The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 38

Jiejie Misses Sheng’er So Much

Five years later.

After her hair-pinning ceremony¹, Qu Sheng was taken back to the Southeast Fief in Shoulin to pay respects to her ancestors. It was a full year before she returned.

Now, in the dead of winter, Qu Sheng sat inside a horse-drawn carriage. Her voice, clear and bright, called out to the mounted guard riding alongside. “Where are we?”

“Replying to the Young Miss, we have reached the outskirts of the capital. We should arrive in the city in another half-hour.” The head guard reined in his horse, drawing closer to the carriage window to reply.

Qu Sheng, behind the curtain, said no more. It had been a year since she had left Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao’s letters had arrived frequently by carrier pigeon, but she had rarely responded at length.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, but rather that she didn’t know what to write. Though she could wield a brush and was well-versed in letters, the volume of her words would always reveal to Lin Xizhao whether she was truly simple-minded or not.

During her year in Shoulin, she had entered the military barracks. All the martial commanders had come to know her, and she had joined them in simulating battles and running drills. Though she was a woman, she was a daughter of the Qu family. To only be skilled in literature, without understanding military strategy and leadership, was clearly not the Qu family way.

She was returning this time for the main culprits in the case of Lin Xizhao’s birth mother.

Marquis Yongshen and the Imperial Noble Consort.

After Yu-shi’s² death, Marquis Yongshen and the Imperial Noble Consort had adamantly denied everything, claiming instead that Yu-shi had instigated it and they were merely accomplices. A confession could be written however one pleased. The person was dead, leaving no evidence. The Emperor had also ordered the execution of that Guard Long by the most extreme means, leaving no one to testify.

The Imperial Noble Consort was demoted to the rank of Consort³ and confined to the deep courtyards of the imperial palace. Marquis Yongshen was sentenced to five years in prison, his family assets confiscated, and his title reduced.

In a few more days, the man now known as Earl Yongshen would be released from prison.

Qu Sheng had also received a letter stating that the Empress had several times hinted to Jin Yunfei that the Imperial Noble Consort was with dragon heir⁴. If she gave birth to a son, the Emperor would lift her confinement and restore her rank.

They had expended so much effort back then, only to see the perpetrator and an accomplice brought to justice. It was clearly not enough to quell the resentment in their hearts. More importantly, Qu Sheng had made her father promise Lin Xizhao that he would definitely get her justice.

This world belonged to the imperial family; if the Son of Heaven intended to be lenient, there was nothing they could do. Since they could not obtain fairness, they could only vent the resentment in their hearts.

Qu Sheng sat in the carriage with her eyes closed in rest. The howling winter wind whistled into her ears, but she paid it no mind. At this moment, the image of Lin Xizhao at their farewell unconsciously surfaced in her mind.

She missed her. Not just today, but since before she had even left.

She still remembered that day was also in winter. White ice flowers had fallen on a red greatcloak⁵ that wrapped a delicate body. Lin Xizhao had stood just like that beside the carriage, waving reluctantly as it departed. All she could do was watch as Lin Xizhao’s figure grew more distant, more blurred.

“Whoa——”

Hearing a familiar voice and the neigh of a horse, Qu Sheng opened her eyes. Before Feng Qi could even ask if Miss Sheng was inside, Qu Sheng had already pushed open the front door of the carriage.

“Feng Qi.” Qu Sheng stepped out from the warm carriage and glanced around. Seeing only Feng Qi, she asked urgently, “Where is Xizhao?”

Hearing this, Feng Qi quickly dismounted and cupped his hands in a salute. “Replying to the Young Miss, the Eldest Miss is currently waiting for your carriage outside the city gate.”

Qu Sheng’s brow twitched slightly. “How did you know I was returning today?” Due to the snow, her return date had been uncertain; she had only said it would be in the next few days.

Feng Qi replied, “We didn’t know. The Eldest Miss has been going to the city gate to wait every day.”

