The Marquis Is Innocent
Chapter 33: Punishment

When Marquis Wei left in the morning, it was a bit later than usual. Before he left, he instructed Chun Niang and said there was no need to wake up the lady. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ NʘvᴇlFirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

His expression when he spoke was as cold as usual. When Chun Niang raised her eyes, she felt that Marquis Wei’s eye sockets were more sunk than usual. As if he had not slept well last night. His spirit is a bit depleted, but his eyes become brighter.

Before, except for the day he went out too early, Xiao Qiao got up together with him and sent him away. Today was not early anymore. When Chun Niang didn’t see Xiao Qiao, she was worried that she might have annoyed Marquis Wei by negligence. She put her mind at ease when she heard him say so.

After he was gone, she went into the inner room and lifted the curtain. She saw Xiao Qiao lying with her face down on the pillow. Her hair is a mess. Her clothes faded to her shoulders, exposing a piece of her snowy back. There were some dirty towels on the floor in front of the bed. The room is warm and stuffy, and one can smell a unique scent from the bed.

Chun Niang is a person who has the experience, and she understands. Last night’s affairs are too much. She is suspicious about how the young and powerful Marquis Wei spent the night. Not only sunken his eyes, but the lady has also become like this. She could not bear to wake Xiao Qiao up. She cleaned up the things on the ground and withdrew. She stays outside the door and waits until Xiao Qiao wakes up before serving her.

Xiao Qiao rarely took a bath after waking up in the morning. Last night, although she was spared from the disaster, the workload was not light. She was sweating all over her body. Now she woke up feeling all sticky and uncomfortable. She asked to prepare water for bathing. She was afraid Chun Niang would see the red marks on her two poor lumps in front of her chest. Therefore, she refused to let her serve on the side as usual.

But her two arms are sore. It is a little hard to lift. While she is wiping her body with her head down, the curtain shakes. She looks up to see that Chun Niang has entered. She shrunk down a bit.

“Someone from the Old Madam’s side invites the lady to go there.”

Xiao Qiao guessed that perhaps it was related to what happened last night.

“I understand. Chun Niang, go out. I’ll come out now. ……”

But Chun Niang has already approached. Holding Xiao Qiao’s two shoulders, she picked her up from the water like a chicken and said. “From the caller’s tone, it seems there is an important matter. Let this servant serve you to get dressed. It will be faster ……”

Xiao Qiao hurriedly used the bath towel to cover her breasts, but it still caught Chun Niang’s eye. She was stunned. She took Xiao Qiao’s hand away and looked closer. She frowned and complained in a low voice: “This hands of Master …… is too rough ……” Her tone was laced with heartache and dissatisfaction.

Xiao Qiao did not dare to mention the last night’s event. She closed her mouth and did not speak.

“Lady, wait a moment.”

Chun Niang ran out and back with a box of ointment in her hand. Pick some and gently rub it on for Xiao Qiao. It was very refreshing. After wiping her body and putting on her clothes, Xiao Qiao finished grooming and went to the north house. As soon as she entered, she was greeted by a different atmosphere than usual.

Mrs. Xu is sitting on the couch. Old Zhong is beside her, and the woman who sent the ice last night stands beside her. And there is a servant from the east house kneeling on the floor, who seems to be someone who used to work in Mrs. Zhu’s room. When Xiao Qiao went to the east house, she met her face several times.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Xiao Qiao didn’t dare to be slow and kneeled in front of Mrs. Xu’s couch. Greet her and apologize for her late arrival.

Mrs. Xu smiled and said, “It’s okay. I want to ask you a few questions.”

Then Old Zhong told Old Wang and the servant of the East House to go out, and she also went out and closed the door.

Only Mrs. Xu and Xiao Qiao were left in the room. Mrs. Xu beckoned to Xiao Qiao and asked her to sit beside her, saying, “When I got up in the morning, Zhong Lin came to see me. He looked fine. He said a few words before leaving. Afterward, I heard something happened in the east house last night. He was called by your mother-in-law for a meal, but there was an argument. He even broke the door of the room. Old Jiang fainted, and Zheng Shu was involved. I also heard you asked for a lot of ice in your room last night. At this time of year, why do you need so much ice?”

Mrs. Xu paused for a moment.

