The Marquis Is Innocent - 171.2

Chapter 171.2

Mrs. Xu smiled at the Emperor and said, “Shao’er, Grandmother has always felt that you are not as wise as your wife, and this is still the case. She understands me, so don’t stand in my way.”

Although Wei Shao was very reluctant, Mrs. Xu had made up her mind, so he finally agreed.

In September of the present year, when the summer heat was over and golden autumn was coming, the Emperor and the Empress sent Mrs. Xu back to the north.

The night before they left, Xiao Qiao took Fei Fei and Hong Er to accompany Mrs. Xu inside Jiade Palace. As the night wore on, the two siblings went to bed, and Xiao Qiao sent Mrs. Xu to her bed and knelt in front of her, unwilling to get up for a long time.

Mrs. Xu gazed at her and suddenly said, “Man Man, Grandmother will go back tomorrow. I know you have always wanted to know why Grandmother allowed Shao’er to marry the Qiao family’s daughter.”

“If it weren’t for Grandmother’s support, how can I marry my husband? Grandmother’s broad-mindedness and compassion are even more than a blessing for me.”

Mrs. Xu smiled and sighed: “You are so smart. You don’t need me to say more. You must know what I think. Shao’er was obsessed with vengeance and not listening to advice. I’m always worried that he will be trapped by his heart’s demon, unable to resolve his obsession, which may not be a blessing in his life. The deepest obsession in his heart stems from the pain of his father’s death when he was a teenager. Therefore, when I learned that your Qiao family was seeking marriage between two families and heard Qiao’s daughter’s famous reputation and thought of the old things ……” She stopped.

Xiao Qiao straightened up from her seat and looked up at her.

Mrs. Xu seemed to fall into the memories of the past, sighing: “Man Man, before your grandfather died, he had sent me a letter, confessed what he did that year, to be willing to fall into hell, begging after his death, the Wei family can spare the Qiao family. Grandmother also hated your grandfather’s betrayal that caused Grandmother to lose a child and grandchild. But in a chaotic world, what is justice? Which one of us doesn’t have a human life in our hands? Whoever has not caused others to lose a husband’s wife or a son’s father? We all must know that this is not fair. Even if we destroyed the Qiao family, it couldn’t erase the pain and suffering inflicted. However, if I can use this opportunity to dissolve the hatred so that Shao’er can get rid of his demons, dissolve his obsession, and no longer spend the rest of his life in mourning, what can’t I let go of?”

As if she had touched a sentimental feeling, there were hidden flashes of tears at the corners of her eyes.

Xiao Qiao took hold of her hand and slowly pressed the side of her face against the back of her warm hand.

Mrs. Xu lowered her head and touched her hair lovingly.

“Man Man, Grandmother is not as good as you think. It was out of my selfishness that I decided to let you marry here in the first place. At that time, I thought that if Ms. Qiao could use her intelligence to neutralize my grandson’s hostility and make a good match, I’ll achieve my wish. If not, it would only be a sacrifice of a daughter of the Qiao family. Just now, you said you are grateful to Grandmother. It was Grandmother grateful to you. Because of your arrival, my Wei family has today’s prosperity, and I can live to see my great-grandchildren. Tomorrow I will return to the north. From now on, Grandmother will entrust Shao’er to you. Grandmother is very relieved.”

In Mrs. Xu’s sole eye, a delighted smile flashed.

“Grandmother! Man Man can’t bear to part with you!” Xiao Qiao choked up and couldn’t help but jump into Mrs. Xu’s arms.

Mrs. Xu smiled and hugged her, gently patting her back and coaxing her like a child. Not far away, at the corner of the door, Wei Shao, who had just come over, stood there while looking at Grandmother soothed her.

……

The next day, the Emperor and the Empress escorted the Empress Dowager to Wu Zhong City. After three days of accompaniment, the two reluctantly said goodbye and left.

Wei Shao was puzzled by his Grandmother’s decision. After leaving Wuzhong City, he felt depressed and unhappy.

Xiao Qiao said that his Grandmother may still have unfinished business in her heart. This place was closer to her attachment.

Wei Shao was silent, finally nodded, and said that he understood.

The Emperor and the Empress left Wu Zhong, passing by Yuyang, and stayed in the old mansion for one night.

Early the next day, Xiao Qiao strangely found that Wei Shao, who has never worshipped ghosts and gods, made a trip to the Queen Mother’s Hall in the east of the city and not only burned incense in it but also ordered the Yuyang Magistrate to rebuild the golden body for the Queen Mother, and the several messengers in front of her statue.

At night, he circled in front of one of the statues of the Golden Armored God, staring at the god for a long time, looking odd.

After coming out, the two rode in the same carriage. When Xiao Qiao remembered he peeled off the mural wall, she teased him: “The Emperor once peeled off the mural wall, now suddenly you repaired the temple. Why the Emperor suddenly changed his temper? Did you dream about the gods, and they asked you to atone for your sins?”

