Chapter 44: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 44: 

 

Liu Mian Tang felt deeply grateful to Fan Hu for his repeated assistance and treated him like a brother. Knowing that he was still unmarried, she promised that when they returned to Lingquan Town, she would arrange a list of suitable young women from the neighborhood and help him find a virtuous wife.

Fan Hu, who was not good with words and afraid of revealing too much about the prince, simply nodded in silence, hoping to avoid any further discussion from Liu Mian Tang.

Throughout the journey, every night, Cui Xingzhou would enter Liu Mian Tang’s small leather tent, still clad in his armor and carrying the chill of the evening. Since the last time he fed her medicine in a tender manner, he seemed to be more affectionate, often seeking closeness and kisses as if they were newlyweds.

Liu Mian Tang had nearly forgotten about the intimacy that came with marriage. While she knew that couples needed to be close to have children, and that her husband had said her health was not suitable for pregnancy, she thought it was natural to abstain from such intimacy.

However, now she realized that even without the purpose of having children, this kind of loving closeness was indeed very pleasant.

That night, when her husband entered the tent again, Liu Mian Tang was mending his clothes and asked, "Yesterday, the green jacket you wore was still new, but today it looks so worn out. The elbows are all torn..."

Cui Xingzhou paused for a moment. He often had to grab a random uniform from the soldiers to change into, so he hadn’t really paid attention to whether it was the same one each time.

He casually replied, “Sometimes, when sharing a tent with colleagues at night, it's easy to accidentally wear someone else's clothes in the morning.”

Liu Mian Tang accepted this explanation without doubt. If this were back in Lingquan Town's North Street, where if her husband came back wearing someone else's clothes, it might have hinted at a mistress hidden away. But now, in the army camp, surrounded by rough men who hardly bathe, it was understandable that her refined husband would struggle with such conditions.

After clumsily finishing the repairs, Liu Mian Tang reminded him with care, “It’s fine if someone else wears the outer coat by mistake, but make sure to keep an eye on your personal clothes. Don’t let anyone mistakenly wear your underwear...”

Cui Xingzhou nodded in silence, feeling that perhaps the flimsy excuse he’d been using was no longer necessary.

Liu Mian Tang was such a good and sincere woman; there was no need to deceive her any longer. So he decided to be open and honest about his true identity. But first, he needed to set the stage. After some contemplation, he asked, “What do you think of Prince Huaiyang?”

Liu Mian Tang, who was preparing hot water for Cui Xingzhou’s feet, didn’t pay much attention to the question since it was about someone far removed from their current situation. She replied honestly, “For the Great Yan, he is indeed a rare and loyal talent.”

Hearing this, Cui Xingzhou smiled slightly and began to speak. But before he could finish, Liu Mian Tang added, “But if this Prince were a husband, any woman married to him would have really hit the jackpot of misfortune!”

Cui Xingzhou, looking at Liu Mian Tang’s beautiful profile, barely restrained himself from kicking over the water basin at his feet. He asked, trying to contain his frustration, “...What do you mean by that?”

Since there was no one else in the tent, Liu Mian Tang felt free to speak her mind. She said, “This Prince has too many scandals and has entangled himself with merchants’ daughters from Lingquan Town without taking responsibility, causing Miss He so much distress. Now, just over a battle, he’s breaking off an engagement with his long-promised fiancée, all for the sake of gaining a reputation. What did Miss Lian do to deserve such a fate? If I were Miss Lian, I’d definitely throw night-soil in front of his horse!”

Cui Xingzhou’s expression grew more serious as he listened to her candid remarks.

As Liu Mian Tang continued, her anger towards Prince Huaiyang grew. The most infuriating thing was how he had corrupted the young men of Zhenzhou, even starting the dreadful trend of needing a divorce to fight in battles!

It was truly maddening!

But after she finished speaking, there was a heavy silence in the leather tent. When she looked up at her husband’s face, she saw that his expression was dark and unhappy.

“Darling, what were you going to say earlier?” Liu Mian Tang finally asked, realizing something was amiss.

