The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 111

Get Lost!

Qu Sheng looked up at Jin Mingyi, the frown between her brows smoothing out as she changed the subject. “Maternal Uncle will be staying in the capital for a while longer. In a few days, Aunt will be coming over as well.”

“Ah, my mother is coming too?”

Qu Sheng saw Jin Mingyi’s surprised expression and glanced over at Zhu Ming’an.

Zhu Ming’an’s head was lowered, and she remained silent, her thoughts unknown.

“I can choose not to ask about the jade stones, but if you two want to stay here, don’t cause any trouble.”

Jin Mingyi was still processing the news of her mother’s arrival. Hearing this, she frowned. “How is that causing trouble? I think you’re just jealous!” The money really was coming in fast.

Seeing that Jin Mingyi still didn’t understand, Qu Sheng looked at Zhu Ming’an behind her. “You tell her why.”

To gamble on jade stones¹ was like any other form of gambling; once addicted, one wouldn’t stop until they had overturned the family and lost all property.

After speaking, Qu Sheng left with Lin Xizhao. They needed to return to Prime Minister Lin’s Residence to plan a few things.

Prime Minister Lin’s Residence.

Lin Xirui was summoned. Lin Xizhao discussed some matters with him and asked him to go question Lin Jianhai.

Lin Xirui stood to the side, looking puzzled. “Ah Jie², I don’t have an official position right now. If I ask about matters of the imperial court, will Father blame me?”

“He won’t. This is highly relevant to your future subject examinations³. Just ask, and Father will answer you,” Lin Xizhao said softly.

Lin Xirui grew thoughtful at her words. A few moments later, he looked up and smiled. “If Ah Jie wants me to ask, then I’ll ask. Is there anything else? I can ask about it all at once.”

“That’s all for now,” Lin Xizhao replied gently.

Lin Xirui nodded. He glanced at Qu Sheng, who had been watching him from the side, smiled at her as well, and then left the room.

Once Lin Xirui was gone, Qu Sheng turned to Lin Xizhao, her gaze softening. “Jiejie⁴, will letting Xirui tap on the side and knock on the flank⁵ be useful?”

Lin Xizhao pulled her gaze back from where Lin Xirui had departed. “It will. Father is different from other officials. In his service to the court, he is utterly loyal to His Majesty. He will definitely report this matter to His Majesty.” As she finished, her eyes darkened.

Seeing Lin Xizhao’s reaction, Qu Sheng took her hand, raised it before her, and pressed a kiss to it. “Jiejie, if your conscience cannot pass⁶, we can find another way.”

“No. Right now, His Majesty will only listen to Father’s words. It has to be him.”

She remembered how the Qu family had treated her all these years. She wanted to help avenge Qu Ming, and if this heart trouble⁷ wasn’t removed, the Qu family would remain in a passive position, and Qu Sheng would constantly be in danger.

She had to do this.

Lin Xizhao withdrew her hand from Qu Sheng’s and cupped her cheek. “Sheng’er, don’t overthink it. Jiejie is fine.” Of course, she felt uncomfortable using Lin Jianhai, but it was a shortcut they had to take.

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Xiao Residence.

Ever since Xiao Bingying had pulled her back to her courtyard, Cheng Xi hadn’t left. Cheng Xi’s own courtyard had already been cleaned, but Xiao Bingying still didn’t want her to go.

The moment Cheng Xi returned today, her mother had wanted to take her away. Though she didn’t know what for, she knew it couldn’t be anything good.

A beating, a scolding, or slander—that was all it ever was.

She had experienced more than enough of it over the years.

She didn’t know when, but a rebellious spirit had begun to stir within her. Especially today, outside her residence, when her mother had declared in front of so many people that she had died outside.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng were one thing, but Cheng Xi…

She already felt so lowly in front of Cheng Xi. Under her mother’s casual abuse, she felt a sliver of darkness bloom in her heart.

She wasn’t as good as Zhao Jiayu and the others imagined. She, too, felt hurt by the beatings and scoldings she had grown accustomed to, and it gave rise to thoughts that others would find guilty of the ten unpardonable crimes.

Cheng Xi watched Xiao Bingying, who was so restless she could neither sit nor stand in peace⁸. One moment she was up and pacing, the next she was sitting with her head down. Cheng Xi spoke to comfort her, “Don’t worry too much. I’ll be fine.”

Hearing her voice, Xiao Bingying turned to look at Cheng Xi, her eyes filling with tenderness. She nodded with a soft “mhm” and glanced toward the door again.

Xiao Yaocai⁹ probably wouldn’t be coming today.

“Let’s go rest,” Cheng Xi said, rising and walking toward Xiao Bingying.

Xiao Bingying watched Cheng Xi approach and raised a hand to take her fingers, just as the door that had been the source of her anxiety was struck with a loud bang.

“Open the door! Open the door! Open the door!” Xiao Yaocai’s drunken voice carried through, the sound of his pounding audible throughout the entire courtyard.

The servants standing by watched, not daring to intervene.

The two exchanged a look. Xiao Bingying whispered to Cheng Xi, “Go wait for me inside.” She didn’t want Xiao Yaocai to see Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi looked at Xiao Bingying, wanting to say something, but to put her at ease, she nodded and went into the inner room.

Hearing the incessant pounding, Xiao Bingying frowned and walked toward the door.

“Open up! Ope—”

“It’s the dead of night. Cai-di¹⁰, what are you doing?” Xiao Bingying’s expression was one of extreme impatience.

Xiao Yaocai had come in a rage, but seeing Xiao Bingying’s cold face and hearing her sharp tone, he froze for a second. He quickly regained the airs of a proper Young Master. “What am I doing? I’m here for the person His Majesty bestowed upon me, of course.”

Xiao Yaocai swayed and peered into the room. Not seeing Cheng Xi, he asked, “Where’s Cheng Xi?”

Xiao Bingying shot him a look. “Cheng Xi hasn’t been feeling well lately. She has already gone to rest.”

“Not well? I’m not feeling well! Get her out here,” Xiao Yaocai ordered.

Listening to Xiao Yaocai’s alcohol-laced words, Xiao Bingying’s brow furrowed. “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to rest.” She ignored his demand, took a step back, and moved to shut the door.

“How dare you!” Xiao Yaocai threw out a hand to stop the closing door. “If you don’t let me take Cheng Xi today, I’ll smash this courtyard to pieces!” The moment he finished speaking, a crowd of retainers and guards surged into the courtyard.

Xiao Bingying looked at the guards and servants in the courtyard, realizing Xiao Yaocai had come prepared. With a cold expression, she swept her gaze over them. “Don’t forget, this is the Xiao Residence, and you are servants of the Xiao Residence. I am the Eldest Miss of the Xiao Residence. If any of you dare to make a move today, I’ll have Father make you pack your bags and scram¹¹ when he returns tomorrow!”

Dealing with these people would be troublesome, but it wasn’t as if she couldn’t win. She was seething with anger, and if they really made a move, she wouldn’t mind crippling them.

Seeing that no one dared to move, Xiao Yaocai craned his neck and shrieked, “Don’t you try to scare me with Father! What kind of Eldest Miss are you? I’m the proper Eldest Young Master here! Get her!”

At his command, the men began to inch forward. At the same time, Xiao Bingying stepped out from the doorway.

Xiao Bingying closed the door behind her back. Seeing that the men were all holding clubs, her gaze flicked to Xiao Yaocai.

Xiao Yaocai, whose fur had been bristling¹², felt a chill run down his spine when Xiao Bingying looked at him. He hastily retreated a few steps.

He had never once won when they sparred.

“Go! Whoever brings Cheng Xi out for me today gets a reward of ten taels of silver!”

The instant Xiao Yaocai spoke, the Xiao Residence servants swarmed forward. But the first one to reach her was met with an unceremonious kick to the chest from Xiao Bingying, sending him flying back and knocking over the people behind him.

Seeing this, the servants hesitated, not daring to act rashly. Xiao Bingying seized the opportunity to flick a fallen club up with the tip of her foot and catch it in her hand.

Xiao Yaocai’s personal guards naturally had some martial skill. When they saw the servants falter, they drew their sabers and advanced.

As the guards came at her, the club in Xiao Bingying’s hand whistled through the air. Each strike landed precisely on their shoulders or necks, felling an enemy with every move.

But Xiao Bingying’s heart was still soft. She only wanted to drive them back, not to seriously injure them.

“Idiots! Get up!” Xiao Yaocai raged, yelling at the fallen servants and guards behind him.

Xiao Bingying planted the end of her club on the ground and watched Xiao Yaocai with cold eyes.

Ever since she was a child, the weapon Xiao Bingying wielded best was the spear. While this club couldn’t compare to a longspear’s lethality, in her hands, it was still like a tiger adding wings¹³.

“You just wait!” Xiao Yaocai didn’t dare fight Xiao Bingying himself. Ignoring the servants, he ran straight out of the courtyard.

Xiao Bingying watched as the men on the ground slowly got to their feet. She didn’t let her guard down. She guessed Xiao Yaocai had gone to get his mother.

Sure enough, a short while later, Mother Xiao stormed into the courtyard. Seeing the servants still lying on the ground, unable to move, she pointed with her chin and commanded with her breath¹⁴, scolding, “You dead girl¹⁵, you’ve gotten bold!”

Hearing Mother Xiao’s words, the coldness on Xiao Bingying’s face suddenly vanished, as if all her confidence had drained away. She frowned, her expression one of someone ready to accept any punishment.

Seeing Xiao Bingying had wilted, Xiao Yaocai snorted. “Mother, Cheng Xi is still in the room.”

At the mention of Cheng Xi’s name, Xiao Bingying’s head snapped toward Xiao Yaocai, her face tense with anxiety.

Mother Xiao glanced at the servants who had gotten up. “Go and bring her out for me.”

Hearing this, a servant endured his pain and, after a glance at Xiao Bingying, moved to open the door, only to be blocked by her.

Xiao Bingying raised her club, barring the servant’s path.

“You dead girl, are you rebelling?” Mother Xiao turned and took a whip from a servant. She strode to Xiao Bingying’s side and lashed out with it.

The force of the blow made the nearby servants cringe in sympathetic pain, but Xiao Bingying didn’t make a sound.

“Get lost!” Mother Xiao said angrily.

Xiao Bingying stood rooted to the spot, unmoving. She kept her head down, not looking at Mother Xiao. Seeing an opening, Xiao Yaocai tried to slip past her into the room, but Xiao Bingying swiftly moved to block the doorway again.

Cheng Xi had been bestowed upon the Xiao Residence by His Majesty; she had no reason to stop them. But given her current relationship with Cheng Xi, if she didn’t stop them…

She would never let Xiao Yaocai take Cheng Xi away.

“Mother!” Blocked by Xiao Bingying, Xiao Yaocai turned to Mother Xiao for help.

Seeing this, Mother Xiao lifted her skirts and took a few steps forward, reaching out to grab Xiao Bingying. “Did we let you learn martial arts just so you could bully your own family?” she gnashed her teeth as she tried to pull Xiao Bingying away, but Xiao Bingying simply raised a hand and dodged.

“You—” Mother Xiao stumbled for a moment, clearly not expecting Xiao Bingying to evade her.

“Mother, it’s late, and Father returns tomorrow. You should go back and rest early.” Xiao Bingying, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke, her voice tinged with coldness.

Mother Xiao froze for a moment. Seeing the chill in Xiao Bingying’s eyes and hearing the creak of her hand tightening on the club, she felt a flicker of fear for the first time.

“You dare to hit my mother? I…” Xiao Yaocai’s gaze also fell on the wooden club in Xiao Bingying’s hand.

