The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 225
by Little PandaThe End of the Main Story
With autumn drawing near, the weather carried a slight chill. Due to the medicine she had taken, Xiao Bingying’s body had grown somewhat weak, making it difficult for her to stand outside for long.
Feng Qi, the Vice Commander of the Capital, was leading a patrol through the area. He had heard earlier that Xiao Bingying had accompanied a palace maid into the grand hall where Lin Xizhao was staying. Now, seeing Xiao Bingying standing there alone, he cast a single glance toward the hall and immediately guessed that Qu Sheng was inside.
Feng Qi walked up to Xiao Bingying and saluted. She nodded in return, and Feng Qi said, “Tomorrow is Her Majesty’s Empress Coronation Ceremony1. Commander Zhao, you’re not on duty today; you should go back and rest early.”
Xiao Bingying lowered her eyes for a moment, meeting Feng Qi’s gaze before looking back toward the grand hall. Following her gaze, Feng Qi said, “There’s no need to worry, Commander Zhao. This humble subordinate will keep watch here. Nothing will go wrong.”
While Xiao Bingying hesitated, a figure emerged from the hall. Lin Xizhao walked toward them. Xiao Bingying and Feng Qi saluted simultaneously. Lin Xizhao offered a gentle smile and said, “You’ve worked hard today, Commander Zhao. We’ll leave things to Vice Commander Feng from here on.”
Lin Xizhao’s eyes crinkled with her warm smile. Hearing her words, Xiao Bingying nodded in return and looked at Feng Qi. “Then I’ll trouble Vice Commander Feng.”
Feng Qi cupped his hands in acknowledgment. Xiao Bingying also smiled, saluted Lin Xizhao, and walked out of the courtyard.
Lin Xizhao glanced at the guards beside Feng Qi, nodded to him, and returned inside without saying more. Feng Qi had followed them since childhood; a single look was enough for him to understand, leaving no need for further words from Lin Xizhao.
Qu Sheng was already fast asleep. Having been busy preparing for the coronation over the past few days, she was indeed exhausted. After taking full advantage of her beloved inside the room, she had fallen asleep.
It would be fine as long as she returned before dawn.
Lin Xizhao sat by the bedside, gently caressing Qu Sheng’s brow. Asleep, Qu Sheng was indeed even more adorable.
Lin Xizhao leaned down to kiss her thin lips and held her close in her arms.
Early the next morning, Feng Qi escorted Qu Sheng back to her sleeping quarters. There, her red imperial dragon robe and ceremonial gunfu2 were already prepared for her grand wedding as the Emperor.
Palace maids attended to Qu Sheng as she dressed, while messengers from outside continuously reported on the preparations at Taibao Palace.
Once her crown and robes were properly fitted, Qu Sheng lowered her arms, allowing the palace maids to smooth out the creases of her attire.
A few quarters of an hour later, the chamberlain arrived to announce the auspicious hour, prompting Qu Sheng to proceed to Taibao Palace. Riding there in her imperial carriage, she arrived to see the civil and military officials lining both sides of the grand hall. The honor guard was in position, colorful banners fluttered in the wind, and elegant court music began to play.
The master of ceremonies read the decree for the bowing rites, and the officials knelt in congratulations. Qu Sheng then gave the order for the primary and deputy commissioners of rites, along with King Kang and King Long, to proceed to the Empress’s residence to perform the welcoming rites.
Qu Sheng waited at Taibao Palace. Half a shichen later, the Empress’s grand bridal carriage arrived, moving slowly amidst a massive procession and the strains of elegant music.
Standing before the grand hall, Qu Sheng kept her gaze fixed on the bridal carriage carrying her Empress.
The officials stood below the grand hall on either side. Above them, the banners rustled in the wind, and all eyes were turned toward the bridal carriage.
The bridal carriage came to a halt, and the elegant music temporarily ceased. The female officials requested the Empress to step down from the carriage, and Lin Xizhao rested her hand on a female official’s arm as she slowly stepped out.
As the Empress walked toward the front of the hall, guided by the female officials, the palace music resumed.
