Chapter 24 Once Again the Target of Grudges, Unable to Escape the “Concern” of Family

A soft snort escaped, and Shen Zhao couldn’t help but laugh aloud. Xie Yuheng’s retort was truly well done.

Wasn’t Chu Mu just as brainless as he seemed?

Seeing Chu Mu finally crack a smile, Xie Yuheng felt most of his grievance melt away.

“Brother Chu, so you agree with me, don’t you…” he began.

“Be quiet!”

“Be quiet!”

Two simultaneous voices rang out, perfectly in unison.

Xie Yuheng choked on his words, feeling unfairly beset. Was this not bullying? If it weren’t for the sake of Brother Chu, he’d never have let this go today.

The two who had rebuked Xie Yuheng exchanged a glance.

Pang Yunjin looked at Chu Mu with a hint of pity. Miss Shen, why do you defend the Chu family so staunchly? Chu Mu clearly does not appreciate your kindness, even when you plead for his kin’s sake. All you receive in return are his cold jibes. Such a man is unworthy of someone as kind-hearted as you.

Chu Mu, meanwhile, shot Pang Yunjin a fierce glare. This shameless pretty boy—what was the meaning of that look of regret and sympathy? Since when did it become his place to stand up for Zhao?

Xie Yuheng snorted coldly, “Why is everyone picking on me? Am I not even allowed to tell the truth?”

With that, he slumped onto a chair nearby, sulking to himself.

“Enough, it’s all just a misunderstanding. Now that it’s out in the open, let’s put it behind us. Yuheng, I’ll invite you out for drinks another day,” Shen Zhao said, smoothing things over.

Though she too longed to see Chu Miao lose face, the wooden-headed man at her side would never allow it. She still had use for this blockhead, after all.

She regarded Chu Miao critically. So long as Chu Miao behaved herself and stirred no more trouble, she could ignore her. But if, in the future, Chu Miao truly sought death and jeopardized her plans, she would not hesitate to see her off.

Xie Yuheng grumbled his assent, still sullen.

Perhaps it was best if he simply never set foot in the grand general’s residence again.

Shen Zhao turned to Chu Miao. “Miaomiao, aren’t you going to thank Third Young Master for his magnanimity?”

Since Chu Miao had tried to entrap Xie Yuheng, she would not let Yuheng suffer such humiliation without redress.

Tears welled in Chu Miao’s eyes. How could her third uncle humiliate her so? Was this truly the silent, reticent, fiercely protective uncle her mother had spoken of? Shouldn’t he be the one to stand up for her? If she thanked Third Young Master now, wouldn’t that be tantamount to admitting she’d used underhanded means?

“Third Uncle…” Chu Miao called out plaintively.

But Shen Zhao was unmoved, her voice growing colder.

—

“Miaomiao, is it that you wish to be escorted to the magistrate’s office?” she asked.

Startled, Chu Miao bit down hard on her lower lip, tears silently rolling down her cheeks, making her look pitiful indeed.

Beside her, Chu Mu tugged at Shen Zhao’s sleeve.

“My... my dear, that’s enough. Miaomiao didn’t mean any harm. Why press her so?” he pleaded, before turning to Chu Miao. “Miaomiao, it’s getting late. You haven’t yet greeted your grandmother, have you? Go quickly and pay your respects.”

Hearing this, Chu Miao shot Chu Mu a resentful glare. What a venomous heart this Lady Shen possessed. Appearing to plead on her behalf, yet in front of everyone planting seeds of filial disobedience. If word reached her grandmother, wouldn’t it seem as though she had willfully neglected her elders? What did he mean, “it’s getting late, you haven’t greeted your grandmother”? Wasn’t that an open accusation?

Already feeling wronged, her misery deepened.

“Aunt, why do you mock me so? When have I ever offended you, that you would slander a sheltered girl so cruelly? How can your heart be so vicious?” she accused, tears streaming down her face.

