The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Wei Shao walked straight to Madame Xu's bedside without looking to either side. Bending his body down, he inquired about her condition and her medicine this morning.

To one side, Nanny Zhong responded on her behalf, saying that the Old Madam’s chest tightness and headaches from the previous two days had already improved somewhat, and she had also just taken her medicine in the morning. A bit later, a physician would enter the estate for a follow-up consultation.

Wei Shao observed his grandmother’s complexion. Seeing that her spirit truly looked quite well, he turned his head toward Nanny Zhong and said, "I have troubled you to expend your heart, Nanny."

Nanny Zhong smiled slightly and said, "I dare not take the credit. The Lord was not present these past few days, and the Madam attended to the Old Madam at her couch side morning and night. Yesterday, she personally stayed by the stove to watch over the brewing of the medicine. She was very attentive."

Xiao Qiao saw that since entering the room, only now did he raise his eyelids to look toward her.

She met his gaze for a moment, then cast her sight onto Madame Xu upon the bed.

Madame Xu said, "I am already much more refreshed; you do not need to worry. Since there are many matters in the government office, go along and busy yourself." She then looked toward Xiao Qiao and smiled gently, "You have also suffered from the exhaustion along with me these past two days. Seeing you as soon as you arrived this morning, your small face was completely pale, and your eye sockets were also sunken in a bit. I imagine you did not sleep well last night either. I have no need for you here for the time being; you go back and rest."

Xiao Qiao actually did not wish to leave in her heart.

Before Madame Xu’s diseased body was fully recovered, she wished she could move over to live together with her, watching over her morning, night, day, and night before her heart could feel at ease. It was merely that Madame Xu had already opened her mouth like this, and her spirit also looked quite well this morning. If she insisted on remaining further, it would unavoidably carry the suspicion of deliberately making a show of filial piety. Thinking for a moment, she then said, "I am not tired. Multiplied thanks for Grandmother’s condescending affection. In that case, I will return to my room first. When the physician arrives, this grandson's wife will come again." Having finished speaking, she then bid farewell side by side with Wei Shao. The moment the two of them stepped out the room door, her eyes looked straight ahead. She did not look at Wei Shao beside her, and even less did she wait for him to go first as she did on ordinary days, striding straight forward.

Wei Shao initially paused for a moment at the doorway, speaking a couple of phrases with Nanny Chun, who was waiting to come forward to make small talk. Turning his head, he saw that Xiao Qiao actually had not waited for him. Lifting her skirt hem slightly, she descended the steps, actually leaving him behind as she departed. Staring at her back silhouette, he could not help but be taken aback.

Xiao Qiao quickly exited the northern rooms, walking neither fast nor slow upon that paved path. Nanny Chun, seeing that the Lord was also present, walked slowly herself, falling behind.

Wei Shao quickened his steps by a few paces, catching up to Xiao Qiao. Walking abreast with her, he cast a glance at her profile and said, "These past few days have been hard on you."

Xiao Qiao said, "It is my duty. Furthermore, I truly did not do much."

Wei Shao saw that her eyes were consistently looking straight ahead. Although she was also speaking with him, she had not turned her head to look at him even once. Within his heart, he then felt as if he had encountered her cold shoulder, and it was unavoidable that he felt it was uninteresting. Shutting his mouth, he also ceased to speak further, quickening his pace to surpass her, walking ahead by himself. Arriving at that three-way junction, he originally wished to return directly back to the government office, but after a slight hesitation, he still turned toward the western rooms.

Xiao Qiao entered the room. Seeing Wei Shao standing inside the room, she said expressionlessly, "Please change my clothes."

What he wore upon his body was still that set of casual clothing he had worn when going out last night. Facing the public at the government office during the day was indeed improper.

Recently, it had always been Xiao Qiao who personally did this kind of thing for him. What he needed to wear to go to the government office, and what he ordinarily needed to wear, to the point of the matching of the inner and outer boots, socks, and waistbands—Xiao Qiao had long since known them clearly in her heart. Seeing him standing there completely motionless, putting on the airs of a grand master once more, she felt annoyed in her heart. She turned around, intending to call the servant women to enter together, yet she heard him say, "I do not want others. The scent of their hair oil is too heavy; it assails the nose!"

Nanny Lin within the western rooms, including Nanny Chun, as well as several other young maidservants, all liked to use a kind of hair oil that diffused a dense fragrance. Their washing of their heads and bathing was also not as frequent as Xiao Qiao's. When the hair oil mixed with sebum and one drew near, the fragrance was indeed somewhat assailing to the nose. It was merely that Xiao Qiao was together with them morning and night and had grown accustomed to the smell, so she did not feel anything of it. He was fastidious. Xiao Qiao threw a glance at him, personally going over to retrieve a set of his dark ceremonial robe and plain skirt uniform.

When Xiao Qiao went before him to help him change his clothes, Wei Shao consistently lowered his head, watching her intently. He suddenly said, "Since rising first thing in the morning, I have not seen you smile once."

