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The Prisoner of Beauty: Ep 4 On Winning and Losing, part 1

The Prisoner of Beauty: Ep 4 On W&L, part 2

Oh! I was telling you to pay attention to the presence of water, in its various forms, in the scenes when there’s conflict between Wei Shao (WS) and Qiao Man (or ManMan) because it spotlights the advice of Manman’s grandfather on the efficacy of water in winning over a hard-hearted man like WS.

Just a note here, because most readers on this blog aren’t Chinese: The grandfather’s advice isn’t actually original. He’s merely quoting a great ancient Chinese philosopher, Lau Tzu, who exhorted men to be like water. “Water is fluid, soft, and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft, and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.”

I already mentioned two occasions. First was the scene where Manman was caught between WS and Liu Yan. She must have looked bedraggled, burnt and soggy after hiding in the water pot to escape the fire. But as helpless and defenseless as she appeared, she had enough fight in her to accuse LY of inhumanity, and to slap WS’ face in anger. Naturally, WS couldn’t hit her back because he knew he deserved it.

Second was the scene on the bridge when Manman indulged in some self-pity. WS couldn’t win this argument because he knew that she saved him, his men, and Xindu, at great risk to herself. Her solitary teardrop landing on his neck made an impression on him.

Now, here’s the third occasion.

The citizens of Panyi were unwelcoming to WS and his men because they still considered Liu Yan as the rightful husband-to-be of Manman, and thus, leader of their city. To rectify the situation, the magistrate proposed to WS that Manman clarify the situation herself before her people. But since Manman had already told WS that she no longer wanted to marry him, his advisor counseled him to apologize in order to get her to rally the people to his side.

Advisor: Though Yang Feng is unreasonable, his words are not entirely wrong.
WS: I believe I can do this without her.
Advisor: She is just a helpless woman. Why must you dwell on it, My Lord?

He was cajoling him to apologize because he knew that WS’ ego/pride was bruised first by her supposed elopement, and then, by her cancellation of their engagement. But WS refused to back down.

WS: (no answer)
Advisor: Will you not go see her?
WS: Me? See her? No way!

Observe the tableau behind him. Lol. It’s a painting of water waves framed by a wood carving of undulating water. That was a foreshadowing.

He must have softened a little and yielded a bit because in the following scenes, he sent his generals to persuade HER to meet HIM.

The first general delivered ointment for Manman and an invitation to meet with WS. But for all his trouble, he was soundly refused and almost splashed with water that was used to clean Manman’s wounds.

The second general delivered a formal request for a meeting, with a troop of soldiers to escort her to WS. He was also rejected.

Since the pomp and circumstance didn’t impress, the third general came delivering the finest goods from the market for all the ladies in Manman’s household. But Manman’s maid simply took WS’ “peace” offerings (or bribe?) and rejected the meeting.

Two things:

One, the generals were stopped by Manman’s maid at the bridge in front of Manman’s chambers. Like in many historical cdramas, Manman’s mansion has interconnecting bridges over ponds. I’m sure the ponds have aesthetic and practical uses in real life (e.g., flood control, dust control, and fire control). But for this drama in particular, the presence of water hinted at Manman’s objective to wear WS down.

Two, I find it funny thing that all the excuses Manman’s maid gave the generals were aimed to pique WS’ conscience. Manman knew the generals would repeat word for word her reasons for not meeting him. And while the excuses grew progressively longer and convoluted, they all pointed to one main culprit: WS. It was all his fault.

a. she was resting. She deserved to rest after she burned her wrist stopping Liu Yan and rescuing WS’ people.
b. she was resting. Her wounds were bothering her so much that she skipped lunch to take an early nap.
c. she was resting. She couldn’t sleep so she ate to ease the discomfort but then she couldn’t sleep until dawn, so she was sleeping for the rest of the day.

I like the final jab at WS: “Lord Wei can kick her out one day, and invite her back the next day, but our lady can’t go from no appetite to overeating?”

WS was understandably frustrated with her delaying tactics. He was unaware that she was playing him like a fiddle.

