MFURCC -Chapter 14 Liuzheng Confined

The physician from Huichun Hall did not normally make house calls at night.

But money could make even ghosts turn millstones, so the doctor came after all.

As soon as he arrived, Madam Song handed him the medicine for inspection.

The physician from Huichun Hall was an experienced man. He took a small amount on his fingertip, brought it beneath his nose, and sniffed carefully. His eyes immediately lit up.

“This is Wan Gu Sui—a miraculous medicine for leg injuries! Not only fresh wounds, even old injuries from years past can be cured. Madam, such a precious medicine is exceedingly rare. Where did you obtain it?”

Madam Song did not answer his question. She only asked, “Will this medicine help my son’s leg?”

“It will! It is precisely the right remedy!”

“Then why did my son’s flesh begin to rot after applying it?”

“Let me take a look.”

The doctor had never personally used such a rare medicine. He had only heard of it and did not know its exact properties.

After examining carefully, he still could not determine the exact cause.

In the end, he could only offer a conjecture. “The medicine itself is excellent, but its properties are very potent. Some side effects are normal. The flesh rotting is not a major issue. What truly matters is that the bone heals sooner.”

“Then my son… should continue using this medicine?”

“If you want his leg to heal faster, then yes, continue.”

“But what about the flesh?”

“Scrape away the rotten flesh completely, then apply medicine that promotes new flesh growth. Both flesh and bone will heal quickly.”

“Please, Doctor, save my son…”

“Rest assured.”

The doctor nodded and had Ruan Changzheng bite down on a piece of soft wood while he scraped away the rotting flesh.

The screams rang out again—louder and more pitiful than before.

He fainted several times, and even the thought of death crossed his mind.

Pain. So much pain!

After nearly three quarters of an hour, the rotten flesh was finally scraped clean. Ruan Changzheng had fainted multiple times and now lay drenched in sweat, as if he had just been pulled from water.

But the doctor’s next words frightened him into fainting again.

“At least three more scrapings will be necessary.”

Ruan Changzheng collapsed unconscious. The First Madam wept in anguish.

“My son—!”

After seeing the doctor out, Ruan Yunzheng spent a long time comforting her.

Yet as she looked at Ruan Changzheng, who was barely clinging to life, a chill crept up her spine.

She thought: though this miracle medicine was effective, its side effects were terrifying. If the medicine Ruan Liuzheng had obtained yesterday had been meant for her instead… would she also…

Once that thought arose, Ruan Yunzheng began to suspect that Liuzheng had tampered with the medicine.

But she had no proof.

She would have to find an opportunity to verify it in the future.

In Concubine Su’s courtyard—

Listening to the screams and cries from Tingzhu Courtyard, Master Ruan slept soundly, undisturbed.

The reason was simple: Concubine Su had long received word from Liuzheng and had added a sleeping draught to Master Ruan’s tea.

Liuzheng knew Madam Song would make trouble, so she had Concubine Su drug Master Ruan in advance to prevent further complications.

The medicine she instructed Doctor Chen to add to Ruan Changzheng’s prescription was a poison that promoted the growth of rotten flesh.

Applied to healthy flesh, it would have no reaction. But applied to wounded flesh, it would cause it to rot.

Though she had used Ruan Changzheng as an excuse to request medicine from the Grand Princess’s residence, she had actually sought it for Uncle Jiang.

Inevitably, a portion had to be given to Ruan Changzheng.

But she did not want his leg to heal so easily. Thus, this scheme was born.

Ruan Changzheng would suffer until he wished for death.

Though Ruan Hanmo now seemed to favor Liuzheng, his heart still leaned toward Ruan Changzheng.

If someone stirred trouble at this time and he personally witnessed his son’s agony, Liuzheng would be in serious trouble.

Fortunately, Concubine Su handled matters efficiently. Everything was quiet.

The plan had gone smoothly.

Liuzheng felt relieved.

She ordered the courtyard gates shut and prepared to sleep.

But at that moment, her wet nurse knelt beside her couch.

“Miss, your great kindness—we three will never forget it. We are willing to give our lives for you!”

Only after Doctor Chen had left did she learn that Liuzheng had willingly attended the Grand Princess’s banquet for the sake of Uncle Jiang’s leg.

Such matters were sensitive; she only dared kneel and express gratitude behind closed doors.

“Wet Nurse, please rise.” Liuzheng helped her up. “We are family. There is no need for such words. Your and Uncle Jiang’s return has already helped me greatly.”

With reddened eyes, the wet nurse nodded.

“Rest early,” Liuzheng said. “Grandmother returns tomorrow. We must thoroughly clean the main courtyard. It will require effort.”

“Yes!”

Yet when Liuzheng lay down again, she found herself unable to sleep.

Perhaps it was excitement over Grandmother’s return. She did not fall asleep until the latter half of the night.

Early the next morning, just after finishing breakfast, a servant came to report that Master Ruan wanted her in Tingzhu Courtyard.

“I understand. I will go at once.”

On the way, Liuzheng had already guessed why he had summoned her.

Nothing more than to question her about last night.

So the moment she entered, she knelt directly.

“Father, after much thought, I believe the medicine bestowed by the Grand Princess may truly have a problem. If you permit, I will go to her residence immediately. Even if it means giving up my military merits, I will seek justice for Elder Brother!”

The reprimand Master Ruan had prepared caught in his throat.

“Do not speak nonsense! How could the Grand Princess’s gift be flawed? The medicine is not the issue—it is your brother’s weak constitution that cannot endure such potent medicine. And your military merits were hard-earned; how can you discard them lightly? Never speak recklessly again. Rise.”

