The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 289

The entrance of the Imperial Examination Hall was as bustling as ever, with prodigies from various academies gathering in high spirits. Parents carried examination supplies, sending their children into the hall for a grueling five-day, four-night test.

"Damn these rules for the Childhood Scholar exam! Forcing kids to stay overnight in the examination hall—why can't my son come home to sleep?"

"I heard there are even rats inside. If my child gets scared sick, I won’t let them off the hook!"

"Son, if you feel unwell, just withdraw. We can always take the proper imperial exams when you’re older. What’s the point of this Childhood Scholar title anyway? It doesn’t even grant an official position!"

"..."

As one group of examinees left, a new batch of parents arrived, still cursing the absurd regulations.

Xu Wan rubbed her nose, thinking: If not for her status, she’d gladly join the complaints.

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Lady Wei beside her also wanted to vent, but since Madam Shen’s husband served in the Ministry of Rites, she held back. Unexpectedly, Madam Shen herself broke the ice: "Stupid rules."

"Pfft—" The ladies burst into laughter.

Xu Wan noticed Madam He’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. Gently, she asked, "Sister, is something troubling you at home?"

Madam He sighed. "A family member fell ill and misses Zheng terribly. I plan to bring him home for a few days after the exam."

Xu Wan immediately agreed. "Of course! It’s my oversight—He Zheng hasn’t visited home much these past two years. I should’ve encouraged him to go back more often."

Madam He forced a smile. "It’s fine. Once he returns this time... everything will be better."

After this return, he likely won’t leave again. The Shen family held high authority, and the Weis had the Censorate’s backing—they could afford defiance. But her own family lacked such influence and couldn’t risk offending Luo Jingfeng.

She swallowed these words, clinging to dignity even as bitterness choked her.

Xu Wan comforted her, assuming it was merely the stress of illness weighing on her mood.

With the three young troublemakers away, the grand study felt quieter—but Xu Wan relished the peace. Seizing the opportunity, she assigned new lessons: "These days, you’ll practice numerical problems."

"Numerical problems?" The brothers echoed, intrigued by the unfamiliar subject.

Their excitement lasted until Steward Liu placed account books before them.

"..."

Zong Jincheng scowled. "Mother... this isn’t numerical problems! It’s bookkeeping! Managing accounts is women’s work—why should we learn this?"

Zong Wenxiu scratched his head, equally puzzled. The household affairs were their grandmother’s domain; even if delegated later, it’d go to their aunt. Steward Liu merely assisted. How would this help their imperial exam prep?

Xu Wan tapped the ledger. "When you oversee a government office someday, every expenditure will require your approval. If you can’t read accounts, how will you manage people? Hmm? Future second-rank officials?"

The aspiring ministers gasped in realization. "Understood! We’ll study right away!"

Xu Wan chuckled, instructing Steward Liu to tutor them. The steward, suddenly promoted to "visiting professor," puffed with pride—this was his expertise, and he’d flaunt it!

"Here’s expenditure, here’s income. Our Marquis Manor’s revenue is substantial, but focus on the outlays. Young masters, observe this—"

"Oh..."

The thrifty Jincheng’s frown deepened. "Our household spends this much monthly?"

Steward Liu mentally rolled his eyes. Young master, you alone used to squander more. But aloud, he explained, "The manor has many staff, each with fixed expenses. See here, Master Cheng."

The boys huddled over the ledger, questioning relentlessly until Steward Liu’s patience frayed. His dream of dignified teaching dissolved into exasperation: "Our accounts are pristine! No embezzlement, no forged entries! Even the brooms’ origins are meticulously documented!"

Zong Wenxiu marveled, "We’re incredibly wealthy."

Zong Jincheng mused, "Impressive. Even brooms have hierarchies."

Steward Liu: "Just kill me."

After five days of tormenting the steward, the Childhood Scholar exam concluded. The entourage marched to retrieve the three young rascals.

"Jincheng! Jincheng! They tested that question again!" Wei Xinglu blurted the moment he emerged.

The little demon king froze. "What?"

Shen Yibai howled with laughter. "The one Qin Ye hinted about! You said it wouldn’t repeat, but it did! Admit it—you’ll never surpass Qin Ye. He’s this year’s undisputed top scholar!"

He Zheng desperately tried to muzzle him, but Shen Yibai dodged, taunting Zong Jincheng like an overexcited monkey.

Earlier, Xu Wan had instructed Jincheng to prepare flower bouquets for the trio. Now, clutching blooms, he looked like a fool.

Gritting his teeth, he tossed the flowers to Shunzi and charged. "Shen Yibai, I’ll end you!"

Shen Yibai welcomed the brawl. "Bring it! Five days in that hellhole—I need a fight!"

Parents laughed as servants loaded carriages. Madam He nearly ordered He Zheng’s belongings taken home but hesitated, fearing he’d suspect.

"Sister, I’ll take He Zheng back now. Thank you for caring for him."

Xu Wan found the farewell oddly final. Surely if leaving permanently, she’d have mentioned it?

"Family comes first," Xu Wan reassured. "Take him home—we’ll await his return."

Madam He gripped her hand tightly—too tightly?—then turned to He Zheng.

"Zheng, come. Mother needs to speak with you." The boy’s smile faded as he asked after the sick relative.

Soon, He Zheng approached Xu Wan. "Auntie, I’m going home now. I’ll return to study in a few days."

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Wan smiled. "We’ll be waiting."

He Zheng turned to leave, then spun back, eyes shining. "Auntie, I aced the exam! I’ll win first rank in the capital—for you, for our elite class!"