The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 428

Luo Jingfeng might be fierce and domineering toward outsiders, but Shen Yibai was Zong Jincheng’s sworn brother. Whether he agreed with him or not, Luo would never harm him.

Shen Yibai’s heart skipped a beat for a moment, but then he shook his head frantically. "No, no, I wouldn’t dare. Luo Jingfeng only took you as his godson because of your father. I heard he absolutely despises civil officials. If I were to ask him to be my godfather, he’d probably make my whole family kneel and kowtow three times just to beg him—and even then, he might not agree."

Zong Jincheng’s lips twitched.

Honestly, Shen Yibai’s description was spot-on. He could totally picture Luo Jingfeng doing something like that.

In the courtyard, by the small pavilion, Xu Wan patiently explained, "We understand the Duke’s good intentions, but the Ministry of Rites oversees the imperial examinations. With so many eyes watching our two families, if word accidentally got out, it could tarnish Jincheng’s reputation."

Luo ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Jingfeng scoffed impatiently. "What’s there to worry about? If I summon those two from the Ministry of Rites to give a few lectures, do you think they’d dare spread rumors?"

Zong Zhao retorted bluntly, "Why don’t you just ask the Emperor to teach them instead?"

Luo Jingfeng’s face darkened instantly.

He was accusing him of being too brazen.

Xu Wan stifled a laugh—Zong Zhao was as sharp as ever, cutting straight to the point with just one sentence.

Luo Jingfeng gritted his teeth. "Zong Zhao, are you determined to oppose me?"

Zong Zhao replied coldly, "You’re the one being arrogant. Pride goes before destruction—surely the Duke understands that principle?"

"You looking for a fight?!" Luo Jingfeng recalled how Zong Jincheng had repeatedly claimed Zong Zhao was stronger than him, and his pride flared up.

Zong Zhao motioned for Xu Wan to step back, adjusted his sleeves, and said calmly, "The Emperor has been urging me to take action again. Since you’re here, let’s have a match."

Luo Jingfeng immediately knew he was being roped into a performance. The fact that he was still being used at this point infuriated him so much that he kicked out without hesitation. "Even if your wife’s watching today, it won’t save you! I’m going to teach you a lesson!"

Luo Jingfeng, a renowned warrior with unfathomable martial prowess, missed Zong Zhao but still shattered a section of the nearby rockery with his kick, sending debris flying with a thunderous crash.

Xu Wan stared in shock.

Heavens! A real-life battle between masters!

Zong Zhao and Luo Jingfeng exchanged dozens of bare-handed blows, until one solid punch from Zong Zhao landed squarely on Luo Jingfeng’s face, leaving a dark bruise and drawing blood from his mouth.

Luo Jingfeng spat and roared, "You dare hit my face?!"

An absolute disgrace!!!

Zong Zhao said, "If we’re putting on a show, it has to look real. Bruises on the body won’t be visible."

"Fine, fine… then you’re getting one too!" Luo Jingfeng charged again, fists flying without restraint, each strike landing with brutal force.

Xu Wan had been sitting calmly at first, but when she saw them targeting each other’s faces, she stood up nervously. These two had no sense of restraint—if they kept this up, would their faces even be recognizable?

She called out timidly, "Zong Zhao… isn’t that enough? The bruises are visible now. No need to actually turn your faces into swollen messes…"

Two esteemed generals beating each other’s faces beyond recognition—that would be the scandal of the Capital City.

Zong Zhao retreated. His chin had taken two punches, both landing in the same spot, leaving a nasty mark. But Luo Jingfeng looked even worse—his face bore a massive bruise, as if he’d been strangled by a ghost, completely ruining his handsome appearance.

Xu Wan didn’t dare react, afraid of provoking Luo Jingfeng into another round.

Luo Jingfeng stormed off, muttering curses under his breath. "That bastard Zong Zhao, after all I’ve done for him!"

The guards waiting outside gasped at the sight and hurried forward. "Duke, did you just fight General Zong?"

Luo Jingfeng snapped, "Is that any of your business? Let’s go!"

"Yes…"

Though he didn’t admit it outright, his battered face made it obvious—no one else would dare lay a hand on him except Zong Zhao.

Word spread like wildfire across the Capital City.

In the bedroom, Xu Wan gently applied medicine to Zong Zhao’s wounds. "You two are like children, resorting to fists. Couldn’t you have just argued to stage a fallout, like you did with His Highness before?"

Zong Zhao said plainly, "I’ve wanted to hit him for a while."

Xu Wan paused. "Huh? Why? Because he’s arrogant? But he treats Jincheng so well—better than a real father."

Zong Zhao’s expression darkened. "He’s too disrespectful toward you. I don’t like it."

Xu Wan froze like a startled quail. She thought back—wasn’t Luo Jingfeng’s attitude toward her the same as his attitude toward everyone else?

She murmured, "That’s just how Luo Jingfeng is, isn’t it? Other than favoring Jincheng, he acts like an insufferably proud jerk to everyone."

Zong Zhao said, "That’s why I wanted to hit him."

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh as she continued applying the medicine. "You’re so childish. Fighting him won’t change him—you just wanted to vent?"

"Mm."

Her smile widened. "Then you should stay home for a few days. Since Luo Jingfeng’s injuries are already public, yours don’t need to be. Let him take the fall alone—pretend only he got hurt."

A low chuckle escaped Zong Zhao’s throat. "Good idea."

……

Luo Jingfeng’s plan to invite the Ministry of Rites officials to tutor the students was, as expected, scrapped—much to the relief of the entire class.

The political landscape remained unpredictable.

Rumors ran wild that the Duke Protector and General Zong had fallen out, fighting at the Zong residence before cutting ties… for a whole month.

A month later, Luo Jingfeng visited the Zong household again. No one knew what was said inside, but he emerged beaming.

Gossip spread like wildfire, growing more outrageous by the day—especially in the teahouses where storytellers spun their tales:

"What breakup? They just fought and had a little tiff. What, can’t men argue with each other?"

"Us martial artists have quick tempers—they flare up fast and cool down just as fast. A month’s passed—what grudge can’t be resolved?"

"Look at the Duke’s smile! If the Zong family had an unmarried daughter, I’d think he was arranging a marriage alliance!"

"Hey, hey! Hush! Don’t talk nonsense. The Duke only ever visits General Zong—they fought side by side on the battlefield. Their bond is unbreakable!"

"A legendary Great General of Pacifying the West, spotting talent on the frontlines and appointing another as his comrade-in-arms. Two generals united, conquering three cities of You Country together—such camaraderie, such trust, such a relationship! Who wouldn’t call it a match made in heaven?"

"A… a what?!"

"The sky’s falling…"

The teahouse was soon shut down—by Luo Jingfeng’s orders.

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