Liu Kun prepared a note and tucked it into his sleeve. He bid farewell to the Eldest Master Lu and left the dilapidated temple, heading towards Wuning Pass. Upon reaching the city gate, he found it tightly shut, barring entry. Liu Kun inquired with a local, who informed him that the city was locked down due to the pursuit of important fugitives. With no other option, Liu Kun returned to the temple, waiting for an opportunity to enter the city.
Inside the city, a manhunt was indeed underway. Cui Xingzhou personally led the troops, intending to catch his quarry like fish in a barrel. His suspicions were correct – the iron mine had intricate connections to Yangshan. However, the mine had recently changed hands.
According to reports from undercover agents who had infiltrated the mine as foremen, the previous merchants were indeed linked to Yangshan. But now, the people placed by Lu Wen had been completely rooted out, replaced by merchants friendly with Agu Shan. The mine showed signs of expanded operations. The barbarians had captured many frontier civilians during their conquests, forcing them to labor in the mines. They worked day and night without rest; when workers died from exhaustion, their bodies were carelessly discarded in the wilderness to feed the wolves. As a result, wolf packs now gathered daily in the wastelands surrounding the mine, never lacking food.
The undercover agents deliberately got close to these mysterious merchants, noting that their accents carried the flavor of Huizhou – they were clearly from that region. The lands beyond the pass had always been rich in iron ore. However, the barbarians lacked the patience for mining labor and the skill for smelting. They couldn’t produce fine steel, and how much could they use themselves? The real profit came from transporting the iron into the Central Plains for sale, exchanging it for gold and silver to purchase cloth and grain. Those capable of navigating the numerous obstacles to sell refined iron from beyond the border were no ordinary merchants!
Though Cui Xingzhou lacked concrete evidence, he had pieced together a general picture. It seemed that those who had been completely uprooted were Yangshan’s old faction, who had close ties with the old Shanyu. But now that Agu Shan was in power among the barbarians, the iron mine had changed hands to merchants friendly with him. Those capable of currying favor with Agu Shan were certainly not ordinary people…
Huizhou? Cui Xingzhou suddenly thought of the unusually low-profile Prince Sui, who practiced asceticism while keeping his hair. On the surface, Prince Sui appeared to have no connection to Yangshan’s troubles or the frontier wars. However, as Prince Huaiyang’s secret investigations progressed, they gradually uncovered Prince Sui’s apparent involvement in events from Yangshan to the border regions.
Cui Xingzhou pondered that if he didn’t seize evidence of Prince Sui’s collusion with the enemy now, how could he have a heart-to-heart talk with Prince Sui in the future and settle accounts properly?
Thus, he concentrated his manpower on investigating leads related to Prince Sui. Their efforts paid off when they finally uncovered that the merchants who had secretly met with Agu Shan were leaving the Wang Banner tribe and planning to return to Huizhou via Wuning Pass.
So when this group of secret merchants entered Wuning Pass, they were like turtles in a jar, with no hope of escape. Cui Xingzhou caught them red-handed.
When it took Cui Xingzhou to drink a cup of tea at Madam Liu’s pharmacy, two of the merchants had already been captured. The other two, relying on their martial prowess, were still fleeing within the city.
However, Prince Huaiyang wasn’t anxious. After all, with Wuning Pass’s gates tightly shut, they couldn’t fly away even if they had wings. He wondered how long they could hide!
As Cui Xingzhou had predicted, the two remaining merchants split up when they fled, each going their way.
One hid in various obscure places around the city, playing a prolonged game of hide-and-seek with his pursuers until he was finally caught at noon.
The other merchant, however, left no trace. This one proved more cunning – after shaking off his pursuers, he chose a seemingly well-off household and snuck inside. The house only had a husband and wife living there. Upon entering, the merchant threatened the couple with a dagger, tied them up, and gagged them. He then rummaged through their wardrobe, found clothes that somewhat fit him, and changed before hiding in the house, planning to wait out the search before escaping.
He hid there undetected for an entire day. The soldiers, having searched all the inns and gambling dens in the city without finding him, began searching house by house in teams. Only then was he finally captured.
After apprehending the suspects, Cui Xingzhou borrowed the local jail for immediate interrogation. The merchants were brought to the prison, and questioning began that very night.
