Chapter 41: Disciplining the Deputy General

Lin Jiaojiao lifted her damp face ever so slightly, her pearly teeth gently biting her lower lip. Mist clouded her eyes, and her nose was tinged red from grievance. She drew in a breath and looked at Shen Zhao with mournful sorrow.

"Brother Mu~ Jiaojiao is in such pain~ Does Brother Mu no longer care for Jiaojiao? Jiaojiao understands now, Brother Mu only has Sister in his heart. How could he notice Jiaojiao being tripped by Sister without reason, falling so badly… sob, sob… If only Jiaojiao’s elder brother were still here… He would never let Jiaojiao suffer such humiliation… Oh, Jiaojiao’s fate is so bitter~"

Shen Zhao inwardly rolled her eyes.

A flicker of shame crossed Chu Mu’s face.

How could he neglect Lin Jiaojiao? He could not get past this obstacle in his heart. Back then, Lin Jiaojiao’s eldest brother died a brutal death rescuing him—so much so, not even his remains were found.

If not for him, Lin Jiaojiao would not have become an orphan, forced to rely on others for shelter. He was partly to blame for the state she was in now.

Just then, Vice Commander Zhang hurried over.

Lin Jiaojiao’s eyes brightened.

Vice Commander Zhang first bowed to Shen Zhao, "Your subordinate greets the General," then looked with concern at Lin Jiaojiao, who lay on the ground, injured from her fall.

"What happened here? Why is Miss Lin lying on the ground… The weather is cold and Miss Lin is frail—what will become of her if she catches a chill?"

Lin Jiaojiao’s tears fell like pearls, "Brother Zhang, Jiaojiao is in so much pain… I cannot get up…"

She cast a hesitant glance at Shen Zhao. "It’s not Sister’s fault. She’s bitter from her punishment and resents Jiaojiao, so she tripped Jiaojiao on purpose. But Jiaojiao does not blame her…"

Vice Commander Zhang was Brother Mu’s right-hand man. In Brother Mu’s eyes, his standing rivaled that of the Shen woman. He had always cherished Jiaojiao, treating her as his own sister, and never failed to defend her.

Hearing Lin Jiaojiao’s words, Vice Commander Zhang’s anger flared.

He looked at Chu Mu with righteous indignation and rebuked, "Madam, why do you repeatedly bully Miss Lin? You are the daughter of a military family, yet you act so petty, unable to tolerate an orphaned girl like her. Your conduct is a disgrace to Old General Shen's name. How can you face the soldiers who defend the nation, or the brother Lin who gave his life to save the general!"

Again, these accusations. Shen Zhao glared at Vice Commander Zhang with annoyance. Every time Lin Jiaojiao caused trouble, Vice Commander Zhang would act like he was injected with chicken blood, barking at her without discerning right from wrong.

It was as if he were a dog raised by Lin Jiaojiao—she ordered him to bite, and he’d bite whoever she wished.

Chu Mu looked at Vice Commander Zhang in surprise. Did he understand what had happened? Had he asked anyone else? He believed Lin Jiaojiao’s words without question and condemned others immediately. Such partiality—how could he be fit for a command post in the army?

He could not help but voice his disappointment: "Vice Commander Zhang, how can you cast blame on me without knowing the full story? Did you see me trip Miss Lin? Did you witness it yourself?" His voice rose at the end.

"You believe whatever she says! The general is standing right here—did you ask him, did you question me? You accuse me without authority. With such careless conduct, I doubt whether you are fit to be a military officer. Your bias and blind loyalty have disappointed me deeply."

He could not help but be disappointed.

He had always regarded Vice Commander Zhang as his right arm. Though he had not included him in his secret faction, Vice Commander Zhang was privy to everything out in the open.

Recalling the things Vice Commander Zhang had done behind his back in his name, Chu Mu grew more vexed. Was it his failure to judge character? But Vice Commander Zhang had never acted this way before.

Fortunately, his Ah Zhao trusted him and was not swayed by Vice Commander Zhang’s provocations.

Vice Commander Zhang was tongue-tied—she actually thought herself in the right. Every time, she bullied Miss Lin, forcing a weak girl into hardship. Miss Lin had developed a heart illness after her brother’s death, yet she was still treated harshly.

Several times, Miss Lin’s maids had come to him in secret, telling of her grievances and begging him not to let Miss Lin know—they did not want trouble. He could not count how many times he had seen Miss Lin wiping her tears in secret.

Going hungry and cold was normal for her, so he had taken it upon himself to arrange the life she deserved.

And what was wrong with Shen now? Did she not know his standing before the general? How dare she speak to him so insolently!

How could a haughty, domineering woman like her have the face to rebuke him?

Shen’s unreasonable, manipulative ways made her wholly unworthy of their general—let alone as their mistress!

"Your subordinate cannot contend with Madam’s unreasonable behavior. I cannot argue with her. Miss Lin has fallen like this—does Madam mean to claim she tripped herself? Miss Lin suffered a heart ailment after her brother's death—how could she risk her life just to falsely accuse you? Madam, we are not fools, nor am I a sycophant cowed by authority. Whoever is at fault must bear the blame!"

A fine sentiment—whoever is at fault must bear the blame.

Shen Zhao loathed Vice Commander Zhang every time she saw him. For Lin Jiaojiao's sake, he had made things difficult for her, even killed her maid Dai’er to avenge Lin Jiaojiao.

She said coldly, "Did Vice Commander Zhang not see that this general is present? Did you ask me before condemning Madam? And who gave you the audacity to treat Madam so disrespectfully?"

She is unworthy to be my wife—so are you, or so is she?" Shen Zhao pointed at Lin Jiaojiao lying on the ground.

Vice Commander Zhang stared at the general in astonishment.

What was wrong with the general? Was he not most concerned about Miss Lin? And from what he saw, Madam was clearly making things difficult for her again.

How could the general speak so unjustly, saying Miss Lin was unworthy?

Besides, he was a man—how could he have any strange thoughts about the general?

Lin Jiaojiao’s face turned deathly pale.

Brother Mu was truly blinded by that Shen woman again? How could he say she was unworthy?

Only she was worthy to be Brother Mu’s wife.

She glared at Chu Mu with hatred.

It must be that wretched Shen woman’s sorcery. Only then would Brother Mu treat her like this.

It must be so.

She refused to believe Brother Mu did not care for her!

Shen Zhao’s next words struck Lin Jiaojiao hard, confirming her suspicion that Shen had given Brother Mu some potion to control him.

"This general is neither deaf nor blind—I see clearly who is right and who is wrong. It was Lin Jiaojiao who fell for no reason and falsely accused Madam; it is wholly unrelated to Madam. Does Vice Commander Zhang understand? For this offense—your lack of judgment and disrespect to Madam—go and accept your punishment: fifty lashes."

She looked at Lin Jiaojiao, disappointment written plainly across her face. "Jiaojiao, you have always been sensible in my eyes. Today, you are muddle-headed and have sorely disappointed me."

Vice Commander Zhang opened his mouth—he might not trust Madam’s words, but the general would never deceive him.

He looked at Lin Jiaojiao with a complex gaze.

Miss Lin surely did not mean to frame Madam. She must have fallen by accident and mistakenly thought Madam tripped her. After all, Madam's past is full of misdeeds, so Miss Lin must have misunderstood her.

This was not Miss Lin’s fault.

He could not let the general misunderstand Miss Lin.

He opened his mouth to plead for forgiveness.