ITVCFITB CHAPTER 37

 Chapter 37: The Villain

Luo Shuyu hadn’t been crying at all, he was smothering laughter so hard his stomach hurt, burying his face against Li Mingjin only so nobody outside would hear him.

Who could’ve guessed they’d go for a soak and, on the way back, bump straight into the sneaking-home Fourth Prince and Shen Mingyun?

When a fat lamb trots up to your door, you’d be a fool not to take a bite. He finally had somewhere to vent all that pent-up frustration.

Now it was up to the Fourth Prince. He’d promised, right in front of Li Mingjin, to propose to the Luo family to preserve both Luo Shuyu’s and Shen Mingyun’s reputations. If he was a man of his word, he’d follow through. Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. They had to head off Shen Mingyun’s sabotage.

That one fancied himself as a “modern man” with “forward-looking views” freedom, democracy, equality, would absolutely object to any proposal on principle.

Which was precisely why Luo Shuyu had stormed about in front of the Fourth Prince and then swept back into the carriage without letting Shen Mingyun get a word in: he couldn’t allow Shen to frame the decision as his to make. Those imported ideas simply didn’t fit this time and place. Ignoring him was the most brutal blow.

In the end, Shen Mingyun would wind up with the Fourth Prince anyway. What difference if it happened sooner? He wasn’t breaking their destined pairing; he was accelerating it. The more “freedom” Shen had, the more mischief he made. Better to pen him up in the inner court while his wings were still wet; let the grind dull that “career ambition.” System or no system, reality had its limits.

When he finally raised his head from Li Mingjin’s chest, there was a smile at the corner of his eyes, no trace of tears.

“You weren’t crying?” Li Mingjin looked honestly baffled.

“Why would I cry? For my ‘reputation’? Or for the Luo family’s?” Luo Shuyu smoothed the creases he’d pressed into Li Mingjin’s robe.

“Naturally for the Third Prince Consort’s reputation,” Li Mingjin said.

“And yours, Your Highness?” Luo Shuyu asked, straight-faced.

Li Mingjin considered. “…Not much to speak of. But didn’t you say you were going to ‘defend your reputation,’ and that’s why you marched over?”

“I’m married to you,” Luo Shuyu told him. “Husband sings, wife follows. If you don’t care about reputation, why should I? I went to scold Shen Mingyun, that’s all. The anger was for show; the ‘reputation’ was never the point.”

Li Mingjin held his gaze, eyes seeming to see right through to the marrow. “I understand. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t,” Luo Shuyu said, smiling.

“How do you know?” he teased. “Aren’t you afraid I’m just carried away and lying to you?”

“I just know,” Luo Shuyu said. “A little immortal told me.”

Something in Li Mingjin melted. How could his spouse be this good? This willing to stand unconditionally at his side? The urge to tuck him into his arms forever, to shield him from every draft and every stray word, surged up again. He loved him, plain and simple.

Back at the Third Prince’s manor, Luo Shuyu didn’t chase the “Fourth Prince–Shen Mingyun” story in public. He simply sent word to Luo Renshou: handle it properly and deliver a “satisfactory result,” or else. A man as face-conscious as Luo Renshou would understand perfectly.

Luo Renshou smashed a valuable vase when he heard. Then he summoned Shen Mingyun to the study and demanded to know how he’d ended up with the Fourth Prince.

“I’m being framed here,” Shen Mingyun protested. “We’re just friends, not lovers. Uncle, why won’t you believe me? We’re friends.”

“Friends?” Luo Renshou snorted. “Are you naïve or just stupid?”

“Why can’t we be friends?” Shen shot back. For the second time, he felt his values clashing with the era’s.

“The Fourth Prince personally brought you back from the Crown Prince’s villa. I was grateful,” Luo Renshou said coldly. “But not a day later, you spend the night outside the city with him. Who knows what you did? Luckily Shuyu saw you. He hates meddling and still sent me word. Mingyun, this is our family’s name you’re dragging through the dust. An unwed ger spending the night with a man, what do you think people will say? How are your younger siblings supposed to make good matches? What will they think of Shuyu? I’ve treated you well. How could you?”

