The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 102

This daughter will advance and retreat together with Sheng’er.¹

All of Qu Sheng’s strength was now focused in her voice. The hand she had raised moments before fell limply back to her side.

Qu Jinian saw the pleading in his daughter’s eyes, and his own filled with worry. “Father won’t make things difficult for Zhao’er,” he said quickly.

“No…” Qu Sheng’s expression remained tense.

Remembering that Cheng Xi had warned against agitating her, Qu Jinian held his ground for a few moments before sighing. “We can talk about it after you’re better,” he relented.

He gave Qu Sheng another look, then turned to the others. Their faces were just as strained as his daughter’s, so he lowered his gaze. “Everyone, leave for now. Let Sheng’er rest quietly.”

They exchanged glances and filed out of the room.

Soon, only Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao remained. After helping Qu Sheng finish her porridge, Lin Xizhao prepared to seek out Qu Jinian. She knew he must have had something he wanted to ask her.

“Xizhao.” Having rested for a bit, Qu Sheng had regained some strength. Seeing Lin Xizhao about to leave, she called out urgently.

Lin Xizhao turned. Qu Sheng was propped up, looking as if she might fall off the bed. Lin Xizhao rushed back to her side in a few quick steps.

“Don’t move around,” Lin Xizhao chided gently.

“Don’t… go…” Qu Sheng was terrified. Jin Yunfei had only said a few words today, and Lin Xizhao had already compromised, ready to leave her. If Qu Jinian pressured her too… she had no confidence.

“Sheng’er, rest assured. Jiejie will never leave you again,” Lin Xizhao promised. “No matter what Adoptive Father says, Jiejie will not leave Sheng’er.”

But Qu Sheng still didn’t believe her. Her gaze was filled with a helpless vulnerability.

“Trust me.” Lin Xizhao raised a hand to gently stroke Qu Sheng’s cheek. Seeing her stare so intently, as if afraid she would vanish, made her own heart clench.

Lin Xizhao met her gaze for a long moment, then looked down at Qu Sheng’s pale, soft lips. They were thin and delicate. From the first time Qu Sheng had kissed her, she had thought them the softest things in the world.

Qu Sheng saw Lin Xizhao’s intent and held her breath, her own eyes drawn to Lin Xizhao’s crimson lips.

The moment Qu Sheng looked down, Lin Xizhao leaned in slowly. Their soft lips met, pressing and grinding against each other. Though it was a light kiss, it was enough to leave the weakened Qu Sheng gasping for air.

Lin Xizhao pulled away. Seeing Qu Sheng panting but still looking unsated, she let out a soft laugh. “We’ll make it up later.”

She started to help Qu Sheng lie back down, but Qu Sheng grabbed her sleeve, wanting to speak but lacking the strength.

Seeing her worried expression, Lin Xizhao patted her hand reassuringly. “Wait for me to come back.”

Qu Sheng looked at the calm composure in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. Her lips parted slightly, and after a moment, she nodded. Maybe I should trust her this one time.

Lin Xizhao left the courtyard and went alone to find Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei.

“Adoptive Father, Adoptive Mother,” Lin Xizhao said, curtsying.

Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei were waiting for her. They knew she would come tonight.

Qu Jinian nodded, his expression a little unnatural. He gave an awkward smile. “Have you had dinner? Should I have someone prepare something for you?”

Lin Xizhao looked up. “This daughter has already eaten with Sheng’er,” she replied in a warm voice.

Qu Jinian nodded again and gestured for her to sit. A quiet stillness settled over the room. After a moment of thought, he looked up. “Zhao’er, This Father has something to ask you.”

“Please ask, Adoptive Father. This daughter will speak without reserve,” Lin Xizhao said with a slight bow, her demeanor humble and gentle.

Qu Jinian’s face was still etched with unease. He glanced at Jin Yunfei before turning his gaze back to Lin Xizhao’s unwavering eyes. “Between you and Sheng’er, was it Sheng’er’s own… or was it you…”

Lin Xizhao understood his half-covered and half-hidden² words; he just couldn’t bring himself to say it plainly. She felt no shyness now. “There is no question of coercion between This daughter and Sheng’er,” she replied. “You know how Sheng’er feels about This daughter.”

