The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 34 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Qiao Yue met with Liu Yan, expressing his anger over Liu Yan's previous attack on Yanzhou, which resulted in countless casualties. Liu Yan, however, dismissed the past, offering to help Qiao Yue regain true power and recapture Panyi for Yanzhou. He flattered Qiao Yue, suggesting that eliminating Wei Shao would leave Qiao Ping without support, thus securing Qiao Yue's position as the Lord of Yanzhou.
Liu Yan highlighted Wei State's growing influence through the canal and its alliances, urging Qiao Yue to seize the opportunity, as a valiant warrior named Xue Tai had also pledged support, allowing them to strike from two fronts. Later, Qiao Yue shared a drink with his brother, Qiao Ping, feigning gratitude for his hard work over the years. He then abruptly revealed his decision to align Yanzhou with Liu Yan and break ties with Wei Shao.
Qiao Ping was taken aback, questioning the haste and advocating for a cautious approach. He reminded Qiao Yue of the marital alliance between the Qiao and Wei families, emphasizing their duty of mutual support and accusing Qiao Yue of being a turncoat. Enraged, Qiao Yue asserted his authority as the Lord of Yanzhou, stating that he has no sons and treats Qiao Ci as his own, claiming his actions were for Yanzhou's long-term prosperity.
He declared the alliance with Liu Yan was final. Suddenly, Qiao Ping gasped, clutching his chest as his vision blurred, and he collapsed, realizing he had been drugged. Qiao Yue chided Zhang Pu for the potency of the drug. Zhang Pu explained that Liu Shan had provided it, claiming it was a powerful knockout agent that caused temporary blindness, but Qiao Ping would recover. Qiao Yue then ordered Zhang Pu to restrain Qiao Ci but ensure he was not harmed.
Meanwhile, Da Qiao, having recently given birth to her son, Li, received a letter from her father, Qiao Yue, expressing his desire to meet his grandson and inviting them back to Kangjun. She was delighted, believing her father's joy had mended their past disagreements, and Bi Zhi promptly arranged their journey to Kangjun. Qiao Yue greeted them warmly at the city gates, but Lady Ding and Qiao Ping were conspicuously absent.
He apologized to Da Qiao and promised to arrange a proper wedding ceremony for her and Bi Zhi. To separate them, Qiao Yue sent Bi Zhi to pick sour plums in West Hill, knowing Da Qiao's fondness for them. As soon as Bi Zhi departed, Qiao Yue's guards seized Da Qiao. Liu Yan emerged, and his men attacked Bi Zhi.
Despite his formidable fighting skills, Bi Zhi was forced to yield when Liu Yan held a knife to Da Qiao's throat. Liu Yan, aware of Bi Zhi's deep love for his wife, ordered him to kill Wei Shao, threatening Da Qiao's life if he refused. Bi Zhi, bound by an oath never to harm Wei Shao or Xiao Qiao, was left with no choice but to kneel, accepting his role as Liu Yan's "slave."
Wei Liang arrived in Kangjun, dispatched by Wei Shao to invite Qiao Ping to Yujun. The city guards seemed hesitant but eventually allowed him entry. As he searched for Yanzhou orchids, Wei Liang noticed an unusual increase in patrolling soldiers, stirring his suspicion, though a local shopkeeper assured him of Kangjun's peace. He proceeded to Qiao Yue's mansion and delivered Wei Shao's invitation for Qiao Ping. Qiao Yue claimed Qiao Ping was unwell and resting, unable to receive visitors.
Wei Liang insisted on visiting the ailing Prefect, prompting Qiao Yue to fabricate that Qiao Ping was asleep and send Zhang Pu to check on him. Wei Liang grew more suspicious, especially when he was told Qiao Ci was out hunting and he was also denied a visit to Da Qiao and Bi Zhi. Just then, Bi Zhi appeared. Wei Liang greeted him, but Bi Zhi suddenly attacked and incapacitated him.
Liu Yan and his men emerged, confirming Wei Liang's fears that Qiao Yue had allied with Liu Yan. Wei Liang managed to throw a dart and escape. Lady Ding, witnessing these alarming events, brought food to Qiao Ci and revealed Qiao Yue's betrayal—his alliance with Liu Yan against Wei Shao.
