The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 228
by Little PandaExtra 3
Mother Emperor Won’t Feel Pained
By the arrival of the Zi Hour1, everyone inside and outside the Zhao Residence had already retired to sleep, save for the guards and the servants on duty. Yet inside the bedchamber of the Zhao family’s Eldest Miss and her wife, the rustling commotion showed no signs of stopping.
Xiao Bingying was practically turned inside out under Cheng Xi’s touch, yet she didn’t harbor the slightest hint of resistance.
By the time the sky began to grow pale, Cheng Xi was exhausted after a long night of exertion. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. Xiao Bingying, however, had to get up and rush to the Imperial Guard headquarters for her shift handover.
She rarely pulled night duty herself, and whenever she arrived for the morning handover, she’d show consideration for her subordinates by taking over early.
Xiao Bingying rose with utmost care, dressed, and tiptoed out of the room. Once outside the door, she first gave instructions to the maid on duty.
“Don’t disturb the Young Madam while she rests. If Mother sends anyone with a message, tell them that last night, the Young Madam and I…” There was no hiding this sort of thing anyway, and since it was the private business of their bridal chamber, there was no need to be secretive. She simply added, “Just say I ordered it. Let the Young Madam rest as much as she needs.”
“Yes,” the maid replied with a bow.
Xiao Bingying fastened the bracers on her wrists, cast a sidelong glance at the closed door, and pressed her lips together slightly before walking out of the courtyard.
The realm had been pacified. Months ago, Qu Sheng had already consulted with her officials to select a new location for the imperial capital. Many ministers had recommended all manner of talented and extraordinary individuals, who constantly went in and out of the palace. Qu Sheng desired nothing else; she only wanted the newly built capital to be absolutely impregnable.
There was no need to choose a location too far from the Jin Dynasty. In fact, if possible, she wanted the capital to border the Jin state closely.
Sooner or later, Quzhao would reclaim the lost half of the former realm’s territory.
Xiao Bingying finished her shift a little late today. Though she hadn’t slept a wink the previous night, her spirits remained exceptionally high. However, while the sun had blazed brilliantly yesterday, a continuous drizzle had begun to fall since noon today.
Summer was drawing to a close. Once this fine rain passed, the weather would surely grow cooler.
As Xiao Bingying walked out of the Imperial Guard headquarters, a stable boy had already led her horse over. Just as she placed one foot in the stirrup to mount, a carriage rolled toward her. Recognizing it as the Zhao family carriage, she paused.
The carriage came to a halt. The groom pulled back the curtain and respectfully escorted the Young Madam of the residence out.
Leaning on the groom’s arm, Cheng Xi stepped down the carriage stool one step at a time. By the time her feet touched the ground, another servant had already opened an umbrella over her head.
“Eldest Miss, it’s the Young Madam,” Xiao Bingying’s groom said with delight. Watching Cheng Xi walk toward them, he smiled and added, “The Young Madam must’ve been worried about you getting caught in the rain, so she came in person to take you home.”
Since it was currently the end of the shift, many guards were coming and going from the headquarters. Noticing the scene, they all stopped to watch.
During Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s grand wedding, almost no one had seen Cheng Xi’s face. Although she had attended subsequent imperial banquets, those who caught a glimpse of her were either high-ranking officials or the select guards directly under Xiao Bingying’s command.
In short, very few had actually laid eyes on her.
Dressed in a flowing teal robe, she walked into everyone’s line of sight. Her delicate face, like a fresh lotus emerging from the water, captured every eye.
Xiao Bingying thought nothing of the onlookers. The moment she saw Cheng Xi, her face lit up with a smile. She pulled her foot from the stirrup and quickly walked toward her.
Xiao Bingying stepped in front of Cheng Xi, smiled, and asked, “Wife, what brings you here today?”
“If I didn’t come, were you planning to ride back in this drizzle?” Cheng Xi’s tone carried a clear edge of irritation.
Xiao Bingying blinked in surprise, then replied, “It’s only a bit of drizzle. It’s no trouble.”
Cheng Xi looked up at her. Xiao Bingying was always attentive toward others, yet she could never bring herself to care for her own well-being. Even if the rain was light, she would undoubtedly be soaked through by the time she reached home.
To think she had spent so much time teaching her medicine, yet Xiao Bingying still couldn’t even grasp how to cherish her own body.
