The Prisoner of Beauty

Gongsun Yang said, "My lord, please calm your anger. How could Madam dare to disrespect you? She must have her reasons. As she mentioned earlier, you are her husband, and Bi Zhi is also family. Given her position, she naturally wishes to avoid conflict between both sides. Even if her actions were inappropriate, they are understandable. My lord should show some leniency."

Wei Shao's face darkened. "Military Advisor, why do you always speak in her defense? What exactly did she say to you earlier? Did she complain about me to you?"

Gongsun Yang had long observed that whenever the Lord was displeased with him, his address would shift from "Master" to "Military Advisor." It seemed he had once again touched a nerve.

Hastily, he replied, "My lord, do not misunderstand. Earlier, Madam came to seek me out only to say she had angered you and feared you would no longer allow her to speak. To resolve the misunderstanding, she forwarded Bi Zhi's letter to me. Having been honored by your trust as Military Advisor for many years, and given that the situation at Lingbi is not merely a family matter, I took the liberty of accepting the letter."

"Enough, Military Advisor! My decision regarding Lingbi is final. How could it change because of a woman?"

Gongsun Yang observed him.

Wei Shao's gaze was fixed on the doorway, his eyes unblinking, his expression peculiar. Though his tone remained stern, there seemed little trace of the earlier fury.

Gongsun Yang couldn't quite discern the Lord's current thoughts. He then presented the letter Madam had brought earlier. "This is Bi Zhi's letter. My lord may read it."

Wei Shao withdrew his gaze and gave the letter a cursory glance but did not take it.

Gongsun Yang unfolded it and read aloud with measured cadence. When he finished, he said, "Regarding the Lingbi situation—whether it is worth engaging in battle at present—I have previously laid out all considerations. My lord has always been wise and discerning, well aware of priorities. I dare not presume to lecture you further. I speak only of Bi Zhi's letter."

"Bi Zhi, though of humble origins as a refugee leader, caused Xue Tai's death and twice defeated Yang Xin. His talent as a commander is undeniable. In this letter, he does not presume upon kinship as your brother-in-law to seek favor. Instead, his words are earnest, asking for your forgiveness if there have been misunderstandings. He actively seeks reconciliation. Given this, why not grant him this courtesy? 'A heart that upholds righteousness is called magnanimity; one that illuminates all is called enlightenment.' In ancient times, Gao Yao spoke of nine virtues to Yu the Great: 'Be tolerant yet firm, strict yet gentle, strong yet righteous—then your constancy shall shine, and fortune shall follow!'"

Wei Shao remained silent.

Gongsun Yang suddenly coughed several times. Wei Shao's expression shifted slightly as he moved to rise, but Gongsun Yang waved him off, suppressing his cough. "I still remember the day before my lord took full command of the military at seventeen, when Elder Madam summoned me for a conversation. She was both moved and overjoyed at the time. She asked me how I viewed her. I replied that Elder Madam was swift as thunder in action, decisive in authority, a woman who rivaled any man. But she said something then that has stayed with me ever since."

"Elder Madam said, 'The human heart is but a fistful, impossibly small, yet its capacity can swallow the flow of a hundred rivers and encompass an entire lifetime. Looking back on half a life of hardship, what I have today is nothing remarkable. This is the only thought worth sharing.'"

Wei Shao stayed silent.

Gongsun Yang also fell quiet.

After a moment, Wei Shao said coldly, "Master, you insist I spare that refugee leader, or else I am narrow-minded?"Gongsun Yang smiled and said, "My lord, why say such words? If you were narrow-minded and intolerant, how could so many capable generals and ministers willingly follow your command?"

Wei Shao's gaze fell once more on the opposite hall, lost in thought. After a long while, he finally said, "Write to Yang Xin and order the troops to withdraw."

Gongsun Yang was overjoyed and quickly replied, "As you command."

Wei Shao stood up and strode out.

Gongsun Yang escorted him.

When Wei Shao reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "When will Guo Quan's envoy arrive in Xindu?"

Guo Quan, the Marquis of Jibei, whose territory bordered Yuan Zhe of Qingzhou, had grown more awed by Wei Shao's rising power after his western campaign. Like Yang Xin, Guo Quan realized he stood no chance in the struggle for supremacy. Rather than be swallowed by Yuan Zhe, he chose to submit to Wei Shao. Learning that Wei Shao was currently in Xindu, he sent an envoy to express his allegiance.

Gongsun Yang replied, "Judging by the travel time, they should arrive soon." As he escorted Wei Shao down the corridor steps, he thought of the lady and added, "When the lady came earlier, she seemed deeply troubled. When you return and she hears the news, she will surely be delighted."

Wei Shao halted. "Adviser, though that refugee leader seeks peace today, who knows if he will oppose me tomorrow? The reason I refrain from crushing him now and let this pass is solely because I heed your counsel—not my own inclination, and certainly not because of a woman. Whether she is pleased or not, what does it matter?"

Gongsun Yang was taken aback and quickly straightened his expression. "My lord speaks wisely. Your acceptance of my humble advice stems from your magnanimity and foresight. The battle at Lingbi was merely a misunderstanding. Now that it is resolved, it is only natural for you to accept Bi Zhi's overture of peace! How could this have anything to do with a woman?"

Wei Shao then dismissed Gongsun Yang and strode toward the government office, his mind slightly dazed. Suddenly, a guard approached and knelt before him. "My lord, just moments ago, General Jia sent word that the lady has departed. He is escorting her and sent me to inform you."

Wei Shao frowned. "Where did she go?"

The guard opened his mouth but shook his head in confusion.

