Great Ming: I Started by Escaping with the Emperor Grandfather 88

At that moment, Shen Chuan felt as if he had just heard a tale from The Arabian Nights. When did the noble positions in Great Ming become so devalued?

Zhu Yuanzhang noticed his dazed expression and waved his hand, saying, “Alright, winter is coming soon. Just in time for Zhu Shou to present the assembly line proposal. You should head to Mei Mountain right away.”

“The shelters for the disaster victims are still quite decrepit. We need to urge the craftsmen to expedite the construction of new houses. We absolutely cannot allow the victims to suffer from the cold.”

“In addition, many homes in the capital have collapsed, so we’ll also dispatch craftsmen to repair those.”

“As for the silver, let’s take it from our treasury!”

Shen Chuan did not dare to slack off and knelt, saying, “I obey your command!”

After leaving the Reverence Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brow in contemplation for a moment before suddenly speaking, “Jiang Can!”

“Your servant is here!”

“What progress has been made on the epidemic prevention efforts under Xu Miaojin?”

Jiang Can replied respectfully, “Report to the Emperor, ever since Xu Miaojin visited the disaster victims, there have been no further disturbances, and public sentiment is now stable!”

“Among the sick among the disaster victims, the most they have suffered from is merely the common cold, there has been no sign of an epidemic at all!”

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, speaking meaningfully, “That good child Shou’er has again provided us with a national strategy; he should be properly rewarded.”

“Convey the decree!”

“Xu Miaojin, daughter of King Zhongshan Xu Da, has rendered service to the court. Bestow upon her phoenix robes, and elevate her to the title of Princess. Proclaim this to the world today!”

Jiang Can’s expression shifted in shock! What did the Emperor mean by this?

To reward the Crown Prince, he then turns to bestow immense grace upon Xu Miaojin; this… this… Could it be…

Instantly, countless speculations surged in his heart. But he did not dare to display any of it and hurriedly replied, “Your Majesty, I shall go to the Weiguo Duke’s Residence to convey the decree!”

“Go ahead!”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes were deep, and a faint smile hung on his face.

Shou’er! What grandpa can do is only this much for now! Success or failure, it will depend on your own abilities afterward!

…

At that moment, Zhu Shou had no clue that his grandfather had arranged everything for him so clearly.

As soon as he returned home, he noticed a lonely figure squatting at the entrance.

Seeing him ride in, the figure immediately stood up and excitedly shouted, “Old Zhu! Old Zhu!”

The visitor was none other than Xu Zengshou.

Zhu Shou dismounted and walked over, astonished as he asked, “Young Master, what happened to you?”

Xu Zengshou’s face was bruised, and he was in such a sorry state that he looked utterly miserable.

In response to his question, Xu Zengshou wore a dejected expression and sighed heavily, “I got beaten again…”

“What happened? Is it that Weiguo Duke again?”

“Exactly! That son of a gun heard that I was selling the Spring Palace Diagram and insisted on demanding the upper two volumes, wanting to see if they were good goods.”

“I wouldn’t let myself be cheated! I opened my mouth to ask him for silver, and when he got angry, he hung me from a tree and whipped me!”

“One hundred lashes! A full hundred horsewhips!”

“That dog’s mother, I was almost beaten down to see my father!”

For the term “cheated,” he had actually learned it from Zhu Shou.

Seeing him so indignant, Zhu Shou also sighed and comforted him, “Young Master, from now on, if the Weiguo Duke wants anything, just give it to him!”

“In that way, you’ll at least take fewer beatings…”

Xu Zengshou quickly shook his head, clearly unwilling, “No way! Blood brothers need to clear the accounts clearly!”

“We cannot let him profit at our expense!”

Zhu Shou was at a loss for words. Alright! Stubborn as a mule!

Xu Zengshou really deserved to be beaten!

At that moment, after venting, Xu Zengshou’s mood improved a bit as he quickly said, “Old Zhu, let’s not talk about that. I’m here today to give you a big surprise!”

Zhu Shou instinctively asked, “What surprise?”

Xu Zengshou grinned and waved toward a carriage parked in the distance, “Come on, bring her over to us!”

As soon as he said this, the carriage curtain was lifted, and two figures stepped down from the vehicle.

When they drew closer, Zhu Shou was momentarily stunned.

Standing before him was a pair of beautiful maids. The two were in their prime, looking remarkably similar, sculpted like fine jade, with rosy lips and delicate noses, absolutely stunning.

They were actually a pair of twins!

Then, the two slowly performed a deep bow, shyly saying, “We are servants Cui Liu and Cui Zhu, we greet the master!”

Zhu Shou’s eyes widened in astonishment, turning to Xu Zengshou, exclaiming, “Young Master, is this your surprise for me?!”

Wow! Is Xu Zengshou out of his mind?

What kind of surprise is a pair of twins? Unbelievable!

Xu Zengshou laughed heartily, his eyes sparkling, “Old Zhu, what do you think? Do you like it? Are you happy?”

“When I heard last time that you didn’t even have a concubine, I rushed over and spent a bundle from the pawnshop to buy this pair of Jiangnan lotus flowers!”

Zhu Shou’s mouth twitched again, stunned, “These… these two… are concubines?!”

Xu Zengshou nodded eagerly like a chicken pecking at grain, winking, “Yes, yes!”

“Don’t worry, their bodies are completely pure!”

“When night falls, both will serve you together, and you can freely display all the eighteen skills from the Spring Palace Diagram!”

With that, he pulled out two contracts of sale and slapped them into Zhu Shou’s arms.

His words boomed loud and clear.

Upon hearing this, Cui Liu and Cui Zhu’s faces turned a bright shade of red.

Zhu Shou turned his head, astonished as he looked at Xu Zengshou, unable to help but ask, “Young Master, you really are willing to give these sisters to me?”

This is strange!

With Xu Zengshou’s nature, he wouldn’t keep them for himself but gift them to me instead?

Xu Zengshou then waved his hand, displaying a benevolent demeanor, laughing loudly, “Brothers are like hands and feet, women are like clothing!”

“If we say we’re giving you them, then we’re giving you them!”

“Old Zhu, don’t refuse! If you don’t accept it, you’ll be disrespecting us!”

Zhu Shou sighed.

Fine! Rather than letting Xu Zengshou abuse them, it’s better to save these poor girls from suffering!

Thus, he clasped his hands and said, “In that case, I thank the Young Master for your kind intentions!”

Xu Zengshou threw an arm around his shoulder, laughing heartily, “Old Zhu, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold!”

“From now on, you’ve got great things to do!”

“Never fear the toil; if you feel tired or weak later on, it’s no problem. To be honest, I know a master of kidney tonics!”

“As long as you get a few needles, you’ll be as good as new!”

At the mention of needles, Zhu Shou felt a shiver run down his spine!

He quickly waved his hands, “No, no, I’m fine!”

Phew! Xu Zengshou, you’re really a piece of work, thinking I’m like you!

No!

I, Zhu Shou, am a man of virtue; in broad daylight, how can I dwell on such filthy matters?

While he was thinking, Cui Liu and Cui Zhu glanced into the courtyard and, following the rules, couldn’t help but ask, “Master, is the main wife at home?”

“We hope the master will allow the servants to pay their respects to the mistress.”

Hearing this, Zhu Shou revealed an embarrassed expression.

What mistress?

Just at that moment, a voice suddenly called from behind, “Is Zhu Gongzi at home? This girl has come to fetch some soap!”

Zhu Shou smiled.

Ah!

Doesn’t that mean the mistress has come?

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