Chapter 66: Sneaking a Taste and Getting Beaten

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said offhandedly, "It must be the sun; it's just too hot."

Xu Huizu poked his head out from behind his father and chimed in, "Good brother-in-law, the stone lock you were lifting belongs to my third brother, and he's only five."

"There's a two-hundred-pound one that would suit you much better."

Seeing the smug and triumphant look of his childhood friend in split-crouch pants, Zhu Shuang cursed inwardly: *You unmitigated bastard, just wait until I get my hands on you one day.*

Xu Da stood before him with an unkind expression and demanded, "Good son-in-law, lift it! Why'd you stop?"

Looking at the stone lock, which was larger than a water vat, Zhu Shuang awkwardly scratched the back of his head and said with trepidation, "Respected father-in-law, shall we leave the lifting for another day?"

Xu Da sighed, tossed a short wooden stick onto the ground, and said in a deep voice, "It is rare to have some leisure today. Accompany your elder for a bit of martial drill."

Zhu Shuang forced a bitter smile. Having just used his spear to prod his daughter, retribution was coming around remarkably fast.

Trembling, he picked up the stick. On any normal day, he could easily take on ten of his father-in-law. But after two full hours of fierce combat earlier, his father-in-law Xu Da could easily take on a hundred of him.

Before long, the stick was knocked out of Zhu Shuang's hand. He was beaten black and blue, running for his life in a panic with nowhere to turn.

Not only did that scoundrel Xu Huizu guard the courtyard gate, but he also ambushed him with dirty kicks from time to time.

Caught in the pincer attack of father and son, Zhu Shuang was battered all over. The aging Xu Da grew somewhat fatigued after an hour of exercise, so he began directing Xu Huizu on which vital human acupuncture points to strike.

For two solid hours, Zhu Shuang endured a brutal beating, emerging bruised and battered all over. The sheer pleasure he had felt earlier was now paid back tenfold in sheer agony.

The usually amiable Xu Da finally lost his composure and roared with unconcealed rage, "You little bastard, you couldn't even hold back for two full months? You've completely disgraced His Majesty, myself, and Brother Kökö Temür!"

Zhu Shuang felt utterly wronged. What did he do wrong? He just wanted to let his brothers, who hadn't tasted meat in two years, enjoy some meat.

"This son-in-law has already restrained himself for two years; I simply couldn't hold back any longer."

Military commanders always brought concubines along on campaigns, but Xu Da had never expected to find such an honest fool like him.

Filled with a mixture of anger and reluctant amusement, Xu Da put on a facade of nonchalance and strode away with his hands behind his back.

Seeing his father-in-law walk out of earshot, Zhu Shuang unleashed a torrent of richly descriptive curses upon that ungrateful scoundrel Xu Huizu.

"Alright, alright, stop cursing. You've already taken a beating—how about you beat up my father to vent your frustration?"

At those words, Zhu Shuang was rendered speechless. Xu Huizu chuckled mischievously and said, "Who told you to be such a heartless bastard and leave me behind when you went on campaign? I am your eldest brother-in-law, after all."

Zhu Shuang's eyes widened in disbelief, and he cursed furiously, "You goddamn general of the Right Tengxiang Guard, you're an imperial guardsman! Even your general father wouldn't dare, so just how many heads do I have to risk taking you on a military campaign?"

Taking imperial guards who protected the palace on a campaign would be no different from stripping Old Zhu of his clothes and throwing him into Xuanwu Lake—that way at least offered a cleaner death.

Xu Huizu thought about it and realized he had a point. However, seeing Li Jinglong—who had overnight become the premier young scion of the nobility—prancing about everywhere showing off, he grew furious and muttered, "Damn it, that scoundrel Second-Sister Li just struck gold. A family with two dukes, and a Marquis of Championship to boot. It really makes one green with envy."

Zhu Shuang looked at him with utter disdain. "You've got nothing to be envious of. In the future, your Xu family will boast two dukes; you'll be the top nobility of Great Ming, sharing the nation's glory forever, and no one can ever take that away."

Hearing such bizarre and incomprehensible words, Xu Huizu was utterly baffled. Then, suddenly struck by a terrifying thought, his face drained of color as he blurted out in panic, "All those things you pulled in the north... you aren't actually planning to rebel, are you?"

