The Prisoner of Beauty

Madam Ding had been listless and frowning these past few days, with little appetite for food or tea. Xiao Qiao had been by her side from morning till night, offering comfort. She had just left Madam Ding's quarters and was walking with her wet nurse, Chun Niang, as they chatted.

The Qiao family patriarch was known for his benevolence towards the people, earning him great favor among the locals. In recent days, townsfolk had been coming to their doorstep to offer their congratulations and thanks, each one beaming with joy. Although Xiao Qiao hadn't stepped outside, she was aware of this. She had asked Chun Niang to inquire and learned that the entire city knew about the marriage alliance between the Qiao and Wei families, which had averted a military disaster. The people were grateful and had come to express their thanks. As she pondered this, she suddenly saw her father pacing back and forth at the entrance of her courtyard, looking deeply troubled. She quickened her steps and called out to him. Seeing that he seemed hesitant to speak, she knew he had something to say. Once inside, she couldn't help but ask about the news she had just heard.

Qiao Ping furrowed his brow, gazing at Xiao Qiao, and slowly said, "Manman, it's true. I truly owe you an apology..."

His beloved daughter had clearly found a suitable marriage, but unforeseen circumstances had arisen, and now she was to be married off to Wei Shao. The thought of his delicate daughter being thrown into the tiger's den, isolated and helpless, filled him with sorrow, and he couldn't bring himself to continue.

Xiao Qiao had sensed something was amiss earlier. When her father spoke those half-finished words, she observed his expression and felt her heart skip a beat.

There had been no word from Da Qiao, yet the city was already abuzz with news of the marriage, and it had only started in the past couple of days. Her father's tone suggested that she might have to take Da Qiao's place and marry into the Wei family.

But she was already betrothed...

"Father, are you asking me to take my sister's place?"

She hesitated but finally asked.

Though her father remained silent for a long time, Xiao Qiao's heart was already clear.

The shock was so overwhelming that she froze, her heart suddenly pounding, and she couldn't react.

Initially, she had encouraged Da Qiao to elope, unable to bear the thought of her sister falling into the clutches of a wolf, and had hoped that her father could persuade her uncle to take a bold step. Moreover, she herself was already betrothed—though she had considered finding a way to annul the engagement once things settled down. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that the Qiao and Wei families would still form a marriage alliance, and that she would be the one to take Da Qiao's place!

"Manman, the Wei family has already sent word agreeing to the marriage. The envoy will arrive soon. Your cousin has gone missing, and your uncle knelt before me, pleading... I truly..."

Qiao Ping explained a bit more but stopped again.

Xiao Qiao gradually regained her composure, but her thoughts were still in turmoil. She stood there, momentarily at a loss for words.

"The betrothal with the Liu heir will have to be annulled. Manman, I owe you an apology..."

Qiao Ping's eyes grew slightly moist.

Xiao Qiao remained silent for a moment.

"Father, I understand. My mind is in chaos. Could you let me be alone for a while?"

Finally, she looked up at Qiao Ping, forcing a faint smile as she spoke.

Seeing that his daughter's face was clearly pale but she smiled instead of crying, Qiao Ping felt even more guilt-ridden and let out a long sigh.

...

After her father left, Xiao Qiao heard him whispering to her wet nurse, Chun Niang, through the door, likely instructing her to take good care of her. Moments later, the sound of footsteps faded, and the surroundings grew quiet.That night, Qiao Ci learned of the news.

Later, Xiao Qiao heard from Chun Niang that he had been furious, storming straight to his uncle to loudly oppose the decision.

His uncle, who had no sons of his own, had always treated his nephew as his own child and held him in high regard. However, at that moment, Qiao Ci was also driven out by his uncle and confined to a locked room.

Xiao Qiao did not sleep a wink that night.

She knew her father had always doted on her, and she understood that he would never have agreed to marry her off unless he had no other choice. Now that the news of the alliance between the two families had spread, the people, who naturally sought stability, were overjoyed. As the governor of the commandery, her father was like a tiger forced onto a mount, bearing the expectations of the two hundred thousand soldiers and civilians of Yanzhou. Indeed, he had no other way out but to agree.

Earlier, she had told Da Qiao that she wished to marry Wei Shao and asked for her blessing. She had said so only because she knew Da Qiao well—if she hadn’t phrased it that way, Da Qiao would never have been willing to abandon her responsibilities as the eldest daughter of the Qiao family and elope with Bi Zhi.

While she had painstakingly tried to help Da Qiao alter the course of her previous life, she had also secretly resolved that she herself would never follow the same path as before.

Her ideals were beautiful, but reality had indeed dealt her a harsh blow, leaving her disoriented and struggling to find her bearings.

Xiao Qiao could only force a bitter smile.

The path had indeed changed, but it had turned into another dead end.

She couldn’t simply run away like Da Qiao. Besides, even if she wanted to escape, it was no longer possible. Her uncle had likely learned his lesson. No wonder, these past few days, wherever she went, there were always three or four sturdy women from the main household following her.

After a night of tossing and turning, as dawn broke, she finally convinced herself to try to accept this twist of fate.

...

The next day, the wedding envoy sent by the Wei family arrived. His name was Cai Xun, a councilor from Yuyang. Qiao Yue, accompanied by Qiao Ping and a group of retainers, formally welcomed him and hosted him with great ceremony in the main hall. After three rounds of wine, Qiao Yue reluctantly explained that the eldest daughter, originally intended for the marriage, had unfortunately fallen seriously ill, and the physician had declared her unfit for marriage. Fortunately, his younger brother had another daughter, whose beauty and talent surpassed the eldest, and he hoped to propose her instead to seal the alliance between the two families.

Although Zhang Pu had repeatedly assured him that the Wei family would accept this, Qiao Yue still felt uneasy, fearing that the other party might perceive it as disrespect. To his surprise, Cai Xun showed no displeasure whatsoever, chatting and laughing amiably, saying he would promptly inform his lord and await his response. Only then did Qiao Yue feel somewhat relieved. After the banquet, he personally escorted Cai Xun to the guesthouse, instructing the innkeeper to treat him as an honored guest. Upon returning, he waited anxiously for over ten days before receiving a reply.

Just as Zhang Pu had predicted, the Wei family agreed.

Qiao Yue was overjoyed.

...

According to ancient wedding customs, the marriage process consisted of six rites. For aristocratic families like the Qiao and Wei, the entire process, from the initial proposal to the final wedding, normally took at least half a year. However, this time, both families shared the same goal: to complete the marriage as quickly as possible. Within a couple of days, the Wei family’s betrothal gifts arrived. The dowry was as much as ten thousand gold pieces, along with twelve fine horses, only slightly less than the imperial wedding standards. On the day the gifts entered Puyang through the north gate, they were accompanied by music all the way to the governor’s residence. The people lining the streets watched in awe, murmuring their admiration, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Subsequently, the eighth day of the next month was chosen for the Wei family to welcome the bride. It was an auspicious day, suitable for weddings and travel, promising great fortune and prosperity.It was already mid-November, with only a few days remaining. The entire Qiao family was bustling with preparations for the wedding.

In this era, extravagant weddings were highly esteemed, and opulence was a source of pride. The dowries for Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao had been prepared long ago and were already substantial. Now that Da Qiao was gone, the Qiao family, to showcase their status, did not hesitate to spare no expense. They combined the two dowries into one for Xiao Qiao. On the day it was sent out of the city, the procession stretched for miles, a truly magnificent sight. As for Xiao Qiao's personal savings, they were also considerable. Qiao Ping, feeling guilty towards his daughter, thought that having ample funds would make her life easier once she arrived at the Wei household. He nearly emptied his coffers for her, and the main branch of the family also contributed generously. In terms of her current wealth, Xiao Qiao had indeed become a veritable little heiress.

