The Marquis Is Innocent - 139.3
Chapter 139.3
Zhang Pu was stabbed in the shoulder, fell to the ground, covered the bleeding place with one hand, and felt panic and confusion.
The drug in the wine was from Liu Fan, who said that it was colorless and odorless. Even though it was several times stronger than the ordinary one, he put some more because he was afraid it would not affect Qiao Ping.
As expected, Qiao Ping collapsed at this moment. Zhang Pu held back the pain in his shoulder and said, “Lord, don’t panic. It must be because the magistrate’s anger attacked his heart. That’s why he couldn’t see anything for a while. After a few days, he will slowly recover. Your immediate task is to control him. Tomorrow morning, in the name of the Lord and the magistrate, you must inform the family generals. Then wait for the presence of His Majesty to help you control the situation. Who will dare to disobey the Han Emperor when he comes?”
Qiao Yue reluctantly calmed down and said, “How is Ci’er’s side? Just restrain him, do not harm him!”
Zhang Pu nodded: “My Lord, I have arranged it. It will be all right.”
……
Qiao Ci angrily left the hall. Under the wind blowing outside, when he thought of his eldest brother-in-law not being accepted by his uncle, the second brother-in-law’s battle with the Yellow River, and his inferior strength, he felt depressed. As the wine surged up, he went back and fell asleep.
The next day when he woke up, he was locked in his room. The guards said that the magistrate ordered them to guard here and asked the young master to reflect on his mistake in the room.
Qiao Ci did not think much of it at first. Last night he did confront Qiao Yue in public, which is an offense and a great unfilially. It is normal for his father to be unhappy and ask him to reflect. But soon, he became suspicious.
There were over a dozen guards guarding all the doors and windows. It’s not like they were watching him having meditation. But it’s more like they guarded a prisoner. And all of them are people from his uncle’s side.
The more Qiao Ci thought, the more suspicious he became. He immediately went out but was stopped by the guards. If he wanted to force his way out, hundreds of guards would come out from the shadows and trap him to death.
Qiao Ci was furious and fought to break through the gate, rushing to the courtyard, but was caught and locked up again in the jail.
Once locked up, it was for three days. On the fourth day, Mrs. Ding brought a food box to see Qiao Ci.
The deputy general that watched Qiao Ci was Chen Shao, Qiao Yue’s confidant. At first, he refused to let anyone in, saying that he was under the order of the Lord and that no one could enter or leave. Before he finished his sentence, Mrs. Ding swore at his face and said, “I don’t care what that old thing said. I’m bringing some food to my nephew, and you dare to stop me? If you want to kill, then kill me. Otherwise, I will enter this door for sure!” After saying that, she walked forward.
The guards did not dare to stop her and watched Mrs. Ding enter. Chen Shao had no choice but to go after her and ask to see the food box.
Mrs. Ding uncovered the lid with her hands.
While Chen Shao checked the box, Mrs. Ding said coldly: “General Chen, do you want to check my body too?”
Chen Shao said, “I don’t dare!”
After some hesitation, he thought Mrs. Ding had always been weak and careless. She raised Young Master as her own son and must be worried about him. He felt that nothing would happen if he let her in.
He ordered the guards to make way.
Mrs. Ding sneered, took the food box, and went ahead.
Chen Shao ordered people to watch the jail while secretly sending someone to tell Qiao Yue.
Once Mrs. Ding came in, Qiao Ci jumped on her and asked anxiously, “Aunt, what happened? How is my father? Why did Uncle lock me up–”
“Bah! That old bastard! Don’t you ever call him uncle again!”
Mrs. Ding cursed with hatred. She grabbed Qiao Ci’s arm and looked him up and down. Seeing that he was not seriously hurt, she sighed with relief and said, “I am not permitted to meet your father. I do not know the details, but that old thing must lock him up!”
Qiao Ci was furious and turned to rush out again, but when he reached the door, he stopped and slowly turned around.
“Aunt, what happened in the past few days? Tell me!”
Mrs. Ding sighed, “That old man listened to Zhang Pu and joined Liu Yan! That Liu Yan is at home today!”
Qiao Ci was stunned.
……
Yesterday, Qiao Yue welcomed Liu Yan into Yanzhou. He summoned his family’s soldiers to worship him as a ruler. Then he said, having agreed with Qiao Ping, Yanzhou would serve Liu Yan as the Han emperor.
However, because of the suddenness of the matter, everyone was surprised. Furthermore, everyone had not seen Qiao Ping for two days, so they were suspicious.
Liu Yan risked his life to save the young emperor from the tiger’s mouth and flee from Luoyang. But on the way, the young emperor died of an illness. Everyone knows this story. Now that he has arrived in Yanzhou, the family head, Qiao Yue claimed to be a minister of the Han Dynasty. If they question this, they will be considered traitors. In the end, everyone followed Qiao Yue and performed the salute to Liu Yan.
……
“Aunt doesn’t know what the world is about, but I know that old man listened to Zhang Pu and joined Liu Yan! Liu Yan took over Yanzhou and replaced the generals who used to obey your father last night. Don’t be impulsive! Wait until you can escape from here and tell your brother-in-law to come to your father’s rescue! Otherwise, if you delay any longer, something will happen to your father!”
Qiao Ci squeezed his fists and bone knuckles. He panting violently, barely controlling his emotions. Finally, he nodded and said: “Thank you, Aunt, for telling me. I have understood. Aunt, please leave quickly, lest they blame you.”
Mrs. Ding said, “That old thing is heartless and unrighteous. He does not recognize my daughter and son-in-law, and I do not take him as my husband, so what blame do I fear from him? There are hundreds of guards and barriers outside. You couldn’t escape alone. Hold me hostage and kill your way.”
Qiao Ci immediately refused: “How can I endanger you?”
Mrs. Ding shook her head, lovingly stroked Qiao Ci’s hair, and said, “Don’t worry. Although that old thing and I have long lost the love of husband and wife, I expect he would not dare to kill me in public. When we get out of the city gate, you can escape.”
Seeing that Qiao Ci was still hesitant, she shouted: “Your father’s fate is still unknown, and Yanzhou has fallen into the hands of others. Do you want the Qiao family to perish in that old thing’s hands?”
Qiao Ci knelt towards Mrs. Ding with tears in his eyes and said, “Aunt, accept this nephew’s respect.”
Mrs. Ding softened her expression, helped him to stand up, pulled a hidden knife from her body, and handed it over, “Use me as a hostage. Let’s go out.”
……
After Qiao Yue heard the news, he came with his men. Qiao Ci held Mrs. Ding with a knife around her neck, and they were already at the gate.
Hundreds of soldiers surrounded Qiao Ci and Mrs Ding.
Qiao Yue was furious, charged forward, and shouted, “Ci’er, what do you want to do? Quickly put down your sword and come back with me!”
“Where is my father? You call him out. I will go back with you after I see him. Whether fight or kill, it’s up to you!”
Qiao Ci stared at him and said word by word.
Qiao Yue was so guilty that he could not speak.
Zhang Pu at the side said, “Don’t be impulsive, young master. Release Madam quickly ……”
“I’m talking to my uncle. Who are you to interfere?” Qiao Ci scolded.
Zhang Pu’s face looked embarrassed. Qiao Yue settled down and said, “On the night of the birthday banquet, your father drank too much wine and fell on the way back, hitting his head and falling into a coma. Ci’er, do not worry. Uncle has asked a good doctor to treat him. He will be better in a few days. Put down the knife and follow me inside. I will take you to visit ……”
Qiao Ci’s eyes swept through a dark shadow. Without saying a word, he turned his head while holding Mrs. Ding and continued walking towards the gate.
The guards and soldiers usually served Qiao Ping and Qiao Ci. Today, although they were unclear about the situation, their heart goes to Qiao Ci. Furthermore, with Mrs. Ding in his hands, how can they stop him? They pretend to be hesitant and almost let them go all the way to the gate.
Qiao Ci ordered to open the door. Zhang Pu was anxious and ordered the soldiers to stop them. The dispersed soldiers gradually gathered around again.
Mrs. Ding suddenly stopped, turned her head, and shouted: “Your Majesty, I know you are here! Now you are the son of the Han Dynasty, the emperor, but do you remember how I treated you when you were a young man in distress and lived in my house? I don’t dare to think about your Majesty’s reward, but at this moment, I am being held by my nephew, and he needs to leave the city, but his uncle refuses to let him go. He will harm me if he cannot get out of the city. When Your Majesty was crowned emperor in Langya, people danced and sang, praising Your Majesty as a benevolent ruler! I know that Qiao Yue obeyed you. Even an ant value its life, let alone a human being. I beg Your Majesty to save my life for the sake of the past. I will be grateful!”
Mrs. Ding usually lives in seclusion and rarely shows her face. Now, these words enter people’s hearts. The soldiers followed Mrs. Ding’s gaze and looked back as if Liu Yan was behind them.
For a while, within the gates of the Qiao family, which filled with hundreds of people, not a sound was heard.
A few moments later, Liu Fan turned out from behind the illuminated wall, attached to Qiao Yue’s ear, and whispered a command.
Qiao Yue had a reluctant heart, but had to obey, viciously stared at Mrs. Ding, and reluctantly said: “Let him out of the city!