The next day, while serving as an attendant, Jiang Liannan presented a sheet of paper covered in devil talismans.

Glancing at him, Leng Xu's facial expression remained unchanged, but Jiang Liannan keenly sensed his change in mood - he was unhappy!

He glanced at Jiang Liannan, who was standing respectfully by the side, and asked, "When did you write this letter? How much effort did it take?"

Jiang Liannan didn't dare to lie, so he could only hang his head and say, "I just wrote it, it took me fifteen minutes."

Leng Xu just wanted to see him goofing off and not taking things seriously, right? Well, he would put on a show for him! After all, for a troublemaker like himself who always left things to the last minute, this kind of procrastination came naturally and required hardly any effort at all.

But why isn't he happy? Look at himself, he should be satisfied with his appearance!

Jiang Liannan was truly puzzled.

Leng Xu saw him bowing his head and speaking in a muffled voice, completely resembling a child who had half-heartedly done his homework and was being scolded by his father/brother/teacher. Unable to help it, he couldn't maintain his smile and soon his lips pressed into a straight line. "Look at your handwriting, it looks like you wrote it while lying down, is there any difference from yesterday? Clearly, you didn't listen to my words and practice properly!"

Jiang Liannan lowered his head even further.

Leng Xu picked up the nearby ruler and said, "Put your hand out."

Jiang Liannan suddenly looked up, looking at him in surprise and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Stick it out!" Lan Xu stared at him with her deep, dark eyes, her face filled with fierceness.

Jiang Liannan could only pitifully extend his hand and softly beg for mercy, "Be gentle."

"Hmph!" Leng Xu snorted coldly. "You didn't listen to my words! Ten strikes!" As she spoke, she lifted the ruler high in the air and with a loud "smack," it landed in Jiang Liannan's palm.

The fair and tender palm immediately left a red mark.

Jiang Liannan was in so much pain that tears came out of his eyes. However, he held back his emotions and bit his lip to prevent himself from crying.

With a "pah", the second slap landed on the palm of Jiang Liannan's hand, leaving him feeling numb from the pain.

"Clap clap clap," it was three consecutive strikes, followed by six more. Jiang Liannan almost dodged with each hit. Though mischievous at home, he still behaved and never made Jiang Jinsheng too angry. Therefore, he had never experienced such a torturous punishment before, feeling extremely aggrieved in his heart.

I really just want to have fun and be lazy instead of studying diligently. I'm already indulging myself in pleasures, so why do I have to punish myself?

"You bullied me..." Jiang Liannan said with a tearful voice after completing this sentence, surprised even herself.

Leng Xu was also startled for a moment, then said, "Who told you not to listen to what I said?"

Jiang Liannan had nothing to say. After all, he was the emperor. Did he need a reason to control and torment people?

But the more he thought about it, the more he felt wronged, and the more he cried, the more heartbroken he became. He always felt that he had already lived such a difficult life, so why did the other party have to make things difficult for him like this? Punish him?

Seeing him crying so heartbrokenly, Leng Xu felt a trace of unease. His body trembled with every sob, which tugged at Leng Xu's heartstrings. He gazed at him for a while, then his attitude softened. However, his face still remained stern as he said, "Extend your hand, let me take a look."

Jiang Liannan obediently reached out his hand, tears welled up in his eyes as he looked at him, a mixture of acting cute and reproaching: "It's all purple, I can't write anymore, it's useless, wuwuwu..."

Leng Xu couldn't help but laugh at his words, unable to keep a straight face any longer. She said, "I clearly see that I can still hit a few more times..."

Jiang Liannan immediately looked up, tears welling up in his eyes as he stared at him in astonishment and fear. Seeing the smile on his face, he realized that he was making fun of him, which made him even angrier. He said, "How could there be someone like Your Majesty, hitting someone and then finding amusement in someone else's expense..."

The corner of Leng Xu's lips lifted higher, unable to resist using his right hand to flick his forehead.

" You don't need to serve me today, go back to the Lü Qi Xuan."

Jiang Liannan held his forehead where he was hit, hesitated for a moment, then quickly said, "I retire" and turned around to run away in a flash.

Leng Xu saw him run out hurriedly and turned to look at Qin San, who was standing by. He said, "Tell Shi Yi to take the box of medicine to Green Qi Pavilion."

Qin San quickly responded, "I understand, Master."

After thinking for a moment, Leng Xu added, "Also, bring three more preserved plum candies."

Qin San still respectfully saluted.

Although puzzled as to why the Emperor would treat a lowly attendant with such kindness, it was not their place as servants to speculate on such matters. Their only duty was to faithfully carry out His Majesty's orders.

However, perhaps this Young Master Jiang should also take better care of himself.

So, when evening came, Jiang Liannan was like a great master, with his right hand spread out, being fed spoonfuls of food by Bi Shan.

"Why did you make His Majesty unhappy?" Bipei asked from the side.

