The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 265
by Little PandaBonus Chapter 1
This humble subject Zhao Ningying pays respects to Her Highness the Imperial Crown Princess.
The Quzhao Dynasty had been established for eighteen years; the realm was at peace, and all that had been ruined was flourishing anew.
The Female Emperor of Quzhao adopted the policy draft of the former Top Scholar, now Commandery Consort Qiao Jin, encouraging the common people to labor without being confined to the fields alone, earning corresponding compensation. Not only did the people gain prosperous lives, but the imperial court’s tax revenues also increased year after year.
After spending two years at the border, the Imperial Crown Princess of Quzhao returned to the Capital City, and this year she also began assisting the Emperor and Empress in handling state affairs.
In the Court Assembly Hall, officials debated whether the realm’s peace warranted reducing military expenditures and downsizing troop numbers.
“Your Majesty, the Four Seas are now at peace, yet annual military expenditures are truly excessive. This humble subject has consulted with several ministers, and we believe it would be best to discharge soldiers back to their home regions. On one hand, this would increase local labor forces; on the other, it would reduce the Ministry of Revenue’s expenditures,” Prime Minister Yun said earnestly, holding his Hu Tablet1.
As Minister of Revenue, Lin Xikuan naturally had the right to speak. He stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, this humble subject does not agree with Prime Minister Yun’s proposal.”
Qu Sheng raised a hand and said, “Lord Lin, continue.”
Lin Xikuan lowered his head and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, our Quzhao has maintained a massive military force since before the dynasty’s founding. Now that the nation is established, our borders have expanded several-fold. Though the Four Seas appear peaceful on the surface, we must not relax our vigilance.”
Qu Sheng nodded, glanced toward Lin Xizhao behind the bead curtain, and Lin Xizhao gave a slight nod. Qu Sheng then turned her gaze to the Imperial Crown Princess, Qu Ning.
“Ning’er, how do you believe this matter should be decided?”
Clad in the court attire of the Imperial Crown Princess, Qu Ning stepped forward from the frontmost rank of civil and military officials. She cupped her hands and replied in a tone both gentle and firm, “Reporting to Mother Emperor, your child subject believes the Minister of Revenue speaks with reason.”
“Elaborate.” Qu Sheng set the memorial aside.
“Your child subject has been back from the frontier for several months. The northern borders are harsh and cold, yet our soldiers must still stand guard there, not daring to slacken for a moment in defending our Quzhao territory. Your child subject does not concur with Prime Minister Yun’s assessment that the Four Seas are at peace.” Qu Ning glanced at Prime Minister Yun, then continued, “The so-called peace across the Four Seas merely means the cessation of open warfare. But within our Quzhao borders, large-scale banditry persists, and the Jin Dynasty has grown increasingly stable these past few years, poised to invade at any time. Though the small kingdoms of the Northern Frontier suffered heavy blows over a decade ago, they remain a mortal threat to Quzhao. Moreover, the Bei’an Kingdom has been rebuilding its strength these past years, and like the Jin Dynasty, it could reignite warfare at any moment. Therefore, your child subject believes the military must not be reduced.”
“This humble subject seconds the motion.” The Commandery Consort of King Long’s Mansion, Qiao Jin, stepped forward. Qiao Jin had already ascended to the position of Vice Minister of Revenue, her official rank leaping upward—not to mention that Commandery Princess Rong’an at her residence had given birth to a daughter for her. It could truly be called double joy arriving at once.
Qu Sheng always felt a fondness upon seeing Qiao Jin. She said, “Lord Qiao, share your thoughts as well.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” After bowing with hands clasped, Qiao Jin said, “The military is the sharp blade of a nation. The size of an army is proof of a country’s strength. Rashly reducing troop numbers would broadcast to the outside world a signal of outward strength masking inner weakness. Even though our Quzhao is prosperous and its treasury knows no shortage, it would still invite covetous powers to probe with incremental steps. Warfare can ignite in an instant. If we wait until then to conscript and train soldiers, would it not be closing the barn door after the horse has bolted?”
Qu Sheng nodded and glanced again at Lin Xizhao behind the bead curtain. Both of them admired Qiao Jin. Qu Sheng straightened her posture and said, “Lord Qiao speaks with reason. Then by your counsel, the troop numbers shall not be reduced?”
Qiao Jin cupped her hands and said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, that is so. However, this humble subject has an additional proposal.”
“Speak.” Qu Sheng’s interest was piqued; she had known Qiao Jin would not merely voice opposition.
Qiao Jin looked toward Qu Ning, whose slender silhouette stood at the fore. She raised her head and said, “This proposal was conceived by this humble subject and Her Highness the Imperial Crown Princess together. Perhaps Your Highness should explain it herself.”
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao both looked at Qu Ning simultaneously. Qu Sheng glanced back at Qiao Jin—this Qiao Jin was not only skilled at governance but also at navigating relationships.
Qu Ning cupped her hands in salute and said, “Your child subject wishes to implement a military agricultural colony system2.”
“800-Li Express Dispatch3 victory report! General Mingwei has achieved a great victory!”
