The scab on Wei Ji's neck had formed, but the surrounding flesh was still red and swollen. The injury was clearly inflicted yesterday. Chu Shaoling ordered two incense burners to be brought in and said in a deep voice, "The room is not cold. Take off your clothes and let me see."

Wei Ji didn't want to undress at first, but it was the first time he saw Chu Shaoling speaking to him with such a look in his eyes. Feeling timid, he hesitated before removing his outer robe and the padded jacket underneath. A faint medicinal smell wafted out. Wei Ji was left wearing only a thin inner garment. He looked at Chu Shaoling with uncertainty.

Chu Shaoling approached and untied Wei Ji's inner garment. His eyes grew even colder. Dozens of lash marks covered the delicate body, with one wound on the back still oozing blood. Chu Shaoling touched the medicine powder applied to Wei Ji's wounds with his fingertips and tasted it lightly. It was just ordinary powder for stopping bleeding.

Chu Shaoling sent for ointment for treating injuries. Soon, the palace servants brought the medicine. Dismissing them, Chu Shaoling took a clean cloth and wiped away the medicine on Wei Ji's body. Wei Ji wanted to refuse, but seeing Chu Shaoling's gloomy expression, he didn't dare say anything.

Chu Shaoling tried to be as gentle as possible. He said softly, "The medicine you applied only stops bleeding. Not only will it not relieve pain, but it may also leave scars if not treated properly. Come."

Chu Shaoling pulled Wei Ji to sit down and personally applied the ointment to his wounds. The crystal-clear ointment felt cool, making Wei Ji shiver involuntarily. Chu Shaoling pulled the quilt from the couch to cover Wei Ji a little and asked in a low voice, "Who beat you?"

Wei Ji lowered his head. Hearing the question, he shook his head without saying a word.

Chu Shaoling didn't force him. His hands became even gentler as he carefully treated the wounds on Wei Ji's body. He asked, "Are there any injuries on your lower body?"

Wei Ji was bare-chested, but his pants were still on properly. Hearing this, he felt a bit embarrassed and shook his head. "No more."

Chu Shaoling nodded and put the medicine aside. He grabbed a towel to wipe his hands and said softly, "If you're not cold, let it air out for now. Putting on clothes will just rub off the medicine."

Wei Ji felt a bit awkward, clutching the fluffy quilt beneath him, not knowing what to say. Chu Shaoling closed his eyes, suppressing his temper, and asked again, "How did you get these injuries?"

Wei Ji lowered his eyes and remained silent. Chu Shaoling sneered, "Do you think I won't be able to find out if you don't tell me? Wei Ji, I don't have a good temper."

Wei Ji bit his lower lip, his eyes turning red.

Yesterday, Wei Ming had summoned Wei Ji to the study. First, he gave Wei Ji a stack of banknotes and told him to present them to Chu Shaoling. Although Wei Ji felt it was inappropriate, he still agreed. He had just learned about Wei Zhan's matter. Wei Ji wasn't sure if Chu Shaoling had helped, but his own position kept rising due to Chu Shaoling's favor. Wei Ji felt it was justifiable to show gratitude to Chu Shaoling with some banknotes, so he honestly accepted them.

There were many things Wei Ji couldn't foresee, but Wei Ming could see through them. Wei Zhan's position as the commander of the valiant cavalry was recommended by Marquis Zijun, who was the maternal grandfather of the Crown Prince Chu Shaoling. Moreover, the youngest son, Wei Ji, was serving in the palace at Bitao Palace. Regardless of the reason, the Wei family had already been labeled as being favored by the Crown Prince.

Wei Ming couldn't figure out why the Crown Prince suddenly promoted their family. The Wei family was originally an aristocratic clan but had gradually declined. The noble rank had dwindled to only a first-rank general by his generation. His two sons were still young, and among the peers in the clan, no one had distinguished themselves. No matter how he thought about it, they didn't seem worthy of Chu Shaoling's attention. Although he couldn't understand, Wei Ming was still very excited and elated.

