The Prisoner of Beauty

dramawonderland202
14. juni
15 min lesing

Oppdatert: 24. aug.

An Unexpected Chinese Drama Gem

It was one of those days when I casually chanced upon a trailer of an upcoming Chinese costume drama while scrolling through social media. The trailer was only about minute long but I was already captivated and intrigued.

Firstly, this was probably my first time seeing the actors in anything. They seemed vaguely familiar but I had no idea who they are and where else I could have seen them. That being said, I was excited to get to know new characters without any shadow of previous characters from another story. Second, there was something about the trailer that was clear: this is a love story and it is going to have a good narration. And I was not wrong about this!

By the end of the episode one, I could not stop watching. I finished 5 episodes in one night. I was just happily spiraling down the rabbit hole of The Prisoner of Beauty. I was instantly transported into a world set in a backdrop of warring states where marriages and water access hold an equally important value in keeping the balance of power among the different political territories. And while the story presents a storyline that I have seen many times before, I found myself paying attention. I was completely engaged in its gentle narration, beautiful imagery, and well-written characters.

A Tale of Love and Loyalty

The Wei and Qiao clans formed an alliance that led to the construction of a canal between Wei and Yanzhou, providing a stable water source to the former and military protection to the latter. To celebrate this successful partnership, the clan patriarchs, Wei Lun and Qiao Gui, vowed to live and die together, promising to defend each other in case of an attack or invasion. Unfortunately, this promise was put to the test when Wei was attacked, and the Qiaos chose not to provide the expected military support. As a result, three generations of the Wei clan's leadership perished in the battle, leading to the loss of Xindu territory.

Wei Shao, the younger grandson of Wei Lun, survived the battle in Xindu after witnessing the deaths of his grandfather, father, and older brother. He grew up into a mighty warrior, building and commanding a renewed Wei army, and eventually defeating their enemy in order to reclaim their lost territory. However, Wei Shao’s grudge against the people who betrayed his family still weighs heavy on his heart despite all the years that have already passed. As he gained military power in the Central Plains, he set his goals on acquiring Panyi, the gateway to Yanzhou, determined to exact vengeance against the Qiao Clan.

Qiao Gui, in an attempt to restore good relations with the Wei clan (and perhaps to prevent a war between them), had proposed a marriage alliance between Wei and Qiao. Lady Xu, Wei Shao’s grandmother and clan matriarch, surprisingly agreed to this proposal.

The marriage proposal originally intended to marry Qiao Fan (the older of the two Qiao girls) to Wei Shao. However, she ran off with a stable boy and left the Qiao clan with no other option but to present their only remaining daughter, Qiao Man, to become Wei Shao's bride.

Both reluctant to the idea of this arranged marriage, Wei Shao and Qiao Man guarded their hearts against each other. Their families’ past history of betrayal and tragedy proved to be such an enormous hurdle to overcome. Hence, before a wedding ceremony could be held, Wei Shao was able to force Qiao Man to hand over the seal of Panyi territory to him. He then ordered Qiao Man to be sent away with the intention of not fulfilling his agreement to a marriage alliance.

In a wild turn of events, the Young Lord of Liangya State, Liu Yan, held Qiao Man captive in Panyi. He intended to reclaim Qiao Man as his bride since he was supposed to marry her before the Qiao and Wei clans decided on a marriage alliance. Qiao Man saw through Liu Yan's plans - that he was not at all sincere about her, and was only going to use her in order to secure the territory of Panyi for his own ambitions.

In the midst of all the chaos, Wei Shao and Qiao Man found an ally in each other. And despite the hesitations and mistrust, they chose to marry each other in a commitment to bring lasting peace and stability for both their clans and territories.

As days went by, Qiao Man began discovering a different side to Wei Shao's ruthless and cold exterior. She began to realize that the man she married is in truth a kind and righteous leader who would protect his people with his own life. In the same manner, Wei Shao started to appreciate his wife's intelligence and concern for the common people. With this marriage alliance between two powerful states, other leaders from the surrounding territories began to feel threatened, with some of them scheming plans in order to break up Qiao Man and Wei Shao.

With struggles within their own families and the rising political tensions in the region due to Wei Shao's increasing power and influence, trials and tribulations kept coming their way. And yet, both husband and wife remained steadfast in their commitment to each other - proving their loyalty and devotion even in the most difficult of times. What started as a political marriage that was tainted by past grudges and betrayals became a true partnership bound in mutual trust, respect, and affection.

The Characters

Wei Shao

The Lord Commander of Wei

Patriarch of the Wei Clan

Qiao Man’s Husband

Qiao Man

Lady of Wei

Daughter of Qiao Clan

Wei Shao’s Wife

Wei Yan

Heir to the State of Bianzhou

Wei Shao’s Cousin

Lady Yu Lou

Lady of Bianzhou

Wei Shao’s Childhood Friend

Wife of the Liu Yan, Lord of Liangya

Liu Yan

Young Lord of Liangya; eventually becomes the Lord of Liangya

Qiao Man’s former betrothed

Lady Yu Lou’s Husband

Here are some of the wonderful supporting characters…

The Four Wei Generals

Wei Shao’s Most Loyal Friends

and Fiercest Warriors

Gongsun Yan

Wei Shao’s Advisor

Qiao Fan

Daughter of Qiao Clan

Qiao Man’s Cousin

Bi Zhi’s Wife

Bi Zhi

Commander of the Boya Forces

Qiao Fan’s Husband

Qiao Ci

Young Lord of Yanzhou

Qiao Man’s Brother

Xiao Tao

Qiao Man’s Maidservant

Wei Liang’s Beloved

Chun Niang

Qiao Man’s Nanny

Xiao Zao

Qiao Man’s Maidservant

Xiao Tan

Wei Shan’s Servant

And here are the elders of the Wei and Qiao Clans…

Lady Xu

Wei Shao and Wei Yan’s Grandmother

Lady Zhu

Wei Shao’s Mother

Qiao Ping

Qiao Man’s Father

Qiao Yue

Governor of Yanzhuo

Patriarch of the Qiao Clan

Qiao Man’s Uncle

Qiao Fan’s Father

Lady Ding

Lady of Yanzhuo

Qiao Man’s Aunt

Qiao Fan’s Mother

Qiao Yue’s Wife

An Exceptionally Good Narrative

The Prisoner of Beauty presented a story with very good clarity so that the plot and the characters are easy to understand and appreciate. While its main plot is, of course, the typical romance between a powerful warlord and a lady from a rival clan, there are two underlying subplots that add interesting layers to the story: politics and filial piety.

And while politics and filial piety can be quite heavy topics, it kept both narration and imagery simple and straightforward. From the very beginning, it was able to establish that water is an important element in people's lives. Among the states in the Central Plains, it was Yanzhou (where our main female character comes from) which has an abundance of water, and by building canals they were able to distribute water across its territories. This led the Wei State to form an alliance with them, sharing not only water sources but also the technology and skills. This powerful, new alliance threatened some of the other states and they would do anything to break apart the Wei-Qiao alliance. Thus, the running conflict in our story that ultimately got resolved in the end.

For once, I actually like the political aspect of the story because the concept of having access to water as key to the rise and fall of territories is something that is not too complex to understand. After all, who does not need water even in modern times? What I truly appreciated though is that the Prisoner of Beauty has woven this geopolitical conflict so seamlessly within the narrative. I did not even have to fast-forward anything while watching because everything was on point - no heavily dragged out scenes on political scheming nor absurdly unnecessary side plots.

The theme of filial piety was also masterfully integrated to bring depth and facets to the characters. Most of the characters, not only the main ones, were well developed in such a way that I could comprehend their actions and decisions even when I do not agree with them. One good example is the character of Qiao Fan who was merely always just a part of the side story. And yet, in a crucial moment of confrontation with her cousin, Qiao Man, she was able to voice out exactly the things I thought Qiao Man should realize:

"I cannot use love as chains to bind my husband into fighting for my clan." - Qiao Fan

This line cut right through that entire scene. A viewer could tell it hit a sore spot for Qiao Man by the way she reacted as soon as she left the room - the regret, the guilt, and the worries all came pouring out in tears because her husband went to battle to save her family.

That particular dialogue between the Qiao ladies in this scene allows us to see that both are imperfect and flawed. However, because the narrative is so good at integrating the underlying theme of filial piety throughout the story, it is not difficult to empathize with both characters. Although their reasonings are selfish, they are both grounded in good values and good intentions.

This theme of filial piety also resonates with the two other main characters, Wei Yan and Lady Yu Lou. Both are portrayed as being conflicted in their feelings and actions as they navigate complex family relationships and obligations they must fulfill. The only difference between Wei Yan and Lady Yu Lou is that the former is able to redeem himself by the end of the story, while the latter falls to her demise through her own delusions of beauty and power.

Throughout the story, our main characters navigate the burdens of responsibility and loyalty to their families. Wei Shao’s character is the epitome of a filial son who, at a young age, steps up into the role of being a clan patriarch on top of all the other obligations that come with becoming the Lord of Wei. Qiao Man, likewise, is caught in a difficult position, having to maintain a balanced position as both the filial daughter of Qiao and the loyal wife to Lord Wei.

