The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 252
by Little PandaExtra 27
You Are My Wife, You Are My Everything
Xiao Bingying had already eaten dinner, so she ate very little while keeping Cheng Xi company, instead continually serving dishes for her.
As Cheng Xi looked up from time to time, she kept catching a glimpse of a book peeking out from Xiao Bingying’s embrace.
Cheng Xi’s glancing looks did not escape Xiao Bingying’s notice. After a moment, she pulled the book out.
“What have you got there?” Cheng Xi asked softly.
Xiao Bingying’s lips curved slightly. “I took a nap at the Medicine Hall today. This is a casual notebook from your room, Wife. I thought the contents were quite rare, so I kept it with me, meaning to read it properly.”
“Oh.” Cheng Xi suddenly remembered—she did have such a notebook, a casual record of herbs she had jotted down. “If you want to read it, there’s another copy at home. That one’s clearer. It should be on the right side of the fifth bookshelf in the study.”
Xiao Bingying blinked, then smiled. “This one is fine. I’ll fetch the other after I finish this one.”
Cheng Xi glanced up at her and gave a soft “Mm.” “Suit yourself.”
Cheng Xi ate her meal without giving it further thought. Xiao Bingying, seeing Cheng Xi’s expression so unremarkable, couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed. Cheng Xi had probably forgotten.
After dinner, Cheng Xi left. Xiao Bingying sat in the room and continued reading the medical text. During that time, a clerk who came to add charcoal also brought some pastries.
Xiao Bingying had already eaten and didn’t touch much. The charcoal in the room was plentiful, so hot that Xiao Bingying took off one of her outer garments.
One Shichen later, Cheng Xi returned. Seeing the pastries on the table, she asked, “Who brought these?”
Xiao Bingying was just putting her outer garment back on. She looked over at the sound and replied, “I don’t know, but she was wearing the Academy’s uniform. Probably a clerk here.”
Cheng Xi’s eyes narrowed. “Did you eat any?”
Xiao Bingying recalled she had eaten one and nodded. “They looked good, so I tried a piece.”
At that, Cheng Xi walked over, took the silver hairpin from her own hair, and inserted it into one of the pastries. This action left Xiao Bingying stunned.
Seeing the silver needle didn’t change color, Cheng Xi wiped it clean and pinned it back in her hair.
“Wife, what was that about?” Xiao Bingying knew medicine too, so she naturally understood what Cheng Xi was doing.
She was testing for poison.
Cheng Xi turned to face her, her expression gentle. “Nothing. I had a bad dream last night and I’m a bit on edge today.”
Xiao Bingying lowered her gaze and thought for a moment. “What kind of dream did you have?”
Cheng Xi looked up and smiled. “I dreamed you were angry with me and didn’t love me anymore.”
Xiao Bingying was taken aback. She hurried to Cheng Xi’s side and clasped her hands. “How could that be? I will never change in this life.”
“Never change what?” Cheng Xi’s eyes were tender.
Xiao Bingying was anxious, but the words wouldn’t come. “I, I…”
Cheng Xi smiled softly, warmth in her eyes, not pressing her. “Let’s go. We should head back.”
“I will love no one but my Wife in this life.”
Xiao Bingying said it the moment Cheng Xi released her hands and turned away.
Cheng Xi stopped mid-turn. Her eyes shifted. When she looked back at Xiao Bingying—bashful yet bold—she smiled.
“I know.” Cheng Xi did know. Long, long ago, she had understood what kind of person Xiao Bingying was when it came to love. Once she fell for someone, it was for life.
She knew the courage those words had required of Xiao Bingying, and she would never treat that courage lightly.
Cheng Xi’s eyes brimmed with tender affection. She raised her warm palm to Xiao Bingying’s flushed cheek, lowered her gaze, and drew closer inch by inch, pressing her soft lips against Xiao Bingying’s.
Though it had been a while, and the lingering fragrance of wine on Xiao Bingying’s lips had faded to almost nothing, Cheng Xi’s heart grew slowly drunk as they kissed.
