The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 280
by Little PandaBonus Chapter 16
Take off your clothes and come lie down.
Soldiers brought over the carriage step-stool. Qu Ning dismounted unhurriedly, walked to where Ma Mingzhong knelt, and looked down at him.
Ma Mingzhong raised his eyes nervously to meet Qu Ning’s gaze and hastened to explain. “This subject summoned the civil officials in Your Highness’s name. Carrying out tuntian naturally requires dealing with local officials. This subject also knows that His Majesty attaches great importance to this matter, and hearing that Your Highness was riding hard to arrive, this subject wished to save Your Highness time and get the tuntian started sooner. That is why this subject acted as he did. Though this subject may have overstepped, it was for the sake of our Quzhao’s new system. If Your Highness feels this subject acted improperly, this subject will accept punishment, but please do not wrong this subject.”
When Ma Mingzhong finished, Qu Ning stared at him in silence for a moment. The assembled officials also looked up in bewilderment, seeing that the expression on Qu Ning’s face was no longer as severe and cold as before. They glanced at one another, unable to fathom what the Imperial Crown Princess would do next.
Qu Ning sighed, swept her gaze over the crowd, and the corners of her lips slowly curved. She lowered her eyes again to look at Ma Mingzhong, who knelt before her, glancing up from time to time to read her reaction, a trace of disgruntlement on his face.
“General Ma, how very thoughtful of you. You used this palace’s name to summon civil officials to the camp. Should this palace be thanking you?”
Hearing this, Ma Mingzhong immediately changed his tune. “This subject used Your Highness’s name, but this was not a false transmission of Your Highness’s oral decree. This subject merely informed them that Your Highness and His Majesty place great importance on the tuntian matter. They came of their own accord to save time in launching the program.”
Qu Ning offered a forced smile1 and raised her head to address the kneeling officials. “Is that so?”
The kneeling officials dared not reply. Qiao Jin, who had alighted from the carriage behind Qu Ning, called out sharply, “Her Highness is asking you a question. Answer truthfully.”
The kneeling officials looked at one another, raising their heads only to hesitate.
Qu Ning glanced at Ma Mingzhong and saw him turning his head toward the officials, fixing them with a threatening glare where she could not see, his eyes narrowed. She gave a soft laugh.
Ma Mingzhong turned back at the sound, looking up with a face full of innocence.
“Then it seems this palace has wronged General Ma.”
“What does Your Highness mean? You are the Crown Princess—how could you be wrong? The fault lies with this subject for not informing you in advance. Everything is this subject’s fault. Since it was a misunderstanding, let us speak no more of it. This subject has prepared a welcome banquet2 for Your Highness in the camp. Please do this subject the honor of attending…” As he spoke, Ma Mingzhong rose to his feet on his own.
Qu Ning eyed him sidelong. Just as Ma Mingzhong tried to approach her, she asked abruptly, “Did this palace tell you to stand?”
Ma Mingzhong’s face stiffened. His eyes darted about, then he smiled. “It was all a misunderstanding. Has this subject not already explained?”
Qu Ning smiled. When had she ever called this a misunderstanding?
“Someone come. Ma Mingzhong, as garrison commander, has privately colluded with local officials in violation of Quzhao law. Considering that he acted with the nation’s interests at heart, this will not be pursued further at present. Drag him down and administer eighty military sticks3 as a warning to others.” Qu Ning’s words fell with authority, yet not a single movement followed.
The soldiers who had accompanied her, upon hearing Qu Ning’s command, did not dare to make a single move.
Qu Ning turned to look and was so exasperated she laughed. She looked at Ma Mingzhong and smiled. “The soldiers Lord Ma has trained are very loyal to you, aren’t they.”
Ma Mingzhong’s expression darkened as well. He looked at Qu Ning—this young girl who, though pretty enough and having gone to the frontier to gild her credentials, still appeared to lack any depth of political acumen.
Garrison troops were not so easily commanded. He had been stationed here for years. How many days could Qu Ning possibly stay? A mighty dragon cannot crush the local snake4. Qu Ning had barely arrived before ordering the beating of their garrison commander. No matter who it was, no one would dare to act.
Ma Mingzhong lowered his head in silence. Qu Ning’s lashes fluttered, but she showed neither anger nor impatience.
She stood in place for roughly half a cup of tea’s time before she heard the distant sound of hoofbeats.
Zhao Ningying led soldiers riding over from the direction of the camp.
