Chapter 14: The Half-Crippled Crown Prince
As the end of the first lunar month approached, the ice and snow in Shangjing City began to melt, revealing the first signs of spring.
Stepping out of the Xue Mansion, Ru Yi finally exhaled the stale air she had been holding in the Old Madam’s room. “No wonder the Young Lady said it’s better to dress plainly. Dressing plainly means getting more benefits.”
Xiao Zhao said, “Our Young Lady plans things with foresight. It’s not about a few outfits or pieces of jewelry.”
Everyone said the Old Mausoleum Swamp was a lawless, dirty place.
But in the lawless Old Mausoleum Swamp, the Young Lady could have everything she desired.
Jinshu also smiled, “The Young Lady doesn’t care about those worldly possessions.”
Ru Yi was confused, “Then why are we going to the street?”
Xue Sui’s lips curved into a smile as she glanced at the warm colors in the sky. “Such fine weather is perfect for going to the gambling house and rolling some dice.”
“Ah?” Ru Yi was stunned.
Ru Yi had never been to a gambling house before, and as she watched Xue Sui walk towards Shangjing’s largest gambling house, Hongfu Gambling House, her heart leaped into her throat.
“Young Lady, I’ve heard that people in gambling houses are very fierce…”
Xiao Zhao sighed softly, “The Young Lady is even fiercer.”
Ru Yi looked around furtively, like a thief, “But… the gambling house is full of men.”
Xiao Zhao said, “The Young Lady is best at dealing with men.”
Ru Yi glanced at Xue Sui walking ahead.
The Sixth Sister was only two years older than her. How much experience could she have, no matter how capable? What if she was bullied by men in the gambling house?
Just as Ru Yi was about to persuade her, laughter drifted from under the eaves of the street-side buildings.
She turned her head to look, and her eyes widened.
A handsome young man, seemingly from nowhere, dressed in a plain silk blue robe, stood tall and straight, walking slowly towards them.
“Thirteen, it’s been a long time.”
“Senior Brother Yaoguang.” Xue Sui smiled faintly. “Where is Senior Disciple Brother?”
Seeing her like this, Yaoguang feigned displeasure and snorted, “Thirteen, you wound me again. Am I not your Senior Brother? Why do you only have the Eldest Brother in your heart?”
Xue Sui’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Try saying one more foolish thing?”
Yaoguang’s eyes curved into crescent moons as he laughed.
Frankly, his appearance was handsome and very likable.
“The Eldest Brother is busy and has no time to see you. He instructed me to welcome the Imperial Envoy. Please, come this way!”
–
What is the most profitable business in the world?
Gambling is one of them.
Hongfu Gambling House in Shangjing was renowned, but no one knew who its owner was.
Some said it was a royal relative, others said it was someone from the martial world, but few suspected the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Old Mausoleum Swamp was merely a small place far from the capital, a mix of various forces but as scattered as a pile of loose sand. The Corpse Keepers had some skills, but they lived in seclusion, minding their own business and rarely interacting with the outside world. They mostly dealt in human lives or shady dealings, not in any legitimate businesses.
However, besides the shady dealings, the Old Mausoleum Swamp also had many legitimate ones.
Otherwise, how could they do so much good and help so many unfortunate people?
Yaoguang led Xue Sui into a private room on the second floor through a back corner gate of Hongfu Gambling House. He personally poured tea and water, observing her expression.
“I originally thought the Eldest Brother summoned me to Shangjing for pleasure, but I didn’t expect it was to clean up a mess for my Junior Sister Thirteen…”
Xue Sui chuckled along. “Then let the Senior Disciple Brother stop. My affairs don’t require your involvement.”
Yaoguang’s hand trembled, almost scalding himself with the boiling water from the pot.
“Thirteen…”
Back then, their brothers and sisters had fought fiercely for control of the Big Dipper Seven Sects. The youngest, Junior Sister Thirteen, had quietly watched the fun from the side, peeling melon seeds for the Master.
Who would have thought that years later, she would be the one to win?
Master conferred upon her the title of “Imperial Envoy.”
Her decree was for the Seven Sects to obey only the three Masters.
