The Prisoner of Beauty

The State of Langya was located in the northern part of Xuzhou, with its capital at Kaiyang, merely four to five hundred li from the provincial seat of Xuzhou City. The imperial family had long declined, retaining only a nominal presence while clinging to a corner of the realm. Xue Tai had never paid much attention to insignificant Langya, only knowing that last year the King of Langya had died and his heir, Liu Yan, had succeeded him. At the time, Xue Tai had merely sent a letter—first offering condolences, then congratulations—and thought nothing more of it. Little did he know that over the past two years, Liu Yan had secretly gathered capable men, recruited heroes, stockpiled provisions, and fortified defenses. He was no longer the young man who had once been forced to seek refuge in Yanzhou for years due to political intrigue.

Liu Yan had been quietly observing the situation in Xuzhou. From the moment Bi Zhi first clashed with Xue Tai last year, Bi Zhi had caught his attention. Now, with Xuzhou in chaos, Liu Yan seized the opportunity, persuading the State of Donghai to join forces in attacking and occupying Xuzhou City.

Xue An, consumed by vengeance for his father, had stationed his troops at Xiaqiu, leaving Xuzhou City vulnerable. Liu Yan’s surprise attack succeeded effortlessly. By the time Xue An turned his forces back to defend the city, it was too late. His assault faltered, and fearing that Yang Xin might betray their agreement and seize the remaining cities, Xue An had no choice but to abandon Xuzhou City. With only a few thousand soldiers left, he retreated resentfully to Xiapi to regroup and recover.

Once Liu Yan secured Xuzhou, his first act was to personally visit Lingbi to meet Bi Zhi, expressing his desire to recruit him.

...

Wei Shao sat behind his desk, his sword laid horizontally across it. His slender fingers slowly traced the intricate golden dragon patterns on the hilt. His expression was calm, but beneath the surface, his eyes churned with dark turbulence, like an impending storm.

"...Liu Yan is a noble descendant of the Han dynasty, known for his humility and respect for talent, hailed as a rare gem among the imperial clan. In his youth, he once resided in Yanzhou, so it stands to reason that he and Bi Zhi share some history. If Bi Zhi were truly recruited by him, it would be a pity. This matter may seem minor, but it cannot be ignored. In my humble opinion, my lord should prioritize the greater good, set aside past grievances, and take advantage of this retreat to bring Bi Zhi under your command. That would be the wisest course of action..."

Gongsun Yang chattered on beside him, but Wei Shao barely registered his words. His mind was wholly fixated on the name Liu Yan.

The childhood sweetheart of his wife, her former betrothed—even after Wei Shao had married her, this man had refused to let go, even going so far as to abduct her on the road. That incident had led to Wei Shao’s furious campaign against Shiyi!

At his current stature, Wei Shao had countless responsibilities weighing on his mind—conquering cities, accepting allegiances, preparing his troops, planning for the future. Beyond these grand strategies of war, his private emotions were entirely tied to Xiao Qiao. Enthralled by this woman, he wavered between joy and anxiety daily, his heart unsettled. At times, he was filled with tenderness, wishing to meld with her like clay, inseparable and intertwined. At other times, love, resentment, and jealousy churned within him, leaving his heart restless. He had long since cast Liu Yan from his thoughts.

Yet he never imagined that this name would resurface so abruptly—and in such an unexpected manner.

Not only had Liu Yan seized Xuzhou, a territory Wei Shao had long coveted, but what truly stung Wei Shao was his attempt to recruit Bi Zhi!

No matter how much Wei Shao refused to admit it, no matter how often he dismissed Bi Zhi as "the refugee leader," he knew deep down that in Xiao Qiao’s heart, Bi Zhi—as the husband of her elder sister Da Qiao—likely held greater importance than he did.

All because of the surname Qiao!

This thought filled him with bitterness and indignation.Last night, he had braved the rain alone, traveling a hundred miles to chase her to the relay station. In a moment of impulse, to win her willing compliance, he made a concession that might leave him too ashamed to face his father and elder brother’s spirits in the afterlife.

At the time, it had indeed earned him her gentle tenderness, bringing him to heights of ecstasy so intense he thought no mortal pleasure could surpass it.

Yet once the tide of passion receded, his heart still felt hollow. That ever-present, elusive sense of loss seemed not at all filled by her calm and measured “Alright.”

And now, just one night later, such matters had arisen again.

One was her former betrothed, the other her own brother-in-law.

If that leader of the displaced refugees was truly recruited by that Liu fellow, what would she think?

Would that Liu Yan gain even more weight in her heart?

“...If my lord is unwilling to intervene personally, this humble servant suggests seeking the lady’s assistance. Should she send a letter clarifying the stakes, Bi Zhi would surely not accept Liu Yan’s recruitment...”

Gongsun Yang was still at his side, speaking incessantly.

Wei Shao’s expression darkened. He pushed his sword forward, straightening his shoulders as he declared, “Matters of war are mine to decide. Why involve a woman?”

Gongsun Yang was well aware of Liu Yan’s past relationship with the lady.

Seeing the lord’s stance, he had no choice but to drop the subject.

Wei Shao said, “Send men to gather more information and observe the situation first. As for Xuzhou...”

He paused, then sneered. “Tell Yang Xin to hold off on mobilizing troops and wait. Xue An lost Xuzhou—do you think he’ll let it go? He’ll surely try to retake the city. What foundation does Liu Yan have? Driven out like a stray dog by a woman, he barely clung to Yanzhou for years, showing no gratitude. Now he even dares to drag others down. A firefly’s faint glow dares compete with the moon and stars? Let us watch Xue An and Liu Yan fight it out.”

With that, he rose and left.

...

Three days later, the envoy from Guo Quan, Marquis of Jibei, arrived.

The envoy was none other than Guo Quan’s eldest son, Guo Xing.

Guo Xing brought six fine steeds, a golden saddle, and bolts of silk as gifts.

Alongside these offerings came a perfumed carriage.

Inside sat two beauties sent by Guo Quan to Wei Shao.

One was skilled in music, the other in dance—both untouched, with striking looks.

That evening, Wei Shao hosted a banquet in the Palace of Trust to entertain Guo Xing and his party from afar.

...

Sheyang Residence was separated from the banquet hall by several gates, yet the faint strains of music and flutes could still be heard from that direction.

With so many guests—dozens in total—Xiao Qiao had sent servants from Sheyang Residence to assist at the banquet.

As night fell, the maids gradually returned.

Chun Niang brought back a bowl of poria and black chicken soup from the small kitchen.

The lady often suffered discomfort during her monthly courses. Though her condition had improved, she still felt weak and listless during those days.

Moreover, despite being married for some time, there had been no signs of pregnancy.

Though Madam Xu had not pressed the matter, and the lord showed no dissatisfaction, Chun Niang remained concerned.

Months ago in Jinyang, after Xiao Qiao recovered from her illness, Chun Niang had discreetly sought a physician to examine the lady’s condition.

The physician found nothing amiss, only diagnosing a deficiency of qi and blood—a dual weakness requiring gradual nourishment.

Walking along the corridor toward the chambers, Chun Niang spotted two maids whispering at the corner.

As she drew closer, she caught snippets of their conversation.One said, "...The two beauties sent by the Marquis of Jibei performed songs and dances at the banquet. I was standing at the corner of the hall and saw with my own eyes how those two women kept casting glances at the Lord!"

Another replied, "That's nothing. I heard from the maids who attended them on their journey that the Marquis of Jibei intends to form a marriage alliance with the Lord and plans to send a daughter over. Lady Qiao probably doesn’t know yet..."

Chun Niang frowned and coughed before walking over, saying, "Have you nothing better to do than gossip here? Have all the rules been forgotten?"

The maids turned at the sound, their faces filled with alarm as they hurriedly apologized.

Chun Niang scolded them a few more times before entering the room. She saw Xiao Qiao standing by a window, its direction facing where the two maids had been talking. Suspecting she had overheard, Chun Niang felt uneasy and called her to eat.

Xiao Qiao took a few bites before setting down her chopsticks.

The cook urged her to eat more. Xiao Qiao forced down another bite but found it too greasy and pushed the bowl away.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of nausea, as if she might vomit. She frowned and suppressed it with effort.

