Chapter 6. You've already taken all the advantages, and you still dare to curse me...
Chapter 6
Seven days later, Suzhou.
He Hansheng arrived at Qianchunfang based on the information provided by Shen Suining.
Everyone entering Qianchunfang, whether a guest or a servant, wears a badge on their waist. Those without a badge are considered outsiders and will be turned away. Since Qianchunfang comprises five gardens and four pavilions, each badge grants access to different venues, and naturally, the prices vary accordingly.
The innkeeper explained, "The waist tokens inside are all made of wood, carved with flowers representing different seasons. You can only enter the four pavilions for spring, summer, autumn, and winter by using these flowers. They are also decorated with four mythical beasts, representing the four gardens in different directions. You can freely enter the central garden. Besides the central garden, guests can enter a maximum of two other areas. The waist token is merely a pass and has no limit on the number of uses. You must register upon first purchase. If you need to enter other pavilions later, you can exchange your old waist token for a new one. All expenses within the pavilions must be paid by the guest."
He Hansheng didn't know which venue Song Sanniang was in, so he asked the manager, "Which sign can take me to all the venues?"
The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment, then took out two jade pendants from the cabinet behind him. "There are only two jade Pixiu in the entire Qianchunfang. They can be used anywhere. Of course, the price is also higher. This Pixiu is worth thirty taels of silver, while the most expensive wooden waist pendant is only two taels of silver. If you are here for the first time and want to look around, I can arrange for someone to show you around, and then you can make a decision."
"No need, just take the two jade waist tokens." He Hansheng gave Jiang Yuchu a look, signaling him to pay.
On a pavilion not far from Qianchunfang, Shen Suining, who was already disguised, stared at the gate with binoculars, her back teeth almost grinding to powder.
A moment later, Shen Fengyu climbed up to the attic and handed the package in her arms to Shen Suining, along with two wooden waist tokens. "Here, Sister Miao made these overnight and had them delivered. They're so realistic they could be mistaken for the real thing."
Shen Suining didn't move. Shen Fengyu followed her gaze for a long time before asking, "What are you looking at?"
"That bastard who lied to me!" Shen Suining gritted her teeth.
"They went in?"
"Hmm." Shen Suining put down the binoculars, grabbed the waist token, and jumped down from the pavilion, flying straight towards Qianchunfang.
Shen Fengyu quickly followed, "Hey! Wait for me!"
Both of them were dressed as men and had waist tags as proof, so they were able to enter smoothly.
After entering, Shen Suining instructed Shen Fengyu: "Go and find out where Sheng Qingge is, but don't alert her."
Shen Fengyu nodded, "Then be careful..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Suining had already vanished without a trace.
Shen Fengyu: "..."
On the other side, Jiang Yuchu, who was following behind He Hansheng, asked in a low voice, "Young Master, the shopkeeper took a different booklet when he registered just now. What do you think...?"
Despite using a pseudonym, Jiang Yuchu still felt something was amiss, especially the jade waist tag hanging prominently on her waist, which seemed out of place.
Moreover, the servants and maids who came and went were exceptionally enthusiastic when they saw them. As soon as they entered, several people from the venues tried to pull them over.
Such blatant behavior makes it impossible to get anything done.
He Hansheng pursed his lips and instructed, "Find Song San Niang's location as soon as possible, then go and change the waist tag."
"yes."
Jiang Yuchu had just turned around when she bumped into a servant boy who was walking with his head down.
The servant was carrying a bowl of scalding hot tea, which instantly spilled all over Jiang Yuchu, causing her to scream and frantically pat the burned areas.
"I deserve to die! I deserve to die! I'll take our honored guest to change his clothes right away!"
Seeing the servant kneeling on the ground trembling, Jiang Yuchu didn't bother to make a fuss and simply said, "No need, just be more careful next time."
He Hansheng, who witnessed all of this, stared at the servant's back and sensed something was wrong. The next moment, he heard Jiang Yuchu exclaim in surprise, "Young master, my waist token is gone!"
He Hansheng reacted instantly and said in a deep voice, "Chase!"
After stealing the waist token, Shen Suining quickly disappeared into the crowd. Her disguise skills were superb; once she was hidden in the crowd, no one could find her.
Jiang Yuchu, who lost her waist tag, was quickly kicked out of Qianchunfang.
This made it even more difficult for He Hansheng to move around. As the only person in the room wearing a jade waist tag, countless eyes were fixed on him.
Shen Suining was very satisfied with the result.
She put away the jade waist token and used her wooden token to enter the underground casino in Nanyuan.
The casino wasn't too crowded, but it was much more lively than outside. Shen Suining searched around and finally spotted Song San Niang shaking dice for the customers in a corner.
Song San Niang was dressed in all black, with a wooden plaque tied to her waist with a thin red rope. Her face was covered by a half-gilded mask that obscured her right eye, so her features were not clearly visible. However, judging from her aura alone, one could tell that she was a charming and beautiful woman.
The more Shen Suining looked at it, the more she felt that her drawing of Song San Niang had captured the essence of the character; her body was almost entirely black.
Shen Suining walked to Song Sanniang's side. Song Sanniang shook the dice cup without turning her head until the dice cup was firmly placed on the table before she finally spoke: "It's Hall Master Shen."
Shen Suining didn't hide it, "Third Sister has a good eye."
Outside, Shen Suining and Shen Fengyu share the identity of the head of Bifeng Hall. They rarely act together and do not show their true faces, so many people do not know that they are actually two different people.
