The Marquis Is Innocent

Xiao Qiao feels slightly embarrassed. She knew she could not hide it any longer, so she lowered her head and said, “It is all my fault. I quarreled with him over some trivial matters in our room last night. Please forgive me, grandmother.”

Xiao Qiao thought about it last night and was sure Wei Shao’s sudden change of temper over the past two days related to the words he uttered ‘the men of the Wei family all want to be under your skirt.’

Not sure how he arbitrarily put a Pan Jinlian label on her head, forced her to show her love when she met Wei Yan, and then turned around and went crazy in front of her.

T/N: Pan Jinlian is a lustful character from The Golden Lotus.

But there was one thing she was sure of, he thought Wei Yan and her had an improper relationship.

At that time, she was indeed disgusted by his idea. She was momentarily out of control and slapped him, knocking him away. However, Wei Shao returned this morning, pretending in front of Mrs. Xu, so he did not want to let this family scandal be known outside. When Mrs. Xu asked Xiao Qiao, she did not dare say more than half a word, only vaguely taking the ‘room’ and ‘trivial matter’ to deflect. Given Mrs. Xu’s seniority, no matter how curious she was, she won’t break the pot and ask questions until the end.

As expected, Mrs. Xu did not ask further questions. Only nodding and said: “Even the lips and teeth can still be bumped, let alone teenage couples? Although you said you are bad, I know he must have offended you. He grew up to be a little monkey, needing to hit every three days. He will remember if you beat him up and talk to him.”

Xiao Qiao felt Mrs. Xu’s words seemed to contain some other meaning but didn’t have time to chew on them. She just wanted to get through this embarrassment quickly, so she nodded in response.

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, “We have to leave early in the morning tomorrow for the Lu Li Conference. It is late now. The cat stays here. You should return to your room, prepare for tomorrow’s event and get in good spirits. If he comes back and is still angry with you, you can come and tell me, and I will do it for you.”

Xiao Qiao respectfully answered and withdrew to the west house. Naturally, Wei Shao was not there. Xiao Qiao stopped waiting for him and went to eat by herself. After returning to her room, she quietly went over every detail she needed to do tomorrow morning to confirm nothing would go wrong. Then, she went to bed.

She needed to recharge her spirits.

Wei Shao came back in the middle of the night. Gingerly, as if afraid of waking her up. Xiao Qiao still awakened by him but pretended to be asleep.

Wei Shao came out of the bathroom, turned out the light, and climbed into bed. The two slept separately that night. Xiao Qiao slept peacefully. She was woken by a movement on the side the next morning.

Wei Shao sat up from the bed.

It was just a little gray outside the window. Not yet the fifth period. It was still early.

But today there is a Lu Li Conference he should go out early.

Xiao Qiao barely opened her eyes and saw Wei Shao sitting on the bed with his back facing her.

He sits still as if lost in thought and suddenly turns his face and glance at Xiao Qiao on the pillow.

Xiao Qiao was not completely awake and stared at him with half-squinted eyes. He turned his head back as if he didn’t care and got out of bed by lifting the blanket.

Although there was drama and anger, since she woke up, she should do what she should. Xiao Qiao yawned and got up after him. She opened the door and called the servants to serve.

No one made a sound during the process, only the servant’s footsteps coming in and out and the sound of the copper basin slightly bumping. The kitchen staff brought in the breakfast table. Xiao Qiao kneeled beside him to keep him company.

When they loved each other, Wei Shao ate at the same table with her. Now it was reverting to the primary state of the game.

Wei Shao’s face was expressionless the whole time. Xiao Qiao served him to finish his breakfast, sent him out the door, and watched his back disappear in the morning sun. She no longer sleeps after coming in and freshening up. Chun Niang helped her take out the clothes to wear today.

Today was her first public appearance after marrying into the Wei family, and she started to think about what to wear many days ago.

The Luli Conference was not only a gathering of the Wei family elderly but also a gathering of the Yuyang family, the Wei family generals, and all the soldiers of Youzhou. Xiao Qiao was already beautiful enough. What should be emphasized was no longer beauty but the poise and aura of her identity as the third generation of the Wei family female monarch.

For this reason, Chun Niang went to ask Old Zhong for advice privately. Old Zhong said Mrs. Xu wore purple that day, and the lady could wear crimson red. It matches and stands out.

