ITVCFITB CHAPTER 4

 Chapter 4 – He Has Arrived

Outside the family home, Luo Renshou carried a sterling reputation as a clean and honest official. The Luo clan descended from farmers, and when it came to spending money, they were considered relatively frugal. After settling in the capital, Luo Renshou’s residence was more modest compared to other ministers of the same rank. Relatively modest, that is.

He had risen through the civil service examinations, climbing step by step from a minor sixth-rank post to his current position. It had taken him many years, and with the family’s shallow background, they could not compare with the powerful, long-established aristocratic houses. As a result, the Luo household dared not behave too arrogantly. Everywhere they went, they were cautious, always mindful to cultivate a respectable image. Luo Renshou often warned his household and servants not to be ostentatious in public, and so the family style remained, outwardly at least, “strict and proper.”

But once Shen Mingyun arrived, the Luo family inevitably began entangling themselves with various factions. The family grew bolder, more ostentatious. Inevitably, they drew attention. And as the Luo clan’s presence swelled, so too did Luo Renshou’s stature in court. His name was mentioned more frequently, and invitation cards came fluttering in like snow.

At this point in time, it had only been one year since Shen Mingyun transmigrated into the story. The original Shen Mingyun, the true nephew born of Luo Renshou’s concubine-sister, had died en route to the capital, felled by illness. Shen Mingyun from another world had slipped into his body thereafter.

The original boy had been the son of Luo Renshou’s concubine-born sister, who had married a low-ranking military officer and lived on the frontier. When their city fell to foreign invaders, his father perished in battle. His family was slaughtered. Only the boy hiding in the cellar survived. With no one else left, he came to the capital in search of his uncle Luo Renshou, the last faint blood tie he had.

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Meanwhile, Luo Shuyu entered the courtyard with Qingwang and the maid Qingquan to pay respects to the Old Madam.

Even before he stepped inside, laughter spilled out, most notably the Old Madam’s, followed by Lady Liu’s. All were present save Luo Renshou, who was at court, and the two elder sons already learning the business of state.

Though the Old Madam had not given birth to Shen Mingyun’s mother, she found Shen Mingyun’s manner very much to her taste. He alone could chatter with her happily, so unlike the others. In truth, had Luo Shuyu not read the book, he might have believed Shen Mingyun genuinely possessed this talent. But no, what they shared was simply similar origins. Both from humble backgrounds, both unable to fit seamlessly into the capital’s lofty etiquette. They found comfort in one another’s lack of refinement. Put more bluntly: two who knew nothing of proper manners, equally coarse, found each other agreeable.

Perhaps that explained why the Old Madam never favored him, Luo Shuyu thought. But he felt no bitterness. How could he expect anything of such “relatives”? After his death in the previous life, all affection had withered to ash, replaced with nothing but cold contempt for their apathy and opportunism.

Yet today, things were different. He was a legitimate son, and now the imperial decree of marriage had elevated his standing. From the moment he entered the courtyard, eyes fell on him.

This time, he did not slink to a corner, pretending to be invisible.

Lady Liu beamed, her manner warm and ingratiating. “Shuyu, you’ve come at just the right time. Your cousin has just returned from the Great Enlightenment Temple and brought back some interesting fruits. You should try them too.”

Luo Shuyu wore a simple azure robe, elegant in its restraint. At his waist hung a small jade pendant, translucent and luminous, striking a clear, bell-like note whenever it brushed against his beads. The sound was light and pleasing. His bearing is refined and dignified, as gentle as jade, outshone every other youth present.

At the Old Madam’s side sat a pretty boy of similar age: the book’s protagonist, Shen Mingyun. Where Luo Shuyu’s beauty was clean and scholarly, Shen Mingyun’s was alluring. He had fox-like peach blossom eyes that curved upward, a straight nose, and a hint of seduction in his features.

Luo Shuyu remembered how the novel once described him: skin as smooth as jade, face like carved alabaster, eyes luminous with charm. The very image of beauty. Small wonder, Shen Mingyun’s maternal grandmother had been a courtesan. Without striking looks, she would never have caught the late Lord Luo’s eye.

As a ger, Shen Mingyun was indeed handsome, and with his mysterious system’s halo amplifying his charm, winning favor came easily. That system even possessed a tool shop: items exchangeable for “points” earned through tasks. These tools could manipulate others’ affection or behavior, dangerous beyond words.

For example: if the Old Madam gifted him something, a tool could ensure that the next request he made would be met with her full compliance.

Lady Liu pulled Luo Shuyu to sit at her side, acting as though he were her dearest son.

“Well then, let’s taste.” Luo Shuyu peeled one of the fruits himself, ate, and remarked, “Sweet.”

