The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 200
by Little PandaDoes Uncle Lin Recognize This Object?
As Qu Sheng listened to Lin Xizhao’s gentle yet solemn voice, her heart was stirred. In that moment, there was no lust, only a desire to fold Lin Xizhao into her arms and press her into her very body.
She loved the woman before her too much. She was gentle and understanding, strong and brave.
Qu Sheng felt that being with Lin Xizhao was not a craving for the flesh, but a merging of their souls. Every time she saw her, the place in her chest found its anchor.
With Lin Xizhao, Qu Sheng did not have to deliberately hide her emotions. She could act like a spoiled child to win Lin Xizhao’s favor, and she could receive comfort from her.
It was a haven, a place where she could act willfully without carrying any burdens.
Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao in her arms, gently rubbing her cheek against Lin Xizhao’s warm neck. She cared deeply in her heart and knew she had to quicken the process of marrying her. Yet, she had always harbored a concern. She did not care what others thought, but just as her mother had said—even if she did not care, could she truly bear to see Lin Xizhao criticized?
Of course she cared. Even if someone spoke just a little ill of Lin Xizhao, she would want to chop off their head.
The two embraced for a long time before Qu Sheng took the initiative to pull away from Lin Xizhao.
“Jiejie, wait for Sheng’er in the residence. I will return very soon.” Qu Sheng watched as the affectionate and lingering look in Lin Xizhao’s eyes, which had mirrored her own feelings just a moment ago, slowly turned into worry.
After Lin Xizhao gave a reluctant nod, Qu Sheng opened the door. The guards waiting outside were all stunned the moment they saw Qu Sheng.
Lin Jianhai had ordered them to guard this place, but he had not said what they should do to Qu Sheng. The guards looked at each other, unable to make up their minds for a moment. By the time they felt they needed to report to Lin Jianhai first, Qu Sheng had already left.
Qu Sheng returned to the Qu Residence and ordered her servants to inventory the betrothal gifts1 she had prepared long ago. Although the gifts were incredibly lavish, she knew Lin Jianhai would not care for them. Originally, she had planned to pay a visit during the day, but during her tender moments with Lin Xizhao that morning, she had changed her mind.
She could not care about herself, but she had to care about whether Lin Xizhao would be pointed at by others.
Women marrying one another, going from nothing to something, was extremely difficult for people to accept. Qu Sheng sat in her room, sinking into deep thought.
“Xiao Sheng’er.”
While Qu Sheng sat with her head bowed, thinking things over, Zhao Jiayu arrived at the door.
Qu Sheng raised her head to look at her, her eyes holding a trace of confusion. She instinctively glanced at Zhao Jiayu’s abdomen and asked, “Why are you out of bed?”
“Cheng Xi said I am fine now.” Zhao Jiayu’s signs of miscarriage had been caused by emotional agitation. Her body was naturally sturdier than that of an average young lady. Without those emotional factors, and with Cheng Xi’s medical skills, she was fine now, though she still could not ride a horse or run about like she did the other day.
Although Qu Sheng had her doubts, she did not urge her to go back quickly.
“I heard from Eldest Aunt that you are going to the Lin Residence to propose marriage. Is that true?”
Qu Sheng nodded and gave a calm “Mm” in response. With so many gifts placed in the room, all decorated with paper-cut Double Happiness2 characters, it was naturally a marriage proposal.
“Can I go with you?”
Zhao Jiayu was already married, and she was their friend, but she was also Qu Sheng’s sister-in-law, so it was fine for her to go.
Qu Sheng looked at her with some confusion.
Seeing that Qu Sheng was pondering and seemed about to refuse, Zhao Jiayu quickly said, “I won’t cause trouble.” Some words might be better spoken by her.
She was not there to cause trouble; she truly wanted the two of them to be together.
Over the years, she had seen Lin Xizhao’s love for Qu Sheng, and Qu Sheng’s care for Lin Xizhao. Such a perfect pair, though both were women, would not necessarily lose to the union of a man and a woman in this world.
“Alright,” Qu Sheng agreed with a nod. “But I must ask Cheng Xi.”
She needed to ask Cheng Xi if Zhao Jiayu’s body was really completely fine.
Although there were many descendants in the younger generation of the Qu family, they had never had any offspring. Now, two of them had already been lost, so Qu Sheng cared deeply about the child in Zhao Jiayu’s womb. Otherwise, back when they were at the Zhao Residence, she would not have told Cheng Xi about Zhao Jiayu’s condition and let Cheng Xi make the choice herself.
In the evening, after Zhao Jiayu drank her herbal medicine, Cheng Xi took her pulse again and told Qu Sheng that Zhao Jiayu’s body was recovering very quickly. Even riding a horse at a slow pace would not be a major problem.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly and she nodded. Zhao Jiayu quickly stepped closer to her side and asked, “When are we going over?”
“Now.”
Everyone in the residence was ready. The other elders of the Qu family did not plan to go; only Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei would attend.
Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei had already prepared themselves to be scolded, but for the sake of the two children, they felt that being scolded was worth it.
Regardless of whether Lin Jianhai agreed or not, this was a step they had to take.
The procession carrying the betrothal gifts made its way to the Lin Residence in a grand, bustling line.
Qu Jinian submitted a visiting card outside. The butler looked at the procession behind him, not daring to let them in.
“Let them all in.” Lin Xirui had appeared behind the butler at some point and began ordering the servants.
“Second Young Master, this…” The butler’s expression was conflicted.
These were betrothal gifts! Although they were covered with red cloth to keep people from seeing them, he understood it clearly in his heart.
The Qu Residence no longer had any eligible young masters. Without even thinking, he knew the Qu Residence was presenting these betrothal gifts on behalf of Qu Sheng.
“You already call me young master, so can I not even make a decision for this household? Move aside, all of you. Please invite Uncle Qu and Aunt Qu inside.”
Lin Jianhai had not yet returned to the residence, and Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei had only just arrived. Lin Xizhao had already spoken with Lin Xirui that morning. Lin Xirui did not fail her trust and let everyone in. Now they only had to wait for Lin Jianhai to return.
Upon receiving the news, Lin Xizhao hurried to the reception hall. Looking at the gifts piled in the courtyard, her heart began to beat faster than usual, though she did not know why.
She had prepared herself, but suddenly seeing these things made her lose her confidence again.
“Adoptive Father, Adoptive Mother,” Lin Xizhao entered the reception hall and paid her respects.
Qu Jinian nodded, and Jin Yunfei stood up to support Lin Xizhao. Jin Yunfei always found Lin Xizhao pleasing to the eye and liked her very much in her heart.
When Lin Xizhao stood up and raised her head, she saw Qu Sheng standing behind Qu Jinian. A faint smile played on Qu Sheng’s lips, but her eyes were filled with love.
Their eyes met, and after a moment, they heard Zhao Jiayu’s voice.
“Ahem, why has no one noticed me?”
Lin Xizhao returned her focus and looked at Zhao Jiayu. Qu Sheng had not told Lin Xizhao about Zhao Jiayu almost miscarrying, fearing that she would worry in vain since she could not leave the residence.
Now that Zhao Jiayu was safe and sound, there was even less need to mention it for the time being.
Lin Xizhao smiled slightly, walked over to take Zhao Jiayu’s hand, and led her to a seat. It had been several days since they last met.
As the two of them spoke, Qu Sheng’s eyes kept staring at Lin Xizhao.
A moment later, Lin Xirui came in from outside. After paying respects to the two elders of the Qu family, he said to Lin Xizhao, “Ajie, Father is back.”
Hearing this, Qu Jinian glanced over. Qu Sheng lowered her eyes in thought for a moment, then walked to Lin Xizhao’s side and said, “Jiejie, please excuse yourself for now. When this is over, I will come and get you.”
Coming over so suddenly today, Lin Jianhai would definitely not agree. But if she did not use a strong remedy, with Lin Jianhai’s temperament, even if they waited another few years, he would not agree.
Lin Xizhao had come out first for the sake of etiquette, and second because she was afraid the Qu family would clash with Lin Jianhai. Both sides were loved ones she cared about; if anyone suffered a grievance, she would feel bad.
