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

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's expression immediately revealed a hint of doubt.

What did the emperor mean by that?

What does it mean to... Let's see if he can do it?

What do you want him to do?

Just as Jiang Xiaobai was wondering what was going on, the eunuch standing in front announced, "Your Majesty, Prince Jiang has arrived!"

"Hehe, let him in!"

As Xiao Jinxuan's smiling voice rang out, the young eunuch nodded respectfully, turned around, and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Young Master Jiang, please come inside!"

"Of course, of course!"

Jiang Xiaobai responded and led Tang Ningshuang and Li Zhiwei into the courtyard.

Upon entering, a gentle breeze greets you, carrying with it a faint aroma of tea.

Looking around, one can see that the pavilion is built by the lake, with curtains half-rolled up around it, allowing the shimmering water to reflect in, creating an indescribable sense of tranquility and elegance.

Jiang Xiaobai spotted Xiao Jinxuan sitting at the head of the table.

Besides Xiao Jinxuan, a middle-aged man was also sitting next to him.

The man also had an impressive presence; his gaze swept over him as soon as he entered.

In addition, several other officials were also on the list.

Besides his future father-in-law Li Bingzhang, Chen Zhanqiu was also among them.

When Chen Zhanqiu noticed Jiang Xiaobai, his expression darkened noticeably, and he sat there and let out a heavy, cold snort.

However, when Li Bingzhang saw Jiang Xiaobai, a smile immediately appeared on his face.

However, he was slightly surprised when he saw his daughter following along.

He clearly hadn't expected his daughter to come along.

But Li Bingzhang didn't say anything, and smiled as he looked away.

Jiang Xiaobai then looked to the other side and saw several elderly men dressed in blue robes sitting there.

The group of people all looked extraordinary and were clearly members of the Green Robe Society.

Further to the side, there were several young people, both men and women, but Jiang Xiaobai only glanced at them briefly before looking away and then stepped forward.

"Your subject, Jiang Xiaobai, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Your subject, Tang Ningshuang, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Tang Ningshuang also bowed respectfully.

Li Zhiwei was somewhat nervous before she came in.

But once she arrived, Li Zhiwei calmed down and said, "This humble woman, Li Zhiwei, greets Your Majesty!"

"Haha, get up!"

As Xiao Jinxuan's hearty laughter rang out, Jiang Xiaobai and the other two stood up.

At this moment, Xiao Jinxuan's gaze fell on Li Zhiwei, then he looked at Li Bingzhang and said, "Prime Minister Li, this must be your daughter?"

"That's right!"

Li Bingzhang smiled and replied, "It is indeed my daughter, Zhiwei."

"Hehe, with such an extraordinary temperament, she truly deserves to be called the most talented woman in our capital."

Xiao Jinxuan looked at Li Zhiwei, nodded in approval, and then glanced at Jiang Xiaobai: "Hehe, she and Jiang Xiaobai are quite a good match!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head.

Jiang Xiaobai, on the other hand, appeared completely at ease.

"Come!"

Xiao Jinxuan smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No need to be so polite here. You three, sit down and let's talk!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Jiang Xiaobai responded, he took Li Zhiwei and Tang Ningshuang and sat down in an empty seat.

At this moment, Li Zhiwei and Tang Ningshuang were both tense, staring intently at the table in front of them.

Jiang Xiaobai, on the other hand, seemed much more relaxed. After sitting down, he glanced around again.

Their gaze lingered for a moment on the middle-aged man next to Xiao Jinxuan.

Although this person was dressed in plain clothes, he still possessed a noble air.

Could this be the Fourth Prince?

Out of curiosity, Jiang Xiaobai looked around again.

Jiang Xiaobai's expression suddenly froze.

Yes, he found a woman in a dress, resting her chin on her hand, looking at him with shining eyes.

The woman had large, bright eyes.

Perhaps noticing Jiang Xiaobai's gaze, the woman's eyes curved into crescent shapes.

very beautiful!

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai was surprised.

However, he quickly remembered that he seemed to have seen this woman in the Qinglou Pavilion of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The woman sat with Xiao Qingheng, the crown prince, and Xiao Qingxiu.

Thinking of this, he glanced back and, sure enough, saw Xiao Qingheng beside him.

When Xiao Qingheng noticed Jiang Xiaobai's gaze, he actually gave a subtle signal.

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly and nodded in agreement, then his gaze returned to the girl.

According to his speculation, this should be the current little princess, Xiao Zijin, right?

I just don't know if Xiao Zijing knows about the fact that the Eldest Princess used her as a shield.

Just as he was wondering, Xiao Jinxuan's voice rang out: "Jiang Xiaobai."

"Your subject is here!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai immediately looked away and respectfully responded to Xiao Jinxuan.

"You were quite the star at Lanting Tower the other day."

Xiao Jinxuan smiled and said, "I have also read those poems and essays, and I naturally find them extraordinary!"

"Especially that line, 'When in high office, one should worry about the people; when in retirement, one should worry about the ruler,' it's so well said!"

"This is exactly what I desire!"

"Your Majesty flatters me!"

Jiang Xiaobai began, "I was merely speaking from the bottom of my heart, offering a small expression of my thoughts!"

Li Bingzhang sat beside him, his lips twitching slightly.

A little something extra?

Why does this sound so familiar?

He quickly remembered that this was exactly what Jiang Jingcheng had said that day.

He was furious at the time.

However, when Jiang Xiaobai said these words himself, it was a mixture of humility and arrogance!

"A small display of skill? Ha! A small display of skill, yet it has shaken the scholarly circles of the capital!"

At this moment, the middle-aged man sitting next to Xiao Jinxuan couldn't help but speak up, looking at Jiang Xiaobai and saying, "Jiang Xiaobai, you're being too modest!"

"Who are you?"

Jiang Xiaobai was somewhat puzzled.

"Oh, I am Xiao Jinfeng, the fourth in line!"

Xiao Jinfeng said it casually.

"Oh, greetings, Fourth Prince!"

Jiang Xiaobai cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"Alright, no need to stand on ceremony with me. I don't appreciate your empty formalities!"

Xiao Jinfeng waved his hand, then looked at Xiao Jinxuan and said, "Your Majesty, you just said he might be able to do it!"

"Then let him give it a try!"

Xiao Jinfeng paused, then added, "I'm also curious whether he can really do it!"

"hehe!"

Xiao Jinxuan smiled and pointed towards the lake.

Ok?

Seeing Xiao Jinxuan's actions, Jiang Xiaobai looked up in confusion and followed the direction he was pointing.

Not far from the pavilion, there was a small island.

The island doesn't look very big, but there's a pavilion standing on it.

The pavilion was surrounded by white gauze curtains.

Occasionally, a breeze would blow, gently lifting the gauze curtains slightly, and through the wisps of smoke, one could vaguely see a figure sitting inside.

However, the distance wasn't close enough, and the gauze curtains obscured the view, so he couldn't see the specific features clearly.

This is?

Jiang Xiaobai was immediately filled with confusion.

Was Xiao Jinxuan telling him to look at the scenery or the people?

Just as Jiang Xiaobai was puzzled, Xiao Jinxuan's voice rang out again: "Inside that pavilion, there is a reclusive master."

"And this master played a wonderful piece of music."

"If you can find a way to persuade this master inside to perform a piece..."

At this point, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Jiang Xiaobai, his smile deepening: "I will reward you handsomely!!"

"You absolutely mustn't let me down!"