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 indulgence, the Fifth Prince was arrogantly holding a jade pendant, challenging Qi Zhen to race a dog to see who could retrieve the ball thrown down the mountain first.

Whoever got it first would win the jade pendant.

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

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

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

But Qi Zhen was too young 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 on equal footing with the emperor and other princes, clearly not someone to be trifled with.

The other princes had brains, but the Fifth Prince was not the sharpest tool in the shed. 

Arrogant and spoiled by Consort Li, he did whatever he pleased, backed by his mother and the emperor. He recklessly provoked Qi Zhen, laughing when Qi Zhen refused, taunting him for not having love for his mother, even ignoring his mother’s relics.

Xu Fuquan was trembling with anger.

Lin Shouyan silently lit a candle for this prince.

Seeing this situation, Lin Shouyan realized he didn’t need to push the plot; the Fifth Prince alone could push Qi Zhen to 100% darkening.

Qi Zhen, expressionless, glanced at him indifferently and walked away, seemingly uninterested 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 and instead showing herself here?”

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

“Crown Prince brother, Yan Yan can compete.”

Qi Zhen’s gaze fell on him.

Would it sound better for the Crown Princess to race a dog?

Not really.

But Lin Shouyan was a fool.

And Qi Zhen didn’t care what happened to him.

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

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

So, Qi Zhen asked, “What bet?”

“Bet if Yan Yan can win. If Yan Yan wins, can I sleep with you tonight? Yan Yan is scared to sleep alone. If I lose… brother decides.”

Qi Zhen neither agreed nor disagreed.

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

This caused a burst of laughter.

The Fifth Prince’s dog was a fierce beast, known to have bitten people before, well-trained. Even if he competed, he couldn’t win.

Everyone was mocking Lin Shouyan.

Qi Zhen remained indifferent, unconcerned.

Xu Fuquan was sweating bullets.

Their Crown Princess, who couldn’t even truss a chicken, how could he outrun a vicious dog?

The race began.

The red ball was thrown.

The dog darted out, but in the next second, Lin Shouyan tackled it.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

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

The dog, once the pride of the Fifth Prince, now bounced like a pig on the steps, its howls intermittent.

Someone finally reacted and couldn’t help but laugh.

The Fifth Prince’s face turned livid with anger.

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

Dog: “Woof, woof, woof, woof.”

The Fifth Prince was so angry he almost exploded, “Crown Prince! Is this how you usually discipline your wife?”

Qi Zhen replied calmly, “He’s a fool, can’t be controlled.”

The Fifth Prince was left speechless, about to order someone to rescue the dog. Xu Fuquan tactfully stepped forward, bowing politely, “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 the ball, released the belt. The dog rolled down the path, hitting a tree, and stopped with a yelp.

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

The race was won.

The bet was won too.

The little fool’s clothes, without a belt, flapped in the cold wind as he ran up, his smile unfazed by the chill.

Xu Fuquan clapped happily, turning to seek credit for Lin Shouyan from the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince merely looked at the little fool a bit longer than usual, then turned away, leaving.

Lin Shouyan was panting heavily.

“System, tonight we can complete the task.”

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

System: […]

Xu Fuquan didn’t leave, waiting for Lin Shouyan to come up, helping him exchange for the jade pendant. He smoothly had him apologize to the Fifth Prince and arranged for someone to carry the dog up. 

Afterward, he coaxed the little fool, saying the Crown Prince was cold-hearted but warm inside, truly appreciating the little fool’s bravery.

Lin Shouyan thought, who needs his appreciation?

Just let him play with ** tonight.

–

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.

Destined place!

The system suddenly reminded: [The pastries on the table are problematic.]

Lin Shouyan walked over.

There was a plate of exquisite pastries, smelling delicious.

“Will I die if I eat it?”

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

Lin Shouyan immediately picked one up and took a bite.

The system was shocked, [I said it was problematic, and you still ate it!]

“If I don’t eat, their plan fails, right? If I eat, Qi Zhen has to thank me. Such a bargain. Hey, can you analyze what poison this is?”

“If you don’t know…” Lin Shouyan smiled, “At this point, I can only treat it as *drug.”

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

“…”

[And it’s a strong one.]

“…”

Damn!

In a Buddhist holy land,

These people…

Really,

So thrilling!

–

Qi Zhen had just come out from visiting a relative prince. Their child had caught a cold recently, with a persistent high fever, and no cure in sight, leaving the princess consort in tears daily.

Since he encountered them here, as the Crown Prince, Qi Zhen 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 several princes, held by the neck and pressed into a water tank.

He wondered if that water tank was still there.

Hopefully, it was, he thought, so he could drown them all, watch them struggle, beg, burn with 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 schemes,

Able to be happy with a simple request fulfilled.