Mentang was grateful for Fan’s repeated assistance and treated him like a brother. Upon learning he was still unmarried, she promised to compile a list of eligible young women in their neighborhood once they returned to Lingquan Town, intending to find him a suitable wife.
Fan Hu, not one for words and wary of revealing the prince’s identity, merely nodded silently to avoid further discussion.
Throughout their military expedition, Cui Jiu would enter Mentang’s small leather tent each night, his armor cold from the night air.
Since their sweet moment of medicine-sharing, her husband had become as affectionate as a newlywed, particularly fond of kissing her.
Mentang had forgotten much about their early marriage. Though aware that marital intimacy was necessary for conceiving children, she accepted her husband’s claim that her poor health made pregnancy inadvisable, and thus intimacy unnecessary.
To Mentang, inexperienced in marital matters, this seemed logical. However, she now found that such affectionate closeness, even without the goal of conception, was delightful.
One night, as her husband entered the tent, Mentang mended his clothes while voicing a question: “The blue jacket you wore yesterday was still new. How has it become so worn today? The elbows are torn…”
Cui Jiu paused, realizing he hadn’t paid attention to whose clothes he borrowed from the chiliarchs each time. He casually replied, “Sharing tents with comrades sometimes leads to mix-ups in the morning…”
Mentang nodded, accepting his explanation without a doubt. Back in Lingquan Town’s North Street, a husband returning in different clothes might suggest a secret lover. But in a military camp, sleeping among rough men who rarely bathed, she pitied her refined husband’s situation.
After clumsily mending the clothes, Mentang carefully advised, “It’s fine if outer garments get mixed up, but do keep track of your undergarments. Don’t accidentally swap those…”
Cui Xingzhou nodded silently, suddenly feeling his flimsy lies had run their course.
Mentang was a good girl, devoted to her loved ones. Why continue deceiving her? He decided to reveal his true identity but knew he needed to approach the subject carefully.
“What do you think of the Prince of Huaiyang?” he asked, after some consideration.
Mentang, preparing hot water for his foot bath, answered honestly, “For Great Yan, he’s undoubtedly a loyal and talented pillar…”
Cui Xingzhou smiled slightly, about to speak, when Mentang continued, “But as a husband? Any woman who marries him would be unfortunate!”
Resisting the urge to kick over the water basin, he asked through gritted teeth, “…Why do you say that?”
Feeling free to speak her mind in private, Mentang explained, “This prince has too many scandalous affairs. He toyed with a merchant girl in Lingquan Town without taking responsibility, leaving Miss He distraught. Now, merely for a battle, he breaks his long-standing engagement, making a show of virtue. Poor Miss Lian, what did she do to deserve being cast aside? If I were her, I’d throw chamber pot contents at that prince’s feet!”
She grew more indignant, believing the “dog prince” had corrupted local youths, spreading the misguided notion that breaking marriages was necessary for battle.
After she finished, the tent fell silent. When she looked up, she saw her husband’s face clouded with displeasure.
“Husband, what were you going to tell me earlier?” Mentang asked belatedly.
Cui Xingzhou, his long lashes lowered and the bridge of his nose glinting coldly, replied, “The water is a bit hot…”
Mentang hurriedly adjusted the water temperature. As she approached, Cui Xingzhou suddenly pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly without a word.
Mentang closed her eyes slightly, peeking through her lashes, and asked shyly, “Husband… what are you looking at?”
Cui Xingzhou sighed softly and lowered his head to kiss her…
After their sweet interlude, Cui Xingzhou had to return before the night patrol. Leaving the tent, he saw Li Mama brewing meat soup nearby for the next day’s journey.
As they traveled northwest, the weather grew colder. The thick soup would congeal into a jelly, easy to slice and use for noodle soup later.
Li Mama, close enough to hear faint sounds of playfulness from the tent, wondered why the prince continued his charade now that they were far from Lingquan Town and potential rebels.
She suspected the prince had fallen for Liu Mentang’s beauty and intended to make their pretense real. Perhaps he saw her as an easy target – without strong family protection and alone, she would have no recourse if she discovered the deception later.
Li Mama never imagined the usually disinterested prince would harbor such intentions. She pitied Liu Mentang, who had followed her “husband” so far, only to potentially become a mere concubine in the military camp. Would the prince’s grand mansion even allow her entry when the war ended?
As Li Mama prepared to sigh, the prince, emerging from the tent, beat her to it with a long exhalation.
The tall, handsome young man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the starry sky, seemingly pondering some complex military matter…
Cui Xingzhou was indeed troubled.
