The Prisoner of Beauty

The father and daughter exchanged a few words. Seeing how late it was, Qiao Ping feared his daughter might be tired and urged her to go to her room to rest.

Although Xiao Qiao had countless things she wanted to say to her father, she was finally home and there was no rush. She nodded obediently and agreed. That night, she lay in the bed she had slept in before her marriage, her heart surging with emotions, unable to fall asleep for a long time. She woke up early the next morning. Just like in the days before her marriage, Chun Niang came in with a smile, helping her get up and dress. After washing up and having breakfast, she accompanied her father and younger brother to the main house.

Qiao Yue had heard the news of his niece's return early in the morning. At first, he was startled. His first thought was that his niece had offended the Wei family, or that the Wei family wanted to break off the engagement, which would be extremely bad! Then he reconsidered. When Yang Feng, whom he had sent to establish friendly relations, returned, he had mentioned that the Wei family was very courteous, treating them as in-laws everywhere, without any neglect. It had only been a few months, and they had not offended the Wei family in any way. How could they suddenly break the engagement and send his niece back? As he was pacing anxiously, he heard that Qiao Ping had brought his daughter to pay him a visit. He hurriedly called them in, accepted Xiao Qiao's greeting gift, and his first question was, "It's only been a year since your marriage, and the journey between the north and south is long. Why have you returned to Dongjun at this time?"

Xiao Qiao could immediately see what her uncle was thinking and said, "There's nothing else. Last month, I received a letter from my younger brother, informing me that my aunt has been bedridden with illness. I was worried and asked my grandmother for permission to return and check on my aunt's condition."

Only then did Qiao Yue breathe a sigh of relief, saying dismissively, "Your aunt is not seriously ill. It's just a matter of poor diet and some physical discomfort. We have been consulting doctors and taking medicine without interruption. There was no need for you to travel all the way back, neglecting your duties to your in-laws and causing unnecessary trouble."

Instead of being pleased with his daughter's return, his brother's tone carried a hint of reproach, which displeased Qiao Ping. He said, "Manman's filial piety is commendable. The Wei family is not a small household either. How could they possibly take offense at this? Brother, you are overthinking it!"

Qiao Yue, having been contradicted by his brother, was initially displeased. But when he glanced at his niece, standing gracefully before him, he suddenly remembered that when the envoy Yang Feng returned, he had mentioned that Madam Xu, the grandmother of the Wei family, seemed to hold his niece in high regard. If that were true, then the family's peace in the future would depend on her.

With this thought, his expression softened, and he nodded, saying, "It's good that you're back. Since you're already home, go and visit your aunt. I'm sure she has missed you for a long time."

Xiao Qiao had no real affection for this uncle and naturally didn't take his words to heart. However, seeing her usually respectful father stand up to his elder brother just to protect her warmed her heart. She smiled and nodded at her father, then turned and went with Qiao Ci to visit Madam Ding.

...

Madam Ding had just woken up when a servant informed her that Xiao Qiao had returned the previous night.Qiao Yue had several concubines. Apart from his daughter Da Qiao, who was raised by Madam Ding, he had also fathered other children in his early years, but they did not survive and died prematurely. Now, Qiao Yue was just under fifty years old, but a few years ago, due to an accident while out riding, he fell from his horse and injured his lower body. Despite extensive treatment, the injury affected his kidneys, and he was unable to father any more children. Gradually, Qiao Yue had to give up the hope of having more descendants and began to treat Qiao Ci as his son. As for his relationship with Madam Ding, the couple had never been very communicative, and in recent years, they had rarely shared a bed. Moreover, after the incident involving Da Qiao last year, Qiao Yue harbored resentment towards Madam Ding, and their relationship became even colder.

