The Marquis Is Innocent

The Wei family’s residence has the usual grandeur of the northern family houses and also carries the Marquis establishment. There are three main doors, covered with a roof of hibiscus and surrounded by a stone foundation, decorated with painted Chinese dragons on the beams and columns of bronze lions of half a man’s height in front and behind the doors. The front hall is magnificent. There are courtyards separate all the residences in the backhouse, which makes the entire structure of the building bright and spacious.

The person with the highest status in the Wei family is Mrs. Xu, who is still living in the Wuzhong City at this moment. Mrs. Xu’s quarters were in the center north, which is empty now. Wei Shao’s mother, Mrs. Zhu, lived in the east, and Xiao Qiao was placed in the west room.

The west house was called a ‘room’, but actually a small independent house. After passing through two doors, there’s a main hall and side rooms, and then the private room, with the ears rooms and the patio.

There were about ten servant girls in the west room, all kneeling outside the door to greet Xiao Qiao, calling her the lady.

Although there was no announcement of her return, yet the room was clean inside and out, and the bedchamber was spotlessly clean.

From now on, Xiao Qiao would live here for a long time.

When Chun Niang and her maids were unpacking, Xiao Qiao noticed a few sets of men’s clothes and some daily necessities were left in the room.

It seems when Wei Shao was at home, he usually lived in this room.

In Xindu, in front of Old Zhong, Wei Shao brazenly separated from her, with no intention of hiding it, so it was clear that he did not care what his family thought of their relationships. Since he had always treated her with contempt, Xiao Qiao deduced he would not be willing to live in the same room with her.

This would be a humiliation for her, a newly married ‘lady’. By tomorrow, the Wei family’s servants would talk about her behind her back.

Trees have bark, people have faces. The tree can not live without the skin, but a person without the face, although not dead, it would be ugly.

Xiao Qiao is an ordinary person. Who wants to become a joke in the eyes of others after a single night? If she can get herself one layer of skin, she would be happy.

But this kind of thing, she can not solve it alone. Probably Wei Shao can’t wait to slap her to death like swatting flies, so she could only do her best to be prepared.

Fortunately, her heart is big, and she will not give herself a dilemma. This is probably Xiao Qiao’s biggest strength except for her face.

She instructed Chun Niang to let her sort out the things left by Wei Shao and put them aside, waiting for him to send someone over to take them away.

……

Wei Shao left her to the steward in one sentence, and the person disappeared throughout the day.

The master of the Wei family, naturally, could not have any good feelings towards the Qiao’s daughter. The servants should be the same. But not all the servants.

Even if money can’t buy people’s hearts, but it’s easy to make people talk.

In Xindu, most of the subordinates in the Xin Palace are from the local area and do not know the matter of the Wei family in Yuyang. A few of those who came with Old Zhong, because they were afraid of Old Zhong, their speech was vague and they did not want to reveal anything more.

After arriving here and settling in, Chun Niang, with her own skills trained in the Qiao family, asked a servant woman named Bingnu from the west room about the Wei family and Mrs. Zhu’s detailed matters.

Nowadays, marriages are very common and based on the importance of the family, especially between large families. Therefore, compared to the Wei family, Mrs. Zhu’s mother’s family origin was lower. Her father was only a postmaster in Zhuo County, but later he joined the army. He was promoted to the rank of general for his merits and was valued by Wei Shao’s grandfather. He died in a battle when he blocked a cold arrow for Wei Shao’s grandfather. Wei Shao’s grandfather felt guilty and grateful. When he saw the Zhu family had a daughter whose age and appearance were comparable to his eldest son Wei Jing, he took her as his son’s wife.

After Mrs. Zhu joined the Wei family, she gave birth to two sons. The eldest son, Wei Bao, courtesy name Bo Gong, and the second son, Wei Shao, courtesy name Zhong Lin. Ten years ago, both her husband and eldest son died. Mrs. Zhu was so hurt that she could not recover from the shock, and somehow she got involved with a shaman, and she was very devoted to it.

The attitude of Mrs. Xu toward Mrs. Zhu has been neither cold nor warm. Mrs. Zhu was afraid of this mother-in-law, who was the master of Zhongshan. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were not close. In the past few years, as Wei Shao took full charge of the army, Mrs. Xu cared little anymore, and spent most of the year living in Wuzhong, leaving Mrs. Zhu to stay in the Yu Yang mansion by herself.

Mrs. Zhu raised an eighteen-year-old girl who was still unmarried, named Zheng Chuyu, who was Mrs. Zhu’s niece. Zheng Chuyu’s father was a farmer, but he died early. She became an orphan girl and lived with her aunt. A few years ago, the shaman said that Zheng Chuyu was the lucky person in Mrs. Zhu’s life. With her, Mrs. Zhu could avoid bad luck and have good fortune. When Mrs. Zhu had a sickness and Zheng Chuyu took care of her day and night, Mrs. Zhu was recovered. She became convinced and became fond of her. Because Zheng Chuyu’s birth was not good enough, she asked her son to take her as a concubine. But for some reason, Wei Shao delays in taking her, and Mrs. Zhu has been keeping Zheng Chuyu around for the past two years, treating her like a concubine of Wei Shao, with her family calling her Zheng Shu.

“Lady, you know why the Marquis is delayed in marrying a wife even though he is already mature? Other than Zheng Shu, there was another ……”

Chun Niang came up to Xiao Qiao’s ear and was about to continue, when Bingnu rushed over to deliver the message that Mrs. Zhu had returned from Mount Yu. The Master also had returned and asking the Lady to pay respect together.

Chun Niang stopped.

Xiao Qiao was properly dressed and did not need to change her clothes. She looked in the mirror and took a pair of excellent needlework that Chun Niang had prepared for her. She opened the door and walked out.

Wei Shao was standing at the intersection of the hallway that leads to the east room, probably waiting for her.

Apart from his battle suit, it seems that he only wears green in his casual clothes. In Xindu, several times Xiao Qiao met him by chance and saw that he was always in a dark green clothes. Fortunately, his face was still presentable, so he was not old-fashioned. This time he was also in a dark green clothes, but the style was very relaxed, with a wide white jade-encrusted belt around the waist, lining his narrow waist and straight back. There is a wind from his side, rolled up the corner of one side of the robe. Without the usual fierce when he was dressed in a war robe, he looked elegant and fashionable.

From the time Xiao Qiao heard the message from Bingnu to here, at most, not more than half a quarter of an hour. The courtyard path is not short. It takes some time to walk. But he seems to have waited impatiently, with his hands behind his back. When he heard footsteps approaching, he turned his head to see her coming. He turned around and went toward the east room.

His steps were fast combining with his long legs, and he led Xiao Qiao away. At first, Xiao Qiao sped up her pace, but when she couldn’t catch up, she said to his back: “Husband, can you walk slower?”

Wei Shao was stunned, stopped and turned his head to glance at her.

Xiao Qiao lifted her skirt and took a few steps to catch up with him, smiling. “I am dressed formally to meet the elders, and my skirt is narrow, so I can’t walk fast. Husband, you are taller than me and have longer legs. If you walk faster, I will have to run to catch up.”

She now stands next to him, her head reached only his shoulders. If this was the future, this kind of tall and petite, could earn a so-called “the most adorable height difference”, but here on Xiao Qiao’s head, it is not so beautiful.

Wei Shao glanced at her again. She pursed her lips. The two corners of her lips turned up, her eyes shining like crystal, as if smiling at him.

Wei Shao does not want to pay attention to it. But he couldn’t pull his face away from her. In the end, he reluctantly mumbled. His face turned colder. He raised his chin, signaling her to follow him, turned around and walked forward again. This time, his pace slowed down. Xiao Qiao walked with him and entered the east room.

There were no less than twenty servants in the east room. They all gathered on either side of the corridor. When they saw Wei Shao leading Xiao Qiao over, they all came out and knelt down. Under the gaze of a bunch of amazed, curious, or contemptuous eyes behind her, Xiao Qiao followed Wei Shao into the large room where Mrs. Zhu was.

The room was well furnished, with a strong musk scent floating in the air. Wei Shao’s mother, Mrs. Zhu, had returned and changed her clothes. She was sitting on a couch with a low purple sandalwood screen on the opposite side. She was in her early forties and slightly fat, dressed in fancy clothes, with a head of pearls and emeralds. In her youth, she should have been beautiful. Even now, her features are still well-defined, but perhaps because of the habit of tensing her face, the corners of her lips droop, with two deep lines on both sides, which makes her not only look old but also arrogant.

Below her knelt a woman dressed in light purple, seventeen or eighteen years old. The color of her clothes brought out her fair complexion and matched her beautiful appearance. When she saw Wei Shao coming in, her face was flushed. She got up from the couch and saluted him, calling him ‘cousin’ with a gentle gesture.

Wei Shao faintly answered. The woman, who had groomed herself, saw that he did not look at herself much. Her gaze showed a faint trace of disappointment. She looked at Xiao Qiao, and her gaze was fixed.

Xiao Qiao knew this woman should be Zheng Shu, Wei Shao’s cousin. After a brief glance, she followed Wei Shao to Mrs. Zhu’s couch and stood aside.

From the moment Xiao Qiao came in, it was as if Mrs. Zhu did not see her. She showed her son a joyful and affectionate smile. Beckoned him to sit beside her, couldn’t stop looking at him, stroking his arm, started by complaining about her son’s weight loss in the past six months. Asked him about his daily diet and living, and asked about the military situation in the war. After Wei Shao mentioned a few words, she sighed: “I am a woman, although I don’t know the military situation. You said it was smooth, but I know the dangers. Zhong Lin, you must take good care of yourself. Do not make mistakes.”

Wei Shao said a few words to reassure Mrs. Zhu.

Mrs. Zhu nodded. “Although the world is dangerous, but my son is lucky and blessed by the gods. I have nothing to worry about. What I fear the most is people’s heart ……”

She cast her first glance at Xiao Qiao since she came in, and it was full of disgust and hatred.

“Zhong Lin, if your father had not trusted others, he would not have ended up in such a miserable state. I still think of the death of your father and brother. My heart is in pain. I still can not sleep at night. I hate I can not eat the flesh of the enemy. You must remember the previous lesson, must not be reckless!”

She almost gnashed her teeth when she said ‘eat the flesh of my enemies’ and popped out word by word. Her eyes embedded in Xiao Qiao’s face. Not only disgust and hatred, but with a stern look, as if she wanted to bite the flesh off her body one by one.

Xiao Qiao was prepared to be hated by Mrs. Zhu, but she did not expect that her hatred would be so blunt and harsh. For the first time in her life, her psychological preparation had not been done, and she could not help but shiver. Her face turned white, and her fingertips got cold.

Wei Shao glanced at Xiao Qiao and said to Mrs. Zhu: “I have my measure in my heart. Mother does not need to worry about it.” He also said, “Mother must have been tired on the way back from the mountain today. I brought my new wife to show our respects to you. Mother can rest early afterwards.” After saying this, he got up and stood in front of a kneeling mat that was laid in front of Mrs. Zhu’s couch.

Xiao Qiao settled her mind and hurried to the other mat. Kneeling down with the man on the side and bowing towards Mrs. Zhu on the couch.

Mrs. Zhu’s face was sullen. Her eyes focused on her son, and she did not look at Xiao Qiao at all.

Xiao Qiao followed the man on the side after the bowing ceremony, but was not up yet. According to the rules, she presented the prepared needlework with both hands. Holding it high above the top, waiting for someone to collect it.

She lowered her head and held her hands up for a long time, but did not move. Her both arms got sore, and she almost could not lift them anymore. When she was clenching her teeth, a hand came over, took it and put it in front of Mrs. Zhu’s couch.

“Mother, if there is nothing else, the two of us will leave first.”

Wei Shao’s voice rang out.

Xiao Qiao lowered her arm and stood up from the kneeling cushion.

“It’s okay for her to go. You stay behind. I still have something to say.”

Mrs. Zhu said coldly.

Xiao Qiao bowed towards the person on the couch. Silently turned around and went out.

“Yu’er, you go out first as well. Aunt needs to have a few words with your cousin.”

Mrs. Zhu looked at Zheng Chuyu, who had been standing at the side. A smile appeared again on her face as she said.

Zheng Chuyu looked at Wei Shao, softly answered yes. Bowed towards the two of them and retreated.

……

“Zhong Lin! You will not take her to pay respects to the family temple tomorrow, are you?”

Mrs. Zhu asked as the mother and son were left in the room.

Wei Shao’s face was expressionless, and the words came out of his mouth: “No!”

As if relieved, Mrs. Zhu hummed, “That’s good. I thought the beauty of this Qiao girl confused you and forgot the revenge of your father and brother back then! Just now, I just want to make her embarrassed. But you are so nice. Accept that thing on my behalf. Who wants it! If I see it, I’ll hurt my eyes!”

Wei Shao frowned. “Enough. I have something to do later, so I can’t keep delaying her. If mother doesn’t like it, throw it away and cut it up, as mother wishes.”

Mrs. Zhu saw her son seemed to be unhappy, so she made up her mind and said, “You have been gone for another six months, Yu’er misses you very much, tonight ……”

“Tonight I’m staying in the Qiao girl’s room.” Wei Shao interrupted Mrs. Zhu’s words.“Mother, for the last time, I told you I have no interest in my cousin. Mother should find a suitable family and married her off. Do not waste the time and regret later!”

Mrs. Zhu looked at her son with annoyance. After a long time, she said: “Fine, I have raised you with great pains, and you turn your back on me like this? I’m not forcing you to do anything else. I’m just asking you to take Yu’er into your family. Your father’s lineage is now only you. You are already 22 years old. You are not young, you have no children yet, and you finally got married, but you married a daughter of the Qiao family! I can’t resist your grandmother. She made the decision. I can only accept it. But the daughter of such a family, how can she be part of my Wei family? Eventually, she will have to be repudiated! What exactly you don’t like about Yu’er? Why are you so angry with me?…..”

Mrs. Zhu seemed to remember something, and her eyes widened.

“Could it be you are still nostalgic about Su girl? Not only you delay your marriage, but you even refused to take a concubine!”

Wei Shao’s eyes cast a shadow, but his expression became colder. He said indifferently, “Mother, you think too much! I’ve been away from home all year long. Busy with military affairs. How can I have the time to think about these affairs? There is no need to mention the matter of Chu Yu in the future. I have something else to do, so I’ll leave first. Mother should rest early.”

Wei Shao bowed towards Mrs. Zhu, turned his head and left.

Mrs. Zhu stared at the back of her son’s. Her face appeared annoyed. She glanced at the piece of needlework on the couch. She picked it up, took the scissors, and gritted her teeth. She clicked and cut it into two pieces and threw it on the ground together with the scissors.

……

Chun Niang was waiting for Xiao Qiao outside the courtyard of the east house. When she saw her coming out, she welcomed her and walked with her in silence. When they’re returned to her bedroom, she dismissed the servants, and asked her about what had just happened.

Xiao Qiao had already calmed down. She didn’t have to hide anything, so she described what happened when she saw Mrs. Zhu.

Chun Niang was silent for a long time and said, “Lady, Madam hates Lady so much. I’m afraid it is powerless to win her heart. Now, we can only depend on Mrs. Xu. If Mrs. Xu is also like this, Lady  ……”

She hesitated and came to Xiao Qiao’s ear: “Have you ever thought about serving Marquis to get his protection? In Xindu, this servant felt although Marquis treated you coldly because of the old hatred between the two families, he did not seem to be a person who takes pleasure in abuse and was not an evil person. This servant heard from Bingnu that Marquis rarely stays here throughout the year. If Mrs. Xu also hates you, then how you will survive once Marquis leaves, leaving you all alone?”

Xiao Qiao looked at Chun Niang. She was surprised at the idea she had given to her.

Chun Niang stroked her long hair lovingly and sighed: “When this servant was still in Xindu, I already wanted to advise you. This servant also knows this is a humiliation for you. Chun Niang is just a stupid person, but you are a hundred times smarter than Chun Niang. If I say something wrong, punish me.”

Xiao Qiao shook her head, “I know you’re doing it for my good. Now that I’ve just arrived, there’s no hurry. Let’s wait until we’ve met Mrs. Xu.”

She smiled and said.

……

Xiao Qiao was exhausted today. But the scene when she met Mrs. Zhu in the evening made her sleepless that night.

She suddenly missed Da Qiao a lot. More than ever before.

She lay alone in bed, tossing and turning. Thinking that in her previous life, Da Qiao should also have been sent back to Yuyang by Wei Shao the day after her wedding, just like herself. Only, she didn’t encounter any accidents on the way, and she arrived here alone. When she faced Mrs. Zhu alone and encountered a scene like her own, how on earth did she come through? The next countless days and nights after that, how did she get through by herself until the last moment? When she was dethroned by her famous and insubstantial husband who became the emperor and watched him appoint another woman as his queen, and then, in despair and sadness, she ended her life by committing suicide.

Although she knew she would never suffer that tragic fate in this life, Xiao Qiao’s heart was still stuffed with panic. She was glad she had made the right decision in those last months of last year.

She misses Da Qiao and wants to know where she is and how she is doing with her lover, Bi Zhi.

There was a sound of footsteps outside the door that sounded somewhat familiar.

It seemed ……

Is it Wei Shao?

It’s very late now. He didn’t send anyone to pick up his stuff, either. Perhaps he didn’t need it, or maybe he came to get it himself?

Xiao Qiao was a little puzzled, and was still keeping her ears open to listen to the movement outside when the door seemed to be pushed, but it couldn’t be opened because she locked it.

“Lady! Marquis has arrived!”

Chun Niang’s voice came.

Xiao Qiao’s heart thumped.

Sure enough, it was him!

“Coming!”

She answered. Sat up from the bed, put some clothes over her body. She covered the lapel, tied the belt, went down, and opened the door.

Sure enough, Wei Shao was standing outside the door.

“Marquis is resting here.”

Chun Niang hurried in, with a faint cheerful look on her face, whispered to Xiao Qiao.

This was unexpected. When Xiao Qiao was stunned, Wei Shao, with a tired look on his face, lifted his feet and stepped in. Heading straight for the bathroom, saying, “Bring my clothes in —”

He took two steps and glanced at his own clothes and daily necessities that were folded up on the case. He stopped in his tracks and turned his head to look at Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao had a black line on her face. She went to block the front, calmly explained: “The servant said no one has lived here for a long time. I am afraid of mold and insects. I clean the insects during the day, and take out your clothes and placed on the side, and then forgot to put back ……”

Wei Shao kept staring at her.

She couldn’t help but slightly short of breath, and her voice was getting lower. After explaining, she saw him pulled the corners of his mouth and showing that familiar expression again.

“Put it back. I live here from now on!”

Wei Shao said, turned his head towards the bathroom.