The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

“Ahhhh! I'm going to fight her to the death!!!”

Zong Jincheng's patience was instantly depleted, and he stormed into the room, rummaging and tossing things around. The once barren courtyard, now emptied of its contents, gained a new sense of liveliness due to his chaotic mess. This, however, terrified Shunzi, the only remaining servant.

“Young Master, what are you looking for?” Shunzi asked tremblingly.

Originally, he had five companions to share the burden of serving this mischievous young master. But now, as the sole survivor, he could hardly withstand such torment!

Zong Jincheng angrily demanded, “Where’s my knife?”

Xu Wan had dared to wield a knife against him the moment she married in. Surely, a knife was not hard to find?

Where was it?

Shunzi, in panic, replied, “What does Young Master need a knife for? There have never been any sharp weapons in our courtyard!”

The young troublemaker’s eyes reddened with fury: “Find me a knife! Damn it, I’m going to end it all with her!”

It was too much!

He had lived for eight whole years without ever suffering such humiliation!

If we’re going down, we’re going down together!

Shunzi was about to faint.

He pinched his own philtrum, forcing himself to stay strong, and hurried over to advise, “Young Master, think carefully! You’ve already suffered once, you can get back at her later. But life is precious; if you lose it, you’ll be at an even greater disadvantage. A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years!”

Shunzi had used all the knowledge he had acquired in his lifetime for this speech, just hoping his young master would stop causing trouble.

To his surprise, the young troublemaker actually heeded the advice.

He calmed down and shifted his focus: “You, think of a way to get back at her.”

Shunzi looked behind him.

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There was no one.

He turned back, pointing at himself: “?”

Zong Jincheng stared at him and said, “Yes, you. Think fast!”

Shunzi: “……”

Maybe you should just go stab the mistress with a knife.

However.

Under Zong Jincheng’s deathly glare, Shunzi swallowed hard and finally came up with a brilliant plan:

“Why don’t you go to the academy to study?”

“Huh?” Zong Jincheng glared, signaling him to choose his words carefully.

Shunzi weakly suggested, "Madam now has wealth and power; we can't confront her head-on. It's better to retreat and avoid her sharpness, waiting until the old lady returns to Marquis Manor before discussing your return."

There were many academies in the capital, some even offering free board and lodging. If his young master was determined to go to an academy, even without paying, the academy would likely accept him out of respect for the Marquis Manor.

“Then wouldn’t I be playing into her hands?” Zong Jincheng grumbled, “She just wants me to study hard. Going to the academy would only make her happy!”

“Young Master, you’re just going to the academy. Whether you study or not depends on you. Even if the tutor chants in your ear, it won’t matter if you don’t listen.”

Zong Jincheng was wary: “Will the tutor really chant in my ear?”

Shunzi: “……”

He’s a tutor, not a monk.

Who would chant to you for no reason!

Despite his thoughts, Shunzi, being a dutiful servant, explained kindly, “I just meant that as an example. The tutors at the academy teach dozens or even hundreds of students; they won’t single out Young Master.”

Zong Jincheng found this reasonable.

The plan could work.

“Let’s go find that woman and tell her I want to study hard!”

In the main courtyard.

Cui Zhi was introducing various academies to Xu Wan.

“There are many academies in the capital, but the most prestigious is the Hanlin Academy. Every year, the top scholars of Great Chu Dynasty come from here!”

“The Hanlin Academy is divided into north and south campuses. The south campus admits those with noble backgrounds and wealth, while the north campus admits those with outstanding academic achievements. With our Marquis Manor’s background, Young Master can easily enter the south campus.”

Xu Wan lay on the chaise lounge, listening with half-closed eyes.

Isn’t this just like modern times?

A key high school's student body is half selected from top junior high students and half from nearby school district housing zoning enrollment. The top students are taught by key teachers, while the teachers for the zoning students are not necessarily the best.

“How are the academic levels of the students in the south campus?”

Cui Zhi replied, “They’re quite good. After all, they are the dearly loved children of various officials, who have been taught by excellent tutors since childhood, naturally surpassing ordinary children.”

“Oh, how many of them get into the top three rankings?”

Cui Zhi was silent for a few seconds.

The top three rankings are always filled by students from the north campus; the south campus hardly ever gets a spot.

Xu Wan understood from her expression.

The south campus was good, already providing better educational resources than most, but to achieve her goals, she needed to go to the north campus.

As she thought this, Zong Jincheng burst in again, rashly.

Xu Wan was used to his lack of manners, so the doors in her courtyard were usually left open. Seeing the boy suddenly appear, she was already accustomed to it: “What’s up, Young Master Zong? Do you need something from me?”

Zong Jincheng: “……”

This woman was truly hateful.

Her casual words could easily ignite his anger.

What was even more infuriating was that she always guessed right!

The young troublemaker’s face turned crimson with rage. If Shunzi hadn’t been holding him back, he might have jumped up and engaged Xu Wan in another hair-pulling contest.

“No? Then I’m off to stroll in the garden.” Xu Wan said, about to stand up.

Zong Jincheng squeezed out his words from between clenched teeth: “I want to go to the academy to study.”

Xu Wan dug her ears lazily, “Didn’t catch that.”

Zong Jincheng clenched his fists.

I’ll endure!

“I said I want to study, to learn properly! Isn’t that what you’ve been hoping for!”

He hoped she would agree to send him to the academy quickly.

Otherwise, he might really grab a knife and cause a scene!

Xu Wan oh-ed, pretending not to know, and said to Cui Zhi, “Go ahead and sign Young Master up for the entrance exam at the Hanlin Academy.”

Cui Zhi widened her eyes.

The entrance exam for the Hanlin Academy…?

The south campus could be entered with just a background, but only the north campus required an exam. With her young master’s lack of academic prowess, sending him to the north campus exam…

Was she planning for him to just write his name?

If his friends found out, they’d laugh their teeth out!

“Madam, are you sure it’s the Hanlin Academy?” Cui Zhi asked, fearing she had made a mistake.

Xu Wan smiled sweetly, “Yes, the Hanlin Academy is the best academy in the capital. Only it is worthy of our Marquis Manor’s eldest grandson.”

Zong Jincheng, unfamiliar with the academies, only heard Xu Wan mention his status and immediately straightened his back.

She knows how great I am.

“Yes, I’ll have someone register Young Master for the exam…” Cui Zhi gave Zong Jincheng a look of self-preservation before leaving.

Zong Jincheng, a sharp-witted person, had already been wary of Xu Wan’s tricks after their recent battles. Seeing Cui Zhi’s expression, he immediately asked suspiciously, “Are you digging another trap for me? What’s this entrance exam?”