The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 33

Was That Person Brought Back?

Qu Sheng knew what these three wanted, but she couldn’t agree to it out loud right now. Sending a general to Tiansheng’s vassal state, Haichao, during its civil war was naturally not a difficult matter. The difficulty, however, lay in how to bring it up.

The Qu family had never used outsiders in the wars they were responsible for. The last time, the man sent by the Tiansheng emperor had caused her older brother to lose his life on the battlefield.

If she were to speak up today, and word of it reached the front lines, who knew what her fourth uncle and second older brother would think.

The three of them looked at Qu Sheng for a while but said nothing more. They knew it was all just wishful thinking. How could matters of the imperial court be influenced by a few young women like them?

After staying for a little longer, they each returned to their own estates. Lin Xizhao didn’t tell Zhao Jiayu and the others about what had happened. With something like this, it was better for fewer people to know.

Qu Sheng returned to the residence with Lin Xizhao. After they both bathed, Lin Xizhao didn’t go to the evening meal. Having been drugged in her own home, she wasn’t yet at the point of mistaking the bow’s reflection in the cup for a snake¹, but she felt a sense of revulsion in her heart.

It wasn’t that she wanted to run from it, but for the moment, she had no way to resolve the matter. She didn’t know what kind of relationship her stepmother had with the Marquis Yongshen’s residence, but judging from these two incidents, their connection was clearly quite deep.

When they were leaving Vice Minister Zheng’s residence, Qu Sheng’s two older brothers had also told them not to make a scene just yet, and that there would be an explanation after tomorrow.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng, a feeling of unease lingering in her heart. She couldn’t understand why Yu-shi would want to help the son of the Marquis Yongshen household. Could it be for the sake of her own father’s career?

But her father had already reached the position of Prime Minister; within the country of Tiansheng, no one’s official rank could compare to his. What was the use of currying favor with Marquis Yongshen? Besides, her father had never deigned to associate with others. He didn’t even interact with a powerful and influential noble family like the Qu clan, so why would he care about the relative of a Noble Consort?

Lin Xizhao couldn’t figure it out, nor could she sleep. She buried her soft cheek in Qu Sheng’s embrace, inhaling Qu Sheng’s unique scent that gave her a sense of belonging. When she looked up, she saw Qu Sheng’s two deep eyes observing her.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that with me today.” Lin Xizhao had already apologized to Qu Sheng several times for not being able to tell her father what happened and demand justice.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s gaze lowered slightly, and she gave no response. She knew Lin Xizhao had also been frightened today. She had seen Feng Qi kill people countless times, but this was the first time Lin Xizhao had witnessed it.

Today, she had originally intended for that person to die, no matter who he was. But when she heard he was the son of the Marquis Yongshen household, she had hesitated.

Although Marquis Yongshen held no real power in the court, he was the Noble Consort’s biological younger brother. Her hesitation wasn’t out of worry or fear, but because some matters needed to be initiated through them.

“Jiejie, sleep.” Qu Sheng had just been watching Lin Xizhao’s eyes remain open, blinking from time to time, and knew she couldn’t sleep because of the day’s events. However, once these things were taken care of, she would be sure to give Lin Xizhao the satisfactory justice she deserved.

Listening to Qu Sheng’s slow, soft voice, Lin Xizhao turned to her side and draped a hand over Qu Sheng’s slender waist, saying gently, “Okay.”

Although Lin Xizhao agreed and closed her eyes, the eyeballs beneath her lids were still moving. Qu Sheng shifted slightly, moving closer to Lin Xizhao’s cheek. Mimicking the way Lin Xizhao would kiss her, she placed a kiss on her forehead.

Feeling the soft warmth, Lin Xizhao opened her eyes to see Qu Sheng’s worried expression. Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. “Weren’t we supposed to be sleeping?” Telling her to sleep, yet still stealing a kiss.

It was Qu Sheng’s first time kissing Lin Xizhao like this, and the nervousness in her heart had not yet faded. Lin Xizhao’s question made the tips of her ears turn red again.

Seeing her adorable appearance, Lin Xizhao couldn’t help but raise a hand to stroke her smooth little face. Her gaze was gentle, and after a moment, she said softly, “Go to sleep.”

She couldn’t sleep, but she couldn’t keep Qu Sheng from sleeping too.

Lin Xizhao gently patted Qu Sheng’s back. After watching her close her eyes, she also placed a kiss on her forehead.

The next morning, Lin Jianhai came back from the morning court session. When he returned to the residence for a meal, he saw Lin Xizhao looking listless, silently focused on feeding Qu Sheng. He asked, “Zhao’er, has anything happened these past two days?”