“What happened last night, do you know?”

Xiao Qiao hesitated.

As expected, Mrs. Xu found out about last night’s commotion quickly. It was unclear whether she knew that Mrs. Zhu had given Wei Shao an aphrodisiac.

She remembered that last night she had mentioned twice in front of Wei Shao to ask Mrs. Xu for help, but he had refused.

It was true. This kind of thing was too personal. Naturally, Wei Shao didn’t want his grandmother to know. Xiao Qiao felt, judging from the tone of his voice last night and the way he behaved in front of Mrs. Xu this morning, Wei Shao seemed reluctant to let his grandmother know that Mrs. Zhu had done this to him.

He seemed to want to protect Mrs. Zhu in front of his grandmother to stay honorable.

He was reluctant to speak, but Mrs. Xu came to ask her.

If she told her, and he knew it came from her mouth, it would be an offense to his filial son’s heart.

If she did not tell …… with Mrs. Xu’s control of the family, she would know eventually. At that time, is her fault in front of Mrs. Xu.

Xiao Qiao lifted her eyes and saw Mrs. Xu’s one eye looking at her. She thought for a moment and answered, “Grandmother, granddaughter-in-law does not know what happened in the east house last night. My husband did not mention a word when he was back. As for getting ice, I know about it. At that time, he went straight into the bathroom. He asked me to get ice. When I hesitated, he urged me with urgency. I did not dare to be slow and asked someone to get the ice, then I realized …… he was going to immerse the ice in the water to take a bath ……”.

Mrs. Xu frowned.

Xiao Qiao lowered her head.

“Why did you stop? What happened later?”

Xiao Qiao whispered: “Later, I was worried that he was freezing, and go inside to see him. He soaked his whole body in ice water. He said he was thirsty, so I brought water for him. And then later ……”

She lowered her head, her expression showing embarrassment, and stopped talking.

Mrs. Xu looked at Xiao Qiao. Her brows furrowed even tighter.

Although Xiao Qiao only said a few words, Mrs. Xu already guessed that last night, her grandson and his wife were not only lustful but also very unusual.

From the new wife’s explanation, her grandson reacted after being given an aphrodisiac.

Mrs. Xu’s heart surged with a trace of anger.

The Wei family is short on male children. Her husband and son are both single heirs. Now she has only one grandson left, Wei Shao. She would be happy to give up her own life span, or even the entire Wei family fortune, in exchange for Wei Shao’s peace of mind.

But she never thought someone would have blackened her heart and poisoned him!

She asked, “Did Zhong Lin’s body have any damage afterward? You tell me the truth. No need to worry, no need to be ashamed!”

It embarrassed Xiao Qiao when she told Mrs. Xu about last night’s incident. Therefore, she only vaguely mentioned it, but now she heard the anxiety and anger in her voice. She was afraid, not caring about her embarrassment, and said: “He should be fine. At first, he was very uncomfortable, and then …… fell asleep.”

Mrs. Xu pondered for a moment and breathed out. She looked at Xiao Qiao. Her eyes were downcast and her cheeks were red. Thinking about this morning, when her grandson came to see her, he mentioned she was still asleep and had not woken up. She must have been tossed around by her grandson last night. Mrs. Xu felt pity for her and patted the back of her hand and said: “Grandmother understands. I have nothing else. You go back and rest again.”

Xiao Qiao bowed, thanked Mrs. Xu, and retreated. When she left, Mrs. Xu summoned Old Zhong and told her speculation.

It startled Old Zhong. When she saw Mrs. Xu’s face was as deep as water, she hesitated and said, “Don’t be angry, Old Madam. I will go call Madam and ask for the truth ……”

“I haven’t been there for a long time either. She doesn’t need to come this time. I’ll see her myself!”

Mrs. Xu stood up straight from the couch and said coldly.

Old Zhong supported Mrs. Xu to get off the couch, waited for her to change her clothes, and went to the east house.

……

Last night, Mrs. Zhu had a sleepless night and got up in the morning with puffy eyes. Early in the morning, Wei Shao came. She recalled her son’s anger last night. Her heart is worried. She barely settled herself and smiled at her son. He was not sitting or talking. He was standing in front of her and just staring at her. She said in a trembling voice: “Zhong Lin, my son, what happened last night, it is indeed my fault. It was my fault as a mother for being confused and doing something like that to you. After you left last night, I thought you would never recognize me as your mother again! My heart ……”

Her eyes were red, and tears flowed down. She said, “I’m sure your grandmother also knows about this. …… She already despised me, and in the future, it will be even worse. I blame myself for being confused. I will go to her today to plead guilty. How she wants to punish me, I accept it ……”

Wei Shao’s two eyebrows wrinkled. After a long time, as if to suppress his emotions, he said: “Last night incident, I did not tell my grandmother, nor do I intend to let her know, to avoid her unnecessary annoyance out of nowhere.”

Mrs. Zhu was relieved to hear that.

“But you have to do two things for me.” Wei Shao said coldly again.

“Son, please tell me!” Mrs. Zhu nodded her head.

“First, send Zheng Shu away. From now on, she is not allowed to visit the Wei family’s door. Second, Mother is also not allowed to communicate with the shaman from now on ……”

A shadow swept across his eyes.

“If I know that Mother asking the shaman to do this dirty deed like drugging again, I’ll destroy that shaman temple right away!”

Mrs. Zhu was startled.

When things didn’t work out last night, she complained that the medicine given by the shaman was not good. She didn’t expect her son to know the drug was from the shaman. Seeing her son mention this, she was ashamed. After all, it was disgraceful. Red-faced, she said: “Do not interact with the shaman, I keep in mind. This time, I also regret it very much. Do not worry, son. But the first thing ……”

She hesitated and raised her eyes to look at Wei Shao. Seeing that he was staring at her with a gloomy expression, she was shocked and knew she could not keep her niece anymore.

“I understand. But you know, Chuyu has no one to rely on at home. If you suddenly send her out, where can she go? Son, give me a few days to make arrangements. I know you dislike Chuyu. I have learned a lesson from this. From now on, I will not ask you to take her again. She has been with me all these years, and now I have to send her away. At least send her with dignity and prepare some things for her. Consider paying back the filial piety she has done for you in front of me for all these years …… As a mother, I am begging you.”

Mrs. Zhu said sadly, and her tears flowed down again.

Wei Shao frowned again. After a moment, he said, “Three days. After three days, if she is still here, don’t blame me for being an unfilial son, Mother.”

Mrs. Zhu had no choice but to agree. She choked up and said, “Zhong Lin, I was wrong about this, I’m sorry ……” Her tears dried and wiped all over again.

Wei Shao looked at Mrs. Zhu. He seemed to want to say something, but in the end, he didn’t. He said, “I only hope Mother will remember this lesson, and will not act foolishly in the future. It would be a blessing for me as a son.”

……

After Wei Shao left, Mrs. Zhu was alone for a long time. At noon, she asked the servants and was informed that Zheng Shuyu was still in her room, without eating or drinking since morning. She went there and told her what she had agreed to this morning.

Zheng Chuyu had cried so much that her eyes were red and swollen, saying: “Aunt, I regret I should not have been stupid and done such a thing. Even if my cousin said nothing, I can’t stay in this house anymore. I see my cousin has resentment toward my aunt, and this is not my intention. I have decided. I will leave.”

Mrs. Zhu saw her so considerate of her and was more reluctant to give up. She comforted, said: “Don’t worry. The North House did not know, and Zhong Lin also promised not to say anything. Although I’m sending you out, it was only temporary. After some time, Aunt will see the situation and bring you back.”

Zheng Chuyu wipes her tears: “Aunt, after I leave, you must not use force with cousin. Cousin is a filial son, and he is sincere to Aunt. Aunt must do what you have done before. Be reasonable and sympathetic. I believe my cousin will soften his heart. As long as my cousin protects Aunt, Old Madam’s side shall take care of my cousin’s face, and Aunt’s life will not be too difficult in the future ……”

“Chuyu, only you who cared for Aunt …… that Qiao girl. If she had been half as thoughtful as you, I wouldn’t have to be so humiliated in front of my son!”

“Aunt–“

“Good! What a pair of affectionate aunts and nieces! Even I, an old person, feel empathy when I see them!”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind.

