The Prisoner of Beauty

The next afternoon, after returning from the north house, Xiao Qiao changed into a slightly worn, pale green outfit, removed her hairpins and ornaments, and dressed as if she were from an ordinary family. She wore a veil to cover her face and, accompanied by Chun Niang and Lin Ao, took a carriage to the Yuefu Inn in the city. She left Lin Ao waiting in the carriage and entered the inn with Chun Niang. She then inquired with the waiter about the gentleman who had arrived a few days ago.

The waiter said, "Mr. Zong is still here. Today, he has a few friends visiting, and they have set up a banquet in the backyard. I was just about to bring more wine."

Chun Niang handed the doorman ten coins and said, "I am an old acquaintance of his and have some matters to discuss. I’ll take the wine over for you."

The waiter, seeing that the veiled lady, though modestly dressed, was accompanied by a servant who appeared more dignified than the mistress of an ordinary household, and who was also generous with money, readily agreed.

Following the waiter’s directions, Xiao Qiao made her way to the backyard.

The Yuefu Inn was quite famous in the city. To add a touch of elegance, a small courtyard had been created in the backyard, planted with a few yellow bamboo stalks. Although it was late autumn and the weather was turning cold, the yellow bamboo, hardy and with leaves tinged with green, rustled in the wind, evoking a hint of the charm of the Jiangnan region.

As Xiao Qiao walked along the corridor toward the backyard, she faintly heard laughter carried by the wind. Drawing closer, she saw four or five young men, all around twenty years old, the oldest perhaps twenty-five or twenty-six, sitting or lying on the ground, feasting with a carefree air. One of them, seated to the north and slightly older, was laughing and saying, "I once served as a guest of the magistrate of Linqing. One day, the officer in charge of the treasury came to see the magistrate early in the morning, excitedly reporting that he had dreamed the magistrate would be promoted and become wealthy. The magistrate was initially pleased and rewarded him, but the next day, he suddenly became furious and ordered the man to be caned. Do you know why?"

The others pondered but could not figure it out. Suddenly, a woman’s voice spoke from behind, "The officer’s duty was to patrol at night and catch thieves. Instead, he slept and dreamed. Such negligence deserves punishment. Am I correct?"

The men were startled, then burst into laughter, realizing the logic. They turned to see a woman standing not far away, wearing a veil and accompanied by a middle-aged servant. They exchanged puzzled glances, wondering who she was.

Among them was a young man in a blue robe, about the same age as Wei Shao, tall and elegant, with a long sword at his waist. This was Zong Ji. Recognizing Chun Niang, he stood up, straightened his clothes, and approached.

Chun Niang smiled and nodded, greeting him with "Good day, sir," and handed him the wine.

Through the veil, Xiao Qiao noticed Zong Ji’s gaze falling on her, his expression filled with curiosity. She said, "I apologize for the sudden visit. I am deeply grateful for your efforts in delivering the letter from afar the other day. Today, as I was passing by, I came to express my thanks. I hope I am not intruding."Zong Ji, upon hearing her speak, immediately recognized her identity as the lady from the Wei household. Startled, he quickly paid his respects. His friends, seeing this, realized that the woman must have come for a purpose. The banquet had reached its peak, and they all stood up to take their leave. As they passed by Xiao Qiao, though her face was obscured by a veil, the thin silk still revealed a glimpse of a young and beautiful woman. Her cleverness in solving the riddle earlier had piqued their curiosity, and they couldn't help but steal a few more glances as they left.

Zong Ji escorted his friends out, and they teased him, saying that he had only been in Yuyang for a few days and had already befriended such an outstanding lady without mentioning it. They joked that he would have to be punished with drinks next time.

Zong Ji, having guessed the woman's identity, dared not be disrespectful and quickly denied it, sending his friends away before returning. Approaching Xiao Qiao, he respectfully said, "I was unaware of your esteemed presence and failed to welcome you properly. Is there something you need from me? If so, please do not hesitate to command."

Having been saved by Bi Zhi that day, Zong Ji had sworn to repay the favor. Hearing Bi Zhi and his wife speak highly of the Lady of Yanhou, it seemed she had once done them a great kindness, and thus he regarded her as a benefactor as well. Knowing her status, he understood that she wouldn't have come to see him personally without a reason, hence his immediate offer of assistance.

Xiao Qiao had Chun Niang step aside first, then said, "My elder sister specifically mentioned you in her letter, saying that you have a wide circle of acquaintances and are a trustworthy person. That is why I have come here unannounced. To be honest, I do have a request to make of you."

As she spoke, she lifted the veil, revealing her face, and smiled slightly at Zong Ji, nodding.

Zong Ji's gaze fell upon her face, and for a moment, he was transfixed before quickly averting his eyes, not daring to meet her gaze directly. He said, "You honor me with your praise. Whatever the matter, please command me. I, Zong Ji, would go through fire and water to repay the kindness of my benefactor for saving my life that day!"

...

Xiao Qiao left Yuefu Inn and, on her way back to the residence, was deep in thought.

The secret report from Huang Nao last night about Jiang Nao's suspicious movements had once again tightened Xiao Qiao's already tense nerves.

In her previous life, the unexpected illness and death of Madam Xu, Da Qiao, Zhu Shi, Jiang Nao by Zhu Shi's side, and that Marquis' wife surnamed Li who had appeared in her sight for the first time...

So many people seemed to be connected in some way.

Jiang Nao was Zhu Shi's confidante, Zhu Shi was the mistress of the Wei household, and that Marquis' wife surnamed Li was a noblewoman in Yuyang. If the two had interacted in the past, it would make sense for Zhu Shi to send Jiang Nao to visit her now.

But Xiao Qiao's intuition told her that things were not so simple.

From Huang Nao's description last night alone, it was still unclear whether Jiang Nao's secret visit to the Marquis' wife's home was on Zhu Shi's orders or if she was acting on her own without Zhu Shi's knowledge.

At this very moment when Madam Xu was ill and Wei Shao was away from home, Jiang Nao's nearly clandestine actions were highly suspicious.

But there seemed to be something missing, something that prevented Xiao Qiao from logically connecting the relationships between these people.

And who exactly was that Marquis' wife surnamed Li?

She had been in Yuyang for nearly a year. Xiao Qiao had met most of the noblewomen in Yuyang.

Her memory was good. Once she met someone, even if only for a moment, she would not forget.

But this Marquis' wife, Xiao Qiao was certain, had never visited the Wei residence.Given her status as a widow, it was reasonable for her to live a secluded life.

But now, since she had entered her sight in such a manner at this juncture, Xiao Qiao did not intend to let her go.

So she personally sought out Zong Ji and asked him to help her keep a close eye on the Marquis' wife, not missing any of her movements.

In fact, Xiao Qiao now had male servants she could dispatch for tasks. But this matter was special, and ordinary people might not be able to uncover anything. Zong Ji, however, was different. According to Da Qiao's letter, he was a wandering knight.

Wandering knights had been a unique social group since the Spring and Autumn period. They valued righteousness over profit, kept their promises at all costs, and were even willing to die for their friends.

If this wandering knight Zong Ji was willing to help, the outcome would surely be better than entrusting the matter to ordinary people.

But such wandering knights were difficult to buy with money. From Da Qiao's letter, it seemed that Zong Ji also valued righteousness greatly. So she thought of asking for his help based on her relationship with Bi Zhi and Da Qiao.

Originally, she was slightly anxious, fearing that her visit might be too abrupt.

Unexpectedly, Zong Ji agreed immediately, and his attitude did not seem forced.

This finally made Xiao Qiao feel somewhat relieved.

She couldn't help but turn her attention back to the medicine Madam Xu was taking.

She had thought about it repeatedly before. If everything was still the same as in her previous life, and Madam Xu, who was originally recovering, suddenly fell seriously ill and died, the most likely reason was that her food or medicine had been tampered with.

So after confirming that the old woman Guo Nao in the north room, who was responsible for brewing the medicine, was not a problem, she repeatedly instructed her to ensure that she watched over the brewing process from start to finish, not leaving for a moment.

She had thought that was enough. But now, because of this unexpected event, Xiao Qiao became even more nervous.

As soon as she returned to the Wei residence, she told Chun Niang not to worry about her anymore. From now on, until Madam Xu recovered and stopped taking the medicine, she was to go and brew the medicine with Guo Nao. She was also to watch over the kitchen maids when they cooked. If any outsiders approached, she was to inform her immediately.

Chun Niang was somewhat puzzled. But the lady's mood these days had also affected her. Without asking further, she immediately agreed.

"When it's time to brew the medicine or cook, you can find an excuse to stay by the stove. There's no need to let anyone know that I specifically sent you to keep an eye on things."

After some thought, Xiao Qiao gave another instruction.

...

