LOT – Chapter 138 Wei Qin Is Forced to Take Responsibility

Wei Yi’s secret rendezvous with the rich merchant’s daughter took place the following evening.

Lin Qi went there himself to catch the adulterers in the act, much to everyone’s excitement.

To make the scene more convincing, Wei Qin accompanied him. The two strolled casually along the street, pretending it was just an ordinary walk, until they “happened” to end up near the small alley in question.

Lin Mo and Bai Xiao trailed behind, “sneakily” following them, eager to witness the scandal firsthand.

【Your brother’s pretty smart — even brought Zheng Zu along as a witness. That way, he can directly expose Wei Yi.】

Lin Mo raised his chin proudly at the compliment.

【Of course! My brother’s brilliant! Honestly, I think he’s a lot like me — we both love reading.】

【But you two read totally different kinds of books. Your brother reads serious classics; you read storybooks and erotic novels. Speaking of which, you really should hide those. If your parents or siblings find them, you’re dead.】

The two men walking ahead: … Could their voices be any louder?

Behind them followed a crowd of curious onlookers. Those who couldn’t leave home had sent their servants to spy on their behalf — everyone had to get a piece of the gossip!

Meanwhile, inside the shabby house in the alley, Wei Yi and the merchant’s daughter were being rather… affectionate.

“Wei Lang,” the woman said, resting her hand on her belly with a worried look, “when are you going to marry me? If this drags on much longer, I won’t be able to hide my stomach anymore. My parents don’t know anything yet.”

Her tone was anxious — she could wait, but the baby couldn’t. She didn’t want her child to be illegitimate.

Though her family was wealthy, they were merchants and lacked social standing. If she could marry Wei Qin, she’d become the wife of an official — a respectable lady.

Wei Yi stroked her belly tenderly and said softly, “Things have been hectic lately. You know about the flood disaster — the Hanlin Academy is swamped with work. I’m anxious to marry you too, but I truly can’t find the time right now.”

“My parents passed away long ago, so I don’t have any elders to arrange the wedding. I’ve already written to the clan elders back home to come and help with the ceremony. I want to do things properly — out of respect for you.”

“You can rest assured, I’ve already sent the letter. Once the elders arrive, we’ll hold the wedding. I’ll never let you down.”

He said it so sincerely that the woman’s heart melted.

Having the clan elders involved meant Wei Lang truly intended to marry her.

“You’d better keep your word,” she said earnestly. “Once the elders come, you must marry me. The child’s already over a month old — at most, two more months before it starts to show.”

Outside the door, Lin Qi and Wei Qin listened, their faces growing darker by the second — especially Wei Qin’s, which turned red, then black with fury.

This was his brother, the one he had always cared for! He knew better than anyone how hard it had been for Wei Yi to pass the exams. Their parents had died young, and the two brothers had relied solely on each other. Wei Qin had worked so hard for the imperial exams — not just for himself, but for his brother too.

If he succeeded, their family would rise above common status. His brother would be able to marry into a good family.

And yet… this was how Wei Yi repaid him — using his name to deceive others!

Lin Mo and Bai Xiao were a bit farther away, but Bai Xiao narrated everything in detail — even imitating their voices vividly, as if performing a play.

【Tsk tsk, what a talent. You really missed your calling as a voice actor. But seriously, these two are shameless. And that woman — how could she face her parents or her future child after this?】

Lin Mo, after decades living in this world, had seen his share of illegitimate children. Such children were never acknowledged — they spent their lives under others’ judgment and scorn.

They were innocent, yes — but their parents’ sins became their burden. That was the cruelty of it.

Reckless parents might enjoy their moment of pleasure, but the consequences fell entirely on their children.

When the couple inside began flirting again, Wei Qin finally lost control and kicked the door open.

The sudden intrusion wiped the smile right off Wei Yi’s face.

“Brother! What are you doing here?!”

The merchant’s daughter gasped when she saw Wei Qin — he looked identical to Wei Yi.

But one word caught her attention.

“Brother? He’s your brother? You told me you only had a younger brother!”

She shot to her feet, staring back and forth between them in disbelief.

Lin Qi stayed at the doorway — it was a family affair, not something he wanted to interfere in. He’d done his part; time to step back.

Wei Qin looked at his stunned brother, eyes full of disappointment.

“I heard you used my name to deceive someone. Do you think that’s fair to me?”

Wei Yi dropped to his knees, speechless.

The merchant’s daughter, however, broke down.

“You’re not Wei Qin?! He’s Wei Qin?!”

Wei Qin turned to her, his face dark.

“I am Wei Qin. This is my younger brother, Wei Yi.”

The woman shook her head in disbelief — then suddenly said something utterly absurd.

“Then, Wei Lang, I’ll marry you! Since you’re Wei Qin, I’ll marry you instead. I already have a child in my belly — and since you’re twins, you won’t mind, right?”

Lin Qi nearly dropped his jaw.

Was this woman out of her mind? What on earth was she saying?!

Even Lin Mo, hearing Bai Xiao’s retelling, was stunned.

【Oh my god — how did she manage to say that with a straight face?!】

Bai Xiao shook his head.

【She’s probably lost her mind. Or maybe she’s just desperate to climb the social ladder. She may be from a rich merchant family, but she’s not the only daughter — not the prettiest, not the most outstanding. No wonder she’s in such a hurry.】

Wei Qin took two steps back, clearly unnerved.

“Miss, that’s impossible. But since you’re carrying my brother’s child, the one you should marry is him.”

A young woman so easily gave herself to someone and even got pregnant — Wei Qin didn’t know what else to say.

“No! I won’t marry him!” she cried. “He’s a nobody — how could he be worthy of me? You two look the same anyway! If you don’t marry me, I’ll go to the magistrate! He used your name to seduce me, so as far as I’m concerned, it was you!“

Even Lin Qi couldn’t stand it anymore and stepped forward.

“Miss, that trick won’t work. I’m a witness to everything that happened.”

The woman froze when she saw him.

Lin Qi’s name carried weight in the capital — she recognized him instantly.

“Lin Qi!” she gasped.