The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 120

Chapter 120

Jizhou possessed nine commanderies and seventy-eight counties, serving as a defensive shield for Youzhou to its north, while facing the various provinces of the Yellow River basin directly to its south. No matter from a geographical or a strategic standpoint, it was of supreme importance to Wei Shao.

Since the beginning of last year, Wei Shao had been consumed by the war in Bingzhou, followed by his western campaign, and had not found the time to personally visit Jizhou again. Now that the western pacification was complete and no other pressing matters remained, it was only natural for him to pass through Jizhou before returning to Youzhou.

The purpose of his current trip was to tour the lands and hold councils with the various commandery governors, county magistrates, and garrison commanders across Jizhou.

By the morning of the day following their arrival, his schedule became exceedingly packed. During the daylight hours, Xiao Qiao could scarcely catch a glimpse of his face.

The commandery governors from all over arrived one after another to request audiences with the Lord.

Aside from their very first evening when Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao had shared dinner together, she spent the subsequent several days dining entirely by herself.

Grand banquets were hosted within the Xindu Palace every evening, and Wei Shao always returned at a very late hour.

Xiao Qiao had never expected Wei Shao to bring her here for a vacation or to engineer some sort of pleasant surprise.

At most, when they had first taken to the road, she had allowed herself a tiny, fleeting trace of secret yearning.

After all, this was the very place where the two of them had first met and consummated their marriage.

But once they arrived here, she promptly snuffed out that thought.

It could not truly be called a disappointment.

In any case, she was well-accustomed to passing the time on her own.

During the day, she would occasionally ascend the Sandalwood Terrace just as she had in the past, watching all sorts of people bustled in and out of the Xindu Palace, their steps hurried and purposeful.

Or, she would venture out for a stroll.

Naturally, Jia Cai would always be accompanying her as her guard.

By now, she and Jia Cai had gradually grown familiar with one another.

He was likely twenty-five or twenty-six years old at most, yet in the past, he had always given Xiao Qiao the impression of being unnaturally austere and world-weary.

This was probably because he had attained the rank of a Huben Lieutenant at such a young age, and additionally, he was a man of exceptionally few words.

When facing Xiao Qiao, he would never utter a single unnecessary syllable.

Nor would he ever look at her directly if he could help it.

But now, whenever he escorted Xiao Qiao outside, although his demeanor remained thoroughly respectful and reverent, he would engage in a few exchanges with her whenever she broached a question.

Time flowed rather swiftly, and in what felt like the blink of an eye, seven or eight days slipped past.

Finally, on this day as twilight began to fall, Wei Shao’s silhouette materialized within the Sheyang Residence.

He announced that his affairs were concluded and that they would return to Yuyang tomorrow.

The two of them shared dinner together.

After the meal, they returned to their chambers and lit the lamps. Wei Shao suddenly seemed to recall something and said, "Over these past days, I have been entirely consumed by my own tasks and failed to spend time with you. You do not blame me, do you?"

Xiao Qiao shook her head. "How could I? I knew you were busy, Husband."

Wei Shao said, "Is there anywhere you wish to go? I shall accompany you."

Xiao Qiao offered a gentle smile. "There is nowhere in particular I wish to visit..."

"I shall take you to the Sandalwood Terrace. It has been a long time since we ascended it."

Wei Shao had already reached out to grasp her hand, leading her out the door.

Xiao Qiao did not mention that she had actually just descended from it at dusk. Seeing his high spirits, she simply went along to accompany him.

Wei Shao held her hand as they walked out of the Sheyang Residence. Along the way, any servants and handmaidens they encountered bowed low in respectful greeting.

Guided by him, Xiao Qiao passed through a spacious grand hall ahead. Just as they were about to step across the threshold, he suddenly halted his steps and cast a glance backward.

"It was right here that I bowed to the heavens and earth with you in marriage."

He turned his face back, gazing intently at Xiao Qiao as he spoke.

The corners of Xiao Qiao’s lips curved slightly. "You actually still remember?"

