Are You the One – Zhang Wanyi, Wang Churan

In the spring, with flowers blooming and willows lush and green, a beautifully crafted carriage slowly makes its way through the bustling market. The carriage stops in front of an exceptionally luxurious residence. From the carriage steps down a graceful figure, veiled and rarely revealing her true face. The neighbors whisper among themselves about this mysterious beauty, only knowing that her husband is a merchant from another region, dealing in porcelain, but they know nothing more. This beauty is Liu Miantang.

Since losing her memory, she only recalls hearing her husband's name as "Cui Jiu" on the day of their grand wedding, while she was on her way to Mount Yang in the red bridal sedan. After that, she remembers nothing else. Later, when she woke up, she saw a graceful and elegant man, who wore a jade pendant and instructed the doctor to use the best medicine to heal her.

She also heard the people around her calling him "Cui Jiu," so she assumed that he must be her husband. Liu Miantang immediately addressed Cui Xingzhou as "husband," which startled him, but he responded nonetheless. Now that Liu Miantang has settled in, Cui Xingzhou goes out to entertain a guest. The two men discuss official matters, and the other person remarks that Cui Xingzhou has encountered "romantic luck," though unfortunately with an enemy.

The friend is referring to Liu Miantang, whose true identity is Lu Wen's beloved concubine. Cui Xingzhou, being an official of the court, had been secretly monitoring Lu Wen for a long time, but still hadn't found any leads. Out of desperation, Cui Xingzhou intended to use Liu Miantang as bait, but unexpectedly, when he found her, she was already injured and suffering from amnesia, remembering nothing of her past.

Even though Liu Miantang calls Cui Xingzhou "husband," he remains courteous and respectful, yet cautious, always on guard. He suspects that Liu Miantang might be faking her amnesia to get close to him with ulterior motives. After returning home and having a meal with Liu Miantang, Cui Xingzhou excuses himself, claiming to be busy with official duties and prepares to leave.

Liu Miantang believes him and quickly brings out a newly made cloak for Cui Xingzhou, tying it for him with a bit of force. Immediately, Cui Xingzhou grabs her arm, wary, but Liu Miantang apologizes, explaining that she accidentally used too much strength.

Cui Xingzhou doesn’t lower his guard, deliberately revealing a fragrance powder he once found on her, but Liu Miantang shows no recognition of it, instead, she thanks Cui Xingzhou for the gift, advising that in these times of frugality, there’s no need for such expensive presents. Cui Xingzhou has arranged for Liu Miantang to stay in a residence surrounded by spies, monitoring her every move around the clock.

He understands that the large sum invested in Liu Miantang is meant to yield a corresponding return. If he fails to lure out Lu Wen, all his previous efforts will be in vain. Through the neighbors' gossip, Liu Miantang learns that her husband, Cui Jiu, is supposedly in the porcelain business.

Her nursemaid also explains that Cui Xingzhou is indeed in business and has been planning to open a new shop, but for some reason, the plan has been put on hold. From then on, Liu Miantang becomes more attentive, not only offering her dowry to fully support Cui Xingzhou but also frequently visiting the market to select the location for the shop. Liu Miantang is not only beautiful but also intelligent and shrewd in business.

She has her eye on a very good shop, but the owner, seeing her interest, deliberately raises the price. So, Liu Miantang deliberately rents a neighboring shop to sell funeral goods, causing the shop she wanted to become undesirable, and she easily buys it at the lowest price. The nursemaid reports Liu Miantang's actions to Cui Xingzhou with admiration.

Cui Xingzhou listens carefully, particularly interested in whether Liu Miantang deliberately contacts certain people or leaves behind any clues during the day. He shows little enthusiasm for her efforts to find a shop and even instructs the nursemaid to leave the shop’s management to Liu Miantang, hoping it will create more opportunities for her to interact with the suspects.

Liu Miantang, though slender in appearance, possesses a resilience akin to that of a man. One day, while at the market, she encountered a lecherous man who, driven by lust, attempted to take advantage of her. However, he underestimated Liu Miantang. She quickly stabbed him in the neck with a hairpin, threatening that if he dared to assault another woman, he would face dire consequences. The man, terrified, fled in disgrace.

When Cui Xingzhou heard of Liu Miantang’s "heroic deed," he became even more convinced that she wasn't truly suffering from amnesia. That evening, he returned home intending to "interrogate" his wife, but when he pushed the door open, he found Liu Miantang stepping out of her bath. Despite having seen many beautiful women at court, this was the first time Cui Xingzhou had encountered someone as stunning as Liu Miantang.

