The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 26

Chapter 26: The Birthday Hall

Madame Zhu froze in surprise.

According to the marriage customs of the era, the initial marriageable age for men generally spanned from fourteen or fifteen to eighteen or nineteen, while for women, it ranged from thirteen or fourteen to sixteen or seventeen. For someone like Zheng Chuyu to remain unwed at eighteen or nineteen was an exceptionally rare occurrence, unless there were specific underlying reasons—such as physical illness, unsightly features, or a family too impoverished to afford a proper dowry.
 
Having lost both her husband and her eldest son in her earlier years, Madame Zhu was left with only Wei Shao as her sole remaining child. It was inevitable that she would shift her entire focus onto this only son. Originally, she had set her heart on having her son marry her maternal niece. However, because Zheng Chuyu’s background fell short, and knowing that Madame Xu would absolutely never permit it, she had compromised, hoping her son would take her as a concubine. In this manner, not only would it strengthen their familial bonds, but she would also be able to keep her niece by her side permanently. Yet as the girl grew older, the matter had completely failed to progress. Over the past year or two, she had grown increasingly anxious, inevitably pressing Wei Shao with greater urgency. She never expected him to refuse to yield in the slightest, causing such a scene on his very first night back that her dignity was completely dragged through the mud before the servants.
 
She did not blame her son for mortifying her; instead, she directed all her resentment and fury toward the Qiao daughter. She had already been harboring a quiet rage these past few days, and seeing her son and his new bride arrive late this morning only fueled her conviction that her son had been thoroughly bewitched by that Qiao daughter's allure, causing him to indulge in pleasure and rise late. Her heart grew even more suffocated. She had been pondering precisely this matter just a moment ago when she suddenly heard that the sole reason Madame Xu had requested her to remain behind was to discuss this. Her heart leaped in alarm, and an expression of difficulty surfaced upon her face.
 
"Why do you remain silent? Is it that you cannot secure a suitable family, or are you unable to prepare a dowry? If it is inconvenient for you, I shall seek someone out, and the dowry shall be provided from my quarters."
 
While Madame Zhu found herself at a loss for words, she heard Madame Xu speak these words in a slow, unhurried manner. Raising her eyes, she collided directly with her gaze. Seeing her mother-in-law's solitary eye fixed upon her, a wave of guilt washed over her, and she managed a strained smile, "How could that be the reason! Mother-in-Law should be well aware that over these past two years, even the servants within the estate have regarded Chuyu as a member of Zhonglin’s chambers. If we were to marry her off to someone else at this juncture, I fear it might be somewhat improper..."
 
Madame Xu responded, "The servants act out of ignorance. As the mistress of the Wei family, if you fail to discipline them, how can you allow yourself to be led by the nose by common servants? In a family of our standing, even if a man takes a concubine, formal betrothal gifts must be exchanged. Lacking both proper etiquette and formal status, precisely when did the Zheng girl become a member of Zhonglin’s chambers?"
 
Madame Zhu dared not look Madame Xu directly in the eye, offering only a defense: "Mother-in-Law may not be aware, but I have already spoken to Zhonglin regarding this matter, and Zhonglin did not say it was impossible. It is merely that he has been away prior to this, and having just returned home to wed a new bride, raising this matter immediately would be improper. Originally, I intended to wait a while longer before finalizing the arrangement."
 
Madame Xu scoffed, "Then how is it I heard that on the very first night of Zhonglin’s return, an old crone went to the western wing to eavesdrop outside their window, provoking Zhonglin’s fury to the point of cleaving the door apart? What manner of servant possesses the audacity to commit such an insubordinate act? I am advanced in years and have grown indolent, leaving the management of this household entirely to you. Is this how you discipline the servants?"
 
Madame Zhu’s face flushed crimson with shame. She had never imagined that Madame Xu would be privy to this matter as well. Daring not utter another word, she lowered her head deeply.
 
"I am well aware that these past years have not been easy for you; I have witnessed it all,"
 
Madame Xu’s voice softened slightly. "Your desire to keep the Zheng girl within the estate stems from a heart of affection. Yet affection is one thing; to continue blundering in this manner will only ruin the girl's lifelong prospects. Keeping you behind to speak this morning carries no other meaning; it is merely to offer you a reminder."
 
