The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 85

Chapter 85

A wave of fury erupted in Wei Shao’s heart. He stepped out of bed, strode over to the wardrobe, and rummaged around until he found a small, pink undergarment she usually wore. Gripping it tightly, he returned to the bed and let down the bed curtains.

The patterns on the curtains quivered slightly. After a moment, a long, releasing sigh exhaled from within.

Rising early the next morning, Wei Shao went to the northern quarters once again.

Because Xiao Qiao was not here, he had been sharing breakfast and dinner at Madame Xu's quarters ever since his return. Grandmother and grandson finished their meal in silence. Madame Xu took the warm water handed to her by Nurse Zhong, rinsed her mouth, and looked toward Wei Shao, who was preparing to stand up. "Shao'er, how many days until the main army returns to the city? Can you free yourself to go out recently?"

Wei Shao paused and said, "Does Grandmother have matters to instruct? Speak without hesitation. I just received a letter yesterday; the main army has reached Yidi and will arrive in Yuyang in seven or eight days. From then until next spring, they will primarily focus on resting and reorganizing, so there are no major affairs."

Madame Xu nodded, cast a glance at Nurse Zhong, and said, "After you left last night, Nurse Zhong and I chatted for a bit longer and mentioned your wife. Nurse Zhong originally came from Daliang and is intimately familiar with the customs of the Central Plains. I was reminded by her that in a little while, as the weather grows colder, the Yellow River is feared to freeze over, which would make travel inconvenient. If our granddaughter-in-law returns too late, she might be obstructed and trapped on the road..."

Wei Shao fixed his gaze upon Madame Xu.

Madame Xu smiled. "Grandmother truly misses her a bit. I cannot wait until next spring to see her return. Since you can set your affairs aside here, could you journey south on Grandmother's behalf to receive her and bring her back? For one, she can return earlier. Secondly, with you going to receive her, Grandmother will also be more at ease regarding the road."

The light in the depths of Wei Shao's eyes brightened slightly, yet his expression remained normal as ever. He merely said respectfully, "Since Grandmother has given the instruction, how could your grandson dare disobey? Once I send word to Master Gongsun and the Grand General to hand over the necessary matters, your grandson shall set out."

Madame Xu said with a smile, "Then I shall trouble you."

Wei Shao said, "Fulfilling filial duties for Grandmother is your grandson's proper bound."

...

Emerging from the northern quarters, Wei Shao’s footsteps were swift as he went straight to the government office. Lifting a brush, he set down a handwritten decree upon a bamboo section. Once finished, he affixed his personal tally-stamp and split it into two, ordering one half to be delivered to Gongsun Yang and the other half into Li Dian’s hands. With all other matters fully handed over, he took the dozen or so personal retainers who had previously returned early with him, dressed in civilian clothes, and departed Yuyang that very day, following the imperial highway southward.

His speed on this journey south was more than twice as fast compared to when Xiao Qiao had originally set out. It took a mere ten days or so to cross the ancient Wuchao Ferry point of the Yellow River, which was closest to Yanzhou. After traveling for a few more days, Yanzhou was right before his eyes.

Originally, he had been traveling at a rapid pace the entire way, but the closer he drew to Yanzhou, the more he slowly reduced his speed. On this day, having reached Dongjun, he halted his steps upon the imperial highway a full seventy to eighty li away from the walled city and advanced no further, dispatching Lei Yan, a capable personal retainer and Central Commandery General, to enter the city and deliver the news.

Riding a swift horse, Lei Yan entered Dongjun that same day and sought out the Qiao residence.

Qiao Ping was currently busy inside the Commandery Governor's office on this day when a family servant suddenly came to report that people from the Wei family of Yuyang had arrived to take the female lord away. Unable to help feeling astonished, he hurriedly put down the affairs at hand and rushed back to meet the person.

Lei Yan knew that this hurriedly arrived middle-aged man was his lord’s father-in-law, Dongjun Commandery Governor Qiao Ping. His attitude was quite respectful. Following Wei Shao’s instructions, he completely refrained from mentioning that the lord had come in person, merely stating that he had received orders to receive and take the female lord away. Because it was inconvenient for a large contingent to enter the city, they were waiting outside the city. Having finished speaking, he presented the letter-tally given by Wei Shao.

How could Qiao Ping ever imagine that Wei Shao would personally journey south to receive his daughter? Believing it to be true, he hurriedly expressed his apologies: "It is truly a stroke of bad timing to make the General travel in vain. My daughter left Dongjun just two days ago to visit old acquaintances in Xuzhou. At that time, she said she would return immediately after visiting Xuzhou and subsequently journey north to return home. The General and his men have traveled from afar through wind and dust and must be fatigued. Why not enter the city and take a brief rest for a few days in our humble area? Once my daughter returns to Dongjun, the General can receive her and journey north together, how about it?"

