Since mere persuasion wasn’t getting through to him, the only option was to let him run into a wall and learn the hard way. Once he hit that wall, he’d naturally turn back.
Pan Hongzhi was shocked and retorted, “But what if he fails the exam and just gives up on studying altogether?”
Zhao Yin replied, “...Is he really that fragile?”
From what he knew of Zong Jincheng, the boy’s mental resilience wasn’t that weak.
Pan Hongzhi didn’t dare act on his own, so he reported the matter to Xu Wan, asking if they should give the little troublemaker a heads-up.
Xu Wan didn’t hesitate and immediately adopted Zhao Yin’s suggestion.
“?!”
Pan Hongzhi suddenly had an epiphany. He realized that perhaps the reason Madam Xu hadn’t brought up the calligraphy practice was because she was waiting for this exact moment.
So he tentatively asked, “Should we still remind Jincheng?”
If they didn’t say anything at all, there was a risk that the boy might cause a scene that would be hard to manage later.
Xu Wan smiled and said, “Of course, remind him. Tell him about the different examiners and grading systems, but don’t mention that the graders might not be able to read his handwriting. If he figures that out on his own, it means he has a strong sense of crisis awareness, and I’ll be pleased. If he doesn’t, it means he’s gotten too cocky and needs to be taken down a peg.”
Whether or not this lesson would be learned was entirely up to the little troublemaker.
Pan Hongzhi nodded and went to inform both boys about the exam rules.
Zong Wenxiu, who had just entered the Child Prodigy Class, was about to face his first exam—a joint exam involving three academies, including Hanlin North Academy. The pressure instantly skyrocketed, and he became tense all over again.
The little troublemaker, on the other hand, was much more relaxed.
Pan Hongzhi had told him that he’d done better on his brother’s practice exam than his brother had at the time, and that he might even rank higher than his brother.
No pressure at all.
The carefree little rascal started daydreaming about what would happen after he joined the Child Prodigy Class. Even though he’d eventually choose to study at home like his brother, he’d definitely spend a few days in the class first to show off to Qin Ye and make sure Qin Ye knew there was a genius like him in the world. Qin Ye would surely break down in tears and beg for his mercy. Ha!
Zong Jincheng’s thoughts grew more and more grandiose, and he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
Pan Hongzhi: “...”
Well, the little troublemaker had chosen to accept the new challenge.
Pan Hongzhi shook his head helplessly and went to work with Zhao Yin on preparing new practice questions, hoping to squeeze in a bit more learning in the final hours before the exam.
The next day, as they were about to leave for the exam, the little troublemaker climbed into the carriage and said to Zong Wenxiu, “We’re actually going to Hanlin North Academy for the exam today. I wonder if Qin Shi will be there. If he sees me taking the twelve-year-old level exam, he’ll be so shocked.”
Just two months ago, he’d been in the eight-year-old class.
Qin Shi was in the ten-year-old class.
Now he’d skipped four grades and overtaken Qin Shi in one go. It felt amazing.
Zong Wenxiu got into the carriage with him and gently reminded him, “You’ve skipped grades quickly, but your grades aren’t exactly top-tier. This is a joint exam with three academies, and there are many strong students. You might not even make it onto the ranking list, so be prepared for that.”
“What? Not even make the list? There are a hundred and twenty spots!” The little troublemaker was shocked and pouted in dissatisfaction.
Zong Wenxiu chuckled lightly. “First of all, Hanlin North Academy will likely take the top fifty spots. Another academy is stronger than ours, so that leaves about twenty or thirty spots for Qingbo Academy. That means you’d need to be in the top thirty of our academy. It’s tough—I only ranked fifty-third last time.”
Zong Jincheng: “...”
After hearing that, he didn’t even want to take the exam anymore.
Wasn’t this just setting himself up to be trampled on, over and over again?
Zong Jincheng seriously suggested, “Brother, what if we just get out of the carriage now and take the exam next time? Next time, I’ll definitely crush them all!”
Zong Wenxiu hesitated and replied, “That’s not really an option, is it? If everyone avoided exams just because they were afraid of not ranking well, then the students who never make the list would never take any exams.”
“It’s not the same! We’re not saying we’ll never make the list. We’re just skipping this one exam and coming back stronger next time!” The little troublemaker was a master of knowing when to retreat.
Xu Wan couldn’t help but marvel at how well-suited this kid was for the political world.
If he didn’t climb to at least a second-rank official position in the future, it’d be a waste of his natural talent.
Zong Wenxiu glanced at Xu Wan.
Since she was here, it was up to her to decide whether they’d go or not.
But he was pretty sure she wouldn’t agree.
When the little troublemaker saw him looking at Xu Wan, he immediately got annoyed. Asking Xu Wan was pointless—there was no way she’d agree to…
“Sure.” Xu Wan agreed.
Zong Jincheng: “!??”
Was the sky falling? Had Xu Wan been possessed?
She was actually okay with him backing out at the last minute?
The little troublemaker had just been testing the waters, trying to stir up some drama, but she’d actually agreed??
“Are... are you serious?” he asked uncertainly.
Even Zong Wenxiu was stunned, feeling like his head was spinning.
But Xu Wan replied, “Yes, I really do think today isn’t the right day for you to take the exam, especially you.”
“Why... why not?” The little troublemaker asked, growing more and more uneasy.
He had a feeling Xu Wan was up to something.
Xu Wan said slowly, “Because I just found out that Luo Chen and Qin Shi are both taking the exam at Hanlin North Academy today. If you go, you’ll definitely run into them. Luo Chen has been holding a grudge since he lost to your brother last time, and he’ll definitely try to regain his confidence by picking on you. So even if you’re taking the twelve-year-old level exam, he’ll use his first-place ranking in the ten-year-old level joint exam to stomp all over you. After all, the difference between first place and not even making the list is like night and day—it’s even worse than being at the bottom of the list.”
Zong Jincheng’s face turned bright red.
He’d been at the bottom of the list before, and now he was about to experience not making the list at all.
If he didn’t take the exam, he wouldn’t have to face the humiliation of not ranking. Luo Chen wouldn’t have anything to mock him about.
But...!
“I’m two whole grades ahead of him! Even if I don’t make the list, I’m still better than him. How dare he try to mock me? So what if he’s first in the three-academy exam? Qin Ye was first in the four-academy exam! If Luo Chen’s so great, why doesn’t he leave the ten-year-old class and come to the twelve-year-old class? Or the Child Prodigy Class? Ugh! That jerk! How dare he mock me! I’m taking the exam! If he dares to come at me, I’ll shove the twelve-year-old exam paper in his face. If he can’t solve it, he’ll have to call me grandpa!” The little troublemaker ranted furiously, completely contradicting what he’d said earlier.
Zong Wenxiu: “...”
Little brother, you change your mind way too fast.
Xu Wan rolled her eyes and closed them, pretending to nap.
Dealing with this kid was as easy as pie.
The little troublemaker’s anger didn’t subside, and he spent the entire ride fuming, his chest heaving with indignation. Eventually, he calmed down enough to start silently reciting the key points his teachers had highlighted for the exam.
Just you wait, Luo Chen. This young master is definitely making the list this time!
