MFURCC -Chapter 42 Second Madam Causes Trouble

Third Madam, Madam Shao, turned pale instantly.

Fortunately, a servant said, “It’s not too serious. The bleeding has stopped.”

Only then did Madam Shao feel slightly relieved.

Liuzheng asked, “How did this happen? How did he cut his hand? Wasn’t he being properly looked after?”

The servant replied, “Young Master Qi went and tried to play with the Exorcist Sword that Sir keeps in his study again.”

Madam Shao could hardly contain her frustration.

“I told him not to touch it! Why won’t he listen?”

Liuzheng said, “Brother Jia must have been frightened. Third Aunt, don’t scold him yet.”

“…Alright.”

As she was about to leave, Liuzheng said she would accompany her to check on him, and she also brought along some premium medicinal ointment for wounds.

Other medicines were scarce at the moment, but there was plenty of this gold wound ointment.

As a soldier, getting injured on the battlefield was commonplace. Liuzheng had tried nearly every type of gold wound ointment and knew which worked best.

Soon, the two arrived at the Tingju Hall.

Third Master had gone out on business, and Ruan Xuezheng was taking care of her younger brother.

When they entered, they heard Brother Jia saying, “Sixth Sister, don’t cry. A real man—this little scratch isn’t a big deal!”

Madam Shao immediately flew into a rage.

She had promised not to scold the child, and indeed she did not, but she went straight to grab Brother Jia by the ear.

“You naughty boy! You won’t listen!”

Brother Jia yelped in pain, “Mother, my ear’s going to come off!”

Madam Shao didn’t hold back at all.

“A real man! What’s losing an ear to a man like you?”

Liuzheng and Ruan Xuezheng hurried forward to separate them.

Madam Shao was furious; even though Liuzheng held her by the waist, she still tried to twist Brother Jia’s ear.

“His ears can’t hear me or his father anyway, so keeping them is useless!”

Brother Jia, terrified, hid behind his Sixth Sister.

“Mother…” Xuezheng said, “Don’t be angry. This time, Brother Jia did a brave deed. He wasn’t being naughty.”

Madam Shao froze.

“What deed?”

Xuezheng quickly explained everything.

It turned out that a stray cat had run into Third Master’s study. Xuezheng loved cats and had wanted to play with it, but the cat lunged at her face as if possessed.

Luckily, Brother Jia was also there. He grabbed the Exorcist Sword from behind the door and drove the cat away.

“It’s just that he doesn’t know how to use the sword properly, so he flailed and accidentally injured himself…”

With this explanation, Madam Shao’s anger completely dissipated.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Madam Shao’s eyes reddened slightly. “Come over, let me see how bad the wound is.”

“Mother, you won’t twist my ear anymore?”

“No, just come here quickly!”

Brother Jia bounced over.

Liuzheng went to check his wound as well.

He had accidentally cut his left arm while swinging the sword.

The cut was long but not deep, and the bleeding had mostly stopped.

Liuzheng took out the gold wound ointment, and Madam Shao applied it.

Applying the ointment hurt a lot, yet Brother Jia didn’t utter a sound. Truly a real man.

Once the wound was treated, Brother Jia went back to playing.

Liuzheng said to Madam Shao, “Third Aunt, I see that Brother Jia is brave and not afraid of pain. Perhaps he should be allowed some practical training… he doesn’t care for studying anyway. Since the Jin Dynasty, after the new reign, the tradition of valuing civil officials over military officers is no longer emphasized. If he follows the military path, he might achieve something remarkable.”

Liuzheng had suggested this before, but Madam Shao had firmly refused at the time.

This time, she didn’t say yes, but she also didn’t outright reject it.

“I’ll think about it,” she said.

“Mm…”

Seeing her hesitate, Liuzheng didn’t push. She added, “Discuss it with Third Uncle. He’s still young; there’s plenty of time.”

“Mm…”

Liuzheng then changed the topic: “That stray cat ran off; it’s not dead. The servants should find it to prevent further incidents.”

“Alright, I’ll take care of it.”

Only then did Liuzheng leave.

On her way out, she saw Xuezheng.

Xuezheng’s skin was very fair, but she blushed easily.

With just a slight movement, her cheeks turned pink, like a budding rose.

All of the Ruan daughters were exceptionally beautiful.

Even the arrogant Ruan Baizheng had a flawless face.

Thinking of the stray cat, Liuzheng said, “Xuezheng, when you go out, bring a few attendants with you, in case anything happens.”

“Thank you for reminding me, Elder Sister. I will.”

Xuezheng smiled sweetly, showing two dimples.

She was timid, but now, seeing Liuzheng, she was no longer overly nervous. Clearly, Third Madam had spoken well of Liuzheng, making Xuezheng willing to approach her.

She even confided something to Liuzheng:

“Early this morning, my people saw the Fourth Master’s page sneaking out of the General’s estate through a side gate…”

Liuzheng put away her smile and asked, “Do you know where he went?”

Xuezheng was innocent and naive, but not foolish.

Lowering her voice, she said, “His behavior was suspicious, so I sent a maid to follow him. He went to inquire at General Dingyuan’s mansion in Yuyu Lane.”

Xuezheng added, “Second Aunt being sent to Changlong Temple has surely displeased Fourth Sister and Fifth Brother. You should be more careful. I’ve suffered many losses dealing with them, especially Fifth Brother… Don’t trust anything he says.”

Liuzheng smiled in relief.

“I understand. Thank you for telling me, Xuezheng.”

