The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 268
by Little PandaBonus Chapter 4
I sleep in the middle.
Lin Xizhao watched Zhao Ningying produce the gold lock identical to Qu Ning’s, her gentle face softening with a smile as she said, “That gold lock was forged years ago on Sheng’er’s orders. Ning’er has one too. You two should have seen each other’s—they’re a pair.”
Qu Ning heard Lin Xizhao’s words and reached up to her neck, drawing out the gold lock nearly identical to Zhao Ningying’s.
Everyone looked over. Qu Zhimu glanced at it and said, “I have one too. Little Aunt gave it to me, but I didn’t bring it with me.” She then looked down at the gold lock Qu Ning kept pinching in her hand and added, “You’re this old—how come you still wear it?”
Such gold locks were rarely worn after coming of age, yet these two were clearly grown women and still wore them, which struck everyone as rather peculiar.
“Who says you can’t wear it once you’re grown?” Qu Ning muttered in protest, tucking the gold lock back inside her robe.
Zhao Ningying was wearing hers too, after all.
Qu Zhimu smiled at this younger paternal female cousin, then turned to look at her younger female cousin’s beaming face. After studying the two of them, she subconsciously glanced at Qiao Jin beside her.
That look in their eyes was rather similar.
Qu Zhimu smiled without saying a word. Qu Sheng watched the younger generation, then looked at her own daughter. This daughter didn’t resemble her in appearance, but her temperament was exactly the same.
“Besides this gold lock, what else would Ying’er like?” Qu Sheng asked warmly.
Zhao Ningying was about to say she needed nothing when Qu Sheng added, “At tomorrow’s palace banquet, if you don’t speak up, I’ll simply let the Ministry of Rites prepare your rewards.”
Lin Xizhao curved her brows with a smile and said, “Aunt Sheng is asking you—just name something you like. Don’t let her kind intentions go to waste.”
The rewards would naturally be plentiful, but something that truly pleased the heart was hard to guarantee.
Zhao Ningying glanced at Lin Xizhao, then looked at Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi nearby. Cheng Xi was carefully chewing her food, unconcerned about what Zhao Ningying might ask for. That she had returned safe and sound was the best outcome.
After a moment’s thought, Zhao Ningying recalled the political matter Qu Ning had discussed with her. She said, “Ying’er asks not for rewards, but might she beg Aunt Sheng to let her stay by Ning-jiejie’s side?”
The moment these words left Zhao Ningying’s mouth, everyone looked puzzled, though even Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng seemed to have guessed her thoughts perfectly. She had been discussing with Qu Sheng about sending Qu Ning to the military garrison to trial the Military Agricultural Colony System.
Qu Ning had been looking down, but at these words she turned to Zhao Ningying, then looked at her Mother Emperor and Empress Mother.
The atmosphere at the table inexplicably grew tense. Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying seemed to be considering the matter as well. This affair had not yet been finalized in court—though it wasn’t a closely guarded secret, it was still a matter of state.
For Zhao Ningying to bring it up the moment she returned… but then, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had never regarded Zhao Ningying as a subject. This child had grown up before their eyes, no different from Qu Ning.
The table fell silent for a moment before Lin Xizhao gave a soft laugh and said, “You’ll have to ask Ning’er whether she can bear to let you.”
Qu Ning cared deeply for Zhao Ningying. When she heard that Zhao Ningying was leading troops to suppress bandits, she had several times proposed going to assist her, but Qu Sheng had rejected each request.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao knew Qu Ning couldn’t bear to let Zhao Ningying suffer.
Zhao Ningying looked at Qu Ning upon hearing this. Qu Ning looked back at her. There was a trace of hope in Zhao Ningying’s eyes, but Qu Ning didn’t give a definite answer. “This… let’s talk about it later.”
She truly couldn’t bear to let Zhao Ningying follow her and endure hardship.
Though Zhao Ningying was also a young general, without war she could stay in the capital among family, enjoying the comforts of a young lady of the inner chambers. If she followed her to the military camp, she would certainly face wind and sun—and Qu Ning’s role there wouldn’t be merely supervising the army.
Some things required her to set an example and do everything personally.
Zhao Ningying wasn’t surprised by Qu Ning’s answer. Before Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng could state their positions again, Zhao Ningying smiled and said, “Then I’ll listen to Ning-jiejie. We’ll talk later.”
Even if Qu Ning refused now, she would still have chances to go in the future.
Qu Sheng watched the two young women and turned to look at Lin Xizhao. A soft smile graced Lin Xizhao’s gentle face.
