The First Madam’s hatred for Liuzheng intensified.
She grabbed Ruan Yunzheng’s sleeve.
“Yun’er, do you have any other methods to cure her?”
Ruan Yunzheng shook her head helplessly: “Yun’er is not good at these things, and the previous methods did not work. I can’t think of anything else for the time being.”
She added, “But just now, Yun’er overheard Mother saying that her eldest sister will get married sooner or later… Indeed, she is also of marriageable age.”
The First Madam’s eyes lit up.
“She really should be married off!”
Because of the incident at the Zhuangyuan Mansion, Ruan Hanmo now trusts Liuzheng very much and has made it clear that his previous promise to let Liuzheng give up her official position is no longer valid.
Once Liuzheng is about to get married, Ruan Hanmo will naturally not let the benefits slip away, and he will remember her suggestion today.
“Let her get married as soon as possible! Once your father calms down and we can go out again, we’ll help her find a good husband.”
Ruan Yunzheng nodded in agreement: “Mother is so smart. Now Mother’s mood can finally be better.”
“I don’t care about myself, it’s all for the sake of this family. Liuzheng is too disobedient, and one day she will make a big mistake.”
“Mother is right. You’ve worked so hard for this family. Mother, why don’t you lie down and rest? I’ll give you a massage. You can take a nap, and Yun’er will wake you up when it’s time for dinner.”
Ruan Yunzheng has some medical skills, and her massage techniques are particularly skilled.
She took off the First Madam’s shoes and carefully massaged her acupoints.
The First Madam quickly relaxed and fell into a deep sleep.
Therefore, they did not see the smugness in Ruan Yunzheng’s eyes, nor the deep-seated hatred hidden within.
When Liuzheng made her live in the outer courtyard of the servants, she was angry, but she didn’t hate Liuzheng too much.
Because she was never going to stay in the general’s mansion forever.
But this time, something happened at the top scholar’s residence, and she was furious.
Since Ruan Changzheng did not obtain the military merits from Ruan Liuzheng, the only way she could connect with the Crown Prince was through the Zhuangyuan Mansion.
But now that the top scholar’s mansion is about to be raided, she doesn’t know when she will have the chance to meet the crown prince again.
Now, only if Liuzheng relinquishes her official position can she leverage Ruan Changzheng’s influence to get acquainted with the Crown Prince.
Although Master Huifan had predicted her fate when she was young, saying that she would become the Crown Princess in the future.
She believed in Master Huifan, but she believed even more in the power of human will to overcome fate.
From a young age, she followed Master Huifan’s advice. Upon arriving at the Ruan residence, she did her best to please everyone there, waiting for the arrival of the Purple Star.
But now she doesn’t want to just wait any longer; she has to use her own strength to secure her future.
But for some reason, she thought of the look Prince Su gave her at the entrance of the palace.
If she really can’t become the Crown Princess, it would be good if she became the Princess Consort of Prince Su.
But she suppressed the thought in an instant.
Although she was a woman, she was very ambitious.
Master Huifan said that her destiny was exceptionally noble, and that personal feelings between men and women were nothing to her. If she was going to do something, she would do it to be the most noble woman in the world.
Ruan Yunzheng’s beautiful eyes sparkled, and she unconsciously tightened her grip a little more.
The First Madam snorted, and Ruan Yunzheng suddenly came to her senses. She quickly softened her grip, and the First Madam soon fell asleep again.
…
Tinglan Garden.
Liuzheng’s confinement was lifted, but no one showed any joy.
Everyone was afraid that Master Ruan would suddenly punish Liuzheng again for not helping the top scholar’s wife.
Until Pan Hong brought back the news.
The scholar’s residence was raided.
“The top scholar was exiled to Ningguta on a chosen day, and his entire family was demoted to commoners.”
The wet nurse and the others were all surprised, but then they all breathed a sigh of relief.
“The young lady is indeed very insightful; she really couldn’t help that top scholar’s wife.”
Liuzheng showed no joy whatsoever. She frowned and asked, “Is that all?”
