The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Yan returned home from the Wei residence to find that Zhu Quan had already prepared a simple set of luggage for him.

His three concubines were waiting in the pavilion.

In the past, when he went out, sometimes he traveled alone, and sometimes he would choose one to take with him. So, when they saw him preparing to leave this morning, all three had dressed up meticulously, hoping to be chosen to accompany him. Shortly after, they heard footsteps approaching. The three women looked over eagerly, but instead of Wei Yan, it was Zhu Quan who emerged from inside, carrying a seemingly heavy long box. He stopped in front of the women and said, "The master says he no longer needs your services. The gold in this box is for you three to divide among yourselves. Leave today."

Zhu Quan placed the box on the ground and opened the lid. Inside was a box full of gold ingots, gleaming brightly.

Suddenly learning that they were being dismissed, the three women were initially stunned, looking at each other in shock. When they realized what was happening, they quickly knelt down and pleaded. The concubine who had been taken in just last year, Zhu Ji, wept, "What have I done wrong that the master would treat me so harshly?"

Zhu Quan shook his head. "The master says you have done nothing wrong. He just no longer needs your services. Take the gold and leave."

Zhu Ji and the other concubine, Wang Ji, were both from the music academy, skilled in singing and dancing, and had been brought back by Wei Yan after he took a liking to them. Having served him until now, they knew his gloomy temperament; he was not a gentle man. Although they had always tried to please him, they were somewhat afraid of him deep down. Seeing that he didn't even show his face and hearing Zhu Quan's tone, it was clear that their dismissal was final. If they persisted, they might only provoke his anger. So, wiping their tears, they each took some gold ingots and went back to their rooms to pack. After discussing, they decided to return to the music academy and resume their old profession. Fortunately, both women were young and beautiful, and Wei Yan had given them a generous amount of gold. If they found a good man in the future, they could marry; if not, with this wealth, they could live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

After Zhu Ji and Wang Ji left, the remaining favorite concubine, Lan Yun, still stood in place, refusing to leave.

She had come to Wei Yan's side three years ago. At that time, Wei Yan was fighting against an invading Xiongnu force. After the Xiongnu retreated, Wei Yan rescued a group of women who had been abducted, and Lan Yun was among them. She claimed that her parents had died and begged Wei Yan to take her in. Seeing her delicate beauty, Wei Yan took her in that very night. Not only was Lan Yun beautiful, but she was also adept at understanding a man's desires and was versatile in bed. Three years had passed, and while the women around Wei Yan came and went, Lan Yun had always remained by his side.

Zhu Quan saw her standing there, dazed and unwilling to leave, and shook his head.

A moment later, Wei Yan hurried out of the house and walked to the gate, where he took the reins of his horse from a servant. As he was about to mount, Lan Yun rushed out from behind and stood in front of him, tears streaming down her face. "I have served you for three years, and I have never been negligent. Why have you suddenly changed your mind and abandoned me?"

Wei Yan looked at Zhu Quan.

Zhu Quan, looking embarrassed, quickly explained, "I already conveyed the master's intentions, but she refused to leave. There was nothing I could do."

Wei Yan said, "Give her some more gold and silk. If she has nowhere to go, find her a family to marry into." With that, he mounted his horse, and the sound of hooves clattered as the group quickly disappeared into the distance.

Lan Yun stood there, staring blankly at the retreating figures of Wei Yan and his entourage, tears streaming down her face.

...

Wei Shao personally escorted Wei Yan out of the northern city gate, traveling more than ten miles before finally stopping. The two dismounted and stood by the roadside to bid farewell."At that time, my grandmother will also attend to witness the display of our Youzhou warriors' might. Elder brother, your presence is indispensable."

Wei Yan replied, "Second brother, rest assured. Once matters in Daijun are settled, I will surely come."

Wei Shao nodded. Seeing that Wei Shao seemed hesitant to speak further, Wei Yan smiled and asked, "Second brother, do you have something else to say?"

Wei Shao hesitated for a moment, then glanced behind him. Seeing that his attendants were far away, he lowered his voice and said, "It's nothing significant. I just wanted to ask you, elder brother, what do women generally like?"

Wei Yan was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood. He knew that Wei Shao was inexperienced in matters concerning women. For him to suddenly ask such a question, the one he wanted to please must be Qiao's daughter.

Wei Shao forced himself to explain nonchalantly, "She has been married here for some time now. I've noticed that she serves my grandmother and mother quite diligently. As the saying goes, 'One good turn deserves another,' so I thought of giving her something. However, she doesn't seem particularly interested in wealth or material goods. Apart from that, I can't think of anything else to give her, which is why I'm seeking your advice, elder brother."

Suppressing the complex emotions swirling within him, Wei Yan pondered for a moment and said, "Your wife has a gentle nature and a kind heart. Second brother, why not give her a young pet to raise? I believe it would surely bring her joy."

Wei Shao felt as if a light had dawned on him and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Wei Yan smiled. The two brothers bid each other farewell. Wei Shao watched as Wei Yan and his entourage headed north, then turned his horse around and returned to the city.

...

Since the day Qiao Ci was caught by Xiao Qiao, he had been fully immersed in training at the military grounds. After a few days, he returned in the evening, excitedly entering Xiao Qiao's courtyard. Xiao Qiao was in her room when she heard her younger brother calling her name with great excitement. She went out and saw Qiao Ci squatting on the ground, surrounded by a few maids who were bending over and whispering, as if they were observing something. She walked over.

"Elder sister, look!"

Qiao Ci picked up something from the ground and quickly walked over to her.

Xiao Qiao then saw that he was holding a kitten in his arms. It had a round head, small short ears, and its eyes were of exceptionally pure colors—one blue and the other amber, like two embedded gemstones. Its entire body was fluffy, resembling a little ball of fur. Being held by Qiao Ci, it seemed frightened, constantly pawing with its pink little feet, emitting soft meows, utterly adorable.

Xiao Qiao asked in surprise, "Where did this come from?"

Qiao Ci replied, "Brother-in-law brought it. He said it was abandoned on the road right after it was born, and no one wanted it. He happened to come across it, felt sorry for it, and picked it up, asking me to bring it to you to raise."

Xiao Qiao immediately knew it was a lie. This breed of cat likely came from Persia and was quite rare in the Central Plains. Only merchants from the Western Regions brought them to Luoyang to sell at high prices to noblewomen. Given the rarity, such a cat with its fine appearance would not come cheap. How could Wei Shao have such luck as to stumble upon one on the road?

However, the kitten was truly adorable. Seeing Qiao Ci hand it over to her, Xiao Qiao couldn't help but take it into her arms. The maids and servants, hearing the commotion, also gathered around to look. Upon learning that it was a gift from the Lord to the Lady, they all praised it and busied themselves finding cloth to make a bed and sand for its litter. The courtyard was lively for a while, only quieting down as night fell.

The kitten was initially shy, hiding in the room for a while before gradually becoming bolder and coming out. Xiao Qiao played with it for a while before placing it in its bed.

Wei Shao did not return for dinner. Xiao Qiao had her meal and bathed, and by then, the sky had just darkened.The summer night was long and uneventful. Xiao Qiao brightened the candlelight and sat down to continue copying the scriptures. She had only copied a few lines when she heard footsteps outside. Turning around, she saw that Wei Shao had returned. She was about to put down her brush and rise to greet him when Wei Shao himself had already come up behind her. He leaned over to take a look and praised, "Indeed, excellent handwriting!"

Xiao Qiao smiled, put down the brush, and stood up to face him. Wei Shao suddenly seemed to remember something and looked around. "Do you still like the cat I brought back today?"

Xiao Qiao found it amusing that he emphasized the word "brought back" so seriously, but she managed to keep a straight face and simply hummed in acknowledgment.

Wei Shao said he wanted to see the cat. Xiao Qiao led him to the corner of the outer room where the cat's temporary bed had been placed. The cat was curled up in its bed, fast asleep.

