The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 311

And all of it… was likely the doing of the man before him.

Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "Jincheng, how should I put this? If I wanted the crown prince dead, I wouldn’t let him see another sunrise. Dragging it out with poison for decades—does that sound like my style?"

"Then who else could it be?" Zong Jincheng demanded. "Haven’t you always suspected His Highness of killing your sister?"

Luo Jingfeng’s smile vanished. "I do suspect him of your mother’s death. But without proof, I’d never let him live comfortably. What is a crown prince to me? What is the empire? None of it compares to my third sister’s life."

Zong Jincheng nearly covered his ears at such treasonous words. This Luo Jingfeng cared for nothing but Luo Shu—dismissing the empire and imperial authority as trifles.

He… he was an utterly unreasonable madman!

Taking a deep breath, Zong Jincheng glared and asked, "Then who did poison His Highness?"

Disliking Luo Jingfeng was one thing, but the little troublemaker seized the chance to probe. Perhaps Luo Jingfeng truly knew the culprit—so His Highness could guard against future schemes.

Luo Jingfeng smirked dismissively. "Someone who’s poisoned him for years, keeping him alive but never letting him recover… must be someone who both needs him and fears him."

"Who?" Zong Jincheng pressed.

Luo Jingfeng patted the boy’s head teasingly. "Adult matters aren’t for children."

Zong Jincheng: "…"

Luo Jingfeng was infuriating, leaving his words half-spoken.

Children…

Only Luo Jingfeng treated him like a child.

His mother and His Highness had always spoken to him as an adult, explaining things whether he understood or not.

But he swallowed his frustration. Remembering His Highness’s advice, he played the part of an ordinary child—lest Luo Jingfeng grow wary of him.

Luo Jingfeng chuckled. "Well? Are you satisfied with Uncle’s explanation? Can we clear up this misunderstanding?"

Since acknowledging Zong Jincheng the previous day, Luo Jingfeng had reviewed every possible grievance between them. Today’s visit was to set the record straight.

Whether his most precious treasure forgave him yet didn’t matter—so long as the boy’s resentment lessened. That alone was progress.

Zong Jincheng refused to admit satisfaction, sticking out his tongue. "I’m going back to study. Goodbye!"

Luo Jingfeng laughed and followed.

Marquis Manor Elite Class

The five private tutors—still shaken from earlier and barely recovered—knelt instantly upon seeing Zong Jincheng and Luo Jingfeng return.

Zong Jincheng: "…"

Their surrender was impressively swift.

Unlike the adults’ prudence, the four young rascals gaped at Zong Jincheng, eyes widening further once confirming he was unharmed.

Shen Yibai’s expression was the most exaggerated, now suspecting Zong Jincheng might be Luo Jingfeng’s illegitimate son.

Compared to rumors of the crown prince’s secret heir, Luo Jingfeng’s transformation was even more jaw-dropping.

Zong Jincheng read his thoughts instantly and smacked his arm. "Keep imagining nonsense, and I’ll punch you."

Shen Yibai raised his fists in surrender. "Big Brother, you’re my real brother!"

He was done. Utterly defeated.

Zong Jincheng was undisputedly the leader of their little gang.

From now on, Shen Yibai would never dream of usurping his position!

The boys resumed their seats as the tutors reviewed their recent poetry assignments.

Luo Jingfeng observed silently from the side.

Zong Jincheng ignored him, but Pan Hongzhi was nearly petrified. While the other tutors kept their distance, he—tasked with guiding Zong Jincheng—endured Luo Jingfeng’s death glare.

Heavens, Pan Hongzhi could barely breathe.

"Th-this line… only rhymes. The meaning is disjointed, the metaphor too abstract, and…" Pan Hongzhi stammered critiques until Luo Jingfeng’s aura darkened. He hastily backtracked, "Excellent! This poem is brilliant! Rapid progress—a masterpiece!"

Zong Jincheng: "…"

He glared at Luo Jingfeng. "Can you leave? You’re disrupting our studies. Can’t you see my tutor’s too scared to speak honestly?"

Every tutor and student inwardly cheered. Heavens, the little troublemaker’s spine is legendary—yelling at Luo Jingfeng!

Luo Jingfeng frowned. "Zong Zhao said you earned the Tongzilang title early and ranked top in the academy. How is your poetry so heavily criticized now?"

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍blamed the tutor, not the boy.

Zong Jincheng scowled. "I’ve just started learning poetry. This is decent for a beginner. What, should I never face criticism? Do you expect endless praise to magically improve me?"

Luo Jingfeng’s frown deepened. "That’s not what I meant. I’m questioning if this tutor—a mere juren living under your roof—is fit to teach you. Tomorrow, I’ll bring a Hanlin Academy scholar of the third rank to mentor you."