The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 171

Chapter 171

The next day, the Empress Dowager returned to the palace accompanied by Feifei.

Upon receiving the report, Wei Shao immediately interrupted his meeting with his ministers and went to personally welcome the Empress Dowager outside the Suzaku Gate. When he saw her, he was unexpectedly, abnormally agitated. After escorting her back to the Jiade Palace, he remained reluctant to leave, lingering by her side to talk for a long time.

At first, Lady Xu thought he had something important to discuss with her, but finally, she smiled and said, "Does the Emperor have something to say to your grandmother? Feel free to speak."

Wei Shao paused, only then remembering that a group of ministers was still waiting for him in the Xuan Room. He hurriedly shook his head, instructed the palace attendants to serve the Empress Dowager well, and then took his leave.

Xiao Qiao, who was standing nearby, found this a bit strange. Looking at him, it was as if he hadn't seen Lady Xu for a long time. When he returned to their bedchamber that evening, they bathed together, and she jokingly teased him about it.

She had spoken without thinking, but Wei Shao’s heart suddenly skipped a beat, recalling what had happened the previous night.

Last night, he had done everything in his power to please Xiao Qiao on the dragon bed, and she had reciprocated with tender devotion. They had been entangled for the better part of the night in an incomparable state of blissful enchantment. Finally, exhausted, just before he embraced his beloved wife to drift off to sleep, he had suddenly felt a long sigh of immense satisfaction escape from his heart.

At the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Holding Xiao Qiao, who was already fast asleep from exhaustion, he closed his eyes and drifted off himself.

Now, reminded by her words, he recalled that subconscious sigh of satisfaction from last night. Then, thinking back to the incredibly realistic "daydream" he had experienced yesterday—a dream that felt as if he had lived through a different life—Wei Shao suddenly felt a wave of unease.

Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly, and a butterfly dreamt he was Zhuangzi. Was he perhaps still in a dream, not yet awakened?

"Manman... hit me again! Hit me hard!"

Xiao Qiao had only been teasing him casually. Seeing his sudden solemn expression, she let out a light laugh, cupped water in her hands, and splashed it on his face when he wasn't looking. "What is wrong with Your Majesty again?"

Wei Shao was splashed with water, droplets flying everywhere. He closed his eyes, then opened them to see her right in front of him. In the hazy mist, she tilted her head slightly, looking at him with eyes shining like stars and a bright, charming smile. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, pressing his forehead against her warm one. All at once, his heart steadied, and the sense of disorientation vanished entirely.

"I'm fine..." he murmured, leaning down to kiss her lips.

"Manman, it is truly wonderful that I, Wei Shao, have you in this life..."

...

Two months later, the Empress was diagnosed as being with child.

Lady Xu was overjoyed, as were all the officials, who waited with bated breath for the Empress to give birth to another dragon heir.

...

In the early summer of the third year of Taihe, around the fourth watch, Xiao Qiao was awakened from her sleep by faint, recurring pains in her lower abdomen. She pushed awake the snoring Wei Shao beside her.

Wei Shao woke up, and seeing her curled into a ball while clutching her stomach, he was terrified. He sprang up and tumbled off the dragon bed. Without even putting on his shoes, he ran out barefoot, shouting loudly: "The Empress is going into labor!"

His shout startled the entire imperial palace.

As the Empress's due date was near, all preparations had already been made long ago. At the Emperor’s cry, the entire Guanghua Palace instantly came to life, ablaze with light, as palace attendants hurried to report the news to the Jiade Palace.

Lady Xu arrived quickly. By then, several midwives had already entered the room, and the doors were tightly shut. The Emperor guarded the entrance to the birthing room, his expression a mix of nervousness and excitement.

When Xiao Qiao gave birth to Feifei last time, he had been away in the south fighting a war. By the time he returned, Feifei was already several months old. He had missed being by her side when she brought his first child into the world, a regret he had always carried.

This time, being able to finally be there for her, he felt boundless joy. Seeing Lady Xu arrive, he hurried up to support her personally. "Grandmother, Manman is giving birth!"

Lady Xu glanced at him, and seeing his beaming smile, she nodded with a smile of her own.

And so, Wei Shao, filled with excitement and eager anticipation, sat with Lady Xu to wait for the birth of their second child.

As the water clock ticked slowly by, he began to grow restless, the smile gradually fading from his face.

Wei Shao had heard of the pains of childbirth before.

He just hadn't expected that Manman would have to endure such agony. Listening to the occasional voices of the midwives inside, mingled with her suppressed, intermittent moans, he felt his entire body go taut.

Several times, if not for Zhong Ao and Chun Niang holding him back, he would have charged inside.

Another cry of pain.

"Do you people even know how to deliver a baby? Why is my Manman in so much pain!"

He jumped up abruptly, cold sweat on his brow, rushed to the door, and shouted loudly inside.

The voices inside suddenly died down; the midwives and the Empress must have been startled.

Zhong Ao and Chun Niang both stepped forward, whispering to urge him to avoid the area for his own good.

But Wei Shao wouldn't listen, pacing back and forth outside the door incessantly.

"Your Majesty, why don't you go rest for a while! You can come back once the child is born!"

Even Lady Xu couldn't bear to watch any longer and spoke up.

Wei Shao seemed not to hear her.

Seeing this, Lady Xu could only shake her head with a bitter smile.

"Ah—"

Finally, as dawn approached, he heard a long, pained cry from Xiao Qiao inside. The last vestige of color drained from his lips, and his heart hammered like a drum. He rushed to the door.

"Manman!" He raised his hand to push the door open.

"Oh! Oh! Your Majesty!"

Zhong Ao and Chun Niang were startled and hurriedly grabbed him from both sides.

Suddenly, a loud, clear cry of a newborn rang out from inside.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty! Congratulations to the Empress Dowager! The Empress has safely given birth to a dragon son; mother and child are both well!" followed by the midwife’s joyful, elevated voice.

Wei Shao froze. After a long moment, he let out a long breath. Taking advantage of the moment Zhong Ao and Chun Niang were distracted by their joy and let go of him, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The midwife had already wrapped the newborn prince in swaddling clothes and placed him beside Xiao Qiao. Seeing the Emperor suddenly burst in, she was startled and hurriedly knelt, though she offered congratulations with a radiant smile.

Wei Shao walked straight to Xiao Qiao’s side. He lowered his head to gaze at her pale face, beaded with sweat. Without a word, he simply reached out and gently took her hand in his.

Xiao Qiao had heard the commotion he was making outside the whole time, so she wasn't surprised when he charged in.

Though she felt exhausted and weak, her heart felt warm. She turned to meet his gaze, smiled at him, and said softly, "Look, Your Majesty. It is our son, Feifei’s younger brother. He looks so handsome."

Wei Shao cast his gaze toward the newborn son in her arms.

Though he had just been born, he already had a high nose bridge and long, dark eyelashes. He was gently sucking on his little lips in his mother’s arms, looking incredibly adorable.

"Manman, you have suffered."

In front of the midwives, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss to his Empress’s forehead, his heart overflowing with a profound sense of happiness.

...

The Empress had joyfully given birth to the Crown Prince, named Hong, and the entire realm celebrated. Three days after the birth, the Emperor personally offered sacrifices to the Ancestral Temple and the Hall of Offering to Heaven, while the court officials performed rites for the Altars of Soil and Grain. The civil and military officials wore festive attire for ten days, and an edict was issued to inform the entire world.

In September of that year, the envoy group of Chanyu Wuzhuqu arrived in Luoyang. The imperial court and the Xiongnu concluded a treaty, agreeing that the Sanggan River would serve as the border, with both sides pledging not to invade each other and opening several border markets. The Xiongnu offered high-quality horses as tribute, and the Great Yan sent back the tens of thousands of prisoners from the Battle of Shanggu several years prior.

On the day the prisoners were sent home, the banks of the Sanggan River—which had flowed lonely for a hundred years, save for the wars—were filled with cries of children calling for their fathers and mothers; families wept with joy upon reuniting. Wuzhuqu, in his own name, offered an additional grand gift to the Empress Dowager, which included a brocade vest known as a "Hamo," sewn from sixteen pieces of precisely tailored lambskin.

In the customs of the Xiongnu, after a man and woman become betrothed, the mother of the bride receives such a vest from the groom’s family as an expression of gratitude for the years she spent painstakingly raising her daughter until the age of sixteen, when she is finally married off.

After conveying the gift, the envoy had been apprehensive, fearing the Empress Dowager would not accept the Hamo. It was not until half a month later, just before he departed without receiving any return of the gift, that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

...

In the fourth year of Taihe, after the Crown Prince turned one year old, Lady Xu one day summoned the Emperor and Empress to her side. With a smile on her face, she told them that she had decided to return to Youzhou to settle down in Wuzhong City for her retirement.

