Chapter 66: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 66: 

 

Lu Mu was well aware of his daughter's tendency to compare herself with Mian Tang and disregarded her acidic comments. What truly troubled him was the fact that Mian Tang had recently cut a significant portion of the pension funds for the elderly veterans of the Lu family escort business.

These elderly members were not just self-serving; many had been receiving benefits from the Lu family and also prepared additional gifts to honor the second branch of the family. For example, Old Cao, who managed the shipping business, had received Ly Mu’s approval to run his business. Every year during festivals and at the end of the year, Lu Mu would receive a substantial red envelope.

Now, with Cao’s business squeezed by Liu Mian Tang, Lu Mu had lost a significant source of income. He didn't consider himself greedy but felt that his father's outdated thinking, which prevented family divisions and relied solely on his arrangements, was a burden. With a large family and many dependencies, the family business was struggling. If he could separate and manage his own affairs, things would be much lighter and more manageable.

In terms of intellect, Lu Mu felt he was far superior to his elder brother, but he was constrained by the fact that his elder brother was set to inherit the family business, making it difficult for him to outshine his brother.

When Lu Mu was still unmarried, he was aligned with the family’s interests. However, after marrying into the Quan family, influenced by his wife’s opinions, his thoughts began to shift. This change in perspective was partly responsible for the rapid collapse of the escort business, as Lu Mu secretly diverted some assets for his own benefit.

Despite his actions, Lu Mu had a good rapport with many of the elders in the escort business, and they were willing to support him when it came to dealing with his father. But now that Mian Tang was managing the pension accounts and drastically cutting costs, many of the elders were unhappy and sought Lu Mu’s help.

Lu Mu, however, could not afford to personally cover the losses or bribe them. Instead, he tried to advise them to confront Mian Tang and create a disturbance. After all, as an outsider, Mian Tang might find it difficult to handle the displeasure of so many elders. There was a chance that if the situation escalated, his father might intervene and pressure Mian Tang into making concessions.

However, the plan was put on hold as Mian Tang was away for an extended period.

After a long wait, they finally heard that the Liu family’s young lady had returned with the fleet.

The elders, led by the Cao family, chose a day to confront Mian Tang at the archery range in Western State. Old Master Cao, having previously faced reprimand from the elder master for defending his granddaughter, knew that he needed to apply pressure discreetly, away from the elder master’s watchful eye.

Mian Tang had come to the archery range to practice her long-neglected archery skills.

Cui Xingzhou had given her a small bow, specially made so that even children with weaker strength could use it effectively. Though Mian Tang's arm strength had previously deteriorated to the point she could barely lift it, her strength had improved somewhat, prompting her to give it a try.

Fan Hu and his group, now demoted by Cui Xingzhou to serve as Mian Tang's escort's attendants, were quietly setting up targets and arranging bows and arrows.

The reason why the Prince kept them around was due to Liu Mian Tang's cunning. Prince Huaiyang had realized that Mian Tang was too crafty, and if he replaced his current guards with a new group unfamiliar with her tactics, they might fall into her traps.

Instead, he preferred to keep Fan Hu and his group, who had already suffered under her, believing they would never be fooled by her again. Of course, while Fan Hu and his men were demoted to mere attendants, Cui Xingzhou also sent another group of shadow guards to protect Mian Tang discreetly.

These new guards, unfamiliar to Mian Tang, were less likely to be outwitted by her schemes. 

Mian Tang felt somewhat guilty towards the former guards and tried to show them warmth. Unfortunately, Fan Hu and his team had apparently agreed to avoid speaking to her unless absolutely necessary, to avoid falling victim to her tricks again.

Today, Mian Tang wore a black hunting outfit. The broad leather belt accentuated her slim waist, making her figure appear curvaceous, with her chest and hips prominently highlighted. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail, arching gracefully behind her. Her tall leather riding boots reached up to her calves, making her straight legs even more striking.

