Chapter 39: Shen Zhao Sows Discord

The small box was locked. At the old matron’s signal, the old servant woman, ignoring the second madam’s wailing, yanked a key pendant from her neck.

With a sharp click, the box was opened.

The servant’s face turned pale as she hastily presented the box to the old matron.

Inside, it was completely empty.

The old matron was so agitated that she went limp in her chair, her vision going dark.

That damned woman from the Liu family.

She had watched with her own eyes as the woman put the house and land deeds inside that box. Now, nothing remained.

Shen Zhao, observing the old matron’s reaction, had already guessed that the box had contained the contracts for Chu Mu’s missing properties.

“Liu Yuanxi, how dare you! How could you betray us so? You deceived me to this extent—what will become of Shanjun and Shanan now?”

The old matron was beside herself with rage, wishing she could tear Liu apart.

“Yes, Shanjun and Shanan! Someone, go to the academy and bring the two young masters back at once.” Her eyes were venomous as she glared at Liu. This treacherous woman could no longer be tolerated. She wanted Shanjun and Shanan to witness how their mother had treated them. She would not allow her grandsons to call this woman mother again—she was unworthy.

As things had come to this point, Liu Jinbao still failed to grasp the severity of the situation. He sidled up to Shen Zhao. “Brother, I’ve confessed everything. When will you give me my hundred thousand taels?”

“What hundred thousand taels? When did I ever say I would give you that? Your Liu family has embezzled hundreds of thousands from the Chu family—when will you pay it back?” As soon as Shen Zhao spoke, Liu Jinbao’s expression changed.

“Third brother, you said so yourself just now! You’re my brother—never mind lending, you’d even give it to me if you had it!”

“I said as much, but second sister-in-law has already emptied out the grand marshal’s estate. Even if I wanted to give you something, I couldn’t.”

Shen Zhao sighed deeply, speaking earnestly, “When second sister-in-law handed over the reins of the household, the estate was an empty shell. Liu, it’s not that I won’t help you—I simply have nothing to give. All the Chu family property is in her hands. Why don’t you ask her for some silver to help you through this difficulty? Though she made a mistake, for the sake of the children she bore for my brother, we won’t be too harsh with her.”

He turned to the old matron. “Mother, am I right? You always taught me to be magnanimous. Second sister-in-law has always been dear to you. She is the mother of Shanjun and Shanan. For the sake of my nephews and your own heart, we will not make things too difficult for her. After all, you have always said that only a peaceful home brings true harmony.”

He ignored the old matron’s expression, as if she had swallowed a fly, and kindly advised Liu Jinbao, “Second sister-in-law is your eldest sister. She won’t let you fall into ruin.”

Shen Zhao could see exactly what the old matron intended—she wanted to cast Liu out.

How could that be allowed? This woman was the old matron’s most beloved daughter-in-law; how could she bear to separate them?

Better to lock her fate tightly!

Furthermore, from Liu Jinbao’s words, it was clear he had no idea that Liu had already given away all the Chu family’s assets to the Liu household. From his initial complaints, it wasn’t hard to tell he believed she was still flush with money.

She let this misconception take root.

A fight between dogs is always entertaining.

She would not let Liu be peacefully dismissed and sent back to her own family. A woman hated by her husband’s family and resented by her own—what end could she meet?

Her beloved servant, Baishao, could not have died in vain. Those who do evil must eventually be punished—if not by the heavens, then by her own hand.

Death had never been the cruelest punishment.

The second madam looked at Shen Zhao with gratitude, never having thought so well of the third young master before. In this household, only he had a conscience and a good heart. The others were all wolves in human skin, each eyeing her as if they would devour her alive. Not one spoke in her defense. Even Lin Jiaojiao, whom she had often shielded, looked at her as if she wished to tear her apart. How dare she!

Heartless wretch!

The old matron’s expression and the order to summon Shanjun and Shanan from the academy made her intent clear—she meant to expel her from the estate.

She was filled with hate.

She had brought forth heirs for the Chu family. How could the old matron erase her years of merit and cast her out for a single mistake?

She could guess what venomous scheme the old matron had in mind by calling for Shanjun and Shanan—not only to drive her away but also to turn her own children against her.

How could the old crone be so vicious?

Shen Zhao watched the second madam’s shifting expressions with delight.

Now she truly hated the old woman. That was just as it should be.

Chu Mu looked at his Ah Zhao, his heart aching.

How could she be so kind? Despite everything second sister-in-law had done, Ah Zhao not only bore no grudge, but spoke on her behalf before their mother, pledging that their family would not make things difficult for her.

His Ah Zhao had never changed—she was still the good-hearted, frank girl she had always been. It was only that he had once let himself be blinded by scoundrels, and so misunderstood her, believing her to be petty and suspicious.

The old matron felt suffocated by Shen Zhao’s words. How could she explode and send Liu away now? This was her own teaching—what could she do? For the first time, she realized that teaching too well was not necessarily a good thing.

Liu Jinbao, hearing this, was suddenly filled with rage.

He had always known that Liu Yuanxi, once married, was as good as lost to her family. He had pleaded so earnestly in his letters, asking her for more silver to repay his debts. Yet she had only sent fifteen thousand taels to fob him off.

In a fury, he shouted at Liu Yuanxi, “Elder sister, I never imagined your nerve! Not only did you embezzle here, you’ve also emptied the grand marshal’s estate. You’ve turned your back on both your husband’s family and your own—your heart is black! You have so much silver, yet you refuse to help me. I’ll give you one last chance: give me one hundred thousand taels, and I’ll pretend none of this happened—you’ll still be my good sister. If you refuse, then the Liu family will have no more daughter like you.”

“Shut your mouth! From this day forth, I will give you nothing—not even a single coin.” The second madam glared at Liu Jinbao in anger. If this wretch hadn’t come begging for money today, would she have ended up in such a predicament? Even now, he dared to threaten her.

Very well! Without her support, let us see just how far this beast will fall.

“You… Liu Yuanxi, you wretch! Are you trying to drive me to my death? You could help me, but you refuse! Do you mean to watch as I fail to pay my debts and have my legs broken? How could I have such a wicked sister—you are my own flesh and blood!” In his shame and rage, he lashed out and kicked her.

Though Liu Jinbao was weak, he was still a grown man. With a single kick, he sent the kneeling second madam rolling.

Her face flushed red with humiliation.

Shen Zhao, having seen enough of the spectacle, finally spoke up: