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

"Um?"

The middle-aged man was visibly startled upon hearing the voice, and his gaze then turned towards the Jiazi area.

Soon, Jiang Xiaobai was seen sitting there waving his hand.

The middle-aged man looked at Jiang Xiaobai with surprise and asked, "You're Jiang Xiaobai from the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion?"

"Exactly!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and nodded.

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai nod, the middle-aged man's surprise deepened.

Yes, he knew that the two articles circulating in the capital were both written by Jiang Xiaobai.

He also knew how bad Jiang Xiaobai's reputation used to be.

Buying the top scholar is a wasteful act.

He had heard these words countless times in just a few days since arriving in the capital.

But right now, Jiang Xiaobai is actually sitting in the Jia section!

Logically speaking... this shouldn't be the case.

However, during this period, the questions outside the Lanting Tower were all arranged by him.

And his subordinates would never be capable of favoritism or corruption. In other words, the fact that Jiang Xiaobai is sitting here proves that he has indeed answered all three questions correctly!

This doesn't match the stereotype of him being a spoiled brat at all.

Although the middle-aged man was puzzled, he reacted quickly, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and said with a smile, "Young Master Jiang, if you don't mind, please come up and talk."

"good!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, stood up, and walked towards the middle-aged man.

At this moment, inside the Lanting Tower, everyone's gaze followed Jiang Xiaobai's movements.

Indeed, the rumors about Jiang Xiaobai have spread far and wide in the past few days.

Now that the person in question has stepped forward, everyone naturally wants to see what he has to say.

Soon, Jiang Xiaobai arrived beside the middle-aged man and smiled, saying, "Jiang Xiaobai of the Zhenbei Marquis's Residence greets the writer."

"You are welcome."

The middle-aged man returned the greeting with a cupped hand, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and said in a gentle tone, "Young Master Jiang, I have read both of your essays, 'On Teachers' and 'On Horses'."

"It is truly astonishing; it would not be surprising if it were passed down for centuries."

He wasn't exaggerating; both articles were indeed very well written.

The phrase "A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and resolves doubts" from the essay "On Teachers" has become incredibly popular among students.

The same applies to "On Horses": a fine horse is common, but a discerning eye is rare. This saying has resonated with countless scholars.

Inside the Lanting Tower, many students couldn't help but nod in agreement upon hearing this.

Whether they believe in Jiang Xiaobai or not, they can't find a single fault with those two articles.

"but……"

The middle-aged man paused slightly, his gaze falling on Jiang Xiaobai: "Now, it's rumored that these two articles were written by Prince Jiang."

"I wonder... if this is true?"

As soon as those words were spoken, the entire Lanting Tower fell silent once more.

Yes, that is the most crucial issue today.

Were these two articles actually written by Jiang Xiaobai?

Everyone was looking at Jiang Xiaobai.

Some people are waiting for Jiang Xiaobai to admit it.

Some people are waiting for Jiang Xiaobai to explain.

However, as Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up, he smiled and said, "Oh, that's not true!"

Ok?

Undoubtedly, Jiang Xiaobai's answer surprised everyone.

He actually denied it?

Up on the fourth floor.

Zhao Sheng paused noticeably in his teacup, looking down at Jiang Xiaobai, his brows furrowing.

Jiang Xiaobai's answer was somewhat unexpected.

Chen Zhanqiu's expression also froze for a moment.

Jiang Xiaobai actually denied it?

What exactly is going on here?

In fact, not only the two of them, but also Li Bingzhang, Lin Fengshuo and others on the fourth floor had the same puzzled expression.

Li Zhiwei was also taken aback. She naturally knew that these two articles were written by Jiang Xiaobai.

But why did Jiang Xiaobai deny it in public?

Lin Qinrou was about to get up immediately to testify for Jiang Xiaobai.

But as soon as she made a move, Lin Fengshuo gently pulled her back.

"Don't worry about it."

Lin Fengshuo said in a low voice, "Since he said that, he must have had a reason."