When the group of elders arrived at the archery range, they saw Mian Tang using a small bow, about the size of a palm, to shoot at targets a hundred meters away. The bow looked like a toy, clearly intended for women and children.

The group of men, accustomed to traveling and fighting, couldn’t help but sneer slightly.

Old Master Cao was the first to speak up, "Miss Liu, you must be a busy person! It's quite a challenge for us old folks to find you!"

Mian Tang didn't even glance their way, staying focused on aiming at the target in the distance.

Master Cao, irritated by her disregard, spoke harshly, "I'm not here for myself today, but for the other elders. Why should the pension money we receive from the Lu family be cut off by a young girl like you? If you don't give us an explanation today, you won't be going anywhere!"

In response, instead of Mian Tang, a stern-faced old woman stepped forward. With a rigid expression, she looked him up and down and asked, "May I ask, sir, what relation you have to our young lady that gives you the right to address her so?"

Master Cao was startled by the sudden appearance of the old woman, and he glared at her, saying, "I am a former escort of her maternal grandfather. Back in the day, when the old escort chief encountered danger for the first time, if it hadn't been for me..."

Upon hearing this, Li Mama's eyebrows shot up in disapproval. "Since you were an escort under Old Master Lu, that makes you just one of the staff! How dare you and your group of old escorts act so grand and call our young lady a 'girl'! Is she a maid in your household? You all, with your gray beards, have no sense of hierarchy. Step aside and don't let the stench of your old coffins pollute our young lady's presence!"

In truth, these old escorts, relying on their past contributions and hardships, had often acted arrogantly not just in front of Mian Tang but even in the presence of the Lu family’s senior members.

Now, being chastised so harshly by an old servant was quite a blow to their pride.

Old Master Cao then took a good look at the old woman before him. She was indeed imposing, with her hair meticulously arranged and her posture upright. Her demeanor exuded a sense of authority, and her gaze was as disdainful as if she were looking at something unsavory.

Although the old woman was of advanced age, she was meticulously dressed. The earrings on her ears and the bracelets on her wrists were a matching set made from high-quality jade. Her clothes and shoes appeared plain, but the fabric was quite valuable.

Even the servants in his own household didn’t look as neat and dignified as she did.

For a moment, the group of old men were left speechless by the imposing old servant.

However, Old Master Cao quickly regained his composure and snapped, “How dare you, a mere servant, speak to me like that?”

Li Mama, a seasoned and respected servant of the royal family, had inherited a significant fortune over generations, and her family’s businesses were quite prosperous. By comparison, her wealth exceeded that of Master Cao’s family.

Li Mama’s demeanor was filled with disdain as she addressed the crude escort. With a cold snort, she said, “And who might you be? Even if the new magistrate of West Prefecture, Li Guangcai, were here, I would speak the same way.”

Her words made Old Master Cao’s heart skip a beat. This month, West Prefecture had seen a change in magistrates, but the appointment papers had not yet been delivered. Old Master Cao had only learned about the new magistrate, Li Guangcai, through an informal conversation with the outgoing magistrate.

But such confidential matters being casually mentioned by a servant showed that Liu Mian Tang had connections in the officialdom!

However, the other elders were unaware of these intricacies. They thought the old servant’s claim of not being afraid of the local magistrate was a mere bluff, and the area burst into laughter, believing she was just trying to intimidate them with an empty threat.

These elders, all former martial artists, were not particularly concerned with etiquette. With their financial lifelines severed, they were both frustrated and underestimated Liu Mian Tang. They intended to create a scene to scare her, much like how they had previously forced concessions from the senior members of the Lu family.

Now, with a young girl in their midst, they planned to frighten her and then complain at the Lu household, expecting this approach would disrupt the situation as it had before.

Before they could advance, Liu Mian Tang suddenly released an arrow, which shattered the large target pot a hundred meters away with a loud crash.

As everyone was stunned by the sudden display, Liu Mian Tang swiftly adjusted her aim and fired another arrow. This one pierced through the leading troublemaker’s hat, with such force that it knocked him backward and pinned him to a nearby tree trunk.