WS: This ailment, that ailment. I say she’s just spoiled.
Chubby General: Spoiled? My Lord, did you spoil her?
Skinny General: He means a beating would fix it.

The Chubby General then handed WS a long stick for beating Manman up, but the Advisor stepped in to advocate for Manman.

Advisor: She is just a helpless woman driven out of Xindu by our Lord, then threatened by Liu Yan, and now injured for the people’s sake. It’s only natural she’d feel wrong. But think about it, if our Lord apologizes properly, would this not be resolved? Right?
WS: What? Why should I apologize? These are just the Qiao Clan’s tricks!

Taking the stick from the Chubby General, he stood up and vowed to drag Manman out of her room himself.

Notice the background? Behind him, the water tableau stood out prominently. To me, it was an omen, a sign, a writing on the wall (or literally, a drawing on the wall). He would lose this proxy fight with her because she was wearing him down. How could he whip water to obedience? The water was moving, instead.

That was the third water scene. Here’s the fourth.

So, with stick in hand WS went to Manman’s chambers, only to discover her furtively leaving the mansion. Where did she go? Did you notice her meeting place with her cousin?

She met her cousin by a mountain lake. Ha! It’s not surprising that this was the turning point for WS. He changed his perception of Manman after this moment.

From her conversation with her cousin, he learned that she had volunteered to take the place of her cousin after the latter ran away from the arranged marriage to WS. He also learned a few other things.

Cousin: If the Wei house is a den of wolves, I cannot let you face it alone. That is why I had Bi Zhi bring me here. Let us flee together.
MM: Fan, what if I insist on marrying Lord Wei? Will you support me?

One, he learned that Manman was just bluffing when she said that she didn’t want to marry him.

Cousin: That Wei Shao is ruthless and cruel! He tortured Li Su mercilessly. How could he treat you any better? Look how worn you have become.
MM: That is because Liu Yan abducted me. Wei Shao had nothing to do with it. He is far better than Liu Yan.

Two, he also learned that Manman didn’t really blame him for her injuries. She also didn’t harbor him any resentment for his treatment of her back in Xindu. Remember, her maid made a barbed reference about it to his general.

Cousin: He’s our family’s enemy. How could you favor him?
MM: You only know he killed Li Su, not that he saved countless lives.

Three, he learned that Manman wasn’t repulsed by his execution of Li Su. On the contrary, she defended and justified his wartime actions.

MM: And besides, he is…(hesitating)…he is dashing and heroic. The first time I saw him, I was already smitten.

I smirked when I saw WS puffing his chest and straightening his back. Beside him, the Chubby General commented, “Mis Qiao’s silver tongue spins better tales than the Advisor’s. Since when was she smitten?” WS just expressed his annoyance with his general with a “Tsk.”

While it’s cute to see that he wasn’t immune to her flatteries, this is the power of water in action. Her words of admiration broke down his stubborn male pride and persuaded him to apologize to her. As far as he was concerned, she was speaking sincerely.

Now, there are two schools of thought as to why she confided this to her cousin. One, she said it because she knew he was around and could hear her. (I don’t think so.) Two, she said this to reassure her cousin that she was fine with her decision so her cousin would leave Panyi without worrying.

In my opinion, though, she was overdoing the romance to suit her cousin’s sentimental inclinations, but she was indeed impressed by and attracted to his moral character and fortitude. That’s why she ran to him instead of Liu Yan, right?

Cousin: Wait, Manman, are you…are you truly sincere? Not just helping me to be with Bi Zhi?
MM: Who said it is for you and Bi Zhi? If anything, I am begging you, let me be with Wei Shao.

She was sure that she was their best bet to save their people from WS. As long as she’s married to him, she can protect her clan and their kingdom.

Cousin: If that is the case, then I will harden my heart and leave with Bi Zhi.

As WS and his generals left the scene, his Advisor summed up the whole encounter they had just witnessed.

Advisor: So Miss Xiao Qiao is marrying in her cousin’s stead. The Qiaos are mostly heartless people. It is rare to see someone like her.

That evening, he personally went to her mansion to apologize to her.

MM: Lord Wei, what brings you here?
WS: I heard you were ill.

