Zong Jincheng had been listening intently, but the mont the Crown Prince's na was ntioned, his guard instantly went up.
He asked warily, "You're not going to bla His Highness again, are you?"
All this beating around the bush—was Luo Jingfeng trying to make him resent the Crown Prince too?
As if that would ever happen!
His Highness had done nothing wrong!
Luo Jingfeng snorted at his sudden change in expression. "Of course not. This ti, I’m blaming the person who inford the Crown Prince. Brat, you didn’t react at all when I talked about your mother, but the mont the Crown Prince ca up, you got defensive. If I didn’t know the truth, I’d believe those rumors claiming the Crown Prince is your father."
Zong Jincheng glared at him. "You think I wouldn’t want that? Hmph, being His Highness’s son would’ve saved a lot of trouble."
Luo Jingfeng followed his train of thought. "True, your mother was four years older than the Crown Prince, but she’d still have been better off with him than that scoundrel of a father you got. If I’d had a say, I’d rather she married a farr, a fisherman, or even a tofu seller than entered the palace."
"Pointless regrets. What’s the use of saying this now?" The pragmatic little devil scoffed.
Luo Jingfeng bristled. "Oi, you asking for a beating?"
Zong Jincheng wasn’t the least bit intimidated. He crossed his arms, exuding arrogance and confidence. "My father’s still downstairs. Want to hit ? You’ll have to get through him first!"
Luo Jingfeng burst out laughing. "You little rascal, always knowing how to use people to your advantage. But if it ca to a fight with Zong Zhao, I might not lose."
"Then go fight him! All talk—my father’s the strongest!" Zong Jincheng grew even more smug, as if he himself were the formidable one.
Luo Jingfeng roared with laughter.
After listening for a while longer, Zong Jincheng finally asked, "Did you drag up here just to say all this?" He still had an essay to write downstairs.
Luo Jingfeng’s mirth faded. Quietly, he said, "Your uncle just wanted to tell you—your mother had a hard life. Even after our family gained power, she never got to enjoy any of it. So don’t bla her. She was just a woman. She shouldn’t have had to bear the weight of this rotten imperial strife."
Zong Jincheng stiffened, then slowly raised his head. "Then who should I bla? Uncle, didn’t all of this start when she decided to have ?"
The truth everyone knew but never dared voice, especially not in front of Luo Jingfeng.
It was no different from directly blaming Luo Shu to his face.
Luo Jingfeng’s gaze turned sharp. He stared into the little devil’s eyes and enunciated each word: "You can bla your grandfather for valuing profit over his daughter, sending your mother into a den of wolves. You can bla the Emperor for being weak and paranoid, suspicious of loyal ministers and fearful of won. You can even bla —for my arrogance, my defiance of imperial authority. But you will never bla her. Your mother. My sister."
These words were both an explanation and a decree.
No matter what Zong Jincheng had thought before, from now on, he would think as Luo Jingfeng dictated. He could bla anyone—except Luo Shu. Because she was his mother. Because she was Luo Jingfeng’s most beloved sister.
Domineering. Reckless.
That was Luo Jingfeng.
Zong Jincheng studied him for a long ti, his anger rising and falling, his fists clenching and unclenching. Finally, he smirked and said flippantly, "What’s the point in blaming so many people? I’d rather spend my ti figuring out how to crush Qin Ye in the spring exams."
Luo Jingfeng, pleased he hadn’t argued back, relaxed. "Who’s Qin Ye?"
Zong Jincheng huffed. "My future loser!"
Luo Jingfeng recalled that the boy had ranked tenth in the autumn exams. If he was this fired up about soone, then surely—
"This year’s top scholar?"
Zong Jincheng scoffed. "What’s so great about so provincial first-place? Once I take the capital’s top honor, everyone will rember the na Zong Jincheng!"
Luo Jingfeng was invigorated. Clapping, he cheered, "Now that’s ambition! Who cares about so Qin Ye? How dare he overshadow my Jincheng? I’ll be waiting to see you trounce him in the spring!"
Zong Jincheng rolled his eyes. "Talk big if you want, but why insult Qin Ye?"
Luo Jingfeng: "??? Wasn’t that you?"
Zong Jincheng flushed. "Don’t twist my words! I never insulted him. I said I’d defeat him. You’re the one saying he’s ‘unworthy.’ What does worth have to do with it? Talent speaks for itself!"
Luo Jingfeng was baffled. "So… is he your rival or your friend?"
The little devil’s face darkened instantly. "Rival. Who’d want to be friends with him?" He stood to leave.
Luo Jingfeng yanked him back by the collar. "Hold on. You forgot the jade pendant."
Zong Jincheng: "..."
So annoying. Why did he have to ddle in everything?
Grumbling, he snatched the pendant and stuffed it carelessly into his robes before stomping downstairs.
Luo Jingfeng watched his bouncing figure disappear, murmuring, "Third Sister, you wanted him to live an ordinary life, but his birthright won’t allow it. All I can do is clear the path for him—and ensure every threat to Jincheng’s life vanishes."
Once downstairs, Luo Jingfeng discussed hiring an essay tutor for the boys with Zong Zhao and Xu Wan.
"If that old man taught poetry well, then proper instruction clearly makes a difference. I’ll have the Ministry of Rites’ left and right vice ministers start tutoring them tomorrow."
At this, even Xu Wan paled alongside Zong Zhao.
Luo Jingfeng’s audacity was staggering. Summoning the Ministry of Rites’ top officials—who oversaw the imperial exams—would raise suspicions everywhere.
Zong Zhao pulled him aside to talk in the courtyard.
With the adults gone, the five boys erupted.
Zong Wenxiu gaped. "The Ministry only has two vice ministers, both third-rank officials in charge of the exams. One of them will definitely supervise this spring’s tests. Having examiners tutor us privately is beyond excessive!"
Shen Yibai gulped. "Excessive? If word gets out, people will say we cheated our way in!"
He Zheng whispered, "I do want to rank high, but if it’s like this… I’d never be able to hold my head up."
Wei Xinglu added, "The gossip would tear us apart."
Zong Jincheng deadpanned, "He’s always coming up with wild ideas. Don’t mind him. Father and Mother would never agree. Let’s just focus on our essays."
"Right. Aunt Xu would veto it first."
"Uncle Zong would back her up without question."
"Instant relief."
"Luo Jingfeng nearly gave a heart attack."
"Still, you have to admit, the feeling of being able to summon top-tier tutors for others at any ti is pretty great, isn’t it, Jincheng? We’re all benefiting from your connections." Shen Yibai nudged his shoulder and whispered, "Luo Jingfeng treats you so well. I wonder if he’s still taking in foster sons—can’t help but feel a little envious..."
Zong Jincheng smirked, teasing him playfully, "Why don’t you go ask him? He’s called on you twice already. Maybe he’s already taken a liking to you and plans to make you his second foster son."
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