The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

The Grand Hall of the Queen Mother of the West lay outside the eastern city gates, a short distance away from the Commandery Academy. Passing through the city gates and traveling one or two li of road, it was not considered far, yet neither was it exceptionally close. Wei Shao brought no retinue, merely riding his horse out of the city alone in civilian attire, arriving at the Grand Hall of the West Queen Mother.

Because it had only recently reached completion, a few delicate finer tasks remained unfinished within, and the artisans were presently polishing them. Consequently, the grand hall was not yet open to the public; the grand gates lay wide open, and to one side of the entrance was parked a carriage belonging to the Wei family, flanked by a coachman and several escort guards.

Wei Shao approached on horseback. From afar, he observed that upon the open ground not far from the grand gates, at least twenty or thirty individuals had gathered at this moment, all clad in the student attire of the nearby Commandery Academy, their ages ranging from fifteen or sixteen to over twenty. These individuals were not reading books within the academy at this hour, yet they had all run over here to crane their necks in anticipation toward the direction of the grand gates. Some individuals, unable to secure a choice position, had simply climbed up into a tree by the roadside. It was just as if some magnificent grand spectacle were available to be witnessed within the grand gates.

Wei Shao drew a fraction closer. The students' attention was entirely fixed within the grand gates, and they failed to perceive his arrival upon the road behind them, remaining there continuous in their multi-voiced discussions.

"When shall she emerge? We have already waited for an exceptionally long duration!"

"It ought to be soon. Brother Zhang is utterly infatuated with calligraphy and painting. That Gao Bohai was invited to execute the mural, and prior to the conclusion of his brush strokes, he permits no person to view it. Brother Zhang was truly itching with unbearable impatience, so he arrived here yesterday, originally desiring to seek an opportunity to mingle inside and observe Gao Bohai's artwork, only to happen to run right into the Marquis's Lady emerging. According to what Brother Zhang stated, 'What is meant by capturing a country and overturning a city? This is precisely it!'"

A cohort of students beside him were driven into boundlessly yearning captivation by his words.

"The Marquis's Lady not only possesses a countenance that can overturn a city, but also writes a fine hand of calligraphy. Even Gao Bohai invited her to jointly inscribe characters, which renders it evident in a single glimpse."

"I heard that Gao Bohai exceptionally admires the Lady's characters, stating the script forms are novel and give an entirely fresh impression to the ears and eyes. Like orchid leaves dancing in the wind, elegant and graceful without losing composure, moreover manifesting a wandering flow of spiritual wind. An appraisal of this nature truly drives people into yearning captivation."

"If only we could witness the Lady's characters a fraction earlier, to feast our eyes completely, it would be magnificent!"

...

The students discussed with seven mouths and eight tongues, each offering a word and contributing an utterance.

Wei Shao halted his horse, his brows knitting tightly as his countenance likewise turned overcast and grim.

"She is coming out! She is coming out! Quiet down! Quiet down!"

Within the grand gates, a patch of green silhouette flickered for a brief moment, appearing as though a woman were about to emerge.

The student perched atop the tree branch was the earliest to witness it, and bellowed out. The emotions of the crowd instantly grew agitated, and they shoved and jostled against one another, competing to press forward to look. In the end, they witnessed emerging from within the doorway merely a moderately plump, middle-aged maidservant, and without exception they were flooded with disappointment, emitting a collective sigh in unison.

Wei Shao had long since witnessed it; that woman was Nanny Chun. She emerged to retrieve a lake-blue soft silk thin cloak suitable for this late spring from within the carriage, turning her person around to re-enter inside promptly.

The students experienced a joy in vain; following their disappointment, they remained unwilling to give up hope, continuing their discussions regarding the Marquis's Lady's beautiful appearance. At this juncture, the student who had climbed the highest turned his head inadvertently, catching sight of Wei Shao stationary atop his mount's back by the roadside behind them. It just so happened that when Wei Shao previously entered the city, he had witnessed him by the roadside and harbored a profound impression, recognizing him in a single glimpse. Losing his voice, he let out a cry of "The Lord-Marquis has arrived!" as his hands and feet turned entirely weak, leaving him unable to even grasp the tree branch; with a "thud" sound, he plummeted to the ground, his buttocks nearly splitting into two halves.

The remaining crowd turned their heads upon hearing the sound, only to witness that behind them had appeared, at some unknown juncture, a man seated upon the back of a sturdy horse. He was young, yet the aura between his brows was exceedingly majestic and heavy. The moment his two gazes shot over, a deathly silence instantly ensued, and not a single person dared speak a word further.

"You students of the Commandery Academy fail to ponder upon preparing for the academic selections, yet choose to gather a crowd here to provoke disturbances; do you truly treat the academic officials as though they are vacant fixtures?" Wei Shao stated coldly.

