Chapter 33 Not Her Biological Child?

A daring thought suddenly struck her. Could it be that Chu Mu was not the old lady’s biological son? But then, she wondered if she was overthinking it. If Chu Mu were not the old woman’s child, given the old lady’s temperament, he would have been dealt with while still in swaddling clothes. He certainly wouldn’t have been allowed to grow up.

Still, she couldn’t shake the strange feeling. For instance, the old lady never urged Chu Mu to marry and produce heirs. Aside from herself, Chu Mu had neither a concubine nor even a chambermaid. In contrast, Chu Renjie already had two legitimate sons and two illegitimate ones, and the old lady continued to place chambermaids in his quarters, urging him to multiply and nurture his lineage.

“Mu’er, aren’t you going to eat? This is your favorite pastry. When you were young, you often pestered your mother to make these for you. Times were hard then, yet your mother loved you most—these treats were made for you alone; your second brother never got a taste.” The old woman played the sentimental card, but Shen Zhao sneered silently.

She reached out, took the pastry, and set it back on the tray. These pastries were made daily by the old lady for Chu Mu. The sudden suspicion that had surfaced made her reluctant to eat them. She felt the old lady’s affection for Chu Mu was somehow insincere.

Unhurriedly, Shen Zhao said, “So, at fourteen, I entered the army and fought for years, risking my life for advancement, protecting my second brother’s family for years. The best courtyard in the General’s Manor is occupied by my second brother; all expenses for the second house fall on me. I support my second brother and his four sons’ education; every rare item in the manor, whether bestowed by His Majesty or gifted by others, sits in his quarters, day after day, year after year. Mother, have you not noticed all that I have done for you these years?”

When she first married in, she had wondered why Chu Mu, master of the General’s Manor, lived in its most remote courtyard, while the main residence belonged to the second house. Even Chu Mu’s quarters were sparsely furnished. She couldn’t understand it—Chu Mu was a regional commander with countless merits. The rare items bestowed by the emperor numbered at least dozens, yet she never saw a single imperial piece in Chu Mu’s room or the storerooms. Later, when the second lady coveted her dowry, she learned all the valuable items in the manor were kept in the second house’s courtyard. It seemed to be tradition in the General’s Manor: the fabric for seasonal clothing in each courtyard was always first chosen by the second house. Whatever it was, the second house took precedence in everything.

“Mu’er, are you truly intent on punishing your second brother for Shen?” The old lady’s face grew colder.

“Mother, you jest. It’s not that I insist on punishing my second brother. As I said earlier, no matter who is right or wrong today, all will be dealt with according to family law, without leniency. As a commander, my words must carry weight. You always taught me to lead by reason. My second brother, a scholar and my elder, should not do things that shame us both. Shen is my wife, and everyone in the manor is watching. If I don’t properly discipline my second brother today, how will he learn? If he offends a noble in the capital someday, he might not even know how he dies. Mother, your kindness is spoiling him. Someone, take the second master away and administer thirty strokes.”

Today, Chu the Second must be punished!

The old lady was rendered speechless. What could she say? Admit her teaching was wrong? Claim the second son had done nothing wrong? That would be slapping her own face.

Immediately, several young servants moved forward to seize Chu Renjie. Chu Renjie waved his sleeves. “I am the second master of this manor—let’s see who dares touch me.”

The servants exchanged glances; they truly didn’t dare harm the second master. Today, it was the second master who angered the general, prompting this punishment. The general always respected the second master—blood brothers have no lasting grudges.

Chu Renjie scrambled towards the old lady, clutching her leg. Lin Jiaojiao quickly rose and retreated behind the old lady, fearing the lecher would touch her.

“Mother! The third has been bewitched by Shen, that little harlot. How could he believe those two—obviously, they’re Shen’s paramours, kept in the manor at her beck and call.” He glanced at Shen Zhao. “Third brother, instead of punishing Shen or having those two black-faced men seized, you want to punish your second brother! Have you lost your mind under Shen’s spell?”

Chu Renjie didn’t realize the two “black-faced” men were Chu Mu’s own bodyguards. Chu Seven and Chu Nine exchanged glances. Shouldn’t they be called “pretty boys”? Were they really black? Not at all—they were a healthy bronze!

“Renjie, shut up!” the old lady rebuked gently.

Chu Renjie stared at his mother in disbelief. She actually told him to be quiet. Not only did she refuse to plead for him, she was going to watch him be beaten. When did her favoritism become so blatant? Was the third son her only true child, and he the adopted one?

A wave of inexplicable grievance washed over him. “Mother, why scold me? Why must I be silent when the third wants to beat me indiscriminately? You’re too partial!” He released the old lady’s leg and slumped at her feet.

The old lady was at a loss. Favor the third? Where did he get that idea? Had the second read himself senseless? Couldn’t he recognize those two men?

The second lady also thought the old lady was partial—simply because the third was a general, while her husband was a useless coward. Now the third wanted to beat the second, and the old lady not only failed to intervene, she even offered him pastries. What mother would do that?

She flung herself to the old lady’s other side, wailing, “Mother, you can’t turn away from your second son just because he’s hopeless. Look how he’s been slandered! All the servants testified for him, yet the third won’t believe them and instead trusts Shen’s two paramours. Isn’t it clear the third has been bewitched by Shen, today determined to force a confession from his second brother? Mother, say something—he always listens to you, don’t pretend to be mute now!”

The second lady signaled Chu Renjie; together, they clung to the old lady’s legs, crying and shaking her.

The old lady was soon dizzy, her vision swimming with stars. These two blockheads!

“Let go of me!” the old lady shouted angrily.

Shen Zhao leisurely picked up her teacup and took a sip. These two really were… clever!

Watching the mother about to be shaken senseless, Chu Mu looked helplessly at Shen Zhao. Shen Zhao shot him a glare—ever the dutiful son.

Shen Zhao slammed her teacup down. “Enough! Second brother, second sister-in-law, are you trying to kill your mother? Can’t you see she’s about to be shaken to death? Let go!”

The wailing abruptly ceased; both looked at the old lady and quickly released her.