Ever since the outbreak of the Northwestern war, Lady Lian Chu had become a near-constant presence in the Prince of Huaiyang’s mansion. Initially, Princess Dowager Chu felt indebted to the Lian family because her son had abruptly broken off the engagement, damaging Lian Silan’s reputation. As time passed, however, she simply enjoyed having someone to talk to.

Lady Lian Chu, well-versed in the Princess Dowager’s temperament, knew exactly how to please her. After several visits, the Princess Dowager began to doubt her son’s alleged affair in Lingquan Town. When Cui Xingzhou’s coachman was interrogated, he honestly admitted to driving the prince to North Street in Lingquan several times. However, he swore he didn’t know who lived there, only that he had glimpsed an exceptionally beautiful woman.

With this seemingly concrete evidence, the Princess Dowager looked at her niece Lian Silan with renewed sympathy. She realized her son had been keeping a mistress even before his engagement, then used the excuse that his cousin wasn’t compatible with him to break off the marriage when Lian Silan fell ill. It was truly despicable!

Feeling guilty, Princess Dowager resolved to make Cui Xingzhou retract his words and renew the marriage contract with the Lian family upon his return. Lady Lian Chu, displaying great magnanimity, suggested that young Xingzhou had likely been led astray by seductive women while away from home. She assured the Princess Dowager that Lian Silan would be willing to wait for Cui Xingzhou if he acknowledged his mistake.

Initially, the tense situation in the northwest kept the Lian women from visiting frequently. Rumors of the war frightened the Princess Dowager, disrupting her sleep and appetite. However, when news of a great victory in the northwest spread, the Princess Dowager finally relaxed, and the Lian women began to visit more often.

Cui Xingzhou would have to report to the capital before returning to Zhen Prefecture. The Princess Dowager could only wait patiently for her son’s return. Frustratingly, while his letters arrived regularly, they were brief and ignored her hints about the Lian family. He only wrote about his health and reminded his mother to take care of herself.

As Zhen Prefecture was far from the capital, news traveled slowly. When Cui Xingzhou didn’t return as expected, rumors spread that he had fallen out of favor with the new emperor. This news caused the Princess Dowager to break out in fever blisters from worry. Lady Lian Chu, perhaps sharing in the anxiety, also fell ill and stopped visiting the mansion for some time.

It wasn’t until news arrived that the Prince of Huaiyang was nearing Zhen Prefecture that Lady Lian Chu, still recovering, brought her daughter to visit again. Despite her anxiety, the Princess Dowager had to wait for her son to return on his own. It would be unseemly to fetch him from North Street in Lingquan Town.

However, this sense of urgency hadn’t reached the small courtyard on North Street. That night, the Prince of Huaiyang was thoroughly enjoying himself. After a night of passion, both the storm and the flower it had bent were reluctant to rise.

When Mian Tang opened her eyes, sunlight was already streaming into the room. She pushed Cui Xingzhou gently, asking, “Didn’t you say you were going to see the Princess Dowager at the mansion today? Why aren’t you getting up?”

Cui Xingzhou, eyes still closed, took her hand and replied, “What’s the rush? The mansion isn’t going anywhere. I’ve already sent word to Mother that I’ll be back before dinner… You should come with me then. Kong Xu can handle the shop accounts later.”

Mian Tang, now more awake, thought for a moment before saying, “Please go ahead without me, Your Highness. The Princess Dowager doesn’t know about me yet. We should give her time to prepare mentally.”

Knowing Mian Tang’s pride, Cui Xingzhou understood that if his mother said something unkind upon suddenly learning of their engagement, Mian Tang would take it to heart. He kissed her hand and said, “That’s fine. I’ll come back for you tomorrow.”

After some more intimate moments, Cui Xingzhou reluctantly got up, dressed, and prepared to return to Zhen Prefecture with his guard, Mo Ru. However, just as they were leaving, they bumped into someone at the alley entrance – it was Zhao Quan, the Marquis of Zhennan, who had just dismounted.

The day before, Zhao Quan’s servant had reported seeing Miss Liu (Mian Tang) in a carriage heading towards North Street. Half-believing this, Zhao Quan had come to investigate. He had previously proposed to Mian Tang but was firmly rejected. After inadvertently revealing Cui Jiu’s injury to her, Mian Tang disappeared the next day, presumably to bring medicine to Cui Jiu.

Zhao Quan had always known that Mian Tang’s heart belonged to Cui Xingzhou, but he hadn’t expected her to still care so much after learning he was a fraud. The Marquis of Zhennan’s devotion had come to nothing, and after a long separation, his longing had only grown more bitter. Hearing of Mian Tang’s return, he couldn’t resist the urge to see if she had finally seen through Cui Jiu’s fickleness and given up on him.

