The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Was he officially taking Zheng Shuyu as a concubine?
 
Although Xiao Qiao had not been at the Wei estate for very long, she had known since her second day that the servants over in the eastern wing regarded Zheng Shuyu as Wei Shao’s concubine in all but name.
 
In other words, while Zheng Shuyu had not formally relocated to the western wing yet, it was merely a matter of time.
 
For Xiao Qiao, Wei Shao taking Zheng Shuyu as a concubine was naturally not a beneficial development that would yield any advantage. Yet considering their current circumstances, it could hardly be deemed a significant loss either—aside from the fact that it might slightly bruise her dignity as a newly wedded bride who had not even crossed the threshold three months prior.
 
However, her present predicament was already vastly superior to what she had initially anticipated. Contentment was a virtue. Furthermore, under the premise that her opinion carried no weight anyway, what need was there to pour cold water on a man precisely when he was struck by the impulse to take a concubine and ruin his mood? That would clearly be making things difficult for herself.
 
"Is that so? That is truly wonderful."
 
Xiao Qiao offered a smile and turned her body around. "In truth, I became aware of the matter regarding you and Zheng Shuyu within two days of my arrival. Seeing her residing in the eastern wing all this time, my heart even felt somewhat perplexed for a few days. Is the matter finalized now? Has the date been selected as well? Tomorrow, I shall set about arranging the quarters. Oh, right—the eastern chamber of the side courtyard is quite splendid in my view. The space is vast, it receives ample sunlight, and the bathhouse and side rooms are entirely complete. You may head over to look it over tomorrow. If it suits you, I shall decorate the rooms. Whatever is present here will absolutely not be lacking over there."
 
The eastern chamber of the side courtyard was indeed a splendid vacant room. Best of all, it sat quite a distance from the chamber she currently occupied, separated by an inner door in the middle.
 
Having concluded her words, Xiao Qiao gazed at him with a smile upon her face. Seeing him simply staring back at her, expressionless and completely devoid of the slightest reaction, her smile gradually faded away. Finally, after a brief hesitation, she asked probing diligently, "What is the matter? Is there some part of the arrangement with which you feel dissatisfied?"
 
...
 
Wei Shao stared fixedly at Xiao Qiao. Beholding her delighted countenance, he suddenly felt a wave of dull listlessness wash over him.
 
...
 
He harbored not the slightest interest in sharing a bed with Zheng Chuyu, much less did he wish to ruin his maternal cousin's lifelong prospects on his account. Previously, because Madame Zhu pressed him so relentlessly, he had simply chosen to ignore the matter entirely, never experiencing a fraction of guilt. He never expected Madame Zhu to suddenly alter her usual disposition tonight, which left Wei Shao in a somewhat difficult position.
 
Wei Shao understood his mother. He knew her vision was limited, that she loved to drive herself into dead ends when viewing matters, and that she indeed lacked the bearing of a prominent clan mistress. Nor did he believe his grandmother had intentionally made things difficult for her in the manner she described. Yet regardless of her shortcomings, she was ultimately his mother. He would always remember her devotion to him. In truth, he harbored a deep affection for this widowed mother; at his core, he could be considered a filial son.
 
Moments ago in the eastern wing, Madame Zhu had spoken at great length—reproaching his grandmother, lodging complaints against the new bride, and so on—yet the sole detail that had truly penetrated his heart was Madame Zhu's lament regarding her daily loneliness, and how only Zheng Chuyu could alleviate her sorrows.
 
He spent the entire year rushing about outside, waging wars every few days. Having embarked upon this path, there was no turning back, and he knew not what day would bring it to an end. Blades and spears possessed no eyes; perhaps one day he would lose his life just like his father and elder brother. His grandmother and mother were estranged. This newly wedded bride, at a single glance, was clearly incapable of pleasing his mother. If Zheng Chuyu could truly fulfill filial duties before his mother in his stead and keep her pleased, taking her as a concubine was nothing more than a trivial matter to him.
 
It was precisely while harboring such hesitation that he had returned to the western wing. The moment he stepped through the door, he saw that she had clearly fallen asleep on her own again; though on the surface she appeared entirely respectful toward him, in reality, she held not a fraction of regard for him as her husband.
 
Wei Shao had lived for over twenty years, yet he had never known himself to be such a petty and calculating individual. When facing this newly wedded daughter of the Qiao family, he knew not what was amiss—wishing to ignore her, she nonetheless constantly hovered before his eyes. Yet looking at her, he found her displeasing no matter the angle; across her entire body, aside from that face which was passable, there was practically not a single attribute that brought him satisfaction. He knew not where that surge of suffocating irritation originated. Upon mounting the bed, the memory of Madame Zhu’s complaints against her moments ago prompted him to launch a casual interrogation, intending to offer her a reminder that his mother—her mother-in-law—could absolutely not tolerate such light treatment from her.
 