The assembled officials turned at the sound. Zhao Ningying, armed with her long spear and clad in full battle dress, had not only brought soldiers—behind her were bound camp officers, running along behind their horses.
In moments, Zhao Ningying and her men arrived.
Ma Mingzhong stared in disbelief at his personal guards, all bound. “What is Your Highness doing?”
Zhao Ningying dismounted and walked straight to Qu Ning, cupping her fist in salute. “This subject has followed Your Highness’s orders and taken control of Jiangkou Great Camp in advance.” She turned and pointed at the bound officers. “These are men who refused the imperial orders and obstructed the handover. This subject has had them arrested and awaits Your Highness’s judgment.”
“Very well. Execute them on the spot.”
The few words Qu Ning uttered with such ease showed the assembled officials and Ma Mingzhong exactly what kind of Crown Princess she was.
Zhao Ningying turned away. Her men forced those soldiers to the ground and, with one swift stroke5, gave them no chance even to cry out in protest before their heads rolled.
The civil officials, who had never witnessed such a scene, were all silent as cicadas in cold weather6. Some fainted on the spot.
Ma Mingzhong now knew that Zhao Ningying had already taken over the camp. He had assumed that since the newcomers were all women, a little maneuvering would be enough to keep real power in his hands. Watching his trusted men from the garrison being beheaded, he understood that this Crown Princess was not to be trifled with. He could only fold7. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he said, “Your Highness, this subject will also go and accept the eighty military sticks.”
Qu Ning revealed a faint smile. Moments ago he had been pushing back; now he was yielding.
Ma Mingzhong walked aside and knelt, ordering his own soldiers to strike him with the sticks.
“Enough. Official business takes priority. General Ma’s remaining punishment will be recorded for now.” Qu Ning was bestowing both grace and authority8. Though he was still punished, the difference between twenty strokes and eighty was vast.
Eighty military sticks would have left him bedridden for half a month. She needed manpower urgently, so a lighter punishment would suffice for now.
Ma Mingzhong was guilty, but now was not the time to punish him fully.
Qu Ning looked at the kneeling civil officials and said, “This palace never ordered you to come. The tasks you are responsible for have already been dispatched to your respective yamen through official channels. If there are any further changes, Lord Qiao will coordinate the handover with you. You may all return.”
“We subjects obey.”
The officials rose at her words. Two who had fainted were carried away on Qu Ning’s orders.
Zhao Ningying ordered the aftermath handled: the corpses and blood on the ground were cleaned away, and the remaining military officers were escorted back to camp.
The quarters Ma Mingzhong had arranged for Qu Ning and her two companions were adjacent to one another, furnished with a young woman’s tastes in mind—quite comfortable, in fact.
This Ma Mingzhong had earned merit in his youth fighting under Qu Sheng. When someone at court had recommended him, he was dispatched to this post. He did possess genuine talent and had climbed his way up over the years.
He would never dare to rebel, but when it came to lining his pockets, he was a master hand. He was practiced at flattery and fawning. In the past, his petty corruptions had been met with the court turning a blind eye, but once he began extending his reach into the domain of local officials, Qu Sheng had begun to consider removing him.
Sending Qu Ning here served two purposes: first, it was close to the Capital City with abundant land; second, it gave Qu Ning a chance to practice governance.
Qu Ning entered her tent, rested briefly, changed clothes, and went back out. Zhao Ningying was still outside at that point, overseeing the replacement of personnel and banners at various posts.
It was not until evening that Zhao Ningying returned. By then, Qu Ning and Qiao Jin had already begun discussing land allocation over a sand table9 of the local area.
Land, seeds, farming tools, draft oxen, and soldier allocation. Which troops to mobilize, how many men per mu of farmland—all required careful deliberation.
Zhao Ningying entered from outside. Qu Ning lifted her gaze from the sand table and smiled. “Ying-meimei is back.”
Zhao Ningying walked over with a bright expression. “All positions have been replaced with our people. If Ning-jiejie needs manpower, you can mobilize them at any time.”
Qu Ning straightened and looked at Zhao Ningying, her expression warm. “With you here, Jin-jiejie and I are quite at ease.”
Qiao Jin also looked up and smiled. “If not for Ying-meimei’s swiftness today, we might have been locked in a standoff with that General Ma for a good while longer.”
Zhao Ningying smiled. “It was all thanks to Your Highness’s planning. General Ma has prepared a meal for us. If you two are free now, eat first and come back after.”
