Cui Zhi replied, "Yes, but after that jade pendant was lost, Young Master Cheng's room was also thoroughly searched. Now, the most valuable things he has are his clothes and shoes."
Xu Wan had initially prevented him from pawning any valuable items from the room. His clothes and shoes had also been confiscated, but since he was still the legitimate grandson of the Marquis’ household, Xu Wan couldn’t very well let him go out in tattered clothes. So, she returned his clothes and shoes to him.
Though the little troublemaker was a mess and still owed Xu Wan several hundred taels of silver, he had never considered pawning his clothes or shoes. Xu Wan thought it was probably due to his pride—he likely found the idea of pawning his belongings too shameful.
Xu Wan wrote back to the matriarch, suggesting that she could send valuable items, but advised against gifting jade pendants or other easily pawned accessories, to prevent Zong Jincheng from causing trouble and disrupting his studies.
"June 16th…" Xu Wan murmured the date to herself.
According to the Western zodiac, Zong Jincheng was a Cancer, but she thought that didn’t fit him at all. If it were the next month’s Leo, that would make more sense—a roaring lion.
Astrology isn’t reliable, she thought.
The monthly exams at Qingbo Academy were approaching once again.
This time, Xu Wan had signed up the little troublemaker for the ten-year-old class’s exam, skipping two grades, while Zong Wenxiu was signed up for the twelve-year-old class’s exam, also skipping two grades.
This not only made Zong Wenxiu nervous, but even Zong Jincheng was unsure. "Brother, can I really handle the ten-year-old exam? Isn’t this too rushed?"
Zong Wenxiu noticed his younger brother’s cheeks were sweating, probably traumatized by the last exam. He patted his brother’s shoulder reassuringly, "Don’t worry. Since Madam dared to sign us up for this, it means she has confidence in us. It’s been a month, and we’ve made huge progress."
The little troublemaker glanced at his shoulder and added bluntly, "But Brother, your hand is shaking."
Well, I’m nervous too. What can I do?
Zong Wenxiu had never been as confident as his younger brother, and now, having to skip two grades alongside him, he was even more panicked.
The twelve-year-old exam was the last class before the child prodigy level. If he could pass this exam, he would enter the prodigy class and be on the same starting line as someone like Qin Ye.
Zong Wenxiu remembered the one time he had seen Qin Ye’s exam paper—the content was unforgettable. Qin Ye… Qin Ye’s presence was overwhelming.
"Wenxiu, what are you thinking about?" Xu Wan’s voice came at just the right moment.
Zong Wenxiu jolted, sweat dripping from his forehead.
He quickly turned to Xu Wan and replied, "Nothing, I’m just… thinking about today’s exam. I’m worried I won’t do well. Madam, can I really handle this? Should I start with the eleven-year-old exam and take it step by step?"
Xu Wan smiled and said, "If everything were done step by step, it would take until our twenties or thirties to pass the imperial exams, and until our forties or fifties to become a prime minister… So what’s the point of the child prodigy class? What’s the point of officials striving to climb higher?"
Zong Wenxiu opened his mouth but couldn’t find the words to respond.
Indeed, compared to all that, he was just skipping one grade in an exam—just one exam. What was there to fear? He had studied hard for so long, had excellent teachers, private tutors, and even a book boy to help him take notes…
He had already received far better education than most, something even Qin Ye and Qin Shi didn’t have. How could he be so timid?
Zong Wenxiu glanced to the side, where Zhao Yin was clenching his fist in encouragement, showing his full support.
Little Wenxiu finally calmed his racing heart and said earnestly, "Thank you, Madam. I understand now. I’ll adjust my mindset and face this exam seriously."
The little troublemaker behind him: "??"
Wait, what did you understand? Can you explain it to me too??
Zong Jincheng chased after Zong Wenxiu, asking as he ran, "Brother, what were you talking about? How did you understand so quickly?"
Why didn’t he understand?
What kind of riddle was Xu Wan playing with his brother?
Zong Wenxiu often got stuck in his own fixed mindset, but the little troublemaker never had that problem. To him, they were just spouting nonsense again.
Zong Wenxiu knew what his brother was like, so he didn’t waste time explaining. Instead, he tried a different approach, "Brother, did you know that if I do well in this exam, I can enter the prodigy class and meet Qin Ye?"
The little troublemaker, suddenly hit with a critical point: "So soon!!" Discover more novels at novel·fire·net
Zong Jincheng had grown used to competing with students from Hanlin North Academy and Qingbo Academy at his level. Hearing Qin Ye’s name again, he suddenly realized—yes! The child prodigy class capped at twelve years old, so his brother would soon meet Qin Ye!
And as for himself, this time he was taking the ten-year-old exam, next time the twelve-year-old exam—that meant he could enter the prodigy class in just one month!
The little troublemaker was instantly ecstatic. He laughed heartily, "This is great, this is great! Skipping two grades in a month, I’ll be in the prodigy class in two months. Once I’m in, I’ll show Qin Ye what I’m made of. I’ll make sure he’s always beneath me in every exam. Let’s see if he dares to be so arrogant then, hahahaha!!"
He wiped the awkward sweat from his temple and forced a smile.
His brother’s confidence was truly versatile—now it was even being used to ease pre-exam nerves. How enviable.
Once the carriage was ready, Xu Wan boarded first, followed by the two brothers. Zong Wenxiu was visibly less nervous now.
Meanwhile, the little troublemaker seemed like he’d been injected with adrenaline, alternating between giggling and smirking. If it weren’t for his age, Xu Wan might have suspected he was harboring a crush.
"What’s wrong with him?" Xu Wan asked Zong Wenxiu.
Zong Wenxiu facepalmed, "He’s probably thinking about the hundred ways he’s going to defeat Qin Ye and imagining Qin Ye begging for mercy after being crushed."
This is just ridiculous!
When the carriage arrived, the little troublemaker jumped out first and eagerly dragged his brother toward the exam hall.
On the way, they ran into an acquaintance who reminded him, "Jincheng, our class’s exam is over here. That direction is for the ten-year-old class. Did you take a wrong turn?"
Zong Jincheng strutted confidently, like a little bull charging down the street. He replied loudly, "No mistake! I’m taking the ten-year-old exam today. Just wait and see me dominate the rankings!"
"…" Zong Wenxiu really wanted to let go of his brother’s hand.
Walking with his brother always made his head buzz. Even though he hadn’t done anything, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed for his brother and wished he could disappear on the spot, never to be seen again.