The Prisoner of Beauty

Zhu Shi lay on her side on the couch, facing away from the door, while Jiang Nao massaged her lower back. Another maid knelt beside her, kneading her legs and feet.

"Madam, do you feel a bit more relaxed now?" Jiang Nao asked softly.

Zhu Shi closed her eyes and complained, "She goes to worship Buddha, taking her precious granddaughter-in-law with her. Why must she insist on dragging me along? When we went to Zhongshan Kingdom last time, she didn’t call for me. I bet that Qiao woman has been speaking ill of me in front of her."

Jiang Nao glanced at the maid beside her and signaled for her to leave. Once the room was empty except for herself and Zhu Shi, she leaned in close to Zhu Shi’s ear and whispered a few words.

Zhu Shi suddenly sat up. "Really?"

Jiang Nao nodded. "Just as Zheng Shu instructed earlier, I had someone take advantage of today’s rare opportunity to tamper with it. Once the Lord sees it, he will surely question it. Then we’ll see how that Qiao woman tries to explain herself!"

Zhu Shi exhaled deeply. "I remember Erlang has been keeping that rosewood box for many years, treating it with great care. Even the servants in the west wing aren’t allowed to move it when they clean. I don’t even know what’s inside. I recall a few years ago, when I went to his room and casually asked about it, he wouldn’t tell me, as if it were some priceless treasure."

Jiang Nao said, "What else could it be? It must be the keepsake Su Nu gave the Lord all those years ago! Speaking of which, the Lord is truly devoted. After all these years, he still keeps it so carefully."

At the mention of Su Nu, Zhu Shi frowned. "Is it really her thing?"

Jiang Nao replied, "What else could it be that the Lord would cherish so meticulously for so many years?"

A look of disgust crossed Zhu Shi’s face. She was lost in thought for a moment before asking, "Did you handle it carefully?"

Jiang Nao said, "Among the rough servants in the east wing courtyard, there’s one surnamed Sun who has secretly received many favors from me. She said the box is now placed in the Lord’s study. Previously, no one except the cleaning staff was allowed to enter the Lord’s study, but recently, that Qiao woman has been frequently going in and out on her own. Today, when the east wing was empty, I had Sun Nao sneak into the study unnoticed and deliberately leave traces of tampering on the lock of the box. Once the Lord discovers it, he will surely blame Qiao Nu. Even if she denies it, the Lord won’t believe her. The Lord, a nobleman of such stature, has not remarried for ten years, nor has he taken any concubines. Isn’t it because he still thinks of Su Nu? Although he has married Qiao Nu now, even if he is temporarily captivated by her beauty, he surely doesn’t hold her in the same regard as Su Nu. If Qiao Nu attempts to break the lock and pry into his private belongings, given the Lord’s temperament, how could he let her off lightly? That Qiao woman has been slandering Madam in front of the Elder Madam!"

Zhu Shi hesitated. "What if Erlang is so enchanted by Qiao Nu that he believes her excuses?"

Jiang Nao reassured her, "Madam, don’t worry. According to Sun Nao, a few days ago she secretly saw Qiao Nu move the box and then put it back. Qiao Nu has been married into the Wei family for over half a year now. It’s clear she must have learned about Su Nu’s past relationship with the Lord and guessed what’s inside the box. That’s why she’s been uneasy and tried to pry into the Lord’s private belongings. Attempting to open the lock is only natural. How could she explain it away?"

Zhu Shi nodded, her face lighting up with a smile. "Heaven helps me! So Qiao Nu tampered with it first. Then she can’t blame us! That Sun Nao, is she absolutely reliable?"Jiang Nao said, "Sun Nao once stole items from the east wing, and I still have evidence of that. If this matter is brought up, she will naturally come forward to testify that Qiao Nu entered the study alone and tampered with that box. With a witness and Lord's lingering concerns being stirred, how could he not believe it?"

Zhu Shi replied, "Very good. You've worked hard. After Chu Yu left, you are the only confidant by my side who is willing to plan for me. Last time, for my sake, you suffered greatly and had to lie down for a long time before you could stand again."

Jiang Nao was deeply grateful and said with trepidation, "When I was in trouble before, if it weren't for Madam's kindness in taking me in, I would have long become a lonely ghost in a wild grave, how could I still be alive in this world? As long as Madam is content, I am willing to repay with my life!"

Zhu Shi was moved by her words and told her not to massage her back anymore and to go rest early. At that moment, a maid came to report that the Lord had arrived.

Jiang Nao immediately showed a look of fear. Zhu Shi, knowing that she was still traumatized from the previous incident and would avoid her son from afar, was also afraid that she might provoke her son again if she stayed. She hurriedly told her to leave.

