The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class
Chapter 395

As dusk fell, the grape-picking squad returned home.

Covered in dirt, the little monkeys each carried small baskets, jumping excitedly from the carriage and hauling their loads of grapes back to their courtyards.

The little troublemaker directed his brothers, heading straight for the ice cellar. "Come on, quick, stash them in the ice cellar, or they'll spoil by tomorrow."

Zong Wenxiu strode after them, sighing, "Thank goodness Mr. Su didn’t make us keep selling the grapes. Otherwise, we’d never have met someone as kind as Boss Xie again."

He Zheng, ever the honest one, added, "But he told us to eat them all. That’s exhausting too. I don’t think we can finish them in three days."

Shen Yibai kicked him lightly and whispered, "Are you stupid? Just quietly share them with the servants."

Wei Xinglu chuckled. "Xiao Bai’s always quick-witted."

The five boys scampered off, mischief written all over their faces.

Xu Wan pretended not to hear their scheming. After arranging for Su Xi to rest in her courtyard, she turned to the maidservant and asked casually, "Is dinner ready? Have the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness eaten yet?"

The maid replied, "Madam, the meal is prepared, but the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness have gone out."

Xu Wan was surprised. "At this hour? What’s the matter?"

The maid answered, "Old General Zhao of the west city has passed. The Old Marquis and Old Marchioness went to pay their respects."

"Oh..." ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍Xu Wan frowned. "Did the Old Marchioness leave any instructions?"

The maid shook her head. "She was in too much of a hurry to say anything."

"Should I go with Zong Zhao?" Xu Wan glanced at Cui Zhi. She had attended countless weddings and flower-viewing banquets, but this was her first encounter with a funeral and she wasn’t sure of the household’s customs.

Cui Zhi reassured her, "Madam needn’t worry. The Zhao Family hasn’t interacted with our household for years. The ties aren’t deep. Unless instructed otherwise, only the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness need to go. We’ll follow the Great General’s lead."

Xu Wan nodded. "Right. Then we’ll see if Zong Zhao calls for us. The lessons in the grand study will proceed as usual."

"Yes."

After finishing her conversation, Xu Wan went to find the little troublemaker and his brothers for dinner. Since Zong Zhao wasn’t home at this hour, eating alone would be too dull. Only after reviewing their grape-picking poems did she return to her own courtyard.

Yet before she could enter, she saw the room brightly lit, a solitary figure cast against the window—Zong Zhao.

Xu Wan hurried inside, surprised. "It really is you. You’re back early today. Is everything settled?"

Zong Zhao sat at the desk, his gaze fixed steadily on her as he replied calmly, "I returned at noon."

"What?" Xu Wan froze, then awkwardly said, "Why didn’t you send word? I thought you weren’t back, so I had dinner with Chengcheng and the others. Oh, have you eaten?"

He answered, "I’m not hungry."

Since meeting Zong Zhao, Xu Wan had developed a new skill—she could sense the moods of even the most reticent people. Though his tone and demeanor were no different from usual, she could tell he was in a bad state.

A very, very bad one.

She dismissed Cui Zhi to prepare some supper, then walked around the desk to stand before Zong Zhao, softening her voice. "When I returned, the maid mentioned Old General Zhao’s passing. Are you upset because of that? If you were close to him, I’ll accompany you to pay respects. It’s not too late yet—"

Zong Zhao, still seated, tilted his head slightly and cut her off with a detached tone. "I killed him."

Xu Wan stiffened.

The abrupt confession startled her, but she quickly recalled what Zong Zhao had once told her and pieced together the truth.

"He was one of the uncles who... caused Zong Yan’s death?"

Zong Zhao gave a faint hum. "I found the evidence. The Emperor refused to pursue it—he feared it would tarnish his reputation."

Xu Wan bristled. "How could that be? If anyone’s reputation should suffer, it’s theirs! What does the Emperor have to do with it? He—" She paused, then sighed. "Actually, he probably would’ve ruled the same way in the dancehouse case too..."

Her initial outrage faded as she realized the Emperor had always been this way.

Back then, if the Crown Prince hadn’t realized the public’s support, the Emperor would never have allowed the truth of the dancehouse case to come to light. But now, with the Crown Prince unconscious, no one remained to clear Zong Yan’s name.

Worried, Xu Wan asked, "But will you be in trouble?"

She knew this wasn’t Zong Zhao’s first killing. On the day they returned to the capital, he had executed Huaishui to sever the poison at the Crown Prince’s side. But this time, it involved a capital general—how would he explain it?

Would he end up like Luo Jingfeng, branded with infamy?

Zong Zhao shook his head. "No. The Emperor ordered the Three Judicial Offices not to investigate. Zhao Yumin died of natural causes. No one knows the truth, and no one dares dig deeper."

Xu Wan understood.

The Emperor had resolved Zong Zhao’s immediate concerns, but in doing so, he had also sealed Zong Yan’s chance for justice. That was why Zong Zhao was so despondent.

She exhaled softly, offering comfort. "It’s alright. It’s alright. Evil meets its retribution—their deaths were deserved. As for Zong Yan’s injustice, I believe the truth will come out someday. Haven’t history books exposed many villains only after their deaths? The matter of justice can wait, but for now, let them pay with their lives first."

Zong Zhao’s expression darkened, his eyes clouded with turmoil. Disgusted with himself, he rasped, "Don’t you think I’m a lawless monster?"

Xu Wan bent down, meeting his gaze squarely. "I don’t think that at all. And I doubt anyone else would either. Zong Zhao, you’re trapped by your own high moral standards. You’re tormenting yourself."

Her words, clear and precise, struck him like a beam of light piercing through his gloom, her bright, expressive eyes dissolving the shadows in his soul.

Zong Zhao remained motionless, the emotions in his eyes unreadable. For all his strength, he seemed fragile now, as if on the verge of shattering.

Xu Wan understood again.

He seemed to want... a hug?

She nearly asked outright but reconsidered—directness might only embarrass him further.

So instead, she wrapped her arms around the seated man. The angle was awkward, though, and as she leaned in, her balance faltered, sending her crashing onto him.

Startled, Xu Wan scrambled up. "Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to—"

Before she could fully rise, Zong Zhao pulled her into a tight embrace, her petite frame melding against him as if he could draw solace from her presence, quieting the storm within.