Chapter 86: Toxic Friend

Words : 1625 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Toxic FriendAs he left the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, the Hidden Guard was once again lost in thought while staring at its main gate. The servant at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion even wondered if there was something peculiar about their front gate. Little did the servant know, the Hidden Guard was contemplating how to come back to deliver something next time. He decided to drop off things and leave quickly. Couldn’t afford to offend them. Looking at the medicine list in his hand, the Hidden Guard felt his head throbbing. He couldn’t afford to offend the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, and he couldn’t afford to offend the Eldest Young Madam either. Hopefully, when the Eldest Young Madam sees this medicine list, she can remain calm. Sighing, the Hidden Guard rode away. Instead of returning directly to the Duke Mansion, the Hidden Guard went to the bustling streets; Su Jin had asked him to buy some medicinal materials after delivering the herbs. Entering the medicine shop, the Hidden Guard handed the list to a young clerk to gather the drugs. Meanwhile, a clerk nearby came over, bursting into uncontrollable laughter against the counter. The clerk weighing the herbs casually asked, "You went to deliver medicine, why are you laughing like this on your return?" Clutching his aching belly from laughter, the younger clerk said, "You don’t know how lively it is in Baosheng House upfront, they have two paintings of the Eldest Young Master of Duke Zhen Mansion there, one of them is so dark it’s laughable, so many people are squeezing in to see it..." The Hidden Guard’s face twitched. The clerk gathering drugs didn’t know he was Xie Jingchen’s Hidden Guard, and asked, "Who’s so bold to dare draw the Eldest Young Master of Duke Zhen Mansion so dark?" "I heard it was brought for framing by Prince NanAn," replied the young clerk. "How dark is it?" "If it wasn’t for the other painting for comparison, I wouldn’t have recognized it as the Eldest Young Master of Duke Zhen Mansion." "Wrap up the medicine, I’ll come back to pick it up later." Saying this, the Hidden Guard turned on his heel and left. Baosheng House was bustling like never before. The Hidden Guard had a hard time squeezing into the house. The painting hung on the wall, surrounded by a crowd, each laughing heartily. With a face full of exasperation lines, the Hidden Guard stepped forward to take the painting down. The shopkeeper quickly stepped in to stop him. The Hidden Guard said disgruntledly, "This painting is of our Eldest Young Master!" "But this painting was sent for framing by Prince NanAn and the Heir of Marquis Jingguo. Unless they send someone, I can’t let you take the painting away," said the shopkeeper. "Who gave you permission to hang the painting on the wall for people’s amusement?!" the Hidden Guard’s gaze was icy. "Prince NanAn and the others have agreed," the shopkeeper replied. "...." The Hidden Guard wanted to take the painting, but the shopkeeper didn’t agree, and neither did the others agree. The Hidden Guard couldn’t snatch it by force, so he left Baosheng House with a stiff face and went to look for Prince NanAn and the others at a teahouse outside Tianxiang Building. No one was at the teahouse. The Hidden Guard asked the servant, "Where are Prince NanAn and the others?" "Waiting to eat pig intestines at Drunken Immortal Pavilion," replied the servant. "...." Feeling entirely helpless, the Hidden Guard hurried to Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Furong Room. Chu Shun, Prince NanAn, the Heir of Marquis Beining, and the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo were growing impatient. They just wanted to taste pig intestine; why was it so much trouble? They had been sitting idly for two quarters of an hour already. The door creaked open, and Chu Shun brightened up, saying, "The pig intestines are here!" The Hidden Guard entered the room, "...." Seeing it was him, Chu Shun was a bit disappointed, sat up straight, and asked, "Are you here about something?" "Did the Eldest Sister-in-law have any instructions?" the Heir of Marquis Beining asked. "I’m here about the paintings at Baosheng House," the Hidden Guard said. "No rush, in three days we’ll send the paintings to Duke Zhen Mansion," Prince NanAn said. Three days later? The Hidden Guard’s face was filled with exasperation lines, "Prince, you plan to leave those paintings hanging in Baosheng House for three days?" If the Master knew, he’d beat you guys to a pulp. Chu Shun walked beside the Hidden Guard and said, "Baosheng House agreed to let us hang the paintings for three days. After that, all our painting framing will be free. What a good deal." The Hidden Guard, "...." The Heir of Marquis Jingguo, how many paintings do you frame in a year? Framing paintings doesn’t cost