Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Good fortune is coming.

A crisp slap echoed in the warm pavilion, accompanied by Qin Ji's low-pitched sobs.

Although he had already dismissed the servants, Qin Ji still had some reservations and dared not let out a loud wail. His cries echoed restrainedly in the Green Vine Courtyard, like a mournful lament, as if a wronged soul was demanding his life.

The already horrific injuries felt like Mount Tai was pressing down on them, let alone Jiang Jibai's merciless Iron Palm.

"Snap—"

As Jiang Jibai struck down with his palm, Qin Ji raised his neck high, one hand bracing against the edge of the soft couch, the other clutching Jiang Jibai's clothes, whimpering a mournful tune as he pitifully cried out, "Teacher."

The familiar crying echoed in my ears again. Although it was less intense than before, it was still a piercing sound that was hard to ignore.

Jiang Jibai raised his hand and unleashed a series of rapid strikes.

Yesterday was already an additional thirty strokes of the cane on an old wound, and this morning I was busy with political discussions and this afternoon I was busy reviewing memorials. How could I possibly enjoy such a blessing?

Qin Ji was in so much pain that his soul almost left his body. Tears and cold sweat flew everywhere as he twisted and kicked his legs, crying so hard he almost choked.

Jiang Jibai held down his fidgeting apprentice, rubbed the burning wound, and calmly reasoned with him, "Does it hurt?"

You'll know if it hurts or not if you try it yourself.

Guards! Jiang Jibai has committed treason and overstepped his bounds. Drag him out and give him sixty strokes of the cane!

Qin Ji wept bitterly, "It hurts, it hurts, I was wrong."

"When you were strict with others but lenient with yourself, and punished Xiaozao for three consecutive days on the grounds of 'indulging in trivial pursuits,' why didn't you think about whether he was in pain?"

He's not in pain at all! The moment he opens his mouth, it's me who's in pain!

Is there any emperor in this world who would be beaten for a single word uttered by his study companion?

I even gave him a holiday; I'm being far too kind to him.

You poison master, do you even have half of my mercy?

Learn from me!

Qin Ji lied in a hoarse voice, "I was just afraid he'd get too obsessed with mechanical arts and ruin his future."

His unrepentant words brought a string of good fortune: "Even if he's obsessed with mechanical arts, isn't he still much better than you, a cockfighting enthusiast?"

Cockfighting is something Bian Xiaozao plays with, go and beat him up!

Are you willing to give it up?

You were won over with just one orange? You're biased! Bah!

"I was just saying it, but saying it isn't enough, I've already built a workshop for him."

Ugh, why are you using so much force?

Poison Master!

Jiang the Skinflint!

Qin Ji was too exhausted to even curse anymore; he could only cry out in pain, his tears flowing like a river.

it hurts!

Good fortune left overnight is not good fortune, it is torture.

Once the number reached twenty, Jiang Jibai stopped, adhering to principles, and began to massage his apprentice's wounds.

Qin Ji was in so much pain that his hands were trembling. After howling a few times, he slowly pulled up Jiang Jibai's sleeve to wipe his tears and snot.

He suddenly paused, remembering that this cloak was the one he had given him. So he pulled up Jiang Jibai's sleeves and pulled out the cuff of his inner garment to wipe his face.

Jiang Jibai quickly withdrew his hand and slapped the dragon's buttocks.

Qin Ji sobbed, pounded the edge of the bed, and turned his head to accuse.

Jiang Jibai, "knowing the times," unfolded a handkerchief and gently wiped Qin Ji's face clean, thus silencing the little disciple who was about to cause trouble.

Qin Ji grumbled, "I want to eat an orange."

Jiang Jibai: "..." I knew it was good enough that my little disciple wouldn't let me peel oranges.

Helplessly, he half-carried Qin Ji onto the bed and got up to busily tidy up the mess.

"hiss--"

The handkerchief, damp with cold water, felt as cold as iron in the winter, making Qin Ji shiver. He quickly sighed in relief as the burning heat from his wound subsided.

Now that he felt less uncomfortable, his energy for causing trouble surged even more. Qin Ji continued pounding the bed, "Ju Zi, hurry up!"

Jiang Jibai glanced at him, then slowly washed his hands and carried the fruit platter to the wooden table beside the couch.

He slowly peeled the orange and handed it to Qin Ji.

Qin Ji crossed his arms and put them on the pillow, looking at Jiang Jibai with a clear intention.

The boy's eyelashes were still damp with water, like the wings of a butterfly that had been wet. His eyes, which always held many secrets, were now clear and bright after being washed with water, filled with accusation and a hint of grievance.

Jiang Jibai smiled and sighed, and as the boy wished, fed him the orange segment by segment.

You're smart to know what's good for you!

Qin Ji snorted and reluctantly accepted Jiang Jibai's service, complaining as he ate, "A small jujube on the left, a small jujube on the right."

"He's actively taking on apprentices and eagerly sending them secret manuals."

"Don't stop, keep peeling, I want more!"

"Are you stupid? They have teachers, they don't care about you."

"You even punished me for him..."

A slice of orange silenced the little jealous man's incessant chatter. Jiang Jibai, helpless, changed the subject, "Is it sweet?"

Qin Ji took the orange segment, swallowed it, and continued his unreasonable behavior, "You have nothing to say now, do you? You're just trying to change the subject, hmph."

Jiang Jibai ruffled his little disciple's hair and said calmly with a smile, "No matter how good Xiaozao is, it's just a passing fancy. You are the little disciple I value most."

What sweet talk, what scumbag remarks.

I have reason to suspect that you said similar things to your two cheap senior brothers!

Jiang Jibai, I misjudged you.

Qin Ji turned to the side, showing the back of his head to the cheap poison master to express his dissatisfaction.

Just as Jiang Jibai was about to coax his sulking apprentice again, the boy quietly turned back.

He angrily grabbed an orange from the fruit plate, peeled it in no time, and shoved it into Jiang Jibai's hand. "It's just an orange. Anyone can peel one."

Is this... an attempt to please him?

Jiang Jibai felt as if he had been scratched by a kitten's paw, a strange feeling rising within him. He put away his joking expression, gently patted the boy's head, and said, "You're good. You don't need to imitate others."

He scratched Qin Ji's face with the fox fur on the edge of his sleeve, his tone as gentle as a cloud, "I remember all your kindness."

Qin Ji was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked at Jiang Jibai, his eyes, which were unfathomable, swirling with restrained yet intense emotions.

Then you must remember that when the time comes.

It's agreed.

One must not deceive the emperor.

Jiang Jibai, unaware of the boy's unspoken worries, looked into the boy's eyes and gently asked, "Are you feeling better? Does it still hurt?"

...

After applying the medicine and resting for a while, Qin Ji still insisted on getting up to see Jiang Jibai to the door.

They clearly only live next door, there's no need for such a grand send-off. Jiang Jibai didn't know why his little disciple was so stubborn.

Qin Ji wasn't necessarily determined to make things difficult for himself by sending Jiang Jibai away; the main issue was that he himself was also preparing to return to the palace.

"Remember to apply the medicine on time. Even if His Majesty has assigned you tasks, there should still be time to apply the medicine."

Qin Ji let it go in one ear and out the other, nodding haphazardly.

As soon as the two arrived at the door, several burly men wearing wolf-skin collared short brown coats strode over and stopped at the bottom of the stone steps.

They all carried knives at their waists, clearly not good people, yet they wore smiles and prepared generous gifts.

Jiang Jibai silently shielded Qin Ji behind him.

He was about to ask who the newcomers were when his youngest disciple placed a hand on his shoulder, and the person behind him walked out unhurriedly. "Regarding the cockfighting, please thank your master for me. What brings you here today?"