Chapter 146: Card Friends - Rebirth of the Noble Daughter

 Chapter 146: Card Friends

Xu Mingyue also joined in, "Siruo, I'm already at Wenjin Academy. I might not be able to return in time. It looks like Siruo will have to come to join your coming-of-age celebration. I'll make sure to prepare a congratulatory gift for you, so don't worry."

Feng Jinyao smiled somewhat reluctantly. In her previous life, the impression of her coming-of-age ceremony wasn’t good.

Back then, the Feng family was deeply embroiled in schemes, with several deaths and her marriage imminent. The ceremony was rushed and simple, leaving her no time to react, forcing her to mature quickly.

In this life, she had changed her family's fate. Though they faced difficulties, at least everyone was alive, and the family was harmonious.

"Ah, there's so much going on at home now. Let's talk about the coming-of-age ceremony another time."

Seeing she wasn't in the mood to respond, the two guessed it might be related to Uncle Feng's injury and didn't press further.

Four men and three women strolled along until they reached Dongli Pavilion, where everything was well-prepared.

The charcoal brazier had warmed the room early, and hot tea and snacks were ready. What caught Su Cheng’s eye was a table set up in the hall.

"You’re quite something, hiding these jade bone tiles here?"

Jade bone tiles were a leisure game among the nobility of Great Jin, playable by two or more people. With seven people here now, everyone except Yin Canwen had some knowledge of the game, though their skill levels varied.

Su Cheng and Feng Jinlin were obviously skilled, Xu Mingyue and Bai Siruo weren’t far behind, while Feng Jinyao wasn’t interested, and Xiao Mu Qian only vaguely remembered the rules from childhood.

Rubbing his hands together, Su Cheng was happier than anyone present. Clearing his throat, he began, "How are we playing this? We need stakes to make it fun."

Feng Jinlin playfully punched him, "I knew you had a mischievous plan. Don't worry, remember how you’ve always admired the Peerless Sword in my room? If you win today, it's yours."

Su Cheng smirked, "Pft, I thought you were going to say 'Chasing Clouds.'"

"Keep dreaming. My Thousand Miles Steed won't let just anyone ride it. It only recognizes me. If you tried, it would throw you off!"

Whenever these two were together, endless banter ensued, much to the amusement of those around them.

"Alright, Su Gege, you’re straightforward. Then I..." Bai Siruo hadn’t brought anything with her, so she took off a pearl hairpin from her hair. "Let's use this."

Su Cheng clicked his tongue, "Miss Bai, are you trying to make it difficult for me? I wouldn't dare take your personal item. I’d probably end up in the river, thrown by Mu Qian, before getting home."

Bai Siruo gave him a sideways glance, "Su Gege, your courage is as small as a chicken’s. This thing could fetch at least three hundred taels if you sold it. You really don’t know its value."

"Three hundred taels?!" Su Cheng, from a military family with a mother uninterested in such trinkets, was clueless about market prices.

His eyes sparkled at the mention of three hundred taels. "Miss Bai, you’re generous. If I sell it, I'll donate the money to the Charity Hall. There are plenty of orphans and elderly there. This money could support them for quite a while."

He had no intention of keeping the money for himself, demonstrating his integrity.

It was no wonder Feng Jinlin had been friends with him for years. Bai Siruo smiled, "Su Gege, bragging before the game starts?"

"Haha, Miss Bai, you’re too young. Ask your cousin. I’m a master at this. None of you can beat me."

His bold claims were backed by his skills, earning him the nickname 'Su Masterful Strokes.'

Xu Mingyue offered a treasured military manual as her stake, while Su Cheng put up a newly acquired moonlight cup. Xiao Mu Qian, not playing, was asked to add a rare jar of Lihun wine, making Su Cheng eager to start.

They began the lively game.

Feng Jinlin partnered with Bai Siruo, Xu Mingyue with Su Cheng. Each sat at opposite sides of the table, with teammates also becoming opponents. Xiao Mu Qian acted as a substitute, while Feng Jinyao and Yin Canwen watched from the sidelines.

Su Cheng, typically carefree, was sharp and strategic at the table, quickly knocking out Bai Siruo with Xu Mingyue's help.

"Hehe, Miss Bai, thanks on behalf of the Charity Hall."

His humility was a facade, as he relished his advantage. Bai Siruo sighed, admitting her lack of skill, and turned to Xiao Mu Qian. "Your turn."

Pushed into the game by his fiancee, Xiao Mu Qian played haphazardly, yet beginner’s luck prevailed, defeating Xu Mingyue.

Xu Mingyue shook her head, conceding to try again in the next round.

Su Cheng faced two opponents—Xiao Mu Qian's reckless attacks and Feng Jinlin's traps—but remained unfazed, enjoying the challenge despite veins of concentration showing on his forehead.

After a while, Su Cheng emerged victorious again, his bowl filled with gold coins.

Bai Siruo, grinding her teeth, said, "I don’t believe it. My aunt taught me well. I shouldn’t be losing this much. Again!"

Like an addicted gambler, she was determined to recover her losses. Su Cheng loved opponents with more enthusiasm than skill, eager to teach her a lesson.

They played round after round, with Bai Siruo continually losing, her bowl emptying, while Xiao Mu Qian occasionally increased his pile.

Finally, Bai Siruo was almost defeated by Su Cheng, her bowl empty, while his mound of gold coins grew, frustrating her.

Seeing her frustration, Xiao Mu Qian poured his gold coins into her bowl, affectionately saying, "Use mine."

His grand gesture made Bai Siruo laugh, finding him quite charming.

"Alright, alright, you two, ahem, engaged couple, mind the occasion. There are still many of us here, right?"

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