The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 9 Recap
> The Prisoner of Beauty Recap
Wei Shao observed Xiao Qiao closely, searching for any sign of her involvement in the Bi Zhi situation, but was relieved to find her genuinely unaware. Despite this, Xiao Qiao worried about Da Qiao and Bi Zhi's precarious position in Boya. She knew their uncle, the Qiao patriarch, feared Wei Shao too much to offer help, leaving the couple with no home to return to. Wei Shao, finding this typical of the Qiao family's behavior, expressed his disapproval.
His gaze then fell upon an armrest on the table, and he asked Xiao Qiao if she liked it. She quickly replied yes, but mistakenly identified its material as bamboo, believing it would be less likely to cause sweating. Wei Shao opened the box, revealing the armrest was actually made of jade, which caused Xiao Qiao considerable embarrassment.
Fearing his displeasure, she quickly presented him with a new pillow she had crafted, explaining she had chosen the softest fabric for his comfort. Wei Shao, however, noticed the pillow was adorned with a "Flourishing Descendants" pattern, causing him to speculate about its meaning. Xiao Qiao, upon seeing the pattern, hastily clarified that she had only focused on the fabric's softness, not its design. Wei Shao took the pillow and departed.
Xiao Qiao then reproached Chunniang and Xiaozao for not informing her about the jade armrest and the inappropriate pillow pattern. Seeing Xiao Qiao's blushing and flustered demeanor, Chunniang and the maids couldn't help but smile. Gongsun Yang and others found Wei Shao's return with a pillow unusual. Wei Shao assured Gongsun Yang that Xiao Qiao was unaware of Bi Zhi's recent actions and that Bi Zhi, though capable, wouldn't pose a major threat.
He added that Boya remained unclaimed without a flag, allowing Bi Zhi to fight Xue Tai without threatening Wei, and maintaining the status quo was ideal. Concurrently, Wei Qu, with his soldiers disguised as civilians, went hunting with Bi Zhi. When Xue Tai's men discovered arrows of Wei origin, they concluded an alliance had formed between Wei Shao and Bi Zhi and promptly withdrew, boosting morale in Boya.
Following Xiao Qiao's earlier counsel, Da Qiao publicly suggested raising a command flag in Boya to deter intruders. Bi Zhi, straightforward in nature, sought Wei Qu's advice. Wei Qu, explaining the custom of national flags, inadvertently led Bi Zhi to declare his deep love for his wife by proposing to use "Qiao" as the flag's surname. Upon Wei Qu's return, Wei Shao harshly scolded him for prioritizing hunting and drinking, and for assisting Boya in raising a flag.
He recognized Xiao Qiao as the mastermind behind the plan. Wei Shao then warned his subordinates to keep their distance from Qiao women, playfully suggesting they "turn people dumb," an admission that he himself had let his guard down. He decreed that all future correspondence from Xiao Qiao must first be inspected by him. Subsequently, Wei Shao ordered his forces to attack Xiaogang, creating a strategic outpost directly opposite Boya to monitor it closely.
Wei Shao remarked that what seemed like a losing game had been revived by Xiao Qiao, and though he could concede Boya, he wouldn't let Yanzhou simply take it. He explained that Xiaogang, a territory unjustly seized fourteen years prior, was essential to counter Yanzhou's new gateway in Boya and keep a close watch on Bi Zhi. Later, Wei Shao visited Xiao Qiao, bringing her food from Boya and urging her to eat.
He subtly accused her of exploiting his guilt to send messages to Boya and help them raise their flag. Xiao Qiao did not deny her actions, stating she merely offered advice after learning Bi Zhi had defeated the bandits. She then challenged Wei Shao, questioning if their marriage was a mere pretense for him to attack the Qiao family, referencing his troops stationed in Panyi.
She argued that if his intentions were not hostile, then flying the Qiao flag in Boya was harmless, as the two families were now united. Wei Shao was momentarily speechless, conceding her sharp tongue. He warned her against being overly confident, vowing to always hold the Qiao family's fate in his hand. Xiaotao approached Wei Liang but was rebuffed, as Wei Shao had ordered his men to avoid the Qiao family, claiming they would "turn dumb."