“Master Shen has an extraordinary bearing. Even if he had a thousand different faces, he would still stand out in a crowd,” Song San Niang chuckled. “He would be recognized at a glance.”
"Third Sister, stop with the formalities. When it comes to temperament, who can compare to Third Sister?"
As the two exchanged compliments, the game of gambling ended. Song San Niang placed the dice cup upside down on the table, turned to look at Shen Sui Ning, and said, "I know why Hall Master Shen came to see me. Considering the past friendship between Qian Chun Fang and Shu Yu Manor, I advise Hall Master Shen not to get involved in this mess."
"What if I insist on going through it?" Shen Suining did not back down.
After a brief standoff, Song San Niang picked up the dice cup, shook it, and laughed, "That depends on Master Shen's skills."
“I’ve never lost at the casino.” Shen Suining took two steps back and reached for the chips.
Song San Niang shoved the dice cup onto the table and pushed the chip tray away, saying, "You want chips without paying?"
Shen Suining laughed angrily, "Given our friendship, you're talking to me about money?"
“Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts, let alone Master Shen, who has a good reputation. I’m afraid he might do something that would hurt our feelings,” Song San Niang said, taking the chip tray away and setting it aside. “We have to be careful.”
Shen Suining: "..."
Seeing through everything, Song Sanniang raised an eyebrow. "What? Is Master Shen a little short of money lately?"
Feeling stung by the revelation, Shen Suining's tone became impatient. "Let's gamble twice first, and then I'll naturally have the money to give you."
“No, Qianchunfang has rules: transparent transactions, no credit,” Song Sanniang replied directly. “Master Shen, you should come after you’ve received the money.”
...
Shen Suining found He Hansheng and discovered that he was not living as "miserably" as she had imagined.
On the contrary, as a wealthy patron holding a jade waist token, the servants of Qianchunfang all bowed and scraped before him, fawning over him. At this moment, He Hansheng was lying on a bamboo chair in the Feixian Pavilion in the Central Garden, with three servants massaging his shoulders and legs, and two serving him tea and water. He couldn't be happier.
When Shen Suining entered, the servant inside impatiently shooed her away, "Hurry up and leave, the guests are resting."
He Hansheng had a book covering his face, looking quite content, and only looked up when he heard the sound.
The book slowly fell, revealing half of He Hansheng's face. He looked at Shen Suining, who was dressed as a servant, with a half-smile.
Then, He Hansheng took out a silver ingot from his pocket and said, "You all go and do other things first, let this newcomer serve me."
The servants immediately replied, "Yes, yes, sir, please feel free to call us anytime if you need anything."
Shen Suining was furious.
After the servants left, He Hansheng leaned back and shifted to a more comfortable position. "Come on, give me a shoulder massage."
Rub it, rub your grandpa!
Shen Suining stepped forward with a cold smile, grabbed He Hansheng's arm, and pulled him up as well.
Unexpectedly, He Hansheng was prepared and remained completely still.
"What are you doing?" He Han asked knowingly. "Is the big store bullying its customers?"
Shen Suining took a deep breath and threw Jiang Yuchu's jade waist token to He Hansheng, thus revealing her identity.
Her face darkened. "Are you still looking for Sheng Qingge? Get up right now!"
As she spoke, Shen Suining tugged again, but this time she not only failed to move He Hansheng, but also almost stumbled herself.
He Hansheng lay there calmly, covering his face with a book, and patted his shoulder, signaling to Shen Suining.
Just as Shen Suining was about to throw a punch, she thought again and realized that she had really lost her mind in anger.
She just needs some money; she doesn't necessarily have to bring this person with her.
Shen Suining instantly understood and immediately changed her attitude, obediently stepping forward to massage He Hansheng's shoulders.
The man's shoulders were broad and thick. As Shen Suining kneaded them, her gaze gradually drifted to the money pouch at He Hansheng's waist.
"Press harder."
He Hansheng's voice drew Shen Suining's attention back. She gritted her teeth in anger, secretly treating He Hansheng like a lump of dough, kneading him vigorously.
Is this enough?
He Hansheng hummed in agreement, then said with satisfaction, "That's good. If you've spent the money, you should enjoy it."
Shen Suining rolled her eyes at him furiously.
While the hands were being switched, Shen Suining secretly slipped a sleeping pill into her sleeve. The pill was colorless and odorless, and after inhaling it, one would fall into a deep sleep within fifteen minutes.
He Hansheng was very vigilant; if he wasn't drugged, Shen Suining would have no chance of getting his money.
Fifteen minutes later, He Hansheng's breathing gradually became even. Shen Suining stopped what she was doing and tentatively called out "Hey!"
He Hansheng didn't react, so Shen Suining took the book off his face, waved it in front of his eyes, and then pinched his ear hard. Seeing that he still didn't react, she was relieved.
"You bastard, how dare you ask me to serve you?" Shen Suining grew angrier the more she thought about it, and viciously pinched He Hansheng's face. "If it weren't for your decent appearance, I would have chopped you up and fed you to the dogs!"
After venting his anger, Shen Suining did not forget his business and went to untie the money pouch on He Hansheng's waist.
After trying to untie it for a long time, the knot only got tighter and tighter. Shen Suining became increasingly impatient and couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "You dog, you tied it so tightly with just a few taels of silver."
Just then, He Hansheng, who had been drugged, suddenly raised his hand and pressed her down, startling Shen Suining so much that she stumbled and fell hard into He Hansheng's arms.
"You've already gotten all the benefits, it's not right for you to start cursing at me, is it?"
A note from the author:
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