Chapter 10, Fighting Incident

Tian Qi thought to herself, I absolutely will not stand still. She and Wang Meng did not dare to return to their own room for the time being, so they simply ran out of the Thirteenth Institute

"You damn well stop right there!" Sun Dali shouted again

Tian Qi knelt by the roadside, waiting for the prince to pass by. Unexpectedly, when the young prince walked beside Tian Qi, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and walked in front of her

Ding Zhi suddenly said, "Tian Qi, so you have a crush on me."

After sending Master off, Tian Qi took out her gold ingot to play with. After playing for a while, she went to find Wang Meng to show off the gold ingot.

Wang Meng went to confront Sun Dali, but instead, Sun Dali turned the tables and accused Wang Meng of stealing his money, even beating him up in the process. Naturally, the money was not recovered.

Ding Zhi was taken aback, "Isn't it Xiu Yi? Could it be that the Emperor has discovered my affair with Xiu Chun?"

Later, someone explained to Tian Qi that during that time, His Highness had recently learned this term and would call any woman "mother." Since his own mother passed away early, both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were reluctant to blame him.

Wang Meng, upon hearing Tian Qi's question, immediately felt wronged, tears welling up in his eyes, and explained the reason to Tian Qi

Tian Qi felt a slight chill in his heart, "Master, is that person really you?"

Tian Qi had already given Wang Meng a knowing glance, and the two of them rummaged through Sun Dali's money on the table, then turned Sun Dali over completely, pocketing a pile of silver coins and running away

The Tianpai is the second highest hand in Pai Gow, second only to "Zhizunbao," consisting of two cards totaling twelve points. Sun Dali revealed his hand, smiled, and clasped his hands, saying, "Brothers, I apologize once again." With that, he reached out for the money

In the Forbidden City, Tian Qi is actually someone who is particularly adaptable, but that also depends on the situation. There is no need to completely back down when it is unnecessary to suffer losses. Most importantly, this is a matter concerning one hundred taels of silver.

Sun Dali's eyes indeed shone brightly, prompting someone to clear a space for Tian Qi.

There are only two cards for twelve o'clock, and Sun Dali's heavenly card occupies both of them. So how is it that another twelve o'clock has suddenly appeared?

However, his approach is problematic, Tian Qi shook his head, knowing full well that the other party is arrogant and formidable, yet still recklessly charging forward, isn't that courting death

Ding Zhi looked at Tian Qi with a gaze filled with intense fear, completely resembling that of a pervert

Sun Dali saw Wang Meng coming in and thought that this little weakling was here to pick a fight again. However, he was not afraid; if it came to it, he could just beat him up again. Tian Qi was worried that Sun Dali would notice her relationship with Wang Meng, so she deliberately delayed her entrance. Upon entering and seeing the card table set up, she cheerfully squeezed in to join the game, fearing that others would not include her. To ensure she was invited, she placed the four gold ingots she had just obtained on the table.

Sun Dali became even angrier and grabbed Tian Qi, intending to throw a punch. Tian Qi deliberately pushed towards the pile of cards, causing several undealt cards to flip over, one of which landed on the table, wobbling a few times, showing six red and six white, which amounted to twelve points.

"What good is that!" Tian Qi glared at him angrily. She felt no sympathy for the person, only for the money. One hundred taels of silver, which had taken a long time to save, was gone without even a sound, and it was taken away by force. The more she thought about it, the more infuriated she became

Ding Zhi found it somewhat strange, "I asked you what was wrong, have your wings hardened so much that you no longer regard me as your master?"

... ...

Sun Dali slammed the table in anger and said, "If you can't play, then don't play! Complaining after losing a little money, do you dare to say that I cheat? Everyone's eyes are wide open, so tell me, have I cheated or not?" As he spoke, he looked around, waiting for someone to speak a word of justice for him.

After some thought, Tian Qi decided to deceive him, and thus said, "In fact, it is the Emperor who does not allow me to speak with you."

At this moment, Tian Qi was drenched in cold sweat as he watched the prince depart, thinking to himself that he truly was the emperor's own son, exhibiting such peculiar behavior. However, the child was quite adorable, with a chubby little face that made one want to pinch it.

Several people are playing a four-person table game of Pai Gow. Sun Dali had previously won several rounds in a row, and the players at the table have already changed twice. Each of them is staring intently at the gambling table with bloodshot eyes, eager to turn the tables immediately

Tian Qi knocked a few times on the wooden door at the entrance of Wang Meng's bedroom. A small eunuch with a bruised face opened the door for her. She politely said, "Excuse me, I am looking for Wang Meng."

Ding Zhi was somewhat displeased, "Why didn't you tell me about such a good opportunity?"

Thus, Tian Qi set his mind at ease and briefly explained the situation to Ding Zhi

Tianqi also realized that the master had devoted all his thoughts to flirting with the palace maids; he probably would not aspire to meddle in the palace intrigues and conflicts.

Tianqi sighed weakly, "Master ... ..."

Why is that?" Ding Zhi's eyes revealed a strange expression

Ding Zhiyi slammed his fist and lamented, "Alas, I knew it. I told you, I should not have given that belt to Xiu Yi. You said what I should give was not good, giving jewelry, giving antiques, or even giving two gold ingots would have been better than giving a belt."

"No, wait a moment, what does this have to do with the embroidery officer?" Tian Qi was somewhat puzzled. The embroidery officer is a court lady, why would the master send her a belt?

Wang Meng was unable to deeply understand the meaning of this sentence, but upon seeing Tian Qi's grim expression, he dared not ask further

However, no one responded to him; on the contrary, everyone looked at him with suspicion. Those who hold good cards are often subject to envy and resentment, and people are somewhat inclined to believe that Sun Dali used improper means.

Tian Qi was both encouraging himself and pacing back and forth in the room, feeling quite anxious

Tian Qi nodded emphatically, while sizing him up with his eyes

Thus, the wooden bench flew over Tianqi, circling towards a young boy in white at the street corner

... ...

Due to the previous layer of suspicion, everyone naturally believed that Sun Dali was indeed cheating. Gamblers tend to resolve issues with their fists, and upon realizing that their recent losses were entirely due to the other party's deceit, they became furious and rushed to pin Sun Dali to the ground and beat him mercilessly

Sun Dali is not exactly a person of great resilience, but the noble Consort is truly remarkable; after all, her master Tian is still serving the Emperor

Ding Zhi suddenly found it hard to sit still. He stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his steps growing faster. As he walked, he muttered, "What to do, what to do, this is the end..."

After having lunch and resting for a while, considering that the Empress Dowager should be waking from her nap, Tian Qi went to the Cining Palace and chatted for a while with the palace maids who served the Empress Dowager. The maids naturally understood her intentions and found an opportunity to report to the Empress Dowager. Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager ordered that Tian Qi be summoned. Seeing that this servant had a pleasing appearance and a sweet tongue, always choosing to say what she liked to hear, the Empress Dowager was very pleased and ordered a reward for Tian Qi.

She returned to the Thirteenth Institute after leaving the palace and saw her master Ding Zhi peering at the door of her room.

Tian Qi finally understood what Ding Zhi was saying. Xiu Yi and Xiu Chun were both palace maids in the Qing Palace, and it seemed that the master had some involvement with these two. She supported her forehead and sighed, "Master, that's not what I meant. Besides Xiu Yi and Xiu Chun, have you never given a belt to anyone else?"

It turned out that the one hundred taels silver note that Tian Qi had given him earlier had not been used and was stolen. Later, when he inquired with his roommate, he was told that Sun Dali from the Imperial Horse Bureau had come by. Wang Meng remained vigilant and first went to the bank to exchange the silver note, giving a little money to the young clerk to gather information. Indeed, he learned that Sun Dali had come here to exchange one hundred taels of silver.

A person in the back shouted loudly, "What are you using to operate?"

Tian Qi paused and said, "First, let's get the money back before discussing anything else"

After listening to Ding Zhi, he was so frightened that his hair almost stood on end, secretly feeling a sense of dread for Tian Qi. However, he was a person without any ideas, and Tian Qi did not expect him to offer any good suggestions. Now that the matter was out in the open, removing any animosity had already achieved her goal. In any case, regarding the plot against the heir, neither she nor Ding Zhi had the ability to investigate.

At this moment, sitting at the gambling table, her primary purpose is not to win money

To deal with shameless individuals, you must be even more shameless than they are

Tian Qi listened, shaking her head in frustration, "Why are you so useless!" As she spoke, she wanted to hit Wang Meng a few times on the face, but after raising her hand and aiming for a long time, she couldn't find a place to strike, so she had to let her hand drop in defeat

This Sun Dali is not actually named Sun Dali; he was given this nickname simply because of his great strength

Tian Qi nodded, opened the door, and invited him inside

I just felt that something was off with you, are you not cheating, are you?

Sun Dali, who is associated with the Imperial Horse Monitoring Bureau, is known for his fondness for drinking and gambling, earning him a rather poor reputation. However, his master is a favored individual close to the noble consort, which has led Sun Dali to adopt a somewhat arrogant demeanor, enjoying the act of bullying others

Tianqi: "... ..."

You do not like women, do not like men, and have a particular preference for eunuchs; that is one thing, but I am your master. Ding Zhi said earnestly. Eunuchs, to some extent, possess a somewhat perverse psychology, yet my disciple's eccentricity is quite unique.

