The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Madame Xu

Xiao Qiao rushed immediately to the side room of the northern wing to await her audience.
 
Since Old Matriarch Xu had only just arrived home, she might not necessarily wish to see her so soon if she harbored the same detestation as the others. Even so, Xiao Qiao had to ensure her own etiquette was irreproachable. As she waited in the side room, she watched through the window as a steady stream of people moved in and out of the corridor leading to the main chambers, the heavy thud of footsteps never quite ceasing. Aside from servants, there were various stewards of the Wei family and men who looked like military officers and officials from the city.
 
She waited for quite some time. As twilight began to settle, the footsteps along the corridor gradually thinned out. Finally, a maidservant appeared at the doorway of the side room, bowing as she invited Xiao Qiao to come over.
 
Xiao Qiao suddenly felt a faint wave of nervousness. Steeling her resolve, she followed the maidservant toward the main hall.
 
In her past life, when the Qiao sisters had met for the final time, Xiao Qiao had gathered a few details from Da Qiao’s words. The only person in the entire Wei family who had never made things difficult for her—and who would remember to send servants to her quarters with gifts during the changing of the seasons and festivals—was Wei Shao’s grandmother. Unfortunately, Madame Xu’s allotted lifespan had run its course. Less than a year after Da Qiao wed into the Wei family, the old matriarch had passed away due to an unexpected accident, and from then on, Da Qiao’s circumstances had grown increasingly dire.
 
It was precisely because of this that Xiao Qiao attached exceptional importance to this initial meeting with Madame Xu. She did not harbor any grand hopes of winning her deep affection. However, as long as Madame Xu was different from Wei Shao’s mother, then at least for the coming year, it would not be a bad thing for her.
 
The layout of the northern wing was similar to that of the western wing where Xiao Qiao resided, though the chambers were far more expansive. Yet, the furnishings were remarkably simple—simple almost to the point of austerity. It stood in stark contrast to the eastern wing where Madame Zhu lived. The only feature in this main hall that reflected the status of the Wei family’s old matriarch was a high red sandalwood couch situated directly ahead as one entered, which required ascending three steps to reach. On either side of the high couch stood a square side table laden with various implements, and behind it stood a long, lacquered screen adorned with painted cloud patterns. Wei Shao’s grandmother, Old Matriarch Xu, was currently seated right in the center of this high couch.
 
By the time Xiao Qiao entered, there were not many people left inside. Only a scattered few maidservants stood in attendance, with Old Nanny Zhong by her side. Neither Madame Zhu nor Zheng Shu was anywhere to be seen. Wei Shao was present as well, accompanying the old matriarch from a seat slightly below her. The longsword he rarely parted with in his daily life lay horizontally within arm's reach before his couch.
 
Wei Shao’s grandmother possessed a withered, frail frame. She was clad in black robes, her hair streaked with grey, her forehead broad, and her jawline rounded. Her cheeks were slightly sunken, giving her the appearance of a very ordinary old woman with no remarkable facial features. What caught Xiao Qiao slightly by surprise was that she possessed only a single eye. Her left eye was completely clouded over by a white cataract, rendering it a stark, snowy blankness. Her remaining right eye, however, was exceptionally piercing and filled with vitality. Seated upon the high couch, when her solitary eye swept over, it made one somewhat hesitant to meet her gaze.
 
As Xiao Qiao walked inside, she felt Madame Xu’s single eye lock onto her figure, her expression rendering it impossible to discern pleasure or anger. Xiao Qiao immediately lowered her eyes, walked up to the high couch where several kneeling mats had already been arranged on the floor, and sank to her knees. She bowed her head deeply to pay her respects to Wei Shao’s grandmother across from her, before finally presenting a pair of soft-soled, silk-insulated embroidered shoes.
 
The room was deathly quiet, without the slightest sound to be heard.
 
