Chapter 125: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 125: 

 

Although it was a bit late, the stern-looking Prince Huaiyang finally caught up with a vendor who was about to pack up at the street corner, bringing back a bag of steaming hot fried cakes after reheating the oil.

Mian Tang had to admit that freshly fried cakes were indeed more delicious; biting into one still steaming, the sticky dough could be pulled into strands.

However, when it came to eating, sometimes it was about the mood. Once that moment passed, the craving was gone.

While Cui Xingzhou was out buying the cakes, Mian Tang couldn’t withstand her hunger and devoured a large bowl of shrimp noodle soup that Mama Li brought her. Now she felt quite full.

But looking at Cui Xingzhou's gloomy expression, she couldn’t help but pretend to eat a few bites. After taking a delicate bite or two, she offered the cakes to him, saying, “You should eat some too!”

Prince Huaiyang stared at her red, swollen eyes, still feeling angry. He waved his hand dismissively, “Who wants to eat this junk!”

This female bandit had indeed come into his mansion to cause trouble. Although she didn’t bring any soldiers, her ability to stir things up was not to be underestimated.

The cool night breeze on his way back from buying the fried cakes was enough to help him calm down.

He would not sign that piece of paper. When he married her, all the matchmaking and bride price were formal and complete. How could she just leave whenever she wanted?

Since Lu Wen had fallen into his hands, there was no way he could leave unscathed. First, they needed to ensure that the child was born.

Mian Tang noticed that Cui Xingzhou seemed to be less angry than before, so she cautiously asked if he could release the Loyal Four Brothers.

Cui Xingzhou's face remained taut as he replied, “Liu Mian Tang, if you want to live a good life with me, you must completely sever ties with your past involving Lu Wen. The evidence of their rebellion in Dongzhou is undeniable; how could I possibly release them?”

Mian Tang straightened her back. “Are you saying that they must be put to death?”

Cui Xingzhou indeed meant that. He believed that the fewer people who knew about Mian Tang’s past as a bandit, the better. Her actions back then, as she herself had said, were too youthful and ignorant. Driven by her infatuation with Liu Yu, she had personally taken to the streets to raise the banner, and the situation had spiraled out of control.

But she was older now and had finally seen the error of her ways by marrying properly. Why was she still entangled with the mess of Yangshan, keeping a few bandits around her?

Prince Huaiyang hoped that Mian Tang would cut through the chaos decisively. However, how could she be so ruthless? “Those few were picked up by me on the street. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have turned to banditry. We must take responsibility for our actions. Since I led them astray, how could I turn a blind eye? If you are determined to deal with them, then throw me in prison too!”

Cui Xingzhou had argued enough for the day. He stood up and said, “I’m going to the study to work. You should get some rest. We can talk about it later.”

With that, he headed to the study.

Mian Tang opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t call out to him.

She had envisioned Cui Xingzhou’s reaction upon discovering her secret. To be honest, today’s outcome was much better than she had imagined. However, she didn’t expect that while he would treat her lightly, he would impose severe punishment on the Loyal Four Brothers.

From the perspective of national law, she indeed had no right to ask Prince Huaiyang for special treatment, as it was an undeniable fact that those four had incited the people of Dongzhou to riot and rebel. Mian Tang bit her lip, knowing that only by seeking a general amnesty could she save the four brothers.

But no matter what, Prince Huaiyang had returned to the residence day after day, no longer in a cold standoff with Mian Tang. However, one thing was clear: she shouldn’t mention the remnants of Yangshan to him.

Cui Fu was unaware that her brother and sister-in-law were secretly at odds. She only felt that after their argument, her brother had returned to his usual polite demeanor and was taking good care of Mian Tang. The atmosphere in the Prince's residence was harmonious, which reassured her as the elder sister.

Although Cui Xingzhou refused to release the prisoners, he couldn’t stop Mian Tang from visiting them.

Worried that the food in the prison would be unappetizing, Liu Mian Tang had Li Mama prepare several large food boxes filled with wine and meat, neatly arranged. She then personally delivered them to the military prison.

The guards, seeing the princess had come in person, likely out of obligation, did not stop her.

The other three brothers were fine, but the youngest, Lu Quan, burst into tears upon seeing the princess arrive with so much food.

Mian Tang noticed he was crying so hard and asked him what was wrong.

Lu Quan choked as he said, "They say seeing chicken legs in prison isn’t a good sign; it's a last meal before execution. But now with pigs, cows, and sheep… doesn’t that mean we’re going to be torn apart by five horses?"

His voice trembled, and the other three brothers, hearing this, suddenly found the meat they had brought to their mouths stuck in their throats, making it difficult to swallow.

Liu Mian Tang picked up a chicken leg and shoved it into Lu Quan’s open mouth. "Just eat! The King of Hell said you have a long life ahead of you!"

Lu Yi set down his bowl and looked at Mian Tang. "Your Highness... How could you come here in person? We... We were wrong to hide our identities, but please don’t let this implicate you..."

Lu Yi knew that walls have ears, and he intended to protect the gang leader. If Cui Xingzhou found out about that part of the gang leader's past, wouldn’t he make life difficult for her?

Mian Tang waved her hand dismissively, saying, “He already knows everything, so you don’t have to resist. Just tell him the truth about whatever he asks… But the beating was way too harsh!”

Seeing the brothers covered in wounds from the whips, Mian Tang felt even more guilty.

When Lu Yi heard this, he widened his eyes and anxiously looked Mian Tang up and down. “He… he didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Mian Tang thought to herself that the prince had indeed done something to her, but discussing matters of the bed with these four thick-headed boys was not appropriate!

So she reassured them, “What could happen? I’m pregnant, and for the sake of his child, he has to hold back a bit when dealing with me. Don’t worry about me. In a few days, I’ll find a way to get you out. I’ve also reassured Lu Zhong’s family, and I promise you’ll be safe to get married.”

Lu Zhong didn’t care about his marriage at all; he grasped the bars and said, “Gang leader, that scoundrel of Prince Huaiyang is cunning. If he becomes suspicious of you, your future won’t be easy either. Please don’t worry about us; you need to think about your own escape route!”

For a moment, all four brothers urged Liu Mian Tang to be wary of the villain Cui Xingzhou, warning her not to let her guard down.

Indeed, there were ears on the other side of the walls, and the brothers’ advice to stay alert for schemers was ultimately conveyed intact to Prince Huaiyang.

Li Guangcai was discussing matters with the Prince at that moment. He had recently discovered that he had unknowingly played matchmaker for this pair of deadly enemies.

In shock, Li Guangcai asked the prince, “If you intend to execute these four brothers, why do you still allow the princess to see them?”

Cui Xingzhou was bent over, writing furiously, and said casually, “A wild horse must be reined in; if I don’t frighten her, she might try to deceive me again next time.”

Li Guangcai pondered this for a moment and began to understand Prince Huaiyang's intention. If he truly wanted to kill and silence someone, he wouldn’t have left those four boys—who spoke so recklessly—alive until now.

The prince likely couldn’t bear to kill those boys, and they served as the best reins to control the unruly wild horse that was the princess.

However, Li Guangcai was worried about something else.

“Your Highness, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should…”

Prince Huaiyang looked up at him and said, “There’s no one here; if you have something to say, Brother Guangcai, feel free to speak.”

Li Guangcai considered for a moment before saying, “The princess is currently in love with you and has no other thoughts, but Your Highness should know that she has lost a part of her memory. If one day she regains it, we cannot say for certain that she will feel the same way as she does now. Keeping the princess by your side leaves a hidden danger…”

“Enough,” Cui Xingzhou interrupted Li Guangcai, saying coolly, “Do you think I can’t handle a former subordinate?”

Li Guangcai didn’t dare to underestimate the prince. Just then, Princess Consort Huaiyang, after visiting the prison, conveniently came to the government office to see the prince.

Because the reins were firmly in the prince's hands, the princess now adhered to proper etiquette, treating the prince with great respect and care.

Seeing her take out dishes from the food boxes, Cui Xingzhou scoffed and said, “This is what prisoners couldn’t eat in the cell, and you’re bringing me the leftovers?”

Mian Tang glared at him with her charming big eyes and replied, “These aren’t leftovers! They are the dishes you chose yesterday. I got up early to make them for you. Feel how warm they still are! I asked Mo Ru, and he said you had a late breakfast, which is why I didn’t hurry to bring them over. What, are you hungry?”

As she spoke, she even reached out to touch his stomach. Cui Xingzhou grabbed her soft hand and said, "Sweet-talking... Don’t go to such filthy places again... Tomorrow, I want sweet and sour ribs."

Mian Tang quickly nodded, "I’ll have someone pick the best ribs and marinate them for you..." Then she turned to Lord Li and said, "I’ve prepared plenty of food today, Lord Li, why don't you join us for a meal?"

Li Guangcai, enticed by the smell of the food, couldn’t resist, so he unceremoniously joined them for the meal.

When they finally left, Li Guangcai followed behind the princess as they exited.

At the entrance to the office, Liu Mian Tang didn’t immediately get into her carriage but instead deliberately waited for Lord Li.

Li Guangcai assumed that the princess wanted to ask him to plead with the prince on her behalf. He was thinking of how to advise her to follow the prince’s will more in the future when Mian Tang said, "Jin'er has been talking about his Uncle Li, the one who always sends him toys. If you're not too busy, why not visit the manor sometime? In a few days, the chrysanthemums in the manor will bloom. I’m planning to host a poetry gathering then, and you should come to add some literary flair to the event!"

Li Guangcai couldn’t quite figure out the princess’s intentions, so he simply smiled and said, "The princess certainly has a refined taste... I thought..."

Liu Mian Tang replied openly, "You thought I was going to ask you to plead on their behalf, didn’t you? To be honest, I was quite worried before I came today, but after seeing that the four brothers have already had their wounds treated with medicine, I’m not worried anymore."

Earlier, she had been scared out of her wits by Cui Xingzhou and hadn’t seen things clearly. But now, seeing that the four brothers were fine, she gradually started to figure out what the prince was thinking.

"However... do tell the prince that punishing a monkey only works when the monkey is disobedient. But someone like me, who listens and behaves, only needs a little scare. Keeping those four locked up for too long isn't a good idea, or their hard-won brides might just run away... Alright, I’ll head back now. Don’t forget to visit the manor in a few days!"

After saying this, Liu Mian Tang smiled and got into the carriage.

Lord Li was left standing there, staring as the carriage sped off into the distance.

He really did think that this former defeated opponent of the prince might become even harder to handle!

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