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

"What's wrong? You're not angry anymore?"

Upon seeing this, Shen Yun immediately rolled her eyes.

Jiang Jingcheng shook his head. Although there was still some of the previous toughness between his brows, his eyes were noticeably softer than before.

"This kid has never had any interest in martial arts since he was a child, so there's no future for him in martial arts."

"If we could really pursue a literary path... it might not be a bad one, but our son is completely illiterate, and that's..."

At this point, Jiang Jingcheng's smile faded slightly, and he finally sighed, "Alas, regardless, he has successfully become an apprentice of Elder Lin, so there is still hope!"

"Moreover, with this reputation, at least... before the results are announced, this kid has an extra layer of protection."

"Then...then why were you so angry just now?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun's expression softened: "Still talking about the Jiang family's reputation..."

"Hmph, I got angry because I didn't want this brat to get arrogant. As for face... well, it's important!"

Jiang Jingcheng sighed, "But we only have one son left, he... can't afford to have anything happen to him!"

After hearing this, Shen Yun fell silent as well: "If the eldest and second eldest sons were still alive, they would probably be happy for this brat!"

As you can see, Shen Yun's eyes were noticeably red when she said those words.

"yes!"

Jiang Jingcheng responded in a low voice, but after a moment, he couldn't help but raise his head and say, "But speaking of which, how did this brat suddenly become so enlightened?!"

He would occasionally recall what Jiang Xiaobai had said in the carriage last night.

His son, despite being an uneducated and incompetent person, was surprisingly meticulous in his planning when faced with a life-or-death situation.

He even actually succeeded in becoming Lin Fengshuo's apprentice?

This always feels a bit unreal.

"Isn't it a good thing that he's finally come to his senses? After all, he's still our son!"

"That's true!"

Jiang Jingcheng nodded slightly: "Let's see what surprises this brat can bring us!"

……

Inside Jiang Xiaobai's room, the candlelight flickered gently.

On the table, the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were already prepared.

Jiang Xiaobai sat upright at his desk, pen in his right hand and his left hand resting lightly on the edge of the table. His brows were slightly furrowed, and he was less playful than usual, instead exuding a rare tranquility.

The name of the master is now established.

But Jiang Xiaobai knew very well that having a reputation was not enough to truly get Lin Fengshuo to stand on his side; today's apprenticeship ceremony alone was far from sufficient.

Who was Lin Fengshuo?

A former Grand Tutor, a renowned scholar of his time.

Just because someone like that takes you as a disciple doesn't necessarily mean they'll take your place.

Moreover, he himself is currently burdened with the huge trouble of being a "top scholar who bought his way into office".

If the situation suddenly changes when the results are announced two days later, it remains to be seen whether Lin Fengshuo will step forward for his newly accepted disciple.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, his eyes narrowing slightly: "No... I need to add more fuel to the fire. Just having the title of master and disciple isn't enough!"

"I need to make this teacher truly feel that I've made a worthwhile choice in accepting this disciple!"

Thinking of this, a glint of light flashed in Jiang Xiaobai's eyes.

The next moment, as if he had suddenly thought of something, Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up little by little.

"Got it!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai's smile deepened: "Heh, as a teacher... who can withstand the weight of 'On Teachers'?"

Muttering to himself, Jiang Xiaobai no longer hesitated and picked up his pen to write.

The pen strokes glide across the paper, making a soft rustling sound.

Under the candlelight, lines of writing continued to emerge.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't write quickly, but he wrote steadily and very carefully.

Time passed little by little.

As night deepened outside the window, a breeze occasionally blew through the courtyard, causing the shadows of the trees to sway gently.

About half an hour later, Jiang Xiaobai finally put down his pen.

Jiang Xiaobai gently set the pen aside, looked at the article he had just written, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

The handwriting on the paper, though not of the style of a master, possessed a sharp edge.

The article begins with the statement: "Ancient scholars always had teachers. A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and resolves doubts."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at these few sentences and couldn't help but nod in admiration.

"Brilliant!"

"As expected of Master Han, every stroke he makes has a different flavor."

As he admired her, Jiang Xiaobai glanced back a few more times, his smile growing wider with each glance.

Especially when he thought about Lin Fengshuo's reaction when he saw the article, he felt a strange sense of anticipation.

Yes, he wasn't just doing this to hand in his homework.

Furthermore, it was all for the purpose of completely binding this teacher to their own cause!

"Someone come here!"

With Jiang Xiaobai's call, the door was quickly pushed open.

Zhang Xinnian, who had been following him all the way, strode in, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Young Master."

Without wasting any words, Jiang Xiaobai picked up the newly written article on the table, gently blew on it, and handed it over after confirming that the ink was almost dry.

"Go and deliver this article to Elder Lin's residence."

"yes!"

Zhang Xinnian immediately responded respectfully and accepted the article with both hands.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, Jiang Xiaobai seemed to suddenly remember something and raised her hand to stop him.

"etc."

"Does the young master have any further instructions?" Zhang Xinnian stopped in his tracks.

"After you arrive at the Lin residence, please convey a message to your teacher for me."

Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up slightly as he leaned back in his chair and said with a smile, "I told you, this 'On Teachers' only has the first half."

"If the teacher wants to see the second half..."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, his smile deepening: "Then please ask him to come to the Jiang residence in person tomorrow."

"what?"

Zhang Xinnian looked up, staring blankly at Jiang Xiaobai.

no……

Sending articles is one thing.

But isn't the Crown Prince's statement a bit too audacious?

That's Lin Fengshuo!

Normally, countless people would find it difficult to even catch a glimpse of him, but his own young master not only sent half an article, but also dared to make people personally make a trip to the Marquis's residence for the second half.

Is this...?

That's a bit too arrogant!

"Don't worry, just do as I say."

Jiang Xiaobai, seeing Zhang Xinnian's expression, knew what he was thinking and immediately smiled, "He will definitely come tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinnian's lips moved, but in the end he didn't dare to ask any further questions, and could only clasp his hands and say, "Your subordinate understands!"

After saying that, Zhang Xinnian carefully put the article away, turned around and quickly left.

The door closed again.

The room fell silent once again.

Jiang Xiaobai sat there, his gaze slowly falling on the deep night outside the window, his eyes gradually narrowing.

"If nothing unexpected happens... the Li family should be coming to visit tomorrow."

Jiang Xiaobai tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his eyes gleaming.

Lin Fengshuo has already laid the trap.

As for Li Zhiwei, she had already said everything that needed to be said.

If Prime Minister Li were truly a wise man, he would understand that in the current situation, a marriage alliance is not a sign of submission, but rather a means of asserting power.

So, tomorrow is going to be quite lively.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up again.

"If Elder Lin comes, the Li family will come too..."

"Tsk, with this situation, I'm afraid my cheapskate father is going to get restless!"

Just thinking about Jiang Jingcheng's shocked and awkward expression tomorrow, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't suppress the smile on her face.

Then he stretched and slowly stood up.

"Everything is ready. Now... we just wait for them to come..."