Episode Summary
Qiao Yue betrays Qiao Ping by poisoning him and allies with Liu Yan to overthrow Wei Shao. Da Qiao and Bi Zhi are lured back to Kangjun, where Da Qiao is taken hostage, and Bi Zhi is coerced into agreeing to kill Wei Shao. Wei Liang, investigating in Kangjun, uncovers Qiao Yue's treachery but is killed, though not before entrusting a message to Qiao Ci. Qiao Ci escapes and warns Xiao Qiao and Wei Shao. Meanwhile, Qiao Yue and Liu Yan deceive Yang Feng into surrendering Panyi. With Panyi captured, Liu Yan's influence grows, and Su Ehuang's plan to attack Yujun progresses. Wei Shao, learning of the betrayal and Panyi's fall, prepares to march his army.
Spoiler Alert
The Prisoner of Beauty Episode 34 Recap & Spoilers
Qiao Yue was furious upon Liu Yan's arrival, berating him for the previous attack on Yanzhou which had resulted in countless casualties. Liu Yan, however, proposed a way to secure Qiao Yue's position as Lord: by killing Wei Shao, Qiao Ping’s support would become irrelevant.
During a banquet, Qiao Yue offered a toast to Qiao Ping, ostensibly thanking him for years of support, a gesture Qiao Ping reciprocated with humility. However, Qiao Yue quickly revealed his true intentions, suggesting they surrender to Liu Yan to deal with Wei Shao. Qiao Ping was taken aback, urging caution against such a risky move and reminding Qiao Yue of the marital alliance between the Qiao and Wei families, emphasizing they should support each other, or at the very least, not betray their vows. He went as far as to call Qiao Yue a turncoat. Enraged, Qiao Yue retorted that Qiao Ping dared to speak to him in such a manner and declared he had already allied with Liang Ya. Suddenly, Qiao Ping clutched his chest in pain, his vision failed, and he collapsed. Qiao Yue complained to Zhang Pu that the drug administered was too potent, but Zhang Pu explained it was merely a mild soporific powder provided by Liu Yan. Qiao Yue then warned Zhang Pu not to harm Qiao Ci, ordering him to be placed under guard instead.
After giving birth to her child, Da Qiao received a letter from her father, Qiao Yue, expressing his wish to see his grandchild. Delighted by this sign of grandparental affection, Da Qiao, accompanied by Bi Zhi, hurried back to Kangjun. Qiao Yue was waiting for them at the city gates, though Ding Furen and Qiao Ping were conspicuously absent. Qiao Yue offered a feigned apology to Da Qiao and even proposed to arrange a wedding ceremony for her and Bi Zhi. He then cleverly sent Bi Zhi away on an errand to pick sour plums. The moment Bi Zhi departed, Qiao Yue’s men seized Da Qiao. Liu Yan then appeared from behind, and his forces surrounded and attacked Bi Zhi. Though Bi Zhi was a formidable opponent, Liu Yan gained the upper hand by holding a knife to Da Qiao’s throat. He forced Bi Zhi to cease fighting and kneel, threatening him to kill Wei Shao. Bi Zhi, who had sworn an oath never to harm Wei Shao or Xiao Qiao, found himself in an impossible situation, compelled to obey to save his beloved Da Qiao.
Meanwhile, Wei Liang arrived in Kangjun seeking Qiao Ping. He noticed the gate guards acting suspiciously before they allowed him entry. While searching for the finest Yanzhou orchids in the city, Wei Liang observed an unusual number of patrolling soldiers, which aroused his suspicion. However, inquiries with a local shopkeeper revealed nothing out of the ordinary, momentarily easing his concerns.
Subsequently, Wei Liang went to see Qiao Yue, requesting that Qiao Ping accompany him to Yujun. Qiao Yue demurred, claiming Qiao Ping was ill. When Wei Liang offered to visit the patient, Qiao Yue lied, saying Qiao Ping was asleep, and sent Zhang Pu to "check" on him. This further fueled Wei Liang’s doubts. He then asked to see Qiao Ci, only to be told Qiao Ci had gone hunting. Upon hearing that Bi Zhi and his wife (Da Qiao) were also in Kangjun, Wei Liang proposed to visit them too, but Qiao Yue again refused. Just then, Bi Zhi arrived. Wei Liang greeted him, but Bi Zhi unexpectedly attacked and overpowered him. Liu Yan and his men emerged, and Wei Liang finally realized that Qiao Yue had defected to Liu Yan’s side. Wei Liang managed to throw a dart, creating a diversion, and fled.
