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ITVCFITB CHAPTER 60
Chapter 60 – Thankfully Absent
On Shen Mingyun’s side, the details were sparse, but Luo Shuyu could easily imagine the unfolding scene by recalling the book he had once read. Shen Mingyun’s so-called “righteous heart” was nothing more than a tendency to meddle in everything.
Luo Shuyu pondered: Just who is this mysterious man? Even the people following the Fourth Prince and Shen Mingyun had yet to uncover his true identity.
For now, there were two possibilities.
First, the “amnesia” was nothing more than a convenient excuse. The man might be perfectly aware of everything, merely pretending not to remember. Second, he might indeed have been gravely injured and genuinely rescued by Shen Mingyun and the Fourth Prince. But upon realizing that fate had delivered him right into the company of those he intended to approach, he devised a plan, to feign memory loss, making it easier to stay. After all, if his mind were clear, questions about his identity and origins would arise, and the Fourth Prince was no one to trifle with. Thus, pretending amnesia was the safest card to play.
Though many minor characters had shifted from how they were written in the book, anyone tied to Shen Mingyun would still appear, otherwise the story’s progression would collapse. The Fourth Prince was one such example. Moreover, the men who circled Shen Mingyun in the story were all clever and capable; they later helped him and the Fourth Prince seize the throne.
Could this man perhaps be the elusive Second Prince of Zhou?
If so, and he had been gravely wounded on Great Xia’s soil, who had done it? Since no one here knew his true identity, it might well be Zhou’s own doing. That would mean Zhou was even more chaotic than expected. If that were the case, it was better to let Li Mingjin prepare early, paving an extra road for their future.
But for now, Luo Shuyu had more immediate concerns: the luncheon he was hosting for the local officials’ wives.
Back in the capital, shortly after his marriage, he had attended the Crown Princess’s chrysanthemum banquet and the Eldest Prince’s wife’s plum-blossom gathering. By rights, it would have been his turn next, but with the Eldest Prince’s wife pregnant, inviting her would have been troublesome, any misstep could be used against him. And before he could act, he and Li Mingjin were already on the road north.
So today’s banquet was his very first, and Luo Shuyu threw himself into it with full vigor. This wasn’t about pleasing others or following tradition, it was about making his own mark, for himself and for Li Mingjin. He planned everything meticulously, not overlooking a single detail.
The northern families were most curious about capital customs, so he instructed the chefs to prepare refined dishes and pastries from the capital, and he even arranged small gift bundles for each guest to take home. His goal wasn’t just to be remembered by the wives themselves, but by their entire households. Influence, after all, was built up bit by bit.
Reflecting on it, Luo Shuyu realized the book wasn’t without its uses. At the very least, he had drawn inspiration from the knowledge Shen Mingyun’s “system” had provided him, glimpsing the future balance of power. Every idea carried the wisdom of past and future alike, why waste it?
That morning, Li Mingjin slept late, unburdened by court duties.
As Luo Shuyu wrung out a hand towel, he asked, “Will Your Highness remain in the manor today?”
Li Mingjin yawned. “No, I’ll head to the barracks later. I want to see how the enlistment for the competition is going.”
Luo Shuyu, dizzy with preparations these past days, had nearly forgotten about it. He tilted his head at Li Mingjin. “You won’t suddenly feel itchy and jump into the ring yourself, will you?”
Li Mingjin slipped on his shoes. “Relax. I won’t fight. I’m there to pick out talent.”
“That’s good. Working up a sweat in this cold can easily bring on illness. Better you train at home.” His voice softened. “It’s been a while since your last episode, but I’m still afraid.” After a pause, he added, “Chen sir’s health is improving too. When shall we ask Lin Yuan to examine you?”
Li Mingjin’s gaze sharpened. “Speaking of him, I had his background checked. Orphaned young, adopted by an old physician. Bright since childhood, but stayed behind to care for his foster father while Chen Rong went to the capital. The old man passed away last winter. Chen Rong had mentioned this to me before.”
Luo Shuyu nodded. “So Chen Rong, too, was once that old physician’s disciple. Yet he never studied medicine.”
“He could barely keep himself alive, how could he tend to others?” Li Mingjin replied dryly.
That was true enough. Luo Shuyu let the suspicion drop. Since Lin Yuan had begun treating Chen Rong, his condition had improved markedly, less coughing, better color, and more spirit. It eased Luo Shuyu’s heart.
