The Marquis Is Innocent

Chapter 24:



It’s Changed

Wei Yan does not live with the Wei family. He moved out alone a long time ago.

For the past two years, Wei Shao is not in Youzhou, the Youzhou garrison entrusted to Wei Yan. He was stationed in Dai County. His residence was vacant most of the time. Now he was back. The servants and maids were naturally available.

He invited Wei Shao to his residence. Entered the main gate and passed through the flower-draped door, and went to a flower hall in the courtyard. He ordered a bright candle to be lit, and the servants fixed a table with food and wine. Wei Yan took the wine for Wei Shao and said: “After taking Shiyi, Bingzhou is like a portal, and it is just around the corner to swallow Jin Yang in the west. Congratulations! I toast to Zhong Lin!”

“Youzhou is the foundation of the Wei family and has been solid for many years. My elder brother’s merit is more than mine. I toast with elder brother!”

Both of them took their seats. Each drank from a bottle. Wei Yan saw Wei Shao swirling the wine bottle in his hand to smell the wine. He smiled and said: “Well? You know why I invited you to my home, right? Since ancient times, there are powerful Zhao wine, Yan wine, and Qin wine. I got a wine slave some time ago, whose ancestors were Zhao’s palace winemakers, making strong and rare wine. How can I enjoy such a good thing alone? I have to invite my second brother to drink with me.” He filled it up again and laughed: “There is wine, and how can there be no beauty?” After saying that, he waved his palm. The bead curtain behind blowing. A line of colorful women coming out. Dancing with their limp. All of them are Wei Yan’s dancers. Swaying like a fairy with a delicate posture.

Wei Yan gestured to one of the most beautiful-looking women to accompany Wei Shao. He brushed his hand and didn’t allow her to come. Wei Yan was stunned, then laughed and said: “Zhong Lin is still the same as before. Pure heart and mind. Abstaining from sex is like abstaining from evil! Before, it was like this. Now you have a wife at home. These vulgar people can not enter Zhong Lin’s eyes even more.”

Wei Shao laughed and did not argue. He just lifted the wine jug himself and poured the wine.

“Fine. When you are in my place, you are a guest. If you don’t like it, just let them leave. So they don’t bother us, brothers!”

Wei Yan waved his hand. The steward instructed the musicians to stop, and the dancers retreated. The two of them drank a few glasses. Wei Yan asked about the defense of Shiyi City, reminding him to prevent Chen Xiang’s counterattack.

Wei Shao said: “Now I have Mr. Gongsun guarding the city for me, so it should not be a big problem. The only problem is Chen Pang won’t surrender to me. Chen Pang has been in Shiyi for many years and has won the hearts of the people. If he does not surrender, I am afraid people in Shiyi will turn to Bingzhou.”

Wei Yan said: “it would be better if Chen Pang could surrender. If he does not surrender, killed him as an example. If you keep him alive, sooner or later will become a disaster. Mercy and authority are the only way to do the military.”

Wei Shao said: “I also think so. But Mr. Gongsun advised me to be more patient. Let’s leave it for now. After some time, I may go back to see.”

Wei Yan said: “Do you know why you had the name ‘Little King’ when you were young? Fierce nature, aggressive, and self-righteousness. If this was a few years earlier, I’m afraid that even ten Chen Pang has lost his head. If I’m right, it is because you yourself do not want to kill Chen Pang, which is why you left him alive. If you have the desire to kill, I am afraid Gongsun Yang is useless to persuade. I see that your temperament is now much more relaxed than before.”

Wei Shao smiled: “Don’t mention the old days. We brothers have not seen each other for a long time. Drinking is the right thing to do.” He said and poured a glass for Wei Yan.

Wei Yan smiled and picked up the wine. He brought it to his nose to smell the wine. Suddenly, he recalled the day in the store when he first met the girl.

Although it was just a glimpse, he was stunned. In this life, he never sees such beauty. Although her body is not good as a Shu woman, with his experience, he knew there were other benefits. A combination of the girl’s innocence and the beauty of a girl’s feelings. Seeing this girl, from an unknown family, seems to hate himself and turned her back. But she did not know the raven green bun and collar can not hide her jade neck. It’s as smooth as white jade, causing wild imagination. He was impressed. Not to mention a vermilion silk frame, if she wanted him to pick the stars for her, he would find a way.

In his early years, he obeyed the arrangement of Mrs. Xu and married a wife who fell ill and died within two years. He did not remarry until now. But he differed from Wei Shao. He never abstains from sex. There was no shortage of women around him. But they never enter his heart, not even remembering their appearance after spending the night.

