After reaching the upper floor, Lin Xiao brought the satisfied Qin Yijun all the way to the White Swan’s table. Lin Xiao saw that every member of White Swan was there, and he smiled as he greeted them before he took a seat. Qin Yijun, quietly settled beside him, eyeing the rest as if he’s trying to ascertain that they are not a threat to both him and Lin Xiao.
“Xiao Xiao, it’s been a while. How is Fei-meimei doing?” the one who asked Lin Xiao this question was none other than Yun Hua. During their travel from Senlin Village to the capital, she was the one who coached Fei Yuxing’s carriage. During that time, the two had bonded well, just like siblings.
Qin Yijun heard this and his expression darkened considerably. ‘Xiaoxiao? You dare call him Xiaoxiao?!’
In Qin Yijun’s heart, he already marked this woman with a bright, red danger. ‘When Zhen returns to the palace, Zhen will make sure to send someone to do some investigation on this woman!’
“Sister Fei is doing well. She was actually sad that she didn’t get to say goodbye to Sister Yun since she had fallen asleep from the travel back then,” Lin Xiao replied.
“Ah, is that so? If you tell me where she currently lives, I can go for a visit. I do miss talking to her,” Yun Hua said before she took a sip on her tea.
“Sister Fei can make a trip to the Xia Family residence in the inner district.”
“Inner district? Then I guess I will have to forget that idea,” Yun Hua said with a small chuckle. “I don’t want to step into that district at all.”
Lin Xiao noticed the tone that Yun Hua had used is that of discomfort so even though he was curious, he didn’t pursue the topic. Instead, he decided to ask the question that he originally wanted the answer to.
“Brother Ruo, what brings you to the outer district? Knowing your group, you should be resting within the middle district…” he inquired as he gauged the older man’s expression.
“En. We’re here because of a task,” Ruo An replied. “Brother Lin, have you heard about the recent kidnappings of children?”
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.
‘As expected. White Swan did get hired to help with this case,’ Lin Xiao thought as he tapped on the table with his fingers. ‘Though… who in the outer district has the money to hire this expensive group?’
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Seeing this, Lin Xiao only shook his head before turning to Ruo An again. “Along the way, we did see several people asking about the missing members of their family. It was to the point that my ‘companion’ here,” he gestured towards Qin Yijun as he emphasized the word companion. “Is worried.”
“Is that so?” Ruo An looked over at Qin Yijun and noticed that the man, despite the gentle look he’s giving Lin Xiao, is quite strong. Even through the clothes, Ruo An could make out the other’s built are something that can only be achieved through years of hard training.
Thinking that the young man would be able to help him, Ruo An nods his head in approval. “Then, if he wants, he can join us later,” Ruo An suggested.
Qin Yijun’s eyes narrowed at Ruo An dangerously, to the point that the leader of the mercenary group felt the hair at the back of his neck stood up. Worse, he suddenly felt several killing intent being aimed at him, making him glance around, trying to find the source.
Lin Xiao also noticed this, so he quickly shot Qin Yijun a dissatisfied look. When Qin Yijun saw this, he also retracted his glare and looked away from Ruo An. Only then did Ruo An felt the killing intent aimed at him from several locations disappear.
“Lord Bai,” Lin Xiao called out in a whisper, but Qin Yijun appeared to ignore him. Thinking that the other didn’t hear him, he tugged on the other’s sleeve and called out again. But just as before, Qin Yijun continued to ignore him.
It took Lin Xiao a while to figure out what went wrong and a heavy sigh escaped his lips. “Jun-ge?” he called out hesitantly and it was only then did Lin Xiao manage to elicit a reaction from the other.
Once Qin Yijun heard Lin Xiao calling him the way he had requested earlier, a soft smile appeared on his face before finally turning around to face him. “Yes?”
Lin Xiao: “…”
The rest of the White Swan member: “…”
‘Is it really important to call him that?! Wait, what did Shizun say the Emperor’s name again? Qin… Qin Wuzhen? No, that seems wrong…” Lin Xiao suddenly became suspicious with Qin Yijun’s intention on his insistent in making Lin Xiao calling him ‘Jun-ge’.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard Lin Xiao tried to remember, he simply couldn’t recall it. ‘Forget it. I will just as Shizun again later.’
“Jun-ge, since both of us and White Swan members wish to help with the kidnapping case, how about we join hand with them?” Lin Xiao asked. This was the same suggestion that Ruo An had put forth earlier, but the difference in reaction was like heaven and earth.
“Alright. Since you say so,” Qin Yijun agreed immediately. But when Lin Xiao looked at his eyes further, he noticed there was actually a hint of disappointment.
When it comes to the Emperor, Lin Xiao couldn’t help but feel wary. He still remembered the discomfort he felt in his chest during his short ‘visit’ to Tianlong Palace. He has an inkling suspicion that the Emperor is mistaking him with someone else. ‘Or else, why would he call out a different name? And why was I laying on his daybed?’
Several questions flooded his mind until finally, he got a headache just by thinking about it. In the end, he simply decided to forget about it and ask Long Yinlian once he returned.
A light cough was suddenly heard and Lin Xiao raised his head to see Ruo An who had a fist raised up close to his lips. “Since it’s settled that the two of you will be joining us later… in order not to cause any inconvenience in the future, may we ask how we may address you, young lord?” Ruo An said to Qin Yijun.
“Bai… Ruohan,” Qin Yijun replied almost immediately.
“I see. Lord Bai… or would you like for us to call you ‘Lord Brother’ too?” Ruo An asked, remembering how Lin Xiao was ignored when he was being called as ‘Lord Bai’.
Hearing this, Qin Yijun’s expression turned ugly for a split second before he schooled his emotion back in place. “No. We are not that familiar with each other. Lord Bai will do,” he replied. In his heart, he added: ‘There is only one person in this world that is allowed to call Zhen that.’
As this thought crossed his mind, he couldn’t help but glance at Lin Xiao again. ‘Ah… how Zhen longed for you to remember your past, just so you will no longer wary of Zhen…’
From the beginning to the now, Qin Yijun could actually sense how Lin Xiao was merely forcing himself to be with him. If it were not for Long Yinlian’s request, he was sure that Lin Xiao would probably leave at the first chance that he could find.
His train of thought was cut short as several staffs of the rest house brought over the foods that the White Swan members had ordered. Ruo An, took this chance to ask for another two bowls of rice for both Lin Xiao and Qin Yijun.
“Brother Lin, Lord Bai, in order to commemorate our co-operation, allow me to treat the two of you. Later, we will go and meet our client. I heard that the family he’s from was once held high by the late Emperor. But after a certain event, they were forced to live here in the outer district,” Ruo An informed them.
“Usually, when one fell out of favour from the Emperor, they would lose their titles and prestige. But somehow, the Emperor allow them to keep it, but the other family from the inner district were not kind to them. In order to keep their younger generation safe from bullying, they moved here,” this time, it was Yun Hua who speaks up.
When Qin Yijun heard this, he already knew who the White Swan’s client was. He looked over at Lin Xiao worriedly. ‘Maybe joining them is a bad idea. Let’s just go our separate wa—’
“Oh? Such family sure is blessed. But if the Emperor is letting them keep their titles and prestige, why didn’t he shield them from other family’s aggression?” Lin Xiao asked in a curious tone.
“The Emperor only let them off in remembrance of his dear friend. If it were not for that friend, he would’ve—!” Qin Yijun stopped mid-sentence. He took in a deep breath and calmed down. He had almost burst out in anger as he remembered what happened back then.
Of course, this action didn’t escape Lin Xiao’s observation. He could sense the Emperor’s anger since he was sitting right beside the other. It roused his curiosity even more, even though he knew that he shouldn’t dip his hand deep into something that is related to the Emperor.
“Brother Ruo, who is this client of yours? And which family are they from?”
Qin Yijun’s eyes darted at Ruo An, warning him not to say anything. Unfortunately, it was too late because even though Ruo An saw the look he gave him, Yun Hua didn’t. And the one who answered Lin Xiao was her instead.
“He is Yinjing Hou, Li Sunxun of the Li Family,” Yun Hua told Lin Xiao.
Oooh this is bad but noo maybe good…hmm guess both… Ahaaa love this chapter it waas soo good 😆👌 great work author 💝
Qin Yijun is such a huge vinegar pot. It’s not gonna be easy for him either, it seems… I love it^.^