The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 69

Send It Back

Lin Xizhao turned her body to avoid looking at Qu Sheng, yet she did not get onto the ta¹; tonight, she could not get onto the ta.

Just now, she had gone out deliberately to pick a fight, but looking at that aggrieved appearance of Qu Sheng, her chest felt blocked up and panicked again.

In the outer room, Qu Sheng took off her outer robe, standing by the fire stove to roast herself for a while before putting away the clothing she had placed on the table. The maidservants had already gone to sleep, and she did not want them coming in again.

Qu Sheng strode into the inner room. Lin Xizhao’s outer garment had remained unfastened the whole time. However long Qu Sheng had stood outside, she had stood in the doorway for just as long; feeling tired by now, she found a chair and sat down to rest.

Qu Sheng lowered her head to look at Lin Xizhao; seeing her motionless, she did not move either. Lin Xizhao presented her back to Qu Sheng. She could not see Qu Sheng’s expression, and with no sound coming from behind her, her heart felt constantly unsettled.

After a long while, she rose and went to the outer room.

Qu Sheng’s body turned to follow Lin Xizhao’s figure. She lowered her eyes for an instant, slightly knitting her brows.

“Jiejie² go rest, Sheng’er³ will go back.” Qu Sheng guessed that if she stayed in the room tonight, Lin Xizhao would certainly refuse to sleep.

After Qu Sheng finished speaking, Lin Xizhao stood in the outer room, back facing her, still not turning her head.

Seeing Lin Xizhao unresponsive, Qu Sheng waited a moment before shifting her steps. She walked to the wooden yi⁴, took her own chang⁵ to drape over herself, and walked toward the door.

Lin Xizhao was somewhat puzzled by Qu Sheng’s behavior. She had already come in, yet now she was going out again? Was standing outside for so long all for nothing?

But on second thought, Qu Sheng was probably afraid she would not rest well. When Qu Sheng reached the door, she paused her steps and immediately turned her head back. The moment Qu Sheng turned, Lin Xizhao’s gentle gaze faltered for a second before she quickly glanced away to look elsewhere.

Qu Sheng saw the care in Lin Xizhao’s eyes. Suppressing the smile at the corners of her lips, she pulled open the door.

After Qu Sheng left, Lin Xizhao stood in the outer room waiting for quite a while. When she could not hear a single sound from outside, she bolted the door.

Having bolted the door, Lin Xizhao turned her back against it and let out a sigh of relief.

She had known before that Qu Sheng was a sticky person⁶, and she used to enjoy it, but given their current relationship, she found it nearly impossible to handle.

Lin Xizhao thought for a long time by the door. Qu Sheng could not stay here too long; as long as she kept this up, sooner or later, Qu Sheng would get tired of it.

Who could develop feelings of fondness for someone who spoke only cold words and harsh language to them?

Lin Xizhao returned to the inner room. She sat on the ta in a daze for a while before lying down fully clothed. Qu Sheng knew martial arts; opening the door would take no effort at all for her.

She had originally thought that with Qu Sheng gone, she could get a peaceful, stable sleep. But right now, her head felt as if Qu Sheng had cast a spell on it; her mind was filled with that little person, making her toss and turn, sleepless.

Early the next morning, when Lin Xizhao’s maidservant entered the room to serve Lin Xizhao for washing up, Qu Sheng followed her in. Seeing that Lin Xizhao was still wearing yesterday’s outer clothes, she was stunned for a moment.

She had not intended to come in again last night.

Lin Xizhao changed her clothes and could not help raising her hand to stifle a yawn. Qu Sheng saw the subtle dark shadows over Lin Xizhao’s brows and eyes, lowered her gaze for a moment, and sat down to the side.

The maidservant helped Lin Xizhao fasten the qing⁷ colored sash around her waist, while another brought over warm water for washing her face. Qu Sheng sat silently to the side, just staring.

Before this, the first thing Lin Xizhao did upon rising was to attend to her. Now that she did not need to be attended to, she looked much more relaxed.

Lin Xizhao finished washing and grooming, never once looking directly at Qu Sheng. As Lin Xizhao passed by her to leave the room, Qu Sheng stood up and followed.

During breakfast, Qu Sheng no longer let anyone help her serve food⁸. She ate what she should eat and drank what she should drink, requiring no one to be polite with her or help her serve food.

When Lin Xizhao returned to her room, her body was truly exhausted. Qu Sheng was like a little tail⁹, never leaving her side for a moment, making her dare not go to rest.

Sitting in the room, Qu Sheng seemed to notice Lin Xizhao’s physical discomfort. She stared intently at Lin Xizhao for a good while before saying softly, “Jiejie rest, Sheng’er will go out.”

Even when Qu Sheng spoke, Lin Xizhao did not look at her. She heard her, but she could not look at her.

After a moment, Qu Sheng stood up.

Qu Sheng walked out the door, and Lin Xizhao’s tense heart relaxed slightly. She stared in a daze at the door Qu Sheng had closed.

After confirming that Qu Sheng would not come back, Lin Xizhao lay on the table and took a nap. She did not see Qu Sheng at noon, and when she went to the dining hall for dinner in the evening, she still did not see Qu Sheng.

After finishing dinner, on the way back to her small courtyard, Lin Xizhao asked, seemingly casually, “What did Sheng’er do today? Did she eat?”

The maidservant heard this and looked up, saying, “They said she went to the residence’s Embroidery Mistress¹⁰ and ate there.”

“Embroidery Mistress?” Lin Xizhao blinked her lashes, her expression puzzled. But a moment later, as if recalling something, she lightly pressed her soft lips together.

Was Qu Sheng going to learn to make clothes?

When Lin Xizhao reached her door, she turned to the maidservant and said, “Find someone to go over and take a look.”

The maidservant heard this, smiled, bowed, and left.

Lin Xizhao sat in the room waiting. When the maidservant returned, her face was full of smiles as she said, “Miss Sheng is learning to make clothes.”

Lin Xizhao seemed to have already guessed it, but hearing the maidservant confirm it, her soft intestines were tied in a hundred knots¹¹. It was just a joking remark she made, yet Qu Sheng had taken it seriously.

But right now, she still could not soften her heart. This concerned Qu Sheng’s future; she did not dare to gamble.

Lin Xizhao read a book in her room, but the page had not been turned for a long time. The maidservant also noticed the problem between the two and advised, “This Servant¹² sees that Miss Sheng has been very well-behaved these past two days. Eldest Miss should forgive her.”

Hearing the voice, Lin Xizhao looked up at the maidservant, her eyes gentle yet helpless. How was this a question of forgiveness?

Lin Xizhao sighed, and the maidservant dared not say anymore. These two young ladies had always had a good relationship; she did not know what Miss Sheng had done to make her mistress this angry.

Qu Sheng learned a lot of needlework techniques from the Liang Residence’s Embroidery Mistress today, but making clothes was not something achieved overnight. She told the mistress she would come back to learn tomorrow.

When Qu Sheng returned to her room, the sky had already turned dark. She passed by Lin Xizhao’s tightly closed door, stood for a moment, and then went back to her own room.

Back in her room, Qu Sheng asked the maidservant to find some fabric for her. She spread the fabric out, took scissors to cut a piece, and began practicing her stitching.

Although she had no natural talent, long practice would make perfect.

The lamp in Qu Sheng’s room burned until late at night. The maidservant came in to trim the wick and said, “Miss Sheng, it is late, you should rest.”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s hand stopped sewing the fabric. She glanced sideways at the maidservant, then lowered her head and put down the material in her hands. Qu Sheng allowed the maidservant to help her wash and groom, and soon went to lie down.

The lamp in Lin Xizhao’s room had been extinguished for a long time. Aside from the morning, she had not seen Qu Sheng all day. When she did not see her, she missed her; when she saw her, she was worried and afraid. Lin Xizhao lay on the ta with her eyes shut tight, but no matter what, she could not sleep.

The Shangyuan Festival¹³ was fast approaching. Before the Liang Residence’s New Year red lanterns could gather dust, they were replaced with festival lanterns for the Yuanxiao¹⁴.

Two days ago, Qu Sheng had already sent someone back to inform Jin Yunfei that she would stay here with Lin Xizhao until she returned.

Jin Yunfei had also sent a message back. Since the New Year had just passed, the weather was still very cold, so she told her and Lin Xizhao to be careful.

Of course, Jin Yunfei also wanted to ask why they had left so suddenly, but since they were so far apart, as long as they were safe, it was fine. Whatever the matter was, she would ask when they returned.

Qu Sheng did not go to find Lin Xizhao for several days in a row. She got up early in the morning and hurried to the Embroidery Mistress, only returning after Lin Xizhao had gone to rest at night.

Lin Xizhao had not seen Qu Sheng for several days.

On the day of the Shangyuan Festival, Qu Sheng got up very early. Since it was a festival, the Embroidery Mistress also wanted to reunite with her family, so Qu Sheng did not go over to disturb her.

Qu Sheng went to Lin Xizhao’s place.

Lin Xizhao was still resting on the ta. Hearing the movement outside the room and thinking it was the maidservant coming over, she asked in a soft voice, “What shichen¹⁵ is it?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked up at the door to the inner room and replied, “Chen hour¹⁶, one ke¹⁷.”

Lin Xizhao’s hand, which had been lifting the blanket, froze upon hearing Qu Sheng’s voice. She looked up toward the inner room’s door and did not move for a long time.

She had not seen Qu Sheng for several days, nor had she heard her voice for a long time. The two of them lived in the same courtyard, yet they had not seen each other once.

Lin Xizhao sat motionless on the ta. Qu Sheng sat outside for a while, seeming to guess that Lin Xizhao deliberately did not want to see her, and stood up to leave.

Just as Qu Sheng walked to the door of the outer room, Lin Xizhao opened the inner room door. Hearing the sound, Qu Sheng looked back. Lin Xizhao’s complexion was naturally fair, but right now it carried a trace of pallor.

Qu Sheng gazed at Lin Xizhao, frowned slightly, and asked, “Is Jiejie feeling unwell?”

“None of your business.” Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng and then averted her gaze. Upon hearing Qu Sheng’s inquiry, she spoke harsh words to her in a cold voice.

Qu Sheng had not heard the servants say Lin Xizhao had called for a doctor. She did not know if Lin Xizhao had slept well these past few days, but without needing to guard against her, she should have been able to sleep well.

Qu Sheng did not speak. After a moment, she turned and went outside.

Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng’s departing figure, a momentary look of dejection revealing itself on her face. She was almost at her limit.

Not long after Qu Sheng went out, Lin Xizhao’s maidservant saw Feng Qi bringing a doctor.

The doctor waited outside the door. When Lin Xizhao heard the maidservant say Qu Sheng had found a doctor for her, she was stunned again.

Naturally, Lin Xizhao would not let the doctor take her pulse. She just had not slept well; there was nothing seriously wrong with her body. After the doctor left, Feng Qi stood outside the door, looking confused after searching both rooms with his eyes.

For the entire daylight hours, Lin Xizhao still did not see Qu Sheng. But because it was the Shangyuan Festival, the household was to have dinner together, so Qu Sheng went over.

The Liang Family Eldest Aunt looked at Qu Sheng’s well-behaved appearance and, hearing she had been learning needlework these past few days, smiled and said, “Little Sheng’er is becoming more and more dexterous. Whoever marries her in the future will be blessed.”

Qu Sheng listened to these words with a normal expression. She lowered her head to eat her food, her peripheral vision glancing toward Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao had been extremely exhausted these past few days, but since it was rare for everyone in the Liang Residence to gather together today, even though she heard things deep in her heart she did not want to hear, she still had to force a smile and agree with the Liang Family Eldest Aunt.

“Sheng’er is intelligent. If Eldest Aunt has a suitable candidate, you could speak to my Adoptive Mother about it.”

The Eldest Aunt smiled. “Good, I’ll ask around.”

Since the Liang family was discussing Qu Sheng’s marriage, naturally they would not let Lin Xizhao off the hook. The Liang Family Little Uncle¹⁸ smiled and said, “Zhao’er isn’t young anymore either; it is time to find a marriage match.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao smiled and said, “Xizhao is in no hurry.”

The Liang Family Eldest Aunt deliberately adopted a tone of anxiety and laughed, “You aren’t in a hurry, but we are.” The Liang clan only had Lin Xizhao as a daughter, and they also wanted her to find a good marriage early.

After that, Lin Xizhao only smiled and did not respond, but she glanced at Qu Sheng. And at that moment, Qu Sheng’s gaze had been staring at her all along.

Their eyes met. Lin Xizhao paused for a moment, shifted her gaze downward, and then looked imperceptibly at the food on the table.

The meal was eaten relatively peacefully, but afterward, the Liang family aunts insisted on taking them out to see the flower lanterns. The lantern boats on the Changzhou¹⁹ river channels were a spectacle not to be missed every year.

Unable to refuse, Lin Xizhao could only go along, and naturally, Qu Sheng followed.

Several female relatives sat inside the carriage. Lin Xizhao did not actively hold Qu Sheng’s hand like she used to. Qu Sheng did not love to talk much to begin with, and although the Liang family knew the two were having some conflict, they pretended not to know to avoid awkwardness between them.

They soon arrived at the inner riverbank of Changzhou. Qu Sheng got off the carriage first and turned back to look at Lin Xizhao, wanting to reach out to support her, but Lin Xizhao would not look at her.

Everyone stood by the river embankment. In the river was a long line of boat lanterns, of every style and color. After the boat fleet drew near, everyone boarded the boat.

When the boat moved, because Lin Xizhao had never ridden a boat before, her body swayed for a moment. Just as she was about to tip over, Qu Sheng reached out and grabbed her lower back.

Lin Xizhao steadied herself. Seeing that the person supporting her was Qu Sheng, she blinked her eyes and walked forward somewhat awkwardly.

“Quickly, sit down.” The Little Aunt²⁰ told the two girls, who were standing there swaying with the boat, to sit down immediately.

Lin Xizhao walked over and held the hand her Little Aunt held up, using the leverage to steady her still-swaying body and sit down.

Qu Sheng stared at her for a moment, then sat down on the wooden boat seat next to her.

The flower lantern boats in the river were a sight to behold, and the lanterns hanging all over the shore were also a beautiful scene in the eyes of the people on the boat. But for the two of them right now, neither had the heart to appreciate it.

Halfway through the lantern boat tour, fireworks began to go off on the shore. As the fireworks bloomed, the city lit up. In the intervals between the sounds of fireworks, the crowd cheered and praised the sight.

Seeing the fireworks, the Little Aunt looked delighted and hurriedly said, “Quick, make a wish. Making a wish on the Shangyuan Festival fireworks is very effective.”

The Liang Family Little Aunt was not a local. The first year she came, she wished for a child. Coincidentally, less than a month after she returned, the doctor diagnosed her as pregnant, and now the child could run.

She did not bring him out now because she feared the lantern boat was not safe. Moreover, she came out this time with a mission from the Liang family: to make the two girls reconcile.

There were a few people between Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng. Qu Sheng looked at Lin Xizhao from time to time, but Lin Xizhao never once looked at her.

After the Third Aunt²¹ and the Little Aunt exchanged glances, the Little Aunt said, “Sheng’er, come over to Little Aunt. The wind is strong over there, don’t catch a cold.”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng looked sideways at the Little Aunt. Seeing her winking at her, she looked toward Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao heard it too. She followed her Little Aunt’s gaze to look at Qu Sheng, her brows knitting almost imperceptibly.

“No need.” Qu Sheng refused. Lin Xizhao did not want her to go over, so she would not go.

The Little Aunt had half-risen, but hearing Qu Sheng’s words, she looked puzzled. Watching Qu Sheng look elsewhere, she could only laugh awkwardly and sit back down.

The lantern boat toured for three quarters of an hour before docking. Qu Sheng went ashore before everyone else. Her eyes stared tightly at Lin Xizhao, terrified she would fall into the river.

Lin Xizhao was seasick.

Enduring the discomfort in her chest, Lin Xizhao kept making swallowing motions while walking, worried she would vomit the next moment.

Lin Xizhao got ashore. The carriage could not come through this section of the road, so they still needed to walk for a while. Lin Xizhao held the hand offered by her maidservant, struggling to keep up with everyone’s pace. Qu Sheng glanced at the distant carriage; if Lin Xizhao walked back like this, who knew how much more stamina she would drain.

Qu Sheng walked behind Lin Xizhao and grabbed the maidservant beside her, saying, “I’ll hold Jiejie.”

Qu Sheng spoke and acted simultaneously. As she pulled the maidservant aside, she squeezed in, bent down, and picked Lin Xizhao up horizontally in her arms.

Being suddenly picked up, Lin Xizhao was startled for a moment. But her body was truly terribly weak; she wanted to tell Qu Sheng to put her down, but she could not open her mouth.

Watching Qu Sheng holding Lin Xizhao, everyone realized Lin Xizhao was seasick.

“Oh my, quickly go have the carriage brought closer this way,” the Little Aunt said urgently.

Qu Sheng carried Lin Xizhao just like that, following behind everyone. The carriage had also approached a bit by then. After Qu Sheng placed Lin Xizhao into the carriage, she sat down beside her.

“Jiejie can lean on Sheng’er.”

Naturally, Lin Xizhao would not lean on her. She tilted her head to lean against the wooden board on the side of the carriage and closed her eyes.

When the Liang family aunts came up and saw Lin Xizhao’s condition, they did not dare delay any longer and took her back.

On the way back to the residence, Qu Sheng had Feng Qi buy some Wuji Pills²² and sent them to Lin Xizhao’s maidservant, whispering instructions not to say Qu Sheng sent them.

After Lin Xizhao took the medicine brought by the maidservant, the urge to vomit slowly dissipated, and her chest felt much more comfortable. She looked up at the door and asked, “Has Sheng’er gone to sleep?”

Hearing the voice, the maidservant looked sideways at the door. “This Servant will go check.”

“No need.” Lin Xizhao hurriedly stopped the maidservant. She wanted to know, but she did not want Qu Sheng to know she had asked.

The maidservant looked down at Lin Xizhao. Seeing her face was still pale, doubt rose in her heart again. What on earth happened to make her own mistress treat Miss Sheng so resolutely?

“Eldest Miss, what exactly did Miss Sheng do to make you this angry?”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked sideways at the maidservant. The maidservant immediately realized her question was presumptuous; she hurriedly bowed her body and lowered her head, saying, “This Servant knows her mistake, This Servant shouldn’t have asked.”

This maidservant had been with Lin Xizhao for many years, so Lin Xizhao did not blame her, only saying, “It doesn’t matter.” The matters between them could not be spoken of to outsiders.

Qu Sheng returned to her room and sat inside, practicing her stitching again. During the day these past few days, she had found a piece of fabric with a superb floral pattern and was already making clothes for Lin Xizhao.

She could accurately find the positions she wanted to touch on Lin Xizhao’s figure with her eyes closed; she knew her measurements clearly without needing a tape measure.

Two nights later.

Qu Sheng looked again and again at the new spring clothes she had made for Lin Xizhao. Afraid they were not presentable, she even took the clothes to the Embroidery Mistress to ask if the style was fashionable for the season.

Seeing that Qu Sheng had learned and made a dress in just a few short days, the Embroidery Mistress smiled and kept praising Qu Sheng for her intelligence.

Qu Sheng’s expression was normal regarding the mistress’s praise; what she wanted most was Lin Xizhao’s approval.

The mistress said this style would definitely be in fashion this year, and many wealthy families had already ordered such styles at the tailor shops outside. Hearing this, a smile appeared on Qu Sheng’s face.

It was too late tonight; she would show it to Lin Xizhao tomorrow.

Qu Sheng returned to the courtyard. Seeing that the lights in Lin Xizhao’s room were already out, she stood in front of the door for a while, lowered her eyes for a few moments, and took the clothes back to her room.

Sitting in her room, Qu Sheng inspected the dress again for any unsuitable areas.

Knock knock knock.

Hearing the door sound, Qu Sheng put down the clothes and heard Feng Qi’s voice.

