Water Margin: I am Zhu Biao

Chapter 94 Unrest at Home

At this time, the Zhu family had four courtyards.

Pang Qiutang was excitedly heading to the front to watch the excitement and cheer on Zhu Biao when Ruyi grabbed her arm.

"Qiutang, the young master is currently dealing with family matters. We are guests and outsiders, so it's not appropriate for us to interfere."

Seeing that she was still somewhat unconvinced, Ruyi helplessly continued to persuade her.

"Think about it, my lord is so shrewd and wise, why did he only ask Zhu San and Zhu Wu to handle the matter, but deliberately didn't ask us?"

"Ruyi is right! Everyone, calm down and do what you're supposed to do. It's just a small matter; Sanlang can settle it with a wave of his hand."

Luan Tingyu suddenly spoke up, concluding the matter with a final word.

Upon hearing this, Pang Qiutang immediately deflated, and even Wu Song, who was eager to make a move, became listless.

The Lin family of three remained calm; among the crowd, they had the most faith in Zhu Biao's abilities.

He managed to enter and leave Tokyo several times, killing Gao Yanei right under the nose of the old villain Gao Qiu, and then escape unscathed, even bringing back Instructor Zhang and Madam Lin.

How could such a person be troubled by mere domestic infighting?

Wu Da was unusually quiet, and didn't even leave the kitchen, staying inside busy with his tasks. He knew his own limitations.

His duty is to cook good meals.

Pan Jinlian was also helping in the kitchen, but she seemed a little distracted, her beautiful eyes frequently glancing outside, and her ears always perked up.

At the same time, the third courtyard was entered.

Zhu San and Zhu Wu carried a round, fat man to Zhu Biao and, without saying a word, forced him to kneel on the ground.

Whoosh!

Following behind, Su Fang forcefully spread a huge bundle on the ground, and the silver coins, raw silk, jewelry, and copper coins inside immediately spilled out.

At a glance, it was worth at least two thousand strings of cash, and everyone's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight of it.

Zhu Quan was treated well in the Zhu family. He was provided with food, lodging, and clothing, and received a monthly allowance of three strings of cash. However, the wealth on the ground alone was enough for him to earn for fifty years.

Based solely on this package of goods, his embezzlement charge is already irrefutable and indisputable.

"Young master, the account books!"

Su Fang handed a slightly torn account book to Zhu Biao, bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "The account book was hidden under the floor tiles under the bed. His wife wanted to destroy it, but I stopped her. However, I was a little too harsh. Please punish me, young master."

Zhu Biao took the ledger, flipped through it casually, and his lips involuntarily turned downwards.

"Is the person dead?"

"Never."

"Crippled?"

"Never."

Zhu Biao closed the ledger and reached out to wipe the sweat from Su Fang's forehead: "Not dead or crippled, what kind of heavy blow is that? Look at you, you're all sweating. Don't catch a cold, go and rest over there."

He then turned around and waved the account book in his hand at Zhu Chaofeng: "Father, should we investigate this matter or not?"

Zhu Chaofeng sighed inwardly, first glancing at his second son and daughter-in-law, whose faces were ashen, and then at his eldest daughter-in-law, whose eyes were burning with desire, before finally looking at his youngest son, who had a smile on his lips.

"check!"

After a long silence, he finally uttered a single word.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hu and his wife trembled. Zhu Quan, who was being held up and had his mouth gagged, rolled his eyes and fainted from fright.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhu Biao bowed respectfully, then threw the account book to the head steward, Zhu Fu.

"Uncle Fu, I'll trouble you to personally check the accounts and report back to my father afterwards. How to handle the matter is up to him!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Fu was stunned, but Zhu Chaofeng's eyes lit up. Zhu Hu and his wife also looked up at him in disbelief.

The wealth on earth is much, but that is only a small part; the account books are the real fatal flaw.

Besides embezzling public funds, the couple also secretly lent money at exorbitant interest rates through their father-in-law in Yuncheng.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Biao let it go so easily.

Zhu Chaofeng was not entirely unaware of this matter. Even if he knew everything, he would at most teach him a lesson, as long as it wasn't made public and the boss didn't have any leverage over him.

It's not a big deal.

Zhu Biao ignored them and pointed to the valuables on the ground, speaking to the second steward, Zhu Gui.

"Steward, please take stock of the dirty silver. It's almost the New Year, so give the guards double pay and an extra bowl of meat."

"Replace the rest with silk and fur; I need them to make new clothes for the brothers for the New Year."

After saying that, he turned to Zhu Chaofeng.

"Father, is this a suitable course of action?"

Zhu Chaofeng, beaming with pride, exclaimed with great satisfaction, "Perfect! Perfect! Father will do as you say. My youngest son has truly grown up!"

