MFURCC -Chapter 80 A Body Search at the Zheng Residence

Madam Yuan said, “Yes, Sister-in-law, why don’t you search carefully once more? If you still can’t find it, you can simply have an identical one custom-made at a goldsmith’s shop.”

Her airy tone made Madam Deng cover her nose with a handkerchief as she spoke, her voice thick with tears.

“That item, if exchanged for silver, would at most be worth a hundred taels.”

“To General Ruan and to you, it may be nothing of value. But to me, it is a keepsake… a remembrance.”

“You live such happy, fulfilled lives, but I… I am a widow. I have nothing at all!”

“Just take it as easing my mind—could you let me search General Ruan once? If nothing is found, I will apologize.”

“General Ruan, since you are upright and honorable, why are you unwilling to cooperate in such a small matter?”

As she spoke, Madam Deng truly stirred up her own emotions. Tears streamed down her face as if they cost nothing.

Seeing her cry so bitterly, Zheng Ding felt his heart soften.

After all, she was the widow of his only elder brother.

He sighed and gave Liuzheng a deep bow.

“Miss Ruan, I know this request is improper and entirely unreasonable, but… could you please cooperate just a little? Once we have searched and confirmed nothing is there, we can be certain my sister-in-law was mistaken.”

In his heart, Zheng Ding did not doubt Liuzheng in the slightest.

A dignified third-rank general like her could not possibly covet such a trivial item. She had returned his wife’s gold bracelet—worth several taels of gold—without hesitation, which was proof enough that she was not a petty, shallow person.

Moreover, to ruin her reputation over something so insignificant would be utterly unworthy.

Yet if his sister-in-law continued making a scene and word spread, it would instead harm Liuzheng’s reputation.

It would be better to confirm it was not on her, preventing the matter from escalating.

After explaining sincerely, he added with a guarantee, “What happens today will absolutely not be spread outside. In the future, I will also do my utmost to help you fulfill your wish. I beg you, Miss Ruan.”

Liuzheng parted her red lips to speak, but Madam Yuan interjected first, displeased.

“Husband, Sister-in-law is muddleheaded in her anxiety—have you lost your senses as well? Do you suspect Yaoyao too? If you insist on searching her, then search me as well! I went to Sister-in-law’s courtyard too.”

Zheng Ding looked embarrassed.

“My dear, I do not suspect Miss Ruan. This is only to prove her innocence.”

There were many servants in the courtyard. Once Madam Deng had voiced such suspicions, if the matter were not clarified, the maids and servants might spread rumors, which would harm Liuzheng instead.

It was for this reason that he had spoken up.

But his wife had not considered that angle.

He was just about to pull her aside to explain when Madam Deng, afraid Madam Yuan would interfere, raised her voice.

“This is not about suspicion. I already said—it might have slipped into her clothes. Sister-in-law, you and General Ruan keep refusing to let me search. Are you feeling guilty?”

“Sister-in-law! Mind your words!” Zheng Ding’s face darkened.

He rarely showed her such a stern expression. The last time had been when he intended to adopt children from a collateral branch of the family and she had tried repeatedly to sabotage it.

Seeing his expression now, Madam Deng felt a flicker of guilt.

But thinking of the Empress’s instructions—if she failed to accomplish this task, Her Majesty might never receive her again.

Her husband was dead, and her natal family was useless. She had to cling tightly to the Empress.

With that thought, Madam Deng steeled her heart and addressed Liuzheng directly.

“General Ruan, it is merely an inspection. Why do you keep refusing? Or are you truly guilty?”

All the maids and servants in the room were watching Liuzheng, each with different expressions—some doubtful, some thinking Madam Deng had gone too far.

Madam Yuan was about to speak up for Liuzheng when Liuzheng herself said calmly, “Since Sister-in-law Deng is so suspicious of me, I will cooperate with the search. But first, let us make this clear—if nothing is found, what will you do?”

“I will naturally apologize to you.”

Liuzheng smiled.

Her red lips curved slightly, carrying an almost eerie beauty.

“You humiliate me so publicly, and an apology is enough to settle it?”

Madam Deng started to explain that she had not meant to humiliate her, then felt arguing would only delay matters.

“What do you propose?” she asked instead.

“An apology is necessary. But not merely in private. You must apologize before the entire household. Furthermore, you must come to my General’s residence to formally make amends. And if I visit again in the future, I do not wish to see you.”

The veins on Madam Deng’s forehead throbbed.

“For such a small matter, must it be made into such a spectacle?”

“It concerns my reputation. Of course it must.”

“You—”

“If Sister-in-law Deng is unwilling, then I will not cooperate.” She raised her voice. “Everyone heard it—it is not that I refuse, but that Sister-in-law Deng is unwilling to comply.”

Madam Yuan stepped forward. “If Sister-in-law is unwilling, then I will escort Yaoyao out.”

Madam Deng bit down hard. “Who says I am unwilling? We will do as General Ruan says!”

After all, the hair ornament she sought was on Liuzheng’s person.

She had personally instructed the nanny to slip it onto Liuzheng when cutting her some prepared food, distracting both Liuzheng and Madam Yuan at the time.

The nanny had nimble hands—though she had accidentally tugged Liuzheng’s hair, startling Madam Deng badly for fear of discovery.

Fortunately, Liuzheng noticed nothing. The plan had gone smoothly.

So she had nothing to fear. Even if Liuzheng demanded her head, she would dare agree—let alone a formal apology.

A faint smile surfaced in Liuzheng’s eyes.

“Then let us put it in writing.”

Madam Deng frowned. “Is that necessary? Do you take me for someone who goes back on her word?”

“Of course not. It is merely my habit to leave evidence for everything I do.”

Madam Yuan nodded in agreement. Liuzheng did indeed like written agreements.

Back at the Fu family, it was precisely because of written proof that Fu Yunqi had been unable to deny his wrongdoing.

“I’ll fetch the writing materials!” Madam Yuan said.

She trusted Liuzheng completely. Liuzheng would never do such petty theft.

Madam Deng clenched her back teeth, swallowing this humiliation.

After today, she would win the Empress’s trust. What was a written agreement compared to that?

Soon, brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were prepared. Zheng Ding drafted the document, and both parties pressed their fingerprints upon it.

Liuzheng put it away. “When you come to my residence to apologize, I will return this to you.”

“Very well… but if the item is truly found on you, the agreement will be void.”

“Of course.”

“Good.”

With no more objections, Madam Deng said to Madam Yuan, “Sister-in-law, may I borrow your bedchamber?”

“I will go with you.”

“As you wish.”

There was a trace of smugness in Madam Deng’s airy tone. That smugness made Madam Yuan’s heart suddenly uneasy.

She wanted to say something to Liuzheng, but Liuzheng shook her head lightly, her gaze steady and posture relaxed.

For some reason, Madam Yuan felt reassured.

There was nothing to fear.

She led the way into her bedchamber.

Madam Yuan disliked incense, so the only fragrance in the room came from the lotus blossoms placed on a low couch.

Liuzheng recognized them—they were the flowers she had given Madam Yuan the day before when they had gone boating together.

Alongside the lotus blossoms were a few lotus pods.

Madam Yuan ordered servants to guard the door and set up screens to block any possible view from outside.

The three women stepped behind the screens.

Madam Deng spoke first. “General Ruan, search yourself first, so you won’t say I bullied you.”

Liuzheng promptly removed her outer robe and gave it a shake. Nothing fell out.

Then she spread her arms.

“Sister-in-law Deng, search for yourself. Be thorough. Don’t come out later claiming you weren’t careful and need to search again, wasting my time.”

Madam Deng stepped forward and carefully searched every part of Liuzheng’s body—even her chest—so the search would be beyond reproach.

“Have you found anything?” Liuzheng asked when she paused.

Madam Deng shook her head. “No.”

“Then—”

Before Madam Yuan could speak, Madam Deng cut her off. “The hair bun must be checked as well.”

Liuzheng arched a brow. “Very well.”

She bent her knees and crouched down to make it easier.

“I’ll begin. It may ruin your hairstyle.”

“It doesn’t matter. I can redo it later,” Liuzheng said casually.

Seeing her so cooperative, Madam Deng felt certain Liuzheng was completely unaware of her scheme.

She could barely suppress her smile, forcing the corners of her lips down.

Victory was within reach. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached toward Liuzheng’s hair.

Liuzheng’s hair was thick and jet-black; she did not even need hair padding when styling it—it was all her own.

As Madam Deng searched, her initial delight quickly turned to agitation.

Nothing.

There was nothing at all.

How could there be nothing?

She had seen with her own eyes the nanny tuck the ornament into Liuzheng’s hair bun. It had even tugged at her hair, causing her to cry out in pain.

It was impossible for it not to be there. She must not have searched carefully enough.

There was so much hair—missing a spot was normal.

After an internal battle, Madam Deng forced herself to calm down and searched again, more meticulously than ever before.

She had never been so serious about anything—not even when she personally tended to her son after giving birth.

And yet—

Still nothing.

Apart from Liuzheng’s own two hairpins, there was nothing.

Madam Deng’s face turned deathly pale.

She could not understand it. Why was it not there?

Had it fallen out?

“Sister-in-law Deng, have you found it?” Liuzheng raised her head slightly.

Her eyes—bright, sharp, almost smiling—met Madam Deng’s.

A chill ran down Madam Deng’s spine.

Ruan Liuzheng seemed to know everything.