The Prisoner of Beauty

That night, Wei Shao did not return to his chamber. Instead, he went straight to the government office with Wei Liang, summoning generals Li Chong, Li Dian, Zhang Jian, and the registrar Wei Quan, among others, for an urgent meeting.

Li Chong and Li Dian both advocated abandoning Yanzhou and focusing on the battle at Shiyi.

Li Chong said, "Excluding the 50,000 troops stationed to defend against the Xiongnu, my lord currently has about 150,000 troops at his disposal, which is roughly equal to Chen Xiang's forces. If we split our forces to fight at Shiyi while also defending Yanzhou, we might end up being unable to manage both fronts."

Li Dian added, "Yanzhou was never truly our territory, and its people are not aligned with us. It’s like a chicken rib—useless but hard to discard. Since it’s difficult to manage both fronts, it’s better to abandon it."

Registrar Wei Quan also spoke up, "In my humble opinion, my lord should mobilize all troops to Shiyi as quickly as possible to ensure its defense. Then, engage Chen Xiang in a decisive battle, leveraging the momentum from last year’s victories at Boling and Shiyi to march on Jinyang and dismantle Chen Xiang’s base. Once the north is unified, my lord can retake Yanzhou and then move south. Although my lord has married a Qiao woman, his goal is Yanzhou, not the Qiao family. Qiao Yue is known for his cowardice, and Qiao Ping has no influence to make decisions. Now is the perfect opportunity to let the Qiao family and Xue Tai fight each other, weakening both sides. Regardless of who wins, both will be severely weakened. If the Qiao family manages to hold Yanzhou, so be it. If they fail and Yanzhou falls into Xue Tai’s hands, his oppressive rule and lack of popular support will prevent him from holding it for long. Once my lord unifies the north, if any members of the Qiao family remain, my lord can send troops under the pretense of aiding them. If no one is left, my lord can use the cause of revenge. By then, how could the people of Yanzhou not be grateful? How could my lord’s grand plan not succeed?"

His words earned nods of agreement from Wei Liang, Zhang Jian, and others.

Wei Shao sat with his hand on his sword, his figure solemn. The candlelight from the table beside him cast a shadow over his face, making his expression hard to read.

After Wei Liang and the others finished discussing, they waited in silence for a moment. Finally, Wei Shao spoke slowly, "I have heard your opinions. You may all disperse for now and await my orders tomorrow."

After Wei Liang, Li Chong, and Li Dian left, Wei Shao remained alone in the government office’s meeting hall, the candles burning brightly until dawn.

As the first light of dawn appeared in the east, Wei Shao left the government office and rode back to the Wei residence. Instead of returning to the west wing, he went straight to the north wing.

Madam Xu, as usual, had risen early and finished her morning routine. Zhong Ao came in and informed her that the lord was waiting outside to see her.

It was still early, and Madam Xu was slightly surprised. She called him in. Wei Shao entered, knelt before Madam Xu, and then sat down. Madam Xu noticed that his eyes were slightly bloodshot, as if he had not slept well the previous night, and asked him about it.

Wei Shao said, "Last night, your grandson encountered a matter that was difficult to decide. I waited until dawn and came here to seek your guidance." He then presented Gongsun Yang’s letter and recounted the discussions from the previous night.

After reading the letter, Madam Xu looked up at Wei Shao and asked, "What is your opinion? Should we save Yanzhou or not?"

Wei Shao replied, "The urgency of Yanzhou is not the urgency of the Wei family. In terms of priorities, your grandson believes we should focus on the north."

Madam Xu asked, "If that’s the case, why did you come to seek my advice?"

Wei Shao hesitated for a moment, then suddenly looked up and met Madam Xu’s single eye. "Your grandson dares not hide it from you. There are ways to save Yanzhou. But I am hesitant and uncertain—given the Qiao family’s past betrayal, is it worth expending so much effort to save them?"As he spoke, a trace of suppressed resentment flickered in his eyes.

Madam Xu's single eye glimmered slightly: "Since the two families are connected by marriage, they are considered allies. You are strong, he is weak. Now that he is in trouble and seeks your help, if you do not rescue him, it is akin to abandoning your kin and forsaking righteousness. How is this any different from the Qiao family's actions back then?"

Wei Shao remained silent.

"Righteousness can be great or small, real or illusory. It can lead to success or failure. Duke Xiang's hegemony was thwarted due to his adherence to righteousness. Emperor Gaozu achieved great deeds because of his reputation for righteousness."

Madam Xu looked at Wei Shao and spoke slowly: "Thus, righteousness is but a lifeless concept, entirely dependent on one's choices. Whether to rescue or not is entirely up to you. Since I let go of control back then, I will not interfere now. I believe you can make your own decision."

