The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 36 (Ending) Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Qiao Ping addressed the Yanzhou soldiers, deeply bowing before them. He openly admitted that his brother, Qiao Yue, had been foolish, which led Yanzhou to its current predicament. One of Qiao Ping's supporters revealed that their governor was killed in Panyi by the Lord of Liangya, Liu Yan, who was hiding this news to later divide Yanzhou. A Liangya general tried to maintain control, urging the soldiers to seize Qiao Ping and promising rewards from the Lord of Liangya.
However, Qiao Ping's supporter countered, reminding them that the Wei army was about to crush Panyi, and the Lord of Liangya was in no position to offer protection. The soldiers, already trusting Qiao Ping, seized the Liangya general. Qiao Ping then declared that Yanzhou would no longer cooperate with Liangya and ordered all troops from Liancheng to retake Panyi. He also arranged for a grand coffin to be prepared for Wei Liang.
Meanwhile, Liu Yan, confident despite these developments, dismissed Qiao Ping’s efforts as futile. He was unconcerned because he held Da Qiao hostage, believing that without Bi Zhi, Yanzhou was no threat. He also hinted at a "special gift" he had prepared for Wei Shao. In Yujun, General Xue Tai reported to Su Ehuang that Yujun was short on troops and he needed half a month to breach the city gates.
Su Ehuang praised his ferocity and instructed him to proceed with the Zhongzhou army, while Deputy Liu Xiao and 5,000 elite troops would conserve their strength under her command. Xue Tai mentioned the thrilling fight against Yujun’s brave but outnumbered soldiers. Su Ehuang, however, revealed the "real thrill" was that Wei Shao, after being trapped in Yongning City and losing troops, had bypassed Yujun to head straight for Panyi.
She hoped to see Xiao Qiao’s disappointment, but Xiao Qiao, discussing the situation with Lady Xu, believed Wei Shao had not abandoned them but was doing his duty as a lord. She felt Yujun now depended on them. She admitted the fight in Yujun and Panyi was dangerous and that Yujun was already low on troops. She hoped to buy Wei Shao time by holding back some enemy forces, enabling him to take Panyi and restore peace.
Just then, Wei Yan, also known as Shiyuan, returned with soldiers. He declared that Wei and Bianzhou had formed an alliance over the Yongning Canal project and requested troops from Lady Xu to defend Yujun. Lady Xu, overjoyed at the return of her grandson, praised Wei Yan as a true Wei descendant and granted his request. When she inquired about the Bianzhou soldiers, Wei Yan explained they were from Chen Pang's forces, rushing to aid Yujun.
Lady Xu dismissed any old grudges between Wei and Bianzhou as personal to her and Chen Pang, welcoming the Bianzhou soldiers as saviors of Wei. The soldiers pledged their loyalty to Wei Yan. As Wei Yan prepared to leave, Lady Xu urged him to be careful and prayed for peace to reign and for his safe return. Xiao Qiao echoed her grandmother-in-law's sentiment, believing peace would come when Wei Shao triumphed.
In Panyi, Wei Shao and his army entered the open city gates. Bi Zhi, alone with a spear, confronted Wei Shao, explaining he was forced to fight despite considering Wei Shao family, because his wife, Da Qiao, was held hostage. Liu Yan then appeared, holding Da Qiao. Liu Shan, one of Liu Yan’s men, mocked Bi Zhi as a controllable "beast."
Da Qiao, distressed, chastised Liu Shan for his cruelty and desperately called out to Bi Zhi not to be manipulated. Watching Bi Zhi and Wei Shao's fierce duel, Da Qiao recalled Xiao Qiao's past words and realized she couldn't let Bi Zhi be a pawn for her sake. She understood he was her lover, not a mere fighting beast.
As Bi Zhi was about to strike Wei Shao, Da Qiao suddenly broke free from Liu Shan and leaped from the city wall. Bi Zhi tried to save her but was too late. Da Qiao looked at him with a smile before she passed away. Bi Zhi cradled her body, crying in anguish, then turned his vengeful gaze on Liu Yan, vowing to make him pay in blood.
Liu Yan, unconcerned, declared his tens of thousands of troops were more than enough for them. Meanwhile, Wei Yan led his forces to victory, killing Xue Tai. With their general dead, the enemy soldiers scattered. Su Ehuang’s maids began looting and trying to escape. Su Ehuang confronted them with her sword, but the maids, seeing her isolated, fought back, tearing off her mask and exposing her disfigured face. A general then rushed in and killed the rebellious maids.
However, Su Ehuang, believing he had also seen her face, killed him in a sudden fit of rage. As the general lay dying, he revealed that Liu Yan had sent him to escort her to safety if the battle failed and that Liu Yan had always known about her disfigurement, accepting her regardless.
Su Ehuang was overcome with despair, remembering Wei Shao's words about her constant victimhood and how men in her life had truly cared for her—her brother's love, Chen Xiang's devotion, and now Liu Yan's genuine acceptance despite her appearance. Overwhelmed by regret for what she had overlooked, she turned her sword upon herself. In Panyi, Wei Shao and Bi Zhi, consumed by grief and rage, continued their relentless assault.
Liu Shan, fearing for Liu Yan's life, attempted to escort him away. But Liu Yan, determined to fulfill his oath to Su Ehuang to kill Wei Shao, killed Liu Shan, viewing him as an obstacle. Liu Yan then faced Wei Shao and Bi Zhi, laughing maniacally, convinced that even if he lost, Wei State would be ruined by floods. Together, Wei Shao and Bi Zhi struck him down.
In his dying moments, Liu Yan's thoughts were of Su Ehuang, regretting that he had failed to keep his promise to her. After the war, Gao Heng completed his poetic exposition for the Yongning Canal. Wei Shao articulated his grand ambition to bring lasting peace to the world. Wei Yan, having secured Yujun, prepared to assume his new role as the governor of Bianzhou.
He bid farewell to Lady Xu, who wished for eternal friendship and peace between Wei and Bianzhou. Bi Zhi returned to Liangya, where he sat by the swing Da Qiao once enjoyed, reminiscing about their happy times. Da Qiao’s konghou remained, but she was gone. Wei Shao and his brothers visited Wei Liang's grave. Xiaotao also came, carrying orchids.
She gently chided Wei Liang for breaking his promise to propose to her, declaring that she would marry him regardless of whether he was alive or dead. The four brothers buried small weapons by Wei Liang's tombstone, symbolizing their unbreakable bond. As they left, Xiaotao glanced back, seemingly seeing Wei Liang, holding orchids, waving goodbye to her. The long-awaited deer offering ritual was about to begin, but Wei Shao was nowhere to be found.
Lady Xu was asked to preside over the ceremony in his stead. Wei Shao was discovered comforting his crying child, Feifei, unable to leave her side. Xiao Qiao joined them, taking the child and reflecting on their family's joyous togetherness. Years later, the Yongning Canal was fully completed, its waterways connected, bringing immense benefits to all regions. The world was finally free from conflict and resentment, and the people lived in lasting peace. Wei Shao, having achieved his lifelong dream, traveled the land with his beloved wife, Xiao Qiao.
