Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The expressions of the three people in Shang Yu's room were all different.

Shen Jiangliu bowed calmly, "Lord Shang."

Although he was impeached by Shen Jiangliu not long ago, it's not to the point of openly breaking ties.

Shang Yu said calmly, "Lord Shen, I didn't expect to see you here."

"Isn't this a coincidence?" Shen Jiangliu laughed. "Bian Banshu and I are neighbors. Since I heard that Commander Shang is recuperating here, how could I not come and visit him?"

Shen Jiangliu clasped his hands together in front of his chest, smiled, and bowed again: "Lord Shang won't hold my impeachment in court against me, will he?"

The vein on Shang Yu's forehead twitched slightly.

Shen Jiangliu's actions looked like an apology, but his words were clearly a provocation.

I don't know how my son got involved with this person.

"How could that be? Lord Shen is just doing his job."

Shang Yu withdrew his gaze, having no intention of engaging in further conversation with him, and turned to Shang Jingming on the couch.

Bian Yushu has been very busy these days. Every morning he listens to lectures by Hanlin scholars, and in the afternoon he goes to the workshop to advance the improvement of crossbows and catapults. He doesn't pay much attention to the affairs of the court.

Hearing Shen Jiangliu mention the impeachment of Lord Shang, he was a little confused.

However, Bian Yushu could still sense the unpleasant atmosphere between the two.

Shen Da... Senior Uncle is definitely a great person.

He had heard His Majesty recount the deeds of this senior master.

He has the people at heart, is a pillar of the nation, and is the most upright person imaginable!

Moreover, not long ago, my senior uncle dealt with those spoiled brats from wealthy families who were full of foul language with just a few words.

My senior uncle would never wrong an innocent person or make baseless accusations. If he impeached Lord Shang, it must be because Lord Shang did something wrong.

Bian Yushu politely addressed him as "Uncle" and then said nothing more.

Shang Jingming's tone was even more polite than Bian Yushu's, "Father."

Just as Doctor Ji was about to sit down by the bed to examine his injuries, Shang Jingming reached out and stopped him.

Shang Jingming looked at Shang Yu, "I've already had Doctor Liang examine me. He cleaned my wound, applied medicine, and prescribed a medicine. I'll recover completely after some rest, it's nothing serious."

"I appreciate your kindness, please go back."

He had barely stepped inside when his son gave him the order to leave, making it clear that he was not welcome.

Shang Yu frowned, suppressing his temper, and tried to communicate with his son properly: "Dr. Ji is a master at treating bruises from beatings. It would be safer to have him take a look."

Shang Jingming didn't necessarily want to make things difficult for Shang Yu.

If he is really injured, Shang Yu brought a doctor over, so what if he looks at him?

He wouldn't be grateful for this small favor, forget the past hurt, or reconcile with Shang Yu as before.

They wouldn't make things difficult for themselves just because the doctor was brought by Shang Yu.

It won't hurt to take a look; if there's a better medicine, might as well use it.

In reality, he was not injured; it was all just a charade to lure the snake out of its hole.

This is a task assigned by His Majesty.

He had to ensure that nothing went wrong and that not a single word was leaked.

Whether it's Shang Yu or Doctor Ji, they are both variables, and there's no need to know.

"You're overthinking it. Doctor Liang is a highly skilled physician and also adept at treating bruises. Since he has already taken good care of your son's injury, there's no need to trouble Doctor Ji further."

Shang Jingming looked at Doctor Ji and had a servant present him with a consultation fee: "I apologize for making Doctor Ji come all this way for nothing."

The injured man refused to cooperate, and Dr. Ji couldn't force him.

He declined, saying, "I cannot accept a reward without merit. Since you have already had someone treat me, then I..."

Since Doctor Ji was invited by Vice Minister Shang, he looked at Shang Yu.

Despite her good intentions, her son showed no appreciation whatsoever.

Shang Yu was a little annoyed. "I dare not refuse a gift from an elder. Doctor Ji's medical skills are superb. Don't delay your injury just to spite me. You'll only suffer in the end."

Shang Yu said to Doctor Ji, "Take a look at him."

His words carried an unquestionable, commanding tone, attempting to subdue his son with his fatherly authority, causing the air in the room to momentarily freeze.

Shang Jingming was already used to Shang Yu's attitude, and without even blinking, calmly stated his position: "I'm afraid I cannot comply."

Shang Yu, having endured it all, finally couldn't contain his anger: "Shang Jingming, do you even consider me your father anymore?"

These words made the atmosphere even more tense. The tension between the father and son put Doctor Ji in a dilemma. After all, he was invited by Vice Minister Shang, so he had to steel himself and try to go forward to examine the injury.

Bian Yushu's gaze, filled with surprise and uncertainty, darted back and forth between Shang Yu and Shang Jingming.

He knew that not everyone in the world would spoil their son like his father did.

But I never expected that someone's father could act so unreasonably.

He didn't mean to help his mortal enemy; he just couldn't stand by and watch.

He stepped forward and blocked the path between Doctor Ji and the bed.

Facing a high-ranking official of the third rank, and an elder at that, Bian Yushu straightened his chest and stammered, "Didn't...didn't you hear him say he was unwilling?"

Shang Yu frowned deeply. "Accompanying my son in his studies is a matter between us, father and son."

"Is it really beneath him to have a renowned doctor treat his injury?"

"But...but Dr. Liang has already examined him!"

What's wrong with a third-rank official?

What's wrong with the elders again?

His Majesty is their teacher!

Bian Yushu mentally bolstered her courage, "The doctor has already treated his injuries and bandaged them up. If you insist on taking them off to see, wouldn't that just make him suffer again?"

Bian Yushu became increasingly convinced of her own reasoning as she spoke, "What if we tear the wound open again by reopening it? What if the bleeding that was just stopped starts seeping out again? What if the wind-evil enters the body and causes a fever?"

"Aren't you Shang Jingming's father?"

"Why don't you listen to his own wishes and think more about his needs?"

Shang Yu was shocked to be questioned so directly by a junior. His face flushed red and then paled. "He's my son. Would I harm him? Doctor Ji's medical skills are superb, far superior to any doctor you've hired from who-knows-where. What if we delay Jingming's treatment?"

"I invited a renowned doctor for him, but I ended up inviting the wrong one?" The last sentence rose involuntarily, as if carrying the deepest heartache and thunderous force, echoing throughout the room.

Shen Jiangliu, who had been sitting at the table drinking tea, put down his teacup.

"Lord Shang, if you don't trust Doctor Liang's medical skills, you can have Doctor Ji take a look at the prescription he wrote and check if there are any problems."

His cool tone rose slightly, carrying a hint of sarcasm.

"Why do you insist that Doctor Ji treat Commander Shang's injuries? Is it for Jingming's sake, or to demonstrate your supreme authority as a father?"

Shang Yu's chest heaved violently. He clutched his chest, looked at Shen Jiangliu, then at Bian Yushu blocking the way in front of the bed, and finally at his son on the bed. "Jingming, do you think so too?"

Shang Jingming smiled politely, looked up at Shang Yu, and said, "Father, thank you for inviting Doctor Ji for me, but... I have already asked Doctor Liang to examine my injury."

Whether Shang Yu was genuinely concerned or simply displaying his authority was no longer important to him.

A doctor who arrives late is no different from a father whose love arrives late.

Like an umbrella handed out after the rain, it's too late, and it won't wait any longer.

...

Second update delivered! Goal achieved! Double updates tomorrow!