MFURCC -Chapter 50 A Confrontation on the Street

When Liuzheng got out of the carriage, she had the rolled-up Ten-Thousand-Mile Rivers and Mountains painting tucked in her sleeve.

The people in the carriage ahead also dismounted.

It was none other than the Cavalry General, Feng Lunian.

A long scar ran across Feng Lunian’s face, stretching from the right brow bone down to the bridge of his nose. Even in his official robes, he could not shake off the aura of a mountain bandit.

Seeing Liuzheng, Feng Lunian immediately approached.

“I wondered who was reckless enough to crash into my carriage—turns out it’s General Zhaoyong!”

Feng Lunian and Liuzheng had never met before. The only reason he recognized her was that he had seen her when he returned to the capital in command.

At first, he was wary of Liuzheng, but when he learned she was a woman, that caution turned into contempt.

A delicate woman like her should be at home embroidering!

A woman wielding a sword? Preposterous!

Even the Emperor had been polite enough to grant Liuzheng the title of a third-rank Zhaoyong General.

Feng Lunian, deep down, did not believe that Liuzheng had earned her military achievements on her own. He thought the Long-following Troops were formidable, and she had just been lucky to command them.

What he didn’t know was that the Long-following Troops had been insignificant at first; it was Liuzheng who had built them up single-handedly.

Liuzheng met Feng Lunian’s contemptuous, challenging gaze without flinching and said expressionlessly, “I wondered who couldn’t even handle a carriage properly. So it’s General Feng. General Feng, you’ve been quite famous these past few days.”

Feng Lunian understood exactly what she was referring to: his recent scandalous gossip in the capital.

But such trivial gossip meant nothing. For a man, it was almost like a badge of honor.

He chuckled, saying, “Too bad General Ruan is a woman. If you were a man, I might have taken you out for a bit of fun myself. But… seeing General Ruan in women’s clothing makes all those others seem boring…”

Liuzheng turned to Pan Hong in front of Feng Lunian and said, “See that? Shameless people don’t even know what shame looks like.”

Pan Hong smiled: “The general is right. Let’s not stoop to his level; let’s take a detour so we don’t soil our eyes.”

The master and servant’s words struck in unison, causing the vein on Feng Lunian’s forehead to bulge.

“Wretch! Who are you calling shameless?!”

“The one who responds.”

Feng Lunian had never been insulted by a woman like this before.

He immediately threw a punch at Liuzheng’s face.

Liuzheng sidestepped, avoiding his blow, circled behind him, and kicked him in the lower back.

Feng Lunian stumbled forward, almost crashing into a melon vendor’s donkey cart.

Luckily, his footing was solid enough to regain balance, preventing a serious injury.

But the anger in his chest grew like a rolling snowball.

“Wretch! You’re asking for death!”

He clenched his fists and struck at Liuzheng again.

Onlookers began to gather around.

Pan Hong dispersed the crowd: “Two generals sparring—if you don’t want to get hurt, step aside!”

The townspeople, afraid of being accidentally hit, quickly moved away.

Liuzheng was now locked in combat with Feng Lunian.

Though not as strong as the broad-shouldered Feng Lunian, she was far more agile.

After several exchanges, she managed to gain the upper hand.

But Feng Lunian refused to admit defeat. Even with a swollen cheek, he kept attacking, each punch carrying the force to knock out teeth if it landed.

Liuzheng nimbly avoided every punch—but accidentally dropped the painting.

Feng Lunian inadvertently stepped on it.

Liuzheng’s expression darkened. She drew Pan Hong’s sword from his waist and pressed it against Feng Lunian’s throat.

Feng Lunian froze.

“You idiot! You stepped on the gift I was delivering to General Dingyuan’s residence!”

“Wretch! Who are you calling an idiot?”

Liuzheng narrowed her eyes.

“Try calling me wretch one more time.”

She jabbed the sword forward slightly; a few drops of blood trickled from Feng Lunian’s neck.

The brute didn’t dare speak rashly, only muttering: “If you’ve got the guts, let me grab a weapon too!”

“I’m a weak woman; I have no real power. Yet General Feng can’t even defeat a weak woman. Truly laughable.”

“You—” The vein in Feng Lunian’s forehead throbbed; he wanted nothing more than to end Liuzheng’s life on the spot.

Liuzheng pressed the sword against his chest and said expressionlessly, “Pick up the painting, and we’ll call it even.”

Feng Lunian ground his teeth and glared at her.

Seeing the crowd grow larger, he finally bent down and retrieved the painting.

“Open it and check for damage. If there’s any, you’ll compensate me.”

Feng Lunian sneered: “A ruined painting—can’t I afford that?”

“Do you not understand human speech?”

Feng Lunian glared fiercely. He would get back at her eventually!

“Open it! Inspect it!”

He took a deep breath and calmed himself before unrolling the painting.

Though he had stepped on it, it remained completely intact.

“No damage. Satisfied?”

Liuzheng looked at Pan Hong: “Put it away.”

“Yes!”

Pan Hong stepped forward and took the painting from Feng Lunian.

Feng Lunian said, “The painting is back in hand and intact. General Ruan, you may put away your sword. After all, I am still an official of the court. If you had truly harmed me, it would be difficult to explain to His Majesty.”

Liuzheng sheathed the sword, smiling: “General Feng, you overstate. It was just colleagues sparring. Even if someone were hurt, the Emperor wouldn’t punish them—unless you deliberately reported me. But if you really did that, His Majesty would likely think you incompetent, unable to even defeat a woman.”

“You—”

“What? Do you want to spar again? I’d be happy to oblige, but I have to hurry to General Dingyuan’s residence to congratulate him on his birthday. Another day!”

She wore an expression of disdain and lowered her sword: “Let’s go!”

She got into her carriage and instructed Pan Hong to take a detour.

The carriage turned and left.

Feng Lunian’s teeth ground in rage.

“Wretch! I will make her pay! I will make her life miserable!”

One of his subordinates suggested: “General, her carriage hit ours first. Why not report this to His Majesty…”

Feng Lunian slapped him across the face.

The man turned away from the blow.

“Idiot! If we report to His Majesty, he’ll think I’m useless and will stop valuing me!”

Liuzheng’s words, though clearly a provocation, made sense.

If she were a man, it might be forgivable—but she was a woman, and he couldn’t even defeat her. Letting that spread would be laughable.

“No one is to mention this again!”

He resolved to swallow this insult for now, knowing he would find a chance to settle the score with Ruan Liuzheng later.

His subordinates quickly agreed: “Yes!”

Feng Lunian didn’t mount his carriage. Instead, he grabbed a horse and rode to General Dingyuan’s residence.

The Dingyuan residence was bustling.

Today was not only the birthday banquet for the second young master, Fu Yunqi, but also the victory celebration for the eldest young master, Fu Yunsheng, who had returned victorious and been promoted from a junior third-rank to a full third-rank.

Two celebrations combined—technically irregular, but no one would object.

The hostess was Fu Yunsheng’s wife, Madam Liu.

With the large crowd, seating was mixed for men and women.

Madam Liu was busy managing everything.

Fu Yunqi, usually indifferent to household affairs, was unusually helpful today, personally overseeing the list of attendants.

Feng Lunian delivered his gift and was about to enter when Liuzheng arrived.

She and Madam Yuan disembarked from their carriage in succession.

Feng Lunian glanced back at them, his eyes full of resentment.

At that moment, someone bumped into his lower back.

Having already been kicked by Liuzheng, his back throbbed, and now he was jostled again. He nearly lost his balance on the steps.

Luckily, Fu Yunqi’s quick reflexes grabbed his hand, steadying him.

“General Feng, are you alright?” asked Fu Yunqi.

Feng Lunian ignored the concern, steadying himself, then turned to see who had bumped him.

But the guests were thronging about; it was impossible to tell.

Liuzheng walked over.

“Second Young Master Fu, General Feng, why are your hands together?”

Everyone instinctively looked and saw Fu Yunqi holding Feng Lunian’s hand.

The two released instantly.

Fu Yunqi explained: “General Feng almost fell; I just steadied him. Are you alright, General Feng?”

Feng Lunian shook his head: “It’s nothing. Someone pushed me earlier.”

Liuzheng smiled: “General Feng, why do you act like one of us weak women, tipping over at the slightest touch?”

Feng Lunian glared at her.

“It wasn’t a light touch—it was a push!”

Seeing this, everyone made sure to avoid him to prevent misunderstanding.

Fu Yunsheng arrived and, after inquiring, cupped his hands: “General Feng, there are many guests today, and things are chaotic. If anything was lacking in our hospitality, I apologize. I will drink three cups myself to make amends.”

Feng Lunian, of course, would not sulk over such a minor issue.

He knew Fu Yunsheng was a supporter of Prince Su.

The court now had three factions: one supporting the Emperor, one the aristocracy, and the third Prince Su.

Feng Lunian’s background was weak; besides someone like Liuzheng, he would not offend anyone.

He smiled: “General Fu, you are too polite. It’s nothing to worry about.”

He then entered and took his seat.

Liuzheng handed over two gifts: one for Fu Yunsheng’s promotion, the other for Fu Yunqi’s birthday.

She said: “I heard Second Young Master Fu appreciates Xie’s calligraphy and paintings. Please accept Xie’s Ten-Thousand-Mile Rivers and Mountains.”

“You are too generous, General Ruan!”

Madam Yuan also presented the two gifts, and they joined the banquet together.

Although seating was mixed, men and women still chose separate tables.

Liuzheng, recently back in the capital, knew few people. Madam Yuan led her to the table and introduced the women seated there.

“This is Madam Jia of the Grand Secretariat, and this is…”

One by one, introductions were made.

Liuzheng nodded and smiled politely; the ladies returned her smile.

Curiosity and admiration filled the air.

Just then, someone walked over.

“So this is the Zhaoyong General?”

The tone was filled with disdain.