But they still had to take a step forward. This kind of deadlock was a torment for both her and Qu Sheng.
“Go on, nothing will go wrong,” Jin Yunfei nodded. She knew what they were about to experience. It was probably inappropriate for Lin Xizhao to stay here.
Lin Xizhao raised her eyes to look at Qu Jinian, who also nodded. After thinking it over, Lin Xizhao finally returned to her courtyard.
After Lin Xizhao left, Lin Jianhai entered the courtyard with anger, his brow furrowed.
When the butler received Lin Jianhai, he had already informed him of the Qu family’s marriage proposal. Seeing the glaring betrothal gifts filling the courtyard now, the anger in his heart was beyond words.
Lin Jianhai entered the room with a look of anger, and Qu Jinian stood up with a smile.
“Virtuous Brother Lin, this Qu has come uninvited. I hope you will forgive me,” Qu Jinian bowed and clasped his hands.
Lin Jianhai naturally did not accept this. He snorted coldly and glared at him, saying, “Marquis Qu, what a grand gesture. Have you come today to humiliate this Lin?”
Hearing this, Qu Jinian looked bewildered, as if he did not understand. “Where does this come from? I wonder what this Qu has done to make Virtuous Brother Lin so angry?”
Qu Jinian’s deliberate ignorance made Lin Jianhai’s humiliation and anger even harder to suppress, and he almost spat out insults without restraint.
“You—” Lin Jianhai suppressed his breath and swept a glance across the room. Seeing Qu Sheng standing to the side, his brow furrowed. He asked Qu Jinian, “Marquis Qu, bringing these things here today, is it not to humiliate my daughter?”
Qu Jinian laughed and said, “Virtuous Brother Lin, that is not true. This Qu dotes on her too much to have time to humiliate her, so how could I?”
Lin Jianhai sneered and said, “Since it is not to humiliate her, then why did Marquis Qu bring these things into my residence? Have you taken a liking to one of my maids and come to take her as a concubine?”
Hearing Lin Jianhai’s unfiltered words, both Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei’s expressions sank.
“Since Virtuous Brother Lin is like this, then this Qu will speak directly.” Hearing that Lin Jianhai wanted to go in circles, Qu Jinian took a few steps forward and said, “Zhao’er and Sheng’er grew up together from childhood. Although it sounds somewhat absurd to speak of, the two children are indeed of one mind. Today, this Qu has come to present the betrothal gifts on behalf of my daughter.”
Hearing Qu Jinian’s clear intention, Lin Jianhai did not speak for a long time.
Everyone in the room also looked at Lin Jianhai, wondering what he would say next.
Lin Jianhai had a dark face, and Qu Jinian just stared at him. Although he knew his words were putting him in a difficult position, he needed to make the children’s wishes clear.
Lin Jianhai was silent for a moment, then walked toward the main seat of the reception hall. He lifted the porcelain lid of his teacup and lightly clinked it, making a sound.
“Marquis Qu is truly joking. Who doesn’t know that your household raised a fool of a daughter? Now, your whole family has come to my Lin Residence like madmen, claiming you want to marry my daughter and ruin her life. Heh, Marquis Qu is indeed malicious.”
Lin Jianhai had already torn off his face of politeness.
Hearing this, Qu Jinian’s brow furrowed slightly and he looked back at his daughter.
Qu Sheng was a fool to the outside world, and she was a woman. For him to come present betrothal gifts for Qu Sheng was indeed completely indefensible. Lin Jianhai’s words were not wrong at all.
“Where is our Xiao Sheng’er foolish?” Zhao Jiayu disagreed with Lin Jianhai’s words.
Over the years, outsiders had always said Qu Sheng was a fool, but only they knew that Qu Sheng was not only far from foolish, but actually extremely intelligent. Especially after she came back this year, Zhao Jiayu felt more and more that Qu Sheng had completely transformed.
Whether in speech or action, she was no different from a normal person.
Lin Jianhai looked at Zhao Jiayu upon hearing her voice. Zhao Jiayu had always been straightforward, saying what she thought. Seeing him look over, she gently rested her hand on her swollen abdomen, took a few steps forward, and said, “Uncle Lin, do not listen to other people’s nonsense. Although our Xiao Sheng’er does not like to talk, the tutor often said that if Sheng’er were a man, she would definitely achieve great things. After all these years, how can you also think Xiao Sheng’er is a foolish girl like those people outside?”
“If she were truly a foolish and ignorant girl, Xizhao would not like her. You also know how Xizhao has treated her over the years, and Xiao Sheng’er is the most obedient when it comes to Xizhao’s words. Since Aunt Lin passed away, Xizhao has been unable to sleep peacefully all day. It was Xiao Sheng’er who stayed inseparable from her, which relieved her poor sleep. It was also Xiao Sheng’er who begged Eldest Uncle back then to investigate and find Aunt Lin’s killer, so she would no longer be plagued by nightmares every day. Uncle Lin, actually I was shocked at first too, but the two of them being together is not a passing whim. Please, just fulfill their wishes.”
Zhao Jiayu’s words made sense, but the focus was not right. What Lin Jianhai cared about was the matter of a woman marrying a woman.
Lin Jianhai looked at Zhao Jiayu, his brows furrowed together. Suppressing his anger, he said, “Since she isn’t a fool, why didn’t you marry her instead?” At this moment, Lin Jianhai could no longer care about generational propriety; his words were confrontational, and his gaze remained fixed on Zhao Jiayu’s abdomen.
If his daughter married a woman, how could she have children gathering around her knees in the future?
“I—” Before Zhao Jiayu could speak, Qu Sheng gently pulled her back.
She could understand Lin Jianhai’s anger, but she did not want him to take his anger out on Zhao Jiayu.
Seeing this, Qu Jinian said, “Zhao’er is this Qu’s adoptive daughter. If she is unwilling, this Qu will absolutely not force her. But Zhao’er also told me that she does not want to be separated from Sheng’er again. Virtuous Brother Lin has kept Zhao’er under house arrest, so you must already know the general situation. It is not that this Qu intentionally did such a thing, but rather that the two children are set in their minds. If this Qu does not agree, you and I cannot estimate what the two children might do.”
Previously, he had nearly lost Qu Sheng, and later, Lin Xizhao had steadfastly declared she would never leave her. Both children were extremely strong-willed. If they insisted on blocking them, there was no telling what desperate things they might do.
“You mind your daughter, and I will mind mine. How can they not be separated?” Lin Jianhai indeed knew the general situation, and he also knew almost all the details.
“I know what Virtuous Brother Lin is concerned about. At first, I also held an opposing attitude just like you, but I really could not sway the two children. Coming here in the dark of night today is also to consider the children’s reputation. These betrothal gifts are a small token of my Qu family’s sincerity. If Virtuous Brother Lin feels it is not enough, my Qu family can prepare them again until Virtuous Brother Lin is satisfied.”
“Who cares about your family’s things? My daughter will never marry a woman!” Hearing Qu Jinian’s words, every sentence felt like a slap in his face, making him extremely humiliated and angry.
Qu Jinian’s words were choked back. Jin Yunfei was also worried at this moment, fearing that if the two families really fell out, it would not benefit the two children at all.
“Sheng’er wants to speak with Uncle Lin alone. I wonder if we can step aside to speak?”
At this moment, Qu Sheng took a few steps forward. She took a porcelain vial from her sleeve and held it in front of Lin Jianhai’s eyes.
“Does Uncle Lin recognize this item?”
Lin Jianhai glanced at it, not taking it seriously. His gaze lingered on Qu Sheng’s face for a moment, and he put his hands behind his back, snorting coldly.
Qu Sheng looked down at the porcelain vial in her hand and said, “This item is what the imperial concubines in the palace use to deal with disobedient palace maids.”
With just this short sentence from Qu Sheng, Lin Jianhai’s expression suddenly became tense. His eyes widened slightly, and he slowly looked at Qu Sheng, then at the porcelain vial in her hand.
“Can we step aside to speak now?”
Lin Jianhai and Qu Sheng went to another room. No one knew what they discussed. But after thirty minutes3, when Lin Jianhai came back, his attitude had changed somewhat; he did not agree, but he no longer held an opposing view.
