The Marquis Is Innocent

Wei Shao is only half a stone’s throw away. Wei Yan drove his horse to meet him and said in a loud voice: “Second brother, coincidentally, I just came back from a hunting trip, and we met here!”

Wei Shao had seen Wei Yan and his group. He slowly stopped in the middle of the road, two large horses crossed heads, and his face revealed a smile: “How was the hunt today?”

“Second brother, see for yourself!”

Wei Yan turned his head and pointed at the prey dangling from the side of the horses behind him.

Wei Shao took a look and praised: “It’s a good harvest!”

Wei Yan laughed: “Second brother if you have time, come back to my house. We brothers drink to the fullest with wild meat accompanying the wine. I think it will boost the wine!”

Wei Shao said: “Just what I want!”

While talking, his two eyes swept to Qiao Ci behind Wei Yan.

Qiao Ci was sitting frozen on his horse, listening to Wei Yan and the young man’s conversation. He was stunned and guessed the person should be the Marquis of Yan, Wei Shao, his brother-in-law. Although he smiles when talking, his gaze towards him is without a feeling of a smile. He hurriedly turned off the horse and stood on the ground.

Wei Yan followed Wei Shao’s gaze and turned his head, then laughed: “He is sister-in-law’s brother, Yanzhou’s Qiao family grandson, your brother-in-law. These two days you happened to be out of town, so Grandmother asked me to take him for a stroll. We just came from a hunting trip in Mount Yu and bumped into you.”

When Wei Yan spoke, Qiao Ci saw Wei Shao’s gaze had been looking at him coldly. He could not help but remember his sister’s advice. His brother-in-law was serious and aloof. Now he saw it himself and felt it was right. His attitude became formal. He stepped forward with hesitation towards Wei Shao, saluted, and called him “brother-in-law.” Then, no more words, standing there motionless.

At four, Wei Shao began to follow his father’s practice. His archery skill is excellent, and his eyesight is like a falcon. He saw Wei Yan come side by side with this young man from afar. He saw his face and eyebrows resembling Xiao Qiao’s and immediately guessed that he was his wife’s brother, Qiao Ci, who had arrived.

In Wei Shao’s mind, he was not looking forward to the Yanzhou emissary’s trip north but was annoyed by it.

In his subconscious, he did not want to deal with any Qiao family members other than Xiao Qiao.

But this is only a thought. After all, whether for Grandmother’s order or the use of Yanzhou’s geography, he had married Qiao girl. No one was holding a sword to his neck at the wedding. But at least for the time being, he could not completely break the line with the Qiao family.

A few days ago, when the Yanzhou group was about to arrive in Yuyang, the news came from Zhuo County that there had been an accident, and he needed to go there personally as soon as possible. He left, as a matter of course, and without any psychological pressure, to do what he felt was more important.

In the study the night before he left, he told Xiao Qiao the news. He did not fail to notice the disappointment that passed through her bright eyes.

At that time, he did hesitate. He thought about whether to explain or not. But the hesitation passed in a flash.

He did not care and did not feel the need to explain anything to her about this coincidence.

Then he went to Zhuo County. Everything was fine during the day on the first day. But at night, somehow, as soon as he closed his eyes, his mind always returned to her disappointed eyes looking at him and the way she smiled at him at the end. His heart seems to be a little empty. It is hard to sleep alone.

Last night, when he had the hardest time sleeping, he got up and went out. He went for a ride outside alone and returned in the middle of the night. When he pushed the door in, he saw an extra beauty in the bed. The newly promoted Zhuo County Magistrate was quite ‘courteous’ and sent her to his room after he left.

Wei Shao used to be called ‘Little King.’ Except for his violent behavior, he turned his face faster than turn the book. He came in and stared at the beauty lying on his bed. He was furious on the spot, drew out his saber, and cut off the bedpost with a single stroke of the sword. And the beauty falls off the bed. The scared beauty screamed repeatedly, rolled, and crawled out of the house.

Early this morning, Wei Shao removed that ass-kissing magistrate. He hurriedly concluded the matter and immediately set out to return. Unexpectedly, he met his wife’s brother here. He looked at him and Wei Yan side by side rode intimately. They joked and laughed. When he saw him, he became rusty. His lungs inexplicably like being poked, and his face is unpleasant. He did not dismount, only nodding slightly to Qiao Ci, asked: “When did you come?”

