Chapter 233: Small bets please the mood, big bets…

"Princess Consort, we're here." Zi Su walked to the carriage and softly called out. The carriage was uncomfortable; better to go back to the mansion and sleep.

Jiang Yunchu slowly opened her eyes, instinctively rubbed her temples, and said, "Let's go."

"Where are the children?"

Just now I was a bit dazed; only now I remembered I took the children to Kang Fu today.

"They've already returned to the academy; Miss Yue Yue and the Young Master of the Kang Clan were also taken to the academy by Mr. Yun Hui." Zi Su answered each point, then helped Jiang Yunchu down from the carriage and quickly draped a cloak over her.

Now it's different from daytime; the air is already quite cold.

That night, Jiang Yunchu still slept restlessly; although she filled a waterskin with goat's milk and drank some soup, by midnight she was still shivering from the cold.

A few days later, at Ming Bang Academy.

"Regent's Consort, long time no see." He Tang's old face was all wrinkles from smiling, yet he looked delighted.

"I'm fine." Jiang Yunchu couldn't bear to meet his gaze, merely nodding slightly.

He Tang's words seemed to choke him; he couldn't continue. To perform a play you need a stage, but now the stage has been dismantled—how can you put on a big show?

"Mr. He, today is different—you're actually waiting at the main gate; that's rare."

Wang Xianshi naturally wouldn't miss a chance to tease; he started jabbing as soon as he arrived, though his whole face was smiling.

As the saying goes, you don't strike a smiling face; He Tang could only force a smile. "Mr. Wang, you're early today—has Tian Yun Academy got nothing to do?"

Wang Xianshi waved his hand, gave a hehe laugh, and said, "Mr. He is wrong; it's that my Tian Yun Academy's students are motivated, so someone helps me with everything. I'm just a hands‑off person who enjoys doing nothing—Mr. He wouldn't understand."

Their conversation seemed peaceful, but underneath there were hidden thrusts and parries, a few exchanges back and forth.

Ah, scholars—such a hassle!

Jiang Yunchu frowned on the side, then glanced at He Tang and said, "How come? Is Ming Bang Academy really that short‑staffed? Not even a guide? You've made Mr. He do all the welcoming and guiding himself—saving the wages of several people."

……

Kill, strike at the heart!

He Tang nearly couldn't catch his breath, almost choked to death, his face turned black, yet he didn't dare get angry—who doesn't know this Regent's Consort is a favorite before His Majesty?

However…

Thinking of their plan, his eyes narrowed slightly. "Let her be pleased, let her be pleased—see how long a woman can stay smug."

"Regent's Consort, you're joking… please follow me." He Tang gritted his teeth and led the way.

The people of Ming Bang Academy have basically been settled; nowadays there aren't many idle folks. Usually they let each academy go straight in, but today he wanted to make Jiang Yunchu unhappy, so he waited here.

I never expected…

He was half‑dead with anger.

"Qing Feng Da Ru, Mr. Liu." Jiang Yunchu entered the room and made a slight bow.

Liu Yunfeng returned the salute with clasped hands.

But Qing Feng Da Ru didn't stand on ceremony; he simply asked, "How have the children been resting these days? I heard you went out."

There are other people here now; although he's worried, he doesn't dare speak too plainly, lest someone with ill intent hear and cause trouble.

"How are the children?"

Before Jiang Yunchu could answer, Qing Feng Da Ru immediately asked another question.

He had heard that the children were all injured—Kang Ziwei's hand was almost ruined, Han Wen Jun's leg nearly crippled. These kids are promising scholars; for the imperial examinations, injuries can't show on the surface.

"It's fine." Jiang Yunchu didn't want to say more.

After all, there are others nearby; walls have ears.

Qing Feng Da Ru furrowed his brow, then fell silent; he also knew the setting was wrong. Mainly he was anxious—the academy has been preparing for the Joint Examination, hadn't gone to Chun Hua Academy for lessons, and only today did he get a chance to ask.

"All good, all good." Though he said that, Qing Feng Da Ru still looked uneasy.

Seeing his restless state, Jiang Yunchu helplessly rubbed her nose and thought, "How unreliable I am—why would Qing Feng Da Ru have such a misunderstanding?"

"Our betting rules, Princess Consort already knows—how shall we set this wager?" He Tang laughed, his tiny eyes almost squinted shut, a smile‑tiger look.

Jiang Yunchu raised an eyebrow, said nothing; the others exchanged glances and realized He Tang had come targeting the Regent's Consort.

I obtained this inkstone; it's a famous one—only three exist in the world. This inkstone is carved from green jade, so the ink never dries.

"This inkstone is my beloved possession; I only brought it out today for you all, to serve as this wager."

He Tang took out the inkstone, gently stroked it, and felt no reluctance.

It seems…

He's confident about this Joint Examination.

What gives him such confidence to win?

Jiang Yunchu silently calculated in her mind, didn't speak, just looked at He Tang.

Everyone could see He Tang was here for the Regent's Consort; even Qing Feng Da Ru narrowed his eyes, sat on the stool, sipping clear tea.

Seeing no one respond, a flash passed through He Tang's eyes; his smile froze for a moment, then he continued, "Princess Consort, are you not daring?"

Jiang Yunchu gave a light smile, held the teacup in her hand, moved it up and down a bit, then set it on the table.

The room fell silent; nobody spoke, all eyes on her.

"Heh~"

"Just… a cold laugh escaped her lips."

"That calm demeanor, slightly narrowed eyes, and icy laughter…"

"Mr. He, as the esteemed Dean of Ming Bang Academy, you're organizing mass gambling, even high‑stakes betting—have you considered what would happen if the Censorate filed a complaint? The consequences for you, and for us deans?"

"Those who know say Mr. He is just killing time; those who don't think he must have some ulterior motive."

After she finished, she stood up straight away; that lazy aura of hers changed instantly.

"I advise Mr. He: small bets please the mood, big bets…"

"It's not just losing money—it harms the body!"

As for how one gets injured, it's not necessarily certain; it could be losing a bet, losing one's capital completely, or it could be winning a bet, but then getting beaten up.

Anyway, getting injured is certain.

"The Princess Consort's words are quite right, big gambling harms the body, well said!" Liu Yunfeng's eyes lit up, he immediately echoed a sentence, looking at Jiang Yunchu's gaze, also underwent a subtle change, no longer as resistant as before, now instead carrying a hint of appreciation.