The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 134
Chapter 134
Although it was only early winter, the climate in Xindu was not as freezing cold as that in Yuyang.
However, to accommodate Xiao Qiao, the subfloor heating in the Sheyang Residence of the Xindu Palace had already been lit. The interior of the rooms was as warm as spring.
Wei Shao's body temperature was climbing at an astonishing speed.
From the moment Xiao Qiao was diagnosed with her pregnancy until now—a span of about two or three months—Wei Shao had continued to sleep in the same bed with her every night.
Chun Niang, fearing that the young master might lack restraint, had secretly pulled Xiao Qiao aside and strictly admonished her that they must absolutely refrain from intimacy.
Later, when Nanny Zhong arrived, she too worried that the young couple sharing a bed night after night might, in a moment of passion, find it difficult to control themselves. Thus, she had also found an opportunity to subtly convey this exact point in front of Wei Shao.
In truth, even without Nanny Zhong's reminder, Wei Shao himself was exceptionally cautious.
Ever since Xiao Qiao became pregnant, because she spent her days looking weak and listless, she had become in his eyes a delicate piece of glass that might shatter at a single touch. Let alone harboring any desires for her to be intimate with him, he had even become incredibly well-behaved when sleeping at night, constantly terrified that he might accidentally throw a leg over and press against her stomach.
Yet, having held it in for such a long time, it would have been one thing if she were out of sight. To face a peerless beauty day in and day out—one who completely belonged to him—and be able only to look but not touch was truly a form of exquisite torture.
Thinking that he would be leaving early tomorrow morning, he suddenly found himself unable to endure it any longer.
Scooping Xiao Qiao up into his arms, he carried her through the air and deposited her onto the bed.
Hovering over her chest, he kissed her fiercely. His hands were not idle either, parting the front of her robes.
With her silk garments half-slid away, Xiao Qiao's pair of fragrant shoulders resembled finely carved white jade. Two pale, swelling, and exquisite peach-like breasts suddenly sprang free from the clothes that had protected them, presenting a breathtaking sight whose radiant fairness was nearly dazzling to the eyes.
Wei Shao stared intently at this vivid, tantalizing delicacy. He rubbed them slowly, gradually increasing the pressure, before burying his head and pressing his entire face down against them.
After a mere moment, a layer of rolling, burning sweat broke out across his back.
Abruptly, he pulled away from her and fell flat onto the pillow, his breath coming in heavy, ragged gasps as if he were on the verge of suffocating. He muttered under his breath, "It's truly too hot in this room... I feel stifled... I can't take it anymore... I'll go take a quick rinse first..."
Yanking the quilt over, he bundled Xiao Qiao's dainty body up securely, rolled out of bed, and dashed straight into the bathhouse.
The sound of rushing water soon echoed from the bathhouse.
Wei Shao stayed inside for a long time, forcing the piercing heat inside him to slowly subside. Only then did he let out a long, heavy sigh and throw on a loose robe before stepping back out.
He saw that Xiao Qiao was still curled beneath the quilt exactly as before, with only her small face peeking out from over the edge. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and her eyes were closed as if she had fallen asleep.
Holding his breath, he climbed back into bed and pulled her into his arms once more, only to freeze instantly.
The slippery, delicate body wrapped within the silken quilt was entirely bare of any garments, and she snuggled motionless against his chest.
"Manman..."
Wei Shao's heart rate accelerated once more, and the fire he had just managed to suppress with great difficulty surged right back up with a roar.
Looking at the two rows of eyelashes trembling slightly against her closed eyes, he found it somewhat difficult to breathe.
Suddenly, beneath the quilt, he felt a soft, delicate little hand reach over. Moving in gentle circles, it lightly caressed his smooth and firm abdominal muscles.
"Manman..."
Wei Shao wanted to move, yet he did not dare stir recklessly. His voice was trembling.
Xiao Qiao's small hand continued its tender caresses, gradually sliding downward...
