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

Imperial edict?

Inside the Qinglou building, everyone was stunned for a moment.

No, how could their brothel suddenly receive an imperial decree?

Whose is this imperial edict addressed to?!

Before anyone could react, a squad of imperial guards strode in from outside the door.

These imperial guards, clad in imposing armor and armed with swords, instantly silenced the previously restless Qinglou.

After the Imperial Guards lined up in two rows, a figure slowly walked in.

This person was none other than Eunuch Gao.

Eunuch Gao raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the Qinglou building, before his shrill voice rang out, "I wonder, is Young Master Jiang here?"

"Oh, I'm here, I'm here!"

Jiang Xiaobai walked quickly down from the second floor.

However, his expression seemed somewhat surprised and puzzled.

It gives people the feeling that...

It seemed he hadn't expected anyone from the palace to come at this time.

"Young Master Jiang, receive the imperial decree!"

Eunuch Gao glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, then unfolded the imperial edict in his hand.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai immediately knelt down.

The students inside the Qinglou building, upon witnessing this scene, also knelt down.

For a moment, the entire Qinglou building was completely silent.

"By order of His Majesty!"

The eunuch Gao's shrill voice carried clearly: "This year's top scholar, Jiang Xiaobai, though initially accused of buying his way into office, actually entered the game to investigate the corruption in the examination hall!"

"Furthermore, your insightful advice in yesterday's court session demonstrated your talent and ability; therefore... until the examination scandal is thoroughly investigated, your title of top scholar must not be revoked!"

"Anyone who uses the name of the literati to force an imperial commissioner to ruin his or her position, or to incite unrest, shall be treated as a rioter!"

After speaking, Eunuch Gao glanced around, his expression indifferent.

The faces of many students around them showed shock.

However, Eunuch Gao's voice did not end there. He continued, "Furthermore, I bestow upon Prince Jiang 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. This is the imperial decree!"

The sound faded.

Inside the Qinglou building, there was a deathly silence.

All the students froze in place.

The title of top scholar must not be revoked without authorization!

And that silver talisman, what kind of weight is that, that it was actually given to Jiang Xiaobai!

What does this mean? It means that the current emperor absolutely approves of Jiang Xiaobai.

"this……"

Jiang Xiaobai, kneeling on the ground, looked somewhat shocked. He raised his head and looked at Eunuch Gao: "Eunuch Gao, I, the top scholar... am planning to invite His Majesty to come!"

"Young Master Jiang."

Eunuch Gao gave Jiang Xiaobai a deep look, his expression somewhat meaningful: "His Majesty said that although your title of top scholar was bought, you still risked your life for the sake of cheating in the imperial examination!"

"Therefore, from this day forward, the title of this top scholar is bestowed by His Majesty, and no further mention of removing this title shall be made!"

"This... sigh, sigh, sigh!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai sighed repeatedly and looked at Eunuch Gao, saying, "Eunuch Gao, I risked my life to investigate the cheating in the imperial examinations, how could you... have revealed it!"

"I, Jiang Xiaobai, have always kept a low profile. Even when I do good deeds, I usually keep them hidden. How am I supposed to be left here by suddenly revealing this, Eunuch Gao!"

"..."

The corner of Eunuch Gao's mouth twitched, but before he could speak, Jiang Xiaobai slowly stood up, turned around and looked at the students all over the building.

"Well, since Eunuch Gao has inadvertently revealed this, I'll just point it out myself!"

"I did indeed buy the top scholar title, but I did so not to suppress the path of all scholars. Rather, I had already suspected that there might be some corrupt people hiding in the examination hall."

"So I got involved myself, to see who's really behind this!"

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai gave a wry smile: "Originally, I planned to keep this a secret. After all, my abilities are limited, and if I couldn't find out, no one would say anything!"

"I just didn't expect that my act of buying the top scorer would elicit such a strong reaction from everyone, and make you all so disheartened."

"Therefore, I truly intended to ask Your Majesty to remove me from the list of top scholars when I attend court tomorrow."

"Alas, but now His Majesty has decreed that I, Jiang Xiaobai..."

Jiang Xiaobai paused, his face full of bitterness: "We can't possibly disobey the imperial decree, can we? Everyone, I'm sorry!"

