Chapter 52: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 52: 

 

With this decision made, Lu Xian spoke with a mix of truth and half-truths.

He recounted that a few years ago, their security agency had taken on a job involving a large shipment for a person named Zi Yu from Yangshan. Through this, he became acquainted with Zi Yu and they developed a close relationship.

Later, due to a series of coincidences, Zi Yu had a mining business in the northwest that required secure transport. At the time, their agency's business was struggling, and with hundreds of employees relying on their income, Lu Xian, despite his niece's warnings, decided to take the risk and engage in smuggling to earn quick money.

Their agency had natural advantages with its transportation routes and connections, making it convenient for them to cooperate. However, after learning of his niece’s accident, Lu Xian no longer wanted to work with Yangshan and sought to transfer the business.

Yet, no one from Yangshan came to take over, and being an experienced veteran, Lu Xian sensed something was amiss. He arranged for other members of his agency to withdraw.

Unfortunately, it was too late. The troops from Prince Sui's side attacked suddenly, and only thanks to the goodwill of their friends among the barbarians were they able to escape to their current location.

Lu Xian, injured and in need of medicine, had Liu Kun, one of his bodyguards, buy supplies in the city. It was by chance that Liu Kun saw Mian Tang and decided to stay for a few days to reunite with her.

Cui Xingzhou, maintaining his composure, suddenly asked, "So, you went to the northwest to transport coal, leaving Liu Mian Tang alone in Yangshan?"

At this point, Mian Tang looked up at her uncle, remembering what Li Mama had once said about her being Zi Yu's lover. At that time, she thought it was absurd, but now… she began to believe it might be true.

Lu Xian, knowing that the truth about his niece's relationship with Zi Yu couldn't be hidden, decided to be honest. This way, Mian Tang would be disillusioned, and it might prevent future complications if Zi Yu came looking for her.

Lu Xian continued, “It was my failure to oversee her properly. At that time, Mian Tang was young, and like many girls, she was beginning to experience romantic feelings. Zi Yu was a refined and elegant gentleman, which led to some ambiguous feelings between them. Mian Tang, who was adept at managing accounts, helped Zi Yu handle the daily finances of the bandit group. However, Mian Tang is a good girl; she and Zi Yu never discussed marriage and adhered strictly to propriety. Zi Yu, being a passionate man, not only stirred feelings in my niece but also courted other women, leading to jealousy and scheming. Mian Tang was preparing to leave, but she was betrayed and fell into the water. Now that Yangshan has been pacified and Mian Tang has been granted amnesty, there is no reason to hold her accountable. As for the smuggling of iron, it was my own greed, unrelated to others, and I am ready to face the consequences according to the law.”

Cui Xingzhou believed Lu Xian’s account. After all, no one knew better than him whether Liu Mian Tang was innocent.

Cui Xingzhou thought that Lu Xian's account aligned closely with his earlier suspicions about Zi Yu's infidelity being related to Mian Tang's plight.

With the testimony from the Shenwei Escort Agency, Cui Xingzhou had gathered substantial evidence against the corrupt officials involved. If not for the earlier complications with deceiving Mian Tang, this investigation would have been even more fruitful.

Observing Lu Xian's pale and exhausted face, Cui Xingzhou offered reassurance: "Smuggling iron ore is a serious offense punishable by death. However, if you, Master Lu, cooperate fully, I will treat you with respect and ensure that you get through this ordeal safely."

His words were calm and measured, and while they seemed to offer a degree of leniency, there was an underlying threat. This message was meant not only for Lu Xian but also for Mian Tang, who remained with her back to him.

After concluding his interrogation, Cui Xingzhou allowed the physician to administer acupuncture and tend to the wounds.

Lu Xian, exhausted and troubled, finally found some peace and warmth after being taken in by the soldiers. With the comforts of a warm bed and hot soup, he soon fell into a deep sleep, aided by a sleeping potion.

Mian Tang, sitting silently beside him, did not speak until Lu Xian, in his dreams, called out for water. She decided to leave the tent to fetch some.

