Chapter 59: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 59: 

 

Mo Ru thought Fan Hu was being overly simplistic. The esteemed Prince Huaiyang had no need to act like a country ruffian, forcibly restraining a respectable woman.

However, Prince Huaiyang seemed to take Fan Hu's suggestion seriously. After some consideration, he replied, "Just tell her to wait for me..."

As for what he would say when he met her again, Prince Huaiyang had not yet decided. Their separation had been so abrupt and hurried that he felt he should see her once more...

With the Northwest pacification almost complete, his return was near, and he would pass through Xizhou, giving him the chance to visit her.

He hoped she wouldn't have thoughts of remarrying by then… Prince Huaiyang didn’t realize he had used the term “remarry,” as if she really had once been married to him.

At that moment, someone entered the military tent to report that the chief of the Chaxi tribe wished to introduce someone to Prince Huaiyang. The Prince asked, "Who does he want to introduce?"

The attending guard hesitated and replied, "It's… a woman with her face covered..."

Prince Huaiyang was surprised that the Chaxi chief was so keen on matchmaking. He frowned slightly and said, "Do not want see her."

The guard quickly went out to convey the Prince's refusal.

Just then, a woman’s voice rang out from outside: “I am the daughter of the late Chieftain Ke Si from the Wang Qi tribe, here to seek an audience with Prince Huaiyang!”

Prince Huaiyang’s thoughts stirred upon hearing this. The late Chieftain Ke Si was the father of the usurped leader, Agusan. If Chieftain Ke Si had still been alive, the border wouldn’t have been embroiled in this conflict.

With this in mind, Prince Huaiyang said in a deep voice, “Let them in.”

When the Chaxi chief led in the veiled woman, she removed her headscarf and looked up at Prince Huaiyang, gasping, “How… is it you?”

It turned out the visitor was Lin Siyue, the daughter of the late chieftain, who had come to seek Prince Huaiyang’s help in restoring her tribe’s fortunes.

To her astonishment, the man seated in the commanding position was none other than her friend's former husband, the famed Prince Huaiyang.

Prince Huaiyang was also taken aback to see Lin Siyue. He hadn’t anticipated that the abandoned merchant’s wife whom Liu Mian Tang had helped was actually the daughter of the late chieftain.

Both of them stood momentarily stunned, leaving the Chaxi chief somewhat confused.

If this had been a few days ago, the chief might have boldly speculated that Prince Huaiyang had taken an interest in the old chieftain’s daughter. However, after seeing the young woman who had spent the entire night writing characters, the chief felt he could no longer decipher the intentions of these Han nobility.

Prince Huaiyang was the first to break the silence. “You claim to be the daughter of the old chieftain. What proof do you have?”

Lin Siyue had anticipated this question. She instructed her attendants to present the old chieftain’s eagle-headed seal, a gift from the founder of the Great Yan when the tribes and the Great Yan were allies.

Since A'Gushan’s usurping regime had been unable to locate this seal, he had been using a private seal, which lacked legitimacy.

This was also why Agusan had been frantically searching for the old chieftain’s daughter.

Seeing the seal and with the endorsement of the prominent Chaxi chief, Lin Siyue’s identity was confirmed beyond doubt. Prince Huaiyang now understood why Liu Mian Tang had been able to receive so many capable warriors from Lin Siyue when seeking assistance, rendering the hidden Fan Hu ineffective and left with unused rations.

However, Lin Siyue was skeptical about the identity of Prince Huaiyang. She stared at him and asked, “Are you truly Prince Huaiyang, Cui Xingzhou?”

Prince Huaiyang replied calmly, “Why would I need to impersonate someone if I am not being pursued?”

Lin Siyue raised an eyebrow and countered, “So you are saying that you pretended to be a lowly officer at Wuning Pass, deceived a young woman, and then abandoned her?”

Prince Huaiyang’s expression darkened at her words. Beside him, Mo Ru also grew enraged and said, “How dare you slander the Prince! How could such a noble figure as Prince Huaiyang be insulted by people like you?”

