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

"Oh, what is it?"

Jiang Xiaobai asked, somewhat puzzled.

Ning Xinlan didn't rush to answer, but turned to look outside the ancestral hall: "Someone, bring the books that were prepared on the carriage!"

"Yes, boss!"

A respectful response came from outside.

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai listened, even more puzzled.

Not long after, a servant carrying four books walked quickly into the ancestral hall.

When Jiang Xiaobai's gaze fell on those books, his expression turned strange.

That's right, there are four books in total, and they are his four great classic novels!

"Someone really likes your work. If you could... sign it for me?"

Ning Xinlan looked at Jiang Xiaobai, paused slightly, and said, "I need to go back and see them off!"

what?

Jiang Xiaobai was stunned, his face full of surprise.

His book fans have spread all the way to the southern region?

I have to say, the Green Robe Society is really impressive.

The book was written faster than he had imagined!

Surprised, Jiang Xiaobai did not refuse. He nodded and instructed the servants in his mansion to prepare pen and ink.

After briefly dipping his brush in ink, Jiang Xiaobai wrote his name on each of the four books.

Once the ink had dried, Ning Xinlan carefully put the book away and looked at Jiang Xiaobai, saying, "I... don't like owing favors!"

"Since you've signed your name for me, I'll give you a painting or calligraphy by my daughter!"

As they were talking, another servant respectfully came up and handed the prepared scroll to Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai took the package but didn't open it immediately. He looked at Ning Xinlan and said with a smile, "Then thank you very much, Auntie!"

Ning Xinlan was taken aback when she heard this address, but then simply responded and turned to walk outside.

Upon seeing this scene, Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun took the initiative to follow and see them off.

Jiang Xiaobai, carrying the scroll, walked at the very back.

At the entrance of the Duke's mansion.

After Ning Xinlan boarded the carriage and drove away, Jiang Xiaobai turned to Jiang Jingcheng and asked, "Father, what's going on with my aunt?"

"Why!"

Jiang Jingcheng sighed heavily and said, "Your cousin is a clever man, which is why he serves as a military officer under me!"

"At that time, your uncle and your aunt had just gotten married when an urgent report came from the border. Because of the pressing war situation, I took him and rushed to the northern border!"

At this point, Jiang Jingcheng's expression became complicated: "That great battle with Beiyu was also my fault. I didn't listen to your uncle's advice, which led to heavy losses."

"And your uncle also perished in that great battle!"

After saying this, Jiang Jingcheng lowered his head, and after a long while, he said again, "It's my fault!"

"hiss!"

Jiang Xiaobai gasped.

No wonder Ning Xinlan was so cold towards him when she saw him before.

So that's where it all started!

Not long after their marriage, her husband followed Jiang Jingcheng to the border and eventually died on the battlefield.

Anyone in that situation would probably have a mental block against it.

As the atmosphere grew quiet, Jiang Xiaobai changed the subject: "By the way, Dad, how old is her daughter?"

"Is he my cousin's child?"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai glanced at the calligraphy and painting in his hand and asked curiously.

"This...it shouldn't be!"

Jiang Jingcheng shook his head and said, "It happened so suddenly. Your uncle and aunt hadn't even consummated their marriage on their wedding day!"

"As for the daughter she mentioned, perhaps she was born after Xinlan remarried. I haven't seen her for her exact age!"

"Oh……"

Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback upon hearing this. After standing there in deep thought for a moment, he took the initiative to speak up, "Father, how about we just give up on those twenty million taels and offer them ten percent of the profits?"

Although Ning Xinlan said she no longer blamed them, the Jiang family still felt guilty about what happened back then.

"No need. Our generation's affairs don't need you, a junior, to foot the bill!"

Jiang Jingcheng snorted coldly: "So, you'll take the twenty million taels after all!"

"Furthermore, the military supplies in the north are being depleted severely. With these twenty million taels, we won't have to worry about that for the time being!"

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai was both amused and exasperated.

If he doesn't have to pay, then logically, the money should be left to him.

Jiang Jingcheng pretended not to see Jiang Xiaobai's expression, shook his head, and left with Shen Yun.

