The Marquis Is Innocent - 141.1
Chapter 141.1
The Qiao family in East County.
Qiao Yue sat in his study with an ashen face. His eyes were straight, like a dead person’s. During these days, the news was like a floodgate that had suddenly opened and kept pouring in on him. He was so shocked that he could hardly breathe.
It turned out that Wei Shao had already dissolved the Northern Expeditionary Alliance and won the Battle of the Yellow River. Everyone else knew this, but he was unaware of it and thought Wei Shao was still trapped.
What was he doing when Wei Shao took Luoyang?
Because he listened to Zhang Pu, he joined Liu Yan, blinded his brother, and imprisoned him. By now, Liu Yan had hollowed him out.
Aside from being given the empty title of Marquis of Henghai, which was nothing, Qiao Yue was horrified to find that Yanzhou was no longer in his hands. When he thought of the scene that happened a few moments ago, his hands trembled uncontrollably again.
Wei Liang brought a team to East County today, saying he had come to congratulate Qiao Ping on his birthday on the Lady’s order.
By the time he learned the news, they had already surrounded Wei Liang. He killed his way out of the siege and escaped, but his entourage was shot dead. This order, naturally, was not given by Qiao Yue.
When Qiao Yue heard the news, it was like being hit by a thunderbolt. He had finally understood something. His heart jumped, a feeling of great disaster. Suddenly he thought of Qiao Ping, his savior. He reluctantly got up and hurriedly went to where they imprisoned Qiao Ping. When he reached the door, the guards stopped him.
Qiao Yue was furious. After pondering, he turned around and hurriedly went to Liu Yan’s quarters.
During his stay at the Qiao family house, Liu Yan didn’t stay in the mansion Qiao Yue had prepared but in his old house when he had lived as a teenager. The old house was in disrepair. At first, Qiao Yue forbade him to stay there, but Liu Yan insisted, so he had to allow him.
Qiao Yue barged in, but Liu Fan’s men blocked him. He became angry and called out loudly. Suddenly, Liu Yan’s voice came from inside: “Let him in.”
Liu Fan let him go.
Qiao Yue strode inside and saw Liu Yan sitting with wide clothes towards the window, playing a game of Go alone. His eyes fell on the board while his fingers twirled a black piece as if he was thinking about the game.
Qiao Yue held back his anger and said, “This is my Qiao family. I wanted to see my second brother. Why do you forbid me?”
Liu Yan didn’t look at him. He ‘snapped’ a piece and said indifferently, “The magistrate has lost his eyesight. I already asked the doctor to treat him. He needs to recuperate. It is not convenient to see others.”
Qiao Yue’s breath blocked in his chest, and he forced himself to hold it back and said, “I just heard that Wei Liang got attacked outside the city gate. Did you do it?”
Liu Yan did not respond. His hand reached out to the jade jar, grabbed a few white seeds, cupped them in his palm, and slowly played with them.
“Liu Yan!”
Qiao Yue couldn’t hold back and called him by his name. “I’ve been thinking about this for a few days. I’ve slowly figured it out. Why I never received any news from our spies back? It’s you who intercepted the information and manipulated me! I’ve been a benefactor to you! But you did this to me! What are your intentions?”
Liu Yan looked at him, still calm and collected: “What’s wrong with Marquis Henghai? It’s only been a few days, yet you’re regretting your decision to join me. Do you want to seek favor with Wei Shao again? It’s a pity…”
He sighed softly and shook his head: “It’s too late. Everyone knows that your Qiao family has abandoned the darkness and turned to the light, willing to serve my Han family. Even if you put yourself down now, as you did three years ago, and brazenly send your daughter to court Wei Shao, I’m afraid he won’t be able to tolerate your Qiao family anymore.”
Qiao Yue’s clenched his teeth, and his face slowly turned red.
Liu Yan watched him for a moment and suddenly loosened his grip, and the few chess pieces he grabbed scattered on the chessboard.
The chess pieces dripped and whirled, emitting pleasant jade scraping sound, and slowly came to a halt and still.
Liu Yan got off the ground and paced along the wall of the house, slowly pacing in a circle. Finally stopping in front of Qiao Yue, he smiled and said, “Thank you, Lord Qiao, for being hospitable and staying with me for so many days, allowing me to relive those unforgettable days of my youth again. I should leave.”
Qiao Yue was shocked: “You had harmed me like this, and you’re leaving?”
Liu Yan said, “You’re wrong. Wei Shao long had a rebellious heart. Joining me, it was a matter of time. How did it become harmful to you?”
Qiao Yue’s cheek muscles on both sides twitched and turned red.
“I know you are afraid that Wei Shao will attack. Don’t worry! Since Yanzhou is now my Han land, how can I not care about it? I’ve left you a helper, General Ding Qu, who came with the army a few days ago. Have you seen him? He will take over the responsibility of the governor for you. The only thing you need to do is to be careful.” He said indifferently, dusted off his sleeves, turned around, and left.
……
Liu Yan ran out of the city gates of East County without looking back.
The wind blew in the face, raising his sleeves and the corners of his robe. He was filled with pleasure from revenge and could not wait to vent his inner emotions.
All he needed was to buy Zhang Pu, then separate the Qiao family from Wei Shao. When they meet, there will be a lot of fighting. The walls of Yanzhou may not be able to withstand Wei Shao’s military front. But what’s the harm in that? He did not care about the loss of a city. Moreover, Yanzhou did not belong to him in the first place.
He left his newest member, Ding Qu, to guard the town to let him taste the real power, a chance for revenge, and show his loyalty. Also, the more Wei Shao encountered strong resistance from Yanzhou, the deeper his hatred grew.
After this, how can Xiao Qiao continue to love Wei Shao for the rest of their life?
Liu Yan suppressed his heart from rolling with pleasure, closed his eyes, and took a long breath of the fresh air in the wilderness outside Dongxian City. This whole world, sooner or later, will be returned to the Han family again. The Qiao girl from the Qiao family in East County can only belong to him. No one can take her away.
Not even Wei Shao.