The interrogator ordered the jailers to hang all four men from the rafters. Without a word, he raised a spiked cowhide whip soaked in salt water and lashed each man five times.
This whip was special, known as the “Intimidation Whip.” Made from high-quality cowhide strips intertwined with forged iron wire, it was both tough and sturdy. A single lash could strip away a line of flesh.
The interrogator had mastered the use of this whip to perfection. Each strike removed only a sliver of flesh, not damaging muscles or bones, yet inflicting maximum pain and causing blood to flow freely.
If used maliciously, striking the thighs and arms, it could cause unbearable agony. The saltwater seeping into the wounds intensified the pain to near-death levels.
Normally, after five lashes, a suspect’s body would be a mess of torn skin and exposed flesh, appearing gravely injured. Suspects would think they had sustained severe wounds and that a few more lashes would kill them. This often led to quick confessions without further questioning.
However, today, after questioning each merchant in turn, none were willing to confess. Seeing their silence, the interrogator snorted and said, “The human body may seem like iron, but it’s fake iron. The law is like a furnace, truly like a furnace. Let’s see how long you can hold out!”
With that, he tossed aside the whip and ordered several bailiffs to don spiked gloves and use the merchants as punching bags.
These merchants knew the gravity of their situation, especially considering the high status of their backer. They reasoned that if they didn’t confess, only they would die. But if they did, their entire families would perish.
So, despite the interrogator’s various tortures, they gritted their teeth and refused to speak.
The interrogator continued from dusk until mid-morning the next day. The men were covered in blood and had fainted several times.
When Cui Xingzhou heard the report from his subordinates, he calmly said, “Since torture can’t pry open their mouths, try something else. Tell them that if they don’t confess now, we’ll behead them, wrap their heads in lime, and transport them back to Huizhou. We’ll inquire village by village until we find their families. By then, the crime of secretly communicating with barbarians during wartime will be enough to condemn their entire families to execution. If they’re sensible and confess honestly, I’ll do my best to ensure their families remain unharmed and are relocated to other regions…”
Sure enough, after the interrogator relayed Prince Huaiyang’s words, the merchants began to waver. After weighing the pros and cons, they all started talking. They confessed that the person behind them was indeed Prince Sui.
They even detailed the smuggling routes for the iron ore and how it was sold.
Looking at the routes they had drawn and the methods of distributing goods, which were all unexpectedly ingenious and sophisticated, Cui Xingzhou couldn’t help but coldly smile, “Who would have thought Prince Sui was such a business mastermind?”
The subordinate in charge of the interrogation quickly added, “It’s said that these methods were inherited from the previous Yangshan merchants. Apparently, Lu Wen personally arranged and secretly negotiated with the old Shanyu’s attendants to set it up… Prince Sui, being cunning, realized there were great profits to be made here, so he schemed to eliminate Lu Wen’s influence and take over himself.”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow. Again, it was this Lu Wen. This remnant of the former Crown Prince was not only a master of chess and strategy but also had a keen business acumen – truly a man of many talents! Even the wives and concubines around him had been taught to be capable. Just look at Miantang; one could see how dedicated a teacher Lu Ziye had been.
If she were any other woman, wouldn’t it be hard not to be attracted to such a capable man? At this thought, Cui Xingzhou’s expression grew colder.
He knew that before losing her memory, Miantang must have given her heart to that scoundrel. Somehow, this bothered him even more than the fact that she had lost her virtue to him.
However, when that scoundrel had abducted her, Miantang was still young and inexperienced with men. It was understandable that she would develop feelings for the man who held power over her life and death.
Cui Xingzhou truly didn’t believe he was inferior to the defeated Lu Wen. Even if Miantang regained her memories, she should be smart enough to know how to choose wisely, wash away the past, actively forget her history with Lu Wen, and live a good life with him…
Although Prince Huaiyang felt he shouldn’t be too concerned with such private matters between men and women, the next day he still decided to return to the pharmacy to find Miantang.
He had been so preoccupied with military affairs lately that he had little time to accompany her.
Now that the iron mine situation was clear, Cui Xingzhou instructed his subordinates on the next steps to take. He could now steal a little leisure time for himself amidst his busy schedule.
Because the city had been locked down the entire previous day to allow officials to capture suspects, fewer people were coming and going when the gates opened today. As a result, the pharmacy was unusually quiet.
