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

After returning to the courtyard, Jiang Xiaobai did not rest immediately, but instead called Zhang Xinnian over again.

"Your Highness!"

After entering the room, Zhang Xinnian looked at Jiang Xiaobai with a curious expression and asked, "What can I do for you?"

"New Year, how many years have you been with my father?"

Jiang Xiaobai sat there and got straight to the point.

"this……"

Zhang Xinnian was visibly taken aback for a moment, then counted on his fingers: "About seven years!"

As he spoke, Zhang Xinnian looked at Jiang Xiaobai with a puzzled expression: "Why is Your Highness suddenly asking this?"

"Seven years?"

Jiang Xiaobai frowned slightly.

If it's seven years...

That might not be enough!

That's right. Judging from Jiang Jingcheng's reaction just now, this so-called Third Master must be someone from a long time ago.

He should have entered the Zhenbei Marquis's residence even earlier than Zhang Xinnian.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai said, "Here's what we'll do: go ask some veterans of the Zhenbei Army!"

"Let's see if anyone knows someone called Third Master!"

"Third Master?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinnian's face also showed confusion: "Who is Third Master?"

"have no idea!"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head: "That's why I asked you to investigate!"

Jiang Xiaobai paused, then added, "Remember, don't make too much of a fuss about this. Just find a few trustworthy veterans and inquire about it privately!"

"Report back immediately if there is any news!"

"yes!"

Although Zhang Xinnian was puzzled, he still respectfully responded and turned to leave.

After the door closed again, Jiang Xiaobai sat there and gently exhaled.

This Third Master... his father definitely knows him!

But Jiang Jingcheng was unwilling to say, which was enough to show that something he didn't know must have happened here.

Moreover, this matter is not a good thing for the Jiang family.

Otherwise, Jiang Jingcheng shouldn't have kept it from him.

What could have happened to make Jiang Jingcheng hide so deeply?

Furthermore, while the two delegations' visit to Dahua was ostensibly for the sake of the border city, their true motives were clearly not so simple.

It's possible that the two delegations are trying to make a fuss about this Third Master.

Once we find out who this person is, things will be much easier.

Jiang Xiaobai sat for a while, and seeing that the night was getting deeper, he simply got up and went back to bed to rest.

……

The next day, Jiang Xiaobai was still half asleep.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Immediately afterward, a servant's voice rang out: "Your Highness, the envoys from both countries have arrived and are currently outside the Marquis's residence. They say they want you to come out!"

"Um?"

Jiang Xiaobai opened his eyes and sat up groggily.

After a moment, Jiang Xiaobai gradually perked up and couldn't help but laugh twice.

The delegations from these two countries arrived much earlier than he had expected!

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai got out of bed and started getting dressed.

When he finished tidying up and came out of the room, he saw that Tang Ningshuang and the Princess had already gotten up.

Tang Ningshuang still held her sword and stood in the courtyard, while the eldest princess, wearing a bamboo hat, stood to the side.

Upon seeing Jiang Xiaobai emerge, the princess naturally walked over, raised her hand, and began to straighten Jiang Xiaobai's clothes.

Jiang Xiaobai paused for a moment, then stood there, letting the princess tidy up him.

Jiang Xiaobai looked utterly surprised.

Yes, in the past, when this woman helped him get dressed, either the collar wasn't straightened properly, or the belt was deliberately tied crookedly.

This time, however, I was much more careful.

First, she straightened his clothes, then adjusted his belt, and finally smoothed out the wrinkles on his shoulders.

It seems... this woman doesn't want him to lose face in front of the two countries' delegations either!

After the princess finished getting ready, Jiang Xiaobai said with a smile, "Let's go get something to eat!"

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai led Tang Ningshuang and the Princess away from the courtyard.

The two delegations can wait as they please.

I asked him to go to the Court of State Ceremonial yesterday, but he ran away.

Do you want him to leave immediately today?

There's no way you can have such a good deal!

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, Jiang Xiaobai led the two of them slowly toward the gate of the Marquis's mansion.

Before he even got close, Jiang Xiaobai saw several carriages parked outside.

As Jiang Xiaobai walked out of the Marquis's mansion, the curtain of one of the carriages was suddenly lifted.

Helian Zhaoyue's face, now filled with rage, was immediately revealed.

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

Helian Zhaoyue stared intently at Jiang Xiaobai, gritting her teeth as she said, "You're so cunning!"

"They actually made us stay in a place like that for a whole night!"

As she spoke, Helian Zhaoyue's chest heaved: "It even cost ten thousand taels of silver!"

Ten thousand taels!

Although their delegations from both countries brought a considerable amount of silver with them when they visited Dahua this time.

However, the expenses along the way were already considerable.

Having just arrived in the capital, he has already spent ten thousand taels of silver in one night.

On the way back, I'm afraid I'll be extremely strapped for cash!

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai looked on in astonishment: "You stayed at Chun Yue Tower for a whole night?"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head, saying, "Princess, you're confused. It's inappropriate for people from your two countries' delegations to go to a place like that!"

"They ended up staying overnight. If word gets back to Beiyu and Qi, won't we be laughed at to death!"

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

Helian Zhaoyue felt a sharp pain in her chest and was almost bursting with anger.

Clearly, all of this was arranged by that bastard Jiang Xiaobai.

Now they're turning around and lecturing her?

Clang!

A soft click—the sound of a long sword being drawn: "I'll fight you to the death!"

As Helian Zhaoyue spoke, she prepared to rush out of the carriage.

Before she could make a move, a hand reached out from the side and stopped Helian Zhaoyue.

"Princess!"

The old man said in a low voice, "Things have come to this point; the more you get angry with him, the more you'll fall into his trap!"

"Don't forget... the important matters are paramount!"

Upon hearing this, Helian Zhaoyue's chest heaved violently. She glared angrily at Jiang Xiaobai for a moment, but finally managed to suppress her rage.

Clang!

The long sword was sheathed again.

Helian Zhaoyue sat back in the carriage, lifted the curtain again, and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "Young Master Jiang!"

"As the envoy connecting our two countries, shouldn't you also take our delegation on a tour of the capital?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai looked surprised and said, "Didn't you say you didn't need me? So, you can just continue wandering around on your own today!"

"Furthermore, I'm planning to visit Chun Yue Lou again today. How about... I, the young master, take you all on a revisit!"

"Don't worry, I, the young master, will pay for it today!"

Clang!

The sound of a long sword being drawn rang out again, followed by Helian Zhaoyue's scream coming from inside the carriage.

"I'm furious! Old Dong, don't stop me! Today... I'm going to kill this bastard!!"