Madame Zhu prostrated herself, tears welling in her eyes as she wept, "Your daughter-in-law recognizes Mother-in-Law’s benevolence. Upon my return, I shall follow Mother-in-Law’s instructions and seek a suitable match for Chuyu, never daring to delay her any longer."
 
A faint smile surfaced on Madame Xu’s face, and she nodded, "As long as you can see reason, my mind can rest easy. There is nothing else; you may go."
 
Madame Zhu wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, offered her formal respects, and withdrew. Returning to the eastern wing, she dismissed the servants and recounted the conversation she had just shared with Madame Xu to Zheng Chuyu.
 
Zheng Chuyu froze in shock. Gradually, the rims of her eyes turned crimson, and weeping, she prostrated herself upon the couch, bowing deeply as she spoke, "Aunt possesses a boundless affection for Chuyu, one that Chuyu has no means to repay. It is best that I depart early, lest my continued presence leave Aunt caught in the middle and increase your vexation!"
 
Madame Zhu had always doted on her niece immensely, having kept her by her side for many years and treating her as her own daughter. Furthermore, she believed implicitly in the words of the shamans, firmly convinced that the Zheng girl was her lucky star. Seeing her niece weeping in such a manner tore at her heart. She hastily supported her arms, offering comfort, "Do not weep. Moments ago in the Old Matriarch's quarters, I merely offered a superficial agreement. In my heart, I have long since regarded you as Zhonglin’s woman; how could I possibly arrange for you to marry someone else?"
 
Zheng Chuyu choked with sobs, "Chuyu is useless. Remaining within the Wei family in such an ambiguous position, wasting my youth—none of this matters. Even if no one desires me for the rest of my days, I am content and willing to serve by Aunt's side. Yet now, the Old Matriarch can no longer tolerate me; how can I continue to make things difficult for Aunt? It is better that I marry; be it a common peddler or a servant, I shall not be choosy..."
 
"Nonsense! How could Aunt ever bear to let that happen!"
 
Madame Zhu hastily interrupted her, drawing Zheng Chuyu into her embrace to comfort her, saying, "Rest your mind. On the Old Matriarch's end, I shall naturally use the pretext of searching for a suitable match to delay the matter for the time being; I doubt she will make things difficult immediately. As for Zhonglin, Aunt shall devise a method on your behalf to finalize the matter as swiftly as possible. I shall absolutely never allow you to be married off in such a manner."
 
...
 
Zheng Chuyu’s background was modest. Having been reduced to an orphan at the age of ten, there was no one reliable within her paternal clan. Fortunately, she had secured the protection of her aunt, who served as the mistress of the Wei family. After being brought to the Wei estate, she enjoyed fine clothing and delicacies, surrounded by a throng of maidservants whenever she went out, living the life of a high-born lady. It was easy to transition from frugality to luxury, but infinitely difficult to return. Furthermore, Wei Shao was a young hero of striking and dashing appearance; her heart had long since been captured by him, so how could she bear to depart midway? Madame Zhu’s intention to match her with her son aligned perfectly with her own desires.
 
In truth, at the very beginning, she had not been entirely without the ambition of marrying Wei Shao as his primary wife. Aware that her status fell short, and seeking to bolster her significance, she had noticed Madame Zhu’s implicit trust in shamans and her absolute obedience to the Grand Shaman of Mount Yu. Consequently, she had secretly prepared a hefty bribe to offer him, entreating the Grand Shaman to speak in her favor before Madame Zhu. Having accepted the coin, the Grand Shaman naturally fulfilled his end of the bargain, rendering her Madame Zhu’s lucky star. From then on, Madame Zhu placed an even greater value upon her.
 
