The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Qin Ye took a sip of water and said quietly, "He has helped you, and he has helped me too. He’s our benefactor, so I hold no grudge against him."

Moreover, Zong Jincheng had just helped him again today.

In fact, Qin Ye was already thinking: Should I let him win this time? Just let this brash kid have one victory.

But would a victory handed to him even be something he wanted?

Qin Shi chuckled lightly. "I knew you’d think the same way, but Jincheng doesn’t seem to. Maybe your attitude toward him was too harsh before, so he has a bad impression of you—always fixated on defeating you."

If it were the old Qin Ye, he would have arrogantly retorted: First place is mine. He can’t beat me.

But now, Qin Ye simply said, "He still has a long way to go."

On the opposition team, the little troublemaker was still gulping down water.

He Zheng was massaging his shoulders, Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu were kneading his legs, Zong Wenxiu didn’t know where to put his hands, and Xu Wan rolled her eyes skyward.

This kid… It’s just a debate, but he’s acting like a boxing champion about to step into the ring, with shoulder rubs and leg massages…

The little troublemaker closed his eyes, hyping himself up.

Stay calm, stay calm. Don’t let Qin Ye rattle you. No matter how strong the opponent is, he’s just a debater. In the realm of debate, Zong Jincheng never loses.

That bastard Qin Ye—not only did he refuse to be swayed, but he also turned my own arguments against me, using my words as his own. No wonder the entire Hanlin North Academy is driven mad by him.

Damn it, damn it! I’m the future top scholar! I must find a way to break through!

Closing his eyes, he cleared his mind, letting his thoughts settle before diving back into the debate.

This time, he would reclaim his own reasoning, stand firm on his stance, and make sure Qin Ye couldn’t turn his words against him again… Wait. Turn his words against him?

Then… can I use Qin Ye’s own force against him?

Suddenly, it clicked. His gaze snapped toward the opposing side—Qin Ye was drinking water, his expression unreadable. That cold, arrogant bastard won’t win so easily!

"The break is over. The debate will now resume. Opposition, you may proceed."

Zong Jincheng spoke solemnly, "I stand by what I said earlier—no need to repeat myself. Don’t try to trick me. Under the rule of corrupt officials, even those in power act with hesitation. It’s never as simple as you make it out to be. Have you forgotten all the instances in history where imperial authority was undermined? Qin Ye, you underestimate the court. If you dismiss the influence of corrupt officials, you won’t even see your own downfall coming. And you still dare to dream of reform? You’ll end up like Chao Cuo—sparking a rebellion with your reforms, only to be executed by the very ruler you served."

Qin Ye almost laughed.

Given Zong Jincheng’s skill in policy debates, how could his exam scores lag so far behind? Just how terrible must his poetry be?

Zong Jincheng pressed on, "I remain firm in my stance: refuse the mission. With corrupt officials in power, you’re vulnerable on all fronts—the odds of successful reform are slim. What you mock as cowardice, I call prudence. If a ruler selects you for reform, it means he sees you as indispensable. You should act when the time is right, not now. Do you think your death would only cost you your life? No. Your failure would extinguish the ruler’s last hope and burn away the people’s final lifeline."

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍entire room was stunned by the little troublemaker’s words. The top-class students exchanged glances—our leader has leveled up again. He’s leaving us further and further behind.

Qin Shi, unfamiliar with Jincheng’s usual performance, was utterly astonished. He even wondered if Zong Jincheng’s policy debate skills surpassed his brother’s. Then why hasn’t he overtaken Qin Ye yet?

Qin Ye stayed silent for a long time, absorbing Zong Jincheng’s argument.

Different positions yield different perspectives. He had always viewed the issue from the reformer’s standpoint—pushing forward against all odds. But Zong Jincheng… his position was different.

Was he speaking from the people’s perspective… or the ruler’s?

Qin Ye countered, "If, as you say, corrupt officials can’t be easily removed, then what other solution is there? If they remain in power indefinitely, should we wait until we grow old, until the dynasty collapses, still refusing to enact change?"

"Of course not! There is another way to deal with them—" The words nearly spilled out before Zong Jincheng choked them back.

That method had been taught to him by His Highness.

If every other approach fails, there’s only one last resort: assassination.

Let them die by accident, by enemy hands, by forced suicide—any method that won’t trace back to the court.

"What is it?" Qin Ye pressed.

"It’s…" Zong Jincheng clenched his fists, his palms slick with sweat.

If he said it, his argument would be flawless. His logic would be unassailable. He would win.

But His Highness had made him swear to secrecy. Never tell a soul.

Never.

And yet…

Zong Jincheng lifted his gaze to Qin Ye—that proud, untouchable rival he had chased for two years. From the Child Prodigy Class to the Imperial Examination Class, from the bottom of the rankings to sharing the same list. Finally, Qin Ye no longer ignored him. Finally, Qin Ye had challenged him. Finally, Qin Ye was about to lose.

But…

His Highness had been so good to him. Despite his poor health, he traveled every month just to teach him. He took him to the courts, let him witness trials, showed him the Ministry of Revenue’s ledgers and the Ministry of Personnel’s records. His Highness treated him better than his own children.

"What is it?" Qin Ye asked again.

The room buzzed with anticipation. Everyone could see it—Zong Jincheng was on the verge of victory. One more answer, one logical solution, and he would defeat Qin Ye.

The world seemed to slow. Every sound stretched and amplified in Zong Jincheng’s ears.

He Zheng roared, "Spit it out, leader! You’re about to beat Qin Ye! You’re the opposition—and you’re winning!"

Shen Yibai shouted, "That’s the top-ranked scholar in the capital! Defeat him, and you’ll be the genius who eclipsed Qin Ye! Your name will shake the entire city!"

Wei Xinglu howled, "Win! Win! Beat Qin Ye, and we’ll never be called good-for-nothings again! We’ll be the Four Great Talents—the strongest in the capital!"

Even Zong Wenxiu murmured, "Say it, little brother. I want to hear the answer too."