Right in the middle of the court session discussing the military agricultural colony policy, a victory report echoed from beyond the palace walls.
Qu Sheng watched as the messenger presented the memorial. The palace attendant hurried down the steps and passed the document up.
Qu Sheng opened the memorial, read its contents, and a smile appeared on her face. She said, “Excellent. General Mingwei has rendered meritorious service in leading troops to eradicate bandits. Pass down the order—we shall bestow generous rewards.”
Upon hearing of General Mingwei’s great victory, Qu Ning’s eyes, which had been blazing with impassioned rhetoric moments before, now shimmered with a different kind of light.
General Mingwei was none other than Zhao Ningying—the daughter of Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi, who had grown up alongside her.
The two had been born only one day apart. After their coming-of-age ceremonies4, they had gone their separate ways—Qu Ning was dispatched to the Northern Frontier for training, while Zhao Ningying volunteered for bandit suppression half a year later.
“Where had Ning’er left off just now? Continue.” Qu Sheng had not forgotten Qu Ning’s earlier words.
Qu Ning glanced up, then lowered her head and replied, “Reporting to Mother Emperor, your child subject was discussing the reclamation of wastelands at the frontier.”
Half a month later.
Zhao Ningying had led her troops to eradicate the mountain bandits that had grown increasingly rampant over the past two years, amassing considerable scale. Today she was bringing her men back to the capital, and upon hearing that the Imperial Crown Princess had come in person to welcome her, she quickened her return journey.
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi had also been granted permission to come. On an early spring day, the two rode on horseback. Upon reaching the Ten-Mile Pavilion outside the Capital City, Xiao Bingying dismounted and went to the side to lift Cheng Xi down.
It was said that the Emperor and Empress shared a deep bond, but over the years, the Alliance Princess of the Zhao Residence and Commander Xiao Bingying were just as inseparable. Qu Ning glanced sideways at them, then dismounted as well.
Qu Ning’s figure was no longer as delicate as it once had been. Tempered by two years at the Northern Frontier, though she bore a gentle face strikingly similar to the Empress’s, at her core, her manner of action was cut from the same cloth as the Female Emperor herself.
After Qu Ning dismounted, the officials following behind also dismounted.
“Maternal Aunts, let us sit in the pavilion for a while,” Qu Ning said to Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi beside her.
Cheng Xi curved her brows and said, “Alright. Ying’er should be about half a shichen away. Let us rest there for a bit.”
Xiao Bingying nodded and followed behind Qu Ning toward the pavilion. The accompanying guards hurried to wipe down the stone benches and lay out soft cushions.
Xiao Bingying felt the cushion was too thin, so she placed hers on Cheng Xi’s seat. Cheng Xi glanced at Xiao Bingying and said softly, “It is fine. Do not catch a chill yourself.” Saying so, she moved the cushion back.
Seeing this, Xiao Bingying did not argue further with Cheng Xi. She helped Cheng Xi sit down, then sat down herself.
At this moment, Qu Ning stood in the pavilion gazing into the distance, too preoccupied to attend to them.
Half a shichen later, Zhao Ningying led her subordinates, who were returning to the capital to report on their duties, galloping nonstop toward the Capital City. Passing by the Ten-Mile Pavilion, she spotted the Imperial Crown Princess’s banner.
Clad in military attire, Zhao Ningying bore features that shared seven parts of Cheng Xi’s elegant composure—cool and aloof—yet beneath lay a layer of Xiao Bingying’s resolute fortitude.
She narrowed her eyes, peering ahead, and asked her subordinate, “Is that Her Highness’s banner?”
“It is,” the subordinate replied after a glance.
Zhao Ningying nodded, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. She said, “Let us go over.”
Zhao Ningying squeezed her horse’s flanks and galloped forward.
Qu Ning stood in the pavilion, twirling a bamboo leaf that had extended inward, and from afar spotted Zhao Ningying leading her troops galloping toward them.
Qu Ning stepped out of the pavilion. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi also looked over, and in mere moments, Zhao Ningying had arrived before them.
Zhao Ningying swung down from her horse. Looking at Qu Ning, whom she had not seen for two years, standing before her, her eyes held a smile, yet she first performed the ritual of subject to sovereign: “This humble subject Zhao Ningying pays respects to Her Highness the Imperial Crown Princess.”
Qu Ning’s expression flickered with a momentary startle. She glanced at the officials behind her, gave a soft cough, and reached out to support Zhao Ningying’s hands, saying, “General Zhao, dispense with the formalities.”
Zhao Ningying raised her head, the corners of her lips curling, and suddenly pulled Qu Ning toward her. She then swept her leg in a low arc, but Qu Ning reacted swiftly, leaping to dodge.
Seeing Zhao Ningying’s playful grin, Qu Ning’s initial bewilderment gave way to the realization that Zhao Ningying wanted to spar with her.
Zhao Ningying threw a punch, and Qu Ning smoothly retreated. Qu Ning only dodged without striking back, falling back until she reached Zhao Ningying’s horse, where Zhao Ningying casually snatched the Long Spear from its mount.
And tossed her subordinate’s Light Sword to Qu Ning.
Zhao Ningying gripped the Long Spear. Seeing Qu Ning draw the sword, she smiled and said, “Ningying wants to see whether Ning-jiejie has been slacking these past two years.”
The nearby guards tensed immediately upon seeing both women armed. Qu Ning raised a hand and said, “It is fine. This palace is merely sparring with Ying-meimei. I want to see whether she has improved.”
The two exchanged a glance, and Qu Ning struck first. Her swordsmanship had been taught by Qu Sheng—graceful and elegant, yet its speed and lethality were extraordinary, every strike aimed at vital points.
Zhao Ningying’s Long Spear was naturally no less formidable. When Qu Ning’s sword swept toward her ankle, Zhao Ningying lifted her foot, twisted sideways, and drove the spear into the ground. The spearhead clashed against the Light Sword, sending sparks flying. Zhao Ningying spun the shaft and flicked upward, forcing Qu Ning’s blade back.
The two exchanged blows back and forth. The guards and officials watching from the sidelines were dazzled by the display. Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi stood to one side without worry—they had often done this as children, and Zhao Ningying was someone who knew her limits; she would not hurt Qu Ning.
After they had sparred for one ke, neither side had a clear advantage. Zhao Ningying was the first to reveal an opening, and Qu Ning won by a narrow margin.
“You let me win again,” Qu Ning said with a hint of dissatisfaction, smiling.
Zhao Ningying walked over with a smile and said, “Ning-jiejie is different from me—each has their specialty. You are the future Empress. Martial arts are not your domain; governing the realm is what you must master. And I know nothing of governance. I specialize in the martial arts, so that in the future I can pacify the realm for you and become your right arm. If I were not up to standard, would you not be disappointed?”
Zhao Ningying’s words smoothed over Qu Ning’s mild displeasure. She took Zhao Ningying’s hand and led her back to the pavilion.
Zhao Ningying looked at Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi, stepped forward, and bowed. “This child pays respects to you both, Mother.”
Cheng Xi curved her brows with a smile, and Xiao Bingying nodded. Zhao Ningying went first to embrace Cheng Xi. “Mother, Ningying missed you so much.”
Cheng Xi patted Zhao Ningying’s back and smiled. “Mother missed you too. It is good that you are back.”
Zhao Ningying nodded, but tears welled up and her nose began to run. A general crying like this before her subordinates was hardly befitting her dignity, yet Xiao Bingying did not scold her. Instead, she handed over a handkerchief and said gently, “Everyone has missed you. But you must go to the palace first to see Her Majesty.”
Zhao Ningying had not forgotten. She nodded and said, “This child knows.”
Qu Ning stood to the side, watching Zhao Ningying reunite with her family, and recalled her own return—she had cried far harder than Zhao Ningying.
Zhao Ningying followed Qu Ning into the palace to report on her duties, presenting a detailed account of the bandit eradication campaign. After reviewing it, Qu Sheng praised her effusively and that very day ordered the drafting of a commendation, to be issued as an Imperial Edict once the Ministry of Personnel verified the details.
When Zhao Ningying emerged from the Imperial Study, Qu Ning had already been waiting outside for some time.
“Let me take you to see my Mother Emperor first, and then we will go to Mu-jiejie’s place. You have not met her child yet, have you?” Qu Ning was even more excited about becoming a maternal aunt than Qu Zhimu, the actual mother.
Zhao Ningying nodded. “Alright.”
Zhao Ningying first went to the Empress’s palace quarters to pay her respects to Lin Xizhao, and only then left the palace with Qu Ning to return to the Zhao Residence.
Zhao Ningying first paid her respects to the elders, then went to freshen up. During this time, Qu Ning did not utter a single word of impatience.
When Zhao Ningying emerged after changing into a fresh dress, Qu Ning stared at her, somewhat dazed.
Zhao Ningying raised her eyes and smiled. “I only changed my clothes—do you not recognize me now?”
Qu Ning suppressed the smile at the corners of her lips and said, “Ying-meimei can mount a horse to eradicate bandits, and dismount as the poised and elegant Eldest Legitimate Miss of the Zhao Residence. With that fine face of yours, even if you changed a hundred outfits, I would still recognize you.”
Zhao Ningying curved her lips, her eyes and brows bearing the same captivating smile as Cheng Xi’s. She said, “Let us go to Mu-jiejie’s residence.”
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Footnotes
- The Hu Tablet (笏板) was a narrow ceremonial tablet made of jade or wood, held by court officials during imperial audiences as both a mnemonic device and a symbol of official rank.
- The tuntian (屯田) system was a historical Chinese policy where soldiers cultivated military agricultural colonies, growing their own provisions while maintaining combat readiness, thereby reducing the logistical burden on the state.
- The 800-Li Express Dispatch was the highest-priority imperial courier system, relaying urgent military intelligence across vast distances at top speed with fresh horses at relay stations.
- The jiji (及笄) ceremony marked a young woman's coming of age at fifteen, signifying her maturity and marriage eligibility.
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