MFURCC -Chapter 71 Meticulous Planning

Liuzheng’s aura was overwhelmingly strong, leaving Ruan Baizheng completely flustered.

In a panic, she could only stammer, “I… I don’t know… I just had a dream… a dream that you were going to harm Fifth Brother…”

“Just a dream, and yet you slander me like this?”

Liuzheng glanced at Second Uncle with an amused expression. “Second Uncle, you’ve truly been far too lax in disciplining these two children!”

Second Uncle also felt a twinge of shame.

His son had eloped, and his daughter had lost her wits. In his mind, he even wanted to blame Second Madam. I, Ruan Hanqing, could never have such foolish children; it must be the blood of Second Madam that’s the problem.

He coldly looked at Ruan Baizheng.

“You… shall not eat for three days! Perhaps after starving, you might regain your senses. Servants! Take Fourth Miss away and keep her under strict watch. If she sets even a single foot outside her room, kill her immediately!”

Ruan Baizheng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“Father, what are you saying? You want to kill me?”

Second Uncle no longer paid her any attention.

“Still not taking her away?!”

Ruan Baizheng was swiftly dragged out, stripped of any Fourth Miss dignity.

Even Xiao Fuzi was taken, his mouth gagged with a rag, beaten to death.

Second Uncle once again apologized to Liuzheng.

“I owe you an apology, Liuzheng…”

Liuzheng said, “It’s not your fault, Second Uncle. Bai’er losing her wits may simply be because Second Madam isn’t at home. Why not bring Second Madam back?”

Second Uncle had no desire to bring that foolish woman here. He immediately shook his head. “No need! Let her reflect properly at Changlong Temple!”

Liuzheng sighed. “Very well. Returning now would only cause more chaos in the residence. But…”

Her tone shifted. “Someone from Changlong Temple sent word that Second Madam had quarreled with Third Sister several times.”

She turned to Grandmother. “Grandmother, should we send someone to check?”

“No need. Let them be! The urgent matter is to find Ming’er.”

Grandmother felt exhausted; she truly did not want to deal with Ruan Yunzheng and Second Madam’s nonsense.

Liuzheng nodded. “Understood. Your granddaughter will also send people to help Second Uncle find him.”

The Third House couple finally broke their silence, saying they would also help.

Grandmother gave a small nod. “Search quietly. Do not publicize it, and instruct the household not to reveal a word.”

Her words were directed at Second Uncle.

He had originally intended to report to the authorities.

But now he understood that reporting would effectively announce the scandal of the Ruan family’s Second House to everyone.

Once their son was found, he would still need to take the civil service exams. He could not completely ruin the matter now—unless the boy was truly lost for a long time.

For now, reporting to the authorities was not an option.

“My son understands, Mother, please rest assured.”

“I’m tired. You handle it. Any news, have someone report to me.”

“Yes, Mother, rest well,” said Second Uncle and the Third House couple.

“Grandmother, please rest well,” Liuzheng also said.

Grandmother retired to her room.

Second Uncle once again apologized to Liuzheng.

“Bai’er is truly muddle-headed. I’ll discipline her properly later. You, of course, needn’t take it to heart…”

He said, handing her a highly refined jade pendant—far more expensive than the love token of Ruan Mingzheng.

Liuzheng refused it, taking no heed.

“Second Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t take it to heart. Just make sure nothing like this happens again, or it will be Bai’er and your face that suffer the embarrassment.”

Second Uncle nodded repeatedly.

“I’ll go find people now.”

“Go ahead. I’ll also dispatch a few capable people to assist.”

“Very well.”

Second Uncle soon departed, and Third Uncle followed to help.

Only Third Madam looked at Liuzheng several times without saying anything before returning to the Tingju Hall.

…

Liuzheng returned to Tinglanyuan with Madam Yuan.

It was Madam Yuan’s first visit to Liuzheng’s courtyard.

Unlike a typical women’s quarters, it resembled a man’s room.

The courtyard was filled with weapons, so a basket of needles and threads on the stone table looked especially out of place.

“This is really your courtyard?” Madam Yuan asked, surprised.

She had adopted two children; her daughter’s courtyard was nothing like this.

Of course, her own wasn’t either.

Liuzheng felt a little embarrassed. “I hope it doesn’t look laughable to you.”

“No, no,” Madam Yuan waved her hand. “You’re a general, naturally different from ordinary women.”

Liuzheng said, “I’m no different from ordinary women, just that my interests are a little… different.”

She did not belittle those who enjoyed incense or embroidery. Everyone has their own tastes, and she respected them all.

Madam Yuan smiled.

“You and General Shen are completely different.”

“You mean Shen Tinglan?”

Madam Yuan nodded. “Yes. She practices martial arts herself, and so looks down on women like us in the boudoir.”

She waved her hand. “Never mind her. Tell me about today’s events. I was terrified, thinking… thinking your secret was about to be exposed.”

She only knew that Ruan Mingzheng had been burned by Liuzheng. Everything else was unknown.