Wei Shao was silent for a moment, then changed from sitting to kneeling and bowed to Madam Xu: "Grandmother's words, your grandson has taken to heart. I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave now."

Madam Xu smiled and nodded at him.

Wei Shao emerged from the north room just as the eastern sky began to show the faint light of dawn. The cool breeze of a late spring morning in the north brushed against him, gently stirring the hem of his robe. He slowly walked to the west wing and entered the courtyard. Several maids who were up early sweeping the courtyard hurried over to greet him, saying, "Madam has already risen and is washing up in her room."

Wei Shao stopped at the steps of the corridor, his hands clasped behind his back, facing the window where the faint glow of candlelight could still be seen. He stood there lost in thought for a moment, but ultimately did not enter. Instead, he turned and walked away under the slightly puzzled gazes of the maids.

...

Last night, Wei Shao had been suddenly called away and had not returned. Left alone, Xiao Qiao had drifted in and out of sleep, her rest uneasy. She woke early today and, seeing that Wei Shao had still not returned, went to the north room to pay her respects to Madam Xu at the appointed hour.

In front of Xiao Qiao, Madam Xu did not mention a word about Wei Shao's visit earlier that morning. She chatted with her as usual about everyday matters.

After leaving the north room, Xiao Qiao went to the east wing.

Madam Zhu had been punished with reflection some time ago and had only been said to be ill. Now that she had returned, perhaps out of shame, she rarely showed herself.

Xiao Qiao waited in the corridor for a while before a maid came out with a message, saying that Madam had instructed her not to come and pay her respects.

Xiao Qiao knew that Madam Zhu did not wish to see her. Her visit was merely a matter of courtesy. Upon hearing this, she returned to the west wing. Once inside, Chun Niang mentioned that the maids had seen the Lord in the courtyard early in the morning, seemingly returning from the direction of the north room. However, for some reason, he had only stood at the steps for a moment before leaving.

Chun Niang's expression was somewhat puzzled as she said this.

Xiao Qiao was also puzzled.

For some reason, Wei Shao's unusual behavior made her feel uneasy. Coupled with the incident last night when Wei Liang had suddenly arrived and called him away, her heart grew even more unsettled.

She couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened. And it was something bad, related to her.

Soon, she would find out what had occurred.

A fast messenger from Yanzhou arrived in Yuyang at the appointed hour. In addition to delivering a letter to Wei Shao immediately, he also brought a letter from home for Xiao Qiao.

The letter was personally written by her uncle, Qiao Yue. In it, he described the difficulties Yanzhou was facing and urged Xiao Qiao to intercede with Wei Shao, asking for his troops to come to their aid. Otherwise, Yanzhou would be in dire straits.

Qiao Yue repeatedly emphasized his plea, his words sincere and urgent, his anxiety palpable in every line.

Xiao Qiao was greatly shocked, her heart pounding fiercely.Yanzhou was her maternal home, where besides her uncle and aunt, her father and younger brother also resided. Xue Tai of Xuzhou had always been notorious for his cruelty and tyranny. With a hundred thousand troops pressing down on Yanzhou, given the current state of Yanzhou, even if the soldiers and civilians united to fight bravely, the outcome would likely be grim.

Xiao Qiao's heart was in turmoil. Clutching the letter, she paced back and forth in her room.

She finally realized that Wei Shao's passing by without entering this morning must be related to the situation in Yanzhou.

He must have received the news earlier than she did.

But the situation in Yanzhou probably wasn't the only issue. Otherwise, Wei Liang wouldn't have rushed back from Shiyi in the middle of the night to summon him away.

Xiao Qiao stopped in her tracks, pondered for a moment, and then changed her clothes again and headed to the north house.

Madam Xu, accompanied by Zhong Ao, was tending to her beloved flower garden in the courtyard. When Xiao Qiao arrived, Madam Xu was planting flowers, her hands slightly soiled, her expression very focused. Seeing Xiao Qiao, she washed her hands and gestured for her to follow inside.

Xiao Qiao entered and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your granddaughter-in-law just received a letter from home and learned that Yanzhou is in urgent danger. My uncle has asked my husband for military aid. I also know that now I am a member of the Wei family, and I should not interfere in Yanzhou's affairs. However, I was born and raised in my homeland, and I cannot abandon my family there. This morning, not seeing my husband, I boldly came to you, grandmother, to beg you to consider the marital ties between our families and show mercy..."

In her previous life, such an event as Xue Tai attacking Yanzhou had not occurred.

In fact, Xiao Qiao also knew that the old enmity between the Qiao and Wei families lay there. Although the Qiao family wanted to resolve it through marriage, which was a very common method among the great families of the time to resolve grievances or form alliances, how could the Wei family's hatred for the Qiao family be completely erased just by sending a woman like her?

