Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

The tone of his voice sounded somewhat like a genuine apology. Jiang Jibai glanced at the boy, who was obediently propping himself up from the desk with trembling arms, and said, "Another twenty jin will be imposed. Remember what I said."

Qin Ji felt he had already received enough good fortune today and didn't want any more, but due to Gu Huaijin's intimidation, he accepted this extra "good fortune" and didn't make any further struggles. "Yes, teacher."

Qin Ji was in so much pain that he felt dizzy and his eyes were filled with a hazy, watery light. He was inhaling involuntarily while occasionally letting out painful howls, and his arms, which were supporting him on the table, were trembling like leaves.

Although he was in a lot of pain and cried quite pitifully, Qin Ji didn't try to dodge this time. He instinctively tensed his body, leaned forward slightly, and after darting out a little, he cried and returned to his original position. He looked as pitiful and docile as could be.

Waaah, Gu Huaijin, if it weren't for the fact that you're still... passable, I wouldn't have let you keep beating me!

I've been so cooperative, can't you be a little gentler? If you lose face at tomorrow's morning court, I'll have you beheaded!

After grumbling and cursing, Jiang Jibai finally made it halfway through, then bypassed the previous spot and pointed downwards.

Qin Ji breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that it was really good that the remaining items wouldn't be piled up in places that couldn't bear the weight.

The moment the next blow landed on the junction of his leg and groin, Qin Ji's relaxed expression froze instantly. He clutched his groin and jumped up, tears streaming down his face. "It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"

The skin here is thin, so it is naturally more difficult to deal with. Jiang Jibai's last few blows were originally intended to teach this audacious little apprentice a lesson, but Qin Ji was inexperienced and had no mental preparation at all, so his reaction was inevitably exaggerated.

Jiang Jibai had never seen someone so agitated after being punished; he'd witnessed it firsthand today. He thought to himself, "As expected of a pampered brat who's never been disciplined by his elders."

Jiang Jibai remained silent, tapping the desk twice with a rattan cane, producing a crisp sound.

Qin Ji was startled by the knocking sound, wiped away his tears, and forced himself to stay calm.

Jiang Jibai showed no mercy and only stopped after hitting the target number of times.

Qin Ji's sobs nearly lifted the roof off. He gripped the edge of his desk with both hands, his legs trembling. He would cry twice, bury his face in his arms to wipe away his tears, then cry twice more and wipe them away again. His sleeves were soaked with sweat.

To Jiang Jibai's surprise, although the little rascal cried and his voice became hoarse, he didn't beg for mercy. He was quite cooperative, perhaps because he really had a sense of remorse.

The lesson was over. Qin Ji's elbow went limp, and he slumped onto his desk. After a long while, he stared with rabbit-like eyes, craning his neck to nervously look behind him. "I hope I'm not bleeding anymore?"

Oh no, oh no! If he bleeds, how will he go to court?

If you claim to be ill, the imperial physician will definitely come.

If one doesn't claim illness, is that attending court? It's like torturing one's own noble dragon buttocks!

Before he could examine it closely, the waist sash fell to the ground, and a cool handkerchief was placed on Qin Ji's fiery buttocks. Jiang Jibai, seeing his flustered appearance, said with amusement, "Don't worry, it's nothing."

Jiang Jibai may be ruthless, but he's not unaware of priorities.

Bian Feibai only gets a ten-day rest, and tomorrow he has to enter the palace as a companion reader, so how could they possibly beat him until his skin is bruised and bleeding? They merely used some techniques to make him suffer enough pain, but not to the point that he couldn't get up. It's just that he will inevitably be restless for a while, which might arouse the suspicion of the shrewd Emperor.

But isn't it just right that His Majesty noticed something amiss?

Seeing that Qin Ji had recovered a little, Jiang Jibai picked up a handkerchief and helped him to the couch in the adjacent room, where he lay down. Then he poured some medicated oil into his palm and rubbed it on Qin Ji's wound. Qin Ji winced in pain as the oil was rubbed, and tears almost welled up in his eyes again. He let out a soft "Ugh" and silently bit the corner of the blanket.

While massaging his wounds, Jiang Jibai calmly instructed him, "When you get to the palace tomorrow, sincerely apologize to His Majesty."

"If His Majesty notices your injuries, he will say that he was merciful and only punished you with twenty strokes of the cane. You will feel ashamed and will go back to your residence to request the family punishment yourself."

"His Majesty is magnanimous. Seeing your genuine remorse, he will not hold it against you. In time, his opinion of you will change. Don't be afraid, and there's nothing to be anxious about."

Hearing Jiang Jibai's words, a strange feeling crept into Qin Ji's heart.

Is he trying to comfort me? Is he saying these things because he's afraid I'll be anxious? This cheap teacher... is alright, though.

No, when did I ask for family discipline myself? I was clearly beaten up by you!

Gu Huaijin, you are the one who encouraged Bian Feibai to deceive the emperor!

You dare say I'm audacious? You're the audacious one!

Qin Ji gritted his teeth and asked, "When did I request family discipline? Isn't this deceiving the emperor? You just said I was too bold and that's why you beat me..."

Hearing his gritted teeth, Jiang Jibai assumed it was from the pain of rubbing his injury, so he lightened his grip slightly and raised an eyebrow. "Your father isn't in the capital, so you're having your teacher carry out family discipline on your behalf. Is there a problem?"

Qin Ji: "………………"

Gu Huaijin, you're truly something else.

So this is how you fooled me!

Damn, there really aren't any problems.

Gu Huaijin, you're despicable!