The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 217
by Little PandaI Want My Wife to Satisfy My Vanity
As the banquet dispersed, Zhao Jiayu boarded the same carriage as Xiao Bingying while holding her daughter. Qu Zhimu had already fallen asleep, resting peacefully in Xiao Bingying’s arms.
Zhao Jiayu animatedly described the scenes she had witnessed in the banquet hall. “You have no idea! When that Ge fellow came back, his face was completely green.” She clicked her tongue, sounding rather regretful as she spoke. “If I’d spent more time studying painting and calligraphy with my tutor back then, I would have definitely painted that hilarious look of his for you. What a shame, though…” Zhao Jiayu spread her hands and shook her head, leaving it unclear whether she was feeling regretful or simply sighing over her own inability to learn, no matter how hard she tried.
“Oh, by the way, what on earth did you say to him outside to make him look like that?” Zhao Jiayu suddenly shifted the topic, her curiosity piqued. What could have possibly provoked that Ge fellow to such a state?
Xiao Bingying had been smiling, but upon hearing Zhao Jiayu’s question, the smile on her face stiffened slightly. She instinctively avoided looking at Zhao Jiayu.
Zhao Jiayu might not have been particularly astute in other areas, but the moment she saw Xiao Bingying’s shy expression, she immediately guessed what they had been doing outside.
She stared at Xiao Bingying with a teasing look, silently conveying the images playing out in her mind.
Cheng Xi sat to one side, smiling without a word, while Xiao Bingying blushed furiously under Zhao Jiayu’s relentless stare.
When the carriage returned to the residence, they went straight to Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao’s room. The two of them had not yet slept, seemingly waiting up for their return.
Cheng Xi recounted everything that had transpired in the palace today. After listening, Lin Xizhao asked, “Was that man still alive when he went in?”
He had already been severely injured; although he had not been subjected to torture or forced confessions here, he would not survive for long anyway.
Cheng Xi nodded. “He was alive. Royal Brother has already ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, and the man has been locked in the dungeon.”
Seeing Lin Xizhao raise her head to look at her in thought, Zhao Jiayu hastily added, “Today, Cheng Feng invited Mu’er and me to the seaside to escape the summer heat, and I accepted.”
Lin Xizhao gave a soft “en” and then asked, “When do you set out?”
“The day after tomorrow,” Zhao Jiayu replied.
After Zhao Jiayu and the others left the room, Qu Sheng sat by the desk, staring at the burning candle. The flame reflecting in her eyes flickered gently as the air inside the room stirred.
Lin Xizhao saw them out. When she returned and found Qu Sheng lost in thought, she said softly, “Go and get some rest.”
Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng slowly raised her head. A smile spread across her face when she saw Lin Xizhao standing there, watching her. Qu Sheng rose, walked to Lin Xizhao’s side, and reached out to take her hand, leading her toward the inner chamber.
As she was being led, Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze to look at those ice-cold fingers holding hers.
It was already late in the night. Qu Sheng lay down and closed her eyes, still formulating her plans in her mind, but it wasn’t long before she heard movement from Lin Xizhao’s side of the bed.
Qu Sheng opened her eyes and glanced over. Lin Xizhao was snuggling into her arms.
Qu Sheng’s body was cold, and she always shivered involuntarily at night. She was used to falling asleep holding Lin Xizhao, but to let her sleep well without being affected by her cold body, she could only forgo that warm embrace.
As Lin Xizhao nestled into her arms, Qu Sheng pressed her lips together slightly. In the end, she still could not resist such temptation.
Resting her head on Qu Sheng’s arm, Lin Xizhao looked at her with a gentle gaze. Lately, she had been trying to fathom Qu Sheng’s thoughts; she always felt that Qu Sheng was still hiding something from her.
“Sheng’er…” Lin Xizhao’s soft lips parted as she called out in a gentle, delicate voice.
Qu Sheng looked down, meeting her gaze, but her eyes instinctively drifted down to those soft lips.
Lin Xizhao’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her soft lips moved as she asked, “Is there still something you haven’t told me?”
Qu Sheng raised her gaze slightly to meet Lin Xizhao’s. Without Lin Xizhao having to spell it out, she knew exactly what she was asking; even if she did not say it, Lin Xizhao had already guessed most of it.
Qu Sheng answered softly and directly, “I want my lady to be Sheng’er’s rightful and proper1 wife.”
Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng without blinking, seemingly beginning to understand why Qu Sheng had woven such an inescapable, far-reaching net.
Yet, even if Qu Sheng eliminated those people, there would still be countless scholars well-versed in the classics and commoners bound by traditional rites who would refuse to accept such a thing.
A man with a man, or a woman with a woman—even she herself had been unable to accept it at the very beginning.
“Actually, you don’t have to expend so much thought on my behalf. I’m already content just to be by your side.”
Lin Xizhao knew that a bloodbath was inevitable, but she didn’t want Qu Sheng to kill anymore for her sake. Some people deserved to die, but others’ crimes did not warrant death.
