The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 75

I Bit Her

Qu Sheng wasn’t at all surprised by Lin Xirui’s words. She had always been cool toward Lin Xirui, but she didn’t dislike him. She wasn’t surprised because a long time ago, before she had gone to Shoulin, Lin Xirui had already shown signs of his feelings, but she hadn’t paid them any mind, nor had she taken them to heart.

At that time, her heart and eyes were completely filled with¹ Lin Xizhao. How could she have cared about someone who could be had or not had² in her presence?

The room was quiet for a long time. Lin Xirui stared eagerly at Qu Sheng. When Qu Sheng remained in the same position without moving, he felt a little embarrassed and looked toward his older sister.

At this moment, Lin Xizhao’s heart was in turmoil. Unsure of what to think, the emotion she revealed was like five flavors mixed and arrayed.³

Qu Sheng didn’t speak. Seeing the look of astonishment on his sister’s face, Lin Xirui blinked and slowly sat back down.

Qu Sheng heard the sound Lin Xirui made, but she couldn’t see Lin Xizhao’s expression. However, after such a long silence, she figured Lin Xizhao must be extremely surprised, or perhaps her goal had been achieved.

“My eyes are blind. I am not worthy of Xirui-gege⁴,” Qu Sheng said in a docile and clear voice.

Hearing this, Lin Xirui quickly looked over and said, “No, no, even if Sheng-meimei⁵ can’t see, I still feel that I am the one who is unworthy. But if Sheng-meimei doesn’t disdain me, I am willing to go back and speak with Father⁶ to marry you.”

Even when she was very young, Qu Sheng had been a very lovely child. As she grew older, the blossomed Qu Sheng possessed a beauty like a lotus rising from the water⁷. In his early years, before he had such thoughts, Lin Xirui had always been jealous that Qu Sheng had stolen his sister away. But later, he slowly fell in love with Qu Sheng.

Whether it was her insights in her studies or the chess and painting taught by their Tutor⁸, Qu Sheng always outshone him. At first, he refused to admit defeat, but later, amid the Tutor’s constant praise, he gradually began to admire Qu Sheng.

Although Qu Sheng’s eyes couldn’t see, she had always been the perfect girl in his heart.

Qu Sheng let out a light laugh, her expression gentle. “Let’s eat first.” After speaking, Qu Sheng turned her gaze toward Lin Xizhao’s position.

Lin Xirui didn’t get a definite answer from Qu Sheng, but he knew that young ladies were always shy to speak when it came to discussing marriage and wedding arrangements. He thought for a moment and decided to wait before bringing it up again.

Qu Sheng said to eat, but Lin Xizhao made no move. She kept her head down, lost in thought.

“Jiejie,” Qu Sheng called out softly to Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng at the sound of her voice, seemingly not yet fully emerged from her thoughts. Seeing this, Lin Xirui quickly reached out to place some food on Qu Sheng’s plate. “I remember Sheng-meimei likes to eat steamed assortments. This is the beef from inside.” Lin Xirui thoughtfully introduced the food he was serving Qu Sheng.

Hearing this, Qu Sheng’s lips moved slightly, curving into a smile. “Alright, but I need Jiejie to feed me.”

Only then did Lin Xizhao remember what she was supposed to do. She moved closer to Qu Sheng and picked up the bowl and chopsticks beside her.

Qu Sheng opened her mouth and ate the food Lin Xizhao fed her. When the food in the bowl was finished, just as Lin Xizhao was about to get more, Lin Xirui had already refilled it for her.

Lin Xirui looked at his sister with anticipation, unable to suppress the smile on his face. “Sheng-meimei needs to build up her strength. She’s gotten so thin.”

Lin Xizhao looked at her younger brother, her gaze slightly narrowed. She forced a faint smile and continued to feed Qu Sheng.

Throughout the meal, Lin Xirui’s hands never stopped moving.

After breakfast, Qu Sheng wanted to go outside to bask in the sun. Lin Xirui had originally planned to leave after his visit, but he ended up staying.

Qu Sheng sat to one side, glanced toward the sun’s position, and asked Lin Xirui, who was sitting with her, “Don’t you need to attend the Tutor’s lesson?”

