Luck Reliant Beauty – CH 215

Chapter 215: Revealed

As Cui Zi Xuan and Jiang Mi returned, the sun was already setting.

Jiang Mi did not go directly back to Cui Mansion, but at Cui Zi Xuan’s request, she came to his courtyard at Cui Mansion.

After leading Jiang Mi to the study, Cui Zi Xuan ordered tea and snacks to be served to her, then went to the inner room of the study.

A short while later, Cui Zi Xuan came out, dismissed the servants, and placed a wooden box in front of Jiang Mi.

“What is this?” Jiang Mi asked curiously.

Cui Zi Xuan sat down opposite her and replied, “Open it and see.”

Jiang Mi opened the box.

Inside was a book and a stack of papers.

Seeing Jiang Mi’s stunned expression, Cui Zi Xuan said softly, “I retrieved this book on disguise a year ago. These secret recipes were part of your dowry when you married into my family. Later, you and I…” He paused, then continued bitterly, “We divorced… and I took it upon myself to retrieve these recipes.”

He gently pushed the box in front of Jiang Mi and said, “Would you like to take a closer look?”

Jiang Mi stared at him blankly. After a long while, she murmured, “Why are you giving them back to me?”

Seeing her pale face, Cui Zi Xuan suddenly smiled. He then said gently, “I just… until I can properly marry you again, it’s best if you keep these things.”

Jiang Mi’s eyes lit up with a smile upon hearing this. She stood gracefully, walking lightly to Cui Zi Xuan. Jiang Mi slowly straddled his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his neck, softly smiling, “Only you have always believed in me…”

She was disguised as the infamous Lady Yang, surrounded by handsome men. Any other husband in the world would surely never believe her innocence. Only this man before her, from the most strictly disciplined clan, had always given her the utmost trust.

Cui Zi Xuan reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, slowly tightening his embrace, gently pulling Jiang Mi into his arms. After a while, he thought to himself, “I certainly believe you, but as long as you are willing to come back to me, all those minor details do not matter anymore.”

However, his pride would not allow him to say these words aloud.

They held each other tightly for a long while. Cui Zi Xuan whispered, “Ah’Mi, do you still want to be Lady Yang?” Actually, he knew he should not have asked that question. The title “Lady Yang of Youzhou” represented more than just a woman; it symbolized vast territory and power.

So, Cui Zi Xuan paused for a moment, then softly added, “From now on, when we are alone, be yourself.” He remembered the moment he saw her true face that night, his heart pounding. As he spoke, his eyes softened even more.

Jiang Mi buried her face in his neck and softly murmured an “Mmm.” After a while, she said softly, “Ah’Lang, why are you so warm?” Just holding her like this felt like her soul had found its home, like time had stopped flowing.

These were also what Cui Zi Xuan wanted to say. He replied in a low, hoarse voice, “Ah’Mi, listen to the birdsong outside; how beautiful it is!” It was so beautiful that it intoxicated his heart, almost making him forget the chaotic world outside and forget his precarious clan. He only wanted to hold this woman like this, to live like this day after day, and then, without realizing it, their black hair would turn white.

Thinking of this, Cui Zi Xuan could not help but whisper again, “It’s so beautiful.” How could just thinking about that scene make him feel so happy?

…

At Old Madam Cui’s place.

A maidservant hurried in. She approached Old Madam Cui and whispered a few words.

Old Madam Cui nodded, smiling kindly, “These two children, how come they seem inseparable?” Though she said this, her tone carried a hint of pride and satisfaction.

In the blink of an eye, Old Madam Cui waved her hand and instructed, “From now on, report everything immediately, no matter how small.”

“Yes.”

…

Jiang Mi and Cui Zi Xuan lingered until nightfall before Jiang Mi reluctantly returned to her mansion.

She floated back to her bedroom, bathed, and changed. Looking at her numerous dresses, Jiang Mi could not help but order, “Tomorrow, go and fetch a few bolts of the most fashionable silks.”

“Yes.”

Humming a tune, Jiang Mi swayed her hips and went to the storeroom. By candlelight, she finally found a bolt of the latest celadon silk from Shu, which she had recently collected. She thought happily, “This material is extremely high grade. I will use it to make two sets of clothes for Young Master Cui.”

Stroking the beautiful, jade-like silk, Jiang Mi imagined it on Cui Zi Xuan, and her heart burned with desire.

After rummaging through the silk, Jiang Mi went to the treasure she had obtained during the raid on the Liao people the previous year. As she searched through the pearls and gold, she muttered to herself, “How can this be given to Young Master Cui?”

That night, Jiang Mi practically turned the storeroom upside down, and in the end, only that piece of silk was worthwhile.

Overwhelmed with excitement, Jiang Mi woke up a little late the next day. She was still washing up when a maidservant’s respectful voice came from outside, “Madam, Cui Zi Xuan, the Lord of the Cui family, has arrived.”

Jiang Mi turned around and smiled. “Is he not very busy? Why has he come so early?”

The maidservant, of course, had no answer.

After washing up, Jiang Mi walked towards the courtyard. From afar, she saw Cui Zi Xuan playing the zither. This scion of a thousand-year-old noble family clearly displayed his profound knowledge in this area. Jiang Mi, having practiced for several years, had only barely reached the point where she could understand his music.

Cui Zi Xuan’s music was so joyful, like the fragrance of peach blossoms carried on a spring breeze; Jiang Mi’s steps quickened.

When Jiang Mi approached him, Cui Zi Xuan clasped his hands together and stood up to the accompaniment of a series of melodious tunes. He turned to look at Jiang Mi, and almost the instant her figure came into view, his eyes filled with a smile.

Jiang Mi could not help but chuckle. She asked softly, “Coming so early, is something the matter?”

Cui Zi Xuan’s eyes were gentle. He said tenderly, “The young master of the Li Clan of Shaanxi, whom you’ve met before, is having a concubine-taking banquet today. Let’s go together.”

Go together?

So, their relationship was now known to the world?

Jiang Mi was no longer afraid. She looked up at him and smiled, replying, “Alright.”

Cui Zi Xuan pushed aside his zither, strode to Jiang Mi, and gently rubbed her cheek. He added softly, “Now that we’ve reconciled, I’m going to return the five women I detained to their respective clans.” He gazed at Jiang Mi. He could not help but touch her forehead to his, then said, “After you were forced to divorce me that day, I hated those people to the core. I ostensibly beat them into becoming concubines, but in reality, I imprisoned them… Now, thinking about it, they were pitiful too. Let’s send them back to their respective homes.”

Jiang Mi looked up at him, her lips moving slightly as she asked worriedly, “And what happens after we send them back?”

Cui Zi Xuan was taken aback.

In an instant, he saw the worry in Jiang Mi’s frozen smile and lowered his eyes, saying, “I will be frank; we will discuss it again in two years.”

At this moment, Cui Zi Xuan regretted bringing it up with Jiang Mi. Taking her hand, he walked towards the door, saying, “It’s getting late; we should go to the banquet.”

Jiang Mi immediately snapped out of her reverie. She thought to herself, “I clearly thought it through; if we could be together for one more day, we should enjoy it.”

Thinking this, she immediately smiled and said, “Are we going like this? I’m a well-known, wealthy woman; have I brought any gifts?”

Cui Zi Xuan smiled and said, “I brought something.”

When the two arrived outside the Li Mansion, it was a bustling time of day, with carriages and people thronging the streets. Looking at the numerous carriages parked on the roadway, Jiang Mi asked in surprise, “Why are there so many guests even for taking a concubine?”

Cui Zi Xuan replied, “That woman is the eldest daughter of a high-ranking general favored by Chai Rong and has been granted the title of Princess by Chai Rong.”

So she’s a Princess. Jiang Mi sighed softly, thinking to herself, “These aristocratic families still cannot let go of their pride. They clearly intend to attach themselves to Chai Rong, but deep down, they still look down on him.”

At this moment, Li Mansion was teeming with people, one after another, richly dressed guests entering. When Cui Zi Xuan arrived, the murmuring grew even louder: “Boling’s Cui Zi Xuan has arrived!”

After the announcement, the steward bowed and escorted Cui Zi Xuan and Jiang Mi inside. Just as Jiang Mi stepped across the threshold, the steward suddenly recognized the face of Lady Yang under the gauze hat. His mouth agape, and after a moment of astonishment, he hurriedly announced again, “Lady Yang of Youzhou has arrived!” At that instant, Cui Zi Xuan, hand in hand with Jiang Mi, entered the main hall.

The noisy crowd in the hall fell silent.

After a while, the noise returned. No matter what those people said, their eyes could not help but keep staring at Cui Zi Xuan and Jiang Mi.

Li Clan of Shaanxi’s eldest son was the first to recover. He chuckled and strode to meet Cui Zi Xuan. Approaching Cui Zi Xuan, he patted him on the shoulder and said with a grin, “You are quite something, kid!” Then, unable to resist looking at Jiang Mi, he added with another grin, “When will it be my turn to eat at your wedding banquet?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a buzzing sound suddenly arose around them. Jiang Mi faintly heard several people saying, “Cui Zi Xuan is really capable; he even managed to win over Lady Yang.” “With Lady Yang’s vast empire in Youzhou, is she going to be merged into the Cui Clan of Boling?” “A woman like Lady Yang—although taking her as a concubine does not look good on one’s reputation, the benefits are considerable. Cui Zi Xuan is truly remarkable!”

Cui Zi Xuan, with a constant smile, upon hearing this, glanced around gracefully and replied frankly, “In these chaotic times, survival is already difficult enough. Madam and I are close friends; there will be no wedding banquet.”

So, he did not intend to take Lady Yang as a concubine? Amidst the renewed buzz around him, Lord Li glanced at the resolute Cui Zi Xuan with surprise, secretly shook his head, and then cheerfully welcomed the two to their seats.

As they walked to their seats, Cui Zi Xuan extended his hand, and he took Jiang Mi’s hand, and they sat down together.

Seeing him and Lady Yang so inseparable and intimate, yet he had said he would not take a concubine, the surrounding crowd could not help but murmur amongst themselves again.