The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 24 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Liu Shan, trembling with fear, immediately prostrated himself before Liu Yan, acknowledging him as the new Lord of Liangya. Liu Yan asserted his dominance, stating that Liu Shan was now merely a servant to him. Qiao Ci unexpectedly arrived at the outskirts of Yujun without his token, sending a messenger to ask Xiao Qiao to meet him.
Initially, Xiao Qiao intended to bring Wei Shao, but she quickly reconsidered, fearing Wei Shao's lingering anger might lead him to reject Qiao Ci. She felt it was unfair for Qiao Ci and Da Qiao to bear the consequences of Qiao Yue's misdeeds. As she was preparing to leave, Wei Yan offered to accompany her, and Xiao Qiao gratefully accepted, thinking a companion would be helpful.
Meanwhile, Wei Shao delivered tonics to Su Ehuang and humbly requested that she refrain from disclosing the recent incident involving her to Lady Xu and Lady Wei. He explained that Xiao Qiao was genuinely unaware of the details, and he feared their displeasure might be directed at her. Su Ehuang readily agreed but then proposed her desire to participate in the upcoming Deer Hunt.
She hoped that such an appearance would prevent her from being easily underestimated or bullied in the future. Su Zixin, eager to support her, immediately pledged to exert his utmost effort to win the championship and bring honor to her. Wei Shao, left with no alternative, assented, granting Su Zixin permission to represent the Su Clan of Wushan State in the competition.
Upon Wei Shao's return, Wei Liang presented him with Su Ehuang's jade pendant, which Xiao Qiao had painstakingly repaired by inlaying it with gold. Seeing it, Wei Shao inquired about Xiao Qiao's whereabouts. Learning that she had gone to meet Qiao Ci, he expressed displeasure that he hadn't been informed of Qiao Ci's arrival. Wei Liang explained that Xiao Qiao had likely withheld the information to avoid upsetting him.
At a pavilion outside the city, Xiao Qiao anxiously awaited Qiao Ci. When they finally met, tears welled in their eyes. Qiao Ci, upon seeing Wei Yan, mistakenly addressed him as "brother-in-law." Xiao Qiao quickly corrected him, explaining that Wei Yan was Wei Shao's cousin and had come in Wei Shao's stead. Wei Yan, though corrected, seemed touched by the mistaken address. Xiao Qiao then expressed her concern for Qiao Ci, who had traveled alone.
Qiao Ci, in turn, vented his frustration with Qiao Yue, accusing him of womanizing and turning Yanzhou into a chaotic mess, which was why he had left. Xiao Qiao then directly asked Qiao Ci if he had pursued Lady Yulou, but he appeared genuinely oblivious to the matter.
Deciding not to press further, Xiao Qiao advised him to be cautious with his words and actions upon entering the Wei mansion, emphasizing the importance of decorum, especially around Wei Shao, who was a serious and reserved individual, unlike Wei Yan. In Liangya State, Liu Yan, having ascended to the position of Lord, issued a chilling decree: his younger brother, Liu Qi, and the third prince were to be buried alive with their late father.
Despite a plea that the children were innocent, Liu Yan defended his decision by claiming it was the only way to fulfill his filial duty, as his mother had poisoned their father. He grimly told a General Lin that anyone who experienced such loss would understand his pain. With his authority solidified, Liu Yan declared his intention to personally attend the Deer Hunt in Wei State, aiming to display the might of Liangya.
Xiao Qiao then brought Qiao Ci to meet Wei Shao. Wei Shao, upon seeing Qiao Ci holding a short sword gifted by his grandmother, noted its historical significance and Qiao Ci's young age. He then proceeded to critique Qiao Ci's martial arts training, stating that six hours a day was insufficient, and expanded on the breadth of knowledge a learned individual should acquire, including agriculture, miscellanies, novels, and strategy, beyond just the major schools of thought.
Sensing Qiao Ci's growing discomfort, Xiao Qiao prompted him to offer Wei Shao a cup of tea, which Qiao Ci had brought from Yanzhou. Wei Shao, however, remarked on Qiao Ci's unsteady hand. Observing Qiao Ci's evident apprehension, Xiao Qiao suggested taking him to the post house for rest, to which Wei Shao offered no objection. Wei Shao then returned the repaired jade pendant to Su Ehuang, mentioning Qiao Ci's presence in Yujun.
Both Su Ehuang and Su Zixin reacted with visible alarm. Su Ehuang quickly asserted that Qiao Ci would deny any involvement, even if confronted directly. Just then, Xiao Qiao arrived, stating that she had already admonished Qiao Ci and wished for him to apologize to Su Ehuang in person. Su Ehuang, unable to decline in Wei Shao's presence, reluctantly agreed.