She had realized long ago that the Qu Family had adopted her to protect her and to help her avenge her mother. Her friendship with Qu Sheng alone wouldn’t have been enough for them to take such a step; Qu Sheng must have insisted. In Qu Sheng’s heart, she had, at some point, surpassed even Xiao Bingying and Zhao Jiayu. And she herself didn’t know when her own feelings for Qu Sheng had turned into something more.

Qu Jinian blinked. He didn’t quite understand the hearts of young women, but he supposed that love between two girls was no different from love between a man and a woman.

“This Father wanted to ask you to stay with Sheng’er for now, at least until her illness has stabilized, and then…” Then leave.

He truly thought of Lin Xizhao as his own daughter. If their situations were reversed today, if Lin Xizhao were the one who was ill, he would do the same for her.

Lin Xizhao looked momentarily confused. She saw the pleading in Qu Jinian’s eyes, and her own gaze dropped for a second. When she looked up again, her eyes were exceptionally firm. “This daughter does not want to leave Sheng’er.”

She knew she was defying an elder, but after facing the possibility of losing Qu Sheng, her heart was set. She would be with her.

When Qu Sheng’s life was in danger between dawn and dusk,³ she had thought it all through. If Qu Sheng lives, I live. If Qu Sheng dies, I die. We must be together in death, and even more so in life.

Qu Jinian was stunned. His brow furrowed as he turned to look at Jin Yunfei.

Jin Yunfei saw not a hint of retreat in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. She rose, moved to sit beside her, and took Lin Xizhao’s hands in her own. “We know this request is unfair to you. But for two girls to be together, especially in families like ours… the slightest wind blows and the grass moves,⁴ and soon everyone knows. You will have people pointing fingers⁵ at you. Can you endure that?”

“This daughter will advance and retreat together with Sheng’er.” Lin Xizhao’s answer was clever. She wasn’t rejecting Jin Yunfei’s words outright. If Qu Sheng could endure it, so could she. If Qu Sheng retreated, she would retreat. The decision was ultimately Qu Sheng’s. As long as Qu Sheng had no regrets, she would never flee halfway.

This wasn’t an evasion of responsibility, but a way of giving Qu Sheng a choice. What if Qu Sheng truly couldn’t bear it and wanted to back down? She couldn’t very well cling to her then.

Hearing her answer, Jin Yunfei pressed on. “But what about your father? How will you explain it to him?”

“This daughter will handle it carefully. Adoptive Father and Adoptive Mother need not worry.” She had been thinking about how to persuade Lin Jianhai even before they went to Shoulin. Back then, she could have used Qu Sheng’s blindness as a reason of gratitude, but now that Qu Sheng’s eyes were healed, that excuse was gone. She would have to think of something else, or perhaps, just tell him the truth.

Jin Yunfei and Qu Jinian exchanged a look. They had brazenly asked Lin Xizhao to stay temporarily, but she wanted to stay with Qu Sheng for a lifetime.

After the old couple shared a glance, Qu Jinian lowered his eyes, considering the matter. He looked up at Lin Xizhao. “It’s not that we don’t want to agree. If one of you were a man, our two families already know the root and the bottom⁶ of each other, and it would be settled. But you are both women… This Father may not be able to arrange a wedding for you. Even so, are you still willing to be by Sheng’er’s side?”

Lin Xizhao had expected more resistance. Hearing Qu Jinian mention a wedding, a smile bloomed on her face. “That is just a show for others. As long as This daughter can be with Sheng’er, why care about such elaborate and tedious formalities?”⁷

Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei fell silent. Her answer didn’t bring him much joy; instead, he felt a pang of guilt. “Our Qu Family has wronged you. If one day you wish to leave and marry someone else, just tell This Father. This Father will personally prepare a dowry for you that will be the envy of all, something unparalleled in the capital.”

He was telling her that even if she chose to marry another, the Qu Family would still consider her a daughter and provide a lavish dowry to ensure her future husband’s family would never dare mistreat her.

