The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 49

Music on the Strings, Wine in the Cup.

As Qu Sheng listened to Zhao Jiayu’s words, her heart still hesitating, Lin Xizhao came in from outside.

Lin Xizhao was wearing loose pajamas. Entering the room, she saw the two of them looking at her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Seeing her savior had arrived, Zhao Jiayu hurriedly walked a few steps to Lin Xizhao’s side and said, “You’d better do something about your little Sheng’er! She actually wants to make me sleep on the floor!” Just now, seeing Qu Sheng remain silent, Zhao Jiayu had guessed that Qu Sheng truly didn’t want her on the bed¹, so she preemptively accused Qu Sheng to get the upper hand.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng glanced sideways at Zhao Jiayu and lowered her eyes. That was what she thought in her heart, but she hadn’t said it.

Qu Sheng remained silent, and Zhao Jiayu didn’t gain an inch to advance a foot². Seeing the two of them like this, Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved as she said, “How could Sheng’er let you sleep on the floor?” Lin Xizhao walked a few steps toward the door and said to the people outside, “Bring it in.”

Zhao Jiayu and Qu Sheng simultaneously looked toward the door of the inner room. Several maidservants carried in a small bed and entered the room.

“You’re not going to make me sleep on this, are you?” Zhao Jiayu watched the entering maidservants lay out the bedding, surprised that neither of these two wanted to sleep in the same bed with her. “You two…” Zhao Jiayu clutched her chest, feigning a heartbroken expression, and said, “To think that I, Zhao Jiayu, have been brilliant all my life, only to be so careless in making friends.”

Seeing Zhao Jiayu’s playful antics, Lin Xizhao laughed and said, “Alright, I’ll sleep on this. You and Sheng’er can sleep together.”

Qu Sheng didn’t let Zhao Jiayu on the bed, most likely because she felt the bed was too small, or perhaps because she had never slept with two other people before. When she had gone to bathe earlier, she had someone prepare this small bed.

“That’s more like it.” Without another thought, Zhao Jiayu got onto the bed where Qu Sheng was sitting. Qu Sheng also subconsciously moved away, making room for her.

Actually, Zhao Jiayu wanted to lie with Lin Xizhao, but in front of Qu Sheng, she was too embarrassed to say it out loud.

After the maidservants left, Lin Xizhao lifted the covers and got onto the small bed. When she glanced sideways at Qu Sheng, Qu Sheng was still sitting up, unwilling to sleep, and wouldn’t look at her.

Zhao Jiayu, however, wasn’t so fussy. She lay down as soon as she got on the bed. Lying on her side, she saw Lin Xizhao looking in her direction, and followed her gaze to turn and look at Qu Sheng.

“Little Sheng’er, aren’t you sleepy?” Zhao Jiayu asked deliberately.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng lowered her head, her gaze flickering. She glanced sideways at Zhao Jiayu, and her peripheral vision caught Lin Xizhao looking at her.

Qu Sheng didn’t answer Zhao Jiayu. After meeting Lin Xizhao’s smiling gaze, she pulled the covers over and lay down.

The lamp had been extinguished for a while. As Lin Xizhao was drifting off to sleep, she suddenly felt something staring at her. When she opened her eyes in the dim night, trying to see what it was, a familiar little one appeared in her arms.

Qu Sheng was kneeling on Lin Xizhao’s small bed, nestling her head in Lin Xizhao’s embrace. Her voice was soft and sweet, “Jiejie.”³

Lin Xizhao was stunned for a moment. She didn’t know how long Qu Sheng had been standing by her bed. Reaching out, she felt that her body was a little cool, and hurriedly lifted the covers to pull her into the quilt.

“What’s wrong?” Lin Xizhao asked in a small voice.

Qu Sheng nestled in Lin Xizhao’s embrace without speaking. She couldn’t very well say she only wanted to sleep with her, could she? Lying in the fragrant embrace, Qu Sheng chose silence. As long as the goal was achieved, it was fine. Being in the same room but unable to touch her, it felt like something was scratching inside Qu Sheng’s heart.

