Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 93 The Eternal Second Place

moment.

The third courtyard, the main hall of the north building.

"My son, tell your father the truth. Are you now too proud and look down on Third Sister? Do you want to call off this marriage?"

Zhu Chaofeng asked with a pained expression on his chubby face.

As the head of the Zhu family, he appears lazy and indifferent to other people's business, but in fact, he is aware of every little thing happening in the entire Zhu family village.

Not long after Hu Sanniang was driven away, he sent someone to summon Zhu Biao for questioning.

"What are you saying, Father?"

Zhu Biao plopped down in the armchair with a swagger, picked up Zhu Chaofeng's teacup, and took two gulps.

"It was just a casual sparring match. My martial arts skills have improved recently, and Third Sister is just not used to losing yet, so she can't accept it for the time being."

"Don't try to fool me!"

Zhu Chaofeng got really angry and slapped him on the head.

"Do you think I'm senile? Did you really think you couldn't beat Third Sister before? Wasn't it because you took pity on her and intentionally let her win?"

Previously, Zhu Biao and Hu Sanniang were actually evenly matched in martial arts, but Zhu Biao had the advantage of greater strength, while Hu Sanniang's swordsmanship was more exquisite.

However, Zhu Biao cherished Hu Sanniang so much that he was afraid she would break if he held her in his hands or melt if he kept her in his mouth, and he was unwilling to use his full strength at all.

That's why they suffered repeated defeats. Zhu Chaofeng, with his keen eyes and sharp mind, could naturally see through it.

Zhu Biao scratched his head: "Dad, I'm telling the truth. My martial arts skills have improved now. Even if I give in, Third Sister is no match for me."

He paused, then added, "However, my marriage to her does need to be considered carefully. There's no need to back out immediately; let's postpone it for now."

Why?

Instead of answering, Zhu Biao asked, "Father, tell me, is Third Sister a good match? What benefits would I gain from marrying her?"

Zhu Chaofeng was slightly taken aback, then slowly sat down and said seriously.

"Third Sister is beautiful and straightforward. You and I grew up together. The Zhu and Hu families are also closely related. Her family is quite powerful and can be of great help to you."

"Heh~"

Zhu Biao was amused.

"Third Sister is fierce and domineering. I've always been taught to yield to her and be tolerant. Besides, can the Hu family's support really help me?"

Before Zhu Chaofeng could refute him, he interrupted again.

"Father, if I were to take charge of the Zhu family, a marriage alliance with the Hu family might be somewhat useful. But if I want to spread my wings and soar, the Hu family would only be a burden."

"Soar high!"

Zhu Chaofeng shuddered, his eyes gradually becoming fixed, and he kept savoring the word.

"My dear child, you must know that even a tree that grows a thousand feet tall cannot be separated from its roots. No matter how you grow in the future, you will always need the help of your family."

After a long while, he finally lifted him up and said in a hoarse voice.

"Dad, nowadays, besides you, who else in the Zhu family is willing to help me? I should be grateful if they don't hold me back."

Since things had come to this point, Zhu Biao decided to go all out and reveal the truth directly.

"Why was I in such a hurry to go to Tiger's Sorrow Gorge to establish myself? Wasn't it because my two older brothers couldn't tolerate me? There were constant open and covert attacks, and I didn't want to keep making things difficult for you."

"My little one~"

Zhu Chaofeng's eyes suddenly reddened. He grabbed Zhu Biao's hand and clenched it tightly, a thousand words stuck in his trembling hands.

"Father, there's no need to worry."

Zhu Biao squeezed his hand back, patted it gently, and comforted him in a soft voice.

"My surname is Zhu, and I'm your youngest son, that will never change!"

"well."

Zhu Chaofeng nodded emphatically: "My son, just go and fly. I will take care of all the trouble at home and won't let you be a burden."

As Zhu Biao left the three courtyards, his steps were somewhat strange, both light and heavy. At this moment, the image of his father, whom he had always felt somewhat estranged from, gradually overlapped with the image of his taciturn father who had desperately supported him in his memory.

In his previous life, he studied hard for nineteen years and endured another ten years of hardship before finally seeing a glimmer of light.

As a result, he died of exhaustion before he could even report back to his family.

Damn it! Just thinking about it makes me feel so upset.

As soon as he turned back to the backyard, Zhu Biao's confused and disordered thoughts were shattered by three angry women rushing towards him.

"Third Brother!" Pang Feitang said with a stern face.

"My lord!" Pan Jinlian cried out, her eyes filled with grievance.

"Young Master!" Yunniang also huffed angrily.

"What's wrong?"

Zhu Biao frowned slightly.

"Third Brother, your servant is bullying us, treating us all like servants!"

Pang Qiutang spoke frankly.

Yunniang added, "Young Master, the cloth that dog Zhu Quan sent was all coarse linen and kudzu floss used by servants."

Zhu Biao's gaze sharpened slightly: "All of them? Even the material of my clothes is coarse linen?"

Yunniang shook her head: "No, the materials for the young master and Teacher Luan were delivered separately: fine silk, brocade, and sheepskin."

"Ha~ What a superficial tactic!"

