MFURCC -Chapter 61 Obsession with Gain and Loss

Ruan Baizheng pointed directly at Liuzheng’s nose and said to Second Master, “Fifth Brother would never allow himself to get drunk. He knows that being drunk leads to mistakes—especially at someone else’s residence!”

Liuzheng grabbed Ruan Baizheng’s finger tightly.

Baizheng felt a sharp pain shoot through her finger and instinctively tried to pull back, but how could her strength compare to Liuzheng’s? The harder she struggled, the more intense the pain became.

She had no doubt: if Liuzheng applied even a bit more force, her finger would break.

Finally, she couldn’t endure it any longer. She stopped struggling and said, “Let go of me!”

Liuzheng’s expression was cold and unchanging. “I am your eldest sister. Do you think pointing at your elder sister’s nose while speaking is proper behavior?”

Second Master frowned and scolded Ruan Baizheng.

“Bastard! Apologize to your eldest sister at once!”

Then he turned to Liuzheng. “Yaoyao, don’t stoop to her level. She’s used to having no manners. I will properly teach her later.”

Only then did Liuzheng release her hand.

Ruan Baizheng felt like she had been pardoned. She quickly withdrew her hand and no longer dared point at Liuzheng’s nose.

She stepped a few paces back behind her father and said, “Father, believe me—this must have something to do with her!”

“Shut up!” Second Master glared at her. “Guards! Drag her back! She’s not to run around anymore!”

“Yes!”

Two attendants rushed over but didn’t dare roughly grab Ruan Baizheng, only saying, “Fourth Miss, please come back with us!”

Baizheng naturally refused to go.

Brother Ming had gone to the Fu family specifically to target Ruan Liuzheng. Now that Liuzheng had returned safely, and no news of any scandal involving her had come from the Fu residence, yet at this critical moment, Brother Ming had disappeared…

Even a child could tell—it must be connected to Liuzheng!

Seeing her refuse to move, Second Master ordered, “Drag her inside!”

The two attendants obeyed, ignoring Baizheng’s status, and forcibly dragged her back.

After Ruan Baizheng was taken away, Second Master turned to Liuzheng and apologized again.

Liuzheng said, “Second Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t take it to heart.”

Second Master finally relaxed and then asked about Ruan Mingzheng.

“Yaoyao, you really don’t know where Brother Ming went?”

Liuzheng said, “Second Uncle, from the moment I left the residence, I stayed with Madam Yuan, the wife of the Minister of Justice. I didn’t pay much attention to Fifth Brother. After leaving General Dingyuan’s residence, I accompanied Madam Yuan back to her home and stayed a while. Then I came straight back. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Madam Yuan.”

Second Master waved his hand. “How could I not believe you? It’s just… it’s this late, and Brother Ming hasn’t returned. I’m worried.”

Liuzheng said, “Brother Ming is already an adult, and he’s always careful in what he does. He shouldn’t be in any danger. You should send people to search first. If by tomorrow before lunch he hasn’t been found, I’ll go with you to report it to the authorities so they can help. How does that sound?”

Second Master nodded. “That’s all we can do.”

Liuzheng comforted him a little more, then said, “Ever since Second Aunt went to Changlong Temple, Sister Bai has been a bit confused and even caused a scene in my courtyard. Brother Ming took her back, or she might have done more. Causing trouble at home is one thing, but I worry about her going out and making a scene.”

Second Master recalled how Ruan Baizheng had scolded him before and nodded in agreement.

“She really is a bit mentally unstable… I’ll have someone watch her and prevent her from running around again.”

Liuzheng nodded. “Then I’m relieved. I’ll also send people out to search. Second Uncle, you should go rest first. Maybe when you wake up, Brother Ming will have returned. You wouldn’t want to fall ill while waiting.”

“That makes sense,” Second Master said, slightly reassured.

Liuzheng continued, “As for Second Aunt, I had no choice. Although she tried to poison me, if the Prince Su, the Heir Apparent, and Duke Wei hadn’t been present that day, I wouldn’t have spared her any consideration. Later, when this matter blows over, I’ll go to Grandmother to plead for her.”

Second Master looked at Liuzheng’s expression and was more satisfied than before.

“We owe you an apology for involving you in this… As for Second Aunt, there’s no rush. She made a mistake and should be punished. Staying longer in the temple to repent is not bad for her.”

Second Madam Zhao was strong-willed, and Second Master feared her.

With her staying temporarily at the temple, Second Master felt relieved.

Liuzheng said, “We’re family and should understand each other. So I won’t rush to plead for her yet.”

“Yes, yes,” Second Master nodded guiltily.

He had also noticed another woman outside and wanted to take a concubine while Madam Zhao wasn’t home. Previously, when he took a concubine, Zhao had caused a big scene. If she were home, he certainly wouldn’t dare this time.

