The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 71

Chapter 71

She had come to the government office to bring him food, speaking in a warm, gentle voice, being both considerate and meticulous. When she drew near, the pure, faint fragrance from her body drifted into his nose, seemingly there yet not there. As he watched her graceful, slender silhouette as she was about to step out the door to depart, the various kinds of pent-up vexation that had pressed upon his heart over these past few days seemed to finally encounter a release valve. He suddenly desired—with extreme intensity—to once again experience that sort of soul-consuming ecstasy she could bring him, which felt as if it delivered him to the heights of supreme bliss and made him forget all other troubles. Thus, he was unable to restrain himself, and his beastly nature erupted...

Wei Shao jumped up from the couch with a start. Lowering his head, he only then saw that his entire body was stark naked, not wearing a single stitch of clothing. Surveying his surroundings with a glance, he saw that the clothing he had shed had already been neatly gathered by her and placed to one side. He rapidly pulled them onto his body, subsequently striding away with large steps. He exited the main gate of the government office and did not even ride his horse, instead rushing toward home on foot.

At this moment, it was not yet the fifth watch. A half-moon hung askew in the deep blue sky to the east; the stars were sparse, with only a single morning star, Venus, shining brilliantly. The streets were completely empty, and the houses on both sides were also pitch black, with only one or two barking sounds from some unknown household's dog traveling over from afar.

Wei Shao's pace was hurried as he walked alone upon the streets of Yuyang before the dawn of the fifth watch. When he was about to arrive before the main gate of the Wei Estate, his footsteps slowed down instead, finally coming to a halt. Gazing from afar at the two illuminated lanterns hanging high before the entrance of the home that had already entered his field of vision, he was lost in thought for a brief moment.

During these past few days, for the first time, he had experienced—more profoundly than ever before—the influence this Qiao woman possessed over his mind and spirit. Her joy, anger, sorrow, and delight actually appeared capable of swaying his own joy, anger, sorrow, and delight, to the point that in order to make her happy, he had, in a moment of impulse, actually blurted out such crazy words before her as allowing her to strike him. In the past, this would have been simply inconceivable.

As for the matter of Wei Yan resolutely seeking to depart after the incident came to light, it caused Wei Shao to feel all the more depressed. During these past few days, Wei Shao had even asked himself: if he had not found Wei Yan under his towering rage at that time, exposing that intimate, shameful ulcer that was originally unfit to be spoken of to others, and even fighting a match with him, would those matters he was unwilling to see have failed to occur afterward?

Wei Shao also knew that such a thought of his was extremely unfair to her.

Wei Yan's life origin was extraordinary, and he had already generated a mind to depart; even without her as a catalyst, sooner or later, perhaps other matters would have come forth, triggering the brothers.

Yet a woman—furthermore, a daughter originating from a hated house whom he had sworn an oath by smearing blood during his youth to utterly exterminate—possessed an influence over his emotions and even his behavior that was actually so immense. This caused him to feel bewildered and uneasy, and furthermore, he appeared to have a sense of self-blame, as if he despised his own conduct.

This was also the reason why when he finally returned home today, though the person was already extremely fatigued and that nerve within his body was stretched almost to the absolute limit, he had nonetheless remained restrained, not wishing to display an excess of emotion before her.

Just like at this very moment, Wei Shao was startled to realize that having rushed back in such a hurry, what he had actually been thinking of in his mind just now was the thought of fearing she would feel wronged and sad over the matters of last night, wishing to go and coax her to be happy. As if his footsteps were tripped up by an invisible rope, he slowly came to a halt.

He thus stood still outside the main gate, hesitating for a long duration, when he suddenly saw that large gate open, revealing half of the silhouette of the gateman. He actually appeared as if he had a guilty conscience like a thief, turning around and leaving immediately.

The sky was about to brighten. That gateman, just like usual, held a long hook in his hand as he came out sluggishly from behind the door, preparing to lower the lanterns and extinguish the tinder. Raising his eyes, he saw a silhouette standing not far outside the main gate, which turned to leave as soon as he came out. Fixing his gaze to take a look, the back silhouette appeared somewhat familiar; it was merely that the surroundings were dim, and before he could see clearly, that back silhouette had already disappeared.

