Chapter 13: Not Biting, Just Annoying

“Hey, isn’t this Sixth Lord Sheng, the one who got kicked out on his wedding night? What, thrown out again when returning to the bride’s home?”
“I heard Sixth Lord Sheng was booted from the bridal chamber because Miss Yun found him too weak. Ha! Who would have thought the arrogant Sixth Lord Sheng couldn’t even stand up for himself? Hahaha...”
“Kong Wenjun, you filthy scoundrel, if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth apart!”
Qin Tianbao was itching to rush forward, but Xin Xuetong and Kang Yi held him back tightly.
“Kong Wenjun, is it because I secured a prime marriage into the General’s Mansion that your Kong family’s schemes were thwarted? And you stoop to slandering me like a common street harlot?”
Sheng Xingye wore a composed expression, but inside he wished he could tear Kong Wenjun limb from limb.
So that was why Qin Tianbao and the others stopped him from going to Ruyi House — the whole capital was now buzzing with rumors about his incompetence.
No need to guess who was behind it all — Kong Wenjun, that despicable wretch!
“Slander? Dare you say you weren’t kicked out by Miss Yun on your wedding night?”
Kong Wenjun sneered triumphantly. “And that she found you weak — that’s a tale straight from the palace.”
Ruyi House was the capital’s largest gambling den.
Kong Wenjun’s outburst drew a crowd eager for gossip.
“My goodness, Sixth Lord Sheng is nothing but a silk-stuffed pillow!”
“So what if you’re handsome? My late husband was better off, hehe...”
Being publicly mocked, Sheng Xingye’s anger twisted into a bitter smile.
“Rumors? There are also whispers that you, Kong Wenjun, bully women, seize land unlawfully, accept bribes, and secretly release counterfeit money! Care to admit any of that?”
Each accusation made a twitch cross Kong Wenjun’s lips.
“Nonsense! All lies!”
He shouted fiercely but hollowly. “Sheng, I warn you, if you keep spreading falsehoods, the Duke of Qingguo will sue you for defamation!”
Without waiting for a reply, he lifted his chin and strode away.
“Is that bastard really leaving just like that?”
Qin Tianbao was stunned as Kong Wenjun disappeared from view.
Song Qiming whispered, “Maybe he’s got something to hide.”
A mocking smile curled on Sheng Xingye’s lips.
With such a coward’s heart, does he really think he can challenge me?
Like a toad squatting on a flat stone — it doesn’t bite, but it sure is annoying!
“Let’s go, have a few rounds inside.”
From somewhere on the second floor opposite, Kong Wenjun’s face twisted as he watched Sheng Xingye’s retreating figure. He then beckoned and sent someone out.
Soon after, the man returned.
“Master, it’s taken care of.”
Kong Wenjun smiled sinisterly.
Sheng Xingye, just wait — today I’ll make you flee Ruyi House with your tail between your legs!

“Hey, miss, I think I just saw someone.”
Yun Zhaozhao was strolling when Jin Chui suddenly spoke up.
“Who?”
“Master-in-law.”
Yun Zhaozhao glanced toward the sign across the street.
Ruyi House.
Hmph! Still can’t let it go.
“Let’s go check it out.”
“Great! I’ve never been to a gambling den before!”
Jin Chui’s face lit up with excitement.
Xiao Dao shot her a sharp look and quickly cautioned, “Miss, it’s not appropriate. Gambling dens are full of riffraff — no respectable lady ever goes there.”
“No worries, then I’ll be the first.”
Yun Zhaozhao had made up her mind; Xiao Dao knew further objections were futile.
“Well... to avoid unnecessary trouble, you should disguise yourself.”
“That’s easy. Just dress as a man.”
Jin Chui was confident. She and Miss had done this many times at the border — it was second nature.
Soon, the two completed their disguises and strolled casually toward Ruyi House.
Yun Zhaozhao’s features were sharp and masculine-looking, and Jin Chui was sturdy and battle-hardened; their male disguises were perfectly natural.
Xiao Dao stayed behind as a lookout just in case.

Ruyi House had three levels: two above ground and one below.
The first floor featured dice games, which Yun Zhaozhao barely glanced at before losing interest.
The games were tedious — merely guessing big or small, or comparing points.
She focused instead on finding someone.
After a round, there was still no sign of Sheng Xingye.
“Maybe he’s not on the first floor, but the second?”
Jin Chui guessed.
Yun Zhaozhao shook her head. “The second floor is for treasure gambling. Do you really think a spoiled playboy like him would engage in such high-skill games? Let’s head underground.”
Just as they approached the basement entrance, a burly man blocked their way.
“VIPs only. No outsiders allowed.”
Great, even gambling dens had their social strata.
Yun Zhaozhao asked, “What qualifies as a VIP?”
“You either hold an official rank or have a referral. Do you?”
“No? Then scram!”
“How dare you speak to my mistress like that? You’re asking for trouble!”
Jin Chui raised a fist, but Yun Zhaozhao stopped her, pulling out a silver note for ten thousand taels and waving it. “Now, may I enter?”
“Welcome, honored guest.”
Jin Chui frowned, “He just said money doesn’t grant entry.”
Yun Zhaozhao smiled, “That’s called financial power.”

Once inside the basement, Yun Zhaozhao immediately spotted him.
Not only was his table the loudest and liveliest, but in terms of appearance, Sheng Xingye stood out like a crane among chickens amidst a crowd of sleazy, fanatic gamblers.
She narrowed her eyes at the pile of silver notes before him.
Bastard!
Daring to hide secret funds!
No wonder, as the second son of a duke’s family, he couldn’t possibly have so little wealth.
Surely it wasn’t just the 300 taels he was given today to turn his luck around.
A gambling den was no charity.
“Big! Big! Big!”
Qin Tianbao shouted hoarsely beside him, cheering loudly.
The dealer flipped the dice: big.
“Yeah! We won again!”
“Brother Six, fortune’s finally smiling on you! The five of us lost all 500 taels, and you’re the only winner.”
Sheng Xingye smiled but said nothing.
He gathered the silver and glanced over it lazily. “Boring. Let’s go drink.”
“Hey, Sixth Lord, don’t rush off!”
A few at the table exchanged glances and immediately objected.
“Exactly. Who leaves right after winning? At least play ten more rounds.”
“Who said winners can’t leave?”
Sheng Xingye’s voice was cold. “What, can’t the gambling den afford to lose, or are you sore losers?”
“What kind of talk is that? You won so many rounds and just want to walk away — that’s unfair. How about the last three rounds?”
“Not even one. I’m done playing. What can you do about it?”
Sheng Xingye started to leave.
The others exchanged looks with the dealer, and soon a crowd gathered, blocking his way.
Yun Zhaozhao pushed through the crowd and stepped forward lazily. “Winning several rounds in a row and then just walking away? That’s definitely unfair.”
“Who are you to meddle in Sixth Lord’s business?”
Qin Tianbao growled arrogantly.
Sheng Xingye glanced at the encircling crowd, then at Yun Zhaozhao, his face dark as iron.
Damn crazy woman!
She even dares to come to a gambling den.
Does she really think wearing men’s clothes and gluing on a fake mustache will fool anyone?
With her sharp, infuriating tone and that bulky brute by her side, anyone familiar would recognize them instantly!