The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 5 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Xiao Qiao wept uncontrollably, distraught that she had missed the chance to see her grandfather, Qiao Gui, one last time. Her maid, Xiaotao, offered to immediately pack their belongings to return to Kangjun, but Xiao Qiao refused, explaining that their greater plan remained unfinished and she could not return at that moment. She looked up at the moon, silently conveying her profound grief and longing for her grandfather. Meanwhile, Wei Shao also received the news of Qiao Gui's passing.
His generals were furious, believing Qiao Gui’s death, though deserved, came too easily, preventing them from witnessing the fall of Yanzhou. They suspected the Qiao family sent the obituary specifically to force the marriage's cancellation due to filial mourning, which would also delay Wei Shao's claims to Panyi and the canal project. Gongsun Yang urged them not to dwell on hatred but to consider the bigger picture.
Wei Shao then sought out Xiao Qiao privately, asking directly if she still intended to marry him. Xiao Qiao calmly acknowledged that while the Qiao family had their own plans, she asserted that the marriage was her grandfather's dying wish, and she believed he would not blame her for proceeding. Wei Shao noticed her tightly controlled tears, feeling a flicker of sympathy, but left without a word.
That evening, Wei Shao appeared at Xiao Qiao's door, bringing a captured lynx as a gesture of his sincerity. Alone in her room, Xiao Qiao, dressed in simple white mourning clothes, conducted a private memorial for her grandfather. Later, after bathing, she put on her vibrant red wedding gown. A faint smile touched her lips, though her eyes brimmed with tears as she reaffirmed her belief that her grandfather would not fault her choice.
Xiaotao, witnessing her mistress's sorrow, remarked on the unpredictability of men, noting Wei Shao's sudden eagerness for the marriage after previously avoiding it. Wei Shao, in his groom's attire, prepared for the wedding ceremony. As he proceeded, flashes of his late brother Wei Lun's dying words, urging him to shoulder his responsibilities, momentarily clouded his mind. Gongsun Yang's gentle reminder brought him back to the present.
As Xiao Qiao, stunning in her red dress, walked towards him, she nearly tripped on her long gown, but Wei Shao instinctively reached out and steadied her. The couple performed the rites before the assembled guests. During the ceremony, Wei Shao remained stiff, only reluctantly accepting the nuptial cup. His gaze fixed on the spirit tablets of his father and brother, overwhelmed by hatred, he was unable to drink the wine and spilled it on the floor.
Xiao Qiao silently endured the emotional weight of the moment. Later, the generals, still resentful about Qiao Gui's easy death, continued to grumble. Gongsun Yang interjected, reminding them that it was Wei Shao's wedding day. Wei Shao then approached Xiao Qiao, declaring that from that day forward, they were husband and wife. He promised he would never harm her, regardless of what he did to the Qiao Clan or Yanzhou.
However, he imposed one condition: she must henceforth be a woman of the Wei family, no longer a Qiao. As he turned and walked away, Xiao Qiao collapsed onto the floor, weeping inconsolably. While Wei Shao visited the ancestral tablets of his father and brother, Xiao Qiao removed her wedding attire and knelt before her grandfather's tablet in simple clothes.
Her nursemaid sadly reminded her that once they entered Wei territory and settled in Yujun, she would no longer be able to honor Lord Qiao's spirit tablet. The journey to Yujun began with Xiao Qiao confined to a carriage, her expression clouded with unhappiness. Occasionally, she would pull back the curtain and glimpse Wei Shao riding alongside, but their eyes would quickly avert whenever their gazes met. The sky grew dark, and heavy rain began to fall.
Wei Shao, anxious to reach Yujun for his ancestors' memorial rites, intended to press on through the night. Gongsun Yang cautioned him that Xiao Qiao was still injured, but Wei Shao insisted on continuing. Xiaotao, concerned for Xiao Qiao, tried to fetch hot water but clashed with Wei Liang, who insisted they couldn't afford any delays. Xiao Qiao, understanding the urgency of the Wei family memorial, quietly agreed to proceed.
Upon their arrival at the city gates of Yujun, clan relatives gathered to welcome Wei Shao. His cousin, Zheng Chuyu, approached him, inquiring why Xiao Qiao was not with him. Wei Shao explained that he had intentionally left Xiao Qiao outside the city and would task Zheng Chuyu with bringing her into the residence after the memorial rites were concluded. As Zheng Chuyu looked towards the carriage, she caught a glimpse of Xiao Qiao's face.
Xiaotao expressed her frustration at being left in a desolate area, but Xiao Qiao understood that their presence would be improper at such a solemn memorial. During the memorial ceremony, many clan members openly challenged Wei Shao's claim to leadership. Wei Dian, in particular, ridiculed Wei Shao for his youth and a past incident where he supposedly cried at the sight of blood, questioning his ability to lead.
In response, Wei Shao dramatically cut his own palm to demonstrate his fearlessness. Lady Xu, an elder, intervened, chastising the unruly kin and declaring Wei Shao the rightful family head. All present then bowed, and Wei Shao led them in a solemn oath to destroy Li Su and the Qiao Clan. His mother, Lady Zhu, then expressed her anguish, lamenting that her son was marrying an enemy's daughter and had failed to kill Qiao Gui himself.
Wei Dian supported her, directly confronting Wei Shao and accusing him of betraying their ancestors. Gongsun Yang intervened, presenting the seal of Panyi, explaining that the marriage had secured this gateway to Yanzhou without bloodshed. When Wei Dian questioned why he hadn't immediately captured Kangjun, Wei Shao turned the tables, asking Wei Dian about his failure to send reinforcements to Xindu. Wei Dian denied ever receiving a request.
Wei Shao stated he would investigate and declared that his current priority was to fulfill his grandfather's wish to restore the Yongning Canal. He had not forgotten the blood feud; if he could wait fourteen years for revenge, he could wait another ten. His words silenced the dissenters. Meanwhile, the cold and damp conditions outside the city worsened Xiao Qiao's illness, causing a high fever.
Xiaotao and Xiaozao bravely rigged a makeshift rain tarp, while Wei Qu and other guards watched from a distance, offering no help. The following morning, Xiaotao again begged Wei Liang to be allowed into the city, but was refused. In the city, a sleepless Wei Shao grew worried. To their shock, soldiers appeared at Xiao Qiao's carriage, delivering a Letter of Divorce and ordering her immediate return to Yanzhou.
Convinced this was not Wei Shao's doing, Wei Liang dispatched Xiaotan to seek clarification. Xiaotan reported to Wei Shao, informing him of the situation and Xiao Qiao’s severe illness. Wei Shao was stunned, realizing Xiao Qiao had not been brought into the city, despite the rites having concluded two days prior. Zheng Chuyu then arrived, explaining that her aunt, Lady Zhu, fearing Xiao Qiao would endanger Wei Shao, had sent the Letter of Divorce.
Wei Shao furiously denounced his mother's actions as madness. Outside, a distraught Xiaotao knelt before Wei Qu and his guards, pleading with them to save Xiao Qiao. She reminded them of Xiao Qiao's kindness in Panyi, where she had burned her own arm to help them. The soldiers sent to expel her began to push the carriage away.
While Wei Qu's guards hesitated, unwilling to disobey orders but pained to watch, Xiaotao, Chun Niang, and other maids desperately tried to block the carriage, willing to endure a beating. Just as the situation seemed dire, Wei Shao galloped into the clearing. He swiftly rebuked the soldiers and then tenderly scooped the unconscious Xiao Qiao into his arms, carrying her into the city.
