Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Several spoiled brats from prominent families, always unruly and reckless, heard the young voice behind them and immediately rolled up their sleeves, ready to turn around and cause trouble.

When their gazes fell upon Bian Yushu, who was dressed in a green robe, they were all taken aback, and their expressions became somewhat awkward.

They never expected that their gossip would be caught by the person in question.

In the past six months, everyone knows that the Third Young Master Bian has been serving as a study companion to His Majesty, enjoying His Majesty's favor and destined for a bright future.

Even before the Lunar New Year, His Majesty had just bestowed upon Bian Yushu a "Fu" character written by his own hand, making him extremely honored.

As scions of prominent families, they naturally knew who they could mess with and who they would get their legs broken if they did.

Not wanting to offend Bian Yushu too much, the group tried to smooth things over by being friendly.

"So it's you, my study companion." A playboy forced a smile. "We've only heard some rumors and were just joking around. Don't take it to heart."

Another person was slightly dissatisfied with the comment that they were "not worthy to carry shoes," and said in a sarcastic tone, "We are all good-for-nothing playboys who like to spout nonsense. The attendant is a favorite of His Majesty and is broad-minded. He shouldn't take us seriously."

Their arrogant yet obsequious manner, coupled with their sarcastic remarks, made Bian Yushu secretly clench her fists under her sleeves.

But he still remembered that he had been punished by His Majesty several times for acting impulsively and getting into fights, so he could only barely suppress the raging anger in his heart.

"You think it's okay to ruin someone's reputation with a joke? Miss Liu earned His Majesty's favor honestly and through her own abilities, and yet you use such foul language, it's utterly unbearable!"

The group thought they had already given him face, but Bian Yushu was still relentless, making them feel somewhat embarrassed. "It's not just us spreading these rumors. Flies don't land on eggs without cracks. If that Miss Liu is virtuous, why would there be trouble out of nowhere?"

"Isn't it because she frequents the palace every day, openly sharing a room with men without any restraint, and even frequently visits the Imperial Observatory, attempting to divulge celestial secrets as a mere woman?"

"Besides, even if what we're saying is just a rumor, it's nothing more than a trivial romantic affair for Bian, something others would envy. Why are you making such a fuss about it?"

Another person chimed in, "Exactly!"

He drawled, a disgusting smile on his face: "Could it be that Bian, the study companion, really has feelings for that Miss Liu?"

"It seems there's no smoke without fire, and rumors aren't entirely unreliable, are they?"

"you!"

Calm down, calm down. He is His Majesty's study companion; he cannot embarrass His Majesty.

His Majesty taught him not to act impulsively, but to learn to rely on power.

Bian Yushu suddenly had a flash of inspiration and raised his voice abruptly: "You just said that Miss Liu has won the favor of someone, is it His Majesty?"

"You're gossiping about His Majesty behind his back, questioning his ability to judge character—that's utterly disrespectful! Aren't you afraid these words will reach His Majesty's ears?"

The group of playboys exchanged glances, each seeing a hint of panic and deep apprehension in the other's eyes.

It's one thing to fabricate stories about Liu Zhiwei, but if it's really blown up and accused of involving His Majesty, not only them, but even their fathers and brothers will probably be in deep trouble.

They naturally couldn't let Bian Yushu confirm his words. "Bian, don't make baseless accusations. When have we ever discussed His Majesty?"

You and that Miss Liu have an ambiguous relationship, yet you still want to use her as a pretext to drag His Majesty into this mess?

Could it be that just because they have His Majesty's trust, they intend to go before the Emperor and spread rumors and slander us?

The others chimed in, "That's right, when did we ever mention His Majesty? Nothing like that!"

"Did anyone hear that? You heard it yourself while you were reading aloud? Is there anyone to testify?"

The spoiled brats from powerful families, relying on their numbers and influence, simply abandoned all pretense of civility and began to act like scoundrels.

Moreover, even if things escalate, there are so many of them, and they all come from prominent families; the law doesn't punish the masses.

When the time comes, everyone will have their own version of events, and they will all be saying the same thing. How can Bian Yushu possibly clear her name all by herself?

Even if Bian Yushu is favored, His Majesty would not bother to solve such a trivial case as a brawl between spoiled brats. Would His Majesty deliberately show favoritism and reprimand all of their families for the sake of Bian Yushu?

Bian Yushu never imagined they could be so shameless.

They can deny what they said right away, and even distort the truth and make false accusations.

Bian Yushu was so angry that his face turned red, and he raised his fist under his sleeve.

Just as he swung his hand, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed Bian Yushu's wrist.

"Proof? Does this official count as proof?"

A clear, melodious voice rang out, tinged with a hint of sarcasm.

Bian Yushu turned his head and his eyes lit up slightly: "Lord Shen!"

Shen Jiang, who had just left the Ministry of Works and was about to return home, heard a group of teenagers arguing after walking only a few steps.

He hadn't intended to meddle, but then he recognized a familiar voice.

It was that rascal who helped His Majesty put on an act to deceive his teacher—His Majesty's personal alias, Bian Yushu.

This kid once refused his teacher's offer to take him as a disciple, yet he confidently claimed that he already had a master. Considering that he and the young man from Shang were both punished by His Majesty at the villa, and considering the relationship between the young man from Shang and His Majesty.

It's obvious who this person using the pseudonym is.

Shen Jiangliu listened carefully.

Tsk, he couldn't even win an argument, he got so angry that his face turned red and his neck bulged, and they almost came to blows.

If this gets out, not to mention whether the teacher will find out, it will definitely not escape the notice of Xiao Kong Fengwo Mei's many eyes and ears.

At that time, this official vest will probably have to go to the emperor to receive a beating again.

Regardless, he's nominally this kid's senior master, so let's just consider it a good deed he did today.

Shen Jiangliu killed the Ning'an Provincial Governor and governed Lishui. He is now a well-known figure in the court.

Regardless of whether his reputation is good or bad, or whether he is hated by everyone, nobody wants to mess with him.

Not to mention that he now also holds the position of censor.

If there's a problem, he'll actually impeach someone, and he'll use very harsh and offensive language.

Only a few days into the year, he had already thoroughly humiliated several officials in the imperial court.

I heard that he didn't even spare Shang Yu, the Vice Minister of War, who was a third-rank official.

He was not given any face and was impeached by the court for not managing his household strictly and treating his first wife and son harshly.

Professor Shang has been on leave for several days and is still so angry that he hasn't left the house.

Officials in the court now avoid him like the plague, let alone these spoiled brats from aristocratic families. If he causes their fathers and brothers to be impeached...

The men's arrogance immediately diminished: "Lord Shen... when did you arrive?"

"With such a fantastic scene, of course I was there from the very beginning!"

Shen Jiangliu released his cheap nephew's hand, smiled and waved a stack of papers and a charcoal pencil in his other hand, "I listened to everything from beginning to end. I heard every single thing you said clearly. I was afraid that I wouldn't remember it well enough, so I specially wrote down every single word you said."

"Would you like me to read it to you?"

The group exchanged glances, their faces grim.

Shen Jiangliu glanced at their faces, rolled up the paper, and stuffed it into his pocket. "Never mind, never mind, I'm not going to read it..."

Before the spoiled brats could catch their breath, they heard Shen Jiangliu say slowly, "When the time comes, go to the imperial court and read it to your respective fathers."

The group of spoiled brats: "..."

...

First update delivered, second update at 12:00.

We're still 770 units short of generating electricity with love, everyone keep going!