The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 284

Bonus Chapter 20

Give me the kiss you promised, okay?

Still lost in a dreamlike haze, Qu Ning felt her blood surge. Hearing this enticement, she could no longer suppress what burned within.

            

She didn’t answer Zhao Ningying with words—she answered with action.

Those soft, thin lips were now unusually warm as she pressed forward urgently, her whole body following after.

Their entangled lips, pressed together with mounting force, let each feel the other’s breath, and their breathing gradually grew ragged.

            

“Hss…”

Her clumsy, heavy friction made Zhao Ningying hiss in pain. Qu Ning heard it and immediately pulled back, looking at the slight furrow between Zhao Ningying’s brows, asking anxiously, “What’s wrong?”

After the brief flash of pain passed, Zhao Ningying looked at the concern darkening Qu Ning’s eyes. The corners of her lips curved slightly. “It’s nothing.”

            

Qu Ning had never kissed anyone before. Though the palace matrons had taught her the theory, her grasp of the practical side was still half-comprehending at best.

Qu Ning blinked at Zhao Ningying. The sensation just now had been far too good—she wanted another.

“Shall we… continue?” Qu Ning’s voice came in fragments.

            

Zhao Ningying laughed softly at that, slowly raising her slender fingers to brush Qu Ning’s cheek. “It’s late. We should rest.”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Qu Ning’s eyes.

“Tomorrow?”

            

Zhao Ningying’s words chased away that disappointment.

Tomorrow—tomorrow she definitely wouldn’t hurt Zhao Ningying again.

“Okay.” Qu Ning loved that feeling—the way it made her body float, her blood race.

            

Zhao Ningying watched Qu Ning still half-draped over her. The fingers that had been resting on her shoulder slowly withdrew. Qu Ning noticed, glanced sideways at Zhao Ningying’s retreating hand, then slow to realize, gradually shifted her body away, lying down on one side.

The atmosphere turned abruptly awkward. Qu Ning looked sideways at Zhao Ningying, but Zhao Ningying wasn’t looking at her.

Not because Zhao Ningying didn’t dare—her own face had gone red. The burning sensation made her feel she probably shouldn’t be seen.

            

Truly—she’d set out to tease and ended up flustering herself.

Zhao Ningying regretted her earlier boldness, but what was done was done. Now she only hoped Qu Ning would go to sleep soon.

In the dim tent, Qu Ning watched the pink flush along Zhao Ningying’s ears, the corners of her lips slowly curving.

            

Qu Ning shifted, lying more quietly. She stared up at the bed curtains. Today, even the air felt wonderfully crisp.

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For the rest of the night, neither spoke. Qu Ning woke even earlier than Zhao Ningying the next morning. Pillowed on her arm, she gazed at Zhao Ningying sleeping peacefully beside her. After only a few ke, countless thoughts had already stirred in her mind, but each time she suppressed them.

When Zhao Ningying woke and opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Qu Ning’s besotted expression.

            

Seeing Zhao Ningying awake, Qu Ning didn’t look away. Her eyes smiled as she said, “Good morning, Ying-meimei.”

Zhao Ningying studied her for a moment, confirming that Qu Ning had been awake for some time. With a faint smile in her eyes, she asked deliberately, “Did Ning-jiejie not sleep well last night?”

Qu Ning’s gaze flickered—she didn’t quite catch Zhao Ningying’s meaning.

            

Zhao Ningying didn’t press the question. It seemed like something she’d simply tossed out.

But when they got up and Qu Ning was washing her face, she caught sight of Zhao Ningying and understood.

What was there to fear Zhao Ningying might do to her? She wished Zhao Ningying would do something to her.

            

Zhao Ningying finished wiping her face and caught Qu Ning grinning foolishly at her. She knew Qu Ning had figured out what she’d meant that morning.

Zhao Ningying left the tent. The army had morning drills, and Zhao Ningying didn’t skip them—even briefly, they were especially important.

After morning training, Zhao Ningying went to inspect the drill ground. By the time breakfast was nearly ready, she returned from the drill ground.

            

Inside the tent, Qu Ning reviewed the official documents Qiao Jin had drafted, stamped them with her seal, and summoned someone to have them distributed.

