Chapter 49: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 49: 

 

Liu Kun, having prepared the note and tucked it into his sleeve, bid farewell to Lu Xian and left the ruined temple to head back to Wuning Pass.

Upon reaching the city gate, he found it tightly closed and barricaded, preventing entry.

He inquired with a local resident, who informed him that the city was under lockdown due to the capture of important fugitives.

With no other option, Liu Kun had to return to the temple and wait for another chance to enter the city.

Inside Wuning Pass, the search for criminals was in full swing. Cui Xingzhou had personally led his troops to conduct a thorough sweep, expecting to catch the fugitives red-handed.

His suspicions were confirmed. The iron mine was indeed linked to Yangshan in many ways. However, it had now changed ownership and was under the control of others.

According to reports from the infiltrators who had assumed the role of foreman at the mine, the previous merchant connected to Yangshan had been completely replaced. The new owners were aligned with A'Gushan's interests.

The iron mine was showing signs of expanded extraction. During the barbarian wars, many border residents were captured and forced to work as laborers in the mine. They worked tirelessly day and night, and when they died from exhaustion, their bodies were discarded in the wilderness to feed the wolves. The area around the mine had become a haven for wolves, continuously feeding on the corpses.

The undercover agents, who had infiltrated the ranks of the mysterious merchants, noticed that their accents were distinctly from Huizhou, indicating they were from that region.

The iron resources outside the pass had always been abundant. However, the barbarians, who found mining too laborious and lacked the skills for smelting, could not produce refined steel. The iron they extracted was only useful if sold in the Central Plains for currency to buy the textiles and grain they needed.

Only those with significant influence and capability could navigate the obstacles and trade iron from outside the pass. Such individuals were far from ordinary merchants.

Cui Xingzhou had not yet obtained concrete evidence but had pieced together a plausible scenario. It seemed that the ones removed from power were Yangshan's former subordinates, closely linked to the old chieftain. With the barbarians now under A'Gushan's control, the iron mine had changed hands to merchants friendly with A'Gushan. Those who could align themselves with A'Gushan were no ordinary figures.

Huizhou? Cui Xingzhou suddenly thought of the reclusive, low-profile Prince Sui, who outwardly seemed unrelated to both Yangshan's disturbances and the border conflicts.

As the secret investigation by Prince Huaiyang progressed, it became increasingly clear that the influence of Prince Sui extended from Yangshan Mountain to the border regions.

Cui Xingzhou pondered that if he didn't seize the opportunity to catch Prince Sui in the act of colluding with the enemy now, it would be difficult to settle accounts with him later.

Thus, he concentrated efforts on investigating Prince Sui's connections. His hard work paid off when he discovered that the merchants secretly meeting with A'Gushan were leaving Wangqi Tribe and preparing to return to Huizhou via Wuning Pass.

When these secretive merchants entered Wuning Pass, they were like fish in a barrel and were swiftly captured by Cui Xingzhou.

Within the time it took to drink a cup of tea in the drugstore run by Madam Liu, Cui Xingzhou had already apprehended two of the merchants. The remaining two, relying on their martial prowess, continued to evade capture in the city.

However, Prince Huaiyang was not anxious. With the city gates of Wuning Pass tightly shut, it was only a matter of time before they were caught.

As expected, the remaining two merchants split up and fled in different directions. One of them took to hiding in various secluded places within the city, playing a prolonged game of hide-and-seek with the pursuers, until he was finally caught by midday.

The other merchant, however, was more cunning. After shaking off his pursuers, he found a seemingly affluent household and sneaked in. Inside, he used a dagger to threaten the couple, tied them up, and silenced them. He then changed into clothing that barely fit him from their wardrobe and hid in the house, hoping to wait out the search.

He managed to remain hidden for an entire day. As soldiers searched through inns and gambling houses without finding him, they began a house-to-house search, eventually locating and capturing him.

With the criminals apprehended, Cui Xingzhou used the local prison to conduct interrogations on the spot.

That night, the merchants were thrown into prison and interrogated.

The interrogator ordered the jailers to suspend the four men from the beams. Without uttering a word, he wielded a barbed bullwhip dipped in brine and administered five harsh lashes to each of them.

This whip was known as a "killing whip." It was made from the finest cowhide, cut into thin strips, and intertwined with iron wire, making it both tough and resilient. Each lash could strip away a layer of flesh.

The interrogator was exceptionally skilled with the whip. With each stroke, he removed only a thin strip of flesh, avoiding damage to muscles and bones, yet causing immense pain and profuse bleeding.

If the whipping was particularly cruel, targeting areas like the thighs and arms, the pain became unbearable. The saltwater on the whip would seep into the wounds, intensifying the agony to a near-death experience.

Normally, after five lashes, the criminals' skin would be torn, their bodies a bloody mess, making their injuries appear severe. The prisoners would assume that a few more lashes would be fatal and thus, would divulge everything to avoid further pain.

However, despite the severe torture, none of the merchants confessed. Seeing their silence, the interrogator scoffed and said, "Man's body may seem like iron, but the law is a true furnace. Let’s see how long you can endure!"

With that, he discarded the whip and ordered his subordinates to switch to fists and beat the merchants as if they were punching bags.

The merchants knew their situation was grave, especially with the powerful figures behind them. They realized that if they confessed, their families would be doomed. So, despite enduring various tortures, they remained resolute, refusing to speak.

The interrogation continued from dusk until midday, leaving the merchants covered in blood and fainting multiple times from the relentless beating.

Cui Xingzhou, upon hearing the report from below, remarked calmly, "Since torture cannot make them speak, we will try another approach. Inform them that if they do not confess, we will behead them, cover their heads in lime, and send them back to Huizhou. We will search through each township to find their families. Their treasonous actions during wartime will be enough to implicate their entire family, leading to their execution. If they cooperate and reveal everything, I will ensure their families are protected and relocated to a safer place."

As expected, upon hearing Cui Xingzhou's words, the prisoners were visibly shaken. Weighing the pros and cons, they quickly decided to cooperate. They revealed their connections to Prince Sui and detailed the smuggling routes and sales methods for the iron ore.

Cui Xingzhou looked at the routes and distribution methods they had drawn out, noting their sophisticated and unexpected nature. He couldn't help but sneer, "I didn't expect Prince Sui to be such a shrewd businessman."

The subordinate in charge of the interrogation quickly added, "It is said that these methods are adaptations of those used by the previous merchants from Yangshan. Apparently, they were personally arranged by Lu Wen and secretly coordinated with the former Chieftain's close followers. Prince Sui, recognizing the substantial profit to be made here, schemed to eliminate Lu Wen's influence and take over himself."

Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow again, noting that Lu Wen was indeed a remarkable individual. Not only was he skilled in strategy and chess, but he also had a keen business sense, making him a true all-rounder. Even his wives and concubines had been trained under him to a high standard. Looking at Mian Tang, one could see just how devoted Lu Ziyu had been as a teacher.

If a woman were to meet such a capable man, it would be hard not to be moved, Cui Xingzhou thought. This realization made his expression even colder.

He knew that Mian Tang must have had genuine feelings for that bandit before her memory loss. This knowledge troubled him even more than the fact that she had been with that bandit. 

However, Mian Tang had been young and inexperienced when she was captured, and it was understandable that she might have developed feelings for someone who held her life in their hands.

Cui Xingzhou didn't believe himself to be inferior to that defeated Lu Wen. Even if Mian Tang regained her memory, she should be smart enough to discern and move on from the past, choosing to forget her past with Lu Wen and focus on building a future with him.

Though Cui Xingzhou felt he shouldn't be overly concerned with personal matters, he decided the next day to visit Mian Tang at the pharmacy. He had been preoccupied with military affairs lately and had not had much time to spend with her.

Now that the matter with the iron mine had been resolved, he took the opportunity to give himself a brief break.

Since he had been busy with the investigation the previous day, the city had been quieter than usual when the gates reopened. The pharmacy, in particular, was unusually calm.

Dr. Zhao, who had been looking forward to treating Mian Tang with some pastries from a local teahouse, was dismayed to find Cui Xingzhou sitting behind the counter when he entered the shop.

