The Marquis Is Innocent

In the south of the city, near the city gate, there was a household surnamed Liu. Although their ancestors are not prominent and small families, the family has three houses, a hundred acres of land, and no shortage of servants. Last year, the local government recommended the son because of his filial piety, and he became the chief secretary in nearby Chang County. He was a clean and honest person.

Six months ago, a matchmaker came to the house and offered the niece of a family with the surname Zheng to the son of the Liu family. The Liu parents found out that although Zheng Shu’s parents were dead, she had an aunt who was the head mother of the Marquis Wei family. Before Zheng Shu came home, she had lived in the Wei Manor for many years. They did not know why Zheng Shu had not married at an older age and returned to the Zheng family alone. But if they could take this opportunity to climb into the Wei family, they could not care about anything else. They did not hesitate and agreed to the marriage. Three months later, Zheng Shu entered the house. The parents of the Liu family were happy to see Zheng Shu’s outstanding appearance and generous dowry. They did not dare to put an elderly act and carefully served her due to her relationship with the Wei family. The Liu family’s son loved his new wife’s appearance and was pleased.

The Liu family thought that a good marriage had come down from heaven, and they had won a good marriage for nothing. However, in less than half a month, Zheng Shu started to change her face. Every day, she either disliked the crude food that was hard to swallow or chastised the servants for not serving her well. At first, Liu’s parents put up with it, thinking she was used to living in Wei Manor. It was only natural she would not be used to it when she married into their own family, so they were more careful about the service. Zheng Shu was certain the Liu family would not dare to do anything to her. She took out all her resentment from being kicked out of the Wei Manor on her husband’s family. After some time, she not only scolded the servants at every turn but contradicted her in-laws. As for her husband, she scolded him for being useless, and she slept with him when she was happy but did not allow him to go to bed when she was unhappy. The Liu family’s parents regretted it. They hate themselves for being greedy and have sown bitter fruits. Zheng Shu brought out the Madam of Wei Manor to press people at every turn, and they dared to do nothing else. The son of the Liu family was afraid of his wife and moving to the county and only returned a few times a month. The house has become Zheng Shu’s world.

It was already the third period in the morning. Zheng Shu was drunk last night and slept until now. She got up lazily and combed her hair when the parents of the Liu family saw a cart stop at the door. An old woman came down from the cart with a slight limp and recognized it was an old woman who had come from the Wei Manor some days ago. Old Jiang saw the parents of the Liu family. She faintly looked at them and went inside as if they were her own family.

In the room, Zheng Shu heard Old Jiang come. She was happy and personally welcomed her into the room, asked the servant to offer tea and fruit, laughing: ” A few days ago, Aunt came to see me. I do not know when we can meet again next time! ”

Old Jiang responded with a smile and threw a wink at her. Zheng Shu knew she should have something to say, so she dismissed the people in the room, closed the door tightly, and asked, ” Is there something you want to tell me?”

Old Jiang beckoned her to her side and whispered to her. Zheng Shu listened, and her face changed slightly. When she hesitated, Old Jiang said: “This is Madam’s order. Madam is suffering from Qiao’s girl. She has no choice but to do so. However, she did not want to come out herself and took you as a considerate person. She gave you this matter secretly. If Qiao girl didn’t harm you, how could you have been driven out of Wei Manor and married to such a shabby family now?”

She said, glancing around the room with contempt.

Zheng Shu was touched and said through clenched teeth, “What Aunt said is true!”

Old Jiang smiled and said, “Madam said, as long it is done, we can give any amount of gold and money. Madam gave me some convenient money when I came here.” After saying that, she took out some money from her pouch.

Zheng Shu hated the Qiao girl. She was forced to marry the Liu family and thought it would be the end of her life. She didn’t expect her aunt would suddenly plan to get rid of Qiao girl, which was what she wanted, and she sent her beloved Old Jiang to let her do something. After thinking about it for a while, she decided. “I’ll take the money and use it for the witch. The witch will not be willing that easily. Luckily I used to be friends with her. I’ll ask her nicely, and maybe it will work out. You go back and wait for the news.”

Old Jiang was pleased. They instructed each other, whispered, and conspired. Zheng Shu then sent Old Jiang out as if nothing had happened.

……

Wei Shao left Yuyang, and three days passed.

With less of a Wei Shao, Xiao Qiao was relieved of serving her husband and was much freer. In these three days, except for some family matters, she went to the north house in the morning, waited until Mrs. Xu went to bed, and then returned in the evening.

This night, Mrs. Xu took her medicine. Before she went to bed, she smiled and asked Xiao Qiao to stop guarding herself like this.

Xiao Qiao said, “Since my husband is away on a trip, the west house is empty, and it’s meaningless for me to stay there alone. I would rather come here to keep grandmother company. I’m afraid grandmother might think I’m too clumsy and get in the way.”

Mrs. Xu shook her head and laughed, ” Not at all. Grandmother would like to have you in front of me all the time. I’m just afraid you’ll be too strained. It’s boring to be with an old woman like me. I know it in my heart.”

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, ” Grandmother had a kind face. I can’t get close enough. How can it be boring? When Grandmother is well, you don’t need to drive me away, I will be lazy myself. I hope grandmother will not blame me then.”

Old Zhong said, “You have a filial heart. And this is also the right thing to do. The Old Madam doesn’t need to feel guilty. When Old Madam gets well, you’ll love her back a little more.”

Mrs. Xu laughed and said, ” Fine. If my grandson is not with me, I will enjoy the blessings of my granddaughter-in-law.”

Xiao Qiao helped her to lie down. After Mrs. Xu settled, she stayed by her side and saw her gradually fall asleep. Xiao Qiao got up, and Old Zhong sent her out. When she returned to the west house, she felt tired. After taking a hot bath, she came out, put on her clothes, and sat alone in front of the lamp.

It was late. The daytime hustle disappeared, and the large Wei Manor fell into the night.

Xiao Qiao slowly dried her long hair and was lost in thought when Chun Niang came and whispered in her ear. Xiao Qiao told her to bring someone. A few moments later, Old Huang from the east house entered the room in a veil, entered the room, and saluted Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao told her to excuse herself and gave her a seat. Old Huang said she didn’t dare.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, ” Chun Niang said you have something to say?”

Old Huang stepped forward and said in a low voice: “These days, this servant received instructions from the lady, so I always keep an eye on Madam and Old Jiang’s movements. Today afternoon, the Madam went to sleep. The Old Jiang changed her clothes, quietly left the house from the back door, did not take the carriage, and did not bring someone along. This servant is suspicious and follows her. Lady, you know where she went?”

Old Huang paused. When Xiao Qiao cast a glance, she lowered her voice and said: “She went to a house in the west of the city. I saw her slip in the back door as if someone was waiting inside and immediately disappeared. I couldn’t get close, so I just waited far behind. After a while, I saw her sneaking out and hurrying back to the house. The more I thought about it, the stranger I felt, and remembering the lady’s orders, I came to report it.”

Xiao Qiao asked, “Do you know whose family is that?”

Old Huang said, “This servant has been in Yuyang for decades, so I know some things. It seems to be the residence of the widow of a country marquis surnamed Li.”

Xiao Qiao told her to describe the location and address clearly.

She also asked a detailed question, and when it was clear enough, she told Chun Niang to hand over the reward money to Old Huang. Old Huang declined a few times and finally accepted it, grateful.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said: “Aunt did a good job today. Don’t let the word out when you go back. If there are any changes, come back and tell me.”

Old Huang said, “I don’t dare to accept your courtesy. I’ve always wanted to serve you. So, this servant will go back first, lest someone find out.”

Xiao Qiao smiled and nodded her head. When Old Huang left, she pondered for a moment and asked Chun Niang, ” The other day you sent a letter out for me. Is that person still here today?”

Chun Niang said, ” He should still be here. I heard the young man say that he had an old friend in Yuyang, so he wants to stay for a few more days to visit his friends and then return after some time.”

After Chun Niang answered, she saw Xiao Qiao was silent as if she was thinking about something. She didn’t dare to disturb her at first, but then she couldn’t help herself and asked, ” I saw that you have been thinking about something these days. What has happened? Why do you ask about the whereabouts of the young man again?”

The ” young man” in Chun Niang’s mouth was the one who sent a letter to Yuyang a few days ago on behalf of Bi Zhi and Da Qiao. In the letter, Da Qiao mentioned the man’s name was Zong Ji, a son of a family in Xuzhou, and have a feud with Xue Tai for generations. His family broke in childhood, and he learned martial arts from a high-ranking person. The youth was a wanderer, wandering around with a sword. A few months ago, he returned to Xuzhou and failed to assassinate Xue Tai. When he was injured, Bi Zhi saved him. Zong Ji vowed to repay the kindness of saving his life. When he found out the couple wanted to send a letter to Yuyang, he said he had traveled to Yuyang and had one or two old friends there. He was willing to deliver the letter on their behalf.

In these troubled times, the roads were full of dangers and obstacles, and communication between the north and the south was difficult. Not sure how many letters from the family had lost on the road. With Zong Ji’s promise, Da Qiao wrote a letter and asked him to send it to her sister.

In the letter, Da Qiao mentioned if there was a reply, rest assured that Zong Ji would bring it back. The day before, Xiao Qiao wrote a letter and asked Chun Niang to send it to the inn where Zong Ji lived.

At this moment, hearing Chun Niang ask her, Xiao Qiao pondered for a moment and said, “Tomorrow, you accompany me and go together to see that young man. I have something to ask of him.”