The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 58

Jiejie Speaks Like This, Can Sheng’er Understand?

Lin Xizhao followed behind Jin Yunfei, watching Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu perform their greetings and offer tea. Afterwards, Zhao Jiayu sat to the side, getting to know the various uncles and elders of the Qu family.

When Zhao Jiayu sat together with Qu Yu and saw Lin Xizhao looking at her, the usually carefree and careless woman now wore a face full of shy bashfulness.

Lin Xizhao curved her lips, listening to the elders sitting together discussing domestic trivia. After the time it takes to drink a few cups of tea, Qu Sheng entered from outside. She behaved according to the rules and bowed to the several elders, then glanced at Zhao Jiayu before walking toward Lin Xizhao.

Zhao Jiayu watched Qu Sheng conduct herself this way and suddenly felt she was no different from an ordinary person. But seeing that foolish and silly appearance as she walked to Lin Xizhao’s side, she felt she had overthought it.

Lin Xizhao reached out and took one of Qu Sheng’s hands, pulling a handkerchief from her bosom, and asked in a low voice, “Where did you go? Why is there a smell on your hand?”

As Lin Xizhao spoke, she began to wipe Qu Sheng’s hand. The moment Qu Sheng drew near, Lin Xizhao smelled an indescribable odor on her body, and her hand used a bit more force while wiping.

Qu Sheng lowered her head to look at Lin Xizhao, saying nothing. The people in the room also all looked toward the two of them. Zhao Jiayu saw that these two were very casual within the main hall, without so many rigid rules, and realized that what Lin Xizhao had said about the Qu family being very easygoing was true.

The crowd spoke for a while longer in the room until a maidservant came in from outside to report that the morning meal was set. The entire large family went to the dining hall of the third branch to accompany Zhao Jiayu, this new wife.

At the dining table, Qu Yu cared for Zhao Jiayu with added attention, and several elders also spoke to her with warm voices and soft words. Since marrying over yesterday, aside from being a bit shy, Zhao Jiayu felt no discomfort.

Lin Xizhao, just as usual, occasionally fed Qu Sheng some food. Zhao Jiayu was already accustomed to this, but in front of the whole family, seeing Lin Xizhao feed Qu Sheng like this, she felt as though Qu Sheng was the one who had married into the Qu family, while Lin Xizhao was the one born of the Qu family.

Qu Sheng was just like her, like a little wife.

After the morning meal, these elders did not intentionally keep Zhao Jiayu to continue talking. The young couple was newlywed; presumably, there were many words or loving matters to say and do, so it was inconvenient to occupy their time.

Lin Xizhao held Qu Sheng’s hand as they walked toward the courtyard. A maidservant Zhao Jiayu had brought from the Zhao Manor ran over hurriedly, saying Zhao Jiayu invited them over.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao’s brows and eyes curved slightly. She said, “Please ask Fourth Sister-in-law to wait a moment. I will change Sheng’er into a set of clothes and then go over.”

The maidservant heard this and left with a smile.

Lin Xizhao found a clean set of clothes for Qu Sheng and helped her change. The smell on her body was truly too heavy; she did not know what substance it was. Qu Sheng did not say, and Lin Xizhao did not ask further, assuming she had accidentally stained herself somewhere in the estate.

After Qu Sheng finished changing clothes, Lin Xizhao carefully looked at her for a few glances and smiled. “Our Sheng’er looks good wearing anything.”

Even if coarse cloth and linen garments were worn on Qu Sheng’s body, Lin Xizhao would still feel it looked good.

Who asked her to like this little meimei so much?

Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng went to Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu’s courtyard. As soon as they entered the room, Zhao Jiayu hurriedly stood up and went over, saying, “Xizhao, I heard Qu Yu…”

Zhao Jiayu blurted out Qu Yu’s name, then suddenly remembered she was now married to him. She turned her head to glance at Qu Yu, whose brows and eyes contained a smile and a face full of doting affection. She pursed her lips, then changed her words, whispering, “My husband said, yesterday when Earl Yongshen knew we changed our route, his face turned green from anger. They waited there for a full shichen¹.”