The old man’s face turned ashen, realizing how close he had come to being hit. The arrow had grazed his scalp, and a slight deviation would have turned his head into a shattered mess just like the pot.

Liu Mian Tang shook her hand, seemingly dissatisfied with her shot. She then surveyed the ruckus-making elders and said, “As the saying goes, 'A bushel of rice fosters gratitude, but a sack of rice breeds resentment.' It’s truly accurate. The money from the Lu family has bred these ungrateful wolves. I have already clearly explained in the letter why your monthly stipends have been reduced, yet you still have the audacity to come and cause trouble! Since you refuse to accept the kindness, don’t blame me for detailing all the discrepancies in the Lu family’s accounts and filing a report with the officials. Let the people of Xizhou judge whether the Lu family should continue to provide you with money!”

Several elders rushed forward, dragging the man pinned to the tree down. They noticed that the arrowhead was specially designed with barbed hooks—if it had struck a person, it would have torn off a piece of flesh when removed.

Seeing this, the elders were terrified and angrily accused Liu Mian Tang, “How dare you injure people?”

Feigning a worried expression, Liu Mian Tang said, “As a delicate woman surrounded by such rough men, how could I not be frightened? With all the noise, I was so scared that my hand trembled, and the arrow flew off course. If you continue to be loud, I might fire a few more arrows. If the aim is off, who knows who will be coming to the Lu family to collect money in the future!”

After finishing her words, Liu Mian Tang nocked another arrow and aimed at them, her delicate wrists trembling uncontrollably. Several arrows flew off course, narrowly missing their faces.

These men had heard about Liu Mian Tang's previous injuries but did not realize she had recovered significantly. Seeing her unsteady aim, they were terrified and kept dodging.

Liu Mian Tang continued talking as she shot: “Old Master Li, I bet your funds for that fourth concubine are running low, aren’t they? If you get hit by an arrow, my fourth aunt might get a windfall—maybe even enough for her dowry if she remarries… Oh, Uncle Zhao, don’t hide! Isn’t your nephew in debt from gambling? If you get hit, I’ll make sure to cover his debts for you…”

The relentless barrage of arrows and taunts caused the once-united group of protestors to scatter. The old men, cursing Liu Mian Tang as a “crazy woman,” fled in disarray.

As Old Master Cao left, he couldn’t resist shouting back in a nervous tone, “If it comes to seeing the officials, so be it! But beware, your second uncle’s disgrace might be exposed. Let’s see if your second branch will let you, this disobedient girl, off lightly!”

Once the group had dispersed, Li Mama hurriedly instructed Fang Xie to bring an ice pack for Liu Mian Tang to rest her arm. “The physician has advised against using your wrist too frequently. Even though this bow is light, it can still strain your arm. Rest for today, Miss.”

Liu Mian Tang sat on the mat, enjoying the bustling activity around her, with a smile she couldn’t suppress. She couldn’t recall the last time she felt such a satisfying sense of control and accomplishment.

The feeling of slowly building up strength in her hands was even more exhilarating than earning ten thousand gold coins.

Seeing her smile like a child, Li Mama couldn’t help but smile a little herself and asked, “Miss, is there anything special you’d like to eat tonight?”

Liu Mian Tang cheerfully replied, “I’d like to have your eggplant and lamb stew, and also the shrimp balls.”

Li Mama initially thought of explaining the intricacies of pairing dishes, noting that lamb and seafood together could be seen as a rather extravagant choice without complementary flavors. However, realizing how rarely she saw the young lady so happy, she decided to let her enjoy whatever she wished. Smiling, she agreed and started planning some side dishes to balance the flavors.

However, Liu Mian Tang asked Li Mama how she knew about the new county magistrate in Xizhou. Li Mama quickly explained, “The new magistrate was appointed by the prince to ensure everything is well-managed in Xizhou, especially to look after you, Miss.”

Liu Mian Tang’s smile slightly faded.

In the past, she saw her husband as flawless in every way. But now, she realized she had been blinded by her affection.

