Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Jiang Jibai set the quantity without the slightest hesitation, his actions swift and decisive.

Qin Ji cried out in pain, his face as white as paper.

"It hurts so much... Gu Huaijin, you're not human, can't you find another place to slap me?"

Do you know this is an assassination attempt?

Jiang Jibai's actions were aimed at teaching people a lesson they would never forget, and he showed no mercy.

Qin Ji was in so much pain he almost cried out in pain. He opened his mouth but didn't want to beg for mercy, so he could only call out "Teacher" over and over again, sounding incredibly pitiful.

Although he hadn't yet drunk the tea to formally become an apprentice, Jiang Jibai didn't correct his form of address. Whenever Qin Ji called out, he would just hum in response, his hands never idle or faltering.

Hearing Qin Ji crying, the Bean on the neighboring roof almost rushed down to save the emperor several times. But then it heard the emperor calling "Teacher" repeatedly. Afraid of ruining the emperor's important plans, it could only cover its ears and lie on the roof, looking at the clouds in the sky and questioning its existence, while also worrying about whether it would be silenced.

Bean: I didn't hear that. I'm deaf. I can't hear anything.

Lentil: Oh no! Your Majesty, you're crying so loudly!

Qin Ji felt a burning sensation all over his body; any injury could affect his entire being. He cried and gasped for breath, and the lecture stopped. Qin Ji heard Gu Huaijin's gentle yet cool voice sternly question him, "When you went to lecture in the outskirts of the capital, did you treat those farmers as your students?"

"Do we deserve the repeated calls of 'Little Master' from them?"

Qin Ji twitched his ears, and his cheeks and earlobes felt hot; something was amiss.

He's teaching me? He's actually teaching me?

That's the feeling—a gentle, authoritative guidance, like that of an elder, wholeheartedly acting in my best interest.

Waaah, I think I can hold on a little longer.

Please do not show me any mercy, he continued, reprimanding me.

Qin Ji's wish came true. Jiang Jibai punished him by asking, "Do you know you're wrong?"

Qin Ji's eyes were brimming with tears of pain, and he stammered, unable to utter a coherent sentence.

I was giving lectures specifically for you. I had no intention of becoming a teacher; I was just putting on an act to make you angry.

Seeing that he did not answer and refused to admit his mistake, Jiang Jibai increased the force, and the sound of air being torn apart was loud, making Qin Ji's scalp tingle.

Qin Ji, his mouth moving faster than his brain, admitted defeat first, "I'm sorry, I know I was wrong."

Admitting fault or crying miserably won't help. Jiang Jibai has set a limit; he won't stop until he's taught Bian Feibai a lesson. Besides, this is Bian Feibai's first time being taught, so he needs to establish rules to make him understand that crying or begging won't work if he makes a mistake. If he dares to make a mistake, he must endure the pain, no matter how much it hurts. "If he moves again, the punishment will double."

Qin Ji wiped the sweat from his forehead, which was throbbing with pain, and quickly made a mental calculation.

I'll remain still for now, and assess the situation at the last moment. If things go well...

Qin Ji sniffled and obediently remained still, but Jiang Jibai showed no mercy.

After a powerful and moving experience, Qin Ji was in so much pain that tears streamed down his face again. He collapsed onto his desk, unable to even stand up. He had completely forgotten his earlier plan to wait until the very last moment before making a move, and even if he had, he wouldn't have had the courage to do so.

Jiang Jibai put down the thin wooden stick, picked up the now-cold tea for the apprenticeship ceremony from the desk, and took a sip. "Being a teacher is about setting an example and imparting knowledge, not about using your position to curry favor. The students sitting below, whether they are high-ranking officials or ordinary farmers, are not actors you can manipulate at will on your stage. Remember today's lesson. If you make the same mistake again, I won't be as lenient as I was today."

Listening to Gu Huaijin's words, and hearing him refer to himself as a teacher, Qin Ji's eyes reddened again for some reason, and he lay motionless on the desk for a long time to recover.

Gu Huaijin, you've committed insubordination and your hands are so ruthless, it hurts me so much, sob sob.

I'm going to kill you.

While inwardly clamoring to kill him, Qin Ji's hand honestly grabbed Jiang Jibai's sleeve. With a hoarse voice from crying, he commanded, "Teacher, apply the medicine."

Gu Huaijin won't apply the medicine to him. Does he have to go back to the palace to find the imperial physician?

The imperial physician could tell at a glance what had happened with those flogging marks. How could he maintain his image as a wise and powerful ruler? It was simply a disgrace to the nation!

Therefore, Qin Ji very simply believed that whoever killed him should bury him, and since Gu Huaijin punished him, Gu Huaijin should apply medicine to him.