Standing in front of the grand hall, Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao—who wore a red bridal veil—climb the steps toward her, one by one. The excitement surging in her chest was almost impossible to suppress, tempting her to stride forward and guide her up personally.
“Your Majesty, pray remain patient. The Empress will reach the top shortly,” the chamberlain beside her immediately whispered upon noticing Qu Sheng take a step forward.
Qu Sheng pulled back her foot. Her throat bobbed, and she could only stand in place and wait.
Lin Xizhao’s pace was neither fast nor slow, perfectly following the prescribed ritual speed. The moment she stepped onto the platform of the grand hall, bathed in the bright sunlight, she tilted her head up and caught a glimpse of Qu Sheng’s silhouette through the veil.
Qu Sheng extended her hand, and the female official guided Lin Xizhao’s hand forward. The instant Qu Sheng took hold of Lin Xizhao’s fingers, a jolt like electricity shot through her. Gripping them tight, she rubbed her thumb over Lin Xizhao’s fingers several times.
Lin Xizhao’s lips curved. She squeezed Qu Sheng’s hand in return and followed her into the grand hall.
The accompanying female officials presented the Empress’s imperial patent. In the hall, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao proceeded with the wedding bows and the Nuptial Wine Ceremony3.
The master of ceremonies ordered the incense and candles to be lit, and the chamberlain read the instructions for the kneeling rites, praying to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestors for blessings.
“Kneel!”
Qu Sheng glanced sideways at Lin Xizhao, thoughtfully adjusting the hem of her bride’s wedding gown. Standing before the prayer mats, the two of them slowly knelt and kowtowed.
Next came the mutual bows.
Qu Sheng helped Lin Xizhao stand. The two separated slightly, and under the chamberlain’s direction, they performed the deep bows.
“Bow!”
The Emperor and Empress bowed to each other. After the three bows, the chamberlain announced, “The rites are complete.”
With the mutual bows finished, Lin Xizhao had officially become the Empress. Qu Sheng lifted the red veil from Lin Xizhao’s magnificent Phoenix Crown4, revealing her wife’s breathtakingly beautiful face.
Lin Xizhao’s soft lips curved into a slight smile. Qu Sheng was momentarily dazed by her beauty, her own lips arching upward, her eyes brimming with starlight. After a brief gaze into each other’s eyes, the master of ceremonies reminded them to proceed to the high altar of heaven to perform the Three Kneels and Nine Kowtows Ceremony5.
Guards wearing red sashes cracked their whips, the crisp, ringing sound echoing through the air. Below the altar, lion dancers performed to an endless stream of ceremonial music.
Holding Lin Xizhao’s hand, Qu Sheng walked toward the altar of heaven. Upon ascending, the master of ceremonies ordered the incense to be lit. The Emperor and Empress placed the incense sticks into the bronze tripod and performed the Three Kneels and Nine Kowtows Ceremony.
Once the ceremony was complete, Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao’s hand as they turned to face the civil and military officials gathered below.
As the horns sounded, the officials knelt and prostrated themselves.
“Long live my Emperor, long live, long live! Long live the Empress, long live, long live!”
When Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao, her eyes were slightly rimmed with red. She had finally made Lin Xizhao her wife—acknowledged by everyone under heaven, belonging to her alone. At this moment, Lin Xizhao also felt the emotions surging within Qu Sheng. She raised her hand to gently cup Qu Sheng’s cheek, stroking it softly. If she could, she would have liked to kiss her right then.
With the Empress Coronation Ceremony concluded, the officials gathered for the banquet in the palace. Meanwhile, Lin Xizhao first accompanied Qu Sheng to the inner palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Jin Yunfei looked at Lin Xizhao’s appearance today. She was as beautiful as a celestial maiden descended to earth, and the dazzling Phoenix Crown upon her head made her look all the more enviable.
The two saluted, and Jin Yunfei smiled, bidding them rise. After chatting with them for a short while, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao rode the imperial carriage to the banquet hall.
As Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng entered the hall, all the officials stood and knelt to pay their respects. Qu Sheng smiled and said, “Rise, my ministers. Today’s a joyous occasion; there’s no need for stiff formalities. Feel free to drink to your heart’s content.”
“We thank Your Majesty, and we thank Your Majesty the Empress.”
Every time Qu Sheng heard the ministers call Lin Xizhao the Empress, her joy multiplied. She guided Lin Xizhao to their seats, and Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu stood up to offer a toast.
Qu Sheng did not refuse any toasts, though she drank only tea. Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi were also present. Lately, Jin Mingyi had been visiting the palace frequently and had grown well-acquainted with Xiao Bingying.
Cheng Xi, who was the Princess of Haichao and the wife of the Quzhao Imperial Guard Commander, had come with Xiao Bingying today, but currently she had only Qu Zhimu by her side.
With so many officials bringing their families into the palace today, the volume of people entering and leaving was immense. Xiao Bingying had to deploy her guards to ensure the security of the palace and its imperial hosts.
It was only when the banquet was half over that Xiao Bingying finally arrived, taking her place beside Cheng Xi. She ate some palace delicacies with Cheng Xi, but left again shortly after.
Once the palace banquet drew to a close, the officials saw off the Emperor and Empress before filing out of the palace in an orderly fashion under the guidance of the guards.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao rode the imperial carriage back to their sleeping quarters. The attending palace maids removed their heavy wedding garments, bustling in and out as they assisted Lin Xizhao with her washing.
Sitting by the wedding bed, Qu Sheng kept her eyes fixed on Lin Xizhao. It was only after she helped Lin Xizhao sit down on the edge of the bed that the palace maids finally withdrew from the room.
Qu Sheng rested her hands on her knees, keeping her head lowered, not quite daring to look at Lin Xizhao.
Amused by Qu Sheng’s shyness, Lin Xizhao placed her hand over the back of Qu Sheng’s. Her voice was gentle as she smiled and said, “It’s getting late. Let’s retire for the night.”
Qu Sheng looked up to meet Lin Xizhao’s gaze. Welcoming the burning warmth in her eyes, she lowered her head and climbed onto the bed.
Lin Xizhao pulled up the festive red brocade quilt. Qu Sheng lay flat on her back, seemingly waiting for something. As Lin Xizhao lay down, she pulled Qu Sheng into her embrace.
Lin Xizhao’s fingertips brushed against the ties of Qu Sheng’s nightgown. As she untied them, her fingertips and palm gradually pressed flat against the warm skin beneath.
Qu Sheng’s breath caught, her heart hammering in a frantic rhythm. Lin Xizhao let out a soft laugh, pressing her soft lips against Qu Sheng’s porcelain-white ear.
After a brief pause in her breathing, Qu Sheng’s respirations grew rapid. As Lin Xizhao leaned over her, Qu Sheng actively pressed her own thin lips forward to meet her.
Tonight was a carefully calculated date, serving not only as their bridal chamber and festive candles6 but also as the day they had chosen after taking the medicine for so long.
As the officials who attended the wedding banquet departed, Xiao Bingying remained on duty. She crossed paths with Cheng Xi, who was carrying Qu Zhimu out of the palace.
Looking at Xiao Bingying performing her duties so diligently, Cheng Xi recalled how she had once kept her confined to her side, and a trace of guilt inevitably rose in her heart.
“Wife.”
Hearing the call, Xiao Bingying turned her head and saw Cheng Xi standing a short distance away, looking at her. She murmured a brief instruction to her subordinates and walked over to her.
“Jiayu and her husband will escort you back in a moment. It’s cold tonight, so don’t catch a chill,” Xiao Bingying said, unfastening her thin cloak and wrapping it around Cheng Xi’s shoulders.
As Xiao Bingying tied the cloak, Zhao Jiayu teased from the side with a grin, “Don’t worry, Ajie. I’ll make sure your darling is returned home safe and sound.”
Faced with Zhao Jiayu’s teasing, Xiao Bingying gave her a helpless look, while Cheng Xi smiled and said, “No need to worry. The estate guards are already waiting outside the palace gates.”
