Li Zhiwei's invitation!

Early the next morning.

Jiang Xiaobai had just finished breakfast and was sitting there drinking tea when a maid hurried in from outside.

"Young lord."

Her gaze settled on Jiang Xiaobai as she said respectfully, "Miss Li is here. She's waiting in the main hall!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai looked visibly surprised.

Li Zhiwei?

What was this woman doing here so early?

He set down his teacup and, without delay, rose and headed toward the main hall.

As he walked, he could not help turning the matter over in his mind.

She had only just gotten engaged yesterday, and now she was already at his door. Could it be... something genuinely urgent?

With those thoughts in mind, Jiang Xiaobai had barely reached the hall's entrance when he heard a voice from inside.

"How are you such a lovely girl!"

"And so accomplished, too. Ah, come to think of it, that rascal of mine really doesn't deserve you!"

At those words, Jiang Xiaobai stopped in his tracks, a helpless look immediately crossing his face.

Indeed.

The voice belonged to none other than his mother, Shen Yun.

When Jiang Xiaobai stepped inside, he saw Shen Yun holding Li Zhiwei's hand, smiling with unmistakable warmth.

Although Li Zhiwei still wore her veil, a faint smile clearly touched her eyes.

And with a glance, Jiang Xiaobai noticed that a new bracelet had appeared on Shen Yun's wrist.

The jade had a warm, lustrous sheen. One look was enough to tell it was no ordinary piece.

Clearly, it had been a gift from Li Zhiwei.

The corner of Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched.

Well, well.

This woman certainly moved fast. Had she already started buying off his mother?

At that thought, Jiang Xiaobai could not help speaking up. "Mother, what are you saying!"

"What?"

Seeing Jiang Xiaobai come in, Shen Yun realized he had overheard her. She immediately raised her head and snorted. "Was I wrong?"

"Tell me yourself. With the way you are, do you deserve Zhiwei?"

As Shen Yun finished speaking.

Li Zhiwei, sitting beside her, noticeably lifted a hand to cover her mouth.

Her veil concealed her expression, but it could not hide the amusement in her eyes or the faint hint of triumph shining through.

Watching this, Jiang Xiaobai shook his head helplessly again.

Indeed.

With these two joining forces, anything he said now would probably be wasted breath.

So he could not be bothered to argue with Shen Yun. Instead, he turned directly to Li Zhiwei and asked with a smile, "What brings you to see me so early, Wei'er?"

"Or..."

He paused briefly, the corners of his mouth curling upward.

"Did you simply miss me?"

The moment those words left his mouth.

The lingering amusement in Li Zhiwei's eyes froze.

A moment later, her smile vanished, replaced by a faint blush beneath her veil.

Li Zhiwei immediately raised her eyes and glared at Jiang Xiaobai. "You... what nonsense are you talking!"

"I came on serious business!"

"Oh?"

Jiang Xiaobai raised an eyebrow. "What serious business?"

"I want to take you to the Imperial College."

Hmm?

Jiang Xiaobai was visibly taken aback. Before he could ask anything, Li Zhiwei continued, "After Teacher left the Marquis's Residence yesterday, he went straight to the Imperial College."

"Your essay has already caused quite a stir there."

"An entire night has passed, and they're probably still discussing it."

"And..."

Li Zhiwei lowered her voice slightly. "Apparently, someone from the Imperial Palace is visiting the Imperial College today, too. I heard Father mention it. It should be the Elder Princess."

"She might well be going because of your essay, too!"

As she spoke, Li Zhiwei's clear eyes settled on Jiang Xiaobai, carrying an elusive meaning.

"As the man behind that essay... don't you want to go over there and meet the greatest beauty in our Great Hua while you're at it?"

At her words, Jiang Xiaobai raised his eyebrows.

To be honest, he had little interest in a place like the Imperial College.

After all, it was full of scholars.

And given his current reputation outside...

Ha, he'd probably collect a heap of disdainful looks the moment he stepped inside.

But... the Elder Princess!

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Xiaobai suddenly smiled. "A visit... wouldn't be out of the question."

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth slowly rose. "But you'll have to put on an act with me!"

"Huh?"

Li Zhiwei was clearly startled, her expression full of confusion. "An act? What sort of act?"

Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled, in no hurry to explain.

Yet as Li Zhiwei looked at his smiling face, an inexplicable uneasiness suddenly stirred in her heart.

Indeed.

Whenever this fellow wore that sort of smile, it usually meant nothing good.

At that thought, Li Zhiwei glared at Jiang Xiaobai again.

This fellow...

What rotten idea was he cooking up now?

Although Shen Yun, sitting beside them, had not quite understood their exchange, the moment she heard that Li Zhiwei wanted to take Jiang Xiaobai to the Imperial College, she said, "Xiaobai, if you're going to the Imperial College, those clothes won't do."

"Hurry back and change into something presentable."

"Besides, you're going out with Zhiwei, after all. You mustn't embarrass her!"

"Mother."

Jiang Xiaobai said helplessly, "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Everything!"

Shen Yun glared at him, then turned to Li Zhiwei, barely able to contain her smile. "Zhiwei, stay seated. I'll have someone get him changed right away!"

"Madam, there's no need..."

Before Li Zhiwei could finish, Shen Yun was already bustling about, issuing orders to the servants.

Standing there and watching his mother act even more eagerly than he did, Jiang Xiaobai did not know whether to laugh or cry.

Meanwhile, Li Zhiwei sat beside her and glanced toward Jiang Xiaobai, a faint smile gathering in her eyes.

Indeed.

There was something indescribably... warm about the scene before her.

A short while later.

Under Shen Yun's urging, Jiang Xiaobai was ultimately shooed back to change.

When he returned, he had put on a tidier robe and looked rather more respectable than usual.

Only then did Shen Yun nod in satisfaction. "That's more like it!"

"Let's go."

Seeing that, Jiang Xiaobai could not be bothered to say anything more. He looked straight at Li Zhiwei. "Wei'er, shall we head over now?"

"Who said there was a 'we'!"

Li Zhiwei rose as she spoke, keeping her voice as calm as possible. "Since you're ready, let's go."

Just as the two were about to leave, Shen Yun suddenly seemed to remember something. Looking at Jiang Xiaobai, she said, "You rascal, don't go talking nonsense when you get to the Imperial College!"

"And above all... don't bully Zhiwei!"

"Mother, do I look like that sort of person?"

Jiang Xiaobai immediately put on an innocent expression.

"Yes!"

Shen Yun answered so crisply that Li Zhiwei smiled behind pursed lips.

After saying that, Shen Yun did not forget to add to Li Zhiwei, "Zhiwei, don't worry. If this rascal dares misbehave, come back and tell me. I'll teach him a lesson for you!"

"All right."

Li Zhiwei pressed her lips together lightly, the amusement in her eyes deepening. "Thank you, madam."

With that, Li Zhiwei gave Jiang Xiaobai a triumphant look and a soft little huff.

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, utterly helpless.

Indeed.

He finally understood.

His standing in this household would probably only sink lower and lower from now on.

With that thought, Jiang Xiaobai could only shake his head before walking out of the Marquis's Residence with Li Zhiwei.

After they left, Shen Yun remained where she was, watching their retreating figures with a smile she could not suppress.

"A talented young man and a beautiful young woman. The more I look at them, the more perfect they seem..."