The gateman let out a yawn, withdrawing his gaze.

...

Xiao Qiao's mind was filled with her thoughts, and by the time the sky brightened into morning, she had already woken up early as well. Feeling her head somewhat throbbing with pain, and her body not having completely recovered from the soreness and softness left behind by the sexual intercourse of last night either, she sat upon the bed hugging her quilt for a while before stepping onto the floor to open the door, preparing for the matters of rising.

Once her washing, grooming, and tidying were settled, Nanny Chun said the breakfast in the small kitchen was prepared. She, however, did not possess much of an appetite, merely drinking a bowl of warm, fine rice soup that had been slowly simmered over a low fire. Just as she was about to go to the northern rooms, a servant woman came inside, saying that someone had arrived outside the main gate first thing in the morning to deliver a letter to the Madam. As she spoke, she passed forward a sealed bamboo-tube envelope.

Xiao Qiao was temporarily somewhat bewildered, unable to figure out who would send her a letter at this time. Receiving the bamboo tube, she used a knife to slowly pry open the seal, retrieving a roll of rolled-up parchment from within. Unrolling it, the moment she saw the familiar, elegant handwriting upon the parchment, her eyes immediately widened, releasing a gleam of pleasant surprise.

The letter was actually written and sent by Da Qiao!

Da Qiao said that she and Bi Zhi had become husband and wife, and right now the couple was right in Lingbi.

Several months ago, the Governor of Xuzhou, Xue Tai, launched a campaign against Yanzhou, encountering an attack from behind by Yang Xin. He hastily returned to battle, and right now the two factions had thoroughly turned against each other and were still attacking one another. The Huainan region was in great chaos, and even the remote mountain village where she and Bi Zhi resided could not obtain peace. Some time ago, a small detachment of Xue Tai's government troops actually entered the mountains to seize conscripts and plunder grain. The villagers pitifully begged for them to pass them over, but the government troops were like wolves and tigers, actually injuring an elderly old man who had originally introduced her and Bi Zhi into the village. In a fit of rage, Bi Zhi killed all of the government troops, and after collecting their weapons, he organized the villagers to set up a checkpoint at the mountain entrance to obstruct outsiders from entering. The villagers respected and admired him immensely, listening to his every word. In the vicinity, there were also many fellow villagers driven to a dead end by the government troops who, upon hearing the news, also brought their families one after another to come and join them, entreating for protection. Bi Zhi took them in. In order to guard against the government troops and bandits striking again, he selected able-bodied men to train into an army. Last month, Bi Zhi had further personally led men to flatten a nearby bandit stronghold that had been a menace for a long time. His reputation spread even further. Right now, a thousand people had already gathered within the village, all listening to Bi Zhi's orders, and order was perfectly maintained.

Da Qiao said that originally she was somewhat frightened, unwilling for Bi Zhi to gather a crowd to rebel against the officials. But Dongjun could no longer be returned to, and if they fled to another place again, Bi Zhi currently bore criminal charges, with his portrait pasted upon the city walls by Xue Tai offering a reward. The world being so vast, they feared it would also be difficult for them to find a place where they could settle down and establish their lives for the long term. Furthermore, those displaced people all bitterly entreated them, and she truly could not bear to abandon them; right now they could only temporarily enclose the land to protect themselves like this. She knew Xiao Qiao was in Yuyang and missed her immensely, wishing to know her recent situation.

She said that she had actually figured it out long ago; given her younger sister's consistent disposition, saying back then that she wished to marry another was merely an excuse to persuade herself. Within her heart, she felt both grateful and ashamed. Bi Zhi was even more grateful in his heart for the younger sister's fulfillment back then by marrying Wei Shao in her stead. Thus, he dispatched someone north to deliver this letter for her. Apart from reporting their safety, he also asked her to convey a verbal message: if there were any needs in the future, please do not hesitate to speak up, and Bi Zhi would definitely exert his efforts.

Da Qiao's letter was written very long, filling up an entire side of the parchment. Though there was a shallow anxiety, between the lines, Xiao Qiao appeared to read the revelation of her love for her husband, Bi Zhi, everywhere.