“If you catch a cold, don’t even think about stepping foot into my and Ying’er’s bedchamber,” Cheng Xi grumbled. Despite her harsh words, her hand had already produced a handkerchief to gently wipe the tiny droplets of rain from Xiao Bingying’s face.
“I won’t. My constitution is strong.” Xiao Bingying didn’t mean to argue; she was simply certain that a light drizzle like this wouldn’t cause her to fall ill. If she truly did catch a cold, she would naturally sleep in the study without Cheng Xi having to say a word.
But she, in her straightforward simplicity, had no idea that she had annoyed Cheng Xi once again.
Xiao Bingying took the umbrella from the servant, but Cheng Xi merely cast her a look before turning around and walking away.
Cheng Xi boarded the carriage. Xiao Bingying hurried after her, but before she could climb inside, Cheng Xi ordered the driver to set off.
“Back to the residence!”
Left standing in the drizzle, Xiao Bingying watched the carriage roll away in confusion, once again turning over the words spoken just moments ago in her mind.
Seeing the carriage vanish, Xiao Bingying’s groom ran over, completely bewildered. “Eldest Miss, this…”
Xiao Bingying looked at him. No anger showed on her face as she calmly said, “Let’s go. We’re heading back.”
Even though she hadn’t boarded the carriage, at least she’d been left with an umbrella.
Xiao Bingying walked all the way back to the Zhao Residence under the umbrella. The moment she entered, she went to change her damp clothes. When she stepped into the inner chamber, Cheng Xi was currently breastfeeding Zhao Ningying.
“Wife,” Xiao Bingying said, a warm smile gracing her face as she entered the room. She held up a parcel she had bought on her way back. “I saw a fresh batch of steamed square cakes coming out of the steamer at Gao Rong’s shop on my way home. I knew you liked them, so I bought some.”
Cheng Xi glanced down at the parcel, then looked up at Xiao Bingying’s innocent face. Most of her anger melted away. Reaching out, she took a piece and tasted it.
“Is it good?” Xiao Bingying asked. She didn’t harbor the slightest resentment over Cheng Xi’s sudden, baffling display of temper earlier.
To her, Cheng Xi possessed the most wonderful disposition; if she was upset, it must’ve been because Xiao Bingying had done something wrong to displease her.
“Mm,” Cheng Xi replied after eating half of the cake. When Xiao Bingying leaned close, Cheng Xi held the remaining half to her lips and said, “Have a taste as well.” She knew Xiao Bingying would never sneak a bite on her way home.
Xiao Bingying bite off the small piece of square cake. As she ate, Cheng Xi kept her eyes fixed on her lips. While chewing, Xiao Bingying looked down at her daughter, who was vigorously suckling. Suddenly, the pastry in her mouth seemed entirely tasteless.
Noticing Xiao Bingying’s momentary distraction, Cheng Xi followed her gaze. Their daughter was currently suckling with all her might.
“Eldest Miss, Young Madam, Lord Zhu has arrived with her wife,” a maid outside reported with a bow.
Xiao Bingying straightened up and looked toward the doorway. “Do you know what they’ve come for?” she asked.
“Lord Zhu only mentioned they were dropping by for a social visit. Master and Madam are currently hosting them.”
Xiao Bingying nodded. “I’ll go over right away.”
Once the maid left, Xiao Bingying turned to Cheng Xi. “I’ll go take a look.”
“Mm, go ahead,” Cheng Xi agreed. Since she was currently nursing the child, it wasn’t convenient for her to receive guests.
As Xiao Bingying prepared to leave, she paused. She turned back, leaned down, and pressed a tender kiss to the space between Cheng Xi’s brows.
A soft smile bloomed on Cheng Xi’s face as she watched Xiao Bingying depart.
Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi used to visit frequently, but after Cheng Xi gave birth, Jin Mingyi had stayed away to avoid intruding. Their visit today suggested they had something specific in mind.
Xiao Bingying went to receive them. Since both she and Zhu Ming’an held official posts, they exchanged formal bows before sitting down to speak.
“As your wife has been busy caring for the child lately, Yi’er and I didn’t dare disturb you too much,” Zhu Ming’an began. “We’ve come today with a presumptuous request.”
Xiao Bingying smiled and said, “Ming’an, feel free to speak plainly. If there’s anything I can do to help, I, as your jiejie, will certainly not stand idly by.”
Hearing this, Jin Mingyi burst into a smile. Before Zhu Ming’an could say anything else, she beamed. “I told you so! Bingying-jiejie is sure to agree.”
Since they had a request, Xiao Bingying would naturally assist. She simply didn’t know what they wanted of her.
Xiao Bingying looked at Zhu Ming’an, who rose from her seat and said, “It’s like this: Physician Liu has departed to travel the realm. Seeing that both you and Her Majesty have successfully had children, we can’t help but feel deeply envious. Therefore, we wished to ask for your help, Bingying-jiejie.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying understood their purpose. Her lips curved up into a smile. “There’s naturally no problem with that. However, my knowledge of medicinal herbs is not as deep as Xi’er’s…” Xiao Bingying glanced outside. She wanted to consult Cheng Xi, but remembering that she was still nursing their daughter, she was about to ask them to wait. Yet, as she turned her head, Cheng Xi had already appeared in the courtyard.
“Cheng Xi-jiejie is here,” Jin Mingyi said, standing up and heading outside.
Although Jin Mingyi was already married and a princess of a nation, she still lived as freely as an unmarried maiden within the Zhu Residence.
Jin Mingyi walked over to Cheng Xi’s side. Even from a distance, she could see a gentle smile gracing Cheng Xi’s face upon seeing her.
Jin Mingyi took Cheng Xi’s arm, and the two walked into the room. Xiao Bingying briefly explained the situation. Cheng Xi nodded, then looked at the couple. “Have you decided which of you will take the medicine?” she asked.
Jin Mingyi stole a glance at Zhu Ming’an, a trace of bashfulness in her eyes as she smiled and said, “I’ll be the one to take it.”
This was the decision they had agreed upon. After all, others had already tested the medicine. With both the ruler of the realm and the Commander of the Imperial Guards having safely used it without any issues, there was naturally no risk left to fear.
Nevertheless, bringing a child into the world had always been akin to stepping through the gates of death. Had Zhu Ming’an’s father not wished for an heir, they likely wouldn’t have considered it.
Cheng Xi nodded and had a maid bring over a pulse-resting pillow to examine both Jin Mingyi and Zhu Ming’an. Jin Mingyi’s constitution was quite suited for it, which meant her duration of taking the medicine could be significantly shortened.
Zhu Ming’an’s physical foundation was also strong. Deciding on this course of action spared them a great deal of trouble.
Cheng Xi explained the results of her diagnosis. After expressing their gratitude, the couple stayed for dinner at the residence before taking their leave.
Xiao Bingying held Cheng Xi’s hand as they walked back to their courtyard. The air felt exceptionally fresh after the rain, and their paces slowed.
“Bingying,” Cheng Xi said, looking up at her as they walked. Her anger today hadn’t truly been caused by anything Xiao Bingying had said. She knew she’d been unreasonable. Yet, even when she put on an angry front, Xiao Bingying had harbored no complaints whatsoever.
“Mm?” Xiao Bingying turned to look at Cheng Xi, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Wife, what is it?”
“My display of temper toward you today… was my fault.” Since she was in the wrong, she’d admit it. There was no need to let any lingering grievances build between them.
Hearing Cheng Xi apologize, the smile faded slightly from Xiao Bingying’s face. Even now, she still hadn’t figured out what she had done wrong to make Cheng Xi unhappy.
“But why didn’t you ask me why I was angry?” Although she was apologizing, she wanted to talk things through.
Xiao Bingying looked down at Cheng Xi. Her eyes flickered with thought as she pondered for a moment before replying softly, “I was afraid that if I asked, it would only make you angrier.”
If she didn’t understand where she had erred, would that not be even more infuriating?
Cheng Xi’s brow furrowed slightly as she let out a helpless laugh. “Why are you so silly? If you don’t understand yet refuse to ask, dragging it out like this will only make me even angrier.”
Xiao Bingying pressed her lips together and lowered her head. After a moment, as if finally understanding, she asked, “Then why was my wife angry with me? If there’s something I’ve done poorly or said something I shouldn’t have, tell me. As long as you dislike it, I’ll change.”
The helplessness in Cheng Xi’s eyes melted into deep affection. How could there be someone so foolish?
