The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 208

Childhood Sweethearts¹

Today, the person she was marrying was someone she loved. But if it’d been someone she disliked, she knew they’d still have forced her to marry. Just like before, when her father, seeking to consolidate the Jin family’s power, had tried to marry her off to someone she didn’t care for, prompting her to flee the wedding.

But now… Jin Mingyi raised her head to look at Zhu Ming’an, who sat there, well-behaved and watching her with an earnest gaze. She wouldn’t run again.

            

Back when Zhu Ming’an abandoned her at the Jin estate, she’d already given up any hope of being together, even though she’d once given herself² to her.

When the Jin family became the rulers of this land, she’d consequently become a princess. For a princess of a nation to marry another woman—how could that ever be easy?

If she missed this chance today, there’d never be another opportunity.

            

“Am I really that important to you?”

Zhu Ming’an was taken aback by Jin Mingyi’s sudden question. Stunned for a moment, she quickly stood up and walked over to her side.

“Yi’er, don’t ever doubt my feelings for you.” For Zhu Ming’an to publicly beg for a marriage decree in front of the Quzhao officials—that level of courage was unmatched.

            

She knew what kind of plight and scrutiny the Zhu family’d face after her declaration, but she didn’t regret it. She’d originally thought Jin Mingyi truly didn’t love her anymore. After a long period of quiet, she’d found herself utterly unable to forget her.

Before Jin Mingyi arrived in Quzhao as an envoy, Zhu Ming’an was already preparing to return to the Jin Kingdom.

Once Jin Mingyi arrived in Quzhao and they met, Zhu Ming’an realized that although Jin Mingyi feigned coldness, the affection in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.

            

Besides, given Jin Mingyi’s temper, how could she’ve ever allowed someone she didn’t care for to share her bed? Even though she’d been kicked out of bed the following morning, she’d still managed to hold her in her arms.

“You say you love me, you say you won’t abandon me, but you left for months without returning. How do you explain that?” Jin Mingyi was still angry.

Zhu Ming’an had left her at the Jin estate, promising to convince her family, only to suddenly vanish. While the Jin family went through such catastrophic changes, Zhu Ming’an’s whereabouts remained unknown. Confined behind closed doors in a deep imperial palace she’d only visited a handful of times, Jin Mingyi’d been pressured through both carrot and stick by her own family to negotiate peace with Qu Sheng.

            

Her father’d died on the Northern Frontier, her brother’d been assassinated by Beian assassins, and her mother was confined, raving mad day in and day out. Where was Zhu Ming’an during all of that?

Only after everything’d settled did Zhu Ming’an finally come looking for her. How could she not be furious?

“I…” Zhu Ming’an lowered her head, her eyelashes trembling slightly. She’d regretted not taking Jin Mingyi with her, but if she had to do it all over again, she still wouldn’t have brought her along.

            

Her investigation into the military rations was targeted directly at the Jin family. When Jin Mingyi returned, it’d become clear from how she’d helped pry information out of her little nephew that she knew nothing of the matter. If Jin Mingyi’d known her brother was planning to betray the Qu family, with her personality, she’d have surely confronted him. Had she done so, she wouldn’t have been able to escape either.

Furthermore, by the time Zhu Ming’an found any clues, the situation was already coming to an end. Afterward, she’d returned to Shoulin and traveled through multiple kingdoms. If those kingdoms hadn’t agreed to her terms, she’d have certainly died in a foreign land. But through it all, she’d never once doubted Jin Mingyi.

“Our Zhu family only enjoys what we have today thanks to the Qu family’s care. When the Qu family was in danger, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing,” Zhu Ming’an looked at Jin Mingyi, her expression filled with immense guilt.

            

“So that makes it fine to leave me behind and ignore me?” Jin Mingyi demanded.

“I didn’t ignore you. Staying with the Jin family was the safest place for you,” Zhu Ming’an explained earnestly. Even if the Jin family failed, the Qu family would’ve spared them out of regard for their shared blood.

Qu Sheng was a deeply loyal and affectionate person, and Jin Yunfei loved Jin Mingyi best of all. There was no way they’d let her die.

            

“In the end, you’re just trying to wash your hands of any blame. Are you saying you did nothing wrong at all?” In truth, Jin Mingyi already knew the answer. Everything Zhu Ming’an’d done was carried out after careful deliberation, yet she still felt that Zhu Ming’an should’ve kept her by her side.

She already belonged to her. No matter the reason, she shouldn’t have abandoned her.

Hearing that Jin Mingyi had no interest in being reasonable and only wanted to find fault with her, Zhu Ming’an quickly realized where the root of the problem lay.

            

“I was wrong. Wrong to leave you behind, wrong to separate from you, and wrong to be so overconfident that you’d be waiting for me in the same place.” As Zhu Ming’an spoke, she put on a pitiful display, her eyes welling with tears.

Jin Mingyi’s mood lightened with each of Zhu Ming’an’s admissions, but upon hearing the last sentence, she felt a surge of irritation again. “You—” Seeing Zhu Ming’an turn the final blame back onto her while feigning such a pitiful look, she huffed in annoyance and stormed out of the room.

