Chapter 41: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 41: 

 

When he returned to the room, Mian Tang was already asleep, her head tilted to one side and her black hair spread out over the pillow. Her delicate white arms lay outside the covers, making her sleeping posture look a bit disheveled.

Fortunately, she had put on her undergarments properly. Cui Xingzhou couldn’t quite tell if he was relieved or somewhat disappointed.

Mian Tang, unaware of his true intentions, couldn’t have known that he wasn’t her husband. Cui Xingzhou, despite not following the gentleman’s path, still held on to his pride as a man. He wasn’t a scoundrel who would trick or deceive someone to get what he wanted.

Taking advantage of her ignorance would only tarnish his self-respect.

Because Mian Tang was sensitive to the cold, Cui Xingzhou sat by the bedside for a while until he warmed up before getting into bed. As she instinctively leaned toward him in her sleep, the fragrant aroma of her body filled the air. Cui Xingzhou took a deep breath, frowned, and closed his eyes. After a moment, he couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her, and they fell asleep entwined, her hair mingling with his.

The old tales about maintaining health have their origins. Such self-torturing acts, like practicing martial arts in the middle of the night and drinking cold water, even iron bodies couldn’t endure.

The next morning, Cui Xingzhou, who hadn’t slept well, felt a bit dizzy upon waking. Mian Tang noticed his unusual condition as she touched his forehead, which was burning with fever.

Despite his illness, Cui Xingzhou still intended to go out for a chess game with friends. Mian Tang insisted he stay in bed, saying, “Even if the Emperor himself calls for you today, you must stay in bed!”

She then placed a cool cloth on his forehead.

This was the first time Cui Xingzhou was ill, and he was experiencing high fever and joint pain. Feeling unusually lethargic, he complied with Mian Tang’s wishes and lay back down.

Seeing that her husband finally agreed to rest, Mian Tang felt relieved. She gathered her hair and went to the window to call for Mo Ru to find a doctor.

To Mo Ru, having the prince fall ill meant that calling just any local doctor wasn’t suitable. However, bringing in the usual palace doctors might provoke the Old Princess Consort's displeasure if it reached her ears. 

Mo Ru, being adept at handling delicate situations, decided to call upon the Marquis as a compromise.

Recently, the Marquis and the Prince Huaiyang had a falling out. Hearing that the Prince was ill at North Street, he suspected that the illness was just an act to gain sympathy from his beloved wife, which made him quite upset.

However, after some persuasion and flattery from Mo Ru, he grudgingly changed his clothes and brought his medical kit to the North Street residence.

When Zhao Quan had visited before, he found the North Street estate cold and unwelcoming, just a place to lure in people. He felt sorry for Miss Liu, who was living off nothing but dried radishes and struggling through her days.

He hadn’t been to North Street for a long time, and when he did come, Mian Tang would not allow him entry.

Now, as he entered the estate, Zhao Quan was struck by the homely, lived-in atmosphere. 

His gaze fell upon several men's long robes and women's inner garments fluttering on a clothesline, sun-drying in the breeze.

Under the eaves, there were strings of dried chili peppers and persimmons. On a bamboo rocking chair lay a kitten, curled up like it had just been weaned, watching Zhao Quan with wary eyes.

For some reason, Zhao Quan felt that the North Street residence had lost its previous air of superficial coldness and pretense. It now seemed like a place where people intended to settle down for the long haul.

Mian Tang, upon seeing Zhao Quan, quickly retreated to the small kitchen to help Li Mama prepare ginger soup for her husband. She left Zhao Quan to attend to Cui Xingzhou in the main room.

Zhao Quan, somewhat brusquely, rolled up Cui Xingzhou’s sleeve and began taking his pulse. After a moment, he remarked with irritation, “Always cozying up to your wife and taking advantage of her. How did you end up with such a high internal heat and overflowing vitality?”

Cui Xingzhou ignored his friend’s sharp words and simply closed his eyes. “Is there a quicker remedy? Tomorrow, senior officials will visit the military camp, and I must accompany them.”

This sort of common cold was no challenge for Zhao Quan. After efficiently prescribing a remedy and preparing to administer acupuncture to clear the internal heat, Zhao Quan casually continued, “Yesterday, my family from the capital visited. I heard that the northwest is in turmoil. The barbarians have torn up the peace treaty from the previous emperor’s reign and have even killed the Jing’an Princess, who was married off ten years ago, leaving her corpse exposed in the wild. Our Great Yan’s face has been thoroughly trampled on. Officials who advocate for peace are now being pelted with rotten eggs by the people. So, assignments like these inspections away from the capital are seen as pleasant tasks, and officials are eager to leave the capital to avoid the trouble. Just make sure to host them well with fine food and drink.”

