MFURCC -Chapter 6 Prince Su Sends a Gift

Liuzheng had already prepared her explanation.

“Mother has misunderstood. I was thinking that Grandmother will be returning in a few days. It would be more comfortable for her to live in the main courtyard.”

“What kind of reasoning is that? Without your father and me, where would you have come from? And without you, where would this General’s Manor have come from?”

Now she remembered that the manor had come through her.

But without Grandmother, where would Master Ruan have come from? Where would Madam Song, the principal wife, have come from?

Calmly, Liuzheng said, “I’m worried outsiders will gossip.”

“Why would outsiders meddle in such matters?”

“What does Father think?” Liuzheng tossed the question to Ruan Hanmo.

Ruan Hanmo looked embarrassed.

He considered himself a scholar, refined and civilized. He felt awkward about competing with the old matriarch over a courtyard. “Let her stay in Tingzhu Courtyard,” he said.

Madam Song still wanted to argue, but Ruan Hanmo forcefully pulled her away.

She left with a belly full of anger, hurling several nasty insults as she went.

Liuzheng paid her no mind.

Madam Song’s heart had long since tilted away from her. The more obedient she acted, the more Madam Song would push her luck.

“Make the arrangements as I just said,” Liuzheng instructed Pan Hong.

“Yes!”

After Pan Hong left, Liuzheng looked toward the brilliant evening glow on the horizon.

The sunset was so beautiful it was almost frightening.

She did not understand celestial signs, but she remembered clearly: in her previous life, less than half a month after such dazzling sunsets appeared, torrential rain battered the city. A mudslide destroyed the summer villa where Grandmother was staying.

Grandmother. The Second Branch. The Third Branch.

Not a single one survived.

She still remembered how, when she was little, Grandmother would fan her cool on hot summer nights and warm her feet in winter. When she had been forced to take her brother’s place in the army, Grandmother had tried again and again to stop it.

Though she had ultimately gone to the battlefield, if there was one person in the Ruan family who had truly cared for her, it was Grandmother.

If Grandmother had been there to shield her in her previous life, she would not have died so miserably.

Thus, in this life, she had sent Pan Zhan racing on horseback to bring Grandmother back.

There were still half a month before the mudslide. Calculating the time, it was more than enough.

Meanwhile, Madam Song was raging in Tingzhu Courtyard.

After a few futile attempts to console her, Master Ruan gave up and went to his concubine Madam Su’s chambers instead, leaving her alone.

Madam Song was even more furious.

Only after Ruan Yunzheng stayed by her side to soothe her did Madam Song’s expression soften slightly.

“Thank goodness I still have you, Yun’er.”

Ruan Yunzheng rested her head on Madam Song’s lap. “Yun’er only has you too. But I’m afraid… once Grandmother returns, there won’t be any place for me in this house.”

As she spoke, two lines of tears slid down her pretty face.

“Mother, Grandmother won’t drive me away just because Elder Sister has returned, will she? Grandmother has never liked me.”

“Absolutely not! You’ve done nothing wrong.”

Yet Madam Song herself was uncertain.

The old matriarch had always favored Ruan Liuzheng and disliked Yun’er. Now that she was being brought back—if she saw that Madam Song still doted more on Yun’er—she might truly…

The thought made her restless.

“Someone! Summon Nanny Qian.”

Nanny Qian had served by the old matriarch’s side, but because her legs were inconvenient, she had not gone to the summer villa.

If Nanny Qian went to intervene, perhaps the old matriarch’s return could be delayed.

Before the old matriarch returned, Madam Song could make many arrangements to secure Yun’er’s footing in the General’s Manor.

Soon, Nanny Qian arrived. After a hushed exchange, she quietly slipped out through the back gate, boarded a carriage, and headed for the summer villa.

“Luckily Nanny Qian listens to you now. Your daughter can continue staying by your side,” Ruan Yunzheng said, once more leaning against Madam Song’s lap.

Madam Song stroked her face. “You’re grown now, yet you still cry like before. Go wash your face.”

“Yes.”