“Didn’t I tell you to protect Xizhao? Why did you come alone?” Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed. She had left Feng Qi behind when she departed for the sole purpose of protecting Lin Xizhao.

Feng Qi lowered his head. “The Eldest Miss was at the city gate. She asked people riding into the city if there was a carriage behind them… Miss…” It was Lin Xizhao who had sent him to see if it was the Qu family carriage.

Feng Qi didn’t finish his sentence. Qu Sheng leaped from the carriage, took the reins from his hand, and said, “You take the carriage back.”

With that, Qu Sheng spurred the horse into a gallop, heading straight for the capital’s gate.

After the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea⁶, Qu Sheng saw the city gate. Her eyesight had always been excellent, and with a single glance, she spotted the Prime Minister’s Residence carriage parked not far from the gate.

Qu Sheng rode over. Only as she drew closer did she see Lin Xizhao, draped in a thick cloak, a smile gracing her eyes as she waited for her to approach.

“Jiejie…” Qu Sheng stared, momentarily stunned, at Lin Xizhao, who, set off by her red dress, looked even more beautiful than she had a year ago. Her features hadn’t changed much at all, so why did she look so much prettier today?

“Sheng’er.” As Qu Sheng drew near, Lin Xizhao quickened her pace, taking small, hurried steps toward her.

At the sound of her voice, Qu Sheng snapped out of her daze. She dismounted and walked the few steps to Lin Xizhao’s side.

“Jiejie.” Qu Sheng’s cheeks were slightly red and cold from the wind. But when Lin Xizhao touched them with hands that had just been holding a sleeve stove⁷, the gentle warmth made Qu Sheng instinctively nuzzle against them.

“Are you cold? Hurry, get into the carriage and warm up,” Lin Xizhao said, as attentive as ever to whether she was hot or cold.

“Mhm.” Qu Sheng nodded. Lin Xizhao found her hand and led her toward the carriage. A nearby servant hurried to take the reins Qu Sheng had let go of.

Lin Xizhao boarded the carriage first, then turned to help Qu Sheng up. Qu Sheng had thought that once inside, Lin Xizhao might hug her, but unexpectedly, there were two other people in the carriage.

“Well, well, look who knows the way back. Our little Sheng’er,” said Zhao Jiayu, who was sitting by a small stove, warming her fingers over the gentle flame.

Qu Sheng looked up, stunned for a moment, then glanced around and saw that Xiao Bingying was also there.

“Come, sit down.” After sitting, Lin Xizhao gestured for Qu Sheng to sit beside her.

“Little Sheng’er, long time no see.” Xiao Bingying wasn’t as flippant as Zhao Jiayu. She looked at Qu Sheng with a gentle smile.

Qu Sheng nodded in acknowledgment, then took the hand Lin Xizhao offered and sat down.

Zhao Jiayu was wrapped in a thick cloak with the stove in front of her, though its fire was about to go out. They had been out all day, grabbing a quick bite for lunch, which was no match for the warm soup back at their estates.

“You’ve been gone a year, and you’ve changed quite a bit.” Zhao Jiayu pulled her hands back and shifted closer to Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng’s complexion hadn’t changed—still fair—but her features had lost their previous immaturity.

Qu Sheng glanced sideways at her, her expression as endearingly oblivious as before. Lin Xizhao smiled, took off her own warm cloak, and draped it over Qu Sheng’s shoulders before accepting another cloak from Xiao Bingying.

Qu Sheng looked up at Lin Xizhao, who was lifting the wooden door curtain of the carriage to speak to the servant outside. “We can go back now.”

Seeing that Lin Xizhao didn’t seem to miss her at all and didn’t share her own excitement at their reunion, Qu Sheng felt a strange sense of disappointment.

Inside the carriage, Qu Sheng lowered her head and remained silent. Zhao Jiayu shot a look at Xiao Bingying and Lin Xizhao, jutting her chin. Lin Xizhao smiled, reached out, and gently squeezed Qu Sheng’s well-defined fingers.

