You Call This Poetry?

"Oh? Rebellion?!"

At those words, Jiang Jingcheng froze for a moment. When he recovered, his grip instantly tightened around his saber, and a terrifying wave of force erupted from him.

"Unfilial wretch! You unfilial wretch! Every soul in the Jiang Family has been loyal and true! How did we produce a treasonous little bastard like you?!"

"Stay right there! I'll fucking cut you down!"

"..."

Jiang Xiaobai listened, utterly helpless.

Rebellion really was a shortcut, though.

According to his memories, the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate commanded an army of eight hundred thousand on the Northern Frontier.

That number was downright terrifying!

But his memories also told him why Jiang Jingcheng was so furious.

Yes, the Former Emperor had treated their Jiang Family exceedingly well.

Besides, loyalty and honor had sunk too deeply into the Jiang Family's bones. Getting this father he had inherited to turn his thinking around and rebel was hardly something he could accomplish in a moment!

"Dear!"

Shen Yun stopped Jiang Jingcheng, then glared at Jiang Xiaobai. "Xiaobai, hurry up and apologize!"

A helpless look crossed Jiang Xiaobai's face, and he gave a wry laugh. "Father, I was only talking. Please don't be angry!"

"Dear, Xiaobai has apologized. Don't be angry anymore. You... hurry up and tell us your plan!"

Shen Yun spoke urgently beside him.

Jiang Jingcheng snorted coldly. Still looking displeased, he glared at Jiang Xiaobai before finally saying slowly, "As things stand, our only option is to have Xiaobai marry into another family for the time being."

His voice paused before he continued, "Ah, His Majesty has always wanted to take military command back from me, and Xiaobai is our only remaining son."

"If this brat marries into another family, it will give His Majesty an answer of sorts. I believe His Majesty won't make things too difficult for him!"

"Marry into another family?"

Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched at those words.

His family had eight hundred thousand soldiers, and they wanted him to marry into another household?

"I know this doesn't sit well with you."

Noticing Jiang Xiaobai's expression, Jiang Jingcheng said, "But you were the one who did it. If you want to live, you have to bear the consequences!"

"No, no, I agree with your plan!"

Jiang Xiaobai sighed, then nodded.

To his mind, rebellion really was a clear path forward.

But... since this father he had inherited couldn't turn his thinking around yet, marrying into another family really had become his last way out for now.

Once he married into another household, the Jiang Family would nominally have no heir.

As far as the Imperial Family was concerned, the Jiang Family's military command would return to them sooner or later.

Under those circumstances, even if he had bought his position as Top Graduate, he believed the emperor would say nothing.

More importantly, right now... he needed time.

Yes, given enough time, he might still have a chance to turn this office-buying scandal around!

Once everything had settled down, he could find a way to return to the Jiang Family!

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai agree, Jiang Jingcheng frowned. In the end, he put away his saber and swept out with a flick of his sleeve.

Jiang Xiaobai rubbed his forehead. Before he could think things through, a wave of dizziness hit him, and he collapsed.

An unknown amount of time passed. When Jiang Xiaobai woke again, he found himself lying in a room furnished with antique elegance.

Carved wooden beams, blue-green curtains.

A sandalwood desk stood neatly by the window.

A faint medicinal fragrance lingered in the air.

Jiang Xiaobai stared blankly for a moment, then braced himself and slowly sat up.

"Hiss..."

He immediately sucked in a sharp breath.

It felt as though someone had taken his bones apart and put them back together again. His whole body ached.

Just then, the scenes from before he lost consciousness surfaced in his mind.

A forty-meter blade aura.

His general father.

And, of course, that merciless kick...

At the thought, Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched.

"So... it really wasn't a dream. I really did transmigrate."

With a wry smile, Jiang Xiaobai looked around, his expression gradually growing complicated.

Just then.

With a soft creak, the door was gently pushed open.

A familiar figure walked in.

It was his mother, Shen Yun.

Upon entering and seeing that Jiang Xiaobai was awake, Shen Yun immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "Xiaobai, you're awake?"

