Chapter 44: Madam, You Must Not Do This!

Shen Zhao was still unaware, her mind preoccupied with how little she understood about Chu Mu's covert forces. To avoid revealing any weakness, she would have to take over from Chu Mu as soon as possible.

Her words made Chu Mu blush all the way to his ears. Ah... What is Ah Zhao saying? And there are so many servants here! Isn't she... isn't she being too forward? All the servants silently lowered their heads. The general must have been holding back for two years—no wonder he's so eager. Yet it did seem their lady had truly regained favor.

Shen Zhao did not notice the strange atmosphere among the others. She rose and walked toward the bedchamber. Chu Mu, his face red with embarrassment, hurried after her. Shen Zhao entered first, and Chu Mu immediately followed, closing the door behind them with a swift motion.

The servants who had come along took a quick step back, narrowly avoiding being caught in the door. Not only was the general impatient—even their lady seemed in a hurry! For a moment, only the two of them remained in the room.

Shen Zhao cleared her throat to show her discomfort. It had been two years since they last shared a room, and now, being alone with this blockhead of a man, she felt awkward all over. Chu Mu was equally ill at ease, his hands nearly tangling his belt into a knot. The atmosphere grew tense and peculiar.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the door, and a servant’s timely voice came from outside, “General, shall I prepare the bathwater?”

Both of them flushed at once, their shyness giving way to a sudden paleness. They looked at each other and spoke in unison, “Did you relieve yourself today?”

The awkwardness was overwhelming.

Shen Zhao asked sheepishly, “You mean... the bath?”

Chu Mu’s voice was so soft it was barely audible, but he replied, “Yes... the bath...”

They were a proper married couple, yet now found themselves awkward and bashful, unsure how to face... each other’s bodies!

“Prepare the bath. I will bathe with my wife,” Chu Mu said after a pause. “Send it in an hour.”

She still needed to discuss with Chu Mu the transfer of the shadow guards. At this point, she did not even know how many shadow guards there were. How could she use Chu Mu's hidden forces to help her father and brother in the future?

Outside, the servant’s imagination ran wild. Oh my, the general truly excelled in every way. An entire hour! As expected of their general—valiant and formidable. He would surely spread the word about their mighty general and especially inform those close to him: from now on, everyone better watch out for the lady, for the general and his wife were reconciled at last!

After sending away the servants, Shen Zhao, ever cautious, pulled Chu Mu into her embrace, burying her head halfway into his shoulder and neck. Who knew if Chu Mu had hidden any shadow guards in his room? Her eyes sparkled with excitement, a look that, paired with Chu Mu’s ever-stoic face, was as odd as could be.

Chu Mu, by nature, exuded a stern air—his brows and eyes conveyed a sense of justice. With thick brows, a broad forehead, high nose, and well-shaped lips, his features were striking. Years of campaigning on the battlefield had made him every inch an upright, rugged man. Paired with Shen Zhao’s current expression, the scene was almost comical.

Shen Zhao’s action startled Chu Mu. What was Ah Zhao doing? Did she intend to force herself upon him? That... that would never do! If Ah Zhao really wished it, should he resist to the end or yield to her wishes? No... Impossible. As a man, how could he let himself be overpowered...

Unaware of Chu Mu’s inner turmoil, Shen Zhao whispered in his ear, “Time is short...” Before she could finish, Chu Mu exclaimed, “No, we can’t...”

Shen Zhao paused. What couldn’t they do? Did he know what she was about to say? Or was he simply determined to refuse whatever she suggested, interrupting before she could even speak? She ought to have expected this. Wasn’t it agreed they would discuss the shadow guards? Perhaps he misunderstood, thinking she would request something excessive.

She reassured him, “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to do anything difficult.”

Chu Mu settled a bit.

“Teach me how to summon your people so I can hand them over to you. You are their master and know each of their strengths. But when I let you choose, you can’t take them all, understand? Leave a few capable ones with me, just in case. You’ve made too many enemies lately. If someone tries to harm you, that would not do.”

Hearing this, Chu Mu was mortified. So he’d misunderstood completely—Ah Zhao had no improper designs on him at all. It was all in his head.

Chu Mu leaned close to Shen Zhao’s ear and quietly explained everything. Their current status could not be revealed to outsiders—who knew how many eyes watched them in secret. Once he finished, Shen Zhao straightened up and, following his instructions, summoned the household’s shadow guards.

In moments, the room was filled with figures in dark attire, kneeling on the floor—men and women alike. Shen Zhao was startled to see just how many there were.

There were more than twenty, and these were only a portion—just some of the forces under Chu Mu’s command.

With a blank expression, Shen Zhao imitated Chu Mu’s tone as she addressed the kneeling group, “You have been summoned today so that the lady may choose a few to attend her. Whoever is chosen will henceforth serve the lady, obeying all her commands without question or deceit, and above all, remaining loyal. Any disobedience will be punished—this you know well.”

The shadow guards exchanged glances. Had their master and mistress reconciled? He was assigning them to her. How heartwarming! Chu Qi and Chu Jiu were right—their master was no longer blinded and could finally see the lady’s worth.

They all knew more about the inner workings of the general’s household than most, and, thanks to Chu Qi’s notoriously loose tongue, had heard much they shouldn’t. Many had felt indignant on the lady’s behalf and regretted their master’s blindness.

But now, their master finally saw clearly. They were relieved.

To Shen Zhao, however, these shadow guards seemed anything but proper. Truly! Why did all of Chu Mu’s shadow guards seem so strange? Not a single normal one among them. What kind of shadow guard dared to meet their master’s gaze—or look upon their master with such an expression, as though caring for a fool?

Chu Mu, too, sensed that something was off. They were nothing like their usual selves; it was as if each had become a different person. Had he been too lenient with them? It seemed urgent training was in order.

“Lady, please make your selection,” Shen Zhao said, her tone growing colder—she felt she needed to be stern to keep them in line. Was her aura insufficient? Or had they realized she was not their true master?

Chu Mu selected a dozen or so, then stopped. The ones chosen looked at the lady with a hint of surprise. She had chosen well indeed—these were all the leaders of various groups.

“You will do. From now on, whatever the general needs done will be conveyed to you through me. I will relay his instructions. The times are unstable, and to avoid unnecessary trouble, we must resort to this arrangement. My orders are the general’s orders.”

“Yes, we obey,” they replied.

Yet they couldn’t help but feel something was odd. Wouldn’t it be simpler for the general to command them directly? Still, their master’s orders could not be questioned; he was always wiser than they. There had to be a reason for this arrangement.

Once the shadow guards were dismissed, the servants entered with steaming bathwater. Both Shen Zhao and Chu Mu flushed again. What must come would come; what must be faced could not be avoided.