The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 37

To Tie Grass and Hold a Ring, Repaying a Debt with One’s Life¹

Yu-shi didn’t know much, but the conclusions the Qu family had deduced from the clues aligned almost perfectly with what she did know.

From the moment Qu Sheng learned that Liang-shi’s death was no accident, she had sent people to investigate. Later, with Qu Jinian stepping in to find evidence, the process became even faster.

Today’s drama was a countermeasure jointly devised by the Qu family. They had figured out the motive and the method of the murder and had also locked onto a suspect, but they had no evidence or witnesses.

It was thanks to Marquis Yongshen’s impatience, making two attempts on Lin Xizhao, that they were given a new line of thought.

The trap was set the moment they brought the person—who claimed to have seen Liang-shi’s ghost in the outskirts after Qu Sheng deliberately spread the rumor—into the capital city, and then arranged for Lin Xizhao to be intentionally taken to the residence to leak her whereabouts.

The maid serving tea in the residence was bribed to overhear the Qu family lamenting their lack of clues about the killer. They then casually drew a portrait, intending to pin the crime directly on Marquis Yongshen to provoke him into entering the palace and accusing Qu Jinian of abusing his authority. They gave him no chance to react, and only then was the true culprit lured out.

When Yu-shi heard that both the Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen had confessed, she still held onto a sliver of hope, but after being persuaded by Qu Yu and Qu Ting, she admitted to everything.

“You are already the Prime Minister’s official wife, and both of your sons have gone from being born of a concubine to being born of the official wife. Even if you die, they will still be considered legitimate heirs. If Prime Minister Lin is truly ennobled as a prince or marquis in the future, the title will belong to no one but your two sons. You’ve already achieved your goal, so why struggle, add more crimes to your name, and bring disaster upon your sons?”

Qu Ting’s words were harsh, but they hit home. If it weren’t for her sons, Yu-shi would never have agreed to make a deal with Marquis Yongshen to harm Liang-shi. Her reason for marrying Lin Jianhai wasn’t just for his official position; she genuinely liked him.

Back then, Lin Jianhai and Yu-shi had met near a temple. He was writing letters for others to support his family, while she was there to pray for a good marriage. Over time, the two got to know each other, and she was drawn to his talent, but the Yu family disapproved.

Later, Lin Jianhai was sponsored by the Liang family and climbed all the way to the position of Prime Minister. The Yu family had originally remained opposed, but Yu-shi raised a huge fuss in her household. During that time, Lin Jianhai also lost his appetite for food and drink. Liang-shi was a meticulous person, but before she could investigate the source of the problem, a matchmaker from outside came to their door.

The matchmaker asked if Liang-shi wanted to take in a concubine for Prime Minister Lin. The woman was a young lady from the Yu family, dignified and well-mannered. Because Liang-shi had only given birth to Lin Xizhao and not a son, and her belly had long been quiet, she went to ask Lin Jianhai for his opinion.

When Lin Jianhai heard Liang-shi say she wanted to take in the young lady from the Yu family as his concubine, his gaze faltered slightly. “Whatever my lady decides is fine,” he said.

Whether Liang-shi agreed or not, he would have no complaints. It would be wonderful if she agreed, but if she didn’t, he had nothing to complain about. Everything he had was due not only to his own efforts but also to the Liang family’s support; one could not be without the other. He could never raise a fuss with Liang-shi over Yu-shi; he didn’t have the face to do so.

Seeing Lin Jianhai’s reaction, Liang-shi sent someone to make inquiries. She learned that Lin Jianhai and Yu-shi were old acquaintances who shared a secret affection, and also learned that Yu-shi was currently fighting with her family. She decided to make a trip to the Yu residence herself.

Treating her with the rites of the three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts, Liang-shi brought Yu-shi into the Lin family. On the surface, she was a concubine, but her treatment was no different from her own. Lin Jianhai was extremely grateful for this, and Yu-shi did not disappoint her expectations, giving birth to two sons within a few years to spread branches and scatter leaves² for the Lin family.

