Chapter 1244: Loyal Dog Uke Breeding Rules 08

Zhou Guide brought his rebellious son in, intending to exchange a few pleasantries first, but he was startled to see Jin Chen seated in the place of honor, and his heart sank.

The Xu Family was indeed furious! They even had the Heir Apparent, Your Highness, come to back them up!

"I, your subject, pay my respects to the Heir Apparent, Your Highness."

While Zhou Guide performed the salute, he still observed Jin Chen's expression, but could discern nothing.

The more this happened, the less confidence Zhou Guide felt in his heart.

"Please rise."

Jin Chen picked up a pastry to eat, his gaze swept over the reluctant Zhou Zhihong, then he turned to look at Zhou Guide.

"Uncle Zhou, what brings you here?"

"This... of course I came for the marriage matter."

Zhou Guide sighed, feeling utterly unwell, "I've been occupied with official duties these past days, just returning from Lu Prefecture, and never expected such a thing to happen."

Heaven knows how shocked he was to see his manor's garden full of "young lord's concubines."

As a marriage bestowed by imperial decree, even if he were to take a concubine, he must wait half a year after the wedding; moreover, since it is a man's marriage, there is no concept of natal or marital families—he must establish his own household.

No matter how Zhou Zhonghong acted, it was utterly improper, nearly driving Zhou Guide to death with anger.

Zhou Guide had also watched Xu Huaiyu grow up; now that this matter has arisen, he can only silently curse this son for suddenly becoming useless.

Xu Qiongyin adjusted her hairpin, her brows and eyes sharp, "Although our two families are on good terms, the marriage matter is entirely up to my son to decide."

"My Xu Family has never, and will never, accept someone unfaithful in love; you handle it yourself."

Her attitude was stern; Fu Xiuming, who usually plays the good cop, even said today, "Madam is right."

Having come to this point, Zhou Guide could only ask Xu Huaiyu, "Huaiyu, what do you think?"

Xu Huaiyu rose and respectfully bowed to Zhou Guide; after the earlier frankness, he had calmed considerably.

Zhou Zhihong is no longer the childhood friend he once admired; since that's the case, they might as well each go their own way.

"Uncle Zhou, since Second Young Master Zhou doesn't even regard the marriage contract, it would be better to peacefully sever the engagement, which also fulfills his wish to sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor."

Yet, thinking this way, as he spoke, Xu Huaiyu's mind filled with scenes of their past interactions.

Tears still fell uncontrollably.

"This..."

Zhou Guide had already guessed that the worst outcome would be this, yet deep down he still wanted to try once more.

"After all, the marriage was decreed by His Majesty; perhaps this boy is merely momentarily bewitched—Uncle, could you give him a stern talking-to?"

Jin Chen timely interjected, "Uncle Zhou, given his current conduct, even beating him to death might not change him."

Zhou Zhihong: "……"

He couldn't bear it, shouting, "Who are you cursing!"

"Which man here isn't keeping three wives and four concubines! On what grounds do you demand of me… ah!"

Zhou Guide kicked him to the ground in fright, "Scoundrel! Do you think you're speaking to just anyone!"

Previously being on good terms was fine, but now the Heir Apparent openly backs Xu Huaiyu—how dare Zhou Zhihong do that!

If this little troublemaker gets angry, the Prince might blame him, and perhaps he won't even be able to keep his official hat on his head.

Jin Chen grabbed the teacup on the table and hurled it at Zhou Zhihong, "You're finished!"

Shards scattered, the surroundings fell suddenly silent, leaving only Jin Chen's furious voice.

"I'm going back to file a complaint with my Father King; you insulted him by saying he's not a man."

Everyone in the room:!!!

Wow! What a huge pot!

Frightened, Zhou Guide dropped to his knees, cold sweat pouring down.

"You're abusing your power to bully people! I never said that! It's not what I meant at all!" Zhou Zhihong glared angrily, unwilling to back down.

Jin Chen rolled his eyes, leaned in to look at him, "This Heir Apparent is not to be provoked—did you only find out today?"

"If it weren't for this unchanged appearance, I'd really suspect you've been replaced by someone else."

As soon as those words were spoken, Xu Huaiyu's tears stopped instantly, and the long-standing doubt lodged in his chest suddenly cleared.

In the blink of an eye, his gaze toward Zhou Zhihong became unburdened once more.

He is not…… Zhou Zhihong.

How good, he is not Zhou Zhihong.

Xu Huaiyu took a deep breath, listening to Uncle Zhou's doubtful explanation, listening to the man impersonating Zhou Zhihong become furious out of embarrassment.

Everyone took the cousin's earlier remark as a joke.

Xu Huaiyu, however, secretly exchanged a glance with Jin Chen, finally revealing a hint of a smile.

Jin Chen flicked his sleeve, "Today's matter is settled thus; Uncle Zhou, take your rebellious son back, and this Heir Apparent will myself explain the circumstances to the Imperial Uncle, certainly not implicating the Zhou family."

Seeing that things had come to this, Zhou Guide knew he was powerless to reverse them.

He sighed, shook his head, took Zhou Zhihong away, and felt deep disappointment in his heart.

Formerly, among his three sons, only the youngest needed no worry; having barely reached adulthood, he was already versed in both literary and martial talents, and had even earned the emperor's appreciation.

How did it come to this?

"I already said there's no need to come; if this marriage isn't settled, that's fine," Zhou Zhihong snorted coldly, "Father, I have plenty of ways to elevate the Zhou family; quickly give me more money—I want to open a shop."

"What?!"

Zhou Guide's lips trembled, "You don't study properly at home, preparing for next year's capital exam, yet you want to open a shop? Is that what you should be doing!"

"Why not? The Xu Family also runs shops, doesn't it!"

"You're clueless!" Zhou Guide pointed at his head and scolded, "The Xu Family is an imperial merchant house! In all of Yangzhou… no, even among the Sixteen Provinces there are hardly any, and they all take the Xu Family as the leader."

"The head of the Xu Family is also the Han Prince Consort—how can you compare?"

Everyone says scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants; without the royal title, using the name of a scholar's disciple to open a shop—what's the difference from lowering one's status?

"Old fogey…" Zhou Zhihong muttered a few sentences, flicked his sleeve and left, showing not the slightest respect.

Zhou Guidé was so angry he almost fainted before even getting onto the carriage.

"Hey hey, Uncle Zhou, be careful."

Liu Chengze came looking for someone, carrying an exquisite little birdcage; seeing Zhou Guidé by the carriage at the gate, he hurried over to help him.

"What's wrong with you today? My father still said your health is the best."

"Nothing, nothing."

Zhou Guidé sighed again, flicked his sleeve and entered the carriage.

"Really strange." Liu Chengze scratched his head, "Could it be that the betrothal negotiations with the Xu Family fell through?"

"Young master, it seems to be because Young Master Zhou has been racking up romantic debts lately."

Hearing the servant's reminder, Liu Chengze then realized, "Exactly! They must have come to call off the engagement!"

Liu Chengze hurriedly grabbed the birdcage and rushed to the Xu residence, not even letting the servants announce him; as soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Jin Chen and Xu Huaiyu seemingly saying something.

"Brother Chen! Huaiyu!"

Liu Chengze immediately forgot what had just happened, "Come quick and look—I just got a beautiful green long-tailed parrot, gorgeous and smart!"