The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 80
Chapter 80
Xiao Qiao noted that Madame Xu seemed slightly taken aback. Meeting her gaze, she explained, "I am well aware that this is truly an unreasonable request. My husband is currently away on a military campaign, and Grandmother is of an advanced age and has only just recovered from a bout of illness a few days ago. By all accounts, I ought to remain at home with peace of mind, accompanying Grandmother as we await my husband's triumphant return. However, there is truly a reason for this matter. This morning, I received a letter from my younger brother in Dongjun, stating that my paternal aunt has been bedridden with illness for some time now. My mother passed away early, and during my time at home in Dongjun, I received immense care from my aunt, who treated me like her own daughter. My aunt has no sons, and has only one daughter—my elder sister—beneath her knees. Last year, when I was wed, a bit of a mishap occurred on my sister's end, and she was not at home either. Now, suddenly learning of my aunt's illness, I am deeply concerned in my heart. Therefore, although I clearly know I ought not to open my mouth, I still come to beg before Grandmother's knees. I earnestly implore Grandmother to permit me to return home for a trip. Once I have visited my aunt, I shall rush back as early as possible."
After Xiao Qiao finished speaking, her eyes filled with anticipation as she looked toward Madame Xu.
Madame Xu's expression was one of concern. The moment she finished speaking, she immediately said, "This is but human nature; how can it be called unreasonable? What I detest most in my life is the saying, 'A married daughter is like spilt water.' If raising a daughter to marry means she must sever all interactions with her maternal family for the rest of her life, where is the human affection in that? Go ahead, it matters not on my end. Hand down the matters of the household that need to be transferred, and leave the rest to the internal managers. Set out as quickly as possible."
Pondering slightly, she added, "My only concern is your safety on the road. Fortunately, the route south from Youzhou to Jizhou is entirely under Shao'er's jurisdiction; the journey will undoubtedly be without incident. Once you exit Jizhou, I shall send a message to the Commandery Governor to dispatch armed troops to escort you across the river, delivering you straight to Yanzhou. After you visit the sick, just return at an early date."
Yanzhou and Youzhou were separated by the Yellow River, a distance far exceeding a thousand li. Xiao Qiao had only been married for a year, so wanting to return to her maiden home at this time was something she knew was difficult to voice.
It was merely that this notion had originally existed and had been revolving in her mind for a long while. Coupled with the news of her aunt's illness that happened to arrive at this juncture, she simply took the opportunity to bring it up.
Xiao Qiao also knew that since she had opened her mouth at this time, given Madame Xu's open-mindedness, even if she were not entirely pleased in her heart, she would likely permit it.
She had not expected her to agree so readily and consider everything so thoroughly. Down in her heart, she could not help but feel a shred of guilt over that small intention she had been harboring all along—one that she absolutely could not let anyone in the Wei family know.
However, every single time she recalled that outcome from her past life—which had caused her countless nightmares and which she still did not dare slacken against in the slightest—she would tell herself that making some preparations was not wrong.
Grandmother was truly wonderful. Coupled with the matter from this time, if she remained alive and well, she would be like a stabilizing anchor for herself and the Qiao family.
But Grandmother was of an advanced age after all. Although she had escaped a calamity this time by virtue of her knowledge from her past life and a few measures of good luck, she did not know how things would unfold in the future.
In the event that Grandmother passed away one day, leaving behind only Wei Shao—judging solely by her experience of interacting with him over the past year—once Madame Xu was gone, who knew if he would turn hostile in the future, or what would happen if he did?
One could think or act in an optimistic, positive direction, but one absolutely could not fail to prepare a path of retreat for oneself.
Even if Wei Shao had expressed immense infatuation toward her in bed, she would never forget this point for even a moment.
Xiao Qiao then revealed a joyful look of gratitude, bowing to thank Madame Xu.
