ITVCFITB CHAPTER 16

 Chapter 16 – Catching Them in the Garden

Given Shen Mingyun had already put plans in motion to stop Luo Shuyu and Li Mingjin’s wedding, Luo Shuyu stayed on high alert. The two covert experts Li Mingjin sent were indeed professional; the surveillance summaries they passed along were meticulous, short of yanking the system out of Shen Mingyun’s skull by the roots.

With professionals on the job, Luo Shuyu’s heart settled. In his past life, Li Mingjin had been framed not for lack of ability, but because he lacked a system that could dispense quests and items; props had been critical to Shen Mingyun’s meteoric rise in this world.

True to Shen’s usual style, any time he launched a new “event” he’d fanfare it first: handbills in waves, posters at every storefront, shills spreading it by word of mouth, anything usable was used. The effect, naturally, was dramatic; otherwise, he wouldn’t have amassed a fortune so quickly upon arrival. Shen later even bankrolled the Fourth Prince’s recruitment of troops. It's really the perfect illustration of “when husband and husband are of one mind, their sharpness can cut through metal.”

Was he trotting out “Courtesan 101” to block the wedding? If so, how? And how exactly do you “crack down on vice”?

In the previous life, the show had nothing to do with their nuptials. Shen was busy raking in cash; Luo Shuyu was busy getting married, waiting at the Luo residence to be sent off. There was no overlap.

The book had only covered Shen’s planning for the show and his negotiations; there’d been nothing about sabotaging the marriage back then. How would he do it now?

The wedding was in less than ten days.

Shen’s warm-up period for events was typically fifteen to twenty days, just enough to flood the capital and sweep it into a craze.

Launching an anti-prostitution campaign wouldn’t be easy either, as the open existence of brothels is legal in this era.

Wait, didn’t the Fourth Prince also own a brothel? Not flashy, but mid-to-upper tier traffic. Later in the novel, when he was contending for the throne, he used it to pass messages, definitely quite useful.

What was the name of that brothel again? Certainly not Huancai Pavilion; that house had “official” backing, but not like the Fourth Prince’s. In the book, no one knew who owned Huancai Pavilion, not even Shen, who’d dealt with them for ages. It had puzzled Luo Shuyu when reading: the story ended with this point still dangling. He hadn’t dwelt on it then. He was too consumed with sudden grief for his lost family but now that Shen was launching “Courtesan 101,” the question resurfaced.

Who, exactly, owned Huancai Pavilion?

Luo Shuyu shelved the doubt for now.

The sky was overcast, and the heat had finally broken. After dinner, he sat out in the courtyard, enjoying the breeze.

Shadow Three arrived first to brief him on the day’s intelligence from Shen Mingyun.

Shen’s behavior was so out of the ordinary it was impossible not to notice.

“What great deeds has Shen Mingyun accomplished today?” Since he was bride-prepping, Luo couldn’t be running around outside; he waited on Shadow Three’s daily reports and planned from there.

Shadow Three treated Luo Shuyu with the same respect he gave the Third Prince. This was the future imperial consort; he dared not be sloppy. He reported point by point.

“He spent the day scribbling in his courtyard. I saw he wrote a list, purpose unknown, so I copied it for you to see.” Shadow Three presented the transcription.

Luo Shuyu glanced over it and smiled. “So that’s it. He does have ideas.”

Dark Three, with Luo, didn’t feel the same pressure the Third Prince exuded. “What do you mean, Gongzi?”

“You know he’s collaborating with the brothels to launch something called ‘Courtesan 101’?”

“I do. Flyers are already out. Plenty are asking about it.”

“Do you know the program’s flow and how they’ll rank the courtesans?”

“Sing and dance-offs, I guess?” Shadow Three ventured.

Shen’s “secrecy” was rather decent. For now, the brothels were building sets and decor; next they’d recruit a live audience; the most classified part was the ranking mentors and the program’s “initiator” throughout.

“Singing and dancing yes, but it’s mainly group choreography, hot songs, hot dances. You probably haven’t heard of them,” Luo said.

“Shadow Four is the music buff. Even he hasn’t,” Shadow Three said.

“‘Most Dazzling Ethnic Style,’ ‘Little Apple,’ ‘Seaweed Dance,’ ‘Calorie’... ring a bell?”

Shadow Three shook his head.

“Pole dance, striptease, grass-skirt dance... heard of those?”

Another headshake.

“Though,” Shadow Three added, “I think I saw some of those titles on one of Shen’s sheets.” He stared in awe. “How did you know?”

“Photographic memory, perhaps.” Back then he’d heard palace entertainers perform some of these at ladies’ garden parties; they were so literal and noisy he disliked them. Now, he was grateful for his sharp memory.

“…” Shadow Three thought. Young Master Luo is more formidable than my master!

“Keep watching,” Luo said. “Report any development at once.”

“Yes.”

“Wait.” Luo stopped him. “Take a little something to Li Mingjin for me.”

“Yes.”

---

Half an hour later, Dark Three stood in Li Mingjin’s study, reporting and presenting a small box.

It wasn’t locked; ready to open.

Li Mingjin’s fingers curled with anticipation. He wanted to open it, but felt oddly tense.

Curiosity triumphed. He had to know what Shuyu sent.

