The Prisoner of Beauty

Ji Province had nine commanderies and seventy-eight counties, serving as a bulwark to the north against Youzhou and facing the various provinces along the Yellow River to the south. Both geographically and strategically, it was of great importance to Wei Shao.

Since the beginning of last year, Wei Shao had been occupied with the war in Bingzhou and subsequent western campaigns, leaving him no time to personally oversee Ji Province. Now that the western campaign was concluded and there were no other pressing matters, it was only natural for him to pass through Ji Province before returning to Youzhou.

The purpose of his visit was to inspect the land, meet with the various commandery governors, county magistrates, and garrison commanders of Ji Province.

The morning after his arrival, he was already busy. Xiao Qiao hardly saw him during the day.

The commandery governors arrived one after another to pay their respects to the Lord.

Apart from the first evening when Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao dined together, she spent the next several days having dinner alone.

Every night, there were banquets in Xin Palace, and Wei Shao returned very late.

Xiao Qiao had never expected Wei Shao to bring her here for a vacation or to create any surprises.

At most, she had harbored a faint hope when they first set out.

After all, this was where they had first met and married.

But upon arriving, she quickly dismissed such thoughts.

Not that she was particularly disappointed.

She was already accustomed to passing the time alone.

During the day, she sometimes ascended the Sandalwood Terrace as before, watching the comings and goings of various people in Xin Palace, all in hurried steps.

Or she would go out for a stroll.

Of course, Jia Si would always be by her side as her escort.

By now, Jia Si had gradually grown familiar with her.

He was probably no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, yet he had always given Xiao Qiao an air of premature solemnity.

Perhaps it was because he had become a Tiger Guard Commandant at such a young age and was naturally reticent.

In front of Xiao Qiao, he never uttered an unnecessary word.

Nor did he often look directly at her.

But now, while escorting her outside, though his attitude remained respectful, he would engage in brief conversations if she asked him something.

...

Time passed swiftly, as if in the blink of an eye, seven or eight days had gone by.

Finally, as dusk fell on this day, Wei Shao’s figure appeared at Sheyang Residence.

He said his business was concluded, and they would return to Yuyang the next day.

They had dinner together.

After the meal, they returned to their room and lit the lamps. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Wei Shao said, “These past days, I’ve been preoccupied with my own affairs and haven’t spent time with you. You don’t blame me, do you?”

Xiao Qiao shook her head. “How could I? I know you’ve been busy.”

Wei Shao said, “Where would you like to go? I’ll accompany you.”

Xiao Qiao smiled. “There’s nowhere in particular...”

“I’ll take you to the Sandalwood Terrace. It’s been a long time since we last ascended it.”

Wei Shao had already taken her hand and was leading her out.

Xiao Qiao didn’t mention that she had just come down from there in the evening. Seeing his enthusiasm, she accompanied him.

Wei Shao held her hand as they left Sheyang Residence. Along the way, maids and servants bowed in greeting.

Led by him, Xiao Qiao passed through a spacious hall in the front and was about to step outside when he suddenly stopped and looked back.

“This is where we held our wedding ceremony,” he said, turning to look at her.

Xiao Qiao curved her lips slightly. “You still remember?”

Wei Shao didn’t respond, only tightening his fingers around hers beneath their sleeves as he led her out.

They stopped at the foot of the Sandalwood Terrace’s steps.

The heavy dusk enveloped the towering terrace before them.

Wei Shao lifted his head to gaze upward.The Sandalwood Terrace stood more than ten zhang above the ground, with eighty-one high steps leading to the top.

Every time Xiao Qiao ascended, she would pause occasionally during the climb, pretending to admire the scenery.

Wei Shao bent down slightly.

Xiao Qiao looked at him.

"Get on my back," he said.

Xiao Qiao replied, "I dare not ride the Lord."

Wei Shao said, "Only you are allowed to command me."

Xiao Qiao pursed her lips in a smile and, without further hesitation, climbed onto his back by gripping his shoulders.

Wei Shao steadied her hips and carried her all the way to the top of the Sandalwood Terrace in one breath.

He set her down, then cupped her waist and lifted her onto a green jade platform carved with cloud-dragons at both ends, placed at the center of the terrace, leaving her feet dangling.

The jade platform still retained some residual warmth from the day’s sunlight. Sitting on it, separated only by the thin fabric of her summer dress, the gentle heat pressed comfortably against Xiao Qiao’s skin.

Above them, the deep blue night sky gradually grew more brilliant. The summer breeze swept across the terrace from all sides, stirring the loose strands of hair at Xiao Qiao’s temples and rustling the wide sleeves of his robe.

Xiao Qiao took out a handkerchief and wiped the faint sheen of sweat from his forehead.

With one hand braced against the platform, he agilely leaped up beside her, caught her wrist, and pulled her gently into his embrace.

Holding her, he rubbed his chin against her forehead and asked, "What have you been doing these past few days?"

