The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 370

He asked her directly and plainly, laying bare the thoughts in his heart, asking her to open the tightly shut door of her emotions.

Xu Wan quite liked this straightforward way of communication. She smiled and said, "Alright, I'll try my best."

Zong Zhao's pupils visibly dilated, and he stammered in confirmation, "Really?"

Xu Wan nodded. "Really."

It was still the same casual reply, just like when she had casually agreed to consummate their marriage. But this time, it felt different—he couldn't pinpoint why, but it just was.

A light shone in Zong Zhao's eyes. He looked utterly delighted and repeated, "Good, good. I'll go get the documents stamped again right away."

Xu Wan: "???"

What stamping?

Zong Zhao swiftly drafted a new pledge, adding clauses about neither taking concubines nor keeping maids for pleasure. Then he rushed off to the Ministry of Revenue and the Imperial Clan Court.

The Ministry of Revenue was dumbfounded. As they stamped the document, the official's lips twitched uncontrollably.

At the Imperial Clan Court, Cai Youdao stamped the document and sighed as he watched Zong Zhao leave. "The tigress has grown even fiercer. Poor General."

Xu Wan held the newly stamped document, torn between laughter and exasperation. "You really don’t care about losing face, do you?"

Zong Zhao's eyes sparkled with amusement. "That doesn’t matter."

"Fine, it doesn’t matter." Xu Wan seemed to understand his point—what mattered most were the affairs of those closest to him; outsiders' opinions held no sway.

That night, the two lay facing each other in bed, silent yet inexplicably unable to suppress their smiles.

Xu Wan was the first to break into laughter, and Zong Zhao’s eyes crinkled in response.

"What are you laughing at?" she teased.

"You laughed, so I did too," he replied.

A sweet warmth filled Xu Wan’s heart. She gazed at him for a few seconds before quickly turning away. "Let’s sleep, let’s sleep."

The next morning, after breakfast, Zong Zhao told her he had business at the Ministry of Justice.

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. A couple of days ago, he had also gone to the Ministry of Justice before detouring to the military camp, causing her trust in him to plummet.

Zong Zhao explained, "This time it’s real. I’ll come home tonight. I was out of my mind the past two days—I’ll never stay out again, I promise."

Seeing him admit his mistake, Xu Wan nodded approvingly with a smile. "Alright, go ahead."

"Good. If anything comes up, send someone to call for me."

"Mm."

After breakfast, Xu Wan went to the study to check on the children’s progress.

Cheng Zhidong handed her a stack of poetry assignments, his face troubled. "The children’s poetry skills have plateaued. Even with structured techniques, there’s a limit to improvement. Lately, everyone except Jin Cheng has been cramming the Four Books and Five Classics, hoping to compensate for their weak poetry. But Jin Cheng has a photographic memory—he doesn’t need to review the classics or essays, so he’s hit a wall."

Xu Wan understood.

While the others could still advance in other subjects, Jin Cheng had nowhere left to go. If this continued, his ranking would drop, and even passing the provincial exams would be at risk.

She considered hiring another poetry tutor, but who? Pan Hongzhi was already one of the best among the provincial graduates.

Just then, Cui Zhi whispered, "Madam, the Duke Protector is here."

Xu Wan quickly stood. "Let’s go greet—"

Before she could finish, Luo Jingfeng strode in on his own.

Xu Wan: "..."

Truly as free as if it were his own home. Such was the privilege of the Duke Protector.

He Zheng turned and gaped at Luo Jingfeng’s entrance, nudging the boy beside him. "Big bro, look! Luo Jingfeng’s here again."

The little troublemaker merely grunted, head still bent over his poetry. "Let him come."

Since reconciling with Luo Jingfeng, driving him away would be like flipping on a friend. As long as Luo Jingfeng didn’t disrupt his studies, he could tolerate his presence.

He Zheng was stunned. Was this really his big bro? Last time Luo Jingfeng visited, he had thrown a fit, cursing and yelling for ages.

But now, the little demon was eerily calm.

He Zheng concluded: Truly the boss. His temper had leveled up.

It was time for the daily quiz, so the tutors had stepped out to avoid disturbing the students. Only Luo Jingfeng barged in, striding straight to Jin Cheng and peering at his poetry paper.

One glance left him speechless.

"Are ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍you going easy on them?" Luo Jingfeng asked bluntly.

Jin Cheng: "?!"

The little demon bristled. "I’m not! This is a fair exam!"

"Pfft—" Xu Wan covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

The other boys turned at the noise, startled to see Luo Jingfeng looming over them.

Luo Jingfeng frowned. "With poetry this bad, how do you expect to pass the provincial exams?"

Jin Cheng pointed at the door, teeth gritted. "Get out. Before I lose my temper."

Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "If you can’t handle criticism for your poor work, what right do you have to be angry?"

The little demon took three deep breaths, mentally chanting he spared the Crown Prince, then forced a smile. "You’re a military man. Your poetry’s probably worse than mine. So kindly leave, godfather—no need for your commentary."

With others around, he couldn’t call him "uncle," but the sarcastic "godfather" amused Luo Jingfeng.

Jin Cheng rolled his eyes. "Go on, shoo. Don’t interrupt our exam."

Luo Jingfeng chuckled before taunting, "I offered to hire a Grand Academician to tutor you, but you refused to replace Pan Hongzhi. No wonder your poetry’s so terrible."

Jin Cheng snapped. "What’s so great about a Grand Academician? They haven’t studied for exams in years—they might not even beat me now. Pan Hongzhi may just be a provincial graduate, but he’s the best poet among all our tutors. If I can’t improve, it’s my fault, so stop blaming others!" freewebnøvel.com

The uncle-nephew pair bickered until Luo Jingfeng finally relented. "Fine, if you won’t take a Grand Academician, I’ll find you other poetry masters."

Jin Cheng remained indifferent, but Xu Wan’s eyes lit up. She’d had the same thought, but renowned poets weren’t easily swayed by wealth.

Before Jin Cheng could protest, Xu Wan interjected, "We’d be grateful for your help, Duke Protector. Jin Cheng has indeed hit a wall in poetry. Guidance from masters would surely help him improve."

As expected, Xu Wan’s words made Jin Cheng swallow his retort.

Luo Jingfeng laughed heartily and said, "Good, then I'll see to it right away."

The Duke of Huguo strode out the door and instructed General Xiaofeng, who was waiting outside, "Find out who the most renowned poet of our time is and bring him here to teach my Jin Cheng."

General Xiaofeng replied swiftly, "I know just the man—Hermit Yiyun, Su Xi. His poetry brims with raw emotion. Not only does he often speak for the common folk, but he also boldly criticizes court officials. However, he’s eccentric, prefers seclusion, and despises the political turmoil of the capital. Many nobles and officials have failed to secure his services."

Luo Jingfeng nodded. "Then it’s settled. Track him down and bring him to me."

"Yes, sir," General Xiaofeng responded before turning to the guards outside. "Go and apprehend Hermit Yiyun, Su Xi."

The guards: "?!"

No attempt to invite him first?