The Marquis Is Innocent - 154.2
Chapter 154.2
When Xiao Qiao arrived at Yuyang, the news that Marquis had returned to Shanggu and that the Xiongnu had retreated with failure had spread everywhere. The tense and depressing atmosphere enveloping the city for many days was gone, and everyone was smiling.
Mrs. Zhu, badly wounded by the fire and disfigured, lay there dying with her eyes hollow.
Xiao Qiao brought medicine and called to her from the bedside. Mrs. Zhu did not respond at first, and only after a long time did she seem to be brought back to consciousness, slowly fixing her gaze on Xiao Qiao’s face and staring at her. Suddenly, she sat up straight from the bed and grabbed Xiao Qiao’s neck with both hands.
“Xiongnu! Xiongnu! I am the matriarch of the Wei family! With me, you will not be able to enter the Wei clan’s family temple–” Her eyes shone with a strange light, and she shouted through her gritted teeth.
Old Huang and the others were horrified, shouting “No!” and rushing to stop her. It took three or four people pulling and tugging to break her hands away from Xiao Qiao’s neck.
After a few moments of scratching in the air, Mrs. Zhu’s eyes rolled back into white and suddenly fell back, her body curled up in agony, her mouth moaning incessantly.
The medicine bowl shattered, and Xiao Qiao fell to the ground, coughing.
Old Huang hurriedly came to help her.
Xiao Qiao covered her neck and waved her hand, “You go and take care of her ……”
Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps from outside, followed by the door being pushed open.
Xiao Qiao turned her head and saw Wei Shao appear in the doorway. His battle armor was still on, and blood stained the corners of his robe.
“Master!”
Old Huang was stunned and hurriedly greeted him. She knelt and bowed her head, not daring to utter another word.
Wei Shao’s eyes fell on Mrs. Zhu’s body on the bed. He paused and immediately stepped in quickly, sweeping past Xiao Qiao, rushing to the bed.
“Mother!” His voice was trembling slightly.
“Where’s the doctor? Where is the doctor? Where?” He yelled harshly.
“Master, the doctor was by the madam’s side all last night but just went out for a short rest. I’ll go and call him…”
Old Huang scrambled up from the floor and went out in a panic to summon someone.
“Shao’er, is that you? You’ve come back…”
Mrs. Zhu slowly opened her puffy eyelids, her gaze lingering on Wei Shao’s face as she strained to raise her hand to caress his face.
“Mother, I am not filial. I came late and made my mother suffer like this!”
Wei Shao held Mrs. Zhu’s wrapped hand. His voice was low.
“I’m fine, don’t worry about me ……” Mrs. Zhu’s eyes showed relief, and her mouth held a contented smile as she murmured, “The Xiongnu have attacked Yuyang. They want to harm our Wei family ancestors. I vowed to guard the family temple until I die and never let the Xiongnu have their way ……”
Wei Shao bowed his head. His shoulders twitched slightly, and his voice choked: “I know ……Mother, no need to say anything. Treating the wound is important ……”
“No, no, I’m fine! I’m fine!” Mrs. Zhu’s eyes suddenly fell on Xiao Qiao behind Wei Shao, and suddenly her whole body tensed up, pointing at Xiao Qiao, “Tell her to get out! I don’t want to see her-” She frowned, gritted her teeth, and a loud lament escaped her throat.
“Mother, calm down!” Wei Shao tried desperately to reassure her.
“Shao’er! You still protect her – she is a Xiongnu! A Xiongnu! There is no room for Xiongnu in my Wei family!”
Mrs. Zhu’s eyes rolled back, and her whole body kept shaking.
Wei Shao turned back to Xiao Qiao and cast a pleading glance. His eyes were red and seemed to contain tears.
Xiao Qiao nodded at him and slowly stepped back to the door, leaving. She returned to the west house and sat alone for a long time in front of the candlelight.
Chun Niang was still in Fanyang with Fei Fei and would not return if she did not pick them up.
……
The next day at dawn, when Wei Shao returned to the west house, it was empty. The servant said that the lady had gone to Wuzhong last night. She also left a message asking the master to rest assured that she would take good care of his grandmother.
……
Wuzhong was a suitable place to nurse people. After Mrs. Xu stayed there, her condition slowly improved. When Xiao Qiao arrived, Mrs. Xu was in much better spirits than before.
Half a month later, when the news of Mrs. Zhu’s death arrived, Mrs. Xu could get up and walked into the courtyard with Xiao Qiao’s help. After knowing the news, she was silent before saying, “A confused person is also pitiful.”