Did Lord Pei Drop His Horse Today - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After a few days of eating and loafing in Prince Regent’s Manor, not only did I fail to die-I even put on a layer of fat.

Maybe I should just give up and rot.

The instant that thought surfaced, the Emperor sent me a secret letter in private: “How’s the matter progressing?”

I want to work the case too, but I’ve combed every inch of Prince Regent’s Manor these days, even thick-skinnedly trailing Fu Nanwei to banquets and drinks. Everyone he met, everything he said-so normal it was suspicious.

Because when someone’s too perfect, that’s what’s fishy.

Wait-there’s one place I haven’t checked.

Fu Nanwei’s study.

My gut says there has to be something there.

The next day, Fu Nanwei was heading to the outer garrison drill ground. I’d heard it was full of eight-pack beefcakes; with my heart aching, I refused, faking a headache-like my amnesia disorder was about to act up again.

Once night fell, I slipped into Fu Nanwei’s quarters.

It didn’t look like the quarters of a man of towering rank and power.

So plain it bordered on shabby.

Gold and silver? None.

Famous porcelain, jade? None.

My eyes slid to the bed.

Maybe something’s under the boards.

Thrilled, I climbed up, flipped the bedding, and felt along the planks.

Right when I was in the zone, the door swung open. I panicked, wrapped the quilt around myself, and sat there, staring wide-eyed at Fu Nanwei in the doorway.

He narrowed his eyes, danger in his tone: “Lord Pei… what are you doing on this prince’s bed?”

What do I do, what do I do…

What should I say?

As he advanced step by step, my brain shorted out. I flung the quilt aside, spread my arms, and put on a wounded face: “Mom, I’m scared to sleep alone. Hug.”

Silence fell.

Mortified, I was about to bluff my way back to normal-

Fu Nanwei halted. His wide sleeves flashed, the world flipped, and I was pressed into the mattress.

He leaned down over me.

I jolted.

Close enough to share a breath, he murmured, “Don’t be afraid… I’m here.”

He’s actually coaxing a child?

I froze, letting him lie beside me and draw me into his arms, palm patting my back like coaxing a child.

When had the lofty, untouchable Prince Regent ever shown this side before anyone?

Staring at his flawless profile, boldness fueled by lust, I slid a hand to his waist.

“Mom, don’t you undress to sleep?”

Fu Nanwei: “…”

He turned, gaze unreadable.

I swallowed, went ramrod-straight, clamped my eyes shut, and faked sleep. I’d meant to slip away once he dozed off-only to actually fall asleep myself.

At dawn, my bedding was moved into Fu Nanwei’s room.

Me: ” … ”

A servant reported, “Lord Pei’s amnesia disorder worsened-he even sleepwalked last night. The Prince Regent fears it’s unsafe for you to live alone and has decided to share meals and quarters with you.”

The words hit like a thunderclap.

I’m doomed…

At this rate, never mind framing him-even my identity as a woman would be easily exposed.

I have to make Fu Nanwei drop this idea!

Watching the servants bustle past, inspiration struck. Ecstatic, I began ‘admiring’ the Prince Regent’s room.

“Wonderful, wonderful-the Prince Regent’s room. So fragrant, so lovely.”

With orchid fingers lifted, I poked this, petted that, then perched on the bed, hugging the quilt for a loud, greedy sniff.

“Just thinking I’ll be living here from now on, it’s really…”

I put on a shy, starry-eyed look.

“…so terribly embarrassing.”

The servants were dumbstruck.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the Prince Regent’s personal valet sprinting off to report. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Kid, whether we can gross the Prince Regent out-it all rides on you now.