Lin Xizhao actually did not know about this matter. After bathing yesterday, she had stayed by Qu Sheng’s side the whole time. Upon rising this morning, she followed Jin Yunfei to meet Zhao Jiayu, the new wife, so she had no origin from which to hear the news.

But seeing Zhao Jiayu’s high spirits at this moment, she knew she was no longer calculating the accounts of yesterday’s events. However, the Qu family would not let this go. It was heard that in court today, Qu Jinian united with General Zhao to impeach Earl Yongshen.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see it: Earl Yongshen had intentionally blocked the Qu family’s wedding procession.

The Emperor also issued a decree reprimanding Earl Yongshen, but since he had newly lost two sons, it was merely a few sentences of verbal admonishment with no substantive punishment.

When Qu Yu told Zhao Jiayu about this, he was worried she would be angry. Unexpectedly, after hearing it, she laughed out loud.

Lin Xizhao smiled and glanced at Qu Yu. Qu Yu nodded, and Lin Xizhao said, “Is that not because our Fourth Sister-in-law is intelligent?”

Earl Yongshen Manor had two sons die. Although Lin Xizhao did not feel pity for them, she would not drop stones on someone who had fallen into a well. But for them to send people to assassinate them, and then carry coffins to block the Qu family wedding procession, was truly hateful.

Hearing Lin Xizhao praise her, Zhao Jiayu grumbled in a low, ambiguous voice, “You are teasing me again.”

“Not at all. Yesterday, if not for Fourth Sister-in-law’s decisive policy, I fear a major incident would have occurred.” Lin Xizhao seemed to have already predicted that Earl Yongshen blocked the road solely to enrage the Qu family, thereby creating a conflict that would give him an opportunity to exploit.

Earl Yongshen’s two sons were trampled to death by horses. If one said it was retribution, Lin Xizhao did not believe it; she only felt it was a coincidence. But Earl Yongshen felt it was man-made. And this murderer was the person who had originally caused him to be imprisoned.

It was just that he had no proof or evidence. He complained to the Emperor, but due to insufficient evidence, the Emperor paid him no heed. This was what made him try, time and again, to lay his hands on the Qu family members and Lin Xizhao.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu did not argue with her further. Yesterday it was indeed she who ordered the change of route; she accepted Lin Xizhao’s praise.

Security within the capital had already been strengthened. Jin Yunfei had also told her there was no need to worry further. Marquis Qu’s Manor had also dispatched quite a few people along the streets; if she wanted to return to the Prime Minister’s Manor, she could do so at any time. Of course, wanting to stay at Marquis Qu’s Manor continuously was also permitted.

However, Lin Xizhao had to return to her manor for a trip. She needed to go back and verify the household accounts from yesterday one more time.

Lin Xizhao wanted to leave. Zhao Jiayu was somewhat reluctant, but mostly flustered. In this manor, it was only in front of Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng that she did not need to restrain herself. Once Lin Xizhao left, Qu Sheng would naturally follow. Once they left, her heart began to feel unsteady.

Seeing Zhao Jiayu pulling at her reluctantly, Lin Xizhao said with smiling eyes, “I will bring Sheng’er back later. Besides, isn’t Fourth Brother still here?”

They were newlyweds; Lin Xizhao could not keep disturbing them here. Even if Zhao Jiayu called her to come, how could she know if Qu Yu wanted her to stay here?

Zhao Jiayu had no method. She could not cling to Lin Xizhao and refuse to let go just because she married here. She could only ask them to return early.

Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng back to the Prime Minister’s Manor. On the road, she lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside. The streets of the capital today indeed had quite a few more patrolling soldiers.

Lin Xizhao lowered the carriage curtain. When she turned her head to look at Qu Sheng, she met Qu Sheng’s gaze, which had been sizing her up. Many times, Lin Xizhao had seen Qu Sheng look at her with this kind of expression. She had always thought she was overthinking it, but seeing it again today, she could not help but ask.

