The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class

Chapter 121

Today was Shunzi’s turn to keep watch at night. As soon as he heard Zong Jincheng’s loud cries, he rushed in from outside and asked, “Young Master, what’s the matter?”

The little troublemaker, in a panic, jumped out of bed barefoot and exclaimed, “My jade pendant! The one Grandmother gave me! Go get it back for me, quickly!”

Shunzi’s mind instantly went blank.

The jade pendant from the Old Madam?

Wasn’t that pawned off ages ago by Young Master Jincheng to settle a debt?

Shunzi hesitantly replied, “That was five months ago. The shop owner might have already sold it...”

Zong Jincheng pushed him toward the door, urging, “Go and ask! Maybe it’s still there!”

Shunzi, still being pushed, said with difficulty, “But even if the pendant is still there, we don’t have the money to redeem it. You spent at least fifty taels entertaining your friends all day. And we still owe Madam Xu Wan two hundred and ninety-nine taels. Our pockets are emptier than our faces...”

Zong Jincheng’s face turned red and then purple.

The thought of being penniless and having sold the pendant, which angered his grandmother, filled him with both guilt and fear. He pushed Shunzi aside and ran out of the room.

Shunzi, noticing the young master was still barefoot, was so startled that he nearly lost his wits. He grabbed Zong Jincheng’s shoes and socks from beside the bed and hurried after him.

Pan Hongzhi, now fully awake, thought, “What’s going on now?”

He quickly dressed and followed.

The quiet Marquis Manor suddenly came alive as lights were lit one by one. The servants on night watch were startled by the sight of the young master running frantically under the moonlight, his face and body drenched in sweat.

When Zong Jincheng reached Zong Wenxiu’s Courtyard and saw his brother still studying by the lamp, he widened his eyes and rushed to the window, knocking urgently. “Brother, are you still awake? I need your help.”

“Jincheng?” Zong Wenxiu, who had been studying late into the night, quickly got up from his desk and went to open the door. Zhao Yin, who had been helping Zong Wenxiu organize his notes, also put down his book.

As the door opened, the little troublemaker, his face glistening with sweat, asked anxiously, “Brother, can you lend me fifty taels? I’ll pay you back as soon as I settle my debt with Xu Wan. I promise I won’t default.”

Shunzi finally caught up, panting, “Young Master, your shoes, put them on.”

Zong Jincheng frowned, “Then why is he pushing himself so hard? He’s staying up too late.”

Pan Hongzhi explained, “Wenxiu might lack confidence. People like him won’t relax until they’re absolutely certain of success.”

Zong Jincheng pouted, “Then I’ll share some of my confidence with him. Otherwise, he’ll exhaust himself.”

Pan Hongzhi’s mouth twitched. He thought to himself that Zong Jincheng’s overconfidence was better kept to himself. He didn’t want to deal with two arrogant troublemakers every day.

Finally, when Zong Jincheng had settled down, Xu Wan, who had been standing at the courtyard entrance in her robe, turned back into the courtyard. She yawned and said, “That little rascal really knows how to wear people out. Thank goodness Pan Hongzhi is young and energetic.”

Cui Zhi chuckled, “Actually, Zhao Yin has been staying up late too. He’s been studying with Young Master Wenxiu until midnight these past few days, never slacking off.”

Xu Wan nodded, “The children will have a three-day break soon. Let the tutors go home and rest properly.”

“Yes, Madam.”

As Xu Wan returned to her room, she pondered whether to return the jade pendant to Zong Jincheng.

The reason the pendant had ended up in Steward Liu’s hands was because the steward was clever. Zong Jincheng’s mistakes were his own, and he needed to face the consequences.

Although he had grown a lot over the past five months, the pendant couldn’t be returned to him.

At least, not yet.

“Call Steward Liu here first thing tomorrow. I have something to discuss with him.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Following Xu Wan’s instructions, Steward Liu went to the shop owner and arranged for him to claim the pendant had been sold, making it impossible for Zong Jincheng to redeem it.

Zong Jincheng’s efforts were in vain. He didn’t get the pendant back, and the money remained unspent. Furious, he paced around the courtyard, muttering, “How infuriating! What do they mean by ‘the deal is final’? No receipt, no proof? If I want the pendant, I have to go to the pawnshop and pay the full price? They’re taking advantage of my naivety back then!”

Zong Jincheng stomped around the courtyard, shouting, “Buyan! Buyan! Come with me! Let’s go smash that black-hearted shop owner’s store!”

Buyan, reluctant, thought to himself, “No, I won’t go. Don’t drag me into this!”