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

"Well, it's not impossible!"

Li Bingzhang nodded slightly and said, "The writers are all quite talented. Speaking of which..."

At this point, Li Bingzhang smiled and glanced back at Li Zhiwei: "Back then, Wei'er was even specially invited by the Qingshan Society."

"If she wanted to, she would have been the writer long ago, but unfortunately... she rejected her!"

what?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai looked surprised and his gaze fell on Li Zhiwei: "Miss Li, why did you refuse?"

Yes, he could tell that the writer was no ordinary person.

Facing Jiang Xiaobai's gaze, Li Zhiwei gently pinched her sleeve with her fingertips.

Although the expression on the face hidden by the veil was not clearly visible, the blush slowly spreading from the tips of the ears suggested that she was somewhat embarrassed.

"I……"

Li Zhiwei's voice softened: "I don't think I'm that good yet."

Jiang Xiaobai paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head.

Yes, this woman is being modest!

He had witnessed Li Zhiwei's intelligence.

Her talent and intelligence are far beyond what ordinary women can match.

If this isn't good enough, then all these so-called talented men in the capital would probably need to be sent back to school for further training.

"So, with the Orchid Pavilion reopening, Xiaobai, are you planning to go?"

Li Bingzhang then looked at Jiang Xiaobai and asked.

"Well... we'll talk about that later!"

Jiang Xiaobai spoke slowly.

Ultimately, he was still wary of the eldest princess. Now that he's put on this show, who knows what his true purpose is?

It's best to avoid provoking this woman if possible!

"Um!"

Li Bingzhang nodded: "The Orchid Pavilion will reopen in seven days, so there's no rush."

As he spoke, Li Bingzhang glanced at his daughter, then suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, you two can talk now."

"I still have official business to attend to."

After saying this, Li Bingzhang turned and left, and the courtyard became quiet for a moment.

"Young Master Jiang."

Li Zhiwei broke the silence, glanced up at Jiang Xiaobai, and quickly looked away again: "It's still early, would you... like to come to my place for a while?"

"Oh no...this is terrible!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked embarrassed, but despite saying that, he had already started walking towards Li Zhiwei's courtyard.

After taking a couple of steps, Jiang Xiaobai paused and turned to look at Li Zhiwei.

"Hey, let's go!"

"..."

Li Zhiwei paused for a moment, then her cheeks flushed even more, and she quickly followed.

Zhang Xinnian, who was behind, watched with amusement.

However, he was quite sensible and quietly followed at the very back.

Tang Ningshuang stood there, an expression of disbelief flashing across her face.

Yes, Li Zhiwei's expression was unmistakable.

So, did this top female talent in the capital really fall for Jiang Xiaobai?

Before long, the group arrived at Li Zhiwei's residence.

The courtyard remained serene and elegant, with the flowers and trees meticulously trimmed. Several orchids grew by the pond, their delicate fragrance carried on the breeze.

A long table was set up in the courtyard, with several sheets of drawing paper on it and brushes and ink beside it.

As soon as Jiang Xiaobai walked in, he saw the drawing paper.

"what?"

Jiang Xiaobai was about to go over and take a look when Li Zhiwei suddenly exclaimed softly, quickly stepped forward, rolled up the few sheets of drawing paper on the table, and hugged them to her chest.

The movement was clearly somewhat flustered.

Jiang Xiaobai looked puzzled, but soon he realized something and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

"Miss Li, this painting of yours... could it be me?"

"Of course not!"

Li Zhiwei answered very quickly, raising her hand as if about to do something, but quickly pressed it down.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and then said, "Actually, I can paint too."

"Oh, you can do that too?"

Li Zhiwei looked up, clearly surprised.

"Um."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "However, a brush won't work, but charcoal... would be fine."

Yes, he had learned some basic sketching in his previous life.

While I'm not an expert, it's good enough.

"carbon?"

Li Zhiwei was somewhat puzzled. After thinking for a moment, she immediately called over a maid and brought over a few pieces of charcoal.

Jiang Xiaobai picked out a piece of suitable size, twirled it gently between her fingertips, and then walked to the long table.

After laying out the Xuan paper, Jiang Xiaobai looked up at Li Zhiwei, a smile playing on his lips: "Miss Li, that's a good painting. Is there a reward?"

"What reward does Prince Jiang desire?"

Upon hearing about the reward, Li Zhiwei's heart inexplicably started beating faster.

"If I draw well..."

Jiang Xiaobai pondered for a moment, then glanced at Li Zhiwei, a smile appearing on his face as he pointed to his own.

"Young Master Jiang, you...you..."

Li Zhiwei was taken aback, and lowered her head shyly.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Zhiwei's expression and smiled, saying, "Miss Li, are you afraid?"

Looking at Jiang Xiaobai's smiling face, Li Zhiwei felt both embarrassed and annoyed. Finally, she pursed her red lips and said, "Well... well, that depends on how well Young Master Jiang paints."

"good!"

Jiang Xiaobai laughed: "Then you stand still."

"I?"

Li Zhiwei was slightly taken aback: "You want to draw me?"

"Otherwise what?"

Jiang Xiaobai held the charcoal pencil and gently made a stroke on the paper.

Li Zhiwei stood there with her head down, clutching the scroll in her arms even tighter.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't say anything more at this moment. He looked down at the paper and gently slid the charcoal pencil in his hand.

At first, Li Zhiwei was a little awkward.

But gradually, she noticed that Jiang Xiaobai's serious expression was quite different from his usual carefree demeanor.

Gradually, the courtyard quieted down, with only the scratching sound of charcoal pencils falling on paper.

Nearly half an hour later, Jiang Xiaobai finally stopped, looked down at the drawing on the paper, and nodded in satisfaction.

"alright."

"alright?"

Li Zhiwei asked in surprise, "So fast?"

"I'm out of practice, otherwise I could have done it even faster."

As they spoke, Jiang Xiaobai picked up the drawing paper and handed it to Li Zhiwei: "Here, take a look, what do you think?"

Li Zhiwei hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it.

When she looked down and saw what was on the paper, she was stunned.

Yes, it was neither a typical meticulous brushwork painting nor the ink wash painting she was familiar with.

With just simple charcoal lines, she vividly depicted herself standing in the courtyard.

The silhouette of her dress, her slightly lowered head, and her expression that concealed shyness while trying to appear calm.

Even...the movement of her fingertips gripping the drawing paper was depicted in the drawing.

"How is it?"

Jiang Xiaobai asked with a smile.

Li Zhiwei held the drawing paper for a long while before softly saying, "Very...very good."

"Just very good?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, "Miss Li, this evaluation... is a bit perfunctory."

Li Zhiwei looked up at him, her voice even softer: "Very beautiful."

"And what about the reward?"

Jiang Xiaobai asked.

Li Zhiwei paused, bit her lip, and finally mustered up her courage to step forward and kiss Jiang Xiaobai on the cheek through her veil.

Shallowly, like a dragonfly skimming the water...