Cheng Xi raised a hand to caress Xiao Bingying’s cheek, murmuring softly, “You are wonderful. You don’t need to change anything for me. You’re wonderful just as you are.”
Hearing this, Xiao Bingying grew confused once more. Her lips parted as if she wanted to ask yet hesitated. In the end, under Cheng Xi’s gaze, she asked anyway, “Then could you tell me why you’ve been angry these past few days?”
At the thought of her own reasons for being angry, Cheng Xi could only sigh helplessly in her heart. Xiao Bingying was a rare, devoted partner, and Cheng Xi knew exactly how much she mattered to her. Yet, in a relationship, if one partner was left constantly guessing, things could easily go awry.
She used to be the one urging Xiao Bingying to speak her mind, yet now she was the one acting coy and hesitant.
Cheng Xi smiled, lowering her head as she let her hand fall, leading Xiao Bingying toward their courtyard.
Xiao Bingying followed closely behind. Though still puzzled, she remained completely submissive. When they reached the courtyard, they didn’t return to the bedchamber, but instead headed straight for the bathhouse.
As Cheng Xi reached out to unbuckle the leather belt around Xiao Bingying’s waist, Xiao Bingying kept her gaze fixed on her. When her outer robes were slipped off her shoulders, she seemed to finally understand Cheng Xi’s intentions.
Xiao Bingying followed Cheng Xi into the bathing tub. Staring at her wife seated directly across from her in the water, her throat bobbed. Without being completely sure, she didn’t dare make a move.
Cheng Xi rose slightly from the water, her slender, pale arms winding around Xiao Bingying’s neck. She looked down at Xiao Bingying’s tightly pressed lips and her increasingly ragged breathing, letting out a soft chuckle.
Leaning in, her low, gentle voice whispered in Xiao Bingying’s ear, “Ying’er is already over a hundred days old. You haven’t touched me in over a year.”
Upon hearing these words, something blocked in Xiao Bingying’s mind was instantly swept clean. She heard Cheng Xi’s invitation for intimacy with absolute clarity.
Yet, after a few moments of struggle, she still voiced the concern in her heart. “I… I was worried about your body…” In truth, it should have been perfectly fine, but the longer she waited, the more she felt she was protecting Cheng Xi.
She didn’t want her own selfish desires to cause any harm to Cheng Xi’s health.
Cheng Xi had already anticipated her reasoning. How could she possibly lack attraction for Xiao Bingying? “Both of us are skilled in medicine. Could it be that I don’t understand my own body?” she asked.
Even then, Xiao Bingying still hesitated. But when she felt the soft, radiant warmth that Cheng Xi intentionally pressed against her, all the anxieties holding her back shattered into pieces in an instant.
As her resolve dissolved, Xiao Bingying pressed her lips to Cheng Xi’s crimson mouth.
The water sloshed gently as the temperature in the room steadily rose. Xiao Bingying kissed away the tears at the corners of Cheng Xi’s eyes, listening to her soft whimpers, unable to bring herself to pause for even a single second.
Two hours later, the water in the tub had long since grown cold, but the two figures upon the bedchamber’s canopy bed were burning hot.
Cheng Xi knelt at the head of the bed, her hands gripping the wooden railing. Her soft lips, whether bitten by herself or kissed by the one beneath her, were as vividly crimson as if stained with blood.
After a moment, her weeping ceased. Xiao Bingying gazed at her wife’s damp eyelashes, holding her limp body close. She kissed Cheng Xi’s swollen lips, before slowly leaning down to suckle on that soft sweetness once more.
When Xiao Bingying looked back on this later, she’d consider it the most scandalous thing she had ever done to her wife, yet it was also the most unforgettable.
Competing with her own daughter for nourishment was, perhaps, the one thing she dared not speak of to anyone.
In the seventh year of the Qianshi era, Quzhao relocated its capital to Pingcheng, renaming it Ding’an.
An exceptionally fortified city, its construction had spanned six years and employed nearly a million laborers. Yet, despite being a project that severely drained resources and exhausted the populace, it had received the full support of the court ministers, all because the Female Emperor had resolved the people’s livelihoods.
Qu Sheng utilized the policy of work relief2 to its absolute limit.
The wars of the previous dynasty had left the commoners displaced, and the refugees who had migrated from the Northern Jin state had increasingly become a thorny issue.