“Oh, I just sent Xiao Zhuzi⁹ back to inform the Tutor. It won’t be too late to go over at noon.”

Qu Sheng’s eyelashes fluttered, and she didn’t ask anything else. Lin Xizhao had been gone for a long time to fetch a book; who knew what kind of book she would choose.

Just as the sound of Lin Xizhao’s footsteps reached Qu Sheng’s ears, Lin Xirui stood up. “Ajie¹⁰, let me read to Sheng-meimei.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, saw no change in her expression, and then looked down at the book in her hand.

“It’s a book on military strategy. Are you sure you want to read it?”

Yesterday, reading the travelogue had made Qu Sheng drowsy, so this time she had picked a military treatise to suit her tastes.

“It’s fine, but does Sheng-meimei like to listen to this?” Lin Xirui looked toward Qu Sheng.

“With nothing else to do, I’ve dabbled in it.” Qu Sheng did like to listen, but she wanted to hear Lin Xizhao’s voice.

Hearing Qu Sheng’s words, Lin Xizhao thought for a moment and handed the book to her brother.

Lin Xirui took it, scanned the table of contents, and asked, “Has Sheng-meimei dabbled in The Methods of the Sima?¹¹ Will it be too obscure and difficult to understand?” The moment he said this, he regretted it. Qu Sheng’s comprehension had always been the best among them. If even she didn’t understand it, then he would understand it even less.

“It’s fine.” Qu Sheng was currently still trying to discern Lin Xizhao’s position.

Lin Xizhao hadn’t moved for a long time, not even the sound of her clothes rustling could be heard.

“Alright then, I’ll read a little for Sheng-meimei. I wonder where Sheng-meimei left off?” Lin Xirui flipped through the book. The pages looked as if they had been turned repeatedly.

“I’ve finished it.”

Lin Xirui was stunned for a moment. Qu Sheng had just said she had dabbled in it, so he had assumed she had only read the beginning.

“Then shall we—”

Lin Xirui wanted to ask Qu Sheng where to start, but he was interrupted directly by her. “Let’s start from ‘Establishing Ranks.’”

Lin Xirui nodded, glanced down at the book, then suddenly remembered that Qu Sheng couldn’t see and hurriedly added, “Alright.”

Lin Xirui opened the book and began to read: “In all warfare, establish ranks and positions, record merits and demerits, and recruit wandering scholars… In all warfare, solidify the masses for mutual benefit, manage chaos, and advance or halt… Follow Heaven, enrich the state, please the people, and prioritize military affairs. These are called the five considerations…”

Lin Xirui read very slowly, afraid that Qu Sheng wouldn’t understand. Although this military treatise wasn’t as obscure as some others, for a young lady of the inner quarters, understanding the grand strategic picture—while they could grasp the meaning of the words—was difficult to truly imagine the reasons behind such actions.

Lin Xizhao stood to the side listening for a while before walking toward Qu Sheng. Lin Xirui was still reading on, surging without exhaustion¹², but Qu Sheng’s mind had already followed Lin Xizhao’s footsteps.

As Lin Xizhao drew near, Qu Sheng’s thoughts were no longer on the words Lin Xirui was reading.

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes and sat down beside them. From time to time, Lin Xirui would look up at the two of them. Qu Sheng’s gaze was vacant, but her mind was crystal clear.

A long time ago, Lin Xirui had stopped thinking of Qu Sheng as a foolish person like outsiders did. In his heart, Qu Sheng was merely a person of few words, far better than those Houmen Guinu.¹³

After reading a few passages, Lin Xirui asked, “Does Sheng-meimei need me to explain it for you?”

Hearing this, Qu Sheng pulled her thoughts back from trying to figure out Lin Xizhao and said, “No need.”

She already knew this book so well she could recite it backwards like flowing water¹⁴. Because Lin Xizhao had flipped through it a long time ago, she had stopped writing her own insights in the margins.

Lin Xirui heard this and said, “Alright.” He was about to continue reading when Qu Sheng, after listening to just one sentence, said, “Xirui-gege must be tired. Feng Qi, have someone bring a cup of tea.”

“No, no, I’m not tired.” To be able to read to Qu Sheng was something he sought but could not get¹⁵; he was overjoyed, so how could he possibly be thirsty after just a short while?

At the sound of her voice, Feng Qi called over a maid and had her go prepare tea.

Seeing that he couldn’t stop them, Lin Xirui gave a simple-minded laugh and said, “Then I’ll continue reading for Sheng-meimei.”

The moment Qu Sheng told someone to bring Lin Xirui tea, Feng Qi knew she wanted to see her guest out. Before Lin Xirui could speak, he said, “Third Young Master Lin, please let the young miss rest for a while. The doctor said she shouldn’t overthink things.”

Hearing this, Lin Xirui had a moment of realization. “Oh my, look at me, I was so focused on reading to Sheng-meimei that I forgot she needs to rest. I won’t read anymore then.”

Lin Xirui didn’t catch on that Qu Sheng was giving him an order to leave. He only felt that such an obscure and dry military treatise was naturally not suitable for listening to for too long.

At this time, a maid brought over the brewed tea. Lin Xirui sat to the side as the maid filled his cup. After he had taken a few sips, Lin Xizhao, who had been sitting silently, spoke up, “Xirui, it’s almost noon. You can’t miss the Tutor’s class.”

Lin Xirui still had to take the Imperial Examinations¹⁶. Although he already held an official status, if he didn’t pass the Palace Examination¹⁷, he could only be a low-level official.

As the Prime Minister, Lin Jianhai couldn’t possibly let his son be a sesame-seed-sized minor official¹⁸ at the bottom.

Hearing this, Lin Xirui moved the teacup from his lips and smiled. “I know, Ajie. I’ll stay with Sheng-meimei a little longer and then go.”

Lin Xizhao’s expression was indifferent, as if she wasn’t very happy. Lin Xirui’s mind had been on Qu Sheng just now, but seeing his sister like this, he asked in a low voice, “What’s wrong, Ajie? Are you unhappy?”

She was fine when he arrived. What happened? Could it be that she didn’t want to support him in marrying Qu Sheng?

Lin Xizhao glanced at Lin Xirui, thought for a moment, and said, “It’s nothing. Perhaps I didn’t sleep well last night.”

Lin Xizhao used to sleep with Qu Sheng. If she didn’t sleep well, that meant Qu Sheng didn’t sleep well either. He wanted to stay behind and take Lin Xizhao’s place in caring for Qu Sheng, but men and women are different¹⁹, so he couldn’t.

“Sheng-meimei can’t see. Ajie must be patient with her,” Lin Xirui said softly with concern.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao gave a faint smile. “It’s not Sheng’er, it’s my own issue.”

Qu Sheng was always very well-behaved when she slept. It was like that before, and now she was even more reluctant to trouble her. It wasn’t that she hadn’t slept well last night; she had just said it randomly when Lin Xirui asked.

“Then Ajie must take care of yourself too. If you need Xirui’s help with anything, just have someone return to the residence and tell me.”

Lin Xirui was not only concerned about Qu Sheng but also cared for his own sister.

Lin Xizhao nodded. She really wanted to ask Lin Xirui if he was serious about Qu Sheng, but she didn’t dare ask in front of her.

After Lin Xirui finished his cup of tea, Qu Sheng used the excuse of being tired and wanting to return to her room to rest. Even if Lin Xirui wanted to stay, it was no longer appropriate for him to insist. A young lady was going back to her room to sleep; what would it look like for him to remain here?

Lin Xirui stood up to take his leave, and Lin Xizhao saw him to the courtyard gate. Qu Sheng stood at the door to her room without going inside. When the sound of Lin Xizhao’s footsteps returned, she raised her hand.

Seeing this, Lin Xizhao quickly ran a few steps forward, took Qu Sheng’s hand, and asked in a gentle voice, “Why didn’t you go in first?”

Qu Sheng didn’t speak, merely staring blankly ahead. Seeing her unresponsiveness, Lin Xizhao could only lead her into the room.

Lin Xizhao first helped Qu Sheng sit on a chair in the outer room, poured her a cup of tea, and said, “The medicine will be ready soon. Can you hold on for a little while before resting?”

Qu Sheng had slept for the entire afternoon yesterday. If she went to rest now, who knew when she would wake up? Besides, those doctors had been waiting for a long time.