As she spoke, she came over and sat beside the bed, looking him over with aching concern. "Does your body still hurt?"

"It's not too bad."

Jiang Xiaobai gave a wry smile.

How could it possibly not hurt?

But to keep Shen Yun from worrying, that was all he could say.

"That's good."

Shen Yun nodded gently, then couldn't help sighing again. "Word came from the Imperial Palace today. The examination results... will be posted in three days."

Three days?

Jiang Xiaobai frowned slightly.

That meant that in three days, as the Top Graduate, he would have to enter the palace for an audience with His Majesty.

And if someone exposed the cheating... the consequences were easy to imagine.

"But you don't need to worry too much."

Seeming to notice Jiang Xiaobai's concerns, Shen Yun hurried to reassure him. "Your father has already gone to make arrangements for you to marry into another family."

"As long as we settle it before the results are posted, we'll be able to keep you safe."

"Let's hope it goes smoothly."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

Just as he finished speaking, footsteps sounded outside, and Jiang Jingcheng pushed the door open and entered.

"Dear, how did it go?"

Upon seeing Jiang Jingcheng, Shen Yun immediately stood up and asked, her face full of anticipation.

"Ah, don't even ask!"

Jiang Jingcheng's brows knitted tightly. "I visited several families, but none of the results were promising."

He had originally thought that, with the Jiang Family's standing-and... with his son marrying into their household-it shouldn't be difficult.

Yet the result had gone completely in the opposite direction.

He had also discovered the reason.

Yes, his son's reputation stank!

It stank so badly that every family's young women couldn't flee him fast enough!

"Then... what about an ordinary family?"

Shen Yun asked urgently.

Yes, as long as she could save her son's life right now, she would accept it even if people laughed at them!

"No. His Majesty is suspicious by nature."

Jiang Jingcheng fell silent for a moment, then shook his head. "If he marries into an ordinary family, His Majesty will only think we're putting on an act."

At that point, Jiang Jingcheng frowned and spoke again. "However... I heard something on my way back!"

"The Chancellor's Residence is holding a Poetry Gathering tonight. Quite a few talented young women will be attending."

"Do you mean to have Xiaobai attend?"

Shen Yun froze for a moment, then shook her head like a rattle drum. "No, no! Chancellor Li is your political rival. He has always held a deep grudge against our Jiang Family!"

"Besides, with our son's meager abilities, even if he goes, he'll probably only make himself a laughingstock. There's no way any girl will take a liking to Xiaobai!"

"So what if he's my political rival? For our son's sake, I'll have to swallow my pride and go!"

As he spoke, Jiang Jingcheng's expression grew somewhat grim. "And don't worry. I've already arranged everything!"

"What do you mean by that?"

Shen Yun was puzzled.

"Enough. Don't ask too many questions right now!"

As Jiang Jingcheng spoke, he suddenly remembered something else. "Oh, right!"

He took a sheet of writing paper from inside his robe and handed it to Jiang Xiaobai.

"I had someone write a few poems. While there's still time before evening, read them until you know them thoroughly. That way, at least you won't embarrass yourself too badly!"

"Huh?"

Surprised, Jiang Xiaobai lowered his head to look at the sheet.

His gaze gradually grew rather odd.

Poetry?

If we were competing in something else, I might genuinely have little confidence.

But if we were competing in poetry...

That would be a bit like bullying.

Of course... I'd be the one bullying everyone else!

With that thought, he casually unfolded the paper and took a look.

The next moment, Jiang Xiaobai burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! That's killing me!"

"What are you laughing at?"

Jiang Jingcheng immediately frowned.

"Father."

Jiang Xiaobai struggled to suppress his laughter, then raised his head and looked at Jiang Jingcheng with utter seriousness.

"Are you sure this stuff... even deserves to be called poetry?"

"If I really take this stuff there, forget marrying into a girl's family. She'll probably move house overnight."

"Oh?"

Jiang Jingcheng's face darkened. Looking at Jiang Xiaobai, he said flatly, "Then what sort of poem could someone who can't read a single word like you possibly write?"