The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao sat upright behind the low table on the couch. To the left of the table were stacks of bamboo scrolls. Some had already been opened and read, while others remained neatly tied. To the right lay his long sword. He held a scroll in his hand and, upon hearing Xiao Qiao's footsteps as she entered, slightly raised his eyes.

Xiao Qiao walked straight up to him, gave a slight bow, and without asking, climbed onto the couch, kneeling opposite him across the table.

Wei Shao seemed slightly taken aback and glanced at her.

Xiao Qiao said, "Husband, this morning when I left Grandmother's place, I learned about the military situation in Shiyi and Yanzhou. I also know that my uncle has asked you for help with reinforcements. Additionally, my uncle wrote me a personal letter, asking me to intercede on his behalf before you. I know I hold no such favor or face in your eyes. But even if my uncle had not written, I would have urgently sought to see you. Earlier, I waited at home for a long time without seeing you return, fearing that you might be about to set out on a campaign, so I took the liberty of coming to the yamen. If I have acted inappropriately, please forgive me."

Wei Shao said indifferently, "What do you want to say?"

Xiao Qiao looked directly into his eyes, "I came to ask for your help in relieving Yanzhou from Xue Tai's military threat."

Wei Shao smiled, put down the scroll in his hand, and slowly straightened up, "How can a woman meddle in such affairs? And what makes you think I would help Yanzhou with its military troubles?"

In his tone, that familiar hint of slight mockery inadvertently surfaced.

Xiao Qiao lowered her eyes, "I know my words carry little weight. Moreover, there is longstanding enmity between the Qiao and Wei families. The deaths of your father and elder brother are inextricably linked to my family. My uncle insisted on marrying me off to seek reconciliation, but this act is like covering one's eyes to catch a sparrow—self-deception."

Wei Shao narrowed his eyes, "If that's the case, what more do you have to say?"

Xiao Qiao slowly raised her eyes, "I also know that the reason you married me last year was likely out of respect for the elders' wishes. I dare not hope that you would set aside the grudge against my family for the deaths of your father and brother. But since the Wei and Qiao families have become in-laws, in the eyes of the world, it is as if an alliance has been formed. Now that the Qiao family is in trouble, if you stand by and do nothing, it would seem as though you are breaking this alliance. Furthermore, the Wei family is strong while the Qiao family is weak. If Yanzhou falls, it would also tarnish your reputation."

Wei Shao remained silent, his expression noncommittal.

Xiao Qiao paused, took a deep breath, and continued, "The East Sea is vast and deep, yet it humbly accommodates a hundred rivers; the Five Sacred Mountains are lofty and grand, yet they do not reject dirt and dust. I know you have ambitions as high as the heavens and the ability to hold up the sky and tread the seas. When people speak of the Wei family of Youzhou, everyone knows of them. First and foremost, the Wei family is renowned for resisting foreign invasions—a reputation unparalleled. For four generations and three eras, this legacy has been passed down, and now in your hands, it has not diminished the ancestors' prestige. If you generously aid Yanzhou in its time of need, not only will the soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou be grateful, but people across the land will also praise your magnanimity."

Wei Shao laughed, "If I don't help, does that make me narrow-minded? Do you think I care about such empty reputations? The victor becomes the king, and the loser becomes the bandit—don't you know this principle?"Xiao Qiao shook her head, her tone sincere: "I did not mean that. If my husband truly does not wish to rescue, I suspect it is not entirely due to lingering resentment towards my grandfather's generation. This morning, I heard from my grandmother that 150,000 troops from Bingzhou are heading towards Shiyi. My husband is facing the enemy head-on and likely cannot spare additional forces to care about Yanzhou."

Wei Shao glanced at her.

"I am merely a woman of the inner chambers, with no extra insight. But this matter concerns the life and death of Yanzhou, and I dare to propose a strategy to relieve the siege of Yanzhou. If my husband finds it feasible, it would not require much of his forces. May I speak?"

Wei Shao seemed momentarily surprised. His brow then lifted slightly.

"Speak," he said, his tone somewhat indifferent.

"When I was still in the inner chambers of Dongjun, I heard that in the Huai River region, besides Xue Tai of Xuzhou, Yang Xin, the Inspector of Yangzhou in Huainan, is also prominent. Xue Tai and Yang Xin have long been at odds over territory and people. Since Chen Xiang could form an alliance with Xue Tai through marriage and provisions, inciting him to attack Yanzhou, could we not turn the tables and ally with Yang Xin to attack Xuzhou? Once Xuzhou is in crisis, Xue Tai will surely withdraw his troops to defend himself. As long as we can get Yang Xin to send troops, no matter the cost in provisions or wealth, even if it means bankrupting my family, I will write to Yanzhou, and my uncle and father will surely repay it in full, without my husband spending a single coin. When I married, my family prepared a dowry for me, though it is but a drop in the bucket, I am willing to offer it all."

Wei Shao's expression shifted slightly, but he did not interrupt.