The table resumed eating, and in the end Lin Xizhao gifted Zhao Ningying the unique jade bracelet she herself had been wearing.
The group laughed and chatted. Having not gathered like this in a long while, the elders all drank a little more than usual.
Jin Mingyi had previously wanted to have a second child, but had abandoned the idea after Zhu Qianjie and Zhao Ningying suddenly ‘went missing’ that year. Still, Jin Mingyi increasingly felt that her daughter was exceedingly clever—at the very least, cleverer than she was.
Looking back now, her daughter was the spitting image of Zhu Ming’an. Back then, she had spent three taels of silver to purchase Zhu Ming’an, expecting nothing more than a pretty face. Who could have known that this quiet woman had accomplished so many great deeds, each one leaving her astonished beyond words.
When all had eaten and drunk their fill, the dishes were cleared and everyone drank tea in the dining hall. Zhu Qianjie kept chattering away at Zhao Ningying, asking her how she had suppressed the bandits.
Naturally, Zhao Ningying didn’t hold anything back from this meimei. She recounted everything in detail. By now the adults had stopped their own conversations and were listening carefully to her account of the bandit suppression.
Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had already read the memorial, which though not as vivid as this telling, had been equally thorough.
Qu Ning watched Zhao Ningying’s lips as they opened and closed, so absorbed that when Lin Xizhao finished blowing on Qu Sheng’s tea to cool it and passed it over, she caught Qu Sheng’s eye with a glance, signaling her to look at her own daughter.
Their daughter’s eyes were practically glued to Zhao Ningying.
Qu Sheng accepted the tea and looked over, lowering her gaze for a moment. She couldn’t help but feel that her daughter could never bring herself to be direct about such things. Though she rarely showed this side of herself around Lin Xizhao, Qu Sheng had to admit that she had it in her.
For instance, back when she used to seek favor from Lin Xizhao.
Qu Ning listened to Zhao Ningying recount the bandit suppression. Since Zhao Ningying’s return, she hadn’t asked her about it—not because she didn’t want to, but because she felt they had all the time in the world, and she wanted to ask slowly, later.
But now that Zhu Qianjie had finished asking and she had heard it here, she wouldn’t ask a second time.
“Mother, I want to stay tonight and sleep with Ying-jiejie.” Zhu Qianjie, still engrossed in Zhao Ningying’s account, turned to look at Jin Mingyi with unfulfilled curiosity.
Jin Mingyi smiled and nodded. “Of course.” With the little live wire not at home, she and Zhu Ming’an were overjoyed.
Permission granted, Zhu Qianjie turned to Zhao Ningying and said, “Ning-jiejie1, I’ll stay tonight and we can talk at our leisure.”
Zhao Ningying smiled indulgently and replied, “Alright.”
Qu Ning’s face, which hadn’t held much of a smile to begin with, lost what little remained after hearing Zhao Ningying say “alright.”
“Hey, Ning-jiejie, do you want to stay tonight too?” Zhu Qianjie looked happily at Qu Ning.
Qu Ning was caught off guard by the question. She hadn’t made up her mind yet and stammered, “I…” Qu Ning looked at Zhao Ningying, who was now raising her eyes to meet hers, a smile like a spring breeze gracing her features.
“You two haven’t seen each other in so long—you must have plenty to talk about. Ning’er, you should stay tonight too,” Qu Sheng spoke up.
Qu Ning looked at Qu Sheng in surprise. Qu Sheng was drinking the tea Lin Xizhao had cooled for her, and when she looked at her daughter, her expression was serious—yet somehow felt unreal to Qu Ning.
“That’s wonderful! We can talk all night tonight!” Zhu Qianjie beamed.
Qu Zhimu glanced at Qiao Jin and said, “Then we’ll stay tonight too. There are plenty of rooms in the courtyard anyway. Let Xiaobao stay as well.”
Qiao Jin nodded, not objecting. Over the years, she and Qu Zhimu had stayed here more times than she could count.
The young ones reached an agreement. Zhao Jiayu said, “It’s getting late. We should all head back. Isn’t there a palace banquet tomorrow?”
A triumphal banquet for Zhao Ningying and the military officers was to be held at midday tomorrow. Zhao Jiayu was worried that Qu Yu might not get enough rest and his health might suffer.
Qu Sheng nodded. “Very well, let’s end here for today.”
With Qu Sheng’s word, everyone rose. Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying led the younger generation to the residence gate to see Qu Sheng and the others off.
In the carriage, Lin Xizhao leaned against Qu Sheng’s embrace, reflecting on her daughter. “Ning’er is too much like you.”
Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao, her expression tender. “Is being like me a bad thing?”
