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

"That's exactly what I said."

Li Bingzhang nodded slightly, praising, "My son-in-law is indeed clever; he even guessed that!"

"Hehe, that's not difficult. Only if my father-in-law says it this way can it be reasonable."

Jiang Xiaobai said, "After all... unless I'm driven to the brink, my father won't agree."

Yes, how could he, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenbei, easily marry into another family!

"That's right!"

Li Bingzhang nodded, his eyes filled with even greater admiration.

But after a pause, Li Bingzhang continued, "However, His Majesty did not believe it entirely."

He even asked me, "Zhiwei...why would you fall for such a spoiled brat like me?"

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but smile again: "So, Father-in-law, what you should be saying is that Miss Li doesn't like me."

"But it was at your behest that this was done, with the aim of... relieving His Majesty's worries and ensuring that the military power of the Northern Garrison ultimately returns to the imperial family!"

"That's right!"

As Li Bingzhang nodded, his gaze toward Jiang Xiaobai became increasingly different.

Without a doubt, Jiang Xiaobai's intelligence truly exceeded his expectations.

Jiang Xiaobai, however, did not show any smugness when he saw Li Bingzhang's praise.

Yes, the reason he performed at the Imperial Academy was not only for himself, but also to provide Li Bingzhang with an excuse.

If Li Bingzhang, as the prime minister, couldn't even understand this point, then he would be wasting his talents.

With this in mind, Jiang Xiaobai slowly said, "However, judging from His Majesty's suspicious nature, it actually explains something."

"Oh?"

Li Bingzhang looked at Jiang Xiaobai curiously: "What is it?"

"The person who orchestrated this behind the scenes, the one who made me buy the top scholar title, is probably not His Majesty."

Jiang Xiaobai spoke up.

How do you know?

Li Bingzhang inquired.

"It's very simple. If His Majesty orchestrates a scheme for me to buy the top scholar title, he won't ask you about the details. As long as the result is good, that's all that matters!"

Jiang Xiaobai said, "But His Majesty's concern shows that he's not entirely sure, since the surprise came too suddenly!"

"Of course, there's also the most important point: if this situation was arranged by His Majesty, then His Majesty would not have agreed to grant me the authority to investigate the Ministry of Rites!"

"So, in my opinion, His Majesty simply... seized this opportunity to use my marriage into the Prime Minister's residence to remove me from the inheritance of the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai's expression flashed with a strange light: "Although His Majesty didn't make the first move, His Majesty responded very well."

It seems that no emperor is simple.

"hehe."

Li Bingzhang smiled slightly after hearing this and said, "You think the same thing as me!"

As he spoke, Li Bingzhang paused and said, "However, I do have one person I suspect."

"Father-in-law, are you referring to that Grand Secretary?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow slightly.

"yes!"

Li Bingzhang nodded: "Today in court, I saw it clearly; Minister Chen looked at Chief Minister Meng several times."

"I don't believe it if you say the two have no connection whatsoever."

"But strangely enough..."

Li Bingzhang frowned and said, "From beginning to end, Chief Minister Meng did not say a single word in Chen Zhanqiu's defense."

"Now that the Ministry of Rites is in the spotlight, and Chen Zhanqiu has become a pawn, doesn't Chief Minister Meng... worry about being investigated and exposed?"

"Heh, he doesn't need to worry at all!"

Jiang Xiaobai thought for a moment and then realized the key point: "The Grand Secretary is His Majesty's close advisor, so in Minister Chen's eyes, the Grand Secretary's will is His Majesty's will!"

"Even if Minister Chen were incredibly bold, he certainly wouldn't dare to expose this matter!"

"After all, if he doesn't expose it, he still has a chance to live, but if he does... then Minister Chen will certainly die!"

"That makes sense!"

A glint of insight flashed in Li Bingzhang's eyes, and he nodded slightly.

"So, either the Grand Secretary really intended to surprise His Majesty, and thus orchestrated this whole scheme!"

Li Zhiwei then spoke up from the side: "Either way, there's another hand pulling the strings behind Chief Minister Meng!"

"That's right, that's what I thought too!"

As Jiang Xiaobai nodded, he glanced at Li Zhiwei with admiration.

This woman is quite clever.

However, if Chief Minister Meng really just wanted to surprise the emperor, then this matter will end here.

But what if there's a hand pushing from behind...?

This situation is definitely not as simple as a power struggle in the imperial court.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Bingzhang and asked, "Father-in-law, how many children does His Majesty have?"

"Oh, seven!"

Li Bingzhang began, "Five sons and two daughters!"

"Except for the eldest princess, who is not in the capital, the other six are all present!"

At this point, Li Bingzhang looked at Jiang Xiaobai and said, "What, you suspect it's... a problem with His Majesty's offspring?"

"Well... that's hard to say!"

Jiang Xiaobai frowned.

Yes, he also thought of someone else, the current emperor's own sister, the eldest princess.

According to Tang Kui, this woman was extremely intelligent.

If they really have ulterior motives, they might... get involved in it too!

"Oh, right!"

At this moment, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly remembered something and looked at Li Bingzhang, saying, "The Qinglou Pavilion was besieged by students today!"

"Blockade?!"

Li Bingzhang was taken aback at first, then chuckled and said, "My dear son-in-law, you are renowned, and now you've achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination. It would be strange if you didn't gamble!"

His Qinglou was originally a place where students gathered, and behind Qinglou was him.

Given that the other routes were impassable, it was perfectly normal for students to gather in the Qinglou building.

"Ha, but the problem is, this blockade was deliberately instigated by someone behind the scenes!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai recounted in detail how he had identified the person who had incited the students.

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Li Bingzhang's expression immediately became more serious.

Is someone deliberately inciting this?

This problem is quite different.

Li Zhiwei frowned slightly.

That's right, Jiang Xiaobai identified the person who incited the students, but didn't tell her!

Li Zhiwei immediately spoke up: "Could the person instigating this behind the scenes... also be the Grand Secretary!"

"That's hard to say!"

Jiang Xiaobai shook his head helplessly and said, "There might be another group of people involved!"

That's right, the court session had just ended when people started blocking the door.

The movement was far too fast; something was clearly wrong!

Jiang Xiaobai paused, then added, "However, I do have a way to find out who's behind the students!"

"Oh? How do I pull it?"

Li Bingzhang looked somewhat surprised.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei also looked curious.

"I've cast a bait, and I'm just waiting for the fish to bite!"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "When the brothel is cleared out tomorrow, there will naturally be a good show to watch!"

"bait?"

Li Bingzhang asked, "What bait?"

"It's nothing, I just came up with two pairs!"

Jiang Xiaobai said, "If even one person can answer the question correctly, I will voluntarily relinquish my title of top scholar!"

What?

Upon hearing this, both Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei's expressions changed.

Jiang Xiaobai didn't mention that just now.

"My dear son-in-law, you...you're being too impulsive!"

Li Bingzhang frowned.

No matter how difficult the couplet is, there are so many students that one of them will surely be able to come up with one.

Moreover, if someone came deliberately from behind the scenes, they would definitely consult some old scholars.

Therefore, Jiang Xiaobai's attempt to lure people with couplets is undoubtedly a case of lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot!

Li Zhiwei listened, her expression showing slight worry.

"Don't worry, I'm confident!"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Bingzhang with confidence and said, "As for tomorrow's morning court, Father-in-law, I'm afraid you'll have to put on a show with my father..."