In the end, she offered him an entirely sufficient justification, stating that she knew not how to cook.
 
It was simply preposterous.
 
The daughters of contemporary households—even if their status was as noble as his grandmother's, rendering it entirely unnecessary for them to enter the kitchen in person after marriage—would still receive the most fundamental culinary instruction before their nuptials. Yet she had stated with absolute righteousness that she knew not how to cook. Worse still, after hearing her words and beholding her pitiful countenance—even though he clearly suspected she was merely putting on an act for his benefit—his temper vanished entirely. He could neither strike her nor bring himself to scold her, left only with a sense of utter helplessness that amplified the gloom in his heart. Recalling the scene from earlier in the day when he had been teased about bearing children before the birthday hall, the words to take Zheng Chuyu as a concubine slipped from his mouth before he could catch them.
 
In truth, Wei Shao had not reached a final decision regarding this matter. Even if he had, he possessed absolutely no intention of raising it with her.
 
Yet the words had already been spoken.
 
...
 
"Husband?"
 
Seeing the peculiar expression on his face, Xiao Qiao called out to him softly once more.
 
Wei Shao returned to his senses, casting a sidelong glance at her: "Ignorant of the culinary arts, sitting with legs outstretched—you lack womanly virtues entirely. Yet in this sole matter of freedom from jealousy, you are remarkably virtuous."
 
His tone was entirely flat, as though he were merely sharing idle chatter with her. Yet the underlying meaning within his words was immediately apparent.
 
The phrase "sitting with legs outstretched" referenced an incident from a few days prior.
 
During the afternoon hours, Wei Shao never returned to the chamber. Yesterday afternoon, Xiao Qiao and Chun Niang were alone in the room; Chun Niang was occupied with needlework while Xiao Qiao assisted her in drawing embroidery patterns. Seeing no outsiders present, she had extended both her legs straight out while sitting upon the couch for the sake of comfort. It was simply her poor luck that Wei Shao chose precisely that moment to enter. Although Xiao Qiao had hastily retracted her legs, it was already too late; he had witnessed it.
 
At that time, he had merely cast a flat glance at her and said nothing, retrieving his items before departing. Chun Niang had blamed herself, feeling she had failed to instruct Xiao Qiao properly, and harbored deep anxiety. Only when she rejoiced that he had said nothing did her mind settle slightly, after which she repeatedly instructed Xiao Qiao that she must absolutely never sit in such a manner again in the future.
 
Xiao Qiao had assumed Wei Shao paid no heed to such things. She never expected him to retain it in his heart, dragging it out at this moment to berate her.
 
This posture of sitting with legs extended straight out appeared perfectly ordinary to modern people, yet during this era, it was viewed as highly improper. Centuries ago, Mencius's wife had sat with her legs straight while alone in their home, a sight that happened to be witnessed by Mencius. Upon emerging, he immediately informed his mother of his desire to divorce his wife. When his mother inquired as to the reason, the Second Sage uttered but a single word: "Extended." One could see how grave an offense it was.
 
Hearing him drag up old accounts against her, Xiao Qiao lowered her head and said in a small voice, "I am well aware that my womanly virtues are lacking. Yet this single attribute of being free from jealousy is both my duty and my genuine sentiment."
 
Wei Shao let out a sharp scoff: "Listening to your tone, it seems that marrying a wife possessed of such womanly virtue is an immense blessing for me?"
 
"To be permitted to marry into the Wei family as a wife is precisely my blessing," she said.
 
Silence descended upon the chamber once more.
 
Wei Shao was instantly left without words.
 
He suddenly felt that the words he had shared with her tonight seemed to be a fraction too many. This exceeded his original intent.
 
"Very well, sleep. It is no longer early."
 
He cast a final glance at her, eventually speaking the words.
 
Xiao Qiao offered an affirmative sound, blew out the lamp, and climbed back to her spot, finally falling into a sound sleep.
 
...
 
The following morning, while Xiao Qiao was still asleep, she felt a vague stir beside her. Opening her eyes to a slit, she discerned that Wei Shao appeared to be rising.
 
Yet the sky outside looked completely pitch-black, and a candle stood lit within the room; she estimated it was barely past the fourth watch.
 
Suppressing the immense reluctance within her heart, Xiao Qiao forced her heavy eyelids open, yawning as she prepared to rise alongside him. Just then, she heard him speak beside her ear: "It is still early. I must venture out on business. You may sleep as you please."
 
A wave of relief swept over Xiao Qiao, and closing her eyes, she collapsed straight back onto the pillow.
 
Wei Shao cast a glance at her, lifted the quilt, and descended from the couch. Standing outside, he donned his garments piece by piece. Once he was fully dressed and prepared to depart, he instinctively turned his head to cast another glance at Xiao Qiao upon the bed.
 
She had already retracted her head beneath the corner of the quilt, revealing nothing more than a mass of raven-black hair.
 