Zhu Biao was so angry he laughed.

There are three stewards in Zhu Family Village. The steward in charge of money and grain is called Zhu Fu. He is Zhu Chaofeng's confidant and is usually called the head steward.

The second steward in charge of the soldiers' meals, as well as the meals in the large and small kitchens, was named Zhu Gui, who was quite close to Zhu Long.

Zhu Quan, the third steward in charge of clothing, silk fabrics, bedding, firewood, other miscellaneous items, and daily procurement, was the maternal uncle of Zhu Hu's wife.

Zhu Biao planned to rush to make new clothes not only for his attendants Zhu San and Zhu Wu, but also for the wounded.

It also includes Lin Chong, Wu Song, and a group of female relatives such as Lin Niangzi and Ruyi.

Zhu Quan sent only coarse linen, which was not only a slap in the face to Zhu Biao, but also a subtle attempt to demoralize his men.

Such sinister intentions were undoubtedly the work of Zhu Hu.

Damn it! This clichéd family feud is just never going to end.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Biao ordered in a deep voice, "Yunniang, go to the clinic and call your husband and Zhu San here."

"Okay!"

Yunniang seemed to have guessed something, and her eyes lit up immediately.

"Young Master!"

A moment later, Zhu Wu, Zhu San, and Su Fang rushed over from the medical hall.

Following behind were Zhu Jiu, who was ill and limping, and two other close attendants who were barely able to get out of bed.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao immediately became angry and hissed, "Why are you all here? Don't reopen your wounds, go back and rest!"

Zhu Jiu stood on one foot, clasped his hands and said, "Young Master, we only suffered minor cuts and scrapes. The wounds have already scabbed over, and we were sore all over from lying down for days. Now we can do things again."

Meeting his longing yet stubborn gaze, Zhu Biao sighed helplessly.

"Alright, you three go and find Uncle Fu and Uncle Gui."

"Here you go!"

Zhu Jiu was overjoyed and accepted the order to leave.

"Zhu San, go and bring that dog Zhu Quan here to me."

"Here you go!"

Just as they were about to leave, Zhu Biao said again, "While you're at it, also ransack his doghouse. Remember to clean it thoroughly—account books, silver, silk—not a single copper coin should be left!"

Soon, the peaceful Zhu Family Village became lively.

Especially from the front yard, shouts, curses, smashing, and a woman's cries rang out almost simultaneously.

"Young man, what's all the commotion in the front yard?"

Hearing the noise, Zhu Chaofeng, whose eyes were still a little red, pushed open the door and came out with a dark face.

Just then, the door to the west wing opened, and Zhu Hu and the heavily pregnant Zhu Lüshi walked out side by side.

Zhu Biao's second sister-in-law's family was from Yuncheng. Her father was a minor official who made a living by fighting for food, and her mother was originally a servant girl of the Zhu family and was also the personal maid of Zhu Biao's deceased mother.

It was precisely for this reason that her maternal uncle, Zhu Quan, was promoted to the position of steward in the household.

Zhu Biao glanced at his second brother and sister-in-law with a half-smile, then cupped his hands to Zhu Chaofeng and said jokingly, "Father, with the end of the year approaching, I've found a bloodsucking leech for the family and will clean up the mess while I'm at it."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lüshi's eyes flickered, her face turned pale, and her body trembled slightly. She secretly pushed Zhu Hu.

He immediately stepped forward.

"Third brother, you killed eldest brother's beloved dog Saihu yesterday, what are you doing today? Ever since you came back, there has been no peace in the house."

He paused, quickly glancing at Zhu Chaofeng's face, before continuing, "Your second sister-in-law is about to give birth. This is our Zhu family's eldest grandson. What are we going to do if you frighten her?"

The unborn baby in Zhu Lüshi's belly is Zhu Hu's biggest source of confidence for his recent antics.

Zhu Biao is not yet married, while Zhu Long lost a daughter two years ago. Perhaps due to the loss of his vitality, his wife has not been able to conceive since.

To be honest, Zhu Long was quite aggrieved, as his wife was the niece of Li Ying, the Sky-Soaring Eagle.

This woman was strong-willed and had the support of her family, so she became increasingly domineering. Zhu Long brought up the idea of ​​taking a concubine several times, but she managed to suppress it each time.

Last year, he secretly kept a mistress in Zhujiaji, but she died of illness a few days later.

"The eldest grandson?"

Zhu Biao chuckled.

"Second brother, eldest brother and sister-in-law are not childless, they just haven't given birth yet. Besides, who dares to say that second sister-in-law is definitely carrying a boy?"

"Even if it's a boy, the eldest son will have the eldest grandson! Once the eldest brother has a son, your son will be the second son forever!"

"you!"

Zhu Hu's face flushed red instantly. Zhu Biao's words were like a sharp blade, piercing his lungs.

"Old Master, in the entire Zhu family, Xuan is the most sensible one."

The door to the east wing opened, and the eldest sister-in-law, Zhu Li, slowly walked out. She glared at the second sister-in-law before turning to Zhu Biao.

"In today's matter, our eldest son's family stands with you; we will definitely punish this traitor within our own ranks!"

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