Chapter 13

On the other side, Liu Ju knew nothing about this and did not realize that his actions had aroused Liu Che's suspicion and he was almost exposed.

At this moment, he was happily showing off to his sisters that he had received his father's promise and could go out of the palace to play at any time. Of course, the main person he was showing off to was Shi Yi.

"Have you heard of Shengping Tower? It's the one my cousin Qubing mentioned. It not only has regular singing and dancing, but also regular acrobatic and puppet show performances."

Shi Yi curled his lips and snorted, "What's so strange about this? When it comes to singing and dancing, who can surpass Yuefu? Even acrobatics and puppet shows have been performed in the palace before."

"Oh." Liu Ju's eyes lit up. "But besides that, they also hold wrestling matches and cockfighting competitions from time to time. Most of the young men in Lingyi would participate. It was really lively."

Shi Yi gritted his teeth and said, "What young man? He's just a bunch of dandy boys playing cockfighting and running dogs. What's the point? I don't care about him."

"Really? But there are a lot of young girls going. Anyway, I think it's quite interesting, I really want to go. I heard there's a competition the day after tomorrow. My cousin said he would take me."

Shi Yi pursed his lips tightly, but no matter how hard he tried to put on a brave front, he couldn't hide the envy he felt inside. He was scratching his head, bubbling with jealousy. Liu Ju had already turned around and was about to leave, but after taking two steps, Shi Yi blocked his way.

“Take me with you!”

Liu Ju rolled his eyes. He came to show off, not to cause trouble for himself, so he refused decisively.

Shi Yi curled his lips and said, "You promised to do something for me. I've decided on this one. You're a real man, you won't go back on your word, will you?"

Liu Ju: ???

"When did I promise you?"

Shi Yi immediately jumped up and said, "You accidentally broke my jewel boat in the first month of the year, and asked me to choose one from your storehouse as an apology.

"But that was something Marquis Bowang brought back from his mission to the Western Regions. It's the only one I had, and I had to negotiate it with my father. Even if you have other gemstones, they're not the ones I like.

"I don't want anything else. Just say you owe me this. If you ever get a treasure I like, just ask me for it.

"If there's nothing you particularly like, I'll ask you to do something. You won't refuse. Caiqin and Fenghe were there at the time, as were my eldest and third sisters. If you don't believe me, just ask them!"

Look at the posture, it seems very clear, it doesn't seem like he is lying.

Liu Ju looked at Feng He and Cai Qin, then at Wei Chang and Zhu Yi, bewildered. Although they didn't say anything, their expressions said it all. He scratched his head awkwardly, "I... I forgot."

"It's only been a short time and you've already forgotten. When did your memory become so bad?" Shi Yi didn't believe it and looked at him suspiciously. "Did you do it on purpose?"

Liu Ju retorted: "How could I do it on purpose? Am I that kind of person?"

Shi Yi chuckled: "You cheat even when playing games, and you also cheat and deny your words. It's no wonder. If you weren't that kind of person, you would take me out of the palace with you.

"You promised me that it would last as long as I didn't need it, even for eight or ten years. I want to use it now!"

Liu Ju: ...He finally understood what it meant to shoot oneself in the foot.

Liu Ju hesitated for a long time before finally remembering something: "I need my father's permission to leave the palace. If you can also get my father's permission, I will take you with me."

"Tsk, if I had the emperor's permission, would I still need you?"

Liu Ju opened his mouth to refuse again, but Shi Yi spoke first, "You promised it yourself, so any problems along the way should be handled by you. Please help me talk to the emperor. If you don't go, you're playing dirty, a liar and a villain who doesn't keep his word."

After saying this, Shi Yi sat down on the couch, calm and composed, leaving the matter entirely to Liu Ju, certain that he would comply.

Liu Ju: Ahhhhh, why on earth did he have to show off to Fourth Sister? He regrets it, regrets it, regrets it!!!

The situation reversed, from the initial Shi Yi depressed Liu Ju arrogant to Shi Yi proud Liu Ju annoyed. The main point is a cyclical situation.

The guards and the chiefs looked at each other and couldn't help laughing. Even the maids around them lowered their heads and hid their laughter.

In order to show that he kept his word and honored his promise, Liu Ju finally found Liu Che again and told him his request, but he didn't just want to help Shiyi, he also wanted to take the other towns of Wei Chang and others with him.

I thought it would take some time and was ready to act aggrieved and miserable again, but Liu Che agreed very readily.

Liu Ju didn't think much about it. After all, it was a good thing that he agreed.

Two days later, led by Huo Qubing, everyone left the palace together.

Shengping Tower is located in Changling Town, which is also the most lively center of the town. Liu Ju and others saw the luxurious building as soon as they got off the car.

The house is tall, with green walls and black tiles, and an open vermilion gate. In front of the gate stand towering stone pillars with relief carvings on the pillar walls. A plaque hangs above the door with the words: Shengping Tower.

The guard captain stood at the temple and couldn't help sighing, "This place for people to play is well built. It's not flashy, but it has a sense of grandeur."

Zhu Yi echoed: "The name is also interesting."

