The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 16

I Want to Go Too

In the middle of the night, Lin Xizhao had another nightmare. It was hard to say if it was because of the horseback riding earlier that day, or because of the words her father had spoken to her in her room that evening after her coming-of-age ceremony.

Qu Sheng craned her neck to look at Lin Xizhao, whose forehead was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. She pursed her thin, tender red lips, grasped her sleeve, and gently placed it on Lin Xizhao’s forehead, wiping the sweat away.

“Sheng’er…”

Before Qu Sheng could lie back down, she heard Lin Xizhao call her name again. She turned to look, but Lin Xizhao’s eyes remained closed.

She knew Lin Xizhao was having another bad dream, but this was the first time she had ever heard Lin Xizhao call out to her in a dream.

“I’m here.” Qu Sheng shifted her body upwards, enveloping Lin Xizhao in her arms.

Whether it was the embrace or the sound of Qu Sheng’s voice, the restless Lin Xizhao seemed to find a safe haven, and her anxious, fearful emotions gradually subsided.

Qu Sheng looked down at the person who had entered her life when she was three years old. Eight years had passed since then. In these years, she had often been under Lin Xizhao’s care, and it was because of her protection that she was better able to disguise herself when they were outside.

When Qu Sheng learned that Lin Xizhao’s birth mother had died in an accident after falling from a horse, her first thought was whether Lin Xizhao could bear the pain of losing her mother.

In her eyes, Lin Xizhao was always gentle and mild-mannered, always speaking to her in a coaxing tone. When she was at the manor, because her mind had matured at a young age and she never indulged herself, no one in the household treated her like a child.

Although she wasn’t truly a fool, she found this kind of interaction with Lin Xizhao very comforting. With Lin Xizhao, she could be willful and act spoiled, doing things she wanted to but didn’t dare, and Lin Xizhao would always let her.

But there was one thing she could not do: imitate the actions of a genuinely foolish child.

Over the years, she had intermittently observed children with intellectual disabilities to see how they acted as they grew through each stage. Her current behavior was already considered quite good.

She loved being clean, and with Lin Xizhao around, she no longer had to pretend to be dirty.

But these were not the real reasons she cared so deeply for Lin Xizhao. Several years ago, she had accompanied the people of the Prime Minister’s manor to a temple outside the city to pray for blessings. Continuous heavy rain had delayed their journey. When the rain finally stopped, a landslide occurred on the road, and the carriage carrying her and Lin Xizhao was swept down a steep slope by the side of the road.

It wasn’t a cliff, but it was a vast, open area overgrown with wild grass. The people from the Prime Minister’s manor went back to get help, but Feng Qi had been lured away just before it happened.

After the young Qu Sheng woke up, she quickly identified the place as a brothel. Probably because she was so young, no one thought she could escape from the attic, and they hadn’t even sealed the windows. She had originally planned to jump out and escape, but then she heard Lin Xizhao’s voice outside.

“If you don’t let me see my sister, I guarantee you won’t get a thing!” The meaning outside her words¹ was that they would end up with person and wealth both empty².

Lin Xizhao’s voice was clear and powerful, a forceful attitude Qu Sheng had never seen before. She could have left on her own, but in the end, she gave up. Lin Xizhao was still here, and she couldn’t leave her behind.

She shouldn’t abandon someone who was willing to risk her life to threaten others for her sake. Besides, Lin Xizhao truly treated her like her own older sister.

When Lin Xizhao saw her, she could clearly feel her relief. Even though she herself was terrified, she held onto her tightly, comforting her and telling her not to be afraid.

Fortunately, Feng Qi found them later and rescued them. Although the brothel was pulled up by the roots³, they were never able to find out who was behind it. To be able to sell them into a brothel in another prefecture and county⁴ in such a short time after a landslide was something few people in the capital could accomplish.

And since the matter concerned the two girls’ reputation⁵, no outsiders ever learned of it.

