Chapter 77: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 77: 

 

Since the outbreak of the northwest war, Madam Lian Chu had practically taken up residence in the Prince Huaiyang estate.

Initially, it was because the Old Princess Consort Chu felt obligated to accommodate Madam Lian Chu due to the damage done to Lian Binglan’s reputation when her son abruptly ended their engagement. She couldn’t refuse Madam Lian Chu outright. However, over time, it became more about having someone to converse with.

Madam Lian Chu, well-versed in the Old Princess Consort Chu’s temperament, had skillfully navigated her moods and preferences. After several visits, the Old Princess Consort Chu was left with mixed feelings about Madam Lian Chu's claims regarding her son having a mistress in Lingquan Town.

After interrogating Cui Xingzhou's coachman, it was confirmed that the coachman had indeed made several trips to Lingquan North Street for the prince. However, he had no knowledge of who resided there, only that the woman he saw was exceptionally beautiful.

With this solid confirmation, Old Princess Consort Chu turned to her niece, Lian Binglan, with a deep sense of regret. It appeared that her son had been secretly keeping a mistress even before the engagement, and then used Lian Binglan’s illness as an excuse to break off the engagement. This was indeed infuriating!

Feeling a sense of obligation, Old Princess Consort Chu resolved to have Cui Xingzhou retract his previous statements and renew the marriage contract with the Lian family upon his return.

Madam Lian Chu, showing great magnanimity, expressed that Cui Xingzhou was young and might have been led astray by seductive women while away. As long as he could be enlightened by the Old Princess Consort and acknowledge his mistakes, Lian Binglan was willing to wait for him.

However, due to the ongoing tension in the northwest and various disturbing rumors, the Old Princess Consort and Madam Lian Chu seldom visited each other during this period, as the situation was precarious and kept them on edge.

It wasn’t until the news of the decisive victory in the northwest finally reached every corner via the postal stations that Old Princess Consort Chu breathed a sigh of relief. With the news confirmed, Madam Lian Chu and her daughter began visiting more frequently.

However, Cui Xingzhou still needed to return to the capital to report on his duties before heading back to Zhenzhou. Old Princess Consort Chu had to patiently wait for her son’s return.

Her son’s habit of being unreliable was particularly vexing. Although he sent letters regularly, they were always brief and vague, ignoring her attempts to convey Madam Lian Chu’s concerns. He only mentioned his own health and offered general advice for his mother to take care of herself.

The distance between Zhenzhou and the capital made communication slower, and rumors began to circulate about Cui Xingzhou falling out of favor with the new emperor. This only added to Old Princess Consort Chu’s frustration, causing her to become quite distressed. Madam Lian Chu, possibly feeling the pressure, fell ill and hadn’t visited the Prince's residence for a while.

It wasn’t until news of Cui Xingzhou's imminent arrival in Zhenzhou reached them that Madam Lian Chu, still frail from her illness, and her daughter, made their way to the Prince's residence.

Despite her impatience, Old Princess Consort Chu had no choice but to wait for her son to return on his own. Bringing him back from Lingquan North Street would be too embarrassing and disrespectful to the prince.

However, this urgency did not reach the small courtyard on North Street.

That night, Prince Huaiyang had a very pleasant time.

After a night of storms and heavy rain that battered the delicate flowers, the flowers bent over, and the storm and rain were too lazy to get up.

When Liu Mian Tang woke up, the sunlight was already shining outside.

She pushed Cui Xingzhou and asked, “Didn’t you say you would return to the Wang府 to see the Old Princess Consort today? Why are you still in bed?”

Cui Xingzhou, with his eyes still closed, held her hand and said, “Why rush? The Prince isn’t going anywhere. I’ve already sent word to my mother, and I’ll be back before dinner… You can come back with me then, and we’ll sort out the shop accounts later.”

Liu Mian Tang opened her eyes, and the drowsiness was mostly gone. She thought for a moment and said, “Please return first. The Old Princess Consort doesn’t know me, so it’s best to give her some time to prepare.”

Cui Xingzhou also knew that Liu Mian Tang was quite proud. If his mother suddenly learned about their engagement and said something unpleasant, it would likely trouble her deeply. So he held her hand, kissed the back of it, and said, “Alright, I’ll come back for you tomorrow.”

After a few more moments of affection, Cui Xingzhou reluctantly got up, changed his clothes, and donned his crown before leading his guard, Mo Ru, to prepare for their return to Zhenzhou.

Just as they were about to leave, they unexpectedly bumped into someone at the alley entrance.

The newcomer, looking quite excited, was none other than Zhao Quan.

The day before, one of his servants had come to Lingquan Town for supplies and mentioned seeing Miss Liu sticking her head out of a carriage, seemingly heading toward North Street.

Zhao Quan was somewhat skeptical and decided to come and see for himself. He had previously sought Liu Mian Tang’s hand in marriage but was ruthlessly rejected. Moreover, he had inadvertently revealed to her that Cui Xingzhou had been injured. The next day, Liu Mian Tang had vanished, presumably to deliver medicine to Cui Xingzhou.

