The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 267

Bonus Chapter 3

This Is What Ningying Loves Most

Zhao Jiayu sat in the hall, watching the interaction between these two children, always feeling something indescribable in her heart. But they had grown up together since childhood, and after not seeing each other for so long, such closeness was perfectly natural.

            

Qu Ning set her cup back on the tea table. Zhao Ningying, as if nothing had happened, continued playing with Qu Zhimu’s daughter. The little one seemed to adore Zhao Ningying—every time Zhao Ningying gave her a smile, the baby would giggle endlessly.

Qu Ning was already used to this by now, because when she held the baby, the little one was the same way. She figured it was probably because of their resemblance.

Back then, Qu Zhimu had been very clingy with her own mother too, though she grew out of it as she got older.

            

The two of them sat in the room, Zhao Ningying playing with the baby while Qu Ning sat to the side watching. Her gaze drifted here and there, but every time it landed precisely on Zhao Ningying. After only two years apart, Zhao Ningying seemed somehow different from before.

About when the time seemed right, Zhao Jiayu personally went to Qu Zhimu’s courtyard. During that entire shichen¹, Zhao Ningying and Qu Ning had not uttered a single word of impatience or questioning.

Qiao Jin had someone bring hot water and, after helping Qu Zhimu with a simple bath, was now drying her body.

            

“I can do it myself.” Qu Zhimu reached for the towel in Qiao Jin’s hands. Being attended to was effortless, but she worried that Qiao Jin’s lustful tendencies might flare up again.

She was pregnant with their daughter, and she and Qiao Jin had indeed abstained for a long time. Now, she accommodated Qiao Jin’s requests every time. When this woman first met her, she had looked the picture of ascetic restraint—who could have known she would turn out like this.

But no matter what, she was the woman she loved most.

            

Qu Zhimu had barely finished dressing when Zhao Jiayu called out to her several times.

“Commandery Princess, Commandery Consort, Princess Consort has arrived.” The maidservant stood outside the door to announce.

Qu Zhimu finished tying her dress. The two of them were quite used to this and not at all flustered—just like today, when they had someone take the baby out, even as voices spoke outside, the two inside were still locked in a kiss.

            

Qiao Jin went to open the washroom door and, seeing Zhao Jiayu approach, asked with a pleasant expression, “Mother, is something the matter?”

Zhao Jiayu did not look inside—she had seen her daughter in every state imaginable. Her expression showed nothing unusual toward the two of them as she said, “Ning’er and Ying’er have arrived. They’re in the front hall right now, amusing Little Treasure. Come over when you are done.”

“Ying-meimei is here?” Qu Zhimu heard Zhao Jiayu’s words and quickly stepped out from behind the screen.

            

Zhao Jiayu glanced at her, taking in her daughter’s flushed, dewy appearance, and smiled. “Yes, they have been waiting for nearly a shichen.”

“They have been here that long? Mother, why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Qu Zhimu was a bit displeased.

Zhao Jiayu gave her a reproachful look. “Even if I had called you earlier, would you have been able to go?”

            

Qu Zhimu considered this, recalling what they had just been doing, and murmured, “That’s true.” The way they had been just now, unable to tear themselves apart, with Qiao Jin looking like a starving ghost who wouldn’t let her have her fill—it would have been hard to stop.

At this moment, Qiao Jin’s face was somewhat flushed, but she stood there looking perfectly composed. Qu Zhimu glanced at her, knowing she was feeling embarrassed, and reached out to take Qiao Jin’s hand. “Come, let us go see Ying-meimei.”

Zhao Jiayu watched these two juniors. She always felt her daughter had inherited her thick skin—shameless through and through. But it was fine; at least the one beside her still had some sense of propriety.

            

Zhao Jiayu followed behind them back to the reception hall. The moment they entered, Zhao Ningying looked at them with a smile.

“Ning-meimei, Ying-meimei.” Qu Zhimu glanced at Qu Ning, then fixed her gaze on Zhao Ningying.

She had seen Qu Ning many times since her return, but this was the first time she had seen Zhao Ningying in over a year. If not for the baby, she probably would have followed Zhao Ningying to eradicate the bandits, but then she thought about leaving Qiao Jin behind for so long and decided against it.

            

Zhao Ningying stood up with the baby in her arms. Qiao Jin hurried over and said with a smile, “You sisters haven’t seen each other in a long time. Have a good chat—I’ll hold the baby.”

Zhao Ningying handed the baby to Qiao Jin, and Qu Zhimu walked over and embraced her tightly. “I missed you so much! I heard you accomplished a great feat this time. Aunt even said she wants to reward you properly.”

Zhao Ningying’s brows curved as she smiled. “Ying’er missed Mu-jiejie too.”

            

Qu Zhimu released Zhao Ningying and pulled her to sit down. Qu Ning sat to the side sipping tea, and when she looked up, she saw Qiao Jin gazing down at their daughter with tender eyes—a stark contrast to her sharp demeanor in court.

“I’ll go back with you later. Jin’er doesn’t have anything pressing today either, so we will all go.” Qu Zhimu seemed to have truly grown up—she spoke with the bearing of an elder sister now.