Liang-shi knew about Lin Jianhai and Yu-shi’s past but never mentioned it, nor did she ever try to take credit for it with Lin Jianhai. And because Liang-shi knew about the matter but never brought it up to embarrass him, and had even brought Yu-shi into the household, Lin Jianhai had also respected and loved Liang-shi all these years, and because of this, he doted on Lin Xizhao even more.

Persuaded by Qu Ting and Qu Yu, Yu-shi finally confessed, pressing her thumbprint on the confession in the main hall.

With the signed confession and an edict from the Empress, the eldest Master Liang went directly into the palace.

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Inside the grand hall of the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager suddenly arrived. Emperor Tiancheng hurriedly rose to greet her, and everyone in the hall followed him out.

Qu Jinian had originally thought they wouldn’t be able to save Long Lang’s life, but he never expected the Empress to have invited the Empress Dowager.

“This son pays his respects to Mother Empress.” Emperor Tiancheng bowed his head. The others all knelt in succession. The Emperor straightened up, glanced at the people behind him, and then said to the Empress Dowager, “Why has Mother Empress come today?”

Although the Empress Dowager was advanced in age, she was well-preserved. She looked down at her son and said, “I heard that Your Majesty is presiding over the case of Prime Minister Lin’s deceased wife falling from her horse. I wonder if anything has been discovered?”

“Replying to Mother Empress, the case has been clarified. The person will be escorted to the Imperial Prison shortly.”

“Oh? Has the mastermind been found?”

Put on the spot by the Empress Dowager’s question, Emperor Tiancheng was about to speak when Qu Jinian said, “Replying to Your Highness the Empress Dowager, the mastermind of the case has not yet been found, but the killer is the Noble Consort’s personal guard, Long Lang. Long Lang has already confessed that he did it all.”

Hearing Qu Jinian’s words, Emperor Tiancheng shot him a sideways glare, but Qu Jinian did not look at him.

“The Noble Consort’s guard?” the Empress Dowager said, looking toward the Noble Consort.

Upon hearing this, the Noble Consort curtsied and said, “Your Highness the Empress Dowager, this man is indeed my guard, but I was not aware of his actions.”

The Noble Consort already knew the Emperor would protect her, so she felt not a shred of fear at this moment.

The Empress Dowager glanced at the Noble Consort out of the corner of her eye, not deigning to look at her directly. “Then this grieving one will listen today to how the Marquis Qu adjudicates a case.” This Empress Dowager had once held court from behind a curtain, so when she said she wanted to observe, the Emperor had no reason to refuse.

“Mother Empress, there is still a part of this case for which we have no evidence. We must first take the criminal into custody. Once we have sufficient evidence, this son will have Minister Qu try the case again.” The Emperor just wanted to get the man locked up quickly, isolated from the outside world. That way, even if someone wanted to pry something out of Long Lang’s mouth, it would be impossible.

“What evidence?” The Empress Dowager did not dismiss the idea of observing. She was here today at the Empress’s request. The Empress was a member of their Cheng family, and since the Empress had asked her to observe, she naturally would not leave.

“Mother Empress…” Emperor Tiancheng hesitated. He looked up at his mother, wanting to refuse but not knowing what reason to give. After all, his birth mother was the one closest to him, and he didn’t dare to disobey her. “This son wishes to try this case another day. I am feeling somewhat unwell today.” After speaking, Emperor Tiancheng lightly pressed a hand to his forehead.

The Empress Dowager saw through Emperor Tiancheng’s ploy, but with the Son of Heaven’s dragon’s body³ feeling unwell, the case didn’t have to be handled today. The Empress Dowager was thus put in a difficult position.

“What’s wrong with Your Majesty?” the Empress Dowager asked softly.

At these words, everyone turned to look at the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Qu Jinian and State Uncle Cheng wanted to continue the trial, while Marquis Yongshen and the Imperial Noble Consort sided with the Emperor, wanting to have the criminal detained first.

“This son feels dizzy and wishes to return to my bedchamber to rest.”

“What are you standing around for? Hurry and summon the Imperial Physician,” the Empress Dowager said, turning to the palace eunuch official beside her.

