Mian Tang’s departure was abrupt, leaving the Empress Dowager in a state of confusion.
In truth, her proposal had been merely a test. She had expected Mian Tang, with her gentle nature, to reluctantly agree or at least engage in a back-and-forth negotiation. After all, Mian Tang’s humble origins and past as Cui Xingzhou’s mistress were undeniable facts. If she had shown self-awareness and volunteered to become a favored concubine, as often seen in plays, it would have been ideal.
The Empress Dowager had envisioned a harmonious household with Lian Suilan as the proper wife of noble birth and her son’s favorite as a serving concubine. This compromise had come after being swayed by Lian Chu’s pitiful act and repeated suggestions.
However, she never anticipated Mian Tang’s sudden outburst and unyielding stance, let alone her abrupt departure.
The Empress Dowager knew her son would be furious if he returned to find Mian Tang gone. She regretted being too direct and was angry at Mian Tang for not giving her a way to save face. She ordered the maids and servants to keep quiet about Mian Tang’s departure, planning to find a way to bring her back in a few days.
Since Mian Tang had left through a side door, few in the mansion knew of her departure. The Empress Dowager’s plans were soon disrupted by a series of events that left her with no time to worry about Mian Tang’s return.
Three days after Mian Tang’s departure, all letters sent to the prince were returned midway. The postal routes had been cut off, making communication impossible.
It was said that the rebel army had received reinforcements from an unknown source and gained significant momentum.
Five days after Mian Tang left, rumors from Dongzhou grew increasingly alarming. Eventually, wild stories spread that Prince Huaiyang had fallen into an ambush set by the King of Lu and was trapped on Limen Island. His reinforcements were blocked by the rebel army, unable to reach him. People grew anxious, speculating when the Dongzhou rebels would march into the city.
The Empress Dowager, overwhelmed by worry, fell ill.
Mian Tang also received news and sent Fan Hu to gather more details.
Fan Hu returned from the post station with a grave expression. He reported only on the situation before the postal routes were cut off, saying that the rebel army had indeed received reinforcements, but the circumstances of the prince’s ambush were suspicious.
Unable to gather more specific details, Fan Hu decided to wait a while longer. If no news came, he would personally lead a team to investigate near Limen Island.
Mian Tang bit her lip and spread out a map of Dongzhou she had bought from a bookstore.
Since Cui Xingzhou’s departure, she had been marking the Zhenzhou army’s advance on the map to track the prince’s location.
The battlefield was ever-changing, and even the great general Guan Yu had suffered defeat at Maicheng.
Mian Tang’s heart was heavy with worry for Cui Xingzhou’s safety, with only this thin map to anchor her thoughts.
Looking at the heavily annotated map now, Mian Tang saw danger lurking everywhere. But how could these rebel peasants have suddenly gained reinforcements?
Mian Tang suddenly recalled her encounter with Miss He when she first returned.
She had invited He Zhen for a chat at her new residence after running into her returning from a matchmaking meeting.
He Zhen had been introduced to the son of a wealthy family from a neighboring town. The young man had recently passed the provincial examinations and was now ready to marry. It seemed a good match for the two who had waited so long.
He Zhen had commented that while the young scholar wasn’t as handsome as Prince Huaiyang, he seemed gentle and unlikely to frighten his wife.
With both families of similar status, the match was quickly agreed upon, and given their age, a near wedding date was set.
He Zhen was delighted to be marrying before Mian Tang, believing that marrying into a wealthy commoner family was better than entering the deep courtyards of a noble household.
She had asked Mian Tang why she had returned to Lingquan Town, suspecting she wasn’t welcome in the prince’s mansion. Mian Tang had deflected, saying she was back to manage accounts.
He Zhen had then mentioned some news from Huizhou. Prince Sui was moving his household to the capital, requiring many troops for escort.
One of the He family’s night boats had nearly been detained by officials at the Huizhou docks. Only the experienced captain’s quick thinking and a hefty bribe had saved them.
Mian Tang’s interest was piqued: “Noble families usually travel early, not late. Even troops escorting Prince Sui’s family to the capital shouldn’t need boats at night, should they?”
He Zhen had waved it off: “Who cares what they’re transporting? It’s not our business. Oh, by the way, my father got me some new jade hairpins. I picked out a few new styles for you, County Lady…”
Mian Tang had paid little attention to He Zhen’s subsequent chatter about clothes and accessories.
Now, with the postal routes blocked and no news from the Huaiyang army, she kept thinking about He Zhen’s mention of troops being transported by night in Huizhou.
Could there be a connection?
As the siege in Dongzhou dragged on, Mian Tang grew restless. She wanted to go with Fan Hu, but he stopped her: “My lady, you are too precious now. Wartime is full of unreliable rumors. Dongzhou is in chaos, not just from rebels but also opportunistic bandits. You’d only cause more trouble by going. What if you can’t return when the prince comes back victorious?”
Before Mian Tang could decide, a crisis arrived at Zhenzhou’s doorstep.
A group of rebels had somehow broken through the rear lines and was advancing directly on Zhenzhou.
They came swiftly and silently, catching surrounding prefectures completely off guard. Like ghosts, they appeared suddenly at Zhenzhou’s city gates.
Strangely, this army seemed to have a clear purpose, bypassing rich, undefended counties to head straight for Zhenzhou across the river.
The rebels passed through Lingquan Town, where Mian Tang was staying.
That night, the streets echoed with the sounds of people and horses. The wealthy merchants of Lingquan Town trembled in their beds, cursing Prince Huaiyang’s army for failing to stop the rebels from reaching them so quickly, leaving them no chance to escape.
Hearing the commotion, Mian Tang had a ladder placed against the wall. Under cover of darkness, she climbed up to look outside.
The passing rebel army carried torches, moving quickly with no intention of stopping to rest or loot. After watching for a while, Mian Tang quietly climbed down and asked Fan Hu, who had also been observing, if he had noticed anything unusual.
Fan Hu frowned: “They don’t look like rebels…”
Who would revolt if they could afford to eat? Fan Hu had suppressed rebels with the prince before. Those men had always been gaunt with desperate, fierce eyes.
But these soldiers were sturdy and well-built. More importantly, their marching was too disciplined for a hastily assembled rebel force.
Mian Tang had noticed these things too.
Yet this imposing force was carrying the King of Lu’s rebel flag.
After some thought, Mian Tang guessed that someone was taking advantage of the chaos, impersonating the King of Lu’s forces to attack Zhenzhou while Prince Huaiyang was trapped.
Their goal was clear – to control Prince Huaiyang’s mansion and hold his family hostage to manipulate him.
Before leaving, Cui Xingzhou had stationed troops in Zhenzhou as a precaution. However, a recent imperial edict had redirected most of these forces to transport military supplies to Linzhou.
With communication cut off, Cui Xingzhou likely didn’t know Zhenzhou’s defenses had been weakened. Everything seemed too coincidental, yet it all added up to a plot against the prince’s life and fortune.
Realizing this, Mian Tang felt less worried about Cui Xingzhou’s immediate safety. He must be relatively unharmed for this hidden enemy to resort to attacking Zhenzhou to gain leverage over him.
She quickly told Fan Hu: “Hurry! You must warn the prince’s mansion before this army arrives. Nothing else matters except getting the Empress Dowager, concubines, young ladies, and young masters out safely. Saving the people is most important…”
Hearing the unceasing footsteps outside, Fan Hu replied urgently: “Understood, people are the priority. But if I leave, you’ll be in danger here…”
Mian Tang was already heading to her room to change clothes. As she walked, she said: “It’s fine. I left the mansion through a side door, unseen. The Empress Dowager values her face and likely hasn’t announced it. These bandits don’t know I’m not in the mansion. See how long they’ve been marching without trying to break in here? They’re unaware. After you get everyone out, wait for me at Fengyu Pavilion in Zhenzhou’s western suburbs. The Empress Dowager might not believe you or might hesitate. If necessary, use the sleeping drug I prepared to knock her out and have the guards carry her out. Once they start attacking the city, it’ll be much harder to leave! Zhenzhou… can’t be saved!”
Fan Hu listened with furrowed brows, no longer hesitating. He quickly led his men out through the back streets, following Mian Tang’s instructions to reach the canal outside Yuye Porcelain Workshop. They took a small boat used for transporting goods and swiftly sailed downstream to Zhenzhou.
The “rebel army” was large and would be delayed crossing the river, so he was certain to reach the mansion before them.
Meanwhile, Mian Tang quickly changed into men’s clothes, disguising herself as she had done when traveling to the northwest. She darkened her face with coal from the stove, packed some bank notes and gold and silver ingots, and left through the back streets with Fangxie and Bicao, also dressed as men, along with the few remaining guards.
They found a boat to cross the river, then hired fast horses and simple carriages to wait at Fengyu Pavilion. They waited and waited until dawn, but no one came.