Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Qin Ji had never experienced such a miserable Mid-Autumn Festival in his entire life.

He was beaten badly, and his whole body ached. He couldn't enjoy the moon or drink wine; he could only lie on the bed. In the small, square room, he was alone, with no one to serve him. He could only call for Biandou if he wanted a drink of water.

Bian Dou, a mere bodyguard, knew nothing about serving others. When he poured tea, it was either too hot or too cold; he was utterly inconsiderate and had to dart around on the roof.

Qin Ji lay there expressionless, inwardly cursing Jiang Jibai.

That damned Jiang Jibai! He kills people but doesn't bury them. He ran away so fast, and he didn't even come to attend to me when I was ill.

What if I need to get up at night? What if I need a drink of water?

Qin Ji, clutching his pillow, grew angrier and angrier with each curse, feeling increasingly aggrieved. Just as he was about to throw the pillow away in his anger, the door creaked open.

Jiang Jibai walked in, carrying a teapot in one hand and a food box in the other, and bumped into Qin Ji's face full of resentment.

Intimidated by the poison master's presence, Qin Ji suppressed his urge to throw the pillow away, and looked at Jiang Jibai with pleading eyes, his eyes slightly red, "Why are you here again?"

The word "again" clearly indicated unwelcomeness, but the expression obviously didn't reflect that. Jiang Jibai was willing to bet that if he were to leave like this, his ancestors would cause a huge uproar.

Ignoring his minor temper, Jiang Jibai put down the food box, poured a cup of tea from the teapot, and handed it to Qin Ji.

The tea was amber in color, and the aroma of flowers was enticing. Although Qin Ji had just drunk tea, he still "reluctantly" took a sip. "Osmanthus tea?"

It's a little hot, but since you still have some conscience, I'll be magnanimous and won't hold it against you.

Jiang Jibai opened the food box layer by layer, took out the candied fruit, mooncakes and a plate of sliced ​​honeydew melon, placed them on the low table, and then carried the whole thing to Qin Ji's bedside. He then sat on a stool and said, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is inconvenient for you to drink osmanthus wine, but osmanthus tea can be used as a substitute."

Qin Ji held the teacup in his hands and looked at it for a while, until his elbows got a little sore, before he casually put the teacup down.

Jiang Jibai handed him a plate of mooncakes, pointing to each one, "These two are nut-filled, this is jujube paste, this is red bean paste, and this is salted meat. Which one would you like?"

Qin Ji casually picked one up, and Jiang Jibai patted him on the head, smiling as he said, "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival."

The red bean paste melted in his mouth, leaving a sweet aftertaste. Qin Ji looked at Jiang Jibai's gentle smile, swallowed the mooncake in his mouth, and muttered, "We still have to admire the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival."

With the sound of a stool shifting slightly on the floor, Jiang Jibai got up, walked to the window, and opened it. The evening breeze carried a soft ray of moonlight onto Qin Ji's bedside.

Qin Ji looked out the window and saw the perfect full moon. His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long while, he finally pressed on, saying, "Enjoying the moon indoors isn't quite as enjoyable as it should be."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Ji felt Jiang Jibai's gaze fall on his face. The burning pain in his body had not yet subsided. Qin Ji pouted and wisely said, "If it doesn't work out, then..."

"Ancestor." Jiang Jibai sighed deeply, but in the end, he granted his wish and helped him up from the bed.

Qin Ji, flattered and surprised, slipped on his shoes and was half-carried and half-helped into the courtyard.

Uncle Li, the gatekeeper, busied himself setting up a bamboo bed in the courtyard, wiping it clean, laying out a mattress, and placing pillows on it.

The cook, Aunt Wu, moved the food to the yard.

Jiang Jibai helped Qin Ji onto the bamboo bed, smiled and wished Uncle Li and Aunt Wu a "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival," and gave them generous rewards before letting them go home to celebrate the festival with their families.

The master and apprentice sat and lay down, bathed in the soft moonlight, drinking osmanthus tea and chatting idly.

After exchanging only a few words, Qin Ji started scratching his arm and then his leg, finally poking Jiang Jibai's back with his finger.

Jiang Jibai glanced at him and saw that he looked like he was about to cause trouble again, his gaze already carrying a hint of warning.

Under his warning gaze, Qin Ji said guiltily, "Why don't we go back inside? It's nice to enjoy the moon from inside."

This is not my fault.

There wasn't even a servant in the dilapidated house to swat away mosquitoes.

In the past, when he wanted to enjoy flowers and the moon, Fu Lu had already thoughtfully arranged for eunuchs and palace maids to swat away mosquitoes and catch cicadas, ensuring that he could enjoy the flowers and the moon to his heart's content. There was never a time when he would be bitten all over by mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes, damn it!

Jiang Jibai has failed to properly serve His Majesty!

"Fine, I won't reply then. Your eyes are so fierce... Or, why don't you swat away the mosquitoes?"

I am truly understanding and have made great concessions. Jiang Jibai, do not take this for granted and become arrogant and ungrateful.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Jiang Jibai grabbed him and dragged him back to his room. He was also slapped several times on the back, making Qin Ji see stars in pain, and he kept jumping towards Jiang Jibai.

Insolence! Jiang Jibai, stop! I've already said we can't fight anymore.

Waaah, can these few hits be deducted from the 12 hits I owe?

Qin Ji covered his buttocks and lay back down on the bed in the room, cursing under his breath.

Jiang Jibai pulled his arm over, rolled up his sleeve, and applied the ointment.

Qin Ji was slightly taken aback. He hadn't paid much attention to the red marks left by the vines when he used his arm to block them. It was probably Jiang Jibai who saw the bumps on his arm.

Jiang Jibai put down the ointment and scolded in a low voice, "Stop it. You have to meet the emperor tomorrow. Get some rest and recharge your energy."

"Teacher, will you stay and keep me company?" Qin Ji asked.

"Hmm." Jiang Jibai touched his forehead.

Qin Ji was pampered and suffered a severe injury this time. Jiang Jibai was afraid that he would develop a fever at night and there would be no one to take care of him, so he simply stayed in the east wing to keep him company.

Jiang Jibai lowered the curtain to shield the candlelight, then took a book and sat by the window to read.

Qin Ji received an affirmative answer, looked through the bed curtains at the figure sitting by the window, and closed his eyes with peace of mind.

This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is different from previous years. There are no red walls and green tiles, no palace servants surrounding him, just a small house and someone willing to teach him well and accommodate him.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival to you too!

Jiang Jibai looked over and saw that the boy had already closed his eyes in sleepiness, and his even breathing could be heard in the east wing.