With some distance now, she could see that the seemingly perfect and ethereal man was actually full of flaws. His domineering and controlling nature, which she had overlooked before, was now all too apparent.

By dinnertime, Madam Quan and her daughter, Lu Qingying, arrived right at the mealtime.

Liu Mian Tang naturally invited her aunt and cousin to join her for the meal.

Lu Qingying was astonished by the array of dishes on the table, unable to believe that this was all for Liu Mian Tang alone. To her, it looked more sumptuous than the fare at a family gathering in the Lu household.

The presentation was exquisite—each dish was meticulously arranged, with shrimp balls garnished with tails and lotus flowers carved from radishes. The aroma of the stew was enhanced by top-quality bamboo charcoal underneath. The side dishes, though modest in quantity, were presented with such artistry that they resembled delicate embroidery. The color coordination was subtle and elegant, and the quality of the dishes surpassed even the finest establishments in Xizhou.

Madam Quan was also a bit stunned, her words dripping with sarcasm: “It seems that after Miss Liu took over the family finances, the presentation has certainly changed… At first glance, I thought I had walked into a high-end restaurant!”

Her implication was that Liu Mian Tang was now lavishly spending the Lu family's wealth.

Liu Mian Tang sighed inwardly, surprised by how meticulous Li Mama had been. Just as Liu Mian Tang had been unable to practice archery due to her hand injury, Li Mama, with her exceptional talents, had been forced into the role of a merchant’s housekeeper, which was clearly frustrating for her.

In her earlier years, Li Mama had been accustomed to the grandeur of palace banquets while serving the Old Princess Consort. Her keen mind and love for novelty had enabled her to master the art of exquisite presentation, making her dishes surpass even those of the grandest royal houses.

Now, freed from the burden of pretending to conceal her true identity, Li Mama's talent could be fully displayed. What were mere vegetables and meat had been transformed through her skillful hands into a feast fit for royalty. Even simple dishes became exquisite, reminiscent of a young maiden blooming into beauty.

Liu Mian Tang knew that Li Mama's impressive spread hadn't cost much, but its remarkable presentation was sure to provoke envy. Seeing Madam Quan's sour remarks, Liu Mian Tang smiled slightly and said, “Oh, it’s nothing special! I just paid a bit more attention to the presentation. The dishes on this table are all from the public supplies. Since I’ve set up a small kitchen, the stove and firewood expenses are all covered by me. If Aunt feels the cost of the public supplies is too extravagant, I can cover my own expenses for the kitchen from now on.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Quan's expression softened, and she replied with a smile, “I noticed you weren’t fond of the dishes from the main kitchen and seemed to have lost some weight recently… If you prefer to have your own kitchen and choose what you want to eat, that’s perfectly fine.”

Liu Mian Tang’s offer to cover her own food expenses was welcomed by Madam Quan, who was more than happy to save a bit on the household budget.

Liu Mian Tang smiled faintly and added, “If that’s the case, I’ll have Fang Xie come by your place tomorrow to settle the accounts. We can review how much of the money I’ve spent on oil, vegetables, and coal is left. You can then give it to her directly.”

Madam Quan’s face changed. She hadn’t expected Liu Mian Tang to be so meticulous, even wanting to reclaim the money she had spent on groceries.

Liu Mian Tang looked back at her with composure. She didn’t want to be so calculating, but she needed someone who was both perceptive and appreciative of her efforts. However, her second aunt lacked both.

Liu Mian Tang had originally given her second aunt a hundred taels of silver. It was clear that even if she ate several pounds of lamb today, she could have been eating an entire sheep every meal.

Yet, Madam Quan was throwing barbed remarks at her, insinuating that she was misusing the funds from the Lu family’s accounts for her own benefit. In response, Liu Mian Tang had to confront her directly and clarify the situation.

Madam Quan's face tightened with frustration. Lu Qingying quickly intervened, “Look, cousin, how can we be so divided within one family? If you’ve hired your own cook, that’s fine. But the dishes themselves aren’t going to change. It would be better to select the ingredients together. If you want something specific, just let Old Feng Mama, who handles the shopping, know.”

After a gentle nudge from her daughter, Madam Quan remembered the purpose of her visit.

She softened her expression and said, “Your cousin is right; as family, we should be united. However, the elderly people outside, even though they have served the Lu family for a lifetime, don’t share our surname. If you disrespect them in your words, they will complain that your grandfather didn’t raise you properly. I heard from your second uncle that you used your bow and arrow to scare them. If this spreads, others might say our family is unfilial.”

Liu Mian Tang took a sip of the steaming eggplant and lamb stew that Bi Cao had served her, followed by a shrimp ball. After warming her stomach, she responded, “I had expected they would go to my eldest uncle to complain, or at the very least, to my grandfather. I didn’t expect them to complain to my second uncle. They seem quite close to him!”

Madam Quan realized Liu Mian Tang was trying to probe for more information, so she retorted sharply, “In the entire Lu family, only your second uncle meddles in everyone’s business. If these people seek him out, there’s nothing good about it. But your second uncle believes that enemies should be reconciled rather than remained antagonistic. They were once grateful to the Lu family. If you keep causing trouble without showing any consideration, you might damage the family’s reputation.”

Liu Mian Tang understood the implication of her second aunt’s words.

It was clear that the information about reporting to the officials had reached her second uncle, prompting him to send his wife and daughter to gauge Liu Mian Tang’s stance. 

Liu Mian Tang knew that the elders’ remarks when they left were laden with hidden meanings. When the escort agency went out of business, there had been some dishonesty involved. Now, with the Lu family struggling financially, only the second branch was thriving. Yet, their prosperity was portrayed as Madam Quan’s dowry, which was conveniently not considered a burden on the family’s finances.

If her grandfather were to find out, he would undoubtedly be furious. In truth, her eldest uncle was probably aware of the situation as well but had been shielding his brother out of familial loyalty.

No wonder people say it's difficult for honest officials to handle family matters. The weight of “emotion” makes it challenging; even if one is decisive and authoritative outside, at home, they must be cautious and cannot cut through problems with a sharp knife.

But her second uncle, emboldened now, still didn’t realize his mistakes. If she were to tolerate him like her eldest uncle did, it would only lead to greater issues for the Lu family in the future.

With this in mind, Liu Mian Tang didn’t immediately relent. Instead, she said to Madam Quan, “Tell my second uncle not to plead on behalf of those ungrateful people. The escort agency was my grandfather’s lifelong work; it cannot be allowed to be devoured by a bunch of heartless rats. If they had already taken what was due, I might have turned a blind eye. But if they’re still greedy and shameless, don’t come to me seeking any uncle or elder’s favor. I stand by principles, not by relationships!”

Liu Mian Tang's stern words and icy demeanor had a powerful effect on Madam Quan, who seemed momentarily paralyzed by her intensity. In the end, Madam Quan and her daughter, Lu Qingying, left hastily without having eaten.

The next day, Liu Mian Tang rose late and lounged in bed for a while, then planned to visit the shipyard to oversee the launching of two new boats she had purchased. She needed to personally cut the red ribbon on the anchors to complete the ceremonial launching.

After getting up, Liu Mian Tang practiced a set of martial arts moves in her courtyard. The moves, which she had memorized from watching Cui Xingzhou practice at his North Street residence, seemed simple but turned out to be quite demanding. Performing the techniques left her exhausted, with aching limbs and drenched in sweat.

By the time she had finished washing and eating, she was so fatigued that she slumped into the sedan chair. Upon arriving at her destination, she required assistance to get out, appearing weak and needing support.

The delicate and pitiable appearance of Liu Mian Tang was observed by someone who had just disembarked from a passenger boat. 

Prince Sui couldn't help but smile broadly, feeling a sense of serendipity with Liu Mian Tang. It seemed that their fates were intertwined, as he had just arrived in Xizhou and had immediately encountered her.

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