Lin Xizhao did not strongly oppose Qu Sheng; she knew what was in Qu Sheng’s heart. She was Qu Sheng’s supremely precious person. If their positions were reversed, she would likely harbor a constant sense of guilt toward her.
But at this moment, Qu Sheng gave her a clear, unequivocal answer.
“I want my lady to satisfy my vanity. I want everyone under heaven to know that I, Qu Sheng, the Emperor of Quzhao, have a wife whom everyone envies. I also want our children to live by our side, rightfully and properly, and let the world know exactly how the two characters of Quzhao came to be.”
Lin Xizhao stared blankly at Qu Sheng. She had never thought so far ahead. When Qu Sheng had chosen the dynastic title, she had been entirely in the dark. By the time it had been discussed and settled, it was already set in stone.
As for her, she only wanted to stay by Qu Sheng’s side, growing old together until death parted them. If they could have a child of their own, her life would be complete, with no regrets.
“Zhao’er, grant me this. I definitely won’t disappoint you.” She could handle it. Everything was already within her calculations, yet she still worried that Lin Xizhao might be unwilling.
Having reached this point, and with Qu Sheng having planned this for so long, Lin Xizhao could find no words to oppose her. Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi had already married; although their marriage drew heavy criticism from both the imperial court and the commoners, they were, in the end, married.
Their very presence in the Haichao Kingdom today was precisely for the sake of Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s marriage, was it not? Their marriage would also serve as a flashpoint, spreading throughout Quzhao and ultimately igniting a blaze.
“Alright,” Lin Xizhao agreed.
Upon hearing Lin Xizhao’s response, Qu Sheng’s worried brow relaxed. A smile broke across her face, and her eyes shone with eager warmth as she called out her name. “Zhao’er…”
She had originally thought Qu Sheng was only plotting to purge the deep-seated internal threats of the state, but she had never expected that she herself was also a part of that grand design. She should have realized it sooner. Qu Sheng was such an obstinate person; how could she possibly give up on appointing her as Empress over a few words of discouragement?
Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, her eyes softening as affection welled up inside her. Her gaze flickered for a few moments before she leaned in of her own accord, pressing her lips against Qu Sheng’s.
Qu Sheng took the opportunity to pull her on top of her. Her eyes brimming with love, she whispered an embarrassing request: “Let’s try again.”
To try that situation once more.
Resting her delicate, light body over Qu Sheng’s, Lin Xizhao could not help but think of what Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying had told them when she heard Qu Sheng speak those words.
Without waiting for Qu Sheng to ask a second time, Lin Xizhao pressed her warm lips—which were much warmer than Qu Sheng’s—down once again. Her practiced kisses soon drew an immediate response from Qu Sheng.
Matching the rhythm of Lin Xizhao’s kisses, Qu Sheng’s fingertips began to undo Lin Xizhao’s nightshirt. Even if she was the one passively receiving, she still yearned to feel her skin against her own.
At the height of the summer heat, the King of Haichao, Cheng Feng, invited Princess Consort Long, Zhao Jiayu, and the little Commandery Princess to the Seaside Palace to escape the sweltering days, with Cheng Xi accompanying them.
It was the first time Zhao Jiayu and her party had ever laid eyes on the vast, azure ocean. Under the protection of the guards, they stepped onto the sandy beach to gather tiny fish, shrimp, shells, and other beautiful treasures washed up by the waves.
Lin Xizhao held an umbrella over Qu Zhimu, deeply worried that the little girl would get sunburned by the time they returned.
Unlike the inland regions, the seaside offered a refreshing respite from the sweltering summer heat, yet it also lulled people into letting down their guard, forgetting that the fierce sun could still easily burn their skin.
Not far away on the beach, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi stood watching them, faint smiles playing on their lips. Cheng Xi had brought Xiao Bingying here a few times before. At first, Xiao Bingying had been just as curious as Zhao Jiayu back then, and that was also the first time Cheng Xi had ever seen a childish side to Xiao Bingying.
Cheng Xi smiled as she looked at Xiao Bingying. Sensing her gaze, Xiao Bingying looked back, her affection for Cheng Xi completely unconcealable in her eyes.
Cheng Xi moved a little closer, reciprocating her affection by leaning in to press a gentle kiss to the corner of her lips.
When their lips parted, the smile on the corner of Xiao Bingying’s mouth was exceptionally bright.
Cheng Xi’s eyes curved in a warm smile. Seeing Xiao Bingying’s unsatisfied expression, she deliberately remained still. After staring for a few moments, Xiao Bingying took the initiative to return the kiss.
Their lips met in soft, gentle friction, gradually deepening into a helpless, unstoppable infatuation. Xiao Bingying kissed her insatiably, their tongues tangling as her throat moved to swallow the sweetness she drew in.
Only when Cheng Xi pushed her gently did Xiao Bingying finally compose herself, yet she still gazed at Cheng Xi with that same infatuated look.
By the time Zhao Jiayu and the others looked in their direction, the two of them were already gone.
“Huh? Where did my Ajie and Cheng Xi go? They were just standing there a moment ago. How did they vanish in the blink of an eye?” Zhao Jiayu was rather puzzled. She had only bent down for a second, so how had they disappeared?
Lin Xizhao glanced toward the spot where Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had been standing, smiling helplessly. “They probably got tired and went back to rest.”
“Auntie, does this look pretty?” Qu Zhimu picked up a small shell, holding the delicate, glittering thing in her tiny palm as she offered it to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao looked down and praised her, “It’s beautiful. Our Mu’er is so clever.”
“Then I’ll give it to Auntie!” Hearing the praise, Qu Zhimu immediately bounced the shell in her hand as if presenting a rare treasure, eager to give it to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao accepted it with a smile. Zhao Jiayu then teased on purpose, “Mama wants one too.”
Hearing this, Qu Zhimu giggled and said, “Then wait a bit, Mama. Mu’er will find an even prettier one.”
Hearing that Qu Zhimu was going to find an even prettier shell for her, Zhao Jiayu was no longer jealous. She cupped her daughter’s face and planted a warm kiss on her cheek.
Although Qu Zhimu loved clinging to Cheng Xi the most, the one she held closest to her heart was still Lin Xizhao.
A shichen2 later, they returned to the Seaside Palace. As they passed Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s room, Zhao Jiayu deliberately cleared her throat.
She had just asked the servants in the courtyard earlier; the two of them had returned long ago, yet their door had remained tightly shut all along.
Lin Xizhao carried Qu Zhimu away to bathe, while Zhao Jiayu, too exhausted to even budge, went straight back to her room and collapsed onto the bed.
By lunchtime, Qu Sheng returned from the main hall, finding only Lin Xizhao feeding Qu Zhimu.
“My lady, where is everyone else?” Qu Sheng sat down as a nearby maid filled her bowl with a light, cooling soup.
Lin Xizhao fed Qu Zhimu another bite, then looked up with a smile. “They’re probably all exhausted.”
Qu Sheng nodded and did not pry further. Instead, she asked Lin Xizhao, “Is the beach fun?”
“It’s fun!” Before Lin Xizhao could even open her mouth, Qu Zhimu piped up with a sweet reply.
Qu Sheng looked over with a chuckle, her gaze meeting Lin Xizhao’s as the latter smiled gently back at her.
Before long, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi walked in. Both had changed their dresses, and their faces still bore a subtle, rosy flush.
Zhao Jiayu arrived fashionably late, complaining loudly about how sore her legs were.
At dusk, they gathered around the pavilion in the small courtyard. Lin Xizhao played the guqin while Cheng Xi held Qu Zhimu, both watching Qu Sheng and Xiao Bingying spar with long spears in the yard.
Although Qu Sheng primarily practiced the light sword, she was also familiar with the long spear. At the moment, rather than a competitive spar, it was more of an opportunity for Qu Sheng to ask for guidance.
Qu Sheng was not one to let her imperial status keep her from humbly asking for instruction. In terms of martial prowess, she was indeed slightly inferior to Xiao Bingying, but when it came to intellect and strategy, she far outclassed her.
“Bravo!” Zhao Jiayu clapped her hands, cheering loudly over the clashing of their spears, which prompted her daughter to clap her tiny hands and cheer along with her.
Night fell, and they each bathed and retired to their respective rooms. But during the Chou hour3, panicked shouts of ‘Fire!’4 suddenly erupted within the courtyard.
The fire raged too fiercely; within a ke5, the entire Seaside Palace was thrown into chaos. And just as everything descended into a hectic blur of servants hauling water buckets to put out the flames, unidentified intruders sneaked into the crowd.
These people had soft swords6 wrapped around their waists, and they made a direct run for the courtyard where Qu Sheng and her party were staying.
At that exact moment, at Cheng Feng’s main hall, a rider arrived on a fast horse with urgent news: a sudden crisis had erupted at the royal palace. Ge Chuan had led his guards to seize control of the Haichao Palace under the pretext of hunting down intruders.
Footnotes
- From the traditional Chinese idiom 'mingzheng yanshun' (名正言顺), which literally translates to 'names being correct and language being in accord.' It describes a status that is perfectly justifiable, rightful, proper, and carrying full moral and legal legitimacy.
- A traditional Chinese unit of time known as 'shichen' (时辰). The day was divided into twelve of these two-hour intervals, each named after one of the twelve Earthly Branches.
- The 'choushi' (丑时), or the Chou hour, represents the second of the twelve traditional two-hour periods of the Chinese day, spanning from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM.
- The phrase 'zoushui' (走水), literally meaning 'running water,' was a traditional Chinese euphemism shouted to report a fire, used out of a superstitious belief that speaking the word 'fire' directly would invite worse misfortune.
- A traditional Chinese unit of time known as a 'ke' (刻). Under the ancient timekeeping system, the day was divided into one hundred of these fifteen-minute intervals.
- The 'ruanjian' (软剑), or soft sword, is a flexible Chinese straight sword crafted from highly tempered steel. Its whip-like flexibility allows it to be concealed easily, often wrapped around the waist as a belt for stealth operations.
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