“Yes.” Pan Hong was also surprised. “Logically speaking, such a serious crime should warrant the execution of the entire family.”
Liuzheng quickly figured out the reason.
The Crown Prince is now in charge of the Ministry of Revenue, while the top scholar works in the Ministry of Revenue as the Vice Minister.
Emperor Jingyuan’s actions were not out of kindness or benevolence, but rather to protect the reputation of the Crown Prince. He took the matter seriously but then gently let it go, not wanting it to escalate and become known to everyone in the capital.
She couldn’t help but think that Emperor Jingyuan’s protection of the Crown Prince meant that although the Crown Prince suffered a setback at the moment, he would soon be able to recover.
Will Prince Su ultimately succeed?
Is she really going to side with Prince Su?
But Liuzheng quickly regained her resolve.
Human determination can overcome nature.
It started raining outside at this time. Liuzheng quickly put the matter aside, called the wet nurse and four other servants, and went to the old lady’s main courtyard with an oilcloth umbrella.
Grandmother will be home this evening, so she needs to go ahead and get ready.
All the furniture in the main courtyard is new, but it lacks a sense of life.
Liuzheng asked them to buy a batch of flowers.
“These potted plants smell too strong, put them outside. These other potted plants, put them in the flower room… The color of the bed curtains needs to be changed, Grandma likes warm colors.”
She also asked the kitchen to buy the fruits and vegetables that her grandmother liked.
No matter how small the matter, Liuzheng does it all personally.
She only ate half a bowl of noodles for lunch and was busy until mid-afternoon. Then, without taking a break, she went to wait at the entrance of the General’s Mansion.
The rain never stopped.
The wet nurse was worried that Liuzheng would get cold standing in the wind, so she went to get a cloak to cover Liuzheng with.
However, the master and servants waited and waited, but the old lady’s carriage never arrived.
She couldn’t help but call Pan Hong over.
“Go and take a look at the city gate.”
Pan Hong glanced at the sky and reminded Liuzheng, “It’s getting late. By the time I arrive, the city gates will probably already be locked.”
Liuzheng frowned.
“The time when the city gates will be locked is fixed, and Pan Zhan will definitely arrive before then. In that case… I’m afraid they won’t be able to return to the General’s Mansion today.”
“General, what should we do now?”
“Let’s go back inside first. They must have been tripped by the heavy rain. They’ll be back tomorrow.”
It doesn’t matter if it’s just one more day or nothing.
The mudslide won’t happen for another three days, so there’s plenty of time.
Liuzheng returned to Tinglan Garden.
Su Luo happened to see this and immediately told Ruan Yunzheng.
Ruan Yunzheng sneered: “With Granny Qian making a move, the old lady will definitely not be able to come back. She waited in vain, how pitiful.”
“Yes, it’s really pitiful.”
Su Luo gently massaged Ruan Yunzheng’s wrist, a smile playing on her lips.
Ruan Yunzheng massaged the First Madam for a long time today, and her wrists were sore. Su Luo massaged them for a while before they were relieved.
Just as Liuzheng returned to Tinglan Garden, Steward Qu arrived.
He came to deliver wild game.
They are two wild ducks, alive.
“The master sent me to deliver this so that the young lady can have a taste.”
Liuzheng knew that Master Ruan knew about the matter of the top scholar’s residence, but was too embarrassed to apologize, so he sent these two wild ducks over.
“Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Qu. Nanny, could you please see Uncle Qu off for me?”
“yes.”
The wet nurse personally saw Steward Qu out of the courtyard and handed him two gold leaves.
Manager Qu waved his hands repeatedly: “It’s my duty, I dare not accept it.”
“Please accept this; it’s a token of the young lady’s affection.” The wet nurse placed it in Steward Qu’s hand.
Manager Qu eventually accepted it.
When he returned to report to Master Ruan, he said a few good words about Liuzheng.
Mr. Ruan’s brows and eyes relaxed.
“I knew it, she wouldn’t hold a grudge.”
