MFURCC -Chapter 52 Liuzheng Goes Missing

When Liuzheng approached, Du Panpan’s smile immediately vanished, her face stretching into a long scowl.

Her emotions were laid out so plainly on her face, with no depth or subtlety at all. It was no wonder that later, Van Yunzheng (阮芸箏) could pin her down in just a few moves, leaving her unable to act maliciously again.

Fu Yunyi, on the other hand, still wore a gentle smile.

“General Ruan,” she said, standing up to greet her properly.

Liuzheng returned the courtesy and then explained the reason for her visit.

“…It’s just that my dress got stained when the servant was preparing the hangover remedy. The steward said I could borrow yours, so I thought I should come ask you first.”

Fu Yunyi was about to say that she would take her over to change when her eyes caught a glimpse of the maid following behind Liuzheng… and they flickered twice in surprise.

Wasn’t this Lianxin?

The one her second brother kept in his quarters.

Her second brother cherished this girl, hiding her so well that even their parents didn’t know.

If Fu Yunyi hadn’t accidentally gone to see Fu Yunqi and run into the two of them, she herself wouldn’t have known of the girl’s existence.

And today, her second brother had actually let the girl out, dressed in the attire of a low-ranking servant…

Lianxin, noticing Fu Yunyi’s gaze, lowered her head anxiously, her heart racing.

Whatever task the second young master had entrusted to her might now be ruined because of the third young lady…

What should she do?

But just like that, the feeling of being watched vanished in an instant.

Lianxin lifted her head in confusion, only to see that Fu Yunyi had already looked away, seemingly not recognizing her at all.

She let out a nearly inaudible sigh of relief.

After a moment, Fu Yunyi withdrew her gaze and swallowed the words, “I’ll take you there,” and instead said, “It was the servants’ carelessness that dirtied your dress. General, you are not angry, and we are already deeply grateful. There’s no need to trouble you by telling me. Let this girl take you to choose an outfit.”

“In that case, I won’t be polite.”

Fu Yunyi smiled and instructed Lianxin, “Take General Ruan to change properly—it will be a way to make amends.”

“Yes… General Ruan, please.”

Lianxin gestured politely, and Liuzheng followed her.

Du Panpan stood up, watching Liuzheng’s departing back, curling her lips. “Why be so polite to her?”

Fu Yunyi took her hand.

“You have the support of His Highness the Crown Prince, so there’s nothing to fear. I only have myself.”

“You also have your brother, and your grandfather even has a place in the ancestral temple.”

“That’s all past dynasties… Besides, my brother is now on the same level as her.”

Du Panpan snorted. “She’s just lucky, and her subordinates are competent. What skill does she herself have? Good at drinking? If that counts as talent…”

Fu Yunyi smiled lightly and pulled her back to sit.

“Eat quickly. Didn’t you say you love this ‘Zhangen’? If you like it, have more.”

“Zhangen is heating for the body; better not overeat.”

“Then try this ‘Wuchang Gongzi.’”

Zhangen was mutton, Wuchang Gongzi was crab. She had the servant pick out the crab meat, placed it on a small plate, and set it before Du Panpan.

Seeing her being so courteous, Du Panpan didn’t want to spoil the mood, took her chopsticks, dipped the crab in sauce, and ate.

“Delicious.”

“Glad you like it.”

Yet her gaze flickered toward the direction Liuzheng had gone.

Lianxin led Liuzheng to a fork in the path, then turned right down a small lane.

Fu Yunyi, being a member of the Fu family, naturally knew that this path did not lead to her own courtyard but to her second brother’s.

Looking up for her brother, he was already gone.

Fu Yunyi’s lips curled slightly.

She had already guessed what her second brother was up to.

She was actually pleased.

“Have them peel one for you too.”

Fu Yunyi withdrew her gaze, acting as if she had seen nothing, and continued entertaining Du Panpan.

Perhaps her second brother would find Du Panpan useful today.

About the time of two incense sticks, Liuzheng still hadn’t returned.

Similarly, Fu Yunqi hadn’t come back either.

Fu Yunyi raised her eyebrows, realizing her second brother’s plan had likely succeeded.

She had long guessed what he intended.

First, have Lianxin wet Liuzheng’s dress, then use that as an excuse to borrow her clothes, effectively leading her into her brother’s quarters.

If she guessed correctly, her second brother had probably given Liuzheng something in her drink during the toast.

—When Liuzheng had asked to borrow the dress, her face was clearly unnaturally flushed.

But Fu Yunyi wondered—when had her second brother taken a liking to Liuzheng?

The two of them had clearly never had any contact before.

Moreover, her second brother usually liked girls like Lianxin—delicate and helpless—not someone like Liuzheng.

Perhaps her brother didn’t care for Liuzheng herself, but for the military achievements she represented.

If he could marry her, it would greatly benefit him.

Her second brother studied diligently, had passed the provincial exam, and was just waiting for the metropolitan and palace exams next year.

If he passed the metropolitan exam and entered the palace exam, the Emperor might, in consideration of Liuzheng, grant her second brother the title of Tanhua Lang (third-ranking scholar).

Tanhua Lang… it really suited her second brother.

Fu Yunyi’s lips twitched slightly.

Seeing no movement around them, she was eager to watch the show and asked Du Panpan next to her,

“General Ruan hasn’t returned yet? Why haven’t I seen her?”

At the mention of Liuzheng, Du Panpan immediately perked up. She looked around.

“She really hasn’t returned. Changing clothes shouldn’t take more than one incense stick, and it’s been nearly two now.”

Fu Yunyi nodded.

“That’s right, nearly two incense sticks.”

Du Panpan leaned closer. “Don’t tell me she saw something in your room she liked and can’t let go, that’s why she hasn’t come back?”

Fu Yunyi couldn’t help rolling her eyes.

This fool only thinks in that direction. Still, she smiled and said, “Panpan, you jest. When General Ruan returned to the court, the Emperor rewarded her with quite a lot—eighteen boxes of gold, silver, and jewels, I heard. She wouldn’t care about my little things.”

“Then why hasn’t she returned yet? Don’t tell me she felt out of place and sneaked off?”

Seeing Du Panpan still clueless, Fu Yunyi found an excuse: “There’s a lake in my backyard. The water is deep; perhaps something happened… Panpan, let’s go take a look. I have a bad feeling.”

Du Panpan scoffed, “Why care whether she lives or dies? Best if she dies!”

“….” Fu Yunyi almost lost her smile.

Fortunately, Du Panpan eventually grew curious about why Liuzheng had been gone so long and said, “Fine, I’ll come with you. If she really died in your lake, at least I can help out a bit.”

“…Thanks, Panpan.”

Fu Yunyi had already given up on Du Panpan and stood up, calling Yuan, who had come with Liuzheng.

Yuan was worried too. Liuzheng had been gone for a long time, and her maid hadn’t been seen since entering…

The more she thought, the stranger it seemed, and she was genuinely worried.

So when Fu Yunyi mentioned it, Yuan immediately agreed to help search.

Fu Yunyi then brought along two other familiar young ladies and a loud-talking gossiping madam. The group went toward the back garden.

Naturally, their movement attracted the attention of many at the gathering.

“What’s going on? Where are they going?”

Someone suggested, “I heard the lotus in the lake of General Dingyuan’s mansion blooms as beautifully as Wangxin Lake in the Western Suburbs. Perhaps the ladies are going to see the lotus; we should go too.”

“We should ask General Fu.”

A group asked Fu Yunsheng.

With guests making such a suggestion, Fu Yunsheng didn’t refuse.

“The lotus at home is indeed nice. Since everyone is interested, I’ll lead you all there.”

So a group of men also went toward the back garden, creating quite a lively scene.

Fu Yunyi didn’t know the men were following, nor did she mind—it made things more interesting.

Fu Yunqi’s courtyard was near the small lake in the back garden. Passing by the lotus-covered lake, several of them lowered their heads to look at the water.

Yuan studied carefully.

Liuzheng had mentioned to her before that she wasn’t good with water; she worried Liuzheng might have accidentally fallen in.

Fortunately, after a round of searching, there was no sign of her.

Even asking the servants, no one had been there.

Yuan relaxed slightly.

Fu Yunyi naturally guessed Liuzheng wasn’t in the lake and said, “Perhaps changing clothes took time. Let’s check my courtyard.”

The young ladies and madams following were already tired and had little interest, but since Fu Yunyi suggested it, they forced smiles and continued.

Soon they arrived at a luxurious courtyard near the small lake.

None of them had been to Fu Yunyi’s courtyard before, so they didn’t know it belonged to Fu Yunqi.

The large courtyard was silent, with no one on duty.

Madam Yuan found it strange and was about to ask when a peculiar sound came from inside a side room.

It sounded like everyone was breathing heavily.

Madam Yuan’s heart tensed.

Considering how much Liuzheng had drunk today… her heart raced.

Seeing Fu Yunyi about to lead them in, Yuan grabbed her sleeve.

“Third Miss Fu, I suddenly remembered Liuzheng told me she’s a bit weak with alcohol. After changing clothes, she might have wandered off. Maybe she’s already gone. We should go back first and ask the gatekeepers.”

Fu Yunyi tugged her sleeve free firmly. “We’re already here. Let’s go see. Besides, I heard voices inside. Maybe General Ruan is still here.”

The other young ladies and madams didn’t want to make the trip back and forth, so they agreed: “We’re here anyway. Checking won’t waste much time.”

Du Panpan, lacking patience, said, “If you don’t want to go, I’ll check myself!”

She had also heard some noise from inside.

And the sound seemed… off.

She had a knack for seeing the worst in Liuzheng and immediately thought of a certain possibility.

Thinking that she might finally have leverage to help Shen Tinglan take revenge, Du Panpan headed straight for the side room as soon as she finished speaking.