Schemes Of A Flower

Hua Yan looked at Manager Cheng's hesitant and horrified expression, her beautiful face slightly raising her brows as she looked at him.

Could it be that after she dominated the scene, passed through five levels and cut down six generals, and stormed from the first floor to the third, having toiled for the better part of the day and with night falling, all her hard work was for naught, as she wouldn't even get to see the Nine Great Gamblers?

Seeing Manager Cheng sweating profusely from his forehead under her gaze and remaining silent for a long time, she asked with a sly smile, "What's the matter? Aren't the Nine Great Gamblers the pride of Shunfang Gambling House? Rumor has it that if someone makes it past the nine bankers on the third floor, they would get to see the Nine Great Gamblers. Could it be that the rumor is false, that it's all empty talk?"

Manager Cheng felt a mixture of anger and bitterness inside, and though he tried to put on a smile, he couldn't manage it. After a while, his voice came out a bit stiff, "That is indeed said, but although the Nine Great Gamblers have been listed at the Shunfang Gambling House for many years, no one has broken through the third floor's nine bankers. Thus, the Nine Great Gamblers seldom come by the Shunfang Gambling House, especially today with the lady's unexpected visit... the Nine Great Gamblers... are not here."

Hua Yan laughed, "So it's not that there aren't any, but that the Nine Great Gamblers do exist. That's good to know. Since they have their names listed at the Shunfang Gambling House, they must be waiting for someone to break through the third floor's nine bankers at all times. This means they must be somewhere in the Capital City. Just send someone to invite them over. I don't have much, but I have plenty of time, so waiting for them will be no issue."

Manager Cheng was momentarily at a loss for words.

Qiuyue, seeing his apparent attempt to dodge the issue, would have none of it and glared as she shouted, "What are you waiting for? Are the Nine Great Gamblers of the renowned Shunfang Gambling House just a joke? Though the name of Shunfang Gambling House may be well-known far and wide, is it merely a paper tiger that can't stand up to scrutiny?"

Manager Cheng's face changed instantly as he retorted sharply, "What are you saying? How could the Shunfang Gambling House, known far and wide, deceive people? Of course, the Nine Great Gamblers truly exist."

Qiuyue couldn't be bothered to waste her words, "Then quickly bring them here! Why all the pointless chatter? Can't you see that it's getting dark? Your Shunfang Gambling House may operate day and night, but after meeting the Nine Great Gamblers, my mistress still needs to return home for dinner."

Manager Cheng looked at the master and servant, one with a sly smile and the other with a scornful shout. Inside the third floor were many onlooking gamblers. As Hua Yan played, many realized her skills in gambling were formidable, and they stopped their own games to watch the excitement. After she won against all nine bankers, pairs of eyes lit up with disbelief and now, they watched eagerly, looking forward to seeing the Nine Great Gamblers of Shunfang Gambling House, having anticipated their arrival in the legends.

His back was already drenched with sweat when he suddenly remembered what Hua Yan had said about wanting to meet the Nine Great Gamblers when they first met. He had taken it as a joke at the time, but now the truth was right before his eyes. Today, she had clearly come for the Nine Great Gamblers, and she would not be satisfied with just taking away the winnings. Moreover, those who managed to get to the third floor were no small fry; countless eyes were watching, and he had no choice but to summon them. Otherwise, it would confirm that Shunfang Gambling House had indeed deceived the world.

With a fierce clenched jaw, he shouted, "Someone, go and invite the Nine Great Gamblers!"

Someone answered, their face pale as they hurriedly ran downstairs and quickly left.

Manager Cheng managed to compose himself and said to Hua Yan, "Lady, please wait a moment. The Nine Great Gamblers do not reside together and might take some time to arrive." Looking up at the sky, he said, "It seems inevitable that the lady will not make it back in time for dinner."

Hua Yan smiled radiantly and replied casually, "No matter. It's fine for me to eat here, and whatever food was prepared at home can simply become a late-night snack." With that, she surveyed the crowd of onlookers, her gaze finally resting on a handsome youth of about twelve or thirteen, to whom she said with a smile, "Young brother, would you mind running downstairs to buy some food from the best restaurant in town for me? The silver is negotiable."

The young boy had been in awe of Hua Yan's gambling skills, but now snapped back to reality at her words. He looked at her smiling face, was momentarily speechless.

Qiuyue pulled out five hundred-silver banknotes from her bosom and handed them to him, adding, "Please help us out, young master. We wouldn't trouble you if it wasn't inconvenient for us to go out."

The boy hesitated for a moment, looking at the large bundle behind Qiuyue, which nearly reached her heels, confirming the inconvenience. He took the banknotes, nodded and said, "Alright, please wait for a moment," and then he ran downstairs.

