The Marquis Is Innocent

The next afternoon after returning from the north house, Xiao Qiao changed into a simple onion-colored dress, removed all the hairpin, and dressed up as if she was from an ordinary family. She put on a veil to cover her face and took a carriage to the city’s Yuefu Inn, accompanied by Chun Niang and Old Lin. Old Lin stayed in the carriage and waited. Xiao Qiao took Chun Niang inside and asked the waiter about the man who had landed a few days ago.

The innkeeper said: ” Mr. Zong is still here. Three or five of his friends are coming today, and they set up a banquet in the back hall. I’m on my way there to refill the wine.”

Chun Niang gave him ten large coins: “I am an old acquaintance with him, and I am looking for him for something. I’ll send the wine on your behalf.”

The innkeeper saw the lady with the veil not dressed conspicuously, but the woman following her looked more elegant than the mother-in-law in ordinary homes and had money, so he agreed.

Xiao Qiao went to the back room, as the innkeeper had pointed out.

Yuefu Inn can be considered famous in the city, with a small courtyard in the back hall and a few rods of yellow groove bamboo. The weather was colder in late autumn, the bamboo was hardy, and the leaves were yellowed, soughing in the wind, giving it some Jiangnan atmosphere.

Xiao Qiao went along a corridor to the back hall and heard faint laughter. A little closer, she saw four or five men sitting on the ground to drink, either sitting or lying, around 20 years old. One of the oldest, only 25 or 26, and their posture was all wild. An older man in the north laughed and said: “I was once attached to the county magistrate in Linqing as his disciple. Someday, the warehouse officer came to the magistrate early in the morning with great enthusiasm and reported he had a dream last night that the magistrate had been promoted and rich. The magistrate was at first delighted, but the next day, he was furious and ordered to cane the man. Do you know the reason for this?”

While the rest of the people were pondering and could not understand, they suddenly heard a woman’s voice behind them say: “The warehouse officer must arrest the thieves at night. He went to sleep and dreamed, so he should be condemned for such a dereliction of duty. I don’t know if my guess is right or wrong?”

Several people on the floor were stunned, but they felt reasonable. They suddenly laughed, looked back, and saw the woman that talked not far away in the open space. A veil covered her head, and a middle-aged servant woman accompanied her. Not knowing where she came from. Several people could not help but look at each other.

One of them was a man in a green shirt, similar in age to Wei Shao, standing with a tall body, wearing a long sword at his waist, and with an elegant posture. He was Zong Ji. He recognized Chun Niang, got up from the ground, straightened his clothes, and went forward.

Chun Niang nodded to him with a smile and called. ” Hello, Sir” and handed over a pot of wine.

Xiao Qiao saw Zong Ji’s gaze falling on her puzzledly. She said, “I’m sorry for the sudden visit. The other day, I was very grateful to you for sending me a letter from a thousand miles. Today I’m passing by, so I’m here to thank you. If I have disturbed you, please forgive me.”

As soon as Zong Ji heard her, he knew her identity. She should be the lady in Wei Manor. He was stunned and quickly bowed to her. When the rest of his friends saw this, they knew this woman should have some business. As the banquet was almost over, they got up and left. When passing by Xiao Qiao, although they couldn’t see her face because of the veil, they could vaguely identify that she was a young and beautiful woman. She solved the riddle in one word, so they were curious and couldn’t help but look at her a few more times.

Zong Ji sent his friend out. Several people teased him. Saying he only arrived in Yuyang for a few days. When did he befriend such outstanding beauty without reporting and drink as punishment next time.

Zong Ji had guessed the identity of the woman. How dare he speak blasphemously? He denied it, quickly sent his friends away, and returned. When he reached Xiao Qiao, he said respectfully, ” I didn’t know you were here. I’m sorry for not welcoming you. Is there anything I can do for you? Just give me an order.”

When Bi Zhi saved him, he vowed to repay them. Hearing the couple talk about the Yan Marquess with great respect, it seemed she helped them, and they regarded her as their benefactor. She wouldn’t have come here to see him personally with her status.

Xiao Qiao told Chun Niang to move away and said, “My sister mentioned you in her letter. Saying you are well-connected and can be trusted. That’s why I rushed to come here. Frankly, I want to ask you.”

She lifted her veil to reveal her face and nodded to Zong Ji with a slight smile.

Zong Ji’s eyes fell on her face and his gaze fixed for a moment before he reacted. He did not dare to look into her eyes again and only said: “I am grateful for your praise. But if there is anything, you can tell me. I like to repay the kindness of my benefactor for saving me that day!”

……

Xiao Qiao came out from Yuefu Inn. On her way back to her house, she kept thinking.

Last night, Old Huang reported the sneaky whereabouts of Old Jiang, making Xiao Qiao’s tense nerves tighten up again.

In the previous life, Mrs. Xu’s unexpected death, Da Qiao, Mrs. Zhu, Old Jiang around Mrs. Zhu, and the first appearance of Marquess Li…

So many people. It seemed they should be able to be threaded together.

Old Jiang was the heart of Mrs. Zhu, the mother of the Wei family. Mrs. Li was a noblewoman in Yuyang City. If the two had a friendship in the past, it makes sense for Mrs. Zhu to send Old Jiang to visit her.

But Xiao Qiao’s intuition told her things couldn’t be that simple.

It was unclear whether Mrs. Zhu ordered Old Jiang to visit Li’s house or if she acted without Mrs. Zhu’s knowledge.

Coincidentally, Mrs. Xu was sick, Wei Shao was away from home, and Old Jiang did suspicious things.

But something seems to be missing in the middle, so she can’t put these people’s relationships together in a reasonable way.

Also, that Mrs. Li, the country marquis, who the hell is she?

She had been in Yuyang for almost a year. Xiao Qiao had met most of the noble women in Yuyang.

She had a good memory. She would not forget anyone she had met, even if it was only a glance.

But this Marquess of Xiang, Xiao Qiao certain she had never come to the Wei Manor.

Due to her status as a widow, living in seclusion would have been reasonable.

But now, since she came into her sight like this, Xiao Qiao was not going to let it go.

She found Zong Ji and asked him to help her keep an eye on this Marquess and not to let go of her every move.

Xiao Qiao knew a manservant could do things like this. But this was s special matter. It was difficult for ordinary people to follow a famous person. It was different for Zong Ji. Da Qiao’s letter described him as a wanderer.

Since ancient times, the wanderer has been a special group of social existence. They value righteousness over profit, make promises, and even die to repay their confidants.

If Zong Ji were willing to help, the results would be better than ordinary people.

However, buying this kind of wanderer with money was difficult. According to Da Qiao’s letter, this Zong Ji seemed righteous. She wanted to ask for his help based on her relationship with Da Qiao.

At first, she was a little apprehensive, afraid she was too rash to come in this way.

However, she didn’t expect Zong Ji would agree, and his attitude showed his willingness.

Xiao Qiao felt relieved.

She couldn’t help but turn her attention to Mrs. Xu’s medicine again.