At the very end, she told Xiao Qiao that she had already become pregnant last month, and right now everything was fine. She asked Xiao Qiao not to worry and to take good care of herself, hoping that the sisters could have an opportunity in the future to gather at an early date, at which time they could detail the feelings of separation.

...

Xiao Qiao shut herself in the room alone, reading Da Qiao's letter repeatedly from beginning to end several times. Her eyes gleamed, and the surging of her heart could almost be described using the word "tempestuous."

The sisters had been separated for so long, and today she finally had news of her!

Not only were she and Bi Zhi living very well, but in such a chaotic world, Bi Zhi, just as she knew, ultimately still could not vanish into the crowd. Although right now in the eyes of the government, he was merely a bandit chief and was also far from forming a significant force, Xiao Qiao knew that given Bi Zhi's actions later in her past life, with the heroes contending for supremacy once more in this life, since he had already taken the first step, his future would bound to be extraordinary.

All of this was fine enough, but what caused her to feel most excited was still the news of Da Qiao's pregnancy.

Although her phrases were sparse and she did not use long, extensive text to detail her mood, Xiao Qiao nonetheless seemed to experience from her narration that kind of bashful and delighted happy mood she felt when writing down these characters. Along with it, her own mood became better as well.

The various kinds of gloom that had accumulated upon her heart over these past days suddenly appeared to have the clouds parted to reveal the sun, vanishing entirely.

Since marrying into the Wei family, although she possessed the affection and protection of Wei Shao's grandmother, Xiao Qiao on a daily basis almost walked on thin ice, observing expressions and counting words, responding carefully. The inherent inequality in status between the Qiao family and the Wei family, and the manner in which she married into the Wei family as a wife, dictated that for a very long period of time to come, she also lacked the confidence to place herself upon an equal marital status with Wei Shao.

Rather than saying she was Wei Shao's wife, it was better to say he was a superior she needed to completely suppress her natural instincts to respond to and deal with. Even if her husband occasionally revealed a pleased expression toward her, and even at such intimate moments as playing with her within the bed curtains, within a certain corner deep in her heart, there was always a voice reminding her at all times that she must not sink into it.

Yet she was ultimately also a mortal body of flesh and blood, difficult to fix her mind and nature, transcending everything. The grandmother possessed the virtue of a high mountain, drawing her wholehearted love and respect. Her husband, Wei Shao, though frequently beyond reason, in his treatment of her, was ultimately not completely heartless to the absolute end either; having associated for a long time, it was impossible for her not to carry a single shred of affection. Only then was it unavoidable that after her attempts at emotional communication with him were frustrated, thoughts of disappointment and even self-doubt arose.

Just like last night, she also knew that Wei Shao had successively encountered his wife being coveted by his elder brother—one wave not yet flattening before another rose—and subsequently had to face the predicament of the brotherhood dissolving, so it was unavoidable that his emotions would be abnormal. Given her current degree of association with him, it was also impossible for him to pour out everything to her. And it just so happened that her going over past by a coincidence of opportunity, only then drawing him to treat her that way. Therefore, although she was unwilling in her heart at that time, she still tried her best to cooperate with him.

It was merely that his reaction afterward was not within her expectations, so that kind of disappointment assailed her once more, to the point that her mood was terrible and she was unwilling to face it directly.

But at this moment, this letter of Da Qiao's that seemed to descend from the heavens suddenly caused Xiao Qiao's spirit to shake with great force. The self-doubt over many days, and even her ridiculous self-pity, all receded entirely.

The enmity between the Wei and Qiao families was placed right there. Her entry into the Wei family, from head to tail, was not even a year yet. Her current situation, compared to Da Qiao in the past life, was already unknown how many times better.

She remembered that when she had just married out, she had told herself that the path ahead would bound to be difficult.

Since she had long possessed such a realization, encountering a slight mishap now and then falling into self-pity and self-sorrow—if that was not spinning a cocoon to bind oneself and being foolish to the extreme, what else could it be?

As for Wei Shao's loathsomeness, it was not the first day she knew of it either. The firmness of an iceberg—she was no roaring furnace, so how could it melt into water in an instant. Why should she make things difficult for herself over this?