She explained that Qiao Ping had been poisoned by Zhang Pu and Liu Shan, and that Qiao Ci, Da Qiao, and her son, Li, were imprisoned, forcing Bi Zhi to cooperate. Lady Ding urged Qiao Ci to escape, find Wei Liang, and deliver a warning to Wei Shao. She created a diversion by threatening herself, preventing the guards from pursuing Qiao Ci too closely, allowing him to flee.
Qiao Ci eventually found a wounded Wei Liang, who was being relentlessly pursued. Bleeding and exhausted, Wei Liang handed the Yanzhou orchids to Qiao Ci, instructing him to deliver them to Xiaotao and inform Wei Shao of the rebellion in Boya and Kangjun. Wei Liang succumbed to his injuries. Bi Zhi, coerced by Liu Yan, was forced to stab Wei Liang, shedding tears of grief and remorse as Wei Liang's dying wish was for Xiaotao not to wait for him.
Qiao Yue arrived, panting, and cautioned Liu Yan not to harm Qiao Ci, but it was too late as Qiao Ci had already escaped. Liu Yan then proposed an immediate attack on Panyi, and Qiao Yue suggested he could use his past connection to trick Yang Feng, the mayor and a former subordinate of his father, Qiao Gui, into opening the city gates. Qiao Yue and his troops marched to Panyi's city gates.
He successfully deceived Yang Feng, claiming that Liu Yan had attacked Kangjun and Bi Zhi had saved them, forcing them to seek refuge within Panyi. Believing in the Qiao-Wei alliance, Yang Feng ordered the gates to be opened. As soon as they entered, Bi Zhi's men quickly apprehended Yang Feng. Qiao Yue then revealed his alliance with Liu Yan against Wei State, declaring that Panyi was now under Yanzhou's rule. Yang Feng, concerned about Xindu, asked about Zhen Zhi's fate.
Qiao Yue informed him that Bi Zhi, known for his bravery, had already killed Zhen Zhi for attempting to obstruct them. Powerless to resist, Yang Feng submitted. Soon, Liu Yan's banner was hoisted over the city. Alone, Yang Feng mourned Zhen Zhi, with whom he shared a hidden bond of mutual respect. Liu Yan, meanwhile, announced Panyi's capture to all regional lords, prompting them to reconsider their loyalties.
Chen Pang received Liu Yan's invitation for alliance but was wary of involving his son, Wei Yan, in the conflict. However, Wei Yan, already informed, confronted Chen Pang, demanding to lead troops to support Wei State. Chen Pang, unwilling to see his son embroiled in the war, had him confined to his quarters, much to Wei Yan's fury. Su Ehuang was pleased, seeing her plan unfold perfectly. She anticipated Wei Shao's march on Panyi, which would leave Yujun vulnerable.
She revealed her true intention to Xue Tai: to seize Yujun and wreak vengeance upon the Wei family. She declared her ambition to "walk over the bones of the Wei Clan, wade through their blood, and rise to the top, step by step," returning every humiliation they had inflicted upon her. A severely wounded Qiao Ci stumbled into Yujun and collapsed at the city gates. He was recognized and brought in.
Upon regaining consciousness, he saw Xiaotao and, kneeling, delivered the devastating news of Wei Liang's death. Xiaotao, in tears, refused to believe him, cursing Qiao Ci and accusing him of speaking nonsense due to his injuries. Wei Shao demanded an explanation from Qiao Ci, who recounted Qiao Yue's betrayal, Qiao Ping's poisoning, the imprisonment of Qiao Ping, Da Qiao, and Li, and Bi Zhi's forced compliance.
He explained how Wei Liang had arrived in Kangjun, been ambushed by Liu Yan, and ultimately sacrificed himself to allow Qiao Ci to escape with the orchids and the urgent message of rebellion from Boya and Kangjun. Xiao Qiao collapsed in shock and grief upon hearing the full story. An enraged Wei Xiao moved to kill Qiao Ci, but Wei Shao intervened, stopping him. At that moment, news arrived that Liu Yan had occupied Panyi. Wei Shao immediately ordered his entire army to prepare to march on Panyi the very next day.
