The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class

Chapter 178

After deliberating for the entire journey on how to apologize, He Zheng found himself unable to utter a single word upon seeing Xu Wan. Terrified, he feared that the rare opportunity he had fought so hard to obtain would be ruined by his own hands.

Yet, all he had wanted was to study a bit more. He had never anticipated such an accident would occur.

Compensating the Marquis Manor financially was manageable, but the bigger issue was the essence of the matter. If Xu Wan discovered that he was willing to go to any lengths just to study, she would surely banish him, just like his biological father had done.

He knew his father was disappointed in him.

Xu Wan, with a frown, pulled him up and said, "The House Physician is here. Let him check you first. We'll talk about the rest later."

"Um..." He Zheng trembled as he got up.

The House Physician led him inside, where he took off his clothes for a thorough examination. He found a few minor burns on He Zheng's body, but the boy didn't make a sound.

While a servant helped He Zheng put on his clothes, the House Physician attended to his wounds and applied medicine.

A while later, the House Physician emerged and reported to Xu Wan, "Madam, Young Master He has three minor burns, two on his arms and one on his hand. The injuries have been treated with medicine. He should avoid strenuous arm movements for the next few days and rest well to recover."

Xu Wan politely replied, "Thank you for your efforts, especially so late at night."

"It's my duty, Madam. You're too kind."

"Cui Zhi, see that the House Physician gets back and rests," Xu Wan instructed.

"Yes."

Once everyone had left the room, it was just Xu Wan and He Zheng.

He Zheng was about to kneel and beg for forgiveness when Xu Wan asked, "What were you doing lighting a fire in your blanket?"

He Zheng stammered, "I... I was studying, but I was afraid of waking Teacher Cheng, so I lit a candle inside my blanket..."

Xu Wan: "...

This kind of studying method, she had actually used herself.

He Zheng's eyes lit up in disbelief. "Would... would he?"

Xu Wan said, "You’ll never know unless you ask. If you don’t ask, it will never happen. I understand you’re afraid to speak up in front of your father, but the people here aren’t your father. Everyone you’ll meet in the future has a different personality. All big and small matters in this world require you to take the initiative; only then can you be certain."

He Zheng nodded blankly, "Alright, aunty, I’ll listen to you. I’ll inform you and Teacher Cheng beforehand about anything I plan to do. I’ll change."

Xu Wan exhaled, continuing her lecture, "Then let me talk about lighting a candle in your blanket. I ask you, if the fire hadn’t burnt the blanket during your nap, what were you planning? Study until dawn? Then wash your face and continue studying?"

He Zheng: "...

He hadn't thought that far. He just wanted to study more, adhering to Xu Wan's principle of utilizing every spare moment to read.

Xu Wan corrected him, "The human body has its limits, and exceeding them won't always manifest as illness. But if you persist in staying awake without sleep, you’ll die within seven days."

He Zheng shuddered at the word 'death,' recalling the day his father almost strangled him, mistakenly believing he intended patricide.

"Aunty... Aunty, I was wrong. I made a huge mistake... I..." He Zheng, genuinely frightened, apologized repeatedly.

"Not done yet," Xu Wan continued.

He Zheng: "..."

Xu Wan expounded on the details, "You woke up from dozing off when the fire burnt you, being in pain led to your realization of the fire. But what if the fire hadn’t burnt you, and had started burning the bed first? The smoke could have choked you unconscious before you even had a chance to call for help. You and Teacher Cheng, who is diligently preparing you for the Child Prodigy Class, might have burnt to death in that fire."

He Zheng recoiled in terror.

He could hardly believe that his mere desire to study could endanger Teacher Cheng, who had been so kind, teaching him to read and write, and even marking the important points in his studies.

He Zheng was overcome with regret.

Xu Wan maintained a stoic expression, watching him sternly.

In truth, the blanket's fire probably would have burnt He Zheng before it could have suffocated him. But to terrify the boy, Xu Wan exaggerated that minuscule possibility to instill a deep sense of fear about the consequences of his actions.

This child was unlike Jin Cheng or Wenxiu; he was too stubborn. Persuasive tales suited for his intense nature would help make him reflect on his actions and reconsider his approach to future endeavors.@@@@