Zhao Ningying nodded and said, “Grandfather and Grandmother said they are hosting a family banquet at the residence today. They asked us to come over to see if you and Jin-jiejie, as well as Maternal Aunt and Maternal Uncle, have time to join.”

            

“We have time, we have time.” Qu Zhimu agreed without hesitation.

Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu watched from the side, exchanging a glance. Seeing how close the sisters were, they felt reassured.

Half a shichen later, the group headed to the Zhao Residence.

            

The Zhao Residence kitchen had already purchased plenty of provisions, even arranging Zhao Ningying’s favorite roasted lamb leg.

The moment the group entered the residence, the quiet courtyard instantly came alive with bustle.

The family sat in the reception hall. Before long, Zhu Ming’an’s family, having heard the news of Zhao Ningying’s return, came over as well.

            

Though Zhao Ningying was of the younger generation, every one of these elders had watched her grow up. Each cared for her more than the last, and since childhood, she had always been the most sensible one, endearing herself to all the elders.

Zhu Qianjie had grown into a young lady as well. She quickened her pace into the hall, her eyes finding Zhao Ningying first.

Zhu Qianjie and Zhao Ningying exchanged a look and both smiled. Then Zhu Qianjie bowed to the elders in the hall.

            

Soon after, Zhu Ming’an and Jin Mingyi entered as well, and the younger generation in the room rose to bow to them.

“Our Ying’er grows more beautiful by the day.” Jin Mingyi saw Zhao Ningying and praised her endlessly with a smile.

Zhu Qianjie chimed in, “Of course! Ying-jiejie looks most like Maternal Aunt Xi. And Maternal Aunt Xi is a great beauty.”

            

She was practically cut from the same mold as Cheng Xi—how could she not be beautiful?

Cheng Xi smiled and invited the three of them to sit down, but Zhu Qianjie ran to Cheng Xi’s side, looking her up and down, until the adults in the room grew puzzled.

Zhao Ningying just smiled at the younger girl and didn’t stop her.

            

“Ying-jiejie, you’ve gotten quite thin.” Zhu Qianjie said with concern.

Zhao Ningying curved her lips and said, “Perhaps it’s because I was so eager to come back and see you that I didn’t eat well on the road.”

Zhu Qianjie’s face immediately brightened. “You missed me that much, but you don’t even want to give me a hug?”

            

Zhu Qianjie’s train of thought was a bit different from others. Hearing her request, Zhao Ningying’s eyes curved into a smile and she pulled her into an embrace.

Zhu Qianjie, wrapped in Zhao Ningying’s arms, grinned from ear to ear. Everyone in the room smiled at the pair of sisters, but Zhu Qianjie happened to cast her gaze at Qu Ning, who sat beside Zhao Ningying.

Qu Ning held her tea and sipped. Though her face showed no displeasure, she refused to spare them another glance.

            

When Zhu Qianjie had enough of the hug, she released her hold and cheerfully handed over the gift she had prepared to Zhao Ningying.

“These are some little things I picked up from the shop a few months ago. I hope Ying-jiejie likes them.”

Zhao Ningying looked down at the gift box Zhu Qianjie offered and accepted it with a smile. “You shouldn’t have gone to such expense, Qianjie-meimei.”

            

“What expense? It’s my honor that Ying-jiejie would even accept something from me.”

Zhao Ningying laughed at Zhu Qianjie’s adorable manner and asked someone to put the box away, but Zhu Qianjie protested, “Open it and see!”

Zhao Ningying hesitated for a moment, but seeing Zhu Qianjie’s eager expression, she smiled and opened the wooden box.

            

The box was not large, but it had three layers, each holding twenty exquisite throwing darts². Zhao Ningying had practiced throwing darts diligently before, and Zhu Qianjie had followed along, but she knew her own limits—after a few days, she found it too tiring and quit, going off to learn business from Zhu Ming’an instead.

Zhao Ningying’s eyes lit up. The smile between her brows told Zhu Qianjie that she had chosen the right gift.

“Do you like it?” Zhu Qianjie asked eagerly.

            

Zhao Ningying nodded. “I do. Thank you, Qianjie-meimei.”

Zhu Qianjie clicked her tongue. “We’re as close as can be. If you ever need anything, just come to me.”

Zhao Ningying nodded, closed the box, and called someone over to have it sent to her room.

            

“Don’t! Let’s go try them out in the courtyard.” Zhu Qianjie wanted to see Zhao Ningying’s martial skills.

Zhao Ningying looked at Zhu Qianjie’s innocent face and agreed. She led the younger ones outside, and the servants brought out a target.

Qu Zhimu held the box, curiously picking up a dart to examine. Qu Ning stood to the side, glancing at it only briefly before turning her gaze back to Zhu Qianjie and Zhao Ningying.

            

Zhao Ningying held a dart, looked down at it, and threw—striking dead center of the target.

Zhu Qianjie watched from the side and handed her a few more.

Zhao Ningying accepted them with a smile and flung all three at once—each one hitting the bullseye again. Zhu Qianjie marveled inwardly and hurried over to retrieve the darts.

            

“Ying-jiejie is amazing.”