The eunuch official received the order, bowed his head, took a few steps back, and went to find an Imperial Physician.

“Since Your Majesty is unwell, you should first rest in the hall and let the Imperial Physician diagnose you. This grieving one will send for the dragon palanquin⁴ to take you back to your bedchamber later.” It wasn’t that the Empress Dowager absolutely had to listen, but she couldn’t refuse a request from the Empress. This was as far as she could help Qu Jinian.

Hearing this, Emperor Tiancheng followed the Empress Dowager into the hall. He had been seated for only a moment when the Imperial Physician arrived. The Emperor glanced up and, seeing that Long Lang was still there, gave a look to his men, signaling for them to escort Long Lang away.

But just as the guards were about to take Long Lang away, Qu Jinian spoke up directly. “Your Majesty, the murderer Long Lang has not yet clearly explained the crime from beginning to end. He cannot be taken away.”

“Qu Jinian!”

The Imperial Physician had just reached the Emperor’s side when he was so startled by the Emperor’s roar that he knelt on the ground, still carrying his medicine box.

“Your Majesty, Long Lang is merely a guard. He has no grievance or enmity with Prime Minister Lin, so why would he harm Liang-shi? I implore Your Majesty to permit this subject to take him back to the Capital Prefecture Yamen for detailed interrogation!” Qu Jinian did not yield an inch, blocking the two Imperial Guards who were trying to take Long Lang away.

Hearing this, Emperor Tiancheng angrily grabbed an object from the dragon desk and threw it at Qu Jinian. Qu Jinian did not dodge or flinch and was struck directly in the head.

The inkstone was heavy. After taking the hit, blood began to seep from Qu Jinian’s forehead in just a moment.

Emperor Tiancheng saw the bloody mark on Qu Jinian’s face, yet he still blocked the way. At first, he was startled by his own impulsive act, but then, seeing Qu Jinian’s stubbornness, he angrily swept everything off the desk, hoping to use the display to make everyone feel his fury and dissuade them from wanting to continue the trial.

But the people in the hall remained perfectly still.

After sitting down, Emperor Tiancheng’s chest heaved with anger. He watched as Qu Jinian, still bowing with his hands clasped, said, “Men, Minister Qu is injured. Escort him out of the palace to his residence to rest.” Blood slowly trickled down his forehead.

“Your Majesty!” Qu Jinian, naturally, would not leave the palace.

“I said, Minister Qu is injured. Escort him out of the palace!” Emperor Tiancheng could now only use his imperial authority to pressure Qu Jinian.

Qu Jinian did not dare to use force in this hall. Although he was a marquis, his Qu family had been loyal for generations and had never harbored rebellious intentions. If he used force in the hall today, he could be branded with the crime of rebellion.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.” The eunuch official on duty outside began to announce upon seeing the Empress’s phoenix palanquin⁵.

“What is the Empress doing here?” Hearing the announcement, Emperor Tiancheng glanced outside. The Imperial Guard was currently in a standoff with Qu Jinian. “First, escort Minister Qu out of the palace.”

Just now, the Empress Dowager and State Uncle Cheng had suddenly arrived and interrupted his decision. Now the Empress was here too, which inevitably made the Emperor suspicious. And the Empress Dowager, having just seen the Emperor’s fury, no longer dared to speak casually.

The Imperial Guard wanted to escort Qu Jinian out of the palace, but Qu Jinian didn’t move. Although Qu Jinian’s official rank at court was not high, no one dared to touch him lightly. Behind him was the Qu Family Army. If something happened to him in the capital, it would surely cause the Qu Family Army in Shoulindi⁶ to make a move.

As the two sides were locked in a stalemate, the Empress entered the hall. She swept her gaze over the people inside and knew at once what had happened.

“This subject pays respects to Mother Empress, pays respects to Your Majesty.” The Empress curtsied, with a person following behind her.

The eldest Master Liang, Liang Lianshang⁷.

Everyone bowed to the Empress, and the Imperial Noble Consort also rose and curtsied.

The Empress Dowager nodded, and the Emperor asked, “What has the Empress come here for?”

