The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 4 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Wei Xiao, consumed by hatred, blamed the Qiao family for all his suffering, including the tragic deaths of his father, brothers, and mother, which had forced him into a life of hardship. Convinced that the Qiaos deserved death, he drew his bow, aiming to kill Xiao Qiao. Just as he released the arrow, Wei Shao swiftly intervened, pushing Wei Xiao aside, causing the arrow to veer off course.
Wei Shao then informed Wei Xiao that Xiao Qiao was the one who had saved Xindu. As Xiao Qiao fled, she found herself caught between Liu Yan's approaching forces and Wei Shao's army. Wei Shao's soldiers were heard shouting orders to capture "Lady Qiao" and "kill her for morale." Liu Yan, seeing Xiao Qiao, called out to her, urging her to seek his protection.
He reminded her of the happy five years he spent with the Qiao family, from age thirteen to eighteen, and professed his eternal love for her, declaring that he cherished her like a jewel. He promised to overlook everything if she would only come with him. Meanwhile, Wei Shao, prompted by one of his men to speak, offered only a terse "Come here." Xiao Qiao, however, was not swayed by Liu Yan's words.
She abruptly turned and ran towards Wei Shao, loudly accusing Liu Yan of valuing her while treating all other people as mere ants. Enraged by her choice, Liu Shan immediately ordered archers to fire upon Xiao Qiao. Wei Shao quickly rushed to shield her in his arms. Still shaken by the ordeal, Xiao Qiao, in a fit of frustration, slapped Wei Shao across the face.
Seeing this, the generals seized the opportunity to pursue the retreating enemy, leaving Wei Shao and Xiao Qiao to themselves. Xiao Qiao wept, chastising Wei Shao for ordering her execution without proof and for accusing her of eloping with Liu Yan. Wei Shao initially dismissed her tears, comparing her injury to the severe wounds soldiers endured on the battlefield. Xiao Qiao retorted with sarcasm, emphasizing that her pain was insignificant compared to the suffering of the common people.
She reminded him that she had burned sulfur and helped him take Xindu, yet he had ordered her death. Wei Shao defensively argued that matters of war were not for women to meddle in, but Xiao Qiao passionately asserted her family's long-standing commitment to protecting the populace. Eventually, Wei Shao softened, telling her to stop her self-pity and offering to carry her back.
As he carried her, Xiao Qiao continued to express her unwillingness to marry him, accusing him of being no different from Liu Yan—both interested only in her dowry, and both having discarded her once Panyi was secured. She questioned why her path to marriage was so difficult, wondering if she was truly unworthy.
Later, Xiao Qiao confided in Xiaotao that she indeed intended to marry Wei Shao, but she wanted him to propose willingly, asserting that in strategy, "conquering minds" was paramount. Xiaotao noted that Wei Shao had seemed unsettled when he escorted Xiao Qiao back, a sign that her tactics were working. Xiao Qiao reflected on her grandfather's wisdom that "water overcomes hardness with softness." Meanwhile, Qiao Gui, gravely ill, left a will, with his greatest concern being Xiao Qiao.
He instructed his sons, Qiao Yue and Qiao Ci, to prioritize any request she might have. With his dying breath, he expressed remorse to the late Lord Wei, hoping his grandchildren would uphold the legacy. Qiao Yue, speaking to his brother Qiao Ci, expressed his desire to earn the people's love as their father had. Crowds of people gathered to mourn Qiao Gui, attesting to his popularity and the deep affection the populace held for him.
Upon entering Panyi, Wei Shao found that his authority was not readily accepted by the people. His attempts to register the population and distribute grain for city repairs were met with excuses and resistance. Yang Feng suggested that the citizens believed Liu Yan was Xiao Qiao's true husband and would only accept Wei Shao if Xiao Qiao publicly clarified the situation.
Wei Shao, though prideful, dismissed the Yanzhou people as cunning and insisted he could manage without Xiao Qiao's help, refusing Gongsun Yang's suggestion to speak with her directly. Instead, he sent his four elite guards, but Xiaotao repeatedly turned them away over several days, giving various excuses about Xiao Qiao being asleep, lacking appetite due to her wound, or overeating and sleeping late.
Gongsun Yang tried once more to persuade Wei Shao to apologize to Xiao Qiao, emphasizing her suffering and arguing that an apology would resolve the impasse. Wei Shao, however, scoffed, calling it a Qiao family trick, and grabbed a stick, declaring he would drag her out himself. Meanwhile, Xiaotao, realizing Wei Shao had spies watching, quickly helped Xiao Qiao convincingly feign illness, confident that Wei Shao "needed her."
As Wei Shao arrived, he discovered Xiao Qiao had slipped away in disguise. He followed her and found her meeting Da Qiao, who had come with Bi Zhi. Da Qiao expressed her deep worry for Xiao Qiao, regretting that her own flight from marriage had put Xiao Qiao in danger, and offered to escape with her.
