Chapter 1246: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 10

Days passed day by day, and Yajiu's body finally recovered considerably.

Though it felt like a long time had passed, counting on fingers showed it was only a little over two months.

Although he had never left the prince's mansion, thanks to Liu Chengze's favor, the whole Wanling City now knows that the arrogant, spoiled heir apparent keeps a person in the mansion, and his recent misdeeds have decreased greatly.

After his body recovered, Yajiu officially became Jin Chen's personal guard, even though he often wondered whether his master only understood the two words "personal attendant," otherwise why did he have to cling and hug while reviewing lessons?

For example, right now.

"Master, I really don't know how to grind ink..."

For anything else, Yajiu can do his best, but anything related to studies, he truly has never been exposed to, and if he tried, he would inevitably show weakness.

Jin Chen flicked his brush, exasperated, "You idiot, Yajiu, you can't learn this?"

After Yajiu reacted, his master again wrapped an arm around his waist, half-sitting on his thigh.

"Others studying have a red-sleeved beauty to add fragrance, a lovely companion; why can't I have that?"

Jin Chen leaned wearily against Yajiu's back, and when he spoke, warm breath steamed on the side of Yajiu's neck.

Yajiu instinctively tilted his head, hesitated a moment, and answered sincerely, "But master, having a red-sleeved beauty add fragrance shouldn't be something a guard does."

He didn't fully understand the mansion's rules, but he still grasped the hierarchy of status.

"Hmph, as the heir apparent, I wouldn't look down on that bunch of vulgar, worldly people."

As he spoke, the youth's handsome face gained a hand causing mischief, and Yajiu dared not move at all… of course, he didn't really want to either.

He inevitably harbored some selfish thoughts; since the day he opened his eyes and saw his master, Yajiu didn't know why, but he couldn't help wanting to stay by his side at all times.

"It just so happens that the old teacher isn't coming to teach today," Jin Chen glanced toward the window, seeing only scattered flower shadows, unable to spot the old teacher who usually paced the corridor.

"I'll teach you how to grind ink."

Saying it, he did it: Jin Chen took Yajiu's hand and walked to the vermilion-lacquered red-wood writing desk, standing behind Yajiu with his arms wrapped around his shoulders.

"First, use this long-handled spoon to scoop water; not too much, just half a spoonful will do."

Yajiu did as told, his little face tense and earnest, he lifted his wrist to scoop water and placed it at the center of the Qinglang Xuan inkstone stand beneath his brow.

"Then hold the ink stick upright, touching the inkstone." Jin Chen gripped the back of his hand and moved it vertically back and forth to grind.

Yajiu didn't know whether instruction in grinding ink required being this close.

His thoughts seemed split in half: one half wished to focus entirely on learning to grind ink so he could later ease his master's burdens; the other half couldn't ignore the scorching warmth at his back, which in this bleak deep autumn made him ever more reluctant to leave.

Suddenly, his earlobe was lightly pinched by Jin Chen, and a teasing voice sounded from behind his head: "Why are you still spacing out? What are you thinking about?"

"... Nothing, nothing."

Yajiu quickly regained his composure, lowering his eyes to conceal those complicated, unspoken thoughts.

Fortunately, he was naturally gifted and adept at the delicate handwork of hidden weapons; Jin Chen only needed to guide his hand in a demonstration, and he already grasped most of it.

"Master, I've learned it."

"Can you write characters?" "... No, I've never learned."

Jin Chen finally reluctantly released the boy he had just embraced, took up a brush again, dipped it in ink, and began to write.

The ink was rich, the xuan paper absorbed its color, and with a sweep of the brush two large characters were formed.

Although Yajiu couldn't write characters, he had seen many of those he intended to kill write, and in his view, none of them combined wrote as well as his master.

"It looks really good." Yajiu whispered.

"Yajiu."

Jin Chen moved the paperweight aside, smoothed out the creases, and said, "This is your name."

"... My name."

Yajiu gazed at those two large characters, his heart filled with joy.

He couldn't describe the feeling, only feeling his heart filled, as if all those previous years had been illusory, and only these present days were real.

"Master," Yajiu gently tugged at Jin Chen's sleeve, looked up at him, and asked, "Can you give it to me?"

"If you want it, just take it."

Jin Chen couldn't resist the boy's moist eyes, couldn't help but reach out to ruffle his hair, and added, "When you have free time later, I'll teach you to read and write."

This is a great honor, Yajiu knew, and his chest instantly warmed, so he nodded obediently.

After Jin Chen was summoned by the Han King to speak, Yajiu quietly took the calligraphy back to the side courtyard of Xianxia Ting, placing it in the innermost bedroom.

This way they could accompany each other day and night; when the first ray of dawn light illuminated half the room, it would fall upon these characters.

Moreover, there was the master's seal, pleasant to look at.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 10, accumulated 23!】

——

Another fine, clear day.

In autumn, such good weather is rare; even the falling leaves of Xianxia Ting don't look bleak.

Jin Chen also broke from the preceding days of lingering rain and lethargy, sitting in the courtyard brewing tea and reading, feeling quite content.

Of course, with Yajiu practicing sword nearby, Jin Chen would occasionally glance up to admire him, and the book in his hand had gone untouched for half an hour.

"Xiao Jiu, come over."

This is the new nickname Jin Chen gave Yajiu; as for the reason, Yajiu dared not ask—it's just a name, and the master can call him whatever he likes.

Moreover… Xiao Jiu, Xiao Jiu, it sounds rather affectionate, and Yajiu's heart also feels delighted.

Yajiu sheathed his sword, walked obediently to Jin Chen's side, knelt on one knee, and said, "Master, what are your orders?"

He stood very close, as Jin Chen required—close enough that he only needed to lower his head slightly to rest against Jin Chen's knee.

At that distance, lifting his gaze, he showed the most obedient expression.

"Seeing you practice sword all half day without knowing to rest, I feel tired just watching."

Jin Chen fed him a bite of pastry, just withdrew his hand, and Yajiu already had a handkerchief wiping crumbs from his fingertips, his speech still a bit muffled as he spoke.

Just an hour, and the master is already tired from looking.

Not bad. Jin Chen casually pinched his face; over the past few days he's been fed well, no longer the previous bony look, and the feel has improved a lot.

Brother Chen—

Liu Chengze held a parrot in his left hand, a snake pet crawling in his right, and ran in with a chaotic gait.

Moreover he wore a bright pink robe, looking truly unintelligent and an eyesore.

Jin Chen couldn't help leaning back, accepting the visual assault.

Xu Huaiyu also came along, deliberately keeping distance from Liu Chengze, for fear people would discover they are close friends.

Cousin. Xu Huaiyu made a bow, then glanced at Yajiu with a smile before sitting down.

Jin Chen patted Yajiu's shoulder, gesturing him to rise: "What, did you find something fun again, worth the both of you coming together?"

Liu Chengze can't keep things to himself; as soon as he sat down he shouted: "Wow, there's plenty of news, the most interesting being the newly opened Zui Meng Lou in Yanliu Alley!"

Jin Chen also let out a wow, then flicked his jade fan at Liu Chengze's head: "I certainly won't go to a brothel!"

No filter on his mouth! The future young master of his prince's manor is right beside him!