Chapter 81: Brotherly Affection—My One and Only Family

Although the old woman deserved to die, at this critical moment, nothing could happen to her. If something were to happen, it would have to wait. Hastily, he urged, "Second Brother, stop talking. Look at how furious the old lady is. If anything really happens to her, you won’t be able to shirk responsibility."

Chu Renjie nodded reluctantly, unwilling to accept this. The old woman was obviously enraged to the point of madness. He had yet to uncover the truth of how his mother had been tormented by that wretched woman all those years ago. If she really died from his provocation, he would only bring calamity upon himself. His own identity had not been confirmed; when the time came, no amount of explanation would clear his name.

But to do nothing was impossible for him. The old woman had taken his mother's place; if his mother had survived, he would be the only legitimate heir of the Chu family. Neither the bastard Chu Renqing nor the third son could compare to him. He would not have been relegated to a marginal, insignificant role in the family.

His gaze drifted to the plate of pastries beside the old woman. Those pastries had been painstakingly made by her for her beloved favorite. She had poured years of devotion into them. For more than a decade, he had never tasted them, never known their flavor.

Though he now knew the old woman was not his true mother, and the jealousy in his heart had diminished, he still delighted in anything that might upset her. "Third Brother, fetch some of those pastries you always eat for Second Brother. Let me taste what they’re like!" He shot a provocative glance at the old lady. The more she forbade him, the more determined he was. If she told him not to eat, he would eat all the more.

He was the rightful master of the Chu family; everything belonged to him. Why should he merely stand by and watch?

Shen Zhao had not expected Chu Renjie to ask for those specially prepared pastries. Awkwardly, he tried to delay, "Second Brother, those are made by the old lady herself, for me alone, day after day for decades. If you wish for pastries, I’ll have the kitchen prepare any flavor you desire. But I advise you not to eat what the old lady made, lest you upset her further."

Chu Renjie frowned, displeased with the third brother. He was his only sibling by blood, though he resented him for protecting the old woman.

But remembering this was his only brother, he suppressed his anger. "Third Brother, I only wish to taste those pastries. Will you not grant me this? Do you still regard me as your elder?"

He looked at Shen Zhao with deep meaning, his tone earnest, "Remember, you and I are the closest kin in this world. I was foolish before, ignorant of everything. Now I understand, and will care for you wholeheartedly. I hope you can forgive what I’ve done, and truly see me as your brother."

Shen Zhao’s eyes shone with emotion. "Second Brother, what are you saying? How could I blame you? Have I not treated you well these past decades? Even if you were punished, it was never my wish. I had declared that family law would be enforced regardless of fault. I hope you won’t hold it against me."

He looked at Chu Renjie with concern, "Second Brother, are you still in pain?"

Faced with his brother’s concern, Chu Renjie was moved to tears. He understood everything Shen Zhao said. How could he be angry with his brother?

"It doesn’t hurt. Go, bring the pastries for your brother." He was determined to vex the old woman, refusing to let her have her way.

"Second Brother..." Shen Zhao hesitated.

Chu Renjie scowled, "What’s this? Am I worth less to you than a plate of pastries?"

"Exactly. Third Uncle, is Father less important to you than pastries?" Chu Shanjun’s voice sounded from behind.

Shen Zhao turned to see Chu Shanjun and Chu Shanan approaching side by side, their mother Lady Liu trailing timidly behind. Shen Zhao could not help but sneer at the scene. Lady Liu had indeed raised two fine sons—both were ungrateful wretches.

"Greetings, Father. Greetings, Third Uncle," Chu Shanjun and Chu Shanan bowed to Shen Zhao and Chu Renjie, deliberately bypassing the old lady and Chu the eldest.

They had arrived earlier, but remained outside the door. In their eyes gleamed a barely concealed ambition: Father was the legitimate heir of the ancestral grandmother, the true scion of the Chu family. If this fact were to spread, their own status in the family would rise dramatically.

"Shanjun, Shanan, you’ve arrived. Why not pay respects to your grandmother and eldest uncle? Don’t forget your manners," Shen Zhao said with a touch of indulgence.

Chu Shanjun replied, "Third Uncle, my grandmother is long gone. If I were to bow to someone unworthy and a bastard, I would dishonor my true grandmother and grandfather."

He was only ten, and the old lady had always doted on him and his brother. Yet now he uttered words that pierced straight through her heart.

Chu Shanan echoed, "Brother is right. We were ignorant before, mistaking a thief for kin. Now that we know, we wish to drive the thief from the Chu family. How could we pay respects to such a person? Third Uncle, you are Father’s blood brother, a true scion of the Chu family. We mustn’t let these thieves cause Father any more pain. You and Father are the closest of kin."

Shen Zhao remembered well how Chu Shanan had always been the old lady’s favorite, often making her laugh and receiving generous gifts. Now, the once cherished grandmother, the revered lady, had become a thief in their eyes. He wondered how the old lady would react.

Instinctively, Shen Zhao glanced at her. Chu Mu’s gaze followed his own.

The old lady’s face was flushed with unnatural color; she stammered for a long moment before forcing out, "Chu Shanjun, Chu Shanan, you little beasts, I am your true grandmother!"

Never had she imagined that the grandsons she cherished, worried over, and treasured would turn on her, speaking such cruel words. Had their consciences been devoured by dogs? Had they forgotten her kindness?

Why were they so cold and heartless? Whom had they taken after, incapable of gratitude and eager to repay kindness with...

Suddenly, her face turned deathly pale, recalling long ago scenes between herself and that wretched woman. She clenched her teeth in hatred. Why hadn’t they inherited her cleverness, only her malice and cruelty?

"Old Lady, mind your words. We have no grandmother like you," Chu Shanjun said, heedless of her pallor. He walked steadily to the table, ignoring her furious glare, picked up the plate of pastries, and casually took a piece, about to eat it.

Those pastries had always been reserved for Third Uncle alone. The old woman claimed to love and cherish him above all, but was it truly so?