ITVCFITB CHAPTER 68

Chapter 68 – Nausea

The coup within the palace finally ended with the Eldest Prince’s defeat.

That day, when the Eldest Prince and his grandfather forced the Emperor to write the abdication edict, the Emperor, no stranger to schemes and wars, remained unyielding. No matter how the Lin family threatened or coerced him, he refused to write a single word.

Just as Lin Hongguang was about to lose his temper and pressed a sword against the Emperor’s throat, forcing him to reach for the imperial seal, the doors of the Imperial Study suddenly burst open with a loud crash.

Lin Hongguang’s blade still rested against the Emperor’s neck. The Fourth Prince, held back by the guards brought by the Eldest Prince, appeared tense but not truly panicked.

When he saw who had kicked open the doors, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly in relief.

The first to charge in was a man dressed in fitted battle attire, Shen Mingyun. Today, he looked bold and sharp, the clothes perfectly tailored to his frame.

But it wasn’t him who entered first, it was General Wei, the veteran commander the Emperor often summoned for private discussions.

The Fourth Prince raised his voice, sharp and clear: “Mingyun! Why are you here?”

Shen Mingyun, visibly excited, answered, “Your Highness! I came to save you and His Majesty! Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. Father is fine too,” the Fourth Prince replied loudly, deliberately so.

Their exchange was heard clearly by everyone in the room, including the Emperor himself.

General Wei stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Your Majesty, this minister arrived late. Please forgive me.”

The Emperor’s gaze lingered on Shen Mingyun. He remembered the name, his Fourth Son had once wanted to marry this young man. Seeing him now, steady and composed, and even leading the rescue, the Emperor’s impression of him shifted slightly toward approval.

But there were more urgent matters to settle.

Turning to Lin Hongguang, the Emperor’s voice was cold. “Do you now understand what it means when the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?”

Lin Hongguang’s face stiffened. His expression didn’t change much, but the Eldest Prince’s confidence crumbled. His hands trembled; his knees felt weak. All his earlier triumph evaporated. “Grandfather…” he choked out.

Lin Hongguang sighed and lowered his sword. “Your Highness, we’ve lost.”

The Eldest Prince’s eyes widened. “Lost? But how, we planned everything perfectly!”

Lin Hongguang shook his head. “We fell into His Majesty’s trap long ago. Otherwise, General Wei wouldn’t be standing here now. The general wouldn’t act without His Majesty’s signal.”

General Wei smiled. “Quite right.”

Just like that, the man who had dreamt of becoming Emperor a moment ago now feared for his life and the lives of his family. Whether they would be executed or exiled, no one could yet say.

Still, the Eldest Prince refused to accept defeat. His sword remained in his hand, his thoughts in disarray. In one desperate, reckless moment, he turned and lunged at the Emperor.

“Father, watch out!” The Fourth Prince darted forward, twisting his body to shield the Emperor. The blade slashed across his arm, blood spraying.

General Wei, still quick despite his age, stepped in immediately, kicking the Eldest Prince to the ground and wrenching the bloody sword from his grasp.

Shen Mingyun rushed over in alarm, catching the Fourth Prince. “Your Highness! You’re bleeding! Are you alright?”

The Fourth Prince winced, pale but composed. “It’s nothing, a scratch.”

“I’ll stop the bleeding,” Shen Mingyun said quickly, tearing a strip of cloth. “Someone fetch the imperial physician!”

The Emperor steadied himself on the desk, shaken but unharmed. Seeing his fourth son bleeding, a pang of fear tightened his chest.

He had already lost one disobedient son. He couldn’t lose the loyal one as well.
“Old Four, hold on. Someone get the imperial doctor now!”

And so, the palace coup came to an end.

The Fourth Prince, who had taken a wound to protect his father, became the hero of the day. Shen Mingyun, who had led the rescue, also gained the Emperor’s favor.

As for the Crown Prince, though unharmed, he earned no merit in the incident. The Emperor was quietly disappointed, after years of rivalry with the Lin family, how could the heir apparent have missed every sign of rebellion?

Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince’s loyalty shone bright.

The Emperor soon fell ill again from anger and worry. Yet between the ache of betrayal and the pride in his third son’s victories and his fourth son’s devotion, he found himself torn between grief and reluctant joy.

The court soon returned to its daily rhythm. Officials resumed their posts.

 The Lin family, however, faced ruin.

The Eldest Prince and Consort Lin awaited judgment. She was confined to her palace; he, under house arrest.

Despite their crimes, the Emperor could not bring himself to order their deaths.

When his health slightly improved, officials began submitting memorials demanding punishment for the rebellion. The Emperor, weary of it all, simply wanted to lie back down and rest.

Still, he summoned the Fourth Prince for a private audience. “Old Four,” he asked, “is there anything you wish for?”

The Fourth Prince, cautious as ever, knew better than to reveal ambition. Maintaining his image of loyal devotion, he made only one request: that Shen Mingyun be elevated as his official consort.

The Emperor recalled Shen Mingyun’s performance during the coup, the courage, the presence of mind. A marriage to such a man was harmless enough. Without powerful relatives, he would pose no threat.
And so, the Emperor agreed.

Before the Eldest Prince’s punishment was even finalized, the Fourth Prince was already preparing to wed.

---

In Gucheng, at the Third Prince’s residence, the hearth burned warm against the northern chill.
Inside, a brazier glowed softly and the heated brick bed radiated comfort.

