Thirty thousand taels—consider it compensation!

Le Qianxue resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

She said, “So, Prince of War, if I help you win, do I get half of the five thousand taels?”

Zhan Lianjing seemed quite indifferent to money, replying in a calm voice, “Alright.”

Le Qianxue immediately became a little excited. She glanced at the chessboard; it was indeed a dead end. The white pieces surrounded the black, leaving no escape, and it seemed there was no way to fight back.

She frowned, studying the board seriously.

Fu Xiao saw her so intent, his lips pressed into a thin line. “Miss Le, it seems you won’t be making any money today. My chess skills are the best in Tianlong Kingdom.”

Without lifting her head, Le Qianxue retorted, “Don’t be too arrogant. There’s always someone better out there.”

Her eyes remained fixed on the board, and suddenly a spark of inspiration flashed in them.

She picked up a black piece and asked, “What are the terms of your bet?”

“If you win, you get five thousand taels. If you lose, it’s ten thousand taels,” Fu Xiao explained. “Of course, the prince pays if you lose.”

“I see…” Le Qianxue raised a brow and placed the black piece randomly.

Fu Xiao was stunned. Did Le Qianxue actually know how to play? She was pushing herself into a corner! Originally, there’d been a chance for a counterattack, but now there was no hope left.

Even the Lord of Night City couldn’t help but say, “Miss Le, that was a poor move.”

Meanwhile, Zhan Lianjing’s face had already darkened. Was Le Qianxue doing this on purpose?

The carriage moved smoothly, without the slightest jolt inside.

Resting her chin on her hand, she said, “I tried my best, Prince of War. You were the one who asked me to play, not the other way around.”

This woman!

Zhan Lianjing’s gaze sharpened, fixing on her, nearly ready to strangle her.

Seeing her earlier, he’d thought she’d help him win for the sake of money. Who knew she’d now claim to have tried her best?

Tried her best?

He didn’t believe it!

Fu Xiao couldn’t help laughing when he heard this.

Interesting. He could tell Le Qianxue was deliberately letting Zhan Lianjing lose!

Fu Xiao immediately spread his hands. “Prince of War, beauty is a disaster—pay up!”

Zhan Lianjing glared at him. “You think I won’t pay?”

Fu Xiao withdrew his hand. Zhan Lianjing’s wealth now rivaled the richest man in Tianlong Kingdom; he certainly wasn’t short of ten thousand taels.

He then fixed his gaze on Le Qianxue. “Le Qianxue, come bet with me.”

The journey to Night City was boring; a little game wouldn’t hurt.

Le Qianxue replied, “Prince of War, I already said I can’t play chess.”

Zhan Lianjing had seen her block herself earlier—she hardly seemed like someone who didn’t know how to play.

He insisted, “If you win, you get ten thousand taels. If you lose, one hundred taels.”

Fu Xiao’s eyes widened. Zhan Lianjing really was reckless with his wealth! Such a wager!

But Le Qianxue seemed dissatisfied. “Prince of War, with all your money, ten thousand taels is nothing. Why not make it twenty thousand?”

Fu Xiao and the Lord of Night City both sucked in a breath. Could Le Qianxue really make such a demand?

Even more surprising, Zhan Lianjing agreed.

Le Qianxue tidied up the chessboard. “Does the Prince of War want to try something new?”

He glanced at her, signaling her to continue.

Le Qianxue asked, “Have you ever played Five-in-a-Row?”

---

Five-in-a-Row?

Fu Xiao and the Lord of Night City had never heard of it. Even Fu Xiao, the kingdom’s chess champion, was unfamiliar with this game.

Zhan Lianjing, however, was intrigued, a faint smile curving his lips.

He moved his fingers. “Show me how it’s played.”

Le Qianxue explained the rules and gameplay. Zhan Lianjing found it quite simple.

Picking up a white piece, he said coolly, “I’ll humor you and play. After all, your mind isn’t very sharp—only good for these games.”

Le Qianxue felt the disdain and pouted. “Prince of War, this takes brainpower too. If you want to win my hundred taels, come at me.”

Fu Xiao watched with interest. This was something new, and he was curious.

Le Qianxue made the first move, followed by Zhan Lianjing. Each pattern she set up was blocked, and Zhan Lianjing gained no advantage either.

After a cup of tea’s time, Le Qianxue suddenly placed a piece and laughed. “Prince of War, look carefully.”

The three of them peered at the board and realized Le Qianxue had secretly built a line—she’d succeeded in one move.

Zhan Lianjing frowned as Le Qianxue’s smile grew ever brighter, his expression darkening further.

Soon, Zhan Lianjing kept falling into traps, and Le Qianxue repeatedly outmaneuvered him. At last, when he tried to place a piece, he found he had none left.

Which meant Zhan Lianjing had lost.

Le Qianxue put her hands together, bowed to Zhan Lianjing, and laughed. “Thank you for the thirty thousand taels, Prince of War! So generous!”

Fu Xiao was about to laugh, but seeing Zhan Lianjing’s grim expression, he held back.

Though he was Left Chancellor, he dared not act out of turn in Zhan Lianjing’s presence...

Zhan Lianjing called out, and Zhui Xing entered, handing Le Qianxue three silver drafts.

Zhui Xing gave the remaining drafts to Zhan Lianjing, who stared at Le Qianxue. “Come, let’s play again.”

Le Qianxue replied, “Prince of War, let’s not. I’m tired.”

“Think you can just walk away after winning my money? Not a chance,” Zhan Lianjing said.

“You sound just like a gambler,” Le Qianxue grumbled, unwilling. “I really am tired.”

Zhan Lianjing spoke slowly, “The things Fourth Prince gave you include items from the palace…”

Le Qianxue knew he was threatening her!

She didn’t know what grudge he held, but he kept fixating on her.

She gathered the pieces and said, “Fine! Don’t lose your fortune, Prince of War!”

They faced off again. At first, Fu Xiao watched with interest, but as he saw Le Qianxue win each time with her hidden links, he had to reassess Zhan Lianjing—the invincible prince lost at chess!

Eventually Fu Xiao lost interest and left with the Lord of Night City. Even riding horses was better than this.

Now only two remained in the carriage, and it was quieter.

Le Qianxue was yawning nonstop. She hadn’t lied; she always took a midday nap, and chess was a boring affair.

Zhan Lianjing had just placed a piece and, seeing Le Qianxue delay, impatiently urged, “Le Qianxue, your move.”

No response. He looked up to find Le Qianxue clutching a black piece, her head resting to the side, already asleep.

“….” Zhan Lianjing was speechless. He wanted to wake her, but seeing her so deeply asleep, he suddenly didn’t want to.

Zhan Lianjing’s gaze grew shadowed. He watched her for a moment, then turned away.

He quietly instructed Zhui Xing, “Don’t let Fu Xiao back into the carriage.”

Thus, when Fu Xiao and the Lord of Night City returned from racing their horses, Zhui Xing blocked them outside.

“What? You won’t let me in?” Fu Xiao was annoyed. “It’s so hot out—what does the prince mean by this?”

Zhui Xing replied, “Just as I said.”

Fu Xiao: “…”

---

That was explanation enough.

He snorted, thinking Zhan Lianjing must be losing inside and didn’t want to be disturbed as he tried to win back his losses.

He turned to the Lord of Night City. “How about we ride ahead to Night City?”

The Lord replied, “I was thinking the same. It’ll give us a chance to prepare everything for the prince’s arrival.”

Fu Xiao muttered, “Why is everyone revolving around him? Even I feel jealous.”

Still, he said no more.

Once the two left, the carriage slowed noticeably—at Zhan Lianjing’s request.

Le Qianxue dreamed of a little gold vault of her own and felt utterly delighted.

But suddenly, someone spoke: “Le Qianxue, your drool is on my robe.”

She frowned, disgruntled. “Why are you making noise…? I’m sleeping here…”

She’d been enjoying a dream of wealth, only to be disturbed and lose it all.

Groggily she opened her eyes and saw a shadow above her…

What…

As her vision cleared, even from this angle, Zhan Lianjing’s features were flawless!

She paused, then exclaimed, “Prince of War?!”

Wait, why was she…

She sat up abruptly, but Zhan Lianjing also lowered his head at the same moment, and they collided; she clutched her forehead with a cry, while Zhan Lianjing leaned back, his chin nearly aching.

He roared, “Le Qianxue! Are you trying to murder me?!”

Le Qianxue rubbed her forehead, her head spinning…

Seeing her like this, Zhan Lianjing couldn’t stay angry.

When Le Qianxue recovered, she saw Zhan Lianjing’s face was dark.

Alright then…

She also noticed his robe bore a clear drool stain…

Instinctively, she wiped her mouth, nearly wanting to cry.

Zhan Lianjing said coldly, “This robe is made of Flowing Cloud Brocade—each set costs thirty thousand taels.”

Le Qianxue blurted, “That expensive?! You might as well rob someone!”

His words clearly meant she should compensate him.

Zhan Lianjing’s expression remained icy, as if he might devour her whole.

Le Qianxue shivered. Though she was fearless, Zhan Lianjing’s gaze truly unnerved her.

Such a man—cold and intimidating, impossible to approach.

But as for silver… she didn’t want to pay! It was just an accident, after all!

Le Qianxue said, “Can’t it just be washed? Prince of War, there’s no need for such heavy compensation… I’ll wash it for you, alright?”

Her voice softened, deliberately trying to placate Zhan Lianjing.

He turned away, dismissive. “No. Pay up.”

Le Qianxue’s lips twitched. Earlier, she’d been too tired for chess, and though she’d lost a bit of money, she could afford it!

She abruptly changed her tone. “It’s just thirty thousand taels! I’ll pay you!”