Chapter 134: The Name Card of the College of Arms Head

“Well, I’m truly sorry!”

The whale oil lamp in the crystal lamp holder cast a bright light, illuminating the entire warm pavilion as if it were daytime. Outside the window, the sky had darkened. Although it wasn’t pitch black, one could barely see figures just a few meters away. Inside the warm pavilion, ivory Luda cards clicked crisply against the wave-patterned stone card table.

Tixiang had a trace of cold sweat on his forehead, but only a very small amount.

Lin Qi’s face was flushed. Piled in front of him were large and small Gold Notes, along with scattered jewels like rubies, sapphires, and pearls. In just four hours—only four hours—Lin Qi had swept through the game, winning Gold Notes worth nearly two and a half million gold coins. The scattered rubies, sapphires, and pearls were worth over a hundred thousand gold coins combined.

Using a single golden Luda card representing the great priest of Odin Temple to instantly defeat the three Knight cards held by Tixiang and the others, Lin Qi gleefully swept all the chips on the table into his pile. Tixiang groaned weakly, rolling his eyes as he leaned back in the armchair, disregarding his usual composure. He slowly reached into the hidden pocket on his chest and pulled out his last Gold Note with a face value of ten thousand gold coins.

Frowning unhappily at the Gold Note, Tixiang sighed deeply and said, “Let’s stop here for today, dear Lin Qi. In a few days, one of my clubs will host a card game—would you be willing to play on my behalf?”

Smiling wryly helplessly, Tixiang waved the Gold Note and shook his head. “Let’s call it a day. Good heavens, Lin Qi, you must at least leave me some small change to tip the coachman. Oh my, your calculations are so precise. I’ve never seen anyone like you—someone who can figure out every card. It’s terrifying, truly terrifying, but it’s such a wonderful, such a useful ability!”

Lin Qi smiled reservedly as he tidied the Gold Notes on the table unhurriedly. He selected enough large-denomination Gold Notes to make up two million gold coins. As for the remaining four hundred thousand or so in Gold Notes and the rubies, sapphires, pearls, and the like, he lightly curled a finger toward the steward standing in the corner, who was responsible for all affairs in the warm pavilion. “These are for you. Distribute them according to your own rules.”

The steward, dressed in a scarlet formal suit, meticulous in every detail with not a single hair out of place, bowed reservedly and said softly, “Thank you, esteemed sir. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.”

A maidservant approached slowly. Lin Qi placed the Gold Notes and jewels for the tip on the pure silver tray she was holding. The maidservant gently rubbed her full hip against Lin Qi’s thigh, then retreated slowly with a charming smile.

Unfortunately, all the allure and delicacy of this maidservant were completely wasted on Lin Qi, who had just turned eighteen. In his life, gold coins held an irreplaceable position; for now, he was unaware of the charms of women and didn’t understand what the maidservants’ intentional or unintentional rubbing against him meant. He cheerfully stuffed the two million gold coins into his chest pocket, and only then did the golden glint in his pupils gradually fade.

Using just over fifty thousand gold coins as bait, he had reeled in a profit of two million gold coins. Lin Qi suddenly realized his fondness for Tixiang was growing stronger. Without even helping him get close to those two women, Ya and Ling, he had already made two million gold coins. This was indeed a cash cow—after all, Tixiang’s uncle was the Imperial Minister of Finance. Lin Qi felt he should maintain his friendly relationship with Tixiang.

Two million gold coins was almost equivalent to the total assets of a mid-level Noble family in the Empire. Yet Tixiang, who had just lost such a huge sum, showed no change in expression. He took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the faint sweat from his forehead, smiling as he said to Lin Qi, “Well then, can we settle this matter in advance? Hmm, three days from now—that gambling match. I will provide the stake. Can you play on my behalf, Mr. Lin Qi?”

Lin Qi gave Tixiang a deep look, stood up, and bowed slightly. “At your service, respected Sir Tixiang.”

Tixiang smiled and shook hands with Lin Qi. He glanced self-mockingly at the ten-thousand-gold-coin Gold Note in his hand, carefully tucking it into the hidden pocket on his chest. He laughed heartily, “Alright, until next month when the earnings from my small businesses come in, I’ll have to depend on this ten thousand gold coins to get by. Mr. Lin Qi, I find that I lack someone like you by my side!”

Tixiang’s words carried a clear tone of recruitment. Lin Qi immediately seized the opportunity and climbed the proverbial ladder. “I believe that as we spend more time together, you will discover more of my merits.”

Clapping his hands together, a faint yellow light briefly flashed in Lin Qi’s palms. The corner of Tixiang’s mouth turned up in a slight smile. He nodded repeatedly in satisfaction, saying with a laugh, “Very good, very good. I truly need someone like you to assist me. Yulian, Mr. Lin Qi is your good friend. From now on, you can bring him directly to see me.”

With that one sentence, Lin Qi gained the privilege of entering and leaving the former Imperial Prime Minister’s residence. Tixiang stood up and called out softly, “Prepare the carriage. We’re going to No.1 Shenghui Street. Have my grandfather’s name card ready. I believe they will show a certain level of respect for my grandfather.”

Turning to look at Lin Qi, Tixiang smiled and asked, “Well then, do you have any other requests?”

Lin Qi did not hesitate either; he immediately stated his request. Tixiang gave him a thoughtful look, nodded, and agreed.

Half an hour later, Tixiang’s carriage returned to the front of No.1 Shenghui Street. There were still more than a dozen carriages lingering there, reluctant to leave, and some shadowy, elusive figures hiding behind trees and flower bushes—all eyes fixed on the gate of No.1 Shenghui Street.

Tixiang’s carriage stopped right outside the main gate. One of the guards strode to the door, clenched his fist, and loudly knocked on the gatekeeper’s door.

The loud “thump, thump” noises startled the carriages waiting at the door and the figures hidden behind trees and flowers.

A small window on the gatekeeper’s door at No.1 Shenghui Street abruptly opened. A low, gruff voice came from inside, “Sorry, our master is not prepared to receive guests. No matter who you are, please leave. Otherwise, we will have to call the Garrison Office.”

The guard sneered mockingly, “The Garrison Office? Give our master’s name card to your master. If you delay matters, you absolutely cannot bear the responsibility.” Ignoring the gatekeeper, the guard directly stuffed a name card through the small window.

The small window on the door remained open for nearly half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before it suddenly closed. Then, footsteps crunching on snow were heard from behind the door—evidently, the gatekeeper had gone to inform his master.

Just a few minutes later, the gate of No.1 Shenghui Street, which had remained closed to countless young masters and dandies of the Imperial Capital for several days, suddenly swung open. Tixiang’s carriage, brimming with an air of arrogance, drove inside triumphantly.