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

The next day, it was still dark.

The atmosphere inside and outside the Zhenbei Marquis's residence was already quite different.

Inside the room.

Jiang Xiaobai slowly opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling for a moment, and then sat up.

It wasn't that someone came to wake him; rather, he had been thinking about this matter before going to bed last night, so he naturally woke up at this time.

"Tsk..."

Jiang Xiaobai sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing his temples as he thought about meeting the emperor today: "Sigh, to be honest, it really does feel a bit like checking grades in school."

Of course, no one would understand what he was saying here.

After waking up slightly, Jiang Xiaobai didn't stay in bed any longer. He got up, changed his clothes, washed up quickly, and went to the place where he usually had breakfast.

The maid had already prepared hot porridge and snacks, but Jiang Xiaobai had just sat down and taken a few bites when a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Jiang Xiaobai looked up and saw Zhang Xinnian rushing in.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

"Are you in a bind this early in the morning?"

Jiang Xiaobai held the bowl, looking at Zhang Xinnian, who looked impatient, with a slightly helpless expression.

"No, Your Highness, there is news!"

"News? What news?"

"There are two!"

Zhang Xinnian took a breath and said, "One is good, and the other is bad!"

"Oh, then you should say yes first."

Jiang Xiaobai slowly took a sip of the hot porridge.

"The good news is... the results of the imperial examinations have been released!"

As Zhang Xinnian spoke, his eyes gleamed, and his voice rose slightly: "Your Highness, your name is at the very top of the list, it's quite eye-catching!"

"I saw it clearly!"

"Oh?"

Although Jiang Xiaobai himself already knew what was going on.

But when those words actually came out of Zhang Xinnian's mouth, his hand holding the spoon paused slightly.

In this world, being at the top of the list means being the top scholar.

It really was bought by his predecessor!

"And the second piece of news?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked up and continued to ask.

"this……"

The excitement on Zhang Xinnian's face noticeably faded, replaced by an indescribable embarrassment.

"explain!"

"This... the second one..."

Zhang Xinnian coughed lightly and whispered, "Right now, everyone outside is cursing you."

"Moreover, quite a few students have already arrived at the gate of our Marquis's residence very early this morning!"

"Some say the imperial examinations were unfair, others say the court was blind, and still others say... that your position as the top scholar was definitely bought with money!"

"There were even a few who were so agitated that they started cursing at you right at the door!"

"hehe!"

As Zhang Xinnian finished speaking, Jiang Xiaobai laughed instead.

Yes.

He had actually guessed this outcome long ago.

His reputation in the capital was not good to begin with.

A spoiled young master suddenly becomes the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Let alone those students who have studied hard for years, anyone would probably find it hard to accept this!

So it's normal that he gets criticized.

Moreover, this criticism will likely continue for some time.

"Your Highness..."

Seeing that Jiang Xiaobai was not only not angry, but even smiling, Zhang Xinnian was surprised again. He then lowered his voice and said, "Should I send someone out to manage this?"

"Drive all those students away!"

After he finished speaking, a murderous glint flashed across Zhang Xinnian's face.

"What do you care?"

Jiang Xiaobai put down his spoon, looking very relaxed: "People can say whatever they want. Let them curse if they want."

"Besides, what they said was the truth, so there's no need to pay attention to it."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai acted as if nothing had happened and continued to eat his breakfast.

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai's actions, Zhang Xinnian couldn't help but give it a thumbs up in his heart.

As expected of the Crown Prince.

That's a great mindset!

After finishing breakfast, Jiang Xiaobai simply wiped his hands and led Zhang Xinnian to the door when a servant from the Marquis's residence hurried over.

"Young Master, the Marquis requests your presence in the main hall now, saying that someone from the palace has arrived!"

"Someone from the palace has arrived?!"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow, a strange look flashing across his face. He nodded immediately and followed the servant toward the main hall.

Upon arriving at the main hall, one can see several imperial guards standing watch at the entrance.

When they arrived inside, they found Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun already sitting there.

A middle-aged eunuch sat to the side.

The eunuch was fair-skinned and beardless, with a slightly thin build. He always had a friendly smile on his face, and a bright yellow imperial edict was placed beside him.

Upon seeing Jiang Xiaobai enter, the eunuch's slightly narrow eyes couldn't help but scrutinize him.

"Oh, my lord, my lady, this... must be Young Master Jiang?"

The middle-aged eunuch stood up, his smile widening: "Truly a handsome and distinguished man!"

"When I was in the palace, I heard people mention the reputation of Prince Jiang."

"Now that I see it, it truly is...like father, like son!"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingcheng's face darkened.

Yes, he suspected that the eunuch was mocking him.

But Jiang Jingcheng ultimately restrained himself from losing his temper, glared at Jiang Xiaobai, and said, "Xiaobai, this is Eunuch Gao, why don't you pay your respects!"

"Greetings, Eunuch Gao! You flatter me!"

Jiang Xiaobai spoke politely.

"Hehe, not an overstatement, not an overstatement."

The middle-aged eunuch smiled and waved his hand, then continued, "Now the whole palace knows that Prince Jiang has topped the list of successful candidates."

"This imperial decree was personally issued by His Majesty."

"At such a young age, Prince Jiang has already become the top scholar in our Great Hua. His future is truly limitless."

At this point, the middle-aged eunuch paused, his expression immediately turning serious as he slowly straightened up: "Jiang Xiaobai, receive the imperial decree!"

As the eunuch's voice fell.

The entire hall fell silent immediately.

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately stepped forward and knelt down.

The eunuch glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, slowly unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and his shrill voice rang out in the hall.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that the results of the new imperial examinations have been released, and Jiang Xiaobai has topped the list, becoming the top scholar of this year's examination."

"He is to enter the palace immediately for an audience with the emperor; there must be no delay!"

The imperial edict was not very long.

But when the eunuch uttered the words "the top scholar of this imperial examination," Jiang Xiaobai's heart still stirred slightly.

Because this means that from this moment on, his decision to buy the top scholar's name is truly finalized.

"Student Jiang Xiaobai, receive the imperial decree."

Jiang Xiaobai stood up, reached out and took the imperial edict, looked at the eunuch, and said politely, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Gao."

"Sure, sure..."

The eunuch nodded, a smile returning to his face: "Scholar Jiang, hurry up and get ready, then come with me to the palace. His Majesty is waiting..."