The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao didn’t know how he had gotten drunk so quickly.

Before tonight, he had never imagined that the threshold of the Qiao family in Dongjun, which he once thought he would never cross in this lifetime, could be so easily stepped over. Nor had he realized that the word “father-in-law,” once uttered, would not be as difficult to say as he had feared.

Everything that had happened felt so natural.

As Xiao Qiao helped him into the room and he collapsed onto the soft bed, he vaguely understood that this was the very chamber she had lived in before marrying him. The years of her maidenhood, which he had never been able to approach, had been spent within these faintly fragrant walls. A deep intoxication washed over him.

With his eyes closed, half-dazed, he seemed to hear her whispering with Chun Niang. Then he felt her sit beside him, gently wiping his face and palms with a warm, damp cloth.

It was as if a traveler who had long trudged alone under a heavy burden had finally reached his destination tonight. Though covered in dust and utterly exhausted, at the end of his journey, she was there, waiting for him.

The gnawing fear that had plagued him since the day he learned she was returning to Dongjun—the dread of being abandoned—suddenly vanished in this moment.

A profound sense of peace and contentment filled him, and his body, inside and out, relaxed completely. He fell asleep almost instantly.

The next day, Wei Shao slept until late morning before finally sobering up.

When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a silver-red gauze canopy, its curtains half-drawn. A pair of purple fish-shaped sachets hung from golden hooks, emitting a faint fragrance that harmonized with the bouquet of purple chrysanthemums in the white porcelain vase on the windowsill table.

He sat up slowly, taking in the elegant furnishings of her chamber, then rose and opened the door. Chun Niang, who had been waiting outside, entered with maids to attend to him.

“Where is my wife?” Wei Shao asked.

“The weather is fine today, and the little mistress was too restless to stay indoors. The lady took her to the garden to play. Shall this servant fetch her?”

Wei Shao declined and made his way there himself. As he turned along the covered walkway, faint laughter drifted toward him on the breeze.

He paused before a latticed window and peered through the intricate carvings. There, beneath the shade of flowering branches, Xiao Qiao sat beside a young woman slightly older than her—the same one who had greeted him at the gate the night before. A mat was spread at their feet, where Fei Fei crawled about, facing a little boy who looked about two or three years old. Several maids stood nearby.

Wei Shao guessed the young woman must be her elder sister, Da Qiao. He watched as Xiao Qiao leaned close to her, their intimacy evident as they whispered to each other. Whatever was said made her laugh so hard she collapsed against Da Qiao.

Sunlight filtered through the blossoms, dappling Xiao Qiao’s face and dress with flecks of gold. Her eyes sparkled, her laughter like silver bells, her smile radiant as flowers. For a fleeting moment, Wei Shao caught a glimpse of something in her joy—a carefree lightness he had only ever seen in Fei Fei’s laughter, so infectious it made others smile without thinking.She had been by his side for several years. He had savored her gentle, understanding nature, yet it was only now that he realized she could laugh so vivaciously, brimming with the myriad charms of a young maiden.

Wei Shao paused behind the window, silently watching her, and did not approach further.

...

After the midday meal, Lei Yan and the others arrived, waiting outside the Qiao residence.

Wei Shao prepared to depart as well.

Xiao Qiao saw him off, stopping finally by the side of the screen wall. Wei Shao held Fei Fei in his arms, kissing her cheeks several times, reluctant to part.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, "My lord, you need not worry. I will take good care of Fei Fei."

Wei Shao gazed at his daughter with infinite tenderness, gently ruffling her soft hair before handing her over to Chun Niang. His eyes then settled on Xiao Qiao's face, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Is there anything else you wish to say, my lord?" Xiao Qiao asked with a smile.

Wei Shao paused briefly. "Since you've returned, stay here peacefully for a while longer. If I have time, I will come to see you and Fei Fei. If you wish to return, wait for me—I will personally escort you back."

Xiao Qiao pursed her lips in a smile. "Alright, thank you, my lord."

"The battlefield is perilous. Take care of yourself out there," she added softly, her eyes fixed on him.

Wei Shao nodded, his fingers twitching slightly as he was about to raise his arm when Xiao Qiao spoke again. "Thank you for last night. I know my father hasn’t been that happy in a long time."

Wei Shao was silent for a moment before replying, "Your father’s blindness may still be treatable by Bai Shisou in this world. I will send someone to seek him out as soon as possible."

Xiao Qiao said, "Thank you for your concern, my lord."

Every time he did something for her, no matter how small, she never forgot to express her gratitude.

Wei Shao had grown accustomed to this manner of speaking between them and had never found it amiss before.

Yet now, for some reason, her repeated "thank you, my lord" suddenly struck him as grating.

