The Prisoner of Beauty

Wei Shao's heart surged with anger. He got out of bed and walked straight to the wardrobe, rummaging through it until he found a pink garment she had often worn. Clutching it, he returned to the bed and let the bed curtains fall.

The curtains trembled slightly. Moments later, a long, relieved sigh escaped from within.

The next morning, Wei Shao rose early and headed to the north house again.

Since Xiao Qiao was not there, he had been taking his meals with Madam Xu these past few days. The grandmother and grandson finished their meal in silence. Madam Xu took the warm water handed to her by Zhong Ao, rinsed her mouth, and then looked at Wei Shao, who was about to stand up. "Shao Er, how many days until the army returns to the city? Are you free to leave recently?"

Wei Shao paused and replied, "Does Grandmother have any instructions? Please speak freely. I just received a letter yesterday. The army has reached Yi and will arrive in Yuyang in seven or eight days. After that, until next spring, they will mainly rest and recuperate. There’s nothing major."

Madam Xu nodded, glanced at Zhong Ao, and said, "After you left last night, Zhong Ao and I chatted a bit more, and we mentioned your wife. Zhong Ao, who is from Daliang and is familiar with the customs of the Central Plains, reminded me that as the weather gets colder, the Yellow River might freeze, making travel difficult. If your wife returns late, she might get stranded on the road..."

Wei Shao looked at Madam Xu intently.

Madam Xu smiled. "Grandmother really misses her. I can’t wait until next spring to see her return. If you can manage your affairs, could you go south to bring her back? Firstly, she can return earlier. Secondly, with you going to fetch her, I’ll feel more at ease."

A glimmer of light appeared in Wei Shao's eyes, though his expression remained unchanged. He respectfully said, "Since Grandmother has instructed, how could I dare to disobey? After I send word to Master Gongsun and the General, and settle my affairs, I will set off."

Madam Xu smiled. "Then I’ll trouble you."

Wei Shao replied, "It is my duty to fulfill my filial piety to Grandmother."

...

Wei Shao left the north house with swift steps and went straight to the government office. He picked up a brush and wrote a letter on a bamboo slip, stamped it with his seal, and split it in two. He ordered one half to be sent to Gongsun Yang and the other to Li Dian. After settling other matters, he set off that very day with the dozen or so trusted followers who had returned early with him. They traveled in plain clothes, leaving Yuyang and heading south along the post road.

This journey south was more than twice as fast as Xiao Qiao’s previous trip. In just over ten days, they had crossed the ancient Wuchao ferry on the Yellow River, the closest route to Yanzhou. After a few more days of travel, Yanzhou was within sight.

Originally, he had been traveling at a rapid pace, but as he got closer to Yanzhou, he gradually slowed down. When he reached Dongjun, he stopped on the post road, about seventy or eighty li from the city, and sent a capable follower, Lieutenant General Lei Yan, to deliver a message to the city.

Lei Yan rode swiftly into Dongjun that day and found the Qiao residence.

Qiao Ping was busy in the prefectural office when a servant from his home came to report that someone from the Wei family in Yuyang had come to fetch the lady. Surprised, he quickly put down his work and hurried back to meet the visitor.

Lei Yan knew that this middle-aged man who had rushed over was Lord Wei’s father-in-law, Qiao Ping, the prefect of Dongjun. He was very respectful. Following Wei Shao’s instructions, he did not mention that Wei Shao had come personally, only saying that he had been ordered to fetch the lady. Since the main group could not enter the city, they were waiting outside. After speaking, he presented Wei Shao’s letter and seal.Qiao Ping had never expected that Wei Shao would personally come south to fetch his daughter. Believing it to be true, he hurriedly apologized, "What an unfortunate coincidence, General, for you to have made this trip in vain. My daughter left Dongjun just two days ago to visit old acquaintances in Xuzhou. At the time, she said she would return immediately after her visit to Xuzhou and then head north to return home. You and your men have traveled a long way and must be weary. Why not enter the city and rest here for a few days? Once my daughter returns to Dongjun, you can take her north together. How does that sound?"

