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

"Your Excellency, you...you're not joking with us, are you?"

Teng Zixiu stood there, her face full of disbelief.

On one side was the head of all officials, and on the other was a powerful military family.

No matter how you look at it, there's no way these two sides could possibly get married!

"I'm not kidding!"

Li Bingzhang looked at the three shocked men, but remained calm: "This matter was decided by His Majesty himself; there's no room for falsehood!"

With that, Li Bingzhang picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "The three of you are free to inquire about it; I'm sure you'll get the results!"

Teng Zixiu listened, opened her mouth, but for a moment, she didn't know what to say.

Li Bingzhang looked at the three of them and shook his head helplessly.

Indeed, their marriage alliance with the Zhenbei Marquis's family was a major taboo in the imperial court.

Normally, His Majesty would absolutely not want to see this.

However, Jiang Xiaobai married into the family, and Jiang Jingcheng had been loyal and righteous for many years, so His Majesty was certain that the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion would not easily rebel.

That's why they took the initiative to arrange this marriage.

Even... according to his speculation, His Majesty is now eager for Jiang Xiaobai to marry into their Prime Minister's family as soon as possible.

After all, once Jiang Xiaobai officially marries into the family, the succession of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion will essentially change.

At that time, His Majesty will have a suitable reason to send someone to interfere in the military power of the Zhenbei Army.

However... these matters have a significant impact, so Li Bingzhang naturally wouldn't discuss them with Teng Zixiu and the others.

"Can……"

Teng Zixiu opened his mouth again.

Yes, he still found this result hard to accept.

Xiao Qin, standing to the side, wished he could disappear into nowhere.

So, what exactly did they do?

Running up to someone's father-in-law and suing their future son-in-law?

"Alright, if the three of you have nothing else, please leave!"

Li Bingzhang waved his hand again.

Teng Zixiu's expression changed several times, and in the end, he could only cup his hands and say, "Farewell!"

After saying that, Teng Zixiu turned around and quickly left the hall with Xiao Qin and Atuo.

But as she left, Teng Zixiu didn't forget to glare at Jiang Xiaobai.

That's right, even with this connection, Jiang Xiaobai didn't say a word.

They even said that suing him in front of him would be more effective!?

Damn it, they're the ones who should be embarrassed!

"That bastard!"

After Teng Zixiu walked out of the lobby, he couldn't help but mutter a curse under his breath.

Inside the lobby, after watching the three leave, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and took a seat.

"father in law!"

At this moment, Jiang Xiaobai immediately looked at Li Bingzhang and said, "Before we arrived, Eunuch Gao went to our Marquis's residence!"

"They said... I need to prepare a poem to give to that so-called princess of Beiyu before I go to court tomorrow!"

"What does my father-in-law think about this matter?"

"Oh, I've heard about that!"

Li Bingzhang nodded slightly: "The matter of writing poetry was brought up by the Northern Yu delegation themselves!"

"Did they suggest it?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow.

"right!"

Li Bingzhang began, "It is said that the princess of Beiyu heard of your talent on her way here!"

"That's why I asked you to write a poem!"

"I see……"

Jiang Xiaobai leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.

He said that the emperor would not be so straightforward as to ask him to do this.

If this gets out, it will also have an impact on the emperor himself.

However, taking advantage of the situation makes sense.

"You need to be careful about this matter. This princess of Beiyu's purpose is probably not just to see your talent!"

Li Bingzhang said earnestly, "The hatred between Beiyu and your Zhenbei Marquis's Mansion runs deep!"

"As the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei, if you were to compose a poem praising the Princess of Beiyu in front of the delegations from both countries, it would undoubtedly dampen the morale of the Northern Army!"

Even if the impact is small, it's enough to make people feel uncomfortable!

"Hmm, I guessed that!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly and said, "I must say, this princess of Beiyu is indeed quite clever!"

A single sentence about writing poetry, whether he actually writes it or not, can easily become a target for criticism.

If it's written, the morale of the Northern army will be affected.

If they don't write it down, it will seem that Dahua is not hospitable, and even... Beiyu could use it as an excuse to make a fuss.

In his helplessness, Tang Ningshuang coldly snorted, "His Majesty shouldn't have agreed to this!"

She aspired to serve in the military, so she naturally understood the seriousness of the matter.

Li Bingzhang glanced at Tang Ningshuang with a smile and said, "It's not hard to guess why His Majesty agreed!"

As he spoke, Li Bingzhang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "They probably just want to suppress Xiaobai, after all... Xiaobai's recent popularity is just too overwhelming!"

"Of course, perhaps there are..."

Li Bingzhang didn't say anything more, believing that Jiang Xiaobai should understand.

Jiang Xiaobai was indeed clear about Li Bingzhang's meaning.

If he makes the soldiers in the North uncomfortable, then the North's loyalty to their Marquis's mansion will also decrease.

For Emperor Xiao Jinxuan, this was naturally a situation he was happy to see.

Although Jiang Xiaobai was unwilling to admit it, this Xiao Jinxuan... was indeed not simple!

"That……"

After rubbing his forehead, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Bingzhang and Lin Fengshuo: "Father-in-law, teacher, when I came in just now, you two seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation!"

"Could it be that they've already... come up with a solution for you?"

"Oh, no!"

Upon hearing this, Li Bingzhang gently shook his head: "We were just talking about other happy things!"

"That's right!"

Lin Fengshuo, leaning on his cane, smiled and said, "We heard that your poems and essays from Lanting Tower have already been sent back to the Qingshan Society headquarters!"

"It's said that several of the senior officials inside are getting restless, and the entire headquarters is buzzing with discussion!"

"One of the senior officials even declared that he wanted to personally take you as his apprentice!"

"But whether I can accept you depends on whether this old man agrees or not, haha!"

Although he didn't teach Jiang Xiaobai anything, he was still Jiang Xiaobai's teacher in name only.

"All right!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked helpless once again.

Was he just imagining things?

"Xiao Bai, don't overthink it!"

Looking at Jiang Xiaobai's expression, Li Bingzhang smiled and said, "Regarding the matter of the princess asking you to write a poem, we believe you can handle it yourself!"

"Fine!"

Jiang Xiaobai said earnestly, "Since my father-in-law has said so, then I'll have to be very careful tomorrow!"

"You... really need to take this seriously!"

Lin Fengshuo, leaning on his cane, looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "I've heard that this princess of Beiyu is extremely intelligent from a young age, and has her own insights into both literature and the political situation!"

"If you make even the slightest mistake when you see her at tomorrow's morning court, you might just fall into her trap!"

"The teacher is right, I will be careful!"

After Jiang Xiaobai responded seriously, he suddenly remembered something and looked up at Lin Fengshuo again.

"By the way, teacher, could I do you a favor?"