Chapter 26 Ah Zhao cares for me, and Mother will understand me

“Thank you for your concern, Yuheng. Since it’s still early, why don’t you head over to Yiyun Academy and ask the steward for the academy’s profits? The academy was built with the military funds from our Capital’s army, so the profits rightfully belong to us as well. We can use them to supplement the soldiers’ pay.”

The moment Xie Yuheng heard this, he perked up instantly and grinned at Shen Zhao. “Thank you for thinking so highly of me, Brother Chu. I promise I won’t let you down.” He quickly mounted his horse and left in haste.

Brother Chu really values me, entrusting me with such a chance to shine before the soldiers—he was truly giving me too much credit.

He had to handle this matter flawlessly; he could not disappoint Brother Chu.

Watching Xie Yuheng leave in high spirits, Shen Zhao felt a twinge of guilt.

It wasn’t her intention to set Xie Yuheng up, but he honestly had brought it upon himself with his sharp tongue.

The profits from Yiyun Academy had long since found their way into the Crown Prince’s coffers—retrieving them would be as hard as reaching for the stars.

Still, if it could cause Pang Qingyun some headaches and leave him flustered, that was an outcome worth savoring.

It was just unfortunate that Xie Yuheng would end up resented by the Crown Prince’s faction.

Shen Zhao glanced again at the Pang brothers and felt much better.

Especially at the sight of their bruised and swollen faces.

Pang Yunjin and Pang Yunche would return home with injuries, but she was quite certain Pang Yunjin would never reveal where they’d come from.

Pang Yunche’s wounds were from Xie Yuheng’s fists, and no matter how bold Pang Qingyun was, he wouldn’t dare make trouble at the Duke Zhenguo’s estate.

He could only swallow his grievance. The thought of Pang Qingyun being cornered and powerless filled Shen Zhao with delight.

She skipped off toward the General’s Manor with a spring in her step.

Behind her, the Pang brothers stood at the gates, staring at each other in disbelief.

Was this really the same solemn, severe General Chu they once knew?

That gleeful look of schadenfreude was plain as day.

Those lively little steps—each one a fresh humiliation for the two brothers.

There was only one word they wanted to say: Shameless!

Chu Mu walked sullenly ahead. As soon as he set foot in the back courtyard, five or six burly old servant women approached, eyes gleaming as if they’d found their prey.

One of them spat coldly and declared, “At last, Madam, we’ve caught you. The Old Madam has ordered you to report to Fulinyuan.”

The others wasted no time, closing in and surrounding Chu Mu.

Two of them reached out to seize Chu Mu by the shoulders.

Chu Mu’s expression darkened, irritation already simmering inside.

With a deft twist of her body, she slipped free of their encirclement.

Her slender white fingers nimbly gripped one woman’s shoulder, and with a swift pull and push, a piercing scream rang out: “My arm! My arm!”

Just like that, the woman’s arm was dislocated.

She dealt with the remaining women in the same manner, her hands never idle, her feet delivering sharp kicks as well.

She sent another sprawling before her, giving her an extra kick for good measure.

Within moments, the women who had come to seize her for punishment were all writhing on the ground, groaning in pain.

Shen Zhao entered just in time to witness this scene.

Chu Mu, while straightening her disheveled skirt, issued a stern warning: “Try laying a hand on me again, and it won’t be as simple as a beating next time.”

Shen Zhao hurried over, taking Chu Mu’s hand and carefully examining her, looking her over from head to toe with concern in her eyes.

She mustn’t let her body come to harm.

These servant women were tough and thick-skinned, but her own body was now terribly delicate and frail.

To Chu Mu, Shen Zhao’s actions were overflowing with care.

A warmth spread through Chu Mu’s chest, dissipating much of her earlier frustration.

Deeply moved, she said, “A’Zhao, I’m fine, you don’t have to worry so much. They’re not capable of hurting me.”

Shen Zhao replied, “I’m relieved to hear that,” but thought to herself, If it weren’t for being in this body, I wouldn’t even look at you.

“Come on, let’s see what the Old Madam wants this time.” Shen Zhao mused; Chu Miao must have been quick to tattle, and the Old Madam even faster—her servants had nearly reached the front courtyard already.

Little did she know, Chu Miao had only just arrived at the Old Madam’s courtyard and hadn’t even had time to file her complaint.

“It’s nothing major. I’ll explain everything to Mother later—she’ll understand,” Chu Mu said confidently.

He knew why his mother had summoned him. He had trimmed the household expenses according to reason, and his mother had always advocated thrift. Once she understood, she’d never allow the household budgets to run so high.

Shen Zhao, seeing his air of assurance, didn’t press further.

Whether his mother would really understand was beyond her knowing.

A scolding or a beating was almost certainly in store.

Side by side, they walked in silence.

The servants of Fulinyuan eyed the General and Madam’s simultaneous arrival with thinly veiled curiosity, yet greeted them with utmost respect and ushered them in.

A maid had already hurried ahead to announce their arrival.

As Shen Zhao and Chu Mu entered the main hall, they saw the steward accountant kneeling there.

Looking around, Shen Zhao noted how everyone was present.

The second son and his wife.

Even Lin Jiaojiao, who had feigned illness and taken to her bed, was there.

What in heaven’s name had Chu Mu done now to draw such universal ire?

Every gaze upon him burned with the desire to devour him alive.

Yet Second Master Chu’s appearance today was a sight to behold.

With his face covered by a scarf, he looked for all the world like a dancing girl from a pleasure house.

Had it become fashionable for scholars to veil their faces now?

“Mu’er, you’re not at the barracks drilling the troops today? Why have you returned so early? Someone, pour the General some tea and bring out his favorite pastries,” the Old Madam said kindly, inviting Shen Zhao to sit.

Throughout, she acted as if Chu Mu were invisible, leaving him to stand aside.

Shen Zhao took the seat beside the Old Madam, sipped some premium green tea, and finally asked, “Mother, what is this about? Why is the steward kneeling here?”

The Old Madam sighed.

“It’s because your mother is old and useless, and others have taken advantage. Today, the funds for the courtyard’s expenses were late in coming. When I sent for them, the steward informed me that henceforth, each courtyard’s monthly allowance is capped at twenty taels of silver.”

“That in itself is nothing, but the steward insisted it’s twenty taels per month, not per day. Mu’er, I am old and have little use for money, but how can your brother’s family possibly manage on just twenty taels? Jun and An are studying at the Imperial College—how will they not be looked down upon without money in their pockets? Is Shen intending to ruin our family?”

The servant who confined Shen had reported that Mu’er, after returning from court, went straight to the side hall and brought Shen out, even injuring the servants in the process.

At first, she was alarmed—would Mu’er discover anything? But then she remembered: the memorial tablet bore no name or surname, so what could he possibly uncover?

What worried her more was whether Mu’er would rekindle feelings for Shen.

That could not be allowed.

“And Jiaojiao—she is frail and needs nourishing medicines every day. Her courtyard can’t be short of silver. Twenty taels a month? That is too harsh for her. Mu’er, your mother and brother may endure it, but how is Jiaojiao supposed to cope?”

Hearing this, Shen Zhao silently gave Chu Mu a thumbs-up.

Well done.

A true son, gifting his mother and brother such a ‘generous’ present.

The Old Madam took Lin Jiaojiao’s hand, eyes full of affection, and continued, “While you were at court, Shen made trouble for Jiaojiao again, pushing her to the ground in front of everyone. I truly can’t control her anymore. And yet, after being punished, she retaliates by withholding the budgets for all the courtyards. Mu’er, does Shen mean to overturn the heavens?”

Lin Jiaojiao cast a fearful glance at Chu Mu, then looked timidly at Shen Zhao, her misty eyes brimming with gentle emotion.

In a delicate, trembling voice, she said: