You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

"Young Master Shen, why aren't you betting anymore? Are you out of money? If you don't, I can lend you some."

Lin Qing smiled with a smug look on her face.

Judging from the loose silver coins Shen Yanzhi had just taken out, she realized that Shen Yanzhi probably didn't have much money today.

A child, especially one from a family with a corrupt and chaotic tradition like the Shen family, would probably not receive much of a monthly allowance unless he did something disreputable.

Shen Yanzhi gritted his teeth, his eyes fixed intently on the gambling table in front of him, pondering his final strategy.

He knew that accepting Lin Qing's loan would be no different from admitting defeat.

"No need. I still have one last chance, but this time, I demand that only the two of us participate. I want to settle this with you!"

Shen Yanzhi forced himself to remain calm and slowly pulled out an exquisite jade pendant from his sleeve. Lin Qing examined it carefully and confirmed that it was indeed a superior item.

Upon seeing this, Lin Qing's eyes flashed with surprise, which was quickly replaced by even greater mockery. "Oh? So you're going to use your family heirloom? Young Master Shen, you'd better think carefully. If you lose, this thing will be mine."

Shen Yanzhi did not answer, but silently placed the jade pendant on the gambling table, his action carrying a sense of resolute determination and tragic grandeur.

The clamor of the surrounding gamblers seemed to freeze at that moment, mainly because the jade pendant that Shen Yanzhi took out was obviously very valuable.

The gambling den owner's eyes lit up immediately, revealing a determined look on his face.

Lin Qing glanced at the person next to her.

The man retreated to find the shopkeeper. His young mistress wanted to deal with the child, so he couldn't let others interfere. He went over and revealed his identity, only saying that it was a scheme orchestrated by people from the Ministry of Justice, without revealing Lin Qing's true identity.

Although the shopkeeper didn't know why the Ministry of Justice had set its sights on Young Master Shen, he didn't dare offend the officials. Therefore, Shen Yanzhi was destined to lose this round.

Lin Qing took out several hundred-tael silver bills to bet on Shen Yanzhi's opponent, and the entire gambling den fell silent.

Those who were initially eager to try dared not move, nervously waiting for the shopkeeper to reveal the answer.

"No matter who you are, I will definitely beat you."

Shen Yanzhi glared fiercely at Lin Qing. If looks could kill, Lin Qing would probably have been killed by him several times over.

"Oh~"

Lin Qing revealed an even more unrestrained smile, "Then we'll wait and see."

When both sides are betting heavily, the gambling den owner will usually use a little trick to pocket the winnings.

But someone had already told him that.

Thus, Shen Yanzhi lost without a doubt, and the jade pendant was pushed towards Lin Qing.

"Impossible...impossible..."

Shen Yanzhi looked at Lin Qing in disbelief. He was so lucky, how could he lose to Lin Qing every time?

"Young Master Shen, you are willing to accept defeat."

Lin Qing picked up the jade pendant and examined it closely. As a young lady from a prestigious family, she had seen many fine things and could tell at a glance that this item was of superior quality and most likely came from the palace.

"This thing is quite extraordinary, but I wonder which master in the palace bestowed it upon Young Master Shen?"

After Lin Qing asked, she noticed that Shen Yanzhi's expression was somewhat unnatural. What could a child possibly hide? His poor acting skills could only fool an innocent and naive girl like Wanwan.

Shen Yanzhi looked away, "None of your business. Just wait, I'll be back..."

Lin Qing interrupted Shen Yanzhi, "Hehe, young master Shen, don't forget our bet. You still owe me a condition. Do you not want to keep your promise? Are you a person who goes back on their word?"

Her words immediately stirred up the gambling den, with everyone eager for a good show.

"Does Young Master Shen really intend to break the contract?"

“I saw you make that appointment with this young master that day; I’m a witness!”

"Haha, in the end, Young Master Shen is just a child. You can't take a child's words seriously."

"..."

Most of the people in the crowd were making fun of Shen Yanzhi, and some of them were people arranged by Lin Qing.

Shen Yanzhi's cheeks flushed slightly as he looked up at Lin Qing. "I, Shen Yanzhi, the son of the Marquis of Yong'an, am a man of my word. Just tell me what you mean, and as long as it's not unethical or illegal, I'll do it for you."

Lin Qing smiled slightly after hearing this, "Young Master Shen, you flatter me. We are all friends who have met by chance. How could I ask you to do anything illegal or disorderly?"

Instigating crime is also illegal, and Lin Qing wouldn't invite trouble for herself.

Lin Qing smiled and said, "There aren't many people on the street right now. I like a lively atmosphere. I wonder if Young Master Shen will be free early tomorrow morning to make a big fuss, walking from the east gate to the west gate with drums and gongs, shouting that your father is Shen Nian'an?"

This requirement is somewhat intriguing.

Most people in the gambling den didn't understand the significance of Lin Qing's request. If it were just a joke, they should have made Shen Yanzhi wear some strange clothes or shout some funny slogans.

Only mentioning his father's name?

Some people realized that there were many unspeakable things inside the Shen family mansion, and outsiders would never know unless they told them.

But everyone knows that Shen's second son and Xie Wanru are divorced, and they have only been married for less than three years. So where did such a big son come from?

Isn't this obviously telling the whole of Xuancheng that Shen Yanzhi is an illegitimate child?

Originally, Shen Yanzhi was already Shen Nian'an's legitimate son. Over time, no one outside knew that he had been brought back from outside.

"Who are you? Why do you want me to do this? What will you get in return?"

Shen Yanzhi clenched his fist and asked.

Lin Qing shrugged. She wouldn't reveal her identity, as that would lower her noble status. "Who I am isn't important. I'm just curious whether Young Master Shen will keep his word."

Lin Qing's men spoke up at the opportune moment, "Young Master Shen isn't afraid, is he?"

"Haha, he's definitely scared!"

Laughter rose and fell, and everyone was eager to see how Shen Yanzhi would handle the situation.

After all, the promise was just a verbal agreement. If Shen Yanzhi broke the promise, Lin Qing couldn't do anything about it. At most, everyone would laugh at him a few times.

"I will do as you say tomorrow. I, Shen Yanzhi, am willing to accept defeat!"

Shen Yanzhi was unaware of Lin Qing's intentions. He only thought that Lin Qing wanted to embarrass him. After all, he was still a child and couldn't think of such a deep meaning.

"Alright, I await your good news, Young Master Shen."

Lin Qingwen was refined and gentle, unlike others.

Shen Yanzhi left after he finished speaking.

The next day, he indeed appeared at the East Gate. Lin Qing thought that the child might not come back after thinking about it all night.

"I didn't expect this kid to actually keep his word. Interesting, haha!"

Lin Qing, dressed in comfortable women's clothing, was leisurely enjoying herself in the luxurious carriage.

She had a servant who was already prepared take a large gong over and replace the small gong that Shen Yanzhi had somehow gotten from somewhere.