“Farewell, Your Highness.” Xu Wan watched as he left Marquis Manor.
The evening breeze brought with it a chill, and the Crown Prince, not paying attention, swallowed some cold air and immediately clutched his chest, coughing a few times more. His guards quickly supported him.
Little Demon King stood at the gate, frowning and asked, “Why hasn’t Your Highness’s health improved?”
Ever since he met the Crown Prince, the latter had been ill. Although his condition had improved somewhat recently, the onset of winter had once again reduced him to a frail appearance, as though a gentle breeze could scatter him.
Xu Wan watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance and shook her head, “The palace’s imperial physicians are the finest in the realm. If even they can’t find a solution, then we can’t do anything either.”
Perhaps because she had known the Crown Prince in such a state, Xu Wan could never envision what he must have been like eight years ago, when he was alongside Zong Zhao and hailed as the Capital City’s top martial artist.
Little Demon King asked seriously, “Is it possible that someone is harming Your Highness?”
When this statement was made, the guards at the gate of Marquis Manor all turned their heads, shocked as if they had just eaten a huge scoop of juicy gossip.
Xu Wan was also startled, but quickly refuted, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Little Demon King: “???”
I just said one sentence. Why are you being so harsh!
The brat didn’t understand. Xu Wan pulled him back into the manor, and while no one was around, she quickly informed him, “You can’t just say things like that. If such words were to spread, it could lead to trouble.”
“Why?” Little Demon King didn’t understand, “The Crown Prince once told me that all his brothers are wishing for him to disappear early. Hmph, with the Crown Prince’s poor health, it must be them causing the harm.”
Xu Wan was so startled she quickly covered his mouth. “Little ancestor, what exactly did you and the Crown Prince talk about on the second floor? Stop speaking. Accusing imperial princes of harming the Crown Prince based on nothing—even if the entire mansion were stripped of its titles, it still wouldn’t be enough.”
“Mmm? Mmm?” Little Demon King was unhappy but couldn’t break free, nor did he strongly resist.
Xu Wan let go and whispered a reminder. “I’m letting you go now—don’t talk nonsense anymore. Focus on your studies and don’t worry about royal affairs. This has nothing to do with us.”
Little Demon King puffed up in anger, “Hmph, you don’t feel sorry for the Crown Prince. You have no empathy.”
Xu Wan gave him a stern lecture. “Having empathy is fine, but you should first consider whether you have the ability to worry about other people’s affairs. Otherwise, you’re just making things worse, understand?”
Little Demon King became even more furious after hearing this.
It’s basically saying he’s too weak.
Hmph, underestimating him!
Zong Jincheng threatened her, “You just wait! I’ll grow up soon, and when I do, I’ll definitely be able to protect the Crown Prince!”
Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh, “Little fool, focus on passing your boys' degree exam first. There are only two months left.”
“I’ll definitely pass. Lolly, lolly, lolly. Let’s hurry up and have New Year’s Eve dinner.” Little Demon King skipped and jumped ahead.
Xu Wan followed after him.
The New Year’s Eve feast at Marquis Manor was so extravagant that it couldn’t even fit on a single table. Old Marchioness immediately ordered it turned into a continuous feast, with smaller portions and a wide variety of dishes, replacing the previous ones with new ones after each round.
The children ate the most joyfully, and even Xu Wan couldn’t help but want to pull out her phone to take a few pictures and post them on social media.
After being full and satisfied, everyone went to sleep. While there was no tradition of staying up until midnight, Xu Wan still felt very ceremonious and waited until midnight to silently make a New Year’s wish: May my family and friends stay healthy, and may the children achieve their desired academic results.
On the first day of the new year, nine-year-old Zong Jincheng kicked off the festivities by launching the New Year’s first firecracker. Little Demon King ran around Marquis Manor with firecrackers, scaring the maids who chased after him, shouting, “Master Jincheng, be careful! You can’t hold firecrackers in your hand; they’ll burn you!”
Zong Jincheng, young but bold, teamed up with He Zheng, his loyal brother, and the duo ran around with long, fiery firecrackers, with the other end crackling and exploding.
The arrogant and energetic voices of the two little young masters quickly spread throughout the entire Marquis Manor: “Mother, wake up! Come listen to the New Year’s firecracker sounds I’ve prepared for you. Isn’t it very creative!”
Xu Wan wrapped herself in clothes and rushed out, only to see that the firecrackers were already burnt down to a short length, with Little Demon King swinging it in the air—his hand was about to get burnt…
Xu Wan immediately lost two-thirds of her soul in fright. She urgently shouted, “Cui Liu, quickly get rid of the firecrackers in their hands, now!!”
Cui Liu flipped over, rose into the air, grabbed a firecracker from each of them, and threw both at the corner of the wall to explode.
The two brats stared in shock.
What just happened?
Little Demon King pouted, displeased, “Why did you do that? I worked hard to come up with this New Year’s greeting gift for you. The firecrackers aren’t finished yet. Throwing them away is such a waste; you’re not appreciating my efforts!”
He Zheng nodded, “We ran quite a distance to bring them here.”
Xu Wan was so angry she couldn’t speak. She trembled as she pointed at the front gate. “Out. Go stand outside the gate and think about your actions.”
If it weren’t New Year’s Day, she would have made these two little rascals kneel in front of the ancestral hall. Playing with firecrackers is fine, but playing with such danger in your hands—do you not want them anymore? She was absolutely furious.
As Xu Wan tried her best to calm down, she reflected on herself. Her New Year’s wish early that morning was still too little—it should have included a desire for the children to stay out of trouble. Next year, she must remember to add one!
Zong Wenxiu heard the commotion and quickly came over to ask Xu Wan what happened. As a result, when he arrived, he saw the two brats standing on duty outside the courtyard, looking bewildered and pitiful.
Little Demon King was much more obedient now, and he generally listened to Xu Wan’s words; he immediately stood in the courtyard without any resistance.
He Zheng was even more straightforward—what the elder brother did, I did too.
“Jincheng, He Zheng, what’s going on with you two?” Zong Wenxiu had just paid his respects to his mother, and now he arrived to see the two in such a plight.
Zong Jincheng wore a sullen expression and said, “Don’t mention it, brother. The New Year’s gift I gave her, it seems she doesn’t like it.”
“Ah? Really? Aunt Xu isn’t that picky with gifts—how could she punish you because of it…” Zong Wenxiu said halfway and quickly realized, “What New Year’s gift did you give her?”
Little Demon King spoke in earnest, “I just ran through the manor with firecrackers in hand. Didn’t you see? I was even twirling them in the air just now. It was beautiful, cracking constantly. Put that together with He Zheng’s and my New Year’s greetings, it was hugely lively and utterly creative!”
Zong Wenxiu: “…….”
Aunt Xu’s punishment was too mild—they should’ve been made to stand outside the manor gate.
Inside the courtyard, Xu Wan had already dressed and come out, but her temper was clearly still not under control. In her hands, she held a chicken feather duster.
He Zheng immediately backed down.
Although he got beaten up at home often, coming to Marquis Manor, he hadn’t been beaten in half a year. Just recalling those scars brought him back to a tense moment.
Little Demon King immediately jumped up and yelled. “That’s going too far! I’m giving you New Year’s greetings, and you want to beat me up! Today’s the first day of the New Year—you can’t hit kids!”
Xu Wan snorted and said, “So, if I understand you correctly, this beating can be postponed to tomorrow, right?”
Little Demon King swallowed hard. “A true gentleman speaks and does not resort to physical force. Let’s talk things out first. I mean, a child, you know, you ought to educate first…”
