The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 241

Extra 16

Do You Still Recognize Me?

Lin Xikuan had been lingering in this area for some time. He had already ascertained that many of these people were not part of the same faction, so when he heard about the ascension assembly here, he searched extensively before finally tracking down the people behind the temple.

            

But who could have imagined that the mastermind behind it all was none other than the reigning emperor herself.

Lin Xizhao explained to Lin Xikuan, “Sheng’er and I held this assembly to let the people know the truth.”

Lin Xikuan heard this and replied, “This humble subject has recently used the influence behind him as a bargaining chip to bring the leaders of those groups together. I had originally planned to close the net, but then I heard a new faction had appeared in this city, so this humble subject came to investigate.”

            

Hearing Lin Xikuan’s account, Qu Sheng regarded him with somewhat renewed respect. “So these people are all under your control already?”

“They are,” Lin Xikuan replied.

Lin Xizhao looked at Lin Xikuan’s confident demeanor and asked, “You said just now that you used the influence behind you as a bargaining chip. Whose influence is that?”

            

Lin Xikuan had been asked the one question he did not want to answer. His expression grew somewhat uneasy. After a moment, he stood up, lifted his robe, and knelt on the ground, both hands pressed flat against the floor. “This humble subject has concealed something. I beg Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress to withhold punishment until this case is concluded.”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng suddenly understood why these people had believed Lin Xikuan. “You used the Empress as your bargaining chip?”

Lin Xikuan remained prostrate on the ground and replied, “Once this case is concluded, this guilty subject is willing to accept any punishment!”

            

Lin Xizhao had said before that Lin Xikuan’s methods were always Use Deception in Warfare¹—taking risks out of desperation. When she had chosen him for the land measurement task, he had executed it beautifully. Now this case appeared to be nearing its conclusion as well. Yet though Qu Sheng admired his ability, he should not have used Lin Xizhao as a bargaining chip.

“If the Empress’s stainless reputation suffers any damage, we² will hold you accountable!” Qu Sheng suppressed the fire in her chest and waved him out.

Lin Xikuan rose with head bowed and glanced up at Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao shook her head gently at him and said, “Go check on Ning’er first. She hasn’t seen you in a long time and misses you.”

            

Hearing his elder sister’s gentle, soft-spoken words, Lin Xikuan nodded and said, “Yes.”

When Lin Xikuan stepped out the door, Qu Ning was standing right by the doorframe. She looked up at her Maternal Uncle, recalled the fury her Mother Emperor had just unleashed, took hold of Lin Xikuan’s sleeve, and pulled him off to the side.

“Maternal Uncle, what happened with Mother Emperor?”

            

Lin Xikuan crouched down, looked at his niece with warm eyes, and replied with a quiet smile, “Because your maternal uncle got your Empress Mother into trouble.”

Lin Xikuan patted Qu Ning’s head, his gaze drifting elsewhere. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had come over as well.

Lin Xikuan stood and bowed to Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi. “Lord Zhao, Lady Zhao.”

            

Cheng Xi merely lowered her head in acknowledgment. Xiao Bingying raised her hand to return the bow and asked, “Why is Minister Lin standing out here?”

Lin Xikuan gave a self-deprecating laugh and replied, “I angered Her Majesty.”

Xiao Bingying heard this and said with a smile, “It must be about the Empress.”

            

Lin Xikuan nodded and offered a helpless laugh in return. The only person who could make Qu Sheng this furious was Lin Xizhao.

Though Lin Xizhao had already become the Empress of the Quzhao Dynasty, some among the common people still privately called her the Demon Empress.

She had bewitched the current female emperor into crowning her empress, and had borne a child of unknown paternity whom both the emperor and the Retired Emperor had named the Imperial Crown Princess.

            

If not for some kind of sorcery, how could anyone believe she had such extraordinary fortune? The matter of the child alone should have been enough for the Qu imperial clan to tear her limb from limb, yet she still enjoyed undiminished imperial favor.

