MFURCC -Chapter 68 The Second Household Reports to the Authorities

The man was a waiter from Wanghu Tower, and he leaned close to Liuzheng, whispering a few words into her ear.

Liuzheng’s eyes immediately lit up.

Su Heng couldn’t make it, so she could go have fun with Yuan herself.

The tension that had gripped her instantly melted away, and her whole body visibly relaxed.

She took Yuan’s wrist. “Sister Yuan, let’s go.”

Madam Yuan looked at the sudden, radiant smile on her face. She didn’t think too much of it, assuming Liuzheng was simply eager to visit the small island in the middle of the lake.

Worried that Liuzheng might get her hopes up too high and be disappointed, she said, “There’s not much to do on the island. You’ll see when we get there.”

Liuzheng nodded with a smile.

With no one around to make her feel constrained, anything they did would be relaxing.

The two of them left together, arm in arm.

They didn’t notice that her bright smile was being watched clearly by a man in a dark robe with a python-patterned coat on the fifth floor.

Well, tomorrow would be busy anyway. Let her enjoy herself today.

…

At the lakeside dock, several small ferries were waiting.

Liuzheng and Madam Yuan quickly picked one with a relatively stable hull, and the boatman ferried them toward the center of the lake.

On the way, lotus flowers and leaves stretched out on both sides.

Move quickly, and you could even pick a few lotus pods along the way.

By then, the rain had just stopped, and a faint rainbow appeared on the horizon.

They closed their oiled-paper umbrellas, and the rainbow shone vividly before their eyes.

“What a beautiful scene,” Madam Yuan remarked. “Venturing out in the rain was worth it.”

Liuzheng nodded. “Indeed, it wasn’t a wasted trip.”

She looked down at the lake, seeing red koi swimming freely beneath the lotus leaves.

She felt a pang of envy.

Life is short, she thought. When her great vengeance was finally achieved, she would want a quiet and peaceful place, to live freely and fully for the rest of her days.

Soon, they reached the lake’s central island.

The ferry docked at the shore.

The maids and older women had arrived ahead of them on another boat and helped them onto the island.

Though called an “island,” it was really just a small mound, from which one could take in the entire island at a glance.

There were many vendors scattered about, and a small pavilion stood at the center.

Liuzheng bought a few small items from a vendor, intending to take them home as gifts for her family.

She also bought a bundle of lotus pods to give to Madam Yuan.

During this, Liuzheng casually inquired about Yuan’s household situation.

Since Madam Yuan had no in-laws, the staffing in the Zheng residence was simple.

However, she had one sister-in-law who occasionally came to her room to pick quarrels, asserting herself as the elder.

“When I first married into the Zheng family, she treated me well. But after her husband fell ill and passed away, she seemed to change entirely. I sympathized with her struggles raising her children alone, so I endured each time…”

“How old are her children now?” Liuzheng asked.

“The daughters have married off, joining a count’s household. The son has just turned seventeen, but his studies are difficult, and the imperial exams are likely out of reach.”

Liuzheng nodded without asking further.

She also learned, by chance, that Yuan’s elder sister-in-law had once been a close friend of Empress Cihui.

The two chatted idly as they strolled, spending about an hour on the island before preparing to leave.

Back on the ferry and returning to the shore, Liuzheng’s carriage had already arrived.

The coachman reported, “The fever was caused by a cold. Timely medical treatment prevented any danger to life. The lady also said she would pay her respects to you in person later, but since you didn’t instruct me, I didn’t reveal your identity.”

Liuzheng nodded.

She had Nanny Jiang carefully inspect the carriage.

As the prince had said, a little caution never hurt.

After Nanny Jiang’s thorough check confirmed no anomalies, Liuzheng stepped onto the carriage.

Two carriages, one following the other, returned safely to Wuyi Lane.

Liuzheng invited Madam Yuan to sit in her courtyard for tea.

As they got down from the carriage, the house steward came forward.

“Miss, you’ve finally returned.”

“What happened?”

The steward said, “It’s Second Master. He said Fifth Young Master hasn’t returned yet and instructed that you look for him as soon as you got home. Right now, Second Master is in the Old Madam’s quarters, along with the First Madam and First Master. You should go at once.”

“I understand.” Liuzheng nodded.

The steward stepped back.

Madam Yuan said, “Yao Yao, shall I come to see you another day instead?”

Their relationship had grown closer; Madam Yuan now called her by her childhood name.

“It’s fine, Sister Yuan. You’re no outsider,” Liuzheng said, lowering her voice. “It’s probably about the Fu family. There might be quite a show to see. Do you want to watch?”

Hearing the promise of excitement, Madam Yuan immediately nodded.

Her husband was busy with official duties, and she often felt lonely at home. This was a good chance to witness some drama.

She instructed her maid to return home first and inform them she’d be back later, then followed Liuzheng into the General’s residence.

Though Liuzheng’s Zhaoyong General’s Residence was elegant, it was somewhat small.

Even the Dingyuan General’s Residence was nearly twice its size.

From this, Madam Yuan could see that His Majesty did not place much importance on Liuzheng.

