Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Their eyes met, and Qin Ji caught a glimpse of the turbulent undercurrents lurking beneath the icy surface of Jiang Jibai's eyes. That fleeting, almost imperceptible disappointment momentarily startled Qin Ji, who was usually adept at manipulating people from behind the scenes.

He quickly calmed down and then, in an even more flustered manner, tried to deflect blame, saying, "Teacher, His Majesty gave the order, and I... had no choice."

Perhaps the occasion of the palace was inappropriate, for Jiang Jibai did not react excessively. His tone was calm, yet every word revealed restrained anger: "What a convenient excuse! If you have such a convenient excuse today, how many more will you have when you enter officialdom?"

"Bian Shidu, if this is your determination to benefit the people and speak up for them, I wish I had never accepted you."

Qin Ji reached out to tug at Jiang Jibai's sleeve, but only managed to grab a handful of air. He watched Jiang Jibai's retreating figure, seemingly having figured out the result he wanted, yet still feeling a sense of loss.

After seeing Jiang Jibai off outside the palace, Fu Lu bowed as he entered the Qianzheng Hall to await orders, but he keenly sensed the unusual atmosphere.

He was the only one besides Bian Dou who knew that Qin Ji would occasionally leave the palace incognito. When Qin Ji summoned Jiang Jibai and asked him to bring him his everyday clothes, he had already realized the difference in the relationship between His Majesty and Jiang Jibai.

Although he didn't know what had happened inside the hall, and the scholar's expression didn't seem too unusual when he saw Jiang Jibai off, His Majesty's expression was clearly not good. Therefore, he was particularly careful with his words, "Mr. Jiang has left. Would this servant like to help Your Majesty change your clothes?"

"By imperial decree, on this Mid-Autumn Festival, all officials may enjoy the time with their families to admire the moon. There will be no grand court session tomorrow, and the meeting with several key officials will be postponed until the afternoon."

The Great Yin Dynasty held its grand court sessions every three to five days, without any specific rules. These sessions were mostly for discussing state affairs with important officials. It was not uncommon for these discussions to be postponed due to festivals. However, it was unusual for His Majesty to bring this up suddenly after meeting with Jiang Jibai. Just as Fu Lu was about to speak, he heard Qin Ji call out, "Bian Dou."

A figure emerged from the shadows and knelt before Qin Ji, saying, "Your Majesty."

Qin Ji smoothed out the wrinkles he had made on his sleeves as he had pretended to shake them, and said to Bian Dou, "Take me out of the palace."

But it's already evening!

Fu Lu was shocked and was about to dissuade him when another imperial edict struck him like a bolt from the blue: "I will stay outside the palace tonight and do not want anyone to notice. You can make the arrangements."

Fu Lu was incredulous. "How are we supposed to arrange this?"

Qin Ji glanced at him, his tone slightly raised, "Are you asking me?"

Fu Lu replied decisively, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I've got it covered!"

Watching His Majesty being led away by Lentil, Fulu bit his handkerchief, on the verge of tears.

Your Majesty, you are making things difficult for this humble servant!

……

There is no curfew during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

After leaving the palace, Qin Ji did not go directly to Jiang Jibai's small house. Instead, he took Bian Dou to the night market to buy dried meat, celery, dried longan, lotus seeds, red dates, red beans, and other items.

The carriage stopped in front of Jiang Jibai's two-courtyard house. Biandou was ordered not to show himself without permission, so Qin Ji went up to knock on the door himself.

He thought he would be turned away, but when the gatekeeper saw that it was him, he let him in without saying a word and took the initiative to lead him in. He walked around the screen wall and through the hanging flower archway. The light from the study shone through the paper window and cast the shadow of a person sitting at his desk reading by lamplight.

The gatekeeper saw him off and turned to leave. Qin Ji stepped forward, knocked on the study door, and said softly, "Teacher, it's me."

Jiang Jibai put down his book and simply said one word, "Go in."

Qin Ji pushed open the door and stepped into the study. Before he could even stand still, Uncle Li, the doorman, rushed in without a word, put down a bench, and then rushed out again without a word, even "thoughtfully" closing the door behind him.

Only the master and his apprentice remained in the study.

Qin Ji's gaze swept over the bench placed in the center of the study, then landed on Jiang Jibai in front of the desk. His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, as if he were somewhat at a loss. "Teacher."

Jiang Jibai sat in his chair, looking down at Qin Ji who was standing by the door. He uttered two words: "Kneel down."

Qin Ji had never heard anyone say those two words to him so sternly in his entire life.

Amidst the novelty, his two legs resembled steel bars attempting to bend, and the king's pride seemed to be battling with some unknown emotion.

Jiang Jibai rubbed his temples, suddenly feeling a bit tired. "If you think that I, as a teacher, am not worthy of your kneeling, you can leave now."

Qin Ji concealed his complex emotions in his eyes as he looked at the person sitting behind the desk, his expression a mixture of fear and grievance. "I thought you didn't acknowledge me anymore after what you said to me in the palace."

Jiang Jibai's gaze fell on Qin Ji's face. "I was so angry back then that I shouldn't have said those things to you."

"You are still young, not yet of age, serving the emperor and receiving His Majesty's decree. You dared not disobey for a time and did such a thing. Although you made a mistake, it is not unforgivable."

"As your teacher, I should teach you well, not beat you to death with a stick and say hurtful things to your heart."

"I can apologize to you."

Qin Ji's fingers twitched, then clenched into his palm. "Then can you tell me why what I did was wrong?"

"Impersonating His Majesty, disregarding the proper relationship between ruler and subject, is a grave mistake that turns the world upside down."

"It is wrong to treat state affairs as a game by receiving me on his behalf."

"His Majesty has issued an edict, and you have groveled before him, failing to dare to offer any advice to the monarch. This is a mistake."

Qin Ji fidgeted with his fingers, staring down at the floor tiles before him. "And what about His Majesty? Has His Majesty done anything wrong?"

Jiang Jibai stared at Qin Ji for a long time before slowly speaking, "Disregarding one's status, treating a subject as one's ruler, damaging the emperor's dignity, and shaking the foundation of the Great Yin Dynasty is wrong."

"How could you not govern the country well? Your Majesty is skilled at employing people, and we, your ministers, will each perform our duties and share your burdens."

"It is a mistake to issue such an order to you, which could lead to the confiscation of your property and the destruction of your clan, without considering the difficulties you are in.

"It's just killing a servant, how can that be considered immoral? You rule the world, you are the supreme ruler, if you want to kill him, then he deserves to die, the fault lies with him, not you."

"It is a grave mistake to indulge in frivolous entertainment and playful games during the Mid-Autumn Festival while treating national affairs as child's play."

"Reading is mentally taxing. Since you say you have a headache, it would be good for you to rest for a few more days. Your Majesty's health is of utmost importance."

Jiang Jibai's words and Wang Jing's words from back then intertwined in Qin Ji's mind, causing his brain to buzz. His heart felt like it was tied to a horse, jumping faster and faster with each leap, pumping all the blood in his body to his head. Suddenly, the two steel bars in his legs bent down, and his knees hit the ground.

"You are my teacher, so kneeling before you is the right thing to do. There's no question of whether it's worth it or not."