The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Wei Shao was intensely busy for the next several days, mostly leaving early and returning late. The previous night, he had come back a bit earlier, but he stayed alone in his study to handle official business. Later, seeing that it was getting late and he had still not returned to the bedroom, Xiao Qiao brought a bowl of light refreshments over to him. He took only a couple of bites of the pastries before turning Xiao Qiao herself into a refreshment instead. Pulling her onto his lap, the two of them were intimate for a short while before Wei Shao said, "An incidental matter has arisen in Zhuo County. I shall head over tomorrow and return in three or four days."

Xiao Qiao was slightly taken aback.

Word had already been delivered back that Qiao Ci’s party was very close and would arrive within these next day or two. Wei Shao was aware of this as well.

"Since Husband has matters to attend to, simply go ahead," Xiao Qiao said after a brief hesitation, offering a slight smile.

Wei Shao cast a glance at her but said nothing. He merely leaned his face closer, pressing a kiss against her cheek, and held her as he stood up, saying, "It is not early anymore, let us return to the room."

Early the next morning, Xiao Qiao saw Wei Shao off. She remained in her room copying the sutra as usual when Wei Shao dispatched a personal guard back to the Wei estate to retrieve something. The guard stated that the Lord had forgotten a scroll of official documents left in the study cabinet the previous night, and requested the Lady to retrieve it so the messenger could take it away.

Xiao Qiao estimated that he had likely forgotten it last night. Knowing he must be waiting to retrieve the documents before leaving, she hastily went to his study and found the writings Wei Shao wanted in the designated cabinet drawer.

She turned around, intending to leave, but hesitated slightly, her footsteps ultimately coming to a halt after all.

She saw a small chest placed inside one of the cabinet compartments.

Previously, on her very first day staying in her current room upon arriving at the Wei estate, because she had inadvertently moved this chest, Wei Shao had even interrogated her on the spot. Subsequently, the very next day, he had taken it away.

At that time, she had surmised that whatever was contained within this chest must hold a special significance for him, so much so that he would not permit anyone to even touch it.

Xiao Qiao’s gaze settled upon the chest, watching it for a long moment.

She knew she ought not to touch it. Yet her restraint was ultimately insufficient, and in the end, she could not help but pull the chest out from the drawer.

The chest was locked, and it was no ordinary lock, but rather a nine-palace grid, resembling a combination lock.

The chest was not heavy. The wood itself likely accounted for the greater portion of its weight. Xiao Qiao held it close to her ear and gave it a gentle shake, sensing that what was contained inside should be something akin to letters or paper writings.

Out of pure intuition, the visage of the Lady Su whom she had encountered in the State of Zhongshan surfaced before Xiao Qiao's eyes.

In her previous life, Wei Shao had doted upon her for many years, and not long after Big Qiao died, he had invested her as Empress.

This woman, who was two years older than Wei Shao and had accompanied him through his growth, must be an exceptionally unique presence to him.

Indeed, such a woman of peerless beauty and elegance, whose very bones exuded allure, had left even her slightly entranced upon their first meeting.

Xiao Qiao had originally been somewhat satisfied with her own appearance, but when compared to this woman, appearance seemed not quite as vital, and her figure was even less comparable. As for amorous charm, she likely would never manage to cultivate it in this lifetime.

How much more so for a man?

Xiao Qiao gently returned the chest to its original position exactly as it was, turning to exit in a hurry, and handed the retrieved documents to the personal guard to take away.

...

The following day, intelligence reports were received stating that the envoy Yang Feng dispatched by Qiao Yue, along with Qiao Ci's party, were about to arrive in Yuyang. The retinue consisted of some twenty to thirty people, traveling under the banner of the Inspector of Yanzhou.

Madame Xu attached great importance to this. She appointed Wei Yan to go out of the city to welcome them, and subsequently instructed Xiao Qiao to go along as well.

