The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 8 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Wei Shao found scratches on his cherished wooden box and confronted Mrs. Wei about it. Mrs. Wei and Zheng Chuyu, who had secretly moved the box hoping to frame Xiao Qiao and have her dismissed, listened as Wei Shao questioned his mother. Mrs. Wei feigned indignation, then tried to direct suspicion toward Xiao Qiao, suggesting she might have grown arrogant or sought his secrets.
Wei Shao, however, calmly explained that he had previously given the empty box, which once held his old belongings, to Xiao Qiao after she found its nine-palace lock intriguing. He had also taught her how to open it. Xiao Qiao had since used it to store her own jewelry. He stated there was no reason for her to pry it open, implying someone else with ill intent or a thieving servant was responsible.
Mrs. Wei was embarrassed and promised to investigate. Wei Shao urged his mother to investigate thoroughly, offering to involve Nanny Zhong if she found it difficult. Wei Shao then proposed finding a suitable husband for Zheng Chuyu who would marry into their family, allowing her to stay near Mrs. Wei. Zheng Chuyu, hidden nearby, accidentally touched a shelf, making a noise. Wei Shao, suspicious, moved to check, but Mrs. Wei quickly deflected his attention.
Before leaving, Wei Shao reminded his mother not to trouble Xiao Qiao, emphasizing her status as the Lady of Wei. Meanwhile, an envoy arrived from Yanzhou with numerous luxurious gifts for Xiao Qiao. He also delivered a letter revealing that Lord Qiao (her uncle) had refused Da Qiao's plea for aid, fearing to offend the Wei family. The envoy expressed his frustration, implying Xiao Qiao's closeness with Wei Shao was distracting her from their family's plight.
He specifically criticized Xiao Qiao for offering Panyi as dowry, as Wei Shao had since stationed troops there for over a month, effectively tying Yanzhou's hands. Shocked to learn about Wei Shao's troops in Panyi, a detail she had overlooked, Xiao Qiao declared her intention to use Wei Shao's power to plant the Qiao family flag in Boya, dismissing the envoy's skepticism with a resolute vow.
Feeling that Wei Shao's true intentions were purely for strategic gain, Xiao Qiao's anger flared. She reflected on her grandfather's words about alliances, realizing Wei Shao was an ally too strong to control, and regretted ever thinking she could have a normal life with him, as his heart was only set on conquering the world.
She attempted to pay her respects to Mrs. Wei, but was turned away, told Mrs. Wei was unwell and would not receive visitors for the next few days. Zheng Chuyu, seeing this, continued to poison Mrs. Wei's mind against Xiao Qiao, suggesting she must have bewitched Wei Shao to cause discord between him and his mother, and showing no fear towards Mrs. Wei.
Back in her own courtyard, Xiao Qiao confronted her servants, exposing them as spies sent by Mrs. Wei and reprimanding them for their negligence, specifically for not taking proper care of Mrs. Wei, which quickly sent them scattering. Despite her inner turmoil, Xiao Qiao still sent Wei Shao his favorite dishes and returned a pair of mended shoes, originally crafted by Mrs. Wei, stating she had mastered Mrs. Wei's technique. Wei Shao noted her consistent thoughtfulness, which touched him.
Later, when he visited Mrs. Wei, she tried to undermine Xiao Qiao, suggesting his wife cared little for him and knew nothing of his preferences, even his shoe size, implying that only a true beloved would. This backfired, only making Wei Shao appreciate Xiao Qiao more. Confused by his own understanding of "closest companion and true love," Wei Shao consulted Gongsun Yang.
He reflected on his relationships: Lady Xu commanded respect and carried expectations; his mother received filial duty; his loyal generals like Wei Liang were like brothers, but he hoped they would eventually seek their own freedom; and Gongsun Yang himself was a trusted mentor, but none fully embodied the profound connection he sought.
Gongsun Yang explained "close" as seeing what the other sees and thinking what the other thinks, and "love" as embodying patience, devotion, mutual respect, and a fearless willingness to share vulnerabilities and secrets. He subtly suggested Xiao Qiao fit this description, citing her intelligence, her consistent care in daily life, and her defiant stand against Wei Shao's accusations in the past. Wei Shao, though verbally dismissing the idea as their marriage was political, was clearly moved.
