The Prime Minister’s Daughter and the Marquis’s Fool – Chapter 99

I will make the Xiao Residence accompany her in death

Lin Xizhao listened to Zhao Jiayu, but it was like listening to a heavenly book¹; she seemed to understand, yet she didn’t. Zhao Jiayu waved a hand in front of Lin Xizhao’s stunned face. It took a long moment for her to react.

She reached out and clutched Zhao Jiayu’s fingers, her eyelashes trembling. “How is she now?”

In all the time Lin Xizhao had known Qu Sheng, she had never once heard of her being struck. After the pain of losing his beloved son, Qu Jinian had been blessed with this daughter. It was said that Qu Sheng hadn’t even met him until she was three years old. The Qu Family treated her like a pearl in their palms². For Qu Jinian to raise a hand to her now—to actually strike her—showed the depth of his fury.

Hearing the urgency in Lin Xizhao’s voice, Zhao Jiayu quickly explained, “He struck her across the face. I don’t know what’s happening now. I only heard about it from Ah Yu, took one look, and rushed over to tell you.”

Lin Xizhao’s brow furrowed. Before she could even think, her feet were already carrying her out the door.

“Hey, Xizhao, wait for me!” Zhao Jiayu hesitated for only a few moments, but Lin Xizhao was already far ahead. Once she reached the courtyard, Lin Xizhao broke into a run.

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Qu Sheng knelt in the main hall of the Marquis Qu’s Residence’s rear courtyard, her slender frame perfectly straight. The rest of the Qu family’s uncles had already gathered. Seeing her stubborn posture, they all frowned.

“Sheng’er, quickly, admit your mistake to your father. Tell him you were just talking nonsense—”

“Mother,” Qu Sheng interrupted Jin Yunfei, looking up. “Every word this child³ has said is true. I cannot be without Xizhao. She belongs to me now, and I cannot fail her. This child wants to marry her as my wife.” Her gaze was exceptionally resolute.

Hearing Qu Sheng’s insane ramblings, Qu Jinian’s anger flared anew. He glared at her and ordered the steward beside him, “Go and fetch the small rod⁴.”

Everyone’s expression changed. Qu Yu stepped forward immediately. “Eldest Paternal Uncle, Sheng-meimei’s eyes have only just recovered. She can’t be subjected to family discipline.”

Qu Jinian shot a glance at Qu Yu, and the severity in his eyes silenced whatever else he was about to say.

“Although Zhao’er is not our biological daughter, she will not be… by this beast…” Qu Jinian choked back the rest of his words, unable to say them aloud.

Unlike Jin Yunfei, he held no illusions that Qu Sheng was merely exaggerating to win their approval. He believed her. As much as he doted on Qu Sheng, he would not indulge evil and abet it⁵. A young woman’s reputation was paramount; how could he allow his own daughter to tarnish another’s?

Their Qu Family had rules. Besides forbidding concubines, they were also forbidden from frequenting brothels. Keeping a mistress outside the home was grounds for being expelled from the family! For Qu Sheng to have done such a thing—he no longer had the face to see Lin Jianhai.

“This child is willing to accept Father’s punishment,” Qu Sheng declared before the entire family, reaffirming her stance. “But this child will never give up Xizhao.”

She had known this day would come ever since her eyes had healed. She knew that a relationship between two women was nearly impossible, but she loved Lin Xizhao. Even if they beat her to death now, she would not relent and let Lin Xizhao go.

Qu Sheng’s words made Qu Jinian’s head spin with rage. He lowered his head and glared at her. When the steward returned with the small rod, he seized it, his voice thick with fury. “I will beat you to death today!”

The words had barely left his mouth when Qu Jinian raised the small rod and brought it down viciously on Qu Sheng’s body.

The onlookers’ hearts leaped into their throats, but Qu Sheng remained silent, gritting her teeth as Qu Jinian swung the rod again and again.

After a while, Qu Jinian saw sweat beading on Qu Sheng’s forehead from the pain, yet she refused to utter a single plea for mercy. A pang of pity shot through his heart, but it was quickly consumed by a wave of fury. He threw the small rod aside and roared at the steward, “Go get the Water and Fire Cudgel⁶!”

The small rod was painful, but it wouldn’t cause permanent injury. The Water and Fire Cudgel, however, could be lethal.

At this, everyone began to plead with him. Jin Yunfei burst into tears. “Master, Sheng’er can’t take it! Sheng’er, quickly, tell your father you were just talking nonsense!”

A fine layer of sweat covered Qu Sheng’s brow. She looked up at Jin Yunfei, her gaze unwavering. Her throat bobbed once. “This child did not lie. Xizhao and I have already had skin-to-skin intimacy⁷. This child is going to marry her.”

To hear his own unmarried daughter utter such obscene words—even if they were veiled—was shocking enough. But for the act to have involved his adopted daughter… He regarded Lin Xizhao and Qu Sheng as equals; both palms and backs of his hands were his own flesh. But this transgression was Qu Sheng’s alone.

Lin Xizhao had been an obedient child since she was young and had never once angered her elders. For Qu Sheng to speak like this, one didn’t need to guess to know that Qu Sheng must have forced her.

Qu Sheng’s confession only stoked the flames of his rage. He snatched up the small rod again and brought it down on her.

With every strike, Qu Sheng’s brow twitched, a sight that made everyone’s heart ache.

Soon, the steward returned with the Water and Fire Cudgel. Qu Jinian tossed the small rod aside and took the cudgel. Before the steward could even have someone bring out the punishment bench, he swung the man-high weapon onto Qu Sheng’s back.

The blow sent the kneeling Qu Sheng sprawling forward.

“Sheng’er!” Lin Xizhao burst in at that exact moment. Seeing Qu Sheng struck to the ground by Qu Jinian, she forgot all etiquette and rushed inside, kneeling beside Qu Sheng to help her up.

The family members, who had been about to intervene, all froze when they heard Lin Xizhao’s voice and saw her arrive.

They didn’t know if what Qu Sheng had said was true. If it was, and Lin Xizhao—the one whose innocence had been violated—was now here… in any other household, even if a man had treated a woman this way, it would not be permitted. If Lin Xizhao truly felt she had been threatened or forced by Qu Sheng, as long as she didn’t relent, the Qu family couldn’t say a word even if Qu Sheng were beaten to a pulp.

Lin Xizhao knelt and tried to support Qu Sheng, but the sound of her voice sent a flash of panic through Qu Sheng. She quickly turned her head to look at Lin Xizhao, blood already trickling from the corner of her lip.

That blow from Qu Jinian had not been light.

The moment Lin Xizhao helped her up and saw the blood, her heart twisted into a knot. She frantically pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve to wipe it away, but Qu Sheng grabbed her hand. Qu Sheng let out a ragged breath, the pain from her body lancing through her, but she endured it and asked in a strained whisper, “Why did you come here?”

How could I let Xizhao face such a humiliating scene? It didn’t matter for her; this was bound to come out sooner or later, and she had to face it. But Lin Xizhao shouldn’t have come at this time. She should have just waited for her to persuade the Qu family and then marry her into the family.

Qu Sheng questioned her, but Lin Xizhao’s eyes were filled with nothing but heartache. She now understood why Qu Sheng was being beaten. She had thought Qu Jinian would only administer a light punishment, but she never expected him to be so heavy-handed.

Lin Xizhao shook her head, wanting to persuade Qu Sheng to give up. But as Qu Sheng turned back, she caught sight of Zhao Jiayu, whom she hadn’t noticed before.

It was Zhao Jiayu who had brought Lin Xizhao here.

“I’m sorry,” Qu Sheng said, not specifying what she was sorry for. But this apology was by no means a concession to her family’s elders.

Hearing her, Lin Xizhao shook her head again, tears of anguish now welling in her eyes.

Jin Yunfei watched as Lin Xizhao wiped the blood from Qu Sheng’s lips, her heart still pounding with fear. Right now, the only person who could save Qu Sheng was Lin Xizhao.

Qu Sheng was stubborn by nature and would not back down. She was terrified that if Qu Sheng kept talking like this, Qu Jinian would actually beat her to death.

Lin Xizhao helped Qu Sheng slowly to her feet. Qu Sheng could no longer stand straight; she was half-bent over, struggling even to walk.

“Zhao’er, don’t mind this beast. You tell your Adoptive Father, did she or did she not do… to you?” Qu Jinian was too ashamed and furious to finish the sentence. “If it’s true, your Adoptive Father will beat her to death today!”

Both were girls, and both were his daughters… For Qu Sheng to have done such a thing to Lin Xizhao, he had lost all face.

“Adoptive Father, it has nothing to do with Sheng’er. It is this daughter’s fault. This daughter failed to be a good Jiejie. It was this daughter who seduced Sheng’er. If you must beat someone, beat me.” At this moment, the only way for Lin Xizhao to save Qu Sheng from punishment was to take all the blame herself.

Besides, it was true. She had failed as a Jiejie, leading Qu Sheng down a road of no return.

Qu Jinian clearly didn’t believe her. He knew the child he had raised. Lin Xizhao must have been tricked by some low-down, underhanded⁸ method.

Seeing the disbelief in Qu Jinian’s eyes, Lin Xizhao looked at the surrounding Qu family members. Though she was mortified, she couldn’t bear to see Qu Sheng beaten any further. One strike had already drawn blood; any more could take her life.

Compared to Qu Sheng’s life, her reputation was worthless.

“Adoptive Father, it was this daughter who—”

Before Lin Xizhao could finish, Qu Sheng cut her off. She looked at Qu Jinian, her voice weaker than before. “Father, it was not Xizhao’s fault. It was this child who forced her. But this child is determined to marry her.” Qu Sheng refused to back down. Even if she had forced Lin Xizhao, she would make her her own. And taking this beating from Qu Jinian now was the price for making their union perfectly justifiable⁹.

Qu Jinian had felt a flicker of doubt at Lin Xizhao’s words, but hearing Qu Sheng admit to forcing her, his rage surged again. He raised the Water and Fire Cudgel, but just as he was about to strike, Lin Xizhao spread her arms and shielded Qu Sheng with her own body.

“Adoptive Father, it really has nothing to do with Sheng’er! It’s all this daughter’s fault—” Lin Xizhao cried out in panic.

“Xizhao.” Qu Sheng pulled her away. She didn’t need Lin Xizhao to plead for her, nor did she need her to sacrifice her reputation to protect her. Qu Jinian’s punishment was something she deserved, and she could take it. But to let Lin Xizhao bear this infamy for her? Absolutely not.

She would not let anyone else cover up what she had done.

Qu Jinian looked at Qu Sheng’s unsteady body, the wrinkles on his forehead deepening. He saw Lin Xizhao still trying to pull Qu Sheng behind her, then saw Qu Sheng’s own reckless disregard for her life. “Pull Zhao’er away,” he ordered, exasperated.

The steward looked at Lin Xizhao, hesitating.

Seeing that none of the servants were moving, Qu Jinian glared at the steward. “What are you waiting for!”

The steward trembled. He had never seen Qu Jinian this furious in all his years. He hurried forward, signaling for the other servants to help him pull Lin Xizhao away.

Lin Xizhao was forcibly pulled aside. Her body was too delicate; she couldn’t break free. The other Qu family members didn’t dare step in to help Qu Sheng now.

The punishment itself was a small matter; they were more afraid that Qu Sheng would only end up being beaten more severely.

The servants from outside brought in the long punishment bench. Without anyone needing to escort her, Qu Sheng walked over and laid herself across it.

Seeing Qu Sheng’s attitude of not shedding tears until seeing the coffin¹⁰, Qu Jinian felt both furious and helpless. How did I end up with such a stubborn seed?¹¹

Qu Jinian raised the Water and Fire Cudgel and administered the family discipline himself. But after just one strike, Qu Sheng coughed up a spray of blood.

Everyone froze. Qu Jinian himself couldn’t believe the force of his blow had been so great. He stared as Qu Sheng, having vomited blood, passed out, her head lolling over the side of the bench. He then watched, stunned, as Lin Xizhao broke free from the equally shocked servants and rushed to Qu Sheng’s side.

As Qu Jinian looked down at the Water and Fire Cudgel in his hands, Qu Ting had already swept Qu Sheng into his arms.

“Get a doctor! Get a doctor!” Qu Yu yelled frantically at a nearby servant.

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A roomful of people crowded into Qu Sheng’s chambers. Lin Xizhao stood to one side, wringing her hands, so nervous her six spirits were without a master¹².

When the doctor arrived and checked her pulse, he found it to be strangely peculiar but couldn’t say why. As the doctor shook his head, Zhao Jiayu cried out, “Could it have something to do with her eyes?”

How could two blows make her vomit blood and lose consciousness? Qu Jinian had just said that while he had used force, it shouldn’t have been enough to knock her out with a single strike.

Besides, he hadn’t hit her on the back, and certainly not on the head.

“Cheng Xi! Cheng Xi! Go get Bingying! Get Bingying to come!” Hearing Zhao Jiayu, Lin Xizhao immediately thought of Cheng Xi. If they sent for Xiao Bingying, Cheng Xi would surely come with her.

Qu Ting considered Lin Xizhao’s words for a moment. “Xizhao-meimei, don’t worry. I’ll go bring them right now.”

Qu Ting mounted his horse and galloped to the Zhao Residence.

Inside the Zhao Residence, Xiao Bingying sat in Cheng Xi’s room, watching the nonchalant Xiao Yaocai with a flicker of irritation in her eyes.

Xiao Yaocai had learned that the Qu family had returned and that Xiao Bingying had taken Cheng Xi out of the city. He was now using Cheng Xi’s departure from the capital as leverage to demand her return to his residence.

He had sent people over last night, but Xiao Bingying had sent them away. Today, he had come to demand her in person. He refused to believe he couldn’t take her back.

“Ah Jie, are you really going to ruin things between us over some woman?” Xiao Yaocai was already parched from talking so much.

He had come up empty-handed when he arrived today, but he knew for a fact that Cheng Xi had returned.

“Cheng Xi’s injuries haven’t healed yet. I can’t let her go back,” Xiao Bingying said. She had always spoken softly to Xiao Yaocai, but whenever it concerned Cheng Xi, she was ready to meet force with force¹³.

“Injuries? What injuries could she have? And even if she does, can’t our Xiao Residence afford a doctor?” Xiao Yaocai retorted impatiently.

Xiao Bingying fell silent for a moment. Xiao Yaocai pressed on, “His Majesty bestowed her upon our Xiao Family. Look at that pretty face of hers—she’s sure to give our Xiao Residence a big, healthy boy. Ah Jie, don’t you want to become a Paternal Aunt sooner?”

A trace of shock flashed in Xiao Bingying’s eyes, but it vanished as she remembered that Xiao Yaocai’s body was weak. A hint of disgust for the man before her crept into her gaze.

Previously, she would open one eye and close one eye¹⁴ to Xiao Yaocai’s activities. She didn’t approve of what he did outside, but she couldn’t stop him.

She could ignore his dealings with others, but she would never let him get near Cheng Xi again.

“Ah Jie, are you forcing me to say something unpleasant?” Seeing her silence, Xiao Yaocai stood up, looking down at her to muster some authority.

He knew he couldn’t beat her in a fight, but he was, after all, the proper young master of the Xiao Residence. Xiao Bingying was merely an adopted daughter.

Calling her Ah Jie was already giving her plenty of face, but she was acting like she was someone important, hiding his person here and not even letting him see her.

Hearing Xiao Yaocai’s hostile tone, Xiao Bingying picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea, lifting it to her nose to inhale the fragrance.

It was a flower tea¹⁵ recipe Cheng Xi had given her.

Seeing no reaction from her, Xiao Yaocai propped a foot on the wooden stool he had just been sitting on, a vicious glint in his eyes. “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit¹⁶.”

Xiao Bingying listened to his words, glanced down at the blooming flower tea, and blew on it gently before taking a sip. But before she could swallow, Xiao Yaocai knocked it from her hand. Xiao Bingying simply turned her head to dodge, and as he shoved, she added a bit of force, sending the cup flying past her back.

Xiao Yaocai had intended to scare her, to splash the tea on her. But not only had he failed to hurt her, Xiao Bingying’s eyes were now tinged with an icy chill. It seemed that if he were to act rashly¹⁷, she could easily take his life.

The sight did make him rein in his arrogant and domineering¹⁸ attitude for a moment. But then he remembered that in all these years, Xiao Bingying had never dared to hit him. She hadn’t even made a sound when he had deliberately nicked her with his sword during practice. He figured she wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on him.

Still, he had never seen her like this before, and it had startled him. He stood up, scanned the room, and then strode quickly into the inner chamber.

The room contained many changes of clothes that Xiao Bingying had prepared for Cheng Xi. Xiao Yaocai rummaged through them, then yanked the bedding from the bed, sniffed it, and tossed it aside. He drew the sword at his waist¹⁹ and slashed the bedding to ribbons. Then he pulled Cheng Xi’s clothes from the wardrobe, threw them on the floor, and began hacking them to pieces.

Hearing the noise, Xiao Bingying quickly rose and entered the room.

She frowned at the sight of the chaotic mess of clothes on the floor and the pile of shredded cotton on the bed.

Seeing her, Xiao Yaocai snorted contemptuously and continued his work. He was going to destroy everything in here and see how Cheng Xi could possibly rest when she returned.

Even if he couldn’t achieve his goal, he could at least scare her.

Xiao Yaocai’s childish behavior earned him Xiao Bingying’s silent scorn. She simply watched as he sliced Cheng Xi’s clothes to shreds, not saying a single word.

When he grew tired, he stopped to rest. Seeing not a hint of anger in Xiao Bingying’s eyes, he lost interest, threw the remaining clothes to the ground, and stormed out.

The Zhao Residence wasn’t that big. He refused to believe he couldn’t find Cheng Xi.

Xiao Yaocai left the room and ordered his men to search. They had already searched Xiao Bingying’s room, so he had them start searching the courtyard.

“Cai-di²⁰, this is not our Xiao Residence. If you act so recklessly, Paternal Uncle will be angry,” Xiao Bingying stated a simple truth. Searching someone else’s home like this was a grave breach of etiquette.

In any other residence, he would have been thrown out with a cudgel by now.

“Hmph.” Xiao Yaocai snorted and ignored her.

Xiao Bingying stood her ground, unable to dissuade him, and could only watch. Yesterday, she had heard from Zhao Jiayu that Xiao Yaocai had come many times during the three months they were away.

Frustrated at not seeing Cheng Xi, he had tried everything from sweet talk to threats, eventually even bringing his mother, the Xiao matriarch, into it. General Zhao had no choice but to reveal that Cheng Xi had been taken away by the Qu family.

He had already caused a scene at the Zhao Residence several times.

After searching Xiao Bingying’s courtyard and finding no one, Xiao Yaocai ordered his men to search the other courtyards. It wasn’t until they reached Zhao Jiayu’s courtyard that the Zhao Residence’s steward finally came out to stop them.

Seeing someone blocking his way, Xiao Yaocai strode forward and kicked the steward, sending him flying. He spat. “Old thing²¹, stop poking your nose into others’ business. My Paternal Uncle and Paternal Aunt haven’t said a word. Who are you to be shouting five and calling six²² here?”

Seeing Xiao Yaocai resort to violence, Xiao Bingying no longer stood by. She went to the steward’s side, helped him up with the other Zhao servants, then walked over to one of the Xiao servants about to enter the courtyard, grabbed him by the collar, and threw him out.

“Get out,” Xiao Bingying’s voice was soft, but it carried a tone that dared not be underestimated.

The Xiao servants hesitated, looking to Xiao Yaocai for direction. Seeing Xiao Bingying make a move, Xiao Yaocai’s initial shock gave way to annoyance and disdain. “Well, well, Xiao Bingying. Oh, no, I should call you Zhao Bingying. What, you’ve only lived here a few days and you already dare to strike your master’s people?”

His words treated her not as a sister, but as a servant of the residence.

It was true that Xiao Bingying had no name when she was brought to the family. The name “Bingying” had been given to her by General Zhao. Her original name was indeed Zhao Bingying.

His words caused no great ripple in her heart. She wouldn’t even frown when the Xiao matriarch mockingly called her a whore, let alone when Xiao Yaocai called her a servant.

“This is the Zhao Residence, not our Xiao Residence,” Xiao Bingying repeated her earlier warning. She was a woman of few words, especially with him.

She knew that reasoning with Xiao Yaocai was useless. This one sentence was enough.

He snorted again. He had already searched everywhere except his uncle and aunt’s courtyard and this one. He refused to believe Cheng Xi could have vanished into thin air.

“Ignore her. Go in and search.”

“Who dares!” General Zhao strode in from the courtyard entrance. He had only just learned of Xiao Yaocai’s arrival, but he hadn’t known he would dare to order a search of his residence.

Not even the capital’s prefect had that authority.

“Paternal Uncle,” Xiao Bingying greeted him with a bow.

“Master,” the steward and servants all bowed.

Seeing him, Xiao Yaocai could only stammer, “Pa-Paternal Uncle.”

General Zhao glanced at the crowd, then fixed his gaze on Xiao Yaocai, who was looking down but stealing glances at him. “I hear you brought men to search my residence? What audacity!” he demanded sharply.

“I… I…” Xiao Yaocai was speechless. “Paternal Aunt!”

At that moment, Mother Zhao also walked in from the courtyard.

Seeing his aunt, Xiao Yaocai acted as if he’d found his savior. “Paternal Aunt, you must stand up for your nephew! Ah Jie has taken the person His Majesty bestowed upon me for herself and refuses to let us even see her.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Mother Zhao found the phrase “taken for herself” improper. How could one girl take another?

Xiao Yaocai, unfazed by the mild rebuke, started making a scene again. “If Ah Jie didn’t want to possess her, why won’t she let her come out? She’s clearly hiding something!”

Mother Zhao frowned at his words, but General Zhao ignored him completely, treating his words as nothing but farts²³. He glared at Xiao Yaocai. “Take your men and leave. Now.”

Cheng Xi was in Zhao Jiayu’s room. General Zhao didn’t know this at the moment, but his daughter’s room was not a place others could search as they pleased.

Hearing that General Zhao was kicking him out, Xiao Yaocai dropped the act. “If I don’t take Cheng Xi with me today, no one is getting me to leave.”

“You—” General Zhao was speechless with anger. He had watched Xiao Yaocai grow up, and watched him grow crooked. He used to at least pretend to have manners in his presence, but now he was tearing away all pretense and acting like a brute. It was infuriating.

