MFURCC -Chapter 41 Suffering in Silence

Meanwhile, Ruan Baizheng was taken back to the Tingfeng Courtyard.

Her Father looked at her and shook his head. “Your mother has committed a crime. At a time like this, you should be cautious, not causing trouble at her door.”

Ruan Baizheng sneered.

“Father, you have Concubine Yue with you now. With a new favorite, of course you won’t care about the fate of the old one.”

Second Master’s face immediately darkened.

“What did you just say?!”

“Did I say anything wrong? When Mother was taken away, did you say a single word in her defense? If you had said just a few words for her, the Old Madam wouldn’t have banned her from returning for the rest of her life.”

“Your mother did wrong, and you’re blaming me for it?”

Ruan Baizheng felt both resentment and disappointment.

“How can you keep saying she did wrong? Mother never admitted to poisoning Ruan Liuzheng! She would always tell me about anything she did, but she never mentioned this—proof she didn’t poison her at all! If others don’t believe her, fine. But even you don’t believe her? Or do you think it’s better she’s gone, so you can promote Concubine Yue?”

In the next moment, Second Master raised his hand and gave Ruan Baizheng a harsh slap.

Her face was turned aside from the force.

She clutched her stinging face, staring at him in disbelief.

“You hit me?”

“Yes, I hit you! Foolish and reckless! I think you’ve lost your mind! You’re grounded for a month! Not a single step outside your room!”

Second Master stormed off in anger.

Ruan Baizheng tried to follow him to argue but was blocked by a servant of Tingfeng Courtyard.

“Fourth Miss, you cannot go out.”

“Get out of the way!”

At that moment, Ruan Mingzheng returned.

He spoke calmly, “You all, step back. I’ll talk to her.”

“Yes, Fifth Young Master.”

Ruan Mingzheng closed the door and pulled Ruan Baizheng inside.

“You acted too impulsively today. As for Father, let that be. But you absolutely cannot cause trouble at Tinglan Courtyard again. Even if you have to pretend, you must pretend properly,” he said.

Ruan Baizheng sneered. “You’re all afraid of her, but I’m not! She thinks she’s lucky now, that with her military achievements she’s the king of the world? If she makes me angry, I—”

“What would you do? Poison her like Mother did? Kill her?”

Ruan Baizheng frowned. “Even you think it was truly Mother who poisoned her?”

“Don’t you understand? Whether it was Mother or not is no longer important. With Prince Su and Duke Wei present, if we try to overturn the case, we must consider their stance.”

“What does that have to do with them?”

“They were the ones investigating and judging the case. Even if we overturn it, do you think they’ll feel at ease? This doesn’t mean they’re useless or blind, but…”

“…”

Ruan Baizheng bit her molars, her voice tight. “So we just have to suffer in silence?”

“We have no choice! But I will find a way to bring Mother back.”

“What way?”

“I’ve already thought of it, but we must wait for the right moment.”

“Tell me, I can help.”

“If I tell you, you’ll only mess it up.”

“You—”

“Enough. If you want Mother home soon, listen to me. Don’t ask questions, don’t cause trouble. Stay quietly in the courtyard. Understood?”

Ruan Baizheng looked at Ruan Mingzheng.

For a fleeting moment, she felt like she was the younger sister, and he was the older brother.

It made her uneasy, but she had no other choice. She had caused trouble and cursed, but it was useless.

She could only obey him.

“Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t.”

Only then did Ruan Baizheng completely calm down.

The next morning, Liuzheng went to the Old Madam’s courtyard.

The Old Madam always rose early, and she was already getting ready when Liuzheng arrived.

Seeing her, the Old Madam frowned slightly.

“I told you to rest more. Why are you here so early?”

Liuzheng said, “Grandmother, your granddaughter’s body has fully recovered. If you don’t trust Doctor Chen’s skill, do you not trust the Imperial Physicians?”

When Duke Wei left that day, he had asked the medical maid of Imperial Physician Jiang to stay behind.

That morning, she gave Liuzheng acupuncture treatment again.

The poison had been completely purged.

Liuzheng’s health was solid, and she was completely unharmed.

Occasionally she still had headaches, but it was nothing serious.

As she spoke, she saw Nanny Shu, not very familiar with the Old Madam, helping with her hair. Liuzheng said, “Nanny Shu, let me do it.”

Nanny Shu nodded and handed her the wooden comb.

Liuzheng’s skill in combing hair wasn’t perfect but far better than Nanny Shu’s.

She looked at her grandmother’s white hair, weaving it with black strands to hide the grey. The Old Madam looked several years younger.

The Old Madam looked at herself in the bronze mirror and was slightly pleased.

“In the past, Nanny Qian combed my hair, but she said her legs could no longer manage, so she retired to her hometown. Honestly, I still feel a bit uneasy without her.”

Nanny Qian had already moved with Xiang He to the private residence Liuzheng had bought.

Liuzheng calmly said, “If Grandmother doesn’t mind, your granddaughter will comb your hair every day from now on.”

The Old Madam smiled. “Nonsense! Next month, you’ll start your post at the Ministry of Military Affairs. When would you have the time?”

“Grandmother’s matters are more important than anything else.”

