The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 16 Recap, Plot

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Wei Yan noticed that Lady Xu seemed perfectly fine and grew curious about when she had recovered. He blurted out that Xiao Qiao had once said something, but then suddenly realized he had been deceived by her. Just as he was about to leave, Lady Xu called out to stop him and tenderly asked if he no longer wished to see her.

Wei Yan, filled with guilt for having wronged the Wei family, explained that he had learned about his origins from a subordinate of Chen Pang, who told him he was Chen Pang’s son. Lady Xu told Wei Yan the full story: Chen Pang had forcibly taken Qingyun, which resulted in Wei Yan's birth. She had kept it hidden to protect Wei Yan from being entangled in hatred. Lady Xu blamed herself for all the wrongs that had happened.

Wei Yan asked whether she truly saw him as her own grandson. Although Lady Xu had always doted on him more than even Wei Shao, he had never been allowed to touch any political power. Lady Xu candidly admitted it was because he was Chen Pang’s son—giving him power would be akin to handing over the Wei state. She gave him two choices: if he stayed, he would always be her grandson, always loved, but never granted authority.

If he wished to leave, he must kneel and kowtow three times in thanks for her raising him, and then never return. Wei Yan stood up after thinking for a moment, declaring himself nothing more than a stray dog. Wei Yan knelt and kowtowed three times. Lady Xu was in tears as she looked at her dearly beloved grandson, heartbroken and thinking he was leaving.

Unexpectedly, Wei Yan confessed that he knew she hid the truth out of care and that from now on, he wished to be a son of the Wei family because he couldn’t bear to part from her. The two embraced tightly, crying together. Wei Shao, upon hearing this, also felt grateful for Xiao Qiao’s cleverness. Xiao Qiao later went to the ancestral hall to see Lady Wei, who was being punished.

Lady Wei sobbed, feeling despised by Lady Xu and now humiliated by Xiao Qiao, believing this was why Wei Shao hadn’t come to see her. Xiao Qiao told her that Wei Shao had asked her to visit on his behalf, as his status made it inconvenient to come personally. She also reminded Lady Wei that this punishment was merely for show. Once she finished kneeling, everything would return to normal—she would still be family. Lady Wei was overjoyed.

Chen Xiang died suddenly of illness. Chen Pang, supported by many, was appointed Governor of Bianzhou. He ordered Su Ehuang’s arrest and falsely claimed that Chen Xiang had left a dying wish to have Su Ehuang imprisoned in the Jade Tower for life. Meanwhile, Wei Yan privately questioned Chen Pang’s subordinate, Chen Lie, about how his parents met.

Chen Lie falsely claimed they had been in love, but Wei Yan, enraged, drew a dagger to his throat and revealed that his mother had been abducted by Chen Pang, which led to her death. He demanded that Chen Lie return everything and tell Chen Pang that if they met again, they would be enemies. The Wei family’s clan uncle still held a grudge from fourteen years ago.

When he saw Xiao Qiao, he began to speak harshly, but Wei Yan arrived and defended her, saying that Xiao Qiao had been unaware back then and shouldn’t be blamed. Xiao Qiao felt grateful to him. Bianzhou soon received a supply of wheat seeds. Gongsun Yang praised Xiao Qiao for her contributions, but Wei Shao remarked that she had also been planning for the Qiao family’s interests. Gongsun Yang noticed that Wei Shao wasn't truly angry and said no more.

He suggested speeding up the construction of Yong Commandery’s irrigation system. Now that Yang Feng was involved, they should assign one of their own as well. Wei Shao ordered Wei Xiao to summon Zhen Zhi to serve in Yong Commandery. Gongsun Yang worried that Yong and Bianzhou were close, and that Wei Dian was friendly with Yong's Prefect Yuan Wang—both families were discussing marriage ties—so someone more authoritative should be sent to keep things in check.

Wei Shao decided to go himself. Su Zixin reported what he had learned to Su Ehuang. She was heartbroken over Chen Xiang’s death and blamed Chen Pang for her imprisonment. Su Zixin told her it was actually Chen Xiang’s dying wish—he feared her “Peony Fate” would be exploited. Su Ehuang lamented the difference in fate between her and Xiao Qiao and blamed her misfortunes on her background.

She decided not to enter the city and planned to escape, asking Su Zixin to cover for her. But he hesitated, as the city was full of people hunting for her, and women with floral forehead ornaments were being searched. Su Ehuang wiped off her own ornament, shocking Su Zixin—he hadn’t expected it to be so easily removed, assuming it had been innate. Wei Shao planned to head to Yong Commandery and assigned Wei Yan to guard Yu Commandery.

Wei Yan originally wanted to avoid suspicion, but Lady Xu strongly supported the decision. Wei Yan was grateful for the trust and vowed to do his best. Lady Xu said that her current openness with Wei Yan was all thanks to Xiao Qiao and hoped that Wei Shao, on this journey, could also let go of past grudges with the Qiao clan. Hearing that Wei Shao was going to Yu Commandery, Xiao Qiao asked to accompany him.

Wei Shao thought the task of building irrigation was too dangerous for her, but Xiao Qiao argued she could teach the people how to plant wheat. With Wei Shao by her side, she wasn’t afraid. Looking into her hopeful eyes, Wei Shao agreed. Wei Shao told Gongsun Yang that Xiao Qiao would be joining him. Gongsun Yang joked that perhaps she just wanted to travel with Wei Yan.

Wei Shao felt pleased but didn’t admit it, making a half-hearted excuse that maybe she genuinely cared about the people. The next day, Wei Shao waited outside for Xiao Qiao for a long time. When she finally emerged, radiant and graceful, he was dazzled. Even Xiao Tao noticed the way he looked at her had changed. Wei Yan came to see them off and told Wei Shao to take good care of Xiao Qiao.

As he spoke, his eyes subconsciously drifted toward her as she boarded the carriage. On the road, Xiao Qiao opened the window to look at Wei Shao, but he unromantically told her to shut it to avoid the strong wind. Even Xiao Tao thought he lacked any romantic sense. Meanwhile, Wei Liang kept telling Xiao Tao to speak up if she wanted anything to eat or use. Xiao Tao pretended to be annoyed, but was secretly delighted.

During a break, Xiao Qiao intentionally sat next to Wei Shao. He laid his cloak over a rock for her to sit on. Xiao Qiao stole Wei Shao’s rations and found them hard to swallow, but still said they tasted great—because traveling with him made everything better. She deliberately showed her admiration for him and asked him to describe the scenery of Yong Commandery. Wei Shao, pleased, earnestly explained, while Xiao Qiao stared at him dreamily, praising his handsome looks.

She said the grandeur of Yong Commandery couldn't compare to him. Wei Shao even wondered if she had a fever from acting so strangely. Wei Liang approached Xiao Tao with travel notes prepared in advance, telling her that Yong Commandery had delicious food and that if she followed his itinerary, it would surely help improve the relationship between Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao.

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