Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Compared to the gleaming sword and the exquisitely crafted jade arrowhead, the other item in the box seemed rather ordinary.

It was a small wooden sword pendant made of the finest wood, but unfortunately the carving looked so crude that Shang Jingming couldn't recognize what it was even after looking at it for a long time.

Chicks?

A baby duck?

In short, it's a creature with wings.

This sword pendant, along with three jade arrowheads, was placed in a box and was intended to be given to him by His Majesty, clearly carrying a special meaning.

Given the exquisite craftsmanship and the special significance behind it, Shang Jingming already had a pretty good idea of ​​who created it.

Bian Yushu subconsciously touched the roasted sweet potato hanging at his waist as he saw the wooden carving, a question flashing through his mind: Why does His Majesty like roasted sweet potatoes so much? Is there any special meaning behind it?

Shang Jingming picked up the sword pendant as if it were a priceless treasure, holding it in his palm as if this small wooden carving weighed a thousand pounds.

His voice trembled almost violently, and his knees buckled. "Your Majesty..."

Qin Ji smiled calmly and helped him up, "Your new sword is still missing a pendant."

Shang Jingming's eyes reddened, and he lowered his gaze to hide the tears welling up. "What merits have I, Jingming, possessed?"

Qin Ji held his arm and said, "On your birthday, I was unaware of it. Not only did I not prepare a gift, but I also took you to the market to scold you and even severely punished you."

"Although the law is inviolable, we can grant you a few days' grace so you don't have to spend your birthday in fear and anxiety."

"In the end, it was my oversight."

"Although this birthday gift is a little late, Jingming..." Qin Ji paused slightly, patted Shang Jingming's shoulder, and said slowly, "Happy birthday."

"Your Majesty..." Shang Jingming's eyes reddened as he slowly took a step back and knelt firmly. "Jingming already received your birthday gift on his birthday."

On this special birthday, there's no need to pretend to be friendly and respectful with people you dislike in the Shang mansion.

There's no need to be swayed by Shang Yu's slight appreciation and gentleness, and to argue vehemently over a few words if you don't see eye to eye.

There's no need to be like a donkey dangling a carrot, constantly heartbroken and unable to let go for that faint, fleeting sweetness.

Even though he was burdened with trouble and had been punished when His Majesty took him to the market, his heart remained at peace.

Not to mention becoming His Majesty's disciple and being protected under His Majesty's wing.

Things he never dared to imagine before fell from the sky like a pie, leaving him dizzy and disoriented, as if in a dream.

That was the best birthday gift he had ever received in his life.

Qin Ji understood Shang Jingming's unspoken meaning and knew exactly what this kid considered a birthday gift.

Having received so little, one naturally cherishes every single gain.

Just like the jade pendant that Qin Ji treasured, even if he couldn't wear it in public, he would keep it by his side and caress it from time to time.

In a way, Qin Ji saw Shang Jingming as if he were looking in a mirror.

"Since you've already accepted this, then accept another one." Qin Ji bent down to help Shang Jingming up. "Leaving everything else aside, just take a look and see if you like this sword pendant?"

How could I not like it?

Just as Shang Jingming was about to speak, he finally turned his attention back to the wooden sword pendant under His Majesty's gaze.

Uh, birds?

Combining His Majesty's expectations for him, and a few symbolic varieties, Shang Jingming closed his eyes and blew, "The wings are like clouds hanging from the sky, soaring straight up to ninety thousand miles, lifelike, Jingming likes it very much."

Nonsense! Those are fledglings, fledglings!

Qin Ji's hand, which was halfway raised, froze for two seconds. Hesitating whether to correct him, he spread out his sleeves, put one hand on his stomach, and put the other behind his back. Without the slightest embarrassment, he smoothly changed his words: "That's right. I hope you can be like this Kunpeng, soaring through the vast sky and sea, traveling thousands of miles."

With tears in his eyes, Shang Jingming was deeply moved. "Jingming will remember this and will certainly live up to Your Majesty's expectations."

This harmonious scene of ruler, minister, teacher, and disciple made Bian Yushu's eyes widen. He looked at the Kunpeng in Shang Jingming's hand, and then at the roasted sweet potato that was almost the same size at his waist.

