The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 47

Next time you’re hot, you must tell me promptly.

Lin Jianhai watched his daughter suddenly come over, his brow furrowing slightly. He said, “Zhao’er, move aside.”

Lin Xizhao heard this and said, “Father, Xi Kuan is still young. He just didn’t think things through for a moment.”

“He’s still young? Xi Rui is younger than him, how come he doesn’t spout nonsense like this?” As Lin Jianhai spoke, he angrily glared at Lin Xi Kuan, who had fallen to the ground and was clutching his burning hot cheek. “You slander your older sister like this, and she still protects you. Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?”¹

Lin Xi Kuan’s body flinched for a moment from Lin Jianhai’s roar. He looked up at Lin Xizhao’s back, then glanced at the nervous-looking Lin Xi Rui beside him.

“Second Brother, just admit your mistake to Father and Ah Jie²,” Lin Xi Rui persuaded.

It was best for the family to be harmonious. Lin Xizhao hadn’t blamed them or shifted her anger onto them just because their birth mother had colluded with others to kill her birth mother. What a good older sister she must be. In any case, he understood this very clearly. His older sister was his own flesh and blood. Although he was sad about his mother’s death, it couldn’t be blamed on Lin Xizhao.

Hearing Lin Xi Rui’s words, Lin Xi Kuan’s body trembled. With his eyelids lowered and his face full of defiance, he refused to speak.

Seeing Lin Xi Kuan refuse to repent, Lin Jianhai wanted to go around Lin Xizhao to teach him another lesson, but he was blocked by Lin Xizhao, who shifted her feet. “Father!”

When Lin Xi Kuan sensed that Lin Jianhai wanted to hit him again, he shuffled his body on the ground, shrinking back in fear.

“Second Brother!” Lin Xi Rui felt a sense of hating iron for not becoming steel³. He was clearly scared to death, yet he was still so stubborn.

Hearing Lin Xi Rui’s voice, Lin Xi Kuan looked up at him in a panic, then glanced at Lin Xizhao who was shielding him from Lin Jianhai. His lips trembled, and after a difficult swallow, he timidly said, “I’m sorry.”

“Who are you sorry to?” Lin Jianhai heard Lin Xi Kuan yield, but the anger in his heart had not yet dissipated. His own son didn’t cherish his precious daughter.

“I’m sorry, Ah Jie.” Lin Xi Kuan finished speaking hastily, raised his head again, and repeated, “Ah Jie, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that about you.” Lin Xi Kuan had still been in a daze when he was slapped, but when he heard Lin Jianhai mention “spouting nonsense,” he knew that his words about being disgusted by Lin Xizhao had been revealed to Lin Jianhai by someone.

“Xi Rui, quickly help your Second Brother up.” Lin Xizhao was still standing in front of Lin Jianhai, afraid that if she let her guard down for a moment, Lin Jianhai would slap him again.

Hearing this, Lin Xi Rui pressed his lips together for a moment, then bent down and helped Lin Xi Kuan up.

“Father, please calm down. Second Brother already knows he was wrong. He definitely won’t speak recklessly again in the future,” Lin Xi Rui promised on Lin Xi Kuan’s behalf.

Lin Jianhai glanced at him upon hearing this, then heard Lin Xi Rui say, “Sheng-meimei⁴ is still here. Don’t scare her.”

Just now, Lin Jianhai’s voice had been truly too loud. He had never seen his father get so angry.

Hearing this, Lin Jianhai and the others all turned to look at Qu Sheng, who was sitting at the dining table.

Qu Sheng was holding her chopsticks and eating by herself. When she saw Lin Xizhao looking at her, she lifted her bowl and said, “Jiejie⁵, eat this.” Qu Sheng didn’t seem to care at all about what was happening between them.

Lin Jianhai glanced at her, sighed, and said, “Go clean yourself up and then come back to eat.” This was said to Lin Xi Kuan.

Hearing this, Lin Xi Kuan lowered his head, bowed, and went out.

After watching Lin Jianhai sit down, Lin Xizhao said to Lin Xi Rui, “Xi Rui, help me look after Sheng’er. I’ll be right back.”

