MFURCC -Chapter 8 Trying to Steal a Chicken Only to Lose the Rice

When the other residences received Liuzheng’s return gifts, they were all delighted.

Almost immediately, they changed their tune, praising Liuzheng as sensible, intelligent, virtuous, and worthy of the title “General Zhaoyong.”

Having been a ghost for ten years, Liuzheng had endured endless boredom.

With nothing better to do, she had taken to observing the affairs of the capital.

She roughly knew what the people of Wuyi Lane liked, and which servants in one residence were familiar with servants in another.

Thus, she bribed a minor steward who was acquainted with the senior nanny at Madam Yuan’s side, instructing him to whisper a few suggestive words in the old nanny’s ear.

Of course, Madam Yuan’s household was not the only one.

The Grand Preceptor’s residence, the Yongxin Marquis Manor, and all the other families who had sent gifts—she had arrangements in place for them as well.

Publicly, they praised Liuzheng. Privately, they criticized Madam Song for failing to distinguish between closeness and distance, for lacking proper etiquette.

Liuzheng’s reputation, which had just taken a fall, was swiftly restored—and rose even higher than before.

Madam Song’s reputation, however, plummeted.

Ruan Yunzheng was dragged down with her, cursed along the way.

“A merchant’s daughter, abandoning her dying grandfather just to bask in a bit of scholarly prestige, eagerly squeezing into the Ruan family as their daughter—her intentions are despicable.”

“Good thing she went to the Ruan family. If she had come to ours, the whole household would be in chaos.”

“An ill-omened person.”

They hurled every insult imaginable.

Yet in her former alley, Ruan Yunzheng had enjoyed an excellent reputation.

Many of the scholars who studied at Ruan Father’s Dufeng Academy had admired her—among them even some noble-born youths.

But the nobles of Wuyi Lane kept their insults confined within their inner courtyards. The slander had not yet spread outward, so Madam Song and Ruan Yunzheng were still completely unaware.

At that moment, the mother and daughter were seated at a stone table in Tingzhu Courtyard, weaving peace charms for Ruan Changzheng, who lay bedridden.

Ruan Changzheng had regained consciousness, but he was too weak and often drifted back into sleep.

Whenever he awoke, however, he would curse Liuzheng bitterly.

Now he had fallen asleep again, so Madam Song and her daughter planned to weave several safety knots to hang from the four corners of his bed curtains.

“Have the return gifts all been delivered?” Madam Song asked Nanny Liu.

Nanny Liu had been waiting for the question.

“I delivered them personally, Madam. Not a single one was missed.”

Madam Song’s smile brightened further.

Ruan Yunzheng smiled softly as well, dimples appearing on her cheeks.

“Does Mother feel a little better now?”

As if the entire plan had been devised solely for Madam Song’s sake.

Madam Song exhaled a long breath. “My head finally doesn’t ache as much.”

“Mother must take good care of your health. With Elder Brother bedridden, he would only worry about you.”

Hatred flickered again in Madam Song’s eyes.

“If not for Ruan Liuzheng, your elder brother wouldn’t be lying in bed like this!” she said through clenched teeth.

“What’s done is done. We can only accept it.”

“Why should your brother suffer like this? I still don’t feel avenged enough!” She turned to Ruan Yunzheng. “Yun’er, do you have any better ideas? Something to make Mother feel more satisfied?”

Ruan Yunzheng bit her lip and pondered for a moment. “Daughter just remembered—two days ago, Madam Xin mentioned that the Grand Princess invited her to celebrate her birthday. She invited me to go with her.”

Madam Xin was the wife of the Top Scholar.

The Top Scholar had risen from Dufeng Academy, and the two families were close. Lady Xin and Ruan Yunzheng were especially intimate—true bosom friends.

Madam Song tightened her grip on the cord in her hands. “Bring her along!”

The nobles of Wuyi Lane, having received the date paste cakes as return gifts, were likely still simmering with resentment.

If Liuzheng were to appear at the Grand Princess’s residence, they would surely rise together to attack her.

Only then would Madam Song feel somewhat appeased.

“Very well.” Ruan Yunzheng nodded. “Daughter will speak to Elder Sister, though I don’t know if she’ll be willing to go.”

“Leave it to me. Whether she wants to or not, she will go.”

Ruan Yunzheng had been waiting for those words.

She had already begun planning for that day, just waiting for Madam Song to give the order.

Before long, Master Ruan, Ruan Hanmo, returned.

He still taught daily at Dufeng Academy within the Ruan residence. On his way back, former neighbors congratulated him one after another.

Good news brightened his spirits, and he entered Tingzhu Courtyard with a smile.

But upon seeing the First Madam’s dark expression, he turned and went off to find his concubine, Madam Su.

Madam Song caught a glimpse of his departing figure, and her face grew even gloomier.

“All day long he stays in that vixen’s room—does he not fear gossip?”

Ruan Yunzheng soothed her again, then lowered her voice. “Aunt Su miscarried five years ago and hasn’t conceived since. Why should you be angry with a hen that cannot lay eggs? Father only seeks novelty. Once he tires of her, he’ll naturally return.”

Madam Song managed a faint smile.

“That’s true. And thanks to you for suggesting that idea to Mother. But now that she’s moved elsewhere… what if she becomes pregnant again?”

“Mother, don’t worry. Everything is arranged. Daughter has already made preparations.”

“You truly know how to care for Mother.”

“It’s only what a daughter should do.”

Madam Song felt more convinced than ever that Ruan Yunzheng far surpassed Liuzheng.

…

Meanwhile, in Tinglan Courtyard, Liuzheng received pastries personally made by Concubine Su, delivered by her nanny.

“Such skillful hands. Thank her for me,” Liuzheng said.

The nanny bowed. “Madam said if Eldest Miss likes them, she will send them daily.”

The tone was one of obvious flattery.

Concubine Su was not favored by the First Madam; she could only seek favor from Liuzheng instead.

“Very well.”

Just as the nanny was about to take her leave, Liuzheng suddenly spoke.

“Aunt has been childless for so many years—perhaps it’s a matter of feng shui. I’ve heard that if one wishes to conceive, it’s best not to plant trees in the courtyard, lest they block the child seeking rebirth.”

The nanny immediately responded, “Many thanks for Eldest Miss’s concern. This servant will relay it at once.”

Liuzheng nodded, watching her leave.

At her side, Nanny Jiang asked in confusion, “Since when does Miss understand feng shui?”

Liuzheng smiled. “I happened to hear it mentioned while stationed at the border.”

Then she added, “Nanny, please invite Physician Chen here. I have something to discuss with him.”

“Yes.”

…

Soon, the nanny returned to Concubine Su’s quarters and repeated Liuzheng’s words.

Concubine Su laughed lightly. “This Eldest Miss even understands feng shui?”

She clearly didn’t take Liuzheng’s advice seriously.

“Come, let’s stroll in the garden.”

“Yes.”

Just as mistress and servant stepped out, they happened to encounter Physician Chen passing by.

After paying his respects, he glanced toward the courtyard, seeming hesitant to speak.

“Physician, is something amiss?” Concubine Su asked.

He bowed again before saying, “Does Concubine Su have a fondness for peach trees?”

“Yes, I love watching peach blossoms. My former courtyard had them as well. Why do you ask?”

“Peach trees send their roots deep and are particularly adept at absorbing the earth’s qi. I’ve heard Concubine has been childless for years. That may be the reason.”

Concubine Su’s face changed instantly.

When Liuzheng mentioned the peach tree, she hadn’t cared. But now Physician Chen brought it up again.

She knew Physician Chen belonged to Liuzheng.

Could there truly be something wrong with the peach tree?

After seeing him off, Concubine Su hurried back to the two peach trees in her courtyard.

The trees had been there previously, but fresh soil surrounded one of them.

She circled the tree twice, suddenly dropped her handkerchief, and crouched to dig into the soil with her slender fingers.

“Madam, what are you doing? You’ll hurt your hands!” the nanny rushed to stop her.

But at that moment, Concubine Su had already unearthed a jar.

