MFURCC -Chapter 69 The Truth Exposed

“Fourth Miss, please come back with us at once!”

Hurried footsteps, accompanied by a servant’s anxious shout, successfully drew everyone’s attention in the hall.

All eyes turned in unison, only to see Ruan Baizheng rushing inside.

Her hair was disheveled, and she was still wearing the same outfit Liuzheng had seen her in the night before.

It was clear she had come in great haste.

In contrast, the Second Master appeared far more composed.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t worried about his son—he was—but he had never imagined that Ruan Mingzheng would come to any serious harm.

Ruan Baizheng, however, believed that Liuzheng might already have killed him.

If it were merely a matter of capturing him for punishment, he should have returned by now.

So in her mind, Ruan Mingzheng was very likely already dead.

The Second Master frowned the moment he saw her.

“Didn’t I order you confined? Who allowed you out?!”

The Old Madam was displeased as well.

If it were only family present, that would be one thing. But Madam Yuan was here. For Ruan Baizheng to appear in such a state would invite ridicule from outsiders.

“Baizheng, look at yourself! What sort of appearance is this? Go back at once and tidy yourself before coming again,” the Old Madam said.

Ruan Baizheng dropped straight to her knees before the Old Madam.

“Grandmother, Father, I’ve come because of Fifth Brother!”

At the mention of Ruan Mingzheng, the Old Madam could no longer focus on Ruan Baizheng’s appearance.

“Do you have news of Ming’er?”

“Yes!”

“Then speak quickly!”

Ruan Baizheng lifted her eyes and shot a cold look at Liuzheng.

The hatred in her gaze seemed as though she wished to carve Liuzheng into a thousand pieces.

“Grandmother, Father—my Fifth Brother was most likely killed by Eldest Sister!”

The hall fell into stunned silence.

It was the First Madam, Madam Song, who reacted first.

“Is this true? Do you have evidence?”

If there were proof, she could use the opportunity to pull Ruan Liuzheng down from her position as a Third-Rank General and have her own daughter Changzheng inherit Liuzheng’s military merits and post.

Excitement flickered in Madam Song’s eyes.

The Old Madam frowned.

“Baizheng, have you gone mad? How can you say such nonsense?”

“Yes,” Liuzheng said expressionlessly. “Even if Second Aunt was sent to Changlong Temple for poisoning me, you shouldn’t slander me like this. Ming’er is your brother—but he is also mine. Why would I kill him?”

She deliberately mentioned the Second Madam.

The Second Master, noticing Madam Yuan present, quickly interjected, “Yaoyao, don’t be angry. This girl has been somewhat unwell in the head lately. I’ll take her back immediately.”

He smiled at Liuzheng, a trace of pleading in his eyes—clearly hoping she wouldn’t bring up such disgraceful matters before outsiders.

Liuzheng indeed said nothing more.

Relieved, the Second Master turned back, his smile vanishing instantly.

“Go back with me!”

“I won’t! I must make things clear today!”

She hadn’t slept all night, torn over whether she should reveal Fifth Brother’s plan to frame Liuzheng.

Once spoken, Liuzheng would never escape suspicion.

But at the same time, she and Fifth Brother would both be punished.

The punishment could be light—or severe.

Light, and it would remain a family matter.

Severe, and it would become a state crime—framing a court official.

So she wrestled with the decision all night.

It wasn’t until after noon, when she learned from her maid that Ruan Mingzheng still hadn’t returned—and that chaos had broken out at the Fu residence—that she could sit still no longer.

She finally made up her mind.

No punishment was more important than Ming’er’s life.

Besides, they had only planned to ruin Ruan Liuzheng’s reputation—but Liuzheng had taken a life!

Most importantly, she herself hadn’t participated in the scheme. She had only concealed it.

So she feigned stomach pain, luring the two gate servants inside to check on her.

Seizing the opportunity, she ran here to the Old Madam.

Her father didn’t believe her—so she would speak directly to Grandmother.

The Old Madam loved Liuzheng, yes—but she loved Ming’er just as much.

And she was upright by nature. If Liuzheng had truly committed such wrongdoing, no amount of affection would make her partial.

She hadn’t expected everyone to be present.

But this was the perfect moment to expose Liuzheng’s crime.

“You’re going back whether you like it or not!”

The Second Master grabbed her arm to drag her away.

“Father, I have proof that she killed Fifth Brother!” she cried.

Madam Yuan’s hand clenched tightly inside her sleeve.

This girl was about to reveal Ruan Mingzheng and Fu Yunqi’s plan to jointly frame Liuzheng.

If she said it aloud, Liuzheng would become the prime suspect.

Worried, Madam Yuan glanced at Liuzheng.

Yet Liuzheng’s face showed no emotion, as if none of this concerned her at all.

Seeing her so calm, Madam Yuan forced herself to steady her own nerves.

The Second Master’s grip stiffened.

“You… don’t spout any more nonsense.”

“I’m not! There’s something I hid from you. Fifth Brother went to the Fu residence yesterday actually to—”

Before she could finish, the gate steward rushed in.

“Old Madam, Masters—General Fu requests an audience.”

