Chapter 103: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 103: 

 

Mian Tang slammed the table, causing the brothers to fall silent, though their eyes still gleamed with thoughts that perhaps Lu Yi’s suggestion wasn’t so bad. They pitied that their boss seemed blinded by her affection for the prince, mistakenly believing that lying with the tiger was her path to happiness.

Mian Tang calmed herself, knowing it would take time to change the mindset of these habitual bandits. After carefully instructing them on the next steps, she finally left the county office.

When she stepped outside, she saw Cui Xingzhou speaking with the county magistrate. Noticing her emerge, he walked over and asked, “How did it go?”

Mian Tang pursed her lips and quietly replied, “It really is my brother, Liu Zhanpeng.”

Cui Xingzhou observed that there was no joy of a family reunion on Mian Tang’s face. Recalling what the magistrate had told him about Liu Zhanpeng’s arrogant behavior, he said, “Let’s return to the carriage and head back to the manor. We can talk more there.”

Once back at the manor, Mian Tang changed her clothes and rested for a bit before speaking to Cui Xingzhou, who was sipping tea. “May I have full authority over the matter regarding my brother?”

Liu Zhanpeng was a fugitive, and if the authorities got involved, he might publicly declare his relation to her, which could tarnish the reputation of the Prince's Mansion. Mian Tang felt it would be better for her to handle the matter personally. After all, dealing with such a brother was something she couldn’t bear to trouble the prince with.

Cui Xingzhou, however, considered these matters trivial. He would not think less of Mian Tang because of her brother. He said, “You are you, and he is he. Each person is different, just like the Old Prince’s nine sons, each with their own characteristics. Compared to some of my own illegitimate brothers, your brother is relatively decent. Don’t be too troubled; it’s really a small matter. Let me handle it.”

Mian Tang couldn’t help but chuckle at his words and then thought about the mysterious deaths of the illegitimate sons in the Prince's Mansion. She understood Cui Xingzhou’s point. Despite Liu Zhanpeng’s debauchery and misdeeds, he hadn’t harmed his family members, which was somewhat commendable.

However, Liu Zhanpeng wasn’t a good person, and dealing with him herself would be more suitable than leaving it to the authorities. Thus, Mian Tang remained firm in her decision to handle the matter.

Seeing that she had a solid plan, Cui Xingzhou nodded. “Since you’ve made up your mind, I will inform the county magistrate to fully cooperate with you.”

Mian Tang felt somewhat reassured. Yet, before she could fully relax, she heard Cui Xingzhou casually ask, “I’ve heard that your shop assistants are quite capable and skilled in martial arts. Would you like them to join my army?”

Mian Tang smiled sweetly and replied, “I’m planning to open a security bureau in Lingquan Town. It took quite some effort to find a few competent people, and I intend to train them as bodyguards. Since your army already has many talented individuals, it doesn’t need these few, right?”

Cui Xingzhou glanced at her and asked quietly, “Have you thoroughly checked their backgrounds?”

Mian Tang turned onto her side, facing away from him. “They’re just ordinary people, nothing much to investigate. The people in my own shop are fine; there are no hidden schemes… I’m very tired and want to sleep for a while.”

Cui Xingzhou didn’t press further. He adjusted the blankets over her and quietly left the room.

Mian Tang lay under the covers, breathing deeply, wondering if her life on Yangshan Mountain was ever as tense as it was now. She yawned, realizing that after such a scare, she really needed a good sleep to calm her nerves. Despite the many concerns on her mind, she fell asleep quickly.

Mian Tang’s nap lasted so long that she missed lunch, the family gathering on the second day of the wedding. Even the reclusive Fifth Master attended, leaving only the new bride still asleep.

When Mian Tang woke up, she scolded Li Mama while washing her face, “The maidservants don’t know their manners. Why didn’t you wake me?”

Before Li Mama could respond, Cui Xingzhou interjected, “I told her not to wake you. You slept in; just eat later. There will be many more opportunities to dine with the family. Missing this one isn’t a big deal.”

Mian Tang felt his casual attitude was quite un-princely and turned to Li Mama, “Who taught the prince these rules? How can he be so careless?”

Li Mama found the question difficult to answer and pretended not to hear, redirecting the conversation, “Princess, the kitchen has prepared two soups for you: one with black chicken and chestnuts, and the other fish soup. Which would you prefer?”

Seeing Mian Tang genuinely upset, Cui Xingzhou came over and patted her on the back, “My mother won’t mind. Why are you so anxious?”

Mian Tang sighed, “But my sister-in-law is here. This morning, she seemed very particular about manners. She won’t be staying in the mansion for long, and I don’t want her to think poorly of me. If she goes back to her family and tells them I didn’t properly respect my elders, that would be a problem.”

Cui Xingzhou, who could never truly understand the nervous feelings of a new bride, especially someone as decisive as Mian Tang, was surprised by her concerns.

It was clear that despite her frequent complaints about marrying into the Cui family, Mian Tang genuinely wanted to be a good daughter-in-law. 

Realizing this, Cui Xingzhou felt a warm affection and kissed her soft cheek. “I know you’re a virtuous and filial wife. My elder sister might seem sharp-tongued, but she’ll come to appreciate your goodness.”

Mian Tang smiled at his kiss, reaching out to hold his waist, though she expressed some melancholy. “Perhaps... I’m not as good as you think.”

