Episode Summary
Episode 35 is fraught with tragedy and escalating conflict. Wei Qu is sent to retrieve Wei Liang's body after his death, which devastates Xiao Tao. Xiao Qiao falls ill but supports Wei Shao as he prepares for an inevitable war with Yan Zhou, blaming Qiao Yue and Liu Yan for Wei Liang's demise. Wei Shao's allies defect to Liu Yan, who plots to destroy the Yongning Canal. Yang Feng attempts to stop him but is killed along with Qiao Yue by Liu Yan. Meanwhile, Yu Commandery is attacked by Su Ehuang and Xue Tai. Xiao Qiao goes into labor and gives birth as Wei Shao faces a rockslide. Despite the dire situation and news of more deaths, Wei Shao decides to prioritize attacking Pan Yi over immediately relieving Yu Commandery. The citizens of Yu Commandery, inspired by Xiao Qiao and Madam Xu, prepare to defend their city. Wei Qu arrives at Yu Commandery, finds Wei Liang's desecrated body, and in a grief-fueled rage, recovers it. He then rescues a blinded Qiao Ping from prison, losing an arm in the process, and confronts enemy soldiers, asserting Qiao Ping's rightful authority.
Spoiler Alert
"The Prisoner of Beauty" Episode 35: Recap & Spoilers
Episode 35 of "The Prisoner of Beauty" throws viewers into a maelstrom of grief, betrayal, and desperate battles for survival, as tensions escalate and characters face devastating choices.
The episode opens with a distraught Wei Qu, weeping before Wei Shao and begging to find Wei Liang. Wei Shao, attempting to console him, dispatches Wei Qu with a cavalry unit to Kang Commandery. Their mission: locate Qiao Ping and bring Wei Liang back. The urgency is compounded when Xiao Qiao suddenly collapses from severe abdominal pain, and a frantic Wei Shao rushes her to safety.
When Xiao Qiao awakens, she is overcome with emotion, clinging to Wei Shao. She tearfully expresses her guilt, feeling she has failed him by being unable to prevent the loss of Wei Liang, especially after promising to help the Wei family flourish. The news of Wei Liang's death in Kang Commandery also devastates Xiao Tao, who had been eagerly awaiting his return. Wei Shao, however, does not blame Xiao Qiao. He firmly attributes the tragedy to the actions of Qiao Yue and Liu Yan, assuring Xiao Qiao that his anger will not be directed at her. He foresees an inevitable war with Yan Zhou. Xiao Qiao understands Wei Shao's burden: whether for the people of Pan Yi or to avenge Wei Liang, he must depart for war immediately. She promises not to blame him for his duties and urges him to be cautious. Wei Shao, in turn, vows not to fail her or endanger others, asking only that she take care of herself and their unborn child, whom he affectionately calls Fei Fei, fearing he may not be present for the birth. Unable to see him off personally, Xiao Qiao reiterates her plea for his safety.
Wei Shao, already ill, sets out for his campaign, leaving a heartbroken Xiao Qiao behind. Xiao Tao clutches an orchid, a poignant reminder of Wei Liang’s promise to return with one and propose to her. Her grief consumes her, and she breaks down in convulsive sobs. Qiao Ci arrives to offer comfort, learning from Xiao Tao about Wei Liang's intended proposal.
Meanwhile, Wei Shao faces a critical blow as his allies begin to defect, flocking to Liu Yan's side. Liu Yan is ecstatic, plotting to ensure Wei Shao meets his end in Yong Cheng. He also plans to destroy the Yongning Canal, partly as revenge for Xiao Qiao's earlier actions that forced General Lin to retreat. Yang Feng voices strong opposition to destroying the dam, highlighting the devastating impact it would have on innocent civilians. However, Qiao Yue dismisses his concerns, urging him not to get caught up in "minor details." Sensing the murderous resolve of Liu Yan and Qiao Yue, Yang Feng appears to compromise. He suggests that to successfully breach the dam, sulfur explosives must be placed beneath the load-bearing walls, and even offers his assistance. Liu Shan (or Liu Fan) expresses approval of Yang Feng's technical input, and Liu Yan grants permission for Yang Feng to proceed.
Yang Feng, who deeply respected Qiao Gui (the original builder of the Yongning Canal for the benefit of the people) and had seen similar noble qualities in Wei Shao, is internally conflicted about the impending destruction. In a dramatic turn, Yang Feng produces a hydraulic map, from which he draws a hidden dagger, intending to assassinate Liu Yan. He is thwarted, but in a final, desperate act, he grabs Liu Yan, aiming for mutual destruction as the charges detonate and the Yongning Canal is breached. Yang Feng, having lost his will to live with the canal's ruin, finds no mercy from Liu Yan. Instead of attempting to save Qiao Yue, who is caught in the fray, Liu Yan skewers both Yang Feng and Qiao Yue with a single sword thrust, killing them both.
