The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 222

Only Ashamed of One Person

The carriage arrived inside the imperial palace, where the imperial carriage was already waiting, but the occupant within showed no sign of descending.

“Sheng’er…”

            

Qu Sheng buried her head in the crook of Lin Xizhao’s neck. A dense rain of delicate kisses fell upon her, making it somewhat difficult for Lin Xizhao to endure. Had it merely been Qu Sheng seeking to steal a few playful touches, she would not have minded, but Qu Sheng’s hands had already begun unfastening her robes.

That no one had questioned them along the way was something Lin Xizhao could accept, but the carriage had been stationary for a long while now, and the guards outside had already called out several times.

At this moment, the breath Qu Sheng exhaled was somewhat scalding…

            

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s soft call, Qu Sheng stopped her vexing kisses. She slowly lifted her head, her lips parted slightly as she drew breath, before closing them a moment later to swallow.

She had lost her composure, but she did not know how else to dispel this burning jealousy. This was also what she owed Lin Xizhao.

She had never envied anyone in her life, save for this one matter.

            

Lin Xizhao watched the desire slowly recede from Qu Sheng’s eyes and murmured with concern written between her brows, “We have reached the palace gates.”

Qu Sheng nodded, yet she remained seated without moving. Lin Xizhao watched her for a brief moment and prepared to rise and pull her along, but as soon as she took Qu Sheng’s fingers, she was pulled right back into her embrace.

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A beautiful evening for a joyous occasion. Even the moon seemed to bring its blessings, its full orb bathing the earth in a brilliant, silvery glow. Xiao Bingying walked through the residence gates toward the inner courtyard.

            

The entire place was adorned in celebratory red, with red lanterns bearing the double-happiness¹ character hanging every few paces along the corridors. Xiao Bingying’s pace grew swifter and swifter until, without realizing it, she was running.

Xiao Bingying had returned far too late. Though the maids waiting outside were still there, they were starting to doze off. As she hurried past, the sound of her footsteps snapped them awake.

Seeing that the Eldest Miss had returned, they hastily pushed open the door to the bridal chamber.

            

Xiao Bingying had always been good-natured, and since the residence was guarded by sentries, she did not worry about intruders. Moreover, she truly had returned quite late.

As Xiao Bingying entered, she found maids from Haichao still inside. Seeing the Consort² arrive, they welcomed her with smiles and whispered the news to Cheng Xi, who sat poised upon the wedding bed.

Cheng Xi let out a soft “Mm,” waiting for Xiao Bingying to lift her red veil.

            

Xiao Bingying walked over and took the wedding scale³. Her lips were pursed, her expression taut with nervousness. After running her fingers along the length of the scale from end to end, she gently used it to lift the red veil covering her newly wedded wife.

That cool, elegant face appeared before her eyes once more. Years ago, she had been instantly captivated by her beauty, and now, Cheng Xi was finally, completely hers.

“Wife,” Xiao Bingying murmured, her gaze wavering as she drank in Cheng Xi’s exquisite features.

            

Upon hearing that single word, “wife,” Cheng Xi’s eyes curved into a tender smile.

She had once believed that she and Xiao Bingying would spend their entire lives together in such an ambiguous, unofficial manner, never imagining there would come a day when they could openly and rightfully possess one another.

Whether they formalized their union through marriage was not something Cheng Xi particularly valued; what she valued was how much Xiao Bingying cared. Xiao Bingying needed this sense of security—something Cheng Xi had desperately wanted to give her in the past but had been powerless to provide.

            

“Consort, Princess, it is time to drink the nuptial cups⁴,” a nearby Haichao maid reminded them softly.

The intense affection that had rapidly blossomed between them the moment they looked at each other was briefly interrupted by the maid’s voice.

Xiao Bingying sat down. As she reached out to accept the wine cup, Cheng Xi cast a glance at it and instructed, “Change it to plain water.”

            

The maid blinked in surprise but quickly withdrew the wine cups, returning to the table to pour plain water instead.

When the maid presented the tray once more, Cheng Xi took one cup, and Xiao Bingying reached out to take the other.

“Though it’s only plain water, it still carries the fragrance of wine,” Cheng Xi said, still caring about the ritual, though what she cared about most was Xiao Bingying’s feelings.

            

A faint smile touched Xiao Bingying’s lips. As Cheng Xi offered her arm, Xiao Bingying slowly linked her arm through hers.

