The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 156

Chapter 156

At the end of the month, Wei Shao escorted Xiao Qiao across the Yellow River and finally entered Yan Province. In less than two days, the distance to Dongjun narrowed to a few dozen miles, and they would arrive in half a day.

At high noon, Wei Shao ordered the carriage convoy to stop on the side of the road in the shade for a brief rest. The accompanying guards relaxed, and Chun Niang and the wet nurse took Fei Fei out of the carriage to feed her water and let her get some fresh air.

Wei Shao glanced back at the carriage Xiao Qiao was sitting in. He dismounted, walked over, and knocked on the frame before pulling the carriage door open. "You've been sitting for a long time," he said to the interior. "Come down and stretch your limbs. We'll reach Dongjun by tonight; a short rest won't delay our progress."

Xiao Qiao bent down as she emerged from the carriage, and Wei Shao gripped her arm to steady her as she stepped down.

Xiao Qiao stood by the side of the road, gazing into the distance. Wei Shao followed, handing her a skin of water that had already been opened.

Xiao Qiao took it, drank a few sips, and turned to smile at him.

Under the midday sun, her eyes were bright and sparkling. A fine layer of perspiration beaded on her forehead and the tip of her nose, and her jade-white skin revealed a soft, rosy flush. She looked like a lotus flower, radiating good health.

In truth, Wei Shao could see that the closer they got to Dongjun over these past few days, the more relaxed her mood seemed to become.

This stood in stark contrast to the sense of loss deep within his own heart.

He watched the way the cool breeze brushed against the wisps of hair by her temples and gave the corner of his mouth a slight tug, acknowledging her. Then, he tilted his head back and drank several mouthfuls of water himself, using the same opening she had just used.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed.

Perhaps because he drank too hastily, he suddenly choked and began to cough. A thin stream of water trickled down from the spout, wetting his neck and collar.

Xiao Qiao, who had been dabbing the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, turned to see him coughing and quickly began patting his back.

Wei Shao doubled over to cough a few times, then stopped. He waved a hand and slowly straightened up.

Xiao Qiao began to wipe the water stains from his neck and collar, saying softly, "No one is competing with you, why drink so quickly?"

Wei Shao did not speak; he stood still, merely looking down at her.

Xiao Qiao gazed once more in the direction of Dongjun city, thought for a moment, and turned to him. "Dongjun is not far ahead now. Thank you, husband, for the trouble of escorting me. If you have pressing matters, you may stop here; I can enter the city on my own."

"Since we've come this far," Wei Shao replied, "I will see you and Fei Fei home. Once you have arrived, I will leave."

Xiao Qiao was startled, her gaze flickering as she looked up at him. She noticed him turning his face slightly away, his expression tinged with a hint of awkwardness as he avoided her eyes.

After staring at him for a moment, a faint smile curved the corners of her lips. She said softly, "That would be even better. Thank you, husband."

Wei Shao gave a clumsy nod, turned, and walked away with long strides.

...

After resting for a while, Xiao Qiao carried Fei Fei into the carriage, and the group set off again.

Wei Shao rode his horse, remaining close to Xiao Qiao’s carriage. Half a day later, as night began to fall, they finally arrived at the gates of Dongjun.

The city gates were already locked. The gate captain, seeing the convoy arrive, shouted out and realized it was the Lady returning home. He hurriedly flung the gates open in welcome and immediately dispatched a messenger to the Inspector's mansion.

Wei Shao left Lei Yan and the others to wait outside the city gates. Riding his horse, he passed through the archway of the Dongjun gate, the clatter of his horse's hooves echoing against the ground as he rode toward the Inspector's residence.

Since the last incident, Dongjun had implemented a curfew to ensure safety. The curfew had yet to be lifted; after dark, citizens kept their doors bolted and windows barred. The streets were now empty, save for the figures of night-patrol soldiers passing by in the distance.

However, the Qiao family residence was brightly lit.

Qiao Ping, having suddenly received news that Wei Shao had escorted his daughter back to Dongjun—and even brought his granddaughter along—was overwhelmed with joy and astonishment. Not having time to overthink it, he immediately ordered the steward to go out and welcome them, told someone to notify Lady Ding and Da Qiao, who were also in the city, and hurried to the main gate himself, craning his neck in anticipation.

Soon, Lady Ding and Da Qiao arrived at the entrance, joining Qiao Ping to wait for the arrival of Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao.

They waited only a short while before the flickering light of horse lanterns appeared at the end of the street. Accompanied by the growing sound of wheels and hoofbeats, the steward who had been sent out came running back with nimble feet, gasping for breath but beaming with joy. "Lord Governor!" he shouted, "It is indeed the son-in-law! The son-in-law has personally brought the Lady back! The Lady wished to return, and the son-in-law escorted her back!"

The stone that had been weighing on Qiao Ping’s heart finally settled. Nearby, Lady Ding and Da Qiao were also overjoyed.

Wei Shao’s hatred for the Qiao family was long-standing; for him to personally escort Xiao Qiao home and into the city was truly a surprising delight.

Seeing Qiao Ping’s impatience to descend the steps, Da Qiao hurriedly stepped forward to support him.

...

Before the carriage had fully come to a halt, Xiao Qiao climbed out.

Wei Shao had already dismounted. He half-supported and half-carried her down, let go of her, and watched in silence as she walked briskly toward the middle-aged man coming down the steps.

He remained where he was, not following.

"Father!"

Xiao Qiao ran the last few steps and took hold of Qiao Ping’s hands. By the light of the lanterns at the gate, she saw her father’s complexion looked quite good, and her heart overflowed with happiness.

"Manman is back!"

