The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 62

Sheng’er, Tonight, Will You—

Hearing Zhao Jiayu’s questioning and Lin Xizhao’s explanation, Qu Sheng sat with her eyes lowered, pondering for a moment before stepping out.

She only remembered Lin Xizhao helping her back; she could not recall anything that happened afterward. She needed to ask Feng Qi.

Qu Sheng left the room and saw Feng Qi not far away. She glanced back into the room, then turned and walked toward him.

“Miss.” Feng Qi bowed his head in greeting.

Qu Sheng looked at Feng Qi, then started walking toward a different area, with Feng Qi following closely behind. When they found a secluded spot, Qu Sheng stopped and turned to ask, “Do you know what time Xizhao returned to her room last night?”

“The Eldest Miss returned at the beginning of the Hai shi¹,” Feng Qi answered without hesitation. Every night, he waited until Lin Xizhao and the others had retired to their rooms to redeploy the guards to this area.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s gaze flickered. She asked again, “And what time did my Third Brother and Fourth Brother leave?”

“At the third ke² of the Xu shi³.”

“More than half a shichen⁴.” Qu Sheng murmured softly, “So what was she doing during that time?”

Feng Qi heard this, looked up at Qu Sheng, and after a moment’s thought, said, “Nothing at all.”

Qu Sheng’s face showed confusion. She did nothing for more than half a shichen?

“Then where was she?” Qu Sheng asked the crucial question.

Feng Qi stared at Qu Sheng for a few moments before replying, “The Eldest Miss stood in the courtyard the entire time.”

Qu Sheng frowned slightly, her eyes fixed on Feng Qi for a long while before she stopped questioning him. As Qu Sheng walked away, Feng Qi stood in place, watching her light but strong figure. He recalled the expression on Lin Xizhao’s face last night as she took off her thick outer robe and stood alone in the courtyard.

She seemed… very unhappy.

When Qu Sheng returned to the room, Zhao Jiayu was preparing to leave.

“Xiao Sheng’er, take good care of Xizhao. I will be back around noon.” The Marquis Qu Residence carriage was still waiting outside. It was inconvenient for Qu Yu to come over at the moment, so he was still in the reception hall.

Qu Sheng glanced at Zhao Jiayu but did not speak or nod. Seeing Qu Sheng’s somber mood, Lin Xizhao quickly spoke up to draw Zhao Jiayu’s attention. “You should go. Do not keep Fourth Brother waiting. I will be fine.”

Zhao Jiayu turned her head to look at Lin Xizhao. Seeing her lips, pale from the high fever, she let out a soft breath, her voice tinged with reluctance. “Then I am going. Wait for me to come back.”

Lin Xizhao’s eyes curved into a gentle smile, as if to soothe Zhao Jiayu’s worries. She nodded, her voice soft. “Go on.”

Zhao Jiayu rose and walked out. Qu Sheng neither saw her off nor looked at her. Her gaze was fixed solely on Lin Xizhao.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Qu Sheng’s gaze was neither smiling nor angry, and its inscrutable nature made Lin Xizhao a little uncomfortable.

At her words, Qu Sheng’s gaze softened for an instant. She moved closer to the edge of Lin Xizhao’s bed and helped pull the quilt up a little higher.

Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng get up and leave the room, her eyes lowered in thought. Could it be that Qu Sheng knows I caught this cold on purpose?

When Qu Sheng returned, she was carrying the tray of congee⁵ that a maid was supposed to bring. Seeing that Qu Sheng’s expression was still blank, Lin Xizhao guessed that she must know she had deliberately made herself sick.

“Eat your congee.” Qu Sheng placed the tray on the small table nearby, then walked over to help Lin Xizhao sit up.

The fever had left Lin Xizhao quite weak. Just the act of sitting up consumed a great deal of her energy, leaving her slightly breathless.

Lin Xizhao supported herself with one hand as Qu Sheng brought the small table over to her. She then picked up the bowl and blew on the congee to cool it.

“Red bean congee, with side dishes.” Qu Sheng’s voice was flat, but Lin Xizhao knew she was angry.

Qu Sheng cooled a spoonful and brought it to Lin Xizhao’s lips. Lin Xizhao knew she was in the wrong, but since Qu Sheng did not call her out, she could only pretend nothing was amiss. “I can do it myself,” she said.

As she spoke, Lin Xizhao raised her hand to take the bowl from Qu Sheng, but Qu Sheng moved it away.