“General Fu? Do you mean the Dingyuan General?” the Old Madam asked.

“Yes. He says it concerns Fifth Young Master.”

Ruan Baizheng immediately exclaimed, “General Fu must have discovered something! Perhaps he’s found Ming’er’s body!”

Liuzheng let out a cold laugh.

“Baizheng, are you cursing your own brother? He is your blood brother.”

Ruan Baizheng glared at her—but before she could speak, the Second Master struck her hard across the face.

“Impudent girl! How dare you curse Ming’er!”

Her head rang from the blow; even her teeth felt loose.

Clutching her cheek, she stared at her own father in disbelief.

“You would rather believe an outsider than me?”

“You—”

“Enough!” the Old Madam snapped. “Is this not disgraceful enough? Silence, both of you!”

Father and daughter fell quiet.

Closing her eyes briefly, the Old Madam took a deep breath. “Invite General Fu in.”

“Yes!”

The steward hurried out.

The First Madam seized the moment. “Mother, if Ming’er’s matter truly has something to do with Liuzheng, what shall we do?”

She was testing the Old Madam’s stance.

The Old Madam glanced at Liuzheng, finding no trace of panic on her face.

In her heart, she trusted Liuzheng.

“If it is truly so, I will show no leniency.”

The First Madam received the answer she wanted; the corners of her lips curved in barely concealed satisfaction.

Madam Yuan watched in astonishment.

If she hadn’t known Liuzheng was Madam Song’s own daughter, she might have thought Madam Song merely a stepmother.

She cast Liuzheng a sympathetic look.

Madam Yuan had no children herself, but she had grown up in a mother’s love.

She had never seen such a mother.

Yet Liuzheng showed no hurt in her eyes. Instead, she stepped forward calmly.

“Grandmother, I have done nothing to harm anyone, and I would never harm Fifth Brother. Please rest assured.”

The Old Madam nodded.

She believed her.

Ming’er and Liuzheng had never had any conflict.

She had even heard that when Ruan Baizheng had once caused a scene in Liuzheng’s courtyard, Ming’er had apologized on her behalf.

Liuzheng had no reason to resent him.

And a granddaughter she had personally raised would not grow crooked.

Seeing the trust on the Old Madam’s face, Liuzheng felt bitterness rise in her throat.

She didn’t want to deceive her grandmother.

But… she had no choice.

One day, when her vengeance was complete, she would confess everything.

If her grandmother refused to forgive her, she would accept any punishment.

But she would not abandon her revenge.

Heaven had granted her a second life—not for her to live it meekly and uselessly.

The Old Madam then warned Ruan Baizheng, “I don’t care whether you’ve lost your wits or your mind—after General Fu arrives, you are not to utter another word of nonsense.”

Madam Yuan was no concern—she was Liuzheng’s friend and would not gossip.

Ruan Baizheng bristled but dared not defy the Old Madam.

Her authority in the household was absolute.

“I understand…”

At that moment, Fu Yunsheng was led inside by the steward.

Ruan Baizheng looked at Liuzheng with triumphant delight.

Her gaze clearly said: Ruan Liuzheng, you’re finished.

Noticing it, Liuzheng gave her a faint smile.

There was no provocation in it—only confidence.

Ruan Baizheng frowned.

Was Liuzheng truly not afraid?

For the first time, she began to wonder if she had wronged her.

“General Fu…” The Old Madam stepped forward. “What brings you here?”

Fu Yunsheng cupped his hands in greeting. “Old Madam, I have come to look for your Fifth Young Master.”

The Old Madam froze.

“You did not come because you’ve learned news of Ming’er?”

“Old Madam speaks as though Fifth Young Master is not at home?”

“He is not.”

The Second Master said, “General Fu, my son attended a banquet at your residence yesterday and has not returned since. Do you have any news of him?”

“I am searching for him as well.”

“You’re searching for Ming’er… for what reason?” the Second Master sensed something amiss.

Fu Yunsheng replied, “Because someone saw him leaving my residence yesterday with my second brother’s maid. Yet as of now, that maid has not returned either.”

The Second Master frowned deeply.

“General Fu, what do you mean by this? Are you accusing my son of abducting a maid from your residence?!”

“Precisely.”

“Utter nonsense! Ming’er would never do such a thing! He has already passed the provincial examination and has a promising future ahead. Why would he set his sights on a mere maid from your household?”

His tone was sharp.

The Old Madam coughed lightly, signaling him to mind his words.

After all, the other party was a general.

The Second Master fell silent.

The Old Madam spoke, “General Fu, I do not know what misunderstanding has occurred, but Ming’er has always conducted himself with propriety. He would never behave so. Your people must have been mistaken.”

Fu Yunsheng said, “There can be no mistake. Several people witnessed it.”

He continued, “Ordinarily, it would not warrant troubling you over a mere maid. But unfortunately, that maid carries my second brother’s child. And my second brother… committed a foolish act and was beaten by my father. The punishment was too severe—he vomited much blood and now lies at death’s door. If he does not survive, the child in that maid’s womb will be his posthumous heir. That is why I have come to inquire.”