Although he had posed as Liu Miantang’s husband, Cui Xingzhou could not deny that he was tempted by her beauty. However, his deep-seated hatred for Lu Wen, with whom he shared a life-and-death enmity, and Liu Miantang's position as Lu Wen’s beloved concubine, kept him from lowering his guard. Initially, Cui Xingzhou planned to expose Liu Miantang’s pretense of amnesia. However, Liu Miantang, holding a piece of porcelain, deliberately tested his knowledge of porcelain-making techniques.

Cui Xingzhou responded briefly, and Liu Miantang quickly confirmed her suspicion—Cui Xingzhou knew nothing about porcelain-making. Despite being tested, Cui Xingzhou, seasoned by many challenges, deliberately admitted in a loud voice that he was just a dissolute idler. He claimed that Liu Miantang managed the business, while he only occasionally helped with deliveries. Therefore, the newly rented shop should be left in Liu Miantang’s care. Cui Xingzhou’s response was flawless, leaving Liu Miantang unable to find any loopholes.

However, Cui Xingzhou inwardly realized that Liu Miantang, with her keen intelligence, had begun to suspect him. Intrigued, he decided to observe her next move and, on a whim, announced that he wouldn’t leave that night and would stay there instead. This was Cui Xingzhou’s first time resting at home. Liu Miantang, sitting on the bed, waited nervously for him to join her.

She couldn’t help but feel tense, unsure of what it had been like to share a bed with Cui Jiu, her supposed husband of three years. Cui Xingzhou, pretending to be calm, lay down in an orderly manner, secretly watching Liu Miantang’s actions. To his surprise, aside from some initial nervousness, she slept peacefully through the night.

The neighbors, having noticed Liu Miantang frequently appearing in public and rarely seeing Cui Xingzhou during the day, began to whisper among themselves, speculating that Liu Miantang might be a concubine. This rumor quickly reached Cui Xingzhou’s ears. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to use this to his advantage to lure out his enemies. He planned to create a situation where the entire town would see Liu Miantang’s beauty, prompting Lu Wen to make his next move.

Upon hearing the neighbors gossip that Liu Miantang was a concubine, Cui Xingzhou decided to clear her name while simultaneously advancing his plan. He arranged a grand banquet to publicly affirm their status as husband and wife. Liu Miantang was deeply moved by this gesture but also worried that it would waste Cui Xingzhou’s money. The nursemaid, aware of Cui Xingzhou’s intentions, comforted Liu Miantang, reassuring her that this was Cui Xingzhou’s way of expressing his feelings for her.

In the deep of the night, when the dew thickens and the coolness of the evening feels like water, a melancholic tune echoes softly from a zither. A figure slowly moves behind the screen and asks the player if they are once again missing Sister Liu. The zither player lets out a long sigh, just as a servant arrives to report that they have found Liu Miantang! Cui Xingzhou and Liu Miantang were delivering invitations to the neighbors for a banquet.

On the way, they passed by a chess club, and Liu Miantang insisted on dragging Cui Xingzhou inside to deliver an invitation. Cui Xingzhou had already anticipated this and had his men strategically placed inside the chess club, who then "enthusiastically" greeted him. Seeing so many people recognize Cui Xingzhou, Liu Miantang became convinced that he indeed spent his days here playing chess. She felt that she might have misjudged him and admired even more her husband’s good social standing.

On the day of the banquet, Liu Miantang specially went to offer incense and pray for blessings, even securing the first incense for her husband. Cui Xingzhou spared no expense for the banquet, causing quite a stir in the town. Naturally, Lu Wen also caught wind of it and had placed many spies in the town, closely observing Liu Miantang’s every move. Cui Xingzhou, meanwhile, quietly observed from a teahouse, noticing several unfamiliar faces following behind Liu Miantang’s sedan chair.

These individuals were cautiously trailing her, frequently surveying their surroundings, indicating to Cui Xingzhou that the "fish" was about to take the bait. Halfway through the journey, the horses suddenly became spooked and bolted, causing the sedan chair to split in two. However, Liu Miantang resolutely found a fast horse and rode directly to the banquet venue. Cui Xingzhou, watching from the upstairs window, found the scene highly amusing.

As the banquet began, Cui Xingzhou instructed his men to give Liu Miantang ample time to entertain the mysterious guests. Pretending to be drunk, he left Liu Miantang to greet the guests in the front and back yards alone. As expected, Cui Xingzhou noticed some suspicious signs—indeed, Lu Wen’s people were present, but the true mastermind had not shown up.

Just as Cui Xingzhou had anticipated, the assassins who came were not led by Lu Wen but by Sun Yuner, one of Lu Wen’s attendants. Sun Yuner had long harbored feelings for Lu Wen and couldn’t wait to get rid of Liu Miantang, hoping to free Lu Wen from his lingering attachment to her. However, Sun Yuner didn’t expect Liu Miantang to have amnesia and genuinely not remember her.

