The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 12

Why bother? My younger sister is still young and doesn’t know any better.

Hearing this, everyone’s gaze turned back to Qu Sheng, but Qu Sheng, as if she didn’t understand, took the bow and arrow in her hand and aimed it again at the Cheng Manor servant who had just spoken.

“What are you doing! Are you trying to kill a person to seal their mouth¹?” Madam Cheng watched Qu Sheng aim the arrow at a servant from her own manor, and with eyes that couldn’t tolerate a grain of sand², she roared at her.

Qu Sheng was startled for a moment by the loud shout, her small body trembling. She turned her head to look at the ferocious-looking woman from Imperial Uncle Cheng’s family, tears of grievance welling up in her eyes.

“For Madam Cheng to place such a big hat³ on her, is she trying to make my sister pay with her life?” Hearing the Cheng family’s hostile tone, the relaxed expression on Qu Yu’s face vanished.

Those who practice martial arts are decisive in killing. Although Qu Yu had never been on a battlefield, he had spent time in military barracks. When he raised his eyes, the killing intent within them startled Madam Cheng, freezing her for an instant.

“The matter has already been cleared up. My daughter was injured by this fool… this Qu Sheng of yours. Do you still want to argue now?”

Although the Qu family members were all martial artists, this was, after all, at the feet of the Son of Heaven. Imperial Uncle Cheng didn’t believe the Qu family would dare to make a move in the Prime Minister’s manor.

At this moment, Qu family’s Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle were both silent. They looked at each other, seemingly discussing a solution.

“This matter started because of me, and Sheng-meimei was only acting on my instructions—” Zhao Jiayu stood up to take responsibility again, but her mother pulled on her halfway through her sentence. Zhao Jiayu turned her head helplessly and said, “Mother, one person does the deed, one person bears the consequences. Sheng-meimei is innocent.” Zhao Jiayu’s expression was grave. She had a bad temper, but she had never been lacking when it came to loyalty.

Qu Sheng was still so young, how could she shoulder this kind of blame?

The three young masters of the Qu family all looked at Zhao Jiayu upon hearing her words. The little girl wasn’t very big, but she was quite considerate of their younger sister.

Zhao Jiayu wanted to say more, but she was interrupted by Qu Ming. Qu Ming looked at this small girl with a gentle expression and said, “My sister doesn’t listen to others. We appreciate Miss Zhao’s kind intentions, but this matter has nothing to do with you.”

Zhao Jiayu was a bit confused by Qu Ming’s sudden words. How could Qu Sheng not listen to her? “Eh—”

“Imperial Uncle Cheng, regarding the matter of our sister injuring Miss Cheng, it is our Qu family’s fault. We are willing to offer ten thousand liang⁴ of gold as compensation to settle this matter. What do you think of this arrangement?” Qu Ming’s interruption cut off Zhao Jiayu’s attempt to continue taking responsibility.

Although the Qu family could be unaccommodating at times, they wouldn’t do something like shrinking their heads⁵.

“You think you can just send us away with ten thousand liang of gold? Then how do you account for the suffering my Mianrong went through?” Madam Cheng clearly did not agree to a settlement.

Hearing this, Qu Ming’s eyes remained gentle, and he offered an apologetic smile. “Our Qu family is deeply sorry for the injuries Miss Cheng has suffered. Since Madam Cheng feels my compensation is insufficient, then please name your terms. If it is within our Qu family’s ability to bear, I, Qu Ming, will make the decision today and agree to it.”

Qu Ming had always been decisive. Regarding this, Qu family’s Third Uncle and Fourth Uncle did not speak up to stop him.

“Hmph, the arrow my daughter received, I want her to have a taste of it too!” Madam Cheng pointed her finger at Qu Sheng.

After Madam Cheng finished speaking, the hall was so silent not a crow or sparrow could be heard. Upon hearing her words, the three Qu brothers all raised their eyes to look at Madam Cheng, the coldness in their gazes self-evident.

“What are you looking at! If you Qu family members are unwilling, then let’s go to the Jinluan Hall⁶ and have His Majesty and the Empress decide this matter! I’d like to see how you’ll argue your way out of it then! Cheng Mianrong has already woken up and identified Qu Sheng as the one who injured her. We have both the witness and the evidence; the Qu family can’t escape the blame.”

