The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

"Finally, Young Master played on the swing in the courtyard."

"He would play such a boring activity as swinging?" Xu Wan doubted it might be a super-sized swing.

If the rope broke, it wouldn't kill him.

"Young Master doesn't play on the swing," Cui Liu replied.

"?"

"It's the birds and cats that are swinging. There are eight cages hanging on the rope, four with birds and four with cats. Each bird has a cat glaring at it, and when Young Master swings the swing, the birds shriek in terror for the entire afternoon."

Xu Wan: "……"

The scene was already vivid in her mind. What a living devil!

"But Madam, don't worry. These birds have been raised in Young Master's courtyard since they were little, so they are very resilient. Not a single one fainted after shrieking for the entire afternoon."

Xu Wan: "……"

No wonder they are birds raised by Zong Jincheng.

Their resilience is top-notch.

Xu Wan asked again, "So, does he have any other serious activities to do? Does he study or practice martial arts?"

At this point, Cui Liu suddenly fell silent.

Xu Wan turned to look at her.

She heard, "Young Master really likes martial arts. General Zhao says he has great talent. If properly cultivated, he will surely become an outstanding general in the future. But as soon as the Old Marchioness heard that, she changed her face and forbade Young Master from touching any martial arts."

The ancestors of Yangyuan Marquis Manor were all born from military backgrounds, and the marquis title was won on the battlefield. But eight years ago, in that battle, the second son of the manor died, and the eldest son, who was said to be missing, was more likely because his body was never found.

The truth is something everyone knows.

Fortunately, Zong Zhao brought back Zong Jincheng before going to war, otherwise, the entire Yangyuan Marquis Manor might have become extinct.

No matter how strong the Old Marchioness is, she is still a mother. Losing a son in middle age is already extremely painful. If her grandson were to die on the battlefield in the future, it would be devastating for her.

Xu Wan quickly understood this and empathized with the Old Marchioness's decision. If it were her, she would probably make the same choice.

"Besides martial arts, does he like polo or horse racing?"

She still needed to find his interests.

Cui Liu said, "Steward Liu just reported that the son of the Minister of Rites came to visit Young Master, inviting him to play polo at the horse racing field, but Young Master refused."

"Ah?" Xu Wan was stunned, "Why?"

Cui Liu initially didn't find it funny, but seeing that Xu Wan hadn't realized she was the culprit, she couldn't help but laugh, "Madam, you forgot. You just reduced Young Master's servants from six to one. Young Master is probably too embarrassed to go out and play now."

"Pfft, childish thinking. Even if others laugh at him, he's still the only legitimate grandson of the marquis manor! What's there to be embarrassed about? If I had his treatment, I'd be confident enough to go out and play every day." Xu Wan rolled her eyes to the sky, never expecting the little devil to care about his reputation.

Cui Liu said, "Children's thoughts are indeed different from adults, especially since Young Master has always had a smooth life, never experiencing hardship, and easily gets hurt by others' ridicule."

Xu Wan nodded, "I understand, he's like a flower in a greenhouse."

Cui Liu: "……"

What she wanted to express wasn't exactly that.

While they were talking, Cui Zhi walked over with a tray holding a purple luxurious gown.

"Madam, this is the outfit for tomorrow's return to your family's home. Please try it on to see if it fits."

Xu Wan remembered that as a new bride, she had to return to her family's home after three days, even without her husband accompanying her. She would be the first in the entire capital to do so, and she could imagine what she would face.

Cui Zhi, being a capable maid, naturally understood her mistress's situation, so she chose a deep purple outfit for Xu Wan's return. Unlike her usual light-colored casual clothes, deep purple symbolizes the absolute status of the marquis's wife, exuding a sense of authority just by its presence.

Xu Wan touched the fabric of the dress, smooth and soft, made of the finest mulberry silk.

"Not bad, I'll try it on."

The next day.

The marquis's wife returned to her family's home on the third day of marriage, attracting many curious onlookers who wanted to see the new bride's joke.

"I heard that this marquis's wife took over the management of the manor on the day of her wedding, showing her remarkable skills. She must have a fierce appearance."

"Of course, after all, she is the eldest daughter of the Minister of Justice. She must have inherited some of her father's true essence. Maybe she even used some underhanded means."

"I'm curious, since the young marquis had to marry a chicken on his wedding day, will the marquis's wife return alone?"

"I also heard that the Old Marchioness and the Old Marquis went to a villa. There really isn't anyone else in the manor who can accompany her. She will definitely return alone."

"After all, she's still a new bride. It's like living as a widow..."

"Looks glamorous, but actually lonely and desolate."

"Alas..."

Xu Wan put on her hairpins in the manor, dressed in a dignified and elegant manner. Her eyebrows were slightly long, her red lips slightly pursed. Wearing the deep purple matron's attire, she looked like a powerful matron when she raised her eyes, her clear eyes exuding a strong presence.

"Cui Zhi, let's go."

As Cui Zhi followed Xu Wan out, they heard a clear voice of a young boy behind them:

"Wait, I'm coming too!"

Cui Zhi turned around in surprise.

The little boy wrapped in a snow-white tiger fur cape was none other than their mischievous little devil.

At this moment, he came, wouldn't he cause trouble again?

Cui Liu, being straightforward, directly blocked him and refused without hesitation, "Young Master, this is Madam's return to her family's home. It's always been with her husband, how could she take a child?"

Moreover, he wasn't Xu Wan's biological son. If he went back, it would be showing off, and people would only find more ways to slander Madam.

Although they didn't have deep feelings for the new madam yet, after these two days of interaction, they found her to be a good person. Besides, she also had the Old Marchioness's favor, so they naturally did their best to protect Xu Wan.

Zong Jincheng was seeing Cui Liu being so impolite to him for the first time. He wanted to shout back angrily, but seeing Xu Wan's face, his eyes rolled, and he immediately changed his demeanor.

The little devil cleared his throat, shook his round head like a big white clumsy cat, and spoke in a pretentious manner, "I'm just feeling sorry for you going home alone. I generously decided to accompany you! If you admit your mistake and return the people and things to me, I might consider giving you a step down."

His voice got smaller and smaller, almost inaudible, clearly lacking confidence.

Xu Wan watched him shake his head and sway, his nose slightly red from the cold, his small face white and pretty, with an almost invisible dimple near his mouth. If he smiled, it would be very noticeable.

In that moment, she understood again why the manor indulged him so much. With such a beautiful and cute appearance, it's easy to let your views be swayed by your looks.

Xu Wan turned around and walked out.

She just wouldn't look, and she wouldn't feel soft-hearted!