"On the Teacher," Part One!

"What, you're not angry anymore?"

At this, Shen Yun rolled her eyes.

Jiang Jingcheng shook his head. Though a trace of his earlier sternness still lingered between his brows, his gaze had clearly softened considerably.

"That boy has never had the slightest interest in martial pursuits, so that road is closed to him."

"If he really can take the scholarly path... that might be a way forward. But our son can't read a single character, so as for scholarship..."

At this point, the smile on Jiang Jingcheng's face gradually faded. In the end, he sighed. "Ah, whatever happens, he has successfully become Elder Lin's disciple. At least there's hope!"

"And with that name behind him, at least... until the results are posted, the boy has another protective talisman."

"Then... why did you get so angry just now?"

Shen Yun's expression softened as she listened. "You even went on about the Jiang Family's honor..."

"Hmph. I got angry because I didn't want that little brat getting puffed up over his achievement. As for our honor... ah, important as it is!"

Jiang Jingcheng sighed. "He's the only son we have left. He... can't come to harm again!"

Shen Yun fell silent at that. "If our eldest and second son were still here, I'm sure they'd be happy for the little brat too!"

As she said this, Shen Yun's eyes visibly reddened.

"Yes."

Jiang Jingcheng answered in a low voice, but a moment later, he couldn't help raising his head again. "Still, speaking of which, how did that little brat suddenly see the light?!"

He still occasionally recalled what Jiang Xiaobai had said in the carriage the night before.

His son had always been an ignorant idler, yet in a matter of life and death, he had devised an exceptionally thorough plan.

And he had even succeeded in becoming Lin Fengshuo's disciple?

It all felt rather unreal.

"Isn't it good that he's seen the light? Whatever else he is, he's still our son!"

"That's true!"

Jiang Jingcheng nodded slightly. "Let's see what other surprises that little brat has in store for us!"

Inside Jiang Xiaobai's room, the candle flame gently swayed.

Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone had already been laid out on the desk.

Jiang Xiaobai sat upright before the desk, holding a brush in his right hand while his left rested lightly on the edge. His brows were slightly furrowed. Gone was some of his usual playful air, replaced by a rare stillness.

He now had the name of a master behind him.

But Jiang Xiaobai knew very well that a name was only a name. If he wanted Lin Fengshuo truly on his side, today's acceptance as a disciple was far from enough.

Who was Lin Fengshuo?

A former Grand Tutor, a venerable scholar of the age.

For a man like that, taking someone as a disciple did not necessarily mean stepping into the fray on his behalf.

Besides, Jiang Xiaobai still had the enormous trouble of being a "Top Graduate who bought his office" hanging over him.

If the situation suddenly surged and churned when the results were posted in two days, whether Lin Fengshuo would come forward for his newly accepted disciple remained unknown.

At this thought, Jiang Xiaobai tapped his fingertips lightly against the desk and narrowed his eyes. "No... I need to stoke the fire again. Just having the bond of master and disciple isn't enough!"

"I have to make this teacher truly feel... that taking me as his disciple was worthwhile!"

A keen gleam flashed in Jiang Xiaobai's eyes.

The next moment, as though something had suddenly occurred to him, the corners of his lips slowly curled upward.

"I've got it!"

As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai's smile grew broader. "Heh, as a teacher... who could possibly resist 'On the Teacher'?"

Murmuring to himself, Jiang Xiaobai hesitated no longer. He raised his brush and began to write.

The brush tip swept across the paper with a soft rustle.

Beneath the candlelight, line after line of characters emerged.

Jiang Xiaobai did not write quickly, but his strokes were steady and careful.

Time passed little by little.

Beyond the window, the night deepened. Now and then, wind swept through the courtyard, setting the shadows of the trees gently swaying.

About an hour later, Jiang Xiaobai finally stopped writing.

Setting the brush gently aside, Jiang Xiaobai looked at the essay he had just finished, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

The handwriting on the paper could hardly be said to possess a master's character, but it had a sharp vigor of its own.

And the opening lines stood out clearly: Scholars of antiquity invariably had teachers. A teacher is one who transmits the Way, imparts learning, and resolves doubts.

Looking at those lines, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help nodding in admiration.

"Wonderful!"

"Master Han truly lives up to his name. The moment his words hit the page, the flavor is entirely different."

Still marveling, Jiang Xiaobai skimmed a few more lines. The more he read, the broader his smile became.

In particular, imagining Lin Fengshuo's reaction to this essay filled him with an inexplicable anticipation.

Yes, this time he was not merely handing in an assignment.

He meant to lash this teacher firmly to his own boat!

"Someone, come here!"

At Jiang Xiaobai's call, the door was soon pushed open.

Zhang Xinnian, who had accompanied him all along, strode inside and cupped his fist. "Young lord."

Without wasting words, Jiang Xiaobai picked up the freshly written essay from the desk and blew gently on it. Once he had confirmed that the ink was nearly dry, he handed it over.

"Go. Deliver this essay to Elder Lin's residence."

"Yes!"

Zhang Xinnian answered respectfully at once and accepted the essay with both hands.

But just as he was about to turn and leave, Jiang Xiaobai raised a hand to stop him, as though he had suddenly remembered something.

"Wait."

"Do you have further instructions, young lord?" Zhang Xinnian stopped.

"Once you reach the Lin Estate, pass a message to my teacher for me."

The corner of Jiang Xiaobai's mouth lifted. Slowly leaning back in his chair, he said with a beaming smile, "Tell him this 'On the Teacher' contains only the first half."

"If he wishes to read the second half..."

Here, Jiang Xiaobai paused briefly, the amusement in his eyes deepening. "Then ask him to come to the Jiang Residence in person tomorrow."

"Huh?"

Zhang Xinnian raised his head and stared at Jiang Xiaobai in bewilderment.

Wait...

Sending an essay was one thing.

But wasn't the young lord being far too bold?

This was Lin Fengshuo!

Countless people struggled to secure even a single audience with him, yet their young lord was not only sending him half an essay, but actually daring to make him visit the Marquis's Residence in person for the other half?

Wasn't that...

A little too arrogant?!

"Don't worry. Just do as I say."

One look at Zhang Xinnian's expression told Jiang Xiaobai what he was thinking. He immediately smiled and said, "He'll definitely come tomorrow!"

At this, Zhang Xinnian's lips moved, but in the end, he did not dare ask any further questions. He could only cup his fist and reply, "Understood!"

Only then did Zhang Xinnian carefully put the essay away, turn, and hurry out.

As the door closed again.

Silence returned to the room.

Jiang Xiaobai sat there, his gaze slowly drifting toward the deep darkness outside the window as his eyes gradually narrowed.

"Unless something unexpected happens... the Li Family should come calling tomorrow too."

Jiang Xiaobai tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, light shifting in his eyes.

He had already cast his hook for Lin Fengshuo.

And with Li Zhiwei, he had already made everything that needed saying perfectly clear.

If Chancellor Li was truly a clever man, he ought to understand that, in the current situation, a marriage alliance did not mean bowing his head, but taking hold of the reins.

So tomorrow would probably be very lively.

At this thought, the corners of Jiang Xiaobai's mouth rose again.

"If Elder Lin comes, and the Li Family comes too..."

"Tsk, with a scene like that, I doubt that bargain father of mine will be able to sit still!"

Just imagining Jiang Jingcheng's shocked yet awkward expression tomorrow made Jiang Xiaobai's smile impossible to suppress.

Then he stretched and slowly rose to his feet.

"Everything is ready. Now... all that's left is to wait for them to come calling..."