For farmland appropriated from commoners, generous compensation had been provided, and they were allocated uncultivated land instead. Whether they chose to open it was their affair, but even if they didn’t, they wouldn’t starve within ten years.

However, Qiao Jin’s view was that the local government should assist them—ideally, they should reclaim the land. Otherwise, leaving it unaddressed would become a future problem.

            

Ten years of security was fine—but what about after ten years?

Zhao Ningying returned and ate with them, bringing up the matter of Ma Mingzhong’s land reclamation duties.

Though initially it was Zhao Ningying cooperating with Qu Ning to maneuver Ma Mingzhong into taking on the task, Ma Mingzhong was the type who never did anything without a profit motive. Yesterday he’d requested quite a lot of troops from her, and she worried something might go wrong.

            

Qu Ning thought for a moment and asked, “Then what does Ying-meimei think we should do?”

Qu Ning couldn’t think of another solution for now. If the tuntian project didn’t show results, the court wouldn’t allocate funds or troops for land reclamation.

Even as the Imperial Crown Princess, she had no way around it—court affairs required proper procedure.

            

Land reclamation was a minor matter, but if it triggered a military mutiny, that would be far more than just a blemish on her record as Crown Princess. If things went badly, everyone responsible for the project could be dragged down with it.

“If there’s no solution for now, the reclamation can be postponed,” Zhao Ningying said, sharing her thoughts. “We should focus on the task before us. Once the court sees results, they’ll inevitably prioritize it and increase investment.”

Qu Ning picked up food with her chopsticks and looked at Qiao Jin. She saw Qiao Jin nod but make no further comment.

            

Outside the tent, Zhao Ningying began mustering troops. They’d already discussed drawing several squads from each company to head to the tuntian trial site.

Zhao Ningying stood on the troop review platform, Qu Ning at her side. Watching Zhao Ningying’s commanding presence, Qu Ning admired her in secret.

Zhao Ningying held the roster, personally verifying each name. Once the headcount was confirmed, she mounted her horse, turned back to look at Qu Ning, who was also preparing to mount, and asked, “Does Your Highness intend to come along?”

            

Qu Ning paused mid-mount and glanced at Zhao Ningying. She smiled. “Naturally.”

She didn’t have to go—but she was going to.

Zhao Ningying wouldn’t be returning tonight. She was going to the prefectural yamen.

            

Zhao Ningying said nothing more. She gathered the reins and turned her horse, riding forward. Seeing Zhao Ningying ride off, Qu Ning quickly mounted as well.

As they exited the camp, Qu Ning noticed Zhao Ningying had stopped her horse and was gazing back the way they’d come.

Qu Ning lightly squeezed her horse’s flanks and walked over, the amusement in her eyes unmistakable.

            

Zhao Ningying looked at her, a hint of warmth in her gaze. “Ning-jiejie doesn’t need to endure the hardship of this trip with me.”

Qu Ning wasn’t having any of that. She drew closer to Zhao Ningying and found a reasonable excuse: “I can’t just sit idle in camp forever. Accompanying Ying-meimei on this trip is a good chance to stretch my limbs.”

Zhao Ningying watched the faint guilt in Qu Ning’s expression as she spoke, and her mind instinctively jumped to the real reason. Her gaze dropped to Qu Ning’s lips.

            

She seemed to have promised Qu Ning a kiss today.

Zhao Ningying looked away, smiling, and gathered the reins to ride out of camp. Seeing this, Qu Ning’s eyes brightened with amusement, and she followed.

Feng Miao trailed behind Qu Ning. Seeing the two of them acting all mysterious, he quickly caught up.

            

Feng Miao was a retainer of the Qu family. Though he held the title of Young General, his primary duty on this trip was to protect Qu Ning and follow her orders.

Zhao Ningying and Qu Ning rode at the front, with several thousand soldiers behind them. The vast column streamed out of camp and fanned out toward their respective destinations.

Each county had its allocated land. Since arable land was precious, they couldn’t spare too much from any single county, so the burden had to be distributed evenly across all of them.

            

Arriving at each county town, Zhao Ningying dispatched troops to meet with local officials, who would escort them to the farmland guard stations.

Zhao Ningying personally inspected the guard stations as well. Though they were merely thick walls of stacked stone, they could certainly withstand ordinary wild beasts.

Rations of rice, flour, and grain had been distributed inside. Each county was left with a garrison ranging from 300 to 700 men.

            

Zhao Ningying delivered quite a lot of troops along the way. By the time they reached the prefectural city, she stopped participating in the deliveries.

The local prefect of Jiangcheng came out to welcome them. Qu Ning dismounted, brushed the dust from her clothes, and looked at the officials kneeling before her. She raised her hand and said, “Lord Zeng, there’s no need for such formality. It’s already late—this palace and General Zhao would like to borrow the rear courtyard of your yamen to rest. Would that be convenient?”

Prefect Zeng rose from his half-kneel and bowed with cupped hands, smiling. “Convenient, absolutely convenient! Your Highness and Little General Zhao gracing us with your presence brings luster to our humble Jiangcheng yamen…”

            

Qu Ning gave a soft scoff of amusement. “Enough, no need for flattery. Just have someone prepare the rooms.”

Prefect Zeng nodded hastily and waved at someone behind him. That person immediately went to the rear courtyard to make arrangements.

There were inns and post houses in the city, but Qu Ning and Zhao Ningying had brought troops—such a large entourage would only alarm the local populace if they stayed elsewhere. They’d have to lodge at the yamen for one night.

            

Qu Ning glanced sideways at Zhao Ningying, who had dismounted and was untying the sword strapped to her horse. “Ying-meimei, let’s go in.”

Zhao Ningying nodded and followed behind Qu Ning. The yamen was spotless—clearly cleaned in advance, knowing they were coming.

Qu Ning never liked to make a great fuss, and Zhao Ningying wasn’t the type to throw her weight around either, so the prefect had already guessed they’d lodge here.

            

After a day’s travel, they weren’t hungry or thirsty, but the fatigue and sweat were unavoidable.

Qu Ning went to the room arranged for her. As she bent to wash her hands, she sniffed hard—she thought she caught a whiff of something. She tugged at her collar and leaned down to smell it. Nothing. But that brief moment had left her uneasy.

Qu Ning glanced at the maid serving tea in the room and said, “Go tell the kitchen to heat some water.”

            

The maid approached, curtsied, and asked, “Does Your Highness wish to bathe and change?”

Qu Ning studied the maid before her. From the moment she’d entered, the girl had been perfectly composed. Now, speaking with her, she even dared to meet her eyes directly. Qu Ning filed that away with extra attention.

Qu Ning nodded. “Yes, this palace wishes to bathe.”

            

The maid lowered her head. “This servant will go prepare bathwater for Your Highness.”

Qu Ning nodded and looked away. When the maid raised her head again, she saw only Qu Ning’s back.

Qu Ning gazed into the bronze mirror on the washstand, pressing her hand to her face, checking for any lingering dirt.

            

Normally, she wouldn’t have cared. But she worried Zhao Ningying might suddenly come looking for her.

Adorning oneself for the one who pleases her—it was an instinct one was born with.

Zhao Ningying, with her martial physique and years spent in the field, wasn’t so delicate. She washed up simply, rested briefly in her room, then went to Qu Ning’s door.

            

“Is Your Highness in her room?” Zhao Ningying asked the guard at the door.

The guard bowed with cupped hands. “General, Her Highness went to the washing room just now.”

Zhao Ningying glanced toward the courtyard and saw someone standing guard outside a nearby door. She guessed that was the washing room.

            

Zhao Ningying lowered her eyes for a moment, then walked toward the washing room.

The weather wasn’t cold today, but after nightfall, the temperature dropped from daytime warmth. Qu Ning had gone to bathe as soon as she arrived, and Zhao Ningying was a bit worried.

Reaching the washing room, Zhao Ningying saw the maid standing guard and asked, “Is there a charcoal brazier burning inside?”

            

The maid looked at Zhao Ningying, curtsied, and replied, “Little General Zhao, Her Highness didn’t ask for a brazier.”

“Didn’t ask for one?” Zhao Ningying glanced at the door, thought for a moment, and said, “Go get someone to bring a brazier over.”

The maid hesitated.

            

Zhao Ningying frowned slightly. “Is there a problem?”

