ITVCFITB CHAPTER 86

Chapter 86 – A Midnight Visit to the Fourth Prince’s Estate

The reason Li Mingjin and Luo Shuyu had returned to the capital was simple: to attend Emperor Tiansheng’s sixtieth birthday banquet.

Their timing was neither early nor late, just three days before the grand event. The celebration would not only draw officials and nobles but also foreign envoys bearing gifts, an occasion as much about diplomacy as festivity.

Though newly returned, the two were anything but ignorant of court politics. They knew well that during the luncheon with ministers, someone would inevitably raise the issue of appointing a new crown prince, a roundabout way of recommending the Fourth Prince. No one dared to say it outright.

For now, Li Mingjin chose not to rush into the spotlight. If he moved too quickly, he would draw his fourth brother’s suspicion. The truth was, the Fourth Prince still enjoyed the emperor’s trust. Together they had eliminated the crown prince and the powerful Yan clan. Tiansheng Emperor was not the type to discard someone immediately after using them not unless he had another decade to raise a new heir from scratch.

At present, only two sons had both the merit and ability to be considered: the Third Prince and the Fourth. The rest were either too young or too untested to matter.

Years ago, the emperor had never thought much of Li Mingjin, overshadowed as he was by the elder princes. But now, after the campaigns in Guzhou, the emperor had begun to see his third son in a different light. Capable, steady, and most surprisingly, no longer plagued by illness. A fine candidate.

Of course, the emperor would never say such things aloud. Succession was the gravest of matters, and in the court below, officials dared not speculate too boldly. The fates of the First Prince and Crown Prince still lingered as warnings, pick the wrong side and you didn’t just lose your life; you lost your entire clan.

So, while courtiers grew cautious, Li Mingjin stayed home his first days back, resting as if nothing pressed him. He decided he would appear at court only on his father’s birthday: not too eager, not too indifferent.

If Li Mingjin worked in the shadows, Luo Shuyu busied himself in the open. Their belongings weren’t even fully unpacked before invitations flooded in. Wives of officials scrambled to draw him into their circles.

One card stood out, it was from Shen Mingyun.

He was hosting an “unveiling banquet.” Not quite a tea gathering, not quite a feast. The invitation was written in Shen’s peculiar modern style, calling it a product launch. If Luo Shuyu hadn’t read the original story, he might not even know what such an event was supposed to mean. Show up unprepared and you’d be the butt of Shen Mingyun’s ridicule.

But refusing would make him seem aloof. And Luo Shuyu needed opportunities to step back into the capital’s social scene. Since Shen had so obligingly offered a stage, why not use it?

He sent back a polite acceptance.

When Li Mingjin heard, he frowned. “If you don’t want to go, don’t force yourself.”

But Luo Shuyu only laughed. “Your Highness, I’ve lived free in Guzhou long enough. It’s time to adapt again. Besides, I’m curious what new tricks he’ll pull.”

Li Mingjin had seen Shen Mingyun’s slyness before, his knack for slipping away, the endless ploys. Without Luo Shuyu’s foresight and his battle-tested soldiers, Shen would have bolted long ago, taking his daughter with him.

Still, Li Mingjin couldn’t resist. “I don’t like the thought of you alone with that crowd. Let me send a company of guards with you.”

Luo Shuyu rolled his eyes. “That’s far too much. These are all gentle women and gers, not cutthroat soldiers. If anything happens, Qingwang and the nursemaids can handle it. Better you worry about the birthday tribute, neither too plain nor too dazzling.”

Li Mingjin chuckled. “That, at least, is handled. We prepared long ago. And I even know what my dear fourth brother is sending.”

Luo Shuyu arched a brow. “Oh? What?”

Li Mingjin tilted his chin, teasing. “Kiss me first, and I’ll tell you.”

Years of marriage had long dulled Luo Shuyu’s patience for such games. Instead, he bit Li Mingjin’s fingertip. “Talk.”

Li Mingjin barely felt pain, only a tickle. Smiling, he pulled Luo Shuyu close. “A folding screen embroidered with fairies playing music.”

“That sounds… rather fine,” Luo Shuyu admitted.

