The Marquis Is Innocent - 157.2
Chapter 157.2
Qiao Ping, Mrs. Ding, and Da Qiao sent Wei Shao out of the gate.
Wei Shao asked Qiao Ping to stay. Qiao Ping drank too much last night and got up early this morning, but his spirit looked very good and bright. He smiled and said: “It’s rare for you to come here. Originally, I had to keep you for some more time no matter what, but my daughter said you are in a tight situation in Luoyang, so I can’t force you to stay. I can only look forward to your next visit. Today, no matter what, I will send you out of the city.”
Wei Shao busily declined, but Qiao Ping insisted.
Mrs. Ding smiled and said, “You’re in a hurry to leave after staying just one night, so don’t brush off the Governor’s intentions. It is inconvenient for him to ride a horse, but a carriage is not a hindrance. The carriage has been prepared already and is waiting outside.”
Wei Shao looked towards Xiao Qiao and saw her smiling and nodding slightly, so he had to say, “Thank you, father-in-law.”
Xiao Qiao helped her father onto the carriage, instructed the accompanying stewards, and stood in the doorway to see them off. She watched Wei Shao turn back several times on his horse, and his group’s silhouettes dwindled to a smaller size, finally disappearing along with the carriage that carried her father.
……
Qiao Ping sent Wei Shao out of the western city gate, going another ten miles. Wei Shao dismounted and repeatedly asked him to return to the city. Qiao Ping stopped and ordered someone to help himself off the carriage, smiling: “I have some words I wanted to tell you, but I couldn’t find the opportunity before. I finally met you yesterday, but you had to go on the road again today. Can I take this opportunity to talk to you?”
Wei Shao said, “Father-in-law, this way, please.” He took Qiao Ping’s hand and led him to the side of the road.
Lei Yan could see that Qiao Ping wanted to talk privately with the Marquis. Hence, he ordered his entourage to return to their positions, leading them to wait far away on the side.
Wei Shao said, “What is Father-in-law’s order?”
Qiao Ping turned his face and asked Wei Shao to guide himself to face north.
Wei Shao did not understand but followed his words.
When Qiao Ping met the wind blowing from the wild north, he knelt on both knees and kowtowed respectfully.
Wei Shao was stunned and said, “What does Father-in-law mean by this?”
After Qiao Ping finished kowtowing, he got up from the ground, saying solemnly, “On behalf of my Qiao family, I am bowing to the spirits of the late General Tiger and your brother, not daring to ask for forgiveness, but I am kowtowing out of my gratitude, for the old madam, and the Marquis’ forgiveness.”
Wei Shao turned his head, looked at a vast wilderness to the north, closed his lips, and his complexion became grave.
Qiao Ping slowly said, “Back then, my Qiao family caused the death of General Tiger and his son. The old pain has not yet subsided, but now, because of my negligence, I almost caused General Wei Liang to be killed, and I couldn’t express the guilt in my heart. Your generosity has made me even more embarrassed of this. First of all, my brother’s head was returned to me so that he could be buried with a full body—-”
“Father-in-law, there is no need to be concerned,” Wei Shao suddenly said lightly. I am not merciful. The only reason you and I are here today is because of Man Man.”
Qiao Ping exhaled a long breath from his chest and said, “This is what I wanted to say to Marquis. When my elder brother decided to seek goodwill through marriage, he did so not only intending to eliminate past grievances but also because he wanted to take advantage of Marquis’s power to protect Yanzhou from the strongest enemies. My eldest brother is very clever in his calculations. But I could not afford to marry my daughter in such a hurry. She was the only one I had, and after her mother died, I wanted nothing more than for her to have a good marriage. To be loved by her husband and live a happy life. That was my greatest wish. Later, the situation is beyond my control, and I have no choice but to marry her to you …….”
Wei Shao slowly turned his head and gazed at Qiao Ping.
Qiao Ping was unaware of this and continued, “I will not hide anything. Wei and Qiao, the two families, have formed such deep hatred. If you put yourself in the shoes of each other, I’m afraid I can’t treat the other family’s daughter well. That’s why when Man Man was first married, there was a time when I was extremely concerned …….”