Zhao Quan’s comments reflected the grim reality that Cui Xingzhou was well aware of. According to the intelligence he received from the capital, the situation at the border was even worse than the public knew. 

The once formidable Great Yan army, known for its prowess during the previous emperor’s reign, had long since fallen from grace. The army was now plagued by corruption and shortages, with weapons made from substandard iron that cracked under pressure. The border had already lost five commanderies. The Golden Armor Pass, which currently held out, was only doing so due to its natural defensive advantages, barely holding on.

Should the Golden Armor Pass fall, it would be akin to opening a clam shell for the barbarians, allowing them to ravage the land unimpeded.

Furthermore, considering the surviving crown prince's heir and the uncertain intentions of the Duke of Sui, Cui Xingzhou felt that Great Yan was teetering on the brink of disaster, both internally and externally.

The opulence and grandeur created during the previous emperor's reign had lulled the world into complacency, like frogs in slowly boiling water, leaving them unaware of the imminent struggle.

Reflecting on the former Consort Xi, now the high-ranking Empress Dowager Wu, who was still focused on consolidating power and territory, Cui Xingzhou couldn’t help but sneer. He wondered what fate awaited the Empress Dowager if the city and the country were to fall, and if she would fall into the hands of the barbarians.

After Zhao Quan had prescribed the medicine and administered acupuncture, Cui Xingzhou’s headache was significantly relieved. Mian Tang arranged for Fang Xie to give Zhao Quan a monetary token of appreciation for his visit.

Zhao Quan glared at the bundle of silver, snatched it away from Fang Xie with a huff, and called out to Liu Mian Tang, who was hiding in the small kitchen, “Your husband’s cold hasn’t gone away yet. Be careful not to catch it yourself… If you’re ever wronged, come find me. Though I’m friends with Cui Xingzhou, I’m not like him in character…”

Liu Mian Tang was taken aback by Zhao Quan’s words and was furious that such a remark was made while her husband was still at home. She angrily grabbed a pot of boiling water from the stove, scaring Li Mama into quickly taking it away to prevent a potential disaster.

After Zhao Quan left, Liu Mian Tang, still fuming, fed Cui Xingzhou his medicine while complaining, “How can he be so rude? Is there something wrong with his head?”

Cui Xingzhou smiled gently and replied, “He’s just a spoiled only child, indulged by his family. It’s best to ignore him.”

Liu Mian Tang shot her husband an annoyed look. “Not only should I ignore him, but you should too. What good can come from associating with someone like that?”

Cui Xingzhou chuckled softly, “I wasn’t expecting to learn much from him. It’s just a casual acquaintance.”

Liu Mian Tang thought her husband was making excuses and continued to feed him the medicine while grumbling, “There’s plenty to learn from him, like being slick with words, making advances towards other people’s wives, and having a disregard for others. He’ll say something wrong and end up getting beaten in the streets eventually…”

Cui Xingzhou took another sip of the medicine and, unable to hold back his amusement, said in a slow and deliberate tone, “Are you feeding me this medicine so carefully because you’re embarrassed?”

Mian Tang, finally realizing the situation, sniffed the bowl and noticed that the medicine was indeed quite bitter.

Cui Xingzhou quickly snatched the bowl from her and downed the remaining medicine in one gulp. Strictly speaking, this little wife of his wasn't much better than Zhao Quan. If she were truly a servant, she'd have been dragged off and beaten to death in the palace for such clumsy service.

Seeing that her husband had finished the medicine, Mian Tang frantically rummaged through her snack box, fishing out a few candied fruits and gently placing them into his mouth. With an air of caution, she said, “I’ve forgotten how I used to take care of you when you were sick. Please don’t hold it against me, husband. Next time you fall ill, I’ll know how to do it properly…”

Cui Xingzhou pinched her nose and teased, “So, you’re hoping I get sick?”

Blushing, Mian Tang snuggled into his embrace and whispered, “Not too seriously, of course… Just enough so you don’t have to leave the house and can spend more time with me…”

During this period, she hadn’t been going out much, unlike before when she would always be busy outside managing the shop. Now, with a sudden spell of leisure, she found herself feeling somewhat out of place.