This led Sun Yuner to abandon her plans to kill her, especially since Liu Miantang was now openly recognized as a married woman. It wasn’t worth the risk, as Lu Wen might trace the deed back to her, leading to unimaginable consequences. After the banquet, Liu Miantang returned to her bedroom and suddenly noticed a strange fragrance in the room. Realizing it was a drugged scent, she quickly covered her nose and quietly escaped through the window.

At the same time, Cui Xingzhou received secret information and, believing Lu Wen had arrived, sneaked into the room. To his surprise, the intruder turned out to be the same scoundrel who had harassed Liu Miantang at the market. Liu Miantang, noticing movement, immediately threw hot water at the source of the noise, scalding both Cui Xingzhou and the scoundrel. That night, Liu Miantang personally applied medicine to Cui Xingzhou’s burns.

Recalling a neighbor’s comment that warming the room could also lead to a "little spring night," she decided to fulfill her duties as a wife since they were sharing the same bed. However, Cui Xingzhou quickly waved his hand, stating that he was willing to wait until Liu Miantang was ready. Liu Miantang didn’t understand Cui Xingzhou’s meaning. The next day, she asked Cui Xingzhou’s friend, Zhao Quan, about it.

Zhao Quan, knowing Cui Xingzhou’s plans but unable to reveal the truth, hastily made an excuse that Cui Xingzhou had some physiological issues. Liu Miantang believed it and even began studying medicinal diets to help Cui Xingzhou regain his health. When Cui Xingzhou heard from Zhao Quan about his sudden "illness," he was so furious that his face turned red.

Cui Xingzhou usually claimed that he was learning chess from a master, but in reality, he was secretly keeping a close eye on Liu Miantang's every move. One day, his men reported that they had discovered a secret sign left by Lu Wen in the city. Cui Xingzhou carefully examined it and noticed a few small characters indicating the time and place of departure. He was thrilled, thinking that the moment to capture Lu Wen was near.

To avoid alarming the enemy, he discreetly deployed his elite troops to the meeting location. However, a spy reported some movement from Liu Miantang’s side, suggesting that she was about to leave in a hurry. Cui Xingzhou prepared a fast horse and quietly followed her, only to discover that she was meeting his friend Zhao Quan. The two of them then entered a bamboo grove together.

Cui Xingzhou's men held their breath, thinking that their sister-in-law might be doing something to enhance the prince's status. But it turned out that a few days earlier, Zhao Quan had given Liu Miantang a beautifully crafted painting. Liu Miantang was so taken with the style that she asked Zhao Quan to bring her to meet the artist. On this day, she sincerely invited the artist to become her craftsman for producing exquisite porcelain. Cui Xingzhou felt a bit embarrassed.

He had never stopped testing and being cautious of Liu Miantang, yet time and time again, he was proven wrong. This time, Liu Miantang’s earnest words were indeed meant to seek talent for his business. When the artist hesitated, thinking Liu Miantang wasn’t sincere enough, Cui Xingzhou stepped forward to confirm that they both valued talent. Only then did they successfully recruit the artist.

Meanwhile, on the other front, where Cui Xingzhou was closely monitoring, they found that Lu Wen’s boat waited by the shore for a while but left without anyone showing up. On the boat, Cui Xingzhou saw the name Shi Yikuan, realizing that these people were connected to Shi Yikuan. Liu Miantang’s porcelain shop opened, but despite the exquisite products, the prices were too high, leading to poor sales.

After the store closed for the day, a distinguished guest suddenly arrived and bought out an entire set of porcelain. Liu Miantang was overjoyed. Cui Xingzhou, upon seeing the patterned porcelain, noticed that it resembled the secret code he had shown Liu Miantang a few days earlier. It seemed that she truly didn’t remember anything about her past. The next day, business was still slow.

Seeing Liu Miantang in low spirits, her mother-in-law explained that such wealthy customers who buy out entire sets of designs are rare. She accidentally let slip that it was Cui Xingzhou who arranged for the purchase. Although it was done to cheer her up, Liu Miantang earnestly told him not to deceive her again. When it was time for Cui Xingzhou’s mother to celebrate her birthday, Cui Xingzhou naturally had to attend the banquet in person.

Unexpectedly, Shi Yikuan was there. Shi Yikuan, relying on the Empress Dowager's favor, used the occasion to pressure Cui Xingzhou into relinquishing some of his military power. Anticipating this, Cui Xingzhou presented a map of national defense and publicly declared that he would rather serve the people and the court, announcing plans to undertake a major water conservancy project for the benefit of the people.

His words were so compelling that Shi Yikuan had nothing more to say and could only agree to stay and witness Cui Xingzhou’s efforts to build the dam. Cui Xingzhou’s cousin, Lian Ruilan, was betrothed to him. At his mother’s birthday banquet, Lian Ruilan personally attended to his mother, sending subtle signals of affection toward Cui Xingzhou. However, while the fallen flower has feelings, the flowing water is heartless.

Cui Xingzhou never had any fondness for Lian Ruilan, but his mother believed that Lian Ruilan’s father’s position in the Ministry of War would provide a strong backing in the future. Thus, Cui Xingzhou had no choice but to accept the engagement.

Cui Xingzhou was fuming with anger during the banquet, and even when he returned home, he was still full of frustration. Liu Miantang helped him take off his boots and gently advised him to drink less in the future. She mentioned that the alcohol outside was often mixed with other substances, suggesting that he should instead enjoy some fine wine at home. Cui Xingzhou had never heard such tender words before.

Usually, he was pressured to handle everything independently, dealing with crises and bringing honor to his family. But now, Liu Miantang was comforting him, telling him to relax a bit. She even mentioned that once the porcelain business improved, he could lead a more leisurely life. Liu Miantang helped Cui Xingzhou undress, and he slept peacefully that night. In his dreams, he once again saw Liu Miantang as she was when they first met.

Back then, Liu Miantang had been swept to the edge of a waterfall by the current, her head struck against a rock, and she lay motionless, with blood dripping from her wrist, staining the surrounding water red. Cui Xingzhou saw her pale face and thought she was dead. He wondered who could have been so ruthless as to sever the tendons in both her hands, a question that still haunted him.

Seeing Cui Xingzhou drowning his sorrows in alcohol, Liu Miantang couldn't help but worry. She wanted to do her best to ease her husband's burden, so she began looking for ways to improve the business. She visited various shops in the area and noticed that one store was particularly successful. Upon entering, she discovered that every piece of porcelain in the shop had a seal at the bottom, indicating that it was made by an official kiln.

This reputation naturally attracted many customers. Liu Miantang sincerely sought advice from He Zhen on how to join the trade association. He Zhen suggested that she ask her husband to take the lead, as the association didn’t allow women to join. However, Liu Miantang didn't give up. When she returned home, she mentioned what she had learned to Cui Xingzhou. He disagreed with her making public appearances and told her to stay in the shop.

It was normal for there to be no business at the beginning, but Liu Miantang was not satisfied. She insisted on trying to join the association and planned to visit them soon. However, she reluctantly followed Cui Xingzhou’s advice, though he left in frustration. That night, the leader of the trade association came to see Cui Xingzhou, asking the prince to plead with the court to reduce some taxes. The association was struggling as taxes increased yearly.

Since Cui Xingzhou was already troubled by Liu Miantang’s desire to join the association, he agreed to negotiate with the court. In return, he requested to be included in the association’s tribute offerings that year. The leader, of course, agreed readily. The next day, Liu Miantang actually went to the trade association, but the members looked down on her, mocking her for relying only on her beauty.

One of them, feeling smug, said they would only allow her to join if she could get their porcelain into the palace. With no other choice, Liu Miantang racked her brain to figure out a way to sell the porcelain to the palace. As she walked through the market, she saw a notice posted. The next day, Shi Yikuan would be inspecting the river channel that Cui Xingzhou was working on. An idea came to Liu Miantang.

She hurried home and instructed her nanny to visit all the shops selling koi fish and buy some to release, believing it would help ward off disaster. The nanny took her instructions seriously and did as Liu Miantang asked. Liu Miantang also prepared a large porcelain fish tank freshly made in their shop. The next day, after Shi Yikuan completed his inspection of the waterworks, he released many koi into the river.

Since koi are considered symbols of good fortune, Shi Yikuan immediately ordered his men to retrieve a few from the water. Liu Miantang seized the moment and had her prepared porcelain tank brought over. In this way, the porcelain her family made was smoothly delivered to the palace. Liu Miantang boldly requested a reward from the guards.

When Cui Xingzhou heard that Liu Miantang was coming to see him, he quickly found an excuse to hide in his carriage, so Liu Miantang did not realize his true identity. Excited, Liu Miantang reported the news of her porcelain being sent to the palace to the trade association. To her shock, the members laughed and told her it was all just a joke to dismiss her. Liu Miantang was so furious that she was left speechless.

When Cui Xingzhou returned home, he criticized Liu Miantang for not behaving like a proper wife. He had already told her that morning to stop pursuing the trade association, yet she went ahead anyway. Liu Miantang was also angry, feeling that Cui Xingzhou lacked ambition and that he was holding her back as well. This marked the beginning of their second major conflict.

Liu Miantang and Cui Xingzhou had a disagreement. To ease the tension between them, the nanny deliberately added more dishes to the meal. During dinner, Liu Miantang felt that the fried rice had been overcooked and asked Cui Xingzhou if he had ever tried her crab roe fried rice. Cui Xingzhou casually replied, "I haven't. " Liu Miantang then set down her chopsticks and went into the room alone.

That night, when Cui Xingzhou was about to go to bed, Liu Miantang sat up and solemnly told him that he was not her type. Although she had lost her memory, she clearly remembered that when she first heard she was to marry Cui Jiu, she was unwilling.

Now, even though she had regained consciousness and heard that Cui Xingzhou had stayed by her side and spent a lot of money to treat her, she was deeply grateful and tried her best to fulfill her duties as a wife. However, the more she tried to be good to him, the more distant they became. So, Liu Miantang candidly expressed that she was willing to divorce.

If Cui Xingzhou disagreed, she was willing to maintain their current state of relationship. That night, the two of them slept in separate rooms. Recently, the leader of the trade association had been unwell. Worried because he had not received a reply from the prince, he took his daughter to the prince's residence. The leader's daughter was He Zhen, and they had met before.

When He Zhen saw the prince, she immediately recognized him as the hero who had saved her life years ago. At that time, she had been kidnapped by pirates and was on the brink of death when government officials came to her rescue. The first person to reach her was Cui Xingzhou, a prince in military attire, radiating heroism. Although they had only met once, He Zhen had never forgotten his face.

Cui Xingzhou instructed the leader of the trade association to find a way to send more ships carrying tribute. Since the waterways were difficult to navigate, valuable porcelain transported by water and then by land would likely be damaged. However, Cui Xingzhou made this a condition for reducing taxes, and the leader agreed. Liu Miantang also learned of this information and cleverly bought the essential route the trade association used for transportation.

As a result, the association had no choice but to agree to let Liu Miantang join. When Cui Xingzhou heard that Liu Miantang was sick, he immediately ordered someone to bring medicine back. But as he stood by the window, he overheard Liu Miantang pretending to be ill to deceive the trade association, revealing her true intentions. The first time Liu Miantang attended a trade association meeting, she was still looked down upon.

The members brought their family members to chat with her, and some of the women, hoping to please Liu Miantang, gifted her with expensive fabrics and rare items. Liu Miantang was used to seeing such things at home, which led the women to mock her, accusing her of bragging. They claimed these were tributes for the palace, and that using such precious fabric to make just a small handkerchief for her was a waste.

Confused, Liu Miantang checked the prices of the fabrics on her way home. Then, she rummaged through the house and found that Cui Xingzhou had bought her many high-quality items. She became suspicious, thinking that Cui Xingzhou might not be as frivolous as she had thought, and secretly followed him. Cui Xingzhou, having been informed by the nanny of Liu Miantang’s strange behavior, prepared in advance.

He deliberately led Liu Miantang to a chess house, making her mistakenly believe that Cui Xingzhou spent his time playing chess with the prince to earn money for the household. This explained why there were palace tributes at home. After the misunderstanding was cleared up, Liu Miantang returned home and earnestly advised Cui Xingzhou not to desecrate the art of chess. Instead of flattering others for money, she suggested that he should do something he genuinely enjoyed.

She assured him that he need not worry about the household’s daily needs. Cui Xingzhou humbly accepted her advice, and they reconciled that day. That night, Liu Miantang moved the bedding to Cui Xingzhou’s study, and the two of them slept together on the same bed again.

Liu Miantang had always dreamed of crafting unique porcelain, and after much effort, she finally succeeded. Overjoyed, she immediately took her newly crafted porcelain to the trade association. However, He Erlang from the association made an excuse about being ill and refused to see her. Disheartened, Liu Miantang returned home, only to learn that Cui Xingzhou had received some accusations against her porcelain.

The accusations claimed that Liu Miantang was trying to take advantage of loopholes and was obstructing the trade route for the tribute. These accusations made Cui Xingzhou uneasy, as he was fully aware of Liu Miantang's actions and knew there was nothing improper about them. Angered, he dismissed the accusing official, telling him to investigate thoroughly before making any further complaints.

At home, Liu Miantang overheard the trade association members accusing her, and she angrily insisted that Cui Xingzhou arrange for her to meet the Prince of Huaiyang so she could explain the situation herself. This made Cui Xingzhou even more anxious. Given that he was only pretending to be her husband, taking Liu Miantang to the Prince's residence would only cause more trouble. Despite Cui Xingzhou’s repeated explanations, Liu Miantang remained determined to proceed with her plan.