The three soon arrived in the capital, but they didn’t return to the Marquis Qu’s Residence, nor did they go to the Prime Minister Lin’s Residence.

Lin Xizhao had spent most of the past few years at the Marquis Qu’s Residence. Only in the year Qu Sheng was away did she return to her own family’s residence. But even then, she often visited Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei, sometimes even sleeping in Qu Sheng’s room.

Letter after letter had been sent. How could she not miss Qu Sheng?

The carriage traveled for some time. Estimating the route and duration, Qu Sheng realized they weren’t heading to the Prime Minister’s Residence or her own. “Where are we going?” she asked.

Qu Sheng had grown up. Though her speech was still a bit slow, her voice had lost its childishness. The year of training in the army had made it clearer, crisper, and imbued it with a reassuring sense of security.

“Wouldn’t you know it, our little Sheng’er is a clever one. She’s already figured out we’re going to sell her,” Zhao Jiayu joked, making the other two laugh.

Qu Sheng paused for a moment. Of course, she knew Zhao Jiayu wouldn’t sell her, but if they weren’t going back to her residence or the Prime Minister’s Residence, could they be going to the Zhao Residence?

Seeing Qu Sheng’s confusion, Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved into crescents. Her voice was gentle as she explained, “We agreed with Yimu⁸ beforehand that if we picked you up and it wasn’t too late, we’d take you out for a small gathering with us. But we have to be back before the curfew.”

In the year Qu Sheng was gone, Jin Yunfei had poured all the affection she originally had for her two daughters onto Lin Xizhao. She even personally selected the fabric for Lin Xizhao’s clothes.

This outing had been Zhao Jiayu’s idea, but with Lin Xizhao present, Jin Yunfei was naturally at ease. Besides, Qu Sheng had a mind of her own. As long as they sent someone to report their safety, it was fine; their Qu family didn’t have such strict rules.

“We’re going to that courtyard we used to visit,” Xiao Bingying said, seeing Qu Sheng still looked puzzled.

That small courtyard had been purchased by Lin Xizhao’s birth mother, Liang-shi. The group of them had gone there quite often over the years.

When they arrived at the courtyard gate, servants came out to greet them. The wine inside was already warmed—a top-grade vintage Zhao Jiayu had gotten from her maternal uncle.

Seeing their mistress and guests arrive, the courtyard servants all bustled into action.

Lin Xizhao waited outside the room where Qu Sheng was bathing, holding a new set of clothes Jin Yunfei had made. She handed them to the maidservant assigned to help Qu Sheng wash up.

The maidservant took them and went inside, but came out just a moment later.

Seeing her emerge, Lin Xizhao asked, “Is she finished?” After such a long journey, she had thought Qu Sheng would want a good, long soak.

The maidservant lowered her head. “Replying to the Eldest Miss, the Young Miss won’t allow me to attend to her. She wants to bathe by herself.” The maidservants here were different from those at the Prime Minister’s Residence; they had been assigned later by the Marquis Qu’s Residence. The young girls brought from the Xiao family’s villa had all been married off by the Qu family.

The maidservant had only gone in to place the clothes on the screen before Qu Sheng had asked her to leave.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked at the door, puzzled. In the past, Qu Sheng wouldn’t let her help, and now she wouldn’t even let a maidservant attend to her. How did she get shyer the older she got? Lin Xizhao really wanted to go in and see, but a thought was just a thought. She wouldn’t deliberately go in and make Qu Sheng feel awkward.

A long while later, Zhao Jiayu was in the main room, staring at the table full of dishes, her mouth practically watering. Seeing no servants around, she snatched a piece of meat with her chopsticks, stuffed it in her mouth, and then got up to go outside.

Qu Sheng had gone to bathe, and Lin Xizhao had followed. They had been gone so long that she was getting anxious.

Zhao Jiayu arrived at the door to Qu Sheng’s room and saw Lin Xizhao still standing there. As Lin Xizhao was about to speak to her, she made a hushing gesture.