In recent years, however, Qu Sheng had reduced taxes several times in Lin Xizhao’s name. On the very day Lin Xizhao was established as Empress, Qu Sheng had waived thirty percent of that year’s taxes.

So the people of the Quzhao Dynasty both feared and loved their Empress.

            

If what Lin Xikuan had done were accidentally exposed, the claim that Lin Xizhao was a Demon Empress would become fact.

Were it anyone but Lin Xikuan, Qu Sheng would likely have ordered punishment already.

At this moment, Lin Xizhao was inside the room, coaxing Qu Sheng to calm down. “Though Xikuan is sometimes too aggressive in his methods, he is looking at the bigger picture. He has put himself in danger too, has he not?”

            

When Qu Sheng had issued the secret decree for them to investigate this case, Lin Xikuan had used himself as bait. He was the National Uncle³, the Minister of Revenue, and backed by the most revered Empress of the Quzhao Dynasty—who would not want to forge a connection with him?

“Besides, this was just setting up a ruse. It doesn’t count as real. As long as all those people are brought in, no one will ever know.”

“Xikuan has dealt with these people. Even if some rumors circulate, they will be clarified. Why must you be so angry?”

            

Qu Sheng had flown into a rage the moment she heard Lin Xikuan had dragged Lin Xizhao into it. Now, hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, her anger had subsided considerably, though she still disapproved of what Lin Xikuan had done.

He could have chosen someone else—Qu Yu or Qu Ting would have done. Any imperial relation would serve the same purpose. But no, he had to go and touch her Reverse Scale⁴.

Lin Xikuan had been outside keeping Qu Ning company for a while when a guard came to summon him. Lin Xizhao had already calmed Qu Sheng down, and he was called back into the room.

            

Lin Xizhao looked at Lin Xikuan standing there with his head lowered, apparently still worried about Qu Sheng’s anger. Her autumn-water eyes turned to Qu Sheng, and she gave a gentle tug on her sleeve.

Qu Sheng glanced down. For this rare display of coquettishness from Lin Xizhao, she was naturally delighted, and her anger dissipated entirely. Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xikuan and said, “We have just discussed the matter with the Empress. Since you have already mapped out the details of these people, the arrest should come sooner rather than later. Why not take advantage of this ascension assembly and invite them all into the city? Use the promise of a share of the profits as their Pledge of Loyalty⁵ to invite them here to discuss great matters together. Can you manage this?”

Lin Xikuan hurried forward a step, clasped his hands, and said, “This guilty subject will see it done!”

            

Lin Xikuan departed, and Lin Xizhao rose to instruct the kitchen to reheat the meal she had set aside for Qu Sheng. But the moment she stood, Qu Sheng pulled her back and settled her onto her lap.

Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng, whose brow and eyes carried a layer of displeasure.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xizhao asked, puzzled.

            

Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao. That coquettish charm from a moment ago was already gone. She wanted to see it but felt too embarrassed to ask. She loved seeing Lin Xizhao in that flirtatious mood—Willow-Tender and Flower-Charming⁶—stirring her heart endlessly.

When Lin Xizhao saw that Qu Sheng would not answer, she lifted her chin and took the initiative to press a kiss to Qu Sheng’s lips, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “I will go have your meal reheated. I will be right back.”

Lin Xizhao rose, and Qu Sheng had no choice but to release her arms reluctantly.

            

Not long after Lin Xikuan left, Xiao Bingying was dispatched by Qu Sheng.

Two days before the ascension assembly Qu Sheng was hosting, Lin Xikuan invited the leaders from other cities to Cangcheng. The county magistrate⁷ received them, and a banquet was prepared.

Monks of every rank sat at the banquet, indulging freely in wine and meat, alongside officials from various cities and garrison commanders.

            

Lin Xikuan sat in the high seat, drinking from his cup. He watched the people below with cold eyes, turned the cup in his hand, and when he looked up again, a smile spread across his face. He stood and said, “Gentlemen, you are all here today for profit. Why not share a drink together?”

