MFURCC -Chapter 12 The Green Dress Frame-Up

No one knew what Madam Song was smiling about; they only assumed she remained calm and unruffled by favor or disgrace.

Among the guests was Madam Yuan, wife of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, who had previously attended Liuzheng’s housewarming banquet in Wuyi Lane. She took one look at Madam Song and found her increasingly unpleasant to the eye.

Still, mindful of her status, she said nothing, merely maintaining a polite smile as she chatted idly with the other ladies.

For the Eldest Princess’s birthday, only female guests were invited. With a whole garden full of women, there was naturally no shortage of conversation.

Most of it revolved around Liuzheng.

“Will General Zhaoyong be attending as well? At last we’ll see her in person.”

“I’ve long wanted to meet this ‘model woman’ personally praised by His Majesty.”

“Lower your voice. Didn’t you notice the Eldest Princess seemed somewhat displeased earlier? It’s her birthday, yet someone dares to delay and arrive so late.”

After that, fewer people dared to talk openly about Liuzheng.

Instead, someone began whispering about the Eldest Princess.

“Look—green luo straight robes are all the rage in the capital these days, yet not a single woman in this garden is wearing one today.”

“You still dare bring it up? The Eldest Princess adores green luo straight robes. At her spring banquet last time, a young lady wore the same style as Her Highness. She was young and beautiful, and completely stole the spotlight. The Princess’s expression turned sour at once. Not long after… that young lady was found drowned in her own pond.”

“Was it the Princess?”

“Who knows… In any case, better to be careful.”

The two whispered quietly, but as they happened to be very close to Madam Song—and she was seated where the wind carried their voices—she heard every word clearly.

The smile at the corner of Madam Song’s lips deepened.

She had come today with two plans.

First, to have Liuzheng buried under the spittle of public scorn and incur the Eldest Princess’s dislike.

If she could use the Princess’s hand to make Liuzheng suffer a setback—and then use the jujube paste cakes she had sent the other day to ruin Liuzheng’s reputation completely—she could force Liuzheng to resign her post and recommend her eldest son to take her place.

There was no precedent for women holding official posts. If Liuzheng voluntarily resigned, His Majesty would likely be more than willing to accept it.

Thus, she had instructed Yun’er to prepare a full set of green luo straight robes made of grand brocade, paired with emerald earrings, and had the Scholar’s Wife deliver them to the Eldest Princess.

After confirming that the Princess would wear that outfit to the banquet, she then gave Liuzheng a nearly identical set of green brocade straight robes to wear.

The plan was flawless.

Of course, if the Princess proved broad-minded and did not take offense—

And if Liuzheng, by some stroke of luck, won the Princess’s favor—

That would also be fine.

She could then seize the opportunity to have the Princess bestow medicine for her Yun’er.

No matter how things unfolded, Madam Song would benefit.

Her mood was excellent.

Even being subtly ignored did not bother her in the slightest. She continued chatting and laughing with the Scholar’s Wife.

The Scholar’s Wife, being on close terms with the Princess, was not afraid of being implicated by association with Madam Song.

After all, the Princess taking offense at a mere remark and cold-shouldering someone was an everyday occurrence.

She was Emperor Jingyuan’s only full-blooded sister. The other princesses were not born of the former Empress Dowager, so no matter how willful she was, the Emperor indulged her. Thus, she had long grown accustomed to doing as she pleased.

Soon, refreshments were served.

They were palace-style delicacies—delicate and delicious.

Though it was summer, ice had been placed around the garden. A cool breeze drifted through, leaving the ladies content in both body and mind.

Just then, a servant woman came to report:

“General Zhaoyong has arrived.”

The Eldest Princess lifted her eyelids slightly. “Bring General Ruan here.”

Madam Song felt a surge of excitement.

Finally.

To keep her emotions from betraying her, she deliberately lowered her head and fixed her gaze on her embroidered shoes.

Yet she could clearly sense the surroundings fall silent.

Surely, it was because of Liuzheng’s green dress.

Her lips pressed together, suppressing the upward curl of satisfaction.

However, the silence was indeed due to Liuzheng—but not because of a green dress.

When the Princess and the other ladies looked up, they saw Liuzheng dressed in a pale balloon-flower–colored satin jacket with a front opening, layered over a simple under-robe. She resembled a lotus in a lake—tender, dewy, elegant, and serene.

Madam Song had been stunningly beautiful in her youth, and Old Madam Ruan was also famed for her looks. Liuzheng had inherited the best of both, surpassing them.

She had been born fair-skinned and did not tan easily. Even nine years on the frontier had scarcely altered her complexion.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Even Princess Huishu was taken aback.

Ordinarily, she disliked being overshadowed, yet Liuzheng wore no cosmetics—clearly not deliberately trying to outshine her.

The young lady at the spring banquet had obviously dressed with meticulous intent.

The situations were entirely different, and thus the Princess felt no anger.

She was simply astonished that Liuzheng possessed such beauty.

She had assumed that someone who had fought her way through piles of corpses on the frontier would be built like a man, sturdy and rough—hardly a beauty. The praise among the common folk must have been exaggerated for patriotic effect.

Yet seeing her in person today, she truly was as the streets claimed—General Zhaoyong was as beautiful as a celestial maiden.

“Liuzheng greets the Eldest Princess. May Your Highness’s blessings spread far and wide, and may you enjoy health and peace year after year.”

Liuzheng performed a proper half-curtsy, her face sincere with congratulatory warmth.

Though the Princess felt no resentment over Liuzheng’s striking appearance, she still harbored dissatisfaction over her late arrival.

