Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Qin Ji did not return directly to the palace after leaving Jiang Jibai's residence, but instead ordered Biandou to drive him to the villa.

The servants at the villa were all handpicked by Fu Lu. Under Qin Ji's instructions, they led the man to Shang Jingming's house without any prior notice.

The door was closed. The servant bowed to Qin Ji and then went forward to knock on the door.

Inside, Doctor Liang had just changed Shang Jingming's dressing. Hearing the knock, Shang Jingming assumed it was a servant bringing dinner and didn't think much of it, simply asking, "What is it?"

The servant whispered, "Young Master Shang, it's the young master who has come to visit you."

Upon hearing this, Shang Jingming's heart skipped a beat. He grabbed the bedpost and was about to get up when he hurriedly said, "Please come in quickly."

The servants in this villa called him Young Master Shang and Bian Yushu Young Master Bian. If it was just the word "Young Master," it must refer to one person, someone he wouldn't dare to offend even if he had eight hundred lives.

Doctor Liang was startled by his hasty actions and quickly pressed him back onto the bed, scolding Shang Jingming with raised eyebrows, "Don't get up so abruptly, the scab will crack open soon, and the injury will relapse!"

Sweating profusely, Shang Jingming struggled desperately, "I know, don't hold me down, I'll get up slowly!"

Do you know who's coming in? Just hold me down!

"Since it's the doctor's advice, just listen to it and don't get up and cause any trouble," Qin Ji said calmly as he stepped into the room.

Shang Jingming immediately fell silent, for His Majesty's words meant that he was exempt from rising to perform the rites.

Having lived in the villa for some time, he knew that although the servants there were well-trained, they might not all be aware of His Majesty's true identity. In addition, with Doctor Liang still around, he couldn't act too extravagantly.

"I was feeling dizzy last time and didn't have a chance to properly thank you, sir. I was quite excited to see you just now."

Qin Ji himself was still injured and didn't feel like exchanging pleasantries. He went straight to the point and asked, "How is your injury healing?"

Shang Jingming was somewhat flattered that His Majesty would care about his injury. "Thank you for your concern, young master. It's just a minor injury. I'm used to it, it's nothing."

As soon as he said it, Shang Jingming felt a little annoyed.

He was used to using phrases like "I'm used to it" to satirize Shang Yu at home, and hadn't quite changed his tone yet. Here, it sounded a bit deliberate, as if he was trying to sow discord between Shang Yu and His Majesty.

Speaking ill of one's father is a bit too much and might displease His Majesty.

Seeing His Majesty standing by the bed, Shang Jingming quickly gestured towards the chair next to him, changing the subject, "Please sit down, young master."

Before they had exchanged more than a few words, the servants had already started serving tea. Because the two wounded men, Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming, had stayed there, the chairs in the room were covered with thick cushions. Qin Ji sat down and drank tea without saying a word.

Shang Jingming secretly observed His Majesty's expression and found that His Majesty looked rather unpleasant. He thought that his words had just offended His Majesty, but it was too late to take back what he had said.

On the contrary, Doctor Liang did not notice anything unusual. He carefully explained Shang Jingming's injury to Qin Ji, "Young Master Shang is in good health. The wound has completely scabbed over. It will be a little itchy when the skin grows under the scab. This is normal. It will be fine after the scab falls off in a while."

The doctor seemed fairly conscientious. Qin Ji's gaze briefly swept over the lantern casually placed beside the bed. "What are your plans?"

Shang Jingming followed Qin Ji's gaze, composed himself slightly, and mentally rehearsed his words.

He didn't know what His Majesty's attitude was towards this. He had already misspoke once, so he had to be careful with his words and not let His Majesty think that he was full of resentment, acting impulsively, and unfit for important tasks.

Shang Jingming casually picked up the lampshade by the bedside and gently stroked the line of words written by Shang Yu. Suppressing the nausea in his heart, he said calmly, "There is a deep misunderstanding between my father and me. The estrangement cannot be eliminated overnight. But no matter what, my father cares about me and has raised me. When I recover and return home, I should apologize to my father."

Shang Jingming lowered his eyes and said something against his will, "If I hone my skills, I will be able to let my father see my strengths and prove myself to him if I have the opportunity in the future, thus eliminating the estrangement between father and son."

People at that time valued filial piety, so he could not openly admit his disobedience and lack of filial piety, much less speak of it aloud or present it to His Majesty, as this would be tantamount to ruining his own future.

Regardless of His Majesty's true intentions, he could not openly support Shang Jingming's disobedience and unfilial conduct. Before Shang Jingming's power is fully developed, he can only lie low and wait for the future.