“Of course we must drink when the National Uncle offers a toast. But the esteemed guest you mentioned wanting to introduce to us—why the delay? Could it be they think us unworthy to sit at the same table?” The people below had been waiting a long time. The prominent figures among them were hardly lacking for wine and meat; they had come today on Lin Xikuan’s reputation.

The profits from a single ascension assembly were not even enough to go around.

            

“Please be patient, gentlemen. The esteemed guest today is someone neither you nor I can afford to offend. If the wait is too long, why not enjoy more of the fine wine before you?” Lin Xikuan raised his cup and toasted the crowd from across the room.

Those who had grown impatient had no choice but to comply. Lin Xikuan’s status was something none of them could afford to cross. If even Lin Xikuan dared not offend this person, could it be imperial kin of the Quzhao Dynasty?

Jia Penghai, the Local Magistrate⁸ of Yusu, downed Lin Xikuan’s toast, pondered for a moment, then rose with a smile and asked, “The esteemed guest National Uncle Lin mentions—could it be a cousin of those above us?”

            

Lin Xikuan looked up at this and smiled. “Even more distinguished than them.”

Who could be more distinguished than Qu Sheng’s two elder brothers?

“Could it be the Ret—” Before Jia Penghai could finish his conjecture, someone entered from outside.

            

The soft clinking of armor made everyone turn toward the banquet hall doors. Four ranks of soldiers marched in, and the panicked guests scrambled to flee.

“Nobody move!” Xiao Bingying drew the long sword at her waist and leveled it at them. “Anyone who moves will be executed on the spot!”

Four ranks of soldiers entered and flanked the guests from front and rear. Lin Xikuan and the local county magistrate hurried down from their seats and stood in the hall.

            

When Qu Sheng and Zhao Jiayu entered the banquet hall in plain clothes, Lin Xikuan and the magistrate both dropped to their knees.

Qu Sheng passed by and raised a hand to signal them to dispense with formalities. Lin Xikuan and the magistrate exchanged a glance and followed behind her.

Qu Sheng stood where Lin Xikuan had been sitting. She surveyed the room, and almost immediately, the abbot who had chased them through Yusu recognized Qu Sheng and her group.

            

His eyes went wide, sweat beading on his forehead, but he did not dare make a sound.

Qu Sheng’s gaze swept across the banquet hall and fixed on him. Zhao Jiayu strode over without ceremony, hauled the man out, and threw him to the ground.

“Do you still recognize me?” Zhao Jiayu was thoroughly enjoying this moment. That day they had been chased in the most wretched fashion imaginable, all because of this black-hearted fake monk before her.

            

The abbot looked at Zhao Jiayu, dropped to his knees, and kowtowed desperately. “This commoner had no idea Your Excellency was a court official. Please, Your Excellency, spare my life!”

Zhao Jiayu looked at his craven display and snorted. “I would love to spare you, but you tried to kill the female emperor of our Quzhao Dynasty. The crime of Execution of Nine Clans⁹—that is not my pardon to grant.”

“Your Majesty, all rebels outside have been captured. Those who resisted have been executed on the spot. How should these prisoners be handled? I await Your Majesty’s orders.” Zuo Gaomin, the garrison commander stationed outside the city, entered the banquet hall and reported the situation beyond its walls.

            

The moment the assembled guests heard “execution of nine clans” and saw this man address Qu Sheng as “Your Majesty,” they stared at her in blank astonishment.

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Qu Sheng personally presided over the trial. From commoners to court officials, the number of those implicated was beyond counting.

Even Lin Xikuan had not expected the case to drag in so many people.

            

The trial lasted one night and one day. Qu Sheng did not sleep or rest, and sent orders to Qu Ting and Qu Yu to apprehend all the implicated officials.

When Qu Sheng returned to the residence, her body worn with exhaustion, she could not fathom how, in just a few short years, the ascension scam had grown into something so terrifying in its scale.

“You’re back?”

            

The moment Qu Sheng pushed open the door, she heard a gentle voice. Seeing her wife rising from beside the candle lamp, every trace of exhaustion vanished in an instant.

The corner of Qu Sheng’s mouth curved up. She gave a soft “Mm” and said, “Why haven’t you gone to sleep yet, Wife?”

“Waiting for you to come back.” Lin Xizhao rose and walked to Qu Sheng’s side, taking her hand and leading her further inside.

            

When Qu Sheng entered the inner room, she did not see Qu Ning—only a bathing tub filled with warm water. “Where’s Ning’er?” Qu Sheng looked around and asked.

“She’s gone to stay with Mu’er. She won’t be back tonight.” Lin Xizhao began helping Qu Sheng out of her clothes.

Qu Sheng stood there, naturally raising her arms, letting Lin Xizhao strip away each layer before being guided into the warm water.

            

Lin Xizhao had sent someone to ask when Qu Sheng would return—she had timed the bathwater perfectly for her.

Qu Sheng soaked in the tub, her body wrapped in gentle warmth. She looked up to find Lin Xizhao wearing a faint smile and could not resist leaning over to press a brief kiss to Lin Xizhao’s lips.

Lin Xizhao held a cloth towel she had not yet wet. Seeing the dark clouds lift from Qu Sheng’s face, she began to scrub her body.

            

Lin Xizhao asked nothing at all. She cleaned Qu Sheng with careful attention, and after rinsing her, had the tub carried away.

Lying on the bed, Lin Xizhao nestled into Qu Sheng’s arms of her own accord. Qu Sheng looked down into Lin Xizhao’s gentle eyes, sought out her soft lips, and kissed her.

Tonight the beauty was especially alluring, as if she had been waiting all along for Qu Sheng’s return, offering herself to be plucked.

            

Qu Sheng held Lin Xizhao, savoring the fragrance of her lips. When her fingertips teased the ties of Lin Xizhao’s sleeping robe, Lin Xizhao—who tonight seemed aflame—rose and pressed Qu Sheng down beneath her.

Lin Xizhao’s kisses never stopped. The pressure was always gentle, yet Qu Sheng could sense her intent.

Qu Sheng responded in kind, softening her own touch. The corners of Lin Xizhao’s lips curved up as she resumed her earlier work of undressing Qu Sheng.

            

With each graze of those pale fingertips, Qu Sheng’s body gave a slight tremor.

Lin Xizhao’s tongue traced down to Qu Sheng’s fingertips. Each swirling caress seemed to draw a thread of Qu Sheng’s soul away—only for it to slip back into place, over and over, leaving her utterly intoxicated.

After their passionate lovemaking, Qu Sheng lay replete in body and soul. She tucked her head into the crook of Lin Xizhao’s arms, gazing at Lin Xizhao’s graceful jawline, listening to her speak.

            

“Even if you handle every court matter personally, oversights will still occur. Correcting them promptly and adjusting course already puts you ahead of thousands upon thousands of people. You are the Emperor of the Quzhao Dynasty, not their deity. You don’t need to be so hard on yourself. What you think matters less than what you do—what benefits the people. Promise me, won’t you stop being so harsh on yourself?”

Qu Sheng listened to Lin Xizhao’s words untangling the knot in her heart, and something soft flowed into her innermost being. Given what had happened with the Quzhao Dynasty, the court officials and common people would likely call her incompetent and foolish. Yet her wife was worried that she would be too hard on herself.

“Wife…” Qu Sheng gazed into Lin Xizhao’s water-soft eyes, lifted her head, and kissed Lin Xizhao’s tender lips. She lingered there for a long time, her eyes holding tenderness and devotion, and said in a low voice, “Sheng’er knows.”

            

The ascension assembly proceeded as scheduled. The monk posing as the immortal was none other than Du Lian, the man they had captured that day.

Qu Sheng ordered troops to maintain order in the city, had the county magistrate and soldiers clear the way, and directed that thirty-plus carriages be parked below the Ascension Platform.

Every carriage was covered with opaque black cloth. No one knew what was inside.

            

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “I hope my wife gets on top of me more often.”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

            

I will write specifically about the secondary couples.

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