Yaoguang had regretted it at the time, thinking that if he had known, he should have peeled melon seeds instead.
But the Imperial Envoy decree that he yearned for, his Junior Sister had easily relinquished, returning to the capital with a carefree attitude.
Yaoguang said, “Why go through so much trouble when you could have been a proper Imperial Envoy?”
The Junior Sister had a cold disposition and disliked confiding in others. Yaoguang didn’t understand her very well, but he spoke with genuine sincerity and heartfelt words.
“If you face any difficulties, call upon your Senior Brothers and Sisters, and we will face them together.”
Xue Sui asked, “Do you know why Master chose me as the Imperial Envoy?”
Yaoguang snorted, “Isn’t it because Junior Sister… knows how to please Master, flattering him. Oh, and she’s excellent at buttering him up!”
Xue Sui smiled good-naturedly, shaking her head.
Yaoguang narrowed his eyes, observing her as he teased, “Besides this talent, I don’t see anything else unique about Junior Sister? It’s either the Eldest Master’s favoritism, or the Second Master’s, or the Third Master’s.”
Xue Sui remained silent.
Yaoguang’s joke made her feel a sudden pang of melancholy.
She didn’t deserve such deep affection.
“When this matter is settled, if I am still alive, I will return to live in seclusion with the three Masters. However, for now, my personal affairs should not implicate my Senior Brothers and Sisters.”
Yaoguang understood.
Dealing with the Daliang imperial court, his Junior Sister did not want to involve the Old Mausoleum Swamp.
He said with a half-smile, “I can’t make that decision. I have to ask the Eldest Brother.”
Xue Sui winked at him. “As for Senior Sister Yuheng, I can’t help you there either. She refuses to pay you any mind, and I won’t plead your case anymore.”
Yaoguang was infatuated with Senior Sister Yuheng, who was five years his senior. All the inner disciples of the Old Mausoleum Swamp knew this, and he wasn’t afraid of being laughed at. He rubbed his nose and said with a pout, “Junior Sister is so good at manipulating people… Fine! I’ll go talk to the Eldest Brother later.”
Xue Sui said, “What about Master…”
Yaoguang replied, “Don’t worry, the Masters are still unaware.”
Just then, the sound of tables and chairs being overturned could be heard.
The clatter of fighting, accompanied by the clang of ironware, and muffled curses and arguments could be faintly heard.
The two exchanged a look and pulled back the curtain to look down.
The gambling house, like many restaurants, had a staggered layout on the upper and lower floors. From here, they could see the main hall.
At this moment, the orderly main hall had descended into chaos.
Gamblers scattered in panic, figures blurred and intermingled, tables, chairs, dominoes, and gambling tools lay scattered everywhere, a scene of utter disarray. Someone had drawn a knife, and blood splattered on the mottled tabletops. A group of gambling house thugs rushed over at the sound, surrounding the person but not daring to approach rashly.
At the center of the storm sat a cold-faced young man.
His face was like fine mutton-fat jade, and his eyes were like stars falling into a deep pool.
Just now, Yaoguang had appeared dashing and exceptionally handsome, but looking at this young man in magnificent robes now, one understood what it meant to be radiant.
Just a distant glance felt like seeing someone wading through a lotus pond in the height of summer, sword in hand, stealing one’s heart with a single strike…
“Heavens!” Ru Yi gasped, sniffing.
“Xiao Zhao, support me! I can’t breathe…”
Xiao Zhao ignored her, stunned.
Xue Sui did not either.
She looked at the wealthy young man, her gaze deep in thought.
The manager pushed open the door and entered.
He didn’t recognize Xue Sui, only cupped his hands to Yaoguang. “Seventh Brother, that young gentleman won a great deal of money, which angered the gamblers present. They want their stakes back…”
Yaoguang said, “Hongfu Gambling House has no such rules.”
The manager said awkwardly, “He… he took down the dealer as well.”
Yaoguang raised his eyebrows, his dark eyes narrowing slightly.
The manager continued, “Naturally, everyone was unconvinced. Who knew that the young gentleman was no easy opponent? His guards, though unassuming, were skilled. Not only did they beat those demanding money to a pulp, but our people were also nearly injured. You see, many tables and chairs were broken…”
From downstairs, cries could still be heard, indicating the ferocity of the fight.