The Qu family’s dynasty possessed deep foundations, further bolstered by the confiscated ‘ill-gotten’ wealth of the grand aristocratic clans. While the imperial treasury overflowed with silver, it couldn’t be handed out directly to the populace, lest it foster a sense of unearned entitlement. However, using money to exchange for labor provided the commoners with a means of livelihood, while simultaneously building a majestic palace complex to showcase Quzhao’s national power—a brilliant strategy that accomplished two goals at once.
The Quzhao Imperial Palace.
After retiring from the morning court assembly, Qu Sheng followed Lin Xizhao’s instructions and headed to Wenhua Hall to check on Qu Ning, who had already been designated the Imperial Crown Princess.
Though still a young child, she had grown to be elegant and poised, looking exactly like her imperial mother—a gentle little beauty. Yet her temperament was identical to that of the reigning Emperor.
While her classmates and study companions would occasionally let their minds wander, she alone sat there, listening to the tutor’s lecture with absolute focus.
Qu Sheng stood at a distance, observing quietly. Before long, Empress Lin Xizhao arrived as well.
Qu Sheng smiled and reached out to take her hand. Lin Xizhao’s lips curved slightly as she intertwined her fingers with Qu Sheng’s.
“Ning’er holds herself to far too high a standard,” Lin Xizhao said softly.
Qu Sheng had been exactly the same in her youth, demanding perfection in everything and comparing herself to her Eldest Brother, Qu Ce, hoping that she might one day take his place and make up for the regrets in her family’s hearts.
“She is the heir apparent; she ought to be this way,” Qu Sheng replied, seeing nothing wrong with it.
Lin Xizhao cast a sidelong glance at her. Rather than arguing, she simply urged her to keep watching.
Once the tutor dismissed the class, the other study companions gathered together, laughing and chatting. Only Qu Ning remained in her seat, memorizing the texts assigned by the tutor.
Yet, upon closer inspection, she wasn’t entirely unperturbed by her surroundings. Whenever her companions laughed and played, she would look over, her eyes shining with interest, seemingly wishing to join them.
“Ah Ning, come play with Jiejie for a bit,” said Qu Zhimu, Zhao Jiayu’s daughter. She was three or four years older than Qu Ning and absolutely detested the tutor’s lectures, but she’d been forced by her father, Qu Yu, to serve as Qu Ning’s study companion.
Qu Ning looked at her, remaining silent for a long moment. Seeing this, Qu Zhimu walked over and sat down beside her, smiling. “You act just like a little adult. We’re both children; don’t go against your own heart. Come and play with us.”
Qu Ning looked at her companions, who were all watching her. The young girl blinked, but ultimately resisted Qu Zhimu’s temptation, speaking in her gentle yet poised voice, “The tutor has assigned our lessons. He’ll check them tomorrow.”
Qu Zhimu instantly felt a headache coming on. She pulled her younger cousin, Zhao Ningying, over to take her place.
Zhao Ningying was a girl of few words, but her voice carried weight. She was only a few days younger than Qu Ning, and seeing her cousin restrict herself day in and day out filled her with worry and sympathy. “Your Highness,” she called out.
“There are no outsiders here. You can just call me Ning-jiejie,” Qu Ning replied, her voice soft. Indeed, there were no strangers present. Qu Ting’s son was still younger than them, and the Zhu family’s daughter was two years younger. Only Lin Xirui’s daughter was around her age.
Zhao Ningying smiled and nodded. “Ning-jiejie, you’ve already mastered the tutor’s lessons long ago. Since he’s given us time after class, it’s meant for us to rest. If you keep pushing yourself like this, the Emperor and the Empress will surely feel pained.”
Hearing Zhao Ningying’s words, Qu Ning pressed her small lips together. After a brief pause, she murmured, “Mother Emperor won’t feel pained.”
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned to look at Lin Xizhao, only to find that the smile had vanished from her face as well.
Lin Xizhao raised her eyes to look at her, her gaze silently conveying the exact reason why she had brought her here today.
The author has something to say:
Zhao Jiayu: “My daughter is truly…”
Qu Sheng: “It runs in the family.”
Qu Yu: “I wasn’t like this when I was little.”
Qu Ting: “You didn’t play any less either.”
Qu Yu: “…”
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The new novel will also begin in a few days.
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