Chapter 33

Zhai Yao was scolded to the point of being drenched in humiliation, but he still angrily demanded, "You took my things, fine, but then you turn around and give them to those filthy beggars in the slums? Are you implying that I, the young master, am not even worthy of those lowly scum? Zong Jincheng, you're insulting people way beyond the limit!"

Zong Jincheng was a bit confused upon hearing this. Slums? Was he referring to Jingzhe? When did he ever give his prized horse to Jingzhe?

Could it be that Xu Wan sold his horse and converted the money into his monthly allowance?

Thinking of Xu Wan's calculating nature, it was quite possible she would do such a thing. But even if she did, why was Zhai Yao cursing people?

"Who are you calling lowly scum? He has a name, his name is Jingzhe! Besides, my things, I can give them to whoever I want. Do I need your permission? You're not my father!"

The two boys arguing at the door attracted the attention of many passersby. A noblewoman dressed in luxurious attire passed by and recognized the identities of the two children.

Her maidservant chuckled softly, "One from the Marquis Manor, the other from the Earl's estate. Why do they both seem to be a level below when they argue? How dare the Zhai boy?"

The noblewoman replied, "Not quite. Although the Zhai family is just an Earl's estate, they are currently in the emperor's favor. What does the Marquis Manor have? A widow and her child. What kind of trouble can they cause?"

This noblewoman seemed to hold a high status, which is why she dared to openly mock the two families with such disdain in her eyes.

Xu Wan frowned instinctively upon hearing the term "widow and child." Although Zong Zhao had disappeared for eight years, he had not been declared dead. This woman was being far too harsh by saying such things to her face.

Just as she was about to retort, the fiery-tempered boy beside her was the first to shout, "Who are you calling a widow and child? My father is still alive! Who gave you the right to curse him?!"

"Oh, look at this child, why are you so worked up? I was just speaking casually." The noblewoman laughed carelessly, not taking the matter seriously. She reached out to pull him, "Come on, let's go in. Don't keep the Crown Prince and Crown Princess waiting."

Zong Jincheng forcefully pulled his hand away and snapped, "Don't touch me, you wicked woman!"

The noblewoman was caught off guard and pushed back, her face turning angry. "What did you say?"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Her maidservant immediately scolded, "How bold! How dare you speak to the Duchess of Jin like that? Apologize at once!"

The little imp, used to being unruly, didn't care about the status of the Duchess of Jin at all. He continued to confront her coldly, "I called you a wicked woman, what about it?"

The Duchess of Jin refused to argue with a child. Instead, she directed her anger at Xu Wan, "So you are the wife of Zong Zhao, aren't you? Your child is so ill-mannered, as a mother, don't you think you should do something about it?"

Zong Jincheng's face darkened further.

The Duchess of Jin had picked the right person to target. Xu Wan was not on good terms with him, so she would definitely side with her against him!

Xu Wan smiled, "Indeed, it's quite challenging to discipline this child."

Zong Jincheng: "!!!"

He knew it!!

He knew this woman would never side with him!!!

However, before the little imp could erupt in anger, Xu Wan's tone suddenly shifted as she directly stated, "But this matter is indeed your fault. With your broad-mindedness, I'm sure you won't take it personally with a child. Would you please apologize to the child here?"

The Duchess of Jin's smiling face instantly froze.

"What... did you just say?"

Had she heard wrong? Xu Wan was actually asking her to apologize to a child?

She was the Duchess of Jin!!!

Did she even know who she was talking to?!

Zong Jincheng was even more bewildered. Why had Xu Wan suddenly changed her stance and decided to help him? He looked at Zong Wenxiu, who was trying his best to stay out of the spotlight but still firmly believed in Xu Wan.

The little imp's iron-clad heart suddenly softened a bit.

This woman... wasn't entirely dislikeable...

Xu Wan stood her ground without showing any weakness, "The Yangyuan Marquis Manor has served the court faithfully for generations. My husband's brother died on the battlefield, and my husband has also gone missing in battle. All the generals mourn their loss, and even the current emperor often mentions them. If the emperor were to learn that his loyal subjects were being cursed, he would surely be very angry. Don't you think so?"

In other words, insulting her husband was insulting all the generals. The anger wouldn't just come from Zong Zhao's son but from the emperor and the people.

The accusation was huge, and not apologizing would be hard to resolve. But how could the Duchess of Jin possibly apologize to a Marquis Manor she looked down upon? She was furious and frustrated, turning to leave.

Xu Wan took a step forward, but was stopped by the Duchess's maidservant, who said coldly, "Madam Zong, please behave."

"Is the Duchess of Jin planning to escape?"

"How dare you! You dare to insult me!" The Duchess of Jin was incensed by the word "escape." She turned around and strode over, raising her hand to slap Xu Wan.

The slap was fierce, and if it landed, it would surely disfigure her.

Everyone around was holding their breath for Xu Wan.

Unexpectedly, Xu Wan caught the slap firmly, gripping the Duchess of Jin's wrist tightly and smiling, "Using force at the Crown Princess's birthday banquet, isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

She wasn't skilled in martial arts, but back in the orphanage, whenever her younger brothers and sisters were bullied, she was the one who led the charge to get justice.

When it came to fighting, she was a seasoned veteran.

The Duchess of Jin was furious, and her maids all stepped forward. The maids from the Marquis Manor, Cui Zhi and Cui Liu, were no pushovers either. Both sides were about to clash.

At that moment, the announcement rang out:

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Both sides immediately cowered like quails and stopped fighting to greet him.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

"We pay our respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

Everyone bowed their heads in respect until they heard the warm, gentle voice above them say, "Rise, everyone. Why are you all crowded at the door? What caused this dispute?"

Xu Wan looked up and saw a man in a silver-moon-colored robe, his body slender and graceful. His eyes and brows were warm and gentle as he spoke, except for a slightly sickly pallor on his face. He looked as beautiful as a Buddha descended from heaven.

This was the legendary Crown Prince Chu Heng, known for his love for the people.

"I'm sorry to have caused you trouble, Your Highness. I was just about to go in, but Madam Zong kept stopping us and wouldn't let us leave. I'm not sure what she wanted to say to us." The Duchess of Jin quickly accused first.

Xu Wan, seeing that the Crown Prince had come out, didn't want to drag him into the petty disputes between the ladies. After all, there was a difference in gender, and it was more appropriate to report it to the Crown Princess once they were inside the Eastern Palace.

She whispered, "It's a misunderstanding, Your Grace. Please, go ahead."

Behind her, Zong Jincheng, seeing her suddenly back down, immediately protested, "What misunderstanding? You can't leave! She hasn't apologized for cursing my father yet!"

Xu Wan: "..."

Oh no, she had almost forgotten about this little troublemaker.

This boy really had no fear at all. Earlier, before they entered the palace, hadn't he just told Wenxiu not to cause trouble...

The Crown Prince looked over and asked, "Who is this child?"

Xu Wan quickly bowed her head and replied, "This child is the eldest grandson of the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, Zong Jincheng. He speaks without thinking, I hope Your Highness will forgive him."

He gently rolled the name in his mouth, murmuring, "Zong Jincheng... so it's you."

Xu Wan looked up and saw the Crown Prince's expression, feeling a bit surprised. Could it be that he knew Jincheng?