Qu Sheng did not speak, only stared at Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze for a moment and bit her lip. When Qu Sheng offered the spoon again, she opened her mouth and ate.

Qu Sheng fed Lin Xizhao spoonful by spoonful, mimicking the way Lin Xizhao had cared for her, attending to her every need.

After Lin Xizhao finished the congee, Qu Sheng removed the small table from the bed and handed it to a maid who had just entered. Afterward, the two of them sat in silence.

Qu Sheng sat by the bed, her eyes fixed on Lin Xizhao, while Lin Xizhao kept her head down, unable to meet her gaze.

Qu Sheng did not know why Lin Xizhao had deliberately caught a cold last night, but she suspected it had something to do with her.

She did not know what she might have done or said last night to make Lin Xizhao act this way. But since Lin Xizhao was not saying anything, it meant there was still room for maneuver.

Qu Sheng knew that in Lin Xizhao’s eyes, she was currently a fool. Perhaps it was for this very reason that Lin Xizhao had not said anything explicit to her.

After sitting by the bed for a while, Qu Sheng got up and helped Lin Xizhao lie back down. She then had someone bring her a book and sat reading by the bedside. Lying on her side, Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng’s focused expression as she read and suddenly felt that her own actions had been a bit cruel.

Qu Sheng was only expressing her affection for her as an older sister, yet she had intentionally caught a cold to prevent her from kissing her like that. In the end, it was her own thoughts that were too sordid, but she had no other choice.

---

Zhao Jiayu returned to the Zhao Residence with Qu Yu. Xiao Bingying had been waiting to welcome her since early morning. Qu Yu stepped down from the carriage first, then helped Zhao Jiayu down before bowing to Xiao Bingying.

The moment she was on the ground, Zhao Jiayu looked up at the Zhao Residence plaque and smiled at Xiao Bingying. “It is a good thing both our families are in the capital. Otherwise, trying to come back during the New Year would take quite a few days.”

After returning the bow to Qu Yu, Xiao Bingying saw how happy Zhao Jiayu was and smiled along with her. “Yes. Gufu⁶ and Gumu⁷ are already waiting. Let us go inside.”

Zhao Jiayu’s eyes curved as she nodded, taking the initiative to take Qu Yu’s hand.

The three of them entered the residence and went to the dining hall in the inner residence. When Zhao Jiayu entered the room and did not see her mother, she asked Xiao Bingying, “Did you not say they were waiting? Where are they?”

Xiao Bingying smiled. “They will be here in a moment.”

Seeing Xiao Bingying being mysterious, Zhao Jiayu pressed her lips together to suppress a smile and looked around.

“Here we come!” General Zhao himself entered, carrying a pot of nourishing stew. Mrs. Zhao followed behind him, smiling.

Xiao Bingying and a maid quickly pulled the chairs back from the dining table and moved a heat-resistant board to the center, allowing the General to place the heavy soup pot on it.

“Father…” Tears welled up in Zhao Jiayu’s eyes.

For her father to bring it personally meant he must have cooked it himself. For a general to make soup for his married daughter, he must dote on her immensely.

Just a short while ago, Zhao Jiayu had felt that her father did not care about her, but now her opinion of him had completely changed.

“Your father started learning how to make this a few days ago,” Mrs. Zhao said, then leaned in and whispered to Zhao Jiayu, “He ruined quite a few batches, you know.”

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu’s eyes curved into a smile, and as she looked at her father, a tear could not help but fall from the corner of her eye.

“Your son-in-law greets Father-in-law and Mother-in-law and offers a belated New Year’s greeting,” Qu Yu said, bowing to the couple after General Zhao set down the pot.

He had not come yesterday for the New Year, so today was late, but his presence was better than anything.

“We are all family, no need for such formalities.” General Zhao nodded as Qu Yu bowed, his expression more solemn and serious than when he looked at his own daughter.

The maids brought in the rest of the dishes, and Mrs. Zhao invited everyone to sit down.

The family sat together, talking and laughing. Zhao Jiayu’s spirits were much better than before. Mrs. Zhao had worried that she would feel constrained at the Marquis Qu Residence and complain upon returning home, but seeing the affection between the young couple, it seemed they got along very well. Her worries had been for naught.

After the morning meal, Zhao Jiayu and Qu Yu stayed to chat with her parents, so Xiao Bingying returned to her own courtyard.