Xiao Bingying nodded. Gazing at her wife, who was dressed in splendid attire for the wedding feast and looked absolutely exquisite, she couldn’t help but steal a few more glances.
The two stood in place, gazing at each other in silence without a hint of awkwardness. It was only when Zhao Jiayu interrupted them that Cheng Xi reluctantly followed her out of the palace.
In the imperial bedchamber, the soft, uncontrollable whimpers made Qu Sheng so bashful that she turned her head away, not daring to look at Lin Xizhao, who was still claiming her body.
Throughout the night, the bedsheets in the imperial bedchamber were changed several times. Qu Sheng pleaded for mercy with soft, tearful whimpers, but for the first time, Lin Xizhao turned a deaf ear, taking Qu Sheng over and over again. This was because her medical guide had told her that the further they went, the more sensitive Qu Sheng’s body would become, and the more deeply enchanted Lin Xizhao would be.
The next morning, Qu Sheng woke up and looked aggrievedly at Lin Xizhao sleeping beside her. She hadn’t expected her gentle wife to have such a ‘fierce’ side. Yet, this wedding night had indeed allowed her to experience an unprecedented level of fulfillment.
Lin Xizhao opened her eyes and saw Qu Sheng staring at her with a grin. Her eyes curved with warmth, and she leaned in to plant a gentle kiss on Qu Sheng’s lips.
Receiving the kiss, Qu Sheng’s smile widened.
The two lingered in bed for a while before rising; today, they still had to visit the Imperial Tombs to pay their respects.
In the afternoon, upon returning from the tombs, they went straight to Nanting Courtyard to have dinner with their family. They had also invited Xiao Bingying, Cheng Xi, and the couple Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi.
Around the dining table, all distinctions between ruler and subject vanished, and they dined together in warm, familial harmony.
As they saw off Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying, Cheng Xi whispered a few questions to Lin Xizhao about the previous night. Hearing Lin Xizhao’s response, Qu Sheng, who was standing nearby, felt her face flush a bright red once again.
One and a half months later.
During an early morning court session in the Court Assembly Hall, Qu Sheng suddenly felt a wave of nausea in her stomach. Suppressing the urge to vomit, she hurriedly dismissed the assembly.
Upon hearing that Qu Sheng had vomited during the assembly, Lin Xizhao anxiously summoned the imperial physicians, but none of them could diagnose the cause.
In her helplessness, Lin Xizhao had no choice but to summon Liu Wuxiang. Liu Wuxiang felt Qu Sheng’s pulse with both hands, his brow knitting and releasing in turns.
Seeing his prolonged silence and troubled expression, Lin Xizhao asked anxiously, “Is Her Majesty’s ailment difficult to treat?”
Liu Wuxiang shook his head upon hearing this and replied, “No, no. This lowly citizen has simply not yet determined the nature of Her Majesty’s illness.”
Lin Xizhao grew even more perplexed. Qu Sheng’s complexion was dreadfully pale, and today she couldn’t even bear the smell of food.
“Her Majesty’s pulse doesn’t show pregnancy, yet she exhibits all the symptoms of morning sickness,” Liu Wuxiang remarked, his curiosity increasingly piqued.
While they were still pondering the cause of Qu Sheng’s illness, Cheng Xi arrived after hearing the news.
Lin Xizhao had also sent messengers to invite Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying, who quickly hurried over.
Cheng Xi entered the hall and saluted. Upon hearing Liu Wuxiang’s assessment of Qu Sheng’s condition, she took Qu Sheng’s pulse herself and found it just as perplexing as he had.
Xiao Bingying stood to the side, also pondering the ailment. But when she looked up and saw Lin Xizhao, a sudden realization struck her.
“Xizhao, would you allow me to check your pulse?”
Lin Xizhao was slightly bewildered. They were currently trying to diagnose Qu Sheng’s illness; why was Xiao Bingying suddenly asking to take her pulse?
