Before gambling had been banned by the imperial court, he had already been so proficient that he could take two copper coins to a shop that ran guanpu games and get chased out by the shopkeeper wielding a stick.
Chu Zhaohuai had never gambled with stakes this large before. Looking at the table piled high with gold and silver, he almost felt as though he were looking at the little stones he used to pile up and play with as a child.
They were everywhere.
The people of the capital were truly foolish with their money.
He had been wrong when he said earlier that there was nothing interesting here.
Just looking at all this money, he could stay a little longer.
Several of the foolish young noblemen had already gambled themselves completely red eyed. They were practically ready to strip down to their bare torsos and fight him over it.
Chu Zhaohuai felt that the sight was rather unpleasant to look at and truly lacked decorum. He advised them, “A little gambling is only meant to add some fun. Aren’t all of you getting this money by asking your families for it? If you lose, you’ll either get beaten by your families or refuse to pay what you owe this Prince Consort. Either way, it won’t look good. You’re all sons of prominent and wealthy families, after all.”
Everyone: “……”
He was throwing their own words from earlier right back into their faces.
The problem was that they had been the ones to provoke the gambling match in the first place. Even when he pointedly mocked them to their faces like this, they could not refute him.
They could only swallow their anger along with their broken teeth and blood, forced to suffer this silent loss.
The young man who had lost the most was still rather unconvinced. His family background was apparently quite respectable, as everyone else called him Young Master Qin.
“One round of six pure is perfectly normal but every single round being six pure? You must have cheated! There’s nothing wrong with the gold coins, so the problem must be with your hand… Did you hide something inside the sleeve of your right hand? Take it out and let us see!”
Chu Zhaohuai: “……”
Why were they really trying to refuse to pay?
Ji Yi had originally been so shocked that his mind had wandered off into the heavens. That ear splitting roar finally dragged him back to reality.
His expression became complicated as he looked at Chu Zhaohuai’s suspiciously bulging wide sleeve.
It could certainly be searched.
It was just that doing so might be rather embarrassing.
Ji Yi glanced at Liang Fang, who was still standing there in a daze and said indifferently, “What a joke. Why don’t you say there’s something wrong with the jade plate as well? Surely you aren’t planning to welsh on your debts?”
Liang Fang had a frail build and there was a tiredness between his brows that made it seem as though he could fall asleep at any moment. He gave a muffled cough before gently persuading them.
“The Young Heir must be joking. These gentlemen are all sons of distinguished nobles. Which one of their families doesn’t have some great figure of considerable standing? How could they possibly refuse to pay over a few rounds of guanpu?”
The several young men: “……”
The two of them sang the same tune, leaving the indignant young men with no choice but to swallow their anger once again.
The Third Prince watched silently from the side, his gaze cold and unreadable as no one could tell what was going through his mind.
Chu Zhaohuai decided to make them lose so thoroughly that they would have no choice but to accept it wholeheartedly.
This time, he took the gold coins in his left hand. With his right hand, he lifted his wide sleeve, exposing an entirely empty forearm. If one looked carefully, there was even a scar on his wrist.
As though teasing a child, he turned his hand over several times, showing both sides.
“Watch carefully… Watch carefully, okay? There’s absolutely nothing in my hand.”
With that, he loosened his fingers.
The gold coins fell onto the table, bouncing and colliding with one another in a chaotic clatter clatter clatter.
Six pure.
Chu Zhaohuai casually picked up another six copper coins from the table.
“Five pure.”
He tossed them without the slightest care.
Five of them landed with the same side facing upward.
Everyone froze.
They stared at Chu Zhaohuai’s hand in disbelief.
It was as though the number of coins showing heads and the number showing tails were completely within Chu Zhaohuai’s control.
The several people who had lost so miserably finally came back to their senses and they were so regretful that they nearly wanted to spit blood.
If they had known this person possessed such skill, how could they possibly have dared to sit down at the gambling table?
After displaying this final trick, Chu Zhaohuai asked with perfect courtesy, “Shall we continue?”
Everyone’s faces darkened but no one said a word.
It was as though they had finally been beaten into complete submission.
Ji Yi had long since had enough of these hypocritical people who acted obsequiously to others in public while sneering behind their backs. However, because they were close to the Third Prince, he had always endured them and kept his temper in check.
