The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 285

Hearing that name again after so long, Zong Jincheng instinctively rolled his eyes—the memory of Luo Jingfeng nearly strangling him before leaving for battle was still vivid in his mind.

"That treacherous villain," the little troublemaker muttered.

The Crown Prince paused, then countered, "He just rendered outstanding service to the court. The entire court and the common people are singing his praises. Why would you say such a thing about him?"

Zong Jincheng pursed his lips. "Just because he won a battle doesn’t make him a good person. He’s arrogant and domineering. Bullying me is one thing, but he even dares to disrespect Your Highness and defy imperial authority. That makes him a treacherous villain."

The Crown Prince fell silent, offering no further comment.

Zong Jincheng continued chattering, "Your Highness, you didn’t see it back then—he was even ruthless to his own son. Luo Chen was kicked so hard he flew across the room. I was afraid his guts would spill out. Luo Jingfeng is too cruel. I doubt there’s anyone in this world he truly cares about. Oh, right—he’s probably destined to die alone. He just has that look about him."

The Crown Prince’s lashes trembled slightly as he murmured, "There was once someone he cared deeply about."

"Eh? Who?" Zong Jincheng couldn’t imagine someone like Luo Jingfeng having anyone he truly valued.

The Crown Prince gazed into the distance, his voice faint. "He had a younger sister, Luo Shu. They relied on each other growing up. Later, to save him from trouble, their father offered her up as a bargaining chip."

As an outsider, Zong Jincheng was stunned by this piece of gossip. "Someone actually treated Luo Jingfeng that well? What was she thinking? Wait—no, their father sacrificed his own daughter? He’s no good either!"

The Crown Prince replied softly, "If there was ever anyone Luo Jingfeng cared about most in this world, it was Luo Shu. But sadly, she died."

Zong Jincheng frowned. "And after that, Luo Jingfeng went unchecked and started rampaging everywhere? What a disaster."

The Crown Prince turned to him and asked quietly, "Are you afraid of him?"

Zong Jincheng snorted proudly. "Not at all. I have the jade pendant you gave me. Next time I see him, I’ll wear it around my neck first."

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍Crown Prince chuckled, though it triggered a faint cough.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" the little troublemaker asked anxiously.

The Crown Prince covered his chest with one hand and waved the other dismissively. "This Prince is fine. It’s just that your words are too amusing—I couldn’t help laughing."

Zong Jincheng’s heart ached. As he patted the Crown Prince’s back, he asked, "Your Highness, I heard you used to be as skilled in martial arts as my father. Why has your health deteriorated so much, with no signs of recovery?"

He had once suspected foul play, but his mother had covered his mouth and told him not to speak recklessly. Still, he couldn’t understand how a once-formidable warrior could end up like this.

The Crown Prince lowered his eyes and whispered, "Perhaps it’s fate. This Prince no longer has the strength to fight."

Zong Jincheng grasped his cold hand and vowed, "Don’t resign yourself to fate, Your Highness. You still have me. I can fight for you—I want to help you."

The Crown Prince’s heart softened. His eyes shimmered as he gazed at the young boy before him, then asked once more, "Jincheng, two years ago, this Prince posed a question you couldn’t answer then. Now, tell me—can you answer it now?"

"Justice or blood ties—which would you choose?"

That question again.

At eight years old, Zong Jincheng had struggled with it. Now, at ten, it was placed before him once more.

"I…" Zong Jincheng hesitated.

Back then, he had assumed it was just a casual question from the Crown Prince and never pondered it again. But now, faced with it anew, the dilemma remained just as paralyzing.

He understood more now—no longer blindly favoring his own kin. Yet the family he had to choose between included his grandfather, grandmother, elder brother, and father—his only blood relatives in this world.

"Still can’t decide?" the Crown Prince asked gently.

The little troublemaker scratched his head and answered honestly, "My family is truly good. I can’t imagine them ever acting against justice. But if that day ever came—if they changed, if they harmed the people for selfish gain—then I would choose justice. However… if you asked me to kill them, I’ll be honest—I couldn’t do it. I would dismantle their power but spare their lives, letting them live out their days in obscurity."

As he spoke, Zong Jincheng clenched his fists tightly. The mere thought of someday having to pass judgment on his own family pained him deeply… His elder brother and the others would never become villains. Never.

The Crown Prince exhaled as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders—a burden he had carried for a year and a half, finally released. He smiled faintly. "That’s enough. That’s more than enough."

What a good child…

Perhaps now, when Luo Jingfeng returned, he wouldn’t be able to corrupt him.

Zong Jincheng, heartened by the Crown Prince’s approval, brightened immediately. It seemed he had finally solved the question—and done so splendidly.

As evening fell and the sky darkened, the Crown Prince urged Buyan to take the little troublemaker home. But Zong Jincheng refused, insisting on staying with His Highness.

"The night is cold. You can return tomorrow—it’s no different."

Zong Jincheng dug in his heels. "Your Highness, who fears the cold so much, is staying here. I won’t leave. My body runs hot—I can even warm your hands!"

He nearly added that he was also excellent at warming beds, but given the Crown Prince’s status, he held back, not wanting to overstep and appear disrespectful.

"Really, look—my hands are still warm!" Zong Jincheng pressed his hands forward as proof. Indeed, they were still toasty.

By early February, the weather had lost its winter bite, even in the wilderness outside the city.

Unable to sway him, the Crown Prince relented.

A nearby attendant lit a fire, and the two sat by the flames. Zong Jincheng chattered away—about his elite class, how he had won a debate against Qin Ye, even acting out the highlights with animated gestures. The firelight danced across the young boy’s face, radiant with energy and vitality.

The Crown Prince watched the lively child, his smile unwavering as he committed these precious moments to memory.

Follow current novℯls on ƒгeewёbnovel.com.

Before long, Huaishui rushed over with urgent news: "Your Highness, refugees are causing unrest."

The Crown Prince’s smile vanished, his expression turning grave. He stood and ordered, "Buyan, take Jincheng into the tent."

"Yes."

Zong Jincheng wanted to follow but feared being a burden. Reluctantly, he trailed after Buyan, glancing back every few steps.

He muttered under his breath, "No wonder Your Highness insisted on staying here—something really did happen."

Buyan, rarely one to speak, remarked, "Young Master, you should have listened to His Highness. Now, leaving won’t be so easy."

Zong Jincheng huffed. "Even if I could leave, I wouldn’t. I’m staying with His Highness."

Buyan stated plainly, "But you don’t know martial arts. You’d only be in the way here."

"You do, though."

Buyan: "…"

Truly, the young master lived up to his reputation—three words were enough to make his blood boil.