On Top of Kinship, Add More Kinship; It Doesn’t Sound Bad1
The parrot with red feathers fell silent the moment Feng Qi looked at it. Qu Sheng had never raised an animal and didn’t know how the creature learned to mimic speech. But over the past two days, this parrot had been imitating Lin Xizhao’s voice and had said quite a lot.
She guessed that the words it spoke today weren’t deliberately taught but were something it had overheard.
Qu Sheng thought back to the conversation she and Feng Qi just had. Her eyelashes trembled, her lips parted, and a sound slowly emerged from her throat. “Qu family, brothers.”
“The three Qu family brothers, leave not one behind. The three Qu family brothers, leave not one behind.”
“Feng Qi!” Qu Sheng cried out, her voice frantic and excited as she heard the parrot repeat the phrase after her prompt. She desperately searched for Feng Qi.
“Young Miss,” Feng Qi answered immediately.
“Go outside the residence and stop Lin Xirui. Ask him where he got this—this parrot. Hurry!”
“Yes.” Feng Qi exited the room and broke into a run.
Qu Sheng stood inside, staring blankly at the parrot that was still mimicking speech. Her gaze flickered for a few moments before she called out towards the door, “Someone come! Go and call my Third Brother and Fourth Brother here.”
Right now, Qu Sheng couldn’t afford to worry about much else. This parrot didn’t just learn words; it learned tone. The voice didn’t sound like an old man’s, but it wasn’t a child’s either. It had to be a middle-aged person.
The three Qu family brothers, leave not one behind. What big talk.
But he had, indeed, almost succeeded.
Qu Ting and Qu Yu were having their evening meal in the small courtyard when they heard Qu Sheng had sent for them. They exchanged a word with their respective wife2 and went over.
Zhao Jiayu had initially wanted to go with Qu Yu. The last time, the two of them had tricked Lin Xizhao away, and she worried Qu Sheng would settle accounts after the autumn harvest3 with her gege4, using sarcastic words. She had figured it out; Qu Sheng wasn’t just a little person spirit5, she was also quite skilled at retorting with a yin-yang strange air6.
The last time she went over, Qu Sheng had acted as if nothing had happened, likely out of consideration for their sisterly affection. If she went this time, Qu Sheng would probably restrain herself as well. However, Qu Yu didn’t let her go. He had also asked the servant just now; Qu Ting was called over as well, so it probably wasn’t about settling scores.
But even if Qu Sheng did want to settle accounts with him, since he had done it, he should be the one to bear the consequences.
Qu Ting and Qu Yu entered Qu Sheng’s room. Qu Sheng was listening, her ear turned to the side.
The moment Qu Ting stepped inside, he asked, “Sheng-meimei7, did you summon us for something urgent?”
Qu Sheng turned her head, her expression much calmer than before. She nodded. “Yes. Third Brother, Fourth Brother, listen to what this parrot is saying.”
Hearing Qu Sheng tell them to look at the parrot, Qu Ting and Qu Yu’s gazes followed hers.
“Qu family, brothers.”
The two men waited in silence, unsure of what Qu Sheng was trying to do. They watched the parrot scratch its head with one foot for a moment, then blinked and glanced at each other.
“The three Qu family brothers,” Qu Sheng prompted the parrot again, but it acted as if it hadn’t heard and refused to mimic her.
“The three Qu family brothers!” Qu Sheng prompted it several more times, but the parrot remained motionless. Her tone grew a bit anxious.
“Sheng-meimei, what is this about?” Qu Ting asked, his brow furrowing slightly.
Unable to hear the parrot, Qu Sheng turned to stare blankly at Qu Ting. Her throat bobbed once before she said, “Just now, when Feng Qi and I were talking in the room, it heard the words ‘Qu family brothers’ and kept repeating, ‘The three Qu family brothers, leave not one behind.'”
“Sheng-meimei, are you saying this parrot’s previous owner is the mastermind behind Second Brother’s murder?”
“Correct. I’ve already sent Feng Qi to find out where this parrot came from.” Just as Qu Sheng finished speaking, Feng Qi returned with Lin Xizhao.