At present, the method for selecting state officials remained principally through recruitment and recommendation. Aside from this, the imperial court established the Imperial Academy, and the various local commanderies established Commandery Academies, admitting local youths whose talent, learning, and personal character were outstanding into the academy. Those who completed their studies and passed the examinations were granted vital appointments, or recommended to the imperial court to serve as officials.

Although the standard of the academies for selecting students was measured in name by the two items of "talent and learning" and "personal character," in reality, aside from a minority of impoverished students possessing true talent who were admitted by breaking the rules, the vast majority originated from local prominent clans or powerful households. These students of the Commandery Academies were without exception the progeny of local prominent clans or massive households; perennially possessing no heart for schooling, they merely mingled away their days within the academy, awaiting to go out henceforth to secure a minor official post or title. Life within the academy was dry and tedious; yesterday, hearing that the young mistress of the Wei estate had personally arrived at the Grand Hall of the Queen Mother of the West to inscribe characters for the mural, her beauty astonishing, they had one by one turned fickle and restless in mind. Taking advantage of the academic official's absence today, they ran here collectively to spectate from afar, hoping to lay eyes upon her personally. They had not anticipated that prior to even witnessing the person, they would be blocked right by Wei Shao himself; how could they dare emit a sound? One by one, they stood with dropped hands and bated breath, their heads moreover daring not lift a single fraction, utterly terrified of having their countenances remembered by him.

Wei Shao knit his brows to scan his gaze across this group of people; after a long half-hour, he squeezed out a single word from the gaps of his teeth: "Begone."

The students felt as though they had received a grand amnesty, competing to salute toward him before turning their heads to slip away and escape for dear life.

Wei Shao cast a glance at the retreating figures of the students scattering like birds and beasts, exhaling a mouthful of pent-up breath from his chest before arriving at the front of the grand hall gates. Several family servants who had escorted Xiao Qiao to this place witnessed his arrival, and hastily ran over to welcome him.

Wei Shao dismounted his horse to enter inside, walking toward that mural wall of the rear hall.

The mural had already reached completion. Gao Heng truly was not unworthy of the title "Crown of Bohai"; upon the massive wall surface reaching several zhang in height, the Queen Mother's countenance was lifelike, her immortal sashes dancing, and auspicious clouds and fortunate birds clustered all around her, as though she were stepping upon the clouds to arrive. The imagery was solemn and magnificent, the utilization of colors vivid, causing people to experience reverence within their hearts. Xiao Qiao's inscription of characters had been written for two days and was reached completion at this moment, complementing the imagery beautifully, resembling the finishing stroke that brought the dragon to life. Yet at this hour she had not yet departed, the water-blue cloak that Nanny Chun had carried inside moments ago draped across her shoulders, standing side-by-side with Gao Heng before the newly completed mural. Xiao Qiao tilted her head up to gaze at the mural, and Gao Heng was speaking, appearing as though they were discussing something.

Not far to the side stood Nanny Chun and two maidservants.

Wei Shao drew a fraction closer, gradually hearing clearly the dialogue between Xiao Qiao and Gao Heng. It turned out they were conversing upon contemporary calligraphy. Wei Shao heard Gao Heng state: "...Speaking of cliff inscriptions, I foremost recommend the Ode to the Cloud Gate; the stroke momentum is unrestrained, the structural composition open, the seal and bronze-inscription stroke methods participating within clerical script, the twists and turns of the strokes resembling a heavenly steed galloping across the void, floating as though turning into an immortal. I once specifically proceeded to the Cloud Gate of Hanzhong to remain residing for three months, for the sole purpose of being capable of ascending the mountain daily to observe and mimic the calligraphy upon the western cliff face. Clear or rainy, dawn or dusk, the air and seasons shifting, yet the carved characters appeared each to possess its individual spiritual rhyme. My expansive conversation upon calligraphy with the Lady, hearing the Lady's words during our discourse, reveals that you possess insights within calligraphy, moreover lacking no novelty or romance. I feel as though I have obtained a kindred spirit, and my heart is exceedingly gratified. Should the Lady secure leisure on what day and wish to proceed personally to view and admire it, I am willing to offer myself as a guide..."

This Gao Heng not only possessed a face like carved jade, but furthermore had been wealthy in the reputation of talent since childhood; at thirteen years of age he secured the praise of the Grand Administrator of Bohai, who personally recommended him, breaking the rules to enter the academy at an age of not yet sixteen. At present his age was also not yet thirty, his nature untamed and uninhibited, possessing thoroughly the mannerisms of a renowned scholar. From afar, Wei Shao witnessed both of his eyes looking upon Xiao Qiao, his eyes without a single blink, the light within his pupils brilliant. Drawing closer, he again heard him extend an invitation to offer himself as a guide, and that mouthful of pent-up breath within his chest that he had only just exhaled outside the grand gates instantly surged back. He promptly accelerated his pace.

Nanny Chun stood in attendance beside Xiao Qiao; hearing footsteps approach from behind, she turned her head, hastily turning her person to bow toward Wei Shao, calling out to him: "Lord-Marquis."

