Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After speaking the truth and incurring severe punishment, Qin Ji was completely rendered powerless.

Qin Pacai hugged his pillow and enjoyed Jiang Daru's pampering, occasionally ordering Jiang Daru to bring him tea and water.

"What did you tell Chief Minister Zheng after I ran away?"

Jiang Jibai's hand tightened slightly, and he asked indifferently, "So, you've remembered there's someone else you need to clean up your messes now?"

Qin Ji declared confidently, "That was because I had complete faith in your abilities!"

Jiang Jibai wasn't buying it. He said in a nonchalant tone, "What else can I say? Of course, I'll tell Chief Instructor Zheng that my little disciple couldn't hold his liquor and was drunk out by Pei Lian."

"My alcohol tolerance is worse than his?" Qin Ji slammed his fist on the bed and roared, "You've ruined my reputation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the tap was slammed hard. "Is being able to drink so much something to brag about?"

Qin Ji rubbed his forehead: "Chancellor Zheng believed that?"

Jiang Jibai smiled helplessly: "Fortunately, my reputation as your teacher is still quite strong, so he didn't say anything, just exchanged a few polite words and that was it."

Qin Ji clicked his tongue and said, "First you rejected my offer to recruit you, then you couldn't even invite your disciple. Doesn't that make you look bad, Chief Minister Zheng?"

"You've really offended this person," Qin Ji concluded.

"I don't think Chief Minister Zheng is such a petty person," Jiang Jibai said with a hint of regret. "It's just a pity that I'll never have the chance to see those books in the Imperial Academy's collection."

"What? The Imperial Academy's collection of books?" Qin Ji's ears perked up.

Jiang Jibai didn't hide anything from him: "Chancellor Zheng invited me to lecture at the Imperial Academy on the condition that the Academy's collection of books be used as collateral."

The books in the Imperial Academy are roughly equivalent to my own books. Aren't my books easy to manage?

Qin Ji assured him, "I'll help you find a solution."

Jiang Jibai glanced at him: "Don't tell me you're planning to investigate Zheng Jijiu's secrets and then use them to blackmail him?"

"How could that be?!" Qin Ji immediately denied it. "It's just a few books, nothing that complicated. I'll have my men steal them for you to see, and then we can put them back without anyone noticing, right?"

Jiang Jibai picked up the accessories and gave him a lecture.

Qin Ji wriggled from side to side like a maggot: "Hiss—it was just a joke, just a joke, why are you taking it so seriously?"

"It's just a few books. Isn't it easy for me to ask His Majesty for a favor and borrow them to read? Why would I need to steal them?"

Jiang Jibai: "That's what you call being so rude!"

Qin Ji rolled to the side, baring his teeth: "If you hit me again, I won't help you borrow the book. Go read it in your dreams!"

"You've even learned to threaten me now?" Jiang Jibai raised his hand.

Qin Ji cautiously moved to the side.

A smile flickered in Jiang Jibai's eyes as he ruffled the boy's hair: "Then I'll leave it to you."

The boy let out a soft hum: "That's more like it."

After the master and apprentice talked for a while, Qin Ji suddenly remembered something and looked at Jiang Jibai out of the blue: "You came to see me in person. Those candidates from Songjian Academy have all seen your face. I'm afraid your 'Master Gu' disguise can't be maintained anymore."

Jiang Jibai smiled faintly, seemingly unconcerned: "It's alright. Originally, Headmaster Yu invited me because the provincial examination was approaching. Now that the palace examination is over, it's a good time for me to retire gracefully."

"It doesn't matter if we're exposed."

"I see." Qin Ji was not very satisfied with this answer.

Seeing his junior disciple's disappointed look, Jiang Jibai found it somewhat amusing and deliberately sighed, "What can I do? How can my disguise be more important than your safety? Even if I can't keep up the disguise, even if I'm surrounded and chased at Songjian Academy, and the threshold of my residence is worn down, I still have to send you messages."

Qin Ji was finally satisfied. He suppressed his almost outstretched smile and grumbled, "Sweet talk!"

...

More than half a month after the palace examination ended, the top ten examination papers selected by the chief examiner were sent to Qin Ji's desk, along with the list of those who passed the imperial examination.

The final decision on the top ten rankings rests with Qin Ji.

The others were fine, but the rankings were more controversial for two people.

One is Fang Yanqing, and the other is Pei Lian.

The examiners clearly divided Fang Yanqing into two factions.

One group believes that this person is a great talent, daring to speak and think, and whose words are insightful and meaningful, and should be the top scholar.

Another group believed that Fang Yanqing was merely seeking popularity and slandering the court, and that his writing was only meant to attract attention. They felt that, given his decent literary talent, placing him at the bottom of the second tier was more appropriate. Fu Xingjian, on the other hand, was no less talented than Fang Yanqing in writing and scholarship; his writing was steady and profound, and his arguments were supported by evidence. He was deemed worthy of the top scholar position.

As for Pei Lian, he performed quite well this time.

The main controversy is not about his article, but about his young age. If he were placed in the third-place position, he might become arrogant. He could be placed in the top two positions.

Some examiners believed that he should be put under some pressure and properly tempered, as he would surely become a great talent in the future.

Another group believes that rankings should not be affected by reasons outside the examination hall or unrelated to the exam paper. The so-called "suppression" may seem to be for the good of the candidate, but it is actually unfair in grading.

Qin Ji listened to his endless arguing, then wearily pinched the bridge of his nose before finally making the final decision.

"Appoint Fang Yanqing as the top scholar, Fu Xingjian as the second-ranked scholar, and Pei Lian as the third-ranked scholar. The rest need not be changed."

...

Second update delivered! Goal achieved. Double updates tomorrow! Something to do the day after, so the event will be suspended for one day, with either a single update or no update at all. The event resumes on Wednesday. Love you all! *flying kisses*