He personally helped her up.

The anger Madam Song and Ruan Yunzheng had stirred vanished, replaced by fear.

Fear that Liuzheng would truly go confront the Grand Princess.

That would be a capital offense—one that could implicate the entire family.

“From now on, no one is to mention this matter again,” Master Ruan declared, addressing Liuzheng—but also the First Madam.

Madam Song wanted to speak, but one glare from Master Ruan silenced her.

She had also reasoned that Liuzheng likely lacked the bold cruelty to tamper with the medicine.

Yet the resentment in her chest would not dissipate. She had hoped to use Master Ruan to vent it.

Who would have thought that with just a few words, Liuzheng would not only avoid punishment but also lead Master Ruan to declare the medicine faultless?

Madam Song ground her molars.

Her gaze at Liuzheng resembled a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

Liuzheng pretended not to notice and said obediently, “Your daughter will obey Father.”

Seeing the “miracle medicine” matter settled, Madam Song raised another issue.

“Master, about Madam Xin…”

Madam Xin was the top scholar’s wife.

Master Ruan recalled the matter.

Madam Song had told him that yesterday, at the Grand Princess’s residence, Liuzheng had offended the top scholar’s wife with careless remarks.

He frowned slightly. “Yao Yao, did you displease Madam Xin yesterday?”

Liuzheng feigned ignorance. “Who is Madam Xin?”

“The top scholar’s wife.”

“When did I displease her?”

Madam Song cut in, “You speak too bluntly and may not realize what you said wrong. But she sent word yesterday criticizing you. Prepare apology gifts and deliver them.”

Since suppressing her had failed, she now invoked the top scholar’s wife.

Liuzheng said, “That would be inappropriate.”

“How is it inappropriate? Do you refuse everything I instruct? You show no respect for me—or even your father?”

Master Ruan looked at Liuzheng, awaiting her stance.

Yet she remained firm. “Father, it would not be appropriate for me to visit the top scholar’s residence.”

Master Ruan’s temper flared. “You will not even listen to me?”

He had been pleased when Liuzheng moved the family to Wu Yi Lane and was willing to treat her kindly.

But the moment she defied him, he forgot all her merits.

“Father, it is not that I disobey. The court’s situation is chaotic. If I visit any residence without proper cause at such a time, it would harm the Ruan family.”

Madam Song seized the moment to fan the flames.

“Hmph. I say she relies on her military merits and no longer respects you or me.”

“I do not,” Liuzheng replied.

“And still you deny it!”

“Enough!” Master Ruan’s face darkened. “Silence, both of you!”

At that moment, Ruan Yunzheng entered—her timing always impeccable.

“Father, Mother, please do not be angry. If Elder Sister does not wish to go, I am willing to go on her behalf. I am familiar with Sister Xin and can speak more easily. If I apologize for her, Madam Xin likely will not remain upset.”

Master Ruan’s gaze softened at once.

He turned coldly to Liuzheng. “Why don’t you thank your sister?”

Liuzheng said calmly, “Father, I believe Sister Yunzheng also should not go.”

Master Ruan’s anger snowballed.

“You refuse to go, she goes for you, and you are still dissatisfied?!”

“Daughter—”

“That’s enough! Since you are unwilling to go out, return to Tinglan Courtyard and reflect behind closed doors for three days! For those three days, no one in Tinglan Courtyard may step outside!”

Liuzheng pressed her lips together, seemingly displeased.

But in the end she said helplessly, “Yes. Daughter obeys Father and will return at once.”

She turned and left.

Yet once beyond Tingzhu Courtyard, a faint, serene smile curved her lips.

Meanwhile, Madam Song seized the opportunity.

“Yunzheng is so sensible—I cannot be without her. Yet she resides in the outer courtyard, making it inconvenient to visit me in Tingzhu Courtyard. Master, why not clear out the west wing here and let Yunzheng move in?”

Master Ruan nodded. “As you wish. As for Madam Xin, resolve it promptly.”

Though he was the top scholar’s teacher, that small favor could not withstand a wife’s pillow talk.

“Rest assured, Father. I will persuade Sister Xin.”

He nodded in satisfaction.

Liuzheng was capable—but she was like a body covered in thorns. Even when speaking to her, he found himself unconsciously softening his tone, which made him uncomfortable.

Ruan Yunzheng, the adopted daughter, was different. Her gaze toward him brimmed with admiration and respect.

Thus, Ruan Yunzheng successfully moved into Tingzhu Courtyard.

At the same time, Liuzheng returned to Tinglan Courtyard.

Soon, everyone there learned that Liuzheng—and all of Tinglan Courtyard—had been confined. Meanwhile, Third Miss Ruan Yunzheng had moved into Tingzhu Courtyard, second only to the main residence in prestige.

At lunchtime, servants delivered the meal.

The wet nurse accepted it and quickly realized it was cold.

Though it was said to be three dishes and a soup, all were vegetarian.

As for the so-called meat soup—there was not a shred of meat in it.

Her face darkened. “Why is the food cold?”

The servant immediately plastered on a smile. “Nanny Jiang, please forgive us. The kitchen has only two stoves and few hands—we truly cannot manage. Please bear with it, you and Eldest Miss.”

His words were polite, yet he made no move to reheat the food.

The wet nurse was furious.

She carried the food box inside. “Miss, look at this!”

Liuzheng set down her military manual and looked over.

“These dogs who bow to the high and trample the low! You’ve only just been confined, and they already dare bully you! It’s only been a few days since we moved here—have they already forgotten who earned this General’s Residence?!”