Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

"Not on duty." Bian Yushu shook his head vigorously, vehemently denying it.

Bian Hongzhen and his son looked at each other.

Less than two breaths later, Bian Yushu looked away.

Bian Hongzhen got up, lifted the thick curtain, and was about to go out when Bian Yushu jumped out of bed, hurriedly put on her boots, and followed him.

"You stay home and rest. I'll ask His Majesty for a few days of sick leave on your behalf," Bian Hongzhen stopped his son.

Bian Yushu would never agree to that.

His Majesty recuperated at the villa for three days, and he also recuperated at the villa for three days. If he continued to rest, not only would it delay the progress of improving the heavy ballista, but Shang Jingming would also laugh at him.

"The teacher's punishment wasn't severe, it won't have any impact," Bian Yushu said firmly.

Bian Hongzhen became furious upon hearing him mention that teacher, but patiently coaxed him gently, "I'm going to the palace to pay my respects to the Emperor, what are you doing following me?"

"I, I..." Bian Yushu stammered for a while, then a thought flashed through her mind, and she whispered, "His Majesty has granted me permission to stay outside the palace for the next few days. I'm going to express my gratitude."

It's obvious that their true intentions weren't what they seemed.

Bian Hongzhen chuckled, "The servant you sent to ask for leave hasn't returned yet."

Bian Yushu said confidently, "His Majesty is benevolent and considerate of my family's long separation from me, so he will definitely approve it."

Seeing his son's resolute expression, Bian Hongzhen had no choice but to say, "Your teacher is His Majesty's secret guard, after all. What can I, as his father, do to him?"

Father had a lot of complaints about his "secret guard" teacher, so how could Bian Yushu dare to let Bian Hongzhen enter the palace alone?

He was both afraid that his father would offend the teacher and afraid that the teacher would punish his father.

Bian Yushu insisted, "I went to the palace to express my gratitude to His Majesty."

How could Bian Hongzhen not know his son's little scheme?

Isn't it just because they're afraid he'll cause trouble for that bodyguard?

Bian Hongzhen wiped his hands clean with a handkerchief, looked at his son who was sticking to him every step of the way, and sighed, "Since you insist, then let's go together. His Majesty has been kind to me and has chosen you as his study companion, giving you the opportunity to show your talents. It is only right that we go to thank him."

Bian Yushu nodded earnestly, "Yes, yes, Father is right."

...

The father and son entered the palace together and stood outside the Qianzheng Hall to await the summons.

A short while later, the chief eunuch Fu Lu invited Bian Hongzhen inside. Bian Yushu was about to follow when Fu Lu said with a smile, "Young Master Bian, Lord Bian is reporting to His Majesty and will not be finished for a while."

The greenhouse next door is stocked with fruits, snacks, and some trinkets that might interest you.

You might as well rest over there for a while; it will pass the time while you wait for Lord Bian.

Bian Yushu's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Have you prepared paper and pen as well?"

Ever since His Majesty discovered his interest in mechanical arts and divination, he has been collecting strange and ingenious gadgets for him to disassemble from time to time.

During the disassembly process, he often made many new discoveries. Over time, he developed the habit of drawing the blueprints of each component, analyzing its structure and function, and recording his inspiration for improvement while disassembling.

He had originally drawn these drawings and then discarded them, but His Majesty ordered them to be collected, saying that they could be compiled into a book in his name in the future.

The thought that he, a playboy who used to be a cockfighting and dog-racing scoundrel, could one day become a renowned scholar who wrote books and made a name for himself, envied by all other playboys, filled Bian Yushu with excitement.

"Of course, everything is prepared according to your usual habits," Fu Lu said with a smile and bowed.

Bian Yushu hurriedly went into the greenhouse.

When Bian Hongzhen saw that his son had completely forgotten about "thanking the emperor's favor" and was as at ease as if he were at home, the last bit of hesitation he had about his son becoming his study companion vanished.

Such ease and comfort were something his son couldn't fake.

If not for His Majesty's favor, how could I have retained such pure joy?

Given the limited knowledge his son possessed, it was less about him serving as a study companion to His Majesty and more about His Majesty bestowing favors upon him, taking him under his wing and nurturing him. Even his "unseemly" hobbies, such as mechanical arts and divination, were taken care of, and his son was given the opportunity to showcase his talents.

Bian Hongzhen composed himself, straightened his clothes, and followed Fu Lu into the Qianzheng Hall.

The emperor sat high on his throne, his young face bearing an air of authority and maturity beyond his years.

Bian Hongzhen, completely unaware of the situation, sincerely bowed to the dog—no, to His Majesty.

"Your subject Bian Hongzhen pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Qin Ji sized up Bian Hongzhen, who sat below him. The emperor and his subject had not seen each other for "a long time," yet there was no joy on his face, and the praise he uttered seemed insincere. "My dear minister, you have governed Sichuan for two years, and the people live in peace and the granaries are full. I am very pleased. You are a pillar of the Great Yin Dynasty, and I did not misjudge you."

Bian Hongzhen kept his eyes straight ahead and said, "Your Majesty is too kind. This is my duty, and I dare not take credit for it."

"Please take a seat."

Fu Lu brought over a stool, and Bian Hongzhen sat down respectfully.

After exchanging a few polite words, Bian Hongzhen reported the current situation in western Sichuan to Qin Ji, covering everything from agriculture and irrigation to merchant taxation. His account was clear, detailed, and presented with ease.

His tone was calm, and he showed no desire to claim credit; every word he spoke was about practical action.

Qin Ji listened intently, occasionally asking a question or two.

Bian Hongzhen answered fluently, possessing a thorough understanding of the situation in western Sichuan, down to the smallest detail.

Both sides felt thoroughly satisfied after the performance review.

Fu Lu led his men to refill the teacups several times until dusk. Qin Ji, holding the teacup in his hand, changed the subject, "I heard that you have lost something important."

Bian Hongzhen felt a chill run down his spine. Meeting the Emperor's expression, he glanced at the wide-open palace doors out of the corner of his eye and understood what was going on.

They're all veteran actors; they worked together back then, acting right under Wang Jing's nose.

Bian Hongzhen immediately knelt down, his voice ringing out, "Absolutely not."

The teacup was thrown to the ground, and the crisp sound of it shattering was particularly jarring in the empty hall.

Qin Ji's voice suddenly rose, cold as frost, "Then what was it that you personally led people to search back and forth near the post station for several days?"

This sudden outburst of anger silenced the palace servants standing outside the hall, who dared not utter a sound.

Bian Hongzhen touched his forehead to the ground, his voice still steady, "It was a jade pendant left to me by my deceased wife. It was stolen by a thief who broke in, and I never expected it to alarm Your Majesty. I am terrified."

Qin Ji, "furious to the point of laughter," said Bian Aiqing, "you'd better throw away your deceased wife's belongings, lest I discover you're deceiving the emperor."

...

News of the fierce conflict between the emperor and his ministers that broke out in the Qianzheng Hall spread like wildfire and soon reached Bian Yushu's ears in the warm room.

The young palace maid, still shaken, said to her companion, "His Majesty's anger is terrifying. Will Lord Bian lose His Majesty's favor from now on?"

Bian Yushu pricked up his ears.

"What exactly is missing?"

"have no idea."

"I heard it's a defense deployment map."

...

Second update delivered! Meeting the requirements, double updates tomorrow!

In the next chapter, Bian's father will settle accounts with the secret guards, hehe~