Chapter 28 Why Does Third Brother’s Tone Sound So Strange?

In an instant, a face swollen like a pig’s head appeared before everyone.

Especially conspicuous was the woman’s shoe print, stamped cleanly across both sides of Chu Renjie’s face.

Shen Zhao was momentarily stunned.

So this face covering wasn’t some new fad among scholars after all.

It turned out Second Master Chu was wearing the veil out of shame, after being beaten into this sorry state by Chu Mu.

Chu Renjie shot a vicious glare at Chu Mu.

“I have a poetry gathering to attend this evening! How am I supposed to show my face like this? And I’m a scholar—do paper, ink, brush, and inkstone come free? Do social obligations not cost silver? Even simple gatherings with friends require money! By cutting my allowance, the Shen woman is making me a laughingstock among my peers!”

Chu Mu reflexively retorted, “Second Brother, the household has always supplied your writing materials. As for social interactions and small gatherings, if you can’t afford them, shouldn’t you ask your wife? Do you really not know where the public funds come from? Or did my sister-in-law not bring a dowry when she married in?”

Chu Renjie was left speechless.

If he dared claim ignorance of where the household’s silver came from, that little harlot would only humiliate him further.

Fuming, he flung his sleeve.

But the gesture only made things worse; the oversized sleeve brushed against his own swollen face.

A shrill, pig-like squeal rang out in the hall.

“Ow—my face—!”

Shen Zhao struggled to contain her laughter, looking at Chu Mu with newfound admiration.

Well done, you blockhead.

That blow was no gentler than the one given to Pang Yunjin.

But this blockhead had always respected his second brother, the so-called refined scoundrel.

What had changed today to make him finally raise a hand?

“Oh, husband! How could your sister-in-law beat you like this? What family lets a sister-in-law strike her own uncle by marriage?” The Second Madam, seeing Chu Renjie suffer, immediately began to wail. Unlike Shen, she wasn’t foolish—no one would get ideas about her dowry.

The Old Madam looked on, her face full of distress for Chu Renjie.

Her gaze at Chu Mu was venomous. “Shen, kneel before me at once! I am still alive—do you mean to turn this house upside down? Not only do you abuse public office for personal gain by withholding household funds, now you dare to strike your second brother! If I don’t teach you a proper lesson today, how can I face the ancestors of the Chu family?”

This little wretch—how dare she?

How dare she strike Renjie!

Chu Mu was unsettled by the look his mother gave him. When had he ever seen her like this?

And why didn’t she even ask why he’d hit his second brother?

His mother had always been one for fairness, never showing favoritism.

In the past, she’d often reminded him: though Zhao was his wife, if she was in the wrong, he as her husband must not take her side blindly.

One must win people over with reason.

But now, after he’d struck his second brother, she didn’t even ask what happened—she simply assumed he was at fault.

And he had already explained why the household’s expenses were being reduced. Why did she accuse him of abusing office for personal reasons?

Had he not made himself clear enough? The reason he was cutting back on spending was simple: the general’s residence simply couldn’t afford to maintain such extravagant expenses!

The money they used now came entirely from Zhao!

He’d done the math. With a monthly allowance of twenty taels per courtyard, the estate’s income plus his salary should be more than enough—with plenty left over.

He needed to figure out exactly how much Zhao had subsidized and planned to repay her with the surplus over time.

Shen Zhao, putting on a stern face, mimicked Chu Mu’s usual handling of affairs. “Shen, what nonsense are you up to? Look how upset you’ve made Mother.”

“Will you not be satisfied until you tear this household apart? And Second Brother—since when is he someone you can lay a hand on? Explain yourself: why did you hit your second brother? If you don’t confess truthfully today, you’ll face the family discipline!”

Chu Renjie was stunned. Shouldn’t Third Brother be punishing Shen directly by now, as usual? Why was he even asking for the cause today?

But bringing up the family discipline was enough to show his importance in Third Brother’s eyes.

Their household’s discipline followed military rules—thick rods, swung hard.

Today he would see how that fiery sister-in-law would beg for mercy.

Shen Zhao comforted Chu Renjie, “Second Brother, I’m sorry to have wronged you today. I, Chu Mu, declare here and now that I will not show favoritism just because Shen is my wife. Whoever is at fault will face the family discipline, no exceptions.”

From what she knew of Chu Mu, unless Renjie had crossed a line and done something unforgivable, Chu Mu would never have raised a hand.

Chu Renjie shot her a sharp look. Why did Third Brother’s words sound so off? He couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but it felt strange.

Chu Mu hesitated, not knowing how to begin.

Though Second Brother was at fault and shouldn’t have harbored ill intentions toward Zhao, he had already disciplined him. If he exposed his brother’s shame before everyone, it would ruin his reputation.

Chu Mu remained silent, and Shen Zhao was in no rush to assign blame.

She understood Chu Mu’s reluctance—he feared revealing the truth would only further harm his second brother.

This, too, was why she was utterly disappointed in Chu Mu.

He never could distinguish right from wrong, always enabling the bullies.

She knew what kind of people these were.

The more Chu Mu gave in, the more they would take advantage.

The Second Madam, seeing Chu Mu say nothing, wailed even more pitifully.

“Third Brother, your wife struck Second Brother for no reason! He’s a scholar, his reputation is everything, and now his face is ruined—it won’t heal any time soon. If your wife won’t give our branch a proper explanation, we won’t accept this!”

Shen Zhao looked at her, unhurried. “And what kind of explanation does Second Sister want?”

Second Madam’s eyes darted as she pressed a silk handkerchief to her face, sobbing, “It’s not that our branch wants to make things difficult for you. She’s gone too far—first beating Second Brother, now cutting our expenses. Is she trying to drive us from the general’s residence?”

“All I ask is that, from now on, our branch manages our own expenses without interference. We shouldn’t have to beg for a little silver or endure her moods.”

She had long wanted this. Why should Lin Jiaojiao, a mere guest, have free access to household funds and the best of everything, while she, the Second Madam, lived no better than a guest?

Today, Shen was clearly determined to cut expenses for every branch, even daring to defy the Old Madam.

If she didn’t seize this chance to demand control over her branch’s spending, how was she to manage with only twenty taels a month?

Shen Zhao immediately agreed, “Very well, as Second Sister wishes. However, we’ve yet to hear why Shen struck Second Brother. Once she’s explained, I’ll give the order for your branch to control its own expenses.”

After all, this was their own request—to take charge of their spending.

Chu Renjie frowned. Why did Third Brother’s words sound strange again? He couldn’t say exactly how, but the honest Third Brother seemed to be laying a trap for him and his wife.

Second Madam was delighted and hurried Chu Mu, “Well, Third Sister, say it—what reason did you have for beating your second brother?”