Second time today Shen Mingyun got flattened by the word “ger.” In Great Xia, those were the rules.

But he was a transmigrator so he had pride.

“I told you there’s nothing going on. Why won’t you believe me?” he snapped. Old fossil. Only caring about not losing face. Face, face, face…

“I’m doing what’s best for you. If the Fourth Prince proposes, I’ll accept on your behalf,” Luo Renshou said.

Shen exploded. “No! My marriage is my choice!”

“You think this won’t reach the Empress and His Majesty?” Luo Renshou barked. “You think Shuyu and the Third Prince were the only ones who saw you? The capital crawls with imperial eyes and ears, and you were seen at the city gate. Do you grasp the consequences? By now half the city will be saying Luo Renshou’s nephew trades his looks for favor!”

“Oh, come on,” Shen scowled. “It was one night.”

“You’ll stay in the manor for the next few days,” Luo Renshou said, tone brooking no argument. “You’re not to set a foot outside.”

“You’re impossible. I’m not marrying at random!” Shen thought savagely, I’m a man. “Marry,” my ass. Where’s my dignity?

Out loud, he agreed meekly. Back at Leisure Pavilion, he started plotting his escape. Big world out there, he had a system; anywhere could be home.

“System, where should we go?” he asked.

The system’s voice was cool. “The outside is dangerous. Your current points are insufficient to ensure survival.”

“What? My items can’t keep me safe? I’ve saved enough to live in another city. Worst case, I defect to another country, buy a couple blueprints, and start over.”

“Remaining in the capital is optimal.”

“Staying means marrying the Fourth Prince. I’m a man, are you kidding me? Sure, gers can get pregnant, what if I get hit with that?”

“The shop offers contraceptive pills and condoms to meet user needs.”

“…System, you’re savage.”

“Male gers have low fertility. Combined with condoms and pills, your chance of pregnancy is 0.1%.”

“So if I use protection, I can basically avoid it?”

“Yes.”

“Side effects?”

“Unlikely. Please trust our technology.”

He’d used the system for a year without incident. Trust reasserted itself; he began to waver. Marrying the Fourth Prince wasn’t the end of the world. The man was his type: gentle, learned, witty, a little playful… and those long fingers suggested other advantages.

He was almost convinced. Still, the word “freedom” snagged in his chest. Locked in the inner court, under someone’s nose day and night, could he keep the system hidden? And they barely knew each other, some letters, a few meetings, two meals, a stargazing date. Romantic, yes. Enough to marry? He wasn’t sure.

While Shen dithered, the Fourth Prince wasn’t dithering at all. He truly wanted Shen, not just for the face, but for that peculiar spark. This was the perfect pretext to make it official; opportunity knocked.

He marched into the palace brimming with sincerity… and got a memorial flung at his head.

“How dare you!” Emperor Tiansheng thundered.

The Fourth Prince dropped to his knees. “Father, I was wrong. But I don’t want to betray Shen gongzi’s true heart.”

“Do you know the Zhou mission arrives in a month?” the emperor snapped.

A thud in his chest. “What does Father mean?”

“They’re seeking alliance by marriage,” the emperor said. “They’re sending a princess.”

He didn’t spell it out. He didn’t need to. Of the princes, the Fourth was the most suitable. The Eldest’s back courtyard was already a powder keg; add a foreign princess and watch it blow. The Crown Prince? His in-laws had power enough, no need to arm them with Zhou as well. The Third had just married; give him trouble and he’d be in the palace every day making headaches (the man was whipped).

“Father,” the Fourth Prince said quietly, “I wish to spend my life with Shen gongzi.”

“A fine sentiment,” Emperor Tiansheng said, ice-cold. “The matter is tabled.”

Leaving the palace, the Fourth Prince felt like a man in a storm with a leaky roof. He had no idea where to turn. He wanted Shen Mingyun, but couldn’t offer a principal seat. Would Shen accept? It was a knot.

---

“A princess of Zhou?”

Luo Shuyu had just heard the mission would arrive in a month, bearing a princess.

Li Mingjin slid onto the low couch and pulled him close. “Mm. One month.”