Hearing this, the iciness in Qu Ming’s eyes faded, replaced by a hint of a smile on his face. In a warm and unhurried voice, he said, “Why bother? My younger sister is still young and doesn’t know any better. How about this: I, Qu Ming, will take these two arrows in my sister’s place. How does that sound, Madam Cheng?”

“You?” Madam Cheng clearly hadn’t expected Qu Ming to agree. At this moment, she had no intention of letting the matter rest just because he had agreed to take two arrows.

“I don’t want you to substitute for her. I want him to.” At that moment, Cheng Mianrong was being carried and was seated just outside the hall.

Everyone looked over upon hearing her voice. Cheng Mianrong’s wound had already been bandaged. Although it still hurt a little when she spoke, Qu Sheng’s arrow hadn’t had much force behind it, and with the thick winter clothes providing a barrier, it hadn’t damaged any internal organs. Her voice was now full of vigor.

And the person Cheng Mianrong wanted to substitute was Qu Yu.

She still remembered the incident a few days ago when Qu Yu had shot an arrow over her head. Today, she wanted him to have a taste of fear too. Qu Sheng was a fool, so she could let it go for now, but not Qu Yu. She wasn’t going to let such a good opportunity slip by.

Qu Yu watched Cheng Mianrong point at him with her fingertip, then raised his own hand and pointed at himself. “Me?”

“Yes, you.” Cheng Mianrong didn’t look injured at all right now. In contrast, Zhao Jiayu was somewhat nose green and face swollen⁷.

The resentment in Zhao Jiayu’s heart had not yet dissipated. Hearing Cheng Mianrong start to bite randomly⁸, she was about to step forward to stop her, but before the words could leave her mouth, she heard Qu Yu laugh. “I am honored by Miss Cheng’s favor⁹, then. Let’s begin, but I wonder who will be handling the bow?”

Qu Yu’s demeanor was natural and light, showing no sign of reluctance. This stunned Cheng Mianrong, who had originally wanted to scare him, and a moment later, a wave of shame and anger surged through her. “Ah Kun, you do it!”

Ah Kun was Imperial Uncle Cheng’s guard.

This man had grown up in the military barracks and was a gift from the Empress. His archery and martial arts were comparable to the palace guards who held official ranks.

Hearing the order, the man stepped forward and bowed, his gaze sweeping over the bow in Qu Sheng’s hands. The bow was too small; if he used a bit of force, he was afraid it would break.

“Lord Prime Minister, would it be possible to find a bow and arrow for this man?” None of the Qu family members spoke up to stop this; instead, Qu Ming was asking for a suitable bow for the Cheng family’s man.

Hearing this, Prime Minister Lin began, “Worthy Nephew¹⁰—”

“Lin-xiong¹¹, since the Qu family is rushing to throw their lives away, why not grant them their wish?” Imperial Uncle Cheng glanced sideways at the three young men of the Qu family. He wanted to see just how tough the Qu family’s bones were.

Lin Jianhai had always upheld the Doctrine of the Mean¹². The Qu family was the hegemon of the southeast region, while the Cheng family, relying on the Empress, was a powerful noble family in the capital. Although he was the Prime Minister, he merely worked for the Son of Heaven and lacked a deep foundation of his own. Thus, he could not afford to offend either side.

Hearing Imperial Uncle Cheng’s words, Lin Jianhai thought that if this incident were happening elsewhere, he would just let it be. But it was in his manor, and it involved a son of the Qu family. If a life were truly lost, Qu Jinian would certainly not let the matter rest.

Just as Lin Jianhai was contemplating how to dissuade them, Qu Yu took a step forward, the corners of his lips slightly curled. “Let’s agree on this first. I will only receive two arrows, not one more.”

Lin Jianhai was still hesitating, and no one in the manor dared to bring over a bow and arrow. But just because Lin Jianhai wouldn’t bring one didn’t mean the Cheng family hadn’t brought their own. The Cheng family knew the Qu family were all martial artists, so they had brought many men, who were currently waiting outside the Lin Manor gate.

Imperial Uncle Cheng had already given a look, sending someone to fetch a bow and arrow.

“My lord.” Before long, a Cheng family servant came forward, presenting a bow and arrow.

Imperial Uncle Cheng signaled to Ah Kun with his eyes. Ah Kun nodded, took it, and looked at Qu Yu. Inside the hall, everyone watched him, except for Qu Yu, who was moving his body.

“Right here is fine. You’re an adult. At such a close distance, you should be able to hit the target.” Qu Yu walked into the courtyard, not a trace of fear on his face, not even a hint of panic.