The Empress straightened up and looked at the Emperor. “Your Majesty, Prefect Liang came to me to plead for justice in the death of his late sister. He said he has obtained the confession of Prime Minister Lin’s second wife, Yu-shi.”

The Emperor’s brow furrowed at her words.

The Empress continued, “This subject also glanced at the confession. It states that Yu-shi colluded with the Imperial Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen to deliberately murder Liang-shi. It also mentions the matter of drugging Prime Minister Lin’s legitimate daughter, Lin Xizhao, and the daughter of Marquis Zhengyi, Qu Sheng.”

“Your Majesty, I implore you to seek justice for your humble subject’s deceased sister!” The eldest Master Liang had been kneeling on the floor since he entered. At this moment, he pulled Yu-shi’s signed confession from his sleeve and held it up with both hands.

As their words fell, looks of terror appeared on the faces of the Imperial Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen. The Emperor also shot a sideways glance at the Imperial Noble Consort. Their eyes met for an instant, and the Imperial Noble Consort, who had shifted slightly, stood still once more.

The Emperor’s gaze flickered, and he said with a frown, “Present it to Us for inspection.”

The chief eunuch official heard the command, walked over, took the document, and presented it to the Emperor. The Emperor glanced down at Liang Lianshang kneeling on the floor, then took Yu-shi’s confession and began to read.

It wasn’t until he read the part about his plans to ennoble Lin Jianhai and the others that he looked up and shot a vicious glare at the Noble Consort.

Although the Noble Consort couldn’t see the words written on it, if it was a confession, it would naturally detail everything they had said and done. At this moment, she could only wait in silence for the Emperor’s next command.

“Men, take the Imperial Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen to the Imperial Prison to await their sentences.” Looking at the signed confession before him, the Emperor could only have the Noble Consort imprisoned for now and figure out a solution later.

“Your Majesty.” The Imperial Noble Consort panicked the moment she heard she was to be locked in the Imperial Prison.

As for Marquis Yongshen, he had already prepared himself to stop struggling the moment he heard that Liang Lianshang had obtained Yu-shi’s confession.

The Emperor glanced sideways at the Imperial Noble Consort. There was no anger in his expression, only a frown. After that, the Imperial Noble Consort said no more.

After the Imperial Noble Consort, Marquis Yongshen, and the guard Long Lang were escorted away, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the others also departed.

The Emperor looked up at Qu Jinian, saw the wound on his face, and said to the Imperial Physician beside him, “Go see if Minister Qu is all right.”

The Imperial Physician heard this, bowed his head, and walked over to Qu Jinian’s side.

“It’s nothing serious. I only ask that Your Majesty deal with the Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen as soon as possible, to give my sworn daughter’s late mother justice.”

The matter the Emperor had wanted to cover up had been exposed by Yu-shi, and with irrefutable evidence. He narrowed his eyes, looking somewhat weary, and said, “We will certainly give Minister Qu a satisfactory answer.”

Qu Jinian received treatment from the Imperial Physician in the hall before leaving the palace with Liang Lianshang. Inside the palace, Liang Lianshang hadn’t dared to say much, but once they were out, he clasped his hands and bowed to Qu Jinian to express his gratitude.

“Many thanks to Marquis Qu for your dedicated assistance. The entire Liang family will never forget this kindness, even should our teeth fall out⁸.” Liang Lianshang was a bit older than Qu Jinian, and the gratitude in his eyes was completely unconcealed.

“Hai, Prefect Liang, don’t be too quick with your thanks. Although His Majesty has imprisoned the Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen, no one can guess what will happen until the very last moment. We still need to be cautious from here on out,” Qu Jinian said earnestly.

The affection between this emperor of Tiancheng and the Imperial Noble Consort was not that deep, but the Imperial Noble Consort had done many things for the Emperor. Many of the things he couldn’t do in the shadows were handed over to her.

Therefore, the Emperor did not want her to die yet.

The two returned to the Qu residence. As soon as they entered the reception hall, the Liang family brothers lined up and bowed to Qu Jinian.

