The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 205
by Little PandaI Want to Ask You Something
A fine, tickling sensation, carrying a faint trace of coolness, roved across her entire body. Lin Xizhao’s delicate, friction-filled caresses slowly coaxed soft, broken sounds from Qu Sheng’s restrained throat.
Leaning over, Lin Xizhao sought Qu Sheng’s lips to kiss her, her fingertips teasing all the while. Finally, just as Qu Sheng’s tensed body could bear no more, her vision and thoughts briefly blurred.
After a brief rest, Qu Sheng nestled herself in Lin Xizhao’s embrace. Breathing in the waves of restless, rich, cool fragrance that left her utterly intoxicated, she gently kissed the skin of Lin Xizhao’s neck as though she still couldn’t get enough.
“Do you want more?” Lin Xizhao’s gentle voice drifted into Qu Sheng’s ear.
Qu Sheng lifted her head, her misty eyes brimming with love, and captured Lin Xizhao’s soft lips once more.
Another round of pleasure began.
At the Zhao Residence.
“Ajie, if there’s anything uncomfortable or missing, just let me know. I’ll have the servants replace it for you,” Zhao Jiayu said, standing in front of Xiao Bingying’s bedroom door.
Xiao Bingying curled her lips. “Everything’s wonderful. Father and Mother prepared everything so thoroughly.”
When Xiao Bingying had returned this afternoon, Zhao Jiayu had accompanied her, bringing along her husband and daughter as well.
The Zhao Residence was sparsely populated; once Zhao Jiayu left, it was practically empty. Now that Xiao Bingying had returned with Cheng Xi, Zhao Jiayu naturally wanted to move back and stay for a few days so the family could enjoy a warm, complete reunion.
“That’s good, then.”
Xiao Bingying had a stoic, enduring nature, and Zhao Jiayu had worried she wouldn’t speak up even if she lacked something.
“Oh, right.” Zhao Jiayu suddenly thought of something and leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I’ve already ordered the servants to keep hot water ready throughout the night. Just tell them whenever you want them to bring it in.”
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s words, Xiao Bingying’s face immediately flushed with embarrassment. Her gaze flitted away, avoiding Zhao Jiayu’s eyes.
“Hehe, don’t be shy. We’re both married women now.” Zhao Jiayu winked at her.
Xiao Bingying smiled awkwardly and replied, “All right.”
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back to my room. If Zhimu can’t find me in a moment, she’ll start crying and throwing a tantrum again,” Zhao Jiayu said with a laugh, turning to leave.
“Jiayu, wait a moment,” Xiao Bingying called out just as she turned.
Zhao Jiayu turned back, her smile remaining. “Is there something else, Ajie?”
Xiao Bingying pursed her lips, cast a glance toward the washroom, then turned back to Zhao Jiayu. “What about Yaocai?” she asked in a low voice.
Hearing Xiao Bingying bring up Xiao Yaocai, the smile gradually faded from Zhao Jiayu’s face. She lowered her eyes for a brief moment before looking up at Xiao Bingying. “He refused to come along. The emperor of the previous dynasty had granted him a hereditary official rank1. After the Jin family declared themselves emperors, his position was promoted by another grade. He didn’t want to lose what he currently possesses, so he stayed in the Jin Dynasty.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying seemed to recall the past. She felt that the person she owed the greatest apology to was probably Xiao Yaocai. In a single night, she had caused him to lose both his father and mother.
Xiao Bingying nodded, pressing no further.
Seeing her look somewhat downcast, Zhao Jiayu lowered her eyes for a few moments, then said, “Ajie, back then, Uncle’s entry into your room was entirely arranged by Xiao Yaocai. All of this started because of him. You don’t owe him anything.”
Zhao Jiayu had only found out about this later, after hearing Qu Yu and the others analyze the situation. Her mother had also gone to interrogate Xiao Yaocai. Every time Xiao Yaocai was questioned, he would lose his temper and deliberately brush it off. Furthermore, Zhao Dian had confirmed with the servants of the Xiao Residence that, although they hadn’t explicitly admitted anything, a careful analysis of their words made it highly likely that Xiao Yaocai had arranged the whole thing.
Thus, Zhao Jiayu felt no sympathy for Xiao Yaocai, yet she couldn’t bring herself to hate him either, given the deaths of her uncle and aunt.
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s attempts to comfort her, Xiao Bingying looked up and smiled, but a bitter expression rippled through her eyes. “I know.”
She did know. Yet no matter the reasons, she was still the one who had killed his father and mother, leaving him an orphan.
Perhaps it was for the best. With him remaining there, they would never cross paths again for the rest of their lives. It saved her from constantly recalling the unspeakable things she had endured.
