The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 155

Chapter 155

The long and oppressive funeral finally came to an end.

After returning, Xiao Qiao removed Feifei’s mourning clothes, bathed her, and sat her on the bed. She shook a rattle, coaxing the little one to crawl toward her.

As mother and daughter played, Wei Shao entered, still clad in his own mourning attire.

When Feifei saw her father, she chirped a couple of times, turned around, and crawled toward him.

As she reached the edge of the bed, Xiao Qiao, fearing she might fall, was about to scoop her up, but Wei Shao had already strode over. He caught Feifei, lifted her into his arms, and held her high.

Feifei was becoming increasingly bold these days; being held and lifted by her father did not scare her at all. Instead, she giggled.

Wei Shao played with his daughter for a moment before handing her over to Chunniang, who had followed him in.

With Chunniang taking Feifei out of the room, only Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao remained. He took off his outer mourning garment, climbed onto the bed, and pulled her into his embrace.

"Manman, these past days have been possible only because of you. It truly has been hard on you, and you have suffered so much injustice..."

Funerals are filled with tedious rites and etiquette. As a filial son, he had been so busy these days that he barely had time to sleep; last night he had even stayed up through the darkness, and now his voice was laced with hoarseness.

He kissed her smooth forehead and petite earlobes incessantly, whispering into her ear.

Xiao Qiao leaned into his arms, raised her eyes, and scrutinized him.

His eyes were bloodshot. Beyond the exhaustion of sleep deprivation, his expression held profound gratitude and guilt.

Xiao Qiao smiled. "It was not hard, nor was there any injustice. I simply did my best to fulfill my duties. Fortunately, the soldiers and civilians were united in their hatred for the enemy, and with the timely arrival of the Qiang reinforcements, we were able to hold out until you returned."

Wei Shao raised his hand, gently brushing aside a strand of hair that had fallen across her forehead. He stared at her, his raspy voice filled with tenderness. "I heard that you fainted that day in Shanggu and hadn't even had a moment to catch your breath before my mother's funeral followed. At night, let Chunniang and the others watch Feifei; you must get some proper rest."

Xiao Qiao replied, "You as well, my Lord. These past days, I know you were even more exhausted than I. If there is nothing else, you should rest early."

"Manman, being able to marry you is my greatest fortune..."

He was perhaps truly exhausted. Finally, as he lay beside her and was on the verge of drifting off to sleep with his eyes closed, Xiao Qiao heard him murmur a final sentence against her ear.

...

Wei Shao slept a long, satisfying sleep. When he awoke, it was already noon the following day.

Sunlight filtered through the window and the lowered bed curtains, filling the space with a bright, slightly stinging glare. Faintly, the sound of the wet nurse and the maids teasing Feifei in the courtyard drifted to his ears.

Feifei’s laughter was high-pitched and carefree. Combined with the brilliant sunlight, it involuntarily made one's mood feel cheerful as well.

Wei Shao’s lips curled upward. He listened to his daughter’s laughter with his eyes closed for a moment, then reached out to touch the space beside him; the bedding had already gone cold.

He opened his eyes, rolled out of bed, and gave his limbs a long, satisfying stretch. He rose, dressed, and pushed the door open to step out.

Xiao Qiao was standing near a carved pillar in the courtyard, speaking with several stewards and servants who had come to report matters. Hearing the door open, she turned. Seeing that Wei Shao had emerged, she dismissed the stewards and walked over to him. She had water and towels brought, served him as he finished washing, and then retrieved his clothes to help him dress.

With no one else nearby, Wei Shao whispered, "What time did you get up this morning? I didn't even know."

Xiao Qiao replied, "Around the usual time. Seeing that you were sleeping soundly, I didn't want to disturb you."

As she spoke, she lowered her head to help him fasten his belt.

His palm climbed onto her back, stroking slowly and sliding downward, eventually cupping her waist. His other hand pulled away the belt she had just tied for him, tossed it casually aside, and then pulled her into a tight embrace, pressing her soft chest against his own.

"Manman—"

He called her name in a low voice, kissing her forehead and nuzzling against her.

Xiao Qiao removed the hand he had hooked around her waist and said, "We should go see Grandmother."

Wei Shao rubbed his nose. "Alright."

Xiao Qiao smiled at him, leaned over to retrieve the belt, helped him tie it back on, and said, "Yesterday, I saw Master Gongsun. He mentioned that in a few days, you will be leaving again?"

Wei Shao nodded. "Currently, the lands south of the Yangtze are in utter chaos. Warlords are declaring their own titles, and Chen Ying has rebelled. Although Langya has fallen, Liu Yan took advantage of the Xiongnu unrest to escape and is still clinging to life. My return with this army, while the Xiongnu's morale is shattered, is to deny them any chance to catch their breath. I have pursued them over three hundred miles past the Sanggan River. Beyond annihilating their elite forces, I must take this opportunity to completely break their spirit. In this battle, the Xiongnu have lost nearly a hundred thousand troops—a heavy blow indeed. After this defeat, I predict that for at least a year or two, the Xiongnu will not dare to entertain thoughts of moving south. I must seize this opportunity to pacify the south as soon as possible. Once the Central Plains are unified and the world is at peace, then we can deal with the Xiongnu..."

He suddenly stopped, gazing at Xiao Qiao. A look of guilt flickered in his eyes. "I cannot stay home to accompany you again. Do you blame me?"

With a soft click, Xiao Qiao finished fastening his belt. She appraised him for a moment, then raised her eyes and smiled. "A man has his duties, and I have my own as well. How could I blame you for this? You should eat something first, and then we shall go to Grandmother."

...

Madam Xu had returned to Yuyang from Wuzhong a few days prior.

After recuperating during this period, her physical condition had gradually recovered, and her spirits were quite good. Seeing the two of them arrive, she had them sit and asked Wei Shao about the chaotic situation in the south.

Upon learning that the "Green-Eyed General" had successfully blocked the "Heavenly King" Chen north of the Yangtze, thereby curbing the momentum of this cannibalistic army of refugees that had terrified the populace, she said to Xiao Qiao, "In the north, your younger brother led the Qiang army to help our people defend against the Xiongnu; in the south, the Green-Eyed General fought hard against the cannibal army to comfort the people's hearts. Your Qiao family has produced two such star-like heroes, and everyone speaks highly of them."

Xiao Qiao replied, "Grandmother, you praise us too much. Born in such chaotic times, the common people are suffering. As the saying goes, when one is poor, one looks after oneself, and when one is successful, one helps the world. I dare not call them heroes; my brother and brother-in-law are merely doing their best."

Madam Xu stared at her for a moment and sighed. "You are good in every way, except that you are too self-restraining. Being sensible is naturally a good thing, but you, child—you are so sensible that it makes my heart ache." She turned to Wei Shao. "During the siege of Shanggu, if it were not for your wife's idea to request assistance from the Qiang, and if it were not for your wife staying in Shanggu to inspire the soldiers and civilians to live and die together, by the time you arrived with your army, Yuyang might have already been ravaged by the Xiongnu! I do not need to say more about what you should do, do I?"

Wei Shao glanced at Xiao Qiao and bowed to Madam Xu. "I will keep Grandmother’s precious teachings firmly in my heart, every single word."

Madam Xu nodded and said to Xiao Qiao, "To say you are the foremost contributor to the lifting of the Shanggu siege is no exaggeration. Whatever wishes or thoughts you have, feel free to speak them. As long as I, your grandmother, can grant them, I will certainly promise them."

Xiao Qiao also knelt before her, bowed respectfully, and after sitting upright, said, "Accepting Grandmother's golden promise, I shall speak boldly then."

Madam Xu smiled. "Speak! Have no reservations!"

Xiao Qiao said, "Several months ago, I corresponded with my father. Although his words were optimistic, I have been unable to set my heart at ease regarding him. If Grandmother and my husband allow it, I wish to take Feifei to Dongjun to stay for a while. I know Grandmother has always loved Feifei and that she should not be kept away from you, especially since you need me by your side to fulfill my filial duties after your recent illness. Thus, I know this is an unreasonable request."

Wei Shao was startled and immediately turned his head to look at Xiao Qiao, seeing that her eyes were fixed on Madam Xu, her expression solemn.

He subconsciously wanted to say it was inappropriate, but to his surprise, Madam Xu had already nodded. "Granted."

Wei Shao was stunned, his mouth slightly agape, freezing in place.

Madam Xu continued, "With Qingzhou and Langya successively recovered, the entire Shandong region can now be considered peaceful; it is safe to travel. Your father is alone, and having unfortunately lost his eyesight, even if he does not say it, he must surely be missing you. Moreover, Feifei has never met him since she was born. I have recovered from my illness and have nothing pressing here; you may rest assured and go home for a stay. Accompany your father more, as this is the filial duty of a child."

Xiao Qiao bowed and thanked Madam Xu.

Madam Xu smiled and signaled for her to stand, then said to the still-stunned Wei Shao, "Can you spare the time? If you can, set aside other matters and escort your wife back to Dongjun first!"

...

"Why this sudden decision to return to Dongjun?"

Once back in the room, Wei Shao immediately dismissed the servants and asked, his expression somewhat restless.

"After the events in Yanzhou last time, my father was poisoned and lost his sight. I only took care of him for three or four days before rushing back to Yuyang, and I have never been able to set my mind at ease. Now that things here have come to an end, you will be leaving soon. Grandmother is merciful and does not mind me not staying by her side to fulfill my filial duties, so I wish to return to Dongjun for a few days."

Xiao Qiao sat on the edge of the bed, lowering her head to fold Feifei’s little garments as she explained.

Wei Shao watched her for a moment, then suddenly took a step forward, sat beside her, and hugged her.

"Are you angry at me? When I returned with the army that day, I was indeed negligent; I was only thinking of striking the Xiongnu and didn't manage to see you immediately. Later, when my mother's incident occurred, I did not consider your feelings either. Are you angry with me?"

Xiao Qiao shook her head. "I am truly not angry..."

"Then don't return to Dongjun; I don't want you to go—"

Wei Shao held her tightly, resembling a child whose favorite toy had been snatched away.

He suddenly pressed her down onto the bed, kissing her urgently with a placating intent, his hands beginning to undo her sash.

A moment later, he stopped, burying his face in the crook of her shoulder. His tone was muffled, carrying a hint of injury. "You are still angry at me..."

"What must I do for you to be willing to stay? Manman, tell me!"

He suddenly lifted his head. "I will not go? I will stay home and accompany you for a while longer, how is that?"

He shook her shoulders gently, as if acting like a spoiled child toward her.

Xiao Qiao slowly opened her eyes and smiled faintly at him.

"My Lord, I am truly not angry with you. We have been husband and wife for years, stumbling along this path to the present. I know your hardships, but I will not lie to you—my path has not been easy either."

Wei Shao was dumbfounded.

Xiao Qiao closed her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly, and let out a low, delicate sigh.

"My feeling now is one of true lightness, but I do not know why, I also feel somewhat tired. Since Grandmother has allowed me this indulgence, I will follow my heart for once."

"That is why I wish to return to Dongjun. Besides visiting my father, my elder sister is also home. I wish to go back and stay for a few days. I hope, my Lord, that you will not block me."

Xiao Qiao gazed at him and said slowly.