Qin Daoyan is both General of the Right Guard and Minister of War. Compared to his youth, he had tempered his bluntness at Court. He rarely intervened personally and often chose to work in the shadows, subtly influencing the situation.
His grand residence looked ordinary from the outside, but the interior was extravagant. The patterns on the doors and pillars surpassed his rank. Rare flowers filled the halls and courtyards, and when the wind blew, fluffy white petals floated in the air like pure snowfall.
Every small courtyard was under constant surveillance. The men and women present were neither guards nor servants; they were Qin Daoyan’s adopted disciples, each an expert in martial arts.
Qian Qian hid in the shadows and found these people quite formidable. She was already thinking of retreating, but she did not want to appear weak in front of the Chu guy. Using her unique skills, she concealed her presence and leaped onto the roof like a nimble swallow, all happening instantly without attracting anyone’s attention.
Qian Qian found Qin Daoyan’s room and stealthily opened a gap in the tiles to peek inside. She saw him transcribing memorials in the bright candlelight, faintly glimpsing the frost-white hair at his temples.
Just then, someone knocked lightly on the door from outside, and a woman’s voice was heard, “Father, Qin Shuang has returned.”
Qin Shuang? Who was it?
Qian Qian did not recognize the name but continued to watch from the rooftop. Qin Daoyan put his brush aside and looked towards the entrance. In a voice tinged with age, he said, “Come in.”
It was then that Qian Qian could see him. Qin Daoyan, now at an age of understanding fate, had wrinkles and furrows on his face, not unlike an ordinary old person. The only distinguishing feature was the black patch he wore over his right eye, while his left eye glistened.
As soon as he spoke, a woman in martial attire pushed open the door and entered, followed by a darkly dressed man with prominent features, presumably Qin Shuang.
“Greetings, Father.”
Qin Shuang knelt on one knee, his expression hidden by his lowered head. After escaping from the General’s Mansion, he did not immediately return to report. Instead, he found a place to heal and organize his chaotic thoughts.
Qin Daoyan nodded, motioning for him to get up, “How did the task I assigned you to go?”
Qin Shuang hesitated for a moment and then shook his head, “Father, I am incompetent. I couldn’t find the things Jiu Niang left behind.”
The woman in martial attire slightly widened her eyes in disbelief, “That’s impossible! Jiu Niang told me that she had hidden something on the outskirts of the Capital. How could you possibly not find it?”
“Shisan Niang,” Qin Daoyan’s voice became stern, “Be quiet for now and listen to what Qin Shuang has to say.”
Reluctantly, Qin Shuang recounted the premeditated lie, “I searched the outskirts for a long time but could not find what Jiu Niang left behind. I could not even find the jade pendant. However, considering your instructions, I did not act recklessly and thoroughly searched the area before returning.”
The wounds on his face had faded and those on his body were hidden under his clothes, showing no signs of susceptibility.
Qin Shuang had always been loyal, and Qin Daoyan did not suspect him. He frowned thoughtfully, “Shisan Niang, are you sure Jiu Niang mentioned hiding something outside?”
Shisan Niang lowered her head and said, “Your daughter would not dare deceive Father. Jiu Niang had developed doubts about Father’s intentions and said … she believed Father was ruthless and feared Father would eventually discard her like a pawn. Therefore, she thought it prudent to prepare countermeasures in advance.”
As she spoke, she felt anxious in her heart, while Qin Shuang kept his eyes lowered, his thoughts hazy.
Qin Daoyan showed no anger or annoyance. His gaze swept over them, concealing a hint of indifference, and his tone carried a tinge of amusement, “Oh? So she said that. Looks like I wasted my efforts in cultivating her.”
Shisan Niang hastily knelt, expressing her loyalty, “Since childhood, I have been separated from my biological parents. If it were not for Father’s upbringing, I would have starved to death on the streets. I would never betray your kindness and trust as Jiu Niang did.”
As she spoke, she did not notice Qin Shuang’s increasingly troubled gaze.
Qin Daoyan closed his eyes, satisfied. Although he harbored doubts about the things Jiu Niang had concealed, he couldn’t be sure whether Shisan Niang’s words were true or false. Given that Qin Shuang had searched for several days without any results, it was likely that it was all a fabrication, “Forget it if it can’t be found.”