In the blink of an eye, the auspicious day arrived. Wei Shao himself did not come. Instead, the Tiger Guard General Wei Liang, a member of the Wei clan, came to escort the bride. Wei Liang stood nine feet tall, with piercing eyes and a thick beard. His muscles were well-defined, and he carried a long sword weighing thirty-six catties. He was one of Wei Shao's top ten generals, renowned for his bravery and prowess in battle. Unlike the previous marriage envoy, Cai Xun, who had been amiable and approachable, Wei Liang seemed somewhat arrogant and dismissive towards the Qiao family. Qiao Yue felt displeased but, given that they were the ones seeking favor, he dared not show his irritation and instead maintained a courteous demeanor.

The next day was the day Xiao Qiao would leave her home to be married. The gates of the Qiao residence were wide open, adorned with festive decorations. The common folk from all around also dressed in their best new clothes and gathered to bid farewell to the daughter of their lord.

Early in the morning, Xiao Qiao emerged from her bath, her hair loose and her body bare. At just fourteen years old, her figure, though not as full as that of a mature woman, was already well-rounded with a slender waist. Her skin was soft and flawless, radiant like snow, so beautiful it was almost blinding.

Surrounded by maids and attendants, she was dressed in layers of deep red undergarments and an outer robe of black. A wide belt was tied around her waist, and a jade pendant was fastened to her sash. She wore silk socks and wooden clogs with upturned toes. Her hair was then styled into a bun, secured with a hairpin, and adorned with pearl flowers and hairpins. Once fully dressed, she appeared graceful and elegant, her beauty both delicate and dignified. The maids who watched her could not help but marvel.

Madam Ding held Xiao Qiao's delicate hand and gave her many detailed instructions. Finally, she gazed at Xiao Qiao for a moment, her eyes slowly reddening. "Manman," she said, "your aunt knows in her heart that it might not be a bad thing for Afan to have left her parents so abruptly. But it's hard on you, having to take her place and marry into the Wei family. Your aunt thanks you on behalf of your sister. You two have always been close. If you ever find out where she is, please let your aunt know, so I can have some peace of mind. I promise not to tell your uncle."

Xiao Qiao smiled and agreed to everything. When the auspicious hour arrived, she was escorted by the wedding attendants to the main hall.

Her uncle Qiao Yue and her father Qiao Ping were already waiting there. Her younger brother Qiao Ci, who was unhappy about the marriage, still refused to show up. Qiao Ping's reluctance to part with his daughter was evident, and even her uncle seemed moved. He stepped forward and spoke a few words to her, mostly advising her to be gentle and respectful to her in-laws in the future. Xiao Qiao also had a brief farewell with her father, struggling to hold back her tears as she knelt and bowed to him.

As Qiao Ping helped her up, the music outside began to play, urging the bride to leave. But Qiao Ping, unwilling to let go of his daughter, still held her arm. At this moment, the strategist Zhang Pu, who had been standing behind them, stepped forward with a smile and said, "Marquis Wei is a hero and a man of great renown, known throughout the land. This marriage is a match made in heaven for the daughter of our lord. Why, sir, are you so reluctant to let her go?"Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Qiao Ping gave his daughter's hand one last firm squeeze before slowly letting go.

Xiao Qiao glanced at Zhang Pu. Knowing that he had been rewarded with two hundred gold coins and two maidservants by her uncle for successfully facilitating this marriage alliance, and that he had been increasingly relied upon, she couldn't help but feel a bit resentful. Although he had acted in the interest of his master, and the marriage alliance had indeed temporarily alleviated the current crisis in Yanzhou, she still couldn't shake the feeling of being manipulated. As she turned, she casually moved closer to him, using the heavy layers of her skirt as cover, and raised one of her wooden sandals, aiming it squarely at his toes before pressing down with all her might.

