The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 60

Chapter 60

The three of them stepped out of the northern chambers. Xiao Qiao lagged slightly behind, while further ahead, Wei Shao walked side-by-side with his mother, Lady Zhu. Upon reaching that three-way junction, Wei Shao paused briefly, and Xiao Qiao walked up to join them.

"Return to your room. It is enough for me to escort my mother back."

His eyes did not even look at Xiao Qiao as he spoke, and he immediately headed down the path toward the eastern chambers.

Xiao Qiao stood at the junction, watching the silhouette of him accompanying his mother away, before silently turning around to return to the western chambers by herself.

"That house of his, how could it just catch fire out of nowhere?"

On the way, Lady Zhu began to complain, "That cousin of yours—every time I see him, I feel thoroughly uncomfortable all over! Now that he has moved back, who knows how long he will stay!"

Wei Shao stared straight ahead, his expression indifferent, offering no response whatsoever.

Seeing that her son seemed preoccupied, Lady Zhu glanced back. Seeing that the accompanying servant women behind them were a good distance away, she gritted her teeth and added, "It is not that I cannot tolerate him. It is just that since he was a child, whenever I look into those eyes of his, I feel dread in my heart. He wants to contend with you for the things of this Wei family! Seeing how close you were with him, I only worried in my heart previously and could not speak of it. This time, I might as well remind you. One must never lack a heart to guard against others. If something truly happens one day, it will be too late for regrets!"

Wei Shao glanced at Lady Zhu, still remaining completely silent. He quickly escorted Lady Zhu to the entrance of the eastern chambers, halting his steps as he said, "Your son has escorted Mother to this point. There are still proper matters to attend to outside, so I shall leave first."

"Wait a moment!" Lady Zhu felt unsatisfied seeing that her son did not seem to take it in, and she was truly anxious.

Her heart harbored a secret from nearly thirty years ago. Back then, she had just married into the Wei family. This secret was now perhaps known only to her and Madame Xu. This unmentionable secret had been hidden by her for decades.

Given her personality, keeping it hidden had been an incredibly difficult struggle. Whenever she wished to speak it to her son, the mere thought of Madame Xu's single eye staring coldly at her would make her feel an involuntary chill from the depths of her heart, and she would swallow back the words that had reached her mouth.

Wei Shao halted his steps, turning his head to look at Lady Zhu.

Lady Zhu parted her lips, but in the end, she still swallowed it back, forcing a smile as she said, "It is nothing. Go ahead. Do not overexert yourself, and return earlier. If you wish to eat food prepared by me, it matters not even if you do not want to come to my quarters. Just dispatch someone to say a word, and once I have made it, I will have someone deliver it to the western chambers for you."

Wei Shao paused for a brief moment, then nodded and said, "I trouble Mother to expend her care. Mother may go inside."

Lady Zhu gave a murmur of assent and went inward, clustered by the servant women who came up from behind.

...

Wei Shao stepped out of the Wei manor and went straight to the government office. Gongsun Yang, Li Dian, Wei Liang, and others were already waiting for him.

News had been received a few days ago that an envoy dispatched by Yuan Zhe of Qingzhou would arrive today. Although they had not met yet, it was deduced that it must be related to Xin Xun’s current battle at Sishui. Once decided, Wei Liang went out of the city to welcome them. By noon, Yuan Zhe's younger brother, Yuan Dai, and his party entered the city.

Wei Shao hosted a feast at the government office to welcome them.

Among the current lords of the realm, if divided by region, those with strong armies, sturdy steeds, and illustrious reputations numbered only three: Wei Shao in the north, Lezheng Gong in Hanzhong, and Yuan Zhe of Shandong in the central heartland.

To speak treasonously, in this grand drama of competing for the realm under heaven, if no accidents arose, those with the strength to slay Xin Xun, exterminate the various lords, and seize the Imperial Jade Seal of the State were only among these few individuals.

The remaining people were merely playing supporting roles.

Yuan Zhe had managed his domain for several generations and had long harbored the intent to look down upon the realm. When Xin Xun changed and established the young emperor a few months ago, he felt the opportunity had arrived. Unable to suppress himself, he gathered Liu Kai of Guangping and others to launch troops toward Luoyang. Originally, he wished to conquer Luoyang in a single burst of energy, slaying Xin Xun to replace him.