Zhao Ningying smiled and looked back at Qu Ning, who had been standing silently to the side.

“Ning-jiejie, you try too.”

            

Zhao Ningying’s words softened Qu Ning’s taut expression. She walked over, and Zhu Qianjie handed her the darts.

Qu Ning’s throwing was equally precise. She flung four darts that flew to the target together, covering the red bullseye entirely.

Zhao Ningying smiled. “It seems Ning-jiejie has been practicing hard too.”

            

Qu Ning looked at her and replied, “I practiced at the military camp before.”

Zhao Ningying nodded in understanding. “Then you must teach me. I feel I’ve regressed quite a bit.”

Looking at where the darts landed, Zhao Ningying had indeed regressed somewhat. Unlike Qu Ning, whose time at the border was dedicated to training, Zhao Ningying had gone to suppress bandits—beyond morning drills, she had no extra time to practice.

            

Qu Ning nodded. “Alright. Court affairs haven’t been too heavy lately, so I will teach you.”

“Hey, how are court affairs not too heavy? My Jin’er has been working until late at night every time she comes home.” Qu Zhimu said, then turned to Qiao Jin with a suspicious look. “Are you really working on official business when you come back to our room so late at night?” After all, Qu Ning and Qiao Jin worked together in court.

Qiao Jin, to avoid disturbing the rest of her wife and child, had moved her official work to the study. She had indeed been very busy lately, but Qu Ning’s one sentence left Qiao Jin unable to defend herself. She looked helplessly at Qu Ning.

            

Seeing Qu Zhimu directing her suspicions at Qiao Jin, Qu Ning could only say helplessly, “I truly have been very busy lately, but I can still make time for Ying-meimei.”

Zhu Qianjie burst out laughing, and Qiao Jin breathed a sigh of relief. Qu Zhimu, realizing she had wrongly accused Qiao Jin, gave a playful pout and tugged at her sleeve. “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

Qiao Jin’s gaze was full of doting affection. “It’s no matter. I have been neglecting you both lately.”

            

She had long known that Qu Zhimu harbored some resentment about this. Though she never said it aloud, Qiao Jin knew—and so she felt guilty toward Qu Zhimu and their child.

Zhao Ningying watched Qu Zhimu and Qiao Jin with curved brows and smiling eyes. When those two had married, it had caused such an uproar, but now, seeing their peaceful life together, it had all been worth it.

One shichen later, the banquet was fully laid out in the dining hall, and the two from the palace finally made their belated arrival. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao were frequent guests at the Zhao Residence. The moment they entered, everyone exchanged bows.

            

Once seated, Zhao Ningying raised her cup and toasted everyone with poised grace. “This bandit suppression should have been resolved by cutting the Gordian knot³, but due to my immaturity and failure to make a prompt decision, the campaign was delayed until now, causing all of you elders to worry for a long time. Ningying toasts you all.”

Qu Sheng and the others all raised their cups and drank with her. Lin Xizhao was highly satisfied with Zhao Ningying’s bandit suppression campaign. She said, “The terrain of Yuanze is complex and treacherous. That you could wipe them out so quickly is no small feat. Even a battle-hardened general might not have accomplished it as swiftly. Ying’er has done very well.”

When Zhao Ningying had requested troops for the bandit suppression, no one had been optimistic—only Lin Xizhao had supported her. Zhao Ningying was meticulous; though she had never participated in any major battle, she possessed the same wisdom as her mother, Cheng Xi. She was both courageous and resourceful. Moreover, the region was rife with miasma, and Zhao Ningying’s constitution—thanks to Cheng Xi’s bloodline—was uniquely suited to it, making her the most fitting choice.

            

Zhao Ningying beamed at the praise. “Thank you, Maternal Aunt, for your praise. Ningying still has many shortcomings.”

Seeing her humility, Qu Sheng smiled and asked, “Your merit in this bandit suppression is undeniable. The Ministry of Rites has already begun drafting the commendation. But I wonder—is there anything in particular you would like?”

The palace held countless treasures. Qu Sheng did not know what to bestow upon her—everything was done according to regulations—but she still wanted to give Zhao Ningying a reward she would truly cherish.

            

Zhao Ningying smiled. “What Ningying desires most, my two Maternal Aunts have already given me.”

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao were momentarily puzzled. Over the years, they had indeed bestowed many gifts upon Zhao Ningying, but nothing excessively precious came to mind.

Seeing everyone’s confusion, Zhao Ningying drew out the longevity gold lock⁴ from around her neck and smiled. “This is what Ningying loves most.”

            

Qu Ning gazed at the exquisite longevity lock in Zhao Ningying’s hand. Her fingers, resting at her side, flexed slightly, and she lowered her eyes as if she too wanted to take out the matching longevity gold lock from around her own neck.

Those locks had been crafted after they were born—Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had them made from the same piece of gold, by the same artisan, on the same day, each engraved with their respective birth hours.

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The author has something to say:

            

Qu Ning: “Same piece of gold, same artisan, same day—rounding up, that’s basically my mother arranging a childhood betrothal⁵ for me.”

Qu Zhimu: “Um, I have one too.”

Qu Ning: “…”

            

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