The Old Madam was happy to hear this but didn’t agree.

“You are the hope of the Ruan family. You cannot let such a trivial matter delay your future.”

Liuzheng said, “Then I’ll find a maid who can comb hair for you.”

The Old Madam nodded. “That’s fine.”

By now, her hair was done.

After a night of ginseng sleep, and with Liuzheng cleverly hiding her grey strands, she looked vigorous and several years younger.

The Old Madam was very pleased.

“With your hands, you can wield a sword and style hair. What else could possibly challenge you?”

Liuzheng stuck out her tongue. “Grandmother, you forget—I’m the worst at embroidery.”

Speaking of this, the Old Madam remembered when she had asked Liuzheng to embroider; she stitched a tiger, but the Old Madam thought it was a cat.

She laughed heartily.

Nanny Shu was happy seeing the Old Madam so cheerful.

The Old Madam used to be constantly worried. The eldest granddaughter’s return brought her joy.

Her bond with the eldest granddaughter was different from the others.

Other grandchildren might visit daily, but who truly stayed by her side to cheer her up? Only the eldest granddaughter did.

After washing and dressing, the grandmother and granddaughter sat down for breakfast together.

The Old Madam brought up the summer villa.

“Such a pity. Your grandfather drew the plans by hand and personally supervised the construction. Now it’s a ruin…”

Liuzheng said, “No fear. Your grandfather’s plans remain. I’ve already ordered someone to rebuild it, though we’ll need a new location, not the old site.”

The Old Madam asked, “Will it cost too much time or silver?”

“No.”

It was decided.

The expenses would come from the Public Office; Liuzheng would not pay.

At that moment, Madam Ruan came.

The Old Madam invited her to sit and eat. She did not refuse.

After a few bites, Madam Ruan quickly spoke, “Mother, yesterday Changzheng didn’t sleep well. It seemed he had a nightmare, calling for Yun’er to be with him…”

Liuzheng smirked inwardly.

Ruan Yunzheng had only been gone for less than a day, yet Madam Ruan was already scheming to bring her back.

The Old Madam put down her chopsticks and scowled.

“First daughter-in-law, have you lost your mind? Don’t forget, Yun’er is only your adopted daughter, not your biological daughter. Making an unmarried adopted daughter attend to Changzheng, who is not yet married—are you trying to put him in an unfair situation?”

Madam Ruan paled.

She had forgotten this! She had always treated Ruan Yunzheng as her own, but everyone else knew Yun’er was not.

She was only the granddaughter of her eldest brother-in-law.

“It’s my fault… I didn’t realize…”

“Go home and think carefully! Which matters more, your adopted daughter or your own biological son and daughter?”

The Old Madam directly drove her out.

Madam Ruan had not finished her meal but had to rise and leave.

Before leaving, she glanced deeply at Liuzheng. “Yao Yao, will you have lunch with Mother?”

Liuzheng said, “Mother, I have to go to Prince Su’s mansion. I probably won’t have time to eat with you.”

Madam Ruan’s face darkened. She wanted to argue but saw the Old Madam staring at her, so she forced a smile. “Then you go ahead.”

She left, her expression stiff.

Back at the Tingzhu Courtyard, she threw two teacups.

“Accursed girl! She is simply an accursed girl!”

Nanny Qi beside her tried to soothe her. “Madam, don’t get upset. Your health is more important. If it really matters, you can have Second Master intervene and bring Third Miss back.”

“He? What can he do? The moment his mother returns, he can’t even say a word! Besides, he doesn’t care about Yun’er. Only when he needs money does he think of her!”

“Madam… quieter…”

Madam Ruan was furious, but in the end did not shout further.

Meanwhile, Liuzheng had finished breakfast with the Old Madam and returned to her own courtyard.

She called Yuliu over to ask about the Second House.

Yuliu said, “Fourth Miss has been grounded. Fifth Young Master is reading behind closed doors. Tingfeng Courtyard is very quiet. You can rest easy for now.”

“Rest easy?” Liuzheng shook her head with a smile. “This is the calm before the storm.”

“…”

“Keep watching them.”

“Yes.”

Yuliu soon left through the side gate.

Not long after, Nanny Jiang reported, “Third Madam is here.”

Liuzheng smiled faintly. “Quick, invite Third Aunt in.”

“Yes.”

Nanny Jiang soon led Third Madam Shao in.

“Third Aunt, please sit.”

“Hmm, are you feeling better?”

“Occasionally a headache, but it’s nothing serious. Doctor Chen said it’s normal.”

Shao said, “I have a box of ointment for headaches. I’ve used it twice with great effect. I’ll have it sent to you later.”

Liuzheng did not refuse and thanked her.

Then Shao addressed two serious matters.

First, the rewards originally given to Liuzheng by His Majesty—Third Master had decided to transfer them all to Liuzheng’s storage.

This was per the Old Madam’s instruction, and Prince Su had also mentioned it. Although the First Master looked displeased, he dared not disobey.

The second matter was…

“The person you asked me to find has not been located yet.”

Liuzheng said, “No rush. He is distinctive. Once he appears in the capital, we will find him soon.”

The two spoke at length until a servant from Tingjutang reported that Master Jia had cut his hand.