Though it was rather late that day, the grim-faced Prince of Huaiyang and his guards finally cornered a vendor about to close shop on a street corner. They had him relight the stove and heat the oil, bringing back a package of steaming hot fried cakes.

Miantang admitted that freshly fried cakes did taste better. Biting into them while still hot, the sticky dough would stretch into strings.

But sometimes, eating is about timing and mood. Once that moment passes, the craving fades.

While Cui Xingzhou was out buying cakes, Miantang, unable to withstand her hunger, had eaten a large bowl of shrimp noodle soup brought by Mama Li. She was now quite full.

However, seeing Cui Xingzhou’s gloomy expression, she felt compelled to eat a few bites for show. After delicately nibbling twice, she offered him the cake, saying, “You should have some too!”

The Prince of Huaiyang, noticing her still-swollen eyes, remained angry. He waved his hand dismissively, saying, “Who wants to eat this stuff!”

This female bandit leader had indeed infiltrated his mansion to cause trouble. Though she brought no troops, her ability to create chaos was not to be underestimated.

The night breeze on his way to buy fried cakes had given him enough time to cool down.

He wouldn’t sign that paper. When he married her, all the proper rituals and dowry had been observed. How could she just leave as she pleased?

Now that Lu Wen had fallen into his hands, there was no chance of escape. She would have to give birth to his child first.

Seeing that Cui Xingzhou seemed less angry than before, Miantang cautiously asked if he could release the four brothers of loyalty and righteousness.

Cui Xingzhou, his face tense, replied, “Liu Miantang if you want to live well with me, you must completely sever all ties with your past as Lu Wen. The evidence of their rebellion in Dongzhou is irrefutable. How can I release them?”

Miantang straightened her back and asked, “Are you saying you must put them to death?”

This was indeed Cui Xingzhou’s intention. The fewer people who knew about Miantang’s past as a bandit, the better. As she had said herself, she had been young and naive then. Driven solely by her love for Liu Yu, she had personally raised the banner of rebellion, and the situation had spiraled out of control. It was absurd.

But now she had grown up and finally returned to the right path, marrying properly. Why should she still be involved in Yangshan’s mess and keep a few bandits around?

The Prince of Huaiyang hoped Miantang could make a clean break, but she couldn’t bring herself to be so ruthless: “I picked those men up from the streets back then. If not for me, they wouldn’t have become bandits. One must take responsibility for their actions. Since I led them astray, how can I abandon them now? If you’re determined to deal with them, then throw me in prison too!”

Cui Xingzhou had had enough arguing for the day. He stood up and said, “I’m going to the study to work. You should sleep soon. We’ll discuss this another time.”

With that, he left for his study.

Miantang opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t call after him.

She had imagined Cui Xingzhou’s reaction upon learning her secret, and truthfully, today’s outcome was much better than she had anticipated. However, she hadn’t expected Cui Xingzhou to treat her leniently while severely punishing the four loyal brothers.

From a legal standpoint, she indeed had no right to ask the Prince of Huaiyang to show favoritism, as the four brothers’ incitement of rebellion in Dongzhou was an undeniable fact. Miantang bit her lip, knowing that only a general amnesty could save the four brothers.

Nevertheless, the Prince of Huaiyang had at least returned to the mansion daily, no longer maintaining a cold and rigid stance towards Miantang. However, one thing was clear: he didn’t want to discuss the Yangshan rebels.

Cui Fu, unaware of the secret struggle between her brother and his wife, only noticed that after that day’s argument, her brother had resumed his usual polite and cultured demeanor, seemingly attentive to Miantang’s needs. With the mansion appearing harmonious, she, as the elder sister, felt reassured.

Although Cui Xingzhou refused to release the prisoners, he couldn’t prevent Miantang from visiting them.

Concerned about the quality of prison food, Liu Miantang had Mama Li prepare several large food boxes filled with meat and wine, neatly arranged. She delivered them to the military prison.

The guards, seeing the princess herself arrive, didn’t obstruct her, likely having received orders.

The other three brothers were fine, but the youngest, Lu Quan, burst into tears upon seeing the princess bring so much food.

Miantang, seeing him cry so hard, asked what was wrong.

Lu Quan sobbed, “They say seeing chicken legs in prison isn’t a good sign – it’s the last meal before execution. But now with pork, beef, and lamb… doesn’t this mean we’ll be drawn and quartered?”

Lu Quan’s voice trembled as he spoke. Hearing this, the other three brothers, who had already put meat in their mouths, found it difficult to swallow.

Liu Miantang picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into Lu Quan’s open mouth, saying, “Just eat! The King of Hell says you still have a long life ahead!”

Lu Yi put down his bowl and looked at Miantang, saying, “Boss… I mean, Princess, why did you come here personally? We… we were wrong to conceal our identities before, but please don’t let this implicate you…”

Lu Yi knew that ears were everywhere, and he intended to distance the Boss from this situation. Otherwise, if Cui Xingzhou learned of the Boss’s past, wouldn’t he torment her?

Miantang waved her hand dismissively, “He already knows everything. You don’t need to resist anymore. Whatever he asks, just tell the truth… They’ve beaten you too severely!”

