Chapter 1277: Rules for Raising a Loyal Dog 41

The guards' shout panicked everyone, and they all rushed to look outside the palace gate; in just a few moments, more than a dozen black shadows darted out from the corners.

The leading black shadow moved fastest, its sole uncovered eye blood‑red, filled with killing intent.

His tone was extremely ferocious: "Dog emperor! Give your life to bury the prince!!"

Hardly had his words fallen when several shadows reached the still‑reacting Jin Xuan Zhang.

Father, be careful!!

Hearing the panicked sound beside him, Jin Xuan Zhang saw Jin Qing Shu lunge at him the next second.

Swish!

The dagger struck Jin Qing Shu's left chest.

He shuddered, his already pallid face losing all color.

Time seemed to freeze; Jin Qing Shu spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed helplessly.

As a former Azure Firmament Dark Guard, Yajiu knew that staying still now would only arouse suspicion.

He exchanged a glance with Jin Chen, received affirmation, and swiftly rushed forward, subduing the assassin leader in a few exchanges.

Qing Shu!!

Jin Xuan Zhang caught the collapsing Jin Qing Shu, shocked and disbelieving,

Father…

Hot tears welled at the corners of Jin Qing Shu's eyes; trembling, he clutched Jin Xuan Zhang's sleeve: "You… you just need to be unharmed,"

Even so, this situation was deliberately arranged.

"Father, you once said… even if… even if the empress is gone, you would still treat your son well."

The tears flowing from Jin Qing Shu increased, soaking Jin Xuan Zhang's sleeve and reddening his eye.

"But why… ever since your son fell ill from poison, you… you never came, and even the murderer… you would let him go."

Before hearing an answer, Jin Qing Shu finished his last sentence and fainted into Jin Xuan Zhang's arms.

"Qing Shu… Qing Shu!"

Jin Xuan Zhang panicked, shouting: "Imperial physician!! Get the imperial physician here!!"

"Your Majesty, this assassin…" the grand eunuch warned, risking a scolding.

Lock them all up in the great prison! Await judgment!

Jin Xuan Zhang horizontally embraced the bleeding Jin Qing Shu, exuding overwhelming authority.

——

The imperial physicians were helpless.

Outside the hall, more than a dozen imperial physicians knelt; the chief physician's white hair fell out in clumps from worry.

Jin Xuan Qi and Xu Wangyue stood nearby; suddenly seeing Jin Chen peeking and observing, inspiration struck.

"Chen'er! Come here quickly!"

Having waited outside for a long time, Jin Chen saw his handsome father finally notice him and nearly burst into tears of bitterness.

He brought Yajiu over, switched to an anxious expression, and asked, "Father, how is Qing Shu?"

"Not optimistic."

Jin Xuan Qi frowned tightly and asked, "When we were in Yang Prefecture, you used immortal herb to save that child Zhi Hong; can't you do the same for Qing Shu?"

Jin Xuan Zhang snapped his head back: "What immortal herb?"

"Chen'er! Speak up quickly!"

Jin Chen scratched his head, looking at Jin Xuan Zhang: "Immortal herb… I have it, but only the last stalk; immortal herb can bring the dead back to life and can also save Qing Shu."

Bringing the dead back to life.

It is a tremendous temptation for anyone, let alone an emperor.

This was Jin Chen testing Jin Xuan Zhang.

Jin Xuan Zhang staggered, his mind filled with Jin Qing Shu's words before fainting, and he hesitated not at all.

"Saving Qing Shu is urgent! Chen'er, can you bear to part with it?"

Jin Chen lowered his head, took out the freshly plucked wildflower from his sleeve, and infused it with spiritual power.

"Here it is."

Yajiu closed his eyes, unable to meet the emperor's trusting gaze.

Even the master hadn't brushed off the dirt.

Jin Chen handed it over, smiling innocently: "Father said I and Qing Shu are family."

"If he can live, Aunt will be happy."

Hearing this, Jin Xuan Zhang felt his throat clogged with thick emotion, recalling how, when the empress died, the young Qing Shu had felt so insecure…

He had personally promised it, yet how did Qing Shu end up like this?

"Imperial physician! Quickly take the immortal herb!"

With Jin Chen's earlier groundwork, no one doubted the so‑called immortal herb.

