Chapter 9: What I Take Out Is Bigger Than Yours! (Please Add to Favorites)

At this moment, Fang Xu was genuinely bewildered by the scolding from the civil official behind him, even curious as to who this official might be.

“May I ask who you are?” Out of courtesy, Fang Xu turned to the official glaring at him and asked.

“Outrageous! You don’t even recognize Chancellor Zhang?” Before the civil official could reply, another person stepped forward and rebuked Fang Xu.

“Chancellor?” Fang Xu couldn’t help but murmur, then he quickly realized.

According to his memory, Chancellor Zhang was the foremost among the civil officials, though not the Prime Minister. After all, the state of Qin had only recently unified, and the governmental structure was not yet fully established.

The position of Prime Minister—second only to the sovereign—had not yet been determined. Yet, Chancellor Zhang’s status meant he was the only one qualified for such a post, and Fang Xu now understood why the man acted so arrogantly.

“So it’s Chancellor Zhang? I’ve long heard of your esteemed name!” Fang Xu gave a respectful bow to the man behind him. Chancellor Zhang, seeing Fang Xu recognize him, stroked his beard with a hint of pride.

“Since you know who I am, are you not ready to confess your crime?” Chancellor Zhang stroked his beard with self-satisfaction, while Fang Xu looked at him as if he were witnessing something quite peculiar.

“Impudent! How dare you look at Chancellor Zhang like that! Are you courting death?” The official who had previously spoken up for Chancellor Zhang sensed Fang Xu’s odd expression and shouted at him with displeasure.

Fang Xu naturally understood who this was—likely the Imperial Steward, judging from his attitude. Apparently, he sided with Chancellor Zhang; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so eager to defend him.

“Do you know who I am?” Fang Xu, unwilling to be questioned so rudely, looked at the Steward with a serious expression.

“Why should I care who you are?” The Steward, intent on flattering Chancellor Zhang, paid no heed to Fang Xu’s identity. Fang Xu couldn’t help but wonder why Chancellor Zhang accepted such a foolish ally.

But after hearing Fang Xu’s words, both civil officials and military officers present fell into thoughtful silence.

After all, those who could appear near the golden throne must hold significant rank, and yet Fang Xu’s face was unfamiliar to them. Moreover, the Emperor’s gaze upon Fang Xu was somewhat strange. Someone, after scrutinizing Fang Xu’s attire, suddenly widened their eyes in disbelief.

“Could this be the Consort who threw herself into the well?” someone whispered cautiously. The discussion instantly made the golden hall lively.

Fang Xu’s dramatic act of throwing himself into a well had caused a sensation throughout Xianyang. Everyone had heard of the “Well-throwing Consort,” but none had seen him in person.

“Why does he always create such trouble?” Qin Suwen, seated on the throne, couldn’t help but feel bitter, utterly helpless before Fang Xu.

“Ahem! Silence!” Qin Suwen, seeing the court’s discussion spiraling out of control, tapped the desk before him with some displeasure and immediately quieted the assembly.

Even Chancellor Zhang, previously so proud, lowered his head silently, and Fang Xu involuntarily trembled. He realized now that this little girl could indeed be quite formidable.

She was a completely different person from last night! Could Qin Suwen have split personalities?

“Ahem, what brings you here, beloved consort?” Qin Suwen had intended to expel Fang Xu, but now could only choose to inquire.

“Oh, nothing much—I just missed you,” Fang Xu, having completely forgotten his purpose in coming, flirted absentmindedly.

Qin Suwen was speechless. She had known Fang Xu was somewhat shameless last night, but hadn’t imagined he would dare to say such things before the whole court.

The ministers were equally stunned after hearing Fang Xu’s words.

If their previous impression of Fang Xu was merely that of the “Well-throwing Consort,” he now shattered their worldview. Who would dare utter such nonsense in the golden hall?

“Enough! This is the grand hall where matters of state are debated! How dare you act so wantonly?” Chancellor Zhang couldn’t help but reprimand Fang Xu once more, leaving Fang Xu at a loss.

He wondered what he had done to provoke Chancellor Zhang—why was the man so fixated on him, as if they were sworn enemies?

Fang Xu wasn’t alone; those young ladies who had chased after him entered the hall as well. One among them gathered her courage and whispered in Fang Xu’s ear.

Only then did Fang Xu realize why Chancellor Zhang seemed so furious—one of the Emperor’s consort candidates was Chancellor Zhang’s granddaughter, but unfortunately, Fang Xu had taken her place.

That explained Chancellor Zhang’s explosive hostility. Fang Xu glanced at Qin Suwen on the throne.

“Damn it! You dare compete with me for a woman?!” Fang Xu, being a staunch male chauvinist, now understood Chancellor Zhang’s motive and was in no mood to give him face.

As the saying goes, respect begets respect, but when it came to women, Fang Xu refused to concede an inch.

“Outrageous! Whispering and flirting in the grand hall? Women must mind their conduct!” Chancellor Zhang lectured, and Fang Xu was momentarily stunned.

He didn’t immediately understand, but when realization dawned, he knew Chancellor Zhang was making veiled insinuations.

“A woman? Do you believe mine is bigger than yours? How dare you call me a woman?” Fang Xu nearly blurted out, but remembering that he was now Qin Suwen’s “Imperial Consort,” he reluctantly accepted that the title was not entirely inaccurate.