Doctor Zhao, who had eaten breakfast at a teahouse in the city, came excitedly carrying a package of sweet pastries, intending to let Miantang taste them.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the shop, he saw Cui Xingzhou sitting behind the counter.
This greatly disappointed the excited Doctor Zhao, who looked at Prince Huaiyang with disdain and grumbled, “You’ve taken my seat!”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow and replied, “This is all Cui family property. May I ask if you brought your chair?”
Zhao Quan disliked seeing Commander Cui so deeply in character. He dramatically swung his long sleeves, sat in the opposite chair, and asked with his chin raised, “With border affairs so busy, how can you keep running to Wuning Pass? It’s unseemly. Besides, I’m here on the righteous business of helping the common people. When patients arrive, won’t you have to give up your seat to me?”
Cui Xingzhou remained unmoved and said, “The pharmacy will be closing soon. We won’t need your services today, Brother Zhao. You can go home and rest… Oh, by the way, a letter from your family arrived at my camp. It was marked urgent, so there must be some pressing matter at home. I brought it for you.”
Zhao Quan absent-mindedly took the letter, craning his neck to look around for Miantang.
Nearby, Mama Li explained that the mistress had been feeling fatigued these past few days. After taking inventory this morning, she felt drowsy and went to lie down in the side room. She hadn’t even gotten up when Prince Huaiyang arrived!
Only then did Marquis Zhao reluctantly open the letter to read.
But as soon as he read it, Zhao Quan jumped up from his chair as if his buttocks had been branded with a hot iron.
Cui Xingzhou, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhao Quan’s face turned red with anger as he exclaimed, “A family disgrace! A family disgrace!” He thrust the letter into Cui Xingzhou’s hands and began pacing in agitation.
Cui Xingzhou read it, looking somewhat puzzled, but still said, “This is good news. Congratulations, Brother Zhao…”
Zhao Quan, now devoid of his usual carefree demeanor, clenched his fists and said, “I haven’t shared a bed with her for two years. What is there to congratulate?”
Hearing this, Cui Xingzhou’s brow furrowed, and he couldn’t help but reprimand Zhao Quan: “This is your family matter. Showing me the letter so rashly, doesn’t it… damage her reputation?”
By now, Zhao Quan was furious. He spat out bitterly, “What reputation does she have left?”
As this was a family matter, Cui Xingzhou felt it wasn’t his place to say more. As a good friend, all he could do was arrange for swift horses to help Zhao Quan return quickly to the Marquis of Zhennan’s mansion to deal with the messy situation at home.
Zhao Quan had shown Cui Xingzhou the letter without reservation because he knew Cui Xingzhou could keep a secret, and he wasn’t afraid.
But thinking about how the letter was written by his unsuspecting mother in an overjoyed tone, Zhao Quan couldn’t help but feel irritated.
He dreaded trouble more than anything in life. Imagining the chaos and endless crying that would ensue at home if he revealed the truth, he felt a sudden urge to delay his return.
He almost wished he’d encountered barbarian bandits on the road, sustaining some injuries on his way back. Then these mundane affairs wouldn’t bother him as much.
Cui Xingzhou waved for someone to come over and ordered them to prepare a horse for Zhao Quan immediately, making arrangements for his departure.
He knew Zhao Quan was indecisive and had shown him the letter hoping for advice.
So before Zhao Quan left, Prince Huaiyang said to him, “When you return, don’t act rashly out of anger, and don’t let the entire household know. If the pregnancy is in its early stages, you know what to do with your medical skills… Although your feelings for her may be shallow, her father is a cabinet elder and censor in the imperial court. If this becomes too public, it will bring shame to her family and make it difficult for your household to find peace.”
Zhao Quan knew Cui Xingzhou meant well, but in his current state of anger, he merely waved his hand and departed hastily.
After seeing off his friend, Cui Xingzhou ordered the guards to close the city gates tightly and returned to the pharmacy.
He found that Miantang, who had been resting, was now awake. Her hair was slightly disheveled, and her cheeks were flushed from sleep, giving her a lazy, unkempt appearance.
She had vaguely heard her husband talking with Dr. Zhao in the side room earlier, but when she got up, she found that both of them were gone.
