Chapter 61: Finally Doubting Her Own Origins

Chu Mu glanced at his furious elder brother, whose expression had grown even darker. No wonder Chu Miao had come alone from Jinzhou to the capital—she was fleeing calamity. Yet he had never heard anyone mention Chu Miao being betrothed, and, judging from her words, this engagement was a debt of gratitude his brother sought to repay.

What kind of favor did his brother owe that he would sacrifice his own legitimate daughter? He found it unfathomable. His brother was not an unreasonable man—surely he wouldn't force Chu Miao into such a situation.

The old madam’s face darkened with displeasure. Was the eldest son muddled? How could he marry off Miao Miao so carelessly—let alone to a ruined scholar? Did he truly not see her as his mother, not even informing her of Miao Miao’s lifelong matters?

“Eldest, I’ve always thought you steady and sensible. Miao Miao is your only child—how could you marry her to a destitute scholar? She is the young lady of the Chu family, a daughter of the Grand General’s residence, her status exalted enough to match any noble son. How could you send your own flesh and blood into the fire?”

Miao Miao was so fair and spirited; she should not be wasted so.

Chu Renqing looked at Chu Miao, disappointment filling his eyes. “Mother, can she not marry into the Yu family? Have you forgotten how Old Master Yu once saved my father’s life? The Chu family has not repaid the Yu family’s kindness. Letting Miao Miao marry that boy from the Yu family would settle the old debt. That child is promising—at just fifteen, he is already a licentiate. Miao Miao would not be wronged.”

Chu Mu frowned. The Yu family? Saving father’s life? Why had he never heard of this? Mother had never mentioned it. And from the moment his brother spoke of the Yu family, his mother’s face had turned as cold as a winter pond, chilling to the bone.

It shouldn’t be. If the Yu family had done the Chu family such a favor, why would mother react like this?

“Chu Renqing, I do not agree to Miao Miao marrying into the Yu family. The Chu family repaid the Yu family’s kindness long ago—how much more do you need to do?” The old madam’s gaze was icy as she looked at Chu Renqing.

Was he truly her son? No son would force his mother so. He knew how deeply she hated that Yu woman, yet still wanted to wed her daughter into their family.

“Mother, has the Chu family truly repaid the Yu family’s debt? Must I remind you? Can you sit as the old madam of the Grand General’s residence without having borrowed another’s favor? Do I really have to spell it out?”

Chu Mu jerked his head up to look at his brother.

What did he mean? How could their mother’s place in the Grand General’s residence be owed to someone else’s favor? An unsettling suspicion crept into his mind. Could it be that she was not his real mother?

This… How could it be!

“Chu Renqing! Are you determined to anger me to death?” The old madam was truly enraged, her voice shrill. She gripped Chu Miao’s hand tightly. The eldest’s heart was only with that wretched Yu woman. Was she his mother, or was the Yu woman his mother? That wretch had been dead for so many years, and still the eldest resented his true mother!

“Husband, please say no more, don’t provoke Mother. She only thinks for Miao Miao’s sake. The Yu family now only has Yu Zihuan left—can you bear to send Miao Miao there? Besides, we can repay their kindness in other ways—sponsoring Yu Zihuan’s studies until he succeeds in his examinations.”

Madam Zheng, the wife of the eldest son, spoke at the right moment.

Chu Renqing looked at Zheng. “I thought you were different, but you are just the same. The Chu and Yu families were once betrothed… If not for… if not for…”

The old madam immediately shrieked, “Eldest, are you trying to tear this family apart?”

Chu Renqing flung his sleeves, never finishing his sentence.

“Chu Miao, if you still regard me as your father, return to Jinzhou with me. Otherwise, I shall consider you no daughter of mine.” With that, he strode out without a backward glance.

Chu Mu watched his brother’s departing form. He was determined to investigate this Yu family thoroughly. Judging by his brother’s and mother’s reactions, the relationship between the Chu and Yu families was far more complicated than a simple debt of gratitude. There must be some hidden secret.

Zheng cast a sorrowful glance after Chu Renqing, then knelt before the old madam. “Mother, this is all my fault. I failed to guide my husband. Please do not be angry with him—he is simply too honorable.”

The old madam waved her hand. “Get up, daughter-in-law. I know what kind of person the eldest is. You and Miao Miao have been wronged. Now that you’re both here, you must have much to say to each other. Take your leave for now—when the third son returns tonight, I’ll host a welcome banquet for you and the eldest.”

She patted Chu Miao’s hand, signaling her to withdraw with Zheng. She had no mind to deal with anyone at the moment.

She then looked at Lady Liu and said to Chu Shanjun and Chu Shan’an, “Take her back and have the servants bathe her well. I don’t want any embarrassment at tonight’s banquet.”

After dismissing everyone, the old madam found Chu Mu still standing there, which irked her the more she looked. “What are you standing there for? Go and prepare the welcome banquet for your brother and sister-in-law. And mind your behavior! If I ever catch you wearing men’s robes and acting out of line again, you’ll answer to me. None of you ever give me a moment’s peace.”

She pressed her forehead, closing her eyes to rest.

Chu Mu left the courtyard, full of questions. His brother’s words were unfinished, and, judging by their mother’s reaction, clearly threatening to her. He did not go elsewhere but returned to his study and summoned a secret guard. “Go to the ancestral home in Jinzhou and look into Yu Zihuan—investigate everything about him and the Yu family’s history with the Chu family. Especially find out exactly what debt the Chu family owes.”

What kind of family was the Yu family? What history did they share with the Chu family that would make his brother defy their mother so, insisting on marrying Chu Miao into their household? Why did his mother seem so fearful of the Yu family? What was it that his brother had held back from saying? Was he even truly his mother’s son? Though the thought was unfilial, he could not help but question it.

...

Shen Zhao trailed silently behind Lin Jiaojiao.

After leaving the Lin household, Lin Jiaojiao did not return to the Grand General’s residence but made her way straight to West Street. She paused in front of a shop selling fabric and ready-made garments.

Shen Zhao frowned. West Street catered mainly to common folk. For the past two years in the General’s residence, Lin Jiaojiao had grown accustomed to luxury, wearing only the finest clothes—even her current disguise was made from the best materials. What was she doing here?

With her curiosity piqued, Shen Zhao edged closer.

West Street was much busier than other avenues, thronged with vendors hawking their wares and townsfolk buying supplies. Even though she was only a few steps behind Lin Jiaojiao, the crowd meant there was no fear of being discovered.

The shopkeeper, upon seeing Lin Jiaojiao, hurried out with a fawning smile. “Miss, you’ve come,” he greeted, ushering her inside.

Did Lin Jiaojiao frequent this shop? Why was the shopkeeper so deferential?

Shen Zhao quickly followed, but did not enter. Instead, she lingered by the entrance—it was a small shop, and barging in would surely get her noticed. Fortunately, the steady flow of customers made her presence unremarkable.