Under Xiao Yongjing’s stunned gaze, she stepped forward with utter naturalness, hooked her arm through his, and even leaned in close to him with an intimate tilt of her body.
Xiao Yongjing stiffened completely, his lips twitching as he ground out words through clenched teeth in a low voice:
“Song… Yi… Qiu! Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
Xiao Yong? This woman is insane!
Song Yiqiu looked up, her smile unchanged, but her voice dropped so low only the two of them could hear:
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, it seems you wouldn’t want anyone to know you’ve come to a place like this incognito either, would you? Take me inside. Once we’re in, I’ll disappear immediately and won’t cause you any trouble.”
Xiao Yongjing tried to shake her off sharply, his tone icy:
“Why should I?”
The moment he pushed her away, Song Yiqiu immediately took a deep breath and made as if to shout to the surrounding crowd:
“Crown—”
Before the word “Prince” could escape her lips, Xiao Yongjing’s expression changed. Reacting swiftly, he yanked her back toward him with such force that Song Yiqiu stumbled and crashed directly into his chest.
Gritting his teeth, he practically hissed the threat into her ear:
“…Fine! I’ll take you in! But you’d better remember what you said!”
Having succeeded in her scheme, Song Yiqiu looked up from within his embrace, her eyes curved like a little fox’s:
“Deal~”
Xiao Yongjing’s face darkened as he wrapped an arm around Song Yiqiu and turned around, casting a cold glance at the completely dumbstruck attendant.
The attendant snapped to attention, instantly realizing their relationship was far from ordinary. His expression shifted immediately, and he began bowing and scraping to Song Yiqiu, wishing he could swallow his earlier words:
“This lowly one was blind and failed to recognize a distinguished guest! Please be magnanimous, miss! Come right in! Right this way!”
Song Yiqiu triumphantly waved to Baimei and Qingzhu behind her.
Baimei, utterly dumbfounded, pulled along a still-dazed Qingzhu and hurried to catch up. As they passed the attendant, she deliberately snorted loudly.
Just like that, the three of them swaggered inside.
The moment they entered Dousheng Manor, Song Yiqiu promptly and decisively released the Crown Prince’s arm.
“Thank you for your ‘chivalrous assistance,’ Your Highness. You must be busy, so this humble woman won’t disturb you any further.”
Without giving him a chance to react, she grabbed Baimei and Qingzhu and, with a few agile movements, quickly headed deeper into the manor.
Xiao Yongjing stood rooted to the spot, his face alternating between shades of green and white, a vein faintly throbbing at his temple.
The few richly dressed young noblemen who had come with him were already stunned speechless by the scene they had just witnessed—it was the first time they had ever seen the Crown Prince allow a woman to get so close to him.
“Good heavens, Your Highness, who was that just now…? I’ve never seen any woman get within three steps of you.”
“Not only did this young lady get close, she even… hooked her arm through yours? Pinch me, quick—am I dreaming?”
“Exactly, exactly! Your Highness, you’re really not being fair, hiding such a beauty away so secretly. We brothers were starting to worry you might have… certain inclinations, but it turns out you’ve already found such a… uh… spirited and stunning beauty?”
Recalling Song Yiqiu’s actions, he struggled to find a complimentary term.
“Stunning? Spirited? I’d say she’s downright audacious!”
“Your Highness, come on, tell us, which family’s daughter is she? To have such nerve? And to be able to tame a cold-faced Buddha like you? When did you meet? How far has it progressed? Introduce us to her too!”
“Shut up!”
Xiao Yongjing finally squeezed out two words through gritted teeth, his face ashen. The others exchanged glances…
Something's going on! Definitely something going on!
Xiao Yongjing couldn't be bothered with their filthy thoughts. His mind was completely occupied by that woman Song Yiqiu.
He'd actually been publicly threatened by a woman! And forced to help her enter this Dousheng Manor!
