The Marquis Is Innocent

Zhongshan is about a four or five days journey from Yuyang.

Early the next morning, Xiao Qiao left the house with Mrs. Xu.

Wei Yan was already waiting at the door. Behind him were about a hundred guards in two lines.

Wei Yan is not traveling because of his duty to stay in Youzhou. The guards were escorting Xiao Qiao and Mrs. Xu. These guards from the Wei family’s soldiers, selected by Wei Yan, are trustworthy and good at fighting.

Seeing Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao coming out from inside, Wei Yan immediately greets and rushes to support Mrs. Xu.

Four carriages were parked outside the main gate. The one in the front was decorated with a brass top cover and white jade inlaid across the chariot. The outside is covered with green while the inside is with brocade. Both sides have four windows. Two air windows and two viewing windows, and the four corners were decorated with beads and dangles, extremely luxurious.

Wei Yan assisted Mrs. Xu down the steps and went to the carriage. Mrs. Xu looked up and could not help but shake her head: ” Told you to prepare a carriage. How did you get such a carriage? It is too extravagant.”

Wei Yan said: “With grandmother’s precious body, how can it be too extravagant? Compared to the noblemen’s ride in Luoyang, this is nothing. Besides, it takes a few days on the road, and grandmother is old. I’m afraid grandmother is tired of riding in the carriage, so I prepared a more comfortable one.”

Mrs. Xu laughed and said, ” You are the only one who can argue. Forget it. The carriage is ready. How can I not take it? Your sister-in-law is going with me. My old bones are fine, but she is delicate and needs to be more relaxed on the road. You’ve been thoughtful.”

Wei Yan smiled, helped Mrs. Xu get on the carriage, took two steps back, gave way to Xiao Qiao, smiled, and said, “Sister-in-law can get on the carriage.”

The servant beside Xiao Qiao offered her a hand. She lifted her skirt with her other hand and stepped onto the platform. When she stepped on the carriage, her foot slipped and she didn’t stand still. Her body swayed. Wei Yan, who was a few steps away, came up with a quick step. Before Xiao Qiao could react, he reached out to hold her back and said in a low voice: “Sister-in-law, be careful.” Then let go of his hand.

Xiao Qiao can stabilize herself, but not as fast as Wei Yan’s reaction.

She had a bad impression of this man but later learned his identity and did not encounter him much these days. If she met him in Wei’s house, she saw he was courteous and dignified, extremely poised, and acted in a good manner. And that disgusting feeling slowly faded away.

At this moment, he has helped her. Although she felt awkward, she still turned back to him, smiled lightly, said thank you, bent low into the carriage, and sat next to Mrs. Xu.

Old Zhong, Chun Niang, other persons, and all the things they brought are on the back carriage. The preparations were ready. The cavaliers led the way with swords, and the guards rode on both sides to support them. The people and horses crossed the street and left the city. Wei Yan escorted them until miles away. Mrs. Xu repeatedly asked him to go back, and Wei Yan stopped.

He stopped and watched the train of horses in front of him slowly disappear and couldn’t help but clasp the palm that just touched her waist.

Her waist can almost be covered by a single palm. Although it is only a brief touch and through the layers of clothes, the softness touches his heart. It remains in the palm of the skin and does not recede.

……

Xiao Qiao learned the reason why Mrs. Xu had to go to Zhongshan in person at this age.

The mother consort of Zhongshan King, Liu Duan, Mrs. Yuan, is Mrs. Xu’s bestfriend in her boudoir, and she is like a sister. Over the years, because of age and the long distance, their communication became less, but the old feelings are still there.

Mrs. Yuan has been ill since last year, and her illness is becoming more serious. Yesterday, Mrs. Xu received news from Zhongshan that she might not be able to hold much longer. Thinking about her old friends, Mrs. Xu was sleepless last night and decided to see her for the last time.

“Clothes are better if new, but people are better if old.”

Mrs. Xu looked at the endless wilderness outside the carriage window, lost in thought for a long time, and sighed.

……

A few days later, Mrs. Xu arrived in Lunu with Xiao Qiao.

Established in the year of Jianwu, the first king of Zhongshan was a son of the founder of Wuhan, who was named the Duke of Qinghe, later crowned as king, changed his fief to Dingzhou and Lunu as the capital, passed down to the current King of Zhongshan, Liu Duan, for more than ten generations and two hundred years.

Like Langya and Ji Yin, these feudal states once represented the supreme imperial power, but their status has long fallen, though the land remains and the title is not changed. The Zhongshan Kingdom was still in good shape since Dingzhou was now under Wei Shao, and the royal family was able to maintain the same status and treatment as before. Unlike the rest of the feudal states, the lands have been squeezed or even completely seized by local predators who hold the real power.

When the carriage drove into Lunu City, Xiao Qiao looked through the window and saw the streets lined with gray and dilapidated scenes. The once rich and noble families, now faded and only a little remnant remained, which could still remind people of the past glory.

Liu Duan, the king of Zhongshan, was informed yesterday about Mrs. Xu’s arrival. He went out to meet and welcomed her and Xiao Qiao into the palace today.

Liu Duan was junior to Mrs. Xu and depended on Wei Shao for survival. He treated Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao with respect and let them enter the palace with formalities and meticulous hospitality, but Mrs. Xu asked that everything be kept simple. After a short rest and a change of clean clothes, he took Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao to visit Mrs. Yuan, who was bedridden.

Mrs. Yuan’s age is similar to Mrs. Xu’s, but she is already at the end of her days, lying on the sickbed and in poor spirits. When Mrs. Xu held her hand and called her name, Mrs. Yuan no longer recognized her. Her dull gaze spread out from her puffy eyes, staring fixedly at Mrs. Xu, motionless.

Liu Duan said her mother had been like this since last year. She recognized him before, but now when he called her, she did not respond. After multiple treatments, there is still no hope of recovery. When he thinks about his mother’s old friendship with Mrs. Xu, he sends a letter to Mrs. Xu, lest she blames him for not reporting.

Mrs. Xu stayed with Xiao Qiao and sat by the bedside holding Mrs. Yuan’s hand for a long time, talking to her like she was rambling to herself. Xiao Qiao listened to Mrs. Xu’s words, reminiscing about her childhood.

Mrs. Xu’s tone was calm, soft, and not half-hearted. When she recalled she and Mrs. Yuan sneaked out to watch the lanterns at the Lantern Festival without her family’s knowledge, they encountered a handsome boy who made their hearts flutter, and her tone had a little bit of joy. When Xiao Qiao heard the second part, her heart slowly turned sad, as if she was blocked by something.

Mrs. Xu stayed with the unresponsive Mrs. Yuan for a long time, and when the sun was about to set, she came out with Xiao Qiao.

When she came out, her eyes were slightly red.

Liu Duan led the royal family to stand outside. When he saw Mrs. Xu come out, he came forward and invited her to the banquet. Mrs. Xu did not refuse and took Xiao Qiao to the banquet. During the banquet, the royal guests, starting with Liu Duan, were all flattering to Mrs. Xu and complimented Xiao Qiao again and again, Mrs. Xu smiled and did not have any different expression. After the banquet, she sighed to Xiao Qiao: “Liu’s family has been in decline for more than 400 years, and now it has come to this, its fate!”

When she returned to the place she was staying, Mrs. Xu was still immersed in the emotions she felt during the day when she met Mrs. Yuan and sat in front of the lamp, her figure motionless. Xiao Qiao stayed by her side for a long time.

When Old Zhong entered the room and asked Mrs. Xu to change her clothes and rest, Mrs. Xu did not move.

Xiao Qiao thought she suffered a lot on the road a few days ago, and today she was socializing. She was about to say something. Suddenly, she saw Mrs. Xu look at her and say, “I’m afraid you’re going to laugh at my ramblings with Mrs. Yuan during the day. Now that I’m older, I like to remember what I did when I was young. The moment my hair turns gray, all kinds of things are like a dream.”

Xiao Qiao said: ” How dare I laugh at it. Although the mirror is fading and the youth is gone, we have a nest and have grown up, living with each other over the years. Grandmother is nostalgic for the old days, therefore has some emotions.”

Mrs. Xu repeated the phrase ” a nest to grow up”, smiled, raised her hand, gently patted the back of Xiao Qiao’s hand, turned her head to Old Zhong, and said, “This child’s words can always enter my heart.”

Old Zhong laughed: ” Lady is afraid the old madam is too sad without cherishing her body. She coaxed the old madam with a few words, the old madam is so happy.”

Mrs. Xu said, ” All right, we are tired today, rest early.”

Old Zhong answered. Together with Xiao Qiao, she helped Mrs. Xu up.

There was no talk that night.

The next day, Mrs. Xu asked the doctor and learned Mrs. Yuan’s days were numbered and she decided to stay a few more days. That day, many of Mrs. Xu’s clansmen came to pay their respects, and their words were full of flattery and praise. When they came to Xiao Qiao, they saw she looked like a goddess and behaved elegantly, and they all fell in love with her.

She was the future head mother of the Wei family. Although she was young, she seemed to be well-liked by Mrs. Xu and must be with her when she went in and out. They thought highly of her and presented her with numerous gifts without Mrs. Xu’s knowledge. Xiao Qiao did not accept them, nor did she meet with people privately at their request. After three or two days, Xiao Qiao returned with Mrs. Xu to visit Mrs. Yuan.

Mrs. Yuan’s breathing has been difficult today, and according to the doctor, it’s just a couple of days left.

Mrs. Xu’s mood was inevitably low. Xiao Qiao accompanied her by the side and pacified her. Suddenly, a servant woman outside knocked: “Old Madam, Su family daughter, Madam Zuo Feng Yi, came to pay a visit knowing Old Madam has arrived in Zhongshan.”

Xiao Qiao’s eyes moved slightly but quickly covered them up.

In her previous life, there had been such a person’s existence in Da Qiao’s life path.

However, it was a vague, lifeless name stored in her memory. Today, it was suddenly alive and was about to appear in front of her.