“Virtuous Brother, this betrothal gift…” Qu Jinian looked at Qu Sheng’s eye hint and understood about seventy to eighty percent of it in his heart.
Lin Jianhai did not speak, and Qu Jinian’s brow twitched slightly as he smiled, saying, “Then this matter is temporarily settled. As elders, we all hope the children will be well. In the future, our two families should visit each other more and support one another. When the time is ripe, we will discuss arranging a simple wedding for them in the residence.”
Having a grand banquet was definitely out of the question. Everyone in the Capital City had eight hundred calculating thoughts in their hearts. Two girls being together, even if their feelings were mutual and they were willing to share life and death, how could outsiders understand?
Qu Jinian had originally held a skeptical attitude, but now that things had developed to this point, if he did not stand up to speak for the two children, he was truly worried that they would do something foolish.
“I want to take Jiejie back tonight,” Qu Sheng said. Although her voice was not slow, it did not sound clever either.
After the father and daughter finished speaking, Lin Jianhai still did not answer. He sized up the father and daughter, and after a short while, he let out a breath and said, “Do as you please.”
Hearing this, Qu Jinian had a smile on his face again.
While Qu Jinian and the others sat in the room drinking tea, Qu Sheng went to Lin Xizhao’s courtyard.
Qu Sheng’s steps in the Lin Residence were slightly larger than usual. Lin Xizhao’s door was still open at this moment, and she looked out into the courtyard from time to time, her brow also slightly furrowed.
Qu Sheng said she had a way, but she refused to tell her what it was.
“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng slightly lifted the hem of her skirt, stepped up the stairs, and entered the room.
Hearing the sound, Lin Xizhao stood up, hurriedly looking for Qu Sheng, whose voice arrived before she did.
Looking at the smile on Qu Sheng’s face, Lin Xizhao guessed that she had probably persuaded Lin Jianhai. “How is it? What did Father say?” She still wanted to make sure.
“Uncle Lin agreed. Sheng’er has come to pick up Jiejie,” Qu Sheng said, looking into Lin Xizhao’s still worried eyes.
Hearing Qu Sheng say that Lin Jianhai had agreed, Lin Xizhao was suspicious for a moment, completely unable to understand how her father had agreed.
“What did you talk about?”
“It is better if Jiejie does not know about this.” Qu Sheng did not want to lie to Lin Xizhao, but telling her about this matter would not bring any benefit.
“Let’s go. Father, Mother, and Jiayu are waiting for us.” Qu Sheng took Lin Xizhao’s hand.
Lin Xizhao did not pack anything, allowing Qu Sheng to pull her toward the outside of the courtyard.
The two returned to the reception courtyard. At this moment, the servants of the Lin Residence were counting the betrothal gifts, and those entered into the ledger had already been carried to the storeroom.
Lin Xizhao looked left and right, and was led into the room by Qu Sheng.
Lin Xizhao paid her respects to Lin Jianhai. “Father.”
As Lin Xizhao bent her knees, she glanced sideways at Qu Jinian and the others. At this moment, their faces were all filled with smiles.
“Mm,” Lin Jianhai hummed, his tone giving no hint of whether he was still angry.
Lin Xizhao stood up and paid her respects to Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei again. After she finished, Zhao Jiayu also hurried over, took her hands, and laughed softly, saying, “Congratulations.”
Lin Xizhao could not smile at this moment. She could feel that Lin Jianhai was unwilling, but out of some helplessness, he had to agree.
The crowd waited in the room for a while. After the betrothal gifts outside were all carried away, Qu Jinian said, “Presenting the betrothal gifts at night was truly a matter of helplessness. I hope Virtuous Brother Lin will not blame us.”
Lin Jianhai glanced at him, his eyes moving slightly, but there was no smile on his face at all.
After presenting the betrothal gifts, they should have stayed in the residence for a simple banquet. But with things as they were, and with Lin Jianhai being so cold, Qu Jinian smiled and said, “In that case, we won’t disturb you further.”
Hearing this, Lin Jianhai looked at Qu Jinian, his gaze not wavering, and said to the butler, “See the guests out.” He did not want to personally see them off.
