The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 40

Pah, What a Piece of Work¹

After Qu Sheng finished practicing swords with her three older brothers and headed back, Lin Xizhao had already returned and was chatting with Jin Yunfei.

Qu Sheng entered the room, and Lin Xizhao turned to look at her, her eyes gentle. Qu Sheng handed her sword to a servant, and Lin Xizhao rose to meet her. “Adoptive Mother² and I selected a few bolts of fabric for you,” she said. “I’m not sure if you’ll like them. Want to come have a look with me?”

The fabrics had been chosen but hadn’t yet been sent to the tailor. After a year away, she didn’t know if Qu Sheng still preferred the same simple, unadorned dresses as before.

Qu Sheng heard this, her lips parting slightly as she glanced at her mother. When Jin Yunfei saw her looking over and gave a nod, Qu Sheng went with Lin Xizhao to see the fabrics.

Usually, there was no need to ask Qu Sheng about such matters; Jin Yunfei and Lin Xizhao had always made these decisions for her.

Perhaps because Qu Sheng had been on the training grounds for so long and Lin Xizhao hadn’t gone to find her, when she now offered to show her the fabric patterns, Qu Sheng readily agreed.

Lin Xizhao pulled Qu Sheng over to look at the colors she had picked out for her and asked, “Are there any here you don’t like?”

Qu Sheng shook her head. The things she liked rarely changed, nor did she ever grow tired of them. It was just like the water chestnut cakes Lin Xizhao made for her; though she didn’t crave them, she would always want to eat them if they were placed in front of her.

Lin Xizhao gazed at Qu Sheng’s cheeks. Despite her martial training, her skin was still so delicate it could be broken by a puff of air or a flick³. She smiled. “In that case, would you like to come back to my residence for a visit today?” Back to the Prime Minister’s Residence for a visit.

Qu Sheng followed Lin Xizhao to the Prime Minister’s Residence. Not much had changed, but perhaps because both young masters had successfully become juren⁴, members of the Yu family had been visiting rather frequently.

Lin Jianhai had long ago handed over all the residence’s affairs to Lin Xizhao’s management. When he wasn’t present, the duty of receiving guests naturally fell to her. But the Yu family came too often, and when they did, they would stay for the entire day. She couldn’t be expected to entertain them constantly.

Eventually, it was Lin Xirui who told her to just do her own thing; he would handle their maternal uncle’s side of the family.

Yu-shi⁵ was one of the culprits in the murder of Liang-shi, but Lin Xizhao did not extend the blame to her two younger brothers or the rest of the Yu family. However, just because she didn’t hold a grudge didn’t mean others felt the same.

Upon arriving at the Prime Minister’s Residence, Qu Sheng sat by the brazier. Lin Xizhao had someone bring over some snacks, then went to attend to some residence matters herself.

Qu Sheng sat to the side, eating snacks and reading the books Lin Xizhao had brought for her—all of them were books on military strategy. Ever since Lin Xizhao had seen her reading such books in her room and then borrowed some on a pretext, Qu Sheng no longer kept her guard up around her.

And over the years, Lin Xizhao had collected quite a few military strategy books for her, all of them exceedingly rare.

“Is Sheng-meimei in Ajie’s⁶ room?”

Hearing the voice, Qu Sheng’s gaze shifted from her book to the brazier in front of her. It was Lin Xirui.

Lin Xirui was asking the maidservant standing guard by the door, but his eyes were fixed on the doorway.

A whole year had passed, and Lin Xirui was always asking his sister when Qu Sheng would return. Yesterday, Lin Xizhao hadn’t come back to the residence, and he hadn’t thought much of it, assuming she had stayed the night at the Marquis Qu Residence. But when a servant returned to report that they had picked up Qu Sheng, he hadn’t slept a wink all night.

“Xirui, what are you looking for Sheng’er for?” Lin Xizhao heard her brother asking if Qu Sheng was in her room as soon as she walked over.

