MFURCC -Chapter 29 Almost Exposed

“Let’s just go over first and see,” Elder Ruan said. “I still don’t believe it—our matriarch would truly ignore our lives just to favor Liuzheng.”

If the old madam really had grown soft with age, showing mercy and leniency, yet still indulged Liuzheng in such a situation…

He didn’t mind being branded unfilial.

Even if the reputation of being unfilial spread, it was far better than being implicated by Liuzheng and earning the Duke Wei House’s resentment.

The couple quickly followed the old madam’s footsteps and arrived at the front courtyard’s flower hall.

The flower hall in the front courtyard was spacious and elegantly arranged, with many beautiful flowers, specially for receiving guests visiting the General’s residence.

At that moment, the Duke Wei had just lifted his teacup and hadn’t yet taken a sip when the sound of footsteps came along the cobblestone path ahead.

The Duke Wei hurriedly set down his teacup and rose from his chair.

—Technically, given his status, he didn’t need to be so courteous.

Any person from the General’s household didn’t require him to stand in welcome.

But he chose to do so.

Liuzheng had saved his wife, had saved the child in her womb—she was their household’s benefactor.

No matter their rank, one had to show respect in front of a benefactor.

Yet when he looked up and saw only Elder Ruan and the couple of the main house coming along the corridor, without Liuzheng, the light in the Duke Wei’ eyes dimmed slightly, and the smile on his face faded.

“Marquis…”

The old madam stepped forward briskly and bowed: “Marquis, I hope all is well.”

The main house couple followed suit, bowing with a hint of nervousness.

“Please rise, Elder Madam,” the Duke Wei said quickly, helping her up, then addressing the couple: “You two may rise as well.”

Their eyes carried a trace of doubt.

Elder Ruan introduced them: “These are Yaoyao’s… Liuzheng’s parents.”

“Ah, so it’s Mr. Taoli and Madam Ruan. Please, no need for formalities.”

Only then did they dare to lift their heads.

Yet, as they exchanged glances, doubt lingered in their eyes.

Why was the Duke Wei being so polite?

This… was completely different from the troublesome demeanor they had imagined.

Better to wait and observe the situation for now.

Elder Ruan gave Song a look, signaling her not to speak hastily.

Song felt exasperated.

She wasn’t a fool—why would she say something rash?

It was just… the reaction of the Duke Wei was genuinely strange.

Soon, the old madam sat down.

As the head of the household, she took the seat at the head; the main house couple sat to her right, the Duke Wei to her left, forming a triangular arrangement.

“Go fetch Yun’er,” Song whispered to the maid behind her.

She knew her reflexes weren’t as sharp as when she was younger.

If Ruan Yunzheng were here, she could make decisions for her in case of an emergency.

“Yes,” the maid quietly left.

The old madam asked the Duke Wei: “Is the Marquis’ wife well?”

“She’s perfectly fine,” the Duke Wei replied, then added: “The child in her womb is also well. The imperial physician says the fetus has stabilized.”

The old madam clasped her hands and whispered a Buddhist chant: “Amitabha… may the Buddha protect.”

The main house couple were astonished.

According to the second madam, the child was supposed to be lost, yet by the Duke Wei’ account, the fetus had truly survived.

How fortunate! Now the Duke Wei would surely have no reason to trouble them.

At that moment, Ruan Yunzheng arrived.

“Grandmother,” she greeted, then bowed to the Duke Wei.

The old madam was slightly displeased.

With a guest present, what did it mean for this foster daughter to approach so eagerly?

Though the Duke Wei was older, he was still an outsider.

Ruan Yunzheng entering uninvited was truly displeasing.

The second madam noticed the old madam’s frown and quickly explained for Yunzheng: “I forgot my handkerchief. I just instructed the maid to have Yun’er bring it to me.”

Just to deliver a handkerchief—why must the foster daughter do it herself?

The old madam remained unhappy.

But with the Duke Wei seated there, she said nothing further.

Ruan Yunzheng then came to the second madam’s side.

“Please sit,” the second madam said, deliberately explaining: “Everyone in the General’s household is delighted that the Marquis’ wife’s current pregnancy has survived.”

Yunzheng was visibly surprised.

The child… had survived?

Then Liuzheng… was she going to be released?

And her plan… what would become of it?

She had intended to take advantage of this moment to deal with Liuzheng in one fell swoop. Even if it were discovered, if suspicion fell on her, no one could blame her.

She could explain it as being for the safety of over a hundred members of the Ruan household.

But now, with the child safe, the Duke Wei House wouldn’t hold a grudge against the Ruan family.

She no longer had a reason to openly harm Liuzheng.

Luckily, she hadn’t acted personally, instead using Xianghe’s hand.

Xianghe, the maid, was very filial; she would not betray her mistress in exchange for treatment.

Thinking this, Yunzheng felt slightly reassured.

The Duke Wei picked up on the second madam’s words and asked: “Where is General Ruan? I mentioned my gratitude at the inn last time. Now I have a gift and wish to deliver it personally.”

Unaware of Liuzheng’s situation, the old madam replied: “It’s unfortunate, but Liuzheng’s deputy commander was injured. She’s busy with that and isn’t at the residence.”

The Duke Wei expressed regret.

“In that case, I shall personally deliver it next time.”

The main house couple exchanged glances.

What kind of gift could be so important that it must be delivered to Liuzheng personally?

…But even more surprising than that was the attitude of Duke Wei.

—Duke Wei didn’t blame Liuzheng at all.

Not only that, he even looked grateful.

So that meant the Second House’s information had been wrong all along. Duke Wei had never intended to cause trouble for Ruan Liuzheng or anyone in the Ruan household.

Damn it!

All their efforts had been for nothing!

Master Ruan was deeply dissatisfied at this moment.

At first, he hadn’t intended to detain Liuzheng.

After all, Liuzheng was a general, and even if Duke Wei wanted to make trouble, he wouldn’t dare do it openly.

It was Madam Song, constantly whispering in his ear, who gradually made him fearful.

Only then did he agree with her suggestion to detain Liuzheng in the firewood room and wait to decide what to do.

Now, everything was completely different from what they had imagined. Master Ruan felt both regret and anger.

He shot a sharp glance at Madam Song.

Madam Song was annoyed too.

She hadn’t even witnessed the situation herself—how could she have known the Second House couple was talking nonsense?

Besides, she had only suggested it at the time. It was Master Ruan himself who thought that if something happened to Liuzheng, the eldest daughter, Changzheng, could inherit Liuzheng’s military merits. That’s why he had agreed to detain Liuzheng.

Now, why was she being blamed entirely?

Detaining Liuzheng wasn’t something she could have done on her own.

The couple were both angry, yet each secretly hoped for the best.

Fortunately, they had only detained Liuzheng and hadn’t harmed her.

Just then, Nanny Qi, who was in charge of looking after Liuzheng, hurried over.

She didn’t know that Duke Wei had come; she only asked where the First Madam was.

When she learned it was in the front courtyard’s flower hall, she rushed over.

Because the matter was urgent, before even stepping over the threshold, Nanny Qi shouted, “First Madam, it’s not good—the young lady she—”

In the next instant, Nanny Qi saw Duke Wei and the Elder Madam seated at the head.

Her words came to an abrupt halt; everything she wanted to say got stuck in her throat.

Her face turned pale in an instant.

Nanny Qi didn’t recognize Duke Wei, but she knew that the matter of detaining Liuzheng could not reach the Elder Madam.

Seeing the Elder Madam, she instantly turned terrified, her lips going purple.

Madam Song shot Nanny Qi a sharp glance.

It was all Liuzheng’s fault. She had sent their most capable Madam Liu to the countryside; otherwise, Madam Liu would never have been so careless.

Knowing she had misspoken, Nanny Qi hurriedly said, “There is an honored guest present. I—your servant will take her leave…”

But the Elder Madam called her back.

“What did you just say? What happened to Liuzheng?”

Madam Song looked on with deep eyes.

Nanny Qi’s forehead was covered in fine sweat.

She forced calm and said, “The First Madam instructed me to look for the young lady. I thought I saw her just now, so I came to report.”

Madam Song quickly took the opportunity to say, “Mother, since Duke Wei came to see Liuzheng, I’ll go fetch her. That way Duke Wei won’t have wasted his trip.”

Duke Wei smiled.

“Then I’ll wait here.”

He had originally intended to take his leave.

The Elder Madam said, “Then go fetch Liuzheng.”

“Yes.”

Madam Song bowed and left.

Ruan Yunzheng’s face was pale.

She had guessed what Nanny Qi had originally meant to say.

Liuzheng must have had a sudden reaction to the poison.

She needed to go with Madam Song to inform her in advance.

Though Madam Song might get angry, she didn’t like Liuzheng either, and would likely help cover for her.

In short, she could no longer hide the fact that she had poisoned Liuzheng.

But as she stood up, the Elder Madam’s gaze fell on her like a hawk.

“Yunzheng, serve tea to Duke Wei.”

Ruan Yunzheng stiffened immediately.

She mustered courage and said, “Grandmother, Duke Wei is eager to see my eldest sister. I wanted to help Mother fetch her.”

The Elder Madam immediately rejected her.

“Fetching Liuzheng is simple. Since she has already returned, your mother can get her. You serve tea.”

Her tone brooked no argument.

Cold sweat ran down Ruan Yunzheng’s back. If she didn’t listen and insisted on fetching Ruan Liuzheng, it would only arouse more suspicion from the Elder Madam.

By then, even if Madam Song covered for her, she could not clear herself of suspicion.

After a brief struggle, Ruan Yunzheng stayed behind to serve tea to Duke Wei.

The Elder Madam’s eyes were indifferent.

When Nanny Qi had just come in, her expression had clearly been flustered.

That had already made the Elder Madam suspicious.

But with Duke Wei present, she couldn’t confront the matter directly, so she let Madam Song go fetch Liuzheng.

But Ruan Yunzheng’s expression was obviously even more off.

Seeing that Yunzheng insisted on leaving, she firmly kept her there.

She wanted to see what the mother and daughter were really up to.

As for Duke Wei, he was unaware of any quarrels within the general’s household, so he had no thoughts except waiting for Liuzheng.

Seeing Ruan Yunzheng serving tea, he asked, “You are General Ruan’s…?”

Ruan Yunzheng forced a smile. “Liuzheng is my eldest sister.”

“So you are General Ruan’s younger sister.” Duke Wei’s stern features softened considerably.

The Elder Madam spoke, “Calling her a younger sister isn’t entirely accurate. Yao Yao went off to war for many years. Her mother felt lonely and adopted one from a distant branch.”