Chapter 128: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 128: 

 

At that moment, Princess Consort Huaiyang, who appeared to be holding up the atmosphere with a forced smile, spoke cheerfully, “Today marks the establishment of the Poetry Society. I am grateful to all of you for gracing us with your presence. After we enjoy some refreshments, we will be drawing poetry prompts, so I hope everyone can share their literary talents and come up with some exquisite verses.”

Among the many guests invited by Mian Tang, there were quite a few genuine literary talents who were eager to compose poetry.

In a lively scene filled with the brilliance of autumn chrysanthemums, some guests sat cross-legged at the table, while others stood holding wine cups, all of them eager to wait for the draw and see what topics would be assigned.

Once Mian Tang finished announcing the event, she leaned over to her sister Cui Fu and whispered, “Sister, you know me—I’m running low on inspiration. Although I’ve memorized a few of Xingzhou’s poems to get by, I’ll start to falter after a few rounds. So, you’ll have to support the Huaiyang Residence. We can’t let the reputation of the Prince's Residence be tarnished.”

Cui Fu felt like rolling her eyes at her unreliable sister-in-law, wishing she could scold her right there in front of everyone.

Mian Tang should have been resting at home during her pregnancy, yet here she was, organizing a poetry society and dragging her just-recovered sister-in-law out to participate. Now, she was even assigning her an important task, making Cui Fu quite anxious.

However, she understood that Mian Tang had been feeling quite stifled lately, so she sighed softly and reassured her that she would help her out during the poetry contest.

Cui Fu’s gentle tone reflected her pity for her sister. 

She had noticed that her usually steady brother had been giving Mian Tang icy stares or cold remarks lately. Yet, Mian Tang seemed unfazed, always smiling in response to his disdain, which made Cui Fu’s heart ache. She had experienced a similar situation in the Duke’s residence, where a lack of emotional connection from her husband was the most hurtful.

Cui Fu was taken aback to see her younger brother treating his pregnant wife this way. However, since this was a private matter between husband and wife, she, as the older sister, felt it was inappropriate to say much.

Although she resided in the Prince's Mansion, she was unaware of the actual situation between her brother and sister-in-law.

After Cui Fu recovered from her confinement, familiar ladies often visited her, subtly probing for details about what was going on in the household.

Some close friends even discreetly shared rumors circulating outside, claiming that Liu Mian Tang had once been a bandit. Cui Fu nearly jumped out of her skin upon hearing this, immediately asking where such absurd gossip had originated.

The one who told her was the wife of a general promoted from Zhenzhou. Being someone familiar with the ins and outs, she was straightforward and didn’t mince words, directly revealing what she had heard—Princess Consort Huaiyang was probably the infamous Lu Wen from Yangshan.

Cui Fu was stunned, nearly frightened to death. Even though she had married far away, she still knew of Lu Wen's notorious reputation.

How could someone as gentle and obedient as Mian Tang be associated with such a figure?

Just yesterday, she had pulled Cui Xingzhou aside to inquire about it. After some thought, he felt there was no need to hide it from his sister. Otherwise, she might end up questioning Mian Tang directly, so he said, “She was young and misguided back then, led astray by others. She doesn’t even remember those days now. Don’t bring it up with her; it’ll only upset her.”

Cui Fu was so shocked that she felt dizzy, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief. As the legitimate daughter of the Prince's Residence, she could think of countless discreet ways to suppress scandals like this one, ensuring that such sordid rumors would never surface.

After all, it wouldn’t be difficult for the Wangfu to find a new daughter-in-law.

But thinking of Mian Tang, Cui Fu couldn’t bring herself to do it. That clever and perceptive beauty was truly unmatched in the capital. Moreover, this sister-in-law was simply wonderful to the residence, to her mother-in-law, and even to her; there was nothing negative to say about her.

If it hadn’t been for her during the chaos in Zhenzhou, who knew what fate awaited the Prince's Residence?

If her brother hadn’t married her, she would have advised him to cut his losses and not go through with the marriage. But now that there was a child, how could they abandon the mother and keep the child? That would be no different from treating her like a beast.

At that moment, she felt utterly at a loss and could only ask her brother what they should do.

Cui Xingzhou reassured his sister, “We’ve been married for quite a while now, and we have a child. She has already turned her life around. You don’t need to worry, Sister; we’ll just focus on living well together.”

Cui Fu felt that her brother was being too nonchalant. She knew he had a deep mind and was quite calculating. Given that he had almost come to blows with Mian Tang recently, how could everything just be smoothed over so easily?

She thought for a moment and couldn’t help but remind her brother anxiously, “She really shouldn’t have married into the residence. But she was also unwitting; it was you who wanted to marry her back then! You mustn’t harbor any ill intentions or engage in any sordid dealings. Otherwise, how will you face the child she bears in the future?”

Cui Xingzhou felt that his sister was misunderstanding him. Although he had indeed been somewhat calculating when dealing with his malevolent half-brothers, Mian Tang was his wife. How could he use those tactics against her?

He could only shake his head in helplessness and firmly tell his sister not to bring up such topics again in the future.

But how could Cui Fu put her mind at ease?

Today, during the opening of the small Western Garden, seeing the gloating eyes of many noblewomen, she could guess what they were thinking. Yet, watching Mian Tang speak and laugh so calmly and confidently, one couldn’t help but admire her.

The aura of this former bandit leader who had caused such a stir in Zhenzhou truly surpassed that of ordinary women in the inner chambers.