“Go on back now. Zhimu will be looking for you in a moment.” Xiao Bingying curled her lips, putting on an air of having let go of her worries.
Looking at Xiao Bingying’s forced smile, Zhao Jiayu took a step forward and wrapped her arms around her. “We’re family. Don’t bottle everything up inside.”
Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s words, Xiao Bingying let out a soft laugh. She reached up to gently pat Zhao Jiayu’s head and said, “I won’t.”
“Since Yaocai did things to hurt me, we’re even now.” Although Xiao Bingying still felt a lingering guilt, the resentment in her heart hadn’t been fully wiped away even after the deaths of Xiao Tong and his wife.
But she had once genuinely regarded Xiao Yaocai as her didi. Now that she knew he was living well, she no longer felt so anxious about him.
“Bingying.” Having finished her bath, Cheng Xi returned, only to see the two sisters embracing.
Hearing Cheng Xi’s voice, Zhao Jiayu instantly broke out of Xiao Bingying’s embrace. She quickly smiled at Cheng Xi and explained, “Cheng Xi, don’t misunderstand!”
Xiao Bingying froze for a second at Zhao Jiayu’s explanation, then quickly smiled at Cheng Xi.
Cheng Xi arched her eyebrows. “What is it you think I’ll misunderstand?”
Hearing the teasing tone in Cheng Xi’s voice, Zhao Jiayu laughed. “Nothing! I’ll head back now, then. Rest early, both of you.”
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi nodded in unison. Zhao Jiayu cast a smiling, lingering glance at the two of them before taking her leave.
Noticing that Cheng Xi’s hair was still dripping wet, Xiao Bingying reached out, took her hand, and led her into the room.
Cheng Xi sat before the bronze mirror while Xiao Bingying carefully helped dry her damp hair. Watching Xiao Bingying’s reflection in the mirror, Cheng Xi asked, “What were you two talking about just now?”
Xiao Bingying glanced at the mirror. After a few moments of consideration, she decided not to hide it. “I was asking about my didi.”
“Oh.” Cheng Xi lowered her eyes. She didn’t harbor much resentment toward Xiao Yaocai; because of Xiao Bingying’s protection, she hadn’t suffered any major losses at his hands back then.
Since Cheng Xi didn’t press, Xiao Bingying didn’t pursue the topic further.
Once her hair was completely dry, Cheng Xi turned around to look at Xiao Bingying, bringing up the conversation she had held with Liu Wuxiang earlier that day.
“The matter my master mentioned… have you thought it over?”
Xiao Bingying folded the cloth in her hands. “Whatever you decide is fine.”
Watching Xiao Bingying walk over to set down the cloth, Cheng Xi called out, “Bingying.”
“Hmm?” Xiao Bingying turned back, her expression soft. She lowered her gaze for a split second. “I’ll do whatever you want.”
Cheng Xi shook her head. “I want to know your real thoughts. Do you want to have a child with me?” When Cheng Xi had brought up this matter with Xiao Bingying previously, she had met with this exact same passive attitude. A touch of urgency crept into Cheng Xi’s expression as she added, “I don’t want you to just go along with everything I say. I want you to tell me—do you actually want this or not?”
Hearing Cheng Xi’s words, Xiao Bingying lowered her eyes. After Cheng Xi’s long wait, she finally looked up and said, “I do. I want to have a child with you, and I want there to be a bond between us. It’s just… I’m a little worried about a matter like this.”
Hearing Xiao Bingying speak from her heart, the corners of Cheng Xi’s eyes softened into a warm curve. She stepped forward, wrapping her arms around Xiao Bingying’s firm waist. “You don’t need to worry. Master wouldn’t have brought it up if he weren’t confident. You understand medicine, too. Although it sounds like a fantasy, if you trace it back to medical principles, such a thing isn’t entirely impossible.”
Xiao Bingying pondered for a brief moment, her lips pressed into a tight line. “What do you need me to do?” She chose to trust her, though her underlying anxiety remained.
Cheng Xi’s lips curled upward. She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against Xiao Bingying’s lips, and murmured in a gentle, airy voice, “Cooperate with me. Take me.”
Hearing such a direct invitation, Xiao Bingying’s throat bobbed involuntarily. Her gaze searched Cheng Xi’s cool, exquisite face. Slowly, she leaned down, capturing Cheng Xi’s soft lips.
Their warm breath mingled as their lips intertwined, igniting a surge of desire within them. After a brief, hungry conquest, Xiao Bingying bent down and swept Cheng Xi up into her arms.