Inside lay a small, white, thumb-joint-sized square of jade, smooth and rounded.

He picked it up: a tiny “ten” carved on the base. What did that mean?

After a moment’s thought, he hazarded a guess. He tucked it away. He’d ask on the wedding day. By his count, there were thirteen days left!

Then he selectively filtered the rest of the report. “He also has a photographic memory?”

“Yes, Gongzi Luo said so himself,” Shadow Three replied.

“I suppose he’ll remember my preferences perfectly.” Li Mingjin murmured.

“…” Shadow Three thought, Is that really all you took from this?

Forget it, he was witnessing a romance begin, and comprehending how lovers’ brains go to mush.

---

Time kept on. Three days left till the wedding.

From Shadow Three, Luo learned that Li Mingjin had already handed the waterwheel plans to someone trustworthy; good news would come soon.

During those ten-odd days, Li Mingjin received one small jade square from Shuyu each day. He counted down, yearning.

Every day he looked for the brief letter and the tiny block. He sent gifts back too: yesterday, the sugar figurines he used to scoff at; today, osmanthus-scented cakes from Shuyu’s favorite shop. Tomorrow, who knew.

Luo had never imagined Li Mingjin could be this good to him. If only, last life, he’d offered a little more trust, a little more care, and less coldness, perhaps the ending would have been different.

The closer the date drew, the more on edge he was. What if Shen stirred up some unknown mischief?

He finished the cake, patted his trousers, and stood. He’d stroll through the estate garden.

Luo Renshou had a hobby: flowers. He loved collecting rare blooms. Even in this season, many were in their prime.

Shuyu had been cooped up for days and hadn’t picked a destination; he might as well admire the Luo grounds.

After so long inside, the residence looked different somehow.

The inner walls were mostly lined with bamboo soothing in summer: “elegant,” “quiet,” “above the fray” all fit. Pity the hearts within didn’t match the words.

Drifting along, he reached the special rear garden Luo Renshou had set aside.

A hobby needed space, so an entire courtyard was devoted to plants he’d bought or had been gifted by underlings currying favor. This taste had won him like-minded colleagues as well; a leafy place to sip tea and play chess now and then.

In the middle stood a clump of banana trees, charming in the heat.

Shuyu stood under the shade and fanned himself.

Qingwang asked if he was thirsty. He’d brought a water flask and maids trailed behind. It was meant to be a casual stroll, but Feng Momo insisted on numbers; Shuyu would have refused if she hadn’t finally said these were the Third Prince’s instructions.

Just as they’d move on, a man’s and woman’s laughter carried over. Shuyu lifted his hand; the attendants quieted, and they listened.

Hidden behind the banana leaves, the two didn’t notice him.

Servants sneaking an affair?

No, the man’s voice he recognized.

The more he heard, the uglier his face got. His grip tightened on the fan.

“Master Uncle, you promised Ping’er you won’t forget, will you? You said you’d take me in this year.”

“Good Ping’er, how could I forget that?”

“If not for me back then, how would your plan have worked?”

“True. I’ll see to it at once!”

“You’ve said that how many times? Does your word count? Maybe I should tell Third Young Master. Looks to me like you’ve no intention.”

“Don’t fuss, your Third Young Master is about to marry the Third Prince. He’ll believe you? He’s never meddled in anything. No one will ever know about his mother.”

“Master Uncle, Ping’er knows you used me. I was quite favored at Furen’s side back then—no one suspected me. Once Third Young Master is wed and gone, no one will question it. Remember your promise, or I’ll tell him everything. Let’s not make it a lose-lose.”

“Patience. I’ll have you brought over and make you a concubine. No more serving others.”

“Then remember this: I have proof that Furen did not die of illness, but of poisoning.”

“Hush! Not here, this is the Luo residence. If anyone hears…”

They would have continued their cooing, but Shuyu flicked a hand. The matrons behind him strode forward and dragged the pair out!

Their clothes were in disarray: the man’s belt undone; the woman’s dudou bare, strings unfastened. A fine pair of adulterers.

Fury surged; Shuyu kicked Liu Yong squarely in the groin. “Perfect. Liu Yong, Lady Liu’s dear brother. And you, Ping’er, my mother’s maid. You could not have presented yourselves better!”

Still dazed from being hauled out, Liu Yong was hit by the bolt of pain a heartbeat later. Clutching his manhood, he crumpled to the ground. “Aaahhhh!”

The truth had come far too abruptly. Shuyu pinched his brow and snapped, “Lock them up, separately! Qingwang, fetch someone to call the laoye back, tell him it’s a life-and-death matter and he must decide this instant!”

Ping’er, shaken to the core, collapsed and reached for Shuyu’s leg, only to be kicked aside by the matron at his side.

“Ah! Th-Third Young Master, I- I was forced! It was Lady Liu- she made me!”

Shuyu stared at Liu Yong and Ping’er like knives. So his mother hadn’t died of illness, just as he’d thought!

Lady Liu, I will have your life.

---

Author’s Note:
Third Prince: That kick looked like it hurt…
Luo Shuyu: Want to try it?
Third Prince: N-no, thanks.

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Little Note(s):
Laoye: A respectful title used to address or refer to a family's patriarch, high-ranking official, or elder male of authority.