“You don’t need to go. Let Xi Rui go,” Lin Jianhai said. He knew Lin Xizhao wanted to get some ointment for Lin Xi Kuan.

Hearing this, Lin Xi Rui glanced at Lin Xizhao, acknowledged, and went out.

Lin Jianhai looked down at the dishes on the table and said, “For a while, Xi Kuan won’t know where he went wrong. It was all your Yu… his mother who spoiled him.”

Lin Xizhao sat down and looked up at Lin Jianhai upon hearing his words.

Lin Jianhai met her gaze and said gently, “You are the eldest sister. You must discipline him properly. If he speaks insolently again, just tell this father.”

After hearing this, Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes in thought for a few moments, then nodded.

The meal was tasteless, but Qu Sheng ate her fill. After Lin Jianhai left, and with Lin Xi Kuan and Lin Xi Rui not showing up for a long time, Lin Xizhao had the kitchen prepare some more food and brought it over.

After eating, Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng to continue going over the accounts. She took out the ledger that recorded Lin Jianhai’s withdrawals of silver and questioned the servant in charge of the money.

“Who did Father have withdraw the one thousand two hundred liang⁶ in silver notes this month?” Lin Xizhao looked up at the servant.

The servant in charge of the money heard this and lowered his head, saying, “Replying to the Eldest Miss, it was the Second Young Master.”

“Did he say what it was for?”

Hearing this, the servant said, “This little one does not dare to inquire about the Master’s affairs.”

Lin Jianhai indeed didn’t need to inform Lin Xizhao when withdrawing silver notes. Moreover, since it was a young master of the residence who said the Master had sent him, the servant naturally didn’t dare to ask any more questions.

“Understood. Next time, if Father doesn’t come to get it personally, you must ask me before you can release the silver,” Lin Xizhao instructed.

“Yes.”

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Lin Xizhao finished sorting through the ledgers and locked them up. When she turned to look at Qu Sheng, Qu Sheng was sitting obediently to the side, tending to the delicate, newly bloomed flowers in the room.

Although Lin Xizhao’s heart was somewhat troubled, seeing Qu Sheng like this, she couldn’t help but smile in an instant.

Lin Xizhao walked over, stood opposite Qu Sheng, and said softly, “I’ll have Feng Qi send you back later.”

The winter days grew dark early. After the incident with the assassins, Lin Xizhao always felt uneasy.

“No, I’ll stay with Jiejie.” Qu Sheng wouldn’t leave. The matter she needed to handle was already handled. Qu Jinian had already sent a carrier pigeon to several military commanders in Shoulin. It was estimated they would take another half a month to reach the capital. During this time, she would stay by Lin Xizhao’s side.

Lin Xizhao didn’t want to be separated from Qu Sheng either, but being with her was truly dangerous. It was one thing during the day, but once night fell, she couldn’t guarantee that those assassins wouldn’t come.

Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao caress her cheek, her soft lips slightly parted as she prepared to persuade her to go back. At that moment, Qu Sheng called out towards the door, “Feng Qi.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao glanced over.

Feng Qi pushed open the door and stood outside with his head lowered, saying, “Miss, the guards for the Eldest Miss’s courtyard have arrived.”

“Understood.” When Qu Sheng came, she had brought many guards, but during the meal, she had summoned many more from the residence, all so that Lin Xizhao wouldn’t make her go back.

Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng make these arrangements silently and let out a helpless, soft laugh. This little one’s mind is even more meticulous than my own.

In the evening, Lin Xizhao went to bathe. Qu Sheng followed her to the door of the washroom and, after watching Lin Xizhao go inside, she stood still.

Lin Xizhao let the maidservants help her remove her outer robe and asked casually, “Has Sheng’er gone back to her room?”

Another maidservant helped her hang the outer robe on a wooden rack, ran to the door, opened it to take a look, and came back saying, “Miss Sheng is sitting outside.”

Lin Xizhao’s hand, which was untying the sash of her middle garment, paused. She glanced towards the door, thought for a moment, and said, “Go let her in.”

Lin Xizhao knew Qu Sheng was worried about her, which was why she was waiting outside. A few days ago, if Qu Sheng hadn’t pulled her aside, she was afraid she would have long been pierced by a volley of arrows.

