The Marquis Is Innocent

Su E Huang saluted Wei Shao.

Wei Shao glanced at her face and asked, “Are you feeling better today?”

Su E Huang said, “Better.”

Wei Shao nodded slightly: “Yesterday, Madam invited me, but I had taken my wife on a trip and returned late, so I could not attend the appointment. Therefore, I invited you to my home today. Why do you want to see me?”

Su E Huang stared at him but did not speak.

Wei Shao waited for a while, then said: “If you have something to say, you can say it.”

Su E Huang said, “In front of Erlang, I don’t want to make any more pretense. I’m not going to lie. I’ve come to Jinyang to discuss something.”

Wei Shao raised his eyes to look at her.

Su E Huang’s gaze revealed a wisp of panic. “Erlang, I do not want to hide this from you,” she said, “I do not wish to go to Luoyang this time. I really had no choice. When my husband was still alive, and we were living in Luoyang, I fell into the eyes of Xing Xun during a flower party that year. After that, that old thief coveted my beauty. He repeatedly pressured and seduced me. After my husband passed away, that old thief sent someone to take me to his residence after I mourned only for a few days. I was suffering. To protect my innocence, I could only make false indictments. Later, when that old thief was busy fighting with Yuan Zhe and Liu Kai, I found an opportunity to escape from Luoyang and returned to Zhongshan.”

Wei Shao’s eyebrows were slightly wrinkled.

“Last year, after the Luli Conference, I returned to Lunu from Yuyang. Originally, I thought I would spend my life in Lunu, but I never thought that the old thief, Xing Xun, would still be interested in me. He summoned me to meet him in Luoyang several times. I had ignored it, but last month, that old thief sent another letter, but in the name of the young emperor, calling me to go to Luoyang quickly. Although my family was reluctant, they dared not disobey the imperial order. That old thief Xing Xun held the imperial government, and the world scorned him. How can I be willing to be defiled by him? But under the imperial decree, what can I do? My heart was so sad and bitter. I was not willing and resentful. At the beginning of this month, I travel to the south. Halfway, I fell ill from an old disease. Both physical and mental are in pain. I’m sad. The world is large, but there is no place for me to live ……”

“Oh, right, this is the decree issued by that old thief last month to summon me to Luoyang.” Su E Huang handed a yellow silk scroll stamped with a jade seal.

Wei Shao swept a glance, his face sullen: “Xing Xun, that old thief, how dare he force you!”

Su E Huang stared at Wei Shao: “Unfortunately, my life is weak, coveted by evil people to this point. Xing Xun has pressed me with the imperial decree. Now I have to resign myself to my fate. Traveling through Jinyang, I heard that Erlang was here too. I remembered those feelings when I was young, so I ……”

Wei Shao got up from behind the desk and walked to the window before turning around and said, “I understand. You can return to Zhongshan. You don’t need to pay attention to Xingxun’s pretentious edict. I’m on it.”

Su E Huang rose and bowed deeply to Wei Shao with a grateful look. Tears filled her eyelashes when she raised her face. She shook her head, “I am grateful that Erlang is still willing to shelter me in remembrance of our old feelings. But I know that Erlang has already started a family, and it will be inconvenient if you clash with Xingxun for me. Back then, I was the one who wronged Erlang. How can I dare to ask Erlang for such shelter? It is not the purpose of my visit to Jinyang.”

She observed Wei Shao and said: “Erlang should know that I was born with a good omen. The family believes in it, and I was tired of this assertion. I was convinced and lost my mind when I was young and inexperienced. I gave up my love for power and married Liu Li. After ten years, I have fallen into the present situation and woken up from the dream. Everything is just self-deception! As a woman, my life is not up to me! If Xing Xun wants me to come to Luoyang, I will go!”

Her expression showed a look of determination.

“That old thief Xing Xun acted with authority. Although he was a clown, he could make the world’s lords obey his orders. He is already afraid of you, Erlang, and now you have won a great victory in the west, how will Xing Xun allow you to get bigger again? He will try every possible way to obstruct you. Xingxun will become your enemy in the future. In the past, I have failed you. This time, I have no choice but to enter Luoyang to serve that thief. I can act as the eyes and ears for Erlang and pass on the news. If I have the opportunity to kill Xing Xun, it is an answer to the year I failed you! In the future, I hope Erlang can take care of my family. I will die but have no regrets!” Two lines of tears rustled down.

In the open hall, there was silence for a while.

After being silent for a while, Wei Shao slowly said: “Miss Su, in the past, as you just said, you were young and inexperienced. I let go of it long ago. You do not need to carry it in your heart. Sooner or later, I will have a battle with Xing Xun. It is a world of men. I have my own decision. You do not need to commit yourself to serve that thief. You can go back to Lu Nu. I will protect you.”

Su E Huang stared at Wei Shao emotionally, choked, and said: “Then, I will be brave enough to accept the kindness of the Marquis! If I can’t repay you in this life, I will return the favor in the next!” After saying that, she knelt and bowed to thank him, her tears falling.

Wei Shao said, “Madam, you don’t have to do that! Get up quickly!”

Su E Huang’s eyelashes moved slightly, slowly rose, and said: “Erlang, I know you are always on the road, seldom separated from my sister. It is difficult for you to get together. I do not dare to harass. I will go back first. Tomorrow I will return to Zhongshan.”

Wei Shao nodded and said, “Farewell, Madam.” Then he called for someone to send him away.

Su E Huang wiped away her tears, looked back at Wei Shao, and retreated.

Wei Shao watched her back fade away, exhaled slightly, and was about to look for Xiao Qiao when a servant hurried up and said, “Marquis, when the wife of Zuo Feng Yi was boarding the carriage outside the door, she suddenly became dizzy and fell off the carriage, unconscious.”

……