Regrettably, Madame Zhu was ultimately not the individual who held the final say within the Wei family. Above her stood Madame Xu, and even Wei Shao did not obey his mother blindly. Zheng Chuyu knew that marrying Wei Shao as his primary wife was a distant, unattainable dream, so she had compromised, deciding that surrendering herself as a concubine would be acceptable as well. Yet a number of years had flashed by, and she had already wasted away until the age of eighteen. Forget about finalizing the matter—whenever Wei Shao returned over the past two years, he never so much as cast an extra glance in her direction. Her heart was filled with trepidation and anxiety. Fortunately, Wei Shao had remained unmarried and possessed no other women by his side, allowing her to wait day after day, drawing solace from her expectations. It was only at the end of last year that word arrived stating Wei Shao had wed the Qiao daughter of Yanzhou in Xindu, and that Madame Xu had even dispatched Old Nanny Zhong from her side to manage the affairs.
 
Upon first receiving this news, Zheng Chuyu’s heart felt as though it were being clawed by a cat. Yet upon further reflection, a bitter enmity existed between the Wei and Qiao families; Wei Shao’s marriage to the Qiao daughter must carry some separate intent. Even if the Qiao daughter wedded into the family, her future days would not be easy, and Wei Shao would never truly treat her with the respect due to a primary wife. Furthermore, he was bound to wed a primary wife sooner or later; since she had never harbored hopes of securing that position herself, his marriage to such a bride was actually a beneficial development for her.
 
Previously, although Madame Zhu doted on her immensely, the moment she stepped beyond the threshold of the eastern wing, no one else within the Wei estate treated her as an official mistress. Even the servants occasionally dared to gossip behind her back regarding her failed attempts to climb into the Lord's bed, leaving her to wither into an old maid. Her heart was not without resentment. Thinking that this Qiao daughter would undoubtedly face cold neglect upon her arrival, by comparison, she herself would no longer be a laughingstock. With this realization, her mind grew far more comfortable, and she even harbored a faint yearning for her to arrive swiftly.
 
On the day she learned of Wei Shao and the Qiao daughter’s return, she had accompanied Madame Zhu back from Mount Yu. Knowing that her aunt would absolutely never offer the Qiao daughter a pleasant countenance, she had returned with the sole intention of witnessing a joke. She had never imagined that the Qiao daughter would possess the beauty of a heavenly deity and the ethereal grace of a celestial orchid. Zheng Chuyu had always taken pride in her own beauty, yet compared to her, she appeared utterly devoid of luster. Furthermore, seeing her standing side-by-side with Wei Shao as they paid respects to Madame Zhu, looking for all the world like a perfectly matched couple ordained by heaven, she had suffered a profound blow. By nightfall, Wei Shao had failed to allow her into his chambers as Madame Zhu had demanded; instead, the maidservant dispatched by her aunt to spy on the situation had been discovered by Wei Shao. Although she had returned thoroughly shaken, according to her description, Wei Shao and that Qiao daughter had indeed shared a bed and pillow. Zheng Chuyu was utterly disheartened, consumed by anxiety these past few days. She had been secretly monitoring the developments in the western wing, hoping for word that Wei Shao was neglecting the Qiao daughter, yet this morning the two had arrived late together, carrying an air of intimacy. Even the old matriarch, who had always been distant toward her, seemed to possess a great deal of tolerance for the Qiao daughter. Zheng Chuyu was consumed by both jealousy and hatred, her mind a chaotic mess. Hearing Madame Zhu speak in such a manner upon her return caused her to weep bitterly, an act that was by no means feigned. Fortunately, her aunt's attitude remained resolute. Resting within her embrace and receiving her comfort allowed Zheng Chuyu’s mind to steady slightly, and she wept, "Matters have reached this pass; does Aunt truly possess a method to keep me?"
 
Madame Zhu hesitated briefly before responding, "Let us find an opening. Aunt shall journey to Mount Yu to seek a divination from the Grand Shaman before making further calculations."
 
...
 
Three days later, the day of Madame Xu’s grand birthday arrived.
 