However, as soon as she stepped outside, she found Cui Xingzhou standing there, his posture rigid and commanding. It was clear he had been waiting for a while.

Mian Tang, still upset and unwilling to deal with what she saw as the deceiver’s lies, averted her gaze and tried to walk past him.

But Cui Xingzhou, tired of her cold treatment, firmly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the carriage.

“Let go! What are you doing? I need to return and take care of my uncle!” Mian Tang protested.

Cui Xingzhou, unyielding, responded, “He is well cared for by the military doctors and my servants. What can you, a young lady, do there? You are neither a nurse nor a caretaker. What purpose will you serve staying there?”

Mian Tang had earlier believed Lu Xian's account that she had once harbored feelings for Zi Yu, which seemed to align with her dream of seeing herself close to Zi Yu.

Mian Tang was troubled by the realization that her tendons had been severed by someone with a cruel heart. She had many unanswered questions for her uncle, and the thought of Cui Xingzhou using her as bait was something she wished to avoid thinking about. She didn’t want to speak another word with him.

Yet, Cui Xingzhou was determined to address everything openly. He recognized that, although she had once acted foolishly due to her youth and naivety, she was now his woman, regardless of formal ceremonies. At nearly nineteen, she should understand social niceties. While he had allowed her to vent her frustrations earlier, deliberately not dodging her slap, he also believed she should recognize that acting out impulsively wasn’t a sustainable way of living.

As the carriage arrived at the residence in Wuning Pass where Mian Tang was staying, Cui Xingzhou pulled her out, ignoring the concerned greetings from Li Mama and the maidservants who had come to meet them.

Li Mama, worried sick about Mian Tang's safety after her solo journey, was stunned to see Cui Xingzhou's stern demeanor as he dragged Mian Tang back into the house.

Although Li Mama had long suspected that Mian Tang's background was not ordinary and that the prince was merely using her, the revelation of the deception still brought her a sense of melancholy. She had closely observed the interactions between the prince and Mian Tang and had seen genuine affection between them—though it seemed to be fleeting.

Now that the truth was exposed and the illusion shattered, Li Mama hoped the prince would remember the affection they had shared and offer Mian Tang a way out.

Once inside the room, Cui Xingzhou shut the door firmly behind him. Mian Tang, feeling the roughness of his grip on her wrist, was both angry and mocking as she looked at him. The prince, once portrayed as a refined gentleman, now seemed coarse and unfeeling to her.

Without the gentle and considerate demeanor of the previous persona, Cui Xingzhou poured two cups of water—one for himself and one for Mian Tang—handing her the cup.

Mian Tang refused to take the cup and turned her gaze away coldly, not willing to look at Cui Xingzhou.

Cui Xingzhou, seeing her pouty expression, akin to a child throwing a tantrum, pulled her into his embrace. He pressed his nose against hers and asked softly, "Are you still angry?"

Mian Tang was struck by his ability to downplay the situation. How shameless could one be to impersonate someone else without feeling any embarrassment?

She turned her gaze sharply and looked at him from the corner of her eye. "Lord Cui, please enlighten me on how a woman, deceived and left without her honor, is supposed to calm her anger?"

Cui Xingzhou felt it was important to explain things in detail. He considered his words carefully before speaking, "…When you were gravely injured, it was I who had you pulled from the water and tended to your wounds. I believe I have earned the title of 'savior,' don’t you think?"

Mian Tang remained silent, though her eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

Cui Xingzhou, seeing her tears, continued, "Think carefully. Initially, I never deceived you into calling me your husband. It was you who mistook me and called me so out of your own wishful thinking!"

"You... you..." Mian Tang was so enraged she could hardly speak, her finger trembling as she pointed at his nose.

Cui Xingzhou took hold of her hand and continued, "I did initially plan to use you to lure out the members of the Yangshan bandits, but when I discovered that there were people in Yangshan who wished you harm, I couldn't ignore it. I made every effort to keep you safe and by my side. Later, when I went off to war, I feared you might wait for me in vain, so I intended to let you live your own life. I even prepared a divorce letter... My identity may be false, but my care and affection for you are genuine."