Hearing Qu Jinian relent, Lin Xizhao felt a great sense of relief. She didn’t care about dowries or the envy of others. Right now, all she wanted was to be by Qu Sheng’s side.

She looked at the elderly couple. Qu Sheng was their only daughter. They would never have agreed if they didn’t truly, deeply love her.

Lin Xizhao chatted with them a while longer, discussing Qu Sheng’s condition before taking her leave.

When she returned to the bedroom, Qu Sheng was awake, her head tilted, staring eagerly at the doorway.

Seeing her tilted head and wide, innocent eyes, Lin Xizhao couldn’t help but notice her adorable appearance, even while ill. She smiled and hurried over, helping her sit up straight. “Didn’t I tell you to lie down and wait for me?”

Qu Sheng heard the gentle reprimand in her tone. Her lips moved, wanting to ask what had been said, but then she heard Lin Xizhao’s voice, soft and sweet. “Adoptive Father and Adoptive Mother no longer oppose us being together.”

Qu Sheng froze, stunned. She stared at Lin Xizhao, waiting for her to continue.

Lin Xizhao recounted her conversation with Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei. Qu Sheng listened as if she were in the clouds and fog,⁸ finding it impossible to believe her parents had agreed.

But she could also read between the lines. Qu Jinian didn’t expect them to last forever. They were both young, in the prime of their passion. Who knew if they would remain so determined after some time had passed?

Qu Sheng thought for a few moments, then raised her hand and grasped Lin Xizhao’s fingers. In her palm, she slowly traced out several characters.

Lin Xizhao’s palm tickled terribly, but she let Qu Sheng finish. She looked down at the words, her lips pursing for a moment before her eyes curved into a smile. She looked up at Qu Sheng. “I won’t fail you either.”

Qu Sheng had written: In this life, we will never betray each other.

I won’t give Lin Xizhao a chance to leave, she thought. She could endure everything Jin Yunfei had mentioned. She had also considered Lin Jianhai; she wouldn’t let Lin Xizhao face him alone.

But her body was too weak for now. She would have to wait until she was well, and then they would face Lin Jianhai together. This was the tacit understanding she now shared with Lin Xizhao.

For now, her recovery was the priority.

.

The next morning, Lin Xirui sent over a Visiting Card⁹ to inquire after Qu Sheng.

Last night, Lin Xizhao had sent a message home saying that Qu Sheng was ill and she would be staying over. He had wanted to come immediately, but it was already late, and he didn’t want to disturb Qu Sheng’s rest.

After speaking with Lin Jianhai this morning, he had a thin gift prepared and came to visit Qu Sheng on his father’s behalf.

Perhaps because her body had seen such drastic ups and downs¹⁰ the day before, Qu Sheng still hadn’t woken up, even after the time for breakfast had passed. Worried that something else might be wrong, Lin Xizhao sent Lin Xirui away before he could even see her and went to knock on the door to Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying’s room.

Cheng Xi, who had been sitting inside staring blankly, heard the knock and went to open the door.

“Sorry to disturb you. I hope I didn’t interrupt your rest?” Lin Xizhao said, noticing what seemed to be a flicker of disappointment in Cheng Xi’s eyes when she saw her.

Cheng Xi smiled. “Of course not. Is something wrong with Miss Qu?”

Lin Xizhao nodded. “Sheng’er went to sleep very early last night. I saw she was sleeping soundly this morning, so I didn’t wake her. But just now I called her several times and she didn’t wake up. Could something be wrong?”

Cheng Xi thought for a moment. “It should be fine. Her body was injured yesterday and then given strong tonics. It’s likely her body couldn’t handle it and she fell into a deep sleep. It’s nothing to worry about.”

The deeper Qu Sheng slept, the faster her body was recovering.

Lin Xizhao nodded at Cheng Xi’s explanation, but her expression remained worried. Seeing this, Cheng Xi offered, “Let me go take a look with you.”

“Okay.” That was exactly what Lin Xizhao had wanted, but she had been too embarrassed to ask.