From his perspective, it should be the other way around—while their prince did indeed deceive the young woman, he had never claimed to be irresponsible!

Meanwhile, the Chaxi chief was anxiously signaling Lin Siyue. Their purpose for coming was to seek Prince Huaiyang’s aid, but her sudden question might jeopardize their efforts.

Lin Siyue knew she shouldn't have asked that way, but thinking about Liu Mian Tang’s dirty, weary face as she labored in the cold wind to sell goods, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of injustice on Liu Mian Tang’s behalf.

Cui Xingzhou, however, after a moment of dark contemplation, calmed down and said calmly, “She and I were just having a quarrel… But I must thank the princess for caring for Liu Mian Tang and sending help to ensure her safe journey to Jintuo Town.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Siyue was uncertain. Since Cui Xingzhou knew about Liu Mian Tang’s transportation of the black-tailed sheep, could it be that their quarrel was indeed minor, and they had reconciled as he claimed?

Yet, having been raised with Han cultural traditions, Lin Siyue understood that, given Liu Mian Tang's background, it was impossible for her to become the Prince's consort. 

Lin Siyue was dismayed that the prince, a high-ranking commander of the northwest, seemed so petty toward his mistress, who had to rely on running a medicine shop and privately purchasing goods to support herself.

While Lin Siyue felt great sympathy for Liu Mian Tang, she had a greater mission to restore her clan. Thus, she suppressed her anger and handed over a written petition. Her father had been honored with titles by the High Ancestor, while A'Gushan was merely a usurper. Now that A'Gushan’s power was waning, Lin Siyue hoped to seize this rare opportunity to revive the Wangqi tribe.

Cui Xingzhou read the petition, which essentially requested that the old chieftain's daughter be officially recognized by the court to legitimize her claim against A'guo Shan and to prevent further fragmentation among the barbarian tribes.

Previously, there had been attempts to gauge Cui Xingzhou's stance on such matters, but he had always remained noncommittal. The Great Yan Empire had no obligation to maintain the prosperity of the barbarian tribes, and Cui Xingzhou did not need external aid to defeat A'Gushan.

Had he not encountered Lin Siyue today, Cui Xingzhou would have dismissed such requests outright. However, as he considered the petition, his thoughts wandered to Liu Mian Tang.

Though Liu Mian Tang was not an exemplary person, Cui Xingzhou occasionally found valuable insights in her. One lesson she frequently emphasized was: “Leave some leeway for future encounters.”

Reflecting on this, he recognized that Liu Mian Tang had effectively leveraged her connections in the short time she had, whether in the porcelain or medicinal trade. 

Lin Siyue, as the daughter of the old chieftain, undoubtedly held significant influence among the barbarian tribes. Rejected outright, she might turn against him, and in turn, he might offend various tribes across the steppe.

With these considerations, Cui Xingzhou softened his tone and replied, “I understand the princess's request. The old chieftain was honored by the late emperor and was highly esteemed. It is indeed commendable that you wish to restore relations with the Great Yan Empire. I will submit the petition to the court and await the emperor’s decision on reappointment.”

Lin Siyue, who had previously been met with repeated rejections when probing the intentions of Prince Huaiyang, was pleasantly surprised by his unexpectedly accommodating response this time.

To show his sincerity, Prince Huaiyang personally drafted a memorial for the emperor, which he promptly sent off with a fast courier.

Watching this, Mo Ru noted that the prince seemed to be handling matters with much more finesse than before. With such an approach, Prince Huaiyang had done his utmost. If the emperor rejected the petition, it would not reflect poorly on him. Conversely, if the petition was approved, the future queen of the steppe would likely remember Prince Huaiyang’s kindness and integrity.

Indeed, as Lin Siyue left, her initial disdain for the prince had significantly diminished, replaced by a measure of respect.

