The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Xiao Qiao patted her chest and let out a soft sigh of relief. "I wanted to ask you for news these past two days, but I was afraid you would find me bothersome. It is wonderful that my brother-in-law won. My older sister must be at peace now too. She is due to give birth in less than two months."

Wei Shao cupped her chin with one hand and smiled gently. "Then when will you give me a child?"

Xiao Qiao had not expected him to suddenly shift the topic to her having a baby. She could not help but freeze slightly.

...

Lately, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds, and their intimacy in bed had become incredibly frequent.

Aside from carefully counting the days and using various excuses to avoid being intimate during her fertile window, she had no other effective means of birth control.

Not to mention, whenever he truly wanted her, he would not always listen to her regarding when they could or could not indulge.

If she suddenly found herself pregnant one day, it would not be surprising at all.

Yet, deep down, Xiao Qiao still lacked any personal desire to have a child with Wei Shao.

Setting aside the objective fact of her youth, the most important reason lay in the deepest recesses of her heart: Wei Shao still made it impossible for her to lower her guard.

Even though he doted on her, and even though he had traveled such a long, exhausting distance just to bring her back, she was not entirely unmoved.

However, even just a moment ago, when he held her shoulder and pointed out his grand ambitions for the empire—even promising her a glorious future—the words she wanted to speak most did not concern whether he would remember that promise. Instead, she wondered if a day would come when she could ask him to let go of the generational feud between the Wei and Qiao families and spare her loved ones, and whether he would agree.

But such thoughts only lingered repeatedly in her mind; she never possessed the courage to speak them aloud. She had never even considered asking.

Husband and wife could be the closest of companions, yet the most distant of strangers.

The better he treated her, the more lost and even apprehensive she felt.

Because of this, Xiao Qiao never denied that she was a pessimist at heart—a pessimist who habitually anticipated the absolute worst in every situation.

...

Xiao Qiao pulled herself out of her thoughts. Meeting those pitch-black eyes staring intently at her, she realized that her emotions had slipped slightly just now. She had let too much show, which was unwise.

She offered a quick smile, casually smoothing a stray lock of hair at her temple as she slid down from his chest. "We were having a perfectly fine conversation, so why bring me into it all of a sudden..."

Wei Shao lay flat on the couch, resting his head on one arm as he watched her thoughtfully.

Xiao Qiao gave him a gentle nudge. "Even with the layered cushions, the floor is still quite cold. Stop lying there. Get up."

Wei Shao remained motionless.

Xiao Qiao made a move to stand up beside him. Just as she crawled to her feet, Wei Shao suddenly hooked his leg behind her knees, sending her tumbling right back onto his chest.

He rolled over, pinning her beneath him. His thumb gently stroked her eyelids back and forth, making her eyes tickle so that she blinked repeatedly. She turned her face away to dodge his hand and chided softly, "What are you doing now out of nowhere?"

Wei Shao countered, "When I go out to fight in wars, do you show this much concern for me?"

Xiao Qiao turned her face back, seeing the half-smile playing on his lips. Her heart skipped a beat. She argued, "What nonsense is that? My older sister and brother-in-law are my family. Why shouldn't I be concerned for them?"

Wei Shao said, "They are your family, but I am not? I have never seen you show such worry for me."

Xiao Qiao bit her lip in defense. "I know you command vast armies and countless generals, that you are a matchless hero who is invincible and conquers every foe. How could my brother-in-law compare to you? Besides, how can you say I don't care about you? Precisely because I wanted to return early, I only stayed in Dongjun for two days after checking on my aunt's illness before hurriedly setting out."

Wei Shao offered a nonchalant grunt. "I heard that ever since you left, your father has been posting grand notices everywhere to recruit talented men. Your Qiao family has suddenly become rather impressive."

If Yanzhou was making moves that involved raising troops and horses, it was impossible to keep it hidden in the shadows forever. Wei Shao was bound to find out sooner or later. Therefore, Xiao Qiao had long since formulated how she would respond if he ever questioned her.

She just had not expected him to find out so quickly.

It could not have been Jia Si who told him.

When she left, Jia Si had traveled alongside her. During the two or three days she spent at home, her father had only gathered his personal officers and administrators for private council. Jia Si had been lodged at the courier station the entire time, so it was impossible for him to know the details so clearly.

The only possibility was that Wei Shao had dispatched operatives to Yanzhou over the past few days, which was how he learned of the matter.

Xiao Qiao locked eyes with him, their faces only inches apart.

After a brief moment, she smiled at him and said, "I am actually not quite clear on the specifics. However, before I left, I did hear my father mention a word or two about it. He said that Yanzhou is surrounded by wolves like Yuan Zhe and Zhou Qun, and within a single year, it suffered several invasions. If not for my husband's generous assistance, Yanzhou would have fallen long ago! While my father is deeply grateful, he also feels immensely ashamed. Since the Wei and Qiao families are joined by marriage, any trouble in Yanzhou naturally drags you into it, husband. Yet, my father is too embarrassed to burden you with every single matter moving forward. Thus, having learned from his painful lessons, he intends to expand his forces purely for self-preservation. That way, if Yanzhou is attacked again by the likes of Zhou Qun or Xue Tai, they will have more room to maneuver and can relieve you of a heavy burden."

"Husband, by asking me this so suddenly, do you feel my father's actions are improper?"

Xiao Qiao gazed at him.

Wei Shao replied, "Not at all. It simply crossed my mind, so I asked casually."