Usually decisive, he had found himself at a loss in the tent, unsure how to reveal the truth to Mentang.
Most frustrating was the misunderstanding caused by His family’s merchant girl in Lingquan Town, which had led Mentang to believe him a philanderer. Revealing his deception now would only confirm her negative impression.
Given Liu Mentang’s impulsive nature, she might immediately pack up and leave.
But Prince Sui’s men had their eyes on her. If she left his side, she could easily be captured and abused by the truly licentious prince.
After much deliberation, Cui Xingzhou concluded he had no choice but to continue the charade. He would have to wait until Mentang’s impression of the Prince of Huaiyang improved before gradually revealing the truth.
As for Mentang’s future after the war, he had decided to keep her by his side, bringing her into his princely mansion in a sedan chair for her safety.
Few knew of Mentang’s past indiscretion, making it easy to keep under wraps. He planned to restore her exiled brother’s rank, clearing the family name and establishing him as a minor official. With a respectable family to rely on, Mentang could be considered a noble concubine.
After all, their future children would need to be properly recorded in the Cui family genealogy.
Gazing at the stars, Cui Xingzhou’s thoughts wandered far, even speculating whether Mentang’s first child would be a boy or a girl…
These thoughts somehow improved his mood. He strode briskly through the frosty night towards the main camp, accompanied by his servant Mo Ru and a few close attendants…
Meanwhile, Prince Sui of Huizhou, Liu Pei, was far from content.
He had just received news that the group he sent to abduct Liu Mentang had been completely wiped out. According to scouts, their bodies had been horrifically mauled by wolves, leaving only bones.
The prince furrowed his brow, secretly shocked.
When he heard that Liu Mentang was following her nominal husband who had joined the army, he thought it the perfect opportunity to capture the fallen rebel woman. Concerned that his nephew Liu Yu might have similar intentions, he sent skilled fighters for the task.
Unexpectedly, the woman had proven formidable, binding the skilled men and feeding them to wolves. Hadn’t her tendons been severed, leaving her powerless?
The prince tried to send more men to follow her, but her carriage stayed close to the main troop. Two consecutive groups of scouts seemed to have been discovered by the cavalry searching for deserters in the Prince of Huaiyang’s army, never to return.
Left with no choice, Prince Sui had to abandon his plans for now. However, his curiosity was piqued, and a question arose – was Liu Mentang’s current husband just a merchant?
Despite his suspicions, he had no intention of investigating further. Regardless of her husband’s identity, joining the army meant a certain fate. The Golden Armor Pass was a gateway to hell, with no return.
He knew the truth – the court was in chaos, ill-prepared, with insufficient provisions for the troops and no sign of reinforcements. The force sent northwest was isolated, lacking both internal supplies and external support.
Cui Xingzhou and his trained soldiers were mere sacrificial lambs, destined to pave the way for the court’s inevitable negotiations and tribute to the barbarians… But what a waste of Liu Mentang… With her beauty, who knew what fate awaited her if she fell into barbarian hands?
Prince Sui resolved to obtain Liu Mentang before the barbarians could.
After a long journey, the Prince of Huaiyang’s troops finally reached Wuning Pass, the important stronghold in the northwest, just ahead of the emperor’s deadline. The fiercely contested Golden Armor Pass lay not far ahead.
Knowing Liu Mentang could not continue with him, Cui Xingzhou instructed her to stay temporarily in Wuning Pass.
The location was well-connected. If Golden Armor Pass fell, she could escape by carriage along small roads into the mountains to hide.
Cui Xingzhou even used his access to military maps to draw detailed escape routes for Liu Mentang.
His thoroughness was such that Liu Mentang felt uncomfortable.
“Husband… The general gave you military maps to study the terrain and deploy troops. If he knew you were focusing on escape routes, it might… demoralize the troops!” she gently reminded him, too embarrassed to ask if he planned to desert.
Cui Xingzhou replied sternly, “If you hadn’t come, I wouldn’t be studying these. Remember! If Golden Armor Pass falls and the barbarians come, don’t worry about belongings. Flee into the mountains immediately!”
Liu Miantang pressed her lips together, remaining silent. She knew he wasn’t joking. If Jinjia Pass fell, it would essentially open the gates for the enemy to invade the Central Plains. The soldiers defending the city, including her husband, would likely not survive.
Cui Xingzhou had no time for further words with Miantang. He needed to lead his troops to Jinjia Pass immediately to face the enemy. Once there, he wouldn’t be able to spend every night with her as he had during their journey.
However, Liu Miantang didn’t feel lonely or bored. She had initially thought she was the only wife following the army, but upon reaching Wuning Pass, she discovered she wasn’t alone in her unwavering devotion to her husband.