As they lay together on the bed, the alluring smile in Cheng Xi’s eyes cast a spell over Xiao Bingying, awakening an insatiable desire that urged her to continuously claim, possess, and ravish her partner…
Early the next morning, after the entire Zhao family finished breakfast, Zhao Jiayu and the others took two carriages to Nanting Courtyard. Qu Sheng wasn’t holding court today, and she and Lin Xizhao had only finished eating a short while before the others arrived.
For the past few days, Jin Mingyi had been keeping Jin Yunfei company, and Zhu Ming’an had stayed by her side without leaving for a single moment—she’d even ignored her father’s summons to return home.
At this moment, Lin Xizhao and Jin Mingyi were chatting with Jin Yunfei when Zhao Jiayu’s party entered.
Seeing so many of the younger generation gathered together—each of them as beautiful as delicate flowers—Jin Yunfei felt immensely pleased. Xiao Bingying stepped forward with Cheng Xi to offer her respects. Smiling, Jin Yunfei gestured for the servants to bring them chairs and serve tea.
Surrounded by a room full of young women, Qu Yu felt out of place. He turned to Lin Xizhao and asked, “Where’s Sheng-meimei?”
Lin Xizhao looked at him and replied, “There were some matters in the palace that required her attention, so she went back to handle them.”
Qu Yu nodded. After pondering for a few moments, he stood up, excused himself by claiming he felt tired, and bowed to everyone before leaving.
As the group sat together chatting, Jin Mingyi observed Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi. It was her first time meeting them. She had heard rumors of Xiao Bingying’s exploits, but she had never expected that Cheng Xi, the princess who loved the female general, would be such an exquisite beauty.
Cheng Xi spoke very little, and Xiao Bingying mostly replied with warm smiles to Zhao Jiayu’s remarks. In the end, it was Zhao Jiayu and Jin Mingyi who did most of the talking, their lively chatter filling the room and keeping everyone laughing.
After chatting for a while, Jin Yunfei returned to care for Qu Jinian. Soon after, the Zhu family sent a servant to request Zhu Ming’an’s return. Jin Mingyi was dragged along as well, reluctantly following her out.
Lin Xizhao and the others moved out to the small courtyard. Zhao Jiayu carried her daughter over to see Qu Yu, while Cheng Xi went to find Liu Wuxiang.
Only Xiao Bingying and Lin Xizhao remained in the room. Having grown up together since childhood, they sat in comfortable silence, feeling no awkwardness whatsoever.
Caring as always, Lin Xizhao poured some tea for Xiao Bingying, asking, “Have things been going smoothly for you and Cheng Xi in Haichao?”
Xiao Bingying smiled, her fingers tracing the edge of her teacup. “We’re doing very well.”
Lin Xizhao filled the cup to the brim and smiled softly, setting the teapot back down on the table. “So much has happened since you left.”
Xiao Bingying looked up. At the thought of Lin Jianhai’s death and the trials the Qu family had endured, her heart ached for Lin Xizhao. After a brief pause, she asked gently, “How are you and Xiao Sheng’er doing? Are things going well?”
Lin Xizhao picked up her own cup, her voice soft and carrying a tender smile. “We’re very happy too.”
Everything had passed now; at this moment, they each guarded the important person by their side. Everything was hard-won, and they should cherish the present all the more.
“I heard from Jiayu that Xiao Sheng’er has always wanted to appoint you as Empress, but you keep refusing.”
Lin Xizhao’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “They’re nothing more than empty titles. As long as she’s by my side, that’s more than enough for me.”
Xiao Bingying wasn’t surprised in the slightest. She had always known that Lin Xizhao was not one to chase after fame or power.
The two sat in silence for a brief moment. However, after hearing Xiao Bingying mention Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao’s thoughts drifted to Qu Sheng’s unusual behavior over the past few days.
Qu Sheng’s behavior made it seem as though she couldn’t get enough of that kind of thing, but with how frequently they did it, Lin Xizhao was a little worried that Qu Sheng’s body wouldn’t be able to handle it. Moreover, Qu Sheng’s reactions seemed almost like an addiction, so she grew worried in her heart.
Lin Xizhao looked toward Xiao Bingying, her soft lips moving for a moment as she called, “Bingying.”
“Hmm?” Xiao Bingying took a sip of tea and looked up. Seeing that Lin Xizhao seemed to have something on her mind, she asked, “What is it?”
Had it been anyone else, Lin Xizhao would never have been able to voice her concerns. But Xiao Bingying was remarkably tight-lipped, composed, and knowledgeable in medicine. More importantly, this wasn’t a matter that could ever be made known to outsiders.
Lin Xizhao focused her gaze on Xiao Bingying. After a brief moment of deliberation, she said, “I want to ask you something.”
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “My wife is so confident; she’d rather suspect me of having an addiction than admit her own technique has issues.”
Zhao Jiayu: “Hahahahaha!”
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