The Emperor and His Thief - Chapter 39

The matter within the Xia household being sneaked into by assassins did not spread under the order of Xia YuanFeng. If other people were to know, their reputation would be damaged. Two days after the incident, the case was conveyed to the Imperial Court. A day later, a letter came from the Imperial Court stating that their case will be heard two weeks later.

A week passed since then, and Elder Xiang is still under house arrest. Within this one week, Elder Xiang did not say anything other than asking for tea or snacks. His meals were delivered to his room three times a day, and no one is allowed to see him unless Xia YuanFeng gave them permission. Xia JingRui once tried to sneak in to meet his father, but he was found out and Xia YuanFeng immediately punished him with ten lashes in front of the whole family as a lesson to those who try to defy his order.

During this time, Lin Xiao had been trying to find an excuse to leave, but Xia YuanFeng at first said that he shouldn’t since he’s injured. The older male told him that he should wait for his injuries to heal before leaving. Then, the letter from the Imperial Court came and Xia YuanFeng went back against his word and had Lin Xiao and the rest to stay longer, saying that their presence will be needed in order to testify.

“I swear, that guy just wanted to keep Shizun here…” Lin Xiao grumbled under his breath as he complained to Long YinLian. They were currently sitting in the pavilion, enjoying their afternoon tea while the three tigers played in the garden. Ever since they stayed in this courtyard, the number of servants coming and going became less, as if Xia YuanFeng had limited the people who can come into the courtyard to the people who he completely trusts.

“He could’ve just let us leave and when the court hearing takes place, he can send his men to come and get us,” Lin Xiao added as he continued to voice out his dissatisfaction.

“Be patient, Xiao-er. If we leave, it will take us two days again just to come to the capital. And who knows what will happen during our journey. Remember what happened last time?” Long YinLian reminded Lin Xiao of how their journey before was delayed by a day because of a few circumstances.

“But, Shizun…” Lin Xiao whined in a childish manner. “A week has passed! Sure, the food is good. I can’t deny that but, I can’t even go out! I feel like we’re being caged here just like that elder.”

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Lin Xiao had even tried to escape from the household a few times but every time, he was caught by Xia YuanFeng’s personal guards. Compared to the guards that he met by the entrance; these guards’ martial arts were several levels higher.

Hearing this, Long YinLian can only let out an amused chuckle before he reached out to pat Lin Xiao on the head. Lin Xiao, seeing his gesture, quickly moved his head so that Long YinLian’s hand can easily find his head. “Your martial uncle is only worried about your well beings. You were injured after all,” Long YinLian said.

Lin Xiao just let out a heavy sigh. “But my injuries are almost healed already. It doesn’t even bleed anymore. As long as I am careful, it won’t reopen,” Lin Xiao explained. “Shizun, I had injuries worse than this before.”

“Then, how about this… I will ask Feng-ge to let you go out later. But you must promise me to return before it gets dark,” Long YinLian suggested.

“Will Shizun also come?” Lin Xiao asked.

“I…”

Before Long YinLian could answer, Xia YuanFeng had come over to join them. He had heard of their conversation and couldn’t help but chirped in. “If Xiao-er wants to go out and play, I will allow it as long as the physician says its okay,” Xia YuanFeng said out loud before he took a seat beside Long YinLian as if it was a natural thing to do. Only after hearing what Xia YuanFeng said did Lin Xiao notice the physician who came along with the other.

Seeing this, Lin Xiao can’t help the frown that formed on his face. ‘Why do I feel like he’s plotting against me?’ he thought as he eyed Xia YuanFeng suspiciously. He then watched as the physician did a check up on him, starting with his pulse. While Lin Xiao had his checkup, Long YinLian and Xia YuanFeng engaged in small talk.

“Feng-ge, did you finish your paperwork already? You should spend some time with your youngest son more. Earlier, he came over and was looking for you with his older cousin,” Long YinLian informed Xia YuanFeng.

“That little rascal came again?” Xia YuanFeng frowned.

“Don’t say that. He’s your son, Feng-ge. And he is a sweet young child,” Long YinLian said in a gentle tone. “Xiao Shen is also a sweet young child. I noticed that he is interested in martial arts, but his father didn’t allow him to practice martial arts. Why is that?” Long YinLian asked, referring to the cousin that accompanied Xia YuanFeng’s child.

“Xiao Shen? Are you referring to YuShen?” Xia YuanFeng asked. He knew that his son has been playing with his cousins, but he wasn’t sure which one.

Xia YuShen is Xia YuTian’s son, borne from a woman of the pleasure house. When his mother died, he was brought into the family. Xia YuTian’s attitude towards Xia YuShen was indifferent. He only cared for Xia YuShen enough to make sure the child is alive, nothing more. Xia YuTian’s wife was even worse as she treated Xia YuShen as air.

“En. I have also checked his body condition and he has the aptitude to learn martial arts. It’s only been three months since he reached six, so it won’t be too late for him to start training. As long as he works hard, I’m sure that he can be an exceptional martial artist,” Long YinLian said with a smile on his face.

“I will bring this up to his father,” Xia YuanFeng said in return.

Just then, the physician had just finished his checkup on Lin Xiao and turned to Xia YuanFeng to report, “My Lord, although his injuries have stopped bleeding, there are still risks of some of them reopening. Until the wound has completely closed, I don’t suggest he goes outside. After all, the capital is not as peaceful as it seems.”

The moment Lin Xiao heard this, his expression turned dark and he quickly grabbed the physician by his collar. “Alright, say it! How much did martial uncle pay you to say that?” Lin Xiao is now very close to exploding in rage. He felt that if he didn’t go out today, he will go crazy from boredom. For someone who lived freely in the mountain, a week was his limit.

“This young master, I am not paid to say that. It is the truth!” the physician replied. In his mind, Lin Xiao is the precious young master within the Xia family. He never asked for his identity but since Lin Xiao stayed at the same courtyard as the patriarch, surely it meant that he’s an important member of the family. If any mishap were to occur to Lin Xiao, the physician felt that he could be ruined. So, he treated Lin Xiao like a fragile ornament.

Lin Xiao was just about to say more when Long YinLian speaks up.

“Xiao-er, listen to him. If the physician said you are not well enough, then you should rest more so that you can recover quickly. He is a qualified physician, there is no reason for him to lie,” Long YinLian said and Lin Xiao looked at him with a wronged expression.

“Yes, yes, yes! How about this, I’ll prescribe you the best medicine so that your wounds will heal faster. It will only cost you five gold coins!” the physician added, and Lin Xiao just glared at him, making him flinch.

“Five gold coins?! Scram! Why do I need your medicine when I am already healed!!” Lin Xiao made a gesture to hit the physician and the poor physician quickly scrambled away.

Xia YuanFeng who was quietly witnessing this can only hold back his laughter. “You heard the physician, Xiao-er. You should go back to your room and recuperate for now. What’s more, next week we will go to the Imperial Court. You’ll need to be in your best condition at that time,” Xia YuanFeng reminded Lin Xiao.

“Fine…” Lin Xiao can’t fight back against two people, so he just agreed verbally. But in his heart, he already planned on making his escape today. ‘I don’t care… I must go out today and I will succeed this time. There is no way I can stand another day being cooped up in this place!’