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

"That's enough!"

Seeing the two arguing more and more fiercely, Xiao Jinxuan finally snorted coldly.

The sound wasn't loud, but it instantly filled the entire hall.

Jiang Jingcheng and Li Bingzhang exchanged a glance before stopping simultaneously.

But after exchanging a glance, the two simultaneously snorted coldly and turned their heads away.

Xiao Jinxuan watched this scene and looked coldly at Jiang Jingcheng: "Marquis Jiang, the title of top scholar was decided by me yesterday."

"Jiang Xiaobai is able to deal with the ministers in the imperial court and offer advice to the country, which shows that this name is not entirely undeserved."

"Moreover, the examination scandal has not yet been investigated."

"If I were to strip him of his title of top scholar now, wouldn't that make the world think that I have already decided that Jiang Xiaobai was solely responsible for this case?"

At this point, Xiao Jinxuan's gaze swept over the officials: "Therefore, this matter is not permitted."

"His Majesty……"

"Lord Jiang, there's no need for further words."

Xiao Jinxuan said calmly, "Jiang Xiaobai's title of top scholar cannot be revoked for now. We will discuss his merits and demerits after the examination scandal is investigated."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, Li Bingzhang immediately bowed, and after a pause, said, "However... it is indeed true that the students surrounded Qinglou!"

"If Jiang Xiaobai were to voluntarily relinquish his title of top scholar in front of those students, it might be inappropriate!"

"Um!"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded slightly and said, "I will draft an edict and send it to Qinglou to silence any gossip!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Li Bingzhang smiled.

"Furthermore, regarding Jiang Xiaobai's marriage into the Prime Minister's household,"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded slightly, then looked at Jiang Jingcheng and said, "After all, I personally promised yesterday..."

"His Majesty!"

Jiang Jingcheng said, "I can overlook the fact that you were the top scholar, but I will not agree to the marriage proposal!"

"Hmph, Jiang Xiaobai must marry into the family!"

At this moment, Li Bingzhang interrupted Jiang Jingcheng, his voice icy: "Otherwise, how will my daughter's innocence be protected!"

After speaking, Li Bingzhang looked at Xiao Jinxuan: "Your Majesty, my daughter... has actually already pledged her life to Jiang Xiaobai!"

Wow!

All the officials in the imperial court were astonished.

Have Jiang Xiaobai and Li Zhiwei already secretly pledged their lives to each other?

If someone else had said this, no one would have believed it.

But the person who said this... was Li Bingzhang.

The Prime Minister, a man of high rank, would never risk his daughter's reputation by speaking nonsense in court.

Jiang Jingcheng was also taken aback, his brows furrowing deeply: "This matter..."

"What's wrong?"

Li Bingzhang looked at Jiang Jingcheng and gave a heavy, cold snort: "Do you think I would joke with you about my daughter's innocence like this?"

"That unfilial son!"

Jiang Jingcheng's face darkened: "Go back and see how I deal with him!"

"Alright!"

Xiao Jinxuan spoke slowly, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Jingcheng and Li Bingzhang, and said indifferently, "Let's leave this matter aside for now."

"After all, even without this incident, Jiang Xiaobai's marriage into the Prime Minister's household was already personally approved by me, and it cannot be changed!"

"Therefore, Marquis Jiang, please don't mention this matter again!"

"this……"

Jiang Jingcheng's expression remained grim, but he finally bowed and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

"Um!"

Xiao Jinxuan nodded in satisfaction, then his gaze returned to the coffin in the center of the hall.

"Then, Lord Jiang, shouldn't you tell us now what the significance of this coffin is?"

These words silenced the court once again.

Many people's eyes fell back on the black coffin.

Jiang Jingcheng's face, which had been filled with anger, suddenly turned cold at this moment.

The oppressive aura emanating from him intensified.

"Return to Your Majesty."

Jiang Jingcheng said coldly, "Yesterday, my son was assassinated in the street on his way home."

boom!

The entire court was immediately thrown into an uproar.

Xiao Jinxuan's expression also darkened.

Yes, Jiang Xiaobai was just handpicked by him to investigate the case yesterday.

As a result, he was assassinated on his way home.

Was Jiang Xiaobai really the only one killed?

This is a slap in the face for him!!

"I am carrying a coffin to court today not to frighten anyone."

Jiang Jingcheng pointed to the coffin, his voice icy: "Is this to tell everyone in the court that my Jiang family now only has this one son left?"

"If anyone dares to plot against my son again, this coffin..."

