Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The main gate of the villa.

Doctor Liang, carrying his medicine chest, tried his best to explain to the constables of the Jingzhao Prefecture that he had not been kidnapped.

"Kidnapping? That's not true!"

"The situation was urgent at the time. Young Master Bian was concerned about his brother and pulled me into the carriage. He didn't have time to say goodbye to the apprentices at my clinic. They thought I had been kidnapped."

"Hey, it was just a false alarm. I was just making a house call. There were no kidnappers involved!"

"Yes, yes, it's a misunderstanding."

Doctor Liang argued until his throat was dry, but the constables of the Jingzhao Prefecture remained unsatisfied with his explanation.

"Misunderstanding? Can't your apprentices tell the difference between a kidnapping and a house call? They rushed to the capital prefecture to report the case without even understanding the situation?"

"You were yelling about setting up a private court of punishment first thing in the morning, telling the Prefect all sorts of stories, and we brothers came running over here without even having a bite to eat. And what was the result?"

"It just so happens that a few wounded people are staying at their residence."

"Back at the yamen, before I could even sit down properly, your apprentices came to report that you had been kidnapped. The prefect thought that the privately run torture chamber was indeed true, and that you, as a witness, had been retaliated against. He gave us a severe dressing down, scolding us for not handling things properly and for not investigating the matter thoroughly."

"So now you're saying it was just a misunderstanding?"

The head constable, with a sour face, pointed at Doctor Liang's nose and cursed, "Do you think the Jingzhao Prefecture is your private property, where you can file a report and withdraw it whenever you want?"

Surrounded by several tall and burly bailiffs, Doctor Liang wiped the sweat from his brow, inwardly groaning in despair.

Which kind family gets an extra wounded person with lacerated skin every few days?

Who wouldn't have some doubts after seeing the rope and the bloodstained wooden staff?

Besides, he was indeed carried out of the clinic.

Having accepted a bribe, Doctor Liang had no choice but to grit his teeth and continue negotiating. "It's really a misunderstanding. My apprentice is young and inexperienced, and he's easily startled."

"Misunderstanding?" the constable sneered. "I think you're clearly making a false accusation, trying to extort money from this family."

"Take him back to the capital."

At the command of the head constable, several men menacingly prepared to seize Doctor Liang.

Doctor Liang panicked immediately, frantically casting pleading glances at Shang Jingming while explaining, "Your Honor, I've practiced medicine for many years, how could I have done such a thing?"

The constables had no interest in listening to his explanation. They seized Doctor Liang and prepared to leave.

"It's definitely a misunderstanding. Dr. Liang is just a kind-hearted person; he didn't mean to make a false accusation." Shang Jingming stopped them, smiling as he stuffed a money bag into their hands. "Several wounded and sick soldiers in my family are still relying on him for treatment. This is just a small token of my appreciation; it's not much, brothers. Take it and have some tea, so your trip won't be in vain."

Holding the bulging money bag, the head constable ordered the servant to release Doctor Liang.

He had only been annoyed by running errands and deliberately made things difficult for Doctor Liang to vent his anger. Since there was money to be made, why not do a favor?

Moreover, this family is not simple. Although they have not yet found out the background of the owner of the house, the young master in front of them has the waist token of the Five Cities Garrison.

"Since the young master vouches for us, we believe Doctor Liang is innocent." The head constable waved his hand and led his men away.

Dr. Liang, still shaken, patted his chest, feeling a lingering fear.

Young Master Bian was right after all.

Fortunately, Young Master Shang came along; otherwise, even if he wasn't falsely accused, he would still have had to make a trip to the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Doctor Liang breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Young Master Shang. Please also convey my thanks to Young Master Bian."

Shang Jingming looked at the medicine box in Doctor Liang's hand and said, "Why don't you stay at the mansion for the next few days? There are two wounded and one sick person staying here, which will save you the trouble of running back and forth these past few days."

His Majesty's condition is fluctuating, and with Scholar Jiang guarding him tonight, he may not be able to return to the palace. A doctor must stay at the villa for convenient medical consultation at any time.

Moreover, given that Bian Yushu's kidnapping of Doctor Liang led to the arrival of the constables, Shang Jingming estimated that the three wounded men in the villa were not far off.

Dr. Liang thought about it and realized that it made sense. He hesitated for a moment, carrying his medicine box. "I still need to go to the clinic and explain the situation to my apprentices. I also need to let my wife know if I'm not going home tonight."

"That's easy, just send someone to deliver a message." Shang Jingming summoned a servant, whispered a few instructions, and then turned to Doctor Liang, "You can rest assured and stay here."

Since things had come to this point, Doctor Liang had no choice but to agree, "Then I'll trouble you."

Shang Jingming nodded slightly and led Doctor Liang to Yunqi Courtyard.

Before the two even stepped into the courtyard, they heard the sound of a wooden cane mixed with soft sobs coming from the courtyard.

He was just pondering this matter when it came true. Shang Jingming clicked his tongue and thought to himself, "How pitiful."

Doctor Liang's expression changed drastically. He stepped into the courtyard and saw Bian Yushu lying on the bench and a servant waving a wooden cane. He hurriedly tried to step forward to stop them.

Shang Jingming stopped him, "On what grounds are you interfering in Young Master Bian's discipline of his younger brother?"

Is His Majesty's punishment something that can be stopped at will?

Don't you die?

"Could it be because he kidnapped me?" Doctor Liang asked incredulously.

Shang Jingming did not answer, which indicated his agreement.

"Aren't your family's rules a bit too strict?" Doctor Liang couldn't help but mutter to himself.

An uncontrollable cry of pain escaped his throat and reached Dr. Liang's ears.

He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Young Master Bian gripping the stool leg, his delicate face as white as paper, his face covered in tears.

Doctor Liang gasped, unable to bear it any longer, and rushed over to stop the servants. "He tied up me, and I'm not even going to hold it against him. Please stop fighting. I'll go and talk to Young Master Bian."

Previously, His Majesty had only used small bamboo sticks and rulers for punishment, and Yu Shu had only seen Shang Jingming and Liu Qinghong being punished with wooden canes.

He knew it wouldn't be easy and had prepared himself mentally, but he still couldn't hold back and burst into tears after the first beating.

Even Shang Jingming and Doctor Liang were attracted.

Bian Yushu let out a long breath, wiped away her tears with her sleeve, her face deathly pale, and gently tugged at Doctor Liang's hem.

Dr. Liang quickly turned around and squatted down. "How are you?"

With a sob in her voice, Bian Yushu apologized, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have tied you up."

How could anyone do such a thing to such an innocent child?!

Doctor Liang was heartbroken. "What's the big deal? I'll go talk to your brother right now. How could he punish you like this?"

Bian Yushu clung to Doctor Liang's robe, saying, "No, don't go. It's my fault. I made a mistake. It's right for my brother to punish me; he's doing it for my own good."

Dr. Liang: "..."

Good heavens, how brainwashed has this child become?

Did they knock your brains out?

Doctor Liang snatched the hem of his robe from Bian Yushu's hand and, in a menacing manner, went to confront Qin Ji.

Bian Yushu looked around in a panic, and in desperation, could only turn to his mortal enemy for help.

Shang Jingming scoffed and stopped Doctor Liang again.

Bian Yushu whispered to the servant beside him, "We can continue."