"This strategy of 'relieving the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao' is something I thought of, and naturally, my husband could have thought of it as well. I know it is easier said than done. To get Yang Xin to attack Xuzhou at this time is to make him an enemy of Chen Xiang. Chen Xiang is powerful, and though Yang Xin is greedy, he may not be willing to offend Chen Xiang for provisions and wealth. Persuading Yang Xin is the hardest part. In all the world, only my husband has the influence and prestige to move Yang Xin."

"Does my husband think it feasible?"

Finally, she asked softly.

...

The study fell silent.

...

Though Xiao Qiao tried to remain calm, her gaze at him unconsciously revealed a hint of nervousness. Her tightly clenched hands were slightly damp with sweat.

The life and death of Yanzhou and the Qiao family might hinge on this moment.

...

Wei Shao also looked at Xiao Qiao, his expression seemingly unchanged. In reality, he was very surprised, even shaken.

The best strategy is to outwit the enemy.

As she had just said, after Wei Liang left last night, he had waited alone in the yamen for dawn, and Wei Shao had already conceived this plan of 'using a hawk to chase a fox.'

The hawk he thought of coincided with her suggestion: Yang Xin, the Inspector of Yangzhou.

As long as he arranged it himself and offered substantial benefits, getting Yang Xin to send troops to attack Xuzhou would not be difficult.

But as he had told Madam Xu this morning, there was a barrier in his heart.

So he hesitated between rescuing and not rescuing, unable to decide.

Whenever he thought of the Qiao family's betrayal in the past, hatred would spread in his heart.

The tragic scene of his father and brother's death in his youth was too deeply etched. Over time, the shadow did not fade but only took deeper root in the depths of his heart, though sometimes it did not surface.He gradually became aware that the daughter from the Qiao family, who had married into his household, was not only beautiful but also genuinely pleasing to him. At some point, her inadvertent expressions and small gestures, perhaps unnoticed by herself, began to stir his desires and fantasies.

He was willing to treat her well, to a certain extent and within certain boundaries, such as within the confines of their room. Outside the room, the sensory pleasures she brought him could not dilute his aversion to the Qiao family.

It was precisely because he was hesitating, or rather, he needed a reason to convince himself to aid the Qiao family according to the marriage alliance, that he went to see his grandmother first thing this morning.

Although his grandmother did not explicitly say it, Wei Shao could certainly read between the lines.

By the time he left the Wei residence, he had already made his decision.

In the front hall, Wei Liang and about twenty to thirty others had already gathered, waiting for his orders.

He had just prepared himself and was about to go to the front hall when she unexpectedly arrived here.

If she had learned of the crisis in Yanzhou, it was within his expectations that she would come to plead for his assistance.

What he hadn't anticipated was that she would appear before him at the government office with unusually bright makeup and new clothes, like a celestial being, intending to persuade him in such a manner.

It must be said, she was clever, more so than he had imagined. Her words were well-structured and highly persuasive.

Even if he had initially decided not to intervene, after hearing her words, he really had no reason to oppose anymore.

……

Wei Shao's current mood was indescribable. He wasn't sure what he was feeling. Surprise? Joy? Perhaps even a bit of disappointment that he couldn't quite articulate……

……

After Xiao Qiao asked the question "Is it feasible?", she waited for his response. She waited for a long time, but he remained silent.

He sat across from her, saying nothing. His expression was as calm as water.

She really couldn't fathom what he was thinking at that moment.

She couldn't help but feel even more anxious.

On her way here, she had thought through what she wanted to say. She felt it was quite persuasive.

As long as Wei Shao had a little patience to listen to her, she felt there was a good chance she could persuade him.

But now it seemed her words hadn't had much effect.

Perhaps he was still hesitating?

He could hesitate, but she could not. She didn't have the luxury. She was determined to put in 100% effort to convince him.

She had been kneeling across from him, but suddenly she straightened her back, her delicate fingers lightly pressing on the table.

"My husband married me for Yanzhou. Yanzhou is now like a piece of meat on your plate. If it can be preserved, I really can't think of a reason why you would let it go, only to take it back from someone else later?"

Wei Shao met her gaze, still expressionless.

"If Yanzhou is fortunate enough to be preserved thanks to my husband, Manman is very grateful."

Xiao Qiao's tone was soft, and she suddenly leaned towards him, her lips gently brushing against his tightly closed ones.

Their faces were instantly very close, Xiao Qiao's exquisite and beautiful nose, with a jade-like coolness, lightly touched his cheek, their breaths almost mingling together, as if whispering intimately.

Wei Shao's Adam's apple moved slightly."My lord must be busy with official matters. I dare not disturb you further. I shall take my leave."

Xiao Qiao left him, sat back down, bowed slightly towards him, then rose from the couch and turned to leave.

"Keep that dowry money of yours for yourself and make a couple of new dresses!"

Just as she reached the doorway, she suddenly heard Wei Shao's voice behind her. His tone was calm, yet it carried a hint of teasing.

She stopped in her tracks and turned her head.

