The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

"Who let you in?" Zong Jincheng glared at the Luo family servants as he demanded an answer.

The servants bowed and replied, "Young Master, it is well known throughout the city that you are the sworn son of our Duke. Naturally, General Zong had no reason to stop us from entering."

"Did my father give you our clothing measurements too?" Zong Jincheng clenched his fists.

The servant answered, "The Duke obtained them himself."

Zong Jincheng’s fists loosened.

Good. It wasn’t his father. His father still respected his privacy—that was a relief.

"I don’t want them. Take all these clothes back," he snapped, then turned to his friends and shouted, "Hurry up and take them off! Give them back!"

The boys hesitated but obediently began changing out of the garments.

The Luo family servant smiled faintly and said in a low voice, "Young Master, they’re just clothes, all tailored to fit each of you. If you refuse them, they’ll go to waste—no one else can wear them."

Zong Jincheng replied firmly, "Then throw them away. I don’t care where—just don’t send anything else to my house. I won’t accept it."

The servant looked both shocked and pained. "But these fabrics are rare treasures, beyond what gold or silver can buy. Even the Duke’s own sons aren’t permitted to wear them. He had them made for you and your friends out of sheer generosity—"

The young troublemaker ignored his words entirely, his voice icy. "Plenty of people treat me well. Plenty consider me special. Does Luo Jingfeng really think he can buy me with a few pieces of clothing? Impossible. Leave now—you’re keeping us from the hunting grounds."

The servant stared in disbelief before finally bowing. "As you wish. We’ll take our leave at once."

The boys handed over the discarded clothes without protest. Though parting with such fine garments was a pity, their loyalty to their friend outweighed any material desire—not a single word of persuasion was spoken.

Outside the gates of General Zong’s estate, Luo Jingfeng’s carriage stood waiting. As the servant relayed Zong Jincheng’s exact words, the Duke didn’t react with anger—instead, he chuckled softly.

"'Plenty ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‍of people treat me well. Plenty consider me special,'" Luo Jingfeng murmured to himself. "It seems the Zong Family has raised you well—you lack nothing, least of all affection. But what is your uncle to do with you, you stubborn little mule?"

At the royal hunting grounds, the five boys treated the event as pure amusement. Each carried a quiver and a small bow, waiting in the campsite for the hunt to begin.

Wei Xinglu, sitting on the ground, struck up a conversation. "Yibai, why didn’t you bring the purpleheart bow Jincheng gave you?"

Shen Yibai shrugged. "Didn’t want Luo Jingfeng to see it and smash it to splinters."

He Zheng burst into laughter at the remark.

Shen Yibai then turned to Zong Jincheng. "But honestly, Jincheng, you kept that purpleheart bow—why return these clothes? What’s the difference?"

Zong Wenxiu chimed in, "Yeah, is there a reason?"

The little troublemaker kept his head down, polishing his bow. "Of course there’s a difference. Their servants were right here—handing the clothes back was easy. But the bow was delivered and left behind. If I sent someone to return it, it’d seem like some kind of exchange. Disgusting. I refuse to have any dealings with him."

Wei Xinglu leaned in. "But your father’s on his side now. They’re practically allies."

Zong Jincheng shot him a glare. "Watch your words! What do you mean 'my father’s with him'? My father is with my mother!"

The boys erupted into laughter, teasing Wei Xinglu for his poor phrasing.

Zong Jincheng, however, fell silent, lost in thought. What is Father thinking? Why does he insist on associating with Luo Jingfeng? That treacherous snake is no good…

Just then, an unexpected figure approached.

It was Minister He.

This was the youth resting area—most adults had already given their instructions and left. He Zheng had no guardian present, so everyone assumed Minister He had come to speak to his three older sons. Yet, to their surprise, he walked straight toward He Zheng.

"Zheng’er," Minister He called.

Shen Yibai nudged Zong Jincheng excitedly. "Here it is! His father must be here to apologize. Do you think they’ll reconcile?"

Zong Jincheng frowned, watching silently.

He Zheng stood and bowed stiffly. "This commoner greets Minister He."

The minister’s hand twitched before curling into a fist. He glanced at Zong Jincheng, then turned back to his son, speaking softly. "What happened before… I was wrong. I apologize."

He Zheng’s eyes widened in shock. Was this really his father?

His father… was apologizing to him?

Had the sun risen in the west?

The other boys exchanged bewildered looks.

Minister He continued, "I’m sorry, Zheng’er. I disregarded your feelings. But I was afraid—afraid something would happen to you. I had no choice."

He Zheng remained silent, head lowered. After a long pause, his voice trembled. "Is it because the Zong Family and the Luo Family have reconciled that you now admit your mistake?"

Minister He nodded. "I know you resent me, but at the time, it was the best decision I could make. You’re still young—you don’t understand the weight of responsibility over an entire household. I couldn’t act as freely as you."

Tears welled in He Zheng’s eyes, but he refused to let them fall. "Then this is our fate, Father. Different paths, no common ground. Today, we clash over this. Tomorrow, it’ll be something else."

Minister He sighed. "I don’t expect your forgiveness. But I owed you this apology. Your room at home remains untouched. Visit when you can—your mother misses you."

He Zheng turned away, unwilling to cry in front of him.

Wei Xinglu and Zong Wenxiu moved to comfort him.

Minister He left without another word.

Zong Jincheng had to admit—this was the least irritating he’d ever seen Minister He.

But why now?

If not for the incident with the clothes earlier, Zong Jincheng wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But the timing was too coincidental. The Zong and Luo families had been interacting for a while—why did Minister He choose today to apologize?

The little troublemaker set down his bow and quickly pursued Minister He.

Sure enough, at the entrance of the resting area, Minister He was speaking to Luo Jingfeng—reporting the outcome.

So it was Luo Jingfeng’s doing.

Of course. A proud man like Minister He would never humble himself before his own son unless forced. It was all an act, orchestrated by Luo Jingfeng.

Furious, Zong Jincheng charged forward, ready to expose them—but Luo Jingfeng spotted him immediately. With a wave, he dismissed Minister He.

"Don’t you dare leave! Admit it—was that apology just an act for He Zheng?" Zong Jincheng struggled against Luo Jingfeng’s grip as the man held him back. "Let me go! This is all a scheme, you villain!"

In a fit of rage, he sank his teeth into Luo Jingfeng’s shoulder—but the man’s years of martial training had toughened him. His skin was like iron, impossible to bite through.