MFURCC -Chapter 76 Returning the Hidden Weapon

Hearing this, Liuzheng lowered her head and said, “I would not dare. I spoke out of turn.”

Yet inwardly she complained that this man was truly difficult to talk to. It had just been casual conversation—was there any need to be so stern?

She had even thought of Xiao Hengzi because of him earlier. She must have been blind.

The two of them were clearly completely different people.

Xiao Hengzi was far more polite than he was.

Though she grumbled to herself, not a trace of displeasure showed on her face.

She was just about to take her leave when Su Heng said, “Today is my day off. I’ve already spoken with the Duke of Wei. I’ll be visiting his wife. She’s about to give birth.”

Liuzheng’s eyelids lifted slightly.

She had long promised the Duke of Wei that she would visit his wife, but with so many recent affairs, she had accidentally pushed the matter to the back of her mind.

From her expression, Su Heng could tell she had forgotten about the Duke for the moment.

And strangely, that put him in a very good mood.

The Duke of Wei wanted to make Liuzheng his eldest daughter-in-law. It was just as well that she had forgotten about him.

But then Liuzheng said, “There have been many matters to handle lately, and I haven’t found time to visit the Duke’s residence. Since Your Highness is going, would you be willing to help me bring a small gift?”

She would only grow busier from here on out and didn’t know when she might find the time to go in person.

Even if she couldn’t go, at least a gift would show her sincerity.

Su Heng frowned. “I am not a courier. If you wish to send something, deliver it yourself.”

With a sweep of his long sleeve, he turned and left.

Liuzheng’s expression stiffened.

Seeing that Commander He was about to follow, she quickly tugged him aside and asked in a low voice, “Commander He, is His Highness in a bad mood today?”

Otherwise, why would he refuse to carry something so simple?

He Leyi looked bewildered. “No, His Highness seemed to be in quite a good mood.”

“…” Fine then. So he simply disdained helping her.

“If the General has something to send, perhaps I can deliver it for you?”

Liuzheng waved her hand. “No need. I’ll visit personally another day.”

The Prince had already refused her. If she insisted on asking Commander He to bring something, the Prince might be even more displeased.

He Leyi nodded. “Very well, then I’ll take my leave.”

“Safe travels, Commander.”

Liuzheng watched him depart.

Though Commander He ranked lower than she did, he was Su Heng’s trusted confidant. She could not treat him lightly.

Only after the two men disappeared from sight did Liuzheng prepare to head to Madam Yuan’s residence. At that moment, her wet nurse beside her patted her chest and gasped, “That scared me to death…”

“?” Liuzheng looked at her in confusion.

Nanny Jiang said sheepishly, “I just think the Prince is a bit frightening. When his gaze swept over me, I felt like I’d have nightmares.”

“…He has never had a pleasant expression toward others, but his heart is not bad.”

Nanny Jiang nodded. “That’s true. When you were poisoned last time, His Highness spoke many good words on your behalf.”

Even so, she still found Prince Su terrifying.

She could not imagine what kind of woman would marry him in the future.

Living every day beside such a person—her lifespan might shorten considerably.

But Liuzheng knew very well that those in high positions who appeared easygoing with everyone were the truly frightening ones.

You would never know when you had offended them.

By contrast, someone like Prince Su, who wore his emotions openly, was easier to gauge.

Of course, that did not mean she found him easy to get along with.

Liuzheng stopped discussing him and, carrying her gift, went to the Zheng residence.

Madam Yuan had been waiting for her since early morning. When she finally arrived, Madam Yuan personally came out from the flower hall to greet her.

They met on the pebble path in the garden.

At a glance, Liuzheng saw that Madam Yuan had put the bracelet back on her wrist.

Clearly, she truly loved that gold bracelet.

Yet because Liuzheng had praised it a few times, she had given it away to her—proof of her sincerity.

Liuzheng had come today precisely to reciprocate that sincerity.

Madam Yuan took her hand warmly. “Last time you mentioned liking game meat. I had the kitchen purchase some. You must stay for lunch.”

Liuzheng looked apologetic. She was just about to explain that she would soon depart for Changlong Temple to offer incense and could not stay for the meal when a woman’s voice rang out—

“Oh? Younger Sister-in-law has a guest? Why wasn’t I informed?”

Liuzheng followed the voice and saw a lavishly dressed woman approaching from the other end of the garden.

There was a prominent black mole at the corner of the woman’s lips. Her lips were thin and slightly downturned at the corners, giving her a sharp, mean expression.

Liuzheng had already guessed who she was but deliberately asked, “And this is?”

“My elder sister-in-law,” Madam Yuan explained, then introduced, “Sister-in-law, this is Yaoyao, the Zhaoyong General I mentioned to you.”

Madam Deng scrutinized Liuzheng from head to toe without the slightest regard for manners, her dark eyes roaming boldly.

Then she gave a soft laugh. “I’d heard the neighbors say the Zhaoyong General had three heads and six arms. Now that I see you, you’re just an ordinary person.”

Madam Yuan’s expression instantly darkened.

Just as she was about to speak, Liuzheng lightly pressed her hand and stepped forward with a smile. “Greetings, Sister-in-law Deng. You’re quite right—I am indeed an ordinary person with two eyes and one mouth. Not like you, whose figure is truly… distinctive.”

