Chapter 65: Would You Kindly Shut Up

“Thank you for your praise, Lady Chu, but I have not come to the capital to be engaged to Miss Chu. I am here to return the marriage contract. From now on, the Chu and Yu families shall have nothing to do with each other.”

As Yu Zihuan spoke, he took the marriage contract from his breast. He might not be particularly shrewd, but he was certainly not foolish; he understood perfectly well what Lady Chu meant. In fact, his purpose in coming was to break off the engagement.

Madam Zheng and Chu Miao both flashed a look of disbelief in their eyes. What scheme was this poor, bookish fellow plotting now? Was he relying on Chu Mu’s current protection, daring to provoke and parade before them so openly? Did he presume that, since they dared not mention breaking the engagement, he could brazenly play the part and make a show of returning the marriage contract? How shameless!

Neither Madam Zheng nor Chu Miao reached out to take the marriage contract from Yu Zihuan’s hand. Neither of them dared or could accept it at this moment. Shen Zhao’s words still echoed in their ears: accepting it would mean they were unfilial, unrighteous, and untrustworthy—these were charges they could not bear.

Chu Miao wanted very much to seize the contract and tear it to shreds, but her mother’s grip on her hand was painfully tight, and she dared not.

Seeing this, Yu Zihuan sighed inwardly. Lady Chu did not dare accept the contract in front of the general. With a sense of discretion, he put the contract back inside his coat.

Madam Zheng and Chu Miao shot Yu Zihuan a glare. This shameless man was doing it on purpose. Seeing they would not take it, he did not even bother to insist, but simply put it away—clearly, he had no intention of actually breaking the engagement!

Shen Zhao’s lips curled slightly as she watched Madam Zheng and Chu Miao grow angry. Was it really so easy to provoke them? Yet this false, smiling sister-in-law of hers was truly adept at endurance; though she was furious, her eyes seemed ready to spit fire, her expression remained gentle and unchanged.

Since that was so, Shen Zhao decided to press harder, to see just how long her sister-in-law could endure. She said to Yu Zihuan, “Zihuan, you must not mention breaking the engagement again. Did you not hear your sister-in-law? When you pass the provincial exams, she will marry Miao to you. Though Miao may not be worthy of you—her tongue is sharp, she is ill-mannered, prone to fits, lacks wit, beauty, or talent—aside from all that, she is actually quite good, though it is a grievance for you.”

Madam Zheng and Chu Miao stared at Shen Zhao in bewilderment. Did Third Uncle know what he was saying? Who would disparage their own niece so? What did he mean, she was not worthy of Yu Zihuan? How was she sharp-tongued? She only spoke the truth! How was she ill-mannered or temperamental? She simply spoke her mind, straightforward by nature.

How could she lack wit, beauty, or talent? She was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and was renowned in Jinzhou for her accomplishments.

Yu Zihuan looked at the general, equally perplexed. What was the general’s intent? Were all those rumors about fraternal harmony false, and in truth the general and the eldest master were at odds? Was he using the excuse of maintaining the family connection to humiliate the main branch of the Chu family?

He could not fathom any reason other than this for the general to disregard the main branch’s dignity and belittle Chu Miao before him. This was not only an insult to Chu Miao, but a slap in the face to Lady Chu herself.

“Third Uncle!” Chu Miao called out, swallowing her anger.

Shen Zhao’s face immediately turned stern. “Miao, is this how you behave? I am your elder—who gave you permission to shout before your uncle? You are your mother’s only child. Your mother has devoted herself to raising you. Has all her teaching gone to waste? Where is your sense of decorum? Even girls from humble families know how to respect their elders. Even the market women know to show deference—are you less than they? You disappoint your uncle greatly.”

Chu Miao’s eyes reddened. Who was disappointing whom? Third Uncle, will you not keep quiet? If you cannot speak properly, sew your mouth shut! Was he harboring a grudge against her? Every word was aimed at her, even the breath he exhaled seemed full of reproach.

She no longer liked her uncle. Her parents had said he was protective, but what kind of protection was this?

Even Madam Zheng, skilled at feigning composure, could barely hold her expression. Her face darkened. It would have been better if Third Uncle had simply cursed her by name; every word stabbed at her heart. What was wrong with him? Though their meetings had been few, he had always struck her as taciturn and partial to his family. But now, not only was he venomous with his words, he was grinding their faces into the dirt. When had they ever offended him?

Shen Zhao watched Madam Zheng’s stifled anger, secretly amused. So easily flustered. Useless! If she intended to plot against Shen Zhao, why hadn’t she brought her brains with her from Jinzhou?

“Today is fortuitous, with elder brother, sister-in-law, and Zihuan all here. I shall immediately order preparations for a proper welcoming banquet, so that the whole family may sit together for a reunion meal.”

The more Madam Zheng and Chu Miao disliked what they heard, the more Shen Zhao pressed on. This was the general’s mansion; Madam Zheng had to maintain the appearance of a good sister-in-law, so she could only keep up the act—for if she dared speak out, Shen Zhao would tear off her mask.

Madam Zheng and Chu Miao’s faces were dark enough to drip ink. Had Third Uncle’s mouth been possessed? What family—Yu Zihuan was certainly not family! Was she intent on binding the main branch to Yu Zihuan?

Ignoring their gloom, Shen Zhao continued to press, “Sister-in-law and Miao, are you heading out of the mansion now, or have you lost your way and cannot find your courtyard? Why linger here? Someone might think you are plotting something. Shall I send servants to escort you back?”

Madam Zheng’s heart skipped a beat. Did Third Uncle know something? She hurried to reply, “This is only my second time at the general’s mansion; walking with Miao, we happened to come here. Thankfully, we met you, Third Brother. Please have someone send us back.”

This Third Uncle’s words were peculiar in every way. She had just arrived in the capital with her husband; not showing filial piety to her mother-in-law, not learning the household rules—was it proper for a married woman to wander about? She would attract gossip.

Shen Zhao gave a meaningful “Oh,” and said, “So sister-in-law and Miao lost their way in the mansion?”

Madam Zheng’s heart raced at his tone and manner; it unsettled her. Did he know something?

Shen Zhao looked toward the nearby servants and spoke coldly, “You there, why are you not coming over?”

The servants were startled. What had happened to the general? Madam Zheng was even more anxious.

The servants, uneasy, hurried over. Shen Zhao’s face remained stern as she addressed them, “Are you aware of your offense?”

They bowed their heads. What had they done wrong? What offense?

General, wasn’t it said that you barely spoke nowadays? Please, enlighten us—what have we done?

Nervous, sweat beading on their foreheads, they dared not ask, nor admit guilt. Yet they all felt a surge of resentment toward Madam Zheng and Chu Miao, glancing at them in blame. Had these two spoken ill of them before the general, causing him to misunderstand?

Madam Zheng was taken aback. What did Third Uncle mean? And these lowly servants—how dared they glare at her and Miao?

She suddenly stiffened. Third Uncle was plotting against her and her daughter.

And Shen Zhao said: