"Huh!"
When Jiang Xiaobai entered the courtyard with Zhang Xinnian, he did indeed find Li Zhiwei sitting with Lin Qinrou.
"It really is that fierce woman!"
Jiang Xiaobai had not spoken loudly, but the courtyard was quiet.
So the moment those words fell, Li Zhiwei and Lin Qinrou both turned their heads.
Their gazes landed on Jiang Xiaobai in unison.
"Who are you calling a fierce woman?"
Lin Qinrou's delicate hand clenched slightly, and irritation immediately surfaced on her radiant, lovely face.
She had clearly heard what Jiang Xiaobai said.
Jiang Xiaobai reacted swiftly, slowly turning his head to look at Zhang Xinnian beside him.
Zhang Xinnian froze.
Wait, why was the heir looking at him?
"Ah, please don't take offense, Miss Lin."
Jiang Xiaobai turned back, looking at Lin Qinrou with an apologetic expression. "This servant of mine really has no manners. I'll be sure to lecture him when we get back!"
Zhang Xinnian opened his mouth.
In the end, he silently lowered his head and chose to shoulder the blame.
What could he do? This was his own heir, after all!
Seeing Jiang Xiaobai's utterly solemn expression, Lin Qinrou gave a soft snort. She could not be bothered to keep trading quips with him and sat back down.
Watching from beside her, Li Zhiwei's eyes held a faint smile. "Heir Jiang, you've come rather early today."
"Mm."
Jiang Xiaobai nodded, walked over, and sat down. "The Clear Pavilion is bound to be lively today. Where's the fun in arriving late?"
"It certainly is lively."
Lin Qinrou spoke from beside him. "I'm afraid two-thirds of the Imperial College's students have flocked over."
"Right now, the Clear Pavilion is packed with people, inside and out."
As she spoke, a curious expression filled Lin Qinrou's face. "Especially... those two couplet challenges