MFURCC -Chapter 28 The Duke Visits

Most of the porridge in the bowl had spilled onto the tray.

Xiang He’s hands trembled violently.

She couldn’t do it!

She couldn’t bring herself to commit such a harmful act.

And she absolutely couldn’t watch the young mistress die.

The icy cold in Liuzheng’s eyes began to fade.

She realized that kindness could also be rewarded.

Kindness didn’t only mean being stabbed in the back—it could also bring genuine hearts and remorse in return.

“Young Mistress…”

Before Xiang He could finish speaking, Liuzheng reached out and covered her mouth.

“Quiet, or you’ll die,” Liuzheng said.

Xiang He’s eyes widened, tears shimmering at the corners.

Liuzheng continued, “If I let go now, speak quietly, so only the two of us can hear.”

Xiang He nodded.

Liuzheng finally released her.

“Did the First Madam send you?” Liuzheng asked.

Xiang He shook her head.

“It was Third Miss.”

Liuzheng was somewhat surprised, yet it also made sense. Her heart grew icy.

Ruan Yunzheng was truly vicious.

Back when Ruan Yunzheng tested how Liuzheng knew about the mudslide, it became clear that Ruan Yunzheng already knew about it.

The question was, how had she found out?

Suddenly, Liuzheng thought of someone.

Master Huifan.

He had misled the previous emperor with deceptive teachings, causing the emperor to consume immortality pills, was impeached by the Censorate, and eventually imprisoned.

And in the previous life, after Ruan Yunzheng became Crown Princess, the first thing she did was secretly swap someone out to rescue Master Huifan from prison.

This was extremely suspicious. Now it seemed that Master Huifan was somewhat… unorthodox.

He had predicted the mudslide and informed Ruan Yunzheng.

But later, Ruan Yunzheng killed him.

Liuzheng didn’t understand the reason.

After all, she was just a ghost and couldn’t investigate.

But one thing was clear: Ruan Yunzheng knew her grandmother and the others would die in the mudslide yet said nothing.

Her heart was like venom—extremely cruel and icy.

“Xiang He,” Liuzheng held her shoulders gently, “you’re good. When I get out, I’ll make sure someone cures your mother.”

Ruan Yunzheng had said the same words.

But one was a threat; the other came from the heart.

Xiang He wanted to believe Liuzheng.

She kowtowed three times.

“You’re a good person, Young Mistress. I didn’t want to harm you… I didn’t want to harm anyone… I’m sorry, Young Mistress…”

Liuzheng helped her up.

“You didn’t harm me. You turned back in time, didn’t you?”

Xiang He nodded through her tearful eyes.

Liuzheng wiped away her tears.

“I’ll make sure you and your mother are safe, but you need to cooperate with me.”

Xiang He nodded again.

She had no other choice.

Liuzheng’s gaze fell on the celadon bowl.

In the bowl, only a small portion of porridge remained.

She glanced at the sky, decided it was the right time, picked up the bowl, and, under Xiang He’s astonished gaze, drank the remaining porridge.

Xiang He was shocked.

“Young Mistress, you…”

Liuzheng shook her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Take the bowl and go on with your work.”

Liuzheng’s eyes were calm and determined, and somehow Xiang He’s heart quieted as well.

Liuzheng whispered a few instructions in her ear, teaching her what to say.

Xiang He responded, “Yes…”

She cleaned up the tray, carried the dishes to the door, and knocked.

Nanny Qi opened the door and glanced inside.

Liuzheng stood expressionless, her gaze like a curved blade, capable of slicing a throat.

Nanny Qi shivered inexplicably.

She let Xiang He come out, then ordered a servant to lock the door again.

Yet Liuzheng’s gaze left Nanny Qi uneasy.

This young mistress had a terrifying gaze.

She was scary.

But no matter how scary, she was still locked up here like a prisoner, right?

Thinking this, Nanny Qi felt slightly less nervous.

Elsewhere,

The matriarch’s room had been prepared for dinner.

The whole family gathered.

The first, second, and third branches—all three couples were present.

The children sat at another table.

The matriarch, having slept and drunk ginseng soup, looked much better in spirit.

She looked around and still didn’t see Liuzheng, frowning: “Why didn’t you call Yaoyao?”

She liked using Liuzheng’s childhood name.

First Madam Song’s expression stiffened briefly but quickly returned to normal.

“I already sent someone to Tinglan Courtyard. They said Liuzheng’s aide suddenly fell ill, so she sent someone to find a famous doctor,”

Second Madam added, “Liuzheng really… Is the matriarch less important than an aide? Could it be that she and this aide—”

“Enough!”

The matriarch’s face darkened. “This concerns Liuzheng’s innocence. Do not speak recklessly!”

Second Madam bowed her head, silent.

The matriarch continued, “Liuzheng is at the frontier, facing life and death with them. If an aide falls ill, as their superior, she must care for them.”

“Mother speaks rightly. I was only expressing concern on your behalf,” Song said.

“What do I have to complain about? My life was saved by Yaoyao herself.”

First Madam bowed her head. “Yes…”

She wondered how Liuzheng’s luck was always so good.

Going to see the matriarch, she happened to encounter the mudslide, yet coincidentally saved her.

