The Prisoner of Beauty

At the end of the month, Wei Shao escorted Xiao Qiao across the Yellow River and finally entered Yanzhou. In less than two days, Dongjun lay just a few dozen miles ahead, reachable in half a day.

At noon, Wei Shao ordered the convoy to stop and rest in the shade by the roadside. The accompanying guards relaxed, while Chun Niang and the wet nurse took Fei Fei out of the carriage to drink water and get some fresh air.

Wei Shao glanced back at Xiao Qiao’s carriage, dismounted, and walked over. He knocked on the carriage door before pulling it open and said, “You’ve been sitting for too long. Come down and stretch your legs. We’ll reach Dongjun tonight—this short break won’t delay us.”

Xiao Qiao bent forward and stepped out of the carriage, and Wei Shao took hold of her arm to help her down.

Standing by the roadside, Xiao Qiao gazed into the distance. Wei Shao followed and handed her an open water pouch.

She took it, drank a few sips, then turned to him with a smile.

Under the midday sun, her eyes sparkled, and a fine layer of sweat glistened on her forehead and the tip of her nose. Her jade-like skin carried a faint rosy glow, her complexion as radiant as a lotus flower.

Wei Shao could tell—the closer they got to Dongjun these past few days, the more relaxed she seemed.

It was a stark contrast to the sense of loss weighing on his own heart.

Watching the breeze gently stir the hair at her temples, he gave a faint tug at the corner of his lips in response. Then, tilting his head back, he drank from the same pouch she had just used, gulping down several mouthfuls.

His Adam’s apple bobbed with each swallow.

Perhaps he drank too hastily—suddenly, he choked and coughed, a trickle of water spilling from the pouch and dampening his neck and collar.

Xiao Qiao had just taken out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead when she heard him coughing. Turning, she quickly patted his back.

Wei Shao bent over, coughing twice before stopping. He waved his hand dismissively and slowly straightened up.

Xiao Qiao then wiped the water from his neck and collar, murmuring softly, “No one’s fighting you for it. Why drink so fast?”

Wei Shao said nothing, standing motionless as he looked down at her.

Xiao Qiao glanced once more in the direction of Dongjun’s city walls. After a moment’s thought, she turned back to him and said, “Dongjun isn’t far now. Thank you for escorting me all this way, husband. If it’s inconvenient, you may stop here—I can enter the city on my own.”

Wei Shao replied, “Since we’ve come this far, I’ll see you and Fei Fei home. I’ll leave once you’ve arrived.”

Xiao Qiao was taken aback, her eyes flickering slightly as she looked up at him. He turned his face away slightly, his expression carrying a hint of unease as he avoided her gaze.

After studying him for a moment, the corners of her lips curled faintly. Softly, she said, “That would be even better. Thank you, husband.”

Wei Shao nodded absently, then turned and strode away.

…

After resting for a while, Xiao Qiao carried Fei Fei back into the carriage, and the group resumed their journey.

Wei Shao rode alongside Xiao Qiao’s carriage the entire way. Half a day later, as dusk approached, they finally arrived outside Dongjun’s city gates.

The gates had already been locked for the night. The gate captain, upon learning that the lady of the house had returned, hurriedly ordered the gates opened to welcome her and sent a messenger to rush to the Inspector’s residence with the news.

Wei Shao left Lei Yan and the others waiting outside the city gates while he rode forward. The rhythmic clatter of hooves echoed as he passed beneath Dongjun’s arched gate, heading toward the Inspector’s residence.After the recent incident, a curfew had been imposed in Dongjun to ensure safety. The curfew remained in effect, and as night fell, the townspeople closed their doors, leaving the streets deserted except for the distant figures of patrolling soldiers at the street corners.

Yet the Qiao family's residence was brightly lit at this hour.

Qiao Ping had just learned that Wei Shao was personally escorting his daughter back to Dongjun, along with his granddaughter. Overjoyed yet surprised, he didn't have time to dwell on it and immediately ordered the steward to go out and welcome them, while also sending word to Madam Ding and Da Qiao, who was also at home. He hurriedly made his way to the front gate, eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Soon, Madam Ding and Da Qiao also arrived at the gate, standing with Qiao Ping as they waited for Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao.

Before long, flickering lantern lights appeared at the end of the street outside the gate, accompanied by the increasingly clear sounds of approaching carriages and horses. The steward who had been sent out earlier came running back, breathless but beaming, shouting, "My lord, it's indeed the young master! The young master has personally escorted the lady home! The lady wished to return, and the young master brought her back!"

Qiao Ping felt a weight lift from his heart, while Madam Ding and Da Qiao were equally delighted.

Wei Shao's long-standing resentment toward the Qiao family was well-known, so his decision to personally escort Xiao Qiao back was nothing short of a pleasant surprise.

Seeing Qiao Ping eagerly stepping forward, Da Qiao quickly moved to support him.

...

Before the carriage had even come to a complete stop, Xiao Qiao emerged from it.

Wei Shao had already dismounted and half-carried, half-helped her down before letting go, silently watching as she hurried toward the middle-aged man waiting at the foot of the steps.

He remained where he was, not following.

"Father!"

Xiao Qiao ran the last few steps and grasped Qiao Ping's hands. Under the glow of the lanterns at the gate, she saw that her father looked well, filling her heart with joy.

"Manman is back!"

Madam Ding approached with a warm smile.

"Aunt! Sister!"

Xiao Qiao released Qiao Ping and exchanged greetings with Madam Ding and Da Qiao, their faces alight with happiness.