She wondered how the medicine she was decocting for Chengxi was coming along. Ever since taking over Chengxi’s care, Xiao Bingying had insisted on preparing the medicine herself, only letting Chili do it on the rare occasion she was occupied.

When Xiao Bingying entered the courtyard, Chili was just lifting the medicine pot, preparing to pour the decoction into a bowl.

“Let me.” Xiao Bingying walked over, reaching for the pot.

Chili glanced to the side, then set the pot down and stepped back.

Xiao Bingying skillfully strained the medicine into a bowl and let it cool slightly. After extinguishing the fire, she stared at the decoction for a moment, then turned to Chili. “Take it in.”

Normally, she would be the one to bring the medicine to Chengxi. But today, after much thought, she decided not to go in.

“You are not going in?” Chili asked, puzzled. Whenever Xiao Bingying brought the medicine, she would always check on Chengxi’s condition.

“No, I have other things to attend to. Thank you for your trouble.” Xiao Bingying was always gentle with people, never even raising her voice at servants.

Chili did not move. She just stared at Xiao Bingying, as if trying to understand why.

Being watched so intently made Xiao Bingying a little flustered. “I really have things to do. I am going back to my room now.”

Chili watched Xiao Bingying’s fleeing figure, then glanced down at the medicine. After a moment of thought, she picked up the bowl and went inside.

When Chengxi saw Chili enter with the medicine, she looked past her toward the doorway.

“Miss Bingying did not come,” Chili said.

Chengxi looked at Chili, and seeing her worried expression, she smiled and took the bowl of medicine.

As Chengxi lifted the bowl, Chili frowned and asked in a low voice, “Princess, is she truly worthy of your trust? Are you not taking too great a risk by entrusting your life to her?”

Chengxi drank half the medicine, her brow furrowed. She glanced at Chili, then drank the remaining half in one go. She handed the empty bowl back to Chili, took the cup of tea offered to her, rinsed her mouth, and said, “Do we have any other choice?”

“But she is a woman, as are you. How can you…” Chili lowered her head, her expression one of clear disapproval.

Hearing this, Chengxi gave a bitter smile. “What does it matter if she is a woman? It is still better than those greedy, filthy men.” She took the handkerchief from Chili, dabbed the corner of her mouth, and asked, “Has she not returned yet?”

“She has returned. She said she was busy and would not be coming over for now,” Chili replied, looking up.

Chengxi lowered her eyes in thought, a faint smile gracing her lips.

Last night, when Xiao Bingying had responded to her kiss, she knew for certain that Xiao Bingying truly had feelings for her. But Xiao Bingying’s panicked escape had made her realize she would have to wait a little longer.

Sooner or later, she would have to return to the Xiao family. If she could not make Xiao Bingying fall completely in love with her before then, she feared the days to come would be no better than before.

---

In the small courtyard of the Lin family residence, Lin Xizhao slept for the entire day. In the afternoon, Zhao Jiayu brought Xiao Bingying over to visit her.

Since it was a cold, Lin Xizhao did not let them stay long and sent them on their way early.

That evening, Lin Xizhao wanted to ask Qu Sheng to sleep in another room, but she opened her mouth several times and could not bring herself to say it.

At the end of the Xu shi, Qu Sheng returned from her bath and deftly changed into her nightclothes. Lin Xizhao lay on her side, watching her. It was not until Qu Sheng was about to get into bed that Lin Xizhao looked at her, her face full of apology. “Sheng’er, tonight, will you—”

“No.”

Qu Sheng rejected her outright before Lin Xizhao could even finish her sentence. She seemed to have confirmed it now: Lin Xizhao had made herself sick just to put a stop to their kissing.

Rebuffed by Qu Sheng, the guilt on Lin Xizhao’s face deepened. She bit her lower lip as she watched Qu Sheng get onto the bed and slip under the covers with her.

Qu Sheng did not embrace her, and she did not ask her to. What she had been about to say now felt inappropriate. Qu Sheng had stayed with her all day; for her to now bring up the fear of contagion after she was already in bed would be ridiculous.

She craved Qu Sheng’s company. Otherwise, she would not have silently allowed her to stay in the room all day.

As Lin Xizhao was lost in her own thoughts, she felt Qu Sheng, who had been lying flat on her back, turn over. Lin Xizhao looked up. The tense line of Qu Sheng’s brow relaxed as she reached out and pulled her into her arms.

At first, Lin Xizhao thought Qu Sheng was still angry, but then she realized that when Qu Sheng had gotten into bed, she had deliberately avoided touching her, wanting to warm herself up first.

Qu Sheng’s body was warmer than hers, and being held by her felt very comfortable. Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng, and just as Qu Sheng looked down, she quickly lowered her eyes.

Qu Sheng stared at Lin Xizhao’s features for a long time, and finally, unable to control herself, she covered her lips with her own.

The soft, warm touch sent Lin Xizhao’s breathing into disarray, but she quickly composed herself. Qu Sheng only sees me as an older sister. I cannot allow myself to harbor such improper thoughts again.

Having slept all day, Lin Xizhao felt no sleepiness late into the night. She gazed at Qu Sheng’s sleeping face, studying it over and over.

In sleep, the softness in Qu Sheng’s expression was gone, though it had been missing all day anyway. Lin Xizhao knew Qu Sheng was angry with her, but even so, she had not abandoned her.

The way Qu Sheng had looked after her today suddenly made her feel that Qu Sheng had grown up. When she was Qu Sheng’s age, she too had many suitors calling on her family.

But due to Qu Sheng’s status, as well as the rumors of her mental deficiencies, not a single matchmaker had ever crossed the threshold of the Marquis Qu Residence.

If only I were a man… she thought.

The thought made Lin Xizhao laugh at herself. How could she possibly be a man? If she were, the Qu family would have had her thrown in prison just for sharing a bed with Qu Sheng every night.

After a night of restless thoughts, Lin Xizhao’s high fever returned the next day. Qu Sheng woke in a panic and sent Feng Qi to fetch a doctor. She had thought taking care of Lin Xizhao would be simple, but she never imagined she could be so careless.

Qu Sheng first tried to bring down the fever on Lin Xizhao’s forehead. She folded a wrung-out cloth and placed it on her brow, her eyes filled with self-reproach and heartache.

I should not have fallen asleep. How could I have slept, letting her fever rage for so long before getting a doctor?

“It is nothing serious,” Lin Xizhao said, reaching a hand out from under the covers to grasp Qu Sheng’s tightly clenched fist.

Seeing Lin Xizhao’s lips, even paler than yesterday, Qu Sheng blamed herself. “It is my fault.”

Qu Sheng’s clear, normal speaking pace made Lin Xizhao freeze for a moment. She looked at Qu Sheng, blinked slowly, and then gave a gentle smile. “It has nothing to do with Sheng’er.”

It was her own fault for not resting properly last night, bringing the fever upon herself.

Qu Sheng did not argue. Even if Lin Xizhao had deliberately made herself sick, she was still the one who failed to notice in time.

Seeing Qu Sheng still frowning, Lin Xizhao squeezed her fingers.

Feeling the pressure, Qu Sheng looked down, then used her other hand to tuck Lin Xizhao’s hand back under the covers.

When Qu Sheng put her hand back, Lin Xizhao just stuck it out again, taking hold of Qu Sheng’s hand once more.

Seeing this, Qu Sheng lowered her head. As she was about to put her hand back again, Lin Xizhao smiled. “I need to dissipate the heat. Covering up like this will only make it worse.”

Qu Sheng had no medical knowledge, and while she knew about cooling a fever, she had never heard of letting one’s hands out to dissipate heat. She looked up and stared at Lin Xizhao for a moment. Seeing that she did not seem to be tricking her, she thought for a second before letting Lin Xizhao’s hand rest on the back of her own.

With the fever, Lin Xizhao’s palm was much warmer than usual. Qu Sheng’s hand, though warm, was not as hot.

Having successfully held Qu Sheng’s hand again, Lin Xizhao was smiling at her when the doctor arrived.

The doctor checked her pulse, prescribed more fever-reducing medicine, and on his way out, he cautioned, “Do not let this young lady be exposed to any more drafts. Overthinking will also affect her condition. Doing something pleasant or simply resting quietly will help her recover more quickly.”

During the day, Lin Xizhao’s rest was fitful. She would wake at the slightest sound, then drift back into a stupor when it was quiet. Coupled with her sleepless night, she was not resting well at all.

Hearing the doctor’s words, Qu Sheng glanced toward Lin Xizhao behind the curtain, her brow furrowed slightly.

After the doctor left, Qu Sheng ordered someone to brew the medicine.

After feeding Lin Xizhao congee and her medicine, Qu Sheng did not enter the room again.

Doing something pleasant… She did not know what would make Lin Xizhao happy right now, but ensuring she could rest quietly was something she could do.

Without Qu Sheng in the room, Lin Xizhao’s mood soured, but her body was weak from the fever, and she soon fell into a deep sleep.

Qu Sheng checked on her periodically. Seeing the slight frown on Lin Xizhao’s brow made her own brow furrow in response.

Zhao Jiayu came by again during this time but was stopped outside by Feng Qi.

“I just want to see if Xizhao is better. Why can I not see her?” Zhao Jiayu was mystified. She could visit yesterday, but not today.

However, since she was concerned about Lin Xizhao’s condition, she did not insist after Feng Qi explained that the doctor had ordered quiet rest, and returned to her residence.

On the third day, Jin Yunfei, Qu Jinian, and the two younger brothers from the Prime Minister Lin Residence came to visit.

Qu Sheng could not very well refuse Jin Yunfei. But Lin Xizhao had spiked a fever three times in three days, so Qu Sheng timed it carefully and had Feng Qi ask them all to leave.

Later, Prime Minister Lin himself came, spoke with her for a while, and then departed.

Lin Xizhao’s illness had come on quickly, but it was leaving slowly. Finally, on the sixth day, she was able to get out of bed and walk around. Qu Sheng carried her out of the room to bask in the winter sun.

“I can walk. You do not have to carry me,” Lin Xizhao said softly, her arms wrapped around Qu Sheng’s neck.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s gentle, almost coaxing voice, Qu Sheng looked down at her. For the first time in days, a smile appeared on her face.

“You are still sick. It is better to be careful,” Qu Sheng said, her own voice clear yet tender.

Although Qu Sheng had not spoken much these past few days, Lin Xizhao felt something was different. Qu Sheng’s tone and cadence were too clear and bright. It was similar to her previous soft-spoken manner, but at the same time, it felt completely different.

Puzzled, Lin Xizhao stared at Qu Sheng for a while. Qu Sheng met her gaze and asked, “Is there anything special jiejie would like to eat today?” Her sentences were no longer short and clipped as before.

Lin Xizhao was stunned for a moment before quickly replying, “Just have the kitchen decide. I am not picky.”

The cold had weakened Lin Xizhao’s appetite, and for days she had only eaten light congee and vegetables. The doctor had said today that she could have some meat broths, and Qu Sheng had already sent someone to purchase some fresh fish.

“En.” Qu Sheng hummed in acknowledgment. She carried her to a wooden bench padded with several soft cushions, set her down gently, and took a small blanket from a maid to cover her legs.

Lin Xizhao had been sick before, but back then, it was always the maids who attended to her, with Qu Sheng watching from the side or offering a hand.

This time, however, it was Qu Sheng who had taken care of her through it all.

Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng, who stood beside her. The winter sun was not scorching, and as she watched Qu Sheng bathed in its light, she felt she saw a newfound dependability in her.

Her little sister had grown up. She could take care of people now. She could trust her, rely on her.

But growing up also meant she would eventually fly away.

Qu Sheng sensed Lin Xizhao looking at her. The moment she looked down, Lin Xizhao quickly averted her gaze. They sat under the sun in the windless courtyard, and soon a pleasant warmth spread through their bodies.

“Miss, the Second Young Master sent a message asking you to return to the residence for a moment.” Feng Qi approached, and seeing one of them standing and the other sitting in silence, he hesitated for a moment before delivering the message.

Qu Sheng stared at Feng Qi for a few seconds, debating whether she should go back. If I leave, what will happen to Lin Xizhao? But if I do not, Qu Ming never bothers me with trivial matters. It must be something important.

Lin Xizhao is sick, and Jin Yunfei has already visited. In the past, they might have used Jin Yunfei to relay a message for me to return, but that would not be reasonable this time. For Qu Ming to send a message directly under his own name, the matter is likely urgent.

“Jiejie is still unwell. Please trouble Second Gege to come here instead,” Qu Sheng decided after careful consideration. If it was something important, it could be discussed here as well.

She could not leave. She would not leave Lin Xizhao here alone. Even if she was not the best caregiver, she could not trust anyone else to do it.

Feng Qi looked up and met Qu Sheng’s gaze. Seeing the certainty in her eyes, he lowered his head and blinked. “This servant will go and invite the Second Young Master over immediately.”

---

The author has something to say:

Tsundere⁸ Qu Sheng: “If you do not want to kiss, then do not kiss. There will come a day when you will be the one to initiate.”

---

---