Xiaotao relayed to Xiao Qiao that Wei Shao was deploying troops to Xiaogang. Immediately, Xiao Qiao summoned the envoy Zhang Pu, who was still recovering from an illness after his previous journey to Yujun. Xiao Qiao requested he take a detour to Boya on his way back to Yanzhou to deliver a crucial verbal message to Da Qiao, emphasizing the importance of direct communication over a letter.
She handed Zhang Pu a map, marking critical locations, and instructed him to tell Da Qiao and Bi Zhi to begin mining in Liancheng, a location within Yanzhou close to Xiaogang. Xiao Qiao explained that while Wei Shao valued Xiaogang for its strong defenses and its ability to contain Boya, a secret tunnel from Liancheng could allow Yanzhou's forces to reach Xiaogang within half a day, thereby making Xiaogang vulnerable to Yanzhou's control.
After Wei Shao's departure, Lady Xu invited Xiao Qiao for a game of Go, subtly offering guidance on marriage. Lady Xu recalled how she used to bid farewell to Wei Shao before his campaigns, a duty now assumed by Xiao Qiao, which brought her comfort. She shared her deep-seated hatred for the Qiao family but expressed hope that this marriage could finally mend the rift and liberate Wei Shao from a life consumed by grief and obsession.
She said if this union could resolve the animosity and prevent Wei Shao from further suffering, her own long-held resentments would become insignificant. Xiao Qiao felt a sense of regret for having disappointed her, but Lady Xu gently advised her that "everything takes time" and they should proceed patiently. Two months later, Wei Shao returned triumphantly from the Xiaogang campaign.
He issued directives to intensify patrols along the Liangya-Xiaogang border, rigorously monitor military movements between Yanzhou and Boya, and fortify all frontier outposts. However, his final command was to relocate his bedding back to the main chamber, declaring his intention to "battle Lady Qiao over every inch of ground." Wei Liang, Wei Qu, and other guards promptly moved Wei Shao's belongings, displacing Xiao Qiao's books and other personal items, leading to a heated argument with Xiaotao and Xiaozao.
After the men left, Xiaotao and Chunniang complained to Xiao Qiao about the Wei men's aggressive behavior in claiming territory. Xiao Qiao understood that Wei Shao's actions stemmed from his irritation over the Boya situation and decided to yield for the time being, even agreeing to leave his bedding where it was. Later that night, Wei Shao awoke from a nightmare, drawing his sword, only to find it pointing at Xiao Qiao beside him.
Xiao Qiao explained that she had observed his restless sleep and, believing the candlelight was too bright, had approached to extinguish it. Wei Shao, without reprimanding her, advised her to wear more clothing to bed, teasing that she shouldn't attempt to seduce him, as he, the Lord of Wei, would not be swayed by beauty. Xiao Qiao, asserting her lack of such intentions, quietly returned to her side of the bed.
Unable to sleep, Wei Shao sought out Gongsun Yang for a drink. Gongsun Yang encouraged him to confide in a loved one rather than bearing his burdens alone. Wei Shao sadly replied that he had no one to share his thoughts with, no one who truly understood him. Amidst a thunderstorm, Xiao Qiao searched for Wei Shao and found him huddled alone in a darkened room. Seeing her, he instinctively clutched her clothes.
Xiao Qiao had never witnessed such vulnerability from him and, recalling rumors of him killing in his sleep, felt a surge of fear. As she began to retreat, he pulled her back. Realizing his fear of the dark, Xiao Qiao draped her own clothes over him and held him close, comforting him and assuring him of her presence.
The next morning, Wei Shao awoke to find Xiao Qiao's clothes draped over him and the candles still burning, a sense of warmth filling his heart. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiao played Go with Gongsun Yang in the bamboo grove, seeking counsel on marital harmony. She confessed her initial belief that Wei Shao would hold a grudge against her for the Boya incident, but noted his unexpected reaction.
Gongsun Yang, intimately familiar with Wei Shao's character, described him as "tough on the outside, soft on the inside" and possessing a "big heart." He asserted that otherwise, Wei Shao would not have permitted Xiao Qiao to remain in Yujun. Xiao Qiao thanked him, admitting her previous misjudgment.
