Chapter 52: I Didn't Even Blink, How Did He Fly Away?
The servants were no help, so Lin Wannian had no choice but to admit defeat. “Um… let’s talk this over! I don’t want the person anymore, alright?”
“What do you think?” Zhu Xiongying raised an eyebrow, responding with a question instead of an answer.
“I… I’ll send someone with a hundred taels tomorrow to apologize! No! I’ll send it today!”
Without the protection of his servants, he was like a lamb to the slaughter.
At a time like this, he couldn’t care about pride or face!
Spending some money was better than being slapped in public!
Zhu Xiongying crossed his arms, looking down on Lin Wannian, who was crouched on the ground. “Do I look like I’m short of that hundred taels? Or do you think the reputation of Gongjiu liquor is worth only a hundred taels?”
“Then… how about five hundred taels? How about five hundred?”
Lin Wannian stretched out his palm, raising the offer.
“If you won’t choose, then I’ll choose for you…”
The little guy beckoned, and Xu Huizu immediately ran over. “Go! Take two men and smash the Lin family’s Gongjiu signboard for me!”
“Heh heh! Such a small matter, do you really need to bring people? I can do it alone!”
Xu Huizu was the son of a duke and had grown up in Yingtian Prefecture.
There were very few who didn’t recognize his face.
He was sure no one would dare stop him from smashing the signboard!
“Wait…”
Just as he was about to leave, Lin Wannian suddenly called out, “I… I accept defeat!”
“Oh? So which one do you choose? Ten slaps from me or losing the signboard?”
Zhu Xiongying squatted down, deliberately asking.
The crowd fell silent, each person holding their breath, afraid to miss a moment!
“I… I’ll take the slaps!”
He was willing to risk it all to protect the Gongjiu signboard!
After all, face never compares to silver!
The Lin family had risen largely because of that Gongjiu signboard.
Without this sign, who would be willing to pay high prices for their wine?
“What? I didn’t hear clearly!”
Zhu Xiongying pretended not to hear, making him repeat it.
Lin Wannian was savvy enough to comply, closing his eyes and raising his voice, “I’ll take the slaps!”
“Hahaha…”
The crowd burst into laughter.
“Never thought the Lin master would come to this!”
“Yeah! The Lin family usually flaunts their palace connections and acts so arrogant!”
“This must be what they call pride before a fall, hahaha!”
Hearing those words, Lin Wannian wished he could crawl into a hole and disappear.
But there was no choice — to protect the signboard, a few slaps were worth it!
After all, it was just a child; a few hits wouldn’t do much harm.
“Smack…”
Before he could react, he was already flying through the air.
---
In midair, he traced a parabolic arc, landing several meters away!
Even the onlookers were stunned!
What had they just missed?
How did the Lin master get thrown so far?
It happened in the blink of an eye!
Even the Imperial Guards protecting him were dumbfounded.
The heir apparent was so young—could he really have such strength?
Who was protecting whom here?
“Bang…”
Lin Wannian hit the ground with a dull thud.
“Pfft…”
He spat out a mouthful of old blood.
If it weren’t for the visible swelling on his right cheek, no one would believe a child had landed that hit!
“One!”
The little guy grinned, showing his teeth, and strode toward Lin Wannian.
Lin Wannian trembled all over, staring at him like he’d seen a ghost.
“Smack…”
Another crisp slap rang out.
Lin Wannian was sent flying again, landing back where he had been.
The little guy blew on his small hand and smiled broadly.
Truly, that mighty strength was incredible.
He had used only a tenth of his power to send the man flying.
If he had used his full strength, the Lin mansion would have been in uproar by now!
Next time, he thought, he should use a kick instead.
Slapping hurt his hand!
“Pfft…”
Lin Wannian spat out another mouthful of old blood.
“Make way! Make way! What’s going on here?”
At that moment, a group of constables pushed through the crowd and rushed in.
“Hey? Isn’t this Lin master? How did he get beaten up like this?”
Even though Lin Wannian looked like a battered pig’s head, a sharp-eyed constable recognized him and hurried over to support him.
Their attitude was as if Lin family had done them some great favor!
“Who hit him? Step forward immediately!”
The constables scanned the crowd but couldn’t tell who had struck him.
“Are you all with the government or with the Lin family?”
Just then, the little guy returned from afar and questioned them.
Two constables recognizing the familiar face immediately pushed aside another constable who was ready to teach the Lin family a lesson.
However, the less perceptive constable didn’t understand. “Whose brat is this? Take him home quickly and stop spouting nonsense here!”
“Smack…”
Before the words even finished, the constable was sent flying right where he stood, landing outside the crowd.
Since discovering this mighty strength, he thought it best not to argue when it was time to act!
“Your Highness, the heir apparent!”
The constables recognizing Zhu Xiongying quickly saluted.
“Hmph! Go back and tell your county magistrate that people who only recognize noble titles and not justice have no place in the government! Otherwise, your county magistrate can prepare to retire in disgrace!”
“Yes, yes!”
The constables nodded rapidly and slipped away from the crowd in a flash.
They took the bleeding man lying on the ground with them, fleeing like it was a matter of life or death.
This whole sequence left the Xu brothers and the Imperial Guards dumbfounded!
“Kick them out!”
The little guy pouted at the Imperial Guards.
It took them a long moment to react and release the man!
The servants didn’t dare utter a word; they lifted their master and ran off!
“Wow…”
Instantly, thunderous applause broke out.
The crowd cheered and clapped in approval!
It wasn’t until Zhu Xiongying returned to the distillery that the crowd slowly dispersed.
After this incident, the little guy’s identity was exposed once again.
“Your Highness, the heir apparent!”
The Xu brothers stammered excitedly, “You… you’reI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.