Chapter 50

However, by the time Zong Jincheng rushed to the front hall, half-dressed and in a fluster, he found a charming young lady laughing heartily with Xu Wan.

Zong Jincheng: "..."

He felt like a fool for worrying about her.

Gritting his teeth, he turned to Shunzi and said, "Didn't you say that Princess Zhao Rong was here to pick a fight over Zhai Yao? What are they laughing about??"

Shunzi stammered, unable to come up with an answer: "Y-yes, it's Princess Zhao Rong..."

But... how did things turn out like this?

The world had gone mad in ways they couldn't have imagined!

Princess Zhao Rong had indeed come initially to confront Xu Wan about Zhai Yao. Zhai's mother had told her about Zhai Yao's dire situation, the Crown Prince's bias, and the arrogance of the Marquis's Mansion. Believing her, Zhao Rong had come with her head held high, demanding that Xu Wan plead with the Crown Prince to release Zhai Yao.

However, she had run into Xu Wan, who was a master at reading people. Xu Wan quickly realized that Zhao Rong was being used as a pawn and calmly explained the entire situation with Zhai Yao. By the end of the story, Zhao Rong was so impressed that she slammed the table and praised the Crown Prince for his just punishment!

Zhao Rong, who had spent most of her life in the palace, had only ever encountered people who either fawned over her, feared her reputation, or openly opposed her.

She had never met someone like Xu Wan, who neither got angry nor intimidated by her commanding tone, but instead spoke softly and eloquently, making her completely convinced and feeling like she had found a kindred spirit.

The two then moved from discussing the Zhai family to the Crown Prince, from the Marquis's residence to the palace, and the more they talked, the more they hit it off—

They ended up becoming sisters.

"Oh? Is this your unruly stepson?" Zhao Rong said bluntly, looking at the boy at the door, "He doesn't seem very presentable, not even properly dressed."

Zong Jincheng: "..."

He hated women who talked bad about others without any restraint!

Zhao Rong continued, "Oh, he's glaring at me. He really is a little devil. Maybe that's why the Crown Prince likes him so much? No wonder he favors me the most."

Xu Wan: "..."

How did the mockery turn into self-deprecation?

Was this the trait of someone who couldn't keep their thoughts to themselves?

Zong Jincheng, who was already annoyed with her, felt a bit less angry upon hearing this. At least she had some self-awareness!

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍little devil had rushed over in a hurry, and now that he saw everything was fine, he stopped to tidy himself up, while the conversation between the two women continued.

Zhao Rong said, "But I can't come all this way for nothing. My aunt keeps crying in my palace, saying that Zhai Yao has been frequently feverish and hasn't recovered from his cold. I'm worried something might happen to him in the slums."

Xu Wan replied, "I understand. I'll go to the Eastern Palace later to beg the Crown Prince to end Zhai Yao's punishment."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Zong Jincheng immediately objected: "The Crown Prince sentenced him to stay in the slums. Why should he be let out? Don't you remember how he kicked Grandpa Zhao?"

Xu Wan hadn't forgotten.

However, "Zhai Yao made a mistake, but it doesn't warrant a death sentence."

The Crown Prince's intention was to discipline the child, not to kill a nine-year-old. He probably didn't realize how difficult it would be for Zhai Yao to survive in the slums.

If Zhai Yao were to die, it would likely cause trouble for the Crown Prince.

"Is it really that serious?" Zong Jincheng frowned, "Jing Zhe suffered much worse injuries than him, and he didn't end up like Zhai Yao, half-dead."

"Jing Zhe and Zhai Yao grew up in different environments. Jing Zhe's adaptability is much stronger than Zhai Yao's. The Crown Prince has strictly controlled the slums, so Zhai Yao has even fewer medicinal resources than what we provided for Jing Zhe. If this continues, he might really be in danger." Xu Wan asked him, "If Zhai Yao dies, do you think it's a trivial matter?"

An eight or nine-year-old child already understands the concept of death. A living person disappearing forever, leaving their loved ones in agony.

Zong Jincheng thought about it and realized that if Zhai Yao really died, it would be too serious.

But he couldn't bring himself to admit it, so he retorted, "So we just let him out like that? Who knows if he's changed? If he's still the same, I don't want him causing trouble again..."

Xu Wan said, "Then we'll leave it to the Crown Prince to decide his fate. We just need to do our part, and the rest is up to fate."

Zong Jincheng grunted, "Fine, you go. I'm not going."

"I didn't ask you to," Xu Wan shot him a look.

Zong Jincheng stuck his tongue out at her and ran off.

Zhao Rong, watching their exchange, was intrigued. "Is this how you usually discipline him? It looks so tiring, having to explain so many big truths."

Xu Wan smiled, "Children's understanding is still shallow. If you explain things well, they can understand."

Zhao Rong blushed, "Actually, I know you're only doing this because of me. No matter what, I'll remember this favor. If you ever need anything, just send someone to me. It's much easier to get into my palace than the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace."

"Hahaha..." Xu Wan laughed along with her, "Since the princess is here, I'll show you around the Marquis's Mansion."

"Sure, let me see the study room where your two children read. I heard your study is huge."

"It was built by my mother-in-law for my husband. He's always loved reading since he was young."

"Then Zong Jincheng is really unlike him."

"Maybe he takes after his grandfather. I heard my father-in-law didn't like reading either."

"Hahaha... That makes sense."

After seeing off Zhao Rong, Xu Wan tidied herself up and headed to the Eastern Palace to request an audience with the Crown Princess.

The Crown Prince's health was fragile, so she didn't dare to disturb him. Moreover, as a woman, it was more appropriate for her to seek an audience with the Crown Princess.

Sure enough, as soon as the Crown Princess heard of her request, she immediately summoned her.

I am Xu Wan, daughter-in-law of the Hou family, greeting the Crown Princess. May Your Highness be in good health.

“Rise,” the Crown Princess said with a smile, “Come, here is a seat for the Marquis’s wife.”

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After sitting down, Xu Wan recounted the entire incident of Zhao Rong coming to the Marquis's Residence to plead for Zhai Yao, and concluded with her own request, hoping the Crown Prince would release Zhai Yao.

The Crown Princess looked at her thoughtfully and said with a smile, "You're quite clever, knowing to come to me. Previously, anyone who came to plead for Zhai Yao was turned away by the Crown Prince."

Xu Wan looked up, surprised.

It turned out that it wasn't just a rumor, but the Crown Prince himself who had refused them?