The Prisoner of Beauty - Chapter 98

Chapter 98

It was the third day since Wei Shao had departed the city.

With the final contingent of troops accompanying him on his westward march having broken camp and moved out this morning, the city of Yuyang gradually recovered its past tranquility from the commotion of the past few days' military departures.

The Wei Estate was unlike other prominent families of long standing. Its household population was not crowded to begin with, and after the upheaval of ten years ago, it was now simpler still. Madame Xu and Lady Zhu had departed, and three days ago, Wei Shao had also left. The North Room and the East Room were thus completely vacant. After night fell upon such a vast residence, only the West Room over here remained lit with lamps, looking inevitably a bit solitary and desolate.

Xiao Qiao, however, had spent these past few days in a rather fulfilling manner.

On the first day after Wei Shao's departure, the various stewards and servant women who had been slowly re-selected and promoted since the end of last year gathered before her to report and clear the accounts. Afterward, she inspected the storehouses—not looking through all of them, but merely conducting random spot checks. In this manner, she kept herself busy until the sky turned pitch black before resting for the night.

Because Madame Xu ordinarily took pleasure in cultivating flowers and plants, and possessed a particular fondness for roses, a sudden arctic cold wave had struck from the far north last winter. Before protective measures could be taken in time, the Jishan double-petaled roses that Madame Xu had meticulously nurtured for many years were all frozen to death at once. Let alone Madame Xu, even Xiao Qiao felt deep heartache upon seeing it. She had then suggested constructing a greenhouse in the courtyard. Madame Xu had been quite enthusiastic at that time as well. It was only that the incidents involving Wei Yan and Lady Zhu arose in succession afterward, and Madame Xu herself fell ill, causing the matter to hang in suspense.

Now that spring had arrived and she had found some leisure, it was the perfect time to construct the greenhouse. Thereupon, on the following day, Xiao Qiao summoned the florists together to survey the North Room for most of the day, selecting a site for the greenhouse. The day after that, she called over highly experienced carpenters and masons to set about the arrangements for the greenhouse construction.

Another busy and bustling day passed by.

Today, the carpenters presented the design patterns for the greenhouse. Xiao Qiao was satisfied. She designated a capable steward to take charge of the matter.

The undertaking initiated by the Young Mistress was, after all, meant to please the Old Madame. The steward naturally exerted his heart and strength to the utmost, not daring to show the slightest bit of negligence.

Today was also the fiftieth birthday of Wei Liang's mother.

Wei Liang had not returned since being in Jinyang at the end of last year, so naturally, he could not rush back now to celebrate the birthday. Wei Liang's mother belonged to the same generation as Lady Zhu; in terms of generational seniority, Xiao Qiao called her Aunt. For this reason, she personally went to Wei Liang's home today to celebrate Wei Mother's birthday.

Seeing the Young Mistress personally cross their threshold, Wei Liang's mother and wife were overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. After a round of socializing, it was already late by the time Xiao Qiao returned. Following her bath, there was moreover no need to wait for Wei Shao's return as in the past. She instructed the servants to close the courtyard gates early, climbed onto the bed herself, and fell straight asleep.

She had been busy with this and that over these past few days, and though these were all trivial matters of trivial significance, they nonetheless consumed mental energy. She was truly fatigued, added together with the fact that she could not refuse during the birthday banquet and had drunk two more cups of wine. The moment her head touched the pillow, she quickly drifted off to sleep.

Shifting in a hazy slumber, she slept until an unknown hour when she was woken by a bursting urge to urinate. She had no choice but to crawl out from her warm blanket. Without lighting a lamp, she draped a garment over herself, entered the bathhouse to relieve herself, washed her hands, and came out. Her person remained somewhat unawake, her eyes half-open and half-closed as she groped her way back to the bedside by feel, slipped into the blanket, and wrapped herself tight comfortably once more. Closing her eyes, she quickly fell back asleep.

Suddenly, a succession of loud, clapping knocks resounded against the door. The sound was by no means light, interspersed with Chun Niang's calling shouts, as if some major event had occurred. Xiao Qiao was thoroughly startled awake at once, giving a start as she opened her eyes and asked, "Chun Niang, what is the matter?"

"Young Mistress, rise quickly! General Jia of the Huben guards has arrived! At this moment, he is waiting right outside the main gates. Acting on the young master's words, he has come to escort the Young Mistress to Jinyang together!"

General Jia of the Huben guards was none other than the Huben Imperial Guard General Jia Si. Having previously escorted Xiao Qiao on her journeys south and north, they were already quite well-acquainted.

Although Chun Niang exerted herself to restrain it, her speech, with its slightly elevated cadence at the end, still betrayed her current excited and pleasantly surprised mood.

Xiao Qiao was startled, then immediately turned her body toward the inside, saying listlessly, "In the dead of night, why should I go to Jinyang? Go tell General Jia. I am not going."

