He demanded Ms. Qin's daily penance and prostration before the Buddha, withholding food as leverage to enforce compliance. In this new reality, leaving her temple was out of the question—she was bound to her penitent duties for as long as she lived, lest she face starvation.
For someone like Ms. Qin, the thought of death was unthinkable, ensuring her obedience.
As for Zhao Mu, Zhao Shu found himself at an impasse. While he could bring Ms. Qin to the clan compound or even to court, Zhao Mu remained beyond his reach. Despite Zhao Shu's legal adoption, Zhao Mu still retained his biological ties. Moreover, Zhao Mu's indirect involvement in the affair left Zhao Shu reluctant to let him off easily.
Driven by his wrath, Zhao Shu's actions had already decimated the family's modest assets, leaving Zhao Mu's ventures severely depleted. With just 200 mu of fertile land remaining, opening a shop was no longer feasible.
