Gongsun Yang was stunned again. He took the letter and unfolded it. After reading it, he pondered.

Xiao Qiao said: “The letter clearly said Bi Zhi’s intention. He didn’t want to be the Marquis’ enemy or seize Xuzhou. Lingbi is only the place for him to stay in this chaotic world. To show his sincerity, he is willing to give Xiaodi back. However, Yang Xin listened to the ruler and attacked again. It is not because my brother-in-law is afraid of him but because he doesn’t want to put me in a dilemma. I know that you are far-sighted and have a clear vision. You know better than I do whether a place like Lingbi, at this moment in time, is worthy of such a great effort for the ruler to take it. I implore you to consider the overall situation and advise the ruler again. Not to be bent on doing something small and lose a lot. I do not mean to intimidate you, but the ability of Bi Zhi is obvious to all. If he is forced without a way out and fights to the end, no one can predict how the situation in Xuzhou will turn out.”

Xiao Qiao finished speaking and looking at Gongsun Yang.

Gongsun Yang got up from his seat with one hand behind his back while the other twirling his beard, slowly pacing back and forth several times, suddenly looking at Xiao Qiao: “Since you don’t want your husband to be an enemy of Bi Zhi, why don’t you advise him personally? Your words should be more to his ears than mine.”

“Since I have come to Mr. Gongsun, there are no words I cannot say. You must know why I married Marquis in the first place. I came here intending to make amends, and although I have always tried to do my best, I have not done enough after all. I angered the Marquis because of the incident with Lingbi, and he left. Yang Xin, on the order of the Marquis, attacked Bi Zhi not only due to the personal grudge between our families but it was also about the Marquis’ plan for the world. Now Bi Zhi has written to us to ask for peace, hoping to remove the misunderstanding, but the ruler ignored it and did not even look at it. Such behavior is a world away from sanity. He could not let go of the hatred between the two families. I had offended him. He would not listen to me if I said more. Therefore, I ask you to explain the pros and cons and analyze the details for him. Whether or not you can resolve this conflict, I am still grateful to you.”

Xiao Qiao got up from her seat, went to the opposite side of Gongsun Yang, and bowed deeply towards him, which caused Gongsun Yang to hold her hands and return the salute: “Lady, you are too polite!”

After a moment of silence, he said, “Honestly, my thoughts coincide with those of you. At this time, it is unreasonable for the Marquis to force Yang Xin to attack Bi Zhi. I have advised him about this matter once before. But he did not listen. I am honored that you think highly of me and come here personally. I should try my best again now that I have Bi Zhi’s letter. If I can succeed, I will be able to relieve you of your worries and save you from getting into trouble.”

Xiao Qiao thanked him again and said, “If you see Marquis, you can tell me that I came here to pass the letter from Bi Zhi to you.”

Gongsun Yang nodded.

At that moment came the sound of footsteps on the ground from outside. A tall purple-clothed figure entered straight. When he saw Xiao Qiao, he stopped, and his face became cold. His eyebrows deeply knitted but remained silent. He only stood at the side of the door, proudly turning his half-face to her.

Not another person. It was the one who just ate Xiao Qiao’s two slaps, Mighty Marquis Wei Shao.

On the right side of his handsome face, the previous finger marks have faded away without traces.

Xiao Qiao made a final salute of thanks toward Gongsun Yang, saying, “I will thus pay my respects, Sir.” After saying so, she passed by Wei Shao and went out.

Gongsun Yang wanted to see her out, but Xiao Qiao asked him to stay.

Wei Shao twisted his head, staring at Xiao Qiao’s fading back, waiting for Gongsun Yang to return and salute himself before coldly asking, “What is she doing here?” A look of disgust hung on his face.

Gongsun Yang invited Wei Shao to take a seat. He first asked him the purpose of his visit.

“It’s been almost a month since Yang Xin attacked Lingbi. Is there any news?” Wei Shao furrowed his brows impatiently.

“There is no news from the fast horse. I think the situation is still maintained.”

Yang Xin’s 100,000 soldiers and Xue An’s Xuzhou army still could not take over Lingbi. Although it can not be called a failure, it is enough to lose face.

Wei Shao’s face was gloomy and silent for a moment. Then, he coughed, moved his body, and asked coldly: “What is she doing here?”

Gongsun Yang said, “Coincidentally, the Lady is here for Lingbi’s matter. Just now, she forwarded a letter to me. She said the letter was for the Lord, but the Lord did not accept it, so she forwarded it to me.”Wei Shao’s palm “snapped,” slapped heavily on the desk: “Audacious!”

The slap caused the ink stone to jump slightly. Gongsun Yang hurriedly stood up and apologized: “I have overstepped my bounds! Lord forgive me!”

“Not you!”

Wei Shao was furious. “How dare she, a woman, be so bold! How dare she open my letter!”

……

Xiao Qiao came out of the government office and returned to Xin Palace.

Although the schedule kept changing, they had prepared the luggage in advance. Chun Niang and the maids had already prepared the daily necessities and clothes.

When Xiao Qiao returned, Chun Niang greeted her and asked uneasily, “Lady, are you leaving? Not waiting for the master to leave together?”

Xiao Qiao said lightly, “He wants to stay here and wait for Yang Xin to defeat Lingbi. I can’t wait. I’ll go first.” She ordered people to carry out the boxes and load them onto the carriage. Then, she climbed up and sat in it.

Mr. Jia worriedly wiped the sweat from his forehead. He appeared at the carriage’s window and spoke with a stiff head, “You should wait for …….”

When he opened his mouth, he saw Xiao Qiao’s half-face in the window looking straight at him, then snapped his mouth shut.

Xiao Qiao said indifferently, “If General Jia does not want to escort me, I will call someone else.”

Mr. Jia said, “How can you say that? My men are all chosen for you. They are all at your command. We will depart.”

Xiao Qiao closed the window and sat back down. Mr. Jia had no choice but to give the order to prepare for the journey. Before he left, he quietly sent a soldier to send a message to Marquis that the Lady had already left for Yuyang.