Just as the poetry society was about to start, someone suddenly rushed in from outside to report, “Prin… Princess Consort, the Emperor has come to the Western Garden! His Majesty is at the front gate; please hurry and welcome him!”

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this. Wasn't His Majesty supposed to be out hunting with the concubines in the western suburbs today? Why had he come personally to the small Western Garden?

Mian Tang frowned slightly at the news, but she couldn't afford to neglect His Majesty. She could only lead everyone to the front gate of the garden to welcome him.

Liu Yu had indeed intended to go hunting in the western suburbs today. However, on the way there, Prince Sui had casually mentioned some rumors circulating in the capital.

Due to the instructions from Yunniang, the spies from the Imperial Surveillance Bureau had not reported the disturbances at the Huaiyang Mansion to His Majesty. But Prince Sui felt that it would be rather dull for His Majesty not to know about such matters.

So, as they passed by the small Western Garden, he seized the opportunity to reveal a bit of information. Sure enough, Liu Yu's expression changed dramatically upon hearing that Mian Tang was holding a poetry society meeting today. He ordered the carriage to change direction and head to the small Western Garden to celebrate the occasion.

Since Empress Shi was still in confinement, only the concubines accompanied His Majesty on this trip.

Hearing that Liu Yu was going to the small Western Garden, Consort Yun's hands clenched tightly together, secretly resenting her adoptive father for leaking the news of the discord between Prince Huaiyang and his wife.

When the young and quite handsome Emperor appeared at the small Western Garden, his dragon-like eyes looked at Mian Tang with great concern, urging her not to be overly formal because of her pregnancy.

Some things were naturally more perceptive to women. A few quick-witted individuals noticed how gentle His Majesty was with Princess Consort Huaiyang and suddenly recalled that when His Majesty had been fleeing the persecution of the demoness, he had once found himself in Yangshan.

If this princess truly had been a bandit in Yangshan, wouldn’t these two be acquainted? They were of similar age—one handsome, the other beautiful… If there were no romantic feelings between them, it would be hard to justify!

Moreover, recalling His Majesty's unusual generosity when he conferred the title of Princess Huaisang upon Liu Mian Tang, and now his personal visit to support the small Western Garden, everything seemed to point to some hidden connections.

In an instant, everyone’s minds were racing. No wonder the prince had violently beaten the princess; it turned out that not only had Liu Mian Tang concealed her past as a bandit, but there might also have been a romantic involvement with His Majesty!

Mian Tang was certainly aware of the rumors that Liu Yu’s visit would stir, but he was the Emperor, free to go wherever he pleased without a care for the burdens he placed on others.

So, as she stood up, the gaze she cast toward Liu Yu was icy.

At this moment, Liu Yu suddenly realized that it was inappropriate for him to be here. However, upon hearing that Mian Tang had been beaten by Cui Xingzhou, he had come out of concern, not thinking much further about it.

The instigator, Prince Sui, watched with a smile, feeling that it was a pity Prince Huaiyang hadn’t arrived earlier to witness the Emperor’s concern for his subject’s wife.

Did Liu Yu think he could use the influence of Prince Huaiyang to oppose him? How naive! Prince Sui was eager to see how he could sow discord between the two.

Since everyone was here for the poetry society, it was only natural to compose poetry. Although Liu Yu's arrival had interrupted the ceremony, once he and the concubines were seated, the poetry society officially began.

After the drawing of lots, the chosen theme was chrysanthemum poetry. As the drum started and the flower was passed, it was either by intention or coincidence that the first to recite was Liu Mian Tang.

Liu Mian Tang smiled slightly, feeling prepared. After all, Cui Xingzhou had anticipated that people would want to make something of the seasonal theme, so he had prepared several chrysanthemum poems for her.

Though they were written when he was seven years old, the content was playful, with a hint of innocent whimsy. Coupled with Mian Tang’s radiant expression and soft voice, listeners found themselves captivated, imagining Princess Consort Huaiyang standing beside the intricately designed flower pavilion, as beautiful as a delicate portrait of a noblewoman.

When her clear and melodic voice fell silent, she instinctively tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, giving a slightly shy smile. 

The breathtaking beauty, with every glance and smile, made it hard for anyone to break the enchanting atmosphere of the moment.

For a moment, some people even began to doubt whether the previous rumors were too outrageous. How could such a delicate and beautiful woman, with a frail constitution, possibly be the same notorious bandit leader who had once caused such unrest in the court?

Could it be that someone, out of jealousy for the deep bond between the Prince of Huaiyang and his wife, had fabricated such a baseless rumor?

Once everyone snapped back to reality, they naturally began to praise the princess for her refined and unique talent. Immediately, someone began transcribing her poem, intending to include it in the opening volume of the Autumn Poetry Society.

Meanwhile, Liu Yu sat in silence, gazing dazedly at the beauty standing by the flowers in the pavilion. Each time he saw her, a vague pain stirred in his heart.

The Mian Tang of today was no longer the tomboy she had been in Yangshan, often dressed as a boy and pretending to have headaches whenever he asked her to read or write, while secretly sneaking glances at him, irresistibly cute.

Now, she could compose and recite poetry in front of everyone with poise, her demeanor so gentle that it seemed she had been born to be a lady of high status.

How could he have lost such a wonderful person? He felt guilty, but he could not bear to see her suffer at the hands of others. If Cui Xingzhou could not accept her, there were countless ways to torment her.

With her current injuries, how could she defend herself?

No, he had to speak directly to Prince Huaiyang. If the prince could not accept her, he was willing to take care of her for the rest of her life.

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