The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 420

She had been contemplating this reform for a long time.

Although Zong Zhao reassured her that she had already done well, she still wanted to make further improvements. She decided to trial it for a month first—perhaps it would yield good results?

The five private tutors exchanged glances, both surprised and somewhat puzzled.

Pan Hongzhi was the first to speak up: "Madam's idea is excellent, but they are already quite familiar with the laws, especially Jin Cheng. His memory is the sharpest—he remembers every legal principle we’ve discussed in daily life. So in practice, they might still prioritize legal considerations."

Xu Wan nodded in agreement. "That’s likely true, but let’s still give it a try. Have them attempt to disregard existing rules and form their own first-hand judgments, rather than strictly adhering to standard answers. Also, during this month, the small exams held every three days will include all the tutors. Have the graded papers sent to me—the general and I will write our comments."

Zong Zhao mentioned that he had no urgent matters to attend to and could join her in teaching. She, of course, intended to make the most of this free time.

"Yes."

On the swing in the courtyard,

Xu Wan sat down and immediately began thinking about who should set the next exam questions. Jiang Yan… she felt it might be more appropriate to have him participate as well. Master Baili… she didn’t want to trouble him too often. That left only her and Zong Zhao.

With exams every three days, there would be ten in a month.

Ten questions—surely Zong Zhao wouldn’t find that too much?

As Xu Wan was lost in thought, Zong Zhao emerged from the house. She noticed he had come from the direction of the small bathing room.

Puzzled, she asked, "What were you doing in the bathing room in broad daylight? Did you take a bath?"

"No," Zong Zhao replied softly, naturally stepping behind her to push the swing. His tall figure cast a shadow over her. "Having fun?"

The early autumn air carried a slight chill, and the sun wasn’t particularly bright. The swing stood beside a pavilion, and sitting there for even a short while made her feel cold.

"Not really," Xu Wan said with a laugh, extending a hand toward him—a silent request for him to pull her up so they could go somewhere sunnier.

Zong Zhao bent down, slipped his arms beneath her, and lifted her horizontally, his gaze tender as he looked at her. "Want to go back inside? I’ll carry you."

Xu Wan blinked in surprise. "Isn’t it a bit late to ask after you’ve already acted?"

Zong Zhao nuzzled her neck, his voice husky. "Not too late. Let’s go."

Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her cheek against his chest and listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. She murmured, "Why are you still so stiff even in casual clothes? You’re nothing like Jin Cheng—he’s soft and comfortable to hug."

Zong Zhao frowned slightly. "How do I… soften up?"

"Hmm… let me think…"

"Alright."

Carrying Xu Wan inside, Zong Zhao headed straight for the large bed. He set his wife down on the edge, his eyes locked onto hers. The moment their gazes met, the two novices found themselves drawn to each other again, the urge to kiss undeniable.

Xu Wan closed her eyes, thinking to herself: If this fool really doesn’t know how to kiss, then she’d just have to teach him… After all, Zong Zhao hadn’t been home when the wedding instructor had explained these things.

Cupping her face in his hands, Zong Zhao pressed her down into the soft bedding. His heartbeat quickened as he leaned in, starting with the simplest touch, then slowly testing, deepening, until they truly became one. Everything that had once felt awkward suddenly fell into place.

So this was what a kiss was supposed to be.

Xu Wan sank into the blankets, enveloped beneath him, surrounded entirely by Zong Zhao’s scent. It overwhelmed her, leaving no escape, no retreat—only the relentless pounding of their hearts.

The temperature around them rose steadily. Zong Zhao tangled with her, stirring emotions she hadn’t known existed. She felt like she was drowning in warmth, her breath growing uneven, her face burning. Yet pinned beneath him, she had no choice but to follow him into this strange, exhilarating sensation.

Her mind went blank…

Only when Zong Zhao stiffened completely did he reluctantly pull away slightly. As he wiped the corner of her mouth, he caught sight of his wife beneath him—her face flushed, her lips parted. He bolted upright and fled.

Xu Wan lay there, dazed for a moment.

When she finally looked up, he was already gone.

"???"

He kisses her and then runs away?

What kind of reaction is that???

It took her a while to steady her breathing. Once she felt calmer, she sat up, pressing the back of her hand to her heated cheeks.

She muttered under her breath, "How did he suddenly learn to kiss like that? Who taught him?"

At first, Xu Wan didn’t understand why Zong Zhao had fled. But when he didn’t return after a long while, realization dawned.

Oh… that… Well, she thought she got it now.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she pretended nothing had happened, smoothing out the rumpled sheets before sitting primly at the desk.

Right. Reading.

Reading purifies the soul.

She pretended to focus on the book, though not a single word registered. Eventually, guilt got the better of her. She scribbled a note about going to see Jin Cheng and hurried out.

Along the way, Cui Zhi asked, "Madam, have you and the general discussed it? Is he willing to help you come up with the exam questions for the month?"

Xu Wan swiftly changed the subject. "We’ll see. I’ll ask him tomorrow."

Who knew? She’d spent all that time alone with Zong Zhao and barely exchanged a few words—too busy kissing and… well, more kissing. Romance really did dull one’s reflexes.

Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself and said, "Let’s go back. There’s no need to bother Jin Cheng—he’s got his tutors. I should go ask about the exam questions…"

Cui ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Zhi: "…"

So this little excursion was just… a stroll?

When Xu Wan returned from her "stroll," Zong Zhao had reassumed his usual composed demeanor, sitting perfectly straight at the desk as he wrote, showing no trace of their earlier encounter.

Xu Wan silently screamed inside: Lies! All lies! Who would guess what this man had just been up to?

Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained a calm facade as she approached. "Are you writing or drawing?"

Without looking up, Zong Zhao replied, "Writing exam questions."

"Ah… I hadn’t even mentioned it to you yet." This was the very task she’d neglected to bring up earlier.

Still focused on his writing, Zong Zhao said, "Since these are small exams and part of your reform, I think the questions shouldn’t be too comprehensive. Focusing on individual points would better train their mindset. What do you think?"

Xu Wan was quickly drawn into the discussion. "That makes sense. There are ten exams, after all. The first few can tackle specific issues. Once we see their progress, we can gradually shift toward broader topics."

Zong Zhao gave a hum of agreement. "I’ve already drafted a few questions. Take a look."

"What? You finished them so quickly?" Xu Wan picked up the papers, scanning them as she spoke. "We don’t need this many—just a few simple ones will do."

Zong Zhao chuckled softly, lifting his star-like eyes to gaze at her as he said, "I was afraid you wouldn't be satisfied and would have to come up with your own ideas, so I wrote a few more options for you to choose from."

Visit freewe𝑏nove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺 for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience