MFURCC -Chapter 10 Attending a Treacherous Banquet

At that time, the wives of the First, Second, and Third branches of the family were all vying for control of the household. In the end, the authority fell into the hands of the First Madam.

Fearing that those who originally managed the inner courtyard affairs might include people from the Second and Third branches, she went to great lengths to replace them all with her own confidants.

Later, perhaps worried that Uncle Jiang might be summoned back, she simply ordered someone to break his leg as a warning.

Liuzheng was furious—and deeply moved.

Furious at the First Madam’s ruthless cruelty.

Moved that even after such threats, Uncle Jiang had still returned for her sake.

Beneath her sleeves, Liuzheng’s hands clenched into fists.

“Uncle Jiang, rest assured. Since you’ve come back for me, I will protect you with my life.”

Uncle Jiang tried to kneel in gratitude, but Liuzheng stopped him.

“With your leg as it is, don’t kneel anymore. In the future, you need not bow to me at all.”

“Thank you, Miss!”

Liuzheng turned and instructed Pan Hong, “Take Uncle Jiang to the accounting office. From now on, all accounts on my side will be managed by him.”

“Yes!”

The two departed.

A dark current surged in Liuzheng’s eyes, filled with intense hatred.

She took a sip of bitter tea before suppressing it.

Not long after, the First Madam arrived.

As always, her expression was cold, her eyes barely concealing her resentment. Unlike in her previous life, when she at least hid her selfish motives and pretended to be a loving mother, she now seemed too worn down by successive blows to keep up the façade.

“Your younger sister was bitten by a dog because of you. Yet you haven’t visited her even once?”

Liuzheng looked puzzled. “Mother must be tired—have you forgotten that Nanny Liu already confessed? Why do you still say my sister was bitten because of me?”

The First Madam nearly spat blood.

She bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, chewing on her hatred before forcing it down.

She decided not to bring up the dog again.

“Yun’er had originally promised the Top Scholar’s wife that she would attend a banquet at Princess Huishu’s residence tomorrow. Since she cannot get out of bed, you will go in her place.”

Then she added, “The Princess has a miraculous scar-removing medicine called Baicao Ointment. Go and ask for a portion for your sister.”

Understanding dawned on Liuzheng.

So that was why the First Madam had staged that scene in the small Buddha hall.

Her original plan had been for Liuzheng to be bitten by the dog and then, under the pretext of seeking medicine for herself, force her to visit the Princess’s residence.

Only now, the injured party had become Ruan Yunzheng—but Liuzheng was still the one being sent.

Clearly, it was a Hongmen Banquet—a trap disguised as hospitality.

But as fate would have it, Liuzheng also needed to visit the Princess’s residence.

Besides Baicao Ointment, Princess Huishu possessed another miraculous medicine—one that could cure Uncle Jiang’s leg.

Only the Princess’s household and Liuzheng—who had once died and returned—knew of this.

“If it is for my sister, and to ease Mother’s mind, then I will go,” she agreed obediently.

The First Madam was taken aback.

She had expected Liuzheng to refuse.

All the arguments she had prepared went unused. Though she had achieved her aim, she felt inexplicably displeased.

After some thought, she said, “I will go with you.”

If she wanted to vent her anger, she would have to witness personally how the nobles mocked and reprimanded Liuzheng.

“Very well, Mother,” Liuzheng replied.

The First Madam left with a dark expression.

Soon after, someone delivered a set of clothes.

“The First Madam said she feared you might not have suitable attire for the banquet, having only just returned to the capital. She sent this dress.”

It was a jade-green gauze dress with a jade-hued crepe jacket, made from fine brocade from Ruan Yunzheng’s Jiangnan hometown. The green was dignified and elegant; the stitching and fabric exquisite. It set off Liuzheng’s snowy complexion beautifully.

“Please thank Mother for me.”

After the servants left, Nanny and Yuliu learned that Liuzheng had agreed to go and were deeply worried.

“Why not feign illness and stay home?” Yuliu suggested.

“Exactly,” Nanny agreed.

Liuzheng shook her head. She did not mention the medicine for Uncle Jiang’s leg.

“One can avoid the first day, but not the fifteenth.”

Both women looked troubled.

Liuzheng encouraged them. “Have faith in me. We cannot lose heart before anything has even begun. We don’t fear hardship—only frightening ourselves before it arrives.”

Nanny was the first to respond. “Miss is right! As you say, we’ll block soldiers with generals and water with earth.”

Yuliu added, “You weren’t even afraid of the vicious dog in the Buddha hall. Why fear people?”

Liuzheng wanted to say that she had indeed been afraid.

It was a fear etched into her very soul.

But she knew fear was useless.

So she had summoned her courage and subdued the dog.

Still, people were more frightening than dogs.

But she would not run from them.

Besides, she already had her calculations in mind.

After noon, Liuzheng summoned Pan Hong and instructed him quietly, “Go to the palace for me…”

…

The next day arrived in a blink.

Liuzheng wore the dress sent by the First Madam while Bao Qin helped her dress and style her hair.

After moving into the General’s Residence, there had been a shortage of staff. Pan Hong had purchased a group of new servants. Their life contracts were all in Liuzheng’s possession, so betrayal was unlikely.

Bao Qin was the most honest among them. Though not particularly clever, she had skillful hands and was adept at makeup and hairstyling. Liuzheng had kept her by her side.

