MFURCC -Chapter 84 Repeated Provocations

As the Minister of Justice, Pei Yunlian held considerable status in the capital.

Ordinarily, Madam Song would never have the chance to speak with him. Now that she saw him—and heard that he had come to see the Old Madam—she immediately said, “Liuzheng has spent too many years at the frontier and has no sense of propriety. Since you’ve come to see the Old Madam, we should naturally wake her. I’ll go call her for you at once…”

“Madam Ruan, there’s no need to trouble yourself…”

Pei Yunlian waved his hands repeatedly. “Since the Old Madam has already retired for the night, I’ll take my leave for now.”

“Don’t go…” Madam Song urged. “Why not come to my courtyard for a cup of tea first?”

Privately, she was thinking that if Pei Yunlian took a liking to her daughter Yun’er, then the Eldest Master and the Old Madam would no longer dare insist on keeping Yun’er at Changlong Temple.

But Pei Yunlian refused.

“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Madam. How could I impose? Since the Old Madam is resting, I’ll come again later.”

“Don’t—don’t leave…”

Madam Song grew anxious and even made a motion as if to grab Pei Yunlian’s sleeve.

At that moment, Liuzheng’s voice rang out.

“Mother, what are you doing?”

Madam Song’s hand froze. Realizing she had lost her composure, she hurriedly withdrew it. “Nothing. Just chatting with Lord Pei.”

“I see.” Liuzheng stepped forward. “Lord Pei still needs to go up the mountain to fulfill a vow. If Mother has something to say, perhaps you can wait until he finishes his business.”

Madam Song’s expression turned unpleasant.

Her Yun’er was as beautiful as a fairy. The Minister of Justice was unmarried—perhaps he would fall in love at first sight.

And this wretched girl had to appear now to ruin everything.

But Liuzheng paid no attention to her sour expression. She cupped her hands toward Pei Yunlian and said, “Lord Pei, Grandmother has already retired. She’s advanced in years and shouldn’t be disturbed. If you wish, I can pass along a message once she wakes.”

“That would be best. I wouldn’t want to disturb her rest. Then… I shall take my leave.”

“Safe travels, Lord Pei.”

Pei Yunlian nodded and strode off.

This Madam Ruan had no sense of propriety at all. He had long heard about the “glorious” deeds Madam Song had committed against Liuzheng at Princess Huishu’s residence, so he truly had no desire to exchange another word with her. He didn’t even bother to greet her before leaving.

Madam Song’s face grew even darker.

Watching Pei Yunlian disappear into the distance, she glared coldly at Liuzheng.

“Must you interfere with everything I do?”

Liuzheng looked puzzled. “What do you mean, Mother? What were you doing? Did I say something wrong?”

Her innocent expression only fueled Madam Song’s anger.

“Giving birth to you is heaven collecting a debt from me!”

Liuzheng smiled faintly. “Then perhaps Mother should ask the Bodhisattva whether she did something wrong in her previous life, and that’s why she gave birth to me in this one—to collect the debt from you.”

“You—!”

Madam Song was about to explode when a maid hurried over.

“Madam! Something’s wrong—Third Miss and Second Madam have started fighting!”

“Fighting? About what?”

“This servant doesn’t know. They’re quarreling fiercely—looks like they’re about to come to blows…”

Madam Song panicked.

Second Madam Zhao loved to grow her nails long—those claws were like a demon’s. If she scratched Yun’er’s face…

Madam Song immediately forgot about Liuzheng and rushed toward the courtyard where Madam Zhao and Ruan Yunzheng were staying.

Liuzheng followed behind.

How could she miss such a spectacle?

…

Madam Zhao and Ruan Yunzheng shared the same courtyard. However, Ruan Yunzheng’s room faced south and received ample sunlight.

Madam Zhao’s room, by contrast, was damp and cold.

Today’s quarrel stemmed precisely from this issue.

Madam Zhao’s quarters received little sunlight year-round. Clothes left there too long developed a musty smell.

So Madam Zhao proposed that they switch rooms for a month.

But Ruan Yunzheng refused and even provoked her with sharp words. The argument escalated.

By the time Liuzheng and Madam Song entered, the two had already begun fighting.

Madam Zhao was sturdier, and the slender Ruan Yunzheng was no match for her.

With a crisp “smack,” Ruan Yunzheng received a loud slap.

Madam Song burst in just in time to see it and shouted, “Stop!”

Madam Zhao froze and turned at the voice.

Seeing the Eldest Madam’s imposing presence, her face went pale.

Ruan Yunzheng immediately burst into tears and threw herself into Madam Song’s arms.

“Mother… Second Aunt is going to beat me to death!”

“Don’t be afraid. Mother is here. No one can bully you. Let me see—are you bleeding?” Madam Song lifted her face carefully to examine it.

Her affection for Ruan Yunzheng was genuine—but also calculating.

Yunzheng was beautiful and would surely secure an excellent marriage in the future, becoming a valuable ally to Ruan Changzheng.

Moreover, Yunzheng had once told her she had her fortune told—that her destiny was extraordinarily noble.

Thus, Madam Song cared deeply about that face.

Seeing only finger marks, with no scratches from those long nails, she relaxed slightly.

She turned and glared coldly at Madam Zhao.

