Chapter 98: Where Does the Confidence Come From?

Turning her back to the matriarch, Shen Zhao’s lips curled into a faint smile as she walked forward, speaking calmly, “Grandmother, please don’t make things difficult for me. Lord Du and I serve under the same court; if this conflict escalates, no one benefits. Du Kang’s indenture contract is not in my possession—how could I possibly prevent Lord Du from taking Du Kang away?

“Please, Grandmother, handle this matter entirely as you see fit, for better or worse.”

The matriarch was momentarily struck silent. Mu’er’s words seemed like a reproach, as if blaming her for refusing to hand over Du Kang’s contract. How could Mu’er harbor such resentment? Everyone knew she was merely a woman confined to the inner chambers, powerless against the Du family, while Mu’er herself was indifferent.

One or two such blows would surely drive her to despair.

Du Qi’an wore a dark expression—this Chu woman was scheming against everyone. Though the distance was only a few steps, walking beside her felt like traversing a grand avenue for a hundred meters. Her steps were slow, deliberate, yet once she finished speaking, they quickened as if eager to leave the house altogether.

The matriarch watched anxiously as Mu’er grasped Lady Shen’s hand, ready to step outside. She was truly giving up on her now. This was unacceptable.

Her eyes flickered; pressing her hand to her forehead, she groaned, “Oh, my head suddenly aches so much! Mu’er, come quickly and rub it for your mother.” She looked toward Shen Zhao with a touch of sorrow in her gaze. Mu’er loved her dearly and surely could not bear to see her suffer. At this critical moment, no matter what she said, she could not let Mu’er leave this room.

If Mu’er left, who would stand against Lord Du and the Du family?

Shen Zhao halted, slowly turning to face the scheming matriarch. Disappointment clouded her eyes as she said, “Grandmother, if your head truly hurts, I will immediately send someone to Qihuang Street to fetch a physician. But if you do not, then I beg you, for the sake of how difficult my position is at court, to spare me this once.

“I may be a commander, but I cannot arbitrarily detain someone from the Du family.”

Finishing, she cast a sharp glance at Du Qi’an, her eyes filled with quiet menace.

Du Qi’an cursed under his breath, “Shameless to the end—scheming against our Du family and still wanting my help? Bah!” Yet despite his curses, he steeled himself to assist. For he noticed Chu held something gleaming in her hand, like a hidden weapon. And her gaze was fixed intently on Du Kang.

He was certain that if Du Kang displeased Chu, she would not hesitate to kill him.

Damn it!

His resentment toward Du Kang and this ungracious matriarch only grew.

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“Madam Chu, since General Chu no longer wishes to intervene in this matter, I shall speak plainly with you,” Du Qi’an said with measured courtesy.

He dared to address the matriarch so formally for a particular reason: Chu Mu, as a regional commander, should have secured an official title for his mother, the matriarch of the general’s household. Yet, every time Chu Mu petitioned on her behalf, the request was suppressed—first by the Third Prince pulling him into his faction, then by the Crown Prince’s suppression.

Chu Mu, indifferent and unambitious, gave up on applying for an official title for his mother.

The late emperor’s attitude was equally indifferent; without a petition from Chu Mu, no title was granted.

Thus, the matriarch of the Chu family was perhaps the only noble lady in the capital with a son in high office who lacked an official title.

Because of Chu Mu’s lack of favor, this matriarch, despite living many years in the capital, had never attended any truly aristocratic banquets. She had no social ties with other noble women.

This became a well-known joke.

The matriarch’s face darkened; this Lord Du was utterly disrespectful. No matter what, she was the mother of a regional commander, a noblewoman of high rank.

Not bothering to respond immediately, she said, “Lord Du, if you have something to say to me, I will listen.”

Mu’er had not yet left; she refused to believe this bewitching Lord Du dared to make things difficult for her.

Shen Zhao looked at the matriarch’s arrogant demeanor, her eyes full of mockery. Outside the Chu household, the matriarch was nothing. In a capital teeming with power and privilege, who would look up to her? She truly fancied herself someone important.

Du Qi’an was not about to indulge the matriarch. “I come to the general’s household to escort your cousin back to the Du family. I care not what unspeakable secrets lie between you and him, nor why he willingly sold himself as a slave to you.

“Since your cousin is now your servant, I will redeem him at the price of a servant. I trust even he is not foolish enough to sign a death contract.

“The Southern Chu Kingdom’s laws state that any servant without a death contract may be redeemed.”

He took a pouch from his person, withdrew a silver note worth one hundred taels, and threw it on the ground.

With a proud air, he declared, “This is one hundred taels—enough to redeem a servant. Grandmother, please pick it up. Your cousin is coming with me.”

Shen Zhao shot a satisfied glance at Du Qi’an.

Du Qi’an snorted coldly in response.

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What kind of look was that from Chu? Did he need her approval?

He already disliked that old hag, and if not for her, Du Kang would never have foolishly sold himself into servitude, causing him such disgrace.

The matriarch’s face darkened to the point of dripping ink. How dare he insult her this way? She was the matriarch of the general’s household! How dare he?

Preposterous!

“Lord Du, this is the general’s mansion, not a place for you to act wildly. I am your elder; how dare you speak so rudely? Aren’t you afraid that such words will ruin your reputation?”

Shen Zhao nearly laughed. The old woman still hadn’t recognized her place.

Du Qi’an’s mocking voice followed, “I address you as ‘Grandmother’ only out of respect for the Chu general’s household.

“I hold an official position; you, a commoner, should be the one paying me respect.

“Madam Chu, please do not joke. Anyone who dares to call themselves the elder of ‘this official’ must have an official title. I wonder where you got the courage to claim such a thing.”

“You… you…” The matriarch was enraged. Her lack of an official title was a thorn in her side.

She knew Mu’er had petitioned repeatedly on her behalf, but now to be mocked for it, a trace of bitterness toward Chu Mu rose within her.

If only he were less taciturn, if only he knew how to flatter, she would not be humiliated now over lacking a title.

Du Qi’an rolled his eyes and said impatiently, “What of it? I hold office—I will not tolerate your finger-pointing. Do you know this is an insult? I have the right to question you.

“This one hundred taels lies here. The man and I will leave with or without your consent.

“I ask you, Madam Chu, hand over Du Kang’s indenture contract, or I will report this matter to the authorities.”

The matriarch’s face shifted through hues of black, red, and green, like a painter’s palette—her fury was boundless.

Report to the authorities! Always the threat of reporting!

One after another used the threat of official complaint against her!

This enchanting Lord Du was unbearably arrogant. Did he think no one could hold him accountable?

Taking a deep breath, she turned to Shen Zhao and said: