Chapter 1265: Loyal Dog Uke's Care Guidelines 29

Jin Chen listened, feeling very much at ease; he feigned helplessness and shook his head, saying to Sun Zheng: "I'm really sorry, my husband is a bit… he gets scared whenever he leaves my side."

Thinking of those rumors, Sun Zheng stroked his beard and didn't suspect too much; he was just a fool.

"Da Hu, go wait outside for now." Jin Chen waved his hand, merely complying with Sun Zheng's request.

Sun Zheng's doubts indeed vanished; he chatted amiably for a while before stating his request.

Jin Chen was indeed startled: "This… since ancient times, collusion between officials and civilians isn't the biggest taboo; I just fear it might bring ill influence upon you, sir."

Afterwards, he lifted his gaze to look around; aside from someone guarding outside the door, only the three of them were inside the room.

Only then did he let out a deep sigh of relief.

Sun Zheng observed Jin Chen's every reaction, feeling satisfied, and smiled again: "Lord Wu, rest assured, no one will know of this matter; moreover, if Lord Wu wishes to establish himself in Wu County… I, the official, will lend some aid."

Jin Chen showed a moved expression, yet his lowered brows and eyes concealed a chill.

"Good, from now on I'll rely on you, Master Sun; tomorrow I'll have someone deliver the bank notes you want… will five hundred taels be enough?"

Sun Zheng was startled; he hadn't expected this person to be so generous, and he instantly became overjoyed, immediately standing up to raise his cup.

"Enough, enough, enough—come, let's drain this cup."

Jin Chen and Yajiu raised their cups together.

Yajiu lifted his cold gaze; a silver needle flashed from his sleeve, striking Sun Zheng's throat.

He was extremely swift, immediately catching Sun Zheng's falling body and laying it flat on the ground.

Meanwhile, Jin Chen continued laughing heartily, as if they were chatting happily, without drawing notice from those outside.

Yajiu withdrew the silver needle, thrust it into the back of Sun Zheng's ear, and easily tore off a human-skin mask.

"Indeed it is him." Yajiu's voice was extremely low, the killing intent in his eyes unhidden.

Most of the people on the list, Yajiu had seen before; Lao Cao, in order to gather information and get close, had suffered endless torment at their hands.

【Villain Blackening Value detected -10, accumulated 50!】

Jin Chen put an arm around Yajiu's shoulders: "Be good, don't be sad."

Yajiu shook his head: "Being able to avenge Lao Cao, I'm not sad."

The official's headman bribed by Jin Chen hurried inside, whispering with a fawning smile: "Lord Wu, exit through the rear gate; I've already dispersed those on guard."

Jin Chen then tossed him a bag of loose silver: "Thanks for the trouble."

"Leave with us; once we're out of Wu County, I'll arrange a new identity for you."

"Hey, thank you, Lord Wu." The headman's earnings these past days already exceeded half a lifetime's salary, enough to gamble for several years; toward Jin Chen he was utterly devoted.

Unbeknownst to gods or ghosts, they carried Sun Zheng's corpse back to the manor; just as the headman set down the stretcher, a blade struck him squarely in the back.

Yajiu retracted his dagger, his expression unruffled as he watched him stagger and collapse in shock.

Jin Chen curled his lips: "Your new identity, wronged spirit—are you still satisfied?"

"You…" the headman helplessly lowered his hand, losing breath.

"Young master, how should we dispose of the corpse?" a guard asked.

Jin Chen embraced the tense Yajiu, soothing him, and glanced at the corpse without concern.

"Take the token that proves Sun Zheng's identity, chop off his head, and rush it to Prince Cheng."

"Yes." The two guards immediately took the corpse away.

Noticing Yajiu relax a little, Jin Chen smiled and kissed his brows and eyes: "Silly Yajiu, your little thoughts are all written on your face."

Yajiu felt a bit embarrassed, burying his head and rubbing against Jin Chen's embrace.

Jin Chen then looked toward Da Hu.

"Da Hu, write another letter to Father King, just say Sun Zheng has been found so he needn't worry."

"But we mustn't reveal it's me; the signature should still read Wu You."

By the time the officials discovered the magistrate's disappearance and the troops pursued Jin Chen's party, the carriage had already left Wu County.

Only then did they realize, Lord Wu, Lord Wu—everything was indeed nonexistent.

The manor lay empty; the supposed gold, silver, and jewels had returned to the shop overnight, as if they had never appeared, taking only the magistrate's life.

As for how they learned the magistrate had been killed, the next morning a headless corpse hung above the bustling market.

Beside the corpse hung a two-meter-long white cloth, each word detailing Sun Zheng's misdeeds, signed: Wu You.

The townsfolk examined it closely; they hated the corrupt official deeply, proclaiming the killing was just, and by the time the officials came to take down the body, it was already smeared with rotten eggs and spoiled cabbage.

Thus, the title "Lord Wu You" spread swiftly from Wu County; when his name and Sun Zheng's head were sent to Prince Cheng, no one could trace his whereabouts.

——

Several days later.

The scouting guards found a quiet valley and temporarily halted to rest.

After their affairs in Wu County, they had come to appreciate the Heir Apparent's abilities; they were pleased to have slain the corrupt official, and their loyalty to Jin Chen grew even stronger.

It wasn't just because of his status as Heir Apparent; they genuinely regarded Jin Chen as a master worthy of loyalty and service.

At night, the chorus of insects on the mountains kept Jin Chen somewhat awake; he draped his great cloak, disembarked the carriage, and sat by the stream to cultivate his breath.

Upon hearing footsteps, Jin Chen swiftly gathered his spiritual power, smiling as he opened his eyes.

"Did I wake you?"

Yajiu shook his head, then thought that in this darkness his master probably couldn't see well, walked over to sit beside him, and added: "No, I just can't sense your aura."

Jin Chen drew him into his embrace: "We still have to travel tomorrow; sleep a bit more."

Yajiu rubbed his cheek against Jin Chen's neck, his voice soft and obedient: "Master, is your insomnia due to the harsh conditions here? Da Hu said you've been pampered since childhood, or is this the first time you've endured such hardship?"

As he spoke, Yajiu's tone grew a touch more tender.

Jin Chen heard every word, held the person close, kissing affectionately; as their foreheads touched, his eyes brimmed with smiles: "With such a pleasing husband attending me nearby, what hardship is there to speak of?"

Yajiu's face flushed slightly; he cherished and felt delighted, his moist eyes seeming unable to have enough as they lingered on Jin Chen's brows and eyes.

A few seconds later, Jin Chen's palm covered it, and a warm feeling spread from the eyelids to the heart.

Be good, stay here and rest with me.

"Mm." Yajiu nodded obediently, wrapped in Jin Chen's cloak, fitting snugly.

The two leaned back against each other, a blanket covering the smooth rock, which was fairly comfortable; Yajiu placed her short dagger beside her, curled up in Jin Chen's embrace, and they fell asleep holding each other.

Autumn leaves served as a mat, the cloak as a blanket, and the deep mountains' star‑filled sky as lanterns.

Yajiu gradually fell asleep, wrapped in a warm, familiar scent, her heart full of longing.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 78!】