Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After Jiang Jibai had persuaded his second disciple, he thoughtfully applied the medicine for him. He put down the porcelain bottle and was washing his hands when his eldest disciple led his youngest disciple outside the study.

He dried his hands with a cloth and said, "Come in."

The two disciples entered the study together.

Jiang Jibai keenly sensed that the atmosphere between the two disciples was somewhat unusual.

The older one had a straight gaze and an upright posture, but based on Jiang Jibai's understanding of him, he seemed to be lost in thought.

The younger one looked around, appearing slightly uneasy. When his gaze fell on Fang Yanqing, he seemed to be drawn to him, staring intently at his second senior brother's pale face.

The two disciples did not interact at all throughout the entire process. Even when their eyes accidentally met, they would tacitly and peacefully look away.

Peaceful?

That's strange.

The junior disciple has always been hostile towards his two senior brothers, always stirring up trouble even when there's nothing going on.

When the eldest disciple pulled him out, he said, "I'll go and talk to the junior brother about the principles of brotherhood."

Will the young disciple be convinced? Will he listen to reason?

He had always known that his junior disciple was quite arrogant and didn't take his two senior brothers seriously, often calling them by their first names. He had corrected him several times, but the junior disciple was unmoved. This time, he didn't complain about his senior brother as soon as he entered the door. Instead, he looked embarrassed and uncomfortable. Had the sun risen in the west?

Seeing Fang Yanqing fidgeting under Qin Ji's gaze, Jiang Jibai cleared his throat and coughed, "Did your senior brother explain the reasoning to you?"

Although this statement did not name names, those who felt they were being referred to still took it personally.

Qin Ji rolled his eyes and glanced sideways at Shen Jiangliu: "Anyway, he didn't mistreat his mouth."

He then added dismissively, "His Majesty's appointment of him as concurrently serving as the Imperial Censor is truly a waste of his talent."

Faced with His Majesty's sarcastic remarks, Shen Jiangliu remained unmoved, keeping his eyes down and his mind focused.

Fang Yanqing felt that what was said was absolutely right, but at the same time, he questioned his life because the words came from His Majesty's mouth.

Seeing his reaction, Jiang Jibai knew what was going on and smiled faintly, "It seems you've taken it to heart."

Qin Ji was displeased with these words and felt somewhat unwilling. Just as he was about to say something, Jiang Jibai's next sentence arrived.

"It doesn't matter who said it. The most important thing is that you're not someone who doesn't listen to advice. You're smart and insightful, and you can distinguish between good and bad."

After being showered with compliments by Jiang Jibai, Qin Ji's resentment vanished in an instant.

He pursed his lips slightly, looking a little awkward: "Good to know."

The teacher has figured out His Majesty's pulse.

Shen Jiangliu seemed oblivious to the interaction between the master and disciple, continuing to serve as a background figure.

Fang Yanqing compared the boy in front of the teacher, whose hair had been smoothed out, with the emperor who had previously threatened and intimidated him, and still felt disillusioned.

Jiang Jibai glanced at his three disciples, each with their own thoughts, and said slowly, "It's getting late. Jiang Liu, take Yanqing to rest first."

Sending two people away—the signal conveyed by that statement was far too obvious.

Qin Ji's eyelids twitched.

Shen Jiangliu felt a sudden unease.

Fang Yanqing almost cracked.

Shen Jiangliu stepped forward, blocking the line between his teacher and His Majesty: "Junior Brother is reasonable. It's good that the reasoning is clear. Besides, he has to be on duty tomorrow. Teacher, you're overtraining; be careful your arms don't become uneven."

Jiang Jibai: "..." You really know how to talk.

Fang Yanqing seemed to have forgotten the pain from her injuries, and pushed Jiang Jibai out, saying, "Teacher, if you don't believe in anything else, can you not believe in Senior Brother's words? If he says he has explained the principles, then he must have explained them clearly and plainly. Where would you have a chance to use your skills? You must be tired too, come wash up and go to sleep with me."

Jiang Jibai: "?"

When did his eldest and second disciples become so united in their opinions, and know how to protect their junior brother?

When did Fei Bai and his two senior brothers become so close?

Isn't it considered righteous to mind your own business and not kick someone when they're down?

Qin Ji: "..."

My good fortune...

have a finger in the pie.

You two were caught by the teacher! I'll chop you both up!

Shen Jiangliu took the opportunity to wink at Qin Ji, urging him to leave quickly.

Fang Yanqing blocked his teacher's view to prevent him from glancing at His Majesty again.

If he were to insist on leaving him to be dealt with by the teacher at this point, it would seem too deliberate and like he was asking for trouble. Qin Ji couldn't bring himself to do it in front of Shen Jiangliu and Fang Yanqing.

Since things had come to this, he had no choice but to go along with it. "Shall I leave?"

Jiang Jibai tacitly agreed to the matter and did not object.

After the junior disciple left, he glanced indifferently at the two disciples, who immediately released him.

Jiang Jibai smiled: "It's rare to see you guys showing such camaraderie."

As Fang Yanqing straightened the wrinkled clothes his teacher had been shoved, he lamented with heartache, "Junior Brother only stirred things up with a few words, right? If you punish him for this, he'll hold a grudge against me. How am I supposed to get along with him properly in the future?"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

His gaze shifted to Shen Jiangliu.

Shen Jiangliu remained calm. "I just explained the principles of camaraderie to him, and I need to put them into practice in front of him, otherwise it would all be empty talk. Why don't you take this opportunity to forgive him and let him feel the protection of a senior brother? He'll be more likely to accept me then, and that'll demonstrate camaraderie, won't it?"

"Since when did you become so eager to get along with your junior brother?"

Shen Jiangliu: "Haven't we always been like this?"

"When have I ever proactively sought out him?"

"Then why don't you take the initiative to get along with your second junior brother?" Jiang Jibai asked curiously.

Shen Jiangliu: "Given his greedy and shameless nature, would you really want to build a good relationship with him and let him take advantage of you?"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

Fang Yanqing: "..." Just perform opera, I refuse to engage in any comparisons or disparagements.