Chun Niang felt anxious in her heart and knocked on the door with force once more. Seeing that the room door simply would not open, she was also helpless. Afraid that Jia Si would grow anxious from waiting, she pondered for a moment and hurriedly rushed to the main gate first. Catching her breath, she said, "General, please wait a brief moment longer. It is truly too sudden; the Young Mistress rising, doing her makeup, and packing her garments will also consume some time."

Jia Si had rushed back from Zhuo Commandery through the night along with the Marquis. At this moment, the Marquis himself was waiting at the city gates, having instructed him to come with haste to fetch the Young Mistress. Having sent the word inside just now, he had already waited for some time. Seeing that the Young Mistress had still not emerged, he said hurriedly, "The Marquis specifically instructed that it is only necessary to escort the Young Mistress alone first. As for the remaining garments, once you have packed them, Aunt Chun, it will not be too late to set out slowly tomorrow."

Chun Niang naturally did not know that Wei Shao had personally run back; she merely assumed he had dispatched Jia Si to double back and fetch his bride. At this moment, she only wished to stall him first, saying hastily, "I understand, I understand. General Jia, please wait a moment longer. I shall go urge her again."

Having finished speaking, she hurriedly ran all the way back inside, knocking on the door to call Xiao Qiao once more.

Xiao Qiao knew in her heart that this time, if she did not open the door, Chun Niang would not let the matter rest. She had no choice but to rise, light a lamp, open the door, and lie right back down upon the bed.

Chun Niang pursued her to the bedside. While panting, she pleaded earnestly, "This is not the time for you to be stubborn and obstinate! General Jia is still outside the gates waiting for you to go out! The carriage is already waiting! Be obedient, hurry and rise."

Xiao Qiao merely closed her eyes and shook her head: "I am not going. I want to sleep."

Chun Niang was so anxious that she paced in circles before the bed, wishing she could shake the disobedient Young Mistress awake. Suddenly recalling something, she could no longer care about anything else at this moment, saying hastily, "This servant did not speak of it that day, but when you were drunk, it was by no means this servant who carried you inside. Rather, it was the young master himself who carried you into the room. Seeing you drunk to the point of being unconscious of human affairs, he even rebuked this servant a few times, blaming this servant for failing to care for the Young Mistress well. It can be seen that even if the young master appears estranged from you on the surface, he still holds affection for you in his heart! Now, even after he has been gone for three days, he actually dispatched General Jia back to fetch you. It precisely means he wishes for you to go together. Young Mistress, do not indulge your petty whims any longer! Just go quickly. Lest it provoke unpleasantness again."

Xiao Qiao had originally kept her eyes closed, but upon hearing these words, she snapped them open, her eyes turning perfectly round: "He was the one who delivered me into the room? Chun Niang, why didn't you speak of it that day?"

Chun Niang hesitated for a brief moment, lowering her voice, "The young master instructed me not to speak of it. Perhaps he simply could not bring himself to lose face. The young master has already gone to such lengths, Young Mistress, you..."

Chun Niang was still pleading earnestly on the side without interruption, but Xiao Qiao no longer paid attention to what she was saying.

She slowly pulled herself up to a sitting position. Lowering her head, she carefully recalled the strange sensation after her intoxication that day. Gradually, it was as if she had somewhat come to her senses.

No wonder she had that strange sensation in her hazy confusion. At that time, she had actually struggled with the desire to open her eyes, but she had truly been too severely intoxicated to wake up at all.

She finally understood completely. Why she had felt that sticky, uncomfortable sensation throughout her body upon waking. And down below...

"Chun Niang, when he delivered me into the room, how long did he remain?"

Xiao Qiao suddenly raised her head, interrupting Chun Niang to ask her.

"The young master remained for some time... Young Mistress, you should still be obedient! Do not throw a childish tantrum any longer. This servant shall serve you to rise right now!"

Having spoken, she turned her head and called loudly for people to enter.

With such a commotion just now, the servant women and maids of the entire West Room had long since been awoken. Hearing that the young master had suddenly dispatched someone at this hour to take the Young Mistress away, none were not astonished. They were all gathered outside at present, waiting to be summoned. Hearing Chun Niang's call, they hurriedly pushed open the door and entered.

Xiao Qiao's heart was as bright as snow. Yet she could not restrain a wave of depression, followed by a wave of bitter indignation.

Granted, when she was lucid on ordinary days, if he insisted that she fulfill the duties of a wife, she indeed would not refuse him.

But under such circumstances that day, when she was entirely devoid of consciousness, he had actually taken the opportunity to vent himself upon her body once more. Furthermore, she had no idea how he had disposed of her at that time, or what base actions he had carried out.

Most detestable of all, he had actually required Chun Niang to conceal it so she would not know, acting afterward as if nothing had happened!

How could there be such a shameless, beastly man in this world!

"All of you get out. Go back to your sleep!"

Xiao Qiao raised her head and suddenly spoke.

The servant women and maids were startled, looking at one another.

Chun Niang was truly anxious: "Oh, my little darling—are you trying to worry this servant to death—"

Right at this moment, a succession of rapid, striding footsteps sounded from outside the door. Next, a silhouette stepped in with one stride, turning in from behind the screen.

"Chun Niang, why has she not risen yet? How long has everyone been waiting?"

The man arrived along with his voice. Wei Shao had already strode inside, halting beside that screen.

His gaze swept over Xiao Qiao, who was still sitting on the bed. His words, however, were directed at Chun Niang, his tone seemingly displeased.

The maids and servant women had not expected that the young master, who had departed three days ago, would actually pop up again at this hour, and they were astonished.

Chun Niang was also nonplussed.

She had assumed Wei Shao had merely dispatched Jia Si back to fetch her.

Yet she never expected that he himself had actually come as well.

Only, why hadn't she seen him at the entrance just now?

"Young master, please be at ease!"

Chun Niang reacted quickly. Discerning that the young master appeared somewhat impatient, she hastily went forward to soothe him, "The Young Mistress will be ready immediately..."

"Chun Niang, tell him that Grandmother instructed me to remain at home and guard the estate. I am going nowhere."

Without sparing a single glance from the corner of her eyes toward the suddenly materialized Wei Shao, Xiao Qiao spoke blandly.

Wei Shao's gaze shifted toward Xiao Qiao, his brow furrowing slightly.

The room was filled with people, yet all of them merely stared with wide eyes, not a single person making a sound. The atmosphere was terrifyingly quiet.

Chun Niang felt as if she could hardly breathe a single breath. Waves of sweat broke out from her palms.

"Young master, do not be anxious!" She hastily smoothed things over, "The Young Mistress does not intentionally wish to slight the young master's kindness. It is merely that the various matters at home are numerous and complicated, and she cannot disengage herself for the moment..."

"All of you get out!" Wei Shao interrupted.

With a rustling swish, the servant women and maids immediately cleared out completely.

Chun Niang looked at the young master. His gaze was fixed upon the Young Mistress.

Chun Niang looked at the Young Mistress. She remained sitting upon the bed wrapped in the blanket as before, her eyes not looking at the young master.

Chun Niang was also mentally and physically exhausted, completely without recourse. She could only step out of the room, turning her head back with every step.

Once only the two of them were left in the room, Wei Shao walked to the bedside. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he suddenly seemed to smell something. Bending down, he leaned somewhat closer toward her, sniffing her twice, his brow furrowing once more: "Have you been drinking wine again?"

Xiao Qiao said, "I drank. What of it?"

Wei Shao's brow furrowed even more severely: "You clearly become intoxicated the moment you drink, sleeping unconscious of human affairs. Furthermore, you are currently alone at home. How can you fail to remember the lesson from the previous time you collapsed drunk?"

Xiao Qiao slowly turned her head, staring at him for a moment, the corners of her lips curving up slightly: "Is the Marquis afraid that I would become dead drunk and unconscious again, and that if I encountered a man who is worse than a beast, he would defile me?"

Wei Shao was stunned. A flash of awkward embarrassment rapidly flitted across the depths of his eyes, but he quickly recovered his composed air, speaking in a completely unconcerned tone, "Do you think I wanted to? It was that day when you collapsed drunk. Out of good intentions, I carried you back to your room. When I was about to leave after putting you down, you yourself held onto me and wouldn't let go. It is merely that you were drunk at that time, so you probably cannot remember it at this moment, that is all."

Xiao Qiao's snow-white, pearl-like teeth bit down tightly upon her lower lip, and finally she said, "Only now do I learn that I lose my reason after drinking; it is my fault. I have truly wronged the Marquis. It is only that at this hour in the dead of night, the Marquis does not allow people to sleep and runs back to provoke me for what?"

Wei Shao gave a dry cough: "Previously, when I escorted Grandmother to Wuzhong City, before leaving, Grandmother instructed that after consideration, she felt leaving you alone at home was inappropriate, and wanted me to bring you along to Jinyang. I felt Grandmother's arrangement possessed its reasons. For this reason, I doubled back to fetch you to go together."

Xiao Qiao said, "Before Grandmother left, why didn't she instruct me that I should accompany you? Furthermore, I am living perfectly well here. I am not going."

Wei Shao said, "Are you going or not?"

"Not going."

"Going or not?"

Wei Shao paused for a moment, asking once more.

"I said, I am not going. I am going to sleep."

Xiao Qiao no longer paid any heed to him. She lay down toward the inside, her back facing him, and closed her eyes.

Wei Shao stared at the back of her head that she presented to him, his expression gradually turning unsightly.

Suddenly, he knelt with one leg upon the bed, leaning his body over. Reaching out his hand, he dragged her out from within the blanket as if catching a chick. He snatched a long cloak lined with fox fur hanging on the side garment rack, wrapped it around her body, then picked up the shoes she had shed on the floor. Grabbing her feet, he forced them inside. Half-carrying and half-dragging her in his grip, he strode outside and went his way.

Behind them, jaws dropped all over the floor.