Xiao Qiao let out a soft sigh, a look of worry clouding her eyes. "My father actually sees things clearly. For many years, he only wished to live peacefully in his own corner, never expecting that deep-seated neglect and decay would bring the province to such ruin. Even with the notices out to recruit talent, truly capable men might not be willing to pledge their allegiance. Right now, he is merely treating a dead horse as if it were alive, trying anything as a last resort. Husband..."

As if suddenly remembering something, she stretched out both arms to wrap them around his neck, widening her eyes as she looked at him.

"Even though my father is too ashamed to ask you for help again, if Yanzhou faces disaster next time, you won't just stand by and watch them die, will you?"

"If that happens, Manman will be brokenhearted."

She added softly.

When Wei Shao initially heard that Yanzhou was actively recruiting talent, an instinctual, deeply ingrained suspicion had flared up within him, sniffing out an unusual scent.

In his eyes, just as Xiao Qiao had once put it, Yanzhou was like a piece of meat on his platter, merely kept in the hands of the Qiao family for the time being. When he required it in the future, he would naturally take it.

Suddenly, the Qiao family was playing tricks with that piece of meat behind his back.

He was naturally vigilant, and even more so, displeased—a displeasure akin to being slighted. Furthermore, since this happened precisely during Xiao Qiao’s journey south, he had brought it up to question her.

Now, having heard Xiao Qiao's explanation, his displeasure vanished. Although a faint trace of doubt still lingered in the back of his mind, with her arms wrapped around his neck and her doe-like eyes gazing up at him so pitifully, all his fierce, martial pride melted into pure tenderness. He comforted her, saying, "Do not fear, Manman. I will not allow anyone else to lay a finger on Yanzhou. Set your mind at ease."

Xiao Qiao smiled, her eyes curving into beautiful crescents. "With my husband here, I am not afraid."

"Then, what does my husband think of my father's idea?" she asked, peeking at him subtly.

Wei Shao hesitated slightly.

In his heart, he did not think much of the two brothers, Qiao Yue and Qiao Ping. Both were bound to be mediocre men; otherwise, they would not have steered the grand ship passed down by their ancestors until it became nothing but a pile of rusty nails. Even if they threw a tantrum and made a fuss, they could not create any massive waves.

As for Qiao Ci, though the boy had stunned everyone at the Luli Tournament, he was still too young to be a concern.

The only person left in the Qiao family who made him feel a sense of threat was that green-eyed refugee leader who had recently burst into his field of vision.

If this green-eyed refugee leader ever aligned fully with the Qiao family, Wei Shao would have to re-evaluate their strength.

However, this green-eyed man came from the lowest scum of society, a difference as vast as the clouds and the mud compared to a daughter of the noble Qiao family. Considering how the Qiao family had sneakily switched brides when arranging the marriage alliance with him, it was easy to deduce that the union between the green-eyed man and Xiao Qiao's older sister was an elopement born of desperation, completely unaccepted by the Qiao family. It was impossible for him to be integrated into their household anytime soon.

Wei Shao magnanimously declared, "Your father wishes to make something of himself, so what could be improper about that? As I said, it was a casual question. Do not take it to heart."

Xiao Qiao blinked and gave a compliant nod. "I understand. I won't take it to heart."

Wei Shao had always adored her when she was this obedient. He smiled, gently patting her cheek to reassure her.

...

The following day, scouts arrived to report that the river was finally crossable.

The crossing site was located about ten li away from the Wuchao Ferry. The river was only about ten zhang wide there, but because it sat at the confluence of waterways, the currents were usually far too rapid for boats to navigate. Now, however, the ice had frozen thicker than anywhere else, completely solid enough to bear their weight. After spreading soil and scattering wheat straw over the ice, they wrapped the horses' hooves in thick cloth. Having been stranded on the southern bank of the Yellow River for many days, the group successfully crossed to the northern bank. Without any further delay, they rushed north toward Youzhou.

With Xiao Qiao by his side, Wei Shao finally made it back to Yuyang on the very last day of the year.

Awaiting them was the grand festival of New Year's Day in the first year of the Tai'an era.

...

The first day of the first lunar month was New Year's Day, marking the start of the year, the start of the month, and the start of the day. It was the most sacred festival of the entire year.

On this day, before the water clock reached the final seven intervals of the night, amidst the melodious and solemn tolling of imperial bells, the Emperor within the imperial palace of Luoyang would receive the grandest morning assembly of congratulatory greetings inside Deyang Hall.

Feudal lords, dukes, ministers, generals, grandees, civil officials, and envoys from the various nomadic tribes—nearly ten thousand people in total—surged into the great hall according to their ranks and nobility, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" while offering their tribute gifts.

On this New Year's Day of the first year of the Tai'an era, Liu Tong, the seven-year-old son of King Wenxi who had been placed on the throne by Xing Xun last year, sat upon a dragon throne that was far too massive for his small frame. He directed a fearful gaze at the back of Xing Xun, who stood directly before the throne, completely blocking his field of view.

Xing Xun was nearly fifty years old and quite portly, yet his vitality was exceptionally robust; it was said he could still indulge with several women a night.

He had just won the Battle of Sishui against Yuan Zhe. Standing here now with his chest puffed out and his head held high, it was as if he were accepting the worship of the ten thousand people in the hall in place of Liu Tong, his arrogance reaching absolute heights.

His gaze swept across the sea of black-haired heads in the hall. In the section designated for the regional lords who had ascended to the palace, he did not see the figure of Wei Shao, the Marquis of Yan.

For this New Year's Day, Wei Shao had not come to Luoyang.

He had merely dispatched an envoy to present his ritual tributes to Liu Tong, the Emperor of Han.