The manager looked very troubled.
Yaoguang glanced at Xue Sui and chuckled.
“Uncle Chen, our guest is here. Be polite and treat him well.”
The manager was taken aback for a moment, then nodded and bowed. He put on a smiling face and hurried downstairs, bowing repeatedly to everyone.
“Esteemed guests, please calm your anger, calm your anger, and listen to me…”
“Guests come to our humble establishment for entertainment. Winning or losing depends on one’s own skill. It is truly inappropriate to resort to violence. Once a bet is placed and the hand is released, there are no regrets, nor is there any reason to demand money back. Do not ruin the rules of Hongfu Gambling House for a moment of impulse.”
This speech was polite, yet it was a combination of soft and hard tactics.
How many people who dared to open a gambling house in Shangjing were incompetent?
Several gamblers, beaten black and blue, were furious. However, seeing Shopkeeper Chen’s smiling face but knife-like gaze, they dared not act rashly. They pointed at the young gentleman who was looking down at the money and complained.
“It was him, he cheated, and he was the one who attacked first…”
The young gentleman ignored them.
He raised his eyes and asked the manager, “Calculate the losses incurred by your establishment. I will compensate you.”
The manager cupped his hands and smiled, “You are too kind, sir. Our establishment can afford these losses. You may leave.”
The young gentleman’s eyebrows rose slightly, and he pointed at the money on the table. “Can I take it with me?”
The manager laughed heartily and replied with a cupped fist, “Of course. You won it with your skill, so it rightfully belongs to you. Our establishment never cheats its customers.”
Only then did the young gentleman look up and examine him seriously.
His attitude was neither unfriendly nor arrogant, yet it made Shopkeeper Chen, who had traveled extensively and seen countless people, feel a slight prickle on his scalp.
The gaze of someone in a position of power was sharper than a poisoned arrow.
He remained still, watching until the young gentleman casually swept up the money and left with his entourage, only then did he let out a long sigh of relief.
Yaoguang, watching from the second floor, clicked his tongue.
“He’s a ruthless one. I’ve never seen someone who could win both legally and illegally at the gambling table.”
In a casino, the house rarely loses; there are many tricks involved. Yet, that young gentleman seemed prepared, understanding the game inside out, not only winning a fortune but also beating people so thoroughly that they had no recourse.
Xue Sui said, “I fear his intentions are not good.”
“How not good?”
“Not good for the entire Eastern Palace.”
Yaoguang was slightly surprised, then broke into a smile. “I knew it. What noble son of a prince or minister would have such presence? So it’s the Eastern Palace’s half-crippled Crown Prince. Interesting.”
Xue Sui gave him a look.
This “half-crippled Crown Prince” was unpleasant, but accurate.
Li Zhao, like her, was unpopular both inside and outside the palace. In the eyes of the Emperor and the ministers, he was far less suitable for the throne than Prince Duan Li Huan, who was benevolent and righteous.
“Thirteen, if you hadn’t stopped me, I would have definitely sparred with him just now…”
“Wouldn’t that play right into his hands?” Xue Sui said. “He calculated that the gambling house wouldn’t let him go easily, and the guards had already drawn their sash knives. If we had fought him, the trouble would have been immense.”
Not only the Eastern Palace, but Prince Duan’s attention would also be drawn.
“A dignified Crown Prince wouldn’t be after mere silver fragments…” Yaoguang stroked his chin, muttering to himself, “Could Li Zhao be targeting the Old Mausoleum Swamp? Or suspecting us…”
They exchanged glances, their eyes sharpening.
Qiong Tower.
Right next door.
The railing of the flying bridge that You Zhimu had fallen from was less than thirty feet from the gambling house.
Xue Sui said, “It’s good that he’s here. I was just planning to send him a big gift.”
Li Zhao: My act of playing along was successful. I’ll continue waiting for Xue Ping’an’s gift…
Xue Sui: Shall I place another order? You die, or Prince Duan dies.
Author: Sisters, are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching… watching… watching?
