CH 36

But he didn’t expect Liu Miantang to be serious, “I have still got some money left in my dowry, so I think about buying a small yard these days, a simple house and a narrow room, which can accommodate me… If you feel that you cannot tolerate me, I’ll live there… It also prevents you from throwing bowls. Although our family sells porcelain, if you continue to smash it like this, the inventory in the shop is not enough for business…”

Cui Xingzhou felt uncomfortable after hearing this.

This woman’s judgment is too broad! He simply just smashed a bowl, and here she is wanting to buy a small yard and run away. Who can have a long-term relationship with such a temperament?

But thinking that she had been kidnapped to the mountain and had no experience of being a decent wife, he had to teach her thus, he had a little more patience. So Cui Jiu frowned and said, “How can couples in the world not quarrel? Look at the courtyard on North Street. Whose house has been quiet all the time? If they all learn from you, wanting to buy a courtyard when they have a little more money. The houses in Lingquan Town are not enough for sale, and the land taxes will be more expensive.”

He had never been exposed to earthly joys and sorrows before, and he doesn’t know how married couples should get along with each other. However, after living on North Street for a while, he experienced the chaos of other’s courtyards one after another. Those common couples are too vulgar to be endured. Compared with those men, he is much better.

He just threw a bowl. What’s the big deal!

Miantang felt reasonable after hearing this, but she previously thought that there would be no such worldly quarrels in her house. Unexpectedly, she couldn’t escape it too. Thinking of this, her eyes turned red again, and said, “Other families quarrel, women are righteous, and naturally quarrel happily. But I’m always three points short in front of you, so how can I quarrel happily?”

Cui Xingzhou raised his eyebrows and said, “Nonsense! Then can you have a good time if you buy a house and move out?”

Miantang thought carefully and said, “It’s not about quarreling happily, but if you can take a step back, no one has to put up with…”

Cui Xingzhou looked at her with clear big eyes, seriously arguing with him. He wanted to throw a bowl again, so he said angrily, “If you stop talking bad about the local officials with He Zhen and others in the future, I naturally won’t throw a bowl and quarrel with you. It also saves you the trouble to your use your dowry to buy a yard!”

Miantang thought about why he was angry that night, but she never thought that the reason was her bad comments on Prince Huaiyang. For a moment, she stared at Cui Jiu in bewilderment.

When Cui Xingzhou said this, he had to fudge up and continue to talk grandly, “Prince Huaiyang has always valued the voice of its people, and informers are planted everywhere. You talked so loudly about the high-ranking officials that day, wouldn’t they be uncomfortable if it spread to the ears of the officials?”

When Miantang heard this, she suddenly realized, and finally knew why her always gentle husband was so angry that day.

Her father and brother were implicated in the bribery case of his clique. In addition to their greed, they were also betrayed by the people around them. It is said that her husband had spent a lot of money busy running about mediating for her family. He was almost implicated and could no longer intervene.

There’s a saying that goes Once bitten, twice shy. Her husband was once in a state of anxiety for her and begged and communicated with those salty figures in the officialdom. However, she was so rude that she sat in her yard and talked nonsense about the King of the State of Zhen. She indeed deserved a scolding!

Knowing her mistake, Miantang immediately kept her aura and reviewed her neglect of not welcoming her husband at the gate earlier on.

She bit her lips and didn’t care to pretend to write anymore. She hurried to the back of the panel, catch the water and adjust it to the correct temperature, threw in a veil, clean her husband’s face, and changed his clothes.

Cui Xingzhou didn’t expect that Lady Liu was so easy to coax. He only uses official authority to scare her, and she stopped being at odds with him at once.

At that moment, he calmly took over the veil, wiped it, and let her untie his belt, helping him to change his clothes. After removing his shoes and socks, he put on comfortable sandals, and his heart was also relieved.

He was busy in the Military Camp. If every time he comes to North street in need to coax people, he really couldn’t stand it. In the beginning, he had the thought of keeping this woman by his side due to his rare Bodhisattva’s heart as he was afraid that she would fall into the hands of the bandits in the Mountain of Yang again. So the thought was to protect her completely.

He just hopes that this young woman who has always been so sensible, and when she knows the truth in the future, will also remember his saving grace and caring…

But Miantang has also understood now that married couples are like lips and teeth, where is there a time they don’t collide with each other? As long as her husband doesn’t throw bowls and scold her because he dislikes her, they can communicate properly to solve matters about other things.

However, her husband was obviously in a bad mood. He glanced at the table and asked why she didn’t copy the post he wrote for her.

Miantang naturally can’t say that it was because she was angry with him earlier on and she was afraid that using the post written by her husband will shorten her aura.

So she sat next to Cui Jiu, pretending to measure his shoulder width, and said, “It’s not easy for you to write a post in your spare time. How precious it is! I’m not willing to use it. I think about using the ones bought by Bi Cao from the shop for practice. When my handwriting has formed a decent shape, I can copy the post from your perfect calligraphy.”

Cui Xingzhou thought that Lady Liu was really interesting. She scolds others for flattering him too hard, but her flattery is more obsequious and explicit.

He listened absently but felt that her hand moving around his shoulder was a little distracting, so he stretched out his hand and grabbed her boneless slender hand, pulled her into his arms, massage her wrist, and asked, “After writing for so long, does it hurt?”

Miantang was close to him. Looking at his inky eyebrows and eyes, she blushed, and her heart raced. She just snuggled up in his arms and said, “It’s aching and limping a little…”

Cui Xingzhou looked at her shy big eyes and red cheeks and suddenly got a little upset, worrying about when will the Mountian of Yang matters come to an end. At that time, he can speak frankly and sincerely to her and openly ask the young lady to be with him, and then they can do more things…

Cui Xingzhou thought in his heart. At first, he was a little indescribable and was a little distracted for a moment. But Miantang was still worried about another thing. She just sniffed and asked, “Husband, is the sound of me drinking soup really loud?”

Cui Xingzhou rubbed her wrist to relieve her pain and also returned some courtesy demands reciprocity of flattering back to her, “You have an elegant eating appearance”.

For a time, the dispute over the house in North Street was finally settled, which turned into a soft and sweet atmosphere for both lovey-dovey couples.

On the other hand, Servant Li was outside the house, holding her breath, waiting for the fight on the inside.

She didn’t expect that The Prince was so angry that he wanted to leave the foolish lady and return to his camp at first, and then somehow he didn’t go off but angrily rushed into the inner room. After a few words of conversation, they became quiet.

When the two of them came out again, it was almost time for dinner.

The Prince… Took Lady Liu’s hand and left the house. Lady Liu looked at The Prince affectionately, and it didn’t seem like she was angry.

She has no idea how The Prince coaxed her well. Looking at the scene, it really has the meaning of “Quarrel at the head of the bed and reconciled at the end of the bed”

Servant Li shook her head and waved the shovel in her hand. She felt that she had thought too much. Lady Liu and The Prince… That was not a good fate. Well, she would add an extra volume of Buddhist scriptures to her desk tomorrow. While she’s accumulating merits for herself, she would also pray for Lady Liu!

On the contrary, the third daughter of the He family was very busy with social intercourse some time ago, and no trace of her can be found. But recently, she has been free, she doesn’t go to the State of Zhen for tea anymore.

She probably drank too much high-graded tea in the upper-class circle, and suddenly when the supply was cut off, It makes her feel uncomfortable with the radical change. As a result, He Zhen fell ill.

When Miantang got the letter, she delayed for a while. The He family has a lot of contacts and Lady He is in charge of the family on behalf of the Second Master He. There should have a lot of people who will go to visit. Thus, she won’t take part in it first.

However, as the number one merchant of Lingquan Town, Miantang had to go to the He family to show courtesy and engage in social activities.

So she chose a sunny day in early autumn, wrapped two bags of fruit, and asked Servant Li to choose a weighed ginseng from the large box of tonics bought by her husband, and put it in a brocade box. She then tidied up and went for a visit.

He Zhen’s illness lingered for more than ten days. When Miantang came into the inner room to see her, she was shocked. My gosh, she unexpectedly lost weight by a lot, and the jade bracelet on her wrist is so loose that it can’t hang.

Seeing that Miantang came, Lady He greeted her kindly. After chatting about the topics of staying healthy and nourishing, they were a little speechless.

Miantang felt that the room was too quiet and that they are awkward, so she wanted to find an excuse to say goodbye.

But at this time, He Zhen sighed faintly, and could no longer help but spill some bitter words with Miantang.

“Lady Cui, I know you have an exquisite heart and you know the cause and effect. So I can only tell you about it.”

She doesn’t know when she started to be fond of Liu Miantang. She always felt that she was able to entrust her worries to her. So she just pour everything into Lady Liu the load on her mind that she couldn’t tell the others these days.

“Lady Lian, for some reason, has annoyed me. She didn’t reply to my letter or invite me anymore, it’s just like what she said to me a few days ago was just a dream.”

Maybe she thinks that she has lost face. For fear that Miantang misunderstood her previous boasting as a lie, He Zhen even took out the private letter Lady Lian wrote to her a few days ago.

Miantang opened the letter with a good scent and felt that Lady Lian should be a talented woman. The words were well written.

If she studies the sentences inside, the sentences indeed refer to appreciating He Zhen. The kind of intimacy is like a long-lost sister.

Miantang read ten lines at one glance, but she has always kept in mind her husband’s advice. She should not casually talk about the relatives of the feudal officials.

So she smiled and said, “It’s a blessing that you can get Lady Lian’s favor for several generations, and others envy it. But I think Lady Lian is going to get married soon, and there are many things to be busy with. It’s normal for her not to be able to continue to communicate with you through letters. We, the merchant’s families, when dealing with officials, have to naturally know how far to go and when to stop, neither humble nor arrogant. Why worry about personal gains and losses, Lady He?”

He Zhen sighed faintly, “You’re right that day, Lady Lian won’t be nice to me for no reason. The concubines of The Prince in the future are also indispensable. A merchant woman like me who is inferior to others is naturally easy to handle if I were to enter The Residence. Originally, I was still hesitating whether to accept her suggestion. But Lady Lian might felt that my attitude was not straightforward, so she looked for someone else…”

Miantang thought it was good for Lady Lian to find someone else. So she took the opportunity to comfort Lady He that she should find her own Mr. Right and be the main hostess.

Thinking that she might had lose an opportunity close at hand with Prince Huaiyang at this point, He Zhen couldn’t help crying with regret. She always felt that if she had stated her intention at that time, she might have entered The Prince’s Residence in a sedan chair and kept company with The Prince who’s like a relegated Immortal.

But no matter how grieved her mood is, it’s almost as good to rest for ten days.

Miantang couldn’t bear these garrulous matters. So she took advantage of her wiping her tears, said something about the order list, and consciously or unconsciously mentioned her two brothers who were born by the concubines. They have been helping with running errands for the business recently and they are very capable. It seems that they are appreciated by the Second Master He.

Such a statement indeed affected He Zhen’s heart as expected and it made her tone slightly tense to ask about the daily life of her two brothers that were born by the concubines who are rising to the vision of the public.

Miantang said with a smile, “Don’t worry, Lady He. In my opinion, your two brothers are very good at managing matters. For us women, if there is someone to assist with the business, it’s best not to be in the limelight. You can have a good rest at home. Anyway, the Second Master He has someone to help…”

When Miantang came out of the He family, the third daughter of the He family had almost gotten rid of her sadness. Her eyes were clear and bright, and she looked in good spirits. She only wants to return to the store and punish her two concubines’ brothers who dared to put their thoughts on the store business.

Most of the business of the He family is handed down from the legal hostess of the Mansion. The mother of Lady He is the legal wife of the Mansion. He Zhen has a younger brother under her, who is the legitimate son and only heirs. As a sister, she naturally has to take care of the family property for her younger brother, who is still under age!

So when Miantang got on the carriage, she felt that Prince Huaiyang was slightly wronged.

She cannot fully blame The Prince’s heroic bearing for the delayed marriage of the third daughter of the He family. As she sees it, there should also be the reason why Lady He is obsessed with taking charge of the power to secure her brother’s family property and unwilling to marry out!

