Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Now that he had made up his mind to tell the truth, whether Zhao Siye and Xie Wumian could reconcile was no longer that important to Qin Ji.

But what's done is done, there's no turning back. Now, Zhao Siye is already cooperating with the Five Cities Military Command to examine the notes, and Pei Lian is in prison. If they stop now, those who followed suit and sold the exam questions won't be caught. Instead, the government keeps changing its policies, and Zhao Siye and Pei Lian will suffer the consequences, but the matter will be left unresolved. The court will truly lose face and become a laughing stock.

So he decided to go all the way and help Xie Wumian, while also winning over this wealthy merchant's loyalty, knowing that he would be useful in the future, whether for military operations in western Sichuan or for procuring supplies.

"Flat beans," Qin Ji said calmly.

A figure suddenly appeared in the shadows and knelt before Qin Ji.

Qin Ji asked, "After Xie Wumian went to Mr. Jiang's residence yesterday, what happened?"

"Mr. Jiang reassured Xie Wumian, asking him to observe the situation calmly, and promised to keep an eye on the court's developments with Lord Shen, and that he would not stand idly by while Zhao Siye remained unjustly accused."

How did Xie Wumian react?

"After he left the Jiang residence, although he still looked worried, he was much better than when he was anxious and disheveled after hitting walls everywhere."

The teacher indeed calmed Xie Wumian down. Knowing his nature, having promised a full-scale rescue, he couldn't stand idly by. Now that he knew it was all a setup, and because Qin Ji hadn't suggested Jiang Jibai conceal this from Xie Wumian, fearing Jiang Jibai would discover his true intentions and further uncover flaws in his identity, Jiang Jibai naturally wanted to keep Xie Wumian calm, lest he become anxious and frantic like a headless fly. However, this meant that delivering the "Buddha" might be difficult.

Qin Ji gently stroked the ribs of the folding fan: "Did the teacher tell him that Zhao Siye was assisting in the investigation at the Five Cities Garrison?"

"No, Mr. Jiang simply analyzed the suspicious points of the case with him from an outsider's perspective, without mentioning a word of what you said to him the night before."

Qin Ji paused, a myriad of complex emotions welling up in his heart.

Jiang Jibai is a gentleman, always upright and honest, yet he concealed this matter for him, presumably out of consideration for his "status" and fear that the news would leak and he would be unable to explain himself.

He still made things difficult for the teacher.

This matter can't be delayed any longer. Jiang Jibai promised Xie Wumian to save people, but he used an "absurd" truth to tie Jiang Jibai's hands. Jiang Jibai can still analyze the situation now and tell Xie Wumian to wait and see. If Jiang Jibai does nothing for a long time, how will Xie Wumian, as Zhao Siye's disciple, view Jiang Jibai?

The longer this drags on, the more difficult it will be for the teacher. We must speed things up, resolve this matter, and allow Zhao Siye to return home.

Since Xie Wumian is still unaware, let's provoke him one more time.

Qin Ji closed his eyes, his voice completely calm: "Have Shang Jingming cooperate with you to create the illusion that 'Zhao Siye' is suffering from inner turmoil, unable to bear the hardships of imprisonment, and seriously ill. Find a way to get this information to Xie Wumian's ears."

Lentil: "Yes."

...

The next day, Qin Ji took a break.

Upon entering the Jiang residence, he found both of his junior brothers there.

The four of them had breakfast together, and Qin Ji couldn't stand the sight of his two senior brothers.

Shen Jiangliu observes his nose with his eyes, and his heart with his nose.

Fang Yanqing felt uneasy, as if a thorn was in his back, and his head on his neck was not very stable.

Jiang Jibai put down his chopsticks and looked at Fang Yanqing: "Have you chosen a venue for the victory celebration banquet?"

Fang Yanqing quickly said, "I've chosen a place. My senior brother will accompany me to see it; I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Shen Jiangliu wiped his mouth with a handkerchief and put it aside: "If I don't go, this victory celebration banquet will probably have to be held at a roadside noodle stall, 15 coins a bowl, fair and square."

Upon hearing this, Qin Ji raised an eyebrow and added fuel to the fire: "It's actually 15 coins a bowl of braised noodles! Isn't it just 5 coins a bowl of plain noodles? Second Brother is really going all out, so generous!"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

Fang Yanqing wasn't easily offended. Despite being teased by both his senior brother and His Majesty, he showed no sign of annoyance, smilingly saying, "That stall has been around for twenty years, and the taste is absolutely superb. The essence lies in the soup noodles. I usually spend just one coin, drink my fill of water, and then nibble on a couple of bites of my own hot flatbread—a truly delicious meal, not to mention the braised noodles. It's a pity that my senior brother lacks appreciation for good food; he doesn't know its value and is only concerned with what's impolite—utterly vulgar!"

Shen Jiangliu: Heh.

Qin Ji: "Heh."

Jiang Jibai: "Heh."

The spray bottle spirit just sneered; he couldn't really get much money out of him anyway.

Jiang Jibai sneered, and that was it; he figured he might as well risk everything.

His Majesty is different; such a laugh could cost him his head.

Fang Yanqing's eyes flickered slightly, and he quickly said, "Junior brother, you don't know, do you? This is the first time I've ever treated you to a meal. I even specifically asked the noodle stall owner to give you an extra spoonful of peanuts, a plate of braised meat, and an egg!"

Shen Jiangliu lowered his head and drank his tea.

It's strange that Fei Bai was able to eat braised meat in front of Yan Qing. In fact, he ate three different things, not just braised meat. When did my second disciple become so generous?

Jiang Jibai's gaze swept back and forth between the two disciples, but he didn't say a word.

Qin Ji naturally noticed the teacher's slightly probing gaze.

The teacher's birthday is on the third day of next month. Now that things have come to this, he is all that matters. As long as he can keep his composure and manage to deliver the birthday gift to Jiang Jibai, this little flaw is nothing compared to his already riddled disguise.

But that didn't stop him from making a deep note of Fang Yanqing in his mental notebook.

How dare they pull such a dirty trick right under my nose! I'll chop this miser up sooner or later!

He turned to Jiang Jibai and said, "I don't care what I eat, but isn't your relative also going to Second Senior Brother's victory celebration banquet? Second Senior Brother... sigh~"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

Fang Yanqing: "..."

Since they're chatting face-to-face, it means their heads seem to be fine.

As for other places... well, Your Majesty's words won't make a difference...

Jiang Jibai stood up.

Fang Yanqing's skin tightened all over.

"Now that the venue has been booked, send out the invitations. You and Jiang Liu can discuss who else we should invite. Fei Bai, come with me to the study."

Fang Yanqing: "?" It wasn't me they were calling?

Qin Ji: "? Wait, aren't we going to resort to force?"

Me...?

Is he going to accuse me of making false accusations again?

Shen Jiangliu brought it up first!

Jiang Jibai, you're biased!

...

Yesterday's chapter is being added, and another chapter will be added tomorrow.