Xizhao Sought But Could Not Get It
“Why did you come out?” When Zhao Jiayu saw Xiao Bingying here, she felt a surge of anger. “Weren’t you told to recover in the manor?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Bingying wore her habitual gentle smile and said, “It’s nothing, just a minor injury.”
Zhao Jiayu’s brows furrowed at her words. A deep cut, and she called it a minor injury? If she hadn’t retreated in time, her ‘good’ cousin1 probably would have pierced right through her neck.
When Zhao Jiayu had gone over yesterday, she gave that cousin a good scolding, but even so, she still wasn’t satisfied. The people of the Xiao family didn’t treat Xiao Bingying as one of their own at all. Even that cousin of hers just thought of Xiao Bingying as a family servant, which was why he was so reckless when practicing swords with her, only concerned with showing off and wanting to win.
Zhao Jiayu truly couldn’t understand Xiao Bingying’s repeated concessions and tolerance. Xiao Bingying’s personality wasn’t one to be bullied, yet as soon as she was at the Xiao family’s home, she became meek and timid, not fighting back when hit or talking back when scolded. She knew Xiao Bingying felt somewhat insecure because of her background, but there was no need to let herself be bullied like this. Didn’t she still have the Zhao family?
If the Xiao family no longer wanted her, the Zhao family would welcome her with open arms.
Lin Xizhao looked at Xiao Bingying’s wound, also seeming to feel a pang of sympathy. She had known Xiao Bingying since they were children and understood her situation. If Xiao Bingying wanted to break free from her current circumstances, the only way out was the Zhao family. But back then, to prevent the two families from harming their relationship by fighting over her, Xiao Bingying had gone straight back with the Xiao family when they came for her after her coming-of-age ceremony.
Thus, she didn’t have any particularly good solutions right now either.
After class was dismissed in the afternoon, Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng back to Marquis Qu’s Manor. Lin Xizhao explained the reason for their visit. The Qu family was initially a little worried about safety on the road, but after hearing Qu Sheng say the two words ‘want to go,’ they agreed.
They would set out early tomorrow morning.
However, Qu Sheng was to stay and rest at the manor tonight. Qu Sheng would be gone for so long and had been staying at the Prime Minister’s Manor, so Jin Yunfei was reluctant to part with her.
As Lin Xizhao left, she was looking back every three steps2, feeling uneasy about Qu Sheng. Even though Qu Sheng was staying at her own home, she felt as if Qu Sheng belonged to her, and was worried about her staying overnight elsewhere.
After Lin Xizhao left, Qu Sheng went to see Qu Ting.
“Second Brother and Fourth Uncle should be arriving in Shoulin3 soon,” Qu Ting said, a hint of worry in his voice.
Shoulin was the fief of the southeastern Qu family. A month ago, a nearby vassal state to the southeast had experienced internal turmoil, and they had requested an imperial decree to send troops to suppress it. The southeast was under the jurisdiction of Marquis Zhengyi and bordered the vassal state, but the army there only took orders from the Qu family, so Qu Ming and Qu Ji’an were sent.
Qu Sheng nodded, seemingly unconcerned about her resourceful, decisive, and ruthless second brother. She said, “Have you made any headway on the matter I asked Third Brother to look into for me yesterday?”
Hearing this, Qu Ting looked at Qu Sheng and shook his head. “The Lin family’s affairs are very tightly concealed. It’s unknown who was behind it. I used Second Brother’s informants and couldn’t find any spider silk or horse tracks4. But one thing is certain, there’s someone in their manor whose hands and feet are not clean5.”
Not getting the answer she wanted, Qu Sheng pondered for a moment. Thinking of the person she had killed, she asked, “That person from yesterday, has it been cleaned up?” Qu Ting had been there when she killed him yesterday.
Qu Ting nodded. “Rest assured, no incriminating evidence will be left behind.”
The Qu family did things like roaring thunder and swift winds6, yet they were meticulous to the point it made one’s hair stand on end7. For so many years, their father had seemingly no power in the capital, but the younger generation had already filled it with nets and snares8. And Qu Jinian had also opened one eye and closed the other9 to this; after all, he also wanted an answer regarding his eldest son’s death.
The two discussed the news from the past few days, and soon Qu Yu came in from outside. Seeing his brother and sister talking, he only said, “I just got some news,” before running to the table as if on fire10 and pouring a cup of cold tea to gulp down.
Qu Sheng waited patiently, but Qu Ting was a bit anxious. Before Qu Yu could drink his fill, he asked, “What news? Is it about Eldest Brother?”