However, when a young man was presented to offer an apology, Su Ehuang, who had never actually seen Qiao Ci, readily accepted it. Xiao Qiao, suspecting a trick, noted that the man was not Qiao Ci. Su Ehuang then claimed that during her escape from Kangjun, it was late and chaotic, preventing her from clearly seeing her abductor's face. She insisted she only recognized the voice of someone claiming to be from the Qiao family.
Xiao Qiao pressed her for details on the voice, which made Su Ehuang falter. When the actual Qiao Ci was finally brought in, Su Ehuang remained silent, unable to continue her fabricated story. Wei Shao, astute and observant, recognized that Su Ehuang had been lying. Afterward, Wei Shao found Xiao Qiao waiting for him outside. He expressed remorse for his earlier rashness and for blindly believing one side of the story.
Xiao Qiao reassured him that she understood his initial misgivings about her family, and as he hadn't blamed her, she held no resentment. Wei Shao, his mood lightened, instructed that Qiao Ci be taken to the drill ground in a few days to assess his martial skills. Later, Wei Yan took Qiao Ci to the Luozhong Tavern, a house of entertainment. Qiao Ci, feeling deeply uncomfortable in such an environment, quickly made his excuses and fled back to the mansion.
When Xiao Qiao discovered this, she disciplined him by making him stand outside, balancing a basin of water on his head, for four hours. Wei Shao, finding Qiao Ci there, intervened. He brought Qiao Ci to Xiao Qiao, attempting to smooth things over by suggesting that a visit to such a place for an occasional drink was quite normal. Xiao Qiao, however, retorted, questioning if Wei Shao himself was a frequent patron.
Wei Shao, feigning indignation, ordered Qiao Ci to kneel and apologize. Qiao Ci, understanding the cue, charmingly expressed his regret, which earned him Xiao Qiao's forgiveness. Wei Shao then produced an invitation, explaining that it was too late to send it to Bi Zhi, but Qiao Ci could represent Yanzhou in the Deer Hunt instead. He promised to personally oversee Qiao Ci's martial training daily, a declaration that finally brought a smile to Xiao Qiao's face.
He also arranged for Qiao Ci to move into the mansion starting the next day. Elsewhere, Da Qiao received a letter that indicated she would be unable to travel to Yujun for the Deer Hunt. She consequently decided to send her mother back to Kangjun, carefully avoiding revealing the true reason for their change in plans.
Qiao Ci confided in Xiao Qiao, expressing his unease with Wei Shao's demeanor towards her and lamenting that his visit had only caused her more worry. Xiao Qiao, in turn, reassured him, explaining that while Wei Shao might seem awkward and reserved, he possessed a good heart and treated her exceptionally well. She highlighted his difficult upbringing as a young patriarch, which led him to bottle up his emotions.
However, she affirmed that he was, at his core, caring and gentle, and intensely loyal and protective of those he truly trusted, including Qiao Ci, though he might struggle to express it. As the various kings and dignitaries began to arrive in Yujun for the Deer Hunt, Xiao Qiao observed Liu Yan, now the newly appointed Lord of Liangya, among them. The tournament officially commenced. Liu Yan, seated amongst the spectators, frequently cast his gaze toward Xiao Qiao.
Soon after, Su Ehuang also made her entrance. Liu Shan, noticing Su Ehuang's distinctive peony mark on her forehead, whispered to Liu Yan about the folk legend that whoever possessed her would command the realm. Liu Yan, however, scoffed at the superstition, pointing out that if it were true, her late husband, Chen Xiang, would not have died.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged Su Ehuang's considerable influence and capability, recognizing that her presence at such an event spoke volumes about her strategic prowess. On the bustling streets, citizens eagerly placed bets on the various warriors participating in the arena. However, few were willing to wager on Qiao Ci, dismissing him as merely a young visitor here for a family reunion, unlikely to possess significant martial prowess.
Xiaotao, overhearing the disparaging remarks, became indignant and declared her intention to bet on Qiao Ci, only to realize she had forgotten her money. Just then, Wei Liang arrived and, without hesitation, used his own funds to place a bet on Qiao Ci. When it was Qiao Ci's turn to enter the arena, Xiao Qiao watched with extreme nervousness. Wei Shao, noticing her anxiety, gently took her hand.
Xiao Qiao, in turn, urged Qiao Ci to fight with integrity, to win honorably, and if he were to lose, to do so with dignity. The next match was set: Qiao Ci versus Su Zixin.
