MFURCC -Chapter 46 Ruining Her Purity

The gatekeeper, hearing that it was the General Zhaoyong’s residence, hurried inside to report.

Madam Yuan was in the outer courtyard receiving Pan Hong.

Pan Hong first presented the “Horse Racing Scroll,” and only then took out Liuzheng’s handkerchief.

“The young lady says that the lotus flowers in the outskirts are blooming beautifully, so she embroidered this handkerchief and hopes that, when you have time, you can go see the lotus with her,” Liuzheng had instructed Pan Hong to say.

With this, the handkerchief was no longer just a handkerchief—it became a sincere invitation from Liuzheng.

At first, Madam Yuan thought the stitching was too coarse, but when she heard this, she laughed.

“General Ruan, you are too courteous! I’ve also heard that the lotus in the outskirts is blooming nicely; I was planning to go boating on the lake. In that case, ask your general whether she’s free tomorrow.”

Pan Hong replied, “Tomorrow, the young lady is attending a banquet at General Dingyuan’s residence.”

“She’s going too? I was just deciding whether to attend… Then it works out perfectly. If arranged, the two families can ride together in one carriage, and I’ll go with her.”

“Yes, I will definitely convey your message.”

Pan Hong took his leave.

As he left, Madam Yuan asked him to deliver a delicate round fan to Liuzheng.

It wasn’t a lavish gift, but among women, such small items were tokens of intimacy.

Madam Yuan wanted to make friends with Liuzheng.

…

Liuzheng held the round fan Pan Hong had brought back, letting the breeze stir a stray lock of hair across her forehead.

“From what Madam Yuan implied, she hadn’t originally planned to attend the banquet,” she said.

Liuzheng remarked, “Madam Yuan’s maiden family lives adjacent to General Dingyuan’s estate. Their relationship isn’t particularly close, so hesitation is understandable.”

By having Pan Hong indicate that she herself was attending, Madam Yuan would go along.

That Madam Yuan even suggested riding in the same carriage was a delightful surprise.

“Have someone prepare a carriage. We’ll go to Scholar Xie’s house.”

Liuzheng’s plan was nearly complete.

“Yes.”

Scholar Xie was Xie Huaiyuan, mentioned by her fifth brother Ruan Mingzheng.

He had once been a secretary at Prince Yong’s mansion and was skilled in calligraphy and painting.

Later, for unknown reasons, he left Prince Yong’s residence and established his own small academy, similar to the Ruan family’s Dufeng Academy.

Though others didn’t know why, Liuzheng did—she had heard Prince Yong mention it when she was a spirit.

Xie was addicted to gambling. When he ran out of money, he sneaked into Prince Yong’s study and stole a precious jade pendant to sell.

Prince Yong quickly found out, but gave him some face, not spreading the incident, and merely asked Xie Huaiyuan to leave.

Thus, people in the capital assumed he had simply chosen not to engage in court politics.

He still had many admirers for his talent.

The carriage traveled swiftly, soon arriving at the Xie residence.

From outside, the house looked dilapidated; inside, weeds had overgrown.

Only an old servant was present, who, upon hearing of Liuzheng’s arrival, hurried to notify the master.

Xie Huaiyuan soon came out personally to receive her.

“General Ruan, please have some tea.”

Liuzheng sipped and realized it was freshly brewed.

Despite living in such a place, he could afford new tea, showing that his finances were recently healthy.

Without idle chatter, Liuzheng explained her purpose.

“…I would like to commission a painting from you, sir.”

Xie Huaiyuan replied, “For such a matter, the general could have simply sent someone to ask. I would have delivered it to your residence myself. Why trouble you to come personally?”

Liuzheng smiled.

Xie then said, “I happen to have just finished a painting of the expansive rivers and mountains. If the general does not mind, I will bring it out now.”

“Much obliged, sir.”

Xie bowed and went inside to fetch the painting.

When unrolled, it was five meters long—truly breathtaking.

“Thank you, sir.”

Liuzheng had brought no other gifts, only a silver note, which she had Pan Hong hand to Xie.

Xie initially refused but eventually accepted.

“Then I will take my leave.”

“General, safe travels.”

Xie watched her carriage depart.

Once inside, Liuzheng placed the painting aside, lifted the curtain, and gave Pan Hong, who was accompanying the carriage outside, a reminder.

“Yes,” Pan Hong replied, following her down a street before disappearing into the crowd.

Not long after Liuzheng returned to Tinglan Courtyard, Pan Hong came back.

“You just left, and Xie Huaiyuan has already gone to General Dingyuan’s residence,” he reported quietly.

“General, the fifth young master suddenly mentioned Xie Huaiyuan deliberately. In fact, he did indeed go to General Dingyuan’s. The general shouldn’t have involved Xie Huaiyuan.”

Liuzheng said, “If he wants to scheme against me, he would use someone—Xie Huaiyuan or another. It’s better he chose Xie; at least we can prepare in advance.”

“True… but I still wonder what’s special about this painting.”

Liuzheng studied it but saw nothing remarkable.

After thinking, she said, “Have Doctor Chen come to me, tell him I have a recurring headache and need him to examine it.”

“Yes.”

Soon, Doctor Chen arrived, puzzled. Liuzheng had a strong constitution; three days had passed since the poisoning, so her headaches should have cleared.

Liuzheng presented the painting.

“Doctor Chen, please examine this painting and tell me what’s wrong with it.”

Doctor Chen breathed a sigh of relief.

He took the painting, studied it carefully, even smelled it.

After a moment, his eyelids twitched. He stood and said, “General, do not touch this painting again.”

“What’s wrong?” Liuzheng asked.

Doctor Chen explained, “The ink used in this painting contains a substance called ‘Dan Zhi Zui’ [Tip-of-Finger Intoxication].”

He told Liuzheng that inhaling it wouldn’t act immediately; it required a catalyst.

Combined, it initially induces drowsiness and then causes confusion and lustful desires.

Liuzheng frowned but wasn’t surprised.

She knew Ruan Mingzheng intended to scheme against her—she just hadn’t expected such a vile method.

Had he used any other method, she might have thought more highly of him.

“Clearly, scholars are not necessarily gentlemen.”

Xie Huaiyuan was one, and Ruan Mingzheng was another.

Pan Hong was furious, practically steaming.

“The fifth young master is shameless! General, we should take this evidence to the authorities immediately!”

Liuzheng sighed. “Report him? And then what? First, the evidence isn’t enough to catch Ruan Mingzheng. Even if we did, it would only disgrace our own General Ruan residence.”

“Then what should we do?”

“We turn his scheme against him and use it to achieve our own goal.”

She carefully explained her plan to Pan Hong.

“Tomorrow, you and Yuliu will accompany me to General Dingyuan’s residence.”

“Yes!”

Liuzheng then spoke to Doctor Chen.

“Can you make an antidote for this ‘Dan Zhi Zui’?”

Without hesitation, Doctor Chen said, “Yes.”

“Good. Make it as quickly as possible.”

“Yes!”

Liuzheng prepared methodically.

Though she knew many variables could arise, she was never one to fear difficulty.

Once this plan succeeded, she could not only ensure her safety but also retrieve the Changsu army—like a part of her own body.

When she had severed her arm to survive, she had already resolved to reclaim the Changsu army one day.

Now, with the opportunity given by Prince Su, she would seize it firmly.

Meanwhile, Ruan Mingzheng’s book boy, Xiao Fuzai, quickly brought news.

“Fifth Young Master, Second Young Master Fu sent word. The young lady has taken Xie Huaiyuan’s painting.”

Ruan Mingzheng paused flipping the book and quickly smiled.

“Mother will soon be able to return.”

He intended to ruin Ruan Liuzheng’s reputation.

With such a commotion at home, his grandmother would no longer focus on his mother’s affairs.

A peaceful life wouldn’t serve his purpose; only by stirring trouble could he fish in murky waters.

“Big sister, it’s not that I’m cruel. I bear you no grudge. But you acted first, driving my mother to the temple. This is your due!”

Ruan Mingzheng clenched a book so tightly that he tore it apart.

The book boy was startled.

“Fifth Young Master…”

Ruan Mingzheng regained composure. “It’s nothing. Have someone clean up.”

“Yes…”

On the other side, Doctor Chen worked quickly and soon produced the antidote Liuzheng requested.

Liuzheng drank it in one gulp.

“This antidote isn’t hard to drink—rather fragrant, like tea.”

She looked at Doctor Chen, expressing her gratitude.

Doctor Chen waved his hand modestly.

“When the general was at the camp, you treated me kindly many times. When food was scarce, you even sent your own meals… There were countless such deeds. Helping you now is nothing.”

Liuzheng smiled.

The goodwill she had once shown was now returned in a different form.

In her past life, had news of her situation reached the Ruan residence, she would not have ended her life so miserably.

She also remembered that after her death, those who cared for her had cried bitterly.

In this life, she would no longer let those who truly cared be saddened.

Liuzheng thanked Doctor Chen again, letting him rest, and ensured everyone who had come into contact with the painting took the antidote.

Then, with the antidote and the painting in hand, she went to Tingju Hall.

The Tingju Hall of the Third Residence was spacious; otherwise, the matriarch would not have suggested splitting the Sixth Sister’s courtyard, giving half to Ruan Yunzheng.

Liuzheng did not seek out the Second Madam but went directly to Ruan Xuezheng’s small courtyard.

Ruan Xuezheng was weaving a braid. Seeing her arrive, she quickly set her work aside.

“Big sister, why are you here? Sit. Someone, serve tea.”

Liuzheng said, “No need for tea. I brought some ‘tea’ myself.”

Nanny Jiang brought up the teapot and poured a cup for Ruan Xuezheng.

“This is a new type of tea I just got. Try it.”

Ruan Xuezheng nodded and drank the tea.

“Delicious! And the flavor is unique—I’ve never tasted it before,” she said.

Liuzheng said, “It’s a pity there’s only a little. I don’t have much more, or I would have given some to you.”

“Big sister is willing to share with me. I’m already very happy.”

Liuzheng smiled and got to the main point.

“The other day, when I asked you to paint a portrait, you mentioned that you are better at copying than creating?”

Ruan Xuezheng nodded, slightly embarrassed, and said, “Mother said my skill in copying has reached the level where a fake can pass as genuine. But my mother tends to exaggerate…”

Liuzheng said, “Whether it’s true or not, we’ll see. I have a painting here and want you to copy it for me.”