Lin Xizhao gently patted Qu Sheng’s back, thinking she had come over because of a nightmare, and felt a pang of heartache for her.

After lying down, Qu Sheng made no more movements. Lin Xizhao sensed that Qu Sheng seemed to have fallen asleep and looked down at her. And just then, Zhao Jiayu on the large bed couldn’t help but yawn.

Hearing the sound, Lin Xizhao knew Zhao Jiayu wasn’t asleep yet. She looked up and asked in a small voice, “Jiayu, why are you still awake?”

Hearing Lin Xizhao ask her, Zhao Jiayu thought about how sneaky Qu Sheng had been just now, getting off the bed and standing by Lin Xizhao’s bedside, looking like she wanted to get on but didn’t dare to. She found it a bit strange.

“Little Sheng’er is asleep?” Zhao Jiayu asked in return.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked down at Qu Sheng again, hummed softly in affirmation, and said, “What did you want to say to me?”

Zhao Jiayu smiled embarrassedly at her words. She knew that Lin Xizhao knew she had something she wanted to say.

Zhao Jiayu propped herself up and sat up, not daring to light a lamp. The moonlight entered through the window, so she could still make out nearby objects.

Zhao Jiayu pondered for a long time before speaking in a small voice, “I’m a little scared.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked at Zhao Jiayu with some confusion. Her voice was gentle, for fear of waking Qu Sheng who was already asleep in her arms, as she asked, “Scared of what?”

Zhao Jiayu thought for a moment and said, “I’m afraid of marrying into the Qu family.”

The Qu family, like hers, was a family of military officials for generations, but the Qu family held the rank of Marquis⁴. Although Qu Yu wasn’t Qu Jinian’s son, she had heard that the people of the Qu family were ruthless and merciless in their actions. She had only heard this from her own mother before the engagement was settled.

Her mother had said that when she arrived at the Qu family, she must serve her parents-in-law properly and obediently, that she could no longer be as willful and reckless as before, that she must consider the Qu family’s reputation, and that she must not do anything to bring shame to the Qu family, and so on.

Listening to all this, Zhao Jiayu no longer wanted to marry Qu Yu. After the betrothal gifts were sent, this thought became stronger and stronger.

“Are you worried you’ll be bullied in the Qu family?” Lin Xizhao asked softly.

Zhao Jiayu didn’t speak. Being bullied was a small matter; with her unrestrainable personality, she was afraid of bringing shame to the Qu family.

“You won’t be. Yimu⁵ and Third Aunt are both very easygoing. The people of the Qu family are also very reasonable.” Lin Xizhao spoke of the Qu family as she had experienced it.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu looked up at her, ignoring Lin Xizhao’s answer. After a long while, she asked tentatively, “If I call off the engagement now, is it still in time?”

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Early in the morning, Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao got up and went out. Zhao Jiayu slept alone on the large bed until the sun was three poles high⁶. She got up, yawning, and looked at the neatly folded bedding on the small bed, muttering to herself, What’s so good about two people sleeping together.

A while after Zhao Jiayu woke up, maidservants came in from outside to serve her in washing up and dressing her hair. The time for the morning meal had already passed. When Lin Xizhao heard from a servant that Zhao Jiayu was awake, she had the kitchen bring the food over.

There wasn’t much to handle in the residence at the moment, but if the two of them were in the room, they would certainly disturb Zhao Jiayu, so they were each reading a book in the heated pavilion⁷.

Just as the food was all served, Lin Xizhao brought Qu Sheng back to the room. When Qu Sheng looked at Zhao Jiayu, there was a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

Last night, when Lin Xizhao and Zhao Jiayu were talking, she hadn’t been asleep; she had been listening to their conversation the whole time.

She was quite surprised that Zhao Jiayu wanted to call off the engagement. Her Fourth Brother was indeed like a child sometimes, but he was very reliable when it came to doing things. Zhao Jiayu was worried that after the novelty of her wore off for Qu Yu, he would grow tired of her, but she, on the contrary, felt that wouldn’t happen.

