The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao had left Dongjun early that morning, and in the blink of an eye, several months had passed.

Winter gave way to spring, and by the third month of the year, the season had fully embraced renewal. Early spring—when "the paulownia trees first bloom, duckweed begins to grow, turtledoves preen their feathers, and hoopoes descend upon the mulberry trees"—was brimming with vitality. On the third day of the third month, the Shangsi Festival arrived once more, heralded by the breath of spring.

Shangsi was a day for ritual purification and spring bathing. As early as the pre-Qin era, it was customary in the southern states for people of all ages to flock to the streams and rivers outside the city, holding orchids to sprinkle water over themselves, washing their hair and feet barefoot to dispel the misfortunes of the past year, praying for health and a fresh start.

Shangsi was also the Daughters' Festival. In the past, when Xiao Qiao was still at home and her mother was alive, every March, her mother and Madam Ding would take their daughters to the Flower Goddess Temple in the southern part of the city to join the public spring festival, praying for blessings and safety for their girls.

After Xiao Qiao's mother passed away, the Qiao family had been preoccupied with various affairs for many years, and the spring festival had ceased.

This year, however, was different. Though the Qiao family had just endured great upheaval, it felt as though they had been reborn. The two sisters, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, had each returned home with their children. Just two days prior, Bi Zhi had also returned from the south, passing through Dongjun to visit his wife and child, and was still at home today. Madam Ding's spirits had long since lifted from the gloom, and she had eagerly prepared to celebrate this long-missed Daughters' Festival with the sisters.

Early in the morning, a carriage adorned with freshly picked orchids from the night before stood ready outside the Qiao family's gates. Jia Si and his guards stood in orderly formation to the side, patiently waiting for the women of the household to emerge.

Moments later, the sound of cheerful feminine laughter drifted from afar. Looking up, they saw Madam Ding leading Da Qiao and the lady of the house, surrounded by maids and attendants. The young master, Li Er, was carried by his wet nurse, while Bi Zhi held Fei Fei in his arms as the group appeared from behind the screen wall.

The lady of the house wore a light green spring robe the color of tender willow, draped with a thin silk shawl the shade of primrose. Her slender waist was accentuated by the delicate embroidery of orchids and flowers along the hem of her wide sleeves and skirt. Her jet-black hair was gathered into a loose bun at the back, secured with a ribbon matching her dress to prevent it from being tousled by the wind. The youthful ensemble suited the season perfectly, exuding an unmatched freshness and grace. Her bright eyes sparkled like precious jewels. Beside her, Da Qiao wore a spring robe of soft yellow and a shawl of stone blue, equally radiant.

The two sisters walked side by side, chatting and laughing, their skirts swaying gently. Jia Si dared not look too closely and quickly signaled his guards to retreat to either side of the gate, holding their breath as they waited for the women to board the carriage.

Fei Fei would soon turn one year old. Not only was she as adorable as jade and snow, but she could now stand on her own and, if held by the hand, even take a few wobbly steps. Last month, she had begun to babble "A-Niang" to Xiao Qiao, and now she could say it quite fluently.Fei Fei had thick hair since birth. After her first-month haircut, it had grown long enough to reach her ears. Today was her first Daughter’s Festival, and Xiao Qiao had dressed her up carefully since morning: her hair was parted in the middle, tied into two little perky braids, each adorned with a small silk bow made by Chun Niang—lifelike and delicate. She wore a tender willow-green dress made of the same fabric as Xiao Qiao’s outfit that day, with socks and tiny shoes on her feet. When Chun Niang first carried her out, she held a sprig of orchid tied with a colorful ribbon in one hand, just like her brother Li Er, while clutching a piece of plum blossom cake in the other.

Having been cooped up at home by her mother for days, Fei Fei was overjoyed to finally go out to play, especially with her beloved brother Li Er. She giggled nonstop the moment she left the room. When she met her uncle Bi Zhi, whom she had only known for a couple of days, she showed no shyness and immediately snuggled into his arms. Now, as Bi Zhi carried her to the gate, she suddenly spotted the familiar Jia Si standing nearby.

Every time her mother took her out, this uncle would always appear.

So the moment she saw him, Fei Fei knew they were going out to play. She flashed him a sweet smile, waved her little hand, and babbled something unintelligible.

Bi Zhi paused in his steps. Madam Ding, amused by her adorable antics, teased, “Fei Fei, do you want to talk to General Jia?”

