Chapter 9: Duel Invitation

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xue Meng wasn’t convinced. After all, he had prepared a lot of banknotes just for the last round.

However, he did not expect that Cui Yumian would only choose Su Wen’s present this round.

Upon hearing Xue Meng’s question, the Madame did not get angry. Instead, she said with a smile, “Young Master Xue, our Miss Cui’s appearance today was never set in stone. To put it bluntly, it was to choose a person that Miss Cui liked. Young Master Su threw 300,000 taels of silver in the first round and gave her a spirit artifact in the second round. He was much more generous than you. Since Miss Cui was tempted, it naturally ended. If you want to blame someone, you can only blame your gift for being too inferior to Young Master Su’s!”

As she spoke, the Madame plucked the hairpin from Cui Yumian’s head and said, “Young Master Xue is also someone who knows his stuff. This hairpin should buy more than ten pieces of your Southeast Asian Golden Pearl Necklace, right? Are you still blaming the lady for not choosing you? After all, there’s too much of a difference, so she cannot see your sincerity either.”

Xue Meng’s eyes narrowed slightly. Starlight flowed on the hairpin, and it was obvious at a glance that it wasn’t an ordinary object. If it was really a spirit artifact like the old procuress had said, then it would indeed be no problem for her to use it to buy ten pearl necklaces!

At this moment, a middle-aged man in his forties exclaimed, “Cyan Sea Star Jade Hairpin!”

Everyone shook in astonishment!

Everyone looked towards that person and realized that it was actually Assistant Minister of Rites, Guo Youji.

The Madame asked in curiosity: “Lord Guo, what is this Cyan Sea Star Jade Hairpin you mentioned?”

Guo Youji looked at Su Wen with a pained expression and muttered, “Wastrel! Complete prodigal! Aren’t you afraid your father will break your legs!”

Su Wen stood up and cupped his hands with a smile. “Uncle Guo, don’t worry. This item was given to me by His Majesty. What does it have to do with my father?”

When they heard this, the entire hall was thrown into shock!

Was this item bestowed by His Majesty?

The Madame quickly urged: “Mister Guo, where did this thing come from? Please explain clearly.”

Guo Youji took a glance at Su Wen and said, “This item was given by His Majesty when he went to the Su Family to attend Su Wen’s one-month celebration. At that time, His Majesty said that he would leave this item for this brat to give to his wife in the future. After wearing this Cyan Sea Star Jade Hairpin, one can draw the power of the Lunar Star into one’s body. It’s very beneficial to a woman’s cultivation and is a rare treasure. Even a million silver taels wouldn’t be too much.”

Everyone was flabbergasted at this point.

No one had expected Su Wen to be so ignorant as to give such a treasure to a prostitute, especially since it was a gift from His Majesty.

The hall was filled with whispers.

“Has this Su Wen gone mad? How could such an item be given to Cui Yumian?”

“Hehe, what a frivolous young man. If His Majesty was to find out about this, he would definitely be enraged.”

“Isn’t he causing trouble for his father?”

“Could it be that he wants to marry a prostitute?”

In everyone’s opinion, Su Wen was too reckless.

Only Cui Yumian was secretly delighted in her heart. As far as she was concerned, Su Wen giving such a precious treasure to her obviously showed how much he liked her, and that her efforts earlier on were not in vain.

The Madame’s smile widened.

She looked at Xue Meng and smiled. “Young Master Xue, you didn’t lose unjustly, did you?”

Xue Meng turned to look at Su Wen and sneered. “Today, I lost because of my carelessness. I originally thought that we would decide the victor in the third round, but I never expected Young Master Su to be so skillful, to use a Cyan Sea Star Jade Hairpin to directly move Miss Cui, but I’m not convinced. While Young Master Su may be generous, my Xue Clan isn’t someone that lacks money as well. Why don’t we choose a day to compete in wealth? Young Master Su, do you dare?”

“Compete in wealth?”

Everyone was speechless. In this world, they had probably heard of competing through literacy or martial arts, but never had they heard of people competing through wealth.

Su Wen’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile appeared on his face. “Xue Meng, if you want to compete with me in wealth, then there’s nothing I can do. However, what if you lose? So what if you win?”

