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

"Ha ha!"

Upon hearing Zhao Sheng's words, Chen Zhanqiu laughed heartily once again.

Yes, he seemed to already see what would happen to Jiang Xiaobai after his reputation was completely ruined.

Buying official positions, plagiarizing documents, deceiving the world and stealing fame.

If all these matters were placed on Jiang Xiaobai, even if His Majesty hesitated to do anything to Jiang Xiaobai out of consideration for the Marquis of Zhenbei's family.

But in one's heart, disgust will inevitably arise.

Moreover... this matter will also involve the Prime Minister's residence.

The more Li Bingzhang tries to protect it, the less likely he is to succeed, and it might even bring trouble to the Prime Minister's residence.

Then... hehe!

The more Chen Zhanqiu thought about it, the more heartily he laughed.

Just then, a servant hurried up.

"grown ups."

The servant arrived outside the pavilion, his expression clearly tense: "My lord, Young Master Jiang is here!"

Ok?

Chen Zhanqiu's laughter stopped abruptly, and his brows furrowed.

Jiang Xiaobai?

What's this guy doing here?

And... how coincidental was it?

Chen Zhanqiu did not speak immediately, but looked at Zhao Sheng.

"Oh, Lord Chen, there's no need to worry about it."

Zhao Sheng remained calm, picked up his teacup, and smiled faintly: "Speaking of which, he has now become a disciple of our teacher, so in a way, he is also my junior brother."

"Since you're here, there's no harm in meeting him."

"Alright!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu's expression softened somewhat, and he immediately waved his hand.

Upon hearing this, the servant quickly withdrew.

Not long after, Jiang Xiaobai, along with Zhang Xinnian and Tang Ningshuang, walked along the lakeside corridor.

Upon arriving at the pavilion, Jiang Xiaobai first scanned the area.

When he saw Zhou Chaomian, he raised an eyebrow slightly, and then Jiang Xiaobai's gaze fell on Zhao Sheng.

This person looks unfamiliar.

Finally, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Chen Zhanqiu and said with a smile, "Lord Chen, what are you talking about that makes you so happy?"

"Could it be... that they've come up with some kind of scheme to mess with me?"

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the pavilion immediately fell silent.

Zhou Chaomian's eye twitched slightly.

Jiang Xiaobai really dares to say anything out loud.

Zhao Sheng, however, continued to hold his teacup, his smile unchanged.

"Jiang Xiaobai, what are you doing at my Minister's residence?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu's face immediately turned cold.

"oh."

Jiang Xiaobai walked into the pavilion with a smile: "I heard that Lord Chen fed An Zhiyuan poison and then made him turn himself in."

"So, I came here specifically to investigate the situation."

"..."

Tang Ningshuang stood behind Jiang Xiaobai, her expression clearly showing some helplessness.

This person... is indeed not suited for serious investigations.

Who would ask that question right off the bat?

Isn't this just blatantly asking the other party to deny it?

Zhang Xinnian, however, had already gotten used to it.

That's right, our young master's mouth has never been conventional.

"Nonsense!"

Chen Zhanqiu slammed his hand on the table and said coldly, "Jiang Xiaobai, you...you dare to make false accusations!"

"I, Chen Zhanqiu, am an upright and honorable person. How could I do such a despicable thing?"

"Hmph, in my opinion, it's probably because Lord An knows he's in the wrong, so he wants to atone with his death!"

At this point, Chen Zhanqiu sneered again, looking at Jiang Xiaobai and saying, "Besides, wasn't your top scholar title bought from him?"

"hehe."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, sat down, and said, "Lord Chen certainly managed to deny everything."

"Hmph, I am merely stating the facts."

Chen Zhanqiu looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said coldly.

"Fine, fine, say whatever you want!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded and said, "Anyway... I don't believe it!"

"you……"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu immediately flew into a rage.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Chen Zhanqiu, then his gaze fell on Zhao Sheng, and he asked, "By the way, who is this silly boy who keeps smiling?"

"How come... I haven't seen you before?"

"Cough cough..."

Zhou Chaomian, who was standing nearby, almost choked on his tea when he heard this.

Chen Zhanqiu's expression also changed slightly.

Jiang Xiaobai, that guy, swears like a sailor; it's infuriating to hear!

But ironically, this scoundrel carries His Majesty's silver talisman and has the backing of the Prime Minister's and Marquis's mansions.

This is truly upsetting!

"Oh, my name is Zhao Sheng."

But Zhao Sheng's smile didn't change much when he heard this. He put down his teacup, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and said gently, "So, he should be... Jiang Shizi's senior brother."

"Senior Brother?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow and sized up Zhao Sheng: "You're also Elder Lin's disciple?"

"That's right!"

Zhao Sheng smiled and nodded, saying, "I've been a disciple of Master Lin since I was a child, which is over twenty years now."

"Recently, I heard that you have also become a disciple of Master Lin, so... we can be considered fellow disciples!"

"oh!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in realization: "So it's Senior Brother Zhao."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai glanced at Chen Zhanqiu again and smiled, "Then I wonder what plan Senior Brother Zhao just offered to Lord Chen that made him so happy?"

"Come on, tell me, let me hear it too, and see if it works."

"Heh, junior brother is joking."

Zhao Sheng smiled and said, "The three of us are just having a casual chat!"

"Shall we chat?"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head and sighed, "Hey, Senior Brother Zhao, you shouldn't have started talking."

"What do you mean by that, junior brother?"

Zhao Sheng paused slightly.

"Think about it."

Jiang Xiaobai leaned back slightly: "Under Lord Chen's leadership, the Ministry of Rites is now in complete chaos."

"Now that you're here having tea and chatting with the Minister, shouldn't I also suspect that you were involved in the imperial examination fraud?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhanqiu's face immediately darkened.

Zhou Chaomian also frowned.

"Young Master Jiang's words are rather far-fetched."

But Zhao Sheng wasn't angry; he just chuckled and said, "I, Zhao Sheng, have never passed the imperial examinations."

"in addition……"

Zhao Sheng paused, then looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "It seems the one who bought the official position was you, Junior Brother, not me, right?"

That's one way of putting it.

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "But... I just think there's something wrong with you, and I want to investigate you."

Zhao Sheng looked at Jiang Xiaobai.

Their eyes met.

After a moment, Zhao Sheng laughed: "Then Prince Jiang is free to investigate. I, Zhao Sheng, have acted uprightly and honestly, why would I be afraid of your investigation?"

As he spoke, Zhao Sheng's gaze remained unwavering.

"Ha ha!"

Jiang Xiaobai stared at Zhao Sheng for a moment, then suddenly laughed heartily twice: "Senior Brother Zhao has a good attitude."

"By the way, I wonder where Senior Brother Zhao is working now?"

"It's not fair to call it a high position."

Zhao Sheng smiled and said, "Being a staff member for an important person is just a sinecure."

"Oh, you certainly have a lot of free time."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "I envy you for being so free that you can come to the Minister's residence for tea."

"I wonder which esteemed person it is? I'd like to give it a try too."

"Oh, it's none other than..."

Zhao Sheng looked at Jiang Xiaobai and slowly said, "Princess..."