MFURCC -Chapter 16 Foresight

Ruan Yunzheng gave a respectful bow. “Thank you for Father’s kindness, but your daughter wants nothing. To have a room in the west wing and remain at Mother’s side at all times is already more than enough for me.”

When she had lived in the outer courtyard, the servants had given her only coarse tea and plain meals.

After moving to the main courtyard, she had once again become the Third Miss whom everyone sought to please.

The First Madam said from the side, “Yun’er is truly filial.”

“Indeed.” Master Ruan nodded.

This adopted daughter truly was good in every way.

Madam Song seized the moment to speak. “Master, the Tingxue Courtyard that was originally prepared for the Third Branch’s Bai girl is quite large. We could build a wall and divide it into two sections—let Bai girl live on the east side and let Yun’er stay on the west. What do you think?”

Master Ruan stroked his beard. “Tingxue Courtyard is indeed spacious, and its layout suits such a division. We’ll do as you say.”

“Then I’ll make arrangements at once.”

Just as the First Madam was about to leave, Ruan Yunzheng stopped her.

“Mother, the west wing room is already very good. Does Mother not wish for Yun’er to stay by your side forever?”

Seeing that she truly did not wish to move and preferred to remain with her, the First Madam felt comforted.

“Very well. When you grow tired of living there, you may move to Tingxue Courtyard.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Ruan Yunzheng smiled sweetly, yet a dark glint flashed in her eyes.

Soon, the people of the Second and Third branches would all perish at the Summer Retreat Villa.

Let alone Tingxue Courtyard—she would be free to live wherever she pleased in the inner residence.

Besides, her ambitions lay elsewhere.

Though Liuzheng’s small General’s Manor displeased her, she had never intended to remain here forever.

She was meant to be a phoenix soaring in the nine heavens.

The General’s Manor was merely her stepping stone.

Yet as she looked at Ruan Changzheng, bedridden with illness, she could not help but wonder whether she had chosen the wrong stepping stone.

But Master Huifan… could not possibly be wrong.

She resolved to patiently wait for Master Huifan’s prophecy to come true.

Ruan Changzheng soon fell asleep again from weakness.

The three returned to Tingzhu Courtyard for tea, their laughter unceasing.

Concubine Su had originally come to ask where Master Ruan would be taking lunch.

Hearing the cheerful laughter inside, she did not step through the courtyard gate and quietly left with her nanny.

“With the Eldest Miss confined, she’ll likely have a hard few days. I’ll make some pastries and send them to Tinglan Courtyard later,” Concubine Su instructed.

The nanny acknowledged and followed her to the small kitchen.

Before long, a plate of exquisite pastries was ready.

Concubine Su personally carried the food box to Tinglan Courtyard.

Passing by Tingzhu Courtyard, she nearly collided with someone from the gate.

The nanny immediately scolded, “Watch where you’re going! If you offend the concubine, be careful the Master holds you accountable!”

Most of the servants in the General’s Manor had followed from the Ruan residence; they knew Concubine Su was favored by the Master.

They immediately knelt.

“Please forgive us, Concubine. The Top Scholar’s wife arrived in great haste. We dared not delay and hurried to report.”

Concubine Su said, “The Top Scholar’s wife visiting is nothing unusual. Why such urgency?”

“It wasn’t us who were anxious—it was her. Her face was pale, as though something serious had happened.”

“Did she say what it was?”

“No.”

“Very well. Go.”

Concubine Su waved them off and quickened her steps toward Liuzheng’s Tinglan Courtyard.

Two guards stood at the entrance—placed there by the First Madam to enforce Liuzheng’s confinement.

Upon seeing Concubine Su, they bowed.

“No need for formalities. I’ve brought some pastries I made myself for the Eldest Miss.”

The two looked troubled.

Concubine Su’s face darkened. “The Master only ordered that the Eldest Miss be confined, not that she receive no visitors. Must I personally ask the Master whether I may enter to deliver pastries?”

The two paled and hurriedly allowed her in.

Liuzheng was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.

Her wet nurse and the others had retreated to the pavilion to avoid being accidentally injured.

Unexpectedly, when Concubine Su arrived, a sweep of Liuzheng’s sword wind struck the food box in her hands. With a crack, it split in two.

Mistress and servant shrieked in fright.

Liuzheng hurriedly withdrew her sword and stepped forward.

“Auntie, were you hurt?”

The fear still lingered on Concubine Su’s face, though she had stopped screaming.

She looked down at her skirt—there was a large tear cut through it.

Yet she had been more than ten meters away…

She had once heard storytellers say that a true sword master could generate sword wind. Seeing it now, the storytellers had not been exaggerating.

Fortunately, the food box had blocked the strike. Neither of them was injured.

“It’s nothing. We disturbed the Eldest Miss’s practice.”

“It was my carelessness. What a pity about the pastries.”

“If the Eldest Miss likes them, I’ll make more. I have plenty of free time.”

The two spoke as they entered the inner room.

Tea was served. Liuzheng personally handed a cup to her. “Please have some hot tea to steady yourself.”

Toward Concubine Su, she harbored both use and sincerity.

In her previous life, after her corpse had been gnawed by vicious dogs, Concubine Su somehow learned that she had died here. She had come to offer three sticks of incense and later ordered someone to bury her.

The First Madam had paid no attention—at that time, Emperor Jingyuan had rewarded the General’s Manor, and she was busy moving residences.

Thus Liuzheng had at least been granted a grave.

Unlike the others of the Ruan family, she was not ungrateful. She remembered this kindness.

