The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 103

Chapter 103

The following day, Wei Shao became as weak as a soft-shelled shrimp.

In the morning, Gongsun Yang, Li Chong, Zhang Jian, and Wei Liang came to visit one after another.

At first, Xiao Qiao felt a bit embarrassed, constantly suspecting that the sounds from the previous night had reached their ears. Fortunately, the few of them looked no different than usual. Gongsun Yang wore a smile, his attitude warm yet respectful. Li Chong, Zhang Jian, and Wei Liang shared the exact same lineage of temperament as the "Lord Marquis" Wei Shao—all of them possessed perfectly serious, solemn faces, addressing her as the Lady without a single sidelong glance, exchanging a few pleasantries, looking no different from ordinary days.

Only then did Xiao Qiao gradually calm her mind.

While the men were present, Wei Shao sat up perfectly straight, brimming with energy and conversing with fluid eloquence.

The moment they left, however, he went limp and draped himself over Xiao Qiao's body, looking thoroughly like someone suffering from overindulgence and physical exhaustion.

Startled, Xiao Qiao hurriedly supported him back into bed.

The moment he lay down, Wei Shao wrapped his arms around her and refused to let go.

Xiao Qiao forcefully slapped his hands away, pulling a stern face to lecture him, saying, "Your sick body has not recovered yet; you are supposed to rest quietly. I came here to care for you so you would get better sooner. If you act like this again, I am leaving!"

While it was true that Wei Shao had been as fierce as a dragon or tiger the previous night, his current state as a soft-shelled shrimp was half to tease her and half because he truly felt a bit physically depleted today.

He naturally desired to recover as quickly as possible; how could he not understand the principle that one must not indulge themselves while ill? Furthermore, before Gongsun Yang left that night, likely out of concern, he had given him an exceedingly subtle and veiled reminder.

It was simply that upon seeing her sudden arrival last night, his passions had been stirred beyond control, leaving him unable to restrain himself. At this moment, being lectured by her with a stern face, far from being annoyed, he felt thoroughly comfortable all over. However, fearing that he might truly provoke her anger, he stopped teasing her and nodded in agreement.

He finally became a bit more well-behaved. Seeing the dark circles under his eyes, Xiao Qiao felt a pang of heartache for his exertions from the previous night and attended to him with even greater care.

Over the next several days, Wei Shao either leisurely read books on military strategy or lay resting to recuperate. Watching her at his side providing a gentle, comforting presence—handing him water and feeding him medicine—he suddenly felt in his heart that if he could always have her companionship like this, even if they did nothing at all, the time spent together would be wonderful, truly wonderful.

He was young and strong, took his medicine regularly, and showed restraint by not engaging in marital relations again. Coupled with his pleasant state of mind, after a few more days of rest, his body gradually recovered.

This was a military camp, after all. Now that Wei Shao had practically recovered, it was no longer convenient for Xiao Qiao to remain. Coincidentally on this day, a swift horse delivered an urgent message: Feng Zhao's troops were making anomalous movements, assembling as though they were marching toward Xihe.

The atmosphere in the military camp instantly grew tense.

That very day, Wei Shao personally escorted Xiao Qiao out of the camp, journeying with her for nearly a hundred li. It was only after Xiao Qiao repeatedly urged him to halt his steps that Wei Shao finally reined in his horse by the roadside, watching her carriage gradually move into the distance until it vanished from sight, before turning his horse around and galloping back.

Under Jia Si's escort, Xiao Qiao successfully returned to Jinyang.

The city of Jinyang remained peaceful and harmonious. The streets were teeming with crowds and a constant stream of horses and carriages, showing not the slightest shadow of the war clouds gathering over Xihe Commandery ahead.

Jia Si, however, did not dare slacken in the slightest. He was charged with Wei Shao's explicit command to protect the Lady's safety. He stationed five hundred soldiers around the administrative offices, setting up shifts to patrol and stand guard under a strict, impenetrable vigil that remained unchanged day and night.

Due to the exhaustion from the journey, Xiao Qiao retired to bed early that evening.