“Yesterday at noon.”

Qiao Ci responded. He thought his sister was indeed right. This brother-in-law is indeed high and mighty, arrogant and unapproachable, different from cousin Wei. Fortunately, his sister advised him in advance. Otherwise, he wouldn’t know about it and loathe by him.

He thought it must be difficult for his sister to live with such a man.

After all, Qiao Ci is still young. His face can not fake his heart’s thoughts. He looks at Wei Shao, and his expression becomes distant.

The pair of brothers-in-law have no more words. Wei Shao paused, turned his face to Wei Yan, and said: “The day is late. Let’s go back together, then? In the evening, set up a banquet to welcome him. You should also come together.”

Wei Yan smiled and answered. Wei Shao glanced at Qiao Ci, lifted the reins of the horse, harnessed the horse, and continued to move forward. Wei Yan followed, and several subordinates from the ground got up on the horse to follow. Qiao Ci hurriedly turned up on the horse. A line of people and horses, hooting and hollering, straight into the city gates to Wei Manor.

……

Wei Shao entered the door and ordered a banquet to be served, then went straight into the west house.

His footsteps were hurried at first, but when he entered the inner courtyard, he resumed his usual pace and finally pushed the door. Crossing the threshold and looking ahead but did not see Xiao Qiao greeting him as usual.

Wei Shao turned around and saw the servant had followed him and asked, “Why is the lady not here?”

The servant woman bowed and said, ” Today is the ceremony of the Golden Dragon Temple. The old madam took the madam and the lady to go early in the morning. They have not yet returned.”

Wei Shao paused.

……

It was about to get dark, but the side hall of the Wei Manor was lit up, with a fire staff burning in the four corners and a long square feast spread out in the hall. Wei Shao, who had returned from Zhuo County in the evening, was entertaining his wife’s brother Qiao Ci and his emissary, Yang Feng. In addition to Wei Yan, there were also Li Dian, Wei Liang, and several other guests. Wei Shao was sitting in the main seat, with Qiao Ci on the left-hand side, continued Yang Feng. Wei Yan was seated on the right-hand side of Wei Shao, Qiao Ci’s opposite. The rest of Li Dian, Wei Liang, and other accompanying guests follow the sequence of the guests. On the table, the food is abundant, beef, mutton, pork, deer, everything. Beautiful maids held the wine. There were warriors who beat the drums on the opposite for the ghost dance to boost the wine.

But the atmosphere of this feast was a bit dull.

The Yanzhou emissary, Yang Feng, opened the banquet by offering wine with both hands, respectfully conveying Qiao Yue’s words of thanks to Wei Shao. Saying that he had led the troops to help him was like saving from a dire situation, relieving a fire. The words went on and on and on.

It is not an exaggeration to say the attack on Xuzhou by Yang Xin relieved the siege of Yanzhou. The way Yang Feng said it in such a tone made it sound like he was extolling virtue, and the air of flattery was overwhelming.

Qiao Ci’s face turned red as he listened. Seeing the opposite side of Wei Shao’s generals all looking at him and Yang Feng, the surrounding crows were silent, leaving only Yang Feng’s voice ringing in his ears. His position was at Wei Shao’s left hand. He noticed when Yang Feng began to say these words, Wei Shao’s eyes showed disgust. When Yang Feng kept talking at length, it seemed he was forcing himself to endure and did not interrupt. Qiao Ci could not help but think of yesterday’s meeting. His sister said it is better to rely on ourselves. He felt more ashamed. Although delicacies and wine were in front of him, was there still a mood to enjoy them?

It was hard to wait for Yang Feng to finish his thank-you speech. Wei Shao only raised his cup in vain and lightly responded. The scene was suddenly awkward. Fortunately, Wei Yan made a roundabout statement, and the feast continued.

From the beginning until the end, Qiao Ci didn’t say anything except a few questions and answers.

Wei Shao’s expression was always self-contained and did not say much.

