Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

You're trying to scare me!

He had a fever and didn't believe Jiang Jibai would pick him up and beat him up at this time.

But they'll probably settle accounts later...

Because of the painful lessons of the past, no matter how much he grumbled in his heart, Qin Ji obediently kept his mouth shut.

Ever since he was late for the last political meeting, Qin Ji has been making arrangements for the next day's itinerary whenever he leaves the palace late at night. With Fu Lu as a cover, he can handle any unforeseen circumstances that might prevent him from returning to the palace on time.

Under Jiang Jibai's gaze, Qin Ji only worried for a moment before giving up the struggle.

He obediently pulled the blankets up a bit, leaving only his eyes showing.

The cool touch on his forehead made Qin Ji sigh comfortably, as fatigue washed over him, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Before falling into a deep sleep, he vaguely felt Jiang Jibai's hand reaching out.

Looking at his youngest disciple's peaceful sleeping face, Jiang Jibai's cold expression softened into helplessness.

The young disciple fell into a deep sleep almost instantly, which shows how exhausted he had been. I don't know what he was trying to hold on for at such a young age.

Last time was the same; I could fall asleep while talking to him. Even though my body was already so tired, I still recklessly overworked myself. It was just ridiculous.

Jiang Jibai gently brushed aside the stray hairs on Qin Ji's forehead that were damp with sweat, the scalding heat burning his heart through his fingertips, stirring up a surge of pity.

Jiang Jibai withdrew his hand, and Qin Ji, as if sensing this, subconsciously rubbed his face against Jiang's hand, murmuring in his sleep, "Teacher...don't go..."

The young disciple's act of seeking security and dependence was like a pebble thrown into Jiang Jibai's heart lake, creating gentle ripples.

Jiang Jibai let him rub one of his hands, while with the other hand he took off the cloth that had cooled down, threw it into the copper basin to soak it, wrung it out, and then carefully applied it to Qin Ji's forehead.

After dismissing the servants at the door, Shang Jingming heard from his servants that Qin Ji had a fever. His expression changed slightly, and he hurried to Qin Ji's bedroom.

He lifted the curtain, and thinking of his mortal enemy, "Bianban Dushu," he hesitated for a moment, unsure whether he should go in or not.

He lowered his voice: "Mr. Jiang..."

Jiang Jibai sat on the edge of the bed and glanced at him lightly.

Seeing this, Shang Jingming felt a chill run down his spine, a sense of crisis rising within him as if he were being seen through.

Jiang Jibai put his index finger to his lips to signal Shang Jingming to be quiet, tucked the blanket around Qin Ji, and got up to leave the room.

The two walked into the courtyard one after the other along the corridor, with a few clumps of withered branches reflected in the windowpanes of the hexagonal wooden window.

The north wind blew through the bare branches, and a layer of snow fell softly.

Jiang Jibai's voice was carried by the wind, neither too loud nor too soft, but it reached Shang Jingming's ears, who was only a step away from him.

"I have no intention of finding out whether your relationship is good or bad, nor will I delve into what kind of work you are doing."

"I only have one question." Jiang Jibai stopped and stood under the corridor, looking back at Shang Jingming with a calm yet penetrating gaze. "Was what he did within his capabilities? Could it have overtaxed his body, or even... endangered his life?"

Given His Majesty's status, these words sounded rather chilling.

However, Shang Jingming has witnessed His Majesty's diligent governance and tireless efforts over the past few days.

Over the years, how did Your Majesty, in your youth, manage to reach this point with such difficulty? How could such a young body possess such great wisdom and a resilient soul?

Shang Jingming dared not dwell on these matters. He opened his mouth, but retorted in a businesslike manner, "Mr. Jiang, Bian Yushu is His Majesty's study companion, and it is his duty to share His Majesty's burdens. Even if we concede that he is assisting the Emperor in his studies, how could he possibly overwork himself or endanger his life?"

"Aren't you... exaggerating and worrying unnecessarily?"

"Just His Majesty's study companion?" Jiang Jibai gave Shang Jingming a meaningful look, then stretched out his hand from under the eaves to catch a snowflake falling from the sky. "Then tell me, what kind of study companion needs to run errands outside the palace every few days, and even violate curfew from time to time? What kind of study companion makes you, a commander of the Five Cities Garrison, put aside your old grudges and submit obediently, daring not to speak out against him?"

Submissive and obedient...

This word made Shang Jingming's heart tighten.

His back-and-forth performance with His Majesty was, in the eyes of this great Confucian scholar, nothing more than a farce.

His subtle concessions and respectful demeanor did not escape Jiang Jibai's sharp eyes; he was just not exposed on the spot.

Shang Jingming lowered his eyes, not daring to meet the gaze of this great scholar. "You are the emperor's companion and a close minister of His Majesty, favored by the emperor. How can I, a mere commander of the Five Cities Garrison, compare to you?"

"If I remember correctly..." Jiang Jibai's gaze fell lightly on Shang Jingming's face, "not long after he became a study companion, before you were the commander of the Five Cities Garrison, you two even fought in the street."

"What? When you were just a commoner, you dared to fight with the emperor's study companion in the street. Now that you've gained His Majesty's favor and become the commander of the Five City Garrison, you suddenly show him some respect?"

Jiang Jibai's keen insight sent a chill down Shang Jingming's spine. He was caught in a dilemma, his throat tightening as he tried to explain, "Ignorance is bliss."

Jiang Jibai had no patience to listen to his evasive answers any longer. He stepped forward and said, "Or... let me ask you another question."

"Commander Shang, you've been secretly plotting right under my nose. What exactly are you hiding in your sleeves?"

Shang Jingming took a step back in shock, leaning against a pillar, his fingers unconsciously stroking the token under his sleeve.

I see, I see...

No wonder His Majesty would "quietly" give him this token when he could have easily dealt with the servants outside based on his status.

Who is Jiang Jibai? How could their flawed attempts to cover up the mistakes of a great scholar with keen eyes?

When an identity becomes tattered and illogical, the best approach is not to patch it up, but rather... to layer a new identity over it.

If the emperor's study companion was not enough to make the commander of the Five Cities Garrison obey, then what about one of the secret guards who were the tentacles of imperial power and controlled the emperor's hidden forces?

His Majesty's "secret maneuver" was clearly intended for Jiang Daru's benefit.

Shang Jingming felt a chill run down his spine.

His Majesty really trusts him. If he hadn't thought of this, he wouldn't have been able to explain His Majesty's identity to Jiang Daru...

Shang Jingming gave a wry smile, revealing a corner of a token beneath his sleeve. "The Emperor's secret guards are never seen in public. Why is Scholar Jiang pressing us so relentlessly?"

Jiang Jibai's gaze fixed on the exquisite token. "When did he become the Emperor's secret guard?"

"have no idea."

Jiang Jibai pressed on, "And when did you find out about his identity?"

He once fought with Bian Yushu in the street. Considering the timeline and the changes in his attitude, the best time point is obvious.

Without hesitation, Shang Jingming said, "During the autumn hunt at Yushan, I personally witnessed him pierce an assassin's throat with a hidden arrow. He protected His Majesty, acting valiantly and fearlessly at every command."

...

I successfully scouted the location before 6 PM, hehe, praise me!