The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 349

"The past? How much do you know?" Luo Jingfeng quickly seized the key point, gripping his shoulders tightly with bloodshot eyes as he pressed on, "How did your mother really die? Hmm? Was it Chu Heng who killed her?"

Zong Jincheng was startled by his sudden change in demeanor and couldn't utter a word.

Luo Jingfeng, agitated, stood up and demanded, "Speak! Was it Chu Heng or not?"

Truthfully, Zong Jincheng didn’t know the details of what had happened back then. The Crown Prince had only said Luo Shu died for his sake, without clarifying whether it was suicide or murder.

Yet, even without knowing the truth, he trusted the Crown Prince implicitly.

Zong Jincheng declared firmly, "No, it wasn’t him. The real threat to the court was me, not Luo Shu. The Crown Prince had no reason to kill her and spare me."

Luo Jingfeng pondered these words before sitting back down.

He closed his eyes, forcing himself to regain composure—he couldn’t frighten the boy…

Zong Jincheng had always thought Luo Jingfeng was unhinged, flying into a rage at the mere mention of Luo Shu. But now, he saw that even the most detestable people had their pitiable side.

Once more, Zong Jincheng urged, "Give it up. Don’t depose the Crown Prince. Let’s just live our lives peacefully—isn’t that better?"

Luo Jingfeng scoffed mockingly, "What kind of spell has Chu Heng cast on you these past two years, making you so willing to serve as his subordinate? Do you even realize how coveted your bloodline is? Do you know that with someone like me—your uncle—as your backing, ascending the throne would be effortless?"

Unfazed, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍Zong Jincheng met his gaze steadily. "If my bloodline is so enviable, then why was Luo Shu forced into the palace instead of going willingly? Was this what she wanted? Was this what you wanted?"

This was the thorn in Luo Jingfeng’s heart. The little troublemaker felt he was close to uncovering his uncle’s weakness—mention Luo Shu, and he’d lose all rationality.

But Luo Jingfeng was no fool either. He refused to keep losing face in front of his nephew. "Only a child would willingly bow to another. When you grow up, you’ll resent me for not fighting for your rightful place."

Zong Jincheng replied with conviction, "I can reason clearly, and I’ve taken the imperial exams—I’ve already grown up. Every decision I make is deliberate, and I don’t regret them."

Luo Jingfeng sneered, "Imperial exams? Those only produce subordinates. You were meant to rule over them, not mingle among them. Wait—who pushed you toward the exams? The Crown Prince, wasn’t it? He’s doing this on purpose, molding you into a subordinate’s mindset so you’ll pave his way."

Hearing him slander the Crown Prince again, Zong Jincheng lost his composure and stood abruptly. "What nonsense are you spouting? The exams were decided by my grandmother and mother—they hadn’t even met the Crown Prince back then. How could he have influenced them?"

Now it was Luo Jingfeng’s turn to relish the boy’s outburst. He teased, "I wondered how you suddenly became so composed today. Turns out it was all an act. The moment the Crown Prince is mentioned, you flare up. Why care so much about him? He’s not even your full brother."

"He is my brother!" Zong Jincheng glared. "If you acknowledge my bloodline, then you know we share the same father. He is my family."

Luo Jingfeng scoffed, "Your mother and I—we share both parents. That’s what family is. What does the Crown Prince count for? If you consider him family, then what about all those other princes and princesses in the palace? Are they your family too?"

"Why not?" Zong Jincheng retorted stubbornly.

"Ridiculous. Half of them would gladly see you dead." Luo Jingfeng stood, fetched a ledger, and tossed it before him. "Take a look. See what your so-called ‘family’ has done. Let’s see if you can still defend them afterward."

After a brief hesitation, Zong Jincheng opened the ledger. It documented the backgrounds and life records of every prince and princess in the palace—but also, in glaring red, their misdeeds.

"In the 11th year of Taiyuan, after the Empress’s passing, the Third Prince dug a deep pit in the hunting grounds and lured the Crown Prince into it, where he was injured by hidden traps. The Crown Prince was bedridden for a month. He investigated but never uncovered the truth."

"In the 12th year of Taiyuan, the Fifth Prince poisoned the Crown Prince’s maid, causing his health to deteriorate. The maid died a month later. The Crown Prince, left with no recourse, never found the truth."

"In the 13th year of Taiyuan, the Crown Princess entered the Eastern Palace. The Sixth Prince, under the pretense of celebrating the Crown Prince’s marriage, forced him to drink. The Crown Princess publicly slapped him twice."

...

The ledger chronicled each person’s life alongside their vile deeds. The older princes had all, at some point, conspired against the Crown Prince. This small book was more like a ledger of crimes, cataloging their every cruelty.

In Zong Jincheng’s mind, an image formed—of the Crown Prince, his maternal clan destroyed, his body frail, surrounded by enemies in the depths of the palace. All of them… bullying him.

The little troublemaker’s eyes reddened. He shoved the ledger away, silent.

He had read it. He remembered everything.

Those bastards!

Luo Jingfeng grinned. "Enjoyable reading, wasn’t it? Your ‘family’?"

Zong Jincheng scowled. "Scum. They’re no family of mine. Throw them all in prison."

Luo Jingfeng burst into laughter. "Good, good! That’s the spirit. Make those villains pay for what they’ve done. Believe me, Chu Heng doesn’t have the power to deal with them—but you do. Only you can clean house. Whether it’s execution, imprisonment, or exile—once you take the throne, a single word from you will make the entire world kneel at your feet!"