The Marquis Is Innocent

In the ruler’s opinion, if you are fond of Bi Zhi, it is no different from being fond of the Qiao family. How could he be willing to give up so easily?

Gongsun Yang could only think so. Otherwise, he really can’t figure out why the ruler’s attitude is so headstrong and unreasonable about this matter.

In the council hall, Gongsun Yang twirled his beard and slowly paced back and forth. He also thought about whether he should pass the message to the Lady. It might be better for her to persuade him than to break his lips. But he quickly dismissed the idea. The ruler ordered Yang Xin to drive out Bi Zhi and hid this matter from her. Although the Marquis almost always listened and treated him politely, and all the generals respected him, his official position was that of a military advisor. The so-called military advisor’s task was only monitoring military affairs, the final decision still at the Marquis’ command.

If it was for any other reason, Gongsun Yang would have risked the charge of offending him and thought of another way to speak up when the ruler chose such an unconventional move. But if the ruler picked on Bi Zhi out of his selfishness, which involves the hatred of the Wei and Qiao family, it was inappropriate for him as an outsider to disobey the ruler’s intention and act privately. He was the military advisor. He should focus on military-related matters. Naturally, it would be best if Yang Xin could successfully conquer Bi Zhi. If Yang Xin fails, then he should still be able to maintain the current triangular situation. Even if Bi Zhi had an outstanding ability, he couldn’t devour all of Xuzhou in a short period, and there will be no significant impact on the overall situation. After a moment of hesitation, Gongsun Yang decided to act according to the ruler’s wish.

In the meantime, he can only let him have his way for a while. He will see how the situation changes, improvise and decide on a later plan.

……

When Xiao Qiao was ready to leave, Wei Shao told her they would stay in Xindu for a few more days because of a sudden change. He looked as usual when he spoke, so how could Xiao Qiao guess that his sudden change was for the war in Huainan? He was a man who was not convenient to talk to her, so she did not ask, only asked Chun Niang to take out the already packed clothes.

Once they stayed, another ten days passed. Wei Shao never mentions leaving again. Instead, she knew that he had sent a letter to Mrs. Xu, who had already returned to Yuyang, saying that he had to postpone his return because of the matter. He also said they were getting along very well and asked his grandmother to rest assured.

Xiao Qiao also wrote a letter. She remembered Bi Zhi and Da Qiao. It was inconvenient for her to ask Wei Shao about the current war in the Huai Shui area, so she sent a letter to Da Qiao to ask about their situation. She gave the letter to Mr. Jia and asked him to send a reliable messenger to Lingbi as soon as possible. Although the Yellow River separated this place from Lingbi, the distance was much closer. When she handed over the letter to Mr. Jia, she deliberately asked how long it would take to receive the reply. Mr. Jia said if there were no accidents on the way, it would be enough for a return trip within half a month. After the letter went out, Xiao Qiao kept waiting for a reply.

……

Half a month later. Lingbi.

Da Qiao lay on her side in bed, shaking the rattle in her hand to make a crisp sound like rain, teasing her baby sitting in bed.

The baby, nicknamed Li’er, was just over half a year old, fat and white, loved to laugh, and very cute. He sat beside his mother, attracted by the rattle in her hand that could make sounds, stretching out a pair of fleshy little hands and babbling under his breath.

Da Qiao gave the rattle to Li’er. When he heard the sound, he looked at his mother in surprise and giggled happily. After playing with her son for a while, Da Qiao saw that he was getting sleepy, then she fed him a full stomach.

The baby’s soft cheek pressed against his mother’s warm skin, asleep. Da Qiao looked at her sleeping baby in her arms with love in her eyes. Suddenly, she thought of her husband, Bi Zhi, who was fighting in Xiaodi and got worried.

Just a few days ago, Yang Xin attacked again. Although Bi Zhi did not tell her, she heard Yang Xin come again with great force. Furthermore, there was the Xuzhou army waiting in the north. Da Qiao was worried. She had not slept well for several nights thinking about it. At this moment, her son slept peacefully beside her, and the room was quiet. She slowly got tired and gradually closed her eyes. When she was in a daze, she felt her face gently touched by someone’s fingers. Thinking that Li er had woken up, she opened her eyes immediately and found that her husband, Bi Zhi, had returned and was now sitting by the bed. It was his palm that touched her face. And the child was still sleeping soundly beside her. She looked at her husband’s smiling eyes. Afraid of waking her son, she slowly got up, which led her into his embrace. Feeling her husband’s steady heartbeat, all the apprehension and anxiety in Da Qiao’s heart suddenly disappeared.

……

Da Qiao asked her nursemaid to wait on Li’er and went to another room with her husband.

Bi Zhi carried her to the bed and undressed her. After the lovemaking, Da Qiao rested on her husband’s shoulder and asked, “How is the war going?”

Bi Zhi embraced his wife and said, “Xiaodi is easy to defend and difficult to attack, so it is impossible to enter for a while. Don’t worry.”

Da Qiao wondered, “Didn’t Yang Xin have bad relations with the Xue family? Why is Yang Xin not fighting Xue’s family but making things difficult for you?”

Bi Zhi said: “I came back to talk to you about this. Yesterday I captured one of Yang Xin’s lieutenants. After interrogation, I learned something ……”

Da Qiao saw him pause, turned over, and asked, “What is it?”

Bi Zhi hesitated, looking at Da Qiao, and slowly said: “According to him, Yang Xin seems to have joined the Marquis of Yan.”