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

the next day.

Jiang Xiaobai got up, ate breakfast, and was just about to go out when he saw Zhang Xinnian walk in from outside.

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Xinnian looked at Jiang Xiaobai respectfully and said, "The Marquis ordered me to protect you personally today!"

"Um?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow, then nodded: "Alright."

He was attacked in the street yesterday, though he wasn't hit.

But... Jiang Xiaobai didn't want to experience that feeling of being struck by a blade again.

With Zhang Xinnian by his side, he can feel somewhat more at ease.

"Where is my father?" Jiang Xiaobai asked.

"Oh, the Marquis went to court early."

Zhang Xinnian began.

"So early?"

Jiang Xiaobai was surprised for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Go and prepare a carriage."

"Let's go to the Prime Minister's residence!"

"yes!"

Zhang Xinnian nodded respectfully, turned around and walked out.

Soon after, the carriage was ready.

Jiang Xiaobai led Zhang Xinnian towards the Prime Minister's residence.

At this moment, all the officials gathered in the Golden Palace.

However, the atmosphere in the court was even stranger than usual.

Because right in the very center of the court, there was a coffin.

The coffin was entirely black and stood out prominently in the main hall.

At that moment, many officials were hunching over and whispering among themselves.

"Hiss, what is Lord Jiang planning to do today?"

"Yes, carrying a coffin to court is extremely inappropriate and unlucky!"

"Who knows? He didn't come yesterday, but he came today carrying a coffin. What's he up to?!"

Many officials secretly glanced towards the military officers.

Jiang Jingcheng stood at the forefront of the military officers, his face cold and silent.

That oppressive aura made many civil officials feel uneasy just by looking at it.

On the other side, Li Bingzhang occasionally glanced at the coffin, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.

No!

Jiang Jingcheng, you really dare to do that!

If the two families weren't now practically related by marriage, he would have impeached Jiang Jingcheng for this act of carrying a coffin to court.

Grand Secretary Meng Xiutang, however, remained at the forefront of the civil officials.

His expression was calm, his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if the coffin in the center of the hall had nothing to do with him.

Of course, it was precisely that overly calm demeanor that made Li Bingzhang's gaze linger on him for a moment longer.

Just then, Gao Gonggong's high-pitched and loud voice came from outside the hall.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As soon as the voice fell, the entire court fell silent.

Soon, Eunuch Gao helped Xiao Jinxuan slowly walk into the main hall from the back.

As soon as Xiao Jinxuan entered the hall, his gaze fell on the coffin, and his brows furrowed slightly.

However, it was only for a moment. Soon, Xiao Jinxuan sat calmly on the dragon throne.

After the officials paid their respects, the court fell silent once more.

Xiao Jinxuan's gaze swept across the main hall, finally landing on Jiang Jingcheng: "Marquis Jiang, what is your intention in bringing a coffin to court today?"

Yes, he didn't even need to know beforehand; only Jiang Jingcheng could do something like that!

"Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Jiang Jingcheng stepped forward and spoke.

"explain."

Xiao Jinxuan spoke calmly.

Jiang Jingcheng continued bowing, "Your Majesty, I beg you to remove my son Jiang Xiaobai's title of top scholar!"

boom!

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the civil and military officials in the court immediately changed.

Many officials looked at each other.

They had anticipated that Jiang Jingcheng would cause trouble today, and they also knew that Jiang Jingcheng carrying a coffin to court meant something big was about to happen.

But no one expected that Jiang Jingcheng's first words would be to remove his son from the title of top scholar.

Such a great honor, yet Jiang Jingcheng refused it?

"Why do you say that, Lord Jiang?"

Xiao Jinxuan frowned slightly.

"His Majesty!"

Jiang Jingcheng said in a deep voice, "My son's title of top scholar was actually bought!"

"Since it was purchased, it violates the rules of the court. Although I protect my son, I dare not break the laws of the court, much less disappoint the students of the land!"

"Therefore, I humbly request Your Majesty to remove this title!"

There's nothing wrong with what was said, but many officials felt that something was off.

That's right, Jiang Jingcheng isn't that kind of rule-abiding person!

"Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!"

Just then, Li Bingzhang stepped forward and said, "Although Jiang Xiaobai's title of top scholar originated from buying an official position, everyone in the court yesterday saw it clearly."

"Jiang Xiaobai is quick-witted, offers excellent advice, and even personally gets involved to uncover a case of cheating in the imperial examinations."

"Such a person of both talent and virtue, having already received His Majesty's personal approval, how can the title of top scholar be easily revoked?"

"Your Majesty is unaware of the situation, but as far as I know, the Qinglou Pavilion at the Prime Minister's residence is being blocked by a large number of students!"

Jiang Jingcheng snorted coldly and said, "My son has also been tempted by this, and is considering relinquishing the title of top scholar. I beg Your Majesty to grant his request!"

"I will handle this matter properly!"

Li Bingzhang spoke first.

"you?!"

Jiang Jingcheng suddenly looked at Li Bingzhang and sneered, "Li Bingzhang, you old scoundrel, how dare you say such a thing?!"

"Lord Jiang, be careful with your words!" Li Bingzhang's face darkened.

"You son of a bitch!?"

Jiang Jingcheng glared at him fiercely: "You old scoundrel, if you can't do it openly, you'll resort to underhanded tricks!"

"Now it's finally dawning on me. If I'm not mistaken, you orchestrated this whole thing, getting my son to become the top scholar, and then using that to blackmail me into marrying into your family!"

"And now they're still putting on an act of impartiality before His Majesty!"

"What? Your Prime Minister's residence is so desperate for a son-in-law that you're trying to trick me, the only son of the Marquis of Zhenbei's family!?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the court officials became even more interesting.

"Jiang Jingcheng, don't make false accusations!"

Li Bingzhang's expression also turned cold: "Jiang Xiaobai bought the top scholar title in order to expose those who cheated in the imperial examinations; he was essentially putting himself in the game."

"How could I have orchestrated this scheme to get him to buy the top scholar's name!"

"Furthermore, regarding your marriage into the Prime Minister's household, Elder Lin was a witness at the time, and you agreed to it. You can't escape this arrangement!"

"You son of a bitch..."

Jiang Jingcheng stepped forward, and a murderous aura suddenly emanated from his body.

Many civil officials were so frightened that they took a half step back.

Li Bingzhang stood still, not retreating an inch.

"What's wrong?"

Li Bingzhang sneered, "Does Marquis Jiang intend to make a move right here in the imperial palace?"

"So what if we take action?"

Jiang Jingcheng glared at Li Bingzhang: "You old scoundrel, you schemed against my son, and you still dare to act innocent here!"

"No way! I want to break off the engagement. If you don't agree, I'll fuck you to death!"

"break off an engagement?"

Li Bingzhang's face also darkened: "It seems this marriage cannot be annulled. His Majesty personally bestowed the marriage yesterday, and it has been recorded in the imperial register. Do you, Jiang Jingcheng, intend to defy the imperial decree?"

"Li Bingzhang, you bastard, you stupid piece of trash!!"

"Jiang Jingcheng, you brute!!"

The argument in the imperial court grew increasingly heated.

Many officials were utterly dumbfounded.

Even among the military officers, some couldn't help but lower their heads, their shoulders trembling slightly.

Yes, Jiang Jingcheng usually prefers to take action rather than talk.

Unexpectedly, he ended up arguing with Li Bingzhang in the imperial court today.

That's really rare!