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

The carriage slowly drove out of the palace gate.

Inside the carriage, however, the atmosphere was somewhat strange.

At this moment, Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang sat facing each other, staring at each other.

Tang Kui sat to the side, looking at his daughter and then at Jiang Xiaobai, his expression somewhat unnatural.

Yes.

The atmosphere...

Why does it feel even more oppressive than in the Golden Palace just now?

Finally, Tang Kui could only cough lightly, breaking the silence: "Xiao Bai!"

"Although you achieved the top score in the liberal arts exam this time, the matter of buying an official position has already aroused the indignation of students all over the country."

"Even if His Majesty recognizes you as the top scholar today, the other scholars outside may not necessarily agree."

At this point, Tang Kui paused slightly: "How do you plan to resolve this matter?"

"No rush."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled after hearing this.

"Not in a hurry?"

Tang Kui raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, it won't be long!"

Jiang Xiaobai said confidently, "I will make all the students in the world admire me!"

"Oh."

No sooner had Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking than Tang Ningshuang sneered from the side: "A top scholar who obtained his official position by buying his way in the imperial examinations, still wants to be revered by scholars all over the world?"

"Young Master Jiang, what you're saying is rather ridiculous."

"Sister Tang, are you prejudiced against me?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang with a helpless expression.

"yes!"

Tang Ningshuang nodded, without denying it.

Yes, even today in the imperial court, Jiang Xiaobai spoke eloquently and even won the civil and military examination.

However, in Tang Ningshuang's view, the matter of buying an official position was still a fact.

Even if someone is quite clever, it's hard for her to truly accept that someone who got to the top spot through such means has some intelligence!

Moreover, judging from the emperor's subsequent intentions, Jiang Xiaobai has become an imperial investigator, tasked with thoroughly investigating the Ministry of Rites!

In her view, this was somewhat incomprehensible!

Jiang Xiaobai could naturally tell.

However, he was too lazy to explain.

After all, there's no point in saying anything more now.

Instead of wasting words, it's better to wait until the facts are actually presented and let these people shut up on their own.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Kui again, his expression becoming slightly more serious: "Uncle Tang, please tell me more about the Princess."

"I want to hear... what exactly happened to the late emperor back then?"

Tang Kui only said half of what he wanted to say back then, and he's still curious about it to this day.

With no one around, Tang Kui must have nothing to fear now, right?

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Tang Kui's smile noticeably faded, and he slowly said, "Not many people know about the Princess's affairs."

"But the older officials who served in the court for a longer period back then probably all heard about it, including your father!"

Jiang Xiaobai didn't interrupt, but listened quietly.

Tang Kui lowered his voice: "Back then, the late emperor actually intended for the eldest princess to inherit the throne."

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai's expression froze for a moment.

Even Tang Ningshuang couldn't help but turn her head to look at Tang Kui, clearly unaware of the matter.

"Should the eldest princess inherit the throne?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow and asked in surprise, "How old was the Princess back then?"

Tang Kui thought for a moment and said, "Thirteen, I guess."

Thirteen?

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes showed even greater surprise.

At the age of thirteen, how could she have made the late emperor want to pass the throne to her?

This princess seems to be even more extraordinary than he imagined.

Tang Kui continued, "At that time, the eldest princess had already shown remarkable intelligence."

"When the late emperor encountered some thorny issues in politics, he would sometimes summon his court officials to discuss them for a long time, but he still might not be able to reach a conclusion."

"But after hearing this, the eldest princess would often be able to pinpoint the key point in a single sentence."

"After several such encounters, the late emperor held her in extremely high regard."

At this point, Tang Kui let out a soft sigh: "Later, when the late emperor was seriously ill, he considered passing the throne to the eldest princess."

"and……"

Tang Kui paused slightly, then lowered his voice and said, "The late emperor did indeed do just that."

"Then why is it His Majesty who sits on the throne now?"

Jiang Xiaobai's eyes narrowed.

"Because in the end, it was the eldest princess who gave in herself."

Tang Kui looked at Jiang Xiaobai and slowly said, "It was given to the current Emperor."

The carriage suddenly fell silent.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone road, making a slight sound.