Mian Tang was left speechless, feeling cornered by his words. As Cui Xingzhou had said, while he had deceived her, he had also saved her life. It was a complex tangle of gratitude and resentment that she couldn’t easily untangle.

But the way this fake Cui Xingzhou spoke so matter-of-factly only infuriated her more. She stared directly into his eyes and said, "So, according to you, me coming all this way was like offering myself on a silver platter, and after all this, it was me who took advantage and sullied your honor, right?"

Cui Xingzhou held her hand and said slowly, "You shouldn’t blame me for this. If it weren’t for the effects of the wine you prepared, I wouldn’t have been so... given how potent that wine was, who could resist? Do you think I’m a eunuch, able to remain unmoved in such circumstances?"

Liu Mian Tang was so enraged that her voice became unnervingly calm. She broke free from Cui Xingzhou’s embrace, knelt down in a solemn manner, and said, "Since it is so, as the saying goes, 'a life-saving grace should be repaid with one's body.' If I have indeed overstepped, and you, Lord Cui, have been so generous as not to despise me, then let us clear this debt and part ways. Do not use the title of 'military wife' to tarnish your reputation any further!"

With that, she stood up and began to open her trunk, preparing to pack her clothes to take to the military camp.

Her uncle’s crime of smuggling iron ore was unforgivable, and as a member of the Lu family, she felt bound to stand with him.

Cui Xingzhou, who was typically impatient with women, was exasperated. Despite his attempts to speak kindly, Liu Mian Tang remained obstinate and focused on packing her belongings to leave. It was maddeningly stubborn behavior.

He strode over and yanked the packing cloth from her hands.

Liu Mian Tang tried to grab it back, but the sudden movement aggravated her old injury, causing her to wince in pain and shrink back.

Cui Xingzhou, aware of her previous injury, let go of the packing cloth and quickly began to massage her hand, skillfully easing the pain.

Since arriving in the Northwest, Cui Xingzhou and Zhao Quan had diligently learned some massage techniques. Whenever it was rainy or cloudy and Liu Mian Tang was in agony, Cui Xingzhou would “coincidentally” return to help her with massages.

As he had said, there was indeed some truth to his affection...

The sweet moments they shared were still vivid, and it was impossible for Liu Mian Tang to forget them just like that.

Her tears finally spilled over, large drops falling onto the back of Cui Xingzhou’s hand as he was massaging it.

Cui Xingzhou, who had never before realized how tormenting it could be to witness silent tears, held her close and said tenderly, "Don't cry. I'm not going to abandon you. Be good..."

But Liu Mian Tang pushed him away and asked, "What is your real name? Do you have a wife or concubines at home?"

Liu Mian Tang suddenly realized, based on his age, that this was the time for a man to settle down and start a family. Moreover, his mannerisms and those of Li Mama suggested he was not from an ordinary family.

If he had a wife, what would her status be? Would she not be considered a mistress?

Cui Xingzhou avoided answering her question directly but addressed her most pressing concern: "I have not married..."

To be honest, he was suddenly relieved that he had called off his engagement before the campaign. However, if he were to reveal his true identity as Prince Huaiyang now, admitting that he had not married might come off as somewhat unconvincing.

When he said this, Liu Mian Tang let out a slow breath, realizing she had been holding her breath. She waited for him to tell her his real name, but he remained silent, clearly unwilling to disclose it. This made her heart sink even further.

After a while, as Liu Mian Tang's hand pain gradually eased, Cui Xingzhou finally spoke up: "Although it’s early spring now, the canyon at Jin Jia Pass is much colder than Wuning Pass. In a few days, once your uncle's injury stabilizes, I'll arrange for him to be moved to Wuning Pass for recovery. For now, you should stay at home and not move around. Your uncle knows sensitive information about Prince Sui, and he won’t let it go easily. With me protecting you, no one will harm you."

Liu Mian Tang understood that Cui Xingzhou wasn’t trying to scare her. Prince Sui from Huizhou was indeed troublesome. With only a few people around her uncle, his life would be in grave danger if surrounded by assassins from Prince Sui.

