Chapter 190: Chapter 154: Deliberate Testing

A little while back in time, Fu Xuan, who was standing behind the princess, attracted everyone’s attention.

Those surrounding the princess now were no longer the initial ordinary citizens but had transformed into notable figures of the Capital City, the least ranked being a Fifth Rank official, the highest being the youngest son of the Prime Minister’s family.

This is the reality; if one’s rank isn’t high enough, they can’t even grab a good spot to watch the princess.

The common people usually only express their reverence and joy towards the princess, but those with status and position are different; they even dare to ask who the person behind the princess is.

Shen Jingxian didn’t conceal anything, she openly said, “This is my brother.”

Shen Jingxian was speaking the truth, she had already planned to have the emperor recognize Fu Xuan as an adopted son upon returning, knowing that Fu Xuan didn’t want to inherit the family business. As an adopted son of the legitimate Imperial Family, he would have far more freedom in his pursuits.

But to the ears of these aristocratic youths, Shen Jingxian’s words took on a different meaning.

Just as they loved to frequent brothels, where being called “brother” by the women there was a form of amusement, those unscrupulous men would call noble women “sister,” trying to climb higher branches, and even if they couldn’t become husbands in the open, they could be kept in the shadows without worrying about food and drink for a lifetime.

After a princess marries a Prince Consort, she can still keep several concubines; this is a recognized tradition in Yunyi Country, especially for a beloved princess like Princess Yi Fen, who wouldn’t be at fault no matter how many she kept.

Only legitimate sons with influence, Princely Heirs, and Princes have the capital to marry a princess; those legitimate second sons and illegitimate sons of noble families who don’t need to inherit the family business can only qualify to become concubines, yet even this position is dreamed of by many.

The princess is beautiful, has a good character, and keeps herself pure, guaranteeing a life of enjoyment for any successful consort.

But now, a mere Commandery Prince from a distant land has already taken the lead!

In the Capital City, no news spreads faster than those concerning the princess.

Back when the princess fell unconscious and was in a coma for over a month, only General Wen and another man were allowed into the palace.

Everyone in the Capital City knew who Wen Ranchen was, having been taken into the palace as a child and permitted to guard beside the princess; they could accept that. But what was it about this Prince Xingyang who emerged from nowhere?

Moreover, there were rumors that this Prince Xingyang himself was known for mingling among women, and constantly addressing the princess as “sister” was purely an attempt to seduce her, making those noble youths interested in Shen Jingxian restless for some time.

Now they saw the princess not only coming out to play alone with this Prince Xingyang but also personally acknowledging him as her brother, inevitably giving rise to other thoughts in these people’s hearts.

The conniving Prince Xingyang managed to steal the princess’s favor ahead of them!!

Shen Jingxian was completely unaware of these thoughts; having received education on monogamy since childhood, she never imagined that concubinage could actually be legal here.

But even knowing that, she wouldn’t dare keep any; the fate of Princess Shan Yin was far from pleasant.

Then suddenly a voice emerged, “What a shameless man, daring to get so close to Her Highness, go die!”

With that, something unknown in his hands was hurled at Fu Xuan.

Fu Xuan was skilled in Qinggong; Shen Jingxian shouldn’t have been worried about him, but inexplicably, Shen Jingxian felt something was amiss with Fu Xuan. His eyes were different from usual, lacking liveliness and appearing more indifferent.

Shen Jingxian instinctively realized Fu Xuan would not dodge.

This was unacceptable; in that instant, Shen Jingxian couldn’t care about anything else, hurriedly pulling Fu Xuan aside and shielding him.

It was then that Fu Xuan panicked, trying to escape with Shen Jingxian, but it was too late; the liquid mostly splashed onto Shen Jingxian’s clothing, with some droplets landing on her exposed skin.

In a split second, a stinging sensation came over her, and Shen Jingxian’s face turned pale, cold sweat began uncontrollably trickling down.

“Your Highness!”

“Protect Her Majesty!”

The first voice was from Song Yan, the second from the hidden guards.

As soon as Shen Jingxian was splashed, Song Yan reached her side, checked her injuries, and immediately left for a nearby stall, asking the shopkeeper for something unknown.

The guards had already surrounded them, not allowing any irrelevant people to get close again.

Shen Jingxian was in intense pain, suspecting it might be acid, thinking she might die.

Yet she couldn’t help but ponder on how in novels, the guards always fail to appear at the most crucial moment.

In this, Shen Jingxian wronged the guards; their orders were to protect the princess, not Fu Xuan, so they wouldn’t act when Fu Xuan was in danger.

Who could have expected the princess to suddenly rush up?

They were filled with regret now, wishing they had charged in sooner.

Shen Jingxian was in great pain, while Fu Xuan anxiously wanted to help, intending to move the princess to the nearest medical clinic immediately, but the woman who had first rushed over insisted that the princess could not be moved.

After much conflict, Fu Xuan did not take Shen Jingxian away on his own accord.

Song Yan quickly returned, carrying a large basin of water, moving unimpeded toward Shen Jingxian, “Make way, if you don’t want anything to happen to Her Highness.”

Song Yan’s voice, though not loud, carried immense threat; she walked towards Shen Jingxian without stopping, and no one dared to block her again.

A large basin of cold water came rushing down, thoroughly soaking Shen Jingxian, cooling her to the core and lifting her spirits.

Song Yan’s actions shocked everyone.

“Your Highness… what did you do to Her Highness, you woman!”

“Quickly apprehend this insolent woman!”

Song Yan completely ignored the speaker, casting a cold glance that silenced him.

She put down the basin, then steadily approached the man who had done the splashing, grabbing him by the collar.

Though the man was a head taller than Song Yan, he was forced down to a crouch by her, his face filled with fear and embarrassment, “You, you, you… what are you doing, someone! Someone! Quickly pull this crazy woman away!!”

Sadly, no one responded to him.

After all, this man had just harmed the princess, making his status irrelevant now.

Shen Jingxian didn’t know Song Yan’s current level of martial prowess, but she could clearly see the man’s face turning redder and redder, visibly uncomfortable.

Fu Xuan discreetly blocked Shen Jingxian’s view, preventing her from looking over there, “Sister, how are you feeling now?”

Only then did Shen Jingxian realize that the earlier stinging pain had significantly lessened.

The water Song Yan had poured on her must not have been ordinary; it carried an unusual scent but indeed alleviated her pain.

“I’m much better now, don’t worry,” Shen Jingxian softly reassured, noticing Fu Xuan’s equally poor expression.

Unknowingly, it only caused Fu Xuan to feel more guilty.

He had done it deliberately, intentionally not dodging to see if his sister would actually disregard him.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep