Chapter 60: Shrouded in Mist

The matriarch did not know how to begin; she could not be the one to speak of this matter. Chu Renqing watched his mother stumble through her words, unable to explain herself, and cast her a disappointed glance. He then looked toward his third sister-in-law, who stood quietly and properly by the side, his brows knitting even tighter.

When he entered earlier, Shanjun, Shan'an, and Chu Miao had all been seated. Yet the third sister-in-law, though her status was that of an elder, stood. What sort of logic, what rules were these? He observed her attire—a worn-out men's robe, hanging loosely on her frame, her exposed wrists startlingly slender. Had the General's household fallen into such poverty that they could not even afford proper clothing for the women? In contrast, his mother, Shanjun, and Shan'an wore luxurious garments; their faces were rosy, betraying no hint of hardship.

He remembered the scene when his third brother married his wife; the woman then and now seemed two entirely different people. His mother had not fulfilled her promise to him—to treat the third brother and his wife with kindness.

With a sigh, he spoke, "Third sister-in-law, could you tell your elder brother what has happened? What has caused Mother to torment the second sister-in-law into such a state?"

Chu Mu glanced at the matriarch, whose gaze was full of warning. Ignoring his mother's silent threat, Chu Mu pressed on. His mother was now a stranger to him. Even if it angered her, he would speak the truth. "It was the second sister-in-law who embezzled the General's household property, funneling the stolen funds, shops, estates, and farmland into her natal family, the Liu residence."

The matriarch exhaled in relief; thankfully, Shen had not lied. Yet before she could finish her breath, Chu Mu continued, "Actually, it's not entirely second sister-in-law's fault. Mother enabled her, allowing the embezzlement to benefit Shanjun and Shan'an."

The matriarch nearly fainted from anger; was this little wretch trying to ruin her? In panic, she looked to Chu Renqing, who stared at her wide-eyed in disbelief.

Oblivious to the brewing storm, Chu Mu went on, "My husband and I understand their intentions—second sister-in-law and Mother are planning for the second branch's future, since second brother has long failed the imperial exams and their household has no income. It's only reasonable. After all, Mother often instructed my husband to be brotherly and respectful. Even when Mother gave the imperial gifts to second brother, my husband and I never uttered a word of complaint. Even when Mother asked me to contribute my dowry to cover household expenses, I never resented it."

The matriarch wished she could tear out Chu Mu's tongue, yet her eldest son's expression grew darker by the moment.

Listening to his sister-in-law's calm account, Chu Renqing's anger deepened, his face flushing from pale to red.

Mother had gone too far!

"Mother! Have you forgotten what you promised me?" How could she allow the second branch to embezzle the General's household assets? Everything belonged to the third brother, paid for with his life—what gave the second brother and Mother the right to take it? What right did they have to touch the third sister-in-law's dowry? Mother truly believed herself to be the matriarch of the General's household.

The matriarch was startled, casting an angry glare at Chu Mu; all this trouble was her doing, saying what should and should not be said.

"Renqing, listen to me. Things are not as you imagine. Yes, I allowed Liu to embezzle some of the General's household assets, but I didn't know how much. I thought she had only taken a portion—I never expected her to be so bold. Don't listen to Shen's nonsense; Mu willingly gave the imperial gifts to the second brother. It's not as Shen says—I never told Mu to give them to Renjie. And as for the household deficit, as Mu's wife and the mistress of the General's household, what's wrong with her making up the shortfall?"

Chu Mu looked at his mother in surprise—she had never stated it outright, only hinted. This made him feel increasingly cold toward her.

Chu Renqing drew a deep breath—was his mother still trying to argue? Did she truly not know how much Liu had taken? Yet she blamed the third sister-in-law with such conviction.

"Mother, greed knows no bounds. You cannot take advantage of the third brother and his wife’s devotion to you by oppressing them so. Mother, you and the second branch must return to the ancestral home in Jinzhou with me."

The matriarch froze. She would not follow her eldest back to Jinzhou, nor allow the second branch to leave with him. Jinzhou could not compare to the capital; what future could the second branch hope for there? Shanjun and Shan'an had finally learned to read and write at the national academy, befriending sons of noble families and pursuing prospects. If they returned to Jinzhou now, all their efforts would be wasted.

"Renqing, you have traveled long and hard; return to your quarters and rest. Do not concern yourself with matters between me and the second branch," she urged, eager for him to leave.

"Mother! As the eldest son of the Chu family, how can I not concern myself with these matters? Do not disappoint me again. Please, gather your belongings over the next few days and return to Jinzhou with me."

He finished, casting an apologetic look at the third sister-in-law.

Chu Mu stiffened, his elder brother’s gaze full of remorse.

Something flickered through his mind—so quickly he could not grasp it. His brother’s attitude toward their mother had always puzzled him. Since his earliest memories, his brother had been distant with her. No matter how she tried to please him, his attitude remained indifferent. When their father was appointed to an official post in the capital, his brother chose to stay in Jinzhou, accompanying their grandparents. Their mother had tried many times to persuade him to come to the capital, but he stubbornly remained in Jinzhou.

His brother’s manner was strange not only toward their mother, but toward him and their second brother as well. Of all his siblings, his brother showed him a special fondness. Moreover, every time his brother looked at him, he could not help but display guilt. Yet in his memory, his brother had never wronged him; he could not fathom the source of this remorse.

Chu Mu’s probing gaze made Chu Renqing look away. It was he and his mother who had wronged the third brother. Now, what face had he left to meet the third brother and his wife?

Chu Renqing turned to Chu Miao, who had not dared to look up at him, and said coldly, "Chu Miao, come with your father to the quarters."

Chu Miao immediately lifted her head, sprang from her chair, and hurled herself into the matriarch’s arms. "I won’t go! Father, am I not still your most beloved daughter? I know you came to the capital this time to drag me back and marry me off to that pauper. I do not wish to wed that poor scholar—he does not deserve me."

With tearful eyes, she looked to the matriarch. "Grandmother, father wishes to marry me to a wastrel out of gratitude. Grandmother, you must stand up for me!"

Chu Miao had not told the matriarch about her fleeing marriage. Her mother had instructed her to win the matriarch’s favor as soon as possible, so she could secure a respectable match in the capital. She must not reveal her engagement; otherwise, the matriarch would not bypass her father to find her another match.

But now she had no choice—her father had come to take her back. Her mother’s swollen eyes were proof enough.

She could not understand why her father was so stubborn, insisting on marrying her to that pauper in repayment of a debt.