Chapter 8: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 8: 

 

Recently, while the region was busy with water conservancy projects, many people hadn’t realized that the connection of the inner rivers could lead to land appreciation.

If her husband were a real merchant, he could just wait for this remote shop to increase in value.

As Liu Mian Tang was excitedly discussing her achievements, she heard a teasing laugh from outside the shop: “Cui Jiu, with such a good wife, becoming wealthy enough to rival a nation is just a matter of time!”

Liu Mian Tang looked up to see that it was Dr. Zhao, who had treated her illness, standing next to her husband, Cui Jiu.

Both were tall, handsome men dressed in brocade robes and adorned with jade crowns, attracting much attention. Fortunately, they were in a secluded alley; otherwise, just Cui Jiu alone would have drawn the gaze of passing maidens.

Seeing her husband here after several days made Liu Mian Tang feel pleasantly surprised. She hurried over and greeted them, saying, “What brings you and Dr. Zhao here?”

Dr. Zhao laughed and answered first, "I was accompanying Cui Jiu to visit friends in the nearby county. On our way back today, we happened to see you leading some craftsmen this way, so we decided to follow and see what you're up to..."

Dr. Zhao now looked at Liu Mian Tang with increasing admiration. Although his own household had many wives and concubines, they were only good at spending money and not managing affairs.

His legal wife was the daughter of the Duke of An Guo, known for her dull demeanor. Influenced by her mother, she was obsessed with Buddhist principles, she had even intended to become a nun before her marriage, had the Duke of An Guo not intervened strongly.

Buddhists are supposed to be peaceful and open-minded. However, his wife had taken it to an extreme, showing no interest in worldly matters. After their marriage, there was no affection between them; in her eyes, Zhao seemed less appealing than a wooden fish used in prayers.

With a wife who spent all her time in the Buddhist temple, the household affairs at the Duke’s residence were a complete mess. So, Marquis Zhao thought that if he were to marry Liu Mian Tang, her intelligence and capability would certainly help manage the household affairs.

Liu Mian Tang, upon hearing this, gave a modest smile. Since she was concerned about her husband’s urgent needs, after securing the shop, she had hired a few craftsmen from the western market to repair the property.

To save money, many of the tasks that didn't require much physical strength were done by her and two maidservants.

As a result, the shop was quite messy and not suitable for guests.

Seeing her husband in his pristine white robe, which was ill-suited for the smoky environment of the shop, Liu Mian Tang suggested, “I’ll have Li Mama go back to the house to prepare a meal. You and Dr. Zhao should return to the house and rest.”

However, Marquis Zhao had some hidden plans in mind. Looking at Liu Mian Tang, he naturally felt a pang of sympathy, as if seeing his own woman.

As she returned to the shop, personally lifting her skirt to tear off the old oil paper from the walls, Marquis Zhao immediately rolled up his sleeves and said, “Miss Liu… Madam, please come down and rest. I’ll take over for you.”

He then eagerly moved forward to tear off the oil paper, and seeing the Marquis himself climbing up, his servants quickly followed suit to help.

Cui Xingzhou’s servant, Mo Ru, brought a chair from the shop and placed it at the entrance for the Prince to sit.

Cui Xingzhou, however, did not sit down. Despite it being early morning and the street being quiet, he was mindful that sitting might obstruct Liu Mian Tang’s use of luring the enemy.

He watched Zhao Quan’s unusually attentive and capable manner and realized that Marquis Zhao was evidently smitten by Liu Mian Tang.

Thinking this, Cui Xingzhou said aloud, “Brother Zhao, we’re going to be late for the chess match…”

Although Cui Xingzhou’s voice was not loud, those familiar with him would recognize his displeasure. Marquis Zhao then remembered that he and Cui Xingzhou were dressed plainly today to visit the eccentric but skilled Winter Stream Monk, who had agreed to meet them out of respect for old friendship.

So, Marquis Zhao hurriedly tore off two more pieces of oil paper and said to Liu Mian Tang with an apologetic smile, “I have pressing matters today. I promise to come back and help you afterward.”

