Splendid Twins

At this time, the lively atmosphere in Jubao Pavilion was incomparable. People gathered around the gambling table, shouting and cheering one after another, and the air was filled with tension and excitement.

The dice spin in the bowl, and every time they fall, they cause a sensation. The winners cheer, while the losers sigh and look forward to the next good luck.

The lights were bright all around. Si Yao lost all the chips in front of him and stood up:

"No more playing. I'll come back after the New Year."

"Gambling character is like a person's character. The scholar is indeed domineering."

The man opposite threw the money he won into the arms of the servant behind him with a blank expression:

"The door of Treasure Pavilion is always open to you."

Si Yao knew that this was just a polite remark, so he waved his hand:

"Wait."

After he left, the man sneered:

"What a shame for the fame!"

"Who says it's not true? This guy is a man who indulges in eating, drinking, whoring and gambling."

The servant also laughed. Scholars always cherish their reputation. It was the first time for him to see a scholar hanging out in a casino or a brothel...

Si Yao stood on the street in a daze. People around him were coming and going, each with their own destination. He didn't know where he should go.

By the time he realized something was wrong, it was too late!

Those men seduced him into depravity and every time they brought up serious matters, they avoided the topic. When he was caught up in the pleasure of winning money, they disappeared!

It's also his fault that he lost his spirit. When the future is uncertain, people are bound to be anxious and lose their original intention in pursuit of temporary excitement.

Bright red ribbons were hung on the streets to indicate the arrival of the New Year. His eyesight gradually became clearer and he decided to go home.

I had just taken a few steps when I heard a familiar voice. I turned around and saw that it was Si Qing?

How come he changed so much?

He was also wearing a brand new blue long-sleeved shirt, which looked like a scholar's attire!

"Take it in first. I'll wait for you here."

Si Qing was talking to Si Yu when they were sent out by Liu Niang to buy New Year gifts for the teacher and to pack some fried fruits for Hongying and Xiaoya. Si Yu carried his bag and walked into the alley.

"Si Qing!"

Si Yao had a gloomy face. It was all because of this family that he got to this point today!

Everything seems to have changed since Si Yao came back!

His grandparents became unkind, his parents were unloving, and his own future was ruined.

He used to have some romantic feelings towards Si Yao, but he felt resentful the moment he found out that it was she who put him in the sack for the first time.

Now their family lives in a big blue brick and tile house, living in harmony. He is so angry that his heart, liver, spleen and lungs hurt!

"Is something wrong?"

Si Qing didn't dodge or evade, and looked at him with cold eyes. This calm and composed look made Si Yao angrier, and he asked in a deep voice:

"Why are you here?"

"Oh, I suggest you go there and take a look."

Si Qing pointed at the pharmacy next to him, with a sneer in his eyes.

Si Yao looked over and instantly realized that he had said the wrong thing. He was furious but couldn't show it. He suppressed his anger and asked:

"Are you reading?"

Si Qing didn't say anything and didn't nod. He just stood aside with an expressionless face, not wanting to pay any attention to Si Yao at all.

"Are you deaf? I'm talking to you! Even if you don't say it, I know that you can't write a good article with the pen and ink bought by a little woman."

Si Yao was so angry that he used all kinds of insults, with a ferocious expression on his face, as if he wanted to tear everything apart.

"Brother, where is the dog barking?"

Si Yu saw his elder brother being harassed by this man from afar, and when he ran over he heard the second half of the sentence, he stood in front of Si Qing and said to Si Yao with contempt:

"How dare you say that about others? Look at how slovenly you are, and the pungent smell you smell..."

As he said this, he fanned his nose with his hand. That extremely disgusted look made Si Yao so angry that his face turned ashen. There was anger flashing in his eyes, and he looked like he was about to lose his temper.

"gone."

Si Qing reached out and grabbed Si Yu's sleeve. There was no point in saying anything since they were not on the same page. Si Yao had already gone crazy, and there was no need for him to prove himself. He could just let him say whatever he wanted.