Wei Shao still wakes up in the middle of the night feeling afraid, and he must touch the Empress to confirm that she is right next to him before he rest assured. Of course, he won’t mention this matter to her.

Being teased by her, Wei Shao snapped and then thought of the dream’s absurdity. He couldn’t help but laugh, embracing her into his arms, biting her ear, and said, “Heaven’s secrets are not to be leaked.”

……

Besides sending Mrs. Xu to the north, this trip intended to inspect the river. At the end of October, the Emperor and Empress traveled to the Yellow River and passed by Wu Chao Ferry.

Wu Chao Ferry no longer flourished because several dozens of miles away from the upstream emerges a new pier with large boats, easy to reach and more secure.

Wu Chao Ferry gradually declines and only has one trip per day. However, the hostel where the two had stayed that year remained on the shore, covered with dust.

This evening, the Yellow River sunset dyed the mountains and wilderness golden. During the day, the last traveler in the hostel had left, and no one had entered the door for the rest of the day.

The female Boss leaned against the worn counter dozing and suddenly heard a clattering sound of carriages from far. Presuming the carriage won’t stop at her place, she resumes her sleep.

But the clattering sound stopped at the door. The Boss opened her eyes and saw a man and a woman that looked like husband and wife entering the door. The man was about thirty, handsome, and the woman was beautiful and looked younger than he was. They were like lovers, and the initially dull and shabby hostel instantly brightened up.

There are post houses dozens of miles away. The officials and dignitaries who need to spend the night, all of them would stay there. This kind of dilapidated old guest house was just for ordinary travelers.

The Boss looked dumbfounded for a moment. After returning to her senses, she hurriedly entertained them. Knowing they would stay here together with the entourage, she nodded anxiously. She took them to one of the cleanest guest rooms, wiping the tables and chairs. Before withdrawing, she looked at the beautiful woman again.

Xiao Qiao saw the Boss frequently looking at herself, so she smiled at her.

The Boss suddenly slapped her thigh and let out an ‘ah’: ”I remember! Many years ago, Madam and Master had stayed here because of the frozen river!”

This young woman was too beautiful and unforgettable. At first glance, she felt she had seen them before, and when Xiao Qiao smiled at her, she finally remembered.

Seeing that she still remembered her, Xiao Qiao nodded and smiled, ”Boss has a good memory. Many years ago, my husband and I did stay at your place. Today, we are passing by and staying again.”

The Boss still remembered that the couple’s status was noble and rewarded a lot of money before they left. Unexpectedly, after many years, this couple would come to stay here again, so she was overwhelmed with joy and bowed to thank them again and again. She was happy and chattered on the side: “Thanks to the generous rewards of the Master and Madam. The ferry is in decline, and I only have a few customers here. It is hard to hold on. My son and daughter-in-law went to the city with the reward money to settle down and start a small business. Although the beginning was difficult, the world is at peace, and no need to go to war. My son often said he wanted to take us over to live together, but my husband has been guarding the ferry for most of his life. We can’t leave here. If I were to leave, perhaps the guests who wanted to stay won’t be able to find a place to stay, so I thought it would be good karma to keep the place. I didn’t expect to see you again today. It’s a blessing for me!”

Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao looked at each other and smiled.

Yellow River inspection has ended, and they were about to return to Luoyang. They suddenly learned that the Wu Chao ferry was in the front and remembered that year when Xiao Qiao returned to her home, and Wei Shao picked her up but returned emptyhanded.

Before coming, they heard the Magistrate mention that the Wu Chao ferry was now dilapidated. They did not expect that the hostel was still there, and the Boss remembered what happened back then, which led them to reminiscence.

That night, Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao spent a beautiful night in this dilapidated but clean guest house. In the middle of the night, Wei Shao hugged Xiao Qiao, sitting side by side in front of the window, giggling and whispering, reminiscing about the scene at that time.

Wei Shao suddenly remembered that nameless hill once they climbed in the snow. He got excited and pulled Xiao Qiao and dressed her. Then, he carried her on the back of the horse, following the old road to find the past.

Under the moonlight, the horse hooves sounded. Not far behind, a line of secret guards silently follow.

Wei Shao finally found the hill. Holding Xiao Qiao’s hand, they climbed to the top again.

Under the moon, Wei Shao tightly wrapped Xiao Qiao, who leaned on him, his heart surging, and then suddenly let loose a big whistle in the distance: “I want to grow old with you! I want to grow old with you, to be with you for the rest of my life! Even if the river dried, I will never lose my heart!”

Xiao Qiao was startled by him, then laughed. Afraid that the guards would hear his roar, she covered his mouth.

The moment she covered it, her hand paused. She tilted her face and looked at his excited eyes under the moonlight. Suddenly, she punched him, scolded him a ‘fool,’ then tightly hooked his neck and kissed him.

……

Man Man, what would I be today if I hadn’t met you? The man said.

But you’ve already met me! The woman smiles.

The moon and the starry sky silently look at this lover at the top of the hill on the banks of the great river.

The End

T/N: ay, finally completed! Thank you for supporting this novel!