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

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai was slightly taken aback when he saw the man who rushed in.

The man looked to be in his early twenties, and his face was full of anxiety.

Most importantly, this person... actually barged into Li Zhiwei's room?

Something's not quite right here!

The man's expression also showed surprise.

Obviously, they didn't expect that the person sitting in the room was not Li Zhiwei, but another strange man.

A moment later, the man was the first to react, his gaze immediately becoming wary as he stared at Jiang Xiaobai and asked, "You...who are you?"

"And who are you?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the man and asked the same question.

Upon hearing this, the man's face darkened: "I am Li Zhixing, Zhiwei's cousin, and also the current head of the Qinglou Pavilion in the Prime Minister's residence!"

Cousin?

Li Zhixing?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai finally understood.

but……

Clearing out the building?

What does this mean?

His future father-in-law actually owns this kind of business?

Just as Jiang Xiaobai's mind was wandering, the man frowned and asked, "And who are you?"

"oh."

Jiang Xiaobai snapped out of his reverie and smiled slightly: "The Marquis of Zhenbei's residence... Jiang Xiaobai!"

"Jiang Xiaobai?"

Upon hearing this, the man's eyes widened in surprise.

Then, his expression changed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

First came astonishment, then shock, and finally, rage: "You...you're this year's top scorer?"

"That's right, it's me, the Crown Prince!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, her smile unchanged.

"OK!"

Upon hearing this, the man gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, fine, you brat, you actually dare to come to our Prime Minister's residence?"

"I think you're asking for a beating!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the man rolled up his sleeves and charged aggressively at Jiang Xiaobai.

"Wait a minute!"

Jiang Xiaobai's expression changed, and he quickly raised his hand: "We don't seem to know each other, and... you have to have a reason for hitting me, right?"

Yes, this person's temper seems even more fiery than Tang Ningshuang's.

"reason?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhixing's anger intensified: "Fine, I'll ask you, did you buy your way into the top scholar position?!"

"yes!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded frankly.

Li Zhixing was stunned for a moment.

Clearly, he hadn't expected Jiang Xiaobai to admit it so readily, which made his prepared angry outbursts catch in his throat for a moment.

After a moment, Li Zhixing angrily retorted, "Fine, then you admit it!"

"I'm asking you again, did you use some kind of trickery to deceive my sister?!"

That's all.

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head, his face serious: "I've always been an honest person, how could I possibly do such a thing?"

"Oh!"

Li Zhixing sneered, clearly not believing a single word.

"Jiang Xiaobai, stop pretending! Do you know that our Prime Minister's Residence's Qinglou Building has been completely besieged by students!"

"They pleaded with my uncle to have the Emperor strip you of your title of top scholar!"

"Besides, I don't know where this rumor came from, but it says my sister has taken a liking to you and won't marry anyone but you!"

At this point, Li Zhixing's chest heaved with anger: "This whole mess started because of you, and you still dare to claim your innocence?"

what?

Jiang Xiaobai's expression froze for a moment.

Then, his expression turned strange.

Good heavens, the matter concerning the Imperial Academy has already blown up so quickly?

The commotion that started yesterday has already become the talk of the town today?

However, thinking about it, it makes sense.

After all, the most talented woman, Li Zhiwei, actually took a fancy to this good-for-nothing playboy.

She insisted on marrying him.

This gimmick would surely attract attention not only from students in Beijing, but even from the old ladies selling steamed buns on the street.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"You're still laughing?"

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai's reaction, Li Zhixing nearly exploded on the spot: "Do you even know what a mess Qinglou is in right now?"

"etc."

Jiang Xiaobai raised his hand, asking curiously, "Don't rush to scold me. If I may ask, what exactly is this brothel...?"

"you do not know?"

Li Zhixing was taken aback at first, but soon his gaze towards Jiang Xiaobai grew even more disdainful: "Hmph, no wonder, it's normal for someone like you who bought his official position not to know about Qinglou!"

"No, no, no, I know."

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head: "But my understanding may be somewhat different from what you said."