Lin Xizhao knew at once that Zhao Jiayu wanted to play a prank on Qu Sheng, but since it was harmless, she played along with a smile and a shake of her head.

Zhao Jiayu tiptoed to the window of the washroom and peeked through a crack. But it was full of steam, and she couldn’t see anything clearly. Even if she could, a screen by the window blocked the view.

“Little Sheng’er, if you don’t come out soon, we’re going to eat everything!” Zhao Jiayu called out deliberately.

Qu Sheng was in the middle of dressing. Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s voice, she tied the sash at her waist even faster. She had already heard Zhao Jiayu approach the window moments before.

After so many years together, she could still recognize Zhao Jiayu’s footsteps.

Just as Zhao Jiayu was about to call out a second time, Qu Sheng opened the door.

“Jiejie.” The rosy flush on Qu Sheng’s face after her bath was what Lin Xizhao loved to see most—a delicate, charming, and clever beauty. To her, even though Qu Sheng had grown up and was now as tall as she was, in her heart, Qu Sheng would always be a child.

Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng walk over, and before she could even raise a hand, Qu Sheng reached out hers. Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved, and she took her hand, leading her away.

Zhao Jiayu watched them leave without even a word to her and hurried to catch up, muttering, “You two sisters are ganging up on me.”

Back in the room, Xiao Bingying brought out the warmed wine.

A stove was burning, so it wasn’t cold. Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng take off her heavy outer coat, placed it on a nearby wooden rack, and then led her to her seat.

Xiao Bingying filled their cups, then poured some for Zhao Jiayu.

Zhao Jiayu watched as the wine trickled into her cup. The moment it was full, she picked it up and drained it in one go, letting out a long, satisfied sigh afterward.

“Good wine.”

“You drunkard,” Lin Xizhao chided with a smile, seeing how eagerly Zhao Jiayu drank.

Ever since Zhao Jiayu had tasted wine, she had become a bit addicted. But it was unseemly for a young lady to be known for drinking, so it was only when she was dining with them that she could be more relaxed.

However, though Zhao Jiayu craved wine, her tolerance was low. Each time, she could only trouble Xiao Bingying to carry her back. But Xiao Bingying never complained.

Xiao Bingying refilled Zhao Jiayu’s cup. Zhao Jiayu then stood up, raised her cup, and said, “Today is little Sheng’er’s first day back in the capital. Let this feast be our way to welcome you and wash away the dust⁹. I’m not good with pretty words, so just eat up, little Sheng’er.” Zhao Jiayu smiled at Qu Sheng as she spoke.

After speaking, Zhao Jiayu took another drink. Lin Xizhao, Xiao Bingying, and Qu Sheng raised their cups in unison. Mimicking the men, they toasted each other before taking a small sip.

“If you think it’s too strong, you don’t have to drink it. I’ll have someone bring you some sweet soup,” Lin Xizhao whispered, seeing Qu Sheng frown as she drank.

Qu Sheng shook her head. After her coming-of-age ceremony, Zhao Jiayu had used it as an excuse to celebrate, and they had drunk quite a bit that night. A year had passed, and the first sip today still felt a bit harsh, but she could handle it. It was no problem.

Lin Xizhao served Qu Sheng some food. Qu Sheng was now able to eat by herself, but Lin Xizhao knew her tastes even better than she did, so every dish she picked was one of Qu Sheng’s favorites.

Qu Sheng ate, drank very little wine, and listened as Lin Xizhao and Zhao Jiayu talked.

After three rounds of wine.

“Hey, Ajie¹⁰, that girl His Majesty bestowed upon our cousin, is she pretty?” Zhao Jiayu asked casually while eating.

Hearing this, Xiao Bingying’s expression seemed a bit unnatural. Her gaze flickered as she looked at Zhao Jiayu. “I don’t know her well. I’ve only seen her a few times.” Although they lived in the same courtyard, the woman was a recluse. Zhao Jiayu had visited many times without ever seeing her.

“I’m just asking if she’s pretty. What are you so nervous about?” Zhao Jiayu said, nonchalantly raising her cup for a sip. She never asked about people’s looks, but seeing the “eighteen changes of a growing girl”¹¹ in Qu Sheng reminded her, prompting the question.

“She’s pretty,” Xiao Bingying replied, then also raised her cup for a delicate sip. But her mind was elsewhere, and the wine went down the wrong way, choking her.

Xiao Bingying covered her mouth and coughed. Lin Xizhao quickly handed her the nearby tea. “Drink some water to settle it.”

Xiao Bingying glanced at Lin Xizhao, took the cup, and drank a few sips of tea. The burning in her throat finally subsided. “Thank you.”

Lin Xizhao sat back down and watched Zhao Jiayu drink cup after cup. “Don’t drink too much tonight,” she advised. “Bingying hasn’t fully recovered yet. There’s no one to take you home.”

She and Qu Sheng were returning to the Marquis Qu’s Residence. She wasn’t comfortable with a young lady like Zhao Jiayu being sent home drunk by only servants.

Zhao Jiayu took a sip of wine. Hearing Lin Xizhao tell her not to drink more, she began to look aggrieved.

“It’s fine, I can take her home.” A slight smile touched Xiao Bingying’s lips as she looked at Zhao Jiayu, her eyes filled with the doting affection one has for a younger sister.

Hearing that Xiao Bingying would take her home, Zhao Jiayu moved her chair closer to Xiao Bingying and leaned against her coquettishly. “My Ajie is the best.”

“Is Jiayu drunk?” Lin Xizhao guessed from Zhao Jiayu’s behavior that she’d had too much.

“No, this little bit of wine can’t knock me out,” Zhao Jiayu said, her voice clearly starting to slur.

“Bingying-jiejie, what happened?” Qu Sheng had just heard Lin Xizhao say Xiao Bingying hadn’t fully recovered, and noticing her movements were a bit slow, she could tell she was injured.

Lin Xizhao was about to explain when Zhao Jiayu cut in. “Little Sheng’er, let me tell you. You won’t believe it. Not long after you left, my Ajie was beaten up.”

Zhao Jiayu only stated the main point, not the reason why.

Qu Sheng looked confused. Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s words, Xiao Bingying glanced sideways at her. The fact that she had been beaten wasn’t a big deal, but hearing Zhao Jiayu’s jumbled words, she knew she was truly drunk.

“I should take Jiayu back now. You and little Sheng’er haven’t seen each other in a year. We can meet again tomorrow,” Xiao Bingying said, getting up to support Zhao Jiayu, who was about to slump over.

Seeing Zhao Jiayu so drunk, Lin Xizhao thought for a moment and suggested, “Why don’t you two stay here for the night instead of going back?”

It was so late and cold outside. Xiao Bingying had been bedridden for a full six months because of her injuries. She hadn’t fully recovered yet, and Lin Xizhao was worried.

“Stay here,” Qu Sheng chimed in.

She didn’t know how Xiao Bingying had been injured, but seeing Lin Xizhao’s worried expression, she figured it must have been serious.

Hearing their repeated invitations, Xiao Bingying considered for a moment. “I’ll just take her back to the Xiao Residence.” Instead of detouring to the Zhao residence, she could just take her directly to the Xiao Residence with her.

Lin Xizhao didn’t overthink it. “That works too. Give Jiayu to me first.” Lin Xizhao raised her hands to help support Zhao Jiayu. But before she could touch her, Qu Sheng reached out first. “I’ll do it.”

She was strong. Although Zhao Jiayu was about the same size as Lin Xizhao, she practiced martial arts, and her muscle was heavy.

Xiao Bingying glanced at Qu Sheng, then at Lin Xizhao.

“Let Sheng’er do it.” The others all knew that Qu Sheng practiced martial arts, but none of them, not even Lin Xizhao, knew just how skilled she had become.

