Chapter 181: Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 FlamingoBees 

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 Jiao Cang "Delicate Concealment" / Are You the One

 

 Chapter 181: 

 

Mian Tang made it a point to visit her maternal grandfather in Xizhou every year, braving all kinds of weather over the years.

In particular, in recent years, as Cui Xingzhou became the regent, he had become busy with official duties. With nothing pressing to occupy her time, Mian Tang's own business had flourished even more. Whenever she found a moment of leisure, she would wander around, and more often than not, she ended up going to Xizhou.

Although her grandfather was getting on in years, as a practitioner of martial arts, he remained robust. Now, with his hair completely white, he still stood tall. While the family business had been handed over to her uncle, her grandfather still took charge of many other matters.

Seeing that Mian Tang missed them so much and was often worn out from traveling, her grandfather made a decisive move and relocated the entire family to Zhenzhou.

Now, Cui Ling’er could accompany her mother to her great-grandfather's house to practice her martial arts with the staff.

Unfortunately, her father, while teaching her older brother Cui Yi martial arts, was unable to be as strict with his delicate daughter. He couldn’t bear to see her stretch and bend, so he forbade her from practicing altogether.

When one door closed, another opened; Ling’er could only secretly learn from her mother. Her mother had once said that a beautiful girl should also know some martial arts to avoid being at a disadvantage.

Ling’er felt her mother’s words made a lot of sense. Back in the capital, the little emperor had once secretly tried to court her, but she had tossed him over her shoulder and sent him tumbling behind a rockery.

However, the little emperor had told her that it was a secret between the two of them and warned her not to tell her parents, or she might be the one to get punished.

Thinking about what the little emperor had said, that he would come to Zhenzhou when the lotus flowers bloomed, Ling’er couldn’t help but smile to herself. She practiced the new move she had learned, the Black Tiger Pounces on the Heart, determined to impress him when they met again.

Yet, she hadn’t told her great-grandfather that her mother had brought her along because she had quarreled with her father and left home.

Her mother had instructed her not to say anything, but keeping such a secret felt unbearably torturous. Ling’er, who was currently growing, decided to treat herself to a whole crispy chicken to help keep her secret.

Meanwhile, Mian Tang was sitting with her sister-in-law and several cousins, embroidering shoe patterns, but her ears were perked up, listening for the sound of someone knocking at the gate.

Before long, she heard someone call out for the gate to be opened.

The doorman took a look and announced that it was the second master, Lu Mu.

Years ago, they had parted ways without much fuss. But less than three years later, Lu Mu had begun to regret his decision.

Though he had accumulated a fair amount of wealth at first, it was no match for the troubles that came when his daughter married into the Su family, who were nothing but a façade of status.

That Young Master Su pretended to be diligent but ultimately achieved nothing in terms of academic success. The matriarch of the Su family often berated Qing Ying for bringing misfortune to their household, not only seizing her dowry but also repeatedly sending Qing Ying to squeeze money from the second master Lu.

But Second Master Lu was not someone to let others take advantage of him easily. At first, he firmly refused to provide any financial support, but he also feared that his daughter would end up divorced and be laughed at by the family. In the end, he had no choice but to let his wife, the Qu family, give some assistance every now and then.

Since the family separation, Second Master Lu's business had not been going well, and he lost quite a bit of money. In truth, there wasn’t much he could spare to support his daughter, so he had to swallow his pride and maintain appearances.

Eventually, Qing Ying's husband had the audacity to use her money to redeem a courtesan from a brothel and take her as a concubine. This made her furious, and she returned home in tears. However, Second Master Lu only advised her to keep the matter from getting too out of hand, fearing it would become a source of ridicule. In a moment of despair, Qing Ying considered taking her own life, but fortunately, her son happened to see her and was able to save her.

In the end, it was the old master of the Lu family who intervened, scolding Second Master Lu harshly for being more concerned about his own reputation than the well-being of his daughter. 