Xiao Qiao said with a cold face, "Grandmother's body is unwell; where would I get the mood to flirt and smile?"

Wei Shao paused.

Xiao Qiao commanded him to turn around. Wei Shao then turned around according to her. After turning back, he took a look at her and spoke again, "What time did you leave last night? The moment I woke up, I did not see you anymore."

This time when he spoke, his voice lowered instead, as if carrying a bit of caution.

Xiao Qiao still did not raise her eyes to look at him, saying indifferently, "You were asleep. If I did not leave, should I have remained there to wait until you woke up to continue serving you?"

Wei Shao instantly recalled the wild frenzy within the study of the government office last night. Swallowing a mouthful of saliva, he then had no words.

Xiao Qiao finished helping him change his clothes. She retrieved a black leather cap waistband, fastening it with a belt hook inlaid with five pieces of blue, ocher, brown, red, and green gemstones as ornaments. She then retrieved the golden fish tally representing status, placing it into a dark fish bag embroidered with gold thread, suspending it at his waist along with that precious sword he ordinarily wore.

"It is settled..."

Xiao Qiao said, finally smoothing the sword tassel, yet she saw Wei Shao suddenly raise his arm on one side. His palm propped up her chin, raising her face up to face him. His thumb gently rubbed the skin of her cheek on one side as he bent down, bringing his face a bit closer to her. Using a low, magnetic voice, he said, "Last night it was I who was no good, causing you to suffer. Your face is entirely pale, and your eye sockets are also sunken in. Grandmother even saw it. There are also people in attendance over at the northern rooms; you do not need to go again during the day. Go back to sleep properly yourself for a while."

Xiao Qiao finally raised her eyes, seeing his two eyes looking down at her, the dark gaze within looking as if it were actually quite concerned. Twisting her face slightly, she left his hand, and only then did she smile a bit, saying, "Thanks to Husband. I know it myself as well."

Wei Shao suppressed himself again and again, finally seizing the opportunity to speak aloud that bit of words he had spent some time brewing just now—words he himself thought were very tender. Yet seeing her being neither hot nor cold, without any major reaction, it was just like pressing a hot face against a cold backside, causing his heart to feel stifled once more. At this moment, his clothes were also changed, and there was no reason to remain in the room further. Furthermore, he had been away for several days, and there were already many people waiting first thing this morning at the government office, so he truly had no leisure to delay further. Straightening his expression, he restored that lordly face of ordinary days, turned around, and went out.

Xiao Qiao escorted him for a few paces. After exiting the room door, she watched his back silhouette leave the courtyard, and she herself returned to the room.

...

Wei Shao spurred his horse to go to the government office.

When he was within Yuyang City, his ordinary daily routine was almost a two-points-and-one-line transit between the Wei Estate and the government office morning and night. If there were no exceptions, the hour of the morning when he passed through this street was also extremely precise—generally at the beginning of the hour of Chen, varying by no more than fifteen minutes. Therefore, the residents and vendors on both sides of the street all recognized the Lord. Seeing him high upon his horse's back once more at this time this morning, with his left and right attendants following behind him, arriving from afar, they one after another stopped the matters at their hands, standing on both sides of the street to salute and express their regards.

Wei Shao's mood was not high, and his mind was absent. He did not urge his horse, passing through in this neither-fast-nor-slow manner all along the way. When he was about to finish walking this street, not very far from the government office, a burst of crisp, jingling sounds suddenly rang out from the opposite side, and a magnificent, lightweight carriage gradually drove over. The front of the carriage was enveloped with purple smoke gauze, and a pair of distinctive golden bells hung from the left and right corners. As it drew closer, it could be faintly seen that a lady appeared to be seated within the smoke gauze. The carriage moved forward, the golden bells continuously releasing pleasant, jingling sounds, attracting many staring gazes upon the road.

Wei Shao, in his capacity as the Lord, was naturally accustomed to taking the center when traveling in Yuyang. That carriage also traveled the middle path. When it drew a bit closer, they were about to encounter each other in the middle of the path.

A thread of the Lord's heroic soul that had drifted away to who-knew-where was finally recalled by that sound of the golden bells. Raising his head to see that it was a carriage facing him that was about to block his path, he felt displeased, frowning. He suddenly saw that carriage come to a halt. A jade hand wearing a large, bright red ruby ring resembling a pigeon's egg on its middle finger poked out from the side of that purple smoke gauze, gently flicking the light gauze aside. Following that, a vivid young matron's face was revealed within the carriage. One could see her dark hair and emerald brows, her lips dotted with vermillion, a beautiful hibiscus face, and a pair of eyes full of affection like water. The side of her hair was inserted with an exquisite dangling hairpin; along with her action of poking her head out, the gold and jade collided wildly, releasing a rustling sound of impact.