However, these are not what she should worry about. What she has to do now is to rectify her own business and live a stable life.

Fortunately, the artisan-painter and labor employed in the shop are capable. In the past few days, Mr. Chen has produced several boutiques and sold them at a high price.

Miantang had more money in her hand, so she began to plan to buy a new mansion.

When she told her husband about this plan, he hesitated.

“I’m quite okay with staying at our current mansion now, you can continue to live here first. I’ll naturally change it for you later.”

After the last time the Mountain of Yang sent someone to kidnap Miantang, Cui Xingzhou has ordered the secret sentries to step up their guard. But if she sells the house, craftsmen and miscellaneous people will be coming in and out all day. There will inevitably be omissions. It’s better to slow the issue of moving out.

In this kind of thing, Miantang is always in favor of her husband. Since he loves living on North Street, she also thinks that a small house with a courtyard is good, but there is no place for her husband to practice martial arts.

At last, she discussed with Servant Li and decided to consolidate the parterre on the side of the small yard, and then buy a rack for sword and spear for her husband use the space to practice martial arts.

After making such a decision, Miantang let Mo Ru set up the parterre, and then paved it with slate. Finally, an open space will be renovated.

The next step is to buy a good rack for sword and spear and put it on the martial arts training ground. Miantang asked her husband and knew that he was also familiar with swords.

Miantang couldn’t wait to see her husband’s heroism, so this day, while her husband was out, she went to the iron steel shop in the town.

Unfortunately, there are not many people here who are good at martial arts here, so there are only a few styles to choose from in the iron steel shop.

Miantang chooses it effortlessly. She just pick all of it.

After she paid the money, she bumped into a fat lady with about three or five attendants.

“Are you blind? How dare you bump into My Lady!” It seems that she should be a lady of a rich family. The young servant boy behind her barked loudly.

Bi Cao behind Miantang was also a person reluctant to show weakness. So she glared back, “It’s your young lady who bumped into my Madam. Why do you ask others if they’re blind? You should ask yourself first if you did bring your brain out today!”

Seeing that both parties chimes in words one after another, they were about to quarrel. It was the fat lady who couldn’t bear and say, “That’s enough, what’s there to quarrel about? Isn’t that there’s nothing wrong with me? With that, she didn’t look at Liu Miantang and went straight into the shop.”

It’s just that there’s a beautiful girl behind that lady who is still looking straight at Miantang, and then greeted, “Sister Liu, I haven’t seen you for a long time…”

Miantang was a little surprised as she doesn’t recognize the girl, but why did she call herself “Sister Liu” familiarly?

So she also greeted and politely asked, “Who are you?”

The young lady didn’t seem to expect Miantang’s politeness and strange reaction, and only hesitated, “You don’t recognize me, Sister?”

Miantang couldn’t help but be stunned by the question and looked carefully at the beautiful young lady in front of her. She only felt that she was gentle and pleasant, but she doesn’t know her.

When Miantang hesitated, tears had accumulated in the eyes of the young lady, and she said in a trembling voice, “Why don’t you recognize me?”

Miantang felt that she might have met an old acquaintance, but she has forgotten everything, so after looking up and down, she asked, “Do you know me in the Capital? I was ill before, and when I woke up, I can’t remember clearly the things previously. If I can’t remember, please forgive me…”

This beautiful girl is Sun Yunniang! Because the Mountian of Yang is about to join the government for their talents, many people in the mountain often come to the State of Qing for a walk. Thus, she also took advantage of the opportunity to head down the mountain and got super close with Shi Xueji, the daughter of Commander Shi’s concubine. Within a few days, they had become like a sister.

After Shi Xueji saw Young Master Ziyu, she fell in love with him at first sight. Although the marriage was just hidden under the table and was not discussed in detail, Lady Shi was in a hurry to get married to Young Master Ziyu after he becomes his father’s military officer.

She came to Lingshui Town this day because she heard that there are unique handwarmer stoves in the blacksmith’s shop here. She plans to order one for Young Master Ziyu to show her affection.

So the new sisters with a different surname who just got associated had encountered Liu Miantang here.

In fact, it was Sun Yunniang who encouraged Lady Shi to come to Lingshui Town with the intention to find Miantang.

The Young Master clearly ordered her not to seek trouble from Miantang again. Naturally, it’s hard for her to send someone to look for her. But the money and silver in the Mountian of Yang have been missing. She suspected that the Young Master was shielding Liu Miantang and covering up the scandal of corruption for her.

Also, Ziyu has been colder to her recently. She couldn’t get any useful information from him, so she had to ask Liu Miantang face-to-face to find out the flaws.

But she never thought that Liu Miantang was as if she didn’t recognize her at all, and only politely and distantly said something about her amnesia.

Yunniang was surprised and suspicious. She stared into Miantang’s eyes and said, “You don’t remember anything?”

Miantang didn’t want to be disrespectful and snubbed her old friend, and her illness was not a shameful thing, so she said truthfully, “I only remember what happened before I went to the Capital to get married, but I can’t remember the later… Who are you?”

Yunniang knows Liu Miantang very well. Although she is clever and cunning, she is not hypocritical and courteous towards others and has a compromising temperament.

Before she lose her memory, they had been on bad terms. If Liu Miantang didn’t really lose her memory, she would only pretend not to know her with a cold face when she saw her. She wouldn’t be this polite.

So Liu Miantang really did forget everything about her going to the Mountain of Yang halfway through her marriage and her love for Ziyu?

Thinking of this, Yunniang felt a burst of ecstasy.

Without answering, she asked, “If Sister Liu forgets all about it, how do you continue with your living?”

Miantang looked at her suspiciously and said, “It’s natural that it is my husband who looks after me. Why… Do you ask?”

At that moment, Yunniang understood everything. How beautiful is Liu Miantang? She has lost all her martial arts now and her sharp thorns are pulled, just like the beauty that has lost its protection. If a person with evil intentions wants to cheat on her, isn’t it easy?

She must have been knocked out of her brain when she was thrown off the ship and was rescued. Seeing her so beautiful, the rescuer must have evil thoughts, deceived her that she was his wife, and forcibly occupy her!

Thinking of this, Yunniang didn’t want to arouse Miantang’s suspicion. Just by her words just now, she smiled and said, “I’ve met you in the Capital before, and I haven’t met your husband. I originally wanted to socialize with you, but unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance as I return to my hometown with my father…”

Miantang smiled after hearing this. Since she was not a relative or friend, she didn’t continue to have a deep conversation with her and politely said goodbye.

But when she left, Yunniang was still staring at her back.

At this time, Lady Shi had bought a stove and came out. She also looked at Liu Miantang’s back and asked, “What’s wrong, is she an old acquaintance of yours? Which family is she from? She is so beautiful!”

Yunniang hid her contempt without showing any trace, and smiled at Lady Shi kindly, “Yes, she is indeed a rare beauty, but it’s a pity that she is just a businesswoman, and it’s difficult to soar.”

Lady Shi thought her words were funny, so she said with a silly smile, “Look at what you said, it’s like she can soar to the sky without marrying someone. Else, can she enter The Palace just by the virtue of her beauty?”

Yunniang didn’t reply, but smiled a little unfathomably, with relief…

The encounter in front of the iron steel shop soon spread to the ears of Prince Huaiyang.

Cui Xingzhou was placing a chessboard in the Military Camp. After listening to the report by the secret sentry, he asked slowly, “Are you sure that the woman following Lady Shi is Sun Yunniang?”

The secret sentry said firmly, “Lady Shi has called several times, and I’m sure that she is indeed called Sun Yunniang, but it’s just that I don’t know whether is she the Sun Yunniang mentioned by the bandits who attacked Liu Miantang previously.”

Cui Xingzhou put a chess piece down and said, “Isn’t she an old acquaintance of Liu Miantang in the Capital? That shouldn’t be wrong. In addition to the old acquaintance in the Mountain of Yang, what old acquaintance does Liu Miantang have, with who she has never been out in the Capital to recuperate? Go, keep an eye on her. When the time is right, tie that Yunniang up and interrogate in private. I’d like to see where the Young Master Ziyu comes from!”