“……How could this be?!” Madam Song’s eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her, and she nearly fainted on the spot.
“Mother!”
“Madam!”
Several people rushed forward in a flurry and helped her to lie down on the couch.
After Ruan Yunzheng administered acupuncture treatment, the pallor on Madam Song’s face gradually faded, and a hint of rosy colour returned to her cheeks.
“Mother, are you feeling better now?” Ruan Yunzheng asked softly.
A single tear rolled down Madam Song’s cheek.
“What does ‘better’ even mean now? Deceiving the Emperor is a crime punishable by death! Only… Yunzheng, you were never born into the Ruan family. Leave quickly while you still can!”
“I won’t go!” Ruan Yunzheng declared firmly. “Even if death is certain, I will stay right here with Father, Mother and Elder Brother!”
Madam Song was deeply moved by her words.
Her own biological daughter had disregarded her safety without a second thought just for the sake of military merit, yet her adopted daughter was willing to face death alongside the entire family.
Her own flesh and blood was nowhere near as good as the daughter she had taken in!
“If only I’d known it would come to this… I should have drowned her the moment she was born!” At this very moment, Madam Song’s heart was filled with intense hatred towards Ruan Liuzheng.
She had once harboured a twinge of guilt towards her eldest daughter, but now, every trace of that guilt had turned into seething resentment.
“Mother, please rest well and don’t let this anger harm your health. I’ll go and fetch your medicine you must take it on time.”
Madam Song was about to tell her there was no need, but Ruan Yunzheng had already hurried out of the room.
Her heart swelled with even greater affection and gratitude. She turned to look at Ruan Changzheng, who stood there looking utterly dazed and lifeless.
“If His Majesty truly intends to execute our entire family… we will do everything in our power, even risk our own lives, to ensure Yunzheng is spared!”
Ruan Changzheng snapped out of his stupor. He nodded vigorously and promised, “Don’t worry, Mother. I will protect Yunzheng with my life!”
Neither of them realised that, the moment she returned to her own residence the Moonlit Pavilion Ruan Yunzheng had begun packing her belongings in great haste.
She wasn’t a fool. Why on earth would she stay here and die with the rest of the Ruan family?
Just then, a maid’s voice rang out from outside the door: “Third Miss, the Eldest Miss has returned!”
Ruan Yunzheng’s legs turned to jelly.
So soon? She was back so quickly!
She was frantically wondering whether she still had enough time to slip out through the back gate, when the maid spoke again: “The Eldest Miss rode back on horseback, and dozens of chests are being carried in behind her. There’s also a carriage from the Imperial Palace it looks like someone of high standing is inside… It doesn’t seem as though we’re about to be punished at all.”
Ruan Yunzheng’s brows drew together in a tight frown. She kicked the bundle she had just packed swiftly under the bed.
“Understood. I’ll be there shortly.”
Meanwhile, in the main hall…
The three members of the Ruan family had also received news of Ruan Liuzheng’s return. Knowing full well that there was nowhere they could run to escape the Emperor’s reach, they had resigned themselves to waiting for their fate.
But upon hearing that Ruan Liuzheng was back, their sorrow turned instantly to blazing fury.
“How dare she show her face here again?!”
Ruan Changzheng was so enraged that he drew his sword from its sheath with a loud clang.
“I’ll kill her!!”
His military achievements! All the meritorious service he had dreamed of, and the bright future he had looked forward to his entire life everything had been destroyed by Ruan Liuzheng!
Nothing short of tearing her limb from limb could ever quench the rage burning in his chest!
Sword in hand, he stormed furiously towards the entrance.
However, before he could even step out of the reception hall, a heavy kick landed squarely on his chest. He was sent flying backward several metres, crashing hard onto the floor.
Ruan Changzheng tasted blood rising in his throat. In the next instant, he coughed up a mouthful of bright red blood.
Who?!
Who dared to strike him?
