Hearing Mian Tang’s tearful accusation, Cui Xingzhou’s tone remained unyielding: “I know you have a slim waist and long legs. Why must you show others on your wedding day? Besides, it’s only been loosened a bit. Won’t you still look graceful in it?”
Pregnancy had made this woman’s reactions unpredictable, but generally more sensitive.
Lately, Mian Tang had trouble controlling her tears. So when Cui Xingzhou arbitrarily altered her wedding dress, tears fell in pairs.
When Mian Tang sat quietly without speaking, her delicate, porcelain-like face adorned with glistening teardrops was truly a pitiful sight.
This silent, solitary weeping was more devastating than a cavalry charge.
Cui Xingzhou maintained a stern expression for a moment before calling out to those outside, his face darkening: “Go, find that tailor and have the County Princess’s dress altered back!”
After shouting, he turned to see if Mian Tang had cheered up. To his surprise, she was still silently weeping.
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow: “That’s enough. Even if you keep crying, there’s no time to make you a second dress!”
But Mian Tang couldn’t stop her sorrow. Back in North Street, she had also regarded her husband as her world. However, her husband Cui Jiu rarely interfered with her, his tolerance as vast as the verdant grasslands beyond the frontier. She had marveled at how she deserved such an accommodating and refined husband.
Now, that magnanimous husband was gone, and the Prince was becoming increasingly controlling.
Mian Tang even imagined that if he discovered her identity as Lu Wen, she might be chained and thrown into a private prison, the family scandal hushed up, and her freedom forever lost.
This thought made her feel like a tragic character in a play, her grief becoming uncontrollable until she began to sob.
Cui Xingzhou gritted his teeth and endured for a while before finally embracing her with furrowed brows. He gently patted her back while coldly saying, “I merely had a dress altered. Have I accidentally pierced the heavens, causing this deluge?”
Mian Tang sniffled: “Back in North Street, you never bothered with such trivial matters. Are you going to control everything from now on?”
Cui Xingzhou raised an eyebrow: “Before I not only didn’t control you, I didn’t even sleep with you! Do you want to live like we did in North Street?”
Mian Tang inadvertently broke character and chuckled: “Sure, I’d love that kind of mutual respect and equality…”
Feeling he’d been outmaneuvered, Cui Xingzhou leaned in and bit Mian Tang’s tear-stained cheek hard.
Mian Tang’s face had become slightly fuller from eating more recently, giving her a more noble appearance and making it quite pleasant to bite. She squealed at the ticklish sensation and retaliated by nibbling his earlobe.
Their playful banter soon turned into passionate kisses.
Embracing such a handsome man in an intimate kiss was truly intoxicating. Cui Xingzhou’s handsomeness carried a fresh, grassy scent, and he was at the perfect age where masculinity and vitality coexisted. Mian Tang was reluctant to let go.
Her sorrow quickly dissipated. The allure of male beauty was strong; for such a delectable morsel, even future imprisonment seemed worthwhile…
Thus, the dispute over the wedding dress was finally settled.
Recently, Cui Xingzhou has been busy not only with wedding preparations but also with arrangements for their move to the capital. He had already delayed some matters by staying home to care for Mian Tang during her unstable pregnancy. Now he often returned home for lunch, spent some time with Mian Tang, and then hurried back to his duties.
After the Prince left, Madam Li, who had recently returned to the residence, brought Mian Tang some pregnancy-nourishing soup while reminding her: “County Princess, you’re carrying twins now. Don’t cry so easily. When you’re older and your eyesight fails, you’ll regret not taking better care of yourself now.”
It had been a while since Mian Tang had heard Madam Li’s admonitions, and she had missed them. While the palace chefs cooked delicious meals, they lacked Madam Li’s unique touch.
Due to her pregnancy, Cui Xingzhou felt she needed someone experienced by her side, so he had Madam Li return to care for Mian Tang.
Thus, Mian Tang could once again enjoy her beloved soups and broths. Hearing Madam Li’s advice, she obediently nodded.
Madam Li smiled at the County Princess of Huaisang, feeling that of all the masters she had served in her life, none had given her such a sense of accomplishment as this young lady.
After all, this girl’s manners and deportment were all taught by her. Yesterday, when the noble ladies from the prefecture came early to offer congratulatory gifts, the County Princess had stood beside the Duchess, responding appropriately and displaying the demeanor of a great family. Her aura even seemed more befitting of the lady of the Prince’s household than the Duchess herself!
While sipping her nourishing soup, Mian Tang asked Madam Li about the old affairs of the prince’s household, particularly focusing on Madam Qin and the Fifth Young Master.
Madam Li, being an old servant of the household, was naturally very familiar with these matters.
“County Princess, you might see Madam Qin as quiet and unassuming now, but when she was in favor, she had her moments of glory. But how long can one rely on beauty alone? When the Fifth Young Master became lame and she was reprimanded by the Prince for failing to protect her son, she gradually fell out of favor. Once new concubines entered the household, she became old news to the old Prince…”
Mian Tang smiled slightly and asked, “So how exactly did the Fifth Young Master become lame?”
In the past, Madam Li might have been hesitant to discuss such secretive matters of the prince’s household. But now that Mian Tang was about to become the new mistress of the household, she naturally spoke without reserve, eager to assist Mian Tang in managing household affairs.
“It was due to a paralytic disease. At that time, some children in nearby counties were afflicted with a paralytic epidemic. Those infected either died or became lame. However, the Fifth Young Master was studying diligently in the residence and hadn’t left. Yet somehow he became infected. It was said later that his usual teacup had been switched, deliberately causing him to contract the disease…”
Madam Li continued: “At that time, Madam Shen and Madam Qin were vying for favor. Their sons were about the same age, both preparing for the imperial examinations. The Fifth Young Master was naturally intelligent, much more clever than Madam Shen’s son, the Sixth Young Master. If he hadn’t fallen ill, he would likely have passed the exams with flying colors. Even as a concubine’s son, unable to inherit the princely title, he could have brought great honor to the family. The Sixth Young Master probably couldn’t have outperformed him. But with this illness, the Sixth Young Master suddenly had the upper hand.”
These old tales of household intrigue were based on Madam Li’s intuition as a servant at the time, rather than any concrete evidence.
Listening intently, Mian Tang asked, “What about the Sixth Young Master? I remember you once said he was no longer alive…”
Madam Li nodded: “He was drinking outside and fell into a pond. The Fifth Young Master was there too, but he was also drunk. Although he bravely jumped into the pond to save his brother, a lame man could barely save himself, let alone rescue another.”
Mian Tang’s interest was piqued: “What happened then?”
Madam Li was ironing some newly made baby clothes. As she worked, she continued: “What else could happen? By the time the servants heard the cries and came looking, the Sixth Young Master had drowned. The Fifth Young Master was lucky to be rescued, but he was barely alive. Afterward, the old Prince ordered both of their servants to be beaten to death.”
After listening for a while, Mian Tang casually asked, “Did… the Fifth Young Master know how to swim before?”
Madam Li was taken aback by the question and hesitated: “I suppose he didn’t…”
Not wanting to dwell on such inauspicious old stories, Madam Li changed the subject to avoid upsetting Mian Tang’s pregnancy.
She also reassured Mian Tang: “The old Prince had many wives and concubines, so intrigue was inevitable. But now the prince’s household is much more peaceful than before. In the future, you and the Prince will be going to the capital, so you won’t even have to deal with sisters-in-law. It will be quite comfortable.”
Mian Tang smiled faintly at this, saying nothing more. After all, Madam Li had a point. In the coming years, she wouldn’t even have to serve a mother-in-law. Compared to many new brides in large households, she indeed had it much easier.
On the day of the wedding, before dawn broke, the entrance was already crowded with people.
Many Zhen Prefecture citizens had come out to line the streets, eager to catch a glimpse of the new princess.
However, the auspicious time for the ceremony had been set unusually late. While others typically welcomed the bride at daybreak, Prince Huaiyang’s household had announced that as it was an internal wedding, there was no need to start too early. It wasn’t until the sun was high in the sky that the bride began to wash and dress.
This caused much discussion among the onlookers, who remarked that the nobility truly did things differently, even choosing such an unconventional auspicious time.
Mian Tang, however, felt slightly guilty. She knew that Prince Huaiyang had made this arrangement solely to accommodate his lazy bride who couldn’t get out of bed. While feeling a warmth in her heart, Mian Tang could only focus on making herself as beautiful as possible to save face for the Prince who had married such a lazy wife.
The wedding dress, with its waist restored to its original design, was slim and graceful, flaring out at the ankles like a mermaid from legend.
Her fair wrists were adorned with gold bracelets inlaid with beryls. Her high-piled hair was decorated with a complete set of phoenix crown ornaments with dangling tassels, the peacock tail decorations made of colorful gemstones the size of quail eggs.
The luxurious crown made her face appear even more delicate and small, with ruby-red lips and phoenix eyes casting alluring glances.
When Mian Tang was helped out of her chambers, moving with graceful, smoke-like steps, Prince Huaiyang, who stood waiting at her courtyard entrance, held his breath.
He knew she was beautiful, but he never imagined she could be so breathtakingly stunning.
Such an incomparably gorgeous woman, along with the child she carried, belonged to him, Cui Xingzhou, alone!
This sense of satisfaction was unparalleled. It was a pity that others would soon see her in such bewitching attire. If possible, Cui Xingzhou would have hidden her away, keeping his precious Mian Tang from the gaze of common folk.
With this thought, Cui Xingzhou reached out to support his new bride.
At that moment, Liu Mian Tang was also gazing intently at the extraordinarily handsome man before her.
She hadn’t expected that Cui Xingzhou, a man of such cool temperament, could wear a bright red robe with such ethereal grace. The golden crown accentuated his eyes, which sparkled like cold stars. His lofty, commanding presence completely overpowered the gaudiness of the red robe, captivating all who saw him.
The bride’s unabashed, direct gaze at the groom amused the surrounding friends and relatives.
Madam Li whispered a reminder: “County Princess, please be more reserved. It’s not as if you’ve never seen him before. You shouldn’t stare at the Prince with such a silly smile… Mind your deportment!”