The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 350

Luo Jingfeng's words were resolute and forceful. Arrogant yet confident, with unmatched strength, no one would doubt his ability to deliver on his promises. The future he painted was something anyone would covet—everyone desired that supreme authority.

But desire didn’t mean power should come first.

Zong Jincheng wasn’t buying it. He sat back down and resumed eating dried lychees, clearly uninterested.

Luo Jingfeng nearly choked on his anger. He rapped his knuckles on the table. "Is that all the reaction I get?"

His nephew shot back, "What else do you want? A round of applause and praise for your performance?"

Luo ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍Jingfeng: "..."

Gritting his teeth, he muttered, "You must have been sent by the heavens to torment me."

Zong Jincheng retorted without hesitation, "Right back at you."

After fuming for a while, Luo Jingfeng suddenly laughed, though it was more of a scoff. "Like uncle, like nephew. Stubbornness runs in the family—me, then you. Fitting."

Zong Jincheng, instantly provoked: "!"

You scheming old fox, don’t you dare act all familiar with me!

The young firebrand snapped, "So, did you actually listen to me or not? Stop pushing to depose the Crown Prince."

Luo Jingfeng replied earnestly, "Impossible. Once I’ve made a decision, no one can change it. The Crown Prince is in your way. My only nephew, Zong Jincheng, will never pave the road for him. I’ll clear every obstacle for you."

"He’s not an obstacle! He’s been bedridden and unconscious for so long—he’s no threat to you!"

"That doesn’t matter. The Crown Prince’s position must be vacant. It belongs to you."

"I don’t want it."

Luo Jingfeng was adamant. "You just don’t want it now. You’ll regret it later."

"I won’t. How many times do I have to say it for you to believe me?" Zong Jincheng’s patience was wearing thin.

Luo Jingfeng shook his head. "A child’s words can’t dictate their entire future. I can’t trust that, nor will I."

"Talking to a brick wall!" Zong Jincheng roared before storming off in fury. He never should have come today—this conniving old man was impossible to reason with. Luo Jingfeng was utterly unreasonable, impossible to out-argue.

Heavens, why does someone like this even exist? Can’t anyone be sent down to put him in his place?

The young troublemaker quickened his pace, rage burning from his chest to the top of his head. If only he knew martial arts, he’d have beaten Luo Jingfeng senseless by now. He even caught himself thinking—If only Luo Shu were still alive. Maybe she could’ve talked some sense into him, made him act less insane.

The thought made him stop abruptly.

Luo Shu was gone… but he was still here.

Luo Jingfeng cared about him, didn’t he? Maybe there was still a chance to try again.

Mid-stride, Zong Jincheng suddenly turned on his heel and marched back, startling the guard escorting him out so badly the man nearly tripped.

"Young Master—"

"Don’t follow me." After the curt order, Zong Jincheng broke into a run back the way he came.

In the quiet courtyard, the rapid thud-thud-thud of footsteps grew louder. Even Luo Jingfeng looked up in surprise at the panting boy now standing in the doorway.

Confused, Luo Jingfeng asked, "Back so soon? Want some more dried fruit? I’ll pack some for you to take home."

Catching his breath, Zong Jincheng said hopefully, "Let’s make peace."

Luo Jingfeng’s face lit up. "You’ve come around? I knew it—I knew you were smart. No matter how good the Crown Prince is, how could he compare to yourself? That throne is rightfully yours."

Zong Jincheng shook his head. "No. I mean, let’s make peace. You promise not to trouble His Highness anymore, and I’ll stop cursing at you. I’ll even let go of the past—how you nearly strangled me, how you kept meddling in my life."

Luo Jingfeng froze. His smile faded. "You’re bargaining with me over this?"

"Is that not allowed?" Zong Jincheng didn’t understand. "Didn’t you care most about your sister? Wouldn’t you be happy if we got along as uncle and nephew? She’s gone, but I’m still here. I’m willing to forgive everything, start fresh, and be your nephew again. Isn’t that what you want? Don’t you want that?"

Earlier, Luo Jingfeng had dangled the Crown Prince’s position as bait. Now, Zong Jincheng was using himself as leverage. He wanted to see just how much he meant to Luo Jingfeng.

Luo Jingfeng’s displeasure was obvious. His expression darkened. "We’re family. Given time, we’d reconcile naturally. But you’re trading the Crown Prince’s position for this? I’m getting the short end of the stick."

Zong Jincheng’s heart leapt. The lack of outright refusal meant there was room to negotiate. "So, do we have a deal or not? If not, forget it. I never forget a grudge—every wrong you’ve done is etched in my mind, unforgettable. Others might let time fade their memories, but not me. And now you’re dragging the Crown Prince down? I’ll never forgive you."

Luo Jingfeng scoffed. "Childish. This is like a game of make-believe. Do you think I’m a ten-year-old like you?"

Zong Jincheng took a deep breath. "Have you ever wondered why Luo Shu hid her pregnancy?"

Luo Jingfeng answered without hesitation, "Because the old emperor feared my military power. He forbade her from bearing a child, so she had no choice but to hide it—all to safely deliver you." That was what the midwife had told him.

Zong Jincheng pressed further, "Then why did she hide it from you? Giving birth in secret in the palace was incredibly dangerous. One slip, and neither mother nor child would survive. So why didn’t she tell the Prince of Southern Pacification—her only relative in the capital at the time—to protect her during childbirth?"

Luo Jingfeng was stumped.

He had wondered about it before. If his eldest brother had known, he could’ve ensured Luo Shu and Zong Jincheng’s safety while Luo Jingfeng led his army back to the capital to force the emperor’s abdication.

It would’ve been the perfect plan. Why didn’t she take it?

Unbidden, Luo Jingfeng’s mind replayed his sister’s tearful plea—

She wanted a child untainted by bloodshed…

But what did "untainted" even mean? No power struggles? Yet the boy carried royal blood, Luo blood. He wouldn’t even need to reach out—supreme authority would fall into his lap.

His eldest brother had always said: Only by gripping power tightly can we avoid being at others’ mercy. Only then can we prevent tragedies like Mother’s murder by that vile woman. freёnovelkiss.com

Third Sister… what were you thinking?

Zong Jincheng’s voice pulled him back. "Maybe what she wanted wasn’t the power you assumed. To have family close, children by her side—that’s the greatest happiness in the world. The battles for the throne are drenched in blood. Too exhausting, too bitter, too dangerous. We already live better than most—the finest clothes, the richest food. Why cling to that last shred of power?"

Luo Jingfeng stared at him, his expression unreadable. The boy stood firm, sincerity etched into every word as he pleaded, "Let it go, Uncle."