Chapter 155: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 155: 

 

Mian Tang was unaware of the tumultuous waves stirring in the Marquis' heart. Since the situation was not suitable for lingering, she instructed the loyal and righteous four brothers to quickly escort the rescued women and children down the mountain.

At this time, dawn was approaching, and before descending, Mian Tang ordered her brothers to behead the Japanese bandits and display their heads on long poles at the top of the mountain.

This was a spot where the Japanese liked to land when they came to raid, so when other bandits arrived searching for their comrades, they would naturally see the severed heads. 

"Those who dare to infringe upon the people of Great Yan shall be killed without mercy!"

This was the message Mian Tang wanted to convey to the Japanese bandits.

After descending, Liu Mian Tang earnestly spoke with Zhao Quan, reminding him that a life-saving grace should be repaid with utmost gratitude. 

However, since the Cui and Zhao families were prominent clans, she felt she need not put Marquis Zhao in a position of great debt. 

Yet there was one thing: he should pretend not to have seen her seducing the Japanese leader on the mountain, and he must not let slip any words in front of Cui Xingzhou that could damage their deep marital bond.

Marquis Zhao squatted on a stone stool in the grass, nodding continuously to indicate that he would keep his mouth shut.

As the group descended the mountain, Fan Hu and his elite troops also arrived.

Fan Hu and his men had followed the markings all the way and were shocked to see Liu Mian Tang covered in blood. However, seeing her spirited demeanor, it seemed she had not been injured.

After Fan Hu personally went up the mountain to inspect, he came down with a different expression and tactfully refrained from asking which head the princess consort had personally severed.

By the time they returned to the manor, the sun was already high in the sky.

Worried about startlin Cui Fu, Mian Tang found a nearby farmhouse, had some hot water prepared to wash her face and hair, and changed into a clean set of clothes before returning home.

After resting briefly, she prepared to offer Zhao Quan a comforting wash and meal. Originally, Mian Tang thought that after the long journey and having come to enjoy the scenery, he would be reluctant to do manual labor in the medical tent. 

However, to her surprise, as soon as she suggested it, Zhao Quan immediately agreed without any hesitation or reluctance.

Li Mama prepared the meal with great care, featuring delicacies that highlighted the unique flavors of Beihai, making everyone’s appetite spark.

Unfortunately, Marquis Zhao seemed different from his usual talkative self, remaining quiet and reserved. He ate only a few bites before hurriedly bidding farewell to Liu Mian Tang and Cui Fu.

Privately, Li Mama praised Mian Tang, saying, “The Princess Consort has really come into her own! The Marquis has finally become more composed. In the past, he was always so slick and talkative around you, Princess Consort, it made people shake their heads.”

Mian Tang smiled, gesturing as if measuring out clothing for the prince, and replied, “The Marquis has grown a few years older, so it’s only natural for him to become more mature.”

This taciturn demeanor of Marquis Zhao continued until his friend, Prince Huaiyang, returned from the sea.

Cui Xingzhou didn’t learn about his friend’s recent ordeal until he set foot on solid ground. He asked the soldiers who had gone to assist, and when he heard that the mountain had been littered with the corpses of the Japanese raiders, he inquired about the details.

However, those soldiers replied that by the time they arrived, the ground was already covered in bodies, and for specifics, they would have to ask either the princess consort or the guards from the escort agency.

After returning, Cui Xingzhou did indeed ask Mian Tang about the events. She blinked innocently and said, “It was all thanks to Lu Zhong and Lu Yi’s bravery. I was merely watching from the sidelines. You know I’m not strong enough to fight…”

Cui Xingzhou reached out to check her wrist and asked, “Didn’t they reconnect the tendons in your hands and feet? How come you still lack strength?”

Mian Tang nestled into his embrace and replied, “My wrists hurt from doing too much needlework.”

Cui Xingzhou glanced at the half-finished garment in the sewing basket and said, “Don’t bother sewing for me anymore; let the maids do it instead... I heard that Lu Zhong and the others rescued Zhao Quan a few days ago. However, one thing puzzles me. They went with only a dozen men—how did they manage to slaughter over forty Japanese raiders without suffering any injuries?”

Mian Tang blinked innocently and answered, “Perhaps those forty weren’t skilled fighters. I saw that Lu Zhong and the others seemed to have no trouble at all.”

Princess Consort Huaiyang might not have realized that when she fabricated stories, a particularly bright smile would often grace her lips, making her look sweet and charming.

However, Cui Xingzhou didn’t press for further details; instead, he turned to find Zhao Quan to share a drink and welcome him back.

As soon as Zhao Quan arrived in Beihai, he spent his days and nights in the medical tent, treating patients until he felt as exhausted as an old man. In the evenings, he would occasionally sit alone in the courtyard, watching the sunset, and he sometimes found it hard to remember what had compelled him to come to Beihai in the first place.

Seeing his dear friend, Prince Huaiyang, return, Zhao Quan felt a surge of emotions, as if he had a thousand words to say. Yet, when he opened his mouth, the words failed to come out.

Cui Xingzhou didn’t pry too deeply; instead, he asked Mo Ru to bring out some long-preserved strong liquor from the Northwest for them to share.

After three large bowls, the alcohol emboldened Zhao Quan, and the composure he had managed to maintain over the past few days vanished. He nearly lunged into Cui Xingzhou’s arms, ready to cry, and recounted in detail the harrowing experience of that fateful night.