Hearing the question, Qu Yu drank his tea while glancing sideways at Qu Ting, humming twice, making it unclear whether it was a yes or a no.
Anxious, Qu Ting walked over before Qu Yu could finish and forcibly took the cup away. “Well, say it.”
Qu Yu slurped the tea that had spilled on his lips, blinked, and said, “No, it’s about the Lin family.”
Without Qu Sheng’s company last night, Lin Xizhao hadn’t slept soundly. Early in the morning, she had someone prepare a carriage and headed to Marquis Qu’s Manor. When she arrived, the Qu family was having their meal. Lin Xizhao was a frequent visitor, so she didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down to have breakfast with them, and her younger brother, Lin Xirui, also basked in the light11.
Qu Sheng had been eating by herself, but after Lin Xizhao arrived, she freed her hands. She even wanted Lin Xizhao to feed her, one mouthful at a time.
Except for Qu Yu, everyone in the Qu family seemed accustomed to this. Qu Yu watched this clever sister of his, who could outsmart even him, being fed while putting on a foolishly coquettish12 display. His brows furrowed unconsciously. Something seemed to crawl in his heart, but even so, he didn’t dare make a peep.
“Sheng’er has also been in Xizhao’s care all these years,” Jin Yunfei said with a smile, serving Lin Xizhao some food. She then looked at Qu Sheng, her tone slightly scolding, “Sheng’er, eat by yourself.”
It seemed even Jin Yunfei couldn’t watch anymore. Even if Qu Sheng was simple-minded, she could still eat by herself. This was clearly just her being spoiled with Lin Xizhao. Their guest couldn’t be expected to just feed her instead of eating herself.
“It’s no trouble.” Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved into crescents. She didn’t mind. It was rare for Qu Sheng to act so spoiled with her today; it must be because they hadn’t seen each other for a night. She had missed her too.
Hearing Lin Xizhao say she didn’t mind, Qu Sheng swallowed the food in her mouth and looked up at her as Lin Xizhao lowered her head to pick up some vegetables from her bowl.
She always felt that since that night two days ago, Lin Xizhao’s mood had become heavy. Although she still smiled, it lacked its usual purity.
When Lin Xizhao picked up the food and looked up at Qu Sheng, her gaze met hers. In that instant, she saw scrutiny in Qu Sheng’s eyes, but it was only for a moment. She then watched Qu Sheng shift her gaze, and her fair, well-defined fingers—a result of martial arts practice—pointed at the dishes on the table. In her familiar, slow tone, she said, “Jiejie.”
She had called her ‘Jiejie’ countless times, and almost every time, Lin Xizhao would grant her wish.
After the meal, Jin Yunfei pulled Lin Xizhao to her courtyard for a chat. She had attended Lin Xizhao’s coming-of-age ceremony two days ago. She was very fond of this girl, and because of Lin Xizhao’s affection for Qu Sheng, she cared for her even more.
Last night, Qu Sheng had found her and asked her to take Lin Xizhao as her adopted daughter, to shelter her under the Qu family’s protection. Today, she brought the matter up directly.
“To be able to be Auntie’s daughter, Xizhao is naturally willing. It’s just that Xizhao still needs to inform my father before giving an answer.” It wasn’t that Lin Xizhao was unwilling, but for such a major decision, she naturally needed her parents’ consent. Although her birth mother was gone, her father was still alive.
“Of course. But if you agree now, I will go discuss it with your father and mother today. By the time you return, we can officially become mother and daughter.” Jin Yunfei’s eagerness puzzled Lin Xizhao, but when she saw Qu Sheng looking at her with a doting expression, she felt that the Qu family genuinely wanted to adopt her.
“Xizhao sought but could not get it.”13
On the road, Qu Sheng was resting in Lin Xizhao’s arms when she felt that the carriage was turning in the wrong direction. They had been traveling for so long but still hadn’t left the city, which made her suspicious.
Seeing that Qu Sheng was about to lift the carriage curtain, Lin Xizhao explained with a smile, “We’re going to pick up Jiayu and Bingying to go with us.”
Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s hand, which was about to lift the curtain, paused for a moment. She had been too hasty. At this moment, she seemed to realize that Lin Xizhao might have noticed she had guessed the route was wrong.
Qu Sheng’s suspicion was not unfounded. She had learned about the Lin family’s situation yesterday, and the servant driving the carriage was from the Lin family. She had to be on guard.
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “What’s wrong with feeding me? In the future, you’ll have to breastfeed me too.”
Lin Xizhao: “…Someone make her shut up!”
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