MFURCC -Chapter 63 He Is a Cut Sleeve

Once her objective was accomplished, the First Madam hastily let her leave.

It seemed that even a moment longer with her would be sheer torment.

Liuzheng felt no sadness at all—because she, too, found it unbearably agonizing.

Moreover, she feared that if she didn’t restrain herself, she might let her hatred loose and directly kill the First Madam.

Expressionless, Liuzheng returned.

On the way, Nanny Jiang couldn’t help but ask, “Young Madam, do you really intend to let the First Madam enter the palace for the banquet?”

Liuzheng smiled faintly.

“She wants to go to the palace only to pave the way for Ruan Yunzheng and, in the process, defame me. Naturally, I won’t let her have her way.”

She recalled that in her previous life, Ruan Yunzheng had attended this Qiqiao Festival palace banquet, which was when she first met the Crown Prince.

“Then you still…”

“Just stabilize her for now.”

With those light words, Liuzheng summoned Pan Hong to Tinglan Courtyard.

“Any news from Changlong Temple?”

Pan Hong said, “I was just about to report to you. Last night, Third Miss’s attendant, Su Luo, returned to the city and went to the Imperial Prison.”

The Imperial Prison was no ordinary jail; it held those convicted of severe crimes, including a feudal prince.

Liuzheng paused thoughtfully and recalled that in her previous life, after Ruan Yunzheng became Crown Princess, the first thing she did—besides killing Su Luo—was to execute a high monk in the Imperial Prison, Master Huifan.

Only in her previous life, Liuzheng didn’t understand the reason behind it. This time, however, she had a guess.

Not long ago, she had saved her grandmother at the summer resort, only to be confined in the firewood room afterward.

At that time, Ruan Yunzheng had immediately come to test how she had known that a mudslide would occur at the summer resort.

Liuzheng had been certain then that Ruan Yunzheng had also foreseen the mudslide in advance.

Thus, there were only two possibilities:

One, the mudslide had been orchestrated by Ruan Yunzheng.

Two, someone around her could foresee the future.

The first would require immense manpower to create such a large mudslide. If it had been done artificially, neither she nor Prince Su could have failed to notice, so that possibility was ruled out.

Considering Su Luo’s visit to the Imperial Prison and Master Huifan… Liuzheng deduced that this Master Huifan must indeed possess some special abilities.

He could foresee the future and had informed Ruan Yunzheng in advance.

Cold light flickered in Liuzheng’s eyes.

This Master Huifan could not be allowed to live—she would have to find a chance to eliminate him.

But the Imperial Prison was not a place anyone could enter casually.

She instructed Pan Hong: “Investigate how Su Luo entered the Imperial Prison. Also, there is a monk named Huifan imprisoned there. Find out his background and why he was confined.”

“Yes!”

Pan Hong responded and reported another matter:

“The informant I placed at Changlong Temple says that these past two days, Third Miss has been provoking Second Madam repeatedly, and they’ve quarreled several times.”

Liuzheng frowned. “These two were once very close.”

“Yes, which is why I also found it strange,” Pan Hong said.

But Liuzheng suddenly understood.

“Ruan Yunzheng wants to use Second Madam’s hand to return early and attend the Qiqiao Festival palace banquet.”

Pan Hong was puzzled: “Why would she risk falling out with Second Madam just to attend the banquet?”

“Because she wants to get close to the Crown Prince. Once she becomes Crown Princess, not only Second Madam, but the entire Ruan family would have to bow before her. Then, killing me would be like crushing an ant.”

Just like when she had killed Su Luo and Master Huifan—without any effort at all.

In the face of absolute power, Liuzheng was insignificant.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had to hand over the general’s token to save her life back then.

Pan Hong was shocked.

“She harbors great hatred toward you. If she truly becomes Crown Princess, your position will be extremely dangerous.”

“Yes…”

Liuzheng looked out at the sky.

It was dark and overcast, as if a sudden downpour was about to arrive.

In her previous life, Ruan Yunzheng hadn’t become Crown Princess but still killed her.

If she truly became Crown Princess in this life, killing her would be far too easy.

Now, with both internal and external crises—an Empress keeping a close eye on her, and the Ruan family wishing to devour her alive—her situation was not favorable.

She needed to devise a plan.

Pan Hong said, “We cannot let such a thing happen. I can separate them immediately. Or… if you permit, I can eliminate her right now!”

Liuzheng said, “If Ruan Yunzheng dies there, the First Madam would know without a doubt that it was us. She will not let it go easily; she will cling to me, which would also be extremely disadvantageous.”

“What should we do then?”

“No rush.” Liuzheng was not without options.

She had Nanny Jiang dismiss everyone outside and watch the door to prevent eavesdropping.

Then she whispered her plan to Pan Hong.

“Do as I say…”

Pan Hong nodded.

“Go. After General Fu leaves court, find him. He will cooperate.”

Fu Yunsheng was on her side and under Prince Su’s command; he would certainly help.

“Yes!”

Pan Hong bowed and withdrew.

Liuzheng then summoned Yuliu.

“What’s the situation outside?”