Chun Niang was delighted, thanked Old Zhong, and returned to work on her dress.

She was a good craftswoman. Yesterday, the clothes were finally ready.

Xiao Qiao put on the crimson red embroidered dragon and phoenix ceremonial dress. The skirt trails the ground with sleeves down to the knees. The belt was seven inches wide and embroidered with an exquisite cornelian link cloud pattern. The waist was decorated with Ruyi jade. Her hair was set high into a high bun, each side set with a gold hairpin.

Compared to when she first married, Xiao Qiao started to shed her youthfulness and became more mature. Wearing such a gown and after the makeup, she was elegant and noble, yet not losing her beauty. Even Mrs. Xu looked at her for a long time, finally smiled, and said, “My grandson is blessed to have such a beautiful woman!”

The sky was high, the clouds were light, and the sun shone brightly in the morning. Wei Liang picked up the women of the Wei family. Xiao Qiao and Mrs. Xu boarded the carriage. The Lu Li Terrace was a few miles out of the city.

It was called the Luli Terrace, but it was a viewing tower built high on a rammed earth base. It faced south and was tens of feet long and wide, three stories high, with no cover on all sides, majestic, and with an excellent view. On the opposite side of Luli Terrace was a training ground that could accommodate 10,000 people with four gates, the Green Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Xuanwu. An arch on each side of the four gates and a slightly shorter viewing platform on top of each of the four gates, named Green Dragon Terrace, White Tiger Terrace, Vermilion Bird Terrace, and Xuanwu Terrace, which prepared for the invited governors and other distinguished guests.

At six o’clock, the training ground was covered with flags, and tens of thousands of people had gathered.

When Mrs. Xu’s carriage was approaching the Green Dragon Gate, the four cannons sounded. Wei Shao and Wei Yan came out with the governors of Yuyang and other regions, as well as the nobles of the family, to meet her in formation.

Mrs. Xu, dressed in a purple dress and her hair combed neatly, got off the carriage with a crutch in one hand and her other arm held by Xiao Qiao, followed by Mrs. Zhu, and walked towards the Green Dragon Gate.

Wei Shao and Wei Yan salute, and the rest of the governors and others follow suit.

Besides selecting talents and showcasing their strength, the Lu Li Conference was an occasion for the Wei family and the governors to liaise with each other and promote unity.

All of these invited officials were from the time of Wei Shao’s father. A few days ago, Wei Shao met with these people in succession. Naturally, they all had dealings with Mrs. Xu and were looking forward to meeting her. But Mrs. Xu was not very receptive to visitors these days. Now she finally showed up, and they all came up to greet her.

Mrs. Xu was glowing and smiling as she exchanged pleasantries with the people. She saw the people’s eyes fall on Xiao Qiao. She smiled and said, “Although I am old, I am fortunate I have someone to inherit my family. Today, I will let Mrs. Qiao beat the golden drum on my behalf to encourage the strength of my children in Youzhou!”

Under the surprised gaze of the crowd, Xiao Qiao step forward and said with a smile, “Before I came here, my grandmother told me all those who are here today are powerful members of the Wei family. I was instructed not to be rude and to pay respect to them as uncles. All uncles, accept my salute.” After saying this, she salutes each of the three sides.

All the people saw although she was young, but she was beautiful, elegant, generous in response, and had a great temperament. Mrs. Xu recommended her so much, not to mention her status as the wife of Wei Shao, and each of them returned her salute.

Mrs. Xu was in a good mood, and with a big smile, she let Xiao Qiao take her arm and walk to the Green Dragon Gate.

When the soldiers in the training ground saw Mrs. Xu appear, the hail rose.

Mrs. Xu, with a smile on her face, took Xiao Qiao, followed by Mrs. Zhu, and accompanied by Wei Shao and Wei Yan, ascended to the Lu Li Terrace and took her place. The governors, nobles, and guests also ascend the viewing platform to take their seats. Yuan Dai and Ding Qu were also welcomed into their seats.

The views from Lu Li Terrace were excellent. The wind blew on all sides. The soldiers in the training ground lined up in a row. The hearts could not help but rise with a sense of excitement.

Xiao Qiao knows Wei’s brothers are close by, and their four eyes were watching her. Her heart was disturbed by these two Wei family men, but without the slightest distraction, her eyes don’t even see these two people. She only looked at Mrs. Xu.

