To continue where I left off. The Prisoner of Beauty: Ep 2 On Beauty, part 1

The theme of beauty is introduced in Episode 1 and her beauty resembles a Trojan horse, something to pull the wool over WS’ eyes, and manipulate the situation to Qiao clan’s advantage.

The thread continues in Episode 2 when WS claps his eyes on QM for the first time and is taken aback by her beauty.

Initially, he orders his emissary to reject the marital alliance should their demand not be met.

WS: This matter is no longer up for discussion. If Yan does not act in good faith, you may all turn around and take her back.

His peremptory and imperious tone is deserved because he heard WS’ discreet cough in the anteroom. He correctly suspects that she’s directing her Yan emissary from the sideline. So, he walks over to her hiding place and lifts the screen to look at her. I guess, his curiosity about her great beauty got the better of him.

As soon as he sees her, his tone changes. Lowering the screen, he revises his earlier command.

WS: However, this marriage was my grandmother’s wish. So, if you want it to happen, the wedding must be held in Panyi.

Two things:

One. Although he’s struck by her beauty, he’s clearly pretending not to see it or to be swayed by it. It’s important to note this because, at the end of this episode, he finally refers to her beauty and confesses his reason to his aversion to her beauty.

Two. Although much attention has been given to WS’ reaction – yes, it’s heart-thumping moment — it’s also vital that we take note of QM’s facial expression here. She isn’t acting like a timid bride-to-be. Definitely not. She stares back at him. I’m certain part of boldness is her awareness of her beauty. She knows that her looks leave any beholder awestruck.
As I wrote in my First Impression, it appears to me like she’s challenging him to send her back to Yan kingdom after getting a good look at her.
That said, it’s also possible that she’s unafraid to meet his eyes because she’s trying to discern what kind of man he is. Remember? She’s expressed interest in figuring him out. She isn’t afraid to meet his gaze because they’re fated to be together, either as allies or foes.
Their eye contact only lasts for an infinitesimal moment. She blinks then lowers her eyes. She seems to adopting a timid and diffident demeanor.
Sidenote: I get that the actress’ delivery in this scene is either directed or scripted. Nonetheless, I consider this great acting. I like that the actress can convey multiple emotions all at once with just a look, with her eye movements, without words. No over-emoting needed.

Noteworthy: WS then offers a gift he’s prepared for QM. It’s a scroll on “The Chronicles of Panyi’s Lands and Waters.” I’m impressed that QM immediately grasps the veiled threat of his gift. To the clueless emissary, the scroll simply means that WS is taken by her beauty. But QM understands it as an advance warning of his intentions. That is, whether or not she agrees to holding the wedding in Panyi, he plans to go to Panyi and take over its lands and waters. The “chronicles” will soon be rewritten to record his successful conquest of Panyi.

I also like QM’s wit.

Emissary: The dignified Lord of Wei wouldn’t go back on his word, right?
QM: (reminding him) But the grudge between our families was caused by someone going back on their word.

She keenly understands that importance of keeping one’s words. Trust can’t be built on broken promises. Hence, in future episodes, when she tells him that she’ll do something for him, she does it come hell or high water (literally).

The next time WS encounters QM, he spots her on the Tan Terrace. He overhears passersby on the street chatting about a woman in red standing on the terrace. They think it’s QM and concede that the rumors about her flower-like beauty are true. They wonder if he will like her and marry her, and speculate that if the couple wed, then wars will be avoided.

After hearing their idle prattle, WS looks across the street to study QM. He scoffs, “She’s just showing off. A pretty face, that is all.”

QM sees him, too, and bows her head in greeting. It’s a good thing she doesn’t hear his put-down.

On their third encounter, WS sees her in the pavilion cutting flowers. Earlier, he was informed that people had been offering her wildflowers. He mistakenly assumes that the flowers are meant to be a tribute to her beauty and that like a typical vain girl, she’s basking in all the attention.

Funnily enough, his bad impression of her doesn’t stop him from staying a while in her company and joining her for tea. To me, however, it seems like QM wants to take this opportunity to bridge the gap between QM and the common folks.

QM: Flowers are of no use. People like them because they long for what they represent.
WS: (picking a red carnation from the lot) Are you trying to say that they long for you, too?

See that? He’s quick to attack her. He already assumed that the flowers signify the people’s admiration. Now, he suggests that, more than admiration, the people are expressing an attachment or tenderness for her. He’s intentionally twisting her words.

QM: I didn’t mean that. The people treat me kindly because they long for you. They treat me kindly because they long for you. Waiting to see where your heart lies. Everyone knows that I am a Qiao from Yan. Compared to the people of Bian, I am the one you despise most. If you can set aside past grudges and marry me, it means you are magnanimous. Then the people will no longer fear you and will follow you.

It’s worth noting that as she talks, he’s ripping the petals of the red flower. This is symbolic. He’s oblivious and/or indifferent to beauty.