They gazed into each other’s eyes, their lingering tenderness rising once more. With a slight curve of Cheng Xi’s lips, she and Xiao Bingying drank down the water that carried the fragrance of wine.

The maids retrieved the cups, removed the phoenix crown and jade pearls from Cheng Xi’s hair, and helped both Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi remove their elaborate, multi-layered wedding robes that symbolized joy and prosperity.

            

Once they were the only two left in the room, wearing nearly identical red undergarments, Xiao Bingying knelt before the wedding bed and helped Cheng Xi slide off her red shoes.

As the red socks were gently peeled away, a pair of delicate, snowy-white feet was revealed. It was the first time in Xiao Bingying’s entire life that she had seen feet so beautiful.

Years ago, when Cheng Xi had run a high fever, Xiao Bingying had tried to cool her down by constantly massaging the soles of her feet. Cheng Xi’s instincts back then had been entirely correct—when Xiao Bingying had looked at those feet, her heart had indeed harbored a different sort of fondness. She herself had not understood what was happening at the time; she only knew that she was deeply captivated by those exquisitely formed feet.

            

Yet to this day, Cheng Xi had never realized that Xiao Bingying loved her feet above all else.

Xiao Bingying gently cradled those fair, delicate feet. As she placed them onto the bed, her gaze lingered for several moments. Set against the vibrant red of her inner robes, those pale, flawless feet were even more mesmerizing.

By the time Xiao Bingying collected her thoughts and looked up, Cheng Xi was already studying her with an inquisitive gaze.

            

She had truly never expected that Xiao Bingying would be so deeply fascinated by her feet.

Xiao Bingying climbed onto the bed and pulled the wedding quilt over them both. As she lay down, Cheng Xi draped one of her legs over Xiao Bingying’s.

Tonight was their wedding night⁵; how could they simply drift off to sleep like this?

            

Looking up at the red canopy overhead, Xiao Bingying lifted her hand from her abdomen and gently rested her fingers against the foot Cheng Xi had intentionally draped over her.

“Do you like them?” Cheng Xi asked, turning onto her side with a teasing, half-smile.

“Yes,” Xiao Bingying replied without any pretense. She did love them, but it was not because she possessed the strange, peculiar preference Cheng Xi had previously suspected.

            

Cheng Xi’s body was flawless from head to toe, and even her feet were incredibly alluring. Xiao Bingying’s thumb gently rubbed the sole of her foot, sending a light, tickling sensation through Cheng Xi.

A moment later, Cheng Xi shifted and climbed on top of Xiao Bingying. With a soft, knowing smile in her eyes, she intentionally lowered her voice and asked, “Are you planning to let tonight pass by just like this?”

Xiao Bingying let go of her foot and naturally rested her hand on Cheng Xi’s slender waist. Looking at her cool yet tender expression, she whispered, “Of course not.”

            

“I’m already your wife. I belong to you alone.”

At those words, the look in Xiao Bingying’s eyes shifted.

“Whatever you want, I’ll yield to you.” Cheng Xi was guiding her.

            

Xiao Bingying had always been exceptionally proper around her unless she truly could not contain herself. In Cheng Xi’s eyes, that restraint stemmed from a fear of loss. Xiao Bingying was so afraid of making her unhappy that she went to great lengths to please and accommodate her in everything.

Even in matters such as this.

Xiao Bingying understood exactly what Cheng Xi was trying to convey. Yet when she remembered how Cheng Xi had once surrendered her body to her under such wretched circumstances—even if she had been used—a woman’s purity was of paramount importance. Whenever she recalled that night, she was still filled with remorse, which made her hesitate to demand too much of her now.

            

Xiao Bingying’s lips parted slightly, but before she could speak, Cheng Xi leaned down and pressed her lips against hers.

The kiss was light and brief, but as they parted, Cheng Xi’s eyes were filled with a thousand unspoken thoughts.

Xiao Bingying was incredibly perceptive; she knew that Cheng Xi’s initiative was meant to encourage her own.

            

“Wife…” Xiao Bingying murmured, her eyes turning misty as she called out. Cheng Xi’s lips curved upward as she suddenly felt her body grow light, lifted by Xiao Bingying as she sat up and pulled her into her lap.

Xiao Bingying searched Cheng Xi’s face for a moment before leaning in to press her lips against her soft lips.