However, instead of encountering his beloved, he ran into Cui Xingzhou, fully dressed and emerging from the North Alley. Zhao Quan’s mood soured instantly. He grudgingly saluted Cui Xingzhou, saying, “Prince of Huaiyang, long time no see. The Princess Dowager has been constantly lamenting to my mother about missing you, yet here you are, leisurely strolling North Street.”

In the past, Cui Xingzhou had been annoyed by Zhao Quan’s pursuit of Mian Tang but had no legitimate reason to rebuke him. Now that Mian Tang had signed a marriage contract with him, he wouldn’t allow a drooling dog to follow his fiancée.

He addressed Zhao Quan seriously, “I am engaged now.”

Zhao Quan was stunned for a moment, then asked, “That’s good news. Have you reconciled with Cousin Lian?”

Cui Xingzhou shook his head and pointed toward North Street, saying, “You know my fiancée. It’s Liu Mian Tang, the illegitimate daughter of the Lu family from Xi Prefecture.”

Cui Xingzhou’s tone was casual, but Zhao Quan’s eyes widened in disbelief, suspecting a lie. He knew Mian Tang’s background all too well. With an executed father, she wasn’t even fit to enter a respectable household, let alone become the official fiancée of the Prince of Huaiyang. Had Cui Xingzhou truly gone mad?

Zhao Quan grabbed Cui Xingzhou and dragged him into a nearby tavern, insisting on hearing the full story. Pressed for time to return home, Cui Xingzhou downed three large cups of wine as self-punishment before addressing Zhao Quan: “Jiayu, I know you have feelings for her, but some things are predetermined. She fell for me first, that’s an undeniable fact. You and she are simply not meant to be. From now on, please respect her as your sister-in-law and mind your words. Otherwise, our friendship will end here.”

Zhao Quan’s eyes remained as wide as eggs, his throat too choked to speak. He clearly remembered how this man had once looked down on the girl from North Street, even saying that Mian Tang was as insignificant as an ant, easily crushed without consequence. How could he now solemnly declare that he had signed a marriage contract with Liu Mian Tang, warning others not to interfere?

After delivering this message, Cui Xingzhou patted the still gaping Jiayu’s shoulder, kindly reminding him that the wedding date wasn’t far off and that he should prepare a gift early. After all, it would be a shame to let their years of friendship end over a woman.

Zhao Quan was furious, nearly cursing aloud: “You… you even expect a wedding gift from me! No wonder you succeed in great endeavors! You’re utterly shameless! You’ve turned the cunning you use against barbarians on me… I understand now. You’ve been deceiving me all along, pretending to look down on Mian Tang, knowing she wouldn’t agree to be a concubine. You kept emphasizing her lowly background to me, encouraging me to propose she become a favored concubine, while you went and proposed marriage… How devious! Devious indeed… A wedding gift? When you’re on your deathbed, I’ll prepare a fine coffin to send you off!”

Cui Xingzhou knew Zhao Quan was upset. He didn’t want to explain the complicated emotional journey he and Mian Tang had been through to his friend – it would be too damaging to his male pride. So he simply said, “Mian Tang loves me, so she couldn’t be with any other man. I took pity on her and didn’t want to let her down. If you don’t come to the wedding, that’s fine. I’ll still consider you a close friend, and if you ever need help in the future, I’ll be sure to repay your kindness doubly.”

With that, he bowed to the Marquis of Zhennan and left the tavern. Zhao Quan watched Cui Xingzhou mount his horse and gallop away, so angry he could only pat his chest to calm down. That man was truly heartless! Years of friendship meant nothing to him. Why couldn’t Mian Tang see Cui Xingzhou’s true nature?

…But he was ruthless enough to dare marry a woman of such low birth! Who knew what chaos this would cause in the Prince of Huaiyang’s household when they found out…

When Cui Xingzhou arrived at the Prince of Huaiyang’s mansion, it was already afternoon. The servants all came out to welcome the prince home, and the Princess Dowager was supported as she watched her son dismount gracefully, her eyes brimming with tears.

No wonder her son had broken off the engagement and achieved great victories in the northwest. After his return, matchmakers had been wearing out the mansion’s threshold. After so long in the cold winds of the northwest, her son had gained an air of masculine fortitude, looking even more handsome and imposing. What girl wouldn’t be moved by such a dashing prince?

