After Jiang Bai and Zhao Yi finished getting ready, they went to Zhao Xile's place. The maid had already dressed Zhao Xile up, and she looked even more adorable in a light pink dress.
"My Lele is so beautiful." Jiang Bai stepped forward, picked up Zhao Xile, and kissed her soft face.
Zhao Xile called out to Jiang Bai's neck, "Mother looks beautiful too."
Jiang Bai was very happy, and the whole family got into the car.
Although Zhao Ping'an said he was not on the same path as Zhao Xile, he still specially asked his teacher and Lei Yun for leave today to attend Zhao Xile's selection.
The selection process was held in the outer courtyard of the Imperial College.
The competition consists of three parts: playing the zither, playing chess, and calligraphy and painting.
There were many participants, including the steward's children and many merchants from the capital. The steward and the merchants were seated on the left and right sides, as the emperor generally disliked being with these merchants.
To them, these merchants reeked of money, lacked any manners, and were utterly unfit for high society.
After Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai's family entered the Imperial Academy, they were led to sit on the merchant's side. As soon as Jiang Bai entered, he saw the Wang family.
Wang Chao sat on the throne, with Wang Xuan beside him. When Wang Xuan's gaze swept over them and he saw Zhao Ping'an on the left, it suddenly turned fierce.
Zhao Ping'an, however, was not afraid at all. If the situation from that day were to repeat itself, he was confident that he could escape with his current strength.
So he sneered at Wang Xuan, his slightly curved lips full of mockery, which made Wang Xuan so angry that he almost crushed the jade ring on his waist and hand.
Zhao Yi pulled the person behind him and said, "Ping An, sit here."
In this way, Zhao Yi's body blocked Zhao Ping'an from view, and Wang Xuan could not see him either.
"Father, what are you doing? I'm not afraid of him!" Zhao Ping'an said indignantly.
Young people are most prone to impulsiveness. Zhao Yi patted him on the shoulder and said, "Ping An, today is your sister's selection competition. We'd better not cause any other trouble."
"Father knows you are not afraid, but Wang Xuan is ruthless and reckless. If you are not patient, you will ruin your great plans."
Zhao Ping'an calmed down. He had been practicing martial arts with his master these past few days and his skills had improved a lot. He had inevitably become a little arrogant, but Zhao Yi's words made him restrain himself.
"Father, I understand."
"Good boy."
Just as everyone was about to take their seats, someone stepped in—it was Lei Yun.
He was still dressed in black, with a jade crown on his head, and his calm demeanor carried an aura of majesty that made people dare not look him in the eye.
Zhao Ping'an resisted the urge to call him "Master." Under everyone's gaze, Lei Yun sat alone in the middle. The table was quite large, and he was the only one there. Even if someone wanted to curry favor with him at this moment, no one would dare to make a move.
Everyone knew that although this general was young, his temper was unpredictable.
"Ping An, all of you come and do this." Lei Yun said in a gentle tone, and the others looked in the direction he was pointing.
Is General Thunder trying to get the Zhao family to sit at the same table with him?!
How could a general of the current dynasty be so close to a merchant?!
The ministers were incredulous and looked at the family to find out their origins, while the other merchants were either naive or jealous.
Zhao Ping'an went over first, followed by Zhao Yi and Jiang Bai, and the family sat down with Lei Yun.
"Greetings, General Lei."
When you're out in public, you still have to maintain a good image.
"No need for formalities, please sit." Lei Yun spoke so casually, as if he were talking to a friend.
Even if Zhao Xile doesn't show any outstanding performance today, General Lei Yun's attitude towards the Zhao family will still cause quite a stir in the capital.
Jiang Bai, however, felt no discomfort whatsoever, which was for the best.
In the future, those people might be more wary of Lei Yun out of consideration for him.
Zhao Yi and Lei Yun exchanged a glance to show their gratitude.
Lei Yun smiled, his expression revealing nothing more.
Lei Yun could do whatever he wanted, but Jiang Yun knew that his general was extremely protective of his own. Now that Xiao Ping'an had become his apprentice, he wanted everyone in the capital to see clearly that the Zhao family was the people Lei Yun wanted to protect.
This will make those with ulterior motives restrain themselves.
Thinking of this, he glanced at Wang Chao and Wang Xuan.
As expected, Wang Xuan was furious, and his face turned a deep, liver-red.
He looked down and patted Zhao Ping'an on the shoulder: "Little Ping'an, after the trainees tomorrow, Brother Jiang will make you some pig liver."
Zhao Pingan glanced at Wang Xuan, immediately understood, and couldn't help but laugh twice.
The people at the table were chatting and laughing. They had never seen Lei Yun smile before, and seeing him today made them wonder what kind of tricks the Zhao family had up their sleeves to get on the good side of General Lei.
"Alright, it's getting late, let's begin." Lei Yun spoke, and the presiding official didn't delay any longer, giving a brief speech before starting the competition.
"The first match is a piano competition."
Before entering the mall, the participating women, regardless of their status, were arranged in a lottery order, with Zhao Xile being the last in line.
These women in front of him were indeed quite capable, each one exceptionally talented. Even Jiang Bai felt it was difficult to determine a winner, and the outcome would inevitably depend on the relationship between the referee and these women.
But when the referee entered the field, Jiang Bai was somewhat surprised: "It's him?"
Zhao Yi turned around: "Bai'er, do you know this person?"
Bai'er was not with them that day. This person was the one who registered Le'er. How could Bai'er know him?
Jiang Bai began, "You came to my shop earlier saying you knew someone named Sheng..."
"What?" Zhao Yi continued to ask, his expression changing slightly.
Jiang Bai didn't notice anything amiss with Zhao Yi. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I remember now, his name is Sheng Bai!"
“Sheng Bai…” Zhao Yi paused slightly in his teacup, and Lei Yun also turned to look at Jiang Bai with an unusual expression.
He glanced at Zhao Yi, whose expression was far too strange.
Does Zhao Yi know Sheng Bai?
"Who is Sheng Bai?" Zhao Yi asked.
"I don't know him either," Jiang Bai replied, and the two stopped talking about the topic. Lei Yun also remained silent.
"I'm getting off-topic. I didn't expect him to be the referee." Jiang Bai thought to herself. If she had known this would happen, she should have kept that person around for a few more days. According to her way of treating people, she might have even made friends with him.
Sheng Bai took his seat, his gaze fixed on the stage, not sweeping over any other areas.
It wasn't until Zhao Xile went on stage that he changed his posture and his expression became more serious.
Meanwhile, Wang Xuan, on the other side, lowered his gaze slightly upon seeing Zhao Xile.
Li Mi, standing behind him, whispered in his ear, "Cousin, Lei Yun has arrived and has such a close relationship with the Zhao family. I'm afraid things won't be easy."
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