Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After giving pointers to his two apprentices, Qin Ji tapped the folding fan in his palm and gripped the fan.

His Majesty's gesture of bringing this matter to a close caused the two young men on the couch to relax a little.

Before Qin Ji could speak, the boy lying on the outside suddenly mustered his courage and moved slightly. Immediately afterward, Qin Ji felt his clothes being tugged.

Qin Ji glanced out of the corner of his eye at the boy who was looking at him.

Bian Yushu felt a chill run down his spine as he was caught in the Emperor's stern gaze, his courage dwindled, and he began to consider retreating.

The thought flashed through my mind for a moment, but was quickly pushed to the back of my mind by the desire in my heart.

Although his mortal enemy may have had ill intentions in teaching him the methods, his father also said that His Majesty had taken good care of him, and that he could occasionally set aside the difference in their status and treat His Majesty as a teacher whom he respected and relied on.

Bian Yushu mustered her courage and encouraged herself in her heart.

Never mind, let's try anything!

The cheap eldest disciple remained silent for a long time, his face growing redder and redder, seemingly struggling with something. Just as Qin Ji was about to tease the silly roe deer, his sleeve was gently tugged again.

"You hit me, you hurt me."

Bian Yushu's complaint was delivered haltingly and without any force, like a kitten with its paw pads showing.

"Last time, you applied medicine to Shang Jingming."

Qin Ji raised an eyelid: "So?"

Bian Yushu trembled slightly under His Majesty's gaze, but still stammered softly, "So, I want some too."

Goodness, this silly roe deer has gotten bolder. It doesn't even bother with asking "please" or "can you?" It just says "I want some too," as if it's demanding a debt.

Where did you learn these unlucky tricks?

Qin Ji raised his hand to scare him.

Bian Yushu shrank back in fright, but her grip on Qin Ji's clothes showed no sign of loosening. She stammered, "Teacher..."

Qin Ji scoffed lightly.

Before he could speak, Fulu had already brought the ointment closer, a forced smile plastered on his face: "Your Majesty."

Qin Ji took the ointment, then deliberately teased him, "You think you can get me to rub your butt just because you call me 'teacher'? You think it's that easy?"

"Go outside and ask around. Who has the audacity to order around their sovereign and father like you?"

Bian Yushu teared up, her heart aching.

Why is it so difficult to get His Majesty to apply medicine to him personally? His Majesty has clearly done it to his mortal enemy several times already, sob~

Looking at his pitiful-looking eldest disciple, Qin Ji found it somewhat amusing: "Tell me, who gave you this terrible idea? As long as you reveal the mastermind behind it all, I will grant your request."

Bian Yushu's eyes lit up.

Shang Jingming's body trembled.

Before Bian Yushu could betray his mortal enemy, Shang Jingming calmly tried to move inward. He had just stretched out one leg when the folding fan ruthlessly pursued him.

Shang Jingming instinctively flinched halfway, but flashed back in the Emperor's sight, resignedly letting his wound make intimate contact with the folding fan. He gasped and clasped his hands together, begging for forgiveness: "I was wrong, I was wrong, Jingming won't dare to do it again."

Bian Yushu was gloating as his nemesis failed to frame him and was punished.

Qin Ji put down his folding fan, picked up a clump of ointment, melted it in his palm, and gave him a cool glance: "Is your joke funny, Junior Brother? Didn't you want me to apply the medicine for you? Are you waiting for me to personally pull down your pants?"

Bian Yushu blushed from the three consecutive questions, buried her head in the pillow like an ostrich, pulled her trousers down a little, and her ear tips turned a pomegranate color.

Thirty small bamboo slaps left the wounds bruised and swollen. When Qin Ji applied the medicine to the wounds, Bian Yushu shuddered in pain and gripped the pillow tightly with both hands.

His Majesty's technique for rubbing the wound is not as good as that of Eunuch Fu.

Even though he finally got his wish and enjoyed the treatment of His Majesty massaging his wounds, Bian Yushu was still in so much pain that he saw stars, as if he had been beaten up again.

When Qin Ji stopped, Bian Yushu looked as wilted and miserable as a frostbitten eggplant.

Ha! Border official, you're a dragon lover.

Qin Ji chuckled inwardly and took the handkerchief Fu Lu handed him to wipe his hands.

Bian Yushu pulled up her trousers, wiped away the tears that had welled up from the pain, and quietly moved closer to Qin Ji.

Qin Ji put down the handkerchief, and a fluffy head poked over and rubbed against his arm.

Qin Ji lowered his eyes and met a pair of doe eyes filled with dependence and affection.

"Thank you so much, you're so kind to Yushu!"

If you're going to express your gratitude, then express it. Why are you being so coquettish?

Qin Ji unconsciously twitched his fingers and pinched his cheap eldest disciple's cheek. Then he pressed the silly deer down on the pillow, patted his back, and signaled him to rest.

Qin Ji scooped out another dollop of ointment, spread it evenly in his palm, and said with uncanny foresight, "Next."

Shang Jingming: "..." This sounds so strange.

Qin Ji: "Didn't you also want me to apply the medicine for you? Are you waiting for me to personally pull down your pants?"

Shang Jingming: "..." You don't need to say it.

Bian Yushu glanced sideways at his arch-rival beside him, and scoffed, "Tch—"

Wanting something but not daring to say it, what a coward.

We can only rely on his help.

Shang Jingming: "..."

...

In April, the two examiners appointed by Qin Ji finally delivered the list of examination results to Qin Ji's desk, awaiting his final decision.

Qin Ji opened the long list, and the name in the first column immediately caught his eye.

Shen Lun, the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, and Cai Si, the Minister of Rites, you two have failed to live up to my high expectations. How did you become the chief examiners?

Why are all sorts of oddballs and scoundrels being stuffed into the imperial court?

This place isn't for collecting junk!

Those two good-for-nothings can't even figure out what the higher-ups want. They should both be dismissed! They should both be exiled!

Shen Lun was unaware that His Majesty had already mentally dismissed them as worthless. On the surface, however, he still showed some joy: "Although this year's imperial examination aims to select more successful candidates and has relaxed the restrictions, the candidates of this year are no less outstanding than those of the past. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they are a great source of talent."

Cai Si stroked his beard and agreed, "Indeed. Since His Majesty assumed personal rule, he has favored virtuous ministers and distanced himself from sycophants. It seems that all the talented people in the world have sensed His Majesty's thirst for talent, as the imperial examinations have been held one after another this spring. The top ten papers are all brilliant and full of talent. Old Shen and I were dazzled by them and spent a lot of effort to rank them."

"Is that so?" Qin Ji pointed to the first name without expression. "If that's the case, what's so good about Fang Yanqing's essay that made him stand out from all the other papers and be chosen as the top scholar?"

...

First update delivered. Second update will be after midnight, so you can check it tomorrow morning. Today's goal has been achieved, so let's continue with double updates tomorrow!