The Marquis Mansion’s Elite Class

“Exactly, we can’t explain it clearly. Wan’er must have her own reasons for not telling Jin Cheng the truth,” the Old Marquis said. “So let’s keep it a secret too. We won’t reply to the letter for now. Let’s just pretend we never received it.”

The Old Marchioness gently caressed her grandson’s letter. Although the bright red, crooked handwriting was a bit alarming, the thought that this was Jin Cheng’s first letter to them since he became more sensible filled her heart with warmth.

She carried the letter back to the table and said slowly, “In the past, even if I didn’t tell him the truth, I would have bought him an identical jade pendant to make my little darling happy. But now, alas, my lord, what should we give Jin Cheng for his birthday?”

“An ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‍inkstone would be best. Let’s choose one for Jin Cheng. He writes a lot now, so he’ll definitely use it often,” the Old Marquis suggested uncertainly. “This shouldn’t count as a frivolous gift, right?”

The Old Marchioness thought about the cost of the inkstone and hesitated. “...Don’t rush. Let me think about it.”

The elderly couple fell into a thoughtful silence.

While the manor was fretting over what birthday gift to choose for their beloved grandson, the little troublemaker at the Marquis Manor was anxiously waiting for a reply.

The first day passed, and there was no reply.

Shunzi said, “Maybe the letter hasn’t arrived yet. The weather’s been bad lately, so the carrier pigeon might have gotten lost.”

Pan Hongzhi: “...”

Could you at least make up a more convincing excuse?

The second day passed, and still, there was no reply.

Shunzi continued to save the situation: “Perhaps the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness went out for a trip and weren’t at the manor to receive the letter.”

Pan Hongzhi didn’t even want to listen anymore.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

When it came to making up nonsense, Shunzi was truly a master.

But the little troublemaker’s anxiety grew harder to soothe. By the third day, he was completely deflated, moping in his room and refusing to go to the study to read.

“Grandmother doesn’t love me anymore. She didn’t even reply to my letter...” the little troublemaker whined, lying on the table with teary eyes, his tears on the verge of spilling over. His pitiful appearance almost melted Pan Hongzhi’s heart.

Sigh, who would have thought the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness would be so heartless this time? They didn’t even reply to such a sincere and touching letter. After all, Jin Cheng was only an eight-year-old child. He must be heartbroken.

Pan Hongzhi worried whether he should tell him the truth, but doing so would expose his earlier lies. However, if he didn’t say anything, the boy would refuse to study...

Finally, he gritted his teeth and decided to tell the truth. After all, once the Old Marchioness returned, his lies would be exposed sooner or later.

“Actually, the Old Marquis and Old Marchioness will be back in a few days to see you.”

The little troublemaker’s head, which had been resting on the table, paused for a moment before he continued to slump despondently. “You already said that a few days ago, and it was a lie. You’re just trying to cheer me up again. I don’t believe you. Grandmother doesn’t love me anymore. She’s forgotten about me. I’m so sad, wuwuwu.”

Pan Hongzhi took a deep breath and said, “It’s true. Your birthday is in a few days, and they’ll be back to celebrate with you.”

“Really? If you’re lying, you’re a dog,” the little troublemaker said, his eyes still red, as he weakly extended his pinky finger.

Pan Hongzhi found it utterly childish but still hooked his pinky with the boy’s, resignedly saying, “If I’m lying, I’m a dog. Happy now?”

“Yes!” The little troublemaker instantly perked up, jumping off his stool and running out of the room, cheering, “Wow! I knew Grandmother loves me the most! She must be busy preparing my birthday gift, which is why she forgot to reply to my letter!”

“...?” Pan Hongzhi looked at Shunzi, suddenly feeling like he’d been tricked.

Wasn’t this kid just on the verge of tears?

How did his mood change so quickly?

Didn’t he need any time to process his emotions??

Shunzi, watching the little troublemaker run off, raised the hidden chili pepper in his hand and said helplessly and innocently, “Teacher Pan, you’re still too naive.”

Pan Hongzhi: “!” Damn it!

This little rascal had been acting all along!

The newly minted acting prodigy didn’t expect to be outplayed by a child, and he was so furious he almost fainted on the spot.

Shunzi hurried over, pinching Pan Hongzhi’s philtrum while sharing his experience of being angered by the little troublemaker: “Remember to pinch your philtrum to stay conscious in the future.”

Pan Hongzhi, now awake, angrily pointed at Shunzi and said, “You could’ve at least warned me! A wink would’ve been enough!”

Shunzi cowardly replied, “If Young Master Jin Cheng found out, he’d kill me.”

Pan Hongzhi: “...”

Enemies, they were all enemies!

Feeling stronger after being wounded by the enemy, Pan Hongzhi took a deep breath and rushed toward the study. Now, he only hoped the boy wouldn’t be too distracted by the news to focus on his studies.

Emotions, whether happy or sad, could affect one’s concentration.

But the little troublemaker was an exception.

Because he had a photographic memory... that damnably enviable talent most people didn’t possess!

Zong Jincheng sat obediently in his seat, listening to Baili Xi explain historical anecdotes, his smile impossible to suppress.

Even Baili Xi, the usually focused teacher, was somewhat affected by his joy. He smiled, stroking his beard, and asked, “Jin Cheng, is there something making you so happy?”

Zong Jincheng shared his good news openly: “Grandfather and Grandmother are coming back in a few days to celebrate my birthday. I’m so happy!”

Zong Wenxiu also smiled upon hearing this. He hadn’t seen his grandparents in a long time either.

Baili Xi chuckled and said, “That’s wonderful. Since you’re in such a good mood, why don’t you write an essay about how you felt before and after hearing this news? Hand it in to me tomorrow.”

Zong Jincheng agreed enthusiastically, “Sure, I’ll hand it in tomorrow!”

“Pfft...” Zhao Yin, who had just learned about his friend’s predicament, couldn’t help but laugh. He nudged Pan Hongzhi and said, “You’re going to be publicly humiliated by Jin Cheng tomorrow. The theme of his essay will be: How I Tricked My Teacher into Spilling the Secret.”

Pan Hongzhi’s face turned a mix of red and green, like a pot of stew.

While pinching his philtrum, he said in despair, “If there’s a next time, I’ll take his surname. That little devil with a head full of mischief...”

By the end, Pan Hongzhi was practically gnashing his teeth.

Zhao Yin patted him on the back and said, “Madam said we’ll have three days off. You can rest then.”

Pan Hongzhi immediately asked, “Will we get paid for those three days?”

“...” Zhao Yin asked, “If there’s no pay, will you still take the break?”

“Would you?” Pan Hongzhi shot back.

Zhao Yin was also hit where it hurt. Three days off with ten taels of silver—who would want to miss that?

He scratched his nose and said, “Luckily, Madam is generous. We’ll get paid.”

Pan Hongzhi finally smiled at him. “At least I can rest for a few days.”

Zhao Yin suddenly remembered something. “Uh... doesn’t Jin Cheng still need your guidance to write his essay tonight?”

Pan Hongzhi: “...”

He was just one step away from collapsing on the spot.