The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 103

I heard you woke up, so I came to see

Xiao Bingying kissed Cheng Xi, pulling away after a moment. Cheng Xi, however, lingered, kissing her for another few seconds before pulling back to look at Xiao Bingying, puzzled.

“Why did you stop?” Cheng Xi asked, her voice low and husky.

Xiao Bingying met her gaze, but upon hearing the question, she glanced away. As if she knew she’d done something wrong, she turned her head to the side like a guilty child.

Cheng Xi blinked, her confusion growing. Xiao Bingying used to be so obsessed with her. Why was she pulling away now, even when she was drunk and Cheng Xi was offering herself so freely?

“Did I do something wrong before? Is that why you don’t dare?” Cheng Xi lowered her head to study Xiao Bingying’s profile. When she didn’t turn back, she added, “Or… do you not like me anymore?”

The first question elicited no response, but the second one made Xiao Bingying snap her head back around with all the speed her drunken state could muster.

She stared at Cheng Xi’s melancholic eyes, her lips parting and closing several times before she managed to get the words out. “I… like you.”

Even drunk, Xiao Bingying liked Cheng Xi. It was just that, to her, doing this would only hurt Cheng Xi.

What good was it if she was the only one who liked Cheng Xi? What did it matter if Cheng Xi had returned? Her heart still wasn’t in it.

Seeing Xiao Bingying’s panicked expression, Cheng Xi pressed on. “Then you don’t want to be like this with me?”

“I do,” the drunken Xiao Bingying answered, her voice soft and pliant.

Cheng Xi watched her, her actions a complete contradiction to her words. After a moment of thought, the corner of her lips curved into a smile. “Then… may I kiss you?” she asked, her voice gentle and low, her eyes soft as if coaxing a small child.

Xiao Bingying stared at her, mesmerized, and didn’t move until Cheng Xi’s lips met hers once more. A moment later, they were tangled together again.

The alcohol had raised Xiao Bingying’s temperature slightly. She savored the coolness of Cheng Xi’s mouth, greedily wrapping her arms around the woman leaning over the edge of the bed and pulling her on top of her.

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That evening, after standing watch all day, Lin Xizhao finally saw Qu Sheng wake up.

Qu Sheng’s eyes fluttered open. She felt as if she had slept so long that heaven and earth were dark,¹ as if she had forgotten many things. She stared blankly at the bed curtains, her expression dazed.

“Sheng’er?” Seeing Qu Sheng awake but not moving or speaking, Lin Xizhao waved a hand in front of her face.

Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao’s fingers flutter before her eyes, then followed her slender hand as it drew back, her gaze landing on Lin Xizhao’s face.

“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng called out, her voice no longer weak.

Lin Xizhao was stunned for a second. Seeing the smile in Qu Sheng’s eyes, she smiled back. “How does your body feel? Are you hungry?”

Qu Sheng had slept for an entire day without eating.

Qu Sheng blinked. “Mm, Sheng’er is fine. What is there to eat?”

“The kitchen just sent over some blood-replenishing porridge. I’ll go get you a bowl,” Lin Xizhao said, moving to leave. But as she stood, a hand shot out from under the covers and tugged on her sleeve.

Lin Xizhao turned back, confused. Qu Sheng’s lashes fluttered, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “No rush. Sheng’er wants to look at Jiejie.”

Seeing the sky outside, she guessed she’d been asleep for a whole day. After so long without even seeing Lin Xizhao in her dreams, she missed her terribly.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s lips curved. She turned back and gently cupped Qu Sheng’s cheek. “Alright,” she said softly.

Right now, whatever Qu Sheng wanted, she would grant.

Lin Xizhao sat on the bed with Qu Sheng, watching her just as intently as Qu Sheng watched her. Though Qu Sheng’s eyes were just as docile as when she was asleep, it only took a moment for her to shift, resting her head in Lin Xizhao’s lap.

Qu Sheng wrapped her arms around Lin Xizhao’s slender waist, nuzzling her head against her and inhaling the cool fragrance of her body. This scent could always soothe her longing and make her feel safe.

Lin Xizhao let her be affectionate for a while before gently helping her sit up, propping her against the bed’s railing.

“I’ll bring the porridge over. You eat first. The medicine will be ready soon.”

Cheng Xi had estimated when Qu Sheng would wake, and Lin Xizhao had trusted her, instructing someone to start brewing the medicine around that time. It should be nearly done by now.

Qu Sheng hummed in agreement, watching Lin Xizhao leave the inner room.