Wei Shao stood frozen for a moment before his expression abruptly darkened. He rushed out of the government office, leaped down the stone steps in a few strides, and mounted his horse at the hitching post. Passersby saw a rider galloping like the wind toward the southern gate, recognizing the figure as their lord. They stopped and turned to watch.

Wei Shao chased all the way to the southern gate, reining in his horse to scan the southern road. The path stretched far, with travelers coming and going, but at the horizon, only swirling dust remained—no sign of any carriage. He barked at the gatekeeper, "Did Jia Si escort a carriage out of the city just now?"

The gatekeeper, startled by the lord's frantic arrival and furious demeanor, hurriedly replied, "I have been here all day and have not seen General Jia leave the city."

Wei Shao paused, then immediately turned and raced back to Xindu Palace. He barged into the chamber they shared in Sheyang Residence.

The room was empty—not only devoid of people but also missing most of its belongings. All her daily necessities were gone.

Wei Shao roared for someone to come. Several maidservants hurried in.

"Where is the lady?" he demanded sharply.

Trembling, one whispered, "My lord, the lady has already set out... back to Yuyang."

Wei Shao stood motionless.The Lord and his wife were exceptionally affectionate, a stark contrast to when they had first married, as witnessed by the servants at Sheyang Residence. No one knew what disagreement had occurred, but the Lady had left the Lord behind and returned to Yuyang on her own. After waiting outside the door for a while, one of the cleverer and bolder maids glanced at the sky and ventured, "When the Lady left, the sun was still out. Now it’s growing dark, and it looks like the weather might turn. She hasn’t been gone long—if you chase after her now, you might still catch up..."

Before she could finish, she met the Lord’s icy glare and immediately fell silent.

...

By afternoon, the sun had completely disappeared. Over Xindu, dark clouds gathered, pressing down as if night were falling. Before the hour of You, lamps had already been lit indoors.

Wei Shao sat alone in his study, the doors tightly shut. The candle flames flickered unsteadily, disturbed by the wind seeping through the cracks. His mind was restless; the military scroll in his hands had remained on the same page for far too long. Finally, he tossed it aside and strode to the north window, pushing it open with a sharp motion.

A fierce gust of wind rushed in, whipping his robes and extinguishing the row of candles behind him in one breath. Wei Shao gazed toward the northern horizon, where black clouds loomed, lightning occasionally splitting the sky, accompanied by the distant rumble of thunder.

He stood there lost in thought for a long while.

Suddenly, a raindrop as large as a bean struck his cheek with a sharp pat , carried by the wind from the eaves. Soon after, the tiled roof above echoed with the sound of rain, dense as sifted beans.

A chill ran through Wei Shao.

Autumn had arrived.

...

Late into the night, the rain grew heavier. A flash of lightning streaked across the window, followed by a deafening crack of thunder that seemed to shake one’s very soul.

Wei Shao opened his eyes and turned his head, glancing at the empty space beside him on the pillow.

She was always so timid, unable to bear the sound of thunder and lightning. If she were still lying beside him now, she would have surely burrowed into his arms, seeking his protection.

A hollow ache spread in Wei Shao’s chest, as if something had been carved out of it.

Another bolt of lightning tore through the ink-black night, illuminating half of Xindu as bright as day. Amid the unending roar of thunder, Wei Shao’s heart pounded erratically. Abruptly, he rolled out of bed, dressed swiftly, grabbed the rain cloak and hat hanging on the wall in the outer room, and pushed open the door. His boots splashed through the puddles on the steps as he strode away into the storm.

...

When Xiao Qiao had set out around noon, the weather had been clear. But by afternoon, the sun had gradually been swallowed by clouds. Before the hour of You, the sky had darkened as if night had fallen, and rain began to pour.

The downpour grew heavier, relentless. Traveling along the post road for another ten li through the storm, she finally reached a relay station and took shelter there.

The Station Chief prepared a fine room for Xiao Qiao to rest. The bedding had been brought along by Chun Niang, who, knowing Xiao Qiao’s fear of thunder and lightning, stayed with her that night.

Yet Xiao Qiao couldn’t sleep. She lay with her eyes closed, her head buried under the covers.

It wasn’t until the early hours of the morning, when the thunder had gradually subsided, that she finally drifted off.

Then, a distant rumble of thunder sounded once more.

Xiao Qiao jolted awake, her heart racing. She opened her eyes in the darkness, listening to Chun Niang’s familiar, steady breathing beside her, and slowly, her pulse calmed.She felt parched and slightly suffocated. Without disturbing Chun Niang, she quietly climbed out of bed, went to the table, poured half a cup of water, took a few sips, then set it down and moved to the window. She pushed open a small window that had swelled slightly from the rain's moisture.

A damp breeze carrying the chill of the late night rushed toward her.

Unconsciously, another autumn had arrived.

A rustling sound came from behind her. It seemed Chun Niang was about to wake up.

Xiao Qiao closed the window and climbed back into bed.

Half-asleep, Chun Niang reached out and felt Xiao Qiao's soft body, noticing it was a bit cold, so she tucked the blanket around her.

Xiao Qiao finally grew weary. Closing her eyes, she listened to the endless pattering of rain on the roof tiles above and drifted off to sleep.

She didn’t know how much time had passed when she suddenly felt someone gently shaking her.

Blinking groggily, she opened her eyes to see a dim lamp already lit in the room. Chun Niang had risen at some point and was now bending over, softly calling to her.

"My lady, the Lord has arrived."

Xiao Qiao heard her say, her tone carrying a hint of cautious wariness.

Author's note: Next update tomorrow.