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

Imperial College (Guozijian)

Dahua University is a prestigious educational institution.

Countless powerful officials of the imperial court rose through the ranks from here.

Of course, there were also countless sons of powerful and wealthy families who were sent in by their elders through various means, just to gain a good reputation in the Imperial Academy.

now.

Outside the Imperial College, a carriage slowly came to a stop.

"Your Highness, Miss Li, we've arrived at the Imperial Academy!"

As Zhang Xinnian's respectful voice rang out, the carriage curtain was lifted.

Jiang Xiaobai poked his head out, looked up and looked ahead, a look of surprise immediately appearing on his face.

"Is this the Imperial College?"

Ahead stood a majestic gate, its vermilion doors heavy and ancient, flanked by stone beasts. Above the gate hung a plaque with three large, powerful characters, exuding an aura of solemnity.

Looking further inside, you can vaguely see layers of courtyards rising and falling, with flying eaves and green walls and gray tiles forming a continuous expanse. Ancient trees reach for the sky in the distance, and the fragrance of ink seems to waft through the door.

"Wow, that's really impressive!"

Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but sigh.

After speaking, Jiang Xiaobai turned his gaze to Li Zhiwei, who was sitting next to him, and said with a slight smile, "To be honest, did you bring me to the Imperial Academy for another purpose?"

That's right. Based on his understanding of Li Zhiwei, it couldn't be that simple—he just brought him here to see how well he performed in writing.

There must be another meaning behind this?

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Li Zhiwei's eyes flickered slightly, but she quickly looked away and said softly, "No."

"No?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked doubtful, clearly not quite believing it.

Seeing this, Li Zhiwei paused for a moment before speaking again: "I just... wanted to bring you to see someone."

"Who?"

"Last year's top scorer."

Li Zhiwei explained, "This person is currently staying at the Imperial Academy as an assistant instructor, and he also helps teach students etiquette and literature on a regular basis."

"You're going to the palace to meet the Emperor tomorrow. If you come to see him beforehand, you can at least learn the rules so you don't make any mistakes in front of him."

Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback at first, then his expression turned deeply moved: "Wei'er, how can you be so kind?"

"They're really going to such lengths for my audience with the Emperor!"

"Aren't you...aren't you angry?"

Li Zhiwei was somewhat surprised by Jiang Xiaobai's words.

After all, if it were an ordinary man, he would feel somewhat awkward or even lose face if he heard that he was going to meet another outstanding person, and that it was to learn the rules and avoid making mistakes.

Jiang Xiaobai was not displeased at all; on the contrary, he saw through her intentions first.

This was somewhat unexpected for Li Zhiwei.

"hehe."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "I'm not that old-fashioned. You came here for me, why would I be angry?"

"Who...who did this for you!"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Li Zhiwei's pretty face, hidden beneath her veil, flushed slightly. She glared at Jiang Xiaobai and whispered, "I just don't want you to embarrass my Prime Minister's residence!"

After speaking, Li Zhiwei seemed afraid that Jiang Xiaobai would continue to tease her, so she simply reached out and lifted the curtain, preparing to go down first.

But just then, Jiang Xiaobai's voice suddenly rang out again.

"You go in first, I'll come in later!"

Li Zhiwei paused, turned to look at Jiang Xiaobai, a hint of doubt in her eyes, and then said, "If you're alone, I'm afraid you won't be able to get in."

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled slightly: "Worried about me?"

"snort!"

Li Zhiwei snorted and decided not to respond to him anymore. He got off the carriage and walked towards the gate of the Imperial Academy.

Upon arriving at the entrance, Li Zhiwei paused for a moment and whispered a few words to the guards at the door.

Then she stepped inside.

Jiang Xiaobai saw the whole scene through the curtain, and a faint smile appeared in his eyes.

Yes.

This woman speaks coldly, but when it comes to doing things, she's more meticulous than anyone else.

If she hadn't given me a heads-up, I, the "number one playboy in the capital," might not have been able to get into the Imperial Academy if I suddenly showed up.

Thinking this, Jiang Xiaobai sat in the carriage for a while longer.

Judging that it was about time, he leisurely got off the carriage.

