The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 363

"Ah?" Cai Youdao was dumbfounded. So the General had truly come prepared. To demand the seal so decisively—was this a divorce notice?

While calling for someone to fetch the seal, he quickly skimmed the document’s contents. One glance nearly made his jaw drop.

Divorce if he ever mingled with courtesans?

This… this was too harsh!

Even ordinary young men frequented brothels, let alone scions of noble families. Some high-ranking officials even discreetly brought women into their mansions as concubines.

But this…

Cai Youdao rubbed his eyes, confirming he hadn’t misread. The document bore Zong Zhao’s name in bold characters, followed by a long list of property compensations… Good heavens, the General was willing to swear such a severe oath?

Cai Youdao glanced toward the courtyard gate. There’d been no news of Madam Xu’s arrival—why would the General personally bring such a document for sealing?

Hesitantly, he reminded, "General, the Office of Imperial Clan Affairs only endorses divorce notices. This resembles a contract, and we’ve never sealed anything like it. Moreover, the terms… perhaps you should reconsider?"

Zong Zhao shot him a sidelong glance. "Just stamp it. I’ll visit the Ministry of Revenue afterward."

"!!!" Cai Youdao’s eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

He was going to the Ministry of Revenue too? Once stamped there, the lands, shops, and assets listed would all go to Madam Xu. The Zong family’s wealth already rivaled the nation’s, and with the General’s military merits and imperial rewards, this amounted to a staggering fortune.

Noticing the noon hour approaching—she must be waiting for him to return for lunch—Zong Zhao impatiently urged, "Hurry up."

"Ah, yes! Right away, Your Excellency!" Cai Youdao rushed to stamp the document. The terms were so shocking he dared not delegate the task, pressing the seal himself.

Handing it back, he offered one last cautious reminder: "General, though this resembles a contract, the Office’s seal grants it legal validity. Please think carefully. Once done, even I won’t be able to help you."

"Understood," Zong Zhao replied, tucking the document away. Worried rumors might tarnish Xu Wan’s reputation, he added sternly, "This matter must not—"

Cai Youdao cut in eagerly, "I understand! Perfectly! Your Excellency has my word—no one else will know."

Such a sensational story would dominate court gossip and become the talk of the capital, severely damaging the General’s dignity. Men might fear their wives, but they’d never admit it openly.

With a grunt, Zong Zhao left.

Watching his retreating figure, Cai Youdao mused: Comparison breeds discontent. Suddenly, my own shrewish wife seems tame next to Madam Xu.

A jealous woman… truly terrifying.

Ministry of Revenue

Zong Zhao repeated the sealing process. Officials first gaped at the document’s contents, then paled seeing the Office’s seal—proof of his unshakable resolve.

Swallowing hard, one ventured, "General, the lands and shops under Yangyuan Marquis Manor… surely they aren’t included?" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

The Emperor’s rewards were generous, but everyone knew Yangyuan Marquis Manor held the real fortune—wealth rivaling the state’s. Surely the General wouldn’t stake those assets… right?

Zong Zhao replied flatly, "Don’t ask questions. Don’t speak of this."

"Ah, yes! At once, Your Excellency!" The official stamped it, reassured. Yangyuan Marquis Manor’s wealth couldn’t be part of this. What man would ever have such audacity?

General’s Manor

Zong Zhao returned just in time for lunch. Xu Wan directed Cui Zhi to set the table while watching him. Servants bustled about, yet their locked gaze made the world fade away.

Once Cui Zhi and the maids withdrew, Xu Wan finally managed, "Come eat." She couldn’t bring up the sealing—it’d seem like she’d rushed him.

Zong Zhao handed her the document. "Stamped. Both the Office and Ministry of Revenue. This pledge is legally binding, forever."

"You… you really did it? Even the Ministry?" Her voice rose with each question. Snatching the paper, she saw twin seals flanking his fingerprint—the terms unchanged.

"Mm. The Ministry handles land and shops, so I went there too. Don’t worry—few know, and they’ll stay silent."

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍Wan stared, speechless. She wasn’t ungrateful. Anyone treated so solemnly would feel overwhelmingly touched.

Zong Zhao’s surprises were like craving a pear to quench thirst, only for him to plant an orchard—ensuring she’d never fear the era’s uncertainties again.

"I…" She groped for words, offering her own vow: "If that day comes, I’ll only take this to the Office. Not the Ministry."

He replied, "It won’t come."

Warmth flooded her chest.

Her lips curled uncontrollably, joy and sweetness spilling into her limbs.

"Then… I’ll put this away. Start without me." Smiling, she tucked the paper into an envelope. After pacing the chamber, she hid it in her private chest.

Outside, Zong Zhao ladled soup. Seated on the bed, Xu Wan grinned at their marital chamber, feeling—for the first time—utterly secure. As if… she’d truly struck roots here.

No fear of dismissal for failing to teach the little devil; no dread of idleness if she succeeded; no anxiety over his sudden return with mistresses or illegitimate children.

Tears prickled. These years had been improbably kind. She, long accustomed to solitary struggle, had never dreamed of this.

Zong Zhao waited.

Tilting her head, she blinked rapidly, composure returning. Her fingers brushed the soft bedding, eyes landing on the opposite daybed—and she laughed aloud.

This man… truly baffling.

Secretly smitten, yet claiming the daybed was for his odd hours. Even now, idle, he hadn’t mentioned moving back.

Fool. The capital’s greatest fool.

Emerging, she heard him ask without looking up, "You dislike bland soup. Why order it today?"

Xu Wan glanced over and replied, "Mother-in-law mentioned this is your favorite, so I asked Cui Zhi to bring an extra portion. Besides, with so many dishes and soups on the table, you shouldn’t always cater to my preferences."

Zong Zhao paused for a moment before answering softly, "It’s not catering." If it’s something you enjoy, I can learn to like it too.

Seated at the dining table, Xu Wan picked up her chopsticks and began serving him dishes—each one carefully chosen based on what her mother-in-law had said he favored. Then, as if casually bringing it up, she added, "You should move back to the bedchamber. That daybed is too narrow—it can’t be comfortable for sleeping. Besides, our room is so large now… Every time I want to talk to you at night, I have to raise my voice just to be heard…"