Madame Xu nodded with a smile: "Go back and pack your luggage. I hope your aunt's illness recovers quickly and that you return early as well. I shall also prepare some items here for you to bring along as gifts for your elders."
The last time Qiao Ci and his party came, the Qiao family had prepared lavish gifts for both Madame Xu and Lady Zhu. Courtesy demanded reciprocity; since she was returning, it was only natural for Madame Xu to return the favor.
Xiao Qiao bowed in gratitude once more.
...
Everything was busy and bustling. Because she was rushing back to visit the sick, there were not so many meticulous formalities. After a day of preparation, on this day at the beginning of the eleventh month, Xiao Qiao bade farewell to Madame Xu, took Chunniang along to leave Yuyang, and boarded the imperial highway leading south.
Wei Liang was currently accompanying Wei Shao on the campaign this time. Madame Xu selected the Tiger Brave General Jia Si to lead thirty-two men to escort Xiao Qiao on her journey. All thirty-two men were chosen from the Wei family's Tiger Brave personal guards, specializing in protective duties and being extremely reliable. After exiting the city, they rushed on their way by day and lodged at post stations by night, traveling the exact same road Xiao Qiao had taken when she journeyed north to be married a year ago.
She still remembered how unpredictable the future had seemed back then, her mood filled with trepidation. Now, a year had flown by in a flash. Though what lay ahead remained unknown, her state of mind compared to a year ago was vastly different. They passed Fanyang, Renqiu, and Hejian in sequence, and after seven or eight days, they entered Jizhou. After traveling for nearly another half a month, they arrived in Guangping.
The Commandery Governor of Guangping had already received Madame Xu's swift horse report long ago. He received Xiao Qiao's party to continue escorting them south, gradually drawing near the great crossing of the Yellow River.
By this time, they had already been traveling for more than half a month, and this area was no longer Wei Shao's territory. The closer they drew to the Yellow River region in the heartland of the Central Plains, the more the livelihoods of the people appeared withered and desolated due to many years of military chaos and ceaseless contention—where one force would arrive today and another tomorrow. The soldiers were like bandits, scraping the earth three feet deep wherever they passed. The imperial highways were ruined, the fields on both sides were gradually abandoned, and bleached bones were even exposed in the wilderness. Aside from the walled cities, they sometimes traveled for half a day without encountering a single village with a crowing rooster. Even if human habitation remained, those left behind were nothing more than the old, weak, sick, and disabled.
Compared to what Xiao Qiao had seen during her journey north last year, it was even a few degrees more desolate.
Coming out from Youzhou, which resembled an era of peace and prosperity, and witnessing such ruined and desolated scenes—though she well knew that such spectacles were not to be wondered at in a troubled world—she still could not avoid feeling a bit moved. It was only further down, as they gradually drew near Jibei, that the villages and market towns along the route gradually showed signs of recovery. Although these places were also volatile, the various warlord forces held each other in check, so even if warfare erupted, it would not persist continuously for months and years on end.
A month later, on this day at the beginning of the twelfth month, Xiao Qiao's party finally entered the borders of Yanzhou.
On the evening of the second day, before they arrived in Dongjun, while traveling on the road, they saw a contingent of horses and men bearing the banners of the Qiao family approaching from afar.
Qiao Ci had come to welcome his elder sister.
Jia Si had dispatched a swift horse ahead several days ago to send word to Dongjun, the administrative seat of Yanzhou. Upon receiving the letter and learning that his daughter was unexpectedly returning home unannounced at this time, Qiao Ping was wild with joy, immediately dispatching Qiao Ci onto the road to welcome her.
The brother and sister finally met.
Over this past month, the journey had been covered in wind and dust. Xiao Qiao had been anxious about the illness of her aunt, Madame Ding, and had also been guessing her father's reaction upon receiving her letter, so her heart was actually not at ease.
But from the moment she stepped onto the territory of Yanzhou yesterday, all of Xiao Qiao's fatigue from the journey was entirely swept away.