Liu Mian Tang smiled and tightened her blue headscarf, saying, “Dr. Zhao, you are too kind. Such rough work is hardly worthy of your effort.”

Marquis Zhao jumped down from the table, accepting a damp cloth and tea from the servant, and sincerely said, “Since I am as close as a brother to Nine, and you call me ‘Doctor’ so formally, just call me by my courtesy name, ‘Jiayu’.”

Liu Mian Tang smiled but saw no reason to address her husband's friend so informally. She replied, “It seems Mr. Zhao, you are missing a bit of water in your fate; your name and courtesy name complement each other well.”[1]

Marquis Zhao also smiled, feeling that Liu Mian Tang truly possessed a refined and gentle nature. He wished for a graceful and understanding beauty like her in his life.

After the two of them returned to their carriage, Marquis Zhao could not help but frequently glance back at Liu Mian Tang, who stood at the shop's entrance, bidding farewell to her husband.

It wasn’t until the carriage turned the corner that Marquis Zhao reluctantly pulled his gaze away.

Cui Xingzhou felt it necessary to remind his misguided friend and said calmly, “Marquis, your kind heart is admirable, but be cautious. Remember, she is the family of a rebel. Being associated with her could bring trouble.”

Zhao Quan, not pleased with this, replied with a frown, “A good woman taken by rebels can hardly be called the family of rebels... Once this matter is resolved, Prince, you must act with justice and give Miss Liu a fair chance!”

Cui Xingzhou, feeling that his friend was somewhat naïve and not wanting to engage in further debate, calmly replied while flipping through a nearby scroll, “Her family has been convicted and lost their home, bearing disgrace. They are unfit to be among society. If she helps this prince achieve great success, I will reward her with some silver and send her to a nunnery to live out the rest of her days in peace.”

Zhao Quan, weary from the trials imposed by his devout wife, found the mention of “nunnery” particularly irksome. It seemed that despite his best efforts to find affection, his fate was marred by such burdens. The thought of sending someone like Liu Mian Tang to a nunnery, instead of cherishing her, frustrated him deeply.

Feeling that his friend might not fully grasp his feelings for Liu Mian Tang, Zhao Quan decided to express his own discontent. “Prince, you are soon to marry your cousin, forming a perfect pair. As for me, despite holding the title of a family man, no one cares for my well-being. I long for someone like Miss Liu, who possesses such charm and warmth.”

However, his words were met with silence. 

Hesitant to engage further, Cui Xingzhou leaned back on the soft cushions of the carriage, and, with a single hand supporting his forehead, began to focus intently on his book. He seemed more engrossed in his reading than in discussing his forthcoming marriage or his friend’s concerns.

Zhao Quan's mention of Second Miss Lian is indeed tied to the complex family dynamics of the Cui household. Miss Lian, who is actually the niece of Cui Xingzhou's mother, Old Princess Consort Chu, represents a significant connection within this tangled family web.

The old Prince of Huaiyang, Cui Xie, had a well-known reputation for his wayward behavior. After his marriage to Princess Chu, who had a strained relationship with him, they had only one daughter, but no legitimate son. In response to the pressure for an heir, Cui Xie took three concubines over the years, each vying to produce a son. Despite her efforts, it was not until the seventh year of his marriage that Princess Consort  Chu, possibly aided by her devotion and donations, finally gave birth to a legitimate son, Cui Xingzhou.

Although Cui Xingzhou was born as the legitimate heir, he was the ninth son among his brothers, due to the number of sons born to the concubines. The palace intrigue and competition among the concubines and their offspring created a turbulent environment within the royal-regent household, akin to the dramas of the imperial court. This backdrop of familial rivalry and ambition underscores the complex social and political fabric of their world.

The Old Princess Consort Chu, by nature weak and gentle, was able to remain unshaken amid the fierce competition and scheming of the concubines due to her strong familial background. Her own family was well-established, and her brothers were capable and influential, providing a solid support network.

More importantly, her son turned out to be exceptional.

