Chapter 76: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One
Chapter 76:
Mian Tang smiled slightly: “You said yourself, if she dares to keep me, you would send troops to fetch me. So, what do I have to fear? Besides, I won’t be going alone. The Princess Jiexuan, the daughter most favored by the late Emperor, is also invited. She is upright and holds high prestige within the royal family. I recently met Princess Jiexuan at a banquet hosted by the wife of the Left Minister of the Ministry of War and presented her with a miniature painting plate from Lingquan Town, which pleased her greatly. So, when I go to the palace tomorrow, I will travel with her entourage. Do you think Princess Jiexuan will return empty-handed and leave me alone in the palace?”
These past few days, Cui Xingzhou had been busy attending banquets, while Mian Tang, having been honored with the title of Princess Huaisang, had become a favorite guest at the capital’s events, with constant social engagements.
Cui Xingzhou knew that Mian Tang was adept at social interactions, but he hadn’t expected that in just a few days, she could win the favor of Princess Jiexuan, a notoriously difficult and high-minded woman. The princess had been widowed young and never remarried, known for her peculiar temperament and aloofness. Besides a few prominent ladies of noble families, she never associated with those of humble or poor backgrounds.
Mian Tang smiled and said, “Someone like me would normally not catch the princess’s eye. However, I found out that she had a deep bond with her late husband and had never remarried out of loyalty. So, I went through some trouble to have a portrait of the princess and her late husband made, and also asked Mr. Chen to paint a small portrait of the princess adjusting her hair, with her husband behind her pinning flowers in her hair. Perhaps the princess felt that I understood her deep affection, which is why she has been kind to me.”
In truth, Mian Tang’s rapid adaptation to the ways of the capital was largely due to Li Mama's influence. Li Mama had once accompanied the old princess consort during their stay in the capital and had attended countless tea parties and gatherings with high-ranking ladies and royal families. Her knowledge far surpassed that of younger women from noble families.
So, as long as Mian Tang accompanied Princess Jiexuan to the palace, she had little to worry about regarding any potential improper actions by Emperor Kai Xuan.
Princess Jiexuan, known for her upright and meticulous nature, would never let herself be dragged into any murky situations that could tarnish her reputation, especially if it involved losing the Northwest Marshal’s fiancée.
After explaining her plan, Mian Tang noticed that Cui Xingzhou was silent and looked at her with concern, so she asked anxiously, “Is there something wrong with my plan?”
Cui Xingzhou reached out and touched her face, realizing that his previous concerns had been unwarranted. This woman was like a lively fish, highly adaptable and thriving wherever she went. He just needed to keep an eye on her to make sure she didn’t stray too far.
“You’ve planned it very well, far more smoothly than I could have.”
Mian Tang felt his praise was exaggerated and smiled, saying, “It’s not that I’m particularly skilled, but rather that I lack military power and can't be as forceful as you. If I were a man with an army, I wouldn’t bother with such politeness. I’d just take a sword, kick down the palace doors, and see if they could make me leave according to their whims!”
Cui Xingzhou pondered for a moment and realized that it wouldn’t be surprising if Mian Tang did something like that. However, now that the matter of entering the palace was settled, he intended to address the issue of being shut out of the room.
Mian Tang, under his interrogation, couldn’t help but laugh and then voiced her concerns about his health.
Cui Xingzhou, however, took it lightly and said, “Do you think I’m like those weaklings? If I weren’t worried about your delicate state and the fact that your injuries aren’t fully healed, I’d have let you know what it’s like to be truly worn out! If I were to let loose, you’d be bedridden every day! And you haven’t even been eating enough. To think you’d want to cut off my meals—how dare you!”
After that night, Mian Tang finally understood just what kind of trouble Cui Xingzhou could be.
By the time the sun was high, it was almost time to enter the palace, and she managed to get up with difficulty, feeling as though she had marched eight hundred miles on a rough road.
Once she was dressed and ready, Princess Jiexuan’s carriage arrived at the gate. Mian Tang joined Princess Jiexuan’s carriage as planned and headed to the palace with her.
Princess Jiexuan noticed how Mian Tang struggled to get into the carriage, moving as if she had a back injury, and asked, “You seemed lively the last time I saw you. What’s the matter today? Have you hurt yourself?”
Mian Tang, unsure how to explain the intricacies of her back pain to someone who had long lived in seclusion, simply smiled and said she had strained her back while practicing archery. She then skillfully shifted the topic to health and wellness.