Lei Yan had originally thought that the lady was at home, and he could simply take her away as per the Lord's orders. Unexpectedly, he had come up empty-handed, as the lady had gone to Xuzhou. Hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Could you, sir, inform me where in Xuzhou the lady has gone?"

Xiao Qiao had gone to visit Bi Zhi and Da Qiao, which was not a secret. Qiao Ping replied, "I have a niece who grew up with my daughter, and the two are very close. Now, my niece lives in Lingbi with her husband, and my daughter has gone to visit them. She will return in five or six days at the earliest, or at most in ten days. How about you enter the city and wait for a few days?"

Lei Yan couldn't make the decision himself. He politely thanked Qiao Ping and then took his leave, saying he would first go out of the city to discuss the matter before deciding.

Qiao Ping escorted him out. Lei Yan repeatedly urged him to stay, then hurriedly left the city.

Wei Shao waited by the roadside outside the city. From a distance, he finally saw Lei Yan returning, but he had gone alone and returned alone. Glancing behind him, Wei Shao saw no carriage. After hearing Lei Yan's report, his brow furrowed slightly.

Lei Yan said, "Sir Qiao repeatedly urged us to stay. Why not enter the city, my lord, and wait for the lady to return before taking her north together?"

Wei Shao turned his head and looked at the road that continued south.

"He said the lady went to Lingbi the day before yesterday?"

Lei Yan confirmed.

Wei Shao pondered for a moment.

Although he resided in the north, he was not unfamiliar with the southern terrain, especially the passes and roads connecting various strategic cities.

Xuzhou had always been a contested area among military strategists, and Wei Shao was well aware of its geographical routes.

From Dongjun to Lingbi, she would surely travel by carriage on the main road, resting at night. Even at the fastest pace, it would take four days. Only two days had passed. If he set out immediately and took shortcuts, he could arrive at Jiuli Pass, a necessary route to Lingbi, before her. Waiting there, he could intercept her party, which would be better than waiting here in vain.

Moreover, deep down, he still strongly disliked having to deal with the Qiao family any further.

Having made up his mind, Wei Shao did not hesitate. He immediately turned around and continued south, taking a shortcut through the wilderness. After a brief rest at night, he returned to the main road by noon the next day.

From here, Jiuli Pass was only half a day's journey by fast horse. He should soon be able to intercept her ahead.

Imagining the surprised look on her face when she suddenly saw him appear before her, Wei Shao felt not the slightest bit of fatigue. On the contrary, he was full of energy. The dozen or so close followers with him were all battle-hardened veterans, and only the strongest could keep up. Seeing their lord in such high spirits, they naturally followed closely, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

As the group passed through villages along the way, they constantly saw villagers traveling with their families on the road. Some walked, others pushed wheelbarrows, all seemingly heading towards Jiuli Pass, their faces filled with sorrow.

At first, Wei Shao didn't pay much attention. But as they passed through several more villages and the situation remained the same, he began to feel suspicious. Just as the horses were growing tired, he ordered a stop by the roadside to feed them bean cakes and rest, while instructing Lei Yan to go and inquire.Lei Yan stopped some villagers to ask a few questions and quickly returned. He reported, "The villagers have heard that Xue Tai plans to breach the Huai River dam upstream to flood Xiao territory. Since this area is low-lying, they fear it will also be submerged, so they are fleeing for their lives."

Wei Shao pondered for a moment and noticed a group of fleeing villagers approaching from the opposite direction. He walked over to them.

The villagers saw this group of people. Although they were dressed in ordinary clothes, their horses were well-fed, and the men were strong, carrying swords with an imposing air, unlike locals.

In such troubled times, these common folk struggled to make a living and dared not provoke anyone. They wanted to avoid them but saw the young man in the middle approaching, so they stopped and watched with slight fear and wariness.

Wei Shao walked up to the villagers and asked for details. Seeing that he was unexpectedly amiable, their fear gradually subsided, and they began to pour out their grievances.

It turned out that last month, Xue Tai attacked Xiao territory, which was not far from here and belonged to Yang Xin.

Xiao territory controlled the waterway of the Huai River and was of great geographical importance, so it could not be lost. Yang Xin sent people to defend it fiercely. Xue Tai, unable to capture it after a prolonged siege, devised a strategy: he divided his forces into two groups. One continued to besiege the city, while the other went around to the upstream area behind Xiao territory, intending to breach the dam and flood the entire city.