This brother of hers had always found Qu Sheng disagreeable. She had no idea what had gotten into him now, that he was so eager to ask after her.

“Ajie.” Lin Xirui heard Lin Xizhao’s voice and turned around, a brilliant smile on his face. “Is Sheng-meimei in the room?”

Seeing his expression, Lin Xizhao suddenly felt that her brother’s opinion of Qu Sheng wasn’t so strong anymore. That made sense. Who wouldn’t like someone as well-behaved as Qu Sheng?

“She’s in the room. You want to see her?” Lin Xizhao asked probingly.

They were biological siblings, so it was perfectly fine for him to enter her room. But Qu Sheng was a young lady, and there was no telling what she might be doing inside.

Just as Lin Xizhao was hesitating, Qu Sheng pulled the door open.

“Jiejie.” Qu Sheng glanced at Lin Xirui, then her gaze fell upon Lin Xizhao and didn’t move.

“Sheng-meimei,” Lin Xirui blurted out, his eyes fixed on Qu Sheng without restraint.

At his words, Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xirui again, her eyes filled with confusion.

Lin Xirui looked at Qu Sheng, whom he hadn’t seen in a year. She was just as fair and graceful as when she had left. He smiled. “Sheng-meimei has grown even more beautiful.”

Hearing Lin Xirui’s compliment, Qu Sheng’s face remained expressionless, as if his words were no different from asking if she had eaten yet. No response was necessary.

Lin Xizhao heard her brother praising Qu Sheng and said gently, “Sheng’er has gotten much thinner this past year. Let’s go to the dining hall to talk. The midday meal should be ready soon.”

It was already approaching noon; it was time to eat.

Qu Sheng turned to look at Lin Xizhao, who reached out and naturally took her hand.

“Are you not coming?” Lin Xizhao asked softly, noticing that Lin Xirui was still staring at Qu Sheng.

“I’m coming.” Lin Xirui tore his gaze away and looked at his sister. Seeing her puzzled expression, he could only give an awkward smile and follow behind them.

Just as the group arrived at the dining hall, they saw the steward leading Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying over. The two were frequent guests at the Prime Minister’s Residence and didn’t need to be formally announced; they just needed to be brought to see Lin Xizhao.

“We ran all over the place. You were hard to find,” Zhao Jiayu said, sitting down at the dining table as soon as she entered the room.

Zhao Jiayu had only woken up when the sun was three poles high⁷. Without even filling her stomach, she and Xiao Bingying had gone to the Marquis Qu Residence, only to find no one there.

Lin Xizhao noticed her face was a little pale, likely from drinking too much the previous night, and asked, “Why didn’t you rest a while longer at Bingying’s place?”

“Rest for what? I’d be so bored in the room by myself,” Zhao Jiayu said, shooting a glance at Xiao Bingying.

When she had woken up, only the maidservants were there to attend to her; Xiao Bingying was nowhere in sight.

Xiao Bingying looked a bit embarrassed at her words and explained, “I was busy with a few things.”

Zhao Jiayu gave a light hmph but didn’t press her further.

“Perfect, I’m starving. When do we eat?” Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying had freeloaded countless meals here.

Prime Minister Lin only came back for the evening meal, so things were more casual at this time.

Lin Xizhao replied, “We can start now.”

Not all the dishes had been served, but more than half were already on the table. With two more people, Lin Xizhao instructed the servants to add a few more dishes.

“Go and call the Second Young Master as well,” Lin Xizhao instructed a servant outside.

Hearing his Ajie call for their second brother, Lin Xirui frowned slightly and said, “Ajie, there’s no need to call Second Brother. He’s eating in his own courtyard.”

He didn’t know if he was actually eating or not, but he definitely wouldn’t come if called.

After Yu-shi’s death, there hadn’t been much of a rift between the two brothers and Lin Xizhao. But ever since they became juren, that older brother of his had developed a considerable resentment toward Lin Xizhao.

As for the reason, he was sure Lin Xizhao could guess it.

