The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 242

Not far away, the sound of reading and discussions could be heard from the large study, mingling chaotically in the sweltering summer heat. In the small pavilion, however, the mother and son faced each other in a silence so profound it was almost eerie.

Xu Wan was taken aback. "Why would you ask something like that?"

The little devil, Zong Jincheng, didn’t blink as he replied, "I thought of it while researching the fates of corrupt officials. Liang Ji embezzled three billion taels, Cai Jing embezzled twenty million taels, Dong Zhuo amassed tens of thousands of pounds of gold... These treacherous officials were all as rich as nations. Once they were executed, the national treasury swelled, the court rejoiced, and the people celebrated. So what about us? Could the Yangyuan Marquis Manor, with its vast wealth, become the next pig to be slaughtered?"

Xu Wan was momentarily stunned but quickly laughed it off. "The Yangyuan Marquis Manor has been a family of loyal servants for generations. Your second uncle died on the battlefield, and your father’s fate is still unknown. Even if we’re not the most powerful, we’re far from being traitors. The court has no reason to slaughter us."

"Is that so?" Zong Jincheng frowned, still not entirely convinced.

Xu Wan smiled and patted his head. "Stop thinking about your pig-slaughtering theory. It’s just that your peers can’t out-argue you. Once the tutors catch on, they’ll easily dismantle your flawed logic."

The little devil was delighted by the compliment. He laughed heartily, "So you admit I’m the strongest among my peers? It’s fine if I can’t out-argue the tutors. I’m just a student, after all. As long as I can dominate my peers, that’s enough!"

Xu Wan found his confidence amusing. "Little one, I only said your classmates couldn’t out-argue you. When did I say you were the strongest among your peers?"

Zong Jincheng raised his head proudly. "It doesn’t matter. I *am* the strongest among my peers. Even Qin Ye would be no match for me! I, Zong Jincheng, am the number one debater in the capital!"

Xu Wan: "..."

He was at it again, bestowing titles upon himself.

She chuckled. "Keep practicing. When you get stronger, I might consider inviting Qin Ye for a debate with you."

At the mention of that name, Zong Jincheng’s expression soured.

He flatly refused. "No, I don’t like him. I don’t want him here."

"Are you sure it’s not because you’re afraid?" Xu Wan raised an eyebrow.

Zong Jincheng shook his head vigorously. "I’m not afraid of him. I just don’t want him here. This is my private territory. Why should I let him in?"

Qin Ye was like a nightmare, always acting like the future top scholar, basking in admiration wherever he went. Now even his mother wanted to invite Qin Ye to the Marquis Manor...

No, Qin Ye couldn’t come.

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Otherwise, his mother would never pay attention to him again.

Zong Jincheng was resolute, his entire body radiating resistance.

Qin Ye was not welcome.

Xu Wan nodded. "Alright, as you wish. No invitation, then. Go study now. I’m looking forward to your essay on good governance."

The little devil beamed. "Don’t worry, I’ll definitely write the best one!"

"Good..."

As the little rascal skipped away, the smile on Xu Wan’s face gradually faded.

Her child was growing up too fast, and as both a mother and a teacher, she couldn’t shake the growing unease in her heart.

Why was the Crown Prince so eager to teach Zong Jincheng so much? What was his endgame?

Xu Wan couldn’t figure it out, but there was one thing she felt she needed to discuss with the elders. Whether Zong Jincheng’s speculation was true or not, they deserved to know.

So, Xu Wan vividly recounted the debate to the old couple. The grandparents were so impressed by their grandson’s brilliance and their daughter-in-law’s teaching that their eyes widened in amazement.

After some small talk, Xu Wan casually brought up the topic as if it were a joke. "Later, Jincheng even asked me if our Marquis Manor would be the next pig to be slaughtered. I told him we’re not traitors, so why would we be pigs?"

The moment the words left her mouth, the old lady’s smile froze.

The old Marquis also fell silent.

After Xu Wan left, neither of the old couple could muster a smile. The old Marquis voiced the same concern as Xu Wan. "How does Jincheng know about these things? Did the Crown Prince tell him?"

The old lady’s face was grave. "Thirty years ago, those people tried to seize our family’s wealth. If not for meeting you, my lord, our family would have vanished from this world long ago."

The old Marquis frowned. "The child was just talking nonsense. Don’t overthink it. You’ve been married to me for a long time, and with the Yangyuan Marquis Manor backing you, no one dares to touch your family."

The old lady clenched her fingers and murmured, "I just hope it never comes to that."

---

At General Pang’s Mansion.

After months of searching for a portrait without success, Military Advisor Gou had been reduced to helping General Pang sift through children’s records. Both of them were overwhelmed, wishing they had extra heads to handle the workload.

A guard entered to report that the Crown Prince had, as usual, visited the Yangyuan Marquis Manor the previous day. General Pang, already irritable, hurled a book at the guard in frustration. "Let him go! It’s not like it’ll kill him. Can’t you see I’m busy? Get out!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." The guard scurried away in fear.

Military Advisor Gou, still comparing portraits to records, remarked, "It seems the child from the Zong family is definitely the Crown Prince’s illegitimate son. Despite being busy with the dance hall case, he still finds time to visit Zong Jincheng. How touching, fatherly love."

General Pang spat. "Who cares? As long as the Crown Prince doesn’t die before the Great General returns, he can do whatever he wants. Hmm... Military Advisor Gou, does this child look like the Great General? They say nephews resemble their uncles, right?"

Military Advisor Gou took a deep breath, suppressing his frustration. "I don’t see much resemblance..."

General Pang roared in anger and slammed his hand on the table, shattering it.

...

Without a table, the two continued their work on the floor.

General Pang looked up at the sky with tearful eyes and lamented, "Why didn’t the Great General take me with him when he went to war? What kind of brain-melting nonsense is this?!"

---

At the Marquis Manor Elite Class.

After three days of preparation, the five students had submitted their debate reflections. Since Xu Wan had instructed them to work independently without any tutoring, what she now held in her hands was a true reflection of their writing abilities.

Wei Xinglu and Shen Yibai, the two brothers, had essays riddled with typos and logical inconsistencies, but they had managed to write a few hundred words, showing a decent effort. He Zheng had also written a few hundred words, with coherent logic, neat handwriting, and well-reasoned arguments, demonstrating clear progress.

Zong ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‍Wenxiu had penned a lengthy two-thousand-word essay, eager to list every possible solution for dealing with corrupt officials. As for the little devil, Zong Jincheng, he had neatly outlined the principles of good governance, with clear logic and structure. However, perhaps overly confident in his knowledge, he had only written a few hundred words, clearly cutting corners.

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow, realizing the boy was getting a bit too cocky. She set down the essays and turned to Pan Hongzhi. "Tutor Pan, how is Jincheng’s academic progress lately?"

Zong Jincheng, hearing that he was the first to be asked about, felt a surge of pride. See, see? My mother cares about me the most. She’s asking about my studies first!