The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 288

However, Shen Yibai wasn’t wrong—no matter how busy things got, they couldn’t work the prime minister to death. Still, the entire court was visibly bustling, with all the flower-viewing banquets and lake excursions canceled.

This was just as well, as the three young boys preparing for the Children’s Imperial Exam could now focus on their studies without outside distractions.

During this time, Zong Jincheng accompanied Xu Wan to visit the Crown Prince in the palace once. The prince didn’t look well, but he insisted it was just shock and that he needed time to recover. He mentioned he wouldn’t be able to come to the estate to tutor Zong Jincheng by the end of the month.

Zong Jincheng wouldn’t dare let him drag his sickly body over and immediately waved his hands, saying there was no rush at all…

After leaving the Eastern Palace, the little troublemaker felt both relieved and tense, a strange emotion lingering in his heart that he couldn’t quite put into words.

"His Highness said he’s fine, so stop worrying needlessly," Xu Wan reassured him.

Mostly, worrying was pointless anyway—there was nothing he could do.

Zong Jincheng nodded. "I’ll trust His Highness. He wouldn’t lie to me. Let’s go home, Mother. I need to help Xinglu and the others with their studies."

Xu Wan chuckled skeptically. "They have tutors. Do they really need you?"

Zong Jincheng lifted his chin proudly. "Of course! Because this young scholar… has plenty of experience."

And not just experience—he could still recite last year’s exam questions from memory and even highlight key points for his three friends.

But while reviewing, Shen Yibai brought up the question Qin Ye had helped them with last year. "Jincheng, if Qin Ye hadn’t given you that hint, wouldn’t you two have failed miserably?"

After all, back then, one of them had ranked second-to-last, and the other dead last—dangerously close to failing.

The little troublemaker’s temper flared, and he kicked out at Shen Yibai. "I could’ve just taken the exam again this year! We get two chances, unlike you two—this is your only shot! Fail now, and you’ll have to wait for the next imperial exams!"

Wei Xinglu shrugged. "We’re definitely failing. See you in three years—doesn’t sound too far off."

He Zheng quietly added salt to the wound. "The Children’s Imperial Exam is only for those under twelve. In three years, you’ll be fourteen."

Wei Xinglu: "?? I’m already almost too old?"

Damn it, I’m still just a sapling!

Shen Yibai poked him. "Xinglu, don’t let them fool you. We’ll pass next year. And if not, we’ll just wait three years for the regular imperial exams—then we’ll take the top spot with ease, no need to compete with that freak Qin Ye."

Zong Jincheng’s face darkened. "Oh? So you’re saying Qin Ye will be this year’s top scholar?"

Shen Yibai grinned smugly. "Obviously. The gap between you and Qin Ye… is as wide as the Yangtze River."

He even stretched his arms out to illustrate, nearly smacking He Zheng in the face.

Zong Jincheng’s tutoring enthusiasm vanished instantly. He grabbed a book and roared, "I’ll make the bump on your head as long as the Yangtze!"

"Oho, getting defensive, are we? That’s a guilty conscience!"

"No, it’s the burning desire to beat you up!"

"Ahhh! Help! Someone save me—"

"Prepare to meet your doom, Shen Yibai!!"

"…"

The study hall descended into chaos. Wei Xinglu sighed and shook his head.

Just as he thought their study session was ruined, He Zheng and Zong Wenxiu arrived and dragged him back to reviewing.

Wei Xinglu: "…"

Brothers, I was really just here to slack off.

"Wenxiu-ge, do you think this question will be on the exam again this year?" He Zheng pointed to the one Qin Ye had helped them with.

Zong Wenxiu shook his head. "Probably not. It was already a bit beyond the scope, and the Children’s Imperial Exam has never repeated questions in consecutive years."

Wei Xinglu glanced over. "It’s just four names. By the time you finish debating whether to study it, I’ve already memorized them."

He Zheng: "…Fair point."

"Shen Yibai, come review!" Wei Xinglu called.

But Shen Yibai and Zong Jincheng were still wrestling, demanding the other admit defeat—who had time for studying?

Wei Xinglu raised his voice. "Which talents were drawn to the Qin dynasty through appeasement policies? Answer: Shang Yang, Zhang Yi, Fan Ju, Li Si."

Zong Jincheng twisted Shen Yibai’s ear. "Did you hear that, you idiot? Bet you didn’t even remember the question!"

Shen Yibai gritted his teeth. "Shang Yang, Zhang Yi, Fan Ju, Li Si… Such simple names, I could recite them backward after hearing them once!"

Zong Jincheng tightened his grip. "Oh, so impressive! Too bad it won’t be on the exam this year."

Shen Yibai retaliated by pinching his cheeks. "You’re not the examiner—how would you know? Watch them put it on again just to spite you—"

Zong Jincheng, cheeks squished, howled. "I’ll strangle you—!"

Zong Wenxiu nearly rolled his eyes. This is unbearable.

"He Zheng, just keep studying. Ignore them."

"Mm."

By March, the annual Children’s Imperial Exam had arrived once more.

Zong Jincheng and Zong Wenxiu escorted their three friends to the examination hall, teasing them about not getting distracted by rats or accidentally burning the place down with candles—making He Zheng blush furiously.

"Hey, Jincheng, look—who’s that?" Zong Wenxiu suddenly pointed.

Zong Jincheng followed his gaze and was surprised to see the Qin brothers—except this time, their roles were reversed.

Qin Ye was sending his older brother to take the exam.

Zong Jincheng blinked. "Qin Shi, you’re taking the Children’s Imperial Exam this year too?"

Qin Shi smiled. "Yep. I’m twelve now—last chance. Figured I’d give it a shot. Even if I fail, it’s good experience."

The little troublemaster grinned. "You’ll pass! I heard you’ve been doing well at Hanlin North Academy."

Qin Shi chuckled. "You flatter me. Our academy’s nothing compared to yours, right, He Zheng?"

He Zheng, the top scorer of the Four Academies Joint Exam, grinned sheepishly. "Qin Shi-ge, you’re too kind."

Qin Shi nodded warmly. "Let’s go in. I’ll be rooting for you to take first place."

"I’ll do my best!" He Zheng vowed.

After ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍seeing the four examinees off, Zong Jincheng and Qin Ye stood awkwardly, neither speaking. Their last encounter—a heated debate—had left things strained.

Qin Ye wasn’t one to break the silence.

Zong Jincheng, though usually bold, was too proud and prickly to initiate. The most he could manage was staring at the ground, as if searching for ants on the move.

In the end, only Zong Wenxiu politely greeted Qin Ye, who nodded in return before leaving.

The moment Qin Ye was gone, Zong Jincheng craned his neck to watch him leave.

Zong Wenxiu poked him, amused. "Why stay quiet when he was right here?"

"What was I supposed to say? ‘I’ll definitely defeat you’? That goes without saying—it’s common knowledge!"

Zong Wenxiu: "…"

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

Some battles aren’t worth fighting.