Lin Xizhao went out, ladled a bowl of porridge from the pot on the table, and had a maid bring in a small side table. With a few side dishes, the meal wasn’t entirely bland.

Lin Xizhao scooped up the thin porridge, blew on it gently to cool it, and brought it to Qu Sheng’s lips. Qu Sheng opened her mouth and sipped it down.

After one bowl was gone, Lin Xizhao saw that Qu Sheng still looked hungry. She glanced at the empty bowl and said to a nearby maid, “Go get another bowl.”

The maid curtsied, took the bowl, and returned with a fresh one.

In the end, Qu Sheng ate three bowls before she finally felt like she had something in her stomach.

“Do you want more?” Lin Xizhao worried that eating so much right after waking might upset her stomach.

Qu Sheng looked down at the empty bowl in Lin Xizhao’s hands. She wanted more, but she still had to drink her medicine. She figured she would be full after that.

She shook her head and asked the maid, “Is the medicine ready?”

“It’s been brought over, Young Miss. Would you like to drink it now?” the maid replied in a low voice.

Qu Sheng looked up at her, her gaze not nearly as obedient as when she looked at Lin Xizhao. “Bring it in.”

The maid went out and returned with the medicine, handing the bowl to Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao felt it; it had cooled to the perfect temperature.

She passed the bowl to Qu Sheng, who took it and drank it all down without so much as a frown.

Lin Xizhao picked up a piece of candied fruit from the side and offered it to her, but Qu Sheng shook her head, not wanting it.

Lin Xizhao set the candied dried plum aside. Watching Qu Sheng drink the medicine as if it were ordinary tea, she couldn’t help but ask as she wiped her lips, “Isn’t it bitter?”

Qu Sheng tilted her chin up slightly. Seeing Lin Xizhao’s brow furrowed in sympathy, she asked with a smile, “Did Jiejie taste it?”

Lin Xizhao froze for a second. Qu Sheng quickly continued, “Otherwise, how would you know if it’s bitter or not?”

Lin Xizhao’s lips curved. She had tasted it. It was precisely because she was worried it would be too bitter for Qu Sheng that she’d had the candied fruit prepared.

Once the small table was removed, Qu Sheng wanted to get out of bed and walk around. Lin Xizhao thought for a moment and decided it was best to ask Cheng Xi first.

What if it was like yesterday, when she had just been revived only to suddenly fall unconscious again? She couldn’t bear that kind of torment a second time.

“Sheng’er, just sit for a little while. Jiejie will go ask Cheng Xi.”

Seeing Lin Xizhao’s worried expression, Qu Sheng didn’t insist on getting up. She nodded. “Alright. Sheng’er will wait for Jiejie to come back.”

Seeing Qu Sheng being so obedient, Lin Xizhao couldn’t resist cupping her face and leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead.

The touch of her warm, soft lips made Qu Sheng look up. As Lin Xizhao pulled away, a look of visible anticipation bloomed on Qu Sheng’s face.

Lin Xizhao met her clinging gaze, her eyes curving into a smile, and she leaned down to press a light kiss on her lips.

Satisfied, Qu Sheng couldn’t stop her lips from turning up. Not only was her heart sweet, but even the glistening moisture in her eyes seemed syrupy.

Lin Xizhao left the room to find Cheng Xi. She knocked for a long time, but no one answered. After waiting a bit longer, she decided to head to Zhao Jiayu’s quarters to ask about Xiao Bingying, but she had only taken two steps when Cheng Xi’s door opened.

Xiao Bingying pulled it open, her sash tied crookedly. She saw Lin Xizhao’s momentary surprise, then noticed her gaze drop to her waist.

“Is Cheng Xi not in?” Lin Xizhao didn’t ask any other questions.

They had been drinking in this room around noon. Xiao Bingying must have gotten drunk and was resting here.

Xiao Bingying’s awkward expression eased slightly. “She is. I’ll go get her.”

Lin Xizhao nodded, careful not to peer inside. Xiao Bingying stood by the door, only turning her head to look back, making no move to invite Lin Xizhao in.

After a few moments, Cheng Xi emerged. She was neatly dressed, and Lin Xizhao didn’t think much of it. “Sheng’er is awake,” she said. “She wants to get up and walk around. I wanted to ask if that would cause any problems.”

Cheng Xi glanced at Xiao Bingying, who was standing there looking a bit foolish. She gave her a gentle tug, urging her back inside to change into fresh clothes.

In her haste to answer the door, Xiao Bingying was still wearing the clothes she’d had on while drinking, and she reeked of alcohol.

Xiao Bingying gave Lin Xizhao an embarrassed smile. “I drank too much. I’m going to change.”

Lin Xizhao nodded, watching her go back inside. Cheng Xi then turned to her. “I’ll go with you and check her pulse.”

Qu Sheng had a strong constitution; she could walk around after being beaten, but the fact that Lin Xizhao came to ask about something so minor showed just how unsettled she was.

Cheng Xi followed Lin Xizhao back to Qu Sheng’s room. After taking her pulse and seeing that her complexion was much better than it had been that morning, she said, “There shouldn’t be any major problems, but remember, she must not use any martial arts for the next few days.”

Qu Sheng nodded and expressed her thanks to Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi nodded back in acknowledgment, then looked at Lin Xizhao. “I won’t disturb your rest any longer.”

“Alright,” Lin Xizhao replied, not bothering with polite thanks as she saw Cheng Xi to the door.

When Lin Xizhao returned to the room, she should have been happy to hear that Qu Sheng could get up, but her expression was troubled.

Qu Sheng noticed. “Is Jiejie worried the Xiao Family will come to demand her back?”

Lin Xizhao looked up, surprised that Qu Sheng had thought of the same thing. She hummed in agreement. “Cheng Xi staying here isn’t a long-term solution.”

It wasn’t that Lin Xizhao didn’t want Cheng Xi here; it was that given her status, they couldn’t keep her.

Qu Sheng raised a hand. Lin Xizhao walked over and helped her out of bed. As her feet touched the floor, Qu Sheng looked up into Lin Xizhao’s eyes. “Jiejie, don’t worry. Uncle Xiao will be returning to the capital to report on his duties soon. It won’t be too late to ask for her then.”

“Can we?” Lin Xizhao sounded doubtful. Cheng Xi was a person bestowed by imperial edict.

“Don’t worry too much. If it really comes to it, we’ll just send her away,” Qu Sheng offered two solutions. If they couldn’t get her officially, they would just sneak her away. In any case, they couldn’t let Cheng Xi continue to be bullied there.

Lin Xizhao grew pensive and didn’t discuss the matter further.

She supported Qu Sheng as they walked around the courtyard. The weather was mild, and the leaves on the small trees provided patches of shade.

After standing for a while, Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng to a nearby pavilion to sit.

Qu Sheng rested her head on Lin Xizhao’s slender shoulder. It was a heartwarming scene, but it wasn’t long before she was lolling in Lin Xizhao’s lap.

Night had completely fallen. By the candlelight from the lamps on the stone pillars, Lin Xizhao could only make out Qu Sheng’s general silhouette, but Qu Sheng could see Lin Xizhao perfectly clearly.

She lay with her eyes open, gazing up at the woman above her. Seeing the gentle lines of Lin Xizhao’s relaxed face, her own heart softened.

Lin Xizhao’s fingertips traced Qu Sheng’s cheek, the smooth texture making her reluctant to pull her hand away.

“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng said after a while, a layer of desire creeping into her voice.

But her body had only just begun to recover. For now, she could only think about it, or perhaps find satisfaction in other ways.

Qu Sheng tilted her chin up slightly. Lin Xizhao didn’t need to guess what she wanted.

Seeing Qu Sheng’s earnest and expectant gaze, Lin Xizhao pursed her soft lips. After a quick glance around to make sure no one was there, she leaned down and kissed her.

A light kiss was naturally not enough to satisfy Qu Sheng. When Lin Xizhao tried to pull away, Qu Sheng wrapped her arms around her neck. With just a gentle tug, their hungry lips met once more.

The kiss began softly but quickly deepened into a passionate demand. Lin Xizhao’s breathing grew heavy, but she didn’t push Qu Sheng away.

“Oh my, it’s so dark! I can’t see a thing!” Zhao Jiayu’s voice rang out from a distance.

Hearing her, Lin Xizhao didn’t wait for Qu Sheng to stop. She hastily pushed her away, though it was difficult to part.²

The kiss broke. Lin Xizhao pressed her lips together, glancing at the approaching Zhao Jiayu before quickly lowering her head.

Qu Sheng had been completely absorbed in the moment. Annoyed at the sudden interruption, she shot Zhao Jiayu an irritated look.

What is she doing here so late?

Zhao Jiayu watched them separate. She craned her neck for a better look before striding over. She hadn’t actually seen anything clearly, but since their relationship was an open secret in the estate, she didn’t have to guess what they were doing.

“You two lovebirds, you should be more careful. What if it wasn’t me who came in, but someone else?” Zhao Jiayu said, offering some well-intentioned advice.

