The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao had been extremely busy for several consecutive days, leaving early and returning late. Last night, he came back a bit earlier but still stayed alone in his study to handle official matters. When it got quite late and he still hadn’t returned to their room, Xiao Qiao brought him a bowl of snacks. He barely touched the snacks but instead treated Xiao Qiao as his "snack," pulling her onto his lap and holding her close. After a moment of affection, Wei Shao said, "There’s an urgent matter in Zhuojun. I’ll be heading there tomorrow and will return in three or four days."

Xiao Qiao was slightly taken aback.

News had already come in that Qiao Ci and his group were very close and would arrive within a day or two. Wei Shao was aware of this as well.

"My husband, if you have matters to attend to, please go ahead," Xiao Qiao hesitated for a moment before smiling.

Wei Shao glanced at her but didn’t say anything. Instead, he leaned in, kissed her cheek, and stood up with her in his arms. "It’s late. Let’s go back to the room."

The next morning, after seeing Wei Shao off, Xiao Qiao continued her usual routine of copying scriptures in her room. Shortly after, Wei Shao sent a guard back to the Wei residence to retrieve something. The guard explained that Wei Shao had forgotten a document in the study cabinet the previous night and requested Madam to fetch it for him to take away.

Xiao Qiao guessed that he must have forgotten it last night. Knowing that he was likely waiting for the document, she hurried to his study and found the document in the specified cabinet drawer.

As she turned to leave, she hesitated slightly, her footsteps finally coming to a halt.

She noticed a box placed in one of the cabinet drawers.

When she had first arrived at the Wei residence and moved into this room, she had unintentionally touched this box, and Wei Shao had questioned her about it. The next day, he had taken it away.

At the time, she had speculated that the contents of this box must hold special significance for him, which was why he didn’t even allow her to touch it.

Xiao Qiao’s gaze lingered on the box for a moment.

She knew she shouldn’t touch it, but her self-control wasn’t strong enough, and she eventually couldn’t resist taking the box out of the drawer.

The box was locked, not with an ordinary lock, but with a nine-grid puzzle, similar to a combination lock.

The box wasn’t heavy. The wood itself likely accounted for most of its weight. Xiao Qiao held it up to her ear and gently shook it, sensing that it probably contained something like letters or papers.

Intuitively, the image of Su Nu, whom she had encountered in Zhongshan, flashed before her eyes.

In her past life, Wei Shao had favored Su Nu for many years, and shortly after Da Qiao’s death, he had made her his empress.

This woman, who had accompanied Wei Shao as he grew up and was two years older than him, must have held an extremely special place in his heart.

Indeed, such a woman, with her unparalleled beauty and charm that seemed to seep into her very bones, had even captivated Xiao Qiao at first sight.

Xiao Qiao had always been satisfied with her own appearance, but compared to this woman, her looks seemed insignificant, and her figure paled in comparison. As for charm, she doubted she could ever cultivate it in this lifetime.

And what about men?

Xiao Qiao gently placed the box back in its original position, hurriedly turned around, and handed the retrieved document to the guard to take away.

...

The next day, news arrived that Yang Feng, the envoy sent by Qiao Yue, and Qiao Ci’s group were nearing Yuyang. They were accompanied by twenty to thirty attendants, flying the banner of the Governor of Yanzhou.

Madam Xu took this very seriously. She assigned Wei Yan to go out of the city to welcome them and then instructed Xiao Qiao to accompany him.Xiao Qiao was filled with anticipation and joy at the thought of soon seeing her younger brother. After changing into formal attire, she stepped outside the main gate and saw Wei Yan already waiting with his entourage. Beside them stood a luxurious summer carriage with two shafts, topped with a canopy and surrounded by light gauze curtains on three sides to shield against the wind, sun, and the prying eyes of passersby. The carriage was exquisitely adorned, and even the chestnut horse pulling it was magnificent—spirited, with a glossy coat free of any blemish. The horse’s forehead was adorned with a golden ornament, and its neck bore a collar with nine small golden bells that chimed softly as the horse moved its head.

Such a splendid carriage and horse were fitting only for a woman of Xiao Qiao’s status, the wife of a marquis.

Wei Yan seemed to have been waiting for a while but showed no sign of impatience, sitting calmly on his horse. When he saw Xiao Qiao emerge from the gate, he dismounted and approached her with a smile, inviting her to board the carriage. “The messenger just reported that they are less than twenty li away. If you accompany me to the city gate, your brother should arrive soon.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Brother-in-law.”