Her two soft, fragrant lips also pressed against his bare chest. Her sweet tongue licked and kissed, migrating slowly until she took one of his nipples—hard as a pebble—into her mouth, her pearly teeth giving it a gentle nip.
Every single pore across Wei Shao's entire body dilated with a sharp jolt, his hairs standing on end as he could not help but let out a low groan of pleasure.
"You are not allowed to make a sound, do not let them hear... You must also close your eyes and not peek... If you peek, I will stop ignoring you..."
Xiao Qiao's voice, laced with shy tenderness, drifted into his ear.
Wei Shao closed his eyes instantly, his expression filled with an immense struggle. He forced himself to hold back, not daring to groan again, yet from beneath his throat, he ultimately could not restrain a muffled, thoroughly satisfied purr.
Like a cat basking in the winter sun, cradled on its mistress's lap and receiving affectionate strokes.
...
By the fifth watch of the night, the interior and exterior of the Xindu Palace were brilliantly illuminated by lanterns.
Li Dian, Wei Liang, and the others, leading their personal guards clad in gleaming armor, were currently riding swiftly on the road toward the Xindu Palace, preparing to escort him out of the city.
As Xiao Qiao fastened the final dragon-scale lock buckle at the waist of Wei Shao's battle armor, she smiled and said, "Grandmother sent a letter, bidding me to send you off to war on her behalf. Together with our child, I will await your triumphant return."
Wei Shao nodded: "Rest easy and wait for my return!"
"Yesterday, the Military Strategist reminded me," he spoke as if suddenly remembering, "that we must guard against Xing Xun taking the opportunity to raid and harass Yanzhou. I have considered the matter and ordered Yang Xin to stand by. If the Military Strategist's predictions prove true, I will command him to dispatch troops to assist."
Xiao Qiao said, "Husband's considerations are thorough, and Manman is deeply grateful. I know how critical this battle is for Husband; if Yang Xin was originally intended for another deployment, Husband should go ahead and dispatch him first. I will write a letter to Yanzhou today to warn Father to take precautions early. If they truly lack the strength to defend themselves, I will seek Husband's aid when the time comes."
Wei Shao gazed at her, and after a brief moment, he nodded slightly.
"My Lord, General Lei has sent word. The generals have all arrived outside the Xindu Palace and respectfully request My Lord to sacrifice to the banners and review the troops!"
Nanny Zhong's voice echoed from outside the door.
"Husband may go now."
Xiao Qiao said with a smile.
Wei Shao turned and walked toward the exit.
Suddenly, he halted his steps, returned to her side, and extended his arms to wrap her tightly in a fierce embrace.
A tremendous, crushing strength seemed to pierce through the rigid armor, penetrating inch by inch into her flesh and bone.
He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, released her, opened the door, and strode away with large bounds.
...
Dawn broke in the east.
Accompanied by Nanny Zhong and Chun Niang, Xiao Qiao stood atop the highest peak of the Tan Terrace. Gazing into the distance beyond the southern city walls, across the mountains, rivers, and plains, amidst a forest of starry banners and electric halberds, Wei Shao's grand army was slowly marching toward the south.
...
At the end of winter in the second year of the Taian era, Xing Xun's massive army set out from Luoyang, passed through Hulao Pass, and stationed itself along the southern bank of the Yellow River just outside the pass.
The two opposing sides faced each other across the river, observing one another for half a month. Unable to restrain his impatience, Xing Xun chose an auspicious day to dispatch his son Xing Wei and General Ding Qu to forcefully construct a pontoon bridge at the Hulao Ferry crossing to cross the river, intending to strike directly at Wei Shao's main encampment stationed at Liyang.