Earlier, Lin Xirui had been talking with Lin Xizhao in the carriage. Lin Xizhao didn’t approve of him marrying Qu Sheng. It wasn’t because she felt they were mismatched, but because she knew Qu Sheng would never like Lin Xirui, and she couldn’t believe Qu Sheng would be willing to marry her own didi8.
Lin Xirui, naturally, wouldn’t listen to persuasion. He said that while he wasn’t a match for Qu Sheng, her eyes were now blind. With the rumors circulating outside, he feared that among families of their status, no one else would be willing to marry her. He insisted he was sincere and swore he would definitely treat Qu Sheng well in the future.
But none of this was enough to make Lin Xizhao relent and agree to be the thread-pulling person9 who pulls the red string10.
“Young Miss, the Eldest Miss has returned,” Feng Qi announced deliberately.
Hearing this, Qu Ting and Qu Yu both looked towards the door as Lin Xizhao entered.
Qu Sheng’s brow furrowed slightly. She had only sent Feng Qi to ask where the parrot came from. Why had Lin Xizhao come back with her?
“Second Young Master Lin said he bought this parrot outside a teahouse,” Feng Qi reported from the side.
“Why the sudden interest in the parrot’s origin? Third Brother, Fourth Brother, are you here to see Sheng’er?” Lin Xizhao walked closer to Qu Sheng. When Feng Qi had come to summon someone earlier, she had thought something else had happened to Qu Sheng. She had been frantically getting out of the carriage when Feng Qi finally explained he was there to question Lin Xirui.
“Oh, yes. But we also wanted to ask where this parrot came from. We were thinking of getting one for each of your sisters-in-law to relieve their boredom.”
Lin Xizhao smiled faintly. “It was Xirui who saw this parrot mimicking speech while passing a teahouse and bought it on a whim for Sheng’er. If Third Sister-in-law and Fourth Sister-in-law would also like one, I’ll have Xirui buy two more tomorrow and send them over.”
The teahouse was almost entirely filled with old men from the capital in their candle-flickering-in-the-wind remaining years11, who enjoyed walking their birds and drinking tea. Every day, many people sold parrots outside the teahouse. To trace its origin, they would have to find the specific seller.
But that place was known to be a mix of fish and dragons12, so finding one person wouldn’t be easy. If it was a one-hammer deal13, there was no telling when they might see him again.
The parrot’s plumage was clearly of the highest quality. Lin Xirui must have paid a hefty price for it.
Hearing this, Qu Ting quickly smiled. “No need, no need. We’ll take your sisters-in-law over tomorrow to have a look and let them choose for themselves.”
“Right. They have to see one they like before we can buy it, don’t they?” Qu Yu added with a smile.
After Qu Yu spoke, the room fell silent for a moment. Lin Xizhao glanced at Qu Sheng, then at the parrot, and said, “That’s fine too.”
Silence descended once more. Qu Ting and Qu Yu now understood what Qu Sheng wanted them to do. Qu Yu gave a dry laugh. “Sheng-meimei’s complexion looks much better today. Your Fourth Sister-in-law is still waiting for me, so I’ll head back to my courtyard first.”
“Alright.” Lin Xizhao smiled gently, then turned to Qu Ting. “Is Third Brother leaving as well?”
With the conversation at this point, they didn’t have the steady composure of Qu Ming. Qu Ting smiled. “I’ll head back too. I won’t disturb you two meimei’s rest.”
Lin Xizhao gave a faint smile and a nod. After watching them leave, she looked at Qu Sheng and asked softly, “Did I interrupt your conversation?”
How could someone as intelligent as Lin Xizhao not see what her two brothers had come for?
In Qu Ming’s mourning hall, Qu Sheng had told Qu Yu she would avenge him.
When Qu Sheng didn’t answer, Lin Xizhao spoke again. “If you have things to discuss in the future, just let me know, and I’ll step out.” Lin Xizhao had already guessed why Qu Sheng had asked her to see Lin Xirui off earlier.
“No need,” Qu Sheng replied faintly.
