Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

When Qin Ji woke up again, he was covered in sweat and vaguely felt someone wiping his face with a handkerchief.

As the bitter smell of the medicine entered his nostrils, a hand helped him sit up. "Drink the medicine."

Qin Ji squinted and took a small sip from Jiang Jibai's hand. The bitterness of the medicine exploded on his tongue, a disaster for his lips and teeth. Qin Ji clenched his teeth, subtly moved back a little, revealing a look of resistance.

Ugh, why is it so bitter?

That damned Doctor Liang, is he perhaps seeking personal revenge?

Before Qin Ji could glare at him, another spoonful of medicine was brought to his lips.

Doctor Liang leaned against the wall, trying to minimize his presence, while Bian Yushu stared at him expectantly. Jiang Jibai held the medicine bowl steadily, his tone calm and even, "Good medicine tastes bitter."

A large group of people watched as Qin Ji picked up the medicine bowl, took it from Jiang Jibai's hand without changing his expression, and drank it all in one gulp.

The bitter medicine slid down his throat, and every cell in his mouth felt as if it had been severely injured. Qin Ji calmly put down the medicine bowl, but in his heart he cursed Doctor Liang's entire family.

Upon seeing this, Bian Yushu eagerly stepped forward and placed a plate of candied fruit next to Qin Ji.

This first disciple does have some discernment.

Qin Ji gave Bian Yushu an approving look and reached for the candied fruit.

"Candied fruit affects the efficacy of the medicine," Jiang Jibai said casually.

Bian Yushu quickly tucked the plate next to Qin Ji into her bosom and placed it far away.

His face was full of self-reproach. "I'm so sorry, I didn't know it would affect the medicine's effectiveness. Well, brother, you shouldn't take it."

Qin Ji withdrew his empty hand, glared angrily at Bian Yushu, and then accused Jiang Jibai of cruelty with his eyes.

Jiang Jibai originally thought that his delicate little disciple would need him to coax her to swallow the whole bowl of medicine, but he didn't expect her to be so self-disciplined. He wondered if she didn't want to lose face as an older brother in front of Xiaozao.

He handed Qin Ji a cup of warm water to rinse his mouth, then picked up a cloth from the side and naturally wiped the cold sweat from his young disciple's forehead.

After receiving some treatment from his teacher, Qin Ji reluctantly withdrew his accusing gaze.

Jiang Jibai waved to Bian Yushu.

Bian Yushu obediently stepped forward.

Jiang Jibai picked up a candied fruit and put it in his mouth, then gestured for Bian Yushu to eat with him, and even Doctor Liang was given a few pieces.

The sweet aroma of candied fruit lingered in my nose, but all I could taste in my mouth was the bitterness of the medicine diluted with water.

Qin Ji tentatively extended his dragon claw, but Jiang Jibai slapped it away.

Qin Ji stretched out again, and Jiang Jibai patted again.

Qin Ji looked at Jiang Jibai in disbelief, so angry he almost fainted.

Not only are they not letting me eat, but they're also sharing food in front of me?

He was clearly trying to anger me on purpose.

Bold!

presumptuous!

Just as Qin Ji was about to start a fuss, a servant bowed and entered, whispering a few words in Qin Ji's ear.

Qin Ji glanced coolly at Bian Yushu, who was munching on candied fruit like a little squirrel, and said, "The constables from the Jingzhao Prefecture have come to our door again. Someone has accused us of kidnapping Doctor Liang."

Dr. Liang: "..." Yes, that's right, it's kidnapping.

Bian Yushu paused, swallowed the candied fruit, his Adam's apple bobbed, and bowed to Doctor Liang again to apologize, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to kidnap you, I... I'll turn myself in."

Qin Ji uttered a few words, "According to the laws of the Great Yin Dynasty, anyone who uses force to bind someone shall be punished with eighty strokes of the cane."

Bian Yushu's face turned deathly pale. "I'm willing to take responsibility for the mistakes I made."

