The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 322

Several kind sisters were keeping Xu Wan company, though Madam He was notably absent. Since He Zheng had severed ties with his father, Minister He, the He and Zong families had ceased all contact.

Now, the entire capital knew that Luo Jingfeng and Zong Zhao had joined forces, rendering Minister He’s earlier concerns meaningless—a situation that had become rather awkward. Rekindling ties with He Zheng or the Zong family now would only seem like desperate pandering.

Madam He nodded at them from a distance, her expression apologetic and uneasy, but she refrained from approaching them uninvited. Xu Wan returned the nod but made no move to speak either. She understood the He family’s earlier reservations, but that didn’t mean she could simply forget the past. Those were two separate matters.

Madam Shen sighed beside her. "Relationships in the capital are ever-changing. People come and go—best not to dwell on it too much."

Xu Wan smiled and nodded. "You’re absolutely right, sister."

While the adults spoke lightly of the matter, the little troublemaker Zong Jincheng was far from satisfied. "When is the He family going to apologize to my brother?"

The three elders turned to look at him. Lady Wei asked, "Jincheng, do you want He Zheng to return to the He family?"

Zong Jincheng blinked in surprise. "No, not at all."

"Then why—"

Zong Jincheng sniffed. "An apology is still necessary—it’s about principle. He Zheng’s father is utterly unreasonable. I’ve never seen him admit fault."

Xu Wan patted his shoulder. "As you said, I’ve never seen Minister He bow his head either, so an apology is unlikely."

"But He Zheng is his son. How can he not care at all?" the little troublemaker muttered in confusion.

Madam Shen added coolly, "But he has many sons. Even excluding the illegitimate ones, He Zheng has three older brothers born to the main wife."

Zong Jincheng pouted. "See? When you have too many kids, you stop cherishing any one of them." He turned to Xu Wan earnestly. "Mother, could you have fewer children in the future? Just one more—just one, okay?"

Xu Wan’s face flushed crimson.

Ever since Zong Zhao’s return, her mother-in-law had tactfully avoided mentioning anything about consummating their marriage. Yet, the first person to bring up the topic of children was this brat!

Lady Wei and Madam Shen burst into laughter.

Xu Wan gritted her teeth. "If you’re worried about competition for attention, shouldn’t you be asking me not to have any more at all?"

"Oh, no," Zong Jincheng tilted his head. "I still want a brother. When he grows up, he can train in martial arts with Father. One of us will master literature, the other martial arts—I’ll argue for him, and he’ll fight for me. Perfect!"

"Hahahaha!" Lady Wei and Madam Shen laughed even harder.

Xu Wan’s temple twitched. "I knew you were up to no good. Is this really about wanting a brother? Or just a loyal enforcer to fight your battles for you?"

Zong Jincheng widened his eyes in protest. "Mother, don’t slander me! It’s a fair exchange—I’ll argue for him too!"

Xu Wan rolled her eyes. "Save it. Go away."

Undeterred, Zong Jincheng clung to her again. "Fine, a sister then! Girls who train in martial arts are even fiercer—they can catch opponents off guard!"

"Hahahaha!" The two ladies’ laughter grew even more uproarious.

Xu Wan had had enough. She pinched his ear. "If you want to fight, train yourself! Stop scheming about siblings! No more, none at all—now scram!"

She was fuming. Bringing a child into the world was a sacred matter, yet this brat treated it like a game—even daring to "request" one! As if!

Madam Shen teased, "Jincheng, stop provoking your mother. If you really want a team, wait till you’re older, marry, and have your own. A whole football squad—then have your father train them all to fight for you."

Zong Jincheng’s eyes lit up!

A football team required sixteen players. He pictured a row of sons standing behind him, all martial arts experts—ready to play football, fight his battles, and look dashing while doing it, all calling him "Father."

Wow! ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‍That sounded amazing!

The little troublemaker cheered. "Brilliant idea, Aunt! When I grow up, I’ll have a whole football team!"

Xu Wan facepalmed.

This idiot actually took the joke seriously. With demands like these, he’d never find a wife—who’d want to spend their life bearing him a football team’s worth of children?

Thanks to Zong Jincheng’s antics, their table was lively, drawing frequent greetings from passing noblewomen. Each time, Xu Wan’s practiced smile grew more mechanical—until a sudden exclamation announced a new arrival.

"It’s the Wife of Duke!" someone gasped.

At the mention of the Duke of State Protection, Zong Jincheng instinctively looked up. The woman approaching wore a hostile expression—clearly not here for pleasantries.

The others greeted her politely, but Madam Luo ignored them all, her gaze fixed on the little troublemaker.

"So, you’re the Duke’s newly acknowledged godson, Zong Jincheng?"

When Madam Luo first heard of Luo Jingfeng taking a godson, she assumed it was a political gesture to solidify ties with Zong Zhao. But to her shock, Luo Jingfeng spoke of the boy with genuine fondness—even gifting him a precious purple sandalwood bow.

That sandalwood was rare beyond measure. Even her own sons had never received such a treasure. What right did Zong Jincheng have to it?

Madam Luo knew Luo Jingfeng valued lineage above all. He ignored his illegitimate children but doted on his legitimate heirs. Yet now, this boy seemed to matter more than even his own sons. What did that mean?

Her first thought: Could this child be Luo Jingfeng’s bastard? Was he planning to divorce her and remarry, legitimizing the boy?

Otherwise, what father wouldn’t prioritize his own flesh and blood? Luo Jingfeng had power and influence—he didn’t need to curry favor with anyone.

Unaware of her suspicions, Zong Jincheng scowled at the woman’s menacing glare. "Luo Jingfan forced the title on me. I never accepted him as my godfather."

"Oh? Why not?" Madam Luo narrowed her eyes, studying him. Rumor had it that before their marriage, the Duke had loved another woman—yet he’d wed her instead.

For over a decade, she’d failed to uncover that woman’s identity. But this boy’s appearance reignited her fears. Was he the Duke’s secret son?

Zong Jincheng smirked. "Because… I despise him."

Madam Luo: "…"

All her suspicions suddenly felt pointless.

If the Duke favored him so, and this brat repaid him with ingratitude, he likely wouldn’t live long anyway.