“Marquis, she was raised by me and her mother since childhood. Her mother, unfortunately, died early. I treat her as if she was the jewel in the palm of my hand. There will inevitably be a failure within a parent’s duty to raise their child. I was afraid that after she married, she couldn’t fulfill her duties as a woman and befriend her husband’s family. I didn’t expect Mrs. Xu to be so kind to take care of her, and the Marquis didn’t abandon her for her foolishness and treated her with consideration. And now, because of her words, Marquis would put down his business and send her home personally. All these things, to my relief, were more than a shame! I’m so sorry! The doubts I had at the start were nothing more than a measure of my heart!”
Wei Shao was silent.
Qiao Ping sighed: “I am useless, left with only a body. Life and death, honor and shame are only smoke in my eyes. The only thing I can not let go of is my daughter. She was born forbearing. Even if her heart has worried, she would never reveal half a word for fear of worrying me. Because of this, I cherished her even more. Today, Marquis is in front of me, but because of my blindness, I can not see your face. But I understand Marquis’ elegance and honesty in my heart. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to solemnly entrust you with the rest of my daughter’s life. I know that Marquis is not someone to be toyed with, and if one day the golden scales turn into a dragon, I hope that Marquis will remember the kinship that we have shared and shelter Man Man for the rest of her life on my behalf, for which I am grateful!”
After finishing his speech, Qiao Ping bowed deeply toward Wei Shao.
Wei Shao was startled and hurriedly held him back.
Qiao Ping stood straight and smiled, “In that case, I will see you off here. I hope Marquis will settle the world soon and return peace to the people.”
……
Wei Shao sat on the back of his horse, watching Qiao Ping’s carriage gradually disappear. He was lost in thought for a long time, then turned his horse around and headed west.
In the evening, the closest post house is still dozens of miles away, and if one hurries, one can almost get there before nightfall.
Wei Shao is traveling slower and slower, seemingly distracted. Lei Yan already perceived his abnormalities, and although doubtful, he did not ask questions, only slowing down.
There are still ten miles from the post house, but Wei Shao suddenly stopped his horse at the roadside and said to Lei Yan: “You take people to the front post house to rest and wait for me to come back!”
After saying that, without explaining further, he turned the horse around, clamped its belly, and let out a crying sound. The horse received a message from its master. After being restricted for half a day and finally able to let go of its hooves, accompanied by a joyful neighing, it sped towards the front.
Under the astonished gaze of Lei Yan and a cadre of attendants, Wei Shao and his horse disappeared into the thick twilight on the far side of the road.
……
The sky was dark when Wei Shao arrived at the East County city gates. The city gate lieutenant heard the call and climbed the city wall. Through the light of the fire cane, he recognized Wei Shao, who had departed from the city in the daytime. He was surprised and hurriedly ordered to open the gate.
Wei Shao passed through the slowly opening gates and sped along the empty streets under the moonlight toward Qiao House.
……
After dinner, Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao came to Xiao Qiao’s room with Li’er.
Mrs. Ding and Chun Niang were doing needlework. The two sisters, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, talked and played with Li’er and Fei Fei.
When the laughter and happiness filled the room, a sound of footsteps arose outside the room, and a servant pushed the door and probed in, ”Madam! Lady! Marquis has returned-”
The voices in the room quieted down. Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao turned their heads. Xiao Qiao was surprised and raised her eyes as well. The door opened, and Wei Shao was standing in the doorway.
.
Surprised, Mrs. Ding put down the needle and thread in her hands and stood up to welcome him, “Come in! You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Wait a moment. Auntie will go and prepare it for you.” She hurriedly went out to prepare the meal.
Wei Shao stepped in and nodded to Mrs. Ding and Da Qiao, smiled, and said, “Thank you, Auntie. I am not hungry. I came back because I have something to say to Man Man.” He looked at Xiao Qiao.
Mrs. Ding was stunned, then nodded and smiled, “Okay, okay, then you guys talk first. Auntie won’t bother you. If something happens, call me.”
Da Qiao then embraced her son, while Chun Niang hurriedly embraced Fei Fei, who was babbling with excitement at the sight of his father.
The people in the room quickly dispersed, leaving Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao facing each other.
Xiao Qiao’s heartbeat quickened as she slowly stood up.
“You ……”
She hesitated and just wanted to ask him what he needed to say to her when Wei Shao suddenly walked quickly towards her, and when he got close, he opened his arms and hugged her in his arms.
“Man Man, I have wronged you in the past!”
Wei Shao hugged her tightly and said in her ear.