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

Jiang Xiaobai!!!

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Li Zhiwei's hands clenched tighter in his sleeves.

That guy is absolutely despicable!

But she had no choice but to force a smile and say softly, "Young Master Jiang, since you know my feelings, why do you still hide?"

As she spoke, Li Zhiwei reached out her hand, as if she really wanted to hug Jiang Xiaobai.

However, at that very moment...

Jiang Xiaobai, however, seemed startled and abruptly retreated, dodging with surprising speed and agility: "Miss Li, you can't!"

"I, Jiang Xiaobai, would rather die than submit!!"

The shout caused a moment of silence, after which everyone stared wide-eyed.

Not far away, Zhou Chaomian watched this scene, his smile long gone.

Instead, it became something indescribably stiff and unsightly.

Clearly, what he was seeing had a significant impact on him.

As for the women standing next to Li Zhiwei, they were also completely stunned.

Especially Lin Qinrou, whose originally indifferent eyes were now filled with astonishment and confusion.

Yes, she doesn't understand!

She really doesn't understand!

Li Zhiwei is clearly so outstanding, so why would she fall for this good-for-nothing heir of the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion?

This person is mentally ill!

The guards who accompanied him were seriously ill!

As for Li Zhiwei, at this moment, facing Jiang Xiaobai's avoidance, the shame and anger in her clear eyes were almost overflowing.

This guy... he's infuriating!

It was clearly him who made him cooperate in the act.

As soon as I stepped forward, Jiang Xiaobai dodged me?

And...they hid so ridiculously!!

For a moment, Li Zhiwei's face under the veil turned noticeably redder.

This time, however, it wasn't all shame; I was mostly angry.

Seeing Li Zhiwei's embarrassment and anger, Jiang Xiaobai knew that it was time to stop the charade. If it continued, this woman would probably really explode.

Jiang Xiaobai immediately said, "Miss Li, well... let's talk somewhere else!"

After saying that, Jiang Xiaobai walked out with a troubled look on his face.

Li Zhiwei was eager to leave, and seeing Jiang Xiaobai walk out, she quickly followed.

It was only after the two had left that the people around them came to their senses.

Some people are envious.

Some people still find it hard to believe.

Of course... there were also people who gritted their teeth in anger.

Who is Li Zhiwei? She is the pure moon in the hearts of countless students.

But now, this bright moon has fallen down.

How can one not feel envious?

How can anyone not be angry!

Zhou Chaomian stood there, his face slightly grim.

Just recently, he had confidently told Jiang Xiaobai that Li Zhiwei would never fall for anyone because of a few lines of poetry.

But in the blink of an eye...

Li Zhiwei, however, openly admitted in front of so many people that she liked Jiang Xiaobai.

This was undoubtedly like a slap in the face, a solid blow.

Unfortunately, there were many people around, so he couldn't retaliate.

……

the other side.

Jiang Xiaobai led Zhang Xinnian to a relatively secluded corner of a long corridor before finally stopping and letting out a long sigh of relief.

Yes, that scene just now really went a bit too far.

But the results were even better than he had expected.

Just as he exhaled, a voice suppressing anger came from behind.

"Jiang Xiaobai!"

As soon as those three words were uttered, Jiang Xiaobai knew who had arrived without even turning his head.

The next moment, Li Zhiwei walked up quickly.

Her once clear eyes now seemed to be spitting fire as she stared directly at Jiang Xiaobai: "I need an explanation!"

"Um... take a breath first."

Jiang Xiaobai first gave a dry laugh.

"Afraid?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei almost laughed in anger: "You said in front of so many people that I was relentlessly pursuing you, and even said that I... am crazy about you!"

"I finally managed to follow along with your line, but you still dodged it?"

"You're telling me this now, trying to embarrass me?"

By the end, Li Zhiwei's voice clearly carried a hint of gritted teeth.

Clearly, she was genuinely furious this time.

"There's no other way; this is how the scene has to be acted."

Jiang Xiaobai smiled helplessly and slowly said, "Think about it, what would happen if I stole the limelight when I met the Emperor tomorrow?"

The simple words startled Li Zhiwei.

Seeing Li Zhiwei's reaction, Jiang Xiaobai continued, "But things are different now."

"After what just happened, no matter how brilliantly I perform afterward, the world's first reaction will only be to think..."