Lin Xizhao lowered her eyes for a moment, glancing at Feng Qi, who was still waiting at the side.
Feng Qi raised her hand, glanced at the two of them, and then lowered her head again.
“Feng Qi, take the parrot to another room,” Qu Sheng instructed.
If the parrot would say it to them, it would say it to others. If Lin Xizhao heard it, she would know about her plan to avenge Qu Ming. She didn’t want Lin Xizhao to worry.
Receiving the order, Feng Qi bowed her head. “Yes, Young Miss.”
Feng Qi stepped forward and picked up the birdcage. She glanced at Lin Xizhao, who was staring at her, gave a nod, and then left.
After hearing the door close, Qu Sheng’s expression was impassive. “I want to rest.”
Lin Xizhao looked back at Qu Sheng, walked closer again, and took her hand. She led Qu Sheng into the inner room and helped her remove her outer robe and lie down before taking off her own and getting onto the couch-bed.
As Qu Sheng heard Lin Xizhao get on, the rustling of her clothes was audible. She first turned her face towards the inner wall. Sensing Lin Xizhao’s approach, she shifted her body further towards the inside of the bed.
Even if she faced Lin Xizhao, she couldn’t see her. But this distancing gesture made Lin Xizhao, who was kneeling on the bed without the quilt yet, feel her spirits sink instantly.
Lin Xizhao stared at Qu Sheng’s back for a while before slowly lifting the quilt and lying down.
Qu Sheng barely moved all night. Lin Xizhao didn’t sleep a wink.
The next morning, Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng get dressed. Qu Sheng stared straight ahead, her expression so indifferent it was as if she no longer had any feelings for her at all.
This should have been a reason for Lin Xizhao to feel relieved, but instead, it plunged her mood to an all-time low.
After breakfast, Qu Sheng asked her to find a book and read aloud. It was a travelogue that Lin Xizhao liked. Halfway through, Qu Sheng noticed Lin Xizhao’s tone shift from being heavy with preoccupation to becoming more and more relaxed. She asked, “Jiejie, do you yearn for the things in this book?”
“Hmm?” Qu Sheng’s question pulled Lin Xizhao out of her immersive experience. She lifted her head from the book. “Why do you ask?”
“It’s nothing.” Qu Sheng reached out, fumbling for the teacup in front of her.
Lin Xizhao lowered her gaze, set the book aside, and picked up the empty teacup. She stood up. “I’ll get you some more.”
Qu Sheng listened quietly and gave a soft “Hmm.”
They continued to interact in this neither salty nor bland manner until the afternoon, when Lin Xirui’s visit broke the stalemate.
Lin Xirui had asked Lin Xizhao for help before, but she had refused. Although she had her own selfish reasons, she was also certain that Qu Sheng would never like him.
“Sheng-meimei, the day before yesterday I spoke with Father. If I pass the imperial examinations, he will permit me to come to your residence to propose marriage.” Lin Xirui’s voice was low. Though he was a man, expressing his feelings so directly still made him feel a bit flustered.
When Qu Sheng heard this, she subconsciously furrowed her brow. The expression on Lin Xizhao’s face wasn’t good either, but she had learned of this yesterday, so she showed no shock, nor did she stop him in time.
“Jiejie, why aren’t you saying anything?” Instead of questioning Lin Xirui, Qu Sheng directed her question to Lin Xizhao.
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng, then at Lin Xirui, who was sitting beside her with an expectant look, hoping she would say something favorable. She pondered for a moment. “Right now, the most important thing is to treat your eyes.”
“That’s not what I’m asking. Xirui-gege wants to marry me. Does Jiejie think we’re a suitable match?” Qu Sheng handed the decision to Lin Xizhao.
Lin Xirui listened, tugging on Lin Xizhao’s sleeve. He knew Qu Sheng listened to Lin Xizhao the most. If Lin Xizhao spoke up for him today, the matter would likely be settled. He knew Qu Sheng didn’t like him, but feelings could be cultivated, and he was confident he could take good care of her.