Before departing, Lin Siyue inquired about Liu Mian Tang’s whereabouts. Prince Huaiyang, maintaining his composure, assured her, “In the future, when the opportunity arises, I will bring Liu Mian Tang with me to visit the Wangqi tribe and sample the authentic steppe kumis.”

With his words leaving no room for doubt, Lin Siyue was reassured. She then had her attendants present special gifts: Wangqi tribe’s unique dried beef and large pieces of dried cheese, along with a special steppe herb known for its warming properties.

"These are all for Liu Mian Tang," Lin Siyue said. "She left in such a hurry that I forgot to give them to her. It would be best if Your Highness could deliver them for me. Especially the herbs—they are a rare cliff flower unique to the steppe, taking five years to bear fruit. When ground into powder, they are excellent for treating her cold condition and for damaged meridians and bones."

Prince Huaiyang instructed Mo Ru to accept the gifts and assured Lin Siyue, "Rest assured, I will ensure they are delivered."

After that day, the prince seemed unusually cheerful and instructed Mo Ru to take special care of the items entrusted by the princess.

Mo Ru wanted to ask, "Your Highness, are you finally finding an excuse to visit Liu Mian Tang?"

However, seeing Prince Huaiyang’s formidable presence under the moonlight, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself and play ignorant.

On the steppe, the Northwest Commander’s diplomatic skills were truly put to the test.

However, when it came to the slippery and shrewd Liu Mian Tang, she encountered a significant problem.

The troubles of the Shenwei Escort Bureau were far worse than she had anticipated.

In truth, her grandfather had accumulated a considerable fortune over the years. Even though he had paid a large sum of money as compensation for her father, it shouldn't have led to bankruptcy.

However, her grandfather, being a man of great integrity, had many mouths to feed, and the bureau's business had declined sharply. This led to a situation where expenditures far exceeded income. Over the years, they had relied on the eldest son’s desperate efforts to bring in money. Later, when the northwest funds dried up, they had to sell off their land to make ends meet.

But even the largest camel cannot endure such a constant strain. If her grandfather had to sell off the last piece of their land, the Lu family's fortune would be nearly depleted.

After resting for two days, Mian Tang asked the accountant to provide a list of the veteran escorts still receiving their monthly wages from the Lu family.

The accountant was an old man who had followed Old Master Lu in his younger days. According to the hierarchy, Liu Mian Tang should address him as Uncle Zhang.

So when Mian Tang requested the list, Uncle Zhang looked up from the thick ledger and, with a hint of sharpness, asked, “Liu girl, what do you need this for?”

Liu Mian Tang had Fang Xie bring her a stool and sat down by the charcoal stove in the accounting room, warming her hands. She said, “The New Year is approaching, isn’t it? I haven’t been back to the Lu family in a long time! I’m not a child anymore, so I can't neglect the proper etiquette. I don't want to trouble my grandfather, so I thought I’d ask Uncle Zhang to help me with a list. That way, based on the monthly wages, I can prioritize and deliver New Year’s gifts to these uncles and elders according to their importance. It’s a way to take care of the social niceties on behalf of my grandfather.”

Uncle Zhang was pleased by her words but still took the opportunity to remind her with the elder’s usual advice: “Those who helped Old Master Lu build his career are all capable and reliable people. There’s no need to differentiate between them. It’s not about the quantity of the gifts you send, but the sincerity behind them. If you truly care, they will appreciate your gesture regardless of what you send.”

Liu Mian Tang smiled as she rubbed her hands together. “That’s exactly the point. If Uncle Zhang is too busy, just give me the account books from the usual expenditures, and I’ll copy them myself.”

Her suggestion was in line with Uncle Zhang’s preferences. Now that he was older, he preferred to avoid the more detailed tasks. The monthly accounts were nothing sensitive, so he asked a young assistant to bring out the thick stack of three ledgers and handed them to Fang Xie.

As Liu Mian Tang left the accounting room, she passed by her second uncle’s house. Through the moon gate, she noticed not only had the window paper been replaced, but even the lanterns along the corridor had been updated. They were adorned with delicate flower patterns and had wax candles inside, casting a charming, patterned light on the ground—very elegant.