Qin Daoyan did not believe that a dead person could cause trouble. The Xie Family had held power in the Court, but after Xie Bi’s death, they withered and declined. Despite Xie Jingyuan’s support, in the end, he was a half-dead invalid.
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.
Just then, someone from outside reported, “Father, the head of the Qiang Tribe has arrived”.
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Ktf tfjv bo atf Hljcu Kglyf tjv j mibrf gfijalbcrtlq klat Hlc Gjbsjc, jcv atlr nlrla ab atf Jjqlaji kjr jmmbwqjclfv ys cewfgber njiejyif uloar. Ktfs tjv nlrlafv tlw rfnfgji alwfr, tbqlcu ab qfgrejvf tlw.
However, Qin Daoyan purposely avoided them, pretending to be ill and refusing to meet them. This time, the elder of the Qiang Tribe went the extra mile, firmly determined to see him, even tripling the value of the gifts.
Qin Daoyan felt the time was right and nodded, “Take them to the council hall. I will meet with them shortly.”
Qian Qian crouched on the rooftop and watched as Qin Daoyan left the room. She waited silently for a moment, confirming that there were no ambushes, before lifting some tiles and exposing a small opening the size of a head. Although it was unclear how she had done it, in an instant, her body twisted and her bones gave off two slight creaks as she slipped straight through the small hole, like a fish swimming against the wall and into the room.
Qian Qian still remembered what Chu Xinian had said: the object was hidden under Qin Daoyan’s pillow.
Fearful of the traps in the room, she carefully inspected the surroundings before cautiously approaching the bed. After fumbling around for a while, she finally discovered a slightly protruding button on the wall.
Qian Qian bit the tip of her finger and frowned, deep in thought.
To press or not to press, that was the question.
What if she triggered a trap and lost her life on the spot?
After pondering for a moment, Qian Qian, confident in her skills and bravery, gently pressed the button and decided to retreat immediately if anything seemed wrong.
Click–
A faint sound came from under the pillow. Qian Qian lifted the sheets and discovered that a section of the bedstead had collapsed, revealing a square, black box inside.
Could the treasure of the world be hidden inside?
Qian Qian took the box out carefully, intending to open it and take a look. However, it took her a long time to find the switch. So, she wrapped it in a cloth bag, tied it to her body, and meticulously fixed the bed. In one leap, she jumped out through the hole in the roof, following the same path.
The next morning, at dawn, the time agreed with Chu Xinian arrived.
Qian Qian entered the General’s Mansion with the box in her hand. She was imposing and confident, like a victorious general. She placed the black box firmly on the table and said, “What do you think? This young lady has already obtained this object. The humble Residence of the Minister of War is no match for me.”
She had spent the whole night sleepless, crouched on the roof. It had not even occurred to her that, while she shivered in the cold wind, Chu Xinian slept comfortably inside the house.
“Miss, your skills as a thief are truly extraordinary.” Chu Xinian exclaimed in apparent awe, sparing no praise. He picked up the box and examined it carefully, noticing several scratches on its surface, which caused him to raise his eyebrows slightly.
Feeling guilty, Qian Qian turned her head away, unable to look at him. She was a thief and naturally wanted to know what treasure of the world was hidden inside. However, she could not open the box, as she had spent a good half hour trying and failing. It was made of a material that could neither be cut with a knife nor burned with fire.
To make sure of the authenticity of the box, Chu Xinian intentionally tested it by asking her slowly, “Miss, could this box… perhaps be a fake?”
Hearing his words, Qian Qian became so angry that she rolled her eyes and nearly fainted. Her whole body trembled. What grudge did this man surnamed Chu have against her? It was bad enough that he repeatedly ruined her plans, but on top of that, he insulted her professional ethics again and again. This is unbearable!
Bam! She slapped the table loudly, “Chu guy, I stole this from under Qin Daoyan’s pillow, if there’s a single lie, I’ll be struck by thunder!”
Chu Xinian smiled and said, “Miss, no need to panic. I was just casually asking. What if you had never entered Qin Daoyan’s residence and simply found a random box to trick me, wouldn’t it be unfair for me to lose in that case?”