Nevertheless, she did not refuse. Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the room, Xiao Bingying took Lin Xizhao’s pulse.
As she felt Lin Xizhao’s pulse, the expression on Xiao Bingying’s face shifted rapidly. Pulling her hand back, she smiled and announced, “It’s a pregnancy pulse7.”
Everyone was stunned for a moment. Liu Wuxiang hurriedly stepped forward to check Lin Xizhao’s pulse again, and a broad grin broke across his face. “Aya, it’s indeed a pregnancy pulse!”
Liu Wuxiang was not rejoicing over Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao having a child, but rather the successful validation of his medical research.
Hearing the joyful news, Qu Sheng blinked, unable to believe her ears. Only when Cheng Xi finished checking the pulse and confirmed it did a wide smile finally replace the look of disbelief on Qu Sheng’s face.
She walked to Lin Xizhao’s side, instinctively reaching out to touch her abdomen. But feeling physically unwell herself, she hesitated several times before ultimately drawing Lin Xizhao into a warm embrace with a bright smile.
Watching the two of them embrace, Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying exchanged a glance. Just that morning, Cheng Xi had also been diagnosed with a pregnancy pulse, though they hadn’t yet had the chance to share the news with anyone.
While Lin Xizhao’s pregnancy was confirmed, the cause of Qu Sheng’s ailment remained a mystery. However, Xiao Bingying’s next words quickly cleared up everyone’s confusion.
“Years ago, when I was studying medicine under a doctor in the old capital, there was a man who, like Xiao Sheng’er, suffered from an inexplicable ailment. While the doctor was utterly perplexed, he learned that the man was recently wed, so he had his wife brought in. Upon confirming that his wife was pregnant, the doctor sent the husband home to rest and recuperate, telling him not to worry. Sure enough, a month later, he recovered without any medicine. The doctor explained that the gods had heard the husband’s prayers and transferred his wife’s morning sickness to his own body to spare her from suffering. I suspect Xiao Sheng’er is experiencing the same thing.”
Though Xiao Bingying’s explanation sounded rather absurd to the listeners, it was indeed accompanied by the undeniable fact of Lin Xizhao’s pregnancy.
Qu Sheng lowered her eyes to look at Lin Xizhao. Seeing the constant worry in her eyes, she pondered for a moment and said, “I believe Bingying’s words.”
Cheng Xi and Liu Wuxiang exchanged a glance, and Cheng Xi said, “We can only assume this is the case for now. However, we mustn’t let our guard down. If the symptoms persist after a month, we’ll look for other solutions.”
The others nodded in agreement. Though Lin Xizhao was still worried, there was nothing else to be done, so she simply ordered her maids to prepare some mild foods to help soothe Qu Sheng’s nausea.
After Xiao Bingying and the others left, Qu Sheng pulled Lin Xizhao onto her lap. She raised her fingers to gently stroke Lin Xizhao’s lower abdomen, and Lin Xizhao placed her hand over Qu Sheng’s, the two sharing a quiet, tender look.
That two women could actually conceive a child together… was indeed possible.
One month later, Qu Sheng’s morning sickness indeed vanished. Amazed by this outcome, Liu Wuxiang rushed to the Zhao Residence, intent on taking Xiao Bingying as his apprentice, but Cheng Xi refused on her behalf.
Her reason was that Xiao Bingying was already her own disciple, and she would teach her medicine herself. Furthermore, although Xiao Bingying was fond of medicine, she was destined for a much broader stage. After all, the entire honor of the Zhao family rested upon her shoulders.
Lately, Qu Sheng’s appetite had returned, and she summoned the imperial physicians to take Lin Xizhao’s pulse almost every two days, deeply afraid of any complications.
Lin Xizhao’s abdomen grew more noticeably rounded by the day. At night, Qu Sheng would hold her, possessing endless energy as she attended to Lin Xizhao’s daily needs. Whenever she was present, she would never let others handle simple tasks like pouring tea or bringing water.
On New Year’s Day, amid a city ablaze with ten thousand lights, Qu Sheng hosted a grand banquet for her ministers.
Qu Sheng carefully helped Lin Xizhao sit on a soft daybed, whispering with a smile, “Wife, does sitting there feel uncomfortable?”
Lin Xizhao looked up at her and shook her head with a smile. “Not at all. It’s very soft and comfortable.”
Qu Sheng had personally visited the banquet hall early that morning and had the seating rearranged several times, terrified that Lin Xizhao might find it uncomfortable to sit for so long.
Hearing Lin Xizhao’s answer, Qu Sheng sat down beside her with a smile.
The ministers rose and knelt in greeting. Beaming with joy, Qu Sheng ordered the feast to begin. Singing and dancing filled the hall, while in a designated area of the imperial palace, Zhao Jiayu was setting off fireworks with her daughter.
Jin Yunfei and the other elders had also been invited to the palace, but before long, Zhao Jiayu came bursting into the banquet hall, carrying her daughter in her arms.
Both Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao knew that Zhao Jiayu could be headstrong, but interrupting the dancers and stopping the music in the middle of a formal banquet was highly unusual.
“Stop playing, stop playing!” Zhao Jiayu called out as she hurried toward Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao, holding Qu Zhimu.
Qu Sheng furrowed her brows, utterly perplexed, but just as she was about to speak, Lin Xizhao gently pressed her hand down. “Let’s hear what Jiayu has to say first.”
Though Zhao Jiayu was impetuous, she would not act so recklessly on such an occasion without reason, and she was running over with a broad smile on her face.
As Zhao Jiayu drew near, Qu Sheng watched her lips move, catching her breathless words: “Eldest Uncle has awoken! The Retired Emperor has awoken!”
Hearing the news, Qu Sheng instantly stood up. Jin Yunfei was also so overcome with emotion that she had to be supported by her attendants as she eagerly waved Zhao Jiayu over.
Zhao Jiayu set Qu Zhimu down and hurried over to Jin Yunfei, saying excitedly, “Someone from Nanting Courtyard just came to report that Eldest Uncle has awoken!”
Nanting Courtyard
Qu Sheng and the others took a carriage back to Nanting Courtyard. Beside Qu Jinian’s bed, apart from the attending palace maids, there was only Qu Jixian. Because of his bad leg, Qu Jixian had not attended the palace banquet, but upon hearing that Qu Jinian had regained consciousness, he had rushed over immediately.
As Cheng Xi was pregnant and could not easily visit the palace, she had invited Liu Wuxiang to the Zhao Residence for dinner. Qu Jixian had sent messengers there to summon Liu Wuxiang to Nanting Courtyard as well.
Liu Wuxiang checked Qu Jinian’s pulse. Qu Jinian lay in bed, silently looking at his younger brother. It was only after checking his pulse and confirming he was fully conscious that Liu Wuxiang permitted Qu Jixian to speak with him.
“Eldest Brother, can you hear me?”
Qu Jinian nodded, his gaze slowly scanning the room as if searching for someone.
“Husband.”
The moment Qu Jinian heard Jin Yunfei’s voice, light flared in his eyes. He froze for an instant before slowly turning his head to look in her direction.
Jin Yunfei hurried to his side. Seeing Qu Jinian’s eyes open, tears began to stream down her cheeks.
Unlike Qu Ting, Qu Jinian had been bedridden for too long and was advanced in years, leaving his limbs weak and unresponsive.
As Qu Jinian stared at Jin Yunfei, tears pooled in his own eyes. He opened his mouth, his voice hoarse as he managed to rasp out her name, “Yunfei…”
“My Lord,” Jin Yunfei whispered, leaning her face close as she watched Qu Jinian laboriously lift his hand.
Qu Jinian gently wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled.
Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao, and the others stood nearby, weeping tears of joy. Holding Lin Xizhao close, Qu Sheng walked over when she saw her father turn his gaze toward her.
“Sheng’er,”
“Father,” Qu Sheng choked out, tears spilling from her eyes. In that moment, she felt as though she had regained a pillar of strength to lean on.