The maidservant received the order, pulled the door open, and went to call Qu Sheng.

“Miss Sheng, the Eldest Miss asks you to come over.”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng tilted her head slightly, glanced towards the room where Lin Xizhao was washing, and lowered her eyes in thought for a moment before asking, “Jiejie, is something the matter?”

The maidservant replied, “I don’t know. The Eldest Miss only said to have you go in.”

Qu Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. She stood up and followed behind the maidservant. As soon as Qu Sheng entered the washroom, she heard the sound of water. She saw a figure, illuminated by the candlelight, swaying on the screen. After the maidservant went in, Qu Sheng stood where she was, somewhat at a loss.

“Is that Sheng’er who came in?” Lin Xizhao asked after getting into the bathtub and settling down.

Qu Sheng heard the sound of water gradually quiet down. Hearing Lin Xizhao’s voice, she hummed softly in affirmation. But the sound was too quiet; Lin Xizhao didn’t hear it at all.

“It’s Miss Sheng,” the maidservant said with a smile as she went in.

Just now, the maidservant had seen Qu Sheng’s fair little face turn red in an instant when she looked at the screen.

“Sheng’er, just sit in the room. I’ll be done washing in a little while,” Lin Xizhao instructed.

Qu Sheng was worried about her, but it was freezing cold outside. What if she caught a chill?

Qu Sheng didn’t answer. It took a long while for her to calm down from her earlier fluster. She glanced at a nearby chair, sat down, and then stared fixedly at the floor.

On the other side of the screen, it was a different scene. Lin Xizhao tilted her neck back slightly, ladling water onto her shoulders and neck, and gently rubbing them.

When Qu Sheng’s ears caught the sound of water from inside, the blush that had just faded from her cheeks crept back up. No one knew what she was thinking, but it was most likely related to the spring scenery⁷ behind the screen.

Lin Xizhao’s bath was a bit quicker today. When she came out, she was still tying the sash at her waist.

Qu Sheng heard footsteps and looked up to see Lin Xizhao with her ink-black hair draping over her shoulders. She saw Lin Xizhao’s gaze searching for her, but after meeting her eyes for just a moment, she lowered her head again.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xizhao walked over and placed her fingers, warm from soaking in the tub, on Qu Sheng’s cheek. “Is it very hot in the room?”

Qu Sheng’s face was extremely red.

Qu Sheng stared at Lin Xizhao in a daze for a moment. When she saw Lin Xizhao stoop down to get a better look at her, she shook her head.

It’s not hot in the room, it’s hot in my heart.

Seeing Qu Sheng shake her head, Lin Xizhao touched her thick dress, thinking it was probably because the room was too warm.

“Wait for me a little longer,” Lin Xizhao said, walking over to the maidservant holding her clothes and putting on her outer robe.

Lin Xizhao simply tied her waist, then led Qu Sheng out. The temperature in the washroom was much higher than in the bedroom. After entering the room, Lin Xizhao didn’t have Qu Sheng take off her outer robe either.

She wiped her damp hair until it was almost dry before helping Qu Sheng take off her outer robe.

“Next time you’re hot, you must tell me promptly.” Lin Xizhao seemed a bit self-reproachful at this moment. She had always been considerate of Qu Sheng’s warmth and cold, but she had actually forgotten just now.

There had been too many troubles recently; she had indeed neglected Qu Sheng.

Regarding the assassins, although she hadn’t figured it out completely, in her heart, she already knew who it was. She hadn’t offended anyone, except for Earl Yongshen⁸ and Noble Consort Niangniang⁹.

The Qu family didn’t report it to the authorities; they naturally had their reasons. She didn’t ask them to report it because she felt it would be useless. Without any proof or evidence, Lin Jianhai wouldn’t support it either.

The main culprits who murdered her mother had not all received their due punishment, and now a rift had appeared between the siblings at home. If Lin Xizhao didn’t care about this younger brother, she could just let him cause trouble; if it got out of hand, Lin Jianhai would deal with him. But this was her own flesh-and-blood younger brother whom she had watched grow up since he was little. How could she watch him go astray?

One thousand liang of silver was not a large sum for their Prime Minister’s Residence, but lying like this was a problem of character.

Qu Sheng nodded, gazing at the almost imperceptible frown on Lin Xizhao’s brow. Her mood also grew somewhat gloomy along with Lin Xizhao’s.

Lin Xizhao put Qu Sheng’s outer robe away properly. Turning back, she saw that Qu Sheng was also frowning. She deliberately suppressed the gloomy air in her heart, raised her fingertip to Qu Sheng’s forehead, smoothed it out for her, and said, “Why is our little Sheng unhappy now, too?”

Lin Xizhao’s use of “too” was an admission that she herself was unhappy. Qu Sheng’s gaze followed Lin Xizhao’s finger downwards, then after a moment, she looked up and said, “Unhappy.”

“Jiejie is a little unhappy, but Sheng’er has to be happy, otherwise Jiejie will worry.” Lin Xizhao understood Qu Sheng’s words.

The “unhappy” Qu Sheng spoke of was referring to Lin Xizhao’s own unhappiness.

“I’m sorry, it was Jiejie who affected you.” Lin Xizhao told Qu Sheng to be happy, but how could she not know that her own mood always affected Qu Sheng?

Hearing this, Qu Sheng shook her head. Imitating Lin Xizhao, she raised her hand and gently placed her fingertip between Lin Xizhao’s brows, rubbing it softly.

“Jiejie is much happier with Sheng’er around, so don’t worry.” Lin Xizhao broke into a smile, not wanting Qu Sheng to be affected by her any longer. “Let’s go rest.”

Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng’s hand and led her to the side of the couch-bed.

Qu Sheng got onto the couch-bed first, moved towards the inside, and turned back to watch Lin Xizhao sit on the edge and lift her feet up.

“Get in.” Lin Xizhao lifted the quilt and let Qu Sheng lie down inside.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng gazed at Lin Xizhao, who was wearing a silky smooth nightgown. Her waist couldn’t be called enchanting at this moment, but the body she had uncontrollably imagined while in the washroom appeared in her mind.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, who was reacting too sluggishly today, and asked in a soft voice.

Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng looked up at Lin Xizhao’s questioning gaze, her throat bobbed for a moment, and she lay down.

As soon as Qu Sheng got under the quilt, she was swept into Lin Xizhao’s embrace. A warm fragrance accompanied by the fresh scent of flower petals rushed towards her, nearly making Qu Sheng, whose mind had already stopped its flights of fancy, forget to breathe.

The fragrance on Lin Xizhao’s body was the same as always, but to today’s Qu Sheng, it was like a catalyst, causing her heartbeat to continuously accelerate.

“What’s wrong with you today?” Lin Xizhao’s soft palm rested on Qu Sheng’s forehead, testing her temperature.

Touched by Lin Xizhao’s slightly cool palm, the improper things in Qu Sheng’s mind slowly disappeared.

“Sleep.” Qu Sheng didn’t answer Lin Xizhao’s question, pulling the quilt up over herself.

Lin Xizhao touched Qu Sheng’s slightly flushed cheeks. She felt that her forehead was a little warm, but not to the point of having a fever. Seeing Qu Sheng pull up the quilt, revealing two big eyes, she smiled and said, “Why are you so well-behaved today?”

She took the initiative to say it was time to rest; previously, it was always Lin Xizhao who said it first.

“Sleepy,” Qu Sheng said, making an excuse for her flustered state.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao chuckled softly and stopped deliberately teasing her. She moved her body closer, pressing against Qu Sheng.

“My Sheng’er is so warm,” Lin Xizhao praised Qu Sheng’s body temperature, which could always bring her warmth in the winter.

Of course, in the summer, Qu Sheng would also absorb the coolness from her body. Sometimes, in a daze, even if Lin Xizhao moved far away from her, Qu Sheng would still chase after her and press against her body.

Holding Qu Sheng, Lin Xizhao quickly fell into a dream. But in the middle of the night, Qu Sheng was woken up by Lin Xizhao’s urgent voice.

She looked at Lin Xizhao’s frowning brow and recalled the name she had just been calling out.

“Don’t hurt Sheng’er, I’ll go with you.”

Qu Sheng looked down at Lin Xizhao. Her damp eyelashes and tightly furrowed brow told her that she was having a nightmare again.