However, since Xin Xun could mix his way into his current position as the "Father of the Nation," he was naturally no pushover either. He inherently possessed robust strength, and the two sides clashed in the Sishui region, each experiencing victories and defeats. Currently facing each other across the water, they temporarily held back their troops and moved instead to wage a war of words, their respective proclamations flying everywhere.

Xin Xun, in the name of the Han Emperor, cursed Yuan Zhe for openly raising troops to cause rebellion, calling upon the people of the realm to crush him together. Yuan Zhe cursed Xin Xun for holding the Son of Heaven hostage to command the lords, intending to usurp the throne and plan a rebellion, calling upon the lords to join him in defending the king. The two cursed each other with great relish. As they cursed on, Yuan Zhe thought of Wei Shao. Thus, he dispatched his younger brother, Yuan Dai, to Yuyang, saying in the tone of an elder: Back then, I, your old uncle, once bestowed favor upon your father, Wei经. Now that your father is gone, I am demanding this human favor from you, his son. I am currently fighting with Xin Xun, so you must come and fight together with me.

Years ago, when Yuan Zhe and Wei Jing were serving together as Palace Gentlemen Leaders in Luoyang, Wei Jing had once led several people out of the capital. While passing through a place called Zhongmu, they encountered a band of several dozen vagrant bandits. It just so happened that Yuan Zhe passed by, and the two together slaughtered the vagrant bandits.

Although this matter was not false, Yuan Zhe relied on his old age to flaunt his seniority, and Yuan Dai followed suit by acting arrogant and high-handed. It appeared he quite intended to establish authority before Wei Shao, this newly risen hegemon of the north who was still wet behind the ears. On the opposite side, Wei Liang immediately rose with furious eyes, lifting his foot to kick over the wine desk before him with a loud clatter, sending wine and meat spilling onto the ground. Wei Liang strode swiftly before Yuan Dai, drawing his sword to point it at his nose as he harshly upbraided him, "The favor of Zhongmu was already repaid multiple times over by the late Lord! Seeing that you have come from afar and not forgetting the old affection between our two houses, our Lord only now personally hosted this feast despite his illness to welcome you. From where do you get the face to dare shout wild words before my Lord!"

Standing behind Yuan Dai was Yuan Zhe's adopted son, Ding Qu, who traveled with them and was famous for his ferocity. Seeing the situation, he hastily drew his sash-sword and shouted, "Ding Qu is here, who dares be insolent?"

Wei Liang sneered and let out a whistle. Dozens of armored warriors holding halberds surged in from the entrance, surrounding Yuan Dai and Ding Qu in the blink of an eye. Their blades and halberds were snow-bright, brimming with murderous aura.

After the upheaval in the Wei family ten years ago, Yuan Zhe originally thought the Wei family would never recover from the setback and did not place them in his eyes at all. When Wei Shao took command of the army a few years later, Yuan Zhe heard he was merely seventeen years old and had even ridiculed him for a time. He never imagined that in just a few years, Wei Shao's power would swell immensely, first swallowing Jizhou, and not long ago exterminating Chen Xiang to acquire Bingzhou. Not only had he practically unified the north, but his prestige also showed a grand momentum of overtaking his own. Only then did Yuan Zhe panic in his heart, hating that he had not completely eradicated him back when his wings were not yet fully fledged. This was also one of the reasons why he was so eager to destroy Xin Xun and replace him this time. With his plan obstructed, he then thought up this strategy of using the favor of the older generation to coerce Wei Shao.

If Wei Shao complied and came to assist in the war, the remaining lords would naturally follow suit one after another, and he would rightfully become the alliance leader. If Wei Shao did not comply, the Wei family would be an accomplice of Xin Xun, as well as ungrateful. Only then did he dispatch Yuan Dai over.

Yuan Dai originally also merely wished to rely on his older generation status to score a preemptive strike before this young, newly risen talent. He never expected that right as the feast opened, Wei Liang would turn his face and refuse to recognize past bonds.

This was Wei Shao’s domain. If he truly harbored a murderous intent, even ten Ding Qus could not protect him. He could not help but feel terrified and filled with immense regret as he looked toward Wei Shao. Seeing him sitting on his knees facing south as if placing himself entirely outside the matter, he hastily said, "May the Marquis judge clearly! I bear my brother's command to come and cultivate friendly relations, and what I relay is merely my eldest brother's words. If the Marquis of Yan has objections, I can entirely relay them back on your behalf. When two states contend, they do not harm the envoy; for the General to confront me thus with a furious sword, what kind of reason is this?"