Mrs. Zhu turned around. She saw Mrs. Xu had arrived and was standing at the door with a cane in her hand. Her expression looked the same as usual, but the piercing aura radiating from her only eye was directed straight at her. She was shocked. She let go of Zheng Chuyu in a panic and kneeled down to greet Mrs. Xu. She said, “How come Mother-in-law has come personally? If you need anything, ask someone to call me.”

Mrs. Xu ignored her. Her eyes were directed at Zheng Chuyu, who was kneeling behind Mrs. Zhu.

Zheng Chuyu’s face turned pale, and she did not dare to look up.

Mrs. Xu looked at Zheng Chuyu for a moment and said, “Send Zheng Shu out of the house immediately. Don’t let me see her again in the future.”

After she said that, two women came in and pulled Zheng Chuyu out.

Zheng Chuyu burst into tears.

Mrs. Xu’s heart was in turmoil, and she said, “Mother-in-law ……” Before she said anything, she saw Mrs. Xu’s eyes sweeping toward her. She couldn’t say anything at once.

“I know you have been with her for many years. You have strong feelings for her. Don’t worry, she will not be mistreated. Although her parents are dead, she still has uncles. She will be sent back, and I will also send the dowry. The Zheng family can find a good family and marry her. This arrangement, do you have any dissatisfaction?”

Mrs. Zhu murmured, “I will listen to my Mother-in-law’s arrangements.”

Outside, Zheng Chuyu’s voice could no longer be heard. All the servants in the room also went out. Only Mrs. Zhu was left kneeling on the floor with her head bowed.

After a long time, she looks up. She heard Mrs. Xu tone down her cane with great force, which caused a crack in the green brick in front of her feet. She said in a stern voice, “Did I give you permission to raise your head?”

Mrs. Zhu shivered. She raised her eyes and saw Mrs. Xu’s face full of anger. Mrs. Xu looked straight into her eyes, and the light from her eyes was as harsh as a knife.

She had been married to the Wei family for 20 to 30 years. Although she always blamed Mrs. Xu for being cold to her, she had never seen such a stern look like this before. Her heart was pounding. She held her composure and boldly said, “I didn’t know what I did wrong to make my Mother-in-law so angry. Please let me know so I can change my ways. ……”

Mrs. Xu spat at her: “Where did you get the nasty drug for my grandson last night? How dare you do such an evil deed in order to put that good niece of yours into my grandson’s room? It was an aphrodisiac! What if someone with evil intentions gave it to you, and it turned out to be poison? Would you, a stupid woman, want to give it to your son as well? Zheng Shu is your niece, but my grandson is not your son who crawled out of your belly?”

Mrs. Zhu’s face paled, and her forehead perspired. Mrs. Xu had known this matter. She dared not defend herself further and touched her forehead to the ground, sobbing, “I made a big mistake because of a moment of confusion! Fortunately, it did not lead to any bad consequences. I beg Mother-in-law to punish me. I won’t dare to do it again!”

Mrs. Xu was so furious. She admonished the words that she said and gasped for breath. After a moment, she gave in and said coldly: “You often communicate with the shaman, I turned a blind eye to it. Now you dare to do such a thing to your own son. I can see that your mind has been crooked to nowhere! You are my grandson’s birth mother. I can’t do anything to you, lest my grandson’s face is disgraced. Fine. Since you asked for punishment, you can go to the ancestral temple and repent yourself! When you have thought clearly, you can come back!”

After Mrs. Xu finished speaking, she did not look at Mrs. Zhu again and turned around to leave. When she reached the door, her body swayed. Old Zhong, who was standing by, hastened to help her.

Mrs. Xu closed her eyes and settled her mind. Seeing Old Zhong looking at her with a worried expression, she shook her head and said, “I’m fine.” Old Zhong helped her all the way out and back to the north house.

“Old Madam, when the master came in the morning, he mentioned nothing about last night in front of Old Madam, so he didn’t want Old Madam to know what Madam did. Old Madam is punishing Madam in this way. The master is ferocious. If he knows Old Madam has called the lady, he will be angry ……”

She paused.

Mrs. Xu looked ahead with one eye and said indifferently, “It depends on the Qiao girl. If she can’t even get through this, how can she married to Zhong Lin until the end of her days?”

Old Zhong was silent for a moment, nodded, and said yes.

Sᴇarch the ɴovᴇlꜰirᴇ.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.