The Cheng family’s guard, Ah Kun, heard this and looked at Qu Yu’s fair face. He looked like a young master who had been nurtured in honor and living in comfort. He lowered his head to look at Imperial Uncle Cheng. Imperial Uncle Cheng’s gaze shifted down, and when he raised it again, Ah Kun imperceptibly lowered his head and averted his eyes in acknowledgment.

Qu Yu stood in the courtyard dressed in a purple robe. The sun had already half set. He looked up; the winter sun wasn’t too glaring, it was just right.

“Come on.” Qu Yu placed one hand in front of him and the other behind his back. If one didn’t know he was standing there to be shot with arrows, his current appearance was more like that of a graceful young master preparing to have his portrait painted.

Hearing this, Ah Kun’s jawline protruded as he clenched his back teeth.

The people in the hall all stood in place, their breathing subdued. Ah Kun drew the bowstring without hesitation. The arrow was fast and steady, striking Qu Yu directly in the abdomen. Everyone’s face showed varying degrees of shock. Qu Sheng, however, stood where she was and looked at Qu Ming with a puzzled expression.

Qu Ming noticed Qu Sheng’s gaze, and when he looked back at her, he gave her a faint smile.

Hit by the arrow, Qu Yu bent over, clutching the arrow shaft with one hand. His face began to turn red, but he still raised his head to look at Ah Kun and lifted one hand, beckoning him with a seemingly difficult gesture to release the second arrow.

“No, I’ll take the second one for him!” Zhao Jiayu was truly frightened now. If someone from the Qu family really lost their life, she would be a true sinner¹³.

As she spoke, Zhao Jiayu moved forward, wanting to stop Ah Kun from raising his bow. Seeing this, Qu Ming and Qu Ting exchanged a glance. Qu Ting walked over and pulled her away.

“It’s nothing, my younger brother won’t die,” Qu Ting said softly in her ear as he pulled her away.

Although his voice was quiet, everyone in the hall heard it.

Zhao Jiayu was returned to her father and mother’s side by Qu Ting. Qu Ting nodded to them in acknowledgment. The Zhao family members now had panicked expressions and wanted to intervene, but they had no right to speak.

The Cheng family’s guard, Ah Kun, saw Zhao Jiayu being held back and looked again at his master. Imperial Uncle Cheng lowered his eyelids and nodded.

Having received the signal, Ah Kun raised his bow and, once again without any hesitation, shot at Qu Yu. This arrow struck him in the shoulder.

Hit by the second arrow, Qu Yu half-knelt on the ground. Everyone held their breath. The faces of the Cheng family members all showed a hint of a mocking, triumphant smile. But in the next moment, Qu Yu stood up, tossed the two arrowheads to the side, and his face, illuminated by the afterglow of the setting sun over the courtyard wall, was radiant.

Qu Yu walked into the hall from the courtyard not a hair or strand harmed. Imperial Uncle Cheng’s face was a mask of uncontrollable rage as he said, “You’re playing me?”

“Eh, how can Imperial Uncle Cheng say such a thing? I said I would only receive two arrows, and I did indeed receive two arrows. How is that playing you?” Qu Yu said with an innocent expression and a smile on his face¹⁴.

“You!” The blue veins on Imperial Uncle Cheng’s forehead violently jumped¹⁵, but with so many people present, he couldn’t erupt on the spot. He said viciously, “I’m going to report you to His Majesty!”

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Because he had caught two arrows with his bare hands, Qu Yu had infuriated Imperial Uncle Cheng. Ignoring everyone’s attempts to dissuade him, Imperial Uncle Cheng went straight to the imperial palace after leaving the Prime Minister’s manor and waited outside the Imperial Study.

Qu Jinian was currently reviewing memorials¹⁶ for the Son of Heaven. When he heard the palace eunuch official¹⁷ from outside report that Imperial Uncle Cheng sought an audience with His Majesty, he glanced up.

“Have him wait a while.” The emperor of the Tiansheng Kingdom was holding a vermilion brush¹⁸, approving phrases, seemingly too busy to attend to anything else.

“Your Majesty, Imperial Uncle Cheng says he wants to file a complaint against Marquis Qu.”

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Wifey, that crazy hag yelled at me. I need hugs to get better.”

Lin Xizhao: “There, there.”

Qu Sheng: “Kissing in bed—ah, no, hugging in bed is more effective.”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

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