Before they returned, a servant had already come back to report that the Noble Consort and Marquis Yongshen had been thrown into the Imperial Prison.

“Marquis Qu helped our Liang family find the murderer. From now on, the entire Liang family will be at Marquis Qu’s command. As long as it is within our power, the sons of the Liang family will never shrink back,” the eldest Master Liang said, taking the lead.

For such a case with no leads, to actually be able to find the true culprit—and the person sleeping by the Emperor’s side at that—was an impossible feat. If it had been left to their Liang family to handle, they would not have been able to do it, even if every son of the Liang family had been put on the task.

Qu Jinian listened to the Liang family’s words of thanks, knowing that what they said today was not mere politeness. Just as he was about to speak, Lin Xizhao came in, holding Qu Sheng’s hand.

The Liang uncles all made way. Qu Jinian stood in the main hall. The corners of Lin Xizhao’s eyes were red, as if she had been crying for a long time. She looked up at Qu Jinian, tears welling up in her eyes again, and slowly knelt on the floor, giving him three kowtows. Seeing her kneel, Qu Sheng also knelt beside her and kowtowed with her.

“For my sworn father’s great kindness, Xizhao will one day tie grass and hold a ring, repaying this debt with my life,” Lin Xizhao said in a choked voice.

“Get up, quickly. You are a sworn daughter of my Qu family. Your business is my Qu family’s business. What is there to repay or not? As long as you are well, your sworn father, your sworn mother, and Sheng’er can be at ease and happy.” Qu Jinian walked over and helped Lin Xizhao up.

He felt sorry for this child. Half the reason for Liang-shi’s death was to prevent her from being married into that den of tigers and wolves⁹ that was the Marquis Yongshen’s residence. Her heart must be filled with self-blame right now.

Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Jinian, her heart overflowing with too much gratitude to express. Now, because Qu Jinian saw her as one of his own, that ineffable feeling of family affection made tears spring from her eyes once more.

Qu Sheng stood up and took Lin Xizhao’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Lin Xizhao looked down at her, and seeing Qu Sheng’s worried expression, a faint smile meant to reassure Qu Sheng finally appeared on her face.

Long before Qu Jinian had returned, Lin Xizhao had already been holding Qu Sheng and crying for a long time. The grief was no less than on the night she first learned of Liang-shi’s death. Qu Sheng let Lin Xizhao sob on her shoulder, but her own heart was twisted with pain.

Originally, it was just the loss of a loved one. Now, there was the addition of a younger brother or sister she would never meet. For her own selfish desires, Yu-shi had kept Liang-shi from knowing she was pregnant. Following her old habit, Liang-shi went out riding every month as usual, which led to the tragedy in the outskirts.

If Liang-shi had known she was pregnant, she would never have gone riding.

But would not riding her horse have guaranteed her life? Lin Xizhao imagined many scenarios. Even if her mother hadn’t gone riding, Yu-shi dared to openly drug her in the residence, so she might have drugged her mother as well. The most poisonous thing is the human heart¹⁰; it is impossible to guard against.

The Liang family sat in the reception hall of the Marquis Qu’s residence, listening to Qu Jinian’s plans for what came next. But he was only halfway through speaking when Qu Ting and Qu Yu returned from the Capital Prefecture Yamen’s prison.

“Uncle, Yu-shi is dead.” Qu Ting had barely come to a stop before he delivered the news to Qu Jinian.

The members of the Liang family all showed expressions of shock and confusion at the news.

Qu Jinian heard this and asked, “How did she die?” She was locked in the Capital Prefecture Yamen’s prison. How could she suddenly die? He had even arranged for Qu Ting to have a doctor check on Yu-shi’s physical condition.

Qu Yu, also panting, added, “After Prime Minister Lin left the palace and learned what Yu-shi had done, he made a trip to the Capital Prefecture Yamen’s prison. By the time he came out, Yu-shi was dead.”

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Wifey, just hold me to repay me. Hugs.”

Lin Xizhao: “Hugs.”

Originally I thought——I could finish this case in two chapters, but, you know, I was afraid it would be unclear, so I wrote it out in a bit more detail.

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