Chapter 99: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 Chapter 99: 

 

Cui Xingzhou listened to Liu Mian Tang’s tearful accusation, but his tone remained unyielding: “I know you have a slim waist and long legs; that’s not the point. Why does it matter if others see it on the wedding day? Besides, it’s only been loosened a little. You’ll still look graceful in it.”

Pregnancy had made Liu Mian Tang more sensitive, and she had been having trouble controlling her tears lately. So, after Cui Xingzhou's forceful alteration of her wedding dress, tears streamed down her face in pairs.

When Liu Mian Tang sat quietly, her usually delicate, translucent face now glistening with tears, she was truly pitiable.

Her silent, tearful demeanor was more heart-wrenching than a thousand troops trampling over everything.

Cui Xingzhou endured for a moment, then, with a darkened expression, shouted towards the outside: “Go, find that tailor and have the princess’s dress altered back to its original state!”

After shouting, he turned to check on Liu Mian Tang, only to find her still silently crying.

Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and said, “That should be enough. If you keep crying, there won’t be time to make a second dress!”

Liu Mian Tang’s sadness was uncontrollable. Back when she lived in North Street, she had always revered her husband, Cui Jiu, who, despite being broad-minded and lenient, rarely involved himself in her affairs. She often felt grateful for having such a generous and refined husband.

But now, that magnanimous husband seemed to have vanished, and the current Prince had been increasingly strict with her.

Liu Mian Tang even worried that if Cui Xingzhou discovered her past involving Lu Wen, she might be chained and imprisoned in a private jail, her family disgrace hidden from the public, and her freedom completely stripped away.

Thinking about this, she felt as though she were witnessing a tragic play, her emotions becoming more intense and uncontrollable, and she eventually began to sob aloud.

Cui Xingzhou gritted his teeth and endured for a while before finally wrapping his arms around her, gently patting her back while saying coldly, “I only ordered a dress to be altered. Did I somehow provoke a natural disaster?”

Liu Mian Tang sniffled, “When I was in North Street, you didn’t concern yourself with these small matters. Are you going to manage every aspect of my life now?”

Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and said, “I didn’t just ignore you before; I didn’t even sleep with you! Do you really want to live like we did in North Street?”

Liu Mian Tang inadvertently broke her composure and laughed out loud, “Fine, I actually liked that kind of respectful and harmonious life.”

Cui Xingzhou felt himself being led in circles by her words. He leaned in and took a fierce bite at Liu Mian Tang’s tear-streaked face.

Liu Mian Tang had recently gained a bit of weight, which made her cheeks fuller and added to her noble aura. The texture of her skin was delightful, and when Cui Xingzhou bit her, she felt a tickling sensation and playfully nipped at his earlobe.

As their playful interactions continued, they ended up sharing a kiss. Embracing such a handsome man with their lips and teeth entwined was intoxicating. Cui Xingzhou’s beauty, combined with his youthful vigor, made Liu Mian Tang reluctant to let him go.

Her sadness melted away significantly, and the allure of his presence made even the thought of future confinement seem worth it. 

The dispute over the wedding dress eventually subsided. Recently, Cui Xingzhou had not only been preparing for their marriage but also for their trip to the capital. Due to Liu Mian Tang’s unstable pregnancy, he had been staying at home, which caused delays. Now, he would return home only for a brief lunch and to spend some time with Liu Mian Tang before hurrying off to handle other affairs.

As Cui Xingzhou departed, Li Mama, who had just returned to the residence, brought Liu Mian Tang some nourishing soup for her pregnancy. She persistently reminded Liu Mian Tang, “Princess, you’re carrying a little prince now. Don’t be shedding tears too easily. When you’re old and your eyesight fails, you’ll regret not taking better care of yourself.”

Liu Mian Tang missed hearing Li Mama’s earnest advice. The palace cooks prepared delicious meals, but they lacked the unique flavor that Li Mama’s cooking had.

Because Liu Mian Tang was pregnant, Cui Xingzhou felt she needed the care of an experienced person, so he had Li Mama return to the residence to look after her.

Liu Mian Tang was delighted to have her favorite nourishing soups and enjoyed hearing Li Mama’s advice. She even responded obediently with a soft “mm” when Li Mama spoke to her.

Li Mama looked at the Princess with a smile, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Despite having served many masters in her lifetime, none had given her as much satisfaction as this young lady. Liu Mian Tang’s grace and demeanor, all taught by Li Mama herself, had impressed the local aristocrats who came to deliver congratulatory gifts the day before. Liu Mian Tang’s presence beside the Old Princess Consort had showcased her poise and grandeur, even surpassing the Old Princess Consort in showing the airs of the manor’s mistress.

As Liu Mian Tang sipped her nourishing soup, she inquired about past matters in the manor, particularly focusing on Madam Qin and Fifth Master.

Li Mama, familiar with the old affairs of the manor, responded with ease.

“Princess, don’t be deceived by Madam Qin’s current quiet demeanor. She was once quite favored and showed off her status. But how long can one rely on charm alone? When Fifth Master’s leg became lame and the Prince reprimanded her for being unable to protect her child, she gradually lost favor. When new concubines entered the manor, she was no longer in vogue with the old Prince…”

Liu Mian Tang smiled faintly and asked, “So, how did Fifth Master’s leg become lame?”