Cui Xingzhou listened patiently at first, but his expression darkened when he heard that Mian Tang had entered the Japanese leader’s tent wearing only her inner garments. He tilted his head back and downed a whole bowl of strong liquor in one gulp.

Meanwhile, Zhao Quan remained lost in his thoughts, tears streaming down his face as he lamented, “The princess was once such a gentle and virtuous beauty, but since being with you, she’s become a black-hearted outlaw, killing without a second thought. She just chopped off that huge head like it was nothing—terrifying!”

Cui Xingzhou replied grimly, “She is Lu Wen, a bandit! What is there that she wouldn’t do?”

Zhao Quan blinked in surprise. He had been in Zhenzhou all this time and had heard whispers about Mian Tang being a bandit, but he had thought it was just because her past of staying with the Yangshan group had been exposed. He had no idea about her true identity.

Hearing Cui Xingzhou's confirmation, Zhao Quan suddenly felt the effects of the liquor wear off. “She... she... she is Lu Wen from Yangshan?”

Cui Xingzhou, already fed up with the conversation, stood up abruptly, ready to return home to deal with the bandit situation!

Zhao Quan, realizing too late that he might have let something slip, shouted after him, “Ninth Master! You mustn’t tell your princess that I was the one who said it! If you and your wife end up fighting, don’t drag me into it! I… I plan to return to Zhenzhou tomorrow!”

As Cui Xingzhou walked away, smoke seemed to rise from his head in frustration. 

He knew that she was bold and decisive, but he never expected her to go this far! She had infiltrated the enemy camp using a honey trap alongside a group of bandits; he couldn’t believe she had thought of such a daring scheme! If he let her off this time, who knew what outrageous thing she might do next?

Once back at the estate, Cui Xingzhou didn’t wait for Mo Ru to announce him; he kicked the door open with a loud bang, complaining that the doorman was too slow.

Cui Fu was sitting under the banyan tree with Mian Tang, enjoying the cool breeze. They had spread out a large mat, letting little Yi’er play naked with his cousin Jin’er.

Li Mama had even prepared some chilled syrup with well water for them. As the two chatted away, they were interrupted by the sound of the door crashing open, and in walked Cui Xingzhou, his face as dark as thunder clouds.

Cui Fu, annoyed, said, “What kind of trouble did you get into outside? Coming back here to vent your anger at us and kicking doors like a child! You're really starting to regress! I wonder when our residence started to have such poor manners.”

Seeing Cui Xingzhou’s unusually grim expression, Liu Mian Tang felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She suspected that Zhao Quan might have let slip some information.

Cui Xingzhou ignored his sister's comment, striding over to grab Mian Tang and pulling her into his courtyard. He ordered a servant to stand guard at the door, leaving the two of them alone for a private interrogation.

Once they were alone, Cui Xingzhou sat down heavily in a chair, his intense gaze burning with fury. “I’m giving you one more chance. Tell me what exactly happened that night.”

Mian Tang cautiously approached the table, poured a cup of tea for him, and respectfully offered it with both hands. “Actually, I didn’t do much. Your Highness, you don’t know how despicable those Japanese are. They’ve not only kidnapped and violated many women but also harmed so many children… How could I just sit back and watch? A woman's honor is paramount. If I waited for Fan Hu to arrive, wouldn’t I be wasting the futures of those women? So, I devised a small plan and infiltrated the enemy camp.”

Cui Xingzhou was nearly driven mad by her evasion of the main issue. His voice, calm yet carrying the tension of an impending storm, asked, “Oh? Then tell me how you managed to sneak into the Japanese leader’s tent.”

Mian Tang was now certain that it was Zhao Quan who had let something slip. She truly wanted to toss the marquis back into his cage. With a hesitant tone, she said, “Actually, there’s nothing much to tell. They didn’t touch me…”

Cui Xingzhou slammed his hand on the table. “If you had any sense of being my wife, you wouldn’t be taking such reckless risks! I’ve never heard of a noblewoman from any royal house voluntarily sneaking into a den of thieves to seduce men! And you dare to talk about a woman’s honor!”

Feeling guilty, Mian Tang lowered her head. “I was wrong…”

Cui Xingzhou looked at her downcast eyes and forced himself to suppress his anger. “Tell me, what exactly did you do wrong?”

Mian Tang replied, “The biggest mistake was letting my sense of duty get in the way… and leaving someone alive to tell the tale...”

That Zhao Quan really had a big mouth! She saved him, yet he showed no gratitude and immediately turned around to sell her out. If they were in the Jianghu, Zhao Quan would be the kind of person chopped into pieces and fed to the fish!

Cui Xingzhou was truly furious. Was she really planning to get Zhao Quan killed to silence him? She was even bolder now than she had been on Yangshan!

He was too exasperated to listen to her nonsense any longer, grabbing Mian Tang and throwing her onto the bed, yelling, “Tell me! What did they do to you?”

Mian Tang wasn’t afraid at all. She smiled at him. “I can’t remember. How about you check with each of them, and I’ll tell you then?”

With a mischievous expression and a hint of innocence on her face, Cui Xingzhou felt his heart almost explode with frustration. Laughing in anger, he said, “Fine! Then I’ll interrogate my beloved consort properly. You’d better hold up under it!”

Liu Mian Tang tugged at the collar of the Thunder Tyrant, batting her eyelashes and whispering, “Whoever begs for mercy first is a dog!”

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