After Chun Niang left, Xiao Qiao pondered for a long time and decided to make a trip to the east room.

After the incident with Wei Yan a few days ago, Madam Zhu, apart from showing her face to see Wei Shao off a few days ago, had kept herself shut in the east room and did not want Xiao Qiao to come and pay her respects.

Xiao Qiao hadn't seen her for several days.

She wanted to test the waters and see if Madam Zhu knew about Jiang Nao secretly visiting the Marquis' wife's home.

When Xiao Qiao arrived at the east room, she waited for a long time but didn't even see Jiang Nao. A servant woman came out and said that Madam was not seeing anyone and told her to go back.

Xiao Qiao had no choice but to give up on the idea.

...

She had also thought about simply revealing the possibility that someone might want to harm Madam Xu to Zhong Ao and asking her to help guard against it.

But after much consideration, she ultimately couldn't make up her mind.

If she told Zhong Ao, Zhong Ao would surely ask for the reason and the suspect.

What would she say then?

After all, up to now, everything was just her suspicion, or rather, speculation.

Her biggest suspect was Zhu Shi, because only Zhu Shi had the motive and the possibility to act.But this was by no means a trivial matter. Zhu Shi was the matriarch of the Wei family and Wei Shao's mother. For Xiao Qiao to suspect her without any evidence of plotting against Madam Xu was, at best, a sign of madness and an attempt to sow discord in front of Madam Xu. At worst, it was an act of treason and harboring ulterior motives.

From both a moral and logical standpoint, without concrete evidence, she couldn't possibly reveal even a hint of her suspicions.

So, all she could do now was to take every precaution to prevent any potential harm.

That was all.

...

Chun Niang went to the north wing. Xiao Qiao summoned Lin Ao and instructed her to gather more detailed information about the wife of Marquis Li. The more detailed, the better.

Lin Ao had been in the Wei household for many years and was a native of Yuyang. She was also clever. Entrusting her with the task of investigating local families was the most appropriate choice.

Lin Ao agreed and hurried off. By the evening of the next day, Xiao Qiao returned to the west wing from Madam Xu's quarters and saw Lin Ao approaching her. Knowing that Lin Ao must have some news, Xiao Qiao closed the door behind her and asked, "So? Did you find out anything?"

Lin Ao replied, "Madam, the wife of Marquis Li lost her husband a year ago and returned to her ancestral home in Yuyang to observe mourning. She had previously lived in Luoyang. Since her return, she has lived a reclusive life and has an excellent reputation. It is known that she has a young son at home. Beyond that, I couldn't find out anything else."

Xiao Qiao dismissed Lin Ao and fell into deep thought.

Luoyang...

The first name that popped into her mind was Su Ehuang.

Could it be that Su Ehuang knew the wife of Marquis Li and had met Jiang Nao through her?

But Jiang Nao was Zhu Shi's confidante, and Zhu Shi clearly despised Su Ehuang.

What else was she missing here?

Moreover, Su Ehuang had already left Yuyang, which Xiao Qiao was certain of because she had personally heard Zhong Ao tell Madam Xu that the people at the post house had escorted her out of the city for twenty li.

Unless she had risked angering Madam Xu by returning and staying at the home of the wife of Marquis Li.

Could it be...

That Jiang Nao was also Su Ehuang's person?

Xiao Qiao was startled by this sudden thought.

If this were true, then a missing link in the chain that had been troubling her these past few days would be filled.

Madam Xu, Zhu Shi, Jiang Nao, Su Ehuang...

In other words, the suspects now included not only Zhu Shi but also Su Ehuang.

Although Su Ehuang was not in the Wei household, if Jiang Nao was her person, there was still an opportunity to harm Madam Xu.

Madam Zhu had a motive to resent Madam Xu. Su Ehuang seemed to have one as well.

Xiao Qiao felt her heart race, and her palms grew sweaty.

...

That night, the faces of Zhu Shi, Su Ehuang, and Jiang Nao kept flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern. She lay awake the entire night. Early the next morning, she got up with dark circles under her eyes and was about to head to the north wing when Chun Niang came in and quietly told Xiao Qiao that Zong Ji had sent a message early that morning, asking her to come to the inn again as he had something important to tell her.

Xiao Qiao's spirits lifted, knowing that he must have discovered something. She quickly changed her clothes and, as before, took Chun Niang and Lin Ao with her, hurrying to the inn.

At the inn, Zong Ji was already waiting.