The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 264

The Complete Story Concludes

Xiao Bingying and the other four entered the palace. The moment Jin Mingyi arrived, she wanted Qu Sheng to deploy the Imperial Guard to search, but Lin Xizhao said, “The situation is unclear right now. Ying’er and Jie’er aren’t necessarily abducted. If we mobilize the Imperial Guard now and make this a big affair, and the two children truly were taken, it might force the kidnappers to take desperate measures and harm them.”

“Then what do we do?” Jin Mingyi panicked again.

            

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked at Qu Ning, who was anxiously wanting to leave the palace, and asked, “Ning’er, did Ying’er or Jie’er ever mention any place they wanted to go?”

Qu Ning shook her head. “No, but today I heard Jie-meimei say that her Cousin-Aunt¹ was going to give her a younger sister.”

Jin Mingyi’s heart sank with regret upon hearing this. “Could she have run away from home because of this?”

            

Back then, Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi had both fled their respective homes to resist being married off.

“That shouldn’t be it. Ying’er is the most sensible—she would have stopped her,” Lin Xizhao analyzed.

A frantic Jin Mingyi looked at Zhu Ming’an and cried, “We won’t have any more, we won’t have any more!”

            

Zhu Ming’an held Jin Mingyi, her brow furrowed. “Alright, alright, we’ll do as you say.” Seeing her wife’s self-reproach, Zhu Ming’an turned to Lin Xizhao and asked, “We’ve already asked at the city gates. They said they haven’t seen our Zhu Residence’s carriage leaving the city. Where in the Capital City could they have gone?”

Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying were equally anxious. Xiao Bingying said, “We’ve asked at every place they could have gone. Xi Rui and the Zhu family cousins’ houses—nothing.”

“I’ve also asked at the Medicine Hall. Ying’er and Jie’er haven’t been there. Jiayu has already sent people to search everywhere, but there’s still no news,” Cheng Xi said, suppressing her urgency.

            

“Sheng’er, you said Yun Ming came to the palace today to resign. What time did she leave the palace?” Lin Xizhao turned to Qu Sheng and asked.

Qu Sheng recalled, “By my reckoning, she should have left the palace about half a shichen before Ying’er and the others.”

“Yun Ming? Prime Minister Yun’s daughter?” Zhu Ming’an interjected.

            

Lin Xizhao nodded. “Yes.”

When Cheng Xi heard Yun Ming’s name, her hand unconsciously tightened. Her thoughts grew more tangled, and when she looked at Xiao Bingying, Xiao Bingying was looking at her too.

“Oh, I just remembered—today when Ying-meimei fell from the roof tiles, it was Yun Ming who caught her,” Qu Ning recalled.

            

Everyone’s expressions changed. Qu Sheng also seemed to remember—when she came out earlier, Yun Ming had been with several children.

“I’ll take soldiers to the Yun Residence.” Xiao Bingying was rarely this discomposed.

Qu Sheng did not object and gave tacit approval, but as Xiao Bingying turned to leave, Lin Xizhao said, “Wait a moment.”

            

Xiao Bingying stopped and turned back.

Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Ning and asked, “Are you certain it was Yun Ming who caught Ying’er?”

Qu Ning nodded. “Yes. At the time I grabbed Jie-meimei, but Ying-meimei was too far from me. By the time I reached out, I couldn’t grab her.”

            

Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then said, “If Yun Ming wanted to harm Ying’er, she could have simply watched. Why take the risk and wait until after leaving the palace?”

“Then should I just go and demand them back?” Xiao Bingying asked.

Lin Xizhao shook her head. “Although she may not have any intention of harming Ying’er, we can’t rule out the possibility that Ying’er and Jie’er are in danger. It would be better to have Sheng’er summon Prime Minister Yun to the palace under the pretext of deliberation, while Bingying infiltrates the Yun Residence from the shadows to investigate.”

            

The group exchanged glances—this was the only way. If they surrounded the Yun Residence with great fanfare and the two children weren’t even there, it would only cause chaos.

Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi left the palace. Sitting in the carriage together, Cheng Xi kept blaming herself. “It’s all my fault. If I had realized earlier and explained things to her properly, she wouldn’t have held a grudge.”

Xiao Bingying shook her head, wrapping one arm around her slender shoulders to comfort her. “This has nothing to do with you, Wife. Ying’er will be fine.”

            

Xiao Bingying was no less worried than Cheng Xi, but if both of them fell into panic, who would rescue the two children?