Wei Shao dispatched Tan Fu and Lei Yan, leading a mere ten thousand troops, to set up a vast display of flags and banners all over the hills on the opposite bank. They unleashed wave after wave of chaotic arrows, putting up a grand show of exerting their full strength to block the river crossing. Once more than half of Xing Xun's main force had crossed the river, they halted their bows, fighting while retreating to lure the enemy into a pre-arranged ambush. With a single blast of war drums and explosive signals that shook heaven and earth, Li Dian, Zhang Jian, Li Chong, and Wei Liang led four columns of hidden troops to charge out. Ding Qu and Xing Wei were caught completely unprepared; their commands fell into disarray, and unable to withstand the ferocious offensive, they retreated toward the pontoon bridge with the intention of withdrawing their forces. Unbeknownst to them, the dozens of pontoon bridges they had constructed had already been set ablaze by Wei Shao's horse-archers—who were hidden beforehand along the northern bank of the Hulao Ferry—using arrows wrapped in tung-oil. Amidst dense smoke and soaring flames, the pontoon bridges were destroyed, leaving no path for retreat. With the pursuing forces closing in from behind, a fierce battle ensued, and the number of Xing Xun's soldiers killed, captured, or drowned was beyond count. Xing Wei was shot dead by a stray arrow, while Ding Qu displayed great valor, hacking his way through the heavy encirclement to lead the remaining remnants a hundred li westward along the river. In the end, they encountered a ferry boat, commandeered it by force to cross the river, and returned home in utterly crushing defeat.
In this opening battle at the Hulao Ferry, Xing Xun lost over ten thousand soldiers. Suffering defeat in the very first conflict and losing a son to boot, he beat his chest and stamped his feet upon receiving the news, consumed by a grief so profound he wished he were dead. He swore to exact vengeance and wipe out this humiliation.
Half a month later, Xing Xun constructed floating bridges once more. Having learned his lesson this time, he left troops behind to guard the bridges while he personally led the grand army across the river once more.
This time, Wei Shao also personally assumed command, engaging Xing Xun in a massive confrontation in the wilderness north of the Yellow River. Both sides committed their primary forces directly, totaling hundreds of thousands of troops in the fray.
The bitter warfare continued intermittently, with both sides sustaining casualties.
Late one night half a month later, a towering inferno rose from Xingyang, located south of the Yellow River.
Xing Xun's grain and forage supply depot established there had suffered a surprise raid by the allied forces of Yang Xin and Guo Quan. The defending soldiers were caught off guard, and the massive fire consumed sixty to seventy percent of the grain stores.
As the news spread, the morale of Xing Xun's army fell into utter chaos. Wei Shao seized the opportunity to press forward with heavy forces, and Xing Xun, unable to withstand the onslaught, was nearly surrounded amidst the chaotic melee. It was only due to Ding Qu's fierce defense—the two exchanging helmets to draw away the pursuing troops—that Xing Xun finally managed to retreat back to the southern bank.
To cut off the pursuing forces, the moment he crossed the river, he completely disregarded the remaining remnants left behind him and immediately ordered the floating bridges to be burned down.
Suffering defeat in both major engagements, Xing Xun's core strength was heavily damaged, and his aggressive edge vanished in an instant.
As he was unwilling to let the matter drop just like this, yet lacked the courage to take the initiative to raise troops again for the time being, and with the weather growing increasingly bitter cold by the day, he commanded his soldiers to pitch tents on the spot. Facing Wei Shao across the river, they temporarily entered a state of prolonged stalemate.
On this day, as he gazed at the opposite bank, looking out toward the northern encampment while sighing in deep depression, Sici Zang Chang stepped forward to offer a strategy: "Your Majesty now holds the world by the horns. Among the warlords of the Central Plains, apart from Guo Quan and Yang Xin, there is none who does not bow down in submission. Guo and Yang merely follow Wei Shao's orders to plot rebellion; we can well afford to let them enjoy their leisure for a turn or two. Once Your Majesty settles the grand situation in the north, it will not be too late to turn our blades upon those two. Yuan Zhe is feared to harbor a divided heart, so Your Majesty must not place heavy reliance on him. Among the remaining lords, Lezheng Gong of Hanzhong was a childhood companion of Your Majesty from the old days, and when Your Majesty ascended the throne, he likewise submitted a memorial to offer his congratulations. Why does Your Majesty not issue an imperial decree commanding him to swiftly lead his forces here to assist? Firstly, it will bolster our grand momentum, and secondly, it can strike fear into Wei Shao."
