Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Setting up a private court and frequently violating the curfew—neither of these sounds like something a decent person would do.

Although my disciple is incredibly audacious, he is not so outrageous as to have set up a private court of punishment; there must be some hidden reason behind it.

As for violating the curfew... Jiang Jibai hadn't forgotten the time his traitorous disciple dragged him out of bed in the middle of the night.

It seems that this was not an isolated case.

Regardless of the truth, the current situation clearly indicates that the junior disciple has gotten into some trouble. Jiang Jibai's expression turned slightly solemn as he raised his hand and knocked on the door of Shen Jiangliu's house.

Shen Jiangliu woke up late today and was rushing to the Ministry of Works to report for duty when he bumped into Jiang Jibai, whose complexion wasn't too good.

His heart skipped a beat.

Little Kong Fenghuangmei's last black complaint... His old injury hadn't healed yet when the teacher held him down again, and he was slapped and beaten alternately with bamboo sticks and palms for several days, until he trembled at the sight of a stool.

He wondered if it was just his imagination, but the teacher seemed to be getting increasingly ruthless. He'd always been punished all at once for mistakes before, never like this—drawing twenty fingers a day for days on end, a truly grueling ordeal!

And what about that little bamboo clapper? Has the teacher's "arsenal" been updated again?

Shen Jiangliu was in agony. He had finally gotten some relief from his duties at the Ministry of Water Resources these past two days, but today he overslept and got caught by his teacher...

According to the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty, officials who are late are already subject to a salary penalty. If they were to be beaten by Jiang Jibai on top of that, Shen Jiangliu felt that the thought of it would be utterly unbearable.

He took a step back guiltily, covered his lips and coughed lightly twice, pretending to be serious. "I'm always diligent, but I wasn't feeling well this morning. It took me a while to see the doctor. I definitely didn't oversleep."

Shen Jiangliu's voice was "weak and powerless" but there was no trace of hoarseness caused by a cold.

Jiang Jibai's gaze swept over his rosy face.

Although it didn't look like it, Jiang Jibai still reached out and touched his disciple's forehead after hearing what his disciple said.

Before he could even reach out his hand, Shen Jiangliu slipped away like a greased grease, leaving behind only the words, "It's not that serious a fever, I have to hurry up and go to my shift."

Watching his apprentice's limping figure running fast, Jiang Jibai shook his head helplessly.

Is he really that scary?

The youngest disciple always clung to him after being punished.

...

As soon as Shen Jiangliu stepped outside, he saw the menacing constables and the bustling crowd outside the neighboring house.

Since he was already late for roll call, he casually pulled aside a neighbor to ask about the situation, and then a thought struck him.

Privately established torture chambers...

Didn't His Majesty just faint in court three days ago? Why isn't he taking good care of himself and instead keeps running out of the palace?

His Majesty's coma greatly alarmed the civil and military officials, and the teacher received the news that very day.

Because the teacher didn't know that His Majesty was his "junior brother," he let the matter drop after hearing that the imperial physician had diagnosed that there was no serious problem.

If he knew that his "junior brother" didn't take care of his health, he would probably have to give him a "martial remonstrance".

Thinking of this, Shen Jiangliu paused, then quickly turned back.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, the first thing he saw was Jiang Jibai carrying a bamboo ladder and setting it up against the wall.

Shen Jiangliu: "..."

Shen Jiangliu's expression was somewhat complicated. "Do you know what you're doing?"

Jiang Jibai patted the dust off his hands. "Get ready to climb over the wall."

A great Confucian scholar, in broad daylight, scaled a wall—no one would believe it if the story got out.

"Junior brother... he's clever and resourceful (due to his special status), he'll be fine, don't worry."

Jiang Jibai nodded and said, "Your junior brother isn't the type to act without considering the consequences. I'm just going to check on things; I'm not in a hurry."

If you're not in a hurry, why are you climbing over the wall?

Shen Jiangliu couldn't help but mutter to himself.

Jiang Jibai asked, "Why are you back again? Aren't you going to your shift?"

"I heard that Junior Brother was affected by His Majesty's illness and is still weak. No matter what trouble he caused, please speak calmly..." Martial virtue was not so abundant.

Jiang Jibai glanced at him with slight surprise.

The eldest disciple and the youngest disciple were always at odds. The youngest disciple had tried to sow discord between him a few days ago, which resulted in the eldest disciple being severely punished for several days. Unexpectedly, the eldest disciple turned out to be quite magnanimous.

"In your eyes, is your teacher so heartless?"

No, that's not it... Shen Jiangliu swallowed hard.

Firstly, His Majesty is unwell.

Secondly, your entire family is in distress.

However, since the teacher asked that question, he probably doesn't intend to take action.

Shen Jiangliu felt somewhat relieved.

Jiang Jibai climbed the bamboo ladder, raised his hand and patted Shen Jiangliu on the shoulder, "I have received your concern for your junior brother, and I will definitely pass it on to you."

Shen Jiangliu: "..." There's no need for that.

"Let's go to work." Jiang Jibai continued climbing.

Shen Jiangliu looked back every few steps as he left the house and boarded the carriage, appearing preoccupied.

...

Jiang Jibai jumped down from the wall and landed in the courtyard.

He dusted himself off and was about to ask a servant where his youngest disciple was.

He looked up and met the eyes of the young disciple who was walking through the corridor.

Qin Ji's gaze shifted from the faded footprints on the wall to Jiang Jibai's face. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of mockery in his voice: "...Teacher?"

Jiang Jibai awkwardly covered his lips with his fist, coughed lightly, and changed the subject, "Can you handle those constables outside?"

Teacher, is this... climbing the wall for me?

They even disregarded the decorum expected of a great Confucian scholar.

Qin Ji couldn't help but curl his lips upwards, mimicking Jiang Jibai's tone, shaking his head and saying, "Why not use the proper door, instead choosing to be this sneaky, opportunistic gentleman on the wall? What's wrong with you?"

"According to the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty, trespassing on a private residence is considered theft and punishable by sixty strokes of the cane."

Jiang Jibai, struck by two boomerangs in quick succession: "..."

What sins did he commit in his past life that made his disciples all so troublesome?

Jiang Jibai gave Qin Ji a cool glance, then took the initiative, "A privately run torture chamber?"

Qin Ji's smile froze on his face. In a flash, he sorted out his thoughts and pointed at Shang Jingming, "It wasn't me, he did it."

Looking at the gleaming dragon claw pointing at him, Shang Jingming nodded without hesitation: "...It's me."

Qin Ji casually recounted, "He was the commander of the Five Cities Garrison. He captured a sneaky thief who was planning to climb over the city wall at night. Because the thief was of use to His Majesty, he was tortured and then sent here to recuperate."

Shang Jingming chimed in, "The thief was badly injured, and this secluded place was good for recuperation. Who knew that the doctor who came to treat him would misunderstand him?"

Bian Yushu nodded like a chick pecking at rice: "Yes, yes!"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

Jiang Jibai's gaze swept across the three faces one by one. "In that case, could you take me to see the thief who is recuperating from his injuries?"

...

I'm going to the hospital tomorrow morning, so I probably won't be able to update until tonight.

Successfully scouted the location! Yay!