Jiang Jingcheng paused, his gaze sweeping coldly over the assembled officials: "I will bury him myself!"

"And whoever it is!"

As the last few words were spoken, the hall fell into an instant of deathly silence.

Many officials instinctively lowered their heads.

Everyone could tell that Jiang Jingcheng was truly intent on killing.

After speaking, Jiang Jingcheng glared fiercely in the direction of the Ministry of Rites.

Jiang Xiaobai is currently holding the position of Imperial Inspector.

The Ministry of Rites is the subject of the investigation, making it the most likely suspect.

Chen Zhanqiu had remained silent all along.

Upon noticing Jiang Jingcheng's gaze, her face twitched slightly.

Xiao Jinxuan's eyes turned slightly cold, and he focused his gaze on the Ministry of Rites, glancing at it once.

"Hmph, I just appointed the Imperial Inspectorate yesterday, and someone dared to kill them yesterday."

"Great, excellent!"

Although Xiao Jinxuan's voice was not loud, it sent chills down everyone's spine: "From this day forward, Jiang Xiaobai is hereby granted a silver talisman before the Emperor."

"Until the imperial examination scandal is resolved, wherever Jiang Xiaobai goes to investigate, seeing the silver talisman is as if seeing the Emperor's will."

"Anyone who obstructs, besieges, or attempts to assassinate will be punished for disobeying an imperial edict!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the officials in the court changed.

Imperial Silver Talisman?

Although this is not an official position, it carries more weight than ordinary official positions.

With it, when Jiang Xiaobai is investigating a case, it's as if His Majesty is standing behind him.

"in addition……"

Xiao Jinxuan paused, then looked at Tang Kui, who was among the military officers: "General Tang."

Upon hearing this, Tang Kui immediately stepped forward: "Your subject is here!"

"Your daughter, Tang Ningshuang, is the champion of this martial arts competition; she is exceptionally skilled."

Xiao Jinxuan said calmly, "I will temporarily assign her to the position of inspector in the Zhenying Division. Before the examination case is resolved, she will accompany and protect Jiang Xiaobai."

Do you have any objections to this?

"I have no objection!"

Tang Kui's expression shifted slightly, then he cupped his hands and said, "I will follow Your Majesty's arrangements!"

Yes, he really had no objection.

Compared to Tang Ningshuang's insistence on going to the border army, it was actually a good thing for her to first enter the Zhenying Division for training.

Besides, it's just about protecting Jiang Xiaobai, not sending her to her death.

But... thinking of his daughter's temper and Jiang Xiaobai's sharp tongue, Tang Kui's lips still twitched involuntarily.

These two together... I'm afraid they're never going to have a moment of peace!

"Then it's settled."

Xiao Jinxuan raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the assembled civil and military officials: "My fellow ministers, is there anything else you wish to report?"

As he finished speaking, the officials present looked at each other in bewilderment, but no one spoke again.

"In that case, let's adjourn the court."

After speaking, Xiao Jinxuan looked at Eunuch Gao and said, "Also, convey my imperial decree: proceed to Qinglou."

"The title of Zhuangyuan was personally bestowed by me, and Jiang Xiaobai is not allowed to abolish it without authorization."

"Any student who uses this to incite unrest will be treated as a troublemaker!"

"yes!"

Eunuch Gao responded respectfully.

Then, a loud shout echoed throughout the hall: "Court adjourned!"

……

the other side.

Inside the Prime Minister's residence.

After the carriage stopped, Jiang Xiaobai led Zhang Xinnian into the mansion through the main gate.

This visit to the Prime Minister's residence was clearly different from the last one.

The last time they entered, it was only because of Jiang Jingcheng's intimidation that they were allowed to go in.

Today, when the servants of the Prime Minister's residence saw them, they made way for them.

In response, Zhang Xinnian couldn't help but whisper, "Young Master, last time we came to the Prime Minister's residence, we had a hard time even getting inside."

"I didn't expect that everyone would look at you differently this time!"

"That's natural."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "After all, I am the future son-in-law of the Prime Minister's mansion!"

"What the young master says makes sense!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xinnian immediately grinned.

Jiang Xiaobai's lips curled up at this moment, clearly indicating that he was in a good mood.

Soon, Jiang Xiaobai arrived at Li Zhiwei's residence.

As he approached the courtyard gate, he heard a familiar voice coming from inside.

"Jiang Xiaobai, you're really bold!"

Ok?

Jiang Xiaobai paused in his steps.

That sound...

Why does this sound so familiar?

Lin Qinrou?

This woman is here too.