The Marquis Is Innocent

Old Zhong said: ” Madam has been lying sick in the room these days. Old Jiang said she was afraid to come to serve the Old Madam for fear of spreading her illness.”

Mrs. Xu was lost in thought for a moment and said, “Since she is in bed, I’m afraid it’s hard to take care of everything at home. Pass on my words. Ask her to divide some matters to be handled by my granddaughter-in-law and tell the accountant to inform the granddaughter-in-law about the family’s farming business.”

Xiao Qiao was shocked and stood up hastily. She was about to refuse when Mrs. Xu looked at her and smiled, “You have been in the family for almost a year and getting familiar with various areas. You don’t need to take over all the work now. There are a lot of accounts, and I don’t want to take care of them anymore when I’m old. You should help your mother-in-law if she’s in poor health and ask Old Zhong if you don’t know anything.”

Xiao Qiao only says, “I will do my best and dare not disappoint your kindness.” She thanked Old Zhong, “I’m young and don’t know what to do, so I’ll ask for your guidance.”

Old Zhong nodded with a smile: “Your words are too serious. I will do my best.”

……

Su E Huang came to the east house and stood quietly outside the door. After waiting a moment, a servant accompanied by Old Jiang came out from inside and said coldly: “Madam does not want to see you. You should leave. This is not a place for you to stay.”

Su E Huang said, “Thank you, Aunt Jiang, for passing on the message. I will remember every word of your teachings and dare not forget them.” After saying that, she turned around and went away as she had come. When she left the gate of Wei Manor, Su Xin, who was waiting for her, came running and asked, “Aunt, did you see the person? What do they say?”

Su E Huang’s smile disappeared, coldly said. “I was hoping you would make a name for yourself at the Lu Li Conference, but you’ve embarrassed me! What else can the people inside say?”

Su Xin looked ashamed and did not dare to answer with his head hanging.

Su E Huang glanced at him and looked a little more relaxed, then said: ” Forget it! The matter was done. It is useless to blame you. I tore off my face for you in front of them to say a good word, to apologize on your behalf. Fortunately, there are still some old friendships. This matter will be over, and you do not have to worry.”

Su Xin did not know the white-robed general who was his enemy was Wei Shao’s brother-in-law. These days, he was afraid and anxious. When he heard her say this, he was overjoyed and bowed: “Thank you, aunt. I knew my aunt always loved me. From now on, I won’t dare to be so reckless.”

Su E Huang showed a smile on her face and hummed: ” It’s good to know that your aunt loves you. Let’s go.”

Su Xin busily ordered the carriage to drive. He guided Su E Huang to the carriage and opened the veil for her: “Please sit down, aunt.”

Before Su E Huang boarded the carriage, she turned her head to take a last look at the closed door of Wei Manor behind her. When she turned back, her expression was calm and unruffled. She bent down and sat in the carriage. On the pleasant tinkling sound, the carriage gradually departed.

……

Xiao Qiao went to the east house accompanied by Old Zhong.

Mrs. Zhu was in the room with Old Jiang, who despised Su E Huang and drove her away. She heard them coming and hurriedly went to bed and lay down. She pulled the blanket up to the neck, facing inward, and did not move. After Xiao Qiao greeted her, she turned her head and asked her what was wrong. Old Jiang said Mrs. Xu’s intentions. Mrs. Zhu was shocked and sat up from the pillow. After a long time, she reluctantly answered.

Once Xiao Qiao and Old Zhong left, Mrs. Zhu lost control, angry and ashamed, and swept all the utensils on the desk to the ground.

All the servants saw her lose her temper, and the room was full of noise. They did not dare to come near. In the end, Old Jiang came in and advised her again. She stopped. Put her hand on her forehead and said with a pale face: “That old woman has not only married an enemy girl for my son, but now she only has Qiao girl in her eyes. I’m afraid there’s no place for me in this Wei family anymore!”

……

That day, Xiao Qiao became busy. She took over the keys and accounts of the two storehouses of food and cloth. Accompanied by the steward’s maid, she looked around hastily and asked someone to send the account books to her room first.

Her heart is still concerned about Mrs. Xu’s illness. In the evening, she went to the north house again. After serving Mrs. Xu a meal, she went to the small kitchen to check the medicine.

The woman decocted the medicine saw her coming and greeted her. Before Xiao Qiao could say anything, she said, “The medicine is almost ready. Don’t worry. I watched the fire and never left.”

This old woman was an old maid who served Mrs. Xu for many years and was very loyal. Because Xiao Qiao instructed her before and Chun Niang gave her rewards on the account that the lady had seen her hard work, she was more attentive. After the medicine came out, she brought it into the room. Mrs. Xu drank it and sat for a while. After it took effect, she lay down and fell into a deep sleep.

When it was dark, Xiao Qiao went back to the west house. Wei Shao has not yet returned.

This day was more than enough. Her stomach was hungry at the moment, and eat by herself. She returned to her room, sat down, and turned up the accounts books of the treasury.

Nowadays, paper is available. But the texture was rough and could not be used for long. The writers and scholars who write a book or bookkeeping use simplified books. There was almost a basket of account books for the food storeroom alone for only three months’ time.

Xiao Qiao flipped through the dozens of simple books. Thinking in the future, when there is an opportunity, she will find a craftsman to make durable and good paper to replace these simple books.

Wei Shao came back a little later than usual. Once inside, he saw Xiao Qiao sitting behind the desk busily. The pile of books blocked her head. He was slightly stunned and came closer to have a look.

Mrs. Zhu was not very knowledgeable. In these years, Mrs. Xu has not asked about these trivial matters. The accounts in the treasury at the bottom are inevitably messy. Xiao Qiao looked a little tired. When Wei Shao came back, she looked up and saw him standing in front of the desk looking at her, so she put down her pen and got up to welcome him.

Xiao Qiao mentioned Mrs. Xu asked her to help Mrs. Zhu do the household chores when she served Wei Shao to change his clothes.

“I didn’t want to do that either. It’s just that the elders told me to do so. When mother-in-law’s health recovers in a few days, I will do as she asks.”

Wei Shao said, “Since grandmother has ordered you, you can do it.”

Xiao Qiao smiled and found out he hadn’t eaten yet, so she went to the dining hall for dinner. When they arrived at the dining hall, Xiao Qiao remained with him to serve.

She was still flying in her head with the large and confusing account. Her eyes are a little stagnant and distracted.

Wei Shao ate two bites of rice and looked at her. Suddenly he said, “You can join too. There is no need to wait.”

Xiao Qiao returned to her senses and slowly sighed, “Husband, enjoy yourself. I was hungry just now and already ate.”

Wei Shao looked at her again and said no more. He quickly finished his meal and said he was going to study.

Xiao Qiao walked him to the door.

Since the box incident, Xiao Qiao never set foot in his study in the west house.

Wei Shao stepped over the threshold and was about to leave when he suddenly seemed to remember and turned his head to ask, “Has anyone come to the house today?”

Xiao Qiao leaned against the doorframe and locked eyes with him.

Lanterns lit up in the corridor. A gust of evening wind came through the corridor entrance and swept the dim red light overhead. A layer of uncertain darkness covered Wei Shao’s eyes. The two eyes watched her unblinkingly.

The corners of Xiao Qiao’s lips curled slightly: “I wonder who are you asking? Many people are coming to the house today.”