A Silent Night.
Zong Jincheng tossed and turned in bed, his mind consud by Luo Jingfeng's words. Though his mother had soothed his emotions, he couldn't stop wondering—whose child was he really?
That day in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince had told him about Luo Shu secretly giving birth to a young prince and instructed him to pass on a ssage to the boy: if he ever returned to Luo Jingfeng's side, he must hide his talents. But at the ti, Zong Jincheng had forgotten to ask the Crown Prince… Who exactly was this young prince, and where was he now?
Zong Jincheng turned over again, recalling how the Crown Prince had said Luo Shu was Luo Jingfeng’s most important person, and that the young prince was also a key figure in controlling Luo Jingfeng. If that young prince turned out to be him… then Luo Jingfeng’s attitude toward him would change drastically.
Was Luo Jingfeng… truly his blood uncle?
Zong Jincheng didn’t dare dwell on it further. He pulled the blanket over his head, mimicking Shen Yibai’s mannerisms, and thought to himself:
If I don’t keep thinking about it, then he’s not my uncle!
The next morning.
Buyan went straight to Zong Zhao’s courtyard at the crack of dawn.
He had always been the Young Marquis’s sparring partner, but after the Young Marquis went missing, he had been reassigned to protect Young Master Cheng. Now that the Young Marquis had returned, could his mission finally be over?
The more Buyan thought about it, the more excited he beca. Just the idea of no longer having to serve that little troublemaker made him want to leap three feet in the air.
Young Marquis, Young Marquis, your subordinate has waited so long for you!
Since the main study had been allocated to Jincheng and the others, Zong Zhao now handled official business and reading at the small desk in his own room. He didn’t mind the cramped space, focusing intently as he wrote on a morial.
Outside the door, the maidservant Ruyi entered with a tray of tea.
She carefully set the tray down, glancing around the desk before asking, "Young Marquis, would you like to grind more ink for you?"
"No need." Zong Zhao’s voice was cool, his head still lowered in refusal.
Ruyi lifted the lid of the teacup and said softly, "I’m not skilled at brewing tea. The maids who served you for years, Hong Shao and Lu Ru, were sent away by Madam to the estate villa and haven’t returned. Without them here, I worry I won’t serve you well."
Zong Zhao set down his brush and finally looked up.
Seizing the opportunity, Ruyi quickly added, "Young Marquis, Madam was a new bride at the ti and might not have realized how important Hong Shao and Lu Ru were to you. It’s been two years now, and they are, after all, long-ti servants of the household. Do you think it’s ti to bring them back?"
Xu Wan had just returned from the main study when she spotted Buyan hurrying over. She waved at him cheerfully. "Buyan, do you need the Young Marquis for sothing?"
Buyan nodded.
"Then co with . I was just thinking of replacing his desk with a bigger one. He insists on staying in his room, but that tiny desk is sothing I use for casual sketching—it’s too small for official work."
Buyan perked up imdiately. "I can help the Young Marquis move the desk!"
Xu Wan chuckled. "Perfect, we’ve got ourselves a laborer."
The two walked back together, but before they could enter, they overheard Ruyi’s complaint.
Buyan froze. They had terrible timing.
Please don’t let Madam get angry… If she got upset, she might cancel the desk replacent, and then he’d lose his chance to prove himself. Would his wish to return to the Young Marquis’s side ever co true?
Xu Wan paused at the door for two seconds, caught between entering or turning away.
Hong Shao and Lu Ru had been Zong Zhao’s maidservants. Back when Xu Wan first entered the household, Zong Jincheng had stirred up trouble by sending them to provoke her. Worried that these arrogant maids would take advantage of their seniority and undermine her authority in raising the children, Xu Wan had ordered them sent to the old madam’s villa.
The old madam, being of one mind with her, had never brought the two maids back even after returning to the main residence.
After learning that Zong Zhao was still alive, Xu Wan had briefly considered whether to recall them. But then she thought—why bother? She wasn’t so saint who repaid malice with kindness. As long as Zong Zhao didn’t ntion it, she’d pretend it never happened.
Now, it seed there were still "old-tirs" in the courtyard who missed Hong Shao and Lu Ru, already scheming to bring them back.
"Buyan." Zong Zhao’s voice rang out from inside.
Xu Wan blinked. Was this the legendary martial artist’s ability to recognize people by their footsteps?
Did that an Zong Zhao had heard her too?
Buyan rushed in eagerly. "Young Marquis, Buyan is here. What are your orders?"
Ruyi’s heart leaped with joy. She knew it—the Young Marquis still cherished old ties. He would surely bring Hong Shao and Lu Ru back. The entire household had beco Madam’s people, leaving her isolated. She had been counting on their return.
Hong Shao was the prettiest of them all. If she ca back, she might even rise to beco a concubine. And then…
Zong Zhao’s icy voice shattered her delusions. "Spreading dissent about the mistress and sowing discord in the household. Sell all three of them."
Ruyi: "!!!"
"Young Marquis!" Ruyi fell to her knees, kowtowing frantically. "This servant was wrong! This servant deserves death! Please spare , Young Marquis! I only spoke out of turn—I don’t deserve such punishnt!"
Buyan, summoning all the tact he possessed in his lifeti, clamped a hand over Ruyi’s mouth and dragged her out, declaring loudly, "Rest assured, Young Marquis, I’ll handle this perfectly!"
Xu Wan: "…"
Buyan, your eagerness is painfully obvious.
But thanks to this incident, Xu Wan realized Zong Zhao still lacked personal attendants. After giving Cui Zhi a few instructions, she went to make new arrangents.
Approaching the desk, Xu Wan hesitated before saying, "I thought you might want Hong Shao and Lu Ru back. After all, they were your maids and would serve you more comfortably." Those were the very words the little devil had once used to intimidate her.
Zong Zhao frowned. "I never had concubines."
"Ah? No, I ant maidservants. Regular maidservants." Xu Wan scratched her head, feeling like she’d lost the thread of the conversation.
Zong Zhao replied, "No mory of them. Don’t recall."
"…"
Xu Wan rubbed her nose. Hong Shao and Lu Ru had truly wasted their devotion. Their forr arrogance was still fresh in her mory.
She had assud they held so special place in his heart, but Zong Zhao didn’t even rember them. Just as Cui Zhi had said—the Young Marquis cared only for books and martial arts, paying them no mind.
"Hu—husband, how much longer will your official work take? This desk seems too cramped for you. I was thinking of having Buyan replace it with a larger one."
Xu Wan attempted the affectionate address again, but the awkwardness seeped from her heart to her tongue, nearly turning her into a stuttering ss.
"I’ve finished for now. I’m heading out and might return late. Go ahead with the replacent. Don’t wait for at dinner." Zong Zhao stood and walked toward the door, pausing after a few steps to add, "Just call by my na from now on. No need to stand on ceremony."
"Oh, alright." Xu Wan smiled and waved goodbye.
Inwardly, she marveled: Cui Zhi never lied. No wonder everyone adored Zong Zhao. She had never t anyone who could blend restraint and boldness, aloofness and attentiveness so seamlessly.
Zong Zhao was truly extraordinary.
Without a word to assert himself, Buyan handed Ruyi over to Nanny Zhao for punishnt. But upon returning, he found the room empty—except for Madam Xu Wan.
Xu Wan noticed him glancing around in search of Zong Zhao and kindly reminded him, "He’s left the estate. Co, let’s move the large desk first."
Buyan: "…" Fine. Very well.
He’d just have to find the young marquis another ti!
Reviews
All reviews (0)