The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 5 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Xiao Qiao sobbed uncontrollably, devastated that she hadn't seen her grandfather one last time. The matron planned to pack up and take Xiao Qiao back to see him, but Xiao Qiao, knowing that the great plan had not yet come to fruition, understood she could not return now. She could only gaze at the moon, entrusting it with her grief and longing for her grandfather. Wei Shao also received the news and learned that Qiao Gui had passed away.
Everyone was furious, believing that the Qiao family sent the message at this moment to prevent the marriage. Wei Shao asked Xiao Qiao privately whether she still intended to marry. Xiao Qiao frankly said the marriage was her grandfather's wish before his death, and she would never blame herself for it.
Wei Shao turned to look at Xiao Qiao, and the tears she was trying hard to suppress stirred a bit of tenderness in his heart, but he left without saying a word. At dusk, Wei Shao came to Xiao Qiao’s door with a lynx beast, expressing his sincere intention to marry her. That night, Xiao Qiao dressed in mourning attire to pay respects to Qiao Gui, then bathed and changed into a red wedding dress.
Although she smiled, her eyes were filled with tears. She believed her grandfather would not blame her. Wei Shao, dressed as the groom, performed the grand rituals to marry Xiao Qiao. However, his mind was filled with his elder brother's dying words, and he seemed to hear the whinnies of horses ringing in his ears. Only with Gongsun Yang’s reminder did he force himself back to the present and personally welcomed Xiao Qiao, who was waiting outside.
Xiao Qiao nearly tripped on her long dress but was instinctively caught by Wei Shao. The two performed the ceremonial rites under everyone's gaze. During the nuptial wine ritual, Wei Shao barely accepted the wine, looking up at the memorial tablets of his father and brother. Unable to swallow, he collapsed to the ground, while Xiao Qiao remained silent, holding back her grief.
During the banquet, the generals were still indignant over Qiao Gui’s death, regretting they hadn't avenged him personally. Gongsun Yang reminded them that today was Wei Shao’s wedding day, and only then did they begin to drink. Wei Shao then promised Xiao Qiao that from today on, they were husband and wife—she was now a woman of the Wei family, not a daughter of the Qiao family.
Whatever he did to the Qiao family had nothing to do with her, and he would not harm her. Watching Wei Shao’s departing figure, Xiao Qiao sat on the ground and cried bitterly. Wei Shao went to the ancestral memorial tablets, while at the same time, Xiao Qiao removed her wedding gown and changed into mourning attire to kneel and pay respects to her grandfather.
The matron reminded Xiao Qiao that once she followed Wei Shao to Wei territory, she could no longer worship Qiao Gui’s spirit. On the road, Xiao Qiao sat in the carriage, her face expressionless. Occasionally, she would lift the curtain to glimpse Wei Shao riding ahead. They exchanged no words and avoided each other’s eyes. Suddenly, heavy rain began to fall.
Wei Shao insisted on traveling through the night, fearing they would miss the sacrificial rites for his father and brother. Gongsun Yang reminded him that Xiao Qiao was still injured and not fit to travel in the rain, but Wei Shao insisted. Xiao Tao, wanting to prepare hot water for Xiao Qiao, got into another argument with Wei Liang. When Xiao Qiao heard it was the Qiao family’s memorial day, she also insisted on continuing the journey.
At the city gates, local relatives gathered to welcome Wei Shao. His cousin Zheng Chuyu greeted him and asked why Xiao Qiao hadn’t entered the city. Wei Shao had deliberately left Xiao Qiao outside the city, planning to let Zheng Chuyu bring her in only after the sacrificial rites. Zheng Chuyu glanced at the carriage and happened to see half of Xiao Qiao’s face.
Xiao Tao was upset that they had been left in the deserted outskirts, but Xiao Qiao understood that it was indeed inappropriate for them to attend the rites that day. At the sacrificial ceremony, the relatives were not convinced that Wei Shao should become the young lord. Wei Dian was especially defiant, mocking Wei Shao for being afraid of blood and daring to aspire to be emperor.
In response, Wei Shao cut his palm with a sharp blade to prove he had no fear. Madam Xu also stood up to support Wei Shao, declaring him the rightful lord, and only then did the others bow in acknowledgment. At that moment, Wei Shao took the lead in vowing to eliminate the Qiao family to avenge his father and brother. Wei Shao’s marriage to Xiao Qiao caused further dissatisfaction among the relatives, who demanded an explanation.
Gongsun Yang presented the seal of Pan Yi, but the others criticized Wei Shao for failing to seize Kang Commandery while the opportunity was hot. Wei Shao retorted by questioning why Wei Dian hadn’t gone to reinforce them. Wei Dian denied receiving any letter. Wei Shao stated that he had never forgotten his vengeance, but this time, he was fulfilling his grandfather’s wish to rebuild the Yongning Canal. Since they had waited fourteen years, they could wait another ten.
The crowd fell silent. Inside the carriage, it was bitterly cold. Xiao Qiao fell ill. Xiao Tao and Xiao Zao went down to secure a rain cover, while Wei Qu and the others stood at a distance, watching but not helping. They waited through the night in the wind and rain. The next morning, Xiao Tao went to Wei Liang again to ask if they could enter, but he still refused.
Wei Shao, though seated indoors, was worried about Xiao Qiao and stayed awake all night. Xiao Qiao developed a fever. At that moment, someone arrived to deliver a divorce letter, intending to drive her away and send her back to Yanzhou. Wei Liang sensed something was wrong, believing Wei Shao would never do such a thing.
He sent Xiao Tan to report directly to Wei Shao, who then learned that Zheng Chuyu had not brought Xiao Qiao into the city even though the rites had ended two days ago. Zheng Chuyu came to explain that it was her aunt who sent the divorce letter and tried to drive Xiao Qiao away, and there was nothing she could do.
Xiao Tao knelt and begged Wei Qu to save Xiao Qiao, but because the messenger had not returned, Wei Qu and the others dared not act without orders. Watching the soldiers forcefully push the carriage away, they felt conflicted. Willing to suffer beatings, they tried to stop the carriage. Just then, Wei Shao arrived at a gallop, scolded the soldiers, and carried Xiao Qiao into the city.
