The Prisoner of Beauty

Xiao Qiao waited in the corridor and finally saw Wei Shao returning. She hurried down the steps to greet him, saying, "Husband, you must be hungry. Dinner is ready, and we’ve been waiting for you to eat together." After speaking, she stole a glance at his expression.

Wei Shao stopped and looked at Xiao Qiao.

He had been summoned by his mother, so naturally, he already knew about the matter of him secretly shifting the blame to Madam Xu. Xiao Qiao still felt a bit guilty. While waiting for him to eat earlier, she had prepared a response. Seeing him look at her like this, his eyes dark and his face calm, she fell silent, waiting for him to question her again.

"Let’s eat."

Unexpectedly, he simply said this, then walked past her toward the dining room. As he passed by, Xiao Qiao felt a slight breeze brush her face.

Xiao Qiao was surprised and stood there for a moment. Seeing him walk quickly and already ascend the steps, she hurried to catch up with his retreating figure.

......

These past few days, Wei Shao had rarely returned for dinner. Including this time, the two of them had only eaten together three or four times.

To be precise, it was Xiao Qiao serving him three or four meals.

The table was placed on the platform, and Wei Shao sat upright in the center. Xiao Qiao, being a woman and of lower status, knelt at the side to serve him. Only after he finished could she eat.

However, in the previous instances, he ate quickly and hardly asked her to do anything. The task wasn’t tiring.

Xiao Qiao sat in the standard posture, her weight resting on her heels.

It must be said that Wei Shao had a naturally upright and well-proportioned frame, making him a natural clothes hanger. Sitting like this behind the table on the platform, dressed in a formal deep robe with wide sleeves falling gracefully along his shoulders, his movements were unhurried and smooth. Even the way he picked up food with his chopsticks looked fluid, as if he had stepped out of an ancient scroll exuding an elegant aura. Except he was a living, breathing person.

Xiao Qiao glanced at him twice before averting her gaze. Suddenly, she heard Wei Shao say, "Let’s eat together."

Xiao Qiao was stunned and looked at him. Seeing him gaze at her with a gentle expression, she quickly declined.

"It’s fine. I’m inviting you, so join me."

He had already ordered an extra set of utensils.

Xiao Qiao found his sudden invitation suspicious, especially after returning from the east room. But since he was rarely this amiable, she couldn’t refuse. She figured eating together shouldn’t cause any issues. After bowing slightly to thank him, she moved forward on her knees and sat at the edge of the table.

They ate in silence.

Xiao Qiao quietly finished a small bowl of rice.

This was her usual portion.

She raised her eyes and saw that Wei Shao had also finished eating. He rested his hands on his thighs, smiling as if he had been watching her eat the entire time.

Xiao Qiao swallowed the last bite of food and gently placed her chopsticks on the chopstick rest. Just as she was about to call for water to serve him for rinsing his mouth, Wei Shao suddenly said, "Bring another bowl of rice for the lady."

Xiao Qiao quickly shook her head. "Thank you, husband. I’m already full."

"I saw you only ate a few bites. How can you be full?" Wei Shao said.

"I’ve had enough. This is my usual portion," Xiao Qiao explained."You eat too little on a daily basis!" Wei Shao glanced up and down at her figure, showing a hint of disdain. "It's been some time since you came to my home, yet you seem even thinner than before. People might think the Wei family doesn't feed you enough. Have another bowl."

Xiao Qiao felt he was talking nonsense.

At her age, with sufficient daily nutrition, she could feel her body developing. Her undergarment from last year had recently become too tight and uncomfortable, so she had already replaced it with a new one.

But the maid had already brought the food.

Facing Wei Shao's concerned gaze, Xiao Qiao had no choice but to lower her head and finish the second bowl of rice.

After the second bowl, her stomach was full up to her chest. Xiao Qiao suppressed the urge to burp and put down her chopsticks.

"Add another bowl for the lady."

Wei Shao's voice rang out again.

Xiao Qiao shook her head vigorously: "I really can't eat anymore!"

"Grandmother scolded me last time for neglecting you. You're so thin, how can you not eat more?"

Wei Shao waved his sleeve, stood up himself, and added another bowl of rice, pressing it down tightly, then brought it to Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao looked at him. He was smiling.

"I really can't eat anymore," Xiao Qiao said with a bitter face.

Wei Shao's expression immediately darkened.

"Eat it!" His voice carried a cold edge. "Not just this meal, starting tomorrow, you must eat three bowls at every meal! Grandmother loves you dearly. If you don't gain some weight, I won't be able to explain myself to her next time."

