The Marquis Is Innocent - 155.1
Chapter 155.1
The long and depressing funeral was finally over.
After returning, Xiao Qiao removed Fei Fei’s mourning clothes, bathed her, and sat on the bed while shaking a rattle to guide her crawling toward her.
As the mother and daughter played, Wei Shao came in still with mourning clothes. Seeing his father, Fei Fei, rambled and turned her head to crawl towards him. When she reached the edge of the bed, Xiao Qiao was afraid she would fall and wanted to hold her, but Wei Shao came in with a quick step, caught Fei Fei, picked her up, and lifted her high in the air.
Fei Fei has become more courageous, being held by her father, didn’t not afraid at all but giggles. Wei Shao held his daughter and teased her for a few moments, then handed her over to Chun Niang, who had followed him.
Chun Niang took Fei Fei out of the room, leaving Xiao Qiao and him alone. He took off the mourning clothes he was wearing, climbed into bed, and wrapped her in his arms.
“Man Man, these days are all thanks to you. It’s really hard on you, and I’ve wronged you ……” The funeral ceremony was full of formalities. As a filial son, he was so busy these days that he barely got any sleep, and last night he even stayed up all night, and at this moment, even his voice was hoarse. He kept kissing her forehead, her small earlobes, whispering in her ear.
Xiao Qiao leaned in his arms, raised her eyes, and examined him. His eyes were bloodshot, and his complexion revealed not only sleep-deprived fatigue but also gratitude and guilt.
Xiao Qiao smiled, “I didn’t work hard nor feel much aggrieved, but I tried my best and did my part. Fortunately, the people and the army unified in their fight, and the Qiang soldiers came to their aid in time, so I could hold out until Husband came back.”
Wei Shao raised his hand, gently pulled aside a strand of her hair that hung down in front of her forehead, gazing at her, carrying affection in his hoarse voice: “I’ve heard that you fainted that day in the Shanggu, and you haven’t had time to take a rest yet, and these days coincide with my mother’s funeral. Tonight let Chun Niang and the others take care of Fei Fei. Have a good rest.”
Xiao Qiao said, “You too, husband. These days, I know you are more tired than I am. If there is nothing else, rest early.”
“Man Man, being able to marry you is a blessing for me …….” As he was exhausted, he ended up lying beside her, closing his eyes as he was about to fall asleep. Xiao Qiao heard him whisper in her ear.
……
Wei Shao slept a long, deep sleep. And when he woke up, it was already noon the next day.
The sunlight penetrated through the window into the low-hanging curtain, illuminating the curtain with a slightly blinding light, and playful sounds made by the nursemaids teasing Fei Fei in the courtyard were faintly heard by his ears.
Fei Fei’s laughter was high-pitched, carefree, and with such bright sunshine, making people’s moods involuntarily pleasant. Wei Shao’s lips curved slightly, closed his eyes to listen to his daughter’s laughter for a moment, and touched the side of the bed. The quilt was cold.
He then opened his eyes, rolled onto his back, stretched his muscles and bones, put on his clothes, opened the door, and left.
Xiao Qiao stood beside one of the carved corridors in the courtyard, talking to a few servants who came to report on some matter. When she heard the door open, she turned and saw Wei Shao. She then dismissed the servants, greeted him and sent water and towels to him, served him to wash up, and then helped him to get dressed.
With no one else around, Wei Shao whispered, “When did you get up in the morning? I don’t even know.”
Xiao Qiao said, “About the same time as usual. I saw you slept well, so I didn’t disturb you.” As she spoke, she lowered her head to help him buckle his belt.
One of his palms climbed up her back, slowly caressing it, gradually moving downwards, and finally grabbing her waist. His other hand jerked off the belt she had tied for him, casually tossing it aside, and held her in his arms, squeezing her soft breasts and pressing them onto his chest.
“Man Man-” He called her softly, kissing the side of her forehead.
Xiao Qiao took away the hand he had clasped around her waist and said, “It’s time to go to Grandmother.”
Wei Shao touched his nose: ” Okay.”
Xiao Qiao smiled at him and leaned down to retrieve the belt, helping him tie it to his waist again, saying, “Yesterday I saw Mr. Gongsun, and he said that after some time, you’re leaving again?”
Wei Shao nodded: “Now the South is chaotic. Many lords founded their kingdoms, and Chen Ying revolted. Although Langya has ruined, Liu Yan escaped during the Xiongnu chaos. This time, I took advantage of the Xiongnu military disorganization, not allowing them to breathe and chasing them across the Sanggan River hundreds of miles deep to wipe out its elite and completely knock off their ambition. Xiongnu’s total loss was nearly 100,000 people in this battle. The loss can not be said to be not heavy, but after this defeat, I expect at least within 12 years, Xiongnu does not dare to attack again. I must seize this time to stabilize the south as soon as possible, waiting for the road to the Central Plains to return to one. Once the world settled…..”
He suddenly stopped, gazing at Xiao Qiao, a trace of guilt in his eyes: “I can not accompany you at home again. Will you blame me?”
With a slight click, Xiao Qiao buckled his belt and examined it, then raised her eyes and smiled, “Men have men’s affairs. I also have my affairs. Why would I blame you for that? You eat something first, then let’s go to Grandmother’s place.”
……
Mrs. Xu returned to Yuyang from Wuzhong a few days ago. After recuperating, her health gradually recovered, and she was full of spirits. Seeing them coming, she let them be seated and asked Wei Shao about the chaos in the south.
She learned that General Green Eyes was able to stop Chen Ying in the north of the Yangtze River, which curbed the raging momentum of the cannibalistic army that was causing panic among the people, and said to Xiao Qiao: “In the north, your brother leading the Qiang army to help me defend against the Xiongnu, and in the south, General Green Eyes fighting against the cannibalistic army to pacified the people’s hearts. Your Qiao family has produced such twin heroes. Everyone praised them.”
Xiao Qiao said, “Grandmother is flattering. We were born in a chaotic world, and people suffered, so they tried to help the world. Do not dare to call them heroes, but my brother and brother-in-law were only trying their best.”