MFURCC -Chapter 44 Lost Item

“Mm.” Liuzheng nodded with a wry smile.

She felt as if Prince Su was pushing her like a duck onto a stage.

But now that she had made her decision, she would go forward without hesitation.

Perhaps, when one is unsure of what choice to make, the current choice is the best one.

Liuzheng glanced at the sheet of rice paper, its intricate light and dark patterns like the tangled paths of every person’s life.

Though the road ahead wouldn’t be smooth, she would do everything in her power to avenge herself, ensure the wicked received their due punishment, and live a new and bold life of her own!

“Tell Pan Zhan about today’s events as well, so that in the future, if he meets the prince, he won’t lose his composure like I did. Also, go fetch Yuliu; I have something I want her to handle.”

“Yes, milady!”

Yuliu arrived shortly.

“Miss.”

Liuzheng handed her a bundle.

“Today, I will officially teach you how to follow someone. From now on, every morning, I will train you in horse stances and light-footed techniques.”

Yuliu: “……”

“Do you agree?” Liuzheng asked after a moment’s thought, wanting Yuliu’s consent.

Yuliu immediately knelt.

“General!” She no longer addressed her as “Miss” but as “General.”

“I have always admired you, never imagining that one day I could serve at your side. I… am willing to die for you!”

Liuzheng smiled and helped her to her feet.

“Good. Then listen carefully.”

She explained her plans in detail and had Yuliu open the bundle.

Inside were various clothes, some tattered, some brand new, even some men’s garments.

“To follow someone, you must first learn to conceal yourself…”

She patiently instructed Yuliu step by step, and Yuliu listened attentively.

She was an ambitious girl, unwilling to remain ordinary.

After finishing the “lesson,” Yuliu went back and carefully reflected on every word Liuzheng had taught her.

The next day, Liuzheng received invitations sent from General Dingyuan’s residence.

Besides her own, there was also one for Ruan Mingzheng.

The household staff were quick-witted; since Ruan Yunzheng and the Second Madam had been punished and sent to Changlong Temple, the steward of the gate first delivered the invitations to Liuzheng rather than showing them to the First Madam.

Liuzheng gave Nanny Jiang a look, and she understood immediately, slipping a gold ingot to the steward as he left.

“You are too kind, madam…” the steward protested verbally, but eagerly took it.

The Third Young Mistress was already generous, casually handing out gold leaves, and he hadn’t expected this Miss to be even more lavish.

This trip had been worthwhile.

“Keep it. It’s just a little token from the Miss. When you go to the Ministry of War in the future, you’ll gain even more benefits.”

The steward’s eyes lit up, delighted.

Nanny Jiang returned to Liuzheng’s side and asked, “Miss, these people are all opportunists. Why not find an excuse to replace them all at once?”

Liuzheng thought the same.

But easier said than done.

“This matter can’t be rushed; it requires long-term planning.”

Replacing them—let alone whether the First Madam would agree—who knew if the newcomers might betray her?

It was better to address the problem at its root.

Once the First Madam was completely out of the way, what fear would there be that they would betray her?

Nanny Jiang nodded, understanding the reasoning.

“Let’s go to the Tingfeng Courtyard and deliver the invitation.”

“Yes!”

…

When Liuzheng arrived, Ruan Mingzheng was preparing to go to Dufeng Academy.

He had completed all the lessons taught by the academy’s masters a year ago and now only attended every five days.

“Elder sister.” Ruan Mingzheng saw her from a distance and walked up to meet her.

The young attendant behind him kept his head bowed.

Liuzheng’s smile remained.

“Going to the academy?”

“Yes. A master from another academy is giving a lesson today; I must attend.”

“You study diligently. You’ll surely rank among the top in next year’s imperial exams.”

“Thank you for your kind words, elder sister. Did you come here to see me?”

Liuzheng nodded.

Nanny Jiang handed over the invitation.

“The steward at the gate delivered an invitation. One of them is for you. Since I had nothing else to do, I brought it for you.”

Ruan Mingzheng’s expression flickered briefly before returning to normal.

“Thank you for taking the trouble, elder sister.”

“It’s no trouble. I just wanted to ask—do you know General Dingyuan’s younger brother?”

Ruan Mingzheng’s hand tightened slightly on the invitation, but his face remained calm.

“We were schoolmates, but not close.”

Liuzheng said, “General Dingyuan’s residence also sent me an invitation. Since I am a comrade of General Fu, I will attend as well. Do you know what his younger brother likes? I want to prepare a birthday gift.”

Ruan Mingzheng smiled.

“I don’t have much personal relationship with Second Young Master Fu, but I’ve heard he likes Xie Huaiyuan’s calligraphy and paintings. If he receives one, he’ll be very pleased.”

Liuzheng nodded.

“Good, I understand. You should go to the academy now; don’t delay your studies. Studying comes first.”

“Yes, elder sister. I’ll take my leave.”

Liuzheng nodded again, and Ruan Mingzheng left with his attendant.

Liuzheng watched their backs, eyes narrowing slightly.

The young attendant had never raised his head.

Elsewhere, once Ruan Mingzheng was on the carriage, he finally exhaled in relief.

Then he clenched his palm, saying, “The gate steward, Zhou, is already on her side. We must be more careful in future correspondence.”

The “attendant” raised his head—it was Fu Yunqi.

Fu Yunqi said, “I really don’t understand why dealing with a girl like her requires so much effort.”

“Girl?” Ruan Mingzheng sneered. “She’s the first female general in our empire.”

“It’s just luck. The Jin soldiers weren’t defeated by her alone. It wasn’t her skill, but that of the accompanying troops. The merit just happened to fall on her.”

Fu Yunqi remained dismissive.

“Don’t underestimate her. Before, it was precisely because she was underestimated that my mother ended up in Changlong Temple.”

He then asked Fu Yunqi, “Did you get the item?”

“Yes. Almost discovered yesterday, but I spent the entire night staking it out and finally got an opportunity.”

He pulled an item from his bosom.

Ruan Mingzheng glanced at it, finally relieved.

“When it comes to light-footed skills, no one is better than you.”

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked having his own attendant swap clothes with Fu Yunqi.

Fu Yunqi smirked proudly, then said, “I made such a sacrifice for you. For next year’s imperial exam, if your uncle sets the questions, you must give them to me first.”

“Don’t worry. If my uncle can ensure the first top scholar, he can ensure the second as well.”

The previous top scholar, though talented, wasn’t guaranteed to rank first.

It was only because Master Ruan got the topic right that the scholar diligently studied and achieved it.

The Fu family already had a general. For Ruan Yunqi to rise in martial matters, it would be difficult.

The only path left was the civil one.

…

The carriage slowly moved toward Dufeng Academy, while Liuzheng went to the Chrysanthemum Hall to visit Ruan Jiazheng.

Third Madam received her personally, with Xue’er beside her, though Jia’er was nowhere to be seen.

“Why isn’t Jia’er here? How is he?”

Third Madam sighed.

“The medicine you gave was effective, but too effective. He had the energy to sneak out and play. I intended to take him to the academy today to hear the new master’s lecture, but when I went to his room, I saw this.”

She handed over a note.

Liuzheng read it.

“Mother, I went out to see the lotus flowers.”

It was midsummer, and the lotus outside the capital were in full bloom.

Liuzheng smiled.

“He even left a note for you—he’s not too mischievous.”

“He was afraid I’d turn around and scold him.”

After chatting for a while, Third Madam left her for lunch.

Liuzheng agreed.

Third Madam then said, “I’ll check the kitchen. Xue’er, you stay and talk with your eldest sister.”

“Yes.”

After Third Madam left, Liuzheng asked Ruan Xuezheng about the sneaky young attendant she had mentioned who was around Ruan Mingzheng.

“Did you get a good look at his face?”

Ruan Xuezheng shook her head.

“No, but judging from his clothes and build, he should be Fifth Brother’s attendant, Xiao Fuzi.”

Ruan Xuezheng was a month younger than Ruan Mingzheng, ranking sixth in the family.

None of the Ruan concubines had children.

As for Third House, Third Master had no concubines either, due to the couple’s loving relationship.

Liuzheng said, “Third Madam mentioned that you and Jia’er are both skilled in painting… could you draw a portrait of Xiao Fuzi?”

“Of course.”

The two went to the study.

“Eldest sister, please excuse my poor skills.”

“Just draw.”

Ruan Xuezheng lifted her brush and quickly sketched the portrait.

Liuzheng immediately recognized that the young attendant with Ruan Mingzheng today was not Xiao Fuzi.

“Does he have any other attendants?” Liuzheng asked.

Ruan Xuezheng shook her head. “Eldest sister, why do you ask? Did something happen?”

“Nothing, I just wanted to see your painting skill.”

As they spoke, the nanny serving Third Madam announced that lunch was ready.

The two went to the hall to eat.

After the meal, Liuzheng didn’t linger and returned directly to Tinglan Courtyard.

She called for Nanny Jiang.

“Nanny, quietly check—has anything gone missing from the courtyard?”

Nanny Jiang’s heart skipped. “What happened?”

“Just check. It’s only my suspicion.”

“Yes.”

After more than an hour, Nanny Jiang returned.

“Miss, nothing is missing from the household. Only one handkerchief in your room cannot be found.”

“What kind of handkerchief?”

“The one you were embroidering a few days ago. The Old Madam mentioned your embroidery skills, and last night you stitched the crane… The handkerchief even had your maiden name.”

Everyone had assumed Liuzheng embroidered a wild duck.

Liuzheng felt embarrassed and had Nanny Jiang dispose of it for her.

“The servant didn’t get a chance to throw it away yet; it was left in the courtyard basket… just now, it’s gone.”

“Could the wind have blown it away?”

“It was covered with bamboo panels. The cover hasn’t moved at all, and from last night until now, there’s barely been any wind.”

Liuzheng nodded. “I understand.”

She roughly guessed what Ruan Mingzheng intended, but she needed further confirmation.

“Shall I ask him, miss?”

“No need. Let’s pretend nothing happened.”

Nanny Jiang nodded, though she felt an inexplicable unease.