Right now, the urgent priority was, first, to take good care of her grandmother during her illness, absolutely never allowing her to have any mishap as she did in the past life. After Grandmother recovered, she would then find an excuse to return to Dongjun once. If she could further meet with the couple Bi Zhi and Da Qiao, it would be even more perfect.

As for this person Wei Shao, he was entirely too loathsome. He loved to throw tantrums; let him throw them himself then. She was also too lazy and weary to carefully flatter him further.

Once Xiao Qiao finished her thoughts, she instantly felt her mind and chest open wide, her depression completely relieved. Carefully hiding the letter away, she checked herself in the mirror, then stepped out the door to go toward the northern rooms.

Last night the Lord had not returned, and rising early in the morning, Nanny Chun saw Xiao Qiao's countenance was haggard and her thoughts were unsettled, so she was also concerned in her heart. Suddenly a letter arrived, and having shut herself inside the room, she came out looking radiant, appearing as if she had transformed into a completely different person. Nanny Chun also let out a sigh of relief. She could not resist asking about the origin of the letter.

Before Nanny Chun, Xiao Qiao also had nothing to conceal. After a brief pondering, she then spoke of the news of Da Qiao and Bi Zhi. But she only said the two of them were well and that Da Qiao was pregnant. She did not mention the rest.

Xiao Qiao had also previously told Nanny Chun about the matter of Da Qiao departing along with Bi Zhi. Hearing this news, she was exceptionally delighted. Accompanying Xiao Qiao along the way, as they were about to arrive at the northern rooms, seeing no one around, she lowered her voice and said, "The maid obtained a piece of news regarding the eastern rooms yesterday, saying that the Madam offended the Old Madam immensely a few days ago before her. At that time, the Old Madam was so enraged that she even flipped the desk, driving the Madam away. The Madam has been in terror these past few days, which is why she has not taken a single step out either. As for exactly what matter enraged the Old Madam, it cannot be found out for the time being."

Among the people serving in close proximity around Lady Zhu of the eastern rooms, there was an elderly woman named Nanny Huang who was considered to have some face. Because she was at odds with Nanny Jiang, Nanny Jiang frequently spoke words before Lady Zhu, and gradually Nanny Huang came to be disliked by Lady Zhu. Nanny Huang felt resentful in her heart, which was noticed by Nanny Chun, who gradually enticed her with favors. Right now, she was just like an informant Nanny Chun had planted over by the eastern rooms, and news would frequently come out.

Once Nanny Chun spoke like this, combining it with the matters that had occurred these past few days, Xiao Qiao then guessed that it ought to be related to Wei Yan's life origin. It was merely that this matter was entirely too secret; although the person Wei Yan had already departed, the servants within the Wei Estate still did not know a single fraction of it. Lady Zhu also only dared to speak it out before her son, and even to Nanny Jiang by her side, she did not dare mention a single phrase. It was also normal that the inside details could not be transmitted out.

Xiao Qiao then remained silent. They had also arrived at the northern rooms, and she quickened her steps to enter within.

Madame Xu had still not stepped off her couch in the morning, but she was awake. Xiao Qiao saw that although her complexion was still not too good-looking, her spirit looked a bit better compared to the first two days. Nanny Zhong was currently serving the medicine by her side. That kitty was squatting in the corner of the window sill, dozing off. Hearing the sound of Xiao Qiao's footsteps entering, it opened its eyes to take a glance, stretched its back, leaped down from the window sill, and rushed to the side of Xiao Qiao's feet to rub against them a few times.

Madame Xu took her medicine. Xiao Qiao received the empty bowl from Nanny Zhong's hand, and just as she was passing it down, Madame Xu appeared to remember something, asking, "Shao'er returned home yesterday evening, and after checking on me, he said he was going to the government office for business. Did he return late? Why have I not seen him come this morning?"

Just as Xiao Qiao was about to respond, a burst of footsteps rang out outside, and the servant woman at the doorway said, "The Lord arrives."

Xiao Qiao turned her head slightly, casting a glance, and saw a silhouette flash at the doorway. Sure enough, it was Wei Shao who had arrived.