The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 421

Xu Wan couldn't help but grin as she nodded in agreement. "Hmm, not bad. Very thorough considerations. Truly worthy of being the youngest top scholar in history."

"It might not be for much longer," Zong Zhao replied with a faint smile before lowering his head to continue writing.

Xu Wan thought for a moment and realized he was right. "Next year, both Jin Cheng and Qin Ye will take the palace exams. If either of them becomes the top scholar, they’d only be eleven years old—four years younger than you were at the time."

Zong Zhao didn’t seem bothered by the prospect of his record being broken. Instead, he asked with interest, "Between the two of them, who do you think is more likely to win?"

Xu Wan pondered for a few seconds before answering. "To be honest, it’s not just Jin Cheng and the others who keep talking about defeating Qin Ye—even I secretly want them to win. After all, I’ve spent over three years pouring my heart into teaching them. Who wants their students to come in second? But… Qin Ye is truly exceptional. You probably haven’t met him yet, but his presence is overwhelming—nothing like a child. Jin Cheng has gotten along with him a bit better recently, but before, every time they met, it felt like Qin Ye could freeze him to death. Maybe that’s just how exam prodigies are?"

"Exam prodigies?" Zong Zhao looked up, puzzled.

Xu Wan suddenly remembered something and chuckled. "Yes, exam prodigies. Even the tutors get nervous around you. That’s why I didn’t let you come earlier when I announced the results—I was afraid you’d scare them."

Zong Zhao fell silent for a moment before attempting to explain, "They’re only intimidated by the title of Grand General. I just don’t talk much—it’s not like I’m trying to freeze anyone to death."

Xu Wan considered this and nodded. "True, compared to Qin Ye, you’re actually quite gentle. Hmm… but if Qin Ye is already this cold before even becoming an official, imagine how terrifying he’ll be when he rises to power. Won’t he scare the entire court stiff?"

Zong Zhao calmly corrected her, "The civil officials, maybe. The military officials? Unlikely."

Due to Luo Jingfeng’s grip on military authority, the status of military officials in the court had risen significantly. They had fought countless battles and witnessed all manner of bloodshed—there was no way Qin Ye could intimidate them.

Xu Wan sighed. "Selfishly, I hope Jin Cheng wins. But objectively, Qin Ye is talented and hardworking—he shouldn’t be defeated by Jin Cheng. But there can only be one top scholar per exam… Is there really no chance of having two?"

Zong Zhao shook his head. "There’s never been such a precedent. Don’t overthink it. We’ll know the results in six months. Maybe neither of them will win."

Xu Wan gasped. "That’s an even crueler assumption—wiping out both at once, no competition needed."

Zong Zhao smiled faintly. "They’re too young. Even if their abilities are outstanding, the court officials won’t agree. There’ll probably be an uproar… And you know how unpredictable His Majesty can be."

Xu Wan slumped in frustration. "It’s so complicated. Even if they pass, the road ahead is full of obstacles."

Seeing his wife’s dejected expression, Zong Zhao’s gaze softened. He reassured her, "Don’t worry too much. We’ll do our best to make things easier."

"Oh, right! You and Luo Jingfeng are in the court. There’s still hope." Xu Wan immediately perked up and leaned closer. "Let me see what kind of questions you’ve prepared. Are they going to make the students wail in despair again?"

Zong Zhao replied impassively, "I didn’t make them that difficult."

Xu Wan scoffed. "They just didn’t dare complain in front of you… Ugh, you’re ruthless. Even I find these hard."

Zong Zhao stated matter-of-factly, "Provincial exam questions are supposed to be like this. They’re just not performing well."

Xu Wan spun around in shock and quickly covered his mouth. "Grand General! Stop talking before you crush their spirits. We didn’t plan for this to be a lesson in failure!"

Zong Zhao’s eyes crinkled with amusement.

He caught Xu Wan’s hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.

Xu Wan yanked her hand back, scolding sternly, "You’re supposed to be writing exam questions. Stay focused."

Zong Zhao chuckled and pulled her down onto his lap. Leaning in, he murmured in a low, teasing voice, "Fine. I’ll be serious."

Xu Wan: "!!!"

Her face burned crimson.

What kind of nonsense was Zong Zhao spouting?

The way he was kissing and nuzzling her had nothing to do with being serious!

He might as well have glued himself to her!

As he continued his affectionate assault, Xu Wan tugged at his ears, panting as she reprimanded him, "Behave. We have work to do."

"Oh…" Zong Zhao reluctantly released her, his expression instantly reverting to its usual composed demeanor.

"……" Xu Wan was astounded by how quickly he could switch moods. If not for her disheveled clothes, no one would guess he’d just been teasing her mercilessly.

By the time she straightened her robes and looked back, Zong Zhao had already finished drafting a set of questions and handed them to her for review—looking perfectly obedient.

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Wan sighed helplessly. She had no idea how to handle him. But this time, she was wiser—she dragged her chair further away and perched at the edge of the desk to examine the questions.

The two spent the entire day diligently drafting and selecting topics, discussing and refining until they finalized the essay prompts for the next month.

Mid-September—the day of the provincial exam results.

A month had passed since the exams, and all the scholars and young candidates in the capital gathered to check the rankings. The Zong family had prepared two carriages early in the morning, eagerly awaiting their results.

The four young boys chattered excitedly in one carriage, each convinced they had passed—only unsure of their exact rankings.

Meanwhile, Zong Jincheng once again betrayed his friends to squeeze into his parents’ carriage, preening like a peacock as he rambled nonstop, his face alight with excitement.

Xu Wan was long accustomed to his bravado. Knowing his capabilities, she remained relaxed and teased, "Little Jin Cheng, the provincial exam may have three hundred spots, but the competition includes scholars of all ages. Aren’t you worried about ranking last again?"

Zong Jincheng lifted his chin proudly. "Why would I worry? I’m heaven’s chosen, the successor of the Literary Star! A mere provincial exam is child’s play—I’ll ace it effortlessly!"

Xu Wan snorted. "Don’t boast too soon. If you end up last again, the embarrassment will sting."

The little demon huffed. "Mother, don’t underestimate me. This isn’t empty bragging. After studying with Mr. Su for so long, my poetry skills are unmatched, and my essays on the classics are flawless. Defeating Qin Ye will be a breeze. Just wait and see—I’m taking the top spot!"

This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