The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 413

The Old Marquis listened to his rambling words, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on him.

This made Zong Wenxiu quite happy. Mimicking his younger brother’s habit of speaking his joy aloud, he said, "Grandfather, seeing you rely on me like this makes me happy too. How about I come every day to feed you your medicine?"

"Alright," the Old Marquis replied hoarsely.

The medicine-feeding went a little smoother this time.

Though he spat it out after just a few sips, the second attempt went down without protest.

Zong Wenxiu picked up a plate of candied fruit from the tray and said, "The medicine is too bitter, Grandfather. Have some candied fruit. Jin Cheng always eats these after taking medicine—he says it takes the bitterness away."

"Alright."

Like a child, the Old Marquis let Zong Wenxiu care for him, feeding him medicine and candied fruit until exhaustion pulled him into sleep.

The Old Marchioness sighed in relief and whispered to him, "Good child, thank heavens you’ve returned. Your grandfather is asleep now—you should rest too. You couldn’t have slept well during those nine days in the examination hall."

Zong Wenxiu shook his head. "Grandmother, I’m not tired. Though the examination hall was harsh, I’ve endured hardships since childhood. A little resilience is nothing. But I’m filthy—let me go bathe and change first, then I’ll come back to keep Grandfather company. Oh, and… could I sleep beside him tonight? I’ve never done that before. I’m curious."

Truthfully, his curiosity wasn’t that strong. He was simply worried about his grandfather and wanted to watch over him at night, but he feared the Old Marchioness might refuse if she thought it too taxing—hence the excuse.

The Old Marchioness, ever perceptive, understood his unspoken concern. She hugged her grandson, her voice choked with emotion. "Good child, it’s my fault you suffered so much in the slums all those years."

Zong Wenxiu joked lightly, "It’s alright. The slums weren’t so bad—at least I didn’t have to dig up sweet potatoes with Mr. Su, wake at dawn every day, or till the fields under the scorching sun."

The Old Marchioness chuckled softly. "Go bathe and change. I’ll have a small bed brought in so you can stay with your grandfather tonight."

"Alright." Zong Wenxiu left with a smile.

When Zong Jincheng arrived, he saw his brother stepping out and asked in surprise, "Brother, did you finish bathing already?"

Zong Wenxiu didn’t answer directly. "I just fed Grandfather his medicine. He’s asleep now—you can visit when he wakes."

Xu Wan and Zong Zhao finally relaxed at the news.

Zong Jincheng blinked. "Wait, you didn’t go bathe?"

Zong Wenxiu grinned. "I’m about to."

The little troublemaker immediately turned to Xu Wan, pouting. "Mother, you’re biased! You made me go bathe but let Brother take care of Grandfather!"

"Hush, you little rascal—" Xu Wan clapped a hand over his mouth before his voice could rise and dragged him off to another courtyard.

Zong Wenxiu returned swiftly after bathing and said to Zong Zhao in the courtyard, "Uncle, you should rest. I’ll watch over Grandfather—Grandmother already agreed to let me stay."

Zong Zhao’s voice was rough. "What… did he say to you?"

Zong Wenxiu shook his head. "Grandfather isn’t well, so he hardly spoke. Mostly, I talked while he listened. I think… he must miss Father terribly. That’s why he let me ramble on—so I’ll keep talking and staying with him."

Zong Zhao patted his head. "Good child."

In truth, guilt gnawed at him. If he hadn’t been unconscious for seven years, Zong Wenxiu and his mother wouldn’t have suffered so long in the slums.

Zong Yan had entrusted them to his care, yet he’d failed for seven years.

Zong Wenxiu, unaware of his thoughts, urged cheerfully, "Uncle, go rest. You look exhausted—our family depends on you. You must take care of yourself."

"Alright."

But Zong Zhao didn’t rest immediately upon returning. Instead, he sat at his desk in thought before picking up a brush to write.

By the time Xu Wan had soothed the prickly little troublemaker and returned, Zong Zhao was already asleep—slumped over the desk.

He was utterly spent.

Xu Wan didn’t wake him to move to the bed, not wanting to disturb his rest.

Fatigue and drowsiness soon overtook her as well, and she dozed off at the small round table.

She woke again at dusk.

Rubbing her eyes, Xu Wan found herself in bed—she vaguely remembered only intending to nap at the table. Seems Zong Zhao’s habits were contagious.

She sat up and glanced toward the desk. Zong Zhao was gone, and the room was empty.

"Cui Zhi, what time is it?" she called.

Cui Zhi entered and replied, "It’s Xu hour, Madam. You must be hungry—shall I have dinner served?"

Xu Wan rose and asked casually, "Where’s the General? Did he go to his father’s courtyard?"

Cui Zhi shook her head. "No, Young Master Wenxiu is there. The General went to the main study."

"What? Why the study?" Xu Wan was baffled.

Cui Zhi lowered her voice mysteriously. "Young Master Jincheng and the others were resting, but the General summoned Buyan, saying he had a task for him."

"He called Buyan to the study too?" Xu Wan grew even more confused. "Does this involve new arrangements for Jincheng?"

Cui Zhi shrugged. "This servant doesn’t know. The General hasn’t returned yet—perhaps the task isn’t finished. Would Madam like to check?"

"Yes!" Xu Wan quickly freshened up and hurried to the study.

Marquis Manor Elite Class.

Dinnertime had arrived, yet the five tutors sat stiffly in their seats. Zong Jincheng and He Zheng craned their necks curiously, wondering why Zong Zhao—not Xu Wan—stood at the lectern.

But unlike Xu Wan’s approachable demeanor, Zong Zhao’s silence carried an air of severity that left the tutors too intimidated to breathe loudly.

Without preamble, Zong Zhao announced, "Tomorrow’s major exam—all will participate. Buyan holds the test papers."

Buyan, stunned: "!!!"

General!!!

You’ve finally given me a proper task!!!

His usually stoic face twisted into a grin, radiating sheer triumph.

The tutors exchanged glances. This was surely the teacher evaluation Xu Wan had mentioned—those who passed would stay. They hadn’t expected the exam to be delayed, nor to take it alongside the students. Still, Zong Zhao had spared their dignity by not explicitly calling it a screening.

Zong Jincheng piped up excitedly, "Father! Since the exam is just one sheet, does that mean it’s only an essay?"

Zong Zhao replied, "Imperial exam style."

The little troublemaker beamed. "Perfect! Just an essay—that’s my best subject!"

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