After thinking for a moment, she slowly nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Li Mama's cautious voice came from outside the door: "Madam, dinner is ready. Would you like to come and eat?"

Cui Xingzhou and Liu Mian Tang had been through a lot and hadn't eaten, so Cui Xingzhou asked Li Mama to bring them some food.

The meal was prepared with great care, featuring thinly sliced bean sprouts and finely chopped cold noodles, which were meant to clear heat and reduce inflammation.

Seeing that Liu Mian Tang was having trouble eating, Cui Xingzhou quietly served her more dishes and added extra soup.

After finishing the meal, Liu Mian Tang felt that Cui Xingzhou was planning to stay the night. She quietly got up, gathering her blanket and pillow, intending to squeeze into the servant’s room.

Cui Xingzhou, noticing her reluctance, became frustrated and said coldly, "You stay here and sleep. I’ll leave."

With that, he stood up and left the room, mounted his horse, and returned to Jin Jia Pass.

In the following days, Cui Xingzhou did not visit Wuning Pass again.

True to his word, once Liu Mian Tang's uncle's condition stabilized, he was moved to Wuning Pass.

At present, in the small courtyard at Wuning Pass, the factions were clearly divided.

Li Mama and Fan Hu’s roles as spies had become evident, and their standing in the household had significantly diminished.

Meanwhile, Fang Xie and Bi Cao, who had been sold into servitude, insisted that they were unaware of Cui Xingzhou’s true identity. They managed to maintain their loyalty in the eyes of Liu Mian Tang, occasionally receiving a smile from her.

The rest were entirely disregarded by the Madam.

Now that Lu Xian had regained some strength, he was able to have heartfelt conversations with his niece.

However, he was determined not to tell Mian Tang about her past identity with Yangshan. Such a past was too shocking; if others found out, Mian Tang would never be able to live a normal life, marry, and have children.

After all, who would be willing to marry a female bandit leader who once led a rebellion on Yangshan? Even though he was Mian Tang’s uncle, he was still occasionally alarmed by his niece’s previous audacity.

To be honest, with such a past, his niece would never be able to fully integrate into any household. How could one expect a woman who once led a rebellion to lead a simple life of being a dutiful wife and mother?

But Liu Mian Tang has lost her memory, and the thrilling, turbulent experiences on Yangshan have been erased from her mind.

As her elder, Lu Xian feels that this is perhaps heaven’s mercy on Mian Tang.

However, he sighed deeply, feeling guilty for his deceased sister, thinking he failed to take care of his niece properly, allowing her to make mistakes and stumble along the way.

“Mian Tang, has he told you his real name and background?” Lu Xian asked tentatively while Liu Mian Tang was feeding him medicine.

Liu Mian Tang paused, lowering her eyes as she replied, “Whether he told me or not doesn’t matter. From the way the servants he assigned to me speak, he must come from a distinguished background, perhaps a family of officials. I understand that we are not from the same world. Once the matter with Prince Sui is resolved, if he keeps his promise, we’ll leave the northwest and return to find my grandfather.”

Lu Xian was surprised by how decisively his niece had made up her mind, and he realized that her character hadn’t changed much from before her memory loss.

“But… if news of you and him were to spread…”

Liu Mian Tang wanted to ease her uncle's worry and spoke with a light tone, “I’m not a renowned person. Who will recognize me everywhere? Once we leave the northwest, we can make a living anywhere. This is just a temporary situation where people stick together through tough times. There have been many makeshift couples in times of disaster. Once we’re settled, such temporary relationships will naturally fade away. No one will cling to them as if they were a lifelong commitment!”

Liu Mian Tang spoke the truth. In rural areas and during crises, survival took precedence over ideals of virtue and reputation. For common people struggling in the mud, their modesty and chastity were worth less than a piece of bread.

Liu Mian Tang didn’t regard her loss of virtue too seriously. Moreover, the man she had been with wasn’t some greasy, undesirable figure.

Even though she knew Cui Jiu was a fraud, his appearance was undeniably handsome. No matter how one looked at him, his charm and good looks made it difficult to find fault. Such a striking figure was rare to find, and in addition to his appearance, his physique was also impressive.

