The Marquis Is Innocent

That night, Xiao Qiao refused to sleep with Da Qiao and left the room. Bi Zhi and Da Qiao looked at each other. Bi Zhi picked up his wife, took her to the bedside, and gently put her down. He sat beside her, gently stroking her belly, and said, “Did the little one kick you again today?”

Da Qiao leaned on her husband’s shoulder with a happy smile and said, “He was moving around in my belly in the morning and woke me up early.”

Bi Zhi lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and softly said: “It’s hard for you. When the little one comes out, if it’s a boy, I’ll spank him.”

Da Qiao laughed and let him lie down with her. She held his calluses palm, pressed it to her soft cheek, rubbed it a few times, and said, “Last night, my sister praised you. She said you are very impressive. I also think so. It’s just that I’m a little confused. Where did you learn all your skills in leading troops to war?”

Bi Zhi’s green eyes met his wife’s curious and full of admiration and saying: “I do not know. When I was young, I once overheard your uncle train the family soldiers on the horse farm. Your uncle was like a god of war, and the soldiers roared heavenly. At that moment, I was shocked and said to myself: ‘when I grow up, I want to be like your uncle.’ I began to use the horses in the stable to train soldiers. I imagined that I was their general and they were my soldiers. I have so many soldiers, and if I meet the enemy, how should I command ……”

As he said that, he suddenly saw Da Qiao looking at him intently. He blushed and stopped, ” I made you laugh, didn’t I?”

Da Qiao shook her head: “I still want to listen, continue.”

Bi Zhi laughed and said: ” There was a steward on the horse farm. Although his legs are handicapped, he was the horse archer in your Qiao’s army. He took a fancy to me, said I had the qualifications of a martial artist, and taught me archery when he had time. I liked it so much that I dreamed I was practicing martial arts. He taught me for several years and was very kind to me, but he became ill and died. I was sad for a while. Then later, when I was a little older ……”

Bi Zhi bowed his head and gazed at his wife.

“…… I saw you. From the first moment I saw you, I could never forget you. I remember every time you got on and off the carriage. I never dreamed that one day, you would become my wife ……”

Da Qiao hooked her hand around her husband’s neck and kissed him deeply.

It was a long time before they separated. Bi Zhi panted slightly, tried to calm down his thirsty body seduced by his wife’s tenderness, and whispered in her ear: “I know you’ve been worrying about me. Don’t be afraid. I have made thorough preparations. I am confident that I can defeat Xue Tai. Nothing will happen.”

Da Qiao shook her head and said: “I am not afraid anymore. From the first day I left with you, I decided my life on you. You live, I live with you. If you have a downfall, I also go with you. I am not afraid!”

Bi Zhi gazed at his wife, took her face, and kissed her deeply.

……

The next day, Xiao Qiao got up at dawn, and Bi Zhi sent her out of the village accompanied by Chun Niang.

At first, the couple lived in a hunting village in the mountains outside Lingbi County. But more people joined, and the soldiers and horses reached thousands, so the hunting village could not accommodate them. There was a Hu village owner in the southwest of the county, Xue Tai killed his only son and forced him to give up his land and wealth. In his grief and anger, he surrendered and welcomed Bi Zhi into the village three months ago. He respected him as the leader, gave up his land and wealth, helped buy horses and set up weapons to avenge his hatred in the future. Bi Zhi fortifies the army in Hu Village, builds the village as a 20 miles fortress, and sets a booth in every pavilion to make the news flows smoothly.

Xiao Qiao stayed in the village for the past few days. Before leaving, she said goodbye to Qiao Ci.

Although she was personally greeted by Bi Zhi and escorted by Mr. Jia, Qiao Ci still followed her. Qiao Ci had planned to leave with her, but when he heard Xue Tai was coming to attack, Qiao Ci was itching to stay and help his brother-in-law.

Bi Zhi did not want him to stay. But Qiao Ci insisted, saying he wanted to gain more experience and this was an opportunity. He refused to leave.

Xiao Qiao persuaded him a few times but saw that it was useless. She thought in this world, with all the wars and turmoil, there was no guarantee that no one would not attack Yanzhou again. Since he is the only son of the Qiao family, he will inevitably have to fight in the future. He is determined to participate in the war, so she let him do what he wants. First, as he said, to increase the experience. Second, Bi Zhi had less experience in the war than Qiao Ci, so having her brother on the side should also be good. So she agreed. She repeatedly told him to be careful and return to Yanzhou as soon as possible after the war was over, lest Father would be worried.

Qiao Ci agreed. He sent Xiao Qiao to the side of the carriage and helped her get on.

When Xiao Qiao boarded the carriage, she turned around. She saw Da Qiao standing at the village’s entrance holding her stomach with one hand and looking at herself with a face full of reluctance. Her heart was happy and slightly saddened. She said to Bi Zhi at her side, “Thank you, brother-in-law, for treating my sister so well.”

Bi Zhi was stunned, then said, “She treats me better.” As he spoke, he looked back tenderly at his wife.

Xiao Qiao smiled and got into the carriage with Chun Niang.

The escort, Mr. Jia, did not dare to slack on this journey and leave Xiao Qiao halfway. After following her from East County to here, they were relieved the Lady was finally going back and followed closely.

The carriage wheel moved. Xiao Qiao looked out and waved goodbye to Da Qiao until her figure became smaller and disappeared. She sat back down, turned her head, and quietly wiped her eyes.

Chun Niang saw it in her eyes and took her into her arms. After walking out some distance, she said: “You are jealous that your sister is going to be a mother? Don’t be in a hurry. This time, as long as Master is at home, you should be able to.”

Xiao Qiao knew she was trying to cheer herself up. Although her heart is still full of parting reluctance, the thought of giving birth to a child with Wei Shao feels strange. She can not help but snicker: “I do not want to give birth so early!”

Chun Niang said: ” Year-end is not many days left. Lady is 16, just ready to give birth to a child. I’m sure the old madam and Master are looking forward to it too.”

Xiao Qiao shook her head repeatedly. When Chun Niang said more, she covered her mouth.

Chun Niang saw that she felt sad because of the parting and was afraid she would be hurt, so she changed the subject. When she would not let her talk about her and Master having a child, she gave up, put her arm around Xiao Qiao, and said, “Master must have returned home from the war by now, right? I’m sure he’s looking forward to your return!”

Xiao Qiao leaned into Chun Niang’s arms, remembering the days before Wei Shao left for war.

During the first night, she wanted him to stay because she was worried that something would happen to Mrs. Xu, so she had someone to rely on. It’s okay if he didn’t promise, but afterward, he didn’t keep his word and made fun of her. That was fine, too. After all, it was a big deal to go to war. What was irritating was he had no intention of admitting his fault.

Well, he is a high and mighty ruler. Xiao Qiao did not expect him to open his mouth to admit his mistake. But at least, there should be some so meaningful performance of it.

But he’s good, ah.

She was angry, and he seemed like he was also angry. He didn’t touch her for the next three nights.

Xiao Qiao naturally does not want him to touch her. She really doesn’t understand. What kind of anger did he have to give her such a face?

If it weren’t for the fact that Mrs. Xu was in the middle, she really wouldn’t want to go back so soon since she had already gone back to her mother’s house.

Xiao Qiao beamed and hummed, “He won’t expect me to go back. I don’t want to see him either!”

……

The carriage and Mr. Jia’s entourage faded away. The procession disappeared on the yellow dirt road leading from the village’s entrance to the outside world.

A servant woman came over and assisted Da Qiao entered the house. Da Qiao turned around and saw Zong Ji standing in the field not far behind. His eyes cast towards the end of the yellow mud, and his face seemed to have a trace of sadness. She walked towards him.

When Zong Ji saw Da Qiao coming towards him, he hurriedly greeted her.