Zhao Quan had always known that Liu Mian Tang was devoted to Cui Xingzhou, but he hadn’t expected that she would still think about him even after discovering the truth.

Marquis Zhao Quan felt that all his affections had been in vain, and with his heart heavy, he left in despair. The long separation had made his longing even more painful. Upon hearing that Liu Mian Tang had returned to her hometown, he couldn’t help but want to see her again, hoping she might have seen through Cui Xingzhou's fickleness and finally given up on him.

However, instead of seeing the beloved lady first, Zhao Quan unexpectedly spotted Cui Xingzhou, impeccably dressed, coming out from the alley.

Zhao Quan’s mood soured instantly. With a scowl, he approached Cui Xingzhou and clasped his hands in a formal greeting. “Prince Huaiyang, it’s been a while. The Old Princess Consort has been missing you greatly and has been lamenting to my mother about her longing for you. But here you are, leisurely strolling through North Street?”

Previously, Zhao Quan’s casual pursuit of Liu Mian Tang had annoyed Cui Xingzhou, but he had lacked a proper reason to reprimand him. Now that Liu Mian Tang was officially betrothed to him, Cui Xingzhou would not tolerate any unwanted attention towards his fiancée.

Cui Xingzhou replied sternly, “I am already engaged.”

Zhao Quan was taken aback and asked, “That’s good news. Have you reconciled with Miss Lian?”

Cui Xingzhou shook his head and pointed towards the direction of North Street. "You know my fiancée, Liu Mian Tang. She’s the daughter of the Lu family from Xizhou."

Cui Xingzhou’s tone was calm, but Zhao Quan’s eyes widened in disbelief, suspecting that Cui Xingzhou was lying to him.

Zhao Quan was well aware of Liu Mian Tang's background. To enter a prestigious household, having a father who was executed was already a significant barrier, let alone the fact that Cui Xingzhou was referring to her as a legitimate fiancée, not a concubine. Was he truly out of his mind?

Without hesitation, Zhao Quan dragged Cui Xingzhou to a nearby tavern, insisting on getting the full story. Cui Xingzhou, eager to return home, took three large gulps of wine as a self-punishment and then said to Zhao Quan, "Jia Yu, I know you have feelings for her, but some things have their order. The fact remains that she has already given her heart to me. You and she are truly fated to be apart. Please treat her with respect as a sister-in-law from now on, and do not speak ill of her. Otherwise, we can only end our friendship."

Zhao Quan’s eyes were wide as saucers, and he was left speechless by Cui Xingzhou’s words. He clearly remembered that this very man had once looked down on the girl from North Street, even saying Liu Mian Tang was as insignificant as an ant, unworthy of attention.

How could Cui Xingzhou now be so serious, stating that he had already arranged to marry Liu Mian Tang and that she was off-limits to others?

After saying this, Cui Xingzhou patted the still-gaping Zhao Quan on the shoulder and kindly reminded him to prepare a congratulatory gift for the upcoming wedding. After all, they had been friends for years, and it would be a shame to let a woman come between them.

Zhao Quan was furious, nearly shouting in anger, “You... still expect me to give you a congratulatory gift! No wonder you can achieve great things! You’re shameless! To use deceit and treachery, just like the barbarian soldiers, on me... I get it now. You were deliberately misleading me before, pretending to disdain her while knowing full well that Liu Mian Tang would never agree to be a concubine. You emphasized her lowly status to me to make me propose her as a concubine, while you went ahead and arranged a formal marriage. Your cunning is despicable! Cunning... and a congratulatory gift! When your time comes, I’ll make sure to prepare a fine coffin for you!”

Cui Xingzhou knew that Zhao Quan was angry and didn’t want to explain the complex emotions he had been through with Liu Mian Tang, as it would be too humiliating for a man. So he simply said, “Liu Mian Tang is fond of me, and I doubt she would be interested in any other man. I pity her and don’t want to disappoint her. If you choose not to come, it’s fine. I will still consider you a close friend. If there is ever a time you need my help, I will certainly repay your kindness.”

After speaking, he gave Zhao Quan a brief bow and left the tavern, heading back to the Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Quan watched as Cui Xingzhou rode off in a hurry, feeling furious and frustrated. This man was truly heartless! Years of friendship meant nothing to him. Why couldn’t Liu Mian Tang see through Cui Xingzhou’s true nature?

...But this man was indeed ruthless! How dare he marry a woman of such humble origins! It was uncertain how the Prince's Mansion would react to this news and what kind of trouble it might stir.

Meanwhile, when Cui Xingzhou arrived at the Prince's Mansion, it was already the afternoon.

The servants of the Prince's Mansion were all out to warmly welcome the prince back. The Old Princess Consort, supported by attendants, watched with teary eyes as her son dismounted with ease from his horse.

It was no wonder that, even after annulling the marriage agreement and achieving victory in the northwest, the matchmakers were nearly trampling down the gates of the Wang Mansion. After such a long period, her son, hardened by the cold winds of the northwest, had acquired an even more remarkable and heroic demeanor. How could any young woman see such a handsome prince and not be moved?

