The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 258

After the exam results were posted, the five young boys scrambled over each other to check the rankings. Since their names appeared on three different lists, they split into three groups, each jostling for a better view.

Xu Wan watched from the sidelines and couldn’t help but laugh. The boys looked like they were competing to see who could jump the highest.

Xu Wan teased, "Cui Zhi, want to place a bet on who’ll come running back first?"

Cui Zhi sniffed and, true to her frugal nature, replied, "I’ll wager three coins on Young Master Jin Cheng. Whenever he gets good news, he’s always the first to run back and tell you, Madam."

Xu Wan chuckled helplessly. "You always have such faith in Jin Cheng, but why is the bet even smaller this time?"

During the last soccer match, Cui Zhi had bet on Jin Cheng to win—a lavish ten-coin gamble.

Cui Zhi answered seriously, "Because Jin Cheng really is strong at soccer, but his speed at checking the rankings is harder to predict. Look, Young Master Shen Yibai is quite the expert at squeezing through crowds too."

Xu Wan followed her gaze and sure enough, there was Shen Yibai, stubborn as a young bull. He’d just failed to push his way in but was already stretching his arms, plotting how to wiggle through next, his clever little schemes piling up one after another.

Xu Wan sighed in amusement. "That’s a formidable opponent when it comes to shoving through crowds. The four young troublemakers really live up to their reputations. Fine then, I’ll bet on Shen Yibai—three coins."

Cui Zhi: "…"

Madam criticized her for being stingy, yet she wasn’t exactly generous herself.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

About fifteen minutes later—

"Mother! Mother! I made the list! Both Brother and I made it this time!"

The little troublemaker’s voice rang out before he even came into view. True to form, he was the first to sprint back and boast to his mother.

Xu Wan, now three coins poorer, sighed at Cui Zhi. "Good thing you’re so stingy."

Cui Zhi, who never lost a bet but refused to raise the stakes: "…"

Zong Wenxiu walked beside his younger brother, smiling warmly. "Aunt, we both made the list. Our rankings aren’t high, but we’ll work hard to climb!"

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Are you sure? The top 120 in the entire academy?"

The little troublemaker nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes! I’m 116th, and Brother is 119th. It must be because our policy essays were so well-written that they pulled our overall scores up!"

The autumn exams in Great Chu tested three subjects: the Four Books and Five Classics, policy essays, and poetry.

They had already mastered the Four Books and Five Classics during their childhood studies. Over the past three or four months, their debates and discussions had focused entirely on policy essays, allowing them to synthesize their prior knowledge and refine their arguments.

Xu Wan was delighted with their progress. "Wonderful! You’ve improved so quickly. Now we have something exciting to look forward to every month—my Jin Cheng and Wenxiu will surely be the fastest climbers!"

The little troublemaker grinned and nodded emphatically. "Don’t worry, Mother! I’ll catch up to Qin Ye soon—then I’ll stomp him flat, flatter, and flattest!"

Xu Wan laughed. "Go for it. I look forward to seeing you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him."

Then she turned to Wenxiu and noticed a flicker of melancholy in his expression. It was the first time his rank had fallen behind Jin Cheng’s, and he was probably questioning whether he hadn’t studied hard enough.

Xu Wan patted his shoulder. "Wenxiu, what was Qin Ye’s rank this time?"

Zong ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Wenxiu blinked, then quickly replied, "Thirty-fifth. He advances by over a dozen ranks every time."

Xu Wan smiled knowingly. "Then he’s quite consistent. No matter who’s ahead of him—whether they’re brilliant or foolish—as long as he keeps steadily improving, he’s doing just fine, right?"

Zong Wenxiu’s eyes brightened as if he’d grasped the deeper meaning behind her words. His aunt was reassuring him, telling him not to overthink it.

The weight in his chest lifted instantly.

Zong Wenxiu smiled gratefully. "Thank you for your guidance, Aunt. I understand now."

Listening to their conversation, Zong Jincheng no longer felt like they were speaking in riddles, as he once had. He could follow their thoughts now—he knew what his mother and brother were thinking.

The realization filled him with pride.

The little troublemaker preened inwardly, marveling at how much stronger he’d become.

"Aunt! Aunt! I came in first! First place! I actually ranked first in the children’s division! Oh heavens—this was Qin Ye’s spot before! My dad, my mom, my great-uncle—ahhh!" He Zheng came stumbling back in sheer delirium.

Though his joy was infectious, his words stabbed at the little troublemaker’s heart.

It suddenly struck him that he’d never once taken first place in the children’s division—yet here was He Zheng, claiming the spot Qin Ye had once held.

That coveted first place…

How infuriating! How envy-inducing!

Xu Wan laughed until tears welled in her eyes. "So, are you going to share the good news with your great-uncle too?"

He Zheng nodded eagerly, eyes brimming. "Yes, yes! My great-uncle will laugh his teeth right out! Ah, I’ve finally made something of myself—I came in first! I have to rush home and let my father know just how incredible I am now!"

The He family servants hurried off, overjoyed to deliver the news.

Meanwhile, Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu returned with equally baffled expressions.

"I actually made the list? But I barely studied—how did I know all the answers?"

"Yeah… weird. Weren’t we just collecting books and jotting down notes for debates? Since when could I even write all those characters?"

Wei Xinglu pondered for a moment. "We practiced writing them before debates so we wouldn’t forget during arguments, right?"

Shen Yibai said flatly, "My grandfather would never have imagined this day. He used to scold me for embarrassing the Ministry of Rites. And now? I barely tried and still passed."

Wei Xinglu grinned. "Guess you’ll make him proud from now on."

Shen Yibai turned to the little troublemaker. "Jin Cheng, I finally fully agree with something you once said."

"Which thing?" Zong Jincheng had said a lot of things.

Shen Yibai clenched his fist dramatically. "We’re all geniuses!"

Xu Wan: "…"

Confidence really was contagious.

The boys compared their rankings excitedly, and Shen Yibai’s glee only grew. "You’re only 116th? Hahaha! Jin Cheng, I beat you by ten whole ranks! What a glorious day!"

Wei Xinglu was even more exaggerated, clutching his stomach with laughter. "And I’m thirteen ranks above you! I’ve defeated Jin Cheng too—this is a day for the history books! Hahaha, I love exams! Climbing the ranks is pure joy!"