Lin Xizhao raised her eyes to meet Qu Sheng’s sparkling gaze and curved her lips. “Of course not. But she’s so restrained when it comes to her own feelings—who knows how long Ying’er will tolerate that.” They had long seen through the feelings between the two children, but since neither girl had spoken of it, they as adults simply pretended not to know.
“Don’t worry. Ning’er will handle it.” Qu Sheng had faith in her daughter.
Lin Xizhao blinked her lashes. “Let’s hope so.” Caring too much truly did lead to confusion—it was no empty saying.
Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao’s worried, downcast eyes and reached over, gently lifting her chin. She pressed her lips against Lin Xizhao’s and began to kiss her softly.
Qu Sheng’s soft tongue slipped out, and Lin Xizhao began to respond to her beloved. Fueled by wine, Qu Sheng grew urgent, wanting to plunder the woman she loved down to the very marrow of her bones.
The Zhao Residence servants arranged rooms for each of the young ladies. In the kitchen, nearly every stove was burning with hot water.
Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi were most concerned about Qu Zhimu. Since giving birth, Qu Zhimu hadn’t stayed overnight here, and they worried that Xiaobao might not adapt to the surroundings.
The two went together to her room. Qu Zhimu hadn’t drunk today and was currently feeding the baby. Hearing that her two maternal aunts had come, she didn’t dare interrupt the temperamental little treasure’s ‘evening meal.’
Qiao Jin spoke with Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi outside, and hearing that Qu Zhimu was feeding the baby, chose not to disturb them. Everything had already been prepared at the residence, and since both women were doctors, if Xiaobao had any issues, they could be found in their courtyard.
Qiao Jin agreed, cupping her hands in farewell as they departed.
“Have the two aunts left?” Qu Zhimu was still holding Xiaobao in her arms.
Qiao Jin came closer and nodded, glancing down at their daughter. She leaned over and pressed a kiss to Qu Zhimu’s soft lips, saying, “They’ve gone. Wife, are you going to visit our younger cousin later?”
“I’ll go take a look.” Qu Zhimu wasn’t certain. “I’ll go see in a bit—whether I stay or not, I’m not sure.”
With so many people crammed into one room, it probably wouldn’t fit. A flicker of joy crossed Qiao Jin’s heart, but she didn’t relax. She said, “Then if you’re not staying, come back quickly. I’m worried about Xiaobao…”
Qu Zhimu looked at her wife, watching her stumble over her words as she offered such proper-sounding excuses, and smiled. “Alright, I won’t stay. I’ll go look and come right back.”
Delight flashed in Qiao Jin’s eyes. It was because she held Qu Zhimu to sleep every night—if she couldn’t hold her tonight, she knew she would lose sleep. And of course, there were certain things she couldn’t do alone.
After Qu Zhimu finished feeding the baby, she handed Xiaobao to Qiao Jin to coax to sleep and went to Zhao Ningying’s courtyard.
Before she knocked, the room had been quiet all along. Qu Ning sat inside watching the candle lamp on the desk. Hearing the knock, she went over and opened the door.
“Mu-jiejie.” Qu Ning greeted Qu Zhimu politely.
Qu Zhimu nodded and glanced inside. “Where are the others?”
Qu Ning replied, “They’ve all gone to bathe.”
Qu Zhimu entered the room and asked again, “Why haven’t you gone?”
“I’ve already washed.” Qu Ning had gone first—she had bathed that very morning, in preparation for seeing Zhao Ningying today.
Qu Zhimu noticed the slight dampness at the tips of Qu Ning’s hair and understood. “Then pass a message to Ying-meimei for me. Xiaobao isn’t quite used to this place, so I won’t be coming over to stay with her tonight.”
Qu Ning nodded. “Alright, I’ll tell her when she returns.”
Bathing would take some time, so Qu Zhimu didn’t wait—her own wife was waiting for her in their room.
After Qu Zhimu left, Qu Ning sat in the room, glancing from time to time toward Zhao Ningying’s inner chamber.
It wasn’t that she hadn’t slept here before, but over the years, something thin and gauze-like seemed to have grown between them, keeping their once-unreserved hearts apart.
She didn’t know what it was, but every time she sensed it, it stirred a faint irritation in her.
Soon Zhu Qianjie and Zhao Ningying returned. Zhu Qianjie had drunk wine today, and after bathing, though she felt a bit refreshed, she was still somewhat drowsy. She walked toward the bed in the room.
Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying followed behind her. The moment Zhu Qianjie sat on the bed, she declared to the two of them: “I sleep in the middle.”
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Qu Ning, gritting her teeth: “Fine!”
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