The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 403

The Old Marchioness eagerly welcomed her eldest grandson, patting the young boy’s shoulder and saying urgently, "Yesterday, when you were trapped outside the city and couldn’t get in, we were nearly frantic with worry. Thankfully, your father wrote to us, telling us to wait at the examination hall with our belongings, so we didn’t panic. Look, everything is here—your mother personally oversaw the packing a few days ago, making sure nothing was missing."

Hearing that his mother had prepared everything, the Little Demon King beamed and said, "Mother is the most meticulous. I’m sure nothing’s missing. Thank you, Grandmother. Now we don’t have to worry."

The Old Marquis chuckled beside them and said, "Alright, Jin Cheng, it’s time to enter the examination hall for inspection. Go on, take it easy during the exams. In the meantime, I’ll have Buyan stay here to keep watch. Don’t worry—just focus on doing your best. We’ll come to pick you up when it’s over."

Jin Cheng nodded vigorously. "Mm-hmm."

The other four brothers, also carrying their belongings, called out to him to join them. The five young boys waved at their family before successfully entering the examination hall.

The Old Marchioness let out a long sigh of relief and walked over to Zong Zhao. "At least Jin Cheng and the others weren’t delayed for their exams. By the way, where’s Wan'er?"

Zong Zhao replied, "Her carriage is still on the way to the examination hall."

"What?" The Old Marchioness frowned. "Why didn’t you have someone escort them back to the manor?"

Zong Zhao explained, "She was too worried about Jin Cheng and the others to return directly. I’ll go fetch her."

"Oh, alright. Wan'er has been working so hard this past month, attending lectures with Master Su and the others, waking early and staying up late. After all this commotion, I’m worried about her too." The Old Marchioness thought for a moment and said, "We’ll head back first. I’ll have the maids prepare hot water for when you return."

"Alright."

After the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness left, Buyan stayed behind with a few men to keep watch.

Just as Buyan was about to return the horse to Luo Jingfeng, the latter sat tall on his steed and said haughtily, "Keep it with you for now. If anything happens to Cheng'er, report to me immediately."

"Yes," Buyan responded.

Luo Jingfeng tugged the reins and said to Zong Zhao, "Since General Zong is off to fetch his wife, I won’t intrude. I’ll take my leave. Once you’ve dealt with the City Patrol Office, remember to come and share the good news with me."

Zong Zhao replied, "Thank you."

Luo Jingfeng rolled his eyes and scoffed, "‘Thank you’? Since when do I need your thanks?"

Ignoring him, Zong Zhao turned his horse and rode off.

On the road to the examination hall, many carriages arrived—not just Xu Wan’s. The other mothers, equally anxious, had insisted on coming along.

Zong Zhao encountered them midway.

Cui Zhi stopped the carriage and exclaimed excitedly to Xu Wan, "Madam, the General has returned! The young masters must have already entered the examination hall safely!"

Hearing this good news, the other carriages behind them finally relaxed, and cheerful voices rose one after another.

But Xu Wan’s carriage remained silent.

Zong Zhao quickly dismounted and lifted the carriage curtain, only to find Xu Wan unconscious inside.

Cui Zhi gasped. "Ah—Madam!"

Zong Zhao swiftly took her wrist to check her pulse. Finding that she had merely fainted from exhaustion and stress, he reassured Cui Zhi, "Take her back to the manor."

"Yes."

The other ladies wanted to follow and check on Xu Wan, but Zong Zhao refused, saying she needed rest and that they could visit another day.

At the General’s Manor, Yan Suxue and Su Xi’s carriage arrived shortly after. They watched as Zong Zhao hurriedly carried Xu Wan inside, with the Old Marchioness following closely behind.

Unlike Yan Suxue’s worried expression, Su Xi was smiling—even chuckling to himself.

Yan Suxue asked, puzzled, "Aren’t you concerned about Sister-in-law? Why are you laughing?"

Su Xi grinned. "What’s there to worry about? If she’s tired, she just needs to sleep it off. Will your concern wake her up any faster?"

Yan Suxue: "..."

Well, no, but something still felt off.

Su Xi shook his head, still amused. "Your family is quite interesting—loving spouses, harmonious in-laws, mutual respect among siblings. You’ve got it all. Rare, truly rare..."

Yan Suxue sighed. "So that’s what you’re laughing about. Well, yes, the Old Marchioness is kind, the family values are strong, and Sister-in-law is so capable and intelligent. Everyone from top to bottom adores her."

Su Xi chuckled. "Indeed, what a fortunate family."

Meanwhile, the manor physician had examined Xu Wan and prescribed a calming tonic. The Old Marchioness personally oversaw the brewing of the medicine and brought it over.

Zong Zhao was still sitting by her bedside. When the Old Marchioness entered with the medicine, he stood and said softly, "Mother, leave it for now. She can drink it after she wakes."

The Old Marchioness hesitated. "But the physician said—"

Zong Zhao replied, "She’s exhausted. What she needs most is rest. Keep the medicine warm, and I’ll have it brought over when she wakes. You and Father should rest too—you’ve barely slept all night. Don’t wear yourselves out."

"Alright, alright. I’ll take the medicine back for now." The Old Marchioness took a few steps before turning around to chide, "While you’re here, think about how to get along better with Wan'er. Don’t always look so stern, as if you’re in a bad mood."

Zong Zhao: "..."

How could he be in a good mood when his wife had collapsed from exhaustion?

The Old Marchioness just wanted to lecture him a bit. After saying her piece, she left with the bowl, and the maids closed the door, shooing away the servants cleaning the courtyard.

The room fell silent again.

Zong Zhao returned to the bedside, checked Xu Wan’s forehead to confirm she wasn’t feverish, and sat back down to keep watch.

Xu Wan slept until evening. When she groggily awoke and saw the familiar ceiling of her home, she bolted upright. "Jin Cheng! Where’s Jin Cheng?"

Zong Zhao quickly took her hand. "Jin Cheng is in the examination hall. They’re all taking their exams."

"Oh… they made it in." Xu Wan exhaled heavily, slumping back against the headboard. "Thank heavens. Next time they have exams, I’ll make sure they don’t leave the house for three days beforehand."

Zong Zhao didn’t argue. "Alright. We’ll be more careful next time."

Xu Wan closed her eyes, gathering her thoughts before asking, "Why is it so gloomy? Is it going to rain again?"

Zong Zhao said, "It’s just getting dark. Time for dinner."

Having slept all day, Xu Wan now felt refreshed. With the children’s crisis resolved, her tension melted away. Only then did she notice Zong Zhao still sitting by the bed, still in the same clothes.

Guiltily, ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍she asked, "You didn’t stay here watching me all day, did you?"

Zong Zhao didn’t answer, though his ears reddened slightly. Instead, he asked, "Would you like to freshen up first, or eat something?"

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