The Prisoner of Beauty

"Manman! Manman! Wake up!"

A gentle yet worried voice sounded in her ear, and then she was shaken awake.

Xiao Qiao abruptly opened her eyes to find herself still lying on the bed she had slept in for the past two years, but her entire body was drenched in sweat as if she had just emerged from water.

Beside her, the one who had been sleeping with her and had just woken her up was her cousin Da Qiao, the daughter of her uncle Qiao Yue, the Governor of Yan Province. Da Qiao, whose childhood nickname was Afan, was seventeen years old, three years older than Xiao Qiao. The two sisters had grown up together and were very close, often sharing the same bed.

Seeing that Xiao Qiao was finally awake, Da Qiao touched her forehead and found it covered in cold sweat. She quickly threw on her clothes and got out of bed. Without disturbing the maid who was already asleep in the outer room, she lit an oil lamp herself, fetched a towel, and carefully wiped the sweat from her cousin who was still lying there. Afraid that Xiao Qiao might catch a chill, she helped her change into one of her own clean undergarments and then poured her a glass of water, handing it over.

Xiao Qiao, feeling quite thirsty, gratefully accepted it.

Da Qiao sat on the edge of the bed, watching her drink, and sighed, "Did you have another nightmare? Manman, I remember you used to sleep very soundly. What's been happening these past two years? You often have nightmares. Did you accidentally encounter something unclean outside? Should I tell Mother tomorrow and have a shaman come to the house to take a look?"

Xiao Qiao's mother had passed away from illness a few years ago, and her aunt, Madam Ding, was very fond of her, often caring for her and asking after her well-being.

Xiao Qiao quickly shook her head, "Sister, there's no need. I'm really fine."

Da Qiao took the bowl and placed it back on the table, still concerned, "What exactly did you dream about? Your whole body is ice-cold like this."

……

Such dreams had been frequent ever since Xiao Qiao inexplicably found herself transmigrated into the body of this girl in this chaotic era two years ago.

But she knew it wasn't just a nightmare.

It seemed that not only had she become Xiao Qiao, the twelve-year-old daughter of Qiao Ping, the Governor of Dongjun in Yan Province, but she had also inherited all the memories of Xiao Qiao's short twenty-year life in her previous existence.

The terrifying scene in her dream just now was the final moment of her previous life.

Everything in the dream was so bloody and real.

Consort Liu, that thirteen-year-old girl who died under the blade of a palace maid, her eerie gaze fixed on her at the moment of death—even now, after waking up, it still sent shivers down her spine.

Her chest still seemed to carry the piercing pain and chill from when that sharp sword had stabbed her.

She didn't want to recall it anymore and curled up closer to Da Qiao, murmuring, "I just dreamed of being chased by a ferocious tiger..."

Da Qiao smiled, affectionately stroking her hair, then leaned over to blow out the lamp. She groped her way back under the covers, hugged Xiao Qiao, and gently patted her back, softly saying, "Don't be afraid, big sister is here to sleep with you."

Xiao Qiao hummed in acknowledgment, leaning against Da Qiao's soft and warm body, and slowly closed her eyes.

The cold moonlight of the eleventh month in the seventh year of the Dingkang era of the Han Dynasty filtered through the window paper, quietly illuminating a patch of the floor in front of the bed.

Xiao Qiao's mind gradually settled, and she closed her eyes.

But she could no longer fall asleep.

Beside her, Da Qiao seemed to be the same.

Thinking that Xiao Qiao was asleep, she gently tucked the blanket around her cousin, then tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Listening to Da Qiao's breathing, Xiao Qiao knew what was on her mind.

……The twin sisters of Yanzhou, Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao, were renowned for their beauty, their fame spreading throughout Henan. It was said, "Of the ten parts of divine grace in the Luo River, the twin Qiaos claim eight." When Da Qiao was ten years old, she was betrothed to the son of the powerful Dongping Prefect, the Cui family. However, two years ago, when Da Qiao was fifteen and preparing for her wedding, Dongping was attacked and captured by Ren Cheng's Zhou Qun. Both the Prefect Cui and his son perished in battle, and the marriage was thus annulled.

