The Prisoner of Beauty

The "few more days" Wei Shao had mentioned kept Xiao Qiao waiting on tiptoe for half a month.

Finally, by month's end, the day of departure arrived.

Xiao Qiao had long since prepared both her own belongings and Wei Shao's.

They set off early in the morning to take advantage of the cool air. Dressed and ready, Xiao Qiao was in high spirits as she stepped out with Wei Shao.

Before leaving, Wei Shao told her that he usually disliked riding in carriages—they were slow, and the cabin was stifling.

But from Xinyang, their eastward journey would pass through Leping Commandery, Julu of ancient Zhao, and finally into Anping Commandery of Ji Province before reaching Xindu. With travel by day and lodging by night, the trip would take at least ten days. Worried Xiao Qiao might grow bored alone, he decided to forgo riding his horse and join her in the carriage instead.

He made it sound like a great sacrifice.

Xiao Qiao looked touched but firmly shook her head. "Husband, there’s no need to endure discomfort for my sake. Please ride as you prefer. Chun Niang will keep me company—I won’t be bored."

She meant every word. Traveling with Chun Niang would be restful and comfortable.

But sharing the carriage with him?

Aside from having to attend to him like a lord, Xiao Qiao could already imagine the unspeakable things that would happen along the way.

She wanted no part of it.

Wei Shao gazed at her earnestly. "For Manman, I don’t mind enduring a little hardship."

And so, the matter was happily settled.

The large carriage was already waiting outside the gate.

Chun Niang, naturally tactful, rode in another carriage with the maids.

Xiao Qiao boarded first and sat inside, peering through the window as Wei Shao bid farewell to Li Chong, Zhang Jian, Wei Liang, and the others who had come to see them off.

Gongsun Yang had already left for Xindu ahead of time.

Li Chong, Zhang Jian, and Wei Liang would remain stationed here.

After waiting a while, Wei Shao finally turned and climbed into the carriage. "Did you wait long?"

Xiao Qiao nodded. "Mhm."

He smiled at her, sat down beside her, wrapped an arm around her, and gave the order to depart.

Amidst the farewells from Wei Shao’s subordinates, the carriage moved forward, carrying Xiao Qiao away from the city where she had lived for over half a year.

Everything that had happened within its walls seemed to have finally reached a conclusion.

Su Ehuang had written a blood-letter confessing her crimes. The night before, she had left Jinyang under cover of darkness, returning to Luru.

As the carriage passed through the eastern gate, gradually leaving the city behind, Xiao Qiao leaned against Wei Shao’s chest without looking back.

She was someone who adapted to her circumstances.

After living in a place for a long time, one inevitably developed some attachment.

But she felt not the slightest trace of nostalgia for this city.

She only wanted to leave as quickly as possible.

...

The procession of carriages and horses set out from Jinyang, heading north toward Luru, the capital of Zhongshan Kingdom.

They traveled slowly.

This same procession had once made a glorious journey south.

Now, on its return north, it was devoid of all splendor.

The accompanying attendants, maids, and servants all walked on eggshells, their expressions as mournful as if they had lost their parents.

They were all servants and followers of Madam Su, the wife of the Left General of Fengyi. Their lives depended on her.

To them, Madam Su was their heaven.

Everyone knew that the daughter of the Su family of Zhongshan had been born with extraordinary signs, destined for the highest nobility.

Just how "high" that nobility could reach went without saying.

They had believed in it wholeheartedly, remaining loyal and following her faithfully—from the day Su left for Luoyang to be married over a decade ago, all the way until now.Just last month, when they first set out south from Luru, their spirits had been soaring.

After half a year secluded in Luru, Madam was finally traveling south again, bound for Luoyang.

In the days when Madam Yulou of Luoyang was at the height of her glory, the wealth and adoration she enjoyed remained fresh in their memories. Even now, speaking of it filled them with pride.

At that time, Madam had come so close to fulfilling that prophecy.

But then, Liu Li died, and Madam was left a widow.

Yet even so, they had not lost faith.

Because Madam was still there.

No matter what setbacks they faced, the sight of her lifting her chin—her face forever bearing that inscrutable yet queenly pride—made them willingly prostrate at her feet, their confidence swelling anew, brimming with strength.