Now, seeing several of them looking as though they had just suffered the death of their entire families after losing so badly and knowing that they would probably have to go home and get beaten as well, Ji Yi felt so pleased that he could practically soar into the sky.
He had finally vented all the pent up resentment in his heart.
“If you’re not continuing, then settle the accounts.” For the moment, Ji Yi did not bother concerning himself with exactly who this fake “Chu Zhaojiang” was. He smiled and said, “Someone seemed to have said earlier that they would sign an IOU, didn’t they? Come, Liang Fang, write one out and have Young Master Qin and the others sign it.”
Young Master Qin: “……”
The others exchanged glances.
Naturally, none of them wanted to sign such a humiliating IOU. One after another, they turned their gazes toward the Third Prince.
The Third Prince narrowed his eyes and smiled.
“Why are you all looking at me? A wager is a wager. If you lose, you pay. The Princess Consort’s skill is truly admirable. Surely you aren’t actually planning to welsh on your debts?”
The faces of the several young men went pale.
In the end, they could only grit their teeth and start writing the IOUs.
Ji Yi finally breathed a sigh of relief and secretly glanced toward Chu Zhaohuai.
The man was still sitting there quietly.
Even the thick cloak could not conceal his excessively slender figure. His eyes were lowered and he did not even spare a glance at the table overflowing with gold and silver. His fingers idly rubbed the six gold coins, giving him the detached, cool demeanor of some worldly master who had long since seen through the ways of the mortal world.
The worldly master was thinking:
These gold coins are really nice. If I just slip them into my pocket, no one will notice. When I get home, I’ll find a shop and have them melted down into a gold lock. I’ll have “May Wealth Come at First Sight” carved on the front and “Peace Throughout the Land” carved on the back. Then, when I die someday, I can take it into the coffin with me.
After letting his imagination run wild for a while and thoroughly indulging himself in the fantasy, Chu Zhaohuai finally returned the gold coins.
From the entire table piled with gold and silver, he only took back the jade pendant that belonged to him.
There were too many charcoal braziers burning inside the pavilion of the pleasure boat, making it somewhat difficult to breathe.
Chu Zhaohuai was already seasick and his head was still faintly spinning. He placed one hand against the table and rose, intending to go outside for some fresh air.
Ji Yi froze.
He immediately reached out and grabbed,
Just as his hand was about to catch the sleeve, the Young Heir suddenly remembered the entire pocketful of snacks hidden inside it.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
He changed direction and grabbed the edge of Chu Zhaohuai’s cloak instead.
“Chu… wait.”
Chu Zhaohuai lowered his head.
“What is it?”
Ji Yi looked slightly uncomfortable as he asked, “Aren’t you going to take the gambling stakes you won?”
Chu Zhaohuai’s entire face seemed to be saying:
Please don’t get me into trouble.
Gambling was prohibited by the imperial court!
Although he had been dragged into this game against his will this time, if he accepted the stakes and someone reported him afterward, there would be both witnesses and physical evidence.
The punishment was one hundred strokes of the cane.
Chu Zhaohuai was not particularly attached to the money he had won from the wager. He calmly put on an air of someone who regarded wealth as nothing more than dirt.
“No need. It’s just a little bit of loose silver. Take it and spend it.”
Ji Yi: “……”
The moment those words left his mouth, even Chu Zhaohuai himself was startled.
In his entire lifetime, he had actually managed to say something like that.
He could die without regrets now.
The corner of Ji Yi’s lips twitched. He had a strong feeling that this man was only putting on an act, after all, the last time they had met, he had even used a handful of dried fruit as a perfunctory meeting gift.
Faced with a table covered in gold and silver, even a young heir like Ji Yi, who had grown up surrounded by fine clothes and exquisite food, could not help being tempted yet he…
Or could it be…
Ji Yi’s eyes shifted slightly as he stared straight at Chu Zhaohuai.
Could it be that this man had merely wanted to vent Ji Yi’s anger for him and had never intended to win the money at all?
The heat and steam had made Chu Zhaohuai’s head somewhat dizzy but he still remembered his manners. He inclined his head respectfully toward the Third Prince, who was still sitting there with a half smile on his face, his expression a mixture of amusement and wounded pride.
