The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 434

Xu Wan had come prepared with red envelopes for the New Year. She took out five small red pouches and handed them out one by one: "Happy New Year! Congratulations on growing another year older."

"Thank you, Mother!" "Thank you, Auntie!" "Thank you, Aunt!"

The young boys were more excited than ever, already discussing how they would feast and celebrate for days after the imperial exams.

Xu Wan then took five more red envelopes from Zong Zhao and gave them to the five private tutors: "Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity in the new term. Your wages will remain triple for these days."

"Thank you, Madam!" The five tutors grinned from ear to ear.

With exactly two months left until the spring imperial exams, time was tight. The tutors had already thrown themselves into intensive review sessions without waiting for Xu Wan to mention the triple wages. Jiang Yan hadn’t planned to come, but the other four tutors insisted on his presence, dragging him to join them.

Xu Wan cleared her throat and said, "After the New Year, scholars from all over the country will start arriving in the capital for the exams. The city’s security might get a bit chaotic, so I advise everyone not to go out alone during this period to avoid any mishaps."

The tutors understood. "Yes, Madam."

Zong Jincheng, however, was puzzled. "Why would they come to the capital so early? There are still two months left!"

The others chimed in, "Yeah, why?"

Zong Wenxiu pursed his lips as if he knew the reason, but after exchanging a glance with Xu Wan, he kept quiet.

Xu Wan smiled and explained, "The spring exams are different from all previous tests—they must be taken in the capital. Many scholars from poor families travel from the far south. How do you think they get here?"

Shen Yibai quickly answered, "First of all, they definitely can’t afford a carriage."

Wei Xinglu added, "They can’t afford horses either."

Zong ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‍Jincheng asked, "What about donkeys?"

Everyone fell silent.

"Donkeys are probably expensive too," He Zheng said timidly. "So… do they walk?"

Xu Wan nodded. "Yes, they walk."

For centuries, scholars from humble backgrounds had journeyed this way to take the imperial exams.

"But where do they stay? Can they afford inns?"

"Most likely not."

Zong Zhao explained, "Scholars who can’t afford inns usually stay with local families, in abandoned temples, or even sleep on the streets. The spring exams used to be held in February, but the court moved them to March to make the weather warmer for these travelers."

Xu Wan continued, "Scholars worry about unexpected delays, so many set off early—some even leave right after the autumn exam results are announced. If the journey goes smoothly, they arrive in the capital one or two months early. This gives them time to visit libraries and exchange knowledge, helping them identify their weaknesses and improve."

Zong Jincheng latched onto this detail, his eyes lighting up. "So scholars from all over the country gather in the capital’s libraries?"

"Exactly."

Shen Yibai rubbed his hands excitedly. "I’d love to crush some noobs."

Wei Xinglu grinned. "That’d be so satisfying."

Xu Wan: "!"

So that’s what they were thinking!

She offered a friendly warning: "There are thirteen provinces in total, meaning twelve provincial top scholars will come to the capital. If you threw a brick, you’d probably hit a runner-up."

Zong Jincheng was thrilled. "Wow! Intense! Do you think any of those twelve are even better than Qin Ye?" frёewebnoѵēl.com

Wei Xinglu replied, "Definitely! I’ve heard scholars from Jiangnan are exceptionally talented. Many top scorers in past years came from there."

"I can’t wait! Mother, when can you take us out to meet them? Just one afternoon—we want to see what scholars from other regions are like," Zong Jincheng pleaded. "Otherwise, we’ll only see them in the exam cells, each locked in a dark little room where we can’t even talk."

Xu Wan thought for a moment. "Next month, once most of them have arrived, I’ll take you to meet them. But remember—they’re very, very strong. You’ll need to study hard so you don’t lose too badly."

Zong Jincheng scoffed. "This runner-up isn’t scared! I’ll show them how terrifying a policy essay genius like me can be. The top rank in this year’s exams will be mine!"

Shen Yibai, as usual, teased him. "But Auntie said there are tons of runners-up. Let’s see… thirteen provinces… that’s 117! And 116 of them are better than you!"

Zong Jincheng flushed and grabbed Shen Yibai by the neck. "I was just the lowest-ranked runner-up in the capital! You make it sound like I’m the worst in the entire country! And what about you? You couldn’t even make the top forty in the capital!"

Shen Yibai, turning pale, retaliated by grabbing him back. "That’s because poetry dragged me down! If it were just policy essays, I wouldn’t just make the top forty—I’d even beat Qin Ye!"

The little troublemaker’s mood instantly improved at the mention of defeating Qin Ye. He released Shen Yibai and cheered, "Now that’s the spirit! Let’s study together and take down Qin Ye!"

"Down with Qin Ye! We’ll make the top three!" The boys chanted their motto with fiery determination.

Xu Wan scratched her head and whispered sheepishly to Zong Zhao, "They’re always like this. You’ll get used to it."

Zong Zhao nodded. "I can adapt."

"Good," Xu Wan said. "Let’s go upstairs. I just thought of a policy essay question I want to write for their homework."

"I’ll help brainstorm a few more too."

"Perfect."

The power of teamwork struck again.

Upstairs, the couple scribbled down seven or eight policy essay topics. Even after discarding impractical or repetitive ones, four remained—enough to keep the boys busy for half a month.

They returned downstairs and handed the questions to Jiang Yan, leaving him to organize the study schedule.

On their way back to their courtyard, Zong Zhao asked, "Since Father found out about Zong Qiyun’s schemes, he’s cut ties with the clan completely. No more family visits or gatherings. Do you have any other plans?"

Most families spent over ten days visiting relatives during the New Year, but theirs had already finished.

Xu Wan reminded him, "But we still have to visit my family tomorrow, don’t we?"

"Do you want to go?" Zong Zhao asked.

He knew her relationship with them was strained.

Xu Wan chuckled. "Can we really skip it? We haven’t officially severed ties yet."

Their fallout had been with the Duke of Jin’s household, not her father, Minister Xu. Skipping the visit would invite gossip and shame both families.

Zong Zhao didn’t care about gossip, but Minister Xu did. Aware of Zong Zhao’s coldness toward his household, he feared Xu Wan’s influence and had already sent two messengers to ensure they would come.

The latest message even specified: "Xu Lian’er and her husband from the Duke of Jin’s household will visit on the third day. If the young mistress prefers to avoid them, she may choose another day."

Xu Wan shrugged. "See? My father has it all planned out."

Zong Zhao stopped walking and looked at her. "If you don’t want to go, we won’t. You don’t have to fear him. Even without Minister Xu as your father, I will always protect you."

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