The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

After the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness gave all instructions, they announced their plans to visit another estate for leisure, leaving the entire Marquis Manor under Xu Wan's management.

This announcement shocked the entire manor.

What leisure trip?

The trip was merely an excuse; delegating authority was the real purpose. If they remained in the manor, the young master would surely come crying to them constantly, and the new bride wouldn't be able to freely discipline the troublesome child.

Moreover, even those waiting outside to see Xu Wan make a fool of herself were all dumbfounded.

The storytellers in the teahouses, known for their eloquence, were caught off guard and could only manage to stammer: "As expected of the Old Marquis, decisive in delegating authority."

Everyone: "..."

In the back courtyard of the Marquis Manor.

Xu Wan had already changed out of her wedding dress into new everyday clothes.

The Old Marchioness had prepared everything thoroughly for her; there were twenty sets of everyday clothes alone, more than the new clothes her stepsister received in an entire year.

The Lady of the Marquis Manor had six maids, all young and beautiful, efficient in their work. Usually, Xu Wan would have suspected these maids were meant to become concubines or bedchamber attendants for her husband, but now with her husband's fate unknown and likely deceased, having these pretty maids around was simply pleasing to the eye.

"My Lady, these are the manor's accounts, recording all income and expenses for this year. If you wish to see previous years' records, I can have them brought from the accounting office," said Cui Zhi, whose mother was the Old Marchioness's dowry maid. Cui Zhi was the eldest among the maids at twenty-three, the same age as Xu Wan in modern years, and five years older than the original mistress.

However, women in ancient times managed households early, and Cui Zhi appeared reliable and steady.

Xu Wan flipped through the ledger; the accounts were clearly recorded. The surrounding maids were obedient and well-mannered, seeming even more docile than those in the Minister's Mansion. The entire atmosphere of the Marquis Manor impressed her.

"Bring me Zong Jincheng's accounts to review."

The manor had a steward managing affairs, and the Old Marchioness had explained everything clearly before leaving. The keys were merely given to her to deal with the little devil, not because they actually wanted her to focus on household management.

She understood this clearly.

"Yes," Cui Zhi responded and quickly brought the accounts.

"First day of the first month, Young Master went boating on the lake with companions, spending three hundred taels, including fifty taels for food and entertainment, and finally bought the boat he fancied for two hundred and fifty taels."

Xu Wan: "..."

This fool spent so much money on a boat; why didn't he just buy the entire lake while he was at it?

"Second day of the first month, Young Master set off firecrackers with others, killing three thousand chickens in the neighboring farmhouse, compensating one hundred taels."

Xu Wan: "..."

This is practically a living King of Hell! How could he face those three thousand wrongfully deceased chickens!

"Third day of the first month, Young Master went out..."

...

Xu Wan grew increasingly numb as she listened. That little troublemaker spent hundreds of taels every day, compared to her measly one tael of pocket money, he was truly a champion of wasteful spending.

The reading stopped after the seventh day—

She looked at Cui Zhi.

What's wrong? Afraid she couldn't handle more shocking news?

"It's fine. Continue, I can take it," she had seen worse.

However, Cui Zhi said: "Today is the eighth day of the first month, and the Young Master hasn't gone out..."

Xu Wan: "..."

Right, he hadn't gone out.

For the first seven days of the new year, he had been out making trouble and wasting money every day. The one day he finally stayed home, he terrorized his stepmother, causing her bridal veil to be blown up and humiliating her in front of the entire capital.

Just thinking about it made Xu Wan's anger surge!

"Where is that brat now? Did the Old Marchioness punish him before leaving?"

For such a major offense on such an important occasion, according to the rules of their Minister's Mansion, the severe punishment would have been a thorough beating, and the light punishment would have been kneeling in the ancestral hall for several days.

She couldn't believe Zong Jincheng could be fine!

However, Cui Zhi timidly said: "The Old Marchioness never had the heart to punish the Young Master, so he's still comfortably staying in his courtyard..."

Xu Wan's heart tightened as she sat down, constantly encouraging herself.

Stay calm, think about the astronomical salary...

A base salary of 300,000 per month with no liability, which would be considered super high-paying even in modern times, plus a one-time cash bonus of 100 million upon success.

100 million, 100 million.

Teaching a troublesome kid was nothing compared to that!!

When Xu Wan opened her eyes again, they were sharp. At this moment, she was no longer a passive stepmother but a competitive one, in full battle mode.

"Go, call Zong Jincheng here. I need to have a word with him."

"Yes."

Cui Zhi sent someone to fetch the Young Master.

Meanwhile, Xu Wan thought about how to educate the little devil.

The 100-million goal required him to achieve top ranks in the imperial examinations, which meant he needed to study in the study room first, but she remembered the Old Marquis saying this troublemaker hadn't entered the study room for a month.

Moreover, the little troublemaker currently harbored strong hostility towards her and wouldn't follow her arrangements.

Xu Wan wondered if she should use reverse psychology, but remembering that kid's cunning smile, she feared he wouldn't fall for her tricks so easily.

Perhaps she should try the opposite approach...

"My Lady." A little maid ran in from outside, looking troubled, "The Young Master refuses to come. He's preparing to go out and doesn't plan to return to the manor tonight. He also said... he said as long as you don't leave the Marquis Manor, he won't come to the main courtyard."

Xu Wan thought: Huh! Come or don't come, I'd rather not deal with your trouble!

Though this result was unexpected, it was also understandable. If the little devil would obediently come to listen to her lecture, he wouldn't be worth the 100 million reward.

Xu Wan had already adjusted her mindset and had a rough plan of action.

Beside her, Cui Zhi saw her silence and thought she was out of ideas, so she stepped forward to suggest: "My Lady, shall we have the Young Master forcibly brought back?"

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow: "We can do that? Didn't the Old Marchioness leave instructions about not harming him?"

Cui Zhi shook her head: "The Old Marchioness said you could discipline him as you see fit."

"The Old Marchioness is surprisingly open-minded." So open-minded that Xu Wan thought she must be a fake grandmother. Weren't grandparents supposed to be the most doting?

Cui Zhi explained: "The Old Marchioness and Old Marquis have always doted on the Young Master. Since childhood, forget about beating or scolding, they haven't even reprimanded him. The Young Master was born with a likable smile that makes it hard for anyone to be harsh with him... But as he grew older, he became increasingly unruly. The Old Marchioness finally realized this problem, which is why she asked for your help in teaching him."

Xu Wan's mouth twitched as she thought, that makes sense.

If even his own grandparents couldn't bear to hit him, only a stepmother would have the heart to do so.

However, beating and scolding children was the worst approach, not suitable unless absolutely necessary.

"Going out to play, is he..." Xu Wan's lips curved slightly upward as she formulated her strategy.

Little troublemaker, you think you're tough?

I'll make you understand who provides the resources for your arrogance.

"Cut off all his expenses, stop his source of money, leave him with nowhere to eat, nowhere to stay, nowhere to cause trouble, until he has no choice but to return to the manor."