Xiao Bingying’s eyes flicked toward him, the coldness in them intensifying, scaring Xiao Yaocai into silence.

Mother Xiao noted Xiao Bingying’s unusual expression, then glanced at the servants still groaning softly on the ground. After a moment’s thought, she turned to Xiao Yaocai. “That’s enough for today. We’ll talk again after Cheng Xi has recovered from her illness.”

“Mother!” Xiao Yaocai protested, grabbing her hand.

Mother Xiao shot him a look and forcefully shook him off. “Go back for now. Your father returns tomorrow, and there is much to be done.”

At her words, Xiao Yaocai glared at Xiao Bingying in frustration, but there was nothing he could do. He snorted in anger and left.

Mother Xiao also looked up at Xiao Bingying, seemingly weighing other matters, and left without another word.

Seeing their masters depart, the servants in the courtyard hastily helped each other up and left as well. Xiao Bingying didn’t let out a breath of relief until the last servant had exited the courtyard.

Xiao Bingying lowered her gaze for a few moments. When she turned and raised her hand to open the door, Cheng Xi opened it from the inside.

“Are you alright?” Cheng Xi had been standing by the door the whole time, afraid something would happen to Xiao Bingying.

Seeing Cheng Xi, Xiao Bingying paused. The weariness and dejection in her eyes vanished, replaced by a gentle smile. “I’m fine. They… they’re gone.”

On her first day back, Xiao Bingying had already resorted to violence in the residence. She didn’t know if Xiao Tong would punish her when he returned tomorrow. But regardless, they could rest easy tonight.

The two entered the room. Cheng Xi wrung out a damp cloth and wiped Xiao Bingying’s hands. “You really didn’t have to fight with them,” she said as she cleaned. “I would have been fine.”

Cheng Xi knew martial arts, her skills no less than Xiao Yaocai’s, and she was also a physician; she wouldn’t have been at a disadvantage. But Xiao Bingying… hearing what Xiao Yaocai and Mother Xiao had said earlier had left a bad taste in her mouth.

If she hadn’t used Xiao Bingying before, making her fall in love with her, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

Xiao Bingying looked down at Cheng Xi, who was slightly shorter than her, an emotion in her eyes that Cheng Xi couldn’t decipher.

Xiao Bingying knew what Cheng Xi was capable of, but she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. Cheng Xi was her person. If she couldn’t even protect her in her own home, what right did she have to talk about treating her well in the future?

Protection was the foundation of everything. If she failed to protect Cheng Xi, then no matter how well she treated her, it couldn’t be considered good at all.

Cheng Xi looked up at Xiao Bingying and understood her thoughts in an instant. She tilted her chin up slightly and pressed her lips to Xiao Bingying’s, her cool yet gentle voice whispering, “Meeting you is the greatest fortune of my life.”

She would not fail to live up to everything Xiao Bingying had done for her.

The next morning, Zhao Jiayu had just climbed out of bed and was about to head for the Xiao Residence when Qu Yu stopped her.

“Have your morning meal first. There’s no rush. I’ve already sent someone to ask about Maternal Uncle’s party; the earliest they can enter the city is noon.” Qu Yu led Zhao Jiayu toward the dining table.

Zhao Jiayu’s appetite had surged recently, to the point where she even needed to eat in the middle of the night. If she didn’t eat now, she would definitely get hungry on the road.

Zhao Jiayu pouted and grumbled but obediently followed Qu Yu to eat.

After forcing down a few bites, Zhao Jiayu had a carriage prepared for the Xiao Residence. But as she was leaving her own residence, she saw Qu Sheng helping Lin Xizhao out of a carriage.

“Eh? Why are you two back so early?” Seeing them return at this hour, Zhao Jiayu figured something must be up.

Lin Xizhao looked up, and Qu Sheng glanced over as well. Lin Xizhao smiled. “Where are you off to?”

“I’m going to the Xiao Residence to see my Ah Jie,” Zhao Jiayu said, standing with her belly pushed out.

Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng’s hand and walked over to her. “Wait a moment. We’ll go with you.”