After the New Year, the court would dispatch a group of officials for external inspections. It was a good opportunity. Not only could they collect a lot of things during the trip, but their official positions would also be promoted upon their return. Wei Ming had been holding a idle post in the Ministry of Personnel for a long time. He had desired this assignment for many years, but unfortunately, he didn't have anyone influential to speak for him. Now that he had boarded Chu Shaoling's big ship, he wanted to rack his brains.

After arranging the banknotes, Wei Ming mentioned the matter of the inspection after the New Year and instructed Wei Ji to find a suitable time to bring it up to Chu Shaoling. Wei Ming didn't dare to aim for the positions of governor or inspector-general. He had heard that there were still a few vacancies for the post of prefectural governor under the inspector-general of Shandong, and Wei Ming had set his eyes on that position.

Wei Ji was not enthusiastic about official affairs, but as the son of an official family, he still knew a thing or two about them.

The prefectural governor directly dealt with local officials and could reap considerable benefits. Who knew how many people were eyeing this position? Not only that, Wei Ji knew his father well. Wei Ming's way of handling matters was domineering and muddled. He was truly unfit for important responsibilities. If something went wrong, not only would it implicate Chu Shaoling, but Wei Ming himself would also suffer.

No matter how he thought about it, it was inappropriate. Wei Ji only hoped that his family could enjoy wealth and honor without seeking grandeur. He tried to persuade Wei Ming a few times, but he didn't know which words triggered Wei Ming's anger. In a moment of humiliation and rage, Wei Ming claimed that Wei Ji had become arrogant after gaining a high position and no longer respected his own father. He grabbed a horsewhip and started beating Wei Ji. Wei Ji, being inarticulate and honest, couldn't utter any words of plea and endured the beating.

Fortunately, Madam Jiang heard the commotion from the back and hurried over to stop it. She cried and pleaded for a while. Wei Ming also feared that the injuries on Wei Ji's body would be seen by Chu Shaoling and raise questions, so after a few more strikes, he stopped.

Of course, Wei Ji knew that he couldn't hide these things from Chu Shaoling. He was also afraid that Wei Ming would directly come to beg Chu Shaoling, so he had no choice but to tell the truth. He added, "I still beg Your Highness not to agree to my father's request. My father is old and can't endure the hardships of traveling."

Chu Shaoling sighed. He thought it was a big deal, but it turned out to be just for the position of a prefectural governor, and it even led to beating Wei Ji. Chu Shaoling was originally angry and wanted to find someone to vent his frustration, but upon hearing it was Wei Ming, he didn't know what to say. He had plans in his heart and coaxed Wei Ji, "Don't worry. I have my considerations. As for your father, forget it."

Chu Shaoling felt distressed that Wei Ji had suffered grievances. He carefully embraced him and said softly, "Why are you so honest? You just let yourself be beaten without resisting? Wouldn't you run away?"

Wei Ji was wrapped in a quilt, with only his head exposed. He asked in a low voice, "How can I avoid it when my father beats me?"

"Oh?" Chu Shaoling chuckled. "What if I beat you? Would you run away or not?"

Chu Shaoling's thin lips brushed past Wei Ji's ear. Wei Ji blushed and shook his head. "I won't run away."

Chu Shaoling was satisfied. He instructed in a low voice, "Remember, from now on, you're only allowed to not run away from me. If anyone else hits you or touches you, no matter who it is, run away immediately and stay far away from them. Do you hear me?"

Wei Ji was stunned for a moment. The words sounded strange. Could it be that in the future, when his father beats him, he should just run away without saying anything? Although Wei Ming might not necessarily be able to catch up with him, it would be difficult to resolve the situation if he just ran away. Wei Ji subconsciously felt that this matter was not easy to handle, but he naturally had to listen to Chu Shaoling's words. Wei Ji nodded, making a mental note.

Chu Shaoling just loved how he always looked so serious about everything. Although it lacked a bit of playfulness, it was precisely Wei Ji's adorable point. Chu Shaoling chuckled, "I was just teasing you earlier. How could I possibly hit you? If you don't listen, I naturally have other ways to deal with you." Chu Shaoling's voice lowered as he kissed Wei Ji's ear. Wei Ji's cheeks quickly flushed red, and he stammered, unable to speak.

Chu Shaoling's mood improved a lot. He laughed lightly, "You almost made me forget about the important matter with your fuss. I see that the books in your case are all about Sun Tzu and Wu Qi. Do you like reading military books?"

Wei Ji nodded and said softly, "I like them. When I had nothing to do as a child, I would read my elder brother's military books and found them quite interesting."

"If you like reading them in the future, come to my study. I have some that you haven't read before." Seeing that the medicinal paste on Wei Ji's body was almost dry, Chu Shaoling took his own clothes and draped them over him first. "Yesterday, I found Zhang Lifeng. Do you know who this person is?"

Wei Ji nodded, "I know! The great General Zhang who pacified the rebellion in the northwest."

Chu Shaoling said, "The Zhang family and my maternal family are old friends. Zhang Lifeng is even more like a half-teacher to me. I asked him to come and teach you military strategy and tactics. Do you like that?"

Wei Ji's eyes suddenly widened, "General Zhang is going to teach me?! How can that be..."

"Why can't it be?" Chu Shaoling chuckled, "In the future, he will come to the palace every day to lecture me on military strategy. I've long grown tired of listening to those things. Since you like it, listen carefully. It will definitely be beneficial. I've already discussed it with him."

Wei Ji still couldn't quite react, his eyes shining with joy, "How is that possible? He's a great general who has fought in battles."

Chu Shaoling smiled and ruffled Wei Ji's hair. Outside the warm chamber, a palace maid said softly, "Your Highness, it's the second watch."

Chu Shaoling acknowledged with a sound and said, "Bring a new quilt."

The palace maids, who had been serving by Chu Shaoling's side for a long time and had received instructions from Wang Muhan, knew what to do without Chu Shaoling saying much. Two palace maids brought a large quilt and a pillow. Wei Ji didn't expect the female servants to come in directly. His face instantly turned red. He was bare-chested with nowhere to hide. He looked at Chu Shaoling with a flushed face. The two palace maids acted as if they didn't see Wei Ji on the couch. They quietly changed the quilt, put down the pillow, bowed with their heads lowered, and left.

Chu Shaoling looked at Wei Ji's shy appearance and chuckled, "Sleep with me tonight. Your room is cold and damp, not good for healing injuries."

"How can that be?" Wei Ji was afraid that there were still palace maids guarding outside the chamber. He urged in a low voice, "What if someone finds out? They will say that Your Highness..."

"Your clothes have already been taken away by them. Are you going to go back naked?" Chu Shaoling laughed lightly, "No one dares to spread information outside in this Bitao Palace. Besides, I've never been afraid of what others say."

Only then did Wei Ji realize that the clothes he had taken off earlier were indeed gone. His face was red as he wrapped himself in the quilt, at a loss for what to do. Chu Shaoling smiled, embraced Wei Ji, and coaxed, "Alright, alright. I'll let you go back when your injury heals. Go to sleep."

Chu Shaoling finally tricked the person into bed and felt very satisfied in his heart. Before long, he fell asleep.

Poor Wei Ji, his face was flushed, his heart pounding like a rabbit. He endured until the third watch before he finally fell asleep.

The next day, Chu Shaoling informed the Ministry of Personnel and gave Wei Ming a position as the prefectural governor of Shandong.

If Wei Ming wanted to go out, then let him go out. What if he beats Wei Ji again if he stays at home all day? Chu Shaoling couldn't possibly not allow Wei Ji to go home for his days off. As for when to let him return, that wouldn't be so easy for Wei Ming.