They sat in the carriage watching a palace attendant enter the Yun Residence. Two ke later, Prime Minister Yun, dressed in official robes, followed behind the palace attendant. As Prime Minister Yun boarded his carriage, the palace attendant glanced toward Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s carriage.

Xiao Bingying had the driver move the carriage around to the back courtyard of the Yun Residence. Seeing few people around, she drew close to the carriage and said a few words to Cheng Xi inside, then scaled the outer wall of the Yun Residence.

            

By now, King Long’s Mansion and King Kang’s Mansion had both mobilized their people, and the Zhu family’s household servants had also fanned out to search. Zhao Dian rode through the streets of the Capital City on horseback, searching everywhere.

Prime Minister Yun entered the palace, following the attendant who led him through the corridors. Being summoned to the palace at this hour—there must be some urgent matter.

As he walked, he asked the palace attendant beside him, “Attendant Wang, has something major happened in the palace?”

            

The palace attendant glanced at him but did not answer. Prime Minister Yun grew increasingly uneasy with every step, and it was only when they were nearly at the Deliberation Hall that the attendant finally told him, “Today, the children of the two Alliance Princesses² have gone missing.”

Prime Minister Yun’s face went pale with shock. He looked toward the tightly closed doors of the Deliberation Hall, then back at the palace attendant.

The palace attendant lifted his chin slightly, and Prime Minister Yun gathered his official robes and hurried up the steps into the Deliberation Hall.

            

Zhao Dian rode through the streets asking around, sweating profusely. He went to the farthest Medicine Hall in the Capital City to ask once more whether the two children had been there.

But the answer was always the same—they hadn’t been seen.

At his age, mounting his horse was already quite an effort, but as he was halfway into the stirrup, someone from the residence came to find him.

            

Xiao Bingying climbed over the wall and entered the Yun Residence. At this hour, smoke was rising from the kitchen chimney—they were clearly preparing the evening meal as well.

Though the sky was growing dim, silhouettes were still distinguishable. Xiao Bingying avoided the servants of the Yun household, and before long she saw someone carrying dishes out from the kitchen.

Xiao Bingying thought for a moment, then followed behind the servant. The Yun Residence was not large; after a few turns, she spotted a courtyard.

            

Xiao Bingying hid behind a pillar and watched the servant enter the room and then leave the courtyard shortly after. She crept up to the window, but the moment she pressed close, she heard a shattering sound, followed by a child’s voice: “Ah!”

Xiao Bingying’s nerves snapped taut in that instant. She drew the blade from her waist and, without a second thought, smashed through the window and burst inside—because she had heard Zhu Qianjie’s voice.

But the moment she entered the room, she deeply regretted it.

            

Zhu Qianjie hadn’t even finished saying “What a pity—” before Yun Ming pulled her behind her back.

Zhao Ningying still had roast lamb stuffed in her mouth, and she froze the moment she saw Xiao Bingying.

Zhao Ningying recovered, released her bite, and said in shock, “Mother.”

            

The room fell silent for a moment. Yun Ming sized up Xiao Bingying, then glanced at the broken window behind her, and asked, “Commander Zhao, what is the meaning of this?”

Xiao Bingying looked at the two children, their faces glistening with oil, and the whole roast sheep on the table.

Xiao Bingying: “I…”

            

Just then, a servant came in from outside, originally intending to report something, but upon seeing Xiao Bingying holding a long blade, she shrieked and stumbled backward.

Yun Ming gave the servant a sharp look. “What are you panicking about? Speak.”

The servant stopped retreating and said cautiously, keeping her eyes on Xiao Bingying, “Dean Cheng of the National Medical Academy has arrived. She says she wants to see the Eldest Miss.”

            

Yun Ming frowned, glanced at the two children, and seemed to understand why.

“Invite her in.” Yun Ming released Zhu Qianjie from behind her and walked outside.

Xiao Bingying watched her, and after she left the room, turned to the two children and asked, “What is going on here?”

            

Time rewound to two shichen earlier.

Qu Ning had been taken away by Qu Sheng at Wenhua Hall, and the little ones left the palace.

Since they were leaving the palace early today, Zhao Ningying would normally be picked up, but it was too early and they hadn’t informed the residence, so she decided to go to the Guard headquarters nearby to find Xiao Bingying.

            

“Ying-jiejie, why don’t you take our carriage? I’ll have Xiao Quanzi take you home first,” Zhu Qianjie said, standing beside the Zhu Residence’s carriage.

Zhao Ningying looked up at the sky, thinking that Cheng Xi had been going home early lately, and she wanted to get back early to help her tend the fire or something.

Zhao Ningying climbed into the Zhu Residence’s carriage, and they began chatting.

            

“Ying-jiejie, why don’t you come play at our residence for a while?” Zhu Qianjie suggested.

Zhao Ningying looked up at her and said, “Mother has been making food for Mother at home lately. I need to go back and help her.”

“We’re still so young—it’s fine if we don’t help.”

            

Zhao Ningying smiled. “Jiejie is almost of age³—that’s not young anymore.”

Zhu Qianjie stared at Zhao Ningying for a moment, then grinned. “Does Ying-jiejie also want to marry a Top Scholar⁴ home like Mu-jiejie did?”

Zhao Ningying paused. “I do not.”

            

Zhu Qianjie smiled and reached into the carriage to pull out a package. “Here.”

“What is it?” Zhao Ningying asked.

“Dried meat.” Zhu Qianjie handed a piece to Zhao Ningying and took one herself. “My mother and my mother don’t let me eat this—they say I won’t eat my meals if I do—so I hide it in the carriage.”

            

“Won’t you be found out?” Zhao Ningying said, taking a bite.

Zhu Qianjie laughed as she chewed. “No, because I finish it before going home.”

The two of them looked at each other as they ate and burst out laughing.

            

By the time they reached the market street, they had nearly finished the dried meat. Zhao Ningying said, “Speaking of meat, the best I’ve ever had is the roast lamb legs at Lord Yun’s house. Crispy, fragrant, charred on the outside and tender on the inside—I start drooling just thinking about it.”

“Is it really that good?” Zhu Qianjie was skeptical.

Zhao Ningying nodded. “Of course. Would I lie to you?”

            

Zhu Qianjie bobbed her head. “Then let’s go taste it at Lord Yun’s house someday! Hey, is the Lord Yun you’re talking about Prime Minister Yun?”

“Yes,” Zhao Ningying nodded.

“The official who saved you today—her surname was also Yun. What’s their relationship?”

            

Zhao Ningying thought of Yun Ming saving her. She had been so frightened at the time that she hadn’t even said a proper thank you.

“She’s Prime Minister Yun’s daughter, named Yun Ming. She’s at the National Medical Academy with my mother,” Zhao Ningying answered.

Zhu Qianjie blinked. “I heard her say today that she’s resigning. Will Lord Yun resign too?”

            

Zhao Ningying was reminded by Zhu Qianjie’s words. If Yun Ming was leaving, she wouldn’t be able to thank her in person. Just as she was pondering this, the Zhu family’s coachman called out, “Eldest Miss, we’ve arrived.”

Zhu Qianjie lifted the carriage curtain. Outside was a pastry shop.

“Ying-jiejie, wait a moment. I’m going to buy some pastries for my grandmother,” Zhu Qianjie said, hopping down from the carriage.

            

Zhao Ningying sat in the carriage waiting. Before long, Zhu Qianjie knocked on the carriage window. “Ying-jiejie.”

Zhao Ningying lifted the curtain and looked down at Zhu Qianjie. “What is it?”

“I just ran into Prime Minister Yun’s daughter. Guess what we talked about?”

            

“What?” Zhao Ningying was momentarily puzzled.

Zhu Qianjie had an excellent memory for faces. She had recognized Yun Ming, who had also come to buy pastries, and had struck up a conversation with her without the slightest shyness.

“You said you liked her family’s lamb legs, so I made a deal with her to buy two, and she agreed.”

            

“Ah?” Zhao Ningying was surprised. They did say the Zhu family were shrewd businesspeople—she could even manage this?

“Miss Ying.” Yun Ming, having finished buying her pastries, walked over to the carriage as well.

Zhao Ningying looked at Yun Ming, feeling a trace of trepidation. As she hesitated, she heard Yun Ming say, “Miss Qianjie and I have made a deal for two of my family’s roast lamb legs. Would you like to come along?”

            

“I…” Zhao Ningying hesitated, but Zhu Qianjie chimed in, “Let’s go. We left the palace early today anyway—we’ll be back by the usual time.”

Zhao Ningying wavered, and Zhu Qianjie climbed back into the carriage.

“Good jiejie, come with me,” Zhu Qianjie coaxed, sitting beside her.

