Ruan Yunzheng curtsied and said, “Thank you for your kindness, Father, but I don’t want anything. I’m already very satisfied to have a room in the west wing so that I can stay by my mother’s side at all times.”
When she lived in the outer courtyard, the servants only fed her simple meals.
After moving to the main courtyard, she became the third young lady whom everyone fawned over once again.
The First Madam said from the side, “Yun’er is truly filial.”
“Yes, that’s right.” Master Ruan nodded.
This adopted daughter is truly wonderful in every way.
Taking the opportunity, Madam Song said, “Master, I think the Tingxue Courtyard originally prepared for Bai’er of the third branch is quite large. We could build a wall to divide the courtyard in two, with Bai’er living on the east side and Yun’er on the west side. What do you think?”
Master Ruan stroked his beard and said, “The Listening Snow Courtyard is indeed very large, and its layout is suitable for dividing it in two. Let’s do as you say.”
“Then I’ll go and make the arrangements right away.”
Just as the First Madam was about to leave, Ruan Yunzheng stopped her.
“Mother, I’m perfectly content living in the west wing. Don’t you want me to stay with you all the time?”
The First Madam was relieved to see that she really didn’t want to move and preferred to stay with her.
“Then we’ll wait until you get tired of living here, then you can move to Tingxue Courtyard.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Ruan Yunzheng smiled broadly, but a dark glint flashed in her eyes.
Soon, the people from the second and third wives’ families will all perish at the Summer Palace.
Not to mention Tingxue Courtyard, she can stay wherever she wants in this inner courtyard.
Besides, that’s not her ambition.
Although Liuzheng’s small general’s mansion displeased her, she never intended to live there forever.
She must be a phoenix soaring in the heavens.
The General’s Mansion was nothing more than a stepping stone for her.
Looking at Ruan Changzheng, who was bedridden, she wondered if she had chosen the wrong stepping stone.
Master Ke Huifan… could not possibly be wrong.
She resolved to patiently wait for Master Huifan’s prophecy to come true.
Ruan Changzheng fell asleep again due to weakness.
The three of them moved back to Tingzhu Courtyard to have tea, their laughter and chatter continuing.
Aunt Su originally came to Tingzhu Courtyard to ask where Master Ruan would have lunch.
Hearing the laughter inside, he didn’t step into the courtyard but quietly followed the old woman.
“The young lady is under house arrest, which will likely be difficult for her for several days. I’ll make some snacks and send them to Tinglan Garden later,” Aunt Su instructed.
The old woman replied, and went with Aunt Su to the small kitchen to get busy.
Soon a plate of exquisite pastries was ready.
Aunt Su personally carried the snacks to Tinglan Garden.
I almost bumped into the gatekeeper when I passed by Tingzhu Courtyard.
The old woman immediately scolded, “Can’t you watch where you’re going? You’ve bumped into the concubine, be careful the master will hold you accountable!”
Most of the servants in the General’s Mansion came from the Ruan family, and they knew that Concubine Su was very popular with the Master.
He immediately knelt down.
“Please don’t be offended, Aunt. It’s just that the top scholar’s wife came to our door in a hurry, and I didn’t dare to delay, so I came to report immediately.”
Aunt Su said, “It’s common for the top scholar’s wife to visit. Why are you in such a hurry?”
“It’s not that I’m anxious, it’s that the top scholar’s wife looks very anxious; her face has turned pale.”
“Did you say what?”
“No.”
“Alright, go ahead!”
Aunt Su waved her hand and quickened her pace toward Liuzheng’s Tinglan Garden.
Two servants stood at the door, sent by the First Madam to keep an eye on Liuzheng’s confinement.
Upon seeing that it was Aunt Su, the two women bowed to her.
“No need for formalities. I’m here to bring some homemade snacks for Miss.”
“This…” The two looked troubled.
Aunt Su’s face darkened, and she said, “Master only said that the eldest young lady should stay at home, he didn’t say that people couldn’t visit her. Should I go and ask Master myself if he will let me in to deliver some snacks?”
The two women’s expressions changed, and they hurriedly invited Aunt Su inside.
Liuzheng is practicing her sword in the courtyard.
The wet nurses retreated to the pavilion in the courtyard to avoid being accidentally injured.
Unexpectedly, Aunt Su came to visit, and Liuzheng’s sword swept across, splitting the food box in Aunt Su’s hand in two with a “crack”.
The master and servant screamed in fright.
Liuzheng hurriedly sheathed her sword and stepped forward.
“Auntie, are you hurt anywhere?”
Aunt Su’s face still showed fear, but thankfully she stopped screaming.
She looked down at the hem of her skirt and saw that it had been cut open.
However, it was clear that she was more than ten meters away from Liuzheng…
She had heard storytellers say that skilled swordsmen could generate sword wind from their swords, and now she saw that the storyteller had not made it up.
Fortunately, the food box shielded them from injury, and neither of them was hurt.
“It’s alright, we’re the ones who interrupted the young lady’s sword practice.”
“It was Liuzheng’s carelessness; what a pity about these snacks.”
“If the young lady likes it, I’ll make it again. Anyway, I’m quite free.”
Liuzheng and the other person talked as they went into the inner room.
The wet nurse served tea, and Liuzheng personally handed it to her: “Auntie, have some hot tea to calm your nerves.”
She had a mixture of using and genuine feelings for Aunt Su.
In her previous life, after her body was gnawed by vicious dogs, Aunt Su somehow learned that she had died here. She came and lit three incense sticks for her. Afterward, she ordered someone to bury her.
The First Madam did not inquire about the matter, because in her previous life, Emperor Jingyuan had also bestowed a general’s mansion upon her, and the First Madam was busy moving.
Only then was Liuzheng able to have a grave.
