Chapter 39: The Daily Routine of Spending the Night

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“I’m blown away, my head is buzzing again!” Chen Lin looked triumphantly at Zhu Yuanzhang’s frustrated face.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, pointing at his three sons: “You three can’t even beat four threes?”

The three foolish sons shook their heads, refusing even if they could win, because Zhu Yuanzhang was a landlord.

Gritting his teeth, Zhu Yuanzhang said, “Can’t win.”

Chen Lin chuckled, “Straight from four to nine, flush complete. Done and dusted. Come on, pay up.”

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his cards down viciously. “Mao Xiang, get the money.”

Mao Xiang had been specially pardoned and brought in by Chen Lin. After all, as commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he couldn’t just camp out somewhere!

But Mao Xiang trembled as he shook his empty money pouch. “No more, Your Majesty. The last two strings of treasure notes were lost when you went all-in as landlord.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned. “Lost it all so quickly? You’re a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and you carry so little money when you go out?”

Mao Xiang looked miserable. “It’s quite a bit—over thirty strings of treasure notes!”

Zhu Yuanzhang waved impatiently, then looked at Zhu Di. “Hand it over.”

Zhu Di clutched his money pouch tightly. “Father, there are no big or small in this game. Chen Lin said if you lose it all, you exit.”

“We’re not taking from you for nothing, it’s a loan. I’ll pay you back once I win.”

Zhu Di protested, “Then why not borrow from Second or Third Brother?”

“Nonsense, only you and Chen Lin have won the most here. What do those two have? Hurry up and give it.”

“But—”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face turned stern. “What, planning a rebellion, Emperor Yongle?”

Chen Lin covered his mouth, stifling a laugh as he watched the humbled Yongle Emperor before the Hongwu Emperor.

“Stop laughing and shuffle the cards quickly!”

With a swift shuffle and draw, two decks were combined.

Upon seeing his hand, Zhu Yuanzhang’s face visibly reddened.

“Aha, this hand... tsk tsk...”

“Are you going to call landlord or not? If not, I will!”

Chen Lin and the three brothers exchanged glances and shook their heads; their hands were truly terrible.

“This is it, definitely doomed. The good cards must be with Father.” Zhu Zhu looked defeated.

Zhu Chang said nothing, carefully arranging his cards, while Chen Lin and Zhu Di exchanged secret glances...

Unexpectedly, just as Zhu Yuanzhang tidied his hand to make his move, his cards suddenly vanished!

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Turning back, he called out, “Sister!! Quickly give them back, this round is important!!”

Empress Ma tossed the cards onto the table. Chen Lin and the three princes immediately understood and threw down their cards at lightning speed.

“You guys, arggh, you’re killing me!”

“Hey, hey, be gentle, Sister, be gentle, it hurts!!”

Empress Ma grabbed Zhu Yuanzhang’s ear and pulled him away. “You, at your age, still playing with children, and yet leaving state affairs to the Crown Prince. Go back and sleep. Tomorrow morning, return to the palace to handle the government.”

“Sister, please let go. There are so many people here, can you spare me some dignity?”

“Dignity? We’re family. What dignity? Hurry up and go.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was thus led away by Empress Ma. Chen Lin leaned toward the three brothers. “Is the Empress always like this to Old Zhu?”

Zhu Di scratched his head. “Not really, only when no outsiders are around.”

Chen Lin pointed at Mao Xiang. “Isn’t he an outsider?”

Mao Xiang quickly waved his hands. “I didn’t see anything. I didn’t see anything.”

After saying that, he slipped away.

Zhu Di’s expression suddenly turned serious. “You know Mao Xiang’s nature. You’re smart; you should know his fate.”

“The key point is you. Father and Mother truly don’t treat you as an outsider.”

Chen Lin was indifferent. “Who cares? Come on, I’ll show you your rooms. You can decide whether to keep playing or sleep.”

Leading them to the guest rooms on the second floor, Chen Xiaolan was still tidying inside. From the adjacent room, faint sounds of Zhu Yuanzhang pleading could be heard—slaps and all, clearly not suitable for children.

Chen Lin stood by the door eavesdropping. Could it be that after crossing over, Empress Ma’s vitality was restored, blooming anew?

Unexpectedly, she had such a function. If she opened a men’s clinic, she would surely receive banners praising her ‘miraculous rejuvenation’ every day.

At that moment, a small head popped out.

“Go away, kids... why are you so curious about everything?”

Chen Lin pulled away Zhu Xiongying, who had appeared from nowhere and was also listening at the door, drenched in sweat, probably about to wet the bed tonight.

“Chen Lin, I’m thirsty. I want sweet water.”

“In a bit, ask your auntie…”

Saying this, he entered the room Chen Xiaolan was tidying while the three brothers curiously inspected it.

“There’s only one bed. How do we sleep?” Zhu Zhu asked.

Chen Lin said, “Be thankful there’s a bed at all.”

Zhu Chang pointed outside. “Aren’t there many other rooms?”

“Sure, but you have to clean them yourselves.”

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Uh…

Zhu Chang hurriedly said, “The three of us haven’t had a good talk in ages. One bed is fine; we can squeeze in.”

Zhu Zhu and Zhu Di nodded in agreement, clearly not wanting to clean.

At that moment, Chen Xiaolan finally finished making the bed and wiped the sweat from her brow.

Chen Lin stepped forward, concerned. “Tired? I’ll rub your shoulders later.”

Chen Xiaolan shyly lowered her head. “What are you saying? There are so many people…”

The three brothers quickly turned their gazes elsewhere.

Chen Lin pointed at them. “You decide for yourselves. Don’t bother me if it’s nothing important.”

With that, he led Chen Xiaolan away, but Zhu Xiongying jumped out, shouting, “What about me? Where do I sleep?”

“You’re just a little brat. Sleep wherever you want. If not, sleep on the sofa, or find Mao Xiang to sleep with you in the basement maid’s quarters.”

Zhu Xiongying said again, “I want sweet water.”

Seeing Chen Xiaolan truly tired, Chen Lin took Zhu Xiongying to the refrigerator, got him three boxes of yogurt drink, and quickly settled him.

“Looks like we really need to bring the maids in. Otherwise, with such a big house, cleaning all day would be exhausting…”

After a steamy couple’s bath, Chen Xiaolan finally fulfilled her wish and became the lady of her master’s heart.

Nestled in the young master’s arms, her eyes full of love, watching him smoke with a masculine air.

Sigh~

“Xiao Lan, how have the maids and older servants been in these days of cleaning? I mean, their character.”

Chen Xiaolan caressed her master’s chest softly. “They’re okay. The older maids are a bit scheming, but the younger ones aren’t so calculating.”

“If the young master wants to take over the house, I think you should check the dental shop again. I feel those delayed ones don’t quite match your status.”

Chen Lin pinched her nose. “What are you thinking? I’m just worried you’re too tired. Let them come in to help you clean.”

“Xiao Lan isn’t tired. Managing the house is my duty and I’m very happy.”

Chen Lin said, “That won’t do. You’ll be in charge of accounts. You need to spend time bookkeeping, not cleaning every day.”

“Oh, I understand now. Don’t worry, young master. I’ll observe more in the coming days to make sure only pure, kind people come in.”

Chen Lin stubbed out his cigarette. “That’s right. Come on, let’s continue. The cream puffs weren’t filled enough just now...”