Chapter 120: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 120: 

 

Since arriving in the capital, Mian Tang hadn't felt that her husband had become busier.

Compared to when they were in the Northwest or Zhenzhou, Prince Huaiyang seemed more like a carefree, indulgent young master who shirked responsibilities.

Because of the incident at Wangshan Temple, Cui Xingzhou had the audacity to request a long leave from the Emperor, claiming that his princess consort had been quite frightened and he needed to stay at home to accompany her.

Since the Emperor's woman was the instigator of this mess, even though Cui Xingzhou's request for leave wasn't very dignified, it couldn't be denied.

So for the past few days, the prince didn't have to attend morning court or go to the government offices; he spent every day accompanying Mian Tang as she did her makeup in the morning, enjoyed flowers in the courtyard, and occasionally strolled through the market.

Mian Tang stood at the fried cake stall, her face stern as she watched the bean-filled cakes slowly puff up in the bubbling oil, sizzling and splattering as they were flipped. Unable to hold back any longer, she finally said to the man beside her, "Prince, I don't think it's a proper way for a couple to always stick together."

Prince Huaiyang took a bite of the fried cake he had just bought, finding it both greasy and sweet. He frowned slightly and responded off-topic, "Did you buy these whenever I wasn't around?"

Mian Tang shot him a glare and turned her head, not saying a word. Next to her, Bicao cautiously chimed in, "Princess Consort doesn't always buy these; she used to prefer cold cakes a while ago..."

Prince Huaiyang's eyes widened in surprise as he looked down at Mian Tang. "You mean the cold cakes that upset your stomach a few days ago?"

This time, Mian Tang didn't glare at Prince Huaiyang but turned her glare on Bicao instead.

Cui Xingzhou frowned. "You need to remember that you're pregnant now, and the street food isn't clean. You should eat less. Today is the last time; if you want something in the future, we have a pastry chef in the residence who can make it for you."

Mian Tang patiently said, "Some snacks just can't be replicated in the residence. For example, these fried cakes need that old oil flavor to taste right... We're close to the Military Department. You haven't been there for several days; do you want to go take a look?"

Cui Xingzhou's expression darkened as he looked down at Liu Mian Tang. "You don't want me to accompany you?"

Feeling a bit guilty, Liu Mian Tang took a bite of the fried cake and thought to herself, just a little bit...

Compared to the perfect husband from the North Street, having a husband who is always home is certainly good, but the fact that Prince Huaiyang always lingered around her was driving her a bit crazy.

Liu Mian Tang, who had always been accustomed to freedom, even as Princess Consort Huaiyang now, had her own things to manage beyond socializing with the other noble ladies.

For example, she needed to take care of the four shops she had recently purchased in the capital, verify the accounts of the newly opened escort agency, and arrange the daily lives of her old brothers from Yangshan.

A few of her brothers had met suitable ladies, but unfortunately, they didn't have parents, so it was up to her to arrange their marriages!

But with Cui Xingzhou around, wouldn't he see all the things she couldn't let him see?

Seeing the guilty look in Mian Tang's eyes, Cui Xingzhou had already guessed her answer. He simply wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. "It's rare for me to have a few days of leisure. In a couple of days, I’ll probably be busy and won’t see you at all. How dare you show impatience with me!"

Realizing that Cui Xingzhou was unhappy, Mian Tang quickly took his hand and shook it like she was coaxing a child. "I'm not impatient! I just don't want to delay your important matters... Oh, let's go to the chess and painting shop later. I'll buy you a set of jade chess pieces. It's been a while since I bought you something!"

Bicao watched from the side, feeling that her mistress was coaxing the prince like one would a little girl, using smooth talk to get her way. Strangely enough, the tall and handsome Prince seemed to fall for it, and under her coaxing, the frost on his face melted slightly, hinting at a warmer spring.

After visiting the fried cake stall, the carriage was about to head toward the chess and painting shop. 

But just then, someone rode up on horseback, accompanied by a servant, chasing after them. Seeing the Prince, the rider appeared as if he had found a long-lost relative, his eyes welling up with tears. With a choked voice, he dismounted from his horse and exclaimed, "Prince, we finally found you! The Military Department is in complete chaos. You should go take a look!"

Cui Xingzhou remained unfazed and replied, "Isn't Minister Ma in charge at the Military Department? If there's an issue, just ask him. I've already taken leave from His Majesty to accompany my frightened Princess Consort at home..."

The man nearly dropped to his knees, saying, "Prince, you are the Grand Commandant of the Military Department! With all the trouble happening there, how can Minister Ma handle everything on his own?"

Cui Xingzhou wore a smile that was more of a smirk on his handsome face as he coldly snorted, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, Master Ji, I would have almost forgotten that the Military Department is under my authority! Go tell Ma Zhongming that since he thinks he can handle all the affairs of the Military Department, he should just take care of them himself. After all, those documents you’ve been reviewing? I haven’t even looked at them, and any mistakes that come up will be on me for resting at home.”

With that, he lowered the curtain of the carriage and ordered the driver to move on.

Liu Mian Tang had been listening closely and started to piece together why Cui Xingzhou was so leisurely accompanying her. It seemed that this prince had set some sort of trap for the arrogant subordinates at the Military Department. Now that they found themselves in a tight spot, they came seeking the prince’s help, while Cui Xingzhou could finally vent the frustrations he had previously endured.

It was unfortunate for those at the Military Department. They underestimated the fact that Prince Huaiyang was merely a warrior on the battlefield, thinking they could easily outmaneuver him with their clumsy tactics. Little did they know, he was a master strategist and a grudge-holder who put in the effort. They were no match for Prince Huaiyang!

Back when they were on Yangshan, Liu Mian Tang had managed to make Cui Xingzhou suffer a few losses, and he had never forgotten it. He patiently played the role of a fake husband for an entire year just to bait “Lu Wen.” If he hadn’t mistakenly thought Liu Yu was Lu Wen, he probably wouldn’t have given up until he caught Lu Wen!

But… if he found out that Lu Wen had been with him for so long and even married Lu Wen… Based on Liu Mian Tang’s understanding of Cui Xingzhou, this prince had a vengeful nature and a narrow mind. He would likely be infuriated beyond measure. At that point, his methods of retaliation would probably be endless.

Thinking of this, Mian Tang's expression immediately turned sour. She sighed and wrapped her arms around Cui Xingzhou's waist, tracing his prominent nose and thin lips with her long fingers, gazing at him with a touch of melancholy—such a handsome man, and he wouldn’t always be available to her. She realized she shouldn’t have been impatient; she had indeed been a bit oblivious to her good fortune…

However, from Cui Xingzhou’s perspective, this behavior of hers was nothing short of flirting!

Although his princess wasn’t a noble lady from a high-ranking family, she did come from an official household.

But sometimes, when she teased him, it was even bolder and more provocative than the courtesans in the red-light districts. Her maternal grandfather was a man of integrity, and he couldn’t help but worry about this girl; he just wanted to keep her locked by his side to feel at ease.

Just like now, her slender fingers were igniting sparks all over his face, yet her eyes carried a hazy sadness, her large eyes misty like a cat's, appearing all the more innocent.

Cui Xingzhou felt his throat tighten. Unfortunately, they were in a carriage, not at the prince’s residence. No matter how fiery his feelings were, he couldn’t immediately have his way with her. Instead, he bent down to capture her delicate lips, savoring them as best he could…

Mian Tang tightened her arms around his neck, responding passionately. Sometimes, one couldn’t afford to wait for such delightful moments!

After their excursion, Mian Tang bought many things for her beloved husband. She felt somewhat guilty about her earlier impatience, and she figured that by showering him with affection now, she might salvage some of her standing later when everything came to light.

She certainly couldn’t be like those foolish officials in the military department, offending someone and leaving no room for negotiation!

In addition to pampering her husband, Mian Tang also bought quite a few things for her sister-in-law, Cui Fu.

Cui Fu had been feeling a bit down lately, heartbroken over her lost child. Along with the pain from her separation, everything seemed to weigh heavily on her.

Once they returned to the estate, Mian Tang was swept into the inner chamber by Cui Xingzhou, where they indulged in tender intimacy for the entire afternoon before things finally settled down.

Li Guangcai arrived during dinner, clearly planning to mooch a meal at the prince's residence.

Since both of them had official matters to discuss, they ate and drank together in the study.

Meanwhile, Mian Tang accompanied Cui Fu for dinner.

Today, when Mian Tang went to the market, she bought a lot of toys for Jin'er. However, when she arrived at Cui Fu's room, she found Jin'er happily unwrapping several large paper packages on a thick mat. Upon asking, she learned that they were gifts from Lord Li Guangcai.

Mian Tang took a look and saw that they were all new and novel items from Qibaozhai, a time-honored brand in the capital. There were sets of action figures with movable joints that could even switch weapons, as well as a small wooden horse on wheels that looked quite pricey.

In comparison, the toys Mian Tang bought seemed a bit less exciting; the big cloth tiger and wooden swords were clearly not as captivating as Lord Li's offerings.

Jin'er pointed to the cloth tiger and said, "Aunt, let the baby in your belly play with this! I'm already a grown-up and can't play with that!"

Mian Tang teased, "Well, since you're a grown-up, no wetting the bed tonight! You've already soaked the bedding at my place!"

Jin'er's face turned red, and he burrowed into his aunt's fragrant embrace, acting all cute.

After playing with Jin'er for a while, she sent him off to play with the maids. Then she asked Cui Fu, "Sister, since you didn't break things off with the Guo family earlier, I didn’t want to pry. But now I have to ask—have you and Lord Li ever been childhood sweethearts?"

Cui Fu was drinking soup when Mian Tang casually asked this question, nearly causing her to spit it out. She usually paid great attention to her dining manners, but now, feeling a bit angry, she set down her chopsticks and pinched Mian Tang's tender face, saying, "You really dare to ask! I have never met him alone, so how could we have been childhood sweethearts?"

Although Liu Mian Tang had her face pinched, she still refused to give up. She turned her face to the other side and offered it to Cui Fu, then asked, “So why hasn’t Lord Li gotten married yet? And why is he so generous to you, sister? Don’t you know that he’s the kind of person who would want to split a large sum of money into four pieces?”

Cui Fu was taken aback. “How would I know why he hasn’t married? He just bought some toys for the child because of the Prince. How did you come up with all these… Why are you offering your face?”

Mian Tang replied affectionately, “I’m worried you might get annoyed and pinch my face again, so I thought I’d offer it early to save you from straining your back!”

Cui Fu, who had been troubled for several days, couldn’t help but laugh at her sister-in-law’s antics. She poked Mian Tang’s forehead and said, “My brother is the most serious person; how did he end up with someone so mischievous like you? If you keep saying these nonsensical things, I won’t pinch your face anymore. Right now, I don’t even hope to remarry; I just want to raise Jin'er to adulthood, and that would be enough for me.”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

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