Earlier, Shen Mingyun had already explained to the others how these fruits came from the temple. They now waited for Luo Shuyu to inquire further. But even after eating three, he said nothing. Disappointment rippled through the room.

Shen Mingyun remained calm, smug from having captured the spotlight. Luo Shuyu, however, thought differently. Luo Shuyu’s half-brother, Luo Shuyao, ever petty and jealous, pounced:

“Third Brother, do you know where this fruit came from?” he asked with glee, eager to shame him.

Luo Shuyu dabbed his fingers with a handkerchief and smiled faintly. “Why don’t you guess if whether I know or not?”

Annoyed, Luo Shuyao sneered. “Either you know or you don’t. Why put on airs?”

Still smiling, Luo Shuyu quoted:
“The Treatise on Exotic Things says: The lychee is wondrous, full of juice, sweet with a touch of sour. One may eat one’s fill without tiring of it. When ripe, it is the size of a chicken’s egg, its skin glossy. Dried, it shrinks, the flesh and pit far less remarkable. It ripens in the fourth month.”

Stunned silence. Luo Shuyao hadn’t expected that. His face burned. “How… how do you know that?”

“By reading,” Luo Shuyu said coolly.

Shen Mingyun, who had been poised to smooth things over, froze. Then Luo Shuyu continued, almost idly:

“But compared to lychees, I once heard of farmers who can grow melons with words etched upon them. Whatever characters you desire, they can make appear.”

The words struck Shen Mingyun like a slap. He blurted, “How do you know that?” His expression betrayed his shock.

Luo Shuyu gave him a sidelong glance. “Cousin, so well-traveled, yet you’ve never heard?”

The Old Madam, curious, asked: “Shuyu, are you saying fruits can grow with words upon them? Is this some celestial trick?”

Luo Shuyu explained patiently: “Not a divine art. Merely cleverness. Farmers craft molds, place them on the fruit as it grows, and when ripe, it bears the imprint.”

Even the Old Madam, who seldom favored him, found herself impressed. At least this grandson read widely.

Meanwhile, Shen Mingyun’s face turned from white to green. He hurriedly muttered complaints to his system:

Didn’t you say the items in the shop were unique to me? How could Luo Shuyu know?

The system stammered: Give me five minutes to check the data!

Across the table, Luo Shuyu sipped tea, calm and collected. The others, surprised by this newfound eloquence, reassessed him.

Lady Liu asked curiously, “If such fruits can be grown, why haven’t we seen them in the markets?”

“Perhaps not in Great Xia,” Luo Shuyu replied mildly. Then, with satisfaction, he noted Shen Mingyun’s unsettled expression.

Lady Liu turned to Shen Mingyun: “Mingyun, you lived near Liang once. Have you seen such fruits there?”

“…No,” Shen Mingyun admitted reluctantly. In truth, he had already begun cultivating “longevity melons” himself, intending to profit later. But now? Luo Shuyu had stolen his thunder.

Damn it. He’d thought no one in this world would know. And yet Luo Shuyu’s “random” book learning had ruined the surprise.

Luo Shuyu, of course, had done it deliberately. He knew exactly how valuable these “longevity fruits” would be to Shen Mingyun’s rise, how they’d help the Fourth Prince curry favor with the Empress Dowager, and how that single act would ripple through history.

This, then, was his gift to Shen Mingyun. May he choke on it.

After tea, the gathering dispersed.

As Luo Shuyu left, Shen Mingyun hurried after him. “Hey, wait!”

Luo Shuyu ignored him.

Shen Mingyun ran ahead to block his path. “I called you! Hey!”

“I don’t answer to ‘hey,’” Luo Shuyu said icily. “Who knows who you’re calling?”

“You really learned about those melons from a book?” Shen Mingyun demanded, suspicion flaring. Could this cousin be transmigrated too?

Luo Shuyu replied, calm and deliberate: “Of course. Read more, and you’ll know more. Books are never wasted.” His words carried a subtle barb.

Shen Mingyun could only grit his teeth, thrown off balance. He was used to mocking others—never to being mocked in turn.

Back in his own courtyard, Luo Shuyu’s lips curled. To use Shen Mingyun’s own favorite insult, ignorance truly is terrifying.

Had Shen Mingyun been truly learned, he would have exposed him already.

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Three days later, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau fixed the wedding date between the Third Prince Li Mingjin and Luo Shuyu.

The very next day, Li Mingjin himself arrived at the Luo estate, face like a thundercloud, whip in hand, terrifying as a demon descended.

Panic seized the household.

Heavens above! Earth below!

The Third Prince, the one said to stop infants crying at night with the mere mention of his name.

He had come.

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Author’s Note:
Third Prince: I’ve come to see my bride~ heh.

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