The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

After the discussion session ended and the two officials were seen off, the bookboys rolled up the summarized notes and placed them on an empty desk, ready for the young masters to review at any time.

Wei Xinglu’s mind was still preoccupied with his father’s misfortune—how could such a minor mistake ruin his chances of promotion? What were they so afraid of? That their superiors might show favoritism after being flattered?

“Xinglu! What are you thinking about?” Shen Yibai suddenly appeared behind him and slapped him on the shoulder.

Startled, Wei Xinglu jumped and reflexively kicked out. “What the hell? You scared me half to death!”

“???” Shen Yibai blinked in confusion. “You kicked me?”

The young troublemaker immediately retaliated, and the two childish boys began trading half-hearted kicks, their movements slow and clumsy since neither had any martial training, easily dodging each other’s attempts.

To the little devil watching, it looked like: “Are you two dancing or something?”

“...”

“Wait, no—playing invisible soccer, huh?”

“...”

The two boys exchanged glances, suddenly losing interest in their kicking match—mostly because neither could land a hit, making them the butt of the joke.

Shen Yibai clicked his tongue. “If you’ve got the guts, let’s settle this on the soccer field. I’ll crush you by a dozen goals!”

Wei Xinglu shot back, “Bring it on! Who’s scared of who? When it comes to soccer, the only person I’ve ever bowed to is Jincheng.”

Shen Yibai opened his mouth to retort—but then, something in his mind snapped. He tilted his head and asked, “Wait… bro, didn’t we agree to, you know… do *that* together?”

Wei Xinglu met his gaze, and it hit him like a thunderbolt.

Oh my god!!

Right!!!

Hadn’t he been forced into this class, planning to skip with Shen Yibai at the first opportunity?

How had they somehow ended up studying here for *three whole months*?!

The two boys stared at each other, horror dawning in their eyes.

They were like frogs slowly boiled in warm water, only now realizing the trap they’d fallen into.

Hearing the rustling of books and murmurs from the three brothers behind them, Wei Xinglu didn’t dare turn around. Instead, he slung an arm over Shen Yibai’s shoulder and hissed under his breath, “Bro, let’s step outside and talk.”

Shen Yibai nodded urgently, and the two slipped away.

Once they reached a small pavilion, the same boys who’d just been kicking each other now wore grave expressions.

Shen Yibai was the first to burst out, “We’re doomed, Xinglu! We’ve been tricked—this place is a death trap! I’ve been possessed or something, obsessing over studying every day. This is terrifying! Am I haunted by a bookworm ghost?!”

Wei Xinglu clapped a hand over his mouth. “Keep your voice down! Any louder and they’ll hear us!”

Shen Yibai nodded furiously behind the hand, and Wei Xinglu finally released him.

“No way we can keep going like this. If this continues, the ‘Four Little Troublemakers’ will turn into the ‘Four Little Scholars’!”

Shen Yibai agreed vehemently. “Exactly! Studying is so *basic*. This young master refuses to stoop that low! Xinglu, we’ve got to escape—this place is cursed. Staying any longer is bad news!”

Wei ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‍Xinglu glanced around and whispered, “What if we climb the wall and run?”

Shen Yibai nodded eagerly—then hesitated. “Do you have any money on you?”

Wei Xinglu: “No.” He’d been sent here with every last coin confiscated.

Shen Yibai: “...So we’re just gonna hop the wall and beg on the streets?” His aunt’s warning still echoed in his mind.

Wei Xinglu waved it off. “We’ll figure it out once we’re out! Even if it’s just for a day, it’s better than staying. Worst case, we come back at night and say we got lost. We’ve lied our way out of worse before!”

Shen Yibai wavered, then clenched his fists. “Alright, brother. Let’s live wild and free!”

They bumped heads in solidarity—just as He Zheng came running out.

“Xinglu! Yibai! Get back here! Auntie just sent over a new debate topic for us to prepare. The competition’s in a few days!”

Shen Yibai muttered under his breath, “This young master *refuses* to participate. I *will* skip class. I *will not* be fooled again!”

Wei Xinglu, however, grinned and called back, “Got it, He Zheng! You guys start without us. We’ll catch up later.”

He Zheng smirked. “Alright, if you’re not in a hurry, then I’m relieved. Wenxiu and I are on the same team this time—facing you three will be a slaughter.”

“WHAT?!” Shen Yibai’s eyes bulged. “We’re teamed up with *Jincheng*?!”

He Zheng sighed dramatically. “Yeah, I didn’t get paired with my big bro. No glorious victory for me. Such a shame.”

Shen Yibai’s excitement erupted. He shoved Wei Xinglu aside and sprinted toward He Zheng. “YES! Who drew the lots? Genius! With me and Jincheng together, we’ll be unstoppable! You’re gonna cry like babies!”

Wei Xinglu: “???”

He watched Shen Yibai’s retreating back with tearful eyes.

*Bro… you literally just swore you wouldn’t be fooled again.*

How had their grand escape plan dissolved in *seconds*?!

And worse—he *also* wanted to rush back and team up with Jincheng. The thought alone was thrilling.

*Help… the Marquis Estate’s elite class is terrifying!*

---

In the courtyard, Cui Zhi reported the two troublemakers’ failed rebellion—now safely back in class.

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh. “Little monkeys. One glance and I know exactly what mischief they’re plotting.”

Cui Zhi marveled, “Your insight is unmatched, Madam. Those two will never realize their plans were nipped in the bud.”

Xu Wan dipped her brush in ink, continuing her calligraphy. “Once the spark of learning ignites, it’s hard to extinguish. Add a little fresh excitement, and they’ll see—studying *is* fun.”

Cui Zhi smiled. “These five young masters are truly fortunate to have you.”

Xu Wan chuckled inwardly. *The feeling’s mutual.*

Marrying into the Marquis Estate was her own stroke of luck. If she’d listened to Chen Yunyu and delayed the wedding by a month, she’d have ended up in the Jin family’s estate—a den of endless drama.

“Oh, Cui Zhi—go register Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu at Qingbo Academy. They’re ready for monthly exams now. Climbing the ranks will fuel their passion even more.”

“The Ten-Year-Old Class for both?” Cui Zhi confirmed.

“Yes. Let them start from the basics.”

---

The day arrived for the Qingbo Academy exams.

He Zheng took the test for the Child Prodigy Class; Wei Xinglu and Shen Yibai for the Ten-Year-Old Class; Zong Jincheng and Zong Wenxiu for the Imperial Examination Class.

Five boys couldn’t fit in one carriage, so the thrifty Xu Wan finally relented and added a second. Zong Jincheng, of course, immediately chose to ride with his mother—earning him loud protests of “traitor!” from the others.

The little devil lifted his chin proudly. “You wouldn’t understand. My mother and I… we’re the *best* duo in the world!”