MFURCC -Chapter 4 The Estate of the Noble Benefactor

“Ah—!”

Ruan Changzheng let out a miserable scream. He no longer even had the strength to curse; only his eyes remained, filled with venomous hatred as they glared at Liuzheng.

Reflected in Liuzheng’s dark pupils were the fleeting shadows of the guards’ clubs. Yet what she truly saw was a scene from her previous life—when she had been covered with a sack, and Ruan Changzheng had personally taken up a club and viciously broken both her legs.

Her gaze turned icy.

An eye for an eye.

In her past life, he had broken her legs. In this life, she would return the favor.

Every bit of suffering she had endured before would be repaid in full—no, doubled—before she sent him on his final journey.

Madam Song could not bear to watch. Covering her eyes with a handkerchief, she wept in anguish.

Ruan Changzheng was beaten unconscious again, only to be jolted awake by pain soon after.

His screams nearly tore through the roof.

After several rounds of fainting and waking, Liuzheng finally ordered them to stop.

“Many thanks for your trouble.” Liuzheng cupped her hands in salute.

“General Zhaoyong is too polite!”

The guards had wanted to say it was nothing, that she could call on them again if needed. But seeing the dark expression on Master Ruan’s face, they swallowed the rest of their words.

“Father, please see the guards out. I’ll stay with the physician to treat Elder Brother’s injuries.”

Master Ruan nodded stiffly.

Though he resented the guards for striking too heavily and too ruthlessly, he had no choice but to force a smile and escort them out. At the door, he even had to offer silver in thanks.

After they left, he weighed his now-empty purse and felt that something seemed off.

But when he turned and saw the more than ten chests of imperial gold, silver, and jewels, his eyes lit up instantly.

In the main courtyard, Madam Song tearfully ordered servants to carry Ruan Changzheng to the couch.

When she turned back, she fixed Liuzheng with a cold stare.

“You must heal your elder brother’s legs!”

“Rest assured, Mother. He is my own brother, bound by blood. How could I abandon him?” Liuzheng replied gently, then instructed Pan Zhan, “Call the physician in.”

“Yes!”

Soon Pan Zhan led the physician inside to set the bones and treat the injuries.

Madam Song could not bear to watch and, supported by her adopted daughter, withdrew to the flower hall to wait.

Once they had left, Liuzheng handed the prescription in her hand to the physician.

This physician, surnamed Chen, had once served as a military doctor in her retinue. He had retired three years ago, and Liuzheng had sought him out and brought him back.

The two had long shared tacit understanding. Without a word, Physician Chen nodded and accepted the prescription.

Liuzheng did not linger and soon went to the flower hall as well.

Ruan Yunzheng was feeding medicine to Madam Song. The fright she had suffered that day had left her face pale.

When she saw Liuzheng enter, that pale face looked almost ghostly.

Liuzheng sneered inwardly.

When she herself had lain paralyzed in her previous life, she had never seen Madam Song grieve like this.

“Mother, are you feeling better?” she asked, her tone full of concern.

“You’ve harmed your elder brother to this extent—how could I possibly be well?!” Madam Song snapped, nothing like the hypocritical kindness she had shown in the previous life.

Now that she and Ruan Changzheng had exchanged roles, Madam Song no longer bothered to pretend.

Liuzheng did not mind. “Please take care of your health, Mother. Only then can Elder Brother recover in peace.”

Madam Song merely snorted and did not respond.

If she could, she would gladly have Liuzheng suffer in her son’s place!

Ruan Yunzheng quietly tended to Madam Song, saying little.

Just then, Master Ruan returned.

“I’ve sent them off. As for your rewards, I’ll store them for you. You’re a young woman—holding so much gold and jewelry is like a child clutching treasure. It wouldn’t be good for you.”

He did not ask about Ruan Changzheng’s condition first. Instead, he brought up the chests of rewards.

Liuzheng curved her lips faintly. She knew that the person her father loved most was neither his eldest son nor anyone else—it was himself.

That suited her just fine.

“Father is right. Daughter thanks Father.”

After bowing, she mentioned the Liuli Courtyard, where she had lived before leaving home.

“It has been unoccupied for a long time. I was thinking of having it cleaned…”

At this, Ruan Yunzheng shot an awkward glance at Madam Song.

Madam Song gently patted her adopted daughter’s hand in reassurance before speaking coldly, “Since you left, Liuli Courtyard has been empty for years. I let Yun’er move in. All her things are there now. It would be troublesome to move everything again. You can stay in Yushu Courtyard instead.”

Liuzheng was not surprised.

In her previous life, after her legs had been broken, she had been carried to Yushu Courtyard.

It was dark, damp, and small—usually where servant women lived.

She glanced at the fleeting look of satisfaction on Ruan Yunzheng’s face and asked calmly, “Mother intends for Sister Yun’er to remain in Liuli Courtyard?”

“What?” Madam Song shot her an irritated look. “You’ve spent nine years at the frontier and grown delicate? Can’t even stay in Yushu Courtyard?”

She was brimming with anger and needed somewhere to vent it.

“Mother,” Ruan Yunzheng hurriedly said, “Liuli Courtyard was originally Elder Sister’s… Please don’t be angry. If Sister wishes to move back, I’ll clear out at once. It’s no trouble. As long as Sister allows me to continue serving at your side, I’ll already be content.”

Though her words were generous, her tone and expression were pitiful to the extreme.

Madam Song’s heart ached. Just earlier, when they thought disaster had struck, Ruan Yunzheng had bravely declared she would live and die with them.

Why should Ruan Liuzheng’s return mean both her cherished children must suffer grievances?

She could not protect Changzheng—but could she not protect Yun’er too?!

“Liuli Courtyard is yours! No one will take it from you!”

She glared fiercely at Liuzheng.

Master Ruan added, “It’s just a courtyard. Liuzheng, stop upsetting your mother. What does it matter where you live? Let Yun’er stay in Liuli Courtyard.”

Liuzheng did not feel anger—only ridicule.

Something used long enough by another somehow becomes theirs.

Liuli Courtyard was like that. So were her parents and brother.

Did they truly not know that if she moved into Yushu Courtyard, everyone in the Ruan household would thereafter believe that the adopted daughter, Ruan Yunzheng, was more valued than the legitimate one?

Servants were experts at following the wind. No matter how powerful she might be outside, within this inner residence her days would not necessarily be comfortable.

The intrigues and darkness of the inner courtyard were no less than those outside.

Yet they knowingly chose Ruan Yunzheng.

Was that not laughable?

In her previous life, she would have trembled with rage by now.

Fortunately, she had spent ten years as a ghost after death—enough to temper her heart.

And with the memories of those ten years, she had already made her plans.

Stepping forward, Liuzheng bowed to her parents, looking utterly innocent.

“Father, Mother, you misunderstand. I did not know Sister Yun’er had moved into Liuli Courtyard. Had I known, I would not have brought it up.”

Madam Song looked surprised.

Ruan Yunzheng frowned slightly.

She should have been pleased to secure Liuli Courtyard.

Yet inexplicably, a bad premonition rose within her.

And indeed—

“The Emperor, in his boundless grace, learned that we reside on Doufang Street and has rewarded me with a General’s Manor.”

“I thought such a large manor would be too empty for me to live in alone, so I intended to bring the whole family.”

“I had meant for Father to have this house cleaned up so that after we move out, it could be rented.”

“Since Father and Mother wish for Sister Yun’er to remain in Liuli Courtyard, we need not rent this place. Let her continue living here.”

Ruan Yunzheng’s face turned deathly pale.

She had carefully prepared her performance to secure Liuli Courtyard.

But Ruan Liuzheng did not even want it!

She had her own General’s Manor—

An entire manor!

Liuzheng continued, “The Zhaoyong General’s Manor is located in Wuyi Alley. It has three courtyards front and back. I had it cleaned before returning home. After Father and Mother rest a while, we can move at once.”

“W-W-Wuyi Alley?!” Master Ruan stammered, eyes shining.

Wuyi Alley—where high-ranking officials and nobles lived!

There was even a saying: if a stone fell from the sky in Wuyi Alley, the lowest-ranking official it struck would still be of the fourth rank or above.

As for Doufang Street—remote, and near the capital’s largest drainage ditch. On clear days it was tolerable. But when it rained, a faint stench lingered in the air.

On rainy days, Master Ruan would even cancel his lessons.

Madam Song, who prized cleanliness and face, would fumigate her clothes three times before visiting others, lest anyone detect the odor.

Now, hearing of the manor in Wuyi Alley, she could hardly conceal her delight—though her mouth remained sharp.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“My fault,” Liuzheng replied. “I was busy with urgent matters and forgot. Please forgive me, Mother.”

Madam Song choked on her words. That made it sound as though she herself could not distinguish priorities.

Yet in Great Jin, filial piety came first. Even if she were wrong, Liuzheng should not say so outright.

Madam Song’s expression cooled again.

But Master Ruan was elated. “I’ll have them pack at once!”

“Father, wait. We should write to Grandmother and have her return from the summer estate to move into the General’s Manor as well.”

“Right, right—you’re thoughtful. I’ll write immediately.”

“Once it’s done, my deputy can deliver it. They travel fast. Grandmother will know sooner.”

Master Ruan glanced at Pan Zhan behind her, his joy deepening.

Though his eldest son had been injured because of Liuzheng, as the father of a general, he lost none of the glory.

He hurried off to write.

Liuzheng turned to speak to Madam Song, but Madam Song avoided her gaze and rose, going inside to see Ruan Changzheng without another word.

Liuzheng did not mind.

She had long seen through this family.

Ruan Yunzheng, however, approached as though afraid she might take offense, and gave a graceful bow.

“Elder Sister, please don’t mind. Mother is just like that. She’ll be fine soon.”

Her words seemed comforting, yet subtly proclaimed that she alone was Madam Song’s closest confidante.

Liuzheng smiled faintly and lifted Ruan Yunzheng’s chin with one finger.

What a beautiful face.

Bright eyes, a delicate high nose, a softly rounded chin—pure and charming beyond words.

And yet, in her previous life, it was this very innocent-looking face that had utterly ruined her chastity.