The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 32 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Wei Shao hoped that in the future, not only Kang Commandery but also Yu Commandery would be Xiao Qiao’s home, and that both places would care for her. Xiao Qiao felt uneasy in the valley—her sister used to play the zither here while she danced. It seemed all of that no longer existed. But Wei Shao reminded Xiao Qiao to look up. Da Qiao was already sitting there with her konghou, waiting.
Though the two of them completed the music and dance just like before, their conversation revealed a hint of estrangement. When Bi Zhi helped Da Qiao leave and saw the sorrow in her heart, he comforted her, believing that the sisters would slowly reconcile. Xiao Qiao also talked about this with Wei Shao, thinking she might have been wrong back then and shouldn’t have let her husband take risks for her.
Wei Shao held her hand to reassure her, saying his Manman was different from ordinary women—she was one with a heart for the world—and he was willing to be the spear in her hand, fighting for her. Xiao Qiao wrote a few words in Wei Shao’s hand, wishing for her husband’s safety. Wei Shao embraced her tightly. While strolling in the city, Wei Shao saw that Xiao Qiao’s father, the governor, was sheltering many refugees from other regions.
The refugees knelt in gratitude. Wei Shao took the initiative to provide grain, which was the military provisions he had brought when coming to Kang Commandery. Soon after, Kang Commandery itself began to send support as well. The governor bowed repeatedly to thank him. Wei Shao asked why the governor was taking in so many refugees.
To the governor, they were simply pitiful people, and their origin didn’t matter—just like Wei Shao digging canals without discrimination—it was all for the people. The governor only hoped for peace in the world, so it could last for generations. These words reminded Wei Shao of something Xiao Qiao had once said—just wishing for peace. Wei Shao smiled, sincerely hoping that day would come.
He expressed that the people were the most important in troubled times and respectfully addressed the governor as father-in-law, even kneeling to pay his respects. The governor, moved to tears, helped him up with both hands, feeling even more guilty and uneasy in his heart. As the night banquet approached, Wei Shao invited the governor to attend with him. The governor agreed with a smile but still felt the Qiao family owed the Wei family.
At the night banquet, Qiao Yue tried several times to toast Wei Shao and even called him by name. But Wei Shao not only refused to drink with him, he also reminded Qiao Yue not to call his name and to refer to him as Lord Wei instead. Helpless, and to save face, Qiao Yue turned to drink with Bi Zhi and had Bi Zhi call him father-in-law. Bi Zhi, straightforward as always, also toasted Wei Shao.
Qiao Yue proposed that Bi Zhi and Da Qiao live at their house and that Bo Ya would be managed by his people, but Da Qiao refused. To her, Bo Ya was home. In private, Qiao Yue blamed Da Qiao for not stepping in to help, which had led to Wei Shao’s resentment and his refusal to speak with him. At the critical moment, she had even turned against the family for the sake of a stable boy.
Da Qiao reminded Qiao Yue that Bi Zhi was no longer a stable boy, but Qiao Yue looked down on him deep in his bones, thinking he was no more than a militia soldier. He asked Bi Zhi to return, but Da Qiao refused again, reprimanding her father for trying to use her to manipulate Bi Zhi. Even when she didn’t mobilize her forces before, Xiao Qiao didn’t blame her—so Qiao Yue had even less reason to.
Furious, Qiao Yue raised his hand to strike her, but Bi Zhi rushed over to stand beside Da Qiao. Qiao Yue didn’t dare make a move. Da Qiao warned him that if he wanted Bo Ya, he would have to take it by force. Qiao Yue couldn’t understand why both daughters were turning away from him, unable to grasp the root cause.
Zhang Pu commented that although the two ladies were estranged from Qiao Yue, they were not estranged from Yanzhou. He also reminded Qiao Yue that many refugees had come to Kang Commandery recently, and the governor’s prestige had already surpassed Qiao Yue’s. Bi Zhi hated himself for not being able to give Da Qiao the same kind of glory. Once again, she had clashed with her father because of him.
Da Qiao held Bi Zhi’s hand, saying what mattered to her was his sincerity. Bi Zhi took out the preserved plum he had kept close to his heart—it happened to be exactly what Da Qiao had been craving. At the same time, Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao were in their room embracing. They were to return to Wei State the next day. Wei Shao asked if there was anything she still wanted to do—he would accompany her.
Xiao Qiao worried that Wei Shao was only forcing a smile for her sake. She didn’t even dare to hope anymore. Seizing the moment, Wei Shao suggested that she bear him a child. Xiao Qiao whispered in his ear that she would definitely give him a home—a home filled with children. The two consummated their marriage in the room where Xiao Qiao once lived in Kang Commandery. The next day, Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao departed together.
Wei Shao said farewell to the governor, only asking him to take care of his health. Facing the direction of Wei State, the governor suddenly knelt and solemnly kowtowed. Wei Shao was deeply moved, realizing that this was an act of repentance. The governor apologized to the late Lord Wei and thanked Lady Xu and Wei Shao for their generosity. He couldn’t express the guilt he held for everything in the past.
Wei Shao told the governor that all the grievances between the two families had been erased. The governor admitted that if their roles were reversed, he wouldn’t have been able to treat Xiao Qiao kindly. But now, with Lady Xu’s affection and Wei Shao personally escorting her back to Kang Commandery, he felt even more remorseful. Wei Shao also blamed himself for having once treated Xiao Qiao harshly.
Xiao Qiao held his hand and insisted that Wei Shao had never treated her poorly. She promised to love him even more. The governor was finally at ease and entrusted Xiao Qiao to Wei Shao. The two gazed into each other’s eyes. After winning a battle, Wei Shao needed to offer sacrifices at the ancestral temple. Chun Niang and others were worried that Xiao Qiao wouldn’t be allowed to enter.
If she couldn’t enter the temple, she would never be truly accepted. But Xiao Qiao felt that even if she couldn’t go in, there was no need for blame. She had never dared to hope for such a thing. At that moment, Xiao Tan delivered a set of ceremonial robes, which Wei Shao had ordered to be rushed overnight. They had arrived just in time, and Xiao Qiao was deeply moved.
The next day, Xiao Qiao arrived at the ancestral temple in plain robes. Wei Shao was waiting at the entrance and led her by the hand inside. Lady Xu and the others were already there. Wei Shao performed the rites with Xiao Qiao and made offerings. He introduced Xiao Qiao to his late father and brothers, and it seemed she saw them standing there, nodding and smiling in approval.