Madam Ding had long stopped expecting anything from her husband. She secretly worried and missed her daughter, gradually losing her appetite and sleep. A few months ago, she caught a cold, which lingered, and she became bedridden. When Qiao Ci returned from Youzhou last time, he secretly visited her one day and told her that Xiao Qiao had asked him to convey a message: Da Qiao was doing well and she should not worry. Only then did Madam Ding learn that Xiao Qiao had been in contact with her daughter. Although her anxiety eased somewhat and her condition improved slightly, she still missed her daughter constantly.

Now, hearing that Xiao Qiao had returned home, Madam Ding was overjoyed. Her spirits, which had been low for months, seemed to lift immediately. She hurriedly asked someone to help her dress and comb her hair. Before she could even get out of bed, she heard footsteps outside the door and turned to see Xiao Qiao entering.

Upon seeing her, Madam Ding tightly grasped Xiao Qiao's delicate hands and looked her up and down. Xiao Qiao's face was full of vitality, her eyes bright like polished lacquer. She wore a light pink ruqun inside and a casual rose-red brocade shawl outside, which made her look even more charming, like a budding crabapple on a branch in March. Hearing her call her "Aunt," Madam Ding couldn't help but think of Da Qiao. She called out, "My dear Manman," her eyes reddening, and tightly hugged Xiao Qiao in her arms.

When Xiao Qiao first came to Dongjun a few years ago, Madam Ding had treated her like her own daughter. Whatever Da Qiao had, Xiao Qiao would not be left out, and she was cared for everywhere. Xiao Qiao had always been grateful for this. After not seeing her for a year, Xiao Qiao noticed that Madam Ding looked haggard and had aged significantly. Feeling sad, she let Madam Ding hug her and listened as she asked about her life in the Wei family. After a few words, Madam Ding gradually wiped away her tears. Knowing that she must be thinking of Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao asked Qiao Ci and others to leave and closed the door. She sat up from Madam Ding's embrace and said softly, "Aunt, my brother must have told you that my sister is doing well. Some time ago, I also received a letter from her."

She selectively told Madam Ding the contents of Da Qiao's letter, omitting the part about Bi Zhi establishing his own territory. Finally, she said, "My sister is now pregnant and everything is fine. In the letter, she said she often thinks of you and feels guilty for leaving without her parents' consent, fearing that she cannot be forgiven by Uncle and dares not return to visit her dear mother. I came home this time not only to visit you but also to convey my sister's message, asking you to be at ease and not to worry about her anymore. When the opportunity arises, my sister will definitely come to visit you and personally ask for your forgiveness for her past unfilial behavior."Previously, when Qiao Ci had relayed a message, it was just a brief sentence or two. Madam Ding wanted to ask more, but Qiao Ci didn’t know the details. This time, however, Xiao Qiao explained everything in great detail. When Madam Ding heard that her daughter was already pregnant, she was momentarily stunned, feeling both joy and a slow ache in her heart. Even the last trace of resentment she had held instantly vanished. She said, “Though I still can’t understand why she would abandon her parents and elope with a stable boy that day, hearing you say this now, I’ve come to understand. As long as she is content and happy, and that Bi Zhi treats her well, what is there for me, as her mother, to hold onto? If you correspond with her again, remember to pass on a message for me: tell her to take good care of her health. As long as she is well, I will be well too. She shouldn’t worry about me, and there’s no need for her to come back now. As for her father, I still can’t bring her up in front of him.”

Xiao Qiao took a handkerchief and wiped away the tears on Madam Ding’s face, whispering in her ear, “Aunt, to be honest, since I’ve come south, if it’s convenient, I’ll likely try to meet with my brother-in-law and sister. If you have anything you’d like me to bring to her, you can prepare it in advance. If I manage to go, I’ll deliver it for you.”

Madam Ding was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood, her face lighting up with joy. She nodded eagerly, “I’ll prepare it quietly right away!”

With the weight in her heart lifted and the news of her daughter’s pregnancy, Madam Ding’s illness improved significantly. She immediately got out of bed.

The servants were astonished to see her, who had been weak and ill when she woke up in the morning, now full of energy after meeting with Xiao Qiao, who had returned home. She walked without needing support, leaving them speechless.

……

After visiting Madam Ding, Xiao Qiao returned home. She learned that her father was still in his study and hadn’t gone out. Knowing he likely had something to discuss with her, she went to see him.

Qiao Ci was also in the study. Father and son were discussing military affairs in Juye City. Xiao Qiao knocked and entered. Qiao Ping asked his son to step out for a moment and said, “How is your aunt? Is she feeling better?”

Xiao Qiao smiled, “She’s much better.”

Qiao Ping nodded, “That’s good. She treated you like her own daughter. Since your cousin isn’t here, now that you’re home, spend more time with her to comfort her.”

Xiao Qiao agreed. After exchanging a few more words about family matters, Qiao Ping took out the letter Xiao Qiao had sent back with Qiao Ci and placed it on the desk, saying, “I’ve read your letter.”

His expression was serious.

Xiao Qiao knew they were about to get to the heart of the matter and looked at her father intently.

Qiao Ping clasped his hands behind his back and paced slowly around the room. Suddenly, he said, “Manman, tell me the truth. Has Wei Shao been mistreating you?”

Xiao Qiao was startled, “No, he hasn’t. He… he treats me quite well.”

Qiao Ping seemed unconvinced, his gaze fixed on her face as he frowned, “Manman, if Wei Shao has been mistreating you in private, don’t hide it. Though I may be powerless, I won’t stand by and let you suffer!” His tone was heavy.

Xiao Qiao realized that her letter must have raised such suspicions in her father. She quickly replied, “Father, there’s absolutely nothing like that! Lord Wei treats me… with complete propriety. I’m living very well in the Wei household now.”Qiao Ping scrutinized her for a moment longer before finally exhaling slowly: "That's good then. When Yang Feng returned, he also told your uncle that during the trip to Youzhou, the Wei family received us with the courtesy due to in-laws, and Madam Xu treated us with kindness. What Ci'er said was also quite similar. So when I saw the letter you sent back with Ci'er last time, I couldn't help but have doubts. Now that the Wei family has accepted our Qiao family as relatives, and your husband has not mistreated you, why are you so deeply worried, urging me to prepare for the worst and guard against the Wei family turning against us in the future? Have you heard something?"

……

The letter Xiao Qiao had sent two months ago had indeed caused quite a stir in Qiao Ping.

Although he had known beforehand that marrying his daughter off might not truly resolve the grievances the Wei family held against them, he had never truly considered the possibility that one day, Marquis Yan Wei Shao might disregard the marital alliance and seek revenge against the Qiao family.

His daughter's letter had awakened him to this possibility, especially given the unusually solemn tone of her words.

Qiao Ping pondered deeply, recalling the scene when Wei Shao, at the age of eighteen, dealt with another enemy, Li Su, who had fallen into his hands. The memory sent a chill down his spine.

At that time, Li Su's entire family had been executed by the shores of the East Sea, and Li Su himself had been subjected to the gruesome death of a thousand cuts, his flesh minced and fed to the fish.

Ten years ago, Wei Jing and his son had indeed died directly at the hands of Li Su, but at that time, the Qiao family could not escape blame.

Since Wei Shao harbored such deep hatred for Li Su and had carried out such a horrifying act, there was no reason to believe that simply because the Qiao family had given him a daughter in marriage, he would turn hostility into friendship.

His daughter, being Wei Shao's wife, spent every day by his side and naturally understood him better than any outsider.

Not only did she harbor hidden worries, but she also spoke up to warn him, which was certainly not baseless anxiety. She must have sensed something.

From the day he received the letter, Qiao Ping had been turning these thoughts over in his mind. Now that his daughter had returned home, he naturally asked her directly.

