LOT – Chapter 137 Do I Have a Talent for Pickpocketing?

Lin Qi looked at the person beside him with deep sympathy.

They were fellow examinees from the same batch and had even studied at the same academy. Though they weren’t particularly close, they at least exchanged greetings. He knew Wei Qin’s family background wasn’t very good—his parents had died early, leaving only a younger brother behind.

Even the expenses for his imperial exam journey had been donated by members of his clan. So, for him to pass the exams was like his ancestors’ tombs were emitting green smoke—a once-in-a-lifetime blessing.

But now that his good days were just about to begin, this kind of disaster struck. If that little system hadn’t exposed the truth, Wei Qin would’ve been stuck carrying this black pot for sure.

After all, the two brothers looked identical—same voice, same height, same build. With a bit of disguise, no one could tell them apart.

Even Emperor Xuande, sitting above, felt that Wei Qin was truly a victim of bad luck.

【You’re telling me that rich young lady didn’t realize the one she was with wasn’t Wei Qin? Even identical twins should have some differences in personality, right?】

Lin Mo, though she hadn’t met many twins in her life, knew one thing for sure—no two people had identical personalities, just as there were no two identical leaves in the world.

Bai Xiao sighed. 【That’s exactly the biggest problem. Those brothers look, sound, and move exactly alike. Wei Yi admires and envies his older brother so much that he unconsciously mimics all of Wei Qin’s mannerisms. So people who don’t know them well really can’t tell them apart.】

Twins and unconscious imitation—no wonder it was nearly impossible for anyone to tell the difference. Especially since that rich young lady had never actually met the real Wei Qin before.

Lin Mo couldn’t help shaking her head. What rotten luck—to end up with such a brother!

【Honestly, Wei Qin’s biggest fault is being too soft-hearted. Since his brother is his only remaining family, he’s always spoiled him and let things slide. But now that things have gone this far, if word spreads, his official career will definitely be affected.】

【Your dynasty’s rules for officials’ private conduct are pretty strict. Wei Yi used his brother’s identity to sleep with a rich young lady—that’s basically fornication without a matchmaker! If that woman ends up pregnant, tsk tsk tsk…】

Bai Xiao, having nothing better to do, had researched quite a bit about this dynasty’s laws. They were generally quite well-developed, with plenty of restrictions on officials.

【Should we help him then? We can’t just let him take the blame for something he didn’t do.】

Lin Mo hated unjust situations like this the most. If this had happened to her, she’d probably be ready to kill someone.

Suddenly gaining a girlfriend out of nowhere—and maybe even a child later—while having no idea what happened? She’d lose her mind.

Bai Xiao agreed that this was worth helping with. After thinking for a moment, he said, 【Your brother could help. Wei Qin and your brother are classmates, and your brother has met his twin before. We can set up a little scene—have your brother “catch them in the act” and expose Wei Yi’s true identity. That’ll clear Wei Qin’s name.】

Standing on the side and watching all this, Lin Qi was dumbfounded.
“???”
What does this have to do with me? I barely even know those brothers!

Sure, helping others was good, but he really didn’t want to be the one to “catch someone in the act.”

A grown man like him, barging in to catch another man’s affair—it just felt wrong!

Lin Qi desperately looked to Lin Mo to reject Bai Xiao’s ridiculous idea. But his adorable little sister—how could she possibly refuse?

Lin Mo immediately nodded with great enthusiasm: 【That’s a great idea! Quickly find out when those two usually meet. I’ll write a note and send it to my brother to lure him there!】

Everyone present silently gave her a big thumbs-up. What a once-in-a-millennium wonderful little sister!

Lin Qi turned pleading eyes toward Minister Lin, but the minister quickly looked away, guilt written all over his face. Son, it’s not that I don’t want to help you—it’s that I can’t!

While Lin Mo was purely watching the drama unfold, Emperor Xuande, sitting above, had deeper thoughts.

If two identical twins existed like this, and one constantly imitated the other, what if one day the brother took over the other’s identity entirely?

Something like that had happened during the previous emperor’s reign—and they hadn’t even been twins.

One official who had been sent out for an assignment was replaced upon his return. No one noticed for years.

When the man left, he was clean-shaven; when he returned, he had grown a beard, which covered most of his face. The impostor was actually the official’s cousin—same family line, similar features—and had murdered the real man before taking his place.

That impostor served in the court for five or six years before being exposed, when the real official’s married sister returned home and immediately noticed that the “brother” before her was an impostor.

That case had caused an uproar in court at the time.

If something like that happened again in the Wei family, it’d be impossible to argue innocence—after all, these were identical twins!

When court was dismissed, Lin Mo boldly stuffed a note into Lin Qi’s sleeve right in front of everyone. She thought she was being sneaky—but everyone saw it.

Lin Qi looked down at the paper hidden in his sleeve, utterly speechless.

This is what you call sneaky? This is straight-up public!

And now you’re testing my acting skills on top of it!

Lin Mo, on the other hand, was quite pleased with herself, whispering proudly to Bai Xiao: 【I think I was super discreet just now! My brother didn’t notice a thing! Don’t you think I have a natural talent for pickpocketing?】

Bai Xiao replied: 【Maybe you really do. Want to try it out on the street sometime?】

Everyone present: “……”

Are you two out of your minds? You want to test pickpocketing in public? Thieves get their hands broken for that!

Minister Lin sighed and silently grabbed his foolish daughter by the collar, dragging her away before she could embarrass herself any further.

Lin Mo was long used to being carried around by her father. But still—she had one lingering question.

She’d been drinking goat milk for so long now—why hadn’t she grown taller yet?!

Bai Xiao said: 【Don’t worry about that. Your height is perfect. If you were any taller, your dad couldn’t carry you so easily, and your brother would struggle to hoist you to morning court. Do you really want to wake up early on your own?】

Lin Mo: 【Nope! But I still want to be taller! Why can’t I be like you—grow or shrink whenever I want?】

Father and son Lin: Ah yes, keep dreaming, girl!