The Prisoner of Beauty

Although it was only early winter, the climate in Xindu was not as cold as in Yuyang.

Yet, to ensure Xiao Qiao’s comfort, the underfloor heating in the Sheyang Residence of Xindu Palace had already been lit, making the room as warm as spring.

Wei Shao’s body temperature was rapidly rising.

From the moment Xiao Qiao was diagnosed with pregnancy until now, two or three months had passed, during which Wei Shao had slept beside her every night.

Chun Niang, fearing the Lord might not understand the situation, had privately reminded Xiao Qiao that they must abstain from intimacy.

Later, when Zhong Ao arrived, she too worried that the young couple, sharing a bed night after night, might struggle to restrain their passion. She seized an opportunity to subtly convey the same concern to Wei Shao.

In truth, even without Zhong Ao’s reminder, Wei Shao had been extremely cautious on his own.

Since becoming pregnant, Xiao Qiao had been listless all day, and in his eyes, she had turned into a fragile porcelain figure, easily shattered at the slightest touch. The thought of intimacy with her was out of the question—even while sleeping, he had become utterly restrained, terrified that a careless leg might press against her belly.

But after holding back for so long, it was torture. If he couldn’t see her, it might have been bearable, but facing this peerlessly beautiful woman—his own wife—day after day, able only to look but not touch, was sheer torment.

Now, with his departure scheduled for the next morning, he suddenly found himself unable to resist any longer.

He scooped Xiao Qiao up in his arms and carried her to the bed.

Pressing himself against her chest, he kissed her fiercely, his hands busy parting her robes.

Xiao Qiao’s silken garments slipped halfway down, revealing shoulders as delicate as powdered jade, while two plump, snow-white breasts sprang free from their confines, a breathtaking sight so radiant it nearly dazzled the eyes.

Wei Shao feasted on the vivid, tantalizing sight before him, kneading them slowly at first, then with increasing force, before burying his face between them.

Within moments, his back was slick with sweat.

Abruptly, he pulled away, collapsing onto the pillow with labored breaths, as if struggling for air. “It’s too hot in here… I can’t breathe… I can’t take it anymore… I need to wash up first…”

He yanked the quilt over Xiao Qiao, covering her delicate form completely, then rolled off the bed and dashed into the bathing chamber.

The sound of rushing water echoed from inside.

Wei Shao remained there for a long time, forcing himself to slowly quell the burning desire, before finally exhaling deeply. He hastily threw on a robe and stepped out.

Xiao Qiao was still curled under the covers, only her small face visible above the quilt, her cheeks flushed pink, eyes closed as if she had fallen asleep.

Holding his breath, he climbed back into bed and pulled her into his arms—only to freeze.

The smooth, delicate body wrapped in the brocade quilt was now completely bare, nestled against him without a single stitch of clothing, motionless.

“Manman…”

Wei Shao’s heartbeat quickened again, the fire he had barely suppressed roaring back to life.

Watching her closed eyes and the faint tremble of her lashes, he felt his breath grow ragged.

Then, beneath the quilt, a soft little hand reached out, swirling gently over the firm planes of his abdomen.

“Manman…”

Wei Shao wanted to move but didn’t dare, his voice trembling.

Xiao Qiao’s hand continued its tender exploration, drifting lower…

Her soft, fragrant lips pressed against his bare chest, her tongue tracing slow, teasing paths before capturing one hardened nipple between her teeth, giving it a delicate nip.

Every pore on Wei Shao’s body flared open, his hair standing on end as a low, involuntary moan escaped him.

“No sounds,” she whispered. “Don’t let them hear… And close your eyes—no peeking. If you peek, I’ll stop…”Xiao Qiao's shy voice whispered by his ear once more.

Wei Shao immediately closed his eyes, his expression twisting in torment. He forcibly suppressed any further moans, yet a satisfied, indistinct grunt finally escaped his throat.

Like a cat basking in winter sunlight, then lifted onto its mistress's lap for affection.

...

At the fifth watch, the Xìn Palace was ablaze with lights.

Li Dian, Wei Liang, and others, accompanied by their gleaming-armored personal guards, were galloping toward the palace to escort him out of the city.

Xiao Qiao fastened the final dragon-scale clasp on Wei Shao's waist armor and smiled. "Grandmother wrote, asking me to see you off to battle on her behalf. Our child and I will await your triumphant return."

