CHAPTER 454: CHAPTER 454: STAB TO THE HEART

Although Mrs. Zhao’s anger had subsided by half, she still didn’t have a pleasant demeanor towards the Heir of Marquis Beining.

He had really caused quite a pitfall for the Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice.

The Junior Minister of the Ministry of Justice wished he could just knock himself out and be done with it.

Anyone who had heard the rumors and recognized him would glance at him downwards, then give him a sympathetic look.

It’s already good enough that he hadn’t gone mad.

His biggest regret was not beating his cousin half dead.

He should have gone down with him.

Leaving the Zhao Family, the Heir of Marquis Beining headed to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion to meet up with Prince NanAn and the others, planning to visit Young Master Su at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.

On the bustling street.

Prince NanAn and his group rode two streets before finding a candied fruit seller outside the Conscience Ice Shop.

The hot weather made the sugar coating easy to melt.

There were far fewer candied fruit sellers.

The Conscience Ice Shop sold ice, and it was cool at the entrance.

The candied fruit wouldn’t melt easily.

The Heir of Marquis Beining carried the candied fruit pole, riding on horseback, trailing behind Prince NanAn and the others.

No choice, since he had a lot of money.

Because he sought them out, he missed the silver note sent by the Beauty Pavilion, resulting in his parents withholding his money till only three melons and two dates were left.

Yet the main culprit here had nearly ten thousand taels on him.

Absolutely unforgivable!

Letting him carry the candied fruit pole was already too lenient.

When passing beneath the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, they caught the eye of the Heir of Duke Chong.

Leaning against the window, jade fan in hand, he said, "Have you all changed professions to sell candied fruit?"

No one paid him any mind.

The Heir of Duke Chong knocked on the window, saying, "Bring me two skewers."

Chu Shun looked at the Heir of Duke Chong and smiled, "Ten taels of silver per skewer, minimum three skewers, no bargaining."

"Ten taels?" The Heir of Uncle Yongcheng exclaimed.

"Why don’t you just go rob people?!"

Prince NanAn looked at him and said, "Are you inviting us to rob you?"

"Say it again, and we’ll certainly satisfy such an outrageous request!"

The face of the Heir of Uncle Yongcheng darkened.

The Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo used his jade fan to shield himself from the sun, saying, "Hurry up, the candied fruit will melt."

Chu Shun gave the Heir of Duke Chong a disdainful glance.

Just one look successfully stirred the Heir of Duke Chong’s anger, thus patronizing their business.

"Give me five skewers!" said the Heir of Duke Chong.

Pointing at Chu Shun, he said, "You bring it up to me."

"We’ll all bring it up to you, Heir of Duke Chong," Chu Shun laughed.

"Having all four of you personally bring me candied fruit, it’s truly worth the money," mocked the Heir of Duke Chong.

Chu Shun and his friends were speechless.

Never seen anyone so dumb.

How can he compete with Brother Su like this?

Not even fit to carry his shoes.

Prince NanAn and the rest went back to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The Heir of Marquis Beining carried the candied fruit pole, following behind.

They collected fifty taels from the Heir of Duke Chong and gave him five skewers of candied fruit.

This was just a transaction.

No fights occurred.

Chu Shun and his friends didn’t start a fight.

But if others made the first move, they would definitely fight back.

The Heir of Duke Chong knew their temper, so he held back.

Making a trip upstairs and collecting fifty taels was worth it for them, who weren’t that wealthy.

Moreover, the trip brought more than just fifty taels.

Those who ate in private rooms on the second floor were not short of money.

The Heir of Duke Chong bought five skewers of candied fruit, and others were curious about the taste of a ten-tael-a-skewer candied fruit.

They all purchased some.

Prince NanAn and his friends were speechless.

They thought only the Heir of Duke Chong lacked sense, but it turned out there were many more.

Of course, as long as they bought, they would sell.

After making the rounds, only two skewers of candied fruit were left.