The two returned to the Zhao Residence. Xiao Bingying had earned her beloved’s favor tonight, along with her “reward.” After endless ravishment, she was left in a pleasant daze.
Riding that long, mellow intoxication, even as their intimacies gradually subsided, Xiao Bingying couldn’t resist lingering on those soft lips.
Early the next morning, Xiao Bingying first escorted Cheng Xi to the Academy but didn’t leave. She waited until breakfast time, and when Cheng Xi came out, they went to the palace together.
They hadn’t seen their daughter in two days, so they decided to visit her.
The three girls were currently gathered around the Emperor and Empress’s dining table eating breakfast. Lin Xizhao served dishes for each of the three children and asked Qu Zhimu about Qiao Jin.
“Is Lord Qiao accustomed to teaching?”
Qu Zhimu had been eating without a care in the world. When she heard Lin Xizhao’s question at the table and no one answered, she looked up and saw everyone staring at her. “Ah, it’s fine.”
Qu Sheng also served her some dishes and said, “Lord Qiao is profoundly learned. I have read her essays—they are unconventional and brilliant, and her calligraphy is exceedingly neat and elegant. You should all study diligently under her.”
The three girls nodded in unison. Qu Ning said, “Lord Qiao’s calligraphy is certainly neat and beautiful, but your child likes Mother Emperor’s brushwork the most. The turning of the brush, the concealed tip, the swift momentum, the sweeping strokes and scaled texture1—all are what your child wishes to learn. Your child would like to request a few copybooks of Mother Emperor’s calligraphy. Would Mother Emperor grant this reward?”
Qu Sheng looked over. “You have performed no meritorious service. What reward is there to grant?”
Qu Ning held her soup bowl and glanced left and right. Lin Xizhao was also watching her with a smile.
“Mu-jiejie’s marriage is a merit, isn’t it? Your child sacrificed rest time to let Mu-jiejie spend time with Lord Qiao.”
Qu Zhimu, being singled out, flushed a little and ducked her head, hiding behind her bowl as she ate.
“All right, your Mother Emperor already wrote them out for you. After breakfast, I will have someone fetch them for you,” Lin Xizhao said with a smile, not letting Qu Sheng continue teasing.
“Your child thanks Mother Emperor for the reward, and thanks Empress Mother too.” Qu Ning’s voice was noticeably softer when she thanked Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xizhao’s eyebrows curved with a smile. Qu Ning’s lips also pressed together with a suppressed smile as she sipped her fresh soup.
Not long after breakfast, Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi arrived.
“Your Majesty, Commander Zhao and the Dean have arrived,” a palace eunuch bowed and reported.
Lin Xizhao’s face lit up at the news. “Show them in quickly.”
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi entered the hall and bowed. Lin Xizhao smiled. “There are no outsiders here. No need to bow.”
The two smiled and raised their heads, sitting down together. Lin Xizhao knew that Cheng Xi had been busy organizing medical texts these past days. For her to have time to visit now, it was likely to see Zhao Ningying.
“Ying’er has been very well-behaved these past two days,” Lin Xizhao said with a smile, beginning to talk about Zhao Ningying.
Cheng Xi curved her lips. “Your Majesty shouldn’t praise her too much. Her temperament isn’t as steady as Bingying’s.”
When Zhao Ningying was little, she hadn’t been talkative. Then for some reason, she had suddenly become a chatterbox. For a while, she had followed Cheng Xi around endlessly asking “why.”
If she weren’t her own daughter, Cheng Xi might have found her annoying.
When the three girls were together, they were always full of mischief. It was impossible to believe they wouldn’t stir up some trouble.
Lin Xizhao smiled and changed the subject. “I hear Bingying has been seeing patients at the Medicine Hall these past few days. Is she bored at home?”
Xiao Bingying replied, “Not at all. The Medicine Hall had accumulated some cases of complex illnesses, so I went to handle them.”
Lin Xizhao nodded, and the three chatted about other matters.
At this time, Qu Sheng was in the imperial study discussing affairs with her ministers. Before long, she had a eunuch bring over her memorials to the throne.
Qu Sheng had already heard that Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had arrived, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to sit with Lin Xizhao.
