The Marquis Is Innocent

After returning from Mrs. Xu’s place, Xiao Qiao left the matter to Chun Niang to went through all the servants and maids in the west house that day. Apart from the maids she brought from home and given by Mrs. Xu, she only left the people who usually worked honestly and sent out the rest who were lazy, drifted around with their eyes, and finally reduced the number to half. A person guards the door. Four people take care of the courtyard, one of them is designated to clean Wei Shao’s study, and the rest of them are not allowed to enter or leave. Two people stay in the kitchen. Two servants serve Wei Shao with Old Lin as the head and two servants do menial tasks. After clearly assigning the tasks, Xiao Qiao paid all the servants a monthly fee out of her pocket. In this way, the courtyard was much quieter without eyes watching behind her. The people who stayed behind were all thankful and honored to be appreciated by the Lady.

When Xiao Qiao came here, she didn’t know about the other rooms in the Wei family, but there were servants in the west house who didn’t like her. Now more than half a year has passed, and not only is she liked by Mrs. Xu, even the Marquis is closer to her. Although this kind of thing mostly happens inside the room, the servants can observe words and expressions. After a long time, even if they can’t see it through the door, they can smell it. Mrs. Xu and the master are like this. Who would dare to despise her? The Lady added monthly money to them, and everyone who stays is happy, and they rushed to show their loyalty in front of Chun Niang.

Yanzhou emissary, Yang Feng, met Wei Shao at a reception last night. But according to the rules, the ‘official business’ had to be saved for today’s formal meeting.

Gongsun Yang came to the government office early this morning to prepare for the meeting between the Marquis and Yang Feng but was surprised to find he was even earlier than him. He was already sitting in the hall reading the document when he entered. Gongsun Yang asked, “Why is the Marquis so early?”

Wei Shao said: “Went to Zhuo County a few days ago and piled up a lot of business, which must be dealt with as soon as possible.”

After hearing this, Gongsun Yang could not help but respect, thinking that his heart and soul did not protect the wrong person. The Marquis gave up his beautiful wife early in the morning to come to the office. In the future, there would be no worry about the big things. He did not dare to disturb him and briefly reported to him some of the morning meeting arrangements with Yang Feng.

Wei Shao impatiently said: “I fully entrusted you to meet with Yang Feng on my behalf and send him back early. What is there to say to him?”

Gongsun Yang said, “I’m afraid the Qiao family will have other ideas if the Lord does not see them. Besides, the son of the Qiao family also came with Yang Feng. It would be better to meet him if you don’t have any important business. I will speak on your behalf if you don’t want to talk to Yanzhou’s emissary.”

Wei Shao was silent.

Gongsun Yang assisted Wei Shao for many years and figured out his temper. Sometimes he was irritable and headstrong, not listening to people, but if it made sense, even didn’t accept it at the time, he responded soon afterward. As he grows older, the former “little king” gradually subsides. He observes and sees that Wei Shao did not make a sound, then know that he agreed. He retreated first to make arrangements.

When the time came, Wei Shao met with Yang Feng, Qiao Ci, and other Yanzhou people in the hall.

The meeting was not a meeting of the two families but an opportunity to mend their relationship. The meeting was tedious and uninteresting. Almost all of the conversation was between Gongsun Yang and Yang Feng, and the words were polite. Wei Shao did not open his mouth, and Qiao Ci had nothing to say. He spied on his brother-in-law seated in the middle, his eyes scattered as if he wandered into the void. He knows he must not take his uncle’s regard and can not help but be ashamed. The meeting was over, and Qiao Ci was relieved to see Wei Shao immediately get up from the couch and stride outside.

Qiao Ci is a bit bored. If not for the retention of Mrs. Xu and her sister, he would have gone back today. After following Yang Feng listlessly out of the office, suddenly a soldier-like man ran toward him. He clasped his fist, performed a military salute, and said, “Marquis ordered me to ask you, sir. Are you interested in walking around? Marquis will accompany you.”

Qiao Ci froze and raised his eyes to look forward. Unexpectedly, saw Wei Shao sitting on his horse by the side of the road a few dozen paces away, turning his head and looking in his direction.

