Chapter 79: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 79: 

 

Liu Mian Tang could see the situation clearly from the side, but she didn’t think Old Princess Consort Chu’s attitude was unreasonable. Any mother would be upset if her son suddenly brought home an unexpected wife.

Although Old Princess Consort Chu was gentle with her son, she was still a privileged noblewoman. Her softness toward her husband and son didn’t necessarily extend to her daughter-in-law.

On the surface, everything seemed harmonious, but underneath, tension often simmered in mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships. Mian Tang felt that it wasn’t appropriate for her to be living in the Prince’s residence before they were married.

So, after dinner, she told Cui Xingzhou that she wanted to return to Lingquan Town.

Prince Huaiyang frowned and said, "Since you're already at the Prince’s residence, what sense does it make to go back? You don’t have family here, and even if this were considered a distant marriage, there’s no need for a public procession. You should settle down here with your husband-to-be. Going back would look strange and might make people really think you’re just my mistress!"

But Liu Mian Tang persisted, "What kind of distant marriage is this? I have my own household; wherever I go is considered my home. Your mother only just learned about me, so she needs time to adjust."

Prince Huaiyang wasn’t keen on letting Mian Tang leave, but on second thought, with his mother nearby, if he wanted to be close to her before the marriage, he would need to avoid his mother’s presence. If Mian Tang stayed elsewhere, it would allow him more freedom.

Thinking this way, he agreed. After all, the stewards of the prince’s residence were already following his orders to prepare for the wedding. In just a few days, Mian Tang would officially be his wife, and he had no fear of her running away.

So that day, Mian Tang bid farewell to the Old Princess Consort, preparing to return to North Street.

The Old Princess Consort was still upset but hadn’t expected that the young woman would choose not to stay at the prince’s residence. Raising her brows, she remarked, "Since you and Xingzhou have signed the marriage contract and are soon to wed, why are you not staying at the prince’s residence? Where do you plan to go? Back to North Street? Do you know what people have been saying about that place?"

Mian Tang responded gently, "I’m not returning to North Street. I’m heading to the prince’s estate on the outskirts of Jinzhou. It will be easier to leave from there when the wedding day arrives."

The Old Princess Consort, clearly displeased with Mian Tang’s strong-mindedness, couldn’t help but say, "My son may be used to doing as he pleases, but you, as a woman, should know that becoming someone’s wife is more than just keeping a man’s heart! Becoming the prince’s wife is not something an ordinary woman can achieve so easily! Let me ask you, have you ever managed a household?"

Mian Tang thought for a moment and replied, "I haven’t managed a household as large as the prince’s residence..."

The Old Princess Consort gave her a knowing look and said, "Of course, you haven’t. Even the young ladies of noble households are raised under the supervision of the matriarch, being trained daily, taught the ins and outs of managing such affairs. You’ve learned none of this, and now you’re about to marry into the family. If I happen to fall ill, all these responsibilities will fall on you. How will you handle the affairs of the prince’s residence? Xingzhou is busy with his official duties every day. If he has to also manage the household, how will his body withstand it?"

By the end, the Old Princess Consort was genuinely anxious. As a mother, no matter how gentle or unassertive she may be, her concern for her son was the same as any other.

It wasn’t that she was set on finding a daughter-in-law from a high-ranking noble family; such a woman would likely be arrogant and difficult to deal with. She wouldn’t be able to bear that either! That’s why she thought if her niece, Lian Binglan, were to marry into the family, it would be ideal—someone she knew and trusted.

But now, seeing the princess her son had brought back with him, so beautiful and captivating, the Old Princess Consort knew her son would never again be interested in someone with Lian Binglan's modest looks.

Moreover, she knew that the Lian family had their own calculations and were not as single-minded as Madam Lian Chu suggested about her son. But since they were relatives, some things could not be stated too plainly.

Given the circumstances, the Old Princess Consort was making an effort to accept this daughter-in-law. However, she knew that someone of such background would be inexperienced with the household affairs of the prince’s residence. To be honest, even the title of princess was likely a reward granted out of respect for Prince Huaiyang, a mere decoration to enhance the family’s appearance, akin to sticking a few phoenix feathers on a mountain chicken to make it look more presentable.

Since she was going to be part of the family, the Old Princess Consort couldn't prevent her son from marrying her, so she decided to instruct the young woman. If she proved to be competent, it would prevent future embarrassment for the royal household. If she was only good-looking but dull-witted, then the Old Princess Consort would need to find suitable concubines to ensure that the household wasn't mismanaged by someone of lowly origins.

In the end, the Old Princess Consort rejected Liu Mian Tang's request to leave the residence and instead arranged for her to stay temporarily in the Fu Ling Courtyard within the royal residence.

When Liu Mian Tang moved in, she did so without bringing Li Mama along.

Upon arriving, she discovered that Li Mama was not with the Prince and learned from him that Mo Ru had been questioned and beaten.

Liu Mian Tang realized that Li Mama was an elderly maid who had been with the household for many years and had earned a good reputation. It would be disheartening if Li Mama were to suffer because of her. She didn't want to damage the long-standing relationship between Li Mama and the family.

Thus, she discussed with the Prince that Li Mama should return to her own home to visit her family and take some time off, to avoid drawing the Old Princess Consort’s ire by being present during these troubled times. The Prince agreed to this arrangement.

Li Mama understood Liu Mian Tang's arrangement and was deeply grateful. Had she been forced to accompany the princess back to the royal residence, it would have been mortifying for her to face the Old Princess Consort, who remained unaware of the situation.

