The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

Zhao Yin turned his head in surprise and slapped Pan Hongzhi on the shoulder, exclaiming as if he had found a savior, "Well, well, you’ve got such a good thing and didn’t tell me? I couldn’t sleep all night because of it!"

Pan Hongzhi laughed, "Haha, I just didn’t think of it at the time." Little did Pan Hongzhi know that Zhao Yin had spent half the night trying to offload the little troublemaker, otherwise he wouldn’t have so kindly shared the item with Zhao Yin.

This suddenly made Zhao Yin feel a bit guilty. He timidly suggested, "How about this? Next time you’ve got something going on, I’ll take care of Zong Jincheng for a few days?"

Pan Hongzhi raised an eyebrow, surprised, "Wow, my friend, you’ve become so considerable in just a day!"

Zhao Yin laughed awkwardly, his guilt showing…

As Pan Hongzhi and Zhao Yin chatted and laughed their way into the large study, they heard Zong Jincheng saying to Zong Wenxiu, "If it weren’t for Professor Zhao saying last night that he did better than Professor Pan in the imperial exams, I would’ve let you have Professor Pan."

Pan Hongzhi: "!"

Damn, he was almost free last night??

Pan Hongzhi quickly turned his head and saw Zhao Yin’s sheepish grin. His own smile immediately soured.

He took back the high-quality cotton and leather earplugs one by one from Zhao Yin’s hands, clapped his hands together and then separated them, symbolizing the fragile friendship being shattered.

For ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‍the next two days, Zhao Yin, having offended his friend, endured a torturous experience. He not only fully understood what the hardest thing in the world was but also deeply learned the importance of being kind.

It wasn’t until Zong Wenxiu went to Qingbo Academy to take the Child Prodigy Class test that this three-day exchange of professors finally came to an end.

Early in the morning, Zong Wenxiu ate breakfast as usual and then packed his things to head out.

Meanwhile, Zong Jincheng was taking forever to get ready, making everyone anxious.

Xu Wan came to his courtyard and called out, "Zong Jincheng, if you don’t come out soon, Wenxiu is going to be late. You’re not even taking the test today, why are you going to the academy? Don’t delay his important business."

"Coming, coming!" The little troublemaker bounced out of the room, his outfit stunning everyone.

The usually well-dressed little rascal had suddenly changed into a tight-fitting riding outfit. The sleeves clung tightly to his arms, the pants were neat and practical, and even his hair was pulled up high without a single strand out of place.

Xu Wan clicked her tongue and said, "Are you dressed for the literary academy or the martial academy?"

Zong Jincheng flexed his tightly bound arms and declared, "To the literary academy, to back up my brother!"

Xu Wan raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"

Zong Jincheng explained, "The results will be announced right after the test today. Even though we have the agreement, Luo Chen might still try to pull something. Since Bu Yan refuses to help us, I, the number one fighter in the Capital City, will have to step in and support my brother!"

Bu Yan: "..."

Let me say it again, talk all you want, but don’t exaggerate.

You’re not even in the top 800 fighters in the Capital City…

Xu Wan rolled her eyes and said, "So you’re dressed like this to make it easier to fight. I was wondering what’s gotten into you."

The little troublemaker’s excited expression instantly turned into a scowl as he shouted, "What’s gotten into me? You just don’t understand how important I am to my brother!"

Xu Wan: "..."

I truly don’t understand why your teenage angst is so intense.

While the mother and son were still bickering, Zong Wenxiu was already moved. He ran over with a smile and said, "Jincheng, don’t worry too much. There are so many professors at the academy, he wouldn’t dare to start anything."

Zong Jincheng raised his fist and said, "Better safe than sorry!"

Xu Wan couldn’t help but laugh beside them.

This little rascal’s knowledge was growing by leaps and bounds, and his use of idioms was becoming more and more proficient. Not bad, not bad, she silently praised him in her heart.

The Child Prodigy Class test was held on the tenth of every month. Only a handful of students showed up to take it, and sometimes no one came at all, so it rarely attracted much attention.

But this time was different. The Luo and Zong families were at odds, and a lot of students came to watch the drama.

Zong Wenxiu and Luo Chen entered the examination hall at the same time. Luo Chen made a dismissive gesture at Zong Wenxiu, who responded with a smile, making Luo Chen look even more ill-mannered.

After the two entered, the students outside dispersed for a while. Zong Jincheng kicked the air twice in the direction Luo Chen had gone before turning back to the carriage outside the courtyard.

In the past, Xu Wan would wait alone outside for the two children. Now, with Zong Jincheng added to the mix, he sat in the carriage with her, staring at each other.

The little troublemaker glared at her for a while, but when she remained silent, he couldn’t stand it anymore and asked, "How long are we going to sit here? The carriage is so cramped. Why don’t we go sit in the dean’s office?"

Xu Wan replied, "Luo Chen and Wenxiu are taking the exam right now. Since the results will be announced immediately, getting too close to the dean at this time could raise suspicions of interfering with the fairness of the exam."

Zong Jincheng frowned, "It’s just borrowing a seat, why is it so complicated…"

Xu Wan took out a food box from the carriage and handed it to him, "If you’re hungry, have something to eat first. The professors won’t finish grading that quickly, so we might miss lunch."

Zong Jincheng, who had been waiting for a while, was indeed a bit hungry. He opened the food box and found seven-flavored cakes inside. As he ate, he said, "I need to eat my fill so I have the strength to fight."

"..." Xu Wan rubbed her temples, "Wasn’t it about backing him up? How did it escalate to fighting?"

Zong Jincheng muttered, "It’s the same thing. I’m not going to let Luo Chen bully my brother."

Xu Wan looked at the little guy who was eating voraciously and chuckled, "You and Wenxiu seem to be getting along really well now."

Zong Jincheng raised an eyebrow, "Of course! My brother is the only blood relative I have in this household. We’re brothers. Shouldn’t I be close to him instead of you? Nah, nah, nah…"

Xu Wan didn’t mind his rudeness and instead quietly set a trap for him, "What about when the old lady comes back? Won’t your brother still be your closest person?"

"..." Zong Jincheng was stumped. The cake in his mouth suddenly didn’t taste as good. After a while, he replied, "We’ll all be close, equally close."

Xu Wan looked up at the sky and laughed. This kid was sharp—he didn’t fall for it.

He really was a clever one.

Zong Jincheng ate two cakes and then closed the box again. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and casually said, "I’ll save the rest for my brother."

Xu Wan nodded silently.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Not bad. A child who used to eat everything by himself now knew to save some for others.

By noon, the Child Prodigy Class test was over. Xu Wan and Zong Jincheng went to pick up Zong Wenxiu. Luo Chen and the other test-takers were called over to the dean’s office to wait for the results.

The two professors grading the exams sat in the room reviewing the papers, while everyone in the courtyard waited for the announcement. Students who had finished their classes also gathered around to watch the drama.

About half an hour later, the two professors came out, nodded to the dean, and announced the results.

"This month’s Child Prodigy Class test had five participants, and one passed."