“How could that be? Miss is the most filial. Otherwise, why would she have joined the army in place of the young master just because of your word?”
Master Ruan’s expression became even more satisfied.
“To be honest, she hasn’t made any mistakes since she came back.”
“The young lady is sensible, and the master’s advice is also appropriate.”
“That’s true. I’ve taught so many students, how could I not teach my own daughter?”
“That’s exactly right.”
Mr. Ruan was in a very good mood and drank a few more cups.
That evening, amidst the sound of rain, soft moans could be heard coming from Aunt Su’s room as she asked for water twice.
When the news reached the First Madam’s courtyard, Qi, the old nanny by her side, couldn’t help but say, “Madam, should I…?”
“Need not!”
Before Granny Qi could finish speaking, the First Madam waved her hand.
Why bother with a hen that can’t lay eggs?
When she was young, she longed for Mr. Ruan’s true love, but now that her son is all grown up, she no longer desires that.
Sometimes, she even found serving Master Ruan a nuisance.
As long as Aunt Su has no children and no one dares to offend her, she will spare her life.
“Rest now! I’m tired. You don’t need to keep an eye on Auntie’s side anymore. I have to go out in a couple of days to help Liuzheng find a husband.”
She was currently having a terrible headache because of Liuzheng, and had no interest in dealing with that little bitch, Aunt Su.
“yes.”
Granny Qi blew out the lamp.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and it was still raining heavily.
Liuzheng was awakened early in the morning by the sound of rain.
During her nine years at the border, she always slept very lightly.
Just as she finished combing her hair, the wet nurse came in.
“The gatekeeper gave it to me, saying it was an invitation I received in the last two days.”
Liuzheng looked over.
There were two whole stacks of invitations.
Liuzheng has not yet taken office and does not want to be too conspicuous.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t a question of whether she wanted to or not.
After much deliberation, Liuzheng’s gaze finally settled on the invitation sent by the Marquis of Rongxi’s residence.
It was written by Crown Prince Shen He’an himself, with his seal on it, requesting that Liuzheng attend the banquet.
Shen He’an was a man of Prince Su. After a moment’s thought, Liuzheng kept the invitations from the Rongxi Marquis’s residence and selected a few more that she couldn’t refuse, handing them to her wet nurse.
“Get ready for me.”
“yes.”
The rain is still falling.
Liuzheng ordered Pan Hong to go to the entrance of the General’s Mansion twice, but the old lady did not appear.
A sense of unease crept into her heart, and a very bad premonition arose.
By lunchtime, Liuzheng could no longer wait.
She was very uneasy.
“Nanny, find me a set of clothes I used to wear. I’ll change and go out of the city gate to greet you myself.”
The wet nurse hurried off to find her.
They quickly brought her a set of men’s casual clothes in a light blue-green color.
Baoqin still tied her hair up.
Baoqin was very skillful; in no time at all, she transformed her into a handsome young gentleman.
Feeling that she was being too flashy, Liuzheng applied some black powder to her face and drew her thin eyebrows into thick ones before taking her sword and going out.
“Should we inform the master?” the wet nurse asked.
“No need! If he asks, just say I went out to buy summer clothes in preparation for a banquet at the Marquis’s residence in a few days.”
“yes.”
Liuzheng asked Yu Liu to impersonate her, and had Yu Liu wear a veil to cover her face. Liuzheng kept her head down and went out through the main gate with Yu Liu.
The advantage of her military merits not being taken away was that she had freedom of movement, and no one dared to stop her.
Once they left Wuyi Lane, the two parted ways.
Following her instructions, Yu Liu went to a teahouse near the city gate, asked for a private room to sit alone, and waited for her to return.
Liuzheng went to the horse market, bought a horse, and rode out of the city gate in the wind and rain, heading towards the Summer Palace.
Yu Liu waited in the private room, refilling her tea many times.
As darkness fell and the city gates were about to be closed, Yu Liu finally couldn’t sit still any longer. She put down two pieces of silver, strode out, and headed straight for Wuyi Lane.