Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The eldest disciple was given a banquet by His Majesty at noon and then disappeared after entering the palace; the youngest disciple was either serving His Majesty in the palace or had to return to his family home to celebrate the New Year with his father and grandmother; the lonely old man Jiang Jibai was bored and had to entertain himself.

They set up a ladder, hung lanterns on the door, and pasted newly written Spring Festival couplets on both sides.

Just as I was about to climb down the ladder, a familiar, imperious voice came from behind me.

"It's tilted, it's tilted, the left side is a bit higher!"

Jiang Jibai slightly adjusted the position of the second line.

"It's too high, too high, come down a little bit."

The river is both white and slightly lower.

"It's tilted, it's tilted, straighten it a little more!"

Jiang Jibai's patience ran out, and he slapped the paste-covered couplets onto the door frame.

He turned his head and looked.

The young disciple, with his hair tied in a high ponytail, the red ribbon fluttering in the wind, dressed in a festive red outfit, wearing boots with gold thread patterns, and a jade pendant given to him hanging from his waist, confidently directed the servants to carry the New Year's goods into the house in large and small bags.

The bright red clothes and the boy's radiant smile complemented each other, exuding a vibrant and lively energy. He seemed to brighten up the quiet little house, instantly giving it a festive atmosphere.

Jiang Jibai climbed down the ladder, his eyes smiling, and teased him, "At first glance, I thought a lantern had come."

Who is the lantern? You are the lantern!

I even had the ingredients found a set of clothes suitable for the New Year's Eve atmosphere, but Jiang Jibai is so old-fashioned and has no taste!

Qin Ji glared at him with displeasure.

Before the young disciple could rebel, Jiang Jibai raised his hand and patted his head, soothing him in time. "I've never seen you dressed like this before. You look handsome and radiant. It suits you very well."

The young disciple used to love wearing black robes, which inexplicably suited his temperament, but inevitably made him appear somewhat lifeless.

Today's outfit is bright and flamboyant, full of youthful energy, which balances out the maturity that is beyond his years.

"Why aren't you at home celebrating the New Year with your family? What are you doing here?"

Qin Ji looked the Poison Master up and down, but didn't see any familiar accessories on his waist. So he blurted out, "Old Bian said you have no relatives or friends in the capital, are all alone, and completely isolated..."

Last time it was "my dad", this time it's Lao Bian.

The relationship between the father and son in the Bian family is indeed exceptionally good.

Jiang Jibai raised his hand and flicked his little disciple on the forehead, interrupting his tragic idiom discussion, "Stop embellishing things."

Qin Ji rubbed his forehead and said gruffly, "Old Bian is so generous as to let his youngest son keep you company on New Year's Eve, you all alone!"

Staying up with me to celebrate the New Year is an honor that most people don't have; it's a lucky break for you, Poison Master.

Seeing his young disciple's expression, which seemed eager to thank him, Jiang Jibai couldn't help but chuckle. "Young Master Bian's kindness and consideration for a commoner like me, adrift in the capital, is truly touching. I will forever remember your great kindness."

Qin Ji waved his hand and said magnanimously, "There's no need to remember it."

He looked around, then changed the subject, feigning surprise, "Where's Senior Brother? His Majesty hosted a banquet at noon; he should have left the palace long ago. Didn't he come? Really? Does he really want you to spend New Year's Eve all alone?"

The junior disciple seized every opportunity to badmouth the senior disciple, using exaggerated tones and sarcastic attitudes, even addressing him as "Senior Brother." Jiang Jibai was both amused and exasperated, thinking, "Perhaps something has delayed him."

Qin Ji grumbled, "I have things to do, I have things to do too. Why did I come to keep you company on New Year's Eve?"

The young disciple muttered under his breath, clearly dissatisfied with his answer.

Jiang Jibai found it amusing and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes, that's right, Fei Bai after all, he knows how to be respectful to his teacher."

They tried to fool him with nice words.

They have no stance whatsoever, and they're not sincere at all!

Speaking of deception, Qin Ji was about to enter when he suddenly remembered something and angrily exclaimed, "You big liar!"