Now seeing her husband return, she asked where Dr. Zhao was.
Cui Xingzhou replied concisely, “He had an urgent matter at home and left first.”
Miantang was surprised that Zhao Quan had left so suddenly and asked, “What urgent matter happened at his home?”
Cui Xingzhou said calmly, “A concubine in his household is with a child. He went back to check on the situation.”
Miantang had heard that Dr. Zhao had many wives and concubines at home, so it wasn’t unusual for him to become a father several times a year.
A concubine being pregnant was indeed a joyous occasion, so naturally, he had to return home.
But Miantang, thinking about how her husband and Dr. Zhao were of similar age, yet her husband had no children, felt guilty again. She asked if her husband felt upset upon hearing that Dr. Zhao was going to be a father.
Cui Xingzhou replied meaningfully, “A wife or concubine being pregnant doesn’t necessarily make a man happy. You’re overthinking it…”
So Miantang didn’t pursue the topic further.
Her husband had always been so considerate. Even if he was truly upset, he wouldn’t tell her. Fortunately, her health had been improving lately. Even in the cold northwestern winter, her hands and feet didn’t get as cold as before. She thought that if they were to have a baby, it might be easier now…
As she was lost in thought, hugging a hot water bottle, she saw Cui Xingzhou instructing the shop assistants to close up the pharmacy. She intervened, saying, “Even though we don’t have a doctor on duty, we still have people who can dispense medicine. Why close the shop so early?”
Cui Xingzhou explained, “There were fugitives in the city yesterday, and we’re not sure if there are any accomplices left. It’s not safe for you to keep the shop open like this. We’ll reopen when the streets are clear.”
Miantang saw the logic in this and asked, “Are we going home then?”
Cui Xingzhou replied, “Since we have some free time, I’ll take you out of the city for a change of scenery.”
He had always wanted to take Miantang out, but the war situation had been tense, leaving him no leisure time.
Later, when things stabilized at Jinjia Pass, Marquis Zhao showed up at the pharmacy, acting like he owned the place, which was truly bothersome.
Now that Marquis Zhao had gone home to deal with his family’s “joy,” Cui Xingzhou was glad for the peace. He wanted to take Miantang out of the city for some fun.
Miantang was naturally willing. Although she acted mature for her age, she was still not yet nineteen and at a time when she enjoyed having fun. She went home to change into a short hunting outfit suitable for horseback riding.
This outfit was an improved version of Hu people’s clothing. Miantang had liked it the first time she saw it in a ready-made clothing shop.
After buying it, Mama Li skillfully embroidered delicate and elegant patterns on the plain cuffs and collar. She had also paired it with a wide satin waistband.
The originally loose-fitting top now hugged her body alluringly under the constraint of the wide waistband, accentuating her curves. Her long, shapely legs were complemented by soft leather-soled boots, giving her a dashing and spirited appearance.
When Liu Miantang, with her long braid and small leather whip, stood before Cui Xingzhou, who was reading, the Prince of Huaiyang’s breath caught. He looked her up and down for a long while.
Liu Miantang couldn’t read his thoughts and asked anxiously, “What’s wrong? Doesn’t it look good?”
Cui Xingzhou still didn’t speak, only saying lightly, “No, it looks very good.”
He naturally wouldn’t say that when he first saw Miantang come out in the hunting outfit, the casual way she flicked the whip in her hand and that indescribable aura suddenly gave him a sense of unfamiliarity and distance.
It was as if the woman before him wasn’t the same one who curled up like a cat in his arms every day…
Cui Xingzhou disliked this feeling, so he took her hand and added, “But I prefer seeing you in a skirt…”
Miantang, standing in front of the horse and playfully swinging her small riding crop, smiled and said, “But I can’t ride a horse in a skirt! I’ll change into a skirt for you when we get back.”
With that, she turned to mount the horse herself.
Unfortunately, her injured foot couldn’t support her weight, and she only made it halfway up before losing strength. If Cui Xingzhou hadn’t reached out his long arm to support her, she would have fallen.
Cui Xingzhou mounted the horse deftly, then bent down to grip her waist and pulled her up onto the horse in one swift motion. After wrapping her in his long cloak, he cracked the whip and urged the horse out of the city.