Li Mingjin and Luo Shuyu sat cross-legged over a board of Go, a more demanding diversion than their usual five-in-a-row.

When word of Shen Mingyun’s elevation reached them, Luo Shuyu wasn’t surprised, just quietly thoughtful. “So Shen Mingyun used the coup to rise as the Fourth Prince’s consort. Doesn’t that mean His Highness will hold him in even higher regard now?”

Li Mingjin smiled. “Naturally. The Emperor will grant anything to the son who shielded him with his own body. And my fourth brother, he knows how to play hearts better than anyone. He’ll take the reward that builds his image, not power.”

Luo Shuyu chuckled softly. “Yet that’s already the best reward of all. The bond between them will tighten. For us, that’s both a threat and an opportunity.”

“Oh?” Li Mingjin leaned forward. “You’ve thought of something again?”

Luo Shuyu’s lips curved. “Even if the Fourth Prince gains favor, he’ll never surpass the Crown Prince. The throne has its rightful heir. We can simply watch from the sidelines while the tigers fight.”

Li Mingjin nodded. “True enough. The faction that once supported the Eldest Prince will likely shift to the Fourth. And my brother will use the Crown Prince’s birth secret against him, no doubt.”

Luo Shuyu tilted his head. “But does he even know that secret yet?”

“Not for now,” Li Mingjin said. “If he did, he’d have used it already when the Crown and Eldest Princes fought.”

“Because of the Yan family, then?” Luo Shuyu asked.

“Exactly,” Li Mingjin replied. “With the Lin family gone, the Yan clan will dominate the court again. But peace won’t last long.”

Luo Shuyu frowned. “And His Majesty isn’t anxious about the Crown Prince’s bloodline?”

“No one can prove otherwise,” Li Mingjin said simply.

Luo Shuyu sighed. “Prime Minister Yan really does hold the court in his palm.”

Li Mingjin’s lips twitched. “Not entirely. Don’t forget the Left Chancellor.”

Luo Shuyu blinked. “The Left Chancellor? I’ve hardly heard of him.”

“He’s not one to make noise,” Li Mingjin said. “His family’s served honestly for generations. He doesn’t take sides, only supports whoever holds true power.”

Luo Shuyu pondered. “Then surely he’ll back the Crown Prince?”

Li Mingjin shook his head. “No. The Right Chancellor already supports the Crown Prince. With the Lin family gone, the Left Chancellor won’t allow the Yan family to run unchecked. The Crown Prince’s position is less stable than it looks.”

“Then his best option now,” Luo Shuyu said softly, “is the Fourth Prince, the one basking in Father’s favor.”

“Exactly,” Li Mingjin said, watching Luo Shuyu sip his tea. “But don’t drink too much tea at night, or you won’t sleep.”

“Then what should I drink?”

“Milk,” Li Mingjin said with a grin. “I’ll have them warm some with sugar.”

“Fine,” Luo Shuyu smiled. “We’ll drink together.”

They continued playing, talking quietly between moves. When the warm milk arrived, Luo Shuyu took a sip and grimaced. “It tastes a little too strong. You drink it.”

Li Mingjin obliged, draining the cup. “We were saying, ah, yes, about the Left Chancellor’s likely support of my fourth brother.”

“Mm. The Fourth Prince is certainly shining bright these days,” Luo Shuyu murmured.

Indeed, they could afford to sit back and watch.

If things followed this path, Shen Mingyun would rise even higher. Eventually, he’d stand across from the Crown Prince himself.

Li Mingjin reached for Luo Shuyu’s hand. “We’ll use the Left Chancellor’s hand when the time comes.”

Luo Shuyu nodded. They both knew: with the Lin family fallen and the Yan family ascendant, returning to the capital would only grow more difficult. But they had time and their own plans.

He reminded Li Mingjin, “Do you still have the blueprints I drew for you?”

Li Mingjin smiled. “Of course. I’ve kept them safe.”

“Good. Then it’s time to send someone to locate that mine,” Luo Shuyu said. “We can’t afford to fall behind.”

The world was shifting, piece by piece. Better to build quietly before anyone noticed.

Li Mingjin suddenly clasped his hand, voice low. “Shuyu, what would I do without you?”

Luo Shuyu met his gaze, firm and certain. “You’ll never have to find out.”

Li Mingjin smiled, tugging him closer. “Then let’s not waste tonight.”

“…I should’ve known better than to fall for that look,” Luo Shuyu muttered, exasperated.

---

By the time morning came, Luo Shuyu was exhausted so much that he slept till midday.

When he finally stirred, his throat felt dry. As he rinsed his mouth, a sudden wave of nausea hit, he gagged.

Qingwang, startled, rushed out to call for Physician Lin.

The commotion startled Li Mingjin, who had just seen off General Wei.

“What’s going on?” he demanded.

“Your Highness,” Qingwang stammered, “the master just woke up and started retching. I’m fetching the physician right now!”

Li Mingjin froze, eyes widening. “Retching?” His mind spun.

A thought hit him like thunder. He turned and sprinted toward their room.

If Shuyu was nauseous… wasn’t that a sign of pregnancy?

Was he finally going to be a father?

---

Author’s Note

Third Prince: Shuyu, I found an incredible treasure today!
Luo Shuyu: I’m not listening.
Third Prince: …

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