The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: A Dream of the Past

"Manman! Manman! Wake up, quickly!"

A voice, gentle yet tinged with worry, sounded in her ear before a hand nudged her awake.

Xiao Qiao’s eyes snapped open. She found herself lying in the same bed she had occupied for the past two years, but her body felt as though it had just been hauled from a river—she was drenched in a cold, heavy sweat.

Lying beside her was the one who had shaken her awake: her older cousin, Da Qiao. The daughter of her uncle, Qiao Yue (the Inspector of Yanzhou), her childhood name was A-Fan. At seventeen, she was three years Xiao Qiao’s senior. The two sisters had grown up together and shared a deep bond, often sharing a bed for company.

Seeing that Xiao Qiao was finally awake, Da Qiao touched her forehead. Finding it clammy with cold sweat, she hurriedly threw on a robe and climbed out of bed. She didn't disturb the maidservants sleeping in the outer room; instead, she lit the oil lamp herself. She used a handkerchief to carefully wipe the sweat from her cousin's brow, and fearing she might catch a chill, she brought a clean shift of her own for Xiao Qiao to change into. Finally, she poured a cup of water and handed it over.

Xiao Qiao, feeling parched, took it with a look of gratitude.

Da Qiao sat on the edge of the bed, watching her drink. She let out a soft sigh. "Another nightmare? Manman, I remember you used to sleep so soundly. What has happened these last two years? You’re constantly plagued by night terrors. Do you think you’ve encountered something... unclean while out? Perhaps tomorrow I should mention it to Mother and ask her to bring a spirit-medium to look at the house?"

Xiao Qiao’s own mother had passed away from illness several years ago. Her aunt, Lady Ding, treated Xiao Qiao with great affection and was always attentive to her well-being.

Xiao Qiao shook her head quickly. "No need, Sister. I’m truly fine."

Da Qiao took the empty bowl and set it back on the table, still unconvinced. "What exactly did you dream of to make your skin turn so cold?"

These dreams had haunted Xiao Qiao ever since she had mysteriously "soul-crossed" into the body of this young girl in this war-torn era two years ago.

But she knew this was not merely a nightmare.

It seemed that when she became the twelve-year-old daughter of Qiao Ping, the Governor of Dongjun, she had also inherited the complete memories of "Xiao Qiao’s" previous life—a short, tragic twenty years.

The horrific scene in her dream just now was the final moment of that past life. Everything was so bloody, so real.

Even now, fully awake, the memory of Concubine Liu—that thirteen-year-old girl who died by a eunuch’s blade—and the eerie stare from her lifeless eye made Xiao Qiao’s skin crawl. Her chest still felt the phantom, piercing pain and the icy chill of the longsword sinking into her heart.

She didn't want to remember anymore. She curled up against Da Qiao and murmured, "I only dreamt I was being chased by a fierce tiger..."

Da Qiao smiled and stroked her hair affectionately. She leaned over to blow out the lamp, then groped her way back into the covers. She held Xiao Qiao, gently patting her back. "Don't be afraid. Sister is here with you."

Xiao Qiao hummed in response. Leaning against Da Qiao’s soft, warm body, she slowly closed her eyes.

The moonlight of the eleventh month in the seventh year of the Dingkang era filtered through the window paper, casting a quiet, pale glow onto the floor. Xiao Qiao’s mind gradually steadied, but sleep would not return.

Beside her, Da Qiao seemed to be in the same state. Thinking Xiao Qiao was asleep, the older girl gently tucked the corners of the quilt around her cousin, but she herself tossed and turned, unable to find rest.

Listening to Da Qiao’s breathing, Xiao Qiao knew exactly what was on her mind.

The "Two Qiaos" of Yanzhou were famous for their beauty, their reputation reaching far across the regions south of the Yellow River. People said, "If the spirit of the Luo River is ten parts, the two Qiaos claim eight."

