Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 52 I find the green hills charming, and I imagine others are the same.

"Du Zhong, get to shore quickly!"

Shen Qing and Shen Yun frantically scooped water out of the boat. Although they wouldn't drown, being soaked to the bone was no fun. The main problem was that it was in the middle of nowhere, and it would be difficult to change their wet clothes, which would easily expose them.

Du Zhong rowed the bamboo pole with all his might, but the boat didn't budge and sank little by little. He was so anxious that he broke out in a cold sweat because he couldn't swim!

Just then, a pleasure boat slowly approached.

"Jun Yue, why are you in such a sorry state?"

Shen Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw a noble young man in a golden crown and purple robes leaning against the railing, waving as he carried an exquisite silver wine pot. His peach blossom eyes were upturned, exuding a charming and amorous air, and he was accompanied by a beautiful concubine.

Shen Yun was a little embarrassed. "The boat is broken."

"Come on up quickly," the man ordered, and the boatman then brought the pleasure boat closer to them.

Shen Qing easily jumped across the short distance, reducing the weight of the sinking boat and buying time. Shen Yun and Du Zhong needed help to get onto the pleasure boat.

Once on deck, Du Zhong finally breathed a sigh of relief; he was a complete landlubber! He had one more skill to learn.

"What impressive skills this young man possesses!" exclaimed the man in the purple robe.

Shen Yun awkwardly introduced, "This is my relative, Shen Qing. You can just call him Sanlang."

Shen Qing's expression froze slightly. Talking about people behind their backs is no good. Sure enough, she was saved by the person in question right after she finished speaking. She could only give an awkward but polite smile and bow in acknowledgment.

Ning Cuo truly lived up to his reputation as a first-rank military marquis. This pleasure boat was luxuriously decorated. Although it was not as large as Princess Yuanzhen's boat, it had all the necessary utensils, including beaded curtains and incense burners. It would be perfectly acceptable to stay here.

The deck was spacious and had several tables set up. Ning Cuo invited them to sit down and waved his hand. The two beauties beside him immediately sat down next to Shen Yun and Shen Qing respectively and poured them wine.

“Nu Yun understands…”

"The flower understands language..."

"Let's raise a glass to my beloved."

Shen Qing raised her glass in agreement, thinking to herself, "Why does this name sound so familiar?"

"Wu Jiu still has a lot of influence, able to summon four top courtesans from the Jiaofangsi to keep him company," Shen Yun remarked.

That's right, Ning Cuo had two more women by his side, one on each side. Shen Qing was extremely envious. Damn system, why didn't you let him dress like this?

Perhaps sensing Shen Qing's gaze, Ning misunderstood and said, "Xiange, you go over there too."

"Yes." Yue Xiange gracefully took her seat on the other side of Shen Qing.

"..." Very well, he has achieved the goal of having women on both sides, but unfortunately he can't enjoy it. That damned system is a huge hindrance!

Seeing that Shen Qing remained silent, Yue Xiange covered her mouth and chuckled, "Young master, do you perhaps wish to have Sister Tangyi accompany you?"

“That won’t do,” Yun Zhiyi teased. “Ye Tangyi has remained chaste for the Marquis and never slept with anyone else. If it weren’t for the fact that she couldn’t be redeemed from the brothel, she would have been living a life of luxury as a concubine in the Marquis’s mansion long ago.”

Sigh, another state-run brothel. Shen Qing couldn't help but think of Lu Huanong, wondering where she was staying at this moment.

This sigh made Yun Zhiyi think that Shen Qing was regretting that Ye Tangyi could not accompany him. She was displeased and pouted. They were both courtesans, but Ye Tangyi was so classy.

Actually, Shen Qing only glanced over there out of curiosity. Ye Tangyi sat quietly next to Ning Cuo, her eyes filled with restrained and sincere affection when she looked at him. Unlike the flirtatious manner of typical courtesans, she resembled a lady from a respectable family.

However, considering the nature of the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution), only daughters from prominent families were likely qualified to enter. Over time, those who survived had their pride worn down. Ye Tangyi's ability to do so was probably due to Ning Cuo's protection.

Looking at Ning Cuo again, aside from his unrestrained demeanor, he was full of energy and didn't seem like a womanizer at all. Even with a beautiful woman by his side, he didn't grope her. It seems the rumors might not be true.

But is he deliberately trying to smear himself by acting like this?

Well, everyone has their own troubles. Take Princess Fukang, for example. Why did Ning Cuo let her reputation be ruined? We were just strangers, and Shen Qing didn't want to investigate further.

The clinking of glasses and the sightseeing on the lake were just a small interlude on the journey.

Having drunk too much, Shen Qing felt a bit bloated. She stood up and walked around, then leaned on the railing to watch the shimmering water. Occasionally, a small fish would leap out of the water and do a backflip, splashing up sprays of water.

Shen Qing noticed a small boat traveling towards them. A woman dressed in a lake-green dress sat at the bow. Her attire was simple, but her demeanor was outstanding, and it was clear at a glance that she came from a high-class family.

Well, she's not the kind of person who's very beautiful, but she has an indescribable attraction. How can I describe it? It's like she comes with her own background music and special effects; you can spot her in a crowd at a glance.

"Isn't that Aunt Yujue and Fang Yu'an?" Shen Yun also got up and walked to Shen Qing's side at some point.

Shen Qing then noticed that behind the woman in green was a young man in white robes, his sleeves rolled up, rowing with all his might, a string of beads on his wrist reflecting the sunlight.

Is it appropriate for a lone man and woman to be alone like this? It's not that Shen Qing is conservative, but the situation makes it awkward. She tentatively asked, "Are you two very familiar with each other?"

Shen Yun said, "Didn't I just tell you that my great-aunt had a fake marriage with the Duke of Yu? Aunt Yu Jue is her granddaughter."

It's no coincidence that his mother opened the door for him and they ended up home by sheer coincidence!

"As for Fang Yu'an..." Shen Yun glanced at Ning Cuo and whispered, "His father is Madam Qiao's childhood sweetheart."

Holy crap! Shen Qing didn't know what to say. What kind of law of attraction is this?

"Then what about them..."

“Fang Yu’an’s aunt married into the Yu family, so they are cousins,” Shen Yun explained.

"So they're siblings..." Wait, Shen Qing suddenly realized that these days close relatives can marry!

Sure enough, Shen Yun continued, "The two families are already engaged, so it's fine for them to meet occasionally."

"..." Shen Qing suddenly became a little worried that this girl, who looked very intelligent, might give birth to a fool.

Perhaps attracted by Shen Qing and the others' commotion, Ning Cuo also came over to see what they were doing.

Just then, the painted boat and the small boat passed each other by. Yu Jue felt the gaze and turned around. The landscape blended with her, creating a beautiful picture of a lady.

Shen Qing was so captivated by the sight that he didn't come to his senses until the small boat disappeared into the distance and became a tiny dot. He then realized that Ning Cuo looked just like him.

I can't help but sigh, I find the green hills so charming, and I imagine others feel the same way.

At this moment, Shen Qing was unaware that there were some people she should never meet, for meeting them would only lead to trouble, and she would regret it later, wishing she could slap herself! Serves you right for wandering around aimlessly!

At this moment, Shen Qing still had the mood to gossip about the Yu family with Shen Yun.