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

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai looked up and saw that Li Bingzhang was looking at him. He immediately shook his head with a wry smile.

Yes, he rushed over early this morning and completely forgot about it!

I only remembered it now, but... it seems too late!

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai's expression, Li Bingzhang understood what was going on. He sighed inwardly, shook his head, and said nothing more.

We can only think about the questions for the three martial arts candidates, and not make things too difficult for them, otherwise, can Jiang Xiaobai's body handle it?

At this moment, Tang Ningshuang and the other two quickly arrived in front of the hall and bowed in unison.

"Your humble servant, Tang Ningshuang, greets Your Majesty!"

"This humble subject, Qin Zhaoye, greets Your Majesty!"

"This humble subject, Lu Chenshan, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

The three voices were strong and resonant.

"Um!"

Xiao Jinxuan slightly raised his hand: "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The three of them then got up.

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze swept over the three of them, and when it finally landed on Tang Ningshuang, his expression showed obvious surprise.

"woman?"

"Your Majesty, I am Tang Ningshuang."

Tang Ningshuang replied with a composed and respectful expression.

"Tang?"

Xiao Jinxuan's eyes flickered slightly as he looked at Tang Kui.

Tang Kui noticed Xiao Jinxuan's gaze and immediately stepped forward, awkwardly cupping his hands and saying, "Your Majesty, this is my daughter. Please forgive her... Your Majesty's amusement."

"Oh?"

Xiao Jinxuan was even more surprised. He glanced at Tang Ningshuang and smiled, "Hehe, the Tang family is indeed a military family. Even their daughter has such an air about her."

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Tang Kui felt even more embarrassed.

Xiao Jinxuan nodded, then looked at the three of them again and asked, "Among the three of you, who is the leader?"

"Return to your majesty!"

Tang Ningshuang stepped forward again, her voice clear and bright: "This humble woman, though unworthy, has by sheer luck won the top prize in the martial arts examination!"

really!

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's eyelids twitched.

It really is her!

You must know that martial arts exist in this world. The fact that this woman was able to become the top martial arts champion is enough to show how profound her martial arts skills are!

"Indeed, winning the martial arts examination is not something that can be explained away by mere luck."

Xiao Jinxuan spoke up: "I've heard that in this martial arts examination, someone achieved first place in horsemanship, martial arts, and archery. I suppose... that was you?"

"It is indeed my daughter."

Tang Ningshuang nodded respectfully.

"good!"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded and praised, "It is truly remarkable for a woman to possess such bravery."

After speaking, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Qin Zhaoye and Lu Chenshan: "Of course, it is also remarkable that you two were able to enter the top three in the martial arts examination."

Qin Zhaoye and Lu Chenshan simultaneously cupped their hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded slightly, then glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu, and said with a smile, "Since the top three in both the civil and military examinations are here, let's follow the custom and conduct a mutual examination between the two."

Jiang Xiaobai's lips twitched involuntarily.

coming!

A contest of both literary and martial skills!

There's really no escaping it!

As Jiang Xiaobai was filled with bitterness, Xiao Jinxuan, sitting on the dragon throne, slowly raised his hand.

"Since the top three in both civil and military affairs are already in the hall, let's begin the civil and military examination with the top scholar."

As he spoke, Xiao Jinxuan paused, glancing back and forth between Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang: "As the saying goes, strategy comes first; this time, let's turn it around!"

"Let's start by setting the questions for the martial arts examination!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone in the hall immediately became subtle.

One was the newly appointed top scholar who had just been chosen to marry into the Prime Minister's family.

One is a female martial arts champion who overpowered all others to win the championship.

The two tested each other first, and it was quite a test.

Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu stood to the side, their gazes simultaneously falling on Jiang Xiaobai.

Guo Zhan, in particular, had a hint of unspoken expectation deep in his eyes.

Yes.

In the national treasury strategy just now, they were outmaneuvered by Jiang Xiaobai.

But things are different now.

The questions set for the military examinations didn't test poetry, prose, or policy essays; they tested courage!

Even if Jiang Xiaobai is eloquent, can he still remain calm and composed in front of the martial arts champion?

