My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"this……"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Li Bingzhang fell silent.

Yes, Jiang Xiaobai was assassinated in the street yesterday.

If it weren't for Elder Xin and the people from the Zhenying Division appearing in time, Jiang Xiaobai would probably have lost his life on the spot.

And this is enough to explain one thing!

That means whether Jiang Xiaobai hides behind the scenes or stands in the spotlight, the result is actually the same.

Those lurking in the shadows wouldn't let Jiang Xiaobai off the hook just because he was a spoiled brat and knew nothing.

On the contrary, they might think that Jiang Xiaobai is so useless that he's even easier to kill!

Thinking of this, Li Bingzhang's expression also became serious: "So, you..."

"Well, so, that's settled then..."

Jiang Xiaobai narrowed his eyes slightly and said slowly, "Although this would make the other party even more eager to kill me, and would also make the investigation more difficult."

"But perhaps... in this situation, the other party might be more anxious, and perhaps... more likely to slip up!"

That makes sense.

After listening, Li Bingzhang finally nodded slightly.

Yes, Jiang Xiaobai has now been brought into the public eye.

Since there's no way to turn back, we can only keep moving forward.

"Young Master Jiang, then... then if that's the case..."

Li Zhiwei's voice rang out from the side, finally whispering, "Then the engagement we agreed on before... we don't need to do it the way you said, right?"

After she finished speaking, Li Zhiwei's face, hidden under her veil, turned completely red.

Yes, as Jiang Xiaobai said that day, on the wedding day, she would be tied up and brought over by their Prime Minister's residence, or something like that.

It's so embarrassing to hear, it makes her seem like she's bullying Jiang Xiaobai.

"No, no, no, this... is still necessary!"

Jiang Xiaobai instantly understood Li Zhiwei's meaning and shook his head earnestly, saying, "Because this is for His Majesty to see!"

"Therefore, this matter cannot be changed. I was still forced into the Prime Minister's residence by you, and then unwillingly became your husband, Li Zhiwei!"

At the time, he did not know whether the person behind him was the current emperor.

Although it has now been confirmed that he is not, in His Majesty's eyes, he still has the title of being a son-in-law.

He still needs this excuse to exist.

Otherwise, the current emperor would certainly be wary of him, and the situation would likely be even more complicated than it is now.

So, this play... no matter what, it has to keep going.

It's already unstoppable.

"Oh……"

Li Zhiwei responded, but ultimately said nothing more.

"My dear son-in-law, regarding the situation concerning the promotion of Qinglou students, do you... have any concrete directions now?"

Li Bingzhang then looked at Jiang Xiaobai and asked.

"Just a little bit."

Jiang Xiaobai said, "Putting everything else aside, at least... I can be sure of one thing."

"The people who set me up to get the top score in the imperial examination and the people who instigated the students to riot are not the same group!"

Oh?

Li Bingzhang's expression shifted slightly.

The fact that Jiang Xiaobai said that is enough to show that he must have made a discovery at Qinglou.

"Has it been confirmed who it is?"

Li Bingzhang spoke up, "Should I go and ask my old friend? Perhaps..."

"No."

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head: "The matter with Qinglou has been temporarily put on hold!"

Indeed, whether Mu Yuanshan entered the game by chance or was pushed out as a pawn is not worth asking now.

Moreover, Mu Yuanshan was, after all, an old friend of Li Bingzhang. If he asked too many questions, it would easily strain their relationship.

Therefore, it's better to put this matter aside for now.

"So, what are your plans next?"

Li Bingzhang could tell that Jiang Xiaobai had his own ideas, so he didn't press further. He simply said slowly, "In addition, His Majesty has given you the post of Imperial Investigator, to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of Rites."

"And when are you planning to make your move?"

Let's take it one step at a time.

Jiang Xiaobai said, "Before thoroughly investigating the Ministry of Rites, perhaps... we should first investigate those two assassins."

"Look at these two assassins and this Ministry of Justice, how did they suddenly get involved?!"

"rational!"

Li Bingzhang nodded slightly, but quickly frowned and said, "It's just... those two assassins are very tight-lipped."

"Since bringing him back yesterday, he hasn't revealed who's behind him."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow: "Were they tortured?"

"Of course, the whip was lashed."

Li Bingzhang said calmly, "We used the branding iron, and even... Elder Xin severed the tendons in one of the men's hands and feet, but it was still useless."

At this point, Li Bingzhang frowned even more deeply.

Those who can endure these tortures without speaking are definitely not ordinary assassins.

At least, it's not as simple as just taking money to do something.

An ordinary assassin might kill for money, but they wouldn't go to this level for money.

Or perhaps, the person behind them is more terrifying than death itself.

Either they themselves have undergone extremely rigorous training.

"Father-in-law, your criminal laws are too outdated."

After listening, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly smiled.

"behind?"

Li Bingzhang was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"oh."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "It means it's not very easy to use."

"Aren't these good enough?"

Li Bingzhang was somewhat surprised.

Whipping, branding with hot irons, and tendon ripping were already considered extremely severe punishments.

If none of these work, then what does work?

Li Zhiwei and Lin Qinrou, who were standing nearby, also looked at Jiang Xiaobai with some surprise.

Could it be that Jiang Xiaobai has an even more ruthless method?

"I have a way to get them to talk quickly."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the expressions on their faces and a slow smile crept onto his lips.

"What method?"

Li Bingzhang's gaze narrowed slightly.

Li Zhiwei and Lin Qinrou also had curiosity on their faces.

Jiang Xiaobai did not answer, but looked at the servants of the Prime Minister's residence: "You, go and prepare a table of food and wine."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, the group of people were all stunned.

Food and drinks?

The three even doubted themselves, wondering if they had misheard.

"Son-in-law, what did you just say?"

Li Bingzhang then spoke up, looking at Jiang Xiaobai and saying, "You're not joking, are you?"

"Of course not."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded seriously: "The dishes need to be hot, and the wine needs to be fragrant!"

Then, Jiang Xiaobai paused and said, "The more fragrant, the better!"

what?

Li Bingzhang was stunned.

Li Zhiwei and Lin Qinrou were also visibly taken aback.

No, interrogating an assassin is fine as long as there's no torture involved, but why prepare so thoroughly?

What kind of approach is this?

If the hard approach doesn't work, how about the soft approach?

This... is even worse!

Zhang Xinnian stood behind Jiang Xiaobai, listening with a completely blank expression.

No.

What is Your Highness trying to do?

They're assassins!

"My dear son-in-law, what are you doing...?"

Li Bingzhang frowned deeply.

"Don't worry, Father-in-law."

Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled into a mysterious smile: "Today, even without a knife, I can still..."

"Ha, let them ask!"