Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Even a fool could tell that you shouldn't respond to that.

Qin Ji immediately said righteously, "What treasure? This is nothing, just for amusement. Your teachings are the priceless treasure."

Shen Jiangliu: "..."

That's too obsequious.

Your Majesty, what is the form of your state?

The Great Yin Dynasty is doomed.

Jiang Jibai was quite receptive to his junior disciple's glib flattery, but clearly didn't fall for this particular tactic.

He leisurely bent down and pointed to the bamboo fighting cock cage. "I am very interested in your pastime. Please introduce each cock to me, Young Master Bian."

The second half of the sentence was spoken very slowly, with a leisurely ending tone, which made Qin Ji's scalp tingle.

Shen Jiangliu caught the words "Young Master Bian" and mentally assessed the level of danger his teacher was in. He silently stepped aside to avoid getting blood on himself.

Not answering means you won't get past this hurdle, and answering poorly means you'll suffer somewhere.

The only saving grace was that he had heard a bit of what Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming had to say while he was at the entertainment venue, so he didn't completely lose his composure.

Qin Ji quickly organized his thoughts and pointed to a familiar fighting rooster, "This one is called 'General.' It's strong and powerful, but its claws aren't sharp enough. It wins nine out of ten battles."

They're actually going to include "great achievements" in the description?

Despite being an emperor, his ability to read people's expressions and moods was somewhat lacking.

Shen Jiangliu took another step back.

"The meat is tough and the legs are weak, so stewing some fish maw and chicken feet is just right."

Shen Jiangliu: "..." It's too early to draw conclusions.

"This one is called 'Black Whirlwind.' Don't let its small size fool you; it's incredibly fragrant and full of flavor when roasted."

Shen Jiangliu: "..." Hungry

Jiang Jibai had learned a great deal from his young disciple's silver tongue.

Seeing his junior disciple racking his brains to find a way to cover it up, he couldn't help but chuckle.

After Qin Ji had talked for thousands of miles and his throat was dry, he shook his sleeve and said, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll really let you stew these fighting cocks."

Judging from this, Jiang Jibai not only didn't intend to make a big deal out of it, but he even allowed him to keep these fighting cocks and didn't plan to use them as weapons.

Qin Ji turned his gaze in slight surprise, only to meet a pair of eyes that held three parts indulgence and seven parts helplessness. It was as if he had crashed into a vast ocean, where gentle waves pushed and pulled his boat, rocking him like a lullaby, making him dizzy and unsteady on his feet.

Sometimes, even bad guys aren't that bad...

"It's good that you know what's going on. Appropriate entertainment is fine, but don't become addicted or let it ruin your career."

Jiang Jibai stopped there, "Weren't you going to invite me in? Are you just going to stand here at the gate?"

Qin Ji quickly raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Jiang Jibai stepped over the threshold, the hem of his cloak rippling in waves, the glossy edges of the fox fur reflecting in Qin Ji's eyes.

I was so nervous that I didn't even notice that Jiang Jibai was wearing the cloak he had given me.

Qin Ji's heart skipped a beat at the unexpected touch of soft fox fur, and a pleasant smile unconsciously curved his lips as he caught up with him. "Teacher, isn't this cloak nice? Isn't it warm?"

The ignored man, hands clasped in his pockets, hesitated between turning back to leave the teacher and Xiao Kong Fengwomei alone, or foolishly continuing to follow, when he heard a loud, forceful complaint.

"Teacher, look at him, he won't even come into my room, he must still have a problem with me!"

Shen Jiangliu: "..."

Is this really the same person I saw in the imperial court? Or is he possessed by some kind of ghost?

Jiang Jibai flicked his junior disciple on the forehead, then looked at Shen Jiangliu, "Jiangliu, what are you standing there for?"

Shen Jiangliu quickly caught up, saying, "If Junior Brother has no problem with me, why would he think I have a problem with him? Teacher, he's crying wolf."

Shen Jiangliu, you just wait, I'll chop you down sooner or later!

...

To prevent any accidents, Qin Ji took Jiang Jibai and Shen Jiangliu to the main hall of Qing Teng Courtyard, which was far to the east and far to the west of Bian Yushu and the others where they were recuperating. They were separated by a great distance.

The servants quickly served tea and snacks.

Qin Ji slightly raised his hand, and the servants retreated in a flowing stream, waiting outside.

Jiang Jibai picked up the teacup, took a small sip, and savored the lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth; the temperature was just right.

He stroked the warm teacup, his gaze sweeping over the obedient servants outside the door.

The servants stood with their heads bowed in perfect obedience.

The maidservant under the eaves held the tray with a hand as steady as a still painting.

From small things, one can see the big picture.

The young disciple does have some skill in managing subordinates.

Qin Ji's gaze swept lightly over the tea, then glanced at Shen Jiangliu. "What a coincidence, you live right next door. How come I've never heard you mention it before?"

Shen Jiangliu said without changing his expression, "You don't live here often. I only found out today because the people from the theater delivered the fighting cock to my house by mistake. They asked around and only found out about it from my old servant who guards the house."

While Shen Jiangliu claimed his "innocence" by claiming he knew nothing about it, he subtly passed on the information that the people from the teahouse had delivered the wrong item to Xiao Kongfeng Mei, attempting to "atone for his sins" and reduce his level of hatred.

Qin Ji's eyes flickered slightly as he received the message.

He originally thought that Jiang Jibai happened to see the cock being delivered by the people from the theater, but he didn't expect that it was delivered to the wrong door.

They even managed to send a fighting rooster to the wrong place.

on purpose?

To take this opportunity to find out the identity of the house's owner?

That's not the point. The point is that these people didn't say anything they shouldn't have, right?

They saw him with Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming at the time.

Qin Ji mercifully withdrew his gaze from his cheap senior brother's face, his eyes pausing as he passed the doorway of the main room.

Dr. Liang, carrying his small medicine box, stood on tiptoe under the eaves, peering out, and chattered incessantly to his servants to announce his arrival, "Please inform them."

"Hey, your young master can really run! He was just in Yunxi Courtyard at the far west end, and now he's in Qingteng Courtyard at the far east end in such a short time! I've been looking for him for ages, my legs are about to give out."

The voice wasn't loud, but the people in the main room all heard it.

Qin Ji: "..." He told him to get lost.

The servant has already come in to ask for instructions.

Two pairs of eyes fell on Qin Ji's face.

A dish that carries no particular meaning.

One side watches the fire from across the river.

Is it too late to have him thrown out now?

The poison master surely won't suspect anything...

Qin Ji glanced at Jiang Jibai and met Jiang Jibai's inscrutable gaze as he kept him from letting anyone in for so long.

Qin Ji turned his head and smiled, "Please let him in."

With permission, Dr. Liang walked in carrying his small medicine box.

Before he could speak, Qin Ji interrupted, "You're here to talk about the medicine, right? Just give it to the servants once it's prepared. Thank you for your trouble."

"Someone, take Doctor Liang back."

At worst, he can say he's using the medicine for himself, since his injuries haven't fully healed yet.

The servant, having received the order, immediately came to fetch him.

Seeing the other two people sitting in the main room, Doctor Liang knew that Young Master Bian was entertaining guests and that it was inappropriate for him to disturb them. He left with a servant after saying "Lei" to the servant.

As he walked, he took out bottles and jars from his medicine box and handed them to the servants. "The blue bottle is for Young Master Bian, and the yellow bottle is for Young Master Shang. Although they were both punished by your young master, their injuries are different, and the medicines they need are different. They are both staying at Yunqi Courtyard, so remember not to mix them up."

The voice wasn't loud, but the people in the main room could all hear it.

Qin Ji: "..."

Will it kill you to speak a little slower?

Get him out! Get him out!