The First Marquis of Leisure

All the people saw was Bai Xinghe wearing a long robe, who actually jumped down from the wall.

This stunned everyone, since the Zhang family were all scholars who valued manners and etiquette.

Zhang Chunqiu, in particular, was a renowned Confucian scholar whose ideas were somewhat pedantic.

He was so angry at Bai Xinghe's behavior that he jumped up!

"How insolent! How insolent! You're driving this old man crazy!"

"Mr. Zhang, please don't get so angry that you'll harm your health."

"Mr. Zhang, please calm down. Let the students deal with this good-for-nothing scoundrel!"

Senior Brother Zhang Zhi immediately stepped forward and led a group of fellow disciples angrily toward Bai Xinghe.

Bai Xinghe looked relaxed and carefree as he patted the dirt off his hands.

He glanced at Zhang Chunqiu, whose face was quite pale, and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Student Bai Xinghe greets Mr. Zhang!"

"Bai Xinghe, stop trying to curry favor. Mr. Zhang has never taken you as a student!"

"Bai Xinghe, we've heard a lot about the earth-shattering things you've done lately. Do you think this is a place for you to run wild? If you know what's good for you, get out of here right now!"

Several prominent students pointed at Bai Xinghe and shouted at him sternly.

Bai Xinghe frowned. He had expected this scene, but he didn't care at all.

He advocated for all-round development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor, unlike Da Zhao who devoted his life to studying ancient books and obsessively working through a pile of ancient texts.

"You are all scholars, how can you be so impolite? Don't you know the joy of having friends coming from afar?"

"Could this be the Zhang family's way of treating guests?"

Is it not a joy to have friends coming from afar?

Everyone was taken aback by these words.

"Bai Xinghe, others fear you only because they fear General Bai's reputation; we don't care about that!"

"We are scholars, upright and unyielding. If you don't get out of here, don't blame us for being impolite."

Zhang Zhi spoke up, clenching his fist and making threatening remarks.

Bai Xinghe scoffed, "May I ask how Young Master Zhang intends to be impolite to me?"

Seeing the two sides start arguing, Zhang Chunqiu also got annoyed.

He waved his hand, stopping Zhang Zhi and the other students.

"Bai Xinghe, I have no connection with you whatsoever. Even if you cause a great disturbance outside, it has nothing to do with me. What brings you to my residence today?"

"Mr. Zhang!" Just as Bai Xinghe was about to answer, Bai Heng rushed in, carrying a pile of gifts and sweating profusely.

"Mr. Zhang, please don't take offense. My young master has no other intentions; he has come to formally become your disciple!"

Becoming an apprentice?

Upon hearing Bai Heng's words, even Zhang Chunqiu couldn't help but sneer.

"Hahaha, this playboy thinks he can become Mr. Zhang's apprentice?"

"Senior Brother, did we hear that right? Haha."

Zhang Zhi couldn't help but laugh, "You people from the Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion are far too confident. As the tutor of three emperors, Mr. Zhang is renowned throughout the world. Even if General Bai Que saw him, he would still have to bow respectfully."

Bai Heng scratched his head awkwardly. He had expected this outcome; he probably wouldn't even be able to get into the Zhang residence.

But just now, without his notice, Bai Xinghe actually climbed over the wall and went inside, which left him speechless.

"Mr. Zhang, my young master has come sincerely to become your disciple. The Marquis's residence has prepared some small gifts, please accept them."

Bai Heng was a simple warrior who wasn't very good at speaking, but his attitude was sincere and humble.

"Lord Bai, please return. I will not accept your gift, and I will certainly not accept your disciple!"

Zhang Chunqiu bluntly told him to leave, refusing decisively.

Now it was Bai Xinghe's turn to be dissatisfied. He felt a surge of contempt and cursed the old man for taking advantage of his age.

"Mr. Zhang, although you hold a distinguished position, serving as tutor to three emperors and possessing profound knowledge of both ancient and modern times, do you perhaps believe that my status is unworthy to be your student?"

"Hmph!" Zhang Chunqiu said with his hands behind his back, "Everyone knows that I never care about status when accepting disciples, only talent and character. Although I have long since retired from worldly affairs, I have heard about your many misdeeds."

