Mian Tang was unaware of the turmoil brewing in the heart of Zhen Nan Hou. Knowing it was unsafe to linger, she instructed the four loyal brothers to lead the rescued women and children down the mountain quickly.
By this time, dawn was breaking. Before descending, Mian Tang ordered her comrades to sever the heads of the fallen Wokou and display them on long poles at the mountain’s summit. This place was a favorite landing spot for the Wokou when they raided the coast, so any of their compatriots arriving later would see the grim display.
“Anyone who dares to invade the people of Dayan will be killed without mercy!”
This was the message Mian Tang intended to send to the invaders from Japan.
After descending the mountain, Mian Tang had a heartfelt conversation with Zhao Quan, reminding him of the saying, “A favor that saves your life must be repaid with gratitude.” However, since the Cui and Zhao families were noble houses, she didn’t expect Zhao Houye to go to extreme lengths to repay her. She only requested that he pretend not to have seen her seducing the Wokou leader and, under no circumstances, mention it to Cui Xingzhou, which could jeopardize their relationship.
Zhao Houye, sitting on a stone in the grass, nodded repeatedly, promising to keep silent.
As the group descended, Fan Hu’s troops arrived. Following the marks left along the way, Fan Hu and his men were shocked to see Mian Tang covered in blood, though she appeared uninjured. After inspecting the mountain himself, Fan Hu returned with a complex expression but wisely refrained from asking which head the princess had personally severed.
By the time they returned to the estate, daylight had fully arrived. To avoid frightening her sister Cui Fu, Mian Tang found a nearby farmhouse to wash up and change clothes before returning home. After a brief rest, she hosted a welcome meal for Zhao Houye. She had assumed that, given Zhao Quan’s arduous journey and sightseeing, he would be exhausted and would resist working in the medical tent. Surprisingly, he immediately agreed without hesitation when she suggested it.
Li Mama prepared a feast of exquisite North Sea delicacies. Unfortunately, Zhao Houye, usually talkative, was unusually quiet, eating only a few bites before hurriedly bidding farewell to Mian Tang and Cui Fu.
Privately, Li Mama praised Zhao Houye’s newfound steadiness to Mian Tang: “The princess of Zhen Nan Hou has finally seen him mature. He used to be so glib with you, Princess, that it was quite disheartening to see.”
Mian Tang, while adjusting a pattern for the prince’s undergarment, smiled and replied, “Zhao Houye has grown older and naturally more mature.”
Zhao Houye’s reticence lasted until his friend Huaiyang Wang returned from the sea. Cui Xingzhou only learned about his friend’s perilous encounter after disembarking. He inquired about the events from the soldiers who had gone to their aid and was told that the mountain was already strewn with Wokou corpses by the time they arrived. The soldiers suggested that only the princess or the guards from the escort agency could provide more details.
When Cui Xingzhou questioned Mian Tang, she blinked innocently and said, “It was all due to the bravery of Lu Zhong and Lu Yi. I just watched from the sidelines. You know I lack the strength to fight…”
Cui Xingzhou examined her wrist and said, “Didn’t we reconnect your tendons? Why do you still lack strength?”
Mian Tang nestled into his arms and replied, “Too much needlework makes it ache.”
Seeing the half-sewn clothes in the basket, Cui Xingzhou said, “Don’t sew for me anymore. Let the maids do it. I heard that Lu Zhong and his men saved Zhao Quan recently, but I’m puzzled. How did just a dozen of them manage to kill over forty Wokou without a scratch?”
Mian Tang blinked and said, “Maybe those forty weren’t very skilled. Lu Zhong and his men found it easy.”
The county princess of Huaisang might not realize it, but whenever she told a white lie, a radiant smile would adorn her lips, just like now—sweet and endearing. However, Cui Xingzhou didn’t press further and instead turned to find Zhao Quan for a welcome drink.
Since arriving in Beihai, Zhao Quan had been working tirelessly in the medical tent from dawn till dusk, so exhausted he barely had time to reflect on why he had come to Beihai in the first place. Seeing his friend Huaiyang Wang return, Zhao Quan felt a surge of emotions. Though he had many words to say, they remained stuck in his throat.
Cui Xingzhou didn’t probe deeply, instead, he had Mo Ru bring out his treasured Northwest strong wine for them to share.
