The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Morning Greetings

Xiao Qiao gasped as the sudden prickle of goosebumps erupted across the skin of her neck and ear where his burning breath had brushed against her. She instinctively leaned her head backward as far as possible, attempting to escape his overbearing presence.
 
"What is the matter, Husband? I do not understand what you mean," she responded. In truth, she felt somewhat guilty, causing her voice to lose its usual conviction and waver slightly.
 
Her eyes had gradually adjusted to the dimness. Although she still couldn't see perfectly, she could clearly sense that his gaze was fixed intently upon her.
 
After a moment, Wei Shao finally straightened his body slowly, allowing a gap of space to return between them.
 
Xiao Qiao let out a long breath, only to realize that one of her hands was still pressed flat against his thigh.
 
The muscles of his thigh were exceptionally solid, possessing the rigid, lean texture characteristic of a seasoned warrior. Separated only by a thin layer of clothing, she couldn't tell if the intense warmth emanated from her own palm or his skin, but she hastily retracted her hand. Scrambling to crawl back inward with both hands and feet, she had just moved past his legs when she found herself unable to stir. For reasons unknown, a corner of her inner robe was firmly pinned beneath his foot.
 
Xiao Qiao gave it a tentative tug.
 
Whether he was doing it intentionally or his legs were simply that heavy, the fabric remained completely immobile.
 
Xiao Qiao gave it another tug.
 
"Husband, you are pinning down the corner of my garment," she reminded him softly.
 
After a brief pause, a cold huff seemed to escape from Wei Shao’s nose as he lifted his leg slightly. Grateful for the release, Xiao Qiao hastily scrambled all the way to the innermost side of the mattress and lay down, unable to resist complaining bitterly in her heart.
 
Because of the traditional hierarchy that placed men above women, one of the standard instructions a young lady received before marriage was that when a couple shared a bed, they must follow the order of the husband sleeping on the inside and the wife on the outside.
 
This man, however, seemed to act entirely out of sheer habit. From their very first night sharing a room, he would collapse onto the outer side and refuse to move inward. Xiao Qiao found it improper to demand he move, so she simply slept on the inside.
 
Yet he possessed so many dreadful quirks.
 
In truth, she far preferred sleeping on the outside—the space was greater, and it was infinitely more convenient to get up and down!
 
...
 
Wei Shao felt the tension on his thigh ease as she retracted her hand.
 
The spot where her palm had pressed no longer felt quite so warm, cooling down rapidly.
 
He remained sitting motionless. The spot on his forehead where he had collided with the rack still throbbed with a faint, lingering ache. By tomorrow, a dark bruise would likely surface.
 
Just now, he had distinctly heard her laugh.
 
Even earlier, when he had first returned and stepped through the door—because he was indeed somewhat intoxicated and his footing was unsteady—he had paused at the entrance to clear his head. She had put on a face full of concern, ordering the maidservants to support him, while she herself remained rooted to the spot and refused to draw near.
 
Did she truly think he couldn't tell? The concern on her face was entirely fabricated.
 
If she were truly that concerned, would stepping forward to lend a hand have resulted in her arm being broken by him?
 
Men were inevitably a common sort; when they took a wife, even if they harbored no affection for her, they subconsciously demanded that she be entirely devoted to them.
 
Wei Shao was precisely this sort of ordinary, conventional man.
 
Had Xiao Qiao actually stepped forward to support him just now, he might not have even allowed her to touch him.
 
But the fact that she chose to stand by and watch was entirely her fault.
 
If he had not misinterpreted the situation, the Qiao family had actively sent their daughter to marry him solely to curry his favor.
 
Could this be how she was instructed to serve her husband before her wedding?
 
Wei Shao stole a glance at the silhouette resting on the inner side of the bed.
 
She was currently curled up in the deepest corner like a small cat, perfectly still from head to toe, exuding a thoroughly obedient air.
 
Only then did Wei Shao feel a fraction of comfort return to his heart. Massaging his forehead once more, he threw his upper body backward and collapsed back onto the bed.
 
As he fell backward, the sensation from the moment she had tripped and plunged into him suddenly flashed through his mind.
 
Her front had actually felt remarkably soft.
 
...
 
The following morning, Wei Shao woke up.
 