Lei Yan had originally thought the female lord was at home, and that he would simply receive her and leave according to the lord's command. He had not expected to miss her entirely, as the female lord had gone to Xuzhou. Hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Could the Governor inform me where in Xuzhou the female lord has gone?"

Xiao Qiao going to visit Bi Zhi and Da Qiao was not an unspeakable secret. Qiao Ping said, "I have a niece who grew up together with my daughter, and the two of them share a deep and solid affection. Currently, my niece resides in Lingbi with her husband, and my daughter went ahead to visit her kin. At the fastest, she will return in five or six days. At the slowest, it will be no more than seven or eight days. What does the General think of entering the city to wait for a few days?"

Lei Yan could not make the decision on his own. Expressing his thanks politely with a few phrases, he first took his leave and departed, saying he would exit the city first and discuss it before deciding.

Qiao Ping escorted him out. Lei Yan repeatedly requested him to halt his steps, and subsequently hurried out of the city.

Wei Shao was waiting by the roadside outside the city. From afar, he finally saw Lei Yan return, yet he had left alone and returned alone; looking behind him, no carriage was to be seen. Having finished listening to Lei Yan's report, his brows furrowed slightly.

Lei Yan said, "Governor Qiao repeatedly requested us to stay. Should the Lord enter the city and wait for the female lord to return, then receive her and journey north together?"

Wei Shao turned his head, casting a glance at that imperial highway that continued to lead south.

"He said the female lord only went to Lingbi the day before yesterday?"

Lei Yan responded in the affirmative.

Wei Shao pondered for a moment.

Although he resided in the north, he was not unfamiliar with the geography of the south, particularly the strategic passes and imperial highways connecting various places.

Xuzhou had always been a place contested by military strategists, and Wei Shao was even more clear on its geographical passages in his heart.

From Dongjun to Lingbi, she would undoubtedly travel by horse carriage upon the imperial highway, traveling by day and resting by night, which would take four days at the fastest. Currently, only two days had passed. If he set out immediately and took a shortcut via side paths first, he would certainly be able to arrive before her at Jiuli Pass, a necessary passage leading to Lingbi. Waiting there, he would be able to intercept her contingent, which was superior to remaining here and waiting in vain.

Furthermore, from the depths of his heart, he remained extremely resistant to dealing further with the Qiao family.

Having made up his mind, Wei Shao no longer hesitated. He immediately turned around and continued southward, changing to a wild shortcut through the wilderness. Into the night, pausing only for brief rests in between, he turned back onto the imperial highway by midday of the following day.

From here to Jiuli Pass was a fast horse journey of a mere half-day. He should soon be able to intercept her up ahead.

Imagining her startled expression when she suddenly saw him appear before her, Wei Shao not only felt no fatigue, but his entire being was full of vigor. The dozen or so personal retainers following him were also forged through a hundred battles; if they were not strong, they would be incapable of following. With their lord behaving in this manner, they naturally risked their lives to follow closely, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

As the contingent passed villages along the way, they constantly saw villagers traveling upon the road with their families in tow. Some walked, while others pushed wheelbarrows, all seemingly heading toward the direction of Jiuli Pass, their faces carrying expressions of grief.

Wei Shao did not pay attention at first. But as they traveled along and passed a few more villages, it remained the case. Doubt arose in his heart. Coincidentally, the horses had also run until they were fatigued, so he ordered a halt by the roadside to feed them bean cakes for a temporary rest, instructing Lei Yan to inquire.

Lei Yan stopped some villagers and asked a few questions, returning very quickly. He reported, "The villagers have heard rumors that Xue Tai intends to breach the upstream Huai River dike and submerge the land of Xiao. Because this area is low-lying, they fear it will be transformed into a watery kingdom together, hence they are fleeing for their lives one after another."

Wei Shao pondered as he saw a group of villagers fleeing the disaster together approaching from the opposite side, so he walked over.

Seeing this group of people, although all were in ordinary attire, their horses were sleek and their men robust, carrying blades upon their persons with a heroic and martial aura, unlike local residents.

In such times, for small citizens like them, wanting to seek a home to make a living was not easy, so how could they dare provoke them? Intending to yield and pass by from the side, they saw the young man in the center walk over, and could only halt and watch, their eyes revealing a slight fear and wariness.

Wei Shao walked before the villagers and asked for further details. Seeing that he was unexpectedly amiable, the villagers' fear gradually dissipated, and they came forward one after another to voice their grievances.

It turned out that last month, Xue Tai attacked the land of Xiao, which belonged to Yang Xin and was located not far from here.

The land of Xiao choked the water passage of the Huai River and was geographically important, an area that could not be lost. Yang Xin dispatched men to defend it to the death. Xue Tai was unable to capture it after a long siege, so he devised a strategy: dividing his troops into two routes, one route continued to besiege the city, while the other route bypassed to the upstream location behind the land of Xiao, intending to breach the dike and draw a great flood to pour in, submerging the entire city.