Qu Sheng sat to the side, her eyes lowered to the ground, not answering.

Lin Xizhao waited for a moment, then walked over, crouched down, and negotiated with her in a soft voice, “Can we let the doctors who came yesterday take a look?”

When they woke up this morning, Jin Yunfei had sent someone with a message. Because Lin Xirui was coming to visit, she hadn’t mentioned it. Now that he was gone, she wanted to have those two doctors come over to examine Qu Sheng.

“Let’s wait a little longer,” Qu Sheng didn’t refuse directly, only saying to wait. But until when?

The Qu family certainly had no problem hosting these doctors, but they couldn’t just let people stay in their residence indefinitely.

“Then when?” Lin Xizhao wanted a definite time.

Qu Sheng’s eyelashes trembled slightly. “Just have a few more doctors come over at the same time.”

Being seen by one was the same as being seen by a group. She didn’t want to see a doctor right now. Knowing the result would be the same, she might as well let all the disappointment gather at once. It would save her the trouble of being annoyed multiple times.

Lin Xizhao now understood Qu Sheng’s thoughts. She considered it for a moment and said, “Then I’ll go speak with the doctors.”

“Come back.” Qu Sheng called out as Lin Xizhao turned to leave. She raised her head and said, “Just have a servant go tell them.”

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao glanced down at Qu Sheng and said, “Alright.”

Lin Xizhao opened the door and instructed a servant to bring the medicine. She also had someone inform the doctors that they might have to wait a few more days and to have the household staff treat them well.

After the servant left, Lin Xizhao turned back and closed the door. Qu Sheng had lowered her head again.

Lin Xizhao walked to Qu Sheng’s side and asked, “Is your neck uncomfortable?”

Why was she always looking down?

Qu Sheng raised her head at the question, staring blankly at Lin Xizhao. Her eyes were motionless, their stillness somewhat unnerving.

The reason she always kept her head down was that she was afraid of frightening Lin Xizhao, and she didn’t want Lin Xizhao to see her like this.

Qu Sheng didn’t speak, so Lin Xizhao took a few steps forward, moved behind her, and said, “Let me massage it for you.”

Qu Sheng said nothing, so Lin Xizhao placed her hands on her.

At the touch of those gentle fingertips, Qu Sheng’s body reacted slightly. Lin Xizhao’s movements were soft, which to her felt more like a tickling of her heart.

After a long time, seeing that Qu Sheng neither moved nor spoke, Lin Xizhao wanted to ask if she was uncomfortable anywhere else. But before she could open her mouth, Qu Sheng raised a hand and pressed down on the fingers resting on her shoulder and neck.

Qu Sheng grasped Lin Xizhao’s hand, pulling her forward with a gentle tug, and then drew her into her embrace.

A sweet fragrance filled her nose. After her heart began to beat faster, Qu Sheng sought out her lips and kissed her.

She couldn’t see, but she could guess the position of Lin Xizhao’s lips. Yet when she leaned in, she was slightly off. She knew Lin Xizhao had turned away, or perhaps she hadn’t been looking at her when she was pulled into her lap.

But the former was more likely. None of that mattered, though. She knew perfectly well that Lin Xizhao was unwilling at this moment, yet she kissed her anyway.

Qu Sheng’s lips landed on Lin Xizhao’s cheek. After a brief pause, she freed a hand, held Lin Xizhao’s jaw, and forced her to face her.

The fiery kiss didn’t stop just because Lin Xizhao tried to avoid it. As their lips and tongues intertwined, Qu Sheng’s desire gradually climbed. Her hand reached again for Lin Xizhao’s soft waist.

“Sheng’er…” She could accept the kiss, but she would absolutely not allow Qu Sheng to remove her clothes.

Hearing Lin Xizhao’s urgent call, Qu Sheng, despite still feeling a strong desire for her, stopped.

She stared with vacant eyes at Lin Xizhao, who was sitting in her lap, her breath coming out in hot puffs of burning desire. “Either leave, or accept it.”

A frustration had been building in Qu Sheng’s heart since breakfast. Her conversation with Lin Xirui had been so blatant, yet Lin Xizhao… she could remain silent when Lin Xirui was present, but now that they were alone, she was acting as if nothing had happened.

Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes and said nothing. Qu Sheng let out a cold laugh, her tone icy. “Do you really want me to marry your Didi?”²⁰

Lin Xizhao was silent again. A moment later, Qu Sheng’s chest heaved noticeably. She exhaled, her face a mask of warm anger, and once again reached out to hold Lin Xizhao’s jaw and kiss her. Only this time, she did not commit any transgression beyond kissing.

The kiss stopped when a knock sounded at the door, but not before Qu Sheng had bitten Lin Xizhao’s upper lip until it broke.

Lin Xizhao got up, covering her lip, and went to open the door. When Feng Qi pushed the door open, he glanced up at Lin Xizhao. He had heard their entire conversation from outside.

“Give me the medicine,” Lin Xizhao said, reaching for it, but a trickle of blood ran down from the corner of her lip.

Seeing this, a maid quickly said, “This servant²¹ will go fetch medicine for the Eldest Miss right away.”

Feng Qi saw the maid about to turn and said, “I’ll go. You bring the medicine inside first.”

When Feng Qi returned, the maid was just coming out with the empty medicine bowl. Feng Qi met her head-on. As he passed her, he said, “The matter of the Eldest Miss’s injury must not be spread.”

The maid immediately curtsied and promised, “This servant will remember.”

Feng Qi glanced at the maid and dismissed her.

Feng Qi went to the door and knocked. When Lin Xizhao came out again, the bleeding from her lip had stopped, but the wound was still faintly visible.

“Eldest Miss, the medicine.” Feng Qi was a little worried, but this was a matter between his two masters, and he was, after all, Qu Sheng’s guard.

“Mm.” Lin Xizhao took the medicine. Looking up at Feng Qi’s worried expression, a trace of embarrassment appeared on her face. “It’s nothing, I just bumped into something by accident.”

She knew Feng Qi could hear them from outside, and he had been by Qu Sheng’s side these past days. From chasing them to Changzhou to their return, she figured Feng Qi must already know what had happened between them.

Feng Qi nodded, lowered his head, and closed the door for Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao turned back, and the blush on her face became even more pronounced. Because the room was also warm, she could feel her face getting hot.

Qu Sheng couldn’t see, so she wasn’t worried about being discovered. Lin Xizhao took the medicine and went back inside. Qu Sheng was already lying on the couch.

Lin Xizhao walked to the bronze mirror in the inner room and stared at her wound. Although the skin wasn’t broken open, the injury was indeed too obvious. Who knew Qu Sheng liked to bite people so much?

Lin Xizhao applied the ointment to the wound, and the pain made her hand tremble for a moment.

Lying on the couch, Qu Sheng heard Lin Xizhao’s soft hiss, and a trace of heartache appeared on her face. Qu Sheng pricked up her ears, listening to Lin Xizhao’s every move.

After applying the ointment, Lin Xizhao walked to the side of the couch and glanced at Qu Sheng, who had her eyes closed. Now that her lip was broken, she didn’t dare see anyone. She could tell Feng Qi she had bumped into something, and she knew he wouldn’t believe her, but if others found out, they would surely break the clay pot and ask to the bottom²². She didn’t dare let outsiders know about her current relationship with Qu Sheng.

But just because she didn’t go out didn’t mean others wouldn’t come.

Zhao Jiayu arrived with Xiao Bingying.

Lin Xizhao was sitting in the outer room. When she heard Zhao Jiayu’s voice, she subconsciously covered her mouth. But what was meant to be, would be. Zhao Jiayu was like a child who had to ask about everything she saw. Hopefully, she could cover this up later.

Lin Xizhao opened the door. Zhao Jiayu peeked her head into the room. Not seeing Qu Sheng, she straightened up and asked in a low voice, “Is little Sheng’er asleep?”

Lin Xizhao glanced back. “She just lay down.” She wasn’t asleep yet, but she didn’t know if Qu Sheng was willing to see them.

“Is that Bingying-jiejie who has come?” Qu Sheng had heard the maids outside say that Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying had arrived.

Hearing her voice, Zhao Jiayu’s face lit up with joy. She stood on her tiptoes and peered into the room again. “Yes, little Sheng’er, my Ajie is here to see you.”

Xiao Bingying had come today to check Zhao Jiayu’s pulse. Qu Yu’s recovery was going quickly, and Zhao Jiayu, bored sitting in her room, had dragged Xiao Bingying over to chat with Lin Xizhao.

Qu Sheng said no more. Hearing Qu Sheng’s voice, Lin Xizhao let the two of them in.

Just as they entered and sat down, Qu Sheng emerged, her hands groping forward.

Lin Xizhao was pouring tea for the two of them. Seeing the nervous looks on Zhao Jiayu and Xiao Bingying’s faces, she turned to look.

Seeing Qu Sheng come out, Lin Xizhao quickly put down the teapot and ran over to take her hands.

“Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?” Lin Xizhao’s voice was gentle.

Qu Sheng’s gaze flickered for a moment. She turned her head toward Lin Xizhao but didn’t speak.

“Quick, have little Sheng’er come sit over here.” Although Zhao Jiayu’s heart ached for Qu Sheng, she was used to being boisterous. These past few days, she hadn’t seen Qu Sheng looking downcast, so she didn’t want to put on a sad face either.

One must always look forward with optimism. Besides, it was useless for her to be sad. The residence was already doing its best to find doctors for Qu Sheng; her worrying wouldn’t help.

If she weren’t afraid of disturbing Qu Sheng’s rest, she would have popped over here countless times a day.

Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng sit down. Xiao Bingying had been staring at Qu Sheng’s eyes the whole time. Qu Sheng was the treasure of the Qu Residence; as a physician with unrefined skills, she was not qualified to diagnose her.

Although it was said that a person’s organs were all interconnected and mutually supportive, she had no confidence at all when it came to the eyes. Besides, so many famous doctors were at their wits’ end; she was even more helpless.

“Hey, let my Ajie diagnose little Sheng’er,” Zhao Jiayu had this idea when she brought Xiao Bingying over.

Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked at Xiao Bingying, but she didn’t agree on Qu Sheng’s behalf. Qu Sheng was resistant to doctors, and although Xiao Bingying was their closest friend…

“I’ll have to trouble Bingying-jiejie.” Qu Sheng proactively extended her arm.

Lin Xizhao was stunned for a moment, then she heard Zhao Jiayu laugh. “Although my Ajie hasn’t studied for long, she was the one who cured both Cheng Xi and my husband’s illnesses.”

Whenever Zhao Jiayu mentioned this, she was proud of Xiao Bingying, a smug little look on her face.

Hearing this, Xiao Bingying looked embarrassed for a moment. “It was all by chance, mostly luck.”

Since Qu Sheng had extended her arm, Xiao Bingying didn’t refuse. She said, “I’ll just check if little Sheng’er has any other discomforts.”

She didn’t say she would check Qu Sheng’s eyes; she didn’t have that kind of ability.

Qu Sheng gave a soft “mm” and said, “It’s fine. Bingying-jiejie can look at whatever you wish.”

Every doctor who came would pry open her eyes to look. If Xiao Bingying didn’t offer to diagnose her eyes, she naturally wouldn’t be able to look at them.

The three of them fell silent for a moment. Xiao Bingying gave a soft “mm” and placed her hand on Qu Sheng’s pulse.

Qu Sheng’s body was fine. Although her spirits were a little low, she was generally healthy, and her constitution was not as frail as she appeared to outsiders.

“The other one.” After checking her pulse, Xiao Bingying gently asked Qu Sheng to switch hands.

Qu Sheng was very cooperative and offered her other hand.

“How is it?” Zhao Jiayu estimated that Xiao Bingying was about to finish her diagnosis and asked eagerly with anticipation.

Xiao Bingying shot her a look, her expression not optimistic.

“May I see your eyes?”

“You may.” Qu Sheng did not refuse Xiao Bingying’s request. She knew Xiao Bingying’s medical skills were not superb. She let her look precisely so she would tell Lin Xizhao that her eyes were not going to get better.

Xiao Bingying stood up and walked in front of Qu Sheng, who consciously turned and tilted her head up.