Later that night, Wei Shao ordered ginseng soup for Xiao Qiao, but despite waiting outside her room for a moment, he did not go in. The next morning, Wei Shao decided to accompany Xiao Qiao to visit Lady Xu. As they walked, he noticed a puddle. Recalling an earlier occasion where he had carried her, he rolled up his sleeves, preparing to do so again. However, Xiao Qiao simply stepped over the puddle, leaving Wei Shao looking slightly awkward.
Xiaozao, observing from a distance, couldn't help but smile. Later that day, Wei Shao, feigning hunger, repeatedly sent Xiaotan to urge Xiao Qiao to bring him food. Xiao Qiao, however, sent pastries via Xiaotan, refusing to enter his study, first citing his busy schedule and then expressing a fear of his unpredictable temper, not wanting to displease him.
After several rounds of back-and-forth between Xiaotan and a frustrated Wei Shao, Xiao Qiao, exasperated by his persistent requests for a late-night snack, instructed Xiaotan to simply leave the food box outside his door for him to retrieve, as she wouldn't go in. To her surprise, Wei Shao emerged from his study and, after asking why she was avoiding him, presented her with a rare and valuable armrest.
Xiao Qiao was perplexed by Wei Shao's unexpected gift, with Xiaotao suggesting it was an attempt at reconciliation due to his guilt over Mrs. Wei's previous troubles. This sparked an idea in Xiao Qiao, but it required money. Xiaotao, however, revealed she had amassed significant wealth, stating that half the street now effectively belonged to the Qiao family due to her daily ventures outside. Delighted by Xiaotao's resourcefulness, Xiao Qiao decided to purchase a konghou.
She then deliberately played the new instrument very badly, producing a harsh, off-key sound, drawing Wei Shao's attention. Feigning tears, she claimed the konghou belonged to Da Qiao, and seeing it reminded her of her sister's difficult life since eloping with Bi Zhi and being disowned by their uncle. Moved by her apparent sorrow, Wei Shao promised to send supplies to Da Qiao. He inquired about Da Qiao's whereabouts, and Xiao Qiao revealed she was in Boya.
She explained that without proper identification, Da Qiao and Bi Zhi were forced to reside in unsupervised territories to barely survive. Wei Shao agreed to send the aid but firmly told Xiao Qiao to stop playing the "terrible" konghou. Using this opportunity, Wei Shao dispatched Wei Qu and other generals to deliver the supplies to Boya. His true intention, which he candidly shared with his strategists, was to gather intelligence on Boya's commander, as they knew little about him.
After a game of drawing straws, Wei Qu was designated to lead the mission. Wei Shao instructed him to proceed discreetly, ensuring their actions wouldn't be misinterpreted as a military threat to Boya. Unaware of Wei Shao's ulterior motives, Xiao Qiao also prepared a box of rice seeds for Da Qiao, believing that a larger retinue would offer more substantial assistance to her sister. Upon reaching Boya, Wei Qu encountered a wild boar.
As he prepared to shoot it, Bi Zhi swiftly intercepted, claiming the kill. After introducing themselves, Wei Qu recognized Bi Zhi as the renowned "Commander of Boya Forces," expressing surprise that this legendary figure was related to Wei Shao through marriage. Wei Qu delivered the supplies, including Xiao Qiao's box of rice seeds, to Da Qiao. Inside the rice seed box, Da Qiao discovered a hidden letter from Xiao Qiao.
The letter outlined a cunning plan: for Bi Zhi to strategically position Wei Shao's family soldiers on high ground, creating the illusion of a vast army. This tactic aimed to intimidate Xue Tai, ensuring a bloodless victory, allowing the Qiao family to secure Boya and establish a foothold that could check the Wei family's influence for over three years, safeguarding Yanzhou's interests. News quickly reached Wei Shao that Bi Zhi was indeed the Commander of Boya Forces.
Gongsun Yang acknowledged that Bi Zhi's allegiance, as both Qiao Yue's son-in-law and Wei Shao's brother-in-law, would determine whether Boya aligned with the Qiao or Wei family. Wei Shao, however, remained confident that Xiao Qiao was unaware of Bi Zhi's true position and that she wouldn't hide it from him. He then went to Xiao Qiao, playfully "congratulating" her on her brother-in-law's prestigious new role in Boya. Xiao Qiao, taken aback, expressed disbelief, insisting that Bi Zhi was merely a stableman and had no such status.
