Chapter One, National Dream (Part One).

In the polluted air of the casino, gamblers' eyes turned red one by one. They stripped their upper bodies and placed their bets on the table, eagerly watching the dice cup on the table. In front of the suffocating gambling table, only the old-fashioned fans swayed back and forth, creating a gust of wind.

The casino owner did not underestimate the young man in front of him. Unexpectedly, he was knocked down to the ground by Zhou Tingchen with a brick, and then snatched back. He was slapped again, his face and hands covered in blood, and he could only fearfully dodge Zhou Tingchen's beating. "Brother, let's talk it out, don't resort to violence!" Ahhh.

The casino owner no longer felt threatened, as if he had regained his vitality. He jumped up and shouted, "Go after them! Don't let those two go! Bring those two idiots back to me!"

Although there were a few characters he didn't recognize, Zhou Tingchen treasured the newspaper as if it were a priceless gem. He looked around cautiously, folded the newspaper a few times, carefully tucked it into his chest, and after a moment of contemplation, turned and ran towards the northwest.

Zhou Tingchen was stunned by a bucket of water and angrily picked up the paper next to him to wipe the water off his face. "Who stole your things? You beggars here, I don't mind getting my hands dirty!"

Tong Jiahong turned around and smiled as he pulled the vest of Nala's back. Nala also adjusted his headwear, a fifth-rank double-eyed and flower-feathered crown. The two stood side by side and heard a "pu" sound followed by a burst of magnesium smoke in front of them, but Xiaoyu Wan, who was below them, had disappeared without a trace.

All of a sudden, the back door behind him slammed open, startling Zhou Tingchen who couldn't dodge in time. A bucket of dirty water came pouring down from above, along with miscellaneous items, drenching him completely.

The gamblers burst into laughter when they saw the father and son quarrel. "Zhou Laoqi, did you steal money from women to gamble?" Zhou Mingchang's face turned red and he immediately became angry and defended himself, "What stealing? I'm not a thief. This is my money, and my woman's money is also mine."

Tong Jiahong's expression was somewhat melancholy, but he waved his hand as if it were meaningless, saying, "Don't say such unlucky words. I haven't left yet. Why are you already worried about my return? Now that the Empress Dowager is willing to promote me, Tong Jia's family is greatly honored. Others would be envious, but you are already anxiously concerned."

The casino owner spat the toothpick in his mouth to one side and sneered, "I don't care if you can explain it or not. Guards! Beat these two obstructing dogs!"

With a loud clatter, the dice landed on the gambling table. Zhou Tingchen pushed aside his father's obstruction and looked closely. His face turned pale.

Nala looked back at the old house behind her, where peach blossoms were in full bloom. The flower buds swayed in the wind, and the breeze tousled her hair at the temples, making her feel uncomfortable with the two uncombed hair buns on her head. She felt a bit reluctant and said, "I don't know when I can come back again."

A group of thugs rushed forward and lifted Zhou Mingchang up, beating him violently. Zhou Tingchen wanted to step forward to help, but Zhou Mingchang immediately gestured to stop his son's reckless action. For a moment, dust flew in the alley as the gamblers gathered around, cheering on the violence. Zhou Mingchang was surrounded and beaten alone.

Upon seeing him start gambling, the gamblers cheered in unison, and the crowd shouted, "Open! Open! Open! Open!"

Nala frowned, "Yuwan, this child has disappeared again. Hurry and take a few servants to look for her. Don't delay the master's departure."

The casino owner grinned and sneered, "Alright, I'll give you credit for not being a coward. Are you going all in? Don't regret it later!"

The sky gradually began to brighten. Outside the gate of the Tong family, Tong Fu and his servants were busy carrying luggage. "Hurry up, hurry up! We're about to go to the capital. Why isn't everything ready yet?" The birds perched on the trees in the Tong family garden were startled by his deep voice and flew away flapping their wings. In the distance, the yellow carriage drivers and small vendors were already squatting in the alley, afraid to approach when they saw the intimidating scene.

Zhou Mingchang desperately kowtowed: "Sir, please give me the money. I am willing to do anything for you, even work like a slave. That money is not mine, it is a loan borrowed by my wife. Now I have no money left, and I won't be able to explain to my wife when I go back. In a few days, debt collectors will come knocking on my door, and it could cost lives."