In the end, this story is about finding the one person who is willing to share the burdens and overcome the trials with. The small acts of loyalty and honest conversations eventually created positive changes within Wei Shao and Qiao Man. These changes were not abrupt. Rather, they were slow and gradual, but all the same satisfying to witness. Here, we find growth in both the characters as Wei Shao begins to forgive old grudges and Qiao Man learns to adapt to her new life.

Very Demure. Very Mindful.

There are a lot of subtle details in this drama which separate it from a lot of c-drama costume romances, but there is one thing that stands out:

there is no annoying, foolish female lead.

Yes, I have seen a lot of these dramas. Even with those widely acclaimed shows of the same genre, there is always something about the female lead that irks me. And I think that is because of a lack of consistency in the way that these female characters are written. They always start off as being the most beautiful, brightest, or sassiest in the bunch, until they start behaving foolishly or getting themselves in a lot of trouble because they are trying too hard to be all that. It can be tiresome even without the high-pitched, whiny voice (you probably have ideas of what I am talking about lol).

Then comes Qiao Man, whose character is so wonderfully composed - refined and graceful. She is exactly how I imagined a young noble lady to look and behave in that fictional ancient Chinese context. She speaks softly, kindly, and her actions are always proper. She does not do random strange things out of impulse. Yet, she is assertive and smart, and commands respect even from people who do not completely trust her.

However, the detail I appreciated the most is how she never badmouthed her husband - not to her closest confidantes and not even during the low points in their relationship. In fact, Qiao Man would always defend Wei Shao or make excuses for him (at least in front of other people because she makes sure she gets to say what she means when it is just the two of them). She saves the lectures for private moments when it is just the two of them. She is honest and direct with him without being rude or overbearing.

Qiao Man is proof that a dignified female character can be written with consistency. It is possible to create female characters who are both endearing and attractive without being cartoonish or childish.

A Hero Cut Above the Rest

Just as good as Qiao Man’s character was written, Wei Shao was just as thoughtfully created. This character is little more complex than its female counterpart in the story because he brings with him grudges from a dark past ridden with trauma, loss, and grief. He was introduced in the beginning of the story as a ruthless warlord who would stop at nothing to protect his people and bring justice to the deaths of his family members.

It is also quite understandable that Wei Shao was very suspicious of Qiao Man at the beginning of the marriage. I mean who would not be, right? He was after all forced into a marriage with someone who came from the very clan that betrayed his family. However, I have always felt that Wei Shao is very empathic just like when Qiao Man tricked him into plans of helping her cousins claim Boya as a Qiao territory. I think the reason why he was not resentful against Qiao Man after that wasted military excursion from Boya was because he understood that she is in a difficult position and her heart will always be loyal to her family. This empathic trait was shown several more times in the latter part of the show everytime Wei Shao tries to console Qiao Man - reassuring her that she is doing well in maintaining a balance in her role as a daughter of Qiao and as the Lady of Wei.

In episode nine, we can find Qiao Man baffled as to Wei Shao's true nature that she consulted his most trusted advisor:

"Tough on the outside, soft on the inside. Big-hearted." - Gongsun Yan

That best sums up Wei Shao's character. Although he is afflicted by hatred and mistrust, his kind and merciful nature shines through without necessarily losing the regal and dignified traits that are expected of a clan patriarch and military commander. The character grows with each episode as he slowly opens up to the idea of forgiveness and accepting Qiao Man as a wife whom he could trust and respect. Thankfully, this does not usher in an absurdly jarring personality shift in Wei Shao.

I am grateful to the writers for ensuring that he consistently remains a step ahead of all the other characters: that he is as wise as he is strong, as decisive as he is merciful, and as devoted to his wife as he is filial to his family.

Memorable Scenes

This exceptional piece of drama has a lot of standout moments I could happily watch again. Every episode is filled with beautiful imagery and touching encounters that it is difficult to choose just one or two from the entire series. Regardless, for the mere joy of remembering them again, here are some favorite scenes that immediately comes to mind when I am reminded of this drama:

The First Meeting

This ending scene of the first episode was how this drama truly sealed the deal for me. The actors did such a great job conveying the surprise and shyness in this first meeting moment. Lord Wei was very skeptical about the marriage, but the man could not help but be curious. So he lifted the curtain and saw his bride... And he obviously liked what he saw.

To be fair, that was a very beautiful shot of Qiao Man, and it registered so well in the eyes of Wei Shao. The way his pupils dilated for a fraction of a second, giving way to a softer gaze, is everything in that moment! Qiao Man's reaction is equally good too—gazing back at him and then shyly looking away... I could not ask for a better "love at first sight" scenario.

Wei Shao Carries Qiao Man Through The City Gates In The Middle of A Storm

The tensions were high leading to this moment - Wei Shao and Qiao Man just got married after saving Panyi from being conquered by Liu Yan. After a long journey, Wei Shao then had to leave the injured Qiao Man and the rest of her entourage outside the city gates for propriety reasons as he could not bring his wife into the memorial tributes for his family members who were betrayed by her family.