She nodded faintly. “Rise. Grant her a seat.”

Such calmness startled Madam Song, who had been staring at her shoes.

Of her two plans, though she would accept the latter outcome of obtaining medicine for Ruan Yunzheng, she preferred the former to succeed.

After the incident in the small Buddha hall, she had wished Liuzheng dead, so her son could inherit her military merits.

The Emperor would not disregard Liuzheng’s accomplishments simply because she died; he would compensate the Ruan family in other ways.

Most likely, he would appoint Changzheng to replace her.

Yet the Princess showed no reaction.

Madam Song felt disappointed—and puzzled.

When she finally looked up, she saw Liuzheng’s balloon-flower–colored dress.

The word slipped out before she could stop herself: “You—”

Fortunately, her reason returned in time. Realizing the setting was inappropriate for questioning, she swallowed the rest.

“Mother, what is it?” Liuzheng had heard her and looked over with confusion.

She had not lowered her voice, and as the surrounding guests had fallen silent to observe her, they all instinctively turned to look at Madam Song.

Madam Song’s face shifted between pale and green before she forced a smile.

“Nothing. Come sit beside me.”

“Please wait a moment, Mother. I still have something to report to the Eldest Princess.”

At that, the Princess looked at Liuzheng again.

She had intended to ignore her for a while longer because of her tardiness.

Unexpectedly, Liuzheng insisted on stepping forward.

Just as the Princess was about to say, “Speak after the banquet concludes,” Liuzheng said:

“Your Highness, I prepared to leave early this morning to attend your banquet. However, just as I was about to depart, the Empress Dowager summoned me. I had no choice but to let my mother come first…”

The Princess blinked in surprise.

So it was not arrogance or pride in her achievements—it was a summons from the Empress Dowager.

Half her irritation vanished.

She felt only displeasure that Madam Song had not explained this earlier.

Before she could respond, Liuzheng continued:

“Knowing I was coming to celebrate Your Highness’s birthday, the Empress Dowager instructed me to bring your birthday gift. I dared not delay and present it now.”

She tilted her head slightly. Her maid, Baoqin, stepped forward with a long brocade box.

The Princess was instantly delighted.

“Quickly, bring it here.”

A nanny took it and opened the box.

Inside lay the gold-inlaid jade ruyi scepter she had once begged from the Empress Dowager months ago but failed to obtain.

Her mood soared.

The faint tension in her brows melted away entirely.

All her displeasure toward Liuzheng vanished, replaced by genuine fondness.

“You’ve worked hard,” she said at last with a smile, beckoning. “Come sit beside me.”

The ice vessel stood closest to the Princess; her seat was far cooler than Madam Song’s.

But coolness was secondary.

To sit at the Princess’s left was Princess Changle, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter—an honored position.

Liuzheng’s seat there symbolized status.

“Many thanks, Your Highness.”

After bowing once more, she took her seat—still composed and unassuming.

“Nine years on the frontier—was it hard?”

“To fight for the country is Liuzheng’s honor. I would not dare call it hardship. Only… if not for my elder brother’s leg ailment, perhaps he would have been braver still.”

She mentioned Ruan Changzheng’s injured leg.

The Princess considered. “I happen to have a miraculous medicine for leg injuries in my residence. Perhaps it could help your brother.”

Liuzheng rose immediately in gratitude.

“Your Highness’s great kindness will never be forgotten by the Ruan family!”

Madam Song reacted a beat too late before stepping forward to thank her as well.

The Princess smiled. “Rise.”

She ordered the medicine brought.

After receiving it, Liuzheng thanked her again.

“No need for such courtesy,” the Princess said. “Why did the Empress Dowager summon you?”

“She was simply concerned for me.”

Then, lowering her head shyly, she added, “Though Her Majesty meant well, I nearly caused her displeasure.”

“Oh?”

“A black cat suddenly leapt out while a palace maid was serving tea, startling her. The tea spilled all over me. Fortunately, the Empress Dowager did not punish me for misconduct before the throne and even allowed me to change in her palace.”

The Princess waved dismissively. “You needn’t worry. Mother is most benevolent and magnanimous. This was not your fault. She will not hold it against you.”

“Yes. The Empress Dowager was most considerate.”

Then, with a trace of regret, she said, “Only… the green luo straight robe my mother prepared for me to wear to the banquet was ruined. Such fine brocade wasted.”

At those words, Madam Song’s face turned deathly pale.

Everyone present was perceptive; how could they miss it?

Expressions grew complicated.

Only Madam Yuan looked as if everything had fallen neatly into place.

The Princess was straightforward by nature, but not foolish.

She cast Madam Song a long, knowing look and gave a faint smile.

The affairs of the Ruan household were none of her concern, so she did not expose it. Instead, she said publicly:

“It was only a set of grand brocade. What of it? I shall gift you two bolts of haosha silk. Make summer garments of them.”

Haosha silk, also from Jiangnan, lacked grand brocade’s fame but was even more precious—light as cicada wings, perfect for summer outer robes.

Liuzheng promptly expressed her thanks.

Madam Song’s face grew even uglier.

With that gesture, the Princess had effectively slighted Jiangnan’s Nian family brocade.

By the end of this birthday banquet, the capital’s nobles would no longer take pride in wearing grand brocade.

Yet Madam Song’s social standing among the elite had relied precisely on gifting Ruan Yunzheng’s Nian-family brocade from Jiangnan.

From now on, far fewer distinguished households would invite her as a guest.

Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Madam Song had lost all the composure she had displayed at the beginning.