His excitement quickly faded, and with a huff, Dr. Zhao looked at the Prince and said, “You've taken my seat!”

Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and asked, "This is all property of the Cui family. May I ask if you brought your own chair?"

Dr. Zhao, annoyed by Cui Xingzhou's overly formal demeanor, shrugged and took a seat on the opposite chair. Tilting his chin, he said, “You’re constantly running back and forth to Wuning Pass, leaving the border affairs to others. And I’m here on official business to help the people. If patients come in, you'll need to give up your seat anyway.”

Cui Xingzhou remained unfazed and replied, “The pharmacy will be closing soon. You may go back and rest if you don’t need to be here today. By the way, I brought you a letter from my camp. It’s an urgent message, probably concerning something important at home.”

Dr. Zhao distractedly took the letter, glancing around the pharmacy to see where Mian Tang might be.

Li Mama informed him that Mian Tang had been feeling a bit fatigued and had gone to rest in the guest room after checking the inventory this morning. She hadn’t even gotten up when Cui Jiu arrived.

Dr. Zhao, embarrassed, quickly opened the letter. As he read, his face turned pale, and he jumped up from his chair as if it were on fire.

Cui Xingzhou, observing the reaction, raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Dr. Zhao’s face turned red with anger as he exclaimed, “Misfortune at home! Misfortune at home!” He shoved the letter toward Cui Xingzhou and began pacing in agitation.

Cui Xingzhou, looking at the letter with some confusion, tried to offer a comforting remark, “This seems like good news. Congratulations, Zhao brother…”

Dr. Zhao, abandoning his usual carefree demeanor, clenched his fists and retorted, “We haven’t shared a bed for two years. What is there to congratulate?”

Cui Xingzhou’s brows furrowed as he grew concerned, chiding Zhao, “This is a personal matter. Showing me the letter like this could harm her reputation.”

Dr. Zhao, now infuriated, shot back, “She doesn’t have any reputation left!”

Realizing that this was a private family issue, Cui Xingzhou decided it was best to avoid further involvement. As a friend, his role was to arrange swift transportation for Zhao to return to the Marquis’s residence to deal with the family’s troubles.

Dr. Zhao, knowing that Cui Xingzhou was trustworthy and discreet, had no fear in showing him the letter.

Thinking about the letter, written by his unsuspecting mother in an overly joyful tone, Zhao Quan felt a surge of frustration. The prospect of causing chaos at home with the truth made him long for a simpler escape. He even hoped for an encounter with bandits or mountain thieves on the way back, hoping that some injury would provide an excuse to avoid the messy domestic affairs.

Cui Xingzhou, recognizing Zhao Quan’s predicament, promptly summoned his attendants to prepare a horse and make arrangements for the Marquis to depart. Understanding that Zhao Quan was struggling with the situation, Cui Xingzhou advised him before he left: “When you return, don’t act on impulse or let the entire household be caught up in the commotion. If the matter is related to the season, you know your medical skills and can handle it accordingly. Although you may not have deep feelings for her, her father is a high-ranking official and a censor in the court. Creating a scandal would not only bring disgrace to his family but also disrupt the peace of your own household.”

Zhao Quan, still fuming, waved his hand dismissively and set off on his journey.

After bidding farewell to his friend, Cui Xingzhou had the city gates closed tightly and returned to the apothecary.

He found Liu Mian Tang up and about, with disheveled hair and a rosy face from sleep, looking lazily as she brushed her hair.

Having faintly heard the conversation between her husband and Mr. Zhao earlier, she noticed that both men were now gone.

Seeing her husband return, she inquired about Mr. Zhao’s whereabouts.

Cui Xingzhou replied briefly, “He had an urgent matter at home and left.”

Liu Mian Tang was surprised by Zhao Quan’s sudden departure and asked, “What kind of urgent matter?”

Cui Xingzhou calmly explained, “A concubine in his household has received some good news, so he needed to return and attend to it.”

Mian Tang, aware that Mr. Zhao’s household had many wives and concubines, understood that it was not unusual for such news to arise. Indeed, a concubine's good news was a matter of joy, and it made sense for him to go back.

But Mian Tang, thinking that her husband and Mr. Zhao were about the same age yet had no children, couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She asked her husband if he felt uncomfortable knowing that Mr. Zhao had become a father.

Cui Xingzhou, however, responded with a hint of meaning, “It’s not that a man's joy follows the joy of his concubines. You think too much…”

So, Mian Tang chose not to bring it up again.

Her husband was always so considerate; even if he were truly troubled, he wouldn’t show it to her. Fortunately, her health had been improving recently. Even in the cold of the northwest winter, she no longer felt as chilled as before. She hoped that if she were to conceive, it would go smoothly…

While she was lost in thought with the hot water bottle in her arms, she noticed that Cui Xingzhou had instructed the shopkeeper to close the pharmacy's door. She stopped him, saying, “Even though the resident doctor isn’t here, we still have people who prepare medicine. Why are we closing the shop so early?”

Cui Xingzhou said, “Yesterday there were fugitives in the city, and we don’t know if there are any remaining. It’s not appropriate to keep the shop open like this. Once the streets are safe, you can open the shop again.”

Mian Tang agreed and asked, “Shall we go home then?”

Cui Xingzhou replied, “Since we have some free time, I’ll take you out of the city to relax.”

He had always wanted to take Mian Tang out, but the ongoing war had kept him too busy.

Even after stabilizing Jin Jia Pass, Marquis Zhao’s interference had been a nuisance, always acting as if he were the owner of the pharmacy.

Now that Marquis Zhao’s family had “joy” and the Marquis was going home to deal with it, Cui Xingzhou was glad for the temporary peace and thought of taking Mian Tang out of the city for a bit of leisure.

Mian Tang was naturally delighted. Though she was mature in her work, she was still under nineteen and in an age where playfulness was natural. She went home to change into a convenient short hunting outfit for riding.

This outfit was a modified version of Northern people's attire, and Mian Tang had taken a liking to it the first time she saw it in the ready-made clothing shop.

After buying it, Li Mama skillfully embroidered elegant and delicate patterns onto the plain sleeves and collar. She also paired it with a wide satin waistband.

Thus, the originally loose top became form-fitting and flattering under the restraint of the wide waistbelt, accentuating her curves. Her long, shapely legs were complemented by tall leather boots with soft soles, giving her an air of dashing elegance.

When Liu Mian Tang, with her long braid and a small whip in hand, stood before Cui Xingzhou, who was reading, the breath of the Prince of Huaiyang caught in his throat as he studied her from head to toe for a long moment.

Feeling unsure of his thoughts, Liu Mian Tang anxiously asked, “What is it? Does it not look good?”

Cui Xingzhou still didn’t say much and only responded calmly, "No, it looks very good."

Naturally, he wouldn’t admit that the moment he saw Mian Tang emerge in her hunting outfit, with the whip in her hand and an inexplicable aura of confidence, it suddenly gave him a sense of unfamiliar distance.

It was as if the woman who curled up like a cat in his arms every day wasn’t the same person standing before him now...

Cui Xingzhou didn’t like this feeling, so he took her hand and added, "But I prefer seeing you in a ruqun."

Mian Tang stood in front of the horse, twirling her small whip with a smile. "But wearing a skirt makes it hard to ride a horse! I’ll change back into a skirt when we return so you can see it, husband."

After saying that, she turned to mount the horse by herself.

Unfortunately, her injured foot couldn’t support her strength, and she faltered halfway through. If not for Cui Xingzhou’s long arm catching her, she would have almost fallen off.

Cui Xingzhou skillfully mounted the horse first, then bent down, clasped her securely, and pulled her up with one swift motion. After wrapping her snugly in his long cloak, he cracked the whip, spurring the horse forward as they rode out of the city.

However, not long after they left, a man with a scarf covering his face hurriedly approached the pharmacy. But upon seeing the closed sign, stating the shop would be resting for a few days, he stomped his foot in frustration, cursing his bad luck for arriving just when it had shut down!

He looked like a customer desperate to buy medicine...

As for Prince Huaiyang, it was a month ago when he led his men to survey the surrounding terrain and accidentally discovered a nest of hot springs in a nearby valley.

