Lu Qinyi couldn’t believe he was doing this. Was he really going to go through with this? This had to be one of the most stupid and ridiculous things he had done. Okay, that wasn’t true. But it was definitely ridiculous, and it was definitely stupid. He was going to break into Fei Li’s room and steal… Lu Qinyi sighed and brushed his hair back from his face. He counted down the seconds until the servant had walked by before he slipped past then, casting a glance back, he passed through the doorway. Security was incredibly lax once inside the inner courtyards of Fei Li’s residence. There was no reason for it not to be. No one could get access besides those who lived here. Yang Xun, Zhao Mei, and even Lu Qinyi were free to go wherever they wished within these walls, as if the home was theirs too. Lu Qinyi was hardly even monitored since he had stabilised. But the only thing of significance in the area of the residence he was entering was… Fei Li’s bedroom. It wasn’t that he was banned from being there, but how could he possibly explain wanting to be there? So he had observed the servants for the past few days and determined the time it was the quietest. If he wasn’t seen, no one would know he had been here, and he wouldn’t need to explain anything.
It was even more quiet once he had passed the doorway. Quiet and bare. Fei Li’s private courtyard had nothing decorative. Instead of a garden, or a water feature like the main courtyard, the area had been left bare. It made it easier for training and Fei Li wasn’t attached to decor and appearances. It was only Lu Qinyi’s footsteps that disturbed the silence. He felt uncomfortable and muttered a couple curses at Song Lin. That woman was either insane or sadistic. Maybe both.
The door to Fei Li’s room slid open easily. There was no need for locks or anything of the sort, who would dare enter the Northern General’s bedroom? Lu Qinyi would. He slid the door closed behind him and looked around. It was equally simple inside. Nothing but a shelf with some books and the necessities. Boring. Since he didn’t have time to go looking for anything interesting, he went straight to the most obvious places for a hair comb. It was beside the basin of water for freshening up. This was too easy. Lu Qinyi looked at his prize. This was it? It was just a carved wooden comb, not valuable in the slightest. It was so normal and boring that Lu Qinyi even suspected it might have been a military issue, the kind every soldier had. The only thing that identified it as Fei Li’s was a small, lazily carved character on the handle’s surface. He needs better taste. Or any taste at all. Lu Qinyi pocketed it regardless and left the room just as quickly.
“Here.” Lu Qinyi slid the hair comb across the low table between himself and the so-called upright ‘lady’. Or Lu Qinyi’s opinion, an evil fox spirit in the guise of a human’s body.
Song Lin brightened as she picked it up. Her fingers felt along its smooth edges until she found the carving. She lightly ran her finger over it. “Yes, this is the same one I’ve seen. It’s his. You really did steal it, I’m almost a bit surprised. Who would have thought that a general would make such a good thief?”
“I wouldn’t know. I’m not a general.” Lu Qinyi replied flatly. “What did you want it for anyway? I can’t see what use it has.”
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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Lu Qinyi might have felt pity for Fei Li. He knew what it was like to idolise someone but this was too much. He wholeheartedly agreed with Fei Li, the thought of that kind of weird obsession gave him goosebumps. He quickly changed the topic. “Your part of the deal?”
“Miss Chen is alive and well. Her family fled after the war and requested political refuge to escape the upheaval after the war’s conclusion.”
Lu Qinyi felt a surge of relief. “She’s alive.” Chyou is alive. She was telling the truth too. The Chen family were diplomats, working closely with both the North and the South. And so the best decision for them was to plead for political refuge and agree to work under the court for the Northern emperor, the now ruler of both halves of the united country. Song Lin had really found out about Chen Chyou, and found that she was alive and safe. He closed his eyes for a moment and let it sink in. When he opened his eyes again, he refocused on the task at hand. “I want to make another request.”
Song Lin seemed to be expecting this and a delighted grin spread on her face. “Then you’re ready to steal another item for me?”
Lu Qinyi’s lips twitched.
Stealing Fei Li’s things was starting to become commonplace for Lu Qinyi. He continued to need information from Song Lin, and Song Lin continued to ask specifically for mundane items of Fei Li’s. He was up to four times now.
He had been walking along the main courtyard when he heard Fei Li call out “Lu.”
Fei Li sighed as he noticed Lu Qinyi flinched. He had debated how to get Lu Qinyi’s attention. Neither had called to one another. They only acknowledge one another in glances or nods, even when they lived in the same place. But it was impossible to continue not ever calling him when Lu Qinyi now worked under him. That proved to be awkward for Fei Li. He couldn’t call him General in front of him, or ordinary people for that matter, it would cause problems. But he couldn’t call him by any other respectful title like Young Master or Lord because Lu Qinyi was nothing more than a slave now. He had no choice but to call him by just his name. Lu Qinyi likely didn’t want to hear that kind of address from Fei Li though.
Little did Fei Li know that Lu Qinyi didn’t have such complaints. The reason he had flinched was because he had just finished snatching another of Fei Li’s things, a brush from his writing items this time, and he hadn’t yet had the chance to hide the evidence in his room. Lu Qinyi slipped it into his robes where it was out of sight before he turned to face Fei Li as casually as he could manage. He was well trained in appearing calm even in adverse circumstances, so he raised an eyebrow and gave the other an impassive look. “What?”
Fei Li was already relieved that he hadn’t put Lu Qinyi in a foul mood, so he quickly got to the point. “Song Lin has provided the information we needed for the first of the rebellion groups. We can begin operations now. We’ll be leaving for the military grounds tomorrow.”
Lu Qinyi’s expression worsened at the thought of being stuck with a bunch of Northern soldiers who would surely hate his guts. His voice was dripping with sarcasm as he replied. “Can’t wait.”
Author’s Note:
The most asked question is finally answered! Fei Li and Lu Qinyi are in mutual agreement for once, that really is a terrible reason. Song Lin believes in profit above all else though!
The title was obviously directly inspired by all of your questions. Thank you for all of your comments!
Many thanks to our editor Rae for the brilliantly quick turn around on the editing. It was ready to be uploaded the day after I finished writing it, but sadly I have such hectic weeks lately I didn’t get the chance to upload (currently uploading this chapter from my university lecture while my lecturer sets up hehe) Have a lovely week everyone!
I’m curious to know what else got stolen 😂 thank you for the chapter! 💕
Hi Miyori! Hmmm. Maybe a sock? Not even both, just one. If Song Lin wants both, she’ll have to pay double for it
😂😂😂