The Prisoner of Beauty

Xiao Qiao noticed that Madam Xu seemed slightly taken aback and was looking at her, so she spoke up: "I know this is truly an unreasonable request. My husband is currently away at war, and my grandmother is advanced in years and has just recovered from an illness. I should be staying at home, waiting with my grandmother for my husband's triumphant return. However, there is a pressing matter. This morning, I received a letter from my younger brother in Dongjun, saying that my aunt has been bedridden for some time. My mother passed away early, and when I was in Dongjun, my aunt took care of me as if I were her own daughter. She has no sons, only my elder sister. Last year, when I got married, something happened to my sister, and she is no longer at home. Now, suddenly hearing that my aunt is ill, I am deeply concerned. That is why, even though I know I shouldn't ask, I have come to kneel before my grandmother. I humbly request her permission to return home for a visit. Once I have checked on my aunt, I will return as soon as possible."

After finishing her words, Xiao Qiao looked at Madam Xu with hopeful eyes.

Madam Xu, with a concerned expression, immediately responded after Xiao Qiao finished speaking: "This is a natural human sentiment, how can it be called unreasonable? What I detest most in life is the saying 'once a daughter is married, she is like water poured out.' If a daughter is raised and married off, and then severed from her maternal family for the rest of her life, where is the human sentiment? You may go, it is no trouble here. You can delegate the household affairs to the steward and make the necessary arrangements. Set off as soon as possible."

After a moment of thought, she added: "My only concern is your safety on the journey. Fortunately, from Youzhou south to Jizhou, it is all under Shao Er's control, so the journey will surely be safe. Once you leave Jizhou, I will send a message to the prefect to have soldiers escort you across the river and directly to Yanzhou. After visiting your aunt, return as soon as possible."

Yanzhou and Youzhou are separated by the Yellow River, a distance of more than a thousand miles. Xiao Qiao had only been married for a year, and now she wanted to return to her maternal home. She knew it was difficult to bring up.

However, this thought had been lingering in her mind for a long time, and with the news of her aunt's illness, she decided to seize the opportunity to bring it up.

Xiao Qiao also knew that by choosing this moment to speak, given Madam Xu's understanding, even if she wasn't entirely pleased, she would likely allow it.

She didn't expect Madam Xu to agree so readily and with such consideration. She couldn't help but feel a bit guilty for the thoughts she had been harboring, which she absolutely couldn't let the Wei family know about.

But every time she thought about the outcome of her previous life, which had haunted her countless times and still made her wary, she told herself that taking precautions was not wrong.

Her grandmother was truly good. Including this matter. If she continued to live well, for her or the Qiao family, she would be like a stabilizing force.

But her grandmother was, after all, advanced in years. This time, thanks to her knowledge from her previous life and a bit of good luck, she had managed to escape a disaster. But she didn't know about the future.

If one day her grandmother passed away, leaving only Wei Shao. Based on her experience with him over the past year, once Madam Xu was gone, who knew if he would turn against her, and if he did, what would happen?

It's good to think or act optimistically, but one must always prepare a backup plan.

No matter how infatuated Wei Shao seemed with her in bed, she would never forget this.

Xiao Qiao then showed a grateful and joyful expression, bowing to Madam Xu in thanks.Madam Xu smiled and nodded, "You should go back and pack your belongings. I hope your aunt recovers soon, and you can return early. I will also prepare some things for you to take back as gifts for the elders."

When Qiao Ci and his group came last time, the Qiao family had prepared generous gifts for Madam Xu and Zhu Shi. It was only natural for Madam Xu to reciprocate now that Xiao Qiao was returning.

Xiao Qiao bowed in gratitude once more.

……

Busy and bustling. Due to the urgency of returning to visit the sick, there wasn’t much time for elaborate preparations. After a day of getting ready, early in the eleventh month, Xiao Qiao bid farewell to Madam Xu and, accompanied by Chun Niang, left Yuyang, heading south on the imperial road.

Wei Liang had followed Wei Shao on the campaign this time. Madam Xu selected Jia Si, a Tiger Guard commander, to lead thirty-two men in escorting Xiao Qiao on her journey. All thirty-two were chosen from the Wei family’s elite Tiger Guards, entrusted with the duty of protection, and were highly reliable. They traveled by day and rested at post stations by night, following the same route Xiao Qiao had taken a year ago when she had traveled north for her wedding.

She still remembered the uncertainty and anxiety she had felt back then, not knowing what the future held. Now, a year had passed in the blink of an eye. Though the future remained uncertain, her state of mind was vastly different from what it had been a year ago. They passed through Fanyang, Renqiu, and Hejian, and after seven or eight days, they entered Jizhou. After another half-month or so, they arrived at Guangping.

The governor of Guangping had already received Madam Xu’s urgent message and took over the task of escorting Xiao Qiao’s party further south, gradually approaching the great crossing of the Yellow River.

