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

"A groundbreaking article?"

Upon hearing Tang Ningshuang's words, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but smile: "To be honest, I have too many amazing articles and poems crammed into my head. Just pick one at random and it will be enough."

"..."

Tang Ningshuang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and frowned.

This guy is such a big talker!

Jiang Xiaobai naturally sensed Tang Ningshuang's disbelief, but he was too lazy to explain.

Yes.

Five thousand years of accumulation from previous lives.

The glorious Tang Dynasty, the literary works of the Song Dynasty, and the calligraphy and painting passed down from generation to generation.

Which dynasty is not amazing?

Which of those poems and essays that have been passed down through the ages is not a masterpiece of genius?

Just take some examples and put them here; they'd be enough to make those so-called talented people question their existence.

Of course, he couldn't explain these things to Tang Ningshuang.

After all, no one would believe me even if I explained.

"I hope you really do!"

Tang Ningshuang frowned as she looked at Jiang Xiaobai, her voice serious: "In a place like Lanting Tower, if you were to be publicly humiliated, it wouldn't just be you who would lose face."

That's right, the Zhenbei Marquis's residence and the Prime Minister's residence will probably be implicated.

"Know."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, then stretched and stood up: "Don't worry, although I'm usually lazy, I have no intention of putting my face up for others to trample on."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai walked outside.

Seeing this, Tang Ningshuang naturally followed.

She had originally thought that Jiang Xiaobai would prepare for the Lanting Tower matter.

The results of it?

After Jiang Xiaobai went out, he walked around for a while and then sat down on the recliner in the yard.

He even picked up a pastry from the side and slowly ate it.

Tang Ningshuang sighed softly as she watched this scene.

Moreover, if she continues to follow Jiang Xiaobai like this, when will it ever end?

The more Tang Ningshuang thought about it, the more irritated she became. Finally, she sighed and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "I don't mean to rush you, but I hope you can solve the case as soon as possible."

That's right. If Jiang Xiaobai can't find out the truth in a year, then wouldn't she have to stay by Jiang Xiaobai's side for a year?

She wanted to join the army.

I want to go to the real battlefield.

"Miss Tang, it's alright if you want to leave now."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang and smiled, "Don't worry, I won't tell His Majesty."

"no."

Tang Ningshuang shook her head and replied quickly, "Military orders are absolute, and besides... this matter was ordered by His Majesty."

"Unless... unless you get His Majesty to rescind his order."

"That's something we can consider."

Jiang Xiaobai stroked his chin and nodded.

"real?"

Tang Ningshuang was taken aback.

"Um."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang and said with a smile, "But, are you really that eager to join the army?"

"yes!"

Tang Ningshuang nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Jiang Xiaobai looked at her like this and smiled: "Then you can be considered a modern-day Mulan."

"Mulan?"

Tang Ningshuang asked with some confusion, "Who is that?"

"Oh, the people in the story."

Jiang Xiaobai leaned back in his recliner and casually said, "But Mulan joined the army in place of her father."

"Perfect timing, I'm bored anyway, so I'll just give you a brief overview."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai began to speak slowly.

At first, Tang Ningshuang didn't pay much attention.

In her opinion, Jiang Xiaobai was someone who liked to talk nonsense all the time.

The so-called story was probably just made up on the spot.

But as she listened, Tang Ningshuang's expression slowly changed.

Jiang Xiaobai's voice was neither hurried nor slow.

The story begins with the conscription at the border. Mulan has no elder brother and her father is old. She cannot bear to see her father go to the battlefield again, so she disguises herself as a man and goes to war in his place.

She also talked about how she had been in the army for many years, living and eating with men, fighting on the battlefield, but never revealing her identity.

Tang Ningshuang stood to the side, her arms crossed.

But gradually, she lowered her hand.

Jiang Xiaobai continued telling the story of Mulan's journey to the battlefield, crossing mountains and passes as if flying.

The story tells of her meritorious service on the frontier, but after achieving her goal, she did not seek high office or wealth, but only wished to return home and change back into her daughter's clothes.

By the time Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Tang Ningshuang had completely fallen silent.

A gentle breeze blew through the courtyard.

Tang Ningshuang stood there, remaining silent for a long time.

After a moment, she looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said in a very serious voice, "Hua Mulan is filial and family-oriented, patriotic and brave, and even after achieving success, she can remain indifferent to fame and fortune. She is truly a role model for us women."

"Um."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "Indeed."

"Where did you hear this story from?"

Tang Ningshuang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and couldn't help but ask.

"Cough cough..."

Jiang Xiaobai coughed and said, "I forgot where I heard it from."

"Forgot?"

Tang Ningshuang clearly didn't believe it.

Jiang Xiaobai replied without batting an eye: "Yes, I heard it when I was little, but I don't remember it very clearly."

Tang Ningshuang stared at Jiang Xiaobai for a moment, but did not ask any further questions.

After a moment of silence, Tang Ningshuang softened her voice: "Then... do you have any other stories?"

"Ah, there are many stories."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "How about I tell you about Dream of the Red Chamber?"

"Dream of the Red Chamber?"

Tang Ningshuang's expression turned puzzled again: "What is this now?"

"A very, very long story."

Jiang Xiaobai leaned back in his recliner, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest: "It tells the story of a large family, from prosperity to decline."

"There are young masters and ladies, maids and servants, poetry gatherings, and of course... the warmth and coldness of human relationships."

"It sounds like a story from a young lady's quarters."

Tang Ningshuang spoke.

Yes and no.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "You'll find out as you listen."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai began to speak.

Dream of the Red Chamber is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, and he has read it more than once.

When I first started reading it, I just felt that there were many characters and complicated events.

Only after rereading it later did I gradually begin to appreciate its nuances.

Therefore, when discussing Jiang Xiaobai at this moment, he did not simply read from the script.

Instead, he continued speaking according to his own understanding.

It talks about the wealth of the Jia family and the birth of Baoyu.

They talked about that piece of jade, and about Lin Daiyu entering the mansion.

The initial meeting between the group, the tentative exchanges in their words, and the seemingly lively atmosphere within the grand mansion, all concealed deep-seated rules and regulations.

At first, Tang Ningshuang listened casually, but gradually she quieted down.

Because she discovered that this story was completely different from Mulan's.

Mulan represents the battlefield, the nation, and the courage of women fighting on the front lines.

But Dream of the Red Chamber is like a mansion that is extremely luxurious.

The people inside all have ulterior motives in their words and actions.

Some words may sound funny, but there's a chill hidden beneath the laughter.

Some people appear wealthy, but beneath that wealth lies a suffocating pressure.

Tang Ningshuang didn't understand those poetry gatherings and didn't particularly like those roundabout ways.

But... she could listen to this Dream of the Red Chamber.

Especially when she heard about Lin Daiyu's cautiousness and loneliness as a dependent when she entered the mansion, Tang Ningshuang frowned: "Why didn't she just say so directly?"

"What are you going to say? Saying you don't like it isn't that simple."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "In some places, saying the wrong thing can be remembered for a lifetime."

Tang Ningshuang fell silent. She suddenly realized that the number of knives in this grand mansion was no less than the number of knives on the battlefield.

The blades on the battlefield are gleaming, but here, the blades are hidden in words, in laughter, and in rules.

Before we knew it, the sky was gradually darkening.

Jiang Xiaobai's throat was dry from talking, so he picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Let's stop here for today."

"what?"

Tang Ningshuang looked up.

"Miss Tang, it's already dark."

Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but laugh at her reaction.

Tang Ningshuang then noticed that the lights in the courtyard had already been turned on.

Immediately, an awkward expression flashed across Tang Ningshuang's face, followed by a cold reply: "I just think this story is rather interesting."

"Um."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "I can see that."

"you……"

Tang Ningshuang glared at Jiang Xiaobai, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

Jiang Xiaobai watched her departing figure, then smiled and shook his head.

Did not expect ah.

Tang Ningshuang, who was always thinking about going to the battlefield, actually managed to listen to "Dream of the Red Chamber".

This is interesting.

……

Night had fallen.

Jiang Xiaobai lay on the bed, originally intending to study internal energy cultivation techniques.

After all, he had been dealing with one thing after another during this period.

I haven't really looked into internal martial arts techniques for a while now.

But just as he reached for the pillow, before he could even take out the book, a figure suddenly appeared beside him.

Jiang Xiaobai almost sat up in bed.

"who!"

Looking up, he saw Tang Ningshuang standing by the bed, staring down at him.

"Miss Tang?"

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes widened: "What are you doing standing by my bed so late at night?"

Tang Ningshuang did not answer, and after a moment of silence, she spoke.

"Dream of the Red Chamber, um... I'd like to hear more!"