This place was not far from Xiao territory and was low-lying. The nearby villagers, fearing they would suffer the same fate, fled to seek refuge.

"Last year, there was a drought, and the harvest was poor. This autumn, we finally managed to gather some grain, only to face flooding. In such times, how can we survive—"

At the mention of their hardships, the villagers wiped away tears.

Wei Shao watched the villagers, young and old, leave, and stood silently for a moment.

"My lord, the horses have rested. We can set off now," Lei Yan approached and said.

Wei Shao glanced in the direction of Jiuli Pass, lost in thought for a moment, then slowly said, "Let's change our route. We'll go and meet Xue Tai."

...

The next day, Xiao Qiao and her party passed through Jiuli Pass, entered Lingbi, and finally reached their destination, where they met Da Qiao, whom they had not seen for a long time.

When the sisters saw each other, their eyes met as if they had been separated for a lifetime.

"Elder sister!"

Xiao Qiao called out and quickly ran over. The two sisters tightly held each other's hands, overwhelmed with emotion.

Da Qiao's eyes reddened, and she called out, "Little sister," as tears streamed down her face.

Xiao Qiao helped her sit down and wiped the tears from her face. The two sisters talked about their separation, and their emotions gradually calmed.

Xiao Qiao looked at Da Qiao and saw that she was now heavily pregnant, her figure fuller than before. Although her hands and feet were swollen from pregnancy, making her movements slower, her complexion was good. Xiao Qiao was very happy and stared at her round belly for a while. She couldn't resist leaning her face against it, rubbing and touching her belly, saying, "Auntie is here to see the baby. Be good, baby, and don't make my elder sister tired!"

Da Qiao smiled, hugged Xiao Qiao for a moment, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, "Little sister, after your elder sister and brother-in-law left, I gradually realized that when you said you wanted to marry the Marquis of Yan in my place, it was just an excuse to make me leave with peace of mind. I have been living well, but you took my place in the Wei family. Over the past year, I have often felt uneasy. Until recently, when I heard about your situation through Zong Langjun, I felt a little more at ease. This past year must have been difficult for you, right?"Xiao Qiao beamed brightly: "Sister, you have no idea, the Wei family's grandmother is extremely kind and treats me well. It was her care that allowed me to return home smoothly this time."

"How does your husband treat you?"

Seeing her sister's beautiful eyes gazing at her with concern and a hint of guilt, Xiao Qiao paused for a moment, then leaned in close to Da Qiao's ear and whispered: "He treats me well too. Even when I hit him, he doesn't get angry."

Da Qiao was taken aback. Seeing Xiao Qiao smiling playfully at her, she couldn't help but laugh: "Marquis Yan treats you well, how can you be so disrespectful?"

Xiao Qiao said: "He was the one who annoyed me first."

Da Qiao shook her head: "But you still shouldn't hit your husband! I was worried..."

Xiao Qiao giggled, interrupting her: "Sister, don't worry! I'll be just fine!"

Da Qiao knew of the unresolved grievances between the Qiao and Wei families from the previous generation. Back in Dongjun, she had also heard some things about Marquis Yan, Wei Shao. Learning about how he dealt with Li Su, she couldn't help but shudder. Although she had never met him, as a regional overlord, she imagined he would be imposing and unapproachable. She never expected that in private, he would get along with her younger sister like this.

Since marrying Bi Zhi, who treated her with utmost consideration, and being naturally gentle herself, Da Qiao found it hard to imagine how Marquis Yan could annoy her sister enough to be hit, yet not get angry.

But for a man to not get angry even when hit by his wife, it must mean he is deeply in love.

She had always felt guilty, having found a perfect husband herself, while her sister was trapped in a difficult situation. Now it seemed that by some twist of fate, her sister and Marquis Yan were also harmoniously in love, exceptionally affectionate.

Da Qiao finally completely set her heart at ease. She took Xiao Qiao's hand and said: "Since you're here this time, stay a few more days. When it's time to leave, I'll have your brother-in-law personally escort you back to Yuyang."