Ding Furen brought food to Qiao Ci, informing him of Qiao Yue’s treacherous actions and urging him to escape and warn Xiao Qiao. Using herself as a hostage, Ding Furen enabled Qiao Ci to flee his confinement; the guards, fearing for Ding Furen's safety, dared not pursue him.
Wei Liang, wounded and relentlessly pursued, had his bundle of orchids stained with his blood. Qiao Ci caught up with him and offered assistance. Wei Liang entrusted the bloodied orchids to Qiao Ci, instructing him to escape, deliver the news, and give the orchids to Xiao Tao. Ultimately, Wei Liang met his end in Kangjun. Bi Zhi, initially hesitant to kill him, was forced by Liu Yan, who physically guided Bi Zhi’s hand to plunge the weapon into Wei Liang’s chest. Wei Liang’s dying wish was for Xiao Tao not to wait for him. Witnessing this, Bi Zhi was overcome with grief, tears streaming down his face.
Qiao Yue arrived, out of breath, urging Liu Yan not to harm Qiao Ci. However, Qiao Ci had already escaped. Realizing the urgency, they decided to attack Panyi swiftly. Liu Yan suggested that Qiao Yue should be the one to persuade the city to open its gates, given that Yang Feng, Panyi's commander, was a former subordinate of Qiao Gui.
Leading his troops, Qiao Yue approached the gates of Panyi. He deceived Yang Feng by claiming he had been attacked by Liu Yan and that Bi Zhi had rescued him, leading to their flight to Panyi. Yang Feng, believing in the Qiao-Wei alliance, saw no reason to doubt him and ordered the gates opened. Bi Zhi and his men were the first to enter, and they immediately seized Yang Feng. Only then did Qiao Yue reveal his alliance with Liu Yan against the Wei state, declaring that Panyi once again belonged to Yanzhou. When Yang Feng inquired about Zhen Zhi’s fate, knowing one must pass through Xindu to reach Panyi, he learned that the valiant Bi Zhi had already killed Zhen Zhi. Defeated, Yang Feng had no choice but to submit and welcome Qiao Yue and Liu Yan's forces. Soon, Liu Yan’s banners were raised above the city walls.
A heartbroken Yang Feng drank alone, mourning Zhen Zhi. Though they might have appeared to be at odds, they held a deep mutual respect. Following this victory, Liu Yan proclaimed his capture of Panyi to all regions, prompting various feudal lords to begin aligning themselves with him. Chen Pang also received Liu Yan’s letter of recruitment. Fearful that Wei Yan might see it and get involved in the turmoil, he tried to hide it. However, Wei Yan had already learned of the situation and confronted Chen Pang, expressing his desire to go and support the Wei state. Chen Pang, however, had Wei Yan confined, much to Wei Yan's fury.
All these events unfolded according to Su Ehuang’s intricate plan. She was patiently waiting for Wei Shao to dispatch his forces to Panyi, which would leave Yujun vulnerable for her to seize. Her ultimate goal was to massacre the Wei family and avenge her past grievances.
Gravely wounded, Qiao Ci managed to reach Yujun, collapsing at the city gate. The guards recognized him and brought him inside. Upon waking, Qiao Ci saw Xiao Tao and knelt before her, delivering the devastating news of Wei Liang’s death. Xiao Tao, tears welling in her eyes, cursed Qiao Ci and refused to believe Wei Liang was truly gone. Wei Shao interrogated Qiao Ci, who recounted the entire sequence of events to him and Xiao Qiao. The shock was too much for Xiao Qiao, whose legs gave way, unable to stand. Wei Xiao, enraged, wanted to kill Qiao Ci on the spot but was stopped by Wei Shao. At that critical moment, news arrived that Liu Yan had occupied Panyi. Wei Shao immediately issued orders for his troops to prepare, announcing their departure for Panyi the following day.