Given the preeminent status the Wei family held in the North, Madame Xu’s birthday feast was an affair where numerous dignitaries of Youzhou considered it an immense honor to receive an invitation to offer their congratulations. Beyond Youzhou, the Grand Protectors of neighboring regions such as Bohai, Renqiu, and Laoling did not let the distance deter them, journeying in person to Yuyang to celebrate her longevity. As for those unable to attend in person, the number of emissaries dispatched with lavish gifts to convey their respects on their behalf was beyond count. Because Madame Xu originally hailed from the Kingdom of Zhongshan, the current Prince of Zhongshan, Liu Duan, was, by calculation, her distant maternal nephew. Although he did not arrive in person, he dispatched an envoy to offer birthday congratulations on his behalf. On that day, crowds of common citizens gathered voluntarily before the gates of the Wei estate, kneeling across the threshold to pay homage and wish Madame Xu longevity. Upon learning of this, Madame Xu was deeply moved, leading Wei Shao and Wei Yan in person beyond the main gates to return the courtesies to the populace. The sheer scale and festivity of the occasion required no further elaboration.
 
The hand-copied silk scroll of the Infinite Life Sutra presented by Xiao Qiao as a birthday gift appeared to find immense favor in Madame Xu’s eyes.
 
Although paper had already emerged during this period, its texture remained coarse and unsuited for long-term preservation. Formal texts and books still relied predominantly upon bamboo slips or silk scrolls as their medium. Bamboo slips were incredibly cumbersome; copying a single volume of the Infinite Life Sutra would require an ox-drawn cart to transport. Silk scrolls were lightweight but exceedingly precious; the material aside, the act of copying permitted not the slightest oversight. If a single character was botched, the entire piece of silk would be rendered useless, making it an incredibly laborious endeavor.
 
The scroll of the Infinite Life Sutra presented by Xiao Qiao featured an elegant and beautiful binding, with handwriting that was exceptionally refined and distinguished. The text itself aligned perfectly with Madame Xu’s preferences. Learning that it had been copied entirely by her own hand, the old matriarch deliberately passed it around for those nearby to inspect. Among the guests was Gao Heng of Bohai, a renowned master of calligraphy and painting of the era, who had accompanied the Grand Protector of Bohai to Yuyang to celebrate Madame Xu’s birthday. Beholding the characters upon the silk scroll, he expressed immense appreciation, praising the strokes as robust, elegant, and perfectly structured, possessing the distinct hallmark of a master.
 
Gao Heng was a preeminent figure in the world of calligraphy, proficient in writing and painting, skilled in seal carving, and well-versed in musical theory, earning him the prestigious moniker of the "Crown of Bohai." Since someone of his caliber had offered such high praise, the remaining guests naturally did not stint on their compliments. Madame Xu was thoroughly pleased, reclaiming the scroll and personally handing it to Old Nanny Zhong, instructing her to preserve it with great care.
 
At noon that day, the Wei family hosted a grand banquet in the front hall, packed with a sea of guests. It so happened that among the members of the Wei clan, Wei Shao possessed a clan uncle who, ten years prior, had accompanied Wei Jing into battle against Li Su. In order to hack out a path through the blood to protect his young lord, he had sustained numerous blade wounds, returning only to succumb to his severe injuries. He had left behind an orphaned son and a widowed mother, both of whom received generous treatment from Madame Xu. Now, that child had reached adulthood, sharing the same age as Wei Shao. He had established his own household and career, and a year ago, his wife had given birth to a son. By a stroke of coincidence, the child shared the exact same birthdate as Madame Xu, making today his formal first-birthday celebration.
 
Driven by a heart of affection and a desire to elevate the family's standing, Madame Xu had summoned the child's grandmother, Madame Zhang, two days prior to discuss hosting the first-birthday ritual. Ultimately, she requested that the child be brought over to share in the celebration, adding to the festive atmosphere.
 
Although Madame Xu claimed it was merely to enhance the joy of the occasion, the child's grandmother was a discerning individual. She knew this was a manifestation of Madame Xu’s deep honor and favor toward them; how could she possibly refuse? Overjoyed, she returned home to make thorough preparations. By the time noon arrived on this day, the hall was packed with guests, and the child was brought out by his biological mother, dressed in a magnificent array of festive clothes and placed onto a raised couch.
 
Once the "first-birthday selection" was concluded and the longevity noodles were served, the banquet would officially commence.
 
The ritual of placing objects before a child to test their future path was known as "testing the child" during this era. Initially popular only within the Jiangnan region, it had gradually begun to flourish in the North as well. Although the names differed, the practice remained largely identical, containing the exact same expectations held by elders for the younger generation.
 
The child was a robust, chubby little thing. Clad in a set of brand-new garments, he was placed onto the couch by his mother, accompanied by his wet nurse. Situated closest to him upon the couch were bamboo scrolls, a bow and arrow, and official seals; following those were pearls, shells, ivory, and rhinoceros horn. Further away, beyond his immediate reach, lay various food items and toys. Once the child was set down, the wet nurse began to coax him, guiding him to grasp the objects beside him.

Madame Xu had originally acted entirely out of goodwill, thinking that sharing the same birthdate represented a rare and auspicious connection, and wishing to bring honor to the child. She had not foreseen that the child would suffer from stage fright. Furthermore, a hall full of guests stood waiting; the banquet could only commence once the child completed the selection.

Seeing the anxiety surfacing on the child's mother's face and noticing that the guests invited to witness the ritual had gradually ceased their chatter to stare at the dazed child on the couch, Madame Xu felt a trace of regret. She shouldn't have proposed such a suggestion in the first place; what was meant as an act of kindness had instead dampened everyone's spirits. Noticing that the child's mother was growing increasingly stern in her desperation, causing the child to become even more terrified, with tears beginning to well in his eyes, Madame Xu glanced toward Old Nanny Zhong standing beside her. She was just about to signal her to devise a pretext to carry the child away when a woman's voice, laced with a gentle smile, echoed from behind her: "With eyes detached from common objects, the heart holds a hundred rivers. Standing tall like a sheer precipice, strength arises from the absence of desire. When this child grows into adulthood, his vision will undoubtedly be vast, far removed from the ranks of the mediocre."

A wave of relief washed over Madame Xu’s heart. Turning her head, she saw that the speaker was Xiao Qiao, who stood in attendance behind her. She had never expected her to step forward so opportunely to resolve the predicament on her behalf. Furthermore, the resolution was incredibly clever; without causing a ripple, it instantly dissolved the brewing awkwardness.

The guests were initially startled before quickly catching on, nodding and voicing their agreement in unison. The child's mother finally breathed a sigh of relief, a smile breaking across her face as she hastily scooped up the child, bringing him before Madame Xu and bowing deeply to offer her birthday congratulations.

Filled with smiles, Madame Xu instructed Old Nanny Zhong to bring the child over to sit upon her lap. Seeing him so fair and plump, and realizing he had indeed merely been startled moments ago, she grew exceptionally fond of him. She ordered the outer hall to commence the banquet, after which her solitary eye drifted toward Xiao Qiao, offering her a slight nod of approval.

Although it was nothing more than a simple nod, Xiao Qiao detected a distinct trace of commendation within Madame Xu’s gaze, which instantly allowed her heart to feel far more settled.
From her very first glimpse of Wei Shao’s grandmother, Xiao Qiao felt that this old lady—who possessed only a single functioning eye—carried an aura that made her entirely unfathomable.

Had her attitude toward her been identical to that of Madame Zhu or Wei Shao, there would be little else to say. Her marriage into the family was purely for the sake of Yanzhou's value.
But Madame Xu was different.

Xiao Qiao had naturally heard tales of Madame Xu’s past experiences in managing the household. Without a shadow of a doubt, this was an extraordinary woman. It was precisely because of this that Xiao Qiao found her decision to arrange for Wei Shao to marry a daughter of their bitter enemy even more perplexing.

However, it mattered little if she couldn't fathom the reason, so long as Madame Xu treated her well.

Madame Xu’s treatment of her could certainly be considered good. Especially after witnessing the conduct of Wei Shao and his mother, this old lady appeared almost like a living bodhisattva descended to earth, complete with a halo of sacred light, leaving Xiao Qiao feeling thoroughly overwhelmed by the favor.

Yet that was merely limited to the standard attitude an elder maintained toward a member of the younger generation; Xiao Qiao still possessed that fraction of self-awareness.

But just now, a subtle shift seemed to have occurred in the situation.