In the past, Li Mama might have been cautious about divulging such secrets, but with Liu Mian Tang about to become the new Madam of the manor, she felt it was her duty to be transparent and assist Liu Mian Tang in managing the household.

“He became lame due to a disease. At that time, there was an outbreak of a wasting disease in nearby counties. Those infected either died or ended up with lamed legs. Fifth Master, while diligently studying in the manor and not leaving, was still infected. It is said that someone deliberately replaced his tea cup with one contaminated with the disease…”

Li Mama continued, “At that time, it was a contest between Madam Shen and Madam Qin for favor. Their sons were of similar age and both were preparing for the imperial examinations. However, Fifth Master was naturally more intelligent and clever compared to Sixth Master, Madam Shen’s son. If he hadn’t fallen ill, he would likely have performed well in the exams. Even if he couldn’t inherit the throne as a son of a concubine, he would still bring honor to the family. On the other hand, Sixth Master might not have performed as well. But with this illness, Sixth Master ended up making a name for himself.”

These old intrigues of the manor were based on Li Mama’s personal observations rather than solid evidence.

Liu Mian Tang listened and asked, “What about Sixth Master? I recall you mentioned he is no longer alive…”

Li Mama nodded, “He drowned in a pond while drinking outside. Fifth Master was also there, but he was drunk as well. Although he tried his best to jump into the pond to save his brother, a lame man has a hard time saving himself, let alone rescuing someone else.”

Liu Mian Tang’s thoughts stirred, “And what happened afterward?”

Li Mama, while ironing new baby clothes, continued, “There was no further development. When the servants arrived after hearing the cries for help, Sixth Master had already drowned. Fifth Master was saved by sheer luck but was on the brink of death. Later, the two servants who had been with them were executed by the old Prince.”

Liu Mian Tang listened for a moment and then asked thoughtfully, “Did Fifth Master know how to swim before this?”

Li Mama was taken aback by the question and hesitated, “He probably didn’t know how to swim…”

Given the nature of such inauspicious old stories, Li Mama preferred to mention them briefly and avoid discussing them further to prevent disturbing Liu Mian Tang’s pregnancy.

She then reassured Liu Mian Tang, “The old Prince had many wives and concubines, so schemes and rivalries were inevitable. However, the current Prince’s residence is much more peaceful than before. In the future, when you and the Prince move to the capital, you won’t need to deal with such family dynamics, and things will be much more pleasant.”

Liu Mian Tang smiled slightly at these words and didn’t comment further. After all, Li Mama had a point. Compared to many new wives in large households, she would indeed have fewer worries in the coming years, especially since she wouldn’t have to serve a mother-in-law.

On the day of the wedding, even before dawn, the area outside was bustling with activity. Many of the townsfolk of Zhenzhou had come out to the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the new princess.

The wedding timing was quite unusual. While most weddings start early in the morning, the Prince Huaiyang’s residence had announced that the ceremony would not begin until later. They planned for the bride to start her preparations only when the sun was high in the sky, causing many to remark on the unique and extravagant nature of the event.

Liu Mian Tang felt a twinge of anxiety as she realized the reason behind Prince Huaiyang's unconventional wedding schedule was to accommodate the lazy bride who struggled to rise early. Though her heart fluttered with sweetness, she was determined to make the most of the opportunity and present herself with grace, honoring her groom.

The wedding dress, adjusted back to its slender, elegant fit, flowed out to her ankles in a manner reminiscent of the mermaids from the tales of the Eastern Sea. Her delicate wrists were adorned with gold bangles inlaid with turquoise, and her high coiffure was embellished with a full set of cascading tassels and a peacock crown, adorned with gemstones the size of quail eggs.

The luxurious crown made her face appear even more refined and narrow, with her crimson lips and slanted phoenix eyes adding a touch of allure. 

As Liu Mian Tang, resplendent and graceful, was assisted out of the courtyard, Prince Huaiyang, standing at the entrance to welcome his bride, found himself momentarily breathless. He knew she was beautiful, but he was astonished by how breathtakingly captivating she looked.

The sense of fulfillment he felt was unmatched. However, he regretted that such an exquisite and charming bride would soon be on display for others to see. If it were up to him, he would have preferred to keep her hidden away, shielding his precious Liu Mian Tang from the gaze of the common folk.

With these thoughts, the Prince extended his hand to assist his new bride. Meanwhile, Liu Mian Tang gazed at the dashing and extraordinary man before her with admiration.

Liu Mian Tang was surprised to see how the Prince of Huaiyang, a man with such a cool and reserved demeanor, could wear the vibrant red ceremonial robe with such an ethereal grace. The golden crown accentuated his eyes like cold stars, and his majestic presence completely subdued the robe’s flamboyance, making him truly captivating.

The bride’s unreserved gaze and unabashed smile at the groom amused the surrounding guests. 

Li Mama quietly reminded her, “Princess, try to be more reserved. You’ve seen the Prince before; you shouldn’t stare at him and smile so openly. Remember to maintain your composure and decorum!”

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