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

"Of course, I know that doing this is indeed a bit risky, but my Jiang family can't just sit and wait to die!"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, his gaze darkened: "So, rather than waiting to die, it's better to actively participate!"

After these words were spoken, Jiang Jingcheng sat at the head of the table, remaining silent for a long time.

Yes, at this moment, he finally understood why Jiang Xiaobai had chosen this path.

This is not nonsense.

It's not that I'm greedy for credit.

Rather... they were forced into it!

Thinking of this, a complex expression appeared on Jiang Jingcheng's already cold and hard face.

That brat... he actually thought of this!

At this moment, Shen Yun's eyes were red, and she looked at Jiang Xiaobai with great heartache.

Because she suddenly realized that her son seemed to have really grown up overnight.

Moreover, the way I grew up was forced out of me by this upheaval and this dead end.

For a moment, the entire lobby fell silent once again.

No one spoke again.

But the atmosphere seemed even more somber than before.

Just then, Lin Fengshuo slowly spoke.

"So, you lured me here with half an article, hoping to use my presence today to give your Zhenbei Marquis's mansion some leverage!"

Indeed, his visit was, in a way, a form of protection for the Jiang family.

Putting aside everything else, at least it will deter some opportunists in the court from easily taking sides!

Besides, it might also make Li Bingzhang more determined to take this step!

"That's absolutely right!"

Jiang Jingcheng couldn't help but be startled when Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

Yes.

If Lin Fengshuo hadn't said it himself, he wouldn't have even fully realized what was happening.

All of this seems to be driven by the current situation.

But upon closer examination, isn't this also Jiang Xiaobai using these various schemes to pull everyone into the positions he desires?

Thinking of this, Jiang Jingcheng's gaze toward Jiang Xiaobai became increasingly complicated.

"You're quite the schemer!"

At this moment, Lin Fengshuo frowned, his expression slightly displeased, but after a moment, he laughed again: "However, for the sake of your article, I'll let it go!"

"But you brat, you have to write the second half for me, and I... I need it today!"

"yes!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded respectfully, then slowly turned his gaze to Li Bingzhang: "Prime Minister Li, I believe Miss Li has already told you what I said, hasn't she?"

"The buying and selling of official positions, especially the top position, will not only affect my Jiang family if this matter is fully exposed, but also you."

"After all, as the head of the civil service, the integrity and corruption of the imperial examinations are right under the nose of your lineage."

"If this is truly exploited by those with ulterior motives and blown out of proportion, the scholars of the land will surely be in uproar. At that time... the first thing people will think of will not be my Zhenbei Marquis's mansion, but rather, they will ask, 'What is your Prime Minister's mansion doing?'"

The last sentence wasn't particularly heavy.

But after hearing this, Li Bingzhang's expression clearly darkened.

Because he knew very well that Jiang Xiaobai was absolutely right.

The imperial examination system was the most important thing for civil officials.

If this matter eventually spirals out of control, the first to suffer will not only be the person who bought the official position, but also the prestige of the civil service system.

As the prime minister of a dynasty, he could never remain unscathed!

That's precisely why he agreed to the marriage.

He made the right decision to come here this time, otherwise he would never have discovered that Jiang Xiaobai is such a prodigy!

"While the teacher is here, let's, the Jiang and Li families, finalize this marriage arrangement!"

As Jiang Xiaobai spoke again, Jiang Jingcheng's expression tightened, and he couldn't help but clench his teacup.

Yes, he had long suspected that this scene would come sooner or later.

But when Jiang Xiaobai actually put those words out in the open, he still felt a strange unease.

After all, he was a military general, and now that he was marrying a civil official, he felt somewhat resentful.

As for Shen Yun, her gaze shifted back and forth between Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei, and a hint of anticipation was clearly visible in her eyes.

Li Zhiwei... lowered her head at this moment, and her cheeks under the veil flushed uncontrollably.

Even though she already knew that the marriage was almost certainly going to be discussed openly.

But she still didn't expect Jiang Xiaobai to be so direct and so decisive.

"So, what do you want to say about this marriage?"

Li Bingzhang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and asked.

"Yes, and a lot of them!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and glanced at Li Zhiwei: "First, our two families are engaged because Miss Li fell in love with me at first sight!"

"puff……"

As soon as Jiang Xiaobai said this, Jiang Jingcheng almost choked on his tea!

Yes, even as Jiang Xiaobai's father, he felt that this unfilial son was shameless!

Jiang Xiaobai ignored Jiang Jingcheng and continued, "Secondly, it was Prime Minister Li who came to threaten my Jiang family. If I, Jiang Xiaobai, do not comply with you, you will cause trouble for my Jiang family!"

"Thirdly, I reluctantly agreed to marry into the family to avoid putting my father in a difficult position, all for the sake of the bigger picture!"

"Fourth, the benefits you've promised me include becoming a disciple of Master Lin. Of course... I believe Miss Li shares this idea, so this point... makes sense!"

"fifth……"

As Jiang Xiaobai's sword fell one by one, Jiang Jingcheng's face turned bright red.

If that's the case, then the Jiang family has at least saved face.

After all, this infamy was taken by that scoundrel Li Bingzhang!

as predicted.

At this moment, Li Bingzhang's face had clearly darkened.

Jiang Xiaobai seemed to get more and more into his speech, and finally his expression turned serious, and his voice became deep.

"The tenth, and most important one!"

As Jiang Xiaobai spoke, his expression became more serious. Then, his gaze shifted to Li Zhiwei, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up.

"On the wedding day, the spectacle must be grand!"

"Even if I'm marrying into your family, your Prime Minister's residence should still send me over in a grand procession, with eight bearers carrying me in a sedan chair and lots of music!"

"The sedan chair cannot be small, the etiquette cannot be lacking, and the number of guests cannot be small!"

"I hope half the capital sees that I was forcibly dragged into the sedan chair by your Prime Minister's family!!"

"Hahaha!"

As the last sentence fell, Jiang Jingcheng finally couldn't hold back any longer and burst out laughing on the spot.

Yes.

If they were truly forced into the sedan chair, then considering the previous points...

In that case, not only would he not lose face for the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion, but he would also garner some sympathy.

For a moment, Jiang Jingcheng felt increasingly pleased with himself, and his gaze towards Jiang Xiaobai became more and more satisfied.

Li Bingzhang sat there, his face already turning slightly pale.

In fact, he understood Jiang Xiaobai's intentions.

First of all, this way, even if Jiang Xiaobai confirms his status as the top scholar, it won't alert the enemy!

Secondly, he was well aware of the Emperor's wariness of the Jiang family. Now that Jiang Xiaobai had married into their Prime Minister's residence, even if their residence was pushed out, this matter would eventually be reduced to a minor issue and then forgotten!

After all, with Jiang Xiaobai marrying into the family, the Jiang family would have no descendants to carry on the family line, which would undoubtedly be a pleasing thing for the Emperor.

I have to say, this kid... he's quite thorough in his considerations.

But the sacrifices made by their Prime Minister's residence were too great, and it felt a bit too unfair!

He was, after all, the prime minister of the court. This whole thing has turned him, a civil official, into a barbarian!

If this gets out, wouldn't it make all the students in the world laugh at us?

"alright!"

After Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, he clapped his hands lightly, his expression returning to ease: "I've said everything I needed to say!"

"Now, it all depends on what your Prime Minister's residence has to say!"