Chapter 1252: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 16

Xu Huaiyu's story wasn't finished yet, and he also knew that relying solely on this, his parents would never easily believe that Zhou Guanghong was now a monster.

So he continued to add more dramatic details, but then he slowed down, waiting for someone else to come.

Soon someone came to announce that Lord Sima had arrived at the Xu mansion.

Xu Qiongyin was listening to the story when she heard this and felt a bit surprised, saying, "What is Minister Zhou doing here at this time?"

"I invited him, Mother," Xu Huaiyu said. Though he hadn't made full preparations, he was confident they would believe his older cousin's fabricated story, after all Uncle Zhou was his birth father and would naturally see things more clearly than outsiders—he just lacked the opportunity to think along those lines.

Xu Qiongyin: "……"

Too bad.

Yu'er must have been overstimulated lately—why is he making such a fuss?

But Zhou Guide had already entered the mansion; it wouldn't be right to suddenly drive him away.

She rubbed her forehead with a headache, patted her husband's hand, and said, "You go invite him yourself."

"All right."

Fu Xiuming was helplessly amused, but he didn't dare laugh outright in front of his wife, so he only gave Xu Huaiyu a reproachful glance.

After Zhou Guide entered, Xu Huaiyu pinched his thigh again and began to lay on the strong medicine.

This time the story was more reasonable and well‑supported.

For example, one day after waking up, he had the same dream again with his older cousin; in the dream, Zhou Guanghong was calling for help, not wanting his reputation ruined in an instant, not wanting the monster to occupy his identity, and also being disrespectful to his mother and father.

Xu Huaiyu and Zhou Guanghong had been childhood friends for over ten years; speaking in his tone was utterly familiar, and after just two sentences Zhou Guide's eyes already reddened.

"Yu'er, do you think Guanghong resents me for being an unclear father? Otherwise… otherwise, after being possessed by a monster against his will, why wouldn't he come to my dreams and say a few words?"

Xu Huaiyu hadn't expected Uncle Zhou to ask that, and he almost burst into tears himself, hastily choking out, "No… Uncle Zhou, Guanghong said… said he was only afraid of frightening you, and he hopes that one day he can return and personally attend to you in filial duty."

"Then that's good."

Only then did Zhou Guide stop tearing up, his heart feeling much lighter, and he actually came to fully believe Xu Huaiyu's words.

He said, "Such a good, well‑behaved child—how could he change overnight?"

With Zhou Guide's reaction, Xu Qiongyin and Fu Xiuming exchanged glances and could not help but half‑believe it.

"How can we say that Guanghong, that child we watched grow up, if this is truly the case, we cannot just stand by and do nothing."

Hearing his mother say that, Xu Huaiyu hurriedly, following Jin Chen's words, stated his own condition.

"Uncle Zhou, Yu'er wishes to continue this engagement, but… we must let the monster enter the Xu mansion as a son‑in‑law through the betrothal gift; I will confine him in the rear courtyard, properly protecting Guanghong's body, and wait for him to return safe and sound."

In childhood Xu Huaiyu was delicate and jade‑like, while Zhou Guanghong had matured early; every day they called him Yu'er, Yu'er. When the two families discussed the marriage, they originally said Zhou Guanghong would marry Xu Huaiyu, but with the binding‑ceremony rite as an equal union.

Now it's merely reversed, and for the two families there is no difference.

"Good, good! Let's do that."

Zhou Guide naturally could not agree any further.

Xu Qiongyin felt this was unfair to Xu Huaiyu, but seeing him enjoy it herself, she didn't want to say more.

And so the matter was settled.

But they didn't see Xu Huaiyu return to his own courtyard and burst into tears again.

Compared to his earlier confidence, he was now more anxious than anyone— the dream was a lie, but the monster was real.

He didn't know whether Guanghong would ever come back, and if this lasted a lifetime he would be forever displaced by that monster…

"Then I will wait too."

Xu Huaiyu wiped away his tears; in the empty bedchamber only his self‑talk remained.

"My older cousin said you will surely return; I believe him… and I believe you."

After a long while, a sigh drifted through the bedchamber.

Very faint—too faint for Xu Huaiyu to hear.

It belonged to Zhou Guanghong.

If he truly had the ability to enter dreams, that would also be a good thing.

How regrettable.

——

Zhou Zhihong was confined to the Zhou mansion, fuming all day; though he could previously write poems from memory using his knowledge, now he was so angry he couldn't write a single line.

"Damn it, it's all Jin Chen's fault—just a worthless heir apparent who managed to climb to heaven!"

"But they're just spoiled brats relying on family wealth to swagger about; I'm the protagonist, and someday I'll make you look bad!"

He ranted and raved; the two eavesdroppers on the beams outside the door exchanged glances and both understood.

It seems the whole of Graceful Mound City is spreading that Young Master Zhou's temperament has changed drastically—and it's true.

Since that's the case, it's perfect to exploit it to the fullest.

The two jumped down, one with a blade thrust straight at Zhou Zhihong's throat.

Zhou Zhihong was startled; wanting to call for help was already too late—if he moved even a fraction, the sword would likely have pierced his heart.

"Don't move."

A clear female voice said, "Young Master Zhou, how about we siblings make a deal with you?"

"... What, what kind of deal?"

Zhou Zhihong, who is quite quick‑witted, actually thought this was a protagonist‑style encounter befalling him; after a brief fright he even showed a bit of excitement.

The man said, "Just cooperate with us, and your tavern's business will surely improve—even… make Jin Chen disappear."

Zhou Zhihong's eyes lit up, "Good!"

——

The prince was away, and the heir apparent proclaimed himself hegemon king.

Without his indulgent father's restraint, Jin Chen quietly bribed the old teacher so he wouldn't come these days, only giving lessons to the disciples.

On the contrary, the theatre garden inside the Prince's Manor became lively, with the day-long opera performances never ceasing.

You know the Prince prefers quiet; although the opera troupe is kept by the Prince's Manor, they usually only perform a few pieces during holidays, but now it's lively.

It's been over half a month since his cheap father left, and Jin Chen spends his days loafing about, practically living in the theatre garden with his little guard.

"Master."

Yajiu peeled the lychees for him, the tender white flesh filling a Lan-flower jade porcelain plate; Jin Chen lounged lazily on the nanwood recliner, rocking back and forth, while the stage performed a sorrowful Peach Fan opera today.

Jin Chen couldn't be bothered to lift his hand, glanced at him, opened his mouth to signal, and so the pretty little guard personally fed him lychees.

The lychee flesh is sweet and juicy, inevitably getting on his hands; Yajiu wipes his hands after feeding each one, lest the juice drip onto the master's clothes.

"Don't wipe it; wiping back and forth won't chap the skin."

Jin Chen directly pulled him into his embrace, his tone also languid, "Keep me company while I watch the opera."

The base of the recliner is ship‑shaped curvature; Yajiu almost lay completely in Jin Chen's embrace, able only to stay still and obedient.

"Hmm…"

Jin Chen felt a bit puzzled, pinching the youth's waist in his arms, "Why does holding you these past few days feel less comfortable than before?"

"It's poking me uncomfortably."

Yajiu's waist was somewhat stiff; he took out the concealed weapon belt hidden at his waist, lifted his eyes to look at him, feeling a little guilty.

"All right…"

"It's so heavy, yet you don't mind the weight."

Jin Chen was speechless, tapping his head with a finger, "What danger could there be inside the Prince's Manor?"

"Then I won't wear it tomorrow."