Old Nanny Zhong stepped forward and took the shoes. Following that, a maidservant brought out a red-lacquered tray containing a mutton-fat jade bi disc carved with the Four Auspicious Creatures and a string of gold-inlaid jade beads featuring a fret pattern.
 
The Four Creatures jade disc signified auspicious blessings, while the jade beads were a traditional token of introduction gifted by an elder to a member of the younger generation.
 
"This is the Old Matriarch’s token of affection. Please accept it, My Lady, and rise," Old Nanny Zhong said.
 
Xiao Qiao expressed her gratitude for the gifts, then rose to her feet, standing properly and obediently just behind Wei Shao’s side.
 
After a moment, she sensed that Madame Xu upon the couch was still observing her. She could not help but raise her eyes slightly, sharing a fleeting glance with her.
 
...
 
Some time ago, when Old Nanny Zhong had returned from Xindu, Madame Xu had inquired about the daughter of the Qiao family. Old Nanny Zhong had recounted the events of her abduction by Chen Rui of Bingzhou along the road, and how the Lord had captured Shiyi City. She had noted that the Qiao daughter possessed a rare, peerless beauty, her conduct was entirely proper, and her character was virtuous.
 
"What a pity,"
 
she had ultimately tacked on at the end.
 
Old Nanny Zhong had served by Madame Xu’s side for the better part of her life. She was a cautious individual who rarely spoke an extra word out of turn, so it was quite uncommon for her to directly express her own opinion before Madame Xu like this.
 
Madame Xu had pressed her at the time, asking what she meant by "what a pity." Old Nanny Zhong had merely replied that once the Old Matriarch saw her in person, she would understand.
 
Madame Xu had been somewhat dismissive at the moment. But now, seeing this daughter of the Qiao family with her own eyes, she suddenly seemed to experience a wave of realization. She had not expected the Qiao family to rear such a rare, magnificent beauty. Her countenance was truly radiant. When she had first stepped inside, even someone as widely experienced and knowledgeable as Madame Xu felt her own eyes light up.
 
Her appearance, however, was secondary. It was the Qiao daughter's poise and demeanor that truly found favor in Madame Xu’s eyes.
 
In this life, the more a person possessed in the first half of their existence and the more complex their experiences were, the more their perspectives would gradually shift as they grew old. They would come to prefer simple, tranquil things.
 
This applied to objects, and it applied to people just the same. This was precisely why the older people became, the more they tended to fondle children.
 
As Madame Xu observed the Qiao daughter, she caught the girl suddenly raising her eyes, sharing a swift, momentary glance with her.
 
Madame Xu’s solitary eye instantly captured the look in her gaze. It was not timid. There was merely a trace of slight uncertainty. Aside from that, it was bright and thoroughly candid.
 
When Madame Xu evaluated people, her very first glance was always directed at the other party’s eyes. Judging a person by their appearance was not entirely without merit; the spirit within a pair of eyes was a vital component of one's countenance.
 
She instinctively harbored good feelings toward someone possessing such a gaze.
 
Conversely, there were some people—such as her daughter-in-law, Lady Zhu—whom Madame Xu had never been able to genuinely like. This, too, had begun with that very first glance.
 
Years ago, when her husband had wished to arrange a marriage between their son and Lady Zhu, Madame Xu had harbored reservations regarding her background and had been somewhat unwilling. Yet her husband had remained resolute, and because Lady Zhu’s father had once saved his life, Madame Xu had ultimately accepted it with great reluctance.
 
When she first beheld Lady Zhu, even though the girl was properly attired and every movement reflected the disciplined breeding of a prominent clan, Madame Xu remained thoroughly dissatisfied with this daughter-in-law.
 
When Lady Zhu looked at her, what leaked from her eyes was a fundamental lack of confidence and an anxious, desperate yearning to curry her favor.
 
No matter how proper the attire or how perfectly compliant the conduct, when paired with such a gaze, the overall caliber could not help but drop significantly.
 
Thus, this underlying disdain had persisted all the way to the present day.
 