By this time, they had been traveling for over half a month, and they were no longer in Wei Shao’s territory. As they neared the central plains around the Yellow River, the devastation caused by years of warfare became increasingly apparent. The region had been fought over repeatedly, with armies coming and going like bandits, stripping the land bare wherever they passed. The people’s livelihoods were in ruins. The imperial road was in disrepair, the fields on either side lay fallow, and even human bones could be seen exposed in the wilderness. Apart from the walled cities, it was sometimes hard to encounter a single village or hear the crow of a rooster even after walking for half a day. If there were any signs of life, they were mostly the elderly, the weak, and the sick.

Compared to what Xiao Qiao had seen during her journey north the previous year, the land was even more desolate.

Coming from the relative peace and prosperity of Youzhou, the sight of such devastation was jarring. Although she knew that such scenes were commonplace in these troubled times, it was still hard not to feel a pang of sorrow. As they continued further south, nearing Jibei, the situation improved slightly. Though these areas were still unstable, the various warlords’ forces were in a stalemate, and even if conflicts broke out, they didn’t drag on for years. The villages and towns along the way began to show signs of recovery.

A month later, in early December, Xiao Qiao’s party finally entered the territory of Yanzhou.

On the evening of the second day, before they reached Dongjun, they spotted a group of people approaching from the opposite direction, bearing the Qiao family’s banner.

Qiao Ci had come to welcome his elder sister.

Jia Si had sent a fast rider ahead several days earlier to deliver a message to Dongjun, the administrative center of Yanzhou. Upon receiving the letter and learning that his daughter had unexpectedly returned at this time, Qiao Ping was overjoyed and immediately sent Qiao Ci to meet her.

The siblings finally reunited.

Over the past month, the journey had been long and arduous. Xiao Qiao had been preoccupied with her aunt Madam Ding’s illness and had also been anxious about how her father would react to the letter she had sent. Her heart had not been at ease.

But from the moment she set foot in Yanzhou the day before, all the fatigue of the journey had melted away.Although Qiao Ci had only returned from Yuyang two or three months ago, he was overjoyed to see his elder sister unexpectedly return home. In fact, given his temperament, he wished she would stay this time and never go back to Yuyang. After exchanging a few words with his sister, Xiao Qiao inquired about Madam Ding. Learning that while her condition hadn't improved, it hadn't worsened either, she felt somewhat relieved. As it was getting late and they needed to hurry back to the city, they set off immediately. Qiao Ci even dismissed the coachman and took the reins himself, personally driving the carriage for Xiao Qiao.

The journey went smoothly, and late at night, the group entered the gates of Dongjun and returned home.

The servants relayed the news of the young master and lady's arrival, and Qiao Ping, who had been eagerly awaiting, rushed out to the gate to welcome them.

The moment he saw Xiao Qiao, noticing the faint glimmer of tears in her eyes and hearing her familiar, delicate voice call him "Father," Qiao Ping's heart was filled with a mix of sorrow and joy. However, in front of the servants, he kept his emotions in check, treating her as if she were a precious treasure and personally escorting her inside.

Since it was late, Qiao Yue, the elder uncle from the main household, had already retired for the night, and it was not appropriate to disturb his wife at this hour. Qiao Ping suggested that Xiao Qiao visit them in the morning, which would be soon enough. Though he had much to say, he was concerned about her tiring journey and urged her to rest. He personally accompanied her to the door of her former chamber.

Pushing the door open, Xiao Qiao looked around the familiar room she had once occupied. Seeing that the furnishings remained unchanged, even the faded and worn kite she had painted herself still hung on the wall, she was deeply moved. Turning to her father, she expressed her gratitude.

Delighted by his daughter's return from afar, Qiao Ping laughed heartily, "Silly girl, what is there to thank me for? Even though you've married, do you think I wouldn't keep a room for you here?"

It had been a year since they last saw each other, and Qiao Ping seemed thinner than Xiao Qiao remembered. Though his demeanor was still as charming and dashing as in his youth, earning him the title "Lord of Dongjun," the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were more pronounced.

He was indeed not yet forty, an age when a man should be at the peak of his charm and ambition. Yet, in his efforts to assist his elder brother, he had toiled tirelessly to this extent.

In Yanzhou, Qiao Yue, Xiao Qiao's elder uncle, had inherited the position of family head, holding power and overseeing major decisions, while his subordinates guided the state's affairs. The numerous and complex tasks of collecting taxes, managing the people's welfare, and fortifying defenses were almost entirely handled by Qiao Ping, who fulfilled his duties diligently, knowing that any failure would be a dereliction of duty.

Feeling heartache, Xiao Qiao couldn't help but say, "Father, you must take care of your health and not overwork yourself. You seem older than when I left last year."

Qiao Ping looked at his daughter. In the candlelight, she appeared even more radiant than when she was in her boudoir, her beauty striking. Moreover, after hearing from his son, who had returned from Yuyang, that although Wei Shao was cold, it was unclear how he treated Xiao Qiao, Elder Madam Wei was a very understanding person, and according to Qiao Ci, she seemed to care for Xiao Qiao quite a bit, which eased his mind somewhat. Seeing his daughter's concerned expression, he smiled and said, "I know, my child. But you, being alone over there, must take even better care of yourself."Author's Note: Feeling a bit tired tonight, so I'll just write this much. See you tomorrow. Good night~