The hot spring was shrouded in mist, and although it was winter, the rising steam turned the area into a paradise unaffected by the cold winds. Green grass and wildflowers flourished in abundance.

When Cui Xingzhou discovered this place, he remembered Zhao Quan once mentioning that if the conditions allowed, having Miss Liu soak in a hot spring would greatly help to nurture her hands and feet.

So, over the past few days, Cui Xingzhou had soldiers move stones and build a small pool, with a wooden trough to divert the water, creating the perfect spot for soaking.

When Mian Tang saw the area, she joyfully exclaimed from atop her horse, “Husband, how did you find such a place?”

After speaking, she dismounted and walked around the small pool several times, then eagerly called for Fang Xie to bring out the basket of food, pulling out several chicken eggs and bird eggs.

Back at home, when Cui Xingzhou mentioned taking her to soak in the hot spring, she had asked Mama Li to prepare some raw chicken and bird eggs to bring along.

Now, they came in handy. She grabbed a thin little copper bowl, scooped some water, and began floating the eggs in the spring.

Cui Xingzhou asked her what she was up to, and Mian Tang enthusiastically replied, "I'm boiling hot spring eggs! Using this spring water to cook them makes the yolk firm while the egg white remains runny. Drizzle some fish-flavored soy sauce on them, and they’re the tastiest. You can't get that flavor from regular firewood cooking."

Prince Huaiyang had painstakingly prepared this place, originally envisioning a luxurious, languid scene reminiscent of the Huaqing Pools. But who would have thought her first thought was about boiling eggs!

However, since bringing her out was all about making her happy, Cui Xingzhou sat on the folding Hu stool that Mo Ru had brought and smiled at her, saying, "You certainly remember to eat. Where did you learn this?"

After placing the eggs to cook, Mian Tang took the handkerchief that Fang Xie handed her and wiped her hands, replying, "When I was little, my uncle once took my mother and me to travel in Lizhou, where there were many hot springs. Mother often boiled these for me to eat."

At this, Mian Tang felt a pang of melancholy. She wondered where her maternal family had wandered off to and whether her grandfather’s health was holding up.

But before her sadness could take root, her attention was pulled away by another beautiful sight in front of her.

Cui Xingzhou was starting to undress, preparing to soak in the hot spring. Though he kept his lower half wrapped in a long cloth, his muscular arms and slim waist were enough to make it difficult for anyone to look away...

Mian Tang felt a bit shy, but she couldn't help sneaking glances.

As Cui Xingzhou entered the comfortably warm pool, the rising steam blurred his features, making him seem like he was hidden within clouds.

"You’re boiling eggs, so I’ll soak for a while first. Then, I’ll let you take your turn."

The pool was small, only big enough for one person at a time. Otherwise, sharing the bath would have been a pleasant experience... Prince Huaiyang’s thoughts wandered further than he intended.

Mian Tang busied herself with preparing the food, though her mind wasn't fully focused. She kept stealing glances at her husband, who was resting with his eyes closed. His high nose and elegant side profile were especially striking.

And those thin, shapely lips, though they looked somewhat cold and indifferent, brought an entirely different sensation when kissed, leaving her both bashful and overwhelmed...

Just as Cui Xingzhou was getting ready to exit the pool, the hot spring eggs were done.

For this little outdoor picnic, they had prepared cold rice. However, Li Mama had thoughtfully packed thin slices of meat, neatly arranged in a food box. Mian Tang quickly boiled water in a small pot to blanch the meat, then drizzled on the prepared sauce and sprinkled some scallions. With the freshly cooked hot spring eggs stirred in, the rice became warm and ready to eat.

When Cui Xingzhou came out and put on a loose robe, Mian Tang had already set up a small table with the help of her maid. Everything was ready for her husband to sit down and enjoy a freshly prepared meal.

Mian Tang had Fang Xie bring out a jug of wine from the food box and, with a rather serious expression, said, "This is medicinal wine that I’ve been working on for the past few days, specifically brewed for your ailments. You should drink it and see if it suits your taste."

Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow at the sight of the brownish liquid, momentarily unsure what kind of illness she intended to treat.

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