Qin Ji glanced at Bian Yushu's deathly pale face and looked at Doctor Liang. "My younger brother acted rashly in order to treat my illness. He did not intend to detain you, sir. I hope you will forgive him."

With a single glance from Qin Ji, a servant presented a plate of gleaming silver.

The misunderstanding about the privately established punishment hall has been cleared up by Young Master Shang. In any case, this family is either rich or noble, so it's best to establish a good relationship.

Doctor Liang kept glancing at the silver, and said with a pained expression, "To be honest, I was the one who misunderstood first, and I have caused your household a lot of trouble."

"There's no need for this money. The young master has already thanked me and apologized to me. I'll go explain the situation to the officials in the capital and make sure the young master won't face any legal trouble."

"This is a payment for the consultation. This is to comfort you, sir, for my brother's rudeness. Please accept it without worry." Qin Ji instructed his servant, "Wrap the silver up and send it to Doctor Liang's clinic."

The servant bowed and replied, "Yes."

Qin Ji added, "Go and invite Young Master Shang, and ask him to take Doctor Liang to the constables to explain things clearly."

Doctor Liang was overjoyed to receive such a large sum of money, and upon hearing this, he quickly declined, saying, "No need to trouble Young Master Shang, I can go by myself."

Qin Ji casually reminded him, "The constable from the Jingzhao Prefecture made two wasted trips today. It would be better to have him accompany you."

Dr. Liang was alarmed. He had made two blunders in one day, and both times he was involved. Who knew if the constables would take their anger out on him, the one who filed the report?

If Young Master Shang could put in a few words for him, the constables would be hesitant to act rashly and would probably not make things too difficult for him.

He quickly changed his tune, saying, "What you say makes sense, and we'll have to trouble you, Young Master Shang."

"Thank you for the reminder, young master."

Dr. Liang's final words of thanks were truly heartfelt.

Qin Ji nodded slightly to him.

Doctor Liang cupped his hands in greeting and hurriedly left with his servant.

Only Qin Ji, Jiang Jibai, and Bian Yushu remained in the room.

Bian Yushu knelt down dejectedly and said softly, "Thank you for protecting me, brother. I know I was wrong."

A tickling sensation rose in his throat. Qin Ji clenched his right fist, pressed it against his lips, and coughed lightly twice. "Think thrice before you act, and don't be rash and impulsive. If it weren't for Doctor Liang's leniency today, when we arrived at the Capital Prefecture, were you planning to put on airs like a distant relative of a border family, or would you rather face that beating?"

"Even if there are extenuating circumstances, and the Jingzhao Prefecture is being lenient, you will still receive at least forty strokes of the cane."

Bian Yushu was scolded so badly that his head drooped lower and lower, almost touching the ground.

Qin Ji slightly gestured to him, "Come here."

Bian Yushu knelt nervously beside Qin Ji's bed.

Qin Ji placed his hand on Bian Yushu's hair. "I know you're concerned about me and anxious to get a doctor for me. Thank you, Xiaozao."

Bian Yushu's eyes reddened, and she said softly, "It was my fault. I will go down and receive eighty strokes of the cane myself."

Qin Ji gave him a hard rub on the head for this behavior of not knowing his own limitations.

"Twenty strokes of the cane." Remembering the boy's act of tattling, Qin Ji added, "Add another twenty strokes."

The bloody example of Liu Qinghong was before him. This was far more lenient than he had imagined.

Bian Yushu nodded obediently, gently tugged at Qin Ji's sleeve, her eyes full of gratitude, "Thank you for your forgiveness, brother."

Qin Ji waved his hand, signaling him to go down and receive his punishment.

Bian Yushu obediently withdrew.

Jiang Jibai watched the whole thing with great interest, eating the candied fruit without interrupting or interfering.

After Bian Yushu left, he couldn't help but sigh, "Little Zao is so well-behaved."

Qin Ji stretched out his dragon claw and overturned the plate of candied fruit that he had been eyeing for a long time, which was placed on Jiang Jibai's lap.

Jiang Jibai: "..."

...

Successfully located the spot! Yay!