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

"Wait a minute."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet west wing courtyard at that moment.

The one who spoke was none other than Xiao Qingxiu.

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai slowly straightened up, turned to look at Xiao Qingxiu, and said with his smile unchanged, "What? Could it be that the young prince... also wants to pay his respects?"

Upon hearing this, many people's expressions turned strange.

Li Zhiwei pursed her red lips, but her eyes were full of smiles.

Xiao Qingxiu was not angry at this. He just glanced at Jiang Xiaobai and then cupped his hands to Lin Fengshuo: "Please forgive me, Elder Lin. I did not mean to offend you. I just feel that taking someone as a disciple is not a child's play."

"Especially becoming a disciple of Master Lin is not something that can be easily decided by composing a poem."

At this point, Xiao Qingxiu paused slightly: "The question just now truly demonstrated Prince Jiang's poetic talent."

"Poetic talent can only prove that he can write poetry, but it may not prove that he is worthy of being a disciple of Master Lin."

These words stirred something in the hearts of many around them.

While this statement may sound somewhat condescending, upon closer examination, it is not entirely without merit.

Who was Lin Fengshuo?

A former Grand Tutor, a renowned scholar of our time!

If his gates were to be easily reopened because of a single poem, that would be far too frivolous.

Xiao Qingxiu had clearly grasped this point.

Jiang Xiaobai, didn't you want to take advantage of this opportunity to become an apprentice?

Then I'll continue to push you back from the point that "the title of master and disciple should not be given lightly"!

For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard became slightly tense again.

Li Zhiwei stood to the side, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

She could naturally tell that Xiao Qingxiu's words were directed at Jiang Xiaobai.

This time, however, the other party was citing the noble principle that "one should not easily grant the title of disciple," which made it difficult for her to directly refute them.

Gu Zhiyan narrowed his eyes, looking at Xiao Qingxiu, and then at Jiang Xiaobai, clearly wanting to see how this kid would handle the situation.

Zhang Xinnian, who was following Jiang Xiaobai, looked directly at Xiao Qingxiu with a chill in his eyes.

If it weren't for Xiao Qingxiu's special status, he would have loved to kill this thing with a single blow!

As for Lin Fengshuo himself, he did not speak at this moment.

He simply sat there quietly, leaning on his long cane, his expression serene, as if none of this concerned him.

That's precisely why it makes one's heart clench even tighter.

This shows that Lin Fengshuo also wanted to see how Jiang Xiaobai was going to respond.

However, at that moment, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "So that's how it is. I thought the young prince was going to say something."

As Jiang Xiaobai spoke, he slowly put the pen back on the table and then looked at Xiao Qingxiu.

"What you said does make some sense. Poetic talent is one thing, and apprenticeship is another."

"If you think that I, Jiang Xiaobai, am not worthy of being a disciple of Master Lin just because of a poem, then that is indeed understandable."

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, a hint of surprise flashed across Xiao Qingxiu's eyes.

Clearly, Jiang Xiaobai hadn't expected that he would so easily go along with what he was saying.

Could it be that this kid is planning to retire?

It wasn't just him.

Many people around me shared this view.

But the next moment, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly changed the subject: "However... there is something that I am quite curious about."

"Just now, the young prince said that poetic talent cannot prove that a person is worthy of being a disciple of Master Lin."

"Then... I would like to ask, in your opinion, what exactly constitutes being worthy of such a position?"

This question came out of nowhere.

But after asking the question, Jiang Xiaobai didn't give Xiao Qingxiu a chance to speak, and continued with a smile, "Is it more important to have a high social standing? Or to have a respectable background?"

"Should one prioritize a clean reputation or a compliant temper?"

"Or perhaps..."

Jiang Xiaobai paused, his gaze sweeping lightly over the dragon-carved jade pendant at Xiao Qingxiu's waist, and a slow smile appeared on his lips.

"Does one need to possess a fine jade pendant to be qualified to stand here and say such things?"

Wow!

These words sent a jolt through everyone in the courtroom!

Too bad!

This is no longer a simple rebuttal.