Pointing to his own nose, Zhu Shuang sneered, "Me, rebel? It's merely succession by proper order."

He left behind a bewildered Xu Huizu standing frozen in place.

Zhu Shuang headed to the western wing. In Minmin's room, his father-in-law Kökö Temür was holding and teasing his grandson.

Seeing him stripped to the waist, Minmin shot him a sidelong glance.

Zhu Shuang retrieved a set of clothes from a chest and changed. Noticing his battered and bruised appearance, Kökö Temür hurriedly asked, "Son-in-law, were you beaten by someone? Feel free to speak up, and this old man will uphold justice for you."

Zhu Shuang thought to himself that if he told the truth, he would likely get beaten by both of these old cronies together.

"Respected father-in-law has misunderstood. This was just a fall I took while hunting outside the city at Purple Mountain."

Seeing his disheveled attire, Kökö Temür guessed the truth, though being of Mongol descent, he didn't mind such matters much.

With his grandson in his arms, the father-in-law took his leave. Minmin sat on the bed with her arms crossed over her chest, remaining silent.

Knowing that this woman was acting jealous again, Zhu Shuang hurriedly coaxed her, "My wife is exceptionally stunning and charming today."

Minmin turned her head away and muttered sullenly, "I didn't put on any makeup today."

He grabbed her hand and plastered on a flattering smile. "A hibiscus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without artificial adornment."

Hearing this, Minmin broke out in goosebumps and retorted in disgust, "Save those sweet words to coax your little darlings; I'm not buying that routine."

*Well, what are you buying then? Time to taste Old Sun's iron staff.*

Zhu Shuang twisted her arms behind her back, flipped her over, and pinned her beneath him.

"You smelly woman, don't toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

Minmin blinked, her eyes brimming with flirtatious allure as she purred, "Fine then. Let's see if you have the ability to keep your good wife thoroughly satisfied."

Her legs wrapped around Zhu Shuang's armpits, and with a soft cry and a surge of strength from her waist, she flipped him over and straddled his chest.

Zhu Shuang turned pale with fright and immediately begged for mercy, "My good grandmother, are you playing for real? Please spare me, I am definitely finished for today."

Minmin shed her outer garment, her figure faintly discernible beneath a layer of sheer gauze. She traced a finger across his chest and licked her lower lip.

"This concubine misses her husband day and night. Could it be that my husband has found himself a sweet younger sister and forgotten about this older sister of yours?"

"Since the little sister lasted over an hour, it's only fair that I double that for you."

A single flash of cold light preceded the dragon-like thrust of the spear—committed to the death, with no thought of retreat.

Outside, the third watch of the night sounded. Looking at his soundly sleeping wife, Zhu Shuang still had tear tracks on his face.

"Minmin Temür, you have violated me."

He fished out his split-crouch drawers, which had been torn into strips, and began mending them with needle and thread. These were the trousers of his formal court attire, which he had to wear for the morning audience today.

He had only been issued one set yesterday. When he stumbled out of the bedroom clutching his lower back, he gave Ma Sanbao, who had just arrived, a terrible fright.

Seeing that he could barely walk, Ma Sanbao rushed forward to support him and asked with concern, "Master, have you injured your back?"

Zhu Shuang replied feebly, "Your Second Master here was ridden like a beast of burden all night long."

With his legs weak and his gait unsteady, Ma Sanbao grew even more concerned and urged, "Since Your Honor is feeling unwell, why not have a word with Duke Xu and ask His Majesty for a leave of absence?"

Having stripped Old Zhu's shoes off in full view of everyone yesterday, today was the official proclamation ceremony for the nine frontier-guarding princes. If he failed to show up, Zhu Yuan Zhan would undoubtedly confiscate his imperial golden seal.

"Help this lonely prince to the carriage; I can still attend court."

Xu Da had been waiting in the carriage for quite some time. As the reigning Right Chancellor of the court, he had to lead the military contingent. Without him standing at the front, the others could only wait outside the palace gates.

Seeing Zhu Shuang walking with a light, unsteady gait while being supported by a eunuch onto the carriage, Xu Da found his son-in-law increasingly unbearable. Consumed by anger, he snapped, "So young, yet indulging in wine and lust with no sense of moderation!"

Xu Da grumbled and scolded all the way, while Zhu Shuang sat with his head lowered in silence, nursing his profound grievance.