Qu Sheng reviewed her memorials, occasionally joining their conversation.
Over at Wenhua Hall, the young ladies were attentively listening to their tutor’s lesson. After class ended, a palace maid went to inform Zhao Ningying that Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had arrived.
Zhao Ningying came over, and naturally, the other two followed.
“Mother, Mom.” Zhao Ningying hadn’t seen her mothers in a while and missed them, but for her older sister’s sake, this small sacrifice was worth it.
Cheng Xi gathered her daughter into her arms, holding her close with affection.
Qu Zhimu had assumed her own mother would come too, but looking around the hall, she didn’t see her.
“Maternal Aunt, why didn’t my mother come?” Qu Zhimu asked in confusion.
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had come to visit Zhao Ningying; there was no reason they wouldn’t also visit Zhao Jiayu.
Xiao Bingying heard the question and said apologetically, “Your mother injured her neck yesterday. It is a bit inconvenient.”
“Is it serious?” Qu Zhimu grew worried the moment she heard about a neck injury.
“It’s all right, but it will take another couple of days to heal,” Xiao Bingying replied.
Qu Zhimu looked at Xiao Bingying and didn’t think she would lie to her, but her heart still worried involuntarily.
She knew her mother was reckless. Qu Zhimu looked down and thought for a moment, then said, “Then I should go back and check on her.”
Lin Xizhao and the others exchanged glances. Qu Sheng said, “You should go see her. Let Fuhai escort you out of the palace.”
“All right.” Qu Zhimu bowed. “Mu’er will take her leave first.”
Qu Sheng nodded. Qu Zhimu bade farewell to everyone and left the hall.
Qu Zhimu wanted to leave the palace quickly, but she had barely stepped out of Lin Xizhao’s quarters when the two younger ones chased after her.
“Mu-jiejie!” Zhao Ningying called out, jogging to catch up with her.
Qu Zhimu turned and saw Zhao Ningying and Qu Ning approaching together. “Why did you two come out?”
“This afternoon is Lord Qiao’s class. Have you thought it through?” Qu Ning reminded her.
“My mother isn’t well. I need to go back and check on her. Can you two help me ask Lord Qiao for leave?” Qu Zhimu’s mind was simple—right now, she just wanted to go see her mother.
Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying exchanged a look. Qu Ning looked at Qu Zhimu again. “Why don’t you go yourself?”
Qu Zhimu didn’t understand. Zhao Ningying added, “Lord Qiao is in the palace right now.”
A rare chance for the two of them to be alone together.
Qu Zhimu now understood what her two younger companions meant. She bit her lower lip. “All right.” Then, under their watchful eyes, she headed toward Wenhua Hall.
Qiao Jin had entered the palace early that morning. Though her class wasn’t until the afternoon, she had come ahead of time.
Tap tap tap.
“Who is it?” Qiao Jin’s voice was soft and thin.
Qu Zhimu stood before the door. “It’s me.”
“Your Highness?” Qiao Jin said quietly.
After a moment’s thought, Qiao Jin rose from her chair, straightened her robe, and went to the door.
She opened it and bowed with hands clasped. “Your Highness.”
When Qu Zhimu saw Qiao Jin, the face she had imagined—the lovely face she admired—was not what appeared before her. She froze for a moment. “Tutor Qiao, why is your complexion so pale?”
Qiao Jin touched her own cheek. “Is it?”
“Tutor Qiao, do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Hearing Qu Zhimu’s concern, Qiao Jin smiled through her pale face. “It’s nothing. I may have caught a chill.”
Qu Zhimu immediately reached out and pressed her fingers to Qiao Jin’s forehead. “You’re not hot.”
Being touched on the forehead by a girl a few years her junior, Qiao Jin’s face gradually flushed red.
Qu Zhimu was still examining her. “Is Tutor Qiao perhaps on her period?”
At those words, Qiao Jin’s blush deepened. Seeing her reaction, Qu Zhimu knew she had guessed right.
“Wait here a moment.”
Qu Zhimu said this and left. Qiao Jin stood at the doorway wanting to call her back, but her body was too uncomfortable—the pain radiating from her abdomen left her too weak to speak.
Not long after Qu Zhimu left, Qiao Jin was in so much pain she crouched on the ground.
When Qu Zhimu returned, she had brought Cheng Xi with her.
Seeing Qiao Jin’s door open, Qu Zhimu rushed over. The moment she entered, she found Qiao Jin collapsed on the floor. Qu Zhimu panicked and quickly gathered her up from the ground. “Tutor Qiao! Tutor Qiao! Qiao Jin!”
Cheng Xi took Qiao Jin’s pulse. Her body was too cold, causing meridian congestion. Though she had been taking medicine to regulate her condition, the prescription wasn’t quite right for her symptoms.
“Maternal Aunt, how is Qiao Jin?” Qu Zhimu asked anxiously from the side.
Cheng Xi looked up. “Don’t worry too much. It’s too cold this time of year. I will prescribe her a remedy to warm her body first. Once her period passes, I will adjust her prescription for proper regulation.”
Qu Zhimu nodded. Though she didn’t fully understand, when it came to medical skills, she trusted Cheng Xi more than anyone in all of Quzhao.
Her mother had also been prone to cold, and she had seen what the pain looked like. It was Cheng Xi who had regulated Zhao Jiayu’s body back then.
“Maternal Aunt, Qiao Jin is awake.”
While Cheng Xi was writing the prescription, Qiao Jin slowly opened her eyes.
Qu Zhimu sat at the bedside, her eyes brightening with joy.
“Your Highness.” Qiao Jin saw Qu Zhimu the moment she opened her eyes. Sensing something covering her, she looked down—it was the cloak Qu Zhimu had been wearing earlier.
“Don’t move yet. I have already called my Maternal Aunt over.”
Cheng Xi, hearing the voices from behind the screen, came over with silver needles in hand.
“Dean,” Qiao Jin recognized Cheng Xi.
Cheng Xi nodded. “Don’t move yet. I need to place a few needles to ease your pain. Could you remove your outer garment?”
Hearing she needed to undress, Qiao Jin hesitated and glanced at Qu Zhimu.
Qu Zhimu blinked, then after a moment said, “I’ll step out and get you something to eat.”
Seeing Qu Zhimu go behind the screen, Qiao Jin lowered her gaze and began removing her outer garment.
Cheng Xi’s acupuncture technique was nearly unparalleled. After a few needles, the pain in Qiao Jin’s body eased considerably. Once she had dressed again, Qu Zhimu brought over hot soup.
“Have something to eat first to warm your body. The medicine is already being prepared.”
Qu Zhimu had gone to the imperial kitchen and personally brought the hot soup.
Qiao Jin, seeing Qu Zhimu treat her this way, was overwhelmed by such unexpected kindness. Cheng Xi glanced at the two of them, her lips curving slightly. “Lord Qiao, drink some soup first. Once this period passes, come find me at the Academy. I am the one treating your condition, and I don’t like leaving things half-finished. You must come.”
Qiao Jin quickly bowed. “Thank you, Dean. I will certainly come then.”
Cheng Xi smiled and looked at Qu Zhimu beside her. “Take good care of Lord Qiao. I will go visit your mother myself. Don’t worry.”
Qu Zhimu was still stirring the hot soup in her hands. She smiled at the words. “Thank you, Maternal Aunt.”
Cheng Xi nodded. “I will head back first.”
After Qu Zhimu saw Cheng Xi off, she returned to find Qiao Jin already off the daybed.
Seeing Qiao Jin up, Qu Zhimu knew she was being reserved. She had wanted to feed her personally, but instead handed the bowl over.
“Here.” Qu Zhimu passed the soup bowl to her.
Qiao Jin looked down, reached out to take it, and said, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Qu Zhimu heard Qiao Jin thank her at every turn and laughed. “Lord Qiao, how do you manage to say ‘thank you’ with every other breath? Anyone would think those were the only two words you knew.”
Qiao Jin gave an embarrassed smile.
The two fell silent for a moment. Then Qiao Jin recalled what Cheng Xi had said earlier. “I heard the Dean say she was going to see Your Highness’s mother. Is something wrong with Princess Consort Long?”