Qu Ning set down the small flags in her hand. Qiao Jin rubbed her stomach. “I am a bit hungry.”
The three exchanged glances and laughed as they left the tent together.
They went to Qu Ning’s tent, where food had already been laid out. Ma Mingzhong, seeing them approach, hurried forward to bow. “This subject greets Your Highness, Consort Qiao, Little General Zhao.”
“Dispense with the formalities.” Qu Ning gave Ma Mingzhong a single glance and led Zhao Ningying and Qiao Jin inside.
Ma Mingzhong followed last, but had only poked his head inside when Qu Ning turned to look at him.
Catching Qu Ning’s unwelcoming gaze, Ma Mingzhong smiled awkwardly.
“Does General Ma have nothing else to do?” Qu Ning asked pointedly.
He squeezed out an awkward smile. “This subject only wished to serve Your Highness your wine.”
“No need.” Qu Ning turned away.
Zhao Ningying glanced back and, seeing General Ma’s painfully awkward expression, said, “Your Highness has brought two beloved horses on this journey. Might I trouble General Ma to assign someone to look after them carefully? Please ensure nothing goes amiss.”
Ma Mingzhong seized the opening. “Yes, yes, yes. This humble officer will personally attend to them at once.”
Qu Ning sat down and, watching Ma Mingzhong retreat, turned to Zhao Ningying with an amused smile. “When did I bring beloved horses?”
Zhao Ningying’s eyes crinkled with a smile. “Ningying knows she was wrong. They are my beloved horses.”
Zhao Ningying had brought two fine horses from the residence, planning to race Qu Ning in her spare time.
Qu Ning ate her meal, watching Zhao Ningying’s cheerful expression as she poured herself wine, and in high spirits raised her cup to drink with them.
This Ma Mingzhong was a master of sycophancy. Sending him off to tend the horses was just as well—it kept him from pestering them.
After the meal, Qiao Jin remained in Qu Ning’s tent to continue discussing the tuntian matter, while Zhao Ningying went out to arrange the night patrol duties.
They had just arrived. Though they had replaced a good number of personnel, there was still concern about oversights. For that reason, Zhao Ningying decided to personally stand watch during the latter half of the night.
Qu Ning and Qiao Jin stayed together until late into the night. When Qiao Jin left the tent, she carried a stack of official documents and crossed paths with the patrolling Zhao Ningying.
It was already the latter half of the night, and Qu Ning had just said she would rest. Qiao Jin watched Zhao Ningying walk away, pondered for a moment, then returned to Qu Ning’s tent to say a few words before leaving.
Zhao Ningying was now the highest-ranking officer at Jiangkou Great Camp. If Qiao Jin, who had traveled with them, was this exhausted, how much more so must Zhao Ningying be?
After patrolling the entire camp, Zhao Ningying was heading to stand guard outside Qu Ning’s tent when she spotted from a distance Qu Ning standing outside, wrapped in thick clothing.
Zhao Ningying led her squad over quickly. Seeing Qu Ning staring at her, she asked, “Why has Your Highness come out? Is there something you need to instruct?”
Qu Ning glanced at the soldiers behind her and called out one of them. “You stand watch tonight. This palace has matters to discuss with your general.”
“Yes, this junior general obeys.” The patrol soldier departed to continue his rounds.
Qu Ning turned to look at Zhao Ningying, said nothing, and went back inside the tent. Zhao Ningying lowered her eyes, thought for a moment, and followed.
Watching Qu Ning walk toward the folding screen, Zhao Ningying had no choice but to follow. “What does Ning-jiejie want to talk to me about?”
Qu Ning turned to face her, held her gaze for a moment, and said, “You wanted to stand guard for me, didn’t you? Then guard right here in my tent. Don’t go anywhere else.”
Zhao Ningying had guessed before entering that this was what it was about. She wanted to explain, but Qu Ning raised a hand to cut her off. “I know what you want to say. It’s nothing more than ‘we’ve just arrived here, and it’s for your safety.’ But Feng Miao is outside. What do you have to worry about?”
Zhao Ningying was speechless.
“Since you’re so worried about me, then guard me right here in my tent.” Qu Ning spoke out of pique.
How could she bear to let her beloved, who had traveled just as far, stand night watch for her?
Zhao Ningying stood in place with downcast eyes, not daring to argue or explain further.
Qu Ning’s nature was somewhat stubborn; once she set her mind on something, it was hard to change. Making her stay in the tent now was both punishment and tender concern—Zhao Ningying understood all of this.