Xiao Bingying gently held open Qu Sheng’s eyelid. The eyes were where the essence of the five viscera and six bowels gathered. Qu Sheng’s internal organs had no major problems; her blindness was likely due to some change in the eyes themselves.

Xiao Bingying could almost imagine the speed of the fire’s impact at that time, and the intensity of the light.

After observing for a while, Xiao Bingying looked up and shook her head at Lin Xizhao, who had been watching them intently. She, too, was at her wits’ end.

Seeing Xiao Bingying shake her head, Zhao Jiayu sat back down, her face immediately crestfallen.

“Did those two doctors from yesterday not come over?” Zhao Jiayu said, looking toward the door behind her.

“I didn’t let them come over,” Qu Sheng answered casually, without hiding anything.

Zhao Jiayu was puzzled. “Why not let them take a look?”

Qu Sheng looked up. “In a few days.”

Zhao Jiayu wanted to ask more, but Lin Xizhao forcefully changed the subject. She looked at Xiao Bingying and asked, “How has Cheng Xi’s health been lately?”

Startled by the question, Xiao Bingying’s gaze darted away slightly. “She’s fine.”

Ever since Cheng Xi had kissed her, the two had become somewhat distant. It wasn’t that Cheng Xi was avoiding her, but that Xiao Bingying had been avoiding Cheng Xi.

Cheng Xi took her medicine on time every day, and Xiao Bingying would also go out to hire doctors to check her pulse. The Xiao family had sent people several times to ask them to return, promising not to make things difficult for them anymore, but Xiao Bingying refused to relent.

She herself didn’t care; she had gotten used to it over the years. But if Cheng Xi went back, she would definitely be dragged away by Xiao Yaocai to perform again.

Xiao Yaocai could get out of bed now. If Cheng Xi returned, there was no telling how he would retaliate. Xiao Bingying would rather be scolded by her mother and brother; she would wait until Cheng Xi’s illness was fully cured before returning to the residence.

Seeing Xiao Bingying’s reaction, Lin Xizhao sensed that her question was a sensitive topic. She lowered her eyes for a moment, then looked at Zhao Jiayu and said, “Would you like to have something to eat here?”

Qu Sheng had finished her medicine but hadn’t had lunch yet.

It was rare for the four of them to be gathered together. When lunch was served, Zhao Jiayu also called Qu Yu over. She was a little worried about him being alone in his courtyard.

“When you all get married, you can bring your husbands along too.” Qu Yu was Qu Sheng’s older brother, so there was no need for him to avoid them. Although Zhao Jiayu was just looking for a reason for Qu Yu to join them, it was what she truly thought.

When the four of them were married, sooner or later, they would have to gather like this.

Listening to Zhao Jiayu’s words that came from a mouth with no cover²³, Lin Xizhao shook her head helplessly. Qu Sheng, however, let out a cold laugh.

Hearing this, everyone looked over, puzzled. Zhao Jiayu thought Qu Sheng didn’t want Qu Yu to come over. After a moment of shock, her eyes widened as she looked at Lin Xizhao.

Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, then met Zhao Jiayu’s confused gaze and shook her head. “It’s a rare occasion for us to be together today. There’s no need for formalities.”

Lin Xizhao knew what Qu Sheng was scoffing at. Qu Sheng had said before that the person she wanted to marry was her.

Sitting to the side, Qu Yu rarely saw Qu Sheng like this. He was deeply worried but didn’t know the cause. He decided he would ask Lin Xizhao privately after lunch.

The group gathered around a table and soon began to eat. Lin Xizhao was constantly feeding Qu Sheng. Although Qu Sheng couldn’t see, her coordination with Lin Xizhao was so perfect it was as if there was nothing wrong with her eyes.

Lin Xizhao had a perfect grasp of the speed at which Qu Sheng chewed her food, as if she had calculated in her mind exactly how long Qu Sheng would need to chew each bite she fed her.

“Let me feed little Sheng’er. Xizhao, you should eat too.”

In the past, although Lin Xizhao fed Qu Sheng, she would also eat some herself. But now, Lin Xizhao was only feeding Qu Sheng and hadn’t eaten a single bite herself.

“It’s fine.” Lin Xizhao refused. Qu Sheng wasn’t used to being fed by others; otherwise, she would have just had the maids serve her food before.