In another part of the unfolding crisis, Wei Xiao seeks an audience with Madam Xu. The situation is dire: Su Ehuang and Xue Tai are leading an assault on Yu Commandery. Xiao Qiao proposes sending an urgent message to warn Wei Shao. She also suggests a bold move: allow soldiers to volunteer for the defense, and open the city gates for anyone wishing to leave, thereby ensuring that only those committed to the fight remain. Madam Xu, recognizing the righteousness of Xiao Qiao’s proposal, agrees and instructs Wei Xiao to escort Xiao Qiao to safety. However, fate intervenes as Xiao Qiao is suddenly gripped by labor pains.
As a torrential rainstorm breaks out, Wei Shao's forces encounter a perilous rockslide, which injures several soldiers. Simultaneously, Xiao Qiao endures an arduous childbirth, her body slick with sweat. In a poignant parallel, just as Wei Shao manages to heave a massive boulder to save his trapped men, Xiao Qiao, with a final surge of effort, gives birth to their child. A smile touches her lips as she gazes at her newborn. Madam Xu and Madam Wei rush in to see the baby, but the brief moment of joy is shattered by news that a formidable army of 100,000 soldiers is advancing on Yu Commandery.
Xiao Qiao is deeply worried for Wei Shao; he had left 60,000 men to defend Yu Commandery but now commands a much smaller force himself. Madam Xu tries to reassure her, expressing faith in Wei Shao's ability to handle the crisis. Madam Xu plans to send Madam Wei and Xiao Qiao away from the besieged city for their safety. However, Xiao Qiao staunchly refuses to leave. She declares that she and Madam Xu are family, and she had promised Wei Shao she would look after their kin. Moved by her resolve, Madam Wei also pleads to stay. Madam Xu, grasping Madam Wei’s hand, praises her as a worthy matriarch. The infant’s smile offers a fleeting moment of solace, briefly dispelling the oppressive gloom.
Gongsun Yang delivers grim news to Wei Shao: Qiao Yue, Yang Feng, and Zhen Zhi are all dead. Wei Shao is about to order an immediate march to Pan Yi to prevent further damage to the Yongning Canal when a "De Diao" message (urgent dispatch) arrives. It reports that Su Ehuang and Xue Tai are attacking Yu Commandery, compelling Wei Shao to return and reinforce the city. Faced with an agonizing choice, Wei Shao recalls Xiao Qiao's earlier words about a difficult decision Qiao Gui once faced – whether to sacrifice one person or the common people. With newfound resolve, Wei Shao makes his decision: he will continue the assault on Pan Yi.
Back in Yu Commandery, the citizens, inspired by the leadership, gather at the city gates, demanding to join the fight and refusing to abandon their homes. Xiao Qiao and Madam Xu stand before them, declaring their intention to share the fate of the city and its people. "As long as the Wei family stands, the Wei state stands!" their proclamation ignites the morale of the populace, who rally in support of Madam Xu.
Tragedy strikes with full force when Wei Qu finally reaches Yu Commandery. He is met with the horrific sight of Wei Liang's body hanging from the city gate. Overwhelmed by memories of his brother, tears stream down Wei Qu's face before a cold fury takes over, and he mercilessly cuts down the soldiers guarding Wei Liang's defiled body. Taking his brother down, Wei Qu cradles the lifeless form, his anguished cries urging Wei Liang to wake up, to return and marry Xiao Tao. He wraps Wei Liang’s body in the Wei family’s battle standard, determined to fight his way out with his brother.
Wei Qu then storms the prison alone, searching for the captive Qiao Ping. In the ensuing fight, his arm is brutally severed. Despite the horrific injury, he refuses to yield, driven by Wei Shao’s orders to retrieve Wei Liang’s body from Kang Commandery and bring Qiao Ping back. With his remaining arm, Wei Qu fights through the prison guards, breaks open Qiao Ping’s cell, and frees him. Qiao Ping is now blind. As they attempt to escape, a general from Liang Ya arrives with soldiers. Wei Qu, ever defiant, addresses the Liang Ya soldiers, informing them that Liu Yan murdered Qiao Yue, and that Qiao Ping is the rightful master of Kang Commandery. He challenges them to choose: will they follow a general from Liang Ya, or their own true Commandery Governor? The episode ends on this tense confrontation, leaving the fates of Wei Qu and Qiao Ping hanging in the balance.