By this year, the Empress Dowager was nearly seventy. Though aged, she maintained a simple diet and, to this day, insisted on planting flowers and weeding by herself, still appearing vigorous and spirited.

The Emperor and Empress were greatly shocked and both knelt, blaming themselves for being unfilial and pleading with their grandmother to rescind her order.

Lady Xu said that her desire to return was not because they had failed in any way, but rather because she was comforted to see that everything was well with them, and she could finally set her mind at ease.

Wei Shao continued to kowtow and plead desperately for her to stay. Xiao Qiao looked at Lady Xu’s face, which wore a kind and loving smile, and gradually began to feel pensive.

That small border town called Wuzhong was where she and Wei Shao’s grandfather had been married, and it was also the place where she had sent Wei Shao’s grandfather off.

Beyond her husband, that place held memories of her sons, daughters, and grandchildren.

The events of her half-life, or perhaps some unspoken wish, were all inextricably linked to it, making it impossible to let go.

Now that she was nearly seventy, and had suddenly made such a decision, Xiao Qiao realized that while it might be hard to fully understand her feelings, she would respect her choice.

She kowtowed to Lady Xu and said, "Granddaughter-in-law understands. After we escort you home to spend your remaining years in comfort, I will bring our children to visit you every year. I pray for Grandmother’s health and longevity; that would be our fortune as the younger generation."

Lady Xu smiled at the Emperor: "Shao’er, Grandmother has always felt you were not as intelligent as your wife, and that remains true to this day. Since she can understand me, stop obstructing me."

Though Wei Shao was extremely reluctant, Lady Xu’s mind was made up, and he eventually agreed with great difficulty.

In September of that year, as the scorching summer heat passed and golden autumn arrived, the Emperor and Empress left Luoyang together to personally escort Lady Xu north.

On the night before they departed, Xiao Qiao stayed in the Jiade Palace with Feifei and Hong’er to keep Lady Xu company.

Late at night, after the children had fallen asleep and Xiao Qiao had helped Lady Xu to her bed, she knelt before her knees, unwilling to rise for a long time.

Lady Xu gazed at her for a moment before saying, "Manman, Grandmother is leaving tomorrow. I know you have likely always wanted to know why I decided to have Shao’er marry you, a daughter of the Qiao family, and why I arranged for our families to be united by marriage."

"If not for your grace in making it happen, how could I have been able to marry my husband and become his wife? Your broad-mindedness and compassion are my good fortune."

Lady Xu laughed and sighed, "You are so clever that I need not say more; you likely already know what I was thinking. Shao’er was once obsessed with revenge and would not listen to counsel. I was always worried he would be trapped by his inner demons, unable to release his obsessions, which would not necessarily be a blessing for his life. The deepest obsession in his heart stemmed from the pain of losing his father when he was young. Thus, when I received word from the Qiao family wanting to resolve the feud through marriage, and I heard of the noble character of the Qiao daughter, I thought back to the past..."

She paused.

Xiao Qiao sat up from her knees, looking up at her.

Lady Xu seemed lost in the recollection of the past. After a moment, she sighed: "Manman, before your grandfather passed away, he sent me a letter, repenting for what he had done and swearing that he was willing to descend into the ten thousand layers of hell if only the Wei family would spare the Qiao family after his death. I, too, hated your grandfather for his betrayal and for causing me to lose my son and grandson. Yet, we live in chaotic times—what is justice? Among princes, generals, and ministers, whose hands are not stained with blood? Who has not caused another woman to lose her husband or a son to lose his father? One must realize that life was never inherently fair. The dead cannot return, and even if I had exterminated your entire Qiao clan, would the pain already caused be lessened by even half? However, if I could use this opportunity to resolve the hatred and allow Shao’er to rid himself of his inner demons, to break free from his obsessions so he wouldn't spend the rest of his life in mourning—what could I not let go of?"

She seemed touched by the sorrow, and tears glinted at the corners of her eyes.

Xiao Qiao took her hand and slowly rested one side of her face against her warm back.

Lady Xu lowered her head and touched her hair affectionately.

"Manman, Grandmother is not as good as you think. It was purely because of such selfish motives that I decided to let you marry into our family. I thought then that if the Qiao daughter could use her wisdom to dissipate the hostility in my grandson and create a happy marriage, my wish would be fulfilled. If not, it would just be the sacrifice of one daughter of the Qiao family. When you said you were grateful to me, it was truly I who should be grateful to you, for because of your arrival, my Wei family has today’s prosperity, and I have lived to see my great-grandchildren. Tomorrow I return north, and from now on, I entrust Shao’er entirely to you. I feel very much at ease."

In Lady Xu’s single eye, there was a smile of satisfaction.

"Grandmother! Manman cannot bear to part with you!" Xiao Qiao choked with sobs, unable to help herself from throwing herself into Lady Xu’s embrace.

Lady Xu smiled and held her, gently patting her back to soothe her as if she were still just a child.

Not far away, in a corner of the palace doorway, Wei Shao, who had just arrived, stood silently watching the back of the woman he loved being comforted by his grandmother, remaining perfectly still.

...

The next morning, the Emperor and Empress left Luoyang and smoothly escorted the Empress Dowager all the way to Wuzhong City. After staying for three days, at Lady Xu’s urging, the two finally bid a reluctant farewell and left.

Wei Shao had always felt puzzled by his grandmother’s decision. Even after leaving Wuzhong City, he frequently looked back, feeling depressed and unhappy.

Xiao Qiao said that perhaps there was still an unfulfilled attachment in Grandmother’s heart. Being here brought her closer to that attachment.

Wei Shao fell silent, finally nodded, and said he understood.

Leaving Wuzhong, the Emperor and Empress first passed through Yuyang and stayed one night in the old mansion where the Emperor had once lived when he was a "hidden dragon."

Early the next morning, Xiao Qiao was surprised to find that Wei Shao, who never worshipped ghosts or gods, had specifically run to the Queen Mother’s Temple on the east side of the city. Not only did he burn incense there, but he also ordered the Magistrate of Yuyang to have the Queen Mother’s statue gilded, and he didn't even miss the messengers beside her, allowing them to bask in the reflected glory.

Finally, he circled around one of the golden-armored great god statues several times, staring at it for a long while with a rather strange expression.

After coming out, they sat in the carriage together. Recalling his old act of tearing down the wall painting many years ago, she couldn't help but tease him: "Tearing down walls back then, repairing temples now—why has the Emperor suddenly changed his nature? Is it possible that a god appeared in your dream and wanted you to repent?"

The strange dream that still left Wei Shao feeling fearful when he woke up in the middle of the night—the one where he had to immediately touch the Empress to confirm she was sleeping right beside him before he could feel at ease—was something he absolutely could not tell her, even if it meant his death.

Teased by her, Wei Shao was embarrassed at first, but then, thinking of the absurdity in his dream, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. He pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear that heaven’s secrets must not be revealed.

...

This trip out of the palace, in addition to escorting Lady Xu north, had another important agenda: to inspect the river works. By the end of October, the Emperor and Empress, traveling in disguise, reached Wuchao Ferry, where their journey had once been blocked by the freezing of the Yellow River.

Wuchao Ferry no longer possessed its former prosperity; because a new ferry with large ships had opened a few dozen miles upstream, providing more convenient and safer passage, this place had gradually fallen into decline, with only a few people passing back and forth in a day. However, the inn where the two of them had once stayed still stood on the edge of the ferry, its dust-covered sign fluttering in the wind. As summers and winters passed, suns rose and set, it seemed as if it had been there since the dawn of time, and through all the changes in the world, it would continue to remain.

That evening, the setting sun over the Yellow River dyed the mountains and wilderness a golden yellow, and dust flew up from the yellow mud road outside the inn.

During the day, the last traveler in the inn had left, and not a single person had entered the door since.

The landlady was dozing, leaning against the shabby counter, when she suddenly heard the sound of a carriage approaching from a distance. Knowing that those who rode in carriages would not stay in her place, she took a glance, then continued to doze off.

But the sound of the wheels stopped at the door. The landlady opened her eyes and saw a man and woman enter, appearing to be a couple. The man was about thirty, spirited and imposing, his eyes shining with brilliance. The woman looked much younger than him, adorned in pearls and jade, extraordinarily beautiful. The two entered together, standing side by side, looking like a perfect pair; their radiance seemed to brighten the originally dim and shabby inn.

There were post-houses dozens of miles away, and any high-ranking official or noble who needed to stay overnight would stay there. Old inns at such dilapidated ferry crossings were only for ordinary travelers passing through for the night. When would such guests ever visit?