Seeing the brothers covered in whip marks, Miantang felt even more guilty.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi’s eyes widened, and he anxiously looked Miantang up and down, asking, “He… he didn’t do anything to you, did he?”

Miantang thought that the prince had indeed done something to her, but bedroom matters weren’t appropriate to discuss with these four simple-minded young men.

So she continued to reassure them, “What could he do? I’m heavily pregnant. Even if just for the sake of his child, he has to delay dealing with me. Don’t worry about me. In a few days, I’ll find a way to get you out. I’ve also taken care of Lu Zhong’s family matters, ensuring you can all marry safely and peacefully.”

Lu Zhong wasn’t concerned about his marriage. He gripped the bars, saying, “Boss, that Cui Xingzhou is full of tricks. If he becomes wary of you, your future life won’t be easy. Please don’t worry about us. You need to plan your escape route early!”

At once, all four brothers urged Liu Miantang to be cautious of the scheming Cui Xingzhou and not to let her guard down.

Indeed, there were ears beyond the prison walls, and the brothers’ words of caution to their boss were relayed verbatim to the Prince of Huaiyang.

Li Guangcai was discussing matters with the Prince when he learned that he had unknowingly matched this pair of mortal enemies as a matchmaker.

Astonished, Li Guangcai asked the prince why he allowed the princess to visit the four brothers if he intended to execute them.

Cui Xingzhou, engrossed in writing, replied nonchalantly, “Wild horses need to be reined in. If I don’t scare her a bit, who knows what she might try to hide from me next time.”

Li Guangcai pondered this for a moment, beginning to understand the prince’s intention. If he truly wanted to silence them, he wouldn’t have kept those four outspoken young men alive until now.

Those four young men were likely the best reins to control the stubborn wild mare that was the princess…

However, Li Guangcai was concerned about another matter.

“Your Highness, I have something to say, though I’m not sure if I should…”

The Prince of Huaiyang looked up at him and said, “We’re alone here. Brother Guangcai, feel free to speak your mind.”

Li Guangcai thought for a moment before saying, “Although the princess is currently devoted to Your Highness and harbors no other intentions, you must remember that she has lost a part of her memory. If one day she recovers those memories, it’s hard to say if she will remain as she is now. Keeping the princess by your side might be keeping a hidden danger…”

“Enough,” Cui Xingzhou interrupted Li Guangcai, saying calmly, “Do you think I can’t handle a former defeated opponent?”

Li Guangcai didn’t dare to underestimate the prince like that. Just then, the Princess of Huaiyang, having finished her prison visit, came to the office to see the prince.

Because the reins were now in the prince’s hands, the Princess of Huaiyang was now impeccably polite, treating the prince with utmost respect and consideration.

The Prince of Huaiyang looked at the dishes taken out of the food box and snorted, “Is this what the prisoners couldn’t finish, so you brought the leftovers to me?”

Miantang, her large, alluring eyes wide, said, “How could these be someone else’s leftovers? These are all the dishes you specifically requested yesterday. I woke up early to make them for you. Feel how warm they still are! I asked Mo Ru, and he said you eat breakfast late, so I didn’t rush to bring them. Are you hungry?”

As she spoke, she touched his stomach. Cui Xingzhou grabbed her delicate hand and said, “Such sweet talk… Don’t go to those filthy places anymore… Tomorrow, I want to eat sweet and sour pork ribs.”

Miantang nodded quickly, “I’ll have someone pick out the best pork ribs and marinate them for you right away…” Then she turned to Li Guangcai and said, “I prepared plenty of food today. Lord Li, please join us.”

Smelling the aroma of the food, Li Guangcai realized he was indeed hungry and gratefully joined the meal.

When they finished, Li Guangcai followed the princess out.

At the office entrance, Liu Miantang didn’t immediately get into her carriage but deliberately waited for Lord Li Guangcai.

Li Guangcai guessed that the princess might want to ask him to intercede with the prince on her behalf. He was thinking about how to advise the princess to be more obedient to the prince in the future when Miantang surprised him by saying, “Jinr has been mentioning Uncle Li, who always brings him toys. If you’re not busy, you should come visit the mansion. In a few days, the autumn chrysanthemums will bloom. I’m planning to form a poetry society then. Lord Li, you must come and add some literary flair!”

Li Guangcai couldn’t quite figure out the princess’s intentions. He smiled and said, “The princess is in good spirits… I thought…”

Liu Miantang spoke frankly, “You thought I would ask you to intercede for me? Before I came today, I was quite worried, but seeing that the four brothers’ wounds have been treated, I’m not concerned anymore.”

She had been frightened by Cui Xingzhou earlier and hadn’t seen through his intentions. Now, seeing the four brothers in relatively good condition, she was gradually understanding the prince’s mind.

“However… you should mention to the prince that ‘killing the chicken to scare the monkey’ works because monkeys don’t understand. For someone as obedient as me, a little scare is enough. Keeping those four locked up indefinitely isn’t a solution. Otherwise, the brides we’ve found for them might run away… Alright, I’m heading back now. Don’t forget to come play at the mansion in a few days!”

With that, Liu Miantang smiled and got into her carriage.

Li Guangcai was left staring at the departing carriage, wide-eyed.

He truly felt that the prince’s former defeated opponent might be becoming increasingly difficult to handle!