The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

The Little Demon King was so exasperated by their laughter that veins practically popped on his forehead. Unable to hold back any longer, he roared, “Beat me? Don’t make me laugh! We’re not even on the same ranking list—I’m on the imperial examinations track, understand? You two couldn’t even pass the Child Prodigy Class exams! Who do you think you’re challenging? The gap between us is as vast as heaven and earth, like an elephant and an ant, like clouds and mud!!”

Shen Yibai ignored him entirely, sticking out his tongue and taunting, “Doesn’t matter, doesn’t matter! We still won—our ranks are higher than yours, heeheehee!”

The Little Demon King clenched his fists. “Heehee your head off!”

Wei Xinglu grinned. “He Zheng’s amazing too! He actually got first place! I don’t even think Jincheng has ever gotten first before.”

Little Demon King: “???”

Looks like you both want a beating!

He Zheng, initially pleased by the praise, quickly wiped the smile off his face when he noticed his elder brother nearing his limit. He said solemnly, “Pure luck. Next time, I might not even place. Besides, Big Brother and I aren’t on the same list—he’s way more impressive. He’s a Childhood Scholar! Out of our entire academy, only three passed this year, and last year, none did. That just shows how incredible Big Brother and Wenxiu are—we can’t even hope to catch up!”

“…”

Xu Wan’s lips twitched. She scratched her head awkwardly and stared at the sky.

He Zheng’s flattery finally soothed Zong Jincheng, who patted his shoulder approvingly. “Out of all our brothers, you’re the one with brains. Next spring, you’ll pass the Childhood Scholar exams too.”

He Zheng beamed. “Thanks for the encouragement, Big Brother! I’ll definitely make it next year!”

Shen Yibai squeezed in, brimming with confidence. “Pfft, Childhood Scholar? We’ll pass it too.”

Wei Xinglu refused to be outdone. “Yeah, with how effortlessly we’re learning now, any exam’s a piece of cake.”

Shen Yibai: “Defeat Jincheng!”

Wei Xinglu: “Piece of cake!”

The two of them took turns chanting, their rallying cries reminiscent of the Little Demon King’s old class motto—“Crush Qin Ye!”

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh.

Not bad—let Jincheng experience what it’s like to have someone gunning for him every day.

The Little Demon King bared his teeth. “I’ll crush you first!!”

With that, he launched himself at them like a cannonball.

Shen and Wei had never backed down from a fight. They howled and charged right back. “Two against one, Jincheng—you’re finished!”

“Don’t count on it! Anger makes me stronger! You two are about to get pummeled!”

“Aaaah, he really is getting stronger! He Zheng, save us!”

He Zheng: “…”

Given my loyalty, if I’m saving anyone, it’s Big Brother.

“He Zheng, back me up!” the Little Demon King shouted.

Without hesitation, He Zheng yelled, “Coming, Big Brother!”

“Traitor! You’re such a traitor, He Zheng!”

“You’re the traitors, trying to overthrow me! You’re still miles away!”

……

The four troublemakers brawled all the way out of the academy. Xu Wan chuckled and shook her head before leaving with Zong Wenxiu.

Before departing, she instructed Cui Zhi, “Go ask the headmaster for copies of their exam papers. Have the tutors tailor their lessons accordingly. As for Jincheng and Wenxiu’s policy essays… if they can’t be taken directly, have them transcribed.”

“Understood.” Cui Zhi nodded, then hesitated. “Madam, Qin Ye’s progress has been remarkable. Should I request his policy essays as well for analysis?”

Xu Wan often purchased top-ranking students’ past papers, but she had never asked for Qin Ye’s. As a Qingbo Academy student, the headmaster would gladly provide them if she asked. Since Jincheng’s goal was to defeat Qin Ye, studying his work would give them a strategic advantage.

But Xu Wan had never brought it up.

Was it an oversight?

Zong Wenxiu also looked over curiously. Qin Ye’s essays… he was definitely interested.

What would someone like Qin Ye write in a policy essay? If he had heard Jincheng’s “pig farming” argument, would he have fallen into the same logical trap? Or would he have dismantled every evasion point by point?

Zong ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍Wenxiu recalled Qin Ye’s cold yet proud demeanor when he had corrected their answer outside the examination hall. Someone like him would surely be the latter.

He really wanted to see Qin Ye face off against his brother.

Xu Wan hadn’t missed Wenxiu’s expression, but she still smiled and shook her head. “We could get Qin Ye’s papers from the headmaster, but that would be unfair competition. If Jincheng wants to defeat Qin Ye, it should be done honorably. We must respect both Jincheng and Qin Ye.”

Cui Zhi bowed and left to fetch the papers.

Zong Wenxiu nodded slowly. “Aunt is right. I’ve learned something today.”

He remembered how he’d once requested Qin Shi’s papers to compete with Luo Chen—but at least he had asked for permission first.

Taking Qin Ye’s work without consent was indeed unethical.

Thankfully, his wise aunt was there to guide them. Otherwise, these children, single-mindedly focused on defeating Qin Ye, might not have realized the moral implications—privileged young masters rarely questioned the ethics of things easily obtained.

Back at the Marquis Estate’s Elite Class, the children tumbled in, still squabbling. The tutors took their exam papers and began devising targeted study plans.

Shen Yibai and Wei Xinglu kept boasting about jumping another thirty or forty ranks next time, vowing to “flatten Jincheng even more,” which sent the Little Demon King into another rage.

Just then, Shunzi rushed in. “Young Master, His Highness the Crown Prince is here to see you again.”

“Huh?” The Little Demon King blinked.

It was only early September—hadn’t the Crown Prince just visited at the end of August?

Shaking off his confusion, he dashed out to greet him.

With their nemesis gone, the other boys burst into laughter. “I’m telling Auntie—I’m staying in the ten-year-olds’ class until I get first place before moving up!”

He Zheng frowned. “That won’t work. If you miss this year’s Child Prodigy exams, you won’t be able to take the provincial exams with us and become provincial graduates.”

Wei Xinglu patted his shoulder. “Buddy, you’re taking this too seriously. We’re just here for fun—once we’re bored, we’re out. Did you really think we’d go through the imperial exams? Are we cut out for that?”

Shen Yibai slapped He Zheng’s other shoulder. “Sure, we’re geniuses, and yeah, we can stomp Jincheng flat. But provincial exams? Zero interest. Provincial graduates? Pfft, I can lift people when I’m older—that’s the kind of ‘graduate’ I’ll be!”

He flexed his scrawny arm, as if to prove his might.

He Zheng: “…………”

You idiots, that’s not what “provincial graduate” means!!!

Nearby, the actual provincial graduate tutors rolled their eyes skyward. If not for the generous pay and Shen Yibai’s powerful connections, they would’ve lunged at the little brats.

Lift people my foot!