He had truly drunk far too much the previous evening, resulting in a hangover. Now that he was awake, his head still throbbed with a mild ache.
 
He opened his eyes, and his gaze immediately locked onto a face, his vision instantly focusing.
 
Following a brief moment of disorientation, his consciousness quickly cleared.
 
For some inexplicable reason, upon waking from his slumber, he found himself sleeping face-to-face with this woman, situated remarkably close—separated by a mere elbow's distance.
 
To be more precise, it was he who had rolled inward during his sleep, bringing himself close to her.
 
She remained fast asleep, her long hair draped somewhat untidily across one side of her neck, a few stray strands clinging to her lips. Her cheeks were flushed pink with sleep, and her curled eyelashes lent her a distinctly playful charm.
 
Wei Shao’s gaze lingered upon her face for a moment. Propelled almost entirely by a man's basic instinct, his eyes naturally drifted downward, landing upon her collar, which had loosened slightly.
 
Although they had only shared a room for a few nights, Wei Shao had long since noticed that she always kept her collar fastened tightly when she slept, as though he might attempt something untoward.
 
He found her childish behavior somewhat laughable.
 
At this moment, however, since her collar had loosened on its own, it would do no harm for him to steal a glance.
 
Driven by this thought, a small thrill of retaliatory pleasure seemed to blossom within Wei Shao’s heart. He cast a glance a few inches below her exquisitely formed collarbones exposed by the parted fabric.
 
An uncomfortable, expanding pressure began to build lower down, prompting a need to relieve himself.
 
Just then, Xiao Qiao’s eyelashes fluttered slightly.
 
Wei Shao swiftly averted his gaze, rolling over to face outward.
 
Xiao Qiao blinked her eyes open, finding Wei Shao still asleep with his back turned toward her. Rubbing her eyes, her gaze fell upon the window beyond the bed curtains, and her mind instantly snapped awake.
 
She had risen late! She had overslept! The sky was already fully bright!
 
Going to pay her morning respects to Old Matriarch Xu at this hour would undoubtedly be late!
 
She truly wished to leave a favorable impression before Wei Shao’s grandmother as much as possible. Even if she hadn't harbored such an ambition initially, after yesterday's meeting, that prospect no longer seemed entirely out of reach.
 
Yet she was plagued by such dreadful luck—the very morning after Old Matriarch Xu’s return, she had slept like a prized pig!
 
It was one thing for her to oversleep, but why hadn't Chun Niang come to knock on the door and remind her? Could it be that everyone in the western wing had fallen into a deathly slumber...
 
Left without tears to shed, Xiao Qiao sat up from the bed like a coiled spring.
 
Wei Shao opened his eyes, turned his head, and frowned as he watched her scrambling frantically to climb straight over his legs. "What is wrong with you? It is early morning; is there a wolf chasing behind you?"
 
"It is late! I have risen late! I shall be late to pay respects to Grandmother!"
 
Xiao Qiao had no time to spare for him. Stepping onto the floor, she turned her head back with a sorrowful expression to offer a brief explanation.
 
Only then did Wei Shao sluggishly roll over and sit up. Adjusting his collar, a trace of a mockery surfaced at the corners of his lips. "Is there any need for this? Even if you arrive a bit late, do you think Grandmother will devour you alive?"
 
You naturally have nothing to worry about!
 
Xiao Qiao grumbled in her heart, harboring a trace of resentment toward him. Had he not returned so late last night and caused such a commotion before sleeping, she would not have overslept this morning.
 
Xiao Qiao paid him no further heed, fastening her collar as she hurriedly opened the door. Sure enough, Chun Niang and the maidservants waiting to tend to their washing were already standing in a crowd along the outer corridor. Seeing Xiao Qiao, Chun Niang immediately lowered her voice, "Do not fret, My Lady. Word was sent from the Old Matriarch's quarters moments ago stating that she knew the Lord had returned late from drinking last night, so there was no need for the two of you to rise early to pay respects. That is why this servant did not knock."
 
Only then did Xiao Qiao breathe a sigh of relief, allowing the servants inside to tend to her hair and washing.
 
