The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Xu Wan watched the little fellow's running silhouette, looking just like a monkey, and couldn't help but chuckle, "Oh, was he always this funny before?"

Cui Zhi shook her head in horror: "The young master was never funny."

No joke - who would dare make fun of a child pampered by the entire Marquis Manor!

Only the madam was bold enough to throw off her bridal veil and get ready for a fight...

Xu Wan said softly, "Then he'll have many more funny days ahead."

Cui Zhi: "..."

Somehow, she wished the old madam would come back to see this.

At lunchtime.

As soon as Xu Wan entered the dining hall, she saw the little tyrant's eyes blazing like fire. Having already exhausted his harsh words from the morning, he could only glare at her frantically.

Attempting to... kill her with his gaze.

Xu Wan: "..."

What a childish technique.

But she had seen even fiercer cold stares when she was young; this child's trick wasn't anything special.

She sat down calmly and teased lightly, "You don't actually think you can kill someone with a look, do you?"

"..." The little tyrant's face instantly reddened when exposed.

But he quickly became righteous again.

"I'll still make life difficult for you!"

Zong Jincheng took up a stance of absolute opposition to her, appearing as if his pride could never be broken, which drew a light snort from Xu Wan.

How childish, so childish...

The maids nearby bustled about serving the dishes, placing them one by one on the table, each perfect in appearance, aroma, and taste.

Xu Wan picked up her chopsticks and tried a piece of lotus leaf-smoked duck.

Hmm...

The food at the Marquis Manor was indeed delicious.

Zong Jincheng felt hungry looking at all the dishes on the table.

He couldn't even bother complaining about Xu Wan's lack of manners for eating before he sat down... now she was the highest authority in the Marquis Manor, and everyone listened to her, so complaining would be pointless.

Hmph, grandmother will definitely regret this decision!

After the little fellow figured this out, he angrily sat down to eat, grabbing a bowl of rice with one hand while competing with Xu Wan's chopsticks for food with the other.

Whatever meat she picked up, he would go for the same piece;

Whatever vegetable she ate, he would snatch;

If she wanted soup, he would have someone serve him first.

He was determined to outdo her in everything, only then could he ease the hatred in his heart.

Cui Zhi and Cui Liu watched in amazement!

Was this really their young master who was so picky about food?!

Although the table was full of sumptuous dishes, there were hardly any that he actually liked!

Now, just to spite the madam, he had already eaten two large bowls of rice!

Good heavens!

Old madam!

Please come back and see this!

The young master has changed!!

Xu Wan pretended not to notice the little tyrant's food-snatching; she didn't eat much anyway, so eating less wouldn't matter.

But seeing the boy's cheeks puffed up with food, the anger in his eyes diluted, those eyes became even more beautiful, like stars in the deep sky.

She stirred slightly and asked, "Are you full?"

Zong Jincheng looked at the mess on the table, then at her bowl with barely half the rice eaten, and felt satisfied.

Just wait until you're starved for a month, then see if you still have the strength to fight with young master!

Zong Jingcheng ignored her and left after eating.

Leaving behind only a deliberately cold demeanor.

Xu Wan: "..."

You're such a childish spirit reborn!

After he walked away, she heard Cui Zhi and Cui Liu laughing. Xu Wan turned to look at them.

Cui Liu immediately pretended nothing had happened.

Only Cui Zhi said with a smile, "At this rate of madam's provocation, the young master will gain three jin in a month."

Cui Liu added, "But it's a good thing, the old madam always said he was too thin."

"Let's quickly write to inform the old madam, she'll surely be happy for days when she knows."

"Then we can have madam continue her efforts to fatten up the young master some more."

"Yes, yes, yes."

The two chatted enthusiastically, each adding their own comments.

Xu Wan suddenly interjected: "Then tell me, if I fatten him up by thirty jin, will the old madam give me extra rewards?"

The old madam's hopes for her grandson's success shouldn't just focus on academic achievements, physical health is also very important!

Cui Zhi and Cui Liu: "..."

Thirty jin might be too much, the image was too beautiful to imagine.

But Xu Wan thought this was a good idea: "I think it's feasible. Cui Zhi, mention it when you write to the old madam, I bet she'll agree."

The old madam's generous manner from yesterday was still fresh in her mind, and the money-loving Xu Wan had complete confidence in her.

Cui Zhi responded with a mixture of amusement and helplessness: "Yes, this servant will do so right away."

The new madam was quite strange.

She seemed to love money and worked hard to earn lots of it, taking on the difficult young master and trying every way to match wits with him.

Yet she showed no interest in the authority to manage the Marquis Manor, completely entrusting it to the steward. The Marquis Manor was vast and wealthy - if she really became the managing mistress, wouldn't she have endless money to spend?

Really incomprehensible...

While Cui Zhi went to write the letter, Cui Liu accompanied Xu Wan to the study to see what subjects Zong Jincheng should be learning at his age.

As soon as they entered, the fragrance of books wafted over them.

Xu Wan walked in and saw various books arranged on the shelves, organized by difficulty level.

She casually asked, "How far has Zong Jincheng progressed?"

Cui Liu replied, "The young master dislikes reading, he hasn't even memorized the Three Character Classic yet."

Xu Wan: "..."

She had guessed he might be illiterate, but didn't expect him to be so thoroughly illiterate.

She picked up a book at random, opening the pristine pages and said, "Ordinary children begin their education at seven, while officials' children start even earlier, at three or four. Zong Jincheng has truly been spoiled completely."

Cui Liu agreed.

But regarding the masters' affairs, she dared not comment inappropriately.

"By the way, what's the name of the child the second branch brought back? How is his studies progressing?"

Cui Liu said, "That young master is called Zong Wenxiu. He lived in the slums since childhood and only had the chance to begin his education after being brought back to the manor before the new year. However, Master Wenxiu is exceptionally intelligent and studies very diligently. In just half a year, he has caught up with the progress of other noble children."

Xu Wan sighed inwardly.

This was truly a stark contrast!

If only the little tyrant were this reassuring, she would have to burn three incense sticks for him every morning in gratitude!

Throughout the afternoon, Xu Wan familiarized herself with the ancient children's curriculum in the study. The differences from modern education were neither too great nor too small.

Still, she had to find a way to get Zong Jincheng into the study to read.

Meanwhile, Cui Zhi kept receiving updates outside and reporting Zong Jincheng's activities to her:

"After returning to his room, the young master sat on the doorstep lost in thought. During this time, he punched the door eight times, kicked the doorstep twelve times, and kicked the pebbles at the door thirty-three times."

"Where did he get so many pebbles by his door?"

Although Xu Wan had taken the valuable items from his courtyard, she hadn't added anything else.

"It was one stone from a flower bed."

"One stone? Kicked thirty-three times?"

"The young master had servants pick it up thirty-three times."

Xu Wan: "..."

He truly was an ancestor who knew how to exhaust people.