MFURCC -Chapter 45 Devoted Study

Nanny Jiang was uneasy.

Liuzheng, however, smiled lightly, her expression relaxed.

“Nanny, since we have some free time this afternoon, could you seriously teach me embroidery?”

Nanny Jiang thought she was just trying to ease herself and said, “Young Madam, you are already exceptional. A little shortcoming is only natural. Besides, how can a hand used to wielding a sword be suited for embroidery?”

Liuzheng replied, “Wielding a sword and embroidering are the same—they both require hard work.”

She continued, “If I give you two days, could you help me improve my embroidery so that at least it doesn’t look so ugly?”

Nanny Jiang was a little surprised.

“You’re serious?”

“Yes.”

Liuzheng nodded. “This time I will truly learn.”

Previously, her embroidery had been poor: partly because she had no interest, and partly because she lacked talent.

But talent aside, effort could make up for some of it.

After all, she didn’t need her embroidery to be exquisite—she just needed it to be recognizable.

Nanny Jiang agreed. “However, in embroidery, Baoqin is more skilled than I am.”

“Then the two of you teach me together.”

She called Baoqin in.

Baoqin was not only good at hairdressing but also quite skilled at embroidery, having helped in the shop with silk flowers and other needlework in the past.

The two of them taught Liuzheng diligently, and Liuzheng learned with equal focus.

Soon it was the next day. Liuzheng woke early to practice swordsmanship.

Unlike before, she included Yuliu in her practice this time.

Liuzheng practiced swordplay, while Yuliu focused on the basics: holding the horse stance.

Liuzheng was patient and only had her practice for half an hour before letting her rest.

“Get ready. After breakfast, go help me keep an eye on someone.”

She handed a portrait to Yuliu.

Yuliu studied it, and Liuzheng then burned it.

“No need to get too close. Just observe where he goes daily, what he does, and who he interacts with. Treat this as your first practical lesson in tailing someone.”

Yuliu nodded solemnly, adjusted her clothing, and left.

Liuzheng, as usual, went to pay respects to Old Madam Ruan and have breakfast.

Old Madam Ruan said, “Your mother came to see me again yesterday. She claimed her back hurt and asked Ruann Yunzheng to give her acupuncture and massage. I told her I would find a female doctor. When the doctor arrived, she sent her away, saying her back no longer hurt.”

Liuzheng didn’t react emotionally. “I’ve been away all these years. It was Yunzheng who stayed by her side. It’s understandable she isn’t used to it.”

Old Madam Ruan said, “It’s more than just unfamiliarity. She can’t bear to be apart from her. I objected when you mother insisted on adding her to the Ruan family registry, but she persisted.”

Old Madam Ruan had a strong dislike for Ruan Yunzheng.

She couldn’t quite explain why—perhaps it was because Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes always held too much calculation.

Or perhaps because Ruan Baizheng and Ruan Xuezhen…

But over the years, Ruan Yunzheng had never done anything truly outrageous, so there was no reason to send her back to their Jiangnan home.

Only after Liuzheng returned did Ruan Yunzheng make her first mistake.

Liuzheng smiled. “What a pity. Yunzheng will marry eventually. Even if Mother is reluctant, she will have to let her go.”

Old Madam Ruan suddenly had an idea.

“Why not wait until she returns and help find her a good family?”

Liuzheng said, “Mother might think I, as the eldest, should marry first.”

Old Madam Ruan said, “You are different—you’re a general. In the future, the General’s Mansion will rely on you…”

She then asked, “Do you have such thoughts yourself?”

She wanted to make sure Liuzheng wasn’t constrained.

Liuzheng said, “I only wish to achieve merit and success. Nothing else.”

Old Madam Ruan nodded.

“If you truly have no such thoughts, I will decide for you and find a husband for you.”

Liuzheng smiled. “That’s best. Yao Yao can stay by your side forever.”

She leaned against her grandmother’s shoulder, just like when she was a child.

In that moment, her heart finally felt some peace.

She was easily content—being able to lean on her grandmother brought her happiness.

Back at Tinglan Court, Liuzheng did nothing else but focus on learning embroidery from Baoqin.

She only had one day left.

Learning embroidery well was one thing; mastering it was not difficult, especially with Baoqin’s patient guidance.

The next day, after breakfast, Yuliu returned.

Liuzheng dismissed the others.

Yuliu reported, “He stayed all day at the training grounds, but at night went to a tavern. That tavern only allows male guests, so I disguised myself as a man and went in. I saw two courtesans enter his room, and soon sounds came from inside…”

Yuliu’s face turned red, unable to continue.

Liuzheng understood and waved her off.

“You did well, Yuliu.”

“Really?”

“Really. You have talent.”

Though the person she tailed wasn’t as cautious as Ruan Mingzheng and the others, he still had some skills.

Evading him unnoticed and sneaking into a tavern required effort and cleverness.

“Next, I need you to do something else.”