When Qu Jinian came, saying he wanted his daughter to marry Lin’s daughter, it slapped his face. Leaving, it was Lin who had started with an opposing attitude but had to agree in the end, which also slapped his face.
With no face left like this, he did not care about politeness anymore.
“Virtuous Brother Lin, please stay,” Qu Jinian knew he did not want to see them off, but still smiled and said polite words to him.
Qu Jinian walked out, and Jin Yunfei and Zhao Jiayu also walked out. But Lin Xizhao still stood in place.
Since Lin Xizhao did not leave, Qu Sheng did not leave either. Lin Jianhai glanced at his daughter, who kept looking at him. After a moment, he turned his back, no longer looking at Lin Xizhao.
“This daughter is leaving,” Lin Xizhao saw that Lin Jianhai was unwilling to look at her, so she bent her knees and paid her respects.
Since Lin Jianhai had temporarily agreed, there was still room for a turnaround. When she spoke with Lin Jianhai nicely in the future, she would prove that choosing Qu Sheng was right, so that Lin Jianhai would agree to this matter from his heart.
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Lin Jianhai’s brow furrowed for a moment, and after a while, he gave an “Mm.”
He had said he wanted to protect his daughter, but in the end he had to agree. Although he was angry, he also felt in his heart that he had let Lin Xizhao down. His daughter was going down the wrong path, and instead of pulling her back, he handed her over to someone else…
Hearing Lin Jianhai’s voice, Lin Xizhao felt a little more relieved.
Lin Xizhao raised her eyes to look at Qu Sheng, who understood her silent message, reached out her hand, and left with her.
Inside the carriage, regardless of Zhao Jiayu’s presence, Qu Sheng pulled Lin Xizhao into her arms.
She had almost failed to suppress Lin Jianhai today. Lin Jianhai was not even afraid of death, but he was very loyal to the Emperor.
“Sheng’er?”
Qu Sheng held her tightly. Lin Xizhao rested her chin on Qu Sheng’s shoulder and neck for a good while before calling out to her.
Hearing this, Qu Sheng let Lin Xizhao go. Seeing that Qu Sheng’s face was not as happy as before, Lin Xizhao also became worried.
“What is wrong?”
Hearing Lin Xizhao ask, Qu Sheng curved her lips slightly, afraid she would worry, and said, “It’s nothing. I haven’t seen Jiejie for too long, so I missed Jiejie.”
Qu Sheng’s thoughts of missing her at this moment were true longing. But Lin Xizhao misunderstood her meaning. Her face turned slightly red, and she instinctively looked sideways at Zhao Jiayu beside them.
Seeing Lin Xizhao look over, Zhao Jiayu quickly smiled and said, “Hey, just pretend I don’t exist, you two continue.”
She had been watching with great interest just now. Seeing that the two of them were heading in that direction, why did they suddenly stop?
Hearing this, Qu Sheng glanced at Zhao Jiayu, looked at Lin Xizhao, and then lowered her eyes.
The group returned to the Qu Residence. After talking in the room for a while, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng sent Zhao Jiayu back to her courtyard.
On their way back, after only a few steps, Qu Sheng bent down and picked Lin Xizhao up.
Lin Xizhao watched as Qu Sheng looked seriously at the path ahead, her gaze moving toward Qu Sheng’s jaw. After a moment, Lin Xizhao hooked her arms around Qu Sheng’s neck, raised her head slightly, and kissed the corner of Qu Sheng’s lips.
She did not know what deal Qu Sheng had made with Lin Jianhai, but Qu Sheng being able to persuade Qu Jinian to go to the residence to present betrothal gifts was enough to prove her courage toward her.
She was satisfied.
The light kiss made Qu Sheng look down at Lin Xizhao, but her steps never stopped. Qu Sheng carried Lin Xizhao into the courtyard and straight into the washroom.
The two removed their clothes and entered the water. Qu Sheng’s hands circled Lin Xizhao’s soft waist, and Lin Xizhao rested her slender fingers on Qu Sheng’s shoulders and neck.