They took the money from selling candied fruit and two skewers of candied fruit to Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.

But due to the hot weather, by the time they reached Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, much of the sugar coating on the candied fruit had melted.

Anyone who’s had candied fruit knows the tastiest part is the sugar coating.

Without the sugar coating, it’s just hawthorn.

These two skewers of candied fruit were not presentable and were simply thrown away.

They used the money from selling candied fruit to buy something else for Young Master Su.

Four people carrying gifts overflowing with both hands.

In the front courtyard, they met Su Chong, and Prince NanAn asked, "Brother Su, won’t you join us?"

"Not going," Su Chong decisively replied.

"Don’t want to get hurt seeing that."

Prince NanAn and his companions exchanged glances.

Dongxiang Marquis only had one biological son, Young Master Su.

Could he possibly beat him that harshly?

But since Young Master Su almost got...

Not giving him a good beating wouldn’t be reasonable.

With a heavy heart, they went to the courtyard where Young Master Su resided.

They were stupefied.

Young Master Su lay prone on the bed.

Miss Shen stood beside, fanning him.

The Ninth Prince sat by the bed, reciting poetry for Young Master Su.

Young Master Shen was peeling fruits to feed Young Master Su.

This treatment—

Even the Emperor hadn’t enjoyed such luxury.

Was this truly a recovery?

Living like this was too enviable!

"This really is heart-stabbing," Prince NanAn said while clutching his chest.

They had to admit—

They weren’t doing as well as Young Master Su.

A few days ago, when the Flying Tiger Army returned, Marquis Dongxiang was preoccupied with settling the army and couldn’t attend to Young Master Su.

In the past couple of days, Marquis Dongxiang had some leisure time.

Mrs. Tang informed Marquis Dongxiang about Young Master Su accidentally burning a wall, sneaking out of the mansion, getting knocked out, and being sold into the palace.

Marquis Dongxiang gave Young Master Su a thorough lashing.

His bottom was so swollen.

He lay on the bed for two full days without getting up.

Getting beaten was expected.

Young Master Su was mentally prepared for it.

But his father really hit too hard.

The pain in his bottom made tears stream down his face.

Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince came to visit him, and for pride’s sake, Young Master Su held back, claiming it didn’t hurt.

"Really doesn’t hurt?" Young Master Shen was skeptical.

"Really doesn’t hurt."

The Ninth Prince reached over the blanket to poke his bottom.

Young Master Su yelped, nearly scaring Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince to death.

As compensation, Young Master Su made them serve him as servants.

Bringing him tea, massaging his shoulders and legs.

Young Master Shen and the Ninth Prince didn’t return.

Miss Shen cried and insisted on coming, and the Old Madam Shen couldn’t refuse her, so she sent her too.

Prince NanAn and his friends were relieved they threw the candied fruit away.

Two skewers wouldn’t be enough for the four of them.

Presenting their gifts, Young Master Su was overjoyed.

Prince NanAn laughed and said, "Guess you won’t sneak out for fun now, huh?"

"No need to sneak out anymore," Young Master Su replied.

Miss Shen looked at Prince NanAn, delighted, "Thanks to Brother Su Yang, we can now go out once every ten days for fun."

Su Yang, in a way, was blessed in disguise.

The Old Madam Shen cherished Su Yang.

But Su Yang caused trouble, and punishment was justified.

However, the grandson loved going out too much.

Forcing him not to go out felt unreasonable.

The Old Madam Shen instructed the three elders of the Shen Family to take turns taking their younger ones out for fun during their resting days.

They were too mischievous, and the ladies of the Shen Family couldn’t control them and dared not take them out.

With the Old Madam’s orders, the Shen elders dared not disobey.

Moreover, each trip out only took about an hour, seen as a way to strengthen family bonds.

In the end, Young Master Su and friends unanimously decided to exclude Marquis Dongxiang.

Through their united effort,

they successfully kicked out Marquis Dongxiang and persuaded Marquis Jibei to accompany them on outings.