The little fellow ran after them, shouting as he chased, causing the maids along the way to turn their heads.
But Steward Liu, who was following orders, remained as stubborn as iron.
From the small courtyard came the angry roars of the little tyrant:
"You can't take this away, it's my favorite lounge chair!"
"Not this pillow, what am I supposed to rest my head on!"
"Shoes! Shoes! Am I really so poor that I need to sell my shoes?!"
"You all... are shameless!"
The little tyrant tried frantically to stop them, but he couldn't jump as high as they could, and he didn't know any martial arts, so he could only hop around uselessly.
When Xu Wan came to call him for dinner, she found the little tyrant's voice had gone hoarse, and he was slumped against the doorframe, muttering non-stop: "Bastards... fair-weather friends... ungrateful wretches... to think how well this young master treated you all before..."
Looking inside, the entire room had been stripped bare, its emptiness shocking to behold.
Xu Wan blinked in surprise, not expecting Steward Liu to be so thorough, actually taking away everything valuable as she had instructed.
"You're even taking my clothes, are you trying to force this young master to walk around naked?!"
Zong Jincheng was tired of cursing. He was very hungry now and desperately wanted a feast.
Just then, an appetizing aroma wafted over. The little tyrant turned his head to see Cui Zhi carrying a tray with two fragrant chicken legs.
He swallowed hard, then glanced to the side to see Xu Wan's unsympathetic face.
Evil woman, what a waste of that pretty face.
"Young Master Jincheng, tired from all that shouting? Have something to eat," Xu Wan gestured outside, reminding him, "It's dark now, time for dinner."
Zong Jincheng gave her a cold look but held out his hand, and Cui Zhi quickly brought the tray over.
The little tyrant usually had impeccable table manners, but today he was so angry and exhausted that he didn't even wash his hands, grabbing the chicken legs and devouring them directly.
Cui Zhi, who had watched him grow up since he was little, had never seen the young master so defeated before, and couldn't help but smile.
That small smile was caught by the little tyrant, who shot her a fierce glare. He now saw everyone in the Marquis Manor as Xu Wan's people.
At least Xu Wan had some conscience, not forcing him to go without food unless he entered the study. She waited until the little fellow had finished both chicken legs before slowly speaking: "The meals are served in the main hall. If you want anything else to eat, go there as you please. From now on, all three meals will be served there. Eat whatever the kitchen prepares, no being picky. Otherwise, you'll have to figure out your own meals."
Xu Wan spoke calmly, seemingly without threat, yet firmly establishing the rules.
Xu Wan threw off her covers and got up, efficiently dressing herself, leaving the waiting maids with no chance to help.
Only at the end, when it came to styling her hair, did she let them assist. But Xu Wan wasn't idle: "Cui Liu, go investigate where Zong Jincheng went after waking up, who he met, what he did, and report back to me with every detail."
"Yes, my lady." Cui Liu accepted the task and left to carry it out.
While doing her hair, Cui Zhi smiled: "My lady, are you worried the young master is plotting something?"
Xu Wan snorted: "That boy is clever. Before, he only needed to cry and throw tantrums to deal with his grandparents, but now he faces me, a stranger as his stepmother. This might bring out a different kind of evil in him."
"A different kind of evil?" Cui Zhi frowned.
She felt the word was too harsh. Though their young master was mischievous, he was pure-hearted and wouldn't intentionally harm others.
Xu Wan looked at two hairpins on the dressing table - one simple and elegant jade pin, one luxurious gold pin.
Previously, she would have chosen the jade pin for its clean look.
But now...
The woman picked up the gold pin and handed it to Cui Zhi: "Everyone has evil thoughts; the difference lies in their bottom line. Some have low standards and will do anything to achieve their goals; others have higher standards and lack the courage to act on their evil thoughts."
Little troublemaker, let's see where your bottom line is.
Fully dressed, Xu Wan walked out. She usually ate in her own courtyard, but information was harder to come by there, so she followed Cui Zhi to the main hall.
By this time, the hall was empty.
Aliali: 674841f1c4f3f33ac4763ba5
Xu Wan sat in her seat, casually sipping porridge while occasionally looking up to observe the maids coming and going outside. From the main seat, she could see everything clearly.
Cui Liu came in to report: "The young master woke up at the chen hour [7-9 AM], came to eat after waking, then went to the stables. He didn't interact with anyone outside his courtyard during this time."
"Not in the manor..." Xu Wan rolled her neck, putting herself in Zong Jincheng's shoes, trying to figure out what the boy was thinking.
He must be thinking...
He's now penniless, and it would be difficult to get money from his stepmother. Only if the stepmother left the Marquis Manor could he return to his former position.
Or if the stepmother voluntarily gave up her household authority and begged the grandmother to return for support, then he might have a chance to persuade his grandmother to cancel this boring education plan.
Just as Xu Wan was considering the second possibility, several maids rushed in with urgent reports:
"My lady, there's trouble in the back courtyard, two maids are fighting in the laundry room!"
"My lady, Auntie Hong from the second household has lost something, saying it was a gift from the Second Master when he was alive!"
"My lady, the newly hired maids were fooling around and set fire to the kitchen!"