Lin Jianhai doted on this daughter. Compared to his two sons, he preferred Lin Xizhao. From a young age, Lin Xizhao had been intelligent and eager to learn, and she was a good older sister. More importantly, she was gentle and understanding, just like her birth mother. She never caused trouble, nor would she tattle on her younger brothers when they made mischief. Because of this, if there was something she didn’t want to say, she would bury it in her heart and never show it.

As the saying goes, none knows a daughter like her father; seeing her like this today, something must have happened, and it was likely no small matter.

At his words, the hand Lin Xizhao was using to feed Qu Sheng paused for a second before she raised it to Qu Sheng’s lips. Only after watching Qu Sheng eat the food did she turn her head, intending to say something to change the subject.

But before she could speak, the steward came to report that Marquis Yongshen and his wife had come to call and had already entered the outer courtyard.

Hearing the name Marquis Yongshen, Lin Jianhai glanced quizzically at his current wife. He had never had any dealings with Marquis Yongshen, so why would he suddenly pay a visit?

“Did you invite them?” Lin Jianhai asked, noticing a trace of panic in his wife’s expression.

Yu-shi heard him and composed herself, forcing a smile. “Perhaps it’s because I had such a pleasant chat with Lady Yongshen a few days ago. Their visit today is likely just a social call.”

Yu-shi didn’t know what had happened yesterday. It wasn’t that she hadn’t sent people to inquire, but the reply she received was that they had failed. Furthermore, Lin Xizhao hadn’t come to confront her or tell Lin Jianhai upon returning. Although she was a bit puzzled, she had, after all, done something with a guilty conscience and didn’t dare make any further moves.

She had no idea why Marquis Yongshen and his wife had come together today.

Hearing his wife’s explanation, Lin Jianhai put down his chopsticks and said to the steward, “Please invite Lord Marquis Yongshen and his wife to the reception hall. I will be there shortly.”

“Madam, please come with me,” Lin Jianhai added, turning to Yu-shi.

Since a husband and wife had come to visit, it was only proper that they receive them as a couple.

Yu-shi glanced at Lin Xizhao, who had been watching her the whole time, and smiled at Lin Jianhai. “Alright.”

Watching Yu-shi and her father leave the dining table, Lin Xizhao’s gaze flickered. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then continued feeding Qu Sheng.

Halfway through the meal, Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng were also summoned to the reception hall by the steward.

The moment Lin Xizhao entered, Marquis Yongshen’s wife shot up from her seat and hurried over, raising a hand as if to take Lin Xizhao’s, but Lin Xizhao moved her own hand to avoid it.

“Xizhao greets Lord Marquis Song and Madam Song.” Although Lin Xizhao’s expression was cold, she did not neglect her etiquette.

Lady Yongshen had wanted to hold Lin Xizhao’s hand and say a few words of apology, but seeing the usually gentle and pliable Lin Xizhao act with such an attitude, she was momentarily at a loss and could only give a dry laugh. “Good, good.”

Lin Jianhai still didn’t know the purpose of their visit. They had only said they needed to see Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng before they could speak.

Qu Sheng, of course, knew why. Feng Qi had already told her yesterday that these two old things were here to apologize.

If you’re going to apologize, then apologize. What was with all this beating around the bush? It was thoroughly irritating.

Qu Sheng stood to the side without a word. When she looked up, the former dullness in her eyes was gone, replaced by a hint of mockery.

Seeing the strange expression on his daughter’s face, Lin Jianhai asked, “Zhao’er and Shenger are here. I wonder why Lord Marquis Song and his wife were looking for them? Could it be that the two children have done something to trouble you?”

Lin Jianhai spoke politely. His own daughter would certainly not do anything untoward, but as for Qu Sheng, he couldn’t be sure.

However, all these years, Qu Sheng had always been well-behaved around his daughter. And with his daughter’s current attitude, it was more likely that the Marquis and his wife had done something improper to the two of them.

He just couldn’t figure out what two young women could have possibly done to the Marquis and his wife.

Marquis Yongshen’s face was also grim. When his wife heard Lin Jianhai’s question, her expression became slightly awkward. Yu-shi had also figured out what was going on by now, but when Lady Yongshen looked at her, she could only pretend to be ignorant.

“Yesterday, my son Zixiang was a guest at Vice Minister Zheng’s home and happened to encounter your esteemed daughter and the young lady of the Marquis Qu household. Who would have thought a misunderstanding would arise, causing the young lady of the Qu household and Xizhao to be wronged. My husband and I have come today to apologize to them both.”

Marquis Yongshen couldn’t bring himself to say it, so he had his wife apologize on his behalf, but this was far from enough. The words spoken by Lady Yongshen were clearly meant to turn a big matter into a small matter, and a small matter into nothing².

“Eat. Sleepy,” Qu Sheng interjected at that moment, her voice slow.