As she was about to meet her younger brother face-to-face, Xiao Qiao felt both expectant and joyful. Changing into her formal attire and stepping outside the main gates, she saw that Wei Yan was already waiting with his men. Stopped at the side was a double-shafted covered carriage meant for summer travel, equipped with a canopy on top and surrounded on the left, right, and rear by light gauze curtains, which served both to ward off the wind and shade from the sun, as well as to avoid the impolite stares of passersby. The carriage was sumptuously adorned throughout, and even the chestnut horse pulling it from the front was exceptionally majestic, high-spirited, with a sleek, well-groomed coat free of any impurities. The horse's forehead was adorned with a gold-crafted frontlet, and its neck hung with a collar embellished with nine small golden bells. As the horse shook its head, the small golden bells produced a string of pleasant, light clinking sounds.

Such a precious horse and fragrant carriage could only be ridden by the wife of a marquis of Xiao Qiao’s status and position.

Wei Yan seemed to have been waiting for a short while, yet he did not reveal the slightest impatience, sitting atop his horse with a calm and composed demeanor. Seeing Xiao Qiao's figure gradually emerge from within the main gates, he flipped himself down from his horse to welcome her, smilingly inviting her to board the carriage as he said, "Word was just sent back that they are less than twenty li away. If my sister-in-law accompanies me to welcome them outside the city gates, I expect your younger brother will have arrived."

"Brother-in-law has taken great trouble."

Xiao Qiao offered him a slight smile, turning to lift her skirt and board the carriage. Wei Yan ordered the retinue to guard the front and rear as they set out on the road, while he himself mounted his horse and followed slightly behind the side of Xiao Qiao’s carriage, departing toward the southern city gates.

Although the period since Xiao Qiao married Wei Shao and arrived in Yuyang was not considered short, she spent most of her time living in seclusion. The last time she went to the Queen Mother’s Temple to write an inscription, she had traveled back and forth in a box carriage, so the populace of Yuyang rarely had an opportunity to see the wife of the Lord. Today, the moment this precious horse and fragrant carriage departing from the gates of the Wei estate set out on the road, it attracted the gazes of passersby. Although the carriage possessed curtains on three sides, the front was open, and as the carriage moved, the curtains would be whipped and lifted by the wind.

Amidst the fluttering and swirling light gauze curtains, the distant sight of a peerless beauty in splendid attire and magnificent countenance seated upon the carriage attracted countless gazes. Once word spread that she was the Lady of the Wei estate, the passersby grew even more excited, and many began to follow them toward the southern gate. The scene from when she had departed the city gates back in Xindu seemed poised to play out once more.

Seeing that the populace on both sides of the road was growing increasingly numerous, Wei Yan, fearing they might jostle Xiao Qiao, ordered his retinue to guard strictly, while he himself urged his horse closer. He watched the section of her silhouette that appeared and disappeared amidst the light gauze curtains all along the way, finally exiting the city and halting the carriage beside a stone pavilion several li away. The stone pavilion had also been enclosed with curtains on three sides early on, with stools placed inside. Wei Yan invited Xiao Qiao to dismount from the carriage and enter the stone pavilion to rest temporarily while waiting for the arrival of the Yanzhou party.

Wei Yan's considerations were indeed detailed. Inside the stone pavilion, there were also two plates of washed, fresh fruit, two varieties of exquisite pastries, and tea. Xiao Qiao only wished to see her younger brother quickly and had no heart to eat, feeling only a bit thirsty. Seeing that there happened to be tea, she slowly drank a cup. Pouring her second cup, when she was halfway through drinking, she saw the silhouette of a line of horses and men appear at the far end of the imperial highway.

A wave of excitement rushed through Xiao Qiao. Setting down her teacup, she stepped out of the stone pavilion and stood by the roadside, shading her eyes with her hand as she gazed into the distance. The approaching line of horses and riders gradually drew nearer. First, she could make out the fluttering Yanzhou banners, and then, as they closed the distance, she clearly saw a red horse at the front of the line. Her younger brother, Qiao Ci, sat astride it, riding straight toward her.

An arrow’s shot away, Qiao Ci also spotted Xiao Qiao waving from the side of the road. Overjoyed, he immediately spurred his horse out of the formation and came galloping toward his elder sister. Reaching her side, he threw himself off his horse and rushed up to her.