“Why is Sheng’er looking at me like this?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng converged her gaze slightly. Her lips moved, and she said, “Jiejie, don’t fear.”

Qu Sheng could tell that Lin Xizhao’s spirit was somewhat tight when outside, but her sizing up of Lin Xizhao just now was not because of this matter.

She was thinking about the fondness she expressed toward Lin Xizhao—why did Lin Xizhao feel it was merely the affection of sisters? Was it that Lin didn’t understand, or was she pretending not to understand?

But Lin Xizhao’s magnanimous gaze seemed to answer her again. Lin understood, but felt that such emotions could not exist between them.

Hearing Qu Sheng’s comfort, Lin Xizhao sat a bit closer to her, took the opportunity to touch Qu Sheng’s cheek, and curved her brows. “With Sheng’er here, Jiejie is not afraid.”

She knew Qu Sheng would protect her well, but she was also afraid Qu Sheng would be injured because of protecting her.

Arriving at the Prime Minister’s Manor, Lin Xizhao first went to pay respects to Lin Jianhai, then went to visit Lin Xirui, who had been drunk yesterday. Lin Xirui had drunk much more than Qu Sheng. It was unknown how these two people, who usually did not communicate much, could come together on the matter of wine.

Yesterday, whenever Qu Sheng raised her cup, Lin Xirui also raised his cup. At the time, Lin Xizhao feared Qu Sheng would hurt her stomach by drinking continuously, so she kept feeding her food. But every time the food was finished, Qu Sheng would raise her cup to drink with Lin Xirui again, causing Lin Xizhao to constantly feed Qu Sheng dishes.

This continued until Lin Xirui drank too much and could not even lift his arm. Qu Sheng ate the last dish Lin Xizhao clamped over with chopsticks and did not drink anymore.

The two drinking together was strange; no talking, only raising cups. Lin Xirui was also surprisingly cooperative.

At this moment, Lin Xirui had not yet woken up. Lin Xizhao ordered the kitchen to make some sobering soup and keep it warm, to be brought to him after he woke.

Afterward, the two went to the accounting room and verified the account books. Everything was done according to what she had originally said. She had handed the matters to Lin Xirui at the time; it seemed this didi was actually a good helper.

Returning to the courtyard, Lin Xizhao continued sewing the wrist guards she was making for Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng sat to the side reading a book as usual, but her habit of eating snacks had changed.

Qu Sheng’s food intake was still the same as before. When she started not eating snacks, Lin Xizhao always worried she would be hungry, but after observing for a few days, everything was as usual. Whether she ate them or not had no impact on Qu Sheng.

They had the noon meal at the Prime Minister’s Manor. By then, Lin Xirui had woken up. Lin Jianhai had gone to the Palace again, so there were only the three of them in the manor. After the noon meal, Lin Xizhao instructed Lin Xirui to look after the manor well, as she wanted to take Qu Sheng to Marquis Qu’s Manor.

“Ah Jie, can you not leave?” Lin Xirui said somewhat grievously.

Seeing her own brother like this, Lin Xizhao asked softly, “What is wrong?”

“If you leave, I am the only one in the manor. I…” He was not afraid, but when there were matters, he didn’t even have a person to discuss them with.

However, Qu Sheng heard the meaning outside the words. Originally, the manor did not only have Lin Xirui; there was also a Lin Xikuan.

Looking at Lin Xirui’s expression of wanting to speak but stopping, Lin Xizhao pondered for a moment and said, “Wait a few more days. Yuanri² is coming soon. I will beg Father to bring Xikuan back.”

Lin Xirui wanted to bring his Second Brother back, but when he spoke, his father simply would not listen. If Lin Xizhao went to speak, although it wasn’t certain to succeed, the odds of victory were ultimately greater.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s words, Lin Xirui said no more about not letting them leave. Lin Xizhao took Qu Sheng back to Marquis Qu’s Manor, and later went to Zhao Jiayu’s place for a trip.

However, Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu were practicing swords in the courtyard, so she and Qu Sheng had gone at an untimely moment. With the gentleman’s sentiment and the lady’s intent so strong, they could not disturb them for long; they spoke a few sentences and left with Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng was like a little tail; wherever Lin Xizhao went, she went. But before the evening meal, Qu Sheng disappeared for a period of time.

Lin Xizhao was speaking with Jin Yunfei. When she saw Qu Sheng return, she noticed she had changed her clothes and asked her what happened.

Qu Sheng had already thought of her phrasing when she came. She went to the kitchen and was bumped by a maidservant carrying soup.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao hurriedly stood up to check if Qu Sheng had any scald burns on her body, but Qu Sheng said it only stained a corner of her clothes.

Hearing it only stained a corner, Lin Xizhao set her heart down. But she smelled a faint odor, seemingly the same as the smell from the morning.

Lin Xizhao only worried about whether Qu Sheng was scalded and did not think much more. During the evening meal, when Zhao Jiayu and the others came over, Qu Yu’s hand seemed to have an injury.

Qu Sheng’s gaze stared at Qu Yu’s finger. When she lifted her eyes to look at Zhao Jiayu, Zhao Jiayu lowered her head and did not speak.

“Yu’er, what happened to the hand?” Jin Yunfei was the first to ask on everyone’s behalf.

Hearing this, Qu Yu hurriedly smiled. “While wiping the sword, the sword accidentally fell and cut me.”

Although Qu Yu’s nature was also a bit straight, he was very careful when treating weaponry. Since childhood, no one had heard of him being cut by a sword. On this day of great joy, why did he think of wiping a sword?

Everyone understood the implication and did not ask further. The Zhao family was a military lineage; Zhao Jiayu knew martial arts. If the young couple was bored and exchanged moves to compare martial arts, that was possible. Since it was a sparring match, accidental injury was naturally unavoidable. They felt heartache for Qu Yu, but they would not go blame Zhao Jiayu.

Seeing Zhao Jiayu keeping her head low, presumably she was extremely guilty. There was no need for them to add frost on top of the snow of her guilt. As long as Qu Yu did not care, outsiders could not say anything.

After the evening meal, Lin Xizhao went to sleep early. Qu Sheng got onto the bed, but did not lean into Lin Xizhao’s embrace. Lin Xizhao did not know what was wrong with her. She propped up her body and asked Qu Sheng, who was turned sideways facing inward, “Sheng’er, did Jiejie do something that made you unhappy?”

All this day, they had been together. Everything seemed to be ordinary matters. She could not think of anything she did that would make Qu Sheng displeased.

Qu Sheng would not behave this way without cause or reason; she was not without temper. She was submissive to Lin Xizhao, but that did not mean she never had moments of throwing a tantrum.

Lin Xizhao’s gentle tone caused a desire to rise in Qu Sheng’s heart—a heart that already birthed delusions from lying on the same couch as Lin Xizhao. She feared that physical contact with Lin Xizhao would cause her to repeat the events of last night.

Last night, it was the urging of alcohol that made her somewhat reckless. But tonight she was sober. Lin Xizhao did not suspect the emotions between them, so if she acted that way again tonight?

From the beginning, Qu Sheng felt Lin Xizhao also liked her. But these days, coupled with seeing Lin Xizhao’s reaction last night, she was unsure.

Hearing the voice, Qu Sheng turned her body over, her gaze covered with a layer of grievance. Seeing this, Lin Xizhao paused for a moment, then hurriedly leaned close, pulled her into her embrace, gently rubbed her shoulders and back, and asked with coaxing, fine whispers, “What is wrong?”

Qu Sheng did not speak. After the physical contact with Lin Xizhao, she arched her head into her embrace. Smelling the enticing fragrance, that unnamed thing in Qu Sheng’s heart began to scurry about wildly again.

Seeing Qu Sheng remain silent, Lin Xizhao could only hold her like this, her gentle pats turning into strokes. And this kind of action undoubtedly made Qu Sheng’s swaying heart lean toward the side of following her desires.

Qu Sheng raised her head, her eyes unusually bright. Lin Xizhao looked down for a glance, then leaned over to kiss her on the forehead.

