At least two hours!

Early the next morning.

At the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate!

After a maid helped Jiang Xiaobai wash and dress, he leisurely finished breakfast, patted down his sleeves, and headed toward the main hall of the Marquis's Residence.

Along the way, the household servants bowed to him.

Jiang Xiaobai remained composed, walking at an unhurried pace.

When he reached the entrance to the main hall, two military officers happened to be coming out.

The two men froze briefly at the sight of Jiang Xiaobai, then hurriedly cupped their fists in salute. "Greetings, heir!"

"Mm, no need for formalities!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded, though he was somewhat puzzled.

Father was meeting with military officers this early in the morning?

Though curious, Jiang Xiaobai asked no questions and walked straight into the main hall.

Inside, Jiang Jingcheng sat upright in the seat of honor.

His posture was straight, his expression stern, and a cup of freshly brewed tea rested beside him. As ever, he exuded an imposing air without needing to show anger.

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai enter, Jiang Jingcheng raised his eyelids and gave him a cursory glance before asking, "What is it?"

"Why aren't you off watching cockfights or taking your pet birds out, you little brat? What brings you here?"

"Father."

Hearing that familiar sarcastic tone, Jiang Xiaobai smiled. "I came to let you know that we'll be receiving distinguished guests today!"

"Oh? What distinguished guests?"

Jiang Jingcheng remained seated in the hall, holding his teacup, his expression fairly calm. "Don't tell me Chancellor Li... really will come today?"

He did remember Jiang Xiaobai confidently declaring that Li Bingzhang would visit within two days.

And today was already the second day.

If Li Bingzhang really came, then this little brat did have some ability!

Under Jiang Jingcheng's gaze, Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled and nodded. "That's right!"

He paused, then leisurely added, "Besides him, Elder Lin will be coming as well."

"Hahaha!"

As soon as Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Jiang Jingcheng burst out laughing. "If you say Li Bingzhang will come, I can believe that to some extent."

"But Lin Fengshuo too? Do you think Elder Lin has nothing better to do?"

"Countless people try to invite him and can't get him to come, yet here you are, casually claiming he'll visit our Marquis's Residence?"

"Heh, well, I've told you what you need to know."

Jiang Xiaobai wasn't annoyed. He simply spread his hands slightly and said, "You'd best make some preparations. At the very least, you should change your clothes!"

Jiang Jingcheng was dressed rather casually, hardly looking ready to receive guests.

"Hmph."

Jiang Jingcheng snorted, his expression full of pride. "So what if Chancellor Li and Elder Lin both come?"

"What haven't I seen in my life? It's only a meeting with two people. What's there to prepare?"

"Prepare for what?"

Just as Jiang Jingcheng finished speaking, a puzzled voice came from outside. Shen Yun then walked in, looking somewhat uncertain.

Indeed, she had heard Jiang Jingcheng's voice from quite a distance away.

Seeing Shen Yun arrive, Jiang Jingcheng lifted his chin toward Jiang Xiaobai. "This precious son of yours says Li Bingzhang will come today. Heh, I'll grant him that much."

"But then... he actually said Elder Lin would come too. Isn't that ridiculous?"

Yet, to Jiang Jingcheng's surprise, Shen Yun's eyes lit up after hearing this, and she immediately turned toward Jiang Xiaobai. "Really?"

"Absolutely!"

Jiang Xiaobai nodded. "They'll definitely come."

"Oh my, then what are we standing around for?"

Delight spread across Shen Yun's face. "I'd better hurry and freshen up!"

With that, Shen Yun wasted not a moment. She turned and briskly headed outside, moving so decisively that she seemed genuinely afraid of slighting their guests.

"Just like a woman!"

Still seated, Jiang Jingcheng watched Shen Yun leave without hesitation. "She hears the wind and takes it for rain. Not a trace of composure!"

Yet, scarcely had he finished speaking when hurried footsteps sounded outside again.

A servant rushed in, a distinctly unusual expression on his face. Upon reaching the middle of the hall, he immediately bowed. "Marquis!"

"Outside... Chancellor Li has arrived. Shall we show him in?"

At those words.

Jiang Jingcheng, who had been sitting so steadily, suddenly changed expression.

He really came?

For a moment, Jiang Jingcheng couldn't help looking toward Jiang Xiaobai.

Jiang Xiaobai sat there with the same smile on his face, as though everything had unfolded exactly as he expected.

A moment later, Jiang Jingcheng's initially startled eyes slowly narrowed.

Then he leaned back against his chair, his expression turning stern again. "Tell him to wait!"

"Huh?"

The servant visibly froze, his expression stiffening.

Chancellor Li had come in person, and yet... they were making him wait?

He would never even have dared imagine such a thing.

Jiang Jingcheng frowned, however, and his voice abruptly deepened. "What? Can't you understand your marquis's orders?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

The servant jolted, hurriedly acknowledged the order, and withdrew with his head lowered.

Watching this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help smiling.

He could naturally tell.

His father clearly intended to return every last bit of the humiliation he had suffered two days earlier.

As Jiang Xiaobai thought this, Jiang Jingcheng sat in contemplation for a moment before finally looking at him and clearing his throat. "The Li Family... really is here to discuss a marriage?"

Though Jiang Xiaobai had mentioned it before, now that the moment had truly arrived, he still found it hard to believe.

After all, Li Bingzhang's daughter was the Greatest Talented Lady.

And he knew better than anyone what sort of man Li Bingzhang was.

That bastard held his eyes above the heavens and valued appearances above all else. Would such a man truly visit the Marquis's Residence of his own accord for a marriage alliance?

Most importantly, as the dynasty's chancellor, Li Bingzhang ought to know full well that his son had bought the title of Top Graduate.

That he still dared to wade into these muddy waters under such circumstances truly struck Jiang Jingcheng as inconceivable!

"Yes."

Jiang Xiaobai nodded.

"Then there's no harm in making him wait a while."

Barely had Jiang Jingcheng spoken when he couldn't help adding, "But... wouldn't it be inappropriate to make him wait too long?"

"What if that old bastard loses his temper and leaves with a flick of his sleeves... wouldn't that ruin things?"

Though he wanted to vent his anger, this matter concerned Jiang Xiaobai's path to survival, after all.

If he really drove Li Bingzhang away over a moment of spite, the loss would far outweigh the gain.

Yet, faced with Jiang Jingcheng's concerns, Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled and shook his head. "No, let him wait."

"Hm?"

Jiang Jingcheng paused, his face full of confusion.

Then Jiang Xiaobai spoke again. "Not only must he wait, he'll have to wait a good while."

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Xiaobai's eyes as he added, "At least... two hours!"