Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The following day marked the last day at the Yushan hunting grounds, signifying the end of this year's autumn hunt.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Shang Jingming ascended the high platform and respectfully accepted the precious bow bestowed upon him by Qin Ji. Cheers erupted from below the platform, and for a moment, he was the center of attention.

He caught the most prey and also saved the emperor's life, so he deservedly won first place.

Even Shang Jingming's father, Shang Yu, received many congratulations from his colleagues.

"Truly, heroes emerge from among the young!"

"The Vice Minister's method of educating his son is something we greatly admire."

Like father, like son.

Shang Yu was pleased with his son's success, and humbly replied, "Not at all, it's just that Your Majesty has shown me too much favor."

"Lord Shang is too modest. Everyone has seen your son's abilities. The other young men lost fair and square. His Majesty has a discerning eye for talent."

"Yes, at such a young age, he has already saved the emperor's life; his future is limitless."

Shang Yu said politely, "You flatter me. I thank you all on behalf of my son."

When Shang Jingming came down from the platform and returned to Shang Yu's side, Shang Yu praised him without reservation, "Well done, keep up the good work."

Shang Jingming couldn't remember the last time he had received a compliment from Shang Yu.

Seeing Shang Yu's beaming smile, seemingly genuinely happy for him, Shang Jingming felt no emotion whatsoever, only calm.

Whether it was causing trouble or diligently practicing martial arts, he had once desperately sought his father's approval and wanted to draw his father's attention to him. Now, having made an appearance before His Majesty, he had achieved it effortlessly.

He is no different in ability from him in the past.

The only difference is that he broke free from a cage, no longer craving the faint paternal love that Shang Yu had given him, and began to pursue his own value.

Shang Jingyan is twelve years old this year, which is exactly the age limit set by His Majesty, so he also participated in this autumn hunt.

He was young and focused on his studies, so he wasn't very skilled in riding and archery. He only followed his father around and hunted some roe deer and other wild animals, never even considering the prizes offered by His Majesty.

Seeing that Shang Jingming had obtained the precious bow, he couldn't help but feel curious. "Brother, may I try out the bow His Majesty bestowed upon you?"

Shang Jingming was no saint, and he couldn't feel much brotherly love for Shang Yu and Feng Jiqin's son. Even if he had in the past, he had been so affected by the harmonious family life of the two of them that he had nothing left. He just said coldly, "You're too young to draw this bow."

Having been rebuffed, Shang Jingyan gave up trying to win him over and simply shut his mouth in frustration.

On the contrary, Shang Yu's smile faded.

Shang Jingming is the eldest son, and he believes that the strict requirements he has placed on him over the years are a sign of high hopes.

However, Shang Jingming is unfilial to his stepmother, often speaks rudely to her, and shows no affection for his brothers. He is narrow-minded and has no resemblance to an heir.

He felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, but perhaps mindful of the fact that they were at the hunting grounds, he didn't unleash it on the spot. So he simply ruffled Shang Jingyan's hair, gave Shang Jingming a meaningful tap, and said to Shang Jingyan, "I have a six-force bow that I used for practice when I was young. If you write an article that is rated as first-class by your teacher, I will give it to you."

Receiving the bow his father had used was a great reward for Shang Jingyan, and he nodded happily, saying, "I will work hard."

Seeing the harmonious relationship between the father and son, Shang Jingming returned to the group without saying a word.

In the past, he probably wouldn't have been able to swallow this insult and would have retaliated with sarcastic remarks.

Now that he has no expectations of Shang Yu, he naturally has less resentment and injustice.

He doesn't need to be confined to the meager gains before him; with His Majesty's presence, he has his own world to explore.

Besides Shang Jingming's outstanding performance in the autumn hunt, Lin Suizhi, the son of the Left Guard General, also performed remarkably well.

The young man, who was in his early twenties and already held the rank of seventh-grade military officer, was promoted by Qin Ji to a low-ranking sixth-grade personal guard.

Regardless of rank, the imperial guards are His Majesty's close advisors, representing His Majesty's trust and regard.

Lin Suizhi was deeply grateful, while Shang Jingming in the group secretly envied him.

Although His Majesty promoted him from a commoner with no official rank to the sixth-rank commander of the Five Cities Garrison, a promotion greater than Lin Suizhi's from seventh to sixth rank.

But the Imperial Guards are different; in His Majesty's heart, they hold far more weight than the commanders of the Five Cities Garrison.

To Shang Jingming's surprise, after the autumn hunt and the bestowal of rewards, His Majesty summoned him.

Qin Ji stared at the person kneeling below for a long time before gently tapping the table. "Do you know why I appointed you as the commander of the Five Cities Garrison?"

Shang Jingming had indeed pondered this question, but he didn't have many clues. "Your subject is dull-witted."

"The first time I saw you, you and Bian Yushu were fighting in the street. The people of the Five Cities Garrison were caught in a dilemma and dared not offend either of you."

When His Majesty brought up the old matter again, Shang Jingming knelt even more upright, saying, "Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation."

This incident resulted in him being punished with forty strokes of the cane by the Emperor, but it also brought a turning point to his fate.

He dares not forget, much less will he forget.

Qin Ji looked at the people kneeling below with a leisurely air. "Now you are the commander of the Five Cities Garrison."

Shang Jingming: "..."

What does it mean that the way of heaven is cyclical and that fortune turns like a wheel? Does Your Majesty intend to fight poison with poison?

"You can only truly understand the difficulties of the Five Cities Garrison if you're in their shoes," Qin Ji tapped the table again with his knuckles. "Can you, the former spoiled brat, control those idle young masters on the streets who spend their days loafing around, fighting cocks and chasing dogs?"

The description of him as a "spoiled brat" made Shang Jingming, who was kneeling below, and Bian Yushu, who was standing behind Qin Ji trying to remain a bonsai, both feel a little guilty.

Shang Jingming didn't dare hesitate for a second, guaranteeing as if making a solemn pledge, "It can be cured!"

"Go back to where you stumbled before, and let others stumble in the same way. If any more spoiled brats bully others, fight, or harass respectable women on the streets, and such behavior reaches my ears..."

Qin Ji closed the folding book in his hand and put it aside. "The law will deal with them, and I will deal with you."

Shang Jingming: "Your subject obeys the decree."

After Shang Jingming left, Bian Yushu, who had been treating himself like a potted plant, was brought up by Qin Ji with a single sentence.

"Did Yang Xiuyun come to see you?"