After a moment, Qu Ning, sitting on the edge of the bed, let some of her anger subside and said, “Come here.”
Zhao Ningying looked up and walked over in confusion. “What does Ning-jiejie want?”
Qu Ning was exasperated into a laugh. What could she possibly want in the middle of the night?
“Take off your clothes and come lie down.”
“Ah?” Zhao Ningying’s confusion was laced with a hint of alarm.
Qu Ning did not overthink it and simply said, “I’m telling you to take off your clothes and come sleep with me. Isn’t it better to guard me right by my side?”
Zhao Ningying showed a trace of helplessness. “Then how about I go back to my own tent to sleep.”
Qu Ning stared at her, thinking that if she went back she would probably resume her night watch, and immediately refused. “No. If you go back, how will you guard me?”
Zhao Ningying’s soft lips parted, wanting to promise she would definitely go back to sleep, but Qu Ning urged her, “Hurry up. I’m tired and don’t want to talk anymore.”
The tent remained at a stalemate for a long while. Just as Qu Ning was beginning to feel uncertain, thinking Zhao Ningying was digging in her heels and preparing to leave, she heard the sound of armor being removed.
Qu Ning glanced sideways and saw Zhao Ningying beginning to take off her armor, then quickly turned her face away.
In truth, letting Zhao Ningying go back to her own tent wouldn’t have been impossible, but just as her anger faded, selfishness crept in.
When Zhao Ningying had stripped down to only her inner garment, Qu Ning cast a quick glance over, rose, and handed her a set of sleepwear. “We’re about the same size. Change into these.”
While Zhao Ningying hesitated, Qu Ning walked out behind the folding screen.
Zhao Ningying watched Qu Ning’s retreating back, holding the sleepwear, then lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before changing.
After Zhao Ningying changed, Qu Ning still had not returned. She stepped out and saw Qu Ning sitting to one side, lost in thought studying a hand-drawn land distribution map. “Didn’t Ning-jiejie say she was tired? How come you’re looking at maps again?”
Qu Ning gathered her thoughts at the sound and turned to look. Seeing that Zhao Ningying had already changed into her sleepwear, she rose and walked over.
“Let’s sleep.” Qu Ning walked to the bed and climbed onto it naturally. After a moment’s hesitation, Zhao Ningying followed.
The two lay down. Qu Ning gazed up at the bed curtains. When she glanced sideways, she saw Zhao Ningying also staring at the bed curtains. “Go to sleep.”
When Zhao Ningying turned to look, Qu Ning had already turned her head away. But sensing Zhao Ningying’s gaze, Qu Ning looked back again.
Their eyes met. Zhao Ningying saw the restrained affection Qu Ning had woven into her gaze. Her lashes trembled gently, and she slowly looked away.
And Qu Ning’s chest tightened with a dull ache at Zhao Ningying’s feigned obliviousness.
It seemed that ever since that rainy night at the inn, Zhao Ningying’s attitude toward her had changed.
The distance between their hearts had begun to grow.
The author has something to say:
Qu Ning: “sob sob My wife doesn’t love me anymore.”
Zhao Ningying: “I do not!”
Footnotes
- 皮笑肉不笑 | pí xiào ròu bù xiào | Idiom describing a superficial, insincere smile that does not reach the eyes; feigned politeness masking true feelings.
- 接风宴 | jiē fēng yàn | Traditional banquet to welcome someone arriving from a journey; literally 'catching the wind' of a traveler's return.
- 军棍 | jūn gùn | Standard military punishment implement: a heavy wooden rod used for corporal discipline in Chinese imperial armies.
- 强龙压不住地头蛇 | qiáng lóng yā bù zhù dì tóu shé | Proverb: even a powerful outsider cannot easily overcome someone entrenched in local power and influence.
- 手起刀落 | shǒu qǐ dāo luò | Idiom describing a swift, decisive action, especially execution; emphasizes speed and finality.
- 噤若寒蝉 | jìn ruò hán chán | Classical idiom: people so frightened they dare not speak, likened to cicadas that fall silent in autumn cold.
- 认怂 | rèn sǒng | Colloquial slang for conceding, yielding, or admitting one is outmatched in a confrontational context.
- 恩威并施 | ēn wēi bìng shī | Governance philosophy of balancing rewards and punishments to maintain control and loyalty.
- 沙盘 | shā pán | Tactical terrain model used in Chinese military planning since antiquity, typically built from sand to represent topography for strategic analysis.
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