The young man was soaked through, his body shivering from the cold, his teeth chattering as he spoke.

But Xu Wan still understood him.

However...

"Auntie Hong isn't in the west courtyard? What happened to her?"

Auntie Hong, though the only widow of the second branch, had been found after the death of the second master, and her identity was somewhat questionable. The old madame had only arranged for them to be cared for in the west courtyard, though the monthly allowance given to her was more than that of an ordinary concubine.

Xu Wan had been married to the manor for a few days and had yet to meet Auntie Hong. According to the customs of the Great Chu Dynasty's official households, Auntie Hong should have come to pay her respects to Xu Wan, but since Cui Zhi mentioned that she had been weak all along, Xu Wan hadn't inquired further.

Now, looking at the situation, could there be some hidden truth?

Little Demon King, though also drenched, was fully absorbed in the situation, his big eyes fixed on the scene.

"The manor doctor said my mother is critically ill and there's no hope of recovery, but I heard that if a royal physician from the palace is invited, there might... there might still be a chance," Zong Wenxiu pleaded. "As long as you agree to save my mother, I am willing to repay you with my life!"

The young man's promise was so firm, yet it lacked credibility.

Not to mention that he was only ten years old, and even when he grew up, he would still be a mere illegitimate son. The mistress of the Marquis Manor wouldn't need his repayment.

Little Demon King tilted his head and reminded, "Royal physicians are for treating the emperor and empress. How could they be easily invited? I haven't even seen a royal physician when I grow up, let alone for just a concubine."

After saying that, he looked up.

Just in time to meet Xu Wan's face, which had been oppressing him for days.

This wicked woman would never agree, right?

He had said that Zong Wenxiu would be better off begging him instead.

Xu Wan was aware of the process of inviting a royal physician. Back when her step-sister was ill, her father had sent someone to the palace to request one.

— It required the name of a high-ranking official.

And the high-ranking official of the Marquis Manor was naturally the old marquis. They could only send someone to inform the old marquis to request a royal physician for Auntie Hong.

Xu Wan gave a signal.

Cui Zhi, eager to prove her loyalty, immediately understood and, despite the rain, went out to make arrangements.

The servants in the room were still busy, while Cui Liu had already brought thick clothes and was directing people to dry the two young masters.

Cui Liu herself was pulling Little Demon King to take a hot bath, not wanting the manor's eldest grandson to catch a cold.

Before leaving, Little Demon King kindly reached out to pull Zong Wenxiu.

The latter, however, remained unmoved, thinking that Xu Wan hadn't agreed, and continued kneeling on the ground: "Please, madam!"

Little Demon King rolled his eyes to the sky.

He crossed his arms and said coldly, "Stop begging her. It's useless. Come with me to take a bath; otherwise, if you catch a cold and can't be cured, you'll die too."

Little Demon King's words were indifferent.

He had never had a mother since birth, and his father was never around. Even with his grandparents, his feelings for his parents were always cold.

Moreover, Auntie Hong had nothing to do with him.

Xu Wan, who had originally wanted to explain, stopped.

This opportunity, however, was perfect to deal with the little troublemaker.

"I didn't say I can't help."

Zong Wenxiu looked up in surprise, his face regaining color: "Thank you, madam!"

Little Demon King was stunned.

What? This wicked woman was willing to help his half-brother?

What did she mean by that?

Being so kind to an illegitimate grandson but bullying him, the eldest legitimate grandson!

Unfair!

The string in Little Demon King's mind snapped, and he threw the newly draped clothes to the ground, shouting angrily, "You have the kindness to help him, but you deliberately target me! Do you just pick on me?"

It's outrageous!

Xu Wan glanced at the easily provoked little chick and teased with a smile, "Kid, please get it straight. From the beginning, it's been you throwing a tantrum. Look at Wenxiu, and then look at you. If you were half as obedient as him, our stepmother-stepson relationship wouldn't be so strained."

Zong Jincheng's face was full of dissatisfaction.

He turned his head and continued to sulk.

Xu Wan turned to Zong Wenxiu and said, "You just said you'd repay me with your life. Life is too long; you don't need to do that. I just need you to help me with a small task."

"Madam, please instruct," Zong Wenxiu replied.

Xu Wan pointed a finger at Little Demon King, arranging in front of the stunned boy: "I want him to study with you in the manor."

She had decided that she didn't trust Little Demon King in an external school.

Keeping him under her watchful eye was more reliable.

Plus, with Zong Wenxiu, who was a diligent student, as a classmate, it would not only have a positive influence but also prevent Zong Jincheng from learning bad habits from other young nobles.

"I agree," Zong Wenxiu replied almost immediately, afraid she might change her mind.

This task was indeed minor for him. If merely accompanying someone in their studies could secure his mother's safety, he was willing to accompany Zong Jincheng in his studies for a lifetime.

Zong Jincheng: "???"

Excuse me!

Have you asked for my opinion?!

I didn't agree!

"I won't study!"

Little Demon King immediately refused, plugging his ears with his hands to avoid hearing their secret plotting, "This has nothing to do with me. You need the consent of the person involved, you know? Anyway, I didn't hear anything. I won't go, I won't study, I just want to lie around at home."

Zong Jincheng tried his best to feign deafness and dumbness, refusing to be arranged.

But unfortunately, it didn't work.

Standing opposite was the cold-hearted, unyielding, and merciless stepmother, Xu Wan.

The mother and son were at a stalemate, neither willing to yield, but Zong Wenxiu made the first move. Seeing that Little Demon King didn't agree, and with his mother's life hanging by a thread, he had no time to waste.

So, he turned around, lifted his robe, and was about to kneel, this time facing Zong Jincheng.

Little Demon King was of noble birth and had been knelt to many times, but those were all servants. Zong Wenxiu, however, was not; he was, after all, his elder brother, even if an illegitimate one, and shouldn't kneel to him.

Zong Jincheng quickly dodged to the side, crashing into a warm embrace.

When he reacted and looked up, he saw the beautiful face he had been extremely annoyed with recently.

"..." Embarrassing, how did he end up hiding by her side.

Realizing this, he quickly jumped far away, distancing himself from both of them.

Zong Wenxiu, pulled by Xu Wan, didn't kneel down.

Xu Wan spoke softly, "A man's knees are made of gold; how can they be bent so easily?"

Tears welled up in Zong Wenxiu's eyes as he suddenly said, "But I want my mother to live."

Unlike Zong Jincheng, who had never had a mother, Zong Wenxiu had lived with his mother since childhood, surviving together in the slums. The bond between them was closer than that of ordinary mother and son.

Although they had been living in luxury since returning to the Marquis Manor, he knew that the people here didn't like them much. If his mother were gone, he didn't know how he could go on.

Perhaps his words were too powerful, as Zong Jincheng paused, his usual arrogance fading.

Xu Wan quickly noticed his change.

So, she added another sentence to further provoke him: "Think of another way. Zong Jincheng won't study for you. I think breaking his leg would be easier."