The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 213
by Little PandaIf Your Royal Brother Can’t Do It, Do You Think My Quzhao Can’t Either?
Thirty minutes later, Qu Sheng returned. She took Lin Xizhao and Zhao Jiayu to bid farewell to their elders.
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had already come to say their goodbyes at noon. By the time night had fully fallen, Lin Xizhao and the others boarded their carriage and departed through the city gates.
Qu Zhimu snuggled in Cheng Xi’s arms. Seeing that she had fallen asleep, Xiao Bingying reached out to take her from Cheng Xi.
“Let me,” Xiao Bingying said softly with concern.
Riding in a carriage was exhausting. Ever since Zhao Jiayu had returned to the Nanting Courtyard, Cheng Xi had been looking after the little one. Not long after they left the city, the child finally quieted down and drifted off to sleep.
Cheng Xi curved her lips, her eyes tender. “It’s fine, let me hold her,” she replied. The little one seemed to like her very much, making it well worth the risk she had taken back then to save Xiao Bingying, protecting her even at the hazard of exposing their plans.
Cheng Xi looked down at the child in her arms. Her features closely resembled Zhao Jiayu’s—she was bound to grow into a striking beauty as well.
Xiao Bingying had never seen Cheng Xi fond of a child like this. Even with Cheng Feng’s children, Cheng Xi had never shown such affection.
As the carriage swayed, when Cheng Xi raised her head to look at her, Xiao Bingying leaned in and planted a soft kiss on Cheng Xi’s lips.
Cheng Xi looked up at Xiao Bingying, her eyes filled with deep tenderness.
Meanwhile, Zhao Jiayu sat alone in her carriage, staring out at the pitch-black surroundings. After a short while, she called for the carriage to stop and made her way over to Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao’s carriage.
At that moment, Lin Xizhao was leaning against Qu Sheng’s chest. The moment Zhao Jiayu climbed inside, she clicked her tongue in amusement. Lin Xizhao sat up straight with a smile and asked, “Are you bored all by yourself?”
Zhao Jiayu climbed in, sat down, and let out a muffled grunt of agreement. Outside, a disguised guard approached to inquire. Qu Sheng glanced at Zhao Jiayu, then instructed the guard, “Keep moving.”
As the carriage rolled on, Lin Xizhao spoke with Zhao Jiayu about the Haichao Kingdom. She had experienced its local customs firsthand, though not in great detail—after all, they had been pursued by assassins when they fled the country.
Zhao Jiayu listened with wide, captivated eyes. Lin Xizhao spoke for nearly an hour, with Qu Sheng listening quietly beside them. Before long, a water skin was placed before Lin Xizhao’s eyes.
“Drink some water, my lady, before you continue,” Qu Sheng said softly, uncorking the water skin.
Lin Xizhao paused and turned her head. Her eyes curved like crescent moons. Instead of taking the water skin, she simply leaned down to drink. Qu Sheng held the water skin, feeding her attentively. Watching their easy familiarity, Zhao Jiayu felt quite intrigued.
Had they not always said that Lin Xizhao was the one taking care of Qu Sheng? Why did it seem lately that Qu Sheng was constantly looking after Lin Xizhao?
“Mhm, Xiao Sheng’er is treating you better and better,” Zhao Jiayu remarked, nodding her head with the pride of an elder sister-in-law observing her juniors.
Qu Sheng looked up but said nothing, nor did she find it embarrassing. Those who love each other should always care for one another; she had understood this deeply ever since Qu Jinian gave her his counsel.
After finishing her drink, Lin Xizhao smiled and resumed her story.
As the zi hour1 approached, the group stopped for the night at a rustic wayside inn.
The accompanying guards settled the arrangements. By the time they came back to summon them, Zhao Jiayu had already fallen asleep against Lin Xizhao.
Qu Sheng glanced down at her, shaking her head with a helpless smile.
Lin Xizhao gently patted Zhao Jiayu’s back to wake her, speaking softly with a warm smile, “We’ve found an inn. Let’s head inside to sleep.”
Zhao Jiayu blinked her bleary eyes open and stepped down from the carriage with Qu Sheng’s assistance.
