Chapter 7: 7 What I Want Is a Threat

After dismissing the extra maids, the room suddenly felt much more spacious. Ming Yu brought in two cups of the latest fashionable flower tea and handed them to Qian Yunniang with trepidation.

Although she was the least favored of the six young misses, she was still a mistress after all, and Qin Su did not lack the things she ought to have.

Once only she and Qian Yunniang were left sitting face-to-face, Qin Su spoke up nonchalantly. Instead of mentioning "conditions," she brought up another matter that seemed entirely unrelated. "I heard the Xiangyun Gambling Den on West Street is doing very well. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it earns thousands of gold pieces a day. I wonder which boss is raking in all that wealth. You have wide connections, Auntie; do you happen to know this boss behind the scenes?"

Completely caught off guard by Qin Su bringing this up, Qian Yunniang’s face failed to react for a long time, but her heart was drumming wildly. Why would she mention the gambling den...

As if not caring about Qian Yunniang's answer, Qin Su began to murmur to herself, circling around Qian Yunniang's side. "They say the boss behind the scenes is surnamed Qian." Upon hearing the word "Qian," Qian Yunniang's expression shifted instantly. She glanced at Qin Su with uneasy eyes, feeling as if she were sitting on needles.

"This boss originally came to Yongfeng City to rely on relatives, but not long after, he somehow struck it rich and opened a gambling den. He even has connections with the city's nobility and possesses immense power. Even when he killed someone a few days ago and was reported to the authorities, the matter was simply brushed aside. Truly a blessed life, having stumbled upon such a 'high-ranking and powerful' relative. Speaking of this relative, I am truly curious to know which powerful official..." She paused, looking at Qian Yunniang with a beaming smile, "...took you as an concubine? Auntie, are you curious?"

Spilling the tea Ming Yu had served, Qian Yunniang remained unaware of her own clumsiness. Her face was as pale as paper, and her chaotic thoughts prevented her from addressing Qin Su's question.

*Does Qin Su know?...Does she know I diverted funds from the Qin family's accounts to invest in the gambling den to amass wealth? She even knows clearly about the incident at the gambling den last month... But I clearly sent people to resolve it... How can this be? Just how much does she know?*

The more Qian Yunniang thought, the more uneasy she became. If the Master found out what she had done... it would be absolutely impossible! Qin Su might be testing her... Yes. Qian Yunniang's eyes brightened. After deliberating for a long while, she spoke in a cold voice: "Where did you get all these rumors? If it is, it is; if it is not, it is not. Do not believe rumors blindly, lest you harm others and yourself."

A chill flashed through Qin Su's eyes, but she feigned innocence and blinked at Qian Yunniang. "Of course I heard it from someone reliable. Ah, and that reliable person is also someone of yours, Auntie." She drew out the final syllable, her gaze intentionally or unintentionally drifting toward Hong Yun, who was waiting outside the door.

Such a small movement was naturally impossible to hide from Qian Yunniang's eyes.

Qin Su watched her reaction with amusement. This matter had been overheard by "little Qin Su" by chance while listening to the maids chatting around Qian Yunniang. However, to the Qin Su of that time, it was better to avoid trouble than to seek it; even if she could guess a thing or two, she never pursued the root of matters, wasting many opportunities.

But the current Qin Su was different. Seizing opportunities was what she excelled at. Sorting through a night's worth of memories had allowed her to catch many of Qian Yunniang's tails, and Qin Su would not let them go easily.

As for Hong Yun, a flash of coldness swept through her eyes; she remembered very clearly how she had once "treated" the little Qin Su.

Estimating that the medicine in the tea had taken sufficient effect, Qin Su sat down. Her fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, her relaxed tone carrying an air of non-negotiability. "I don't wish to say much more. I only hope to live a quiet life from now on. Otherwise, I am the type of person who, when things pile up and my mood becomes irritable, starts talking nonsense—saying things I shouldn't. Auntie, please don't blame me." Without waiting for Qian Yunniang to react, Qin Su called Ming Yu to see the guest out. "My health is poor, so I won't stay much longer. You know how it is—when a person is unwell, they tend to talk nonsense, blurring the line between what should and shouldn't be said. Wouldn't you agree, Auntie?"

Seeing Qin Su's calm and breezy smile, Qian Yunniang felt so much hatred she wanted to vomit blood. But what use was resentment? Seeing that Qin Su had already left her to enter the inner room, she rose indignantly and swept her sleeves as she departed.