Chapter 175: Chapter 147: Who’s the Fool, Who’s the Choice_3

As the legitimate son, Fu Xuan would someday inherit these things. Then, if he married the Princess, the power of the non-Imperial Family would likely surpass that of the Imperial Family.

The Empress and the Emperor would never allow such a thing to happen, so the Empress proposed a solution: Fu Xuan wouldn’t inherit the non-Imperial Family’s title, but would join the Royal Family as an ordinary Commandery Prince. Only then would she agree.

For years, Fu Xuan had acted nonchalant and unambitious to make his father give up on him. He knew his half-brothers harbored ill intentions, belittling him outside while poisoning his father against him. But so what? Everything was going his way.

Fu Xuan even felt that being able to return to the capital with his elder sister, the Princess, was a chance granted by heaven.

This time, he absolutely couldn’t lose to Wen Ranchen.

The two arrived at the chicken pen, exchanged a glance, and went for the chickens.

Not only did they have to hinder each other, but they also had to find the opportunity to grab the chicken first. Standing in the pen, they couldn’t tell if each other were bull or horse.

Fu Xuan took the lead. His Qinggong was excellent, his advantage. He had to catch the chicken before Wen Ranchen could react.

But he underestimated Wen Ranchen’s reflexes. Almost as soon as he acted, Wen Ranchen saw through his moves, blocked his path, and even gave him a shove.

Fu Xuan was furious. Wen Ranchen, what a despicable villain! Daring to shove him!

But then came the question. Recalling the slippery touch earlier, Fu Xuan looked curiously at Wen Ranchen, “Why are your hands so wet?”

Fu Xuan raised his hand for a sniff. There was no strange smell. He licked it, somewhat salty.

Could this be some cheating potion that, once applied, makes chickens willingly approach it?

Fu Xuan stared at Wen Ranchen for a long time, and Wen Ranchen rarely stayed motionless.

“Wen Ranchen, you’d better not let me catch hold of your trick.”

With that said, Fu Xuan once again immersed himself in the chicken-grabbing battle.

He didn’t notice that after he averted his gaze, Wen Ranchen discreetly sighed in relief.

Almost got caught.

The reason for his tension was being suddenly made to catch chickens by his mother-in-law.

Nobody knew that the fearless Wen Ranchen was especially afraid of the Empress. He feared the Empress wouldn’t approve of him and would prevent him from marrying the Princess; from Yi Fen Palace to the small kitchen, he imagined all kinds of potential difficulties in his mind.

Each scenario gave him palpitations, causing his palms to sweat profusely.

Fortunately, Fu Xuan didn’t notice his nervousness. Otherwise, dealing with him would have become even more challenging.

Regaining his composure, Wen Ranchen seized the moment when Fu Xuan caught a chicken and relaxed his vigilance to snatch it away, then turned around and ran.

Fu Xuan felt extremely unwilling, wanting to snatch it back. However, Wen Ranchen had already presented the chicken to the Empress.

The Empress took a look at their states without saying much, only issuing the next command, “Pluck the chicken’s feathers. Make sure they’re thoroughly cleaned.”

Wen Ranchen didn’t ask why; he did whatever the Empress said. Fu Xuan also didn’t say much and, while Wen Ranchen slaughtered the chicken, went to chop wood and start the fire, preparing to scald and pluck the feathers.

The Empress watched their busy silhouettes with great sentiment. Back then, she too had similar troubles as Yi Fen. So many sought her hand, yet she particularly chose the best one!

Truly worthy of her!

Thus, for her daughter’s happiness, she must personally oversee the selection, focusing on Fu Xuan over Wen Ranchen.

Her initial stipulation that Fu Xuan not inherit his father’s title was based on the certainty that it was impossible for him to comply. Children are passionate, but once older and cognizant of power’s allure, he would never relinquish easily obtainable authority for her daughter, right?

She believed no one could be that foolish.

However, during the years Yi Fen was comatose, she met the first fool; now Fu Xuan was the second.

Her task was to determine which fool was greater.

There’s a saying that foolish people have their fortune; her daughter had suffered so much. She must find a fortunate Prince Consort for her Yi Fen.

The two working hard to slaughter chickens and boil water, showcasing their abilities, had no idea that the Empress was not assessing their capabilities but rather their foolishness.

Upon waking up, Shen Jingxian was greeted by chicken soup.

Within the aroma of the chicken soup was the rich taste of oil, and something…familiar?

Stiffly turning her head, Shen Jingxian saw Fu Xuan and Wen Ranchen at her bedside, while the Empress laughed brightly beside them.

Upon seeing Shen Jingxian awake, this smile grew wider, “Yi Fen is awake? Choose a bowl of your favorite chicken soup to drink.”

As the words fell, both Wen Ranchen and Fu Xuan tensed up.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep