The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 214

Coming for the Marriage of Quzhao’s Cavalry Commandant Zhao

Hearing the displeasure in Cheng Xi’s tone, Ge Chuan didn’t answer her directly. Instead, he asked, “This subject heard of Your Highness’s return to our kingdom long ago, but I don’t know why you’ve only returned to the palace now?”

Zhao Jiayu grew instantly furious upon hearing Ge Chuan’s presumptuous words. Just as she was about to lose her temper, she heard Lin Xizhao call out to stop her.

            

“Jiayu.”

Hearing her name, Zhao Jiayu closed her half-opened mouth. She looked toward Lin Xizhao, who slowly shook her head. Though Zhao Jiayu’s chest burned with suppressed fury, she was forced to d douse the flames.

“And who might these people be?” At the sound of Lin Xizhao’s voice, Ge Chuan swept his gaze over Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng.

            

“They are my friends,” Xiao Bingying replied.

Before Ge Chuan could press further, Cheng Xi spoke up. “This palace is hosting distinguished guests. Could it be that this also interferes with General Ge’s business?”

“I dare not,” Ge Chuan said. “However, strictly inspecting those who enter the palace to ensure its safety is Ge Chuan’s duty. I hope the Princess will not take offense.”

            

Cheng Xi knew Ge Chuan was trying to pry into Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng’s identities, but their status was far too delicate for her to ever reveal it to him.

“I must ask the Princess to inform me, lest some scoundrel find a loophole to exploit.” Ge Chuan cupped his hands in a formal bow.

“You certainly recognize me, don’t you? You even praised me as gentle and virtuous once,” Zhao Jiayu interjected, instantly fabricating names and a surname for the two. “These two are my distant relatives—which makes them my Ajie’s relatives, too. Their surname is Zhao. One is named Zhao Lin, and the other is Zhao Qu. Is there anything else the General wishes to ask?”

            

Ge Chuan raised his eyes at her words. He did not believe a single word out of Zhao Jiayu’s mouth. Anyone traveling back to the estate with Cheng Xi was bound to be someone they trusted deeply.

As Ge Chuan stood to the side, scrutinizing them with a critical eye, Zhao Jiayu chimed in again. “Surely General Ge isn’t so unreasonable that he’ll make us wait until a full investigation is complete before letting us in? That would take until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse!”

“Let’s go,” Cheng Xi said. She led the way forward with Xiao Bingying, but when Qu Sheng and the rest of the party tried to follow, the guards blocked their path.

            

At this sight, Cheng Xi’s anger finally flared. She could overlook other matters, but today these guests were Xiao Bingying’s friends. How could she tolerate his insolent presumption any longer?

“Ge Chuan!”

“The Sovereign has commanded the Princess to invite the Zhao family’s relatives and the Princess Consort Long into the palace!” Several eunuchs had arrived at some point. Seeing that the Princess was angry, one of them called out their purpose from afar.

            

Everyone looked over at the sound. Three eunuchs walked forward; the one leading them held a fly-whisk¹. Approaching Cheng Xi’s side, he offered a smiling bow. “Wishing the Princess eternal fortune and peace.”

“Wishing General Ge fortune as well.” The eunuch didn’t forget to offer a placating smile to Ge Chuan before continuing, “The Sovereign has requested the honored guests’ presence in the palace. I hope General Ge will accommodate us.”

Hearing that Cheng Feng had personally requested their presence, Ge Chuan stepped aside, albeit reluctantly. His goal today wasn’t to launch a thorough investigation of these people anyway; he had simply wanted to make things difficult for Xiao Bingying.

            

“Honored guests, please follow this servant and the Princess into the palace.” The eunuch holding the fly-whisk wore a perpetual smile, yet his demeanor wasn’t at all disagreeable.

Cheng Xi exchanged looks with the others, nodded, and led them into the palace. Before leaving, Zhao Jiayu did not forget to cast a venomous glare at Ge Chuan. Even back home in court, she’d never suffered such indignity. One could only imagine what kind of unfair treatment her Ajie had endured here.

Following the eunuchs, they entered the royal palace. Cheng Feng was already standing outside the hall, waiting for them.

            

Upon seeing Cheng Xi and the others approach, he recognized Qu Sheng at a single glance. Though they had met only a few times years ago, he would never forget his savior.

Now, Qu Sheng was the reigning Emperor of the Quzhao Dynasty. Since she’d traveled here incognito alongside his younger sister, he couldn’t pretend to be ignorant.

“Royal Brother,” Cheng Xi said. She quickened her pace to stand by Cheng Feng’s side, then looked back at Qu Sheng and the others.

            

Cheng Feng nodded as the newcomers all bowed alongside Xiao Bingying. “Sovereign.”

Cheng Feng nodded, his gaze briefly sweeping over Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao. He then smiled at Xiao Bingying. “Bingying, have you finally reunited with your family this time?”

Xiao Bingying smiled politely. “I have.” As she spoke, she looked back at Zhao Jiayu and the others.

            

She hadn’t just reunited with them; she’d brought them along.

Cheng Feng smiled and nodded. Turning to a nearby eunuch, he said, “This sovereign’s sister has returned. Go and command the servants to prepare a banquet.”

The eunuch bowed and departed to carry out his orders. Cheng Feng smiled at the rest of the company. “You have all traveled a hard road to escort this sovereign’s sister home. Please enter the hall to rest.”

            

Cheng Feng’s words were highly pleasing to Zhao Jiayu’s ears. Within moments, she completely forgot the anger she’d suffered at the palace gates.

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao walked toward the hall alongside Cheng Feng, while Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying stood waiting. As Qu Sheng passed Cheng Xi, she looked up at her with a faint smile in her eyes.

Once everyone entered the hall, palace servants soon brought out fine wine and delicacies. Since Qu Sheng hadn’t openly declared her identity, Cheng Feng refrained from asking.

            

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao sat together, quietly sipping their wine. Zhao Jiayu, ever the extrovert, chatted animatedly with Xiao Bingying. Noting that she was completely unconstrained by formalities and that her young daughter kept clinging to Cheng Xi, Cheng Feng gestured with his hand, ordering a servant to bring over some trinkets.

The Haichao Kingdom was abundant in seashells, night pearls², and the like. Cheng Feng had someone select an exceptionally large night pearl and gifted it to Qu Zhimu.

At the sight of the glowing sphere, Qu Zhimu blinked her large eyes, absolutely enchanted. Zhao Jiayu whispered something in her ear, prompting the little girl to look toward Cheng Feng. “Thank you, Sovereign, for gifting Mu’er the night pearl. Mu’er likes it very much.”

            

Raising his wine cup, Cheng Feng smiled at the little girl’s clear, bright voice. “As long as the Commandery Princess likes it.”

Out of respect for the propriety separating men and women, the banquet did not last very long. It was treated merely as a warm family gathering, without any singing or dancing commissioned for entertainment.

After the banquet, Cheng Xi escorted the party out of the royal palace. Although she owned a Princess’s Estate in the city, she and Xiao Bingying had been residing inside the royal palace ever since Xiao Bingying ran into danger during a previous excursion, rarely venturing outside. Ge Chuan was forced to mind his position and didn’t dare act rashly within the palace walls.

            

The steward at Cheng Xi’s estate arranged their lodgings. Xiao Bingying accompanied Zhao Jiayu to their quarters, while Cheng Xi led Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao to another chamber. “Since I haven’t stayed here in a long time, there might be a few things missing. I’ve already ordered the servants to arrange everything, so please forgive any oversights.”

Lin Xizhao looked around the room, then turned back with a gentle smile. “No matter. Sheng’er and I don’t require much.”

Cheng Xi nodded with a faint smile. At this moment, Qu Sheng also turned around. “Your brother will be coming tonight. There’s no need to keep any servants in this courtyard.”

            

Cheng Xi was slightly startled. She didn’t entirely agree with Qu Sheng’s methods, yet she hadn’t forbidden them either. Everything still depended on what her brother thought. Today’s banquet in the grand hall was ostensibly to welcome the Princess Consort Long of Quzhao, but in reality, it had been held primarily for Qu Sheng.

