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The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 162
Zong Jincheng rolled up his sleeves in anger, "Who are you calling a big landlord? It's clearly your fault, and yet you not only refuse to admit it but also try to attack us? With your mindset, you think you can pass the imperial examinations? Go home and sleep it off!"
Thinking about how he had dreamt this morning of Luo Chen rebelling in the prestigious class, Zong Jincheng couldn't help but sneer. With Luo Chen's character, stepping foot into his home would be a disgrace to him!
"What did you just say? Who can't pass the imperial examinations?"
"Of course, it's you. Failing to get into the Child Prodigy Class disqualifies you from taking part in the child prodigy exam. Without the recommendation from the child prodigy exam, your age isn't even eligible for the imperial exams," Zong Jincheng retorted. "By the time I rise to the rank of a fifth-grade official, I suspect you still won't have taken the imperial exams!"
Luo Chen was furious. He grabbed something from the table and prepared to strike, causing the patrons dining nearby to scream and scramble out of the way.
"Buyan, come here," Zong Jincheng called out, pulling his elder brother up and out of harm's way.
Luo Chen's madness had no bounds; even in someone else's shop, he dared to act so arrogantly. Truly, he had no family education, let alone any sense of propriety.
"Zong Jincheng, today I will definitely beat you to death," Luo Chen threatened.
Zong Jincheng showed no fear. "Go ahead and try! With your skills, you're no match for even one arm of Buyan!"
"..."
Buyan, exasperated by his young master's provoking attitude, could only comply with Lady Zong's teachings and prioritize the safety of the two young masters.
Deep down, though, he was screaming, "Please, just stop talking!"
The waiter was in a frenzy, trying to mediate, but both young masters repeatedly brushed him off.
"Two young masters, if you absolutely must fight, could you please take it somewhere else? Normally, it would be fine—we could just replace the broken tables and chairs—but today there's a very important guest upstairs. We really cannot afford to offend them."
Luo Chen, blinded by anger, started to speak recklessly, "What kind of important guest could I, the son of the Great General of Pacifying the West, possibly not afford to offend? What’s the Yangyuan Marquis Manor to me? Who dares to touch me!"
"I..." Zong Jincheng was about to retaliate but was abruptly pulled back by Zong Wenxiu, who whispered a warning.
Following his brother's gaze, Zong Jincheng saw a young man descending the stairs on the second floor. The man's face was stern, exuding an unconcealed arrogance as he descended step by step.
It was... Luo Jingfeng.
Zong Jincheng remembered him. It was this man who had bullied the Crown Prince at the hunting grounds. Fortunately, with his intervention, the Crown Prince had not been harmed, and Luo Jingfeng had ended up with a sword wound.
The restaurant's patrons were either fleeing in terror or being evacuated by the other waiters, leaving only a few people behind.
The moment Luo Chen saw Luo Jingfeng, his legs went weak, and he nearly knelt down, "F... f... father..."
Why was his father here?
In the room upstairs?
Had his father heard his argument with Zong Jincheng?
Among his siblings, his father favored him the least. If his father heard all this, he... he...
Luo Chen was so frightened he could barely breathe. His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, stammering, "I... I'm sorry, father. I didn't know you were dining upstairs. If I had known... if I had known..."
"If you had known, would you have gone elsewhere and used the name of the Great General of Pacifying the West to ruin my reputation?" Luo Jingfeng's every word was cold, and even without anger in his eyes, he exuded an intimidating aura.
Luo Chen scrambled to his feet and knelt, trembling and apologizing, "Father, it was my fault. I failed to outdo the Zong brothers and let my frustration get the better of me. I spoke recklessly and brought shame to our family. I deserve any punishment, and I sincerely hope you can forgive me..."
Luo Jingfeng walked over with a sneer and kicked Luo Chen hard, sending him flying.
"Ah..." Luo Chen curled up in pain on the ground.
Despite this, not even the waiters or the servants from the Great General's estate dared to step forward to help, not having received Luo Jingfeng's orders.
Luo Jingfeng was a military general.
A highly skilled one at that.
Even with brute force, that kick was enough to leave Luo Chen writhing in pain for half a day.
Zong Wenxiu pulled his brother back a bit further.
Although Luo Chen was indeed no saint, seeing Luo Jingfeng so brutally punish his own son was also quite terrifying.
Zong Wenxiu signaled to their servant to hurry back to the Yangyuan Marquis Manor for reinforcements, fearing it would be difficult to leave today without trouble.
"Failed to outdo the Zong brothers? Truly a waste," Luo Jingfeng said after kicking Luo Chen. "Are you really my son? Even as a concubine's son, you shouldn't be such a coward."
Luo Chen quivered like a quail, trembling as he explained, "Father, I am your son. I must be your son... I may have lost to the Zong brothers, but I am still talented. I passed the entrance exams for the Hanlin North Academy. I was the top scorer in the four-school joint exams. I didn't embarrass you."
Luo Jingfeng stared at him intently and said, "I suppose that woman wouldn't dare deceive me. It seems she’s a poor teacher. Come, bring her back to the manor and sell her off."
"Yes."
Luo Chen's eyes widened in horror. Desperately clutching his father's leg, he begged, "No, father, please don't sell Auntie. It was all my fault, my fault. Please, spare Auntie. I... I promise to behave from now on, I won't cause trouble again."
Luo Jingfeng glanced at him disdainfully, "Behave? There have been rumors lately that I, Luo Jingfeng, am plotting to harm the son of a fifth-rank official. Is that your doing?"
Luo Chen's body shuddered.
He was referring to Qin Ye, the plot exposed by Zong Jincheng.
Why... why would his father know about this?
He turned to look at Zong Jincheng, who stared back defiantly, making it clear he hadn't snitched.
Luo Jingfeng crouched down and glared at him, "You’ve done quite a bit of slandering my name, haven't you? It seems I've become the one bearing the blame for your actions. Take him away. What nonsense is he reading? Send him to the military for training. Don’t tell anyone he’s my son."
"Yes."
The servants, following orders, dragged away the weeping and pleading Luo Chen without a second's hesitation.
The Zong brothers stepped back further, both swallowing nervously.
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Though Luo Jingfeng was speaking the truth, and though Luo Chen did deserve the punishment, and though being sent to the military was quite satisfying, it was still... terrifying to witness.
Luo Jingfeng's attitude towards punishing Luo Chen didn't seem like that of a father to his son.
Even if Luo Chen was the least favored, he was still his son.
Did Luo Jingfeng have no affection for him at all?
Soon, only a few people remained in the room.
Having dealt with Luo Chen, Luo Jingfeng turned his attention to the Zong brothers. Slowly, like a blade inching closer, he moved towards them.
He finally stopped in front of Zong Jincheng.
Looking down, he said, "So, it's you, boy."