The next day, she slept until she woke up naturally. Shortly after she rose, the steward came to report that a man had arrived outside. He claimed to be a clansman of the Qiang youth whom Xiao Qiao had purchased at the marketplace that day, and had come to request an audience in hopes of taking him back.

Xiao Qiao was somewhat surprised. After pondering for a moment, she told the steward to let him in and have him wait in the outer hall, while also ordering someone to fetch the Qiang youth named Yuan.

Yuan was quickly brought before Xiao Qiao.

His wounds had already knitted together as before. Over these past days, seeing that the Lady seemed to treat this youth with considerable care, the steward had not arranged for him to perform any hard labor.

Yuan bowed respectfully to Xiao Qiao.

Xiao Qiao smiled and said, "Just now the steward mentioned that a clansman of yours has arrived outside, wishing to take you away. I will lead you to take a look and see if you recognize him."

Yuan revealed a trace of suppressed excitement. He hurriedly followed Xiao Qiao to the outer hall. Upon seeing the young man waiting there, his eyes betrayed a slight look of astonishment, and his steps halted for a brief moment.

...

Diao Mo waited for a long time. Finally, hearing the sound of footsteps gradually approaching, he looked toward the sound. He saw a middle-aged maidservant enter and stand fast, followed by maids in an elegant array of fine attire. Subsequently, the youth Yuan accompanied a woman as they emerged from behind the doors to appear before him.

The woman was exceptionally young, no more than fifteen or sixteen years of age, yet she wore the styling of a married woman. She was clad in a magnificent set of purple robes, and her countenance was exquisitely beautiful. In the mere space of a shifting glance, as she cast those bright eyes of her toward him, Diao Mo felt a sudden daze, as though a brilliant shower of heavenly flowers had dazzled his eyes, causing him to freeze involuntarily.

Although that woman who had bought the Qiang slave at the marketplace that day had not revealed her face from beginning to end, based on her height, stature, and the vague impression of her facial contours left behind the thin silk veil, Diao Mo instantly knew that this beautiful young woman before him—whose identity ought to be the wife of Wei Shao—was indeed that woman from that day.

He hurriedly reined in his thoughts, shifting his gaze toward the youth Yuan who had accompanied this lady. Seeing him stand frozen there with a look of astonishment in his eyes, Diao Mo smiled, gave him a nod, and then turned toward the young lady, speaking respectfully, "Greetings to the Lady; please accept my respects. My name is Bolian, and I am his tribal uncle. Several years ago, I migrated from Huangzhong to Jinyang, earning a living as a merchant. On that day in the marketplace, I happened to be present as well, and vaguely recognized that he was my nephew. However, having been separated for several years, I did not dare to claim acknowledgment at the time. By the time I finally confirmed it, he had already been purchased by the Lady. Originally, to have a merciful and benevolent master like the Lady is also his good fortune. Yet, I reflected upon it repeatedly, thinking that my nephew has only his grandfather at home, and the two of them rely on each other to survive. If he becomes a slave, how is his grandfather at home to pass his days? Therefore, unable to let the matter rest, I inquired through various channels until I found my way here. I am willing to ransom him for ten times the price the Lady paid for him that day. I beg the Lady to show mercy and allow me to lead him out, so I may send him home to reunite with his grandfather."

Having finished speaking, he produced a purse, presenting it forward with great respect.

While this man spoke, Xiao Qiao was also sizing him up. She observed that this person appeared to be a few years older than Wei Shao, dressed in ordinary Han attire with his hair gathered atop his head like a Han Chinese, bound with a green cloth headwrap. He spoke fluent Han Chinese, his eyes were full of spirit, and a faint heroic aura could be seen between his brows; he did not truly resemble a merchant.

Once he finished speaking, Xiao Qiao looked toward the youth Yuan, smiling as she said, "Is he truly your tribal uncle? If he is, and you are also willing to go with him, you may leave now."

Yuan stared at Diao Mo, hesitating slightly, and did not make a sound.

Diao Mo turned to Xiao Qiao and said, "Would the Lady permit me to speak a few words with him?"

Xiao Qiao nodded her head. Diao Mo voiced his thanks and led Yuan outside the door. Seeing that there was no one around, he raised his hand to pat Yuan on the shoulder, a smile appearing on his face as he spoke in the Qiang language, "Do you no longer recognize me? Two years ago on your grandfather's sixtieth birthday, I specially went to offer my congratulations, and at that time you were still sitting by my side."

Yuan had actually recognized him at first glance. He now said, "Chieftain Diao Mo, how did you know I was here?"

Diao Mo said, "I brought a few attendants to Jinyang to conduct business, and encountered you in the marketplace that day. At first, I did not recognize you. By the time I did, you had already been purchased by the Lady. Thus, I searched my way here. You do not know, but two months ago, I went to visit Chieftain Yuanwang, only to learn that you had been missing for several months. The chieftain was so anxious that he fell ill, sending people everywhere to search for you to no avail. Who could have imagined that you would drift all the way to this place? Therefore, I sought you out, wishing to ransom you from here and send you back."

Yuan had originally harbored some hesitation, but upon hearing that his grandfather had fallen gravely ill due to his disappearance, he could not help but grow anxious. He turned his head to cast a glance at Xiao Qiao inside the inner hall, saying, "This lady is extremely kind-hearted. On that day, those who were purchased along with me were all released by her if they wished to leave on their own. She also told me to leave as I pleased. These past days she was not present, and I could not simply run away on my own. I was just thinking of waiting for her return to beg her to release me. Chieftain Diao Mo, will you truly send me back to Huangzhong?"

Diao Mo gazed at the youth, smiling slightly, "Though the Shaodang and Beihe live as separate tribes, we are both Qiang people, descended from our ancestor Wuyi Yuanjian. Given the friendship between myself and the old chieftain, now that I have chanced upon you, how could I sit by and do nothing?"

Yuan no longer hesitated, saying, "Many thanks, Chieftain! I will go at once to plead with the Lady, requesting her to release me."

...

Xiao Qiao waited for a short moment, seeing Yuan and the man enter together. Yuan's eyes were slightly red, from which she guessed that he must be willing to leave with this man. Without waiting for him to speak, she said, "Go then. Take care on the road." She also ordered someone to call out the Qiang girl who had been with him that day, allowing her to depart alongside him.

Yuan departed with Diao Mo. Before leaving, he could not stop looking back at Xiao Qiao, his face bearing a look of deep attachment and reverence.

Diao Mo offered his solemn thanks to Xiao Qiao, presenting the purse once more.

Xiao Qiao instructed Chun Niang to accept it, taking out only the amount paid to purchase Yuan and the Qiang girl that day, and returning the remainder, saying, "I hope you will deliver him to his family’s side swiftly."

Diao Mo stared at Xiao Qiao for a brief moment, bowing deeply to the ground as he said, "I shall surely keep the Lady's words in mind. Please rest assured, Lady."

Having finished speaking, he cast one final glance at her before leading Yuan and the Qiang girl away.

...

Xiao Qiao had actually seen through things a little; Yuan did not seem to be an ordinary Qiang youth. He likely came from a good background. However, since he did not actively speak of his origins, she did not pry further.

The reason she had taken extraordinary care of him was entirely because when he had protected that Qiang girl that day, it had brought her a sense of familiar warmth, resembling her younger brother, Qiao Ci.

As for the man who had taken him away, though his words were few, Xiao Qiao also felt that he must have another background, and was not truly a merchant living in Jinyang to conduct business as he had claimed.

But clearly, the two of them did indeed know each other beforehand. Since Yuan himself was willing to go with him, she naturally would not block his way.

Xiao Qiao quickly tossed this matter to the back of her mind.

She was somewhat anxious about Wei Shao.

Although Jinyang presented a peaceful scene, Xiao Qiao knew that where Wei Shao was, warfare was likely on the verge of breaking out at any moment. Furthermore, it involved Feng Zhao of Liang Province and various Qiang tribes in between—multiple forces intermingling, creating an intricate situation. Although a detachment of troops left behind by Wei Shao was stationed within Jinyang, it was likely a mixed bag of characters. To avoid unnecessary incidents, from the very first day of her return, she had not taken a single step outside, merely passing her days peacefully within the inner quarters.

Unexpectedly, a few days later on this afternoon, the steward came in a great rush to report that the Qiang girl who had just left a few days ago had returned. She was kneeling on the ground pleading in tears, seemingly wishing to see the Lady, as if some accident had occurred.

Astonished, Xiao Qiao immediately had the steward bring the Qiang girl inside.

Knowing that the Qiang girl could not speak Han Chinese, the steward summoned a domestic servant who could interpret.

The Qiang girl waited there, her face filled with anxiety. The moment she saw Xiao Qiao, she fell to her knees before her with a thud, speaking a torrent of words at great speed.

The servant at her side quickly translated them for Xiao Qiao.

The Qiang girl was named Xiagu. She was not the biological elder sister of that Qiang youth, but rather his maidservant. Because she had attended to him since childhood, their relationship was close, and he had always called her Elder Sister. The youth Yuan was also no ordinary Qiang; he was the grandson of Yuanwang, the chieftain of the Beihe Qiang by the Huangshui River. Half a year ago, Xiagu and Yuan were returning home from abroad when they accidentally became separated from their attendants on the road. They were targeted and ambushed by a band that specialized in plundering Qiang people to sell as slaves.

Xiagu said that Yuan knew the Han people had always detested the Qiang. Fearing that revealing his identity would bring misfortune upon his grandfather and clansmen, he had kept silent the entire time, wishing to secretly find an opportunity to escape. Only in this manner had he traveled through various twists and turns until he reached Jinyang.

The man Bolian who came that day was a leader of the Shaodang Qiang; the Shaodang Qiang revered him as Diao Mo, which meant "valiant without equal."

The Shaodang and Beihe tribes had always maintained contact and shared a close relationship, and Diao Mo also possessed considerable history with Yuan's grandfather, Yuanwang. Therefore, when Diao Mo appeared that day and informed Yuan that the old chieftain had fallen ill due to pining for him, Yuan was consumed with burning anxiety and believed him, thinking he would truly send him home. He never expected that Diao Mo would actually collude with some unknown Han Chinese. The Han Chinese wanted to kill Yuan, but were stopped by Diao Mo, and a conflict had even erupted between the two sides, with the Han Chinese temporarily yielding in the end. However, Diao Mo did not bring Yuan back to Huangshui either, but was instead heading toward the region of Shang Commandery.

Xiagu knew in her heart that Yuan was trapped in a perilous situation and that Diao Mo did not truly intend to send him back. Therefore, when they stopped for the night, she enticed one of Diao Mo's subordinates who was guarding her, managed to escape, and returned here to beg Xiao Qiao for assistance.

Xiagu continuously kowtowed to Xiao Qiao, weeping bitter tears.

Xiao Qiao was profoundly shocked.

She had already guessed that Yuan's background must be decent, but she had never expected that he was actually the grandson of the Beihe tribal chieftain.

She instantly recalled another matter related to the Beihe tribe.

On the very day before she was escorted back to Jinyang by Wei Shao, Gongsun Yang had left the military camp.

Wei Shao had not said much to her at the time. Only that night when the two of them slept together, out of concern, Xiao Qiao had asked a few questions regarding the current state of the warfare here. Wei Shao had mentioned in a casual manner that during the day, Gongsun Yang had gone toward Huangshui. His purpose was to convey conciliation and win over the Qiang populace.

And the target of Gongsun Yang's trip was precisely the Beihe Qiang.

Xiao Qiao instructed Chun Niang to assist Xiagu to her feet, asking about the places where Diao Mo would travel and halt. Learning that counting that band of Han Chinese, there were no more than a dozen or so people in total by his side, she pondered for a short moment before summoning Jia Si, telling him to lead men along with Xiagu to set out on the road to pursue them, and to rescue Yuan at all costs.