The Marquis Is Innocent

Chapter 54:

Chapter 54:

After returning from Mrs. Xus 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 Shaos 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 didnt know about the other rooms in the Wei family, but there were servants in the west house who didnt 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 cant 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 todays 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, Im 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 dont have any important business. I will speak on your behalf if you dont want to talk to Yanzhous 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 didnt 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 uncles 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 sisters 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 dont 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 Shaos 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 didnt mention anything beforehand. Must be something unexpected again.

Xiao Qiao didnt care much. She thought her brother Qiao Ci didnt come back during the day and didnt know where he had gone, so she went to Qiao Cis 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.Visit for the best novel reading experience

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 familys army. Li Dian, a general under Wei Shao, became famous twenty years ago as a horse archer and was used by Wei Shaos father, Wei Liang, and became the most powerful general in the country.

Xiao Qiao lowered the window curtain and the carriage followed.

Wei Yan watched Xiao Qiaos 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 Cis 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 couldnt 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 Cis 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 Cis 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 wont care anymore.

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

Xiao Qiao listened to Qiao Cis 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 brothers eyes, and the sullenness she felt gradually subsided.

Sister! Dont you be angry with me! I promise, next time I wont 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! Its just a small matter. Why such a big commotion?

Xiao Qiao hadnt 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. Its 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.