Cui Xingzhou strode swiftly towards the Old Princess Consort, kneeling before her to pay his respects. The Old Princess Consort, with tears in her eyes, helped him up, but she noticed a faint scent of alcohol on him.

This made her frown inwardly. She suspected that he might have been drinking at that northern street residence before coming. What kind of woman did they have at that northern street, who could coax the prince into drinking during the day?

She had always known her son to be disciplined, avoiding alcohol except during festivals or official occasions. Now, it seemed that this woman from the northern street had led him astray, turning him into a drunkard!

Cui Xingzhou, unaware of the Old Princess Consort’s disapproval, smiled as he instructed the attendants to carry in the special products he had brought back from the northwest and distribute them to everyone.

However, seeing his aunt, Madam Lian Chu, and his cousin, Lian Binglan, present, Cui Xingzhou’s expression grew a bit subdued, though he still greeted his aunt respectfully. Even though the marriage couldn’t proceed, his aunt was still a relative, and it was only right to maintain some cordiality.

Lian Binglan had been quite worried when she heard that Empress Dowager Wu wanted to make Cui Xingzhou her son-in-law. Her mother had also been hesitant about putting all their hopes on one outcome and had frequently visited the Marquis residence in the meantime.

After all, Zhao Quan was her cousin, recently divorced from his previous wife, and had not remarried. Although he could not compare to the status of Prince Huaiyang, he was still a reliable alternative.

Unfortunately, it seemed that the Marquis had been captivated by some woman outside, always running off, and Lian Binglan couldn’t find an opportunity to strengthen her connection with her cousin, Zhao.

Fortunately, when Prince Huaiyang broke his leg, it ended the Empress Dowager’s plans. Although the Old Princess Consort wept over the news, Lian Binglan felt a sigh of relief in her heart.

Whether his leg was limping or not, it didn’t affect the succession matters, so it was of little consequence.

However, from the behavior of her two cousins, Lian Binglan harbored a deep disdain for the kind of enchanting women who could sway men’s affections. She felt that most men were like that—when faced with feminine charm, they valued friendship less. Given that men were so easily swayed, why not seek a high-ranking position? This thought made her even more resolute in her feelings for her cousin, Cui Xingzhou.

But today, seeing her cousin dismount from his horse, it seemed his leg was not as impaired as she had heard. It was said he had sought renowned doctors and had been using medicine, and his leg had greatly improved. Moreover, her cousin’s handsomeness had surpassed even before, making him more striking than ever. The charisma of a rising and influential man was intoxicating, leaving one mesmerized and captivated.

Lian Binglan had recently been complaining to her mother, lamenting that if she hadn't been persuaded to delay her marriage, she would now be a legitimate princess instead of lingering in the guest quarters, unable to speak a word with her cousin.

When Cui Xingzhou and his mother returned to the main hall, his mother fussed over him, inquiring about his well-being and whether everything had gone smoothly with the new emperor.

Cui Xingzhou answered each question, while his aunt, Madam Lian Chu, seized the opportunity to praise her nephew's talents and the favor he was sure to receive.

However, seeing that Cui Xingzhou didn’t even glance at her daughter, Madam Lian Chu grew anxious and steered the conversation: “Your Highness, ever since you left for the northwest, we’ve been deeply concerned. Not only has the Old Princess Consort been unable to eat properly, but your cousin Binglan has also lost considerable weight…”

Cui Xingzhou did not respond but turned to the Old Princess Consort and said, “Mother, there is one matter I decided on without consulting you. I hope you can forgive me.”

The Old Princess Consort looked at her son with a smile and replied, “You have always been prudent in your actions. You are in charge of the household affairs. What is there to forgive?”

Cui Xingzhou smiled and said, “I hope you are not upset with me for making this decision on my own… I have already been betrothed to Princess Huaisang, as personally appointed by His Majesty.”

At these words, the room fell silent. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, unsure where this  Princess Huaisang had come from.

The Old Princess Consort was also taken aback, at a loss for words. It was Madam Lian Chu who spoke up for her: “Marriage is a matter of family arrangements, and should not be decided unilaterally. How can the Prince act in such a manner…”

Seeing her daughter’s face suddenly turn pale, Madam Lian Chu felt a pang of worry and thought her nephew's actions were utterly absurd.

Cui Xingzhou remained calm as he served tea to his mother and said, “It’s rare to find such a refined and intelligent woman. Fearing she might be taken by someone else, I asked the local officials to vouch for her and have arranged the engagement. I’m sure you will like her when you meet her. I’ll bring her to see you tomorrow.”

Handling personal matters straightforwardly, Cui Xingzhou created a stir in the manor before heading to the study to review battle reports.

As a result, the study became bustling with people coming and going, leaving the Old Princess Consort unable to speak with her son further.

Meanwhile, Old Princess Consort Chu seized the opportunity while Mo Ru was away in the kitchen fetching tea for the prince. She decided to interrogate about Cui Xingzhou herself.

© 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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