Chapter 36 The Borrower Arrives

“You filthy brute, stay away from me.”

The two of them quarreled as they entered the room.

“Grandmother…” A plaintive, sorrowful voice spilled from Chu Miao’s lips.

Her clothes were disheveled, her hairpins askew, and her eyes swollen and red from crying. She quickly walked toward the elderly matriarch seated at the head of the room.

“Grandmother… wuwu…”

“Miao… Miaomiao?” The old lady called her name twice, uncertain.

When Chu Miao drew closer, the old lady saw the face so reminiscent of her own youth. Only then did she recognize her, and tears welled in her eyes. “My precious child, what has made you cry like this? When did you arrive in the capital—why didn’t you send word to your grandmother? I could have sent someone to fetch you. What’s wrong? Stop crying now and tell Grandmother who bullied you.”

She pulled Chu Miao close, scrutinizing her with concern.

“Grandmother… wuwu… I only just arrived today. I didn’t write ahead because I wanted to surprise you. Who would’ve thought, the moment I set foot in the manor, this damned beast assaulted me. Grandmother, you must stand up for me—punish him for me!”

The old lady’s expression turned frosty, her gaze toward Liu Jinbao brimming with hostility. How dare this little wretch harass a gentlewoman within the General’s estate? She shot a fierce look at her second daughter-in-law.

The second madam was on the verge of tears. Had she been born under an unlucky star today? Ever since marrying into the Chu family, things had gone smoothly for her; all the grievances she had suffered over the years couldn’t compare to this single day.

Chu Miao, still sobbing, glared fiercely at the man standing beside the second madam.

That brute had dared block her way, even forcefully pulling her into his arms, calling her “good sister-in-law” with every breath. And then… and then he’d kissed her.

Worse still, after kissing her, he’d looked at her with distaste and demanded to know who she was—asking what she was doing wandering around the General’s manor, blaming her for covering her face and pretending to be someone else.

The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt. He’d been the one to assault her, and yet he blamed her for hiding her identity.

Upon entering the main hall, the man’s eyes darted shamelessly around. When he spotted Chu Mu, his gaze fixed on her without the slightest care for Chu Miao’s accusations. After all, his elder sister was the only wife in the Chu family to have given birth to male heirs. For the sake of his two nephews, who would dare touch him?

His longed-for beauty was here after all—no wonder he’d mistaken someone else. Still, his good sister-in-law was the truly stunning one: bold and wild, her beauty fierce as fire, so unlike the gentle, delicate ladies of the capital. One look from her had set his heart ablaze.

His gaze roamed brazenly over Chu Mu, not even bothering to blink, his hands unconsciously rubbing together in anticipation.

Sensing his stare, Chu Mu’s eyes turned icy cold in an instant. Such a lowlife—unsteady on his feet, dark circles under his eyes, bloated from indulgence—obviously a frequent haunter of brothels.

What kind of look was that?

How did an outsider have the audacity to step into the inner quarters of the General’s estate? And who gave him the nerve to ogle A Zhao like that?

Shen Zhao looked thoughtfully at Liu Jinbao. This man was the second madam’s own younger brother, often visiting her at the manor. An outsider wandering at will through the women’s quarters—when she had first married, this scoundrel had almost run into her. At that time, her father and brothers still held important posts in the capital, and the old lady treated her with outward courtesy. She had repeatedly brought up the inappropriateness of this, and the damage to the ladies’ reputations. The old lady had only offered a perfunctory scolding to the second madam, turning a blind eye to Liu Jinbao’s visits.

Now he’d gotten Chu Miao into trouble instead—serves him right!

Liu Jinbao was past thirty and still hadn’t taken a proper wife. He’d collected plenty of concubines, at least ten. He shirked all proper business, indulging in every vice—drinking, gambling, whoring. To be entangled with such a man was like falling into a cesspit; even if one managed to crawl out, one would still reek of filth.

The second madam’s heart was in her throat. How dare Liu Jinbao, that beast, harass a gentlewoman in the General’s estate? Did he not see where he was? She was already anxious enough, with her husband punished recently. Now this brute had come to compound her troubles!

She’d just sent fifteen thousand taels back to the Liu household a few days before. Damn it... what did he want from her this time?

She shot a furious glare at her lecherous brother. The sight nearly made her faint with rage. Her idiot brother was staring fixedly at Shen, oblivious to the old lady’s face, which had darkened to the color of coal. Had he left his wits back at the Liu residence? Staring at that seductive witch without even greeting the old lady!

“Jinbao, greet the old lady at once,” she forced a smile, urging him on.

Only then did Liu Jinbao reluctantly tear his gaze from Chu Mu. He sauntered over and bowed carelessly. “Junior Liu Jinbao pays his respects to Old Lady Shen.” Without waiting for her reply, he added, “Old lady, you’re growing younger by the day, not a trace of age to be seen. You could easily live another year or two, truly robust for your years. What’s that saying—about calamities… hmm… it means living a long, long time.”

Shen Zhao almost spat out her tea. He certainly had a way with words.

She would bet he had meant to say ‘only the wicked live a thousand years’!

She glanced at the old lady, whose expression was now a riot of colors—ashen, livid, flushed—fury barely contained. What a piece of work he was!

The second madam nearly fainted at his words. If he couldn’t flatter properly, he should’ve kept silent—now he’d doomed her. She hurried to explain, “Mother, Jinbao just misspoke, he didn’t mean any harm. We’ll take our leave and not disturb you further.”

“No!”

“No!”

Two voices rang out in unison—Liu Jinbao and Chu Miao both speaking at once.

“Grandmother, you must give me justice!” Chu Miao cried.

The old lady gave her a soothing look, her gnarled hand squeezing Chu Miao’s delicate one. She whispered, “Enough, Miaomiao. Do you want the whole world to know you were taken advantage of by this wretch? If you’re entangled with him, what will become of your reputation?”

Chu Miao stiffened, falling silent, but shot Liu Jinbao another venomous glare. She certainly didn’t want to be tied to this brute. She darted an angry look at her second aunt, whom she despised from the bottom of her heart—a mere scholar’s daughter, married into their family before they rose to power. The Liu family had benefited greatly over the years; if not for her aunt’s marriage, she wouldn’t have been harassed by this scoundrel today.

Liu Jinbao was the only male heir of the Liu family, spoiled beyond measure. He seemed oblivious to where he was and, still acting out, retorted to his sister, “Elder sister, I came today to see the old lady. I haven’t even stated my business—how could I just leave with you? Don’t hold me up when I have important matters!”

The second madam choked—what important matters could he possibly have? A sense of foreboding crept over her; she knew her brother’s character better than anyone. She hurried to stop him from causing any more trouble, but before she could speak, Liu Jinbao stepped forward, casting several furtive glances at Chu Mu.

He announced, “It was never my intention to harass Miss Chu. I haven’t yet taken a proper wife—at worst, I could simply marry her. Why cry and make such a fuss, Miss Chu? What would that look like?”

Such a tone—did he mean to enrage everyone?

Shen Zhao watched the old lady and Chu Miao. The old lady’s jaw was clenched so tight she might grind her molars to dust. Chu Miao’s eyes widened in shock—she would never marry this brute.

Liu Jinbao, blind to the tense atmosphere, couldn’t read the murderous look in the old lady’s eyes. He calmly drew a letter from his breast, stepped forward, and presented it with both hands, his face all eagerness.