To make things worse, Qiao Man started to burn up with fever while the rain poured heavily and strong winds blew. All these images created the perfect opportunity for the Lord of Wei to rescue his bride - holding her close to him through the rain and wind - for all the world to witness.

Qiao Man Comforts Wei Shao In The Darkness

Wei Shao was silently weeping, with memories of the night his family was killed in battle still haunting him. Qiao Man found him shivering in a cold corner of a room; rainwater had come in through the windows, and the candlelights were all blown out. As she was about to turn away to ask for help, he held onto her and asked her to stay.

This was definitely a turning point for the characters. It was so tender and loving the way Qiao Man covered him with her coat and then gave him a tight embrace, reassuring him that she was right there with him and that everything would be alright.

When Wei Shao Asked For An Icy Bath In The Middle of the Night

The night the Lord and Lady of Wei literally and metaphorically broke the ice is pretty high up on my list of memorable moments from any Asian drama. For context, Wei Shao was drugged with what seemed to be an aphrodisiac as part of his mother’s schemes to trick him into taking a concubine. However, the scheme failed and only made Wei Shao angry. The drugs obviously took effect because his struggle to fight off whatever was going on in his body was very visible.

He stormed into the bedchamber and came straight to his wife, who slapped him back to his senses. Here is the part that I like very much: Qiao Man was smart enough to realize that something unusual was going on, so instead of running away, she told her husband that she was going to help him. His first instruction was to get him ice…

Again, a sigh of relief that there was no immature, childish behavior from the characters in this intense but very intimate scene. From the shaking hands, to the deep breaths, to the unsteadiness of everything, this scene was so well-acted I wanted to hide and scream while watching it.

Wei Shao Comfortably Laying His Head On Qiao Man’s Lap

If affection could be captured in images, it has to be this scene. The Lord of Wei and the Lady of Wei are just husband and wife behind the closed doors of the bedchamber—vulnerable and honest with each other.

After a misunderstanding, we could see the husband carefully approaching his wife, who was tending to his pillow. Such an image is so domestic it almost felt like prying into their private moment. But in a swift movement, he was snuggled on her lap, eyes closed, telling her he had a headache, so her hand instinctively began to massage his head. My heart was melting!

Other Scenes Worthy of Mention

When Qiao Man told him to slow down because she could not keep up, he was kind enough to oblige the request. From here on, I just knew that if he was willing to adjust his stride for her, then he could definitely compromise on other things for her as well.

And on a lighter note, just look at that adorable height difference. I am so sold on this physical contrast - Qiao Man looking so tiny next to the very tall Wei Shao!

This drama is littered with a lot of cute, lighthearted moments here and there. But this one is probably my favorite: when Qiao Man got so annoyed when she learned that Wei Shao had been reading the letters she sent to her family. Wei Shao’s guilty reaction afterward was too funny. He was trying to evade engaging in a conversation by avoiding her eyes and then feigning sleep, but his wife was determined to let him know she was displeased.

The interaction that ensued between them was hilarious. The way she smacked him with the scroll and his disbelief at getting hit was such a wonderful comedic break in this drama.

And lastly, who would say no to a romantic date under the stars? This one scene encapsulates the brilliant cinematography throughout the show: a simple yet striking backdrop that allows the gorgeousness of the actors to truly shine.

Final Thoughts

I always find it difficult to say goodbye to dramas that I truly liked, but I find it particularly harder to move on from this one. It just felt to me like a dream drama - like something I wish I wrote myself. I have seen so many Asian dramas over the past quarter of a century (25 years), and I can spot a gem instantly when I see one. This one caught my eye from the trailer alone and became part of my daily routine as I waited for new episodes every day. To be able to watch it at the end of a busy day felt like a treat. It was not just a show for me; it is a drama that comforted and entertained me.

I have read parts of the original novel on which the show was based. And while I understand that the good story must be credited to the original author, I am still grateful to all the people responsible for bringing this story to life. While they made many deviations from the novel, I think the changes were fair and justified. Overall, the drama was tastefully made and is definitely one of the best ones I have seen in this historical-political-costume-romance genre. Also, I should not forget to applaud the amazing performances of all the actors. I am now a Liu Yuning and Song Zu'er fan, and maybe lowkey shipping them in real life too (lol).

After the final episode, I was wishing they made this into one of those 60-episode long dramas. And yet, I was also fully satisfied with how they concluded it, even if there are sad endings for some of the characters. I liked that it was left a little open-ended too because I always believed that there are things that are best left imagined. In the end, The Prisoner of Beauty was truly a joy to watch, and I would highly recommend it to all my fellow drama lovers.