“Miss.”

“Come in.” Without Lin Xizhao there, Qu Sheng did not have so many misgivings.

Feng Qi pushed the door open and entered, handing a letter sent from the Capital to Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng opened the letter and saw Qu Ting’s handwriting. It was addressed: Sheng-meimei²³ open personally.

Qu Sheng opened the letter; only four words were written on it.

“Return to Capital Immediately!”

Qu Sheng frowned as she looked at the content of the letter. She looked up and asked Feng Qi, “Did the messenger say anything else?”

“No.” Feng Qi glanced at the letter and asked, “What does it say?”

“Third Brother wants me to return to the Capital immediately.” Qu Sheng put the letter away. These few brief words meant it was certainly a matter of extreme urgency, but because some things could not be known by outsiders, only a few words were written.

Qu Sheng lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the new dress made for Lin Xizhao. After a moment, she said, “Go tell the Steward of the Liang Residence. We are returning to the Capital.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

Waking up the next morning, Lin Xizhao had slept somewhat heavily because of the seasickness the night before, making this sleep last quite long.

Hearing movement in the room, the maidservant pushed the door open and entered, placing the dress sent by the Liang Residence maidservant onto the table.

When Lin Xizhao came out after getting dressed, she saw the neatly folded clothes and asked, “Winter hasn’t passed yet, why are new clothes prepared again?”

The maidservant wrung out a hot towel and handed it to Lin Xizhao, smiling, “Miss Sheng made this for Eldest Miss. She said to wear it when spring begins.”

Lin Xizhao’s face-wiping motion stopped. She glanced sideways at it, then looked at the maidservant and asked, “Who sent it?”

“Xiao Ju²⁴ from the courtyard.” The maidservant who served Qu Sheng at the Liang Residence.

Lin Xizhao looked at the clothes again. Seeming to ponder for a moment, she said, “Send it back.” She did not need it.

The smile on the maidservant’s face was replaced with confusion. She said, “Miss Sheng put so much bitter effort into this, won’t Eldest Miss even look at it?”

Lin Xizhao slightly lowered her eyes. There was indeed emotion and joy in her heart; Qu Sheng was actually willing to make clothes for her. Lin Xizhao handed the towel to the maidservant, turned and walked to the table, and picked up the dress.

The pale green garment, though plain, was exactly to her liking. On the cuffs, dan²⁵ flowers were embroidered with light qing thread; plain from afar, but blooming with life upon close inspection.

The hem of the skirt was also embroidered with diamond-patterned flowers. She would have to sigh at her own inferiority regarding such nearly perfect needlework skills.

Lin Xizhao could not tear her hands away from fondling it for a while. The maidservant asked, “Does Eldest Miss still want to send it back?”

Lin Xizhao stroked the clothes Qu Sheng had embroidered stitch by stitch for her, her eyes moved with emotion, misting over. She was silent for a moment, but still said, “Send it back.”

Lin Xizhao’s voice was full of reluctance.

A look of pity appeared on the maidservant’s face, but she had to obey her mistress’s words. It was just a pity for Miss Sheng’s heartfelt intention in making new clothes day and night for her mistress.

Lin Xizhao refolded the clothes, smoothed them with her hand, and handed them to the maidservant. “You don’t need to say anything.”

She believed Qu Sheng would understand. As long as Qu Sheng still had those kinds of thoughts about her, she would not accept any of her items.

The maidservant carried the neatly folded dress out. Lin Xizhao gazed longingly, not withdrawing her gaze until it was out of sight.

Lin Xizhao went to the dressing table and applied some scented balm. Seeing in the bronze mirror that she looked even more haggard than last night, she took some powder and applied it to her face.

“Eldest Miss, Miss Sheng is gone.” The maidservant came in from outside carrying the clothes, speaking in an anxious tone.

Hearing the sound, Lin Xizhao turned her head, her eyes full of disbelief. “What did you just say?”

“Miss Sheng is gone. She left in the middle of last night.” The maidservant repeated her words, adding more detail.

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Every stitch and thread is my love, Wifey.”

Lin Xizhao: “I know, I know.”

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