Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Fang Yanqing's knees made intimate contact with the floor tiles as she slid down in a perfectly proper kneeling position.

Qin Ji picked up the string of beads and rubbed it in his palm, shifting to a more comfortable position and leaning back on the throne. His tone was slightly surprised, "Second Senior Brother, what are you doing? Why are you being so formal?"

He kept saying "Why are you being so formal?" but maintained his airs of supreme authority, showing no intention of getting him up.

Fang Yanqing, utterly dejected, prostrated himself: "This student was blind and ignorant of Your Majesty's presence. I have offended you greatly and hope Your Majesty will forgive me."

Forgive me?

"Oh."

Qin Ji sneered.

That bastard, he dares to charge money for crickets right in front of you.

Right under the nose of the poison master, he took the opportunity to coerce him and extort money from him three times.

They even dared to charge 100 taels for a single jar of wine.

He even stole Jiang Jibai's medicine and then sold it back to him.

The sound of that "heh" made Fang Yanqing feel lightheaded, but Qin Ji found it exceptionally pleasant. A playful smile curved his lips as he leisurely asked, "Second Senior Brother, is my silver too hot to handle?"

It won't burn your hands, but it will burn your head.

Fang Yanqing tried to salvage his shaky head, and with a pained expression, reached into his sleeve to prepare to pay compensation.

Money can be made again, but life is only once.

Only 105 taels, only 105 taels...

While trying to mentally prepare himself, Fang Yanqing fumbled in his sleeve as if he had lost his parents, until his fingers found nothing. He suddenly realized that he was not allowed to bring any miscellaneous items into the palace examination, and he hadn't brought any money with him today.

It seems that fate has decreed that I should protect this...

Fang Yanqing hesitated, as if he wanted to speak.

He looked up and met His Majesty's sinister gaze, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

Money is just an external thing, it's all dirt, all dirt...

Survival is the most important thing.

Fang Yanqing stammered, "No cheating is allowed in the palace examination, and I don't have any money on me..."

Qin Ji lowered his eyelids, tossed his prayer beads onto the wooden table beside him, and said, "Fu Lu, where is my Longquan sword?"

Before Fu Lu could react, Fang Yanqing braced himself with both hands, glided forward, picked up the Buddhist beads, and placed them back in the dragon's claw. "I don't have them on me, but I have them at home. Students can write IOUs, and I can leave nine times and return thirteen times!"

So, there's no such thing as a miserly person who refuses to pluck their feathers.

The knife wasn't sharp enough.

Isn't that being sensible?

Qin Ji chuckled and twirled the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand: "I don't want your money."

Fang Yanqing's heart skipped a beat.

If you don't want money, then you must want something else.

As we all know, free things are often the most expensive.

Fang Yanqing held his head in his hands, his resolve firm. His mission today was to get out of here alive.

Fang Yanqing's expression was one of utter desperation: "Paying back debts is a matter of course. I will definitely pay this money, and I'm ready to write this IOU!"

Qin Ji glanced at him sideways: "Why are you being so formal with me, Second Senior Brother?"

Fang Yanqing was alive, but his life was in danger.

Weak, helpless, and pitiful.

Qin Ji moved his fingers: "Good fortune and prosperity."

Fang Yanqing was terrified, fearing that His Majesty's next words would be—"Go and fetch the Longquan sword."

Fortunately, His Majesty quickly issued a clear order: "Serve me pen and ink."

Fang Yanqing slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

If they are willing to accept his offer to write an IOU, it means that the matter is considered closed.

Fu Lu was very efficient. He quickly laid out the Xuan paper in front of Fang Yanqing and handed her the brush.

Fang Yanqing dipped his brush in ink, bent down, and prepared to start writing.

Before the pen even touched the paper, Qin Ji slowly uttered two words: "Wait."

Fang Yanqing paused.

Qin Ji twirled his prayer beads: "Write as I say."

...

This is the second update; it's a bit short on words, I'll make up for it tomorrow.