Chapter 158: Pampering the Orphaned Girl and Destroying the Wife

Chu Mu was anxious to leave and send people to capture Lin Feihu.

Yet, she could not completely disregard the elderly man's face. She glanced at Ah Zhao, and upon receiving Ah Zhao's subtle signal, she said to the old man, "It is my honor to have the esteemed elder examine me. Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Chu Mu spoke with utmost sincerity, and the old man's intentions were indeed benevolent.

She was not afraid of what the old man might diagnose; Ah Zhao genuinely suffered from a cold affliction, and her occasional coughing fits were not a feigned illness.

The old man pressed his fingers against Chu Mu's pulse. Within moments, he withdrew his hand and said, "The Madam suffers from a cold affliction, likely caused by long-term habitation in a cold and damp environment. The Madam's coughing and wheezing are directly related to this cold affliction.

Not only that, but this old man also finds that the Madam's vitality is severely depleted. May I be so bold as to ask, Madam, does the General's Manor deny you food?"

Chu Mu's complexion flushed slightly.

Indeed, the Great General's Manor never provided Ah Zhao with enough to eat.

The gazes directed at Chu Mu by the surrounding crowd were filled with pity.

They had previously caught wind of the rumors that General Chu neglected and suppressed Madam Chu on account of an orphaned young woman lodging in the General's Manor.

Witnessing it today, it was precisely as the rumors claimed.

How could it be otherwise? Anyone with eyes could discern the stark difference in treatment between Madam Chu and Miss Lin within the Great General's Manor.

One was doted on to the heavens, while the other, despite being the legitimate mistress of the household, was humbled to the dust, lacking even a properly fitted set of garments.

"Old doctor, need you even ask? You must have just arrived in the capital city, haven't you heard of things like favoring concubines over wives—bah bah, that person isn't even a concubine yet.

Madam Chu is truly a pitiable soul."

The speaker dared not elaborate further, given that the person in question was a high-ranking and powerful general, and moreover, they were currently guests within his estate.

The old man understood instantly and instructed Chu Mu, "You must properly recuperate this body of yours; it is hardly worth it to sacrifice yourself for others.

Every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost—take this old man's advice, if you cannot live together, then separate, it is nothing of great consequence."

Chu Mu's stalwart frame gave a slight jolt. Just moments ago, she had thought this old man was a kind soul.

It turned out to be a mere misconception on her part.

A trace of irritation rose in her heart, yet she felt that the old man's words were not entirely incorrect.

Irritation aside, the man spoke the truth.

Had she not wronged Ah Zhao, Ah Zhao would never have been reduced to such a state.

Suddenly recalling something, Chu Mu looked sincerely at the old man and asked, "Respected elder, aside from these, does my body suffer from any other hidden ailments?"

The old man looked at Chu Mu with gratification, believing that this younger generation had taken his advice to heart and finally begun to care for her own well-being.

"Aside from these, the Madam is entirely sound in health."

Chu Mu abruptly turned her gaze toward Shen Zhao, and at the same moment, Shen Zhao looked back at Chu Mu.

Entirely sound in health!

How could she possibly be entirely sound in health when she had been administered a potent sterility-inducing drug for several years?

Boom!

Shen Zhao seemed to recall something.

The imperial physicians who had taken her pulse after she fell unconscious had never once mentioned that Chu Mu was afflicted with sterility drugs and that her body had been thoroughly ruined.

She refused to believe that the physicians of the Imperial Hospital could fail to diagnose the massive amounts of sterility-inducing substances in her system.

Chu Mu likewise remembered that during her own period of unconsciousness, the physician from the Pang estate who examined her had also failed to mention that she had been poisoned with sterility drugs.

A daring notion sprouted simultaneously in the minds of both.

Each saw joy and excitement mirrored in the other's eyes.

Who wouldn't desire a healthy body?

However, this was not the time to dwell on such matters.

Chu Mu expressed her gratitude to the old man, saying, "Thank you very much, respected elder." She then instructed a nearby servant, "Ensure the elder is sent back with some provisions."

Everyone present understood clearly that the provisions bestowed by a noble household would surely be no ordinary fare.

Within them must lie a deeper meaning.

Perhaps a large-denomination banknote, or a generous handful of silver ingots and golden morsels.

"Everyone, I shall return to my quarters to rest first."