“Oh, my mother twisted her neck. My Aunt Bingying has already examined her, but I wasn’t at ease, so my Aunt Xi said she would go check on her.”
Qiao Jin nodded. Then she remembered why Qu Zhimu had come earlier. “Did Your Highness come to request leave?”
“Yes. I still need to go back later, so I won’t be attending Tutor Qiao’s class this afternoon.”
Qiao Jin nodded. “All right, today I will—”
“Hmm?” Qu Zhimu heard Qiao Jin about to say “thank you” again and raised her tone with a smile.
Qiao Jin smiled. “Then Your Highness should head back soon. This subordinate official is fine now.”
Qu Zhimu studied Qiao Jin for a moment. Seeing that she did look much better, she didn’t insist. “The medicine will be delivered shortly. Tutor Qiao, remember to drink it.”
“All right.” Qiao Jin bowed once more, holding the hot soup.
A smile bloomed on Qu Zhimu’s face. She lingered for one more look at Qiao Jin before walking out.
Educated people really were so refined, Qu Zhimu thought as she walked away, her fondness for Qiao Jin deepening a few degrees more.
Qu Zhimu left the palace to visit Zhao Jiayu. Zhao Jiayu, hearing about her return from the palace, asked with her neck tilted, “So did you tell Lord Qiao you like her?”
“Mother, we’re not even at that stage yet. If I just told Lord Qiao I like her, wouldn’t I scare her off?” Qu Zhimu was increasingly convinced her mother was unreliable.
Zhao Jiayu laughed at her daughter’s words. “Liking someone is liking someone. What’s wrong with saying so?”
Qu Zhimu was a bit helpless. “Did you and Father just say it directly like that?”
“That’s right. Your father said he liked me, and I said I liked him, and then we were together. Though we hadn’t told your grandfathers on both sides at that point.”
“Really?” It was the first time Qu Zhimu had heard Zhao Jiayu talk about her and Qu Yu’s story.
Zhao Jiayu said proudly, “Of course. Your Little Aunt was the same way.” Qu Sheng was more direct, but things hadn’t gone as smoothly for her as they had for the others.
“What about Maternal Aunt and her wife?” The urge to dig up gossip ignited in Qu Zhimu.
“Your Maternal Aunt?” Zhao Jiayu blinked at the question. “Then you’ll have to go ask Ying’er and see if she knows.”
No one knew how Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had gotten together.
That blockhead Xiao Bingying—for her to end up with a woman, Zhao Jiayu’s jaw had nearly dropped when she found out. And with such a great beauty, no less.
Qu Zhimu returned to King Long’s Mansion and shortly after went back to the palace. During Qiao Jin’s class, she made sure to bring something special for her.
It was a mink fur waist-warmer that Zhao Jiayu had once used—fluffy and wonderfully warm to the touch, and it didn’t look bulky worn underneath clothing.
Qiao Jin was deeply grateful. After class, she called Qu Zhimu over to her room and began making up her missed lessons.
“How is Tutor Qiao repaying kindness with cruelty?” Qu Zhimu sat in Qiao Jin’s room, flipping through a book with a smile.
Qiao Jin sat across from her. The two shared a desk, a hint of a smile in her eyes. “If Your Highness doesn’t like it, you don’t have to come.”
“That won’t do. I’ve been taught silly by that old Grand Tutor all these years. Tutor Qiao will have to teach me properly.” Qu Zhimu wasn’t foolish—there was no way she would pass up an opportunity to spend time together.
Qu Zhimu’s academic knowledge was indeed lacking, but not because she was stupid. She simply found the material dull and didn’t pay close attention in class, which was why her understanding of texts was halting and rough.
Qiao Jin had a general sense of what the three girls had studied, and Qu Zhimu had indeed fallen far behind.
Xiao Bingying didn’t go to the Medicine Hall until noon today. Fortunately, there were other doctors on duty. Xiao Bingying saw patients in order, then in the evening went to Cheng Xi’s side again.
Xiao Bingying sat in the Academy’s reception room, drinking the Hengshan flower tea Cheng Xi had specially prepared for her. Finding it fragrant, she ended up having a bit more.
“No need to refill. My wife will be here shortly.” Xiao Bingying heard the door open and assumed it was a clerk coming to add tea, but when she sensed the person wasn’t speaking, she looked up.
“Lord Yun?” Xiao Bingying looked surprised and glanced behind Yun Ming—she had come alone. “Is something the matter?”
Yun Ming stood before Xiao Bingying, quickly bowed her head, and said, “Yun Ming has been remiss in the past. I hope Commander Zhao will forgive me.”
Xiao Bingying was bewildered by this unprompted statement. She stood up and said, “Lord Yun, what do you mean?”
Yun Ming frowned. “Didn’t Commander Zhao tell Her Majesty? My father already scolded me. Yun Ming knows she was wrong.”
“I told Her Majesty?” Xiao Bingying was still puzzled. “Why would your father scold you?”
Though the young woman had taken the civil service examination path, she carried the proud bearing of a martial practitioner. Seeing the look on Xiao Bingying’s face, she frowned again. “Commander Zhao needn’t be sarcastic. I have come today to sincerely apologize. If you refuse to forgive me, I will go to my father and accept my punishment. I would rather strip off this official robe and give up my post.”
Xiao Bingying blinked. She still didn’t know what Yun Ming was talking about, but it sounded serious. “I’m not entirely sure what Lord Yun is referring to, but if it means you would be punished on my account, that’s hardly necessary. There’s nothing to forgive or not forgive between us. Lord Yun is still young—even if you made some mistake, it’s nothing major—”
“All right, I understand. Thank you, Commander Zhao.” Yun Ming cut Xiao Bingying off, bowed, and turned to leave.
Xiao Bingying stood in the room watching Yun Ming’s proud retreating figure. She lowered her gaze, thought for a moment, and gave a helpless smile before going to close the door.
When Cheng Xi came over, Xiao Bingying was still puzzled. Seeing Cheng Xi walk up and drink the tea in front of her, she quickly said, “It’s gone a bit cold. Let me pour some fresh for you, Wife.”
Cheng Xi took a sip and looked up at Xiao Bingying. “It’s fine. The temperature is just right.”
Xiao Bingying watched her wife so busy she hadn’t even had time to drink water, and felt a pang of sympathy—but there was nothing she could do. With so many people at the Academy, one more or one less wouldn’t make much difference.
“Did Yun Ming come by today?” Cheng Xi asked after finishing her tea.
“How did you know, Wife?” Xiao Bingying hadn’t had the chance to tell Cheng Xi yet.
“Mm. I had Her Majesty warn her father,” Cheng Xi said calmly.
Xiao Bingying paused. “Why? Did she upset you, Wife?”
Cheng Xi smiled. “I wouldn’t say ‘upset,’ but that young lady has a long road ahead. If she goes down the wrong path, the rest of her life could be ruined.”
Xiao Bingying was baffled again. Meanwhile, Cheng Xi was already reaching for her cloak.
Cheng Xi draped the cloak over Xiao Bingying’s shoulders. “Let’s go.”
The two climbed into the carriage. Only then did Xiao Bingying piece together the reason.
“Was it about the charcoal?”
Cheng Xi nodded. “Yes.”
Hearing it was about that matter, Xiao Bingying relaxed and smiled. “For such a small thing, Wife, why make such a fuss?”
Cheng Xi turned to look at her, her gaze tracing Xiao Bingying’s face—those sharp, handsome features softened by an easy warmth—and said, “It is no small thing to me. You are my wife, you are my everything. I won’t allow anyone to disrespect you or harbor malicious intent toward you.”
Xiao Bingying looked at Cheng Xi’s earnest expression. Her heart stuttered, then was swiftly engulfed by a surging tide of love. She hadn’t known her wife cared this deeply.
The author has something to say:
Xiao Bingying: “My heart took a critical hit, requesting backup, I need CPR.”
Cheng Xi: “In your dreams.”
Xiao Bingying: “…”
Today’s double update combined into one.
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