The pair of brothers-in-law coincidentally did the boring talk. The rest of the guests were naturally not interested. Because of Wei Yan’s cheerful attitude, Li Dian, Wei Liang, and other people’s followed, and the banquet was no longer cold.

But it’s break up early.

……

Wei Shao returned to the west room. The servants had lit the candle in the room, but his grandmother had not yet returned with Xiao Qiao.

Wei Shao went to the study instead. He sat in front of the desk, held the book he hadn’t finished reading the night before he left for Zhuo County, and browsed it intently.

A few moments later, he turned his head and looked out the window. With a ‘snap’ sound, he put down the book, got up, and went away.

Anyway, there was nothing to do, and it was late. He decided it was better to pick up grandmother back in person.

Wei Shao only stepped over the threshold of the study room when he heard the faint sound of several women’s voices coming from the end of the corridor leading to the bedroom, including the voice of Chun Niang.

Wei Shao then retreated. Sit once again and finally finished turning the volume of the book in his hands, re-rolled it neatly, and put it back to its original position. Then he got up, back to the bedroom.

……

Xiao Qiao followed Mrs. Xu to the Golden Dragon Temple in the north of the city early in the morning.

During these chaotic times, Buddhism, Taoism, and even witchcraft and immortality flourished like never before. The Golden Dragon Temple’s ceremony lasted from morning to evening, and many men and women listened to the lectures religiously. Throughout the day, even though there was a small break at noon, not to mention Mrs. Zhu’s heart wasn’t in it, Xiao Qiao was feeling overwhelmed.

She quietly glanced at Mrs. Xu beside her. She found she was concentrating, or at worst, she did not show any fatigue.

When the ceremony was over, Mrs. Xu offered incense oil sent out by the Buddhist monk, and then she returned to the Wei residence.

After a day’s stay outside, Xiao Qiao changed her outer clothes and sat on the dressing table to clean her face and remove her make-up. She was unwrapping her bun when the door behind her was pushed open. She turned her head to see Wei Shao enter.

She did not show any other expression. Because her bun was only half removed, she did not get up but only smiled and said in her usual tone: “Husband is back? I will serve you to change your clothes later.”

Wei Shao walked in and stopped a few steps behind her. His eyes fell on her face reflected in the bronze mirror, and he flicked his hand. A few of the maids surrounding Xiao Qiao got up, bowed to Wei Shao, and then left the room.

Wei Shao came behind Xiao Qiao, sat down, and lifted his hand to pull out a gold-hooked hairpin from her hair.

The hair immediately fell like a waterfall, and Wei Shao’s other palm spread out to catch it, cupping a bunch of smooth silk hair in his palm and slowly rubbing it a few times.

Wei Shao’s body is tall and majestic. The two of them are sitting together like this, and he is half a head taller than her.

Xiao Qiao did not turn around, nor did she move, but only raised her eyes and looked at the bronze mirror that illuminated Wei Shao sitting behind her.

The bronze mirror is polished and smooth as water, clearly illuminating two faces, one in front and one behind, even his eyebrows.

Wei Shao took the hair from his palm to his nose and sniffed. His lips attached to her ear and whispered, “I came back in the evening. I set up a banquet to receive your brother.”

Xiao Qiao lowered her eyes. Gently murmured, ” I already know when I come back.”

Wei Shao’s hands held both sides of her waist and turned her around like a doll, making her face him. He lowered his head, touched his lips to her forehead, and slowly moved down.

His lips were slightly dry, touching her soft cheeks that had been moistened with water, bringing a rough feeling.

He put her arms on his shoulders, gazed into her eyes, and ordered her to hug his neck tightly.

Xiao Qiao’s eyelashes twitched slightly, and she closed her eyes.

Her body was light and picked up by him in the air.

……

It was only two nights apart.

But Xiao Qiao felt his eagerness. It was as if a long time since he had touched her.

The way he moved was different from the previous one. He seemed to have a bit of pleasant meaning tonight. Although she could feel his eagerness, he not forcibly combined with her. He slowly teased her until she flushed. Then he wanted her.

During the process, Xiao Qiao closed her eyes most of the time. She felt a little dizzy, but her body was very comfortable. In the end, as if warm water flowed, she slightly shivered, and her toes curled up.

It could be said this was the best she had felt since she married him.