The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 209

Zong Wenxiu was also diligently answering the questions, but unlike the little devil who was relaxed, his hands were trembling nervously, as if he were truly taking the Child Scholar Examination.

However, he knew this wasn’t the real thing. This was just an exam for the advanced class, without the Ministry of Rites examiners or the life-determining Child Scholar Examination papers. But if he couldn’t even do well on this mock exam, how could he possibly perform well on the actual Child Scholar Examination?

When Xu Wan entered, she saw Zong Wenxiu wiping sweat off his hands while nervously answering questions, his brows furrowed tightly.

Meanwhile, the two kids beside him were in completely different states: one was as confident as if he were the only one in heaven and earth, and the other had a calm, carefree attitude, as if he had already accepted that he wouldn’t pass.

Indeed, people are different.

The first exam ended as the large incense stick burned out.

The little devil had finished halfway through the allotted time and used the remaining half-hour to work on another regular exam, not wanting to waste time idly. His time was precious now.

He Zheng also finished halfway, but only because he hadn’t learned a small portion of the questions and had to leave them blank.

Zong Wenxiu handed in his paper right on time. He had answered all the questions, but he looked as if he had just been in a fight, drenched in nervous sweat and even seeming to emit steam.

Xu Wan said softly, “Teacher Zhao, bring Wenxiu’s exam paper over for me to see.”

Zong Wenxiu, hearing his aunt specifically asking for his paper, immediately tensed up again, unsure of what to do.

He Zheng was still confused, but the little devil had already stood up in dissatisfaction and exclaimed, “Why are you only looking at my brother’s paper and not mine? Don’t you care about me? Don’t you remember I’m your only son? Am I still your favorite child?”

Xu Wan: “…”

She held back her frustration and added, “Teacher Pan, bring Jincheng’s paper over as well.”

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Only ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‍then did the little devil sit back down, satisfied, saying, “That’s more like it.”

He Zheng had no such demands; he just wanted to be able to continue his studies. Cheng Zhidong took the three of them to review other topics.

In the corner, the two private tutors handed the exam papers to her.

The little devil’s paper was well done, as expected. He had a solid grasp of all the topics he had studied, and his handwriting was neat, with almost no flaws.

Pan Hongzhi said, “Jincheng’s last Child Scholar Class exam result was sixteenth place. Three months have passed, and he should not only be in the top three at Qingbo Academy but also rank high at Hanlin North Academy. There’s hope.”

Xu Wan nodded and then looked at Zong Wenxiu’s paper. It was fully answered, but his handwriting showed signs of nervousness, as if he hadn’t controlled the pressure of his brush strokes well.

Zhao Yin, standing nearby, expressed concern: “Wenxiu was tenth place three months ago, but Jincheng has been catching up. Now their levels are about the same, but Wenxiu is too nervous. I’m worried he’ll underperform during the actual exam.”

There were only three days left until the Child Scholar Examination.

Since the exam would last five days and require staying four nights at the examination hall, Xu Wan and Baili Weihong spent the past few days helping the three children pack their belongings. They were still young and had never been away from home for so long, which naturally caused some worry.

As she checked their things, Xu Wan reminded, “Make sure to check carefully. Don’t let Jincheng bring in any random items that might make people think he’s trying to cheat.”

Baili Weihong chuckled, “That’s true. Jincheng has too many mischievous ideas. If we’re not careful, something might happen. It’s really worrying.”

Xu Wan smiled and said, “I’ll talk to Jincheng. As for Wenxiu, you might need to speak with him.”

“Wenxiu?” Baili Weihong asked, puzzled.

Xu Wan nodded, “He’s too nervous, and that’s not good for the exam. He needs to relax and not set such high expectations for himself. The Child Scholar Examination doesn’t require a top rank; just passing is enough. Besides, it’s held every year. If he doesn’t pass this year, he can try again next year. There’s no need to rush.”

Baili Weihong laughed at the last sentence, “I remember you once told Wenxiu that if everything were done step by step, what would be the point of the Child Scholar Examination? What would motivate officials to climb the ranks?”

Xu Wan: “…”

Why does everyone have such good memories?

Baili Weihong couldn’t help but laugh when she saw Xu Wan at a loss for words. Xu Wan immediately realized she was being teased and blushed.

Baili Weihong smiled and said, “I understand, sister-in-law. I’ll talk to Wenxiu properly.”

Xu Wan replied with a straight face, “Hearing you call me ‘sister-in-law’ now feels like you’re mocking me.”

“Haha… yes, I am.”

“…!”

With Baili Weihong, the closest person to him, offering reassurance, Zong Wenxiu’s state of mind improved significantly. He wasn’t as tense as before, though he still couldn’t match the little devil’s relaxed demeanor.

Oh, no—the little devil was even eager, chasing after Pan Hongzhi after class to ask what the examination hall was like.

But after hearing the description, he was utterly disillusioned.

The young master pouted listlessly, “So it’s just a small, dark room? And we have to stay there for four nights? That’s pure suffering…”

Fortunately, Pan Hongzhi knew how to comfort him: “You’re still young. The Child Scholar Examination only lasts five days and four nights. For the imperial exams, it’s nine days and eight nights. It’s even more exhausting.”

The little devil: “…”

Alright, I feel a bit better knowing the teachers have it worse.

The day before they left, Xu Wan made a special trip to Zong Jincheng’s courtyard to check his luggage item by item. Only after confirming everything was in order did she repack it for him.

The little devil sat on a stool nearby, his hands resting on the table, his dark, shiny eyes fixed intently on her figure.

She’s so meticulous, even checking the buttons on his clothes.

But this time, he wasn’t scheming anything mischievous. The Child Scholar Examination was too important, and he wouldn’t dream of playing any tricks at such a critical moment.

Young Master Zong might be mischievous, but he knew when to take things seriously.

Xu Wan continued instructing, “There’s no need to bring mugwort leaves; there are few insects in March. Put the nails and hammer for hanging the exam basket at the bottom so they don’t cause discomfort. Oh, by the way, has he learned how to hammer nails yet?”

“He has. Young Master Jincheng picks things up very quickly,” Shunzi replied.

Xu Wan nodded and continued, “Besides dry rations, pack some seven-flavor cakes too. Seal them well to prevent them from spoiling too quickly. Also, double-check the dry rations. Don’t bring anything he hasn’t eaten before, in case it upsets his stomach.”

“Pack some medicine too—for diarrhea, fever, colds, and even bruises. Put them all in a small medicine box and choose the lightest one.”

“Understood.”

The little devil remained obediently seated, his big head resting on the table, his small hands gripping the edge, and his legs dangling. His gaze followed Xu Wan’s busy figure as she moved around. Wherever she went, his eyes followed. The little one watched quietly, not saying a word, but his heart felt warm, as if a gentle breeze had swept through, warm but not scorching.