Considering these aspects, Liu Mian Tang felt she hadn't been at a total disadvantage. While her memories couldn’t compare him directly to other men, Cui Jiu's qualities were exceptional. Reflecting on this, she realized that despite her misplaced affections, she hadn’t truly suffered.

However, not everyone could be as understanding as she was.

As Liu Mian Tang was heading out to get food after giving her uncle his medicine, she pulled aside the curtain and saw Cui Xingzhou standing there with a stern expression. It was unclear how much he had overheard of her conversation with her uncle.

In the past few days, Liu Mian Tang had reflected on her behavior and realized that her previous rigid words towards him had been somewhat out of touch. The naïve sensitivity of her younger self had faded, and now, the more practical side of Liu Mian Tang was coming forward.

"Lord Cui, you're back? Why are you standing at the door? It's windy out here; come inside and sit down. Have you eaten? I can ask Li Mama to make your favorite braised meat," Liu Mian Tang said with a gentle smile, warmly inviting him in.

She knew that both she and her uncle needed to live under Cui Jiu’s protection, so maintaining a good appearance and showing courtesy was crucial. Etiquette and politeness were essential in such circumstances.

Cui Xingshou could see through her facade. Her smiling and overly accommodating demeanor was just like how she used to act when dealing with gullible, wealthy customers at the porcelain shop in Lingquan Town. It was clear that to her, he was merely a temporary solution to her needs. Once she found something better, he would be forgotten. The ancient teachings about the fickleness and superficial nature of women seemed to have been fully demonstrated to him.

Despite being separated for some time, Liu Mian Tang still looked as radiant as ever, her face fresh and her eyes bright, showing no signs of deep sorrow or longing.

Cui Xingshou, observing her smiling, rosy lips, felt a surge of intense emotion, like a wild, uncontrollable force racing through his veins.

These past few days, Cui Xingshou had been struggling. His "old ailment" had resurfaced, leading to restless nights and insomnia. His servant, Mo Ru, had been working hard alongside him, holding a water jug and towel while he practiced martial arts under the moonlight. Both master and servant now had bloodshot eyes.

Mo Ru, realizing that this situation couldn't continue, guessed at his master's needs and tentatively suggested finding some medicine from the pharmacy in Wuning Pass.

Cui Xingshou did not respond immediately, focusing instead on his paperwork. After a long silence, he finally instructed Mo Ru to prepare the horse for a trip to Wuning Pass, indicating he had accepted the suggestion.

Mo Ru realized that the remedy for the prince’s ailment wasn’t in the pharmacy's drawer but was standing right at the entrance of the courtyard. However, the “medicine” was too slippery and unpalatable to be of any real use.

Despite the awkward situation, Liu Mian Tang was no longer holding a grudge, which Mo Ru saw as a sign of progress. Trying to soften his approach, Cui Xingshou said, “I’d like to have your spicy stir-fry.”

Liu Mian Tang, skilled in preparing spicy dishes like crab and meat slices, immediately agreed, “Alright, I’ll make two dishes for you.”

Her calm and composed response made it seem as though there had been no recent argument or bitter exchange between them.

Yet, the term “lord” grated on Cui Xingshou. He found himself missing the sweet, affectionate term “husband” more than he had expected.

Liu Mian Tang took Cui Xingshou’s food order and went to the kitchen to prepare the meals.

Over the past few days, her mood had been poor, and she had been somewhat cold toward Li Mama. Reflecting on her behavior, she realized she had been too harsh.

Regardless of the situation, Li Mama had always treated her well in daily life. Her abdominal pain during menstruation had eased significantly thanks to Li Mama’s careful attention and medicinal remedies.

So, while tying on her apron in the small kitchen, Liu Mian Tang sincerely apologized to Li Mama, saying, “I’m sorry.”

[Author's Note:]Meow~~

Cui Xingzhou: I’m not as unsavory as you think!

Mian Tang: Well... the extent of my unsavoriness is definitely beyond your imagination~~

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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