Although it had only been two or three months since Qiao Ci returned from Yuyang, he was likewise extraordinarily joyful that his elder sister was returning home unannounced at this moment. In truth, given his disposition, he wished his sister would just stay upon her return this time and never return to Yuyang again in the future. The brother and sister conversed for a few phrases, and Xiao Qiao inquired about Madame Ding. Learning that although her complexion had not improved, her illness had not worsened either, her heart finally settled down a bit. Because the sky was turning late and they were rushing to return to the city, they immediately set out. Qiao Ci unexpectedly told the driver to step down, taking the driver's seat himself to personally drive the carriage for Xiao Qiao.
The journey was smooth, and late into the night, the party entered the city gates of Dongjun and returned home.
The servants passed inside the news of the young master and young mistress's arrival, and Qiao Ping, who had been looking forward with anticipation, personally rushed outside the main gate to welcome them.
The moment he saw Xiao Qiao, seeing the faint glimmer of tears in his daughter's eyes and hearing her call him "Father" in her familiar, delicate voice, Qiao Ping's heart was also filled with a mixture of sorrow and joy at that instant. It was merely that before the servants, he exerted his utmost not to reveal it, personally receiving his daughter as if receiving a precious treasure.
Because it was late, the elders of the main branch on his elder brother Qiao Yue's side had already retired for the night, and it was even less proper to disturb his aunt's rest at this hour. Qiao Ping told his daughter that it would not be too late to go over and pay her respects tomorrow morning. Although he had a mountain of words to say, he simply felt distressed over the jolting his daughter had endured on the road, so he let her go rest, personally escorting her to the door of her former maiden chamber.
Pushing open the door, Xiao Qiao scanned her surroundings, looking at this familiar room she had once lived in. Seeing that the arrangements inside had not changed in the slightest—even that faded and aged beautiful-woman kite she had personally painted still hung upon the wall—her heart was slowly filled with emotion. Turning her head to look at her father, she thanked him.
With his daughter returning home from afar, Qiao Ping's mood was light and carefree, and he laughed heartily: "Silly girl, what is there to thank me for? Even though you have married out, could it be that your father wouldn't keep a room for you here?"
Not having seen him for a year, her father appeared a bit more haggard than in Xiao Qiao's memory. When he smiled, although his appearance remained as elegant and natural as ever, living up to the fine reputation of his youth as the "Gentleman of Dongjun," the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were also clearer.
He was indeed not yet forty, originally at the prime of a man's life when the accumulation of years brought the most charm, and even more a time when he ought to display his grand ambitions. Yet for the sake of assisting her paternal uncle, he had borne resentment and labor without complaint, toiling to such an extent.
In Yanzhou, Xiao Qiao's paternal uncle Qiao Yue had inherited the position of family head, holding onto power and taking charge of the overall framework, responsible for pointing out the path forward together with his retainers. The numerous and complicated practical matters carried out beneath them—such as levying grain, collecting taxes, managing the people's livelihoods, organizing troops, and strengthening ramparts—were almost entirely implemented by Qiao Ping. Doing his duty well brought no praise; doing it poorly was a dereliction of duty.
Xiao Qiao felt distressed and could not resist saying, "Father ought to pay attention to your health and not toil excessively. I see that you seem a bit older compared to last year before I left."
Qiao Ping looked at his daughter. Illuminated by the candlelight, he saw that she had grown even more striking than when she was in her maiden years, her countenance radiant. Coupled with his son's return from Yuyang last time—hearing his implicit words that although his son-in-law Wei Shao was cold and distant, how he actually treated his daughter was also unknown, but the old lady of the Wei family was an extremely open-minded person who, from Qiao Ci's meaning, appeared to protect his daughter quite a bit—his heart had only then settled down slightly. Now, seeing his daughter looking at him with concern evident in her expression, he smiled faintly and said, "Your father knows. Conversely, daughter, being there by yourself, you must take even better care of yourself.”