The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Zong Jincheng was reflecting on himself when, mid-reflection, he suddenly felt a wave of self-pity wash over him—he hadn’t eaten with his mother for days!

Just as the conversation was about to veer off track, Xu Wan laid her cards on the table: "What about Wenxiu’s family? What do they say?"

"Huh?" The little troublemaker blinked, his eyes darting around. "Tongya? She’s doing well at home. In fact, my brother’s aunt’s health has improved a lot since she returned."

Xu Wan glared. "Still hiding things from me? Wenxiu has so many family members, yet you claim it’s only Tongya and her aunt’s family. But the truth is, Tongya’s father died long ago, didn’t he? They, along with all of Wenxiu’s aunts and uncles, are living in a house you and your brother rented with your own savings."

The little troublemaker was startled. He stammered, "Mother… how did you find out? Brother and I… we were afraid of causing trouble for the Marquis Manor. Second Aunt was also worried about implicating the household. But one of Brother’s aunts was on the verge of death, so he brought them here."

Xu Wan scolded coldly, "Two years ago, how old were you two to dare take on such a huge responsibility? If not for your father investigating Chancellor Yan’s case recently, no one would’ve discovered how well you’ve kept this hidden. You little rascal! How could you not consult the adults about something so serious? What if something had happened to them? Could you have fixed it afterward?"

The little troublemaker hung his head. "We thought Chancellor Yan’s enemies had forgotten about them. We just wanted them to live peacefully without alerting the adults. Mother, I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. Next time, I’ll definitely tell you first."

"You think there’ll be a next time?" Xu Wan glared.

Zong Jincheng quickly raised his hands in surrender. "No, no! There won’t be a next time. From now on, I’ll discuss everything with you first."

Suppressing her temper, Xu Wan ordered, "Go call Wenxiu over."

"Oh…" The little troublemaker slunk back to the room.

Inside, Shen Yibai was still pressed against the wall, eyes closed. "Xinglu, can you hear anything? I can’t make out a thing. Is this wall too thick?"

Wei Xinglu also craned his neck, shifting positions. "That can’t be. This trick worked perfectly before. Maybe the Marquis Manor’s study walls are made of different material?"

He Zheng watched the two of them squirming against the wall with their eyes shut and sighed. "Guys, you’re about to kiss."

Shen Yibai opened his eyes and immediately recoiled at the sight of Wei Xinglu’s face inches from his. "Ugh…"

Wei Xinglu also stumbled back in disgust.

Zong Wenxiu chuckled and explained, "I think I’ve heard Aunt mention it before. When Grandmother had this study built for Uncle, she wanted it to be a quiet place for reading, so the walls are thicker and more soundproof than usual."

Wei Xinglu’s lips twitched. "So we were eavesdropping on nothing."

Shen Yibai grumbled, "So stupid. Never getting on your boat again."

Wei Xinglu protested, "Are you kidding? You were the one who suggested it!"

As the two were about to start bickering again, the little troublemaker barged in. "Brother, Mother wants to see you."

"Oh, alright." Zong Wenxiu followed him out.

Wei Xinglu’s eyes lit up. "Look, Jincheng’s all gloomy. He definitely got scolded by Aunt."

Shen Yibai added, "And Wenxiu-ge was called out too. Probably getting lectured together."

He Zheng scratched his head. "I don’t think so. Wenxiu-ge never does anything wrong."

Shen Yibai gasped dramatically. "Then she’s calling us out one by one to scold us…"

The other two: "!!!"

In the small pavilion, Zong Wenxiu stood with his head bowed, enduring the reprimand.

Xu Wan alternated between scolding the two boys, who stood meekly, neither daring to talk back.

Once she’d exhausted herself, she switched to reasoning with them before assigning written reflections. The little troublemaker perked up at that—this was familiar territory. Easy!

"Wenxiu, your uncle is currently investigating Chancellor Yan’s corruption case. He may need your cooperation, so when he calls for you, go with him," Xu Wan relayed Zong Zhao’s message.

Zong Wenxiu froze. "Uncle is investigating this case…? But wasn’t it settled long ago?"

He had never dared to judge his grandfather’s character because he didn’t know the full story. The world condemned Chancellor Yan as a corrupt official, yet his family remembered him as a principled man.

Xu Wan sighed. "A mere thousand taels of embezzled silver was enough to destroy a brilliant chancellor. Even Chancellor Yan himself probably never expected such an outcome. The case was closed twelve years ago, but your uncle insisted on reopening it as soon as he returned. I believe the truth may be different."

Zong Wenxiu’s eyes reddened. "I’ll cooperate fully with Uncle. Whenever he needs me, I’ll be ready."

The little troublemaker gripped his brother’s arm reassuringly. "Brother, don’t be sad. My father is amazing—he’ll definitely clear your grandfather’s name."

Zong Wenxiu nodded, holding back tears. "Yes. I believe him. I’ll wait."

At the Qin residence, Lord Qin sat at his desk, struggling to recall the imperial examination questions from nine years ago.

"This Lady Zong is full of surprises. Ugh… it’s been so long, I’ve forgotten most of the questions."

Qin Shi had also passed the child prodigy exams with a decent rank, qualifying him for the autumn exams. Hearing that Lady Zong had sent past exam papers and requested his father to reproduce the ones from nine years ago, he arrived early with Qin Ye out of curiosity.

Qin Ye wasn’t stressed about the exams, but since it involved the Zong family, he tagged along—only to find his father, a former top scholar, pulling his hair in frustration.

"……"

The Qin brothers exchanged glances. This didn’t look good.

"Father, do you need help?" Qin Ye asked.

Lord Qin: "……"

Kid, even if you’re brilliant, how exactly could you help?

Nine years ago, you could barely talk!

Qin Shi flipped through the previous exams and remarked, "The Zong family’s papers seem pieced together too—they’re not even in order. If the last two years’ are this hard to compile, it’s no wonder Father can’t remember the ones from nine years ago."

Lord Qin seized the excuse. "Exactly. I’ve done all I can. Let’s reply to Lady Zong and suggest she ask someone else."

Just then, a servant entered. "My Lord, Lady Zong has sent another set of exam papers—this time from twelve years ago."

"What?!" Lord Qin shot to his feet.

Qin Ye and Qin Shi were stunned.

Qin Shi took the papers and unfurled them—page after page of questions on the classics, poetry, and policy essays.

Lord Qin zeroed in on the policy essay section. Seeing the final question, he gasped. "This really is from twelve years ago!"

Though examinees couldn’t memorize every question, the major ones stuck with them.

This was the real deal.

Qin ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‍Ye frowned. "Could she have gotten these from the Ministry of Rites?"

Qin Shi replied, "That shouldn’t be possible. If one could secretly obtain the exam questions from the Ministry of Rites, why would they need to ask my father for help?"

Lord Qin’s expression turned grave as he recalled the nightmare of their previous cohort of scholars: "Zong Zhao… it’s him."

That prodigy, who topped the provincial exams at fourteen and became the youngest dual champion in both civil and military examinations at fifteen, had not only shattered historical records but also terrified the next generation of candidates. They all studied frantically, terrified that another Zong Zhao might emerge to outshine them.

Lord Qin had once thought the same way, pushing himself harder than ever in his studies. But in his fervor, he ended up surpassing even his own expectations—securing the title of top scholar himself, much to his own astonishment.

"Zong Zhao… He even remembers the provincial exam questions from twelve years ago? Unbelievable. I can’t let him outdo me!" Gritting his teeth, Lord Qin sat down and began scribbling furiously.