Jiang Liannan became unhappy as he mentioned this matter. Pouting his lips, he discontentedly said, "It's all because of handwriting practice. I didn't practice seriously, so he wanted to punish me by slapping the palm of my hand. You guys don't know, he slapped me so hard, it was incredibly painful! He even slapped me ten times in a row! My own father has never hit me like that!"

In his heart, he thought, who does Leng Xu think he is? What right does he have to bully me like this!

Afterwards, he was also given medicine and candied plums as compensation. Was this supposed to be a consolation? He couldn't care less!

Bishan, who was feeding him, glanced at his swollen and bruised palm with pity and said, "Sir, you don't know, our Emperor really dislikes it when others disobey him or don't listen to him. If you keep brushing him off like this, it might make him angry. The slap on your hand was considered light; if it were someone else, they might have received a beating."

Jiang Liannan was still sulking and couldn't help but say, "Humph, even if I have to be punished, let him beat me to death. He's always bullying me!"

Bipei couldn't help but laugh and said, "Hey, this young master has quite the courage."

Jiang Liannan reacted abruptly upon hearing this. He suddenly realized that everyone around them were people associated with Leng Xu. If Leng Xu were to hear these words, he would be in deep trouble.

He immediately hesitated and said, "I-I was just throwing a tantrum as well, it's only fair that people get to hit others, why can't I sulk by myself?"

Both Bishan and Bipei couldn't help but cover their mouths and burst into laughter.

Jiang Liannan became increasingly depressed and felt that Leng Xu truly possessed the qualities of an emperor. He could change the situation effortlessly and wield power as he pleased. Jiang Liannan couldn't grasp his temperament no matter how hard he tried - What exactly did he want from me?

If he were to study and write, he would be unhappy, fearing that someone might surpass him in talent. If he were not to study and write, he would still be unhappy because no one would listen to him.

Oh, so what he means is that he wants me to listen to him and study and write according to his instructions. But even if I study, the articles I write are incomprehensible, and my handwriting is worse than his. Is that what he wants?

After contemplating for a while, Jiang Liannan finally felt that he had grasped a faint understanding of the "holy intention" in this matter, and decided to adhere to this principle in the future.

That evening, when Bishan came to inform the Emperor about Jiang Liannan's situation, the Emperor's ninth uncle, Prince Qian, was also present.

After listening to Bi Shan's detailed report, Leng Xu waved his hand to dismiss her and asked the uncle next to him, "Uncle, what do you think?"

Prince Qian'an opened his eyes slightly, his handsome face expressionless. "Your Majesty, why did you hit him?"

Leng Xu was slightly taken aback, then said, "He didn't listen, so I beat him."

Leng Liuchen glanced at him and no longer dwelled on the matter, saying, "What kind of person is he?"

Leng Xu said, "Being raised by Jiang Jinsheng, naturally, he wouldn't be too detestable. He is relatively well-behaved for the time being, and quite sensible. However, being young, he is still innocent and carefree."

Leng Liuchen's slender fingers leisurely tapped on the python robe on his thigh. His eyes slightly narrowed as his mind seemed to drift away. After a brief moment of silence, he opened his eyes and said, "Jiang Jinsheng can barely be considered a true gentleman."

After a while, he spoke again, "However, since ancient times, weeds grow in paddy fields. But don't forget what kind of person his mother is... It's better to be cautious."

Leng Xu also calmed down for a moment, then smiled and said, "If it really is a neglected field overgrown with weeds, then wouldn't I be the same as the Empress Dowager?"

Leng Liuchen was startled when he heard this, then furrowed his handsome brows and said, "Your Majesty, how can you compare him to me? Your Majesty was raised by the Crown Prince and educated by Duke Ouyang. How could he be considered a 'weed'?"

Leng Xu, however, smiled and shook his head, saying, "Uncle, I have observed him for several days and he does not seem like a malicious person... Moreover, the Empress Dowager and I owe him a great deal. Besides, I am much older than him. Can I not control him? If that's really the case, then sooner or later, I will lose this kingdom to someone else."

Leng Liuchen looked at him, his handsome face seemed to be lost in thought for a moment before he said, "So Your Majesty's intention is... to truly treat him as a prince and properly educate and raise him?"

Leng Xu shook his head and said, "This matter cannot be concluded for now... Mr. Dongguo has a good heart, but he couldn't escape the backlash from the wolf's bite. It shows how unpredictable human hearts are. As the saying goes, you can only know a horse's strength by traveling a long distance, and you can only see people's true colors over time. Let's make plans for this matter in the future!"

Upon hearing these words, Leng Liuchen's eyes revealed a hint of complexity as he said, "Your Majesty has a plan in mind, so I won't say much more. I hope that person can appreciate Your Majesty's intentions and not disappoint Your Majesty's favor."

Leng Xu smiled faintly but didn't say anything.