The maid also glanced at the door and replied, “Her Highness doesn’t want anyone going in.”

Zhao Ningying was puzzled. “No one’s attending her inside either?”

            

“No one,” the maid replied.

Zhao Ningying’s brow furrowed. “Go arrange it first. When you bring it, say I ordered it delivered.”

“Deliver what?” Qu Ning opened the door, cheeks flushed pink.

            

Zhao Ningying saw Qu Ning holding a towel, dabbing at the dampness along her hairline and neck. She gave a helpless look and said to the maid, “Take the brazier to Her Highness’s room.”

Qu Ning smiled, then caught sight of the maid still staring at her without moving. The smile faded from her face, and her tone gained an edge of authority. “Didn’t you hear what the General said?”

The maid saw Qu Ning’s expression change and hurriedly curtsied. “This servant heard. I’ll go right away.”

            

The maid left. Qu Ning didn’t watch her go. She turned to Zhao Ningying and noticed her still staring at the maid’s retreating back. She raised a hand and waved it in front of Zhao Ningying’s eyes. “Ying-meimei?”

Zhao Ningying snapped back, the corners of her lips curving. “She’s quite pretty.”

Qu Ning looked in the direction the maid had gone, blinking. “Is she?” She didn’t think so.

            

Qu Ning gazed at Zhao Ningying, saw the smile on her face, and started laughing too.

No one was as beautiful as her Ying-meimei.

“Let’s go back to the room,” Zhao Ningying said.

            

Qu Ning nodded and followed her to her own room. The room had been cleaned thoroughly, and the furnishings were quite tasteful.

Zhao Ningying thought of her own room—it was several grades below this one.

They’d barely sat down when the maid returned with others, carrying in the charcoal brazier.

            

They hadn’t brought maids on this trip. Qu Ning was used to taking care of herself. She dried her long dark hair by the brazier, gently working the towel through it, not letting anyone assist.

“Go clean up the washing room and prepare hot water for General Zhao,” Qu Ning instructed the maid.

At camp, neither of them had been able to bathe properly. Here, things were much more convenient.

            

The maid curtsied and left. Qu Ning continued drying her hair by the fire.

A moment later, a hand reached over. “Let me help Ning-jiejie.”

Qu Ning looked up and smiled. “No need, it’ll be dry soon.”

            

Zhao Ningying raised her brows. “Then Ning-jiejie can help me later.”

Qu Ning’s hands stilled. She looked at Zhao Ningying, and when Zhao Ningying took the towel from her hand, she let it go willingly.

Zhao Ningying helped towel Qu Ning’s hair, her movements gentle.

            

“I remember when we were little, Ying-meimei used to help me like this too,” Qu Ning recalled.

Zhao Ningying glanced up, arching her brows. “That was so many years ago. Ning-jiejie actually remembers.”

“Of course I remember. Everything about Ying-meimei, I remember,” Qu Ning turned to look at Zhao Ningying, her voice carrying a touch of emotion.

            

They’d been born only days apart. She’d also heard that she, Zhao Ningying, and Zhu Qianjie had all been conceived through the same method.

And because she and Zhao Ningying were so close in age, they’d spent a great deal of time together—from infancy, their families had visited constantly, and later she’d entered the palace as a study companion. Even when the elders went out, they’d been taken along.

Among their generation, the time they’d spent together was longer than anyone else’s.

            

Zhao Ningying’s lips curved. “Then I’ll help Ning-jiejie with these things more often.”

Qu Ning smiled, her lips curving. “That won’t be necessary.” She reached out and rested her hand on Zhao Ningying’s wrist, a glint of affection in her eyes. “As long as Ying-meimei stays by my side, that’s enough.”

Qu Ning spoke such pretty words, and Zhao Ningying’s heartbeat spiraled beyond her control. Since they’d come of age, she’d received plenty of suitors’ advances, both overt and covert, but never had a single sweet phrase made her lose composure like this.

            

Zhao Ningying continued her movements, smoothly slipping free of Qu Ning’s fingers without a trace, and went back to drying her hair.

Qu Ning had spoken such romantic words and gotten no response. She felt utterly mortified, the backs of her ears slowly reddening. The fingertips resting on her knee dug into the silk of her outer robe and stayed there for a long while.

“Done.” Zhao Ningying’s voice sounded like she was in a rather good mood.

            

Qu Ning looked up, and Zhao Ningying added, “Shall I put it up for Ning-jiejie?”

Qu Ning had intended to style her own hair, but seeing the anticipation in Zhao Ningying’s eyes, she nodded. “Alright.”

Qu Ning turned away. Zhao Ningying took up a comb, smoothed Qu Ning’s fine strands, then with practiced hands gathered the dark hair, untied the silk ribbon from her own wrist to temporarily bind the lower section, coiled the upper portion, secured it with a jade hairpin, and only then released the lower bound strands.

            

Qu Ning’s captivating face suited this gentle style perfectly.

Qu Ning noticed Zhao Ningying had stopped moving. She turned to look and found Zhao Ningying staring blankly at the side of her face. She smiled and asked, “All done?”

Zhao Ningying met Qu Ning’s eyes, gathered herself, and curved her brows. “Done.”

            

Qu Ning raised a hand to touch her styled hair, getting a sense of how it looked. From portraits, it seemed to suit her—but by temperament, she’d have found it more comfortable pinned up entirely.

But if Zhao Ningying liked it, she’d wear this style from now on.

Qu Ning glanced at Zhao Ningying and was about to speak when the maid announced from outside: “Your Highness, Little General Zhao, the hot water is ready.”

            

Zhao Ningying turned to look, her manner gentle. “Good, I know.”

Zhao Ningying turned back to face Qu Ning. However she looked at her, she was everything Zhao Ningying liked. Seeing her silent, Qu Ning said, “Ying-meimei, go ahead first. I’ll have them prepare food—we’ll eat in my room.”

Zhao Ningying nodded, her gaze lingering for a moment before she turned and left.

            

After Zhao Ningying left, Qu Ning stared outside until she couldn’t see her anymore. Then she said to the maid beside her, “Go prepare some food.”

“Yes.” The maid curtsied.

Having said that, Qu Ning turned toward the side. She picked up the red silk ribbon from the table—the one Zhao Ningying had used to tie her hair—and ran it through her fingers, gazing at it for a long time.

            

Zhao Ningying took a very long time bathing—so long that Qu Ning felt she might come down with lovesickness before she finally heard voices outside.

“General.” The guard bowed his head in greeting.

“Mm. No need to stand guard here for now. Go eat first, come back later.” Zhao Ningying instructed the guards.

            

The guards held their long spears and bowed with cupped hands.

Hearing the voices outside, Qu Ning quickly tucked the red silk ribbon into her robes and craned her neck toward the door. But after a moment, Zhao Ningying didn’t come in. Qu Ning grew anxious—then remembered that her romantic words had gone unanswered, so she feigned composure and remained seated.

Looking at the food on the table, Qu Ning fought down the impulse and chose to sit and wait.

            

A moment later, a knock came at the door.

“Who is it?” Qu Ning asked deliberately.

“It’s me, Ningying.” Zhao Ningying’s clear, pleasant voice answered.

            

Qu Ning couldn’t suppress her joy any longer. She rose and went to open the door.

“Ying-meimei, why did you take so long to…” Qu Ning started to grumble, but the moment Zhao Ningying in an albizia-red, waist-cinched robe came into view, her tongue tied itself in knots and she fell silent.

Zhao Ningying stood with her hands folded together, her bearing graceful and elegant—nothing like the commanding, faintly intimidating figure she cut in military armor.

            

“There was a brazier in there, so I dried my hair nearby. I’m sorry to have kept Ning-jiejie waiting,” Zhao Ningying said apologetically.

A hint of wonder shone in Qu Ning’s eyes. She replied, “Didn’t we agree I’d help you?”

Zhao Ningying curved her lips and didn’t explain further.

            

“Come in,” Qu Ning said, reaching for Zhao Ningying’s hand.

Zhao Ningying looked at Qu Ning’s extended fingers. Her mind hesitated, but her hand cooperated entirely, reaching over.

Qu Ning took her hand, clasping those soft fingers, a smile hooking the corners of her lips as she led her inside.

            

“The dishes have been up for a while—they’re just right for now.” Qu Ning spoke as she guided Zhao Ningying to a seat.