Cui Xingzhou understood her boredom from the past few days, so he held her close, gently soothing, “...Once I’ve cleared up the matters at hand, I’ll take you out of town for a bit, to relax and lift your spirits…”

The courtyard on North Street was indeed too small. After some time, he planned to tell her the truth and then move her to the villa outside of Zhenzhou.

That villa had been built by his father to escape the summer heat. It was nestled by the mountains, complete with pavilions, towers, and all the necessary amenities. There were plenty of servants and maids, and the villa came with a large estate that grew its own fruits and vegetables.

She liked being in charge of things, so once there, she would have plenty to keep her busy, and the food and comforts wouldn’t be any worse than those in the prince’s manor. The most important thing was that the villa was not far from the prince’s manor, so he could visit her frequently and she wouldn’t lack for care.

Cui Xingzhou thought that this arrangement would be much better than marrying her and then leaving her all alone in Lingquan Town for long stretches of time.

With that in mind, the next day, when Cui Xingzhou was heading out, he instructed Mo Ru to send word to the steward of the Zhenzhou villa, reminding him to ensure that more heated flooring be installed in the main hall and the master bedroom.

Liu Mian Tang feared the cold, so adding more underfloor heating would make the villa much more comfortable for her.

When Cui Xingzhou returned to the military camp, he found that the special envoy from the capital had arrived earlier than expected. The envoy, accompanied by several vice generals, was already inspecting the camp.

Upon seeing the envoy, Cui Xingzhou realized that the visitor was none other than the younger brother of the former Noble Consort Xi, now Empress Dowager Wu—the current Grand Marshal Wu Junqing.

Seeing that the prestigious Grand Marshal and uncle to the emperor had come, Cui Xingzhou immediately sensed that this visit was unlikely to be a friendly one.

However, contrary to the recent aggressive imperial decrees calling for military downsizing, the tone of the imperial uncle this time was surprisingly gentle.

His words were full of praise, lauding Cui Xingzhou for his strict military discipline and effective leadership, calling him a pillar of the Great Yan dynasty, an indispensable talent for the stability of the nation.

Cui Xingzhou smiled as he listened, but inwardly, he felt a sense of foreboding. He suspected that the envoy's pleasant words were a prelude to making difficult demands.

Sure enough, during the banquet, after three cups of wine, the Grand Marshal brought up the chaos at the border with the barbarians. He bluntly stated that there were no capable generals left in the court to send.

In recent years, the court had been embroiled in constant warfare, and experienced military commanders were few. Prince Huaiyang, Cui Xingzhou, was considered one of the finest. If he were to take up arms for the country, he was certain to achieve unparalleled success, one that would be remembered for centuries and sung about for generations.

Cui Xingzhou was shocked by the court's intentions.

Not only did the imperial court seek to weaken the power of the non-royal titled regent princes, but now they also wanted to send his personal troops to the frontlines? This was nothing short of a fool's dream.

But Wu Junqing had come well-prepared.

The situation in the northwest was critical, and the Jinjia Pass wouldn’t hold much longer. The court had already sent three waves of reinforcements, hoping to retake the five lost provinces, but those soldiers were useless, falling into traps set by the barbarians and getting surrounded with their supply lines cut off.

In desperation, the emperor had adopted a plan proposed by an old minister, Lord Geng, to dispatch Cui Xingzhou, whose numerous victories against bandits made him the ideal candidate for the frontlines.

First, they hoped he could help defend Jinjia Pass and alleviate the dire situation at the front; second, even if he failed, his soldiers would likely suffer heavy casualties.

For the court, it was a win-win situation.

However, Cui Xingzhou was not just any military officer of the court; he was a hereditary prince. Leaving his fiefdom was no simple matter.

Nonetheless, Wu Junqing had already made thorough preparations for this mission. On his way to Zhenzhou, he had passed through Huizhou and Qingzhou, and substantial forces had already been stationed in those regions by the late emperor to ensure no non-royal kings could grow too powerful.

If the non-royal kings were grateful for the emperor's grace and maintained their proper place, all would be well. Otherwise, they were like rats trapped in a wine barrel, just waiting for the flood to sweep them away, with no chance of survival.

In fact, during the reign of the late emperor, the number of troops stationed by non-royal kings had been tightly controlled. Cui Xingzhou, under the pretext of suppressing bandits, had expanded his forces, exceeding the limits set by the ancestral laws.

