Xu Wan walked calmly towards them, her eyes taking in the scene as the people from Marquis Manor surrounded the Zhai family.
The previously unfavorable situation had suddenly reversed!
"Without the permission of our Marquis Manor, who dares to touch Zong Jincheng?" Her voice was firm and powerful, just as confident as when she used to bully him, but this time her words were aimed at outsiders.
This was the second time Xu Wan had sided with him.
Zong Jincheng's heart raced with warmth, but the proud little brat didn't want to admit it. He turned his face away, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
Seeing the person in charge arrive, Steward Zhai immediately called for a halt, and all the enforcers on both sides stopped.
"Madam Zong, your son Zong Jincheng suddenly came to our house and beat up our young master. We need to settle this account!"
Zong Jincheng didn't even bother to explain, directly shouting back, "You dare to talk to us about settling accounts? Zhai Yao, that bastard, I didn't even beat him enough. If it weren't for you stopping me, I could have kept going!"
"You!" Steward Zhai fumed, "Madam Zong, what do you think about this? Our master and mistress don't even know about this yet, otherwise, this matter would never be resolved so easily!"
Shunzi stepped forward to explain for his young master, "Madam, it was Young Master Zhai Yao who kicked over Grandpa Zhao, and Young Master Jincheng couldn't stand by and watch."
Xu Wan followed his gaze and saw Grandpa Zhao being supported by Jingzhe, his face full of pain.
She immediately understood and spoke to Steward Zhai with sharp words, "Jincheng's actions may not have been rational, but it was your Young Master Zhai who was in the wrong first. Moreover, they are both eight or nine-year-old children, and it's normal for children to fight. But you, Steward Zhai, have escalated the matter by bringing a hundred men to surround the direct grandson of our Marquis Manor. What is your intention?"
Zong Jincheng listened, stunned.
How did she make it sound like the Zhai family was entirely at fault?
No, it was the Zhai family's fault. She's right!
The little devil, who had been prepared to face punishment, suddenly felt a surge of confidence, as if he had a big backer. Shunzi couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.
This madam... it feels like she's become a new backer for Young Master Jincheng.
Although she always opposes him, she's always united when dealing with outsiders.
Steward Zhai, being an old fox, wasn't easily fooled by Xu Wan. He coldly said, "It seems Madam Zong is deliberately playing dumb. Fine, we'll return to the manor and report this to our master and mistress, let them go to the Crown Prince and settle the matter!"
"Go ahead," Xu Wan smiled, "But I must remind you to think carefully. Why was Zhai Yao punished by the Crown Prince? And why was he beaten by Jincheng this time? Don't end up being punished again after complaining."
Xu Wan's words were sincere.
Based on her understanding of the Crown Prince, Zhai Yao might very well face another punishment.
"We don't need Madam Zong to worry about how the Zhai family handles this!" Steward Zhai said, then turned to his subordinates, "Take Young Master back to the manor to see the doctor!"
"Stop!" Two guards from the Crown Prince's palace suddenly spoke up, "The Crown Prince has ordered that no one is to take Zhai Yao away."
Steward Zhai, seeing them pop up at this moment, was almost driven to spit out blood!
He angrily shouted, "You are supposed to be watching over our young master, but when Zong Jincheng beat him up, why didn't you stop it?!"
The guards coldly replied, "The Crown Prince never gave that order."
"You! You!" Steward Zhai almost vomited blood, completely overwhelmed by anger.
Even Xu Wan couldn't help but rub her forehead.
The guards from the Crown Prince's palace were indeed quite... unique.
Normally, in such situations, they would at least try to report back to the palace.
But these two did absolutely nothing...
It made one wonder if they were just slacking off.
However, this question was soon answered. Xu Wan took Zong Jincheng back to the manor to apply medicine. Just as they finished, they heard Cui Liu reporting the latest developments.
"Madam, the Zhai family's master and mistress indeed went to the Crown Prince's palace to complain."
"Oh? And then?" Xu Wan was curious.
The little devil also leaned forward, wanting to know what happened next.
Cui Liu paused for a moment before saying, "Then they were refused an audience by the Crown Princess."
"Pfft..." Xu Wan was the first to laugh out loud.
The little devil and Zong Wenxiu also burst into laughter, along with Shunzi and Cui Zhi, who were covering their mouths, trying not to laugh.
Xu Wan chuckled, "The Crown Princess is really quite... unique. I thought she was gentle, but every time she ends up playing the role of the offender, she's truly a model wife."
Cui Liu added, "The Crown Princess's exact words were that the Crown Prince is not in good health, and she asked the Zhai family not to bother him with such trivial matters. The Zhai couple didn't even get to see the Crown Princess, let alone the Crown Prince."
Xu Wan nodded, "That's good. It saves the trouble of the Zhai family truly losing their minds if Zhai Yao were to be punished too harshly."
Zong Jincheng suddenly chimed in, "But Zhai Yao really deserved it."
Zong Wenxiu also rarely agreed with a nod.
Xu Wan smiled and delivered a sharp blow to the little devil, "Indeed, you are truly one of the four young dandy heirs of the capital."
Zong Jincheng: "!"
The friendship boat didn't even last half a day before it capsized!
Even the next day, when going to Qingbo Academy to check the results, the little devil was still angrily glaring from inside the carriage.
The little brat, who usually had no backbone, was sitting straight this time, trying his best to kill the woman in the carriage with his eyes.
Xu Wan still had that playful look, teasing, "Kid, I hope you still have the energy to glare at me after seeing the results."
Zong Jincheng snorted, "I have full confidence in my abilities! I'll definitely make you and those two lose so badly you won't even be able to lift your heads!"
“Bragging,” Xu Wan objectively commented.
Zong Wenxiu also secretly gave a thumbs up.
Such words were only said by Madam in the entire Marquis Manor. Others, including himself, would probably be chased around by his brother if they said something like that.
Zong Jincheng was furious, "You're so annoying! Why are you coming to see the results?!"
Xu Wan replied casually, "Of course, I want to see your bragging fall flat in person."
"Pfft..." Zong Wenxiu couldn't hold back and burst out laughing, covering his eyes and trying to reduce his presence.
Zong Jincheng was so angry he was grinding his teeth, "Well, I really appreciate your attention, old lady!"
“You're welcome. It's my duty as a mother,” Xu Wan said, showing a warm yet indifferent demeanor, infuriating others without any consequences.
Zong Jincheng snorted and moved closer to Zong Wenxiu, wanting to stay as far away from Xu Wan as possible.
After teasing the little devil, Xu Wan calmly turned to Zong Wenxiu, "This time, consider it a mock exam. Although you've been studying very hard every day, the time is still too short. So it's normal if you don't do well. Don't feel too bad about it. You can do better next time."