Shortly after stepping down from the carriage, Zhao Jiayu was completely awake. Her daughter had also fallen asleep and was currently cradled in Cheng Xi’s arms.
Feeling a bit sheepish, Zhao Jiayu hurried over and said, “Give Mu’er to me. You’ve both had a long and tiring journey.”
At Zhao Jiayu’s polite words, Xiao Bingying merely smiled, while Cheng Xi replied, “It’s no trouble.” Held in her arms, the little girl was soft and didn’t feel heavy at all.
The group filed into the inn. The guest rooms had all been swept and prepared in advance; though it was a rustic wayside tavern, it was clean enough.
Once the rooms were assigned, Zhao Jiayu carried her daughter back to her room.
Qu Sheng had some food prepared and hot water boiled, sending them to each room. It was early summer, and because Qu Sheng enforced strict measures against banditry in her newly stabilized dynasty, many traveling merchants felt secure enough to lodge here.
After a brief bath, Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao as they settled down to sleep. Although the weather was growing steadily warmer, Qu Sheng’s body felt colder by the day. At night, wrapped in the quilts and holding Lin Xizhao, she would sometimes shiver from the chill.
It was the same for Xiao Bingying; Cheng Xi held Xiao Bingying, unbothered by the heat as she asked for a thick quilt.
萧冰缨躺在乘溪的怀里，很快便睡了过去。
The carriages traveled for five days before arriving at the border. The town here was a bustling melting pot at the intersection of three nations. Thanks to Qu Sheng easing trade restrictions, a great number of merchants had been drawn here to sell their wares.
Under the protection of the guards, Zhao Jiayu carried her daughter and pulled Xiao Bingying and Lin Xizhao along to explore the bustling, vibrant streets.
Qu Sheng was sipping tea in her room when Cheng Xi entered shortly after.
“The Ge family was highly instrumental in supporting my Royal Brother’s ascent to the throne. He’ll never agree to make a move against them,” Cheng Xi said, cutting straight to the point as she walked in. Over the past few days of travel, Qu Sheng had been subtly probing about the Ge family and Cheng Feng’s attitude toward them.
Qu Sheng turned her head to look at her, her expression calm and relaxed. “It’s not that he doesn’t want to agree; it’s that he doesn’t dare.”
Cheng Xi was slightly stunned, and indeed, that was the case. Had the Ge family not switched sides at the last minute, they wouldn’t have taken the capital so quickly.
And as for the Ge family gradually expanding their influence, it was also out of helplessness for Cheng Feng.
“The Ge family’s military merits are immense; they can’t be touched, and they can’t be moved,” Cheng Xi said, fully aware of how perilous such an undertaking would be.
The corners of Qu Sheng’s lips curved slightly. “If your Royal Brother can’t do it, does that mean my Quzhao can’t either?”
When Zhao Jiayu and Lin Xizhao returned, they brought back a mountain of purchases, mostly local delicacies. By the time they walked in, Qu Zhimu’s little belly was stuffed round from eating. Yet Zhao Jiayu still hadn’t had enough; she had never seen such a lively and intriguing place.
“Xiao Sheng’er, why don’t we stay here for a few days? I want to buy some things to send back to Ah Yu,” Zhao Jiayu suggested, leaning close to Qu Sheng with a coaxing smile.
Qu Sheng looked at her, then glanced at Qu Zhimu, who was waiting expectantly beside her. She smiled and said, “If everyone else is fine with it, I have no objections.”
Zhao Jiayu beamed at once. Did she even need to ask? Xiao Bingying doted on her the most and would surely agree, Lin Xizhao would also pamper her, and as for Cheng Xi… Zhao Jiayu looked down at her daughter and bent down. “Good girl, go beg your beautiful auntie. Ask her if we can stay here for a few days, alright?”
Qu Zhimu blinked her large, round eyes, nodded, and turned to trot over to Cheng Xi. Looking up at Cheng Xi with wide, pleading eyes, she said in a sweet, milk-soft voice, “Auntie, let’s stay for a few more days. Mu’er still wants to go out and play.”
Hearing this, Cheng Xi’s cool expression softened with warmth. She also bent down to match Qu Zhimu’s height, murmuring gently, “Alright, then we’ll stay a few days so our Mu’er can have a wonderful time playing.”
Hearing Cheng Xi’s agreement, Qu Zhimu’s eyes curved into beautiful crescent moons. She reached out to tug at Cheng Xi’s sleeve, and as Cheng Xi leaned in closer, she puckered her little lips and planted a sweet kiss on Cheng Xi’s cheek.
“Auntie, you’re so nice!” After her kiss, Qu Zhimu did not forget to whisper soft praises into Cheng Xi’s ear, drawing warm laughter from everyone in the room.
In truth, Qu Sheng had already planned to stay here for a few days anyway, so she naturally had no reason to oppose Zhao Jiayu’s request.
However, as everyone sat together drinking tea, Qu Sheng kept observing Cheng Xi from time to time, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
After dinner, Qu Sheng sat in the room listening to a subordinate’s whispered report. Lin Xizhao, who had gone to visit Zhao Jiayu, returned to find Qu Sheng rubbing her own hands repeatedly. She immediately fetched an outer robe and draped it over Qu Sheng’s shoulders.
“Stop taking the medicine,” Lin Xizhao said, her heart aching for Qu Sheng.
Qu Sheng’s sensitivity to the cold was entirely due to the medicine she was taking. It was already early summer; how could a normal person feel so freezing cold, as though they were in the depths of winter?
Qu Sheng turned around to look at Lin Xizhao. Seeing the worry in her eyes, she said gently, “Didn’t Physician Liu say there wouldn’t be any issues?”
Lin Xizhao opened her mouth, wanting to persuade her further, but Qu Sheng turned around and smiled. “Bingying and Cheng Xi both know medicine. If they can do it, so can we.”
“Sheng’er…” Lin Xizhao’s willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. She was simply too worried. In the past, Qu Sheng’s body had always been burning hot, but now whenever she pressed close, it was always icy cold.
Qu Sheng’s gaze flickered over Lin Xizhao’s face before she reached out to clasp her pale, delicate fingers, lifting them to her lips for a gentle kiss. “This condition won’t last too long.”
Although Qu Sheng’s body felt cold, she didn’t have much other discomfort. Lin Xizhao looked at her with worry, her heart growing increasingly uneasy.
“Let’s rest early tonight,” Qu Sheng said as she looked at Lin Xizhao’s soft, beautiful face, her gaze growing warm once more.
After lingering in Border City for five whole days, Qu Sheng and the others finally prepared to depart. During their stay, Zhao Jiayu had purchased a great deal of goods to be sent back to the Nanting Courtyard, and Qu Sheng did nothing to stop her.
Lately, there were no morning audiences held in the Quzhao court. Qu Sheng had claimed illness to excuse herself from court affairs, merely instructing officials to deliver all memorials directly to the Nanting Courtyard.
Upon reaching the border of Haichao, Cheng Xi presented her transit document2 at the checkpoint. Seeing the name of their princess on the document, the Haichao officials did not dare delay them, immediately waving them through.
Once they crossed the border, they still had quite a journey before reaching the capital of Haichao. Zhao Jiayu, having heard Lin Xizhao recount interesting tales from books about the kingdom while they were on the carriage, insisted on pestering Xiao Bingying and the others to take her exploring. Of course, her daughter’s charms played no small part in winning Xiao Bingying’s agreement.
Everyone was fond of Zhao Jiayu, which naturally translated to even greater affection for her young daughter. Whenever the little one spoke up, none of them could bring themselves to refuse her.
The group spent their days dining and enjoying themselves, with Cheng Xi acting as their guide, introducing them to the various culinary specialties of the Haichao Kingdom and leading them to sample each one.
Though they were supposed to be traveling, both Zhao Jiayu and her daughter had actually gained quite a bit of weight from all the eating over the past few days.
Returning from an outing that day, Zhao Jiayu stood in Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng’s guest room, peering into the bronze mirror. She reached up to pinch her cheek, and upon discovering the faint hint of extra flesh under her chin, she gasped in horror, cupping her face. “Xizhao, quick, come look! Have I gotten fat?!”
Lin Xizhao was pouring tea. Hearing this, she raised her head to look. Seeing that Zhao Jiayu indeed looked a bit rounder all over, she could not help but smile. “You’re not fat. Your complexion has just become more radiant.”
Reassured by Lin Xizhao’s response, Zhao Jiayu went back to examining her complexion in the mirror. Turning this way and that to scrutinize her reflection, a smile returned to her face. “Well, what do you know? I actually feel like I’ve grown younger again!”
Lin Xizhao smiled and shook her head. How old was she even? Still, taking care of a child was exhausting work—that much Lin Xizhao had to admit.
Lately, whether by day or by night, Qu Zhimu was constantly glued to Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi. The three of them had yet to return from outside. Lin Xizhao could really no longer keep up with all the running around and wanted to come back; Zhao Jiayu, worried about Lin Xizhao’s safety, had accompanied her back, though she fully intended to head out again in a short while.
For the past few days, Qu Sheng was nowhere to be found during the daytime. Lin Xizhao knew exactly what she was doing, yet knowing only made her heart fill with worry.
Zhao Jiayu stared at her reflection a moment longer, gave herself a little smile, and then walked over to sit beside Lin Xizhao. She naturally picked up the cup of tea Lin Xizhao had poured and took a sip.
She looked around as she drank. Before she had even finished her tea, she asked, “Where’s Xiao Sheng’er? She hasn’t joined us to go out and play these past few days, and now she’s nowhere to be seen again. She hasn’t gone and gotten herself lost, has she?”
Zhao Jiayu looked around the room as she made her joke, but when she turned her gaze back, she saw a look of worry on Lin Xizhao’s face. Seeing this, she immediately shut her mouth. Her mind raced, and she quickly lowered her voice to ask, “Could there really be some danger?”
Ever since Qu Sheng told her daughter at Zhu Ming’an’s wedding banquet that they were coming to the Haichao Kingdom, she had felt she was acting strange. Along the way, Qu Sheng hadn’t once scolded her for her eating and playing, which had left her quite puzzled.
She found it hard to believe that Qu Sheng would throw all state affairs to the back of her mind just to waste time with them here.
Lin Xizhao nodded gently.
At that, Zhao Jiayu immediately grew alert. She glanced over her shoulder at the doorway, stood up to peer outside, and, seeing only their own guards stationed there, quietly closed the door.
Seeing that Zhao Jiayu no longer reacted with her usual dramatic outbursts, Lin Xizhao could not help but feel gratified.
Zhao Jiayu leaned in close and whispered, “What’s actually going on?”
Three days later, the group arrived at the capital of the Haichao Kingdom. Upon learning of the princess’s return, Ge Chuan, the Supreme General of Haichao, immediately made his way to the palace gates.
Neither Qu Sheng nor Lin Xizhao had disclosed their true identities. Ge Chuan had met Zhao Jiayu before, though he had only caught a brief, passing glimpse of Lin Xizhao back then, so it was uncertain if he would recognize her. Since Lin Xizhao had not revealed her identity then either, at this time, she, like Qu Sheng, was merely known as a friend of Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying.
Seeing Ge Chuan coming over in full armor, Zhao Jiayu immediately stood in front of Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi.
Xiao Bingying, who was cradling Qu Zhimu in her arms, gently tugged at Zhao Jiayu’s sleeve. “Jiayu, it’s fine. General Ge is merely performing his duties; he won’t make things difficult for us.”
Yet Zhao Jiayu remained uneasy. She glared at Ge Chuan, and just as she was about to mock him with her words, Cheng Xi said from behind her, “What a grand display of authority, General Ge. Since when must this palace have your permission to return to the palace?”
When Cheng Xi and the others were entering the gates, they were stopped, precisely because the guards were waiting for Ge Chuan to arrive.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “If you’re cold, go hug your wife.”
Xiao Bingying: “If I’m cold, my wife comes to hug me.”
Qu Sheng: “…”
Giving out 200 red envelopes!
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