Li Mingjin smirked. “Until you look closer. One of those fairies bears an uncanny resemblance to the empress. If Father notices, it might turn into a curse rather than a blessing.”

Luo Shuyu’s curiosity sparked. “Now I want to see it.”

Li Mingjin leaned closer, voice low and conspiratorial. “Then we’ll sneak a look tonight, before it’s locked away in Father’s treasury.”

Luo Shuyu gave him a kiss, amused. “Consider yourself rewarded.”

Li Mingjin grinned. “Thank you, Master.”

---

That night, dressed in black, the pair slipped across the city rooftops as easily as they once had in Guzhou. Back then, they had crept along strangers’ tiles for mischief: the first time too nervous to breathe, the second time chased by an angry homeowner after Li Mingjin told ghost stories, and the third time finally savoring the view under the stars.

This time, their target was the Fourth Prince’s residence. Shadow guards had already scouted the safest path.

The screen was housed not in the study, but in a private treasure room.

They landed soundlessly within the walls. Two hoots from the shadows, the signal for all clear.

Slipping past corridors and gardens, they reached the door. A quiet click from the lockpick, and they were in.

Inside stood the folding screen. Even Luo Shuyu, who had seen fine work before, couldn’t help but admire it. “This must have taken years. The needlework is exquisite, Suzhou embroidery, perhaps?” His fingers brushed the silk.

Li Mingjin shrugged. “Looks nice enough.”

Luo Shuyu smiled wryly. “All you ever see is meat and steel. Look here, the detailing, the shading, it’s a masterpiece.”

Holding up the candle, he searched the panel. “Ah. There. The fairy’s face you mentioned, yes, it does look like the empress.”

Li Mingjin smirked. “Told you. She always has that fierce glare. Not motherly at all.”

Luo Shuyu chuckled. “Well, that’s the burden of her station. I’ve seen enough. Let’s go before we push our luck.” He blew out the flame.

Just as they slipped back out, three urgent owl hoots cut through the night, the danger signal.

They ducked behind a rockery just in time.

Voices drifted through the quiet garden.

“Fourth Highness, if we do this here… won’t the consort find out?”

“What’s there to fear? As long as you remain in this residence, I’ll give you a title sooner or later.”

“…I’ll listen to you.”

“Good. Be obedient.”

Li Mingjin’s hand covered Luo Shuyu’s ear, leading him away silently.

Only once they vaulted the wall did Luo Shuyu exhale. “So that’s why the guards were so lax. He’s too busy sneaking around to mind his defenses.”

His lips twisted in scorn. Outwardly, the Fourth Prince played the role of a devoted husband. In truth, he’d already betrayed Shen Mingyun.

As for Shen? Oblivious.

Back in their carriage, Luo Shuyu tore off his mask, gulping the fresh night air. “Stifling.”

Li Mingjin leaned close, whispering with a wicked grin. “Exciting, wasn’t it?”

Luo Shuyu nodded absentmindedly. “Yes, first time I’ve ever gone out at midnight just to admire a folding screen.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Li Mingjin murmured against his ear. “I meant shall we try other… adventures in someone else’s courtyard next time?”

Luo Shuyu gave him a flat look. “In summer? With all the mosquitoes? Absolutely not.”

Back home, they washed away the sweat of their little escapade. For Li Mingjin, the bath was reward enough. For Luo Shuyu, sleep came easily, dreams full of buzzing mosquitoes and a too-persistent husband dragging him outside for “adventures.”

---

The next day was Emperor Tiansheng’s grand birthday celebration.

At noon, ministers and foreign envoys would offer gifts. By evening, the imperial family would gather for a more intimate banquet. Luo Shuyu prepared carefully, sending small presents from Guzhou to the consorts in advance, winning favor without overstepping.

At the banquet, the Fourth Prince’s screen indeed drew praise. From a distance, no one noticed the suspicious fairy’s face.

Then the eunuch’s voice rang out:

“His Highness the Third Prince presents his tribute!”

Li Mingjin stepped forward, smoothing his robes before bowing deeply.
“Father, this son’s gift may be a little different from the rest.”

Emperor Tiansheng’s eyes lit up. He had been waiting all night for this.

Thinking back on past birthdays, his third son had never once disappointed him.

---

PREVIOUS           TOC           NEXT