When Da Qiao was ten, she was betrothed to the son of the powerful Cui family of Dongping. Unexpectedly, two years ago, when she was fifteen and preparing for the wedding, Dongping was conquered by Zhou Qun of Rencheng. Both the Governor and his son were killed in battle, and the engagement was severed.

Two years had passed in a flash. Now seventeen, Da Qiao had suitors practically breaking down the door, but the matches never seemed right. The matter had been delayed until now. It was only half a month ago that Da Qiao learned her father had decided to marry her to Wei Shao—the man who had just seized the Hebei region at the beginning of the year. He intended to use the marriage and Yanzhou’s strategic position to win Wei Shao’s favor, hoping to gain a reprieve from Zhou Qun’s relentless attacks.

The envoys had already been dispatched to Jizhou, where Wei Shao was currently stationed. Her uncle was now anxiously awaiting a response.

"Did I wake you?"

Da Qiao realized Xiao Qiao was still awake and asked apologetically.

"No," Xiao Qiao whispered.

After a moment of silence in the dim light, Xiao Qiao heard her let out a long, heavy sigh. It was as if she were asking her cousin, or perhaps just herself: "The Marquis of Wei has a grudge against our family. He wouldn't accept this proposal... would he?"

Xiao Qiao remained silent.

Two years ago, after arriving in this body, she had harbored a secret hope that the memories of her "past life"—or rather, the future—were just a dream. But as time moved forward, she discovered with growing dread that everything was coming true.

Events were unfolding exactly as she remembered.

If nothing changed, Wei Shao would accept the proposal. But after Da Qiao married into the Wei family, she was destined for a life of misery—an end even more tragic than Xiao Qiao’s own.

From the first day she entered the Wei household, her husband, Wei Shao, would never touch her. Years later, when Wei Shao ascended the throne as Emperor, the Qiao family would have been decimated—dead or scattered. Da Qiao would commit suicide by swallowing gold, and Wei Shao would name another woman his Empress.

That was how Da Qiao’s life was meant to end.

Xiao Qiao reached out and slowly grasped her cousin's hand. Da Qiao’s fingers were also icy cold, devoid of any warmth.

The following day, Xiao Qiao’s twin brother, Qiao Ci—who was born just moments after her—rushed back to Dongjun from Yancheng. He arrived home under the cover of night.

The bond between the twins was exceptionally strong. Although Qiao Ci was only fourteen, he was already half a head taller than his sister and stood as a brave, formidable youth. Two months ago, their father, Qiao Ping, had sent him to Yancheng for training. Upon hearing from the servants that the Young Master had returned, Xiao Qiao went to find him.

As she approached their father’s study, she heard her brother’s voice drifting out from inside. He sounded incredibly agitated.

"Father! Though Zhou Qun’s army is strong, Yanzhou still has two hundred thousand soldiers and citizens! The loss at Baima was just one battle—victory and defeat are common in war! If we unite our strength for one final, desperate stand, it is not impossible to turn the tide! I am willing to lead the vanguard! I heard that Uncle is afraid and actually plans to seek favor from Wei Shao? That man has the ambitions of a wolf. Since taking Jizhou, his power has reached the north of the river. Even if we gain a moment’s peace by submitting to him, how can we sustain it in the long run? Besides, there is a blood feud between our families! Setting aside how Eldest Sister will be treated there, why would he truly help the Qiao family through this crisis?"

Xiao Qiao stopped at the door. Looking in, she saw her father standing by the window with his hands behind his back, while Qiao Ci paced the room in a frenzy.

The blood feud between the Qiao and Wei families stretched back ten years.

Wei Shao’s father, Wei Jing, had been a high-ranking general. For his merits in fighting the Xiongnu, he was titled the Marquis of Yan and served as the Inspector of Youzhou. Under imperial orders, he had joined forces with the then-Inspector of Yanzhou—Xiao Qiao’s grandfather, Qiao Gui—to suppress a rebellion led by Li Su of Chen County.