“Close the courtyard gate.”

The nanny hurried to comply.

When she returned, she saw Concubine Su pale and trembling.

“Madam, are you alright?!” the nanny cried.

Concubine Su slowly came back to herself and uttered the name of a medicine.

The nanny’s eyes widened. After a long pause, she said, “Five years ago, the First Madam renovated our courtyard… and planted two trees here…”

Concubine Su nodded. “After that, I could no longer conceive.”

“I’ll tell the Master at once!”

“Don’t!” Concubine Su clutched her skirt. “Tell no one—at least not until I conceive again.”

Even if Master knew, at most he would scold the First Madam. He would never divorce her over this.

Better to pretend nothing happened and quietly dispose of the jar.

As long as the First Madam believed it remained buried, she would continue to feel secure.

“Yes…”

…

An hour later, Liuzheng was eating lunch when Concubine Su arrived.

This time she brought six varieties of exquisitely crafted pastries.

“Eldest Miss.” She knelt in gratitude. “Thank you for your guidance. If I am ever blessed with pregnancy, should you tell me to go east, I would never dare go west!”

Liuzheng smiled faintly. “No need for such courtesy. Please rise.”

She summoned Physician Chen to prescribe medicine for Concubine Su.

On the surface, it was for nourishment and regulation. In truth, it was to detoxify her.

Only once the poison was slowly cleared could she conceive.

“I would die ten thousand deaths without regret!” Concubine Su kowtowed again before departing with the prescription.

After she left, seeing Nanny Jiang still bewildered, Liuzheng explained the matter to her, urging greater vigilance.

Nanny Jiang clenched her handkerchief in shock.

“In Great Jin, even if a concubine bears a child, it must be registered under the principal wife’s name… How could she not tolerate even that? Is the First Madam not afraid of her reputation being ruined if this is exposed?”

“If she were afraid, she wouldn’t have done it. Nanny, the inner quarters… kill without drawing blood. From now on, we must be even more careful.”

Nanny Jiang nodded solemnly.

After lunch, Pan Hong entered.

“General, the return gift to the Heir has been delivered. However, the gatekeeper said the Heir and Prince Su have gone to Yueyang City. They’ll return in three days.”

“What are they doing in Yueyang?” Liuzheng asked.

Naturally, the gatekeeper wouldn’t tell Pan Hong, but he had already investigated beforehand.

He knew Liuzheng paid special attention to Prince Su.

“They went to investigate illegal salt trafficking. Private salt surfaced in Yueyang City. His Majesty was furious and sent Prince Su personally, ordering him to resolve it within five days.”

Liuzheng remembered this incident.

In her previous life, the private salt scandal had caused quite a stir. Even bedridden, she had heard fragments of it.

Prince Su failed to resolve it within the deadline, was reprimanded, and had his salary docked for a year.

After a moment’s thought, she went to her desk and wrote a note.

“Go to Yueyang City and deliver this personally to Prince Su. Tell him it is my return gift.”

Prince Su had sent gold. And since he had no particular preferences, she had been unsure what gift to send in return.

Now she knew.

“Yes!” Pan Hong departed.

It would take only half a day by horse to reach Yueyang. He could return before dawn.

Nanny Jiang, aware that Liuzheng was weighing which faction to align with after assuming office, asked, “Miss has decided?”

Liuzheng nodded.

She did not know Prince Su’s temperament, nor whether he would ultimately succeed.

But one thing was certain—Ruan Yunzheng stood with the Crown Prince’s faction.

Liuzheng had no other choice.

She could hardly proclaim herself emperor.

Setting aside issues of legitimacy, her being a woman alone made that path impossible.

Just as Nanny Jiang was about to speak, Nanny Liu from the First Madam’s side arrived, saying the First Madam summoned her.

“Understood. Tell Mother I’ll come at once.”

After Nanny Liu left, Nanny Jiang looked worried.

“The First Madam must be up to something again…”

“When soldiers come, we block them. When water rises, we build a dam.”

Liuzheng changed her clothes, fastened her sword at her waist, and went out.