The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 269

At this point, not only did Xu Wan fall silent, but the other noblewomen also went quiet. Everyone knew General Pang was a military man, and Madam Pang was the daughter of a military family—but surely even a military household’s upbringing shouldn’t be this… questionable?

Madam Shen rubbed her temples in exasperation and whispered to a nearby maid, "Go and summon the Crown Princess to handle this. Matters among women shouldn’t disturb the gentlemen."

"Yes," the maid replied before hurrying off.

In the distance, the Emperor and his ministers were watching the children play. The commotion was too far for them to hear clearly, but they could see a child chasing after the group of glowing boys, saying something before a scuffle broke out… until Madam Pang’s wailing erupted loud enough to shake the heavens.

The ministers all turned to look at General Pang, silently signaling that his wife and child seemed to need him.

General Pang, who had been agonizing over which of the three hundred children’s portraits might be the one they were searching for, only looked up blankly at the reminder. "Huh? What happened?"

Another round of quiet laughter rippled through the officials.

General Pang immediately bristled. *What’s so damn funny? Just wait until the Western Pacification General returns—you lot of pompous old scholars will be crawling on your bellies!*

Despite his inner fury, he maintained a humble demeanor as a subject should. "Your Majesty, my wife and child are calling for me. I should go check on them."

The Emperor chuckled. "General Pang, why trouble yourself with petty squabbles among women and children? It’s a rare day of leisure—stay and drink with Us. Relax a little."

"But, Your Majesty—"

"General Pang," the Crown Prince interjected coolly, "the Crown Princess has already gone to handle it. Let the women deal with women’s affairs. Don’t spoil His Majesty’s mood."

"Still—" General Pang tried to protest.

Minister Shen swiftly refilled his wine cup. "General, here."

General Pang: *Damn it!*

*You all take turns cutting me off—can’t a man even speak?!*

*Great General!*

*Hurry back and put these people in their place!*

With the Crown Princess’ arrival, Madam Pang ceased her dramatic tantrum and stood up to curtsy, suddenly the picture of meek obedience. Yet her eyes kept darting around, searching in vain for her husband. She forced a smile and asked, "Your Highness, did you… come alone?"

The Crown Princess smiled gently. "The ministers are attending His Majesty and cannot be disturbed. If you have grievances, Madam Pang, you may speak them to me."

Madam Pang’s face darkened. If her husband had come, he would’ve defended her. But the Crown Princess? Whose side would *she* take? Her gaze swept over the children, lingering on Shen Yibai before landing on Zong Jincheng—*Ah!*

Rumors swirled that Zong Jincheng was the Crown Prince’s illegitimate son. Such a scandal would humiliate the Crown Princess, who had only borne a single daughter in six years of marriage. If Zong Jincheng were acknowledged, her position would be threatened. So, if she wanted to lodge a complaint, she shouldn’t target Shen Yibai, but—

"Your Highness, I accuse Madam Zong of Yangyuan Marquis Manor and her son, Zong Jincheng! They led the bullying against my son, pinned him down, beat him, and even tried to strip him naked—bringing shame upon our entire household!"

Madam Pang shot Madam Shen a triumphant look. *Think you’re untouchable? Watch me drag the Zong family down first.*

The Crown Princess must despise Zong Jincheng. She’d surely punish the Zongs, and by extension, the Shens, the Weis, and the Hes!

Madam Pang preened inwardly, already imagining boasting to her husband later: *See how clever I am?*

Zong Jincheng, suddenly accused: *"???"*

*What the—? Since when was I the ringleader? I threw the punches? I stripped the clothes? I’m the scapegoat?! How did I go from accomplice to mastermind?!*

Pang Jing was equally baffled and whispered, "Mother, it was Shen Yibai, not Zong Jincheng—"

"Quiet!" Madam Pang snapped before turning back to the Crown Princess with theatrical tears. "Your Highness, you *must* uphold justice for me. The Yangyuan Marquis Manor has gone too far!"

Xu Wan could only marvel at Madam Pang’s audacious reversal of blame. *Truly, if you don’t thicken your own skin, someone else will outdo you.*

She stepped forward and addressed the Crown Princess. "Your Highness, the truth is this: Young Master Pang Jing attempted to forcibly take the glowing garments from the four boys. The children bravely defended their belongings, yet Pang Jing persisted, even resorting to violence. Every witness here can attest to it."

Lady Wei, Madam He, and Madam Shen all stepped up to corroborate. Madam Shen added, "Your Highness, as Madam Zong said, Madam Pang is twisting the facts to play the victim."

The Crown Princess listened, then turned to the surrounding children—the most honest witnesses. But as more women arrived, the children were quickly hushed, and the ladies aligned themselves based on their husbands’ political factions.

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The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍Crown Princess’ gaze darkened as she observed the silenced children. *Of course. No answers will come like this.*

Witness accounts had devolved into political posturing.

She smiled faintly. "This is merely childish roughhousing. Why are so many ladies gathered here? Please retire to the pavilion. I’ll speak with the children myself."

Madam Pang panicked and edged closer. "Your Highness, that’s *Zong Jincheng*."

*Don’t you want to punish him? Are you even a woman? What proper lady would tolerate such an insult?*

The Crown Princess feigned ignorance. "Madam Pang, I don’t follow your meaning. All ladies, please withdraw."

Maids and eunuchs swiftly separated the women from the children for individual questioning.

Freed from their elders’ influence, the young witnesses quickly spilled the truth:

"It was the boy who *wasn’t* glowing who started it! He tried to steal the clothes but lost the fight against the four glowing boys and got beaten up instead."

"Yeah! Then his mother came and took his side without even asking. So embarrassing! The books say that’s doting—it’s unreasonable!"

"Mhm! And the first one who fought the non-glowing boy was the brother in beige glowing clothes, *not* the one in cyan!"

"Crown Princess, those glowing outfits are *so* pretty! Since I testified, can you ask them to give me one? Or at least tell me where they bought them? I *really* want one too!"