In the future, when he obtained an official post, he would be like his father and earn a noble title of a gaoming body14 for his wife.
Lin Xizhao glanced at Lin Xirui’s pleading expression, lowered her eyes, and pursed her lips. “Matters of marriage should be decided by one’s parents. What I say doesn’t count.”
She pushed the decision to the elders.
Qu Sheng let out a light, cold laugh. “I just want Jiejie to tell the truth. Is that so difficult?”
Lin Xizhao pursed her lips again and lowered her head. Lin Xirui grew anxious. “Jiejie told me yesterday that although I’m not worthy of Sheng-meimei, if I pass the examinations, Uncle Qu will consider it. And if Sheng-meimei marries me, our two families will be even closer.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao stared blankly at Lin Xirui, who was spouting nonsense from an open mouth15. A trace of nervousness appeared as she looked at Qu Sheng.
“So that’s what Jiejie was thinking. On top of kinship, add more kinship. It sounds not bad.” Qu Sheng’s voice was clear and cold, sending a shiver down Lin Xizhao’s spine.
At that moment, Lin Xizhao wanted to deny it, but she couldn’t expose Lin Xirui in front of Qu Sheng. A man’s face was his most important asset, and she knew her didi had already thrown caution to the wind. If she gave him a blow to the head16, any slight chance Lin Xirui might have had with Qu Sheng would vanish completely.
“Xirui-gege, how can you be so sure you’ll pass the examinations?”
The next imperial examination wasn’t for another three years. In three years, she would be about Lin Xizhao’s current age.
“I will. For Sheng-meimei, I will definitely pass,” Lin Xirui promised excitedly.
His teacher had praised his scholarship. Even without Qu Sheng, he was determined to be victorious in the next examination.
The corners of Qu Sheng’s lips curled up slightly. She let out another light laugh and said slowly, “Hmm, then let’s wait until after Xirui-gege passes the examinations to talk about it.”
She didn’t give him a definite answer, but she did give him hope.
“Alright! I definitely won’t let Sheng-meimei down.”
After Lin Xirui left, Qu Sheng remained seated at the table, staring at the candlelight. Lin Xizhao stayed by her side, trying to make conversation, but Qu Sheng ignored her.
The two of them stayed up like this late into the night. If Qu Sheng didn’t sleep, Lin Xizhao didn’t either.
Although Qu Sheng had decided to give up on Lin Xizhao, the fondness in her heart had never changed. She was letting her go because she couldn’t see and couldn’t protect her in time. If her eyes weren’t blind, she never would have entertained the slightest thought of letting Lin Xizhao go.
Lin Xizhao sat to the side with her eyes lowered, her hands folded on her lap. She was pinching them so hard that deep red marks appeared. She knew Qu Sheng was angry about the words Lin Xirui had falsely attributed to her, but she didn’t know how to explain.
“Sheng’er, go to bed and rest,” Lin Xizhao asked tentatively, her expression cautious.
Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng’s body moved slightly, and she raised a hand.
Seeing this, Lin Xizhao got up and hurried over to take Qu Sheng’s hand, only to be suddenly pulled forward, stumbling close against her.
In the quiet room, Qu Sheng’s clear voice questioned Lin Xizhao, whose hand she gripped tightly. “Does Jiejie really want me to become your younger brother’s wife? On top of kinship, add more kinship? Heh, it’s a wonder you could even think of that.”
Tonight, those words had been circling in Qu Sheng’s mind. She just couldn’t understand how Lin Xizhao’s heart could be so cruel. How could she, after Qu Sheng had confessed her love, so nonchalantly want her to marry her didi?
What a fine ‘on top of kinship, add more kinship.’ It turned out this was the only kind of kinship she was worthy of.
“I…” At that moment, Lin Xizhao’s desire to defend herself reached its peak, but she suppressed it and tacitly admitted to it.
“Since Jiejie wants to ‘on top of kinship, add more kinship’ so badly, why don’t we move to your residence tomorrow? It would be a good chance for me and Lin Xirui to cultivate our feelings. What does Jiejie think?”