Li Su’s forces were massive. Wei Jing and Qiao Gui formed an alliance, agreeing to attack Chen County from the east and west simultaneously. However, as the battle loomed, news arrived that Li Su had received reinforcements. Assessing the situation, Qiao Gui retreated and held his position. Unaware of the change, Wei Jing and his eldest son, Wei Bao, were hopelessly outnumbered. Both died in the encirclement. At the time, Wei Shao was only twelve; he had followed his father and brother into battle and only managed to break through and escape back to Youzhou thanks to the desperate sacrifice of his family's retainers.

Afterward, the Qiao family offered countless explanations, claiming they had sent a messenger to warn Wei Jing, but the envoy had been ambushed and killed. They even sent lavish gifts to the Wei family during the mourning period.

Four years ago, the eighteen-year-old Wei Shao—known by his contemporaries as the "Little Overlord"—personally led his troops on a pursuit, eventually executing Li Su’s entire family on the shores of the Eastern Sea. It was said that Li Su himself was subjected to the "Lingchi" (death by a thousand cuts), with Wei Shao personally wielding the knife. Only after a thousand slices did he die, and his body was allegedly minced into meat to feed the fish.

It was also said that when Xiao Qiao’s grandfather passed away shortly thereafter, Wei Shao, who was then attacking Hejian, received the news and remarked coldly: "The white-haired old thief... his death is well-deserved."

The depth of his hatred was unmistakable.

"Father! Even you have become this cowardly, not daring to utter a single word? If you won’t speak, I will go to Uncle myself!"

Seeing his father remain silent, Qiao Ci clenched his fists and turned to leave.

"Nonsense! Stand still!"

Qiao Ping turned abruptly and barked at his son. "Zhou Qun’s forces are at their peak. He swallowed the Cui family’s legacy in Dongping whole. After winning at Baima last month, their morale is soaring. Their momentum is like an arrow on the string. If they attack again, combined with Wei Shao watching like a tiger from the north, how can the two hundred thousand people of Yanzhou possibly resist?"

"Is there really no other way? Must we rely on Wei Shao? I cannot bear to see Eldest Sister married off like this!"

Qiao Ping fell silent for a long moment before sighing heavily. "I also know that seeking favor from Wei Shao is unwise. Do you think I haven't argued against it? I suggested joining forces with Zhang Fu of Chenliu for an all-out gamble; we might have had a chance. I had a friendship with Zhang Fu in my younger years and was willing to go persuade him. But your uncle and those family retainers are determined to avoid war at all costs..."

"Father! I beg you to try and persuade Uncle once more!"

Xiao Qiao could no longer help herself. She pushed open the door and knelt before her father.

If she did nothing and let things proceed, though it might solve the immediate threat, Da Qiao’s life would be ruined instantly. And a few years later, the entire Qiao family would still perish. Xiao Qiao remembered: first, her father would die on the front lines, and then her brother, Qiao Ci, would sacrifice himself to draw away pursuers so that she and her later husband, Liu Yan, could escape. He would eventually be surrounded by Wei Shao’s soldiers and die under a hail of arrows.

Her father, Qiao Ping, was only thirty-five—an incredibly handsome and refined man. As the Governor of Dongjun, he had no interest in remarriage after her mother’s death, spending his days immersed in his duties. He was a fair ruler who protected his people, and because the Qiao family had held Yanzhou for three generations, he was deeply respected. Though he was a gifted poet, he was no frail scholar; when he donned his armor, he became a "General in White."

In this life, with such a father and brother, even if she wasn't the original Xiao Qiao, she refused to lose them.

Qiao Ping was stunned by his daughter's sudden intrusion and her plea.

"Father, Sister is right. I beg of you!"

Qiao Ci also dropped to his knees beside Xiao Qiao with a heavy thud.

Qiao Ping’s brow furrowed. He stood alone by the window for a moment before finally saying, "Very well. I shall go and try to persuade him one more time!"