Now Yanzhou was in crisis again. If Wei Shao helped, it would be a timely aid to the Qiao family; if he didn't, it was also understandable. Her coming to Madam Xu like this was actually inappropriate.

But she really had no choice at the moment.

She had deep feelings for her father and brother in Yanzhou. Knowing that her father couldn't handle the situation and her brother was still underage, and seeing that Wei Shao had passed by without entering this morning, it was clear he was unwilling to help. Her anxiety was overwhelming. Although she knew it was improper, she had no choice but to come. She couldn't continue speaking and stopped abruptly, bowing deeply to Madam Xu, her forehead touching the ground.

Madam Xu sat upright on the couch, watching Xiao Qiao bowing deeply to her, and after a while said, "This morning, Zhonglin came to me and mentioned a few things about Yanzhou. You probably don't know yet, it's not that Zhonglin is unwilling to help, but there are other reasons."

Madam Xu briefly explained the agreement between Chen Xiang and Xue Tai to simultaneously attack Shiyi and Yanzhou.

Xiao Qiao was stunned. Her heart sank continuously.

Wei Shao already hated the Qiao family, and even without the urgency in Shiyi, he probably wouldn't be willing to help the Qiao family.

Moreover, there was such a hidden reason.

It was only natural that he wouldn't help.

"Grandmother, your granddaughter-in-law boldly asks, could you tell me what my husband said when he came to see you this morning and mentioned the military situation in Yanzhou?"

She composed herself, finally raised her head, and asked.

Madam Xu looked at Xiao Qiao with her single eye and said, "Zhonglin has not yet decided. Grandmother does not know either."

Xiao Qiao bowed to Madam Xu again in thanks, then stood up and left.Zhong Ao escorted Xiao Qiao for a few steps before returning to find Madam Xu still seated, seemingly lost in thought. Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Elder Madam, do you think the Lord will intervene to help?"

Madam Xu replied, "Whether he helps or not lies within his own heart. He should know. It's just that hurdle is somewhat difficult to overcome."

...

Xiao Qiao returned from the north room and inquired with the servants.

Wei Shao had not yet returned, nor had he left any message.

She sat alone in her room for a moment, then suddenly stood up and called for Chun Niang to come in and help her change clothes and apply makeup. She opened a box of unused rouge. Once her makeup was done, her face resembled a peach blossom, radiant and charming, utterly captivating.

She draped a cloak over her shoulders, ordered a carriage to be prepared, and set off for Wei Shao's official residence.

The residence wasn't far from the Wei family mansion, just a street away.

It was still early, not yet the hour of Si (9-11 AM). There weren't many pedestrians on the street. The carriage carrying Xiao Qiao moved steadily along the smooth stone-paved road, the wheels producing a continuous, somewhat hollow clattering sound.

...

Never before had Xiao Qiao been so acutely aware that in this chaotic era, no one could be relied upon. Only by being strong oneself could one secure a stable life.

This was true for an individual, a city, and a family.

If the Qiao family continued in this manner, placing their hopes on the generosity and favors of others, living by the grace of others, even if they managed to survive this crisis, they would inevitably face the same situation again.

In her previous life, the Qiao family had fallen into ruin, ending in such a tragic outcome. It was both a bloody lesson and a self-inflicted consequence, with no one else to blame.

Her nature had always been a bit careless and indifferent. But at this moment, she deeply felt that she must do something for the Qiao family, to help this family stand tall again on their own, to establish themselves amidst the schemes and watchful eyes of those around them. Even if the process was arduous and the outcome uncertain, it was still better than doing nothing and waiting for others to take pity and grant favors.

She truly didn't want the Qiao family to repeat the mistakes of the past. Fortunately, there was still some time before those final events, allowing her to plan and prepare at her own pace.

But now, Yan Province was in imminent danger. What she could do was help Yan Province overcome this crisis.

This time, her "husband" Wei Shao had to intervene. Otherwise, Yan Province would surely fall.

...

The carriage stopped in front of the official residence's main gate. Xiao Qiao alighted and asked the guards at the entrance. Upon learning that Wei Shao was inside, she headed straight in.

The guards recognized the lady and dared not stop her, watching her back as she entered.

Although it was still early, Wei Liang and others had already gathered in the outer meeting hall, waiting for Wei Shao to issue orders.

Wei Shao had not yet emerged, still alone in a private study in the back hall.

The study was private. He had once issued strict orders that no one was allowed to enter without permission.

The guards outside remembered this. Seeing the Lord's wife suddenly arrive, although they recognized her, they dared not disobey Wei Shao's command. They respectfully asked her to wait while they went to report.

Xiao Qiao stopped.

Soon, the guard returned and bowed, inviting Xiao Qiao to enter.

Xiao Qiao walked to the door, paused for a moment, took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then pushed the door open.

Author's note: The next chapter will be updated in the evening.