However, Xiao Qiao insisted she wanted to marry Wei Shao, falsely claiming she had been smitten with him from their first meeting, praising him as "dashing and heroic," and crediting him with saving countless lives. Wei Shao, overhearing this, was secretly pleased but recognized her "silver tongue" and the falsehood of her declaration of love. Da Qiao, still skeptical, questioned Xiao Qiao's sincerity, but Xiao Qiao passionately reiterated her desire to marry Wei Shao.
Convinced, Da Qiao reluctantly agreed to leave with Bi Zhi. Wei Shao's soldier, observing this, mistakenly concluded that Xiao Qiao was marrying Wei Shao to protect her sister, recognizing her rare compassion. That evening, Wei Shao visited Xiao Qiao, initially feigning concern for her health as if prompted by the Panyi people. Xiao Qiao remained cautious, still playing sick.
Wei Shao then surprised her by apologizing for his past mistreatment, admitting he should not have imposed his personal grudge on her. He acknowledged her unique character, recognizing that her willingness to marry him was for the people and her sister, not for her own gain. He subtly revealed his awareness of her secret meeting with Da Qiao, advising her to be cautious when meeting family in remote areas.
Wei Shao reassured her that he would not quarrel with a woman. The next day, Xiao Qiao publicly addressed the people of Panyi, openly admitting her grandfather's betrayal fourteen years prior, which had led to the Wei family's demise and the massacre in Xindu. She explained that Wei Shao's act of demolishing Xindu's People's Wall, a monument of hatred, symbolized his magnanimity and concern for the people, indicating a purpose beyond mere revenge.
She revealed Wei Shao's true intention in taking Panyi: to restore the Yongning Canal, a project initiated by their grandfathers that had fallen into disrepair, causing widespread suffering. Xiao Qiao declared Panyi was now part of Wei, and the marriage alliance signified a new era of peace. She urged the citizens to wholeheartedly support the canal project for their collective benefit. The people, deeply moved, enthusiastically pledged their support, shouting, "Stand united, fulfill the vision!"
Wei Shao was astonished, asking Gongsun Yang if he had revealed his secret plan for the canals. Gongsun Yang denied it, leaving Wei Shao to wonder how Xiao Qiao knew. He reflected on how she had handed over Panyi without making any demands, despite his victory. Da Qiao, observing from the crowd, was relieved to witness the unity and support for Wei Shao. Wei Shao, still surprised by Xiao Qiao's insight, asked how she knew about his canal plans.
Xiao Qiao explained that while others saw him only as a conqueror, she had studied the "Panyi Annals" he had given her in Xindu, noticing repeated tracings over "Yongning Canal." Further examination of Wei's maps revealed his consistent efforts in canal building, which she admired. She offered to persuade her uncle to mobilize Yanzhou's full support.
Wei Shao questioned if she was using this as leverage, but Xiao Qiao countered that the marriage pact was his vow to the people of both Wei and Yanzhou. She then revealed a crucial secret: fourteen years ago, Bianzhou attacked Xindu precisely because her grandfather had helped Wei build the Yongning Canal, a vital lifeline that was subsequently severed.
She asserted that when she handed him the Panyi seal, she understood these implications and had given him her "sincere heart" out of remorse and sincerity. She warned that if he were to renege now, he would betray not just her, but the people of both nations. Wei Shao, realizing he could not argue against her, conceded, though he playfully reminded her of her earlier refusal to marry.
Xiao Qiao, in turn, declared that her humble heart yearned for the magnanimous Lord Wei, indicating her acceptance of the marriage. Xiao Qiao then bid farewell to Da Qiao, asking her to send word once she found a stable place to settle. She expressed sorrow for the hardships Da Qiao had endured, attributing their family's past vulnerabilities to a lack of skilled warriors.
As they were leaving, a giant boulder blocked their path, but Bi Zhi, demonstrating remarkable strength, effortlessly moved it aside. Xiao Qiao, having observed Bi Zhi's prowess in recent battles, realized his value. She discreetly sent Bi Zhi away on an errand and then urgently instructed Da Qiao about Boya, a crucial county at the intersection of Yanzhou, Wei, and Bianzhou. With Panyi now in Wei Shao's hands, Yanzhou needed to secure Boya as a strategic fallback.
Xiao Qiao emphasized that with Bi Zhi's strength, they could surely hold this vital location. Da Qiao, expressing her desire for a simple life with Bi Zhi, agreed, and Bi Zhi readily accepted the mission. Xiao Qiao felt a sense of relief, knowing her family finally had such a capable fighter. Xiao Qiao had carefully orchestrated her plans, intending to advance the canal project to divert Wei Shao's military focus, thereby providing a crucial respite for Yanzhou.
She then envisioned using her marriage to Wei Shao to strategically "turn the tide" for her state. However, her plans were disrupted when an envoy arrived with the somber news that Lord Qiao Gui had passed away. Recalling her grandfather's kindness, Xiao Qiao wept profusely. The envoy reminded her that the canal project was of paramount importance and could not be swayed by her personal grief.
That night, as Xiao Qiao gazed at the moon, she imagined her grandfather's familiar face, and tears welled up again. She lamented that she had missed the opportunity to see him one last time.
