The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Xu Wan soon noticed: "Why are you always blushing lately? Oh... you're getting redder as I speak."

The young lord, whose secret thoughts were pricked, remained silent.

"My body is simply prone to heat," he said, his face stern, not wanting her to uncover the truth.

Xu Wan objectively commented, "Drink more chrysanthemum tea. Your fire energy is indeed strong."

"Hmph," Zong Jincheng glared at her.

He wasn't fooled; he knew she was subtly saying his temper was bad.

Xu Wan: "?"

A moody child.

The young lord's mind raced as he thought of that day when his grandfather had gone straight to his grandmother after getting off the carriage. He wondered if his grandfather had told his grandmother, and if his grandmother had told Xu Wan. What if Xu Wan knew…

Zong Jincheng's thoughts became more and more distressing, feeling like he was exposed in front of Xu Wan. He decided to return home and subtly question his grandfather to ease his mind.

He Zheng emerged from his exam and directly ran to Xu Wan. Madam He felt awkward, as if her son had been given to the marquis’s residence. But it was understandable; her husband was there, and Zheng wouldn't want to come over.

"Auntie, I finished all the questions, and I answered them all!" He Zheng excitedly reported to her, looking very happy.

Xu ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‍Wan smiled and nodded, "That’s good. We'll know the results soon."

"Great!" He Zheng obediently replied.

Zong Jincheng and Zong Wenxiu also surrounded him to discuss the exam questions. While the questions weren't particularly tricky, they were a bit harder than previous ones. Yet, He Zheng had done well, relieving both brothers.

On the other side, Minister He remained cold-faced.

Madam He tried to find a way out for He Zheng: "Husband, listen, Zheng has finished his exam. He's studying very hard now. Even if he doesn't pass this time, he will certainly pass soon. Then we…"

Minister He coldly snorted, cutting her off, "If he doesn't pass, then he doesn't pass. Don't make excuses. If he fails, he should return home to practice martial arts. Don't waste his time here, interfering with the Marquis's family's teachings."

Madam He was at a loss for words, only clutching her handkerchief, worried for He Zheng.

Soon, the Principal came with the proctors and examiners, happily announcing, "Minister He, Madam He, Madam Zong, the results are out. Young Master He Zheng has passed the Child Prodigy Class test."

He Zheng's eyes widened as he shouted with joy, "I passed! I passed! I passed! From now on, I can continue studying! Jincheng, Jincheng, did you hear that!"

Zong Jincheng hugged him, laughing and praising him, "Of course I heard you! You passed! I told you, there's no problem! My brothers are all amazing!"

"Hahaha…" Zong Wenxiu also joined in their laughter.

Madam He had prepared herself for He Zheng's failure, but unexpectedly, he had passed. Wasn't it said that even Zong Jincheng, who had an incredible memory, took half a year to pass? Was her Zheng more of a prodigy than Zong Jincheng?

Minister He looked complicatedly at the joyfully jumping He Zheng, ordering those around him, "Go check He Zheng's exam paper."

The joyous group of children immediately stopped, all eyes turning towards him.

The Principal quickly handed over the papers to Minister He and others, adding, "The exam questions were uniform, and here are the papers of the five other students who did not pass the test."

Minister He's subordinate glanced through it and said, "Master, the papers are consistent, and there’s no issue in grading."

He Zheng knew his father didn't believe he could pass. Originally, even he didn't believe in himself, but the key class at the Marquis’s residence was so strong that it allowed him to pass the test in just five months.

He Zheng stepped forward, earnestly saying, "Father, if you still don't believe me, I can compare my handwriting now or redo the entire exam in front of you."

Minister He hadn't seen this child for five months, and though he was still as bold and outspoken as before, he spoke with rationality, differing from his previous stubbornness and impulsiveness.

Could five months truly change a child who was stubborn to the core?

Minister He narrowed his eyes and commanded, "Write a few words."

In the courtyard, there was an already set-up stone table. The Principal swiftly brought writing implements, helping He Zheng prepare the ink.

He Zheng picked up the brush, writing his name and a passage from the Book of Rites.

Comparing the handwriting, it was indeed the same.

One of Minister He's subordinates said, "Master, this is indeed Young Master He's handwriting. We did not find any cheating during the exam."

Minister He didn't look at the paper but stared at He Zheng. The boy no longer stubbornly glared back at him like he used to but instead waited obediently for his judgment.

Seeing that he remained silent, He Zheng took a step forward and knelt, "Father, I like studying and can do well in it. I hope you can give me a chance to enter the civil service. My brothers are already practicing martial arts; having one more shouldn't hurt. Perhaps in the future, as a civil official, I can help you and my brothers."

Madam He, with tears in her eyes, turned her head away, unable to watch.

In regular aristocratic families, parents urged their mischievous children to study. But her Zheng had become a mischief-maker just to study—it felt like an impossibility.

"If you don’t make a name for yourself within three years, come back home," Minister He said, taking his leave.

He Zheng was thrilled; although his father’s words were harsh, he had agreed. He had agreed to let him study!

"Thank you, father!" He Zheng kowtowed as he saw his father leave.@@novelbin@@

Xu Wan and others quickly stepped forward to help him up, congratulating him and discussing taking him out for a celebratory meal.

Outside, while Minister He walked towards the gate, he asked, "What did he write on that paper earlier?"

A little puzzled, his subordinate responded promptly, "Reply to Master, it was from the Book of Rites. What is the meaning of human duty? Kindness from the father, filial duty from the son, excellence from the elder brother, fraternal respect from the younger brother, marital obligation, female observance, elder benevolence, and younger submission, ruler’s benevolence, and minister's humility."

Minister He was silent for a moment before saying, "Let’s go."

At the Residence of Marquis Yuan Yang.

The Old Marchioness had already prepared a grand feast at home, inviting a few private tutors, awaiting their return for a grand celebratory banquet.

Cheng Zhidong was terribly nervous, "Are we preparing too early? Maybe we should wait for the good news…"

What if poor He Zheng returned, and they were happily lighting firecrackers here.

The Old Marchioness waved it off, "Oh, it’s not too early. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, you should believe in our Wan."

Cheng Zhidong nodded.

That’s true. Xu Wan was incredibly strong, even if she had never taught the children herself, she was a master planner.

Before long, they heard the voice of the young lord from outside: "Brother, starting tomorrow, you'll begin studying the most basic lessons. Haha, hilarious. If the Child Prodigy Class test had the 'Three Character Classic' and 'Thousand Character Essay,' you definitely would've failed."

Xu Wan laughed, "The Child Prodigy Class tests are designed to find prodigies; they only test the hard things. If they tested elementary books, people would question the fairness."

"So, can He Zheng recite 'The Goose'?" Zong Wenxiu amusingly asked.

He Zheng scratched his head, "What's 'The Goose'…"

Zong Jincheng began spouting nonsense, "Oh, it's teaching people how to make roast goose."

Zong Wenxiu: "……"

Cheng Zhidong: "???"

Don't create trouble for me with your nonsense!