Liuzheng explained everything to her.

“General Fu is on our side. The jade pendant was taken from Ruan Mingzheng in advance, and the letters were copied by someone I hired.”

That person was Ruan Xuezheng.

Xue’er was skilled at copying both paintings and handwriting; both skills could easily pass as genuine.

Before Fu Yunsheng left court, Liuzheng had arranged for Pan Hong to wait.

She instructed Pan Hong to coach Fu Yunsheng in telling the story, and handed him the ‘evidence’ of Ruan Mingzheng and Lianxin eloping.

Then, at the right moment, Pan Hong was to bring Fu Yunsheng over.

When Liuzheng stepped down from the carriage, she gave Pan Hong a glance, signaling him to fetch Fu Yunsheng at that moment.

“Then… that Xiao Fuzi… he seemed loyal, but also very afraid of death. Normally, it would be hard to bribe him. Why did he choose to die rather than betray you?” Madam Yuan asked, curious.

Liuzheng smiled. “Because he didn’t know the truth. He truly believed his young master had eloped with Lianxin.”

At the Fu residence, before leaving, Liuzheng had Pan Hong wear Ruan Mingzheng’s clothes.

Yuliu was already wearing the same maid outfit as Lianxin, so she only needed to stay out of sight while helping Pan Hong, disguised as Ruan Mingzheng, leave the residence.

Xiao Fuzi naturally followed their figures.

Of course, he couldn’t find Pan Hong or Yuliu, but he did find the note ‘eloping with Lianxin’ supposedly left by Ruan Mingzheng.

“That note was also forged in Ruan Mingzheng’s handwriting. Xiao Fuzi could read, so he believed Fifth Master had truly eloped with the maid.”

Frightened after being abandoned by his master, Xiao Fuzi hid.

“We found him and caught him at the right time, bringing him back.”

Madam Yuan felt dizzy listening.

So many things had happened at the Fu residence, yet Liuzheng still had the presence of mind to orchestrate all this.

If it were her, she would have panicked long ago.

“You’re incredible, Yaoyao. No wonder you became a general.”

Such meticulous planning, calm and composed—if she couldn’t become a general, who could?

Liuzheng lowered her head. She hadn’t been born this way.

It was circumstances forcing her to become who she was.

On the battlefield, one wrong step could cost not only her life but the lives of her entire long-following army, potentially endangering the entire Dajin empire.

She had been compelled step by step…

Just as in the beginning, when she was forced to replace Ruan Changzheng in the army.

From an unknown soldier to today’s Brave General, she had relied on no one but herself.

Fortunately, she was no longer alone. She had her grandmother, her nurse’s family, the Pan brothers… and now Madam Yuan.

She was fortunate.

And she would only become more so.

Liuzheng thought this, and her smile returned.

“Madam Yuan, I didn’t lie, did I? Wasn’t today’s little ‘play’ impressive?”

Madam Yuan tapped her forehead.

“Impressive? I nearly died of fright! I don’t ever want to see such a performance again.”

Liuzheng smiled. “If there had been real danger, I wouldn’t have asked you to witness it.”

“That’s true. But…”

Madam Yuan’s tone shifted as she brought up the First Madam.

“I used to think she simply disliked you. Today, seeing her attitude, I realized she doesn’t just dislike you; she truly hates you… I still can’t understand how someone could be so cold and heartless.”

Liuzheng said, “She’s not cold and heartless—she’s just cold and heartless toward me.”

The First Madam had been genuinely kind to Ruan Changzheng and Ruan Yunzheng, truly wholehearted.

“She always thought I stole Ruan Changzheng’s glory…”

“But the military merits were clearly won with your own life. If your twin brother had gone, he probably wouldn’t have returned alive.”

Liuzheng didn’t deny it.

Ruan Changzheng’s temperament was wholly unsuited for the army.

And having been pampered by the First Madam, he couldn’t endure military hardships.

“Enough of that. My nurse can make a special baked cake. Do you want to try some?”

“Sure.”

Having calmed down after the shock, Madam Yuan felt a little hungry.

Nanny Jiang went to make the cakes.

Since her return, Nanny Jiang had been intent on fattening Liuzheng up.

She was far too thin, as if a gust of wind could knock her over.

So Nanny Jiang learned how to make baked cakes and even bought a dedicated cake barrel.

Fresh out of the oven, the cakes were crispy. Madam Yuan took one bite and couldn’t stop praising them, eating three in a row until her stomach was full.

Seeing her enjoy them, Liuzheng asked Nanny Jiang to make extra for her to take home.

Madam Yuan loved them but felt shy taking them.

“How can I eat and take them at the same time?”

“They’re for the children at home. Also, don’t forget your elder sister-in-law—bring two for her and her child as well.”

Madam Yuan accepted them.

Liuzheng saw her to the door, watching her carriage disappear around the corner before turning back to the courtyard.

“Send for Doctor Chen to see me.”

Her expression was grave, and Nanny Jiang was startled.