A fish out of water!

Jiang Xiaobai stepped into the Poetry Gathering.

With a casual sweep of his gaze, he noticed quite a few people staring at him.

And there was nothing friendly about those looks.

Some were cold, some disgusted, and some held undisguised rejection.

Clearly, the people here did not welcome him, the heir of the Jiang Family.

Of course, some did not recognize Jiang Xiaobai.

But after those beside them whispered a few words, the scholars who had initially looked merely puzzled gradually frowned, their gazes toward Jiang Xiaobai taking on a measure of disgust.

Jiang Xiaobai did not take it too much to heart.

After all.

The previous owner of this body was a notorious wastrel.

Ignorant, incompetent, arrogant, and overbearing.

In the eyes of these scholars who fancied themselves above the vulgar world, I was undoubtedly a rat dropping in their soup.

It was only natural for them to shun me like this.

As these thoughts ran through Jiang Xiaobai's mind, the guard beside him suddenly spoke in a low voice near his ear.

"Young lord, the Marquis said you should pick to your heart's content!"

"..."

The corner of Jiang Xiaobai's mouth twitched.

Pick to my heart's content?

Coming from my father, that sounded awkward no matter how I heard it.

Anyone who didn't know better would think I'd come to the market to buy radishes.

Still, grumbling aside, Jiang Xiaobai instinctively looked around.

Sure enough, there were quite a few pretty young women at the Poetry Gathering.

Some had features as lovely as a painting, while others possessed a graceful, gentle air.

Others needed only to stand there for a single glance to reveal their scholarly refinement.

Yet the moment Jiang Xiaobai turned his gaze their way.

Disgust immediately appeared on the women's previously calm faces.

Some turned their heads away outright, while others frowned.

A few even stepped half a pace backward, as though terrified that Jiang Xiaobai might set his sights on them.

"..."

For a moment, Jiang Xiaobai was speechless too.

Good grief, I haven't even started picking yet.

And they're already turning their noses up at me?

Sure enough... the enormous black pot my predecessor left for me to carry was no ordinary burden.

While Jiang Xiaobai stood there looking helpless, three figures sat in a pavilion deep within the garden.

A woman sat upright before a zither table, gently brushing the strings.

Two men sat opposite her.

One wore white and held a teacup, his bearing unhurried and a faint smile lingering on his face. He looked exceptionally refined.

The other was dressed far more lavishly, with an exquisite robe and a jade pendant hanging at his waist.

One glance was enough to tell that he came from a distinguished family.

At that moment, his eyes were lightly closed, his fingers tapping the tabletop now and then as he listened to the music.

Just then.

The White-Clad Man shifted his gaze, as though noticing something, and suddenly said, "Brother Zeng, look over there!"

Hearing this, the man with his eyes closed slowly opened them.

Then he looked in the direction the White-Clad Man indicated.

When he saw Jiang Xiaobai, his brows rose.

An amused smile followed. "Isn't that the Jiang Family's useless heir? What's he doing here?"

"Who knows!"

The White-Clad Man chuckled, his gaze still fixed on Jiang Xiaobai as he said leisurely, "The Chancellor has always been displeased with the Jiang Family's control over such a large army."

"To think this brat would still dare come here."

"I wonder whether to call him bold or ignorant!"

At the White-Clad Man's words, the man addressed as Brother Zeng chuckled as well.

"Exactly!"

Zeng Qingchi paused briefly before continuing, "The Jiang Family was filled with loyal heroes. How glorious they were in years past!"

"But now, only this one son remains, and he's a good-for-nothing!"

"If you ask me, it won't be long before the Jiang Family falls into complete decline!"

As Zeng Qingchi finished speaking.

The White-Clad Man raised his teacup and took a small sip before smiling faintly. "Indeed. If this wastrel's eldest and second brothers were still alive, the Jiang Family... would certainly be a force to reckon with!"

"As things stand, all one can say is what a pity!"

After speaking, the White-Clad Man gently shook his head.

There was a hint of regret in his manner.

But how much of that regret was genuine, probably only he knew.

No sooner had he finished than the White-Clad Man seemed to notice something else and chuckled again. "It seems quite a few people don't welcome him!"

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Zeng Qingchi raised his head again.

Among the crowd, two men dressed as scholars were walking straight toward Jiang Xiaobai, their faces filled with anger.

At the sight.

The corners of Zeng Qingchi's mouth lifted too. "Watching a little entertainment at this Poetry Gathering isn't bad either!"

Meanwhile.

Jiang Xiaobai slowly came to a stop.

Because two figures now stood in front of him.

They were two men dressed as scholars.

The pair stood there looking anything but friendly.

Jiang Xiaobai raised his head and looked at the two blocking his way. His brows lifted before he asked, "Gentlemen, what advice do you have for me?"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking.

One of the men immediately stepped forward and said coldly, "This is a Poetry Gathering. Uninvited idlers aren't welcome here!"

"Please leave at once, lest you sully this place of refinement!"

After his words fell.

Many people around them turned their gazes over.

Some looked indifferent.

Others wore expressions of gloating delight.

Clearly, they also wanted to see how Jiang Xiaobai would respond.

The face of the guard beside Jiang Xiaobai instantly turned icy.

"You're courting death!"

The guard stepped forward, his hand already resting on the sword at his waist.

His eyes were frighteningly cold.

As though a single word from Jiang Xiaobai would make him draw his sword on the spot.

But just then, Jiang Xiaobai raised a hand and stopped the guard.

Then Jiang Xiaobai lifted his head and looked at the pair before him, the corners of his mouth slowly curling upward.

"Heh, how interesting!"

There was not a trace of anger in Jiang Xiaobai's voice. Instead, it carried an indescribable amusement.

"This is the first time I've seen someone wearing a scholar's robe while doing a watchdog's job..."

"You... how dare you insult us!"

Hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, the two men grew even angrier.

"Insult you? I'll fucking slap you too!"

With that, Jiang Xiaobai raised his hand without a shred of mercy and slapped them.

One slap for each man, both ringing out with remarkable clarity.

The pair froze, clearly never having expected Jiang Xiaobai to dare strike them in the Chancellor's Residence.

Their anger went to their heads, and they immediately prepared to teach Jiang Xiaobai a lesson. But the instant they moved, they felt an icy chill.

Clang!

A gleaming blade left its sheath!

The man who acted was the officer accompanying Jiang Xiaobai.

Just as the sword was about to strike the pair, a fierce gust suddenly swept toward it.

A pebble struck the blade with pinpoint accuracy!

Ting!

Amid the crisp ring, the officer retreated half a step.

He looked up to see an old man standing before the two scholars.

The old man's expression was grim. "This is the Poetry Gathering hosted by the eldest young lady. We will not tolerate you running wild here!"

After speaking, the old man gave Jiang Xiaobai a cold look. "Please leave!"

Though inwardly startled, Jiang Xiaobai showed no intention of turning away. Instead, he looked at the two scholars and said.

"You two, didn't you hear this elderly gentleman? Hurry up and get lost!"