The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao slowly lowered the hand holding his sword, the tip pointing to the ground, but he maintained his original posture, his gaze fixed on Xiao Qiao's face.

His pupils seemed frozen, utterly still. Perhaps it was because he had just woken up, or maybe it was the red candlelight beside him, but they took on a faintly translucent amber hue, resembling the color of amber.

Being stared at by such eyes, Xiao Qiao's entire body tensed up, not daring to move. Her eyes instinctively widened, passively meeting his gaze.

A faint breeze, coming from some unknown corner, caused the candle flame to flicker slightly, and the shadow of the candlelight on Xiao Qiao's face also swayed gently.

Wei Shao seemed to suddenly snap out of his trance. His shoulders moved slightly, and without looking down, he sheathed his sword with a "clang." After placing it on the bed, he sat on the edge, bent down to put on his boots, then grabbed the sword and strode out of the room.

Xiao Qiao watched his retreating figure and let out a sigh of relief.

Wei Shao reached the screen but suddenly stopped and turned his head.

The breath Xiao Qiao had just exhaled was immediately caught in her chest.

"This place is not suitable for you to stay. Tomorrow, I will arrange for someone to take you back to Yuyang," he said indifferently. Finally, he turned and left. His figure disappeared behind the screen, the door creaked open, and then his footsteps gradually faded away until they were completely out of earshot.

Xiao Qiao finally exhaled completely. As she slowly sat down, holding onto the edge of the bed, she realized her hands were trembling slightly, and her back was drenched in cold sweat. Her inner robe clung tightly to her skin, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

...

Wei Shao headed towards the study but stopped just before reaching it, looking around.

During the day, the Xinguo Palace often felt empty and quiet due to the lack of people, let alone now, in the deepest part of the night at the fourth watch. The surroundings were completely silent, and the servants of the mansion were still immersed in their dreams.

His gaze fell on the Sandalwood Terrace, whose outline was clearly defined by the darkness of the night.

After a moment, he ascended this high tower built on a raised earthen platform. Leaning against the railing, he faced the bone-chilling night breeze, gazing at the city walls and the fields beyond under the heavy night sky. Lost in thought, he heard faint footsteps behind him. Turning around, he recognized Gongsun Yang, the Military Advisor, by the starlight above.

"My lord, on your wedding night, why are you here alone, leaning against the railing?" Gongsun Yang greeted Wei Shao with a salute and approached with a smile.

...

Gongsun Yang, courtesy name Bu'en, was from Zhangqiu in Mount Tai, aged forty. He had served Wei Shao's father, Wei Jing, in his early years. Due to his humble origins, he remained obscure among the many talented individuals under Wei Jing. After Wei Jing's death, Youzhou was once in a dire situation, surrounded by enemies. Gongsun Yang, with his exceptional eloquence, played a crucial role in forming alliances and turning the tide, several times saving Youzhou from peril. Gradually, he gained the trust of Madam Xu. After Wei Shao took command of the army, Gongsun Yang followed him on campaigns east and west, eventually being appointed as the Military Advisor. He was a trusted confidant and strategist of Wei Shao, who relied heavily on him. When the Qiao family of Yanzhou offered a marriage alliance as a gesture of goodwill, the envoy arrived while Wei Shao was away. Upon his return, he learned that his grandmother, Madam Xu, had already accepted the marriage on his behalf. Initially unwilling, Wei Shao considered sending someone to intercept the envoy, but Gongsun Yang persuaded him with reason. In the end, Wei Shao accepted his advice and agreed to the marriage.

...

"Sir, why aren't you wrapped in your quilt, sleeping soundly? Why are you here, braving the wind?"Wei Shao countered with a question.

"Last night, I was drunk, but when I woke up, I couldn't sleep anymore. Seeing the brilliant Milky Way, I decided to come here to observe the stars. Unexpectedly, I encountered you, my lord."

Gongsun Yang finished speaking with a chuckle and walked over to Wei Shao. He continued, "I once heard a proverb in Yanzhou that says, 'The Luo River is ten parts divine, and the two Qiao sisters take eight parts.' I didn't believe it at first, thinking it was an exaggeration. But after witnessing the wedding tonight, I must say that Lady Qiao truly deserves such praise. Observing her demeanor and expression, she showed no trace of timidity in front of the crowd, a true lady. Congratulations to you, my lord, for gaining such a beauty!"

Wei Shao's mind flashed to the face of the girl who had just been greatly frightened, her eyes wide open, and he could even clearly see her eyelashes trembling slightly. Yet, she still tried to maintain a calm expression in front of him. After a moment of silence, he said indifferently, "It was merely a temporary measure following your advice, nothing worth congratulating. Tomorrow, I'll have her sent back to Yuyang."

Gongsun Yang was slightly taken aback. He glanced at Wei Shao, seeing his indifferent expression, and smiled, "That's fine. The area south of the Yellow River should be approached gradually, not rushed. Now that the marriage alliance is established, having the lady go to Yuyang to serve the elders and fulfill your filial duties while you focus on your grand plans is indeed a good thing."

Wei Shao didn't respond, only smiled.

"Observing the stars tonight, I noticed that the Emperor's star in the Purple Forbidden Enclosure is obscured by a white mist. I fear that the world will soon fall into chaos, and the people will suffer greatly."

Gongsun Yang looked up at the stars and suddenly sighed.

Wei Shao followed his gaze and looked up, seeing the stars hanging in the sky, twinkling brightly, but he couldn't discern anything special. He said, "I have always admired your wisdom, sir."

Gongsun Yang shook his head, "You flatter me, my lord. I am merely a man who is good at talking. If we speak of true sages, there is indeed one in this world who has been like a half-teacher to me. His name is Wang Jin, known as the Old Man of White Stone. He is the twentieth-generation disciple of the Mohist school, not only skilled in the art of diplomacy but also possessing profound wisdom and expertise in medicine. Compared to him, I am like a firefly to the moon, not worth mentioning."

Wei Shao raised an eyebrow, "Such a sage, where is he now?"

Gongsun Yang replied, "When I was young, I traveled everywhere seeking to join the Mohist school. Finally, by the grace of heaven, I met the old man. Unfortunately, my talent was mediocre, and I was not accepted as a disciple. However, I was fortunate to receive his guidance for three months, which has benefited me for a lifetime. Ten years ago, I had the good fortune to meet him again by the roadside. I learned that he was concerned for the world and had once again embarked on a journey to help people with his medical skills. Now, ten years have passed, and I don't know where he is. If he is still alive, he must be in his seventies."

A cold wind blew, and Gongsun Yang suddenly started coughing.

He had been injured while serving in the army years ago, and although he recovered, it left him with a chronic cough and a weakened body.

"It's freezing, and you are not in good health. Let me escort you back to your room."

Wei Shao immediately offered.

Gongsun Yang repeatedly declined, saying he could return on his own. Wei Shao didn't insist but took off his cloak and draped it over Gongsun Yang's shoulders, watching his figure descend the stairs.

After Gongsun Yang left, Wei Shao stood alone by the railing, subconsciously glancing again at the constellation Gongsun Yang had pointed out to him.

When Qin loses its deer, the world will vie for it.

In Wei Shao's ambition, a clearer and more vivid picture of the future was slowly taking shape.The Yellow River divides the land into north and south. To the south lies the heart of the Central Plains, while to the north is the ancient territory of Yan, Zhao, and Wei. A decade ago, when his father was still alive, there were no fewer than ten warlords in the north. Today, most have been swallowed up by others, and the remaining few are of little concern, merely clinging to stronger powers for survival. In the vast northern lands, only Chen Xiang of Bingzhou remains as a rival worth contending with.

His primary goal now is to conquer Bingzhou and seize the region known as the granary of Longxi. After unifying the north, he would then set his sights on the lands south of the Yellow River, eventually advancing westward to achieve his grand ambitions.

The terrain of Yanzhou would serve as a convenient route for his future southern campaign. The marriage alliance between the two families, with the Wei family securing the Qiao family's position in Yanzhou, essentially meant that the Qiao family was guarding this southern passage for him. His grandmother, Madam Xu, with her far-sighted vision, must have realized this, which is why she took the initiative to accept the Qiao family's goodwill on his behalf. Of course, this was also the sole reason why, despite his extreme reluctance, he ultimately heeded Gongsun Yang's advice and acquiesced to this marriage.

Since the age of ten, he had ridden on horseback alongside his father, the Governor of Youzhou, to fight against the invading Xiongnu, venturing as far as Yunzhong and Shuofang beyond the Great Wall. In his eyes, his father was a god-like figure. Ten years ago, the Qiao family's betrayal led to the tragic loss of his beloved father and elder brother. He never believed the Qiao family's excuse that their "messenger was ambushed and killed on the way." Like Li Su of Chenjun, these despicable people would one day face his wrath and be utterly destroyed. Marrying the Qiao daughter now was merely a case of turning their own tactics against them. Apart from the psychological aversion this marriage brought him, he saw no other issue.

As for the Qiao family's daughter...

He turned his gaze toward the direction of the newlywed chamber in Sheyang, from which he had just emerged.

From a distance, the window still glowed with a faint red candlelight, standing out starkly against the surrounding darkness.

She could only blame her own unfortunate fate, Wei Shao thought, as the image of her being led toward him step by step during the wedding ceremony once again surfaced in his mind.

Her appearance was barely acceptable; the flesh on her body likely didn't amount to more than two taels in total.

He subconsciously twitched the corner of his mouth.

...

After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao no longer felt like sleeping. She sat wrapped in a blanket, remaining awake until dawn.

He did not return. When Chun Niang and the other maids came in to help her wash and dress, rumors were already circulating in the residence that the new bride had failed to win the Lord's favor and would be sent away to Yuyang the very next day after the wedding night.

Yuyang was the ancestral home of the Wei family, where Wei Shao's grandmother, Madam Xu, and his widowed mother, Zhu Shi, currently resided.

Traditionally, it was a daughter-in-law's duty to return to the family's hometown to serve her husband's elders and fulfill her filial obligations. However, being hastily sent away on the very second day after the wedding...

This was simply too humiliating!

Chun Niang initially tried to maintain a composed demeanor in front of Xiao Qiao, but eventually, she could no longer hold back. After dismissing the other maids, she took Xiao Qiao's hand and, with tears in her eyes, said, "My lady, I heard early this morning that a servant saw Marquis Wei in the distance when they rose in the fourth watch. Why did he leave the room so early? Did you forget my earlier warnings and offend him, prompting him to send you to Yuyang today?"Chun Niang's implication, to put it bluntly, was that the servants in the residence were all gossiping about how the marital relations in the bridal chamber last night were unsatisfactory, and Marquis Wei was displeased with his new bride, hence he was sending her back to her hometown today.

The grievance and frustration in Xiao Qiao's heart were indescribable.

How could she tell Chun Niang that the groom, Wei Shao, had returned drunk, hadn't even glanced at her before falling asleep, and she had stayed awake until the early hours, only to be woken by the cold? When she tried to get a blanket for warmth, he nearly mistook her for an assassin and killed her.

What kind of misdeeds had this man committed in his daily life to be so paranoid and alert even in his sleep?

"I have not offended him, and he did not touch me last night. He simply does not like me. My uncle's alliance with the Wei family was mutually beneficial. I was prepared for this when I agreed to marry. Going to Yuyang is inevitable, so why fuss over the timing? As for what others say, let them talk. I won't take it to heart, and you shouldn't be upset either."

Situations like this would not be the last. Similar incidents were bound to happen in the future. She didn't want Chun Niang to hold onto false hopes and be disappointed repeatedly. She decided to take this opportunity to make things clear.

"Chun Niang, though you are a maid, I regard you as a second mother. In the Wei household, you are the only one I can fully trust. I hope you can stay strong and support me when needed."

Chun Niang stared blankly at Xiao Qiao.

The morning sun shone through the east window, casting a golden hue on her delicate skin, even making the fine hairs on her earlobes visible. She smiled at her, her eyes sparkling as if they held precious pearls.

This lady, familiar yet somehow different, inexplicably gave Chun Niang a sense of confidence and strength, a desire to protect her at all costs.

"You are right, my lady! I will remember your words! I will help you dress and groom yourself properly."

Chun Niang quickly wiped away her tears, stood up, and began to comb Xiao Qiao's hair.

She had a natural talent for grooming, honed over time. Even Xiao Qiao's mother had praised her skill, saying she could enhance a woman's beauty from five to eight points.

Last night, she had worried that Marquis Wei might be too rough and cause her lady pain. She never expected that he wouldn't even touch her.

Her own sense of injustice and frustration was hard to express. It was like having a precious pearl hidden in a luxurious box, unwilling to show it to anyone, only to have it presented to you, and you still disdain it?

She had initially held great reverence for Wei Shao, but after this morning, she felt discontent.

How blind must this Marquis Wei be to ignore her precious Xiao Qiao to such an extent? Even to the point of humiliating her by sending her away the day after the wedding?

The heavy makeup suitable for the wedding had indeed been elegant and beautiful, but it had also masked Xiao Qiao's most captivating features. Today, she would make sure her lady was beautifully adorned.

Even if she had to leave, she would leave looking her best, ensuring that the people in the residence would have no reason to mock her!