Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Just as Qin Ji was secretly rejoicing, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his leg. Qin Ji recoiled, clutching his leg with both hands, tears streaming down his face. Then he heard Jiang Jibai say in a low voice, "You're quite happy?"

Qin Ji felt a chill on the back of his neck, a mixture of joy and sorrow.

The good news is that my wish came true, but the bad news is that Gu Huaijin is incredibly strong!

Qin Ji, quick-witted as ever, blurted out a fabricated story: "I am indeed delighted. Firstly, I have benefited greatly from your erudition, and I am extremely fortunate to have such a good teacher. Secondly, in just two hours of conversation, you have seen through my five essays and found them to be below my standard. You have a high opinion of me and think very highly of me."

So relaxed and at ease, truly befitting the Emperor.

The flattery was deafening, and he even boasted about his own skill, managing to convince Jiang Jibai of the student's delighted reaction. Jiang Jibai realized his student was quite talented and muttered a rebuke, "Clever talker."

Practice makes perfect. Before he could give any more instructions, the young apprentice readily supported himself on the desk.

I don't know whether to say he's pragmatic or just a hopeless fool.

Qin Ji tensed up, his heart pounding like a rabbit in his chest.

Is it coming? Is it coming?

Before any discipline could be given, Jiang Jibai posed a dangerous question: "So, you admit that you didn't write those five articles?"

Admitting it is impossible. The article has been reviewed by "His Majesty." If he were to admit it, wouldn't that be tantamount to admitting to deceiving the emperor? Would Gu Huaijin dare to accept such a daring student? In order to avoid being implicated in the future, he would probably have to kick him out directly.

"Please forgive me, sir, those five articles were indeed written by me." Qin Ji denied it at first, but his mind was racing. "It's just that I've heard that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind, so I deliberately concealed my talents. I'm the same age as Your Majesty, what if my writing is better than Your Majesty's...?"

Before he could finish speaking, a chilling whistling sound pierced the air. Qin Ji let out a sob and burst into tears.

Didn't you hurt your hand? Where did you get such strength?

It hurts so much! Your dragon buttocks are suffering! Waaah!

Jiang Jibai had never seen such a unique train of thought before. Putting aside the fact that the current emperor had the air of a wise ruler and didn't seem like a petty person, where did Bian Feibai get his confidence that His Majesty would be jealous of his talent and need him to write terrible articles to hide his shortcomings?

Without giving them a moment to breathe, the lessons came one after another like shooting stars.

Qin Ji had no time to react. No matter how he dodged, the pain seemed to have eyes, hitting the same spot precisely every time, leaving his mind buzzing. "Teacher, ugh..."

Ouch, it hurts so much.

Gu Huaijin, stop! Let me calm down first. It's not like I'm not letting you teach me a lesson. Why are you in such a hurry? Waaah!

The boy's cries were deafening, startling Bian Dou, who had been scrambling to the roof of the outhouse to cover his ears ever since Jiang Jibai pulled out the rattan cane. Bian Dou nearly tumbled off the roof several times and fell into the pit.

Here we go again, here we go again.

Jiang Daru, have you gone mad? Once wasn't enough, you have to do it again, chasing after His Majesty to beat him up. Have you even counted how many people are in your nine generations of family? Did they agree to this? His Majesty's patience has its limits! Stop right now!

The lentils huddled on the roof of the outhouse, silently crying out in their hearts.

As if hearing the cry in Bean's heart, the lecture finally stopped for a moment, accompanied by Jiang Jibai's low rebuke, "Where did you hear that? It's nonsense!"

Qin Ji sobbed uncontrollably as he rambled on, "That's how it's written in storybooks: a great general whose achievements overshadow the emperor, a prime minister of unparalleled talent, who doesn't know how to restrain himself and flaunts his brilliance, ends up having his property confiscated, being exiled, and losing his head. It shows that being too outstanding can also be a fault. My father and my two older brothers are both so outstanding. If I also steal the limelight, what if I offend His Majesty?"

Even at this point, he still couldn't resist praising himself. He doesn't know how to keep his mouth shut. Back when they were discussing the autumn tax in the outskirts of Beijing and how the tax officials were lining their own pockets, he could tell that this was a rascal who dared to say anything.

Jiang Jibai sneered, raised his hand and slapped him hard again, "You've read a lot of messy books, if you dare to talk about His Majesty again, I'll break your legs."

The lesson was met with two groans of pain from Qin Ji, who was dizzy from the pain.

Qin Ji could no longer bear the strict discipline. With red eyes, he tried to gain sympathy, saying, "My father and brothers are far away in western Sichuan. It's just me and my grandmother, who is over seventy years old, at home. If I don't restrain my sharpness, what if I attract attention and cause trouble for my grandmother?"

Be gentle, don't be so rough, understand?

Jiang Jibai hadn't expected to hear such words. They sounded filial, and quite pitiful. At such a young age, with no parents around and no one to take care of him, although his behavior was unreliable, his intentions were commendable.

Jiang Jibai took pity on him and stopped, letting him catch his breath.

Qin Ji sniffed and reached out to touch the fiery dragon's buttocks.

Ouch! Gu Huaijin, you're so cruel.

He had just cursed in his heart when he heard the person behind him say something that could kill him.

"Trying to fool His Majesty with five nonsensical articles to hide your incompetence? I see you're quite determined, and your audacity is outrageous. You've been punished with a rod and are now living in constant fear, too timid to even send a message outside the palace?" Jiang Jibai sneered. "Your audacity is so fickle!"

Qin Ji, who was unexpectedly struck by the boomerang so quickly: "..."

My dragon brain, come to the rescue!