Chapter 17
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Chapter 17: Title
The dealer snorted dismissively. "Of course you wouldn’t know any tricks."
Gu Hengbo clenched her fists. "Then why are you talking nonsense?"
"Not knowing doesn’t mean she doesn’t know," the dealer pointed at Lian Rong behind Gu Hengbo. "What does everyone think?"
Gu Hengbo listened to the noisy discussions of the group and knew that they wouldn’t leave easily today. She looked back at Lian Rong and said, “Say something!”
Lian Rong lightly smiled and found a spot to sit down calmly. After standing for so long, her legs felt a bit sore. It seemed she wouldn’t be able to go to the palace tomorrow.
Gu Hengbo, anxious, almost jumped up. “What act are you putting on?”
Just as Lian Rong wanted to speak, she suddenly felt her throat discomfort. She frowned and asked, “Is there any water?”
“You’re still thinking about drinking water?” Gu Hengbo felt like she could barely hold it together. She glared at the seated Lian Rong, “Are you even a man?”
Lian Rong smiled at the dealer and asked, “Excuse me, can you pour a glass of water? My wife’s throat is sore; let her drink some to soothe it, so you all can continue negotiating.”
The dealer was taken aback but soon had someone bring a glass of water. Lian Rong thanked him, took a sip, and even though it was plain water, in her mouth, it felt like a fine brew. She gently blew on the glass before bringing it to Gu Hengbo’s lips. “Wife, drink some water to soothe your throat; it’s better to have a strong voice during the argument.”
“Who is your wife?” Gu Hengbo held back her urge to roll her eyes. She glared at Lian Rong, wondering what kind of cunning plan this androgynous person was playing. Pretending to be calm—anyone could do that. She took the cup from Lian Rong without hesitation and poured it into her mouth, only to find it almost scalding hot. “Your grandpa, that burned me!”
Lian Rong stood up and half-embraced her, speaking with a tone full of reproach, “I told you to take it slow; you burned yourself, huh? Here, let me blow on it for you.”
Gu Hengbo glared at her and whispered, “Stay away from me.” How shameless! Considering that you are royal and the situation is special, I won’t hold it against you.
“Hey, hey, are you two done being lovey-dovey? Hurry up and hand over the money so you can leave,” someone shouted.
Gu Hengbo pushed Lian Rong away and coldly looked at everyone in the room. “Are you blind or stupid? You know very well we did not cheat; if you escalate this, you will regret it.”
The dealer sneered, “Just a little girl like you thinks you can do anything to us? And calling her wife—everyone look, does she even look like a married woman? She probably is still a virgin, ha ha.”
The crowd burst into laughter at the dealer’s comment.
“Fine, we won’t keep the money. She’s your husband, right? Let her take off her clothes and walk around our place. After we enjoy the view, we might consider letting you go,” someone in the crowd suggested.
“You bastard!” Gu Hengbo clenched her fists and was about to rush forward, but just then, she felt herself pulled back. With a gasp, she saw the mouth of the person who had spoken was stuffed with a porcelain cup—the very one she had just used.
Seeing this, the dealer quickly ordered people to surround them. “You two, knowing no better, dare to cause trouble in our Fula Gambling House. Do you know who our boss is?”
Looking at his smug face, Gu Hengbo felt a strong urge to slap him. “Who cares who your boss is? Just answer me: will you let us go?”
“Oh, the little girl is rather bold. If we let you go, can we justify it to our boss?”
“You—”
“Don’t be anxious.” Lian Rong wrapped her arms around Gu Hengbo’s waist and whispered soothingly in her ear.
In that moment, Gu Hengbo was more concerned about her safety. She hardened her heart and said, “Fine, let’s just give them the money.”
“Do you think giving them money will let us off? Stay still!" Before Gu Hengbo could react, tables and chairs suddenly soared into the air and crashed toward the dealer and his group. In an instant, they were knocked to the ground. Even though they lay on the ground, Lian Rong continued to destroy everything in sight. Gu Hengbo watched in shock as she realized how much the owner of this Fula Gambling House would lose. Many onlookers had already fled in terror; now, besides the two of them, only the gambling house staff remained.
Despite the noise, the gambling house was empty. Outside, a large crowd had gathered, pointing and looking worried, but that was just Gu Hengbo’s perspective.
The dealer stood up, looking like an unkillable cockroach. “Do you know who you’ve messed with?”
It took Gu Hengbo a moment to realize she had almost forgotten Lian Rong was skilled in martial arts, and here she had wasted so much breath. “I detest suspense; just speak up before you choke on it.”
The dealer snorted and gave a look to a thug nearby. That person nodded in understanding and bolted out the door.
“Our boss is none other than the current First Prince.” The dealer’s nose seemed to almost rise to the heavens, and with his battered face, Gu Hengbo couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Not your concern. I’m laughing at you, laughing at you, laughing you to death.” She truly felt years younger. “Dear, do you know who this person beside me is?”
“Your Highness, Qian Yue has finally found you!” A beautiful woman stepped through the crowd and bowed to Lian Rong. It was Qian Yue.
Everyone outside was stunned, and the players inside were also shocked. No one expected that this man, more beautiful than a woman, was actually Prince Rong. Though no one had seen him, they knew Qian Yue wouldn’t lie. The dealer immediately fell to his knees in fear.
Qian Yue naturally knew what was happening. She glanced at Gu Hengbo standing beside her. Lian Rong usually didn’t like to meddle in others’ affairs, but this time, because of this woman, things had escalated so much.
"Your Highness, how should we handle this?"
Lian Rong looked at Gu Hengbo. "You decide."
"Me?" Gu Hengbo pointed at herself in surprise.
Lian Rong nodded. "I suggested we come today, which scared the Second Miss."
Qian Yue silently admired his cleverness; he could even change how he referred to himself.
Gu Hengbo looked at the people sprawled on the ground. Lian Rong had caused quite a stir, and some had been hurt. Her heart softened. "How about we let it go? They just got beaten, it’s not a big deal."
Lian Rong raised an eyebrow. Not a big deal? Who was the one cursing just a moment ago? She probably wished terrible things upon their ancestors and now pretended to be nice.
"Listen up, today, the life you keep is thanks to Miss Gu."
As soon as Lian Rong finished speaking, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but her next words sent them straight to hell.
"Then let’s cut off their tendons and send them away."
Gu Hengbo widened her eyes in shock. Seriously?
The group at the gambling house panicked and repeatedly bowed their heads. The sound echoed throughout the place, making Gu Hengbo want to run away.
Lian Rong smiled, looking at the room full of kneeling people. "Go, plead with Miss Gu. If she doesn’t pursue this matter, then I will show mercy."
The crowd turned to Gu Hengbo, nearly rushing toward her. Gu Hengbo quickly stepped in front of Lian Rong. "Let it be; they were just following that young man’s orders. They haven’t really harmed us."
Lian Rong nodded. "Then we will let them go as you say."
Gu Hengbo sighed in relief. Countless lives at stake, what a burden, but thankfully, she wasn’t a bad person.
"Your Highness, are we letting them all go?" Qian Yue felt something was off about Lian Rong today but couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Lian Rong yawned, seeming a bit tired. She didn’t even look at the trembling people on the ground as she turned to leave. "The dealer’s hands won’t be of any use anyway."
Gu Hengbo took a while to grasp the meaning of her words. By the time she reacted, Lian Rong was already a good distance away. Without thinking, she chased after the figure in purple, just as a scream echoed from the gambling house, making her ears hurt.
