The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Seeing that her grandmother genuinely meant what she said, Xiao Qiao did not prevaricate. She bowed to express her gratitude, washed her hands, and took a seat at the lower end of the table. Observing the ritual of maintaining silence while dining, she accompanied Madame Xu through a bowl of porridge. Once the meal concluded and the utensils were rinsed and cleared away, Madame Xu finally inquired about Wei Shao's whereabouts.
 
In truth, Xiao Qiao had absolutely no idea where Wei Shao had gone so early in the morning. Though she hadn't asked, she estimated that even if she had, he would not have told her.
 
Hearing Madame Xu’s inquiry, her face displayed a look of shame. Lowering her head, she said, "My husband ventured out through the gates before dawn broke this morning. Blame my own lack of propriety for failing to ascertain his whereabouts."
 
She was clearly reproaching herself, yet the difference between "failing to know" and "failing to ascertain"—though varying by only a single word—conjured a vastly different connotation to the listener.
 
"Failing to ascertain" implied that it was not for a lack of asking on her part, but rather that her husband was uncooperative and chose not to let her know.
 
Madame Xu was naturally well aware that her grandson treated his new bride with cold neglect; while in Xindu, he had even publicly refused to cohabit with her. Upon hearing this, she immediately knit her brows, reproaching her grandson: "Zhonglin treats you with neglect, and your grandmother sees it all. When he came over previously, I lectured him about it. Rest your mind; if he ever dares to mistreat you or cause you to suffer grievances in the future, you need only come find your grandmother."
 
Xiao Qiao hastily shook her head: "I harbor not a fraction of grievance, and my husband cannot truly be said to neglect me. Before my marriage, my family repeatedly instructed me that a matrimonial alliance is formed for the sake of fostering goodwill between two clans, and they hoped I would employ sincerity to dissolve any estrangement. My husband possesses a cold visage but a warm heart. So long as I hold fast to my original intent, things will surely improve with the passage of time."
 
Madame Xu’s single eye flashed slightly as it settled upon Xiao Qiao’s face. After studying her for a brief moment, a trace of a smile gradually surfaced upon her countenance: "You are a sensible child. Since you can view matters in such a light, your grandmother can rest her mind."
 
Beside them, Old Nanny Zhong interjected: "Old Matriarch, I was just about to let you know. Early this morning, before the fifth watch, the Lord came over to the northern wing. Since the Old Matriarch had not yet risen, you were unaware. The Lord has gone outside the city walls to inspect the defenses and will return somewhat later today."
 
Madame Xu nodded, sharing a few more domestic words with Xiao Qiao. Just before Xiao Qiao was about to take her leave, she hesitated briefly, then suddenly prostrated herself before Madame Xu, imploring: "Grandmother, there is a matter upon which I cannot reach a definitive resolution, and I wish to seek Grandmother's guidance."
 
Madame Xu bade her speak.
 
"Not long after crossing the threshold, I became aware that Mother-in-Law intends for my husband to take Zheng Shuyu as a concubine. I am also entirely in favor of this. Firstly, Zheng Shuyu has always been close and affectionate with Mother-in-Law; once she becomes a member of my husband's quarters, I shall gain an extra source of assistance in the future. Secondly, this is also a splendid matter concerning spreading the branches and scattering the leaves for the Wei family. However, prior to his departure early this morning, my husband instructed me to venture to Mother-in-Law's quarters to reject the arrangement on his behalf. I find myself in a somewhat difficult position. I wished to persuade him to comply with Mother-in-Law's wishes and take Zheng Shuyu, yet he refuses to listen to me. I am at my wits' end and know not how to open my mouth to Mother-in-Law without causing her grief and disappointment. I earnestly implore Grandmother to grant me guidance."
 
Madame Xu’s brows knit together slightly, and she muttered to herself as if speaking to an empty room: "Why is she still entangled with Zheng Shuyu?" Casting a glance at Xiao Qiao, who remained prostrated before her without rising, she addressed Old Nanny Zhong beside her: "Forget it, there is no need for her to venture over. Go across yourself and convey my words: tell her to find a suitable family for her niece within a month. If she cannot find one, I shall take it upon myself to marry off her niece."
 
