Chapter 144: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 144: 

 

Before long, the plump little boy had made his mother's neck all wet with his nibbles.

Mian Tang realized that her little meatball was hungry and needed to nurse, so she quickly hugged him and went back to her room without further questioning Cui Xingzhou. However, as her son began to eat, she couldn’t help but think back to the time they went hunting at the Eastern Enclosure and encountered Miss Shi Xiujin from the Shi family.

That young lady was indeed beautiful, and at that time, she had given Cui Xingzhou a peculiar look. Mian Tang had suspected she was reading too much into it, but now she felt like her own delicious dish was attracting unwanted attention.

Cui Xingzhou followed her inside and noticed her puffed-up expression, which made him chuckle. "Why are you still angry? Shi Yikuan actually tried to threaten me with my future. Does he think every man in the world is as easy to manipulate as his son-in-law Ziyu? Do you think I’m someone who can be coerced like that?"

Mian Tang leaned her head against Cui Xingzhou's chest and mumbled, "I don’t like it when others have their eyes on you."

Seeing her sulking made Cui Xingzhou feel both amused and affectionate. He wrapped his arms around her and said, "Everything about me belongs to you. I’m with you every day; how could I have the energy to flirt with other women?"

Finally, Mian Tang laughed at his teasing. "You make it sound like I’m the one who’s desperate! Who’s the one always wanting to be with you? It's not me who looks like they need more sleep."

Cui Xingzhou held her tightly and said, "Unfortunately, I’ll be leaving soon to lead the army. I have to head out before you. Shouldn’t we take advantage of this time together before I go? You could sleep a little more while I’m still here…"

Just as he finished speaking and leaned in for a moment of intimacy, little Yi'er, now full and content, decided to make his presence known by splashing his warm little urine all over his father.

Cui Xingzhou looked down at his damp robes and then at their son, who was now comfortably dozing off in Mian Tang's arms after eating. For a moment, he stared in disbelief, wanting to express his frustration, but he didn't know who to direct it at.

Mian Tang laughed and handed little Yi'er to him. "I think you should take this opportunity to change your son's diaper before you leave!"

Cui Xingzhou inhaled the faint scent of milk on little Yi'er and felt a deep reluctance for both his wife and son. Unfortunately, they had to depart soon, and there was no time to waste.

These moments of tenderness were truly limited. Once Cui Xingzhou's troops had gathered, he, along with Li Guangcai and other subordinates, began their journey to Beihai.

Without a grand send-off ceremony, there were no throngs of citizens to bid them farewell. Only a few familiar colleagues from the court came to see them off along the main road, bringing wine as a parting gift.

Many military families, like Mian Tang, were present as well, each carrying various packages and offering reminders about daily necessities. However, Mian Tang was different from those whose eyes brimmed with tears; she didn’t feel much sorrow, as she would soon follow after them.

To avoid affecting the soldiers' morale, Mian Tang decided against traveling with the army. Instead, she planned to set out a day later, following closely behind, similar to how she did when he went to the Northwest.

As she bid farewell to her husband, there was no sense of melancholy or regret in her heart.

However, on her way back, Liu Mian Tang spotted a carriage with the Shi family emblem parked beside the road. Miss Shi Xiujin, with red-rimmed eyes, had just stepped down from the pavilion. Mian Tang couldn't help but wonder which family member of hers was heading to the Beihai battlefield.

In the past, Mian Tang had been unaware of Miss Shi's feelings, but now she knew that Shi Yikuan had pressured her husband into marrying his youngest daughter. Seeing Shi Xiujin standing by the roadside pavilion, tearfully lamenting her love, only irked Mian Tang even more.

With a sense of indifference, she shot Shi Xiujin a cold glance before letting down the curtain of her carriage and preparing to head home.

Shi Xiujin had indeed come to see Prince Huaiyang today.

When her father learned of her infatuation with Prince Huaiyang, he had scolded her lightly for her lack of discretion, but he quickly turned around and took the initiative to suggest a marriage alliance with him.

Shi Yikuan was a shrewd opportunist, originally intending to send his legitimate daughter into the palace to solidify their family's status by having both daughters serve the same husband, thus strengthening the Shi family's hold on the throne. After all, he had previously married off his less-than-attractive illegitimate daughter; if the emperor found her unappealing, it was understandable.

He believed adding another legitimate daughter would express his apology as a father-in-law.

However, the illegitimate daughter, the Empress, had invited Shi Xiujin's mother, her stepmother, into the palace, where they exchanged pleasantries. While passing by the cold palace, they even heard the cries of Concubine Yun from within the walls.

Although the words spoken by the illegitimate daughter were always appropriate, for some reason, they terrified her legitimate mother so much that she fell ill upon returning to the Shi residence, clearly stating that if her youngest daughter were sent into the palace, she would fight against it. This caused turmoil within the household, leading Shi Yikuan to take two more concubines in a bid to quell his wife’s anger.

However, with such a commotion, Shi Yikuan had realized the true intentions behind his illegitimate daughter's situation—given that the Emperor was weak and unable to indulge in too many female companions, even if he sent his legitimate daughter into the palace, she had the potential to end up like her sister, isolated in the cold palace like Concubine Yun, half-mad and half-silly.

When they had toppled the power of Prince Sui, the Empress had been secretly plotting behind Liu Yu's back. Her seemingly straightforward demeanor concealed a depth that was hard to ignore.

Shi Yikuan understood the complexities of his daughter well. For a moment, he abandoned his plans to marry off his daughters to prominent men, realizing it was better to spread his net wide and have several influential sons-in-law. Naturally, Prince Huaiyang topped that list.

Moreover, his youngest daughter genuinely adored the prince, making discussions about a marriage seem quite promising.

As for Liu Mian Tang, the legal wife of the Prince's residence, Shi Yikuan had not taken her seriously at all. Although the Liu girl was beautiful, her appearance could not compare to his daughter’s.

Besides, Liu Mian Tang had already married and borne a child. What man wouldn’t prefer new experiences over the old? Moreover, compared to Liu Mian Tang, who had no family background, his legitimate daughter came from a respected lineage and could provide Prince Huaiyang with greater political leverage.

However, to his surprise, Prince Huaiyang wore a dark expression and, without allowing Shi Yikuan to finish speaking, coldly ordered him out.

In that moment, Shi Yikuan's face lost all its pride, and when he returned home, he erupted in anger, which caused Shi Xiujin to abandon her dreams.

Miss Shi, who had originally harbored boundless hope, suddenly found it all shattered, and the heart of a young woman took some time to accept this reality.

Today, upon hearing that it was the day of Prince Huaiyang's troops setting off, Shi Xiujin snuck out without her father's knowledge, bringing only a few maids and attendants with her to the road outside the city.

Just moments ago, at the pavilion, she had seen Prince Huaiyang clad in shining armor and a golden helmet, looking majestic as he sat astride his horse. He appeared even more captivating than when he wore his usual loose robes and jade belt.

How could such a valiant man not become her husband? This thought made her heart swell with resentment.

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