The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Tears slid down He Zheng's cheeks as he protested bitterly, "Father, this is just your speculation. These are matters for adults. We're still children—all we want is to study together in peace. Is that so wrong?"

Minister He snapped harshly, "Of course it's wrong! You are a member of the He Family, and they are from the Zong Family! Your surname is He, and that means our fates are bound together—glory and ruin alike!"

He Zheng broke down, sobbing, "Why must you destroy my life like this…"

Enraged, Minister He retorted, "Destroy your life? Did I not allow you to study? It’s you who insists on clinging to Zong Jincheng! Tell me, He Zheng, how can you possibly defy Luo Jingfeng? Do you not care about the lives of your parents and siblings? Zong Jincheng has the Crown Prince Zong Zhao to protect him—who do you have? What am I? If Luo Jingfeng wants to kill him, he might hesitate, but crushing you would be easier than stepping on an ant! After all the books you’ve read, is this the recklessness you’ve learned? Have you ever considered your parents’ feelings?!"

"And have you ever considered mine?" He Zheng shouted back. "Since I was little, everything in this house has been your decision. When I said I wanted to study literature, you refused and beat me for years. Finally, I got my wish to study at the Zong Family’s school—do you know how happy I’ve been these past two years? But you, Father, always drag me down at my happiest moments. Did we have some feud in a past life, making us such a failure as father and son?"

Slap!

Minister He struck him across the face, scolding, "You insolent brat! I am your father—how dare you raise your voice at me?"

He Zheng’s head jerked to the side, a red mark blooming on his cheek. Biting his lip, he held back tears and turned back. "Jincheng has the Crown Prince and his father to protect him, and I have Jincheng. Maybe you’ll never understand—the closest bonds aren’t always by blood. Jincheng and I are like Uncle Zong and the Crown Prince—unbreakable, inseparable. He helped me study, pulled me out of the shadow you cast over me. He is the most important person in my life. No matter what you say about allegiances, I’m telling you now: I’m sticking with him. As long as I live, I’ll follow Zong Jincheng—even if it costs me my life, I won’t regret it."

The unwavering strength in He Zheng’s voice stunned Minister He, silencing the reprimand on his tongue.

He Zheng declared resolutely, "If you fear I’ll bring ruin to the He Family, then disown me. From today onward, we go our separate ways—our bond as father and son ends here. If that’s not enough, I’ll even change my surname. I’ll abandon the name He."

"You—have you lost your mind? Do you even hear yourself?" Minister He was livid. "You’re an eleven-year-old boy! Where will you go without this family? Will you take Zong Jincheng’s surname? Fine! I’ll have your mother cut off your tuition—you’ll never set foot in the Zong Family’s school again!"

He Zheng laughed through his tears. "Father, you might not know this, but the best academy in the capital, Hanlin Academy, waives all fees—food and lodging included—for those admitted to their Northern Division. And my grades surpass every student there. I won’t starve without you."

So what if he couldn’t study at the Zong Family’s school? He could still attend Hanlin’s Northern Division, visit Jincheng often, and once they entered officialdom through the imperial exams, they’d remain the closest of brothers.

Anything was better than being locked in his room, severed from his best friend.

"Fine! Fine! Ungrateful wretch! Get out! Consider all my efforts wasted!" Minister He ordered the gates thrown open, letting him leave.

He Zheng wiped his tears and bolted from the room like a fugitive, not daring to look back, afraid his father might change his mind.

In the main hall, Madam He was still making small talk with Xu Wan.

Zong Jincheng pressed anxiously, "Aunt He, may I go to the rear courtyard to find He Zheng?"

Madam He hesitated, avoiding Xu Wan’s gaze.

Xu Wan finally understood—something was wrong.

"Brother! I’m here!" He Zheng’s cheerful voice rang out.

The little troublemaker sprang up. "Took you long enough! I wrote you three days ago—why didn’t you reply? What’s—wait, your face! Did your father hit you again?"

He Zheng covered his cheek, grinning. "It’s nothing, it’ll heal. Let’s go."

Zong Jincheng frowned. "What about your sick family member?"

He Zheng smiled. "No need."

There had never been a sick family member—just a lie to lure him home. Though if his father counted as "sick," then perhaps the illness was incurable.

He Zheng knelt before Madam He, kowtowing. "Mother, forgive this unfilial son. To spare the family trouble, I won’t be returning."

Madam He’s heart lurched—her worst fear had come true. "Zheng’er, get up! What do you mean you won’t return?"

Hadn’t he been confined to his room?

Had her husband released him?

A ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‍maid whispered the full account into her ear. Madam He paled—yet a strange relief flickered within her. Perhaps this was for the best, for both father and son.

No more tormenting each other.

After bidding his mother farewell, He Zheng boarded the carriage back to the Marquis Manor. On the way, Xu Wan and Zong Jincheng learned the truth, stunned beyond words.

He Zheng smiled bitterly. "Aunt Xu, I’m sorry for this disgrace. On behalf of Minister He’s prejudice and stubbornness, I apologize to you and Jincheng."

Xu Wan patted his shoulder. "It’s alright. I understand."

Zong Jincheng, eyes brimming, declared, "Brother, you’re my best friend. From now on, I’ll protect you—no one will hurt you."

He Zheng beamed, nodding fiercely and bumping fists. "I believe in you, Brother!!!"

Their laughter filled the carriage.

Xu Wan watched their camaraderie, warmth blooming in her chest. Friendship was priceless—they would remain inseparable.

Back at the Marquis Manor Elite Class, the other boys erupted in awe when they heard He Zheng’s story.

"He Zheng, who knew you had it in you? So timid usually, yet you stood your ground like a hero!"

"Cutting ties with your father? Defying paternal authority? You’re like Nezha reborn—absolute legend!"

He Zheng scratched his head sheepishly. "I had no choice. Not all of us have open-minded parents like yours. But it’s fine now—Father let me go. He stopped my tuition, so I can’t study here anymore, but I’ve got enough knowledge to test into Hanlin’s Northern Division. We’ll meet again after the autumn exams."

“What? The tuition has been cut off? And he still has to go to Hanlin Academy?” Shen Yibai exclaimed. “No way, not a single one of our five brothers can be left behind. Come on, Xinglu, let’s pool our money—we’ll scrape together the tuition for our brother.”

Wei Xinglu rummaged around and actually pulled out a jade pendant from his person. “My mother cut off my allowance, but I secretly kept this pendant. It should be worth at least a hundred taels. I was originally saving it to run away from school or leave home, but now it seems unnecessary. Let’s use it for my brother’s tuition!”

Zong Jincheng also called Shunzi to fetch his savings. “I’ve got money too! My mother gives me sixty taels every month, and I’ve saved up quite a bit.”

Zong Wenxiu added, “I’ve also saved a lot. We can pool it together for He Zheng.”