"Besides, if we're talking about lineage, Princess Sisi, the Eighth Prince's daughter, the Empress Dowager's niece, and many other princes and nobles—aren't they all inferior to you?"

Bai Xinghe smiled upon hearing this: "That's right. While I'm confident I may not be a genius, I'm certainly capable of composing poetry. As for character, I have a clear sense of right and wrong; I'll indulge in wine and song to this day!"

Upon hearing Bai Xinghe's words, Bai Heng, who was standing to the side, coughed a few times, looking speechless and embarrassed.

The rest of the people burst into laughter, laughing exaggeratedly.

"Heh, did we hear that right?"

"You, all you do is indulge in debauchery and frequent brothels, and you even dare to compose poetry?"

"Bai Xinghe, you really have no shame at all. General Bai's lifelong reputation is going to be completely ruined by you, you spoiled brat."

Princess Zhao Sisi, the Eighth Prince's most beloved daughter, couldn't help but chuckle.

This smile caught Bai Xinghe's attention. He glanced at Zhao Sisi in the crowd and was immediately awestruck!

"How could such a beautiful woman exist in this world? How come I've never seen one before!"

"Hey, what are you looking at?" Zhao Sisi also noticed Bai Xinghe staring at her and said angrily.

Bai Xinghe didn't hide it: "A beautiful lady is a gentleman's desire, and naturally, I'm looking at beautiful women!"

A beautiful and graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections!

Zhao Sisi muttered to herself, her face turning slightly red.

Seeing this, Zhang Zhi felt a surge of jealousy and stepped forward, saying, "You lecherous scoundrel, you're an insult to scholarship! Get out of here!"

"Who do you think you are?" Bai Xinghe said bluntly. "I've heard you're the senior disciple, so you must be very talented, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhi raised his head and said disdainfully, "Since you know that, why don't you get lost? Do you want to humiliate yourself?"

"Hahaha." Bai Xinghe suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with unrestrained and carefree spirit.

If a doctoral student from a prestigious 985 university can't outdo an ancient student in poetry and prose, then it truly is a failure of education!

People should not be biased towards the past and belittle the present; everything is moving forward.

"I fear that you will be the one to humiliate yourself in the end, and you will lose your title as the senior disciple!"

"What a joke!" Zhang Zhi was quite confident. In his eyes, Bai Xinghe was a vulgar, ignorant, and incompetent person.

"In that case, would you dare to have a match with me?"

"What is there to be afraid of!"

The two quickly engaged in a duel, which suited Bai Xinghe perfectly. Since he was here, he was determined to use his talent to completely win over Zhang Chunqiu today.

"Wait!" At this moment, another student, Xiao Changqing, stepped forward.

"Senior Brother, why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? It would be an insult to your reputation to compete with such spoiled brats. Let me do it!"

Zhang Zhi didn't refuse; he thought so too.

Moreover, Xiao Changqing is exceptionally talented, highly proficient in poetry and prose, and is also a follower of the Third Prince.

"Bai Xinghe, have you thought this through? Although our contests as scholars are not like those of you uncouth people who draw swords against each other, there are still some stakes involved."

"For General Bai's sake, if you know what's good for you and get out of here now, it's not too late. Otherwise, you'll become a laughing stock in the Great Zhao."

Xiao Changqing was equally arrogant and completely disregarded Bai Xinghe.

"Young Master, please don't be impulsive!" Bai Heng was extremely anxious and quickly tried to dissuade him, fearing that Bai Xinghe would agree on a whim.

He knew very well that Bai Xinghe hadn't read many books since childhood, so describing him as ignorant wouldn't be an exaggeration.

In terms of poetry, lyrics, and prose, how could anyone compare to the students personally taught by Zhang Chunqiu!

"Enough with the nonsense! Whatever competition you want, whatever prizes you want to add, this young master will agree to it!"

Bai Xinghe agreed without hesitation.

Bai Heng froze on the spot, sweating profusely. This was even more nerve-wracking than facing thousands of troops on the battlefield.