ITVCFITB CHAPTER 102

Chapter 102 – Forced Quest

Losing the bet was small potatoes. The real wildfire was Shen Mingyun’s very public “caught-in-the-act” spectacle with the Fourth Prince, now the talk of the capital.

For years, the Fourth had worn his devotion like armor: one glance-love, petitioning the emperor to wed Shen, refusing beauties of either sex, even when Shen ballooned in Gucheng. A model spouse, or so everyone believed.

Truth is rarely polite. The “romance” was performance. His tastes? Not ladies, not soft pretty boys, he liked men. The kind built like iron.

That morning looked normal enough. The Fourth ate with the family, fussed over the children, said he’d be too busy to come home at noon but would return for dinner. It warmed Shen’s heart; surely there was no affair.

After nearly being caught three days prior, the Fourth and Zhou Er had kept their distance. Today, though, the Fourth intended to stop by, set boundaries, focus on “the great cause.” Except desire is very persuasive. One look, and “just this once” happened right there in the study.

Shen had kept watchers on the Fourth. Mid-egg-beating in the kitchen, he got the report: the Fourth was heading to Zhou Er’s place. Shen grabbed a short sword and a mountain of rage and went.

He knew the route now. Guards were pinned, the steward got a boot for trying to stall, and when “study” was mumbled as a direction, Shen sprinted. He kicked the door in and found two men scrambling into clothes. The Fourth tugging at the wrong belt; Zhou Er still halfway into trousers.

Crack. Shen’s palm across the Fourth’s face. A kick to Zhou Er’s thigh. Then anything not nailed down flew. A vase scored Zhou Er’s shoulder.

“Shen, calm down—” Zhou Er tried.

“Shut your filthy mouth!” Shen snarled. “Who gave you the guts to covet my man!”

Years of being coddled didn’t mean he couldn’t hit hard; turns out baby-lifting builds arm strength. When the barrage of curses ended, Shen drew his sword and pressed the point to the Fourth’s future lineage. “Walk. Now. Or I make you a eunuch.”

Hands up, the Fourth submitted. “I was wrong. I’ll go.”

Out they went. A crowd had gathered of course. Shen yanked him into the street and, voice ringing, declared, “We’re done! I’m divorcing you today!”

The capital exploded. Could a prince really be put away by his consort?

The emperor, feverish and furious, summoned them both. He flayed the Fourth first, if you’re going to play the paragon, then be one; stop sneaking around. Then he lashed Shen: this is an empire where men keep concubines; learn magnanimity, stop turning the dynasty into a market farce.

Shen, who could scream himself hoarse at the Fourth, turned meek as a mouse before imperial power. Even with a system, he had no Luo Shuyu-level poise. He swallowed every word.

The Fourth left with a throbbing cheek and a secret relief: if Father still has the strength to rage at us, there’s still hope.

Li Mingjin didn’t pile on. Wanting the emperor to last a little longer, he brought Luo Shuyu and the baby to visit. Little Chongchong’s smile did what medicine couldn’t; the emperor’s mood lifted, spirit steadied.

“Your wife is a good one,” he told Old Third. “Cherish him. You two are not like Old Four’s household, mutual devotion is rare.”

“Yes, Father,” he said.

Back home, the other household was in ruins. Shen wanted the Fourth out that very night; imperial scolding alone kept him from tossing the man onto the street. His fury, though, only sharpened. If they couldn’t divorce, he’d leave, take the children, vanish, live on system recipes and business tricks. Who needs an emperor-husband liable to collect three thousand favorites later?

He opened the mall to buy an invisibility item.

Every icon was gray.

“System?” No answer.

“System!” Still nothing.

Then a blood-red notice slammed into view:

[FORCED QUEST: Assist the Fourth Prince to ascend the throne. If the quest fails, the host dies.]

Shen Mingyun stared. The room seemed to tilt.

So much for running.

---

Author’s Note

Fourth Prince: Can we let him… you know, fail the quest fast? I want to elope with Zhou Er.
Zhou Er: Seconded.
Shen Mingyun: …

 PREVIOUS           TOC           NEXT