As soon as Wei Shao entered, he sneezed. He walked up to the cat's bed, stared at the cat for a moment, and finally reached out a hand to touch the cat's back. He nodded and said, "As long as you like it. It can keep you company when I'm not home..."

Before he could finish, he sneezed again.

Xiao Qiao now realized that Wei Shao might be allergic. He, however, was still oblivious and sneezed twice more, feeling a bit confused. He rubbed his nose.

Xiao Qiao quickly said, "I understand. Don't touch it anymore. Let's go!"

She pushed Wei Shao out and called for the maids to attend to him as he prepared to bathe. After some thought, she decided to move the cat's bed to Chun Niang's room. Just as she returned to her own room, she heard Wei Shao's voice calling out loudly from the bathroom, as if something urgent had happened.

Startled, Xiao Qiao hurried to the bathroom door and lifted the curtain. "What's the matter, my lord?"

Wei Shao shouted, "It's itchy!"

Xiao Qiao was taken aback. She stepped closer and took a look. She saw that red, needle-like spots had appeared on the skin of his arms and shoulders.

Wei Shao kept complaining about the itch. Xiao Qiao quickly stopped him from scratching and told him to come out and put on some clothes. She then went to Chun Niang to ask for some anti-itch ointment and returned to have him lie down.

Wei Shao obediently lay down and watched as she applied the ointment.

Xiao Qiao sat beside him, applying the ointment while saying, "You and the cat don't get along. We can't keep it at home. Wherever you got it from, if you can return it, take it back tomorrow—"

Wei Shao shook his head and said resolutely, "As long as you like it, I don't mind itching to death!"

Xiao Qiao rolled her eyes at him in her heart and snorted, "I don't have the face to keep a cat that makes the lord restless every day..."

Before she could finish, Wei Shao grabbed her hand, and she fell onto his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, flipped her over, and pinned her down on the pillow.

Wei Shao leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Can we do it tonight? It's been several nights since I last touched you!"

Xiao Qiao understood exactly what he meant. Although she still had some lingering resentment in her heart, she couldn't bring herself to say no. Besides, she was already clean today, and she figured that even if she said no, Wei Shao wouldn't let her off.

She casually wiped the remaining ointment on her finger onto his face and snorted, "Is the lord no longer itchy?"

Wei Shao, feeling aroused by her touch, didn't mind the medicinal smell on her finger. He opened his mouth and bit it, licking her finger as he mumbled, "It's still very itchy. You need to touch me properly for me to feel better—"

...That night, Xiao Qiao was once again tormented by Wei Shao for a long time, to the point where her waist felt like it was about to break.

She had never known before that once Wei Shao let loose, he could say shameless words and make outrageous demands without batting an eye. Not only did he say them himself, but he also forced her to say them back to him.

The last time, she was already whimpering softly from his actions, but he still wouldn't let her go, looking as excited as ever, insisting she answer his foolish question: "Do you like it when I treat you like this?"

Xiao Qiao didn't want to talk to him at all, nor did she have the strength to speak anymore. It would have been even better if she could have thrown something at him to shut his mouth.

But she didn't have the courage. If she didn't comply with his wishes, it seemed like he would keep going until dawn.

"I like it—" Xiao Qiao cried.

"Like what?"

"I like... when my Lord treats me like this—"

"Will you let me touch you next time?"

"Yes—"

"What if you don't?"

"I don't know—"

"You have to listen to me! I am your husband!"

"Mm-hmm—" Xiao Qiao cried.

Thanks to Lord Wei Shao achieving immense satisfaction both physically and mentally, he finally showed some mercy and ended the ordeal. Before Xiao Qiao closed her eyes and fell asleep, a vague thought crossed her mind.

Back in Xindu, when she had just met him, she often saw him bustling in and out during the day on the sandalwood platform, thinking he was as busy as a dog.

Now, it was her turn to be exhausted like a dog at night.

How could this kind of life ever come to an end!

Author's note: My dear readers are all gods, always spoiling the plot...

I can't write this anymore, I give up!!!