The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

“The princess seems about to lose her temper…” Xu Wan felt a sense of foreboding.

Cui Zhi timidly asked, “Should we ask Young Master Zong Jincheng to go easy on her? At least give the princess a few chances to score. Even if she loses, it shouldn’t be too humiliating…”

Xu Wan didn’t want the princess to explode in anger, nor did she want Zong Jincheng to win so effortlessly. That would not only be fruitless but also make him overconfident.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Call for a timeout. Let everyone take a break.”

“Yes, I’ll arrange it right away,” Cui Zhi replied.

The game paused for a break, and servants from each family rushed over to wipe the sweat off their young masters and offer them water. Zong Jincheng took the water pouch and drank while glancing at Xu Wan, expecting her to come over and praise him. Instead, he saw her walk straight toward the princess’s team.

The little troublemaker’s triumphant expression instantly fell.

He shoved the water pouch into Shunzi’s hands and sat down on the bench, visibly displeased.

That bad woman, always cozying up to Princess Zhao Rong.

Who’s really on your side, huh?

Zhao Rong sat down with a dark expression, drinking water while several maids massaged her shoulders and legs. However, her mood remained gloomy.

“How annoying! How is that brat so good at cuju? Back in the palace, didn’t you all say I was great at it? How come I can’t even beat an eight-year-old kid now?”

Zhao Rong felt utterly deceived.

When Xu Wan arrived, she saw the furious princess and the trembling maids. She crouched down and said, “Princess, don’t get too worked up. There’s still plenty of time left in the game.”

Zhao Rong knew deep down that she was destined to lose, but she was both proud and stubborn. Admitting defeat was out of the question, and she couldn’t even bring herself to suggest stopping the game.

Seeing Xu Wan come over to check on her made her feel a bit better. She pouted and whined, “Sister Xu, what should I do? I don’t want to lose so badly to that brat.”

“Well, I…”

Xu Wan was about to speak when Zhao Rong immediately interrupted, “No, don’t tell him to go easy on me. That would be even more humiliating than outright admitting defeat. I can’t bear to lose face like that, wuwu.”

Xu Wan looked at the princess, who was pretending to cry, and smiled helplessly. “I wasn’t going to ask them to let you win. That wouldn’t be fair to either team. I was going to suggest a new strategy for playing cuju.”

“Oh? What new strategy?”

Xu Wan pointed to the cuju field map on the nearby table, her finger landing on the position of the team leader. “Since there’s one player who’s particularly strong, focus all your efforts on defending against him.”

“Huh?” Zhao Rong suddenly had a revelation.

When the game resumed, the previously dispirited princess team seemed to have been injected with adrenaline, now full of fighting spirit once again.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The young masters’ team was baffled, but the Zong brothers both looked toward Xu Wan, the woman who always seemed to have everything under control.

She must have said something to Princess Zhao Rong.

Zong Jincheng was still unhappy, but the thought that Xu Wan might have indirectly joined the princess’s team only fueled his determination.

Bad woman, you’re helping Princess Zhao Rong? Just watch me make you lose even worse!

The game began again. Wei Xinglu and He Zheng’s coordination was as seamless as ever. The two longtime friends were in their element, and after several passes, the cuju ball landed at the feet of Zong Jincheng, the team leader.

“Wow! The ball’s with him again!”

“This is a sure goal!”

“Young Masters’ team, score! Young Masters’ team, score!”

The cheers from the young masters’ team’s fans grew louder, and Shunzi was also shouting enthusiastically, dragging Buyan along.

Buyan looked like he wanted to die, his voice as faint as a mosquito’s, while Shunzi’s voice stood out: “Young Master Zong will score!”

Zong Jincheng taunted Princess Zhao Rong, “Princess, just admit defeat. You’re no match for us, and you can’t stop me.”

Zhao Rong narrowed her eyes and said, “Yes, I can’t stop you alone, but what about three of us?”

As soon as she finished speaking, two players suddenly appeared on either side of her, blocking Zong Jincheng.

The little troublemaker looked up in shock. He quickly kicked the ball back to Lu Fang, but the two princess team players swiftly retreated, as if they had never been there.

But he soon realized it wasn’t an illusion. Every time the ball came to him, one opponent turned into three, making it impossible to dodge or score.

Another failed attempt, and the ball returned to the princess team’s possession. When Zong Jincheng tried to block Princess Zhao Rong, the two defenders reappeared, helping Zhao Rong keep him at bay.

“The princess team scores!”

“Wow! The princess team is amazing!”

“The princess team will win!”

Zong Jincheng wiped the sweat off his face, his expression dark. He turned and saw Xu Wan calmly sipping tea.

Darn it, she must have taught Princess Zhao Rong this move.

She’s biased.

Her bias is off the charts!

Zong Jincheng pointed at Xu Wan and complained to Zong Wenxiu, “Brother, look at her. Not only is she not helping us, but she’s also aiding Princess Zhao Rong against us.”

Zong Wenxiu glanced at the score and said, “Aunt Xu probably doesn’t want the princess to lose too badly. Don’t worry, just play steadily, and we’ll definitely win.”

Wei Xinglu and He Zheng also came over, concerned. “Jincheng, what should we do? They’re triple-teaming you, making it really hard to score. Maybe we should switch roles, and I’ll be the team leader.”

Zong Jincheng snapped, “If I can’t get past three people, do you think you can?”

Wei Xinglu coughed awkwardly. “Maybe if I’m the team leader, they won’t send three people to block me.”

“Hmph.” Zong Jincheng snorted and looked back at Xu Wan. His mind was racing, trying to figure out the flaw in her strategy.

Three people blocking me…

That means two of my teammates are left unmarked, standing in open positions around me.

The little troublemaker suddenly understood.

He glanced in Xu Wan’s direction and muttered, “Fine, since you’re helping Princess Zhao Rong, I’ll show you that even with your help, she’ll still lose to me!”

Reignited with determination, Zong Jincheng turned and instructed, “Wei Xinglu, switch positions with Lu Fang. When they triple-team me, I’ll pass the ball to you…”

“Got it.”

The young masters’ team quickly devised a new strategy and adjusted their tactics.

Xu Wan watched them regain their momentum and raised an eyebrow. “Oh no, the princess is in trouble again.”

Sure enough, the situation on the cuju field reversed once more. With Wei Xinglu’s assistance, the young masters’ team turned the tide with a two-on-three play.

“The young masters’ team scores again!”

“Awesome!!!”

Cui Zhi sighed in admiration. “Young Master Jincheng reacted so quickly. He realized this is a team game.”

Xu Wan smiled. “Yes, that little devil is really clever. Thank goodness he wasn’t this smart five months ago, or I’d have been in real trouble.”

Cui Zhi, hearing this, couldn’t help but ask, “Madam, your original task was just to supervise Young Master Jincheng’s studies, but you’ve been finding ways to help him grow in every aspect. Aren’t you afraid he’ll grow so capable that even you won’t be able to handle him?”