Zhao Jiayu nodded. She watched them enter the residence, and they reemerged a short while later.

The three of them shared a carriage. The moment Zhao Jiayu got in, she started yawning.

Seeing this, Lin Xizhao whispered, “Do you want to sleep for a bit?”

Zhao Jiayu’s body was getting heavier by the day. She had heard that it was very difficult for women whose bodies were carrying the six jia¹⁶.

Zhao Jiayu did indeed feel tired, but when she glanced at Qu Sheng, she gave a dry laugh. “Better not.”

Qu Sheng was such a little vinegar jar¹⁷. She couldn’t count the number of times Qu Sheng had glared at her when she was with Lin Xizhao. Thinking back on it now, it was all jealousy. She didn’t want to be a nuisance.

Qu Sheng, who had been resting with her eyes closed, opened them when she heard Lin Xizhao speak. Lin Xizhao looked up at her and smiled helplessly.

The carriage soon arrived at the Xiao Residence. When the servants saw it was a carriage from the Marquis Qu’s Residence, they eagerly welcomed them inside.

The three went straight to Xiao Bingying’s courtyard. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw Xiao Bingying standing outside her door, talking to Xiao Yaocai.

Xiao Yaocai had come over as soon as he woke up. Xiao Bingying was already awake by then but hadn’t wanted to leave the bed while holding Cheng Xi in her arms.

She hadn’t wanted to deal with him, but his knocking was so loud it woke Cheng Xi up, so the two of them finally got up and dressed.

Xiao Bingying put on an outer robe and went out. When Xiao Yaocai saw her, he beamed and took a few steps forward. “Ah Jie, I drank too much last night. A great person doesn’t record a small person’s error¹⁸, so please forgive your younger brother.”

Hearing his apology, Xiao Bingying glanced at him, her eyes filled with disbelief and suspicion.

Seeing no reaction from her, Xiao Yaocai added with a smile, “His Majesty bestowed Cheng Xi upon our residence. If you like her, then Didi will give her to you. Don’t let a woman harm the bond between us siblings.”

Xiao Bingying showed no joy at his words. She looked at his fawning, sycophantic face and frowned. “Is there anything else?”

“Ah, no, no! Didi just came to apologize.”

Xiao Yaocai’s sudden apology was unexpected. Xiao Bingying couldn’t guess his intentions, but his comment about her liking Cheng Xi was enough to put her on guard.

“As the saying goes, women are like clothes¹⁹, but we siblings are true hands and feet²⁰. Didi truly didn’t know Jiejie also liked women. How about this? In a few days, I’ll find you a few more proper beauties. I guarantee they’ll serve Ah Jie until you’re…” Xiao Yaocai stopped mid-sentence when he saw Xiao Bingying’s brow furrow and her face turn cold. He quickly shut his mouth, then smiled and lightly slapped his own face. “Didi’s mouth has no door²¹. I deserve a beating.”

“If there’s nothing else, you should leave.” Xiao Bingying offered no reaction or explanation in response to his words.

Just as they finished speaking, Lin Xizhao and the others arrived. Seeing Zhao Jiayu, Xiao Yaocai glanced at Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng beside her and quickly greeted them with a smile. “Biaojie²² and Xizhao-jiejie are here. Hello, Sheng-meimei.”

Zhao Jiayu couldn’t be bothered with him. She shot him a glare and walked toward Xiao Bingying. Lin Xizhao nodded to him in greeting.

“Since Ah Jie’s friends are here, Didi won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll be leaving now,” Xiao Yaocai said as he started walking out of the courtyard.

As Xiao Yaocai was about to leave, Zhao Jiayu turned and asked Xiao Bingying, “He didn’t give you two any trouble, did he?”

Xiao Bingying looked down at her. “He brought people over last night.”

“Ah? Then what about my older cousin’s wife?” Zhao Jiayu blurted out her private name for Cheng Xi.

