Chapter 11: The Taste of Being Wronged, Unable to Defend Oneself

“What is this?” Shen Zhao asked, though he already knew the answer. His lips curled slightly as he looked at the food that had rolled onto the floor.

A steamed bun covered in green mold, and a bowl of watery porridge that had spilled. The porridge mixed on the floor with greasy scraps of vegetables, giving off a sour, rancid stench.

The old maid stammered, “It… it’s food.”

Today, the old woman had run straight into trouble. Who knows whose orders she was following, but she’d actually brought swill for her today. No matter how poor the fare in the past, it had always been food fit for a person. Today, it was pure humiliation.

But it was just as well. It gave Chu Mu, that blind fool, a chance to see for himself.

Shen Zhao pointed coldly at the swill on the floor. “Everyone in the house has eaten by this hour. Don’t say it’s for you. In this small courtyard, only Madam is present, and only she was punished by missing breakfast. Is this the breakfast you bring her? She is the wife of the General’s residence—a woman of standing. Who gave you the courage to insult her like this, serving her swill? Speak truthfully.”

The old maid instinctively tried to protest, “No… this isn’t…”

A sharp glance from Shen Zhao silenced her. “Think carefully before you speak.” The maid immediately knelt, her body trembling.

“I deserve punishment, General! My mind was clouded by greed. I brought food from the kitchen at random, didn’t check it properly. Please forgive me.”

She knocked her head repeatedly against the floor.

Shen Zhao snorted coldly. “Didn’t check properly? Do you take me for a fool? The bun is moldy, the swill is rotten. Even if you don’t look closely, can you not smell it?”

Cold sweat broke out on the maid’s forehead. Why was the General concerned with such trivial matters today? She remembered the two taels of silver she’d taken from Lady Lin in the West Garden to torment Madam, and regret flooded her heart.

“Will you speak or not? Even if you don’t, I can find out myself. And the punishment then will be…” Shen Zhao’s expression chilled.

The maid hurriedly spilled the truth. “Forgive me, General! It’s… today Madam pushed Miss Lin in the old lady’s courtyard, causing her heart pain to flare up again. Miss Lin is pitiful, can’t eat, and is still lying in bed. Her maid couldn’t bear to see Madam bully her, so she had me bring Madam this food… I didn’t mean it, please forgive me.”

Everyone knew the General cared most for Miss Lin. Whenever Madam and Miss Lin clashed, he always sided with Miss Lin, regardless of right or wrong. Besides, Madam was at fault today.

Luckily she remembered this—now the General wouldn’t punish her for disrespecting Madam.

The maid cast a triumphant glance at Chu Mu, full of provocation. So what if you’re Madam? You’re no match for Miss Lin, who is the General’s favorite.

Both Shen Zhao and Chu Mu caught this look. Shen Zhao glanced at Chu Mu, a hint of mockery in his eyes.

Chu Mu stared at the moldy bun, a mix of emotions churning in his heart.

He saw the maid’s smugness clearly. Her meaning was obvious. They were humiliating Ah Zhao just to vent for Lin Jiaojiao. Judging by her demeanor, she was certain he wouldn’t punish her.

Recalling his past handling of such matters, Chu Mu looked at Shen Zhao, guilt in his gaze.

He crouched down and picked up the rotten, hairy bun.

“Is this what you usually eat?” His voice was almost a whisper.

Shen Zhao said nothing, which was tacit approval. She wouldn’t foolishly say she didn’t eat such things. Wasn’t he feeling guilty? Let him feel it—this was only the beginning.

She nearly laughed aloud; on the very first day, the blockhead and the white lotus were already at odds. Had she missed a good show?

Just as Chu Mu was about to taste the moldy bun, Shen Zhao snatched it away and crushed it underfoot.

Her face darkened. Fine, feel your guilt, but don’t harm her body. Was he trying to poison her? If he died, so be it—but her body mustn’t suffer.

She said, displeased, “Is that true, Madam? Did you push Jiaojiao?”

Chu Mu looked at the bun ground to crumbs. He had wanted to taste it, to know how she lived. She must care for him, not wanting him to endure such suffering. His eyes softened imperceptibly.

“It wasn’t so. I didn’t push Lin Jiaojiao—she framed me.”

The maid immediately interjected, “General, Madam is lying. She pushed Miss Lin—Second Madam, Old Lady, and I all saw it clearly. We can testify that Madam pushed Miss Lin.”

Chu Mu’s face darkened further. This was slander, pure and simple.

Shen Zhao couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Hearing her laugh made Chu Mu’s face even darker. Was she so pleased at his being wronged?

Shen Zhao didn’t notice Chu Mu’s thoughts; her delight was written all over her face. She suppressed her smile. If not for the others present, she would have laughed openly at Chu Mu.

Lin Jiaojiao hadn’t disappointed—she’d sent such a gift to Chu Mu on the very first day.

But she wouldn’t pity Chu Mu, for she herself had endured such scenes too many times. Things she hadn’t done, they’d always pinned on her.

Now she wanted Chu Mu to taste what it was like to be wronged, to feel the helplessness of swallowing injustice with no outlet.

Shen Zhao kept her face stern, imitating Chu Mu’s usual disbelief and coldness when she was falsely accused.

She said coldly to Chu Mu, “Shen, you’ve truly disappointed me. Jiaojiao is an orphan, lodging in the General’s residence, and yet you can’t tolerate her. Time and again you trouble her, and now you dare lay hands on her. You know she’s frail, yet you strike her—when did you become so cruel?”

As she spoke, Chu Mu’s eyes widened.

“You don’t believe me either? Ah… General, you don’t believe me? I really didn’t push Lin Jiaojiao—why does no one believe me?”

Being wronged was unbearable. He felt aggrieved—he had not pushed Lin Jiaojiao.

Everyone was testifying falsely for Lin Jiaojiao, leaving him unable to defend himself. He was never good with words. Even Ah Zhao didn’t believe him, which made him feel even worse.

Ah Zhao knew him well—she must know he wouldn’t push Lin Jiaojiao, nor deny it if he did. But now even Ah Zhao refused to believe him—who would?

This helplessness was suffocating.

“Shen, how can I believe you? Mother, Second Sister-in-law, and all the servants can testify for Lin Jiaojiao—how can I believe you?”

Yes, how could she believe him, with so many people falsely accusing him?

“You’ve become unreasonable—when you make a mistake, you blame others. Is admitting you’re wrong so difficult? Go to the West Garden and apologize to Jiaojiao right away.” These were the words Chu Mu often said to her.

Now she returned them in full, so he could experience her plight.

Chu Mu was struck as if by lightning.

Those words…

He had said them to Ah Zhao more than once.

“I…” Chu Mu’s lips trembled with bitterness, but he didn’t know what to say.

Shen Zhao looked at Chu Mu’s current state, and felt an indescribable sensation. It wasn’t joy after all—her heart felt strangely heavy.

She waved her hand decisively.