The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 327

That night, the tutors were practically burning the midnight oil—trying to coax the little ones to sleep while keeping quiet, all the while mentally drafting debate topics and jotting them down in their minds...

The next day, Xu Wan woke up yawning, only to see Cui Zhi walk in with a towering stack of papers. Bewildered, she asked, "Cui Zhi, what’s going on? Usually, you’d be bringing in a basin of water at this hour."

The scene felt like her maid had suddenly morphed into a homeroom teacher, dumping piles of worksheets on her desk with the unspoken message: "Here’s today’s homework."

Sure enough, Cui Zhi announced, "These are the debate topic suggestions from the tutors. You’ll have quite the reading ahead of you today, Madam."

Xu Wan: "..."

Suddenly, ten taels of silver felt like too high a price.

While the tutors were killing themselves brainstorming, she still had the colossal task of sifting through them all...

Xu Wan hurriedly got up to wash up, glancing at the daybed nearby. Her diligent roommate, still busy investigating cases, kept such early and late hours that she often forgot they were even living together.

After a leisurely breakfast, Xu Wan dutifully settled at her desk and began reviewing the debate topics.

First one: "Which holds greater weight—personal grievances or the greater good of the nation?"

Xu Wan muttered to herself, "This feels too similar to the 'good official vs. bad official' debate. A bit repetitive."

Second one: "Should officials of the same rank have their salaries tied to their performance?"

Xu Wan assessed, "Now this is sharp. In a previous debate, this would’ve sparked arguments for hours. But this is more of an issue for the Emperor to ponder—not much help for their policy essays."

Third ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‍one: "A region’s population is growing too rapidly, and water supplies can’t keep up. Should the government organize mass relocations?"

Xu Wan’s eyes lit up. "This one’s good—grounded in real-world scenarios and quite fresh."

She set this topic aside for the teaching plan, then dove back into the mountain of suggestions...

By sunset, Xu Wan was still sorting through the topics, taking notes and scheduling debate dates for the children in order of priority.

When Zong Zhao returned, he found her seated at the desk, her brush gliding in elegant, delicate strokes. Her slender brows arched with gentle focus, and a faint smile graced her cheeks as if amused by some thought, her hand deftly marking the paper.

His heart thudded heavily in his chest.

Not wanting to disrupt the serene moment, Zong Zhao lingered at the doorway, quietly watching her write with evident joy. She had always loved reading and writing—a passion that radiated from within, unchanged from the past to now.

"General, you’re back," Cui Zhi’s voice shattered the quiet. "I’ll go prepare the meal at once."

Xu Wan looked up, her face blooming into a smile. "When did you get back? I didn’t even hear your footsteps."

"Just now," Zong Zhao replied, stepping closer. "What are you writing?"

"Oh, these? Debate topic suggestions from the tutors. So many of them—I’ve been picking through them all day. Want to take a look?" Xu Wan picked up one of Jiang Yan’s suggested topics and handed it to him.

Zong Zhao took it and read: "In the Battle of Changqi, our army of five thousand cavalry narrowly defeated You Country’s thirty thousand troops. Was the commanding general reckless in this engagement?"

Zong Zhao: "..."

This was about him.

He’d assumed she’d just grabbed a random topic.

Xu Wan grinned. "So, General of the Western Garrison, conqueror of You Country—might we have the honor of inviting you as a guest lecturer for our advanced class?"

"..."

Zong Zhao asked, "When?"

Xu Wan blinked. "That was quick. I was fully prepared for you to turn me down." Though the odds of that had always been low.

Zong Zhao replied, "Before the autumn exams—I’ll teach them then. Will that work?"

Xu Wan nodded eagerly. "Perfect! I’ll let them know right away. Chengcheng and the others will be thrilled." She stood and hurried out.

Halfway there, she remembered the topic was still in his hands. With a playful smile, she plucked it back without ceremony. "Go ahead and eat. I’ll be right back after delivering this."

And off she went, a whirlwind of energy.

Zong Zhao stared at his now-empty hand, then chuckled softly after a pause.

...

The advanced class erupted in excitement at the news.

Of the five boys, Zong Jincheng was the loudest. "Really, Mom? Dad’s actually coming to teach us? He’s been back for so long but never stepped into the study—I thought he didn’t care about our studies!"

Xu Wan laughed. "Of course it’s true—he promised himself. He’s not indifferent; he’s just been swamped. Once things settle, he’ll be here to teach."

Zong Wenxiu knew his uncle had been preoccupied with his grandfather’s case. Touched and thrilled, he said, "Then I hope Uncle resolves everything smoothly and comes to teach soon. I’d love to hear the full story of Changqi."

"Me too!" Shen Yibai chimed in. "The rumors in the capital are so patchy—no one knows how we actually pulled off that victory. I’ve been dying to find out!"

He Zheng frowned. "But our debate topic is whether Uncle Zong was reckless. How can we argue if we don’t even know the details?"

Wei Xinglu slung an arm over his shoulders. "We research. Terrain, weather, every possible factor in an outnumbered victory. We’ll theorize how the battle could’ve gone—that’ll prove whether Uncle Zong was rash or not."

He Zheng paled. "That sounds impossible. How could we ever match Uncle Zong’s level?"

Zong Jincheng reassured him, "Don’t chicken out now, brother. We’re plenty sharp too. We’ll study historical underdog victories—that’ll give us more to work with."

Xu Wan beamed. "Well said! You’re all thinking more comprehensively now. Go ahead and prepare. You’ve got plenty of time, so no pressure—just do your best."

"Let’s go all out!" The five boys raised their fists in unison, brimming with determination.

Youth knew no hesitation, no second-guessing.

Watching their spirited faces, Xu Wan felt her own mood lift. In the days that followed, she selected four or five more debate topics, leaving the tutors to weave them into the curriculum.

By early May, the royal hunt arrived.

Luo Jingfeng had sent over new outfits early that morning—sleek gray martial attire of some unknown material. Worried the little troublemaker might refuse, he’d ordered five sets, one for each of the boys.

When Zong Jincheng arrived, he found his friends already dressed by Luo family attendants.

Shen Yibai spun in a circle, delighted. "Jincheng, hurry and try yours on! The Duke’s clothes are so light, and they’re super protective—I just slammed my arm into the doorframe, and it didn’t even hurt!"

The little troublemaker: "..."

Idiot Yibai, getting duped and still singing their praises.

Why not test it with your head next time?