Chapter 100.1
On the second day, Lin Beifan came over again with several jars of fine wine, all smiles.
The Ninth Prince had just woken up, his head splitting with pain: Why are you here?
I heard your heartache hasnt healed yet, and you wanted to drink to soothe it, so I specifically came to keep you company for a drink! Lin Beifan said.
The Ninth Prince, puzzled: Dont you have state affairs to deal with?
Lin Beifan spread his hands: I am a foolish emperor. Have you ever seen a foolish emperor busy dealing with state affairs?
The Ninth Prince said viciously: Fine! Since you have the time, lets continue drinking. I refuse to believe I cant drink you under the table!
Once again, the two of them engaged in a drinking contest, one cup after another, one jug after another.
Before long, the Ninth Prince was drunk again.
Not only was he drunk, but he was also provoked by Lin Beifans words, tormented in both body and mind, in unbearable pain.
After several days of continuous drinking, the Ninth Prince grew fearful at the sight of Lin Beifan: Can you please not come anymore? I am already fine and dont want to drink! If you come again, I will lose my temper with you!
Lin Beifan said to Chai Yuxin with a triumphant smile, You see, isnt everything fine now?
Chai Yuxin also relaxed, laughing as she said, Since everything is alright, Ill go attend to military affairs!
Watching Chai Yuxins departing figure, the Ninth Prince still felt a sense of reluctance and glared at Lin Beifan, If it werent for senior sister knowing you from before, I would definitely not have lost to you!
Lin Beifan patted the Ninth Prince on the shoulder, Young man, give up these unrealistic fantasies! Even if Yuxin and I had met later, she would have fallen for me irresistibly! No one can resist me, because the gap between us is insurmountable!
Impossible! the Ninth Prince exclaimed.
Dont believe it? Lets go out and try! Lin Beifan said with a laugh.
Try then, lets try!
The two of them arrived on the main street.
Lin Beifan stopped a delicate-looking young girl and said, Miss, I have a question for you!
The girl curtsied and replied, Your Majesty, please ask. This humble girl will spare no detail in her answer!
Lin Beifan pointed to himself and then to the Ninth Prince and asked, If you had to choose one of us to be your future husband, who would you choose?
The girl was extremely shy. Why would His Majesty ask such a thing? It was so embarrassing!
However, since it was the Emperor who had asked, she had to respond.
She looked up at Lin Beifan, then at the Ninth Prince, and said without hesitation, Of course, its Your Majesty!
Lin Beifan smiled and asked, Why?
Because Your Majesty has a noble appearance, a brilliant literary grace, and moreover, you are the ruler of a nation, holding supreme power! It is a humble girls honor to serve Your Majesty! the young girl said shyly.
Lin Beifan burst into hearty laughter, Well said!
The Ninth Prince was not convinced, I am the Ninth Prince of the Great Li Dynasty, with a much more distinguished status. You actually choose him over me?
Lin Beifan added, He is indeed a prince of the empire! Answer the question again: choose him or choose me! Answer truthfully, no concealment, and I will pardon you from any wrongdoing!
Of course, its still Your Majesty! the girl said without any hesitation.
Why? Lin Beifan asked again.
A priceless treasure is easy to find, but a loving man is hard to come by!
The young girl said with her head lowered. Initially, Your Majesty, for the sake of a woman, you gave away your territory! Later, for General Chai Yuxin, you led the troops yourself and ventured into dangerous territory! Such a passionate and righteous man is indeed the lover that all women dream of day and night and long for in their dreams! As for that prince, this humble girl knows little about him, so naturally, I wouldnt choose him!
Lin Beifan laughed proudly again: Well said! You shall be rewarded!
He gave her a tael of silver and dismissed her.
Ninth Prince, what do you have to say now? Lin Beifan taunted.
This doesnt count!
The Ninth Prince exclaimed loudly. You are the emperor here, of course they would choose you, they wouldnt choose me!
Alright, lets do this again. I will show you what true despair is!
After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, Lin Beifan emerged looking completely different. He was dressed much more plainly, his skin was tanned, and he now sported a touch of a beard.
The Ninth Prince was shocked: Why have you disguised yourself?
Lin Beifan sighed: I must conceal my good looks, otherwise youll accuse me of winning by unfair advantage again!