Lin Qinrou hesitated for a moment, glanced at Jiang Xiaobai below, and finally sat down again.

"You really didn't write this?"

After regaining his senses, the writer stared at Jiang Xiaobai and said.

Although, he also believed this fact.

After all, Jiang Xiaobai's previous reputation makes it hard to associate these two articles.

But Jiang Xiaobai denied it way too readily, didn't he?

So readily he came that almost all the arguments I had prepared to question him beforehand were now useless!

"yes!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "I came up here to tell everyone that these two articles have absolutely nothing to do with me, Jiang Xiaobai."

These words immediately sparked a low murmur of discussion within the building.

"He really didn't write it?"

"He actually denied it?"

"Then what's been circulating outside these past few days must be false?"

"Please do not believe the rumors."

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "As for who wrote it..."

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai looked up at the fourth floor and said with a smile, "Old Master Lin and Miss Lin should know best."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai turned around and went back to his seat without waiting for anyone's reaction.

He looked very relaxed.

"Young Master Zhao..."

Chen Zhanqiu looked at Zhao Sheng, his brows furrowing.

"Um!"

Zhao Sheng nodded and said, "Jiang Xiaobai is quite clever; he knows that abandoning this name now will be better than coming back later!"

"But... it doesn't matter. Although he said he gave it up, the rumors that what he wrote was too widespread and had too deep an impact. He's destined to bear this infamy!"

"Once news of today's events reaches His Majesty's ears, when Lord Chen submits a joint memorial impeaching him, he will surely be stripped of his position as Imperial Investigator!"

"Um!"

Chen Zhanqiu responded and was relieved.

At this moment, the middle-aged man who was writing the document stood on the high platform, his brows furrowed.

Yes, things didn't turn out the way he expected.

He had assumed that Jiang Xiaobai would come forward and admit it, and then he would take the opportunity to ask for proof and begin the assessment.

But now, Jiang Xiaobai directly denied it and even threw the question to Lin Fengshuo on the fourth floor.

The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then looked up at the fourth floor, finally settling on Lin Fengshuo.

"Old Lin."

The middle-aged man cupped his hands and asked, "Who wrote these two articles?"

As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Qinrou beside him.

Indeed, he had heard rumors that the article was written by Lin Qinrou.

After all, Lin Qinrou was already extremely talented.

It would be more believable if these two articles were written by her than by Jiang Xiaobai.

In an instant, everyone's gaze in the entire Lanting Tower turned to the fourth floor.

Lin Qinrou also became the focus of everyone's attention.

Lin Fengshuo glanced at Jiang Xiaobai below, his expression somewhat helpless.

That kid really knows how to pin things on himself.

However, after a moment, Lin Fengshuo still spoke up: "Those two articles... let's talk about them after the assessment."

Then, Lin Fengshuo paused and said, "The person is among those thirteen."

"Oh?"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's attention turned back to the direction of Area A.

Meanwhile, in Zone A, apart from Jiang Xiaobai, the remaining twelve people also looked at each other.

Who is it?

Du Chong, Guo Zhan, Zhong Yu, and the Third Prince?

Or... one of the other people who received the armor?

For a moment, the entire Lanting Tower was filled with hushed discussions.

The middle-aged man who was writing the document frowned deeply, glanced at Lin Fengshuo with a puzzled look, and finally looked away.

Yes, since Lin Fengshuo has said so, continuing to press him now may not yield any results.

Thinking this through, the middle-aged man slowly said, "In that case, let's begin the assessment."

"Next, I will give you thirteen questions to answer..."

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, a voice rang out, interrupting the middle-aged man's words.

Ok?

The middle-aged man was taken aback, his gaze falling on Jiang Xiaobai: "Young Master Jiang, is there anything you wish to say?"

"Since the people who wrote those two articles are among us."

Jiang Xiaobai sat there, smiling as he looked up: "I think, how about we try a different assessment method?"