The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Xu Wan had devoted herself wholeheartedly to teaching the child for three years, immersing herself completely in the task. Now that the results had finally come to light and it was time to receive rewards and praise, she suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

She paused and replied modestly, "It's also thanks to the support of my father-in-law and mother-in-law that my teaching work went so smoothly. Everyone's help has been invaluable."

The Old Marchioness smiled and pushed the chest forward again, urging, "Take it. This is what you deserve."

Xu Wan reached out to accept the hundred thousand taels, her heart surging with emotion.

A hundred thousand taels… a hundred thousand taels!

A reward of one hundred million!

She had actually gotten it!

Xu Wan, the diligent worker, was so excited she could practically jump on the spot.

With this hundred thousand taels, she would never have to worry about food or clothing for the rest of her life. The feeling of sudden wealth was truly wonderful!

Holding the small chest, she couldn't help but feel its weight—both literal and symbolic—and adored it beyond words.

But when she looked back at the cheerful expressions of the elderly couple, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Eventually, she couldn't hold back and asked, "Mother-in-law, when did you find out about Jin Cheng's true identity?"

She had assumed the old couple would be in low spirits today, having just learned that the grandson they had raised for eleven years shared no blood relation with them…

Yet strangely, they didn't seem surprised at all.

Just like when Zong Zhao had first returned, they hadn't shown any shock.

After some thought, Xu Wan concluded that they must have known the truth long ago—she just wasn't sure when.

The Old Marchioness glanced at Zong Zhao, still somewhat resentful as she replied, "It was a year ago, after Zhao'er returned to the manor. At the time, we were furious—how could he hide such a huge matter from us for so many years? But later, we realized it was actually a blessing we hadn't known sooner. Otherwise, those eight years without a grandson would have been unbearable."

Xu Wan thought about it and realized it made sense.

During those eight years, the Marquis Manor had lost both sons—one dead, the other missing. The old couple hadn't known about Wenxiu's existence and had relied entirely on Jin Cheng as their only grandson. If they had learned early on that he wasn't their biological descendant, they might not have survived the grief.

Xu Wan exhaled and casually added, "I see. I thought you might have known three years ago, when my husband wrote you that letter."

The Old Marchioness scoffed. "Don't even get me started on that! If he doesn't like talking, fine, but was it really so hard to write a few more words? Two whole sheets of paper, and all he mentioned was finding Suxue and marrying you to teach Jin Cheng—nothing else!"

"Ah… that really is too brief…" Xu Wan agreed, but then suddenly caught something. "Wait—marry me to teach Jin Cheng?"

"Huh? Oh?" The Old Marchioness noticed Zong Zhao's expression darken and belatedly realized her slip-up. She stammered, "You… you haven't told Wan'er yet?"

Zong Zhao, suddenly exposed: "…"

The Old Marchioness, now scrambling for an excuse: "Ah, well, age must be catching up to my memory. Wan'er, it's getting late—your father-in-law and I should retire for the night. You two rest early as well, see you tomorrow!"

The Old Marquis was already so embarrassed he wanted to bury his face in his hands.

As the Old Marchioness hurried away, she hissed under her breath, "Couldn't you have stopped me?"

The Old Marquis reflexively retorted, "You were talking like a hailstorm—how was I supposed to keep up?"

"You dare talk back?"

"Ow—ow! Not so hard—"

Their bickering faded into the distance.

Meanwhile, Xu Wan fell into deep thought.

The Old Marchioness's words had left her increasingly unsettled.

Three ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‍years ago, she had married into the Marquis Manor because, out of the three potential brides her stepmother had presented, she had chosen the Zong family.

But the Zong family hadn't sent her a betrothal letter because she was the only one willing to marry in—it was because they had only sent one to her. Sourced directly from MV6LEMP6YR.

She had been the one Zong Zhao specifically wanted to marry.

"You… you originally intended to marry me? But we'd never met before, had we?" Xu Wan never hesitated to ask what was on her mind.

Three years ago, she had been eighteen.

It was her fourth year in this world, and she was certain she had never once crossed paths with Zong Zhao before then.

So why had he wanted to marry her?

When had they met?

Zong Zhao tensed, his posture stiffening and his Adam's apple bobbing nervously. He averted his gaze and replied, "We… hadn't met before."

With that, he turned and strode away.

Xu Wan followed him back to their room, half-jogging to keep up as she pressed, "Then why did you write to your mother to arrange our marriage? And why did you want me to teach Jin Cheng? How did you even know I could teach?"

Zong Zhao didn't answer. He didn't even slow his steps.

Xu Wan's curiosity only grew. She chased after him, demanding, "Zong Zhao, why are you walking so fast? Are you hiding things from me? Didn't you say you'd tell me anything I wanted to know?"

Zong Zhao continued his brisk pace ahead.

His heartbeat quickened, but he still couldn't decide whether to tell her.

Xu Wan, still panting from her little jog, finally caught up inside their room. "And earlier today in the palace, you told Jin Cheng that Eunuch Huang had revealed the truth to you. But you hadn't even met Eunuch Huang before your return—how could he have told you anything?"

With Xu Wan's questions piling up, it was clear he wouldn't get away without an explanation today.

Zong Zhao turned and kissed her.

Xu Wan's eyes widened in shock—!!!

What was he doing?!

Was this his way of shutting her up?!

She struggled to pull back, but his arms held her tight.

Zong Zhao lifted her and carried her to the bed, his lips never leaving hers. Amid the tangle of limbs and growing heat, he reached out to draw the bed curtains shut. Their clothes were soon discarded in haste.

"Zong Zhao, you're being shameless… mmm… you're just avoiding the question…"

"You've changed—you've learned Jin Cheng's trick of deflection, and now you're using this method… ah! I was wrong, I was wrong!"

"Zong Zhao…"

The whispers of passion faded, and the bed curtains fell still.

By the end, Xu Wan was too exhausted to even think of questioning him further. She didn't have the strength to lift a finger and simply sank into a deep sleep.

On the large bed, his wife lay peacefully asleep.

Zong Zhao first carried her to wash, then dressed her in nightclothes and tucked her carefully under the covers. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her forehead and pressed a soft kiss to her smooth skin.

Every movement was filled with tenderness, yet his brows remained tightly furrowed.

She had already noticed so many inconsistencies. But he still hadn't decided whether to tell her the truth.

It wasn't that he wanted to keep it from her, nor did he fear she wouldn't believe him.

It was just that the truth wouldn't bring her happiness—quite the opposite…

Zong Zhao remained silent, wide awake.

His mind drifted back to years ago, when he had first laid eyes on her.