The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 12 Recap, Plot

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Wei Yan frankly admitted that he just wanted to observe the demeanor of the two sisters, and even reached out to tease Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao hastily dodged, and Wei Yan left with a smug smile. Xiao Tao suggested telling Wei Shao about the incident, but Chun Niang and Xiao Qiao didn’t know how to bring it up. They feared it would be misunderstood as trying to sow discord between the brothers.

Wei Shao waited all night at the jade shop and returned with the finished bracelet, hoping to surprise Xiao Qiao. However, Xiao Qiao had already found the bracelet. She deliberately told Wei Shao that it was Wei Yan who found it, pointing out that it was also because of Wei Yan that it had been lost in the first place. Xiao Qiao was trying to probe Wei Yan's character.

Wei Shao didn’t take out the bracelet for Xiao Qiao and even felt a bit jealous, realizing he was indeed not as good as Wei Yan at winning over women. That night, Wei Shao went to the Flower Pavilion to look for Wei Yan, but Wei Yan insisted that Wei Shao come upstairs himself. Though Wei Shao had never been to such a place, he eventually went up.

Wei Yan was surrounded by women, which angered Wei Shao, who drove them away. He was also displeased that Wei Yan had arranged to meet him at such a place. Wei Yan, looking serious, pleaded for Wei Shao’s help, claiming that he had recently encountered a woman he admired and hoped for assistance in finding her, believing it might help him settle down.

Wei Yan confessed he had seen a married woman before, which Wei Shao disapproved of, feeling it was wrong to covet another man’s wife. Wei Yan complained that Wei Shao wasn’t truly willing to help, so Wei Shao pressed him for the woman’s appearance. Wei Yan handed him a portrait. Wei Shao was about to leave but said he would definitely find the woman and tell her to stay away from Wei Yan.

Wei Yan playfully blocked Wei Shao and took the jade pendant from his waist, instructing a woman at the Flower Pavilion to deliver it to Xiao Qiao. After everyone left, a guard appeared before Wei Yan, reminding him not to forget his real purpose for returning. Wei Yan denied having genuine feelings for Xiao Qiao, claiming he was acting under the orders of Chen Pang.

Wei Shao gave the portrait to Wei Liang, instructing him to find the woman and tell her to avoid Wei Yan. Suddenly realizing he had lost his jade pendant, Wei Shao ordered a search for it but kept it from Xiao Qiao. Unbeknownst to him, someone had already delivered the pendant to her. A few people went out with the portrait in search of the woman, but it only depicted a side profile holding an orchid.

Wei Liang even mistakenly identified a woman on the street as Xiao Tao. Xiao Tao noticed that Wei Shao’s clothes carried a scent of alcohol mixed with makeup powder, confirming that he had been to a Flower Pavilion tavern. She intended to tell Xiao Qiao but was stopped by Wei Liang, who mistakenly believed the woman in the portrait was Xiao Tao. He warned her to stay away from Wei Yan and asked her to look at the portrait again.

Xiao Tao instantly recognized that it wasn’t her but Xiao Qiao. Wei Liang was relieved—it was better that it wasn’t Xiao Tao—but Wei Qu thought this was even more troublesome, as it meant the woman Wei Yan was interested in was Xiao Qiao. Chun Niang was persuading Xiao Tao to explain things clearly to Wei Shao when Wei Shao arrived with the portrait to look for Xiao Qiao. Xiao Tao and the others gave them space to be alone.

Xiao Qiao was clearly upset. Wei Shao tossed the portrait on the table just as Xiao Qiao tossed the jade pendant beside it. Wei Shao hurried to explain that he hadn’t been accompanied by any women. He also wanted to hear Xiao Qiao’s explanation, believing that although Wei Yan had been abrupt, he wouldn’t act inappropriately toward his brother’s wife.

He planned to take Xiao Qiao to speak face to face with Wei Yan tomorrow and said the matter should not be brought up again. The next day, Wei Shao invited Wei Yan to Madam Xu’s residence and formally introduced Xiao Qiao to him. Wei Yan praised Xiao Qiao's beauty, while Wei Shao instinctively stood in front of Xiao Qiao. Wei Yan made no inappropriate moves and went directly to see Madam Xu.

Later, Wei Shao went to Wei Yan’s residence and met Lan Yun, noticing her resemblance to Xiao Qiao. Wei Yan denied it and accused Wei Shao of seeing Xiao Qiao in every woman. He also warned Wei Shao to be cautious of Xiao Qiao. Wei Shao recounted their past encounters and expressed his unwavering trust in Xiao Qiao. He also revealed that he and Xiao Qiao were already married and hoped Wei Yan would treat the family well.

Wei Shao returned the portrait to Wei Yan, saying he hadn’t found the woman. After Wei Shao left, Wei Yan opened the painting and studied it closely. Lan Yun appeared behind him again with a charming smile. Xiao Tan personally oversaw the completion of the Yongning Canal and ordered the sluice gates to be opened. The river water rushed in, filling the canal. At that time, a drought struck Rong County.

The county governor sent someone to seek help from Wei Shao. However, this year saw poor harvests across the country, and it was difficult to provide aid. There wasn’t much food stored privately either, and buying grain at high prices was challenging. No region had surplus grain, especially since Wei Dian refused to release any, which troubled Wei Shao. Xiao Qiao, aware of this matter, hoped that Wei Shao would share more, as she might be able to help.

But Wei Shao refused to discuss political matters. Xiao Qiao believed that to eliminate the drought in Rong County, the Yongning Canal should be extended southward. This would benefit the people and contribute to the enduring prosperity of Wei. Wei Shao didn’t agree at the time, suspecting that Xiao Qiao wanted to buy more time for Yanzhou. Extending the canal would take time and effort, leaving no opportunity to support Yanzhou.

When Xiao Qiao went to the study to check the Gazetteer of Rong County, Wei Yan also came to find Wei Shao and was displeased to see Xiao Qiao there while Wei Shao was away. Xiao Qiao explained that Wei Shao had allowed her free access to the study. Wei Yan tried to sow discord, reminding Xiao Qiao of the grudge between the two families and suggesting that the Wei family would never truly trust her.

Soon after, Wei Yan approached Wei Shao, expressing willingness to purchase grain on his behalf but also warning him not to trust Xiao Qiao. He claimed that Xiao Qiao had written letters back to Yanzhou, possibly to relay information. But Wei Shao had already read the letters and knew that Xiao Qiao was concerned about the drought in Rong County and was trying to address the issue at its root by selecting drought-resistant crops.

Wei Yan was surprised that Wei Shao had read the letters. Wei Shao explained that although he trusted Xiao Qiao, they were more than husband and wife—he was also the ruler of Wei. While Xiao Qiao was writing congratulatory words for Madam Xu’s birthday banquet, she ran out of ink sticks. Suddenly, Wei Yan arrived, complimenting her calligraphy as graceful as herself. Xiao Qiao quickly stepped back respectfully and made an excuse to fetch an ink stick to leave, but Wei Yan blocked her path.

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