MFURCC -Chapter 26 Suspicion and Speculation

“Fine. If you don’t understand, I’ll make you understand!”

The First Madam gritted her teeth. “You went to the Summer Resort without informing me or your father—that’s one thing. But you even spread rumors about a landslide, frightening the noble person on the mountain into moving her fetus! If that’s not dragging our entire family into trouble, what is?!”

Beside her, Ruan Yunzheng stood quietly, but her hand clenched the handkerchief inside her sleeve.

Even now, she still couldn’t believe that Liuzheng had known about the landslide.

How had she found out?

Could it have been Master Huifan…

Impossible. Master Huifan regarded her as a savior and was still counting on her to help him out of prison one day.

He would never betray her.

That left only one possibility: Ruan Liuzheng had stumbled upon the Old Madam by accident and happened to notice the unstable mountainside.

But her luck was far too good!

Ruan Yunzheng’s teeth itched with hatred.

That old woman should have died on the mountain!

It was all Liuzheng’s fault!

From inside, Liuzheng’s voice sounded calm. “It seems Mother still doesn’t know—the landslide truly did occur afterward.”

The First Madam froze slightly.

The second branch of the family hadn’t told her about this.

But so what?!

Whether the Old Madam lived or died didn’t concern her. In fact, she would rather she died—then she wouldn’t have to pay her respects every single day once she returned.

What she truly cared about was that noble person. Though she hadn’t punished Liuzheng at the time for reasons unknown, she might very well settle the score later.

She was afraid of being implicated by Liuzheng.

“Even if you weren’t wrong about the landslide, it’s true that you frightened the noble person into moving her fetus, isn’t it?”

“It’s true, but—”

Master Ruan had had enough.

He didn’t want to hear any more of the back-and-forth quarrels between mother and daughter.

“There’s no ‘but’! I don’t want to hear your excuses. Ever since you returned, the family has encountered trouble again and again! If the noble person doesn’t come seeking trouble, consider yourself lucky. But if she does, I’ll hand you over! You caused this mess—face the consequences yourself!”

After scolding her a few more times, Master Ruan stormed off, flicking his sleeve.

He had completely forgotten that just days ago, when trouble struck the Top Scholar’s Residence, it was Liuzheng who had warned him.

He only saw immediate profits.

The First Madam watched him leave, then turned back toward Liuzheng inside.

“These next few days, stay here and reflect on your mistakes. If I discover you sneaking out, don’t blame me for being heartless as your mother!”

“Mother, won’t you at least hear me out?”

“I don’t want to hear your sophistry!”

In nine years at the frontier, Liuzheng had caused fewer incidents than in these mere ten days since her return.

To the First Madam, she was nothing but a troublemaker—a jinx.

After fiercely scolding Liuzheng, she instructed Nanny Qi beside her, “Take two people and guard this place day and night. Without my order, no one is allowed near.”

“Yes, Madam!” Nanny Qi curtsied.

The First Madam hurried away.

She didn’t even have time to be angry.

She had to order the entire residence not to tell the Old Madam about this when she arrived.

She also had to shut the gates of Tinglan Courtyard and forbid anyone from entering or leaving.

Ruan Yunzheng did not follow.

There were things she needed to confirm.

“Nanny Qi, go find two more robust men. I’ll help you watch her for now.”

Considering that Ruan Liuzheng had some martial skills, Nanny Qi agreed that capable guards were necessary and hurried off to find more suitable candidates.

Ruan Yunzheng finally had the chance to speak with Liuzheng alone.

“Elder Sister, it’s me—Yun’er.”

“Did Younger Sister stay behind to laugh at me?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Elder Sister has misunderstood. I only wanted to ask if there’s anything you’d like to eat. I’ve sent Nanny Qi away. I can quietly bring it to you.”

Her tone was full of concern.

If Liuzheng hadn’t lived a second life, she might have believed her.

Thinking so, she replied aloud, “I thought you disliked me.”

“Since childhood, I’ve heard stories about you and admired you greatly. How could Elder Sister think that?” Ruan Yunzheng sounded wounded and astonished.

“I came back and took Father and Mother’s attention from you. Don’t you resent me even a little?”

“How could I resent Elder Sister? They are your parents. I occupied their affection for nine years in your place. I already feel ashamed—how could I blame you?”

“Then it seems I misunderstood you.”

Liuzheng’s tone softened slightly.

Joy flickered in Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes.

So much for some brave female general—just a few words and she was fooled.

“Please don’t overthink things in the future. I only admire you.”

“I was too harsh toward you before.”

“Please don’t say that. You still haven’t told me what you’d like to eat.”

“I don’t want anything. I don’t know how long Father and Mother will confine me. If I could have a quilt, at least I wouldn’t be cold at night.”

“Wait here, Elder Sister. I’ll fetch one for you at once.”

She walked a few steps away, then suddenly turned back.

“Elder Sister… how did you know there would be a landslide at the resort?”

Liuzheng explained calmly.

“I thought Grandmother would have returned days ago. When she didn’t, I felt uneasy. I had a maid disguise herself as me and went to find her.”

“When I arrived, it had been raining for days. I saw the soil on the mountainside had loosened…”

“And it reminded me of a mountain at the frontier. It looked just like that before a landslide occurred.”

“I suspected the same might happen there, so I hurried up the mountain and warned Grandmother.”

“Thankfully she trusted me and came down with me…”

“I just didn’t expect that, by accident, it would frighten a noble person into moving her fetus.”

“I see,” Ruan Yunzheng replied.

The vigilance in her heart slowly faded.

She had truly feared that Liuzheng had someone like Master Huifan secretly guiding her.

That would have been troublesome.

Fortunately, it was merely coincidence.

That old woman simply had a long life.

“You are blessed, Elder Sister. You saved Grandmother and the second and third branches. They will surely be grateful. When Grandmother returns, I’ll tell her you’ve been confined. She’ll certainly release you soon.”

“Really? Thank you, Sister! I’ll never forget your kindness.”

“You’re too polite. I’ll fetch the quilt now.”

“Alright.”

Ruan Yunzheng said nothing more and left without looking back.

A quilt?

As if.

She wished Liuzheng would freeze to death here.

Then Ruan Changzheng could take over Liuzheng’s military merits and secure his own future.

Master Huifan had predicted she would become Crown Princess within three years. But without Ruan Changzheng as her helper, she hadn’t even seen the Crown Prince!

She dreamed of Liuzheng’s death.

And now was the perfect opportunity.

Ruan Yunzheng went to the main kitchen.

Several maids were boiling water, waiting for the Old Madam’s arrival.

She called for a maid named Xiangyun.

“Are you responsible for the Old Madam’s tea service?”

“Yes, Third Miss.”

“Come with me.”

Once they reached a secluded place, Ruan Yunzheng lowered her voice.

“I heard your mother is gravely ill?”

Xianghe nodded timidly, eyes glistening.

“If I find a physician to cure her, would you be willing to do something for me?”

Xianghe immediately knelt.

“Third Miss, your great kindness—I will never forget it! Let alone one task. Ten, a hundred—I’ll do anything, as long as my mother can be cured.”

Ruan Yunzheng helped her up, smiling gently.

“What a filial child…”

She brushed the soot from Xianghe’s temple and leaned close, whispering a few words.

Xianghe’s face turned deathly pale.

“Third Miss, this—”

Ruan Yunzheng’s expression instantly hardened.

“If you refuse, I guarantee no one will dare help you.”

Xianghe’s voice trembled. “I… I will carry it out properly.”

“Good.” Ruan Yunzheng smiled again. “I’ll send someone to fetch a physician for your mother. Just don’t disappoint me.”

“Yes…”

Watching Xianghe return to the kitchen, Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes were as cold as a frozen潭.

Ruan Liuzheng—don’t come seeking me as a ghost.

I never wanted you dead. We had no enmity.

But you blocked my path.

Blame your own fate.

Who can defy fate in this world?

This is your destiny.

With a sinister glance toward the woodshed, she went to find the First Madam.

At the First Madam’s quarters—

She had just stationed four servants at Tinglan Courtyard—two at the front gate, two at the back.

Not even a fly could escape.

“Warn them to mind their tongues. If the Old Madam hears even a whisper, they’ll answer with their skin!”

“Yes!”

“Mother.”

Ruan Yunzheng entered, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.

“Please don’t be too angry. Take care of your health.”

Seeing her adoptive daughter, the First Madam’s expression softened.

“You’re the only one who truly cares about me.”

“Please drink while it’s hot. This is century-old ginseng sent from Jiangnan for me. I have no use for it, so I had it stewed for you.”

The First Madam nodded and drank it.

“How is business in Jiangnan lately?”

Ruan Yunzheng sighed. “Not very good.”

“Why? Our brocade is the finest—even the palace consorts favor it.”

“It’s because of… Princess Huishu.”

The First Madam’s face stiffened instantly.

At Princess Huishu’s birthday banquet, she had publicly belittled their brocade and rewarded Liuzheng with different fabric instead.

“It’s all her fault! She’s my nemesis!”

“Elder Sister is confined now. She can’t stir trouble. In time, people will forget. It’s just that… if the Old Madam learns of it, things will be difficult.”

The First Madam’s head began to ache again.

Ruan Yunzheng gently massaged her temples.

“When Grandmother returns, we should have Nanny Qian report to her. She’s our person, and Grandmother trusts her. She can delay matters for a few days.”

“You’re right! If the noble person doesn’t come, fine. But if she does, we absolutely cannot let the Old Madam protect Liuzheng. Otherwise, it could cost our entire family their lives!”

Ruan Yunzheng hummed softly, cold light flickering in her eyes.

Ruan Liuzheng likely wouldn’t live to see the noble person arrive.

By then, handing over a corpse should be enough to quell her anger.

At that very moment, a gatekeeper rushed in to report:

“The Old Madam has returned.”