His mind involuntarily recalled her radiant smile under the morning shade. Hesitating slightly, he stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. "Manman, we are husband and wife... From now on, you need not stand on ceremony with me. Do as you please, and there’s no need to thank me for everything..."

He felt his words were clumsy, failing to convey his thoughts, and trailed off abruptly, watching her.

Xiao Qiao seemed momentarily taken aback, then smiled, lifting her eyes gently. "Alright. I’ll remember that."

...

Qiao Ping, Madam Ding, and Da Qiao escorted Wei Shao to the main gate.

Wei Shao urged Qiao Ping to stay.

Though Qiao Ping had drunk heavily the night before and had only risen not long ago, he appeared in high spirits, beaming. "It’s rare for you to visit. I would have insisted on keeping you longer, but my daughter mentioned your pressing matters in Luoyang, so I won’t detain you further. I can only hope you’ll stay longer next time. Today, however, I must see you off beyond the city walls."

Wei Shao declined politely, but Qiao Ping insisted.

Madam Ding smiled and said, "Lord, you’ve stayed barely a night. Do not refuse the Duke’s heartfelt gesture. Riding may be inconvenient for him, but a carriage is no trouble. One is already prepared outside."

Wei Shao glanced at Xiao Qiao, who nodded slightly with a smile. Relenting, he said, "Then I must trouble my father-in-law."Xiao Qiao helped her father into the carriage and gave some instructions to the accompanying steward. She stood at the gate to see them off, watching as Wei Shao turned back several times on his horse. The group gradually grew smaller in the distance until finally, along with the carriage carrying her father, they disappeared from sight.

...

Qiao Ping escorted Wei Shao all the way beyond the western city gate and continued for another dozen miles. Wei Shao dismounted and repeatedly urged him to return to the city. Only then did Qiao Ping stop, asking his attendants to help him down from the carriage. With a faint smile, he said, "There are some words I’ve long wished to speak to you in person, but I never found the opportunity before. Yesterday, I finally met you, only for you to depart again today. May I take this chance to have a word with you?"

Wei Shao replied, "Father-in-law, there’s no need for courtesy. Please, this way." He took Qiao Ping’s hand and guided him to the side of the road.

Lei Yan, sensing that Qiao Ping likely wished to speak privately with the Lord, ordered the retinue to withdraw and led them to wait at a distance.

Wei Shao said, "Father-in-law, speak freely. What is it you wish to say?"

Qiao Ping turned his face and asked Wei Shao to help him face north.

Wei Shao was puzzled but complied.

Facing the wind blowing from the northern wilderness, Qiao Ping knelt on both knees, pressing his forehead to the ground in a deep, reverent bow.

Wei Shao was taken aback. "Father-in-law, what is the meaning of this?"

Only after completing the kowtow did Qiao Ping rise from the ground. Solemnly, he said, "On behalf of my Qiao family, I offer this distant salute to the spirits of the late General Huya and your elder brother. I dare not seek their forgiveness. The bow just now was an expression of my gratitude—for Elder Madam and for your magnanimity, Lord."

Wei Shao turned his gaze toward the vast wilderness to the north, his lips sealed and his expression growing grave.

Qiao Ping continued slowly, "In the past, it was my Qiao family’s fault that led to the tragedy of General Huya and his son. The old wounds have yet to heal, and now, due to my oversight, General Wei Liang was nearly harmed again. The guilt in my heart is truly beyond words. Your generosity, Lord, leaves me no place to hide my shame. First, you returned my elder brother’s head, allowing him to be buried whole..."

"Father-in-law, there’s no need to dwell on this," Wei Shao said abruptly, his tone indifferent. "I am not a magnanimous man by nature. The only reason we stand here speaking today is entirely because of Manman."

Qiao Ping exhaled deeply. "This is precisely what I wished to say to you, Lord. Back then, my elder brother took charge and sought reconciliation with the Wei family through marriage—not only to mend the grievances of the past but also to rely on your influence to protect Yanzhou amidst encircling enemies. My elder brother’s calculations were shrewd, but at the time, I couldn’t bear to see my daughter married off in such haste. She is the only child under my care. After her mother passed, I had no other desires but to see her wed happily, cherished by her husband, and blessed with a smooth and fortunate life. That was my greatest wish. But the circumstances were beyond my control, and I had no choice but to marry her to you..."

Wei Shao slowly turned his head, fixing his gaze on Qiao Ping.

Unaware, Qiao Ping went on, "I will not conceal the truth. Given the deep-seated enmity between our families, had our positions been reversed, I doubt I could have treated a daughter from the opposing family with kindness. So when Manman first married, for a time, I was deeply concerned...""Lord, you may not know this, but she has been doted on by her mother and me since childhood. After her mother's unfortunate early passing, I cherished her even more as the apple of my eye, and in matters of upbringing, I fear I was somewhat remiss. I worried that after marriage, she might not fulfill her wifely duties properly, nor get along well with her husband's family. What I never expected was Madam Xu's extraordinary kindness and care for her, and even more, your lordship's patience with her shortcomings and your thoughtful consideration. Now, because of a single word from her, you've put aside your affairs to personally escort her home. All these things bring me comfort, yet also shame—I must speak my mind. It turns out my initial worries were nothing but my own narrow-minded assumptions!"

Wei Shao remained silent.

Qiao Ping sighed deeply. "I am but a useless man, now left with only a broken body. Life and death, honor and disgrace, are but fleeting clouds to me. The only thing I cannot let go of is my daughter. She is naturally reserved; even when troubled, she never utters a word in front of me, fearing it might burden me. Precisely because of this, she pains my heart all the more. Today, though my blindness prevents me from seeing your face, my lord, your noble bearing and magnanimity are clear to my heart. Thus, I seize this opportunity to solemnly entrust my daughter's future to you. I know you, my lord, are no ordinary man. If one day you rise to greatness, I pray you will remember your marital bond and shield Manman's happiness in my stead. For this, I would be eternally grateful!"

Having said this, Qiao Ping bowed deeply to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao, startled, quickly steadied him.

Qiao Ping straightened with a faint smile. "With this, I shall take my leave here. May you, my lord, soon bring peace to the realm and restore prosperity to the people."

...

Mounted on his steed, Wei Shao watched Qiao Ping's carriage gradually disappear into the distance. He remained lost in thought for a long while before finally turning his horse westward.

By evening, they were still dozens of miles from the next post station. If they hurried, they might reach it before dark.

Yet Wei Shao's pace grew slower, as if distracted.

Lei Yan had long noticed his unusual demeanor. Though puzzled, he refrained from questioning and simply matched his lord's slowed pace.

When they were about ten miles from the station, Wei Shao suddenly halted by the roadside and said to Lei Yan, "Take the men ahead to the post station and wait for my return!"

Without further explanation, he wheeled his horse around, spurred its flanks, and gave a low command. The prized steed, having been restrained all day, now thrilled at its master's signal. With a joyful whinny, it broke into a gallop, racing forward.

Under the astonished gazes of Lei Yan and the attendants, Wei Shao and his horse soon vanished into the deepening twilight of the distant road.

...

By the time Wei Shao returned to the gates of Dongjun, night had fully fallen. The gate captain, hearing the summons, climbed the wall and recognized Wei Shao—who had been seen off by the prefect just that morning—in the torchlight. Stunned, he hastily ordered the gates unbarred.

Wei Shao passed through the slowly opening gates and galloped down the moonlit, deserted streets toward the Qiao residence.

...

After dinner, Madam Ding and Da Qiao brought Li Er to Xiao Qiao's chambers.

Madam Ding and Chun Niang busied themselves with needlework while the two sisters chatted, playing with Li Er and Fei Fei.The room was filled with laughter and joy when suddenly, footsteps echoed outside the door. A servant woman pushed it open and peeked in, announcing, "Madam! My Lady! The Lord has returned—"

The cheerful chatter instantly ceased as Madam Ding and Da Qiao turned their heads.

Xiao Qiao, surprised, also looked up.

The door swung open, revealing Wei Shao standing at the threshold.

Madam Ding was overjoyed. She hastily set down her needlework, stood up, and hurried forward to greet him. "Come in quickly! You must not have eaten yet, right? Wait just a moment—Auntie will prepare something for you right away." With that, she bustled out to arrange a meal.

Wei Shao stepped inside, nodding respectfully to Madam Ding and Da Qiao in turn, then smiled. "Thank you, Auntie. I'm not hungry. I came back because I have something I wish to say to Manman."

His gaze settled on Xiao Qiao.

Madam Ding paused briefly before nodding with a smile. "Very well, very well. You two talk first. Auntie won’t disturb you. If you need anything, just call out."

Da Qiao picked up her son, while Chun Niang quickly gathered Fei Fei, who was babbling excitedly at the sight of his father.

Soon, everyone had left the room, leaving only Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao facing each other.

Xiao Qiao’s heartbeat quickened as she slowly rose to her feet.

"You…"

She hesitated, about to ask what he wanted to discuss, when Wei Shao suddenly strode toward her. In an instant, he was before her, arms outstretched, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Manman, I’ve wronged you in the past!"

Wei Shao held her close, whispering these words by her ear.

Author’s Note: I’ve seen all the new comments for the Lantern Festival Poetry Contest under these chapters~

You can post in the latest chapter—I’ll read them all then. But to ensure none are missed, participants are encouraged to leave their entries under Chapter 152.

Thank you for your enthusiastic participation. Red envelopes will be distributed uniformly after the festival ends~~

^_^