Lin Xizhao thought for a moment and said, “Go call him.”

It didn’t matter if he came or not, but it wouldn’t do for her not to have him called.

Just as the dishes were almost all served, a servant came to report that the Second Young Master was eating in his own courtyard and would not be coming over.

Lin Xizhao showed no reaction upon hearing this, only saying that she understood.

With no elders or wine at the table, the group began to chat casually.

Qu Sheng ate the food Lin Xizhao had served her, but when it was time to drink some water, she was fed again.

Qu Sheng drank half a cup of tea, and ignoring everyone’s stares, she continued to eat.

“Xizhao, why don’t you feed me too?” Zhao Jiayu said, deliberately teasing as she watched Qu Sheng’s completely unruffled demeanor.

Lin Xizhao shot her a playful glare. A moment ago, she had passed the water over while distracted by their conversation. Qu Sheng hadn’t reached for it, merely leaning her mouth toward the cup, so she’d had no choice but to feed her.

It had always been like this. Although Qu Sheng had started eating by herself, she would still occasionally act spoiled and ask to be fed.

Lin Xizhao, who had originally thought Qu Sheng might be distant with her for a while, suddenly felt that faint, almost imperceptible sense of unfamiliarity vanish the moment she saw Qu Sheng drink the water she offered.

Her Sheng’er was back.

“Ajie, feed me too,” Zhao Jiayu said. Seeing Lin Xizhao unmoved, she turned her gaze to Xiao Bingying.

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s deliberately coquettish tone, Xiao Bingying nearly sprayed out a mouthful of tea. She covered her mouth and started coughing.

“Ew, Jiayu-jie is so scary.” Lin Xirui wrinkled his brow in mock disgust. He couldn’t stand it either.

He used to resent Qu Sheng for stealing his sister’s attention, but after so many years, he had long since gotten used to it. Zhao Jiayu acting like this, however, was a bit much for him to handle.

“What is wrong with you all!” Seeing everyone’s strong reaction to her words, Zhao Jiayu started to suspect that the person who had called her cute before had been lying.

“Drink this.” As she spoke, a servant brought over a bowl of soup. Lin Xizhao took it and placed it in front of Zhao Jiayu. It was jiejiu tang⁸.

Xiao Bingying had returned late last night and hadn’t been as attentive; judging by Zhao Jiayu’s complexion, she probably hadn’t had any.

Zhao Jiayu lowered her head and sniffed the sobering soup. Her flicker of annoyance from a moment ago was quickly forgotten as she said with a grin, “Xizhao is still the best to me.” She then looked at Xiao Bingying and said, “See, I was right, wasn’t I? I knew Xizhao would have sobering soup.”

Before they came, Xiao Bingying had wanted to have the Xiao Residence kitchen prepare some, but Zhao Jiayu had stopped her. She had slept until the sun was high in the sky and had only seen Qu Sheng for a few hours last night. Today, she had to see her for longer to properly express how much she’d missed her. Besides, she had made a bet with Xiao Bingying that even if she didn’t say anything, Lin Xizhao would prepare sobering soup for her.

“Bingying, you have some too.” Lin Xizhao passed another bowl to Xiao Bingying.

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng had drunk some when they returned yesterday; Jin Yunfei had it prepared for them.

“You two were drinking last night?” Lin Xirui asked as he watched Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying spooning up the soup.

“Mhm. Want to join?” Zhao Jiayu asked, looking up at Lin Xirui after taking a sip.

“I do! Can you include me next time?”

In Zhao Jiayu’s and the others’ eyes, Lin Xirui was just a kid, and they all treated him like a younger brother.

“Then let me hear you call me ‘good older sister.’”

Hearing this, Lin Xirui immediately put on a sweet smile. “Good older sister, please include me.”

The others at the table listened with silent smiles. Zhao Jiayu pretended to think for a moment, then said, “Well, choosing a day is not as good as hitting a day⁹. Let’s make it today.”

When Zhao Jiayu mentioned today, both Lin Xizhao and Xiao Bingying looked at her. Why drink again today when they had just drunk last night?

“Hey, don’t look at me like that. Don’t you want to go to Houxiang Tower¹⁰ and try their signature dishes?” After speaking, Zhao Jiayu lowered her head and pretended to continue drinking her soup, but her peripheral vision was gauging everyone’s reactions.

They had wanted to go before, but they were all young women, and it wasn’t proper for them to frequent a place with such a large flow of customers and so many dignitaries. But this time was different. If they brought along Lin Xirui, who had been cooped up in the residence studying, it would naturally be acceptable.

It was less that they were taking Lin Xirui and more that Lin Xirui was taking them.

After a moment of silence, Lin Xirui couldn’t help but ask, “So are we going or not?”

“We’re going.” Zhao Jiayu wanted to go. It wasn’t that she was craving the food; she just wanted to spend some time inside.

Lin Xizhao and Xiao Bingying exchanged a look but didn’t say anything.

Zhao Jiayu waited for a moment, then asked anxiously, “Are you guys going or not?” Though she herself had said yes, she couldn’t make a final decision without Lin Xizhao’s and Xiao Bingying’s agreement.

Lin Xizhao remained silent, placing some more food on Qu Sheng’s plate. Zhao Jiayu watched Qu Sheng eating with her head down. A sly idea formed in her mind, and she smiled at Qu Sheng. “Xiao Sheng’er, do you want to go to Houxiang Tower for some delicious food?”

Qu Sheng looked up at Zhao Jiayu and, after what seemed like a few moments of thought, nodded.

“Hey, Xiao Sheng’er agreed! It’s three against two, we have to go,” Zhao Jiayu said with a hint of triumph.

“We can go, but you’re not allowed to drink,” Lin Xizhao agreed, but with a condition for Zhao Jiayu.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu’s brow twitched. With a pitiful expression, she pleaded, “Xizhao…”

“It’s not safe outside, and Bingying’s health hasn’t fully recovered. What if something happens and you get like you were last night?” Lin Xizhao’s reasoning was sound.

Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Lin Xizhao, Zhao Jiayu was about to turn to Xiao Bingying for help.

When Zhao Jiayu looked at her, Xiao Bingying cleared her throat and deliberately looked away. Getting no response, Zhao Jiayu had no choice but to back down. She looked at Lin Xizhao, her voice somewhat dejected. “I won’t drink, alright?”

Lin Xirui couldn’t help but snicker as he watched Zhao Jiayu being so thoroughly handled by his sister. Hearing the sound, Zhao Jiayu’s gaze shot over to him. She pouted, then picked up the sobering soup and drank it all in one go.

After the meal, the group lingered in the reception hall for a while before heading back to their respective estates, agreeing to meet at the beginning of shen shi¹¹.

Lin Xizhao informed the steward, then left the residence with Qu Sheng and Lin Xirui. As they neared Houxiang Tower, they saw the Zhao Residence carriage.

Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying got out of their carriage and were pulled up into Lin Xizhao’s. The group sat in silence until they arrived at Houxiang Tower, where everyone except Lin Xirui put on a weimao¹².

Lin Xirui got out of the carriage first. He went inside to book a private room before coming back out to lead his three older sisters and Qu Sheng into Houxiang Tower.

The moment she entered the private room, Zhao Jiayu took off the cumbersome weimao.

Lin Xizhao went to help Qu Sheng take hers off, tidying her hair. When she was about to remove her own, she found Qu Sheng’s hands reaching toward her chin.

“Let me help you, jiejie.” Qu Sheng mimicked Lin Xizhao’s gentle movements, carefully untying the ribbon of her weimao. Her gaze was fixed intently on her chin.

When the weimao was untied, Qu Sheng couldn’t help but look up at Lin Xizhao, who happened to be looking right at her. Their eyes met for an instant. Lin Xizhao’s lips curved into a smile, and she said softly, “Alright, I can do it myself.”

Lin Xizhao untied her weimao, set it aside, and took her hand, leading her to a seat.

Once they were all seated, Lin Xirui called for the xiao’er¹³ to bring the dishes, affecting the air of a regular. After the xiao’er left the room, he didn’t forget to seek praise from Zhao Jiayu.

“How was that, Jiayu-jie? Did I sound convincing?” Like a young master who came here often.

Zhao Jiayu gave him an affirmative nod. Lin Xizhao and Xiao Bingying watched the two of them, smiling and shaking their heads.

Lin Xirui had already ordered the food, but after a long while, not a single dish had appeared, not even a plate.

Zhao Jiayu grew impatient and told Lin Xirui to go hurry them along.

Lin Xirui was gone for a long time. When he finally returned, he had a sour look on his face. “The signature dishes we ordered were intercepted by someone surnamed Song. What rotten luck!”

“Surnamed Song? Which one?” It was Zhao Jiayu’s first time here, and their food had been snatched away. Hearing Lin Xirui’s words, she shot to her feet.

“Jiayu, don’t cause trouble.”

Zhao Jiayu had a fiery temper, and Lin Xizhao felt she had to remind her.

“How much longer until it’s our turn?” Lin Xizhao asked her brother.

Lin Xirui, still fuming, replied dejectedly, “They said several other parties are in line now. It’ll be a while before it’s our turn.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao guessed it was because they hadn’t revealed their identities.

Most of the people who came here were officials. Wealthy merchants could afford it, but they wouldn’t dare to contend with officials, to say nothing of the fact that their group consisted of women.

“Ajie, what should we do?” Lin Xirui was at a loss. There was no telling how long they would have to wait. Should they wait or not?

“It’s alright, let’s just wait a bit,” Lin Xizhao said soothingly. The restaurant was busy; she trusted the kitchen would serve the food as quickly as possible.

Hearing this, the others could only sit down and wait. But after another two ke¹⁴, the food still hadn’t arrived.

Zhao Jiayu once again sent Lin Xirui out to hurry them. This time, Lin Xirui brought the xiao’er back with him.

Everyone turned to watch as the xiao’er approached with an apologetic smile plastered on his face.

“Ajie, let’s not eat here. Let’s go,” Lin Xirui said. He didn’t dare cause trouble and had been polite in his speech, just as Lin Xizhao had told him.

“My esteemed guests, I am truly sorry, but today’s signature dishes are all sold out. Perhaps you could come back another time?” The xiao’er wore an apologetic smile, but his words were extremely grating.

“What do you mean, sold out?” Zhao Jiayu stood up, her voice loud and filled with indignant disbelief.

The xiao’er bowed low. “It’s like this, miss¹⁵. Today—”

“Alright, cut the nonsense. Everyone knows Houxiang Tower never runs out of ingredients. You have enough to serve guests right up until curfew. Who do you think you’re fooling?” Zhao Jiayu’s disbelief had turned to certainty.

The others glanced at Zhao Jiayu, then back at the xiao’er.

“Miss, we also—”

“Is it that someone doesn’t want us to eat, is that right?” Lin Xizhao asked directly, seeing the xiao’er was about to spin another lie.

Hearing her, the xiao’er looked at Lin Xizhao and stood there with an awkward, apologetic smile. The answer was self-evident.

“It’s that person surnamed Song, isn’t it?” Zhao Jiayu had guessed it the moment Lin Xirui mentioned their bad luck. Surnamed Song—wasn’t the Earl of Yongshen surnamed Song?

Who else would dare to be so blatant? It had to be them. Lin Xirui must have been recognized when they came in.

This was clearly a deliberate provocation.

The corner of the xiao’er’s eye twitched. He didn’t dare to answer.

“I’m going to find him!” Zhao Jiayu was furious. She was about to leave the table but was pulled back by Xiao Bingying.

Xiao Bingying shook her head at her and whispered, “Don’t cause trouble.”

