Chapter 180: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 180: 

 

At present, the Shi family had been overthrown, and the several daughters of the Shi family who were pregnant in the palace were no longer a significant force. However, due to her usual estrangement from the Shi family, Empress Shi could remain aloof from the turmoil.

Now that Liu Yu held the power of the throne, he had also dealt with the old supporters of Yangshan, allowing him to finally showcase his ambitions.

But Cui Xingzhou only wanted to retire and return to his hometown, living a good life with Mian Tang.

Mian Tang was like a tempting fruit, always fluttering in Liu Yu's sight, making it impossible to guarantee that Liu Yu wouldn’t develop designs on her.

Thus, after Liu Yu cleaned up the political affairs in the capital, Prince Huaiyang Cui Xingzhou resigned from his military post, relinquished control over the Beihai navy, and returned home with his wife.

Cui Xingzhou left the capital at the height of his favor, managing to withdraw at the right moment, preserving the tale of loyalty between ruler and minister.

As he stood at the bow of the ship leaving the capital, holding Mian Tang's slim waist, he whispered in her ear, “Once we return to Zhenzhou, I’ll take you back to North Street to run the business properly and support your husband.”

Mian Tang felt that she shouldn’t be so unambitious as to end up financially supporting a man!

But when she turned to look at her husband, Cui Jiu, with his eyebrows and eyes like distant mountains, charming and elegant, she thought that keeping him in her little courtyard didn’t seem so bad after all.

So she wrapped her arms around his waist in return and whispered, “Since you’re eating my food, you better put in some effort. If you don’t serve me well at night, don’t blame me for not supporting you…”

Cui Xingzhou felt that the former Liu Mian Tang would never have said such rebellious words.

Back then, she willingly supported him and even worried about hurting his male pride!

With a wife acting so mischievously, it was naturally his duty as a husband to take on the role of teaching her a lesson. At the very least, he’d have to discipline her for three days and three nights in bed for such a transgression…

Thinking this, he scooped up the still giggling Mian Tang and stepped into the cabin while softly saying, “Little Yi'er is getting bigger. Isn’t it time for you to give him a lovely little sister?”

Mian Tang hesitated, her eyes widening as she asked, “Having a baby… won’t it be very painful?”

“Not at all! You’ll deliver more easily than a cow!” 

“Cui Xingzhou, how dare you insult me like that!”

“No, I’m complimenting you! If you don’t believe me, just have another one and see for yourself…”

Laughter echoed in the cabin, mingling with the sound of waves, as they sailed southward.

This segment of history has been fondly recounted by later generations. Some have commented that Prince Huaiyang is indeed a rare and fortunate figure, as he managed to maintain his position amidst several palace upheavals without ever boasting about his military accomplishments, earning him the reputation of a historic minister.

Six years after he resigned from his military post, Emperor Liu Yu, having suffered from the effects of poisoned wine in his youth, faced serious liver damage and chronic illnesses due to overwork. When he passed away, he issued a decree summoning Prince Huaiyang to become the head of the regents, tasked with assisting Crown Prince Liu Zhong as the regent.

During his tenure as regent, Cui Xingzhou served diligently alongside two other regents to support the young emperor.

When rumors spread that Prince Huaiyang had ulterior motives and sought to monopolize power, Empress Dowager Shi firmly dismissed these claims and expressed her unwavering trust in him.

When the young ruler turned sixteen, Prince Huaiyang voluntarily returned power to the throne, which moved the young emperor to tears; he almost knelt down to plead with the regent to stay.

This touching tale of mutual affection between monarch and minister once again etched itself into the annals of history!

Upon returning to his retirement in Zhenzhou, Prince Huaiyang still frequently wandered the North Street of Lingquan Town, just as he had during his years there.

On summer afternoons, the cicadas chirped, jujube flowers bloomed vibrantly, and the fragrant aroma of stewed radishes wafted from the yard.

Though he had entered middle age, Cui Jiu possessed the allure of aged wine, growing increasingly refined. Dressed in a loose, flowing robe, he exuded an indescribable elegance.

Opposite this refined man sat a stunning woman whose age was hard to discern. Clad in a light pink short shirt, her long hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin. Two teardrop-shaped pearls dangled from her earlobes, accentuating her delicate, snow-white neck.

