bookpower Chapter 108
Chapter 108
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.
But she had an idea.
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."
Zong Wenxiu: "..."
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 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!!"
Zong Wenxiu: "..."
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."
Xu Wan: "..."
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.