The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao walked straight to Madam Xu's bedside without glancing elsewhere, bending down to inquire about her condition and the medication she had taken that morning.

Zhong Ao, standing nearby, responded on behalf of the elder madam, saying that the chest tightness and headaches from the past two days had improved, and she had just taken her medicine in the morning. A physician would come later in the day for a follow-up examination.

Wei Shao observed his grandmother's complexion and saw that she indeed looked quite spirited. He then turned to Zhong Ao and said, "Thank you for your care, Auntie."

Zhong Ao smiled slightly and replied, "I dare not take credit. While you were away these past few days, the lady has been attending to the elder madam morning and night, even personally watching over the medicine as it brewed by the stove. She has been very diligent."

Xiao Qiao, who had kept her eyes downcast since Wei Shao entered the room, finally lifted her gaze and looked at him.

Their eyes met briefly before she turned her attention back to Madam Xu on the bed.

Madam Xu said, "I’m feeling much better now, so you needn’t worry about me. Since there’s much to attend to at the office, you should focus on your duties." She then looked at Xiao Qiao and smiled gently, "You’ve also been working hard these past two days. I noticed your face looked pale this morning, and your eyes seemed sunken, as if you hadn’t slept well last night. You don’t need to stay here for now—go back and rest."

Xiao Qiao actually didn’t want to leave.

Before Madam Xu fully recovered, she wished she could move in and stay by her side day and night to ensure her well-being. However, since Madam Xu had already spoken and her condition seemed stable, insisting on staying might come across as overly deliberate in showing filial piety. After a moment of thought, she said, "I’m not tired. Thank you for your concern, Grandmother. I’ll return to my room for now and come back when the physician arrives." With that, she and Wei Shao bid their farewells side by side. As soon as they stepped out of the room, Xiao Qiao kept her eyes forward, not glancing at Wei Shao beside her, nor waiting for him to lead as she usually did. She walked ahead without hesitation.

Wei Shao paused briefly at the doorway, exchanging a few words with Chun Niang, who had approached to greet him. When he turned his head, he noticed that Xiao Qiao hadn’t waited for him. She had already lifted the hem of her skirt, descended the steps, and walked away, leaving him behind. He stared at her retreating figure, momentarily taken aback.

Xiao Qiao soon exited the northern wing, walking unhurriedly along the path. Chun Niang, seeing that the lord was also present, slowed her pace and fell behind.

Wei Shao quickened his steps and caught up to Xiao Qiao, walking beside her. He glanced at her profile and said, "You’ve been working hard these past few days."

Xiao Qiao replied, "It’s my duty. And I haven’t really done much."

Wei Shao noticed that her eyes remained fixed ahead. Although she was speaking to him, she hadn’t turned to look at him once. He felt a sense of being slighted, which left him somewhat disheartened. He fell silent and quickened his pace, overtaking her and walking ahead. When they reached the fork in the path, he initially intended to head straight back to the office but hesitated slightly before turning toward the western wing instead.

Xiao Qiao entered the room and saw Wei Shao standing there. Without expression, he said, "Help me change my clothes."

He was still wearing the casual outfit he had gone out in the previous night. It was indeed inappropriate for him to appear in such attire at the office during the day.

Recently, Xiao Qiao had been personally handling such tasks for him. She was well-acquainted with what he needed to wear to the office, as well as his everyday attire, including the coordination of his inner and outer garments, boots, socks, and belts. Seeing him standing there motionless, acting as if he were entitled, she felt annoyed and turned to call for a maid to assist. But then he said, "I don’t want anyone else. Their hair oil smells too strong—it’s overwhelming!"In the west wing, Lin Ao, including Chun Niang and several other young maids, favored a type of hair oil that emitted a strong fragrance. They didn’t wash their hair or bathe as frequently as Xiao Qiao did, and the mixture of the hair oil with their natural oils made the scent quite pungent when one got close. However, since Xiao Qiao spent her mornings and evenings with them, she had grown accustomed to the smell and didn’t find it particularly bothersome. He, on the other hand, was more fastidious. Xiao Qiao glanced at him and then went to fetch a set of his formal black and white robes.

As Xiao Qiao stood before him to help him change, Wei Shao kept his gaze fixed on her and suddenly remarked, “I haven’t seen you smile since this morning.”

Xiao Qiao replied with a cold expression, “With grandmother’s health in decline, how could I be in the mood for jesting?”

Wei Shao paused.

Xiao Qiao instructed him to turn around, and he complied. When he turned back, he looked at her again and said, “When did you leave last night? I woke up and you were gone.”

This time, his voice was softer, almost cautious.

Xiao Qiao still didn’t look up at him and replied indifferently, “You fell asleep. Should I have stayed there waiting for you to wake up so I could continue serving you?”

Wei Shao immediately recalled the chaos in the study last night and swallowed hard, falling silent.

Xiao Qiao finished helping him dress. She took a black leather belt adorned with a buckle inlaid with five gemstones—blue, ochre, brown, red, and green—and fastened it around his waist. She then retrieved the gold fish-shaped token that represented his status, placed it in a black embroidered pouch with gold threads, and hung it alongside the sword he usually carried at his waist.

“All done…” Xiao Qiao said, smoothing the tassel on the sword. But then Wei Shao suddenly raised his arm, cupped her chin with his hand, and lifted her face toward his. His thumb gently brushed her cheek as he leaned in closer, his deep voice murmuring, “Last night was my fault. I made you suffer. Your face is pale, and your eyes are sunken. Even grandmother noticed. There are people in the north wing, so you don’t need to go there during the day. Rest well.”

Xiao Qiao finally looked up and saw his dark eyes gazing down at her with what seemed like genuine concern. She turned her face slightly away from his hand and smiled faintly. “Thank you, my lord. I’m aware of it myself.”

Wei Shao had been holding back, waiting for the right moment to deliver what he thought was a tender and heartfelt speech. But her lukewarm response felt like a slap in the face, and he couldn’t help but feel frustrated. Now that he was dressed, there was no reason to linger in the room. Besides, he had been away for several days, and many people were already waiting for him at the government office. He straightened his expression, resuming his usual lordly demeanor, and turned to leave.

Xiao Qiao walked him out a few steps, watching his figure disappear through the courtyard gate before returning to her room.

...

Wei Shao rode his horse to the government office.

When he was in Yuyang City, his daily routine was almost always a straight line between the Wei residence and the government office. Unless there was something unusual, he would pass through the streets at the same time every morning, usually at the beginning of the Chen hour, with a margin of no more than a quarter of an hour. As a result, the residents and vendors along the street were all familiar with the lord. Seeing him on horseback at this hour, followed by his attendants, they stopped what they were doing and stood on either side of the street to bow and pay their respects.Wei Shao was in a low mood, his thoughts wandering, and he didn't urge his horse forward, proceeding at a leisurely pace. As he was about to reach the end of the street, not far from the government office, a clear, tinkling sound suddenly came from the opposite direction. Gradually, a luxurious and light carriage approached. The front of the carriage was covered with purple gauze, and a pair of exquisite golden bells hung from both sides. As it drew closer, one could vaguely see a young lady seated inside the gauze. The carriage moved forward, the golden bells emitting a continuous, pleasant tinkling sound that attracted many gazes along the road.

As a Lord, Wei Shao naturally took the central path when traveling in Yuyang. The carriage also took the middle of the road. As they drew nearer, they were about to meet in the middle of the path.

Wei Shao's wandering thoughts were finally brought back by the sound of the golden bells. Looking up, he saw a carriage about to block his way and felt displeased, frowning slightly. Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and a jade-like hand with a large, bright ruby ring the size of a pigeon's egg emerged from the side of the purple gauze, gently lifting the veil. Then, the face of a beautiful young woman appeared inside the carriage. She had green hair and emerald eyebrows, her lips painted with vermilion, her face as lovely as a lotus flower, her eyes filled with emotion. A delicate hairpin adorned her hair, and as she leaned out, the gold and jade clinked together, making a rustling sound.

The young woman was beautifully dressed and had an outstanding demeanor. As soon as she leaned out, many eyes along the road turned to her. Her gaze, however, was fixed solely on Wei Shao on horseback, her face showing surprise as she blurted out, "Erlang!"

Wei Shao's eyes fell on the young woman opposite him, pausing for a moment with a hint of surprise, and he stopped his horse.

As soon as she called out, the young woman seemed to realize her mistake and quickly corrected herself, "It's been many years since we last met. I didn't expect to encounter an old friend today. It's truly a fortunate coincidence. I am unable to step out of the carriage, so I can only offer a bow from within. I hope the Lord will not take offense at my lack of manners."

As she spoke, a maid walking beside the carriage lifted the gauze. The young woman indeed bowed slightly from within the carriage towards Wei Shao on horseback, then gracefully rose, her bright eyes once again meeting his.

A beautiful and charming young woman, yet with a voice that was unexpectedly hoarse, as if revealing a hidden weariness and vicissitudes. Most men who heard it would inevitably feel a sense of pity in their hearts, wanting to know the story behind her weariness and hardships.

Wei Shao looked at the beautiful young woman before him, who no longer seemed to match the shadow in his youthful memories. After a moment, he nodded and said, "When did Madam arrive in Yuyang? I was unaware."

Su Ehuang replied, "It was during the Luli Assembly a few days ago. I have a nephew named Su Xin who also came to participate. I accompanied him to offer support."

Hearing the name Su Xin, Wei Shao seemed to recall something and slightly furrowed his brows.Su Ehuang slightly tilted her face, looking at him and said, "My nephew, driven by an excessive desire to win, lost all sense of propriety that day and ended up injuring young Master Qiao. I was seated in the viewing stand and saw everything clearly. These past few days, I have been filled with remorse. I originally intended to take my nephew to apologize the next day, but unfortunately, my old headache ailment flared up, forcing me to rest at the posthouse to recuperate. By the time I felt better yesterday, I learned that young Master Qiao had already returned to Yanzhou, which only deepened my guilt. Last night, I couldn't sleep at all. Today, I came to visit, firstly to pay my respects to my grandmother, and secondly, to apologize to Madam."

A young man dismounted from a horse following the carriage; it was Su Xin from that day.

Su Xin, with a look of shame, approached Wei Shao's horse and repeatedly apologized, appearing deeply remorseful.

Wei Shao glanced at Su Xin and said indifferently, "No need for apologies. My Madam didn't take it to heart."

"Thank you, Lord, for your magnanimity. I am deeply grateful."

Su Ehuang's gaze flickered, landing on Wei Shao's face. "In that case, I will go pay my respects to my grandmother."

Wei Shao replied, "My grandmother has been slightly unwell these past couple of days and may not be able to receive guests. Madam can come another day."

Su Ehuang showed concern. "What ailment has befallen my grandmother? Is it serious? In that case, I must go see her. I still remember the years I spent in Yuyang as a child, when my grandmother took great care of me. Coming and going from your esteemed residence felt like being at home. The memories of those days are as vivid as if they happened yesterday, and I often think of them. Now that I am in Yuyang and know that she is unwell, how can I pass by without visiting?"

Wei Shao seemed to hesitate for a moment before finally saying, "If you insist on visiting, then go ahead. Just don't stay too long, so as not to disturb her rest."

Su Ehuang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and quickly agreed, thanking him deeply.

Wei Shao nodded slightly to her and rode past the carriage.

Su Ehuang turned her head, watching Wei Shao's figure recede through the carriage window. She then lowered the gauze curtain and gave an order.

The carriage continued forward, accompanied by the jingling of golden bells.

As they approached the entrance of the Wei residence, Su Ehuang took out a bronze mirror from beneath her seat. She used a handkerchief to wipe off the layer of rouge from her face and lips. She also removed the dazzling hairpin from her hair. After examining herself in the mirror, she put it back.