Chapter 127: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" (Are You the One)

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 127: 

 

Mian Tang's mouth was pinched flat, resembling a little duck, leaving her unable to voice any rebuttal.

What does he mean by calling her a cow? Is he criticizing her for gaining weight during pregnancy? Her eyes began to well up with tears again.

Once Cui Xingzhou released her, she turned away, sobbing and claiming that he despised her.

Cui Xingzhou hadn’t expected that, after Mian Tang became pregnant, he would find himself in a position like Yu the Great, who had to manage floods. He helplessly pulled the little cow back into his embrace and reassured her, saying that cows were beautiful too, with long legs and big behinds, and they could even produce milk.

Such silly comments naturally made Mian Tang laugh through her tears. Now that her belly had grown, Cui Xingzhou dared not be too rough; he simply held her close and showered her with kisses, truly hoping for a smooth delivery for his little cow.

If anyone had told him that he would one day be unable to live without the bandit leader, Lu Wen, he would have scoffed at the idea.

But now, he couldn’t bear even the slightest talk of her encountering any mishap. Even if she were a disaster, she had to stay by his side and wreak havoc for a thousand years!

However, the rumors about the discord between the Prince Huaiyang couple were spreading like wildfire. Anyone with some connections knew that the Princess Consort seemed to be hiding some unsavory past, deceiving the Prince into marrying her.

Consort Yun, who had been kneeling in front of the royal ancestral hall with her knees swollen and bruised, had been recuperating in her palace these days. Upon hearing this news, she was overjoyed and immediately asked her maid, Huaping, “Is it really true?”

Huaping nodded repeatedly, whispering, “That’s what everyone is saying. I’ve heard that Prince Huaiyang severely beat her, completely disregarding her pregnancy. Isn’t that practically a death sentence? If things go badly, she might even suffer a miscarriage and lose her life.”

Consort Yun, amidst her surprise, couldn't help but lament repeatedly, “I never expected that Prince Huaiyang hadn’t looked into her background. I was puzzled about how those two, who were once at each other's throats, could end up sleeping in the same bed. It turns out he was completely unaware! I thought Liu Mian Tang was living a charmed life, but she actually married as a bandit leader into a military den! Hahaha, it’s utterly ridiculous!”

But then, her expression tightened, and she commanded, “Tell the people from the Imperial Surveillance  Office not to inform His Majesty about this.” If Liu Yu learned that Liu Mian Tang had fallen out of favor with Prince Huaiyang, he would undoubtedly be overjoyed and eager to bring that wretched woman into the palace.

Even if he considered Prince Huaiyang’s dignity and refrained from bringing Liu Mian Tang to the palace, simply setting her up with a residence outside would still be infuriating! Thus, the news of the discord between the Prince and Princess Consort couldn’t reach Liu Yu, not even a hint.

When the time came and Liu Mian Tang “accidentally” died in the Prince's residence, Liu Yu would surely be heartbroken and devastated.

With this thought, Sun Yunniang couldn't help but break into a cold smile.

She was no longer the naïve girl who had wholeheartedly devoted herself to Zi Yu. In those days of being overlooked in front of the ancestral hall, her heart had grown colder and harder. She was determined to establish her footing in the palace, wielding immense power. Those who disrespected and didn’t love her would no longer have a place in her heart.

Now, she needed to have her own child first; only with a child could she have the leverage to stand toe-to-toe with Empress Shi. With this thought in mind, she asked Huaping, “Is the medicine prepared?”

Huaping replied in a hushed voice, “It’s all set. Your Highness just needs to apply it to her skin, and it will emit a fragrant aroma that will ensure His Majesty stays overnight.”

Yunniang nodded, “Tomorrow is the day His Majesty will come to my palace. The Empress is in confinement, and if I don’t seize this opportunity, once that fat old woman recovers, I won’t have another chance!”

Huaping quickly agreed but couldn’t help but voice her concerns, “But that medicine is still just medicine; what if there are any unexpected side effects...?”

Yunniang shot her a fierce glare, “What unexpected side effects? The most important thing right now is for me to conceive a dragon heir as soon as possible; otherwise, anyone will be able to bully me!”

Huaping was so frightened that she didn’t dare to say anything further. When her mistress spoke, she had to obey, but the Emperor’s health was already frail, and if he used this medicine... Huaping didn’t dare to think further and could only pray that her mistress would successfully conceive soon and stabilize her footing.

While turmoil brewed within the palace, the weather outside was bright and beautiful, marking the early autumn.

Liu Mian Tang’s Autumn Poetry Society had officially commenced.

Perhaps it was the gossip surrounding Huaiyang couple that piqued everyone's curiosity. Although Liu Mian Tang had only sent out a few dozen invitations, those who received them quickly rallied their friends, and nearly all the ladies from various households were present.

The poetry society emphasized social engagement, so bringing friends along was tacitly permitted. As a result, the opening ceremony of the Autumn Poetry Society became quite grand.

The garden newly purchased by Princess Consort Huaiyang was a small garden in the suburbs of the capital, known as Xiaoxi Garden. This garden originally belonged to Princess Sheng’an, the late emperor's aunt, and was once regarded as a scenic spot in the capital. It was surprising that it had been bought by Princess Consort Huaiyang.

The garden had been neglected for many years, and since the Princess Consort had only recently acquired it, many attendees expected to find a half-restored, rundown estate. However, as they stepped down from their carriages and entered the courtyard, even those accustomed to splendor were momentarily stunned.

This was no mere renovation; it was clearly a reconstruction. Every flower and plant in the courtyard was exquisite, exuding an unmistakable air of wealth.

However, Liu Mian Tang felt that her courtyard was filled with the message, “I have plenty of leisure time.”

There was no way around it. During this time, Cui Xingzhou had been watching her closely, not allowing her to run around. Thus, all her energy had been poured into this garden.

Though the courtyard's elegant taste was not her doing, it was the result of Prince Huaiyang hiring a master of horticulture and rock design to plan and design it.

It was said that this master was notoriously difficult to invite even with a fortune, and after retreating from the world, he had become nearly impossible to procure. If not for Prince Huaiyang's past connections with him, he wouldn’t have taken on the job at all.

Liu Mian Tang had always held great respect for capable people, so upon hearing about the expertise of this master, she followed his instructions obediently. As a result, the plans for the garden became increasingly elaborate, and the amount of gold and silver needed to fund it grew larger.

Fortunately, Mian Tang had accumulated a significant fortune over the years, supported by the old wealth from Yangshan, allowing her to manage the expenses.

However, every night when she counted the expenses, the head of the Lu family felt a sting in her heart, needing to recite the Heart Sutra just to keep herself from throttling that master.

She even pulled on the Prince's sleeve, asking if the two of them had colluded to spend her money so that she wouldn’t run away.

Prince Huaiyang looked at his beloved wife, who was as miserly as a Pi Xiu guarding wealth, both amused and exasperated. "What do you think? Why do you think that garden didn’t sell? When you wanted to buy it, didn’t I also advise you to choose another? But you wouldn’t listen, insisting that I find someone extraordinary to design the garden for you. Building a garden is inherently a costly affair; some families with limited funds take over a decade to complete their renovations. This garden may seem extensively modified, but it still relies on the original design of the pavilions. Don’t fret about the money. The rents from Zhenzhou will be collected soon; just spend that. If you’re still short, I can cover the difference later.”

Mian Tang was used to being frugal, and she might never learn to be as carefree as Cui Xingzhou, who could easily squander wealth and regain it.

However, once the garden was completed and the plants began to flourish, she walked around and had to admit that the money spent was worth it. This exquisite garden was something she had never seen in her life.

Now, seeing the guests enter the garden with expressions of admiration, Princess Consort Huaiyang finally understood a bit of the joy that a spendthrift feels when indulging in lavish spending, whether it was on pampered pets or extravagant expenses.

After admiring the garden, the ladies couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. They had long heard that the Wangfei managed her affairs well, with a substantial amount of land and shops in her possession. Now, seeing the garden, it was clear just how prosperous she truly was.

However, what good were riches if they were accompanied by disdain? Rumors of her being disliked by the Prince had spread, and her background was now a hot topic in the capital. Prince Huaiyang's reputation could only hold out for so long before he too would tire of her.

Throughout history, how many wealthy merchants had forced themselves into noble families to climb the social ladder, only to end up with nothing? Such tales were not uncommon; those women, no matter how promising their fates seemed, often became short-lived after marrying into affluent households, with their dowries consumed by their husbands' families.

In that moment, the gazes of the ladies toward Princess Huaiyang were mixed, filled with both envy and pity.

To conceal her pregnancy, Mian Tang wore a long, flowing gown that brushed the ground, featuring wide pleats and a moonlight blue base. The narrow sleeves revealed her delicate wrists, while the hem was elegantly adorned with Su embroidery of phoenixes and butterflies. Although her waist was no longer visible, the gold-embroidered cloud sash was tied high above her abdomen, accentuating her slender shoulders and the graceful curve of her snow-white neck. Her playful tilted bun was adorned with a green tourmaline gold hairpin, and her face, as delicate as an apricot blossom, shone with joy. Her large, expressive eyes sparkled with happiness.

No matter how you looked at it, Mian Tang didn’t seem like a woman who was pregnant; there was no trace of any bloating or changes in her figure.

If one were to only observe the Princess Consort's demeanor, it would be hard to tell that she had recently been harshly beaten by the Prince. However, among the noblewomen of the capital, who didn’t have to learn to maintain a facade and hide family disgrace? It was understandable that Princess Consort Huaiyang, having to swallow her pride after such an ordeal, would try to put on a brave face.

Unfortunately, among the guests, besides those Mian Tang had invited, there were also some uninvited onlookers who came just to see the spectacle, and it was inevitable that jealousy would start to bubble over.

Madam Qian, the wife of the Right Minister of Works, was the niece of the Duchess Qing. Her aunt had fallen ill due to anger caused by the Huaiyang Prince's Residence, and as her niece, she was equally furious. This time, she had come along with Princess Consort Sui. After seeing the exquisite garden and Mian Tang’s radiant appearance, she could no longer contain her jealousy and remarked, “A woman from such a humble background really lacks vision. Who else in the capital is as ostentatious as she is these days?”

Princess Consort Sui didn’t respond but let out a slight sigh. Being in the Sui Prince Residence, she naturally knew more than these noblewomen. Although her life appeared splendid on the surface, it was filled with suffering in reality.

Due to the scandal surrounding her abduction in Zhenzhou, any maidservant in the Sui Prince Residence could look down on her. Prince Sui didn’t even come to her chambers anymore, and this feeling of living as a widow was truly unbearable.

Thus, she felt a sense of sympathy for Princess Consort Huaiyang, who was in a similar predicament.

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