Chapter 47: A Legitimate Identity “Can My Master Bear Little Dragons for Me…?”

Kai Yin had barely finished speaking when the courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Ming Shuang slowly widened his eyes, his expression dazed and stunned.

Xuzhi seemed surprised as well, his breathing pausing briefly.

Xiang Lun choked on his breath, nearly convinced he’d just hallucinated.

Marriage? Contract?

“What?!”

Wu Shao’s voice rang out from the corridor. His face was full of shock and disbelief, and he hadn’t controlled his volume. Xing Huai stood beside him—they had come to eavesdrop.

Xing Huai quickly tugged at Wu Shao’s sleeve, trying to get him to tone it down.

But Wu Shao’s mind was entirely consumed by those two words: “marriage contract.” He looked even more unwilling to accept it than Xiang Lun.

He had always been wondering whether Ming Shuang, as a mixed-blood dragon, could continue the Dragon Clan’s bloodline. He’d thought Ming Shuang was still too young and that they could plan for it later…

How had a marriage contract already formed?!

And with a male, no less!

“So you have other guests here,” Kai Yin said, setting down his teacup. “You two aren’t that old, but the marriage contract has been in place for quite some time. Hmm… a childhood betrothal?”

Though marriage contracts had no age restrictions, they were still a formal bond, not something to be used lightly.

Moreover, this kind of contract technique allowed the souls and minds of both parties to merge—a deeply intimate act reserved solely for mates.

Xiang Lun rubbed his forehead, eyes closed. “Can it be dissolved?”

Before Kai Yin could respond, Ming Shuang hurriedly said, “I-I don’t want to dissolve it.”

Xiang Lun’s thoughts were plain to Ming Shuang. Back at Netherworld Mountain, when Xiang Lun had learned about the contract between him and Xuzhi, he’d already prepared to contact Kai Yin.

Now, with Xuzhi’s special identity revealed—whatever the contract might be—Xiang Lun worried it could bring danger to Ming Shuang in the future.

But Ming Shuang had already made up his mind. It was precisely because of the contract that he could form a mental link with Xuzhi. To him, it was proof that his master had raised him—a bond that could not be severed.

With that in mind, he’d prepared himself in advance and instinctively refuted the idea.

Xiang Lun took several deep breaths, struggling to stay calm. “Do you even know what a marriage contract means?”

Ming Shuang hung his head, his voice growing quieter. “I know…”

It was something mates had between them. Though unexpected, he and Xuzhi were already mates. It seemed… pretty fitting…

Ming Shuang sneaked another glance at Xiang Lun, wondering if he should bring it up now.

At that moment, Yan Si arrived at the corridor upon hearing the commotion. “What’s going on?”

Kai Yin toyed with his teacup. “Things are lively here… Why don’t you…”

Xiang Lun took another deep breath, determined not to lose composure in front of Kai Yin. “I’ll talk with them. Ivan can take you to your quarters to rest.”

Kai Yin nodded. As he rose, his gaze swept over Ming Shuang and Xuzhi with a hint of curiosity.

Once Kai Yin had left, Xiang Lun poured himself a cup of tea and downed it in one gulp.

Yan Si stepped forward. “How could it be a marriage contract? Could it be that Ming Xue back then…”

He had already heard from Xing Huai and Wu Shao. If the contract had been formed long ago, it was likely done when Ming Shuang was still little.

“Maybe it was him,” Wu Shao said through gritted teeth, glaring at Xuzhi. “He took advantage of Little Dragon’s youth and ignorance…”

“No, it’s not!” Ming Shuang defended Xuzhi. “It’s been there since as far back as I can remember. Uncle Wu, don’t say such things!”

Wu Shao’s expression stiffened, and his tone softened a bit. “All right, but you’re still young. How could you just form a contract like that?”

Ming Shuang said earnestly, “I’m not young. I’ve already come of age.”

“Mm,” Xing Huai agreed from behind. “He’s at the age where he can take a mate.”

Wu Shao whipped his head around. “Take what mate! Little Dragon’s barely grown!”

Xiang Lun listened to them bickering, closing his eyes wearily.

He gathered his thoughts but hadn’t yet figured out how to persuade Ming Shuang. Instead, he turned to Xuzhi.

Ming Shuang was pure-hearted and had always been close to Xuzhi, so it was natural he’d refuse to dissolve the contract.

But what did Xuzhi think? He’d lost his memories and had only just learned about this too, right?

And if it really had been Ming Xue’s decision, who knew what had happened back then? What if there had been a reason, some unavoidable circumstance? Maybe Xuzhi wanted to dissolve it too…

In any case, Xiang Lun had always seen Xuzhi as Ming Shuang’s “foster father” or “older brother.” A marriage contract was definitely not appropriate.

