The Marquis Is Innocent - 153.2
Chapter 153.2
On the 22nd day of the arduous battle to defend Shanggu, Wei Shao, the Marquis of Yan, finally arrived with his army.
……
Wei Yan stopped his horse on top of a high hill and looked at the shadow of the army in the golden sunset indifferently.
For a moment, he slowly turned his gaze toward Shanggu. The distance was a bit far, so he could not see her face. He only saw vaguely the blurred silhouette standing on a high platform. But he knew it was her. No matter how far away it is, he can recognize her at a glance.
Suddenly, he remembered that year, also like this moment, he had looked at her back from afar on the Lu Li Terrace with unspeakable obsessions in mind. Now, she is still the noble Wei’s lady.
But he is not even named Wei Yan. He was lost in thought for a moment and suddenly closed his eyes. He pulled up his horse’s reins, let out a low cry, and turned around. His figure slowly disappeared at the end of the high hill.
……
The city walls of Shanggu were thundering with joy as Marquis led his army to return in time. The drums thundered, the sound of killing rumbled, and the Xiongnu, who had climbed half the city wall, fell one after another.
The soldiers opened the city gates widely and came out to kill them. The battle of Shanggu, which had lasted for most of the month, ended without any suspense.
Wei Shao returned with the Wei family’s iron cavalry, no less than the Xiongnu’s, killing with a thunderous fury that reached hell.
Xiongnu lost its military strength advantage. After days of aggression, they were frustrated, and their low morale instantly fell to the bottom. After haphazard resistance, the troops were defeated and crushed to the north. The chase went on until the next day. The Xiongnu soldiers’ casualties and captives amounted to 100,000.
……
There were many times when Shanggu’s barricade almost broke with one more charge, but time and time again, the opportunities were lost. The city was rooted there, only a wall apart, but indestructible.
When Wu Wei crossed the river border and fled back to the grasslands, he still couldn’t believe it. He was full of ambition, raiding south with heavy troops, but it would end poorly.
……
Shanggu’s siege was relieved, and the stern and heavy atmosphere over the city that lasted for many days was gone. The waves of laughter sounded everywhere.
Xiao Qiao did not have time to rest and immediately rushed to the temporary treatment center at the city gate to see her brother.
Qiao Ci had been wounded on his arm and back. The army doctor was treating his wounds. Because of the blood loss, his face was a bit pale. But he was in high spirits, stretching his arms for the military doctor to wrap his wounds while talking and laughing with the group of Wei soldiers who had gathered around him.
“Mr. Qiao, I heard that Qiang girls are charming and affectionate. They take the initiative to present flowers to show her affection. Mr. Qiao is a talented man. Have you ever received the flowers?” A sergeant who had just bandaged his wound asked a question.
After the big battle, men inevitably thought about nonsense.
Qiao Ci does not have the slightest attitude. After leading the Peihe Qiang and Wei family soldiers to live and die together these days, they had long since become friends. The sergeant asked curiously, and the side of the crowd laughed.
Qiao Ci’s face was slightly hot, hurriedly waved his hands. When he saw Xiao Qiao coming in, his eyes lit up. He happily called out, ‘sister’ and immediately stood up to greet her.
Xiao Qiao instructed him not to get up. When the soldiers turned their heads, they saw the lady coming and hurriedly made way for her. The originally crowded place was instantly quiet, and countless eyes turned to her.
Xiao Qiao quickly came to Qiao Ci and saw he hadn’t had time to change his blood-stained battle robe. Looking at his forehead hung a bloody slit, she felt heartbroken, raised her hand gently to touch it, and asked: “Does it hurt?”
Qiao Ci grinned and said, “It’s just a small injury! It doesn’t hurt!” When the soldiers nearby saw this, they were all secretly envious.
“Sister, how are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” Xiao Qiao smiled.
“Lady, how is the old madam now?” A general asked.
Xiao Qiao looked up and saw that many eyes were looking at her. She nodded at them and said, “The old madam has returned to Yuyang to recuperate, and she will be fine. Thank you all for your concern. This time, we can preserve the city only because of your courageous efforts, so I thank you on behalf of the ruler.”
“We are willing to die to serve you!” A bold sergeant shouted. The crowd immediately echoed.
Xiao Qiao smiled and looked at the faces of the soldiers looking at her with eager eyes, and suddenly she felt dizzy.
These days, due to Mrs. Xu’s illness, she did not have a moment to catch her breath. Previously, she relied on a will to survive. She forces herself to hold on. When she learned her brother was injured, she hurried to see him. Seeing that he was fine, she felt relaxed. The string in her body snapped, unable to support it anymore.
“Sister–”
“Lady!”
With a ringing in her ears followed by a fluttering noise, her body went limp and collapsed.