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

Lanting Tower.

Although it was still early, the Lanting Tower was already bustling with activity.

The streets and markets where it was located had already opened early.

There were vendors selling rouge, breakfast items, and even paper, ink, brushes, and inkstones.

Various stalls filled both sides of the street.

The shouts of vendors, the sound of wheels rolling over the bluestone slabs, and the chatter of pedestrians blended together, creating an indescribably lively atmosphere.

Jiang Xiaobai sat inside the carriage, lifted the curtain, and looked at the morning market outside, his expression becoming somewhat strange.

"This place is really lively! This is what real life is all about!"

Yes, he had seen much of the prosperity of the capital city since he came here.

The liveliness around Kelan Pavilion is different from other places.

Elsewhere is mostly bustling city life, but here it feels like a blend of everyday life and a touch of culture.

Several scholars sat beside the breakfast stall.

Holding steamed buns in their hands, they were still discussing poetry and literature. At the stall selling writing brushes and ink, someone was trying out an inkstone.

Next to the rouge stall, girls were also smiling as they picked out their cosmetics.

This scene gave Jiang Xiaobai a very strange feeling.

"What's wrong?"

Tang Ningshuang, holding her sword, looked at Jiang Xiaobai and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Heh, someone like you, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, knows about the realities of life?"

"This has nothing to do with whether or not one has a silver spoon in their mouth."

Jiang Xiaobai glanced back at Tang Ningshuang, smiled, and said, "It's about perception!!"

"cut!"

Tang Ningshuang glanced at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "You should focus more on your assessment right now!"

"It's not too late to give up now."

"give up?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but chuckle: "He recognizes me, but I don't recognize the characters!"

Jiang Xiaobai paused before adding, "Besides, my reputation isn't great to begin with, so even if something happens, it'll just get a little dirtier."

Tang Ningshuang's expression immediately showed a hint of surprise.

This guy... he's pretty easygoing.

Anyone else would probably be so nervous they'd be fidgeting.

But Jiang Xiaobai, despite knowing that someone might target him in public today, was able to remain so calm.

Seeing Tang Ningshuang's surprise, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and didn't say anything more. Instead, he lifted the curtain again and looked at the bustling city and the lake view outside.

Although it was early morning, the lake was crystal clear, and the arched bridge spanned the water.

As Jiang Xiaobai looked at the photos, he couldn't help but think of the deaf-mute woman from yesterday.

Just as he was wondering if the woman would go to Lanting Tower, the carriage suddenly came to a sharp stop.

"Are you two out of your minds?"

Zhang Xinnian's angry voice came from outside.

"Um?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly.

What's going on?

Just as he was thinking this, an awkward voice came from outside: "Brother coachman, we're going to Lanting Tower, could you give us a ride?"

"Please, we... can give you some reward money!"

"You...you're the stable boy!"

Zhang Xinnian's face twitched, and his voice suddenly rose: "Your whole family are stable boys!"

"What am I doing...?"

"Ahem!"

Jiang Xiaobai cleared his throat inside the carriage, then lifted the curtain and poked his head out.

Two young men dressed as scholars were standing outside the carriage.

Both of them were dressed fairly neatly, but they were clearly running rather fast.

One was panting, clutching his back, while the other had sweat on his forehead and looked at Zhang Xinnian with a somewhat embarrassed expression.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at the two of them, then looked at the long street ahead.

If these two were to run there on their own, they would probably be exhausted.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "This street is quite long. It's New Year's... I'll take them all the way."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Zhang Xinnian nodded, though he was still a little annoyed.

"Thank you, thank you!"

Upon hearing this, the two scholars outside were immediately overjoyed and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Thank you, young master!"

After saying that, the two quickly got into the carriage and squeezed in from outside.

Tang Ningshuang was originally sitting opposite Jiang Xiaobai.

Upon seeing the two enter, she stood up and sat down next to Jiang Xiaobai almost without hesitation.

That's right, she would rather sit next to Jiang Xiaobai than with a strange man.

Although Jiang Xiaobai is indeed a very annoying person at times.

But sometimes, it's not bad.

At least, they were more pleasing to the eye than those two unfamiliar scholars.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, didn't think much of it and looked at the two scholars who had entered, saying, "Hehe, gentlemen, is there any need to be in such a hurry to get to Lanting Tower?"

The time allotted for the Lanting Tower assessment has been greatly extended, and since it's still early, there's no need to rush there.

"My friend, you are unaware of this!"

One of the slightly thinner men wiped his sweat and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Du Chong from the Imperial Examination Hall is here!"

"Du Chong?"

Jiang Xiaobai paused for a moment upon hearing the name.

Who is this person?

"Du Chong was learned and talented from a young age. At the age of fifteen, he wrote an essay entitled 'On the Poor Family'."

Perhaps noticing Jiang Xiaobai's confusion, the man offered an explanation, then exclaimed in admiration, "That article made you famous overnight."

"The theory of poverty-stricken families?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, 'On Poor Scholars' describes the difficulties faced by poor scholars in their studies. Although the language is not ornate, every word is poignant."

The slightly thin scholar spoke up: "Many poor students who read it said that Du Chong had captured the bitterness in their hearts."

"That's right, that's right!"

The round-faced scholar then picked up the conversation, continuing, "Moreover, this person is not only skilled in writing, but also in telling excellent stories."

"Especially that book, 'The Tale of the White-Clad Swordsman,' we've been following it for ages!"

At this point, the round-faced scholar's face lit up with anticipation: "So, that's why we're in such a hurry to get his autograph, aren't we?"

"If we go too late, we might miss our chance!"

sign?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's expression turned strange.

Did people idolize celebrities in ancient times?

Tang Ningshuang sat beside them and glanced at the two of them with surprise.

Clearly, she hadn't expected that these two people were in such a hurry just to get someone's autograph.

Zhang Xinnian's voice came from outside: "No way, you guys ran like you were running for your lives, just for an autograph?"

"Brother coachman, you don't understand!"

The round-faced scholar immediately spoke up: "Du Chong is not someone you can just meet casually these days."

"Especially today, there are so many people at Lanting Tower. If we arrive late, we might not even be able to get close."

"Yes, yes!"

The thinner man nodded in agreement: "Moreover, Du Chong rarely leaves notes for others."

"If I can get his autograph today, I'll be the envy of many of my classmates when I get back."

"You two are quite interesting!"

Jiang Xiaobai found it amusing, but to make the two of them act this way, it seemed that Du Chong was indeed quite something.

But Du Chong actually came from the Imperial Examination Hall?

You should know that the Gongyuan was the place where the imperial examinations were held.

Now that he has just thoroughly investigated the Ministry of Rites' imperial examinations, Du Chong... has jumped out at this time?

Could it be that they came for him?

Just then, the chubby-faced scholar spoke up: "I heard that Du Chong has already obtained the top-grade seal and will also participate in the assessment this time!"

"Moreover, the writer of the Qingshan Society also greatly admires Du Chong."

"Therefore, the Orchid Pavilion is likely to be extremely lively today!"