The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 312
Before coming, he had done his research. Cheng'er had been taught well by his legal mother. In just two short years, he had transformed from a notorious troublemaker into a renowned child prodigy in the capital—nothing short of a miracle.
But this was far from enough—
Luo Jingfeng’s treasure deserved nothing but the finest tutors and the best education. His Cheng'er was worthy of all the finest things in this world.
Pan Hongzhi stood with his head bowed, trembling. Now that Zong Jincheng had been formally acknowledged as Luo Jingfeng’s adopted son, his own status was truly unworthy of being the little devil’s tutor.
Moreover, Luo Jingfeng was a ruthless man. If he failed to teach well, not only his own head but the lives of his entire family would be forfeit.
The golden rice bowl worth three thousand six hundred taels was finally slipping from his grasp…
Pan Hongzhi silently comforted himself. It’s fine, it’s fine. He had earned quite a bit over the past two years. With Luo Jingfeng watching, escaping with his life was already a blessing. He immediately retreated, ready to leave.
Zong Jincheng, seeing his tutor of two years being disrespected so openly by Luo Jingfeng, could no longer hold back. He roared at him, “What exactly is your problem? Isn’t the Luo family big enough for you? Do you have to come to my home and dictate what happens to my people? Are you deliberately trying to make me fail my studies so I miss this year’s imperial exams and have to wait another three years?”
Luo Jingfeng narrowed his eyes and said coldly, “What did you just say? That I’m dictating things? When have I, Luo Jingfeng, ever cared so much about anyone else? You little brat, don’t be ungrateful.”
Zong Jincheng didn’t back down. He shouted back, “Who are you calling ungrateful? Do you even realize what kind of ‘good deeds’ you’re doing? Why? Why should I acknowledge you just because you claim to be someone to me? Why should I forgive you just because you throw out a half-hearted apology? Why should I agree with you when you disrespect my tutor? Luo Jingfeng, what gives you the right?”
The grand study fell into dead silence.
Everyone was watching them. The little devil’s furious shouts echoed loudly, his face flushed red with anger as he poured out all his rage and resentment at Luo Jingfeng.
Pan Hongzhi wished he could vanish on the spot.
This entire fight had started because of him. He should have been more tactful earlier—why had he openly pointed out the little devil’s flaws in front of everyone? Pan Hongzhi was now regretting his lack of tact.
The other young boys were completely baffled. Jincheng was pointing at Luo Jingfeng’s nose and cursing him out, while Luo Jingfeng, though furious, was restraining himself. What kind of surreal scene was this?
Zong Wenxiu stepped forward to pull him back. “Jincheng, calm down.”
Though Luo Jingfeng seemed to be tolerating his younger brother’s outburst, Wenxiu found it strange. He had never seen his brother lose his temper like this with anyone before. Yes, Luo Jingfeng had nearly strangled him to death once, but Wenxiu had assumed his brother would only feel hatred and resentment. Yet what he saw now was pure fury.
Was his brother so angry because he couldn’t shake Luo Jingfeng off?
Luo Jingfeng asked dangerously, “You resent me?”
The little devil yelled, “Yes! I hate you! I wish you’d stay far away from my life!”
This man—this Luo Jingfeng—was someone he despised in every way.
His self-righteous acts of “kindness,” his arrogant demeanor, his relentless persistence, and that inescapable uncle-nephew bond—all of it filled him with frustration and rage.
Luo Jingfeng clenched his fists, suddenly understanding why Zong Zhao had kept his sister’s child a secret from him for so long.
Two years ago, Zong Zhao had only told him that his sister had left behind a child. He had searched for a long time but couldn’t find the boy—until he returned to the capital and confirmed it was Jincheng.
Right under his nose, in the most dangerous and impossible place.
His one and only, most treasured nephew had been hidden in plain sight by Zong Zhao and the Crown Prince for years, making sure he never suspected a thing.
Zong Zhao…
Zong Zhao had done this on purpose. He had deliberately let Cheng'er grow distant from him, ensuring the boy would side with him instead… And now, recalling how Zong Zhao had gone to find the antidote for the Crown Prince, saving his life, Luo Jingfeng suddenly had a terrifying thought: Had Zong Zhao only pretended to ally with him, all so that Cheng'er would willingly submit to the Crown Prince and let the Luo family clear the path for the throne?
Zong Zhao, how dare you try to use my Cheng'er as a stepping stone for the Crown Prince?
That would never happen!
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Luo Jingfeng closed his eyes, forcing himself to calm down.
Zong Zhao, you’re too naive. The bond of blood is the strongest tie in this world. Cheng'er and I are uncle and nephew by blood. He carries the Luo family’s lineage.
Cheng'er is only ten. He doesn’t understand anything yet. Just you wait—I’ll make sure you see whose side he ultimately stands on.
After a long silence, Luo Jingfeng opened his eyes and smiled. “Fine. If you don’t like me interfering in your affairs, I won’t. Study hard. I’ll visit you another day.”
Zong Jincheng wanted to shout at him: Don’t bother coming back.
But he held back, afraid of provoking Luo Jingfeng into another argument and wasting precious study time. The imperial exams were approaching fast—every moment counted.
Once Luo Jingfeng left, the others immediately crowded around, chattering in amazement.
Shen Yibai said admiringly, “Jincheng, you’re insane! That was Luo Jingfeng! You actually yelled at him and pointed at his nose!”
Wei Xinglu chimed in, “Yeah! Didn’t he almost strangle you to death two years ago? How did things change so much? My father said your father allied with Luo Jingfeng—is that why he adopted you?”
He Zheng nodded. “That has to be it. My father thought Uncle Zong would oppose Luo Jingfeng, but instead they teamed up. Even your older brother got dragged into his favor.”
The little devil rolled his eyes and smacked the table. “What favor? It’s annoying! Stop talking and get back to studying. We have a quiz this afternoon.”
“Oh right, right! Quick, let’s prepare.” The others hastily returned to their seats.
Pan Hongzhi stood frozen, too scared to move.
Zong Jincheng frowned and apologized. “I’m sorry, Master Pan. My issues dragged you into this. Luo Jingfeng was just spouting nonsense—don’t take it to heart. I think you teach just fine. I won’t be replacing you.”
Pan Hongzhi swallowed hard and said honestly, “But the Duke of State Protection does have a point. I’m just a lowly provincial graduate—I can’t compare to the third-rank scholars of the Hanlin Academy, let alone someone like Jiang Yan from the advanced class. Maybe… maybe I should switch with him?”
Keeping his golden rice bowl was nice, but it might be safer to take a step back—just in case Luo Jingfeng returned one day and accused his mother of neglecting Cheng'er by not assigning him the best tutor, who was instead teaching Shen Yibai.
Zong Jincheng said firmly, “No switching. Shen Yibai’s foundation is so weak, without Master Jiang, he wouldn’t even rank last.”
Shen Yibai, who had just picked up his book: “???”
Hey, buddy, was that really necessary?