This resentment stuck in his chest, neither rising nor falling, leaving him utterly stifled.
He ground his molars, his gaze dark and unreadable as he looked toward the direction where Song Yiqiu had disappeared.
Song Yiqiu… fine, very good.
It seemed he had truly underestimated this cunning woman.
…
Inside Dousheng Manor was another world entirely.
No windows were opened within, with only a few ventilation openings at the top. The surroundings were illuminated by oil lamps of varying brightness.
The air was thick with the strong smells of tobacco and alcohol. In the massive hall, various gambling games were underway.
Dice shaking, dominoes pushing, fighting cocks, and even dog fights in the corners.
People of all walks of life moved through the space – whether noble scions, wealthy merchants, or wandering knights – here there were no social ranks, only gambling tables.
"Damn it! Lost again! Lend me another hundred taels! Just a hundred taels!"
A gambler with bloodshot eyes from losses desperately clutched the dealer's sleeve, pleading.
"Get lost! No silver means chopping off your hand to pay the debt!"
The dealer impatiently shoved him away.
Immediately two burly men stepped forward, expressionlessly hoisting the man up and dragging him toward a back door. Faint sounds of fists and kicks connecting with flesh could still be heard.
Qingzhu had never seen such scenes before, too frightened to move, tightly clutching Song Yiqiu's sleeve:
"Young… young miss… when are we leaving? This place is terrifying…"
Baimei, however, had stars in her eyes as if she'd returned home. Within seconds, she had squeezed up to a dice-throwing table, rolling up her sleeves eagerly:
"Bets placed! Open it! Open it quickly!"
Song Yiqiu moved swiftly, pulling her back from the crowd, whispering:
"We came here for serious business, not for you to gamble."
"Oh…"
Baimei pouted resentfully but obediently followed behind Song Yiqiu, though her eyes kept darting toward the various gambling tables.
Ignoring the lecherous glances from around them, Song Yiqiu led the two straight to the innermost counter.
Behind the counter sat an old accountant working an abacus.
Seeing three young women approach, he clearly hesitated, pushing up his glasses, but remained polite:
"Young ladies, are you here to play, or… need a loan?"
Without further words, Song Yiqiu directly placed the wooden token on the counter.
The old accountant picked up the token, bringing it close to examine it carefully. His expression shifted slightly, his attitude instantly becoming extremely respectful:
"So it's an honored guest! Please wait, young lady, this humble servant will immediately fetch the proprietor!"
After speaking, he immediately stood up and hurried through the curtain into the back hall.
Baimei stared curiously at the wooden token, muttering:
"Huh? Why does this thing seem somewhat familiar?"
Song Yiqiu didn't intend to hide it from her, whispering:
"Do you remember Deputy Officer Zhang?"
"Deputy Officer Zhang?"
Baimei frowned, trying hard to recall,
"Zhang Heze? That guy who left the military camp three years ago saying he had family matters? Why mention him? Is he gambling here too? I knew that fellow was never a steady one! Back in the military camp he used to…"
She suddenly stopped, eyes widening, lowering her voice,
"He even had the audacity to say he wanted to marry you, General!"
Qingzhu, standing nearby, looked as if struck by lightning, jerking her head up abruptly:
"Ah? M-miss…?"
Song Yiqiu coughed awkwardly twice:
"Ahem, that's all in the past, don't bring it up again. This Dousheng Manor was opened by him."
Baimei's mouth fell open in shock:
"Well I'll be! So that kid was actually a wealthy heir hiding his background? Back in the military camp, he acted just like any poor boy!"
Song Yiqiu shot her a glare:
"Don't talk nonsense. We're here on business, we need his help."
Only then did Baimei reluctantly close her mouth, though her eyes still sparkled with gossipy curiosity as she muttered under her breath:
"Tsk tsk, I wonder if you two might rekindle your old flame…"
Qingzhu: "Ah??? Wait, miss you…" Still in a state of continuous shock.