As long as Qu Yu got his hands on a cherished object, he wouldn’t let go until death, so how could one even speak of growing tired of it over time? However, if Zhao Jiayu insisted on calling off the engagement, she thought Qu Yu would let her go, and their Qu family wouldn’t cling on, much less slander her for it.

“Hey, come sit and eat with us,” Zhao Jiayu said while eating, beckoning to Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng who had just entered the room.

Lin Xizhao led Qu Sheng to a seat and said, “We’ve already eaten.” They had eaten, but she had specially instructed the kitchen to prepare some softer foods for Qu Sheng, in case she saw Zhao Jiayu eating and got greedy again.

However, after Qu Sheng sat down, she only glanced at the food and showed no intention of picking up her chopsticks.

“Then I won’t be polite,” Zhao Jiayu said with a smile, and began to eat casually as if she were in her own residence.

Lin Xizhao watched Zhao Jiayu eat, then glanced sideways at Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng was just staring at the cup in front of her, not even looking at the dishes on the table. After a few bites, Zhao Jiayu smiled and picked up a piece of soft and crispy sticky cake for Qu Sheng.

“Look how much Jiayu-jiejie dotes on you. She remembers you love to eat this,” Zhao Jiayu said with a smile.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked up at Zhao Jiayu but didn’t eat it.

“What’s wrong with her today?” Zhao Jiayu asked, puzzled. In the past, she would eat almost anything given to her. Today was a bit strange.

“You don’t want to eat it?” Lin Xizhao asked softly.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao and nodded. Seeing Qu Sheng’s serious expression, Lin Xizhao subconsciously thought that Qu Sheng was sick. She raised her soft fingers and placed them on Qu Sheng’s forehead.

Lin Xizhao compared it with the temperature of her own forehead and felt no signs of a fever. She asked, “Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Qu Sheng saw that Lin Xizhao kept asking about her health and figured she had misunderstood that she wasn’t eating because she was sick.

“Sheng’er has grown up,” Qu Sheng explained.

Yesterday, Zhao Jiayu had said her mouth only knew how to eat, but Lin Xizhao had said she was still young. Her age was a bit younger compared to theirs, but she didn’t want to admit it.

She didn’t know why she was like this, but a voice in her heart told her that Lin Xizhao wouldn’t like a child, especially one like her who only knew how to eat.

Hearing Qu Sheng’s words, Zhao Jiayu laughed out loud and said, “You still have to eat even if you’ve grown up. Don’t tell me you’re going to drink the northwest wind⁸ now that you’re grown up?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng stared at Zhao Jiayu. After a long moment, she lowered her head, chastened by Zhao Jiayu’s words.

Lin Xizhao thought back on the events of the past two days and suddenly remembered that yesterday she had said Qu Sheng was young, and Zhao Jiayu had said she only knew how to eat.

“Our Sheng’er has grown up, but this is also the time when your body is growing. You have to eat more to grow taller, so you can protect jiejie,” Lin Xizhao said softly, her eyes curving into a smile.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked sideways at Lin Xizhao. Their eyes met for a long time, and Qu Sheng drew gentleness and doting affection from her gaze. She looked down at the soft cake in front of her, picked up the nearby chopsticks, and began to eat.

Her body had indeed been growing continuously. In just the one year she was away from Lin Xizhao, she had already become as tall as her.

Seeing Qu Sheng start to eat, Lin Xizhao felt much more at ease. She just didn’t understand why Qu Sheng wanted to prove to her that she had grown up. Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng and Zhao Jiayu eat, pondering for a long time without coming to an answer.

After she had eaten and drunk her fill, Zhao Jiayu bid farewell and left. She had been out for a whole day yesterday, and if she didn’t return to her residence today, her mother would probably punish her.

After Zhao Jiayu left, Lin Xizhao had someone clear the dining table. She had barely sat down for a moment when someone from the accounting office⁹ came to report that Lin Xikuan wanted to withdraw silver from the accounts, and in Lin Jianhai’s name at that.

Lin Xizhao looked at the reporting subordinate, lowered her eyes, and pondered for a few moments before saying, “Give it to him.”

