The Marquis Is Innocent - 156.1
Chapter 156.1
At the end of the month, Wei Shao sends Xiao Qiao across the Yellow River to Yanzhou, and in less than two days, they will reach East County within half a day.
At noon, Wei Shao ordered the convoy to stop at a shady spot on the side of the road to take a break. The guards accompanying the convoy rested while Chun Niang and the nursemaid brought Fei Fei out of the carriage to feed her with water and get some fresh air.
Wei Shao turned around, looked at Xiao Qiao’s carriage, dismounted and walked over, knocked on the carriage, then pulled open the door and said: “You’ve been sitting there for a long time. Come down and relax your muscles! We can arrive in East County tonight. A moment’s rest will not delay our efforts.”
Xiao Qiao bent down from the carriage, and Wei Shao held her arm and helped her down.
Xiao Qiao stood by the roadside and looked into the distance. Wei Shao followed her up and handed her an opened bottle of water.
Xiao Qiao took it, drank two sips, and turned her head to smile at him. Under the midday sun, her eyes were bright as crystal, her forehead and the tip of her nose covered with a layer of sweat, and her face bloomed like a hibiscus, beautiful.
Wei Shao could see that the more they near East County, the more relaxed her mood. On the contrary, his heart felt a sense of loss. He looked at the cool breeze sweeping her hair. He slightly pulled the corner of his mouth in response to her and tilted his neck to the bottle she had just drunk. Gulp gulp gulp gulp, he also drank a few mouthfuls of water. The knot in his throat rolled up and down as he swallowed. He suddenly choked and coughed, and a stream of water flowed down, wetting his neck and lapel.
Xiao Qiao took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead when she heard him coughing. She turned her head to see the situation and was busy patting him on the back.
Wei Shao bent and coughed twice, stopped, waved his hand, and slowly straightened up.
Xiao Qiao then wiped the water stains on his neck and lapel for him and said softly, “Nobody is snatching it from you. What’s the point of drinking it in such a hurry?”
Wei Shao was silent and stood still, only looking down at her.
Xiao Qiao glanced at him, looked toward the East County city again, thought for a moment, turned back to him, and said, “The East County is not far ahead. I’m grateful to you for escorting me all the way. If you have any inconvenience, you can stop here, and I can enter the city by myself.”
Wei Shao said, “We are all here. I should send you and Fei Fei to your home. I’ll leave after you are there.”
Xiao Qiao was stunned, raising her eyes slightly to look at him. He turned his face, and his complexion seemed unnatural, avoiding her attention.
Gazing at him for a moment, the corners of her lips curved upwards vaguely, and she softly said, “That would be better. Thank you, Husband.”
Wei Shao nodded casually, turned around, and left briskly.
……
After resting for a while, Xiao Qiao carried Fei Fei onto the carriage, and the group continued on the road.
Wei Shao rode his horse and escorted Xiao Qiao’s carriage. Half a day later, when the sky was dark, they arrived at the East County city gate.
The city gates had already been closed down by now. The gatekeeper saw a procession arrive, and when he knew it was actually the Lady who came to the city, he hurriedly opened the gate and urgently ordered someone to go to the ruler’s residence to report.
Wei Shao left Lei Yan and others to wait outside the city gates. He rode his own horse, and with the sound of the horse’s hoof falling on the ground, he passed under the arched gates of the East County city, heading towards the ruler’s residence.
After the last incident, East County imposed a curfew to ensure peace. So far, the curfew persisted. After dark, the people will return to their homes. At this time, the street was empty, only the patrol officer.
The Qiao House was bright at the moment. Qiao Ping suddenly learned that Wei Shao had sent his daughter and granddaughter back to East County. He was overjoyed and surprised, immediately ordered the steward to welcome him, and asked people to notify Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao, who were also at home. He hurriedly went to the gate and waited eagerly.
Soon, Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao arrived at the gate, waiting with Qiao Ping for Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao to arrive.
Soon, at the end of the street, came a few wavering lights accompanied by the carriages and horses moving forward. The steward, who carried the lantern, ran back with the wind at his feet, running out of breath, but with a smile on his face, yelling: “Lord County, it’s the Master, indeed! It’s Master who has sent Lady back in person! Lady wanted to come back, so Master sent her back!”
A stone in Qiao Ping’s heart fell to the ground, and Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao were overjoyed.
Wei Shao’s hatred for the Qiao family goes back a long way. Now, he personally sent Xiao Qiao back to her home, which was a true joy to behold.
Da Qiao saw that Qiao Ping couldn’t wait to get down the steps and hurried to assist him.
……