Wei Shao had risen from the couch, smoothed his sleeves, and quickly passed by Xiao Qiao, stepping over the threshold and heading towards the front hall.

...

In the front hall, the twenty or so civil and military officials of Yuyang had been waiting anxiously. Finally, they saw Wei Shao emerge from the back of the hall. They immediately fell silent and lined up in two rows, awaiting orders.

Wei Shao issued his commands. He appointed Li Dian as the Grand General, leading 150,000 troops divided into five routes to Shi Yi. The first route was led by Li Chong on the left, the second by Zhang Jian on the right, and the remaining three routes were each commanded by seasoned generals loyal to the Wei family. These five generals were to lead their troops and set off immediately.

Wei Shao also appointed the Registrar Wei Quan as the Grand Commandant, responsible for overseeing the supply of provisions. He himself led an elite force and set off separately.

The generals received their orders and took their military tallies, then dispersed. Wei Liang remained behind. Seeing that everyone had left and he had not been assigned a task, he grew anxious, thinking that Wei Shao no longer trusted him due to his accidental loss of the lady on the road at the end of last year. He stepped forward and asked, "Does my lord not trust Liang?"

Wei Shao smiled and said, "General, I have a great task for you, which is why I saved you for last."

Wei Liang was puzzled. Wei Shao leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Wei Liang was greatly surprised.

"I have decided that we must fight at Shi Yi and also protect Yan Zhou. Chen Xiang has married his daughter to Xue Tai's son, and the promised ten thousand hu of grain and one thousand gold have already been sent. Master Gongsun mentioned in his letter that Chen Xiang, to ensure everything goes smoothly, has taken a small path instead of the main road, sending a thousand troops as escort. I am giving you two thousand men. Go and seize all the people and grain for me. I will immediately send an envoy with a secret letter to Yang Zhou, promising that if he attacks Xu Zhou, the troops in Yan Zhou will be withdrawn, and after the matter is settled, the grain and silk will be sent to him, along with a thousand northern horses. Yang Xin has long coveted Xu Zhou, and with my support, he will not miss this opportunity."

Wei Liang laughed heartily, "My lord's plan is brilliant! If Xu Zhou is lost, where can Xue Tai find refuge? He will surely return to save the city! Chen Xiang will lose his daughter and the grain and silk, and Xue Tai will have tried to steal a chicken only to lose the rice. Let's see how those two can still be good in-laws!"

Wei Shao smiled faintly, "This matter concerns the fate of Yan Zhou. There must be no mistakes. General, you must act with utmost caution."

Wei Liang stopped laughing and said solemnly, "My lord, please rest assured. Having learned from my previous mistake, Wei Liang will be a hundred times more cautious and will not fail in my duty!"

...

From early morning, the people in the city began to sense a growing tension. Large groups of soldiers continuously passed through the city gates from the north, south, and east, gathering in the open fields outside the west gate. The military force was vast, with banners blocking the sky, stretching as far as the eye could see. News soon spread that the lord was sending a large army to Shi Yi to engage in a decisive battle with Chen Xiang. The people, who had always held Wei Shao's army in high regard, rushed to the west gate to offer rice and grain, among other things. Grand Commandant Wei Quan thanked the people but politely declined all offerings.

The atmosphere in Yuyang was thick with preparations for war, and within the high walls of the Wei residence, the mood was also noticeably different from usual.Madam Xu and Madam Zhu learned that Wei Shao was once again preparing to lead his troops into battle, with the vanguard already on the move. Although they were accustomed to such farewells, each of them felt a pang of reluctance in their hearts. Knowing that Wei Shao would surely return to bid them farewell before his departure, Madam Xu, along with Zhu Shi and Xiao Qiao, waited in the front hall from the afternoon onwards.

Madam Xu's expression was as calm as usual, sitting quietly in anticipation. Zhu Shi, however, showed signs of worry on her face, her eyes slightly red, and she occasionally turned her face away to discreetly wipe the corners of her eyes.

Madam Xu noticed this and was somewhat displeased, but she said nothing.

Xiao Qiao waited with them until nightfall when they finally received word. Wei Shao was occupied with military affairs and might not return at this time. Fearing that his grandmother and mother would wait in vain, he instructed them to return to their rooms and rest. He would come to bid them farewell individually later.

Only then did Madam Xu order everyone to disperse and return to their rooms.

...

Although Wei Shao had not explicitly stated it in the morning, the words he spoke before rising indicated that he had decided to assist Yanzhou. After returning from the government office, Xiao Qiao's mood finally relaxed a little. After Madam Xu instructed everyone to return to their rooms, she waited in her room.

She waited until very late, past midnight, nearing the hour of the Ox. Unable to stay awake any longer, she lay down by the bed in her clothes and dozed off. In her drowsy state, she heard the sound of Chun Niang talking to someone outside the door, followed by the familiar sound of footsteps...

As if by reflex, before her eyes could fully open, Xiao Qiao immediately sat up from the pillow.

Wei Shao had returned.