Wei Shao's expression was gloomy, and he remained as unmoving as a mountain.

There were at least twenty to thirty people in the hall, yet it was dead silent at this moment. Cold sweat slowly rolled down Yuan Dai's forehead, but he did not even dare lift his sleeve to wipe it, deeply fearing that a single movement would invite the disaster of losing his life.

After a moment, Wei Shao flicked his hand. Only then did Wei Liang sheath his sword. Amid the clanking sound of armor, the soldiers withdrew one after another. Other people bent over to enter, swiftly removing the ruined desk before Wei Liang that had just been kicked over. The remaining individuals talked and laughed naturally, as if nothing had happened at all.

Yuan Dai's heart was still thumping wildly. Stealing a glance at Wei Shao in the center, whose expression remained as calm as water, he slowly exhaled a breath of air, no longer daring to reveal the slightest trace of arrogance.

Only then did Gongsun Yang state in a leisurely manner, "There are things Envoy Yuan does not know. Although my Lord currently appears to possess numerous troops and ample generals, in truth, the military camps in various places of Jizhou and Bingzhou are empty. We are inherently pulled in all directions and short of funds, and we originally even wished to borrow troops from Lord Yuan for use, except we simply could not bring ourselves to speak of it. Now that the Envoy has come from afar and spoken first, and since our two houses possess old ties, our Lord also cannot decline the responsibility of rendering assistance. Once we gather our military resources, we shall definitely dispatch troops as quickly as possible to assist."

Yuan Dai no longer dared reveal the slightest displeasure, constantly nodding his head to express his gratitude.

Gongsun Yang smiled and said, "The Envoy arrives at a fortuitous time. In two more days, it will be our Youzhou Luli Grand Assembly. If the Envoy has free time, you may also go forward to observe it."

...

Yuan Dai and his party were escorted to the courier station to settle down, which needs no further mention. In the evening, Wei Shao returned to the Wei manor. Upon entering the gate, he learned that Wei Yan had returned from Dai County in the afternoon and had already been called by Madame Xu to move back inside.

Wei Shao uttered not a single word, striding straight into the western chambers. There were only two or three maids in the courtyard, who bowed one after another upon seeing him return. Wei Shao went toward the main room, stepping up the stairs to reach the doorway. Hesitating slightly, he pushed the door and entered, yet Xiao Qiao was not to be seen in the room. He turned his head to ask. A maid said, "The cat ran off and disappeared just now. Fearing it might get lost, the Lady went to search for it in person just now. Nanny Chun and the others went as well, leaving us to watch the room."

Wei Shao's brows furrowed. Standing below the steps, he hesitated for a moment, then lifted his foot and strode out with large steps. Walking along the paved path forward, upon reaching a corner that led to the main gate of the northern chambers, he saw from afar that beside the courtyard wall ahead, next to the begonia branches, a faint crimson, slender, and delicate silhouette was revealed. It was precisely Xiao Qiao. Beside her stood a few servant women and maids, all of them raising their heads to gaze at the top of the flowered wall.

The cat was currently squatting high on top of the wall. It was unknown how it had gotten up there, and at this moment, it appeared unable to come down.

The maids chattered, some saying to use a bamboo pole to reach it, and some saying to use a ladder to climb up and hold it.

Just as Wei Shao was about to go over, his steps suddenly halted once more.

He saw Wei Yan emerging from the northern chambers, walking toward this side of the wall.

A servant woman beside Xiao Qiao saw him first and ran up, pointing at the cat squatting on top of the flowered wall and speaking a few words. Wei Yan glanced at Xiao Qiao and immediately walked over with quick steps. Upon reaching beneath the flowered wall, he glanced up at the top of the wall. First taking a few steps back, he then rushed forward two steps, and using the momentum of the rush, his person was just like a gecko. With a single leap and maneuver, he climbed onto the ten-foot-high wall, extended his hand to catch the cat, and subsequently leaped down from the top of the wall, landing steadily with an agile posture. The maids and servant women cheered.

A slight smile revealed itself on Wei Yan's face. He glanced at Xiao Qiao, paused for a brief moment, and subsequently walked toward her while holding the cat.

Xiao Qiao hastily welcomed him. Just as Wei Yan extended his hand to hand it to her, that kitten was perhaps startled just now, and suddenly a claw scratched out. Caught unprepared, the back of Wei Yan's hand was scratched by it, and several long bloodstains immediately appeared. The kitten also leaped from Wei Yan's hands, jumping onto the ground. The nearby servant women and maids, deeply fearing it would run off again, hastily pursued it in a swarm.

Although the kitten was not yet fully grown, the curved claws it extended were exceptionally sharp. Seeing that it was very docile during the past few days, Xiao Qiao had not thought to clip its claws either. She never expected it would injure Wei Yan at this time. Seeing several drops of blood swiftly seep out from the wound on the back of his hand, she felt somewhat bad about it, hastily thanking him and apologizing.

"How is it? Should I call someone to come and bandage it?"

Wei Yan smiled slightly: "It matters not, it is merely a minor wound. Why trouble people over a grand matter?" As he spoke, he shook his hand.

Xiao Qiao apologized to him once more.

At this moment, Wei Shao suddenly revealed his presence from behind, striding toward this side with large steps.

Xiao Qiao saw Wei Shao as well. Seeing him finally halt beside her, his gaze falling upon that hand of Wei Yan's, she hastily related simply the past event of Wei Yan climbing up ahead to catch the cat on her behalf, saying apologetically, "It is all my fault for not watching the cat well, causing Eldest Brother to injure his hand instead."

Wei Shao gave a slight smile. Looking at Wei Yan, he locked eyes with him for a moment, then subsequently stated in a gentle tone, "I trouble Eldest Brother. I caught a cat for Manman to raise and keep her company to play, yet it caused your hand to be scratched instead. On behalf of Manman, I also offer an apology to Eldest Brother."

Wei Yan's mind suddenly became somewhat uneasy.

If it were said that just a moment ago, because he had obtained this accidental yet precious opportunity to speak with the Qiao woman at a close distance and even received her gratitude, a faint joy had still arisen within his heart—at this moment, with the appearance of his younger brother, meeting the gaze he directed at him, and hearing him use an incomparably intimate name to offer an apology to him on behalf of his wife, that original sentiment of secret joy swiftly faded from his heart. In the end, it twisted into a mass of things resembling tangled hemp, carrying a trace of bitterness and melancholy.

His mind had also become uneasy.

This was a sharp intuition that could not be described with words. But at this very moment, he truly felt it.

His younger brother, Wei Shao, was somewhat different from usual.

Within Wei Yan's mind, the matter of returning during the day and learning that the house had caught fire suddenly flashed through swiftly once more at this moment.

Back then, when he returned and saw the sight of scorched blackness everywhere, and that wall which originally concealed the most unmentionable secret in the depths of his heart had also collapsed along with the great fire, his first feeling was actually one of exhaling a breath of relief.

It was just as if a fatal, ulcerous abscess had grown upon his body, which he himself was unable to cut away. Now, this ulcerous abscess had been cut away by someone.

He even thanked this fire that came somewhat abruptly, leaving him entirely unprepared beforehand.

But at this moment, he suddenly felt that the fire had started somewhat suspiciously.

Wei Yan's heartbeat abruptly accelerated, and a layer of cold sweat swiftly seeped into his palms.

He gazed intently at Wei Shao. After a moment, he finally also said with a smile, "A minor matter. Second Brother need not be polite."

Wei Shao smiled, nodding his head slightly toward him, and subsequently turned his face to look at Xiao Qiao, stating softly, "Let us go, we should return to our room as well."

Xiao Qiao was bewildered.

Wei Shao would call her by her childhood name inside the room, for instance on the bed, when he was passionately making love with her.

But off the bed, she had never heard him use her childhood name to call her.

Yet at this moment, it unexpectedly came out of his mouth inexplicably, and spoken right in front of Wei Yan.

Letting this pass, the speed of his attitude shift also truly caught her somewhat unprepared.

What exactly had happened to make him suddenly turn back into the appearance of a gentle lover?

Such a Wei Shao, far from moving her, instead made her feel exceptionally unfamiliar.

It even made her hair stand on end a bit.

Wei Shao should not be like this, even back when their relationship was at its closest.

Xiao Qiao suppressed that feeling of discomfort surging from her heart, met the gentle gaze he directed at her, smiled slightly toward him, and followed him away.

...

Wei Yan stood in his original place, watching the pair of silhouettes of Wei Shao and her side-by-side gradually go far away, until they disappeared at the end of his vision.

 

Before his eyes, only half a tree of begonia branches and leaves gently swayed in the wind, producing a faint rustling sound.

 

Wei Yan slowly clenched his fists.

 

Those few wounds on the back of his hand that had been scratched by the cat suddenly appeared to turn piercingly painful.