Xiao Qiao said, "I won’t tell you."

"Speak. Don’t hide it from me."

"You wouldn’t like hearing it anyway."

"Speak!" His tone was full of domineering insistence.

Xiao Qiao huffed, "What else could it be? I couldn’t help thinking about how you treated me when I first arrived here."

Wei Shao fell silent.

"You’ve forgotten yourself, haven’t you?"

Xiao Qiao raised a small hand in front of his eyes and began counting grievances one by one on her fingers.

"During our wedding ceremony, I could clearly see the impatience on your face! Not only did you go through the motions, but you were also mocking me in your heart!"

"You misread me!"

Wei Shao’s voice was calm.

Of course, he couldn’t let her know that when he first saw her at the wedding, he had coldly thought to himself: The Qiao family thinks sending a passably pretty daughter over will settle old debts. The Qiaos are fools if they think I’m as stupid as they are.

"In the bridal chamber, you hogged the bed to sleep. I woke up freezing in the middle of the night and tried to take a blanket to warm myself, but I accidentally disturbed you—and you drew your sword on me! What was that about?"

"I sheathed it quickly enough. And I even gave you the bed afterward."

Wei Shao’s voice remained steady.

Nor could he let her know that the way she had widened her eyes in fear yet stubbornly pretended to be composed under the tip of his sword still made his heart ache—and also amused him a little—when he recalled it now.

"And!"

Xiao Qiao continued counting on her fingers, "The very next morning, you wanted to send me off to Yuyang! Husband, your heart is truly ruthless..."

This time, Wei Shao didn’t defend himself.

He lowered his head, gazing at her, then slowly leaned in and suddenly kissed her still-chattering lips.

Xiao Qiao let out a muffled sound and struggled briefly before gradually softening. When the long kiss finally ended and their lips parted, she wrapped her arms around his broad, sturdy back.

"Husband," she asked, "have you ever regretted marrying me?"She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes reflecting the starry sky above him, as if capturing his very soul, making it impossible for him to look away.

"Manman, when you married me, did your heart hold any love for me?"

His voice was hoarse as he asked her.

Neither spoke, their gazes locked onto each other.

Wei Shao's breathing grew increasingly rapid. Suddenly, without a word, he pressed her onto the jade platform beneath them, still warm from the day's sun, and pounced on her like a wild beast.

...

After straightening their disheveled clothes, they finally descended from the Sandalwood Terrace.

Xiao Qiao's legs were a bit weak, so he wrapped his arm around her waist and slowly escorted her back to Sheyang Residence.

A servant immediately approached to relay a message: Lord Gongsun had been looking for the Lord regarding an urgent matter and requested his presence upon receiving the message.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Wei Shao's face, but it vanished quickly. He carried Xiao Qiao to bed, kissed her flushed cheek, and told her to sleep without waiting for him. After adjusting his robes, he left the room.

...

Gongsun Yang was waiting in the council hall. He had been there for some time.

Earlier, when he went to look for Wei Shao, he learned that the Lord had gone to the Sandalwood Terrace with his lady. He instructed not to disturb them and left a message before patiently waiting here.

With his hands behind his back, he paced slowly, deep in thought.

Suddenly, he heard firm footsteps and turned to see Wei Shao striding in. He hurried forward to greet him.

Wei Shao took his seat and said directly, "You've waited long, Master. It's late—what brings you here?"

Gongsun Yang replied, "I wouldn’t disturb your peace at this hour, but Yang Xin’s messenger arrived urgently with news. I thought it best to inform you as soon as possible."

Hearing it concerned Yang Xin, Wei Shao’s expression turned grave. He leaned forward slightly and asked, "What happened?"

Gongsun Yang presented a military report.

A month ago, following Wei Shao’s orders, Yang Xin stationed his troops at Xiaodi while Xue An positioned himself at Xiaqiu, forming a pincer attack against the rebel leader Bi Zhi.

Bi Zhi was trapped.

Yang Xin had assumed the rebel forces were like turtles in a jar, with no escape. Yet, to his surprise, Bi Zhi handpicked his men, disguised their banners and uniforms to resemble Xue An’s Xuzhou army, and marched toward Xiaodi, eventually merging with Yang Xin’s forces in the wild.

Yang Xin never dreamed Bi Zhi would dare to confront him directly. Initially mistaking them for Xue An’s troops, he hesitated, uncertain of their purpose, and missed the critical moment to act. Bi Zhi seized the opportunity to launch a sudden attack, catching Yang Xin completely off guard.

In this battle, Yang Xin suffered a crushing defeat and lost Xiaodi.

Now, Bi Zhi not only held Lingbi but had also taken Xiaodi.

Yang Xin, facing an unfavorable situation, was unsure of his next move and thus sent a messenger to report.

Wei Shao skimmed through the report, his face darkening. With a sharp "smack," he threw it to the ground and roared, "Yang Xin is utterly incompetent! He can’t even handle a mere rebel leader!"