Chapter 114: Accusing Chu Muzong of Orchestrating an Assault

Before dawn the next day, the sounds of soldiers training echoed outside. Shen Zhao quickly rose, took out the court attire that Chu Er had brought from the General’s Mansion the day before, and swiftly dressed herself. She had to attend court again!

For the first time, she felt the burden of being a general. Every day, besides fighting for the soldiers’ well-being, she had to methodically face all the courtiers and the old emperor.

As she stepped out of the camp, soldiers immediately saluted her with respect—each one vibrant and full of enthusiasm.

“Your subordinate greets the general.”

Seeing this scene, Shen Zhao’s mood lightened considerably.

“Brothers, train well. Our days will only get better from now on. Whatever you deserve, I will make sure you get.”

Suddenly, Shen Zhao found renewed purpose for attending court. She noticed many soldiers still wore thin clothes. It was already late autumn, and winter was approaching swiftly. She must fight for warm clothing for the troops.

Mounting her steed, Yufeng, she galloped toward the city.

Just as she arrived at the palace gates and handed Yufeng over to the guards, a voice called from behind.

“Brother Chu.”

It was Xie Yuheng.

Shen Zhao turned to see Xie Yuheng smoothly dismounting, tossing the reins to a waiting guard, then quickening his pace to catch up.

Leaning close before her, he whispered, “Brother Chu, you might face trouble at court today.” Since all the officials present were attending the morning court, he could only speak quietly.

Shen Zhao paused, wondering what trouble he meant. Was it about the events in the camp yesterday?

Seeing her puzzled expression, Xie Yuheng lowered his voice further. “Wasn’t there a deputy general’s son killed in the capital’s army yesterday?”

Shen Zhao nodded. “Yes, that’s true. How did you find out? Is this the trouble you mentioned?”

Xie Yuheng’s voice dropped further: “The deputy general’s daughter is the favored concubine of the Third Prince. The man who was killed was her brother. I heard from my elder brother that the Liang family went to him yesterday to accuse you. At morning court today, the Third Prince’s faction will come down hard on you.

“But Brother Chu, don’t be afraid. I’m here. My brother is here too. I’ve already spoken to him, and he will protect you somewhat during court. You won’t be fighting alone.”

Shen Zhao’s gaze darkened. She had yet to decide how to secure warm clothing for the Northwest Army, but this opportunity was knocking right at her door.

“Don’t worry, Brother Xie. They won’t find any tricks. I’m not at fault. That Liang Yi deserves to die. If I had been in the camp back then, no one else would have had to kill him—I would have done it myself. Don’t worry about court today. Please thank our brother for me.”

Xie Yuheng chuckled. He loved hearing that; Brother Chu truly considered him a comrade.

“You’re too polite, Brother Chu. Our brother needs no thanks. It’s only right that brothers help each other.”

The two of them arrived at the main hall, where Shen Zhao noticed someone who should not have been present at court: Deputy General Liang, bandaged and missing one ear.

Just yesterday, at Lin Song’s urging, she had decided to spare this nuisance’s life.

But he didn’t seem to appreciate it.

Shen Zhao’s cold gaze made Liang shiver involuntarily.

“General Chu’s look—it’s as if he’s staring at a corpse.”

Wailing silently, Liang wished he weren’t being looked at this way. He was only here because he was forced. It was all because of that damned woman at home. Upon learning their son Yi had been killed, she reported to her eldest daughter, who informed the Third Prince.

The Third Prince issued a death order, telling him to seize the opportunity to accuse the Chu family and bring them down.

He neither wanted nor dared to do it. The Chu family would kill him if he tried.

Yet he had no choice. The cruel woman didn’t understand the situation or common sense and went behind his back to report to the Dali Temple’s mansion, accusing the Chu family.

This morning, the Third Prince’s men had already brought him to the palace gates early.

It was his first time entering the palace and attending the morning court he had dreamed of.

Now, all he wished was to go back to the camp and stay there quietly.

He looked pleadingly at General Chu, silently begging her not to misunderstand.

A flicker of doubt crossed Shen Zhao’s eyes. She sensed this Liang’s expression was almost tearful, filled with desperation.

Was he asking for her help?

She turned away from Deputy General Liang, who hardly seemed bold enough to accuse her on his own. Perhaps he was coerced by the Third Prince.

Liang was on the verge of tears, unsure if General Chu could understand his plea.

“The Emperor has arrived.”

With the eunuch’s loud announcement, the hall instantly fell silent.

All the ministers knelt in unison, bowing deeply. “Your humble servant greets the Emperor. Long live the Emperor.”

As always, the old emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking down at the sea of kneeling courtiers.

“Rise, all ministers.”

The unchanging opening words passed, and immediately someone stood up, wearing a face of righteous indignation.

“Your Majesty, your humble servant wishes to accuse General Chu of permitting violent acts and wanton killing of innocents, neglecting his duties which led to a mutiny in the camp, causing numerous soldiers’ deaths and injuries.”

This man was a censor of the current court—a stubborn old conservative.

He belonged to no prince’s faction but was loyal solely to the old emperor.

This time, the Third Prince had been clever, not using his own men but employing this zealous censor to accuse Shen Zhao.

Had it been anyone else, the old emperor might have doubted the Third Prince somewhat. But coming from this censor, the emperor harbored no suspicion.

For this censor was known to report even against the emperor himself if necessary, pointing out his missteps.

The once composed old emperor suddenly became alert.

His eyes, sharp as blades, pierced Shen Zhao.

“Minister Chu, is this true?”

The emperor’s imposing aura did not intimidate Shen Zhao in the slightest. She straightened her posture and stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, it is true that a mutiny occurred in the capital army yesterday evening, resulting in the sacrifice of many soldiers. However, your humble servant did not permit any violence nor neglect his duties. I do not accept this accusation…”

At her words, the old censor immediately frowned.

“So General Chu admits to negligence leading to the mutiny?”

Shen Zhao looked at the angered censor and said firmly, “I do not admit to that either.”

The censor scoffed coldly. “General Chu, are you trying to clear yourself completely? As commander of the capital army, does the mutiny not bear your responsibility?

“I have heard that you not only failed to severely punish the troublemakers but also protected the murderer who killed a subordinate general’s son, threatening the deputy general who lost his child, cutting off his ear and forbidding him from seeking justice. Is this true or not?”

The censor angrily berated Shen Zhao.

In his eyes, she was an utterly wicked villain, abusing her position to commit all manner of crimes within the capital army.

“General Chu, don’t think that as commander you can wield such overwhelming power to cover up your crimes. Today, I have brought the deputy general whom you intimidated and who lost his son.”

The censor then looked toward Deputy General Liang.

“Deputy General Liang, do not be afraid. Now, before the Emperor, tell your grievances fully. No one here will harm you.”

Shaking, Deputy General Liang stood up, cast a glance at Shen Zhao, then his legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

Everyone saw this clearly.

The censor’s anger toward Shen Zhao grew even stronger upon seeing Liang so frightened.