Suppressing his guilt, he smiled at Liuzheng. “You drank a bit too much today. Go back and rest early.”

“Yes. I’ll take my leave now, Yaoyao reporting.”

Liuzheng held Nanny Jiang’s hand and slowly walked away.

Her steps looked unsteady from behind, clearly slightly drunk.

Second Master sighed.

“If even Yaoyao is like this, Ming’er must have drunk as well and fallen asleep somewhere. You all go search. If he’s resting at someone’s house, fine. If he’s on the street, he might catch a cold.”

He paused, then added, “Check the taverns as well.”

If he were at someone’s house, that family would surely send word. So it’s more likely he went to another tavern after drinking at the Fu residence.

Thinking this, Second Master’s expression darkened.

Scholars should avoid indulgence in pleasures.

When they found Ming’er, he would first punish the book boy beside him.

After all, he couldn’t punish his son, so he would use the boy as a warning to teach his son a lesson.

“Yes,” the attendants replied, raising their lanterns to search for Ruan Mingzheng.

Second Master returned to the courtyard.

Listening to the courtyard of Tingfeng Residence, he heard Ruan Baizheng knocking from her small courtyard.

After hesitating, he went to her courtyard.

Ruan Baizheng was locked in her room, with two attendants guarding the door.

Seeing him approach, they quickly bowed.

“Open the door.”

“Yes.”

The door opened, and Ruan Baizheng was about to rush out, but seeing Second Master at the doorway, she froze.

“Father…”

Second Master stepped inside, his expression grim.

“I confined you for three days, and you haven’t reflected at all?”

Ruan Baizheng’s expression stiffened. “Father, I have reflected…”

“Then why did you speak to Yaoyao like that? Do you know she is not only your eldest sister now but also a General of the third rank! Your grandfather was only a middle-ranked official. Her rank is higher than your grandfather’s! Our Ruan family will rely on her in the future! Offending her—what good life will we have? Do you understand this?!”

Ruan Baizheng gritted her teeth, unwilling to accept it. “Her rank was stolen from Big Brother.”

“Whether stolen or earned, her current status is real.”

“Her status? If she truly had the Emperor’s recognition, why was she allowed a month of rest before taking office? Others returning from the frontier began their posts immediately. She hasn’t even attended court once.”

“That’s the Emperor’s grace. Considering she is female and made a great contribution in repelling the Jin soldiers, she was allowed a month to rest. Others couldn’t rest even if they wanted.”

“Father, do you really think that? I feel that the Emperor despises her. Who ever heard of a woman taking office? The Emperor is just waiting for her prestige among the people to fade, then will remove her and have her marry.”

Second Master pressed his temples.

“I won’t argue with you. But one thing: you must remember! In front of her, even if you’re pretending, show respect!”

Ruan Baizheng gritted her teeth. “Father, now is not the time for this. What matters is Fifth Brother. Fifth Brother must have been captured by her somewhere!”

Second Master frowned. “Why do you always say Ming’er staying out at night has to do with her? I see she cares about him.”

“That’s her act!”

“Then tell me, why would she capture Ming’er?”

“Th-this…” Ruan Baizheng stammered.

She didn’t dare speak!

If she did, who knows whether her father would scold both her and Fifth Brother… And if the news spread, it would be catastrophic.

Because, as her father said, Ruan Liuzheng is not only her eldest sister but also a General of the third rank, commanding great respect among the people.

So after thinking carefully, she concealed the truth and only said, “Because Mother poisoned her, she bears a grudge against all of us in the Second Branch.”

“That makes no sense! Three days ago, you said your mother was falsely accused and didn’t poison her at all.”

“I…”

“Enough! I don’t want to hear your nonsense. Your mother isn’t here, and I think you’ve gone mad. Tomorrow, when your Fifth Brother returns, I’ll have a doctor examine you.”

“I’m not crazy! Everything I said is true! Father, why won’t you believe me?”

“Look at yourself—who would believe you in this state?”

“I…”

“Enough! Stop talking. Go rest early! After you recover, you are not to leave this room at all!”

Saying this, Second Master swung his sleeve and left.

The door was quickly locked behind him.

Ruan Baizheng tried to open it, but it wouldn’t budge.

She leaned helplessly against the door and slowly slid to the floor.

Fifth Brother was definitely captured by Ruan Liuzheng, but her father didn’t believe her. What could she do?

Her eyes reddened, and she curled up into a ball.

But the hatred in her eyes burned as if it could set the room on fire.

If anything happened to Fifth Brother, she would definitely kill that wretched Ruan Liuzheng!

On Liuzheng’s side, she suddenly sneezed.

Nanny Jiang looked at her with concern.

“Miss, did you catch a cold?”

“Nothing, just a bit of an itchy nose,” she smiled at Nanny Jiang and then asked, “Uncle Jiang, how is his leg?”