Thinking of this, the two of them felt a little tempted to see Jiang Xiaobai make a fool of himself.

Jiang Xiaobai's face showed even more bitterness as he looked up at Tang Ningshuang, his eyes meeting her cold, clear gaze.

Yes, Tang Ningshuang really looked down on Jiang Xiaobai.

Even though His Majesty had already acknowledged Jiang Xiaobai as the top scholar, in Tang Ningshuang's view, the fact remained that the top scholar had been bought.

A person who stands on the throne by virtue of a purchased title.

Even if someone is eloquent, what good is it?

If such a person could become the top scholar, then that would be truly unfair to the scholars who have studied diligently for years.

Thinking of this, the coldness in Tang Ningshuang's eyes deepened even further.

Tang Kui, standing among the military officers, felt a pang of unease upon seeing his daughter's appearance.

broken!

Is this girl really planning to do something drastic?

Thinking of this, Tang Kui immediately coughed twice.

Although the voice wasn't loud, the meaning of the reminder was quite clear.

But Tang Ningshuang seemed not to hear him at all, and didn't even glance at him.

Upon seeing this, Tang Kui's lips twitched involuntarily.

It’s over.

This girl's stubbornness is kicking in.

Next, he'll probably have to think about how to apologize to Jiang Jingcheng!

As Tang Kui looked on with a bitter expression, Tang Ning Shuang slowly raised her hand and lifted the sword at her waist.

The sword was not drawn.

But in that instant, many people in the hall seemed to sense a hidden sharpness.

"Young Master Jiang!"

Tang Ningshuang's cool voice followed: "Please step forward!"

Jiang Xiaobai's expression changed slightly.

No!

Are you serious?!

But with the entire court watching, Jiang Xiaobai knew that if he withdrew now, he would lose face big time.

Moreover, he had just been appointed Imperial Inspector; if he backed down at this moment, he would truly become a laughingstock.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai could only take a deep breath and steel himself to walk out.

"Miss Tang."

Jiang Xiaobai forced a smile: "I wonder... how you plan to set the questions?"

"Oh……"

Tang Ningshuang said calmly, "Simple. Next, I will make a move against Prince Jiang."

"Young Master Jiang only needs to hold his ground for half a quarter of an hour, without retreating or dodging, and he will pass the test!"

These words immediately sparked a murmur of discussion in the court.

Half a quarter of an hour?

Could he withstand the martial arts champion's attacks for even a moment?

For a scholar, this was not a test of courage, but torture!

Moreover, Jiang Xiaobai's physique doesn't look like someone who has practiced martial arts!

Even if Tang Ningshuang doesn't actually hurt Jiang Xiaobai, the pressure from that sword strike alone would probably be enough to make him suffer.

A look of mockery involuntarily appeared in the eyes of Guo Zhan and Zhong Yu.

Now let's see how Jiang Xiaobai handles this calmly!

Jiang Xiaobai's expression also changed noticeably.

Looking at the sword in Tang Ningshuang's hand, and then at Tang Ningshuang's cold, expressionless face, he couldn't help but curse inwardly.

Tang Ningshuang didn't give him much of a chance to react. She gripped the sword hilt and moved her wrist slightly.

Clang!

The longsword was drawn half an inch from its sheath.

In an instant, a cold glint flashed in the hall.

Seeing that Tang Ningshuang was about to make a move, Jiang Xiaobai's expression changed drastically, and he quickly raised his hand: "Wait, I have something to say!"

Ok?

Tang Ningshuang stopped abruptly with her sword, looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and said calmly, "How is it?"

Jiang Xiaobai coughed lightly, his eyes darting around rapidly.

Yes, if this woman really makes a move, even if he doesn't die today, he'll be half-dead.

What's more, he wasn't wearing armor!

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai forced a smile back onto his face: "Miss Tang, isn't what you're saying all about testing your courage?"

"I have a better idea."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai paused slightly, a smirk playing on his lips: "I'm afraid you won't dare!"

"Oh?"

Tang Ningshuang stared at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "What idea do you have? Tell me!"