The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 95

Chapter 95

Madame Xu pulled the cat that had just come in from outside onto her lap. After a long, absent-minded silence, she asked, "The business with that wife of the regional marquis, the one surnamed Li—was there any follow-up?"

Nanny Zhong replied, "I was just about to report to the Old Madame. On the surface, that woman doesn't seem to have anything unusual about her. Previously, she had been residing in Luoyang. When the marquis fell ill and passed away last year, her in-laws sent her back to the ancestral residence here in Yuyang. Since living in Yuyang, she has kept to herself and rarely interacts with anyone. However..."

She hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "I did accidentally discover an acquaintance who seems to have a bit of a connection with her."

Madame Xu asked, "Which acquaintance?"

"It is the lady of the Su clan from Zhongshan. A few years ago, when the marquis's wife was living in Luoyang, Lady Su was in close contact with her for a period of time, and they often attended banquets and traveled together. Later, because the marquis's wife became entangled in a certain scandalous romantic lawsuit, Lady Su gradually severed contact with her, likely to avoid suspicion. These are all old matters from several years ago."

Madame Xu slowly stroked the dozing cat in her arms. After a moment of deep thought, she asked again, "How did Nanny Jiang come to be in secret contact with the marquis's wife? Are there any clues?"

Nanny Zhong said, "I have been useless. Both Nanny Jiang and that woman died one after another after the matter came to light, leaving behind no confessions. According to the servants in the marquis's household, they had never seen Nanny Jiang entering or leaving the lady's residence on regular days. How they managed to get entangled remains completely baffling."

"Have you checked Nanny Jiang's background?"

"Nanny Jiang was originally a maid from Madame's maternal home. She was widowed at a young age and brought along a single son. Because Madame Zhu had once shown her great kindness, she remained by Madame's side, serving her for thirty years now."

"Where is Nanny Jiang's son now?"

"It is said that over a dozen years ago, when he was only in his teens, he suffered a sudden illness and died."

"What illness?"

"The nature of the illness is unknown. However, I managed to track down an old nanny who used to serve Madame alongside Nanny Jiang back then but was driven away by Madame more than a dozen years ago. From her mouth, I did manage to hear a little something. Supposedly, when Nanny Jiang's son died of that sudden illness, it seemed to be related to Madame's brother. Her brother used to keep male favorites."

In these times, it had long since become a widespread trend among the nobility to keep courtesans or male favorites.

Madame Xu's brow furrowed tightly. "You mean the brother who got drunk at the Luoyang Flower Festival two years ago, fell into a pond all by himself, and wasn't found until he floated up bloated days later?"

"The very one."

Madame Xu fell silent, remaining lost in thought for a long while. Suddenly, she asked, "These past two days, have you noticed if Shao'er has gone and angered my grandson's wife again?"

Nanny Zhong hesitated and remained quiet.

Madame Xu shook her head. "Before the new year, he traveled all that distance to the south just to bring my grandson's wife back, treating her like a precious treasure. Yet after only a few days, when there isn't even any burning emergency over there, he suddenly claims he must leave and even tells me to keep her here to serve me. If that isn't a lovers' spat, what is?"

Nanny Zhong said, "When the tragedy occurred in those years, the Lord was still young. It is a pain that cut to the bone, so it is inevitable that he cannot let it go. It is only natural that he cannot wrap his mind around it all at once. Fortunately, the young mistress has a gentle nature and an open mind. Old Madame, do not worry. Given time, the Lord will surely be able to let go of the knot in his heart."

Madame Xu merely remarked, "He is nothing but a stubborn donkey!"

Nanny Zhong suggested, "The Lord and the young mistress are a young married couple, and right now they have stirred up some petty irritation. If they are truly separated like this for five or six months, I fear it might be rather improper. Not to be nosy, but it would be better if the Old Madame spoke up and told the Lord to take the young mistress along with him. I expect that after some time passes, the two of them will make up."

Madame Xu replied, "When have you ever seen a stubborn donkey move forward willingly just because it was whipped? If I speak up to force him to take his wife along, it would make it seem as though he were the one suffering an injustice. Moreover, I cannot bear to wrong my grandson's wife."

She pondered for a moment, her palm lightly smoothing over the cat's head as she smiled. "The new year has passed, and there is nothing to attend to at home. This Yuyang has too much wind and sand. I find myself missing the fine weather of Wuzhong City."

...

When Wei Shao returned in the evening, Xiao Qiao was nowhere to be found in the room, and Chuniang was absent as well. He went straight to bathe, but even after he came out, she still hadn't returned. Thus, he questioned Nanny Lin.

Nanny Lin replied, "The Old Madame summoned the young mistress to keep her company for dinner."

After a slight hesitation, Wei Shao headed outside. Just as he reached the doorway, he heard footsteps approaching from afar along the courtyard path. Lifting his eyes, he saw two maidservants walking ahead with lanterns, lighting the way for Xiao Qiao as she returned. Wei Shao stepped over the threshold and made his way toward the study.

During these past few nights since his return from the border patrol, he would always head to the study first before returning to the bedroom later to sleep. He and Xiao Qiao had been managing to coexist in peace without disturbing each other.

Xiao Qiao caught sight of Wei Shao's figure and called out to him, "Husband, Grandmother is calling for you. She says she has something to discuss with you."

Wei Shao cast a glance at her and turned his steps toward the northern chambers.

Upon entering the northern chambers, he saw several large, open camphorwood chests resting on the floor, packed with clothing and various everyday items. The maidservants were busy moving about with large and small vanity boxes. Nanny Zhong was standing beside one of the large chests, instructing a maidservant, "The weather over there won't warm up anytime soon, so pack that fox-fur cloak first and store it away carefully..." Suddenly noticing Wei Shao's entrance, she hurriedly stepped forward with a smile. "The Lord has arrived? The Old Madame is inside."

Wei Shao asked, "What is the meaning of this?"

Nanny Zhong answered, "The Old Madame is preparing to depart for Wuzhong City."

Wei Shao's brows twitched slightly. He strode inside to where Madame Xu was seated. Seeing Wei Shao, she gestured for him to come over.

Wei Shao seated himself close to her. "Just now, Nanny said that Grandmother is going to Wuzhong City?"

Madame Xu nodded. "I called you over precisely to tell you this. You already know that I prefer the comfortable weather over there; it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In past years, I would spend half the year there. Now that the Lantern Festival has passed and you are about to leave, there won't be many people left at home anyway, so I want to go and spend some time over there."

Wei Shao said, "On what day will Grandmother depart? Your grandson will escort you there first. Once Grandmother is settled, I will head to Jinyang."

Madame Xu refused, "There is no need for you to escort me. On this trip, I intend to bring your mother along as well. Since the affairs in Jinyang are urgent, you should simply leave as early as possible. I have people to escort me."

Wei Shao was slightly startled. After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Grandmother is only bringing my mother?"

Madame Xu nodded and let out a soft sigh. "Ever since that incident occurred, although I confined your mother to her quarters, how could my own heart feel any peace? She is your mother, after all, and I know you wish for her well-being too. Thus, I thought of taking her with me to Wuzhong this time. Perhaps changing the environment will help alter her state of mind."

Wei Shao solemnly bowed to express his profound gratitude to Madame Xu.

Madame Xu smiled gently. "There is no need for thanks. I recall that in the earlier years, your mother's disposition wasn't the type to drive itself into such a dead end as it does now. For her to have become like this, the fault naturally lies with her first, but as her mother-in-law, I must have also failed to guide her properly, so I cannot escape blame. It is just as well that I take her there this time so I can spend some proper time with her."

Wei Shao thanked Madame Xu repeatedly. Madame Xu said with a pleasant smile, "Calling you here was merely to inform you of this. You have been busy all day and must be exhausted, so go and rest early."

Wei Shao complied and rose from the couch. He made a move to leave, but after a few steps, he halted, turned back, and inquired, "Is Grandmother not bringing her along as well?"

Madame Xu asked, "Who? Your wife?"

Seeing Wei Shao staring at her, she shook her head. "She isn't going."

"Reasonably speaking, our household has few members," Madame Xu explained. "With you leaving and me departing, there is absolutely no strict necessity for her to remain behind. Originally, I also intended to take her along. The household chores could simply be handed over to the newly promoted stewards. However, as you know, at the beginning of the second lunar month, the populace holds the sacrifices to the Grand Altar of the Soil to pray for a bountiful harvest of the five grains, which has traditionally been presided over by us. In past years, it was always your mother who did it. Now that your mother is leaving with me, she naturally must step forward. That is the first reason. Secondly, I also harbor a bit of selfishness out of care for you. I thought that if she could stay behind to keep watch over the house, in the event that you return early for some reason, you wouldn't return to a cold, deserted home without a soul to welcome you."

Wei Shao countered, "It matters not to me. Grandmother may as well take her along to Wuzhong City."

Madame Xu replied, "I too was afraid she would find it lonely at home by herself. When I summoned her earlier, I asked her about it. But she herself said it was fine. So I thought, let it be. Sooner or later, she will have to shoulder the responsibilities of the matriarch of our Wei family all on her own. It is a good thing for her to gain more experience while she is still young."

Wei Shao opened his mouth as if to speak, but ultimately closed it again. Finally, he said, "Your grandson understands. I shall take my leave first. May Grandmother also rest early."

...

Wei Shao returned to the western chambers.

Xiao Qiao was currently in the room with Chuniang, packing his clothing for the journey.

Wei Shao stood to the side, watching with a cold gaze for a few moments before heading to the study. When he returned later, Chuniang was gone, and just like the northern chambers, several trunks of various sizes were arranged on the floor, all filled with his clothes.

Xiao Qiao was sitting on the edge of the bed, folding a few pieces of his robes. Seeing him enter, she did not stand up to greet him, but merely said, "I inquired with others and learned that the climate in Jinyang is dry and cold in the winter, and scorching hot in the summer. Since you mentioned that even half a year isn't a certain estimate, I have packed extra things for you for this journey. Aside from the robes and fur coats needed for the current weather, there are ten sets of middle garments and ten sets of inner garments for changing. The inner garments are all made of fine kudzu fabric. There are also plain white silk unlined robes prepared for when the weather turns hot..."

Wei Shao's gaze swept over the trunks on the floor, and he said impatiently, "You can just handle these matters as you see fit. Why bother telling me?"

Xiao Qiao fell silent. Lowering her head, she folded the last few pieces of clothing laid out on the bed, placed them inside the trunk, pressed them down, and finally shut the lid. Turning around, she said, "It is getting late, let us rest then."

The two of them climbed onto the couch separately. They were no longer tightly glued to one another as they had been previously, each harboring their own thoughts.

As Xiao Qiao kept her eyes closed, she suddenly heard Wei Shao speak beside her ear, "Tomorrow, go tell Grandmother to take you along to Wuzhong City as well!"

Startled, Xiao Qiao opened her eyes and turned her face to look at him.

"Just tell her that you will find it lonely staying home by yourself. That you are afraid!" he added.

Xiao Qiao replied flatly, "I am not afraid. What is there to fear? With Grandmother taking Mother to Wuzhong City, it is my proper duty to stay behind and guard the home."

Wei Shao's brows knitted tightly as he glared at her.

Xiao Qiao simply turned her face back and closed her eyes.

...

Two days later, Madame Xu finished packing her luggage. She instructed a maidservant to carry the increasingly plump cat on her lap, and took Lady Zhu along. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law rode in a carriage, departing the city to head for Wuzhong.

Disregarding Madame Xu's attempts to dissuade him, Wei Shao personally escorted them. By day they traveled along the imperial highways, and by evening they lodged at the courier stations, progressing at a leisurely pace throughout the journey. The distance of several hundred li took them three days before they finally escorted Madame Xu to Wuzhong City. The Magistrate of Wuzhong welcomed their party outside the city gates. Wei Shao entered the city, settled everything in order, and left behind a troop of family generals to guard them. He did not even stay for the night, rushing back through the darkness, and arrived back in Yuyang by noon the following day.

Xiao Qiao had originally assumed that once he finished escorting Madame Xu, he would be leaving upon his return. To her surprise, after returning from this trip, he completely ceased to mention going to Jinyang again. Observing him for a few days, she noticed that he left early and returned late every day, appearing exceptionally busy. Naturally, she would not take the initiative to ask him exactly when he intended to set off. She merely had the servants temporarily put away the several trunks that had been packed previously, to be brought out again whenever he decided to leave.

In the blink of an eye, the end of the first lunar month passed, and this day marked the sacrifices to the Grand Altar of the Soil at the beginning of the second month.

The sacrifices to the Grand Altar of the Soil primarily venerated the God of the Earth, utilizing chives and eggs as sacrificial offerings to pray for abundant land yields and a bountiful harvest of the five grains in the coming year. Once the rituals concluded, the villagers would gather together to perform community plays and dances, and young men and women would seize the opportunity to gift each other thoroughwort to convey their affections. It was the most grand and auspicious festival of the year, second only to the Lunar New Year.

At the crack of dawn, Xiao Qiao arose. Having completed her grooming and changed into her ceremonial sacrificial robes, she boarded a carriage under the escort of her attendants and departed the city for the Temple of the Altar of the Soil.

On that day, after waiting for Xiao Qiao to leave the house, Wei Shao went to the government office himself. The moment he stepped inside, Gongsun Yang urged him, "My Lord, on what day will you set off for Jinyang?”