The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 298

"Wan'er." The Old Marchioness waved at her, her face radiant with joy as she hurried over cheerfully. "I heard someone crashed into your carriage, and Zhao'er came to your rescue. Are you alright? Those ruffians didn't frighten you, did they?"

Xu Wan shook her head. "No, Mother-in-law, don’t worry. My husband arrived just in time, and those men have already been apprehended."

As she spoke, she studied the Old Marchioness carefully. The reaction seemed a bit off. Shouldn’t she be overjoyed upon learning that Zong Zhao was still alive, just like the Little Demon King?

"Ah, good, good. As long as you weren’t frightened. Come, let’s go to the courtyard and talk." The Old Marchioness’s smile grew even brighter as she took Xu Wan’s hand and led her away.

Meanwhile, the Little Demon King happily headed to his advanced class to brag to his friends about how incredible his father was. Of course, the part about the Huaishui incident had to be omitted, but that didn’t diminish his father’s greatness in the slightest!

For the entire day, Xu Wan listened as the Old Marchioness affectionately recounted countless stories from Zong Zhao’s childhood.

There was the time he stubbornly refused martial arts training to focus on his studies, defying the Old Marquis. Another tale described how he had a grand study built and filled it with books of every kind. There was even an incident where he made someone cry during training, prompting their elders to come knocking on the Marquis Manor’s door.

The Old Marchioness spoke with such wit and humor that Xu Wan often found herself laughing. Through these stories, Zong Zhao’s image in her mind gradually shifted from silent and steady to someone with emotions and warmth.

However, Xu Wan was no fool. She knew the Old Marchioness was trying to strengthen her bond with Zong Zhao now that he had returned. But Xu Wan had initially married into the Marquis Manor precisely because she thought she wouldn’t have a husband—a simpler, hassle-free life. Now that the missing Zong Zhao had suddenly reappeared, her mind was in turmoil. She mostly humored the Old Marchioness with polite laughter and conversation, not yet having the time to properly consider what to do next.

Xu Wan stayed for dinner before finally taking her leave.

The moment she was out of sight, the Old Marchioness’s cheerful expression collapsed. "My lord," she said dejectedly, "Wan’er truly doesn’t seem to recognize Zhao’er. When did Zhao’er even fall for her?"

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‍Old Marquis sucked in a breath. "Children have their own fortunes. Why worry so much? Since Zhao’er already had us help him marry her, how they get along is his business. You’re not planning to meddle in their marital affairs, are you?"

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

The Old Marchioness bristled. "What? I never said I’d interfere! I’m just worried Wan’er might not like Zhao’er."

The Old Marquis sighed. "They’ve only met briefly on the road. It’s too soon. Let them spend more time together. Young people’s matters are best left to them."

Flushing at his retort, the Old Marchioness pinched his arm, making him yelp. "Ah! I was wrong, I was wrong! Meddle all you want, do as you please…"

Despite his words, the Old Marchioness knew her limits. She had done what she could—now, the couple needed time alone.

Finally, she sighed. "Zhao’er is so reserved, like a sealed gourd. Even if he likes her… would he ever take the initiative?"

When Xu Wan returned to her room, she found the bed curtains and furnishings all replaced with vibrant red, and the windows newly adorned with double happiness characters—just like when she had first married into the Marquis Manor.

The feeling of a wedding night washed over her.

Xu Wan mused to herself, Is this what they mean by ‘toiling for years only to return to square one’?

Marriage—wedding an unfamiliar man, spending a lifetime with him, bearing his children… These were concepts she had never expected to encounter. In her future plans, she had only envisioned raising Jin Cheng, arranging his marriage, and living out her days in the Marquis Manor among elders, children, sisters-in-law, and daughters-in-law.

But now, a husband had suddenly appeared… What was she supposed to do? Accept it? Build a life with him? Yet they were practically strangers—how could two unfamiliar people become husband and wife?

Xu Wan scratched her head, feeling like she faced an impossible dilemma. The more she thought, the more her head ached. Pacing the room, the overwhelming red only heightened her anxiety, making her want to tear it all down.

But this was the Old Marchioness’s doing. Removing it on the very first day might offend her, and the Old Marchioness had been nothing but kind… She could endure it a little longer.

As night deepened, Zong Zhao still hadn’t returned from the palace. Xu Wan practiced calligraphy for a long while to calm her mind before sitting by the bed to wait. By her usual bedtime, she could no longer resist lying down for a short nap.

Late at night, Zong Zhao finally arrived.

The courtyard was brightly lit, and his room glowed with warm lamplight. The sight before him was a sea of red—and within it, the bride he had longed to marry.

"Young Marquis, you’ve finally returned! The mistress has been waiting for you for hours," Cui Zhi greeted him with a smile.

Zong Zhao gave a quiet hum. "You may all retire for the night."

"Yes." Cui Zhi bowed and withdrew. Tonight was the Young Marquis and his wife’s wedding night—she had prepared to stay awake all night and had already instructed the maids to keep hot water ready.

The servants bustled about in high spirits.

Inside the room, Zong Zhao stepped in to find Xu Wan seated at the edge of the bed, her upper body slumped against the wedding covers. Her eyes were closed, her breathing even, her delicate brows soft in slumber. A faint red mark graced her fair skin, likely from an accidental scratch.

Zong Zhao moved quietly, lifting her gently onto the bed before carefully draping the quilt over her.

Having spent nearly two years in the military barracks among rough men, his strength was often unchecked. But as he held Xu Wan, his arms were restrained, careful not to wake her.

On this late spring night, the lamplight flickered inside, while insects chirped softly beyond the windows.

Zong Zhao sat by the bed, watching her in silence.

He remembered the last time he had seen Xu Wan—her plain attire, her slightly sallow complexion. Though her own life was far from easy, she couldn’t bear to see others suffer. She had given what little silver she had to a child selling books to save his father, urging him to return to school once his troubles were resolved—to study for the rise of Great Chu.

…

It’s been so long. Are you well now?

The quiet night offered no answer to the whisper in his heart.

Zong Zhao rose and settled at the desk, closing his eyes to rest. The antidote to save the Crown Prince had been secured, and he had raced back day and night to deliver it in time. Tomorrow… he would have to leave the capital again.

Outside, Cui Zhi and the maids waited and waited. They reheated the water as it cooled, but by dawn, there was still no call for it.

The servants stifled yawns, whispering, "Sister Cui Zhi, were you mistaken? The Young Marquis and the mistress must have fallen asleep."

Cui Zhi blinked in bewilderment. "That can’t be… It’s their wedding night…"

"Should we wait a little longer?"

"Yes… just a little longer!"