Emperor's Cunning Wife

"Why are you shouting for? I was only trying to offer you venues for your illness!" Ning Lou drilled one her fingers inside her ear. She felt that this thief has qualifications to be an opera singer based on how high his pitch would reach when he shouted.

"Brother Feng has an illness?" Both of the sisters panicked at Ning Lou's sudden statement, they instantly touched Brother Feng's hands and waited for him to deny it.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I'm perfectly healthy!" He rebutted instantly gaining some sighs of relief from the two girls.

"Mister, please don't speak such words again." The younger sister spoke to Ning Lou slightly getting heated. The older sister also nodded.

"I'm not telling lies. Your brother might be well on the outside but he's not right in the head." Ning Lou spoke last words while pointing Feng Hong's head.

"Mister!" The younger one stood up quite angry.

"Baoyu! Let him explain!" The older one quickly reined her down. Her sister has a fiery temper and would lash out pretty quickly at the slightest of provocation. She had seen the mister had no ill will and was pretty serious when he looked at Brother Feng.

Feng Hong didn't quite understand what he said but something tells him that it was related to his darkest secret.

Ning Lou put her hands down on the table and tapped it, she was contemplating whether to say it in front of the ladies or have a private time with Feng Hong.

So she let Feng Hong chose instead, "I'm pretty sure you're already aware what I'm about to say. If you want it to be discuss in front of the ladies, then I'm fine with that, but if not we can have a private time for ourselves."

Feng Hong eyes shot towards her and anxiety and nervousness filled him with sweat. His guts told him right, this guy knew something about it. What is he? We only met this noon, but he had made his jaw dropped a couple of times and questioned his intelligence. He looked at his sisters' eyes filled with inquiry and frowned.

"A private time then, would ladies respect your brother and give us a couple of minutes?" Ning Lou read his discomfort and gave the two some soothing smiles, slightly calming their tense nerves, but the two still pasted themselves on Feng Hong probably waiting for his decision.

Feng Hong nodded at them, he returned to his usual stern countenance and shut what they're about to say.

The two let go of his hands with hesitation. The older one grabbed the shoulder of her younger sister and dragged her to the bedroom giving both the gentlemen their d.e.s.i.r.ed private time.

When Ning Lou heard the door of the bedroom closed, she turned her attention towards Feng Hong, "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. Ask and I'll try to answer them."

"What do you know?" Feng Hong asked.

"If you referring to your hobby, I know what you're going through. I know that there are times when you get powerful urges to steal."

Thump-

There was a noise inside the bedroom and Feng Hong realized that his sisters were eavesdropping. The noise must have resulted from their shock.

Feng Hong felt shame and guilt, he stared at his hands and noticed them trembling.

"I do not have such habits. Don't say such things again!" Feng Hong rebutted albeit with his head lowered since he couldn't really face this person that discovered his secret.

"Oh, am I wrong? I think you perfectly understand your own situation but you never speak any of it to your sisters. What don't we ask them if they have lost some of their things before but found it returned to the same place at some time?"

Feng Hong didn't get to say his defence when the door bang and two figures rushed out.

Feng Hong saw their red rimmed eyes and lowered his shoulders even more, somehow he didn't know how to face them. He loathed his dishonest hands that stole many things, he loathed his self that felt p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e in thieving.

"Brother, is what that mister said true? It's not, right! You did not steal!" the impulsive younger sister shook Feng Hong into denying Ning Lou's claim. Even despite the truth behind the mister's words brought them light about how their things got lost at some time, but her respect for Brother Feng would not allow her to let anyone sullied his brother.

The older one's mind was clearer. She had some doubts at the beginning so Ning Lou's statement only shocked her.

When Feng Hong continued to stay silent, his younger sister eventually couldn't hold her tears and cried, the delicate face was immersed in great sorrow even Feng Hong felt his heart break.

Ning Lou watched their family drama and waited for everyone to calm down before saying, "It's not his fault, it's his brain the one should be blame."

What was the difference?

Feng Hong had an urge to beat him up.