He handed her a package of medicine, and she flinched. That was funny and sad at the same time. Although earlier with her cousin, she spoke as if she could entrust WS with her life, in reality, she was still wary of him. She took the package from him gingerly.

MM: You are suddenly so concerned about my health. Is there something you wish to discuss?

She believed that he had an ulterior motive for showing her kindness.

WS: Nothing urgent. Just that Panyi’s people miss you and begged me to check on you.

Smooth. He didn’t say that he needed her visible support to win over the folks.

MM: Ah. Today you are quite direct. I miss them, too, but my health holds me back. I caught a chill outside Xindu, and my hand wound has not healed. I do not have the strength to go see them now. Perhaps in a few more days.

Basically, she reiterated what her maid had told the generals. She didn’t deviate from the standard excuse that she wasn’t feeling well. But WS knew better after he’d seen her meet up with her cousin. He knew that he had wronged her and that she was right to avoid him. An apology was in order.

She coughed for good measure.

WS: A few days ago, I drove you out of Xindu….(looking at her)
MM: (meeting his gaze)
WS: That was my mistake. I shouldn’t have imposed my grudge on you. Moreover, you fought against Liu Yan for the people of Wei and got yourself wounded. I ought to take you on their behalf.
MM: Lord Wei, there’s no need to force yourself. Why apologize and thank me?

Yes, she suspected that something’s up. Not only did he apologize but he also thanked her. He wasn’t the type to humble himself either way.

WS: I held many prejudices against the Qiaos, but today, I see that you are different from the rest. You are willing to marry me not for yourself, but for the people, and for your sister.

Interesting. He was very proud earlier when he heard that she was smitten by him, and yet, here he was acknowledging that she wanted to marry him for the public good, that is, for her people and cousin. Lol. He was tactful enough not to point out that she had a selfish/personal reason for wanting to marry him, too (she was “smitten,” right?).

MM: (confused) Huh? Ahh…

But she quickly figured that he must have been at the meeting with her cousin and overheard their conversation. She could hardly take back what she said about being smitten with him.

He tacitly confirmed that he knew where she went that afternoon.

WS: Since you are unwell, avoid places like mountains. The wind is harsh. It could worsen your condition. Even if you must meet your family, be cautious.
MM: You know I met my sister?
WS: (not answering her)
MM: (confronting him) What do you plan to do?
WS: (giving her the look) I do not quarrel with women.

This was a major concession from Wei Shao and a significant victory for Manman. WS recognized that he might be a great warrior on the battlefield, but he couldn’t spar verbally with Manman. He’d lose ground to her every time, so it was best to avoid quarreling with her.

MM: Thank you, Lord Wei.
WS: Take your medicine.

Manman’s persuasion skills were on display the following day when she gave a speech to the crowd. She publicly admitted that her Qiao grandfather had been at fault for breaking his promise to the Wei clan, thus causing the tragedy to the Wei clan and their citizens. But while the Wei people had erected a wall of hatred in Xindu with the belongings of their slaughtered families, Lord Wei decided to tear down the wall to signify a new start to the people. His goal wasn’t just revenge. His ultimate goal was prosperity for all, by opening the canals and allowing water to flow so farms could thrive again. With her clan and his clan united in marriage, swords would be turned into ploughshares.

She then announced, “From this day on, Panyi is part of Wei” and she rallied the people to stand united with Lord Wei as they worked for the common good. The people swallowed it all in, without questions, and WS could only watch with pure astonishment that she had guessed all along what his pet project was.

It should be noted that she gave her speech on a bridge with water flowing under the bridge. She was winning him over with her intelligence.

The last time water appeared in this episode was when the couple stood in front of the dam. The water was pretty much dried up on this side of the dam but there remained a few puddles here and there.

Wei Shao joined her.

WS: What kind of person do you think I am?

When have we heard this question before? From the very beginning. The show opened with MM asking her grandfather what kind of person this grandson of his old friend was. She had wanted to know if she could/should ally herself to this man in marriage. By comparison, WS wanted to know if she had any delusions of him being a gullible and manipulable man. It’s notable that although he puffed up to his generals when he heard her tell her cousin that she found him dashing, he knew better than to trust her words. He was no prisoner of beauty – either beautiful looks or beautiful words.

