Reborn in the Three Kingdoms: Da Qiao Doesn't Want to Be a Widow Anymore

Chapter 367 Sudden Suspicion
Sun Quan simply gestured for Youru to be quiet, then gently lifted Qiao Wei's head with his hand, picked him up, and slowly placed him on the bed.

A few days ago, Zhou Yu took Zhou Xun out of the mansion to play. After returning, Zhou Xun began to have a fever and vomit that night. Fortunately, Doctor Hua treated him in time, and he was fine.

The child is still young, and when he gets sick, he becomes especially clingy and throws tantrums, wanting no one but Qiao Wei. He cries and fusses whenever he is out of sight for even a moment.

She doesn't want anyone to serve her when she sleeps at night. She refuses to lie down and insists on being held by Qiao Wei.

This child's temper can be so irritating that it's both endearing and frustrating, leaving you physically and mentally exhausted.

After several days of this ordeal, Zhou Xun recovered, but Qiao Wei's physical strength was almost at its limit, and the bruises on his face were impossible to hide.

Zhou Xun had originally said he wanted to sleep with Qiao Wei, but after being glared at by Sun Quan, he realized he had gone too far and obediently followed Yao Niang back to his own room.

Qiao Wei was listening to Sun Quan talk to her when she leaned against her lap and her eyelids started to droop. She was so sleepy that she couldn't even lift her fingers, and then she knew nothing more.

When I woke up the next day, it was already lunchtime.

Youxuan rushed in to report, "Madam, Madam Huang requests an audience. Something has happened to Mr. Zhuge."

The hairpin in her hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

Huang Yueying's eyes were red and swollen, with tear stains still clinging to the corners of her eyes. As soon as she saw Qiao Wei, she knelt down with a thud. "Madam, please save Kongming. He has been ordered to be arrested by the Lord and sent back to Jingzhou."

Qiao Wei was also shocked to hear Huang Yueying's words; the development of the situation was completely beyond Qiao Wei's expectations.

Although Sun Quan remained outwardly calm, he had already made up his mind to take Jingzhou.

Why are we now abandoning Zhuge Liang, such an important strategist and bargaining chip, and sending him back to Jingzhou?

Something seemed amiss, and Qiao Wei repeatedly comforted him, "There must be some cause and effect to this matter. Don't be anxious. It's still a bit chilly outside, and you shouldn't get cold."

"Come with me into the mansion, and we'll discuss this further."

Huang Yueying nodded with tears in her eyes.

Inside the side hall, Meng Jian, who had accompanied Huang Yueying, knelt before Qiao Wei. "Madam, Lord Zhang is seriously ill. Qin Song and others are demanding that Kong Ming be severely punished, blaming Kong Ming for Lord Zhang's illness."

Many officials knelt in protest inside the Marquis's residence. The Marquis, perhaps in an effort to quell the officials' anger, adopted Qin Song's suggestion.

The eldest son will be sent to Xuchang, while Kongming will be sent back to Jingzhou to be dealt with by the Left General.

When Liu Qi and Zhuge Liang came to Jiangdong seeking help, even if we were to truly analyze the matter, it was nothing more than a business deal seeking cooperation.

Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains. Even if Sun Quan really gives up on advancing on Jingzhou, it's just that the two sides couldn't reach an agreement.

As long as Liu Qi and Zhuge Liang are still in Jiangdong, their personal safety can be temporarily guaranteed.

For Liu Qi, he had to give up the position of governor of Jingzhou in exchange for the freedom to leave Xiangyang safely.

If Sun Quan were to send these two away, it would be tantamount to exposing the whereabouts of Liu Qi and Zhuge Liang. It would also be a tacit message to Liu Bei and Cai Mao, who were still vying for Jingzhou, that Liu Qi, whom they believed had long since withdrawn from the battle for Jingzhou, had never given up on Jingzhou.

They were simply using a different tactic, attempting to leverage the power of Jiangdong to prepare for a possible counterattack on Jingzhou. Sending Liu Qi to Xuchang meant that as long as the emperor still recognized Liu Qi as a member of the Han imperial family, his life would be safe.

But Zhuge Liang was different. Both Liu Bei and Cai Mao knew that Liu Qi was not capable of devising a plan to unite with Jiangdong.

Therefore, the person who would be devising strategies behind the scenes would have to be Zhuge Liang—Liu Qi's half-mentor.

Sending Zhuge Liang into Liu Bei's hands was tantamount to handing a fish to the butcher's knife.

For Liu Bei, Zhuge Liang's scheme could be seen as deceiving and betraying him.

How would Liu Bei treat someone who had deceived and betrayed him?
The answer is self-evident.

No wonder Huang Yueying and Meng Jian were so anxious.

"Last night, the post station was surrounded by the Central Protectorate Army, and Kongming was captured. He was not released until noon today."

My concubine and I inquired everywhere, but no one knew where the eldest son and Kongming were. We only knew that the lord had ordered them to be sent away.

Madam, Kongming has absolutely no intention of harming Jiangdong. No matter what he plans, it will only benefit Jiangdong.

"I implore you, Madam, to plead your case before the Lord, even if it means sending Kongming and the eldest son to Xuchang together, at least they shouldn't be handed over to General Zuo."

Huang Yueying was a guest in Jiangdong, and in the short period of about a year, she did not build any useful connections. At this time, the only person she could think of or perhaps talk to was Qiao Wei.

But for Qiao Wei, the whole thing seemed rather strange, even riddled with loopholes.

The Sun Quan she knew was not such a heartless and ungrateful person. Even if he was unwilling to help Liu Qi, he would not suddenly kick him when he was down.

Sending Zhuge Liang to Liu Bei would at most be considered doing Liu Bei a favor, but for Jiangdong at this time, Liu Bei is not worth their attention, so why bother to do him a favor?

Qiao Wei could only comfort Huang Yueying, "This matter is probably not that simple. You definitely can't stay at the post station. For now, stay at the manor."

Regarding Kongming's matter, I will definitely find a way to mediate.

Zhuge Liang's situation is already precarious, and Huang Yueying's situation will only become more precarious, especially since she is currently pregnant and should not be overly troubled by worries.

Youxuan also came to reply, "Madam, the Marquis said that he will not see anyone for the next few days."

"Even I won't see him?" Qiao Wei found the matter even more perplexing. In all the years of their marriage, Sun Quan had never acted so "heartlessly."

“Yes, Yourou said that the lady must want to see you now because of Mr. Zhuge. You said that the lady and Mr. Zhuge have been getting too close. If you don’t want to anger you and make Zhuge Liang’s death even more embarrassing, you shouldn’t speak now. Let’s save face for each other.”

Qiao Wei had never felt the teacup in her hand so hot, so hot that her heart was pounding, as if something was pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

She didn't know what Zhuge Liang had done to make Sun Quan, because of their gentlemanly friendship, even make Qiao Wei wary and suspicious.

Was Sun Quan subtly warning her? Or perhaps... expressing suspicion or distrust?

"The Lord also said that although Young Master Zhou has recovered from his illness, Madam still needs to take good care of him. In the coming days, he should not leave the manor or see anyone, so as not to cause any further trouble."