“Yi’er, where are you going?” Zhu Ming’an hastily wiped away her cheap tears and rushed out after her.

            

Seeing Jin Mingyi act like this, Zhu Ming’an was absolutely certain she’d be willing to marry her.

As Zhu Ming’an chased her, Jin Mingyi quickened her pace, casting occasional sideways glances to see if she was keeping up.

“Yi’er, where are you going?”

            

“None of your business.”

Zhu Ming’an followed closely behind. Soon, they arrived at a certain palace courtyard. Guarded by sentries, it bore a striking resemblance to a cold palace³.

Jin Mingyi stopped before the palace gates. Addressing the two guards with long sabers belted to their waists, she commanded, “Open the gates.”

            

The guards bowed with cupped hands but made no move to open them.

Seeing their complete lack of response, Jin Mingyi raised her voice. “I told you to open the gates! Didn’t you hear me?”

The two guards exchanged a look before one lowered his head and replied, “Please don’t make things difficult for us, Princess. His Lordship ordered that no one is permitted inside.”

            

Jin Mingyi only knew her mother’d gone mad upon hearing of her brother’s death, but she’d never been allowed to see her. She’d begged her little nephew, but Feng Sugao’d refused to grant her access.

There was no doubt that Jin Mingjun’s wife, Feng-shi, had died at her mother’s hands; Jin Mingyi’d only realized the truth of the matter long after the fact.

Feng Sugao hadn’t killed her mother outright, likely because he felt she still had some use and didn’t want to push things to absolute extremes. Furthermore, Aunt Jin was currently the Grand Empress Dowager; executing her would’ve only invited public condemnation.

            

Staring at the two completely unyielding guards, Jin Mingyi turned around in a huff and looked at Zhu Ming’an.

Seeing the look Jin Mingyi was giving her, Zhu Ming’an instantly guessed what she was about to say.

“If you can take my mother away with us, I’ll marry you.”

            

At those words, Zhu Ming’an’s mind went completely blank with shock. How could marrying a wife involve taking the mother-in-law along too?

If it’d been an ordinary, humble household, Zhu Ming’an could’ve easily managed it. But this was the Grand Empress Dowager of the Jin Dynasty! What possible justification could she use to take her away?

After returning to her sleeping palace, Jin Mingyi sat in restless anxiety, pacing back and forth and rubbing her clenched fist against her palm. Although Zhu Ming’an’d agreed to smuggle her mother out, she had no confidence Feng Sugao’d ever allow it.

            

She suspected Zhu Ming’an’d likely run straight into a brick wall trying to demand her mother’s release.

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In Quzhao.

Over the past few days, Zhao Jiayu’d been dragging Xiao Bingying out to drink with her every day. However, it was always in moderation; now that she was a mother herself, she didn’t want her child thinking her mother was a drunkard.

            

Both Qu Sheng and Xiao Bingying’d been taking their medicine lately. While the prescription didn’t strictly require abstaining from alcohol for the time being, Qu Sheng’d already sworn off drinking entirely.

After feeling so utterly pathetic in front of her wife in bed a few days ago, Qu Sheng’d been worried her image in Lin Xizhao’s heart had been tarnished.

She didn’t know if the issue that day’d been her drinking or if Lin Xizhao’d gained a deeper understanding of such matters. Regardless, she’d remained strictly celibate over the past several days.

            

While Qu Sheng was busy reviewing imperial memorials in the Imperial Study, Lin Xizhao’d gone to the Commandery King’s Residence. Lin Xirui’d returned.

After Lin Xirui’d finished reporting his duties at court, Qu Sheng’d allowed Lin Xizhao to leave the palace with him.

Sitting together as a family, they caught up and enjoyed the warm bond of siblings. Qu Sheng was simply too tied down to leave; otherwise, she’d have certainly accompanied Lin Xizhao back home.

            

“Ajie, don’t you love travelogues? When Her Majesty dispatched me as an envoy, I had my people search for and collect quite a few. See if any of these catch your eye.” Like a child presenting treasures, Lin Xirui’d had someone bring over the pile of travel journals he’d gathered.

Lin Xizhao watched as Lin Xirui’s young servant carried the books over. Stunned for a moment, she let out a soft laugh and said, “You’re most thoughtful.”

The servant presented them to her. Lin Xizhao picked up the book on top and flipped through a few pages. It was indeed a work she’d never seen before, and the narrative style was wonderfully concise. Reading just a few lines left her thoroughly intrigued.

            

“Give them to Guard Xing,” Lin Xizhao said in a gentle voice, smiling at the servant.

Guard Xing was a new personal guard Qu Sheng’d selected for Lin Xizhao. Since Feng Qi had other matters to attend to, Lin Xizhao hadn’t seen him in quite some time.

The servant bowed, holding the stack of books, and turned to hand them over to Lin Xizhao’s guard.

            

As the servant withdrew, word quickly arrived from the kitchen that the food and drinks were ready.

Rising with a smile, Lin Xizhao said to her two younger brothers, “Come along, let’s go eat.”