If he obediently marched to the front lines, all would be fine.

But if he refused, and news spread that he was unwilling to defend the nation, the people would curse him as a cowardly Huaiyang Prince who did not protect his country. In such a case, the court would have a justified reason to act. Both Qingzhou and Huizhou had already guaranteed their loyalty to the emperor, ensuring that the prince would have a miserable time.

So when Cui Xingzhou remained silent, Wu Junqing was not worried about him getting angry. With a smile laced with hidden threats, he carefully chose his words, making sure the Huaiyang Prince understood the stakes.

After the banquet ended that day, Prince Huaiyang went nowhere but walked along the riverbank throughout the night.

In today’s Zhenzhou, peace had been established, and the canal excavation was near completion. Soon, the towns here would flourish even more.

Every blade of grass and every tree in this land was the result of the hard work of the Cui family, spanning two generations. How could he bear to see this place, spanning hundreds of miles, consumed by the flames of war?

But now, the court treated him like a fattened pig ready for slaughter, eager to carve him up at any moment.

During today's banquet, Wu Junqing's words were like daggers concealed in smiles, each one cutting deep. If possible, Cui Xingzhou had half a mind to flip the table and slaughter that old scoundrel Wu Junqing right then and there.

However, he knew his time had not yet come.

If he were to turn against the court now, both the exiled prince’s orphan hiding in Yangshan and Prince Sui of Huizhou would trample over his corpse to rise to power. He would be beset on all sides, with no chance of victory.

Furthermore, if he stayed in Zhenzhou, he would inevitably be drawn into the internal strife between the exiled prince’s orphan and Prince Sui, who were plotting rebellion together.

If he exposed the truth about the rebels in Yangshan to the Wu family, he might be able to stay, and the Wu family might use him to crush the remnants of the exiled prince's forces.

But if the identity of Zi Yu were revealed, Cui Xingzhou would be branded a traitorous accomplice, guilty of harming the late crown prince’s legitimate offspring...

For a moment, Cui Xingzhou considered all the possible outcomes, and suddenly realized that leading an army to the northwest might not be the worst scenario after all.

Gazing at the distant stars, Cui Xingzhou recalled what his old mentor, the Grand Secretary, had once said during a secret conversation: "In chaotic times, heroes are made. Let's see if fate and skill will favor you in the future."

Now, the beginnings of chaos were indeed appearing, but how to manifest this "skill" would depend entirely on the choices he made.

Wu Junqing had spoken plainly: the imperial edict appointing Cui Xingzhou to lead the campaign against the barbarians in the northwest would arrive soon. Already, storm clouds were gathering around Zhenzhou, and it was up to him to decide whether he would comply and accept the decree...

Cui Xingzhou stood resolutely by the canal's edge until the sky began to lighten, before finally making a firm decision.

Two days later, the imperial decree arrived at the residence of Prince Huaiyang.

Everyone in the Prince's household knelt to receive the decree.

When the palace emissary read out the edict appointing Cui Xingzhou as the Commander of the Western Expedition, the Old Princess Consort was so shocked by the news of her son's impending departure to the northwest battlefield that she nearly collapsed. If not for the support of a nearby nurse, she would have fallen to the ground.

Despite this, Cui Xingzhou remained calm and composed. He received the decree with grace and expressed his gratitude, then instructed the steward to distribute red envelopes and reward money to the courtiers, maintaining all the proper courtesies.

The imperial envoy who delivered the decree observed Cui Xingzhou's reaction with satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

The Empress Dowager had instructed that if Prince Huaiyang showed any sign of displeasure or resistance to the decree, he was to be immediately sent to the military camp in the eastern part of Zhenzhou, ten miles outside the city.

In just one night, Zhenzhou was surrounded so tightly that no news could get in or out!

Even if Cui Xingzhou wanted to reject the decree at that point, he wouldn't be able to.

After the palace envoy left, Old Princess Consort Chu was already weeping uncontrollably.

The information in their royal household was much more detailed than what the common people received. What was happening at Jin Jia Pass? It was a bottomless pit consuming human flesh!

It was said that the renowned general Jiang Kang had recently died at Jin Jia Pass.

