Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After being tested on his studies by Jiang Jibai, they had lunch together and then he listened to lectures for the entire afternoon.

Qin Ji held his nose and peacefully coexisted with Fang Yanqing for a whole day.

Fang Yanqing has a solid foundation and is clearly quite capable in his studies; I'll inevitably have to show off in front of him in the future.

Qin Ji was very unhappy about this.

Fang Yanqing, on the other hand, was not easily accepted as a disciple by his teacher. Over the years, he had only taken on two disciples: Fang Yanqing and Fang Yanqing.

He didn't know how many outstanding students his teacher had rejected, so he was quite curious about the level of this junior student his teacher had taken on.

Previously at the Mangshan Poetry Gathering, the junior brother and Pei Lian competed in playing the zither and writing poetry. However, when it came time for the main event, the essay competition, their teacher stopped them.

But judging from the poem written by his junior fellow apprentice, his policy essay skills must be quite good.

After listening to the lectures for a day, Fang Yanqing had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

My junior colleague is sharp-tongued and shrewd, with insightful and incisive observations.

The viewpoints put forward are substantial and often offer fresh perspectives.

Impressive for such a young age!

"Junior brother, aren't you planning to take the imperial examinations?"

Although I've heard that my junior brother is now His Majesty's study companion and may be directly promoted by His Majesty in the future, officials who are not from the special imperial examination will inevitably face limitations in the court. Even if they are favored by His Majesty, they are easily looked down upon or ostracized by their colleagues.

Unless, like the teacher, one already has a great reputation in the Confucian community.

Qin Ji wanted to say "What's it to you?" but with his teacher present, he could only reply sparingly, "I don't plan to."

If the young disciple does not wish to enter officialdom, then so be it.

He chose the path of a secret guard, and His Majesty likely has other plans for his official career.

With his youngest disciple's intelligence and ability, it was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, a complete waste of talent.

The seeds of capable ministers in times of peace became the tentacles of imperial power.

Jiang Jibai felt regret for the umpteenth time, but he couldn't speak ill of His Majesty in front of his disciple.

He glanced at his youngest disciple and said to Fang Yanqing, "Everyone has their own path to take. Your junior brother's ambition is not in the imperial examinations. No matter which path you choose, if you walk it well, you will have your own place in the future. There's no need to force it."

Is the teacher trying to comfort me by thinking that I didn't take the imperial examinations because I had "no other choice"?

A mix of emotions welled up inside Qin Ji as he picked at the edge of the wooden table.

"Sizzle—"

"Sizzle—"

Fang Yanqing, unaware of the details, didn't say anything.

Jiang Jibai thought his junior disciple was upset about his "shameful" identity. "It's already late afternoon. Your senior brother has arranged to have dinner at Huixianlou. It's about time to set off."

As I reached the door, Shen Jiangliu, who had just finished his shift, arrived in a carriage to pick me up.

Qin Ji grabbed Jiang Jibai and pulled him into another carriage. With a flick of the whip, the carriage sped off, leaving Fang Yanqing and Shen Jiangliu staring at each other in disbelief.

Fang Yanqing watched the carriage drive away and clicked his tongue, saying, "That junior brother is quite domineering."

Shen Jiangliu ignored him and stepped into the carriage on his own. "Shall we go together, Second Junior Brother?"

Fang Yanqing shrugged and jumped into the carriage.

"I always felt that my junior brother had some kind of problem with me."

That's not just about you; small-hole honeycomb briquettes, after all, have smaller holes and are easier to offend.

But then again...

"What kind of person are you that no one would complain about?"

Fang Yanqing stroked his chin and nodded. "That's true."

After saying that, he didn't let Shen Jiangliu off the hook either: "Likewise."

Shen Jiangliu didn't bother arguing with him and said, "I advise you to be nicer to your junior brother."

Fang Yanqing was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, narrowed his eyes, and suddenly grabbed Shen Jiangliu, "This is the second time you've asked me to give in to him and be nicer to him, Senior Brother, something's not right with you."

They couldn't reveal His Majesty's identity, yet they couldn't watch Fang Yanqing go further and further down the path of self-destruction.

Shen Jiangliu said, "You'll understand once you've suffered at his hands."

"Haven't you seen his kung fu?"

Fang Yanqing had certainly seen it; his brains were almost shaken to a crisp.

He said with lingering fear, "Yes, junior brother is no ordinary person."

Their entire sect consists of scholars; where would they find someone with such superb martial arts skills?

My junior brother is the son of Bian Hongzhen, the provincial governor of western Sichuan. But isn't that minister also a scholar?

It's all very mysterious.

Fang Yanqing looked at Shen Jiangliu: "Do you know something?"

...

Jiang Jibai was pulled onto the carriage by his junior disciple, leaving his senior and second disciples behind. He commented with a hint of helplessness, "That's incredibly domineering."

As the emperor, I've been more than polite to them out of respect for you!

Qin Ji was very dissatisfied: "Then I'll go down?"

His junior disciples would fly into a rage if he simply nodded.

Jiang Jibai skillfully stroked the fur, but after stroking it so many times, he ran out of words, so he simplified it and said, "Good boy."

Seeing his fierce disciple visibly calmed down with just one word, Jiang Jibai smiled faintly.

Qin Ji asked, "Did you say something like 'If you walk well, you'll all have your own place in the world' specifically for me?"

Jiang Jibai didn't hesitate to admit his concern for his apprentice, "Hmm."

Having received an affirmative answer, Qin Ji twitched his fingers resting on his lap.

Seeing his youngest disciple's lips curl into a smile, Jiang Jibai seized the opportunity to soothe him, "You are my favorite disciple. There's no need for you to always compete with your two senior brothers. Haven't I cared for you enough?"

A cunning poison master.

My favorite disciple is just a disciple, but I have to add "little" to it.

Shen Jiangliu is your favorite disciple.

Fang Yanqing is your favorite second disciple, right?

Qin Ji: "I'm afraid I won't be able to finish this meal with Shen Jiangliu."

Jiang Jibai was about to correct the way he addressed the junior disciple, but he was also a little confused by his sudden remark. "What?"

Qin Ji said irritably, "You've already filled me up with sweet dates, all you do is flatter me."

Jiang Jibai couldn't help but chuckle and reached out to pat his little disciple's head.

Qin Ji let him touch him.

Poison Master, do you know that you touched the head of a king, a noble and proud ruler?

No one else has this honor but you.

You got a good deal!

"When Fang Yanqing and I had our argument this morning, were you really angry?" Qin Ji asked.

Jiang Jibai didn't answer directly, but instead asked him, "How many times have you exaggerated and fabricated stories to smear your two senior brothers?"

Well... there are really too many to count.

Qin Ji was furious with guilt in his heart. "You're actually angry with me because of Shen Jiangliu and Fang Yanqing!"

Jiang Jibai simply looked at him quietly and said calmly, "Feibai, things shouldn't happen more than three times."

Qin Ji's bluffing expression froze. Looking at Jiang Jibai's expression, he immediately became docile, like a cat whose scruff of the neck had been pinched. "Now?"

Jiang Jibai simply asked, "Are you willing to admit it?"

Qin Ji remained silent.

Jiang Jibai smiled: "Let's wait until we get home."

...

Second update delivered, double updates tomorrow~