Princess Jiexuan, who had a keen interest in health and wellness due to her advanced age, found Mian Tang’s knowledge impressive. Mian Tang's expertise, honed from studying medical texts in the Northwest, was evident and convincing.
Princess Jiexuan appreciated that, despite Mian Tang’s humble origins, she possessed grace and etiquette comparable to highborn ladies. Moreover, her demeanor and approach aligned perfectly with the princess' preferences, making her a rare and delightful companion.
Furthermore, Princess Jiexuan admired Mian Tang’s fiancé, Prince Huaiyang. He was a rare example of integrity, focusing on military prowess rather than involving himself in the messy politics of the court. His conduct with both the new emperor and the old ministers was consistently respectful and principled.
This suited Princess Jiexuan's taste, and she treated the future bride of Prince Huaiyang with exceptional warmth.
Upon entering the palace, the other noble ladies disembarked from their carriages, exchanged greetings, and together went to meet the Empress.
Empress Shi was dressed in a bright pink gown adorned with white flowers, which made her appear even fuller. The outfit was already quite eye-catching, but she had added a headpiece of red flowers that was not particularly tasteful.
Princess Jiexuan frowned at the sight, thinking that the palace's female officials should resign; they should have stopped the Empress from such a garish ensemble.
Moreover, the theme of today’s gathering was rather absurd—it centered around tasting pastries. Did the high society of the capital, like Princess Jiexuan herself, really have nothing better to do than indulge in such trivial pursuits?
Despite the Empress's outfit standing out among the elegantly dressed noble ladies, some of the flatterers still praised the red flowers in her headdress, expressing a desire to emulate her style in the future.
Such flattery elicited disapproval from high-minded noblewomen like Princess Jiexuan, who looked on with disdain and disinterest.
Liu Mian Tang thought that Empress Shi’s attire was not really something to mock. Though it was out of fashion, it reminded her of the girls in Lingquan Town's North Street who loved to dress up but lacked style. In terms of social standing, Empress Shi's background was even less distinguished than hers, so there was no reason to laugh at her.
However, praising the Empress's appearance felt awkward to her. Instead, Liu Mian Tang decided to play along with the theme of the tea party and took a careful taste of the pastries served.
To her surprise, the pastries had a distinct flavor. The filling had a subtle milk taste, incredibly soft and rich. Liu Mian Tang found herself eating more than she intended and couldn’t help but comment on how good they were.
Upon hearing this, Empress Shi became interested and asked Liu Mian Tang what flavors she detected.
Liu Mian Tang took another thoughtful bite and replied, “The milk flavor is rich without any unpleasantness, reminiscent of the cheese made from the milk of large, fatty sheep unique to the Northwest. There’s also a hint of mulberry flavor, tangy and sweet, which makes it quite enjoyable and not greasy.”
When someone earlier had praised Empress Shi's attire, the Empress appeared disinterested. However, now that Liu Mian Tang had identified the ingredients in the pastries, the Empress was genuinely delighted and said, "To be able to discern the recipe like this shows that the Princess Huaisang truly has a refined palate!"
Liu Mian Tang smiled and said, "Your Majesty, you might want to try making milk skins with fatty lamb's milk, coated in starch and fried, then sprinkled with sesame seeds. They stretch when eaten and pair wonderfully with black tea."
Empress Shi’s eyes lit up at the suggestion and instructed her attendants to note it down. She planned to try it out when she had the chance and, if it turned out well, serve it to the Emperor.
Initially, the other noblewomen maintained their decorum, merely sampling the pastries out of courtesy. However, seeing the lively food discussion between Liu Mian Tang and the Empress made them more interested, and they began to enjoy the treats with increasing enthusiasm.
The older ladies managed to maintain their composure, but the younger ones, who were at an age where they particularly enjoyed good food, couldn’t resist the delicious pastries. As Empress Shi’s attendants continuously brought out more of the exceptional treats, they found it increasingly difficult to stop eating.
Although the tea party lacked poetry recitations or performances, the sheer enjoyment of the food kept everyone engaged from start to finish, setting a new precedent for tea gatherings in the Great Yan court.
Liu Mian Tang’s enthusiastic participation was crucial to the event's success. Since pastries were predominantly a Southern specialty, and given that Cui Xingzhou had frequently brought her such treats during their time in Lingquan Town, she was well-versed in their flavors and made significant contributions to the success of the tea party.