Left with no other option, Cui Xingzhou reluctantly made arrangements, instructing his guards to tell Liu Miantang that he was in the military camp when they arrived. However, when Liu Miantang and Cui Xingzhou arrived at the Prince of Huaiyang’s residence, they saw dozens of trade association members kneeling at the gate. They were all petitioning the prince to punish the newly arrived Liu Miantang, accusing her of obstructing the royal merchants' route.

Seeing the large number of visitors, Liu Miantang realized it wouldn’t be wise to confront them directly. She ordered the bearers to turn back, deciding to visit another day. Liu Miantang didn’t sit idly by. First, she heard that a well-known association member surnamed Jia was fond of famous paintings. To win him over, she bought a painting called *Tong Qu Tu*. As expected, Mr. Jia admired the painting and negotiated with the previous buyer.

Using her persuasive skills, Liu Miantang quickly convinced Mr. Jia, discreetly allowing his ship to pass. Having benefited from Liu Miantang, Mr. Jia naturally began to support her. Other members of the trade association noticed that Mr. Jia’s ship had set off early and, unable to contain their impatience, proactively sought out Liu Miantang. This caused a complete breakdown of trust within the association.

The association’s leader had been recuperating from illness, but upon hearing about his son's misdeeds in the past few days, he became furious. He blamed his son for opposing Liu Miantang and ordered him to ensure that Liu Miantang was allowed to attend the next meeting. Liu Miantang dressed up and confidently went to the trade association meeting, bringing along her latest crafted pieces. The association's leaders were secretly impressed by what they saw.

As Liu Miantang was leaving, He Zhen caught up with her, congratulating her on achieving her goal and praising her excellent porcelain craftsmanship. He Erlang, feeling wronged by his father, ran to Liu Miantang’s house and started cursing at the door. Coincidentally, Cui Xingzhou was also home. He instructed the nanny to open the door, and after He Erlang entered the courtyard, the door was shut tightly. Cui Xingzhou bluntly reminded He Erlang not to cause trouble.

Never having met the prince, He Erlang naturally assumed that Cui Xingzhou was just Liu Miantang’s husband and spoke rudely. But when Cui Xingzhou twisted He Erlang’s arm, causing him to cry out in pain, and Liu Miantang showed no sign of backing down, He Erlang left in disgrace. Liu Miantang successfully joined the trade association, and her business flourished.

With more free time on her hands, Liu Miantang personally prepared a crab roe feast for Cui Xingzhou as a token of gratitude. Tasting Liu Miantang’s cooking for the first time, Cui Xingzhou couldn’t stop praising her. Liu Miantang had once told the nanny in the kitchen that crab roe rice was something one cooked for the person they held dear. It seemed that Liu Miantang had finally started to care for Cui Xingzhou.

Liu Miantang had recently begun to notice more of Cui Xingzhou's virtues. Ever since she learned of Cui Xingzhou's condition, she had been making efforts to improve her appearance. Since the two had resumed sleeping on the same bed, Liu Miantang prepared a set of seductive lingerie. With her smooth, jade-like skin complemented by the lustrous material, she naturally looked even more radiant. Liu Miantang took the initiative to showcase her "inner beauty" to Cui Xingzhou.

Seeing her, Cui Xingzhou nearly lost control, but he forced himself to leave the room to cool down. Cui Xingzhou's subordinates reported that Ziyu seemed to be in Qingzhou and was closely associating with Shi Yikuan, who was also a favored person by the Empress Dowager’s side. Cui Xingzhou was unclear about the relationship between the two, but knowing that Ziyu was his mortal enemy, he was determined to capture Ziyu and settle his grudge.

Understanding Ziyu’s cunning nature, Cui Xingzhou recalled that he still had leverage. As long as he utilized Liu Miantang well, he was confident he could lure Ziyu out. When he returned home, he suggested taking Liu Miantang to Qingzhou for a trip, hinting that they might meet Shi Yikuan there. Since Shi Yikuan had a passion for porcelain, there was a chance they could sell their porcelain to the royal family. Liu Miantang had no idea what Cui Xingzhou was planning.

Her focus was entirely on the Yu Shao Porcelain Workshop. To increase sales, she specially prepared a few treasured pieces from the store and then, encouraged by Cui Xingzhou, agreed to go to Qingzhou. Initially, they had planned to go together, but to draw the enemy out, Cui Xingzhou deliberately sent Liu Miantang ahead while he observed from the shadows. Sure enough, as soon as Liu Miantang arrived in Qingzhou, two unknown individuals began following her.

Cui Xingzhou watched closely as Liu Miantang entered a shop and took an interest in a chess set. Liu Miantang was indeed captivated by a finely crafted chessboard inside the shop. When she inquired about the price, she found it expensive and realized that someone else had already placed an order. She lamented her lateness and, given the high cost, reluctantly decided not to buy it. Shortly after Liu Miantang left, Ziyu emerged from the back of the shop.

