During the mock exam, timing not only tests knowledge but also simulates the real exam environment, making the children feel the pressure of the actual test. This helps them manage their time more precisely in the future.
Both of them found it quite novel and were eager to get started.
"I’m sure I’ll finish early!" Contestant number one, Zong Jincheng, was as confident as ever.
Zong Wenxiu chuckled, "My goal isn’t as high; I just hope to finish on time."
Cheng Zhidong kindly reminded them, "Young masters, please don’t focus too much on speed. Make sure to read the questions carefully, think clearly, and write neatly to avoid careless mistakes."
Though he didn’t mention any names, it was clear who he was referring to.
The confident Zong Jincheng stuck out his tongue, picked up his brush, and began answering the questions.
The scent of burning incense inside the room gradually mingled with the fragrance of the blooming garden outside, creating a new, unique aroma.
Xu Wan sat in the pavilion, eating frozen pears while a maid fanned her. Despite the breeze, waves of heat still reached her, and she began to wonder how she would survive the coming summer, dressed in so many layers.
"Madam, with the academy’s test papers, the young masters won’t need to go to the academy for exams anymore," Cui Zhi said.
Xu Wan, with her eyes closed, replied, "They still have to go. Haven’t you seen how Jincheng is climbing the rankings?"
Such a high-energy child was perfect for competitive events, which could bring out his potential.
"Hmm… you’re right," Cui Zhi had to admit that every one of the madam’s strategies was effective.
Xu Wan opened her eyes and, through the window, saw the two children engrossed in their exams. She casually asked, "Has the message been delivered to Auntie Hong? Why hasn’t she come out yet?"
Auntie Hong’s presence in the manor was so faint that Xu Wan felt like it had been months since she last saw her. Even though the two households hadn’t separated and still lived under the same roof.
Cui Zhi replied, "Auntie Hong said she’s very grateful for your guidance of Young Master Wenxiu. As a concubine, she feels it’s inappropriate to frequently accompany the main wife and doesn’t want to distract Young Master Wenxiu from his studies."
Xu Wan was surprised by Auntie Hong’s thoughtfulness. After a moment of surprise, she said, "Well, let’s respect her choice. Make sure the second household is well taken care of and not mistreated."
"Yes, madam."
Xu Wan then asked, "Has the message been delivered to the Crown Princess in the palace?"
"It was delivered at noon. The Crown Princess said she would assist Consort Jing in thoroughly investigating the matter."
"That’s good. With the Crown Princess involved, it’s bound to be more reliable than Consort Jing alone." Xu Wan had been slightly worried that Consort Jing might act hastily in her anxiety, but now she felt completely at ease.
"Chen Shigeng… Chen Yunyu… truly, not a single one of them is reliable."
Xu Wan felt that people really needed to be compared. With these two scoundrels as a backdrop, she found Zong Jincheng’s mischievousness quite endearing.
Xu Wan ordered, "Inform Steward Liu that all invitations from Duke Jin’s Manor or the Minister’s Mansion are to be declined."
"Madam, are you afraid that Chen Yunyu might try to pursue you?" Cui Zhi had sensed something amiss during the banquet when the two sisters were subtly competing.
Xu Wan looked up at her and asked, "You noticed it too?"
Cui Zhi, after all, was from the Marquis Manor. The thought of the madam of the Marquis Manor being pursued by her own brother-in-law was mortifying.
Cui Zhi nodded reluctantly, "It was too obvious. If Minister Xu and Lady Liu had been there, they would have noticed too. I never expected Chen Yunyu to be so shameless and reckless, daring to set his sights on you. Madam, should we teach him a lesson? The team of experts the old marquis sent us hasn’t been used yet."
Xu Wan chuckled, "What kind of lesson? Beat him up after covering his head?"
Cui Zhi asked, "Is that inappropriate?"
Xu Wan shook her head, "It’s not about appropriateness, but effectiveness. Beating him up might vent our anger, but if he doesn’t know who we are, he’ll continue to be a nuisance. If he finds out who we are, the trouble will only increase. Given the power of Duke Jin’s Manor, the latter is more likely."
"Madam, don’t you feel wronged?" Cui Zhi felt that the madam’s way of thinking was different from most people’s.
She seemed to focus on solving the problem first rather than getting caught up in the emotions of the situation, which was quite rare.
"I’m not as fragile as you think," Xu Wan said. "Speaking of which, I’m reminded of a story. Let me share it with you."
"Please do, madam."
Xu Wan began, "Once, there was a scholar about to enter the examination hall. At a restaurant where a meal should have cost 10 coins, the owner cheated him out of 100 coins. The examination hall’s gates were about to close, and if the scholar argued with the dishonest owner, he would have to wait three more years to take the exam. But if he paid the money, he would lose 90 coins. If it were you, what would you choose?"
"I…" Cui Zhi’s first reaction was that the cheating owner was despicable. Even if she didn’t argue with him, she would report him to the authorities.
But for the scholar, who had only one chance every three years, missing the exam over 90 coins would be a huge mistake.
Cui Zhi sighed, "I think I understand what you mean, madam, but I still feel uncomfortable about it."
"You’re quite hot-headed," Xu Wan said with a smile. "The current head of Duke Jin’s Manor’s inner court is still the Duchess. My younger sister Xu Lian'er will need a few years to wrestle control from her. But without her keeping him in check, Chen Yunyu will have more energy to stir up trouble. We need to find an opportunity to help my sister."
"Huh?" Cui Zhi asked, "Help Xu Lian'er? Are you sure?"
"Of course," Xu Wan replied with a smile. "Hasn’t Xu Lian'er discovered Chen Yunyu’s mistress yet? Let’s make sure she finds out."
Letting Xu Lian'er deal with the mistress first would be better than letting Chen Yunyu take the initiative. Even if Xu Lian'er couldn’t gain control of the household immediately, she could keep Chen Yunyu too busy to cause other trouble.
Cui Zhi praised, "Madam, that’s a brilliant idea. I suggest we let Cui Liu handle it. She’ll make sure no one traces it back to us."
After all, they only knew about this because of Cui Liu’s discovery. Otherwise, they would have been fooled like everyone else in the capital.
Xu Wan nodded, "Then let Cui Liu take care of it."
As they spoke, time flew by, and soon they heard the excited voice of the little troublemaker from inside the room, "I’m done!"
"Shh… Young Master Wenxiu hasn’t finished yet. No loud noises."
"Oh…" The little troublemaker responded and quickly ran out of the room.
The private tutors were inside grading his exam. As soon as Zong Jincheng stepped out, he saw Xu Wan and rushed over, plopping down at the stone table in front of her. He grabbed a large peach and started munching on it.
The crisp sound of biting into the peach echoed in the air. The little troublemaker was in a good mood and casually asked, "What were you talking about?"
Xu Wan and Cui Zhi exchanged a glance and smiled, "We were telling a story."