Madam Deng was very stout.

Her body was like a barrel, with scarcely any waist to be found.

At Liuzheng’s words, her face instantly darkened like the bottom of a pot.

“Is this the upbringing of General Ruan?”

“What do you mean, Sister-in-law Deng? I only meant that your bearing while walking is so dignified. Have you misunderstood me?”

“You—!” Madam Deng clenched her teeth, wishing she could slap Liuzheng on the spot.

But Liuzheng was a guest—and a Third-Rank Zhaoyong General. Madam Deng had no standing to lay a hand on her. She could only swallow her anger and force out a stiff smile.

“It seems I misunderstood…”

Realizing she could not outmatch Liuzheng verbally, she shifted her attack to the more soft-spoken Madam Yuan.

“Younger Sister-in-law, when a guest arrives, you should inform me, your elder sister-in-law. Such lack of propriety!”

Madam Yuan could not tolerate her sister-in-law speaking ill of Liuzheng, but she was long accustomed to being criticized herself.

“You are right to admonish me. I will inform you next time.”

Madam Deng smiled. “That’s better. Since a guest has come, why not sit in my courtyard? I’ve just had the servants purchase some new pastries.”

Madam Yuan hesitated. “How could we trouble you… We were planning to stroll in the garden first…”

“You may stroll and come afterward. Everything is ready—no trouble at all.”

Then she turned to Liuzheng with a smile. “General Ruan, you won’t disdain my humble tea and simple fare, will you?”

Her words left no room for refusal—declining would mean disdaining her.

Madam Yuan was about to speak again, but Liuzheng nodded.

“Sister-in-law Deng is so warm; I would be honored.”

“Then I’ll return to prepare. Younger Sister-in-law, bring General Ruan after your stroll.” With a smile, she turned and left.

Once she disappeared from view, Madam Yuan immediately said, “Why did you agree? My sister-in-law is not easy to deal with. I fear you may suffer at her hands.”

Liuzheng replied, “Before I entered, I saw a servant woman squatting by your side gate. She was the very maidservant who stands beside your sister-in-law. She heard I was visiting today and deliberately waited there.”

“And you still wish to go?”

“In broad daylight, she cannot devour me. Besides, I am a guest—she won’t go too far. And I want to see what she’s plotting.”

“But…”

“Sister Yuan, it’s easier to dodge an open spear than a hidden arrow. Better that I go openly than let her use underhanded means to force me.”

Madam Yuan looked at Liuzheng, then in the direction Madam Deng had gone. After some thought, she nodded.

She had no mother-in-law, but this elder sister-in-law often put on the airs of one.

She had never won against her sister-in-law in words. Yet Liuzheng had made her lose face in a single exchange. She believed Liuzheng could handle it.

And even if she couldn’t, Madam Yuan herself would stand by her.

She refused to believe she could not protect Liuzheng.

The two strolled once more through the garden.

Madam Yuan told her about Madam Deng’s preferences and habits before finally bringing Liuzheng to Madam Deng’s courtyard.

The moment they stepped through the gate, Liuzheng felt a concealed weapon flying straight toward her face.

Unhurried, she raised two fingers of her right hand and caught it midair.

It was an iron dart.

Without hesitation, she flicked it back the way it had come.

Madam Yuan had not yet processed what happened when a scream rang out—

“Ah—!”

She turned toward the sound and saw Madam Deng’s only son, Zheng Changsheng, clutching his left ear in agony.

Blood quickly seeped through his fingers.

Hearing the cry, Madam Deng rushed out. Seeing Zheng Changsheng’s state, she ran forward in panic.

“Changsheng!”

“Mother—it hurts… it hurts so much…”

“Let me see, let me see…”

She pried his hand away and saw that a chunk of his earlobe had been cleanly sliced off, blood pouring down.

Her eyes turned scarlet as she glared at Liuzheng and roared, “General Ruan! Why have you injured my son?!”

Liuzheng replied coolly, “He attacked first with a hidden weapon. I’m accustomed to self-defense on the frontier. Once I caught it, I reflexively threw it back. Sister-in-law Deng should question him before questioning me.”

“You injured my son and still dare speak of reason?”

Madam Yuan instinctively stepped in front of Liuzheng. “Sister-in-law, I saw it clearly. Changsheng attacked first.”

“Younger Sister-in-law, are you siding with an outsider?”

Liuzheng gave a faint smile. “If Sister-in-law Deng believes Sister Yuan is biased, then all the better—Lord Zheng is the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Let him adjudicate and see who is in the wrong. But if this is pursued thoroughly, your son deliberately attempted to murder a court official. What sentence would that merit? Sister-in-law Deng surely knows.”

“You—!”

“Mother, it hurts! It hurts so much!” Zheng Changsheng wailed.

He was already seventeen. Many young men his age were married with children, yet he cried like a child.

His eyes, however, were clear—his intelligence was not lacking. He had simply been spoiled into a hundred-kilogram “overgrown child.”

As soon as he cried, Madam Deng’s heart ached unbearably.

But every word Liuzheng spoke was justified. Madam Deng did not wish to leave an impression before her brother-in-law that her son was unruly. Moreover, she had important matters to discuss with Liuzheng today. She could only suppress her fury.

“Servants! Take the young master away for treatment!”