Many of the conscripted soldiers were from poor families with only a single dwelling to their name or were craftsmen. Their loving wives, rather than staying behind in Zhenzhou worrying daily about their husbands’ fates, decided to bring their entire families along. This way, they could occasionally see their husbands.
In the days following Miantang’s arrival at Wuning Pass, many fellow townspeople from Zhenzhou gradually caught up with the main army. Over the next few days, more and more accompanying women arrived and settled at Wuning Pass. Suddenly, the remote village became quite lively.
Liu Miantang’s husband, Cui Jiu, was a capable man. The day after they arrived at Wuning Pass, he secured a residence for her locally. With the battlefield not far from Wuning Pass, many locals had fled to stay with relatives and friends, leaving many houses vacant.
Due to the hasty purchase, the newly acquired residence was simpler and rougher compared to their mansion in Lingquan Town. Still, it was far better than living in a crude tent exposed to the elements.
These military dependents, clearly speaking with non-local accents, quickly became acquainted after settling their families. When they met on the streets, they chatted familiarly, creating a neighborly atmosphere reminiscent of North Street in Lingquan.
Those who had left their homes behind were mostly craftswomen without farmland back home. Although they arrived hastily with just carrying poles and baskets, they could set up shop and start earning a living. Skills like pot and pan repair were rare locally, and villagers from miles around would queue up for their services. After earning money, they could rent houses to live in.
Despite the tense military situation, life in the rear areas had to continue. Business in pot repair and similar trades was quite profitable.
Liu Miantang envied these skilled women. She had left Lingquan Town in such a hurry that she hadn’t given much instruction about the shop counter, relying entirely on the honesty of the hired manager to run the business properly and remit profits accurately.
If she had her skill, she thought, she could travel anywhere without worry. Fortunately, she had brought enough money to live comfortably for a year or more without working. However, the restless Miantang felt somewhat dissatisfied with idleness.
Over the past few days, Liu Miantang had met many other military wives. Knowing they shared the same situation, they looked out for each other.
As Liu had arrived earlier and was already settled, she warmly helped other women get established. When she encountered women whose children had fallen ill on the journey, she lent out her carriage to help them visit doctors in neighboring villages.
Before long, among the dozen or so women from Zhenzhou, everyone respected Liu as the leader of the military wives. Soon, an organized military dependents’ association was formally established.
The association met daily by a stream running through the pass. At midday, everyone would gather with piles of dirty clothes, washing and chatting together in a lively atmosphere.
Miantang’s hands and feet were sensitive to cold, so she couldn’t touch the chilly water. However, she always came along with her two maids, Fangxie and Bicao, and helped watch the children of other women who had brought them along.
In such a gathering of women, all sorts of rumors and news naturally circulated. One woman, whose husband was a cook in the army headquarters, had met with her spouse when he came to the rear area to collect vegetables. This Mrs. Wen thus had some fresh, juicy gossip to share with the other women.
When someone expressed sympathy for the soldiers at Jinjia Pass who had no women to care for them, Mrs. Wen pursed her lips and said, “That’s only true for the common soldiers. The generals and commanders are well cared for wherever they go. I heard that the commander-in-chief, the Prince of Huaiyang, even brought a concubine with him. He spends every night with this beautiful woman, living quite comfortably!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at this news, feeling sorry for the jilted Miss Lian. However, in their view, it was normal for someone of the Prince of Huaiyang’s high rank and power to have multiple wives and concubines. Even on the battlefield, a noble person couldn’t lack care, could they?
Miantang, having been reprimanded by her husband before for careless speech, was cautious about such matters. She felt that during wartime, it was best not to spread unsubstantiated rumors about the commander’s personal life.
So, sitting on a large rock by the stream and distributing fruit to several children, she said, “Since it’s just hearsay, it’s probably just a baseless rumor. We shouldn’t spread it around. Besides, if the Prince’s concubine did come along, she might be among us. Wouldn’t it be awkward if she overheard our gossip?”
The women burst into laughter. “If she were the Prince’s concubine, how could she be mingling with the likes of us? Come to think of it, Liu, you’re the only one among us with striking looks, and you brought maids, servants, and a carriage. If anyone here is the concubine, it must be you! Don’t report us to the Prince!”
Liu Miantang laughed and scolded them playfully, “If I were, I definitely wouldn’t spare you gossip. I’d have the Prince catch you all and smack your mouths. None of you would escape!”
The streamside echoed with giggles and laughter until everyone finished their laundry and dispersed to their homes.
