Chapter 177: Chapter 177: What Your Princely Heir Says Doesn’t Count
Prince An sighed inwardly.
Others might not know, but these few brothers all knew in their hearts.
When they were young, they went to the casino and couldn’t play at first, losing miserably, but later Pei Ji’an observed carefully for a few days, and somehow found the tricks, almost never losing when he was involved.
Shaking dice might be difficult for others, but in Pei Ji’an’s eyes, he could get whatever number he wanted.
So who would win this game, they already knew from the start.
In the end, Qu Fulan got the Luminous Pearl.
However, time was long and entertainment in ancient times was scarce, they couldn’t play Truth or Dare for several hours straight, they had to find other entertainment to keep everyone amused, otherwise, how else to pass the time?
Eating and drinking, chatting and laughing can’t last a whole day either.
Inviting guests over, the right way to entertain is to host them well for a whole day.
Yesterday, Qu Fulan drew some things and asked Mrs. Chen to take them out to be made, asking for it to be done as quickly as possible, but just one night wouldn’t be enough, which is why she didn’t mention it.
When it’s ready, at future events, there would be something for everyone to enjoy.
As for today, Qu Fulan also prepared other games, like "Pictionary" or acting out for others to guess idioms.
Everyone had fun, but this entertainment could only last for so long, soon it became boring.
While Qu Fulan was thinking of the next game, Mrs. Chen came over with two young servants behind her.
"This is what Miss asked to be made yesterday, the craftsman finished it and sent it over personally." Mrs. Chen said.
Qu Fulan was delighted at the sight.
Unexpectedly, ancient craftsmanship was so efficient, finished in just one night.
Of course, this had to do with the payment, she offered a high price, paying half upfront, and the rest upon completion. The craftsman, spurred by this, finished it overnight and hurried to send it over to claim the remaining amount.
Naturally, Qu Fulan paid the rest, then gave some extra to the two servants, having Mrs. Chen give it out.
"What are these?"
The others gathered around, curious about the small box filled with little blocks inscribed with characters.
Today, they truly witnessed Miss Qu’s prowess, her mind filled with so many fun games, eager to see what more exciting games she would introduce.
"This is called Mahjong." Qu Fulan said.
"What is Mahjong?" Prince An, curious, picked up a block. It was made of wood, but he couldn’t tell which type, seeing that it had some weight to it.
"Four people at a table, and the game goes like this..." Qu Fulan explained how to play Mahjong to everyone.
At first, it didn’t seem very impressive, but once four people sat and tried a hand at it.
It was extraordinary.
Anyone who has played it knows that one or two rounds aren’t nearly enough.
"Miss Qiu, you’re really holding out on us, keeping such a fun thing to yourself until now?" Prince An couldn’t help but complain.
He, Wei Xu, Ge Yang, and Chu Jin sat at one table, playing with immense enthusiasm.
On the other side, Fang Yuan, Third Miss, Cheng Ru, and Yao Xing were equally engrossed.
At Qu Fulan’s table, she played with Heir Pei, Mrs. Pei, and Pei Lian.
Qu Fulan glanced at her tiles, then finally responded to Prince An, "It was all too rushed, I didn’t expect to have it today, which is why I didn’t mention it."
Saying this, she discarded a one character, which Mrs. Pei claimed.
It was Qu Fulan intentionally feeding Mrs. Pei tiles, needing to count tiles and boards. Mrs. Pei was new to the game, so Qu Fulan had to give her a head start.
But she only fed a few tiles, not losing deliberately to Mrs. Pei, but making sure Pei Lian lost to her instead.
She didn’t like Pei Lian, and they usually didn’t interact much, plus with his married status, she hadn’t invited him, yet here he was uninvited, bringing along a meddlesome woman, almost ruining her party.
A personal vendetta had to be settled, what better way than across the table?
Qu Fulan was busy counting and noting tiles, not realizing that Heir Pei, at some point, also started counting tiles.
Pei Lian, being trapped on both sides, was overwhelmed, getting tiles eaten, claimed, and stolen, losing terribly with every move.
This game involved betting, meaning Pei Lian was losing double, making him sweat profusely.
On the other side, Prince An drew a tile, praying it would be the East Wind, as he already had three East Winds; another would let him declare it hidden, earning a point from each player, only to draw the South Wind!
Frustrated, he discarded it, which was immediately claimed by Wei Xu, "Thanks, needed that."
Prince An fumed, "I’m having terrible luck, and you take from me, there’s no camaraderie!"
Just as he finished, Ge Yang across tossed an eight of ten-thousands, which Prince An quickly claimed, "Pong! I’m open, just need one more to win, every cloud has a silver lining, haha."
"..." Ever met someone this shameless?
The game continued until early evening, dinner time.
The ones losing were all too absorbed to feel hungry.
The winners, though wanting to keep winning, still needed to eat, right?
Qu Fulan wouldn’t let the guests go hungry, so she went to prepare a feast.
Once she left, Mrs. Pei’s table wrapped up. Mrs. Pei herself had won the most, her smile wide with joy, naturally ready to enjoy the feast.
Pei Lian had lost to the point of frustration, unable to show it around Mrs. Pei, he withstood it, bitterly uncomfortable.
Pei Ji’an’s guards needed to report, so he went to the front yard to see to it. By the entrance, he heard noises, seemingly Mrs. Chen speaking with someone.
Moments later, Mrs. Chen returned, curtseying when passing Heir Pei.
Pei Ji’an casually asked who was at the door.
Mrs. Chen answered, "I don’t know, they said they came to deliver a housewarming gift, refused to give their names, just said Miss would understand upon seeing it. I hadn’t dared accept the gift without consulting Miss first."
Pei Ji’an waved her off, mused, "Your Miss is busy, let me check it out."
Then stepping outside, he saw what he expected and instructed the attendants beside him, "Why are you standing around, no one knows to accept gifts?"
The attendants hustled to take it, but the visitors refused to hand it over, "Our Prince said it must go to Miss Qu directly."
Pei Ji’an smiled indifferently, "This is my domain, your Prince’s word doesn’t count here."
Seeing they were outmatched and not on home turf, hardlining wouldn’t benefit them, they grudgingly handed the gift over but pleaded it goes to Miss Qu.
Pei Ji’an, smiling mildly, verbally agreed but upon turning away, ordered the gift to be discarded.
"What just happened, let’s pretend it didn’t."