The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

After Buyan left, Luo Jingfeng frowned deeply.

Jin Cheng told him, "This ledger was found in Prime Minister Fan's residence two years ago when we were overturning Chancellor Yan's case. It records the embezzlement of over a hundred officials. Father presented it to the Former Emperor, but the Former Emperor, fearing political instability, ordered him to burn it. In the end, Father kept it. He said at the time that the Emperor would deal with it later, and now I understand—the 'Emperor' he meant was me."

Luo Jingfeng had no knowledge of this matter.

But he also knew that Zong Zhao would never have burned the ledger as the Former Emperor had commanded. Neither of them could tolerate such filth.

Jin Cheng smiled and asked, "Uncle, you must think I'm going to target everyone on that list next, don't you?"

Luo Jingfeng shot him a sidelong glance. "Obviously. Or should we keep them around for the New Year?"

Seeing his uncle respond, Jin Cheng grinned even wider. "Actually, we could let them stay for a few more years. The Former Emperor's concerns weren't unfounded—replacing too many officials at once would cause chaos. I do plan to deal with them, but I'll wait for the right moment. For now, we'll start with a major corrupt official to replenish the treasury."

Luo Jingfeng fell silent again.

Having ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‍spent most of his life on the battlefield, he wasn't well-versed in court politics, preferring straightforward force. But his nephew's reasoning was clear enough for even a commoner to understand.

Stubbornly, he refused to admit the boy was right.

The uncle remained silent.

Jin Cheng didn't push for immediate reconciliation. He never dwelled on internal conflicts—as long as his uncle wasn't raging uncontrollably, he wouldn't press him too hard.

That night, the flames of justice burned fiercely.

Even the Young Emperor, who had just fallen asleep, was jolted awake.

A report came from outside the palace: the fire brigade had discovered a massive hoard of wealth in Bao Guyu's home. Rubbing his eyes, the Young Emperor mumbled, "I'm so tired. Let the Three Judicial Offices investigate and report to me at tomorrow's morning court."

Eunuch Huang bowed. "As you command."

Luo Jingfeng stayed awake all night, watching his nephew's act with narrowed eyes.

So, he hadn't conspired with everyone after all.

Neither the plan to capture him nor the arson at Bao's residence had been shared beyond Buyan.

He had kept Eunuch Huang around but hadn't fully trusted him either.

This kid truly had a way with people.

The next morning, at court.

Censor Wei's booming voice kicked off the day: "Your Majesty! I told you Bao Guyu was corrupt, but you didn't believe me. Look—last night, the fire brigade caught him red-handed with a staggering 185,634 taels and 5 wen in embezzled silver!"

The Young Emperor: "..."

Must you be so precise down to the wen? Couldn't the man have had some leftover salary?

The officials buzzed with discussion. Some glared at Censor Wei, even suspecting he had set the fire himself.

But the evidence was undeniable—Bao Guyu had no defense.

The Young Emperor nodded and pronounced the sentence: "Bao Guyu, guilty of grand corruption, is hereby stripped of his position and sentenced to execution in autumn. His ill-gotten wealth shall be confiscated by the Ministry of Revenue. His family shall be exiled three thousand li, overseen by the Ministries of Justice and War."

"As you command."

After the other officials had finished their reports, General Pang suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, may I ask why the Duke of State Protection is absent today? Rumor has it he hasn't left the palace since yesterday."

The moment the words left his mouth, whispers spread among the courtiers.

General Pang's question implied suspicion that the Young Emperor had detained the Duke.

But how could that be?

Not only were they close uncle and nephew, but the Duke was a war hero with unmatched martial prowess—no twelve-year-old could overpower him.

Still, the loyal general needed reassurance.

Chu Jincheng smiled sweetly. "Uncle has been at war for over a year. Must he attend court the moment he returns? I've kept him in the palace to play kickball and practice archery with me—otherwise, he'll keep calling me a useless martial artist who can't even hunt a pheasant."

A lighthearted joke, dripping with childish petulance.

It sounded exactly like a boy pestering his uncle to play.

The officials chuckled and moved on. General Pang, somewhat relieved, didn't press further.

After court, Jin Cheng returned to find Luo Jingfeng snarling at Eunuch Huang again: "I said I won't eat. Take it away."

The Duke of State Protection, caged like a beast, felt his pride deeply wounded. Even after witnessing his nephew's political cunning, he couldn't forgive the deception.

Jin Cheng waved at Eunuch Huang. "If he won't eat, then take it out."

Eunuch Huang fretted, "But Your Majesty, you haven't eaten either. At your age, you need nourishment. This recklessness won't do."

Jin Cheng dismissed him with a gesture.

Left with no choice, Eunuch Huang retreated in silence.

Luo Jingfeng sneered. "Don't think starving yourself will move me. I don't care if I die, and I certainly don't care if you live or not!"

Jin Cheng stepped closer, grinning. "Uncle, you still love me. Otherwise, you wouldn't say you 'don't want to live.' I matter to you."

Luo Jingfeng roared, "That was before yesterday! Not anymore! I don't care at all! I never want to see you again!"

Undeterred, Jin Cheng murmured, "Uncle loves Cheng'er, just as Cheng'er loves Uncle. We'll both be fine."

The words struck like a blade.

Had he heard them before yesterday, Luo Jingfeng would have been overjoyed, believing his nephew cherished him above all.

Now, trapped in a cage, they felt like mockery.

Lies. All of it.

His barely-contained fury erupted anew. He kicked the iron bars with a deafening crash. "I said STOP TALKING!"

The impact startled even Jin Cheng.

He'd hoped sweet words might soften his uncle, but the reaction was fiercer than ever.

Jin Cheng pressed his lips together. "...I'm sorry."

"GET OUT!"

After the outburst, the contrast between them was stark.

Luo Jingfeng, a hardened soldier, could endure days without food.

But Jin Cheng, raised in luxury, had never missed a meal. A single day without eating left him pale and weak, his voice thin with exhaustion.

The little tyrant didn't argue further. He sat at his desk to review memorials, but before he could write much, a sharp pain twisted his stomach.

Thud. The inkbrush slipped from his fingers, smearing the document.

Doubled over, Jin Cheng clutched his abdomen, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Hearing his stifled groan, Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "Acting again? With skills like these, why be Emperor? Think I'll pity you? Listen, Chu Jincheng, I'll never—"

"Agh—!" The boy collapsed, too weak to brace himself, tumbling from the bed with a sickly pallor.

Luo Jingfeng lunged to the bars. "Cheng— Stop faking! You— I—!"

The Duke of State Protection wanted to continue his harsh words, but seeing the genuine pain on his nephew's face, panic began to rise in his heart. He immediately raised his voice and shouted toward the outside, "Someone! Quickly, someone! Buyan! Summon the imperial physician—now! Jin Cheng, Jin Cheng..."

Luo Jingfeng reached out, desperate to check on him, but the cage kept him too far away to touch the child. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead from sheer helplessness.