Hearing this, the subordinate raised his head and looked at Lin Xizhao in confusion, saying, “Eldest Miss…”

“It’s fine. Just act as if I don’t know,” Lin Xizhao said, her brow smoothing out.

Although the subordinate was puzzled, he accepted the order and went out. Lin Xikuan waited in the accounting office for a long time before the subordinate in charge of the silver brought over a bank draft¹⁰ for one thousand liang¹¹ and said respectfully, “Apologies for keeping the Second Young Master waiting. The Eldest Miss was going over the accounts the other day, so these bank drafts were gathered up.”

Hearing this, Lin Xikuan’s gaze froze for a moment. He coughed lightly to ease his inner nervousness, reached out to take the bank draft, and said, “It’s no bother. Father isn’t in a great hurry.”

After speaking, Lin Xikuan looked down at the bank draft in his hand, then secretly glanced at the subordinate standing beside him before turning and leaving.

Lin Xikuan returned to his own courtyard, changed into a set of magnificent clothes, and went out without taking any servants.

After Lin Xikuan left, Lin Xizhao had Lin Xirui follow him. It wasn’t until evening that Lin Xirui sent someone back to say that Lin Xikuan had gone to a small residence in the capital.

Lin Xirui didn’t dare to go in and could only wait outside. Upon receiving the news, Lin Xizhao furrowed her brows, guessing in her heart, Could it be that he’s keeping a mistress?¹²

At Lin Xikuan’s age, it was time for him to get married. However, Lin Jianhai’s intention was to wait until Lin Xikuan passed the imperial examinations in three years, and then find a marriage match for him, as he would be able to pick a better match that way.

Lin Xizhao thought it over and over, unable to understand why Lin Xikuan would do such a thing. Once this matter was discovered, even if he entered the top three ranks¹³, it was likely that few noble families would want to marry their daughters to him.

As Lin Xizhao was frowning in thought, another person came back to report that Xiao Yaocai had also entered the residence.

Darkness had already fallen. Lin Xirui had not returned, nor had he sent anyone else back with a message. Lin Xizhao was getting anxious.

Things had been a bit unsettled outside recently. Worried, Lin Xizhao could only have Feng Qi go and call Lin Xirui back first.

After Feng Qi left, Lin Xizhao felt restless whether sitting or standing¹⁴. She only breathed a sigh of relief when Feng Qi returned with Lin Xirui.

“Ah Jie¹⁵, why did you call me back in such a hurry?” Lin Xirui asked as soon as he entered the room.

“It’s not peaceful in the capital recently. I’m not at ease with you being outside,” Lin Xizhao said truthfully.

Lin Xirui nodded at her words and said, “When I was coming back just now, I saw another woman enter that residence. It seems Xiao Yaocai called for her.”

“A woman?”

Hearing Lin Xirui’s words, it seemed to confirm her suspicion. Lin Xikuan had likely found a mistress through Xiao Yaocai. “Did you get a clear look at her appearance?”

Hearing this, Lin Xirui shook his head and said, “It was too dark, I couldn’t see clearly. But from her figure, she looked quite good.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao stared at Lin Xirui for an extra moment. Lin Xirui realized he had misspoken and quickly covered his mouth with his hand, saying, “I just think she must be quite good-looking.”

Both her posture and her movements were like those of an eldest miss from a family of scholarly fragrance¹⁶ or an official’s household.

Listening to Lin Xirui’s explanation, Lin Xizhao nodded and told him to return to his own courtyard. Now that she knew what Lin Xikuan was up to, it would be easier to handle. However, for this matter, she couldn’t step forward herself; she had to let Lin Jianhai do it.

As for how to do it so that Lin Jianhai would persuade Lin Xikuan calmly, she had to think it over carefully.

After Lin Xirui left, Feng Qi stood outside and knocked on the door.

Lin Xizhao went to open the door. Seeing that Feng Qi had something to say, she asked warmly, “Is there anything else?”

“Eldest Miss, Miss Bingying went over as well.” Lin Xirui doesn’t know martial arts, so naturally, he wouldn’t have noticed someone on the roof of another building. Plus, it was dark, so even if Lin Xirui’s eyesight was excellent, he wouldn’t have been able to see.

