I often grouse at the epic length of cdramas thus, to be fair, I should praise this episode for allowing the slow-but-thorough exploration of the meaning of the title. It’s because this show has 36 episodes in all that it can go on deep dive on the female lead’s beauty.

Her beauty is actually introduced in Episode 1. The hero Wei Shao (WS) is dead set on killing her – sight unseen – but his trusted advisor stays his wrath by pointing out that she imports the vital region of Panyi as her dowry. As an extra inducement, his advisor mentions Qiao Man’s touted beauty. He repeats the word on the street, “‘The waters [of Panyi] are too beautiful thanks to the pretty duo.’ The ‘pretty duo’ refers to Qiao’s two girls.”

This must have piqued WS’ curiosity because he grants Qiao Man’s entry inside the city walls.

Lol. If you know Greek mythology, then this scene should remind you of the Trojan horse.

For those who don’t know this —

Once upon a time, the Greeks were laying a siege on the well-fortified city of Troy. After ten long years, the battle seemed interminable, so the wily Greeks came up with a ruse. They constructed a colossal wooden horse, left it at the city gates, and sailed away. The Trojans thought that the enemy had simply given up the fight and (magnanimously) left them a peace-offering, so they wheeled the horse into the city, gullibly rejoicing at their victory. That night, a trapdoor opened in this great wooden horse and out came the hidden Greek soldiers from the underbelly. They opened the city gates to the rest of their army and captured the city. Troy fell all because of a wooden horse.

From then on, the “Trojan horse” means a subterfuge; it’s a trick to get one’s defenses down so an attack can be made from inside a supposedly well-guarded stronghold. Also, from this legend comes the expression, “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.” Of course, our Cleopatra is exempted. Lol.

Now do you see how the QM is exactly a Trojan horse? She hails from the enemy camp. She’s hidden inside her wooden carriage. Her Panyi dowry is meant to be a peace offering. Her much-vaunted beauty arouses curiosity. She waits at the gate of Yujan,

But, like the Greeks, she means business. She’s no innocent and helpless damsel. Her astute, ailing grandfather understands that she’s their best strategist and the only hope for the Yan kingdom’s survival. That’s why he lets her go inside enemy territory by herself.

To me, then, WS isn’t wrong to act on his basic instinct to shoot to kill. The massacre of the men in his family, plus his experience on the battlefield, must have taught him to be wary of a Yan bearing gift. But the mere promise of beauty — both Panyi’s and ManMan’s — has already captivated him.

Hence, the title of the show. “Prisoner of Beauty.”

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To be continued. I have a meeting to mentally prep for.