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ITVCFITB CHAPTER 101
Chapter 101 – Lost Bet
Since he’d said he was going to “drop by,” Shen Mingyun really went. Who was going to stop him?
He still counted Zhou Er as a friend. In his mind, borders were temporary; someday they’d all be “one family,” so what if Zhou Er was from Zhou? He’d even introduced him to the Fourth Prince, there shouldn’t be secrets between the three of them.
But why the secret house? Why hide it from him? That stung.
Perfect timing, late afternoon edging toward dinner. He had wine and dishes loaded up. Like old times: three men, a table, tall tales.
The carriage rolled up to the residence. The guards weren’t familiar faces from Shen’s world, but they knew him. Zhou Er’s men had standing orders: if anything unusual happened, especially if it involved the Fourth Prince’s consort, report to the master. Problem: the master also forbade interruptions when meeting the Fourth.
“Four Prince Consort, you can’t enter—” They tried to bar him.
“I know exactly whose men you are. The Fourth is inside. Move,” Shen snapped.
A sleek house steward arrived, all smiles. “Please, inside. The master is in the study with an honored guest. He’s been notified and will be out momentarily.”
“Honored guest? What sort?” Shen asked lightly, mind grinding away.
The steward played dumb. “I wouldn’t presume to pry.”
“Where’s the study?” Shen said. “Take me.”
“The master prefers we don’t approach—”
“Then I’ll find it myself.” Shen shoved past. If this was a smokescreen, he’d blow it away.
Corridors parted for him; no one dared scuffle with the Fourth’s consort. That itself screamed decoy. If it was this easy, the study would be empty.
He stopped. “Where’s the main courtyard?”
The steward’s forehead beaded sweat. “R-right this way…”
At the main courtyard, guards finally stepped in politely. Before it escalated, a voice came from inside: Zhou Er’s. “Who is it?”
“It’s me, Brother Zhou,” Shen answered and went straight for the bedchamber.
Zhou Er sat on a small couch in a thin inner robe, a book in hand, hair slightly mussed, a cloak thrown on in haste. The outline of muscle beneath cloth was annoyingly perfect.
“Why are you here?” he asked, surprised, then coughed twice as if to clear his throat. “The prince was here. We discussed a matter. To avoid being seen, he left by the back just now, you must’ve missed him.”
Shen nodded, letting his gaze drift. The window was open; a clean breeze moved the curtain, yet a faint, unmistakable musk hung in the room, the kind that only lingers after men have been with men.
“Nice setup,” Shen said, already crossing to the bed. “Haven’t been in this room yet. Good taste. This bed, haven’t seen that design.” He yanked the canopy aside: crisp, folded bedding. No one there. No visible hiding spots.
He exhaled. It fit the tale: a bodyguard could own a pied-à-terre; a prince could avoid attention by using a back door. Plausible.
Fine. He’d let it go for now. He set down his wine and dishes with a grin. “Brought you dinner.”
Zhou Er couldn’t refuse. They drank; Shen’s face went rosy; his words slurred. Soon he collapsed onto the table, out cold.
Zhou Er waved men to send him home.
The moment the carriage rocked into motion, Shen slipped a detox pill from the system into his mouth. The fog snapped away. He hopped off with two guards at a shop down the street and posted a watcher at the back gate.
He wasn’t not suspicious. That scent, he knew it too well. Years ago he’d kicked open his ex’s rented room to the same reek.
If it was someone other than the Fourth, there’d be no need to hide it from him. If it was the Fourth… why run?
He asked the system point-blank if the two had a special relationship. It sidestepped: “We do not advise doubting your spouse.”
To hell with that.
Less than a quarter-hour later, a familiar silhouette stepped out the back, Zhou Er escorting him. Shen surged to his feet, the stool skittering. He forced himself to stay put.
No proof, no victory. You only win when they’re caught in the act.
Good. Very good, Your Highness.
So that’s where the missing hours and “nights in the study” went. He’d rattled the grass today; the snake had slipped away. There would be a next time. And the time after that until he had them.
He was very good at catching cheaters.
When Luo Shuyu heard Shen had stormed Zhou Er’s residence and still missed, he clicked his tongue. “What a pity.”
Li Mingjin snorted. “He was too loud. Zhou Er and Old Four aren’t idiots, they’d hear him coming.”
“But did you notice the patience?” Shuyu said. “I fed him the ‘cut-sleeve’ line a month ago. He waited, trailed, tested, even faked a drunk.”
Li raised a brow. “Gifted in this department, for once.”
“Mm.”
Li tugged at Luo’s belt with wicked intent. “Wanna bet how long before he nails them?”
“Hands. Off.”
“One little wager.”
“What wager?”
He whispered in Luo’s ear. Luo’s ears went pink. “Can you not?”
“I say within seven days he catches Old Four.”
“Three,” Luo countered. “Loser sleeps on the small couch.”
“I’m not losing.”
“You underestimate jealousy.”
On the morning of Day Three, Mingji kept shooting Shuyu meaningful looks. By afternoon, Shadow Three burst in, grinning. “Good news!”
“What news?” Luo asked.
“Fourth Prince Consort slapped the Fourth twice, in the street outside Zhou Er’s place! Dragged him out half-dressed. Says he’s going to divorce him. The city’s buzzing.”
Shuyu’s smile bloomed. “Divorce, huh? Ambitious… though hard to do in the imperial clan.”
He turned to Mingji’s eyes sparkling. “A bet is a bet.”
Mingji cut Shadow Three a glacial look. Good news, his ass. He’d just lost the wager.
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