The carriage slowly passed through the palace gates.
Inside, however, the atmosphere felt rather strange.
At that moment, Jiang Xiaobai and Tang Ningshuang sat facing one another, staring at each other.
Tang Kui sat beside them, glancing at his daughter and then at Jiang Xiaobai, his expression somewhat awkward as well.
Indeed.
This atmosphere...
Why did it feel even more stifling than it had in the Golden Chime Hall?
Finally, Tang Kui could only give a light cough and break the silence himself. "Xiaobai!"
"Although you secured the title of Literary Top Graduate this time, the matter of buying office has already stirred outrage among scholars throughout the land."
"Even if His Majesty acknowledged you as the Top Graduate today, those scholars outside may not accept you."
At this point, Tang Kui paused briefly. "How do you intend to resolve this?"
"There's no rush."
Jiang Xiaobai smiled when he heard this.
"No rush?"
Tang Kui raised an eyebrow.
"Don't worry. It won't take long!"
Jiang Xiaobai looked confident. "I'll make every scholar in the land look up to me!"
"Heh."
No sooner had Jiang Xiaobai finished than Tang Ningshuang gave a cold laugh beside him. "A Top Graduate who bought his way into office wants every scholar in the land to admire him?"
"Heir Jiang, isn't that a little too ridiculous?"
"Sister Tang, aren't you a bit prejudiced against me?"
Jiang Xiaobai looked at Tang Ningshuang helplessly.
"Yes!"
Tang Ningshuang nodded without denying it.
Indeed, even though Jiang Xiaobai had spoken with ease and assurance before the Imperial Court today, and had even won the Literary and Martial Examination...
In Tang Ningshuang's eyes, his purchase of office remained a fact.
Even if someone who had reached the position of Top Graduate through such means possessed a measure of quick wit,