The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 435

Xu Wan was moved to the point of tears, but she suppressed them and chuckled softly, "You don’t really know my father. He’s the easiest to handle in our family because he’s terrified of ruining decades of effort, especially if it means falling out with me. That’s why I dare to argue with him. The others, though—Madam Liu and her lot—are shameless. Even if you win the argument, it won’t solve the root of the problem, so I especially dislike meeting them."

In this era, particularly in the capital, interpersonal relationships were intricate and fraught. She lacked the courage to sever ties with her family outright, unwilling to subject both the Xu and Zong families to gossip because of her.

Even if her husband’s family doted on her unconditionally.

Zong Zhao sensed her hesitation and suggested, "Then let Madam Liu skip the banquet. Just have a meal with your father."

Xu Wan was stunned. "This… this direct? Madam Liu may be a stepmother, but she’s still the official wife. If a daughter returns home, how can the matriarch of the household not be at the table?"

Zong Zhao made the decision. "Leave the difficult choice to your father. Let him understand our stance. That Madam Liu mistreated you for years—she deserves some consequences."

Xu Wan thought it over and replied, "Then let my father deal with the dilemma. I suspect he’ll choose you—mind you, not us, but you. As for Madam Liu, he can claim she didn’t want to attend, or that she had matters at home, or perhaps…"

—

"Madam Liu has fallen ill and cannot receive her daughter and son-in-law. Tomorrow, on the second day of the new year, the Minister will personally await the General and the young mistress at the gate to welcome them home."

—

After the Xu family’s messenger left, Xu Wan silently raised a thumb in approval.

She turned to Zong Zhao. "Only my father could pull this off. The excuse is flawless—no one would doubt it. It meets your demand without exposing our conflict with Madam Liu. Brilliant."

Zong Zhao said coolly, "Do it once, and people won’t suspect. Do it every year, and everyone will know the truth."

Xu Wan asked, "So every time he asks me to return, Madam Liu will conveniently fall ill first?"

Zong Zhao replied, "That’s his only choice."

Minister Xu understood priorities. He would never sacrifice the Zong family’s influence for Madam Liu—not even if Duke Jin’s Manor pressured him. He’d choose the Zong family without hesitation.

Xu Wan burst into laughter. "I can already picture my father’s face twisted in frustration. But when he sees you tomorrow, I bet he’ll be grinning ear to ear."

Zong Zhao watched her quietly. Initially, he hadn’t wanted to acknowledge Minister Xu as his father-in-law—the man had treated her poorly, unforgivably so.

But since she seemed reluctant to cut ties, perhaps out of lingering familial attachment, he adjusted accordingly. If Minister Xu wanted to play the role of family, then he’d better act the part—and repay every ounce of what he owed her.

That night, their two quilts remained separate.

But Zong Zhao had already pushed his own aside, lifted Xu Wan’s covers, and slid in beside her.

"Ah—Zong Zhao! What are you doing?" Xu Wan’s heart nearly stopped at the sight of his face suddenly so close.

Such boldness!

It didn’t match his usual demeanor at all.

Hovering above her, he stated plainly, "I want to share your quilt. I don’t want to sleep alone."

Xu Wan blinked, then laughed. "You’ve improved! You actually said that out loud. Before, I had to be the one to suggest it."

Seeing her approval, Zong Zhao’s lips curved slightly. He kissed her smooth forehead, then nuzzled her neck. "I like you."

Xu Wan squirmed as his touch tickled. Amused, she teased, "I know, I know. You’ve said it so many times. Is that the only phrase you know?"

Zong Zhao shifted to her lips, unwavering as he repeated, "I like you."

Xu Wan flushed. Who kept getting chased around with confessions like this? Weren’t such words usually said just once?

But Zong Zhao seemed to treat it as an ongoing declaration. Between kisses, he’d murmur it again, leaving her dizzy and pliant, her body melting like warm wax. Occasionally, he’d ask about her past in the Xu family—who had been around, how they’d treated her.

Xu Wan barely recalled her own answers. After a particularly heated moment, when his lips grazed her ear, he left her with a single phrase before heading to the bathhouse.

Catching her breath, she glanced down at the marks on her skin and yanked the quilt up, covering her half-bare body.

Hadn’t Zong Zhao just whispered… "Tomorrow night"?

Tomorrow night?

What about tomorrow night?

Her ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍thoughts raced—earlier, he’d assigned the children extra essays, mentioned there were no relatives to visit… Did that mean they’d finally… consummate their marriage?

The mere idea set her skin ablaze, every spot he’d touched burning anew. freewebnσvel.cøm

When Zong Zhao returned, he dutifully retrieved his quilt from the headboard and settled back into his own space.

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Good heavens, how could he be so endearing and pitiful at once?

This fool.

The next morning, the second day of the new year.

Xu Wan had planned to leave by mid-morning, but Zong Zhao insisted there was no rush. By noon, he finally led her to the carriage for the journey to the Xu residence.

Minister Xu had been waiting at the gate since dawn, but as the hours passed with no sign of them, neighbors began to whisper:

"Minister Xu has been standing there all morning. Who’s he waiting for with such ceremony?"

"Ha! I’d bet it’s General Zong. The second day is when married daughters visit their parents. Must be him."

"Seems the Zong family doesn’t think much of the Xus. The old man’s been waiting half the day, and they still haven’t shown. Probably look down on them."

"Word is, Minister Xu treated his eldest daughter poorly, which is why she’s distant. Back then, General Zong hadn’t earned his merits, and the Old Lady of the Zong Family was just a merchant’s daughter. For the Xu family’s noble daughter to marry into the Zongs? It wasn’t just a step down—it was exile!"

Xu Wan overheard "exile" just as they arrived and nearly laughed aloud. Noticing Zong Zhao’s darkening expression, she quickly soothed, "Our home is wonderful, truly. Don’t listen to nonsense. Even if you hadn’t returned, the Marquis Manor would’ve been a fine place. Look how plump I’ve gotten since joining your family!"

She hadn’t actually gained much weight—her frame was naturally slender. But compared to her malnourished state in the Xu household, where she’d been sallow and gaunt even at seventeen, she might as well have been a different person.

The reminder only fueled Zong Zhao’s anger. Gripping her hand, he stepped down, ready to settle scores on his wife’s behalf.

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