The sole matter that allowed Madame Xu to look upon Lady Zhu with a modicum of respect was that her womb had been cooperative enough to bear an exceptionally outstanding grandson for the Wei family. A mother's status rises with her son. This was likely the primary reason Madame Xu had been able to tolerate Lady Zhu all this time, turning a blind eye and letting her be.
 
When Madame Xu had initially taken matters into her own hands and arranged for her grandson, Wei Shao, to marry the Qiao daughter, she naturally had her reasons.
 
Outsiders who were privy to the match—including her grandson Wei Shao himself—assumed she had done it solely for the sake of Yanzhou.
 
In truth, she had her own separate considerations. It was simply that others remained entirely unaware.
 
...
 
Madame Xu cast another glance at Xiao Qiao, noting that she had already lowered her eyes once more, standing just behind her grandson Wei Shao. The two of them looked for all the world like a perfectly matched jade couple.
 
She spoke her very first words since Xiao Qiao had entered the room: "Zhonglin, I have seen your bride, and I like her very much. Having traveled for an entire day, I am also weary and wish to rest. Take her back with you."
 
Wei Shao rose from his couch and replied respectfully, "Your grandson takes his leave. May Grandmother rest early. Your grandson will come to pay respects again tomorrow morning."
 
Madame Xu nodded with a warm smile.
 
Wei Shao stepped down from the couch and walked outward. Xiao Qiao bowed to bid the old matriarch farewell. Just as she turned her body to follow Wei Shao out, a sudden flurry of footsteps echoed from the outer corridor, followed by a voice ringing aloud: "Grandmother has returned, yet I failed to ride out of the city to welcome you, and I have arrived late as well. This is truly inexcusable! Grandmother must absolutely not blame me for being unfilial—"
 
Accompanying this voice, which Xiao Qiao felt as though she had heard somewhere before, a man materialized at the doorway and strode boldly across the threshold.
 
Xiao Qiao raised her eyes to look, freezing slightly in surprise.
 
What an incredible coincidence—it was actually the man surnamed Wei whom she had encountered at the mounting shop earlier today! Only at this moment, the man acted entirely as though he hadn't seen her. His eyes locked onto Wei Shao ahead, seeming to light up instantly as a smile broke across his face, and he walked briskly toward him.
 
A smile surfaced on Wei Shao’s face as well, and he strode forward to meet the man. The two of them appeared to share an extremely close relationship.
 
Xiao Qiao paused where she stood, watching these two men exchange enthusiastic greetings with continuous laughter, behaving precisely like devoted brothers.
 
"Shiyuan, I see you have finally returned! Grandmother thought you were going to take root in Dai County and never come back!" Upon seeing this man arrive, Madame Xu on the couch seemed thoroughly pleased as well, speaking with a chuckle.
 
This man was named Wei Yan. Hearing Madame Xu speak, he released his hold on Wei Shao, walked up to the couch, and said with a smile, "For Grandmother's sixtieth birthday, even if Shiyuan’s two legs were snapped, I would still crawl my way back."
 
Madame Xu burst into laughter. Wei Yan knelt upon the very same mat Xiao Qiao had occupied moments before to pay his respects to the old matriarch. Upon rising, his gaze finally drifted toward Xiao Qiao, casting a glance as if he had only just noticed her presence. He then turned back to Wei Shao and chuckled, "Second Brother, while I was in Dai County, I heard the news of your grand wedding. Could this lady be..."
 
He trailed off, his eyes resting upon Xiao Qiao.
 
Wei Shao returned to Xiao Qiao’s side and replied with a smile, "Indeed she is." Having said that, he turned to Xiao Qiao and explained, "He is my cousin. He has been leading troops in Dai County prior to this and is slightly older than me. I have always regarded him as an elder brother. You may address him as Eldest Brother-in-Law."
 