Unlike the others in the Ruan family who were ungrateful, she remembered Aunt Su’s kindness.
After taking a sip of hot tea, Aunt Su’s slightly trembling fingers finally calmed down.
She started talking about the story of the top scholar’s wife.
“I don’t know what they’ve come for; I couldn’t get the answer from the gatekeeper. I heard that the young lady is under house arrest because of this top scholar’s wife. I hope nothing more trouble may arise.”
Liuzheng smiled and said, “There will indeed be something, but it will be a good thing.”
“What good news?”
Liuzheng didn’t answer, but said, “Auntie, do you believe it or not, within half an incense stick’s time, my father will come to ask me to leave in person.”
Why?
“You’ll see. Come on, have some tea.”
Aunt Su was completely bewildered.
However, Master Ruan soon came to answer my questions personally.
Master Ruan, covered in cold sweat, rushed in and called out Liuzheng’s nickname: “Yaoyao, Yaoyao!”
Liuzheng winked at Aunt Su and walked out.
“Father, why are you walking so fast? You’re all sweaty. Luckily, Aunt Su is here. Let her fetch you a basin of water so you can wash your face.”
Master Ruan waved his hand: “No rush, come with me first.”
Liuzheng refused to leave.
“Father, you’ve forgotten that you ordered me to be confined to Tinglan Courtyard for three days, and I was not allowed to leave the courtyard for those three days. Not even three hours have passed yet.”
Master Ruan immediately said, “Your confinement is lifted. Come with me now.”
Liuzheng remained completely still.
“Father, a gentleman’s word is as good as his bond. You are a scholar and a gentleman, how can you go back on your word? Your daughter cannot go out, and even more so, I cannot disgrace your reputation as a teacher of outstanding students. Let’s talk about it in Tinglan Garden.”
Master Ruan was somewhat annoyed.
But he insisted that he was indeed a gentleman.
Helpless, he could only say, “Then you wait here, I’ll bring the person over.”
Liuzheng nodded, turned around and went back inside to sit down.
Aunt Su was almost completely in awe of her.
“Does the young lady possess the ability to foresee the future?”
Liuzheng smiled and said, “Auntie, you flatter me. We are all just ordinary people. How can ordinary people predict the future?”
Aunt Su could only attribute this to Liuzheng being too clever.
She was pleased that she had sided with the smart people.
With Liuzheng’s help, she might actually be able to have a son.
Even having a daughter would be good; at least there would be something to look forward to.
Aunt Su did not linger and took her leave.
Before long, Master Ruan arrived with a group of people.
There was the First Madam and Ruan Yunzheng, as well as the Scholar’s Wife and her two maids.
Liuzheng looked up.
The scholar’s wife’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she had just had a good cry.
Liuzheng knew perfectly well why she was crying.
But Liuzheng showed absolutely no pity.
The matter of the princess wearing green was a joint plan by the top scholar’s wife and Ruan Yunzheng. Otherwise, why would the princess wear the large brocade green dress that Su Luo sent that day at her birthday banquet?
Large brocade is rare, and large brocade of that quality is even rarer. Apart from the Nian family in Jiangnan, who else can make such exquisite large brocade?
Liuzheng gently put down the tea she was holding and stood up to bow.
“Father, Mother, the Scholar’s Wife. What’s going on here…?”
Master Ruan glanced at Madam Song, signaling her to speak.
He felt inexplicably apprehensive about Liuzheng.
“Vast and distant.”
Song cleared her throat, her voice gentler than ever before.
“You’ve met Xinniang before. She’s the wife of the top scholar. Her family has run into some trouble and they want to see the Princess.”
“Unfortunately, the Princess is in a bad mood today and is refusing to see any guests.”
“I think that the Princess gave you the miraculous medicine to cure your leg on the day of the Princess’s birthday banquet, so she must like you very much.”
“If you take Xinniang to see her, she should open the door.”
The top scholar’s wife also stepped forward at this moment.
“Sister, my dear sister, if you help me today, the entire Zhuangyuan Mansion will remember your kindness in the future.”
Liuzheng looked puzzled.
“Sister Xin, what happened?”
Before the top scholar’s wife could speak, Madam Song spoke first with displeasure: “No matter what it is, you should take Xinniang with you first.”
“Yes, sister,” Ruan Yunzheng said from the side, “We’ve only brought Sister Xin into the Princess’s residence, so you don’t need to worry about anything else. It’s just a small matter; you wouldn’t be unwilling to help, would you?”
The expressions of Master Ruan and Madam Song immediately became even more displeased.
Liuzheng wouldn’t even help with such a small thing. What kind of good daughter is she?
The First Madam went even further, asking directly, “Do you expect me, as your mother, to kneel down and beg you?”
She made a move to kneel down, showing no concern whatsoever that if this matter got out, it would be very bad for Liuzheng’s reputation.
The Great Jin Dynasty placed the utmost importance on filial piety.
There was once a high-ranking official who was dismissed by the emperor for disrespecting the mistress of the house.
Liuzheng quickly helped Song Shi up.
“Mother, please don’t do that. It’s just a small matter, and I’d be happy to help.”
“Then let’s go quickly!”
“No rush, daughter needs to find out the truth first.” Liuzheng looked at the scholar’s wife: “Liuzheng has heard that Sister Xin and the Princess are on good terms, so why is she avoiding even seeing Sister Xin? Has something terrible happened?”
Just as Master Ruan was about to lose his temper, he was taken aback by Liuzheng’s words and then looked up at the top scholar’s wife.
At that time, Lady Xin only told him that something had happened during the morning court session that had angered His Majesty, but she did not say what it was.
But now that Liuzheng has asked him, he can’t help but feel that something is wrong.
Could something that even the eldest princess avoids be a trivial matter?