Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Wager

Leng Jiu had come out for a leisurely break, finding the teahouse to her liking. The vegetarian dishes were light and tasty, and the tea was top-quality Longjing. Located at the end of an alley beside a serene river, with a gentle breeze and willows swaying, it was an ideal place for afternoon tea, though it was not her intended destination.

Dressed in white brocade men's attire, a jade crown on her head and boots on her feet, her tall figure was not at all awkward in men's clothing. With red lips and white teeth, and still bearing a woman's features, she carried a sharp and commanding air in her eyebrows. Her swift, unhesitating movements were nothing like the local women, making her appear as a stunning, androgynous youth.

Leng Jiu was very pleased with her appearance. Stunning in women's attire and handsome in men's, truly appealing to all. The only downside was the tight chest binding, which was uncomfortably suffocating.

She halted under a signboard, hearing the thunderous shouts from inside – "Big, big, big!" "Small, small, small!" "Open!" This was indeed where she intended to be today, the gambling house of this world.

If asked about her skills in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, she would admit to lacking in all. However, when it came to gambling, she was confident few could rival her. The pillar of her underworld family's business was casinos and nightclubs, and she had practically grown up in casinos. While other children were just starting school with their backpacks at seven or eight, she was already winning villas in gambling houses!

Now, she was the Empress Dowager, living a life without worries for food or clothing, and of unparalleled dignity. Yet, to her, these were but illusions, mere reflections in the water, mere shadows in the mirror. The status granted by others was ephemeral, and only what was held in one's own hands was truly theirs. That's why she set her sights on this world's gambling houses – her old profession. Neither power nor status was as tangible as money. Her late father used to say, 'Money is omnipotent; with it, nothing is impossible.' She found these words crude and unrefined, but after encountering the core of the Tao family, she agreed. Money was indeed omnipotent – with enough of it, you could buy a country, and all powerful people would become your slaves.

Thinking of her father, Leng Jiu sighed. She had been dead for so long, he probably didn't know. She wondered in which mistress's arms he had passed out drunk now.

Shaking off these thoughts, Leng Jiu stepped into the gambling house. Ancient gambling dens were not as varied as modern ones. The most common games were dice, perhaps Pai Gow, but not many others. She recalled from history there were also cockfighting and cricket fighting, but that was about it.

Inside, everyone's eyes were glued to the gambling tables, paying no attention to those entering. Leng Jiu found a spot to stand, her gaze sweeping over all the tables. She felt a lack of interest – compared to modern casinos, this place was no match. The gamblers were mostly burly men, opting to stand rather than sit, their faces red and necks swollen from exertion, lacking any elegance. She had no interest in joining them.

Just as she was about to leave, disinterested, the only door opposite the staircase suddenly opened. A man was dragged out by two others and tossed down the stairs. The tumble down a dozen steps was not fatal, but bleeding and bruises were common, especially when thrown with such force.

This commotion finally caught the attention of the gamblers, but only for a moment before they returned to their games.

"Another one bites the dust!"

"Exactly, no skills but still daring to play – lucky not to have broken limbs!"

Leng Jiu's interest piqued, she tapped the shoulder of a man who had just spoken, "Big brother, can I ask you about something?"

"What's all the fuss about? Can't you see I'm..." His annoyance vanished as a cool object was placed in his hand. Looking down, he saw a ten-tael silver ingot and immediately smiled, facing a noble-looking young man, "What would you like to ask, young master?"

Leng Jiu pointed to the room, "What's going on in there?"

"Don't you know, young master? That's our gambling god, the young master of this casino. His skills are unmatched; he never loses. Many challengers come, but all end up like the one just now – swaggering in, then thrown out. Are you thinking of challenging him too?"

"Why not?"

"Well, there's no harm in trying, but I'd advise against it. A pretty young master like you being thrown out wouldn't be a pretty sight!"

Leng Jiu smirked mischievously, casually picking up a dice cup with six dice inside, giving it a gentle shake, "That's what makes it interesting!"

As Leng Jiu ascended the staircase with the dice cup in hand, some scoffed, "Here goes another one asking for trouble!"

"Such a handsome young master, what a pity!"

"Don't wet your pants in there!"

"Hahaha!"

Ignoring the chatter below, Leng Jiu ascended the final step and entered as the door slowly opened. Inside, besides two burly guards, there was only a man in his thirties sitting on a couch. With a square face, high cheekbones, and a mustache that lent a somewhat comical touch to his stern features, he exuded a businessman's air. His small eyes narrowed slightly, exuding a sense of authority, but this was quickly replaced by disdain and contempt, clearly underestimating Leng Jiu.

Leng Jiu had encountered many such people who thought themselves unparalleled, looking down on everyone with arrogance. She relished dealing with such types, as the shock and unwillingness on their faces when she bested them was particularly satisfying.

Placing the dice cup on the table, she greeted with a bow, "I am Leng Jiu. I request your guidance, sir!"

The young casino owner barely acknowledged her, seeing her as just another delicate, pampered young master putting on airs for amusement, lacking real substance: "What shall we bet on?"

Leng Jiu sat down opposite him, shaking the dice cup, "How about guessing the dice numbers?"

"Whatever! Child's play!"

Leng Jiu smiled, "But not just high or low. I'll shake, you guess. If you guess right, I lose; otherwise, you lose. We'll take turns, best of three rounds. How does that sound?"

Finally, a flicker of emotion crossed the man's face, "Fine!"

With his agreement, Leng Jiu didn't rush to start but suggested, "Since it's gambling, we should have a wager. And with just us here, it's hardly fair. Why don't we go downstairs and let everyone witness?"

The man scoffed, "What makes you think you have the right to demand that I go downstairs?"

Leng Jiu picked up the dice cup, gave it a quick shake, and slammed it on the table, revealing six sixes neatly aligned! As he was just processing this, she swiftly scooped the dice back into the cup, shook it rapidly, and opened it again to reveal a straight sequence from one to six! Seeing this, the young casino owner's expression finally turned serious.