MM: The world says Lord Wei only conquers cities, but in Xindu I studied the Chroniclea sof Panyi you gave me. I noticed the words Yongning Canal were traced over repeatedly. Later, reviewing the map of Wei, I realized your greatest effort these years was for building canals. Truly admirable. I will persuade my uncle to mobilize Yan’s strength in supporting you.

In a subtle way, she revealed to him that she was no prisoner of beauty herself. She was admitting that all that talk – which he overheard – about falling in love with at first sight because he was “dashing and heroic” was bunkum and balderdash. She had been studying him with great deliberation. Her decision to marry him is based on her good judgment of him, not feelings.

Personally, this is the time when I approved of this heroine. She’s unlike that ditzy heroine in “Love Between Fairy and Devil” and inflexible heroine in “The Princess Royal.”

WS: You are trying to use the canal to negotiate with me?
MM: How would I dare? This marriage pact is not Wei’s promise to Yan. It is your vow to the people of Wei and Yan.
WS: (caught off-guard)
MM: Do you know why Bian attacked Xindu 14 years ago? Because my grandfather helped Wei build the Yongning Canal. Once the Canal is complete, Yan and Wei will be bound like sworn allies. Bian will not sit idle. They will try to sever this lifeline. And Panyi is the vital pass along this lifetime. It is like the heart. That day I handed you my seal, it was not because I did not understand. It was out of remorse and sincerity that I gave you my heart.

And here she was outlining what their marriage would mean. It still remained a political marriage, true. But now, they had a common ground/common goal that could sustain their relationship for the long haul… and her open secret to protect from Yan from his vengeance.

I also like that she mentioned remorse. She didn’t shy away from the fact that her grandfather was guilty of betraying his clan. Viewers may have this image that Manman as a sacrificial lamb in this set-up, but I prefer to see her as an olive branch. She was a) apologizing and asking for forgiveness for her grandfather’s fault, and b) seeking to repair the broken trust and relationship between the two clans.

The seal of Panyi was the olive branch.

WS: (glancing at her) Heart or no heart, the seal is with me now. The city has been taken. I will not give Panyi back to you.

His aggressive answer was to be expected. He was still stuck in the “war mode.” He hadn’t switched on to the peace mode like MM had.

MM: That day, you took the seal and drove me out of Xindu, you betrayed me alone. But now I have rallied Panyi’s people to help you rebuild the canal. If you go back on your word again, the ones you will betray are the people of Wei and Yan. The people of both states. (leaning her head towards him) Can you bear this, Lord Wei?

And I like the way she cocked her head towards him like she was being conspiratorial. Her small gesture implied that she understood his character well enough to know that betrayal wasn’t in his nature. He could betray her because he still saw her as the enemy, but he couldn’t betray people placed under his protection. He knew how to differentiate and compartmentalize his ideals.

WS: I cannot win against your clever tongue. But didn’t you say you would not marry me?

And this is the first time he VERBALLY admits defeat. To me, that’s the whole point of the episode: he had to slowly realize that Manman was very feminine (his Advisor kept reminding him of this!) but wily. True, she’s like water, soft and gentle. But she’s also like still water, running a deep and complex game unbeknown to him. He was clearly out of his depth with her. He had never seen a force of nature like her.

MM: (smiling, turning to him with downcast eyes) Lord Wei, you are magnanimous. My humble heart yearns for you.

And I just love how Manman managed to get the last words in. He thought he could embarrass her by reminding him of her refusal, but she impishly turned the tables around. He was the one who was caught speechless by her insincere (and slavishly) display of humility. Good job, Manman!

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

This concludes my long explanation of water in Episode 4. I believe this is needed to show readers of this blog how to watch cdramas with more discernment, and to approach romantic scenes with critical thinking. As much as I like to swoon over the sweet moments and be swept up in the love story, I like it better when I understand WHY the characters, dialogues, plot, symbolism, etc. make sense to me.

That’s what I consider watching with intent.