The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 266

Bonus Chapter 2

Thank You, Ning-jiejie

The two went to the front hall to bid farewell to their elders, then took a carriage to King Long’s Mansion.

            

Since giving birth to her daughter, Qu Zhimu rarely went out. Zhao Jiayu was also busy inside and out, fearful of any shortage for her little granddaughter.

In court, Qiao Jin was the most promising talent that Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao favored. Qu Zhimu had said she would not hold her back—whatever talents she had, she should freely exercise them. So household matters were not allowed to take up her time either.

When Qu Zhimu was being raised, the whole family doted on her, and with her Aunt Lin Xizhao watching over her all day, it would have been fine even if Zhao Jiayu did not pay close attention. But now that her granddaughter had been born, the situation was no longer as it had been, and Zhao Jiayu had to handle things personally.

            

At this hour, the household had just finished lunch. Qiao Jin had also just returned from the palace. She took the hot towel handed to her by a servant at the door, hastily wiped her hands, and went into the room.

Qu Zhimu was nursing the child. She looked up and saw Qiao Jin had returned. A gentle smile appeared on her face, and she said as if by habit, “You’re back.”

Qiao Jin responded with a warm “Mm,” her bright eyes gazing at the mother and daughter. She unfastened her official robe, handed it to the maid, and changed into the mansion’s casual clothes before drawing close to them.

            

“Court dismissed so late today—did Aunt arrange more duties for you?” Qu Zhimu asked softly, her brows curved gently.

Since giving birth, Qu Zhimu had increasingly tempered her former disposition. Not only had her temper softened considerably, even her tone had grown gentle.

Qiao Jin nodded and replied, “Her Highness wishes to implement the Military Agricultural Colony System¹, but the opposition in court is too loud. Her Majesty wants me to select a site for preliminary testing. That’s why I was kept at the Imperial Study today discussing it. Oh, and Cousin Ningying returned today. I crossed paths with her in the Imperial Study—she should have left the palace by now.”

            

“Ying-meimei is back?” Qu Zhimu was happy to hear this news.

Qiao Jin smiled along and said, “Yes. Her Highness accompanied her out of the palace. They should come by after lunch.”

Although Qiao Jin had not heard Zhao Ningying say she was coming, Zhao Ningying would not fail to visit Qu Zhimu and her child.

            

Qu Zhimu looked down at her daughter, not yet half a year old. This daughter was originally meant to come two years earlier, but because Qiao Jin was so busy, she could not bear to let her sleep cold and restless all night, so they had postponed it.

But now everything had come at just the right time. She had matured a great deal, and Qiao Jin even more so. Though household matters did not require her involvement, when it came to caring for the two of them, she did everything within her ability.

Qu Zhimu looked up at Qiao Jin, gazing at this wife whose features so resembled their daughter’s. She could not resist tilting her chin up and pressing a kiss to Qiao Jin’s lips.

            

Qiao Jin’s attractive brows and eyes curved into a smile. She seemed unsatisfied with the kiss Qu Zhimu had offered.

She leaned in, seeking Qu Zhimu’s lips, kissing her tenderly. Within moments, desire overtook her restraint. Her clever tongue slipped between Qu Zhimu’s lips, swirling until Qu Zhimu’s breath came in gasps.

“Wait a moment…” Qu Zhimu raised a hand against Qiao Jin’s chest and gently pushed her back. She was still nursing the child, and Qiao Jin’s kisses had left her somewhat breathless.

            

Qiao Jin was forced to pull away. She licked her lips and looked down at their daughter, still moving her little mouth, gulping as she nursed. She suppressed her desire, steadied her breathing, and sat to one side.

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Qu Zhimu nursed the child, then glanced up at Qiao Jin. Their eyes met for an instant, and both involuntarily lowered their heads.

When the child finally finished nursing, Qiao Jin carried her out and handed her to the wet nurse, then returned to the room, wanting to continue where they had left off.

            

Qu Zhimu sat at the head of the bed, watching Qiao Jin come back. After a brief moment of bewilderment, Qiao Jin drew close, seeking her soft lips and kissing her deeply.