The residence must have been assigned by the inner court long ago.

If His Majesty had intended to cultivate Liuzheng, he would not have chosen such a small mansion.

Simply because Liuzheng was a woman!

Yet clearly, Liuzheng’s military achievements far surpassed those of Fu Yunsheng.

Madam Yuan sighed silently, feeling deeply for Liuzheng.

Not only for Liuzheng but also for all women in the world.

Lost in these thoughts, Liuzheng had already reached the Old Madam’s courtyard.

The courtyard was lush with greenery. After the rain, it felt particularly refreshing.

When Liuzheng brought Madam Yuan inside, the First Master and his wife, Second Master, and the Third Household couple were all present.

Liuzheng bowed to her elders and introduced Yuan.

The First Madam had only recently learned that last night Ruan Mingzheng had not returned.

She had planned to seize the opportunity to scold her, but seeing outsiders present, she swallowed her words.

“Please, sit.” The Old Madam warmly welcomed Madam Yuan, instructing the maids to serve the best tea.

At this moment, Liuzheng spoke, “I heard Second Uncle was looking for me. Has Ming’er come home yet?”

She looked around as she spoke, as if searching for Ruan Mingzheng.

Second Master said, “Ming’er hasn’t returned! We are discussing whether to report it to the authorities.”

The First Madam finally had a chance to speak, and she launched into a scolding.

“Liuzheng, your Fifth Brother hasn’t returned, and you have the leisure to go boating? Do you even care about him?”

Liuzheng was about to respond when Madam Yuan spoke first.

“I didn’t realize Fifth Young Master hasn’t returned! It’s my fault for forcing Yao Yao to go boating. No wonder Yao Yao seemed distracted today. Yao Yao, why didn’t you tell me? Don’t you consider me your sister?”

Liuzheng followed smoothly, “It’s my fault… I only worried that Sister would be worried too.”

“You should have told me.”

The two of them exchanged words, effectively silencing the First Madam’s reprimands.

The Old Madam also said, “Eldest daughter-in-law, you’ve misunderstood Yao Yao. How could she not care about Ming’er? She simply had a prior engagement and could not break it.”

The First Madam’s face twitched.

This Dali Minister’s wife frustrated her endlessly!

The Old Madam too!

Granddaughters are meant to marry out; only grandsons are truly family.

Yet the Old Madam seemed to favor Liuzheng over her grandson!

Such an old fool.

Though she thought this, she kept her composure.

The First Madam forced a dry laugh. “I truly misunderstood Liuzheng. I thought she, like yesterday, was only concerned with herself and didn’t care for her brother.”

Using this as a pretext, she resumed her scolding.

“Liuzheng, you went to the banquet with your Fifth Brother. How could you leave him behind and return alone? He is your brother! As his elder sister, shouldn’t you have brought him along?”

Liuzheng replied, “Mother, you’ve misunderstood. I explained to Second Uncle already. I did not go out with him, and men and women sat separately. I was with the women and could not join the male guests.”

“You should have called him with you when you left.”

“He left mid-event. I tried to find him but failed, thinking he had gone home first.”

Madam Yuan chimed in, “Fifth Young Master left mid-event. Yao Yao saw he hadn’t returned, so she tried to find him but couldn’t. Madam, if you ask, you’ll see she was gone quite a while before returning.”

The First Madam thought, “This Yuan is so noisy. Why is an outsider meddling in our family matters? She should leave when there’s nothing for her to say. Always interjecting—such bad manners. People say she’s a hen that doesn’t lay eggs, but clearly she’s a hen that only crows.”

She pressed her lips together. “Even so… with the Fu family incident, you returned without mentioning a word? Liuzheng, do you still care for your elders?”

Liuzheng said, “I only learned of the Fu family incident on my way back from the western suburbs, when Sister Yuan mentioned it.”

“How could you not have heard any rumors with such a big event at the Fu household?”

Liuzheng calmly explained, “Mother, I got drunk yesterday. I didn’t care about the commotion. I only knew the Fu family told us to return early because Madam Fu fainted. I didn’t know anything else.”

The First Madam’s face darkened.

No matter what she said, Liuzheng always had a thousand explanations ready!

Moreover, the Old Madam added, “She indeed drank too much yesterday. When she came here, she was still tipsy. I had the kitchen prepare a sobering soup, and she recovered a bit. Besides, it’s proper not to meddle in other families’ affairs.”

The First Madam gritted her teeth in anger.

Liuzheng, however, no longer paid attention to her.

She only said to Second Master, “Even if Ming’er got drunk, he should have been brought back sober by now. Second Uncle, what if something happened to him? I think we should report it to the authorities immediately. The sooner we find him, the safer he will be.”

Liuzheng spoke rapidly, her tone and expression filled with worry.

Second Master had originally felt a tinge of reproach toward Liuzheng.

But seeing her more anxious than himself, he couldn’t stay angry.

“Then let’s report it now…”

Before Second Master could finish, Liuzheng quickly added, “I’ll go with you.”

Just as her words fell, a figure burst into the room.