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

"Mr. Gu, please come in!"

As the two pageboys from the Lin family spoke respectfully, the old man nodded slightly and, with his personal pageboy, slowly stepped into the hall.

Once the old man had gone far away, the two pageboys who had been guarding the door finally turned their attention back to him.

Just as one of them was about to sit down again, he suddenly seemed to remember something and his expression faltered slightly: "Huh, where is the Jiang family's heir?"

"this……"

Upon hearing this, the other page was also taken aback. He immediately looked around but did not see Jiang Xiaobai: "Perhaps he has left."

"That's true."

The pageboy nodded and didn't think much of it.

Although Jiang Xiaobai comes from the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion and has an extraordinary status, this is still the Lin family mansion.

Let alone a mere prince, even ordinary princes and nobles who come here must abide by the rules and wait outside politely.

Such a forceful act, unless he truly has no regard for his reputation, is most likely a sign that he will back down when he senses the situation is unfavorable.

With that in mind, the two stopped thinking about it and sat back down at the table.

Meanwhile, inside the Lin residence.

Jiang Xiaobai did not actually go far, but instead stopped with Zhang Xinnian at a corner of a corridor not far away.

The location wasn't too conspicuous, but it offered a good view of the path leading in from the entrance hall.

Zhang Xinnian followed behind, his expression full of doubt.

no……

They were just about to barge in, so why did they stop after only a few steps?

What is the Crown Prince planning now?

Just as Zhang Xinnian was completely confused, he saw Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flicker slightly, as if he had noticed something, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

"They're here."

coming?

Zhang Xinnian was taken aback upon hearing this and followed Jiang Xiaobai's gaze.

Just then, at the corner of the corridor ahead, the old man who had been behind the door was walking slowly towards them with his page.

Zhang Xinnian was immediately startled.

The Crown Prince stopped here just now; was he waiting for them?

Before he could think it through, Jiang Xiaobai had already stepped forward to meet him.

Seeing this, Zhang Xinnian dared not delay any longer and could only hurry to follow.

Soon, the two sides came face to face.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Mr. Gu."

Gu Zhiyan paused, looked up, and saw Jiang Xiaobai suddenly blocking her way, a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, I am Jiang Xiaobai, from the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai remained calm and smiled as he said, "I have long heard of Mr. Gu's great name, but I have never had the chance to meet him. Now that I have met him, I know that his great reputation is indeed well-deserved."

"Especially your demeanor and character, sir, are truly admirable."

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhiyan was visibly taken aback. After a moment, he slowly asked, "You are... the son of Marquis Jiang Jingcheng of Zhenbei?"

"Exactly."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly.

Gu Zhiyan's gaze lingered on Jiang Xiaobai for a few more moments before he nodded slightly and said, "The Zhenbei Marquis's mansion is a family of loyal martyrs."

"Over the years, who hasn't respected the blood shed and the merits earned for defending the borders of Great China?"

At this point, as if suddenly remembering something, a faint smile reappeared on his face: "But..."

As Gu Zhiyan spoke, he glanced at Jiang Xiaobai before continuing unhurriedly, "I have recently heard that the young master of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion seems to be quite... spirited and ambitious."

"Arrogant, domineering, and unrestrained—that's...you, isn't it?"

These words were spoken.

Standing behind, Zhang Xinnian's forehead immediately started sweating again.

coming!

As expected, we still can't get around this issue!

However, to his surprise, Jiang Xiaobai showed no embarrassment at all after hearing this; instead, his smile became even more natural.

"Mr. Gu is indeed wise; this person is indeed referring to me."

Ok?

Gu Zhiyan was clearly surprised to hear this.

He had originally thought that if he made such a suggestion, the other party would at least feel somewhat embarrassed, if not angry.

Jiang Xiaobai, on the other hand, not only admitted it, but admitted it so readily and decisively.

Seeing the strange look in Gu Zhiyan's eyes, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and continued, "However, people's praise and criticism often lose sight of the truth. Hearing something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it in person."

"Take me, for example. I had only heard of you, but I have finally met you today and realized that you are not just known for your integrity."

"His demeanor and bearing alone are truly captivating."

These words were spoken.

Gu Zhiyan's eyes lit up slightly, then he laughed heartily a few times: "You're quite interesting."

Indeed, Jiang Xiaobai's saying, "Hearing it a hundred times is not as good as seeing it in person," while not particularly shocking, is spoken frankly and naturally, exuding a sense of composure.

He was quite different from the arrogant and frivolous playboy described in the rumors.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and continued, "By the way, if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Gu's visit to the Lin residence today must not be a coincidence, right?"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gu Zhiyan raised an eyebrow slightly: "What makes you say that?"

"If it were just a routine visit, there would be no need to come in such a hurry."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "When the page of the Lin family saw you just now, your expression was respectful, but also showed some surprise and joy. This means that you were probably invited at the last minute, not that there was a prior arrangement for your visit."

"Therefore, I dare to guess that Mr. Lin invited you here because there is something worth seeing?"

"Good eye and good mind."

Gu Zhiyan's admiration deepened: "You're right. Last night, I received a message from Elder Lin via carrier pigeon, saying that four of his masterpieces have been published and inviting me to come and see them."

"Four famous works?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai was initially surprised, but then his expression turned strange.

Wait, could it be...?

It just so happens to be the four poems I wrote at the poetry gathering last night, right?

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai's expression suddenly became somewhat subtle.

Gu Zhiyan clearly didn't notice Jiang Xiaobai's expression. He stroked his beard and remarked with a touch of melancholy, "Old Master Lin has always been arrogant."

"It's quite rare for someone to send a letter overnight and specially invite me here."

"Therefore, I rushed over early this morning."

At this point, Gu Zhiyan looked at Jiang Xiaobai and asked with a smile, "What? Judging from your expression, you've also heard about those four poems?"

"I've heard about that...."

Jiang Xiaobai coughed lightly.

Gu Zhiyan didn't think much of it after hearing this, and just shook his head and smiled, "If you've really heard a little about it, then you can also broaden your horizons later."

"After all, things that can be called masterpieces by Master Lin are not something you can see all the time."

These words were spoken casually, but to Jiang Xiaobai, they inexplicably gave him a strange feeling.

Want to go and broaden your horizons?

If those four poems were truly written by yourself...

That would certainly broaden one's horizons quite significantly.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai's smile deepened.

Then, Jiang Xiaobai cupped his hands and said, "In that case, this junior has indeed arrived at the perfect time today."

Gu Zhiyan nodded slightly, seemingly improving her opinion of Jiang Xiaobai.

Just then, a scholar-looking man ran up quickly from not far ahead. Upon seeing Gu Zhiyan, he bowed respectfully and said, "Mr. Gu, my teacher said that if you arrive, he will take you directly to the west wing."

"No problem."

As Gu Zhiyan responded, she turned to Jiang Xiaobai and smiled, "You should come too!"

After saying that, he lifted his foot and prepared to walk forward.

Jiang Xiaobai naturally followed behind.

As Zhang Xinnian followed, his face was filled with shock.

He had thought that the fact that he had managed to infiltrate the Lin family mansion today was already a testament to his young master's great abilities.

Now look what's happened! They've even gotten involved with Mr. Gu and been dragged into it.

For a moment, Zhang Xinnian stared at Jiang Xiaobai's retreating figure, his expression somewhat dazed.

I don't know why.

He suddenly realized that his young master seemed to be... quite different from before!

That keen eye, that keen observation, and even that eloquent speaking skills…

Is this still the prince he knows?