The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 337
He Zheng also spoke up, "Moreover, we are all Childhood Scholars who have passed the five-day, four-night examinations at the Imperial Examination Hall, publicly announced by the Ministry of Rites. Only 120 Childhood Scholars are selected each year. Our achievements were earned step by step. For you to question them without any understanding makes you look utterly foolish and ridiculous."
"You... you..." Ge Hong, already emotionally charged, grew even more distraught upon hearing this. He stood up and shouted, "You bunch of wet-behind-the-ears brats—I refuse to believe you could improve so quickly! It's all fake, every bit of it!"
Zong Wenxiu fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "If you think we're too young to deserve these results, then why aren't you questioning Qin Ye? Are you afraid? He’s even younger than us."
Ge Hong froze, muttering, "Qin Ye... he’s a prodigy. He’s been first from the very beginning. He’s the pride of our Qingbo Academy—there’s no disputing that!"
"Just because he’s always been first, he deserves to stay first, while anyone else who rises must be cheating?" Zong Wenxiu grew angry. "That’s a poisonous mindset—blaming your own stagnation on baseless accusations. When the autumn exam results are posted, if we’re all on the list, will you still claim the Ministry of Rites helped us cheat?"
"Is that so impossible?" Ge Hong roared, pointing at Shen Yibai. "His grandfather, Chancellor Shen, was once the Minister of Rites and now holds a high-ranking position. With just a flick of his finger, he could get all of you onto the list! The imperial exams are the only chance for scholars like us to rise in the world. You privileged young masters already live the best lives—why must you block our only path forward?"
Shen Yibai, suddenly singled out, was taken aback at first. But as the accusations grew uglier, he was so furious he nearly lunged forward to throw a punch. "Let’s fight. I can’t take this anymore. You bastard—dare slander my grandfather? If I don’t knock your teeth out today, I’ll take your surname!"
He Zheng grabbed him, desperately trying to calm him down. "Brother Bai, don’t act rashly. You can beat him up anytime, but if you do it now, he’ll say we’re guilty, that we’re admitting the Ministry of Rites would commit fraud. We can’t let such a huge accusation stick to us."
Zong Wenxiu interjected, "Then retrieve the exam papers. Since you refuse to accept it, let’s show you our answers. Then you’ll see whether we cheated or if you’re simply inferior and making wild accusations."
Shen Yibai was the first to protest. "Why should I show him my papers? My policy essay is brilliant—what if he steals my ideas?"
Ge Hong gritted his teeth. "You’re just afraid because you know you’re guilty!"
He Zheng persuaded, "Brother Bai, let him see. Make him admit defeat fair and square. Besides, even if he reads your policy essay, it doesn’t matter. We still have two months left—our essays will only get stronger, leaving him further behind."
Not far away, Zong Jincheng waved energetically at them. "Brothers, I’ve got the exam papers here!"
"Big Brother!" He Zheng exclaimed as if seeing a savior, rushing over. "We did great—we took the top six spots!"
The little troublemaker grinned. "Keep it up. Next time, let’s take down Qin Ye too."
He Zheng immediately deflated. "That’s harder than defeating the entire Hanlin North Academy."
Zong Jincheng rolled his eyes and handed Shen Yibai’s exam papers over. "Here, it’s up to you whether to show him."
The papers consisted of three sections: the Classics, poetry, and the policy essay. Just as Shen Yibai was about to take them, Ge Hong rudely snatched one away.
After barely glancing at it, Ge Hong howled, "You still claim there’s no cheating? This poetry is atrocious—like a toddler stumbling through their first steps! How could this possibly rank in the top six?"
"..."
Zong Jincheng rolled his eyes skyward.
Shen Yibai, blindsided by the insult, roared, "Who are you calling a toddler?! My poetry has improved a lot! It’s not that bad, it’s not that bad!!"
Truthfully, it wasn’t terrible—it hit all the required points—but it lacked flair and poetic elegance, far from being considered good.
Their poetry wasn’t their weakest subject, but it certainly wasn’t outstanding enough to rank at the top.
Shen Yibai shoved his policy essay against Ge Hong’s chest. "Open your beady eyes wide and see for yourself whether I’m the kind of privileged brat who relies on cheating!"
Ge Hong took the essay and skimmed it quickly. The topic was about managing the Yellow River’s floods. Shen Yibai had filled two thousand words, arguing from both the perspectives of dredging and damming before combining the two approaches. The reasoning was thorough, almost as if written by a seasoned elder.
"Did... did your grandfather write this for you?" Ge Hong asked uncertainly.
Shen Yibai’s eyes widened in outrage, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight again.
Fortunately, Ge Hong still had some sense left. He muttered, "No... outsiders aren’t allowed into the academy’s exams, and Chancellor Shen is far too busy to come here just to write an essay for you. Besides, the handwriting... it resembles the style used by Hanlin North Academy students. Are you... are you officially enrolled at Qingbo Academy but actually studying at Hanlin North Academy? Just to humiliate us lesser scholars here? Well, of course—you’re a prodigy. Qingbo Academy doesn’t have many Childhood Scholars. You must be from Hanlin North Academy!"
Shen Yibai: "..."
Go see a doctor. There’s definitely something wrong with your brain.
After muttering to himself for a while, Ge Hong finally stopped accusing them of cheating—instead, he now believed they were Hanlin North Academy students here to dominate lesser competition.
Though the conclusion was absurd, the misunderstanding was at least resolved. Zong Jincheng spoke up. "Apologize to my brother."
Ge Hong paused, then bowed to Zong Wenxiu. "I’m sorry. I was too impulsive earlier. It’s just... being surpassed every month by a child was driving me mad."
Zong Wenxiu replied, "Focus on improving yourself. This is just the academy exams. By the autumn provincial exams, there’ll be even more Childhood Scholars participating. Qin Ye isn’t the only young prodigy with real talent."
Shen Yibai snatched his policy essay back, grumbling, "Exactly. Don’t underestimate people. Qin Ye’s nothing—we’ll surpass him sooner or later."
Wei Xinglu turned to follow. "Surpass Qin Ye."
He Zheng raised his voice. "We’ll take the top honors!"
Zong Jincheng laughed heartily. "We’re the strongest!"
The five young scholars left with Xu Wan, while Ge Hong watched their retreating figures, fists clenched tightly.
Other students who had been quietly observing finally dared to approach. "Brother Ge, how strong are those kids really? Are they truly as good as Qin Ye?"
Rumors had long spread in the academy—those boys were always chasing Qin Ye’s shadow, their grades skyrocketing. Though many privately doubted whether it was legitimate, none had Ge Hong’s courage to confront them openly.
After a long silence, Ge Hong finally said, "I don’t know how strong Qin Ye really is, nor how far those boys are from him. But I do know this much... that sixth-place student... is strong. Very, very strong."
