You Certainly Raised a Fine Son!

"Huh? An essay?"

Surprise flashed across Li Bingzhang's face when he heard Lin Fengshuo's words.

When Li Zhiwei returned home yesterday, she had mentioned that Jiang Xiaobai had successfully become Lin Fengshuo's disciple.

Naturally, he also knew Lin Fengshuo's rules.

Every disciple had to write an essay each month and submit it for his review.

But the problem was... Jiang Xiaobai had only become his disciple last night, yet he had rushed to write an essay and send it over. What could he possibly have produced in such haste?

Could it be...

Jiang Xiaobai was simply eager to show off before Lin Fengshuo?

If so, he had made a grave mistake!

Lin Fengshuo had always valued quality. Although he stipulated a month, even taking an extra fortnight was fine, as long as the essay was good enough.

But Jiang Xiaobai's handling of this left rather a lot to be desired!

Standing beside him, Li Zhiwei was clearly taken aback as well.

A moment later, unmistakable puzzlement flickered in her clear eyes, and her delicate brows drew into a slight frown.

An essay?

Teacher had actually come because of an essay?

It reminded her of how utterly confident Jiang Xiaobai had looked yesterday at the Lin Estate.

So what exactly... had he written?

Before Li Zhiwei could ask anything more, however, the servant who had previously come out to relay the message hurried out of the Marquis's Residence again.

As soon as the servant reached the entrance, he looked up. His expression visibly froze when he saw Lin Fengshuo.

Clearly, even he had not expected Elder Lin to actually come.

But he only dared freeze for a moment.

He quickly recovered and bowed. "Elder Lin, Chancellor Li, Miss Li!"

"The Marquis invites you inside!"

"Understood!"

Li Bingzhang answered first, then stepped half a pace aside and turned to Lin Fengshuo. "Sir, after you."

Lin Fengshuo smiled and nodded.

Then, supported by the young attendant beside him, he walked into the Marquis's Residence.

Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei followed closely, one behind the other.

At that moment.

Inside the main hall of the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate.

Jiang Jingcheng sat upright in the seat of honor, his general's uniform impeccably arranged and his shoulders and back ramrod straight. He looked even more stern and imposing than usual, every inch a battle-hardened commander.

Shen Yun had also changed into a suitable dress and was sitting quietly on the other side.

Although both husband and wife were doing their best to remain composed, the slight tension in their expressions betrayed their unease.

Jiang Xiaobai, on the other hand.

He sat in a lower seat, looking utterly relaxed, a faint smile lingering at the corners of his mouth the entire time.

From his seat of honor, Jiang Jingcheng had already glared at Jiang Xiaobai more than once.

Yet Jiang Xiaobai acted as though he had not noticed, and his smile only grew more natural.

It left Jiang Jingcheng both irritated and helpless.

Just then.

A clear announcement rang out from outside.

"Chancellor Li has arrived!"

"Elder Lin has arrived!"

At those words, Jiang Jingcheng and Shen Yun rose almost simultaneously.

A visible jolt passed across both their faces.

They had been somewhat prepared for Li Bingzhang's arrival, but Lin Fengshuo... had actually come?!

Jiang Jingcheng glanced at Jiang Xiaobai, his heart giving another violent jolt.

That little brat had been right about everything!

Jiang Xiaobai also slowly rose to his feet.

Soon, several figures came walking in through the doorway.

At their head was none other than Lin Fengshuo.

Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei followed behind him.

Seeing Lin Fengshuo enter the hall, Jiang Jingcheng immediately stepped forward and cupped his hands in salute. "Greetings, Elder Lin!"

Although he was a marquis and disliked civil officials, he could not help showing some courtesy to this former Grand Tutor.

Shen Yun also spoke with a broad smile. "Your presence brings luster to our humble Marquis's Residence, Elder Lin!"

Jiang Xiaobai likewise stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Greetings, Teacher!"

Yet in response to their welcome, Lin Fengshuo merely fixed his gaze on Jiang Xiaobai, then gave a soft snort.

"Hmph!"

Although it was not loud, the sound rang out distinctly in the quiet hall.

Without another word, Lin Fengshuo proceeded straight inside.

The sight made Jiang Jingcheng's heart drop.

Indeed.

Although he came from a military family, he had heard of one exceptionally strict rule among Lin Fengshuo's disciples.

If a disciple behaved dishonorably or strayed from the proper path, Lin Fengshuo would personally visit their home and expel them!

And with the way Lin Fengshuo looked now...

Could that really be why he had come?

For a moment, Jiang Jingcheng's heart rose into his throat.

While those thoughts churned in his mind, Li Bingzhang and Li Zhiwei stepped in through the doorway as well.

The moment Li Bingzhang entered, his gaze met Jiang Jingcheng's.

An instant later.

The two gave cold snorts almost simultaneously.

"Hmph!"

"Hmph!"

One was softer and the other louder, but they conveyed the same sentiment.

Neither could stand the sight of the other.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall grew a little strained.

Just then, however, Shen Yun's gaze suddenly fell on Li Zhiwei.

One glance was all it took for Shen Yun's eyes to light up.

That bearing, those manners, that figure...

Everything about her was simply delightful!

At the thought, Shen Yun's smile deepened, and she hurried straight over.

"You must be Weier?"

She spoke the name "Weier" with effortless warmth and familiarity.

Even Li Zhiwei was visibly startled, but she recovered quickly, bowing slightly as she said gently, "Weier greets Madam."

Then Li Zhiwei raised her head, turned to Jiang Jingcheng, and gave another slight bow. "Greetings, Marquis."

At this, Jiang Jingcheng's stern expression softened a little. He nodded. "There is no need for such formality, Miss Li."

Standing beside her, Shen Yun grew more pleased with Li Zhiwei the longer she looked.

Not only did the girl possess an outstanding air of grace, but her conduct was also so dignified and courteous.

For a moment, Shen Yun's fondness was almost written all over her face.

Standing nearby, Jiang Xiaobai took it all in and could not help smiling.

"Please, let's all sit and talk!"

Jiang Jingcheng spoke then. Although facing Li Bingzhang put him in an exceedingly foul mood, he was the host, after all, and had to observe the proper courtesies.

After he spoke, they took their seats one after another, but... the atmosphere had grown distinctly subdued.

Indeed, Lin Fengshuo's expression looked rather displeased.

Li Bingzhang had been considering how to begin, but upon noticing Lin Fengshuo's expression, he no longer dared speak rashly.

As for Li Zhiwei, she stole a glance toward Jiang Xiaobai, curiosity still lingering in her eyes.

She was curious about what sort of essay Jiang Xiaobai had written to bring Elder Lin to his door in person.

And looking angry, at that.

Sitting there, Jiang Xiaobai was the most relaxed of them all, with even a little more amusement in his eyes.

After all, he knew why Lin Fengshuo was angry.

After a moment, Lin Fengshuo slowly spoke, his gaze sweeping over Jiang Xiaobai before finally settling on Jiang Jingcheng.

"Marquis Jiangping, you certainly raised a fine son..."