Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

After the reassurance work was completed, Jiang Jibai, along with Qin Ji, Shen Jiangliu, and Fang Yanqing, went together to dig up all the wine that had been buried before the New Year.

Shen Jiangliu has one jar, Fang Yanqing has one jar.

Qin Ji, having just joined the sect this year, received two jars of algae and unceremoniously stuffed Fang Yanqing's jar into his carriage as well, leaving Fang Yanqing with only a handful of soil.

Fang Yanqing regretfully patted the mud off his hands, but then felt relieved thinking about the hundred taels of silver. He turned to Shen Jiangliu with a warm smile on his face: "Senior Brother, you only have the wine brewed by our teacher, but no one to drink it with. It must be quite tasteless. Why don't I, your junior brother, drink this jar with you? It's better than drinking alone, which is tasteless."

Shen Jiangliu smiled: "Want some?"

Fang Yanqing smiled brightly, like sunshine.

"Easy." Shen Jiangliu held out his hand, saying succinctly, "Give me half the silver."

Fang Yanqing's smile vanished, and she clutched her pocket: "Then forget it."

He then sidled up to Jiang Jibai, fawningly massaging Jiang Jibai's back: "Teacher~"

Jiang Jibai had witnessed the interaction between his eldest and second disciples. On one hand, he felt that harmony within the sect was just around the corner, but on the other hand, he couldn't help but worry.

It is said that one becomes like the company one keeps, and one should emulate the virtuous when one sees them.

Why don't my three disciples learn from the good qualities of the other party? Instead, they all seem to be developing into all five vices.

Listen to this, what do you mean by "I'll share half the money"?

The eldest disciple never had this problem before, nor would he go to him to tattle on his junior brother.

Moreover, Jiang Jibai didn't know if it was just his imagination, but he felt that his second and youngest disciples were becoming increasingly sharp-tongued.

Jiang Jibai was enjoying the rare treat of his disciple when he glanced at his second disciple, who was diligently massaging his back. Just as he was considering whether to share some of the massage with him to set a good example of respecting one's teacher for both his senior and junior disciples, a death ray struck Jiang Jibai squarely on the forehead.

I bought it for one hundred taels of silver!

Jiang Jibai, if you give it away for nothing, I'll chop Fang Yanqing up!

Jiang Jibai: "..."

Jiang Jibai clenched his right fist, pressed it to his lips, and coughed lightly: "Have you decided who to invite to the victory celebration banquet?"

The teacher changed the subject, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation.

Fang Yanqing clicked his tongue regretfully, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands and said, "Besides your cousin Jiang Xu, there are several of my fellow townsmen and classmates, as well as several of your old friends, Headmaster Yu, and Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhao."

"Now that your newly brewed wine has been opened, why don't you invite these gentlemen to have a taste?"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

The idea was perfectly reasonable, and Fang Yanqing felt that he was simply a genius.

Qin Ji listened to this long list of people without expression, thinking that Fang Yanqing's entire family could be burned as expendable material.

With Jiang Jibai's birthday fast approaching, he didn't want his fishnet outfit, which was exposed on all sides, to burst at this crucial moment.

It's better not to go to this victory celebration banquet.

Fang Yanqing suddenly remembered something and asked, "But the specific date for the victory celebration banquet hasn't been set yet. I wonder when Lord Jiang will arrive in the capital?"

Jiang Jibai: "It will be in the next two or three days."

Fang Yanqing pondered that Lord Jiang's trip to the capital was for a promotion, and he would likely be staying there permanently, probably with his family. It would take several days for him to settle in, so he suggested, "How about we set the date for May 20th?"

Jiang Jibai did not make a decision immediately, but instead gave his junior disciple an unfriendly glance.

If we only consider Jiang Xu, May 20th would be a suitable date. However, apart from Jiang Xu, Zhao Siye and Pei Lian are also trapped in the Wucheng Military Command.

He asked casually, "Feibai, in your opinion... which day would be suitable?"

Why did he ask His Majesty about his victory celebration banquet?

What kind of riddle is this?

Fang Yanqing sensed something was wrong and his gaze darted back and forth between his teacher and His Majesty.

He then looked at Shen Jiangliu.

Shen Jiangliu sipped his tea with his eyes downcast, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.

Fang Yanqing's eyelids twitched.

The eldest brother seems to know the inside story; it turns out he's the only one kept in the dark.

As expected, the second oldest has always been ostracized!

In Jiang Jibai's view, Qin Ji's fingers twitched under his sleeve.

Rather than asking when would be a suitable day to hold Fang Yanqing's victory celebration banquet, Jiang Jibai was more likely asking when Zhao Siye would be able to leave the Five Cities Garrison.

Qin Ji naturally hoped that Fang Yanqing's victory celebration banquet would be held as late as possible, preferably after the third day of the sixth lunar month, so that everything would be settled and there would be no risk to his plan to be honest.

But if these words were spoken, it would mean that the elderly Zhao Siye would be trapped in the Five Cities Garrison for another twenty days, and Pei Lian would also have to endure many days of "torture" in prison.

Jiang Jibai's earlier reprimand was still ringing in his ears.

Moreover, he had already decided to settle Zhao Siye's matter as soon as possible, so as not to make things difficult for Jiang Jibai in front of Xie Wumian.

But... even if he's released, the celebration banquet can be postponed. Once the invitations have been sent out, the die is cast. Even if Zhao Siye is released ahead of schedule, the date of the celebration banquet is already set in stone.

Qin Ji was unwilling to give up. "Wouldn't May 20th be a bit too rushed? Lord Jiang needs a few days to rest. He's being promoted and coming to the capital, and according to custom, he should submit a memorial requesting an audience and wait for His Majesty's summons. Wouldn't it be inconvenient if the dates clashed..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qin Ji felt Jiang Jibai's gaze, a gaze that was neither too light nor too heavy, silencing his unfinished words.

Qin Ji knew he still had unresolved grievances to settle. Although his teacher was temporarily not holding it against him because he was unaware of the details, it did not mean that he could turn a blind eye to the fact that Zhao Siye was being used as bait to continue to be tormented.

Since we can't postpone it to the third day of June, it doesn't matter which day it is.

Qin Ji tugged at his sleeves and changed his mind without changing his expression: "Then let's make it May 21st."

Fang Yanqing: "..." No, what's the point of postponing this day? You plan to summon Jiang Xu on the 20th?

...

First update delivered. Second update will be later. I'm working hard to reach 600 words today, so the update time will be delayed until 1 PM. Keep up the good work, everyone!