The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

At Qingbo Lake.

The little tyrant was confidently patting his chest, saying to his playmates with bravado, "Eat and drink as you please! Young Master Zong will cover all expenses today!"

"How generous of Young Master Zong!"

"Jincheng is truly my best brother!"

"Jincheng is so magnanimous!"

Everyone knew that the Yangyuan Marquis Manor was as wealthy as a nation, and its only legitimate grandson was treasured like a jewel, often spending money lavishly. Thus, many people gathered around to curry favor with him.

Zong Jincheng's mood improved as he listened to everyone's flattery; it was indeed more pleasant outside than in the manor.

When it came time to pay the bill, Zong Jincheng was about to leave with his group, as usually the servants would stay behind to settle the payment.

However, unexpectedly, the manor's steward suddenly appeared and said something to his servant, who hastily handed over all the money he was carrying.

Moreover, they hadn't even paid the bill yet, and the merchant was now looking at him with the eyes of a debt collector.

The smile on Zong Jincheng's face instantly froze: "Steward Liu, what is the meaning of this?"

The other young nobles gathered around, looking at Zong Jincheng in confusion.

Someone suddenly spoke up: "Jincheng said he would pay for today's bill. What's Steward Liu playing at? Is this some good cop, bad cop routine to get out of paying?"

Zong Jincheng was stung by the accusation of trying to dodge payment.

How could he, the legitimate grandson of the marquis and future young lord, possibly try to evade paying a bill?

The little tyrant suppressed his anger and ordered, "Steward Liu, settle the bill."

Steward Liu apologetically replied, "I'm sorry, young master, but the madam has ordered that all your expenses be suspended. Please return to the manor with me."

Upon hearing this, the others immediately understood: "Oh, so you're being controlled by your stepmother."

"Jincheng, you've met your match this time. Your stepmother is really putting you in your place."

"Oh dear, oh dear, the young master of the marquis manor is trying to skip out on the bill."

The jeering voices grew louder, and Zong Jincheng rarely blushed. He angrily said, "If she just wants me to go back to the manor to hear her lecture, fine, I'll go. Just pay the bill first."

Steward Liu kept his head lowered and apologetically said, "I'm sorry, young master, but I cannot disobey the madam's orders. I cannot settle this bill for you."

Currently, Xu Wan was the lady of the house at the marquis manor, and he could only follow her orders.

This was also specifically instructed by the old madam before she left.

"You..." Zong Jincheng finally understood how it felt to be angered by someone.

But he knew Steward Liu's uncompromising nature; he definitely wouldn't pay the bill today.

The little tyrant anxiously removed the jade pendant from his waist and threw it to the merchant, then stormed off toward the manor in a huff.

The other young masters followed, gleefully discussing how Zong Jincheng would have no peace in the future, their laughter carrying far into the distance.

After everyone had left, Steward Liu rubbed his nose, thinking to himself that the madam had calculated correctly - without money to pay the bill, the young master could only settle it with his personal belongings.

The meal only cost a few dozen taels, but that jade pendant was worth three thousand taels. If pawned, it could cover quite a lot of expenses. But the young master had no concept of money's value and wouldn't think about whether it was worth it or not.

How could he possibly match up against the madam like this...

"Ah..."

At the marquis manor.

Zong Jincheng angrily ran inside, with servants chasing after him.

Xu Wan was leisurely drinking premium Biluochun tea, thinking to herself how wonderful the life of the wealthy was.

"Cui Zhi, keep the courtyard gate open. We don't want the young master breaking it in his anger - that door looks expensive."

Cui Zhi responded with a light laugh: "Yes, I'll go open it right away."

Zong Jincheng swore he had never been so humiliated in his life. Just thinking about how those people had mocked him made his blood boil.

It was all because of this woman.

Everything changed when she arrived.

Before she came to the manor, his life had been so carefree. Now that his grandparents weren't around, she was taking every opportunity to bully him.

Zong Jincheng gathered his strength, preparing to kick her door down and teach her a harsh lesson.

But when he kicked...

Damn it, why was the door already open?!

The little tyrant, having kicked at nothing, nearly fell face-first.

He stumbled, quickly looked around to make sure no one had seen, then straightened his clothes and walked in angrily as if nothing had happened.

Xu Wan was drinking tea when Cui Liu, the martial arts-trained maid, came over and whispered the situation at the door in her ear, nearly making her spray out her tea.

"Pfft, how can this boy be so amusing?"

He couldn't possibly think that just because he couldn't see others, they couldn't see him.

When Zong Jincheng entered, he saw Xu Wan laughing heartily, with five or six maids attending to her throughout the courtyard. The table was laden with delicacies and drinks, and this woman, wrapped in a snow-white fur coat, sat in a comfortable chair holding a large hand warmer, half-squinting her eyes as she basked in the sunlight, completely at ease.

Thinking back to his recent embarrassment made him even angrier by comparison.

"Give me back my money." The little tyrant sat at the stone table, speaking to her furiously.

Xu Wan glanced at him and said amusingly, "Why are you so angry? It's just one meal. Even if you couldn't pay at the moment, didn't your friends help? According to the accounts, you've treated them to plenty of meals and drinks. What's wrong with letting them treat you for once?"

Zong Jincheng's face reddened at her words. He snorted, "Stop playing innocent. Steward Liu must have told you everything. Yes, they didn't help me pay, but that's because I had promised to treat them today. If you hadn't sent Steward Liu to stop me, how could I have lost so much face?"

The little fellow argued righteously: "If word gets out, people will think our marquis manor is stingy and doesn't keep its promises. You almost ruined my grandparents' lifetime of good reputation."

"Tsk, you're quite good at making serious accusations, aren't you?" Xu Wan looked at him with new respect; this little tyrant wasn't just a pretty face after all.

Zong Jincheng thought he had intimidated her and immediately said sternly, "Return the money, and we'll stay out of each other's way."

He had no interest in the manor's authority and thought his grandmother's agreement with her was pointless.

"Too late." Xu Wan stood up from her chair and pointed to the setting sun, "See that? The sun hasn't set yet, and my wedding day isn't over. You made me lose face, so you've already crossed the line. It can't be undone, and it's unforgivable."

"You!" The little tyrant clenched his fists, "What exactly do you want?"

"What I want, you should know clearly. The old madam didn't hide it from you when she spoke to me." Because of the old madam's openness, Xu Wan had to be straightforward with him, "You cooperate with me and study well. Once you achieve top honors in the imperial examinations, you can be the young marquis and manage the household, and I'll take my money and leave. We both get what we want."

This was a win-win arrangement, and it was also the old madam's intention, but they had all underestimated this rebellious child's determination.

Zong Jincheng decisively declared, "I don't like studying, and I won't take any imperial examinations! Whatever agreement you have with grandmother is your business - I absolutely won't cooperate!"

"That's not up to you." Xu Wan had anticipated his resistance and wasn't surprised by his defiance.

"Steward Liu, go collect all the valuable items from the young master's rooms and keep them safe. We can't have him pawning off more of the manor's precious things. A jade pendant worth three thousand taels, used to pay for just one meal - what a waste, what a waste."

"Yes," Steward Liu acknowledged and led people to search Zong Jincheng's quarters.

Zong Jincheng: "???"

"Hey! This is outright robbery!"

"Steward Liu! Have you gone mad? I'm the young master of this manor!"

"You dare listen to this woman and bully me? I'm writing to grandmother!"