The Marquis Is Innocent

South Palace, Xuan Chamber.

When the Han Dynasty flourished, this South Palace, not far from the Taiji Palace, was used as the daily residence of the emperors to deal with government affairs after the court.

Later, the emperor spent a lot of money to build the North Palace, which took more than ten years. After its completion, its splendor and luxury were far better than South Palace.

During Emperor Huang’s reign, the living activities of the Han emperors transferred to the North Palace.

Slowly, the South Palace got abandoned, and the Tai Chang Office replaced Xuan Chamber.

After Wei Shao took over Luoyang, he reopened the Xuan Chamber as his temporary residence.

Xiao Qiao knew that Wei Shao was very busy during the days after he returned from Yanzhou.

Meanwhile, Le Zheng Gong’s northern expedition was unsuccessful. After vomiting blood on the way back to Hanzhong, he was so depressed that his old wounds recurred, and died. After the mourning, the eldest son, Le Zheng Kai, was crowned and established the Daliang Kingdom. Honoring Le Zheng Gong as the previous emperor, then he issued a protest against Wei Shao, vowing to take revenge for the founding emperor of Daliang. Le Zheng Gong had been operating in Hanzhong for several generations. Hanzhong, with Liang as the capital, from the Hangu Pass to the west, occupying Qin, Jing, and Yizhou, with many soldiers and a natural barrier in the form of Mount Hua and the Shu Road.

Xiao Qiao waited at the side of the corridor outside the Xuan Chamber for a long time. The discomfort of swollen breasts is again rising in her chest. Once again, she was reminded that her daughter, Fei Fei, was still at home, waiting for her to return.

Finally came a sound of footsteps. She saw Li Dian, Wei Quan, and others come out from the inside hurriedly.

When they saw Xiao Qiao, they were stunned, stopped, and came to salute her.

Li Dian said, “When did the lady arrive in Luoyang?”

“Today.”

Xiao Qiao looked at the red palace door, “Is the Marquis here?”

“He’s inside.”

Xiao Qiao nodded slightly and went inside.

……

Gongsun Yang was still inside, speaking to Wei Shao: “My mentor heard that there’s an epidemic in the south. Then, during his journey to the south, while passing near Luoyang, he learned about the announcement for seeking medical treatment. That’s why he entered the city. General Wei has no serious injury. My mentor left early this morning. I struggled to keep ……”

Wei Shao ambled to the threshold and suddenly saw Xiao Qiao walking toward him. He paused, his gaze fell to her body, fixed a breath, then sank his face.

Gongsun Yang looked up, saluted, and said: “Lady, the journey is hard. You just arrived in Luoyang. Why not rest first?”

Xiao Qiao stepped up and stopped before the two, smiling, “Thank you for sending someone to bring me here. I am not tired.”

Her eyes turned to Wei Shao, and she said, “Can Husband stay for a while?”

Wei Shao said coldly, “What are you doing here?”

Xiao Qiao said, “I have something to say to you.”

Wei Shao lifted his feet and left.

Xiao Qiao reached out and grabbed his sleeve.

Wei Shao lowered his head, looked at her tiny hands clutching his sleeve, and then raised his eyes to stare at her, annoyed.

But her two tiny hands, still tightly tugging at his sleeves, refused to let go.

“It will only take up a moment of your time. It won’t delay things.” She said. Her voice was not high but firm.

Gongsun Yang swallowed his saliva, turning his face away, “Lord, why not listen to Lady? I will take my leave ……” He hastily bowed toward the two and left.

Wei Shao stood frozen at the threshold, not moving.

There is no one around. Only a fragrant tree in front of the hall, covered with a canopy, issued a rustling sound when a gust of wind passed.

Xiao Qiao slowly let go of his hand.

“I just went to visit General Wei Liang. My brother and I traveled together to apologize to General Wei Liang on behalf of my father.”

Wei Shao’s eyes fell on the fragrant tree in the hall.

Xiao Qiao stared at his stiff face: “Fortunately, General Wei did not blame us. Before I left, I told General Wei that I hoped he would take my brother under his tent for training. Thanks to General Wei, he agreed to do so. But without your nod, he did not dare to take the initiative.”

Wei Shao turned his head sharply.

“Is this something you can decide without permission?” His tone was heavy.

“Therefore, I come here to tell you.” Xiao Qiao said, “I don’t mean anything else. Things are over at home, and I don’t think there will be much to do in the next few days. Since my family is guilty of letting General Wei down, it’s only right that I let him attend to his needs, whether holding a horse or a saddle for him.”

Wei Shao stared at her.

Xiao Qiao met his gaze: “Naturally, to keep or not to keep him, or how long to keep him. In the end, you decide everything.”

Wei Shao was silent for a moment. Suddenly he lifted his feet, his sleeves brushed the wind, walked down the steps, and was already walking under the fragrant tree.

Xiao Qiao went after him and stopped opposite him, blocking his way.

Wei Shao finally stopped: “What else do you want?” His tone of voice was questioning and impatient.

He was more than half a head taller than Xiao Qiao. The two stood facing each other like this, and Xiao Qiao tilted her face slightly, gazing at his face.

“I know you hate my family for repeatedly reneging on their promise, and you hate me for being insincere with you. We’re husband and wife, but secretly defensive. I must say what is in my heart, so whether you listen to it or not, I must say it.”

“A long time ago, I had a terrible nightmare repeatedly. In the dream, Qiao and Wei’s families united in marriage. I become your wife. However, it did not resolve the hatred of the two families as hoped. You are bent on revenge. In the end, everyone in my family died. Either directly by your hands or indirectly because of you.”

She closed her eyes, then opened them again.

“With those nightmares, I married you. After the marriage, I care not to make a single wrong step. Gradually our relationship broke the ice, but at that time, no matter how good you were to me, your words and actions always made me feel pressured, as if the life, death, fortune, and disaster of my family all depended on your whim, not to mention the dream prophecy that I could not get rid of.”

“Because of that, I want my family to be strong. Not to be your enemy, but to think that if one day, when you and I can no longer maintain the love between husband and wife, my family can protect themselves. Even if it’s like a mantis, it’s better than sitting around waiting to die like my dream.”

At first, Wei Shao did not look at her. But he slowly fixed his eyes on her face.

He stared at her, his eyes gloomy, his brows furrowed.

“What I am asking for is only peace of mind.” She slowly said.