Chapter 003: The Fool Wins the Race

Lin Shouyan chased after Qi Zhen in the direction he disappeared.

From afar, he saw him, and also the Fifth Prince.

Because of the old emperor’s instructions and indulgence, the Fifth Prince was acting arrogantly, holding a jade pendant and demanding Qi Zhen to race a dog to see who could catch the ball thrown down the mountain first.

If Qi Zhen caught it, the jade pendant would be his.

Xu Fuquan’s face turned green, “That jade pendant is…”

The system timely reminded: [It is a relic of Qi Zhen’s biological mother]

When Qi Zhen’s mother passed away, she left behind many things.

But Qi Zhen was too young, barely able to protect himself, let alone his mother’s belongings.

A crown prince racing a dog for a ball was utterly humiliating!

In the court, Qi Zhen was someone who could stand up to the emperor and the princes, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

The other princes had brains, but the Fifth Prince was dim-witted, arrogant, and raised spoiled by Consort Li, relying on his mother and the dog emperor’s backing, there was nothing he dared not do. He foolishly provoked Qi Zhen, and seeing Qi Zhen unwilling to agree, he laughed loudly, taunting that Qi Zhen, as the crown prince, had no love for his mother, even disregarding his mother’s relics.

Xu Fuquan was shaking with anger.

Lin Shouyan silently lit a candle for this prince in his heart.

Looking at this situation, there’s no need for Lin Shouyan to push the plot; the Fifth Prince could push himself to a 100% darkening value.

Qi Zhen remained expressionless, gave him a faint glance, and left, as if he truly had no interest in the jade pendant.

The little fool quickly followed, grabbing Qi Zhen’s sleeve just as the Fifth Prince started yelling.

“Isn’t this the crown prince’s wife? Why isn’t she staying in the women’s quarters, but coming out to show her face?”

The little fool seemed not to hear, stubbornly tugging on Qi Zhen’s sleeve, finally catching Qi Zhen’s attention.

“Brother Crown Prince, Yan Yan can compete.”

Qi Zhen’s gaze fell on him.

A crown princess competing with a dog, does that sound any better?

It wouldn’t sound any better.

But Lin Shouyan was a fool.

And Qi Zhen didn’t care what would happen to him.

In Qi Zhen’s eyes, Lin Shouyan was far less important than that jade pendant.

“But Yan Yan has a condition, Brother Crown Prince, let’s make a bet.”

So, Qi Zhen asked, “Bet on what?”

“Bet on whether Yan Yan can win. If Yan Yan wins, can I sleep with Brother Crown Prince tonight? Yan Yan is afraid to sleep alone. If I lose… Brother can decide.”

Qi Zhen didn’t say yes or no.

The little fool immediately ran to the Fifth Prince, confidently declaring he would compete.

This sparked a burst of laughter.

The Fifth Prince’s dog was a vicious beast, very fierce, and had even bitten someone before, well-trained. Even if he competed, he couldn’t win.

Everyone was laughing at Lin Shouyan.

Qi Zhen’s expression was indifferent, completely unconcerned.

On the side, Xu Fuquan was sweating coldly.

Their crown princess was weak and powerless, how could he possibly outrun a vicious dog?

The race began.

The red ball was thrown out.

The dog shot out, and in the next second, Lin Shouyan tackled it.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Before they could react, Lin Shouyan decisively punched the dog, then used his own belt to tie up its paws, dragging the dog down the mountain path.

The dog, which once made the Fifth Prince proud, now bounced like a pig on the steps, its howls intermittent.

Someone reacted first, unable to hold back a laugh.

The Fifth Prince’s face turned blue with anger.

The little fool was still shouting in the cold wind, “Ball! Don’t run away!”

Dog: “Woof, woof, woof, woof woof.”

The Fifth Prince was so angry that a fire surged to his head, “Crown Prince! Is this how you usually discipline your wife?”

Qi Zhen said calmly, “He’s a fool, can’t control him.”

The Fifth Prince was left speechless, just about to order someone to rescue the dog. Xu Fuquan, with great tact, stepped forward, bowed, and politely said, “Fifth Prince, the race is still on.”

The Fifth Prince gritted his teeth.

He watched helplessly as Lin Shouyan dragged his dog half-dead.

Watched helplessly as Lin Shouyan, unable to catch up with the ball, loosened the belt tying the dog. The dog rolled down the mountain path, hit a tree, and only stopped with a “yelp.”

Watched helplessly as the little fool picked up the ball, running back while shouting, “Brother Crown Prince! I won!”

The race was won.

The bet was also won.

The little fool’s clothes were without a belt, and as he ran up, the clothes fluttered in the cold wind. The smile on his face, the cold wind couldn’t blow away.

Xu Fuquan clapped happily, turning to seek credit for Lin Shouyan from the crown prince.

The crown prince just had a slightly deeper gaze than usual, lingered on the little fool for two more seconds than usual, then looked away, turned, and left.

Lin Shouyan ran, panting heavily.

“System, tonight we can complete the mission.”

“I’m about to change from ‘.’ to ‘。’.”

System: […]

Xu Fuquan didn’t leave, waiting for Lin Shouyan to come up, helped him exchange for the jade pendant. Also skillfully had him apologize to the Fifth Prince, had someone help bring the dog up. After it was done, he coaxed the little fool, saying the crown prince was cold-hearted but warm inside, actually very grateful for the little fool’s bravery.

Lin Shouyan thought, who wants his gratitude.

Tonight, just let him have some fun **.

–

Lin Shouyan got his wish.

Lin Shouyan entered the crown prince’s room at Qianshan Temple.

The crown prince’s bed was indeed big, soft, and fragrant.

A destined place!

The system suddenly reminded: [The pastries on the table have a problem]

Lin Shouyan walked over.

There was a plate of exquisite pastries on the table, smelling fragrant.

“Will I die if I eat it?”

The system hesitated, [You won’t die, and it won’t be very painful… it’s just…]

Lin Shouyan immediately picked it up and took a bite.

The system was shocked, [I said there’s a problem, and you still eat it!]

“If I don’t eat, won’t those dogs’ plans fall through? If I eat it, Qi Zhen will have to thank me. Such a bargain. Hey, can you analyze what kind of poison this is?”

“If you don’t know…” Lin Shouyan smiled, “Then at this critical moment, I’ll just treat it as *medicine.”

The system was uncharacteristically silent for a moment, then said: [You guessed right]

“……”

[And it’s potent]

“……”

Damn!

In the sacred land of Buddhism,

These people…

Really,

So exciting!

–

Qi Zhen had just come out from the nearby royal family prince’s place. Their child had caught a cold recently, with a high fever that wouldn’t go down, and no cure in sight, the princess consort was in tears every day.

Since he ran into them here, Qi Zhen, as the crown prince, had to show some concern.

When he came out, it was very dark outside, and the wind was strong.

The darkness in the deep mountains felt like a cold deep pool.

Someone was lighting the way ahead, illuminating a small patch of ground.

Qi Zhen felt as if he had returned to his childhood, back to when he was bullied by a few princes, pressed by the neck and pushed into a water tank.

He wondered if that water tank was still there.

It better be, he thought, so he could drown them all, watch them struggle, beg for mercy, have a high fever, near death.

Qi Zhen turned the corridor and saw his room.

The lights were on.

He thought of the little fool who ran to him today, smiling foolishly.

Suddenly, he felt a bit envious of Lin Shouyan.

Unable to see through those conspiracies,

Able to be happy with a simple request being fulfilled.