Chapter 134: The Dean of the Heraldry Institute’s Calling Card

"In that case, I am truly sorry!"

The whale oil lamps housed in crystal stands cast a brilliant light, making the entire gazebo as bright as day. Outside the windows, the sky had already darkened; while it wasn't quite pitch black, silhouettes were indistinguishable from more than a few meters away. Inside the gazebo, ivory Land-Island tiles clicked crisply against the table made of sea-foam stone.

A light sheen of cold sweat appeared on Titian's forehead, though it was merely a negligible amount.

Lin Qi was beaming, his face flushed with triumph. Before him lay a heap of gold banknotes in various denominations, alongside scattered red and blue gemstones, pearls, and other jewelry. In just four hours—a mere four hours—Lin Qi had swept the table, winning over 2.4 million gold coins in notes, with the loose gems and pearls adding at least another 100,000 to his haul.

With a golden Land-Island tile representing the High Priest of the Odin Temple, Lin Qi had instantly crushed the three Knight tiles held by Titian and his companions. With a laugh, he swept the remaining chips from the table. Titian groaned powerlessly, rolling his eyes as he slumped back into his armchair, disregarding all decorum. His hand reached sluggishly into his inner breast pocket and pulled out his final ten-thousand-gold banknote.

Looking at the note with a mournful expression, Titian sighed, "Let's call it a day, my dear Lin Qi. In a few days, a club under my name is hosting a game. Could you represent me there?"

Giving a helpless, bitter smile, Titian waved the banknote and shook his head. "That's enough for today. Heavens, oh heavens! Lin Qi, you must at least leave me enough spare change to tip the carriage driver. Goodness, your calculations are far too precise. I have never seen anyone like you, someone who can calculate every single card—it’s terrifying, truly terrifying! Yet, what a wonderful, useful ability it is!"

Lin Qi smiled with reserved modesty. He methodically tidied the banknotes on the table, selecting the larger denominations to total two million gold coins. As for the remaining four hundred thousand in notes and the pile of gems and pearls, he gestured lightly to the steward responsible for the gazebo's affairs, who stood in the corner. "These are for you. Distribute them according to your own customs."

The steward, dressed in a scarlet uniform and groomed with such meticulous care that not a single hair of his mustache was out of place, bowed reservedly and said softly, "Thank you, noble sir. Your generosity is deeply appreciated."

A maidservant stepped forward, and Lin Qi placed the tip money and jewelry onto the sterling silver tray she held. The maid brushed her ample hips lightly against Lin Qi’s thigh before retreating with a charming smile.

Unfortunately, the maid's allure and tenderness were entirely wasted. To the eighteen-year-old Lin Qi, gold coins held an irreplaceable position in his life; he had yet to discover the charms of women, nor did he understand the implications of the maid's intentional or unintentional brushing. He simply tucked the two million gold coins into his inner pocket, the golden glow in his pupils gradually fading.

Having used fifty thousand gold coins as bait to hook a profit of two million, Lin Qi found his favor toward Titian growing stronger by the moment. He hadn't even managed to help him woo the women Ya and Ling yet, and he had already cleared two million gold coins in profit. Titian was a veritable money tree. After all, his uncle was the Imperial Minister of Finance; Lin Qi felt he should maintain this friendly relationship.

Two million gold coins were roughly equivalent to the total assets of a mid-tier noble family in the empire, yet Titian, having just lost such a staggering sum, remained composed. He pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe the faint sweat from his brow and said to Lin Qi with a smile, "Then, can we confirm this in advance? The game in three days—I shall provide the stakes; would you be willing to play for me, Mr. Lin Qi?"

Lin Qi looked at Titian deeply. He stood up and bowed slightly. "I would be happy to be of service, honorable Master Titian!"

Titian smiled and shook Lin Qi’s hand. He cast a self-deprecating glance at the ten-thousand-gold note in his hand before carefully tucking it away. He laughed heartily, "Very well. Until the monthly earnings from my small business ventures arrive next month, I shall have to get by on this ten thousand. Mr. Lin Qi, I find that I am in need of someone just like you by my side."

Titian’s words carried a clear intent to recruit, and Lin Qi immediately seized the opportunity: "I believe that as we spend more time together, you will discover even more of my virtues."

Clasping his hands together, a faint yellow light flickered across Lin Qi’s palm. The corners of Titian’s mouth curled upward. He nodded repeatedly with satisfaction and said with a laugh, "Excellent, excellent. I truly need someone like you to assist me. Yulian, Mr. Lin Qi is your good friend; you may bring him to see me directly in the future."

With a single sentence, he granted Lin Qi the authority to enter the residence of the former Imperial Chancellor. Titian stood up and called out softly, "Prepare the carriage. We are going to No. 1 Saint Glory Avenue. Have my grandfather's calling card ready; I expect they will show the necessary respect to the old man."

Looking back at Lin Qi, Titian smiled. "Now, do you have any other requests?"

Lin Qi did not hesitate and immediately stated his terms. Titian gave him a thoughtful look before nodding in agreement.

Half an hour later, Titian’s carriage returned to the gate of No. 1 Saint Glory Avenue. A dozen carriages were still lingering nearby, and several mysterious figures were lurking behind trees and in the flower beds, all eyes fixed on the gate.

Titian’s carriage stopped outside the main entrance. A guard stepped forward, balled his fist, and hammered heavily on the gatehouse door.

The thundering sound startled the carriages and the figures hiding in the foliage.

A small window on the gatehouse door suddenly slid open, and a low, gruff voice emerged: "Apologies, our master is not receiving guests. Whoever you are, please leave, or we shall be forced to summon the City Guard."

The guard let out a mocking sneer. "The City Guard? Deliver our master’s calling card to your master. If you cause a delay, you will be unable to bear the consequences." Ignoring the gatekeeper, the guard shoved a calling card through the small window.

The small window remained closed for a full half-cup of tea’s time before the sound of footsteps on snow echoed from behind the gate; clearly, the gatekeeper had gone to report to his master.

Only a few minutes later, the gates of No. 1 Saint Glory Avenue, which had been closed for days to the countless young scions of the capital, suddenly swung open. Titian’s carriage, carrying an air of unparalleled arrogance, drove inside in a triumphant display.