Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The punishment was finally over. Bian Yushu took two deep breaths, wiped away her tears, and slowly stood up, leaning on the bench. She then knelt down in front of Qin Ji to express her gratitude.

Qin Ji dismissed the chief eunuch and had Bian Yushu kneel closer. "Is your mind any clearer now?"

Bian Yushu nodded like a chick pecking at rice.

Qin Ji asked, "What should we do if we encounter something like this again?"

Bian Yushu obediently replied, "I will explain everything to His Majesty in detail."

He was quite self-aware, skipping over the second option Qin Ji offered him.

Qin Ji glanced at him indifferently and sneered, "It seems that Young Master Bian's ass is a bit smarter than his brain."

Bian Yushu blushed crimson from the Emperor's teasing and whispered, "Teacher."

Although she's not quick-witted, she can switch between calling someone "Your Majesty" and "Teacher" with remarkable ease, as if she were born knowing how to please others.

Doctor Liang and Fu Lu are both willing to speak up for him; who can say that isn't a talent?

If Bian Yushu's teacher were anyone else, they probably wouldn't feel comfortable having such a clear-headed and guileless person accompany him. But since Bian Yushu's teacher was him, as long as Bian Yushu was honest enough in front of him, he wouldn't have to worry about anything.

What a lucky boy!

"You are my study companion and a close advisor to the emperor. In the future, countless people will try to use you to gather information and have you speak on their behalf to me. If you continue to act so foolishly, you will eventually be used until nothing is left of you."

Qin Ji pinched Bian Yushu's chin, frowning slightly as he looked at the tear stains on his face that resembled those of a cat.

Fulu immediately took the initiative to wet and wring out a handkerchief, then handed it over. Qin Ji casually rubbed the cat's face clean.

Bian Yushu was being wiped on the face by His Majesty's chin. Although it hurt, he was flattered and dared not continue to trouble His Majesty. In his struggle, he pulled on his wound and gasped softly in pain.

"From now on, I'll speak and do less, and observe more in front of outsiders. If I can't feign profound mystery, I can at least pretend to be silent and sparing with my words, right?"

Qin Ji tossed the handkerchief back to Fu Lu, saying, "If anyone asks for your help again, just reply 'I'll consider it for a few days,' then turn around and ask me, 'Do you understand?'"

Bian Yushu carefully noted down His Majesty's words and nodded earnestly.

Qin Ji picked up the book beside him and tapped it against Bian Yushu's leg. "We're leaving for the autumn hunt tomorrow. You even got a beating today. Have Fulu take you down to check your injuries. Will you be able to ride a horse tomorrow?"

Bian Yushu ignored the pain; her face was practically burning red. "N-no, it's nothing."

Fu Lu smiled and bowed, saying, "Young Master Bian, His Majesty specially asked Doctor Liang to prepare a plaster for you. Some has been prepared in the palace. This servant will take you down to apply the medicine."

Upon hearing that His Majesty had specially asked Doctor Liang to prepare the ointment, Bian Yushu was immediately moved to tears, saying, "Your Majesty has gone to so much trouble."

Qin Ji glanced at Fu Lu, but didn't refute him. He tossed the book aside and said, "Then stop being foolish and save me the trouble."

Bian Yushu nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "Mmm!"

...

The next day was the day the emperor set off for the hunting expedition at Yushan.

With the imperial guards leading the way and the imperial carriage escorted by them, followed by officials, and with Qin Ji issuing an edict that officials of the fifth rank and above should bring their children, the scale of this year's hunt at Yushan was even larger than in previous years, with many energetic young faces mixed in with the thousands of people in the procession.

Qin Ji's imperial carriage was spacious and comfortable, and he simply leaned against the soft couch, idly flipping through the miscellaneous notes in his hand.

Despite the long journey, Fu Lu knelt down beside Qin Ji to massage his legs.

Bian Yushu, as a companion, rode his horse beside the imperial carriage. With his black hair adorned with a hairpin, upright posture, and handsome face, he appeared exceptionally refined and elegant among the imperial guards protecting the carriage.

Because he thoroughly implemented His Majesty's instructions to speak less, do less, and observe more, he maintained a blank expression and remained silent throughout the journey. His refined and handsome appearance transformed into a cold and unapproachable demeanor, which was quite intimidating.

Qin Ji put down his notes, lifted the curtain, glanced at the handsome young man on the green horse, then casually lowered the curtain and scoffed, "A pretty face, but he's putting on quite a show."

Although it was a derogatory remark, Fu Lu did not miss the faint smile on His Majesty's lips, and quickly chimed in, "Young Master Bian has kept His Majesty's teachings in mind. With your guidance, even a stone can be carved into a beautiful jade, let alone Young Master Bian, who is a beautiful jade to begin with."

Although Qin Ji knew Fu Lu was just flattering him, he still found the words agreeable and decided to ask, "How are his injuries?"

Although at first glance he appeared tall and expressionless with a cold demeanor, his slightly pale lips and the hint of red at the corners of his eyes still revealed a lot of information. Qin Ji was all too familiar with the way Bian Yushu endured the pain.

Before setting off today, Fu Lu applied medicine to Bian Yushu and then reported truthfully, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, after applying the medicine and waiting overnight, he is much better. However, he will still feel a little uncomfortable riding a horse."

After Fu Lu finished speaking, he added with a smile, "If Young Master Bian knew that you had inquired about his injuries, he would surely be grateful for your immense kindness."

Qin Ji leaned back, closed his eyes to rest, and said, "He should be taught a lesson so he can be properly enlightened."

After a moment, just as Fu Lu heard the even breathing and thought His Majesty had fallen asleep, and was about to cover him with a light blanket, he heard His Majesty mercifully speak again, "These next few nights, after setting up camp, quietly go and apply some medicine to him, without disturbing anyone else."

"Yes."

...

Bian Yushu was unaware that the people inside the imperial carriage had been discussing his injuries for a while; if they had known, they probably would have wanted to disappear into the ground.

He had already used up all his energy just to maintain his riding posture and facial expression.

His riding skills were only average to begin with, and he didn't have calluses on the sides of his legs from riding horses for a long time. Riding horses all day long was already a bit too much for him, not to mention that he was also injured.

If it weren't for the fact that everyone was watching, he would have burst into tears. He could only grit his teeth and hold on, maintaining a "cold" expression on his face.

He is His Majesty's study companion. If he were to cry while riding a horse, it would be too embarrassing for His Majesty and would be a laughing stock. He might as well just hang himself.

I endured it, even though the pain was so intense I saw stars, and I actually made it through the whole day. When I got off the horse, my legs were practically floating.

The thought of arriving in Weichang in three or four days made Bian Yushu feel dizzy and hopeless.

The main force stopped to set up camp, and the cooks started a fire to cook. He couldn't help much. His Majesty saw that he was restless and dismissed his attendants. The tents were not yet set up, so he couldn't go in to rest.

Bian Yushu walked through the camp with a cold face. Every now and then, the Imperial Guards would take the initiative to greet him. It wasn't that he was particularly famous, but as a companion, he had been riding alongside the imperial carriage all day, making him very conspicuous. It would be difficult not to recognize him.

His Majesty's study companion may very well become one of the Emperor's most trusted advisors in the future. Who wouldn't greet him politely upon meeting him?

Bian Yushu was too busy enduring the pain to care about how warm others were to him. He would just nod politely and walk past without looking to the side, which fooled quite a few people into thinking that he was arrogant and aloof.

Bian Yushu crossed the camp for no other reason than to go further away, to find a secluded place, to find a large rock to lie on for a while. Even if there wasn't a large rock, it wouldn't matter; it would be good enough if he could cry quietly for a while without anyone hearing him.

It hurts so much, ouch.

Tears were about to well up in his eyes; he was about to burst into tears.