However, when he met this girl who seems to be married, he was so excited. This feeling is unexpected.

In his status, there is no shortage of women. Even the married women of the House of Luoyang’s public officials, if he likes her, it is not impossible to get his hands on. Unexpectedly, when he followed her carriage, he saw her enter the door of the Wei family.

“Elder brother, when I picked up grandmother back, she talked about you several times on the way. She said you are alone now, and there is no one around to take care of you. You refused to move back to live in the home. Grandmother is a bit upset. I think it’s because of my mother that you don’t want to come back, right?”

Mrs. Zhu does not like Wei Yan when she lived with him in the past, though she did not make things difficult, but seemed to be wary everywhere. Wei Yan detected it. At 17 or 18, he moved out to live alone, until now.

Wei Yan was slightly lost in thought when he heard Wei Shao say so. Back to his senses, he laughed: “What is it to do with aunt? It’s because I’m used to being carefree and don’t want to be restrained under my grandmother’s nose.” He remembered and said, “If grandmother wants to propose any marriage to me this time, tell me when you know. So I can go back to Dai County earlier.”

Wei Shao laughed: “Grandmother was concerned.”

Wei Yan smiled. “If she gave me a marriage like yours, I would accept it.”

Wei Shao was pouring wine when he heard the words. The hand holding the bottle stopped in mid-air. He raised his eyes and looked at Wei Yan.

Wei Yan knew he had made a mistake and smiled. “Sister-in-law is beautiful and rarely seen in the world. You are very lucky. You are lucky to have both beauty and Yanzhou. Grandmother’s marriage arrangement could not be better.”

Wei Shao smiled. Poured a full cup. Picked it up, and sipped it as a tribute to Wei Yan.

……

It was late in the night when Wei Shao came back. When he came in, his footsteps were floating. When he crossed the threshold of the door frame, which he had just repaired a few days ago, he seemed to have a surge of alcoholic feelings. After a pause, he raised his hand to the door and held it.

Xiao Qiao has developed the habit of going to bed early in the past two years. Apart from going to bed early, there is nothing else to do. Unless she has something on her mind and can’t sleep, she has long been asleep. Just now, she couldn’t wait. She got into bed first and lay in the bed. The house was quiet. She was sleepy when she was awakened by the commotion Wei Shao made when he returned. She got out of bed. Seeing he had stopped at the door and was smelling of alcohol, she knew he was drunk. She asked the servant to help him.

Outside the door, two or three servants came and tried to hold Wei Shao from each side.

Wei Shao raised his eyes and stared at Xiao Qiao, who was standing in near him. She was also looking at him with a concerned expression. The wine he drank tonight was indeed stronger than usual. With a tight chest, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of wine again. He shook off the servant woman, who was trying to hold his arm. Raised his foot and crossed the threshold, and walked in.

Xiao Qiao had just lived with Wei Shao for a couple of days when she observed he seemed to be quite conscious of cleanliness. Although he wore dark colors, he had meticulous energy. The servants in the west room had served him for a long time and knew he had the habit of bathing and changing his clothes every day. Old Wang is no longer in the west room. Another servant surnamed Lin came up and see he returned. She ordered people to bring in water.

Old Lin knows Master does not like to have people around when he is in the bath. After preparing the water, she waits outside and will come back later to clean up.

“The water is ready, husband. Would you like to take a bath?”

Xiao Qiao asked him a question.

Wei Shao turned a deaf ear, turned his back to her, and untied his sword. Pressed it on top of the sword case, turned around, and went to the bathroom.

Xiao Qiao knew he did not need to be waited on for his bath, especially by her. Seeing him going inside with his lapel untied and his figure disappearing at the door of the bathroom, she could not go back to sleep, so she sat and waited.

She waited for some time. At first, she could hear rushing water coming from inside. Then it went down. No more noise.

Xiao Qiao hesitated. Feeling something was wrong and stood up. Held her breath and approached the bathroom. She lifted the curtain from the corner to open a thin slit and glanced inside.

Wei Shao is sitting in the bathtub. His arms rested on the wall of the barrel with his head tilted back and eyes closed.

He was sleeping.

Of course, Xiao Qiao could not have any good feelings toward this person.

But now, she can’t let him fall asleep like this. After some hesitation, she called him “husband”.

He seemed to sleep very well. And did not respond.

Xiao Qiao raised the volume again.

He still did not respond.

Xiao Qiao came in and picked up a wooden strainer for bathing. She poked his arm and called “husband” again.