If it had been anyone else, how would they face people in the future?

Qu Sheng watched her, noticing how her eyes kept darting toward Cheng Xi’s room. “Is something wrong? It’s so late.” Although she was frustrated, she didn’t take it out on Zhao Jiayu.

“Oh, I heard you woke up, so I came to see.”

Zhao Jiayu had full faith in Xiao Bingying and Cheng Xi’s medical skills. When she’d first heard, Qu Sheng hadn’t woken up yet.

Lin Xizhao kept her head down, too embarrassed to look at Zhao Jiayu. But when Qu Sheng spoke, she glanced up.

Seeing Zhao Jiayu keep looking over there, Lin Xizhao asked, “Was Bingying drunk today?”

“Hm?” Zhao Jiayu sounded like she hadn’t heard clearly. She turned to Lin Xizhao. “Yeah, she drank too much. I let her rest at Cheng Xi’s place. I wonder if she’s woken up yet.”

Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, whose expression was neutral, as if she had no interest in what happened in Cheng Xi’s room. Zhao Jiayu, however, was very interested.

“You came specifically to see Bingying-jiejie, didn’t you?” Qu Sheng said, slowly getting to her feet. Lin Xizhao helped her up, lending her some strength.

Zhao Jiayu gave a silly laugh. “Of course not! I had to come see you first. You know I dote on you the most.”

Qu Sheng didn’t react. She looked up at Lin Xizhao. “Jiejie, let’s go back to our room.”

Lin Xizhao nodded, then said to Zhao Jiayu, “Come sit in the room for a while.”

Zhao Jiayu looked at Lin Xizhao, then glanced back at Cheng Xi’s door. When she saw Qu Sheng start to walk away, she hurried to follow.

The three entered the room, but they had barely sat down before Zhao Jiayu announced she was going to check if Xiao Bingying was awake.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng exchanged a look but said nothing about what they knew.

Not long after Zhao Jiayu left, Jin Yunfei arrived.

She had come to see Qu Sheng during the day, but she hadn’t been awake. She had only come over now after hearing from Feng Qi that she was up.

Qu Sheng held no grudge against Jin Yunfei for what she had said yesterday. She looked at her mother’s kind face with a respectful expression.

Jin Yunfei sat with them and chatted for a while, never once mentioning the matter of her and Lin Xizhao. For now, they had no choice but to tacitly accept it, even if they didn’t fully approve in their hearts.

After about fifteen minutes, Lin Xizhao picked up the teapot to refill Jin Yunfei’s cup.

“Don’t pour anymore,” Jin Yunfei said, raising a hand. “This Mother is heading back. You two should rest early.”

She glanced at Qu Sheng, whose face was impassive. As she was about to stand, she suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, right. A letter came from your Maternal Uncle’s side today. It said your Biaojie³ might be coming for a visit. She should arrive in three to five days.”

“Jin Mingyi?” Qu Sheng frowned slightly.

“Show some respect!⁴ That’s your Biaojie. How can you use her full name?” Jin Yunfei gently scolded.

“She’s only three days older than this child,” Qu Sheng replied. She didn’t really consider Jin Mingyi her older cousin. Based on temperament, Jin Mingyi should be the one calling her Biaojie.

“Older is older,” Jin Yunfei said. She was worried that Jin Mingyi’s arrival would lead to arguments.

She had heard that when they were in Shoulin, the two of them argued constantly. Mostly it was Qu Sheng being quiet while Jin Mingyi chattered on, but even so, Jin Mingyi would get so angry she’d call Qu Sheng a stuffy gourd.⁵

Every time she tried to make Qu Sheng call her Biaojie, Qu Sheng would get contrary, either turning her head away or ignoring her completely.

“When Yi’er arrives, you are not to argue with her,” Jin Yunfei instructed with feigned seriousness.

“This child understands,” Qu Sheng promised, though she knew she would have to see how things went.

Jin Mingyi knew she wasn’t a fool. When they were in Shoulin, things were fine at first, but then Jin Mingyi started bothering her with her flowery intestines.⁶ While she didn’t hate her, she found her annoying. Especially when she asked about Lin Xizhao; Qu Sheng had wanted to sew her mouth shut.

She knew Qu Sheng liked Lin Xizhao.

She wondered what kind of trouble her cousin would stir up this time.

Seeing Qu Sheng agree, Jin Yunfei didn’t stay any longer. She told Lin Xizhao to take care of herself and be patient, then left.

Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng to the washroom. Her body wasn’t ready for a full bath yet, so Lin Xizhao gently wiped her down with a warm, damp towel.