As they walked toward the bedroom, Lin Xizhao thought of Xiao Bingying. She glanced sideways at Cheng Xi. “Why haven’t I seen Bingying?”

Usually, whenever she knocked, it was Xiao Bingying who opened the door. This time it had been Cheng Xi, and Xiao Bingying was nowhere to be seen.

“Oh, Jiayu called for her. She didn’t stay here last night,” Cheng Xi said, her expression perfectly natural.

Lin Xizhao didn’t press further. Her mind was completely focused on Qu Sheng.

Inside the room, Cheng Xi observed that Qu Sheng’s brow was smooth as she slept, showing no signs of discomfort. She turned to Lin Xizhao. “Has she had her medicine this morning?”

“Not yet.” Since Qu Sheng hadn’t woken up, Lin Xizhao hadn’t given it to her. She had intended to wake her now for medicine and porridge, but she couldn’t rouse her.

Cheng Xi hummed in acknowledgment. After checking Qu Sheng’s pulse, she said, “It’s fine. Let her keep sleeping. She can drink it when she wakes up. It won’t be too late.”

Qu Sheng had drunk too much of Cheng Xi’s blood yesterday, a classic case of a deficiency that cannot be supplemented,¹¹ but she seemed to be handling it well. After Cheng Xi explained the reason for her deep sleep, Lin Xizhao was no longer so anxious. She saw Cheng Xi out and returned to her vigil by Qu Sheng’s side.

Cheng Xi sat in her room for a long time, but Xiao Bingying did not appear. Yesterday, Zhao Jiayu had dropped by and asked why the two of them were sleeping in the same room.

In a fluster, Xiao Bingying had claimed the other rooms hadn’t been tidied up yet, so they were just making do. But Zhao Jiayu, insisting they couldn’t possibly neglect Qu Sheng’s savior, had whisked Xiao Bingying away to her own courtyard.

And she hadn’t come back. It was almost noon now, and there was still no sign of her. An empty feeling settled in Cheng Xi’s heart. The night before, even though they hadn’t shared a room, she had seen Xiao Bingying shortly after waking…

Last night, watching Zhao Jiayu cling to Xiao Bingying and act spoiled, she had felt, for some reason, a little uncomfortable.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound pulled Cheng Xi from her reverie.

She stared at the door, the knocking continuing. It took her a moment to remember to get up and open it.

As she walked, Cheng Xi pushed her thoughts deep down. The door opened to reveal Zhao Jiayu, a wide smile on her face. “Look what I have.”

Before Cheng Xi could even get a good look at her, Zhao Jiayu lifted two jars of wine and held them right in front of her.

Cheng Xi smiled, teasing, “Did you sneak these out again?”

“Hey, I didn’t steal them! Ah Yu told me to give them to you.”

“She shamelessly insisted on bringing them for you to try,” Xiao Bingying mercilessly exposed her from behind.

Cheng Xi’s gaze shifted past Zhao Jiayu to Xiao Bingying. She stood bathed in the sunlight, her skin fair, the corners of her lips turned up in a warm smile. It’s only been a day. How did she get even more beautiful?

Zhao Jiayu shot a glare back at Xiao Bingying. “It doesn’t matter how they got here! This wine is for Cheng Xi, to reward our great hero.” She finished with a defiant lift of her chin.

Xiao Bingying smiled helplessly and nodded in surrender.

Seeing Xiao Bingying yield, Zhao Jiayu turned back to Cheng Xi. “Well, let us in!”

Cheng Xi smiled and stepped aside, letting them into the room. As Xiao Bingying passed, she glanced at Cheng Xi.

She hadn’t dared to look at Cheng Xi directly when she was standing behind Zhao Jiayu.

Their eyes met. Cheng Xi’s gaze held an emotion Xiao Bingying couldn’t decipher, but it vanished in an instant.

While Xiao Bingying was still puzzled, she heard Zhao Jiayu place the wine on the table. “The side dishes will be here soon.” As she spoke, the cork on one of the jars popped open.

