The Prisoner of Beauty

The Wei-Qiao pact broke when Qiao forces abandoned Wei in battle. Wei Shao lost his brother, father and grandfather when Xindu fell. Years later, he killed Li Su and retook Xindu. Qiao Man was sent as a bride to unite the clans.

Part of Qiao Man's dowry included Panyi which was Wei Shao's next target, but his advisor is saying to form the marriage alliance instead and gain Panyi without bloodshed. The marriage talks break down because Wei Shao's side wants to gain the Panyi seal before the marriage ceremony. In the meantime, Qiao Man keeps busy helping rebuild where she can and gaining the love of the people, attracting Wei Shao's attention. At one crucial point, Qiao Man acts as Wei Shao's foil in front of the people to bring out what he truly needed to accomplish. He recognizes it for what it was, and she accomplishes a great deed, but he still felt manipulated. Before they part, she gives him a gift from Nanny Zhong, Wei Shao's grandmother's maid. It was a plaque that said: Stay united as on; do not part in anger.

Qiao Man gives Wei Shao the Panyi seal but he banishes her. Liu Yan rescues and escorts her to Panyi, seeking to renew their betrothal. Wei Shao pursues them, while Qiao Man stops Liu Yan's plan to flood Xindu.

Qiao Man hides from the Wei army who wants to kill her for morale, but in the end, she ends up in between both armies. Liu Yan professes his love and calls her his jewel, to which she replies, "but you treat others as ants." She runs into Wei Shao's arms and the two armies battle. She holds a grudge toward Wei Shao, who wants her killed even after she had helped him in battle. They clear up their misunderstanding, but he's still resisting the marriage alliance because of his grudge against her family. He seems to be slowly softening towards her.

Qiao Man mourns her grandfather while honoring his last wish. At her subdued wedding, the Wei clan acknowledges Qiao Gui's natural death. During memorial rites in Yujun, Wei Shao's cousin denies the ill Qiao Man entry.