He instructed the shopkeeper to cancel the reservation and to sell the chess set to Liu Miantang if she returned. The shopkeeper respectfully agreed. Cui Xingzhou quickly received information about Ziyu's whereabouts, confirming that Ziyu had already set his sights on Liu Miantang but had yet to find the right opportunity. To further provoke Ziyu, Cui Xingzhou took Liu Miantang shopping. Despite his subordinates keeping an eye on Ziyu, they eventually lost track of him.

While dining with Liu Miantang, Cui Xingzhou noticed a few unfamiliar faces seemingly watching them. Following their line of sight, Cui Xingzhou looked up and spotted a distinguished figure staring intently at Liu Miantang with a sorrowful expression. Cui Xingzhou was startled—this person was none other than Ziyu! The two men had been battling in the shadows for a long time, with Cui Xingzhou narrowly escaping death several times due to Ziyu's schemes.

After a while, Ziyu took the initiative to invite Cui Xingzhou to a game of chess. When Liu Miantang saw Ziyu for the first time, she felt dizzy, finding Ziyu strangely familiar yet unable to recall why. During the game, Liu Miantang realized she understood Ziyu's chess moves, but the more she tried to remember, the more her head throbbed with pain. After winning the game, Cui Xingzhou escorted the dizzy Liu Miantang back home.

Cui Xingzhou then had the nanny subtly probe whether Liu Miantang had remembered anything, hoping to gain some clues. Meanwhile, Liu Miantang anxiously asked the nanny if she knew whether she and Ziyu had known each other in the past. To test her, the nanny lied, claiming that Ziyu had once been Liu Miantang's lover. Liu Miantang believed her.

Convinced that she must have known Ziyu before, Liu Miantang candidly offered to write a divorce letter if Cui Xingzhou was concerned about her past. Seeing that Liu Miantang had not regained her memory, Cui Xingzhou explained that it was Ziyu who had been persistently entangled with her, assuring her that nothing improper had occurred between them. Only then did Liu Miantang feel relieved.

Liu Miantang and Cui Xingzhou had an open conversation, which made them feel much more comfortable. That evening, they chatted together. Liu Miantang was already looking forward to the future, imagining that once the Yushao Porcelain Workshop's business stabilized, they would hire a manager and then travel the world together as a couple. Alternatively, they might have a child and live the simple life of ordinary people.

Liu Miantang was lost in her daydreams, while Cui Xingzhou was still pondering how to capture Ziyu. After Liu Miantang fell asleep, Cui Xingzhou quietly left the courtyard. He went to the secret chamber, where numerous shadow guards had already disguised themselves and entered the city without alarming the people of Qingzhou. They had thoroughly investigated Ziyu's hiding place and all the possible exits. Now, they only needed to capture him like a turtle in a jar the next day.

The following day, Cui Xingzhou led the shadow guards to surround Ziyu's residence. Ziyu was trapped inside the house with no way to escape. Cui Xingzhou ordered his men to rush in and seize him. At that moment, Shi Yikuan barged in with his guards. He announced that Ziyu had already been pardoned and was not an enemy of the court. He even declared the Empress Dowager's decree, revealing that Ziyu had long since submitted to Shi Yikuan's command.

Cui Xingzhou realized that he had arrived too late, but he still had a lingering doubt. He asked why, despite his earlier declaration of a temporary truce, Ziyu had not followed the agreement and launched a surprise attack on him in the middle of the night, attempting to take his life. Ziyu was taken aback; he had no knowledge of such an attack. It must have been Sun Yuner acting behind his back!

Ziyu could only respond to Cui Xingzhou's suspicion by saying, "All's fair in war. "As Cui Xingzhou was about to withdraw his troops, he heard Ziyu's voice behind him. Ziyu hinted that he and Liu Miantang were no longer involved and hoped that Cui Xingzhou would treat Liu Miantang well. Originally, the matter had concluded, and according to the plan, Liu Miantang was supposed to be set free.

Cui Xingzhou hesitated, unsure whether to tell Liu Miantang the truth and let her decide. The nanny, however, felt compassion for Liu Miantang and pleaded on her behalf. She reminded Cui Xingzhou of how Liu Miantang had been forcibly abducted by bandits and suffered for three years, only to have her tendons cut and be thrown off a cliff.

The nanny's words struck a chord with Cui Xingzhou, especially since Liu Miantang had recently confided her feelings to him, choosing not to reveal her secrets for the time being. Shi Yikuan secretly ordered Ziyu to eliminate Cui Xingzhou in Qingzhou, but Cui Xingzhou managed to escape. Shi Yikuan immediately sent a message to the Empress Dowager, seeking her instructions. Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager ordered not to move against Cui Xingzhou for the time being, giving him some breathing space.