Immediately, Nalashi sent Su Xi to call for the steward Tong Fu. In the midst of his busyness, Tong Fu heard the call from his mistress but didn't have time to wipe his sweat. He hurriedly ran over and, with a sweep of his sleeve, bowed and asked, "Madam, are you looking for me?"

The embassy's domestic helper grumbled: "Little brat, what do you want to steal from us? What are you trying to do?!"

Tong Jiahongshi didn't want to listen to the nagging of the Lashi anymore, waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, it's been two months already. Are you still daring to resist the imperial decree?" After speaking, he flicked his sleeve and returned to the inner palace.

Then Nala became really anxious. She had been married to the Tong family for ten years and had only given birth to one daughter, Yuwan. Fortunately, Tong Jiahongshi, due to her prominent status in her natal family, had never expressed any concern about the issue of male and female heirs, nor had he taken concubines or remarried. If their only daughter were to go missing at this time, how could she explain it to the ancestors of the Tong family? As she thought about this, Nala's voice trembled, "Where is the study?"

The casino owner shouted on the side, "Poor people still come to gamble, I wonder if they dare to cause trouble in my Taipingfang in the future!"

A dozen or so thugs immediately chased after them. The casino boss rubbed his head, grimacing in pain, saying, "Damn it, I actually let a little brat get the better of me! What bad luck!"

In the corner, Zhou Tingchen's face, covered in scars, emerged. He looked around and tore open his clothes with his teeth to bandage his injured wrist. Several dozen thugs who ran around the corner couldn't find him. They kept lingering at the intersection. This area is the embassy district, filled with wealthy people and guarded by a foreign police chief. The thugs didn't dare to be too arrogant just now. Someone lowered their voice and said, "Let's go, let's go ahead and take a look." Several dozen thugs who ran around the corner couldn't find him. They kept lingering at the intersection. This area is the embassy district, filled with wealthy people and guarded by a foreign police chief. The thugs didn't dare to be too arrogant just now. Someone lowered their voice and said, "Let's go, let's go ahead and take a look."

Zhou Mingchang did feel a little reluctant. This money is for next month's food and living expenses. If he really loses it all, his family of three will have to go hungry next month. He reached out his hands, wanting to take back some of the money.

With a face covered in grease, Zhou Mingchang dragged his son Zhou Tingchen through the crowd, hesitating as he pressed a pink money bag onto the numbers. Zhou Tingchen angrily pulled Zhou Mingchang's arm and anxiously shouted at the money bag, "Dad, Mom is waiting for us at home to bring back money to pay off debts. Let's go back quickly! We can't gamble anymore!"

Nala was feeling uneasy as she gently touched the emerald hairpin on her temples. She turned around and let out a long sigh, saying, "What's the point of talking about being valued? The new young emperor who just ascended the throne is only four years old and can't make any decisions. Even if we go, we won't gain any benefits. My relatives from my mother's side also said that going there would only result in a meaningless job. We have been living in Shanghai for so long and have adapted to the lifestyle here. I don't know how we would survive if we returned to the capital city."

She hurriedly ran over, looking around in a panic: "Did the servant not see? Has the young lady gone back to the house to play?"

Soon, the servants searched around the house but couldn't find Miss Yu Wan. They immediately reported back, "Madam, Miss and Young Miss are not in their rooms." "Madam, they are also not in the backyard."

Tong Fuyao shook his head and wiped his sweat with his sleeve, saying, "I have been there, but there is nothing." Upon hearing this, Nala's legs went weak and her body immediately collapsed. Su Xi rushed forward to support her falling body.

When the old lady saw his fierce expression, she was afraid of causing trouble. She muttered a few words and quickly locked the door. Zhou Tingchen saw her fear and snorted. He grabbed some paper from the pile of waste paper and wiped it. Suddenly, he was attracted by a missing person notice published in the newspaper he held in his hand. He unfolded the newspaper as if he had found a treasure: "Beloved daughter Tong... went missing two days ago. If any kind-hearted person rescues and finds her, there will be a generous reward... Tong...".