Wei Shao nodded. "Wait for me with peace in mind."

"Yesterday, the strategist reminded me," he added, as if recalling, "to be wary of Xing Xun taking the chance to raid Yanzhou. After consideration, I've ordered Yang Xin to stand by. If the strategist's prediction holds, he will mobilize to assist."

Xiao Qiao replied, "Your foresight is wise, my lord, and Manman is grateful. I know this battle is crucial for you. If Yang Xin was originally assigned elsewhere, you may deploy him as needed. Today, I will write to Yanzhou, urging Father to prepare defenses early. Should we truly be unable to hold our ground, we will seek your aid then."

Wei Shao gazed at her for a moment before giving a slight nod.

"My Lord, General Lei sends word—the commanders have all arrived outside Xìn Palace, awaiting your presence to consecrate the banners and review the troops!"

Zhong Ao's voice rang out beyond the door.

"You may go now, my lord," Xiao Qiao said with a smile.

Wei Shao turned to leave.

Suddenly, he halted and returned to her side, wrapping his arms around her in a crushing embrace.

His iron strength seemed to pierce through the rigid armor, searing into her very bones.

He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, then released her, strode through the door, and was gone.

...

Dawn broke over the eastern horizon.

With Zhong Ao and Chun Niang by her side, Xiao Qiao stood atop the Sandalwood Terrace, gazing far beyond the southern city walls. Across the plains and mountains, beneath fluttering banners and glinting spears, Wei Shao's grand army advanced slowly southward.

...

In the winter of the second year of Tai'an, Xing Xun's forces marched from Luoyang, crossed the Hulao Pass, and encamped along the southern bank of the Yellow River.

For half a month, the two armies faced each other across the river, watching and waiting. Unable to restrain himself any longer, Xing Xun chose a day to dispatch his son Xing Wei and Ding Qu to forcibly construct pontoon bridges at the Hulao crossing, intending to strike directly at Wei Shao's main camp in Liyang.

Wei Shao sent Tan Fu and Lei Yan with only ten thousand troops. They scattered banners across the opposite shore to simulate a larger force, loosing volleys of arrows in a feigned full-scale defense. Once more than half of Xing Xun's main force had crossed, they ceased firing and retreated while fighting, luring the enemy into a prearranged ambush. At the thunderous signal of a fire drum, Li Dian, Zhang Jian, Li Chong, and Wei Liang led four concealed divisions in a fierce attack. Caught off guard and with their chain of command in disarray, Ding Qu and Xing Wei could not withstand the assault and fell back toward the pontoons—only to find the dozens of bridges already engulfed in flames. Wei Shao's hidden archers on the northern bank had shot fire arrows wrapped in tung oil, reducing the crossings to ashes. Trapped between smoke and pursuing forces, Xing Xun's soldiers were slaughtered, captured, or drowned in untold numbers. Xing Wei fell to a hail of arrows, while Ding Qu, relying on sheer valor, hacked his way out with remnants of his troops. They fled westward for a hundred li before commandeering a lone ferry to escape across the river, returning in utter defeat.

In this first clash at Hulao, Xing Xun lost over ten thousand men. Humiliated by the initial defeat and the death of his son, he beat his chest in anguish upon receiving the news, swearing vengeance to wash away the disgrace.Half a month later, Xing Xun once again constructed a pontoon bridge. Learning from past mistakes, he left troops to guard the bridge and personally led his main army across the river.

This time, Wei Shao also took command personally, engaging Xing Xun in battle on the northern plains of the Yellow River. Both sides deployed their main forces, totaling hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

The fierce battle raged intermittently, with casualties on both sides.

One late night half a month later, a towering blaze erupted in Xingyang, south of the Yellow River.

Xing Xun's grain depot there had been ambushed by the allied forces of Yang Xin and Guo Quan. Caught off guard, the defenders watched as two-thirds of their provisions were consumed by the flames.

When news of this spread, morale in Xing Xun's army plummeted. Seizing the opportunity, Wei Shao pressed forward with overwhelming force. Unable to withstand the assault, Xing Xun nearly found himself surrounded in the chaos of battle. Only through the desperate efforts of Ding Qu, who exchanged helmets with him to divert pursuing troops, did he manage to retreat back to the southern bank.

To cut off pursuit, Xing Xun immediately ordered the pontoon bridge burned behind him, abandoning what remained of his battered forces on the northern shore.

Having suffered two consecutive defeats, Xing Xun's strength was severely depleted, and his fighting spirit waned.

Unwilling to concede yet too intimidated to launch another offensive, and with winter's chill deepening, he ordered his troops to set up camp along the riverbank, facing Wei Shao's forces across the water in a temporary stalemate.

As Xing Xun gazed across the river at the northern camp one day, sighing in frustration, his advisor Zang Chang proposed: "Your Majesty now holds the reins of the realm. Among the central plains warlords, all but Guo Quan and Yang Xin bow before you. These two obey Wei Shao's commands in their treasonous rebellion, but let them revel briefly while Your Majesty secures the northern situation—their reckoning can come later. Yuan Zhe may harbor disloyalty and should not be trusted. Of the remaining lords, Le Zheng Gong of Hanzhong was Your Majesty's childhood companion. He even sent congratulations upon Your Majesty's ascension. Why not issue an edict commanding him to bring troops swiftly to reinforce us? This would both bolster our position and intimidate Wei Shao."

Pleased, Xing Xun dispatched Zang Chang to Hanzhong with urgent orders.

...

Hanzhong.

Upon receiving the edict, Le Zheng Gong respectfully invited Zang Chang to rest at the courier station. Returning to his chambers, he summoned advisors Zhang Yan and Luo Xian. His expression darkened as he threw the imperial decree to the ground, fuming: "Xing Xun imprisons the young emperor in a desolate western suburb of Luoyang and dares proclaim himself sovereign. Now defeated twice by Wei Shao, unable to even cross the Yellow River—how dare he summon me for reinforcements?"

Advisor Zhang Yan responded: "With Xing Xun's forces encamped along the Yellow River, Luoyang must be vulnerable. I urge you, my lord, to seize this unparalleled opportunity—march on Luoyang, capture the city, and take custody of the young emperor. Then in the emperor's name, you can summon all lords to oppose Xing Xun. Caught between Wei Shao's forces and yours, Xing Xun would face certain destruction. Once he falls, your merit in rescuing the emperor would make you the undisputed standard-bearer of the realm."

Luo Xian voiced agreement.

As Le Zheng Gong pondered, a voice suddenly interjected from the doorway: "No!"

Looking up, he saw Zhu Zeng, who had defected from Xing Xun's camp just last month.

Irritated, Le Zheng Gong frowned and asked, "What alternative do you propose?"Zhu Zeng entered and said, "Marquis Hanzhong has graciously taken me in. Having eaten another's bread, one should serve them with loyalty, so I shall speak my mind plainly. Having followed Xing Xun for many years, I know him well. Now he is self-willed, appoints only his favorites, has many plans but lacks decision, and aims high without practical steps. Previously, he had the Qiang soldiers from Liangzhou under Feng Zhao's command—fierce and skilled in battle. But now that Feng Zhao has lost Liangzhou and the Qiang troops are gone, few among his officers remain truly loyal. He will certainly fail in great endeavors. In contrast, Wei Shao is young and capable, his weapons gleaming, his momentum sharp and unstoppable, with many elite soldiers and fine generals under his command. He is the true formidable rival to Marquis Hanzhong's grand ambitions. If Wei Shao defeats Xing Xun now, he will inevitably turn southward, unstoppable as a splitting bamboo, his spirit swallowing rainbows! None in the world could stand against him then. Even if Marquis Hanzhong seizes Luoyang, it may not last long!"

Yue Zhenggong, who had initially appeared dismissive, gradually grew attentive.

Seeing Zhu Zeng pause, he hurriedly urged him to continue and invited him to sit.

Only after taking his seat did Zhu Zeng continue, "In my view, Marquis Hanzhong should heed the imperial decree and mobilize troops to join Xing Xun in attacking Wei Shao. Combining the forces of Marquis Hanzhong and Xing Xun, they can first eliminate Wei Shao. Once Wei Shao is gone, Xing Xun—a mere usurper—would be no match for Marquis Hanzhong's brilliance!"

Yue Zhenggong was overjoyed and rose to bow, saying, "Having you, esteemed envoy, is like acquiring a precious pearl! I was remiss earlier—please forgive my discourtesy!" He then treated Zhu Zeng with the highest honors.

Author's Note: My dear Marquis Wei is the strongest! Though he may face difficulties, he will resolve the battles himself

^_^

Thank you, dear readers~