During this time, Cui Xingzhou began secretly looking for a suitable husband for Liu Miantang. The nanny suggested a few eligible men, but Cui Xingzhou found them all lacking. He insisted on personally selecting someone, claiming that he wanted to find a stable home for Liu Miantang, ensuring that she would be well-provided for in the latter half of her life.

The nanny discreetly arranged for these suitors to buy porcelain plates from the Yushao Porcelain Workshop, but none of them caught Cui Xingzhou's eye. That evening, the nanny noticed that Cui Xingzhou seemed to feel some pity for Liu Miantang, so she suggested sending Liu Miantang to her maternal grandparents' home, as it had always been said that one's mother's family is the closest. Cui Xingzhou remained silent.

As night fell, Cui Xingzhou reflected on the absurd actions he had taken during the day, realizing that he might have made a mistake. Liu Miantang was not an object to be casually given away, and it would be a waste to let her life slip away before his eyes. The nanny suggested sending Liu Miantang back to her maternal family, but Cui Xingzhou had not made up his mind and did not give an answer.

When Cui Xingzhou returned to the bedroom, Liu Miantang was still in front of the mirror, combing her hair. Cui Xingzhou took the comb from her and carefully helped her comb her hair. Liu Miantang noticed that Cui Xingzhou had been acting a bit differently since his return from Qingzhou. Cui Xingzhou lied, saying that he had a dream in which he left, and Liu Miantang was left all alone.

He then asked Liu Miantang what kind of life she wanted. Liu Miantang candidly replied that having him and the Yushao Porcelain Workshop was enough for her; just managing the workshop would keep her busy for half a lifetime. After speaking, she handed him a plate with a dragonfly design, which she had fired last time, and asked him to write a short poem on it.

Cui Xingzhou casually composed a poem, and his words flowed smoothly, perfectly matching the scene. Liu Miantang praised Cui Xingzhou's talent and admitted that she genuinely liked the plate, suggesting they keep it at home. Unintentionally, Liu Miantang gave Cui Xingzhou a choice, and he decided to keep Liu Miantang by his side. The next day, Cui Xingzhou shared his thoughts with Zhao Quan.

Zhao Quan thought Cui Xingzhou was being unrealistic, pointing out that rumors were spreading everywhere about the upcoming marriage of the Prince of Huaiyang. Yet, Cui Xingzhou insisted on taking Liu Miantang as his concubine after the marriage. Zhao Quan warned that if Liu Miantang regained her memory, she would undoubtedly hate him to the core, and there would be no good outcome for him in the future.

Cui Xingzhou had never changed his mind based on anyone's advice, and Zhao Quan's words were no exception. When He Zhen heard about the Prince of Huaiyang's impending marriage, she lost her appetite. Everyone knew that she had become a so-called "leftover woman" because she had a one-sided love for the Prince of Huaiyang. Now that he was getting married, it was a heavy blow for her.

Liu Miantang noticed that He Zhen was troubled by rumors and kindly comforted her. Seeing that Liu Miantang was not like other women who were gossipy and dull, He Zhen considered her a confidante. Meanwhile, Lian Binglan also heard some rumors. Since she was determined to become the princess, she knew that concubines were indispensable in the prince's residence. After much thought, she decided that it would be best to first win over He Zhen as an ally.

Since He Zhen came from a prestigious family, taking her as a concubine would be justifiable and would certainly be more acceptable than Liu Miantang, who had a lowly background and was not even qualified to be a concubine. Lian Binglan believed that by winning over He Zhen, she could use her to achieve her own goals in the future. Lian Binglan took the initiative to find He Zhen.

Upon hearing that the future Princess of Huaiyang was willing to make her a concubine, He Zhen was overjoyed and immediately shared the good news with Liu Miantang. Liu Miantang, also genuinely happy for her, told Cui Xingzhou about it. However, Cui Xingzhou did not agree. The next day, he went to see Lian Binglan, reminding her not to get too close to people irrelevant to the trade association. Lian Binglan tactfully sent He Zhen away.

Without hope, He Zhen fell into despair, refusing to eat or drink, and soon became seriously ill. He Zhen's maid knew that her mistress had a good relationship with Liu Miantang, so she quickly called Liu Miantang to come and comfort her. When Liu Miantang saw He Zhen's haggard appearance, she naturally felt pity for her.

Zhao Quan prescribed medicine for her and ordered that she not leave the house for fourteen days, warning that exposure to wind could worsen her condition. Zhao Quan knew that He Zhen's illness was caused by heartache and thought that things might improve after Cui Xingzhou's marriage.