When Miantang returned home, Mama Li had already prepared dinner. After eating, Miantang idly examined the military map her husband had left her to study.
Jinjia Pass was indeed a strategically crucial location, embodying the saying “One man guarding the pass keeps ten thousand at bay.” With a capable general in command and sufficient provisions, it could be held securely.
She could do little but stay calmly in Wuning Pass, waiting for news of her husband’s army’s victory.
Meanwhile, on Cui Xingzhou’s side, the situation was far from the harmony and tranquility of Wuning Pass. He received one piece of bad news after another. The court had sent a messenger clearly stating that they couldn’t supply the army with provisions for a long time after spring, and he would have to find his solution.
Such irresponsible words infuriated the soldiers, who pounded tables in anger when they heard.
However, Cui Xingzhou had anticipated the court’s unreliability from the beginning. When he left Zhenzhou, he not only brought some provisions but also ordered troops to transport more to the northwest later.
If they used the supplies frugally, they could barely make it through winter and the lean spring season.
As long as there was no danger of running out of food, keeping the army’s morale stable, he could outlast the barbarian troops even by mere attrition.
So after entering the pass, regardless of how the enemy outside the gates shouted and cursed, he ordered his troops to hold the city gates tightly shut, refusing to engage in battle.
Even when the enemy feigned retreat, leaving an empty city, he ignored it completely, showing no desire for easy victories or rash advances. He didn’t even send troops to occupy and take over the abandoned city.
This stubbornness, like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, left the barbarian troops at a loss. They could only send soldiers fluent in the Central Plains language to shout abuse daily, eventually cursing through the Prince of Huaiyang’s entire family tree.
The garrison at Jinjia Pass also had soldiers who understood the barbarian language. The Prince of Huaiyang entrusted them with the important task of composing a full company’s worth of insults about the barbarian Khan’s birth father. They shouted back with overwhelming momentum, fully displaying the profound depth of Central Plains street cursing.
However, as time went on, voices became strained. With limited medicinal supplies in the army, they had to order throat-soothing medicines from the rear.
Miantang had been in Wuning Pass for nearly a month and a half without seeing her husband leave the pass. Bored with idleness, she boldly took over a medicine shop that was for sale, engaging in the business of buying and selling medicinal herbs. At last, she had a source of income.
Cui Xingzhou, using the pretext of buying medicine, disguised himself as a battalion commander with his face wrapped in a headscarf, and made a brief stop at Wuning Pass.
However, he didn’t expect that while selecting medicines for the soldiers at Jinjia Pass, he would end up at the shop run by Liu.
“You don’t know how to diagnose illnesses, and you don’t have any qualified shop assistants. How can you run a medicine shop and prescribe for people?” he asked.
Liu Miantang, looking quite professional as she weighed out herbs, replied, “There were no proper doctors in the past, and the owner of the only medicine shop has fled. The people here still fall ill and need treatment. How can we do without a medicine shop? I took it over and stocked up on more herbs. If the front lines run short of medicine and you have none to use, I can help out! Don’t worry, I still have all the medical books Dr. Zhao left me. I’ve memorized them in my spare time. As they say, a long illness makes a good doctor – I may not have seven-tenths of the skill, but I have at least three-tenths!”
Just as Miantang finished boasting, a neighbor came in: “Oh, Liu, can you help me? Why did I get even worse diarrhea after taking the medicine you prescribed yesterday?”
Hearing this, Liu Miantang forgot about her husband and quickly opened the paper package to check the medicine she had prescribed. She flipped through the medical book beside her, confirming several times before calmly selecting some herbs, adding a few more, and packaging them for the neighbor.
“Uncle Meng, you originally had some internal heat. The diarrhea is good for detoxifying your body. Go home and take this, it will be twice as effective, and the medicinal properties will be more apparent.”
She spoke with indescribable confidence as if she were an experienced old doctor. The man, not suspecting anything and grateful that she wasn’t charging him, left with profuse thanks.
However, Cui Xingzhou, watching coldly from the side, clearly saw that the previous prescription had contained herbs like croton and lotus leaf, which were laxatives. Didn’t this reckless young woman fear that her prescriptions might cost someone’s life?
But Miantang remained calm and composed: “Dr. Zhao said that when he first started treating patients and prescribing medicine, he also made mistakes. Good doctors learn gradually. Besides, I don’t take on any serious illnesses at all. My lord, please don’t worry!”
Cui Xingzhou rubbed his forehead helplessly, looking at the medicine package in his hand. He wasn’t sure if this amateur doctor had prescribed some dangerous medicine for his soldiers.