Xiao Qiao cast a glance at Wei Yan, seeing him standing before her with a smile on his face. His two eyes were fixed upon her countenance, betraying not the slightest hint of anything unusual. Recalling the scene of their chance encounter outside during the day, for some inexplicable reason, a trace of discomfort lingered in her heart. Yet, she allowed none of it to show on her face. She merely smiled and followed Wei Shao’s instruction, offering her formal greetings and calling him "Eldest Brother-in-Law."
 
Wei Yan returned the gesture with a slight bow and resumed conversing with Wei Shao. The two exchanged a few more remarks before simultaneously bidding Madame Xu farewell. After walking a short distance outside, the close brothers moved side-by-side in front, talking about heaven knew what amidst bursts of laughter. Xiao Qiao followed at a moderate distance behind. When they reached the fork leading to the western wing, she came to a halt. Wei Yan spoke up, "Second Brother, you and I haven't seen each other for so long, and we have finally crossed paths today. How can we go without wine? Come, let us share a cup together, what do you say?"
 
Wei Shao hesitated briefly before smiling, "That suits my wishes perfectly."
 
Wei Yan laughed heartily, "I suppose you are simply loath to leave this beautiful new bride of yours, aren't you? It is rare to be so joyful today, so I won't care about your many reservations. Let us go and drink to our heart's content first!" Having said that, he turned his gaze toward Xiao Qiao once more, "Sister-in-Law, Zhonglin and I haven't met in ages, so I shall drag him away for a few cups. Rest assured, it won't be to the point of him failing to return for the night. I shall return him safely to you later this evening."
 
Xiao Qiao felt a wave of subtle awkwardness in her heart. She stole a glance at Wei Shao; he stood there with his eyes averted from her, his expression seeming slightly stiff as well.
 
"Eldest Brother-in-Law jokes. The two of you should by all means go ahead," Xiao Qiao responded.
 
"It is well as long as Sister-in-Law does not blame me. Zhonglin, let us go!"
 
Wei Shao offered a faint smile. As he took a few steps toward the front courtyard alongside Wei Yan, he suddenly turned his head to cast a brief glance back at Xiao Qiao.
 
Xiao Qiao had already turned around, walking back toward the western wing.
 
...
 
It was very late, yet Wei Shao had still not returned.
 
Since he had not come back, Xiao Qiao naturally could not simply go to sleep by herself. She could only sit and wait.
 
Propping her chin in her hand beneath the lamp, she pondered the people and events she had encountered throughout the day.
 
Wei Yan had truly left a deep impression upon her. Aside from anything else, his surname alone was quite puzzling.
 
Given that he was Wei Shao’s cousin, how was it such a coincidence that he, too, was surnamed Wei?
 
...
 
It was only later that Xiao Qiao would come to learn that Wei Yan’s background was actually quite convoluted and shrouded in secrecy.
 
Wei Shao had once possessed a young aunt named Qingyun, who was Madame Xu’s biological daughter. Thirty years ago, due to an unexpected mishap, she had been abducted from a border city by a Xiongnu man of exceptionally high status. It was not until three years later that Wei Shao’s father finally managed to rescue his sister. Upon her return, however, the family discovered she was already five or six months pregnant. The family members urged the young aunt to terminate the pregnancy. She refused vehemently, threatening her own life to resist. Helpless to do otherwise, Madame Xu ultimately relented and let her have her way. Tragically, when the time came to give birth, she passed away due to severe hemorrhaging.
 
Madame Xu had doted immensely upon this youngest daughter. Having tragically lost her beloved child, she looked upon the bloodline left behind with a special degree of affection.
 
The people of that era could accept a Han woman who had once been abducted by barbarians, but they would absolutely never treat a child possessing barbarian bloodline with equal respect. Madame Xu was naturally unwilling to send the child away to the Xiongnu. After careful consideration, she had the child take his mother's surname and raised him entirely by her own hand, claiming to the outside world that his father had married into the Wei family and had already passed away.
 
Very few people were aware of this past history. Madame Xu had also never breathed a single word of it to Wei Yan.