Wei Shao reacted this time. His eyelids moved, and he opened his eyes.

On his face, the wine is still strong. The ink color of his eyebrows is darker as it is stained with water droplets. Because he tilted his head, his Adam’s apples were more prominent. His broad shoulders, arms, and chest are exposed to the water. His hidden muscle is covered with warm copper color from the candle flame.

As soon as he opened his eyes, Xiao Qiao averted her eyes and stared at the bath towel next to him on the edge of the tub instead. “You fell asleep just now,” she said.

Wei Shao closed his eyes. Raised his hand and rubbed his forehead. As if there was some kind of headache. Then moved his shoulders and sat up straight. His eyes looking at her.

Xiao Qiao turned around and walked out.

There was a big “clatter” of water behind her as if he had gotten up.

Xiao Qiao’s footsteps became faster.

“My clothes, hand it over.”

His voice came from behind her, with a hint of hoarseness.

Xiao Qiao stopped and take one of his clothes from the shelf where the clean clothes were placed. She came back and handed it over.

He had already come out from the tub. A piece of cloth covered his lower body. He took the clothes and put them on. Knotted the belt and the big cloth fell off on the ground. He was barefoot and walked towards the outside.

Do not know how much he drank at night, anyway, he was very drunk. The bathroom is dim, and there are mists of water. When he turned around, he ignored a nearby bucket rack. Xiao Qiao watched him crash straight into it.

Because of his height, he “bangs” with a loud sound, and his forehead hit the horizontal wood.

The shelf wood is hard. This collision should be quite serious.

His figure stumbled.

“Hiss…”

Xiao Qiao heard him hiss and raised his hand to cover his forehead.

Although she couldn’t see his expression, she could imagine it.

She couldn’t help it and scoff.

Although the sound was indistinct, and she suppressed it back, Wei Shao’s ears seem to be sensitive at this moment. He twisted his head.

He frowned with two eyebrows and gave her a stare.

Xiao Qiao’s expression became a serious one.

His hand covering his forehead lowered.

“Who put this shelf here?” His voice sounded very unpleasant.

“It was used to be here.” Xiao Qiao said.

“If it’s blocking the way, I’ll have them take it away.”

She added another sentence.

Wei Shao stared at her again.

“No need.”

He said coldly and walked around the shelf. This time, he got out of the bathroom without incident.

Xiao Qiao bit her lip and followed him out. She opens the door for Old Lin and the girls to come in and clean up. The servants cleaned up and left the house.

Xiao Qiao closed the door and turned around to see him lying on the bed with his eyes closed.

She blew out the lamp on the bed and climbed onto the bed in the dark, without touching him at all.

She just lay down when she heard Wei Shao say, “I’m thirsty.”

This means she should get him water.

Xiao Qiao climbed out of bed and made sure she didn’t touch him. Lit the lamp and went to the table. She poured water and brought it to him.

Wei Shao sat up and drank it. Xiao Qiao put the empty bowl back on the table. Put out the light again and returned to the bed.

She had just laid down and had not yet adjusted her sleeping posture when she heard Wei Shao speak again in her ear: “Still thirsty.”

Xiao Qiao was confused. She suspected she had offended him, and he was using his alcoholic madness to punish her.

If this were in the original post-apocalyptic world, she would have kicked him out of bed and let him drink on his own.

But here, it is only right for a wife to serve her husband.

Xiao Qiao climbed down. Lit the oil lamp and poured him another cup and brought it to the bed.

Wei Shao opened his eyes. He sat up, took the water, and drank it.

“Husband, do you want more? One more time?”

Xiao Qiao asked him.

Wei Shao handed the cup back. Looked at her and raised his eyebrows. He did not answer and went back to lie down.

Xiao Qiao stood by the bed for a few more moments. Seeing he seemed to have fallen asleep this time, she put back the cup. Blew out the lamp again and climbed into bed.

She looked at the position of his legs before blowing the lamp. When she went up, she carefully avoided it. When she climbs up, one of his legs suddenly hooked. She was not prepared. She lost her balance and flung herself. She pressed both his legs under her.

Xiao Qiao felt the hardness under her chest and abdomen. It seems to be against his knees. She was startled and rushed to get up. She couldn’t see in the darkness, and she pressed one of her hands against his thigh. She did not have time to retract her hand. She felt him sitting up. The black shadow in front of her shifted, and his upper body pressed down toward her.

“It was funny just now, wasn’t it?”

His breath was hot, accompanied by the smell of wine. His voice was cool and rang in Xiao Qiao’s ears.


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