The Marquis Is Innocent

Jiang Meng said: “Where did that woman come from? How could she live in the Jinyang government office? Was she related to the Marquis of Yan?”

Diao Mo said nothing, only watching the carriage with the little woman inside fading away until out of his sight, then withdrew his gaze.

“Leader, I think I saw a tattoo of the Beihe tribe on that boy’s arm.” Another follower suddenly said.

Jiang Meng froze and then showed disdain: “He is a Beihe! He was born on the noses of the Han people! He deserved to be humiliated like that!”

Beihe people are another tribe of Longxi Qiang besides the Shao Dang tribe. The current elder was named Yuan Wang, ruling wisely for more than 40 years. He led the clan to farm and build houses, gradually changing the nomadic style for settlement. The population multiplied, and they were very famous in the Huangshui area. But later, the Beihe people, like the rest of the Longxi Qiang, suffered from Chen Xiang and Feng Zhao, the ruler of Liangzhou, and were forced to move far away.

Last month, when Diao Mo was planning to attack Shang County, he invited the Beihe tribe to join him in the battle but was politely refused by Yuan Wang. The Beihe people hold their troops still. When they lost the war, Jiang Meng was resentful of the Beihe tribe, who did not join the battle.

Diao Mo said, “Everyone has his own choice. The leader of the Beihe tribe is highly respected and has his considerations for not sending troops. I have always respected him. You should stop talking nonsense!”

Jiang Meng closed his mouth.

Diao Mo pondered. The boy’s appearance emerged before his eyes, and suddenly he felt familiar but could not remember where he had seen him. After hesitating, he instructed one of his followers to follow the boy. Then he led his men and went out of town.

……

Xiao Qiao bought these 20 to 30 Qiang slaves back at once. The steward did not understand, but since the Lady liked it, he naturally did not dare to ask half a sentence. After returning, the first order Xiao Qiao gave was to ask these Qiang slaves to wash their hair and body and give them Chinese clothes and a pair of shoes. After that, take them to have dinner. Each person had two cakes and unlimited porridge.

After the Qiang slaves finished eating, the steward went to ask Xiao Qiao what she was going to ask the Qiang slaves to do.

Xiao Qiao also did not know what she needed them to do. She bought them impulsively. After the steward finished asking questions and waiting for her orders, she asked the steward to ask them. If they want to leave, let them go, and do not force them to stay. The steward was dumbfounded. It turned out that the Lady spent money to buy so many Qiang slaves just for fun. He didn’t dare to ask anything, so he turned around and called someone who could speak the Qiang language to ask them.

These Qiang slaves could not believe that they had such good luck. They were bought smoothly, wore clothes and shoes, and had a full meal. They thought it was good enough, but to their surprise, that young miss even let themselves go.

No one believed it at first. Everyone looked at each other. After determining it was true, more than ten people left. The rest refused to go, saying they had no family and the road was long, so they might not be able to return to the Huangshui area alive. They wanted to stay and serve the Lady. Twelve men and two women. All very young.

When the steward couldn’t drive them away, he turned around again and reported to Xiao Qiao.

After Xiao Qiao thought about it, she asked the men to serve as handymen and the women to do the laundry. If they had nothing to do, let them stay idle. She would employ them when she needed them. She arranged all of them in the outer courtyard and unallowed them to enter the inner courtyard. It was for security reasons. Although Xiao Qiao had no ill intentions toward these Qiang people, there was no guarantee about how others will plan.

The boy’s name was Yuan, with black hair and snow-white skin. If not for the bruise marks on his forehead and eyes, he would have looked like Qiao Ci when he was twelve or thirteen. Xiao Qiao felt affectionate and fond of him. She sensed that he and the Qiang girl was not a sibling. If they were not real siblings but sold together, there must be a hidden story. But she was not convenient to ask. She bought him only based on a momentary impulse. She did not want to inquire more about other people’s hidden feelings. Then she smiled and said: “It’s good that you’re okay. Some of those people who came with you have already left. If you want to leave after you are well, then leave. I won’t stop you.”

……

In the evening, Chun Niang was in her room doing needlework and accompanying Xiao Qiao in her gossip.

It was the tenth night that Xiao Qiao had come to Jinyang. Wei Shao still hadn’t returned, and there was no new news from the steward. Not only Chun Niang but Xiao Qiao also felt something wrong in her heart.

Chun Niang looked at Xiao Qiao, who concentrated on her embroidery pattern on the table and couldn’t help but say, “You have been here for so many days. When exactly is Master coming back?” Xiao Qiao did not answer her words.

Chun Niang said again, “Maybe Master doesn’t know you are already here. Why don’t you send a letter to him?”

Xiao Qiao’s eyes still fell on the flower pattern, but she laughed when she heard Chun Niang’s words. “Then Chun Niang, what do you think I should say in my letter to him?”

Chun Niang hurriedly said, “Just say that you miss……”

Suddenly, there was a footstep outside the door, and the steward’s voice followed: “A letter for the lady of the county has arrived!”

Xiao Qiao suddenly raised her eyes and stopped her pen. Chun Niang hurriedly got up to get the letter and happily handed it to Xiao Qiao, “What a coincidence! Just now, I said you should write to Master, and now he has sent a letter to you!”

Xiao Qiao took out the letter, which was sealed in a bamboo tube and stamped with lacquer. After unfolding the letter, she read it. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her eyes fixed.

Chun Niang smiled, waiting for Xiao Qiao to say what was in the letter. Her smile slowly disappeared when she saw Xiao Qiao’s expression. She asked uneasily, “What’s wrong?”

……

The one who wrote the letter was Gongsun Yang, who was with Wei Shao in Xihe County. Three days ago, Wei Shao decided to return to Jinyang, leaving Gongsun Yang in Xihe County to fight against Feng Zhao of Liangzhou. Before leaving, Wei Shao took a small group of men and horses with Gongsun Yang to survey the terrain, but they received a sudden attack. Wei Shao protected Gongsun Yang from the attack and escaped successfully, but an arrow pierced one of his arms. He thought it was only a flesh wound and did not concern about it at the time. But unexpectedly, that arrow was poisonous. Fortunately, with timely treatment, his life was not in danger.

However, there was still residual poison in Wei Shao’s body. His body was still weak and was now recuperating. He did not want to let his wife know about it, so he strictly ordered him not to send a message. But Gongsun Yang felt guilty and knew she was in Jinyang, so he didn’t dare to hide it and sent a letter to report it.