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

"Young Master Jiang, if that's truly what you think..."

Lin Qinrou looked at Jiang Xiaobai with a serious expression: "Then you... I'm afraid you'll be too busy today!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly: "Why do you say that?"

"My grandfather said so."

Lin Qinrou's voice softened: "Many people doubt you."

"There are also many people who don't want you to climb up."

As she spoke, Lin Qinrou paused slightly, "Of course, there are even more people who want to see you make a fool of yourself!"

"I know that."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly.

Yes, he already knew that.

From the moment the stories of "On Teachers" and "On Horses" began to circulate, he knew that things would not be peaceful at the Orchid Pavilion today.

Some people want to push him up, while others want him to fall down.

Some people simply want to see him make a fool of himself.

After all, who doesn't love a good show?

Especially if a spoiled young master who bought his way into the top scholar's title were exposed at the Orchid Pavilion, the scene would surely be quite spectacular.

"so……"

Lin Qinrou looked at Jiang Xiaobai and continued, "My grandfather doesn't think it's a big deal if you don't come."

"You don't necessarily have to prove yourself today."

"I understand what the teacher means."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded gently.

Master Lin was reminding him that the situation was too chaotic today, and that he should avoid it if possible.

only……

Jiang Xiaobai looked up at the Lanting Tower built by the water and said slowly, "But I think today is more suitable."

Lin Qinrou listened, a strange look flashing across her face, and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Then, Young Master Jiang, how do you plan to deal with this today?"

"It's very simple."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, held up his finger, and gestured four words: "Go with the flow."

"Go with the flow?"

Lin Qinrou was somewhat surprised, then smiled and said, "Going with the flow is certainly possible, but to support that going with the flow requires a very strong foundation."

As she spoke, Lin Qinrou paused slightly, looking at Jiang Xiaobai and saying, "It seems that Young Master Jiang is quite confident!"

"this……"

Jiang Xiaobai hesitated for a moment, then burst into laughter: "That's not just ordinary confidence!"

Nonsense, he has five thousand years of history behind him, that's what he's got.

He has the backbone to stand up to anyone who comes.

Lanting Tower? Every single one of them would be utterly destroyed!

Of course, he only thought these words to himself.

If I were to say it out loud, people would probably think I'm exaggerating.

Standing to the side, Li Zhiwei couldn't help but smile as she watched Jiang Xiaobai's smug expression.

Actually, what she disliked most in the past was people who were flamboyant and lacked humility.

But when it came to Jiang Xiaobai, she simply found it amusing.

"It's good to be confident, but... the reopening of Lanting Tower this time is mainly for your assessment."

Lin Qinrou spoke again, "But, it's also possible that Jia could rise above it."

As she spoke, Lin Qinrou paused and said, "And it is said that there are as many as thirteen people who won the top rank this time."

"Thirteen?"

Jiang Xiaobai's smile faded, and his expression turned slightly surprised.

This was more than he had imagined.

"Um."

Lin Qinrou nodded: "It is said that five of them used very little time."

"That Du Chong from earlier was one of them."

"especially……"

Lin Qinrou said solemnly, "I heard that the person who answered the fastest solved all three questions in less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

"Moreover... all three questions are extremely difficult."

At this point, Lin Qinrou looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said seriously, "Anyway, be careful."

"Yeah?"

Jiang Xiaobai was extremely surprised, and then fell into deep thought.

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai's reaction, Lin Qinrou assumed that she was under pressure because of what she had said.

Just as I was about to offer a few words of comfort, Jiang Xiaobai's voice rang out: "I remember, I answered very quickly too."

"But... I didn't keep track of the time, so I'm not sure."

"Your Highness, I'll let it go!"

At this moment, Zhang Xinnian, who was standing next to him, said earnestly, "I think I took about sixteen breaths before you came back!"

"..."

Upon hearing this description, Jiang Xiaobai looked utterly helpless.

No, what kind of time are you referring to?

Sixteen breaths?

Is it that abstract?

But Lin Qinrou and Li Zhiwei were both surprised at the same time.

Sixteen breaths?

Although this statement sounds a bit strange.

But if that's true, then the time would probably be less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

No, it's even much shorter.

Thinking of this, the two of them simultaneously looked towards Jiang Xiaobai's left hand.

Soon, they saw that there really was a "甲" character on the back of Jiang Xiaobai's hand.

"Oh, you really went to take the exam?"

Lin Qinrou looked surprised.

"Um."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded: "I was bored yesterday, so I tried it out."

"Bored?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Qinrou was at a loss for words.

The three questions at Lanting Tower are so challenging that even after racking their brains, many students might not be able to answer a single one.

When it came to Jiang Xiaobai, it became something to do out of boredom?

Li Zhiwei also looked at the character "甲" on Jiang Xiaobai's left hand, a smile in her eyes.

She knew Jiang Xiaobai was talented, and seeing this "A" sign still filled her with indescribable joy.

The more those outside doubted Jiang Xiaobai, the more she wanted to see Jiang Xiaobai and personally shatter those doubts.

"If what your general says is correct."

Lin Qinrou looked at Jiang Xiaobai, her voice becoming more serious: "Then... you really are the one who answers the fastest."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled slightly, and just as he was about to say something, a deep voice suddenly came from the direction of Lanting Tower.

"Dear students, please enter the building in the order listed above you!"

"If there is a Class A member, they may come in first!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd, which had quieted down considerably, began to stir again.

All eyes were turned toward the main gate of Lanting Tower.

Many students who had obtained the qualification to enter the building straightened their clothes and walked forward.

"Let's go."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Zhiwei and the others: "Let's go over there too."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai led the way towards the main gate of Lanting Tower.

And at this moment, above the Orchid Pavilion.

Inside a private room by the window, a figure stood quietly.

If Jiang Xiaobai were here, he would definitely recognize that this person was the woman who fell into the water with him yesterday.

The woman had changed her clothes and looked much better than yesterday.

She stood by the window, her gaze constantly sweeping downwards.

At that moment, Liu Guanlan's voice, tinged with amusement, rang out from the side: "Princess, are you looking for Prince Jiang?"

"Isn't that it?"

"where?"

Upon hearing this, the woman couldn't help but speak.

But as soon as she finished speaking, the woman's face turned cold, and she said indifferently, "Who said I was looking for him!"

After speaking, the woman tilted her head, picked up the teacup beside her, and appeared to be drinking tea, but her head was clearly tilted slightly, and her gaze looked downwards again...