The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Very few knew of the tragedy that occurred eleven years ago.

The Crown Prince had carried guilt in his heart all these years, never speaking of it to anyone—not even the Crown Princess was aware. In truth, if not for Luo Jingfeng's outburst today, Zong Zhao would never have revealed it.

What was there to say?

After blaming others for so many years, how would he react upon learning it was his own sister's fault? Who knew what madness might follow?

But at this moment, Zong Zhao could no longer hold back.

Luo Jingfeng stood frozen for a moment before retorting, "You're lying! Even if she held the Crown Prince's hand, it was still suicide. Why should he feel guilt? Isn't this just proof of his own guilt?"

Zong Zhao replied coldly, "That's precisely why I said you should be grateful it was His Highness that night. Your sister, Luo Shu, exploited his kindness, inflicting eleven years of torment upon him just to save your nephew's life. Instead of blindly accusing others, you should direct your anger at the one who sent word to the Crown Prince through the Huai River—that is your true enemy."

"The… Former Emperor?" Luo Jingfeng's eyes widened in realization.

He recalled last night, during the slaying of the dragon, how he had deliberately left the Former Emperor's fate to Zong Zhao, not wanting any rift to form between himself and Cheng'er. At the time, he had assumed Zong Zhao's hatred stemmed solely from the poisoning of Chu Heng.

But it wasn't just that!

The death of his third sister was also the Former Emperor's doing!

He had wanted Chu Heng to kill Cheng'er, and Luo Shu had taken her own life to protect him.

So she truly had committed suicide…

Luo Jingfeng had pursued Chu Heng relentlessly for answers, and now that the truth lay before him, grief and fury merged into an all-consuming hatred for the Former Emperor: "I'll kill him! I'll tear him to pieces! I'll grind his bones to dust!!"

Without another word, Luo Jingfeng stormed off, no longer concerned with confronting Chu Heng.

Zong Zhao watched his retreating figure and muttered under his breath, "Madman."

For someone like Luo Jingfeng, no matter the outcome, he would never blame Luo Shu. The only way to divert his rage was to redirect it toward the Former Emperor—only then would he stop hounding Chu Heng.

He was too unhinged, descending into madness at the mere mention of Luo Shu.

Had he learned the truth any sooner, he would never have waited until now.

Once Luo Jingfeng was gone, Chu Heng coughed lightly and shook his head at Zong Zhao. "You shouldn't have spoken of this in front of the child."

Zong Zhao turned and saw the tears welling in Jin Cheng's eyes.

"My apologies. I lost my composure."

Chu Heng beckoned the boy over with a gentle smile. "Jin Cheng, come here."

The little devil approached, on the verge of sobbing from guilt. "Your Highness, I never knew about this… No wonder you could never wield a sword again. It was all because of her—because of me. I… she… I'm sorry. I apologize for all the suffering we caused you. I was too young back then, or else I would've taken my own life rather than burden you!"

The Crown Prince had only ever told him that Luo Shu had died to protect him, but he hadn't known the full story—how she had manipulated His Highness's kindness, how she had shackled him with guilt for over a decade.

Because of his existence, he had harmed His Highness for so many years.

Chu Heng pinched his cheek and chuckled. "Don't think like that. What fault does a child bear? Luo Shu wasn't wrong either. Her actions came from a mother's love—she wanted you to live. Think about it: if I hadn't felt guilty, her son would have died. What would you have chosen in her place?"

Jin Cheng answered without hesitation, "I'd choose for you to be safe and well."

Chu Heng's breath hitched, and he sighed helplessly. "Jin Cheng… you… ah, never mind. You'll understand when you become a father."

Jin Cheng pouted, his face full of defiance. "Even as a father, I'd still choose you. I just want you to always be safe and well."

Chu Heng couldn't reason with him, but the child's words warmed his heart. With a faint smile, he replied, "I will be."

"Forever and always."

"Yes, forever and always."

"Pinky promise." The little devil held out his finger.

Chu Heng laughed, surprised that even as emperor, the boy still insisted on such childish pledges. "Fine, pinky promise."

Jin Cheng wiped his tears and grinned. "Your Highness, rest and recover in the Eastern Palace. Once you're better, I'll move you to a new estate—I'll pick the grandest, most beautiful garden for you!"

"Then I'll be relying on you from now on."

"Leave it to me!"

In the Eastern Palace, the two brothers—one tall, one small—shared a tender moment, their bond a rare light in the shadowed halls of the imperial court.

After ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‍leaving the Eastern Palace, Zong Zhao took Xu Wan and Jin Cheng to the emperor's quarters. The room had been completely refreshed with new furnishings.

Jin Cheng's eyes immediately landed on the bright red robes laid out on the table. His face lit up as he tugged Xu Wan's hand excitedly. "Mother, look! It's the scholar's robes! Father made them for me!"

Xu Wan smiled. "Then let your father help you change. I'll wait outside?"

"Okay!"

Zong Zhao led him inside to dress.

Before long, the little scholar emerged, and Xu Wan turned to see him—her breath catching.

Unlike Qin Ye's cold elegance, the little devil looked lively and radiant in his crimson robes and scholar's cap. He spun in a circle before her, beaming. "Mother, do I look good in these?" This text was acquired from M|V|L0EMPYR.

His eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, and for a moment, Xu Wan was lost in them before replying, "You look wonderful! They fit you perfectly!"

If only he could have paraded through the streets as the top scholar—he'd have been the brightest star in the capital.

But she didn't say it aloud, not wanting to dwell on what could have been.

Zong Zhao suggested, "Shall I paint a portrait of you?"

"Yes, yes! That's perfect!" The little devil clapped in delight, pulling Xu Wan to sit while he stood beside her. "Father, paint both of us! I want Mother in the picture too!"

Zong Zhao chuckled. "As you wish."

As they posed—one standing, one seated—Jin Cheng chattered about the day's imperial examination, with Xu Wan listening fondly.

"Mother, there weren't many officials at the exam today. Do you think when the court is full, they'll argue with me every day?"

Xu Wan laughed. "First, you must understand that officials don't argue just for the sake of it. They're offering perspectives to help you analyze problems and propose solutions. When you make decisions, just state your reasoning clearly. As for your worries—with your father and uncle around, I doubt anyone would dare oppose you outright."

"Oh… that makes sense." Jin Cheng thought of his uncle's furious departure and couldn't help asking, "Mother… do you think he'll be alright?"

Xu Wan considered it. "Given what the Duke of State Protection said before leaving, the one in trouble is likely the Former Emperor."

Jin Cheng caught the title and asked hesitantly, "The Former Emperor… is he dead?"

The Former Emperor was indeed dead. Before Xu Wan could think of how to answer, Zong Zhao, still focused on his painting, replied without looking up, "Yes. I killed him."

Xu Wan: "…"

Couldn't you have phrased that more gently? He was Chengcheng's birth father, after all.