He clutched his chest and glared toward the doorway. There, standing tall and proud, was a face that bore a striking resemblance to his own they looked nearly six or seven parts alike.
She was dressed in the full military regalia of a female general, a sharp sword hanging at her waist. Though she was clearly a woman, her presence was imposing and sharp, striking fear into the hearts of all who looked upon her.
If this wasn’t Ruan Liuzheng, then who else could it be?
“You shameless wretch! How dare you kick me?!”
Ignoring the searing pain in his chest, he scrambled to his feet and prepared to lunge at her.
But in the blink of an eye, he was pinned to the ground by the Imperial guards standing behind Ruan Liuzheng.
“Let go of me! What do you think you’re doing?! You vile woman… what is it you want?!”
Ruan Changzheng’s eyes were wide with rage and hatred, yet no matter how he struggled, he could not move so much as an inch.
Ruan Liuzheng’s beautiful eyes were as cold and unfeeling as the moon on a clear winter night. There was not a trace of warmth or emotion in them.
Her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke only a single word: “Strike.”
Immediately, several more guards stepped forward. Gripping their heavy wooden cudgels tightly, they rained blow after blow viciously onto Ruan Changzheng’s legs!
After just a few strikes, the pain was so intense that he passed out completely.
Ruan Liuzheng let out a quiet, disdainful ‘tsk’ under her breath.
What a useless weakling.
In her previous life, she had endured having her kneecaps shattered without ever losing consciousness.
“My son! Stop this at once all of you, stop!!”
Master Ruan and Madam Song finally snapped out of their shock. One rushed forward and threw herself over Ruan Changzheng’s body, shielding him from the blows, while the other strode quickly toward Ruan Liuzheng.
“You unfilial girl! What do you think you are doing?! That is your own elder brother!”
Master Ruan was seething with anger. He longed to stride forward and slap her hard across the face, but the two rows of armed guards standing behind her made him hold back. He stopped about half a metre away from her and roared in a trembling voice.
“Father.” Ruan Liuzheng clasped her hands together in a formal salute, her expression unreadable.
“Don’t you dare call me Father! Order them to stop immediately!”
“Do you truly wish for them to stop, even if it means putting the lives of more than a hundred members of our entire household at risk?”
“What… what do you mean by that?”
At a subtle glance from Ruan Liuzheng, her deputy, Pan Zhan, stepped forward and presented the Imperial Decree with both hands reverently.
To behold the Imperial Decree was to stand in the very presence of the Emperor himself.
Master Ruan instinctively fell to his knees.
But the next moment, a surge of bitter anger rose in his heart. Why should he kneel before this ungrateful daughter he had fathered and raised?
He forced himself to stand tall once again.
“Father.” Ruan Liuzheng placed the scroll into his hands. “Read it for yourself.”
With trembling fingers, Master Ruan slowly unrolled the decree and began to read aloud the words written upon it:
“By the Grace of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims… Ruan Liuzheng, legitimate daughter of the Ruan family, whose elder brother was born with physical infirmity… departed for the frontier nine years ago under Our personal decree, taking her brother’s name and identity… For her distinguished service in pacifying the border regions and suppressing unrest, she is hereby granted the title of Female General of the Third Rank, known as General Zhaoyong…”
Halfway through reading, he suddenly lifted his head, his eyes wide with bewilderment and shock.
“‘Born with physical infirmity’… what is the meaning of this?”
Madam Song had also heard those words clearly. She fixed her gaze sharply upon Ruan Liuzheng and demanded, “When was your elder brother ever disabled?!”
“Please choose your words carefully, Mother,” Ruan Liuzheng replied calmly. She signalled for the guards to withdraw, leaving only Pan Zhan by her side, before continuing, “Father, Mother… do you remember the family letter you sent me all those years ago?”
“Of course we remember!” Madam Song retorted sharply. “You were supposed to meet your elder brother at Yuguan Pass as arranged!”
“Then do you know why I never went to meet him there?”