Xiao Bingying’s eyes widened slightly, and she stared at Zhao Jiayu, her expression turning awkward.

Realizing what she’d said, Zhao Jiayu quickly clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes darting around. She knew she’d let it slip and glanced around.

Luckily, no one else was nearby.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng came over. Xiao Bingying whispered to Zhao Jiayu, “Xi’er is in the room. She’s fine.”

“Xizhao, Sheng-meimei.” Xiao Bingying greeted them. “Come in and sit.”

Xiao Bingying knew they had come so early out of concern. As they entered the room, Cheng Xi emerged from the inner chamber.

Xiao Bingying recounted the events of last night and this morning. Lin Xizhao listened, then lowered her gaze in thought.

Lin Xizhao said, “I think it would be best if Cheng Xi went to stay with Uncle Zhao for a few days.” She was worried Mother Xiao and her son meant to harm Cheng Xi.

But Cheng Xi replied, “Now that I’m back, I’m afraid it won’t be so easy to leave.” She could get out if she had to, but she was a little worried about Xiao Bingying.

Her younger brother had caused a huge scene yesterday, only to spout that nonsense today. She had a feeling Xiao Yaocai would move against Xiao Bingying. Not just now—even if the Qu family eventually requested her, she still wouldn’t feel at ease leaving Xiao Bingying in this residence. She had to find a way to take Xiao Bingying with her.

Since Cheng Xi was unwilling to leave, Lin Xizhao didn’t press the issue. She knew most of what Xiao Bingying had suffered growing up. Cheng Xi knew martial arts and medicine; staying together to look after one another was a relatively safe option.

As they talked, Xiao Bingying had someone prepare a morning meal. Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng hadn’t eaten either. And though Zhao Jiayu had, she was already hungry again.

Xiao Bingying served her some food, and she began to swallow like a wolf and gulp like a tiger²³. Everyone, except for Qu Sheng, stared at the way she ate.

“What are you all looking at me for? It’s not me who wants to eat, it’s this little thing,” Zhao Jiayu said, her words jumbled and unclear²⁴ with her mouth full of meat. She chewed and stretched her neck to swallow. Seeing this, Cheng Xi quickly handed her some water. “Don’t rush. Eat slowly.”

Zhao Jiayu took the water and washed down the meat stuck in her throat. She gasped for air, and once she had calmed down, she said, “It’s really not my fault. I don’t know what’s gotten into it these past two days, but this little thing is making me act just like a hungry ghost²⁵.”

Cheng Xi smiled and served her more food. “That’s true enough. But you’re too thin. You should eat more to build up your strength now. You can reduce your food intake when you’re approaching the basin²⁶.”

Zhao Jiayu was thin, but her body was very toned.

No one questioned Cheng Xi’s words. When it came to this, listening to the doctor was always the right choice.

“Ah, it kicked me,” Zhao Jiayu said suddenly as the child in her belly kicked.

Everyone’s gaze shifted to her stomach. Through the thin fabric of her dress, they could see a slight movement.

“This child definitely takes after its mother. It won’t be able to sit still in the future either,” Lin Xizhao teased with a smile.

Zhao Jiayu didn’t argue; Xiao Bingying had said the same thing before. She rubbed her belly and laughed. “Alright, this mother will eat and feed you now.”

Everyone laughed.

At noon, Lin Xizhao and the others left without waiting for Xiao Tong to return.

It wouldn’t be right for them to be there for a family reunion. On the way back, however, Zhao Jiayu kept rubbing her eyelids.

Seeing her, Lin Xizhao asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Zhao Jiayu lowered her hand. “Ever since Ah Jie went back yesterday, my eyelid has been twitching on and off.” She looked at Qu Sheng. “Little Sheng’er, when you get back, have Eldest Paternal Uncle hurry up and request Cheng Xi.”

Qu Sheng looked up at her and, after a moment, nodded.

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The author has something to say:

Zhao Jiayu: “Amitabha Buddha²⁷, please don’t let anything happen.”

The storm is coming. Is everyone ready?

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