After three large bowls, Zhao Quan, emboldened by the alcohol, spilled everything about his perilous night, from beginning to end.
At first, Cui Xingzhou listened calmly, but when he heard that Mian Tang had entered the Wokou leader’s tent in her undergarments, his face darkened, and he gulped down a large bowl of strong wine in one go.
Meanwhile, Zhao Houye, lost in his thoughts, tearfully lamented, “The county princess was so gentle and virtuous before, but since being with you, she’s become ruthless, killing without hesitation. Such a large head, she just chopped it off, terrifying!”
Cui Xingzhou said coldly, “She’s Lu Wen the bandit! What wouldn’t she dare to do!”
Zhao Quan blinked in confusion. Though he had heard rumors about Mian Tang’s bandit past, he never realized she was the notorious Lu Wen. Now, hearing Cui Xingzhou confirm it, he burped, sobering up. “She… she’s Lu Wen of Yangshan?”
Cui Xingzhou had no patience left to talk and stood up, ready to go home and confront her.
Realizing he might have said too much, Zhao Quan shouted after him, “Ninth Lord! Don’t tell your princess I said anything! If you two argue, don’t drag me into it! I’m going back to Zhenzhou tomorrow!”
Cui Xingzhou walked home, anger simmering. He knew she was bold and decisive but never imagined she could be this daring. Using herself as bait to infiltrate the enemy camp—she must be out of her mind!
When he arrived at the estate, Cui Xingzhou didn’t wait for the servants. He kicked the door open himself, impatient with the gatekeeper’s slowness. He stormed in, fuming.
Cui Fu and Mian Tang were enjoying the cool breeze under the banyan tree, with the children playing nearby. Hearing the commotion, Cui Fu frowned, displeased with her brother’s behavior. “What trouble did you get into outside that you’re taking out on us? Kicking doors—how uncouth! When did our household have such manners?”
But Mian Tang, seeing Cui Xingzhou’s unprecedentedly dark expression, felt guilty and suspected Zhao Quan had spilled something.
Ignoring his sister’s complaints, Cui Xingzhou grabbed Mian Tang and dragged her into their quarters, ordering the servants to guard the door. Alone with her, he sat down, his eyes burning with rage.
“I’ll give you one more chance. Tell me what you did that night.”
Mian Tang cautiously poured him a cup of tea and respectfully handed it over. “It wasn’t much. You don’t know how hateful those Wokou are. They not only plundered and humiliated many women but also kidnapped children. How could I just sit and watch? Women’s reputations are important. If I had waited for Fan Hu’s men, those women’s futures would have been ruined. So, I used a small trick to infiltrate the enemy camp.”
Cui Xingzhou was nearly driven mad by her evasive answers. His voice, low and dangerous, rumbled, “Oh, then tell me exactly how you infiltrated the Wokou leader’s tent.”
Now certain Zhao Quan had leaked the secret, Mian Tang felt like hanging him up again. She hesitated, saying, “Actually, nothing happened. They didn’t touch me…”
Cui Xingzhou slammed the table, his anger barely contained. “If you remember that you’re my wife, you shouldn’t have risked yourself! I’ve never heard of a princess willingly entering a bandit’s camp to seduce men! And you say you know the importance of a woman’s reputation!”
Feeling guilty, Mian Tang lowered her head. “I was wrong…”
Cui Xingzhou, struggling to control his anger, asked, “Then tell me, what was your mistake?”
“The biggest mistake was leaving survivors…”
Zhao Quan had a big mouth! She saved him, yet he betrayed her.
If this were the jianghu, Zhao Houye would be considered an ungrateful traitor, fit to be fed to the fish.
Cui Xingzhou was infuriated. Was she planning to silence Zhao Quan? She was even more audacious than in Yangshan!
He threw Mian Tang onto the bed, demanding, “Speak! Where did they touch you?”
Mian Tang, unafraid, smiled teasingly. “I can’t remember. Why don’t you touch me everywhere, and I’ll tell you?”
Her mischievous expression, combined with her innocent look, made Cui Xingzhou’s blood boil. He laughed in anger, “Alright! Then I’ll examine my beloved princess thoroughly. You better endure it!”
Mian Tang pulled him closer by his collar, fluttering her eyelashes seductively, “Whoever begs for mercy first is a dog!”