The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 429

When he heard those ridiculous rumors, he was so furious he wanted to burn down those nonsensical places. What kind of nonsense were they spreading? They were only ruining his reputation! If he smiled, it was because of Jincheng—what did it have to do with Zong Zhao?! fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"Send people to keep an eye on those places. Anyone who dares to gossip about this lord again will be thrown into jail for reformation."

"Yes, sir!"

Late October, light snow.

This ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌‍was the second solar term of winter, signaling that snow and colder temperatures could arrive at any moment.

Luo Jingfeng personally delivered five sets of fluffy little cotton robes early in the morning. Sipping tea leisurely, he said, "Go try them on and see if they fit. If they look good, I’ll have more made."

Since his nephew rarely accepted his goodwill, Luo Jingfeng always made sure to prepare five gifts at a time, leaving Zong Jincheng no room to refuse.

As for money…

Hah, he had more than enough.

The joy of being wealthy—once you experienced it, you’d never want to go back. The five little robes were tailored to their measurements, all in pristine white with lifelike white fox fur collars, looking both clean and elegant.

He Zheng exclaimed, "So warm!"

With the room heated by a stove, they started sweating as soon as they put them on. Zong Jincheng urged them outside, "Let’s see if it’s cold out there."

"Alright!" The boys dashed out one after another.

Winter in the north arrived early and harshly, and the outdoor temperature was biting. But with the warm fur collars shielding their necks and faces, they still felt toasty—almost too warm, even.

Shen Yibai laughed heartily, "This is so cozy! I bet even in the dead of winter, we won’t feel cold. No more bundling up like dumplings, haha!"

Wei Xinglu suddenly had an idea, "Does that mean we can go ice fishing now?"

"Eh?!" The others perked up. "You’re right, we totally could!"

The four young troublemakers had tried every outdoor activity imaginable—except breaking ice to catch fish in deep winter. Their elders, afraid they’d fall ill, always had servants watching to stop them.

"Then it’s settled! When the ice is thickest, we’re going ice fishing!"

"Deal!"

Luo Jingfeng stood under the eaves, watching the boys excitedly plan their next adventure. He turned to his attendant and said, "Go back and have three more sets made for each of them, in different colors. Get it done quickly—don’t delay their fun."

"Yes, sir."

No sooner had Luo Jingfeng left than the Wei family’s servants arrived.

Wei Xinglu was still grinning ear to ear over his new treasure when a servant rushed in, "Young Master, bad news! The master has been caned by the Emperor! Madam is asking you to come home at once."

"What?!"

"Why was he punished?"

"Yeah, didn’t Censor Wei just get promoted? He’s the head of the Censorate now!"

The boys crowded around, firing questions.

The servant shook his head frantically, "I don’t know the details, only that someone impeached him during the morning court session. The Emperor ordered fifty lashes in public, and he was carried back unconscious."

Wei Xinglu hurried out with him, "Let’s go home first." Halfway out, he remembered to turn back, "Tell Auntie I’ll try to return as soon as possible."

"Got it, go ahead." Zong Jincheng waved him off.

The remaining boys exchanged uneasy glances.

Shen Yibai muttered, "Why does Censor Wei keep getting impeached? He’s the head of the Censorate—shouldn’t he be the one impeaching others?"

Zong Wenxiu recalled the past incident when Li Qi, a censor, had mentioned that Censor Wei once taught his subordinates how to recruit new allies—only to be impeached by a rival for "encouraging flattery." That cost him his position as the Censorate’s second-in-command.

Now, the one who had impeached him had retired, yet Censor Wei had stumbled again.

He Zheng mused, "Maybe he’s too straightforward and made too many enemies? I’ve heard the Censorate has a bad reputation—officials fear them but also despise them."

Zong Jincheng declared, "I’ll ask Father what’s going on and fill you in later."

"Great! Hurry up! I’m dying to know!" Shen Yibai said eagerly.

He Zheng quietly warned, "Easy there, Bai. If Xinglu hears you’re treating this like gossip, he might punch you."

In the bedroom, Zong Zhao and Xu Wan were already discussing the matter.

Zong Jincheng came barreling in, his voice preceding him, "Mother! Father! Are you there?"

Cui Zhi chuckled nearby, "They are, Young Master. Lower your voice, or the Second Madam will fret over your manners again."

Zong Jincheng grinned, "Got it!" Then, once inside, he immediately shouted again, "Mother, look! How do you like my new robe? It’s super warm!"

"..." Cui Zhi nearly fainted.

Xu Wan stood up, smiling, "It’s lovely, especially that fur collar. Quite elegant—a gift from the Duke’s residence?"

Zong Jincheng nodded proudly, "He said he’ll make three more sets for us, in different colors!"

Xu Wan remarked, "Impressive. The Duke is getting more generous."

Zong Jincheng’s tone shifted, "But the Wei family just came by—Censor Wei was caned fifty times. Xinglu rushed home and asked me to pass on his leave request."

Xu Wan’s smile faded. "I see. Your father and I were just discussing this. Censor Wei has taken another hard fall."

"What happened?" Zong Jincheng asked curiously. "How does the head of the Censorate keep getting impeached? Is he… not cut out for the job?"

He wouldn’t dare say this in front of others, but with just his parents around, he voiced his thoughts honestly.

Zong Zhao replied seriously, "In terms of capability, Censor Wei is excellent. None of the officials he impeached were wronged, and the court has become fairer because of him. But he’s too simple-minded—he doesn’t excel at scheming, so others easily exploit his mistakes. Before, someone above him shielded him from many attacks. Now that that person has retired, all eyes are on him. This is his tenth impeachment since taking office, but the first time he’s been punished physically."

Zong Jincheng frowned, focusing on the key point, "But did he actually do something wrong?"

Zong Zhao raised a brow, "He did, but not enough to warrant such a harsh penalty."

At the very least, fifty lashes were excessive.

Zong Jincheng didn’t understand. He pressed, puzzled, "Then why fifty lashes? Censor Wei is a civil official—this punishment is severe. He probably won’t be able to get out of bed for a long time."

Zong Zhao explained, "Because different people keep impeaching him every day. The Emperor is fed up."

Zong Jincheng imagined the scene and blurted out, "It must be annoying to hear complaints every day, but… shouldn’t justice still be served? Censor Wei may have offended people, but he did it for the court’s sake. Otherwise, why even have a Censorate? The Emperor is acting strange—did he not get enough sleep before court? Is this just his morning grumpiness?"

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