Xiao Bingying helped Zhao Jiayu onto Qu Sheng’s back. Qu Sheng carried her to the carriage outside.

Zhao Jiayu had already passed out. Qu Sheng set her down and got out of the carriage. Xiao Bingying got in, adjusted her, and held her in her arms.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng’s hand as they watched the Xiao Residence’s carriage depart, then turned to look at Qu Sheng.

“My Sheng’er is so capable,” Lin Xizhao praised, her soft voice tinged with admiration. She was complimenting Qu Sheng for taking the initiative to carry Zhao Jiayu today; in the past, she would have avoided it at all costs.

Qu Sheng was taken aback by the praise. Thinking back, Lin Xizhao had always been like this. It was just that during her year away, Qu Sheng had grown accustomed to no one praising her like a child.

Qu Sheng played along, lowering her head shyly. Lin Xizhao smiled, stroked her cheek, and led her onto the other carriage.

They still had to return to the Marquis Qu’s Residence tonight.

When the two arrived at the Marquis Qu’s Residence, the household was still awake. Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao first went to pay their respects to Qu Jinian and Jin Yunfei. Seeing how much her daughter had changed, Jin Yunfei looked her over from head to toe and back again, hugging her repeatedly before finally letting them go back to their courtyard to rest.

Lin Xizhao went to bathe while Qu Sheng looked around the room. Everything was just as it had been, but now there were many of Lin Xizhao’s things added. It seemed Lin Xizhao had spent a lot of time here this past year.

When Lin Xizhao returned, Qu Sheng was already lying on the bed. She opened her eyes at the sound of footsteps, and the first thing she saw was Lin Xizhao, dressed in a pink nightgown, her figure graceful, her long, dark hair cascading down.

Lin Xizhao swept her hair behind her back and tucked a stray strand behind her ear. When her peripheral vision caught Qu Sheng on the bed, she saw her staring and asked with a playful smile, “Did you miss your Jiejie?”

They hadn’t seen each other in so long. She had no idea if this little one had actually missed her.

Qu Sheng averted her gaze slightly. In the past, she would stare at Lin Xizhao, but would quickly look away the moment Lin Xizhao turned to her. This time, she’d been caught red-handed. Though her expression remained calm, her heart began to beat uncontrollably faster.

She was a martial artist. Even after a short run, her heart would beat normally. But right now, her heart was clearly in a fluster.

Seeing Qu Sheng turn her gaze to the bedding, Lin Xizhao’s lips curved into a slight smile. She lifted the covers and lay down beside Qu Sheng, but left a considerable distance between them.

“Not coming over?” Lin Xizhao stretched an arm out. Qu Sheng looked over, hesitated for a few moments, then slowly moved closer. “Has it only been a year, and you’ve already forgotten your Jiejie?” Lin Xizhao pulled Qu Sheng into her arms, her tone feigning a slight grievance. Compared to before, Qu Sheng’s scent was even more pleasant.

“No.” Hearing Lin Xizhao’s teasing words, Qu Sheng rushed to defend herself. How could she possibly forget her?

Hearing the slight panic in Qu Sheng’s voice, Lin Xizhao chuckled. “I’m just teasing you. How could my Sheng’er possibly forget her Jiejie?” They had shared a bed for years. This was the little sister she had raised since childhood. If she truly forgot her, her heart would break.

When Qu Sheng heard Lin Xizhao say she was teasing, she realized just how nervous she had been. She had faced down great generals and tens of thousands of soldiers without ever feeling such tension. Qu Sheng lowered her head, wanting to hide her embarrassment in the blankets, but felt Lin Xizhao’s arm tighten around her waist.

“Jiejie missed Sheng’er so much.” Lin Xizhao hugged Qu Sheng, pressing her warm cheek against Qu Sheng’s neck.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Jiejie, Jiejie, Jiejie, I missed you too.”

Wishing all my little darlings a happy and healthy Dragon Boat Festival.

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