With every deep, intertwined kiss, her fingertips traced Cheng Xi’s slender waist, matching the firm pressure of her hands.

            

Cheng Xi’s breathing quickly grew shallow and hurried. Xiao Bingying poured herself entirely into the kiss. When they finally parted, their foreheads rested against each other, their noses gently nuzzling. Their breath was no longer cool. Panting slightly, Xiao Bingying whispered, “I want you.”

Hearing Xiao Bingying speak such words for the very first time, Cheng Xi’s eyes filled with a deeply satisfied smile. She offered her lips once more, allowing her beloved to fully savor her…

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As the first light of dawn began to break, Xiao Bingying pulled the quilt over Cheng Xi, who had not rested all night, and slipped out of bed as quietly as possible.

            

She first headed to the main courtyard to pay her respects to her father and mother. General Zhao had been granted a rest day, and with Qu Yu and Zhao Jiayu returning to help, he had not needed to worry about much.

He had washed and dressed in formal attire early that morning, waiting to receive the wedding tea⁶. Upon hearing his eldest daughter say that they would be a little late for the ceremony, he exchanged a glance with Mother Zhao, and both merely smiled awkwardly without pressing further.

Although the Zhao family had been officials for generations, they were not as fussy or pedantic as scholars. Xiao Bingying was a woman, and she had married a woman; besides, she truly had returned quite late the night before.

            

But barely had Xiao Bingying finished speaking when one of the accompanying maids from the princess’s retinue arrived, reporting that the Princess had awakened and was asking where she had gone.

When Xiao Bingying returned to their chamber, Cheng Xi was in the middle of dressing and doing her hair. Looking at her wife, whom she had thoroughly exhausted from last night until dawn, a sense of worry began to creep back into Xiao Bingying’s heart.

She had been insatiable, yet Cheng Xi had yielded to her every demand. Having lost her composure in the heat of the moment, she now felt deeply satisfied, yet a tinge of regret lingered.

            

Hearing footsteps, Cheng Xi turned around. Though she looked somewhat tired, her eyes were filled with warmth as she looked at Xiao Bingying.

“Where did you go?” Cheng Xi asked.

Xiao Bingying walked over to help fasten the sash of her robes. Looking up, she replied, “I went to tell Father and Mother that we would go serve tea a little later.”

            

Cheng Xi stared blankly for a second, then quickly laughed. “We can always come back and sleep afterward just the same.”

She had grown up in the imperial palace, and though she was thoroughly doted upon, she had still been raised to follow court etiquette; no matter how tired she was, she had to pay her respects.

Xiao Bingying nodded, not daring to meet Cheng Xi’s eyes. She was, after all, the sole culprit behind Cheng Xi’s current state of exhaustion.

            

Seeing her head hanging low, Cheng Xi reached out with a fair finger to gently lift Xiao Bingying’s chin, forcing her to look her in the eye. “I’m your love and your wife,” she said softly, her eyes full of tenderness. “What happened was entirely mutual. There is no right or wrong between us.”

As she spoke, Cheng Xi leaned in and pressed a light kiss against Xiao Bingying’s warm lips.

She had truly had no idea that Xiao Bingying was so utterly infatuated with her; last night was simply incomparable to their past encounters.

            

But she had now confirmed beyond a doubt that Xiao Bingying had a particular fondness for her feet.

Xiao Bingying pursed her lips, her mouth curving into a slight smile. She nodded, returned the kiss for a brief moment, and then gently led Cheng Xi over to the vanity to apply some light makeup for her.

The two went to the front hall to serve tea, a maid having gone ahead to announce their arrival. The two elders sat there, smiling warmly at the handsome couple. Zhao Jiayu stood nearby cradling her daughter, Qu Zhimu, watching them with a wide grin, feeling even more delighted than Xiao Bingying herself.

            

“Father, please drink some tea,” Cheng Xi said as she knelt on the kneeling cushion, holding out the cup.

General Zhao accepted it, not daring to look too closely, and quickly drank. Watching from the side, Zhao Jiayu covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

“Mother, please drink some tea,” Cheng Xi said, presenting the other cup to Mother Zhao.

            

Mother Zhao looked at Cheng Xi, finding her more endearing the longer she stared. The first time they had met, Xiao Bingying had brought Cheng Xi to seek refuge in their residence.

Xiao Bingying had almost never asked them for anything; the only request she had ever made was for them to provide a haven for Cheng Xi. Xiao Bingying was inherently kind-hearted. Mother Zhao had initially thought that Xiao Bingying could not tolerate Xiao Yaocai, or that this princess was being mistreated. Who could have imagined that the two would end up falling in love?

Mother Zhao drank the tea with a beaming smile and gestured for a servant to bring over a pair of bracelets.

            

“This mother had these made a short while ago,” Mother Zhao said. “Though they are not exceptionally valuable, they are a token of my affection.”

Cheng Xi accepted the wooden box containing the bracelets, looking down at them with a bright smile. “Thank you, Mother. Your daughter-in-law likes them very much.”

Hearing Cheng Xi say she liked them, Mother Zhao laughed so warmly that fine lines crinkled at the corners of her eyes.

            

The family sat together to share a meal. Zhao Jiayu occasionally looked up at Cheng Xi, while her own daughter clung to Cheng Xi, insisting on sitting right beside her.

Years ago, when she had first seen Cheng Xi dance, she had found her breathtakingly beautiful. At that time, she had thought how wonderful it would be to have such a captivating beauty in their household—she would not even have to run over to Lin Xizhao’s place every day. Now, that thought had actually become reality.

Unfortunately, she still could not see her all the time, as she herself was already married. Still, having a refined, scholarly husband at home was not bad either.

            

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During the morning court assembly that day, Qu Sheng had her imperial decree to crown the Empress read aloud. Though the edict had not been formally promulgated before this, the court had already been busy preparing for the grand coronation ceremony.

Now that two high-ranking officials had officially taken women as their wives, the Ministry of Revenue, under Lin Xikuan, reported that following Qu Sheng’s imperial marriage decree for Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi, a significant number of men across the country had begun registering their marriages and updating their household registrations accordingly.

However, aside from the two female officials, no other female couples had registered yet.

            

Qu Sheng sat upon the dragon throne in the Court Assembly Hall, listening to the palace attendant read the imperial decree to establish the Empress.

“Since we established this dynasty, we have upheld the aspirations of the late Emperor above, and cared for the livelihood of our subjects below, ever prioritizing the populace. We believe we have acted without shame before our people, yet we remain deeply ashamed before but one person: the daughter of the late King Wenze, the Lady Lin. In our youth, when we suffered from illness, we were fortunate to receive her devoted care; through her constant companionship and counsel, we have attained the present. Now, we reign as Emperor, yet we have delayed her elevation until this day, a source of profound regret. The Lady Lin is gentle, virtuous, refined, and elegant. Thus, we hereby establish her as our Empress, bestowing upon her the Empress’s seal and ribbon to govern the six palaces. Let this decree be proclaimed throughout the realm, that all may know. By Imperial Command.”

As the imperial decree was read, no one in the court dared stand up in opposition. The ministers knelt as one, shouting, “We offer our congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live our Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!”

            

“Rise, my ministers.” The joy that Qu Sheng could not entirely suppress at the corners of her mouth betrayed her usual calm composure.

Once the court assembly dismissed, Qu Sheng, finding the imperial carriage too slow, walked back on foot.

Having been thoroughly exhausted in the carriage last night, and then kept awake in the imperial bedchamber until the Mao Hour, when it was time for the morning audience, Lin Xizhao was still sound asleep. Nevertheless, she had already instructed the attendants to prepare Qu Sheng’s morning meal.

            

Qu Sheng returned to her bedchamber. Stepping over to the bed, she looked at the slumbering Lin Xizhao, leaned down, and kissed her lips repeatedly until Lin Xizhao was finally coaxed awake.

Upon waking, Lin Xizhao naturally melted into the kiss, her smooth sleeves slipping down her arms as she wrapped them around Qu Sheng’s neck, gently kissing her back.

Lin Xizhao waited until Qu Sheng had kissed her fill. Seeing her sitting on the edge of the bed with a gaze brimming with deep affection, she smiled tenderly and asked, “Is there some great joyful news today?”

            

Qu Sheng pursed her lips, holding back a wide grin. “Yes, a monumental piece of joyful news.”

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “What should I do? I love my wife so much.”

            

Zhao Jiayu: “Shame, shame, shame!”

Xiao Bingying: “I love my wife so much, too… especially her delicate feet.”

Cheng Xi: “…”

            

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