Cui Xingzhou strode quickly to Princess Dowager Min and knelt to pay his respects. The Princess Dowager, eyes red with tears, helped her son up but caught a faint whiff of alcohol on him. She frowned inwardly, suspecting he had been drinking at his residence on North Street before coming. What kind of woman was he keeping there, to coax him into drinking during the day? She knew her son to be self-disciplined, never touching alcohol except during festivals or social occasions. Had this North Street woman led him astray to become a drunkard?

Unaware of his mother’s thoughts, Cui Xingzhou smiled and instructed his guards to bring in the specialties he had brought back from the northwest, distributing them among everyone. However, upon seeing his aunt Lady Lian Chu and his cousin also present, Cui Xingzhou’s expression cooled slightly, though he still greeted his aunt politely. Even if they couldn’t become family through marriage, his aunt was still a relative, and it wouldn’t do to cut off relations entirely.

Lian Silan had been genuinely worried when she heard that Empress Dowager Wu wanted to make Cui Xingzhou her son-in-law. Her mother, not wanting to put all her eggs in one basket, had been frequently visiting the Marquis of Zhennan’s mansion. After all, Zhao Quan was also her nephew and had recently divorced his first wife without remarrying. Though the Marquis of Zhennan wasn’t as prestigious as the Prince of Huaiyang, he was a reliable backup option.

Unfortunately, the Marquis of Zhennan seemed to be infatuated with some woman outside, always running off, leaving Lian Silan no chance to develop a relationship with her Zhao cousin. Luckily, the Prince of Huaiyang had broken his leg, dashing the Empress Dowager’s hopes. Although the Princess Dowager had cried for days upon hearing this news, Lian Silan had secretly breathed a sigh of relief. A limp wouldn’t affect his inheritance, so it wasn’t a big deal.

However, judging from both her cousins’ behavior, Lian Silan developed a deep hatred for such seductive women, feeling that all men were the same – when faced with feminine charms, friendship meant nothing. Since all men were like this, why shouldn’t she seek someone of high status and power? This made her even more determined to pursue her Cui cousin.

But today, seeing her cousin dismount, it seemed his leg wasn’t much of an inconvenience. He had been treated by a famous doctor and had been taking medicine, greatly improving his condition. Moreover, her cousin looked even more handsome than before, truly captivating. That aura of a powerful man in his prime was most intoxicating and submission-inducing…

Lian Silan had recently been complaining to her mother about postponing the wedding date. If they hadn’t, she would already be the rightful princess consort, instead of sitting as a guest, unable to even speak to her cousin.

After Cui Xingzhou escorted his mother back to the main hall, she inquired about his recent experiences and whether his audience with the new emperor had gone smoothly. Cui Xingzhou answered each question, while Aunt Lian Chu took the opportunity to flatter her nephew, saying his talents would surely earn him great favor and honor.

However, seeing that Cui Xingzhou didn’t even glance at her daughter, Lady Lian Chu grew anxious and steered the conversation: “Your Highness, your journey to the northwest has caused great worry for your family. Since you left, not only has the Princess Dowager lost her appetite, but even your cousin Silan has lost weight…”

Cui Xingzhou didn’t respond to this. Instead, he turned to Princess Dowager Chu and said, “Mother, there’s something I need to inform you about. I’ve decided on my own, and I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Princess Dowager Chu smiled at her son and replied, “You’ve always been level-headed in your actions. Don’t you handle all the affairs of our household? What is there to forgive?”

Cui Xingzhou smiled slightly and said, “I’m glad Mother doesn’t mind me making my own decisions… I have become engaged to the Imperial County Lady of Huaisang, personally appointed by His Majesty.”

At these words, everyone in the hall fell silent, looking at each other in confusion, wondering where this County Lady of Huaisang had come from. Princess Dowager Chu was also surprised, unsure of what to say. Lady Lian Chu spoke up for her: “Marriage is a major decision that should be made by parents. How could you make such a choice on your own, Your Highness?”

Lady Lian Chu, seeing her daughter’s face suddenly turn pale, felt heartbroken and thought her nephew’s actions were too outrageous.

Cui Xingzhou, however, remained calm as he served tea to his mother, saying, “It’s rare to find such a beautiful and intelligent woman. Fearing someone else might claim her first, I asked the local officials to act as guarantors and betrothed her. Mother, you’ll surely like her when you meet her. I’ll bring her to see you tomorrow.”

Cui Xingzhou never beat around the bush with such personal matters. Having dropped this bombshell on the household, he headed to his study to hear reports on the war situation from envoys from the Eastern Provinces. People came and went from the study, preventing the Princess Dowager from speaking further with her son.

Lady Lian Chu took matters into her own hands. While Mo Ru went to the kitchen to fetch tea for the prince, she cornered the guard to interrogate him.