Chapter Fifteen: Another Tactic Exposed
To Xiao Yongjing's astonishment, she stepped forward naturally, took his arm, and leaned close to him affectionately.
Xiao Yongjing froze, his lips twitching. He lowered his voice and squeezed out a few words through clenched teeth:
"Song Yiqiu! Are you looking for death?"
Xiao Jing? This woman is insane!
Song Yiqiu raised her head, her smile unchanged, but her voice was extremely low, only the two of them could hear it:
"Your Highness, it seems you don't want anyone to know you've come to a place like this incognito, right? Take me inside, and I'll disappear immediately after we go in, and I won't cause you any trouble."
Xiao Yongjing suddenly tried to shake her off, his tone icy:
"On what grounds?"
As soon as he forcefully shook her off, Song Yiqiu immediately took a deep breath, as if about to shout to the surroundings:
"too--"
Before she could even utter the word "zi," Xiao Yongjing's expression changed, and he reacted swiftly by pulling her back into his arms with such force that Song Yiqiu stumbled and crashed into him.
He gritted his teeth and threatened her, almost whispering in her ear:
"...Okay! I'll take you in! But you'd better remember what you said!"
Song Yiqiu's scheme succeeded. She lifted her head in his arms, her eyes curving like a little fox:
"Sold!"
With a dark expression, Xiao Yongjing turned around with Song Yiqiu in his arms and gave the servant a cold glance, who was completely stunned.
The servant was jolted awake, immediately realizing the close relationship between the two. His expression instantly changed, and he bowed and scraped before Song Yiqiu, wishing he could swallow back his words.
"I was blind and offended our distinguished guest! Please, young lady, be magnanimous and come in! Please come in!"
Song Yiqiu waved triumphantly to the white plum blossoms and green bamboo behind her.
Bai Mei, dumbfounded, pulled the still bewildered Qing Zhu along and quickly followed. As they passed the servant, she deliberately gave a loud snort.
The three of them swaggered in like that.
Upon entering Dousheng Manor, Song Yiqiu immediately and decisively released the Crown Prince's arm.
"Thank you for your 'righteous help', Your Highness. Please continue with your work, I will not disturb you any longer."
Having said that, without giving him any time to react, he grabbed Bai Mei and Qing Zhu, and with a few nimble movements, quickly walked inside.
Xiao Yongjing stood there, his face turning pale and then flushed, with veins throbbing on his forehead.
The young men in fine clothes who had come with him were already stunned by what they had just witnessed; this was the first time they had ever seen the Crown Prince get close to any young lady.
"My goodness, Your Highness, who was that just now...? I've never seen a woman get within three steps of you before."
"This girl not only got closer, but... she even linked arms with me?! Pinch me, am I dreaming?"
"That's right, Your Highness, you're really too unfair! You've kept your beauty hidden so well. We brothers were worried you might have homosexual tendencies, but it turns out you've already found such a... uh, fiery and stunningly beautiful woman?"
He recalled Song Yiqiu's behavior and managed to find a positive term for it.
"Stunning beauty? Fiery? I think she's incredibly audacious!"
"Your Highness, tell us quickly, whose daughter is this? How dare she be so bold? How can she keep such a cold-faced Buddha like you in check? When did you meet her? How far have things progressed? Introduce her to the brothers too!"
"Shut up!"
Xiao Yongjing finally managed to squeeze out two words through gritted teeth, his face ashen. The others exchanged glances…
Something's up! Something's definitely up!
Xiao Yongjing couldn't be bothered with their filthy thoughts. All he could think about at that moment was Song Yiqiu.
He was actually threatened in public by a woman! And he was even forced to help her enter this Dousheng Manor!
This feeling of unease is stuck in my chest, I can't breathe, it's incredibly suffocating.
He ground his back teeth, his eyes fixed on the direction where Song Yiqiu had disappeared.
Song Yiqiu... Good, very good.
It seems he really underestimated this cunning woman.
...
Doushengzhuang is another world.
There were no windows inside, but several ventilation openings were made in the top, and oil lamps of varying brightness were lit all around.
The air was thick with the smell of tobacco and alcohol, and all sorts of gambling games were underway in the huge hall.
There were people shaking dice, playing dominoes, cockfighting, and dogfighting in the corner.
All sorts of people move about here, whether they are scions of noble families, wealthy merchants, or wandering knights-errant. There are no ranks here, only gambling games.
"Damn it! I lost again! Lend me another hundred taels! Just one hundred taels!"
A gambler, blinded by despair, grabbed the dealer's sleeve and pleaded desperately.
"Get out of my way! If you don't have money, chop off your hand to pay off your debt!"
The dealer impatiently shoved him away.
Two burly men immediately stepped forward, expressionless, grabbed the man, and dragged him toward the hidden door behind them. The sounds of fists and kicks hitting flesh could be faintly heard.
Qingzhu had never seen anything like this before, and was so frightened that she dared not move, tightly clutching Song Yiqiu's sleeve:
"Miss...when are we leaving? This place is so scary..."
Bai Mei's eyes lit up, as if she were back home. Within seconds, she had squeezed around a dice table, rolled up her sleeves, and was eager to try her hand at the game.
"Place your bet now! Open the car quickly!"
Song Yiqiu reacted quickly, pulling her back from the crowd and whispering:
“We’re here on serious business, not for you to gamble.”
"oh……"
Bai Mei pouted sullenly, but still obediently followed behind Song Yiqiu, her eyes constantly glancing at the various gambling tables.
Ignoring the flirtatious glances from those around them, Song Yiqiu led the two directly to the innermost counter.
An old accountant was sitting behind the counter, adjusting his abacus.
Upon seeing three young women approaching, he visibly paused, adjusted his glasses, but remained polite.
"Ladies, are you looking for some fun, or... do you need a loan?"
Song Yiqiu didn't say much and simply placed the wooden plaque on the counter.
The old accountant picked up the wooden plaque, brought it close to his eyes for a closer look, and his expression changed slightly, his attitude instantly becoming extremely respectful:
"So you're a distinguished guest! Please wait a moment, young lady, I'll go fetch the master right away!"
After saying that, he immediately got up, hurriedly lifted the curtain, and went into the back room.
Bai Mei stared curiously at the wooden sign and muttered:
"Huh? Why does this thing look so familiar?"
Song Yiqiu didn't intend to hide it from her, and whispered:
Do you still remember Lieutenant Zhang?
"Lieutenant Zhang?"
Bai Mei frowned, trying hard to recall.
"Zhang Heze? That guy who said he had family matters to attend to and left the army three years ago? Why bring him up? Is he gambling here too? I knew that kid wasn't one to stay put! He used to be in the army..."
She suddenly stopped, her eyes widened, and she lowered her voice.
"He even went so far as to say he wanted to marry you, General!"
The green bamboo beside it seemed struck by lightning, and suddenly looked up:
"Ah? Miss...?"
Song Yiqiu coughed awkwardly twice:
"Ahem, let's not bring up old stories again. This Dousheng Manor was opened by him."
Bai Mei was so shocked that her mouth opened wide:
"Good heavens! That kid was actually a hidden rich kid? He used to act like a poor boy in the army!"
Song Yiqiu glared at her:
"Don't talk nonsense. We're here on business; we need someone's help."
Bai Mei reluctantly shut her mouth, but her eyes still gleamed with gossip as she muttered under her breath:
"Tsk tsk, I wonder if there's any chance you two can rekindle your romance..."
Qingzhu: "Huh???"
No, miss, you... I'm still in shock.
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