Chapter 120: Finding a Match for Lin Jiajiao

Lin Jiaojiao was long past the age when she should have been married. He had not forgotten that Lin Hu had saved his life, and he intended to ensure she had a proper future. With this in mind, Chu Mu decided to attend the banquet hosted by Madam Pang. Not only would he attend, but he would also take Lin Jiaojiao with him to help her secure a suitable match.

He would have A-Zhao announce that she had taken Lin Jiaojiao as her foster sister. This would elevate Lin Jiaojiao’s status, making her a more attractive prospect for marriage, and ensure that her future in-laws would respect the authority of the Grand General’s Mansion and refrain from mistreating her in private. In doing so, he would fulfill his debt of gratitude to Lin Hu.

"Miss Lin, I will say this one last time: I do not owe you anything. You do not need to play the victim to win others' sympathy and sully my reputation. It was Chu Mu your brother saved, not me. The one who owes your brother is Chu Mu, not I, Shen Zhao. Remember that. Furthermore, ask yourself honestly: have I not treated you well? I have never denied you food, clothing, or shelter. Even the brocade dress you are wearing is made of high-quality material worth a hundred taels—something even I, the mistress of the house, am reluctant to wear. Your wardrobe is filled with such finery, not to mention your daily provisions; no one else in the manor is cared for as well as you. Do not let me hear any more baseless claims about me mistreating you, or else I will truly grant your wish and handle things exactly as you have suggested."

Lin Jiaojiao’s face turned from pale to flushed. Had this Shen woman lost her mind? She was targeting her at every turn and even dared to expose her true nature in front of her sister-in-law. Was she not afraid that she would tell Brother Mu? The wretched vixen.

"Sister Shen, what have I done wrong to make you treat me like this? When have I ever said you were not good to me? It is you who are suspicious, yet you blame me instead."

Watching Lin Jiaojiao’s hypocritical expression, a wave of disgust rose in Chu Mu’s heart. Unwilling to waste more breath on her, he said coldly, "Miss Lin, behave yourself. Since you wish to accompany me to the Pang residence, go and prepare yourself. We leave from the front gate in a quarter of an hour. I will not wait."

He then summoned a maid to help with his grooming. Since he was attending a banquet at the Pang residence, he could not dress so casually. He was A-Zhao now, and he could not let her lose face in front of others.

Lin Jiaojiao was stunned. What did the Shen woman mean? One moment she was relentless, and the next she was inviting her to the banquet. There must be a trap.

However, she was not afraid of whatever tricks Shen might have up her sleeve; she would simply handle them as they came. "Thank you, Sister Shen. I will be at the gate in a quarter of an hour and will not delay you."

With that, she ignored the Madam Zheng and her daughter and hurried off to her own quarters. She had been in the capital for two years, and the most prestigious person she had encountered was Brother Mu. This would be her first time attending a banquet hosted by a noble lady, and she intended to perform well and leave a lasting impression. She wanted to completely eclipse the Shen woman, to show the world that only she was worthy of Brother Mu, and that someone as crude as the Shen woman was not fit for him at all.

"Third Sister-in-law, since you are taking Miss Lin, it would be unreasonable not to take Miaomiao as well. I will go and have Miaomiao get dressed now, and she will be at the gate in a quarter of an hour," Madam Zheng said, seeing that Shen had agreed to take Lin Jiaojiao. She began to pull Chu Miao away to prepare. She had brought many jewels when she came to the capital, and this was Miaomiao's first time at such a banquet. She had to ensure her daughter left an impression. Her Miaomiao was so beautiful; a little styling would make her outshine everyone, especially with the Shen woman and Lin Jiaojiao as foils. Her Miaomiao would surely be the most dazzling person there.

"Sister-in-law, there is no need for that. When did I say I would take Chu Miao? I am only taking Miss Lin. As you are new to the capital, you may not know that when a host invites you, one can only bring one companion, excluding the necessary maids and servants. This is the etiquette of noble families and cannot be broken."

Chu Mu was merely stating the truth, but to Madam Zheng, the meaning was different. What! This was the custom in the capital? She was new, but Lin Jiaojiao, who had lived here for two years, could not possibly have been unaware. That little vixen! How dared she shamelessly seek out her and Miaomiao to pressure the Shen woman into taking them all? She knew the rules; she had clearly used them as pawns.

The mother and daughter glared at Chu Mu’s departing back with gnashed teeth. Chu Miao’s eyes welled up with tears. "Mother, I didn't know the rules, but how could you not? Why did you speak up for that vixen Lin Jiaojiao? If you hadn't spoken for her, why would the Shen woman have agreed to take her? I am a member of the Chu family; by the rules, if she had to take someone, it should have been me! Now look, they both get to go, and I am the only one left behind. Mother, you have disappointed me so much..."

Chu Miao looked at Madam Zheng with resentment, blaming her for meddling and angering the Shen woman, which led to her being cast aside in favor of that vixen. Unable to bear the sight of her mother, who had failed to accomplish anything, she turned and ran off, wiping her tears.

Madam Zheng stood there helplessly, cursing the devious Lin Jiaojiao, before hurrying off to follow her daughter. "Miaomiao, wait for Mother! Miaomiao..."

Chu Mu had a maid select a proper dress for him, styled his hair simply, and added a set of jewelry that complemented the outfit. He looked into the bronze mirror; his A-Zhao was still as radiant as ever—a little styling and she was breathtaking.

Once ready, he headed to the gate. He did not bring any maids or servants. A-Zhao had only one maid left, Zisu, who had been injured the day before and was currently working outside the manor. He did not trust the other servants, especially since they were going to the Pang residence, a family that had always been hostile toward him.

When Chu Mu arrived at the gate, Lin Jiaojiao was being helped by her personal maid. Chu Mu frowned slightly. Lin Jiaojiao was dressed quite ostentatiously; while she looked decent enough, he wondered why she was wearing a bright red dress and what she intended to convey. She was also wearing a full set of gold and ruby jewelry.

"Sister Shen, why are you dressed so plainly? Going to someone else’s home while dressed so understatedly might displease the host."

Chu Mu looked at his lake-blue dress. Plain? He didn't think so; it was just right. A-Zhao was a married woman; dressing too gaudily would only invite ridicule and dislike.

"Mind your own business and stop questioning my attire. I have prepared two carriages. You will take the one behind me. Once we reach the Pang residence, behave yourself."

With that, he boarded the carriage in front. He did not wish to share a carriage with Lin Jiaojiao, even if he was currently in a woman's body.