Xiao Qiao stared at him for a moment, then bit her lip: "Husband, I was wrong."

Wei Shao lowered his head, casually straightening his sleeve. "What was wrong?" His voice was indifferent.

"This morning, you asked me to deliver a message to Mother-in-law on your behalf, but I went to the north room instead," Xiao Qiao said softly, watching his expression.

Wei Shao made a sound of acknowledgment, his gaze half-smiling. "So, what do you think should be done?"

"I won't dare to do it again..." Xiao Qiao stammered, then let out a burp and quickly covered her face with her sleeve.

"There will be a next time?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No, no..." Xiao Qiao hurriedly put down her sleeve and waved her hands. Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps behind her. Xiao Qiao turned around and saw a maid hurriedly enter, bowing and saying, "Lord, General Li Dian requests an audience. He says it's urgent."

Wei Shao was slightly startled, his expression turning serious. He stood up, leaving Xiao Qiao behind, and quickly walked out.

Xiao Qiao watched his departing figure and finally let out a sigh of relief.

That night, Xiao Qiao didn't dare to relax as usual. She stayed obediently in her room, waiting for him to return, while also trying to digest the overstuffed meal.

She waited until the end of the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), but Wei Shao still hadn't returned. Finally, she couldn't hold on any longer and lay down in her clothes.

Wei Shao didn't return all night.

It wasn't until the evening of the next day that Xiao Qiao received the news: the Shanggu region, which had been peaceful for a long time, had suddenly been raided by a large group of Xiongnu cavalry the day before. Nearly a thousand soldiers and civilians were killed or injured. After the Xiongnu burned, killed, and looted, they declared it a birthday gift for Madam Xu of Yuyang, then fled north.

Upon hearing the news, Wei Shao was furious and immediately led his cavalry to pursue the Xiongnu.

...Wei Shao led two thousand elite cavalry in a relentless pursuit, covering hundreds of miles beyond Shanggu, reaching the temporary boundary of the Sanggan River, which was tacitly acknowledged by the Xiongnu royal court. Just moments ago, as the Xiongnu were attempting to cross the river with their plundered cattle, horses, and women, Wei Shao's cavalry unexpectedly caught up with them. A fierce battle ensued by the Sanggan River. Wei Shao personally charged into the Xiongnu ranks and engaged their leader, the thousand-horse commander Qiemoche. Qiemoche was struck down from his horse and captured alive. The remaining Xiongnu cavalry either fled or were captured, scattering in disarray. The cattle and horses taken from the Shanggu residents were recovered. Although a few women were killed or injured, most were unharmed, though they had inevitably been violated. Now, they huddled together, disheveled, sitting or crouching, weeping in each other's arms.

Wei Shao, his armor stained with blood, strode past the group of sobbing women who had survived the ordeal and approached Qiemoche.

Qiemoche was a formidable man. Even though he was captured and covered in blood, he still refused to kneel, holding his head high and laughing at Wei Shao. "Well, how do you like the gift I sent for your grandmother's birthday?"

Wei Shao's expression darkened. He stepped forward and struck Qiemoche's face with the scabbard of his sword. Qiemoche's head split open, blood gushing, and half of his teeth were knocked out.

"Young Wei Shao! If you dare kill me today, the Xiongnu will repay you tenfold in the future!"

Qiemoche, his face contorted in pain, continued to curse through the blood in his mouth, his appearance terrifying.

General Li Dian, who had accompanied Wei Shao in the pursuit, was furious. He kicked Qiemoche in the back of the knee, forcing him to kneel. Qiemoche tried to rise but was held down, still cursing, "Young Wei Shao, you dog, you rat!"

Wei Shao slowly drew his long sword from his waist, the blade gleaming with a cold, icy light. With a swift motion, Qiemoche's head rolled from his neck, blood spurting high and splattering on the ground.

Silence fell around them, even the distant women stopped crying.

"Execute all remaining Xiongnu captives, regardless of rank, on the spot."

Wei Shao sheathed his sword and issued the order calmly.

...

Huyan Lie's wound from the stab to his left chest that night was deep, just half an inch from his heart.

These past few days, he had been tormented by the pain, his movements restricted. Along with a group of captured tribesmen, he was brought to the execution ground. He tried to summon his strength to break free from the ropes, but a sudden sharp pain in his chest made his vision darken, and he collapsed to the ground.

He never imagined that, by a twist of fate, he would meet his end by the Sanggan River.