After she was clean, Qu Sheng refused to leave. With a sigh, Lin Xizhao had no choice but to undress and bathe under Qu Sheng’s intense gaze. Seeing Lin Xizhao get into the water, Qu Sheng found a stool and sat down to enjoy the scene of a beauty playing in the water.⁷

There were no maids in the room. Lin Xizhao washed herself with a cloth, her entire body submerged beneath a layer of floating flower petals, only her head visible.

Qu Sheng had been sitting, but after watching for a while, a heat began to build inside her. She stood and slowly walked to the edge of the steaming, fragrant tub. After staring at the annoying red petals for a moment, she rolled up her sleeves, reached in, and gently pushed them aside.

“Sheng’er…”

Qu Sheng’s gaze was fixed on what lay beneath the water. Being stared at so nakedly, a blush quickly crept up Lin Xizhao’s face.

“Jiejie.” Qu Sheng looked up at her, her eyes misty with the steam and desire that filled the room.

Lin Xizhao stood in the tub, the upper half of her body completely under Qu Sheng’s control, but such a small taste was far from enough.

Back in their room, Lin Xizhao couldn’t escape ‘this fate’ after all.

Qu Sheng’s body was indeed weak, but when it came to this, as long as they weren’t greedy, once was acceptable.

Much later…

“Does it hurt?” Once the trembling in her body subsided and her mind cleared, Lin Xizhao began to worry about Qu Sheng’s body.

She was covered in injuries.

Qu Sheng shook her head. Kneeling at her side, she insisted on cleaning Lin Xizhao up before lying down beside her, nestling her head in the crook of her neck.

“Jiejie, you smell so good…” She loved this scent.

After saying this, before Lin Xizhao could respond, Qu Sheng drifted off to sleep. She had pushed her body to its limit today, but it had left her feeling utterly content.

Five days later…

Qu Sheng’s body gradually recovered. She could walk without feeling weak or out of breath. Cheng Xi prescribed a new medicine for her condition and told her that after finishing these few doses, she wouldn’t need any more.

As Cheng Xi was writing out the prescription in Qu Sheng’s room, Feng Qi knocked on the door.

Lin Xizhao opened it. Feng Qi bowed his head in greeting.

“What is it?”

Feng Qi wouldn’t knock for no reason.

He looked up, glancing at Cheng Xi inside the room, then at Xiao Bingying and Qu Sheng sitting nearby. “Young Master Xiao, Xiao Bingying’s brother, has arrived. He brought gifts and says he’s here to take his Jiejie back to their estate. He’s in the Old Madam’s courtyard now.”

“He only said he was here for Bingying?” Lin Xizhao asked, a flicker of confusion on her face.

“Yes.”

Everyone in the room turned to look toward the door. Qu Sheng’s expression didn’t change; she just thought that Xiao Yaocai seemed to have gotten a bit smarter.

If Xiao Bingying went back, Cheng Xi would have no reason to stay. Politely requesting his own Jiejie to return was certainly better than trying to take someone by force.

Xiao Bingying frowned and was about to get up when Qu Sheng said, “Bingying-jiejie, don’t be anxious. Sheng’er will handle this.”

Xiao Bingying’s frown eased. She looked at Qu Sheng, wondering what she planned to do.

Qu Sheng led Lin Xizhao out of the room and went to Jin Yunfei’s courtyard. At that moment, Xiao Yaocai was fawning over Jin Yunfei with a sycophantic expression, showering her with flattery.

“Aunt, although you are a few years older than my mother, you look much younger. This Nephew⁸ would like to ask for your secret to eternal youth today, so I can go back and show some filial piety to my mother.”

Jin Yunfei smiled at his compliments. “Worthy Nephew,⁹ you jest. At my age, how can I still be youthful? As for a secret to eternal youth, this Aunt has none.”

She knew why he was here. Qu Sheng had already spoken with her and explained the situation with Cheng Xi.

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao entered the hall and saw Xiao Yaocai bent at the waist beside Jin Yunfei, trying to get her to try some unknown object he was holding.

“Mother.”

“Adoptive Mother.”

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao bowed. Jin Yunfei’s forced smile vanished, replaced by a genuine one. “Zhao’er, Sheng’er, come to This Mother.”

Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao exchanged a glance and walked forward, forcing Xiao Yaocai to step aside.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “That annoying woman is coming.”

Jin Mingyi: “Watch your mouth. Call me Biaojie today, and I’ll have your back from now on. We’ll rule the capital.”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

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