Soon, Bao Qin completed her coiffure and adorned it with hairpins.

Liuzheng had exceptionally beautiful eyes—resembling neither the First Madam nor Master Ruan, but her grandmother in her youth.

Her grandmother had once been famed as the most beautiful woman in the capital. Even in old age, she retained her poise. It was said that if her grandfather had not achieved second place in the imperial examinations, her family might not have allowed her to marry him.

Later, her grandfather grew weary of court intrigues and resigned to become a teacher.

By Liuzheng’s father’s generation, the Ruan family had long declined, sustained only by the Dufeng Academy her grandfather had left behind.

Had it not been for the First Madam’s generous dowry—and the Second and Third branches turning to commerce—the Ruan household could not have survived.

That was precisely why the First Madam had gained control of the household finances.

Grandmother, however, favored the Third Branch’s wife, Lady Zhao.

Bao Qin had previously worked in a cosmetics shop and had made up many beautiful noblewomen.

Yet she had never seen someone as stunning as Liuzheng.

“Miss, you’re so beautiful—like a fairy from a storybook.”

Liuzheng smiled. “It’s your skill.”

Nanny added, “Miss is too modest. You truly look like a fairy descended from heaven.”

Liuzheng thought to herself: I am a vengeful ghost reborn.

Just then, Nanny Qi from Listening Bamboo Courtyard arrived.

After Nanny Liu had been sent to the countryside estate, the First Madam had reluctantly promoted Nanny Qi.

She was not as shrewd as Nanny Liu—rigid and methodical—but fiercely loyal to the First Madam and one of her original dowry maids. She treated Liuzheng exactly as her mistress did.

“Miss, it’s getting late. The carriage is ready. Please don’t delay any longer—make haste.”

There was still plenty of time. She wasn’t here to urge Liuzheng—she was here to show displeasure.

Nanny was about to rebuke her, but Liuzheng stopped her.

“Please inform Mother that I ate something bad this morning and will depart later. I would not wish to embarrass myself at the Princess’s residence.”

Nanny Qi clicked her tongue and left.

When the First Madam heard Liuzheng had a stomachache, she cursed her as “a lazy mule with endless excuses.”

Still, worried Liuzheng might have to turn back midway and delay the “important matter,” she refrained from sending Nanny Qi again.

…

In Tinglan Garden, Nanny noticed Liuzheng glancing repeatedly toward the entrance, as if waiting for someone.

Liuzheng whispered something in her ear, and Nanny’s eyes lit up.

Before she could ask more, Pan Hong arrived.

With him came an older palace matron in court attire, bearing herself with dignity.

“Greetings, Miss Ruan. I serve in the Empress Dowager’s palace. Yesterday, Her Majesty received the gift you sent and was most pleased. She invites you to Cining Palace for tea.”

Officials could not enter the inner palace, but Liuzheng was a woman. The matron cleverly addressed her as “Miss” rather than “General,” framing it as a private social visit.

Liuzheng hurriedly helped her up.

“Please rise, Nanny. Since the Empress Dowager summons me, I shall depart at once.”

She signaled to Nanny and followed.

Though merely a palace servant, the matron served directly under the Empress Dowager. Liuzheng treated her with great respect and gifted her a small gold ingot, prompting the matron to say a few extra words.

“My surname is Chang. You may call me Nanny Chang. Her Majesty is kind and gentle; there is no need for anxiety. She merely wishes to thank you—nothing more.”

Liuzheng smiled. “Thank you, Nanny.”

Today’s visit to the Princess’s residence would surely be fraught with trouble. She needed someone powerful as her backing.

The Empress Dowager was that person.

Thus yesterday, she had sent Pan Hong to deliver a relic to Her Majesty.

A single relic would not normally warrant such an invitation.

But on the frontier, Liuzheng had saved many lives—including Wei Ranfeng, heir to the Duke’s household.

The Empress Dowager was Wei Ranfeng’s aunt.

And so, she was willing to grant Liuzheng this favor.

The two departed.

The First Madam’s informant at the gate witnessed the scene and hurried to report.

The First Madam sprang to her feet.

“Someone from the palace invited her? Then what about the Princess…”

Before she finished speaking, Nanny Jiang, Liuzheng’s nurse, arrived.

“First Madam, the Empress Dowager has invited Miss to tea. She says it won’t take long and asks that you depart at the proper time. She will head straight to the banquet from the palace and will not delay.”

“I see.” The First Madam’s expression was sour.

Only when she heard that Liuzheng had worn the dress she sent did her face ease slightly.

…

Wuyi Alley was just one street away from the palace. Soon, Liuzheng entered through the Xuanwu Gate, passed the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and arrived at Cining Palace.

She spoke little and did not look around. Only the hand inside her sleeve moved slightly—a small habitual motion while walking.

Nanny Chang paid it no mind.

They reached Cining Palace.

“Please wait, General. I will report your arrival.”

“Yes.”

Nanny Chang entered to inform the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager did not immediately summon Liuzheng. Instead, she asked, “What is this Female General Zhaoyong like?”

Nanny Chang withheld nothing, recounting every word, gesture, and expression she had observed.

“She does not seem as the Empress described… crude and lacking in manners.”

Then she produced the small gold ingot from her sleeve—to show that her praise was not bought.