The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 9 Recap, Plot

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Wei Shao couldn't detect any suspicion on Xiao Qiao’s face and was convinced that she truly didn’t know about Bi Zhi. That put him at ease, but Xiao Qiao was still worried that Da Qiao and the others might not be doing well in Bo’ya. Lord Qiao, constrained by Wei Shao’s influence, dared not help Da Qiao. The two Da Qiao sisters were exiled from their home, and Wei Shao remained displeased with the typical behavior of the Qiao family.

When Wei Shao saw the armrest on the table, he asked if Xiao Qiao liked it. She hurriedly replied that she did, but mistakenly identified the material, thinking it was bamboo when it was actually jade. When Wei Shao opened the box, Xiao Qiao was terribly embarrassed, afraid he would get angry. In a rush, she handed him the pillow she had made, saying she had carefully chosen the material to help him sleep well.

But Wei Shao noticed that the pillow featured a “Generations of Sons” motif and began to speculate on Xiao Qiao’s intentions. Upon noticing his expression, Xiao Qiao anxiously explained that she hadn’t looked closely at the pattern and had simply chosen the fabric because it was soft.

Wei Shao left with the pillow in his arms, while Xiao Qiao scolded Chun Niang and Xiao Zao for not telling her earlier that the armrest was made of jade, and for choosing the wrong pillow fabric. Chun Niang couldn’t help laughing at Xiao Qiao’s bashful demeanor. Gongsun Yang and the others were waiting for Wei Shao to return. Seeing him hugging a pillow, they found it odd.

Wei Shao reassured Gongsun Yang that after carefully questioning Xiao Qiao, he believed she knew nothing about Bi Zhi and that Bi Zhi posed no serious threat. Gongsun Yang was very curious about why Wei Shao looked so happy holding that pillow. Wei Qu had disguised soldiers as civilians to go hunting with Bi Zhi.

The arrows they shot were retrieved by Xue Tai’s men, who confirmed that they were from Wei State, thus concluding that Wei Shao and Bi Zhi had formed an alliance. Not daring to provoke them, they quickly retreated. This greatly boosted public morale. Following Xiao Qiao’s earlier plan, Da Qiao deliberately raised the idea of planting a flag at Bo’ya in front of Wei Qu, to discourage others from coveting the place.

Bi Zhi, being simple-minded, asked for Wei Qu’s opinion. Wei Qu had no choice but to explain the symbols of various nations’ flags. Bi Zhi, deeply in love with his wife, suggested using her family name “Qiao” as the command banner. When Wei Qu returned, he was scolded harshly by Wei Shao, who blamed him for doing nothing but hunting and drinking, and for helping them plant a flag.

He realized it must have been Xiao Qiao’s idea and gave strict orders that no one was to get too close to the women of the Qiao family—lest they become foolish, as he himself seemed to be changing and had let down his guard around Xiao Qiao. From now on, any letter from Xiao Qiao must be screened by him first.

Wei Shao then ordered troops to be stationed at Xiao’gang, facing Bo’ya, so they could monitor it closely at all times. Wei Shao later brought food to Xiao Qiao, insisting that she eat meat and criticizing her for using his guilt to send letters to Bo’ya and help them plant the flag. Xiao Qiao didn’t deny it and asked him in return whether their marriage was merely a front for attacking the Qiao family.

If not, then there should be no problem with Bo’ya bearing the Qiao family flag. Wei Shao had no reply. When Xiao Tao went to see Wei Liang, he told her not to come near him again. Because of the Bo’ya incident, they had been ordered to keep their distance from the Qiao family. Xiao Tao told Xiao Qiao that Wei Liang was deploying troops to Xiao’gang. Xiao Qiao immediately told Chun Niang to summon the envoy Zhang Pu.

Since delivering the letter, Zhang Pu had fallen ill and had yet to leave. Xiao Qiao gave him a map, marked several key locations, and instructed him to find Da Qiao and begin mining those areas. Xiao Qiao understood that the reason Wei Shao had his eye on Xiao’gang was because it was easy to defend and hard to attack and could be used to pin down Bo’ya.

However, if a tunnel were dug from Yanzhou to Xiao’gang, it would take only half a day to reach. In that case, Xiao’gang would be within Yanzhou’s grasp. After Wei Shao left, Xiao Qiao was summoned by Madam Xu to play chess. In truth, Madam Xu was teaching her how to manage a marriage. In the past, she had always been the one to see Wei Shao off to war. Now it was Xiao Qiao.

Madam Xu hoped that Wei Shao would never have to go to war again and that this marriage could truly resolve the enmity between them. Though Madam Xu had hated the Qiao family for years, if it meant Wei Shao wouldn’t suffer anymore, she was willing to endure anything. Xiao Qiao felt a twinge of guilt. Two months later, Wei Shao returned victorious from the Battle of Xiao’gang.

He ordered tighter patrols along the border between Liangya and Xiao’gang, and stricter surveillance of travel between Yanzhou and Bo’ya. His final command was to move his bedding back into the main house and contest every inch of space with Xiao Qiao. Wei Liang and Wei Qu forcefully carried his belongings in and placed them on the bed, moving Xiao Qiao’s bamboo slips aside and replacing them with Wei Shao’s Dingxi documents.

Xiao Tao, Xiao Zao, and the others tried to argue back. The room turned into chaos. After everyone left, Xiao Tao, Chun Niang, and Xiao Qiao vented their frustrations. They felt those men came to fight over territory, wanting to prove whose domain was bigger. Xiao Qiao knew that Wei Shao was still upset about the Bo’ya incident, and she could only let things be for the time being.

That night, Wei Shao awoke from a nightmare, drawing his sword and almost pointing it at Xiao Qiao. She explained that she had seen him not sleeping well and thought the candlelight might be disturbing him, so she came to put it out. Wei Shao didn’t blame her, only warned her to wear more clothes when sleeping and not to try to seduce him with her looks. Xiao Qiao said nothing and quickly ran back to her bed.

Wei Shao, unable to fall back asleep, went to drink with Gongsun Yang. Gongsun Yang advised that if he had concerns, he should share them with someone dear to him, instead of bearing everything alone. Wei Shao simply lamented that he had no such person. As thunder and lightning roared in the sky, Xiao Qiao searched everywhere for Wei Shao and found him curled up alone in a room. When he saw her, he immediately clutched her robe.

Xiao Qiao had never seen Wei Shao like this before. Remembering the rumors that he had killed people in his sleep, she felt a bit afraid. Just as she was about to leave, he pulled her back again. Seeing him like that, she draped her own clothes over him, realizing he was afraid of the dark. Xiao Qiao held him tightly and comforted him.

The next morning, Wei Shao woke to find Xiao Qiao’s clothes covering him and the candles still burning. A sense of warmth welled up in his heart. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiao played chess with Gongsun Yang in the bamboo grove, seeking advice on how to get along as a couple. She had thought Wei Shao would still resent her for the Bo’ya incident, but it seemed he didn’t. Gongsun Yang, knowing Wei Shao well, said he was tough on the outside but soft inside and broad-minded—otherwise, he would never have allowed Xiao Qiao to stay.

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