Jiang Nao quickly got up and had just reached the door when she looked up and saw Wei Shao striding towards her. In the sound of his footsteps, in the blink of an eye, he was already outside the door, and there was no way to avoid him. She hastily took a few steps back, bowed to Wei Shao, and then hurried to leave. But when she heard Marquis Wei shout, "You stay," she shivered and had no choice but to stop, slowly moving to stand by the wall.

Wei Shao walked up to Zhu Shi and looked at his mother, who had already risen and was sitting on the couch, with a serious expression, not saying a word.

Zhu Shi, seeing his seemingly unfriendly demeanor, felt somewhat guilty and forced a smile, "My son, why have you come here so suddenly? Is there something? It's getting late, and I was just about to rest."

Wei Shao slowly knelt before Zhu Shi and said, "I came here because there is something I want to ask you, Mother."

"What is it?"

"There is a box in my study that the servants know they must not touch. Today, I found scratches on the lock, indicating that someone tried to open it. I want to ask you, Mother, if you know anything about this?"

Zhu Shi feigned surprise and angrily said, "Who would dare to be so bold! If I find out, I will not let them off lightly!" She paused, "You should ask Qiao Nu. In your room, the servants would never dare to touch it, let alone leave scratches? She is the mistress of the west wing, and she should know best about such matters."

Wei Shao stared at Zhu Shi, "Are you implying, Mother, that she forced the lock open?"

Zhu Shi coughed dryly and said, "It's not that I don't trust her. It's just hard to say. She, relying on the favor you previously showed her, might have become arrogant and not taken your words to heart, even attempting to pry into your private matters. Most women in the world are shallow like this."

Wei Shao smiled, "Mother, you may not know, but that box originally contained some of my old belongings. Later, I moved the contents out, and it became empty. Some time ago, she found the nine-grid lock on the box interesting and asked me for it. You know I dote on her, so when she asked, I naturally gave it to her, and incidentally told her the unlocking method. She played with the unlocking method for a few days, lost interest in the novelty, and casually put some jewelry and gold and silver in the box, leaving it in my study. Today, I found that the lock had been forcibly pried open."Wei Shao's smile gradually faded, and his voice turned cold: "I've thought it over, and unless someone has ulterior motives, it must be that the servants in my west wing have sticky fingers. Even if the box contained no valuables and was just an empty case, I cannot tolerate such insubordination from the servants, daring to pry into their master's secrets. Mother, having managed the household for many years, surely knows how to handle such incidents, right? I came here to seek your advice on how to deal with this matter!"

When Wei Shao mentioned that he had once given the box to Xiao Qiao and told her the method to unlock it, Zhu Shi's expression changed slightly, and she frequently glanced at Jiang Nao, who was standing by the wall. Jiang Nao also looked uneasy. After Wei Shao finished speaking, Zhu Shi was already on pins and needles, barely managing to compose herself and evasively replied, "I am aware of this matter. You go back first, and I will handle it tomorrow..."

Wei Shao looked at his mother, a complex expression of disappointment flickering in his eyes, and slowly said, "Then I will leave this matter to you, Mother. I hope you can give me an explanation as soon as possible. If you have no solution, I will turn to Zhong Ao and ask her to assist you."

Zhong Ao's methods were well-known throughout the household, and everyone, without exception, held her in awe.

Wei Shao's sharp gaze swept towards Jiang Nao, who had turned pale at the mention of Zhong Ao's name. He then stood up from the ground and walked out.

...

After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao sat alone in her room, propping her chin with her hand, staring at the candle flame, lost in thought. After a while, Chun Niang came in and said that she had questioned the few maids who had stayed during the day and were usually loyal to the lady, including Lin Ao, and they all said they had not seen any outsiders come in.

"My lady, it must be that there is a traitor in the west wing. Surely some servant has been instructed to sow discord, intending to drive a wedge between you and the Lord. There are thirty-two maids and servants in the west wing, and the most suspicious are the cleaning maids who can enter and leave the Lord's study. But I also heard from Lin Ao that during the day today, she vaguely saw someone loitering in the corridor in front of the Lord's study. At the time, she didn't pay much attention, but now, upon careful recollection, she said the figure looked like Sun Ao, who was on duty in the courtyard. Just now, I questioned Sun Ao, but she flatly denied it. I have already had someone keep an eye on her. My lady, this matter could be big or small. In my opinion, it would be best to report it to the Elder Madam tomorrow and ask her to make a clear judgment."

Xiao Qiao slightly frowned, pondered for a moment, and said, "You're right, this matter could be big or small. Let's not disturb the Elder Madam for now. Go to the study and bring me that box."

Chun Niang was taken aback: "My lady, what do you mean?"

Xiao Qiao said, "Just bring it to me."

Chun Niang hesitated for a moment but finally went out and, after a short while, brought the box over, gently placing it in front of Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao stared at the box and told her to leave.