At dinner, Cui Xingzhou had to attend to official business at the military camp, leaving Mian Tang to dine alone with his mother, Old Princess Consort Chu, and Cui Fu.

Old Princess Consort Chu mentioned that the Fifth Master would be getting married soon, a task Mian Tang would usually help with. However, given her pregnancy and the need to avoid overexertion, the Old Princess Consort suggested that Cui Fu handle the preparations on Mian Tang’s behalf and asked if she agreed.

Mian Tang smiled, “It’s perfect to have my sister-in-law’s help. I’ll have Li Mama give her the keys to the storeroom. She can take what’s needed.”

Cui Fu was surprised by Mian Tang’s willingness to hand over the keys so readily. She had expected that a new bride would be reluctant to relinquish control and might even oversee things personally to protect her family’s assets from being diminished by a new sister-in-law. Instead, Mian Tang handed over the keys without hesitation.

However, remembering the recent troubles the Cui family had faced, Cui Fu understood why Mian Tang was so willing to let go. She scoffed slightly, “Given that the Prince Mansion was recently looted by villains, there probably isn’t much left in the storeroom. Having the keys won’t be of much use. Mother has given me this task, but it’s like trying to make a meal with no ingredients.”

Mian Tang smiled and said, “Sister-in-law’s concerns are valid, but recently the estate has sent in rental payments, so the storeroom isn’t too empty. We have rice, flour, meat, and vegetables, and the farmhands have also prepared pigs, cattle, and sheep. I’ve instructed them to have everything ready for the Fifth Master’s wedding. As for the dowry and other matters, after the Lian family agreed to the marriage, I had my own staff help arrange things. We have a shipment of goods coming back from the capital, including silk, furniture, and bedding in the latest styles. Everything will be well-prepared and won’t make the Fifth Master’s wedding seem shabby or embarrass our family.”

Cui Fu was surprised, not expecting Mian Tang to have started preparations so early. It didn’t seem like she was being perfunctory.

Old Princess Consort Chu added, “For a concubine’s wedding, the scale shouldn’t surpass that of Xingzhou’s. If not for the Lian family’s status, we wouldn’t go to such lengths. It’s all about showing respect for their family, which is a legitimate official family. If you see any shortages, let me know. If the public funds aren’t enough, I’ll make up the difference.”

Cui Fu, hearing her mother’s words, became even more irritated. “I heard that Xingzhou had already banned Aunt Lian from coming to the residence. Now that the Cui and Lian families are about to be linked in marriage, she has an excuse to visit daily and ask for this and that. I wonder how much dowry the Lian family is providing; we should match it accordingly.”

Although the dowry list from the Lian family had not yet been finalized, Cui Fu had heard Aunt Lian complain of poverty yesterday. She claimed that when they fled from disaster, she brought her own gold and silver, but it was lost when they were captured.

Unlike a son’s wedding, which can be supported by the family’s wealth, a daughter’s dowry relies heavily on the mother’s contributions. If the bride’s mother cannot provide much, the father’s side can only offer so much.

Now that Madam Lian Chu is in a poor state and unable to support her daughter, she hopes Old Princess Consort Chu can assist her niece, ensuring that her daughter’s life with the Fifth Master isn’t too impoverished.

As for the Fifth Master’s mother, Madam Qin, while she had accumulated considerable assets during her favored years, the costs of the Fifth Master’s illness and medication have depleted much of it. Now, both she and the Fifth Master have only modest allowances, making it difficult for her to contribute much toward the wedding expenses.

Mian Tang listened quietly and then smiled slightly, saying, “There’s no need for Mother to provide additional funds. The Prince and I have discussed this, and the dowry for the Fifth Master will be covered by the family’s public funds. If Sister finds any shortfalls, I will have my staff cover the expenses.”

Her words implied that the current financial difficulties of the Prince's family were being alleviated by her own funds.

Cui Fu was surprised by Mian Tang’s generosity.

Reflecting on Aunt Lian’s recent complaints, which suggested that Mian Tang had been a mistress to her brother before the marriage between Lian Binglan and Xingzhou was dissolved, and that she had deceived her brother out of money and property, Cui Fu had been half-skeptical. Now, it seemed more plausible. After all, how could a woman from a modest family have such substantial funds?

Cui Fu thought that if Mian Tang had indeed deceived the Prince's family to amass her wealth, it would explain her current display of affluence. It irritated her to think that someone who had once exploited the Prince Regent family’s resources was now flaunting her wealth and supporting the family in return. This made her even more wary and disapproving of her cunning and resourceful sister-in-law.

Cui Fu was determined not to hold back, knowing that the money was ultimately from the family. If there was a shortage, she would simply ask for more. However, she remained uneasy about having such a greedy woman as the head of the Wang household.

Deciding firmly, Cui Fu said to Mian Tang, “In a few days, Xingzhou will be going to the capital to work at the Ministry of War, and your brother-in-law has also been promoted and will take a position at the Ministry of Revenue. I’ve already told Xingzhou that once we’re in the capital, the two families should live close to each other for mutual support. As a new wife, you’ll have many things to learn about managing the household. I’ll help you with that to avoid any mistakes that might cause trouble for Xingzhou.”

Hearing this, Mian Tang slowly lifted her eyes to look at Cui Fu and responded calmly, “If that’s the case, I will certainly appreciate your help in the future.”

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