LOT -Chapter 263 The Legendary Old Prince

When Lin Qi’s friends came over, Lin Mo was rolling around and throwing a tantrum in Lin Qi’s study.

“Give me back my storybooks! Give me back my books!”

Bai Xiao was sitting on the floor too, clinging to Lin Qi’s leg, because all their books had been confiscated. Lin Shangshu had gathered the confiscated books and entrusted them to Lin Qi for safekeeping.

Looking at the two on the ground, Lin Qi was about ready to explode.

No wonder Father had put the confiscated books with him—he was probably afraid these two would pester him. But why didn’t anyone think about him? He was scared of being pestered too!

Lin Qi kicked the floor helplessly and said, “I really can’t do anything about this. You should beg Father. If I return your books on my own, I’d be the one punished. I’m just keeping them for you; I really don’t have the authority.”

Lin Mo was truly in tears, sniffling all over. Yesterday, she had returned to her room, eager to get her storybooks, only to find the drawers empty. She didn’t need to guess who had taken them.

“Brother, please have some pity on me! Your little sister has no other hobby but reading. You always tell me to read more, so why confiscate my books?”

But these were treasures, rare items in the world! Some of these storybooks weren’t even sold anywhere else—each one was unique.

“We wanted you to read more, but not these kinds of books!” Lin Qi grabbed Lin Mo by the collar and dragged her aside.

“All right, all right, stop causing a scene here. No matter how much you fuss here, it only ends in the same result. You’d better go to Father. My colleagues will be here soon, and then they’ll get to watch you make fools of yourselves.”

At the door, a few people were grinning from ear to ear, here to watch the show.

These people had all passed the exams the same year as Lin Qi, and they got along well.

When Lin Mo and Bai Xiao were kicked out, they opened the door to find five people outside eavesdropping.

Bai Xiao: “Whoa! They’re eavesdropping! How shameless! Are all scholars this shameless?”

Lin Mo: “Of course. Scholars have always been thick-skinned. And we’re thick-skinned too.”

The five at the door: …You two are thick-skinned indeed. We’re embarrassed, but you’re not.

One of them realized first and quickly greeted Lin Mo: “Greetings, Young Lady Lin! Haven’t seen you around lately.”

Lin Mo, expressionless, replied: “Because I just returned from outside the capital. I only came back yesterday, so of course, I haven’t been out.”

[I would have scared you if I had been outside earlier. Imagine someone like me at the Imperial Summer Villa, could you even see me in the capital? Frightening, right?]

Bai Xiao: “Hahaha, Lin Mo’s capital alias is truly terrifying.”

The one asking: …Indeed, terrifying. Young Lady Lin’s humor remains unchanged.

Feeling the awkward atmosphere outside, Lin Qi finally stepped in to save them.

“What are you two still doing here? Go beg Father to return your storybooks. He’s going out today, so if you’re late, you’ll miss the chance!”

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo and Bai Xiao immediately bolted. Nothing mattered more than their storybooks!

Bai Xiao urged while running: “Hurry, hurry! Move your legs faster!”

Lin Mo, anxious, replied: “I’m already running as fast as I can! Why didn’t you know Father would be going out today? What use are you then!”

The two ran outside, blaming each other along the way.

Lin Qi shook his head helplessly and welcomed his friends inside. “Sorry about the scene. My little sister just loves to make a fuss.”

The people at the door: “Understood, understood.”

Lin Mo and Bai Xiao caught up to Lin Shangshu at the last moment before he left.

Seeing them blocking the doorway, Lin Shangshu cleared his throat, already knowing what they were after.

“Move aside, I have matters to attend to.”

He had no time for their antics today—he was going to meet an old friend he hadn’t seen in years.

Lin Mo looked at Bai Xiao: [What’s Father up to today? He’s not lying to us, right? Check it for me!]

Bai Xiao: [Got it! He’s going to meet Old Prince Wang, the one who eloped with another man and is the Emperor’s uncle.]

Lin Mo gasped. That “Old Prince Wang” Bai Xiao often mentioned—the one who borrowed money from the Emperor and eloped with a man while taking his property—was still alive! Quite long-lived!

But how did this Old Prince know her father? Their ages didn’t add up. Her father was of the same generation as the Emperor, even younger, while this Old Prince belonged to the previous Emperor’s generation.

“Step aside. When I return, your brother will give back your storybooks.”

Lin Mo squinted. She wanted her storybooks—and she wanted to see the spectacle!

She really wanted to witness this legendary Old Prince and the man who eloped with him.

“I’m going with you!”

Lin Mo lifted her chin, her expression firm. Bai Xiao: “Yes, yes, we’re going with you!”

Seeing these two nuisances, Lin Shangshu’s hands itched.

Three days without causing trouble? Now they wanted to join the spectacle? Didn’t they have their own friends to see?

He grabbed them both, separating them. “Move aside. Go play with your own friends. Don’t meddle in adult matters.”

Lin Mo immediately protested: “Hehehe, what do you mean ‘adult matters’? When you forced me to attend court, wasn’t that an adult matter too? Father, this is too much!”

“You forced me to attend court before. Now I’m just going to meet your friend. Why shouldn’t he meet people?”

As she spoke, Lin Mo started wondering—this Old Prince liked men, and her father was handsome. Could there really be something going on between them?

[Xiao Bai! Check if Father has any… shady business with that Prince! If he won’t let me go, there’s definitely a story!]

Bai Xiao: [Got it! I’ll check right away!]