Chapter 42: How Desolate Ah Zhao’s Courtyard Is

"It was my fault, General," the deputy commander said. "I was the one who offended Madam, and I am willing to accept punishment. But Miss Lin did nothing wrong. It's Madam who has been making things difficult for Miss Lin, so when Miss Lin fell for no apparent reason, she mistakenly believed Madam had tripped her. General, Miss Lin is innocent, and Madam... is also innocent." The last words were spoken with great reluctance.

If Madam had not repeatedly plotted against Miss Lin, how could Miss Lin have reacted instinctively, suspecting Madam? Madam deserved her fate. Though she was not at fault this time, who could say whether her hand was involved in Miss Lin’s fall?

Shen Zhao scoffed. In Deputy Commander Zhang’s eyes, no matter what Lin Jiaojiao did, she was always right—even if she killed someone, it would surely be out of desperation, forced into it. None of it would ever be her fault.

She glanced at Chu Mu, whose face was full of guilt, and a spark of anger flared in her heart. This blockhead truly was pathetic! After being framed time and again by Lin Jiaojiao, he still felt guilty before her. Was his life really so precious to her? It would have been better if Lin Jiaojiao’s brother hadn’t saved him in the first place; it would have been kinder to die on the battlefield.

“If you know your mistake, then go and accept your punishment. In the future, use your head before you act. This is the first time I’ve seen someone wrap their brain so tightly. If it happens again, I will not be so merciful.” She would not easily forgive Deputy Commander Zhang; there would surely be a next time. Lin Jiaojiao would never rest easy.

To destroy someone, it isn’t necessary to kill them; there are cruelties worse than death. What would happen if Deputy Commander Zhang learned Lin Jiaojiao’s true nature? If Lin Jiaojiao turned against him, would he be able to bear it? She delighted in the drama of enemies turning against each other, in the spectacle of dog eat dog. That was the best revenge.

With a disappointed glance at Lin Jiaojiao, she took Chu Mu’s hand and walked past her. She wanted to leave Lin Jiaojiao with something to imagine, so she would have motivation to continue scheming.

Lin Jiaojiao, watching them hold hands, was filled with hatred. Brother Mu must have taken Shen’s hand to punish her. Brother Mu cared about her; otherwise, he wouldn’t have looked at her with such disappointment. He must have sensed her hidden thoughts, so he protected that wretch, Shen. Brother Mu was upright; he couldn’t stand to see such schemes. She had been careless, not realizing where she had revealed a flaw that Brother Mu detected. She thought she had disguised herself well.

Lin Jiaojiao felt a hint of pride—even if Brother Mu knew she had framed Shen, so what? He only scolded her a couple of times. He hadn’t punished her. Surely, Brother Mu was reluctantly holding Shen’s hand, putting on a show for her. Even the act of removing her white jade pear blossom hairpin was a petty trick to vex her. Yes, it must be so!

Deputy Commander Zhang looked at Lin Jiaojiao lying on the ground, his feelings complicated. Miss Lin was surely the most pitiable—oppressed by Shen, now disliked by the General. He couldn’t stand by and let the General keep making mistakes.

Miss Lin was the General’s savior, after all. If outsiders learned of her treatment in the General’s residence, what would they say about the General’s reputation? He wanted to help her up, but feared that being an unrelated man would ruin her name. After a moment’s consideration, he went to find the maidservants and old women who served Miss Lin, to escort her back. He left her with a word: “Miss Lin, stay here for now. I’ll fetch someone to bring you back to the Western Courtyard.”

Lin Jiaojiao stared blankly as Deputy Commander Zhang quickly departed. He just left her like that? He should at least have helped her up first! She was furious, and a trace of resentment toward him rose in her heart. Had he left because she got him into trouble? He usually treated her with such affection, caring for her like a sister, but once it affected him, his attitude changed immediately. He wouldn’t even help with such a small thing as lifting her up.

Shen Zhao kept holding Chu Mu’s hand, and without realizing it, they arrived at the courtyard where she used to live. They stopped at the gate. She pondered—she was Chu Mu now; why should she demean herself by staying here? She must have been confused to come back to this place. The courtyard was small and shabby, hidden in a remote corner. Her bedroom never saw sunlight, damp and cold. Stifling in summer, wet and chilly in winter.

Thinking of this, Shen Zhao glanced at Chu Mu. Though she wanted Chu Mu to experience her hardships for a while, her own body, battered from years of neglect, could no longer endure it. For a moment, she hesitated, her expression shifting, making Chu Mu anxious.

What was this look on Ah Zhao’s face? Would Ah Zhao still let him stay here? Why didn’t she go inside? Was she going to leave him here and go? He had so much he wanted to say to her. Seeing her furrowed brow, he grew even more uneasy and said softly, “Ah Zhao… can I stay with you? I’m not used to sleeping here alone.”

He wanted to repair their relationship. They had already missed two years; he didn’t want to miss any more. Ah Zhao still cared for him, still felt tenderness for him.

If he said so, Ah Zhao surely wouldn’t bear to let him sleep here. He felt a bit shy—he hadn’t shared a room with Ah Zhao for two years.

Shen Zhao’s brows furrowed deeper. Anyone would be uncomfortable in such a courtyard. Even after just one night, he found it unbearable; she, on the other hand, had endured it for two years. Had he ever considered for a moment whether she was comfortable here, when he sent people to drive her out? Resentment welled up inside her. She abruptly shook off Chu Mu’s hand and left without a word or a backward glance.

Chu Mu was stunned. Why was Ah Zhao angry with him? Had he said something wrong? Did she not want to live with him? After all, it was Ah Zhao who suggested separate rooms in the beginning. Why would she want to stay with him now? Watching Shen Zhao’s departing figure, Chu Mu silently returned to the courtyard.

The deeper he went, the more his brows knitted together. At dawn, he’d been upset by the servants from his mother’s courtyard and hadn’t paid any attention to where Ah Zhao lived. It was barely light then, the old women were urging him, and he hadn’t noticed the courtyard at all.

Now, alone, he felt increasingly guilty and distressed. Was this really where Ah Zhao had lived? The small courtyard was shabby, cramped, and old. Yet it was tidied up spotlessly. There were no exotic flowers, no decorations; only neatly stacked firewood in the corner. A faint musty smell lingered.

The closer he got to the house, the stronger the damp odor became. In the weak daylight, he saw clearly—apart from a narrow path, the rest was covered in moss. On one side of the steps was a small shovel and freshly scraped-off moss, proof of how damp the place was.

The windows and door panels were speckled with mildew. The musty smell must have emanated from those spots. When he placed his hand on the door panel, he felt a clammy stickiness. As he pushed open the door, he was struck motionless with shock.