“Paternal Uncle, don’t forget, Cheng Xi was granted to our Xiao Residence by His Majesty. She is a person bestowed by the Emperor²⁴. You secretly let her leave the capital, and now you can’t produce her. Don’t blame your nephew for disregarding family ties. All I have to do is file a complaint with His Majesty, and none of you will be able to eat it all and have to carry it away²⁵!” Xiao Yaocai began to threaten them.

But he was speaking the truth. His agreement to give up Cheng Xi had been a temporary measure, forced upon him by the Qu family. So much time had passed; he doubted the Qu family would still interfere.

Furthermore, the Qu family had encouraged Cheng Xi to leave the city. If he was determined to report it, even if the Qu family had hands and eyes that reach heaven²⁶, he would definitely be able to take Cheng Xi away.

As Xiao Yaocai finished, he imagined his victory. Seeing the troubled frowns on the faces of the Zhao family and Xiao Bingying, he was feeling quite pleased with himself when a servant rushed in from the courtyard. “Master, Madam, Third Young Master Qu is here. He says he is looking for the Miss Cousin and Miss Cheng Xi.”

General Zhao was about to go out to greet him, but then he glanced at Xiao Yaocai. “Have Third Young Master Qu come here.”

The servant went to relay the message, and Qu Ting entered shortly after. He greeted everyone, and before General Zhao could ask his purpose, he spoke urgently, “Qu Ting apologizes for the intrusion today, but the matter is urgent. I would like to ask Bingying-meimei and Miss Cheng Xi to make a trip to our Qu Residence.”

He didn’t give a reason. A sudden illness like this was a private matter, and the fact that Qu Sheng had been beaten made it even more imperative to keep it quiet.

Hearing his words, Xiao Bingying asked quickly, “Is Xiao Sheng’er unwell?”

“Yes.” Since she had asked, Qu Ting answered truthfully.

Xiao Bingying thought for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Yaocai. From the looks of it, the Zhao Residence wouldn’t be able to protect Cheng Xi either. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Third Brother Qu, please wait a moment. I will go get Cheng Xi.”

As she spoke, she walked toward Zhao Jiayu’s room. At that same moment, Cheng Xi opened the door herself. Qu Sheng was in trouble, and now they were being summoned. It must have something to do with her eyes.

Xiao Bingying was slightly taken aback to see Cheng Xi emerge. She took her hand and started walking toward Qu Ting. But as they passed Xiao Yaocai, he stared intently at Cheng Xi and stretched out his arms to block their path.

“So you were here. You can’t leave. You belong to my Xiao Residence.” Xiao Yaocai blocked their way and moved to grab Cheng Xi.

The person Qu Ting had come for was Cheng Xi. He had guessed Xiao Yaocai was here for her the moment he arrived. Now, seeing him block her path, his brow furrowed. He strode over, seized Xiao Yaocai’s arm, and flung him aside.

“What do you think you’re doing, Third Brother Qu?” All Xiao Yaocai wanted now was to take Cheng Xi away; he didn’t care who had come for her.

“What do you think?” Qu Ting looked at him, his eyes turning cold.

Xiao Yaocai flinched but remained defiant. “The affairs of my Xiao family are none of the Qu family’s business! Cheng Xi was bestowed upon me by His Majesty! If you dare take—”

“Say one more word of nonsense,” Qu Ting’s voice was low and dangerous. “If anything happens to my sister, I will make the Xiao Residence accompany her in death!”

Qu Sheng’s condition could not wait. Who knew if danger was just a moment away?

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The author has something to say:

Qu Sheng: “Just lyin’ around.”

Zhao Jiayu: “You’re lying there so comfortably, while everyone else is running around exhausted.”

Qu Sheng: “If I croak²⁷, I’ll treat everyone to a meal from the big pot. If I don’t, we’ll go to a restaurant.”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

Zhao Jiayu: “Let’s go to the restaurant. I’m afraid if you croak, I’ll have to eat two banquets²⁸.”

Lin Xizhao: “……”

Happy Qixi Festival to all you little darlings~

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