Both of them looked over. Zhao Jiayu was holding the small white porcelain jar, greedily sniffing the aroma wafting from within.

“Ah, this smell! I wouldn’t trade it for a place among the gods.”

They both laughed helplessly at her antics. After Zhao Jiayu had her fill, Xiao Bingying reached out and took the jar from her.

“Alright, sniffing too much isn’t good for the baby,” Xiao Bingying said, pushing the cork back into place.

Zhao Jiayu looked dejected. She stared down at her swollen belly and said in a mock-tragic tone, “This Mother is going through so much for you. In the future, if you need anything, go find your daddy. Don’t you dare bother me.”

Cheng Xi and Xiao Bingying were stunned for a moment by her unexpected words, then Cheng Xi couldn’t help but laugh and tease, “This child will probably take after her mother.”

Xiao Bingying smiled and shook her head. “It’s good if she takes after her mother. She’ll definitely be very cute.”

Zhao Jiayu tilted her head to look at them. “Ah Jie, are you saying you think I’m very cute?”

Xiao Bingying didn’t hold back her praise. “Yes, I’ve always thought you were very cute.”

“Mmm~ Ah Jie.” With the flower of her heart in full bloom¹² from the compliment, Zhao Jiayu couldn’t control herself and threw her arms around Xiao Bingying again.

Xiao Bingying, used to this, hugged her back gently. “Be careful with the baby. You’re about to be a mother, yet you’re still so reckless.”

“But I like Ah Jie!”

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s increasingly outrageous fawning, Xiao Bingying couldn’t help but frown. She gently peeled her off and made an excuse. “I’m going to check on little Sheng’er.”

“Miss Qu is still in a deep sleep. She won’t wake until evening,” Cheng Xi reminded her as she started for the door.

Xiao Bingying stopped and looked up at Cheng Xi. After a moment, she nodded. “Oh. Then, I’ll go see Xizhao.”

Cheng Xi noticed the unnatural look on her face. Just as she was about to offer to go with her, Zhao Jiayu piped up, “Let’s all go together. We can ask Xizhao to come over too.”

Xiao Bingying looked at Zhao Jiayu, who had already moved to her side. She nodded, her gaze shifting to Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi met her eyes and quickly nodded as well. “Let’s go.”

The three of them left the room and went to Qu Sheng’s quarters. Lin Xizhao had to care for Qu Sheng, so she only sat with them for a short while before returning.

Zhao Jiayu couldn’t drink wine, but she kept sipping the flower tea Cheng Xi had prepared for her. As they talked, her eyes constantly darted between Cheng Xi’s and Xiao Bingying’s faces.

Last night, she had genuinely thought the guest rooms hadn’t been prepared in time. But when she took Xiao Bingying away and insisted on sleeping in the same bed, she realized the relationship between the two wasn’t as simple as she had first thought.

Being far along in her pregnancy, Zhao Jiayu sometimes had trouble sleeping. Whenever she tossed and turned in the night, Xiao Bingying would always be there to pull the blanket back over her. That in itself was nothing; her sister had always been like that when they slept together. The strange part was when Xiao Bingying had pulled her into an embrace… and kissed her forehead.

That’s not something sisters do.

Besides, in all their years together, she had never known Xiao Bingying to share a bed with anyone else. The only plausible suspect was Cheng Xi.

Zhao Jiayu sat at the table, eating the food Xiao Bingying served her. Every time Xiao Bingying looked down, she would glance at Cheng Xi, and eight times out of ten, she would catch Cheng Xi looking at Xiao Bingying.

And when Xiao Bingying looked up, Cheng Xi didn’t even try to look away.

Zhao Jiayu finished her food and raised her teacup with a smile. “I can’t drink wine, so I’ll use tea instead. Let’s drink to our hearts’ content today!”

Xiao Bingying glanced at her, then raised her eyes to Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi, however, smiled and agreed. “Alright.”

Xiao Bingying thought for a moment. Though it might spoil the mood, she had to say it. “I’ll drink for Cheng Xi. Little Sheng’er needs to be watched closely. We can have a good drink after she’s recovered.”

