The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 255
by Little PandaExtra 30
They Did Eat, But It Has Been Forbidden Since Joining Our Quzhao
Zhao Jiayu felt her face aching and reached up to pry at the hands, only to find Xiao Bingying’s grip was iron-strong—the more she struggled, the tighter Xiao Bingying squeezed.
Just as she thought her head was going to be crushed, Cheng Xi spoke.
“Bingying, you’re hurting Jiayu.”
At Cheng Xi’s voice, Xiao Bingying’s grip loosened. Zhao Jiayu seized the moment to pull free, feeling as though her head might explode.
With her hands suddenly empty, Xiao Bingying felt a hollow sense of loss. She looked up at Cheng Xi and saw that cool, elegant face tinged with urgency—and realized she had done something wrong.
She lowered her gaze, not daring to look at Cheng Xi again.
Meanwhile, Qu Yu was fretting over Zhao Jiayu’s face, examining it carefully. Zhao Jiayu pouted beside him. “It hurts so much. Ajie1 was too ruthless.”
Qu Yu touched Zhao Jiayu’s cheek—it was flushed red from the pressure.
Cheng Xi looked over, examined it, and said, “Apply a warm compress with a towel when you get home tonight. She’ll be fine.”
Zhao Jiayu nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Bingying. Seeing her sitting there with her head drooping like a scolded child, she walked over and said, “Oh, come on, I’m not upset with you. Get up—we should head back.” By now, Zhao Jiayu had lost all interest in getting Xiao Bingying any more drunk.
Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi came over as well. They had never seen Xiao Bingying drunk before, and now they watched her sitting there in silence, puzzled for a good while.
Qu Zhimu tugged Qiao Jin along, still talking where they stood. Seeing everyone gathered in one place, she led Qiao Jin over to join them.
“Mother, is Maternal Aunt Bingying drunk?” Qu Zhimu asked in a low voice.
Xiao Bingying now sat like a monkey on display—everyone who came by had to ask a question, and quite a few ministers who were leaving slowly cast a glance her way as well.
Before long, a palace eunuch arrived to deliver a message: “Her Majesty the Empress says she has something to discuss with Commander Zhao and Dean Cheng, and asks that the two of you follow this servant over.”
The eunuch also had a waiting palace maid hand over a prepared cloak.
Cheng Xi smiled. “Thank you, Sir. Commander Zhao and I will come right away.”
Cheng Xi took the cloak and draped it over Xiao Bingying’s shoulders, helping her to her feet.
Xiao Bingying was unsteady but could still walk. She leaned half her weight against Cheng Xi, using her for support as they made their way out.
The ministers who had been watching the spectacle dispersed once they saw them leave.
The remaining few stood outside the hall. Zhao Jiayu pulled Jin Mingyi aside, already talking about continuing their drinking back at the mansion. Qu Zhimu held Qiao Jin’s hand and stood behind them, watching her mother’s retreating back with helpless exasperation.
One was already drunk senseless, and she still wanted to drink more.
“My mother is just like that. Don’t mind her,” Qu Zhimu said, looking at Qiao Jin. She didn’t find it embarrassing, but she worried Qiao Jin might be frightened.
Qiao Jin’s eyes curved in a warm smile. “It’s no matter. Princess Consort Long is a person of true feeling2.”
Qu Zhimu gave an awkward smile. A person of true feeling, sure—but the fact that Zhao Jiayu hadn’t gotten drunk today was already a miracle.
“It’s still early. I’ll have Mu’er take Qianjie back, so we won’t hold things up,” Zhao Jiayu said, turning to look behind her. She called out, “Mu’er—” and then fell silent.
She had forgotten about Qiao Jin.
Seeing Qiao Jin standing there with her daughter behind her, her face stiffened.
“Mother and Cousin-Aunt are going drinking, so Qianjie-meimei can stay at our place. I’ll take good care of her,” Qu Zhimu chimed in.
Zhu Qianjie, standing to the side, looked up and asked, “Then where will Mu-jiejie’s future wife stay?”
Zhu Qianjie had witnessed the Empress bestow a marriage decree today. Back then, her own mother had also publicly asked for her other mother’s hand before the entire court, after all.