He was surprised. He looked at Wei Shao from afar. He looked as cold as ever and guessed he should have asked for him out of courtesy. His sister’s advice is always in mind. How could he be so insensitive, dare to ask him to accompany him to hang out?

Besides, even if it is leisurely strolling, with such a brother-in-law, even the best scenery would become a misery.

Qiao Ci immediately said: “Please tell my brother-in-law, I thank him for his kindness, and I appreciate it. I know he is busy, so I don’t dare to disturb him. A few days ago, cousin Wei had already taken me around.”

The soldier took note of this, turned and ran to Wei Shao, and reported to Wei Shao when he reached his horse.

Wei Shao glanced at Qiao Ci, turned his face, pulled up the reins, and went away.

……

After dealing with the servants of the west house, a day was almost gone.

In the evening, Xiao Qiao waits for Wei Shao to return for dinner, only to learn he met Yang Feng and his group in the morning and went to Fan Yang. He did not say when he returned.

Fan Yang was another major city in Youzhou and Wei Shao’s military base, with 50,000 to 60,000 men and horses. It is not far from Yu Yang, one day and night journey by fast horse.

Yesterday he just came back from Zhuo County and today he went to Fan Yang, and he didn’t mention anything beforehand. Must be something unexpected again.

Xiao Qiao didn’t care much. She thought her brother Qiao Ci didn’t come back during the day and didn’t know where he had gone, so she went to Qiao Ci’s place.

Qiao Ci still did not return.

Xiao Qiao instructed her servant to let Qiao Ci come to her place when he returned and went back.

The day was getting dark. Xiao Qiao was standing at the door, looking up at the servants lighting the lanterns on the aisle one by one. She heard the sound of footsteps coming from across the street and turned her face to look. Qiao Ci is coming.

Qiao Ci just came back from outside and was covered in sweat. His clothes were covered with dry yellow mud and dust. He yelled he was hungry. Xiao Qiao took him to wash his face and hands. Qiao Ci wiped his sweat, washed his hands, and followed Xiao Qiao to eat. After he was half full, Xiao Qiao asked him where he was going today.

Qiao Ci said this morning he followed Yang Feng to the government office. When he was going back to Wei Manor, cousin Wei sent someone to ask him to go to the training ground. When he went there, he found Luli Terrace outside Yuyang City, built for military martial arts. There was an event named Luli Conference, held once a year. The event consisted of two events: archery and fighting. The winner of the archery competition will be awarded a deer, and the winner of the combat competition will be awarded a horse. The winners enjoyed great honor and admiration and important positions in the Hu Ben army, the Wei family’s army. Li Dian, a general under Wei Shao, became famous twenty years ago as a horse archer and was used by Wei Shao’s father, Wei Liang, and became the most powerful general in the country.

“Sister, the Luli Conference will be held in a few more days. Cousin Wei asked me to stay for a few more days to watch the great competition. He saw my riding and shooting and praised it. He told me to go on the field and show my skills. Sister, I want to go!”

Qiao Ci’s expression is full of eagerness.

Although the Qiao family is declining, at least it was once a powerful family. Qiao Ci naturally carries the arrogance of the family’s children. This is the reason why he can’t stand people laughing at his appearance like a woman and rushing out to fight. Unfortunately, the Qiao family’s uncle Qiao Yue does not think aggressively and surrenders to Wei Shao. Qiao Ci felt great humiliation at the banquet. During the morning meeting at the office, this humiliation was even further. His heart was sullen. Suddenly, there is an opportunity to show his skills, and with his youthful ambition, how can he be willing to miss it? He came back and told Xiao Qiao right away.

Xiao Qiao hesitated.

“Sister! Please, don’t stop me! I’ll only participate in the archery! Nothing will happen! You know that I have always excelled in archery in our family, even our father has praised me!”

The Qiao family had a horse farm. Qiao Ping hired a famous teacher to teach Qiao Ci and Liu Yan, who was still living in the Qiao family at the time, the art of riding and archery. Xiao Qiao knew her brother was outstanding in riding and archery. Seeing him looking at her with pleading eyes, she could not bear to refuse and nodded: “Then you should be careful. Don’t try to show off your strength. Think of it as participating. Winning or not is secondary.”