With those words, she covered the corner of her lips, coughed a few times more, and departed the Western Courtyard amidst the sympathetic gazes of the onlookers.

Lin Jiaojia almost let out a furious scream.

Were they all blind? What was there about this Shen woman to be pitied?

Had every single one of them been bewitched by her vixen-like appearance?

Truly despicable.

Yet she dared only roar the curses internally, lacking the courage to voice them aloud.

Just as she stepped out of the Western Courtyard, Chu Mu quickened her pace, summoned the hidden guards on duty, and issued immediate orders.

Chu Mu's departure did not draw excessive attention from the crowd.

What they desired most at this moment was to tear away the false facade of this Miss Lin.

Everyone eagerly awaited the return of the soldiers dispatched by the general to summon a physician.

Shen Zhao was not idle at this moment either. She addressed the crowd, saying, "This general has always believed she treated Miss Lin quite fairly. Yet, Deputy General Zhang and Miss Lin claim that she suffered mistreatment and grievances within the Great General's Manor. It would be useless for this general to say more, as it would merely invite suspicion from others.

Why not invite everyone here to act as judges for this general and see whether the Great General's Manor has indeed mistreated Miss Lin?"

With these words, she led the crowd toward Lin Jiaojia's chamber.

Lin Jiaojia felt utterly aggrieved. Brother Mu must be furious with her.

She was truly wronged; she had never once claimed that Brother Mu treated her poorly.

Why must Brother Mu insist on shouldering the blame himself instead of placing the fault upon that wretched Shen woman?

The onlookers were equally eager to witness how generously this Miss Lin had been pampered within the Great General's Manor.

Aside from Deputy General Zhang, not a single soul among those present believed Lin Jiaojia's claims of mistreatment.

Old Mrs. Lin squeezed to the front of the crowd; she too wished to inspect what kind of luxurious life this little hussy had been living.

"This... what is this? Master, come quickly and see what kind of variety this fiery red withered tree is.

How on earth can it grow in such a brilliant shade?"

As soon as Old Mrs. Lin stepped through the threshold, her eyes landed upon the half-man-tall red coral.

Not only did the ignorant Old Mrs. Lin let out an exclamation of awe.

Even those who recognized its value could not suppress a sharp intake of breath.

A half-man-tall piece of red coral was something to be sought after rather than expected; it was an invaluable treasure that had no fixed market price.

The Great General's Manor was truly lavish, bestowing such a precious item upon an orphaned lodger merely as a decorative ornament.

From this, one could perceive the boundless wealth of the Great General's Manor.

Shen Zhao gazed at the half-man-tall red coral. This coral had originally been placed in the chambers shared by her and Chu Mu.

It was a reward bestowed upon Chu Mu by the former Emperor when His Majesty was greatly pleased by Chu Mu's military achievements years ago.

It was also the sole item she had explicitly requested to keep when the rest of the household was cleared out by the second branch of the family.

Regrettably, before she could even warm the item in her hands, it was snatched away by Lin Jiaojia.

Lin's father had never laid eyes on red coral either, let alone a piece half a man in height.

Though he did not recognize it, he knew instinctively that the object must be immensely valuable.

Several onlookers stared wide-eyed—how could it not be valuable?

"You foolish woman, be careful not to touch and ruin it! Growing so dazzlingly bright, how could it be a withered tree? It must be some supreme variety of exotic flora."

Lin Jiaojia seriously doubted whether she was truly Lin's father's daughter.

How could he be so naturally and profoundly foolish?

If he did not recognize it, why bother pretending he knew what the object was, and continue to arrogantly lecture that wretched woman right there?

She was merely grateful that no one knew her true relation to him.

"Chuckle... This is the first time I've ever heard of red coral being classified as a flower or a withered tree.

Why, this is the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea's palace-guarding treasure, deep-sea red coral. Even this half-man-tall piece is something I am seeing for the very first time.

It is priceless and impossible to acquire by mere seeking. The Great General's Manor has truly treated Miss Lin generously to dare give such a precious artifact as a mere ornament for Miss Lin's room."

The complexions of Old Mrs. Lin and Lin's father turned utterly unsightly after being subjected to such public humiliation.

Hailing from humble origins, how could they possibly recognize treasures circulated solely among the nobility?

At that moment, another person let out a cry of astonishment, shouting, "Everyone, come quickly and look at this!"