“Why else? Because you were selfish and greedy! You refused to give up the military honours that rightfully belonged to him!”
Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes instantly reddened, and her face took on an expression of profound hurt and grievance.
“All these years, I risked my life countless times on the battlefield for the sake of our family name and standing… and this is what you truly think of me, Mother?”
Madam Song felt a sudden tightness in her throat. Her righteous anger faltered slightly, and she asked in a quieter voice, “Then why didn’t you come to Yuguan Pass as we had planned?”
“It was because the letter you sent was intercepted and read by His Majesty’s men. From its contents, the Emperor discovered that I was actually a woman… and he was furious beyond measure! When I returned to the capital, I didn’t come to receive rewards or honours I came prepared to plead guilty and accept my punishment! Mother… did you truly expect me to let Elder Brother come to the Palace in my place, when His Majesty already knew the truth? If I had done that, Elder Brother would not merely have suffered a few broken legs… he would have lost his life, and ours along with him!”
She spoke clearly and persuasively, every word sounding sincere and reasonable. Madam Song stood there stunned, and half the anger she had felt just moments before simply melted away.
At that moment, Ruan Yunzheng who had secretly been listening from outside the room hurried in with quick steps.
Putting on a look of genuine surprise and deep concern, she rushed over to Ruan Changzheng’s side, crying out, “Elder Brother! What happened to you? Mother… why has Elder Brother fainted like this?”
Her words seemed to jolt Madam Song back to her senses.
She looked at Ruan Liuzheng with cold, hard eyes and said, “Even so… there was no need for you to falsely claim your brother was born disabled, nor to order your men to break his legs just to make your lie believable!”
Ruan Liuzheng let out a short, bitter laugh. “Mother… if I hadn’t said Elder Brother was crippled from birth… what was I supposed to say instead? That my elder brother was a coward who feared death so much that he didn’t dare set foot on a battlefield, and sent his younger sister in his place to risk her life?”
Madam Song’s expression froze completely.
Master Ruan shifted awkwardly on his feet, raising a hand to rub his nose in embarrassment and discomfort.
“Father, Mother,” Ruan Liuzheng sighed softly and continued, “His Majesty knows exactly what happened. The reason he sent Imperial guards to break Elder Brother’s legs was not out of cruelty it was the only way to save the lives of everyone in our family. If you continue to interfere or object now, you will only anger His Majesty further… and then, none of us will survive.”
After hesitating and struggling with his thoughts for a long moment, Master Ruan finally asked in a low voice, “Is… is there any way we could make it look real, but not actually harm him?”
“Yes!” Madam Song immediately chimed in, her voice trembling with emotion. “He is still your own brother, after all!”
Ruan Liuzheng shook her head sadly. “The Imperial guards are not my men they act only on His Majesty’s orders. Whether we can ‘make it look real’ is not up to me to decide. But please, do not worry too much. I have already sent for the best physician in the city. As soon as the guards leave, he will set the bones and treat the injuries properly. In the future, we can simply tell everyone that Elder Brother has recovered from his illness. I believe His Majesty will not press the matter any further.”
Madam Song still looked torn, her heart aching with motherly love and reluctance. But Master Ruan made his decision at once and said firmly, “Very well. We shall do exactly as you have said!”
“No!” Ruan Yunzheng cried out in distress, her eyes filling with tears. “But what if… what if Elder Brother’s legs can never be fully healed? What if he remains crippled for the rest of his life?”
Ruan Liuzheng’s gaze turned sharp and piercing as she looked straight at her.
“And who might you be? How dare you speak up and cause trouble at such a critical moment? Do you wish to bring ruin and death upon the entire Ruan family?”
Master Ruan immediately frowned and looked at Ruan Yunzheng with open disapproval.
Even Madam Song’s face darkened, a faint look of displeasure appearing in her eyes.
When people believe they are facing certain death, they tend to show the best sides of their nature kindness, compassion, and selflessness. But the moment they realise there might still be a chance to survive… anyone or anything that stands in the way of their survival instantly becomes their enemy, to be removed at all costs.
Ruan Yunzheng stood frozen in shock.
Her intention had only been to show how kind-hearted and compassionate she was… Who could have guessed that with just a few words, Ruan Liuzheng would turn it all around and paint her as someone trying to harm the family?
“Yunzheng did not mean anything like that,” Madam Song said quickly, stepping in to defend her adopted daughter after all. “She is your younger sister. After you left home, I felt very lonely and sad… so I adopted her from a distant branch of the family to keep me company.”
“Ah… so she is merely a plaything you brought in to amuse Mother and pass the time.”
Ruan Liuzheng said it lightly, accompanied by a soft smile but that smile cut into Ruan Yunzheng’s heart like a sharp knife.
Hidden in the folds of her sleeves, her hands clenched tightly, twisting her handkerchief almost to shreds.
She was not some ‘plaything’ or distraction! Her name was clearly recorded in the Ruan family genealogy she was the legitimate Third Miss of the family, with every right to be here!
She had only wanted to show her parents that no matter how much honour or glory Ruan Liuzheng had brought back, she could never compare to her the obedient, filial and kind daughter. Yet somehow, she had ended up making them dislike her instead.
This was not how it was supposed to go…
For the first time in her life, the calm, gentle and perfect mask that Ruan Yunzheng always wore showed clear signs of cracking and falling apart.
From the corner of her eye, Ruan Liuzheng caught sight of Ruan Yunzheng’s pale, shaken face, and a cold sneer formed deep in her heart.
In her previous life, this woman had conspired with Ruan Changzheng to frame her, torture her and finally take her life… after which she had hidden safely behind the scenes while everyone praised her as the epitome of virtue, gentleness and womanly grace a role model for all women in the empire.
But in this life… she would make sure to tear off that hypocritical mask and reveal her true colours for all to see!
“If you do not know how to speak properly, you would do well to remain silent from now on.”
“……”
Ruan Yunzheng’s face turned even paler, if that was possible.
But Ruan Liuzheng didn’t spare her another glance. She simply raised her voice and called the Imperial guards back into the hall.
“Carry out the order.”
The guards stepped forward immediately, raising their heavy cudgels high and bringing them down hard.
The sharp pain jolted Ruan Changzheng awake instantly from his unconsciousness.
“AAAHHH !!”
He screamed in agony. As soon as his eyes fell on Ruan Liuzheng standing nearby, he began to curse wildly, his voice hoarse and filled with hatred.
“You shameless witch! I’ll kill you! I swear I’ll kill you!!”
Ruan Liuzheng’s expression remained completely impassive and cold as she said clearly, “Elder Brother it was because you were too cowardly and afraid of death that you forced me to dress as a man and deceive the Emperor, sending me to war in your place. What we did back then was a crime so serious it carried the penalty of execution for our entire clan and all our relatives!”
“We are fortunate indeed that His Majesty is benevolent and merciful enough to give our family a chance to survive. If not for his kindness, every single one of us would already be dead because of your actions!”
“Endure this pain. What is happening today is necessary for the safety and survival of our entire family. Breaking your legs is the only way to save all our lives!”
In her past life, it was Ruan Changzheng who had used those exact same words ‘for the safety and survival of the family’ as an excuse to strip her of her military honours, crush her legs until she could never walk again, and ruin her reputation and innocence completely.
Now, she was throwing every single one of those words right back at him!
“Ruan Liuzheng!! You vile, despicable creature!!!”
Ruan Changzheng screamed curses at the top of his lungs, completely out of his mind with pain and rage.
In his blind fury, he seemed to have entirely forgotten that this ‘vile creature’ he was abusing was none other than his own younger sister the same sister who had risked everything to save his life and protect their family’s name all those years ago.
If she was truly as despicable and worthless as he claimed… then what exactly did that make him?
There was not.