Yet, despite the picturesque scene, the beauty’s brow was slightly furrowed, as if she faced an unsolvable dilemma. She stared at the pair of embroidered ducks on the handkerchief in her hand, realizing that her embroidery skills had stagnated over the decades, showing little improvement.

She quickly raised her eyes to glance at the person sitting across from her, who was pretentiously tapping on an abacus. Noticing that he hadn’t looked up at her for quite a while, she could no longer hold back her frustration and exclaimed loudly, “Stop pretending to be serious, will you, Prince Regent? You’re making me anxious just watching you!”

Cui Xingzhou leisurely lifted his head and raised the account book in his hand, saying, “You did say that as long as I sorted out the accounts for you, you wouldn’t be angry anymore!”

Liu Mian Tang tossed aside the handkerchief she was holding and raised an eyebrow, replying, “When did I ever say that? I can’t believe I used to praise you for being sincere; turns out you’re just a big liar!”

People should never do anything that goes against their conscience, for heaven will not spare anyone.

It was infuriating that Cui Xingzhou had taken advantage of the three years she had forgotten about him and had told countless lies. When he had led her back to North Street, he had deceived her into believing that she had been unable to resist his handsome looks and had assaulted him at night, forcing him to give in to her advances.

To evoke her memories, he insisted on reenacting the moment when she had forced him to give in. 

That shameful process made Mian Tang wish she could dig a spoon into her mind and remove that memory. It was embarrassing to think that she had once believed his words so completely, even going so far as to rehearse the "scene" multiple times because it hadn’t been detailed and realistic enough.

Looking back now, it felt like she had only made a fool of herself for this lying scoundrel!

Aside from that, similar inverted and scandalous moments were scattered throughout their little courtyard—by the kitchen, the stove, the writing desk, and even on the swing. During that time, Mian Tang had deeply questioned her own character, wondering why she had been so desperate and absurd.

Just a few days ago, she woke up feeling unusually clear-headed; the prescription from that quack Zhao Quan had finally worked its magic, and she recalled the three years they had spent together. Reflecting on her experiences of being deceived over the years—both old grievances and new—she felt as though she could just eat him alive.

This had caused their thirteen-year-old daughter, Cui Ling’er, to take it seriously; she secretly took her brother to report to their grandmother, saying that their mother wanted to divorce their father.

Seeing that his wife was upset again, Cui Xingzhou simply laughed and picked her up, saying, “Haven't I already apologized to you? Besides, you always end up enjoying yourself tremendously, don’t you? If you’re still angry, shall we just do it all over again?”

Mian Tang felt that Cui Xingzhou was just a crafty businessman, always managing to come out unscathed. She couldn’t help but laugh as she playfully punched his chest, saying, “Go to hell with that…”

Taking the opportunity, Cui Xingzhou leaned in and kissed his charming wife. The woman in his arms was someone he kissed almost every day, and he never grew tired of it.

After they shared a tender moment, Liu Mian Tang nestled into his embrace and asked, “I heard that the Emperor snuck out of the palace recently, claiming he wanted to come to Zhenzhou to find you. Is that true?”

Cui Xingzhou scoffed coldly, “It’s not that he can’t bear to part with this old minister; he’s clearly got his eyes on our Ling’er. That little scoundrel is just like his late father!”

At that moment, footsteps were heard at the courtyard gate. A rosy-cheeked girl rushed in, excitedly carrying a birdcage and calling out, “Father, Mother! Look what Brother Zhao Xi sent me!”

Following behind her was a goofy-looking boy, who was none other than Zhao Quan’s legitimate son, Zhao Xi, a year younger than Cui Ling’er.

Mian Tang couldn’t help but laugh at her husband Cui Xingzhou’s increasingly sour expression. 

As their daughter grew up, it was inevitable that Prince Huaiyang would notice an increase in the number of pesky boys in the world, finding fault with anyone he looked at.

Their daughter had inherited her mother’s beauty, and she attracted quite a bit of attention!

Meanwhile, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cooking. Soon, their eldest son, Cui Yi, would be returning with his cousin for dinner.

Zhao Xi, ever shameless, seemed intent on sticking around for a free meal.

In such peaceful times, Mian Tang felt as though she had seen this scene in a dream before. Now that she was living it, she only wished for life to always be this simple and serene...

© 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.

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