Inside the Qinglou building, all the students were stunned.

They looked at Jiang Xiaobai, and for a moment they didn't know what to say.

I see?

Did Jiang Xiaobai buy the top scholar's name in order to investigate cheating in the imperial examinations?

No wonder His Majesty publicly appointed him as an imperial inspector!

No wonder His Majesty personally issued an edict today to preserve his title of top scholar!

Thinking of this, many students' expressions immediately became complicated.

Those who were the most vocal in their criticism yesterday are now all looking ashamed.

"So it turns out we...misunderstood Young Master Jiang!"

"So, Prince Jiang bought the top scholar title to uncover cheating in the imperial examinations?"

"To take the initiative and get involved—that takes real courage!"

"Waaah, I actually scolded Prince Jiang yesterday for not being worthy of being the top scholar. I'm so ashamed!"

"Indeed, if it were us, who would dare to risk the infamy of buying an official position and investigate the dark secrets of the imperial examinations?"

Inside the building, some people lowered their heads, while others looked ashamed.

Some people even bowed to Jiang Xiaobai with admiration in their hands.

"Young Master Jiang, we were too harsh in our words yesterday, please forgive us!"

"The fact that Prince Jiang personally intervened to investigate cheating in the imperial examinations truly shows how shallow we are!"

"If Young Master Jiang can truly uncover the person behind the cheating and restore justice to all students, we are willing to apologize to Young Master Jiang for what happened yesterday!"

"That's right. If we can't find out, we won't blame you. You've done your best!"

"this……"

Jiang Xiaobai looked at the students and said solemnly, "Well, all right. Please rest assured, now that I, Jiang Xiaobai, have accepted this imperial investigation duty, I will definitely investigate."

"The Ministry of Rites, the Examination Hall, the list of examinees—I will not let any place that needs to be investigated go unchecked."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai's voice turned slightly somber: "I will find out who is behind this."

"At that time, I will give you all an explanation, and also give justice to all students!"

boom!

Upon hearing this, many students in the Qinglou Building were immediately moved.

"good!"

I don't know who shouted it first.

Immediately afterwards, more and more voices echoed in agreement.

"If Young Master Jiang can truly solve this case, we are willing to assist him!"

"Indeed, cheating in the imperial examinations ruins the path of scholars everywhere, and we are willing to keep an eye on it!"

"We urge Prince Jiang to investigate this thoroughly!"

The sound gradually rose.

Suddenly, those students who had criticized Jiang Xiaobai yesterday became the most agitated people.

Mu Yuanshan stood in the crowd, his expression slightly complicated.

Was he wrong?

Jiang Xiaobai did not become the top scholar through cheating in the imperial examination, but rather became the top scholar in order to investigate the cheating in the imperial examination.

By this calculation, Mu Yuanshan seems to have become the one who forced the imperial inspector to ruin his own reputation and position.

Above the second floor.

Xiao Qingxiu's face was extremely gloomy.

Xiao Zijing, however, looked in Jiang Xiaobai's direction, her eyes shining.

Xiao Qingheng didn't reply, but his gaze toward Jiang Xiaobai grew even more profound.

From the fourth floor, the graceful figure smiled, "Heh heh, this young master of the Jiang family is quite cunning!"

"I underestimated him!"

After speaking, the graceful figure turned slightly to look down, a hint of surprise flashing across her face: "This person is indeed quite interesting!"

On Jiang Xiaobai's side, Eunuch Gao personally handed a silver talisman to Jiang Xiaobai.

"Young Master Jiang, please keep this safe. This silver talisman is no ordinary item."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Xiaobai accepted it with both hands, looking very serious.

Grandpa Gao nodded, as if he had thought of something, and then said, "Oh, right."

"For your safety, His Majesty has specially issued an edict appointing General Tang's daughter, Tang Ningshuang, to temporarily serve as an inspector in the Zhenying Division."

"Until the examination scandal is resolved, I will protect your safety closely."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai's expression froze.

Tang Ningshuang?

Protect him closely?

Jiang Xiaobai's eyelids twitched immediately at this: "Eunuch Gao."

"Um... can I refuse?"