Chapter Seventy-Nine: It Will Dirt Your Hands
After they had discussed it, Li Bao'er was not in a hurry to leave. Since she had come all this way, she said to Mingyu, "It's been a long time since I've been here. I'll just wander around and see what new things are available."
Knowing her master's temperament, Mingyu nodded and replied, "Perfect, I'll go with you. Recently, some interesting people have come down here. They're quick and efficient, and their eyes are sharp. I'll show you if there's anyone you like, so you can have a few capable people added to your manor."
Li Bao'er's eyes lit up, and she nodded in agreement: "You're so thoughtful."
Just as she was about to turn around, Mingyu suddenly remembered something and called out to her, "Master, wait a moment." She gestured for her trusted aide standing behind her to step forward, who was carrying a sandalwood box about a foot long.
Mingyu opened the wooden box, inside which lay a dagger. The dagger was exquisite and ornate, its sheath crafted from black iron, yet inlaid with tiny, dark gemstones, outlining intricate phoenix patterns.
Mingyu took out a dagger and gently placed it in Li Bao'er's hand. "This is called Crimson Feather. May it protect you in the future, and may your marriage be happy, and may everything go smoothly for you, and may no one dare to bully you."
Li Bao'er took the dagger. It felt slightly heavy and cool to the touch. She ran her fingertips over the intricate patterns and rubies, and a warm feeling welled up inside her.
Mingyu is always like this; she seems carefree and unrestrained, but in reality, she is very thoughtful.
"Mingyu, thank you, I really like this gift." She put the "Crimson Feather" into her hidden pocket; this gift suited her better than any jewelry.
The four of them rejoined the bustling crowd of the black market. Bao'er looked around at the rare and exotic treasures on each stall with great interest, and would occasionally stop to chat quietly with familiar stall owners, clearly very familiar with the place.
After strolling around for a while, Li Bao'er's attention was drawn to a particularly ornately decorated area where shouts and the clanging of dice were heard.
That was a well-known gambling den in the black market.
Li Bao'er's lips curled up under her veil, and she became interested: "Let's go in and have some fun."
Feng Li frowned almost imperceptibly, but did not speak to stop him, and followed closely behind.
The gambling den was filled with smoke and the atmosphere was lively.
With Mingyu, the actual manager, by her side, the people at the gambling den were naturally even more attentive. Li Bao'er exchanged some chips and, instead of choosing those complicated games, went straight to a dice game table.
She seemed to have extremely good luck, betting "big" several times in a row, and her chips quickly piled up into a small stack.
A young man at the same table, dressed in a brocade robe and looking like a wealthy young master, kept losing, sweat beading on his forehead and his face growing increasingly grim. He was clearly desperate, his gaze frequently turning fierce as he glared at the veiled-hat-wearing "boy" opposite him, whose luck seemed uncanny.
Another round begins, and the dealer shakes the dice cup.
"Place your bets now!" the dealer shouted.
Li Bao'er casually pushed a stack of chips into the betting area. Seeing this, the rich kid seemed to have found an outlet for his anger and sneered, "Hmph! You don't know your place! You think you can win this? You must have too much money!"
Li Bao'er didn't even flinch under her veil, completely ignoring him.
The dice cup is opened, six, six, six! We won!
"Wow!" A chorus of exclamations and envious voices immediately rang out from the surrounding area.
The chips in front of Li Bao'er instantly multiplied dozens of times, piling up like a small mountain.
The rich kid's eyes turned red instantly. He lost everything, while the cowardly guy opposite him made a fortune!
He slammed his hand on the table, making the dice cup jump, and roared at Li Bao'er, "Damn it! It's you again! There's definitely something fishy going on! You've absolutely cheated! Otherwise, how could you have won so many hands in a row?!"
Li Bao'er frowned slightly beneath her veil, not wanting to get entangled with him any further. She simply said calmly, "Winning and losing are common occurrences. Why must you speak so harshly? If you can't handle losing, you should leave the game sooner rather than later."
The rich kid seemed to have caught something red-handed, and immediately let out an exaggerated and malicious sneer, his words becoming even more vulgar: "Ha! I thought he was some kind of expert, but he's just a sissy who hasn't been weaned! Even his speech is like a woman's whining!"
"Why are you still hiding behind your hat, pretending to be a ghost? A sissy like you dares to gamble? Did you escape from some brothel? Did you learn your cheating tricks in bed?"
The wicked servants behind him also let out a lewd chuckle, their eyes sweeping over Li Bao'er with ill intent.
Such vulgar and offensive language instantly turned Li Bao'er's face cold beneath her veil. Linglong, standing to the side, trembled with anger, her eyes reddening.
Mingyu's face darkened, and when she looked at Li Bao'er, she clearly received confirmation. Without hesitation, she flashed like a ghost, and before everyone could see, the rich young man who was still incessantly cursing had his hands tied behind his back and was pressed face down onto the cold gambling table, letting out painful howls.
"Ugh! You bunch of useless trash! Aren't you going to help me, young master!" Caught off guard, the man's face was squeezed out of shape, and he cried out in pain.
Mingyu glanced at the gambling den manager beside her, who immediately understood and gestured behind him. Several thugs rushed forward and ruthlessly pushed aside the servants trying to stop the playboy.
His servants wanted to make a move, but were deterred from advancing by Feng Li's cold gaze and the instantaneous drawing of his three-inch-long sword.
Li Bao'er stepped forward, a flash of cold light from her sleeve, revealing the magnificent dagger "Red Feather" that Mingyu had just given her. The sharp tip of the blade was pointed directly at the rich young man's face, which was distorted by the pressure.
"Your mouth stinks so much, how about I clean it for you?" Li Bao'er's voice was filled with icy anger.
"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!" The rich kid was terrified and struggled desperately, but he couldn't move.
A gasp of surprise erupted from the crowd!
Just as the blade was about to touch her flesh, a large, calloused hand with distinct knuckles firmly grasped Li Bao'er's wrist, stopping her movement.
Li Bao'er was startled and turned around to look.
Mu Cenlin had silently appeared beside her without her noticing. He was dressed in black robes with dark hair, his face was cold and stern, and his deep gaze was fixed on her cheeks, which were slightly flushed with anger, and her eyes, which were burning with flames, through his veil.
He used a little force to gently take "Red Feather" from her hand.
“Why do this dirty work yourself?” His deep voice rang out, revealing neither joy nor anger, but carrying an undeniable authority.
"It will get your hands dirty."
As he pulled the person close and turned around, a painful scream came from behind: "Aaaaaah, my hand!"
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