The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class
Chapter 446

Wei Xinglu could hardly bear to listen any longer. He was on the verge of standing up to argue with them—his father might have been beaten, but he was certainly not a corrupt official.

"Brother Liao, let’s not make baseless assumptions. The Censorate’s duty is to oversee officials, and no matter who takes on that role, it’s a tough job. It’s easy to end up pleasing no one."

"You’re right. Today we’re casually speculating about the Left Censor, but if we enter officialdom someday and this duty falls on us, we might not do any better."

"Let’s hold ourselves to strict standards. Why waste time on idle gossip? Instead, we should discuss how to perform our duties well as censors without offending others."

"That makes sense. I think we should approach it like this…"

Wei Xinglu sat back down.

He realized these scholars were quite reasonable. As long as someone steered the conversation back on track, the others would refocus on the issue at hand.

Xu Wan turned to Zong Zhao with a smile and asked, "How does this year’s batch of scholars compare to yours?"

Earlier, he had claimed that his success in becoming the top scholar was partly due to weak competition.

Zong Zhao nodded. "They seem quite promising. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them pass this year."

Hearing this from the only top scholar present, the young men perked up, their eyes alight with curiosity and anticipation. Stronger rivals only fueled their determination.

Moreover, the provincial exams weren’t a competition for fixed spots. If they performed exceptionally well, they could still pass even if the quota was exceeded.

After returning from the study hall, the young scholars were even more motivated.

The entire advanced class, from top to bottom, immersed themselves in their studies. Some even tried to sneak in extra reading at night, only to have their books confiscated by Xu Wan, who insisted they get proper rest.

While revision was important, health was the foundation of success in the imperial exams. They couldn’t afford to jeopardize it so close to the exam date.

Early in the third month, the day of the provincial exams arrived.

Scholars from across the country, who had been waiting in the capital, shouldered their bags and entered the examination hall for the three-day closed-door test.

The Zong family had brought several carriages this time—not only to carry the belongings of the five children but also those of the four provincial graduate tutors accompanying them.

The little troublemaker waved cheerfully. "Mother, Father, we’re going in now! Hehe, just three days—this time it’s only three days! When we come out, we won’t be filthy anymore!"

Shen Yibai howled, "This is the last time I’m stepping into this dingy little black room! I’ll never come back again!!"

He Zheng shouted, "Charge!!"

Xu Wan waved back. "Do your best! May this be the last time any of you enter these halls. We wish you all success, and we’ll be here to take you home in three days!"

"Yes!" they chorused in unison.

The nine of them disappeared into the examination hall, their figures gradually fading from view.

Xu Wan let out a long breath, finally releasing the tension she had carried for so long. Once the provincial exams were over, only the palace exam a month later remained.

The three-year journey of the imperial exams was nearing its end.

Just then, a nearby scholar entering the hall glanced at the young couple and, recalling the children waving goodbye, muttered, "Five sons all taking the exam at once? That’s quite the feat."

Zong Zhao and Xu Wan: "…"

Truth be told, with Zong Jincheng calling her "Mother" and the others waving so affectionately, the scene did make them look like their parents.

Especially since the five boys’ ages were staggered—as if they’d had one child after another without pause, even squeezing in a set of triplets somewhere.

Xu Wan didn’t dare dwell on it.

What kind of superhuman could have five children in three years?

The stranger, however, took a closer look at Xu Wan’s face and, seeing she couldn’t be much older than twenty, found it hard to believe she was the mother of five. He turned to Zong Zhao and asked, "Second marriage?"

Xu Wan: "!"

Sir, you’re really stretching with these assumptions.

Earlier, when the man assumed the five children were theirs, Zong Zhao hadn’t been upset. But the words "second marriage" darkened his expression instantly.

The stranger didn’t seem to expect an answer, though. After tossing out the question, he walked into the examination hall.

Xu Wan looped her arm through Zong Zhao’s and soothed, "Calm down. He’s just talking nonsense—ignore him."

But ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍Zong Zhao’s temper flared. He turned on his heel, marched up to the scholar, and fixed him with a stormy glare.

"Wh-what do you want?" The scholar suddenly shrank back.

The man looked intimidating—like someone who knew martial arts. Was he about to get beaten up?

The scholar’s eyes darted around, searching for potential rescuers.

But Zong Zhao only gritted out two words: "First marriage."

The scholar: "…"

Scared me half to death.

Swallowing hard, the scholar stammered, "Ah… well… congratulations on the, uh, first marriage…"

Xu Wan nearly burst out laughing as she dragged the suddenly childish Zong Zhao back to the carriage. On the way, she teased, "That stranger just threw out a random comment and left. Did you really have to go correct him?"

Zong Zhao scowled. "Calling us a second marriage out of nowhere—it’s insulting. I don’t like it."

He was six years older than Xu Wan, and while he hadn’t thought much of the age gap before, the scholar’s remark made him realize how easily others might mistake her for a younger second wife.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew.

They were clearly in their first marriage. He had no previous wife, no concubines, no other attachments—yet this stranger had slapped a label on them without a second thought.

Xu Wan chuckled. "What’s the big deal? When you brought Jincheng home and registered him as the eldest son, everyone assumed I was his stepmother. Even I thought so."

Zong Zhao’s frown deepened. "At the time, I only wanted to ease His Highness’s burden. I didn’t want Jincheng to suffer as an illegitimate son, so I didn’t consider the implications."

But the truth was, not only did outsiders see Xu Wan as a second wife—because of Zong Jincheng’s status, any children they had together would never hold the position of eldest son.

These were things the sixteen-year-old version of himself hadn’t fully grasped.

Xu Wan patted his shoulder reassuringly. "It doesn’t matter to me whether I’m a stepmother or not. It’s not like you’ll suddenly produce a first wife out of nowhere. Besides, I have your two written promises—that’s all the security I need."

Zong Zhao gripped her hand. "Everything will be set right soon."

—Before their own child was born.

But Xu Wan didn’t seem happy about it. She asked quietly, "Will Jincheng still be able to live with us afterward?"

Zong Zhao paused. "No."

Xu Wan pressed, "After the palace exam?"

"This is already the longest Luo Jingfeng has agreed to wait." It was the deadline Zong Zhao had set upon his return.

Xu Wan’s heart sank. So, just over a month left…

She had never felt time pass so quickly. Three years had flown by in the blink of an eye, and now, their days with Jincheng were down to a mere month.