Ruan Yunzheng curtsied and left. Once she returned to her small courtyard, her expression immediately darkened.

In her entire life, she had never lived in such a cramped place!

And the servants—so quick to fawn on the powerful and trample the weak.

On her way back earlier, she had overheard several servant women whispering about how she was inferior to Ruan Liuzheng, even calling her a “fake young lady” who had come to sponge off the family.

Before, these same people had flattered her endlessly.

The one who should be living in the servants’ quarters and enduring such gossip should have been Ruan Liuzheng!

In the blink of an eye, everything had changed.

She had gotten her wish to live in the General’s Manor, yet it was worse than her old days in the foul-smelling Ruan residence.

If that old crone from the Ruan family returned, her situation would surely become miserable.

Ruan Yunzheng trembled with anger, barely restraining herself.

After a moment, she steadied her mind and summoned her trusted maid, Su Luo.

In a low voice, she asked, “The celestial sign Master Huifan mentioned—are you certain it will come true in half a month? A mudslide will really occur at the summer villa?”

Su Luo nodded. “Master Huifan has observed the stars since childhood and never once been wrong. Wasn’t it because of his guidance that we came to the Ruan family?”

Ruan Yunzheng lowered her head. “Didn’t he just make a mistake? He said before that Eldest Brother would earn military merit and rise to the highest ranks. But now, the one who gained military merit is Ruan Liuzheng!”

At the thought, she ground her teeth in hatred.

Su Luo pondered, then said, “Miss, I’ve thought it over carefully. Master Huifan wasn’t wrong. The eldest young lady did indeed go to the frontier under Eldest Young Master’s name and earned that merit.”

“…”

“Miss, rest assured. What Master Huifan predicts will surely come to pass. Whether it’s the mudslide or your future ascension to Empress—it will all come true.”

Ruan Yunzheng felt slightly relieved.

Then she would wait for news of that old crone’s death.

It was a pity that the Second Branch, who was close to her, would also perish.

But when she thought of her future path, her expression hardened again.

She would burn more paper money for them.

…

The next day, Liuzheng was in the front courtyard study, reviewing the Ministry of War’s roster.

Emperor Jingyuan had granted her a month to recuperate before taking up her post at the Ministry of War. Thus, she needed to familiarize herself with its personnel in advance.

Three years after her death in her previous life, Ruan Yunzheng had become Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince’s faction could not be underestimated. She needed to secure her footing in court or risk being easily uprooted.

At that moment, Pan Hong arrived.

“General, the gatekeeper reports that many people from Wuyi Lane have sent housewarming gifts. Would you like to take a look?”

Liuzheng nodded and followed him out.

The courtyard outside the study was already filled with gifts.

Most eye-catching was a nearly half-person-tall red coral display inlaid with pearls.

Coral was rare. Coral of that size was even rarer.

Slightly surprised, Liuzheng asked, “Who sent this coral?”

“The heir of Rongxi Marquis Manor, Shen He’an.”

Liuzheng thought for a moment. She had little impression of him, only knowing he was close to Prince Su.

In the last year of her previous life—when she was already a wandering ghost—Prince Su had raised troops under the banner of purging traitors from the emperor’s side. Shen He’an had been by his side.

But she had been reborn before seeing whether Prince Su succeeded.

“Did Prince Su send a gift as well?” she asked.

Pan Hong replied, “You truly have foresight. Prince Su did send a housewarming gift. Only… this gift…”

“What about it?”

Unsure how to describe it, Pan Hong simply had the chest carried over.

Seeing how heavily the servants struggled, Liuzheng grew curious.

She dismissed them and opened the chest herself.

Inside was a chest full of gold ingots.

Such a large chest—at least ten thousand taels.

Her brows lifted in clear surprise.

Others had sent calligraphy, paintings, rare treasures like the coral display.

Prince Su, however… was very direct.

Such a substantial and blunt gift—was it not clearly an attempt to win her over?

“What did the messenger say?”

Pan Hong replied, “He said His Highness knows you’ve just returned to the capital and will need silver to smooth relations. It’s a small token of goodwill, and he hopes you won’t refuse. He also said if you need any help, you may speak at any time.”

Liuzheng arched a brow.

The Crown Prince’s faction would later support Ruan Yunzheng.

Perhaps she could consider standing on Prince Su’s side instead.

This ten thousand taels of gold clearly conveyed that intention.

After deliberating, she decided to accept the gold for now.

She knew nothing yet of Prince Su’s character, but she could not afford to reject him outright and make an enemy at this stage.

“Gold bars are too conspicuous. Take them to the bank and exchange them for banknotes. Also, register all the gifts in a ledger. I will return them one by one another day.”

“Yes!”

She turned to return to the study, but from the corner of her eye she saw a servant woman peeking at the courtyard gate.

When Liuzheng looked over, the woman disappeared instantly.

But Liuzheng had already recognized her—it was Nanny Liu from Madam Song’s quarters.

Pretending not to notice, she called Pan Hong over. “Are my wet nurse and her family almost here?”

When Madam Song had borne her and Ruan Changzheng, she had insufficient milk. As they were twins, she gave all her milk to Ruan Changzheng. Liuzheng had been nursed by Nanny Jiang.

She had been close to Nanny Jiang’s family. But after Liuzheng joined the army, Madam Song had driven them out, claiming the Ruan family did not keep idle mouths.

The inner courtyard could not be without her own people. On the road back to the capital, Liuzheng had sent Pan Hong to fetch Nanny Jiang’s family. By her calculations, they should arrive today.

“They said before noon.”

As they spoke, the gatekeeper came to report their arrival.

Liuzheng went personally to receive them.

“Eldest Miss!”

Nanny Jiang now had streaks of white in her hair, but she looked spirited.

At the sight of Liuzheng, her eyes reddened immediately.

Liuzheng felt her own sting. “Wet Nurse, you must have had a hard journey.”

“I came by sedan chair—what hardship is that? This old body of mine is still strong!”

She pulled Liuzheng close, looking her over from head to toe.

“You’ve grown so thin! Didn’t they say you became a general? Do generals not get enough to eat?”

“I suffer in the summer heat. I don’t eat much.”

“Then I’ll cook more of your favorites! You always loved the pastries I made.”

“Good.”

Her gaze shifted to the round-faced girl beside Nanny Jiang.

“This is Yuliu, isn’t it? You’ve grown so much.”

Jiang Yuliu was her wet nurse’s daughter. They had often played together as children.

Back then Yuliu had been mischievous; now she stood quietly.

“You still remember her! Yuliu, hurry and kowtow to Eldest Miss!”

Yuliu truly started to kneel.

Liuzheng quickly pulled her up. “We’re family. No need for that.”

Hearing her familiar tone, Yuliu finally relaxed, her eyes lighting up.

“Sister Yao, you’re even prettier than before.”

Liuzheng laughed. “I’ve tanned quite a bit.”

“You’re still fairer than me.”

Chatting, the three returned to the study.

Liuzheng asked about Shopkeeper Jiang. “What is Uncle Jiang doing now?”

“Nothing much. On the way back to our hometown that year, he fell and crippled one leg. No one would hire him. He’s farming at home.”

“If Uncle Jiang doesn’t mind, perhaps he could come to the General’s Manor as an accountant.”

He had once served as accountant in the Ruan residence. Later, when Madam Song took over household management from the old matriarch, she installed her own people and expelled him.

“How could that do? He hasn’t handled accounts in years. I’m afraid I’d be rusty.”

Liuzheng took Nanny Jiang’s hand. “Wet Nurse, I need my own people. Please ask Uncle Jiang to come.”

Nanny Jiang glanced around and asked softly, “Now that you have military merit, does the principal wife still… favor the eldest young master more?”

Liuzheng gave a bitter smile. Nanny Jiang understood at once.

“I’ll send word to him immediately.”

“Good.”

In her previous life, she had not had a single person truly her own by her side. When she died miserably, no one even knew.

In this life, she would gather her own strength as much as possible.

The three had endless things to say, yet once again someone was peeking through the small side gate of the courtyard.