Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

This is the second time Qin Ji has been punished with a cane.

No matter how much you curse in your heart, the pain won't lessen in the slightest.

If the pain last time was within a reasonable range, this time Qin Ji felt like he was being stabbed.

Jiang Jibai, take it easy. You're slapping a precious dragon's buttocks, not an iron plate.

Finally, Qin Ji fell off the bench. The rattan cane that Jiang Jibai was holding, hanging diagonally, looked like the most terrifying instrument of torture in the world to him, and he immediately looked away, "Teacher~"

The weak "Teacher" he uttered was uttered with a thousand turns of its voice, and both of them knew how much it implied pleading for mercy.

Jiang Jibai neither urged him nor said he would let it go, which was tantamount to making a statement.

Qin Ji saw through his ruthlessness. While crying, he crawled slowly onto the bench with a pale face, saying, "I will never dare to do it again," trying to evoke a trace of pity in the person in front of him.

Jiang Jibai remained unmoved and proceeded with his actions as usual.

Qin Ji's cries shook the heavens.

The young apprentice's reaction was, as always, slightly exaggerated.

It's understandable that those who are pampered are less tolerant of punishment, but Jiang Jibai knows exactly how much punishment to impose.

On the thirteenth beat, Qin Ji let out a sob, his hands gripping the edge of the bench, his fingertips turning bloodless white from the pressure. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, and cried for a while longer.

On the eighteenth strike, Qin Ji braced one leg on the ground, turned around, blocked the vine with his arm, and then grabbed it with his other hand.

He looked directly at Jiang Jibai, his voice weak but his tone unwavering, "Teacher, you can't hit him anymore."

The atmosphere froze almost instantly. These words might be acceptable if spoken by someone pleading for leniency, but for the person being punished to say them, especially with such a defiant attitude, inevitably made him seem unruly.

Jiang Jibai and Qin Ji locked eyes. Qin Ji's eyes were red at the corners, and there were still traces of water on his eyelashes. His eyes, washed by tears, could not hide the sharpness and power in that instant.

Jiang Jibai saw a serious look in his eyes, not just a resistance or begging for mercy because he couldn't bear the pain, so he gave him a chance to plead his case and uttered two cold words, "Reason."

If this continues, he cannot guarantee that he will be able to get up and discuss politics with the ministers tomorrow afternoon; state affairs cannot be delayed.

This reason could not be told to Jiang Jibai. Qin Ji looked into Jiang Jibai's eyes and slowly said, "Tomorrow afternoon, His Majesty will inquire about the matter of summoning him on his behalf yesterday."

Even if one is to serve as a companion to His Majesty, it is not impossible to ask for leave.

With his father and brothers not around, Bian Feibai probably had no one to remind him of the essentials and taboos of serving the emperor, as evidenced by his two overly bold actions.

Jiang Jibai originally wanted him to rest for a few days "due to illness" so that he could be properly taught to prevent him from causing any more trouble. However, if His Majesty wanted to summon him, it would be inappropriate to suddenly ask for sick leave.

Jiang Jibai threw the rattan into the wooden tub. Qin Ji breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of the rattan hitting the water, but his heart skipped a beat the moment Jiang Jibai spoke. "I'll remember the rest for you. If you make a mistake again, I'll make you pay for it all."

In short, none of them can be missed.

Qin Ji muttered a few curses about "poison master" in his heart, and tried to stand up, but found that even moving his fingers caused him a sharp pain, so he simply tugged at Jiang Jibai's sleeve.

He said imperiously, "Teacher, help me up and apply the medicine."

He acted like he was the one who had hit him and that he was the one who should clean up the mess, as if he were the one who had cried while clinging to Jiang Jibai's legs earlier.

Jiang Jibai couldn't help but admire his audacity, and raised his voice, "Haven't you had enough?"

Upon hearing the three words again, Qin Ji's body moved faster than his brain as he tumbled off the bench. He braced his elbows on the bench, his face contorted in pain, and he let out a pitiful groan, "It hurts, I can't get up."

It's always like this; after getting beaten, she dares to act cute with him.

Jiang Jibai finally managed to half-lift, half-carry his delicate little disciple to his feet. Just as he was about to take him to the side room to apply medicine, he heard the troublesome little rascal speak again, "Wait a minute!"

Jiang Jibai had no idea what kind of trouble he was up to this time, but he still slowed down and listened to him finish speaking.

"I'd like to ask Uncle Li to go to the carriage and get me something."

Seeing that he was leaning on him with most of his weight and could barely stand, Jiang Jibai said, "I'll ask Uncle Li to get it for you after I take you to your room."

Qin Ji shook his head, "No, I want it now."