Chapter 68: Can You Guess Why I Called You Foolish?

"Zihuan, let me ask you, who was it that arranged the marriage between you and Chu Miao?"

He was desperate to know—when had the engagement between the Yu and Chu families been set?

Yu Zihuan frowned. In truth, there was no official betrothal between himself and Chu Miao. It was the Yu and Chu families who had a marriage contract, but as fate would have it, the Yu family was left with only him, and among the Chu family, only Chu Miao was of suitable age. When his parents passed away, he first learned of this arrangement. The betrothal contract was dated; all he knew was that his grandfather and the Chu family had set it, but he knew nothing more.

He had always found it odd; the whole affair was shrouded in peculiarity. The intended bride and groom had never been specified, yet the two families were bound by a marriage pact. What’s more, before his father’s downfall, the Yu and Chu families had no dealings with each other. Both families resided in Jinzhou, yet they were as strangers, never having interacted. Even after the Yu family’s misfortune, he never thought to bring the contract to the Chu family’s door.

Instead, it was Old Master Chu who sought him out, inquiring if the marriage contract was still in his possession, and then publicly announcing the engagement between the Yu and Chu families.

Yu Zihuan explained, “To be honest, this marriage contract was not specifically arranged for Miss Chu and myself. It was an old agreement between my grandfather and the Chu family. By coincidence, the Yu family dwindled to only me, and thus, the engagement landed on us.”

He offered a bitter smile and continued, “So this marriage ended up on Miss Chu and myself. My purpose in coming today is to dissolve this engagement. I am not a suitable match for her, and this arrangement should come to an end.”

He spoke with clarity and resolve. Whatever had transpired between the Yu and Chu families in the past, it should end here with him.

“The engagement between the Yu and Chu families…” Chu Mu murmured. “But do you know that the Yu family is indebted to the Chu family?”

Yu Zihuan frowned. He did not know. He had only learned of the betrothal from his dying father, who had never mentioned any debt of gratitude owed by the Yu family to the Chu family. In fact, his father had spoken of the engagement with visible reluctance, and Yu Zihuan could sense the hatred in his father’s tone whenever the Chu family was mentioned. If the Yu family had not fallen into such straits, his father likely would never have handed him the marriage contract.

“I do not know. But even if there was a debt, it was a matter between our elders and has nothing to do with me. I will not cling to the Chu family because of an old favor or this marriage contract.”

Yu Zihuan’s attitude was resolute—he wanted nothing more than to sever ties with the Chu family, be it through marriage or old debts, for neither meant anything to them now.

Shen Zhao, however, found the matter increasingly intriguing; it seemed this blockhead might know something. Perhaps some long-buried secrets could yet be uncovered.

Suddenly, Chu Mu seemed struck by a thought and turned urgently to Shen Zhao, “Husband, please instruct the servants to prepare food and fresh clothes for Zihuan. I have urgent business—I shall return shortly.”

Chu Mu hurried toward the courtyard gate with an anxious stride.

Shen Zhao quickly summoned the servants and arranged for Yu Zihuan to stay in the courtyard next to Chu Mu’s, instructing him, “Since you have come to the capital, to the Grand General’s manor, I cannot allow you to leave just like that. Both by reason and by sentiment, you must stay for now.”

At this moment, she could not let Yu Zihuan simply leave.

“As for your engagement with Chu Miao, I will see to it personally. You will not be wronged. For now, follow the servants to wash up and rest; I will come find you soon.”

With those words, she hurried off after Chu Mu. Her instincts told her that following Chu Mu would lead to a shocking discovery. Moreover, it seemed this blockhead had forgotten entirely about their body swap—was he suddenly recalling something important, so desperate to verify it? In his current state, what could he truly uncover?

Yu Zihuan watched their hurried figures disappear, his expression growing more somber. It seemed disentangling himself from the Chu family was not as easy as he thought.

Chu Mu made straight for his elder brother’s courtyard, his mind racing with possibilities.

Elder brother surely knew something!

“Must I say whose favor our mother borrowed?” That sentence echoed in his mind, and Yu Zihuan’s arrival had brought it all into focus. Whose favor could the old madam possibly have borrowed, if not the birth mother’s?

He remembered the guilt that shadowed his brother’s face whenever they spoke, and his reaction when Chu Mu had spoken of their mother indulging the second sister-in-law’s greed for the Grand General’s estate. And elder brother’s words: “A mother’s greed can be boundless.”

Why would he say such a thing? And what had the old madam promised him?

Chu Mu’s steps quickened, the truth looming before him yet still shrouded in mystery. He felt as though he glimpsed everything clearly, yet understood nothing at all.

No matter how fast he walked, he could not outpace Shen Zhao, who now possessed his body. In no time at all, Shen Zhao caught up.

“Slow down—where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”

Shen Zhao caught up with Chu Mu in a few quick strides. Noticing his body’s brow was already beaded with sweat from haste, she gently wiped his forehead with a sleeve, her voice soft, “Slow down. What are you so anxious about? Why can’t you discuss this with me first? You are me, and I am you—have you forgotten? What good can you do in that body? Will the old madam listen to you? Or anyone at all? Do you understand?”

Chu Mu glanced at Ah Zhao, a warm feeling blooming in his heart. His Ah Zhao always considered his well-being, always plotted for his sake, never kept him in the dark—she was the one who truly cared for him.

After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Ah Zhao, what I am about to say may shock and bewilder you. You might even think I have lost my mind, but please believe me—these are the conclusions I have reached after much reflection.”

Shen Zhao paused in surprise. This blockhead, capable of such deep thought? A miracle indeed. Still, she was curious to hear what astonishing matters he might reveal. “Go on, I’m listening.”

Chu Mu took a deep breath and said earnestly, “Ah Zhao, I may not be the old madam’s biological son. In fact, I may not even be a child of the Chu family.”

Shen Zhao’s eyes widened. Was that all?

She had expected something far more earth-shattering. Did it really take so much pondering to realize he wasn’t the old woman’s son? Could he not see it for himself?

Chu Mu saw the shock on her face and knew his words would cause a stir. “Ah Zhao, I know this sounds incredible, but—”

Shen Zhao clapped a hand over his mouth. “Incredible, my foot! You’re only now starting to suspect you’re not her child? Only now questioning your own origins? Haven’t you ever wondered at the countless oddities in the Chu manor? If I were you, I’d have started doubting my parentage ages ago. Why do you think I brought Yu Zihuan before you, so you could clearly see how alike you look? Why do you think I said you and Yu Zihuan could be twins? Why do you think I suspected your mother of giving you the infertility potion? Think about it, you dolt!”

Now it was Chu Mu’s turn to be astonished. So Ah Zhao had already guessed everything—only he had known nothing at all. Yet being called a dolt by her left a twinge of bitterness in his heart.

Was he truly so dense?