Cui Xingzhou, with his long, dark lashes casting a shadow over his eyes and his high nose catching the cold light, responded coldly, “The water is a bit hot…”

Liu Mian Tang hurriedly went to adjust the temperature of the water. But as she approached, Cui Xingzhou pulled her into his arms and held her tightly, not saying a word, simply embracing her with a firm grip.

Liu Mian Tang, feeling his intense gaze, slightly closed her eyes and peeked at him through her lashes. Shyly, she asked, “Husband… what are you looking at?”

Cui Xingzhou let out a slow sigh and gently pressed his lips to Liu Mian Tang’s.

After their sweet and tender moment, he needed to return to his duties before his night patrol in the camp.

As he left the leather tent, he saw Li Mama preparing meat soup over a nearby fire, getting it ready for their meals on the road. As they moved further northwest and the weather grew colder, the thickened meat soup could be frozen into meat jelly, making it easier to cut and cook for meals like noodle soup.

Li Mama was close enough to the tent that she could occasionally hear the faint sounds of young "couple's" laughter.

Li Mama wondered why, despite there being no rebels to deal with in Lingquan Town, he seemed to be indulging in deceitful behavior.

She suspected that Prince Huaiyang might be infatuated with Liu Mian Tang’s beauty, planning to turn a pretense into reality.

Perhaps, in the Prince’s eyes, Liu Mian Tang, with no powerful family to protect her and isolated, was easy to deceive. Even if she later discovered the truth, she would have no recourse and would face many difficulties.

She never expected that the usually disinterested Prince would harbor such intentions. It was pitiful that Liu Mian Tang, who had traveled so far to follow her husband, might end up merely as a military concubine, and whether she would find a place in the Prince’s prestigious family after the war was uncertain.

Li Mama was preparing to sigh deeply when she saw that Prince Huaiyang had already done so, just as he stepped out of the tent.

The tall and handsome young man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the starry sky, as if contemplating some difficult military matter.

Cui Xingzhou was indeed troubled.

He, who usually acted decisively, found himself at a loss on how to reveal the truth to Liu Mian Tang in the leather tent.

The most infuriating part was that, in Lingquan Town, the merchants' accusations had caused Liu Mian Tang to misunderstand him as a philanderer. Revealing the truth now would only confirm her suspicions about him.

Given Liu Mian Tang's impulsive nature, she might immediately pack her things and leave.

Yet, Prince Sui has already set his sights on her. If she were to leave his side, she could be captured and subjected to the true lecherous Prince's cruelty if he sent more men after her.

Cui Xingzhou pondered deeply and realized that the only option was to continue with the pretense for now. He needed to wait until Liu Mian Tang's impression of Prince Huaiyang improved before gradually revealing the truth to her.

As for what would happen after the war, he had a plan in mind. He intended to keep Liu Mian Tang by his side, ensuring her place in the Prince Regent's residence with a proper sedan chair. 

Few people knew the details of Liu Mian Tang's past, which made it easier to keep it hidden. He would find a way to restore her exiled brother’s reputation and position, allowing him to become a peaceful official. This way, Liu Mian Tang would be seen as a virtuous woman with a respectable family background, making her a worthy concubine.

He certainly could not allow their future children to be excluded from the family registry.

As he looked up at the starry sky, Cui Xingzhou's thoughts extended far into the future, even imagining whether Liu Mian Tang's first child would be a boy or a girl.

With these thoughts, his mood lightened unexpectedly. He walked briskly over the frost-covered ground with his servant Mo Ru and a few attendants, heading back to the camp with a lighter heart.

Yet, despite being a prince himself, who resided in Huizhou, was in a rather grim mood.

He had just received news that his attempt to capture Liu Mian Tang had ended in disaster. The people he sent were ambushed midway, and their remains were found gruesomely mangled, reduced to nothing but bones by a pack of wolves.

Prince Su furrowed his brows, astonished and alarmed by the unexpected turn of events.

Initially, when he heard that Liu Mian Tang's nominal husband had joined the army and she was pursuing him, Liu Pei saw it as the perfect opportunity to capture this troubled and desperate woman. He sent his men to intercept her, knowing that his nephew Zi Yu might have similar intentions. He had dispatched highly skilled and experienced operatives for this task.

