There is a saying: “In front of absolute strength, all conspiracies and tricks are useless.”
Chu Xinian was skilled at understanding human nature and was used to dealing with hidden enemies. He calculated and manipulated others with a scowl and a faint smile. Confrontation was an approach he would never choose.
But Xie Jingyuan’s sudden kiss just now was like an enemy with a formidable force, delivering a fatal blow that left Chu Xinian’s mind full of schemes, abruptly cut off before they could be voiced.
Chu Xinian did not understand why Xie Jingyuan acted in such a manner. His mind went completely blank, and he sat motionless beside the bed, maintaining the same posture. It took him a long time to wake up, only when Yun Que couldn’t help but walk in and call out to him.
“Young Master!” Yun Que entered the room, but suddenly knelt in front of him, her face pale as she spoke softly, “I made a mistake today. Please punish me, Young Master.”
Chu Xinian had a rough idea of what she meant. With a slight delay, he picked up the clothes by his feet and dusted them off. The rationality that had deserted him finally returned, and his voice remained calm, “Tell me everything that happened this morning.”
Yun Que was also surprised today. She glanced at him before remorsefully recounting the incident, “…It was not intentional on my part. I was only concerned about the Young Master, so I unintentionally offended the General. I didn’t expect it to involve Jiu Yong as well…”
Chu Xinian thought he had overheard some confidential information, but it turned out to be something else. Hearing Yun Que’s vague mention of seeing Xie Jingyuan kissing him, he barely showed any emotions and said, “This matter must not be repeated in the future. I know you have served Mother faithfully in the past and earned her trust, but the General’s Mansion is different from that of the Marquis of Quyang. The rules are very strict, and there is always a risk of death at any time.”
This time, Xie Jingyuan spared Yun Que’s life out of consideration for Chu Xinian. If it had been someone else, his life would have been in danger.
Yun Que held back tears and bowed, “I know I was wrong. Please punish me, Young Master!”
Seeing her sincere repentance, Chu Xinian did not impose a severe punishment: “In that case, I will deduct your three months’ salary. In the future, concentrate on the assigned tasks and refrain from unnecessary actions.”
Yun Que’s eyes turned slightly red, “Young Master, what about Jiu Yong?”
Chu Xinian knew what she was thinking, “He has been following Xie Jingyuan for many years and naturally has no need to worry about his life. If he’s being punished, it’s because he made a mistake. You don’t need to worry about it anymore.”
Yun Que always felt that everything Young Master said was correct and flawless, so she suppressed her worries and got up to help Chu Xinian get dressed. When she noticed a piece of jade around his neck that she had never seen before, she dared not ask and bowed her head to fasten his belt.
Chu Xinian remained silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Where is the General?”
Yun Que shook her head, “I don’t know. He has not been seen since he left home this morning. Does the Young Master need anything from the General?”
Chu Xinian pondered for a moment and touched his face, then said, “It’s nothing.”
He straightened his clothes and went right to the room where the thief was being held. Through the window, he saw her sitting on the bed, gnawing on a chicken leg, with food scraps and leftovers scattered on the table. She looked very happy.
The guard at the gate did not stop Chu Xinian when they saw him, directly unlocking the gate and letting him in, probably because Xie Jingyuan had told them beforehand.
“How was your stay last night?”
While enjoying her chicken leg, Qianqian suddenly heard a familiar voice ringing in her ears. Unconsciously looking up, she saw the young man in white who had tied her up, and the chicken bone in her hand fell to the ground.
“It was… it was good.” Qian Qian wiped her mouth with her sleeve and instinctively got up from the bed. She was afraid that those people had poisoned the food, so she didn’t dare to eat last night. However, she couldn’t hold her hunger until the next morning, so she devoured all the dishes on the table.
Chu Xinian found a place to sit down and smiled when he saw that the food on the table had already cooled down. He asked, “Have you eaten enough? Cold food is bad for your stomach, how about I have someone prepare something hot for you?”
His manner of speaking was reasonable and kind, which made Qianqian feel a bit lost. Reluctantly, she became serious and said, “There’s no need to beat around the bush. Why did you capture me? You didn’t bring me here just to be a guest. Speak if you have something to say.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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As Qian Qian was praised, she felt a little elated, but at the same time, a little embarrassed. After all, she was surprised by him and couldn’t help but retort, “Of course, if I want to steal something, it’s as easy as taking something out of a bag. The mechanisms and secret arts of your high-class family are nothing special.”
Unexpectedly, Chu Xinian laughed lightly, shaking his head slightly to indicate his disagreement, “To be honest, I used to think the same thing before I met you. But after seeing you yesterday, fame doesn’t live up to reality. Even the legendary master thief is like that.”
His words struck like thunder. Qian Qian, forgetting that she was still imprisoned, glared at Chu Xinian and exclaimed, “What did you say?!”
A person lives by his reputation, just as a tree lives by its bark. Qian Qian’s skills far surpassed those of ordinary thieves, and she did not lack wealth. She had been stealing in the Capital to make a name for herself, but she never expected to fall into Chu Xinian’s hands. She felt deeply indignant.
Chu Xinian nonchalantly folded his fan, “Miss’s thieving skills are far from as impressive as her reputation suggests. I originally wanted to make it a competition, but now I have to give up on that idea. It was my carelessness to keep you trapped here yesterday. You may go now, Miss.”
Chu Xinian closed his fan and pointed towards the door.
However, Qian Qian had no intention of making peace with him. Feeling that her reputation had been tarnished, she was determined to do justice, “If it wasn’t for you causing trouble yesterday, I would have gotten the painting!”
Chu Xinian lowered his gaze calmly, his lips curved in the same arc, “If one’s skills are inferior to others, there is no need to look for excuses, Miss. If it had been me who stole the painting, I would have removed the real painting intact.”
“You? Do you think you could?” Qian Qian, after all, was but a young girl who unwittingly fell into his trap. She looked Chu Xinian up and down, disdainfully, “You can’t carry the weight, you can’t handle it. How can you steal things?”
Chu Xinian replied, “Miss, believe it or not, stealing has nothing to do with martial arts but with one’s mind.”
Qian Qian felt as if he was insulting her, “Are you saying there is something wrong with my mind?”
However, Chu Xinian did not seem willing to continue the discussion. He straightened his clothes and prepared to leave, deliberately addressing the guard at the gate, “This thief’s martial arts are mediocre, and it’s not interesting to capture her. It was hard for you two to guard her all night. Go find the steward yourselves and claim your reward.”
“Chu Xinian, stop there!” Hearing this, Qian Qian rushed forward to stop him, feeling agitated. Without thinking, she said, “You said I couldn’t live up to my fame. You dare to compete with me!”
Chu Xinian paused for a moment, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips that she could not see. However, his tone lacked enthusiasm, “Miss, you’d better leave. Don’t steal again in the future. If someone else catches you, they may not be as complacent as I am.”
Qian Qian replied, “Yesterday was just a slip. If you think my skills are mediocre, I dare you to compete with me. Are you afraid?”
Chu Xinian turned to look at her, seemingly provoked. He gestured for the guard to step back and smiled, “Why would I be afraid of you, what do you want to compete with, stealing things?”
Qian Qian snorted slightly, “I’m a thief. What else is there to compete with?”
Chu Xinian quickly opened his fan, as if deep in thought, “But you’ve already stolen from all the rich houses in the Capital. If we were to pick one at random for you to rob, you would have the advantage of familiarity. Wouldn’t that be unfair?”
Qian Qian pondered for a moment, “Who said I have robbed them all? I have not stolen from the Palace.”
Chu Xinian laughed in amusement, “The Palace is full of highly skilled individuals, and even the Emperor’s side has hidden talents. It would be better for you not to take unnecessary risks. How about choosing among the residences of the royal ministers, where you have not stolen?”
Qian Qian said, “Then let us go to Princess Ping Shuang Residence.”
Chu Xinian shook his head, “Princess Ping Shuang allowed her wicked servant to harm others and the Emperor ordered her a three-month retreat in the temple. She has not yet returned. Her residence is empty and any petty thief can enter. It is not interesting to steal there.”
Qian Qian furrowed her brows slightly, “Then how about the Crown Prince?
Chu Xinian cleared his throat, “The Crown Prince has always been boring. What good things can there be in his residence? They are probably all fake and deceitful objects. I wouldn’t even know if he was fooled by a fake painting.”
Hearing this, Qian Qian could not help but ponder. Among the Capital’s low-ranking families, she disdained stealing from them, and she had already stolen from most of the wealthy households. After careful consideration, she had few options left, “I know a place, but do you dare to go there?”
Chu Xinian smiled faintly, “Miss, don’t hesitate to tell me”.
Qian Qian lowered her voice and whispered, “The Residence of the Minister of War.”
Seeing that Chu Xinian remained silent, she guessed that he was afraid. She put her hands on her hips and said, “I have visited Qin Daoyan’s residence before. To put it bluntly, the guards there probably have nothing to envy the guards at your General’s mansion. Each one of those sons and daughters of justice is highly qualified. Ordinary people can’t easily get in.”
Chu Xinian seemed interested, speaking meaningfully, “Oh, so Lord Qin. As Minister of War, he enjoys the Emperor’s favor, and his house naturally possesses numerous treasures. I have heard that there is a hidden compartment under his pillow, containing a world-famous treasure. How about we make a wager on who can steal that treasure?”
Qian Qian agreed without hesitation, “If you lose, you will have to admit that my skills as a thief are unrivaled and write a declaration of surrender.”
Chu Xinian gladly agreed, “If you lose, you have to return all the stolen treasures.”
Qian Qian looked at him skeptically, “That’s it?”
Chu Xinian smiled, lightly waving his paper fan, dressed in a white robe, “Miss, you have extraordinary talents. It would be better to use them for something else. Why take the wrong path? Remember that there are always higher mountains and better people out there.”
When he finished speaking, he looked up at the sky, “It’s already late. Let’s set tomorrow’s sunrise as the deadline to see who has superior skills.”
In the original novel ‘A Thousand Years of Feud’, Qin Daoyan secretly collaborated with foreign countries and exchanged military secrets. Later, it was obtained by a talented individual under the orders of Prince Jin and reported to the Emperor, resulting in Qin Daoyan’s death sentence.
Although the current story has deviated greatly from the original plot, Chu Xinian could not be sure whether the secret correspondence was still hidden in its original place. However, it wouldn’t hurt to send someone to investigate. It wouldn’t require much effort anyway.
Today, Xie Jingyuan was not at the mansion for the entire day and only returned in the afternoon. Chu Xinian originally worried that the two of them would feel awkward meeting each other, but now he realized that he was thinking too much. After bathing and changing clothes, he lay down directly on the low sofa in the outer room.
Xie Jingyuan was still waiting for Chu Xinian to come and warm the bed, but after waiting for a while without hearing any movement, he couldn’t help but lift the bed curtain to take a look only to find Chu Xinian lying outside reading a book.
Xie Jingyuan called out to him expressionlessly, “Chu Xinian.”
Chu Xinian, who had no real interest in reading and had an empty mind, stopped his skimming through the pages at the sound of his voice, but did not turn around, “General, do you need anything?”
Xie Jingyuan asked, “I heard you let that thief go?”
Chu Xinian replied, “Hmm.”
Xie Jingyuan asked again, “Are you so sure she will come back obediently?”
Chu Xinian replied, “Hmm.”
Xie Jingyuan said, “I am cold. Come here.”
Chu Xinian was about to reply with another ‘hmm’ but realized in time and swallowed it. He held the book in his hand and, due to excessive force, the pages almost bent, “I… I’ve been feeling a bit unwell lately, I’m afraid of spreading my illness to the General.”
Xie Jingyuan showed genuine concern, “Are you not feeling well? Have you taken any medicine?”
Chu Xinian nodded.
Seeing this, Xie Jingyuan got off the bed directly, walked over, lifted the sheet, and crawled over, squeezing onto the sofa with Chu Xinian, “As long as you have taken the medicine, there’s no problem.”
After saying that, he even moved closer to Chu Xinian in his embrace.
Chu Xinian did not expect such a reaction. He slowly looked down at the person in his arms, not knowing what to say for a moment, “General…”
He wanted to say that even if he took the medicine, the cold still had contagious properties.
And also, why did you kiss me?
Chu Xinian might have been able to guess the answer, but he did not guess. People tend to hesitate and feel lost when confronted with something they have never experienced before.
Oblivious to Chu Xinian’s thoughts, Xie Jingyuan checked the jade pendant hanging around Chu Xinian’s neck, making sure that his precious jade was still there. Then he lay down to sleep.
The candle extinguished and the room went dark.
Chu Xinian put aside the book he was holding. He could not concentrate on a single word. After a moment’s thought, he turned to Xie Jingyuan, “There is little room on the sofa. General, you’d better go back to your bed.”
Xie Jingyuan opened his eyes in Chu Xinian’s embrace and his pupils glowed with a glimmer of light in the darkness, “Are you coming with me?”
Chu Xinian shook his head.
Xie Jingyuan, “I’m cold.”
Then he moved even closer into Chu Xinian’s embrace, his cold body pressed against his. In the night, his voice became somewhat muffled and faint, “Chu Xinian, I’m cold while being alone.”
“…”
Chu Xinian’s Adam’s apple twitched as if something was blocking his throat. He met Xie Jingyuan’s gaze and took a while before finally uttering, “Well then…”
He hesitated for a moment and continued, “Then, let’s sleep together…”
There seemed to be a certain commitment in his words.
The moon hung high in the sky, and the glazed tiles of the roof sparkled with shards of light. Everything appeared as black silhouettes.
Jiu Yong, even though he had received twenty floggings as punishment and his back had not yet fully healed, continued to stand guard outside in his armor throughout the night. Only when he suddenly spotted a light pink dress in his field of vision did he stop his steps.
Jiu Yong stared at the girl in the pink dress with a cold gaze.
However, the girl in the pink dress did not say anything. Unlike before, when she raised her eyebrows, she now looked calm and composed. After a moment’s hesitation, she bent down and gently placed a bottle of medicine on the steps, then turned and left.
Meanwhile, the Minister of War’s Residence was about to receive a very skillful and energetic thief.
💖💖💖💖
JIU YONG AND YUN QUE!!!! I’M ROOTING FOR YOU GUYS!! 😖😆
jiu yong and yun que are so cute awww
Chu Xinyan you crafty little…! 🤣
Also, cute side pairing!