Mian Tang was lost in thought, staring at the ground until Cui Xingzhou turned and playfully pinched her nose, snapping her back to reality.
“What’s all this you’ve written? Who’s getting promoted or demoted when? You’ve even noted full moon celebrations and housewarming feasts,” Cui Xingzhou remarked.
Having returned home, he had no desire to discuss official matters with Mian Tang, especially the cold reception he’d encountered at the office that day. He preferred to resolve his troubles alone, particularly now that Mian Tang was pregnant and shouldn’t be burdened with worry.
“When you’re new to a place, it’s natural to familiarize yourself with the personnel in the government office. I wrote it down to avoid forgetting,” Mian Tang explained, sensing his reluctance to elaborate. She obediently refrained from asking further questions and instead poured him some sweet soup.
Despite the cold treatment at the military affairs office, Cui Xingzhou felt his luck wasn’t so bad after all, returning home to hot soup and his beloved wife.
Mian Tang’s pregnancy was beginning to show, with a slight bump visible. However, her limbs remained slender, and in loose-fitting clothes, her condition was barely noticeable.
Cui Xingzhou embraced her, unable to resist kissing her. He whispered, “The doctor says you’re stable now. Can I finally ‘cook some porridge’ tonight?”
Mian Tang giggled at his teasing, her ears turning red. She hugged him back and whispered, “Make sure you add plenty of meat and cook it until it’s nice and rich…”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow, thinking that if she had married a more conventional husband, he would have tightened her reins and taught her proper wifely virtues. But he was no gentleman and loved this mischievous sprite just as she was, never tiring of her company.
That night, after nearly three months of abstinence, Cui Xingzhou finally indulged himself. It wasn’t until the moon hung high over the willow branches that he reluctantly released his soft, alluring wife from his embrace.
As Mian Tang lay in his arms, drowsiness overtaking her, she remembered something and mumbled, “Isn’t tomorrow a court holiday? Sister mentioned that the Qing Guo Gong mansion’s new residence has just been renovated. They’re celebrating their housewarming tomorrow, and it seems they’re planning a grand affair. Will you be able to accompany me?”
Although her sister had been married into the Qing Guo Gong family for quite some time, Cui Xingzhou wasn’t particularly close to the Qing Guo Gong. The marriage had been arranged due to the friendship between Qing Guo Gong and Cui Xingzhou’s father.
Now that both the Huaiyang Wang and Qing Guo Gong families were in the capital, it was natural for them to maintain frequent contact and support each other.
Cui Xingzhou fed some warm water to the sleepy Mian Tang and replied, “Of course, I’ll accompany you. Although you’ve been to the capital before, you don’t know many people well. If you went alone and your sister was too busy to attend to you, wouldn’t you feel out of place?”
Mian Tang had never been one to fear being ignored. She softly said, “It’d be fine if no one paid attention to me. I could just deliver the gift and congratulatory plaque, eat and drink a bit to make up for the expenses, and have a relaxing time.”
Cui Xingzhou knew she meant what she said. After a moment of silence, he replied, “Life in the capital is indeed less comfortable than in Zhen Zhou. I’m sorry you have to endure this with me. Tomorrow, I’ll buy you some shops in the capital so you’ll have something to occupy yourself with.”
Mian Tang was touched by his concern, realizing that although the Cui Jiu from North Street had been a deception, the attentive husband who cared for her feelings had always been real.
However, his offer to buy her shops was a bit presumptuous. “The tenants from the Zhen Zhou estate haven’t paid their rent yet, and the cattle and sheep haven’t been sold. The household coffers are empty, waiting for Your Highness’s salary to come in. What will you use to buy shops? Right now, I’m the one supporting the Wang manor’s expenses!”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. “So you’re saying you’re supporting me again?”
Mian Tang playfully pinched his handsome face and high nose. “With looks like yours and such attentiveness in bed, I could afford to keep several like you!”
Cui Xingzhou wasn’t bothered by the idea of being a kept man. After all, most of Mian Tang’s shops and lands were gifts from him. Moreover, as a man raised in luxury who had made his way in the world, he didn’t harbor the insecurities of a man from humble origins, even if he temporarily relied on someone else’s support.
However, the notion of keeping several handsome men was unacceptable. If she truly had such audacity, he’d have to crush it.
Thus, another playful interrogation ensued under the bedcovers, filling the bedroom with laughter.
The next morning, thanks to Mian Tang’s early instructions to Fang Xie to wake her, she managed to get up on time despite feeling groggy.
Cui Xingzhou, still holding her hand, said, “The Qing Guo Gong mansion isn’t that far. Why get up so early?”
Mian Tang simply pulled him up as well, coaxing him gently. “Sister is pregnant and seems to be having severe symptoms lately. With the new residence move, she’s busy with everything inside and out, which is quite stressful. When she visited our mansion yesterday morning, she was a bit embarrassed to ask me to help her check the accounts… If I go early, I can assist her and see where she might need support.”
In Mian Tang’s view, Cui Fu was a proud person who wouldn’t ask for help unless she was truly overwhelmed.
From what Mian Tang gathered from Cui Fu’s words, the Qing Guo Gong’s eldest son wasn’t particularly attentive to his wife. However, marital matters were complicated, and outsiders shouldn’t interfere.
Seeing Cui Fu’s poor complexion yesterday had worried Mian Tang, but she didn’t want to tell Cui Xingzhou outright to avoid causing tension between the Wang and the Qing Guo Gong families.
So today, she only mentioned going early to help her sister, genuinely concerned that Cui Fu might overexert herself and risk her pregnancy.
Although Mian Tang didn’t spell it out, Cui Xingzhou understood and nodded, getting up without further delay.
While washing up and dressing, Cui Xingzhou advised, “You’re also with a child and an outsider. Don’t be too eager to take on tasks at the Qing Guo Gong mansion. Take Mama Li with you. She raised your sister when she was young and is experienced in managing household affairs. An old servant helping a former master won’t raise any eyebrows.”
Mian Tang smiled. “We agree. I sent Mama Li back with my sister to the Qing Guo Gong mansion yesterday. I wondered if I was being overzealous, but hearing Your Highness say this puts me at ease.”
Her smile, with her large eyes slightly upturned, made her look as charming and cunning as a little fox.
Cui Xingzhou, fastening his golden crown to his hair, smiled back at his little vixen.
The Qing Guo Gong family was a well-established noble clan with ancestors who were the founding ministers of the dynasty. In previous generations, they had produced two prime ministers.
In the current generation, Cui Fu’s father-in-law had merely inherited the ancestral title without any notable achievements. Fortunately, Cui Fu’s husband, Guo Yi, was ambitious. Through diligent study, he not only passed the imperial examinations but also rapidly climbed the ranks, becoming an official in the capital.
The Qing Guo Gong family’s prestige was once again on the rise, and their new residence’s entrance was bustling with activity.
As Mian Tang alighted from the carriage, supported by Cui Xingzhou, many noble ladies of the capital recognized the Huisang County Princess.
It seemed the water and soil of Zhen Zhou had nourished its people well, as both men and women from there exuded an extraordinary aura.
“Huaiyang Wang Fei, it’s been a while. How have you been?” Just as Mian Tang took her seat in the main hall of the Qing Guo Gong mansion, a gentle greeting came from nearby. Mian Tang turned to see the Sui Wang Fei smiling at her.
Mian Tang was momentarily stunned, not expecting to encounter the Sui Wang Fei here.
During that previous contest between the two Wangs, the Huaiyang Wang had outmaneuvered the Sui Wang, causing the Sui Wang Fei to dismount in the marketplace, severely damaging her reputation.
The Sui Wang, being a formidable man, not only didn’t resent his wife but frequently took her out, showing even more affection than before.
Such magnanimity from a powerful figure, not dwelling on a beauty’s mistake, was rare indeed. Consequently, the rumors about the Sui Wang Fei’s misconduct gradually faded away.
Now that they were in the capital, the gossip from Hui Zhou had all but disappeared. At the very least, no one would dare bring up the Sui Wang Fei’s scandalous past in public.
Although the Sui Wang and Cui Xingzhou were at odds, the etiquette of interaction between their households still had to be maintained.
So when Sui Wang Fei greeted her courteously, Mian Tang naturally responded with a smile, pretending not to notice the fine lines that had appeared at the corners of Sui Wang Fei’s eyes or the barely concealed sorrow in her gaze. Instead, she complimented the Sui Wang Fei on looking more radiant than ever.
The Sui Wang Fei smiled bashfully. “The Huaiyang Wang Fei is too kind. When it comes to beauty, it’s naturally you younger ones who shine… We’re both new to the capital’s social circles. I’m not used to such interactions and feel quite anxious. Seeing a familiar face like yours gives me some confidence.”
Mian Tang smiled faintly, not wishing to be too cordial with the Sui Wang Fei. She casually replied, “I’ve heard that the Sui Wang is the Emperor’s uncle and has lived in the capital far longer than we have. If even the Sui Wang Fei lacks confidence, I, as a newcomer, would hardly dare to open my mouth in conversation.”
“If the Huaiyang Wang Fei is unfamiliar with the capital, please don’t hesitate to ask. My husband and I are quite free these days. We could host some tea parties in the future to help you socialize,” a boisterous male voice interjected.
Mian Tang turned to see that it was the former monk, the Sui Wang, who had arrived.
Mian Tang had never liked this fake monk. While she maintained a semblance of politeness with the Sui Wang Fei, she didn’t even bother to pretend with him.
She slowly withdrew her smile and responded sarcastically, “It’s indeed a pity that Sui Wang has been implicated in his nephew’s case and hasn’t been assigned any duties recently. Compared to my husband, you certainly have more free time. Perhaps it’s a good opportunity to study the classics and histories, to learn about loyalty, righteousness, integrity, and shame. At least then you won’t be wasting your time. As a mere woman, I wouldn’t dare to occupy Your Highness’s time for self-improvement.”
The Sui Wang seemed unconcerned that his wife was standing right beside him. He turned his body, blocking others’ view, and flashed a wolfish smile at Mian Tang. “The Huisang County Princess’s sharp tongue is truly captivating. It would be even better if you could personally teach me about integrity and shame!”
His tall, bear-like figure loomed over Mian Tang as he deliberately bent down, far exceeding the boundaries of polite distance, his threatening intent clear.
Mian Tang smiled and suddenly reached out, tugging at the Sui Wang Fei’s wrist.
Caught off guard, the Sui Wang Fei spilled her cup of wine all over Sui Wang’s face.
Only then did Mian Tang exclaim with feigned surprise, “Oh my! Sui Wang Fei, I’m so sorry! I accidentally bumped into you and caused you to spill wine all over Wang’s face!”