Lin Xizhao was half-kneeling in the bath barrel, half a head taller than Qu Sheng, forcing Qu Sheng to tilt her chin up when kissing her.
Mist surrounded them as their body temperatures rose sharply, and the water temperature also began to drop rapidly.
Their kiss was also filled with mutual longing, but Lin Xizhao seemed even more passionate tonight.
After a moment, Lin Xizhao’s lips sucked the water droplets on Qu Sheng’s neck, and her fingertips also moved in the water, searching for softness, starting to prepare Qu Sheng little by little.
Qu Sheng’s muffled groan carried pleasure, and Lin Xizhao, upon hearing the sound, raised her eyes, which were burning with fire. Looking at Qu Sheng lightly biting her red lips damp with mist, her breathing quickening and slowing with her strength, Lin Xizhao could not help but kiss her again.
A long time later.
Lin Xizhao helped wipe Qu Sheng’s body. When her fingertips touched the skin, there was a slight trembling, as if releasing another kind of signal to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao’s eyes flickered with desire. While helping to wipe Qu Sheng’s body, she felt a trace of desire rise in her heart. When the towel slid to a soft place, Lin Xizhao lingered there for a long time through the snow-white towel.
“Jiejie…” When Qu Sheng looked sideways, her breathing was already somewhat messy.
How was this wiping her body? It was clearly taking advantage of her. The contrast between this and the usually serious Lin Xizhao was simply too great. Qu Sheng wanted to stop her, but Lin Xizhao did not move.
“We continue, alright?” Standing behind Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao gently pressed her soft lips to the back of Qu Sheng’s neck.
Qu Sheng raised her neck, unable to resist the thumping in her heart, and let out a sigh.
Without waiting for Qu Sheng to speak, Lin Xizhao slowly walked around to the front of Qu Sheng, her eyes looking at her with deep affection. Then, seeing that Qu Sheng’s eyes were full of her, she slightly raised her chin and kissed Qu Sheng’s lips.
By the time the two came out of the washroom, it was already the latter half of the night.
On the bed in the bedroom, Qu Sheng snuggled her head in Lin Xizhao’s arms like a child who had suffered a little grievance. She pressed her lips to Lin Xizhao’s neck, playing tricks and causing Lin Xizhao to let out soft murmurs from time to time.
Lin Xizhao let her do as she pleased, but also refused her.
The night was too deep. If she let Qu Sheng do that kind of thing with her again, they probably would not be able to sleep tonight.
But in the end, Lin Xizhao still could not resist Qu Sheng’s teasing, allowing her once.
Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao in her arms, feeling the softness of her body, her gaze looking elsewhere, as if thinking about something.
“What are you thinking about?” Lin Xizhao raised her eyes and asked softly.
Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng lowered her eyes. After meeting Lin Xizhao’s gentle gaze, she lowered her head to kiss her eyes and said, “Father received news today that the Emperor sent Yan Fengwu to Gaozhou Prefecture for disaster relief. I want to personally follow them.”
“Disaster relief?”
“Mm, there was a locust plague in Gaozhou. Although it is not yet the autumn harvest season, the Emperor’s move is probably to make Yan Fengwu suffer a major setback there.”
“Since the Emperor already intends to punish Yan Fengwu, why do you need to go there yourself?” Lin Xizhao was somewhat puzzled.
Qu Sheng let out a breath from her nose and said, “Not enough.”
She wanted not just Yan Fengwu’s life, but also the lives of his entire family, as well as all the officials closely associated with him.
Only in this way could she eliminate future troubles and appease the hatred in her heart.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Jiejie’s lips are electric, I like them so much.”
Lin Xizhao: “Shut up!”
Footnotes
- Pǐnlǐ (聘礼), or betrothal gifts, are a traditional Chinese wedding custom where the groom's family presents grand gifts to the bride's family as a formal proposal and a show of respect.
- The Double Happiness character (囍, shuāngxǐ) is a traditional Chinese symbol of good luck and marital bliss, commonly used in wedding decorations.
- Liǎng kèzhōng (两刻钟), or two quarters of an hour, is a traditional Chinese measurement of time equivalent to thirty minutes.
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