The Marquis Is Innocent

Yang Xin looked at Wei Shao and was secretly shocked.

He thought Wei Shao led his troops to the south, which would intervene in Xue Tai’s matter. He did not expect he had only a dozen people with him to solve their predicament. Yang Xin thought: Wei Shao was young and had become the hegemon of the north. His reputation has increased and had the potential to take over the world in the future. His courage and strategy in this incident today are rarely seen. There are many forces today, but only a few can compete with him. Although he occupied Yangzhou, his strength and fame are far from him. It was better to take advantage of this friendship and help him. Later, if he took over the Han Dynasty, he would be one of the people who supported him, which was better than being an enemy.

Yang Xin made up his mind. His face showed respect, and he said: “Your courage is excellent, and your wisdom is outstanding. If it were not for your help, I would have fallen for Xue Tai’s treacherous plan. Yang Xin will remember your kindness! In the future, if you need anything, please tell me. Yang Xin is here waiting for you, and we can work together for great things!”

How could Wei Shao not hear the meaning of Yang Xin’s words?

He said, ” If there is wealth and prosperity, I will enjoy it with you.”

Yang Xin was overjoyed. Seeing that the horses of Wei Shao’s party seemed tired of running, he ordered someone to change the horses. He offered his mount to Wei Shao, saying, “Although I dare not say that this horse travels a thousand miles a day, it is still one of the best. You have come a long way and must have another important business. If you do not mind, you can use it.”

Wei Shao accepted the horse. With Xiao Qiao on his mind, he said a few more words and left on his way. Yang Xin saw him off, but suddenly he remembered and said, “Is Marquis going to Lingbi? Lingbi is the land of Xue Tai. In the past six months, there was a capable person in that place. He encircled the land, and many people were attached. Now, it should be five or six thousand people. Xue Tai can’t do anything about it. He was a mountain hunter who was born with green eyes and had made a name for himself. Do not underestimate him. This morning, the scouts reported that Xue Tai had lost to Lingbi and gathered his troops to fight against the green eyes, so there will be a lot of fighting. If you cross the border, you must be careful.”

Wei Shao heard the name ‘green eyes’ and thought he was an arrogant drifter who occupied an area of land and did not take it seriously. But when he heard Lingbi was in chaos and Xiao Qiao had gone there, he became anxious. Wei Shao hurriedly said thank you, got on his horse, and left without stopping again. Before dark that day, he crossed Jiu Li Pass in one breath and went straight into Lingbi.

……

Xiao Qiao lived in Lingbi for two days. There was no need to say that the sisters were close to each other. Bi Zhi was even more respectful to her. He not only went into the forest and brought fresh and wild food for her to eat but also slept alone in another room last night and asked the sisters to sleep in the same bed.

Another day passed, and it became dark.

Last night, Xiao Qiao was not polite with Bi Zhi, hugging her sister to sleep for a night in her soft arms, as if back in the old days when they were in the boudoir. They talked and laughed, happy and without worries.

Tonight, even if she was thick-skinned, she couldn’t afford to bully Da Qiao to sleep with her anymore. She said she was tired and wanted to rest in her room.

Da Qiao refused and took her hand, saying, “It’s okay. I’ve made a deal with your brother-in-law. You can sleep with me tonight.”

Xiao Qiao laughed, “No! If I ask you to sleep with me again, my brother-in-law will not say anything, but in his heart, he will think: ‘this sister is so insensitive, I will never bring her here again’!”

Da Qiao’s face reddened at her tease, busily said: “Your brother-in-law will not think so! Recently, he has become busy with his work, and he says he can’t be with me all the time like before. It’s not easy for you to come here, and he would love to have you spend more time with me! This time you should stay a few more days.”

Xiao Qiao took her hand and laughed, “Sister, I was kidding! I also know my brother-in-law is generous, but how can I sleep with my married sister at night? Even if I stay for another day or two, I should leave and go back.”

It’s only been a couple of days, but Da Qiao doesn’t want her to leave again. She knew she had a husband, so it was not advisable to stay out for long, and she should go back earlier. She stopped asking her to stay and held her hand when footsteps sounded outside the door.

Bi Zhi is coming.

The current Bi Zhi is like a new man than before. His eyes are deep, his pace is steady, and have a style.

Xiao Qiao smiled and greeted him.

He smiled and called her Lady.

He had been calling Xiao Qiao by this title. Xiao Qiao asked him not to, but he would not change it. Xiao Qiao had no choice but to stop.

When Da Qiao saw her husband coming, she said, “I wanted to keep her for more days, but I couldn’t.” There was a look of regret and reluctance.

Bi Zhi held his wife’s arm, bowed his head, and whispered a few words of comfort. He looked at Xiao Qiao and hesitated, wanting to say something but then stopping.

Xiao Qiao caught it and said, “Is there something bothering brother-in-law?”

Da Qiao also looked at her husband.

After hesitation, Bi Zhi said, “I came to make arrangements for Lady to leave this place as soon as possible.”

Da Qiao was stunned. Climbing on her husband’s arm, she tilted her face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

Bi Zhi reassured her again, helped her sit down, then said: “There’s nothing. Do not panic. I just got a message from my spies that Xue Tai retreated after his unsuccessful attack on Xiaodi. But he led his troops and seemed to be coming this way. I suspect he wants to attack me again. I already have a plan. But considering the Lady, if we start a war now, in case there is a mistake, it will be impossible to explain to Marquis Yan. Therefore, after thinking about it, I think it is better to send you away before Xue Tai arrives.”

In the past year, Da Qiao began to get used to this kind of fighting and killing and felt sincere trust in her husband. She felt that with him around, she would not be afraid of anything. Da Qiao looked at Xiao Qiao with reluctance but did not object. Because in her heart, she knew this was the safest way to go.

Xiao Qiao understood this consideration was all for her safety. She agreed and said, “I will listen to my brother-in-law’s arrangement. I also planned to leave for the north in these two days.”

Bi Zhi looked at her and said, “Thank you for your understanding. Tomorrow morning, I will escort you out of Lingbi by the road.”

Xiao Qiao thanked him and smiled again, “I have something to say. When Xue Tai attacked Yanzhou, I was grateful to you for saving my brother outside Juye City. I was not supposed to say anything about him without his permission. But I couldn’t help but tell my father the other day because I was so grateful. My father remembered what happened that day and regretted that he couldn’t find you. He asked me to pass on a message that he would remember your kindness and erase your connection with the Qiao family. In the future, you will be free. My father said if there is a chance, he hopes to see you again and thank you in person.”

Bi Zhi and Da Qiao looked at each other and felt happy.

Although they were married, Bi Zhi still contracted for life in private, and Da Qiao couldn’t return to her home, so she always had regrets. Qiao Yue had not approved of them, but Qiao Ping, as a senior, had said so, which means he approved of them.

Bi Zhi said: “Thank you, Lady! I have nothing to repay. I still have the same promise I made to you: if you need anything in the future, please give me an order. I will not forget what I said that day!”