The Marquis Is Innocent - 152.1
Chapter 152.1
When Wei Shao’s grandfather moved the state’s government from Fanyang to Yuyang, which was closer to the border town, the intention was to defend against the Xiongnu.
Shanggu was only three or two days away from Yuyang by horseback, and if it lost, Yuyang would be in danger.
Therefore, after the messenger departed, meeting with the Yuyang Magistrate and arranging for the people’s evacuation, Mrs. Xu summoned Mrs. Zhu and Xiao Qiao to ask them to pack their things and take Fei Fei to Fan Yang.
“I won’t go if Grandmother doesn’t go.” Xiao Qiao immediately refused.
Anxiety overwhelmed Mrs. Zhu when she learned the news of Xiong Nu’s southern invasion, and the moment she heard Mrs. Xu make such an arrangement, she knew Yuyang might be lost. Her face became ashen, hesitantly said, “I won’t go either ……”
Mrs. Xu slammed her cane and shouted: “I stayed behind to defend Yuyang. What is the use of you two staying here? You are only adding to my worries! I have made up my mind. I will not change it! You two take Fei Fei and go on your way!” Perhaps due to intense emotion, she started to cough again.
After a few coughs, her breathing was unsteady.
Mrs. Zhu glanced at her cowardly and did not speak again.
Xiao Qiao looked at Mrs. Xu’s gray-haired face and paused, “Then, I will listen to my grandmother’s words and leave.”
Only then did Mrs. Xu’s expression calm down. She looked at Xiao Qiao and slowly said, “There will be nothing wrong with Yuyang. I asked you to leave for safety, don’t worry too much. You should go now.”
Xiao Qiao’s nose was sore. She suppressed the thousands of emotions in her heart and knelt.
……
The Xiongnu are coming to the south, and Mrs. Xu will stay in town to defend against the invasion with the army and people. The reinforcements would arrive in a few days, so the people asked to join the fight. Anyone who volunteers to fight can go to the government office in Yuyang to receive armor and weapons. The Yuyang city gates were full of posted announcements.
However, the Yuyang Magistrate followed Mrs. Xu’s order to open the city gates within two days, allowing the people to leave Yuyang and return to the city after the situation had stabilized.
The people of the city did not want to leave at first. Or rather, they did not want to believe it. The streets and alleys were full of people talking about this matter. Gradually, some families began to leave the city through the south gate with their belongings. Panic began to spread as more people left one after another.
When Xiao Qiao sat in the fast-moving carriage toward Fanyang, people on both sides of the road went in the same direction as her. From the north to the south, the two streams of people like a long dragon, pushing wheelbarrows or walking, mothers carrying their children and sons supporting their mothers.
Xiao Qiao, Mrs. Zhu, and Chun Niang, who held Fei Fei, sat in one carriage. The rest of the servants and maids sat in another carriage.
Since Mrs. Zhu came out of the city, she didn’t say a word and was gloomy. Even Fei Fei seemed to feel the heavy atmosphere of the adults around her. Contrary to her usual pampered attitude, she obediently let Chun Niang hold her and stay quiet.
After two days on the road, the carriage finally arrived at Fanyang. They were welcomed into the city by the Fanyang Magistrate. After settling in, Xiao Qiao put Fei Fei to sleep on the bed. She was lost in thought when a servant suddenly rushed over, saying that Madam suddenly lost control and begging Xiao Qiao to take a look.
After Xiao Qiao asked Chun Niang to watch Fei Fei, she hurried over. Mrs. Zhu was walking around the room, chanting: “Spiritual tablet! Spiritual tablet! I forgot to bring my husband’s and Lun’s spiritual tablets! I’ve sinned! I’ve sinned!”
During the past few days on the road, she was not in good spirits, and now her face was even paler, with drops of sweat rolling down her forehead and trembling lips. Her appearance was ugly.
Once she saw Xiao Qiao, she immediately pounced on her, grabbing her arm tightly: “We haven’t brought your father-in-law’s and brother-in-law’s spiritual tablets! How can we do this?” Her hands were so strong that they made Xiao Qiao’s arm hurt.
Xiao Qiao broke away: “Grandmother said that Yuyang would be fine! Mother-in-law should stay and wait. There will be good news in a few days!”
Mrs. Zhu stared at her and laughed coldly: “Naturally, you’re not worried! You didn’t have any good intentions when you married into my Wei family! Now, since you already got out from the fallen Yuyang, what does it concern you?”
Xiao Qiao looked at Mrs. Zhu and said, “Mother-in-law, I wanted to tell you that I am going back.”
Mrs. Zhu was stunned.
“Grandmother is old, and her health is not good. I can’t leave her alone in Yuyang. But if I insisted on staying that day, Grandmother would not have agreed, so I sent Fei Fei here first. You settle down here, and I will return today.”
Mrs. Zhu’s mouth opened slightly.
“Mother-in-law was tired and has not slept soundly. Now that you are here, please rest and don’t think about it anymore! Don’t worry! The spiritual tablets of my father-in-law and brother-in-law will be safe!”
Xiao Qiao instructed the servants to take good care of Mrs. Zhu. She was only seventeen years old, and her face was still childish. But at this moment, the tone of her voice or the determination in her gaze carries an undeniable force. Not only the servants but even Mrs. Zhu also said nothing. They only looked fixedly at her back as she turned away, looking ashen and disheveled.
……