With Li Mama temporarily returning to her hometown, Liu Mian Tang's attendants were kept to a minimum. Besides the maids Fang Xie and Bi Cao, she had two additional maidservants for general duties.

Upon her arrival at the Fu Ling Courtyard, the royal residence assigned Liu Mian Tang two senior maidservants named Huan Xue and Yan Rong. Both had previously served the Old Princess Consort and, despite their status as maidservants, carried themselves with an air of refinement that could easily be mistaken for that of young ladies.

These two maidservants were noticeably more attractive than the usual attendants, and the Old Princess Consort had deliberately chosen them, hinting at the possibility of their future roles as concubines for her son.

While the staff in the royal residence understood the proper decorum, and despite privately harboring some disdain for the new princess’s background, they maintained a respectful demeanor. They served tea and performed their duties with impeccable courtesy, ensuring there were no grounds for complaint.

It was reassuring, however, that Fang Xie and Bi Cao, despite not being as attractive as Huan Xue and Yan Rong, had been well-trained by Li Mama. Though their appearance fell short, their demeanor and service were impeccable.

As a result, Huan Xue and Yan Rong found themselves somewhat sidelined in Liu Mian Tang's inner quarters. They had to retreat to the outer rooms and find other tasks to occupy themselves.

After handling some official business, Prince Huaiyang slipped into his fiancée's courtyard to check on her. Upon entering, he found Liu Mian Tang comfortably lying on the soft couch, engrossed in a book.

He had previously instructed her to feel free to take books from the study if she wished, but he hadn't seen which books she had chosen while he was busy with paperwork. Now, he noticed the cover of the book she was reading—it was Eight Strategic Paths by General Shen of the previous dynasty. This military treatise detailed General Shen's years of experience in warfare, including examples of effective use of terrain and flexible tactics.

He had expected her to choose lighter reading, but now he saw that, aside from a few local legends, most of the books around her were military texts, which were typically of little interest to women.

Prince Huaiyang raised an eyebrow and asked, “You actually find this engaging?”

Liu Mian Tang stretched and replied, “I find it quite fascinating. I heard stories about General Shen’s military campaigns in tea houses when I was younger. Unfortunately, after the Empress Dowager banned the recording of military texts from the previous dynasty, I haven’t heard such stories again. Now, I’m filling in the gaps with this book. Is it unusual to find this book in your study?”

Smiling, Prince Huaiyang lay down beside her on the soft couch, casually took the military book from her hands, and tossed it aside. “Not only do I have it, but it’s also available in the Imperial Library. The Empress Dowager’s prohibition on such texts in the civilian sphere was to prevent dissenters from romanticizing the previous dynasty and stirring up trouble. However, General Shen’s military strategies are worth studying. I also have a set of illustrated editions of Wu Long’s books. His Under the Red Wall Blossoms is quite rare and sought after by many young ladies, but I happen to have a complete set that was given to me. You can read those instead.”

Liu Mian Tang raised an eyebrow and looked at him. “You’re talking about that Wu Long, the one who writes about wealthy young masters and downtrodden scholars seducing young ladies and courtesans? Are you suggesting I should read about various lecherous men deceiving and seducing women? It’s not as if I haven’t been deceived enough already.”

She was sure that Prince Huaiyang’s suggestion was less than innocent.

Wu Long’s works were known for their sensuality, and this particular set was a rare, illustrated edition. Such books were generally found only among the wealthy and influential, not in common circles. 

Given the usually reserved and serious demeanor of Prince Huaiyang, discovering his collection of such provocative literature suggested a hidden, playful side to him.

Prince Huaiyang, enjoying her reaction, leaned in and kissed her cheek with a smile. “Reading it on your own would be inappropriate. I don’t read them often either. But if we read them together, we can compare notes and avoid letting ourselves get too carried away or developing any bad habits, don’t you think?”

Liu Mian Tang blushed and pushed him away. “It’s not the time for us to be so close. Didn’t you hear what your mother said today? Before our marriage, we mustn’t stay in the same room. There are too many people in the residence, and even if you don’t care about the details, you should still consider my reputation. Hurry up and go; you’ve already lingered in this courtyard for too long.”

Prince Huaiyang knew well enough that he wouldn't get any intimate moments before marriage. He had hoped to enjoy a moment of closeness as a distraction from his duties, but Liu Mian Tang’s stern demeanor made it clear that was not going to happen.

Understanding the importance of maintaining Liu Mian Tang's dignity in front of his mother, he reluctantly accepted her decision, gave her one last embrace, and left.

That night, Liu Mian Tang slept alone. Her courtyard was a bit far from Prince Huaiyang’s study, but the lake in between did not block her view. Through the partially open window, she could see the candlelight from the study flickering through the night.

The next day, the old princess consort sent word for Liu Mian Tang to join her for a meal and to stay behind to learn how to handle accounts.

During the meal, the old princess consort observed Liu Mian Tang’s manners and found her demeanor to be graceful and refined. She felt reassured, thinking that although Liu Mian Tang's background was modest, she must have received proper education in etiquette before her family fell on hard times.

However, when Liu Mian Tang began copying out the list of ceremonies, the old princess consort frowned and remarked, “Your handwriting... isn’t very good!”

Liu Mian Tang smiled and replied honestly, “Replying to the old princess consort, this is the result of much effort. My handwriting used to be even worse.”

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