Chapter 58: So, in his mother's heart, was he merely a tool?

“Madam, it was only with the support of my family that my husband was able to become the commander of the capital’s forces. Have you forgotten? Were it not for the protection of the Shen family, would all his achievements have fallen to him, instead of being stolen by those with greater power?”

The old matron’s face turned unsightly. “Are you accusing me of ingratitude? If you hadn’t pestered us, eager to marry Mu’er, would he have refused to wed the second daughter of Prime Minister Wen’s household? If he’d married Miss Wen, he would still have become the capital’s military commander!”

Mother’s thoughts were far too naïve; how could she conflate civil and military officials?

The old matron kept chattering on, “Then not only Mu’er, but Renjie, Shanjun, and Shanan would have all benefitted. Renjie wouldn’t be idle at home now—he’d have long been promoted as a capital official. It’s all because of you that our Chu family cannot advance.”

Hurt flickered across Chu Mu’s face.

Even without Azhao, he would never have married Miss Wen. Did mother not know what kind of person Miss Wen was?

“Madam, even if I did not exist, my husband would never marry a woman of such notorious reputation. Before her coming of age, Miss Wen was already involved in illicit affairs and bore a child out of wedlock. To this day, she remains unmarried, living in a villa on the outskirts of the capital, keeping dozens of male companions. Are you truly unaware? Or is it that, in your effort to climb into the Wen family’s good graces, you would have my husband become a laughingstock, raising dozens of others’ children and sullying his name, the scorn of all?”

Miss Wen’s infamous deeds were known by all. Even if mother was confined to the inner chambers, she could not be ignorant.

Once, after a victorious campaign, he had encountered Miss Wen at a palace banquet. For reasons unknown, she became infatuated with him and insisted on marriage. Rumors already swirled then about her illicit affairs and illegitimate child. When it came time for her to marry, not a single proposal came. The young gentlemen of noble families shunned her, unwilling to bring shame upon their households by marrying such a woman.

He had believed his mother shared his disdain for the Wen family. But now she claimed that were it not for Azhao, he would have married Miss Wen.

He had never even considered it. Without Azhao, he still would not have married Miss Wen. Did mother ever consider his feelings?

The old matron’s face turned livid, her teeth clenched. “How do you know Mu’er would refuse to marry Miss Wen? She may have been indiscreet, but at least she is fertile. And you—can you still bear children?”

Chu Mu stared hard at his mother.

“What do you mean by that, madam?” If he hadn’t known Azhao was poisoned to prevent her from having children, he would not have doubted her words. But now, he could not help but suspect—did mother know about the poison?

The old matron’s gaze grew evasive. “Why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong? You married into the Chu family three years ago and haven’t even produced an egg. Miss Wen may be wanton, but her heart is true to Mu’er. If Mu’er married her, I believe she’d reform, become a proper wife and mother. Old Master Wen teaches at the Imperial Academy—if Mu’er married Miss Wen, Shanjun and Shanan wouldn’t have to curry favor with those noble scions anymore. With the Wen family’s connections, they would be the ones favored, their tutors giving them special care. With the Prime Minister’s guidance, Renjie would not fail the scholar’s exams time and again; perhaps he’d even achieve the highest honors. What’s wrong with marrying Miss Wen? Mu’er is a general, the Prime Minister a scholar—civil and military, who would dare look down on the Chu family?”

Did mother know what she was saying? In her heart, what was he but a tool to bring the family honor?

“Madam, have you ever considered my husband? If he truly married Miss Wen, how would the world slander him, how would they view him? Everyone knows she is no suitable match; all shun her. Are you truly blind to this? And have you ever thought what kind of woman my husband desires, how he wishes to live the rest of his life?”

The old matron’s expression twisted grotesquely. “As the son of the Chu family, should Mu’er not sacrifice for his kin? It’s you who cost us the chance to soar! If you know what’s good for you, stay in the general’s residence, mind your own business, and keep your mouth shut before Mu’er. If you meddle again, you’ll answer to me!”

She continued, “You may oversee the expenses of the West Garden, but you are not to interfere with my courtyard’s spending or the accounts of the second household. Shanjun and Shanan require two fine objects—I remember you brought two priceless paintings as part of your dowry. Send them for Shanjun and Shanan to gift away. If not for you, would they need to flatter others just to attend a banquet?”

Chu Mu stared blankly at his mother.

Was this truly the mother who had always considered his needs above all, who cared for him so deeply?

Was all he had done for the Chu family not enough? Going to war as a teenager, surviving countless wounds and battles to bring the family to its current standing—could she not see this?

He had always supported the second brother’s household, yet now the family’s fortune had been handed to the Liu family by his sister-in-law.

Nearly all the household expenses were covered by Azhao. Could mother not see Azhao’s contributions? How could she so righteously demand Azhao give both her fortune and endure such oppression, yet not even be allowed to question where her dowry was spent?

As for Shanjun and Shanan’s looks of contempt—what did they mean? Their ability to study at the Imperial Academy, to live in comfort, with carriages and servants, was all thanks to Azhao. Without her support, and left to the second brother and his wife, they would not even afford the lowest school.

He had thought Shanjun and Shanan were refined and grateful youths, but now saw otherwise.

“Forgive me, mother, but I cannot obey. The household’s income is insufficient to meet all the expenses. To supplement with my dowry is my goodwill—not my duty. You may ask around: in whose family is the daughter-in-law’s dowry used for household expenses? Such talk would make others laugh. If Shanjun and Shanan require fine things, they may ask their own parents. All my husband’s rewards went to the second household—there are plenty of valuables there. I am their aunt, not their mother, and have no obligation to provide for them. Besides, they have never regarded me as their aunt.”

The old matron was fuming—how did the Shen woman dare refuse her, dare speak so boldly?

“Shen, you… you wretch!”

She had spoken only the truth—how was that being a wretch?

His mother had become unrecognizable to him. He began to wonder, was she the one who poisoned Azhao to make her barren? If so, perhaps even the medicine given to him was her doing. But why would she do such a thing?

Just then, a servant rushed in to report.