Cheng Xi smiled faintly. “Then I’ll just have a few sips, and let Bingying drink for me after that.”

Drinking today was indeed inappropriate, but she couldn’t stop Zhao Jiayu from insisting on bringing wine to reward her. It was fine to drink for enjoyment, but getting drunk was probably not a good idea.

Zhao Jiayu wasn’t disappointed by this. She eagerly clinked cups with Cheng Xi, then started drinking with Xiao Bingying.

Cheng Xi didn’t get left out, but she only took a small sip each time. Meanwhile, urged on by Zhao Jiayu, Xiao Bingying drained her cup every time.

“Hey, that’s right! You’re drinking for two people. If I drink half a cup, you have to drink a full one.” Zhao Jiayu couldn’t suppress her smile at how cooperative Xiao Bingying was being.

By the end of the meal, both small jars of fine wine had found their way into Xiao Bingying’s stomach. Seeing that Xiao Bingying was getting drunk, her eyes growing hazy, Zhao Jiayu picked up a jar and shook it. Finding it empty, she stood up and patted the dazed Xiao Bingying on the shoulder. “Ah Jie, want more? Should I go get some?”

This wine had a strong kick. They had been drinking slowly, but Qu Yu had warned her that while it didn’t taste strong, two bottles would guarantee drunkenness.

Cheng Xi watched as even the simple act of lifting her eyes seemed to take effort for Xiao Bingying. She looked at her for a moment, then turned to Zhao Jiayu. “Bingying seems to be drunk. We should stop.”

Zhao Jiayu nodded, her gaze reluctantly shifting from Xiao Bingying to Cheng Xi. “Then let’s call it a day. You see, it’s not convenient for me… so let Ah Jie sober up here first.”

Cheng Xi stood up. “Alright. I’ll help her inside to rest.”

She walked over to Xiao Bingying’s side and slowly helped her to her feet. Zhao Jiayu acted like a shopkeeper who just swings their hands,¹³ following them into the inner room before making a hasty exit. “I drank too much too, I need to use the privy,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll leave my Ah Jie with you!”

After Zhao Jiayu had fled, Cheng Xi had someone bring water. She helped Xiao Bingying take off her outer robe, then gently wiped her face and hands.

As she did, Xiao Bingying’s eyes never left her face. Cheng Xi watched her, her eyes blinking slowly but her gaze fixed. Her soft lips moved. “What are you looking at me for?”

At the question, Xiao Bingying’s gaze faltered, as if she were seriously considering the answer. Looking at the drunken Xiao Bingying, Cheng Xi thought she looked just as cute as she had called Zhao Jiayu earlier.

“I’ve had someone make you some Sobering-up Soup.¹⁴ It’ll be here soon.”

“Mm,” Xiao Bingying mumbled in response, like an obedient child.

Seeing her so quiet, not crying or making a drunken scene, a smile touched Cheng Xi’s eyes. She asked deliberately, “Have you figured out the answer to my question yet?”

Xiao Bingying had clearly forgotten the first question. She stared at Cheng Xi for a moment before Cheng Xi chuckled. “Why do you keep staring at me?”

“You’re… pretty.” Xiao Bingying’s halting, soft voice stunned Cheng Xi for a moment.

She continued to stare, unblinking. Cheng Xi looked into her eyes, clouded with wine yet revealing a clear intent. Her gaze drifted down to her lips. “Then do you want to kiss me?”

At Cheng Xi’s leading words, a hint of fear appeared in Xiao Bingying’s eyes.

“You don’t want to, or you don’t dare?” Cheng Xi seemed to see right through her. “It’s alright. I won’t be angry.”

As Cheng Xi spoke, the clarity in Xiao Bingying’s heart visibly clouded over, merging with the haze of the wine. She stared at Cheng Xi’s moist lips, her eyes blinking slowly as Cheng Xi’s face drew closer and closer.

Cheng Xi pressed her lips to Xiao Bingying’s. A moment later, she felt Xiao Bingying’s lips begin to move in response.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “All the roads behind you have been dug up. Jiejie can only walk into my arms.”

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