However, such fashionable lanterns were quite expensive, and they couldn’t be bought in Xizhou.

After observing this, Liu Mian Tang returned to her own room. She asked Fang Xie to prepare ink, and while the fragrance of the incense filled the room, she spread out the paper to copy the names from the account books.

Although Bi Cao didn’t understand why writing needed to be accompanied by incense, Liu Mian Tang had adopted the habit from her time on North Street, where Cui Jiu always insisted on lighting incense while writing. Some habits lingered over time, and now Liu Mian Tang found herself lighting incense even while copying account books.

Realizing that this was a sign of the luxurious habits from the Prince that she had picked up, Liu Mian Tang reminded herself that everything should be modest and frugal upon her return to Xizhou. She asked Bi Cao to extinguish the incense after only a few characters were written.

Liu Mian Tang noticed that the writing became less neat after extinguishing the incense and found it odd. She decided to have Bi Cao light the incense again.

Bi Cao, somewhat exasperated by the constant changes, said, “This incense is just used to repel mosquitoes. It’s not particularly refined, so don’t worry about it. If you really prefer, I can buy you a proper box with your monthly allowance. That should be enough for copying scriptures.”

Fang Xie shot Bi Cao a disapproving look and said, “Keep talking like that, and you’ll find your monthly allowance cut. Don’t try to show off in front of the young lady.”

Bi Cao stuck out her tongue playfully, quickly getting back to work. She arranged the finished lists on the mat on the floor and waited for the ink to dry before gathering them up.

Liu Mian Tang spent a good part of the day carefully completing the list of veterans supported by the Lu family. To her surprise, the total number of households—both alive and deceased—came to 160.

The living were straightforward enough, but even the deceased were accounted for, as their surviving family members—widows and orphans—were still supported with monthly payments from Lu Wu.

After finishing the list, Bi Cao asked, “Young Miss, shall we go and get some fruit and pastries? The wrapping paper for the snacks is running low, so we’ll need to buy more.”

Liu Mian Tang rubbed her aching wrist and said, “There’s no need for that. Starting tomorrow, we’ll be doing home visits one by one.”

Her two maidservants exchanged puzzled looks, unsure of what Liu Mian Tang was up to.

The next day, Liu Mian Tang disguised herself as a merchant woman from another region. She rearranged her hair and wore a hat with a veil, leading her two maidservants as they went door to door, pretending to be interested in renting shops or houses according to the addresses on the list.

Liu Mian Tang relied on asking questions during her visits. In every street, when the sun was up, there were always groups of elderly women chatting. Liu Mian Tang used the pretext of looking for rental properties to discreetly gather information about the neighbors' situations.

Her skills in casual conversation, honed from her time on the benches of Lingquan North Street, were indeed effective, and she quickly gained the trust of the local women.

However, the results of her inquiries over the past few days were disheartening. Most of the veterans receiving monthly stipends from the Lu family were living quite comfortably.

For example, Mr. Cao, who previously managed water transport for her grandfather, had once come to the Lu family claiming poverty, saying that he was struggling to support his three children after the death of his wife. As a result, her grandfather had given him an additional monthly stipend. But Mr. Cao had since managed to start a side business in water transport, leveraging his connections with former customers of the Sheniwei Escort Agency.

Although his initial capital had been limited, he had gradually built up his business with the help of the Lu family. He had even used a nephew to manage the business under his name, keeping a low profile to avoid drawing attention to his success. His nephew, originally a farmer from the countryside, was not very articulate and often had to consult his uncle for decisions.

The neighbors often heard Mr. Cao hurriedly scolding his nephew for poor performance while walking briskly past his doorstep. 

Similarly, Mr. Zhan, who had once fought alongside Liu Mian Tang's grandfather against bandits in Lishan, frequently mentioned their shared experiences and the high stipend he received. Despite his low-key demeanor, his wife, who enjoyed showing off, inadvertently revealed to the neighbors that they employed over ten tenant farmers.

Many on the list, especially those at the top, were wealthy landowners. Liu Mian Tang felt a pang of sympathy for her grandfather. After he fell ill and was unable to manage effectively, many of his so-called loyal comrades had taken advantage of his weakened state. They discreetly exploited the Lu family's resources while flourishing privately, all while continuing to receive the Lu family's pensions.

Upon returning, Liu Mian Tang summoned her eldest uncle to discuss her findings. She asked him if he was aware of the situation and why these people's stipends had not been reduced.

Liu Xian, upon hearing this, waved his hands anxiously and said, "Oh, my dear, you nearly stirred up a hornet's nest! You mustn't mention reducing the stipends to your grandfather!"

It turned out that Liu Xian was aware of the underhanded dealings of these individuals. When he suggested cutting off their stipends, the elders had banded together and wept at the Lu family’s doorstep, claiming that they had devoted their lives to the Shenwei Escort Agency. They argued that, with the agency dissolved and the Lu family now accusing them of embezzlement, they would rather die at the Lu family’s gate to demonstrate their loyalty and dedication.

The grandfather, deeply valuing loyalty, was infuriated by such accusations and nearly punished Liu Xian severely. Since then, no one in the Lu family dared to mention "reducing stipends" again.

Liu Mian Tang remained composed and asked, "So, what did my second uncle say about this matter?"

Liu Xian sighed deeply and said, "Your second uncle, being a diplomatic person, advised me not to dwell on it too much. After all, those elders did contribute to the escort agency. It is only fair to support them, and since the Lu family can afford it, there is no need to provoke a scene at the gate and tarnish the family's reputation."

Liu Mian Tang frowned slightly, surprised that her usually meticulous second uncle would side with outsiders in this way.

Her grandmother had passed away early, and her second uncle's wife, Mrs. Shen, was honest and straightforward, unlike her second aunt, Madam Quan, who was more adept at handling affairs. Therefore, the management of the Lu family’s finances, including the distribution of stipends, was overseen by Madam Quan and the second branch.

After being home for a while, Liu Mian Tang had observed everything closely. Her eldest cousin, was married off some time ago, and it was said that her dowry was not particularly lavish. The eldest cousin, Lu Zhirong, also had a modest marriage, and the second cousin, Lu Zhiwei, was still unmarried and had reportedly abandoned his studies to work with Madam Shen's side of the family in business.

However, the atmosphere in the second branch of the family was distinctly luxurious. Even the daily attire and living standards were markedly different from the rest of the household.

Madam Quan, the second wife, boldly claimed that all the luxurious items were part of her dowry and that she came from a distinguished family. She argued that she shouldn’t have to live a poor life just because she married into a merchant family.

Based on Liu Mian Tang’s understanding of her second aunt, she was not the type to contribute her private wealth to the family. Moreover, Liu Mian Tang noted that Madam Quan was exceptionally devoted and obedient to her husband.

Only a man who could earn money from outside, like her second uncle, could speak so authoritatively in front of official families and have his way.

That evening, since it was not the beginning of the month, the entire family did not need to gather. Liu Mian Tang typically dined with her grandfather.

She looked at her grandfather with a sigh, prompting Lu Wu to put down his soup bowl and ask what was troubling her.

Liu Mian Tang replied honestly, “I used to hear my mother say that my grandmother was a very formidable woman, and my grandfather was somewhat afraid of her. I was thinking, it would have been nice if my grandmother were still here…”

Lu Wu nearly choked on his soup upon hearing this. His old fears of his wife were exposed by his granddaughter. He glared at her and said, “You little rascal, are you trying to kill me with your words? You’re just like your grandmother! I wonder which poor soul will have to endure your management in the future!”

Liu Mian Tang laughed and said, “I’m not interested in managing other people’s affairs. But when it comes to my grandfather’s matters, I’m determined to take charge!”

© 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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