Chapter 1253: Rule 17 for Raising a Loyal Dog

When it came to the master's words, Yajiu always listened.

He fawningly picked up another lychee, placed it carefully on his palm and brought it to Jin Chen's lips; his bright, clear eyes now appeared especially gentle.

Yet the juice-stained finger was also taken into his mouth.

That scorching heat made Yajiu's whole body tremble slightly; he hurriedly tried to pull his hand back, but Jin Chen took a bite.

Yo.

Jin Chen still pretended it wasn't intentional, saying, "Xiao Jiu, you're really careless."

He smacked his lips, as if still unsatisfied.

But it's fine; it's not unpleasant to eat.

Yajiu: '...'

His ear tips red, he withdrew his hand and said, "Master... you did it on purpose."

He is not stupid either.

"Slandering me." Jin Chen babbled nonsense, then confidently pinched his cheek and waist.

Bold.

"It itches." Yajiu tilted his head to dodge, tears glimmering in his eyes, looking pitiful: "Good master, just watch the show."

"No, I watched this play the day before yesterday."

After all that fuss, the poor little beauty guard was practically groped all over, his face flushed as he lay on the master's shoulder, feeling even more exhausting than training.

Mainly, as soon as those warm, scorching hands covered him, he lost all strength, more potent than the deadliest soft-tendon powder.

——

"Young Highness, Young Highness!"

A servant hurriedly ran to the theatre garden to deliver the news, looking very panicked.

"What's the rush? The sky hasn't fallen."

Jin Chen glanced at him, continued holding the little guard as they rocked on the recliner, and said, "What's all the panic? Has Father King returned?"

"Reporting to Young Highness, outside, just beyond the East Gate there's a maiden weeping, saying you... you granted her favor then ruthlessly abandoned her, and many commoners are gathering to watch."

The servant wasn't sure if the Heir Apparent had done such a thing, but it certainly couldn't be known by so many, otherwise what would become of the Prince's Manor's reputation?

"The steward is currently at the East Gate; you should go check quickly."

Jin Chen: '...'

Pat—

He was so startled the lychee fell.

"Who is she? Where did this maiden come from!"

Yajiu was also dazed, followed by a faint feeling of displeasure, feeling quite stifled, which washed away the earlier pleasure of being with the master.

His smile faded, he lowered his eyes and descended from Jin Chen's embrace.

"Master, let's go have a look."

Jin Chen smoothed his sleeves and stood up, but didn't rush over; he cupped Yajiu's face and lifted it, saying, "Listen, this Heir Apparent has never favored any maiden."

He blinked slowly; although Yajiu didn't understand why such an explanation was needed, the gloom in his heart miraculously dissipated a little.

He obediently raised a smile, saying, "I trust the master."

Yet at this moment his brows and eyes were soft, his eyes full of feeling.

Jin Chen flicked his fingertip lightly across his nose, his tone inexplicably pleased, "Then let's go see who dares so boldly."

——

"Heir Apparent, Your Highness... how could you treat me like this..."

The maiden in plain clothes knelt at the gate of the Prince's Manor, behind her a crowd of onlookers gathered, some just for the spectacle, some to speak up for her.

She wept miserably, her slender frame wrapped in white clothing, tears continually falling, making her look pitiful.

The steward flicked his sleeves helplessly, his tone firm, "This maiden, since you won't say anything, don't blame us for driving you away; the Heir Apparent has been staying properly in the Prince's Manor these days, how could he be involved with you?"

"Come, close the gate."

The guard hurried forward to shut the gate; the maiden in plain clothes wept even more miserably, "Your Highness! Your Highness... I am carrying your child, you cannot abandon me!"

Steward: '...'

He flicked his wrist and hurriedly called for a halt.

"Are you still pregnant?"

The commoners outside the gate had already begun to whisper.

Jin Chen arrived at that moment, still striding with a carefree, handsome gait.

The steward and the guard household retainers hurried to salute.

"Young Highness, it's like this..." the steward told Jin Chen what had happened, and added, "... the maiden also said she is already carrying your flesh and blood."

Jin Chen's eye twitched, "Nonsense."

He looked toward the outside, inwardly shouting that he would never again play the fool and do good deeds.

Always being deceived!

Isn't this the maiden who sold herself to bury her father that I saw on the street half a month ago!

