The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Xu Wan: "Are you suggesting that my husband couldn't survive these eight years without those two?"

Little Demon King: "..."

What she said did make sense!

Though the little one admitted this in his heart, his mouth remained harder than freshly baked bricks.

"Have you found the items missing from Concubine Hong's room? And the maids fighting—such things never happened in the Marquis Manor before. It's all because of your poor management since you arrived. If you can't handle these two matters properly, it proves you're incapable of managing the manor!"

Xu Wan remained unmoved: "So?"

Zong Jincheng spoke with growing confidence, snorting haughtily: "I heard you never managed household affairs at the Minister's Mansion, so it's no surprise you can't handle our grand Marquis Manor. Here's the deal: if you say 'I give up' a hundred times and sincerely repent your mistakes, I'll forgive your previous actions and ask Grandmother to return and help clean up your mess."

"Oh..." Xu Wan responded indifferently, even somewhat disappointedly, "I thought you were going to say that since I can't manage this household, you would do it."

"Ah, how disappointing."

Zong Jincheng: "..."

He truly hated this feeling of punching into cotton.

The other maids, seeing the young master at a loss, were desperately trying to hold back their laughter, though their attempts were rather obvious due to lack of practice.

Zong Jincheng grew angry with embarrassment from their laughter.

He raised his little paw and fiercely said to Xu Wan: "You'd better quit while you're ahead! Otherwise, when this manor falls into chaos, how will we explain it to my grandmother!"

The little one spoke with puffed cheeks, but to Xu Wan, he looked particularly amusing, like a silly little frog.

Xu Wan said with a smile: "Kid, your mother is in a good mood right now, so I'll teach you a lesson today: never underestimate anyone."

"Nagging woman, only a fool would listen to your lectures." Zong Jincheng quickly turned away, plugging his ears with his hands.

Not listening, not listening, like a turtle reciting sutras.

Xu Wan watched him unilaterally blocking everyone out and rolled her eyes heavenward.

Indeed, only children would plug their ears like this.

But in fact, it was useless—he could still hear everything.

Xu Wan completely ignored his 'do not disturb' state and deliberately leaned close to his ear, shouting: "Cui Zhi, tell the young master how these two matters would be handled if the Old Marchioness were in the manor?"

Zong Jincheng: "???"

How could you be so excessive!!

Cui Zhi had always felt helpless about these two's sparring. Though the lady was clever, she had a childish temperament, and her arguments with the young master were more like children's squabbles, making her want to smile fondly.

She smiled, curtsied, and cleared her throat before instructing the maids on both sides: "You two go help search for Concubine Hong's belongings. Check everything inside and out, find out when the items went missing, who passed through during that time, and whether the maids in the courtyard are clean. If you find anyone with sticky fingers, send them straight to the authorities."

"Yes."

"You two, make a list of the fighting maids. No need for beatings or deducting their monthly allowance. Call the Human Trafficker and have them taken away to be sold. We can't afford to keep such brazen maids in our Marquis Manor."

"Yes."

Cui Zhi dealt with both matters efficiently, resolving everything in just two brief sentences.

As expected of the head maid, truly impressive.

Xu Wan nodded with satisfaction and gave her a round of applause.

The Little Demon King watched in shock from the side. Although he had plugged his ears, he could still hear Cui Zhi's words clearly.

All those maids' actions had been at his instigation, yet now some were to be sent to the authorities and others to be sold—neither group would meet a good end!

Though Zong Jincheng was mischievous, he wasn't a heartless villain. How could he bear bringing such trouble to others?

He quickly unplugged his ears and ran after them, shouting: "Stop! Don't go!"

The departing maids only listened to Xu Wan and Cui Zhi, paying no attention to the Little Demon King's shouts. After taking a few futile steps in pursuit, the little one ran back to Xu Wan and Cui Zhi, crying out:

"You're going too far! They just had a fight, why do you have to sell them?"

Zong Jincheng couldn't understand at all.

Because in his view, fighting was as simple as eating and drinking. He wrestled and raced horses with others every day, having great fun.

Never, never had anyone punished him like this.

Xu Wan didn't evade his questioning, but looked down at the naive Little Demon King before her and replied: "If you did these things, you could just walk away without any consequences, relying on the manor's indulgence. But they're different—they don't have your privileged birth or any backing. If they make mistakes, they'll be thrown out of the Marquis Manor or even sent to prison, with no one to protect them."

"Zong Jincheng, the Old Marchioness entrusted you to me because she couldn't bear to discipline you herself, but she also couldn't bear to watch you continue learning bad habits. So I think it's time you understood from another perspective what kind of person your grandmother really is."

"All household affairs in the Marquis Manor are managed by your grandmother. The rules of the house and Cui Zhi's solutions just now were all established by her. She manages both the household and its people effortlessly, and all the servants in the manor are well-trained. They simply don't hold you accountable, but that doesn't make them fools."

"And neither am I."

Zong Jincheng stared at her blankly: "You..."

This woman was clearly telling him that she had the same capabilities as his grandmother but wouldn't spoil him like she did...

After delivering her harsh words, Xu Wan's expression instantly changed to a smile, like a crafty little fox.

She turned her head and instructed: "Steward Liu, I think Jincheng has too many servants around him. Let's reduce them from six to one."

Between instigating fights among maids, stealing things, and setting fires, there was clearly an excess of manpower.

His wings needed to be clipped further.

"Yes, my lady," Steward Liu responded.

"You!"

Zong Jincheng's momentary shame instantly vanished, replaced by anger at Xu Wan's words.

First she cut off his money, and now she'd leave him with just one servant—was she trying to raise him like a beggar?!

This evil woman.

She was clearly seeking revenge, taking the opportunity to bully him!

"A tiger fallen to the plains is bullied by dogs... How despicable! Don't think I'll beg you for mercy!"

"Go ahead and keep doing this if you dare. When Grandmother sees how badly you've mistreated me, she'll definitely settle accounts with you, and neither of us will have a good time!"

"Hmph!"

The Little Demon King delivered his threats and turned to leave.

Xu Wan casually fanned the flames from behind: "Jincheng, why are you getting angry so easily? Weren't you planning to go to the horse grounds? Why are you going back to your room?"

Then she added: "Oh right, I remember the horse grounds are free to enter, so you can go play without worry."

The Little Demon King felt worse with every word he heard, plugging his ears as he ran away frantically.

How infuriating!

This woman just wanted to make a fool of him!

What nonsense about it being free—all the young masters at the horse grounds had two or three attendants with them. If he went there with just one servant now, he'd be laughed to death.

Vicious!

How utterly vicious!