Chapter 160: If You Can’t Rob, Then Steal
Lian’er didn’t dare ask any more questions. The two of them walked to the clothing shop next door and saw that Mrs. Chen had already bought a huge pile of clothes, making the Shopkeeper beam from ear to ear.
When Mrs. Chen saw Gu Fei arrive, she relaxed and beckoned to Lian’er. "Come here. I’ll buy you a new outfit for the New Year as well."
Lian’er quickly backed away. "I don’t need any. My old clothes are fine."
Gu Fei looked at Lian’er’s clothes—a dusty gray cotton jacket and pants with several holes torn in them, revealing the cotton padding inside.
Mrs. Chen glared at her. "How can you refuse? You’re part of our family. If you’re dressed in rags, it brings shame on our household."
Only then did Lian’er fall silent. Mrs. Chen took charge and picked out a plum-yellow jacket and a cyan cotton skirt for her, then had her change into them.
Besides, her tattered clothes were quite an eyesore on such a bustling street.
Once the clothes were bought, the family climbed onto the mule cart, and Gu Qing urged it forward.
Gu Fei lifted the cart’s curtain and stole a glance up at the teahouse, just in time to see Xiao Yu standing by a window. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly dropped the curtain and pulled her head back inside.
Xiao Yu stood by the teahouse window, watching the mule cart recede into the distance as he narrowed his eyes.
He turned to face Stone. "Tell me, what’s a good way to get our hands on that Blood Drop?"
Stone replied helplessly, "Young Master Heir, Miss Xiao Fei swore a deadly oath. She will definitely never give it to you."
"We can’t just steal it or take it by force, can we?"
Xiao Yu stared at Stone, his eyes suddenly lighting up. "You’re right. Taking it by force is no good, but stealing it should be fine!"
"That way, she won’t be breaking her oath, and she won’t have to suffer the fate of her insides rotting out."
Stone stared at his master, dumbfounded. "Are you serious?"
Xiao Yu cleared his throat. "We’ll call it stealing, but it isn’t really. We’ll just secretly find the item, and we can give her some silver afterward to make things right."
Stone looked at Xiao Yu and asked cautiously, "Young Master Heir, who... who do you plan on sending to do the stealing?" ’Please, don’t say it’s me!’
Xiao Yu stared at him. "Who else would I send but you?"
"You’re my most trusted confidant. The one I trust most is you."
Stone wailed internally. ’My lord, I’ve never been a thief! I really don’t know how!’
Xiao Yu stared at him and said menacingly, "If you don’t know how, you’ll have to learn. I know you can come up with a way; you’re more cunning than anyone I know."
Stone cried foul. "Young Master Heir, I’m an honest man! How can you say such things about me?"
Xiao Yu shot him a sidelong glance. "I don’t care. In any case, we make our move tonight. I want to see it by tomorrow." With that said, Xiao Yu started to walk out.
Stone followed with a miserable expression. "My lord, I don’t even know what the thing looks like! How am I supposed to steal it?"
Xiao Yu stopped in his tracks. ’He has a point.’
He thought for a moment. "You’re right. You’re too stupid. The item could be right under your nose and you wouldn’t even recognize it!"
"You come up with a suitable plan. I’ll go with you tonight."
’I’ve seen countless types of hidden weapons. I’ve already imagined dozens of possible forms the Blood Drop could take; one of them is bound to be a match.’
Stone was aghast. ’The magnificent Young Master Heir is going to play thief!’
’If anyone were to find out, it would be a disaster.’
’Especially the Princess Consort.’
’The Princess Consort is so gentle and kind. Who knows how heartbroken she would be if she found out the Young Master Heir was going to be a thief.’
"Young Master Heir, you absolutely mustn’t! I’ll go by myself tonight. The Young Master Heir cannot go."
As he spoke, they walked outside. Stone fell silent, but his heart was heavy with worry.
Stone was filled with regret. ’I really shouldn’t have opened my big mouth just now.’