“Then after breakfast, you’ll head out?”
“Mm. If anything happens, send for me at the barracks.”
They were still newlyweds, yet these days they barely had time together, busier than in the capital, in fact. To outsiders, it looked like Li Mingjin was idle and Luo Shuyu free enough to host parties, but in truth, both were working steadily according to plan. To gain a foothold in Guzhou, they first had to know the people and the terrain. The next step would be to root out those unfriendly to them, no matter their allegiance.
After breakfast, Luo Shuyu saw Li Mingjin off. Just before mounting, Li Mingjin heard him murmur: “It’s good that Your Highness won’t be here today.”
Li Mingjin frowned. “You don’t want me around?”
Luo Shuyu smiled faintly. “Don’t you know? Today, not only the wives, but their young, handsome sons and daughters will be here too. You, a striking prince with no one else in your rear court but me, of course they’ll see an opportunity for their children.”
Li Mingjin’s frown eased. “So my Shuyu is jealous.”
Luo Shuyu didn’t deny it. “If you say so.”
Li Mingjin pulled him close. “This life, it’s only you. No one else. Remember that.”
“I believe you. But do be careful, the roads are snowy. And come home early, don’t drink too much.”
Northern liquor was far harsher than that of the capital. Burning down the throat and dangerous to the stomach.
“I know. Go back inside. Don’t tire yourself out,” Li Mingjin said.
They lingered at the gates, reluctant to part, until finally each went to face their day’s challenges.
With Li Mingjin gone, Luo Shuyu threw himself into hosting.
The banquet was set for noon, when the sun would be warmest. He arranged for the capital’s fine wines to be served alongside the meal, another subtle display of status.
This was no trap, but a probing banquet. The wives wanted to measure the Third Prince’s consort; Luo Shuyu, in turn, wanted to weigh their families and alliances.
The day was bright, sunlight chasing some of the chill away. Indoors, braziers warmed the hall, though Luo Shuyu took care to leave vents open, he knew all too well from the book that charcoal smoke in a closed room could kill.
Soon, the first guests arrived early: General Ma’s wife and daughter. Madame Ma was a plump, loud-voiced woman, famed as a “she-devil,” though her hearty laughter made her seem more approachable. Her daughter, just as round, followed her in.
One by one, more wives arrived. The two wives of the Wei brothers came in neither first nor last, quietly respectable. Their children, both sons, drew Luo Shuyu’s notice.
“These boys look promising,” he said with a smile. “Qingwang, fetch them some fresh pastries. They must be hungry from the cold.”
The gesture left the Wei family’s second spouse, also a man, slightly startled. In the north, it was rare for a man to be recognized as a proper wife. Seeing the Third Prince’s consort treat him with equal respect left him deeply moved.
Soon, word came: the Governor’s wife had arrived.
At once, the room’s atmosphere shifted. Someone whispered, “Why would she come?”
Even Luo Shuyu, with his sharp ears, caught it. He and Li Mingjin had both suspected Governor Zhu already. From reports, he and his wife shared a seemingly harmonious household. Why then did the other wives react so coldly?
He was still pondering when the Governor’s wife entered, bringing with her a beautiful young girl. Though the girl’s head was slightly bowed, her beauty was unmistakable.
They paid respects, and Luo Shuyu welcomed them warmly. The awkward silence broke only when Madame Wei smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere.
It became obvious soon enough: the Governor’s wife was shunned by the others. The reasons, however, remained unclear. Luo Shuyu quietly filed the observation away.
The meal was lavish, the dishes exquisite, far beyond the coarse northern fare. Guests admired it but concealed their delight, careful not to seem too impressed.
There was music and dance as well, keeping the atmosphere bright.
Then, discreetly, Feng Momo bent to whisper in Luo Shuyu’s ear.
It was Chen Rong, summoning him.
Slipping away to the side hall, Luo Shuyu found a young woman kneeling on the floor, clothes in disarray. Standing over her were Chen Rong, Lin Yuan, and several grim-faced attendants.
One glance at her face, and Luo Shuyu recognized her instantly, thanks to his flawless memory.
It was the girl the Governor’s wife had brought with her.
Author’s Note:
Third Prince: Wife, today I’m the dashing young master, and you’re the little noble sneaking behind your family’s back to have an affair with me!
Luo Shuyu: …
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