The Marquis Mansion's Elite Class-Chapter 261

The Crown Prince looked at him—the child before him was still a nine-year-old boy, his dimples faintly visible as he blinked his round, bright eyes, brimming with curiosity and mischief.

He wanted him to grow up quickly, yet couldn’t bear to see him lose the joys of childhood too soon.

“Jincheng,” he called.

“Hmm?” The little troublemaker tilted his head, puzzled.

The Crown Prince asked softly, “Are you happy?”

Is this life… truly what you want?

Zong Jincheng didn’t understand why he’d suddenly ask such a question, but he nodded without hesitation, grinning. “Of course! I’m so happy! I have everything, and I get to learn things others never could. I feel like the most amazing person in the world!”

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered.

The little one eagerly painted his dreams for the future: “Once I’ve mastered everything, I’ll first become the top scorer in the imperial examination to bring honor to my mother. Then I’ll climb higher, all the way to a second-rank official position. That way, I can help so many people, save so many lives, and be loved by everyone—just like Your Highness!”

“But being loved by many… isn’t always a good thing,” the Crown Prince said.

“Huh? Why not?” Zong Jincheng didn’t understand.

The Crown Prince shook his head. “Never mind. Let’s continue. Earlier, you mentioned Meng Huo and Yuchi Gong—both were fierce warriors, loyal and righteous. If such generals were enemies, neither force nor persuasion would sway them. Only personal charisma could earn their trust. As for the scheming civil officials in court, they’re too cunning to be fully relied upon. You may use them, but never place too much trust in them.”

Read latest chapters at freёweɓnovel.com Only.

Zong Jincheng nodded in understanding. “So it all depends on the person. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.”

The Crown Prince smiled in approval.

As the lesson went on, Zong Jincheng’s admiration for the Crown Prince only grew. Unable to contain himself, he blurted, “Your Highness, how do you know so much? You’re even wiser than all our tutors combined!”

The Crown Prince tidied the books as he replied, “Didn’t I tell you? I learned these things when I was very young.”

“Was it the Grand Tutor who taught you?” Zong Jincheng recalled the title—the Crown Prince’s teacher must have been extraordinary to have shaped someone so remarkable.

The Crown Prince’s hands stilled.

After a long pause, he finally answered, “It was the Emperor. He had just ascended the throne then, swamped with duties, yet he still made time to teach me. He said… I was his firstborn son by his rightful wife, the one he loved most among all his children. He wanted me to grow quickly, to share his burdens.”

“Oh? Then the Emperor must have treated Your Highness very well. But why did he wait so long to name you Crown Prince? I remember you weren’t appointed until you were fifteen,” Zong Jincheng pressed.

The Crown Prince closed the book chest with a soft thud.

He chuckled lightly. “I don’t know. Perhaps he feared the pressure would be too great if I became Crown Prince too young.”

Zong Jincheng beamed. “Then the Emperor is truly kind! So thoughtful of Your Highness!”

The Crown Prince smiled. “Alright, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll see you again at the end of the month.”

“Mm-hmm!”

As they descended the stairs, Zong Jincheng lingered at his side, waiting for the Crown Prince to take his hand as he always did.

But this time, the Crown Prince walked straight out the door without a backward glance.

Zong Jincheng scratched his head, consoling himself. “His Highness must have forgotten.”

At the end of September, the Crown Prince arrived for their usual lesson and left afterward.

This time, Zong Jincheng deliberately brushed against his arm as they walked, but the Crown Prince not only didn’t take his hand—he even lifted his arm out of reach.

“……”

Once again, the Crown Prince departed without so much as a pat on the head or a held hand.

Zong Jincheng pouted as he watched the carriage disappear into the distance. “Does His Highness not love me anymore?”

Buyan: “……”

The Crown Prince, the future ruler of the nation, visits you alone every month—what greater honor could there be? How much more love do you want?

Should he kiss your forehead every day, young master?!

Shunzi, ever the diplomat, chimed in: “Of course His Highness loves you! Why else would he speak with you privately and no one else?”

Zong Jincheng turned, sulking. “But now he sends debate topics and study materials to the entire Marquis Manor Elite Class. I’m not his only one anymore.”

Buyan thought to himself: *The Crown Prince has a daughter—you stopped being his ‘only one’ long ago, young master. Wake up!*

“But they’re your allies,” Shunzi reasoned. “Why else would His Highness bother with them and not other nobles’ children?”

Zong Jincheng perked up instantly. “You mean… His Highness is teaching them because of me?”

Shunzi nodded. “At most, they’re just being guided. You, Young Master Jincheng, are the one closest to His Highness—spending one or two days together every month. In all the realm, aside from His Highness’s own daughter, no one else enjoys such privilege.”

Zong Jincheng brightened. “You’re right! His Highness still loves me most. So what if he didn’t hold my hand? If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain. Next time he visits, I’ll grab his hand myself!”

Buyan rolled his eyes skyward.

*Young master indeed—throwing a fit over such trivialities. Two grown men—well, one half-grown boy—holding hands? Have some shame!*

The little troublemaker skipped home, his mood shifting as swiftly as a June sky.

Shunzi nudged Buyan. “Brother, rein in your thoughts. Your eyeballs are about to roll right off your face. If young master notices, he’ll dock your pay.”

Threat effectively delivered, Buyan: “……”

---

**Marquis Manor Elite Class**

Wei Xinglu raised his hand in protest. “Aunt, I don’t want to test into the Eleven-Year-Old Class! I belong in the Ten-Year-Old Class. Each age should stay where they belong—how can we go bully older boys? What if we hurt their pride?”

Shen Yibai quickly agreed. “Aunt, Xinglu’s right. We haven’t even mastered our current material. Jumping ahead would just leave us lost and discouraged.”

Wei Xinglu nodded fervently. “Exactly! Let us test in the Ten-Year-Old Class as usual.”

Zong Jincheng strode in just as they were debating their exam plans—his mother was arranging enrollments for all of them.

The little troublemaker crossed his arms and scoffed. “Pathetic. You can barely handle ten-year-olds and already cower from older ones? Catching up to He Zheng will be hard enough, let alone surpassing me. Hah! Keep dreaming.”

“What did you say? Who’s cowering?!” Shen Yibai lunged forward, but Wei Xinglu yanked him back, whispering urgently, “Control yourself! Don’t let small grudges ruin big plans!”