The three of them moved to the dining hall. Lin Xizhao served dishes to both of her brothers without favoring either, though her mind was actually wandering to another matter.

            

Lately, she’d been keeping an eye out for suitable matches, hoping to find wives for her two younger brothers.

“Xikuan, why are you so quiet?” Lin Xizhao asked. She’d been chatting with Lin Xirui for a while, but Lin Xikuan hadn’t joined in.

Hearing his name, Lin Xikuan raised his head and smiled. “It’s nothing.”

            

Lin Xirui noticed his brother seemed to be in low spirits, but he didn’t suspect it was because Lin Xikuan was unhappy about his return. Lin Xikuan’d personally ridden out of the city to welcome him back, and he could feel his brother’s genuine care.

“Do you have something on your mind, Second Brother?” Lin Xirui asked.

Lin Xikuan shook his head. “No.”

            

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes for a moment, thinking briefly before picking up their previous conversation. “In half a month, Sheng’er’s hosting a Hundred Flowers Banquet. All the prominent families and nobility will attend, so I’ll keep an eye out for you both.”

Hearing this, Lin Xirui gave a rare, bashful smile, but Lin Xikuan remained weighed down by heavy thoughts.

Once they finished eating, Lin Xizhao prepared to leave. Just as she was about to step onto the carriage, Lin Xikuan called out to stop her. “Ajie.”

            

Lin Xizhao paused, stepping back down from the stool⁴. Turning back, she smiled and asked, “Xikuan, is there something else?”

Lin Xikuan pursed his lips, his brow furrowing slightly. After a long pause, he looked up and asked, “Has Lady Cheng Xi arrived?”

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After breakfast the next morning, Zhao Jiayu sat in the courtyard with her daughter and some snacks, watching Xiao Bingying perform a routine with a staff. Both mother and daughter stared with wide eyes, little stars practically bursting in their gazes as Xiao Bingying executed a dazzling sequence of forms.

            

Qu Zhimu clapped and cheered, while Zhao Jiayu showered her with endless praise, their enthusiastic adoration leaving Xiao Bingying quite embarrassed.

“Hurry, have some water.” Zhao Jiayu set the snacks aside and quickly poured a cup of tea for Xiao Bingying as she walked over.

The little girl also picked up the cup with her tiny hands once her mother finished pouring, presenting it before Xiao Bingying as she chirped in a sweet, babyish voice, “Auntie, drink!”

            

Smiling, Xiao Bingying gently patted her small head, took the cup, and drank it down.

“You know, I really think Mu’er should learn martial arts. That way, she won’t get bullied when she grows up,” Zhao Jiayu remarked pointedly as she watched Xiao Bingying drink.

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s words, Xiao Bingying immediately understood she wanted her to teach Qu Zhimu, but her true intention was to find a way to keep her here.

            

Xiao Bingying smiled and said, “Xiao Sheng’er said she’s going to teach Mu’er herself.”

Zhao Jiayu blinked. She had no idea Qu Sheng planned to teach her daughter martial arts. “Oh, please! Xiao Sheng’er has to handle state affairs every day. Where’d she ever find the time? And you already know how hopeless my own amateur skills are…”

“Eldest Miss, Second Miss, someone from the Haichao Kingdom’s arrived!” the Zhao Residence’s butler suddenly reported in a rush.

            

Cut off right as she was trying to convince Xiao Bingying, Zhao Jiayu turned with her to look at the butler. She murmured, “Who could be coming from the Haichao Kingdom?”

Xiao Bingying looked at the butler and asked, “Did they say who it is?”

“He says he’s the Supreme General of the Haichao Kingdom, Ge Chuan,” the butler reported.

            

“What ‘Supreme General’?” Zhao Jiayu muttered again.

Xiao Bingying cast a sidelong glance at her. “He’s the commander of the Haichao royal capital forces.” Most of the official titles in the Haichao Kingdom were different from those in Quzhao, so it was only natural that Zhao Jiayu didn’t recognize it.

Zhao Jiayu nodded and asked the butler, “What’s he doing here?”

            

“He says he’s come to find the Eldest Miss.”

“Looking for my Ajie?” Zhao Jiayu looked at Xiao Bingying in confusion.

There was no trace of joy on Xiao Bingying’s face at the arrival of an old acquaintance. Instead, a faint look of irritation clouded her features.

            

Accompanied by Zhao Jiayu, Xiao Bingying walked toward the outer courtyard. Sensing her frustration, Zhao Jiayu asked, “Ajie, do you have some kind of grudge against him?”

“No,” Xiao Bingying replied, her pace quickening. She was worried this man might say something inappropriate to her father and mother, upsetting the elderly couple.

“Then why the long face?”

            

Xiao Bingying shot her a glance. Letting out a heavy sigh, she replied, “He and Xi’er grew up together. They’re childhood sweethearts. If the late King of Haichao were still alive, they would’ve been married long ago.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jiayu froze completely in her tracks.

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The author has something to say:

            

Qu Sheng: “What Supreme General? If Bingying’s willing to stay, I’ll name her a Grand General too!”

Cheng Xi: “…You can’t just steal my people like that.”

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