Chapter Thirty-Eight: Qin Chengxuan Forced into the Gambling Den
Qin Zhining took the ownership documents from Scarface and the others, confirmed that there were no problems, and casually stuffed them into the side pocket of her backpack.
However, upon hearing Scarface's words, she frowned slightly and turned to look at him. "Are you sure? Is he really the servant of the young master of the He family in the prefectural city?"
Scarface nodded hurriedly, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "No mistake, that servant was wearing a blue cloth robe and had a jade pendant around his waist. He was dressed exactly like the servants of the He family that we saw in the prefectural city last time."
Moreover, when Young Master Qin followed him, his steps were somewhat unsteady, as if the servant was trying to persuade him, saying, "There's a good way to make a lot of money."
The skinny guy next to him chimed in, "We wanted to follow them, but there were two burly men guarding the casino entrance. They looked really fierce. We were afraid of being discovered, so we came back to inform you first."
Qin Zhining remained silent for a moment, then looked in the direction of the casino, her eyes growing even colder.
His nominal older brother was usually a spoiled and unruly young man who acted outrageously. Like his aunt, he loved to take advantage of others.
Being lured to the casino by the Ho family this time is definitely not a good thing.
The He family wields considerable power in the prefectural city. Their sudden treacherous scheme against Qin Chengxuan might be aimed at bringing down the county magistrate's office, or perhaps... it's related to Qin Zhiyu's previous underhanded tactics.
Qin Zhiyu is a shrewish, jealous, and brainless woman who is capable of anything for her own selfish reasons.
Although Qin Chengxuan wasn't exactly a good person, he wasn't beyond redemption. So, Qin Zhining lowered her head and pondered for a moment, torn between whether or not to intervene.
Just then, the chatter of the onlookers reached my ears.
Some people were indignant and felt sorry for Qin Zhining, saying, "Look at how the eldest daughter of the Qin County Magistrate is dressed, she looks like a beggar."
That illegitimate daughter—dressed in flamboyant clothes and adorned with rouge and powder—clearly showed that the Qin family's discipline was indeed lacking. This legitimate daughter, who had returned from the countryside, had suffered immense injustice.
Some people said, "Come on, haven't you heard that as soon as her eldest daughter came back, she caused trouble in the house? This little girl from the countryside is definitely not someone to be trifled with, she's not someone to be trifled with."
Qin Zhining listened to the discussion and sighed. In ancient times, it was true that everyone prospered together or suffered together. It seemed that even if it was just for her own sake, she had to rescue Qin Chengxuan from the tiger's den.
Thinking of this, she said to Scarface and the others, "Find a secluded place to wait later, and don't let anyone find you."
I'm going to check the situation near the casino. If I don't come out in half an hour, go to Grand Secretary Zhang's residence, give him my name, and he'll help you.
Scarface and his men's expressions changed, and they hurriedly said, "Miss, casinos are very chaotic places. Why don't we go with you? It's good to have more people to help you."
Qin Zhining waved her hand, her tone calm but firm, "No need, you'll only draw attention if you come along."
"Remember, don't do anything rash, just wait for my message." After saying that, she turned and walked towards the shopkeeper of the general store.
At this moment, Manager Xu was quite annoyed by the twists and turns he had encountered in acquiring the wolf's tooth.
However, everything was resolved smoothly. He quickly weighed and packed the silver, then handed it to Qin Zhining with both hands, saying, "Miss, please keep this silver safe. If you have any good things in the future, just come to me, and I guarantee you a fair price!"
Qin Zhining took the silver and put it into her basket. "Shopkeeper, you just said that the shop can give you a discount. I want to pick out some clothes and items."
Shopkeeper Xu immediately agreed, "Please feel free to choose, young lady. I'll give you an extra 20% discount."
Qin Zhining didn't stand on ceremony and picked out four sets of women's clothes to change into, four sets of short jackets and short coats, and a pair of well-fitting women's deerskin boots.
He also bought sturdy trousers and coarse cloth shirts for his newly recruited underlings; thinking that they might come in handy in the future, he also bought a fine dagger and a crossbow for hunters.
"Shopkeeper, could I borrow a place to change my clothes?"
Manager Xu quickly responded and called two maids to the inner room to help Qin Zhining and Qin Xiaoxiao change their clothes.
When they came out again, both master and servant were dressed in short clothes and short jackets, wearing deerskin boots, with a fine dagger at their waist, looking like dashing men.
"Wow—Miss is so majestic!" Scarface, a master of flattery, exclaimed in exaggerated admiration.
The other boy next to him pointed at Qin Xiaoxiao and praised her for her bravery, saying that she was just as capable as any man.
Qin Zhining waved to them, then straightened her short clothes and moved the basket behind her, saying, "You should all change your clothes too, don't embarrass me by looking like beggars."
Xiao Xiao and I will go to the casino first. You guys will stay behind. If we don't come out within half an hour, you go to Zhang Ge Lao's residence to call for backup.
"What does 'shake-shake people' mean?" The rascal who praised Qin Xiaoxiao didn't understand.
Scarface understood perfectly. He patted his manhood and said, "You don't even understand 'calling for people'? It means looking for someone. You idiot, our boss is using jargon, hehe... just like us, we're all in the same boat."
Qin Zhining ignored the few idiots there and led Qin Xiaoxiao briskly toward the casino.
As soon as I reached the alleyway near the casino, I heard a commotion coming from inside, mixed with the sound of dice hitting the ground and people shouting.
Qin Zhining slowed her pace and peered inside along the wall. She saw Qin Chengxuan sitting at the gambling table with several empty silver bags piled in front of him. His face was flushed, and he was holding dice in his hand, muttering, "One more round, one more round and I'm sure I can win it back."
Beside him stood the servant in the blue cloth robe that Scarface had mentioned, smiling and advising, "Young Master Qin, don't be in a hurry."
Luck, well, it's always a mix of good and bad. Maybe if you bet a little more, you can turn things around. Hehehe... My young master said, just play as much as you want, have fun. If you don't have enough silver, my young master will get you some."
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhining narrowed her eyes.
As she suspected, He Qilin's attempt to entice and persuade Qin Chengxuan to come to the casino was ultimately a ploy.
She could now conclude that if Qin Chengxuan continued to lose and He Qilin couldn't pay him back his gambling debts, then it was highly likely that she would make Qin Chengxuan do something unexpected and sneaky when he couldn't repay her gambling debts.
Hmph—if they want to bring down the Qin County Magistrate's Mansion, they'll have to see if Qin Zhining agrees.
The Qin County Magistrate's mansion is now in Qin Zhining's possession. Let anyone else try to touch it. Whoever makes a move, she'll chop off their claws.
Thinking of this, Qin Zhining looked around and noticed that the servant secretly gave a wink to a burly man next to her. The man immediately understood and put his hand on the knife at his waist.
It seemed as if they would chop Qin Chengxuan up on the spot if he dared not agree to play this game.
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