Chapter 176: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Home    :    Novels

 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 176: 

 

The sudden death of this nephew seemed too coincidental to Cui Xingzhou. Rather than viewing it as bad luck, he suspected that it was a case of silencing someone to cover up a crime. 

If his deduction was correct, then Madam Lian Chu was merely a foolish pawn being used by others.

As for Madam Lian Chu being held at the royal residence, her family would inevitably come looking for her. When Lian Hanshan came to inquire whether the prince had seen Lian Chu, Cui Xingzhou didn’t hold back and directly explained her misdeeds.

Upon hearing this, Lian Hanshan’s face changed dramatically, but he still insisted, “She… even if she had the audacity, would never dare to commit such an act against her own sister! She… she must have been used by someone! Your Highness, considering she is your aunt, please let her go back home for now.”

However, Cui Xingzhou’s expression darkened as he replied, “She has repeatedly come to my residence to slander others out of her own selfish interests. If it weren’t for her asking my mother to intervene regarding your Lian family’s matters, my mother wouldn’t have fallen victim to the poisonous gu and nearly lost her life. Although she is my aunt, she shows no respect as a senior. I cannot risk losing my only mother just because of this aunt. If you, Lord Lian, cannot maintain proper family conduct, then don’t blame me for not showing you any respect when I take action on behalf of my family!”

Lian Hanshan understood the implication behind Cui Xingzhou's words. He could not allow Madam Lian Chu to appear in front of his mother ever again. If Madam Lian Chu were sent to the authorities, she would surely bear the stigma of murder, which would ruin him and his children!

Although Lian Hanshan was usually dominated by Lian Chu, showing a semblance of weakness, he was still the head of the Lian family. Gritting his teeth, he promised Prince Huaiyang that he would, upon returning home, use the excuse of Madam Lian Chu's grave illness to send her to the family estate, where she would be watched over by the servants and never return to Zhenzhou again.

Cui Xingzhou listened with an unyielding brow, saying, “If Lord Lian can manage his wife well, that would be for the best. If she comes to stir up trouble in my residence again, don’t blame me for being ruthless and not recognizing our kinship!”

Lian Hanshan turned pale at these words, immediately commanding his men to tie up Lian Chu and silence her, hastily loading her into the carriage.

That same night, the carriage sped straight to the riverside, continuing on until it reached the family estate in the countryside.

The estate, having fallen into disrepair over the years, was not welcoming. Once Lian Chu was thrown into a dilapidated thatched house, she was watched over by two sturdy peasant women. Realizing that her husband had confined her here, Lian Chu, as soon as she was freed from her bindings and the rag in her mouth, began to curse Lian Hanshan for his lack of conscience and accused him of colluding with Cui Xingzhou.

The two women, having received strict instructions from their master, were not inclined to tolerate her tirade. They stormed in, yanked her hair, and delivered slaps as punishment.

Lian Chu, being assaulted by these bear-like women, cried out until her voice was hoarse. Yet, her husband had resolved to maintain the family’s reputation, determined to have her perish in this estate as a way to give a proper account to Prince Huaiyang.

Meanwhile, after regaining her health, the old Princess Consort learned about the circumstances of her poisoning and echoed Lian Hanshan’s sentiments, saying, “Your aunt wouldn’t dare to harm anyone; she must have been manipulated. Why send her to such a wretched place? Good people can’t endure that kind of treatment!”

As she spoke, Liu Mian Tang and Cui Fu were serving her soup and water.

Cui Fu, aware of her mother’s soft-heartedness, refrained from responding and pretended not to hear. However, Liu Mian Tang was unreserved, saying bluntly, “If that’s the case, then you should select a coffin as well. Otherwise, the prince will be heading to the capital in a couple of days. If anything happens to you, who will take charge at home?”

Although the Old Princess Consort was generally accommodating, she was still the matriarch of the royal household and could hardly tolerate being spoken to so harshly. Even if she heard that Mian Tang had hurt her head and forgotten about her married life, she was infuriated enough to strike the bed, exclaiming, “What are you saying? Do you wish for me to die so you can become the true mistress of the mansion?”

Liu Mian Tang slammed her bowl down heavily, saying, “It’s all because of that dog sister of yours that you fell seriously ill, and the prince had to rush back day and night to save your life. But Old Princess Consort, don’t you care to ask what important matters your son has delayed for your sake? Instead, you’re inquiring about that dog aunt’s well-being. The prince is dutiful; he knows that if he sends her to the authorities, people will say you’re indifferent to your sisterly ties, which is why he chose to handle it according to family rules. But if you keep being so soft-hearted and don’t support your son, you might as well prepare your coffin and fulfill the wishes of those vile people!”

The Old Princess Consort was momentarily taken aback by the harsh words, her mouth slightly agape as she stared incredulously at her daughter.

Cui Fu usually defended her mother, and if she had heard Mian Tang speaking to her so insolently before, she would have furrowed her brow and given her a stern reprimand. 

Yet today, for some reason, Cui Fu seemed to have her ears blocked; she didn’t lift her head or open her eyes, completely focused on blowing on the hot soup in her hands, as if she intended to blow it until the end of time.

The Old Princess Consort knew that Liu Mian Tang was generally hot-tempered, but this daughter-in-law had previously put on a façade, always acting demure and obedient in her presence. She had never spoken so sharply before, leaving her at a loss for how to respond.