Qu Zhimu loved to eat, and Zhao Jiayu naturally knew this. But right now, she was not here to bring Qu Zhimu food—she was bringing a meal for Qiao Jin.

Qiao Jin had been back for a while now, and the kitchen had only just finished preparing the dishes. Zhao Jiayu brought servants carrying the food over. Seeing the wet nurse bring the baby out, she hurried over, her grandmotherly tenderness on full display as she took the child into her arms.

            

“Oh, my sweet little one, did you eat your fill?” Zhao Jiayu cooed softly at the baby, instructing the servants to bring the dishes inside.

When a servant went to push the door open, it would not budge.

The door was locked from the inside.

            

Zhao Jiayu coaxed the baby and looked up to see the servants all standing at the door. She stepped forward and saw them standing there with heads lowered, and asked, “What’s going on?”

The servants said nothing. Zhao Jiayu quickly guessed the reason. She lifted her chin slightly, signaling them to withdraw, and said, “Come back later.”

With the door locked in broad daylight, Zhao Jiayu did not need to guess what the young couple was up to.

            

She looked down at her little granddaughter, who was gazing up at her with a tiny open mouth, and paid the two inside no further mind. Carrying the baby, she departed.

Inside, the young couple had heard the commotion outside, but this was hardly the first or second time they had done such a thing. Once the footsteps faded, Qiao Jin could not wait to start removing Qu Zhimu’s clothes.

Her body, carrying the delicate fragrance of a woman mingled with the sweetness of milk, made Qiao Jin—this Top Scholar² steeped in the classics of the sages—lose all rational thought, unable to stop herself.

            

“If anyone knew what you were like in this mansion—this Top Scholar carrying on like this—what do you suppose would happen?” Qu Zhimu said breathlessly as Qiao Jin’s lips and tongue traced her neck.

Qiao Jin kissed her, her hands never ceasing their work on the garments. She murmured indistinctly, “As long as my Wife does not tell, no one will ever know.”

Qu Zhimu felt a sudden coolness at her chest. She looked down to see Qiao Jin’s lips suckling, then Qiao Jin raised her head and kissed Qu Zhimu’s soft lips again, her tongue parting them and delivering sweetness within.

            

Qu Zhimu was forced to swallow. As her throat moved, Qiao Jin curved her lips into a smile and said, “As long as my Wife is with me, I would gladly descend into hell.”

With that, she kissed her again.

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Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying sat in the carriage heading toward King Long’s Mansion. Whether because they had not seen each other in two years or because each harbored private thoughts, both were silent.

            

Qu Ning stole a glance at Zhao Ningying from the corner of her eye. Zhao Ningying, hearing the shouts from outside, quickly called to the servant driving the carriage ahead, “Stop.”

“Whoa!” The servant pulled the reins. The moment the carriage halted, Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying lurched forward involuntarily. Qu Ning instinctively reached out a hand to brace in front of Zhao Ningying.

Zhao Ningying in turn grasped Qu Ning’s arm. Once the carriage steadied, Zhao Ningying curved her lips into a smile and looked at Qu Ning.

            

“Ning-jiejie still treats Ying’er as well as ever.”

Qu Ning glanced sideways at her. On that gentle face, there was a hint of reserve. She looked at the charm in Zhao Ningying’s eyes and brows, smiled briefly, and said, “Be careful.”

Zhao Ningying curved her lips, glanced outside, and said, “I want to bring some pastries for Mu-jiejie. She loves them most.”

            

Qu Ning nodded and said, “Then let’s go together.”

Zhao Ningying assented and followed Qu Ning out of the carriage. The two went to a nearby shop to buy some pastries.

Zhao Ningying held the pastries, lowered her head to sniff them, and said with smiling eyes, “They smell so good.”

            

“Haven’t had them in a long time?” Qu Ning asked.

“I’ve had them, but not the ones in the Capital City,” Zhao Ningying replied with a smile.

Qu Ning nodded and walked toward the shop.

            

Zhao Ningying asked from behind her, “Where are you going, Ning-jiejie?”

Qu Ning turned as she walked and said, “To buy some for you too.”