"Ah-jie!" "Ah-di!"

Xiao Qiao tightly gripped her brother's arms. A surge of emotion welled up in her chest, and her eyes grew hot and slightly red as she carefully looked over the brother she had not seen in more than half a year.

He had shot up quite a bit. She remembered that before her wedding, he had been only a fraction of a head taller than her. In these past months, she had grown a little herself, but he had grown much faster. He was now only slightly shorter than Wei Shao, forcing her to look up to meet his eyes. His shoulders had also grown broader; standing before her, he truly looked like a young man now.

Qiao Ci had missed his sister dearly as well. Ever since her marriage, he had harbored the deep suspicion that the Wei family had taken a daughter of the Qiao family with ill intent, and he worried constantly that she was being mistreated in the North. That was why, the moment Qiao Yue decided to dispatch envoys northward, he insisted on coming along. He, too, was examining his sister.

Xiao Qiao was slightly more mature than she had been the previous year, dressed in exquisite garments with a healthy, radiant complexion. Before her marriage, she possessed the pure, crisp beauty of an unmarried maiden; now, between her brows, there was a subtle, nascent charm of a young married woman. Qiao Ci merely felt that his sister looked even more beautiful than last year, though he couldn't quite articulate where the change lay. All in all, seeing that she seemed to be doing well, the anxiety that had weighed on his heart throughout the journey finally dissolved. Suddenly noticing that her eyes were turning slightly red, he became instantly flustered and asked in a hurry, "Ah-jie, why are you crying?"

"Your sister sees that you are more dashing and heroic than ever. At such a young age, you killed one enemy and engaged two others right before the battle lines, displaying the true spirit of a hero. Her heart is full of joy, and these are tears of happiness."

Before Xiao Qiao could answer, Wei Yan approached and spoke to Qiao Ci with a smile.

Qiao Ci looked at Wei Yan, slightly taken aback. His first impression was that this man might be Wei Shao, but a second look told him that was incorrect. He had heard that Wei Shao was in his early twenties; this man standing tall before them was outstanding as well, but he appeared slightly older. He looked toward Xiao Qiao for clarification.

Xiao Qiao quickly wiped her eyes and smiled. "This is your brother-in-law's cousin, Lord Wei Yan. He is the Grand Governor of Dai Commandery and a third-rank General of Light Chariots for the imperial court. By Grandmother's command, he specifically came out of the city to welcome your party."

Realization dawned on Qiao Ci. He assessed Wei Yan briefly, noting his refined and impressive bearing. The man felt shrewd and highly capable, yet he was completely approachable, with a warm, open smile.

Before his arrival, Qiao Ci had prepared himself to be met with a cold shoulder from the Wei family. The current reception was entirely unexpected. Recalling that Wei Yan had just mentioned his clash before the battle lines outside Juye with a tone of praise, the youth felt a bit bashful, but he couldn't help but feel pleased. His impression of the man became exceptionally favorable all at once. Hearing Xiao Qiao's introduction, his respect deepened, and he hastily bowed to Wei Yan, addressing him as "Lord Governor."

Wei Yan laughed and said, "You are my sister-in-law's birth brother, which makes us family as well. There is no need for such formality. Just call me 'Cousin' like she does."

Qiao Ci was, after all, not yet sixteen. Though tall and well-built, he still had the temperament of a half-grown youth. Seeing how easygoing Wei Yan was, he cast aside his reservations and directly called him "Cousin Wei." The two of them conversed as equals, hitting it off immediately like old friends despite the age gap.

Her younger brother hadn't even entered the city, yet within a single meeting, he was already getting along famously with Wei Yan. Xiao Qiao felt a subtle sense of unease in her heart. Furthermore, while her initial intense aversion toward Wei Yan had softened over time, she still felt this man possessed deep, hidden depths. Subconsciously, she did not want her brother to get too close to him. Of course, under the circumstances, she wouldn't say anything to disrupt the mood.

A moment later, the Yanzhou envoy Yang Feng and the rest of the retinue, whom Qiao Ci had left behind, finally arrived.

Xiao Qiao had met Yang Feng before. He was her uncle's Chief Administrator, a man well-versed in Confucian classics and considered a renowned scholar in Yanzhou. Yang Feng dismounted, and Wei Yan stepped forward to greet him. After exchanging formal privileges and courtesies, Xiao Qiao boarded her carriage once more. Under Wei Yan's guidance, the procession formed a long line and set out on the return journey.

For this journey, besides bearing a personal letter from Qiao Yue, Yang Feng brought along a lavish assortment of gifts to express gratitude. These included beautiful embroidered robes and gold ornaments for both Madame Xu and Lady Zhu; two hundred bolts each of brocade, silk, satin, damask, and fine gauze—totaling one thousand bolts in all; and an additional ten fully loaded wagons filled with local products native to Yanzhou.

The procession of carriages and horses moved through the streets under the watchful eyes and murmuring commentaries of the Yuyang populace. Wei Yan arranged for Yang Feng to stay at the official courier station, explaining that Wei Shao happened to have left Yuyang on business just yesterday but would return in a matter of days. He urged the envoy to rest comfortably, and then brought Qiao Ci along to the Wei estate.

The first thing Qiao Ci needed to do upon arrival was, naturally, to pay his respects to Wei Shao's grandmother and mother. He arrived at his assigned quarters, washed away the dust of the road, and changed into formal attire.

Xiao Qiao waited for him outside his room. When her brother emerged, looking revitalized, his handsome face complemented by a set of new dark robes with broad sleeves, her heart filled with profound gratification—a quiet, proud sense of witnessing her younger brother finally coming into his own.

Xiao Qiao personally led Qiao Ci toward the northern chambers. Along the way, many of the young maidservants of the Wei estate couldn't help but steal glances at the Lady's younger brother.

Madame Xu and Lady Zhu had already taken their seats, with Wei Yan standing to the side. Guided inside by Xiao Qiao, Qiao Ci stepped forward to pay his respects, bowing to Madame Xu and Lady Zhu in turn.

Although Qiao Ci was not yet sixteen and the Qiao family was past its prime, they were still an ancient, aristocratic clan. He had been strictly tutored in the etiquette of formal reception since childhood, so there was no room for error. Following the meticulous execution of his courtesies, Qiao Ci stood up. Madame Xu appeared exceedingly pleased, praising his outstanding appearance and comparing him to a young eagle soaring into the vast sky. She ordered Nanny Zhong to bestow a meeting gift: a short dagger with its sheath sumptuously inlaid with brilliant cat's eye gemstones.

The moment Lady Zhu laid eyes on Qiao Ci and saw him standing there like a radiant mountain of jade, high-spirited and full of youthful vigor, she was instantly reminded of her late husband and eldest son who had perished years ago. Now, the son of her mortal enemy had not only grown into manhood, but was being welcomed into her home as an honored guest. The disgust in her heart was beyond what words could describe. Yet on such an occasion, and in the presence of Madame Xu, she had after all served as the matriarch of a marquis's estate for decades; how could she dare reveal the slightest breach of etiquette? Forcing down her deep resentment, she also ordered a gift to be presented.

Qiao Ci accepted the gifts with both hands, offering his thanks once more before standing up. Madame Xu beckoned him closer, asking warmly about his family and his journey, and insisted that he stay for a while. She then turned to Wei Yan and said, "It is rather unfortunate that your second brother happens to have business outside the city just now. Over the next couple of days, your grandmother will assign you some tasks; take your second brother's place and lead the boy out to look around. Though our northern lands cannot match the elegant scenery of the south, we possess a certain majestic grandeur."

Wei Yan smiled and replied, "Even without Grandmother's instructions, your grandson would naturally be delighted to be of service."


Translator's Note: Just a quick note regarding names. Previously, when Madame Xu and the others addressed the male lead, I had been using his courtesy name. I realized that this feels inappropriate since family members usually use a childhood name rather than a courtesy name, which is meant to express respect. Therefore, I have changed it here directly to Er-lang. I will go back and gradually revise the earlier chapters when I have time. Also, that fellow Chen Rui isn't dead yet and will make an appearance again in the future.