So, is his also a Kunpeng?

After his two apprentices left the Qianzheng Hall one after the other, limping and "limping," Qin Ji put his hands in his sleeves, walked back to his desk with an inscrutable air, and "casually" kicked away a small bamboo board on the ground.

My right hand hurts so much...

Beside the throne, Qin Ji gracefully sat down, his posture dignified, though tears welled up in his heart.

My butt hurts too.

...

Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming stepped out of the Qianzheng Hall together. As soon as they turned a corner, they saw Shang Jingming pause, straighten his clothes, and walk forward as if nothing had happened.

Bian Yushu's eyes widened, and she limped after him. "Were you faking it just now?"

Is he deliberately feigning helplessness in front of His Majesty?

insidious!!!

Shang Jingming looked him over and said with a grin, "Yes, His Majesty even massaged my sore spot, Senior Brother, you haven't had His Majesty massage your sore spot before, have you?"

Bian Yushu nearly fainted from anger. She pulled something out of her pocket and slammed it into Shang Jingming's chest. "Mind your own business!"

Bian Yushu left after smashing the items, her eyes red.

Waaah, last time he only thought about it for a moment, and His Majesty slapped him.

His Majesty must have had a deeper meaning in doing this.

It's definitely not biased, sob sob.

The object that hit his chest fell, and Shang Jingming caught it with his bare hands, feeling a strange sensation coming from his fingertips.

He looked down and saw a metal thumb ring.

The drawstring has a special design, and Shang Jingming cannot confirm its specific purpose without testing it. However, the color and style of the bow match the one His Majesty bestowed upon him perfectly.

Shang Jingming, clutching the thumb ring, quickly caught up with Bian Yushu and waved it in front of her. "A gift for me?"

Bian Yushu ignored him and walked away with her head down.

Shang Jingming blocked his way. "A birthday present?"

Shang Jingming saved his life at the Yushan Hunting Ground, carrying him back to his room at the villa. Although Bian Yushu didn't say it, he knew in his heart whether it was a good thing or a bad thing.

He had prepared this thumb ring since he returned from Yushan. On Shang Jingming's birthday, he was in a lot of trouble, being punished, meeting his grandmaster, and becoming a disciple, so he didn't have time to give it to him. Later, he felt awkward about giving it to him.

His Majesty wanted to send Shang Jingming a birthday gift, so he thought he would take the opportunity to give it to him as well.

As a result, his arch-enemy cheated him out of money and then showed off in front of him, which infuriated him!

Bian Yushu rolled her eyes. "Take it or leave it!"

Tsk, easily amused.

"Would you like me to teach you how to roll dice?"

Bian Yushu was somewhat tempted, but looked at Shang Jingming warily.

Would a sworn enemy really be so kind?

Could it be that they've dug another trap for him to fall into?

"I've quit gambling."

Shang Jingming lowered his voice, "Do you want to know how to get His Majesty to massage your injury?"

Bian Yushu's eyes lit up.

...

Bian Yushu became a companion to the emperor, and Bian Hongzhen did not see his youngest son for three days after returning home.

Thinking that he would have to rush to western Sichuan again after the New Year, and would have little time to see his son, and that he didn't know when His Majesty would summon him, Bian Hongzhen asked around.

Upon hearing that Bian Yushu had borrowed a workshop from the Ministry of Works and had been spending the past few afternoons there, Bian Hongzhen's heart stirred, and he decided to visit his son at the workshop.

...

This is the first update for today; there will be a second update tonight.

Ding ding dang event is here!

Starting today, within 24 hours, Qiao Mei received 1500 "love-fueled" (reading GG) comments, triggering a double update the following day.

One person can watch GG 3 times a day, which means that if 500 people watch it a certain number of times a day, this condition can be met.

In other words, as long as everyone keeps watching, double updates every day is not a dream!

Will everyone support it? (Big, sparkling eyes)

How to read GG: Above the "Request Update" button, to the right of the "Chapter Discussion" button. One of the gifts is an option to "Support the Author," click it to read GG.

Love you all, mua~