Wei Shao did not answer verbally, but merely tightened his grip on the hand beneath his sleeve, their fingers tightly interlaced as he led her out.

The two of them came to a halt beneath the steps of the Sandalwood Terrace.

A heavy dusk hung over the land, enveloping the high, towering structure before them.

Wei Shao looked up at it.

The Sandalwood Terrace stood more than ten zhang above the ground, possessing a total of eighty-one steep steps.

Every time Xiao Qiao climbed it herself, she would climb a flight and then pause for a bit, treating it as an opportunity to appreciate the scenery.

Wei Shao lowered his posture slightly.

Xiao Qiao looked at him.

"Get on my back," he said.

Xiao Qiao replied, "I would not dare to use the Lord as a mount."

Wei Shao countered, "You are the only one permitted to master me."

Xiao Qiao pursed her lips in a smile. Dispensing with any further politeness, she gripped his shoulders and leapt onto his back.

Wei Shao securely supported her thighs and carried her up, scaling the distance all the way to the peak of the Sandalwood Terrace in a single, unbroken breath.

He set her down, then supporting her waist, he lifted her to sit upon a dark jade stone platform situated in the center of the terrace, which was carved with cloud-and-dragon patterns on both ends, leaving her feet dangling in the air.

The jade platform still retained a trace of warmth absorbed from the daytime sun. Being placed upon it in this manner, the warmth seeped through the thin layer of her summer garments, pressing gently against Xiao Qiao’s skin with a highly comfortable sensation.

At that moment, above their heads, a deep blue starry sky was gradually revealing its brilliant splendor. The summer night breeze blew from all sides of the Sandalwood Terrace, ruffling the stray hairs near Xiao Qiao’s temples and tugging at the broad sleeves of his robes.

Xiao Qiao drew out a handkerchief and gently wiped the light sheen of sweat that had beaded on his forehead.

Pressing a single palm against the platform surface, he agilely leapt up to sit right beside her. Grasping her wrist, he gave a gentle pull, drawing Xiao Qiao into his embrace.

Holding her close, his chin lightly brushed against the hair on her forehead as he inquired, "What have you been doing these past few days?"

Xiao Qiao replied, "I am not telling you."

"Speak. You are not permitted to hide anything from me."

"Even if I tell you, you will not like hearing it."

"Speak!" His tone was thoroughly domineering.

Xiao Qiao let out a soft huff. "What else could I be doing? I could not help but reflect upon how you treated me when I first arrived here."

Wei Shao fell completely silent.

"You have forgotten it yourself, have you not?"

Xiao Qiao extended a small hand beneath his eyes, counting the instances one by one on her fingers.

"When we performed the marriage bows, I could clearly perceive the absolute impatience written all over your face! Not only were you merely going through the motions, you were even mocking me in your heart!"

"You perceived incorrectly!"

Wei Shao’s voice was remarkably steady.

He certainly could never let her know that when he had first laid eyes on her during the wedding ceremony, his cold thought had been that the Qiao family truly believed they could wipe the slate clean simply by sending over a daughter who looked passable. The Qiao family was foolish, but did they truly believe he was just as utterly foolish as they were?

"And in the bridal chamber, you monopolized the entire bed to sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night frozen stiff, and when I tried to take a quilt to warm myself, I accidentally woke you. What was the meaning of you drawing your sword and pointing it directly at me?"

"Did I not sheathe the sword very quickly afterward? I even yielded the entire bed to you."

Wei Shao’s voice remained thoroughly steady.

He could not let her know that back then, though she was clearly terrified to the absolute extreme—so much so that her eyes had grown completely round—she had still forced herself to maintain a facade of composure beneath the tip of his blade. Recalling that sight at this moment, his heart felt a mixture of tenderness and a slight urge to laugh.

"Furthermore!"

Xiao Qiao continued to count on her fingers: "Early the very next morning, you insisted on sending me away to Yuyang! Husband, your heart was truly ruthless..."

This time, Wei Shao offered no further defense for himself.

He lowered his head to gaze intently at her, gradually leaning closer before suddenly capturing her two lips, which were still chattering away without pause.