In summary, when Cui Xingzhou succeeded to the title of Prince Regent, he was left with only four brothers, the turbulent period having left its scars. The inner workings of the royal residence during that time were kept shrouded in secrecy.

As Cui Xingzhou approached the time to marry, selecting a new princess consort was done with great care. The foremost criterion was that she must be gentle and not domineering or ostentatious.

There was no other choice; his mother was too weak. If he married a strong-willed woman, the old princess consort might find it difficult to manage her.

He had no interest in women or in taking concubines. What mattered was that his new wife should have a gentle disposition, be filial to his mother, and bear many children.

Ultimately, under the strong recommendation of the old princess consort, he chose his cousin, Lian Binglan, who resembled his mother in temperament.

Lian Binglan was the younger daughter of Zhao Chu’s family, the second daughter of Lian Hanshan, the maternal uncle of Zhao Quan, the Duke of Southern Town.

Thus, Miss Lian, also known as Second Miss Lian, was both Cui Xingzhou’s maternal cousin and Zhao Quan’s cousin by his maternal side.

Cui Xingzhou and Zhao Quan were also related through their extended family ties, making their connection quite close.

In the end, Second Miss Lian, who had many outstanding cousins, chose the handsome Duke Cui Xingzhou, making many other young ladies envious.

Unfortunately, not everything went as planned. Two years ago, the grandmother of Lian Binglan choked on a peach and suddenly passed away. This unforeseen event caught the family off guard, preventing them from avoiding the mourning period and delaying the marriage.

As a result, Lian Binglan and Cui Xingzhou’s wedding had to be postponed by three years. With two years already gone by, they will have to wait one more year before the Duke of Huaiyang’s residence can formally welcome the new mistress.

However, the old princess consort often misses her future daughter-in-law and, due to loneliness, frequently invites Lian Binglan to stay at the residence.

Cui Xingzhou did not question his mother’s decision and did not want his fiancée to face public criticism before their marriage. Thus, whenever Lian Binglan visited the Prince’s residence, he would avoid returning to avoid any gossip that might tarnish their reputations or provide grounds for the censors.

He had not returned to the Prince’s residence for half a year. After the chess meeting, he would head back to attend his mother’s birthday celebration.

The chess meeting with the recluse was very enjoyable. As a skilled chess player, Cui Xingzhou preferred this kind of quiet pastime over noisy banquets and revelries, which he found less appealing.

Recently, there has been increasing criticism in the court about his heavy-handed approach to managing his troops. The Emperor is waiting for him to personally hand over the military tally and disband the local forces.

Cui Xingzhou was reluctant to deal with the bureaucratic pressure and preferred the company of recluses like Zhao Yuan and the Winter Creek Recluse.

After a half-day of chess, the usually reserved Winter Creek Recluse complimented Cui Xingzhou, saying, “It’s been a few days since we last met, and your moves have become even more cunning. Playing against you is truly a pleasure!”

He then presented a worn chess manual and said, “As per our agreement, having lost three games to you today, I offer you this chess manual. However, this unparalleled manual is incomplete; if you come across the remaining part in the future, I would be grateful if you could share it with me.”

Cui Xingzhou smiled and agreed to the request.

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[1] When Liu Mian Tang says “看来赵先生您命里缺水啊，这名和字倒是相辅相成” (It seems Mr. Zhao is missing a bit of water in his fate; the name and courtesy name complement each other), she’s referring to a concept from traditional Chinese philosophy and astrology.

In Chinese metaphysics, such as Feng Shui or the Five Elements theory, each person is believed to have a certain balance of the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in their life and destiny. The element that is missing or less represented in a person’s life is considered important for harmony and balance.

The name “嘉鱼” (Jiayu), meaning "Good Fish," is associated with water because fish live in water. By commenting that Zhao’s name complements his courtesy name, Liu Mian Tang is subtly implying that his courtesy name “嘉鱼” helps to balance or fulfill a possible deficiency of the Water element in his personal fate. In essence, she is playfully suggesting that his name brings harmony and balance to an aspect of his destiny that might be lacking, showing her attentiveness to the nuances of traditional beliefs and adding a layer of personal compliment to their interaction.

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