Chapter 51: Chu Mu Is Beaten

Xie Yuheng’s heart soared with excitement—could Brother Chu be taking him to the Golden Jade Pavilion on Vermilion Bird Street for a drink? After all, today was a day worth celebrating.

But... why didn’t the carriage stop at the Golden Jade Pavilion, instead continuing deeper into the district? Further ahead lay the shops frequented by noble ladies and young misses for their rouge and powders.

The carriage came to a steady halt. Shen Zhao was uneasy about Chu Mu coming to the Golden Jade Pavilion. Her Zisu was clever and sensitive. She feared Chu Mu might slip up and be discovered by Zisu—not for herself, but for her precious Zisu, who might believe her dead and, in despair, reach for a dagger. What if she acted impulsively?

Shen Zhao lifted the curtain and jumped down deftly, heading towards the Golden Jade Pavilion with practiced ease.

Xie Yuheng hesitated briefly, then followed suit. Was Brother Chu here to buy something for the tigress of his household? He wondered what made the tigress so special that Brother Chu was so attached.

Suddenly, a figure was flung from inside, crashing straight into the wooden rack at the entrance. Shen Zhao fixed her gaze—the person thrown out was a young man, somewhat familiar. He rose, dusted himself off with embarrassment. His dark robe hung loosely on a thin frame, more slender than most young men.

After straightening his clothes, he marched boldly back into the Golden Jade Pavilion. Was he here to stir up trouble? And was Chu Mu, that blockhead, inside?

Shen Zhao hurriedly lifted her robe and darted in. Xie Yuheng followed closely—Brother Chu seemed anxious. Was he eager for the spectacle? If so, he would join.

Inside, mocking laughter rang out: “Ha ha... Shen Zhao, you wretch, do you still think it's like before? No one protects you now. How does it feel to be beaten? The more you care, the more I will destroy. Today, I’ll make you watch as this wretched maid dies before your eyes.”

Shen Zhao’s heart skipped. Entering, she saw a woman in palace attire, holding a jeweled dagger. At her feet, a blood-soaked figure crawled.

When she recognized the bloodied face, her own blood froze. Her hands clenched tight.

It was her Zisu! Her Zisu, and the palace maiden with dagger poised to strike was Shen Qianmeng.

“Stop! Shen Qianmeng, if you dare harm Zisu, I’ll make sure you leave the Golden Jade Pavilion horizontal!” Shen Zhao’s eyes blazed as she stared at Shen Qianmeng, wind beneath her feet as she rushed forward.

At once, guards and maids stepped in to shield Shen Qianmeng.

“Brother-in-law~ You’ve scared me! Mengmeng is so frightened!” Shen Qianmeng patted her chest, her gaze filled with mockery. Even a warrior suppressed by the Crown Prince dared to threaten her—did they think she was easily intimidated?

With one foot grinding Zisu’s head, she cooed, “Oh dear... Mengmeng accidentally trod on this wretched maid, brother-in-law. What can you do to Mengmeng?”

“Ha ha... What can you do! I’ll injure this wretch—” Before Shen Qianmeng could finish, she froze.

Her eyes widened as her neck was suddenly seized. Were these wretches addicted to choking people? How did Chu Mu manage to burst past her guards and maids in an instant?

Shen Zhao gripped Shen Qianmeng’s neck fiercely. “I warned you not to touch Zisu. Don’t touch Zisu!” Rage coursed through her, her hand slowly lifting Shen Qianmeng off the ground.

Shen Qianmeng slapped desperately at Shen Zhao’s arm, her feet kicking wildly, her eyes frantically signaling her household servants. Were these useless fools going to let her be strangled to death? Why weren’t they helping?

Xie Yuheng was stunned. Brother Chu was about to kill one woman for another! And the woman in question wasn’t his wife, nor the rumored Miss Lin, but a bloodied, unknown girl.

He recognized the venomous woman about to die: one of the three adopted daughters of the Empress, Lady Yanran—who was, he believed, Brother Chu’s sister-in-law.

Brother Chu’s relations with women were truly astonishing! And why did the Empress, already with a trueborn daughter, adopt so many, all born the same month and year?

When Lady Yanran’s guards moved to attack Brother Chu, Xie Yuheng stepped forward instantly. Had they not seen the court robes Brother Chu wore? To dare attack him was suicide!

Another dark figure rushed forward. When Ah Zhao appeared, Chu Mu felt his face burning. Had Ah Zhao seen him flung out just now? Her body was so delicate he could not fully exert his strength. He ought to have dispatched those guards easily, yet failed.

Xie Yuheng glanced at the dark figure ahead. This slight figure seemed eager to be beaten. Wasn’t he the one flung out moments ago? Was this little weakling friend or foe—after Brother Chu, or after the guards?

With a burst of speed, Xie Yuheng crashed into the figure. To hell with it! Friend or foe, he wouldn’t let anyone interfere with his chance to fight for Brother Chu!

Chu Mu staggered, caught off guard by the collision. Who lacked martial honor enough to ambush him? Regaining his footing, he saw Xie Yuheng’s scornful glance, as if to say, “Watch and learn, weakling!”

Xie Yuheng withdrew his gaze. That little weakling looked awfully familiar. Where had he seen him before? Perhaps someone he’d beaten up in the past.

“Brother Chu, avenge your beloved woman! Leave the rest to me!” Xie Yuheng shouted, a hero descending from the heavens, fists cracking thunderously. With one punch per guard, none were worthy of his feet.

Soon the Golden Jade Pavilion’s hall was strewn with bodies.

Xie Yuheng turned to Chu Mu with a provocative grin: wasn’t he heroic?

Shen Zhao kept an eye on the hall’s commotion, her grip on Shen Qianmeng neither too loose nor too tight. Shen Qianmeng couldn’t die yet—not at her hands. She couldn’t do something that would disappoint her father and brothers, though Shen Qianmeng certainly deserved death.

“General Chu... I beg you, for the sake of your mother-in-law, spare Mengmeng... Please don’t hurt her...” Lady Shen’s heart was in her throat. This son-in-law she’d always disdained—how dared he lay hands on Mengmeng?

At the plea, Shen Zhao’s heart ached bitterly. She turned to look at her mother, whose gaze was full of pain for Shen Qianmeng. This was her own mother, too.

Lady Shen, frantic, saw Chu Mu unmoved, and bit her lip, turning to Shen Zhao. As she walked, she pleaded, “Zhao Zhao, tell General Chu to let Mengmeng down, please... Mengmeng is your sister, you can’t watch her be bullied and tormented like this... Zhao Zhao...”

Chu Mu’s face grew colder. When he was surrounded by guards, why hadn’t Lady Shen told Shen Qianmeng to stop? When he was thrown out, why hadn’t she come to check if he was hurt?

Lady Shen, seeing her elder daughter’s cold expression, was instantly disappointed. How could Zhao Zhao be so cold and ruthless? She was her mother—how could she be so indifferent? Did she want her own mother to kneel and beg? Would Zhao Zhao dare accept it?