The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Both of them felt somewhat embarrassed.

Though their child was already grown, they still acted like teenagers, too shy to speak their minds, often falling into awkward silences after exchanging just a few words.

Yan Suxue timidly asked him, "Are you feeling better now? Wenxiu mentioned you've been working on new hidden weapons lately. You really enjoy tinkering with these things."

"I'm fully recovered—can run and jump without trouble," Zong Yan stretched out his arms to show her. "And crafting hidden weapons doesn't require much physical effort. I can fiddle with them in my room."

Yan Suxue said, "You've liked these since childhood, haven't you? I once visited your room and saw similar things there."

"Yes, I've loved them since I was little," Zong Yan replied, then asked, "After you entered the household, why didn't you stay in my room? When I first returned, I noticed everything inside remained unchanged."

"I… I didn't dare."

"Didn't dare?" Zong Yan was puzzled. "Was someone giving you trouble?"

Yan Suxue quickly shook her head. "No, no! Mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been very kind to me, and the servants treat us with respect. But Mother-in-law often visits your room. I didn't want to disrupt her memories and make her even sadder."

Zong Yan understood—she had been worried about this.

He said, "Now that I'm back safe and sound… why don't you move back in?"

"Ah? Move into your old room? But where would you stay?" Yan Suxue realized her words might be misinterpreted and hastily corrected herself, "Oh, no—you've already moved out. Mother-in-law even had a new courtyard built for you."

Zong Yan frowned and muttered under his breath, "I could always move back."

"What?" Yan Suxue didn't catch it.

Zong Yan waved it off. "Never mind. Let's discuss it after you've recovered. It's not a good time to move now."

Yan Suxue smiled. "True. If we keep moving back and forth, the servants will start complaining."

Zong Yan insisted, "I can help with the move. I'm very strong."

"How strong?"

"I can lift over two hundred pounds without trouble."

Yan Suxue was stunned. "Does that mean you could lift both me and Wenxiu at the same time?"

Zong Yan: "……"

He said, deadpan, "Maybe we can test that another day?"

Yan Suxue burst into laughter. She found Zong Yan unexpectedly amusing—nothing like the reserved, taciturn man Wenxiu had described. Not only did he initiate conversations, but he could also deliver jokes with a straight face.

From that day on, Zong Yan visited Yan Suxue daily, sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. Laughter often spilled from her room, leaving everyone outside utterly bewildered.

Even Zong Zhao found it hard to believe. He remarked to his wife, "It feels like Zong Yan is slowly coming back to life."

Xu Wan grinned. "The power of love, perhaps?"

"Because of Yan Suxue?" Zong Zhao sounded a little jealous. "I took care of him for so long, and he barely smiled at me."

Xu Wan mused, "Maybe it's because Suxue is shy and unfamiliar with him. If Zong Yan wants to get closer, he has to take the lead—otherwise, they'd just sit in silence."

Zong Zhao pictured the scene… and had to agree.

Xu Wan sighed. "Who knew Zong Yan liked Suxue so much? If I were her, I'd worry he only saw her as an obligation. But that doesn't seem to be the case."

Zong Zhao smiled faintly. "Of course it's not just duty. Zong Yan told me many times about that dream of his. He's always wanted to meet Yan Suxue—he just never imagined it'd take over a decade."

Xu Wan consoled him, "Well, at least he came back to a ready-made son. Wenxiu is such a sensible boy."

Zong Zhao countered, "Our son is just as well-behaved."

Xu Wan snorted. "He never cries or fusses—sometimes I wonder if his vocal cords are underdeveloped. Do you think he might grow up mute?"

Zong Zhao fell silent for a long moment before suddenly admitting, "I didn't speak until I was over two years old—a full year later than Zong Yan. Mother once thought I was mute too."

Xu Wan: "???"

Her eyes widened in alarm. "So our son might take after you? Still not talking past two?"

Zong Zhao scrambled to reassure her. "Little Kui can talk for him. Listen to how loudly she cries."

Xu Wan: "…………"

The new mother's worries had begun prematurely.

She even started talking to her son more each day, hoping to stimulate his language development.

As the children grew older, she often took them to the palace, letting them soak in the chatter of the talkative young Jin Cheng.

Meanwhile, the war at the border progressed smoothly.

With the unstoppable war chariots deployed, the soldiers of Great Chu fought with renewed vigor. Luo Jingfeng led the charge, capturing two cities from You Country in one sweep and forcing Crown Prince Jin'an to sue for peace.

Luo Jingfeng wasn't having it.

Only equals deserved peace talks. Those who fled in defeat only merited surrender.

He gave You Country two choices: Submit and swear allegiance, or wait for Great Chu's army to march on their capital.

Having been a dominant power for centuries, You Country refused such humiliation and rallied for a desperate counterattack.

Back at court, the Young Emperor faced daily petitions from civil officials: "We must stop the war! Continuing will drain our resources. Even if we conquer You Country, our losses would be catastrophic, leaving the people in misery."

Some even seized Luo Jingfeng's absence to criticize him: "The Duke of State Protection is a brilliant strategist, but his arrogance has gone too far. Had he not provoked You Country, their soldiers wouldn't have regained such fierce morale!"

General Pang wasn't about to let that slide. "Without the Duke leading the charge, would we have taken two more cities? You old fool—daring to slander him? Are you a You Country spy?"

"You—how dare you! My family has served loyally for generations, advising each ruler with utmost dedication!"

General Pang spat. "Filthy traitor."

"​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‍……"

The Young Emperor rubbed his temples, feeling like he was presiding over a marketplace haggle rather than a royal court.

He turned to the key figures. "Grand General Zong, Prime Minister Shen—what are your thoughts?"

Prime Minister Shen bowed. "Your Majesty, this humble official has yet to settle on the best approach regarding You Country. However, considering our depleted resources, annihilating them now would be a pyrrhic victory. If another kingdom attacks afterward, we'd be defenseless. Thus, I propose we halt here and reassess in a few years."

The civil officials exchanged approving glances, while the remaining military officers scowled—outnumbered and out-argued, they could only hope Zong Zhao would speak for them.

But Zong Zhao dashed their hopes with his first sentence: "Your Majesty, I fully concur with Prime Minister Shen."

The generals: "???"

Biggest turncoat ever!!

Whose side are you on?!

The Young Emperor smiled. "Then how shall we negotiate peace?"

Zong Zhao replied, "Since our resources are strained, let You Country replenish them. Dispatch envoys from the Ministry of Rites: Either they compensate us with gold, grain, and warhorses—or we resume fighting."