She handed Yuliu a piece of gold.

“Exchange it for silver coins, and then…”

She leaned close and whispered instructions to Yuliu.

Yuliu nodded. “Yes! I will do it properly.”

“Go.” Liuzheng smiled and picked up her needle to continue embroidery.

By lunchtime, Liuzheng, holding her finished handkerchief, went to her grandmother.

“Grandmother, I’ve come to eat again. You won’t find me bothersome, right?”

Old Madam Ruan was delighted at her sight. How could she find her annoying?

“Sit quickly! Your nose is indeed sharp—the kitchen just sent the osmanthus duck, and you arrived just in time.”

Liuzheng laughed. “Grandmother forgets—my nose has been sharp since childhood. You once said I shouldn’t have been a rabbit but a dog, only a dog’s nose is this keen.”

Old Madam Ruan laughed heartily, and everyone in the room followed suit.

After the meal, Liuzheng presented her handkerchief.

“Grandmother, last time you mentioned my embroidery as a child was poor. I’ve improved. Look, has my skill improved?”

Old Madam Ruan examined it.

Liuzheng had embroidered a soaring crane.

In Dajin, cranes symbolize longevity and blessings.

Clouds swirled around the crane, and Liuzheng stitched her name in small characters in the lower right corner.

Though not lifelike, it was respectable enough to show others.

“Very good! How did you improve so much?”

Liuzheng said, “During my time at the frontier, there was no one to mend clothes. We had to do it ourselves, so I practiced. The stitches are still a bit coarse, not as good as yours.”

Previously, she had attempted a handkerchief on impulse, but it was too ugly to show her grandmother.

Old Madam Ruan touched the stitches. “It’s very good. If you had a professional embroidery teacher for three months, you could surpass me.”

Liuzheng waved her hands.

“No, forget it! I still prefer swordplay to embroidery.”

“You!”

Old Madam Ruan tapped her forehead, eyes full of indulgence.

Her fondness for Liuzheng had reason.

Among her grandchildren, only Liuzheng had been raised by her because her mother paid little attention.

Though she raised her three sons personally, as they grew, they became distant from her.

Only Liuzheng remained closest to her, even after nine years apart.

Liuzheng was dutiful and visited more frequently than any of her grandchildren.

She had even insisted on keeping the main courtyard for her grandmother, which otherwise would have been occupied by the eldest couple.

Though she didn’t voice it, Old Madam Ruan remembered Liuzheng’s goodness.

After chatting for a while, Old Madam Ruan went for her afternoon nap, and Liuzheng withdrew.

She kept the handkerchief with her.

Back at Tinglan Court, Yuliu had returned.

She said nothing, just nodded at Liuzheng, who understood the task had been completed.

Meanwhile, news spread at the teahouses.

“General Feng Lunian stayed at Qingyun Tavern last night.”

“Qingyun Tavern? Tsk tsk…”

“Bandits are still bandits—even in official robes, they’re unacceptable!”

The rumor reached Feng Lunian through his servants.

“Sir, the rumor outside says you stayed at Qingyun Tavern last night…” a servant cautiously reported.

Feng Lunian was unconcerned.

“What’s wrong with staying at a tavern? I’ve stayed at taverns before. The Emperor knows my preferences; even if he hears it, he won’t blame me.”

The servant reminded him, “Sir, Qingyun Tavern isn’t ordinary…”

“Enough! Yesterday I went to Wanchun Tower, also no ordinary tavern! I’m unmarried—what’s wrong with a little rouge? Let them gossip!”

The servant tried to explain further, but Feng Lunian raised his spear.

“Stop talking! I’m going to the training grounds!”

At the training grounds, he still noticed people whispering.

He faintly heard the word “tavern” and felt disdain.

These people all pretend to be high-minded!

He may have played around, but they did secretly too.

One is in public, the other in private.

He had meritorious service on the frontier. Could the Emperor punish him for this? Ridiculous!

The Emperor already knew!

Two days ago, they hinted he’d receive a permanent military attendant.

It showed the Emperor’s trust and indulgence.

Feng Lunian ignored the gossip and continued practicing with his spear.

Meanwhile, Liuzheng embroidered another handkerchief, a cluster of lotus flowers with a dragonfly perched atop.

She instructed Pan Hong, “Deliver this to the wife of the Minister of Justice, and tell her it’s to thank her for speaking up for me on the Princess’s birthday.”

On the Princess’s birthday, it had been Madam Yuan, wife of the Minister of Justice, who spoke up, preventing Liuzheng from being mistakenly slighted by the Grand Madam.

“Also, send the imperial gift, the horse-racing painting, to her as well…”

She carefully instructed Pan Hong how to convey her gratitude to Madam Yuan.

Imperial gifts, unless personalized, could be passed on.

Madam Yuan appreciated painting and calligraphy; she would like the horse-racing painting.

“Yes.” Pan Hong responded and quickly delivered both items to the Minister of Justice’s residence.