Chapter 502: Chapter 502: Thus the Deal Was Struck

After the meal, Gu Ruinian was attended by the maid to wash his hands.

He then had a cup of tea with Xu Zaohua, who leisurely ordered a carriage to be prepared.

Gu Ruinian’s heart was filled with joy, as he was finally going to be taken to meet the Second Young Master Lian.

Soon, Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua boarded the carriage.

Ever since Second Young Master Lian had been schemed against by Lu Zhaoyang and rendered impotent, he had completely let loose. Previously, he was addicted to the comforts of women, but after his impotence, he turned to new indulgences—gambling.

Every day he slept until noon, and after lunch, he would head to the gambling house, gambling until midnight.

When Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua arrived at the largest gambling house in Pingchuan County, Second Young Master Lian had already placed two bets.

"Don’t look around aimlessly," Xu Zaohua warned Gu Ruinian.

With practiced ease, Xu Zaohua led Gu Ruinian to a private booth, looking through the window at Second Young Master Lian, who had lost two rounds.

Xu Zaohua’s lips curved into a slight smile.

It’s good to lose; it will help her accomplish her goals.

"Rui Nian, do you know how to gamble?" Xu Zaohua asked.

Gu Ruinian shook his head, his eyes gleaming with an eager light.

He wanted to experience this den of indulgence, but unfortunately, he had no money.

Xu Zaohua seemed to discern his thoughts and said, "Why don’t you go and play with Second Young Master Lian for a while?"

Gu Ruinian replied, "I have no money."

Gu Ruinian knew that Xu Zaohua wanted him to get on the gambling table to build a rapport with Second Young Master Lian.

But he only had five taels of silver with him, not enough for a bet.

Gu Ruinian gritted his teeth, suspecting Xu Zaohua of deliberately setting a trap to con him out of his money at the gambling house.

He had heard that getting off the gambling table was difficult, and if you didn’t have money, the gambling house would lend you money at high interest, to be repaid later.

Those wealthy lords could do that, but he couldn’t. If he borrowed at high interest for gambling debts, even Mr. Gu would abandon him.

Xu Zaohua cheerfully said, "Would I, your sister, let you spend your own silver?"

Saying so, she called over a clerk, whispered a few words in his ear, and let the clerk take Gu Ruinian to accompany Second Young Master Lian for a game.

Gu Ruinian went with a brave face.

Outside the booth, he pried some information from the clerk, coming to understand why Xu Zaohua, as a woman, could move freely and be treated so respectfully in the gambling house.

The gambling house belonged to the Zheng Family, and when the Eldest Young Madam of the Zheng Family visited, who wouldn’t show some respect?

Gu Ruinian felt reassured, knowing that the outcome at the gambling table wasn’t something he could control; winning Second Young Master Lian’s trust was most important.

Following the clerk to the gambling table, Gu Ruinian sat opposite Second Young Master Lian.

Second Young Master Lian had been losing heavily these days.

Though not well-versed in gambling, Gu Ruinian understood the rules, which were similar to the gambling customs in the village during the New Year—except that losing or winning there was only for fun, whereas here it involved real stakes, even lives.

Gu Ruinian figured that since Xu Zaohua was the young mistress of the gambling house, she wouldn’t let him be trapped at the table. To win Second Young Master Lian’s trust, he naturally had to make him happy.

The way to truly make Second Young Master Lian happy would be to let him win.

Gu Ruinian deliberately lost three rounds to Second Young Master Lian.

The heavily losing Second Young Master Lian was pleased.

In the end, he won a thousand taels of silver from Gu Ruinian.

Gu Ruinian pushed his cards aside and spread his hands; naturally, Second Young Master Lian didn’t want to stop, especially when his luck was turning.

What upset him further was when Gu Ruinian said he had no silver.

Second Young Master Lian was about to resort to violence, but the clerk intervened, bringing Second Young Master Lian and Gu Ruinian before Xu Zaohua.