This young Han man, Wei Shao, had trained a cavalry force that was no less formidable than the Xiongnu. In direct combat, the Xiongnu had never gained the upper hand against him. On the contrary, the regions of Yunzhong and Shuofang, which had once fallen into Xiongnu territory, had been reclaimed by him, forcing the Xiongnu to retreat hundreds of miles north to graze their sheep and horses.

His name was well-known in the Xiongnu royal court. From the Chanyu to the kings and the common people, all spoke of him with a hint of fear.

But unlike the Left Sage King Wuwei, who had sworn to be Wei Shao's enemy, the Rizhu King did not harbor deep hatred for this Han opponent.

Perhaps it was because of the former Consort from the Wei family that Huyan Lie could only think this way.He had already accomplished what he needed to do on this trip, but on his way back, he encountered a group of men sent by the Left Sage King. Upon learning of the Left Sage King's provocative intentions, Huyan Lie immediately tried to stop them, but Qie Mo Che would not listen, leading to a conflict between the two sides.

Huyan Lie was a renowned thousand-captain among the Xiongnu, with numerous military achievements. However, that day, he was alone and injured, and in the end, he was overpowered and captured. Qie Mo Che intended to take him back to the Left Sage King to cause trouble for the King of Zhuri, so he bound him and took him to Shanggu. After the plundering was done, Huyan Lie was forced to accompany them, never expecting to be pursued by Wei Shao's cavalry here. A fierce battle ensued, and he, along with Qie Mo Che's men, became prisoners.

In his lifetime, he had killed countless people. Some were his own clansmen in the struggle for power, others were Han, Wusun, or Hujie people in the fight for territory...

Death itself was nothing. But to die like this, he was truly unwilling.

Huyan Lie knew that Wei Shao's soldiers were already carrying out his orders. Shouts, curses, and pleas for mercy mingled together, and the prisoners in front of him fell one by one. Soon, it would be his turn.

He took a deep breath, preparing to make one last struggle, when suddenly, someone stepped on his back, and a familiar voice rang out: "This Xiongnu has a grudge against me. I will kill him myself."

Wei Yan said to the captain who was tasked with carrying out the execution.

Upon hearing Wei Yan's command, the captain naturally complied and handed the prisoner over.

Wei Yan dragged the motionless Huyan Lie to the Sanggan River. With no one around, he used the tip of his knife to cut the ropes binding Huyan Lie.

Huyan Lie was immensely grateful and struggled to kneel before him: "Young Master, the incident in Shanggu was the doing of the Left Sage King..."

"Get out of here."

Wei Yan didn't wait for him to finish, scolded him, and then turned and strode away.

......

On the fifth night after Wei Shao's departure, he finally returned.

Madam Xu was overjoyed and personally went out to welcome Wei Yan and Wei Shao. Seeing them travel-worn, she comforted them and instructed the brothers to rest early.

By the time Wei Shao returned to the west room, it was already dark.

Xiao Qiao was waiting for him outside the west room.

He was still wearing his iron armor. Standing there, the maids helped him remove the armor, and his eyes were fixed on Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao hesitated for a moment but finally walked up to him and began to help him remove the armor herself.

Seeing this, the maids retreated.

Xiao Qiao was very close to him now. As she removed the armor, she caught a whiff of a dry, dusty, and bloody scent emanating from him, which was somewhat pungent.

She felt as if there were two gazes on her head. Raising her eyes, she saw him slightly bowing his head, looking at her.

Xiao Qiao's eyelashes fluttered. She bit her lip and lowered her eyes. Holding her breath, she finally managed to remove the heavy armor and then stepped back without a word.

Wei Shao took off the armor himself, leaving only a dust-and-blood-stained inner garment. He glanced at Xiao Qiao, who had already moved away, and then turned and entered the bathroom. When he came out, he was dressed in clean clothes, with wide sleeves fluttering and his damp black hair tied up with a jade hairpin on top of his head. His appearance was elegant and handsome, completely different from the blood-stained figure he had been when he first returned.

"Would you like to have dinner, my husband?"

Xiao Qiao asked him.Wei Shao patted his stomach and nodded, then turned towards the kitchen. Xiao Qiao followed to attend to him. As they reached the door, they saw Jiang Nao coming from the east room, her face showing a respectful expression. She bowed and said that Madam had prepared a meal and invited the Lord to come and dine.

"Madam cares deeply for the Lord. She personally cooked the meal. We hope the Lord will come."

Wei Shao hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao quickly said, "Since Mother-in-law has also prepared a meal, my husband should go ahead. I will be fine here."

Wei Shao said nothing and strode towards the east room.

Author's note: I revised the text and added a middle section, which was actually the original version.

The next chapter should be up by tomorrow noon.