Why Was Teacher Here Too?

"Two hours?"

Jiang Jingcheng was startled by those words and even wondered whether he had misheard.

"Yes, just two hours!"

As Jiang Xiaobai nodded again, Jiang Jingcheng finally could no longer sit still. He rose and paced a couple of steps through the hall, then looked at Jiang Xiaobai. "But is this... appropriate?!"

To be honest.

By now, he found it increasingly difficult to fathom this son of his.

In the past, if Jiang Xiaobai had said something like that, he would have dismissed it as nonsense.

Yet from last night until today, this little brat had been right about far more than one or two things.

That was precisely why Jiang Jingcheng felt even less certain.

Faced with Jiang Jingcheng's hesitation, however, Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled, his voice as steady as ever. "It is."

"But what if..."

Jiang Jingcheng was about to say more when Jiang Xiaobai cut him off. "There is no 'what if'!"

Those simple words made Jiang Jingcheng narrow his eyes slightly. After a moment, he finally sat back down.

But he remained seated for only a moment before getting up again. After a couple of dry coughs, he feigned composure. "Ahem, I just remembered that I have some matters to attend to!"

"Stay here for now!"

With that, Jiang Jingcheng turned and headed outside without waiting for Jiang Xiaobai's reply.

But he had only just reached the doorway.

Behind him, Jiang Xiaobai's amused voice drifted over. "Father, if you really are going to change, just wear your General's Uniform!"

Jiang Jingcheng stopped dead.

His face, which had still been trying to maintain its composure, instantly stiffened.

Then Jiang Jingcheng slowly turned and glared fiercely at Jiang Xiaobai. "Get lost!"

With that, Jiang Jingcheng gave his sleeves a forceful flick and strode away.

"Hahaha!"

Jiang Xiaobai could no longer hold back and burst out laughing where he sat.

At that moment.

Outside the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.

A carriage stood quietly not far from the entrance.

Inside, Li Zhiwei sat in silence, though her hands unconsciously clenched the fabric of her dress.

She still wore a veil, but even so, the nervousness in her clear eyes was plain to see.

Opposite her, Li Bingzhang sat upright. His expression seemed fairly calm, but his brows furrowed from time to time.

Clearly.

The reigning chancellor was not nearly as composed as he appeared.

Just then, footsteps suddenly sounded outside.

A servant's voice followed from beyond the carriage curtain.

"My lord."

Standing outside the carriage, the servant respectfully cupped his hands toward those inside, though his voice sounded somewhat uneasy. "Our Marquis... said to have you wait outside for now!"

At those words.

Li Bingzhang froze for a moment, then immediately furrowed his brows.

Make me wait?

Jiang Jingcheng really has some nerve!

After a moment, Li Bingzhang finally waved a hand, suppressing the anger in his heart as he said coolly, "All right. Understood."

"Yes, my lord!"

The servant responded hastily, as though he had been granted a pardon. Then he ducked his head, quickly turned, and returned to the Marquis's Residence.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere grew somewhat delicate.

"Jiang Jingcheng is clearly taking revenge on me!"

After a brief silence, Li Bingzhang finally could not hold back a cold snort, his expression visibly souring.

Hearing her father's words, a faint glimmer of amusement crossed Li Zhiwei's eyes. She said softly, "Father, didn't you already expect this before coming?"

"Expecting it is one thing."

Li Bingzhang shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his voice. "But when it actually happens, it still leaves a bitter taste."

"Hmph, that uncouth soldier truly has not a shred of grace!"

Before coming, he had indeed anticipated this possibility. After all, he knew Jiang Jingcheng's temper better than anyone.

But anticipating it was one thing.

Actually being left out in the cold beyond the gates still rankled.

Li Zhiwei pressed her lips together, a hint of a smile on her face. Rather than continue the conversation, she gently lifted a corner of the curtain and looked toward the Marquis's Residence.

A curious glimmer involuntarily crossed her clear eyes.

Time ticked by.

Before they knew it, an hour had passed, yet there was still no movement whatsoever from the Marquis's Residence.

Inside the carriage, Li Bingzhang had initially managed to stay seated.

But once that hour had passed, he could no longer sit still.