Hua Yan paid no more attention to the crowd and moved to the teahouse on one side.

Qiuyue, carrying the large bundle, followed Hua Yan into the teahouse.

After the master and servant were seated, the crowd looked at each other hesitantly for a moment but naturally couldn't bear to leave, and they surged into the teahouse, hearts pounding with excitement.

Soon, the small teahouse was filled with people.

Someone tried to strike up a conversation with Hua Yan, "Miss, may I ask your esteemed name?"

Hua Yan picked up her teacup and took a sip, then cast a glance at the man. He was in his thirties, had a well-proportioned face, and wore luxurious clothing that carried a certain presence, clearly indicating his unusual status. She smiled lightly, "To directly ask a young lady's name in such a brazen manner, isn't that a bit impertinent?"

The man was taken aback, then burst into hearty laughter. A folding fan suddenly appeared in his hands, and with a few flicks, he said with a smile while looking at Hua Yan's hair ornament, "Lu indeed was impertinent! Please forgive me, miss! Your gambling skills have earned my admiration, as well as that of everyone present. It's hard not to forget that you're an unwed girl, my apologies!"

Hua Yan took another sip of tea and said with ease, "It's just good luck."

The man was startled, then laughed loudly again, "Such good fortune that you broke the bank at all nine tables on the third floor, miss, don't be too modest."

Hua Yan shook her head and replied with a smile, "I never modestly back down; otherwise, I should have known better than to leave with my silver and not await the arrival of the nine gambling gods here."

At her words, the man's laughter ceased. Observing how Hua Yan spoke so nonchalantly of the tens of thousands of silver, with no hint of joy, he felt a stir of interest and chuckled, "If the nine gambling gods were to come, aren't you afraid of losing all your wealth and even putting yourself at risk?"

With a shallow smile, Hua Yan said, "Perhaps!" Upon finishing, she swirled the teacup in her hand and remarked, "One should enjoy all the sights there are to see in this short life. The biggest spectacle in Capital City is none other than Shunfang Gambling House. To meet the nine gambling gods is both fortunate and lucky. Even if today ends with me losing everything I've wagered, including myself, it wouldn't be too much."

The man raised his eyebrows in amusement at her words and laughed again, "Miss, you are truly engaging! Your words carry a depth akin to Zen. You do not seem to be from Capital City, may I ask where you hail from?"

Putting down her teacup, Hua Yan replied with a smile, "If you can't find out my name and surname, you try to discern my origin and family history? Big brother, you are quite entertaining. Is everyone from the Lu Family like this?"

The man suddenly choked, his fan halting mid-shake.

At that moment, someone else began to laugh, "Lu Yan, you've been seen through by this lady. What else do you have to say?"

Coughing, the man turned to glance at the speaker and, after a long pause, finally managed, "I was just curious and wanted to ask more. Since I can't get an answer now, naturally, I have nothing more to say. Don't you feel curious, fifth… Princely Heir? If not, why don't you try saying a few words and see if this lady will oblige you out of respect, and satisfy our curiosity? Let us all learn when such a gambling-savvy lady appeared in the world, one who even surpasses our own Princely Heir."

Responding with a smile, the man said to Hua Yan, "Miss, indeed we are curious. Please tell us what you can, just a little bit would do. Everyone here is eagerly waiting."

Hua Yan looked over to the source of the voice, and saw a young man, no more than eighteen or nineteen years of age, dressed regally, with noble features and a refined and dignified appearance. She put down her teacup and asked with a smile, "Young master, the young brother who went downstairs to buy food for me just now, what is he to you?"

The man was startled and blurted out, "How did you know I am related to him?"

With a laugh, Hua Yan said, "You bear a slight resemblance to each other, your clothing is quite similar, and the jade pendants you wear seem to match."

Shocked, the man looked down at the jade pendant hanging on his waist, then raised his head, staring at Hua Yan for a while before saying, "Miss, you have quite the eye."

Hua Yan tapped her fingers on the table and grinned, "These eyes were trained through gambling."

After a moment of silence, the man replied, "He is my younger brother."

Nodding her head, Hua Yan said with a smile, "In consideration of that young brother, I'll tell you a little bit."

Upon hearing her promise, everyone pricked up their ears, and for a moment, the tea room fell into silence.

With a smile, Hua Yan said, "I reside in Lin'an. I came to the Capital yesterday, and today I came to Shunfang Gambling House, famous by name," she pondered and then added another line, "After I've met the nine gambling gods, win or lose, all of you will come to know both my identity and name."