The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Jin Cheng's eyes widened in surprise. "No one mentioned it before. I thought he was genuinely ill."

"You can consider it an illness if you like. After your coronation ceremony, the Former Emperor will officially pass away," Zong Zhao said, lifting his head. "The cause of his death is the poison that afflicted His Highness. But unlike him, I showed mercy and gave him a swift end."

The moment Jin Cheng heard the reason behind Chu Heng's poisoning, his expression darkened. He quickly understood the implication. "Hmph, that villain got what he deserved. He harmed His Highness first—this is karma."

Zong Zhao continued painting, pausing for a long moment before replying, "Yes, it's karma."

The little troublemaker stood waiting as his father painted, but soon couldn't resist speaking again. "Father, how did you know the Former Emperor was the one behind the poisoning?"

Zong Zhao answered calmly, "Eunuch Huang told me."

Xu Wan's lashes fluttered slightly as she sensed something amiss.

She remembered Zong Zhao once telling her that after waking from his seven-year coma, he had only sent letters home—even the Crown Prince hadn't known he was alive. So how could Eunuch Huang have informed him of such things?

Zong Zhao had known from the moment he returned that the mastermind was the Emperor. When exactly had he found out?

Jin Cheng listened attentively but was still confused. "Huh? Eunuch Huang? Wasn't he the Former Emperor's man?"

"Indeed. He knew the Emperor best, but he backed the wrong person and could only watch as the Emperor acted recklessly," Zong Zhao said. "After your coronation, your uncle will deal with him."

Jin Cheng frowned. "So… is he a good person or a bad person?"

Zong Zhao replied, "It's a matter of differing loyalties."

The little troublemaker tilted his head in thought before asking, "If Eunuch Huang is removed, who will take his place? Could Shunzi do it?"

Zong Zhao paused. "Buyan can continue serving as your personal guard in the palace, but Eunuch Huang's position must be filled by a eunuch. Luo Jingfeng will likely assign someone."

Jin Cheng instinctively tensed. "Then wouldn't that person monitor my every move?"

Zong Zhao nodded. "That is a concern. I'll give it more thought."

Hesitantly, Jin Cheng ventured, "Father… if Eunuch Huang's only fault is his loyalty to the Former Emperor, could we spare him and let him serve me after the Former Emperor's passing?"

"You want him?" Zong Zhao looked up.

Jin Cheng nodded. "I think he's quite kind. During the palace examination today, he took great care of me. I'd feel bad if he were executed. Besides, I don't want the Luo Family planting spies around me."

Zong Zhao said, "I'll consider it." This chapter is from the collection at M-VL-EM-PYR.

"Thank you."

Once the portrait of the top scholar was finished, Xu Wan helped frame it. The couple worked seamlessly, and soon the painting was hung in the chamber.

Jin Cheng gazed at it, beaming with delight.

The three dined together in the imperial quarters. Just before his parents left, the little troublemaker stood up eagerly. "Father, do I have a token I can give to Mother? So she can visit me in the palace anytime?"

He knew he would have to live here from now on.

He couldn't change it, and he wasn't throwing a tantrum.

He just… wanted his mother to visit often.

Zong Zhao reassured him, "Yes. After the coronation, when the new era name is decided, new tokens will be minted—all exclusively yours. You may grant them to whomever you wish."

Jin Cheng's face lit up. "That's perfect! Now I'm looking forward to the coronation. I'll give one to each of my friends so they can all come play with me!"

His words were playful, but Xu Wan didn't dampen his spirits. Knowing he craved companionship, she suggested, "Though I can't stay in the palace, your father and I have already discussed letting Wenxiu stay with you for a while to help you adjust."

The little troublemaker was stunned. "Really? Is that allowed?"

"Yes," Zong Zhao said, ruffling his hair. "Wait here. Wenxiu is probably already outside the palace. I'll have someone bring him in."

"Yay!!" Jin Cheng whooped with excitement. "Brother's coming! I'll wait for him! This is great, this is perfect! Being emperor won't be so bad after all, hahaha!"

The little rascal was instantly energized.

He ordered the chamber filled with dried fruits and candies, eagerly awaiting Zong Wenxiu's arrival.

After the scholar's procession, Zong Wenxiu had returned home but remained restless. He barely touched dinner before taking a carriage back to the palace gates.

His brother was ascending the throne, yet he couldn't shake his worry.

He couldn't bear the thought of Jin Cheng alone in the palace.

Even though he had just learned they weren't related by blood.

But as He Zheng had said—kinship isn't defined by blood alone. He and Jin Cheng were family in every way that mattered.

"Brother! ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‍You're finally here!" Jin Cheng, still clad in his vibrant red scholar's robes, dashed over excitedly, twirling to show off.

Zong Wenxiu had expected to see him in imperial yellow again, but instead—

"Scholar's robes! Brother, you're wearing scholar's robes! Good heavens, you look even more dashing than Qin Ye!" Zong Wenxiu swore he wasn't deliberately slighting Qin Ye.

But truly, Jin Cheng in scholar's robes was radiant—youthful, spirited, brimming with vitality.

The little troublemaker preened at the praise. "Hah! I knew you'd say that! Brother, you have excellent taste! I am better than Qin Ye—stronger, smarter, handsomer, and a million times cuter!!!"

Zong Wenxiu burst into laughter, following his brother inside to admire Zong Zhao's painting. Their warm, familiar dynamic eased the lingering tension he felt toward imperial authority.

Ever adaptable, Jin Cheng's excitement turned him into the perfect host. "Brother, try these dried fruits. We never had these at home—only the palace has them. Well, now only I and my friends can have them. Eunuch Huang said all the unfamiliar consorts and princes will be relocated soon."

Zong Wenxiu nibbled on a fruit while musing, "So… it's like you're getting a massive new house?"

"Hey! You're right!" Jin Cheng's imagination took flight. "That makes it way easier to accept. My home will be bigger than the Duke's estate—no, way bigger! I could build a whole football field inside!"

Zong Wenxiu chuckled. "Exactly. We were going to move into separate homes after the exams anyway. Teacher Pan and the others are leaving tomorrow. They've saved enough these past three years to buy a grand house without trouble."

Jin Cheng tilted his head. "True. Xinglu and Yi Bai can return to their families, leaving only He Zheng and you at home."

Zong Wenxiu nodded. "Auntie said I can stay with you for many days. Maybe in a few days, we can ask if He Zheng can come too?"

"Now you've got me wide awake with excitement!"

"If you're not sleepy, then don't sleep. Plenty of people are wide awake tonight—the Wei Family and the Shen Family must be over the moon with joy."

"Come on, let's talk in bed. No one's keeping an eye on us anyway, and we don't have to wake up early for studies tomorrow. Haha, I'm going to take it easy for a whole month!"

The little troublemaker tugged at his brother's sleeve and dashed toward the inner chamber, only to realize after searching around that the only place to sleep was the imperial dragon bed—grand, spacious, and draped in regal yellow, exuding an air of solemn authority.

Zong Wenxiu hesitated, unnerved by the sight. "Um… are we allowed to sleep here?"

He still hadn't quite adjusted to the fact that his little brother was now the emperor.

Jin Cheng scratched his head, pondering. "Probably? Didn't you just say this is my new home? I can sleep wherever I want… Don't worry, brother, let me test it first!"

With that, he marched up to the bed, mustered his courage…

and kicked the dragon bed.

…

The dragon bed remained unfazed.

The little troublemaker turned back triumphantly. "See, brother? Perfectly safe!"

Zong Wenxiu: "…"

Was that what he was worried about?

Did he look like he was afraid the bed would suddenly come to life?!