Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

His Majesty led Jiang Jibai to change his clothes, and the three people in the room fell into an awkward silence.

Bian Yushu was almost handed over to someone else by the teacher. She hugged her pillow and secretly wiped away her tears. Afraid of being seen by her nemesis and senior brother, she pulled the blanket up to cover her head and dared not make a sound.

Shang Jingming was still staring blankly into space, so he didn't notice his nemesis's unusual behavior.

He's really something! He yelled at the Emperor! Nobody would believe it if word got out...

Shen Jiangliu had no time to care what the two boys were thinking; he was restless and uneasy.

Changing clothes? Could it be what he's thinking...?

Shen Jiangliu stood up abruptly: No, I think there's still a chance to save the teacher's entire family; I have to go and stop him.

As he reached the door, he paused, feeling as if a mountain was pressing down on his back: he knew he was in deep trouble for revealing the Emperor's secrets.

Shen Jiangliu returned expressionlessly, exuding an air of detachment that said living or dying was both acceptable, and sat down on a stool by the table.

Let him do whatever he wants; he's just a lowly sixth-rank official, he can't control him...

Ouch—the wound hasn't fully healed yet.

Shen Jiangliu calmly got up, walked to the bedside of the imperial vest, and sat down on the brocade quilt.

He glanced at the two boys lying face down and felt a pang of sympathy: Xiao Kong learned the bad things but not the good ones; he had truly carried on the bad traditions of his sect. Not a single one of the boys in the room could be considered a decent person.

...

Even if you walk slowly, you'll be out of Yunqi Courtyard by now.

Jiang Jibai followed his youngest disciple leisurely through the courtyard without urging him on.

The leisurely footsteps pounded relentlessly against Qin Ji's eardrums, making his scalp tingle and his hands and feet go cold.

Qin Ji clearly realized that this poison master was just an idle person, an unemployed vagrant, and he had plenty of patience to wear him down.

Adhering to the spirit of "whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll get cut anyway," this is a tough nut to crack.

After confirming that this place was some distance from the room where Bian Yushu and the others were resting, Qin Ji casually pushed open a door and calmly ordered, "Everyone, leave Yunqi Courtyard. No one is allowed to approach without my permission."

The servants who accompanied him bowed and accepted the order without asking a single question.

After a few whispers, the servants and maids filed out of the courtyard, so quiet that only their footsteps could be heard.

Jiang Jibai had no objection to his junior disciple's decision to dismiss the servants.

After following Qin Ji into the house, he closed the door behind him.

"teacher……"

After confirming that no one else was around, Qin Ji pouted and looked at the ruler hanging at Jiang Jibai's waist, a stark contrast to his calm and composed demeanor when he was instructing the servants.

Who would be a kind person to wear a ruler as an accessory on their waist?

Is it convenient to grab it anytime and beat up your apprentice?

Poison Master!!!

Jiang Jibai glanced at him indifferently, looked around at the furnishings, then walked around the sandalwood screen and sat down on the low couch.

"come over."

Upon hearing the familiar two-word mantra, Qin Ji's legs went weak. Without daring to delay, he quickly walked to the bedside.

"Did you know that Xiaozao has already formally become a disciple of a teacher?"

Qin Ji's gaze sharpened as he realized why Jiang Jibai was angry.

Because of the mismatch in their identities, Jiang Jibai was unaware that he was Bian Yushu's teacher and misunderstood him, thinking that he wanted Bian Yushu to abandon his original teacher and change his ways.

Qin Ji knew what kind of answer would allow him to avoid excessive good fortune; as long as he said "I don't know," Jiang Jibai would not pursue the matter.

But a pair of bright red, doe-like eyes haunted his mind relentlessly. Qin Ji, who always prioritized pros and cons, suddenly realized—in this matter, Bian Yushu felt abandoned and wronged.

"Know."

"Since you knew about this, why did you still pressure him, implying that he should become my disciple, thus placing him in an unjust position?"

Jiang Jibai's gaze, which was neither too light nor too heavy, turned icy, chilling one to the bone.

Qin Ji lowered his gaze slightly. "Xiao Zao has a particular fondness for mechanical arts and divination; his teacher couldn't teach him much."

"If one day I have nothing left to teach you, will you also leave and seek a better job elsewhere?"

A casual tone, yet words that strike at the heart.

Qin Ji's fingers twitched silently beneath his sleeve, then clenched into his palm. "What you know, I don't know."

He slowly raised his eyes and looked intently into Jiang Jibai's eyes. "I misunderstood for a moment, and I already know I was wrong."

"Xiaozhao is a person, not some object to be manipulated. He also has deep feelings for his teacher. I... shouldn't have used the guise of doing what's best for him to impose my will on him and force him to be a treacherous person."

This self-reflection was profound enough, not just some perfunctory words that came out off the cuff, and Jiang Jibai's expression softened slightly.

The twilight light dappled his body through the window, softening his cold aura somewhat.

Before he could speak, Qin Ji half-squatted down, reached out and untied the ornament from his teacher's waist, and presented it to him with both hands. "Xiao Zao has just come to my side. This is my first time being an older brother, and I don't have much experience. I haven't done well, but I have already reflected on it."

"Whether you scold or punish me, please don't say such hurtful things."

The boy's words were extremely sincere, which made Jiang Jibai realize that his little disciple was actually quite well-behaved.

Jiang Jibai raised his hand and ruffled the boy's hair. "I know you won't."

It was as if a small pebble had fallen into Qin Ji's deep eyes, causing the bottomless well to gush forth with fresh water, reflecting the moon that was so close at hand.

The moon took the ruler and grabbed one of his arms.

In the blink of an eye, Qin Ji had already fallen onto Jiang Jibai's lap.

With his long arms and legs, his waist and abdomen pressed against Jiang Jibai's legs, half of his body lying on the couch, and a pillow stuffed into his arms.

If it weren't for the fact that he had just been punished less than three days ago, this would be a real blessing.

The belt fell to the ground, the coolness of the ruler caressed the old wound, Qin Ji's throat tightened, and he hugged the pillow in his arms tightly.

Although this place is some distance from the room where Bian Yushu and the others are recuperating, and they can't hear the sounds of punishment, he certainly can't cry without restraint.

Qin Ji didn't want to stay further away, but he was also afraid that Jiang Jibai's patience would be expended in proportion to his good fortune.

Jiang Jibai's gaze swept over the old wounds that had not yet fully healed; the mottled, yellowish-green marks silently told him of his past suffering.

The boy's previous profound self-reflection and his current obedient and motionless demeanor ultimately led to a slight discount on the number he was about to say.

Reduced from forty to thirty.

The ruler fell, and the force paid the full price.

He could endure anything for the sake of the nation.

Qin Ji gritted his teeth.

Jiang Jibai finally got some peace and quiet. Considering his junior disciple's occasional loss of face, he slowed down and began to strike the ruler at a leisurely pace.

Hot tears fell onto the pillow. Qin Ji trembled all over in pain. His piercing howl was blocked in his throat and turned into a soft sob.

Bian Yushu, why did you hide in my throat?

Get out here now!