The Marquis Is Innocent

These days Mrs. Ding was restless. She was depressed. Xiao Qiao accompanied her from morning to night to console her. She had just come out of Mrs. Ding’s and was walking with her own nanny, Chun Niang. They were walking and talking.

The Qiao family is generous to people, and very popular in the local community. In the past two days, the people of the city have been coming to pay their respects, and they are all thrilled. Xiao Qiao didn’t go out, but she knew about it. She asked Chun Niang to inquire about it and heard that all the people in the city knew about the marriage between Qiao and Wei.

A military disaster was eliminated, so the people were grateful and came to thank them. She was muttering in her heart when she saw her father pacing around in the courtyard with a heavy heart. He stepped forward and called out. Xiao Qiao saw he had something to say to her, so she entered the house and asked him about the news she had just heard.

Qiao Ping frowned. He gazed at Xiao Qiao and said: “Man Man, it’s true. It’s my fault ……”

His daughter already had a marriage of choice, but now she had to be married to Wei Shao. To think about his delicate daughter in the future as if trapped in a tiger’s mouth, lonely and helpless. His heart aching but unable to say anything.

Xiao Qiao felt something was wrong. Her father only spoke half a sentence, and she could see what was going on. Her heart thumped.

There is no news about Da Qiao, but there is already talk of marriage everywhere in the city, and it has only started in the past two days. And with her father’s tones, does he want her to marry into the Wei family instead of Da Qiao?

But she already has a marriage contract ……

“Father, but do you want me to replace Sister?”

She hesitated and asked.

Although her father was hesitant to respond, Xiao Qiao’s heart was already clear.

She froze. Her heart thumping, and she was overwhelmed.

The reason she encouraged Da Qiao to elope was because she couldn’t bear to watch Da Qiao fall into despair, but also because she hoped her father could persuade her uncle. She was someone who had a marriage contract – although she had thought about how to get out of the marriage contract after all this had passed, but she never have thought the Qiao and Wei families would still be joined in marriage. And she would have to replace Da Qiao!

“Man Man, the Wei family’s side already sent a message. They agreed to the marriage. The envoy will arrive in a few days, and your cousin is missing your eldest uncle kneeled down and pleaded with me, this is ……”

Qiao Ping explained two sentences and stopped again.

Xiao Qiao came back to her senses, but her mind was still in turmoil. She standing there, not knowing what to say for a moment.

“The marriage on Heir Liu’s side will have to be canceled, Man Man. I’m wronged you …..”.

Qiao Ping’s eyes were moist.

Xiao Qiao was silent for a moment.

“Father, I know. I have some confusion in my heart. Can you leave me alone for a while?”

She raised her eyes to look at Qiao Ping. The corners of her mouth pulled out a smile and said.

Qiao Ping saw his daughter’s face clearly not well, but instead of crying, she smiled. He was feeling even more guilty, and let out a long sigh.

……

Her father left, and through the door, Xiao Qiao heard him whispering with her nanny, Chun Niang, telling her to take good care of her. A few moments later, the sound of footsteps faded away, and the surroundings fell silent.

That night, Qiao Ci learned the news.

Later, Xiao Qiao heard from Chun Niang that he was furious and rushed straight to his uncle to object.

Uncle had no children, and always treated his nephew as his own, and valued him very much. But his uncle beat Qiao Ci out and confined him to the forbidden room.

Xiao Qiao did not close her eyes this night.

Her father has always loved her, and she knows in her heart that he would never have agreed to marry her if he had any other choice. Now the news of the marriage between the two families has spread. The people of the city are all excited about this.

As the magistrate of the county, her father is like riding on the back of a tiger, carrying the expectations of 200,000 Yanzhou soldiers and citizens. There is no other way out but to agree.

She had told Da Qiao that she wanted to marry Wei Shao and asked her to fulfill her wish. She said that because she knew Da Qiao, and if she hadn’t said that, she would never let go of her responsibility as the eldest daughter of the Qiao family and run away with Bi Zhi.

When she attempted to help Da Qiao reverse the course of her previous life, she was also determined that she would never follow the same path as in her previous life.

The dream is beautiful, but the reality slapped her hard. She was beaten to the point she couldn’t find the light.

Xiao Qiao could not help but smile bitterly.

The road is indeed changed, but changed into another desperate road.

She could not just walk away like Da Qiao did. Besides, even if she wanted to run, it would be impossible. Uncle had learned his lesson. No wonder in the past two days, wherever she went, three or four strong women from the main house always followed her.

After tossing and turning all night, she convinced herself at dawn. She could only try to accept the result of such a miscalculation.

……

The next day, the wedding envoy sent by the Wei family arrived. His name was Cai Xun and a member of the Yuyang council. Qiao Yue led Qiao Ping and a group of courtiers to welcome him in formal attire, and received the guest in the front hall. After three rounds of wine, he said with a helpless face that the eldest daughter, who was intended to be married, unfortunately had a disease, and the doctor concluded that it was not suitable for marriage. And fortunately, his brother’s family had another daughter who was more talented and better than the eldest daughter, so he hoped to marry the second daughter instead, so that they could conclude the marriage between the two surnames.

Although Zhang Pu has assured him the Wei family will accept, but Qiao Yue still has some anxiety in his heart, lest the other side think they are disrespectful. Cai Xun didn’t seem to be unhappy. He was laughing and smiling and said he would send a letter to the Lord as soon as possible. And waiting for the Lord’s reply. Qiao Yue is relieved. After the banquet, he sent Cai Xun to the post. Ordered the post’s chancellor to treat him with the courtesy. After waiting for ten days, the other side replied.

As Zhang Pu said, the Wei family agreed.

Qiao Yue was overjoyed.

……

In the ancient times, the wedding customs hold the six rites. Such as Qiao and Wei’s family marriage, from the acceptance to the final marriage, usually takes at least six months. But this time, the two families have only one purpose: to complete the marriage as soon as possible. Within two days, they delivered the bride price of the Wei family. The bride’s money is as thick as ten thousand gold, twelve precious horses, slightly less than the wedding of the Prince. That day, the bride price entered Puyang City from the north gate, all the way to the magistrate’s house. Along the way, people watched and admiring, it’s very lively.

Later, it was decided the Wei family would welcome the bride on the eighth day of the next month. It is good for marriage and travel, a very auspicious day.

Now it is already the middle of November, there are a few days left. The whole Qiao family is busy with the wedding.

The wedding ceremony was a great success. The dowry of the Two Qiaos has long been prepared. It is abundant. Now Da Qiao is gone, and the Qiao is showing the family and doesn’t care to save the money. They added Da Qiao’s part to Xiao Qiao’s. When she was sent out of town that day, it stretched for miles. It was spectacular. As for Xiao Qiao’s personal money, it is extremely rich. Qiao Ping felt guilty about his daughter. Thinking when she arrived at the Wei family, if she had money in hand, it would be more convenient. He almost gave it all away and the main house also added a lot. With the money on hand today, Xiao Qiao has become a rich woman.

In the blink of an eye, the auspicious date arrived. Wei Shao himself did not come. On his behalf, Wei Liang, a Huben general, was a member of the Wei clan. Nine feet tall, bearded, muscular, with a long sword, one of the ten generals under Wei Shao’s command, famous for his bravery and combat prowess. This Wei Liang is not as friendly and approachable as the previous marriage envoy, Cai Xun. Some of them are uncaring and indifferent to the Qiao family. Qiao Yue’s heart is not happy, but now he has sought favor with the other side, and does not dare to show his displeasure.

The next day, it was the day Xiao Qiao left home for her wedding. The gates of Qiao’s house were open, and the people from all directions were dressed in new clothes and gathered to see off the magistrate’s daughter.

Xiao Qiao bathed early in the morning and stood naked. At fourteen, her body was not as mature as a woman’s. But her breasts and hips were round, her waist was soft, with a supple and flawless skin, dazzling as snow. She was exquisite.

She was served by the servants and maids. She wore a crimson red dress, a large belt, a knee cover, a jade pendant, socks and wooden footwear, and put the green silk bun on her head, and fixed it with a pin, and wore a beaded flower on the bun. The clothes and jewelry were finished. Seeing the beauty with a graceful appearance, the servants gathered around and praised the beauty.

Mrs. Ding held Xiao Qiao’s soft hand and advised her many instructions, and looked at Xiao Qiao in a daze for a moment. Her eyes reddened and said, “Man Man, I understand. Ah Fan has heartlessly left her parents behind. It may not be a bad thing for her, but you have to suffer and marry into the Wei family on her behalf, and I say thank you on behalf of your sister. The two of you are very close. In the future, if you know her whereabouts, I hope you can tell me, so I can be at ease. I will never let your uncle know.”

Xiao Qiao smiled and agreed to everything. When the auspicious time came, the bride’s maids surrounded her and went to the front hall.

Uncle Qiao Yue and her father Qiao Ping were waiting there. His younger brother, Qiao Ci, was not happy with the marriage and was still reluctant to show up. Even her uncle seemed to have a sad face, and went up to her and said a few words to her, telling her she should serve her in-laws with respect in the future. Xiao Qiao and her father said goodbye. She trying to hold back the tears that would fall from her eyes, and kneeled to her father.

When she was carried up by Qiao Ping, music was raised outside, urging the bride to go out, but Qiao Ping did not want to let go his daughter. He did not let go of her arm. The strategist Zhang Pu, who had been standing at the back, smiling and persuaded: “Marquis Wei is handsome and heroic, known all over the world, and is a perfect match for your daughter, why are you not willing?”

With all eyes on him, Qiao Ping finally clasped his daughter’s hand, and then let go.

Xiao Qiao glanced at Zhang Pu. She knew because he successfully arranged this marriage, Uncle rewarded him with two hundred gold, two maids, and relied on him more, and he was very happy these days.

Although it’s true that the marriage solves the current difficulties in Yanzhou, and he can’t be blamed for the idea, but she can’t swallow the anger in her heart. Xiao Qiao turned around and leaned closer to him as if nothing had happened, and underneath her heavy skirt, she lifted one of her clogged feet and ran it down towards his toes.

The bottom of the wooden clogs was as hard as stone, and Xiao Qiao was putting all her strength into it. Zhang Pu felt a sharp pain in his toe, and he was unprepared, so he screamed out in pain, and looked up to see Xiao Qiao looking at him with a smile on her face, so he understood. Seeing the people in the hall were looking at him, they seemed to blame him for being rude in front of the people, so he smiled bitterly, endured the pain in his toe, and bowed back as if nothing had happened. Afterwards, when there was no one there, he took off his shoes and socks to check, and saw that the whole toe had been bruised and swollen, and the pain had lasted for three or two days before it went away.

Xiao Qiao saw Zhang Pu grimacing but did not dare to scream in pain. She felt a bit more comfortable in her heart. Finally glanced at her father, remembered the scene when this morning and her brother said goodbye in private. Her heart sighed, turned around, and walked out.

On both sides of the road of the Qiao House gates, the people stood in new clothes. When they saw Xiao Qiao appear, as beautiful as a fairy, they kneeled down and shouted in unison. The cry was almost earth-shattering.

It turns out that according to the current wedding system, the groom must come to welcome the bride in person to show respect. But Wei Shao did not show up and only sent Wei Liang to welcome her, which was a little disappointing to the people of the East County. The Qiao family was already very popular in the area, and the people were grateful for Xiao Qiao’s marriage, which made a war stop, and did not want the Wei family to belittle the magistrate’s daughter. They waited for today, and all of them were very energetic. After Xiao Qiao stepped onto the wedding carriage, people kept putting melons and fruits into the carriage all the way. Before they left the city, the carriage was full of melons and fruits.

When they left the city gate for over ten miles, people were still kneeling behind to send them off, singing and wishing them well. Even Wei Liang, who had always been arrogant, seemed to pay attention.

People are not made of wood and grass. This scene made Xiao Qiao, who was reluctant to get married, feel touched and seemed to understand why Da Qiao was reluctant to leave. After leaving the city, she fell into silent contemplation with an apple handed to her by a three-year-old child.

……

“Stop…”

Xiao Qiao’s wedding carriage traveled over 30 miles and the only thing left on both sides was the wilderness, when a fast horse caught up behind her and someone shouted to stop.

Wei Liang immediately ordered his attendants to draw their swords for defense. Xiao Qiao recognized the voice of her brother Qiao Ci and went out. Wei Liang looked back and recognized that it was indeed the son of the Qiao family, so he ordered to withdraw his sword and stop the carriage.

Xiao Qiao came down. Qiao Ci rolled off the horse and ran close to her, grabbed her hand and said, “Sister! There is one thing I forgot to say to you. I hate myself for being useless. I can only watch you get married like this today. But don’t worry, I swore to the sky today that I would be strong and become your support, and if Wei Shao mistreats you, I will take you back and never let you be bullied by outsiders!”

This fourteen-year-old stubborn boy, who is still in the voice change period, around his lips just sprouted a light moustache, but the words he said at the moment, is loud and clear.

His words were powerful. Every word sent into Wei Liang’s ears with the wind. Wei Liang did not speak, only coldly smiled.

Xiao Qiao didn’t expect her brother to chase her so far away just to say such a word to her. Remembering in her previous life he had sacrificed his life to let herself and Liu Yan escape, she couldn’t control the tears she had been holding back all morning and shed them.

“Little brother! I know. I will live a good life. Remember to serve our father on my behalf!”

Qiao Ci nodded his head.

Seeing that the two siblings were reluctant to separate, Wei Liang became impatient.

Xiao Qiao let go of Qiao Ci’s hand. Urging him to go back, and climbed back on the carriage.

Qiao Ci’s figure stood by the roadside, gradually turning into a black dot, and finally disappeared from sight.

When Xiao Qiao turned her head, she saw far ahead, at the end of the gray winter sky, a lonely wild goose was flying south.