Jiang Xiaobai stood at the entrance of the Duke's mansion for a while, smiled helplessly, and finally returned to his residence with Tang Ningshuang and the Princess.

After sitting down, Jiang Xiaobai opened the scroll that Ning Xinlan had given him.

It was a landscape painting.

The distant mountains are layered, the nearby streams are babbling, and a few pavilions are scattered among the mountains, making them look very lifelike.

Tang Ningshuang glanced at it, but quickly looked away.

She wasn't good at literature, but she thought it was very good.

But the eldest princess took a closer look, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

"This painting... is exquisite!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai finally put the scroll away again, a smile on his face, and said, "My Wei'er will definitely like it!"

"I'll give it to her next time we meet!"

That's right, he wasn't particularly interested in calligraphy and paintings.

But he knew that Li Zhiwei liked him very much.

……

Night fell that day.

With nothing else to do, Jiang Xiaobai began writing the Four Great Classical Novels.

When the princess massaged Jiang Xiaobai's shoulders, she watched him with curiosity.

Tang Ningshuang was looking at Jiang Xiaobai's manuscript.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and Zhang Xinnian walked into the room.

"Your Highness!"

As Zhang Xinnian spoke, Jiang Xiaobai looked up and asked, "So, how's it going with Tianji Tower?"

"Any discoveries?"

"Your Highness, do you still remember that Elder Zou?"

Zhang Xinnian began.

"Remember!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded and said, "That soft scale armor was made by him!"

When he first went to Tianji Tower, he even used the Desert Eagle to break through the soft scale armor made by Master Zou.

He was naturally deeply impressed by this.

"right!"

Zhang Xinnian solemnly stated, "This person is one of the managers of Tianji Workshop. According to the young master's investigation, Elder Zou and the people from the Eighth Prince's Mansion have been in private dealings!"

"Our beverage equipment was likely leaked by this person!"

"Oh, if that's the case, then it makes sense!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded slightly.

As the person in charge, I do have access to the core secrets of the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion.

"Brother Mo Li, how did you handle it?"

Jiang Xiaobai asked.

"Old Master Zou has been detained by the young master and is being interrogated to see if he has any accomplices!"

Zhang Xinnian said, "But... this old man is very tight-lipped, so there's no result yet!"

"When I have time, I'll go to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion myself!"

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes gleamed.

Only after this matter is completely resolved will he dare to allow Tianji Tower to mass-produce perfume equipment.

otherwise……

He really didn't dare to take that step easily.

"yes!"

Zhang Xinnian respectfully responded, then lowered his voice and said, "Also, as for cannons, Tianji Workshop has already made seventeen!"

"Adding the one that was already in our household, there are eighteen in total!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes lit up immediately, and he couldn't help but laugh, "Great! Tianji Tower is really efficient!"

"Hey, that's pretty fast!"

Zhang Xinnian chuckled twice and said, "I've already secretly sent men to transport all those cannons to the military camp!"

"Um!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction and said, "Well done! Go get a few jars of wine, and have a good drink with the brothers!"

"Hey, that's exactly what we've been waiting for, Your Highness!"

Zhang Xinnian's face immediately lit up with a smile, and he turned and ran out quickly.

Jiang Xiaobai sat there, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

The cannons have arrived.

Now, all we have to do is wait and see when Helian Zhaoyue will come to our door...

……

Honglu Temple, inside the main hall.

"Achoo!"

Helian Zhaoyue suddenly sneezed, and her brows furrowed.

"Hey, little sister, are you alright?"

Helian Mingchuan sat to the side, looking at Helian Zhaoyue with concern.

"fine!"

Helian Zhaoyue shook her head and said, "It's just... I suddenly have a bad feeling!"

As she spoke, Jiang Xiaobai's image involuntarily surfaced in Helian Zhaoyue's mind, and she gritted her teeth again.

Helian Mingchuan smiled and was about to speak when hurried footsteps came from outside.

Immediately afterward, Teng Zixiu walked in from outside: "Your Highness, Your Highness!"

"There's someone outside who claims to be from the Free and Unfettered Sword Sect, here to pay a visit!"