Although he was issuing orders in a domineering manner, Qin Ji was still intimidated by Jiang Jibai because he had just learned his lesson. His tone was inevitably a little softer and more subdued, sounding almost like he was being coquettish.

Jiang Jibai was a little surprised. He originally thought that this pampered boy had suffered so much, that even if he didn't throw a tantrum, he would be afraid of him for a few days and wouldn't dare to get close to him. He didn't expect that after being punished, he would dare to act cute with him. He was quite bold.

"Wait here." Jiang Jibai pulled his sleeve out of Qin Ji's hand, turned around to get the medicine box, placed it on the desk, opened it casually, used a clean cotton cloth soaked in strong liquor, skillfully untied Qin Jibai's waistband, and applied the medicine to him.

The silk trousers fell to the ground, and Qin Ji, stung by the strong liquor, hissed, "Teacher, it hurts!"

Jiang Jibai sprinkled the powder on the medicine, his voice much gentler than when he punished Qin Ji before, "Since you know the pain, don't do such things again. Teaching and spreading the knowledge requires dedication, and you must be worthy of those who listen to your lectures. For you, this may just be a playful test, but for many of them, it is the most precious opportunity of their lives."

"How many farmers in the outskirts of Beijing can afford to send their children to private schools? How many characters will they ever learn in their lifetime?"

"Even if we don't mention this, do you expect your teachers to treat you the same way you treat them when they lecture you?"

Realizing that the "thug" was applying medicine to him while patiently reasoning with him, Qin Ji grunted in agreement and casually promised, "It won't happen again."

Gu Huaijin, I wasn't wrong about you, you really are a "capable fighter".

After applying the medicine, Qin Ji tried to fasten his waistband himself. He was used to being served and wasn't very skilled, plus he was in a lot of pain, so he failed several times.

Jiang Jibai couldn't stand it anymore and stepped in to help his newly minted apprentice.

Well, that's it. The boy opened his arms wide without any embarrassment and let him serve him. After he finished tying the waistband, he even looked at it critically, but he didn't say anything because of his teacher.

Jiang Jibai thought to himself, "Well, he really is a living ancestor. Even after being punished, he still has this air about him."

Qin Ji thought that his wish had been fulfilled and it was about time to return to the palace. Just as he was about to take his leave, his stomach rumbled a few times. He belatedly realized that it was time for dinner and he was a little hungry.

The cook wasn't there, nor was the gatekeeper; only the master and apprentice were in the entire house. Jiang Jibai glanced at the living ancestor standing in front of him, resignedly picked up the eggs, radishes, and cabbage he had casually placed on the chair earlier, and went to the kitchen. "Wait here."

A wise man keeps away from the kitchen; how come the teacher can cook?

Qin Ji, who was originally preparing to take his leave, inexplicably stayed.

Seeing Jiang Jibai go to the kitchen, Biandou took the opportunity to jump down from the roof and kneel in front of Qin Ji without daring to raise his head, "Your Majesty."

Qin Ji squinted at him for a while; this guard knew a bit too much.

Bian Dou felt a cold sweat break out under his gaze and quickly kowtowed, saying, "Just now, I had a severe stomachache and went to the latrine. Please forgive my dereliction of duty, Your Majesty."

I went to the outhouse and didn't hear anything. Your Majesty, please don't silence me.

Mr. Jiang is a wise and capable man who cannot be executed, and I, your humble servant, am not to be executed either. Please help...

"You're quite clever," Qin Ji said, turning his gaze away. "Chronic diarrhea is a condition that requires slow and careful treatment, and it's quite expensive. From now on, you'll be accompanying me whenever I leave the palace. In return, your monthly salary will be doubled as a reward for your loyalty. Use the money to buy medicine."

Not only was he not silenced, but his monthly salary was increased. Bian Dou was overjoyed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty for your great kindness."

His Majesty has sacrificed so much for a virtuous and capable man, even allowing a mere bodyguard to overhear such a shameful secret. More importantly, His Majesty not only didn't silence him, but instead increased his monthly salary. He is truly a wise ruler, one in a thousand years.

No matter how heartbroken His Majesty is, in his heart His Majesty's eyes His Majesty remains wise, mighty, and towering. He, Bian Dou, will certainly keep his mouth shut and serve His Majesty with utmost loyalty!

The lentils dutifully climbed onto the roof once again.

Qin Ji watched the black shadow dart past, then sadly leaned on his desk and stood as punishment.

Damn you, you're so busy with paperwork, don't you even know to help me up?

Damn lentils, the weather's getting cooler, why didn't they bring a mat?

I gave you a raise for nothing!