The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

A high-ranking marquis married the daughter of a merchant. Not only did he refrain from taking concubines, but he also never looked down on her humble origins. Moreover, he was exceptionally obedient to her, which was a rare sight in the vast Capital City.

Xu Wan smiled and said, "Indeed, my father-in-law and mother-in-law are very reasonable people."

"Sigh, I wish I could marry into such a family in the future. There would definitely be none of those messy internal conflicts within the household," Zhao Rong sighed.

"You will, Your Highness. You’ll surely meet someone like that."

After bidding farewell to Zhao Rong, Xu Wan hurried toward the carriage. When she lifted the curtain, she found it empty. Looking around, not only were the two children missing, but even Shunzi and Buyan were nowhere to be seen.

She asked the coachman, "Where are they?"

The coachman timidly replied, "Young Master Cheng got angry and didn’t want to ride in the carriage, so he walked back. Young Master Xiu went after him to persuade him, so they both walked back together."

Xu Wan understood.

The little troublemaker was angry and didn’t want to share a carriage with her.

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‍Wan chuckled softly and murmured, "Walking back would take at least an hour. This kid, in his anger, has become quite unreasonable."

She recalled that just a few months ago, he would still tolerate her for a while, only getting upset and leaving the carriage when they were almost at their destination.

Xu Wan smiled and said, "Let’s go. We’ll stop if we see them along the way."

"Yes, madam."

The two Zong brothers were still wearing their soccer uniforms, covered in dust, their faces and hands dirty. Having not had any water, their lips were dry and chapped.

Zong Wenxiu had initially wanted to speak up for Xu Wan, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his younger brother glared at him, so he swallowed his words.

The bustling street was filled with the cries of vendors.

"Pear juice! Delicious pear juice! Three coins a bowl!"

Zong Jincheng was very thirsty, but when he patted his pockets, he found he had no money.

Three coins had stumped the brave hero.

He pursed his lips, feeling even angrier at Xu Wan. It was she who had confiscated all his silver, leaving him in debt to her by hundreds of taels.

He couldn’t even afford a bowl of pear juice.

Three coins! Just three!

He didn’t even have three coins!

The little troublemaker was fuming, his chest heaving with anger.

Until Zong Wenxiu patted his shoulder and said, "Jincheng, wait here. I’ll buy two bowls of pear juice. It’s very refreshing."

What is meant by "when one door closes, another opens"?

This was it.

The little troublemaker’s eyes sparkled as he followed his brother to get a drink, instantly breaking into a smile. "Brother, you’re the best!"

Zong Wenxiu turned and smiled at him, then took out some coins and handed them to the vendor.

The two sat at a simple little table, each with a bowl of pear juice in front of them.

Zong Jincheng held the slightly chipped bowl, took a small sip, and felt the sweet juice moisten his parched lips. It was so refreshing that he took a big gulp, his round face lighting up with a smile. "Brother, it’s really sweet."

When the little troublemaker was obedient, he was like a kitten, soft and endearing, tugging at one’s heartstrings. Zong Wenxiu always felt like he was about to melt from how adorable his younger brother was. How could there be such a cute child in the world?

He also took a sip of the pear juice. It was indeed sweet.

"Would you two young masters like another bowl? I can give you two for five coins," the vendor said with a smile.

Zong Wenxiu smiled and replied, "Thank you. We’ll have two more then."

Earlier on the soccer field, his younger brother had been surrounded by the princess’s team while trying to retrieve the ball that had been taken from him. He had been running around a lot.

When Xu Wan arrived, the two boys had already finished their pear juice and were about to continue walking home. But as they looked up, they saw Xu Wan standing nearby.

"So, you two were here drinking pear juice. I’ve been looking everywhere for you," Xu Wan said.

Zong Wenxiu smiled and said, "Auntie, the pear juice is really good. Would you like to try some?"

Xu Wan smiled and replied, "No, thank you. I’m not thirsty. Let’s get in the carriage. It’s still a long way to walk home."

The little troublemaker felt a bit better hearing that she had been looking for them, but his anger still outweighed his relief.

Hmph, that bad woman, always siding with others.

And she always managed to hit his sore spots, making him even angrier!

Zong Wenxiu nudged Zong Jincheng with his elbow, signaling him to get in the carriage.

Zong Jincheng, still in a huff, stubbornly said, "No, I’m not getting in. I don’t want to share a carriage with her."

Here we go again.

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure? Kid, walking back will take an hour. Are your legs up for it?"

Unlike the exertion during the game, where there was something to distract him, walking for an hour straight would be tiring, especially for a child.

Zong Jincheng wasn’t entirely confident either, but he had already spoken his mind and couldn’t back down. He stubbornly replied, "It’s none of your business whether I can do it or not. I just don’t want to sit with you. You’re my enemy!"

She had helped the princess’s team and had specifically targeted him.

Both things had hit his nerve, and it was unforgivable.

Xu Wan took a deep breath and said, "Alright, it seems I’ll have to teach you a new lesson today."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

When Zong Wenxiu heard about a new lesson, he immediately looked at her with anticipation.

The little troublemaker was also curious, but he turned his head away and let out a huff.

"..." He was really being childish.

Xu Wan shook her head helplessly and said, "The new lesson is this: Never punish yourself for someone else’s mistakes. If you think the other person is wrong, why should you be the one to suffer and get angry?"

The little troublemaker suddenly turned around and met her smiling gaze. "Isn’t that right, Little Jincheng?"

Xu Wan bent down, her smile genuine. Her eyes held a hint of teasing, patience, and a touch of affection, leaving the little troublemaker stunned.

Little Jincheng…

Was she calling him that?

Could his name even be called like that?

And it was Xu Wan who called him that…

What did she mean? Was she apologizing to him?

Was she trying to get him to forgive her?

In that moment, Zong Jincheng’s expression changed rapidly, his mind racing with thoughts. He didn’t even notice that most of his anger had dissipated in that instant.

When he finally came to his senses, he quickly turned his head away and coughed, saying, "What’s right about it? Everything you said is wrong."

Despite his words, Zong Jincheng pushed past her and climbed into the carriage, sitting down inside first.

Xu Wan: "..." Such a tsundere.

Zong Wenxiu also smiled. His younger brother had always been easy to coax, and he knew it well.

Xu Wan followed them into the carriage. Before she could even sit down, she heard the little troublemaker say in a deliberately cold tone, "Getting in the carriage doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you, nor does it mean I’ve learned anything from your so-called new lesson. I’m doing this for my brother. He’s been running around the soccer field for so long, his legs must be exhausted. Got it?"