Mrs. Xu, who seemed stunned, said, “She was newly widowed last year. Isn’t she still in Luoyang? Why is she here too?” After pondering for a moment, she let her in.

Xiao Qiao got up and excused herself, but Mrs. Xu said, “You can stay. It’s fine. In terms of seniority, I am her mother’s aunt, and she calls me grandaunt, so she is related to me.”

Xiao Qiao lowered her eyes, answered yes, and sat back beside Mrs. Xu’s hand as she had before.

A few moments later, she heard a tinkling of rings and pearls outside the door. Slowly but gradually clear, like the rhythmic beauty of music, one can imagine the posture of the woman walking as weak as a willow, swaying.

A young woman in a simple dress appeared at the door.

Xiao Qiao looked.

This young woman looked older than Wei Shao, twenty-four or twenty-five years old, beautiful appearance, especially her excellent eyes. Her body is voluptuous, her plain clothes can not hide her maturity, and added a few points of different taste for her.

The young woman arrived before the threshold, lifting the skirt, walked in front of Mrs. Xu, and respectfully bowed. After saluting, she said: ” Niece E Huang heard two days ago that my grand aunt had arrived. I had not seen my grand aunt for many years and was very happy. I was hoping to come early, but I thought my grand aunt must be busy, I was afraid of disturbing her affairs, so I held back. Today, I miss my grand aunt. I came here without thinking the sky was already dark and disturbing her.”

After saying these words, she bowed her head again.

As soon as she opened her mouth, Xiao Qiao was a little surprised. Her voice was slightly hoarse as if she had suffered some damage.

However, she spat out words with rhythm. Instead of being harsh, compared to the voice of ordinary women, it had a different flavor.

Mrs. Xu seemed a bit surprised and looked at her with one eye: “I haven’t seen you for many years. I remember you used to have a good voice. How did you become like this?”

Su E Huang lowered her eyes and showed a slight sadness: “In reply to Grand Aunt, I had an illness once. I’ve recovered, but my voice was ruined.”

Mrs. Xu nodded: “It’s a pity.” She also said, “I’ve heard about the unfortunate death of Lord Zuo Feng Yi last year. You must not grieve too much and hurt yourself.”

Su E Huang bowed deeply: “I am grateful for Grand Aunt’s care. I will remember the words of my elders. I used to live in Luoyang with my late husband, but after his death, I was afraid of missing my husband, so I returned to Zhongshan at the beginning of the year and stayed away from home. Some time ago, when my grand aunt was celebrating her birthday, I was not out of the mourning period and was afraid of disturbing my grand aunt, so I could only pray for my grand aunt’s birthday from afar. When I think about my grand aunt’s care for me when I was a child, I still can’t forget it. I hope I can have the opportunity to serve my grand aunt again so I can repay the kindness.”

Mrs. Xu showed a faint smile: ” Grand Aunt understands your filial heart. Grand Aunt has a granddaughter-in-law to assist me, there is no need for you to worry.”

Su E Huang looked at Xiao Qiao, who was sitting at the back of Mrs. Xu’s, her eyes fixed on her face, and revealed a kind smile: “She must be Zhong Lin’s new wife. I heard a couple of days ago how people in the city were talking about marquis yan’s wife’s appearance. After seeing her, I am impressed. It is my fault for focusing on talking with my grand aunt. Older sister would like to make apologies to my younger sister.” After saying that, she performed the etiquette of a woman’s first encounter with Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao returned the gesture with a slight bow.

According to tradition, Mrs. Xu should introduce her grand niece to Xiao Qiao, but Mrs. Xu did not say anything. With a light smile on her face, she watched Su E Huang and Xiao Qiao greet each other.

Su E Huang said: “I am very pleased to see my beautiful younger sister today. If there is an opportunity in the future, I hope to have more contact with my younger sister. It would be an honor for me.”

Since Mrs. Xu did not introduce her, Xiao Qiao did not call her ” Older Sister” as she had just said and smiled: “Madam is flattering. I am also of the same mind.”

Su E Huang did not lose the smile on her face. Her eyes glanced at Xiao Qiao’s face for the last time and said to Mrs. Xu, ” We finally got to see each other. E Huang is satisfied. Grand Aunt must be tired today. E Huang does not dare to bother you anymore. I will leave first and come back to serve you on another day.”

Mrs. Xu said, ” You’ve been thoughtful.” She looked at Old Zhong and asked her to send her out.

Su E Huang bowed to Mrs. Xu for the last time, got up, and left.

The sound of the rings and pearls faded away. Mrs. Xu was lost in thought for a moment and smiled at Xiao Qiao and said, “You are also tired today, rest early.”

……

Xiao Qiao returned to the place where she was staying. She sat in the bathtub and bathed.

Chun Niang was behind her, helping her rub her long hair, slowly creating a delicate white foam. When she rinsed with water, the foam floated on the water’s surface, resembling a white lotus flower.

Xiao Qiao was a bit lost in thought. Suddenly she turned around, her arms lying on the edge of the tub, propped her chin on the back of her hand, looked at Chun Niang, and asked, “Chun Niang, we have been here for some time. Have you ever heard about Su E Huang?”