The next morning, Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng to the dining hall for their meal.

After Lin Xizhao’s birth mother passed away, some people had come to act as matchmakers for Lin Jianhai, suggesting he remarry. Lin Jianhai refused on the grounds that it had been less than three years since his wife’s death, but in the second year, he promoted his concubine to the position of official wife.

Thus, the two concubine-born sons also became official sons.

Lin Jianhai had once asked for Lin Xizhao’s opinion, but she had never made things difficult for him over the matter. Remarrying was still marrying; rather than adding a new lady to the house, it was better to promote the concubine. The concubine had two sons, had been within the compass and the square⁶ all these years, and she came from a family that was not of low standing.

The fact that she had been willing to enter the Lin family as a concubine back then had led to a lot of wind words, wind talk⁷ behind her back. But Lin Jianhai was exceptionally talented and had become the reigning Prime Minister at a young age, so she didn’t feel she had been wronged.

She had given birth to two sons shortly after entering the family, allowing the Lin family to open branches and scatter leaves⁸. Lin Xizhao’s birth mother had never slighted her, and the family could be considered harmonious.

After Lin Xizhao led Qu Sheng to their seats, the Lin family began to eat. The two sons of the Lin family were originally concubine-born and had not eaten here before, but now that their mother had been made the official wife, they could enter the main hall and sit on equal footing with Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao treated them as she always had, never making a distinction between official and concubine-born. As for why the two sons hadn’t eaten here before, there was no strict rule in the household; it was because they wanted to accompany their own mother⁹.

“Xizhao, here, eat some more.” The Lin family’s former concubine, now the stepmother Yu Shanqian¹⁰, placed some food in Lin Xizhao’s bowl.

Lin Xizhao lifted her jade bowl to accept it, smiling gently. With a voice as soft as her birth mother’s, she said, “Thank you, Auntie Yu.” Lin Xizhao had not changed how she addressed her, and Lin Jianhai did not force the issue.

“Jiejie.” Qu Sheng swallowed the food in her mouth and looked up at Lin Xizhao with pleading eyes.

Lin Xizhao knew Qu Sheng had a preference for soft cakes and pastries, but she couldn’t let her eat too many so early in the morning. She had already had a few, so now she wanted to coax her into eating something else.

“Be good, Sheng’er—”

“She’s already so old, can’t she just get what she wants to eat herself?” the Lin family’s younger son, Lin Xirui¹¹, muttered.

This older sister of his treated this fool much better than she treated them. Although Lin Xizhao had been good to them over the years, he always felt it couldn’t compare to how she treated this little girl, and so a bit of resentment had grown in his heart.

Qu Sheng acted as if she hadn’t heard, continuing to look only at Lin Xizhao. Hearing his words, Lin Xizhao glanced at Lin Xirui but offered no explanation.

The stepmother, Yu Shanqian, heard him and scolded, “You talk too much. Eat your food.”

Being told off by his mother, Lin Xirui’s displeasure showed on his face, but it vanished just as quickly.

“Xirui, come have some of this.” Lin Xizhao picked up some of Lin Xirui’s favorite dishes and gave them to him.

Lin Xirui was only two years older than Qu Sheng. Seeing his older sister give him food, his happy smile, face open, he immediately broke into a smile. He was fond of his older sister; a moment ago, he had merely been fighting the wind and eating vinegar¹² with Qu Sheng.

Seeing Lin Xirui’s happy smile, face open, the whole family began to laugh. However, Qu Sheng still didn’t get to eat any more of her beloved soft cakes; Lin Xizhao coaxed her into eating some other food instead.

“Over at the Liang family, your youngest maternal uncle is getting married. The invitation was sent over this morning, asking you to go and join the festivities.” After the meal, in the main hall, Lin Jianhai picked up his tea, blew on it, and spoke to Lin Xizhao.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao asked, “Is Father not going?”