She did not know what was wrong with Qu Sheng, but when girls grew up, they always had heavy hearts. Qu Sheng’s ability to express herself was weak to begin with; holding it in her heart like this, unable to say it, she feared she would be stifled and broken.

It was just that Lin Xizhao did not know that Qu Sheng’s current heavy heart was only related to her.

Lin Xizhao’s kiss was gentle. As she slowly withdrew and looked down at Qu Sheng, she realized Qu Sheng’s breathing had become slightly rapid.

Lin Xizhao was confused for a moment. Just as she was about to speak, the person in her arms rose up, pressed her beneath her body, and kissed her lips.

Qu Sheng’s kiss was somewhat fervent, as if releasing emotions accumulated for a long time.

Lin Xizhao’s lips were as soft as always, soft enough that Qu Sheng wanted to take a bite. But she knew she could not, because that would hurt Lin Xizhao.

Qu Sheng’s kiss went from reckless dominance at the start to a gentle softness later, mixed with her desire for and restraint toward Lin Xizhao.

Yes, she was restraining herself. If not for her self-control, she feared she would have already done even more things to take liberties with Lin Xizhao.

Not having Lin Xizhao’s consent was taking liberties; she knew this. But she was already restraining herself. She could not control that most primitive desire for Lin Xizhao at the bottom of her heart.

After the kiss, Lin Xizhao remained without any movement. She did not push Qu Sheng away, nor did she respond to her kiss. She just quietly waited for Qu Sheng’s kiss to end.

“Jiejie.” When Qu Sheng raised her head, looking at the unusually calm Lin Xizhao, it was as if the guilt in her heart struck her heavily, smashing her desire for Lin Xizhao into scattered fragments. Before she had time to pick them up, she saw Lin Xizhao lift a hand to touch her cheek.

“Sheng’er, hereafter, you cannot be like this again.” Lin Xizhao’s voice was gentle, containing neither shyness nor anger. Her calmness made Qu Sheng’s chest feel somewhat cold.

“Regarding matters of men and women, no one has ever taught you or me. But even without teaching, we must understand. This kind of kissing…” As Lin Xizhao explained to Qu Sheng, her gaze subconsciously glanced at Qu Sheng’s lips, which were somewhat overly red and vibrant due to kissing her. She continued, “Only after a man and woman marry is it permitted. Me and you, woman and woman, it is not permitted.”

Lin Xizhao gently explained that the thing Qu Sheng just did, kissing her, was only permitted between a man and a woman after marriage. She and her—it would not do.

Qu Sheng started out listening to Lin Xizhao’s explanation with a puzzled face, but the later words caused her to furrow her brows.

“Jiejie speaks like this, can Sheng’er understand?” Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng’s reaction, somewhat uncertain if Qu Sheng could comprehend what she said.

Qu Sheng’s tightly furrowed brows loosened slightly. She understood. Even if Lin Xizhao did not say it, she understood. But she still shook her head, pretending not to understand.

Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng shake her head and felt somewhat helpless. Just as she was about to find another way to explain it for Qu Sheng to hear, Qu Sheng kissed her again.

The movement was too fast; before Lin Xizhao could react, Qu Sheng had already pulled away.

Being kissed again, Lin Xizhao subconsciously closed her eyes slightly. When she opened them again, she saw Qu Sheng with a mischievous expression. Lin Xizhao’s gaze wavered. She pondered for several moments, and in the end, could only give a somewhat helpless light laugh.

Qu Sheng simply did not understand the matters of men and women. Her kissing like this was merely the liking between ordinary sisters. Let her be. It would be fine once she married a man in the future.

Lin Xizhao persuaded herself to accept Qu Sheng’s kiss, but her indulgence was not solely due to helplessness. Regarding such a kiss from Qu Sheng, she had a feeling she could not explain clearly. And it was this feeling that made her indulge Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng, having found comfort in those soft lips, finally settled down. Contrary to her previous state, she pulled Lin Xizhao back into her embrace. One of Qu Sheng’s hands rested on Lin Xizhao’s slender waist, while her lips fell once again between Lin Xizhao’s brows and eyes.