“You’re welcome, Elder Sister. Mother said that you are sincere with us, so we should be sincere with you as well.”

Liuzheng patted Xuezheng’s head.

Xuezheng’s cheeks quickly turned red.

Liuzheng looked heroic, with a boldness uncommon to most women. Her touch made Xuezheng blush.

“Elder Sister, I’m not a child anymore…”

“Alright, I won’t pat your head anymore.”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Liuzheng smiled and took her leave.

But back at Tinglan Courtyard, Liuzheng’s expression turned serious.

Even a junior like Xuezheng could notice the Fourth Master’s page’s suspicious behavior—clearly, he was hiding something.

She had thought these two would behave themselves for a while, but she had been too naive.

What exactly did he intend to do?

Liuzheng continued thinking about this during lunch.

The Dingyuan General’s mansion… General Dingyuan, Fu Yunsheng, had returned from the border with her. Logically, he should have no connection with Ruan Mingzheng.

How could Ruan Mingzheng have sent someone to his mansion?

Liuzheng could not make sense of it until after lunch, when Yuliu came to report.

“There’s still no movement at the Listening Wind Courtyard. Fifth Young Master has been reading all along.”

Upon hearing “reading,” Liuzheng suddenly recalled that Fu Yunsheng had a younger brother, Fu Yunqi.

Fu Yunqi studied at Ruan Mansion’s Dufeng Academy.

So Ruan Mingzheng wasn’t targeting Fu Yunsheng—he was after Fu Yunqi.

“I understand. You may go. No need to keep an eye on Listening Wind Courtyard for now.”

“Why?”

Liuzheng wanted to say it was because someone had already evaded your notice. Yuliu could hide from Ruan Yunqi, but not from Ruan Mingzheng.

But she swallowed the words.

Inside matters, Yuliu was more convenient than Pan Hong or Pan Zhan to handle things. Liuzheng wanted to train Yuliu.

Yuliu was still young and inexperienced; discouraging her confidence now would be harmful.

So Liuzheng said instead, “I’ll have another task for you later.”

Yuliu left, reassured.

Nanny Jiang, however, was sharp. As soon as Yuliu left, she asked, “Did Liujie make any mistakes?”

Liuzheng told her the truth.

Nanny Jiang said, “I will teach her well again.”

Liuzheng said, “No need. She’ll soon have an opportunity to gain experience.”

It was just about time to go to Prince Su’s mansion. Liuzheng changed into a lavender silk robe with a plain white patterned surcoat, and only pinned a single pearl hairpin.

Nanny Jiang glanced at her and asked, “Miss, isn’t this outfit too plain?”

Liuzheng replied, “Being too flashy isn’t good either. This is fine. I… I’m still not used to wearing women’s clothes.”

Wearing red and green felt awkward. Since she could no longer wear men’s clothes, she opted for the simplest look.

“Alright…”

Liuzheng left with Pan Hong.

On the way out, she inquired about Pan Zhan.

“He can walk freely now, but still cannot use lightness skills.”

“Let him rest. Don’t rush, or it will be counterproductive.”

“Yes.”

Soon, they arrived at Prince Su’s mansion.

Being close by had its advantages—they didn’t even need a carriage.

Pan Hong spoke to the gatekeeper on her behalf:

“Please notify the prince. Our general wishes to meet him; we’ve already sent a notice.”

“General Ruan, please enter. The prince said there’s no need to notify him—just bring him in.”

Liuzheng nodded and followed the gatekeeper into the main courtyard.

The layout was similar to Liuzheng’s general mansion, only at least three times larger, and more exquisitely decorated.

After walking through the garden, they finally reached the main hall.

Liuzheng saw General Fu Yunsheng of Dingyuan facing her.

It wasn’t surprising to see him here—when she had been a ghost in her past life, he had been under Prince Su.

“General Fu,” Liuzheng greeted first.

“General Ruan, long time no see,” Fu Yunsheng returned the greeting, scrutinizing her for a moment before saying thoughtfully, “When we were at the border, I had no idea you were a woman. If I offended you in any way, please forgive me.”

Very polite.

Liuzheng replied, “At the border, there was no distinction between men and women. All serve the country.”

Fu Yunsheng smiled. “Three days from now, we plan to hold a banquet at the mansion. General Ruan, would you have time to attend?”

“Is it General Fu’s birthday?”

“No… it’s my younger brother’s birthday. We weren’t planning a banquet, but he suddenly insisted on having a lively celebration. Since you’re here, I thought I’d ask if you could come.”

Fu Yunsheng’s invitation was sincere. He added, “I’ll also invite the old staff. It’ll be a reunion.”

Liuzheng smiled, “If I have time, I will definitely come. If something comes up, I will send a gift.”

“You are too polite, General Ruan. I’ll have someone send the invitation shortly.”

“Good.” Liuzheng nodded.

“Then I will take my leave.”

“Safe journey.”

Liuzheng watched Fu Yunsheng leave.

He was not from the Chang Sui Army; he led the Weiwuwei Army. Though they had met at the border, they had only encountered each other at the Lushan battle.

Overall, his character seemed decent.

Then it could only be his younger brother plotting mischief with Ruan Mingzheng.

“General Ruan, please,” the gate page said.

Liuzheng snapped back to attention and proceeded forward, soon encountering Prince Su in the hall.

“General Ruan, are you feeling better?”

His eyes were dark as ink.

But when he looked at Liuzheng, there was a distinct brightness in them.