Chapter 16: A Scalded Arm

                      

Liu Miantang could hardly savor the official’s gallant demeanor, for she remembered she had just scalded him badly.

When Cui Xingzhou ordered Mo Ru to tie up the intruders and summon guards, she hurried forward and tugged at his sleeve.

Cui Jiu hesitated slightly at her approach, then stood still.

Miantang rolled up his sleeve and saw his arm reddened, already blistering.

“My lord, it’s all my fault…” Her voice faltered as tears welled. Perhaps from inhaling smoke earlier, her legs gave way and she sank to her knees.

Pitiful indeed—her reddened eyes, tear-stained face—but with a writhing lecher bound nearby and his own arm burned, her fragile beauty seemed strangely misplaced.

Cui Xingzhou glanced at her, gently helping her up. He allowed Li Mama to rinse his arm with cool water and apply fragrant oil.

Mo Ru quickly returned with guards. Without a word, they dragged out the three gagged thieves. A carriage waited outside; the men were tossed in like sacks and whisked away, no statements taken.

Miantang paid no heed, intent only on fanning and blowing on her husband’s injured arm, hoping to ease his pain.

When the lights had flared earlier, she recognized the intruder—it was the rogue who had accosted her in the alley days ago.

Today’s break-in was entirely her fault!

Back in their room, after the courtyard quieted, she sat close to Cui Xingzhou. Watching his calm expression and swollen arm, she whispered tearfully, “Husband, it’s all my fault. Please… please scold me!”

Cui Xingzhou was unconcerned about the injury. In his early military years, he had endured far worse. Yet he raised a brow, thinking that had he climbed the wall earlier in place of that scoundrel, he might now be covered in blisters. He spoke softly: “It’s not as if you invited the intruder. Why should I scold you? I was worried you might have been wronged, but it seems you were well-prepared…”

Miantang, still shaken, replied: “I’m fortunate I stayed up late. Li Mama said you like hot tea, and I feared you’d trouble her for water when you returned. So I had her prepare a small charcoal stove to keep water warm. Otherwise, I’d have had no weapon at hand… I could only have died to prove my innocence… leaving you alone…”

Her voice broke, tears flowing freely.

Cui Xingzhou sighed, glancing at the cobweb on the ceiling beam before lowering his head kindly: “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Miantang, remorseful, muttered about the intruder: “I thought Lingquan Town was simple and honest, a peaceful place. How could there be such vile men? Breaking into homes at night… They say the Prince of Huaiyang is virtuous, but now it seems he’s just for show, letting relatives of officials wreak havoc!”

Her husband’s eyes widened with displeasure. He drawled: “How is the disturbance at your door related to the Prince of Huaiyang?”

Realizing her mistake, Miantang quickly softened: “Forgive my careless words, husband. It’s just that the local officials are infuriating! You submitted a complaint, yet there’s been no response. It shows negligence and collusion. Now this thief comes again, clearly seeking revenge… If he’s released once more…”

Cui Xingzhou remembered her complaint. He had dismissed it, tossing the paper into the moat, later lying that he had submitted it. In truth, he had been negligent. But to admit fault to the wife of a rebel was absurd.

So he fell silent, his handsome face clouded with frost.

Though usually gentle, he was like a cloud atop a mountain—visible yet untouchable. At feasts, courtesans never dared approach him. His cultured smile held no warmth, his eyes hinted at cruelty. Such a man, no matter how handsome, made others timid.

Now, the mask had slipped. His tall figure sat coldly, eyes fixed on Miantang, exuding an oppressive aura.

He rarely showed anger, but now he let it vent.

Any other woman would have been terrified.

But Miantang thought he was angry about corrupt officials, worried about prospects. Feeling sorry for him, she carefully avoided his injured arm and embraced his waist. Her jade-like hand patted his broad back, her face buried in his shoulder. “Don’t worry, husband. He trespassed into our courtyard today. Even if the garrison commander wants to protect him, he can’t twist the truth. It’s not like we dragged him in, right?”

Cui Xingzhou was stunned. Liu Miantang had taken the initiative to embrace and comfort him. Her fragrance, her soft arms—too close.

He inhaled deeply, thinking even in a real marriage, a woman shouldn’t be so forward. Had she thrown herself at Lu Wen in the bandit’s lair to secure safety?

Yet her embrace calmed his anger. He steadied himself, finally patting her shoulder lightly. “Don’t worry about this matter. I’ll take care of it at the government office…”

His deep voice soothed her. Though impatient with worldly affairs, he was calm and steady. Despite the invasion caused by her troubles, he hadn’t spoken harshly. His broad chest was comforting. Listening to his heartbeat, Miantang felt secure.

After this tender embrace, it was time to rest.

Thinking his injured arm might keep him awake, Miantang engaged him in pillow talk, distracting him. She spoke of managing the shop and neighborhood happenings.

“The Zhang family’s wife on North Street has set up an altar and invited a dog spirit!” she said.

Cui Xingzhou asked idly, “A dog spirit?”

Miantang nodded eagerly. “It’s an old dog skin blessed by a Taoist priest. They say fox spirits fear it most. Mrs. Zhang claims her husband is ensnared by a fox demon. At first, I thought it was a ghost. Later, I learned he brought home a girl from the red-light district and wants her as a concubine. So I said, since it’s a human problem, what use is a dog skin? Human problems need human solutions.”

Cui Xingzhou thought taking a concubine from a brothel indeed tarnished reputation. He asked casually, “How to solve it with human means?”

Miantang leaned close. “Mrs. Zhang’s family funded their rice shop. She’s too soft-hearted, letting her husband push her around. Her family sent her a capable maid, but Mr. Zhang dismissed her. Since she can’t handle him, she should bring that maid back and stop listening to his sweet talk…”

Cui Xingzhou interrupted sharply: “Don’t meddle in other people’s household affairs.”

He had placed her here to lure rebels, not solve neighborhood disputes. Too much involvement could distract the guards.

Miantang realized her mistake. She quickly said, “You’re right, husband. It’s someone else’s family matter. It’s not like you’re taking a concubine, I shouldn’t interfere…”

She paused. Since her injury and memory loss, her husband had been considerate but never intimate. At first, she appreciated the distance. But now she wondered—did he, like Mr. Zhang, have other women?

Her chest tightened. Abruptly, she asked: “Husband, do you want to take a concubine?”

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