Qu Sheng stared blankly at Lin Xizhao. Lin Xizhao bit her lower lip, her willow-like eyebrows knitted together. Her face showed a trace of being wronged, mixed with resistance.
“If Jiejie won’t speak, then it’s settled. Tomorrow, we’ll go to your esteemed residence to recuperate.”
After speaking, Qu Sheng released Lin Xizhao’s hand. She rose on her own and, relying on memory, walked into the inner room. Lin Xizhao stared at Qu Sheng’s resolute back, her heart so oppressed by an unknown weight that she could hardly breathe.
Lin Xizhao watched Qu Sheng enter the inner room. Remembering she couldn’t see, she quickly composed herself and followed. Qu Sheng was fumbling with the sash at her waist.
“Let me help you.” Lin Xizhao walked over in a few steps and placed her hand on Qu Sheng’s waist.
Hearing her voice, Qu Sheng’s fingers brushed against Lin Xizhao’s warm, soft hand. She paused for a moment, then raised both her hands.
Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng untie the sash, moved behind her, and took off her outer robe. When she turned to help Qu Sheng to the bed, Qu Sheng had already gotten on herself.
Lin Xizhao watched as Qu Sheng fumbled her way down onto the bed. Her eyes blinked uncontrollably for a few moments before she went to get the bedding and covered Qu Sheng with it.
She stood by the bed, her heart in turmoil. As she began to untie her own dress, her movements were slow, sometimes pausing altogether.
When Qu Sheng didn’t hear any movement for a long time, she worried her words had been too harsh, making Lin Xizhao afraid to get on the bed. Fearing she would stay up all night, she said, “Come up.”
Hearing this, Lin Xizhao looked up at Qu Sheng. Her hands resumed untying her clothes, and a moment later, she was on the bed.
Lin Xizhao half-knelt, leaning towards Qu Sheng. But when Qu Sheng heard the movement, she shifted further inward, maintaining a distance from the approaching Lin Xizhao before turning her back to her.
Lin Xizhao looked at Qu Sheng’s action, which was even more hurtful than the day before. A flicker of hurt crossed her eyes. After a moment of somberness, she gently lay down.
Early the next morning, before they had even eaten, Qu Sheng had Feng Qi prepare the carriage.
Qu Sheng had plenty of belongings at the Prime Minister Lin’s Residence, so she didn’t need to pack much. Lin Xizhao didn’t want to go back, but the choice wasn’t hers to make.
Everyone from the Marquis Qu’s Residence came out to see them off. Qu Ting and Qu Yu even personally escorted them. They couldn’t understand why she suddenly wanted to go to the Lin Residence to recuperate. But since it was Qu Sheng’s decision, they went along with it. They had already assigned people to investigate the matter she had told them about, but the capital’s population was vast. Finding a parrot seller with a mole on the back of his hand was proving to be incredibly difficult.
When Qu Sheng and Lin Xizhao arrived at the Prime Minister Lin’s Residence, Lin Xizhao led her inside. Lin Xirui got the news, abandoned his lessons, and hurried out to welcome them.
The excitement and joy on Lin Xirui’s face was plain to see17. Just yesterday he had told Qu Sheng he wanted to marry her, and today she had moved in. He was sure she had come for him. He was overjoyed, but in front of everyone, he feigned a question. “Sheng-meimei, why did you suddenly decide to come back and stay?”
Listening to the footsteps around her, Qu Sheng smiled. “It’s secluded here, suitable for recuperating.”
The Prime Minister Lin’s Residence was in a less bustling area; it was indeed much quieter than the Marquis Qu’s Residence.
Lin Xizhao looked up at Lin Xirui walking beside her, then at the faint smile on Qu Sheng’s face. If it weren’t for Qu Sheng’s vicious words last night, perhaps even she wouldn’t have realized Qu Sheng had come in a fit of pique.
This morning, Lin Xizhao had said she wouldn’t go, but Qu Sheng paid her no mind. When Feng Qi came with the carriage, Lin Xizhao didn’t help her, so Qu Sheng started walking out on her own. Worried she would fall, Lin Xizhao had no choice but to follow.