Whenever Liu Mian Tang enjoyed a dish, Li Mama would often study the recipe further, so Liu Mian Tang had developed a decent understanding of the nuances of cooking. With her lively and engaging explanations, coupled with the historical anecdotes she provided, the pastries served at the tea party gained an added layer of sophistication.
Initially, Princess Jiaxuan maintained her reserve, but Liu Mian Tang’s vivid descriptions eventually tempted her to sample more of the treats.
The older guests, struggling with digestion, complained to Liu Mian Tang about the abundance of food. One of them, feeling quite full, said, “I’ve eaten more today than I have all year.”
This remark elicited laughter from the group, as everyone could relate to the sentiment. They joked that if they continued eating, they would need to adjust the waistbands of their newly made garments.
Empress Shi, noticing the situation, responded with a smile, “I was worried about how the Princess would handle all this, so I had some hawthorn tea prepared for digestion. Princess, would you like some?”
Princess Jiaxuan graciously accepted the offer, thanking the Empress.
At that moment, a palace maid carrying a teapot approached and, while pouring tea for Princess Jiaxuan, accidentally spilled hot tea onto Liu Mian Tang’s lap, staining her light-colored dress with a large blotch.
The maid, horrified, immediately knelt down to apologize. Liu Mian Tang, however, merely smiled and said, “It’s alright, it will dry soon.”
Empress Shi, after reprimanding the maid, addressed Liu Mian Tang, “I will have a female official guide you to change into a new set of clothes. It won’t do for you to be seen with a stain.”
At such court tea parties, it was customary for noblewomen to bring three or four changes of clothing for just such contingencies. Liu Mian Tang had a small trunk prepared by Li Mama, so she agreed to follow the female official to a side hall to change.
After changing quickly, Liu Mian Tang emerged from the room, ready to return to the tea party. However, as she exited the courtyard, she saw a tall and slender figure standing there. As she looked closer, she realized it was none other than the current emperor, Liu Dan, Zi Yu.
He was observing a cluster of Huai Sang flowers planted in the courtyard. When Liu Mian Tang remained standing at the door without advancing, he said, “These are your favorite flowers, so I had them planted in every courtyard in the palace, hoping that wherever you go, you will always see them.”
Liu Mian Tang glanced at the guards standing at the entrance of the courtyard, understanding that if Zi Yu did not speak and grant her passage, she would be unable to leave. So, she knelt and respectfully said, “Your Majesty, the Empress is still waiting in the main hall. I should not delay too long.”
Zi Yu walked over and reached out to help her up, but Liu Mian Tang moved away from his touch, avoiding his hand.
Zi Yu, irritated by her avoidance, said, “Liu Mian Tang, is your heart made of stone? Just because of a misunderstanding, you severed all ties with me and went down the mountain to marry another man. I originally thought you were disillusioned and wanted a peaceful life. At that time, I was also uncertain about my fate, so I didn’t force you to stay with me through dangerous times. But who would have thought that you would end up betrothed to Prince Huaiyang? What were you thinking? Did you find me lacking compared to him in wealth and honor, and thus chose to marry him instead?”
If Zi Yu were still the same person he was when he was merely Yangshan Zi Yu, Liu Mian Tang would have turned and walked away without wasting words. However, now he was the Emperor of Great Yan, and if she angered him, even Princess Jiaxuan might not be able to help her leave the palace.
Liu Mian Tang replied honestly, “Your Majesty, I truly didn’t know about these matters. It was only later that I heard from my uncle that I had lived on Yangshan Mountain for a period of time. I fell into the water and lost my memory, so I really don’t remember much…”
Zi Yu, who had been so angry his eyes were reddening, was taken aback by her words. It took him a while to respond, “You said… you lost your memory?”
Liu Mian Tang nodded sincerely, “I only remember marrying into the capital, but the events that followed are truly forgotten. Even now, I often suffer from headaches, so Your Majesty, please do not dwell on the past. You are now the Son of Heaven, with a bright future ahead, the Empress is virtuous, and the Crown Prince is intelligent—truly admirable…”
Zi Yu was not swayed by her flattery and pressed urgently, “So when you saw me in Qingzhou, you didn’t recognize me? Then… why did you become involved with Cui Xingzhou?”
Liu Mian Tang avoided speaking about Cui Xingzhou’s deceitful marriage proposal and simply said, “When I came down from Yangshan, my tendons were severed by someone. It was Cui Xingzhou who saved me and healed me. Without him, I would have died in the river. So, offering myself to him in gratitude was not out of place.”
Zi Yu was stunned by the revelations, his mind buzzing. He asked in a daze, “You were seriously injured? Who did this to you?”
Seeing Zi Yu’s reaction, Mian Tang realized that he seemed genuinely unaware of the details. It must have been his subordinates or someone else who kept this from him.
Even if Mian Tang knew the perpetrators, she wouldn’t tell Zi Yu. His old Yangshan subordinates were now esteemed figures in the new regime. Zi Yu would not want to condemn them without cause.
Mian Tang felt that it was her own responsibility to avenge her grievances, and she didn’t need the new emperor to intervene on her behalf.
Mian Tang felt a pang of sympathy as she saw Zi Yu, the once-proud emperor, now kneeling before her with tears streaming down his face. His anguish was palpable, and his voice trembled as he spoke.
“I... I truly believed back then that you were angry with me and did not want to see me. If I had known you were suffering from amnesia and alone, I... I would never have left you in his care. What rescue? He must have deceived you, using you to manipulate the Yangshan people, didn’t he?”
Mian Tang, seeing Zi Yu’s distress, felt conflicted. She knew she needed to address his pain while maintaining her own boundaries. She took a deep breath and responded gently, “Your Majesty, I understand your feelings, but it’s all in the past now. What matters is the present and the future. Please don’t let the past torment you. Your focus should be on your responsibilities and your reign. I truly must return.”
She tried to offer comfort while firmly setting her boundaries, aware that lingering in this painful past would only complicate matters further.
Zi Yu's heart was heavy with regret as he listened to Mian Tang's words. He finally understood that she had been deceived and felt a wave of guilt and sorrow for his previous actions. Mian Tang’s response had clarified everything for him, and he could now see how he had misjudged her situation.
Zi Yu realized that Mian Tang, with her pride and honor, would never have knowingly stayed with someone who had tricked her. The fact that Cui Xingzhou’s family name was the same as her former fiancé’s and that Cui Xingzhou was the ninth son in his family only added to Zi Yu’s regret. He now saw that her situation had been far more complicated and painful than he had ever imagined.
With a pained expression, Liu Yu said, “I see now. I had misunderstood everything. I am deeply sorry for the distress I caused you. If I had known you were deceived, I would have acted differently. I never meant to make things harder for you.”
He looked up at her, his eyes filled with remorse. “Please, go back to where you belong. I hope you can forgive my ignorance and the trouble it has brought you.”
Mian Tang nodded, her heart softening at his genuine regret. She offered a polite bow and left the garden, understanding that sometimes old wounds are best left to heal on their own.
Zi Yu's mind was in turmoil as he thought about who could have done such harm to Mian Tang. The images of her being severely injured and cast into the river haunted him, filling him with a deep sense of regret and sorrow. He had once hoped that by ascending to the throne and restoring his rightful position, he could secure a future with Mian Tang.
Yet, he realized now that every misstep had led him further from that goal. He had made grave mistakes concerning Mian Tang, and no matter if she regained her memory or not, he doubted she would ever forgive him or return to his side.
As he looked at Mian Tang, her body language and wary eyes cut him deeply. He wanted to hold her and weep as he had done in the past, but her avoidance and guarded demeanor made it clear that such an act would only push her further away.
Without a word, Zi Yu turned and walked slowly out of the garden, disappearing beyond the red lacquered gates, consumed by his own remorse and the realization of his past errors.
Mian Tang breathed a sigh of relief as Zi Yu left. She and her maid, Fang Xie, slowly made their way out of the garden. As they walked, they could hear the sounds of laughter and conversation from the other noblewomen approaching.
Turning a corner, she saw the Empress and the group of noblewomen coming towards her, chatting and laughing. Mian Tang quickly went up to the Empress to pay her respects.
One of the noblewomen teased, “You were away so long that the pastries lost their appeal. Fortunately, the Empress has a new pot of green chrysanthemums in the flower garden. We’re going to admire them, so make sure you don’t fall behind.”
Mian Tang smiled and agreed, following the noblewomen to the flower garden. The palace flowers were all imperial offerings, vibrant and splendid.
After enjoying the flowers, the noblewomen bade farewell to the Empress and prepared to leave the palace.
Mian Tang followed Princess Jiaxuan out of the palace and, upon exiting, saw someone waiting at the gate: it was Prince Huaiyang, dressed in splendid attire, looking both regal and imposing.
Princess Jiaxuan commented, “Your fiancé is quite considerate to wait for you here!”