……

Xiao Qiao said, "Father, in my heart, you and my brother are irreplaceable. That's why I dare not hide anything from you. The night before I was married, I had a nightmare. The nightmare was so vivid, it felt as if I had lived through the rest of my life. In the dream, my husband Wei Shao later dominated the world, but he still held a deep grudge against the Qiao family for the past grievances. He sought revenge, and the fate of the Qiao family was no different from that of Li Su. When I woke from the dream, I was terrified, feeling as if I had lived through an entire lifetime in that dream, and it seemed like a revelation from the heavens. At the time, I didn't dare to tell you. After marrying into the Wei family, for the past year, I have been constantly on edge. Although I have been favored by Wei Shao's grandmother, who has shown me great kindness and has let go of the past grievances between our families, I have observed my husband, and his hatred runs deep. I fear it may be difficult to completely resolve, especially since marrying me was not his true intention in the first place. In the future, when the grandmother passes away, what will happen is truly unknown. The more I think about it, the more worried I become, fearing that the nightmare may one day come true. That's why I made up my mind to write this letter to you. My intention was to remind you that even if the Wei family does not harbor hatred, it would not be wrong for our Qiao family to prepare for the worst and take some precautions."

Qiao Ping stared at his daughter in stunned silence. To say that his heart was in turmoil at that moment would be an understatement.

He had never imagined that his daughter, who was not yet sixteen, could carry such heavy thoughts and speak such words.

It was like a sudden awakening, and he stood there, rooted to the spot."Father, in these turbulent times, you understand better than I do that the only path to self-preservation is through a strong army and well-equipped horses. All else, such as alliances, are but fleeting. As for marriage alliances, they are even less significant. As a wife in the Wei family, I will naturally do my best to foster good relations between our two families. But from now on, Father, you must think of ways to recruit talented individuals and strengthen our military forces. This way, if unforeseen events occur in the future, we can have a contingency plan and not be at the mercy of others."

Qiao Ping's brows furrowed deeply as he paced the room again, his heavy footsteps echoing with each step.

Xiao Qiao held her breath, her eyes fixed intently on her father's figure.

After pacing for a long while, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and spoke word by word: "Daughter, you are absolutely right! Regardless of your nightmares, those who lack foresight will surely face imminent troubles. Our Qiao family of Yanzhou once dominated a region, but now we have fallen to such a state that we must rely on sending our daughters into marriage alliances for temporary peace. Every time I think of this, I feel utterly ashamed. Today, your words have awakened me like a dream. Daughter, you may not know this, but among the many officers and soldiers of our Qiao family in Yanzhou, not all are content with the status quo. It's just that in the past, your uncle was complacent, and I did not strive hard enough, leading to wasted days and a loss of morale! I now know what must be done!"

Xiao Qiao finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Father! I have finally waited to hear you say these words! I don't know how long I've been waiting!"

The door to the study was suddenly pushed open.

Xiao Qiao turned around to see her younger brother rushing in like a whirlwind, brimming with excitement, and he went straight to Qiao Ping, kneeling on one knee.

"Father! I am willing to serve at the forefront! Recruiting talents and strengthening our military forces, for the revival of our Yanzhou, I am at your command!"

Qiao Ping snorted, "I was speaking with your elder sister, how did you eavesdrop outside?"

Qiao Ci was momentarily stunned, then quickly realized and winked at Xiao Qiao beside him.

Xiao Qiao smiled, stepped forward, and helped her brother up. She said, "Father, I'm just afraid that Uncle might obstruct again, leaving you constrained."

Yanzhou had been weak for a long time, and around Uncle Qiao Yue, apart from those sycophantic advisors who usually did nothing but fed him the sweet words he loved to hear, he had actually long lost the hearts of the people. It was just that Qiao Ping had always been constrained by Qiao Yue's position as both the elder brother and the head of the family, making it difficult for him to take the lead in matters.

Qiao Ping said, "It would be best if he agrees. If not, I will no longer blindly follow him this time!" Each word was spoken with resounding clarity.

Author's note: Ah~ Wei Hou will be home tonight~