Xiao Qiao let out a few muffled whimpers and struggled weakly, but gradually grew compliant. After a long, deep kiss, the embrace finally concluded, and their lips parted.

Xiao Qiao unfolded her arms, wrapping them around the man's broad and solid back.

"Husband, have you ever regretted marrying me?" she asked him.

She tilted her head up slightly, her beautiful eyes reflecting the sea of stars above his head, appearing to hold his very soul captive within them, rendering him unable to avert his gaze.

"Manman, since you married me, do you hold a place for me in your heart?"

His voice was husky as he posed his own question.

Neither of them spoke further, merely gazing into each other's eyes.

Wei Shao’s breathing grew increasingly rapid. Without a single word, he suddenly pressed her flat against the dark jade stone platform beneath them, which still radiated the residual warmth of the sun. Like a predatory beast, he threw himself upon her.

After the two of them rearranged their disheveled garments, they finally descended from the Sandalwood Terrace.

Xiao Qiao’s legs felt somewhat weak, and with his arm securely supporting her waist, they slowly made their way back to the Sheyang Residence.

A servant woman immediately stepped forward to relay a message, stating that Mister Gongsun had been seeking the Lord earlier regarding a matter, and requested an audience the moment the Lord received word.

A flicker of displeasure crossed Wei Shao’s features, though it vanished just as quickly. He carried Xiao Qiao onto the bed, kissing her flushed cheek before instructing her to sleep first without waiting for him. Adjusting the robes on his body, he opened the door and departed.

Gongsun Yang was currently waiting inside the council hall, having been there for some time already.

When he had gone to seek him earlier and learned that Wei Shao had ascended the Sandalwood Terrace with the Lady, he had instructed the attendants not to disrupt them. Leaving word behind, he had come here to wait patiently.

With his hands clasped behind his back, he paced slowly back and forth, deep in profound thought.

Hearing a sudden rush of vigorous footsteps, he turned to see Wei Shao striding inside. He hastily hurried forward to greet him.

Wei Shao walked in and took his seat, getting straight to the point: "Mister, you have waited long. It is already late; what matter brings you to seek me?"

Gongsun Yang replied, "I ought not to have disturbed the Lord’s peace at such an hour. However, a messenger from Yang Xin arrived under the cover of night just now to deliver a dispatch. I deemed it best to bring it to the Lord’s awareness as swiftly as possible."

Upon hearing that it concerned Yang Xin, Wei Shao’s expression instantly turned solemn. Leaning slightly forward, he inquired, "What has occurred?"

Gongsun Yang presented a military intelligence report.

A month ago, acting under Wei Shao’s hidden instructions, Yang Xin had stationed his troops in the Xiao region, while Xue An held Xiachiu, launching a coordinated pincer attack from north and south against the bandit leader, Bi Zhi.

Bi Zhi had been successfully encircled.

Yang Xin had originally believed the rebel forces were like turtles caught in a jar, unable to mount any escape. Who could have foreseen that Bi Zhi would select a choice detachment of troops, disguise their banners and uniforms to match the style of Xue An’s Xuzhou army, and actively march toward the Xiao region, ultimately merging with Yang Xin’s forces in the open field.

Yang Xin had never dreamed that Bi Zhi would dare to march directly toward him. Initially misidentifying them as Xue An’s troops, yet unable to surmise what purpose Xue An had in leading an army to this location, his hesitation caused him to lose the tactical window. He was caught completely off-guard by Bi Zhi's sudden, ferocious offensive.

In this engagement, Yang Xin suffered a crushing defeat, losing the Xiao region entirely.

Bi Zhi now not only held Lingbi, but had also brought the Xiao region under his control.

Yang Xin’s position had turned highly unfavorable. Uncertain of what his next step should be, he had dispatched an envoy to relay the news.

Wei Shao scanned through Yang Xin's dispatch with rapid speed. His face turned thoroughly grim, and with a sharp slap, he flung the report onto the ground, roaring in fury, "Yang Xin is incompetent to such an absolute degree! A mere leader of common bandits, yet he cannot even bring him down!”