This was practically a direct question to Xiao Qingxiu: Is it only your royal family that has this qualification?

Gu Zhiyan suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light.

The three elders all paled.

Even Li Zhiwei couldn't help but look at Jiang Xiaobai, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She knew Jiang Xiaobai was bold, but she never expected him to be this bold!

As for Xiao Qingxiu, his previously calm face finally darkened completely. He stared at Jiang Xiaobai with a much colder gaze: "Young Master Jiang, being sharp-tongued is not a real skill."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai was not annoyed at all; instead, he chuckled and said, "So, does the young prince mean that you have other skills?"

"In that case, with Elder Lin and all the other seniors here, why don't you and I have a little sparring match?"

"If I lose, I will obediently leave the Lin residence today and never mention the word 'apprenticeship' again."

"But what if the young prince loses..."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai deliberately paused.

This pause immediately put everyone's hearts in their throats.

Even Xiao Qingxiu's pupils contracted slightly as he stared at Jiang Xiaobai and said coldly, "How is it?"

"Simple!"

Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up: "From now on, if anyone says that I, the young master, am illiterate, the little prince will scold them back for me."

puff!

Li Zhiwei finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, but after realizing something was wrong, she couldn't help but glare at Jiang Xiaobai with her beautiful eyes.

The three elders, including Gu Zhiyan, also had strange expressions, barely managing to keep themselves from losing their composure.

Even Lin Fengshuo's usually serious face twitched slightly.

No one expected that after going through all that trouble, Jiang Xiaobai would finally propose such an outrageously reckless bet!

But ironically... this seemingly absurd bet is actually extremely dangerous.

If Xiao Qingxiu doesn't accept, it would be tantamount to admitting that he's only making excuses and doesn't dare to actually take action.

But if you accept... then it's like personally stepping onto the stage that Jiang Xiaobai has set up!

Xiao Qingxiu naturally understood the meaning behind it, his face turned ugly, and his fingers clenched slightly in his sleeves.

Because he knew better than anyone that although he also read books and studied poetry, he was not bad at it.

But compared to Jiang Xiaobai's impromptu performance, which was clearly imbued with a demonic aura...

He really wasn't sure!

At that moment, as if that wasn't enough, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly added another sentence.

"Of course, if Your Highness feels that competing with a playboy like me is beneath your dignity, then just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Anyway, it's just a matter of standing around and saying a few fair words, which doesn't cost any money or damage one's reputation."

"I understand that."

Murder and kill!

This sentence, in particular, practically cornered Xiao Qingxiu!

The entire west wing courtyard was eerily quiet.

Everyone was looking at Xiao Qingxiu.

Answer or not answer?

That's enough.

Just then, Lin Fengshuo, who had been silent all along, suddenly stood up slowly, leaning on his long cane.

With just two words, the west wing courtyard instantly fell into complete silence.

Lin Fengshuo first glanced at Xiao Qingxiu, then swept his gaze over everyone present, and said calmly, "Whether I open this door or not, whether I accept someone or not, is up to me!"

"Who are you to tell us what to do!"

"Elder Lin..."

Xiao Qingxiu's expression hardened slightly, and he immediately cupped his hands and said, "This... this junior has no intention of offending Elder Lin."

Although he was a member of the royal family, he dared not be presumptuous in front of Lin Fengshuo.

"Hmph, whether it is or not, I know it in my heart."

Lin Fengshuo snorted lightly, then his gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai: "Here you go, kid. That poem you just recited was indeed quite good, but becoming an apprentice... you're dreaming."

These words immediately created a subtle atmosphere in the courtyard.

Jiang Xiaobai raised his head and looked at Lin Fengshuo. Instead of feeling embarrassed, his smile deepened.

Because he knew that if Lin Fengshuo truly had no such intention, he wouldn't have responded to that statement at all.

The next moment, Lin Fengshuo's gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai: "If you really want to become my disciple, then answer one more question."

At this point, Lin Fengshuo paused, staring at Jiang Xiaobai.

"What you wish to enter today—my gate, or... the gate of this world?"