However, he hadn't anticipated Liu Mian Tang's strength. She had managed to capture his elite men and fed them to the wolves. Her limbs had been severed, making it improbable that she would have had any martial prowess left.

Liu Pei considered sending more men to follow her, but her carriage was too close to the main army, and his subsequent scouts seemed to have been detected by the patrol cavalry in Prince Huaiyang's army, disappearing without a trace.

With no other options available, Liu Pei reluctantly decided to let the matter rest for the time being. However, his curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but wonder—was Liu Mian Tang’s current husband truly just a mere merchant?

Despite his lingering doubts, Liu Pei had no intention of delving deeper into the issue. Regardless of who her husband was, the fact remained that he was now a soldier. Given the grim reality of the situation, with the perilous conditions at Jinjia Pass, the likelihood of survival was slim to none.

Liu Pei knew the harsh truth: the court was in chaos, with no comprehensive preparations in place. The army’s provisions were insufficient, and there were no reinforcements in sight. The forces heading to the northwest were effectively a lone expedition, lacking supplies and external support.

In his view, Cui Xingzhou and his troops were mere sacrificial offerings to the heavens, destined to serve as stepping stones for the court’s negotiations and tributes. It was a tragic waste of Liu Mian Tang’s beauty and grace—if she were to fall into the hands of the barbarians, her fate was anyone's guess.

Liu Pei was determined to capture Liu Mian Tang before the barbarians did.

After a long and grueling journey, the troops of Prince Huaiyang finally arrived at the crucial western town of Wuning Pass, just a short distance from the fiercely contested Jinjia Pass.

Cui Xingzhou knew Liu Mian Tang couldn’t continue with him any further, so he instructed her to temporarily stay in Wuning Pass. This location was well-connected, and if Jinjia Pass fell, she could escape by taking a carriage through back roads and hiding in the mountains.

Cui Xingzhou, using his access to military maps, even drew a detailed escape route for Liu Mian Tang. This meticulous planning seemed excessive to her.

"Husband," Liu Mian Tang said, "the general's military map is for you to explore the terrain and manage the troops. If he knew you were focusing on escape routes, it might undermine the morale of the army!"

Liu Mian Tang hesitated to directly ask her husband if he was contemplating desertion, so she gently reminded him instead.

Cui Xingzhou, his face serious, said, "If you weren’t coming, I wouldn’t have studied these escape routes. Remember! If Jinjia Pass falls, don’t worry about any belongings. Just get to the mountains and hide!"

Liu Mian Tang stayed silent, understanding that he wasn’t joking. The fall of Jinjia Pass would open the gate for the enemy to invade the Central Plains, and soldiers like her husband would likely face a grim fate.

Cui Xingzhou couldn’t spend more time advising her; he needed to immediately join his troops to defend Jinjia Pass. It would be difficult to visit Liu Mian Tang as he had done during their journey.

However, Liu Mian Tang didn’t feel lonely or bored.

She had initially thought she was the only wife following her husband on this arduous journey. But upon arriving at Wuning Pass, she discovered that she wasn’t alone in her dedication.

It turned out that many of the recruits were from impoverished backgrounds, with only a small, dilapidated home to their name, and included quite a few artisans. Some of the wives, who were devoted to their husbands, decided that instead of remaining in Zhenzhou anxiously worrying about their husbands' conditions, they would rather move with them, allowing them occasional visits.

As Liu Mian Tang arrived at Wuning Pass, several others from Zhenzhou who had tracked the army's movements and followed along arrived as well. In the following days, more women and families began to settle in Wuning Pass.

The once quiet rural village now felt somewhat lively.

Cui Xingzhou, being a capable man, promptly arranged for Liu Mian Tang to have a residence in Wuning Pass the day after their arrival. Since the battlefield was close, many locals, fearing the impact on Wuning Pass, had sought refuge with relatives or friends, leaving several houses vacant.

Although the newly acquired home was somewhat rudimentary compared to their residence in Lingquan Town, it was certainly an improvement over living in a simple tent and enduring the elements.

The military families who had come from outside regions clearly spoke with different accents. Once they had settled their families, they started interacting with each other in the streets, quickly becoming familiar and creating a lively neighborhood atmosphere, much like that of Lingquan’s North Street.

