The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

After changing into his soccer attire, the young emperor dismissed all the palace attendants and guards, leaving only Buyan and Eunuch Huang behind.

He addressed the thirty-two players below him: "I know you may hold back out of reverence for imperial authority, but let me make this clear—on this soccer field, there are no distinctions of status. Play with all your might. No holding back, or you'll be replaced."

"Yes!" The excited voices of the young men ignited the palace atmosphere.

Jin Cheng clapped his hands and began selecting his team.

As the soccer match commenced, the boys widened their eyes in awe after witnessing the emperor's skills, exclaiming in admiration.

One of them shouted, "He's so good he doesn't even need us to go easy! Let's not lose too badly!"

This remark only fueled their excitement further.

The field buzzed with energy as dazzling moves unfolded, leaving Eunuch Huang—who had spent his entire life confined to the palace—utterly amazed. "Oh my… Heavens! Goal! Careful—wow!"

Buyan, having seen it all with Young Master Cheng, merely raised an eyebrow at Eunuch Huang's childlike enthusiasm, feeling rather dignified as a fifth-rank imperial guard commander.

When Luo Jingfeng arrived, Jin Cheng was mid-spin, kicking the ball straight through the goal with perfect precision.

"Excellent!" The Duke of Protectors applauded.

Jin Cheng shot him a glance before diving back into the game. On the field, the young emperor dashed and leaped with agile grace, sweat glistening under the sun.

Only here, stripped of his imperial yellow robes, did he feel a glimpse of his former self again.

No one on the soccer field could rival him.

"Your Majesty is incredible!"

"Your Majesty is unstoppable!"

His teammates cheered loudly, while the opposing team fought just as hard, eager to prove their worth and refusing to accept defeat.

By the match's end, all the boys were drenched in sweat.

Luo Jingfeng approached with a towel to wipe Jin Cheng's brow. "Cheng'er, I never knew you were this good at soccer. You never played before—I assumed you were as terrible as you are at archery."

Jin Cheng snatched the towel and wiped his own face, deliberately keeping his distance.

Luo Jingfeng followed, coaxing. "Still angry? You're holding a grudge longer than usual this time."

Jin Cheng glared. "I don't want to see you. Stop showing up uninvited."

Luo ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍Jingfeng chuckled. "Not happening. Your uncle wants to see you. Speaking of which, the royal hunt is in two days. Wear this outfit—it suits you. I'll personally coach your archery."

Jin Cheng nearly refused but held back. "No drugging the prey this time."

The public reminder of his past trickery made Luo Jingfeng flush with embarrassment. He signaled Eunuch Huang, and soon everyone withdrew.

The vast soccer field grew silent, chilled by a cold breeze.

Luo Jingfeng draped a cloak over Jin Cheng's shoulders. "Let bygones be bygones. No need to keep bringing it up. I only did it to make you happy."

"I wasn't happy," Jin Cheng said flatly.

Luo Jingfeng raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll change, alright? During the hunt, I won't interfere—just focus on teaching you archery. Deal?"

"...Fine."

At the royal hunting grounds, the young emperor was accompanied by noble sons his age, though their presence was meaningless—Luo Jingfeng led Jin Cheng down a secluded path.

With no interference, the prey roamed freely. Jin Cheng nocked an arrow on his golden bow, aiming carefully at a pheasant.

The arrow flew—and only clipped a few feathers.

Another miss.

Luo Jingfeng stepped closer. "Why haven't you used the yew bow I gave you? It's far better."

Jin Cheng had intended to.

He'd even swallowed his pride to retrieve it from Shen Yibai.

But now, he couldn't care less.

"It's too small now. Doesn't fit," he lied.

Luo Jingfeng nodded. "Ah, my oversight. We'll make do today. After this, I'll commission a new yew bow for you."

Jin Cheng adjusted his quiver and crept toward a distant rabbit.

Luo Jingfeng followed silently, whispering advice. "Don't aim where they are now. For quick prey like this, target the head. When they bolt at the sound, the arrow will hit the body."

Jin Cheng obeyed—and struck true.

He glanced sideways at Luo Jingfeng's proud smile. "Well done, Cheng'er. You learn faster than I ever did."

Once, such praise would've thrilled him. It meant his uncle recognized his skill.

Now, Jin Cheng knew better.

Recognition meant nothing. Like Minister He viewing He Zheng—a father only ever saw his son as inferior, never respecting his abilities, always enforcing his own rules.

Jin Cheng strode ahead, searching for new prey.

Luo Jingfeng trailed behind, unbothered.

A flurry of wings—a flock of pigeons burst from the underbrush.

Jin Cheng raised his bow, but Luo Jingfeng grabbed it, stopping him.

Annoyed, Jin Cheng opened his mouth to protest.

Luo Jingfeng's expression darkened. "Too many pigeons. Something's wrong in those thorns—stay back."

He shielded Jin Cheng and whistled sharply into the shadows—a signal for his guards.

He'd dismissed them all for privacy. Now, summoning help would take time.

The next instant, figures lunged from the thicket, blades flashing—assassins had infiltrated the hunt!

Luo Jingfeng snatched arrows from Jin Cheng's quiver, wielding them as weapons. But the killers pressed ruthlessly, their blades seeking the emperor.

Jin Cheng dodged desperately, yet they pursued without mercy.

"Cheng'er, move!" Luo Jingfeng kicked an assassin mid-swing, sending him flying.

Rage burned in the duke's voice. "Who dares attack the emperor? Do you want your entire clan exterminated?"

The assassins exchanged glances—and attacked again.

One-handed, Luo Jingfeng fought while gripping Jin Cheng, his usual prowess crippled by the need to protect.

Blood streamed from two gashes on his arm.

Had he let go, these men would've been no match for him.

But Luo Jingfeng, eyes wild with fury, only tightened his grip—as though clutching his very life, refusing to let anyone near.