Zhao Jiayu ate her food, observing how Qu Sheng didn’t seem to feel sorry for Lin Xizhao at all. She slowly stood up, walked to Lin Xizhao’s side, and patted her on the back. When Lin Xizhao looked at her, she reached out and took the bowl and chopsticks.

Zhao Jiayu mouthed to Lin Xizhao: “Let me.”

Lin Xizhao looked at Zhao Jiayu, feeling conflicted. She wanted to refuse, but Zhao Jiayu had already started to feed Qu Sheng.

Qu Sheng opened her mouth, but the moment the food reached her lips, she closed them shut.

“Xizhao?” Qu Sheng called Lin Xizhao’s name. She had discerned that the person feeding her was not Lin Xizhao.

“How did you know it wasn’t Xizhao?” Zhao Jiayu was baffled.

Qu Sheng didn’t speak. Seeing this, Lin Xizhao quickly took the bowl and chopsticks back from Zhao Jiayu’s hands. “I should do it.”

“Here.” When Lin Xizhao offered the food again, Qu Sheng opened her mouth.

Zhao Jiayu watched from the side, amused. “Little Sheng’er, have you become attached to Xizhao? You can even tell the difference?”

“Ahem.” Qu Yu, her Gege, coughed lightly, signaling with his eyes for Zhao Jiayu to come back and eat.

Zhao Jiayu glanced at Qu Yu, then at Lin Xizhao, who was feeding Qu Sheng with single-minded focus. Since neither of them answered her, she pouted and went back to her seat.

Lin Xizhao finally managed to feed Qu Sheng until she was full, but she didn’t pick up her own chopsticks to serve herself.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Zhao Jiayu asked, confused.

Qu Sheng’s appetite was smaller today, precisely so that Lin Xizhao could eat with everyone else, instead of being left to eat alone after she and everyone else had finished.

“I’m not hungry yet.” Lin Xizhao didn’t have much of an appetite.

“That won’t do. You still have to take care of little Sheng’er. You have to eat something.” Zhao Jiayu said as she ladled a bowl of chicken soup and passed it to her.

It was an offer she couldn’t refuse. Lin Xizhao glanced at it and had no choice but to accept.

Qu Sheng sat to the side, her gaze fixed on one spot, but her ears were listening to the movements around her.

Xiao Bingying and Qu Yu were still eating. From the clinking of their bowls and chopsticks, Qu Sheng could tell where they were.

Lin Xizhao stirred the chicken soup and scooped up a spoonful with an exquisite and valuable porcelain spoon shipped from the south by the Marquis’s residence. The moment it reached her lips, she let out a soft “hiss.”

Although the chicken soup wasn’t very hot, the wound on Lin Xizhao’s lip couldn’t tolerate even a little heat.

Hearing the sound, Zhao Jiayu watched as Lin Xizhao subconsciously raised a hand to cover her lips. She took a closer look, then walked over, pulled Lin Xizhao’s hand away slightly, and asked, “How did you get this injury?” She had noticed it when she arrived, but it didn’t look as serious as it did now.

When Lin Xizhao drank the soup, she had rubbed some of the skin off her lip, making it look rather conspicuous now.

When Zhao Jiayu asked, Lin Xizhao quickly covered it with her hand again, about to use her fabricated excuse to brush it off, when Qu Sheng spoke.

“Is it the wound on her lip?” Qu Sheng asked, turning her head toward them.

Hearing this, Zhao Jiayu glanced at Qu Sheng, then pulled Lin Xizhao’s hand away again. It was bleeding again.

“Mm,” Zhao Jiayu hummed and was about to go find some ointment for Lin Xizhao.

“It’s nothing—” Lin Xizhao tugged on Zhao Jiayu. They had ointment in their room. But before she could finish, Qu Sheng said with a calm expression, “I bit her.”

The moment Qu Sheng said this, the color drained from Lin Xizhao’s face. Everyone else stared at Qu Sheng with expressions of shock and confusion, then turned to look at Lin Xizhao.

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Seeing Lin Xizhao take a deep breath and then exhale, Qu Sheng hurriedly knelt down and said, “Wifey, I know I was wrong. I’ll never air our private bedroom affairs out in the open again.”

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