The landlady stared blankly for a moment. Coming to her senses, she hurried forward to host them. Hearing that the two of them, along with their accompanying entourage, would stay the night, she was flustered, nodding hurriedly. She led them to the cleanest guest room, wiping the tables and chairs over and over, serving them diligently. When she finally retreated, she couldn't help but look at the beautiful young woman again.

Seeing the landlady looking at her frequently, Xiao Qiao smiled slightly at her.

The landlady was stunned. Suddenly, she slapped her thigh and cried out, "I remember now! Many years ago, the Lady and the gentleman stayed at my place because the ferry was frozen over!"

This young woman was truly too beautiful, unforgettable at a glance. Upon seeing her, she had felt as if she had seen her before, and now, seeing her smile at her, she finally remembered.

Seeing that the landlady still remembered her, Xiao Qiao nodded and smiled: "You have a good memory. Many years ago, my husband and I did indeed stay at your place. Passing by today, we have come to stay once again."

The landlady remembered that the couple was of high status, and before they left, they had given a generous reward. She never expected that years later, they would return. Overjoyed, she bowed and thanked them repeatedly, her previous restraint disappearing instantly. Happily, she chatted away at the side: "Thanks to the generous reward from the gentleman and the Lady back then. Now that the ferry is in decline, I have few guests, and it is hard to carry on. My son and daughter-in-law went to the city and used the money from your reward to settle down and start a small business. Although it was difficult at the start, fortunately, the world is at peace today, and there is no more fighting. Life has gradually stabilized. My son often says he wants to bring me over to live with them, but I have guarded this ferry for half my life and cannot bear to leave. I also think that although few people come, after half a lifetime, I have gotten to know several old regulars. If I leave, there is no guarantee that someone in need of lodging won't find themselves without a place to stay. I think of it as accumulating good karma, so I have guarded it day after day. I never expected that today I would welcome such noble guests again; it truly is my good fortune!"

Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao looked at each other and smiled.

Their inspection of the Yellow River was nearing its end, and they were already on their way back to Luoyang. When the two suddenly heard that Wuchao Ferry was just ahead, they were reminded of the old days when Xiao Qiao went south to visit her maiden home and Wei Shao went to pick her up but missed her, and on their return, they unexpectedly met at that inn by the ferry. They couldn't help but seek it out intentionally.

Before coming, they had heard from local officials that Wuchao Ferry was in decline, and they hadn't expected the inn to still be standing. They never thought it would not only still be there, but that the landlady would remember what happened all those years ago, leaving them filled with thoughts and emotions.

That night, Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao spent an incredibly beautiful night in that dilapidated but clean inn. In the middle of the night, neither could bear to sleep. Wei Shao held Xiao Qiao, and they sat side by side by the window, whispering to each other, recalling the situation back then—even the mutual precaution and suspicion they had held for each other back then felt exceptionally sweet in their memories now.

Outside the window was moonlight like water. Wei Shao suddenly recalled the nameless hill where they had climbed together in the snow all those years ago. Overcome with interest, he got up, pulling Xiao Qiao with him, put her clothes on for her one by one, took her out of the room, held her in his arms, placed her on the back of his horse, and drove the horse along the old path to find it.

Under the moonlight, the horse lifted its hooves, the sound of clop-clop ringing out, and not far behind them, a line of secret guards followed in silence.

Wei Shao finally found the hill from all those years ago. Holding Xiao Qiao’s hand, the two of them climbed to the top of the hill together again.

At that moment, the bright moon hung in the sky, distant mountains rolled and billowed, and the plains lay open. Beneath their feet, the Yellow River flowed on, its waters vast. The mountain wind ruffled their clothes, and their sleeves fluttered in the moonlight. Wei Shao held Xiao Qiao tightly as she leaned against him, his heart surging. He suddenly let out a loud shout toward the distance: "Oh Heaven! I wish to grow old with my beloved! Through life after life, we shall follow each other like body and shadow! Even if the Great River should one day run dry, my heart shall never be swayed!"

Xiao Qiao was startled by him at first, then smiled. Fearing his shout would be heard by the guards in the shadows, she reached out to cover his mouth.

The moment she covered it, her hand paused. Looking up, she gazed steadily at his excited eyes, which were looking at her under the moonlight. She suddenly punched him, gave a low scolding of "You fool," and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck, kissing his lips.

...

"Manman, if I had never met you, what would I be like now?" the man said.

"But you have already met me, Wei Shao." The woman smiled.

The moonlight was silent, and the Milky Way flowed like water, watching over the pair of lovers on the hill by the Great River.