Repudiating a Good Wife Is Out of the Question

102. I’m No Spy

Translator: Sissy That Walk

Two performers were performing Lian Hua Lao shows (T/N:ballad sung to the rhythm of bamboo clappers) on stage to give the other performers some time go get ready for the next show.

The troupe leader came to greet Liu Heng and the other guests with someone who was supposed to be Qin, but Cao Mo knew this person wasn’t Qin despite the heavy makeup he was wearing and the exact same figure.

Xiao Yi couldn’t tell, he said, “How come you can tell he isn’t Qin, you have just met Qin once after all.”

“Qin has double pupils and his lips are always pouting a little like he is brooding, but this person looks so happy, now you tell me whether this is Qin.” Cao Mo raised his eyebrow with confidence.

Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes and tried to recall what Qin looked like.

“Yi, don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t like I kept staring at Qin when I met him, it’s just I happen to remember his features well.” Cao Mo explained in a low voice and he leaned towards Xiao Yi, “Yi, don’t you find it odd? How come Eunuch Gao can’t tell he isn’t Qin, he obviously doesn’t have two pupils.”

Xiao Yi closed his eyes and opened his eyes several times, trying to recall what Qin looked like but to no avail, “Mo, I still can’t see the difference.”

Other guests were busy talking with the troupe leader and the fake Qin, no one noticed the two were whispering into each other’s ears.

Eunuch Gao suddenly rose to his feet and said goodbye to them, “I’m leaving with Qin, thank you for having us, Third Master and Third Madam.”

With that he cast a glimpse at Cao Mo and said, “I insisted seeing you today, Young Madam, because Qin begged me.”

Cao Mo felt so embarrassed, he didn’t mean to putting on airs and leaving Eunuch Gao waiting for him, he wanted to remind Eunuch Gao this wasn’t the real Qin, but he changed his mind at last for this wasn’t his business.

Cao Mo pouted right after Eunuch Gao left with Qin, “What’s Prince Ning thinking? He likes Qin, I get it! So he sends his eunuch to follow Qin around wherever Qin goes, way to show his affection!”

“I don’t care what his deal is, I only care you and my nephew’s.” Liu Heng chuckled, “People are talking about you and Qin, just watch out.”

“Third Aunt~ how can you do this to me!” Cao Mo looked disgruntled, “You know now I sort of work for Prince Xing now, both me and Yi are, but how dare you take this order from Prince Ning?”

“I’m sorry , Mo! Here is the thing, one of Prince Ning’s pages got the lotion and presented to him, geez, does His Highness love it or what! He has been using it every night since he has got it, he even… I heard he even has presented some to His Majesty. You know how people talk in this capital city, soon they know you are the one who makes the magical lotion, hence Eunuch Gao came to me…” with that Liu Heng blushed, “As a matter of fact, everyone is looking for you, but Prince Ning isn’t someone we can afford to offend, right?”

“Third Aunt, five days is way too short”, Cao Mo sighed, “I’ve told you I planned to work after the Lantern Festival, but now I have to produce one thousand bottles before the Lantern Festival.”

“I have faith in you, Mo, plus… plus I’ve taken front money from Eunuch Gao already, ten thousand taels of silver!” Liu Heng stammered, “And… and I’ve spent my share already, there’s no going back at this point.”

“Third Aunt!” Cao Mo’a face darkened.

“Mo, I can explain, I happen to see one of Scholar Gu’s painting and I have to have it, I’m so sorry, Mo, I owe you one!”

“Third Aunt, mark my word, this is not to be repeated! I will only make two thousand bottles per month in the future, no more special orders from Eunuch Gao! No more special orders from anyone, understood?” Cao Mo knew it’s no point blaming anyone at the point, he just wanted to solve this problem.

Liu Heng nodded with a fawning smile.

With that Cao Mo and Xiao Yi left Lotus House.

“Yi, tell me more about this Eunuch Gao.” Cao Mo was curious about this Eunuch Gao’s story.

“Eunuch Gao is a big tree with some deep roots, you know what I mean? He has severed the late emperor for years, Imperial Concubine Fair assigned him to serve her son Prince Ning after the late emperor passed away. Eunuch Gao has been such a great help to Prince Ning, he can go to the palace anytime he wants, he will get more information for Prince Ning!”

Cao Mo nodded, “I will show more respect to him when I see him next time, surely he would have put on airs if not you.”

“Haha, that’s for father’s sake, not me.”

“Haha, I say that’s for Prince Xing’s sake.” Cao Mo chuckled, with that a thought struck him.

“Yi! No way Eunuch Gao has no idea this Qin is a fake one, but he still puts on an act in front of us!”

Xiao Yi pondered for a little while, “I think I know why Eunuch Gao did that.”

In Prince Xing’s Manor.

“Your Highness, Childe Xiao is here to see you.” a page reported.

“Invite him in.” Prince Xing who was writing a letter to an official named Lu Kai who was assigned the task of escorting the delegates of the southern country to the capital city.

“Ha, Yi, I know why you are here, my people have been keeping an eye on Spring Joy Troupe.” with that Prince Xing withdrew a hairpin from his drawer, to Xiao Yi’s surprise, Prince Xing twisted the ornament on the hairpin and a piece of paper revealed.

Xiao Yi gasped, it was the layout of the capital city!

“Now I understand why Qin said he was no spy! He didn’t want to betray his country! This layout is top secret!” Xiao Yi was shocked.

“Qin meant to give this to Cao Mo so the layout would be kept someplace safe, but Cao Mo dared not to get too close with Qin due to you! I need to worship Buddha that my people got this hairpin from Qin and gave it to me in time!” Prince Xing explained.