Chun Niang came forward, carrying Fei Fei, who had fallen asleep during the journey.

Knowing the child was asleep, Madam Ding couldn't bear to uncover the cloak shielding her from the cold outside. She called for the maids to lead Chun Niang and the others inside to settle in.

After the flurry of activity at the gate, Qiao Ping reached out, his hand searching the air until Xiao Qiao quickly took hold of it.

"I heard my son-in-law is here too. Where is he?" Qiao Ping asked with a smile.

Xiao Qiao glanced toward the figure standing some distance away, hesitating, but Qiao Ping spoke first: "Manman, take me to him."

After a brief pause, Xiao Qiao finally guided her father slowly toward Wei Shao.

"My father," she said softly to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao studied the lean-faced middle-aged man standing beside Xiao Qiao, noting a faint resemblance between them. Before he could react, Qiao Ping stepped forward and firmly grasped his hands, declaring cheerfully, "I've long hoped to meet my son-in-law! Today, my wish is finally fulfilled, and my heart is at ease! Come inside—I'll prepare a simple feast tonight, and we, father and son-in-law, shall drink until we're thoroughly drunk!"

Wei Shao hadn't planned to stay overnight, which was why he had left Lei Yan and the others outside the city earlier. Caught off guard by Qiao Ping's enthusiastic invitation, he froze for a moment, his lips parting slightly as he instinctively glanced at Xiao Qiao.Seeing the smile in her eyes as she looked at him, he found it impossible to say "no."

"Manman, your husband surely didn't come alone. Where are his attendants?" Qiao Ping asked.

"They're still outside the city," Xiao Qiao replied.

Qiao Ping frowned in displeasure. "After such a long and arduous journey, how could you leave them outside the city when you've already arrived home?"

Wei Shao quickly interjected, "Father-in-law, please don't blame Manman..."

The words slipped out instinctively, and only then did he realize he had just addressed this man of the Qiao family as "father-in-law." He paused briefly, unconsciously glancing at Xiao Qiao again.

Seeing her wide-eyed gaze fixed on him, his heart suddenly trembled. Without further thought, he continued, "It was my decision to leave them outside the city. There are still urgent matters awaiting me in Luoyang. I had planned to escort Manman and our daughter home and then return immediately..."

Qiao Ping said, "If it were truly a matter of life and death, I wouldn't insist on keeping you. But unless you must leave tonight, since you've already reached our doorstep, how could you not come in? Rest for the night and leave tomorrow—it won't be too late."

Wei Shao looked at Xiao Qiao once more.

Xiao Qiao said softly, "Husband, if you're not in a hurry, perhaps you should rest for the night. General Lei and the others must be exhausted as well."

Wei Shao finally nodded. "Very well."

Qiao Ping was overjoyed and immediately called for someone to welcome Wei Shao's attendants into the city and arrange accommodations for them at the guesthouse, while he personally escorted Wei Shao inside.

Wei Shao followed Qiao Ping inside. As they reached the steps of the main gate, he lightly supported Qiao Ping's arm and said softly, "Be careful," then guided him up the steps.

...

Lei Yan and the others waited outside the city for a long time. When they saw someone emerge from the city gates, they initially thought it was their lord. To their surprise, it was a messenger from the Qiao family, who respectfully informed them that the lord would be staying the night at the Qiao residence and instructed them all to enter the city and rest at the guesthouse.

Lei Yan and his men, weary from their journey, were indeed exhausted and eager to sleep. Though they had prepared to set off immediately per their lord's orders, this unexpected news brought them great relief. The entire group promptly entered the city and settled at the guesthouse.

That evening, Qiao Ping hosted a banquet and invited Wei Shao to drink with him. Wei Shao initially declined, but unable to resist his father-in-law's enthusiasm, he gradually relaxed and downed cup after cup of wine.

Xiao Qiao put their sleeping daughter to bed, then visited Li Er, who was now three years old. She spent time catching up with Madam Ding and Da Qiao before returning to her own chambers at dusk. Wei Shao had not yet returned.

Considering that he had been drinking with her father for over an hour, and knowing her father's eye condition made excessive drinking inadvisable, she grew concerned and went to the pavilion where the two men were drinking. Upon arrival, she found both men thoroughly drunk.

She heard her father saying, "...Our Manman—I'm not boasting—is beautiful and clever, unmatched by many. By the time she was just over ten, suitors were practically wearing out our threshold..."

Wei Shao slammed his cup down with a loud "thud." "Who dares compete with me?!"

Xiao Qiao hurried forward to intervene. "Father, you're drunk. You should rest now," she said, calling for someone to escort him back to his room.

Qiao Ping, having finally met Wei Shao and seen him personally escort his daughter back to the Qiao family—even addressing him as "father-in-law"—was convinced that the past grievances between their families had truly dissipated. His mood was unprecedentedly buoyant, and he had indulged in cup after cup of wine. By now, he was indeed quite drunk. Hearing his daughter's voice, he laughed heartily and allowed himself to be helped away without protest.Wei Shao seemed heavily drunk as well. When he saw Xiao Qiao approaching, he stood up and swayed unsteadily. Xiao Qiao quickly grabbed hold of him, feeling the weight of his body. Afraid she might be crushed under him, she hastily called for a servant woman to help support him.

Finally, they reached the door of the room. Struggling to keep him steady, they stumbled their way to the bed. The moment they let go, Wei Shao fell onto the bed with a loud "thud."