The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

The Little Demon King was deeply moved, linking arms with him as they walked. The young boy's lively steps infected everyone around them, and Luo Jingfeng's lips remained curled in an unshakable smile.

"Welcome the Duke of State Protection, victorious upon his return to court!"

"Long live His Majesty! May Great Chu endure for generations!"

The synchronized cheers resounded through the palace halls.

Eunuch Huang unfurled the imperial edict and began bestowing rewards upon the assembled ministers who had contributed to the war effort.

Zong Yan, having designed the war chariots with remarkable success, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Pingyou.

Luo Ji, at just sixteen years of age, became the youngest general in Great Chu's history.

Wei Xinglu, having returned from negotiations with the Ministry of Rites, was promoted to the sixth-rank position.

...

With the exception of the Duke of State Protection, whose rewards were yet to be finalized, every meritorious official involved in the war received their due honors.

Joy permeated the entire court.

Inside the imperial palace, within the inner chambers, the Little Demon King tugged Luo Jingfeng along, sweetly declaring, "Uncle, I asked Auntie for your measurements and made you a new set of robes! Come try them on and see if they fit!"

Luo Jingfeng had been in high spirits all along the way, but this sudden warmth made him suspicious. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Cheng'er, why this sudden flattery? Did you do something wrong?"

The Little Demon King's cheerful expression instantly soured. He warned, "I was moved by what you said before you left, not possessed by some ghost. Don't ruin the uncle-nephew relationship we're trying to rebuild."

"What I said?" Luo Jingfeng raised a brow, recalling the thirty thousand troops he had left behind. Uneasy, he pressed, "You didn't foolishly tell Zong Zhao and the others, did you?"

The Little Demon King quickly retorted, "Of course not! I keep my promises—don't question my integrity!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Luo Jingfeng crossed his arms, his tone cool. "Months have passed. Have you figured out how to explain yourself yet?"

"Huh? Explain what?" The Little Demon King blinked, his large eyes fluttering innocently as he feigned ignorance.

"Tch!" Luo Jingfeng pinched his cheek and reminded him pointedly, "The war chariot blueprints—why wouldn't you let me see them?"

Months were more than enough time to prepare an excuse.

The Little Demon King grinned. "Why bother when you could just use the finished product? The blueprints were complicated—better to let Cousin Luo Ji oversee the construction. I was just lightening your workload!"

Luo Jingfeng wasn't buying it. "Whether it's complicated is my concern, but telling me was your duty. As the supreme commander of the army, not even being allowed to see the chariot designs—if word got out, what would people think of me?"

Pouting, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‍the Little Demon King wheedled, "But Cousin Luo Ji saw them! He's your son—him seeing them is the same as you seeing them. No one would dare gossip, so stop overthinking it!"

Luo Jingfeng narrowed his eyes dangerously. "Since when did you and Luo Ji get so close? He actually dared to defy my orders for you."

Chu Jincheng raised a hand as if swearing an oath. "Heaven knows, Cousin was just following imperial decree! Besides, apart from handing over the blueprints this once, the only other time we met was two years ago at the hunting grounds—when you secretly arranged for drugged prey to be sent to me."

At the mention of this, Luo Jingfeng, who had been too afraid to admit his meddling back then, felt a flicker of embarrassment.

Fortunately, Eunuch Huang entered just then, murmuring, "Your Majesty, Duke of State Protection, the new robes have arrived. Would you like to try them on?"

"Great!" Jincheng bounded over, grabbing the clothes and darting off to change.

Luo Jingfeng eyed the two identically colored robes on the tray and turned to Eunuch Huang in confusion. "Did the Imperial Wardrobe prepare these?"

Eunuch Huang smiled. "Replying to Your Grace, these were specially tailored for you both by the Imperial Wardrobe, per His Majesty's request."

Luo Jingfeng picked up the robe, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "So Cheng'er finally remembers who his real family is."

Zong Zhao? Chu Heng?

They could all take a backseat.

He was the one closest to Cheng'er!

When uncle and nephew emerged in their new attire—one tall, one small, matching in color and pattern—they looked as intimate as father and son.

The Little Demon King beamed. "Uncle, look! If we go out like this, people will definitely know we're family. They might even think I'm your son!"

Luo Jingfeng was equally pleased. "Feel like going out? I'll take you around the city."

Clasping his hands to his face in delight, the Little Demon King gasped, "Really? Can I? It's been ages since I've been outside the palace! I want to see crowds, eat street food!"

His last excursion had been during Xu Wan's childbirth, but even then, he'd been confined to the imperial carriage—nothing like the carefree wandering of the past.

Seeing his excitement, Luo Jingfeng cautioned, "You can see the crowds, but no mingling. I'll book the upper floor of Zuixiang House—you can eat while watching the bustle below. Deal?"

The Little Demon King nodded vigorously. "Deal!!"

After notifying Zong Zhao and Prime Minister Shen, Luo Jingfeng quietly led the Little Demon King out of the palace.

Inside the carriage, the curtain was lifted just a crack. The young boy pressed his dark, gleaming eyes to the gap, not even turning back as he asked, "Uncle, can we do this often? The palace is huge, but it's nothing compared to the outside world. I've been stuck there for a year and a half—it's so boring."

Luo Jingfeng replied kindly, "Best not to come out too often. If someone tracks your movements, it could be dangerous."

"Oh… alright." The Little Demon King's lips drooped in disappointment.

Noting his dejection, Luo Jingfeng added, "But you can leave the palace openly—visit my estate, go hunting. As long as enough guards are arranged in advance, it's safe."

The Little Demon King turned from the window. "Uncle, you make it sound so easy. Even Father—er, General Zong—couldn't take me out this often."

Luo Jingfeng's brow arched, and he seized the chance to stir the pot. "Zong Zhao? Well, he was busy with his pregnant wife, ailing brother, and newborn children. It's understandable he couldn't spare time for you. After all, only your uncle will always put you first."

The carriage jostled, carrying Luo Jingfeng's brazen words loud and clear.

The Little Demon King latched onto the key point, eyes shining. "I'll always be your top priority?"

Luo Jingfeng pinched his cheek, indoctrinating his nephew with conviction. "Naturally. Your uncle is the one who cares for you most in this world."

The Little Demon King was overjoyed.

A weight lifted from his heart.

If Uncle said he came first—

That meant even before the Prince of Southern Pacification.

So when the Prince submitted another memorial, Uncle would surely side with him. Jincheng could hardly contain his glee.