Wei Shao hesitated briefly, turned his body around, and leaned over the bed. Raising his hand, he flexed a finger and rapped against the edge of the bed in a slow, deliberate manner.
 
Awakened by his disturbance once more, Xiao Qiao finally pulled down the edge of the quilt and slowly opened her eyes, seeing Wei Shao with one leg pressed against the bedside and his upper body leaning close, staring straight at her.
 
"Husband... what is the matter?" Xiao Qiao rubbed her eyes, still somewhat dazed.
 
"I reconsidered the matter last night; taking Chuyu is ultimately improper. I have no time to venture over today. You are my wife; head over in my stead today and inform my mother."
 
Having concluded his words, a slight twitch surfaced at the corner of Wei Shao’s mouth in a skin-deep smile, and he turned around and departed.
 
Xiao Qiao froze for a long moment. Upon returning to her senses, her drowsiness was instantly banished entirely.
 
What was his meaning? One moment he was taking her, the next he was not. Refusing to take her mattered little; the problem was, did this not require her to venture to the eastern wing once more to suffer beneath his mother's hands?
 
...
 
When Wei Shao concluded his preparations and departed, his mood appeared quite splendid, his strides noticeably light.
 
Xiao Qiao, however, felt entirely out of sorts.
 
When he departed, it was not yet the fifth watch, and the sky had not broken into dawn. Once he left, Chun Niang entered to extinguish the lamp for her.
 
A spring night was perfectly suited for slumber, particularly now that there was no one occupying her space on the bed, allowing her to sleep in whatever posture she pleased.
 
Yet with Wei Shao gone, she found it utterly impossible to fall asleep.
 
Thus, she kept her eyes open until dawn arrived. Eventually rising and completing her toilette, Chun Niang noted her distracted appearance. Initially, she assumed she had failed to secure Lord Wei’s favor once more; yet upon further reflection, when Lord Wei departed this morning, his countenance had been the most pleasant she had witnessed in all these days. Reason dictated that nothing should be amiss, prompting her to inquire about the details.
 
Xiao Qiao recounted the grand reversal regarding Wei Shao taking a concubine that had transpired over the course of a single night to Chun Niang. Finally, with a mournful expression, she threw herself into Chun Niang’s embrace: "Wei Shao did this intentionally. He clearly knows his mother dislikes me, yet he still requires me to reject the concubine on his behalf..."
 
"My sweet child—"
 
Chun Niang was startled, instantly clamping a hand over her mouth. "Can Lord Wei’s given name be uttered so recklessly? Be careful lest someone overhear!"
 
During this era, a person's formal name could indeed not be uttered carelessly. Unless one was an elder, only an adversary or an enemy would address another directly by their name to manifest disdain and insult.
 
Xiao Qiao closed her mouth.
 
Yet a look of delight surfaced upon Chun Niang’s face once more: "For Lord Wei to refuse to take Zheng Shuyu is a monumental blessing; why is the Mistress displeased? As for refusing the Mistress..."
 
She considered the matter briefly, leaning close to Xiao Qiao’s ear to murmur a sentence.
 
Xiao Qiao’s eyes lit up, her intellect finally turning entirely clear.
 
It was all to be blamed on that Wei Shao (repeated a thousand times here). From the very first day of their meeting, whenever he faced her, he offered either a dark countenance or mocking derision, or behaved as though he were interrogating a criminal. During every single quarter-hour spent living alongside him, she was practically straining her nerves to respond with caution, terrified that she might offend the young master Wei in the next second without knowing why. This was what had caused her mind to turn muddled, to the point of entirely forgetting that grand deity residing in the northern wing—Madame Xu.
 
Xiao Qiao’s mood instantly turned splendid, and she hastily changed her garments to venture over.
 
Having celebrated her birthday yesterday, Madame Xu ought to be fatigued, yet she rose exceedingly early this morning nonetheless.
 
Likely wishing to avoid frequent encounters with her daughter-in-law, Madame Zhu, Madame Xu had exempted her from the morning attendance ritual a long time ago. When at home, Madame Zhu merely journeyed over to pay her respects on the first and fifteenth of each month. Consequently, when Xiao Qiao ventured over at this time, she did not encounter Madame Zhu.
 
She requested the maidservants to announce her arrival, and after waiting for barely a moment beneath the corridor outside the door, she was granted entrance almost immediately.
 
Madame Xu rose early and slept early, her life consistently governed by a strict routine. She appeared to be in excellent spirits. Clad in a set of casual, everyday garments, she sat upon a low couch, currently consuming a bowl of millet porridge. Arranged upon the small table before her were several small dishes of sauces and pickled vegetables. Her diet was exceedingly simple, and the utensils employed were coarse pottery vessels—a clean, ancient style.
 
Xiao Qiao knelt to offer her morning respects. Madame Xu bade her rise, instructing Old Nanny Zhong to add another set of bowls and chopsticks, inviting Xiao Qiao to join her for the meal.