Tian Qi called out "Master," and Ding Zhi turned around to see her. He grinned, pulled her over, and patted her on the forehead, saying, "I heard that you are now serving the Emperor"

Tian Qi stroked his chin, glanced at Wang Meng, then looked at himself, and finally sorrowfully realized that the two of them tied together were still not enough for Sun Dali to practice his skills.

"Wait a moment." Tian Qi stopped him, and this sentence drew everyone's attention to her

Ding Zhi's expression suddenly turned very unpleasant, "Does the Emperor... know everything?"

The Thirteen Halls and the Forbidden City are separated by a road. Sun Dali chased to the entrance, and as he saw the two of them running onto the road, he picked up a wooden stool beside him and threw it without a second thought. The wooden stool arced through the air, heading straight for Tian Qi's head. Tian Qi glanced back, deliberately slowed his pace, and waited for the stool to pass by.

The wet nurse quickly pulled Ru Yi away to comfort her

She held Wang Meng's face and examined it carefully for a while, finally finding a few traces of Wang Meng's essence amidst this evolution reminiscent of Sun Wukong to Zhu Bajie. Thus, she was somewhat surprised, "How did you end up like this?"

There is also the Cining Palace ... ...

This is a villain with a powerful backing and a high level of combat strength

Sun Dali has also come to his senses. Moreover, he truly lives up to his name "Dali"; even when surrounded and beaten by several people, he was still able to break through the encirclement and chase after Tian Qi.

Tian Qi raised his hands and said, "The Emperor is aware of everything you have done. He intends to deal with you, but wants to catch you off guard. I am your disciple, so he specifically instructed me not to disclose this to you."

Tian Qi felt that he was asking a question he already knew the answer to, so he pointed to his own belt

Tian Qi could no longer hold back and interrupted him, "What about me! Have you ever given me a special belt?"

Tian Qi emerged from the Cining Palace, grinning widely. She opened her palm, revealing four gold ingots nestled within, gleaming bright yellow and shaped like small peanuts, each inscribed with the words "Auspicious and Propitious." Weighing them in her hand, they must have weighed at least three or four taels. She carefully placed the gold ingots into her pouch. When she looked up, she saw several palace maids and eunuchs surrounding a small child approaching her. The child, around three or four years old, was dressed in a bright red outfit adorned with a pattern of flowing clouds and blessings. The child's face was fair and tender, with features that had yet to fully develop, and a pair of large, bright eyes that were distinctly black and white, sparkling with life.

After having dinner, the two of them went to Sun Dali's residence, and sure enough, that rascal was once again gathering people to gamble.

This child is none other than the legitimate eldest son of the current emperor, and also his only child, named Ji Bingde, with the nickname Ruyi. Young Ruyi's biological mother was the late Empress Xiaozhao, who married Ji Heng when he was still the crown prince, and passed away shortly after giving birth to the crown prince. Now, young Ruyi is being raised under the care of the Empress Dowager, and today, it is unknown where he has been playing, when he happened to encounter Tian Qi.

Therefore, it can be said that Wang Meng's willingness to confront Sun Dali in person demonstrates a certain level of courage

Wang Meng hung his head and said, "I'm sorry..."

Tian Qi lowered her head and did not respond. Ever since the incident with the belt, she has harbored a slight resentment towards this master, feeling unable to approach him or ask him directly.

The eunuchs in attendance before the emperor essentially work in two shifts, alternating between the morning and evening shifts, while there are also eunuchs assigned to the night shift, who are trusted confidants of the emperor and have a more fixed schedule, not rotating with those on the morning and evening shifts. Tian Qi is assigned to the morning shift, starting at the hour of the tiger and finishing at noon.

However, Sun Dali became increasingly skilled as he played, and before long, he achieved a "Heavenly牌".

Tian Qi does not particularly enjoy gambling; she always feels that gambling easily leads to financial loss, regardless of whether one wins or loses. If she loses, she wants to recover her losses, thus investing even more; if she wins, the money comes too easily, making it less painful to spend.

"Tianqi, I curse you! You old man!" Sun Dali shouted angrily while chasing.

Moreover, she does not possess the ability to win every gamble. Gambling relies on both cunning and luck. While she is not lacking in cunning, luck is unpredictable; when faced with misfortune, the more one schemes, the greater the losses incurred.

The child was being led by someone, and as they approached quickly, Tian Qi hurriedly knelt by the side of the road, "I pay my respects to Your Highness"

Tian Qi's eyes were fixed on the ground, and all he could see was the scarlet robe trailing on the ground. Then, a crisp child's voice rang out in front of him, "Mother—"

The person replied, "I am Wang Meng"

"It is me, indeed it is me," Ding Zhi looked at her and leaned closer, lowering his voice to ask mysteriously, "How did the Emperor find out?"

Wang Meng timely asked, "So what should we do now?"

What happened? Sun Dali asked

Then he became like this

What is it if this is not cheating?