Qian Qian gritted her teeth and resolutely replied, “How can I make you believe?”
Chu Xinian continued to study the box in his hand and casually asked, “How many hallways are there in the residence?”
Qian Qian answered decisively, “Thirteen!”
Chu Xinian asked again, “What kind of flowers are planted in the courtyard?”
Qian Qian replied, “Flying Snowflakes and White Feathers!”
Chu Xinian then asked, “What is the decoration on the corner of the study desk?”
Qianqian confidently replied, “The Blue Beast Stepping on Clouds!”
Finally, Chu Xinian dispelled his doubts. He put the box aside, stood up, walked behind the desk, and dipped a brush in ink to write a powerful character on a sheet of rice paper.
服 (to submit)
Chu Xinian dried the ink and smiled as he handed it to her, “Miss, your skills as a thief are extraordinary and should make a mark in history. If I have the opportunity to write a book in the future, I will certainly mention your name. This character is my debt to you.”
Qian Qian received the written character with a smile, her eyes sparkling with interest at the prospect of leaving a mark in history, “Write a book? What do you plan to write about me?”
Chu Xinian waved the folding fan in his hand and pondered for a moment before saying, “Traversing nooks and crannies without a trace, skillfully stealing the stars and unmasking treacherous ministers – the title of Master Thief naturally belongs to you, Miss.”
There was an underlying meaning to his words, and Qian Qian finally glimpsed it. She sounded skeptical as she asked, “Exposing treacherous ministers?”
Chu Xinian smiled in amusement and kept silent, “Miss, you’ll find out in a few days.”
With that, he casually pointed to the box on the table, “Since this item can’t be opened anyway, why don’t you let me have it?”
“No, that won’t do” Qian Qian felt it would be unfair, “I worked hard to steal this. You have to exchange it for something valuable.”
Chu Xinian gladly agreed, “Sure, what does Miss want?”
Qian Qian wanted nothing. She had seen her fair share of gold and jewels, and at most, she simply didn’t want Chu Xinian to take advantage of her. Her eyes swept up and down and saw a small translucent piece of green jade on his neck. She pointed to it and said, “Why don’t you give me the jade around your neck?”
“No, it’s not…” Unconsciously, Chu Xinian refused, shifting his body to avoid Qian Qian’s gaze and hiding the jade back in his garment. Realizing that his reaction seemed a little intense, he instinctively released it again, “…This item is not suitable. Miss, please choose something else.”
Qian Qian tilted her head, “You are so reluctant, is it a gift from your beloved?”
Chu Xinian looked at her in response to her words, not knowing why, he remained silent for a long while.
Feeling guilty under his gaze, Qian Qian quickly waved her hand, “Forget it, forget it. Consider it my loss. Take this worthless box.”
After speaking, she lowered her head, carefully folded the piece of paper into a small square, and then tucked it into her chest, muttering to herself, “Let’s see if you still dare to underestimate my skills. Hmph, I’m leaving. I won’t play with you anymore.”
With that, she briskly walked away. Leaping into the air, she vanished in an instant.
Chu Xinian regained his senses too late and slowly walked out the door. He looked up at the sky, where a vast expanse of clear blue stretched beyond the walls, with no trace of Qian Qian in sight. After a moment of silence, he smiled to himself.
He asked the guard at the gate, “Where is the General?”
The guard replied, “The Crown Prince came to visit, and the General went to the hall to greet him.”
Since the Crown Prince came to visit, it must have been an important matter. Chu Xinian was about to go and see for himself, but before he could get to the door, he saw the Crown Prince and Xie Jingyuan walking towards him.
“What’s wrong, Chu Er Gongzi, the genius detective who solves cases like a deity. Why are you hiding in the backyard like a little girl?” The Crown Prince was still in his playful mood, teasing him as soon as they met.
Chu Xinian instinctively glanced at Xie Jingyuan by his side, then quickly averted his gaze, calmly asking the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, why do you say that?”
“Um… You still don’t know?” The Crown Prince, without waiting for anyone to invite him, familiarly pushed open the door and entered the study, “Since the day after the Talent Banquet, news of your brilliant case-solving skills spread. Now everyone says that the Marquis of Quyang has a couple of talented sons. People praise your ability to solve cases like a deity, with keen perception. Your reputation has eclipsed half of the talented individuals in the Capital. You are truly remarkable.”
In ancient times, without smartphones and devoid of entertaining content, even the most trivial matters could spread like wildfire. Moreover, with the theft of a famous painting and the suspicious death of the son of the Ministry of Finance’s inspection officer, the teahouses in the suburbs were filled with stories about these sensational topics.
Xie Jingyuan took a seat on the low sofa, lifted the teacup, and looked at Chu Xinian, “A golden dragon is not just a fish in a pond. When it meets the wind and clouds, it transforms into a dragon. You truly embody this saying.”
After speaking, he saw Chu Xinian standing some distance away and patted the seat next to him, “Come and sit here.”
Chu Xinian followed his words and took a seat next to him, but there was a considerable distance between them. Xie Jingyuan noticed something odd and instinctively looked at him, only to see Chu Xinian making an inviting gesture towards the Crown Prince, motioning for him to sit in the middle, “Your Highness, please take a seat.”
He left the privileged place for the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince lifted his robe, preparing to sit opposite Chu Xinian. However, upon hearing his words, his movements stopped, showing an expression of surprise. He still hadn’t reacted, “Are you talking to me?”
Xie Jingyuan wondered what Chu Xinian meant by intentionally avoiding him.
Chu Xinian waved the landscape fan in his hand and smiled slightly, “Is there anyone else here? His Highness occupies a semi-imperial position and has a distinguished status. Naturally, the middle seat is reserved for you”.
The Crown Prince, without showing any change in expression, looked at Chu Xinian and then at Xie Jingyuan. After being entangled in his thoughts for a while, he hesitated to sit down. He sat on a chair awkwardly and said, “No need, I’ll sit here.”
Chu Xinian also said nothing, “Does Your Highness have any important business for today’s visit?”
The Crown Prince did not avoid it either, “The chieftain of the Qiang Tribe, Muchaha, has arrived in the Capital with gifts to pay his respects. The Emperor has given orders to hold a banquet tomorrow, and all the officials will be present. As you solved the case at the Talent Banquet, I specially mentioned you for attendance.”
Chu Xinian was still very eager to meet this legendary emperor and looked at Xie Jingyuan, “What about the General?”
After all, Xie Jingyuan had been claiming illness and had not come out.
Xie Jingyuan looked at him, gritted his teeth silently, and coldly blurted out, “I’m not going!”
The Crown Prince asked in confusion, “Hey, didn’t you just say you wanted to go with Chu Xinian?”
Xie Jingyuan glared at him, “You heard wrong.”
The Crown Prince choked.
Chu Xinian lowered his eyes and remained silent. After a moment, he changed the subject, “Your Highness is here just to discuss this?”
“Of course not.” The Crown Prince said with some glee, “You don’t know yet, the Capital was in an uproar this morning. It is said that something important went missing at the Minister of War’s Residence. Qin Daoyan led soldiers to search the entire Capital, causing chaos everywhere. The Imperial Censor has already submitted several reports.”
After pondering while stroking his chin, he continued, “I wonder what precious item he lost to be so desperate.”
Chu Xinian took out a small black box and shook it twice with a meaningful expression, “Naturally, it is a treasure that may cost him his life.”
Xie Jingyuan could not pay attention to what they were saying at all. Seeing Chu Xinian intentionally avoiding him, he suddenly remembered that he had done the same thing yesterday. Unconsciously, he reached up and touched the cold mask on his face, lowering his gaze.
Was his appearance… too frightening…?
Came here to read the updates as soon as I saw they dropped. I love both the developing story as well as the stupid antics of our two MCs, haha
💖💖💖💖
NOOOO, YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL MY DEAR XIE JINGYUAN😭😭 ADORABLE BABYYYY QAQ
Please, I never get tired of reading this novel. Every chapter is just SO GOOD and never boring! Thank you so much for the translations <3
Thank you for the update ❤️💯
Noooo my babies 😭 It’s not your fault Xie Jingyuan!
Thank you for posting updates
noooo, baby, you’re gorgeous no matter what 😭 chu xinian is just emotionally constipated
DONT THINK LIKE THAT BBY AAA