The young disciple's thoughts wandered off, and Jiang Jibai was momentarily at a loss as to where the topic had gone. "What's wrong?"

"What did you say to me when I told you not to tell my father?" Qin Ji reached out and shook Jiang Jibai's shoulder.

The form of government! My form of government!

How can I face my trusted ministers after this?

Jiang Jibai, I will punish you for deceiving the emperor!

In Jiang Jibai's view, his youngest disciple was concerned about his reputation and didn't want his family to know that he had been beaten.

He was dizzy from being shaken, but a smile flashed in his eyes as he surrendered, saying, "I promise I will never mention this to your father again. Besides, he has already agreed, hasn't he? It's fair and square that he's willing to entrust you to my teaching."

Qin Ji asked in a harsh tone, "He didn't cause you any trouble?"

If he said no, who knows how much trouble this kid would cause his father?

Moreover, the provincial governor did indeed seem rather unwilling.

Jiang Jibai tried to comfort him with the truth, "How could that be? Your father loves you so much, he was very angry, but he only reluctantly agreed because I was sincere."

Qin Ji raised an eyebrow. "How sincere are you?"

Jiang Jibai recalled what he had said to Bian Hongzhen back then, smiled faintly, concealing his willingness to accept the blame, and said lightly, "I said that Feibai is a smart, quick-witted, sensible and obedient child, and I really like him very much. Please forgive him for my sincerity."

Qin Ji asked with skepticism, "Is it really that simple?"

Jiang Jibai nodded: "It's that simple, but it's full of sincerity."

When Bian Dou reported at the time, he said that Bian Hongzhen was moved by Jiang Jibai's "sincerity". But now that I think about it, how could Bian Hongzhen be so easily "moved"? It's not like he's abandoning his entire family.

There are probably some details he doesn't know about.

Jiang Jibai's evasive attitude suggests he won't tell him anything. Qin Ji plans to question Biandou more thoroughly once they return to the palace.

He stretched out his hand and spread it in front of Jiang Jibai. "It's New Year's Eve today. Let me see your sincerity."

Jiang Jibai looked at the long, slender claws in front of him and gently patted them down.

Qin Ji continued to shrug, even shaking his hands forcefully twice.

Jiang Jibai continued to reach out and pat down.

Qin Ji looked at him in disbelief.

Jiang Jibai, you've misjudged me!

The seven- or eight-year-old boy sitting by the door eating candied hawthorns next door, as if inspired, suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, "Dad, you won't be as stingy as that gentleman next door and not give me any New Year's money, will you?"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

The smile now fell on Qin Ji's face, and he nodded seriously, "Exactly! Stingy, miserly."

After arguing for a while, just as the two were about to go inside, Old Qian from Shen Jiangliu's household arrived in his car.

Jiang Jibai glanced at the junior disciple beside him.

Qin Ji snorted lightly through his nostrils, not at all ashamed of his previous attempts to slander Shen Jiangliu.

Shen Jiangliu didn't get off the car for a long time; only Lao Qian was huffing and puffing as he unloaded the New Year's goods.

"Where is Jiang Liu?" Jiang Jibai asked.

Old Qian hurriedly said, "It's really unfortunate. The young master has guests at home and can't leave for the time being, so he asked me to deliver these New Year's goods first. I'll come to wish you a Happy New Year tomorrow."

"guest?"

That's strange, his eldest disciple has no relatives in the capital.

As for friends and colleagues who could stay up with us on New Year's Eve... let's not even mention them.

Old Qian knew his young master's character, so he quickly explained, "Young master said that taking care of a distant and important relative who is someone you have no connection with but cannot afford to offend is considered an uninvited guest."

Jiang Jibai: "..."

No matter how distant the relationship is, would anyone really be willing to let his eldest apprentice take care of their child?

Qin Ji felt a little guilty, so he clenched his right fist and pressed it against his lips, then coughed lightly.

Jiang Jibai looked at his youngest disciple.

The young disciple smiled brightly, "Teacher, there's no curfew on New Year's Eve, and I heard there will be fireworks at the night market this year!"

The meaning is self-evident.

...

It's a bit late, but I wish everyone a happy Winter Solstice!