“You dared to hit Yun’er? You’re the elder! Do you have any sense of your status?”

Madam Zhao had always been somewhat afraid of the Eldest Madam.

Their second branch depended on the first for survival.

Seeing Madam Song enraged, she shrank back and hurried to explain, “No—it’s not like that… Sister-in-law, she hit me first! And that last slap—I thought she would dodge it. Who knew she wouldn’t…”

“Hah!” Ruan Yunzheng sneered. “Second Aunt, you hit me and blame me for not dodging in time? What kind of logic is that?”

“But you started it! These days you’ve been picking on me constantly!”

Otherwise, why would she dare raise a hand against Ruan Yunzheng?

Everyone knew Madam Song doted on Ruan Yunzheng far more than her own biological daughter.

In her heart, Yunzheng ranked second only to Ruan Changzheng—even above the master of the house.

If she hadn’t been pushed to the brink, how could she have lost control and struck her?

Ruan Yunzheng had simply gone too far!

“The other day, she even had the servants send me spoiled porridge!”

The servants stationed here had all been sent by Madam Song, who cared about Yunzheng. Madam Zhao had no confidants by her side.

These days, she had endured far too much from Ruan Yunzheng.

At this moment, Liuzheng spoke. “Third Sister, is this true? No matter what, Second Aunt is your elder. How could you treat her this way?”

Ruan Yunzheng naturally denied it.

“It’s all a misunderstanding! It’s the height of summer—food spoils quickly. Second Aunt said she had no appetite and would eat later. The servants didn’t know the food had gone bad and served it. Afterward, I scolded them and had fresh food sent, but Second Aunt knocked it all over.”

Madam Zhao trembled with anger.

“You’re lying! You knew the porridge was spoiled!”

“If Second Aunt says so, do you have evidence?”

“Evidence? What evidence do you want? Should I have kept the rotten food?”

“Then you have no proof. Without proof, it’s just your word against mine. I could just as easily say you served me spoiled food.”

As they seemed ready to argue again, Madam Song snapped, “Enough! Both of you, be quiet!”

Their bickering gave her a headache.

Ruan Yunzheng lowered her head pitifully.

Seeing her adopted daughter like this, Madam Song’s heart softened again.

She looked coldly at Madam Zhao.

“You came here already under punishment, yet you still don’t know how to restrain yourself! From today onward, you will kneel each morning and pick Buddha rice for two hours before you’re allowed to eat.”

Madam Zhao’s face turned pale.

“Sister-in-law, you can’t—”

“Mother,” Liuzheng interjected, “Third Sister also bears responsibility. In my view, she should receive some punishment as well. How about having her reflect in her room for three days, while Second Aunt picks Buddha rice for three days only?”

Madam Song looked at Liuzheng expressionlessly.

“This has nothing to do with you. Why are you speaking?”

Liuzheng smiled. “If it has nothing to do with me, I’ll go ask Grandmother how she wishes to handle it.”

“No!” Madam Song blurted out.

If the Old Madam found out, Ruan Yunzheng wouldn’t be returning to the General’s residence anytime soon.

“Then what does Mother think of my suggestion?” Liuzheng asked.

Madam Song glared at her hatefully, but finally said, “We’ll do as you say.”

She suspected Liuzheng only said this to prevent Yun’er from encountering the Minister of Justice.

But whether Yun’er could leave her room—wasn’t that still up to her?

There would always be opportunities.

Thus, Madam Song agreed in the end.

“Yun’er, you’re confined for three days. No leaving your room.”

Then to Madam Zhao: “You must pick Buddha rice for a full two hours daily. Otherwise, I’ll report this to the Old Madam—and you may never return.”

Madam Zhao was deeply dissatisfied, but for the sake of returning, she could only agree.

Madam Song ignored her and led Ruan Yunzheng back to apply medicine to her swollen face.

Liuzheng watched the door slam shut with a bang. The corner of her lips curved slightly as she approached Madam Zhao.

“Second Aunt, you’d best behave today. You’re already here under punishment. Causing more trouble won’t benefit you.”

Madam Zhao glared viciously at her.

“You—unloved by father or mother—what right do you have to lecture me? Besides, I was punished and sent here because of you! You know better than anyone whether I poisoned you!”

Liuzheng looked baffled.

“What are you saying, Second Aunt? Wasn’t the matter thoroughly investigated that day? Besides, if I had known you would poison me, why would I have swallowed it?”

Madam Zhao stared at her as though wishing to devour her whole.

“If you suspect I framed you, then I won’t remain here to offend your eyes.”

With that, Liuzheng turned and left with Nanny Jiang.

Even after exiting the courtyard, Madam Zhao’s curses could still be faintly heard.

Liuzheng ignored them and instructed Nanny Jiang, “Have Yuliu spread word of their fight.”

“Yes.”

Half an hour later, the Old Madam awoke.

Not long after rising, she heard about the fight between Madam Zhao and Ruan Yunzheng.

Her brows knit tightly.

“They’ve made no progress at all! What do they think this is—a stage for a play? Aren’t they ashamed?”

The Eldest Master also heard about it.

But he couldn’t be bothered.

As long as it didn’t affect his interests, he was content to pretend nothing had happened.