Chapter 447: Chapter 445: Sister Shen Bets on Young Master Huo to Win
Gui Quan and De Sun presented the bow and arrow to Lu Ying.
The bow and arrow he customarily used were coated in green lacquer with gold accents, exceedingly heavy, and ordinary people would find it near impossible to draw.
Huo Mingxu also participated in this archery contest.
The young man carried his bow and arrow on his back and approached with excitement, saying, "Cousin, I heard from Sister that the prize for the first place is a dagger with gemstone carvings. I’m in desperate need of a handy dagger, so I must win this competition! Even if you’re my opponent, Cousin, I won’t show any mercy!"
The noble sons in the Capital were unwilling to include him in their games, and he was practically suffocating from boredom!
Upon hearing that there’d be an archery competition at the Spring Banquet, he had practically run all the way here!
Lu Jiazhe, dressed in a fitted archery outfit, also approached.
He tugged on the bowstring lightly, smiling as he said, "Imperial Brother’s archery skills are unparalleled; I’m afraid even those young generals won’t be able to contend with him. Young Master Huo, if you think you can gain an advantage over my Imperial Brother, that might be wishful thinking!"
"Well, you won’t know until you try, will you?" Huo Mingxu, insistent on proving himself, nudged Lu Jiazhe with his elbow. "If you win the prize, are you planning to give it to some young lady you fancy, or keep it for yourself?"
Lu Jiazhe’s handsome face broke into a roguish grin. "That’s a secret!"
"Tsk!" Huo Mingxu turned to Lu Ying and asked, "And you, Cousin? If you win, will you give the dagger to Sister?"
They were standing quite close to the viewing platform.
Wen Kuixiang noted with flattery, "If His Majesty wins, he’ll surely present the prize to the Empress."
Huo Mingyan smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping subtly across Shen Yinning.
No matter how indulgent Cousin was toward Shen Yinning in private...
In public, she was still the one who couldn’t be shown in the light of day.
She raised her chin haughtily, her fleeting expression treating Shen Yinning with the disdain of viewing a mere plaything.
As the contest was about to commence, Liao Lili began organizing a betting activity on the sidelines.
Haitang leaned close to Shen Yinning and whispered, "As per your prior instructions, Shopkeeper Wen Liluo has coordinated with Madam Liao, asking her to ensure Shen Yunxi indulges in eating, drinking, playing, and gambling. In return, Seven Treasures Pavilion will cover all her expenses, including acquiring properties and farmland, and supply her with Four Seasons Pearl Hairpins and Brocade.
"At first, Madam Liao intentionally lost over a hundred thousand taels of patterned silver to Shen Yunxi. Then, she controlled her wins and losses, and now she has regained around a hundred thousand taels. Shen Yunxi has become addicted to gambling. On an occasion as grand as today, she’s sure to bet again. Does the Commandery Princess wish to follow suit?"
Follow the bet, leverage it further, and increase the winning and losing odds...
Shen Yinning glanced across the field.
Shen Yunxi, dressed in luxurious finery, was surrounded by a group of amiable official wives. She was eating, drinking, laughing, and occasionally glancing into the field at Lu Ying, her face filled with admiration and pride.
She murmured softly, "How much has Shen Yunxi bet on Lu Ying?"
Haitang held up five fingers. "Five thousand taels."
Shen Yinning chuckled lightly. "Bet twenty thousand taels of patterned silver on Huo Mingxu."
"Huo Mingxu?" Haitang froze for a moment, then immediately nodded. "I understand."
She went to arrange it right away.
The activity among the women naturally caught Huo Mingyan’s attention as well.
When she learned that Shen Yinning had placed two thousand taels of patterned silver on Huo Mingxu, her brows knitted tightly.
Han Sang muttered indignantly, "These Capital ladies are truly extravagant, without the slightest notion of restraint! To squander so much money on such a frivolous matter—when have we, women beyond the borders, ever been so profligate?! Your Grace should truly punish them severely!"
Huo Mingyan pursed her lips into a tight line.
More than half the young ladies in the Capital were involved in gambling.
To reprimand them now would be to make enemies of them all.
While she had no fondness for the delicate antics of the women here, she wasn’t foolish enough to act on impulse.
Besides...
She cast another complex glance at Shen Yinning.
Shen Yinning dared to bet on her brother achieving victory.
Did she not fear upsetting her cousin?
After a long pause, Huo Mingyan finally instructed, "Go to my private treasury and take out five hundred taels of patterned silver. Bet on Cousin to win."
Han Sang froze for a moment before hastily bowing and complying.
Wen Kuixiang, ever deferential to Huo Mingyan, followed her lead without hesitation.
She glanced at Han Sang’s quickly retreating back and said warmly, "From the moment I entered the palace, I have been showered with Your Grace’s favor. I have no way to repay it, so let me bet in Your Grace’s name—fifty thousand taels of snowflake-patterned silver on His Majesty. After all, Your Grace is the ruler of the harem, revered throughout the realm. How could money’s value render you inferior to a mere Commandery Princess?"
Fifty thousand taels of snowflake-patterned silver!
Huo Mingyan’s throat bobbed slightly.
She had never seen such an astronomical sum in her entire life.
Her peripheral vision caught sight of Wen Kuixiang’s expression, caught somewhere between a smile and solemnity. "I understand your thoughtfulness, my dear. But gambling is an indulgence for fun, and excessive amounts can ruin relationships. Today’s wager is just a lighthearted game among sisters. Winning or losing money is trivial—damaging friendships, however, is a price too high to pay."
"Your Grace, I must disagree." Wen Kuixiang replied respectfully, "Even if just fifty thousand taels of snowflake-patterned silver, Your Grace needn’t regard it as significant—nor would I. It’s merely for fun. Losing it all would matter little if it could elicit Your Grace’s laughter, making the expense worthwhile."
The implication was clear—she would bear complete responsibility even if she lost every tael.
This earned Wen Kuixiang her first genuine look from Huo Mingyan. Taking her hand warmly, Huo Mingyan smiled and said, "You are indeed different from the Capital ladies. Your temper and disposition are very much to my liking. When you’re free, feel free to visit Kunning Palace and keep me company."
Wen Kuixiang brimmed with joy, hurriedly curtsying in gratitude.
This rousing interaction caught the attention of bystanders as well.
Xue Mianmian couldn’t help but gasp audibly. "Fifty thousand taels! That’s no small fortune!"
"Who could argue?"
Shen Yinning curved her lips subtly, her gaze landing inconspicuously on Liao Lili.
As the bookmaker of the day, Liao Lili immediately approached Shen Yunxi to pour her tea with practiced grace. "Dear Consort Rong, I heard that the Empress has wagered fifty thousand taels of snowflake-patterned silver on His Majesty!"
Shen Yunxi scoffed coldly and sneered, "If not for my feigned pregnancy back then angering the Empress Dowager, how could she have claimed that place as Empress? A mere fifty thousand taels—what does she have to flaunt?"
"Then..." Liao Lili lowered her voice suggestively, "Dear Consort Rong, would you like to up your wager?"
"Raise it!" Shen Yunxi replied without hesitation, "However much she bets, I’ll bet the same!"
"Your Grace!" Lianxin cautioned, "She is the Central Palace Empress, while you are but a consort. By the rules, you cannot match her equally, still less exceed her bet!"
Liao Lili sighed, "Indeed. Even coming from beyond the border, she is now an Empress, unlike us common women. It’s only natural for you to defer below her status."
The more she spoke, the more discontent Shen Yunxi grew, her breathing growing heavier. "Did you not hear me say to raise it? Do you think I can’t afford it? Now get to it already!"
Always quick-tempered, Shen Yunxi’s chest heaved with frustration, her face flushed with anger. Only when her gaze fell upon the young man in a golden coronet and dark robes in the field did her spirit slightly recover.
Whether riding or shooting, His Majesty was unparalleled.
Who else could triumph in this contest but him?
To her, betting on him, no matter the amount, was a guaranteed win—not merely for wealth but also to showcase her devotion to him.
She brushed her golden hairpin, a seductive smile spreading across her features.
Meanwhile, in the field—
Upon hearing about the side-stage uproar, Lu Jiazhe couldn’t help but tease, "Imperial Brother, your fortune truly knows no bounds. I’ve just heard that both the Empress and Consort Rong have each bet fifty thousand taels on you. Such extravagance!"
Lu Ying remained expressionless, his cold eyes fixed on the archery attempts from the young generals.
Lu Jiazhe’s smile deepened, as if determined to stir up more chaos. "However, I also heard that Sister Shen bet twenty thousand taels on Young Master Huo to win."
As soon as the words fell, the air in their surroundings seemed to grow chilly.
Only then did Lu Jiazhe realize the peril of his jest. Clearing his throat awkwardly, he quickly slinked away.