Although Qu Sheng was traveling in disguise, she was still the Emperor of the suzerain state upon which the Haichao Kingdom depended. Cheng Feng would never dare treat her with negligence, and he would surely pay a personal visit tonight. As for what they would discuss, as long as Qu Sheng dropped the slightest hint of offering assistance…

If he missed such a golden opportunity, he’d never have another in this lifetime. The taste of being constantly constrained by others was truly unbearable.

            

Cheng Xi looked at Qu Sheng, scrutinizing her for a few moments, before turning to Lin Xizhao. “If you need anything else, just let me know. The medicine will be brought over shortly.” Throughout their journey, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had been decocting Qu Sheng’s medicine.

Lin Xizhao nodded, a gentle smile gracing her features. “Alright, thank you for your trouble.”

Cheng Xi lowered her head and walked out. Although she hadn’t responded directly to Qu Sheng, she dismissed all the non-essential servants in the courtyard, leaving only a few to attend to their meals and basic needs.

            

Zhao Jiayu lay on the daybed cradling her daughter. Having stayed in inns for so long, sleeping on a proper bed was incredibly comfortable. With a stomach full of food and drink, she had absolutely no desire to get up.

However, after lying down for only a brief moment, Qu Zhimu wanted to go out again. Left with no choice, Zhao Jiayu accompanied her. The two first went to Lin Xizhao’s quarters, where Lin Xizhao was currently folding her and Qu Sheng’s clothes.

“Auntie.”

            

Hearing her voice, Lin Xizhao turned around. She saw the little girl standing at the doorway of the inner chamber, cradling the large night pearl in her hands. “This is for you, Auntie.”

Having obtained such a wonderful item, Qu Zhimu had wanted to gift it to Lin Xizhao from the very beginning.

Zhao Jiayu had originally assumed her daughter was carrying the night pearl to show it off, never expecting her to bring it as a gift for Lin Xizhao. She smiled. “You certainly know how to curry favor with your auntie.”

            

Lin Xizhao smiled, stepping out of the inner room. She bent down to take the night pearl from Qu Zhimu’s hands, then lifted the little girl into her arms. “Did you eat your fill today?” she asked softly.

“Mm,” Qu Zhimu nodded her little head. “I ate my fill.”

Lin Xizhao carried her out to the outer room, where Qu Sheng sat watching them. As Lin Xizhao sat down, Zhao Jiayu followed suit and joined them.

            

While Lin Xizhao held Qu Zhimu and played with the night pearl with her, Zhao Jiayu wanted to ask Qu Sheng about her plans, but she had not found the opportunity. What Qu Sheng was planning was highly confidential, and Zhao Jiayu did not dare speak of it in front of Qu Zhimu. The little girl was exceptionally clever; she could repeat everything adults said word-for-word, and she had no guard against anyone. Zhao Jiayu was terrified that she would slip up, only for someone with ill intent to pry the information out of the child later.

Seeing Zhao Jiayu hesitate several times, Lin Xizhao smiled. “There’s no need to worry. Everything’s been arranged.”

Lin Xizhao naturally trusted Qu Sheng’s handling of matters. Besides, the situation in Haichao was closely tied to Quzhao.

            

Qu Sheng looked toward Zhao Jiayu while Lin Xizhao spoke. When Zhao Jiayu met her gaze, Qu Sheng said, “Jiayu, I need you to do me a favor.”

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Sure enough, Cheng Feng arrived in the evening. Although he’d left the palace in plain clothes, Ge Chuan’s informants had caught wind of it long ago. For this reason, Cheng Feng had made up an excuse, claiming he was simply visiting Cheng Xi so they could share a private chat as siblings.

Qu Sheng had taken her medicine only a short while prior. Cheng Xi’d come to check her pulse and hadn’t yet departed when the steward reported that the Sovereign had arrived.

            

Hearing this, Cheng Xi subconsciously glanced at Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng’s eyelids twitched slightly as she lowered her gaze.

“This palace will head over now,” Cheng Xi said, rising to her feet. She turned to Lin Xizhao. “Wait a moment. I’ll return shortly to check her pulse again.”

Lin Xizhao pursed her lips slightly and nodded.

            

Watching Cheng Xi turn and leave, Lin Xizhao turned to look at Qu Sheng, her voice soft. “Do you need me to step out later?”

