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

In the garden.

The atmosphere was starting to feel a little off.

On one side, Jiang Xiaobai smiled, looking relaxed.

On the other side, Li Zhiwei lowered her eyes slightly, and a rare blush appeared on her already delicate face.

A night breeze blows, and the lamplight flickers.

That subtle hint of shyness appeared even more alluring under the lamplight.

The maid standing next to Li Zhiwei saw all of this and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

She has been with her mistress for so many years.

There are very few people who can elicit such an expression from a young lady.

No, to be precise, there are almost none.

Thinking of this, the maid couldn't help but steal another glance at Jiang Xiaobai.

This young master of the Jiang family...

Is he really the playboy who only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, as rumored?

Now it seems they were hiding it very well!

And just as the atmosphere was becoming increasingly delicate.

Jiang Xiaobai suddenly smiled slightly, raised his head, and looked at Li Zhiwei.

"Miss Li, I have some things to attend to, so... I'll be leaving now."

"So...what's the prize!"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Li Zhiwei was visibly taken aback. Then, she turned her head slightly and whispered a few words in the maid's ear.

Upon hearing this, the maid nodded gently.

Then, she took the initiative to walk towards Jiang Xiaobai, gave him a graceful bow, and said, "Young Master Jiang, please."

"My young lady said that I should take you to the study first."

"Miss... will be here shortly."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly.

Then, he smiled slightly and nodded.

"it is good."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai, along with the guard beside him and the maid, walked out of the garden.

And then Jiang Xiaobai left.

The expressions of many people present immediately became increasingly grim.

Especially the young talents, their eyes twitched and their chests felt tight.

They've come to attend the poetry gathering!

What's this kid doing here?

Want to pick up girls?

Moreover, the woman he was dating was none other than Li Zhiwei, the most talented woman in the capital!

For a moment, many people clenched their fists secretly.

If it weren't for their status and the occasion, some people probably wouldn't have been able to hold back on the spot.

And after Jiang Xiaobai left.

The slight shyness on Li Zhiwei's face gradually subsided, and she regained her usual gentle and composed demeanor.

Li Zhiwei raised her head, looked at everyone present, and said softly, "Everyone."

"I need to personally inscribe the prize money for Prince Jiang."

"Please make yourselves at home for now, I'll be right back."

After saying this, Li Zhiwei said no more, gave a slight bow, and then turned and left.

Only the people remaining in the garden had various expressions.

……

the other side.

Led by the maid, Jiang Xiaobai soon arrived at a quiet courtyard.

Several green bamboos are planted in the courtyard.

A night breeze blows, and the bamboo shadows sway.

The study, nestled quietly behind the green bamboo, was brightly lit and exuded an air of tranquility and elegance.

After pushing open the door and entering.

Jiang Xiaobai's gaze swept across the room, and a strange light flashed in his eyes.

The study was furnished with great care.

Bookshelves lined the streets, filled with classic texts.

The surrounding walls are adorned with paintings and calligraphy, including landscapes, flowers and birds, and works by famous calligraphers.

At first glance, the air is filled with the fragrance of books.

The garden outside was the lively place for poetry gatherings.

This place is now truly Li Zhiwei's own world.

"Young Master Jiang, please wait here for a moment."

The maid said something softly.

Without waiting for Jiang Xiaobai's response, she tactfully withdrew and gently closed the door behind her.

The door was closed.

The room immediately became much quieter.

Just then, the guard standing next to Jiang Xiaobai finally couldn't hold back any longer and whispered, "Young Master..."

"The Marquis allowed you to choose whatever you wanted, and yet you just left like that!"

"What if it delays important business?"

Don't worry.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai simply smiled faintly: "This young master knows his limits."

Upon hearing this, the guard's lips moved, as if he wanted to say something more.

But seeing Jiang Xiaobai's calm and unhurried demeanor, he could only swallow back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

But in his heart, he couldn't help but mutter to himself.

This time, the Crown Prince...

What exactly are they planning?

Time passed little by little.

In the blink of an eye, an incense stick had burned.

Just then, soft footsteps finally came from outside the door again.

Then, the door was slowly pushed open.

Li Zhiwei walked in. She had changed out of her slightly gorgeous outer garment and was now wearing only a simple long dress. She looked more gentle and serene.

Especially her eyes, which softened noticeably the moment they saw Jiang Xiaobai.

"Young Master Jiang, you have been waiting for a long time."

Li Zhiwei spoke softly, then looked at Jiang Xiaobai and smiled, "I wonder what kind of calligraphy or painting Young Master Jiang would like?"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "I said, you do it, how about it?"

"Can!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei's eyes flickered slightly, and her face showed a hint of surprise.

However, she didn't ask any more questions. She nodded and slowly walked behind the desk, gently raised her hand, and began to grind the ink at a leisurely pace.

As the fragrance of ink began to rise, Li Zhiwei casually remarked, "It is said that Young Master Jiang only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun, and is utterly ignorant."

"Now it seems...that's not entirely true!"

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, watching Li Zhiwei grind the ink, a glint of light flashing in his eyes: "There's no other way. Sometimes, being a bit of a playboy can actually save your life."

These words were spoken.

Li Zhiwei's movements paused slightly. She looked up at Jiang Xiaobai, her expression becoming more serious: "What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Xiaobai did not respond immediately.

He simply walked to the side, looked at a landscape painting on the wall, and continued in a calm voice: "My Jiang family has served in the military for generations, and we are all loyal and brave."

"But in this generation, both of my elder brothers died on the battlefield."

"Others only say that they died heroically, but in my opinion... it may not be that simple."

As these words fell.

The atmosphere in the room became noticeably heavier, and the guards following Jiang Xiaobai also looked at him with serious expressions, their gazes quite different from their usual demeanor.

Li Zhiwei's eyes also trembled slightly.

Yes, she naturally understood the meaning behind Jiang Xiaobai's words.

"And the reason I've been able to live until now."

Jiang Xiaobai slowly turned around and looked at Li Zhiwei: "Perhaps... it's precisely because I bear this name of being a good-for-nothing."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei's expression turned solemn. After a moment, she slowly spoke, "Then why does Young Master Jiang want to show his talent again this time?"

"Since concealing your abilities can save your life, then your performance tonight has essentially cut off your own escape route, hasn't it?"

"hehe!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly, but did not answer the question directly. Instead, he looked at Li Zhiwei and said, "Then why does Miss Li want to hold this poetry gathering tonight?"

Li Zhiwei was taken aback. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "I've heard that some people buy official positions."

"And what they bought was the top spot."

"Therefore, I intend to use this poetry gathering to gather many students in the capital, to confirm this matter completely, and then jointly file a complaint with the emperor."

At this point, Li Zhiwei paused slightly, her eyes returning to Jiang Xiaobai: "But... I didn't expect it to turn out like this."

"You didn't expect that I, the person rumored to have bought my way into office, actually possess some real talent, did you?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up slightly.

As the head of the civil officials, it wouldn't be difficult for the Prime Minister to find out who bought the official position, so Li Zhiwei must also know.

Li Zhiwei was visibly taken aback when Jiang Xiaobai pointed it out so bluntly. She nodded slightly and then said softly, "So, Young Master Jiang came here today specifically to dispel my idea?"

"No!"

Jiang Xiaobai spoke earnestly: "I came here tonight to... seek cooperation with Miss Li."