Mian Tang smiled and said her goodbyes to the princess before walking towards Cui Xingzhou. Noting his face slightly reddened from the sun, she greeted him with a bow and asked, “Prince, are you here for business at the palace?”
Cui Xingzhou nodded and said earnestly, “I’m here to take my fiancée home.”
Mian Tang understood that he was concerned about her being in the palace and had waited at the gate for her. While she found the gesture endearing, she couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious about how it might be perceived by others. Nonetheless, she was touched and smiled as she got into the carriage with him.
Once they were back at the mansion, Mian Tang casually recounted her “chance encounter” with Zi Yu and their conversation.
Cui Xingzhou listened in silence. He was unaware of the full history between Mian Tang and Zi Yu, but it was clear that Zi Yu still harbored feelings for Mian Tang.
Men often have this tendency: when they lack a solid foundation, they use the excuse of “a man must establish himself before starting a family” to justify neglecting genuine affection. But once they achieve success, they often look back with regret at missed opportunities and seek to make amends.
Had Mian Tang not been betrothed to him and remained in the northwest, she might have been forced into the palace and swayed by Zi Yu’s advances.
Although these thoughts were Cui Xingzhou's own assumptions, the idea of Mian Tang potentially rekindling something with Zi Yu made him quite uncomfortable.
Noticing Cui Xingzhou's sour expression, Mian Tang understood he was feeling jealous. To divert his thoughts, she engaged him in other conversations, hoping to shift his focus.
However, Cui Xingzhou was not easily swayed and remarked, “I suspect the Empress might be playing matchmaker. In the future, don’t accept any invitations from her!”
Mian Tang didn’t think much of the Empress’s intentions. If Zi Yu had still been pursuing her, the courtiers and noblewomen would have passed by the garden during their flower viewing, potentially disrupting Zi Yu’s private meetings.
Though the Empress appeared simple and preoccupied with feasting and enjoyment, her appearance and the respect she received from Zi Yu suggested that she was not as ordinary as she seemed. Her stable position and the support of her son indicated that she was indeed remarkable.
However, Cui Xingzhou was right— it was better for her to avoid the palace gate in the future. So starting from the day after leaving the palace, Mian Tang began pretending to be ill, reducing her social activities to avoid being summoned by the Empress again.
But the palace couldn’t remain empty for long. Soon, Mian Tang heard from Cui Xingzhou that the old subordinates of Yangshan were busy arranging new additions to the imperial harem. The Empress Dowager had selected several suitable candidates to enter the palace.
These appointments were more about personal connections than the new Emperor’s preferences. Even if the candidates were unattractive, they had to be accepted. The Emperor’s harem was soon filled with numerous beauties, and if the Empress held another tea party, she might need to prepare even more pastries.
When some visiting noble ladies came to the Prince's Mansion to chat, they talked about these new concubines. It was said that they all started as imperial consorts.
However, one of them had a notable background—she was the daughter of General Sun, who had saved the Emperor’s life. Having sworn never to marry and always staying close to the Emperor, she was selected to enter the palace and was honored as Imperial Consort Yun in recognition of her devotion.
It was also said that she had some connection with the Empress, calling each other "sisters." Now, having entered the palace, she would continue their old friendship as "sisters."
Mian Tang speculated that this new addition, who had received the favor of the two Saints, was likely Sun Yun'niang. She was curious whether the Empress truly regarded Sun Yun'niang as a sister.
Given Yun'niang’s personality, it was expected that her entry into the palace would stir up trouble.
However, Cui Xingzhou felt that Liu Mian Tang had already caused enough commotion in his residence.
Mian Tang felt that sharing a bed with the Prince before marriage was inappropriate. She was concerned that if Cui Xingzhou caused any trouble that led to a pregnancy, she would be unable to hold her head high in front of his mother.
So, after having a serious discussion with Cui Xingzhou, Mian Tang began to keep her bedroom door and windows tightly closed every night. She had her personal maids, Fang Xie and Bi Cao, take turns sleeping under her bed to prevent the Prince from sneaking in.
Cui Xingzhou, accustomed to getting what he wanted, was naturally displeased when he suddenly found his access restricted. His face remained sour, and he clung to Mian Tang, while also hastening the arrangements to return to Zhenzhou.
When reorganizing his troops, Cui Xingzhou had kept a reserve. The soldiers from Zhenzhou were counted as militia, and now that the war was over, he wrote off these "retired" soldiers from his count. By doing so, the number of troops he needed to relinquish was significantly reduced.
The Ministry of War was, of course, unwilling to let the matter rest and continued to press Prince Huaiyang. However, fortune favored Prince Huaiyang as a flood in the Eastern Province led to widespread destruction of fields and homes. Starving farmers banded together in rebellion, attacking local officials, killing imperial envoys, and seizing grain reserves. The situation rapidly escalated.
Given the proximity of Eastern Province to Zhenzhou, sending others to quell the rebellion would have been inefficient, so Cui Xingzhou volunteered to lead the campaign himself to restore order.
The unrest in Eastern Province was worsening, and if not addressed, it would soon impact the food supply of the entire empire. Moreover, engaging in combat would naturally involve casualties, and reducing Prince Huaiyang’s military strength was an added benefit.
Ultimately, Emperor Kai Xuan issued a decree appointing Prince Huaiyang as the commander to suppress the rebellion in Eastern Province. He was to lead his troops eastward to quell the disturbances. At the same time, the Emperor issued an edict granting honors to the Prince's family, including a new residence and land in Huaiyang County for Liu Mian Tang, allowing her to remain in the capital.
This strategy was a common practice among emperors: leaving family members in the capital as hostages to ensure the loyalty of military leaders. However, since Prince Huaiyang was a hereditary ruler with his own territory, relocating his family was a more complex matter. When he was first appointed to lead the troops, no one anticipated his return, and thus, the previous emperor had not summoned the Old Princess Consort to the capital.
Now that Liu Mian Tang was the fiancée of Huaiyang Prince, leaving her behind as a guarantee was reasonable.
However, when the Emperor issued the decree, it was discovered that Liu Mian Tang was no longer in the capital. According to Prince Huaiyang, she had left early to return to Zhenzhou due to frequent vomiting caused by the capital's climate, and her return would depend on her health. He requested the Emperor’s understanding and compassion.
Since Liu Mian Tang was not a court official, her movements did not require court notification. Even if Prince Huaiyang had secretly sent her away, Emperor Kai Xuan could not find fault with this arrangement.
Moreover, bad news had also arrived from Qingzhou to the west of Eastern Province, where rebel forces had overrun the region. The suppression of the rebels could not be delayed.
Emperor Kai Xuan, having just ascended the throne and with his position still insecure, had to prioritize sending Prince Huaiyang to quell the rebellion before addressing other matters.
Although the rebellion was urgent, Prince Huaiyang first returned to Zhenzhou. His prolonged absence had caused the Old Princess Consort to develop more white hair from missing her son.
As Prince Huaiyang traveled, he naturally stopped by his home. Moreover, since he had brought back a delicate fiancée, he needed to properly explain things to his mother before he could set out confidently for his military campaign.
Even though Liu Mian Tang had already returned to Zhenzhou, she had moved to the residence on North Street, reportedly to manage her own shop and business, rather than going directly to Prince Huaiyang’s residence.
Thus, after traveling day and night, Prince Huaiyang headed straight for Lingquan Town to check on Liu Mian Tang and ensure she was waiting for him as expected.
Liu Mian Tang, seeing that he hadn’t gone to visit his mother first but had come to see her, remarked that his actions were rather absurd. She pointed out that if the Old Princess Consort found out, it might cause trouble.
However, Cui Xingzhou, like a hungry tiger, was irresistibly drawn to Liu Mian Tang's presence and the familiar atmosphere of North Street. He was determined to quench his longing before he could return to the main estate.
Liu Mian Tang could hardly resist him, and their pre-marital vows seemed to unravel in the heat of the moment. The walls of the small courtyard on North Street felt inadequate for privacy, and the spring air was palpable.
Meanwhile, the Zhenzhou estate was eagerly preparing to welcome the return of the prince. The chief steward, following the Old Princess Consort's instructions, decorated the estate with festive lights and banners.
However, despite hearing that the prince had entered Zhenzhou, he had yet to return home. The Old Princess Consort, unable to wait any longer, ordered an inquiry into the prince's whereabouts.
After some time, a report came back stating that the prince had stopped in Lingquan Town and spent the night there. He was expected to return home after breakfast.
Madam Lian Chu, who had come to the estate with her daughter to welcome the prince, frowned in displeasure upon hearing this news. She said, "Old Princess Consort, didn't I tell you that Xingzhou was keeping a mistress on North Street? You didn’t believe me before. I heard that the mistress even went with him on his campaign, leaving the North Street residence empty. Who is this girl, that she’s keeping him from coming to see his mother?"
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