After mulling it over, Xiang Lun spoke to Xuzhi. “You…”

But before he could finish, Ming Shuang shot him a vigilant look. “Brother isn’t allowed to dissolve it either!”

Xuzhi responded softly, “All right. We won’t.”

Xiang Lun drew in a sharp breath, his fingertip trembling as he pointed. “You!”

…So this brat had those kinds of feelings for Ming Shuang too!

Beside him, Wu Shao was already seeking alternatives. He asked Yan Si gravely, “Can marriage contracts be formed with two or three people at once? As for Xuzhi’s side, we can deal with it once Little Dragon comes to his senses.”

Ming Shuang’s instincts told him the situation was turning dangerous. He quickly pulled Xuzhi to his feet and shielded him behind his body.

Because of Xuzhi’s God Clan identity, he’d been on edge these past few days, always fearing another incident like when Yan Si had attacked Xuzhi.

“Why dissolve it?” Ming Shuang felt an inexplicable grievance. “Why not? I want Brother to be my mate!”

With that, he dragged Xuzhi away at a brisk pace. Before the others could react, they slipped back to their room and shut the door tight.

A moment later, the door cracked open, and the fluffy plushies tumbled out one after another. They stood guard in the corridor with predatory glares, making it clear no one was to approach—not even Yan Si and the others, or they’d get beaten.

Xiang Lun’s temples throbbed at the sight. He sighed helplessly.

He shouldn’t have called Kai Yin… Pretending ignorance might have been better.

Yan Si advised calmly, “No need to rush. Let Little Shuang think it over. He’s not a willful child.”

Not far off, three magical beasts watched the spectacle. Tomato hid half its body in the bushes, with Coal Ball perched on its back and Taro Ball on Coal Ball’s.

Taro Ball munched quietly on a cookie, feeding a bite to Coal Ball below, then one to Tomato.

In the end, everyone in the courtyard dispersed. The three magical beasts crept out and stole the leftover fruit tea from the table.

Inside the room, Ming Shuang peered nervously through the window slit. Once he confirmed the “crisis” had passed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He turned around to find Xuzhi right there, gazing at him quietly.

Ming Shuang met Xuzhi’s eyes and felt inexplicably tense again—until Xuzhi reached out to him.

His eyes lit up. Habitually, he stepped forward and threw himself into Xuzhi’s arms.

“Brother…” Ming Shuang hugged him tight and looked up. “Do you want to dissolve the contract?”

“No,” Xuzhi replied without hesitation. “Why do you ask?”

Ming Shuang mumbled, unable to explain clearly.

Perhaps because Xuzhi always went along with his wishes. And even knowing Xuzhi liked him, judging by Xiang Lun and the three dragons’ reactions, a marriage contract seemed like a very important thing… not to be formed lightly.

At the same time, Ming Shuang felt confused and lost. Why a marriage contract, of all things?

Xuzhi had never mentioned it before… Did he not know either?

Xuzhi leaned down slightly and kissed Ming Shuang’s cheek.

“I won’t dissolve the contract,” he said. “And I’m very happy about it.”

Ming Shuang blinked in confusion, not fully grasping what he meant by “happy.”

Xuzhi smiled without elaborating and couldn’t resist kissing him again.

Ming Shuang’s skin was fair, and a faint red mark quickly bloomed on his cheek, like a little seal.

When Kai Yin had uttered the words “marriage contract,” Xiang Lun and Wu Shao’s reactions had filled Xuzhi with pleasure.

He knew their attitudes toward him had always been subtle. He was like an outsider lingering by Ming Shuang’s side, amnesiac to boot.

And after he’d exposed his identity and abilities while treating Taro Ball a few days ago, they’d grown even more wary.

The existence of the marriage contract gave him a legitimate identity—a righteous one.

Ming Shuang touched his cheek curiously. “So, was it Mother’s idea?”

Xuzhi nodded. “Probably.”

Ming Shuang was certain the contract had been there from the start—likely before he’d even hatched…

If not Mother, why would Xuzhi form a contract with a dragon egg?

But if it was Mother, then… why have Xuzhi contract with a dragon egg?

Ming Shuang had tangled himself in knots, lost in thought.

Seeing his dazed expression, Xuzhi pinched his cheek. “What are you thinking about?”

Ming Shuang hummed, finally piecing it together. “So, Mother chose a mate for me?”

“It’s so weird,” he murmured, cupping Xuzhi’s face. “Can Master bear little dragons for me?”

Xuzhi fell silent for a moment, then asked in a different tone, “What are you thinking about?”

~~~