Under Mrs. Xu’s encouraging gaze, she took a deep breath, exhaled the foul air in her chest, took a steady step, and walked towards the golden drum in the center of the Luli Terrace. She took the bronze mallet with the red tassel from a sergeant, waved her arm steadily, and struck the drum under the attention of all. After three sounds, accompanied by the humming drum vibration that had not yet disappeared, she said aloud: ” My warriors, guard the four directions! Live long and prosper!”

The wind blew, and with the sound of drum vibrations, her voice was sent to the four directions of the training ground.

” Long Live the World!”

” Long Live the World!”

The training ground was silent at first, but after a moment, a chant of ” Long Live the World” erupted in harmony with her recitation. The sound came from all sides, almost shaking the clouds.

Xiao Qiao put the bronze mallet on the tray and walked back as steadily as she had come.

She looked at Mrs. Xu, and from her smiling eyes, she knew that she had passed what was not an easy ‘test’ for herself.

She let out a long breath. She looked calm, but her heart was beating fast, and her hands were sweating.

Though the status of women today was generally low, in the Wei family, there was a period when women were in charge of the government. It was because of Mrs. Xu the Wei family survived the drifting valley, laying a solid foundation for the later Wei Shao.

In front of Mrs. Xu of the Wei family, there was no such thing as a woman who could not get out of her inner sanctum.

Xiao Qiao knew with her qualifications it would be impossible for her to stand in such a high profile. In this place called the Lu Li Terrace and be subjected to the sound of cheering from the ten thousand people at her feet.

In her heart, she did not long for such glory in the past – she never felt she deserved it. And more importantly, there was some apprehension in her heart – fear that she would not be able to return the glory she received today.

But Mrs. Xu pushed her into this position. She could not refuse.

Xiao Qiao did not know why Mrs. Xu thought so highly of her. The only thing she could do was do her best and not disappoint Mrs. Xu’s expectations.

Now it seemed she completed the job well. At least, it should not be a disgrace.

Mrs. Xu sat her down by her side, gently patted the back of her hand, and smiled, “Well done.”

Xiao Qiao said, “Thanks to Grandmother’s generous encouragement, I was lucky not to disgrace myself.”

……

After the golden drums, the Lu Li Conference officially began. The sound of the soldiers in the training ground was heard from all over the place. They were all making a great effort to support the children belonging to their regiments.

Wei Shao and Wei Yan had to go down to the training ground. They came to say excuse in front of Mrs. Xu.

Wei Yan smiled and looked calm.

Looking at Wei Yan, Xiao Qiao couldn’t help but think Wei Shao was more suspicious than women.

She does not know how he suspects she and Wei Yan had an affair. When she remembered the first time she met Wei Yan, the kind of gaze he gave her, and then looked at these two people in front of her, her heart suddenly disgusted.

Xiao Qiao looked at Wei Shao. He was staring at her. She didn’t avoid his gaze, raised her chin slightly, and stared at him.

Wei Shao’s face darkened, turned, and left.

Wei Yan followed and got off the Lu Li Terrace.

These two plague gods are gone, Xiao Qiao finally feels comfortable, immediately looking for her younger brother Qiao Ci’s figure in the training ground.

Today there are two competitions. Archery in horseback and fighting. The first competition was archery on horseback, which was the event Qiao Ci participated in.

The competition was a combination of “riding” and “shooting”. A golden bell hanging from a rope was placed at the end of the field. All the warriors who rode from the starting point and could avoid their opponents and be the first to shoot down the golden bell with an arrow were the winners. The opponent’s horse was not allowed to be attacked, but any other means could be used to obstruct the opponent. It was a great challenge to the riding and archery skills of the participating warriors, also their fighting ability.

Thirty-two warriors participated in the archery match. Except for Qiao Ci, they are all the best archers from the military camps. Each had arrived at the starting point on horseback, waiting for the competition to begin.

Xiao Qiao soon saw her brother, Qiao Ci.

He was in great spirits today. His face was like a silver plate, and his eyebrows were like swords. He was dressed in a white robe and silver armor, with a bow on his shoulder and a sword hanging from his waist, sitting high on the horse.

Xiao Qiao’s heart rejoiced and looked at Qiao Ci closely. Qiao Ci seemed to feel the gaze from Xiao Qiao and turned his head to look behind the Lu Li Terrace. He smiled at her. A young hero’s aura and fierce strength came to the surface.