"It was you who helped me behind the scenes, not me, Jiang Xiaobai. You really have that ability!"

After regaining her senses, Li Zhiwei remained silent.

Yes, she's not stupid.

If everyone is already convinced that she is deeply in love with Jiang Xiaobai.

So, no matter how brilliantly Jiang Xiaobai performs when she meets the emperor tomorrow, others will attribute it all to her.

They felt that she had taught Jiang Xiaobai in advance.

Some might even think that the Li family behind her was secretly helping her.

In this way, Jiang Xiaobai himself would not attract so much attention.

Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei's anger, which had been surging within her, gradually subsided.

It can be calmed down.

Just thinking about what she had said in public made her face flush uncontrollably beneath her veil.

"Then...you should have told me beforehand, at least given me some time to prepare, right?"

"If I had said it beforehand..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai could only smile helplessly: "Would you agree?"

"I……"

Li Zhiwei paused for a moment.

Yes.

If Jiang Xiaobai had told her beforehand that he wanted her to admit her feelings for him in front of the entire Imperial Academy, and even say such embarrassing things...

She'll probably refuse immediately, right?

Thinking of this, Li Zhiwei's originally confident demeanor immediately weakened.

Despite her weakness, she was still somewhat unwilling, and in the end, she could only raise her eyes and glare fiercely at Jiang Xiaobai.

"Oh, right."

Jiang Xiaobai knew the conversation had gone far enough, so she immediately changed the subject: "Didn't you say the Princess would be coming? Why haven't I seen her?"

"Oh, I just asked, and the Princess left after taking the document!"

Li Zhiwei said, "When she left, I heard she praised you a bit, saying she insisted on meeting the author behind it!"

"Ha, do you think I'm so easy to see?"

Jiang Xiaobai smiled faintly.

That being said, he did want to meet this princess.

It's a pity I didn't get to see him this time, but... he believes there will be other opportunities in the future!

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai looked at Li Zhiwei and said, "By the way, weren't you going to introduce me to the previous generation's top scholar?"

"In that case, let's go over there and meet them!"

"ah!"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhiwei suddenly seemed to remember something and exclaimed softly, "She was just over there."

"I was just in such a hurry that I... I forgot to tell Sister Qin'er."

"Qin'er?"

Upon hearing this address, Jiang Xiaobai was taken aback for a moment, then his expression turned strange: "Wait a minute."

"The 'Sister Qin'er' you mentioned... could it be Lin Qinrou?"

"yes."

Li Zhiwei nodded, but soon she noticed something was wrong, and then looked at Jiang Xiaobai with some surprise: "You know her?"

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, and the expression on his face suddenly became quite interesting.

He was just wondering who this previous top scholar, whom Li Zhiwei was going to introduce him to, was.

But who could have imagined...

It was actually Lin Qinrou?!

This whole thing has become quite awkward!

Zhang Xinnian, who was standing next to him, also coughed and looked away.

"you……"

Li Zhiwei sensed something was off about Jiang Xiaobai's expression. Just as she was about to say something, Jiang Xiaobai spoke up, "Ahem, I've heard of her, but I'm not very familiar with her!"

"oh!"

Li Zhiwei didn't think much of it and explained, "Sister Qin'er has a strong and upright character. She believes that women are no less capable than men, so she disguised herself as a man and became the top scholar in the imperial examination!"

"However, our Great Hua does not allow women to serve as officials, but considering Elder Lin's situation, we allowed her to stay at the Imperial Academy as an assistant instructor."

"I see."

Jiang Xiaobai had a look of sudden realization. No wonder Zhou Chaomian suspected that Lin Qinrou had written "On Teachers".

To be able to achieve the top score in the imperial examination, one's literary foundation must be quite profound.

But remembering their previous conflict, Jiang Xiaobai became embarrassed again: "Ahem, I suddenly remembered I have some things to do, so I'll be going now!"

"No, we're already here, we still have to meet them."

Li Zhiwei stopped Jiang Xiaobai, her face serious, and said, "You have an audience with the Emperor tomorrow, you must be serious!"

"Alright then!"

Jiang Xiaobai knew there was no way to avoid it, and said with a wry smile, "But there are too many people there. It wouldn't be good for the two of us to go over like this!"

"I have a solution, come with me!"