The Marquis Is Innocent

Wei Shao felt a burst of anger, and went straight to the cupboard, fished out the pink dress she used to wear, clutched back to the bed, and dropped the bed curtain.

The curtains trembled slightly. A few moments later, a long exhale of relief came from inside.

Wei Shao got up early the next day and went to the north house again.

Because Xiao Qiao was not around, he took his morning and evening meals at Mrs. Xu’s place. They finished their meal quietly. Mrs. Xu took the warm water handed to her by Old Zhong, rinsed her mouth, and looked at Wei Shao, who was about to stand up: “Shao’er, when are the army returns to the city? Are you free to go out these days?”

Wei Shao stopped and said, “Does Grandmother have any orders? Please tell me. I received a letter yesterday. The army has arrived in Yi Di and will arrive at Yuyang in seven or eight days. We will rest and recuperate until next spring. There is nothing important.”

Mrs. Xu nodded and glanced at Old Zhong, saying, “Last night, after you left, I had a few words with Old Zhong and mentioned your wife. Old Zhong is from Great Liang and is familiar with Central Plains. She reminds me the weather will be cold, the Yellow River will freeze, and it may be hard to travel. If your wife returns late, she will be stuck on the road.”

Wei Shao looked at Mrs. Xu.

Mrs. Xu smiled: ” Grandmother misses her. I can’t wait until next spring to see her back. If you are free here, can you make a trip south to fetch her back on my behalf? First, she can return earlier. Second, I feel relieved if you pick her up.”

Wei Shao’s eyes were slightly bright, but his expression remained the same. He said respectfully, “Since Grandmother ordered me, how dare I disobey? I will send a message to Mr. Gongsun and the Great General. I will leave after I finish explaining the matter.”

Mrs. Xu smiled: ” You have worked hard.”

Wei Shao said, “It is my duty to be filial for Grandmother.”

……

Wei Shao came out of the north house with swift steps. He went straight to the government office, put his pen to the writing on the bamboo scroll, and added his seal, splitting it into two. One to Gongsun Yang and the other to Li Dian. After he finished, he took his followers who had returned with him and traveled in civilian clothes, leaving Yuyang to go south via the Chidao Road.

His trip to the south was twice faster as Xiao Qiao’s trip. It took him only ten days to cross the Yellow River to Wuzhao, the nearest port to Yanzhou. After a few days on the road, Yanzhou will be in sight.

He traveled fast, but the closer he got to Yanzhou, the more he slowed down his speed. The day he arrived in East County, he stopped at a road 70 to 80 miles away from the city. He sent one of his best subordinates, General Lei Yan, to pass the news.

Lei Yan entered East County on the same day, looking for the Qiao family.

Qiao Ping was busy in the government office when his family servant reported the Wei family in Yuyang had come to pick up Xiao Qiao. He was surprised, hurriedly put down his matter, and rushed to meet the people.

Lei Yan knew the middle-aged man who arrived in a hurry was the Marquis’ father-in-law, Qiao Ping, the county magistrate of East County. His attitude was respectful. As ordered by Wei Shao, he did not mention Wei Shao had come in person, only that he had come to pick up the Lady. Due to the inconvenience, their group waited outside the city. After saying that, he presented a letter from Wei Shao.

Qiao Ping could not imagine Wei Shao would personally pick up his daughter, so he believed it and apologized. “Unfortunately, the General has made an empty trip. My daughter left East County two days ago. She went to Xuzhou to visit her old friends. She said she would return after leaving Xuzhou and then go north to return home. You must be tired. Why don’t you come to the city and rest for a few days? When my daughter returns to the East County, you can pick her up and go north together.”

Lei Yan thought the Lady was at home. According to the Marquis’ order, he picked up the person and left. Unexpectedly, the Lady had gone to Xuzhou. He hesitated and asked, “Can you tell me where in Xuzhou she went?”

Xiao Qiao went to visit Bi Zhi and Da Qiao. It was not something confidential. Qiao Ping said, “I have a niece who grew up with my daughter, and they have a strong relationship. My niece lives with her husband in Lingbi, so my daughter visits her family. She will return in five or six days. The slowest is eight or nine days. What do you think, General, if you go into the city and wait for a few days?”

Lei Yan could not make his own decision. He thanked him politely and said he would leave the city first and discuss the matter afterward.

Qiao Ping sent him out. Lei Yan asked him to stay and left the city in a hurry.

Wei Shao waited by the road outside the city. He saw Lei Yan return from afar, but he was alone. He looked behind him and did not see the carriage. After listening to Lei Yan’s report, his brow was slightly wrinkled.

Lei Yan said: ” Mr. Qiao repeatedly asked us to stay. Why don’t you go into the city, wait for Lady to return, and then go north together?”

Wei Shao turned his head and looked at the road that continued to the south.

“He said the Lady went to Lingbi the day before yesterday?”

Lei Yan answered yes.

Wei Shao pondered for a moment.

Although he lived in the north, he was familiar with the terrain in the south, especially the gates and roads that led to and from the major cities.

Xuzhou had always been a place of military struggle, and Wei Shao was well aware of the geographical passages.

From Dongxian to Lingbi, she must have traveled by carriage on the road day and night, and it would take four days at the soonest. Now only two days have passed, and if he immediately set out to take the shortcut, he would be able to reach Jiu Li Pass, an essential route to Ling Bi, before she does. He could intercept her and her group, which was better than staying here and waiting.

Moreover, from the bottom of his heart, he still rejected dealing with the Qiao family.