After a sip of hot tea, Concubine Su’s trembling fingers finally steadied.

She spoke of the Top Scholar’s wife.

“I don’t know what she came for; the gate servants wouldn’t say. I heard the Eldest Miss was confined because of her. I hope it won’t cause more trouble.”

Liuzheng smiled. “There will indeed be trouble—but good trouble.”

“What good trouble?”

Liuzheng did not answer. Instead, she said, “Auntie, do you believe that within half the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, my father will personally come to invite me out?”

“Why?”

“Just wait and see. Come, have tea.”

Concubine Su was utterly baffled.

But soon enough, Master Ruan himself arrived to provide the answer.

Sweat covered his forehead as he rushed in, calling Liuzheng by her childhood name. “Yao Yao! Yao Yao!”

Liuzheng winked at Concubine Su and stepped out.

“Father, why are you in such a hurry? You’re sweating. Auntie Su is here—shall I have her fetch some water for you to wash your face?”

Master Ruan waved his hand. “No need. Come with me first.”

Liuzheng refused to move.

“Father, have you forgotten? You ordered me confined in Tinglan Courtyard for three days. Within three days, I am not to step outside the gate. Not even three hours have passed.”

Master Ruan immediately said, “Your confinement is lifted. Come with Father.”

Yet Liuzheng remained unmoved.

“Father, a gentleman’s word is his bond. You are a scholar, a gentleman—how can you go back on your word? Your daughter cannot step out, nor can I disgrace Father’s esteemed reputation as Teacher of Many. If there is something to discuss, let it be done here.”

Master Ruan felt irritation rise.

Yet he prided himself on being a gentleman.

Helpless, he said, “Then wait here. I’ll bring them over.”

Liuzheng nodded and returned inside to sit down again.

Concubine Su was almost in awe.

“Eldest Miss, could it be that you truly possess foresight?”

Liuzheng smiled. “You flatter me, Auntie. We are all mortals. How could mortals foresee the future?”

Concubine Su could only attribute it to Liuzheng’s intelligence.

She was glad she had chosen to stand with the clever one.

With Liuzheng’s help, perhaps she truly might bear a son.

Even a daughter would not be bad—at least she would have something to rely on.

Concubine Su soon took her leave.

Before long, Master Ruan returned with a group.

The First Madam, Ruan Yunzheng, the Top Scholar’s wife, and her two maids.

Liuzheng lifted her eyes.

The Top Scholar’s wife’s eyes were red and swollen, as though she had just cried bitterly.

Liuzheng’s heart was clear as a mirror; she knew exactly why she had wept.

But she felt not a trace of pity.

The incident of the green dress at the Grand Princess’s birthday banquet had been a joint scheme between the Top Scholar’s wife and Ruan Yunzheng. Otherwise, how could the Grand Princess have worn that grand brocade green dress sent by Su Luo that day?

Grand brocade was rare; brocade of such quality was rarer still. Aside from the Nian family of Jiangnan, who else could craft such exquisite brocade?

Liuzheng gently set down the tea in her hand and rose to bow.

“Father, Mother, Madam Xin—what brings you here?”

Master Ruan glanced at Madam Song, signaling her to speak.

For some reason, he felt a trace of apprehension toward Liuzheng.

“Yao Yao.”

Madam Song cleared her throat, her voice gentler than ever before.

“You’ve met Madam Xin before—the Top Scholar’s wife. Something has happened to her family, and she wishes to seek an audience with the Grand Princess.”

“However, the Grand Princess is in a foul mood today and has closed her doors to visitors.”

“Mother was thinking—on her birthday banquet, she gifted you that miraculous medicine to treat your leg. She must be fond of you.”

“If you were to take Madam Xin with you to see her, she would likely open her doors.”

The Top Scholar’s wife stepped forward at that moment.

“Little sister, my dear little sister—if you help me today, the entire Top Scholar’s residence will remember your kindness.”

Liuzheng revealed a puzzled expression.

“Sister Xin, what has happened?”

Before Madam Xin could speak, Madam Song cut in displeased, “No matter what it is, take her first.”

“Yes, Elder Sister,” Ruan Yunzheng added from the side. “You only need to bring Sister Xin into the Grand Princess’s residence. You need not trouble yourself further. It’s just a small matter. Surely Elder Sister would not refuse to help?”

Master Ruan and Madam Song’s expressions grew even more dissatisfied.

If she would not even help with such a trivial matter, what kind of good daughter was she?

The First Madam went further. “Must I, as your mother, kneel and beg you?”

She made as if to kneel, not at all concerned that if word spread, Liuzheng’s reputation would suffer greatly.

In Great Jin, filial piety was paramount.

There had once even been a first-rank official dismissed by the Emperor for disrespecting his principal wife.

Liuzheng quickly supported Madam Song.

“Mother, please don’t. If it is truly a small matter, your daughter is naturally willing to help.”

“Then let’s go at once!”

“There’s no rush. I must first understand clearly.” Liuzheng turned to Madam Xin. “I have heard that Sister Xin has always been on good terms with the Grand Princess. Why then does the Grand Princess now refuse even to see you? Has something truly serious occurred?”

Master Ruan, about to lose his temper, froze at her words and turned to look at Madam Xin.

Earlier, Madam Xin had only told him that something minor had occurred at court this morning and angered the Emperor, without giving details.

But now that Liuzheng raised the question, he suddenly felt something was amiss.

If even the Grand Princess avoided involvement…

Could it truly be a small matter?