Moreover… why wasn’t she calling her ‘Mother’ anymore? Was she rejecting her as a mother-in-law?

At that moment, the Old Princess Consort felt tears welling up in her eyes, looking pitifully at her daughter-in-law.

After Liu Mian Tang finished speaking, she braced herself for the impending scolding from the Old Princess Consort. 

However, to her surprise, her mother-in-law looked like a meek little wife, silently shedding tears without uttering a word.

At this point, the former leader of the Yangshan bandits was completely out of anger. Having lost her mother at a young age, her strongest memory of her mother was the silent tears she shed while holding her close.

Now, seeing the Old Princess Consort act in such a subtle and touching manner, Liu Mian Tang felt her own resolve weaken. She glanced helplessly at her sister-in-law, Cui Fu, hoping she would step in and mediate.

Cui Fu, however, merely shifted her sitting position and continued to blow on her hot soup, seemingly unfazed by the situation.

With no other option, Mian Tang softened her tone and said, “You’ve just recovered from your illness; don’t tire yourself out by crying. I only spoke the truth; I didn’t mean to curse you…”

The Old Princess Consort finally managed to choke out a response, saying, “You… you don’t even call me ‘mother’ anymore; do you not acknowledge me? I’ve become a burden to you all… Wuwu…”

Feeling cornered, Mian Tang could only grit her teeth and call out, “Mother… you know I have amnesia… If I’ve said anything inappropriate, just tell me…”

The Old Princess Consort sighed, feeling wronged. "You used to be much friendlier to me... When will Zhao Quan give you more medicine so you can fully recover?"

At this point, Cui Fu finally finished blowing on the hot soup and gently spooned some into her mother-in-law's mouth, saying warmly, "Actually, Mian Tang hasn’t changed much; she just speaks more directly now. Mother, you should stop inquiring about the Lian family’s matters; we no longer have that relative."

Upon hearing her daughter’s words, the Old Princess Consort gradually stopped choking back tears, but it seemed she had given Liu Mian Tang an additional task. Starting the next day, she instructed Li Mama to resume etiquette lessons for the princess consort.

As they discussed this, a servant reported that the Old Fifth's wife had come to visit the Old Princess Consort.

Lian Binglan, unlike her mother, was much more considerate. She didn’t mention her mother, who had been sent to the countryside, and instead fulfilled her duties as a secondary wife by respectfully inquiring after her legitimate mother-in-law, saying nothing more.

Liu Mian Tang recalled what Cui Xingzhou had said about Lian Binglan—after returning to Zhenzhou, she had little contact with her maternal family and rarely attended banquets, as if she were living a closed-off life.

Liu Mian Tang was quite amiable toward her sister-in-law, chatting about everyday matters for half the day. Besides inquiring about the Old Fifth's recent activities, she also broached more personal topics, such as when Lian Binglan planned to have children. As a result, Lian Binglan found it difficult to excuse herself several times.

Finally, after much effort, Liu Mian Tang was able to conclude the conversation and let Lian Binglan leave the residence.

Upon returning home, Lian Binglan's expression was serious. Once she arrived, she first went to her inner chamber. After dismissing her maids and attendants, she revealed a portrait hanging on the wall and knocked on the wooden panel behind it.

At that moment, a secret door suddenly opened in the wall, and Cui Xingdi, who was supposed to be in Xiangzhou conducting business, rolled out in his wheelchair.

Lian Binglan wore a gloomy expression and said anxiously, “What should we do? I feel like Liu Mian Tang is suspicious of us! You didn’t even discuss this with me; you used my mother as a pawn. Now my father has sent her to a rural cottage, where she’s worse off than dead. Are you going to harm me next?”

Cui Xingdi maintained his usual gentle and humble demeanor as he asked, “What did Liu Mian Tang ask you?”

After Lian Binglan recounted the conversation in detail, Cui Xingdi smiled and said, “Her questions are a good sign; it means she hasn’t found any evidence against you. If she hadn’t asked anything at all, then you should really worry. Your mother is a fool; if she gets discovered, people will only think she was being used. No one will suspect her daughter. Is there anyone more suitable for this role than her?”

As he spoke, he reached out to take Lian Binglan's hand, but she retreated a few steps and fell onto the bed, saying with resentment, “You promised me everything would be compensated, but this so-called compensation means I have to distance myself from the Lian family and even sacrifice my mother?”

Cui Xingdi's eyes darkened slightly, but he still maintained an elegant smile. “If it weren’t for the upheaval in Beihai, wouldn’t you already be the Princess Consort Huaiyang? I have never forgotten my promise to you. However, your mother is utterly foolish and has ruined my plans. If I couldn't hold Cui Xingzhou back from going to the capital this time, who can be blamed for that?”

Lian Binglan trembled with anger and rushed to slap Cui Xingdi, but he grasped her wrist with a strong grip that caused her pain, making her cry out!

He slowly stood up from the wheelchair and said, enunciating each word, “Never think of hitting me again, because anyone who betrays me will have to pay a thousandfold!”

© translations belonging to  flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.

•••

Prev  :  TOC :  Next

https://ko-fi.com/flamingobeestranslations

https://twitter.com/FlamingoBee2009

Thank You For Reading <3