Old Nanny Zhong gave her assent. Only then did Madame Xu’s voice turn gentle as she bade Xiao Qiao rise.
 
Xiao Qiao rose and expressed her gratitude to Madame Xu once more. After Madame Xu offered her a few words of comfort, Xiao Qiao took her leave and departed.
 
...
 
Wei Shao did not return until the sky had turned dark that evening.
 
On the path leading toward the western wing, he finally recalled the sentence he had casually dropped before departing early that morning.
 
The impression remained distinct even now; the moment he uttered those words, Xiao Qiao—who had originally kept her eyes half-closed upon the pillow—had suddenly snapped her eyes wide awake, her countenance undergoing a visible change.
 
A faint trace of anticipation unexpectedly welled up within Wei Shao’s heart. Quickening his pace as he returned to the chamber, the moment he stepped over the threshold and raised his head, he beheld Xiao Qiao emerging from the inner room to greet him.
 
Over these past few days, the signs of spring had grown increasingly pronounced, and the peach blossoms in the courtyard had begun to sprout. Complying with the season, she had also changed into fresh, thin spring garments. Today, she wore a casual, pale, tender-yellow spring tunic, her green silk tresses bound into a single bunch draped behind her back. Her waist was so slender it could be clasped in a single hand, appearing as fresh and delicate as a newly broken willow branch, exuding an endearing and refreshing aura.
 
Perhaps because the garments clung snugly to her form, or perhaps it was merely an illusion, Wei Shao swept a glance over her and felt that her stature seemed slightly taller than when he had first beheld her last year, extending even to those two mounds upon her chest...
 
They appeared a fraction more prominent than they had been in Xindu at the end of last year.
 
"Husband has returned?"
 
Xiao Qiao’s steps were light and nimble, carrying a fluid smile as she inquired after his well-being.
 
Wei Shao retracted his gaze, offering a flat affirmative grunt. While changing his garments, he consistently felt the atmosphere was somewhat peculiar. Looking at her again, he saw her standing by the doorway instructing the servants to prepare the evening meal. Just as he was about to question her on whether she had conveyed the words to the eastern wing as instructed, a maidservant arrived at the doorway from outside, stating that someone from the Mistress's quarters in the eastern wing had arrived to request the Lord's presence.
 
Wei Shao cast a glance at Xiao Qiao. Seeing her turn her head to gaze back at him, he pondered briefly before ordering dinner to be delayed slightly. Turning around, he departed, arriving at the eastern wing. The moment he stepped inside, he beheld Madame Zhu with a dark, sunken countenance. He stepped forward to offer his respects, but Madame Zhu ignored him entirely.
 
"Why is Mother displeased?"
 
Wei Shao inquired.
 
Madame Zhu cast a glance at him, letting out a cold snort: "What a splendid son I have reared! I merely required you to take your maternal cousin so that I might have a companion by my side; is this how you display your filial piety toward me? You actually had someone from the northern wing come over to sweep away my dignity! When even my own son treats me in such a manner, what further meaning is there for me to remain alive?"
 
Only now did Wei Shao understand the situation.
 
It turned out the Qiao daughter had not gone herself at all; she had hugged his grandmother's thigh instead, tossing the matter entirely into his grandmother's hands.
 
No wonder she had been smiling so radiantly moments ago, looking for all the world as though she were in high spirits—she had never raised this matter with his mother to begin with.
 
"Mother, please do not misunderstand; it was by no means your son's intention to willfully disobey," Wei Shao said.
 
"This does not count as willful disobedience? What exactly must transpire to be deemed as such? Could it be that you wish to force me to my death?"
 
Wei Shao hastily dropped to both knees before Madame Zhu, prostrating himself formally as he said, "No matter how unfilial your son may be, I would absolutely never dare harbor such intentions. In truth, regarding the matter of Cousin Chuyu, your son has already devised an alternative arrangement that satisfies both sides."
 
Madame Zhu had originally been lowering her head to dab away tears, but hearing Wei Shao speak in such a manner, she froze for a moment and raised her eyes to look at him.
 