“Thanks, sister!”

Qiao Ci smiled.

……

Wei Shao did not return the next day.

Qiao Ci did not see anyone during the day and only returned at night. He goes to the training ground to practice riding and shooting. Eat a meal and lie down to sleep early. The next day, early in the morning, he hurriedly went to the training ground.

Xiao Qiao knew her brother was determined to prepare for the Luli Conference in a few days, so she didn’t ask too many questions.

It was the third night after Wei Shao left. Usually, at this time, Qiao Ci should have already returned, but at this moment, there was no one.

Xiao Qiao was a bit uneasy and went to wait outside the west room. When she looked up, she saw Qiao Ci’s servant, Yu Lu, coming back alone, carrying Qiao Ci’s bow and arrows. She did not see Qiao Ci with him.

When he saw Xiao Qiao, he hurriedly ran over and bowed. Xiao Qiao asked him where Qiao Ci had gone. Yu Lu said, ” Mr. Wei saw young master had been practicing hard in the past few days, so he took him to relax. He said he would be back soon. He sent me back to tell you.”

This Yu Lu was raised in the Qiao family since he was a child, named because of his ugly appearance and his eyes bulging like a fish. Qiao Ping saw he was loyal and assigned him to his son as a servant. This time he followed Qiao Ci to Yuyang.

Xiao Qiao saw when Yu Lu spoke, his head hung down, not daring to look into her eyes. She was suspicious and asked, “Where did Mr. Wei take him ?”

Yu Lu still hung his head and stammered, unable to say clearly.

“Speak up!” Xiao Qiao barked.

Yu Lu said, “He went to some kind of music place called ‘Luo Zhong Fang’ in the city to have fun.” After saying that, he blinked his eyes and looked at Xiao Qiao, who looked unhappy.

Xiao Qiao came to Yu Yang for so long, naturally, she heard of Luo Zhong Fang as a high-class place for rich men to have fun. Once she heard Wei Yan take her brother to that kind of place, her heart was immediately annoyed. She went back to her room and changed her clothes, took Chun Niang, Old Lin, and another servant named Kong Wu, immediately went out and got on the carriage and went directly to Luo Zhong Fang.

Luo Zhong Fang is located in a busy area in the west of the city, near restaurants and brothels. Compared with ordinary brothels, this place can be called a gold cave. The customers in and out of it are rich or noble. The women in this place are more skillful than others and gorgeous.

Xiao Qiao arrived at Luo Zhong Fang. The lobby downstairs was brilliantly lit up, with music courtesans sitting on both sides and the sound of silk and bamboo entering the ears. The beautiful girls with heavy make-up wrapped in silk from Jiangnan welcomed the endless stream of pleasure seekers with charming smiles.

Xiao Qiao’s carriage stopped at the side of the front of the club but she did not get off and let Chun Niang and Old Lin enter and call people out.

The doorman saw a carriage stopped outside the door, and two servants who seemed to be from a wealthy family came down. When they wanted to ask questions, they were pushed away by Old Lin. Seeing that the two servants were aggressive, the doorman didn’t dare to stop them and hurriedly asked who they were. Hearing Chun Niang had mentioned Wei Yan, the doorman didn’t dare to be negligent and pointed out the direction.

Xiao Qiao sat in the carriage and watched Chun Niang enter through the looking window. After waiting for a moment, she saw Qiao Ci hurrying out from inside and running to her carriage, bowing his head without saying a word.

Xiao Qiao stared at Qiao Ci and saw his cheeks red as if he had drunk a lot of wine. There seem to be suspicious lipstick traces on his neck. She was angry, about to speak, suddenly a person came out. It was Wei Yan.

Wei Yan ran to Xiao Qiao’s carriage. He looked at Qiao Ci, who did not say a word. He patted him on the shoulder, turned around, and said to Xiao Qiao, whose face was half exposed in the window: “Sister-in-law, don’t blame Qiao Ci. It’s my fault. I saw him practicing hard in the training ground these days, so I forced him to drink here to have some fun, nothing else. The girls sitting with him are all clean. Don’t worry, sister-in-law.”

Xiao Qiao was furious in her heart. Although she tried her best to hold back, her expression still showed some annoyance, and said coldly: “I know after my brother came, Uncle has taken the trouble to take care of him. I should have thanked you. I know that uncle is out of good intentions and should not come here to spoil the mood. But my brother is not yet an adult. When I was in East County, my father was very strict with my brother, forbidding him to go to brothels before he became an adult. If I have offended uncle, please forgive me. Please make yourself comfortable. I’ll take my brother back first.”

After she finished, she nodded slightly toward Wei Yan. Her eyes turned to Qiao Ci, who was still hanging his head, and said with a frown, ” Still don’t go get the horse and come back with me?”

Qiao Ci gave a cry, hurriedly brought the horse, and climbed on.

Xiao Qiao lowered the window curtain and the carriage followed.

Wei Yan watched Xiao Qiao’s carriage fade away, looking dazed, standing alone in the same place for a long time.

……

Xiao Qiao watched Qiao Ci ride in front of her all the way back to the Wei Manor without a word. As soon as they entered, she immediately took him into her house and told Chun Niang and Old Lin to go out.

Qiao Ci’s face was blown by the night wind. The wine color had faded a lot, but it was still red. He sneaked at his frowning sister and couldn’t help but panic and looked at Chun Niang as if asking for help.

Chun Niang advised, “Lady, this is the first time the young master commit a mistake, and……”

“Chun Niang, you go out.”

Chun Niang shook her head and went out.

” Are you allowed to go to that kind of place?”

Once the door was closed, Xiao Qiao chided, ” How did I teach you when you were at home? How old are you? You are not even sixteen years old, and you dare to go to that kind of place!”

Qiao Ci’s face became red again because of shame, mumbling: “Sister, I was wrong …… I originally did not want to go, but when cousin Wei called, some brothers in the training ground were all looking at me, so I… …”

He stopped, with a pleading gaze, looking at Xiao Qiao.

……

Many teenagers in aristocratic families, such as Qiao Ci, under sixteen years old, are not yet married but already have chambermaids. Qiao Ci is an exception. Because of Qiao Ci’s simple nature and ignorant personality, he never paid much attention to this aspect in the past. After Xiao Qiao came, she drove away all the dishonest maids around Qiao Ci and instilled the concept of being a couple for life and not getting close to other women before marriage.

She did not want to raise Qiao Ci into a good man by the standards of the 21st century. After all, the general environment is right here. If she can teach a few points, she would teach him. As for the future, after her brother become an adult, married a wife, and established a career, she won’t care anymore.

But for now, she will never allow him to enter a place like Luo Zhong Fang.

……

Xiao Qiao listened to Qiao Ci’s explanation and suddenly understood.

Her brother himself should not want to go. Wei Yan called, and with so many people on the side, he was afraid he would be ridiculed if he refused.

Xiao Qiao met her brother’s eyes, and the sullenness she felt gradually subsided.

“Sister! Don’t you be angry with me! I promise, next time I won’t dare to go again-”

Qiao Ci pleaded pitifully.

“I am thinking of your health. You are not yet sixteen years old now-”

“I thought something had happened! It’s just a small matter. Why such a big commotion?”

Xiao Qiao hadn’t finished speaking, but suddenly a voice came behind her, interrupting her. Then, the door was pushed open.

Xiao Qiao turned her head and saw Wei Shao, who had gone to Fan Yang the day before, saying in an indifferent tone as he walked.

Qiao Ci saw her brother-in-law suddenly return. Listening to his tone, he seemed to be speaking for him. He was surprised and slightly opened his mouth.

Xiao Qiao was stunned, then frowned slightly and said coldly, “I am disciplining my brother. Marquis wants to interfere?”

As if Wei Shao did not hear, he walked straight to Qiao Ci and said, “You go back. It’s just a small matter. Next time if you come back late, remember to send a message.”

Qiao Ci looked at his brother-in-law and sneaked a glance at the sullen face of his sister. Suddenly he felt a breeze blowing across the back of his neck. He shrank his neck, hastily bowed his head, and slipped out.