Yun Qingbi approached, looked at Yun Song, and said with a mocking smile, "Second Uncle doesn't know yet, but it wasn't just Ranran who went to the gambling den today, Yun Xiyue also went. She not only went, but also lost more than 10,000 taels."
Yun Song didn't believe Yun Qingbi's words at all, and instead retorted, "Bi'er, as Yue'er's cousin, how can you frame her like this?"
“The people from Grand Casino are right here. Second Uncle, you can ask them if you don’t believe me.” Yun Qingbi raised her chin and pointed to Manager Qiu and the others.
"Is what he said true?" Yun Song looked at Steward Qiu with a piercing gaze.
"There was indeed a woman disguised as a man who came to our gambling den with Miss Yun today, and she lost more than 10,000 taels. As for whether it was Miss Xiyue, we didn't look closely." Manager Qiu said, referring to his own Grand Gambling Den.
But in Yun Qingran's view, Steward Qiu was secretly trying to sabotage her. After all, if he really wanted to help Yun Xiyue cover up the truth, he could have just said that he hadn't looked carefully and omitted all the previous words.
"affim……"
Just as Yun Song was about to say that it definitely wasn't Yun Xiyue, Yun Qingran suddenly burst into tears.
"Waaah, I'm so sorry, Second Uncle. I shouldn't have kept it from you. My cousin Xiyue did go to the gambling den with me today and lost more than 10,000 taels of silver. Not only today, but she often took me there before."
After hearing Yun Qingran's words, Yun Song's face darkened. He had always known that Yun Xiyue was deliberately leading Yun Qingran astray, and had even supported this action. But he never expected that harming others would backfire on him; his well-behaved and intelligent daughter had actually gambled with this wicked and foolish girl, and had lost so much money.
"Ranran, it's one thing for you not to learn from others, but how could you be so cruel as to drag your cousin down with you?" Yun Song accused Yun Qingran with a pained expression.
As long as this mudslinging is thrown at Yun Qingran, Xi Yue will still be innocent. Yun Song's idea was very grand, but unfortunately, reality was harsh.
"Second Uncle, this isn't Xiyue's first time at the gambling den. Everyone knows that Xiyue is incredibly clever, while my Ranran isn't so bright. Do you really think it's possible for a smart person to be fooled by a fool so many times?" Yun Qingbi chuckled coldly. "Besides, Ranran said that Xiyue took her to the gambling den. It's not hard to see who's lying to whom."
Yun Qingran silently thought to herself, "It was the original owner who wasn't thinking straight, not me. My brother wasn't scolding me. Yes, that's it."
“You guys…” Yun Song was speechless after being rebuked by Yun Qingbi, her face turning red with anger.
"Second Uncle, my cousin Xiyue still owes me seven or eight thousand taels of silver. You see..." Yun Qingran immediately added after speaking, "Second Uncle, don't overthink it. I didn't mean to rush you."
Yun Song was even angrier when she saw Yun Qingran's smiling face, and glared at him with fiery eyes.
"If Second Uncle doesn't want to give it, that's fine," Yun Qingran sniffed, looking a little aggrieved.
After a while, a crowd of onlookers had gathered around, and they all looked at Yun Song.
Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts; a debt is a debt, and not paying it is considered cheating.
"Here, give her eight thousand taels of silver." Yun Song gritted her teeth and told the servant to give her the money.
The servant took out eight thousand taels of silver notes from his purse and handed them to Yun Qingran.
Yun Qingran happily accepted the note, then exclaimed, "Second Uncle, you are so wealthy! You give away eight thousand taels of silver notes so easily, without even having to go to the bank to collect them."
Upon hearing this, Yun Song's expression immediately became tense, and her voice became hurried and stammering, "I just collected the rent, and the money happens to be on my person."
"Oh, I see." The "oh" was drawn out, full of profound meaning.
"Brother, come to my residence for dinner tonight," Yun Song said, looking at Yun Xiao.
"No need." Yunxiao glanced at him, her gaze unfriendly.
It turns out that Yun Xiyue took Ranran to the gambling den. No one would believe Yun Song didn't know about this. To harm his own niece like this is truly the height of cruelty.
"Then younger brother will go back for his meal first. I'll take my leave now." Yun Song led his servant home quickly and then closed the gate.
What a bad day! I thought I could watch the show and mock that old bastard, "Ruthless Cloud Chaser," but instead, I became the show's spectacle. I'm so angry!
"Miss Yun, this is the money our gambling den owes you." Manager Qiu seemed to be in a good mood, presenting a stack of silver notes with both hands.
"Mm." Yun Qingran accepted the silver note without hesitation. Although it was gambling money, it was money she earned with her skills, so she had to accept it.
"Steward Qiu!" Zhang San ran out of the mansion, looking at Steward Qiu with tears in his eyes. "Steward Qiu, aren't you going to redeem me and take me back?"
Watching this scene, Yun Qingran had a strange feeling that she was the madam, Zhang San was a courtesan, and Manager Qiu was Zhang San's patron.
After imagining the plot in her mind, Yun Qingran quickly shook her head. The pairing can be unpopular, but it can't be weird.
"San'er, it's not that I don't want to redeem you, it's just that I'm powerless to do so. Just stay in the Zhen'an Marquis's mansion and live a good life." After saying this, Steward Qiu left heartlessly.
Zhang San stood in the bleak, cold wind, sniffed, and looked like he was about to cry. He looked so pitiful.
"Let's go, San'er." Yun Qingran looked at Zhang San's pitiful appearance and wanted to laugh.
Zhang San hung his head and followed Yun Qingran back.
Back home, Yun Qingran asked Bicao to bring out the dishes.
"Ranran, why are all these vegetables raw?" Yunxiao asked, looking at the dishes on the table.
"Father, tonight we're having antique soup." Yun Qingran said, going inside to bring out the bottom of the pot and a small stove.
"Antique soup" is actually hot pot. Hot pot is not a modern product; it existed in ancient times.
"Ah, we're having antique soup!" Yunxiao exclaimed, a happy smile spreading across her face.
What could be happier than eating antique soup in the dead of winter?
“Yes, Father, please sit down and eat.” Yun Qingran was also very happy.
"You, stand up." Yun Qingbi, who hadn't spoken, shouted angrily at Yun Qingran with a stern face.
Upon hearing this, Yun Qingran stood up awkwardly. The original owner's father was a doting father, but her brother was quite strict with her; he was a strict brother.
"Bi'er, let's talk about it after dinner," Yunxiao advised.
"Brother, I shouldn't have gone to the gambling den with Yun Xiyue today. But I didn't go there to have fun gambling. I was planning to swindle Yun Xiyue out of money." Yun Qingran lowered her head and mumbled an explanation.
Upon hearing Yun Qingran's words, Yun Xiao and Yun Qingbi exchanged a glance. They both thought today's events were a coincidence and a matter of luck, never expecting it to be their daughter/sister's scheme.
"Father, elder brother, I really will turn over a new leaf and stop causing trouble," Yun Qingran promised again.
"Ranran, your father believes in you and is very proud of your intelligence. However, your father still does not want you to use such methods to retaliate." Yunxiao instructed earnestly.
He was originally a military general who preferred to act openly and honestly, and disliked underhanded schemes and manipulative tactics.
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