Xiao Qiao smiled slightly at him, then lifted her skirt and stepped into the carriage. Wei Yan ordered his attendants to guard the carriage from front and back, mounted his horse, and followed slightly behind the carriage as they set off toward the southern gate.

Although Xiao Qiao had been married to Wei Shao and living in Yuyang for some time, she rarely ventured out. The last time she had traveled to the Queen Mother’s Temple to inscribe a plaque, she had ridden in a closed carriage, so the people of Yuyang had few opportunities to catch a glimpse of the Lord’s wife. Today, as the splendid carriage from the Wei residence set out, it immediately drew the attention of passersby. Though the carriage was shielded by gauze curtains on three sides, the front was open, and the curtains fluttered in the wind as the carriage moved.

Through the billowing gauze, people could see a stunningly beautiful woman in resplendent attire seated inside the carriage. Word quickly spread that she was the Lady of the Wei residence, and the onlookers grew excited. Many began to follow the carriage toward the southern gate, reminiscent of the scene when she had left Xindu.

Seeing the growing crowd on both sides of the road, Wei Yan, concerned that Xiao Qiao might be disturbed, ordered his attendants to guard her more closely. He also rode closer to the carriage, watching her figure appear and disappear through the gauze curtains. They eventually exited the city and stopped the carriage beside a stone pavilion a few li away. The pavilion had been prepared with curtains on three sides and seating inside. Wei Yan invited Xiao Qiao to alight and rest in the pavilion while they awaited the arrival of the party from Yanzhou.

Wei Yan had indeed been thoughtful. Inside the pavilion, there were two plates of fresh fruit, two kinds of delicate pastries, and tea. Xiao Qiao, eager to see her brother, had no appetite but felt a bit thirsty. Seeing the tea, she slowly drank a cup. As she was halfway through her second cup, she noticed a group of riders appearing at the far end of the road.

Excited, Xiao Qiao set down her teacup and stepped out of the pavilion, standing by the roadside and shielding her eyes with her hand as she gazed into the distance. The group gradually drew nearer, and she could now see the Yanzhou banners. Closer still, she spotted a red horse at the front, with her younger brother Qiao Ci riding toward her.About an arrow's distance away, Qiao Ci also spotted Xiao Qiao waving at him by the roadside. Overjoyed, he immediately urged his horse out of the line and galloped towards his sister. Upon reaching her, he leaped off his horse and rushed to her side.

"Sister!" "Brother!"

Xiao Qiao tightly grasped her brother's arms, overwhelmed with emotion. Her chest warmed, and her eyes slightly reddened as she carefully examined her brother, whom she hadn't seen in over half a year.

He had grown significantly taller. She remembered that before her marriage, he was only slightly taller than her. In these past months, while she had grown a bit, he had shot up even more, now only slightly shorter than Wei Shao. She had to look up to meet his eyes, and his shoulders had broadened, giving him the appearance of a young man.

Qiao Ci had also missed his sister dearly. Since her marriage, he had always harbored suspicions that the Wei family had ulterior motives in marrying a Qiao daughter, constantly worrying that his sister might be mistreated here. Therefore, when Qiao Yue sent envoys north, he insisted on coming along. He too scrutinized his sister.

Xiao Qiao had grown slightly taller than last year, dressed in elegant clothes, her face glowing with health. Before her marriage, she had the pure and simple beauty of a maiden, but now there was a subtle charm of a young woman in her demeanor. Qiao Ci felt that his sister looked even more beautiful than last year, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly how. Seeing that she seemed to be doing well, the anxiety he had carried on the journey finally eased. Noticing her eyes slightly reddening, he panicked and asked, "Sister, why are you crying?"

"Your sister is moved to tears of joy seeing you so dashing and heroic, already taking on enemies at such a young age," Wei Yan approached and said to Qiao Ci with a smile.

Qiao Ci glanced at Wei Yan, momentarily confused. At first glance, he thought the man was Wei Shao, but upon a second look, he realized it wasn't. He had heard that Wei Shao was in his early twenties, but this man, though impressive, seemed slightly older. He looked towards Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao quickly wiped her eyes and then smiled, "He is your brother-in-law's cousin, Lord Wei Yan, the Duke of Daijun and a third-rank imperial general. He came out of the city on our grandmother's orders to welcome you."

Qiao Ci understood and took a closer look at Wei Yan. He found the man's demeanor extraordinary, giving an impression of intelligence and capability, yet he was all smiles and very friendly.

He had prepared himself for a cold reception from the Wei family, but this was unexpectedly warm. Remembering that Wei Yan had mentioned his exploits outside Juye city with a tone of praise, he felt a bit embarrassed but also pleased, instantly forming a good impression of him. After Xiao Qiao's introduction, he respectfully greeted Wei Yan, addressing him as "Lord."

Wei Yan laughed, "You are my sister-in-law's brother, so we are like family. No need for formalities, just call me cousin."

Qiao Ci, not yet sixteen, though tall, was still a boy at heart. Seeing Wei Yan so amiable, he didn't stand on ceremony and directly called him "Cousin Wei." The two hit it off immediately, like old friends despite the age difference.My younger brother hasn't even entered the city yet, and he's already getting along so well with Wei Yan at first sight. Xiao Qiao felt somewhat uneasy about this. Moreover, although her initial strong aversion to Wei Yan had lessened, she still felt that he was quite scheming. Subconsciously, she didn't want her younger brother to get too close to him. Of course, under these circumstances, she wouldn't say anything.

Shortly after, Yang Feng, the envoy from Yanzhou, along with his entourage, arrived, having been left behind by Qiao Ci.

Xiao Qiao had seen Yang Feng before. He was the Chief Secretary of her uncle, well-versed in Confucianism, and considered a renowned scholar in Yanzhou. After Yang Feng dismounted, Wei Yan stepped forward to greet him. After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Qiao boarded the carriage again, and the group, led by Wei Yan, set off on their return journey.

Yang Feng's visit was not only to deliver a personal letter from Qiao Yue but also to bring generous gifts. There were exquisite embroidered garments and gold ornaments for Madam Xu and Madam Zhu, as well as two hundred bolts each of silk, satin, brocade, and damask, totaling one thousand bolts. Additionally, there were ten carts filled with local products from Yanzhou.

The procession of carriages and horses passed through the streets of Yuyang, drawing the attention and chatter of the locals. Wei Yan arranged for Yang Feng to stay at the posthouse, explaining that Wei Shao had coincidentally left Yuyang on business the previous day but would return soon. He asked Yang Feng to rest assured and then took Qiao Ci to the Wei residence.

The first thing Qiao Ci did upon arrival was naturally to pay his respects to Wei Shao's grandmother and mother. After settling in, he washed off the dust from his journey and changed into formal attire.

Xiao Qiao waited outside his room. When her younger brother emerged, looking refreshed and radiant, his handsome face accentuated by a new black robe with wide sleeves, she felt a deep sense of pride, as if witnessing the first signs of her younger brother's maturity.

Xiao Qiao personally led Qiao Ci to the north wing. Along the way, many young maids of the Wei residence couldn't help but glance at the younger brother of their mistress.

Madam Xu and Zhu Shi were already seated. Wei Yan stood nearby. After Qiao Ci was led in by Xiao Qiao, he paid his respects to Madam Xu and Madam Zhu in turn.

Although Qiao Ci was not yet sixteen and the Qiao family was in decline, he was still from an old and prestigious family. Having been strictly taught the etiquette of receiving guests since childhood, he performed the formalities flawlessly. After the proper rituals, Qiao Ci stood up, and Madam Xu appeared very pleased, praising his outstanding appearance, likening him to a young eagle soaring in the sky. She ordered Zhong Ao to present him with a gift—a short knife with a scabbard adorned with a splendid cat's eye gemstone.

At first glance, Madam Zhu saw Qiao Ci's radiant and heroic demeanor, like a jade mountain before her, and immediately thought of her late husband and eldest son. Now, the son of her enemy had not only grown up but was being welcomed as an honored guest into her home. Her feelings of disgust were indescribable. However, in such a setting and in front of Madam Xu, she, having been the mistress of the marquis's household for decades, dared not show the slightest discourtesy. Suppressing her hatred, she also ordered a gift to be presented.

Qiao Ci received the gifts with both hands, thanked them again, and stood up. Madam Xu called him to her side, affectionately asked a few questions about his family, and invited him to stay longer. Then, turning to Wei Yan, she said, "Unfortunately, your second brother happens to be away on business in the city these days, and your grandmother has tasks for you. You should take him around on behalf of your second brother. Although our northern lands are not as picturesque as the south, they still have a rugged grandeur."

Wei Yan smiled and said, "Grandmother, there's no need to instruct me. I will naturally take care of it."

Author's note: Dear readers, thank you so much for your generosity once again!