On the Day of the Grand Wedding, My Wife Was Acting Strange - Chapter 51:

Chapter 51: Young Master, You’re Hurting Me…

The purpose of the Huben Camp’s presence in the capital was to guard these valuables, so Lin Zhen ordered them to change into plain clothes, with one group stationed at the casino and the other registered under the city defense troops, rotating every half month.

Lin Zhen stood by the window, watching as the White Robe Guards and Gu Beichen’s group walked farther and farther away, deep in thought.

Suddenly, a group of people rushed in through the main gate, led by the long-absent Fatty Wang. He carried a broadsword on his shoulder, looking anxious, frightening the servants into fleeing in panic.

“Big brother! Big brother! I’m here to save you!”

“What are you shouting about?”

Fatty turned his head and saw Lin Zhen standing perfectly fine by the window. He quickly ran over, “Big brother, I heard that old turtle Gu sent people to cause trouble again?”

“They’re gone already. And put that broken sword away. You’re a grown man, yet you still swagger around with a sword all day, neglecting serious matters. What kind of behavior is that?”

“Hehehe, big brother, I was just worried someone would bully you. I mean, you’re all skin and bones.” Fatty handed the sword to an underling, grinning like a Maitreya Buddha.

Lin Zhen noticed that fat people had one trait—they looked extra cheerful when they smiled, naturally likable.

Especially Fatty Wang—when he laughed, he had no neck, showing his yellow teeth, his belly jiggling up and down.

“Did you handle Pei Qian?”

“Rest assured, big brother. I had the executioner treat him to six of the most brutal tortures. He’s probably enjoying himself right now. If you want, I can have his head sent to you.”

Lin Zhen suppressed his disgust, “What do I need that for? Make him into a human swine and leave him at the Yellow River in Puyang County. Keep him alive for a few more years if possible.”

Lin Zhen spoke these cruel words as if discussing trivial matters, making Fatty and Zhang Li break out in goosebumps.

Terrifying. When did the young master become like this?

Actually, they had no idea Lin Zhen was avenging his own death from the original plot, where he was turned into a human swine by Pei Qian.

Pei Qian was a backstabber, repaying kindness with betrayal. If Lin Zhen didn’t give him the cruelest punishment, he wouldn’t be able to calm his anger.

“Big brother, don’t worry. I’ll arrange it immediately. Oh, right.” Fatty pulled out a big bag of silver from his underling’s arms. “Big brother, here’s 500 taels of silver. Use it as you need. If it’s not enough, just ask me.”

Lin Zhen rolled his eyes. Apparently, his words the other day were wasted. Fatty still didn’t understand what dividends meant. He thought Lin Zhen was borrowing money from him.

“This is your investment, not mine.” Lin Zhen signaled Zhang Li, who called out, “Xiao Wu, A Wen, take the silver.”

The two, with bruised faces, came over. Fatty immediately burst out laughing, “Hahaha, damn, which woman’s skirt did you crawl under to end up like this?”

Xiao Wu took the money and smiled awkwardly, “Lord Fatty… we were beaten up by Gu Beichen.”

“If you’re weak, you deserve to get beaten! Train harder next time. If you can’t even beat Gu Beichen, what good are you?”

The two left with the silver, looking pitiful. In their hearts, they grumbled—it’s not that we couldn’t beat him, we just didn’t dare! He’s the son of the second most powerful figure in the nation.

After they left, Fatty also took his leave, “Big brother, I’ll go to the dungeon to check on Pei Qian. If he’s still alive, I’ll turn him into a human swine and send him over.”

“Mm.” Lin Zhen nodded and continued to gaze absentmindedly at the street.

Zhang Li stood behind him and said, “Young master, the casino can reopen tomorrow.”

“Good. Remember to hang Her Majesty’s decree outside. Also, have a hundred copies made and posted in busy markets and surrounding towns. I want the whole world to know about the Gambling King Tournament.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it right away.”

“Mm. What about the carriages?”

“I’ve already gathered all the idle carpenters in the city. In four days, the carriages will be ready. But…”

Zhang Li paused. She was never one to speak hesitantly before.

Lin Zhen couldn’t help but turn to look at her.

“But what?”

“But where will you find so many horses? There are only four stables in the capital, and even if you gather them all, there still won’t be enough.”

“Hahahaha.”

Lin Zhen laughed heartily, pulling Zhang Li close to the window.

“Silly girl, did you forget what my family does?”

Zhang Li’s mind went blank, her body stiff, only feeling Lin Zhen’s big hand playing tricks on her waist, unable to think straight.

Hiss… Ouch, he was using too much force.

You’re hurting me…

“A few hundred horses, that’s nothing. As long as I speak to the Longxiang Camp, they’ll deliver them right away… Eh? What’s wrong with you?”

Seeing Zhang Li’s face blushing red, her teeth biting her lower lip, showing a charming, flirtatious look, Lin Zhen finally noticed where his hand was… but he hadn’t done anything special, right?

Could it be ancient girls were all this sensitive?

Lin Zhen grinned mischievously, teasing her on purpose, “Li’er, are you feeling unwell? Should I carry you upstairs to rest?”

Zhang Li pushed him away, “N-no! Young master… ah, young master, men and women shouldn’t touch like this. Please don’t touch me anymore.”

“I didn’t do anything, just hugged you.”

“That’s still not allowed! How can a girl’s waist be casually hugged? Even if you want to hug… you should marry me properly first.”

Though she was shy, she still held her head high to retort, making Lin Zhen like her even more.

To be honest, Zhang Li was beautiful, with the elegance and charm of a mature woman, though she was only twenty years old. In ancient times, an unmarried twenty-year-old woman was considered an old maid, problematic, even hard to arrange a marriage.

But Zhang Li didn’t care. She believed that as long as she met someone she liked, it didn’t matter how old she was when she married.

As long as two hearts connected, even at seventy or eighty, it was fine.

Lin Zhen chuckled, “Oh? So Li’er wants to get married?”

“Aiya, young master! I’m not talking to you anymore!” Zhang Li turned to run, but Lin Zhen pulled her back into his arms.

The two embraced tenderly by the window of the casino’s main hall.

The noonday sun shone in, bathing them in golden light.

The servants and Huben Camp soldiers tactfully shut their mouths and left the scene. Only Cao Xiong, the rascal, peeked from under the table, as if he had discovered some shocking gossip.

Lin Zhen couldn’t care less.

Though he had been in relationships back in the future, that was all in his younger days. After graduating from college, he didn’t dare to date for the sake of his career.

Now, it wasn’t too late to have a passionate romance, and Zhang Li happened to match all his standards for a partner.

Zhang Li’s body stiffened involuntarily, mixed with an indescribable sweetness and peace, making her momentarily unsure of what to do.

A subtle resistance surged in her heart. She wanted to struggle, but found that Lin Zhen was holding her tightly…