            

With the invitation put this way, Zhao Ningying could only agree. She nodded to Yun Ming, who was still standing outside.

Two carriages arrived at the Yun Residence one after the other. Yun Ming alighted and led them into the residence.

Yun Ming went to the kitchen to inquire, and when she came out, she said apologetically to Zhu Qianjie, “Today’s lamb legs haven’t started roasting yet. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask the two young ladies to wait a while longer.”

            

Zhu Qianjie smiled generously. “No worries, we’ll just wait.”

The two waited at the Yun Residence for a long time. Seeing that it was almost time for them to return to the palace, Zhao Ningying grew anxious and wanted to send someone back to inform the residence.

“Jie-meimei, could you have Xiao Quanzi go back and let both families know? I’m worried my mother will be frantic looking for me.”

            

Zhu Qianjie sat eating fruit from the Yun Residence and said, “No rush. Let them worry a bit—it serves them right for always calling me silly, and for wanting to give me a clever younger sister to look after me. If I’m not even clever, how clever could a sister be?”

Zhu Qianjie grew more indignant as she spoke.

A hint of anxiety appeared on Zhao Ningying’s face. “Then how about we have Xiao Quanzi go tell my mother first?”

            

“If I tell Maternal Aunt⁵, isn’t that the same as telling my mother? They share the same pair of trousers,⁶ you know.”

Zhao Ningying listened to Zhu Qianjie’s angry words and didn’t dare bring it up again. If it took too much longer, she would send someone to deliver a message.

But all such thoughts were cast aside the moment the Yun Residence’s whole roast sheep was brought out.

            

The Yun Residence happened to have a whole roast sheep prepared for a family dinner. Yun Ming went to the front courtyard to tell Prime Minister Yun, then let the two children have the roast sheep first.

The Yun Residence roasted another one.

Zhu Qianjie ate the roast sheep and drank the fruit wine the Yun Residence had prepared, praising it repeatedly and declaring she would come buy it often.

            

Halfway through the meal, Zhao Ningying suddenly remembered she still hadn’t sent word home. Yun Ming noticed her anxious expression, asked about it, and sent someone to inform both residences.

But even so, they were too late.

Prime Minister Yun was summoned to the palace and knelt before Qu Sheng to explain. Zhu Ming’an, Zhao Dian, and the others rushed to the Yun Residence as soon as they learned what had happened. Once they confirmed the two children had not been lured away, they hurried to notify Cheng Xi, who was waiting outside the back gate.

            

Only then did Cheng Xi lead her people inside.

Xiao Bingying took the two children out, while Cheng Xi led her people inside with Yun Ming.

When they crossed paths at the courtyard gate, Yun Ming asked no questions. She had submitted her resignation letter days ago, only for her father to reject it. Today she had petitioned Qu Sheng in person, and Qu Sheng had assigned her to the Southern Frontier military camp. Rather than spend each day gazing at the one she loved and never having her, it was better to keep her distance and not be a disturbance.

            

Xiao Bingying and the others brought the children back to the Zhao Residence. Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng had also left the palace.

Zhao Ningying and Zhu Qianjie kept their heads down and said nothing. Before leaving the Yun Residence, Yun Ming had even given them two lamb legs, which now sat in the room as well.

The adults in the room were silent. Zhu Qianjie and Zhao Ningying’s hearts pounded with anxiety.

            

Before long, servants outside carried something in.

“What are they carrying?” Cheng Xi asked.

“Replying to my lady, Prime Minister Yun has sent a whole roast sheep. He says we shouldn’t blame the children for what happened today—it was his own lack of foresight. He will call to apologize in person when he has the time.”

            

Just because two children had gone missing, Prime Minister Yun had been summoned to the palace. Qu Sheng’s urgency made clear how important these two children were.

Zhao Jiayu looked at the wrapped whole roast sheep and the lamb legs already in the room. The aroma had already filled the entire room. The children had been found, so she was no longer anxious. Zhao Jiayu smiled and said, “Come, come, bring it in!”

The servants carried the whole sheep into the room at her command.

            

Zhao Jiayu had a table brought over and placed the lamb legs on it as well, then instructed the servants, “Go to Shunsheng Restaurant and order two tables of dishes.” She turned to the people in the room. “It’s rare for everyone to gather together today. Why don’t we take this opportunity to have a proper drink?”

Qu Sheng was about to speak, but Lin Xizhao tugged at her and said with a quiet smile, “It truly is a rare opportunity.”

Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao’s gentle, smiling eyes and acquiesced to Zhao Jiayu’s suggestion. The servants left to carry out the order. Lin Xizhao then turned to Qu Ning beside her.

            

Qu Ning raised her eyes and met her gaze, then turned to Xiao Bingying and Jin Mingyi. “Aunt, may I take my two younger sisters to wash up first?”

Xiao Bingying let out a breath and waved her hand in dismissal. Jin Mingyi glanced over and nodded as well. Qu Ning looked at her two younger cousins and, having given them an out, led them outside.

Before long, the Zhao Residence servants brought in two tables of food and wine.

            

The adults sat at one table, the children at another. Though Qu Zhimu and Qiao Jin were married, they chose to sit at the children’s table.

Qu Zhimu gnawed on a roast lamb leg and said, “No wonder Ying-meimei was tempted enough to go to Lord Yun’s house—these lamb legs are actually this delicious.”

Qiao Jin placed a piece on her plate and smiled. “If my wife likes them, I’ll make them for you in a few days.”

            

“You know how to make this too?” Qu Zhimu asked in surprise.

Qiao Jin nodded, eyes crinkling with a smile. “I do, though I’m a bit rusty. I’ll need to practice a few times.”

“Yes, yes, yes! I’ll buy a few sheep tomorrow, and my wife can practice slowly,” Qu Zhimu said excitedly.

            

“I want to come eat too!” Zhu Qianjie said, her mouth still full of meat.

Qiao Jin looked at her and smiled. “Alright.”

When Qu Ning heard Qiao Jin agree, she quickly added, “Then Ying-meimei and I want to come eat too.”

            

“You’ll all get some, you’ll all get some. Would I ever forget you when there’s good food?” Qu Zhimu said with a wink and a grin.

The children at the table all pressed their lips together and smiled.

In the Zhao Residence dining hall, the adults exchanged toasts, easing the tension that had gripped them earlier that evening.

            

It had been a long time since they had gathered like this. They reminisced about the past, every memory still vivid. Tonight there was no distinction between sovereign and subject—only the bonds between sisters.

By late night, Qu Sheng and the others were somewhat drunk. Zhao Jiayu, just like before, had drunk herself unconscious, but this time Xiao Bingying didn’t need to carry her back. Qu Zhimu was grown and married now—she hoisted her mother onto her back without the slightest effort.

Once they were in the carriage, Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi took Zhu Qianjie and bid them farewell.

            

Before leaving, Zhu Ming’an still remembered the medicinal herb trade she had discussed with Cheng Xi. “We agreed—I only take ten percent⁷, and from now on, all the herbs for your Medicine Hall will be supplied by me. I’m definitely more reliable than anyone else.”

Cheng Xi’s brows curved in a smile. “Agreed. From now on, I’ll only take herbs from your Zhu family.”

Zhu Ming’an beamed at these words and climbed into the carriage. Even as the carriage pulled away, she couldn’t resist shouting, “It’s a deal, remember!”

            

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao stood to the side, listening and laughing.

When the carriage had gone some distance, it was time for Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng to leave as well.

Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying stood together, hand in hand, watching the adults talk.

            

Before long, Qu Sheng lifted Lin Xizhao into the carriage. Zhao Ningying reluctantly released her hand and climbed in after her.

Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi watched the carriage recede into the distance, then turned their gaze to their daughter.

Zhao Ningying looked up at them. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s expressions had softened from the sternness of before. She reached out and patted her daughter’s head. “Let’s go. We’re heading home too.”

            

Xiao Bingying held her daughter’s hand in one hand and Cheng Xi’s in the other. The three of them glanced at each other with smiles in their eyes and entered the residence.

Today’s incident stemmed from their own excessive worry, compounded by Zhao Ningying’s earlier description of Yun Ming at Qu Zhimu’s wedding banquet. Zhao Ningying had been somewhat afraid of Yun Ming because she had heard that Yun Ming’s people had once resorted to cannibalism.

Fortunately, they had listened to Lin Xizhao’s advice. Though sneaking into the Yun Residence was awkward, at least it hadn’t caused a real uproar.

            

The two wives led their daughter back to the residence and discussed hiring a cook specifically to make roast lamb legs for Zhao Ningying.

Cheng Xi went to bathe. When she returned, Xiao Bingying had already carried the sleeping Zhao Ningying back to her own room.

“Wife.” Xiao Bingying walked over and took the towel from Cheng Xi’s hand, helping her dry her ink-dark hair that dripped with water.

            

Cheng Xi sat in the chair while Xiao Bingying stood behind her, gently switching between several dry towels to dry her wet hair.

Cheng Xi turned to look at Xiao Bingying. Seeing her focused expression, she tilted her slender neck upward of her own accord.

Xiao Bingying lowered her gaze and, without the slightest hesitation, bent down to kiss her.

            

At first, they only tasted each other lightly, but as Cheng Xi’s tongue ventured deeper, a heat rose within Xiao Bingying. She lifted Cheng Xi into her arms, kissing her as she walked.

When they reached the bed, their lips briefly parted. Then, as Xiao Bingying removed Cheng Xi’s shoes, they kissed again—but only for a moment before Xiao Bingying’s lips traveled downward.

One of Cheng Xi’s legs hooked around Xiao Bingying’s waist. Xiao Bingying looked down at Cheng Xi’s other jade-smooth foot resting on her collarbone, one hand cradling her instep, her gaze burning as she stared at Cheng Xi’s captivating face. Her fingertips traced along the skin, her breath coming fast and shallow, and she slowly lowered her head to kiss her again.

            

Every kiss between their lips spoke of Xiao Bingying’s wild abandon.

And the woman beneath her—through countless rehearsals—had forged an indelible memory of this sensation.

That was the passion of their private chambers, a fervor they never shared with anyone outside.

            

---

A drunken Zhao Jiayu leaned quietly against her daughter. Qu Zhimu glanced sideways at Qiao Jin beside her. Seeing her look, Qiao Jin said softly, “Let me hold Mother instead.”

Qu Zhimu shook her head and looked down at the thoroughly unconscious Zhao Jiayu. “Mother said that when she used to get drunk, it was always Aunt Bingying who carried her home, and whenever she caused trouble, Aunt Bingying cleaned it up for her. That’s why she was so reckless when she was young. Later, when she had Father, he spoiled her even more rotten. So Mother has never been able to outgrow her childish habits. Even after having me, Mother is still like a child.”

Qiao Jin smiled gently. Zhao Jiayu loved her wine, but she wasn’t like this every day. An occasional indulgence was perfectly fine. She wouldn’t feel any aversion toward Zhao Jiayu for this. She said softly, “From now on, she’ll always have us. Mother can keep being as carefree as a child.”

            

Qu Zhimu looked at Qiao Jin, her eyes curving into a smile, and she leaned slightly toward her. Qiao Jin watched her lean in and wanted to shift over to take her in her arms, but Qu Zhimu kissed her first.

Their gentle kiss continued in the carriage for a long time, all the way to King Long’s Mansion.

Zhao Jiayu was carried down from the carriage. Qu Yu followed behind Qu Zhimu, and the family gathered around Zhao Jiayu, settling her onto the bed.

            

Once the two children had left, Zhao Jiayu opened her eyes on the bed. She had woken during the bumpy carriage ride but had painstakingly pretended to be asleep the entire way.

Zhao Jiayu propped herself up, her waist aching. Qu Yu came over to support her. Zhao Jiayu glanced at Qu Yu and muttered, “Two little brats—not a bit of shame. I wouldn’t even dare do that.”

Qu Yu held out a bowl of hangover soup⁸ and smiled. “Drink the hangover soup first, or you’ll have a headache again tomorrow.”

            

Zhao Jiayu looked up at Qu Yu, a smile returning to her face. She took the bowl and gulped the soup down, then handed the bowl back.

Qu Yu set the bowl on the small table beside them.

Zhao Jiayu called his name. “Ah Yu.”

            

Qu Yu turned, his voice gentle. “Does my wife want something else to eat?”

Zhao Jiayu shook her head. She watched Qu Yu walk over and sit down, then naturally leaned into his embrace and said, “You have to stay with me always.”

Qu Yu smiled. “Of course. I still need to watch our Mu’er’s children grow up.”

            

Zhao Jiayu felt that wasn’t enough. She added, “And for me—you’re not allowed to leave before I do.”

Qu Yu gave a helpless smile and agreed. “Alright, I promise you.”

---

Zhu Residence

            

Jin Mingyi climbed straight onto the bed the moment she returned. Zhu Ming’an was outside talking with Zhu Qianjie. The little girl might have looked simple-hearted, but she was no fool—today’s trouble had started with her. She had already been scolded at the Zhao Residence, so now Zhu Ming’an only gave her earnest, patient counsel.

By the time Zhu Ming’an returned to their room, Jin Mingyi had already fallen asleep.

Zhu Ming’an looked at Jin Mingyi, drowsy from the wine, and had someone bring hot water. She carefully wiped her wife’s face.

            

The moment the warm towel touched her face, Jin Mingyi began swatting at it. “Ming’an…”

Zhu Ming’an chuckled and removed the towel, wiping her hands as well. “In our own residence, who would dare harm my wife?”

Sure enough, at these words, Jin Mingyi stopped struggling and lay quietly as Zhu Ming’an wiped her palms and the backs of her hands.

            

When Zhu Ming’an finished washing up and climbed into bed, Jin Mingyi burrowed straight into her arms.

Zhu Ming’an held her contentedly, recalling the first time she had ever seen her.

Back then, she had been captured by human traffickers for days. She had been sold, escaped, and been caught again before she could even make it out of the city—every single time.

            

The traffickers fed her and gave her water, but they refused to let her go—until a girl with delicate features stood before her, pacing around. She had tried to use her stuttering habit to drive the girl away, but the girl had bargained down the price and bought her in a few short exchanges.

The days of running away from home had been truly wretched. They had been beggars, begged for food, and the two of them had nearly died out there. That was why, today, she had been so frantic with worry—fearing that the same fate might befall Zhao Ningying and Zhu Qianjie.

Zhu Ming’an tightened her arms around her wife and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. In this life, she asked for nothing else—only that her family remain safe and healthy, and that Jin Mingyi stayed by her side. That was enough.

            

---

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao stepped down from the carriage. The Imperial Dragon Carriage was already waiting at the palace gates.

Qu Ning went to her own soft palanquin as the Imperial Crown Princess, while Qu Sheng escorted Lin Xizhao into the Imperial Dragon Carriage.

The palace attendants knelt in obeisance. Two carriages were lifted simultaneously—one heading to the Imperial Crown Princess’s quarters, the other to the Empress’s palace.

            

Qu Ning returned to her chambers and, without forgetting what she had learned today, reviewed her lessons once more before washing up and going to bed.

When Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng returned to their palace chambers, the Bathing Pool was already filled with hot water. Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng undress and couldn’t suppress a yawn.

Qu Sheng saw Lin Xizhao’s drowsiness and smiled. “Wife, I can do it myself.”

            

Qu Sheng removed her outer garments and then reached to help Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao raised her hand and pressed down on the hand Qu Sheng had placed on her slender shoulder, shooting her a reproachful glance.

Qu Sheng smiled but refused to let go.

Lin Xizhao had no choice but to indulge her. But once they entered the Bathing Pool, Qu Sheng only helped scrub her back and did nothing else.

            

When they came out of the water, Qu Sheng quickly put on her sleeping robes and came to help Lin Xizhao. Once both of them were dressed, Qu Sheng swept Lin Xizhao into her arms.

A gentle breeze blew past them along the way, and the effects of the wine seemed to have mostly worn off.

Lin Xizhao was laid on the bed, and Qu Sheng eagerly followed, though she did nothing. Having seen Lin Xizhao yawn earlier and the traces of weariness on her face, Qu Sheng had decided not to be reckless tonight.

            

Lin Xizhao looked down at the person in her arms. When those deep eyes gazed at her, they held a tender softness. After all these years, Qu Sheng still possessed a childlike side.

But even when Qu Sheng was a child, Lin Xizhao had felt that with her, her heart was at peace. Qu Sheng had been the light in her darkest hours, the hand that had reached out without hesitation to pull her to shore when she was adrift and helpless in the water.

Every fragment of her vulnerability, her grief, her joy—Qu Sheng had touched them all. She was a part of Qu Sheng, and Qu Sheng was her complete life.

            

The Complete Story Concludes

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The author has something to say:

The main story is complete, but the story continues. Please read the chapters about Quzhao’s territorial recovery of the Jin Dynasty lands after a hundred years (Married a Jinxed Young Widow)—this was written with a Jin Dynasty setting.

            

This work is also a prequel written based on the later story, and the plot direction follows the framework established in the latter. Come check it out!

The second-generation pre-order story is available at the pre-order link (Smuggling in Secret).

Subscribing at 80% unlocks free bonus chapters.

            

It’s hard to let go, but every story must have its ending. See you in the bonus chapters!

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