Chapter 14: A Night of Passion

On the first day of their marriage, Shen Ruojin spent the entire day in the accounting office, counting money.

She had thought that the princess consort handing her the family jade pendant was just a formality. After all, the sprawling Northern Prince’s mansion was full of people each managing their own affairs, and there were established rules. It wasn’t as if a new bride holding a token could act at will.

For important decisions, one still had to seek the princess consort’s approval.

But Shen Ruojin never imagined that the princess consort would personally bring her to the accounting office to check the ledgers and count the money.

By the end of the day, they still hadn’t finished reviewing the entire ledger.

That night, Qin Lang did not return.

The Northern Prince endured one full day and night of waiting, and early the next morning, he sent someone to find that scoundrel son.

The heir apparent, Qin Qi, went in person but came back empty-handed.

Just as the Northern Prince was preparing to take matters into his own hands, Shen Ruojin, eyes bleary from poring over the ledgers, came out for a walk and happened to meet him in the garden.

After hearing the cause of his frustration, she spoke gently, “Let me go instead. It will be a good balance of work and rest.”

Counting money was the serious matter; taking the chance to see Qin Lang was a leisure.

Taking turns like this could serve as a good balance.

The Northern Prince didn’t want Shen Ruojin to suffer any grievances in front of his troublesome son, but the marriage was already done. As luck would have it, an imperial edict arrived, summoning him to the palace to discuss urgent military affairs.

He had no choice but to set aside family matters and attend to state affairs.

Shen Ruojin, accompanied by her attendant Jian, left the mansion. Leading the way once again was Steward Xiao He.

Passing through the corridor, Shen Ruojin asked, “Where is he spending his time today?”

“At Sihai Gambling House.”

When Steward Xiao He reported the young master’s whereabouts, he felt a mix of shame and anger on his lord’s behalf.

Supporting actors, gambling dens — any ordinary man dabbling in any of these was considered to have a bad habit unworthy of marriage.

But the young master, newlywed and celebrating, was not at home with his wife but off in such disreputable places.

Shen Ruojin’s expression remained calm upon hearing this and said only, “A gambling house? That’s not something money alone can buy access to.”

Xiao He was momentarily stunned. Had he just heard that right?

The Northern Prince’s carriage passed through seven or eight streets. Shen Ruojin instructed Xiao He to lead the way directly to Sihai Gambling House.

The heir apparent, Qin Qi, followed at a distance with a group.

Before leaving, the Northern Prince had left Qin Qi behind, repeatedly instructing his eldest son, “If Qin Lang causes trouble again, tie him up and bring him home. I will deal with him upon my return.”

Qin Qi received the orders but found it difficult to actually bind his brother. He decided to observe the situation first before taking action.

Meanwhile, inside Sihai Gambling House,

Qin Lang sat at one end of a long table, facing Liu Lao Qi, the house dealer, with piles of gold and silver before them.

He was strikingly handsome, dressed in splendid brocade, his eyes shimmering with charm, playing with a jade bone fan in his hand. Surrounded by heaps of gold and silver, he stood out even more, making the entire gambling house seem more vibrant.

Almost all the gamblers at other tables were drawn to the main table.

Liu Lao Qi said, “Just betting gold and silver is dull, Young Lord Qin. I heard your bride bought the Fanghua troupe yesterday. Why don’t you put Hong Haitang up as well, and we settle this with one game?”

The speaker was a man in his mid-thirties, with sun-darkened skin, a bald head, and a fierce look—clearly a fighter.

Qin Lang found him ugly and barely glanced his way. “The Fanghua troupe was bought by my wife. Have you ever seen anyone with any self-respect gamble with their wife’s private property?”

The surrounding gamblers burst into laughter at this.

“You actually care about your wife?”

“Young Lord Qin, who cares where the silver comes from when gambling?”

“Exactly. You’re on a lucky streak today; even if you put Hong Haitang up, you might not lose. If you win, you win big!”

Their eyes gleamed greedily at the piles of money.

But Qin Lang found no pleasure in it. Since the Fanghua troupe was purchased yesterday, thirteen hours had passed without her showing up.

Not only did she not come, but she hadn’t even sent anyone to check on him.

What could she be doing at home?

His father wore a constant scowl, as if someone owed him millions of taels of silver. His mother busied herself with endless calculations, treating their son as less important than money.

As for his half-brother Qin Qi… better not mention him.

Qin Lang had been making a scene at Sihai Gambling House today just to see if Shen Ruojin would come.

These people thought he was gambling with Liu Lao Qi.

In truth, he was gambling against fate.

Betting that Shen Ruojin cared for him, even if just a little.

But she hadn’t come.

Qin Lang even began to wonder if he had gone too far leaving the mansion on their wedding night.

Had Shen Ruojin regretted marrying him?

“Boring. I’m done playing.”

He casually knocked over the piles of gold and silver, stood up, and was about to leave.

Outside, someone shouted, “Young Lord Qin, your wife is coming!”

Qin Lang’s grip on the jade fan tightened involuntarily. The previous gloom and world-weariness vanished instantly, replaced by a twinkle in his eyes and an uncontrollable smile at the corners of his lips.

Shen Ruojin had come to find him.

He instinctively wanted to welcome her back but suddenly remembered what a scoundrel he was in her eyes and sat down again.

“Hong Haitang won’t do,” he said to Liu Lao Qi. “Change it to something else.”

Liu Lao Qi had no idea what was truly on the young lord’s mind. “Then, how about ‘One Night of Passion with Young Lord Qin’?”

The crowd around erupted at this.

“Never thought you’d have a taste for the male form, Liu Lao Qi!”

“You’re really bold to say that!”

“It’s one thing to fancy someone, but you fancy Young Lord Qin?”

The gamblers exploded with excitement.

For centuries, gambling and beauty had always been inseparable. Young Lord Qin was noble and handsome, without a trace of effeminacy. Countless girls adored him, but no men coveted him.

Qin Lang weighed a gold ingot in his hand, looking at Liu Lao Qi with a faint smile. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Go on, go on. It’s my sister who’s admired Young Lord Qin for a long time. She’s out of reach of the Northern Prince’s mansion. Can’t I help her win a night of passion?” Liu Lao Qi, embarrassed and flustered, explained with a flushed face.

The crowd all scoffed in unison.

“That’s still not acceptable.”

Qin Lang said as he lightly threw a gold ingot at the corner of Liu Lao Qi’s mouth to hush him.

The more Liu Lao Qi explained, the louder the crowd’s raucous cheers became, twisting the meaning further.

“Why not?”

Liu Lao Qi’s mouth bruised and aching, he frowned but caught the gold ingot and pocketed it.

One of his underlings chimed in, “Young Lord Qin must be afraid to lose!”

Qin Lang sneered, “There is no such thing as ‘losing’ with me.”

Liu Lao Qi urged, “Then hurry up and raise the stakes. Let’s make this a proper bet.”

Qin Lang smiled as he fanned himself, “The courtesan’s worth a thousand gold a night, but I’m worth at least ten thousand. What do you have to wager against me?”