But today, the dream they had cherished for over a decade seemed to shatter like an illusion in a single night.

A pall of gloom fell over everyone.

After traveling for more than ten days, as they reached Changshan Commandery and drew closer to Luru, unrest began to stir among the retinue.

In their hearts, seeds of doubt about Madam’s legendary "destiny of supreme nobility" slowly took root and spread.

No one knew for certain what had truly happened to Madam during those final days in Jinyang.

But it was said that she had offended Marquis Yan Wei Shao too severely and suffered his cruel punishment.

Though no one knew the exact nature of the punishment, whispers had already begun to circulate in secret.

Madam’s face had been ruined!

For a noblewoman whose fame in Luoyang had been built on her beauty, everyone understood what that meant.

Moreover, ever since that night when Madam had covered her head and boarded the carriage to flee Jinyang, she had not once shown her face along the journey.

All messages were relayed solely by her attendant, Su Momo.

The carriage she rode in remained tightly shuttered, exuding a heavy aura of death. Like a coffin draped in ornate finery, it unsettled those who saw it even in broad daylight.

They began to doubt, to fret, to fear.

If this were true, what future or hope could they possibly have?

Days earlier, Su Momo had harshly punished two maids she caught gossiping about their mistress behind her back.

But even that could not stem the tide of rumors.

Until this day, when they halted in Changshan Commandery.

They stayed for three days. Still, Madam did not emerge from the posthouse.

Then, on the third day, just as unease had reached its peak, Madam—who had not been seen for days—suddenly appeared before them.

At the sight of her, they were stunned.

Madam Yulou stood tall, her hair elegantly coiffed, her robes resplendent, her makeup radiant—just as magnificent as ever.

But now, a half-mask shaped like butterfly wings adorned her face.

Crafted of red gold and inlaid with gemstones, the exquisite mask spanned the center of her face, revealing only her bewitching eyes and crimson lips while concealing her nose.

Far from marring her beauty, it lent her an air of mystique.

Her sharp gaze swept over the assembled maids and servants from above the golden butterfly mask, sending shivers down their spines. One by one, they lowered their heads.

"To Luoyang," Su Momo announced at her side.

……

After more than ten days on the road, Wei Shao and his party arrived in Xindu.

Gongsun Yang had arrived a few days earlier. Naturally, the garrison commander and magistrate of Xindu were already aware of Wei Shao’s impending arrival.However, Wei Shao had not informed them of his specific itinerary, nor had he sent any message ordering them to welcome him outside the city.

Thus, when they entered the city that evening, it was merely two carriages accompanied by a few dozen guards.

Though it drew some curious glances from passersby, it did not cause much commotion, and no one knew the identity of the party entering the city.

It was only that night, when the people of Xindu looked up and saw the darkened Sandalwood Terrace in the Xindu Palace—which had been pitch-black at night—suddenly illuminated with bright lanterns, just as it had been during the Lord’s grand wedding, that they realized the Lord had returned to the city.

…

No sooner had Wei Shao stepped into Xindu Palace than Gongsun Yang, Pei Jian—the garrison commander of Xindu—and the Xindu magistrate, upon hearing the news, rushed over to pay their respects.

Naturally, Wei Shao went to meet them.

Xiao Qiao, long accustomed to such situations, knew he wouldn’t return for at least half an hour. She entered the Sheyang Residence, where they had stayed before, and settled in on her own.

The palace maids and servants all came to greet her.

After a flurry of activity, everything was finally arranged. By the time the lamps were lit, Chun Niang came to inform her that dinner was ready.

Wei Shao had not yet returned.

Xiao Qiao instructed them to wait until he came back so they could dine together.

With nothing else to do, she sat down and began sorting through the letters Da Qiao had sent her.

Since her return from the south at the end of last year, nearly half a year had passed.

Though Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao had not had the chance to meet again, they had exchanged letters once.

The distance was vast, with the north and south separated by numerous fragmented territories, making the delivery of letters extremely difficult.

In the third month, while in Jinyang, Xiao Qiao had estimated that Da Qiao had already given birth. Concerned, she had disregarded all else and written a letter, asking Jia Si to send someone to deliver it to Lingbi. She inquired about the child’s condition and the state of the war along the Huai River.