Qu Sheng rarely spoke. Hearing Lady Yongshen’s words, Lin Jianhai had originally thought it was just a small misunderstanding, but before he could ask, he heard Qu Sheng.

He didn’t understand, but Yu-shi did. Lin Jianhai looked sideways at his wife, his eyes full of doubt. When Yu-shi heard Qu Sheng, she swallowed nervously. As her husband’s gaze fell on her, she quickly concealed the panic in her eyes.

“Shenger, what do you mean by that?”

Only Lin Xizhao understood Qu Sheng’s short phrases. If she didn’t understand, she would naturally coax her into explaining. But right now, Lin Xizhao was silent, just looking at Qu Sheng without a word.

Lin Xizhao didn’t know how Qu Sheng knew the food had been drugged, but on second thought, it was probably Feng Qi who told her.

“Zhao’er?” Lin Jianhai asked his daughter when he saw that no one in the room was answering.

“Father, yesterday, Auntie Yu—”

“Husband, yesterday, Vice Minister Zheng’s wife invited Zhao’er to their residence. My heart softened when I saw that their daughter was truly sincere about wanting to befriend Zhao’er, so I persuaded her to go. I just don’t know what Madam Song means by the two girls being ‘wronged.’ What kind of wrong was it?” Yu-shi cut Lin Xizhao off, her words carefully crafted to proclaim her own ignorance.

Lin Xizhao frowned at Yu-shi’s words but didn’t directly expose the drugging. She wasn’t sure if Yu-shi was behind it, but she suspected she was definitely involved.

Lin Jianhai glanced at his wife. He had heard that Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng had gone to the Zheng residence yesterday, but he still didn’t know what had actually happened.

Lady Yongshen lowered her head, seemingly contemplating how to phrase her next words.

“They… wanted to harm Jiejie,” Qu Sheng added.

Hearing this, Lin Jianhai shot up from his chair. “Shenger, what is the meaning of that?” Qu Sheng might be considered simple-minded by outsiders, but she would never lie. She only said what she saw.

Lady Yongshen quickly said, “Prime Minister Lin, don’t be so quick to anger. It was just a small misunderstanding. My son mistakenly entered the room where the two young ladies were, but he has already been taught a lesson. He’s currently at home, bedridden.” Lady Yongshen brought up her son’s injury, seemingly trying to gain the upper hand. By showing weakness, she hoped Lin Jianhai would drop the matter.

Besides, if this affair were to be blown up, it would be bad for the two girls’ reputations. She was banking on this point, which was why she was playing the part of the offender who had also suffered a loss.

Listening to the bits and pieces from Lady Yongshen and his own wife, Lin Jianhai was still in the rain and in the fog³, but he now understood that his daughter and Qu Sheng had been wronged. He looked at Lin Xizhao’s furrowed brow. Since she had been wronged, yet hadn’t told him yesterday, it must have been something she couldn’t bring herself to say.

“Where is Guard Feng?” Feng Qi was always by Qu Sheng’s side. Qu Sheng’s speech was a bit halting, but Feng Qi should know what happened.

“This small person⁴ is here.” Feng Qi was standing just outside the door. Hearing Lin Jianhai call for him, he stepped into the room and bowed with his hands clasped.

Lin Jianhai looked at him and asked, “What wrong did your young lady and Zhao’er suffer at the Zheng residence yesterday?”

Feng Qi looked up and reported, “Your Excellency, the Prime Minister, yesterday, the Eldest Miss and my Young Miss were invited to the Zheng residence. On the way, they became unusually drowsy. Once at the residence, my Young Miss began to fall asleep and couldn’t be roused. The Eldest Miss also fell into a deep sleep after the noon meal.”

“And then?” Lin Jianhai’s expression grew darker the more he heard. Noticing Feng Qi’s pause, he pressed, “And then what?”

Feng Qi glanced at Marquis Yongshen and his wife before continuing. “The son of the Marquis Yongshen household used some unknown method to enter Miss Zheng’s private chambers. He was acting furtively with ill intent. He was about to try and grab the Eldest Miss when, fortunately, my Young Miss woke up and called me over. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened.”

What could a man do after entering the private chambers of an unmarried young woman?

After hearing Feng Qi’s account, Lin Jianhai’s face turned ashen as he glared at the Marquis and his wife. “You call this a misunderstanding?”

The couple lowered their heads. They had come to apologize today, and Feng Qi’s account wasn’t wrong, but he had conveniently left out the part where he beat their son until he couldn’t get up.

“Prime Minister Lin, I already said it was a misunderstanding. My son didn’t do anything. He just saw your esteemed daughter sleeping at the table and wanted to wake her up. Who knew it would cause the young lady of the Marquis Qu household to misunderstand?” At this point, it seemed less like the couple had come to apologize and more like they were here to explain away a misunderstanding.

