Chapter 82: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 82: 

 

When Princess Consort Sui arrived, the Marchioness immediately went to greet her, ushering her to a prominent seat and introducing her to the The Old Princess Consort Chu and Princess Huaisang.

Princess Consort Sui had been married to Prince Sui for many years, but she rarely appeared in public. Prince Sui had led a low-profile life, dedicating himself to ascetic practices, and as his consort, she also refrained from making public appearances and attending social events.

Now that Prince Sui had completed his period of mourning and had returned to his former life, the Princess Consort had the opportunity to step out more.

However, her visit was not without its own underlying reasons. The renowned Zhao Quan had a reputation for his medical skills, and although Princess Consort Sui had one child, she desired more. Unfortunately, she had been diagnosed with a cold constitution and had suffered complications from her previous pregnancy. Thus, she came to seek Zhao Quan's consultation and obtain a remedy.

Given her close relationship with the Old Marchioness, she seized the chance to visit the Marquis residence under the guise of attending a family gathering, allowing her to discreetly seek medical advice and treatment.

Although Princess Consort Sui had rarely been seen in social circles for a long time, she was still a distinguished lady. She greeted Old Princess Consort Chu and Princess Huaisang with a polite nod and a smile, exchanging pleasantries.

Liu Mian Tang had strong feelings about Prince Sui, viewing him as a dangerous and hidden threat. As a result, encountering Princess Consort Sui made her feel somewhat uneasy.

However, the Princess Consort appeared quite amiable, with a demeanor as delicate as a flower in the wind. She spoke softly and looked slender and frail, lacking the appearance of someone who is prosperous or wealthy.

It was rumored that although Prince Sui appeared to have few official concubines, there were many secondary concubines and favored women in his residence, which suggested that the delicate Princess Consort might not have much control over her husband’s roving heart.

Liu Mian Tang noticed that the Princess Consort didn’t seem to recognize her, which was reassuring, as she was aware of the complex and troubled past with Prince Sui.

She recalled that when Prince Sui matchmaker had come to the Lu residence to propose, it was said that the Princess Consort was a virtuous and gentle woman who could tolerate others. From what she saw, this description seemed accurate, as the Princess Consort did indeed appear gentle and soft-spoken.

While they were sitting idly, the Hostess of the Marquis Mansion naturally inquired about the Princess Consort’s well-being.

The Princess Consort smiled and said, “With the new emperor recently enthroned, Prince Sui has been summoned to the capital to attend to state affairs. Soon, our whole family will have to move to the capital. The journey is long, and I am uncertain if my health will hold up...”

When the Hostess of the Marquis Mansion heard this, she naturally congratulated the Princess Consort on her esteemed position and the prospect of accompanying Prince Sui to the capital.

Perhaps feeling grateful for Zhao Quan’s medical consultation, the Princess Consort mentioned that she had a niece who was of similar appearance and temperament to Zhao Quan. The niece’s father served as a prefect in Yuanzhou and was known for his upright character and promising future.

The Marchioness was intrigued by this information and engaged in increasingly warm and enthusiastic conversation about the niece.

Madam Lian Chu, who had been listening intently from the side, grew increasingly dismayed. Despite having multiple royal connections for her daughter’s potential marriages, it seemed they had failed to secure any advantageous match.

Feeling both embarrassed and frustrated, Madam Lian Chu didn’t know whom to direct her anger towards. Ultimately, she excused herself by claiming a headache and left with her daughter, Lian Binglan.

Lian Binglan, aware of the bleak prospects for her own marriage and those of her family, felt despondent. Her age made finding a suitable match even more challenging, and she feared that her future might involve becoming a stepmother or a secondary wife.

Lian Binglan's greatest regret was listening to her mother’s urging to delay her marriage to Prince Huaiyang. If she had gone ahead with the marriage, she might have been a respected princess consort, comfortably chatting at the tea party. Instead, she found herself facing numerous setbacks and an uncertain future.

As she and her mother were leaving, Lian Binglan accidentally bumped into another young lady accompanied by a maid. Madam Lian Chu, already irked, was walking briskly. However, Lian Binglan paused slightly and looked up at the young lady.

“Miss Lian, it’s been a long time. What a coincidence to meet you here…” The young lady immediately curtsied upon seeing Lian Binglan.

Lian Binglan recognized the young lady as Miss He from Lingquan Town, who had been considered as a potential concubine for her cousin. Initially, Lian Binglan had tried to befriend Miss He to facilitate her cousin’s wishes. However, after a reprimand from Cui Xingzhou, Lian Binglan had cut off contact, fearing Miss He had complained about her. Now, encountering her again was unexpected.

Despite this, Lian Binglan felt that, given her current situation, she had no interest in whom Cui Xingzhou was infatuated with. After giving Miss He a cool nod, she turned to leave.

Miss He San had come to the Marquis's residence today to deliver a special set of fine porcelain bowls.

This was a common practice for the He family. Whenever there were banquets at the residences of nobility, the family’s servants would notify the He family, allowing them to send porcelain as a gift. This provided an opportunity to make a favorable impression and gain influential patrons if the hosts were willing to receive them.

Today, Miss He San had brought a set of exquisite bone china teacups, the only set produced from this kiln firing. The tea set had been bought at a high price by the tea-loving Marchioness.

To show off her new acquisition, Lady Marquis had asked Miss He to present the tea set personally in the front hall.

Unexpectedly, Miss He encountered Lian Binglan at the entrance of the courtyard.

Seeing that Miss He and Miss Lian Binglan were both figures of misfortune, having missed out on the marriage with Prince Huaiyang, she did not take offense at Lian Binglan's cold demeanor.

As she was about to proceed inside, she happened to glimpse Liu Mian Tang seated next to the Old Princess Consort through the courtyard window and exclaimed, “Oh… why is Madam Cui here as well?”

Lian Binglan paused, puzzled, and asked, “Madam Cui? Which Madam Cui are you referring to?”

Miss He San, noticing Liu Mian Tang’s presence and believing she was a competitor also vying for favor, assumed that the Yushao Porcelain Store might have sent someone to curry favor and attract wealthy clients.

Although she was friendly with Liu Mian Tang, she knew her tactics and felt a bit flustered. Thus, she tried to probe further, “The lady sitting next to the Old Princess Consort, isn’t she Madam Cui from Burned Jade Porcelain Store? Do you know if she has presented any porcelain today?”

Lian Binglan, now rooted in place, asked slowly, “Yushao Porcelain Store? You mean the one from the North Street in Lingquan Town… Madam Cui?”

Seeing Lian Binglan’s firm tone, Miss He San was even more convinced that Liu Mian Tang was indeed trying to outshine her, so she hurriedly confirmed, “Yes, she’s indeed from North Street!”

“Then… what is her husband’s name?”

“He seems to be the ninth in line, known as Cui Jiu.”

Lian Binglan’s body swayed slightly, and she turned sharply to peer through the lattice window, glaring intensely at the smiling Liu Mian Tang.

So it turns out…!

Lian Binglan, realizing the true identity of Liu Mian Tang, felt a surge of anger and betrayal. She had wondered why someone so unexpectedly prominent had appeared at the tea party, only to discover that Liu Mian Tang was the very concubine from North Street who had now been made the legitimate princess consort.

Her fiancé had initially claimed he had doubts about her, breaking off their engagement and making her the object of ridicule. In reality, he had been entangled with the concubine all along, pursuing his own desires while disregarding all propriety.

Reflecting on her own situation as a dignified young lady who had always followed the rules and served the Dowager Empress faithfully, Lian Binglan felt deeply wronged. She was infuriated that she, despite her adherence to propriety, had been overshadowed by someone whose father was a convicted criminal and who lived with a man before marriage.

The frustration and injustice she felt made her eyes well up with tears, and she was on the verge of breaking down. Seeing Lian Binglan’s sudden emotional outburst, Miss He was puzzled and asked what was wrong.

Lian Binglan, wiping away her tears, turned to Miss He and asked softly, “I remember you mentioned that you had a close friend who was quite accomplished. Is this Madam Cui the same person?”

Miss He nodded slowly, recalling that she had spoken of Madam Cui’s achievements in their conversations.

Lian Binglan managed a faint smile, brushing away the tears from her eyes, and leaned closer to Miss He, whispering, “Then do you know that the man your friend sleeps with every night is the very Prince Huaiyang you’ve been yearning for?”

After speaking, Lian Binglan disregarded Miss He's reaction and hurriedly turned, chasing after her mother who had already started to leave.

Lian Binglan prided herself on not being foolish enough to confront the situation directly. She understood Miss He’s deep feelings and knew that if she discovered the truth about Liu Mian Tang being involved with Prince Huaiyang, it would cause a major scandal.

By publicly exposing Liu Mian Tang as Prince Huaiyang’s former concubine, she could ensure that both the Prince’s reputation and the royal household’s dignity would be severely compromised.

Unfortunately, due to her own need to avoid any appearance of personal involvement, she decided against staying to watch the unfolding drama.

Miss He San, on hearing Lian Binglan’s whisper, felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She stood frozen in disbelief, peering through the lattice window at Liu Mian Tang—dressed in resplendent attire, adorned with jewels and pearls, and behaving like a high-ranking noblewoman as she laughed and chatted beside the Old Princess Consort.

Meanwhile, the steward stationed at the garden gate grew impatient and urged her, “Miss He, hurry up! Don’t keep the Lady of the House waiting!”

With a dazed expression, Miss He slowly moved her feet and followed the steward into the garden, approaching the group of noblewomen who were engaged in lively conversation.

At this moment, Liu Mian Tang glanced over and saw Miss He looking at her with reddened eyes. After returning to Lingquan Town, Liu Mian Tang had intended to have a thorough conversation with Miss He. She had always prided herself on acting with a clear conscience, but it seemed she had been unjustly made to appear as a concubine due to a deceitful man’s schemes.

Others were unaware of the subtle tension between the two young women, but Liu Mian Tang knew that Miss He’s emotional nature, despite her usual sharpness, made her a person easily affected by matters of the heart. If a scene were to unfold at the tea party, it would not only embarrass the Prince's family but also implicate the He family.

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