Two months ago, Xiao Qiao finally received this reply from Da Qiao.

In her letter, Da Qiao said she had safely given birth to a son at the beginning of the year, and Bi Zhi had been overjoyed.

By the time she wrote to Xiao Qiao, the child had just passed his first month and was utterly adorable.

Bi Zhi treasured the child like a rare gem, and his love for her remained unchanged. She was living well.

However, regarding the war situation Xiao Qiao had asked about, though Da Qiao’s tone was light, she only briefly mentioned a few things. Yet, between the lines, Xiao Qiao could sense Da Qiao’s hidden worries.

Da Qiao wrote that after Xue Tai’s death at the beginning of the year, Xue Tai’s eldest son, Xue An, had raised an army to seek revenge. The first two attacks had been repelled by Bi Zhi.

During the third confrontation, the two sides had been locked in a stalemate for days before finally clashing in the wilderness near Pengcheng. Just as Bi Zhi was on the verge of total victory, Yang Xin suddenly led troops to attack Lingbi from the rear.

Bi Zhi was forced to hastily retreat to defend Lingbi.

Yang Xin, who had always been Xue Tai’s enemy, had for some reason seemingly allied with Xue An this time, attacking Lingbi from both north and south.

However, Da Qiao added that fortunately, Bi Zhi’s defenses were tight, and neither Yang Xin nor Xue An could gain an advantage. Eventually, both withdrew their forces.

Along the Huai River, a three-way standoff had formed between Yang Xin, Xue An, and Bi Zhi.

She and Bi Zhi were both fine, Da Qiao assured Xiao Qiao, urging her not to worry.

…

Now, several more months had passed in the blink of an eye.

As Xiao Qiao reread Da Qiao’s letter, lost in thought, she suddenly heard Chun Niang’s voice outside calling, “My Lord!” She looked up to see Wei Shao striding in and quickly tucked the letter away.

“What were you reading?”

Wei Shao approached her.

Xiao Qiao had not intended to say much, but seeing his eyes fixed on her, she thought there was nothing to hide and replied, “Just a letter from my elder sister a few months ago. I took it out to read again since I had nothing else to do.”Xiao Qiao finished speaking and placed the letter back into the box.

Wei Shao's gaze rested on her face. "What did it say? You seemed lost in thought just now."

"Nothing much," Xiao Qiao smiled. "My sister gave birth to a precious son at the beginning of the year. He must be five or six months old now—just thinking about him makes me want to pinch his little cheeks. It's a pity the journey is so long, otherwise I'd love to visit Lingbi again and hold my nephew."

Wei Shao raised an eyebrow slightly. "What's so special about holding someone else's child? If you bear me a child, won't you have your own to hold?"

Xiao Qiao pouted. "How is my sister's child 'someone else's'? He calls me auntie!"

"Alright, alright, my mistake!" Wei Shao chuckled.

"My sister also mentioned in her letter that Yang Xin seems to have formed an alliance with Xue Tai's son, actually attacking my brother-in-law from both sides. Yang Xin had been at odds with the Xue family for a long time—why would they ally now? Husband, do you know anything about this?"

Since the topic had come up, Xiao Qiao asked casually. He would naturally know more than she did.

Wei Shao's expression remained unchanged.

"That refugee leader—" He glanced at Xiao Qiao and corrected himself, "Bi Zhi killed Xue Tai, incurring the Xue family's enmity. Xue An may be seeking revenge and trying to win Yang Xin's favor."

Noticing Xiao Qiao's slight frown, he rubbed his stomach and changed the subject. "Manman, I was held up earlier with all sorts of matters. I'm hungry."

Xiao Qiao knew he had always looked down on Bi Zhi. Besides, during that incident when he came to fetch her, he and Bi Zhi had fought upon meeting. Seeing that he didn't seem inclined to elaborate now, she decided not to press further to avoid giving him the wrong idea—that she wanted him to intervene and help Bi Zhi. "Dinner is ready and waiting for you," she said instead.

Author's note: Happy New Year's Day.

There will be another update tonight. ^_^