Only this time, the person injured in the dream was her.

“Jiejie.” The moment Lin Xizhao’s body twitched, as if she had moved suddenly in her dream, Qu Sheng hugged her.

Lin Xizhao was startled awake by the dream. When she woke up, her hands were holding a warm body, and tear tracks still remained at the corners of her eyes. Hearing Qu Sheng’s voice, she knew she had had a nightmare.

This dream didn’t just appear today; it had started after she and Qu Sheng encountered the assassins.

Holding the warm Qu Sheng, the panic and helplessness in the depths of her heart were slowly suppressed.

At this moment, Qu Sheng was also glad she had come along. Otherwise, on a cold night like this, Lin Xizhao would definitely have sat alone until dawn.

“I woke you up again.” Lin Xizhao waited a long while before speaking. Her voice sounded as if she had survived a catastrophe, yet hadn’t completely escaped the predicament.

Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng looked up. She looked at Lin Xizhao’s wet eyelashes, met her gaze for a few moments, and a voice in her heart urged her to slowly lean in.

Qu Sheng’s soft, warm lips drew near. Lin Xizhao closed her eyes lightly, feeling Qu Sheng’s concern. The terror caused by the dream was driven away by this warmth in an instant.

Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, who had kissed her eyes and was now looking up, still staring at her worriedly. Her eyes curved into a smile, and her voice, tinged with the gentleness of the night, said, “Jiejie is fine.”

Lin Xizhao had stopped having nightmares a long time ago. Although Qu Sheng had been away from her for a year, she had only found it difficult to fall asleep, and no terrifying things had entered her dreams.

Now, the nightmares had invaded again because she felt that the life of Qu Sheng, the person she cared about most, was under threat.

Seeing that the terror in Lin Xizhao’s eyes had vanished, Qu Sheng nuzzled her head against Lin Xizhao’s neck and shoulder.

Warm breath sprayed against her skin. Lin Xizhao felt a slight tickle and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh¹⁰, saying, “My Sheng’er is so delicate.”

A Qu Sheng who acted spoiled like a small child was a rare sight after she had grown up.

Qu Sheng sniffed the body fragrance from Lin Xizhao, which was even richer due to her light sweat. Before the presumptuous thoughts she only had for Lin Xizhao could even form in her heart, she heard Lin Xizhao’s laughter.

Qu Sheng hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, she subconsciously raised her head, a trace of embarrassment in her eyes.

Lin Xizhao met her gaze, the smile in her eyes obvious. She raised her slender fingers, caressed Qu Sheng’s slightly red cheek, and then rested them on the nape of her neck¹¹. Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a hint of the doting affection that Qu Sheng loved most. “Jiejie isn’t laughing at you. Jiejie likes this kind of Sheng’er.”

Lin Xizhao certainly admired the Qu Sheng who wielded blades and brandished spears, but she preferred this soft, glutinous, and childish Qu Sheng even more.

“Let’s rest.” Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, who was ceaselessly searching her face, and wiggled the fingers resting on the nape of her neck.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng hesitated for a few moments, then slowly nestled her head into the crook of Lin Xizhao’s neck again. But this time, she left a little distance.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng and adjusted her position to make Qu Sheng more comfortable.

Qu Sheng didn’t ask what Lin Xizhao had dreamed about, and Lin Xizhao didn’t try to recall it either. But in her sleep, the force with which Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng unconsciously tightened.

Early the next morning, while Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng were having their meal, Zhao Jiayu arrived at the residence. A servant brought Zhao Jiayu to the dining hall. With Lin Jianhai not present, Zhao Jiayu made herself at home as if it were her own residence and sat right down.

Seeing her arrive, Lin Xizhao asked with a smile, “What wind blew our bride-to-be here?”¹²

Zhao Jiayu was originally smiling and teasing Qu Sheng. After hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, she looked up and called Lin Xizhao’s name reproachfully, “Xizhao.”

Lin Xizhao smiled and stood up, ladled some congee into the bowl a servant handed over, and passed it to Zhao Jiayu. “Why didn’t Bingying come with you today?”

