The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 18 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
After Yuan Wang refused Xiao Qiao's marriage proposal for his daughter, Xiao Qiao deliberately visited a gold and silver jewelry shop to commission a full set of wedding jewelry. This news quickly reached Wei Dian, who summoned Yuan Wang late that night, questioning him about his intentions to marry Wei Shao. Yuan Wang denied this, stating he had rejected Lady Qiao's proposal out of respect for their existing agreement.
Wei Dian scoffed at his excuses, mentioning the gold and silver Lady Qiao had sent late at night, and revealing he had been monitoring Yuan Wang. Enraged by Wei Dian's distrust, Yuan Wang accused the general of suppressing the Yuan family rather than protecting them, leading to a heated argument. Wei Qu informed Wei Shao about Yuan Wang's late-night visit to Wei Dian.
Xiao Qiao then outlined the next phase of their plan, which involved using the arrows from their previous ambush. Wei Shao was eager to act, but Xiao Qiao intervened, reminding him that his wounds were not fully healed. She emphasized that a general should not personally confront a minor figure. On his return home, Yuan Wang was ambushed, and Wei Liang "rescued" him, making Yuan Wang believe Wei Dian was behind the attack and shifting his allegiance towards Wei Shao.
Soon after, citizens started openly collecting wheat seeds, signaling Yuan Wang's public support for Wei Shao's agricultural reforms. Learning of this, Wei Dian realized Wei Shao was making a move against him. Convinced that Wei Shao's forces were limited, he immediately ordered his troops to assemble. As Wei Dian prepared to don his armor, Wei Qu, who was lying in wait, stabbed and killed him.
The following day, Yuan Wang publicly took control of Wei Dian's former troops, reassigning them to canal construction, and pledged his full cooperation and support to Wei Shao. Meanwhile, Yang Feng, accompanied by Wei Xiao, journeyed to Rongjun for the canal project, expressing his excitement. His enthusiasm quickly waned when he discovered his co-supervisor was Zhen Zhi, his long-time rival. The two immediately began bickering, with Yang Feng threatening to leave, but Wei Xiao stopped him.
Wei Shao arrived, reminding them that they had both assisted his grandfather, Lord Wei, and Qiao Gui in building the Yongning Canal fourteen years prior. He expressed his ambition to rebuild the Rongjun canal, not for territorial gain, but solely for the welfare of the people, regardless of state borders, and urged them to set aside their differences. Both men agreed to obey. An urgent message then arrived: Bianzhou had undergone a major change, and Chen Xiang had died.
Elsewhere, Su Ehuang and Su Zixin were in a carriage and were stopped by soldiers searching for Lady Yulou. They examined Su Ehuang but, noting the absence of a peony huadian on her forehead, allowed her to pass. Su Ehuang subtly gathered information, learning that Chen Pang had become Bianzhou Prefect and that Xue Tai, refusing to acknowledge him, had raised a rebellion and was seeking Lady Yulou to protect her.
Su Zixin suggested seeking Xue Tai's assistance, but Su Ehuang dismissed the idea, believing Xue Tai's "protection" was merely a facade to bolster his own reputation. As they approached Wushan, Su Ehuang carefully redrew the huadian on her brow. Su Zixin complained about their lack of success, lamenting their lost standing now that Chen Xiang was dead, and criticized Su Ehuang for being "just a woman" who only knew how to paint flowers on her forehead.
Su Ehuang reprimanded him, reminding him that the huadian on her forehead protected not only herself but him as well. Xiao Qiao sought a reward from Wei Shao, highlighting her efforts in caring for him and orchestrating the rift between Yuan Wang and Wei Dian. Wei Shao offered her the gold jewelry originally intended for the fake proposal, but Xiao Qiao felt slighted, desiring a more personal gift. Wei Shao eventually agreed to consider a special present.
The next day, Wei Shao and his four brothers accompanied Xiao Qiao to choose a gift, but none of the items pleased her. Wei Shao then proposed gifting her five hundred warhorses, believing her strategic efforts were for Yanzhou's benefit. When Xiao Qiao showed no enthusiasm, Wei Shao further suggested weapons, battering rams, catapults, or armor. To end the futile search, Xiao Qiao feigned delight at the idea of the warhorses.
Xiaotao was astonished upon hearing about the five hundred warhorses. Xiao Qiao then inquired what gift Wei Liang had given Xiaotao. Xiaotao, recalling a huadian, left looking displeased. Chunniang advised Xiaotao not to rush such matters. Later, Xiaotao noticed some golden osmanthus incense, which sparked an idea in Xiao Qiao. Xiao Qiao brought red bean soup to Wei Shao, wearing the golden osmanthus incense. Wei Shao focused entirely on the sweets, not noticing her perfume.
She then steered the conversation towards observing star phenomena to predict weather for the canal construction, offering to accompany Wei Shao to the observatory, and he agreed. At the observatory, Xiao Qiao refused to wear a cloak, wanting her carefully chosen attire to be seen. Wei Shao, to her surprise, scolded her for not wearing the cloak and then gently draped it around her. Xiao Qiao's hopes were dashed when Wei Shao summoned Yang Feng to join them.
Yang Feng, sensing the delicate atmosphere, attempted to excuse himself, but Wei Shao insisted that Yang Feng stay and explain the meanings of the stars, leaving Xiao Qiao frustrated. Later, Yuan Wang invited Wei Shao to his home and confessed that his daughter had developed feelings for Wei Liang and sought Wei Shao's help in arranging a match. Wei Shao agreed to discuss the matter with Wei Liang.
Wei Shao told Xiao Qiao about this, and Xiao Qiao predicted that Wei Liang would never agree to the marriage. Wei Shao proposed a wager: if he lost, he would personally accompany Xiao Qiao to choose a prize in the market. Wei Shao approached Wei Liang, who immediately rejected the idea upon seeing Xiaotao, stating he only loved one person. Wei Shao tried to persuade Wei Liang to accept the proposal.
Xiao Qiao told Xiaotao that Wei Liang had been "chosen" for marriage. Upset, Xiaotao stormed off. Wei Liang followed her, explaining how Wei Shao had commissioned miniature golden replicas of each of their main weapons ten years prior, symbolizing their unbreakable brotherhood. As a gesture of his true feelings, Wei Liang offered his small gold dart to Xiaotao.
