The Marquis Is Innocent

Gongsun Yang said, “My Lord, calm down. How can the Lady dare to disrespect you? She also has difficulties. As she said just now, you are her husband, and she is not an outsider, so in her position, she does not want to see the two families fighting. It was justifiable for her to do something improperly. You should be more understanding.”

Wei Shao’s face sank: “Why do you always speak for her, Military Advisor? What exactly did she say in front of you? Did she tell you that I was wrong?”

Gongsun Yang had long experienced that whenever the ruler was displeased with him, he would change his address from “Sir” to “Military Advisor,” so he knew he was going against his scales again.

He said: “Don’t misunderstand, My Lord. When the Lady came to me, she said she had angered you. For fear that you don’t want to hear her words, she forwarded the letter to me to solve the misunderstanding. I was employed as a military advisor for many years because of your kindness. Since I am the military advisor and the situation of Lingbi is not a family matter for you, I dare to accept the letter.”

“There is no need for you to say more! I have already decided on Lingbi! Why would I change it because of a woman?”

Gongsun Yang observed him.

The Marquis’ gaze fell in the direction of the door. His eyes were straight, looking odd. Although his tone was still stiff, it didn’t seem to carry much anger.

Gongsun Yang could not understand what the Marquis was thinking at this moment. He presented the letter brought by the Lady to him, saying: “This is a letter of Bi Zhi. Please take a look at it.”

Wei Shao withdrew his gaze and glanced at it indifferently, not taking it.

Gongsun Yang then unfolded it and read it from the beginning cautiously. After reading, he said: “About Lingbi, it is unworthy for My Lord to fight. Previously, I have cited the reasons one by one. My Lord has always been wise and high-minded. You should be clear about what our priority is. I do not dare to get in front of your axe. Only talk about Bi Zhi’s letters.”

“Bi Zhi, the head of the stragglers, killed Xue Tai and defeated Yang Xin twice. He undoubtedly has the talent to become a great general. In his letter, he didn’t imply his brother-in-law’s status but asked for your forgiveness if there was some misunderstanding. He initiated to seek peace with you. Then, why not sell a favor to him? When the heart can control fairness, it is known as degree, and when it shines in all directions is called brilliant!”

Wei Shao remained silent.

Gongsun Yang suddenly coughed a few times. Wei Shao’s eyebrows moved slightly, looking at him. Gongsun Yang waved his hand, trying to stop coughing: “I still remember, the day before My Lord turned 17 and took charge of the military administration, the Old Madam called me to talk. At that time, there were many feelings of joy. Old Madam once asked how I thought of her. I said, Old Madam is fast and fierce, fast in making a decision, not afraid of men. But the Old Madam said one thing that I still remember.”

“She said that the heart of a person is only a grip. It is small, but the capacity is large. It can swallow the flow of a hundred rivers yet contain the interests of a world. When I look back on my life, the road is difficult. There is nothing worth saying, only this feeling that I have.”

Wei Shao was still silent.

Gongsun Yang also silent. A moment later, he heard Wei Shao say coldly: “Sir, you mean that if I didn’t let that head of the stragglers go, I would be a small-minded person?”

Gongsun Yang laughed and said, “How can you say that, My Lord? If you are so narrow-minded that you cannot tolerate people, why do you have so many good generals under your command who are willing to follow your orders?”

Wei Shao’s eyes fell on the doorway again, lost in thought. After a long time, he finally said, “Revise the letter to Yang Xin, retreat.”

Gongsun Yang was overjoyed and said, “Yes, of course.”

Wei Shao got up and went outside. Then, Gongsun Yang saw him off.

When Wei Shao reached the door, he remembered and asked, “When will Guo Quan’s emissary arrive at Xindu?”

Guo Quan, the Marquis of Jibei, whose territory was adjacent to Yuan Zhe in Qingzhou, became stronger after Wei Shao’s west unification. Like Yang Xin, Guo Quan admired him and thought he couldn’t win the world. Before Yuan Zhe annexed him, he might as well join Wei Shao. When he knew Wei Shao was now in Xindu, he sent an envoy to express his intention to join him.

Gongsun Yang said, “Counting the time on the road, it should be soon.” After sending him down the steps, he thought of the Lady and said, “Lady was worried when she came. After My Lord returns and tells her the news, she will be happy.”

Wei Shao stopped walking: “Military Advisor, that head of the stragglers today, although he wrote for good, how do you know that in the future he will not oppose me? I did not destroy him and let him go like this because of your advice. It is not my intention and has nothing to do with a woman. What does it have to do with whether or not she likes it?”

Gongsun Yang was stunned and said, “What My Lord said is true. My Lord accepted my humble opinion out of tolerance. The battle of Lingbi was only out of misunderstanding and already solved. My Lord accepts the goodwill of Bi Zhi is natural justice! How can it be related to women?”

Wei Shao then ordered Gongsun Yang to stay behind, striding towards the government office. While his mind was still in a daze, a guard greeted him and said: “Report to the Marquis. General Jia sent a message, saying that the Lady had gone on the journey under General Jia’s escort.”

Wei Shao was astonished: “Where did she go?”

The guard opened his mouth and shook his head in bewilderment.

Wei Shao stayed still for a moment. His face suddenly changed, quickly out of the government office door. Step down the green stone stairs to the hitching post and climb the horse. The passersby saw a horse galloping towards the south gate. When they realized the figure on the horse appeared to be the Marquis, they stopped and looked back.

Wei Shao stopped his horse and looked at the southbound road. He saw the long road with pedestrians going north and south, but at the end of his sight, there was yellow dust and no trace of the carriages, so he asked the officer at the city gate: “Did Mr. Jia escort the carriage out of the city?”

The ruler came in such a hurry and looked furious. The officer looked surprised and said, “I was here today and did not see General Jia leave the city.”

Wei Shao turned around, hurried back to the Xin Palace, and entered the Sheyang residence. The room was empty, not only without people, even things were missing half. Her daily items were all gone.