“Then let’s come back another day,” Lin Xizhao said in a normal tone, showing no signs of anger.

Zhao Jiayu was fuming, but with Xiao Bingying holding her back and Lin Xizhao giving her a look, she could only swallow her anger and turn her head away.

A moment later, they had all put their weimao back on. After exchanging glances, Lin Xizhao said, “Let’s go.”

They left the room. As they were passing by other private rooms, one of the doors opened from the inside.

They paid it no mind and were about to walk past when someone spat in their direction.

“Pah! What kind of trash thinks they’re worthy of eating here.”

The speaker was the second son of the Earl of Yongshen, Song Ziqian¹⁶.

Hearing his voice, Zhao Jiayu stopped in her tracks. But before she could even steady herself, Xiao Bingying, who was behind her, half-supported and half-pushed her, forcing her to keep walking.

Once they were out of the restaurant, Zhao Jiayu couldn’t help but spit back onto the ground.

“Pah, what a piece of work! Bullying people too much¹⁷!”

“Alright now, let’s go to the small courtyard. You still have wine stored there. You can drink your fill tonight,” Lin Xizhao said in a gentle voice, trying to calm Zhao Jiayu’s anger.

Seeing that Lin Xizhao didn’t seem the least bit angry, Zhao Jiayu felt even more sorry for her.

Lin Xizhao’s birth mother had been killed by their family. And although Yu-shi was someone for whom even death would not expiate her crimes¹⁸, she was still Lin Xirui’s birth mother. That family had caused the deaths of two people in the Lin family, and now they were acting this arrogantly. She knew Lin Xizhao and Lin Xirui must be feeling awful.

Zhao Jiayu’s anger subsided. She followed the others into the carriage, and once they arrived at the small courtyard residence, Lin Xizhao ordered the servants to prepare food and wine.

But before long, a guest who rarely visited arrived.

The fourth young master of the Marquis Qu Residence, Qu Yu.

When Qu Yu appeared before them carrying the signature dishes from Houxiang Tower, Zhao Jiayu could hardly believe her eyes.

“It’s real. Stop rubbing, you’ll hurt your eyes,” Qu Yu said with a smile, handing the tiered food box to a servant. “It’s still warm. You all should eat while it’s hot.”

“Brother, stay and join us,” Lin Xizhao called out as Qu Yu was about to leave after dropping off the food.

Qu Yu turned back. His gaze first fell on the uncomfortable-looking Zhao Jiayu, then he said, “I—”

“Stay,” Zhao Jiayu also urged him to stay. There was already one man here; one more wouldn’t matter.

Qu Yu was about to say he had other matters to attend to, but hearing Zhao Jiayu’s request, the corner of his lips curved up. “In that case, to be respectful is not as good as to obey¹⁹.”

Qu Yu stayed and sat with the others. During the banquet, everyone noticed that Zhao Jiayu was unusually well-behaved and didn’t even drink much wine.

After noticing this peculiarity, Qu Sheng observed the fleeting glances exchanged between her brother and Zhao Jiayu. Seeing that everyone else at the table was already used to this strange sight²⁰, she guessed there was some connection between Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu.

But she wasn’t yet clear on the exact nature of that connection.

The banquet was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. Qu Yu was not one to be shy around strangers, and these were all familiar faces anyway. Although they were all young women, Qu Yu met with them frequently because of Qu Sheng, and over time, he had come to be seen as a sort of older brother to them all.

When the banquet ended, Qu Yu offered to escort Xiao Bingying and Zhao Jiayu back to their estates. Neither of them refused, and Lin Xizhao didn’t voice any objections.

However, before leaving, Qu Yu spoke a private word to Qu Sheng: “Don’t worry, Third Brother is standing guard over there. They won’t get away.”

Guarding what? Naturally, he was guarding Houxiang Tower, waiting for the Song family members to walk right into their trap.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Jiejie, I could feast on you forever and never tire of it. Can you let me have a bite?”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

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