The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class

Chapter 208

Since the Crown Princess herself seemed unperturbed, Xu Wan gradually relaxed as well. She said softly, "Your Highness, as your due date approaches, you must take extra care to rest and not let baseless rumors affect you."

The Crown Princess smiled nonchalantly and replied, "Are you referring to the rumors about Jin Cheng's identity? I truly don't pay them any mind. The Crown Prince, as the heir to the throne, is entitled to have many women and children. As long as His Highness acknowledges Jin Cheng as his child, I am ready to bring him into the Eastern Palace to raise him at any time."

Xu Wan: "..." Well, you sure are broad-minded.

She forced a smile and said, "Your Highness is overthinking it. These are just baseless rumors spread by outsiders. His Highness loves the people as if they were his own children. He would have saved any child in that situation."

The Crown Princess thought to herself: Of course, I know it's not true.

She had initially thought the Crown Prince hadn't answered her question, but when the rumors began to spread, she realized he had already given her his answer—he trusted her.

And so, she would stand firmly by his side as his support.

"Madam Zong, there's no need to worry. I will surely give birth to this child safely," the Crown Princess said, gently stroking her belly, her eyes filled with tenderness. "The royal physician predicts it might be a girl. His Highness says she will surely grow up to look like me, but I hope she takes after him instead."

Xu Wan had no particular bias toward the gender of the child, but in this era where male heirs were highly valued, especially for the Eastern Palace, it would have been more logical for them to desire a legitimate son to secure their position.

However, the Crown Princess's serene expression made her seem like any ordinary mother, simply wishing for her child to be born safely and live a healthy life.

Xu Wan thought this was just as well. The mortality rate for girls in the palace wasn't as high as it was for boys. This child was hard-won, and she too hoped the little princess would thrive.

At General Pang's residence.

News of the Zong family bringing Zong Jincheng into the palace had made its way back to the general's household, and General Pang was beside himself with frustration.

"See? I told you he's the Crown Prince's illegitimate child! Even after being tricked into drinking poison by Qingyi, he's still not fully recovered, yet he's in such a hurry to summon that child. If he's not the father, this situation would be impossible to explain!"

Military Advisor Gou nodded solemnly and analyzed, "Indeed, General. This child couldn't possibly be Third Miss's. We should quickly write a letter to inform the Grand General, lest he be deceived into raising the Crown Prince's child for nothing."

General Pang nodded vigorously. "You're right! I'll write the letter right away. I don't know who told the Grand General that the boy looks like Third Miss. I don't see the resemblance at all. That boy even has the infamous title of one of the 'Four Little Rascals of the Capital.' What does he have to do with our gentle and virtuous Third Miss? Hmph, we almost fell for the Crown Prince's trick. How cunning!"

"But what about my reputation and the Crown Prince's?" the Little Demon King continued to complain.

Xu Wan sighed. "The Crown Prince and Crown Princess aren't worried about losing face, so why should you be? Besides, the capital is full of rumors. They'll blow over in a month or two, and no one will remember you. Well, unless you pass the exam and become a Childhood Scholar—then everyone will remember your new title."

"Childhood Scholar?" The Little Demon King's eyes lit up.

"Yes," Xu Wan said. "Those who pass the Childhood Scholar exam are given that title. It's a special honor for child prodigies."

The Little Demon King felt immensely proud and immediately rushed back to his study group, determined to outshine everyone. "Charge! This prodigy will definitely become a Childhood Scholar!"

Xu Wan shook her head, both amused and exasperated. "This kid..."

By late February, joyous news came from the Eastern Palace.

The little princess had been born safely.

The announcement brought joy to many households.

Friends of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess were delighted that the couple had finally welcomed their first child after six years of marriage—a precious and hard-won blessing.

Meanwhile, their enemies were equally pleased that the child was a girl and not a legitimate son. This meant the Crown Prince's influence wouldn't grow further. With the Emperor still in his prime and the Crown Prince's health frail, if he were to pass away early without a legitimate heir, the question of which prince would succeed the throne would remain uncertain.

By early March, the Childhood Scholar exam was fast approaching.

The three candidates from the Marquis's study group were working on their final three sets of practice exams. These were compiled by Xu Wan, who had spent money to gather past exam papers and had the three private tutors select the most important topics to create these mock exams.

The Little Demon King had been buried in his books and practice papers at home, shutting out all external distractions. His focus had reached new heights, and he could now complete an entire exam in half an hour while maintaining neat and legible handwriting.

Pan Hongzhi was immensely pleased. Teaching this little rascal had been the most challenging, but the sense of accomplishment once he succeeded was unparalleled. Smiling with satisfaction, he added a few more reminders, "Jin Cheng, during the exam, don't lean too close to the paper when you write. You might smudge the ink and ruin your answers."

The Little Demon King nodded. "Got it!"