Qu Sheng shook her head. “No. My wife only needs to stay by my side.”

They were one, and there was nothing she could not tell Lin Xizhao. As long as Lin Xizhao asked, Qu Sheng would explain every detail.

            

Thirty minutes later, Cheng Xi returned, accompanied not only by Cheng Feng but also by Xiao Bingying.

Cheng Xi dismissed all the servants in the courtyard. As soon as Cheng Feng entered the chamber, he bowed to Qu Sheng. “Your subject, Cheng Feng, King of Haichao, pays respects to Your Majesty.” Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying bowed in unison beside him.

Qu Sheng nodded. “No need for such courtesy. Please sit.”

            

Cheng Feng raised his head and nodded in greeting to Lin Xizhao. Although Lin Xizhao hadn’t been officially crowned Empress, she exercised the authority of governing the inner palace.

The Phoenix Seal was in her hands.

Cheng Feng sat down. Beside him, Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying exchanged a glance and stood to the side.

            

Seeing that Xiao Bingying conformed entirely to the local etiquette of Haichao, Qu Sheng couldn’t help but study her a bit closely.

Xiao Bingying was an unpolished gem. In time, she’d surely become a core pillar of the Quzhao Dynasty, but unfortunately, she was trapped in this tiny corner of the world.

Yet for Xiao Bingying, wherever Cheng Xi was was her entire world—just as Qu Sheng only felt a sense of belonging because she had Lin Xizhao.

            

“Your Majesty has traveled here in disguise,” Cheng Feng asked respectfully. “I wonder what matter has brought you to our kingdom?”

Qu Sheng met his gaze, her eyes shifting back to Xiao Bingying. “For the marriage of Quzhao’s Cavalry Commandant Zhao,” she said to Cheng Feng.

Once Qu Sheng spoke, everyone except Lin Xizhao looked utterly bewildered.

            

Cheng Xi pondered for a moment before turning her gaze to Xiao Bingying, who looked back at her with eyes full of confusion.

Seeing their reaction, Lin Xizhao explained in her gentle voice, “Before leaving the capital, Her Majesty had already dispatched messengers to the Zhao Residence with the decree of investiture. Although Bingying hasn’t seen it yet, she’s already a decorated military officer of our Quzhao Dynasty. But don’t worry—Her Majesty won’t force her to stay. Whether she comes or goes is entirely up to her own heart.”

Hearing this, Xiao Bingying breathed a sigh of relief, but Cheng Xi’s expression remained tense.

            

Why hadn’t Qu Sheng bestowed this honor before they left, choosing instead to reveal it only now?

Cheng Feng nodded, turning to look at Xiao Bingying with a smile. “Congratulations, General Zhao.”

Xiao Bingying pursed her lips slightly and nodded in gratitude.

            

Yet although Cheng Feng voiced congratulations, he felt quite bitter in his heart. Previously, he’d repeatedly wanted to grant Xiao Bingying an official post, but before he could even propose it, the inner cabinet had shut him down.

He knew the members of the inner cabinet didn’t think highly of Xiao Bingying, let alone tolerate women entering the court and disrupting the core social order of men rule the outside, women rule the inside³.

And the biggest obstacle among them was the Ge family. Cheng Feng had always wanted to cultivate a new force to rival the Ge family, but none had ever been able to gain a solid foothold.

            

He’d successively promoted quite a few people, but not a single one was up to the task. The slightest trivial matter would be dug up, leading to their impeachment and dismissal by the inner cabinet.

If he’d known back then that the forces in Shoulin had intentionally delayed their deployment as a way to assist him, he wouldn’t have fallen into such a passive position now.

After offering his congratulations, Cheng Feng turned to Qu Sheng with a bitter expression. “Your Majesty, this subject knows that my little sister and General Zhao have already pledged themselves to one another. However, as for their marriage… it’s not that this subject refuses to permit it, but rather that I dare not.”

            

“Do tell,” Qu Sheng said, her brows arching slightly as she looked down at the tea Lin Xizhao had poured for her.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Not even high office and a handsome salary can keep a love-struck fool from leaving.”

            

Zhao Jiayu: “Aren’t you one as well?”

Qu Sheng: “…”

I will continue sending out 200 red envelopes!

            

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