With a smile, Xu Zaohua said, "I heard that after the Second Young Master lost all his money, he also borrowed a thousand taels from our house. Losing money is a small matter, but if Mr. Lian knew, wouldn’t he storm over to our house? I purposely let my cousin go down and play with you in hopes you could win back the money you lost. My cousin is an honest person; after losing a thousand taels, he doesn’t want to lose anymore. You owe us a thousand taels, and my cousin lost a thousand taels to you; this way, neither of our families owes anything."

It was only then that Second Young Master Lian realized that the Eldest Young Madam of the Zheng Family had intended to balance out his debt.

After all, coming from a large family, maneuvering and scheming were common. Second Young Master Lian didn’t believe Xu Zaohua was helping him out of goodwill.

Why would Xu Zaohua, a widow, help him when he had lost everything; the business at home was dominated by his elder brother and half-sister? What advantage was there for her?

"Second Young Master, there are no outsiders here. I have my reasons for helping you. The Lian Family and the Zheng Family want to form an alliance through marriage, letting my brother-in-law marry your half-sister." Xu Zaohua saw through Second Young Master Lian’s thoughts and openly revealed her plans. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"If they succeed, how could the Zheng Family have a place for me, a widow with a child?" Second Young Master’s posthumous child was a boy, known throughout Pingchuan County. Xu Zaohua didn’t beat around the bush with Second Young Master Lian, "I don’t want the Lian and Zheng families to form an alliance. Not only do I not want it, but I suppose Second Young Master Lian also doesn’t. Your half-sister has the influence of her concubine mother and the acumen for business; if she has a capable husband, does the Lian Family still have a place for you?"

When Xu Zaohua mentioned Lian Hengruo, Second Young Master Lian’s eyes grew dark.

In his lifetime, the person he hated most was his half-sister.

She and her wretched mother lured their father into giving them a significant portion of the Lian Family’s business, yet they weren’t satisfied and wanted more.

Actually, the business portion that his half-sister acquired didn’t cost him his standing in the Lian Family; he was a son, and even if impotent, the family line relied on him. But he couldn’t stand Lian Hengruo’s arrogance. Why should girls sacrifice themselves for their brothers, while she always competed and fought from a young age for everything her brothers had? As she grew, she took action against the three brothers.

He suspected that the arrangement with Huang Jingshan was sabotaged by his half-sister, even though he had no evidence, he was suspicious.

Now that she was just a young lady, but once married to a good-husband, wouldn’t she trample the three brothers underfoot?

Recently, he indeed heard from his mother that Lian Hengruo was discussing marriage with the second son of the Zheng Family.

No, Lian Hengruo cannot marry into the Zheng Family.

Someone as unfeeling as her should marry a farmer or a common man.

"Do you have a plan?" Second Young Master Lian asked.

Xu Zaohua smiled, "Isn’t that why I’m discussing with the Second Young Master?"

"Oh, discussing. What brilliant idea does the Eldest Young Madam have?" Second Young Master Lian leaned back confidently.

Xu Zaohua nudged Gu Ruinian and said, "This is Gu Ruinian from my hometown; last time, the Second Miss’s carriage splashed him with mud, and the Second Miss not only didn’t blame him for blocking the way but even gave him her handkerchief. It’s a destined connection, and Rui Nian can’t stop thinking about the Second Miss and wants to ask the Second Young Master to fulfill his wish."

Second Young Master Lian looked at the plainly dressed Gu Ruinian, his expression unreadable.

He knew Xu Zaohua’s family was from the countryside, meaning this young man was a rural farmer.

This was precisely the fate he believed Lian Hengruo deserved.

Gu Ruinian flashed a fawning smile at Second Young Master Lian, "Please, Second Brother, grant my wish."

At this moment, he flattered; once he had Lian Hengruo, he would ally with her to drive this wastrel out of the Lian Family, avenging today’s shame.

Second Young Master Lian thought for a while and said, "Your card skills pleased me today, so stick with me for now. Whether or not you can be my brother-in-law depends on your abilities."

Gu Ruinian and Xu Zaohua exchanged a knowing glance, delighted at heart.

Their unscrupulous collaboration was thus established.