The sole of the wooden sandal was as hard as stone, and Xiao Qiao had put all her strength into it. The impact was not light. Zhang Pu suddenly felt a sharp pain in his toes and, caught off guard, let out a loud "Ah!" of pain. When he looked up and saw Xiao Qiao smiling sweetly at him, he immediately understood what had happened. Noticing the disapproving looks from the people in the hall, who seemed to be scolding him for his lack of decorum, he forced a bitter smile, endured the pain in his toes, and muttered a few words before bowing and retreating as if nothing had happened. Later, when he had the chance to remove his shoe and sock in private, he saw that his entire toe was bruised and swollen, and the pain lingered for two or three days before finally subsiding.

Seeing Zhang Pu grimacing in pain but not daring to cry out, Xiao Qiao felt a slight sense of satisfaction. She took one last look at her father, recalling the private farewell she had shared with her brother that morning, and sighed inwardly before turning to walk away.

The road outside the Qiao residence was lined with well-dressed commoners. When they saw Xiao Qiao finally appear, looking as beautiful as a celestial being, they knelt down and cheered loudly, their voices almost shaking the heavens.

According to the current marriage customs, the groom was supposed to come in person to fetch the bride as a sign of respect. However, Wei Shao had not shown up, sending Wei Liang in his stead, which had disappointed the people of Dongjun. The Qiao family had always enjoyed great popularity among the locals, and the people were grateful that Xiao Qiao's marriage had averted a potential war. They didn't want the Wei family to look down on the daughter of their beloved governor, so they had all come out in full force today. As Xiao Qiao stepped into the wedding carriage, people continuously threw fruits into the carriage, so much so that even before they left the city, the carriage was already filled with fruits. Even after they had traveled more than ten miles out of the city, there were still people kneeling and singing blessings from afar. Even Wei Liang, who had been wearing a haughty expression, seemed to be somewhat moved by the scene.

People are not made of wood or stone, and this scene touched even Xiao Qiao, who had not been willing to marry in the first place. She suddenly seemed to understand why Da Qiao had been reluctant to leave before. After leaving the city, she held an apple that had been handed to her by a three-year-old child and fell into silent contemplation.

...

"Stop—"

When Xiao Qiao's wedding carriage had traveled more than thirty miles and the surroundings had gradually turned into wilderness, a fast horse suddenly caught up from behind, and someone shouted for them to stop.

Wei Liang immediately ordered his men to draw their swords in defense. Xiao Qiao recognized her brother Qiao Ci's voice and quickly leaned out to explain. Wei Liang looked back and, recognizing that it was indeed the young master of the Qiao family, ordered his men to sheathe their swords and stop the carriage.

Xiao Qiao got down. Qiao Ci dismounted from his horse and ran up to her, grabbing her hand and saying, "Sister! There's one more thing I forgot to tell you. I hate that I'm so useless, that I could only watch you get married like this today. But don't worry, sister. Today, I swear to the heavens that I will work hard to become someone you can rely on. If Wei Shao ever mistreats you, I will bring you back home. I will never let you suffer at the hands of outsiders!"This stubborn fourteen-year-old boy was still in the midst of his voice-changing period, with only a faint fuzz of down just beginning to sprout around his lips. Yet, the words he spoke now were firm and resounding.

His words, strong and clear, were carried by the wind into Wei Liang's ears. Wei Liang remained silent, only a cold smile appearing on his face.

Xiao Qiao hadn't expected her younger brother to chase after her so far just to say these words. Remembering how, in her past life, he had sacrificed himself to ensure her and Liu Yan's escape, the tears she had been holding back all morning finally spilled over.

"Little brother! Big sister understands. Big sister will live well. In the future, remember to fulfill your filial duties to our father on my behalf!"

Qiao Ci nodded.

Seeing the reluctance between the siblings, Wei Liang finally grew impatient and urged them to hurry.

Xiao Qiao let go of Qiao Ci's hand, urging him to return, while she herself climbed back onto the carriage and continued on her way.

Qiao Ci's figure stood by the roadside, gradually shrinking into a small black dot until it completely disappeared from sight.

When Xiao Qiao turned her head, she saw, far ahead in the distance, at the end of the gray winter sky, a lone goose flying south, separated from its flock.