Lin Jianhai brought the tea to his lips but moved it away before drinking. He replied, “I’m busy with matters at court. You can go on my behalf.” Lin Jianhai wasn’t intentionally making an excuse. His youngest brother-in-law’s wedding would require a round trip of nearly half a month. As the reigning Prime Minister, he couldn’t be away for so long unless it was for something of utmost importance.

Moreover, the Liang family had far too many descendants; he couldn’t possibly attend every single event. Besides, it had not yet been three years since his own wife’s passing. For a joyous occasion like this, as a widower, he shouldn’t go and bring bad luck.

“I want to go too,” Lin Xirui heard that his sister was going to the Liang family and quickly declared his intention to follow.

Lin Jianhai looked up at his younger son, thought for a moment, and said, “Alright. Let Xirui accompany you.”

“I want to go too,” Qu Sheng’s slow voice echoed.

“You? Where do you want to go?” Lin Xirui looked at Qu Sheng, a hint of wariness in his eyes. He just couldn’t seem to shake her off.

Questioned by Lin Xirui, Qu Sheng blinked her large eyes and looked at Lin Xizhao, seemingly unaware of where they were going, but having simply echoed Lin Xirui’s desire to go.

Seeing Qu Sheng’s somewhat aggrieved expression, Lin Xizhao coaxed her, “Be good, Sheng’er… After class is dismissed this evening, I’ll go speak with your auntie. If she agrees, I’ll take you with me, alright?”

Lin Xizhao hadn’t originally planned to take Qu Sheng, but seeing her crestfallen look, and not wanting to be separated from her, she changed her tune. If the Qu family agreed, she would take Qu Sheng with her.

Qu Sheng nodded as if she vaguely understood.

As Lin Xizhao was about to leave the hall, her stepmother, Yu Shanqian, called out to her. “Xizhao.”

Lin Xizhao, holding Qu Sheng’s hand, stopped and looked back at her. In her gentle voice, she asked, “Is there something else, Auntie Yu?”

“Er, yes. Your father and I discussed it. Yesterday, five families came to propose marriage. I’ve looked them over, and they are all quite good…” Yu Shanqian wanted Lin Xizhao to choose one. They were all from high-ranking and noble families, so none would be a poor match.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes slightly and said, “My mourning period¹³ is not yet over. Let’s discuss this matter in the future.” Lin Xizhao had no desire to marry so soon; she had only just had her coming-of-age ceremony yesterday.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s refusal, Yu Shanqian looked a bit embarrassed. “Then… then I’ll take it upon myself to decline them for you?”

Lin Xizhao nodded. “I’ll have to trouble Auntie Yu, then.”

Lin Xizhao led Qu Sheng to the schoolroom in the rear courtyard. Zhao Jiayu was already waiting, though she didn’t look very happy.

As soon as Qu Sheng sat down, she picked up a brush and ink to practice her calligraphy. Although Qu Sheng was young, she had excellent handwriting. Besides Lin Xizhao, hers was the best among everyone in the class, earning even the teacher’s¹⁴ praise. Moreover, Qu Sheng was a very fast learner. She was now able to attend classes alongside Lin Xizhao and the others, no longer needing the teacher to give her private lessons¹⁵.

“What are you so angry about?” Lin Xizhao didn’t ignore Zhao Jiayu’s mood the way Qu Sheng did.

Zhao Jiayu glanced at Lin Xizhao, then looked towards Xiao Bingying’s seat with an expression of hating iron for not becoming steel¹⁶. “Who else but that blockhead? Yesterday she said she was going to teach that idiot martial arts and ended up injuring herself.”

Just as Zhao Jiayu’s words fell, Xiao Bingying walked in from outside, a thick cloth wrapped around her neck.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “My wife loves me so much she even calls my name in her dreams.”

Zhao Jiayu: “Ew, I simply cannot look directly at¹⁷ this!”

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