LOT – Chapter 129 Two Big Bats on the Rooftop

The two happily carried off the fabric, leaving the shopkeeper behind to self-reflect.

No, this wouldn’t do! As the owner of the most popular fabric store in the capital, how could he not be up-to-date on the latest trends? He had to stay at the forefront of fashion!

He must study hard, relearn what was fashionable in the capital these days, and never allow himself to fall behind!

The Third Prince and his companions also came to buy some fabric—and they, too, chose black.

Qin Zheng looked at the black fabric in his hands with confusion. “Why are we also buying black fabric? I don’t like black.”

Black was just too dull. He hardly owned any black clothing. And why should they copy someone else anyway?

The Third Prince flicked his hair smugly and said, “Because Lord Xiao Lin bought some! She’s making night clothes, so we’ll make some too!”

The others: …

Why on earth would you copy Lord Xiao Lin? What’s worth imitating about her?!

And besides, her black fabric wasn’t even for anything serious—they were going to sneak around and eavesdrop on gossip.

That reminded them of Fatty Qi.

After court, Fatty Qi had been taken under control. His offense was more a matter of personal morals, so at worst he would be condemned and given minor punishment—nothing that could truly harm him.

But in order to ensure tonight’s full entertainment, even the emperor himself pressured him to cooperate.

“Do I really have to meet Yuniang in front of everyone?”

Fatty Qi was practically in tears. He really didn’t want to perform in public!

Madam Qi, seated calmly with her tea, glanced at him with scorn and ridicule.

“The emperor has already ordered it. What choice do you have? You made this mess yourself, so take responsibility. Who told you to be unlucky enough to get singled out by Lord Xiao Lin today?”

Looking at her, one could tell she and Fatty Qi weren’t a match. Madam Qi’s demeanor alone showed she was well-educated and cultivated.

In truth, she had never really suffered. While her father was alive, he shielded her. After his passing, his colleagues supported her. Even if Fatty Qi wanted to divorce her, he couldn’t touch her.

Still, living with him was disgusting. Today, Lord Xiao Lin had, in a way, done her a favor.

Meeting a mistress under everyone’s eyes—now that was a surprise worth watching. Let’s see if he could handle it!

Meanwhile, Yuniang was still blissfully unaware of what was going on, primping herself for their meeting.

Fatty Qi was being threatened from all sides, while Lin Mo and Bai Xiao stared helplessly at their pile of black fabric.

“Didn’t you say you knew how? Go ahead then.” Lin Mo gave up her spot.

Bai Xiao tested the scissors this way and that, but couldn’t bring himself to cut.

He had checked how others made clothes—it looked simple enough. But when it came to doing it himself, it was impossibly hard.

After hesitating, he flashed Lin Mo a sheepish, flattering grin.

“Um… how about we don’t make fancy night clothes? Let’s just sew some plain shirts and pants.”

Lin Mo: … Knew it.

They holed themselves up all afternoon, stabbing their fingers with needles from time to time, hissing in pain.

By evening, they finally produced two simple sets of clothing.

Well, “clothing-shaped” at least. They were ugly, baggy, and ill-fitting.

Lin Mo’s sleeves ended up one long, one short, and her collar somehow turned into a fashionable off-shoulder cut.

Staring at their “stylish” outfits, the two fell into silence.

They had followed the steps exactly—so how did it turn out like this?

Forget it. As long as they were black, it would do.

When the moon rose, the two slipped out of the house.

Others, seeing them leave, also quietly followed.

“Keep your voices down. Don’t let them notice. Even if they do, just say we were out for a walk and happened to bump into them. Those two airheads won’t suspect a thing.”

By now, everyone had a good grasp of their personalities. They looked sharp, but in reality were missing a screw or two.

Minister Lin and Lin Qi trailed behind as well.

After all, when the family’s little troublemaker went out, someone had to shadow her in case anything happened.

Fatty Qi trudged along, utterly miserable.

Forced out at night to meet a mistress—what were the emperor and officials even thinking?!

Yuniang, on spotting him, rushed into his arms.

“My lord, you haven’t come to see me in so long. Have you forgotten me?”

Her voice dripped with seduction.

Lin Mo and Bai Xiao clung to the rooftop like two bats, their outfits making them look like uncanny bat spirits.

Lin Mo studied Yuniang and felt a pang of disappointment.

【I thought this so-called beauty would be stunning. She’s not even as pretty as Madam Qi.】

Though she hadn’t met Madam Qi often, she’d seen her a few times at banquets with her mother. Madam Qi was an elegant beauty, no doubt about it.

Bai Xiao explained: 【Some men are just strange. A wife can’t compare to a concubine, a concubine can’t compare to a fling, and a fling can’t compare to something forbidden. Yuniang might not be prettier than Madam Qi, but she gives Fatty Qi confidence.】

【He actually feels inferior in front of his wife. So outside, he needs someone to boost his ego.】

The hidden eavesdroppers nearby nodded secretly. That made sense.

Fortunately, Lin Mo and Bai Xiao were far enough away that Fatty Qi and Yuniang couldn’t hear their thoughts.

At first, Fatty Qi felt guilty. But seeing the delicate beauty before him, his heart melted.

The surroundings were quiet—so Lin Mo hadn’t come, right? Otherwise, he’d have heard her thoughts by now.

As long as she wasn’t here, the others probably weren’t either, since they loved to stick to her.

Relieved, Fatty Qi started sweet-talking Yuniang.
“My beauty, I’ve just been busy lately. Just wait patiently for me. If I want to meet you, I’ll let you know in advance.”

Watching him flirt, Lin Mo wrinkled her whole face—even though her features were nearly invisible under the blackness.

【Tsk tsk, Fatty Qi’s eyes are already like mung beans, and when he smiles they squint into tiny slits. Look at that grin—he’s definitely flirting.】Bai Xiao nodded. 【Yep. And not just flirting—his hands are wandering too.】