Jiang Xiaobai leaned against the side of the carriage and gently tapped his knee with his fingers.

Abdicate?

Thirteen years old.

When the late emperor passed the throne to the current emperor, the eldest princess voluntarily relinquished it.

This sounds like a wonderful story.

But no matter how Jiang Xiaobai listened, something felt off.

Seeing him deep in thought, Tang Kui said calmly, "As for why he let him go, it's not hard to guess."

"After all, no woman has ever been emperor in the Great Hua Kingdom."

"The court officials will not agree, nor will the imperial family. If the princess were to actually sit in that position, the country would likely descend into chaos immediately."

"Such a thing actually happened?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's eyes flickered slightly.

However, he has a different opinion.

No woman has ever been crowned emperor in the Great Hua Kingdom.

That is indeed the reason.

But that's not necessarily the whole reason.

Would a woman who was favored by the late emperor at the age of thirteen and even qualified to inherit the throne really give up the throne simply because of the opposition of the court officials?

Perhaps it's a matter of being pragmatic, or perhaps it's a matter of weighing the pros and cons.

Or perhaps...

If she hadn't given in back then, she wouldn't be alive today.

Thinking of this, a profound meaning flashed in Jiang Xiaobai's eyes.

But he would naturally not say such things in front of Tang Kui and Tang Ningshuang.

After all, this was just his speculation.

Moreover, since it involves royal family history, saying the wrong thing could cause trouble.

Jiang Xiaobai then looked at Tang Kui and said, "It seems that this princess is even smarter than the rumors suggest."

"Yes, that's true."

Tang Kui nodded and said, "That's why I reminded you, it's best not to provoke her if you can avoid it."

"If the Princess wants to deal with you, your petty cleverness might not be enough."

"Don't worry, Uncle Tang, I know what I'm doing."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded seriously, and just as he finished speaking, a voice came from outside the carriage.

"General, we've arrived at the Prime Minister's residence!"

As the voice faded, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

Jiang Xiaobai raised his head slightly, looked at Tang Kui, and cupped his hands, saying, "Uncle Tang, please take care. I'll go into the Prime Minister's residence first."

"Go."

Tang Kui smiled and nodded: "You've offended quite a few people today, so be more careful!"

"You can consult Minister Li about thoroughly investigating the Ministry of Rites' affairs before making a decision!"

"Don't worry, Uncle Tang, I'll consider it!"

Jiang Xiaobai laughed and said, "After all... my greatest strength is that I cherish my life."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai jumped off the carriage, waved his hand, and walked towards the Prime Minister's residence.

Inside the carriage, Tang Ningshuang lifted the curtain and glanced outside.

Watching Jiang Xiaobai's retreating figure, Tang Ningshuang frowned: "Father, I don't understand."

"Your Majesty, why did you grant him such great power?"

"It's very simple. Because his marriage into the Prime Minister's household means that the future military power of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion will return to the royal family!"

Tang Kui said, "It wouldn't be right not to offer some incentives, especially since this was at the request of Prime Minister Li. It's only natural for His Majesty to go along with it!"

"Can……"

Tang Ningshuang continued, frowning, "How could a talented woman like Miss Li possibly fall for him?"

"Oh, this matter..."

Tang Kui was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh: "You're asking me? I really can't say."

"However, that old fox Li Bingzhang is not one to suffer losses."

"Since he was willing to let Jiang Xiaobai marry into the Prime Minister's family, it means that there must be something about this kid that he values."

"But he is so frivolous."

Tang Ningshuang's brows remained furrowed: "Always prone to spouting nonsense, this kind of person..."

"Alright, stop focusing on other people's faults."

Tang Kui interrupted Tang Ningshuang and said, "Speaking of which, you're not young anymore."

"When will you find a son-in-law for your father?"

"Father!"

Tang Ningshuang's face looked noticeably unnatural.

"If you're too embarrassed to say it, that's fine too."

Tang Kui, however, seemed oblivious to his daughter's expression and continued, "Tell your father what kind you like."

"I'll keep an eye on things for you."

"Oh, anything is fine."

Tang Ningshuang paused after speaking, then said coldly, "But...it absolutely can't be someone like Jiang Xiaobai!!"

"snort!"