Chun Niang hesitated and said, "My lady, didn't the Lord say not to touch this box? What are you..."

Xiao Qiao seemed not to hear, her gaze fixed on the nine-grid lock, motionless.

Chun Niang saw that she seemed entranced.

Over the past two years, Chun Niang had gradually come to understand that although the lady usually liked to act coquettishly and seek comfort from her when it came to minor matters, she always had a strong sense of initiative when it came to serious issues. Seeing her like this now, it didn't seem like a rash act out of sadness, but rather as if she had something else in mind. So she stood by and accompanied her, watching as the lady raised her hand and gently moved one of the number grids on the nine-grid lock, represented by a heavenly stem.

...

The night gradually deepened.Wei Shao finally returned to the door of the west chamber. From a distance, he could see that the window of the bedroom was still lit.

He hesitated for a moment but eventually stepped inside.

Chun Niang and several other maidservants were still waiting in the side hall near the entrance. Seeing him finally appear, they all came forward to greet him.

"Is the lady inside?"

Although it was a bit difficult to ask, Wei Shao finally inquired.

Chun Niang replied softly, "The lady is inside."

Wei Shao remained silent, stepped up the stairs, and pushed the door open. Upon entering, the first thing he saw made him pause in surprise.

Xiao Qiao was kneeling on the couch opposite, and on the table in front of her was a box placed neatly and upright.

It was the very box he had forbidden her to touch.

Wei Shao's gaze lingered on the box for a moment before shifting back to her face, meeting her eyes directly.

His expression slightly stiffened, and his eyes were filled with confusion.

Although he had tried his best to maintain a calm demeanor, perhaps only he knew that a faint new wave of dissatisfaction had emerged in his heart.

He truly did not understand.

He had repeatedly expressed his wish that she not touch this box. Although he regretted losing his temper with her earlier in the evening, and just before entering, he had been thinking about how he might have frightened her and what he could say or do to quickly dispel the unease caused by tonight's unpleasant experience.

But now, upon entering and seeing this scene, he couldn't help but feel his control slipping again.

He didn't understand why she insisted on opposing him and not listening to his words. Could it really be, as his mother Zhu Shi had said, that once a woman is overly favored, she inevitably becomes arrogant and disregards her husband?

"What do you mean by this?"

After a pause, he asked, walking towards her.

Xiao Qiao raised her hand, her fingers deftly moving the positions on the nine-grid lock. Soon, a soft "click" sound came from the box, indicating that the lock mechanism had been correctly triggered.

Wei Shao looked astonished, as if he couldn't quite believe it.

Xiao Qiao's hand left the box and rested on her knees, maintaining a standard sitting posture. She looked up at Wei Shao and said, "Husband, the celestial stems on the nine-grid lock represent numbers, arranged in a matrix. Whether vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, the sum of the numbers in all three directions equals fifteen, with five in the center. It can also transform into eight different magic squares. It's not difficult; anyone who has studied arithmetic can solve it. I unlocked it in front of you to show you that I truly haven't tampered with the lock. If I really couldn't resist the urge to see what's inside the box, I would have already opened it secretly behind your back. Why would I leave scratches for you to suspect me?"

Wei Shao stood before her, motionless and silent, but his expression gradually darkened.Xiao Qiao appeared very composed: "Since I was able to unlock it, my husband must suspect that I have opened and seen the contents before. I can swear to heaven that just now, in front of you, was the first time I opened the lock. Admittedly, I do not deny that I was indeed curious about what was inside the box. Especially after I accompanied my grandmother to Zhongshan Kingdom and met Madam Yulou, my curiosity grew even more. That's why, by a stroke of coincidence the other day, I happened to see it and couldn't resist taking it out. To be honest, I even shook it a few times, feeling that it contained something like letters or papers. Then I put it back."

When Wei Shao heard "Madam Yulou" spoken so naturally from her mouth, his eyelid twitched, and his expression grew even more unpleasant.

"Whether you believe what I just said or not is entirely up to you. I do not insist, nor do I care. The reason I clarified that I did not try to pick the lock is not to shirk the responsibility for the mistake I made in this matter. After you left in anger just now, I did reflect on myself. My actions and picking this lock are not fundamentally different. Both were disregarding your previous warnings and touching your private belongings without your permission. Indeed, I was at fault first. I admit my mistake again and swear that I will never make the same mistake again, nor will I have the slightest interest in thinking about what is inside."

Wei Shao had been watching her all along, his expression shifting from the initial calmness to surprise, then to displeasure, until now, it finally began to slowly recover.

"So, why did you unlock it in front of me?"

"I will admit my mistakes. But I do not want to be falsely accused of something I did not do. That is the reason I opened the lock in front of my husband just now."

Xiao Qiao replied, her tone calm.