Qu Ting and Qu Yu escorted Qu Sheng to the door and were about to leave. As the male heir of the residence, Lin Xirui naturally couldn’t be impolite. Plus, since he believed Qu Sheng had come for him, he offered to see the two gege off.
Qu Ting and Qu Yu took the opportunity to ask him a few questions, as if casually.
Qu Yu and Qu Ting exchanged a glance. Qu Yu asked, “Xirui-didi, I’ve had people watching the teahouse these past few days. How come we haven’t run into that person you mentioned?”
Lin Xirui was stunned for a moment. “He’s not the only one selling parrots. There are plenty with good coloring. If Fourth Brother Qu wants one, tomorrow—no, this afternoon I’ll have someone send one over.”
“No need, no need. It’s just that my wife took a liking to Sheng-meimei’s parrot and thought we’d buy one if we saw him again. Who knew we’d wait so long and he never showed up.”
Lin Xirui listened thoughtfully. “From his accent, I could tell he’s from the capital, but his clothes didn’t make him seem like a coarse person.”
Hearing this, Qu Ting and Qu Yu exchanged another glance. Qu Ting asked, “Was it some family’s household servant selling it for their master?”
Lin Xirui quickly shook his head. “No, it didn’t look like that.” He carefully recalled the day he passed by. The man was squatting in a corner, not saying a word. His clothes weren’t fancy, but they were a world apart from the other parrot sellers. “Actually, he was selling it very cheaply. It was more like he was secretly selling it…”
He immediately regretted saying that. The bird’s plumage was clearly of the highest quality, and it learned to mimic speech instantly. He had given it to Qu Sheng as a gift. Saying it was “very cheap” made him sound insincere, as if he had deliberately picked out a bargain item for her.
Qu Yu smiled. “Then does Xirui-didi remember what kind of clothes the man was wearing?”
Lin Xirui was still feeling embarrassed. Hearing Qu Yu’s question, he glanced at him as they walked. “His clothes were like those of the second-class servants in our residence. He must be a household servant from a large family.”
Qu Ting pondered this for a few moments. He glanced back at the servants from the Prime Minister Lin’s Residence who had come out to see them off. They were precisely the second-class servants Lin Xirui had described.
The servants of large families dressed so well. In this capital, there were quite a few families that could compare to the Prime Minister Lin’s Residence.
After seeing off Qu Ting and Qu Yu, Lin Xirui headed straight for Lin Xizhao’s courtyard. Lin Xizhao had already sent someone ahead to prepare breakfast, and the dishes were now being served.
Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng wipe her hands. Since Lin Xirui was there, it wouldn’t be right to make him leave. He sat to the side, watching Qu Sheng eat, occasionally picking up food and placing it in the bowl Lin Xizhao was holding for her.
“Eldest Miss, the Master18 has returned and asks you to come over,” the Steward announced, having come personally to summon her.
Lin Xizhao glanced at the Steward, then at Qu Sheng, as if weighing her options. After a moment, she said, “Sheng’er, can you wait for me for a moment?”
Qu Sheng heard her and nodded.
Lin Xizhao put down the bowl and chopsticks. Qu Sheng turned her ear to listen to Lin Xizhao’s footsteps leaving the room, only turning her head back when the sound faded.
Lin Xizhao went to see Lin Jianhai. The father and daughter discussed something unknown. When Lin Xizhao returned, her complexion was terrible. It wasn’t anger, but an excess of worry.
Remembering that Qu Sheng hadn’t finished eating, she quickened her pace. But when she entered the room, she found someone had already taken her place in feeding Qu Sheng.
Lin Xizhao froze, watching as Qu Sheng calmly ate the food Lin Xirui was feeding her, bit by bit.
Seeing his older sister enter, Lin Xirui smiled and looked over. “Ajie19, did Father ask about the matter between me and Sheng-meimei?”
The author has something to say:
Qu Sheng: “It’s all the same food. I’m just eating it casually.”
Lin Xizhao: “Aren’t you afraid of choking?”
Qu Sheng: “……”
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