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

"A betrothal letter?"

Li Zhiwei's gentle expression clearly showed a slight pause before her gaze fell upon the calligraphy and painting.

This picture of mandarin ducks was indeed painted by her.

Those four lines of poetry were indeed written by her own hand.

However, to say that this constitutes a "betrothal agreement" is a bit of a stretch.

However, in the very next moment...

Li Zhiwei's clear eyes suddenly narrowed as if she had discovered something.

Because she suddenly realized that the poem Jiang Xiaobai had just recited was actually an acrostic!

A song from a kindred spirit before the falling blossoms.

A light rain gently sways the willows beyond the misty distance.

She hired the spring breeze to cut a piece of silk.

I send this letter, written under the bright moon, to you.

The first character of each sentence is... Zhi, Wei, Pin, Shu!

"what?"

Li Zhiwei gasped softly, her already flushed face now showing even more surprise and embarrassment. She immediately raised her hand and grabbed at the calligraphy and painting.

However, as if he had expected it, Jiang Xiaobai raised his wrist and snatched the calligraphy and painting back first.

"Miss Li, please think it over carefully."

Jiang Xiaobai looked at her, a faint smile playing on his lips, but his voice was more serious than before: "Time is running out."

"Because in three days, I will be going to the palace to meet the Emperor."

These words were spoken.

Li Zhiwei's expression, which was still filled with shame and anger, paused slightly.

She naturally understood the meaning of those words.

The results will be released three days later.

If Jiang Xiaobai were to actually enter the palace to meet the emperor as the top scholar, then many things would be beyond repair.

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai didn't say anything more. He carefully put the painting away, then turned to the guard who was still in a daze and said, "Let's go."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai turned around and walked towards the door.

The guard suddenly came to his senses, quickly responded, and hurriedly followed.

As the door was gently opened and then slowly closed, the study returned to silence.

Li Zhiwei, on the other hand, stood still for a long time without moving.

She stared at the closed door, her usually calm and gentle eyes now filled with surprise and curiosity.

Jiang Xiaobai...

The rumored playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, and who was idle and dissolute, was truly like a completely different person from the one she saw with her own eyes today.

Especially the talent and thoughtfulness the other party displayed.

Whether it was the response at the poetry gathering, the words spoken in the study just now, or even the acrostic poem left behind with a painting before leaving...

All of this made it impossible for her to associate the other person with the rumored good-for-nothing playboy.

Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei's expression, which was originally somewhat shy, gradually became serious.

She knew very well that Jiang Xiaobai's talk of cooperation was no joke.

If this really happens.

For the Jiang family, it was a way out.

For the Li family, this might also be an opportunity.

A moment later.

Li Zhiwei finally let out a soft breath, then turned and walked out of the study without lingering any longer.

……

the other side.

Jiang Xiaobai led the guard through the corridors and courtyards of the Prime Minister's residence, heading towards the main gate.

As they stepped outside the mansion gates, a night breeze blew, and the guard finally couldn't hold back any longer. He smiled wryly and whispered, "Young Master, is this... really going to work?"

"While I do agree with what you said, the problem is... Prime Minister Li and our Marquis's residence have always been at odds!"

"Besides, this kind of thing can't be decided by Miss Li alone, can it?"

"That's why we need to see what she chooses."

Jiang Xiaobai simply smiled and said, "If Li Zhiwei were truly a smart person, she would understand that this situation might not just be a scheme orchestrated by my Jiang family."

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai saw the guard's worried expression and couldn't help but laugh, "What, you don't believe me?"

"No, that's not it. I'm worried that if the Marquis finds out you've chosen Miss Li, he'll beat you to death!"

The guard smiled wryly.

Jiang Xiaobai's expression stiffened slightly. Before he could speak, a series of hurried and heavy footsteps suddenly came from behind him.

At the same time, a voice filled with obvious anger rang out: "Very well, very well indeed, Li Bingzhang! I, Jiang, will remember this!"

"Don't give me that chance. If you do, I'll make you pay!"

As they spoke, Jiang Jingcheng strode out of the Prime Minister's residence, his face ashen, his brows furrowed with obvious anger.

obviously.

He didn't have a pleasant conversation inside.

In fact, it is true.

After entering the mansion, he did not mention anything else, only saying that his son had been indulging in debauchery for years, and now that he was willing to show his face at the poetry gathering, he had come to see him!

Even if you don't gain any real skills, at least you'll broaden your horizons and get a taste of scholarly life.

Logically speaking, such polite words should have been taken with a grain of salt, but that old bastard Li Bingzhang showed no mercy whatsoever.

Instead of continuing the conversation, she slowly and deliberately made a few sarcastic remarks while holding her teacup.

The implication was that the Jiang family, being a military family, usually looked down on scholars, yet now they were willing to send their纨绔 (playboy) son to the poetry gathering.

He even casually remarked, "This truly brings honor to my humble abode."

That sounds too polite.

But when Li Bingzhang said it, it was clearly tinged with sarcasm.

Jiang Jingcheng was most annoyed by these civil officials, with their sarcastic and unpleasant tone.

Normally, he would have stormed off long ago.

But today, for the sake of his son, he could only suppress his anger and sit there listening.

To everyone's surprise, seeing that he didn't react, Li Bingzhang casually added another sentence.

"Those who came tonight are all young students, each one of them proud and upright, and they cherish their reputation the most."

"Poetry gatherings are, in essence, about showcasing elegance."

"If someone doesn't understand the proper boundaries and makes a fool of themselves, then others will often be laughing at them, not just the person they are laughing at."

This wasn't just referring to Jiang Xiaobai; it also led him to click on it.

That's why Jiang Jingcheng's face turned completely dark. So when he stepped out the door, he could no longer suppress the anger in his chest.

After Jiang Jingcheng finished cursing, he glanced around and saw Jiang Xiaobai and the guard who had just come out of the mansion.

He was slightly taken aback at first, then his brows immediately furrowed: "You're out so quickly?"

"Um!"

As Jiang Xiaobai responded, his gaze turned somewhat strange as he looked at his father, who was seething with anger.

It is clear.

This old man has probably suffered a setback with Li Bingzhang.

"Get on the bus and tell me!"

Jiang Jingcheng snorted coldly and then flung his sleeves toward the carriage parked to the side.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaobai followed along with the guard beside him.

After he got into the carriage and the curtain fell down.

The atmosphere inside the already cramped carriage suddenly became somewhat somber.

Jiang Jingcheng sat there, his face still looking rather unpleasant, as if he was still holding back his anger over what had just happened.

Jiang Xiaobai glanced at him, about to speak.

Before he could even speak, Jiang Jingcheng asked in a deep voice, "Which family's girl did you choose?"

Seeing Jiang Jingcheng's direct question, Jiang Xiaobai broke out in a cold sweat, then whispered, "I think... she's just an ordinary girl!"

"Being ordinary is good; being ordinary means fewer problems!"

Yes, those who can enter the Prime Minister's residence to participate in the poetry gathering, even if they are ordinary, must at least come from a prominent family.

Jiang Jingcheng immediately smiled and asked, "What's her name?"

"Oh, I think her name is Li Zhiwei..."