Yuliu smiled: “As you predicted, the people are all talking about the Cavalry General and Second Master Fu. Every teahouse in the city is abuzz with gossip about their… exploits. Many even embellish the stories as if they witnessed it firsthand.”

Liuzheng nodded.

“People are more interested in scandals than politics.”

They didn’t care much about government affairs, but loved idle gossip.

Yet it was these rumors that would bring Feng Lunian crashing down.

As long as nothing unexpected occurred in court, Feng Lunian would lose not only the token of command but perhaps even his official post.

As Liuzheng had predicted, several censors were impeaching Feng Lunian.

They listed three accusations:

First, the Cavalry General’s morals are flawed and corrupt public morals! Although he carries heavy responsibilities, he privately indulges in the practice of “cut sleeve,” violating the natural order of men and women.

Second, he desecrates his rank and brings dishonor! A Cavalry General should command respect through loyalty and valor, but General Feng’s private misconduct dishonors the military seal granted by the court and undermines the troops’ respect, easily causing the army to collapse.

Third, damaging the state and affecting peace negotiations! Citizens of the capital are discussing this matter widely, shaming Great Jin. As border negotiations are still ongoing, if this spreads, it could make other nations doubt our military discipline and disrupt the fragile stability at the frontier.

Every word was well-founded.

Emperor Jinyuan’s face darkened.

Feng Lunian was a protégé of his and loyal only to him.

He had intended to hand Liuzheng’s general’s token to Feng Lunian and announce it today—but now this mess had occurred.

Damn it!

Feng Lunian’s face twitched violently, looking so ugly it seemed liquid could drip from it.

He shouted in fury: “This is utter slander! When have I ever had a ‘cut sleeve’ preference? It’s all false! Your Majesty, please see the truth!”

Yet another censor stepped forward: “Your Majesty, a few days ago, rumors were circulating in the capital about the Cavalry General’s… escapades. It is said he frequents Qingyun Restaurant—a house of male companions for minor officials…”

“Nonsense!” Feng Lunian exploded. “I clearly went to brothels, never to any male companion house!”

The hall fell silent.

Prince Su smirked subtly.

Feng Lunian panicked.

Whether one goes to a male companion house or a brothel makes little difference; court officials were not supposed to frequent brothels.

Even if they did, it had to be secret—who would admit it?

The emperor knew but had turned a blind eye since it hadn’t been public.

Now Feng Lunian admitted it in front of Emperor Jinyuan—he had self-incriminated.

Realizing his mistake, Feng Lunian knelt and kowtowed.

“Your Majesty… spare me… I truly do not have a ‘cut sleeve’ preference…”

He could not explain his earlier remark about visiting a brothel.

Both explanation and plea for mercy seemed utterly weak.

Emperor Jinyuan took a deep breath and looked at Fu Yunsheng.

“General Fu, this matter involves your younger brother. You were present. Is what they say true?”

Fu Yunsheng knelt.

“Your Majesty, my father has already punished my younger brother severely. He is now bedridden and unable to walk. If punishment is necessary, I… am willing to take it in his place.”

These words were a direct admission that Fu Yunqi and Feng Lunian had indeed been involved.

Emperor Jinyuan knew Fu Yunsheng was under Prince Su, his eyes darkened as he glared at him, but then he withdrew his gaze and turned to Feng Lunian.

Feng Lunian knelt, trembling all over.

The emperor could only glimpse the shaking back of his head.

He knew Feng Lunian’s fate was sealed. Closing his eyes, he said:

“The Cavalry General Feng Lunian’s morals are flawed; he deserves to be beaten to death… but, considering his past military merits, strip him of his position, demote him to commoner… and administer thirty strokes immediately!”

“Your Majesty is wise!” the ministers knelt in agreement.

Feng Lunian’s legs went weak; he collapsed entirely, forgetting even to beg.

The palace’s punishments were never lenient.

Thirty strokes—though not fatal—would certainly leave him crippled.

His future was utterly destroyed.

Only as he was dragged away did he shout: “Your Majesty, forgive me! I will never do it again! That day I was merely drunk; I truly am not a ‘cut sleeve’…”

Emperor Jinyuan’s eyes were almost ink-black, seeming to hide a coiling fire.

Fool! What a fool!

Even now he insisted on explaining he was not a ‘cut sleeve.’

Whether he was or not had long ceased to matter.

Emperor Jinyuan was furious.

Why had he wanted to support such a fool?

Outside came Feng Lunian’s pitiful screams, but the emperor paid them no mind.

Feng Lunian was a discarded pawn now; he would not care for his life.

The emperor fixed his gaze on Fu Yunsheng.

Having lost Feng Lunian as an ally, Prince Su’s men must also face punishment.

He declared Fu Yunsheng demoted to a fifth-rank general and docked two years’ salary.

“Do you accept?”

Fu Yunsheng said, “I am willing to take the punishment on behalf of my younger brother!”

By emphasizing that it was “on behalf of my younger brother,” he made the emperor somewhat embarrassed.

Fu Yunsheng had military merits and was only taking punishment for his brother, yet the penalty was so heavy that the ministers would discuss it.