“Your son entered Miss Zheng’s room to wake up my daughter?” Lin Jianhai’s anger was already simmering. Hearing Lady Yongshen’s excuse, his voice grew sharp.

“This… my son was also beaten by this person until he is now bedridden. The doctor said he will have lasting health problems. He has already been taught his lesson. What more does Prime Minister Lin want?” The more Lady Yongshen spoke, the more wronged she felt. If the Qu family hadn’t forced them, why would they have humbled themselves to come and apologize?

“What more?” Lin Jianhai had almost never been truly angry, but now his face was flushed with rage. After a moment, he shouted at the steward, “Steward Chang, see the guests out!”

Lin Xizhao watched her father’s furious display, thinking he might do something drastic, but he only ended up angrily ordering the guests to leave.

But what else could he do? Was he supposed to expose the whole affair and ruin his own daughter’s reputation along with the Qu family daughter’s?

Lin Xizhao knew her father was thinking of her and Qu Sheng. She had also wanted to suppress the matter yesterday, but not for her own sake—for Qu Sheng’s.

Just as the Marquis and his wife were about to say more, the Lin family steward stepped forward and made a gesture for them to leave.

Qu Sheng watched them depart, then turned and exchanged a look with Feng Qi. Understanding, Feng Qi retreated.

A moment ago, Lin Jianhai’s mind had been clouded by anger, but it only took a second for him to recall Feng Qi mentioning that Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao had become unusually drowsy after leaving the house.

He turned his gaze to his wife. “Were you involved in this?”

Lin Jianhai had once heard Lin Xizhao’s birth mother say that Marquis Yongshen had tried several times to have his daughter marry into their family, but the Marquis’s son was not a good match, so they had always refused. Now, hearing of their family’s despicable actions, it suddenly occurred to him that his current wife might have been colluding with them.

“Husband, what are you saying? I watched Zhao’er grow up. I treat her like my own daughter. The Yongshen family did mention wanting our Zhao’er, but I never agreed, did I?” After speaking, Yu-shi began to cover her face and sob. “For you to suspect me like this… how am I to manage this household as its mistress? I might as well have been a concubine for all the freedom I have.”

The purchasing of food and supplies for the Lin residence’s inner residence was almost entirely managed by Yu-shi. Aside from the dowry of the former Madam Liang and Lin Xizhao’s personal belongings, all the family’s money passed through her hands. Lin Jianhai’s suspicion of her was not wind from an empty cave⁵.

Seeing his wife crying incessantly, Lin Jianhai’s suspicion subsided. He quickly said, “I was wrong. I shouldn’t have wrongly accused you, Madam. However, I hope you can investigate and find any servants in the residence with sticky fingers.”

Lin Jianhai wanted to investigate personally, but after voicing his suspicion of Yu-shi, he could only entrust the matter to her as a way to appease her.

Yu-shi lowered her hands from her face and, after a few more sobs, was about to speak when the steward came to report again. Vice Minister Zheng and his wife had arrived.

Hearing the name, the anger that had just begun to fade in Lin Jianhai flared up again. “He still has the face to come here?”

“Master, Vice Minister Zheng and his wife say they are here to apologize,” the steward relayed what he had heard from them outside.

The moment the Zhengs entered the room, they kowtowed to Lin Jianhai, shifting all the blame onto Marquis Yongshen and his wife. They recounted everything they knew, from keeping Lin Xizhao for a meal to luring her to the library to bide time until the drug took effect. They claimed they had been forced and begged for Lin Jianhai’s forgiveness.

Since the situation had not escalated to an irreversible point, Lin Jianhai couldn’t pursue it relentlessly. Both families had come to apologize, and after much thought, he could only let the matter drop.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng had already returned to their courtyard. Lin Xizhao sat in her room in a daze, unable to figure out the connection between Yu-shi and the others.

What benefit could Yu-shi possibly gain from marrying her off to the Marquis Yongshen’s family? Or had she accepted some kind of benefit from them?

“Eldest Miss, the two young masters request that you and the Young Miss return to the residence for a visit.”

While Lin Xizhao was lost in thought, Feng Qi received a message from the Qu family, asking the two of them to return to the Marquis Qu residence. They wanted to ask her some details about her mother’s case.

“Was that person brought back?” Lin Xizhao looked up at Feng Qi, unable to hide the urgency on her face.

The person who, according to rumors, had seen her mother’s spirit.

Feng Qi lowered his head and replied, “Yes. The person has been brought to the capital, but you cannot see them just yet.”

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “First time kissing my wife, a little excited.”

Lin Xizhao: “Then why aren’t you moving?”

Qu Sheng: “Don’t dare to move, don’t dare to move.”

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