Noticing her discomfort, Chun Niang assumed she had heard the maids' gossip and was unsettled. She whispered, "My lady, did you hear something? Don’t take it to heart. You know well how the Lord treats you. Those two are just servants—hardly worthy of his attention. Even if the Guo family sends a daughter, she’d only be a concubine at best. Please ease your mind and focus on regaining your health. That’s what will please the Lord..."

Xiao Qiao paused briefly, then smiled and said, "You’re quite right, Chun Niang."

...

The grand hall of Xin Palace was adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. Its vast space was supported by eight vermilion pillars, each so thick it would take two people to encircle them. At the four corners of the hall, blazing torches of beef tallow illuminated the interior as bright as day.

Wei Shao sat alone on the eastern side behind a low table, while Guo Xing and his envoys were seated to the south. Gongsun Yang, Chief Clerk Wei Quan, and others accompanied them to the north.

Fine wine and sumptuous dishes were served as host and guests toasted merrily.

After the two beauties finished their dance performance to entertain the guests, they approached Wei Shao’s seat amidst applause, kneeling on either side and raising golden cups. A maid poured wine into them, and with melodious voices, they offered the cups to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao accepted the wine and ordered his attendants to reward the two beauties.

The women bowed in gratitude and withdrew. Guo Xing then glanced at his advisor, Xia Hong, seated beside him.

Understanding the cue, Xia Hong stood and raised his cup to Wei Shao, smiling. "Before coming here, I had heard that Marquis Yan is a hero of our age, unmatched in valor, who secured the north in his youth and commands awe across the land. I had long admired you from afar. Now that I’ve met you, I see not only your peerless martial prowess but also your striking grace and noble bearing, like the crimson clouds at dawn, truly captivating. My lord has a daughter, now in the bloom of youth and fair of face. If you would not disdain her, he wishes to send her to serve you and your lady, as a gesture of his goodwill and desire for alliance. What does Marquis Yan think of this?"

Gongsun Yang’s expression flickered slightly as he looked at Wei Shao.

Wei Shao drained his cup, set it down slowly, and smiled faintly. "I thank Marquis Guo for his kind intentions. His daughter must be as pure as ice and snow. Please convey my deepest gratitude, but I dare not subject her to such an unworthy position. May she find a more suitable match, befitting her noble heart and refined nature."

Guo Xing and Xia Hong were both taken aback.

Wei Shao had already married Qiao Nu of Yanzhou as his principal wife, a fact known to all under heaven. Guo Quan naturally had no delusions of his daughter becoming the primary spouse. Xia Hong’s words had been clear—they were offering her as a concubine to strengthen ties.Yet they never expected Wei Shao to reject them outright. The two men exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

Gongsun Yang felt a pang of frustration. Seeing that the Lord had finished speaking without changing expression and was now pouring himself wine, he hurriedly stood up to smooth things over.

Wei Quan, who had been tasked by Wei Shao to liaise with Guo Xing's group earlier, seized the moment to approach Guo Xing during a toast and whispered by his ear: "It's not that my lord rejects your family's kind offer. Others have also sent daughters seeking marriage before, and my lord declined them all. Since he refused them in the past, he cannot accept yours alone today. Though my lord declines the match, he appreciates your goodwill in seeking friendship. Please don't take it to heart."

This somewhat eased Guo Xing's embarrassment, though he couldn't help feeling secretly astonished.

Using marriage alliances to secure relationships was an utterly common practice.

He had heard of Wei Shao's irreconcilable enmity with the Qiao family of Yanzhou.

It was precisely by giving a daughter in marriage to become Wei Shao's wife that the Qiao family had resolved their feud.

When Xue Tai had attacked them previously, they'd even received Wei Shao's aid to escape calamity.

Originally, his own family had hoped to follow this example to strengthen their ties.

Unexpectedly, they were refused.

They could only blame themselves for being one step too late, allowing the Qiao family of Yanzhou to take the lead.

Author's note: The phrases "fiercely sharp, peerless in his time" and "of handsome countenance" were originally used to describe the Little Conqueror Sun Ce, borrowed here for this context.