Chapter 106: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 106: 

 

However, hearing Mian Tang's meek response, Cui Fu sighed in relief and said, "Since this matter is now under my control, you and Mother need not worry about it. But Mother, remember this: if Auntie Lian comes to pester you, do not be soft-hearted and compromise the rules. The Fifth Master is merely a concubine's son; even if you are kind, you must not blur the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, or let him disrupt the rules of the Prince's residence."

Old Princess Consort Chu knew her daughter couldn't stand Auntie Lian's attempts to take advantage, but to have her speak of it so openly in front of Mian Tang was rather disrespectful. She shot Cui Fu a disapproving glance.

Cui Fu, realizing she had spoken too harshly and upset her mother, gave Mian Tang a meaningful look and said, "You see, am I not right in doing this?"

Mian Tang, feeling awkward and unsure of what to say, just smiled at Cui Fu and said, "Sister, you are always thinking of the Prince family’s interests. I truly envy the Prince family for having you as such a considerate sister…"

Cui Fu was pleased by the praise and resolved not to give in to the Lian family's exorbitant demands. After all, the requests from the Lian family now were quite similar to those they had made when Cui Xingzhou was preparing to marry Lian Binglan. But they seem to forget, Lian Binglan was marrying the Prince of Huaiyang, not just anyone.

After Cui Fu finished her tea, she called for the steward to draft a new list.

Once Cui Fu had left, Old Princess Consort Chu looked at Mian Tang and said, "You’re simply using my daughter as a scapegoat!"

Mian Tang couldn’t help but chuckle at the comment. Seeing Old Princess Chu’s somewhat awkward expression, she explained, "I always thought the Prince was broad-minded and had unique insights, believing he had inherited his late father’s wisdom. But now I realize that you, Mother, are also quite perceptive and insightful."

Old Princess Consort Chu, usually praised for her grace and fortune, was not accustomed to being complimented on her intelligence. Hearing such praise made her feel quite pleased. She softened her expression and said, "You’re not afraid of Auntie Lian, yet you’re playing the fool in front of Fu'er? If I couldn’t see through it, I’d be blind!"

Mian Tang picked up a jade beauty pillow from the side and gently massaged Old Princess Consort Chu's shoulders. She replied softly, "Actually, I wasn’t just pretending; I really was embarrassed to speak up. You see, with the Fifth Master getting married to your niece, as the eldest sister-in-law, it’s only right that I contribute more. But with the Prince’s visit to the capital, there are so many places that need attention, and there are many expenses. After reconciling the accounts yesterday, I found that the surplus in my shop isn’t much. If the Fifth Master’s wedding follows the old list, the Prince’s visit might seem rather shabby, and any oversight could offend people and create hidden problems. I was genuinely worried, but I didn’t want to admit to others that I was short on funds, as it might make people think I’m petty. So, hearing what my sister said, I really felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. At least, it’s not just me who is struggling to refuse Auntie Lian.”

Old Princess Chu was unaware of the dire financial situation in the manor. She quickly offered, "If it’s truly difficult for Xingzhou, I still have some property and shops from my dowry that could be used..."

Mian Tang smiled and said, "You’ve already given those to my sister. We can manage as long as we budget carefully. My sister is very shrewd, so there’s no need for you to worry."

After reassuring Old Princess Consort Chu, Mian Tang went back to her quarters with her maid.

As she entered the inner courtyard, she saw Cui Xingzhou just returning from the military camp, taking a bath behind a screen. His long hair was loose, and his strong back was covered in droplets of water.

Even though Mian Tang had shared his bed several times, she couldn’t help but feel her heart race every time she saw him like this. 

It’s often said that women change as they grow older, but her husband seemed to become even more charismatic with age. His eyes, like deep pools, seemed to hold the weight of many passionate memories. When he looked at her through his thick, curved eyelashes, it reminded her of the many intense moments they had shared.

Cui Xingzhou, now aware of his wife's flirtatious nature, couldn’t help but think she looked as if she were a street vixen trying to lure someone into a dark alley.

He extended his arm towards Mian Tang with a playful smile and asked, “Does it look that interesting? Would you like to come and touch?”

Mian Tang snapped out of her daze, her cheeks flushing as she replied, “I would love to, but I’m afraid you might catch a chill from your late-night training!”

She remembered that, back in the old days, when they were on North Street, he would often practice martial arts late into the night. At the time, she admired him for his dedication, thinking he was like a hero training hard under the stars.

However, after moving to the Northwest, she rarely saw him practice, and instead, he would spend nights wrapped up in blankets like a dog.

Recently, though, he had taken up his late-night training again with the same enthusiasm, and Mian Tang had come to understand the deeper reason behind it.

As she approached the bath, teasing him, Cui Xingzhou, remaining composed, suddenly leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. The water splashed from the bath, wetting her clothes and causing her to laugh and lightly hit his shoulder in surprise.

Cui Xingzhou, having successfully surprised her, grinned with satisfaction.

Cui Xingzhou, who usually carried himself with a serious demeanor, found himself more at ease and openly joyful around his wife since their marriage.

After their playful moment, the water in the bath had grown cold. While Huan Xue brought a large towel to dry the prince, Mian Tang naturally took over, tending to Cui Xingzhou herself.

Although Li Mama had subtly advised Mian Tang that she shouldn’t treat the maidservants as mere servants and that duties like this should be left to them, Mian Tang was resolute. She felt it was unnecessary for her husband to be at the mercy of the maidservants, especially when they were her own underlings. If she were overly concerned about this, it would only make her seem petty.

Mian Tang was open to other advice, but this particular point she could not accept. She felt strongly that her husband should not have to be attended to by maidservants in such an intimate way.

As night fell, Mian Tang inquired, “Are your staff in the military camp all male servants?”

Cui Xingzhou, comfortably holding Mian Tang and with his eyes closed, responded, “Even the passing flies are male. If you don’t believe me, just check. Since marrying you as my big ol'bug, I haven’t dared use even the most handsome of servants.”

Mian Tang, still not satisfied, nibbled on Cui Xingzhou’s ear and playfully asked, “Who’s the big old bug?”

Cui Xingzhou nuzzled his nose against her cheek and teased, "I misspoke—you're not a big old bug, but a born nine-tailed fox! Not only are you beautiful and enchanting, but your devious plans also leave people thoroughly bewildered. Wasn’t that Lord Zhang’s awkwardness today all your doing?"

Mian Tang, tickled by his words, laughed and replied, "Don’t put all the blame on me. I merely instructed Lu Yi to secretly send my brother to a town near the labor camp, where they arranged for the local officials to report him and claim the reward. As for that old man with the same name, I didn’t have a hand in that."

It turned out that Lu Quan had secretly followed the group of well-dressed men accompanying Liu Zhanpeng, tracing them all the way to the Prince Sui Mansion. This revealed the mastermind behind the scenes.

Meanwhile, Mian Tang, using the opportunity of her newly established escort agency to transport goods, discreetly drugged Liu Zhanpeng, packed him into a crate, and transported him back to the northern desert, where he had originally served his sentence. Cui Xingzhou, while scrutinizing the files, inadvertently discovered this coincidence. Mian Tang had cleverly used a strategic move to turn the tables on Prince Sui.

Prince Sui had meticulously chosen a stern and capable official, and Mian Tang felt it was only fair that Prince Sui should also experience the consequences of his actions.

Despite a sense of relief, Mian Tang couldn’t shake off her melancholy: “... But, when my brother was originally taken away, a guard was killed… What will happen when he returns this time…”

She didn’t finish her sentence. Although she had made meticulous arrangements to prove that her brother was not responsible for the guard's death, the final decision of the jailers and any additional penalties were uncertain.

With these thoughts, Mian Tang felt a shadow of sadness and gloom. Between her husband and her brother, she had prioritized her husband this time. After all, she wasn’t her father, and couldn’t sacrifice her beloved man for a brother who had always looked down on her and her mother.

Cui Xingzhou, understanding her inner conflict, patted her shoulder and said, “He will face some hardships, but he must also give up any thoughts of using you to turn his life around. I’ll make proper arrangements, so don’t worry. Otherwise, how will our future child grow up if they only see sighs and tears?”

Mian Tang thought of a chubby, dough-like baby with a furrowed brow and a sighing face, and couldn’t help but laugh softly.

Since her husband assured her, he must have a plan to ensure her brother’s safety. Mian Tang did not believe Liu Zhanpeng was innocent, and she wasn’t particularly close to him, but he was her half-brother. Even if he were to do nothing but evil in the future, she hoped not to be the one to deal with him directly.

She had always wondered why she left behind the world she had built in Yangshan so abruptly. Reflecting now, she realized that, beyond emotional pain, it was also the difficulty of adjusting to such a bloody and violent life. Although she was a strong-willed woman, she was not a butcher who took pleasure in killing.

Thinking about this, she tightened her embrace around her husband’s solid waist. Although life was still full of challenges, it was worth looking forward to, as she finally had the home she had longed for since childhood.

Her husband and child were now the most precious to her, aside from her grandfather.

As for Prince Sui, he never imagined that the scheme he devised to embarrass PrinceHuaiyang would ultimately backfire and land all the blame on himself.

By the time he arrived in the capital, it didn’t take long for the memorial accusing him of allowing his relatives to oppress the common people to reach the court!

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