Upon hearing Feng Qi’s words, Lin Xizhao knew without thinking that the woman Lin Xirui had mentioned was Cheng Xi.

“Feng Qi, go to the Zhao Residence at once and bring Jiayu over.” Lin Xizhao couldn’t leave the residence at this moment. If she went out, Qu Sheng would surely follow, and she couldn’t let Qu Sheng follow her into danger.

She didn’t know why Xiao Yaocai had brought the still-ill Cheng Xi over, but for him to make Lin Xikuan bring money over several times, it was certainly not for anything good.

Qu Sheng watched Lin Xizhao’s anxious expression, exchanged a look with Feng Qi, and then Feng Qi cupped his hands in a salute and left.

At dusk, Xiao Bingying had seen Cheng Xi drink her medicine. She had only been back in her courtyard for a short while when Chi Li came to say that Xiao Yaocai had taken Cheng Xi away.

Hearing that Cheng Xi had been taken out of the residence, Xiao Bingying asked what for. Chi Li said that Xiao Yaocai had promised not to make her dance or sing. She didn’t know what he was planning, so she could only come to Xiao Bingying for help.

Xiao Bingying knew that Xiao Yaocai had a private residence. After asking the servants at the residence gate and learning the direction he had gone, she knew he had probably gone to the residence there.

At this moment, Xiao Bingying had been on the roof for a long time. There was neither singing nor the sound of musical instruments from inside. Xiao Bingying really wanted to go in and see, but given her identity, it would be awkward to enter rashly.

Xiao Bingying stood on the roof, looking up at the half-hidden, half-revealed full moon. She had a feeling in her heart that Xiao Yaocai wouldn’t let Cheng Xi off so easily with just keeping him company.

Xiao Bingying rubbed her hands together. Although it was wrong to spy on others from a rooftop, she wanted to put her mind at ease.

Xiao Bingying lifted a roof tile slightly and looked down. The people in the room were drinking.

Cheng Xi sat before a table full of dishes, without a hint of a smile. Xiao Bingying glanced at the person beside Xiao Yaocai. Seeing the somewhat familiar figure, she looked closely and recognized him as Lin Xikuan.

Xiao Bingying’s brow furrowed slightly. Just yesterday, Lin Xizhao had asked her about Lin Xikuan’s contact with Xiao Yaocai, and today she had run into them.

Xiao Bingying squatted on the roof, looking down at the two men pushing cups and exchanging goblets¹⁷. The roof was a bit too high, and she couldn’t quite hear what the people below were saying.

She could only see that Xiao Yaocai kept urging Cheng Xi to drink.

Cheng Xi’s illness meant she couldn’t drink alcohol; Xiao Bingying had instructed her before. But looking at the situation below, if Cheng Xi didn’t drink, Xiao Yaocai wouldn’t let her off.

Xiao Bingying’s lips pursed. She watched as Lin Xikuan opposite Cheng Xi raised his wine cup. She didn’t know what he was saying, but Xiao Yaocai also chimed in with a smile. Cheng Xi looked up at Lin Xikuan, then picked up the wine cup in front of her and drank it down.

“Hey, that’s more like it. You have to give my brother some face. Come, come, drink another cup, good things come in pairs¹⁸,” Xiao Yaocai said, his face instantly lighting up with a smile as he watched Cheng Xi drink the wine. He raised his own cup again.

Cheng Xi looked at Xiao Yaocai and, after a moment, parted her lips to say, “Young Master Xiao, my body is currently not suited for drinking. I hope you can forgive me.” Cheng Xi’s voice had returned to its former state—clear and cold, with a sense of distance that made her hard to fathom.

Hearing Cheng Xi’s refusal, the smile on Xiao Yaocai’s face vanished. He said, “You are a person of my Xiao family, so you must listen to my words. Don’t be ungrateful when I’m being polite.”

Xiao Yaocai was always eloquent with beautiful women, but he had little interest in someone like Cheng Xi. She was like a block of ice, unable to even smile.