Xing Xun was delighted and immediately dispatched Zang Chang to rush with all speed toward Hanzhong to deliver the imperial decree.
...
Hanzhong.
Lezheng Gong received the decree and respectfully requested Zang Chang to rest at the imperial courier station first. He then returned to his inner chambers and summoned his strategists Zhang Yan and Luo Xian to gather together. His expression shifted drastically as he threw the imperial decree to the ground, declaring in fury: "Xing Xun detains the young Emperor within the cold estate of Luoyang's western suburbs and has arrogantly usurped the throne for himself. Now that he campaigns against Wei Shao, he has lost both major battles, unable to even cross the Yellow River. How dare he summon me to rush over and provide assistance?"
The strategist Zhang Yan spoke: "Xing Xun has stationed his troops south of the Yellow River, so Luoyang must surely be empty and vulnerable right now. I advise My Lord to seize this once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity to dispatch troops to capture Luoyang. By occupying Luoyang and holding the young Emperor in our grasp, we can then summon the lords of the realm in the young Emperor's name to campaign against Xing Xun. When that time comes, with Wei Shao in front of him and My Lord behind him, attacking from both sides, Xing Xun will bound to perish. Once Xing Xun is dead, My Lord will hold the magnificent merit of saving the imperial carriage; who in the entire realm would dare not revere My Lord as the ultimate standard?"
Luo Xian also expressed his agreement.
While Lezheng Gong was pondering the matter in silence, he suddenly heard a voice speak from the doorway: "Absolutely not!"
Lifting his eyes, he saw that it was Zhu Zeng, who had just come from Xing Xun's territory to seek refuge with him last month.
Feeling displeased in his heart, he knitted his brows and said, "What insights do you have?"
Zhu Zeng entered the room and said, "I am grateful to the Marquis of Hanzhong for not casting me aside and taking me in. Since I eat your bounty, I must serve you with honesty, so I shall state my thoughts directly. Having followed Xing Xun for many years, I know this man thoroughly. He is currently conceited, obstinate, and practices nepotism; he formulates many schemes but remains indecisive, aiming too high while chasing distant illusions. In the past, he had the Qiang soldiers of Liangzhou under Feng Zhao's command available for his use—men who were fierce and adept at warfare. Now that Feng Zhao has lost Liangzhou, the Qiang soldiers have also departed, and among the generals and soldiers under his command, few possess absolute loyalty. He is resolutely doomed to fail in achieving great things. In contrast, Wei Shao is young and promising, his weapons are sharp and numerous, his momentum is sharp and fierce, and he is overwhelmingly unstoppable. Furthermore, his command is filled with elite troops and fine generals. This man is the true, formidable adversary to the Marquis of Hanzhong's grand strategy for the realm. If we allow Wei Shao to destroy Xing Xun now, Wei Shao will bound to point his sword southward, sweeping through everything like splitting bamboo with an unstoppable momentum that swallows the rainbow. No one in the realm will be able to stand against him! Even if the Marquis of Hanzhong occupies Luoyang, I fear it would not be a long-term solution!"
Lezheng Gong's originally slighting expression gradually shifted into intense focus.
Seeing Zhu Zeng pause, he hurriedly urged him on and invited him to take a seat.
Only after taking his seat did Zhu Zeng continue: "In my view, the Marquis of Hanzhong can accept the decree to dispatch troops, joining forces with Xing Xun to campaign against Wei Shao. By combining the military strength of the Marquis of Hanzhong and Xing Xun, we can eliminate Wei Shao first. Once Wei Shao is gone, the remaining Xing Xun is nothing more than a usurper of the throne; with the grand talent of the Marquis of Hanzhong, what cause is there to fear him!"
Lezheng Gong was overjoyed. He rose and clasped his hands in a deep bow, saying, "Obtaining the Envoy is like obtaining a precious pearl! I was negligent in my treatment before; please do not take offense, Master!" He henceforth treated him with the highest etiquette reserved for an honored guest.