Xiao Qiao turned her head upon hearing the sound. Seeing that Wei Shao, who had been away for over half a month, had actually appeared here as though falling from heaven, she startled slightly, arising to step forward to meet him, saying: "When did Husband return? Why would you come here?"

Wei Shao halted his steps, looking upon Gao Heng.

Gao Heng had initially merely been struck with admiration by the characters written by the young mistress of the Wei estate, and these past two days had worked jointly with her to complete the mural. The mural was painted high up, rendering it altogether more difficult than customarily writing upon silk manuscripts. This young mistress, however, manifested not a single fraction of delicate frailty, executing every stroke and every line with extreme earnestness, her treatment of people amiable. To say nothing of the beauty of her appearance. By the time the mural reached completion, he had already involuntarily felt his heart swayed, and a feeling of adoration had been birthed. Consequently, though the artwork had reached completion moments ago, he was loath to just let her depart in such a manner, which was why he detained her to converse expansively upon contemporary stone tablets and cliff inscriptions. Their conversation was just rising to a peak when he had not anticipated that Wei Shao would suddenly arrive, interrupting the conversation and leaving his heart inevitably filled with a sense of loss; he arose to offer a salute toward Wei Shao.

Wei Shao's expression was as customary, exchanging a few pleasantries with him with a mild and pleasant countenance before turning toward Xiao Qiao: "The sky is also no longer early; Grandmother is anxious at home. If the affairs here are well, we shall return home." Concluding his words, he nodded his head toward Gao Heng, turning his person around on his own to head outside.

Xiao Qiao consequently bid farewell to Gao Heng. Nanny Chun and the maidservants gathered up their personal belongings, accompanying Xiao Qiao to emerge and board the carriage.

Wei Shao rode his horse in front, devoid of words the entire way; as the sky was turning dark, he escorted her back to the Wei estate.

Xiao Qiao entered inside. Wei Shao failed to enter inside alongside her, nor did he speak anything to her; the moment she crossed the door, he departed on his own, presumably having proceeded to the government office.

...

Within the western wing, the silver lamps were brightly illuminated.

These past two days of climbing high to inscribe characters upon the mural, in order to guarantee completing it in a single breath, prior to the final descent of her brush, Xiao Qiao had practiced repeatedly upon the wall numerous times. Finally completing the work and returning home, not only her arm, but her right shoulder likewise throbbed with a faint soreness. Emerging after her bath, Nanny Chun sat beside her, gently massaging and kneading on her behalf.

Awaiting until it was not exceptionally late—approximately a fraction past the hour of Xu—Wei Shao returned.

Xiao Qiao stepped forward to meet him as was customary.

In truth, she had also somewhat discerned that upon the road escorting her back, he appeared to be displeased already.

It was merely that she was incapable of determining for what cause exactly he was displeased.

In reality, speaking truly, suddenly witnessing him come to fetch her had left her exceedingly surprised; even at the beginning, she had quite unpromisingly possessed a bit of a feeling of being overwhelmed by unexpected favor.

Consequently, this rendered it all the more perplexing.

Since he was willing to personally come to fetch her, why did he possess a sour face along the road as though she owed him money and failed to return it?

The most direct and crude deduction: could it be that he was displeased to witness another man speaking altogether too many words with her?

Yet Xiao Qiao very swiftly overthrew this conjecture.

When he was exchanging pleasantries with Gao Heng at the time, he was thoroughly normal, completely unable to be discerned to possess a single fraction of displeasure. Furthermore, for a woman to provoke a man to turn jealous on her behalf required possessing the qualifications for it. Previously, his treatment of her was consistently one of cold confrontation with knitted brows; even on that occasion half a month ago when his mother administered medicine to him, when she had labored so strenuously to attend to him for an entire night, a day later when he departed Yuyang early in the morning to proceed to the frontier cities for defense patrol, when she escorted him out of the western wing prior to his departure, he had failed to manifest any sign of softening toward her.

It was evident that this was impossible.

...

"Husband has patrolled the cities for the better part of a month, yet the moment you return, you proceed to fetch me. In truth, it was altogether unnecessary, and I feel quite uneasy within my heart."

Xiao Qiao acted as though nothing were amiss, helping him remove his outer garments beside him as customary.

Ever since the last occasion when she assisted him in unfastening his battle armor, one grew familiar through repetition, and now every time he returned, Xiao Qiao assisting him to remove his garments had already become a matter of custom.

Wei Shao permitted her to attend to him, stating with an expressionless countenance: "Grandmother instructed me to proceed to fetch you."

This was it. It turned out it was not that he himself was willing, but rather that he had been forced out by Madame Xu.

No wonder his countenance was so sour.

"I have troubled Husband. Many thanks, Husband. Husband has experienced hardship upon the road and is bound to be fatigued; rest a fraction earlier."

Xiao Qiao settled the garments he had removed neatly, turning her head to speak with a radiant smile.