Ultimately, Qing Ying was allowed to divorce the Su family and remarried a widower in middle age. Second Master Lu’s dignity was irreparably damaged, so he shamelessly began visiting his elder brother more frequently, hoping to assist in managing the family business.

However, Mian Tang sternly warned her uncle that if the second branch of the family was struggling, they could provide some financial help, but they should not interfere in the family business. Second Master Lu, proud as he was, continued to seek appearances and tried to maintain some semblance of dignity before his elder brother, leading to awkward scenes whenever he borrowed money.

Today, it seemed that the second branch had come over, likely due to insufficient funds in their household.

Disappointed, Mian Tang looked at her smiling second uncle and decided to take a stroll in the back garden instead.

Now that she thought about it, after years of marriage, her husband had become increasingly impatient, and even when they argued, he no longer bothered to reconcile with her.

Feeling a rare sense of sadness, Mian Tang decided to step outside the residence for a walk.

She changed her clothes, taking only a maid and two guards with her. The market was somewhat quiet today, and wanting some peace, she sought out a secluded alley.

However, halfway through the alley, she suddenly realized that her maid and guards were nowhere to be seen.

As she began to process this realization, she suddenly felt the rush of wind from a punch aimed at her. Turning her head, she saw a masked figure. Instinctively, she tried to block the attack and reach for the dagger at her waist, but the assailant was faster, snatching her weapon away.

The person used a bizarre fighting style that Mian Tang had never seen before, and caught off guard, she instinctively put all her strength into the fight.

However, the attacker closed in, using every move to take advantage of her, as if he were a thief picking flowers. Mian Tang was continuously outmatched, her hair disheveled and her collar askew. Finally, unable to endure it any longer, she grit her teeth and shouted, "Traitor Cui, do you think I can’t recognize you?!"

The tall masked man suddenly laughed out loud, pinning Mian Tang against the wall as he reached up to remove the cloth covering his face. He brushed against her nose and said, "I specifically changed my techniques; I can't believe you still recognized me!"

Seeing him for who he was made Mian Tang's cheeks flush with anger. "How could I not smell your scent? I really didn’t realize back then that you had a penchant for blocking girls in alleys…”

Cui Xingzhou pulled her close and said, "Why are you still angry? Did I say something wrong the other day? You dare to disguise yourself as a man and stroll into a brothel, and even book two girls all for yourself? You're trying to kill me!"

Mian Tang lifted her head slightly and replied, "Wasn't it you who first brought your colleagues there? If you can go, then I can too, just to see how those girls entice men."

Prince Huaiyang sighed, "I really went to investigate traitors; I was just there for a look, unlike you who went to drink flower wine. Those common courtesans can't compare to you at all."

At this, Cui Xingzhou lowered his head and kissed her mouth before she could retort, mumbling, "When you walk, your waist sways enticingly. I’ve wanted to pull you into an alley for a long time. So, how about it, my lady? Will you be a little generous?"

Mian Tang rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck, saying, "Sure, but I ask this esteemed Master to keep the noise down. If I comply, I’m a married woman, and although my husband is a bit thick-headed, he would still get jealous if he found out I was fooling around in an alley. Let’s keep it a secret from him. If you’re better than him, I might even leave the door slightly open for you at night."

Prince Huaiyang's previously smiling expression froze, and he felt an inexplicable sensation of having adorned himself with a green hat. He looked at the beautiful woman in his arms, biting her red lips and glancing up at him with alluring eyes. The thought of her sneaking around behind his back made the jealousy rise in him, making his throat feel acidic.

"Liu Mian Tang, if you dare to attract other men again, I won't let you off easily!"

Laughter echoed in the narrow alley, filling the air with a playful atmosphere.

Mian Tang felt sweetly satisfied. The girls from the Red Chamber were right; a little bickering enhances the romance. She thought with delight about what strategies she might use next time.

In any case, husband, prepare yourself!

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