Two years have passed, and Da Qiao is now seventeen. Suitors from all directions have nearly worn out the threshold of her home, but her marriage prospects have always been fraught with difficulties, lingering unresolved until now. It was only half a month ago that Da Qiao learned of her father's decision to marry her to Wei Shao, who had just seized Hebei at the beginning of the year. The marriage, along with the strategic location of Yanzhou, was intended to curry favor with Wei Shao, seeking a respite from the attacks of Ren Cheng's Zhou Qun.

Now, envoys have been dispatched to Ji Province, where Wei Shao currently resides, and her uncle anxiously awaits a response from him.

......

"Did I disturb you?"

Da Qiao noticed that Xiao Qiao was not asleep and asked apologetically.

"No," Xiao Qiao replied softly.

After a moment, in the dimness of the night, Xiao Qiao heard her sister let out a long sigh, as if asking her, or perhaps speaking to herself, "Marquis Wei has a grudge against our family. He probably won't accept this marriage proposal, right..."

Xiao Qiao remained silent.

Two years ago, after inexplicably becoming Xiao Qiao, she had secretly hoped that the memories of her past life, or perhaps the future, were just a dream.

But as time slowly passed, she was horrified to find that it all seemed to be true.

Events were unfolding step by step according to the pace she knew.

If nothing changed, then Wei Shao would indeed accept this marriage proposal. But after Da Qiao married him, her fate would be fraught with misfortune, her end even more tragic than her own.

From the very first day she married into the Wei family, her husband Wei Shao never touched her. Many years later, when Wei Shao declared himself emperor, the entire Qiao family would be dead or scattered. Da Qiao would swallow gold to end her life, and Wei Shao would install another woman as his empress.

Thus, Da Qiao would live out her life.

Xiao Qiao groped in the dark and slowly grasped her cousin's hand.

Her fingers also felt cold, devoid of any warmth.

......

The next day, Xiao Qiao's twin brother, Qiao Ci, who was born moments after her, hurriedly returned to Dongjun from Yancheng, arriving home in the evening.

Xiao Qiao and Qiao Ci shared an exceptionally close bond. Although Qiao Ci was only fourteen, he was already half a head taller than his sister, standing as a brave and valiant young man. Two months ago, their father, Qiao Ping, had sent him to Yancheng for training. Hearing from the servants that the young master had returned, Xiao Qiao went to find him. As she approached her father's study, she heard her brother's voice from inside, sounding very agitated."Father! Although Ren Cheng's Zhou Qun has strong soldiers and horses, Yan Province also has two hundred thousand soldiers and civilians. The defeat at Baima was just a minor setback; victory and defeat are common in war! If we unite and fight to the death, there is still a chance to turn the tide! I am willing to lead the charge! I heard that Uncle is afraid and actually plans to seek peace with Wei Shao? Wei Shao has the ambition of a wolf. After annexing Ji Province, his influence has reached Hebei. If we submit to him, even if Yan Province gains temporary peace, how can we sustain it in the long run? Moreover, there is a deep-seated enmity between our families. Not to mention how Eldest Sister will fare after going there, how could he sincerely help our Qiao family through this crisis?"

Xiao Qiao stopped at the doorway and looked inside, seeing her father standing by the window with his hands behind his back, while her younger brother Qiao Ci paced around the study in agitation.

...

To speak of the long-standing enmity between the Qiao and Wei families, we must trace it back ten years.