This young matron was beautifully dressed and possessed an outstanding grace. The moment her head poked out, many gazes along the path were cast toward her. Her gaze, however, looked solely toward Wei Shao upon the horse's back opposite her, her face revealing pleasant surprise as she actually blurted out a call: "Er-lang!"

Wei Shao's sight fell toward the young matron opposite him. His gaze paused for a moment, revealing a slight look of surprise, and he halted his horse for a moment.

Having just blurted it out, this young matron subsequently appeared to realize it was improper once more, hastily changing her words: "Not having met for many years, I did not know I would actually encounter an old acquaintance like this today; it is truly a great fortune. It is inconvenient for this concubine to step down from the carriage, so I can only offer a bow from within the carriage, hoping the Lord will not blame the loss of etiquette."

At the time she spoke, a maidservant traveling by the side of the carriage had already come over to pull the light gauze up. The young matron was indeed within the carriage, offering a hollow bow toward Wei Shao upon the horse, and immediately rising gracefully, a pair of bright eyes casting over once more.

A young matron who was both beautiful and gorgeous nonetheless possessed such a hoarse voice that was extremely mismatched with her external appearance, as if revealing a segment of haggardness and vicissitude that was reluctant to be spoken aloud. Generally, when men heard it, it was always unavoidable that they would feel a wave of pity uncontrollably within the depths of their hearts, wishing to know those stories of encounters behind her haggardness and vicissitude.

Wei Shao gazed at this gorgeous young matron before him, who appeared already unable to overlap with that shadow deep within his youthful memories. After a brief moment, he nodded his head and said, "When did the Madam arrive in Yuyang? I actually did not know."

Su Ehuang said, "It was precisely the Luli Grand Assembly several days ago. This concubine possesses a nephew by marriage named Su Xin, who also came to attend the assembly. This concubine traveled together along with him, originally to cheer him on."

Hearing the two words Su Xin, Wei Shao seemed to recall something, frowning his brows slightly.

Su Ehuang raised her face slightly, gazing at him as she spoke again, "Because of his eagerness to seek victory, my nephew completely lacked demeanor on that day, actually striking and injuring the young Master Qiao. I was seated upon the viewing platform at that time, seeing it with absolute clarity. Within my heart these past few days, I have felt ashamed. Originally I wished to bring my nephew to go and express apologies on the following day, but unfortunately, during those two days, my old ailment of headaches flared up, and I could only remain at the relay station to nurse my body in tranquility. It was only until yesterday when the person became a bit better that I managed to learn that the young Master Qiao had already returned to Yanzhou, leaving my heart all the more guilty and unsettled. Last night I actually spent a sleepless night, and visiting the door today, first is to pay respects to the maternal grand-aunt, and second, to express apologies to the Madam."

Upon a horse following behind the carriage, a young man stepped down; it was precisely the Su Xin of that day.

Su Xin bore a face of shame, arriving before Wei Shao's horse to apologize and admit his mistake without pause, his appearance extremely repentant.

Wei Shao cast a glance at Su Xin, saying indifferently, "Dispense with the expression of apologies; my wife did not place it upon her heart either."

"Multiplied thanks for the Lord's great magnanimity; this concubine is extremely grateful."

Su Ehuang's gaze moved slightly, falling upon Wei Shao's face: "In that case, I shall go to pay respects to the maternal grand-aunt."

Wei Shao said, "Grandmother has a minor ailment these past two days; I fear it is inconvenient to see guests. The Madam can select another day to come again."

Su Ehuang revealed a look of concern: "What ailment did the maternal grand-aunt contract? Is it serious? In that case, this concubine must go all the more to visit the old elderly person. I still remember when I was young in the past, during those few years I spent in Yuyang, I received much care from the maternal grand-aunt. Entering and exiting your noble estate was just like my own home. The various past matters of former times are just like yesterday, and this concubine frequently records them upon the tip of my heart. Right now, since I have arrived in Yuyang and further know her old elderly person's body suffers from discomfort, how can this concubine pass the door knowing clearly yet failing to enter?"

Wei Shao appeared to hesitate for a moment, but in the end, he still said, "If you truly must go to visit, going for a bit is fine as well. Only, you do not need to remain for too long, lest you disturb Grandmother's rest."

Su Ehuang appeared to let out a sigh of relief, hastily responding, and further offered her deep thanks to him.

Wei Shao nodded his head slightly toward her, spurring his horse to pass by from the side of the carriage.

Su Ehuang turned her head, watching Wei Shao's silhouette depart into the distance through the viewing window. Letting down the light gauze, she gave a command.

The carriage continued forward, moving toward the front amid the accompanying jingling sounds of the golden bells.

When about to arrive before the gate of the Wei Estate, Su Ehuang retrieved a bronze mirror from beneath her seat, facing the bronze mirror to use a handkerchief to wipe away a layer of rouge above her face and lips. She further pulled out that dazzling dangling hairpin from between her hair. Discerning herself before the mirror for a turn, only then did she place it back.