Chapter 203 - 151: What a Pity
Qinghe Gambling House.
It wasn’t the largest gambling house in Shanyang Prefecture, but it was the most influential.
"Shopkeeper, we made a fortune on this Prefecture Examination! A staggering profit of ninety-seven thousand, four hundred and thirty taels! That’s double what we made on the last one!"
Inside a room in the gambling house, thick with the stench of money.
A Servant burst out laughing, his face alight with excitement, as he spoke to the portly old man beside him.
This portly old man was none other than Zhao Wende, the Shopkeeper of the Qinghe Gambling House. He wore a silk and brocade robe and an incredibly valuable jade bracelet on his wrist, the very picture of wealth.
Zhao Wende beamed at the Servant.
"Oh? How did we end up earning so much more this year than in the past?"
The Servant chuckled, eager to present his prize. "It’s all thanks to that Fang Yue, the one the Government Office recommended. His luck during the Prefecture Examination was simply Defying the Heavens—he took fifth place."
"We made over thirty thousand taels of silver on him alone. All the bettors who wagered he’d be eliminated are complaining he just got dog-shit lucky..."
Zhao Wende’s eyes shifted thoughtfully before he spoke. "Go, and on behalf of the gambling house, send this Fang Yue three thousand taels of congratulatory silver. Oh, and right—the one who introduced him? That junior official from the Government Office, the one surnamed Liu. Give him fifty taels of silver for his troubles."
"Yes, sir! Consider it done, Shopkeeper. I’ll make sure it’s handled perfectly."
Zhao Wende nodded in satisfaction, thinking to himself, ’This Fang Yue managed to pass the Prefecture Examination in fifth place. He might be worth getting to know.’
’After all, talent like that is a rare find. If I can win him over, he might just help me expand my influence.’
Just then, before the Servant could even leave the Qinghe Gambling House, he ran right into Liu Chuanzhi.
The Servant was startled and quickly bowed. "Greetings, Lord Liu. Your timing is perfect; you’ve saved me a trip."
Liu Chuanzhi waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. Are you about to send over my silver? I can just pick it up myself. No need for your esteemed house to go to the trouble."
Liu Chuanzhi assumed the Qinghe Gambling House was about to send him the silver he had won, and he was quite pleased.
Even though he was only a junior official in the Government Office, he still had a respectable reputation in the Prefecture City.
At this thought, a smug smile crept onto Liu Chuanzhi’s lips.
Compared to Fang Yue, who had been eliminated from the Prefecture Examination, Liu Chuanzhi felt vastly superior. Although he hadn’t passed the examination to attain a higher scholarly rank and was only a Civil Scholar, his reputation in the Prefecture City was leagues beyond anything Fang Yue could claim.
"We couldn’t possibly let you come in person."
The Servant said with a respectful smile, then took out a silver banknote and handed it to Liu Chuanzhi. "Lord Liu, please accept this."
Liu Chuanzhi accepted the silver banknote. His mood instantly brightened, and his tone softened considerably. "Mm, thank you for your trouble."
"No trouble at all, it’s my duty," the Servant replied, his face wreathed in smiles.
"Your house is as impressive as they say, to issue a banknote for five thousand taels," Liu Chuanzhi said gleefully. As he spoke, he unfolded the banknote. The next moment, the color drained from his face.
"This... How is this possible!" Liu Chuanzhi cried out, his voice thick with disbelief. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
’A fifty-tael banknote?!!’
’How can it only be fifty taels? Is this banknote a misprint? Fang Yue was eliminated. I should have won nearly five thousand taels!’
’How could it only be fifty taels!’
Liu Chuanzhi’s mind was in turmoil, and he kept muttering it to himself.
"Lord Liu, what’s wrong? Are you alright?"
Seeing Liu Chuanzhi’s expression and hearing his muttering, the Servant couldn’t help but ask with feigned concern.
"Tell me, what the hell is going on!"
Liu Chuanzhi snapped back to his senses and roared, glaring at the Servant. ’For the Qinghe Gambling House to steal my silver... they have some nerve!’
The Servant was taken aback by the roar, but his expression immediately turned icy. He let out a cold snort.
"Lord Liu, I only call you ’Lord’ out of courtesy. This is the Qinghe Gambling House. You’d better think carefully before you speak! Accusing us of scamming you? What a joke. Who the hell do you think you are? As if you’re worthy!"
"Insolence! How dare you insult me!"
Liu Chuanzhi flew into a rage. ’I’m a respected official of the Government Office, yet this underling dares to call me a nobody! How can I ever show my face again?!’
But the Servant was not the least bit intimidated, pointing right in his face as he continued, "Hmph, we gave you fifty taels out of respect for your position. But you’re one of those who, when given face, refuses to take it. You just can’t stand to lose, can you?!"
Liu Chuanzhi’s face was livid. "Hmph, how could I lose? Who the hell is Fang Yue? He was eliminated! How could I possibly lose!"
Liu Chuanzhi demanded. He had bet on Fang Yue to be eliminated. By his logic, since his opponent had been eliminated, he should have won.
"Let me enlighten you. That Fang Yue, or rather, Fang Wuju, took fifth place in the Prefecture Examination. Now, would you say he passed or was eliminated?!"
"You’re lying! You’re trying to trick me! Damn it, how could he have passed? It’s impossible! Impossible!" Liu Chuanzhi screamed, his eyes filled with panic.
The next moment, his expression turned wild, and he looked like a madman.
Then, his eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed backward.
When he staggered to his feet again, his hair was disheveled. He stumbled out of the gambling house, only to trip and fall into a nearby cesspool. He was caked in yellow muck, dripping with sewage.
~~~~~~
"He passed? Fang Yue actually passed!"
「Somewhere in Shanyang Prefecture, inside a tavern.」
Widow Yu leaned against the railing, gazing at the red list posted in the distance. From her vantage point, she could clearly see Fang Yue’s name.
Her incomparably beautiful, voluptuous figure stood by the window. Her red dress fluttered in the wind, and her long, black hair cascaded over her shoulders. A peculiar glint shone in her beautiful eyes.