Turning to Shen Zhao, she continued aggrievedly, “Third Uncle, Miaomiao will take her leave now and spare you the eyesore. It was my own presumption to think the grand general’s mansion was my home... I thought that if I suffered any injustice, my uncle would protect me as a father would, and my aunt would defend me as a mother would. I never imagined…” She left the sentence hanging, looking at Shen Zhao with sorrow. “It was my own foolishness.” Clutching her kerchief to her face, she stumbled from the hall as if bearing a great injustice.

Chu Mu watched the scene unfold, rooted to the spot. When had he ever mocked or slandered Miaomiao? He’d only wanted her to leave this troublesome place for her own good. How had he become the villain with a wicked heart?

Shen Zhao patted the dazed Chu Mu on the shoulder, saying nothing.

Blockhead, now you have another person to deal with. Enjoy the all-encompassing “care” your family bestows upon you. She was certain that before the day was out, the old madam would again take up Chu Miao’s cause and punish her.

What Shen Zhao did not know was that, by now, the entire household was in an uproar, and the old madam and others were on their way to demand an explanation from Chu Mu.

Why had they suddenly been denied access to their monthly allowances?

Xie Yuheng snorted at the stupefied Chu Mu. See what happens? All your efforts are thankless, and now you’re branded as malicious. Truly brainless—Chu brother is pitiful indeed, to have married such a wife.

At that moment, the gatekeeper rushed in with a report.

“General, the second young master of Grand Tutor Pang’s residence requests an audience.”

How quick he was.

Before Shen Zhao could reply, Xie Yuheng sprang from his chair, muttering, “I’m about to burst with frustration. At last, someone I can vent on.”

With that, he dashed from the front hall like a gust of wind.

—

Shen Zhao hurried after him.

What a mess this was.

Pang Yunjin’s face was battered with bruises from Chu Mu’s blows. If Xie Yuheng went and did the same to Pang Yunche, the old fox Pang Qingyun would surely come after them with a vengeance.

Chu Mu followed close behind, displeasure flashing in his eyes. Why was Pang Yunche here again? Judging by Zhao’s anxious expression, had she perhaps also saved Pang Yunche? Just how many scoundrels had his Zhao attracted?

The steward, waiting outside, saw all his masters filing out. When Young Master Yunjin failed to appear, he rushed into the hall, his face full of concern for Pang Yunjin, who was pushing his own wheelchair.

“Young Master Yunjin, let me help you to the gate,” he said, thinking his pace too slow. Without waiting for permission, he simply scooped Pang Yunjin up, chair and all.

“This is faster. Hold tight, Young Master Yunjin.”

He chuckled to himself—truth be told, Young Master Yunjin wasn’t heavy at all, not nearly as hefty as the livestock he’d butchered in the barracks.

For the first time, a crack appeared on Pang Yunjin’s perpetually impassive face.

He did not need help. Truly!

“Damn you, Xie the Third, have you lost your mind?” came an angry shout.

Shen Zhao was still a step too late. She watched as Xie Yuheng sent Pang Yunche flying with a swift kick to the rear.

Clutching his bruised backside, Pang Yunche scrambled up, cursing as Xie Yuheng barreled towards him again.

“Xie the Third, you mad dog, what’s gotten into you today? What evil wind possessed you? What did I ever do to you?”

“Not mad—just in the mood for a fight. And since you’re here, you’ll do,” replied Xie Yuheng, perfectly candid. To Pang Yunche, it sounded like outright provocation.

Without another word, Pang Yunche threw himself at Xie Yuheng, the two brawling heedlessly.

His elder brother wouldn’t blame him. He’d deal with Xie Yuheng first, then go see his brother.

Shen Zhao leapt forward. Skilled in martial arts, and now with Chu Mu’s robust physique, she wedged herself between the two men, catching them both off-guard and seizing their pressure points—left hand on Xie Yuheng, right hand on Pang Yunche.

She shouted coldly, “Enough! Both of you, stop!”

Just then, Chu Mu arrived, breathing heavily.

Zhao’s new body was far too frail—just those few steps had left him gasping, his chest tight and aching. He would have to ask the house physician to examine her later.

But when he saw Shen Zhao standing between Xie Yuheng and Pang Yunche, his face darkened at once.

His Zhao was touching other men again!