much money. Is the reputation of our Eldest Young Master so worthless? The Heir of Marquis Beining walked over, speaking earnestly, "The money is secondary. More importantly, it’s for the good of your Eldest Young Master. Once people are accustomed to his dark and glossy appearance, when he later walks the streets, it will become a common sight, and it won’t cause street disturbances. It’s truly killing two birds with one stone." The Hidden Guard, "...." The Hidden Guard was speechless. The door wasn’t shut, and footsteps were heard approaching. But what first entered was an aroma. Very distinctive. Hard to describe. "My intuition tells me this is the smell of pig intestines," said Prince NanAn. The servant came in with a tray, smiling, "The Prince’s nose is indeed sharp." After a long wait, the pig intestines were finally ready and served. Along with the pig intestines, there were a few small side dishes. As soon as the dishes were served, everyone reached out with their chopsticks. But when they encountered the pig intestine, they all paused. Looking at each other. Everyone was politely deferring. The Hidden Guard couldn’t stand it and cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him. "Did your Eldest Young Master eat pig intestine?" The four asked in unison. "...." "He ate it." Before the words were finished, Chu Shun picked up a piece of pig intestine and stuffed it into his mouth, not falling behind the others. "Delicious," Chu Shun praised. "Indeed it is," said Prince NanAn. "A mix of fatty and lean, tender and tasty," said the Heir of Marquis Beining. "Cooked just right, tender and soft, spicy with a hint of freshness, encased in sweetness, lingering flavors," said the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo Mansion. "...." The Hidden Guard, who didn’t want to speak, held his forehead and left. Agarwood Pavilion backyard. On the bamboo roof, Xingxing was diligently scrubbing bird droppings. Inside the house, Xie Jingchen was reading. Where Xingxing was, dust fell down like snowflakes. Seeing impending disaster, Xie Jingchen picked up his book and stepped outside. In the bamboo house on the other side. Su Jin was preparing medicine. Xie Jingchen walked in and sat down next to the desk. Upon seeing him, Su Jin said, "Why are you reading here? I’m making medicine and it’s noisy." "My bamboo house is dusty," Xie Jingchen replied. "...." After speaking, Xie Jingchen casually flipped a page, reading intently. Outside, the Hidden Guard came in carrying a large bundle, Su Jin said, "Why did it take you so long?" "Got delayed with Prince NanAn and the others," the Hidden Guard replied. Putting down the bundle, the Hidden Guard handed the medicine list to Su Jin. Su Jin glanced over it, asking, "What is this?" "This is the medicine requested by Dongxiang Marquis Mansion," the Hidden Guard replied. "So much?" Su Jin’s mouth twitched. "This is nothing, Dongxiang Marquis Mansion also wants to bring in a doctor to make bruise medicine," the Hidden Guard replied. "...." Su Jin’s head ached, "Aside from the medicine list, there’s nothing else, right?" Hopefully, there’s nothing else! The Hidden Guard thought for a moment, "Dongxiang Marquis hopes the Eldest Young Madam can win by virtue." Cough cough! Just as he set down the book and took a sip from his teacup, Xie Jingchen choked. The father can’t win by virtue, yet demands the daughter do so. Su Jin frowned, "Haven’t I always been virtuous?" The Hidden Guard, "...." Xie Jingchen, "...." "Why did my father suddenly bring this up?" Su Jin wondered. "Did you report me to my father?" Su Jin’s gaze turned unfriendly. "...." The Hidden Guard looked at Xie Jingchen, Eldest Young Master, I really have nothing to say, help out. Xie Jingchen coughed a few times, "Reporting you to your father sounds like not wanting to leave Dongxiang Marquis Mansion alive." "That sounds about right," said Su Jin. "...." The Hidden Guard looked at Xie Jingchen several times, wanting but hesitating to speak. Xie Jingchen said, "Speak up if you have something to say." The Hidden Guard cleared his throat and reported the matter of the two paintings hung in Baosheng House to Xie Jingchen. Xie Jingchen’s face turned as dark as a pot bottom. Su Jin laughed so hard her shoulders shook. He glared at Su Jin, "Didn’t you say it wasn’t that painting?!" Su Jin looked innocent, struggling to hold back laughter, "It was your brothers who tricked you, not me." Xie Jingchen was furious but speechless. This matter was related to her, but the culprits were Chu Shun and the others. Seeing Xie Jingchen’s face turn reflective black. Su Jin looked sympathetic, comforting him, "Alright, don’t be angry, who doesn’t have a few lousy friends? As long as they’re happy, hahaha... " Su Jin was laughing so hard she couldn’t stand upright. Xie Jingchen angrily picked up the book and got up to leave.

Chapter 86: Toxic Friend

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