MFURCC -Chapter 25 Locked in the Woodshed

“Yaoyao, come sit. I’ll pour you some tea.”

Third Madam Shao welcomed her inside.

Liuzheng stepped in and saw Brother Jia bent over his desk, staring intently at something.

Third Uncle had never taken concubines. He and Third Madam had one son and one daughter.

Their daughter, Ruan Xuezheng, was fourteen this year. Ruan Jiazheng was now ten.

Only when Liuzheng walked closer did she see clearly—Brother Jia was painting.

She studied it for a moment, then picked up a brush and added two small strokes.

Ruan Jiazheng’s eyes instantly lit up.

Looking up at her, he said, “I knew this painting was missing something—it was missing a lone boat!”

It was a landscape painting. Mountains lined both sides of the river, but the water itself had been left empty.

Liuzheng had added a small wooden boat.

“Brother Jia paints very well,” she praised.

A faint blush rose to his cheeks. “Father says I lack talent. Only diligence can make up for clumsiness.”

“Your father is mistaken. You’re very talented.”

His eyes brightened even more.

He fumbled inside his sleeve and suddenly pulled out a piece of candy.

It had melted a little—clearly something he had treasured for quite some time.

“For you!”

Without giving her a chance to refuse, he stuffed it into Liuzheng’s hand, then ran shyly into the inner room.

Third Madam smiled. “His teeth aren’t good, so I don’t let him eat sweets. I don’t know when he hid that away. The fact that he’s willing to share it with you shows he really likes you.”

The most direct way a child expresses affection is by giving away something they cherish.

Liuzheng carefully put the candy away. “I like Brother Jia too…”

Then she asked, “Is Third Uncle planning for him to pursue the civil path?”

Third Madam sighed. “That’s the plan. But aside from painting, he has no talent for poetry or essays.”

“You might consider letting him pursue martial studies.”

“Your Third Uncle can’t bear it. You spent nine years at the border, and he often spoke of you. If Brother Jia took up martial training, he’d worry himself sick. So even without much aptitude, he insists on the civil path.”

Liuzheng nodded and did not press further.

After serving tea, Third Madam said, “There are two kinds of pastries inside. I’ll bring them out for you. You’ve been busy all day and barely ate at dinner. You must be hungry.”

“Third Aunt, don’t trouble yourself. I have something to ask you.”

She took Third Madam’s hand and sat her down.

“Third Aunt, I have a private matter. I hope you can help me.”

“What is it? Just say the word. Not just one thing—even ten or a hundred—I’ll agree.”

The mudslide had swallowed the entire estate. Even now, Third Madam still felt lingering fear.

Brother Jia was still so young. Xuejie wasn’t yet married.

If not for Yaoyao… she didn’t dare imagine what might have happened.

Yaoyao had saved their entire family.

“I don’t need a hundred favors. If you can handle this one, you’ll have done me a great service.”

“What is it?”

Liuzheng lowered her voice and described someone’s appearance.

“I don’t know where this person lives. This is all I can tell you. Please find her for me. Once you do, settle her somewhere safe first, then inform me.”

“Leave it to me.”

No matter how difficult it might be, she would find this person.

“Third Aunt, for now, please don’t tell anyone—Third Uncle included.”

It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him. The fewer people who knew, the better.

“Alright.” Third Madam nodded firmly.

She had always been a woman of her word. If she said she wouldn’t tell Third Master, she wouldn’t.

Liuzheng felt reassured.

She bade Third Madam farewell, and also said goodbye to Brother Jia inside.

He didn’t respond. Third Madam said apologetically, “This child has no manners. I’ll scold him later.”

“There’s no need,” Liuzheng said. “Brother Jia is a good child. There’s no need to restrain his nature.”

The moment she left, Brother Jia peeked out.

“Has Big Sister left?”

Third Madam laughed. “If you didn’t want her to leave, why did you hide just now?”

He lowered his head. “They all don’t like me… I was afraid Big Sister wouldn’t like me either…”

By “they,” he meant the children of the First and Second branches.

Aside from Ruan Changzheng, who trained in martial arts, Brother Jia’s studies were the worst among them, so he was often mocked in the manor.

“Your Big Sister wouldn’t dislike you,” Third Madam said, stroking his head. “When you were born, she hadn’t gone to the border yet. She visited you often.”

“Really?” He looked up, his eyes sparkling like two hidden stars.

“Of course. As long as you study hard, she’ll like you even more.”

The stars in his eyes dimmed again.

He was already studying hard…

But compared to books, he preferred the treasured sword in Father’s study—the one used to ward off evil.

His parents wouldn’t let him touch it. It was sharpened, they said—it might cut his hands.

But he wasn’t afraid. He often sneaked in just to look at it.

…

The next day, it was still raining, though lighter than before.

Liuzheng brought the gift Old Madam intended for Prince Su. Yet when she reached his door, it stood open and empty.

After asking the innkeeper, she learned that Prince Su had left before dawn.

The Duke of Wei’s family had left as well.

Liuzheng could only put the gift away and report back to her grandmother.

“Then we’ll deliver it after returning to the capital.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

After bowing and leaving, she went to see Nanny Qian, who had been confined to her room.

They spoke at length.

One knelt, the other sat.

Over an hour later, Liuzheng emerged.

Nanny Qian’s confinement was lifted, and she returned to serve Old Madam. But there was now a trace of fear in her eyes.

She now belonged to Liuzheng.

…

The rain continued. Liuzheng and the others decided to wait until it fully stopped before returning.

At lunch, she met Xuejie—Brother Jia’s older sister.

A shy young lady, quiet but steady. She served their grandmother diligently—placing dishes, offering water—never making a single mistake.

The only flaw was a large mole on her chin, which made her otherwise lovely features appear somewhat awkward.

Though the rain did not cease that day, it did not dampen Liuzheng’s mood.

Sitting quietly beside her grandmother, even without words, she felt content.

She also told her about Ruan Changzheng.

Grandmother sighed. “When I let you take his place on the battlefield, I knew there might come a day the truth would be exposed. You suffered much at the border in his stead. This hardship is one he ought to endure.”

All were her grandchildren. Though she pitied Ruan Changzheng, she did not blame Liuzheng.

The day passed quickly. By the next morning, the rain finally stopped.

Liuzheng had already arranged for carriages.

They were simple, but lined with thick quilts to ease the journey.

Because Pan Zhan was still weak, and Old Madam not in the best health, they traveled slowly. What should have been a three-day trip took four before they reached the capital.

Liuzheng borrowed a horse and rode ahead to the General’s Residence to check what Old Madam’s quarters might still need.

But the moment she stepped through the gates, a group of servants surrounded her.

“Miss, Master requests your presence. Please come with us.”

Their tone was polite, their expressions not.

Just then, Pan Hong came out. Seeing her surrounded, he rushed forward, drew his sword, and stood before her.

“Who dares touch the General?”

Liuzheng shook her head at him.

“No need.”

Lowering her voice, she said something to Pan Hong.

He looked deeply worried.

She frowned. “That’s an order.”

He could only comply.

The servants lost patience. “Miss, if you refuse, don’t blame us for being impolite.”

These men were no match for her.

But she had no intention of fighting.

She already guessed their purpose. This was a chance to turn their scheme against them—to deal a harsh blow to the First Madam and let Old Madam see clearly how she was treated.

“I’ll go.”

She followed them calmly.

Yet they did not head toward Tingzhu Courtyard. Instead, they walked toward the main kitchen.

Perhaps fearing she would resist, one servant added, “Master and First Madam are both in the main kitchen.”

She merely said, “Lead the way.”

They relaxed and quickened their pace.

As they passed the woodshed near the kitchen, two servants suddenly rushed forward and shoved her hard in the back—

Her footing was steady, but she deliberately stumbled and fell forward into the shed, landing on the ground.

When she turned, the door was already locked.

“What are you doing? Open the door!”

She got up and pounded hard against it.

The door had clearly been reinforced. No matter how forcefully she struck, it did not budge—only the metallic clang of the lock echoed.

A servant called from outside, “Miss, don’t be anxious. This is Master and First Madam’s order. They’ll be here soon. As long as you don’t act rashly, we won’t hurt you.”

Liuzheng found it laughable.

Even with clubs, they couldn’t defeat her.

This only proved that neither Master Ruan nor First Madam truly believed she had earned her military achievements through ability.

They had never truly acknowledged her strength—only thought her lucky.

Ruan Changzheng was the same.

After being injured, he lay in bed day after day in regret. If he had gone to war himself, would his leg have been broken?

Those merits were his.

Thus, he hated Liuzheng even more—believing everything she had now was stolen from him.

Her expression remained indifferent. She found a wooden stool and sat quietly, waiting.

She did not wait long.

Soon, footsteps sounded outside.

She could recognize people by sound—First Madam and Master Ruan had come. Ruan Yunzheng was there too.

Likely to watch the spectacle.

Liuzheng sneered.

If she wished to watch, then she would let her.

The happier she was now, the angrier she would be later.

Liuzheng liked watching people burn with anger.

In her previous life, when she was harmed, everyone’s faces had been relaxed.

She didn’t want them so relaxed this time.

“Father, Mother, is that you?” she called.

Her tone sounded anxious, though she sat casually on the stool.

“You still have the face to call me ‘Mother’?” First Madam snapped first. “You’re about to destroy our entire family again!”

“Again?” Liuzheng asked. “Are you referring to when I returned victorious? The one who exposed my identity as a woman was the letter you sent.”

First Madam choked, teeth clenched, fury flickering in her eyes.

“At a time like this, you still dare talk back?!”

“I truly do not know what mistake I’ve committed,” Liuzheng said calmly. “Father, Mother—please enlighten me.”