ITVCFITB CHAPTER 45

Chapter 45 – Shifty Eyes

As the consort of a prince, Luo Shuyu naturally had to exchange a few words when encountering a guest. He didn’t want to miss any information between Shen Mingyun and the Princess of Jiayang, so he asked gently:

“Princess Jiayang, are you all right?”

The princess’s blush was far too deep. In her eyes, Luo Shuyu was a striking young man, red-lipped and white-toothed, dressed in understated elegance. Compared to the heavily adorned nobles she usually met in Daxia, this Third Prince’s Consort carried a cool, clear voice and a refreshing presence. He was nothing like Shen Mingyun either, the one who had just “helped” her outside the latrine.

One was like a snow lotus blooming high in the mountains, untouched by the world.
The other, like a wild chrysanthemum basking under the scorching sun.

Princess Jiayang drew a long breath. “I’m fine.”

Standing beside her, Luo Shuyu realized she was taller than him by half a head. Slim, yes, but flat and plain of figure. Too plain, in fact, for a woman.

He smiled politely. “It’s cold out here. Your Highness should return to the tent where it’s warmer.”

But Shen Mingyun, forever needing to be the center of attention, couldn’t stand being ignored. “Wait a moment!”

Luo Shuyu turned to him as if only just noticing his existence, brows furrowing. Interrupting others mid-conversation was the height of rudeness.

The princess thought they didn’t know each other and quickly spoke up for Shen Mingyun: “This young gentleman just helped me. Please, Third Prince’s Consort, don’t blame him.”

Shen Mingyun’s gaudy attire already made it clear he was a young man, not a lady. Normally, the latrines were divided between men and women, so the chance of him meeting the princess there was slim indeed.

But Luo Shuyu wasn’t even interested in arguing. He was more concerned about why Shen Mingyun appeared at this time. Could it be part of some “task” from his mysterious system?

What sort of task made a woman blush like that?

Surely not Shen Mingyun flirting with her, that wasn’t his style. Despite his arrogance, he always played the “gentleman” around women.

Shen Mingyun, with an air of magnanimity, waved his hand. “Don’t worry, Princess Jiayang. Anyone could mistake the wrong latrine. Just don’t mix them up again. Come, let’s go back together, it’s freezing out here.”

Luo Shuyu’s lips twitched. So that was his task? Guiding a princess to the right latrine? He almost pitied her. Better Shen Mingyun kept his mouth shut—if he spread this tale, her reputation would be ruined.

He bowed slightly. “Then I won’t keep you. Be careful on your way back, Princess. The snow makes the ground slippery.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Jiayang replied graciously.

Eager to avoid Luo Shuyu, Shen Mingyun insisted on escorting her back. Since he had “helped” her, she couldn’t refuse. Luo Shuyu simply let them go, watching their retreating backs with a thoughtful expression.

Back inside the tent, Luo Shuyu leaned toward Li Mingjin and murmured:

“Your Highness, tell me, what sort of woman has a chest as flat as a board? The latrines are clearly marked; only the blind could confuse them.”

Li Mingjin stiffened, misinterpreting entirely. With grave sincerity, he swore: “Even if a woman has curves, I still wouldn’t like her!”

“…Be serious,” Luo Shuyu said flatly.

“Are you referring to Princess Jiayang?” Li Mingjin hedged.

Luo Shuyu narrowed his eyes. “And how exactly do you know I was talking about the princess?”

Now he was trapped. No amount of protesting could wash away suspicion. Li Mingjin groaned inwardly, his consort’s thoughts were impossible to keep up with.

“I- I only overheard Lin Haiming,” he explained hurriedly. “That rascal likes women with… assets. I wasn’t staring, I swear!”

Luo Shuyu chuckled. “I’ll barely believe you.”

But his own mind was racing. Princess Jiayang was tall. Half a head taller than him, nearly Li Mingjin’s height. She wasn’t malnourished, her face was ruddy with health… so why did her figure appear so wrong?

Li Mingjin lowered his voice, a spark in his eyes: “Could it be… she’s no princess at all? But a prince?”

If not for his habit of entering the men’s latrine, she might never have been discovered.

“It’s only a guess,” Luo Shuyu replied cautiously.

Li Mingjin gazed at him, utterly captivated by his consort’s sharp, focused look. That serious face made him want to lean in and steal a kiss, who said only serious men looked dashing? His wife, when serious, was devastatingly charming.

But they were still in public. He pushed the impulse down, returning to the matter at hand.

“I’ll have my men watch tonight,” Li Mingjin said in a low growl. “If Zhou dared send a man disguised as a princess for marriage, once Father knows, he’ll use it as pretext for war. They may look strong, but their harvests have been poor for years. Or perhaps… they’re hiding some darker secret.”

Luo Shuyu nodded. “Best to investigate quietly.”

Their conversation ended when an attendant approached.

---

The ice-field games continued.

Li Mingjin’s team eventually outmatched the Crown Prince’s, winning cheers from the crowd. The Emperor even bestowed gifts upon him, including a heavy fur cloak, thick enough to double as a quilt.

During the midday banquet, while everyone feasted on sizzling roasted lamb, Li Mingjin insisted on personally grilling meat for Luo Shuyu, dusting it with spices until it was fragrant and golden.

“Don’t eat too much, it’s oily,” he said.

Luo Shuyu shook his head. “I’ve been eating meat with you all this time. I’m used to it.”

“Then another piece.”

“All right but add chili powder.”

Li Mingjin laughed. “So bold, my wife. Cold weather suits you.”

They were just enjoying themselves when a cheer rose from the ice. A figure in dazzling red was gliding effortlessly across the rink, graceful as a butterfly, swift as the wind.

Luo Shuyu only needed one glance to know who it was.

Li Mingjin grunted. “For all that your cousin is useless, he does skate decently.”

“He’s cheating,” Luo Shuyu replied with amusement. “I’ll wager he’s using something that lasts only a quarter-hour. Wait, you’ll see he never sets foot on the ice again.”

Sure enough, after fifteen minutes, Shen Mingyun returned to the Fourth Prince, collapsing theatrically into his arms. While he looked radiant, no one dared approach him. He was still just a concubine.

The contrast was stark: Luo Shuyu and Li Mingjin, quietly eating meat together, warm and content. Shen Mingyun, sulking because no one came to admire him.

Later, Li Mingjin even coaxed Luo Shuyu onto the ice, holding him steady like the perfect doting husband. Their closeness turned heads everywhere. Wives and consorts whispered enviously, comparing their own husbands.

Even the Emperor laughed. “See? A pair with true affection.”

By the time the Crown Princess fainted in her tent, halting all festivities, the rumor of her pregnancy already spread like wildfire.

Back at the fire, Luo Shuyu toasted his feet and asked tentatively:

“Your Highness… do you like children?”

Li Mingjin nearly choked on his tea. “…They’re fine.”

Luo Shuyu frowned. He sounded uncertain, his eyes evasive.

Did Li Mingjin… not like children?

---

Author’s note:
Third Prince: “Wife, I love making children the most! So… do you feel anything yet?”
Luo Shuyu: “…”

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