Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

workshop.

Bian Hongzhen followed the craftsman leading the way without looking to the side, passing through a workshop piled high with wood and metal blanks.

Along the way, the sounds of hammering and planing wood were constant.

Passing through rows of tiled houses, there is an experimental field nestled at the foot of the mountain.

The testing ground was strictly controlled, with soldiers guarding it.

Bian Hongzhen handed the inspection warrant approved by the Ministry of Works to the soldiers.

"Release them."

Bian Hongzhen went deeper into the test site.

A huge, heavy ballista came into view.

It is composed of three giant bows, with bow arms as thick as pythons. The base is embedded in rammed earth and secured on both sides by iron chains as thick as a baby's forearm.

Bian Yushu, with his sleeves tied up, busied himself around the heavy ballista. The boy's slender figure appeared even more frail and insignificant against the backdrop of the imposing ballista.

Bian Hongzhen did not make a sound to disturb them, but simply stood quietly to the side.

Bian Yushu, beaming with pride, directed his soldiers to turn the winch and tighten the bowstring.

After a soldier checked the order, Bian Yushu gave a soft shout, "Release!"

The triangular-edged iron spike burst forth with a whistling sound, tearing through the sky like a meteor, and with a loud bang, it pierced into the earthen wall made of stones and soil five hundred meters away.

The momentum had not yet subsided, and the arrow shaft, as thick as an arm, vibrated violently.

A soldier ran to the earthen wall, recorded the depth, angle, and position of the arrowhead, then jogged back to the crossbow and handed the record to Bian Yushu.

Bian Yushu nodded to the soldiers, staring at the record in his hand, lost in thought as he walked out, muttering to himself, "If only we could reduce the string vibration..."

"Ugh..." Bian Yushu covered her forehead, took a step back, looked at the person she had bumped into, and suddenly her eyes lit up, "Father, what brings you here?"

The boy had several oil stains on his face, and his long hair was tied back. He looked capable and cheerful, a far cry from the spoiled brat who used to spend his days fighting cocks and dogs and causing trouble.

Bian Hongzhen pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to him, his expression gentle and indulgent. "Weren't you supposed to be His Majesty's study companion in the palace? How did you end up working in the workshop?"

Bian Yushu was beaming with pride, his lips practically reaching for the sky. He took the handkerchief and wiped his face, saying, "This task His Majesty assigned me, if I do it well, it will be a great achievement!"

"A man should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence; I am no longer the same person I used to be." Bian Yushu patted his chest. "Father, aren't I amazing?"

The son spoke with great enthusiasm, his eyes shining brightly, a testament to his confidence in his talents and the contentment of being immersed in what he loved.

Bian Hongzhen looked at him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Bian Yushu disliked reading from a young age, but was obsessed with mechanical arts and divination.

Strange skills and tricks are considered minor arts and are not valued by scholars.

As a father, he could provide Bian Yushu with a comfortable life and let him do whatever he liked, but he couldn't give him a good future.

If you want to join the Ministry of Works and make the most of your talents, you must first enter officialdom.

To enter officialdom, one must first pass the imperial examination.

As for Bian Yushu's writing skills... let's not even mention them.

His son was kind, innocent, and without any guile. Once he was chosen as a study companion, he was worried about him every day.

Several months have passed, and the son is still the same son, but His Majesty has placed him in the most suitable position, where he can give full play to his talents.

The emperor's kindness and care were immense, and Bian Hongzhen was deeply grateful.

"Yes, impressive," Bian Hongzhen affirmed.

Bian Yushu beamed, boasting incessantly to Bian Hongzhen about her design ideas as she walked out with him.

Bian Hongzhen couldn't help but notice his son's unusual way of walking. "Are you injured?"

Bian Yushu's face flushed red instantly, like a persimmon, and she stammered, "I fell... I hurt my leg."

He knows his own son best; this behavior clearly shows he's not telling the truth.

Bian Hongzhen's expression shifted slightly as he looked Bian Yushu up and down.

The soldiers guarding the test site saw Bian Yushu and let him pass without even checking his command token, casually remarking, "Bian, you should watch where you're going when you walk; you've fallen twice in the past month."

Bian Yushu nearly wanted to disappear into the ground, grabbing Bian Hongzhen's wrist and fleeing in panic.

After leaving the workshop, Bian Yushu glanced at the sun; it was almost time to distribute the money.

He sent someone to the palace to ask His Majesty for leave, saying that he wanted to stay outside the palace for a while, and then followed Bian Hongzhen into the Bian family's carriage.

The moment she sat down, Bian Yushu's face paled slightly, and she bit her lower lip.

Bian Hongzhen looked his son up and down, but something seemed off. He half-squatted down and reached out to lift his son's trouser leg.

Bian Yushu quickly grabbed the trouser leg to prevent it from being lifted, and stammered, "It'll be fine in a few days."

It's even stranger that he won't let you see his injured leg. Bian Hongzhen coaxed him in a soft voice, "Father will check how serious the injury is so he can be at ease. You've fallen twice in a month; what if you've broken a bone and it affects your future?"

Hearing Bian Hongzhen refer to himself as "father," Bian Yushu blushed even more. "It's not serious."

After saying that, he emphasized again, "I'm seventeen."

Bian Hongzhen coughed lightly, "What about Seventeen? Isn't Seventeen my son anymore?"

"Father..." Bian Yushu glanced at the coachman several times, and when he saw that there was no reaction, he muttered softly, "I've grown up now."

Taking advantage of Bian Yushu's unpreparedness, Bian Hongzhen rolled up Bian Yushu's trouser leg.

Her skin was clean and smooth, without a single "injury" from her knees to her socks.

"Did you hurt your leg?" Bian Hongzhen frowned, released his son's trouser leg, and sat back down.

Bian Yushu pursed her lips and insisted, "Thighs."

Bian Hongzhen didn't know whether he believed it or not, so he didn't ask any further questions.

Bian Yushu felt her father's gaze on her, and didn't dare to lift her head, pretending to close her eyes and rest.

When the carriage stopped, Bian Yushu opened her eyes, and Bian Hongzhen was the first to climb out of the carriage.

Bian Yushu gritted her teeth and was about to get up when a hand with distinct knuckles reached out to her.

That hand was neither delicate nor rough; the fingertips and palm had thin calluses from years of holding a pen, yet it was steady and powerful, carrying a reassuring firmness and gentleness.

Bian Yushu helped her father down from the carriage.

Bian Hongzhen slowed his pace and did not urge him.

Bian Yushu followed, walking at a leisurely pace, with just the right rhythm.

It won't tear the wound too much, nor will it be so slow that the servants will look at it with disapproval.

The father and son entered the study one after the other.

Bian Yushu was about to ask about his elder brother.

Bian Hongzhen dismissed the servants, closed the door, and led his son into the inner room. He patted the low couch used for resting, his tone gentle yet unquestionable, "Let me see your injury."

Bian Yushu tried to slip away.

"Yushu." Bian Hongzhen's gaze calmly fell on his son. "Come to my side."

Seeing Bian Hongzhen's unyielding expression, Bian Yushu moved her lips and obediently walked over, saying, "It's really not serious."

"Let me see your injury," Bian Hongzhen repeated calmly.

Although Bian Hongzhen never disciplined Bian Yushu, the pressure of his high position, accumulated over many years in officialdom, was far more awe-inspiring to Bian Yushu than harsh words.

Bian Yushu gripped the hem of her dress tightly, then finally turned around and placed her hand on her waist sash.

...

Here's the second update for today!

You guys are amazing! I'll continue with double updates tomorrow~ Check out the GG event for more updates~