Zhao Jiayu always said that Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng were conjoined twins, and she and Xiao Bingying were no different. When going out, Zhao Jiayu would definitely drag Xiao Bingying along.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu’s face fell for a moment. “Don’t mention it. My Ah Jie has no room for me in her eyes lately.”

Lin Xizhao’s hands weren’t idle at all. After helping Qu Sheng by blowing on her congee to cool it, she looked up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhao Jiayu glanced at the two young masters of the Lin Residence. It wasn’t convenient to speak at the moment¹³. Lin Xizhao understood and didn’t ask any more questions. After they finished their breakfast and Lin Xi Rui and Lin Xi Kuan had left the dining hall, Zhao Jiayu began to chatter endlessly.

“I’ve gone looking for my Ah Jie these past few days, but she’s always busy. She doesn’t even have the time to spare to come here with me,” Zhao Jiayu said, feeling stifled.

“Is it because of Miss Chengxi?” Lin Xizhao guessed without needing to think.

Zhao Jiayu nodded. “You guys don’t know. My Ah Jie is inseparable from Miss Chengxi right now, wishing she could share the same bed and pillow with her.”

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s analogy, Lin Xizhao’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Has Miss Chengxi’s condition worsened?”

If not, Xiao Bingying couldn’t possibly be this busy.

Zhao Jiayu thought about when she went to see Xiao Bingying and also took a look at Chengxi, who was always lying on the couch-bed. The gloominess in her heart from Xiao Bingying not accompanying her was swept away in that moment. She nodded and said, “Ah Jie said Miss Chengxi’s illness is an accumulation over days and months¹⁴. It’s not something she got after coming to our Tiansheng, it’s just become more obvious here. To nurse her back to health will probably take a lot of time.”

“Then did you ask Bingying if she’s confident she can cure Miss Chengxi?”

Lin Xizhao wasn’t sure about the extent of Xiao Bingying’s medical skills. Since it was an illness that had accumulated over time, nursing it would be quite troublesome. She just didn’t know if Xiao Bingying was confident.

Zhao Jiayu shook her head. “I don’t know, I didn’t ask. But I see Ah Jie is always frowning, so I guess it’s a bit difficult.”

“Then did she call for a doctor?” Lin Xizhao asked again.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu shook her head, a complete know-nothing to the questions. She really didn’t know if Xiao Bingying had called for a doctor.

“How about this: you go to Bingying’s place and ask if there are any needed medicinal ingredients that are hard to buy.” She was worried that Xiao Bingying didn’t have the right medicine because of money issues.

As Lin Xizhao spoke, she remembered the ginseng she still had, a gift from her maternal uncle for her hairpin ceremony¹⁵.

She didn’t understand pharmacology, but she knew that this ginseng was a good item and might be of some help.

After speaking, Lin Xizhao ordered someone to go fetch that aged ginseng root.

If Lin Xizhao didn’t understand pharmacology, Zhao Jiayu understood even less. She looked at the big chunk of ginseng and asked, “Can I eat this thing?”

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s words, Lin Xizhao shook her head helplessly. “It’s not for you to eat. But if you want to eat it, I have another one. I’ll give it to you when you get back.”

As she spoke, Lin Xizhao began to urge Zhao Jiayu to hurry to the Xiao Residence.

“Hey, don’t be in such a hurry. I still have one more thing to say,” Zhao Jiayu said, a bit exasperated from being rushed by Lin Xizhao.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao asked, “What else is there?”

Zhao Jiayu glanced at the maidservants still standing to the side. Lin Xizhao understood and said to them, “You may all leave first.”

Zhao Jiayu watched the maidservants all leave, closed the door, and glanced at Qu Sheng, who was sitting to the side drinking tea without distraction, before saying to Lin Xizhao, “The day before yesterday, I saw your younger brother Xi Kuan standing with my cousin. They looked sneaky, like they were up to no good.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s brow furrowed slightly. She looked at Zhao Jiayu, seeming a bit disbelieving.

“Hey, I’m just telling you what I saw. You know what kind of person my cousin is. If something happens, don’t blame me for not reminding you.” Zhao Jiayu hurriedly absolved herself of blame for something that hadn’t even happened yet.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Wifey, I’m hot, I’m about to catch fire, come put me out.”

Lin Xizhao: “…”

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