The chief physician took it hastily; hearing Jin Chen say no grinding was needed, just to feed it directly, he doubted for a few seconds, but saving a life came first.

Jin Chen peered in, seeing the unconscious Jin Qing Shu forced to swallow the wildflower, almost laughing, he quickly lowered his head to cough.

"Improving…"

The chief physician was greatly shaken; his fingers checking the pulse trembled: "It works astonishingly fast! Truly a divine medicine!"

He hurried out to report: "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince has been saved! Even… even the poison accumulated in his body over the years has been neutralized!"

Jin Chen hid his merit and fame: "Congratulations, congratulations."

He hurried to strike while the iron was hot, seeking an imperial edict while Jin Xuan Zhang was overjoyed.

Imperial Uncle, Qing Shu has been rescued and returned, can you agree to grant marriage for Chen'er?

If you don't agree, tomorrow I'll let your unlucky Eldest Imperial Prince kick the bucket.

Jin Chen silently made up for it in his heart.

Jin Xuan Zhang flicked his sleeves helplessly, "Fine, since you have merit in treating the Imperial Prince, the marriage is settled."

He also agreed, and restored Jin Chen's freedom.

Thank goodness.

Jin Chen felt completely at ease, "Don't forget, we also need to let Yajiu regain his freedom so Chen'er can take him out of the palace."

Your Majesty never jokes, how could I forget?

Jin Xuan Zhang gave him a glance and hurriedly went to check on Jin Qing Shu's condition.

Jin Xuan Qi shook his head helplessly and said to Xu Wangyue, "I'm increasingly unable to figure out this brat."

Xu Wangyue raised an eyebrow, very calm, "Using every means for the one you love is the style of our Xu Family."

What do you think, husband?

Jin Xuan Qi coughed lightly, a bit flushed, "Madam is right."

Jin Chen, Grinning, together with Yajiu expressed thanks.

Yajiu was a bit dazed.

The master and the Sixth Imperial Prince set up such a huge scheme, even calculating that the remnants of Prince Cheng would assassinate His Majesty at the reunion banquet, not stopping it but instead fanning the flames.

He originally thought the master just wanted to return safely to Yangzhou, without being trapped in the palace, hence setting up this scheme.

Turns out he... just wanted to obtain an imperial edict of marriage?

Even after returning to the sleeping quarters, Yajiu was still dazed.

Jin Chen pulled him over, puzzled, "What are you spacing out for? Did you get hurt killing the assassin just now?"

"... No."

Yajiu seemed to be awakened, launching like a firecracker into Jin Chen's embrace, holding him tightly with no gap.

"You're really good." Yajiu whispered, seeming only able to say that.

He couldn't clarify his feelings; originally he felt his heart was completely filled with liking, but the more he interacted with the master, the more pampered he became, and even more love was poured in.

His emotions overflowed, from heart to eyes feeling swollen; he couldn't help but redden his rims, his heart filled only with Jin Chen.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +5, total 95!】

【Detected Villain Blackening Value -15, total 20!】

Jin Chen lowered his head, seeing Yajiu's bright eyes full of Tears, and simply dragged his bottom to lift him up, walking steadily into the inner room.

"Having obtained the edict, from now on Xiao Jiu will be my husband, right? Isn't that wonderful?"

Yajiu nodded; everything he wanted to say was spoken by Jin Chen.

Yajiu held Jin Chen's shoulders, only looking up, his heart full of reliance and affection.

"In the future, will you still have other... husbands?"

He actually had the answer in his heart, but he dared not be certain; he only wanted to hear a reassuring voice say it.

"No, only you."

Jin Chen pressed their foreheads together, fingertips lightly stroking the corners of his eyes, teasing, "Xiao Jiu is so capable; if I had someone else, wouldn't the back courtyard go up in flames?"

Yajiu pursed his lips, gave an awkward hum, his voice extremely low.

"You... you like Xiao Jiu."

"So Xiao Jiu won't let you like others; if there were... I'd kill those people."

Yajiu's words were harsh, yet at this moment he looked utterly adorable.

Jin Chen wanted to laugh inside; obviously he cared to death, yet he had to hide it with fierceness.

"Idiot Yajiu."

He flicked his forehead, then kissed him again.

Yajiu simply narrowed his eyes, rubbed his cheek against Jin Chen's hand, soft and snuggled in his embrace, his heart full of joy.