In the carriage, Zhao Ningying held the pastries Qu Ning had bought for her, eating small spoonfuls. After each bite, she did not forget to scoop a piece and offer it to Qu Ning. “Here.”

            

Just like when they were little, sharing food with no distinction between yours and mine.

Qu Ning looked down at the pastry on the spoon, then at Zhao Ningying’s unguarded gaze, and lowered her head to take it gently.

As Qu Ning chewed the soft, fragrant pastry, Zhao Ningying withdrew her gaze, the corner of her lips curving in a barely perceptible arc.

            

When the two arrived at the entrance of King Long’s Mansion and stepped down from the carriage, Zhao Ningying looked up at the grand gate and remarked, “It’s been a while since I last came.”

Qu Ning looked at the plaque of King Long’s Mansion alongside her and smiled faintly. “Is that so? I was just here yesterday.”

Zhao Ningying shot her a playful glare. Qu Ning felt the helpless exasperation in that look and laughed as she walked ahead.

            

The two entered the mansion and were led by a servant to where Zhao Jiayu was.

The little one had finished nursing but had not yet fallen asleep. Right now, Zhao Jiayu was ceaselessly trying to teach her to talk.

Hearing that Zhao Ningying and Qu Ning had arrived, Zhao Jiayu immediately had them shown in.

            

“Your Highness, Miss, this way please.” The servant led the two into the hall.

Zhao Jiayu stood up holding the little girl. Seeing the two enter, she beckoned with smiling eyes, “Our Ying’er is back! Little one, your two aunts have come to see you.”

“Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt.”

            

“Maternal Aunt, Maternal Uncle.”

The moment they entered, they raised their hands in greeting. Qu Yu, not as robust as before, slowly rose to his feet and smiled, “No need for such formality. I’ll have someone call Mu’er and Jin’er over.”

Zhao Ningying had already stepped forward, and after nodding, she looked at the baby in Zhao Jiayu’s arms—plump and fair-skinned—and reached out, “Let me hold her.”

            

Zhao Jiayu smiled and handed the baby to her. Qu Ning stood to one side, looking down at the little one. Her features bore seven parts resemblance to Qiao Jin—a beauty in the making.

Before the servant could go carry out Qu Yu’s instructions, Zhao Jiayu quickly said, “Wait a moment. Jin’er made some clothes for Mu’er today and just brought them over. They’re trying them on right now. Let’s wait a bit—no rush at a time like this.”

Trying on clothes was not a moment to intrude upon. Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying were indeed in no hurry—they had already crossed paths with Qiao Jin today.

            

Still, Qu Ning was curious. Qiao Jin, who was usually consumed by official duties, had actually found the time to select clothes for Qu Zhimu outside the mansion—that was rare indeed.

Zhao Ningying held the baby, teasing her. The little girl, having just finished nursing, was full of energy, giggling at being teased by this great beauty.

Qu Ning watched, and as if caught by Zhao Ningying’s smile, her own eyes gradually brightened with amusement.

            

A servant brought tea for the two of them. Qu Ning took the cup, tested the temperature, and handed it to Zhao Ningying. Since Zhao Ningying was holding the baby, she removed the porcelain lid and held the cup before her.

Having eaten so many pastries earlier, Zhao Ningying had mentioned in the carriage that she was somewhat thirsty.

Zhao Ningying looked up, her captivating eyes curving into a smile. Qu Ning met her gaze, felt herself grow dizzy, and lowered her eyes—only for Zhao Ningying to lean down and drink directly from the cup in Qu Ning’s hand.

            

Qu Ning watched in a daze. As the tea diminished, she tilted the cup slightly so that Zhao Ningying could drink more easily.

When the tea was finished, Qu Ning’s heart began to pound uncontrollably. Then she heard Zhao Ningying’s soft, tender voice say, “Thank you, Ning-jiejie.”

Qu Ning blinked and gave a soft “Mm.” At this moment, she felt her face begin to burn.

            

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The author has something to say:

Zhao Jiayu: “I heard that back in the day, my Ajie had her legs give out from Cheng Xi’s flirting. Ning’er, can your legs still hold up?”

Qu Ning: “…”

            

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