Shang Jingming raised his head, a faint glimmer of expectation in his eyes, and asked meaningfully, "I just don't know if I'll have the chance to prove myself?"

Qin Ji took a small sip of tea, and instead of answering, asked, "Do you feel stifled?"

Shang Jingming's pupils contracted slightly. Others might have thought that His Majesty was referring to the estrangement between Shang Jingming and his father, and felt a sense of unease, but Shang Jingming did not think so at all.

Your Majesty means this: to compromise and submit, to lie low and wear the skin of a lamb in order to wait for the future—doesn't that feel stifling?

The sound of a heartbeat vibrated in Shang Jingming's ears. He swallowed hard. "When there is anticipation in your heart, you don't feel suffocated."

This statement can be interpreted as either an expectation of repairing the father-son relationship or an expectation of becoming fully capable. Shang Jingming, on the other hand, learned it very quickly.

Qin Ji put down his teacup and said, "By cultivating patience and perseverance, one can improve what one lacks. Even a fledgling bird will eventually grow full wings."

Shang Jingming licked his slightly dry lips, raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and his eyes shone brightly. "Jingming understands."

Qin Ji tapped his knuckles on the table, glanced at him, and said, "To accept a small beating and run away from a big one, to end up covered in blood and put your father in an unjust position, isn't that also a form of filial impiety?"

Shang Jingming barely suppressed the slight upturn of his lips. "What you say makes sense, young master. I have learned my lesson."

After giving Shang Jingming some pointers, Qin Ji casually instructed his servants, "Send Young Master Shang back to his residence after he recovers from his injuries."

"Yes."

Because of His Majesty's previous words, Shang Jingming understood the situation and did not show any resistance. However, His Majesty never gave a direct answer as to whether he would be given a chance. Even though he was already seven or eight parts certain, he was still a little uneasy until he got a definite answer.

Having achieved his purpose at the villa, Qin Ji did not intend to linger. He put down his teacup, placed his hand on the wooden table for leverage, and stood up without making a sound.

After walking slowly to the door, he suddenly seemed to remember something and casually said to Doctor Liang, "Make a few more batches of the ointment you gave Bian Yushu before."

Doctor Liang took two boxes of ready-made ointment from his medicine box and handed them to Bian Dou, who was attending him. He looked puzzled and asked, "Could it be that Young Master Bian's injury has not yet healed? It's been seven or eight days already, this shouldn't be the case..."

Qin Ji remained expressionless and casually explained, "That kid was spoiled by his family and developed a spoiled attitude. Now we're determined to discipline him, but his delicate skin can't withstand punishment... It's better to ask you for some ointment than nothing."

Although Doctor Liang did not know the relationship between the three young masters and had only met Qin Ji twice, after a brief observation, he clearly knew who was in charge in this mansion.

Judging from Qin Ji's tone, Doctor Liang assumed Qin Ji was Bian Yushu's elder brother and assured him, "Young master, rest assured, this medicine is a family recipe, highly effective, and not difficult to prepare. If needed, you can simply give the word. However..."

"Please feel free to speak."

"Young Master Bian seems well-behaved and polite, so he must have reformed," Doctor Liang said, observing Qin Ji's expression. "However, even the best medicine can't compare to showing some mercy..."

Bian Yushu's obedient appearance was indeed endearing, so it was not surprising that Doctor Liang had taken care of him for two days and spoken up for him. Qin Ji glanced at him and said, "I know what I'm doing."

After all, it was someone else's family matter. The young master over there seemed to be quite loved by his family, so Doctor Liang offered a word of advice and then stopped being so annoying, wisely shutting his mouth.

His Majesty actually took such a small matter to heart and personally went to get medicine for Bian Yushu.

After listening to the conversation between Qin Ji and Liang Dafu, Shang Jingming was amused for a while by the impending doom of his "arch-enemy," but at the same time, he thought to himself that this kid was really lucky and was quite valued by His Majesty.

Seeing Qin Ji step out of the room, he hurriedly said, "Young master, please wait. Please forgive me for not being able to see you off."

Qin Ji turned his back to him and raised his hand in response.

After Qin Ji left, Doctor Liang couldn't help but sigh, "Young Master Bian has quite the imposing presence. For some reason, I always feel inexplicably nervous when I'm in the same room with him."

Shang Jingming thought to himself: If you knew who this person was, you probably wouldn't just be nervous.

Wait, Young Master Bian?

Shang Jingming immediately realized what Doctor Liang had misunderstood, but he did not correct him.

It's not up to him to correct Doctor Liang's misunderstanding. Who knows, His Majesty might be using Bian Yushu's brother's identity to travel outside the palace. If he were to give an explanation and then act too clever for his own good, it wouldn't be good...