Chapter 325: Heartbeat

The maids who were sweeping the long corridor shuddered and retreated at the same time. What happened next was not what they should hear.

Xu Wan leaned to one side and waited for an answer.

Zong Zhao did not give a direct answer, but looked at the little devil quietly, patiently guiding him to think: "If we consider it from common sense, how should we deal with it?"

"Huh?" Zong Jincheng tilted his head and thought along the lines his father gave him. This kind of empathy was what he was best at.

The little devil thought and said, "In fact, the woman's betrayal of Luo Jingfeng is a moral offense and is not protected by the law. The only thing that went beyond the rules was that she exaggerated Luo Jingfeng's words, which should be considered as framing an official appointed by the court. According to the laws of our Great Chu, false accusations against officials should be punished by 100 strokes of the cane and exile for 3,000 li."

Xu Wan added: "But it is obvious that she was not convicted of false accusations. The emperor believed them and blamed the entire Luo family."

Zong Jincheng followed her words and continued to think: "Then according to common sense, Luo Jingfeng, the person who was falsely accused, could collect evidence and sue the woman to clear his name. However, since Luo Shu entered the palace, the emperor has not pursued Luo Jingfeng's gaffe, but will Luo Jingfeng stop?"

The kid raised his head and looked at his parents.

He had studied sage books for two and a half years and was familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics as well as the laws of the Chu State. However, he was not so familiar with human nature, because human nature changes rapidly.

He didn't understand why the emperor would give up pursuing the entire Luo family for the sake of a beauty; he also didn't understand why the person Luo Jingfeng liked would betray him for no reason; and he didn't understand why, with Luo Jingfeng's ruthlessness of revenge, there was no news of the grudge between him and that woman in the capital.

Zong Zhao was not in a hurry to tell him the answer, but continued to ask: "If you were Luo Jingfeng, in his position and put yourself in his shoes, do you think he would quit?"

What emerged in the little devil's mind were: either the scene of Luo Jingfeng strangling his neck; or He Zheng severing ties with his family because of him; and the people and officials in Beijing turned pale with fear at the mention of Luo Jingfeng; all those fears were not groundless.

Zong Jincheng shook his head decisively: "No, anyone could quit, but he definitely won't. Luo Jingfeng is arrogant and conceited. He was so arrogant when he didn't have military power. He will be even more reckless now that he has it. He will personally take care of people who cannot be controlled by morality and law... He will not let that woman go, right?"

Zong Zhao remained silent. Although he did not give a direct answer, it seemed more like he acquiesced.

Xu Wan also felt that Jin Cheng's guess was probably right. There was no rumor about that woman in the capital, so she must have disappeared long ago. Along with Luo Shu's entry into the palace and early death, she was buried in the blood rain.

Zong Zhao asked the kid, "Are you disappointed?"

Zong Jincheng frowned and answered, "Not really. Mainly because I don't have any high expectations of him. Luo Jingfeng is just that kind of person. Otherwise, how could he stop a crying child at night?"

Zong Zhao reached out his hand, ruffled the kid's soft hair, and said softly, "You've learned a lot in the past two years. I'm very surprised."

Even though this child has the shadows of his mother and uncle, he is not them after all. He is now well-educated, very well, and he is himself, with independent thoughts and personality.

The little devil was so shocked by his father's sudden praise that his eyes widened and he jumped up from the spot: "Oh my God, Dad, are you praising me? Are you really praising me? Mom, did you hear me? Dad is praising me, Dad is praising me! Ahhhh, I was actually praised by Dad, by Dad, the general who won the first place in both civil and military examinations! This makes me happier than if I passed the imperial examination!!!"

The little guy was jumping and skipping on the corridor, holding his father in one hand and his mother in the other, and he was as happy as if it was New Year's Day.

Xu Wan was also moved by this and her lips curled up. She said helplessly and amusedly, "Don't act like you've never been praised in your life. Is it necessary to be so excited?"

Zong Jincheng shouted excitedly: "As for that, as for that, Dad, you can praise me again, I can also write policy papers very well, I am not just good at reciting the law!"

Zong Zhao hid his smile and asked, "What about the poem?"

I heard from my wife that this boy's poetry seems to be extremely bad.

The little devil was defeated instantly.

He stuck out his tongue and said, "I will go back to Master Pan to learn poetry. Dad, Mom, just wait. I will shine in the autumn examination this year and bring honor to you, our Yuanyang Marquisate, and the General's Mansion!"

Xu Wan teased, "Okay, try your best. I hope this isn't just one of the many cakes you drew for me."

"Humph, it will definitely work!" the little devil said proudly, waving goodbye to the two of them.

The couple was walking on the way back to their yard.

Xu Wan teased Zong Zhao, "This may be the charm of your few words. He doesn't care about people who often praise him. Oh, no, not that exaggerated. He can be happy for a long time when others praise him, but this kid will feel uncomfortable if he is not praised for a day."

Zong Zhao agreed, "That's normal. People like to hear compliments."

Xu Wan nodded and said, "Yes, then shall I praise you too?"

Zong Zhao stopped and turned to look at her with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Xu Wan smiled and said, "I'm praising you for being so powerful today. You broke five ribs of that rude Chen Yunyu. I guess he won't be able to get out of bed for three to five months."

Zong Zhao frowned when he heard the name. He asked, "This person used to come and bother you...you guys?"

Xu Wan said awkwardly, "No, I met him a few times before because of my father's face. Later, we had a falling out, so I asked Buyan to beat him up secretly, and I haven't seen him since then."

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Zong Zhao lowered his eyelashes and said, "I'm sorry, I was always at the border and didn't pay much attention to the family affairs..."

Xu Wan smiled and said, "It's okay. You've done a good job since you came back. Cuizhi is right. Once you come back, our mansion has someone to rely on. We feel very safe."

Zong Zhao stared at her for a long while before turning away and saying, "I will pay more attention to family matters in the future."

"Okay, let's work together." Xu Wan said to him.

"Um."

Zong Zhao didn't say anything after he responded. Xu Wan happened to turn her head to look at him and suddenly found that his ears were red.

"!"

Her mother-in-law's words came to her mind.

Are there actually some little habits that we develop when we are shy?

She seemed to have discovered a new continent, while Zong Zhao beside her remained speechless.

Xu Wan didn't know what she was thinking, and suddenly she complimented him, "You are really good at martial arts. When you kicked, your body didn't shake, but your strength was so great that it broke my ribs. Is this the strength of the best martial artist in Beijing?"

Zong Zhao clenched his fingers.

His ears turned even redder, as if they were on fire.

After a while, he replied, "It's been a long time since I competed in the capital. I wonder if there are any new masters."

The words were still the most normal, and the expression did not change much, but it was enough for Xu Wan to confirm——

Zong Zhao, it seems, really, likes her.

This little secret that she discovered quietly was very unexpected.

Previously, although she believed that love at first sight existed in this world, she didn't believe it would happen to her.

And now, she walked side by side with Zong Zhao, as if she could hear his heartbeat in the void, like a drum.