Jia Si was also very fond of Fei Fei. After stealing a glance at the lady of the house and seeing her stop and turn to watch with a smile, he mustered the courage to step closer to Fei Fei.

Fei Fei stretched out her chubby little hand, its back dimpled with tiny creases, and first offered him the plum blossom cake.

Jia Si was taken aback, but before he could react, Fei Fei withdrew the hand holding the cake and instead extended the one clutching the orchid.

Halfway through, she pulled it back again.

She looked down, first at the plum blossom cake, then at the orchid, as if torn between the two.

Madam Ding and the attending nurses and maids also stopped, turning back to watch Fei Fei’s dilemma with amusement.

Madam Ding chuckled and said, “Fei Fei, are you reluctant to part with them?”

Before she finished speaking, Fei Fei seemed to make up her mind. She took a big bite of the plum blossom cake with an “ah-um,” then offered both the half-eaten cake and the orchid to Jia Si.

Madam Ding and the nurses and maids were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter.

Even the usually composed Bi Zhi couldn’t help but let a hint of amusement flicker in his eyes.

Jia Si was overjoyed but quickly waved his hands, addressing Fei Fei with mock solemnity, “This humble servant dare not accept such a reward from the young lady. Your kindness is more than enough.”

This even drew a laugh from Xiao Qiao, who said, “She must be trying to show affection to General Jia. Since she’s already taken a bite of the plum blossom cake, let’s forget about that. But please take the orchid, General Jia. If you don’t, she’ll fuss endlessly, and none of us will get to leave today.”

Jia Si didn’t actually mind eating the cake the young lady had nibbled on, but he knew he wasn’t entitled to such a privilege. So he respectfully accepted the orchid from her other hand, saying, “This humble servant thanks the young lady and the lady of the house.”

Seeing him take the orchid, Fei Fei beamed and babbled a response to Jia Si.

Nearby, Li Er noticed his sister no longer had an orchid and quickly handed his over, saying, “Here, little sister, take mine.”Li Er was very intelligent but had been slow to speak. Da Qiao had been a little worried before, but unexpectedly, after getting to know and playing with Fei Fei at the end of last year, he finally began to talk—likely influenced by Fei Fei, who loved to babble and coo incessantly. Once he started, within just a few short months, he quickly learned many words.

It was as if he had known how to speak all along but had simply kept it locked inside, unwilling to voice it.

This clear utterance of "Sister, for you" made Da Qiao chuckle as she affectionately patted her son’s head.

Fei Fei, delighted, took the orchid tied with a beautiful purple ribbon from the little boy’s hand and gave him a sweet smile.

……

The day was bright and sunny as several carriages from the Qiao family filed out of the southern city gate, heading toward the Flower Goddess Temple.

The people of Dongjun had not seen the twin beauties appear together at the temple in many years. Today, they were graced with the sight once more—two peerless women whose elegance could topple kingdoms. One was the revered wife of the Green-Eyed General, admired by all in Dongjun. The other was even more extraordinary; rumors had long spread that Marquis Yan Wei Shao would soon unify the realm and ascend to the highest throne, making Xiao Qiao the future queen. Thus, when news broke that the Qiao sisters would attend the Shangsi Festival’s spring rites at the Flower Goddess Temple, the entire city turned out, flooding the area even before they left the city gates, nearly clogging the roads.

Bi Zhi rode ahead to clear the way, while Jia Si followed behind, ensuring the carriages finally arrived at the temple encircled by a spring-fed stream. The waiting temple priest and attendants hurried forward to greet them.

Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao helped Madam Ding alight from the carriage, and the group, all smiles, proceeded inside amid cheers lining the path.

After paying homage to the Flower Goddess, the sisters took Li Er and Fei Fei to the banks of the spring stream behind the temple.

The crowd today was overwhelming.

The winding stream stretched for miles, its banks lined with peach blossoms. Though there were other stretches where people could wash for the festival, Jia Si had prudently sealed off this section in advance, allowing only a few carefully screened women and girls to enter. Compared to the sea of people outside, it was much quieter here.

Xiao Qiao dipped an orchid into the stream and lightly sprinkled a few drops over Fei Fei’s hair for good fortune.

Da Qiao did the same for Li Er. When the siblings were taken by their nursemaid to a nearby pavilion to play, Xiao Qiao spotted Bi Zhi approaching from afar. Standing by the pavilion, she glanced over and stifled a laugh before nudging Da Qiao. "Go on!" she urged with a playful tilt of her chin.

Da Qiao had already noticed her husband’s approach but pretended not to, unwilling to leave Xiao Qiao alone. Flushing slightly at her sister’s teasing, she murmured, "I’d rather stay here with you..."

Xiao Qiao chuckled softly. "Your husband will be leaving again in a few days. The weather’s lovely today, and it’s not like I’m alone—who needs you keeping me company?"

With that, she pushed her toward Bi Zhi.

Bi Zhi said to Da Qiao, "There’s a peach blossom grove ahead in full bloom. Shall we take a walk?"

Da Qiao glanced at Xiao Qiao, who smiled encouragingly, as if urging her on. Finally, she gave a soft "Mm."

Bi Zhi smiled, picked up Li Er, and nodded respectfully to Xiao Qiao before walking off with his beloved wife, the three of them slowly making their way toward the peach grove.

Xiao Qiao watched their retreating figures with a faint smile. Then, with Chun Niang holding Fei Fei, she sat on a stone bench by the stream, its surface cushioned with a handkerchief, and faced the flowing water.A spring rain had fallen the day before, swelling the creek as it flowed gently from west to east. The water was clear and green, unable to hide the pebbles along its banks or the clusters of aquatic plants swaying with the undercurrents. Peach blossoms bloomed abundantly on both shores, and as a breeze passed, petals fluttered down like snow, some drifting onto the stream to float away with the current. This attracted a school of small wild fish that gathered to nibble at them, leaping repeatedly out of the water in a rather amusing display.

Xiao Qiao smiled faintly as she watched Chun Niang and the nursemaid lead Fei Fei along, pointing out the playful fish to her. Gradually, they moved further along the creek bank, leaving her alone in a daze.

She wondered where he was now and how he had been faring.

Another breeze passed, bringing a shower of peach blossoms overhead.

Half fell into the creek, while the other half drifted onto Xiao Qiao’s skirt.

She picked up a petal that had landed on Fei Fei’s braid, cradled it in her palm, and brought it to her nose, inhaling its fragrance lightly.

When she looked up again, her gaze froze.

On the opposite bank, about a dozen zhang away, where the spring wind blew and petals danced, stood a man.

She was on one side of the peach blossom-lined creek, and he was on the other, gazing at each other across the water.

He wore the garb of a traveler, covered in dust from head to toe, yet his eyes were bright and piercing.

He seemed to have just arrived.

Yet it also felt as though he had been standing there, watching her and Fei Fei for a long time.

When she finally lifted her eyes to meet his, he suddenly stepped into the creek, wading toward her.

The water gurgled around him, soaking the hem of his robe as he moved faster and faster, his strides growing longer, leaving white foam and ripples in his wake.

Not far away, a group of young girls playing with peach branches beneath the blossoms stopped their game, staring in astonishment at this handsome man who seemed to have descended from the heavens, now wading toward them. Their hearts fluttered uncontrollably.

Xiao Qiao slowly rose from the stone bench.

The peach blossoms in her skirt scattered to the wind.

She stood beneath the peach tree on the bank, watching unblinkingly as the man waded toward her, finally stepping ashore and pausing.

"I'm back," he said, gazing at her.

Xiao Qiao suddenly ran toward him.

He opened his arms without hesitation, catching her and holding her tightly.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his broad chest, eyes closed, feeling the rapid, powerful beat of his heart.

Neither spoke, simply holding each other.

The shower of peach blossoms grew heavier, petals drifting onto his shoulders and her silken hair.

After a long while—

"Husband—"

Xiao Qiao finally lifted her face from his embrace, her voice trembling slightly, as if both tearful and coquettish.

Wei Shao lowered his head, gently brushing his fingers over her eyelids, now tinged with the color of peach blossoms.

"Manman, the war is over. I’ve come to take you and Fei Fei to Luoyang. From now on, I will never be parted from you again!"

He spoke each word deliberately, his gaze fixed on her.

A faint glimmer of tears welled in Xiao Qiao’s eyes as she slowly clasped one of his hands.

Wei Shao interlaced their fingers, holding on tightly."Let me take you to see Fei Fei. She can already call 'Mother' now. Would you like to hear her call you 'Father'?"

She turned back and smiled at him, her radiant expression outshining even the peach blossoms overhead.