Si Yao didn't calm down until the two left, with a trace of regret flashing in his eyes. He was so distracted that he lost his composure in front of Si Qing, the person he despised the most, and lost the decency and dignity that a scholar should have!

Then his face became extremely gloomy. The root of the problem was Si Yao. Since it was caused by her, he might as well use her strength to fight back!

He is going to Beijing, he is going to find Si Wan!

He is an extremely hypocritical and petty person. If he knew that this family treated Si Yao like a treasure, wouldn't he be furious?

If he stirs up trouble a few more times then, won't those short-sighted people punish Si Yao to death?

What we need to do now is to find out about Si Wan. Si Yao came back from Shangjing. She has a pretty face and is generous. She must have been born in a wealthy family.

Si Wan must have been living very well as there had been no news for such a long time. He knew that little girl. She had been lazy and cunning since she was a child, always following her grandmother around to talk about family matters. If she was not living well, she would have come back long ago.

What a heartless ungrateful person! He even bought her cakes before!

Si Yao didn't plan to go back. He went straight to Tianshui Lane to find his father and asked for a few taels of silver for travel expenses. He had already thought of an excuse to go to the capital to find a new way out...

At this time, Zhou Wan also looked worried. She dressed up carefully and was about to go out for the banquet, but was stopped by someone.

"Get out of the way. I want to leave the house."

"My dear Miss, the Duke has ordered that you are not allowed to leave the palace without his warrant."

"How dare you! You daring little dog slave, do you know whose date I'm going to meet?"

"Miss, calm down. I am just following your orders."

"Wanwan?"

Zhou Wan was so angry at the housekeeper's lack of tact that she was about to say the name of His Royal Highness Prince Li when she was interrupted. She straightened her sleeves and looked over:

"Aunt San is going out too?"

The head lady of the third house, Wei, came over in a light yellow cape. When she saw Zhou Wan's exquisite makeup, a hint of sarcasm flashed in her eyes, which disappeared in an instant. She covered her mouth and chuckled:

"Aunt San came here because she saw you here. What's going on? Are you going out?"

"Ah."

Wei looked at the housekeeper, stretched out her hand to hold Zhou Wan and asked softly:

"Is there something important?"

Zhou Wan shook her head. She didn't want to tell her own affairs to this unfamiliar aunt.

Wei noticed Zhou Wan's estrangement, her expression remained unchanged, and she continued to smile:

"It's freezing outside. Send a servant out if you need anything. You are the pampered girl of the family. You don't have to do everything yourself."

Zhou Wan's expression eased a little, and she said politely:

"That's what Aunt San said."

Wei adjusted the pearl hairpin on her bun and spoke casually:

"Speaking of which, I am from the same family as Concubine Wei in the palace. If you have any unspeakable secrets..."

"Aunt San, are you serious?"

Zhou Wan's originally impatient expression instantly turned into astonishment. She didn't even know that her Third Aunt had such a relationship!

"Wan Wan doesn't know this? Your mother is good at managing the household, so that no servant in this huge Duke's Mansion dares to plot against the master."

After Wei finished speaking, she looked at Zhou Wan calmly, and saw that her eyebrows turned cold and her face was full of anger.

Zhou Wan was indeed angry with the Duke's wife. She knew that she loved His Royal Highness the Prince of Li, but she just had no chance to meet Concubine Wei. As the story goes, those who are close to the water will get the moon first. If Aunt Three said something nice about her to Concubine Wei...

Her attitude changed from being cold just now, and she took Wei's arm affectionately and acted coquettishly:

"I wonder if Third Aunt is free. Wanwan wants to talk to you."

Wei smiled faintly: "Not going out?"

"It's important to talk to Auntie San."

Upon hearing this, Wei looked up at the Duke's wife's residence with sarcasm in her eyes. What if she could give birth to children for him?