Shortly after they left, a man with his face wrapped in a scarf hurriedly came to the front of the pharmacy. Seeing the closed shop and the notice of rest for a few days, he stamped his foot in frustration, feeling unlucky to have arrived just as the store closed.
He looked like a customer in urgent need of medicine…
Meanwhile, Prince Huaiyang had discovered a hot spring in a nearby valley a month ago while leading his men to survey the surrounding terrain.
The hot spring was misty with steam, and despite the winter season, the heat had transformed the area into a paradise untouched by cold winds, with lush green grass and wildflowers.
When Cui Xingzhou discovered this place, he remembered Zhao Quan saying that if conditions allowed, letting Liu Nianzi soak in a hot spring would be better for her hands and feet.
So in the past few days, Cui Xingzhou had ordered soldiers to transport stones and build a small pool. They also used wooden troughs to divert water, making it perfect for a warm soak.
When Miantang saw this place from horseback, she cried out joyfully, “Husband, how did you find this place?”
She dismounted and walked around the small pool a few times, then eagerly called for Fangxie to bring the basket of food. She took out several chicken eggs and bird eggs.
At home, when Cui Xingzhou said he would take her to soak in a hot spring, she had asked Mama Li to prepare raw chicken eggs and bird eggs to bring along.
Now they came in handy. She took a thin small copper basin, scooped some water to soak the eggs, and let them float near the spring source.
Cui Xingzhou asked what she was doing, and Miantang replied enthusiastically, “Cooking hot spring eggs to eat! When cooked in this spring water, the yolk coagulates in one place, but the white remains thin and flowing. Sprinkle some fish sauce on it, and it’s most delicious. Regular firewood can’t produce that kind of flavor.”
Prince Huaiyang had carefully prepared this place, originally imagining the lazy, delicate beauty of bathing scenes like those at Huaqing Pool. Who would have thought she would first think of cooking eggs to eat?
However, he had brought her out to make her happy, so Cui Xingzhou sat on the folding Hu bed that Mo Ru had brought and smiled at her, saying, “You certainly remember to eat. Who taught you this?”
Miantang placed the eggs, took the handkerchief Fangxie handed her, and wiped her hands as she said, “When I was little, my eldest uncle once took my mother and me to Lizhou for a trip. There were many hot springs there, and mother often cooked eggs for me to eat.”
As she said this, Miantang’s voice carried a hint of melancholy. She wondered where her maternal grandparents’ family had drifted to now, and if her grandfather was in good health.
Before her sadness could fully form, her attention was drawn to another beautiful sight before her.
Cui Xingzhou had begun to undress, preparing to soak in the hot spring. Although he had wrapped a long cloth around his lower body, his muscular arms and narrow waist were truly a sight to behold…
Miantang felt a bit embarrassed but couldn’t help stealing glances.
After Cui Xingzhou entered the comfortably warm pool, the rising steam blurred his features, making them appear as if they were hidden in a sea of clouds.
“Since you’re cooking eggs, I’ll soak for a while first, then let you have your turn.”
There was no choice; the pool was built too small, only able to accommodate one person at a time. Otherwise, bathing together would have been a pleasant experience… Prince Huaiyang’s thoughts inadvertently drifted far away.
Miantang was distracted as she prepared the meal, stealing glances at her husband, who had his eyes closed in relaxation. His nose was high and straight, and his profile was particularly beautiful.
Those thin, well-shaped lips looked somewhat cold and indifferent, but when kissing, they made one feel shy and overwhelmed…
Just as Cui Xingzhou was preparing to get out of the bath, the hot spring eggs were ready.
For this picnic, they had prepared cold rice, but Mama Li had also prepared thin slices of meat, arranged in a food box. They could be quickly blanched in a small pot of boiling water, then topped with prepared sauce and chopped green onions. Along with the tender, almost flowing hot spring eggs, the rice could be mixed and warmed up enough to eat.
When Cui Xingzhou came out and put on his loose robe, Miantang had already directed the maid to set up a small table. Her husband could enjoy the ready-made meal as soon as he was dressed.
Miantang had Fangxie bring out a pot of wine from the food box and said rather solemnly, “This is a medicinal wine I’ve been researching for a few days, specially made for your condition. Please try it and see if it suits your taste.”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow as he looked at the brown liquid, unsure what ailment she thought he needed to treat.