Wei Shao, however, seemed to be acting out of deliberate spite, his movements incredibly slow. She was a woman and had already finished preparing, yet he was still in the middle of donning his outer robe, taking an eternity just to tie his sash. Watching from the side, Xiao Qiao felt a fire rising in her eyes, wishing nothing more than to slap him. Once he finally finished preparing with great difficulty, he partook of a few bites of the breakfast brought inside before casting a glance at Xiao Qiao, uttering in a slow, deliberate manner, "Let us go."
 
Xiao Qiao followed him out.
 
By this time, roughly half an hour had already passed since the standard hour for morning greetings. The sun had risen above the ridge of the northern wing. Beneath the collective gaze of the servants along the path, the two arrived at the northern wing. This was not the main hall from yesterday; Madame Xu was in a sitting room where she regularly spent her time, and there were quite a few people present. Aside from Madame Zhu and Zheng Shu, even Wei Yan was there. Looking thoroughly spirited, he was currently accompanying Madame Xu, sharing jokes and laughter. Hearing the maidservants announce the arrival of Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao, he halted his speech and turned his head.
 
He was not the only one; the gazes of everyone remaining in the room aligned perfectly, sweeping over toward them.
 
Wei Shao walked inside with a perfectly composed expression, while Xiao Qiao lowered her eyes, standing alongside him before Madame Xu.
 
She had already detected Madame Zhu’s gaze boring into her from the side—an indescribably sour and biting sensation.
 
"Grandmother sits above; please receive your granddaughter-in-law's respects." Xiao Qiao offered her formal salutations. "It is truly your granddaughter-in-law who has been discourteous. To think that on the very morning after Grandmother's return, I should be so indolent. I beg Grandmother's chastisement; I shall never dare repeat it."
 
"No matter," Madame Xu appeared exceptionally amiable. "It was I who instructed the servants not to disturb you. Have you eaten? If not, there is still warm breakfast broth here; the two of you may go ahead and partake."
 
"We have already eaten before coming. Your grandson thanks Grandmother for her affection and consideration regarding my late return last night. I shall not dare repeat it next time," Wei Shao also chuckled.
 
Wei Yan burst into a hearty laugh, "The blame must rest entirely upon me. Last night, I insisted on keeping Zhonglin to share some wine, only releasing him after a long while. I fear he couldn't even recognize the path back. To think he could still rise this morning proves that Sister-in-Law has tended to him remarkably well. If Grandmother wishes to blame anyone, please direct it toward me."
 
Xiao Qiao did not raise her eyes, yet she sensed his gaze sweeping over her figure as he spoke.
 
Madame Xu smiled warmly, "It has been long since you brothers last met; it is only proper to sit together and share some wine. However, next time, you are absolutely not permitted to drink to excess, lest it harm your health."
 
Wei Yan and Wei Shao responded in unison. The two brothers accompanied Madame Xu for a moment longer, discussing the upcoming birthday feast in a few days. Madame Xu instructed them not to be extravagant and to keep the arrangements simple, after which the gathering dissolved, and everyone took their leave in order. Wei Yan and Wei Shao departed to confer with the stewards on administrative matters, and Xiao Qiao returned to the western wing.
 
Within the northern wing, Madame Xu requested Madame Zhu to remain behind, while signaling Zheng Shu to withdraw, leaving only the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law within the chamber.
 
Madame Zhu sat kneeling to one side. Seeing that her mother-in-law remained silent for a long while—having feared her for the better part of her life—she felt somewhat uneasy. After a brief hesitation, she finally ventured a tentative smile, "In two days, it will be Mother-in-Law’s grand birthday. The entire estate has been bustling these past few days. Though my own quarters have been rushed, my heart is filled with joy."
 
Madame Xu offered a slight smile, "It is merely a minor affair. According to my original wishes, there was no need for such arrangements. Yet you all refused to listen, so I can only let you have your way, lest I be blamed behind my back for refusing to fulfill your filial devotion."
 
Madame Zhu accompanied her smile, "How could that be? It is indeed the sincere devotion of the younger generation—entirely as it should be."
 
The old matriarch nodded. Fixing her solitary eye upon Madame Zhu, she spoke suddenly, "I recall the Zheng girl is roughly nineteen this year, is she not? For a girl to reach this age, it is not good to keep her unwed. Keep a watchful eye out; if there is a suitable family, arrange for her to be married off.”