"Mother, please listen to your son," Wei Shao prostrated himself once more. "Mother mentioned yesterday that you wished for your son to take Chuyu with the primary intention of keeping her by your side long-term to alleviate your loneliness, and presumably Chuyu herself harbors the same view. Achieving this is not difficult, and it is entirely unnecessary for your son to take her. Your son can seek out a handsome and talented gentleman to wed into our household as a live-in son-in-law for Chuyu. In this manner, Chuyu's lifelong settlement is resolved, and she can also remain long-term to attend by Mother's side. What does Mother think of this?"
 
Madame Zhu was entirely dumbfounded.
 
Concealed behind the screen, Zheng Chuyu was startled out of her wits. She had never anticipated that Wei Shao would actually produce such a counterstrategy. Terrified that Madame Zhu might fail to find a pretext to refuse and inadvertently agree, anxiety gripped her heart. Her body shifted slightly, accidentally catching the jade ornaments dangling from her waist, causing the ring pendants to emit a faint, sharp clinking sound.
 
Wei Shao cast a sidelong glance toward the back of the screen. Remaining entirely impassive, he merely offered a slight smile to the tongue-tied Madame Zhu: "Mother also knows that your son has always regarded Chuyu solely as a younger sister, devoid of the slightest improper sentiment. If I were to recklessly take her as a concubine in this manner, it would be an injustice to her and would furthermore ruin her lifelong prospects. It is for this reason that I have made such an arrangement."
 
"Zhonglin, this... this is probably improper..."
 
Madame Zhu had also heard the rustling from behind the screen and knew it had been caused by Zheng Chuyu. Reminded by the sound, she hastily intervened to block the proposal: "What sort of exceptional young fellow would be willing to marry in as a live-in son-in-law? I cannot carelessly wed Chuyu off to just anyone!"
 
"Mother's words are incorrect. At present, the realm is embroiled in warfare and conflict, and those who have lost both parents are everywhere. Within my army alone, there are numerous orphaned young men who are all robust and valiant warriors. With my cousin's character and appearance, why fear failing to find a son-in-law willing to wed into the household? In the future, I shall elevate him further; how could that possibly be considered an injustice to my cousin?"
 
"Zhonglin..."
 
"My mind is resolved. If Mother cannot bear to see my cousin marry out, then recruit a live-in son-in-law into our Wei family. Mother may consider the matter; once your thoughts are finalized, you may speak with your son again. Your son has other affairs to attend to over there, so I shall take my leave first."
 
Wei Shao’s expression turned solemn and stern. He prostrated himself before the stupefied Madame Zhu, rose to his feet, and departed.
 
The moment Wei Shao left, Zheng Chuyu rushed out from behind the screen. Instantly falling to her knees at Madame Zhu’s lap, she wept: "It appears the affinity between myself and my Aunt is fated to reach its end in this lifetime. Forget it, forget it—Chuyu implores Aunt to marry me off to someone; in the future, Chuyu will also remember Aunt and return frequently to visit."
 
Madame Zhu was swept with both fury and heartache. Gathering Zheng Chuyu into her embrace, she said with deep resentment, "If you are not by my side, forcing me to face that one-eyed old crone all day long is bad enough, but now that Qiao daughter has been added to the mix—how am I to survive my days? Do not panic; Aunt shall devise another method, and we will surely make it impossible for Zhonglin to prevaricate!"
 
"Matters have reached this stage; what other method can possibly be devised?"
 
Zheng Chuyu raised her face, speaking through her choked sobs.
 
"A method does exist. It is only that it will bring injustice upon you..."
 
Madame Zhu leaned close to Zheng Chuyu’s ear, murmuring a few sentences in a low voice. Zheng Chuyu’s countenance instantly flushed crimson with shame, and she shook her head in refusal.
 
Madame Zhu held her tight, letting out a sigh: "Chuyu, Aunt also knows this method places you in a somewhat difficult position. Yet matters have reached this point, and this is the sole remaining path. You heard Zhonglin’s words just now, and the northern wing has also spoken; if we do not act in this manner, I fear Aunt will be unable to retain you any longer."
 
Zheng Chuyu bit her lip and lowered her head for a long while. Finally, she offered an affirmative grunt, her voice as faint as the buzzing of a mosquito: "Chuyu shall obey all of Aunt's arrangements.”