But thinking that Liuzheng had thus offended the Duke’s household, the matriarch did not feel that her fate was particularly fortunate.

After this brief remark, the old matriarch stopped asking about Liuzheng.

First, she feared that asking too much would let idle gossip spread, which would be bad for Liuzheng.

Second, now that she knew where Liuzheng had gone, she no longer felt uneasy.

Otherwise, she would always feel an inexplicable sense of worry.

“Mother, try this. This venison leg has been stewed until tender.” Elder Master Ruan helped the old matriarch take a piece.

The old matriarch’s expression softened slightly.

The meal proceeded quietly, each person lost in their own thoughts.

Soon, everyone had nearly finished eating, and the maids brought tea bowls to rinse their mouths.

Ruan Yunzheng only rinsed casually, her eyes constantly flicking toward the door.

There should be some movement soon…

Why hasn’t anyone come yet?

The later, the better—if they were completely dead tired, there would be no hope of remedying it.

Just then, someone hurriedly entered.

Ruan Yunzheng immediately fixed her gaze.

But it wasn’t the expected Madam Qi; it was the steward from the gatehouse.

The steward bowed to everyone before speaking: “Old matriarch, respected masters and madams, the Duke of Wei has arrived. He said he wishes to see the young lady…”

At this, the faces of the First and Second Branch households changed drastically.

Their information had been delayed, and with the Third Madam deliberately misleading them, they assumed the Duke of Wei had come to cause trouble.

“That wretch…” Elder Master Ruan wanted to curse, but Madam Song quickly grabbed his sleeve, warning him not to speak carelessly.

The old matriarch still did not know that Liuzheng had been detained.

Elder Master Ruan was angry, but he could only swallow his fury.

By contrast, the old matriarch and the Third Branch were relaxed.

Since the Duke of Wei had already knelt to Liuzheng in thanks, his visit now was likely just to deliver a gift.

The old matriarch said, “Please, Duke, have a seat in the front courtyard’s flower hall. We will join you shortly.”

“Yes—” the steward left.

The old matriarch also rose, calling the First Madam and Elder Master Ruan.

“You two come with me.”

Liuzheng was the First Branch’s daughter; the Second and Third Branches need not crowd this occasion.

Too many people would only create noise and disturb the Duke.

Madam Song and Elder Master Ruan complied.

They deliberately stayed a few steps behind the old matriarch, speaking quietly.

Madam Song asked, “What should we do now? Hold back the old matriarch so she doesn’t go meet the guest?”

Elder Master Ruan’s face darkened. “It’s almost time. How can we stop her?”

“But if we don’t hold back the old matriarch, how can we hand over Liuzheng?”

After a moment’s thought, Elder Master Ruan said, “Though the old matriarch dotes on Liuzheng, the other children are also her grandchildren. She won’t disregard the bigger picture.”

“But among all the children, only Liuzheng saved her life.”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

As they were talking, the old matriarch turned her head.

Both immediately fell silent.

“Mother, what is it?”

“What are you two whispering about?”

The First Madam wanted to find an excuse, but Elder Master Ruan simply explained:

“Mother, Liuzheng has committed such a grave mistake. Why not capture her now and bring her to the Duke to apologize?”

The old matriarch was stunned.

“W-what nonsense are you talking about?”

The First Madam, gathering courage, said, “Mother, this matter can be big or small. We just need to hand over Liuzheng, and the Duke will calm down. Moreover, she is a general; the Duke will not really harm her since she serves as an official of the court.”

The old matriarch realized the truth.

These two, like the Second Branch, thought Liuzheng had angered the Duke of Wei.

She could understand the Second Branch’s reaction—it wasn’t their biological child.

But for the First Branch to also say, “hand Liuzheng over”—she was furious.

Her cheeks flushed red, and she trembled slightly.

“You two despicable creatures!”

The First Madam hurriedly explained, “Mother, you cannot risk the family’s safety for Liuzheng alone… we care, yes, but we must consider you and the Second and Third Branches…”

“Silence!”

The old matriarch closed her eyes, inhaling deeply several times to calm her fury.

“I will not argue with you now. Once we’ve sent the Duke of Wei off, I’ll settle this with you! Move!”

She swept her sleeves and stormed toward the front courtyard.

The First Madam glanced at Elder Master Ruan and asked, “What does this mean? Does she still refuse to hand over Liuzheng?”

“How should I know! We’ll see when we get there! When the knife is really at her throat, I don’t believe she’ll still favor her!”

Elder Master Ruan also harbored resentment.

Ever since Liuzheng returned, misfortune seemed to follow the household.

Yesterday, when he went to the academy, two students complained that their mothers would no longer allow them to study at Dufeng Academy.

He asked why; the boys hesitated, only saying it was related to General Zhaoyong.

If this isn’t the bad luck Liuzheng brought, what is it?

The First Madam’s face was also sour.

It’s all Liuzheng’s fault!

If she hadn’t gone to the summer villa to see the old matriarch, how could the old matriarch still be standing here in good health?

If the old matriarch were dead, only then would her life be truly comfortable.

It was Liuzheng who obstructed her comfort.

Today, no matter what, she would hand Liuzheng over.

Even if the old matriarch refused, she would do it!

Even if others scolded her, she would not care.

She was not acting for herself, but for the entire Ruan family.