MFURCC -Chapter 5 No Sense of Propriety

“Little sister is quite lovely. I wonder which branch family you come from?” Liuzheng asked with a smile.

Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes flickered for a moment before she calmly replied, “My birth name is Nian Yun. I’m from a collateral branch of my mother’s family in Jiangnan. After my parents passed away, Mother brought me here eight years ago.”

Without changing expression, Liuzheng asked, “The Nian family of Jiangnan? The ones who make Song brocade?”

“Elder Sister knows about the Nian family’s Song brocade?”

“I’ve heard of it. It’s quite famous.”

The Nian family of Jiangnan didn’t just make Song brocade—they produced the most exquisite kind, known as “Grand Brocade.” Even the imperial consorts in the palace favored wearing their creations.

A trace of pride surfaced in Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes.

“If Elder Sister likes it, I can have them take your measurements someday and make a few outfits for you.”

“No need. As a martial artist, wearing such costly garments would only be a waste.” Liuzheng waved her hand dismissively before asking, “With both your parents gone, is there no one else at home?”

“Only my grandfather. He’s still in Jiangnan.”

Liuzheng nodded. “Little sister is truly filial.”

Ruan Yunzheng’s expression stiffened.

Her grandfather was still alive, yet she had changed both her given name and surname.

Leaving her elderly grandfather behind and traveling thousands of miles to the capital to attend to Madam Song—wasn’t that ‘filial piety’ indeed?

Back when she was a wandering ghost, Liuzheng had wondered why Ruan Yunzheng would abandon her own grandfather to come to the capital and acknowledge kinship.

Only later did she learn about the complicated forces backing Ruan Yunzheng.

Watching the stiffness in her expression, Liuzheng’s smile deepened.

“Don’t misunderstand, I meant nothing else.”

“I know…”

As they were speaking, Master Ruan returned with the letter he had finished writing.

Liuzheng handed it to Pan Zhan.

In her previous life, a major incident had occurred at the Summer Retreat Villa. In this life, she intended to reverse it.

“Be sure to deliver it to Grandmother as soon as possible and bring her back,” she instructed repeatedly.

“Yes!” Pan Zhan responded without hesitation, bowed, and left.

Ruan Yunzheng watched his departing figure, her eyes turning thoughtfully before she spoke. “Elder Sister has always associated with men like this while stationed at the frontier?”

The implication was clear—Liuzheng spent her days among men and lacked propriety.

Liuzheng smiled. “At the frontier, there is no distinction between men and women—only the dead and the living. To defend our homeland there is my honor.”

If Ruan Yunzheng accused her of impropriety, she would counter with loyalty to the nation.

Sure enough, Ruan Yunzheng’s expression stiffened again.

Before she could say more, Master Ruan spoke in a low voice, “Your elder sister nearly died countless times at the frontier before returning alive. Do not speak nonsense.”

“…Yes.”

Liuzheng smiled faintly.

What a good father she had.

Whoever could bring benefit and honor to the family—that was the one he defended.

Soon Madam Song came out from inside.

She had clearly cried again; her eyes were red.

When she looked at Liuzheng, the hatred in her gaze had deepened.

Pretending not to notice, Liuzheng directed the servants to begin moving things.

The second and third branches, along with Old Madam Ruan, were still at the Summer Retreat Villa. Liuzheng had the servants pack part of their belongings; the rest would be sorted once they returned.

The Ruan Residence was connected to Dufeng Academy. Although many items remained there, the amount packed was still astonishing.

“So many things—how long will it take to move them all?” Master Ruan sighed.

“No hurry. You and Mother can move over first with the essentials. I’ll have the rest transported gradually,” Liuzheng replied.

“Very well.” He had been waiting for her to take on the task.

Not far away, Ruan Yunzheng’s thoughts stirred, and she quietly left.

At noon, Liuzheng was sitting in a pavilion drinking tea and watching servants bustle back and forth when Madam Song approached with Ruan Yunzheng.