Those who had left their homes and businesses behind often brought their skills with them. Although they arrived hastily with only a few baskets and bundles, they set up stalls and began their trades. Crafts such as pot and pan repair were quite rare locally, so the villagers from nearby areas lined up to get their items repaired. With the money earned, they could afford to rent a place to stay.

Despite the pressing war situation, life in the rear continued, and businesses like pot repair were profitable.

Liu Mian Tang looked at these skillful women with envy. She had left Lingquan Town in a hurry and hadn’t had the chance to properly manage her shop’s inventory. It all depended on the integrity of her hired manager to run the business honestly and report profits accurately.

If she had a skill herself, she could have been self-sufficient anywhere. Fortunately, she had brought enough money with her that even if she didn’t engage in business for a year or more, she would still be well-provided for. Nevertheless, Liu Mian Tang felt a bit restless, as she wasn’t one to remain idle.

In the past few days, Liu Mian Tang had gotten to know quite a few of the other military wives. Since they all shared the common experience of being military dependents, they looked out for each other and provided mutual support.

As Liu Mian Tang had arrived first and had already settled in, she generously helped the other women get settled. She even lent her carriage to those who fell ill on the journey, taking them to nearby towns to see a doctor.

Through these acts of kindness, Liu Mian Tang earned the respect and trust of the other women, and soon became recognized as a leader among the military dependents. The local association of military families began to take shape and formalize its activities.

The women gathered daily at a stream within the fort for their meetings. When the sun was out, they would wash their clothes while chatting, creating a lively and friendly atmosphere.

Liu Mian Tang, who was sensitive to the cold and could not handle cold water, always accompanied the two young maidservants, Fang and Xie, to help look after the children of the other women.

In such a gathering of women, many strange and interesting stories circulated. One of the military wives mentioned that her husband was a cook in the commanding officer's camp.

Taking advantage of a supply convoy passing through to the rear, Madam Wen, the wife of a soldier, had a chance to meet with her husband. She came back with some fresh and spicy gossip to share with the other women.

When Madam Wen heard someone lament about the soldiers at the Pass being without women to care for them and wondered how they were managing, she scoffed and said, “That’s only true for the ordinary soldiers. The commanders are always well taken care of. I heard that the chief commander, Prince Huaiyang, brought a concubine with him. Prince Huaiyang has been spending his nights with that beautiful concubine and is living quite comfortably!”

Upon hearing this, the women’s eyes widened in surprise and they expressed sympathy for Miss Lian, who had been jilted. However, they considered it normal for high-ranking officials like Prince Huaiyang to have multiple wives and concubines. Even in wartime, it was expected that such dignitaries would not lack for personal care.

Liu Mian Tang, having been reprimanded by her husband for her indiscreet remarks in the past, is very cautious about this. She feels that during wartime, rumors about the commander’s indulgences should not be spread.

So, she sat on a large rock by the stream, handing out fruit to the children, and said, “Since it’s just hearsay, it’s likely just a baseless rumor. It’s better not to spread it around. Besides, if the commander’s concubine really is here, she might be among us. If you gossip and the person in question hears it, it would be quite embarrassing.”

The women laughed heartily and replied, “If it’s really the commander’s concubine, she wouldn’t be mingling with us common folk. Of all of us, only you, Madam Liu, stand out with your appearance and have brought your maid, servant, and carriage. If anyone, it would be you! But don’t go telling the commander about us!”

Liu Mian Tang laughed and scolded, “If I were really the concubine, I’d definitely make sure you gossiping women were caught by the commander and punished. None of you would escape!”

The streamside was filled with laughter until everyone finished washing their clothes and went their separate ways.

When Mian Tang returned home, Li Mama had already prepared dinner. After eating, Mian Tang spent some time studying the military map her husband had left her.

Jin Jia Pass was indeed a strategically significant location, with a natural fortification that could hold against many foes if defended by a competent general and with sufficient supplies. The best she could do was stay calm in Wuning Pass and wait for news of her husband’s army.

Meanwhile, the situation on Cui Xingzhou’s side was far from peaceful. He was faced with a series of bad news. The court had clearly sent messengers to inform him that the army’s supply of grain would be insufficient for a long period after the spring, and he would need to find a solution on his own.

This irresponsible message infuriated the soldiers below, causing them to slam their tables in anger.

However, Cui Xingzhou had anticipated the unreliability of the court. When he left Zhenzhou, he not only brought a portion of supplies with him but also arranged for additional provisions to be transported to the northwest by the troops.

As long as there was no immediate risk of running out of supplies, he could manage through the winter and the early spring lean period with careful rationing. His strategy was to hold out and maintain the morale of his troops, even if it meant dragging out the conflict until the enemy could be worn down.

Upon entering the pass, despite the enemy’s taunts and provocations, he ordered his troops to fortify the city gates and refrain from engaging in battles. Even when the enemy pretended to retreat and vacated a city, he ignored the opportunity, refusing to be lured into taking unnecessary risks or capturing the city prematurely.

This stubborn and unyielding approach left the barbarians with no options. They could only send soldiers fluent in Central Plains dialects to hurl insults and curses at the defenders. In response, the defenders at Jin Jia Pass, who understood the barbarian language, composed a whole regiment of counter-insulting troops. The exchanges became a fierce battle of words, showcasing the rich tradition of verbal sparring from the Central Plains.

After some time, the constant shouting took its toll, and the army’s stock of throat-soothing herbs was running low. Therefore, they needed to purchase more throat remedies from the rear.

Meanwhile, having been in Wuning Pass for almost a month with no news of her husband, and feeling quite bored, Liu Mian Tang boldly took over a drugstore that was for sale, starting a business in selling medicinal herbs. This gave her something productive to do and some income to rely on.

During his covert visit to purchase medicine, Cui Xingzhou, disguised as a low-ranking officer with his face covered by a headscarf, happened to arrive at the drugstore Liu Mian Tang had taken over.

He was surprised to find that the drugstore she had taken over was the very one he was considering buying supplies from for the soldiers at Jin Jia Pass.

“You’re not a doctor, and there’s no decent staff in the store. How can you manage a drugstore and prescribe medicine?” Cui Xingzhou questioned.

Liu Mian Tang, appearing quite professional as she weighed herbs, replied, “There are no decent doctors in the pass, and the owner of the only drugstore here has fled. The local people still need medicine for their ailments. How can we be without a drugstore? I took it over, stocked up on more herbs, and if medicine is scarce at the front, I can also contribute. Don’t worry, I’ve memorized all the medical books left by Dr. Zhao. They say practice makes perfect, and while I might not be a full-fledged doctor, I have at least some skill in medicine!”

Just as Liu Mian Tang was boasting, a neighbor arrived: “Oh, Madam Liu, can you help me? After taking the medicine you prepared yesterday, my diarrhea has worsened!”

When Liu Miantang heard the complaint, she quickly set aside her concerns about her husband and examined the paper package of the medicine she had prepared. She also reviewed the medical books beside her, carefully verifying everything. After making a few adjustments, she confidently selected and added some more herbs, then wrapped them up and handed the package to the neighbor.

“Uncle Meng, you have a lot of internal heat. This diarrhea is actually helping you expel toxins. Take this medicine when you get home, and it will work even better,” she assured him with an air of experience and confidence, almost like a seasoned doctor.

The neighbor, trusting Liu Mian Tang’s assurance and noting that she didn’t charge him, thanked her profusely and left.

Cui Xingzhou, watching from the side, was concerned. He recognized that the medicine she had previously dispensed contained potent laxatives like Ba Dou and lotus leaves. He worried about her recklessness in prescribing such strong purgatives. What if it led to serious consequences?

However, Liu Mian Tang remained calm and composed. “Dr. Zhao once told me that even experienced doctors make mistakes when they start out. Good doctors learn and improve over time. Besides, I don’t take on serious cases. Don’t worry, my husband. I’m cautious and won’t accept patients with severe conditions.”

Cui Xingzhou, unable to help but rub his forehead in exasperation, looked at the medicine package in his hand, unsure if the inexperienced ‘doctor’ had inadvertently given his soldiers something harmful.

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