Zhu Qianjie was a few years younger than Qu Ning and the others. The moment the words left her mouth, she saw everyone’s reaction and knew she had said something wrong—but the words were already out, and she couldn’t take them back.
Zhao Jiayu very much wanted to say she wouldn’t drink anymore, but she had already agreed with Jin Mingyi. Backing out now would be impossible.
“Qiao Jin and I are not yet married, so naturally she will stay at Qiao Residence. I will escort her back shortly, and tonight I’ll have Mother prepare a room for you,” Qu Zhimu said.
Zhu Qianjie nodded at this and asked, “All right. Then can I go along with Mu-jiejie to see her off?”
“No,” Qu Zhimu refused without hesitation. She and Qiao Jin hadn’t had enough time together yet.
Zhu Qianjie pouted and looked at Qiao Jin. Seeing this, Qiao Jin said, “Let Miss Qianjie come along if she wants to. You’ll have company on the way back, too.” Qiao Jin did not decline Qu Zhimu escorting her home. Though tonight’s events had been sudden, being with Qu Zhimu always put her heart at ease.
Since Qiao Jin had spoken, Qu Zhimu couldn’t very well refuse her. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then said, “All right, then.”
Zhu Qianjie brightened at Qu Zhimu’s agreement and immediately hurried over to join them.
The adults stood to one side, not interrupting the youngsters’ conversation despite their youth. Once they heard the plan settled, Zhao Jiayu managed a stiff smile and said, “Then… it’s settled.”
The adults headed back to their mansions, while Qu Zhimu and Zhu Qianjie took Qiao Jin by carriage to Qiao Residence.
Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying were kept at the palace. Though the palace wasn’t far from Zhao Residence, Xiao Bingying was drunk, and it would have been difficult to settle her in properly.
Before the banquet ended, Lin Xizhao had already noticed that Xiao Bingying was drunk. She had them summoned over with the intention of letting them spend the night in the palace.
Xiao Bingying lay on the bed. While Cheng Xi was wiping her face, Lin Xizhao arrived with someone carrying hangover soup.
Lin Xizhao never blamed others. Xiao Bingying must have been truly happy today—Qu Zhimu’s marriage was settled, and as her aunt, she was even happier than Zhao Jiayu about it.
Lin Xizhao handed the hangover soup to Cheng Xi and said, “If you need anything, just ask the palace servants. Sheng’er has had quite a lot to drink too—I need to go check on her.”
Cheng Xi took the bowl and smiled. “Thank you. Go on back.”
Lin Xizhao glanced at Xiao Bingying one more time. Seeing that her color was fine, she nodded to Cheng Xi and departed.
Qu Sheng, having drunk too much, was sitting at the table in their quarters. She propped her head on one hand, lifting her heavy eyelids as she waited for Lin Xizhao to return.
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi were staying in Lin Xizhao’s bedchamber. After delivering the hangover soup, Lin Xizhao returned before long.
Qu Sheng heard the sound and opened her heavy eyelids a crack—just in time to see her beautiful wife walking toward her.
“Why are you sitting here?” Lin Xizhao hurried over, and Qu Sheng leaned her head against Lin Xizhao’s chest.
“Wife, what took you so long?” Qu Sheng’s voice was slow and sluggish with drink.
“Was it long? I delivered the soup and came right back.” Lin Xizhao reached to help Qu Sheng up.
But Qu Sheng’s body was heavy with intoxication, and Lin Xizhao struggled. After a moment, she coaxed softly, “Be good, Sheng’er. Can you get up and rest on the bed by yourself?”
Qu Sheng nuzzled against Lin Xizhao’s chest. Hearing the words, she nodded, and Lin Xizhao smiled and patted the little head in her arms.
Qu Sheng rose, stumbled for an instant, and Lin Xizhao quickly reached out to steady her—only for both of them to topple to the floor together.
Lin Xizhao thought they would both hit the ground, but at the last moment, Qu Sheng shielded Lin Xizhao in her arms. Even drunk, she could still protect her wife by instinct.
Lin Xizhao lay on top of Qu Sheng. That thud just now—Lin Xizhao’s first instinct was worry that Qu Sheng had hurt herself. She tried to get up to check on her, but Qu Sheng held her close, then rolled over and pressed Lin Xizhao beneath her.
Lin Xizhao’s heart was still racing. She looked up at Qu Sheng, still drunk, and saw the way Qu Sheng was gazing at her with that drunken, lecherous intensity—and felt both helpless and exasperated.
“Sheng’er,” Lin Xizhao called softly. She wanted to call someone from outside, but worried that Qu Sheng might do something inappropriate in her drunken state while someone watched.
Sure enough, the moment she spoke, Qu Sheng sealed her lips with a kiss.
Her uncoordinated body didn’t stop her from roaming her hands over Lin Xizhao. Qu Sheng’s tongue, which could barely form words, tangled with that sweetness and swallowed it down—but before long, she didn’t have much strength left.
Lin Xizhao noticed Qu Sheng’s movements slowing. When she finally stopped altogether, Lin Xizhao was about to call someone to carry her to the bed—but then she heard a sobbing sound.
Qu Sheng was crying.
Lin Xizhao’s heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly cupped Qu Sheng’s face to look at her—and saw her wearing a wronged, pitiful expression.
“Wife, I love you so much…” Qu Sheng spoke in her drunken rambling, eyes half-closed, seeming to try to open them but unable to.
Lin Xizhao gazed at Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng’s voice grew softer and softer, until Lin Xizhao couldn’t make out the words anymore. She leaned in close.
Qu Sheng spoke very slowly, but soon Lin Xizhao’s feelings shifted from heartache to helpless exasperation.
“Someone, carry Her Majesty to the bed.”
Palace attendants came in from outside. Lin Xizhao pushed Qu Sheng off, and Qu Sheng was lifted and placed on the bed.
“You may all withdraw,” Lin Xizhao said, straightening her robes.
The attendants withdrew. Qu Sheng, half-asleep and half-awake, gazed at Lin Xizhao and broke into a silly smile.
After Cheng Xi finished feeding Xiao Bingying the hangover soup, she handed the bowl to Zhao Ningying beside her. Zhao Ningying watched her mother anxiously and asked, “Mother, will Mother be all right?”
Cheng Xi took the towel from Zhao Ningying’s hand, turned her head, and said gently, “She’s fine. Don’t worry—Mother is here.”
Zhao Ningying nodded, carried the bowl to the table with one hand, and set it down.
“Mother, are you acquainted with Prime Minister Yun’s daughter?” Zhao Ningying picked up a porcelain cup from the table, pouring water as she asked.
Cheng Xi’s hand, which had been wiping Xiao Bingying’s body, paused for an instant. By the time she looked up, Zhao Ningying had already brought the tea over.
Cheng Xi accepted the tea from her daughter and replied, “Are you talking about Yun Ming?”
“Yes. I heard that Lord Yun Ming has practiced martial arts since childhood, with great dedication—and even so, she still took the imperial examination and placed first in the second tier. Truly admirable.”
Cheng Xi took a sip of tea, looked at the admiration in her daughter’s eyes, and said, “Mother and Lord Yun are both at the National Medical Academy, so yes, we’re quite familiar. That roast lamb leg you had last time was a gift from her.”
Zhao Ningying’s eyes lit up. “Oh, no wonder Lord Yun kept looking at you during the banquet. Then is Lord Yun from Raoli?”
“Yes.” Cheng Xi finished her tea, lowered her eyes for a moment, and handed the cup back to Zhao Ningying.
Zhao Ningying took it naturally and set it back in its place. “I heard that people from Raoli all eat meat in big mouthfuls, and they’re rather…” Zhao Ningying wanted to say “barbaric,” but felt it wasn’t quite appropriate.
Seeing her daughter unable to finish the sentence, Cheng Xi picked up where she left off. “If your Aunt Sheng hadn’t conquered Zongshang Kingdom back then, you wouldn’t be eating such delicious mutton now.”
Zhao Ningying smiled and nodded, then suddenly recalled something she had heard before. Lowering her voice, she asked, “Mother, is it true that the people of Zongshang Kingdom used to eat human flesh?”
Cheng Xi heard her daughter’s question, thought for a few moments, and nodded. “They did eat, but ever since it came under our Quzhao, it has not been permitted. Eating people is a violation of the law.”
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “I love my wife so much…”
Lin Xizhao: “Quick, cover her mouth.”
Qu Sheng: “…”
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