"Jiang Xiaobai, don't get so smug!"
"Jiang Xiaobai, you're nothing but a wastrel! I don't believe you could have written those couplets off the cuff!"
Without a doubt, a single remark from Jiang Xiaobai instantly sent the Clear Pavilion into an uproar.
The previously quiet scene burst into commotion.
In particular, the scholars who had been here yesterday flushed scarlet at his words.
Clearly, they had recalled how Jiang Xiaobai had berated them yesterday until they could no longer hold their heads up.
"Hehe, this must be the young heir of the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate?"
Just then, a gentle voice drifted down from upstairs. "Though Heir Jiang's reputation leaves something to be desired, he does seem to possess a certain bearing..."
Hmm?
Jiang Xiaobai looked up.
A middle-aged man was slowly descending the stairs.
He wore a long robe and held a folding fan, a faint smile on his face that gave him a mild, amiable air.
Yet no matter how Jiang Xiaobai listened to that opening remark, it rubbed him the wrong way.
"That's Mou Yuanshan."
Li Zhiwei quietly reminded Jiang Xiaobai from beside him.
"Oh!"
Jiang Xiaobai raised his brows slightly, then broke into a smile. "So it's Mr. Niu! I've long admired your name!"
"It's Mou."
Mou Yuanshan paused midstep, his brows drawing together.
"Huh?"
Jiang Xiaobai looked apologetic. "Sorry, I misheard!"
As he spoke, Jiang Xiaobai even solemnly cupped his hands. "Please don't take offense, Mr. Niu!"
"..."
Quite a few people inside the Clear Pavilion suddenly wore peculiar expressions.
Li Zhiwei's eyes flickered, and she nearly failed to contain herself.
Lin Qinrou pressed her lips together outright.
This fellow was definitely doing it on purpose.
"Heir Jiang's hearing seems rather poor."
Mou Yuanshan looked at Jiang Xiaobai, the smile on his face fading somewhat.