The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Thought so, but Zong Jincheng stopped muttering, feeling a growing unease in his heart.

The old marquis didn't call him out on it, continuing to pretend to nap with his eyes closed.

Only then did the little imp relax again, mumbling, "Meanie, I won't call a truce with you."

The old marquis's mouth twitched, really not wanting to hear such childish talk.

What is that brat thinking all day...

Upon ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‍arriving at the palace gates, Xu Wan got off the carriage and immediately met the little imp's glare, followed by a loud huff, which shocked the old lady.

Xu Wan: "?"

Who upset this little tyrant again?

She looked toward Zong Wenxiu, who had a puzzled expression on his face. Nothing happened in the carriage, did it?

The old marquis chuckled, leaning in to whisper something to the old lady. Soon, the old lady also wore an amused smile.

Xu Wan: "??"

What's with the secret talks?

The old lady led her inside, grinning even wider. "Wan, you're such a great mother. I'm ashamed of myself."

Xu Wan chuckled wryly. "Mother-in-law, what's going on here? Why do I feel like you're laughing at me?"

The old lady waited until they walked further behind before smiling, "Jincheng muttered in the carriage earlier. He seemed to want to ride with you."

Xu Wan immediately frowned skeptically. "Impossible. He previously asked me to arrange another carriage because he didn't want to ride with me."

The old lady laughed heartily. "That was ages ago. Kids don't hold grudges for long; they forget quickly."

Xu Wan insisted, "But Jincheng has an eidetic memory. He even has a grudge notebook—I'm probably in the top three."

The old lady: "......"

What kind of grudge notebook is that?

The old lady suggested, "Why not check it when you have a chance? Maybe you're no longer in that grudge notebook."

Recalling the little imp's recent behavior, Xu Wan felt unsure, her heart warming at seeing the lively young boy in front.

If only that brat didn't have that sharp tongue, they might already be a harmonious mother-son duo.

At the Mid-Autumn Banquet, men and women sat separately. However, during the lantern-floating ceremony, they could still see the male guests across the river.

Early that morning, the little imp had been acting secretive, engaging with the other two boys in some unknown plan. He wouldn't tell, but now Xu Wan could see...

In the dark night, amidst the colorful lanterns, the trio stood out most, their outfits glowing faintly, nearly blinding Xu Wan!

"What on earth are they wearing?!" Xu Wan exclaimed in shock.

The old lady also looked bewildered. "Their outfits are new, but they seemed normal during the day, didn't they?"

Cui Zhi chimed in, "Shunzi said, it's all Jincheng's idea. He had the seamstress add luminous pearl powder to the details and buttons. As soon as it got dark, the effect became apparent."

The old lady and Xu Wan: "......"

That little scoundrel, he's a literal walking spectacle. Has he ever considered his brother's feelings?

Xu Wan massaged her forehead, pushing Cui Zhi. "Hurry, send someone over to check on Wenxiu. If he's being forced to wear this, get him a change of clothes immediately."

On such important occasions, servants usually prepared a spare set for the masters.

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away," Cui Zhi replied.

On the opposite riverbank.

Wei Xinglu was circling them, clapping and marveling, "Jincheng, you're too special! It's like you're covered in fireflies—glowing! Wow! How cool! Why didn't you include me? I want to wear one too!"

He reached out to touch Jincheng's clothes, then He Zheng's, and even hopped in front of Zong Wenxiu.

All eyes were on them. The shy Wenxiu, already flushed red to his neck, tried to disappear on the spot. Amidst the noise, he called out to his brother, "Jincheng, why does this outfit glow?"

Earlier in the morning, his younger brother only said it would be the most dazzling in the palace. Preferring not to stand out, Wenxiu had briefly checked the seemingly normal outfit before agreeing. Who knew it would turn out like this?@@novelbin@@

Children of all sizes gathered around, their admiring and curious stares overwhelming, causing Zong Wenxiu to hide his face, eager to escape.

Jumping happily, Zong Jincheng ran to console his older brother, "Brother, don't be shy! Isn't this so fun? I look like a giant lantern when I spin around. Isn't it magical? Hahaha, no one could have thought of this idea like me!"

Zong Wenxiu covered his face, "Jincheng, you... you guys play. I'll go ahead. Maybe another day I'll be ready to join you."

"Eh? Don't go, brother! You have such thin skin—you need to practice! Or else, when you're an official, you won't win any argument."

Weakly, Zong Wenxiu said, "This... this doesn't seem related to arguing..."

Seeing them tug-of-war, Wei Xinglu immediately volunteered, "Me, me! Let me trade with him! I'm only a year younger, it should work. Let me try it! I super like Jincheng's new outfit!"

Zong Jincheng refused, "No, not for you. This is specially made for my brother."

"Aww, Jincheng, you're so biased! I'm your best buddy! Now you're playing with He Zheng and your brother, without me!"

"No, no! Next time... If you want to try, next time... Brother, don't go! Brother, brother..." Laughing, Zong Jincheng tugged at his brother while weaving through the crowd.

The two glowing kids, though childish, became a prominent sight, drawing many other kids to follow.

"Hey, Zong Jincheng, your brother doesn't want to wear it. Why force him? How much is it? I'll buy it from you," a ten-year-old boy blocked their path.

Zong Jincheng stopped, irked, "Who are you? Not selling."

Even if Wei Xinglu asked, he wouldn't give. As the eldest son of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, does he look like someone short of a few coins?

Wei Xinglu and He Zheng caught up, whispering to Zong Jincheng, "This is Pang Jing, General Pang's second son. He's good friends with Zhai Yao and previously wanted to join us, but you turned him down."

Zong Jincheng remembered—he liked smashing stalls and watching people cry helplessly.

Despite then lacking a clear sense of right and wrong, not fully understanding the impact of his own actions, Pang Jing's deliberate behavior had crossed a line, making Zong Jincheng instinctively want to avoid him. Naturally, he refused his request to join.