“You’re awfully clingy lately,” Luo Shuyu murmured, but didn’t push him away. He found a comfortable spot against his chest. “So she’s for a marriage alliance?”

Fingers got bold and wandered to his thigh. “Yes. There’ve been skirmishes on the border the past few years, two proper battles. Zhou lost two cities. They want peace, so they’re sending a princess.”

Luo Shuyu slapped the hand. “Li Mingjin, it's daylight. Keep your claws and I’ll chop them off.”

He nuzzled Luo Shuyu’s ear. “Don’t chop. They're useful.”

“Explain the alliance,” Luo Shuyu said, scooting his neck away from that warm breath. This man!

“One kiss per sentence?” Li Mingjin bargained.

“I’ll sit across the room.”

“Not allowed.”

“Then talk.”

He tightened his hold. “I’ll talk. You don’t move.”

It was their daily game since the wedding night.

“Speak,” Luo Shuyu said, popping an orange segment into his mouth.

He swallowed, fruit and vegetables were growing on him. “Father wants Fourth Brother to marry the Zhou princess.”

“It has been decided?” Luo Shuyu asked, startled. In the book, there’d been no “Zhou princess.” If the Fourth had to marry her, what about Shen Mingyun? Actually… good. Without Shen, the Fourth was declawed.

“Not settled,” Li Mingjin said. “But Father’s leaning that way.”

“Then it can still change.”

“Mm. Fourth Brother asked to marry Shen Mingyun.”

“Didn’t go well?” Luo Shuyu smiled. Of course it hadn’t. However you spun it, Shen was just a collateral branch, not a proper Luo heir. Emperor Tiansheng would never approve.

“Naturally not, otherwise Fourth wouldn’t have learned so quickly about Father’s plan. Do you know what he said to Father?”

“What?”

Li Mingjin kissed the corner of his mouth, charmed by that scheming little smile. “He said he wanted ‘one lifetime, one pair’ with Shen Mingyun.”

“Didn’t expect him to be so devoted,” Luo Shuyu said.

“I don’t believe it,” Li Mingjin said flatly. “I’ve never seen him truly like Shen.”

“Why?”

“When Fourth wants something, he performs devotion until he gets it,” Li Mingjin said. “Once, Father had a rare wolf-hair brush from Huzhou. Fourth wanted it, so every day he knelt and prayed on the route Father walked through the rear palace. Eventually Father was moved and gave him the brush.”

No wonder, Luo Shuyu thought. With Shen’s help last life, the Fourth had stolen the throne, he’d always had a deep game.

Another thought struck him about that Zhou prince Shen had flirted with in the book. The man and Li Mingchun were the same breed, only the Zhou prince was bolder and crueler.

If Li Mingchun gave up on Shen, Shen would turn to Zhou’s arms. From there… a clash of nations.

“How many princes does Zhou have?” he asked suddenly.

Li Mingjin, who did actually read his briefings between bouts of “slacking,” gave him a look. “Why?”

“What if the princess is a baited hook?” Luo Shuyu said. “A way to rot us from within. The Eldest and the Crown Prince are already a circus. Zhou must have spies here; they’d know.”

“How would they know whom the princess would marry?” Li Mingjin asked.

“A thousand-foot dike collapses from an ant hole; a hundred-foot hall burns from a hairline crack,” Luo Shuyu quoted.

Instability invited infiltration, just like those stolen blueprints.

Li Mingjin fell quiet, the line hitting home. “You’re right. This Zhou princess must not enter the imperial clan.”

And with that… his fingers slipped inside Luo Shuyu’s belt.

“Li Mingjin!” Luo Shuyu clapped a hand over the trespassing hand.

“You kept brushing against me,” he murmured, teeth finding the tender place at his neck.

Luo Shuyu’s eyes stung. “…”

Always biting the sensitive spot. Villain.

---

Meanwhile, Shen Mingyun grabbed a bundle and ran from the Luo manor with his little servant in tow.

To hell with feudal rot! To hell with arranged marriage! I’m not getting married!

He lived by a line: Life is dear; love is dearer. But for freedom, all can be cast aside.

---

Author’s note:
Third Prince: “Wife, your turn to bite me today!”
Luo Shuyu: “…”

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