The Ninth Prince:
The two went incognito among the common folk and once again stopped a young lady.
Miss, this humble one has a question to ask, and I hope you can answer truthfully! Lin Beifan asked politely.
The girl had a favorable impression of the two men and said, If you have any questions, ask away!
One is the current Great Xia Emperor, and the other is a prince from the Great Li Dynasty. If you had to choose one of them to be your husband, who would you choose? Lin Beifan asked with a smile.
Isnt that obvious? Of course, I would choose His Majesty! the girl immediately replied.
Why?
The Ninth Prince couldnt help but feel a bit tense. Isnt a prince from an imperial dynasty more desirable than an emperor from a great kingdom?
Because I know my place.
The girl said with a smile. Those imperial princes, their marriages are not their own to decide. They are either to princesses or noble ladies! As for someone like me, just an ordinary person with no background or power, its utterly impossible for me to become a royal consort. No matter whom I choose, it would be in vain! But His Majesty is different.
Whats different about him? the Ninth Prince asked.
Because His Majesty can choose his own marriage partner, he can select whomever he wishes, and no one dares to oppose! Take the present consort, for example. Wasnt she just an ordinary woman before? Therefore, choosing His Majesty offers a greater chance of success!
The Ninth Prince felt discontent upon hearing this, but what was said was indeed the truth.
As a prince of the dynasty, he truly had no control over his own marriage; his first wife would be whoever decided for him, and opposition was futile.
But Lin Beifan was different; he had the final say in the affairs of the state, and he could marry whomever he wanted without facing any opposition.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a bit envious of Lin Beifan.
Besides, if one is fortunate enough to marry His Majesty, its something countless women dream of!
The young girl fantasized, His Majesty is charming and handsome, immensely talented, and holds supreme power over the world! To marry him would be a blessing cultivated over several lifetimes, much better than marrying that prince!
Lin Beifan, with a greatly pleased expression, said, Well said, this is your reward money, take good care of it!
This I cannot accept a reward without having done anything to deserve it!
No worries, if Im giving it to you, then take it. If you dont want it, then Ill just throw the money away!
Wait! Thank you, young master, I wont be polite then!
The young girl accepted the money and left happily.
Lin Beifan raised an eyebrow at the Ninth Prince, How about it, ready to admit defeat now?
No, lets try again, this time its my turn!
They stopped another young girl, and the Ninth Prince got straight to the point, asking, If you had to choose one of us to be your future husband, who would you choose?
Lin Beifan was shocked; the Ninth Prince was so determined to win that he had thrown away all concern for his dignity.
Knowing full well that he was currently in disguise, having sealed away his good looks, he still dared to ask such a question.
But whatever, let him have this victory to satisfy his little competitive heart.
The girl they had stopped was also startled, wondering how such a question could be asked so suddenly in public, how embarrassing!
Thinking they were bad men, she wanted to flee for her life.
At that moment, Lin Beifan gave a slight bow, My lady, my respects! My brother here acted impulsively just now, but he meant no harm. We were merely making a bet! If we have offended you in any way, I offer you my apologies here and now!
The young lady took a liking to Lin Beifan, So thats how it is!
Miss, its time for you to answer my question. If you had to choose, would you choose him or me? the Ninth Prince asked again.
If this young lady had to choose, of course, she would choose him! The girl glanced at Lin Beifan and shyly lowered her head.
The Ninth Prince was shocked, Why? He looks both old and ugly!
Thats called mature and stable!
Ninth Prince protested, Hes already married; if you marry him, you can only be a concubine!
Im quite traditional; I dont mind being the lesser wife!
Still unconvinced, Ninth Prince continued, Hes also a notorious philanderer, flirting left and right, involved in dubious relationships with many women!
That makes me want to choose him even more! The young girl blushed even deeper.
Why, even though hes such a scoundrel, do you still choose him? Ninth Prince was utterly baffled.
Because the eyes of the masses are discerning!
Ninth Prince: F*ck!
Lin Beifan burst into triumphant laughter.
The Ninth Prince was so pained that he became withdrawn; if he couldnt win even like this, he might as well be dead!
In the end, Lin Beifan rewarded the young girl with a tael of silver.
As for her affection, he could only let her down.
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