She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 422 - 421

Chapter 422: 421

The owner of Tianxiang Gambling House could not be considered handsome, only an ordinary man.

Dressed in a black and gold robe, he was currently fiddling with the plaything in his hand, his narrow eyes filled with calculating shrewdness.

One could tell at a glance that he was a person who often rose and fell in the business associations.

When Yan Wanqing and Yan Hongzhao appeared, a normal person’s eyes would flash with astonishment and appreciation.

But the young owner of Tianxiang Gambling House merely glanced at them briefly before shifting his gaze to Ji Yuntai.

"Someone, bring chairs," he said with a smile as he stared at Ji Yuntai. "I go by the surname Qin, with the simple given name Xiao. You may call me Qin Xiao."

"Mr. Qin is too courteous, I am Ji Yuntai," Ji Yuntai avoided the hand that Qin Xiao had extended and sat down with a smile.

Qin Xiao, seeing this, did not get angry and gracefully retracted his hand.

At this moment, Yan Wanqing and Yan Hongzhao sat down beside Ji Yuntai.

This was a long-shaped table, with Ji Yuntai sitting directly across from Qin Xiao.

"I’ve been watching for a while upstairs, Brother Yuntai seems quite skilled," Qin Xiao began the conversation. "Have you practiced before?"

"Not really, just lucky, I suppose."

"Lucky enough to win more than a dozen games in a row?" Qin Xiao mused, reflecting on reports from his subordinates. "Seems like Brother Yuntai was also here a few days ago."

"Right, I played a few games. It’s quite funny actually; when I left the gambling house, I was arrested by the government office," Ji Yuntai began.

Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, a few days ago one of the croupiers at the gambling house died, quite a pitiful case, both siblings gone. But seeing as Brother Yuntai can still come and go freely, this matter should have nothing to do with you now."

"The government officers caught me because I looked unfamiliar, but luckily, the County Magistrate is an enlightened and martially skilled person. After ascertaining the truth, I was set free," said Ji Yuntai, telling the truth, information Qin Xiao’s informants would have also told him.

Qin Xiao listened and nodded, unsure if he had gleaned the answers he sought, then lifted his gaze to land on Yan Wanqing. "Is this lady already married?"

The topic changed so swiftly that an average person might have been caught off guard.

But who was Yan Wanqing? She smiled faintly and nodded. "Yes."

You look unfamiliar, so you’re not from Luzhou County, out for a leisure trip?"

"My husband was concerned I would get bored at home, so he brought us out to enjoy the mountains and waters. Since Luzhou County is a place blessed with natural beauty, we planned to stay for a few days."

Qin Xiao’s gaze shifted back and forth between Yan Wanqing and Ji Yuntai.

Ji Yuntai knew he had misconstrued.

However, since Yan Wanqing did not explain, there was no need for him to say more, lest he arouse Qin Xiao’s suspicion.

"The lady’s husband is truly considerate," Qin Xiao observed.

"The owner flatters me," said Yan Wanqing, without revealing anything more.

Not a word more than necessary.

Indeed, a relative of Grand Tutor Qin, her mind worked quickly; she believed even if she didn’t spell it out clearly, from the moment she entered the door and agreed to come up to the second floor, all her information must have already been presented before Qin Xiao.

"Just now, I saw Brother Yuntai playing downstairs, and I have been feeling a bit itchy to play as well. Would I be fortunate enough to play a couple of rounds with Brother Yuntai?" Although phrased as a question, the servants had already put the dice on the table.

"There’s no harm," Ji Yuntai nodded in agreement.

Qin Xiao added, "Playing for money is really dull. How about we bet something interesting?"

"For example?" Qin Xiao surely had something planned, which was why he invited him to the second floor.

Ji Yuntai was no coward; he was prepared to face whatever came his way.

Besides, with the future Empress sitting by his side, what was there to fear?

How could Grand Tutor Qin be more significant than Xiao Pingfeng, who was famously dedicated to his wife?

A joke, that was certainly not the case!

Therefore, Ji Yuntai was quite composed; whatever tricks Qin Xiao had up his sleeve, he was ready to face them.

He would meet each challenge head-on.

As expected, Qin Xiao spoke.

"How about betting on people?" Qin Xiao’s gaze moved from Yan Wanqing and settled on Yan Hongzhao’s face.

"Let’s bet on this lady."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the atmosphere in the room dropped several degrees.

Yan Hongzhao remained impassive as ever.

As if she had not heard the words at all.

Because she knew that as long as her elder sister was there, she would absolutely not allow anyone to bully her.

Sure enough, Yan Wanqing’s lips slowly curled up into a smile. That smile was radiant, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to carry a bloodthirsty flavor.

"Do you want to stake my sister as the bet?"

Qin Xiao did not look at her, but instead stared at Ji Yuntai, "Brother Yuntai, what do you think?"

Yan Wanqing’s smile grew even wider upon seeing this.

Interesting.

Yan Hongzhao’s gaze on Qin Xiao was tinged with a hint of sympathy.

This man was doomed.

Elder sister was angry.

And it wasn’t just a little bit of anger.

Daring to stake her as the bet and ignoring her elder sister, did Qin Xiao think he had multiple lives?

Even Ji Yuntai beside them couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Was Qin Xiao mad?

Unable to distinguish between the King of Hearts and the King of Spades?! To speak to Yan Wanqing in such a manner...

He wouldn’t dare!

Moreover, today Yan Wanqing hadn’t even bothered to disguise herself; she had come showing off her face openly in the market—nobody looking at that face could ignore her!

Yet Qin Xiao had actually ignored her.

"Brother Yuntai?" Qin Xiao called out again.

For some reason, Ji Yuntai mentally gave Qin Xiao a thumbs-up.

"We might need to ask the lady about that bet."

He certainly didn’t dare use Yan Wanqing’s sister as a bet, he only had one life.

Who in the world didn’t know that Yan Wanqing was protective?

She had once led her people to annihilate the Divine Church of Light over just a maid.

This was her own sister!

If he agreed, Penglai Island would probably meet its downfall at his hands, Ji Yuntai.

Seeing Ji Yuntai say this, Qin Xiao’s gaze returned to Yan Wanqing, "I had assumed Brother Yuntai had the authority to decide on his own, without needing to consult his wife."

"What an interesting statement, dear owner. Brother Yuntai and I are merely friends; even if we were husband and wife, he couldn’t decide about my sister," Yan Wanqing’s face was brilliant with amusement.

"Do you think that sounds about right, owner?"

Qin Xiao looked at Yan Wanqing and was silent for a while, "Then does the lady agree?"

"Agree? Why wouldn’t I? However," Yan Wanqing paused for a moment: "My sister, I will be the one to bet on her, it has nothing to do with him, Ji Yuntai."

"I didn’t expect the lady to also be a woman of valor," Qin Xiao revealed a smile that was not quite a smile.

Things were getting even more interesting.

"I have put forth a stake, may I ask what about your side, dear owner? If you lose, what will you bet?"

"I, Qin Xiao, have never lost," he replied, spreading his hands.

That really is some bold talk!

Yan Wanqing’s smile deepened.

"So, can I take it that the entire Tianxiang Industrial Chain can serve as the bet?"

Qin Xiao’s eyes flickered with a dangerous light.

But Yan Wanqing didn’t wait for him to speak, immediately saying, "If the young owner doesn’t have such confidence, then we might as well not bet. My sister is a beauty capable of toppling nations, and I’m not willing to stake her."

The subtext was clear, if you are afraid to gamble, don’t play the game!

A trace of indignation crossed Qin Xiao’s face, and he slammed the table, "Let’s bet, then! Who’s afraid of whom?"

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