time since she woke up playing with Qu Zhimu, her waist was now exhausted beyond belief.

Qu Sheng asked the attendant standing nearby, “When did my wife wake up?”

            

“The Eldest Miss woke during the chen hour,” the servant replied with a bow.

Qu Sheng nodded. After the servant pushed the doors open, she stepped inside.

Hearing no movement from the room for a long time after entering, Qu Sheng assumed Lin Xizhao had gone back to sleep. She poured herself a cup of tea, drank it slowly, and then headed into the inner bedchamber.

            

Walking softly to the edge of the bed, Qu Sheng used her hand to pull back the curtain. She had expected to see a sleeping Lin Xizhao, but surprisingly, Lin Xizhao was already looking right in her direction.

“Wife is awake.” Seeing Lin Xizhao staring at her, Qu Sheng hurriedly pulled the bed curtains wide and hooked them to the side.

Qu Sheng sat down, but Lin Xizhao merely fixed her with an unwavering gaze, saying nothing. Panic visibly flashed across Qu Sheng’s features for a split second. “What’s wrong, Wife?” she asked hastily.

            

Seeing Qu Sheng’s worried expression, Lin Xizhao originally intended to give her the cold shoulder to force her to exercise some restraint, but she couldn’t hold out.

“It’s nothing.” Lin Xizhao’s voice was gentle as she spoke, and the corners of her lips curled up in helplessness.

Hearing Lin Xizhao speak, Qu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you still feeling tired?”

            

Last night, though it had lasted the whole night just like before, it was different. Standing before the bronze mirror, sometimes supported by nothing but her arms slung over Qu Sheng’s shoulders—doing that for so long, such a delicate body could never have endured it.

Yet even knowing that beforehand, Qu Sheng still hadn’t held back in the slightest. Asking about it now would strike anyone as blatantly insincere, but Lin Xizhao genuinely couldn’t point out where she was being fake.

“My waist is uncomfortable.” Lin Xizhao truly was uncomfortable. Lying down for so long hadn’t helped her recover at all. It wasn’t just her waist; her legs had been aching and weak all day long. Although it had been an unprecedented sensation, the price was far too steep.

            

Hearing this, Qu Sheng immediately began untying her clothes in a fawning manner. “Sheng’er will massage it for Wife.”

Looking at her rarely seen fawning face, Lin Xizhao paused for a moment but tacitly agreed. Qu Sheng climbed onto the bed, massaging Lin Xizhao’s waist and moving down to knead her legs as well.

The pressure was neither too light nor too heavy; it didn’t cause Lin Xizhao any discomfort.

            

“Are you comfortable, Wife?”

Hearing the exact same question Qu Sheng had whispered against her ear countless times last night, Lin Xizhao suddenly didn’t want Qu Sheng’s help anymore.

“It will be time for dinner soon. Do you want to bathe now, or after we eat?” Lin Xizhao said, subtly getting up.

            

Qu Sheng released her grip, but the moment Lin Xizhao sat up, she leaned in, kissing her eagerly without waiting for permission.

It was a shallow kiss, laced with a whole day’s worth of longing. Lin Xizhao gently kissed her back, but when Qu Sheng’s fingertips hooked around her waist and began traveling upward, she raised a hand and stopped her.

Held back, Qu Sheng separated from Lin Xizhao’s lips, and saw Lin Xizhao shoot her a coy, reproving glance. “Go bathe first.” There was still some time before dinner. If she stayed lying on this bed during that time, who knew what other schemes Qu Sheng might concoct to ‘torment’ her.

            

Qu Sheng smacked her lips in disappointment, watching Lin Xizhao get out of bed, her expression full of inquiry. Looking back at last night, she felt certain that Lin Xizhao had enjoyed it.

Lin Xizhao ordered the servants to prepare hot water. After testing the temperature and sprinkling in the fragrant herbs, she stepped out. Qu Sheng was in excellent spirits today; knowing that Lin Xizhao’s waist was aching, she didn’t pester her to stay and help.

After dinner, when there was no one on the path back, Qu Sheng swept Lin Xizhao up into her arms. Lifted so suddenly, Lin Xizhao looped her arms around Qu Sheng’s neck. She wasn’t feeling quite as embarrassed anymore, accepting the treatment with equanimity. The culprit behind her condition ought to do this much.

            

Looking down at Lin Xizhao’s docile expression, Qu Sheng took advantage of the maid leading the way ahead to lower her head and steal another kiss from those soft lips.

Lin Xizhao fluttered her eyelashes, offering no resistance. It truly was quite dark tonight. Once back in their room, however, Lin Xizhao got into bed early, while Qu Sheng went back out after returning.

When she returned, she had a small jar of ointment in her hand.

            

Lin Xizhao allowed Qu Sheng to apply the medicine. It felt icy-cool against her skin, and once it was rubbed in, she felt significantly better.

“Physician Liu said that after resting for a night, it won’t be sore tomorrow,” Qu Sheng said, massaging her waist while repeating Liu Wuxiang’s claims about the medicine’s effects.

Lin Xizhao gave a soft hum of acknowledgment, not turning her head.

            

Seeing Lin Xizhao’s lackluster mood today, Qu Sheng knew she had gone too far with her madness last night. She had no choice but to awkwardly press herself close, showing weakness as she whispered, “Wife, Sheng’er knows she was wrong. It’s just that Wife is simply too enticing.” The latter half of the sentence was delivered as a deliberately lowered murmur.

Qu Sheng knew Lin Xizhao wasn’t actually angry; behaving like this was usually just her way of trying to make Qu Sheng rein herself in. But if such an opportunity presented itself again, she still wouldn’t let it slip by.

Listening to Qu Sheng’s less-than-sincere repentance, Lin Xizhao felt nothing but helplessness. She raised a hand to stroke Qu Sheng’s cheek. Deep down, she truly loved this beautiful, striking face. But to give her the opportunity to go wild like that again, she truly wouldn’t dare.

            

She still had her innate modesty, after all.

“How have the matters outside been handled?” Lin Xizhao changed the subject.

Qu Sheng paused for a moment before replying, “The reward supplies were distributed starting yesterday. By this afternoon, everything was basically handed out.”

            

Lin Xizhao nodded, and Qu Sheng continued, “Second Uncle wants to use the Shoulin Yamen Residence as a temporary imperial palace. He wants to expand the surrounding area first, and wait until the situation here has completely settled before finding a new site to build a proper one.”

The yamen that oversaw Shoulin’s affairs was absolutely massive. To call it a yamen was almost misleading; it was more akin to a medium-sized palace, complete with offices for every branch of administration. In recent years, due to his leg illness, Qu Jixian rarely visited the place. Qu Sheng hadn’t gone very often either—the times she had gone were during the year she returned after coming of age.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze for a moment. “I am a bit worried about Second Uncle’s leg illness. You must keep a close eye on him and ensure the old man doesn’t overtire himself.” Before they returned, Qu Jixian’s leg condition had been agonizingly painful. Upon returning, after receiving treatment from Liu Wuxiang, it had improved slightly, but he still couldn’t handle prolonged exertion. An illness carried from the mother’s womb like this could only be managed; it could never be cured.

            

Qu Sheng nodded, but a moment later, she caught the underlying implication in Lin Xizhao’s words. She looked at her, blinking. “Wife, Second Uncle and Fourth Brother want me to sit on this throne.”

Lin Xizhao froze. She stared intently at Qu Sheng, an inexplicable surge of worry rising in her heart.

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The author has something to say:

            

Qu Sheng: “I kneel to Heaven, kneel to Earth, and kneel to my parents—but my favorite thing is kneeling to my wife.”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

There are 200 red envelopes available!

            

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