“I’m not at ease leaving Yun’er here alone. She’ll come with us,” Madam Song said bluntly.

It wasn’t a suggestion—it was an order.

A troubled look crossed Liuzheng’s face.

“Though the estate has three courtyards and three entrances, once the second and third branches and Grandmother arrive, space will be tight. If Sister Yun’er also moves into my General’s Manor, she can only stay in the outer courtyard.”

The Zhaoyong General’s Manor was divided into outer, middle, and inner courtyards.

The outer courtyard housed the gatekeepers and rear-facing rooms—where the servants lived.

Earlier, Madam Song had assigned Liuzheng to stay in Yushu Courtyard, which was meant for servants.

Now, as fate would have it, the one relegated to servant quarters was Ruan Yunzheng.

Madam Song’s face darkened instantly.

“In such a large General’s Manor, is there truly not even a place for Yun’er?”

Liuzheng set down her teacup.

“Mother, didn’t you and Father just say that it doesn’t matter where one stays?”

Madam Song blurted out, “How can you and Yun’er be the same?”

The words left her mouth before she realized it. She cleared her throat awkwardly and said, “Yun’er doesn’t need a large place. Find a way to clear out a courtyard.”

“I cannot.”

Perhaps not expecting such a direct refusal, Madam Song paused before saying in a deep voice, “Now that you have military merit to your name, will you not even listen to a single word from your own mother?”

“Mother,” Ruan Yunzheng interjected softly, “As long as I can remain by your side, it doesn’t matter where I stay.”

Madam Song’s eyes were filled with pity. “How can I let you suffer such grievance?”

“I don’t mind…”

Liuzheng sneered inwardly. Ruan Yunzheng’s grievances were grievances; hers were nothing at all.

Seeing Liuzheng refuse to budge, Madam Song frowned, considered for a moment, and finally relented.

Compared to remaining in the foul-smelling Ruan Residence, it was better to move to the General’s Manor first—at least it was located in Wuyi Lane.

“Very well for now. Once there’s a new courtyard, Yun’er can move there.”

“Alright.”

With the matter settled, Madam Song wasted no time and left with Ruan Yunzheng to finish packing.

Neither noticed the fleeting cold smile in Liuzheng’s eyes.

She had long known Madam Song would not leave Ruan Yunzheng behind and had made prior arrangements.

But even if Ruan Yunzheng followed them, in this life she would not be treated as the legitimate daughter in the inner residence as she had been in the previous life.

With such a gap, how long could Ruan Yunzheng maintain her gentle and virtuous facade?

Liuzheng lifted her teacup and took a light sip. “Excellent tea.”

Soon everything was ready, and they set off.

Liuzheng prepared three carriages: one for Master Ruan and Madam Song; one for the unconscious Ruan Changzheng; and one for Ruan Yunzheng and several senior maids.

Cramped inside the crowded carriage, Ruan Yunzheng was filled with resentment.

It shouldn’t be like this…

If the military merit had belonged to her elder brother, she would never have been squeezed together with servants!

In the dim light, she bit down hard on her cheek, her beautiful features twisting slightly.

The maids had intended to chat with her, but seeing her expression, they felt a trace of fear and dared not approach.

Meanwhile, Liuzheng rode ahead on her white horse, cracking her whip and galloping off toward the General’s Manor.

The arrangements there had been handled by another deputy general; she herself had not yet visited.

Upon arrival, she saw servants replacing the plaque at the entrance.

This residence had once belonged to an old minister of the previous dynasty. After Emperor Jingyuan ascended the throne, it was discovered that the minister had embezzled disaster relief funds. The estate was confiscated, and his entire family exiled.

To others, the residence was inauspicious.

But Liuzheng, having lived ten years as a ghost before being reborn, did not fear ill fortune.

Thus, when Emperor Jingyuan bestowed this estate upon her, she showed not the slightest dissatisfaction.

By coincidence, this made the Emperor even more pleased with her.

As Liuzheng dismounted, gatekeepers from neighboring estates peered out curiously.

She kept her gaze forward, instructed them to properly hang the new plaque, and entered the General’s Manor.

Across the street, in the Prince’s Manor, a steward hurried to the front courtyard to report.

Lifting the curtain, he dared not raise his head, staring only at the hem of a dark python robe.

“Your Highness, the Zhaoyong General has moved in.”

Prince Su was polishing a sword. His rough fingertips ran along the blade, lending the otherwise unremarkable weapon a sharp edge.

His features were striking, yet his dark brows and imposing presence made others instinctively lower their breathing.

“Tomorrow morning, send over the housewarming gift I prepared,” he said in a warm, slightly husky voice.

“Yes.”

After the steward left, the heir Shen He’an immediately teased, delighted by the drama.

“When Grand Secretary Xue Dinghai, a first-rank official, moved in before, you didn’t prepare a single gift. Why does this third-rank Zhaoyong General catch your eye? Or could it be—you’re interested in her?”

Prince Su ignored him and continued polishing the sword.

“Stop polishing it. The manor has so many fine swords—why are you always fussing over this broken one?” Shen He’an scoffed.

Then he remembered something.

“Back when you suspected issues with the grain shipments to the army, you went undercover to the frontier. Didn’t you join this General’s personal guard unit? Did you know each other before? Is that why you’re sending a gift?”

He shook his head. “No, that’s not right. You suffered a severe head injury later and lost all memories from your time in the army. Even if you served under her, you wouldn’t remember. So tell me honestly—was it love at first sight?”

Prince Su suddenly raised the sword and pointed it at Shen He’an’s throat.

“One more word, and I’ll take your head.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

Prince Su’s gaze turned colder.

Shen He’an finally stopped talking. Standing up, he said, “I just remembered my mother asked me to bring something back. I’ll be off!”

“Get lost.”

Shen He’an shrugged and left, but not before calling back, “Since you’re sending a gift, I’ll prepare one too. Can’t let you outdo me!”

Seeing the sword move again, he quickly made himself scarce.

Once the door closed, Prince Su’s gaze fell back on the so-called broken sword.

On the hilt, three faded characters were carved: Personal Guard Unit.

This sword had been given to him by Ruan Liuzheng.

She had said, “Hold on to it well. As long as the sword remains, so do you.”

After returning to the capital, he had indeed kept it by his side.

But publicly, he claimed to have lost his memory.

The grain case involved too many powerful figures. A single misstep could shake the nation’s foundation—and cost him his life.

So he kept it secret, even from Shen He’an, claiming only that he had suffered a severe head injury and remembered nothing.

In truth, he remembered everything.

Especially… Ruan Liuzheng.

…

Meanwhile, Liuzheng had finished touring the General’s Manor.

“Is the General satisfied? I specially had the main courtyard decorated and even purchased two phoenix trees you like,” Deputy General Pan Hong said.

He and Pan Zhan were twin brothers. Aside from a mole on Pan Hong’s chin, they were nearly identical.

Their personalities, however, were quite different.

Pan Zhan was quieter; Pan Hong far more talkative.

“Have the phoenix trees been planted yet?” Liuzheng asked.

“Not yet…”

“Then plant them in Tinglan Courtyard. I’ll stay there. Let Grandmother take the main courtyard.”

She knew Madam Song would never allow her to live in the main courtyard, so she might as well give it to Grandmother.

Speak of the devil—just as she finished speaking, Madam Song arrived, fury written all over her face.

“They’re asking me to live in Listening Bamboo Courtyard? Don’t tell me you plan to bypass your father and me and take the main courtyard for yourself?”

She had entirely forgotten that this was the General’s Manor bestowed upon Liuzheng by the Emperor—Liuzheng could live wherever she pleased.

Master Ruan, Ruan Hanmo, also looked displeased.

Such was human nature—never satisfied.

Once they had the General’s Manor, the Ruan Residence no longer sufficed. Having entered the new manor, they now coveted the best courtyard.