Chapter 1243: Loyal Dog Shou Care Guidelines 07

He hasn't woken up yet; in two days I'll have Da Hu go tell Mother what we need to add.

Jin Chen had no idea what his cheap mother was thinking; seeing Yajiu really tired, he didn't want to wake him.

Xu Wangyue could only smile and shake her head; as she rose, she flicked Jin Chen's forehead with her fingertip, saying, "Chen'er, now you have someone to protect, so you've grown accustomed to wasting Mother's time."

No, I'm just letting you balance work and rest; Father King said you shouldn't be so tired all day.

Jin Chen still insisted, quickly having Da Hu send Xu Wangyue away.

Unexpectedly, the very motion of Xu Wangyue approaching let Yajiu sharply sense a scent besides Jin Chen's, and he quickly recovered from his half‑awake state.

When he suddenly opened his eyes, he unexpectedly locked gazes with Jin Chen, and Yajiu could even precisely catch the fleeting smile in Jin Chen's eyes.

Afterward, Yajiu's face flushed red, realizing this was no dream at all.

Master… my lord.

You're really a strange person," Jin Chen said, lowering the corners of his mouth that had risen, "in the dream your courage was much greater."

Yajiu's whole body began to heat up; it was really embarrassing to admit, who would say in a dream that they wanted the master to hug them?

He tried to break free from Jin Chen's embrace, but Jin Chen's arms were locked tight, as if he were holding onto his own property.

At such close proximity, Yajiu found himself unwilling to let go.

He could only deceive himself, repeatedly comforting himself with the excuse of nursing his illness.

Don't move around, or you'll fall.

Jin Chen didn't know why the boy in his arms kept twisting; he raised a hand to pat his back, but remembering the wound, he didn't use any force.

From now on you'll live in the side courtyard; do you think there's anything else we need to add?" Jin Chen asked, then added, "As Heir Apparent, I see this place is quite unsuitable for recuperating—it's too desolate."

Although it's only a short distance from the main courtyard.

Yajiu would hardly be dissatisfied; he hurriedly said, "It's already enough—for me to be able to live in such a fine courtyard is already the master's favor…"

Before he could finish speaking, Jin Chen pinched his cheeks to shut him up, saying, "You're my Heir Apparent's person—how can you be so shabby?"

If you dare speak such self‑belittling words again, I will certainly not let you off lightly.

Jin Chen threatened menacingly while pinching his cheeks, distorting that youthful face, "Did you hear me?"

Yet in Yajiu's eyes, such threats were overly warm and gentle, better than anyone he had ever met.

Yajiu couldn't help leaning lightly on Jin Chen's shoulder, furrowing his delicate brows, his voice a little choked, "Yes, I remember."

【Villain Heartthrob Value detected: 5, total 13!】

But as for what exactly to add, Yajiu still couldn't answer; in his view this was already a top‑notch courtyard, so Jin Chen, having no other idea, simply grabbed a few things from his own yard at random and sent them to Xu Wangyue to fulfill the duty—just needing to fill it up to look decent.

Besides, when Xu Wangyue finally saw the list, each rare treasure from under heaven was demanded in a single copy, and in the end they really managed to scrape together quite a lot to send over.

With such favor from Jin Chen, besides Yajiu himself, the entire manor's servants subtly began to regard him as a fourth master.

——

After a while, with the wedding day only a few days away, the perpetually hesitant Xu Huaiyu still followed his own mind and absolutely could not go through with the marriage.

But he was timid; even though he was favored, he dared not mention it to his mother and father, so he could only beg Jin Chen to go with him.

Jin Chen, annoyed by him, could only agree; he first went to the side courtyard to make sure Yajiu took his medicine for the day, then hurriedly brought Xu Huaiyu out.

Oh dear, Chen'er has come.

Xu Qiongyin was in the study looking at the accounts; although the Xu family now had Xu Wangyue as its head, the prince's manor's affairs kept her busy, and management rights of many shops were delegated to her to share the burden.

Anyway, Xu Qiongyin is an invited son‑in‑law, so there's no worry of outsiders coveting, and thus no fear of divided loyalties.

Aunt.

Jin Chen bowed with his fan in hand, "Uncle‑in‑law, are you not here?"

Yes, Chen'er, do you have something to say?" Xu Qiongyin glanced at her own son, who wanted to speak but hesitated, and couldn't help wondering.

Yes, it's very important.

After a cup of tea, the four took their seats in the front hall pavilion, dismissing the attendants.

"Chen'er, what matter makes you so solemn?" Xu Qiongyin couldn't help finding it funny; today she heard from her sister that Chen'er had raised someone in the manor, making him much steadier than usual, and she thought it was a joke—but indeed there really was a hint of change.

Jin Chen leaned back lazily, sipping his tea leisurely, "It's not me; Huaiyu has something to say."

Xu Huaiyu was very troubled, still keeping his head down as he told his parents, word by word, what Zhou Wenhong had done during this period.

As he spoke, he began to tear up, feeling deeply wronged.

Mother… Zhou Wenhong has changed so much; I simply don't want to marry him, even if I'm punished.

With Jin Chen's intervention, Xu Huaiyu's handling was not as extreme as in the original plot, nor did he stay silent and just have a big fight with the family.

Accordingly, the Xu family's attitude was also different.

Xu Qiongyin slammed the table in anger, "What a Zhou Wenhong, actually bullying you into this state!"

Fu Xiuming hurriedly handed tea to the lady to let her calm down, then asked Xu Huaiyu, "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

"... I and Zhou Wenhong were granted marriage by His Majesty; to retract the engagement would be to defy the imperial decree—I dare not."

Xu Huaiyu's eyes rimmed red, "What should we do, Father?"

"'This… indeed should be carefully considered.' Fu Xiuming was also worked up, nearly forgetting this matter."

Back when His Majesty came to the Yangzhou Temporary Palace to escape the heat, seeing how deep the two youths' feelings were, he granted the marriage to complete a beautiful affair—never imagining that now it would become a shackle binding Xu Huaiyu.

Xu Qiongyin narrowed her eyes, "Anyway, since we must defy the decree, we'll just push all the blame onto Zhou Wenhong."

Just like Xu Wangyue, she appears gentle and weak but shows no mercy to outsiders; "Even if we cut ties with the Zhou family, we must preserve your reputation."

Seated in the chief position, Jin Chen slowly finished a cup of tea, tapped the sandalwood pear‑blossom table with his fan, and said, "I have a plan."

"Oh, Chen'er, what good idea do you have?" Xu Qiongyin asked.

Jin Chen spoke solemnly, "I will write a memorial to the Imperial Uncle to lodge a complaint, so he will withdraw the decree and also punish Zhou Wenhong."

The three Xu family members: "…" Actually there's no need to alarm His Majesty's carriage!

Xu Qiongyin sucked in a breath of cold air.

Jin Chen can file a complaint, but they can't bear it.

"Better leave it; there's no need to take this to the capital right now." Xu Qiongyin gave an embarrassed smile, still thinking of a way, how to get Xu Huaiyu out of this matter.

At that moment, the senior maid lifted the gold-thread curtain, walked in respectfully to report, "Madam, Lord Sima and Young Master Zhou have arrived."

"Oh, it seems the Zhou family also knows about his good-for-nothing son's conduct."

Xu Qiongyin let out a cold snort, "Please have them come in."

"Su Hua, see to the tea."

"Yes."

Jin Chen leaned back again, actually wanting to see what play Zhou Zhihong was planning to put on.

He relaxed his posture, his arm resting on the small table, eyes slightly narrowed.