Wei Shao's father, Wei Jing, was once a third-rank Tiger Tooth General. For his merits in resisting the Xiongnu, he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yan and also served as the Governor of You Province. By imperial decree, he joined forces with the then Governor of Yan Province, Xiao Qiao's grandfather Qiao Gui, to suppress the rebellion of Li Su in Chen Commandery. Li Su's forces were vast and powerful. Wei Jing and Qiao Gui formed an alliance, agreeing to attack Chen Commandery from the east and west. However, on the eve of battle, they received news that Li Su had reinforcements arriving. Qiao Gui, assessing the situation, retreated and held his forces back. Unaware, Wei Jing and his eldest son Wei Bao were outnumbered and ultimately surrounded and killed. At that time, Wei Shao was only twelve years old and had followed his father and brother into battle. Thanks to the desperate efforts of his family retainers, he managed to break through the encirclement and escape, retreating back to You Province.

The Qiao family later offered numerous explanations, claiming that they had sent a messenger to deliver the news, but the messenger was ambushed and killed on the way, leaving them with no choice. During the mourning period, they sent lavish gifts to the Wei family.

Four years ago, Wei Shao, then eighteen and known as the "Little Overlord," personally led his troops in pursuit and eventually exterminated Li Su's entire family by the shores of the East Sea.

It is said that Li Su himself was first subjected to lingchi (death by a thousand cuts), with Wei Shao personally wielding the knife. After a thousand cuts, he died, and his body was minced and fed to the fish.

It is also said that shortly after, when Xiao Qiao's grandfather passed away, Wei Shao, who was then attacking Hejian, heard the news and coldly remarked, "The old thief with white hair, his death is well-deserved."

The depth of Wei Shao's hatred is evident.

...

"Father! Even you have become so cowardly that you dare not speak up? If you won't say it, I will go and talk to Uncle!"

Seeing his father remain silent, Qiao Ci clenched his fists and turned to leave.

"Nonsense! Stop right there!"

Qiao Ping suddenly turned around and shouted at his son, "Zhou Qun has strong soldiers and horses. First, he swallowed Dongping, and the Cui family's foundation was destroyed in an instant. After the victory at Baima last month, their morale is high. Now their forces are like an arrow on the bowstring. If they attack again, coupled with Wei Shao's menacing presence in Hebei, how can the two hundred thousand soldiers and civilians of Yan Province withstand it?"

"Is there really no other way but to submit to Wei Shao? I can't bear to see Eldest Sister married off like this!"

Qiao Ping pondered for a moment and sighed deeply, "I also know that seeking peace with Wei Shao is not ideal. Do you think I haven't fought for it? I suggested that we join forces with Zhang Fu of Chenliu for a decisive battle. There might still be a chance for victory. I had some acquaintance with Zhang Fu in the past and was willing to go and persuade him. But your uncle and those family retainers insisted on avoiding war..."

"Father! Please go and persuade Uncle again!"Xiao Qiao couldn't help but push the door open and kneel before her father.

If she didn't do something and let things continue to unfold as they were, although the immediate worries might be resolved, Da Qiao's life would be ruined instantly, and within a few years, the entire Qiao family would also perish. Xiao Qiao remembered that first, her father had died in battle, and then her younger brother, Qiao Ci, had sacrificed himself to divert the pursuing soldiers, allowing her and her future husband, Emperor Liu Yan, to escape safely. In the end, Qiao Ci was surrounded by Wei Shao's troops and died in a hail of arrows.

Her father, Qiao Ping, was only thirty-five this year, an exceptionally handsome and refined man. As the governor of Dongjun, he had been so preoccupied with his duties since her mother's death a few years ago that he had not remarried. He was fair in his administration, cared deeply for the people of his commandery, and with the Qiao family having been rooted in Yanzhou for three generations, they enjoyed immense local prestige. Moreover, although her father was skilled in poetry and prose, he was no weak scholar. When he donned his armor, he became the White-Robed General.

In this life, with such a father and brother, even if she wasn't the original Xiao Qiao, she couldn't bear to lose them.

Qiao Ping was taken aback by his daughter's sudden entrance and her kneeling before him.

"Father, what my sister said is true, I beg you!"

Qiao Ci also knelt down with a thud beside Xiao Qiao.

Qiao Ping furrowed his brow, stood by the window in silence for a moment, and finally said, "Very well, I will try to persuade them once more!"