“Your Highness, I’m feeling a little seasick. I’ll step outside for some fresh air.”
The Third Prince smiled, several words slipping out from between his teeth.
“Your Highness, do as you please.”
Chu Zhaohuai turned around and was about to leave.
Suddenly, Ji Yi grabbed him by the wrist.
Chu Zhaohuai froze.
He had almost forgotten. This little brat had set up a trap today specifically to take revenge on him.
His head was spinning and his vision was blurred but Chu Zhaohuai immediately became vigilant, bracing himself for whatever scheme Ji Yi had prepared.
…Only to see Ji Yi grab a handful of gold from the table, keep his face tightly drawn and stuff it directly into Chu Zhaohuai’s sleeve.
Chu Zhaohuai instantly became wary.
Was this guy planning to plant stolen goods on him and then get off the boat to report him?!
Before Chu Zhaohuai could shake out his sleeve and throw the gold away, Ji Yi said in a muffled voice, “These… these are mine. Keep them.”
Chu Zhaohuai’s movements halted.
He looked at him in confusion.
Perhaps the charcoal fire was simply too hot. Ji Yi’s face was flushed bright red, the blush almost reaching the tips of his ears. His pupils darted around rapidly, while the hand clutching the gold trembled uncontrollably.
He looked exactly like someone suffering from restlessness and excessive internal heat caused by yin deficiency.
Chu Zhaohuai clicked his tongue inwardly.
Young as he was, his body was already so weak.
Since Ji Yi had willingly given the gold to him in front of everyone, it could not be considered stolen property and Chu Zhaohuai had never been one to have a problem with money.
He happily tucked the gold into his sleeve, supported himself against the door and went outside.
Only after watching him leave did Ji Yi finally let out a breath of relief.
Beside him, the Third Prince gave a smile that did not reach his eyes.
“Looks like the Princess Consort’s dowry really is quite substantial. He doesn’t even think much of such a small amount of money.”
Ji Yi frowned slightly and turned his head to look at him.
Why had the Third Prince been targeting Chu… the Prince Consort at every turn today?
Regardless of who this impostor really was, there was a very high chance he belonged to the Zhenyuan Marquis’s residence. Marquis Zhenyuan, Chu Jing, was also on good terms with the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Prince’s faction and his father had been fighting each other in the imperial court without shedding so much as a drop of blood yet had they gone so far as to start targeting their own people?
Something about this was very strange.
He would have to tell his father about it after returning, as well as about the matter of the “impostor Chu Zhaojiang”…
Should he report that at the same time?
Ji Yi fell into deep thought.
Liang Fang yawned, his movements slow and languid as he finished writing the IOUs and had the others sign their names.
Hearing the Third Prince deliberately sneer at Ji Yi, Young Master Qin seemed to have found someone to lean on. Unable to resist, he immediately spoke in a sarcastic tone.
“The heir really is broad minded. Your former enemy has become your stepmother yet you can still get along peacefully. Even the Minghu Opera Troupe couldn’t come up with a plot this exciting.”
“You should worry about yourself first.” Ji Yi looked at him coldly. “Young Master Qin, you’ve lost so much money today. I’m afraid you won’t have any money left to watch an opera for the next year or two.”
“You!”
Ji Yi saw that Liang Fang was already so sleepy that his eyelids were drooping. He could not be bothered to waste any more time dealing with them. He gathered up the gold, silver and IOUs on the table, then inclined his head.
“It’s getting late. I’ll leave this pavilion to Your Highness to enjoy the lake view. Liang Fang and I will go somewhere else first.”
The Third Prince: “Mm.”
He did not even bother with the usual polite pleasantries anymore.
Ji Yi did not care in the slightest. He grabbed Liang Fang and turned to leave.
Just as he opened the door, Young Master Qin, unable to swallow the humiliation he had suffered, deliberately lowered his voice and whispered to the people beside him loudly enough for Ji Yi to hear.
“Some people can only act arrogant for a little while longer. Once that killing god dies, that useless coward who can’t even hold up the family’s reputation will have nothing left to do but wait for death.”
The howling wind carried those words straight into Ji Yi’s ears.
Young Master Qin had done it deliberately.
The Emperor was already old, while the Crown Prince held down the Eastern Palace. Ji Xun’s identity was special and he also possessed the formidable military authority guarding the borders.
In the eyes of everyone in the capital, there were choices available to anyone else.
Only he had nowhere to retreat.
He had no choice but to fight.
Either he died, or he would rise like a hidden dragon breaking through the clouds.
To everyone watching, Ji Xun was already a dying man.
Once the Prince of Jing died, Ji Yi would have no chance of surviving either.
There had been many occasions before when people clearly knew Ji Yi was standing outside the door yet they had deliberately insulted and humiliated him anyway.
Because they all understood perfectly well that although Ji Yi looked fierce and arrogant, he was actually nothing more than a paper tiger. He simply did not dare cause trouble for Ji Xun in the capital.
Once, then again and then again.
Each time, their courage grew.
Ji Yi stood rigidly in the doorway, his entire body stiff. His jaw was clenched so tightly that he was almost biting his lower lip until it bled.
Liang Fang’s brows drew tightly together.
With the Third Prince present, no matter how furious Ji Yi was, he could only pretend that he had not heard anything.
Liang Fang gently tugged at Ji Yi and spoke in a low voice.
“Let’s go.”
Ji Yi drew in a deep breath and supported Liang Fang as he stepped over the threshold.
A burst of laughter immediately came from behind them.
There was something strangely cold in Ji Yi’s expression as he spoke calmly.
“You go sleep in the room next door for a while. I’ll come over later.”
Liang Fang froze.
“Heir, what are you going to do…? Don’t be impulsive.”
As soon as Ji Yi finished speaking, he turned around.
Liang Fang was startled.
“A Yi!”
“Bang!”
The carved wooden door was slammed shut from the inside.
With an expressionless face, Ji Yi strode forward.
In full view of everyone, he showed no mercy whatsoever. He raised his leg and viciously kicked Young Master Qin straight in the chest, sending him reeling backward.
A loud clatter rang out.
Young Master Qin crashed into the table, overturning it in a miserable heap before falling heavily to the ground.
For a moment, no one managed to react.
Even the Third Prince stared blankly, utterly stunned that Ji Yi, who had always swallowed his anger and endured the humiliation in silence, had actually dared to strike someone openly in front of everyone.
Young Master Qin had been kicked so hard that he was completely dazed. His chest churned with a violent surge of blood and before he could even steady himself, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
His hands trembling, he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. It took him a long moment to recover from the shock before he finally came to his senses and shouted furiously, “Ji Yi! What are you doing!”
Ji Yi immediately grabbed the small stool beside him and swung it at the people trying to stop him from either side, knocking them away. The veins on his arms bulged as he pressed Young Master Qin, who had been unable to dodge in time, firmly against the floor.
The young man had not yet fully grown into his adult frame. At this moment, he was charging forward on nothing but the reckless, pent up force in his chest that had nowhere else to vent.
Ji Yi looked down at him from above. His eyes were filled with nothing but an overwhelming, bone chilling coldness. His lips moved as he spoke, each word clear and deliberate.
“What did you just call my father? Say it again.”
…..
On the corridor outside the pleasure boat.
Chu Zhaohuai listlessly draped himself over the railing, trying to get some air but the moment he looked down at the rippling, glittering surface of the lake, he nearly became dizzy enough to throw up again.
With some difficulty, he stuffed a piece of preserved plum from his sleeve into his mouth. The sourness rushed straight into his head and only then did he feel somewhat better.
Chu Zhaohuai prepared to get down to business.
Once they got off the pleasure boat later, Ji Yi would certainly take him back to the Prince’s residence. This brief stretch of time was probably the only chance he would have to move about freely.
Chu Zhaohuai had already made up his mind to take advantage of this opportunity to spread a few rumors about “Chu Zhaojiang.” After wandering along the corridor for a while, he spotted a young servant carrying a tray and beckoned him over.
Money could make even ghosts turn a millstone.
Besides, he had so much money now. He refused to believe that he could not use it to get those rumors spread.
“Bang!”
It sounded as though someone was fighting?
Chu Zhaohuai paid it no attention and continued tugging the servant along, chattering away.
……
Bang, bang, bang…
Accompanied by screams and furious curses, waves of commotion were carried into the pavilion by the howling wind and snow, the noise making one’s head ache.
Yin Chongshan placed the chilled wine on the small table and looked toward the window.
“Prince, it seems they’re fighting next door. Should we…”
It was the bitterest part of winter, with the cold reaching deep into the bones. Charcoal braziers burned inside each of the dozens of pavilions on the pleasure boat yet this particular room was not merely as cold as an ice cellar, the carved wooden windows had also been left wide open, allowing the north wind, carrying goose feather like snow, to howl straight inside and make the candle flames sway precariously.
Beside the wide open window, Ji Xun reclined against a soft couch, dressed in a loose fitting black single layer robe.
Snow was carried inside by the wind, settling over half his body. One sleeve was already completely soaked through, while beneath his feet lay what appeared to be someone’s blood. The blood slowly spread toward the hem of his black robe, where the bitterly cold wind had already frozen it into a thin layer of frost.
He was listening at the most interesting part of the story and Ji Xun was in an excellent mood. A smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
“No need. Let them play.”
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
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☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Substitute BrideChapter 2 · Chu ZhaojiangChapter 3 · Very safeChapter 4 · He is the prince’s manChapter 5 · It was really hard to refuse their kind invitation.Chapter 6 · Thankfully it was just poisoning.Chapter 7 · Haha, I spit on “golden and jade hall”!Chapter 8 · Are you not satisfied with the homecoming gift?Chapter 9 · You must keep your identity hidden.Chapter 10 · I like whole fish banquetChapter 11 · BankruptChapter 12 · Add some funChapter 13 · FightChapter 14 · Three taels of silverChapter 15 · Go back to restChapter 16 · They’re all spendthrifts.Chapter 17 · Enough for branches and leavesChapter 18 · Rumors can kill peopleChapter 19 · I want to get closer to the prince.Chapter 20 · Why not move in and share a room?Chapter 21 · Ha, I’m not stupid.Chapter 22 Part 1 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 22 Part 2 · Liang Fang’s prescriptionChapter 23 · Be more cautious and vigilantChapter 24 Part 1 · Don’t touch meChapter 24 Part 2 · Don’t touch meChapter 25 Part 1 · Golden NeedleChapter 25 Part 2 · Golden NeedleChapter 26 · To avoid suspicionChapter 27 · Committing numerous evil deedsChapter 28 Part 1 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 28 Part 2 · May I receive the worst possible fortuneChapter 29 · I really didn’t mean to kill youChapter 30 · Protect the prince!Chapter 31 · The bird that fell into the trapChapter 32 · Embracing someone on the couchChapter 33 · The miracle doctor is going home!Chapter 34 · I shouldn’t have wanted to hurt himChapter 35 · A bout of madnessChapter 36 · NightmareChapter 37 Part 1 · SpecialChapter 37 Part 2 · SpecialChapter 38 · Being hunted downChapter 39 · Cause and Bitter FruitChapter 40 · Is he honest and kind?Chapter 41 · I am flattered and overwhelmed.Chapter 42 · No, I want to buy.Chapter 43 Part 1 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 43 Part 2 · When the city gate catches fireChapter 44 · It’s the face of a notorious thiefChapter 45 · Are you trying to comfort me?Chapter 46 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 47 · Thank you, Your Highness!Chapter 48 · It’s delicious!Chapter 49 · SeducingChapter 50 · By imperial decreeChapter 51 Part 1 · Potent MedicineChapter 51 Part 2 · Potent MedicineChapter 52 · Wasn’t it impotence?Chapter 53 · I’m not busy todayChapter 54 Part 1 · Break his legs directlyChapter 54 Part 2 · Break his legs directlyChapter 55 · I really didn’t mean to mess with youChapter 56 · Don’t play the victim when you’re having a medical episodeChapter 57 · Let’s do it one more time!Chapter 58 Part 1 · I’ve got you!Chapter 58 Part 2 · I’ve got you!Chapter 59 · A doctor’s dutyChapter 60 Part 1 · Are you at peace with yourself?Chapter 60 Part 2 · Are you at peace with yourself?