The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 422

Zong Jincheng was brimming with confidence, so smug that his eyes nearly disappeared into his face, making Xu Wan reluctant to crush his spirits. She could only sigh and cover her forehead in resignation.

The little troublemaker pouted at his mother’s expression. "Mom, do you really think my poetry is worthless? I’ve improved so much—you’ve seen how fast I’ve progressed!"

Xu Wan leaned against Zong Zhao’s shoulder, laughing so hard she could barely lift her head. Finally, Zong Zhao lifted his eyelids and calmly remarked, "Rapid progress doesn’t mean you’ve reached perfection."

The little troublemaker’s face fell. "Dad, you just think I’m stupid, useless, and nowhere near as good as you!"

"Hm." Zong Zhao actually agreed.

"???"

Zong Jincheng’s world collapsed!

His eyes widened in outrage as he howled through the carriage, "Dad! I was just saying that casually, and you actually admitted it! You really think I’m worse than you! I’m your son—I’m supposed to surpass you! How can you look down on me like this? I’ve only been studying for a few years, while you’ve been at it for ages. It’s not even a fair comparison! If I had as much time as you, I’d be way, way better!"

The little chatterbox’s loud voice filled the carriage, his cheeks puffing up in anger, nearly transporting Xu Wan back to when she first met Zong Jincheng. Even after two years, the little troublemaker’s shouting skills had only sharpened.

Zong Zhao watched his tantrum without anger, merely asking coolly, "Are you shouting so loudly because you’re insecure?"

Zong Jincheng: "..."

Struck right in the heart, the little troublemaker couldn’t even muster another yell. He turned his head and called out to the coachman outside, "Stop the carriage! I’m getting off to find my brothers—I can’t stay here anymore! Dad just bullies me!"

The carriage stopped, and Zong Jincheng stormed out.

With only two people left inside, the carriage suddenly felt much roomier. Zong Zhao’s gaze shifted toward Xu Wan.

"..."

Realizing the situation, she quickly scooted to the far corner of the carriage, sensibly reminding him, "Let’s keep a safe distance for now. We still have to get off later to check the results."

Zong Zhao chuckled at her adorable reaction.

"Hm."

Xu Wan buried her face in her hands.

In another carriage, Zong Jincheng plopped down, still fuming. His friends immediately asked what was wrong, and he repeated the two infuriating sentences his father had said—only to wind himself up even more.

He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Zheng quickly tried to console him, "Big bro, don’t worry! Uncle Zong is just too strong. From his perspective, all of us are idiots. But compared to most people, we’re actually really good! You’ve improved so much in poetry, and your essays are better than Qin Ye’s. You’ll definitely crush him in the autumn exams and take first place!"

Zong Jincheng immediately brightened up, slapping He Zheng’s shoulder. "Good brother, you’re the only one who truly understands my talent!"

Shen Yibai burst out laughing. "He Zheng’s just blowing smoke. Honestly, if Jincheng even makes it into the top hundred, I’d be impressed. As for defeating Qin Ye? Leave that to a real genius like me!"

"Or me! I’m reliable too!" Wei Xinglu chimed in.

The little troublemaker rolled his eyes. "Wake up, you two. You’re the bottom of the class."

Shen Yibai stuck out his tongue. "You were last place too—don’t act high and mighty."

"That was last year’s last place! I’m way better than this year’s losers!"

"Doesn’t matter—last place is last place!"

"You asking for a beating?!"

"Who’s asking—OW! Why are you pinching my ribs?!"

"You kicked my stomach first!!"

"..."

Switching carriages didn’t bring Zong Jincheng any peace. By the time they got off, none of the boys’ clothes were neat—even Zong Wenxiu, who had tried to break up the fight, got caught in the chaos because the carriage was too cramped.

Shen Yibai was still howling, "Come on, let’s go another round!"

"Round my foot—let’s go check the results!" Zong Jincheng waved him off and dashed toward the crowded announcement board.

Shen Yibai was about to follow when a young man rushed over, gripping his hands excitedly. "I passed! I passed! Young Master Shen, thank you for your help! I ranked 260th—I actually passed on my second attempt! I can’t believe it!"

Shen Yibai, dizzy from being shaken, yanked his hands free. "Who are you?! I don’t even know you!"

The only one with a photographic memory, Zong Jincheng, was already lost in the crowd. The other boys found the young man vaguely familiar but couldn’t place him.

Xu Wan approached with a smile. "Ge Hong, it’s you."

Ah, the eighth-ranked student from Qingbo Academy—the one who had once accused them of cheating their way into the advanced class, only to change his mind after reading Shen Yibai’s essays.

Shen Yibai finally recognized him. "Oh, it’s you! The one who studied my essays! Auntie, see? I knew he’d copy my work—now he even passed the exams because of it!"

Ge Hong was both thrilled and sheepish. He bowed apologetically to Xu Wan and Shen Yibai. "As Young Master Shen said, I did study his essays carefully afterward. That’s how I improved so quickly. I… I want to repay you. I’ve saved up over two hundred coins from copying books—you can have all of it."

Before anyone could refuse, he untied his money pouch and pressed it into Shen Yibai’s hands. "Thank you. Thank you for helping me get this far. Even if I fail the spring exams, I won’t give up. I’ll keep trying—six years, nine years, twelve years if I have to. I’ll catch up to you all someday!"

Shen Yibai stared blankly at the pouch. Before he could react, Ge Hong bowed again and hurried away.

"Wait… he… saved for three years… and gave me everything?" Shen Yibai muttered in disbelief.

As a young master from a wealthy family, he had never lacked for money. Even when his allowance was cut during his time at the academy, his needs were always met. Two hundred coins wouldn’t even buy him a new robe.

But for Ge Hong, it was everything he owned.

And he had given it all away in gratitude.

Shen Yibai frowned at the pouch, then turned to Xu Wan. "Auntie… what do I do? Should I return it to him at the academy?"

Xu Wan shook her head. "After passing the autumn exams, scholars don’t return to the academy. You likely won’t see him again."

"Then how do I give it back?" Shen Yibai fretted. "He has nothing left—what if he starves?"

Xu Wan smiled gently. "He won’t. He can earn more by copying books. Scholars may be poor, but they have pride and resilience."

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