General Jiang initially fared well, avoiding the fall of one of the lost territories thanks to his seasoned experience. However, it later became clear that this was merely a trap set by the barbarians. The barbarians lured him into an ambush, attacking his command camp, and dragged General Jiang out of his tent in the middle of the night. They hung him by his belly with a gold hook and made him run three full laps around Jin Jia Pass before he finally succumbed to his wounds.

The defenders on the city walls watched the scene, and the sight of the blood-soaked ground was too gruesome to bear.

The gruesome death of General Jiang had shocked both the court and the public. Those with connections and influence were reluctant to go. Yet now, they were sending Cui Xingzhou to repel the barbarians, a mission that seemed almost certain to be fatal.

Old Princess Consort Chu had only this one son, who had not yet married and continued the family line. If he were to die on the battlefield, she would be left completely alone. She wept bitterly, her tears falling like rain.

Despite this, Cui Xingzhou reassured his mother with calming words, trying to downplay the situation and tell her that the war was not as dire as she had heard.

However, Old Princess Consort Chu did not heed her son's reassurances. She ordered someone to fetch her sister, Madam Lian Chu, and then confided in her with tears: “Sister, we cannot delay any longer. We need to hurry and marry Binglan to Xingzhou. If heaven is merciful and blesses Binglan with a child quickly, then at least the Cui family line will continue. Otherwise, if Xingzhou were to meet with misfortune… the Cui family's direct lineage would be lost.”

Old Princess Consort Chu's distress was palpable, and her sister Madam Lian Chu listened, deeply alarmed.

What a predicament! While the Cui family might secure their lineage, her own daughter might end up a widow?

Madam Lian Chu, who was shrewd and composed, did not openly agree to the idea of arranging an early marriage. Instead, she gently advised Old Princess Consort Chu to remain calm and not to rush into decisions.

Excusing herself on the grounds of feeling unwell, she hurried back home.

Once there, she shared the news of the Prince's impending deployment to Jin Jia Pass with her husband, Lian Hanshan, their son, and their daughter, Lian Binglan.

Lian Hanshan, who had recently returned to the capital for official duties, had heard similar rumors from colleagues. It was said that the court had already prepared for negotiations and tribute payments. However, if they surrendered without a fight, the public would react poorly.

Therefore, the generals chosen for this mission were likely to be sent to their deaths, serving as sacrificial lambs.

The Lian family women were struck with dismay upon hearing the news.

Lian Binglan's eyes reddened, and she trembled as she asked, "If that’s the case, why doesn’t Cousin feign illness to avoid this mission?"

Her elder brother, Lian Xuan, frowned and replied, "The country is in a dire situation. If Prince Cui disobeys the edict, how could he still be considered a loyal subject? He would be condemned for all time."

Madam Lian Chu, frustrated with her son's rigid thinking, retorted angrily, "There are no imperial censors here to witness his loyalty. Expressing such devotion will go unnoticed! We need to think of a way to help your sister. The Old Princess Consort is set on arranging their marriage in the next few days, and it's only a matter of time before your sister becomes a widow."

Lian Hanshan, though concerned for his daughter, felt his wife was overreacting and said, "You make it sound as if he’s certain to die. If others hear you, they might think you’re being overly biased."

Madam Lian Chu glared and said, "How many have already died at Jin Jia Pass? You just returned from the capital and should know better. The soldiers heading to Jin Jia Pass are sent off in mourning attire, their departure marked by continuous wailing from the city gate to ten miles away. How could the Prince be expected to survive such a dire situation? He’s merely fought a few bandits, but his achievements are exaggerated! If Jin Jia Pass falls, even if he survives, he’ll be condemned by the Emperor for incompetence. It won’t just be my daughter who becomes a widow—your futures will also be at risk!"

Her words struck a chord with the Lian family, leaving them in stunned silence as they listened to Lian Chushi’s detailed explanations of the stakes involved.

As night fell, Lian Binglan finally spoke, her eyes swollen from crying. She was troubled by the thought of her cousin possibly dying in battle, but she also believed that the urgency for her marriage was misplaced.

The Cui family had only one legitimate son, and if she married into the family and failed to conceive immediately, should something happen to her cousin, Old Princess Consort Chu would certainly choose one of the illegitimate sons to adopt as the heir, leaving her with no choice but to remain a widow and raise someone else’s child. Even the greatest wealth would be meaningless in such a situation.

[The author’s note]: Meow~~ Zhao Quan, as a friend, should I hope for my friend’s demise to inherit his widow?

!!!

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