After the soft, warm sensation ended, Lin Xizhao lifted her eyes to meet Qu Sheng’s gaze. Seeing that the grievance in Qu Sheng’s eyes was gone, she could only helplessly laugh lightly, curve her brows, and nestle her head into Qu Sheng’s embrace.

---

Lin Xizhao slept somewhat unsteadily last night, and upon waking, her head was groggy. When helping Qu Sheng dress, she had to tie the sash several times before tying it well.

Qu Sheng lowered her eyes to look at Lin Xizhao’s absentmindedness. Knowing she had not slept well last night, she bent her waist and picked Lin Xizhao up.

“Sheng’er.” Being held by Qu Sheng like this, Lin Xizhao suddenly became a bit more spirited.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng lowered her eyes for a moment, carried Lin Xizhao back to the couch, and said slowly, “Rest.”

There was still a while until the morning meal time. The Qu family did not have overly strict rules; later, she would have someone bring the meal here.

Lin Xizhao knew Qu Sheng wanted her to make up for her sleep, but she had to return to the Prime Minister’s Manor today.

Just as Qu Sheng was about to cover her with the quilt, Lin Xizhao reached out and lightly grasped Qu Sheng’s hand, saying, “No more sleeping. Accompany Jiejie back for a trip in a while. Xirui is alone in the manor; I am somewhat worried.”

Previously, when Lin Xikuan was there, she didn’t think much of it. But now that Lin Xirui was alone in the manor, she was indeed somewhat uneasy. She had to think of a method to let Lin Xikuan return to the manor as soon as possible.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s gaze deepened slightly. After a moment, she let go of her hand.

Lin Xizhao got off the couch, and Qu Sheng actively fetched clothes for her. Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng, who was so capable of taking care of people today, and the corners of her lips hooked slightly. She reached out to accept the clothes, smiling as she freed one hand to stroke Qu Sheng’s soft, smooth cheek.

Qu Sheng’s face wore an obedient smile from the touch before Lin Xizhao let go to dress.

After using the morning meal, the two went to the Prime Minister’s Manor. Traveling back and forth these two days, although Lin Xizhao worried, she was not like a startled bird as before.

The capital’s patrols, for some unknown reason, had strengthened a bit more today.

The two returned to the Prime Minister’s Manor. Lin Jianhai was also in the manor. Seeing his daughter seek him out upon returning, he asked, “Does Zhao’er have matters to speak with Father about?”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao set down the hot tea the maidservant had poured for her and said, “Yesterday, Daughter sent someone to the Yu Manor to visit Xikuan-didi. I heard from the Yu family uncle that Xikuan’s illness is mostly healed. Right now, it is already the end of the year, and there are quite a few matters in the manor that need processing. In the past, Xirui and Xikuan helped Daughter together; this year, Daughter is afraid she cannot manage it all. I request Father’s permission to let Xikuan-didi return to the manor.”

Whether Lin Xikuan came or not, she did not mind. It was just that Lin Xirui wanted his brother back, and she was also afraid that during the Yuanri period, when she went to Marquis Qu’s Manor, chaos would arise in the manor.

It was fine for Lin Xirui to do some trivial things in the manor, but with Lin Xikuan there, the two discussing things together would be better.

In Lin Xizhao’s eyes, there was never a distinction between di and shu³; she treated both younger brothers the same. But the human heart is always the hardest to guess. Lin Xikuan viewed her as an enemy. It wasn’t that she didn’t mind at all. But living together as a family, and being the Eldest Sister, she couldn’t view him as an enemy just because he did so.

As long as Lin Xikuan stayed in the manor properly and did not stir up trouble again, she would treat him as she had before. But wanting to exchange hearts, as she did with Lin Xirui, was impossible.

Although Lin Xizhao was kind, she was not a person who allowed others to slaughter her.

---

The author has something to say:

Zhao Jiayu: “Doesn’t allow others to slaughter, but allows others to kiss, is it?”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

---

---