Jiang Xiaobai coughed lightly, his expression becoming more serious: "How about... you explain?"

"Qinglou was built by my uncle in his early years for students from poor families!"

Li Zhixing glanced at Jiang Xiaobai suspiciously and snorted coldly, "Some scholars from poor families, including those who come to the capital to take the imperial examinations, find it difficult to pursue their studies. They need money for food, lodging, writing materials, and everything else."

"Seeing their plight, my uncle set up a Qinglou."

"On ordinary days, students from poor families can study and discuss strategies there, and also have a hot meal."

"If a truly talented person comes from a poor family, Qinglou will provide them with paper and ink, and occasionally even introduce them to renowned teachers to give lessons at Qinglou!"

At this point, Li Zhixing's face showed a clear increase in pride: "Over the years, although Qinglou is not an official residence, it has gained considerable prestige among the scholars in the capital."

"Many students from impoverished families, upon arriving in the capital, would head straight to Qinglou!"

"I see!"

After hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

It seems he misunderstood.

Moreover, it must be said that his future father-in-law has quite a broad perspective.

They provide a place for students from poor families to study, offer meals, and even introduce them to renowned teachers.

In the capital, this kind of thing can't be done with just a little money.

It takes years of reputation and connections to sustain it!

No wonder those students dared to block the Qinglou building.

In their eyes, Qinglou almost represented the attitude of Prime Minister Li Bingzhang.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai frowned slightly: "So, those students right now want to use Qinglou to get Prime Minister Li to make a statement?"

"good!"

Li Zhixing said coldly, "They think that you bought your way into the top scholar position, which disgraces all scholars in the world."

"And my uncle, as the current prime minister, has always taken care of scholars from humble backgrounds; naturally, he should speak up for students across the land!"

"Especially now... there are rumors that Zhiwei has taken a liking to you."

"The students were even more outraged, saying... saying..."

Li Zhixing's expression darkened as he spoke.

Jiang Xiaobai became interested: "What did you say?"

Li Zhixing gritted her teeth and said, "They say that my Prime Minister's Mansion is willing to sacrifice its reputation as the most talented woman just to curry favor with the Zhenbei Marquis's military power!"

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's smile vanished instantly.

That's right, although this was a trap he deliberately set himself.

The more fiercely you criticize, the bigger the reversal will be later.

But... that's not right!

Logically speaking, at this stage, he should be the one being criticized.

To curry favor with military power?

Such words could not have spread without someone instigating them.

Clearly, someone acted faster than he imagined.

The court session had just ended when the fire broke out outside.

Nobody would believe it if you said no one was involved.

Thinking of this, a cold glint flashed in Jiang Xiaobai's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing that Jiang Xiaobai remained silent, Li Zhixing immediately sneered, "Now you know fear?"

"I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid."

Jiang Xiaobai looked up at Li Zhixing, then suddenly smiled: "I just think some people are too impatient."

Li Zhixing was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything."

Jiang Xiaobai stood up and slowly straightened his sleeves: "Since the matter of Qinglou was caused by me, then this young master... must go and see for himself."

"you go?"

Li Zhixing frowned, his expression slightly surprised.

"certainly."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Zhixing with a smile: "Didn't you just say that this whole thing started because of me? Then let me go with you!"

"this……"

Li Zhixing's expression stiffened slightly as he said, "Jiang Xiaobai, let me remind you."

"These students right now would love to tear you apart, you who bought your way into the top scholar position."

"If you go and get yelled at, or even have vegetables or eggs thrown at you, don't blame me for not warning you!"

"Vegetable leaves and eggs?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow: "Not bad, just in time I didn't eat enough this morning."

"..."

Li Zhixing was immediately speechless.

Is this person crazy?

What normal person could remain so calm upon hearing that they were about to be pelted with eggs?

Jiang Xiaobai didn't say anything more at this moment and started walking outside.

As Jiang Xiaobai reached the door, he suddenly remembered something, paused, and turned to look at the stunned Li Zhixing.

"By the way, where is Qinglou?"