WS: (smirking) You are good with words, twisting things around just to get me to marry you.
QM: It’s the will of the people.
WS: Then why not go with the will of the people and hand over the seal of Panyi to me so we can get married soon? Xindu has always been a part of Wei. I share the people’s will and purpose. Li Su used lies to divide us, and now you use manipulation. You both disgust me. Do not think that I am as easy to fool as my grandfather.

He angrily rips off the head of flower, and throws away the stem. It doesn’t take a genius to guess that he imagines doing the same thing to QM and her grandfather: rip them apart and throw their dead bodies away.

He stands up to leave.

WS: As for the seal, I suggest you make your decision soon. I have some patience but not much.

After this encounter comes the trial of the Xindu magistrate. We all know that QM comes to his rescue. Using a bad cop/good cop strategy, she accepts the role of villainess in the story. After she manages to turn the crowd against her and make them side with QM, they meet on the terrace. She’s stuck up on the terrace because a mob has blocked her way home.

Note the parallelism of this scene and the previous terrace scene. The topic remains the same: her beauty. But whereas the passersby were admiring her beauty back then, the folks are now badmouthing her appearance.

Person 1: What use is a pretty face?
Crowd: Get lost. That viper! She is so cruel.
Person 2: She is not so pretty.
Person 3: It is just rumors.
Person 4: She is just average.
Person 5: Actually, she is kind of ugly.

And surprise! surprise! WS defends her.

WS: Can you tell from here? Why say she’s ugly?

My comment:  Pay attention that he doesn’t utter the word “beauty” in reference to her. I think he avoids admitting that she’s indeed beautiful. So, in a roundabout way, he tells the people that their eyes shouldn’t deceive them. Even from where they’re standing below the terrace, her beauty is undeniable.

The last time the subject of beauty comes up in this episode is during the handing over of the seal of Panyi. Ironically, it’s the FIRST time that WS acknowledges her beauty.

QM: On the way back from the postal hall, I saw people still had no food. But Panyi has grain. It could ease your urgent need
WS: Huh?
QM: (offering the seal to him) You love the people like your children. I am sure one day you will treat the people of Panyi as your own. I am willing to offer my entire fortune. I only hope you will accept me and forge and alliance for the people.
WS: (picking it up) We are not even married yet. Why do you trust me so much?
QM: Because you are kind.

Three comments:

1. There are two schools of thought here. One is that she’s flattering him merely to get her way. Two is that she was truly moved the other night when she saw him tear down the wall and urge for unity among the citizens. Me, I think it’s a mixture of both. Of course, she seeks protection for her beloved homeland and wants him to view her countrymen in the same benevolent light. But she was truly moved and encouraged by his actions at the wall. Remember: all this time, she’s been trying to determine what kind of man he is. The scene at the wall was the deciding moment. In her judgment, he’s a magnanimous and trustworthy man.

2. When QM offers her entire fortune to WS, she’s talking about a big piece of real estate called Panyi. In this case, the seal is just a symbol or representation of Panyi because she can hardly put the whole region in a box, carry it around, and lay it on WS’ table as her dowry. Now, WS assumes that if he has the seal, he can enter and claim the city even without QM by his side. But the truth is, as he shall find out in Episode 3 — the real fortune – or the real asset that QM possesses isn’t Panyi but herself. She’s THE treasure which she’s offering up in marriage to him.

3. For me, QM’s biggest misstep here is not being soft and patient like water. It became obvious pretty quickly to WS that she’s maneuvering things expertly behind the scenes, and he isn’t used to it. First, he isn’t used to being challenged and proven wrong, especially by a woman. Second, he isn’t used to working with a Qiao.  After demonizing her clan for 14 years, it’s normal to suspect her every word and action. He can’t give her an inch as she’ll easily take a mile.

Moving on…

WS: (chuckling) Kind? (tossing the seal back in the box) You think I am gullible, don’t you? Your family is far too naïve. Do you think a betrothal can wipe out 14 years of hatred?

He grabs her by the cheeks. It dawns on QM that she’s made a huge mistake.

source: koremakaria’s tumblr

WS: Do you believe that you are so stunning that you can enchant me? (pushing her face away) That old traitor Qiao Gui planned this well. Sending his granddaughter here to put on a gentle and sweet act in hopes of tricking me into an alliance with Yan. Was this how he fooled my grandfather back then? Let me tell you. The Qiao family already deceived us once. There will not be a second time.

That’s why QM distrusts her beauty from the very beginning. He sees her as a femme fatale, that is, an stunning woman who’ll use her charms to weaken, manipulate and control him. He isn’t falling for her beauty because to do so is to forgive and forget her family’s betrayal. He isn’t going to be a prisoner of beauty. Of course, we know that, if imprisonment is something he wants to avoid in the future, then it isn’t going to end well with him.