Because of her sudden flash of inspiration that defused the awkward predicament, Xiao Qiao discerned from the approving glance Madame Xu offered upon turning around that the old matriarch's perception of her must have developed a slight difference.

To say she wasn't pleased?

That was absolutely impossible!

To speak honestly, she had still not decided what path to take five or ten years down the line.

Following the trajectory of her past life, that Wei Shao was highly likely to unleash a brutal hand against her and the Qiao family.

Chun Niang had previously urged her to serve Wei Shao with flexibility and tact, which, to put it plainly, meant using her charms to bewitch him and alter her destiny through that avenue.

Chun Niang possessed a blind confidence in her, her heart brimming with expectation. Yet in all honesty, Xiao Qiao lacked even a fraction of confidence in herself.

Her beauty might very well capture the hearts of the vast majority of men in this world, yet this Wei Shao appeared to belong to that tiny minority completely immune to it.

He truly loathed her—or rather, the Qiao family.

She couldn't possibly fathom what manner of venomous words he would employ to humiliate her if she were to strip bare before him to curry favor. This high-difficulty endeavor, which carried an immense risk of resulting in self-inflicted humiliation, required careful consideration on her part, even if her head were to roll tomorrow. Since one avenue remained temporarily blocked, she could only focus her efforts on Madame Xu’s side for the time being.

As it stood now, her luck appeared remarkably good; even the heavens seemed to be lending her a hand.

Xiao Qiao couldn't help but grow incredibly fond of the chubby little thing resting within Madame Xu’s embrace.

He was simply this aunt's lucky star!

The moment the chubby little thing was lifted from the platform where he was meant to perform for the adults, it was as though a freezing spell had been lifted from his body. He instantly grew spirited, blinking his large, round eyes as he peered in every direction, appearing thoroughly adorable. The women within the birthday hall gathered around one after another, competing to praise him and taking turns to cradle him in their arms.

"You should come and hold him as well," Madame Xu suddenly smiled and addressed Xiao Qiao.

The people of that era maintained a custom of passing a child around after the first-birthday ritual, particularly among women who desperately desired offspring, as it was believed to bring the blessing of bearing a child.

The remaining women chuckled, turning their heads one after another to look toward Wei Shao, who was currently receiving guests at the entrance of the birthday hall.

He appeared to have noticed the commotion within, looking somewhat distracted as his two eyes drifted toward Xiao Qiao from time to time.

The child's mother personally cradled the infant, offering him to Xiao Qiao’s arms.

Aware of Wei Shao’s presence, Xiao Qiao stole a glance toward the entrance, colliding directly with his gaze.

A shy, delicate smile entirely befitting a new bride bloomed across Xiao Qiao’s face. She carefully accepted the chubby little thing from the woman's hands, securing her hold before coaxing him gently.

"Old Matriarch, by this time next year, the Old Matriarch will undoubtedly be able to cradle a great-grandson of her own!"
A woman called out merrily with a wide smile, adding to the joy.

Xiao Qiao remained silent with an air of bashfulness, returning the child to his mother. She couldn't resist casting another glance toward Wei Shao.

With a multitude of guests present today, all of whom were wealthy and prominent, the child's family had taken precautions to ensure absolute success. Before arriving, they had already fed the child until he was entirely full, and had repeatedly trained him to grasp the bamboo scrolls and the bow and arrow. During their practices at home, the exercises had proceeded smoothly. They never anticipated that upon suddenly finding himself within a magnificent hall surrounded entirely by unfamiliar faces, the child—whether startled by the crowd or simply drowsy from being full—sat motionless. No matter how the wet nurse coaxed him, he refused to grasp any of the objects before him. Seeing the situation, the child's mother hastily stepped forward to guide him herself. Yet the child simply refused to budge, looking entirely dazed and frozen.

The scene instantly grew somewhat awkward.

She was immensely pleased.

The chubby little thing granted her an immense amount of face, letting out a series of bright, gurgling giggles. The surrounding onlookers burst into laughter along with him.

His expression appeared to carry a trace of subtle rigidity. Just then, someone called out from beneath the stone steps outside the entrance. He paused for a brief moment, turned around, and departed swiftly.