"Outrageous!"

Li Bingzhang flicked his sleeve sharply and rose, his expression darkening further. "Making us wait outside for so long-this is going too far!"

"Does Jiang Jingcheng really think I won't turn against him?"

"Father, please be patient and wait a little longer!"

Li Zhiwei spoke softly.

With his brows furrowed, Li Bingzhang eventually sat back down.

But after another hour passed, Li Bingzhang finally lost all patience and stood straight up.

"This is too much! Daughter, come inside with me. I refuse to believe the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate would actually dare bar us from entering!"

Having said that, Li Bingzhang rose to lead the way.

This time, Li Zhiwei said nothing and stood up with him.

Yet as soon as the two stepped down from the carriage, they saw another carriage slowly approaching from the other side.

That carriage had an old-fashioned simplicity to it, with a wooden plaque hanging at the front, lending it an indescribable air of dignity.

"Hmm? This is..."

At the sight, Li Bingzhang paused, curiosity flickering across his face.

But just then, Li Zhiwei, standing beside him, seemed to recognize something. Her eyes widened slightly, her face full of surprise.

"Oh? That's Teacher's carriage!"

"What?!"

At Li Zhiwei's words, Li Bingzhang froze completely.

Li Zhiwei's teacher-wasn't that Elder Lin?

In an instant, a remarkable array of expressions crossed Li Bingzhang's face.

Indeed, he had never imagined that Lin Fengshuo's carriage would appear here.

And judging by its course, it was clearly heading for the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate as well.

"Why is Teacher here too?"

As she spoke, Li Zhiwei walked toward the carriage to meet him.

Li Bingzhang forgot everything else and hurried after her.

Soon.

The carriage slowly came to a stop before the Marquis's Residence.

As someone lifted the curtain, a figure with graying hair and beard, leaning on a Blackwood Staff, slowly came into view.

It was none other than Lin Fengshuo!

"Teacher!"

Li Zhiwei stepped forward first and bowed respectfully.

"Sir!"

Li Bingzhang also hastily cupped his hands, his expression still carrying a trace of shock.

It really was Elder Lin!

Having just stepped down from his carriage, Lin Fengshuo was visibly taken aback to see the father and daughter before him. "Oh? Chancellor Li, Wei'er, what are you two doing here?"

Immediately afterward, something occurred to Lin Fengshuo, and he smiled. "Here to discuss the marriage?"

A flicker of awkwardness crossed Li Zhiwei's face, and she lowered her head.

Beside her, Li Bingzhang said, "Nothing gets past you, Elder Lin. That's right!"

"Then why aren't you going inside, Chancellor Li?"

Lin Fengshuo looked somewhat puzzled.

"Well..."

Anger surged within Li Bingzhang, but he replied awkwardly, "Don't ask. Jiang Jingcheng told us to wait outside!"

"Oh?"

Surprise flickered across Lin Fengshuo's face. Then he glanced toward the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate and smiled. "Chancellor Li, I'm afraid I must take you to task this time!"

Li Bingcheng looked utterly confused.

"Heh, the Jiang Family needs to preserve its dignity, however little!"

"Besides, if these marriage discussions remain solely between your two families, the marriage itself will have no meaning!"

At that point, Lin Fengshuo looked at Li Bingzhang. "Chancellor Li, you usually see things quite clearly. Why is it that this time... you cannot see through them?"

Those simple words visibly startled Li Bingzhang. He sank into thought, and when understanding finally dawned on his face, he immediately cupped his hands toward Lin Fengshuo. "You're right, sir. This time, I let my emotions get the better of me!"

"As long as you understand!" Lin Fengshuo nodded slightly.

"But speaking of which, sir..."

Li Bingzhang looked at Lin Fengshuo. "Why have you suddenly come here as well?"

Li Zhiwei also looked curiously at Lin Fengshuo, for she wondered the same thing.

At the question, the smile vanished from Lin Fengshuo's face. He snorted. "Jiang Xiaobai had an essay delivered to me late last night. That's why I'm here!"

As he finished speaking, anger was plainly visible on Lin Fengshuo's face. "That boy has simply infuriated me!!!"