The place where the children of the powerful and wealthy gather for pleasure is called Shengping, which seems quite ironic. But if you think about it, it is precisely because of the peace in the world that they can engage in cockfighting, running errands without any scruples, and live a life of drunkenness and dreams.

It is named "Lou" and is actually a small garden. Most of the main buildings are in the form of towers and pavilions, connected by corridors or with winding bridges in the middle, so you can have fun and enjoy the scenery.

The group entered, passed the circus and puppet theater in front, and walked into the courtyard at the back. This courtyard was two stories high and circular, with guest seats and side rooms arranged around the circle. In the center of the circle stood a high platform with fences on the sides, which was the place for wrestling and cockfighting.

It was inconvenient to reveal the identities of Liu Ju and others, but Huo Qubing was at the peak of his career, so he sent someone to greet them in advance and arranged the most convenient wing. By rolling up the curtain, they could look out from the railing and see the entire duel arena.

At that time, the wrestling match had not yet begun, but the surroundings were already full of noise and noise, and many servants were moving around, walking back and forth between the first and second floors.

Liu Ju followed them and saw that almost all of them were heading outside the platform, where there was a room with a desk, bamboo slips, and ink, and a wall of wooden plaques hanging behind it. When the servants returned, most of them were holding plaques.

Seeing the curiosity in his eyes, Huo Qubing smiled and explained, "The wrestlers and fighting cocks that come to the arena are generally divided into two categories. One is prepared by Shengpinglou; the other is raised by guests who like this kind of thing.

"You can bet on anything. Winning or losing is determined by the odds, and if your wrestler or cockfighting partner wins, you'll receive an extra bonus.

"Those are all there to place bets. The cards are proof of your bets. If you win, you take them to exchange for cash. If you lose, you can put your winnings in the basket next to it, or just leave them in the side room. After the guests leave, the servants will collect them."

Liu Ju blinked, turned around and told Yu Sui: "Go place a bet for me, buy number one."

Shi Yi followed closely behind and also ordered Cai Qin out, and as if deliberately contradicting him, he said, "Buy number two."

Liu Ju glanced at her, snorted twice, and said nothing.

Yu Sui and Cai Qin both took orders and went out. When they came back, they not only had a sign in their hands, but also someone following them - Princess Liu Ling of Huainan.

Liu Ju was a little confused, but Liu Ling was at ease: "I heard that the Champion Marquis was here, and he brought a young man and a young woman with him, so I wondered if it was you, so I came over to take a look, and sure enough, it really was you."

The two sides exchanged greetings, and Liu Ju and the others exchanged a few pleasantries. Liu Ling glanced at the sign in Yu Sui Caiqin's hand and said, "Your Highness and the Princess rarely come here, so I should at least show my hospitality and not let you spend money.

"All food and drinks are free in the cabin. If you're interested, just place your bets. The winnings are yours, and the losses are mine. I know you're not short of money, and you don't care about it. Just give me a chance to have more fun, okay?"

Liu Ju didn’t react: Ah?

Huo Qubing had already nodded in thanks.

Having met and performed the necessary etiquette, Liu Ling tactfully declined to linger any longer: "Then I won't disturb your pleasure."

After she left, Liu Ju suddenly came to his senses: "What did she mean by fulfilling her duty as a good host? Did she open Shengpinglou?"

Huo Qubing nodded and then shook his head. "Yes, that's right. She came up with the idea for Shengping Tower, and she also has a stake in it and is in charge of the business. However, there are four owners in total, and she is one of them. You all know the other three."

"We all know each other?" Liu Ju was even more surprised.

"One is Jin Su, Lord Xiucheng; one is Wang Xin, Marquis of Gai; and the other is Chen Jiao, Marquis of Longli."

——Jin Su was the daughter of Queen Dowager Wang and her husband from the common people before she entered the palace. She was Liu Che's half-sister. Her daughter also married Liu Qian, the Crown Prince of Huainan, but at this point she should have divorced Liu Qian and no longer had any connection with him.

Wang Xin was Queen Mother Wang's older brother, born of the same father and mother; the other Chen Jiao was even more remarkable. He was the son of Princess Guantao and the brother of the deposed Empress Chen Ajiao, and he married Princess Linlü, a sister of Emperor Wu of Han.

—Wow, they're all royal relatives! Shengping Tower's backers are incredible. Xiucheng Jun, Wang Xin, and Chen Jiao legitimately suspected Liu Ling was trying to develop alliances by partnering with them in business.

Not really an ally, after all, she was engaged in a rebellion. Who would dare to form an alliance with her? But everyone in the world is driven by profit. Becoming business partners means a shared interest. At times, these people might be willing to do her some minor favors, offer convenience, or even unknowingly leak information.

Liu Ju: ...rebel...rebel?

There's a limit to your fabrications. Don't just spout off the top of your head. Do you know how serious a crime treason is? It'll just lead to rivers of bloodshed. Damn, you're a bunch of monsters and demons. You really don't wish the Liu family any good!

So in your eyes, there are no good people in the Liu family. You just wish something bad would happen to your father's kingdom, right?

He was so angry that he slammed the table!