As he walked up, he glanced at Zhang Xinnian beside him and said, "This time I'm going to act, so... you have to be arrogant too!"

"Arrogant?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinnian couldn't help but ask, "How arrogant are they?"

"It feels like I'm invincible!"

Jiang Xiaobai spoke calmly.

"Invincible under heaven?"

Zhang Xinnian's body stiffened, then he nodded slightly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I understand. I will definitely act very well!"

"Yes, I believe you!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled, a glint of shrewdness flashing within him.

The Imperial Academy was not lacking in talented individuals, but those from powerful and wealthy families undoubtedly made up the majority of its members.

His reputation was already established, so now that he's in jail, he naturally has to conform to his public image.

In this way... we can ensure that we don't alert the enemy too quickly.

Soon, Jiang Xiaobai led the way to the entrance. He looked up at the plaque hanging high above before walking inside.

During this time, the guards at the entrance did not stop them.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaobai became even more certain.

It seems that Li Zhiwei had indeed already given the word.

Otherwise, given his status, the people here might not have let him in so easily.

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

"This woman... is actually quite nice."

With a smile, Jiang Xiaobai stepped into the Imperial College.

Once inside, the view immediately opens up.

Inside the Imperial College, courtyards rise one after another, with winding corridors connecting them.

On both sides are well-organized school buildings, paved with bluestone, shaded by ancient cypress trees, and occasionally you can see a forest of stone inscriptions, with characters that are either vigorous or simple and unadorned, clearly left by famous people of all dynasties.

Not far away, several schools stood side by side, with wide gates and plaques hanging under the eaves, exuding an indescribable air of nobility and solemnity.

The air even carried a faint scent of ink.

However, to Jiang Xiaobai's surprise, although the Imperial Academy looked quite large, there weren't many students.

As I walked in, I only saw a handful of people here and there.

Just as he was wondering about this, Zhang Xinnian, who was standing next to him, suddenly spoke up: "Young Master, be careful!"

"Um?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked up and saw a pageboy rushing towards him.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly and stepped aside, but strangely, the page boy started heading in his direction again.

boom!

Caught off guard, the two collided, and Jiang Xiaobai managed to steady himself with Zhang Xinnian's help.

Looking up, I saw a young man who looked like a pageboy.

At that moment, the pageboy wasn't looking at him, but at the ground, his face deathly pale: "It's over, it's over, I'm finished!"

Finished?

Jiang Xiaobai followed the pageboy's gaze and saw a completely shattered wooden plate on the ground.

But Jiang Xiaobai didn't see through what it was all about.

Just as he was wondering, the pageboy looked up, glaring angrily at Jiang Xiaobai: "Are you blind? Can't you see me, a grown man?"

Jiang Xiaobai frowned.

Indeed, in his opinion, the pageboy... deliberately bumped into him.

After all, he had already stepped aside, and this guy still bumped into him?

Is it really that much of a coincidence?!

Before he could speak, Zhang Xinnian frowned and took two steps forward.

Just when Jiang Xiaobai thought Zhang Xinnian was going to slap this guy a few times, the guy stopped there and then let out a heavy, cold snort.

Moreover, after humming, Zhang Xinnian stood back next to Jiang Xiaobai.

what?

The pageboy was stunned.

Jiang Xiaobai was also taken aback.

Wait... what is Zhang Xinnian doing?

While Jiang Xiaobai and the pageboy were both puzzled, Zhang Xinnian didn't seem to notice anything amiss. Instead, he turned his head slightly and lowered his voice.

"Your Highness, this fellow is quite something; he actually withstood my powerful shout."

what?

Jiang Xiaobai's eyelids twitched immediately.

no……

Was that what you just called a thunderous shout?

All I did was hum.

In his shock, Zhang Xinnian whispered, "Your Highness, allow me to test him further!"

After speaking, Zhang Xinnian looked at the page again, his brows furrowing once more.

The next moment, Zhang Xinnian placed his right hand on the hilt of the knife.

Clang!

After drawing his longsword half an inch from its sheath, Zhang Xinnian sheathed it again, then looked at the page indifferently: "Eh, I really underestimated you. You actually managed to block my terrifying sword intent."

"You should know that in that brief half-breath just now, I drew my sword thousands of times!"