A few days later, Qu Jinian’s health had steadily improved. Sitting in a wheelchair, he listened to Qu Sheng recount all the events that had transpired since he fell into a coma.
Qu Sheng had ascended the throne as a woman and cleared away the deeply rooted corruption of the previous dynasty. Seeing how prudently his young daughter conducted affairs, Qu Jinian no longer had any lingering worries.
Lin Xizhao was currently resting in her room. Hearing the sound of Qu Sheng’s return, she looked toward the door. As soon as Qu Sheng stepped inside, Lin Xizhao smiled and asked, “Is Father doing well?”
Qu Sheng nodded with a smile and replied, “He’s doing well. Today, Father asked about us, and about our child.” At the mention of their child, her voice softened, her eyes drifting toward Lin Xizhao’s rounded abdomen.
Lin Xizhao did not press further, prompting Qu Sheng to ask in confusion, “Wife, why don’t you ask what Father said?”
Her eyes curving gently, Lin Xizhao poured her a cup of warm tea and said, “No matter what Father asked, he didn’t demand that we separate. That’s more than enough.”
Lin Xizhao was entirely correct. Qu Sheng had returned with a smile on her face, and Qu Jinian had always approved of their relationship. Even if he had questions, they would only be about details he hadn’t yet made sense of. As for the child, Jin Yunfei had surely informed him in advance.
After finishing her tea, Qu Sheng leaned forward with a smile, resting her head against Lin Xizhao’s neck. Lately, she had noticed a change in Lin Xizhao’s scent—it now carried a faint, sweet fragrance like milk, which stirred a restless desire within her.
Qu Sheng began to plant soft, featherlight kisses on Lin Xizhao’s fair skin, her breathing gradually growing shallow and rapid. Sensing her intent, Lin Xizhao cupped Qu Sheng’s face, planted a firm kiss on her lips, and said with a smile, “You mustn’t.”
She knew what Qu Sheng wanted. Over the past few days, Qu Sheng had been constantly restless, but since she was currently carrying their child, how could she let her behave so recklessly?
Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao, her eyes shimmering with desire. After a brief pause, she smiled and said, “I went to the Zhao Residence today and asked Cheng Xi and Bingying. They said it’s not entirely forbidden, so long as we’re gentle. If my wife is happy, our daughter will grow up to be even more beautiful in the future.”
Qu Sheng was already certain that the child in Lin Xizhao’s womb was a daughter, and just as Liu Wuxiang had said, they could only ever conceive daughters together. Although they had succeeded, Liu Wuxiang did not wish for this matter to become widely known.
Going against the natural order always carried its risks, but Qu Sheng had still requested the prescription and had it carefully preserved.
Lin Xizhao was somewhat skeptical of Qu Sheng’s words, but she also knew that Qu Sheng would never dare risk her health. Though she resisted slightly when Qu Sheng first kissed her, by the time Qu Sheng laid her gently onto the bed, she had completely lost herself in the long-awaited pleasure.
The End of the Main Story.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “Believe me, our daughter is bound to be exceptionally beautiful when she is born!”
Lin Xizhao: “…”
Footnotes
- From the Chinese lihou dadian, the grand state ceremony to officially crown and inaugurate the primary wife of the reigning emperor as the Empress of the dynasty.
- From the Chinese gunfu, a ceremonial robe adorned with imperial symbols, worn by Chinese emperors for the most formal state rituals.
- From the Chinese heqin zhi li, a traditional wedding ritual of sharing a single cup of wine to symbolize union.
- From the Chinese fengguan, an exceptionally magnificent crown worn by Chinese empresses and high-ranking noblewomen, adorned with gemstones and pearls.
- From the Chinese sangui jiukou zhi li, a supreme traditional imperial ritual representing the ultimate show of respect to heaven, ancestors, or the monarch.
- From the Chinese dongfang huazhu, an idiom representing the wedding night and the consummation of marriage.
- From the Chinese ximai, a distinct, slippery pulse diagnostic in traditional Chinese medicine that indicates pregnancy, described metaphorically as pearls rolling across a basin.
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