Chapter 19: The Second Brother, Always Preaching Morality, Secretly Covets His Younger Brother's Wife

“Second Brother, what nonsense are you spouting!”

Chu Mu stared in shock at Chu Renjie, who lay on the ground in disarray, his clothes askew and his face twisted.

Was this really his refined, gentle Second Brother, always preaching righteousness and virtue, ever quick to accuse others of disgracing the scholars’ way? He couldn’t believe it!

How could the brother he knew, who had memorized the classics, ever become such a beast—one who would harass his sister-in-law, curse her, and harbor such depraved thoughts? It was impossible.

Humiliated, Chu Renjie snapped at Chu Mu, “Shut up! What are you screaming about? Is it proper for a woman to shriek like this? You’re disgracing our family name. Now get over here and help me up.” A lecherous smile crept across his face. “It’s the perfect chance for me to touch my dear sister-in-law’s hand.”

His lascivious grin, paired with the imprint of a shoe on his face, made for a truly comical sight.

“What… what did you just say? Second Brother, do you even know who I am? Do you realize what you’re doing?”

Chu Mu was so stunned he wondered if he’d misheard. How could such filthy words come from his brother’s lips?

Chu Renjie pulled himself together and struggled up from the ground, brushing the dirt from his clothes. He cast an annoyed look at Chu Mu.

“Of course I know what I’m saying and doing. Sister-in-law, why are you so worked up today?”

But when his gaze fell on that face he’d longed for day and night, his expression softened, and he gently stroked the cheek where he’d been kicked. In his mind, this was already an intimate exchange with his sister-in-law.

He gave a foolish laugh, forgetting the pain of the footprint on his face, and tried to sidle closer to Chu Mu, saying in an oily tone, “Sister-in-law, my dimwitted younger brother leaves a beauty like you all alone, not knowing how to cherish you. But I’ll cherish you. If you’re with me, I’ll listen to your every word and never let Mother torment you again.

“My dear Zhao, I truly adore you. From the moment I first saw you, my heart has been filled with nothing but you. If you don’t believe me, feel it for yourself—my heart is all yours.” As he spoke, he began to unfasten his robe, exposing a swath of pale chest, his gaze filled with infatuation.

Chu Mu could scarcely believe this was his Second Brother, yet he could not deny that this depraved, shameless creature was indeed the man he’d once admired.

Just then, a servant passed by, but what shocked Chu Mu even more was their reaction. They seemed to choose to be blind. Though they clearly saw Chu Mu and his brother, each one walked by as though nothing were amiss. Some even went out of their way to avoid Chu Mu, saluted only Second Brother, and hurried on.

So, everyone in the household knew of Second Brother’s sordid desires for Zhao—everyone but him.

Chu Mu’s fists clenched in his sleeves, his face darkening with rage. What else was being kept from him?

Chu Renjie, grinning shamelessly, approached, entranced by the sight of his angry sister-in-law. His heart pounded with excitement.

“My lovely Zhao, let me—”

Chu Renjie reached out, trying to touch Chu Mu’s cheek, his words dripping with feigned affection.

Chu Mu’s expression shifted abruptly; he could no longer restrain himself. Before Chu Renjie’s hand could make contact, his instincts took over—he swung a fist straight into his brother’s face.

How could his Second Brother be so revolting? Other scholars were known for their charm; this was nothing but filth.

A pig-like scream split the air. “You little harlot, you hit me again!”

Chu Mu suppressed the urge to hit him a second time, hurling back, “Shut your mouth! Scream again and I’ll make sure you never scream again.” Furious, he strode away.

He feared that if he looked at his brother a moment longer, he truly might beat him to death.

Chu Renjie, seething with anger, shouted after him, “You little harlot, just you wait! Sooner or later I’ll have you under me and show you real affection—!”

But before he could finish, Chu Mu stopped in his tracks, turned back, and shot him a cold glance, raising a clenched fist.

Chu Renjie’s body stiffened. He immediately clapped a hand over his mouth, glaring at Chu Mu with wounded eyes.

It wasn’t that he was cowardly, but this little fiend’s punches truly hurt. That fist had landed square on his jaw, and even speaking now tugged painfully at his cheeks.

Chu Mu snorted and, not wanting to see his cowardly brother’s face any longer, strode quickly away.

He had barely reached the front hall when he was already seething with rage, guilt toward Zhao gnawing at him.

As he sat down, the sound of wheels rolling over the floor reached his ears, accompanied by the butler’s gentle, cautious voice: “Madam, Young Master Pang has arrived.”

Chu Mu frowned slightly. Since when had the household’s steward spoken in such a careful tone? It was as though he feared that even the slightest sound would startle someone.

As the words faded, a figure in blue appeared at the doorway. Gentle sunlight filtered through the courtyard greenery, scattering delicate light across the newcomer, making him seem dazzling.

Though seated in a wheelchair, he possessed an allure that could ensnare any ordinary soul at a glance. His features were cool and aloof, his bearing like that of an immortal untouched by mortal dust—so noble and sacred that one dared only to admire him from afar, not approach. Yet his confinement to a wheelchair stirred an instant impulse to protect him.

His pale, almost sickly face inspired both pity and tenderness. The bruise on his left cheek only deepened that sense of sympathy.

The butler looked at Pang Yunjin with obvious distress, his eyes full of concern.

The sight put Chu Mu in a foul mood. He ordered the butler, “You may leave.” This was pure chaos—before any battle had begun, his side was already surrendering. How disgraceful.

The butler cast a lingering, worried look at Pang Yunjin, then shot Chu Mu a pleading glance, as if silently begging: “Madam, please don’t bully this poor, ethereal young master.”

Chu Mu responded with a cold glare. The butler shivered and quickly withdrew.

Chu Mu’s gaze returned to Pang Yunjin. This pretty face, with eyes as clear and deep as a jade pool, held a melancholy air, accentuated by the red mole at the corner of his eye. In the instant their eyes met, a flicker of excitement flashed across Pang Yunjin’s usually indifferent face, a ripple of joy disturbing the tranquil depths of his gaze.

Pang Yunjin’s reaction only further annoyed Chu Mu. This so-called gentleman looked at Zhao the way a starving wolf eyes a plump sheep. His deep unease and irritation grew.

He silently cursed, “This pretty boy feigns weakness, shamelessly trying to seduce my wife.”

Thinking of his Second Brother, who harbored the same intentions, Chu Mu’s glare toward Pang Yunjin grew even colder. These so-called scholars had clearly tossed all notions of propriety and virtue aside.

Then Pang Yunjin spoke, his voice as warm and gentle as jade, like a spring breeze: “Miss Mingyue, at last I’ve found you.”

At these words, Chu Mu’s displeasure deepened. Shameless wretch—who allowed him to address Zhao by her childhood name? “Miss Mingyue,” indeed! Did he not know Zhao was already his wife?

Annoyed, Chu Mu said, “Young Master Pang, mind your words. Kindly refer to me as Lady Chu or General’s Wife. The title ‘Miss Mingyue’—for the sake of your own dignity as a scholar—should never pass your lips again.”

He paused, then continued, “There’s no such thing as a casual visit. Might I ask what brings Young Master Pang here? I don’t recall any particular acquaintance between us.”

Zhao certainly didn’t know Pang Yunjin. She had once expressed regret at never meeting the famed nobleman, calling it a pity.

Yet, seeing Pang Yunjin’s demeanor, and hearing the joy in his voice as he said, “At last I’ve found you”—if he claimed not to know Zhao, Chu Mu would never believe it, not even under pain of death.

A hint of disappointment flickered in Pang Yunjin’s eyes. Had she truly forgotten him?