Chapter 105: Trouble in the Northwest Army

Page 1/3

“Your siblings and close family—ha! Dukang, if you still had any living relatives, would the Du family be searching for you, a traitor who abandoned the clan?” Upon hearing this, Dukang’s expression instantly changed.

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Trembling, he stammered, “Chu, what nonsense are you spouting!”

“I’m telling you plainly: your entire branch is extinct. Do you understand? Now, only you and the poisonous woman’s descendants remain. That’s why the Du family has come for you.”

Panic overwhelmed Dukang. How could this be?

How could it be like this!

When he left the Du family, he had two elder brothers and one younger brother, and both his father and uncle were still alive.

He had only been away for twenty or thirty years; how could they all be dead?

This bastard must be lying to him.

“You’re lying! Impossible, our branch couldn’t have all died out.”

Shen Zhao sneered coldly, “I have no reason to lie to a useless waste like you. Stay here quietly; don’t worry, I won’t let anyone take your life easily.”

“You bastard, you’re deceiving me! Let me out! I don’t believe my father and brothers are gone—it must be your conspiracy.”

Shen Zhao looked at the crazed Dukang. “Then wait for your father and brothers to come find you for reunion.” With that, she left the dungeon amid Dukang’s howls.

Just outside the dungeon, Shen Zhao’s gaze hardened as she looked at the dozens kneeling before her.

These people cannot be spared.

The crowd held their breath, trembling as they knelt. The general’s gaze was terrifying.

What does the general intend to do?

“Since it’s still early, you several quickly pack your belongings, go to the steward to collect your contracts of servitude, and get out of the general’s mansion.”

Why keep those who are disloyal? Is it to cause herself more trouble?

The people suddenly looked up— the general was kicking them out!

Among them were elders of the Chu family and soldiers who had fought alongside Chu Mu and later retired.

They were deeply trusted by Chu Mu; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been assigned to guard the dungeon.

Life in the general’s mansion was peaceful and carefree, with very few legitimate masters compared to other estates.

Serving here meant no fear of the master's punishment, and their salaries were far higher than most servants from ordinary families. Who wouldn’t envy such a pleasant position?

But once driven out of the general’s mansion, they would lose everything.

Regret swept over them, and they begged in unison, “Your servants acknowledge their faults, general, please show mercy.”

Shen Zhao didn’t even glance at them. They only realized their mistakes now—what took them so long?

Now that they wanted mercy, why didn’t they obey her orders earlier?

Page 2/3

If she didn’t deal with them, more would continue to pretend loyalty while deceiving and undermining her.

She had given strict orders to imprison Dukang, yet how had they done their duty?

Seeing Shen Zhao’s cold face, some cried with runny noses and tears streaming down, “General, please don’t drive your servants away. We are soldiers who followed you through countless battles and retired honorably. If we didn’t stop the old madam today, it was only because we feared you would blame us for disrespect. We know our mistake now; considering our past contributions and hardships, please spare us this once. We swear by heaven that we will obey your orders from now on.”

Others mimicked them, pleading tearfully to Shen Zhao.

Some said they had elderly and young dependents; others declared that if forced out, they would smash their heads against the mansion gates.

The scene descended into chaos.

Shen Zhao was unfazed by the spectacle. Beside her, Chu Mu’s face was as dark as a pot’s bottom.

So this was the general’s mansion under his command.

“Enough! What kind of conduct is this, bawling and wailing? The general’s mansion is no place for you to run wild. Those who want to die can do so immediately.”

The crying ceased at once; all eyes turned to the lady who spoke.

How could she say such things! Sending them to die!

Was this still the lady they remembered?

Had she not always treated her servants kindly? Since marrying into the general’s mansion, their pay had been raised time and again.

She never punished servants harshly and even cared for their well-being.

Though they did not aid her when she fell on hard times, they hadn’t added to her misfortune like others.

But now, the lady had turned so cruel—no wonder she had been neglected by the general for two years.

Who would want their spouse to be a ruthless and poisonous woman?

They looked at Chu Mu with sorrowful resentment.

Chu Mu grew angrier under their gaze.

What right did they have to blame him?

Shen Zhao’s eyes grew colder as she regarded these ingrates.

They truly were a pack of ungrateful wolves!

“The general’s mansion cannot harbor disloyal people. Out of past goodwill, I allow you to leave with dignity. But if you cause trouble again, I will gladly see your dreams fulfilled by the whip!”

The crowd was stunned, then collapsed to the ground.

This time, they were truly being driven out of the general’s mansion.

Shen Zhao snorted coldly and strode away, urging Chu Mu behind her, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up.”

She had matters to discuss with this blockhead and headed straight to the study.

Page 3/3

Just as Shen Zhao and Chu Chu entered the study, a shadow suddenly darted in front of them.

“General, I have urgent news to report.”

Shen Zhao was startled by the sudden appearance.

But she quickly regained her composure, her face calm and collected as she glanced at Chu Mu, silently asking who this man in black was.

She had never seen him before; when Chu Mu’s secret guards were assigned that day, she had no memory of this figure.

Although suspicious, she maintained her cool and said coldly, “Speak.”

This was Chu Mu’s usual demeanor—never wasting words in front of subordinates.

Chu Mu’s expression grew serious upon seeing the man.

He was a secret guard Chu Mu had left in the capital’s army, always hidden among the soldiers.

He rarely appeared at the general’s mansion.

Only if something important happened in the military.

“Reporting, general. The Northwest Army you asked me to monitor had a conflict today with the troops under Deputy General Liang. One named Lin Song from the Northwest Army accidentally killed Deputy General Liang’s second son.

“Lin Song is now tied in the training ground center, facing the brutal punishment of death by a thousand cuts. His life is in grave danger.”

Shen Zhao’s face changed drastically. Lin Song—the lean man.

“Get up, come with me quickly.” Shen Zhao rushed out of the study, asking the man beside her as she walked, “Why did the Northwest Army clash with Deputy General Liang’s troops?”

And who was this Deputy General Liang? How dared he impose such a severe punishment on a soldier without consulting her!

She couldn’t believe the struggling Northwest Army would provoke trouble—they barely had the energy to survive.

Why would they provoke those people?

Chu Mu hurried after her, reminding, “Wife, Deputy General Liang’s eldest daughter is the favored concubine of the Third Prince.”

That Liang was a man of the Third Prince. Chu Mu knew that Shen Zhao was unaware of this. He couldn’t let her walk blindly into danger.

That Liang was no good man—he was cunning and ruthless.

Shen Zhao glanced gratefully at Chu Mu, quickening her pace.

She told Chu Mu, who was struggling to keep up, “Wife, wait here in the mansion. I will handle the military matter.”

Chu Mu stopped chasing after her. Though anxious, he knew he must not follow her to the camp—it would only endanger her.

Watching Shen Zhao’s figure grow distant, Chu Mu quietly instructed from the shadows, “Follow the general closely and ensure her safety.”