Lady Ding came forward, her face full of smiles.

"Aunt! Sister!"

Xiao Qiao let go of Qiao Ping to exchange greetings with Lady Ding and Da Qiao, everyone’s faces full of radiance.

Chun Niang approached, holding Fei Fei, who had fallen into a deep sleep along the way.

Lady Ding, knowing Fei Fei was asleep, felt a surge of tenderness. She couldn't bear to pull back the cloak to look at her in the open air, so she called for a maidservant to lead Chun Niang and the others inside to get settled.

After the commotion at the gate subsided, Qiao Ping reached out and groped in the air. Xiao Qiao hurriedly took his hand.

"I heard my son-in-law also came. Where is he?" Qiao Ping asked with a smile.

Xiao Qiao looked up at the figure standing not far away. As she hesitated, Qiao Ping said, "Manman, take me over there."

Xiao Qiao paused, but eventually, she took her father’s hand and slowly walked toward Wei Shao.

"This is my father," Xiao Qiao said softly to Wei Shao.

Wei Shao gazed at the middle-aged man standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Xiao Qiao. The man had a refined, gaunt face that bore a slight resemblance to hers. Just as he hesitated, Qiao Ping took a step forward, firmly taking hold of his hands with practiced precision, and laughed loudly: "I have long looked forward to meeting my son-in-law. To see you today fills my heart with gratification! Quickly, come inside with me. I shall set out a simple wine feast this evening. We, father and son-in-law, shall drink until we are drunk!"

Wei Shao had not originally intended to stay the night, which was why he had left Lei Yan and the others outside the city. Suddenly faced with such a warm invitation from Qiao Ping, he was stunned. His mouth opened slightly, and he subconsciously glanced at Xiao Qiao.

Seeing her looking at him with eyes full of smiles, the word "no" could not be spoken.

"Manman, my son-in-law must not have come alone. Where are his attendants?" Qiao Ping asked.

"They are all still outside the city," Xiao Qiao said.

Qiao Ping frowned, displeased. "After such a long journey, the road is tiring. Now that you have arrived home, how could you leave people waiting outside the city like that?"

Wei Shao hurriedly said, "Father-in-law, please do not blame Manman..."

He only realized he had addressed the man from the Qiao family as "Father-in-law" after the words had slipped out. He stopped, and subconsciously glanced at Xiao Qiao again.

Seeing her staring at him with wide eyes, his heart gave a sudden tremor. Forgetting to overthink it, he continued: "It was I who left them outside the city. There are still matters waiting for me in Luoyang, so I intended to return that very night after escorting Manman and her mother home..."

"If there is truly a matter of utmost urgency, I will not force you to stay," Qiao Ping said. "But if you do not have to leave this very night, since you have already reached my doorstep, how can you not come in? Resting for a night and leaving tomorrow would not be too late."

Wei Shao looked at Xiao Qiao again.

Xiao Qiao said softly, "If you are not in a rush, husband, perhaps you should rest for the night. General Lei and the others must be tired as well."

Wei Shao finally nodded. "Very well."

Qiao Ping was delighted and immediately turned to call for someone to escort Wei Shao’s followers into the city to be housed in the inn, while he himself led Wei Shao inside.

Wei Shao stepped forward to follow Qiao Ping into the house. As they reached the steps to the main hall, he reached out to support Qiao Ping’s arm, whispering, "Careful," and guided him up.

...

Lei Yan and the others waited outside the city for a long time. They thought the person coming out of the gate would be their lord, but it was someone from the Qiao family bringing word. They bowed respectfully as they were told that the lord would be staying at the Qiao residence for the night and that they should enter the city to rest at the inn.

Lei Yan and his men were weary from the long, dusty journey and were certainly thirsty and tired. They had been prepared to continue through the night as per their lord's orders, so hearing this news brought them all joy. The group immediately set off into the city to settle in at the inn.

That evening, Qiao Ping set out a wine feast to drink with Wei Shao. Wei Shao initially tried to decline, but unable to refuse his father-in-law's enthusiasm, he eventually relaxed, drinking cup after cup of wine.

Xiao Qiao got her daughter settled, visited three-year-old Li'er, and chatted with Lady Ding and Da Qiao about their time apart. By the hour of the Dog (7:00 PM), she returned to her own chamber, but Wei Shao had not yet returned.

Thinking he had been drinking with her father for over an hour—and knowing her father’s eye condition made heavy drinking unwise—she grew worried and went to the pavilion where they were drinking. Upon arriving, she discovered both men were already drunk.

She heard her father saying: "...My Manman, I do not mean to boast, but she is beautiful and clever, rarely surpassed by any. When she was barely ten years old, the people coming to my door to propose marriage were about to trample the threshold flat..."

Wei Shao set his wine cup down with a "bang." "Who dares to compete with me?!"

Xiao Qiao hurried forward to interrupt them, saying to Qiao Ping, "Father, you are drunk. Go and rest." She called for servants to help him back to his room.

Qiao Ping had finally seen Wei Shao today, and seeing him personally bring his daughter home and hearing him call him "Father-in-law," he knew the rift between the two families was truly gone. He had never felt so carefree, and cup after cup of wine had gone down easily. Hearing his daughter’s voice, he laughed heartily and did not persist, allowing himself to be helped away.

Wei Shao also seemed quite drunk. When he saw Xiao Qiao approach, he stood up and swayed. Xiao Qiao caught him, but feeling the heaviness of his body and fearing she would be pressed down by him, she hurriedly called for a maidservant to help her support him.

They finally reached the door of the room, stumbling until they reached the bed. As soon as she let go, Wei Shao collapsed onto the mattress with a thud.