Hearing this, Lin Xikuan quickly mediated from the side, his voice gentle, “Brother Yaocai just wants to seek an auspicious sign. Since Miss Cheng Xi is unwell, then let’s not drink.”

Hearing Lin Xikuan’s words, Xiao Yaocai’s lips curled slightly. He said, “Since Brother Xikuan is so considerate of you, why don’t you play some music for him to liven things up?”

Hearing this, Cheng Xi’s eyes lowered slightly. She stood up, gave a slight bow to the two men before her, and accepted the pipa¹⁹ handed to her by a nearby maidservant.

Cheng Xi sat not far away, holding the pipa in her arms. After looking up at the two men, she strummed the strings with her fingertips. A long note entered the ear, followed by a cascade of notes, bit by bit, that plucked at the heartstrings²⁰.

The melody was cheerful, but the heart of the person playing the pipa was cold.

Xiao Bingying couldn’t hear what the people in the room were saying, but she could clearly hear the sound of the pipa. And Cheng Xi was sitting right below her.

Cheng Xi strummed the pipa strings, her eyes fixed forward. As Xiao Bingying shifted slightly, she dislodged a wisp of fine dust, which happened to float down right in front of Cheng Xi’s eyes.

The sound of Cheng Xi’s pipa didn’t stop. Seeing the two men at the banquet table talking to each other, she looked up and her eyes met Xiao Bingying’s.

The moonlight outside wasn’t bright, but the brilliant candlelight inside illuminated her face clearly. Cheng Xi recognized Xiao Bingying’s eyes.

After being discovered by Cheng Xi, Xiao Bingying quickly pulled back, avoiding Cheng Xi’s gaze. And Cheng Xi, as if she hadn’t seen her, continued to play the strings.

After one song was finished, Xiao Yaocai demanded another. Cheng Xi lowered her eyelids and could only move her fingertips again, playing a somewhat low and slow tune.

The strings vibrated, producing a desolate and sorrowful sound. Standing on the roof, Xiao Bingying listened for only a moment before looking down again. Cheng Xi played the strings, her expression one of indescribable loneliness, which made Xiao Bingying’s own heartache surface in her heart. But mixed in with this heartache was a pang of pity that even Xiao Bingying herself didn’t understand.

She felt sorry for Cheng Xi.

As Cheng Xi played the pipa, she slowly noticed a change in her body. Moving her fingertips took considerable effort. She thought it was due to her illness and tried her best to persevere, but when she felt her arms go weak and the pipa fell to the ground, she knew she had been drugged.

The pipa in Cheng Xi’s arms fell to the ground with a loud twang. Xiao Bingying tensed up, lying prone on the tiles. At that moment, she desperately wanted to go down and pick her up, but in the next instant, she saw Xiao Yaocai stand up from his seat.

“Someone, come! Miss Cheng Xi is unwell, she must be tired. Take her to a room,” Xiao Yaocai said. Two maidservants came in, helped Cheng Xi up from the ground, and led her out.

No longer able to see Cheng Xi, Xiao Bingying grew anxious. She got down from the roof, wanting to see which room they had taken Cheng Xi to.

Xiao Yaocai watched Cheng Xi being led out and said to Lin Xikuan with a smile, “From now on, this woman will be kept in this residence. Brother Kuan can come whenever you wish. However…” As he spoke, Xiao Yaocai pinched his thumb, index, and middle fingers together, signaling for money.

Xiao Yaocai had sold Cheng Xi, but he had sold her services, not her person.

Hearing this, a look of gratitude appeared on Lin Xikuan’s face. From the first time he saw Cheng Xi, feelings of admiration had grown in his heart. He had tried several times to tap on the side and hit from the flank²¹ for a chance to see her, only to be told by Xiao Yaocai that she was a woman bestowed upon him by His Majesty.

However, Xiao Yaocai hadn’t completely shut down Lin Xikuan’s improper thoughts. With money, anything was possible. Since Cheng Xi lived in their residence, eating their food and drinking their drink, she had to earn something for them.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “I only sleep with my wife.”

Zhao Jiayu: “I’ll sleep with the northwest wind!”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

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