"Your Highness... Your Highness..."

The maiden in plain clothes wept as she crawled on the ground, reaching to grab Jin Chen's hem, her voice trembling pitifully: "You cannot abandon me... you said you would help me bury my father, and then treat me well... how... how could you just cast me aside like this?"

"Without you, how am I to raise this child to adulthood? He is your flesh and blood, Your Highness; even if you reject me, at least, at least do not let the Prince's Manor's bloodline flow outside."

Jin Chen shook off the goosebumps all over his body, "Utter nonsense! When has this Heir Apparent ever said such things?"

"I have evidence..."

Suyi's eyes held hot tears as she stared deeply at Jin Chen, seemingly unwilling to have come this far.

She could only shut her eyes tightly, trembling hand pulling out a scrap of dark‑blue cloth embroidered with a kirin pattern — a design only princes and heirs apparent may wear.

"Your Highness… that day you, you stayed overnight in my quarters and left this scrap of cloth; do you still remember?"

The townsfolk's whispers grew louder.

Yajiu, fearing the master would be annoyed by the noise, gave them a cold stare: "Anyone who keeps spouting nonsense will be dragged out and beaten."

It worked instantly; silence fell.

Jin Chen stared at the scrap of cloth, his headache worsening.

"No wonder you pounced on me when you saw me on the street—you were just after that so‑called evidence."

Playing little mind games with him, humph.

Jin Chen leaned in slightly to look at her, his gaze turning cold; the lazy air about him vanished. "Tell me, on what day did this heir apparent stay overnight in your quarters?"

Before Suyi could speak, Dahu chimed in smoothly: "I advise you not to randomly fabricate lies—every day's attire for the little highness is recorded in the prince's mansion; there's no room for omission."

"…I, I don't really recall; perhaps it's been over a month."

Suyi felt a flutter of panic, so she deliberately blurred the timeline, stroking her belly as silent tears fell.

Someone couldn't bear it any longer: "Heir apparent, Your Highness, you're going too far—a pregnant young lady deserves proper care; how can you publicly interrogate her here?"

"Exactly, Your Highness—just take her as a concubine; isn't it just adding a beauty to the household?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, straightened, and had Youyou look toward the speakers: "Whoever pities her, bring her back—I, the heir apparent, will personally arrange a good match for you."

In an instant, the men who had been filled with righteous indignation fell silent.

Only then did Jin Chen lower his eyes: "If you leave now, this heir apparent can still spare your life."

Suyi shuddered inexplicably from fright.

"Your Highness… why can't you acknowledge your bloodline?"

Jin Chen seethed, "Bloodline? Pah! This heir apparent simply doesn't like women at all!"

Suyi: "…Ah?"

Townsfolk:!!!

The steward and servants inside the mansion silently glanced at guard Yajiu, feeling they had found the truth.

So that's how it is!

Jin Chen snorted coldly, "In this heir apparent's eyes, you're not even as pleasing as my little guard—only a blind fool would want to favor you."

Consequently, everyone's gaze shifted to Yajiu.

Yajiu's ears tinged red as he turned and gave Jin Chen a faint smile—so captivating it dazzled many onlookers for a moment.

The townsfolk fell silent again, as if… indeed… ha.

Suyi clenched her teeth inwardly.

Had I known earlier, I would have investigated; now I'm not stuck in a hopeless situation.

Having run out of options, she instantly drew a broken blade from her sleeve, her voice turning shrill and fierce.

"You dog of an heir apparent—go die… uh!"

As she raised her arm, Yajiu's sleeve‑dagger pierced it, leaving a bloody hole in her wrist.

In the next instant, Yajiu teleported, grabbed Suyi's shoulder and flung her aside, a strike of deep internal force killing her outright.

Suyi slammed hard to the ground, eyes wide, utterly bereft of breath; the cotton stuffed in her belly spilled out.

Less than three moves, only a few seconds.

Yajiu's killing intent froze the air as he swept his gaze over the crowd: "You can see clearly—she isn't pregnant."

He stepped in front of Jin Chen, every word chilling to the bone.

"Anyone who speaks for the assassin shall be punished alike."

The few men who had just spoken turned pale, hastily kneeling to beg for mercy.

"Your Highness, spare my life!" "It's the subordinates' loose tongues—please forgive us, Your Highness! We didn't know that woman was an assassin!"