Zhao Ningying sat down, and Qu Ning picked up the bowl in front of her, preparing to serve her rice.

“I’ll do it,” Zhao Ningying said, starting to rise.

            

Qu Ning looked back at her and smiled. “Sit, it’s all the same. I’ll serve Ying-meimei.”

Zhao Ningying watched Qu Ning fill the bowl and set it before her. Qu Ning noticed that Zhao Ningying looked somewhat apologetic, and smiled as she served her own rice, saying, “If Ying-meimei truly feels bad about making me wait, then why not make good on what you promised me last night.”

“Hm?”

            

After Zhao Ningying sat back down, she didn’t catch on immediately. Seeing the anticipation in Qu Ning’s eyes, she recalled what she’d said last night.

‘Tomorrow, okay?’

Zhao Ningying lowered her gaze—whether from shyness or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

            

Seeing Zhao Ningying like this, the possessiveness in Qu Ning’s chest swelled again. She picked up the chopsticks at her side and held them out to Zhao Ningying.

Zhao Ningying noticed and reached to take them, but Qu Ning wouldn’t let go.

Zhao Ningying looked up in confusion—and met Qu Ning’s burning eyes.

            

“Give me the kiss you promised, okay?” Qu Ning asked, her voice low.

Zhao Ningying gazed at Qu Ning’s determined eyes. She said nothing—which seemed like tacit consent.

Qu Ning’s breathing grew slightly shallow, her heartbeat quickening. The hand holding the chopsticks drew closer and closer until it closed around Zhao Ningying’s slender fingers, and her body leaned in.

            

One of Qu Ning’s hands braced against the arm of Zhao Ningying’s chair. The other steadied Zhao Ningying as she instinctively leaned back.

Zhao Ningying had nowhere to retreat. Her gaze fell involuntarily on Qu Ning’s approaching lips.

She’d tasted them last night—she liked them. But they were also like a whirlpool that would scramble her mind.

            

In the brief struggle within, Zhao Ningying still couldn’t break free of the temptation and Qu Ning’s ‘coercion.’ The moment Qu Ning’s soft lips pressed against hers, she chose to drown alongside her.

This time, Qu Ning seemed to have grasped the subtlety of it. The kiss was far more pleasurable than last night’s.

Between the gentle friction and soft caresses, Zhao Ningying slowly closed her eyes. Feeling Zhao Ningying’s response, the desire expanding in Qu Ning’s chest grew ever harder to satisfy.

            

Sensing the moment was right, she traced her soft tongue along that tender surface, and before Zhao Ningying could open her eyes, had already slipped past her lips, claiming more.

The intertwining softness brought a moment’s discomfort—but only briefly. Zhao Ningying opened her eyes, then gradually let go of her resistance, beginning to accept and enjoy.

Qu Ning’s kissing technique was, admittedly, very hard to refuse.

            

Just as the two lost themselves, overcome by passion, the door creaked open from outside.

The two lovers stealing a private moment should have been startled, but Qu Ning calmly, slowly released Zhao Ningying. She raised her hand and gently wiped the moisture from the corner of Zhao Ningying’s lips, her eyes tender, trying to soothe the unprecedented flutter in Zhao Ningying’s heart.

Qu Ning looked up toward the door, her gaze sharp.

            

“Who let you in?”

The shift in Qu Ning’s eyes was so swift that the momentary haze seemed never to have existed.

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The author has something to say:

            

Qu Ning: “That was nice.”

Zhao Ningying: “It was nice for me too.”

Don’t worry, the bonus chapters will wrap up in just a few more.

            

Pre-orders for my new story are painfully low. I want to close my eyes just looking at them. (My writing skills are honestly limited—I can’t come up with a decent hook for the blurb, bowing deeply.)

The plot twist coming up won’t be too long—about a chapter, maybe half. The bonus chapters won’t go into detail, and I won’t add more later. I’m preparing to start a new novel, thanks for understanding.

The Zhao Ningying and Qu Ning book—I’ll write it once pre-orders pick up.

            

As for other pre-orders, I hope you’ll collect them all. Author bows again.

Today’s two-in-one chapter is served up. Love you all~

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