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

"For the New Year, you should stay outside with her!"

When the carriage stopped at the palace, Jiang Xiaobai greeted Zhang Xinnian.

After speaking, Jiang Xiaobai looked at the Princess again, patted his seat, pointed in the direction of the palace, and shook his head.

Jiang Xiaobai felt he had made himself clear enough, but just as he and Tang Ningshuang got off the carriage, they heard footsteps behind them.

Looking back, he saw the eldest princess following behind.

"..."

As Jiang Xiaobai stopped, he helplessly gestured to the princess once more.

That's right, the princess's status is indeed noble, but when she follows him, she is only a maid.

Maids, however, were not allowed to enter the imperial court.

But as Jiang Xiaobai gestured, the princess just stood there quietly, giving the impression that she didn't understand.

Jiang Xiaobai could only manage a wry smile in response.

Well, what this woman wants to hear, she hears perfectly; what she doesn't want to hear, she hears nothing at all.

However, after thinking for a moment, Jiang Xiaobai simply gave up.

That's right, since this woman is following along, she must have some ulterior motive.

With that in mind, Jiang Xiaobai decided to lead the two of them towards the imperial court.

Not long after entering the palace, the princess stopped and patted Jiang Xiaobai on the shoulder.

Jiang Xiaobai turned around and saw the princess raise her hand and point in a distant direction.

"Oh, you're going to find the little princess?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow and then pointed as well.

That's right, if the eldest princess goes to find the youngest princess, then he can save himself some trouble.

As the princess nodded, Jiang Xiaobai waved his hand with a smile: "Then go!"

As the princess's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, Tang Ningshuang's voice rang out beside her: "I wonder what purpose this princess has in staying by your side!"

"Ignore it!"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head: "If she wants to stay, then let her stay!"

In truth, he had gotten used to the presence of the eldest princess over this period of time.

Furthermore, as things stand, it wouldn't do him any harm to have the eldest princess stay.

Let's go!

Jiang Xiaobai withdrew his gaze, said something, and then led Tang Ningshuang towards the imperial court.

As soon as the two entered the court, they heard a lively discussion inside.

Looking around, Jiang Xiaobai's expression revealed surprise.

Indeed, there are significantly more officials present today than last time.

People who rarely show their faces are among them.

For example, Pei Shen, and for example... Tang Ningshuang's father, Tang Kui, actually came too!

Tang Kui noticed them at that moment, a smile appearing on his face as he quickly walked over.

"Father!"

Tang Ningshuang greeted Tang Kui as he approached.

"Um!"

Tang Kui nodded with a smile, then his gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai: "Good lad, I heard that you killed a top-tier guest of the Northern Yu at Zuixianlou?"

"yes!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded with a smile.

"Great job, great job!"

Tang Kui burst into hearty laughter: "This action is just as heroic as your father's and my own back then!"

"Uncle Tang, you flatter me!"

Jiang Xiaobai said awkwardly.

"Overpraise? No, no, no, I didn't specifically praise you!"

Tang Kui shook his head and sneered, "Those people from Beiyu, coming here under the guise of being guests of the academy, claiming to be exchanging ideas, but in my opinion, they're just here to provoke us!"

"Hmph, they were sure our Great China wouldn't dare to kill us, but they ran into you, and you actually managed to kill one of them. It's so satisfying to think about, but..."

At this point, Tang Kui's expression turned serious: "With delegations from both countries entering the court today, you should be quite careful!"

"Especially since you killed one of their guests, they certainly won't let this go!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Tang!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded and said, "I know what I'm doing!"

Tang Kui responded softly, and just as he was about to say something more, he saw two figures walking up from behind.

They were the Minister of Revenue and the Minister of War.

Jiang Xiaobai was also surprised, but he quickly understood why the two had come up.

The two wanted to talk about Teng Zixiu's lawsuit, but both were turned away by the people from both departments.

Jiang Xiaobai naturally expressed its gratitude.

Tang Kui stood to the side, looking on with a face full of surprise.

He's only been absent from the morning court for a while, so why does it seem like Jiang Xiaobai... has become a hot commodity in the court?

The two high-ranking officials actually took the initiative to step forward and strike up a conversation.

Such treatment is not something that ordinary people can enjoy.

As he marveled, more and more people came up to talk to him, and even the Minister of Works, who was usually not good with words, took the initiative to chat with Jiang Xiaobai for a few words.

Tang Kui was shocked by this, but he was also full of admiration.

Jiang Xiaobai is now pursuing a civil service career. With good interpersonal relationships, he will naturally be able to thrive in the imperial court in the future.

As time went by, Li Bingzhang also arrived.

While Jiang Xiaobai chatted idly, his eyes kept scanning the surroundings.

Gradually, he noticed several people dressed in python robes walking in; they were clearly royal princes.

He was familiar with the Fourth Prince, Xiao Jinfeng.

The two exchanged glances and gestured to each other, but just as Jiang Xiaobai looked away, he noticed another figure.

This person was also wearing a python robe, looked to be in his forties, and stood in the crowd, giving off an extremely extraordinary aura.

What Jiang Xiaobai found strange was that the middle-aged man was looking at him at that moment.

When their eyes met, the other person also gave them a smiling look.

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly and responded.

Seeing that the other person had looked away, Jiang Xiaobai approached Tang Kui and asked in a low voice, "Uncle Tang, who was that person?"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai quietly pointed in the direction of the middle-aged man.

"Oh, him!"

Tang Kui glanced in the direction Jiang Xiaobai pointed and said, "This person is the Eighth Prince of the current dynasty!"

"The Eighth Prince?"

Jiang Xiaobai's expression changed slightly.

Xiao Qingxiu's father?!

Amid Jiang Xiaobai's utter astonishment, Tang Kui continued, "Yes, this person's name is Xiao Jinxiong, the son of the late emperor and a concubine!"

"He's usually quite low-key, but his eldest son is doing quite well; he's a lieutenant general in our local military, which is a pretty high position!"

"As for his youngest son..."

"Oh, I've met his youngest son before!"

Jiang Xiaobai said, "His name is Xiao Qingxiu, and he's usually idle. He's quite different from his older brother!"

"You can't say that!"

Tang Kui smiled and said, "Although Xiao Qingxiu doesn't hold an official position, as far as I know, he's the head of the Beijing Chamber of Commerce!"

"In addition, it is said that Xiao Qingxiu is also quite accomplished in calligraphy. In short, he is a talented person."

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai was surprised; he really didn't know these things.

It seems he underestimated Xiao Qingxiu.

But before he could ask any more questions, Gao Gonggong's shrill voice rang out: "His Majesty has arrived!"

As the voice faded, all the officials present, high and low, simultaneously took their places in an orderly manner.

Just as Jiang Xiaobai regained his footing, Eunuch Gao's voice rang out again: "The Eldest Princess has arrived!"

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai looked up, her face full of question marks...