Xue Meng looked at Cui Yumian and said, “Since Young Master Su has suppressed me today, if Young Master Su loses, there’s no need for anything else. Just kneel down and knock your head towards me three times.”

Su Wen raised his eyebrows. “What if I win?”

Xue Meng replied, “I’ll do the same.”

Su Wen sneered. “I don’t lack people kneeling to me!”

“Then you can decide how we should bet!” Xue Meng refused to back down.

Su Wen smiled and said, “I still prefer money. The Xue family’s Lingnan gold mine seems pretty good. If I win, how about you give me this gold mine?”

The people present were all stupefied.

One had to know that the Xue family’s gold mine was their capital to remain as one of the wealthiest in the country.

Its annual output was more than a hundred thousand taels, let alone its significance to the Xue family.

To straightaway open one’s mouth and ask for the Xue family’s gold mine, Su Wen was too ruthless.

Unexpectedly, Xue Meng agreed!

“Young Master Su, we’ll do as you say. Ten days later, you and I will compete for wealth in the East District. However, let me make this clear first. You and I compete for wealth. If it’s only merely taking out gold and silver to compete, that will be a little too vulgar. Therefore, we will not only compare in material wealth. Whoever is more ostentatious will win!”

Su Wen smiled. “Then we’ll do as you say!”

Xue Meng didn’t stay any longer and turned around to leave.

On the other side, the second prince also stood up and bade farewell, “Since the grand occasion is over, I’ll take my leave first.”

Su Wen knew that he would not stay, thus he did not intend to try and keep him.

As for Zhao Rui however, that guy had no intention of leaving.

Su Wen casually took out a stack of banknotes and stuffed them into Zhao Rui’s arms. He smiled and said, “Brother Zhao, I don’t care how amorous you are, but Miss Cui and I need some alone time to get to know each other better.”

Zhao Rui knew his place and went off to have some fun.

As for Su Wen, he calmly walked towards Cui Yumian and the Madame.

As he arrived in front of them, the Madame spoke, “Young Master Su, you probably don’t know this, but in order to cancel the third round, Miss Yumian handed over all the money she had earned in the past three years to our boss. It was all for you.”

The Madame knew that Cui Yumian would definitely not tell Su Wen about this, so she took the initiative to bring it up. After all, they had known each other for many years, and she also hoped that Cui Yumian would have a good home.

Su Wen was stunned.

He did not expect Cui Yumian to have paid such a huge price.

Cui Yumian lowered her head, blushing.

Seeing this, the Madame smiled and said, “Someone, bring Miss Yumian and Young Master Su into the room!”

Su Wen was led into a room that had been prepared beforehand. The red candles in the room were lit and the bed was covered with a red veil. The entire room was decorated like a bridal chamber.

There was already food and wine prepared on the table. However, when the two of them entered the room, Cui Yumian seemed a little uneasy.

Su Wen in contrast was rather carefree as he sat by the table, poured himself a glass of wine and started drinking.

“Can you tell me why you canceled the third round?” Su Wen asked curiously.

Cui Yumian also sat at the table and poured herself a glass of wine. After drinking it, her face became even more rosy and charming.

“For Young Master Su’s sincerity.” Cui Yumian looked into Su Wen’s eyes and said seriously, “Since Young Master Su is willing to spend so much money on me, it’s only natural that you like me. I also hope to be by your side frequently, so that’s why.”

She said it so honestly that Su Wen could tell what she meant.

Su Wen smiled. “But you don’t understand me.”

Cui Yumian revealed a hint of sadness. How could she not know the entire set up before was merely a gamble?

“Most women may not even see their husbands when they get married, but I have at least seen Young Master Su. That’s enough.”

Su Wen walked to the window and opened it. A cold wind blew in and Cui Yumian shivered, looking even more delicate.

Su Wen turned around and walked to Cui Yumian. He bent down and their eyes met.

There was a hint of nervousness in the girl’s eyes, but she met Su Wen’s gaze fearlessly.

“Since you chose me, don’t regret it.”

“No matter what Young Master does, I have no regrets.”