The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

“He was punished by our grandmother to kneel in the ancestral hall.” Zong Wenxiu said.

“Oh, he deserved it. Not beating him was already light,” Zong Jincheng commented without hesitation.

Zong Wenxiu: “???”

This really doesn’t sound like something you’d say.

He thought his younger brother would plead for He Zheng, as they had been childhood friends who grew up together. It seemed his brother had indeed matured, which made him very pleased.

The two brothers had nothing more to say. Zong Jincheng peeked inside but didn’t dare to enter. When Cui Zhi came out, the mischievous young master quickly asked: “Is she awake yet?”

Cui Zhi shook her head, “Not yet. If you’re worried, you can go in and take a look.”

The young master immediately withdrew his gaze and said awkwardly, “I’m not worried about her.”

Cui Zhi shook her head helplessly and continued to have someone else bring a fresh ice cloth.

The old marquis spoke up, “Wenxiu, Jincheng, you two should go study first. If Wan'er wakes up, I’ll have someone inform you.”

Zong Wenxiu was worried, “But…”

“Go ahead. Waiting here is of no use. We’ll keep watch here. Study well so you won’t let your aunt down for her teachings to you.”

“Yes, grandfather. We’ll go now.” Zong Wenxiu understood and immediately tried to pull his brother away.

However, Zong Jincheng broke free and ran inside to see Xu Wan.

There was a palace physician taking her pulse by the bed, while his grandmother and second aunt stood by waiting. Xu Wan, lying on the bed, looked haggard and flushed, clearly still running a high fever.

The Xu Wan who had always bullied him relentlessly and made him feel like a worthless waste was now lying there so weakly, devoid of any vitality.

Long ago, he had wished to see Xu Wan fall ill, so she would have no time to control him. But now, he felt no joy at all, even thinking it was unfair to win this way.

Even if he wanted to defeat Xu Wan, it should be openly and fairly. What was this?

Zong Jincheng turned and ran out.

Zong Wenxiu didn’t understand why but quickly bid farewell to his grandfather and chased after him, “Jincheng, slow down. Wait for me.”

The young master kicked flowers and grass along the way, his mood utterly terrible. He followed his brother to the grand study in a daze, and only when school was finally dismissed at noon did he hear Shunzi say that Xu Wan had woken up.

The young boy’s eyes lit up instantly and he rushed straight to her courtyard.

Shunzi chased him shouting, “Young master, you haven’t eaten yet. The old lady said to have lunch first before going…”

Zong Jincheng heard, but it was as though he hadn’t. He ran faster and faster, panting heavily as he stopped outside Xu Wan’s courtyard.

The palace physician and family doctor had already left. Fewer maids were waiting around, no longer the chaotic scene from that morning. It was a sign that she was no longer in serious condition.

When Zong Jincheng entered, he saw his grandmother sitting by the bed taking care of Xu Wan. One was eager and gentle, trying to feed her, while the other was terrified and insisted on doing it herself. They were stuck in a tug-of-war, with no food actually being eaten.

Baili Weihong smiled from the side, “Mother-in-law, let me do it. It’s customary for wives to serve their mothers-in-law, but rare for the other way around. Sister-in-law must feel embarrassed. She just woke up and must be hungry. Further delay is not good.”

The old lady’s motherly love had nowhere to go. She understood Xu Wan’s character and knew she would not feel comfortable accepting her help. So, she wanted to hand the task to Baili Weihong, but then she turned her head and saw the young master enter.

The old lady’s eyes lit up, “Jincheng, you come here.”

Zong Jincheng widened his eyes, pointing to himself, “Me?”

He had just arrived, and now he was tasked with this?

The old lady nodded with a smile, “Yes, you. Your mother has worked hard and suffered for your sake. As her only child, don’t you owe it to her to take care of her? Remember how you were sick these past few days and demanded that she feed you for several days? Didn’t she say anything against it?”

Zong Jincheng was rendered speechless by the words.

It was true. Although he did it on purpose to have Xu Wan take care of him, she never objected once, coming diligently every day, even when he made her angry, she never left.

While ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌‍Zong Jincheng was still in a daze, the old lady had already handed him the tray and left the room with Baili Weihong.

Zong Jincheng locked eyes with Xu Wan on the bed.

The atmosphere in the room immediately became awkward.

Both felt so awkward they wanted to dig a hole with their toes.

The two of them, a mother and son who had been engaged in a battle of wills for half a year, disliked each other at every turn. If they didn’t clash upon meeting, that was good enough; having him take care of her meal was unthinkable.

It wasn’t just Zong Jincheng who felt strange; Xu Wan also found it utterly bizarre. With Zong Wenxiu they could still find some warmth, but with this boy? It was better if they didn’t fight.

“If you don’t feel comfortable, go call your second aunt to…”

Before Xu Wan could finish, Zong Jincheng interrupted, “Okay, why not?”

With that, he really came over with the tray in hand, holding a bowl of pork porridge meant for her.

Xu Wan was stunned. She had already felt something was different about this boy lately, and now it felt even stranger. The little rascal suddenly became so agreeable and mild-tempered, not as sharp-tongued as before.@@novelbin@@

He was about to place the tray on the small table and bring the porridge over…

Before Xu Wan could figure it out, her mouth had already spoken, “Give me the spoon, I’ll do it myself.”

Zong Jincheng felt he was being looked down on, immediately raising his voice, “No! Can you even hold it? And you still feel contempt for me?”

Xu Wan shook her head in dismay, "Can't hold it, which is why I only asked for the spoon."

Zong Jincheng: “……”

He had overthought it, assuming she wanted to hold the bowl herself.

He handed her the spoon and held the bowl closer. Awkwardly, he asked, “Really don’t need me to feed you? If you regret it later, I won’t do it again.”

Xu Wan started eating with the spoon. After swallowing a mouthful, she replied, “No, don’t you know how childish it is to ask people to feed you? I like doing things on my own. Independent. Independence. Understand?”

And then, getting sick, huh?

“Otherwise? You going to get sick with me?” Xu Wan continued to argue while eating.

Zong Jincheng rolled his eyes, “You wish! I’m as healthy as an ox, much sturdier than you! I’d never get sick with you!”

“Oh, Bull Demon King.” Xu Wan replied dismissively.

Zong Jincheng: “!!!”

Dammit, she was giving him a nickname, and such a horrible one!!!

The young master felt his anger rising fast. He was ready to blow his top at any moment. Even Xu Wan could predict he was about to throw the bowl and storm out, but instead, the boy just glared fiercely at her with his face flushed in anger, then continued sitting by the bed, holding the bowl for her.

“?”

Xu Wan was surprised.

He wasn’t even angry? Not snapping back either? How strange.

Had this little rascal secretly enrolled in an anger management class behind her back?