This place was not far from the land of Xiao and the terrain was low-lying. The citizens of nearby villages and counties had heard the rumors and, fearing they would suffer incidental disaster like fish in a pond, fled one after another to seek refuge.

"Last year there was a drought, and the harvest was miserable. This autumn we finally managed to harvest grain, only to encounter a flood. In such times, how are people supposed to live—"

Speaking to the point of sorrow, the villagers wiped their tears one after another.

Wei Shao watched the figures of the villagers departing with the old and young supported, standing silently for a moment.

"Lord, the horses are well-rested and we can take to the road."

Lei Yan stepped forward and said.

Wei Shao cast a glance toward the direction of Jiuli Pass. Spacing out for a moment, he said slowly, "Change routes. Follow me to go and meet Xue Tai."

...

The next day, Xiao Qiao’s contingent passed Jiuli Pass, entered Lingbi, and finally arrived at the destination of this journey, seeing Da Qiao, whom she had been separated from for a long time.

The sisters met, their four eyes gazing at each other, bringing a sensation as if a lifetime had passed.

"Elder Sister!"

Xiao Qiao called out, running over with rapid steps, and the two of them tightly clasped their four hands together. They were incomparably excited.

Da Qiao's eyes turned red, and calling out "Younger Sister," tears fell pattern by pattern down her face.

Xiao Qiao assisted her to sit down and wiped away the tears upon her face. The two sisters recounted the sorrow of separation, and their emotions gradually settled down.

Xiao Qiao scrutinized Da Qiao, seeing her currently heavily pregnant, her physique also appearing more plump than in the past. Although her hands and feet were swollen due to the pregnancy, making her walking a bit slow, her complexion was quite good, bringing immense joy to her heart. Staring at her round belly for a good while, she could not resist leaning her face over to nuzzle against it, and touched her belly, saying, "Aunt has come to see the good baby. Good baby must be good, do not make my elder sister strained!"

Da Qiao smiled. Holding Xiao Qiao for a moment, she finally raised her hand, tenderly brushing a lock of hair from her temple behind her ear, and said, "Younger Sister, after your brother-in-law and I left, I slowly came to understand clearly. On that day, you saying you wanted to substitute for me and marry the Yanhour was merely an excuse for you to make me leave at peace. I am living well, yet you entered the Wei family in my stead. This past year, my heart has frequently been uneasy. Until not long ago, through Young Master Zong's mouth, I learned of your recent situation, and only then did my heart settle slightly. This past year, it must not have been easy for you, right?"

Xiao Qiao let out a brilliant smile: "Elder Sister, you simply do not know. The Wei family Grandmother is an extremely good person and treats me well too. For me to be able to successfully journey south and return home this time was due to the care of her old ladyship."

"Your husband—does he treat you well?"

Seeing her pair of beautiful eyes watching her, her expression carrying anxiety mixed with guilt, Xiao Qiao paused for a moment, pressing her lips close to Da Qiao’s ear to whisper: "He treats me well too. If I strike him, he does not get angry at me either."

Da Qiao was stunned. Seeing Xiao Qiao looking at her with a beaming smile, her face full of playfulness, she came to her senses and could not resist losing her smile: "The Yanhour treats you well, how can you be so ill-mannered?"

Xiao Qiao said, "He provoked and angered me first."

Da Qiao shook her head: "Even so, you cannot strike your husband! I was originally still worried..."

Xiao Qiao let out a giggle, interrupting her: "Elder Sister, you just put your mind at ease! I will live very well myself!"

Da Qiao knew the grievances of the previous generation between the Qiao and Wei families remained unresolved. Previously in Dongjun, she had also heard of some matters regarding the Yanhour, Wei Shao. Learning of his methods in handling Li Su, she could not help but shudder. Although she had not seen the man, since he was the hegemon of a region, in her imagination he ought to have an inspiring and inviolable appearance, yet she had not expected him to get along with her younger sister like this in private.

Since she married Bi Zhi, Bi Zhi was considerate toward her in every way, and she herself was of a gentle nature, making it truly difficult to imagine how the Yanhour could provoke her younger sister to be struck, yet he did not get angry either.

It was simply that for most men, if they were struck by their wives and yet felt no anger, one could imagine the immense affection.

She had originally been filled with guilt all along, having obtained an ideal husband herself yet causing her younger sister to fall deep into a difficult position. Looking at it now, it was a case of blundering into the right path; her younger sister and the Yanhour were also in perfect harmony, extraordinarily deeply in love.

Da Qiao finally put her mind completely at ease, grasping Xiao Qiao’s hand and saying, "Since you have come this time, remain for a few more days. When it is time to leave, I shall have your brother-in-law personally escort you back to Yuyang.”