Just then, the eldest sister-in-law, Zhu Li, suddenly pointed at Zhu Quan, who was lying unconscious on the ground, and said in a low voice, "The third brother's handling of the situation was indeed appropriate, but this traitor has been caught red-handed. In your opinion, how should he be dealt with?"

Zhu Biao smiled and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards her.

"Sister-in-law, there is no need for me to comment on this matter. The Zhu family has strict family rules. Anyone who embezzles will have their hand cut off and be expelled from the family."

After hearing what he said, the elder sister-in-law turned around and bowed to the celebrant.

"Father-in-law, are these really the family rules?"

Zhu Chaofeng glanced coldly at Zhu Quan, who lay sprawled on the ground like a dead dog, a resolute glint flashing in his eyes.

"Exactly!"

He's no pushover; he knows full well what's going on and someone has to take the blame.

Therefore, Zhu Quan, who is both greedy and stupid, is naturally the perfect scapegoat, and can also serve as a warning to his second daughter-in-law.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Upon hearing this, the eldest sister-in-law nodded, glancing coldly at Zhu Hu and his wife, whose faces were ashen but who dared not plead for Zhu Quan.

"In that case, Zhu Er and Zhu Liu, what are you two standing there for? Enforce the family rules!"

Zhu Er and Zhu Liu were Zhu Long's attendants. Upon hearing this, they rushed over like wolves and tigers, and without saying a word, they stomped their feet down on Zhu Quan's wrist.

"Ah~"

Zhu Quan suddenly woke up with a start, his eyes bulging out, and his wails were deafening.

The eldest sister-in-law waved her hand dismissively: "Get her out of here! Don't disturb the second mistress's pregnancy!"

A moment later, Zhu Biao returned to his courtyard. Before he could even sit down properly, Zhu Gui, along with Zhu Er, Zhu Liu, and several strong servants, chased after him.

They brought plenty of silk, needles, thread, and furs, enough for all of Zhu Biao's confidants to make two new sets of clothes for each of them.

Zhu Gui placed a piece of black brocade with a dark pattern in front of Zhu Biao and said with a smile, "Third Master, Madam knows that you like black. This piece of brocade is made of the finest material from Sichuan. It's perfect for you to wear a cloak."

Zhu Biao said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, butler. Please be sure to thank your sister-in-law for me later."

"Yes."

Zhu Gui responded, but did not leave.

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow: "Is there anything else?"

Zhu Gui chuckled dryly without replying, but his gaze swept over the other people in the room, making it clear that he wanted to speak alone.

Zhu Biao waved his hand dismissively.

"It's alright, speak your mind. Everyone here is a trusted confidant of mine, and there's nothing I can't hear."

Upon hearing this, others might have been fine, but Pan Jinlian, who was examining the fabric, froze, her beautiful eyes suddenly lifting up, flashing with a strange light.

Zhu Biao was listening to Zhu Gui at the time and didn't notice her.

"In that case, I'll say this: Madam would like to inquire on behalf of Master Li whether Third Master could help the Li family purchase some horses?"

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao, who had been lounging lazily against the back of his chair, suddenly sat up straight and looked at him meaningfully.

"Master Li, you wish to buy horses? Several? And how much are you willing to offer?"

"The more the better! As for the price of horses..."

Zhu Gui blurted it out, then suddenly stopped.

He suddenly realized that he had talked too much and had put himself in the wrong place. As the second steward of the Zhu family, he was far too concerned about the affairs of the Li family.

"As for the price, I dare not say too much. It is up to Third Master and Master Li to discuss it personally."

Zhu Biao smiled noncommittally: "Heh, thank you for conveying the message, Steward. Please tell Madam that I will personally visit Master Li after the New Year."

"Third Brother! You're so impressive!"

After Zhu Quan left, Pang Qiutang picked up a piece of silk and touched it again and again, her eyes full of admiration.

"Powerful outside, even more powerful at home!"

Zhu Biao didn't say anything, but rested his head on the back of the chair and closed his eyes.

"Is my lord tired?"

A pair of warm, soft, slender hands suddenly touched his temples and began to gently massage them.

A faint jasmine fragrance wafted into my nose; it was auspicious.

Zhu Biao breathed a sigh of relief and calmed himself down. If those hands belonged to Pan Jinlian, he would have jumped up and drawn his sword to strike.

He sighed and said in a muffled voice, "Tired. There's no peace at home. I'm exhausted outside, and I'm still worried when I get back."

"Heh~"

Ruyi smiled lightly.

"My lord, to use a Buddhist term, you are attached to appearances. All these things are because you have changed and become very different from others, which is why you feel out of place."

97

Her fingers paused for a moment: "If my husband were still the same Third Master Zhu, he wouldn't have so many troubles."

"That's enough, why say so much?"

Pang Qiutang suddenly leaned over and somewhat rudely pushed Ruyi aside.

"After the New Year, we'll move to Tiger's Sorrow Gorge, and then all this filth will be gone!"

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