Chapter 83: The “Kind-hearted” Third Brother

Chu Renjie’s words left everyone present with complicated expressions.

Chu Renqing wished he could sew up this wretch’s mouth right then and there. He was his father’s son, the heir of the Chu family, not some lovechild born of his mother’s affair with this villain!

Chen Kang was so furious that he nearly fell backward. This was murder not just of the body, but the heart as well. All these years in the household, he’d done everything for Renjie to make up for things—every request was answered. If he hadn’t cared for him, given his habits of frequenting brothels and pleasure houses, Renjie’s health would have long since been ruined. And this was the repayment he received—scolded at every turn. Did Renjie wish him dead? Would none of them be satisfied until they saw him killed?

Shen Zhao, hearing the words, put on a troubled expression and looked at Chu Renjie. “Second Brother, I’m afraid this isn’t appropriate. After all, he is the Lady Dowager’s man.” Inwardly, she was nearly bursting with laughter. The heavens would bring rain, and a mother would remarry; now, a son wanted to strike his father. She wondered whether this father could withstand it, or if he would regret having such a son.

The Lady Dowager nearly rolled her eyes again, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. She could beat and kill Chen Kang herself, but not the second son. If he dared strike Chen Kang, surely heaven would punish him! Had everyone lost their minds? Had the second son forgotten all the kindness she and Chen Kang had shown him over the years? All the precious tonic medicines in the house had been used on the second son. Did he truly feel no gratitude at all?

Looking at Mu’er, who was still speaking up for her, the Lady Dowager felt some comfort. If she hadn’t personally given birth to and raised the second son, she’d have suspected Chu Renjie was the child of that wretched Yu-shi. It was Mu’er, so obedient and sensible, who was truly her child.

Suppressing her surging anger, she said, “Second, have you not made enough of a scene? You’re still injured; go back to your quarters at once.” Then she beckoned to Shen Zhao, “Mu’er, you’re always the most filial. Listen to your mother. Your elder brother’s family has only just arrived in the capital—it wouldn’t do to stain the house with blood. Hand Chen the physician over to me, I will deal with him. Everything he’s said is a lie, Mu’er; you must believe your—”

Chu Renjie immediately cut her off. “Is the Lady Dowager feeling sorry for the physician? Of course—he’s your lover, isn’t he? No wonder you’re so protective! Don’t use Third Brother’s loyalty as an excuse to make things difficult for him. The matter isn’t settled yet, and you want to send the physician out of the house? You may be clever, but don’t take everyone else for fools.” Chu Renjie looked at the Lady Dowager with a cold, menacing gaze.

Her eyes widened, the veins on her hand gripping the chair arm bulged, and her long nails scratched the wood with a grating sound. She shot a venomous look at Chu Renjie. This beast—why wouldn’t he just let things go? Even Mu’er, the supposed victim, was silent. Did he want his identity exposed and to be driven from the family, disgraced and left to a life of hardship?

“Chu Renjie! I will only say this once: get back to your quarters immediately!” she commanded.

Chu Renjie raised his chin and stared at her. The more she tried to stop him, the more determined he became. The more she tried to hide the truth of the past, the more he wanted to tear away her mask and reveal her ugliness.

“The Great General’s Mansion is not for you to command yet. Third Brother is the rightful master here. Someone, drag this adulterer out and beat him soundly—cripple him if you must, so long as he’s not dead!”

Shen Zhao hurried forward to intervene. “No, Second Brother, you mustn’t!”

Chu Renjie’s face darkened. “Are you trying to protect these adulterers, Third Brother?”

Protect them? She wished she could have them both executed on the spot. But now was not the time. It wasn’t enough yet—their hearts needed to be pierced, the truth not yet made public. If they died now, it would be letting them off too easily.

Chen Kang had nearly been kicked to death by Chu Mu just now. If he were dragged out for another beating, how could he possibly survive? To be beaten to death would be too merciful.

“Second Brother,” Shen Zhao said, “do you think he could survive such a beating? One round with the rod and you’d be collecting his corpse.”

Chu Renjie frowned at Chen Kang, who now resembled a weary, dying old dog curled on the ground. As Third Brother had said, if the servants were ordered to flog him, he might not survive it.

That wouldn’t do! But if he didn’t beat him, he could not vent his anger nor provoke the Lady Dowager.

“What should I do then, Third Brother?”

Shen Zhao thought for a moment. “How about this,” she suggested, “the Lady Dowager keeps some thin rattan canes for punishment. They won’t be fatal, and one person can easily administer them. If you’re truly angry, Second Brother, why not do it yourself? That way, no one in the house can disobey or go easy on him because he’s the Lady Dowager’s man. And you’ll be able to vent your anger properly.”

Chu Renjie considered this. It was an excellent idea—he would personally flog the Lady Dowager’s lover. The thought made him gleeful. He looked at Shen Zhao with increasing satisfaction. Although Third Brother was the Lady Dowager’s own son, he didn’t side with her. This warmed Chu Renjie’s heart—blood was indeed thicker than water. From now on, he would mend his ways and treat Third Brother with all sincerity, for he was his only true kin.

He cast a lingering look at his beautiful, peerless third sister-in-law, finally steeling himself to bid farewell to his unattainable love.

My dear Zhao, farewell!

Though his heart ached, with Third Brother standing by him like this, he could no longer harbor selfish thoughts about his brother’s wife.

Otherwise, what kind of person would he be?

“Let’s do as Third Brother suggests,” he declared.

Shen Zhao looked at Chu Renjie with satisfaction. “Second Brother, you’re becoming more and more prudent.”

Chu Renjie felt delighted. Was Third Brother praising him?

Shen Zhao then instructed the servants, “Go fetch the thin, long rattan from the Lady Dowager’s inner chambers. And make sure you don’t bring the thick ones—just the thinnest, longest one. Physician Chen is old, after all. He couldn’t withstand a thick cane. Don’t make a mistake.”

Chu Renjie sighed. Third Brother was truly kind-hearted, afraid a thick cane would injure Chen Kang too badly and grieve the Lady Dowager. Though he was a little annoyed by Third Brother’s compassion, he understood. After all, the Lady Dowager was his mother—how could he disregard her feelings entirely?

Everyone else thought the same—Mu’er, Azhao, the General, Third Brother—he was simply too good-natured.

The Lady Dowager, in particular, was deeply moved. Perhaps it was time to stop giving Mu’er that medicine—he was never going to have heirs anyway. People say adversity reveals true hearts; now she could finally see who was truly filial. She looked at Shen Zhao with rare tenderness. This child was raised by her own hand—he was truly close.

Only Shen Zhao, who had experienced the sting of those thin canes, knew that the pain from the thick ones was bearable, but the thin, long ones could lash pain straight to the bone, beyond any normal endurance. Faced with everyone’s kind gazes, she accepted the arrangement—albeit reluctantly.

The servant sent to fetch the rattan returned quickly. When Shen Zhao saw the bundle—dozens of thin, long, barbed switches—she was momentarily at a loss for words.

Had the Lady Dowager just acquired a new instrument of torture?