The Marquis Is Innocent

Three days later, the emissary of the Marquis of Jibei, Guo Quan, and his party arrived. He was Guo Xing, Guo Quan’s eldest son. He brought six horses, a gold saddle, and several bolts of satin. Along with the gifts came a carriage. In the carriage sat two beauties that Guo Quan gave to Wei Shao. One was good at music, while the other was a good dancer. They both were virgins and beautiful.

In the evening, Wei Shao hosted a banquet at the Xin Palace to entertain Guo Xing and his party.

……

Sheyang Residence was several doors from the front hall, but one could still hear the music faintly from that direction. Because of the large number of guests, Xiao Qiao transferred servants from the Sheyang Residence to the front hall to attend to them.

When it was getting late, one by one, some servants returned. Chun Niang returned from the kitchen with chicken soup. The Lady had always been unwell when her menstrual came, even though she was better than before, but on those few days, she felt weak.

After being married for quite some time, her stomach has not moved.

Although Mrs. Xu did not rush and Master was not disappointed, Chun Niang has always been concerned.

A few months ago in Jinyang, Chun Niang requested medical consultation from the doctor after Xiao Qiao recovered from her illness. The doctor said the Lady qi and blood were insufficient and must be regulated slowly.

Chun Niang walked the corridor, and when she reached the corner, she saw two servants standing at the back, whispering. When she got closer, she heard their sound.

One said:”…… Marquis Ji Bei sent the two beauties to the banquet to sing and dance. When I was standing in the corner of the hall, I saw with my own eyes those two beauties eyes were drifting towards the Marquis!”

The other one said: “This is nothing. I heard from the servant who served those two women that Marquis Ji Bei intends to relate with the Marquis by marriage and send a daughter over. The Lady should not know yet ……”

Chun Niang frowned, coughed, walked over, and said, “Do you have nothing to do and chew your tongue here? Are the rules dead?”

The servants heard the sound and turned around. After they saw the situation, their face showed panic, hurriedly apologized.

Chun Niang reprimanded them two more times and then entered the room. She saw Xiao Qiao standing in front of a window. The window faced the direction of the two servants, so she suspected Xiao Qiao had heard them and felt uneasy. She called her to come and eat.

Xiao Qiao ate two mouthfuls and then put them down.

Chun Niang persuaded her to eat some more. Xiao Qiao reluctantly ate another bite but felt uncomfortable, so she pushed it away. She suddenly felt a surge in her stomach, as if she wanted to vomit. She frowned and tried her best to hold it back.

Chun Niang saw that she looked different and thought she felt upset due to their comment, so she advised in a low voice: “Did you hear something? Don’t mind it. You know in your heart how the Master treats you. It’s only two servants. Master won’t care about them. Even if the Guo family sent their daughter over, it would only be a concubine position. Lady, you should relax. Then, your body will be strong, and Master will be happy ……”

Xiao Qiao was slightly stunned, then smiled and said, “What Chun Niang said is very true.”

……

In the hall of Xin Palace, there are eight large vermilion pillars. Illuminated fire canes on the four corners made the hall bright as day.

Wei Shao sat alone in an eastward position, Guo Xing and some ambassadors in a southward. Gongsun Yang, Wei Quan, and other guests sat in a northward. The guests and the hosts were all having a good time.

When the two beauties had finished singing and dancing, they came to Wei Shao’s seat amidst the applause, kneeling to the right and left, each holding a golden bottle, and poured the wine. After that, they offered wine to him.

Wei Shao accepted the wine and ordered the attendant to reward the two beauties. After the beauties paid their respects and retired, Guo Xing looked at his strategist Xia Hong beside him.

Xia Hong understood and rose to toast Wei Shao while smiling and said: “Before coming here, I heard that the Marquis of Yan was a promising hero, champion of the world, and respected by people. Today, I know that the Marquis of Yan was capable and handsome. My family has a daughter. Young and beautiful. If you do not mind, we want to send her here to serve you and your wife to show my family goodwill. What does the Marquis of Yan think of it?”

Gongsun Yang looked at Wei Shao with a slight pause.

Wei Shao drank the wine in his cup, slowly put it down, smiled, and said, “Thank you for your kindness. Marquis Guo’s precious daughter must be an amazing soul. Please tell him I am very grateful but I cannot harm her like this. I hope he will find another good match.”

Guo Xing and Xia Hong were both stunned.

Wei Shao had already married Yanzhou Qiao’s daughter as his wife, and everyone knew it. Guo Quan naturally did not have the luxury of marrying his daughter as his wife. Xia Hong clearly said he was willing to marry his daughter as a concubine and use this method to strengthen their relationship. Unexpectedly, Wei Shao rejected it. They looked at each other and momentarily could not answer the words.

Gongsun Yang had a sour taste in his teeth. Seeing that the Marquis had finished speaking without changing his face, he poured wine.

He rose to round up the scene.

Wei Quan was the one who contacted Guo Xing and his party per Wei Shao’s order. Seeing this, through a toast, he said: “It’s not that My Lord refused your family goodwill. There are also other families who want to send their daughters for marriage. My Lord did not respond to all of them. Since he did not respond before, it is not good enough to take your request today. Although My Lord did not accept your goodwill, he is happy. Don’t worry about it.”

Guo Xing was slightly relieved, but in his heart, he secretly wondered. It was not uncommon to see women given away to secure relationships. He had also heard that Wei Shao and Yanzhou Qiao family had an unresolved feud. The family had been able to resolve the hatred by marrying their daughter as his wife. When Xue Tai attacked the Qiao family, they could avoid the disaster thanks to Wei Shao. They wanted to follow suit and strengthen their relationship. But he rejected it. They were one step too late and let the Yanzhou Qiao family get ahead of them.