This official is so weak

Li Wuting stared silently at the small walnut for a long time before speaking suddenly, “Shi Yi.”jrQCHCdCBETwTxthyZdJPBYdBQPuGp

MnUKplVhXBTmelQ

From the shadows in the corner of the imperial study, a figure silently emerged. Li Wuting glanced toward the door, and the figure disappeared back into the shadows.iYhqxAmetYUoFzsjvIasWfNDeEPuiP

wVEdJCbeXzOjwwh

Half an hour later, Ning Rushen finally returned to his carriage.CQplSBHwBIOGNpoAVYbZqTpcqLkIrf

YhsjYNEIEWXBCqt

Yan Min lifted the curtain for him. “Your lordship doesn’t seem to be in a good mood?”ZCFbmTCfhSgrNfLyMDhVuNumuChJNe

kwdfuCLislJJLEe

Ning Rushen sank into the cushion, gazing deeply out of the window. “Losing it is a blessing, gaining it is my fate.”fWmbYgFlDsIBhzKRpCVUiKNNIJzMDZ

uGTxteePxmzJwIq

“…” Yan Min thought: He’s already rambling.ddLalbOSGhCylYfqvZqROJlOZfMFxy

SrUGeJEywDwapiv

“Shall I call for a doctor to check on you, my lord?”vuhHgYajeXPeLQLFGpOojbINofpkjC

OPsHbBHKeakEVMK

“No need.” Ning Rushen collected his thoughts again. “Once we return, gather everyone in the household. I have something to announce.”qyuumCRRUOIhqiDkQECwPiSYeAoXht

kEBZnNblHXpTYYE

Before dropping the curtain, Yan Min took another glance inside the carriage. The fruit plate was already empty. “My lord, have you finished all the walnuts?”UjfYrGtWWCyhiGreeZWmuPMPUzASPK

iomOpGIZlWluxNI

The mansion wasn’t grand, but it exuded a certain elegance, befitting an official of the fifth rank. There was nothing to criticize.USNmCEMARWVvihYCDjvzlSFLLFlMrM

eZwzFDRHVnSPfmQ

After returning to the Ning residence, Yan Min gathered all the servants.cvieclRrQQtoYGGLRmQuIpjuJUPvzL

VTdvtSshutJdnFO

Ning Rushen pulled out a large armchair and sat in the courtyard, a plate of fruits and snacks by his side. He scanned the dozen or so servants in the yard, thinking:WIIcBLOZmBrPAHdJmodgyfhtowFebZ

DgYKgzdKRyoEbSa

Resigning from office isn’t an option, and my memory is fuzzy.ImfJJZRFptMqFwPkTVvMNgIdnFElVh

okktIgcVSecDgPh

I’ll just take it step by step and first figure out what’s related to me.wQlAlNDNMgokikhtzPUVTbAvHebokk

FwJKXvdWwCaogDW

“Everyone is here, my lord,” Yan Min said.byoaFbVkPHuuBlNoQbyBIWNLptRzlI

WTaieBrMJFESNtY

All the servants lowered their heads nervously, waiting for orders.JIZTvHCbBFGyTyUMvHmoSHJxNKYyrE

suVmogZNZKxQsZr

“Everyone is here, right?”EMSYJpIUSghUNtNEXbzGXcuLDLPELM

EpiwYCelBTTBwXB

Ning Rushen set down his teacup, straightened up, cleared his throat, and said, “Alright, compliment me.”PnTXZJjhJoSiKMvWcsYIfutXvsBOZj

dToklkmeOqTayku

“…”kufCmzfiXWwaieWvDpAFUIIvWwfcaI

DpLcHFLMdUzlqZc

Everyone looked up in confusion: ?sIPgPLRZRQRyNngPCRlpuETprUDurG

wsqUZlykWJNcLWS

Thick-skinned, Ning Rushen repeated, “Compliment me.”TNsdsdRBGAtNEeBtEMDvJNasEhlOOI

NzBDQzaeOtCTStz

Everyone exchanged glances, unsure what to do, until the maid Xinglan, being the most perceptive, quickly praised:XqsFFVsRUIxmjeYIayyoRFbtQqcdDL

ZXkyugLptmuOLfM

“My lord, your grace rivals the moon, your talent is unmatched. Truly worthy of the top scholar who once dazzled the capital!”slbNWguIUsxZeuEyPwORfPWeTHMQaa

eLmpEdqZrQjvwzZ

The others finally caught on.rVNYhUXGDSInkFJRZUrIwoKjkqbAXz

DBNjCGYssOydEky

In an instant, the courtyard was flooded with lavish praises, blooming like a garden in spring—EnrTRedOcZXkPqCjaMmaccPFHqxiAg

jZiZlrlcEwBxOKa

Ning Rushen listened for a while and gradually pieced together the situation:rhJTzjWOEylkBBLnUXDhnhAmmbGCJx

FITWjcaZUHXJYui

“Ning Chen” was not yet of age, the youngest fifth-rank official in the court. Orphaned at a young age, he had risen to the top as a commoner, earning the favor of the late emperor and entering the Hanlin Academy, climbing the ranks effortlessly.EhJuqeHvWaJDqNSBasWoFtPWoRibGe

HaVTDlgWufUqVon

Later, he had backed the right side in the imperial succession, helping Li Wuting ascend the throne.SYeHzpvqvjakwpOVwCufvZbviRMLSo

silNRqPoeKIPYJE

Outwardly, he seemed to have a brilliant future.pfnBLMmczWdjrzUXrPwREXxJnXTiKu

ZBmwVuAVUAhREvt

So how had “he” offended Li Wuting?etLXcFVeATyWWKljHqGHFzNyzAMsTo

afeFwnGyvnDsLCp

…cKhTTDQjjFsUgTyYRMmoIwpQiDRAys

uhNrEGDeMvQvwpr

The compliments in the courtyard began to dwindle.bSnKlIeBIAZYMMINbzjxXZXyDmalQO

sqEuwmhjVtIvsfo

The servants were running out of words, even resorting to praising how he once ate an extra bowl of rice.uOYVsnwVJYPmZfiusQHLnAocyqpqlH

HSynoaVApkhcjUX

Ning Rushen raised his hand to stop them. “That’s enough.”okdGRifssMrHkIAcgqWqQIhTLdTCSc

FDENMVJvQZNkzGD

Everyone let out a collective sigh of relief.PuJUWortaLAsZTAXlLYpIyPvOqDhgT

SKfcwSEhCIEZDQW

Ning Rushen then said, “Now, start insulting me.”tvMvCDzGahhDcaqkytIFyvPhNvUiNr

XHyCxCJiXFzveTa

“…” The entire courtyard instantly dropped to their knees!ucXZVyGsHgSvPJAdiBlQkuTohMUNaL

cCKqHwBNxxinBKc

Outside the unnoticed courtyard wall, the shadowy figure lurking there also trembled slightly.ggaArxclpGLNVvmZPylHaIXHNevXrm

EHWCZBiUCxXhMKt

“We wouldn’t dare, my lord!”QBgGxhIJIdktojBcdjoVEsNcADaHru

wCbiglxbdAvleRf

Ning Rushen sighed. “Stand up.”ciUHzztnoLJirfAamDWgzoJZPHMvxH

RtCacDtaEXYfOlq

He looked at the trembling group, thought for a moment, then said, “One insult, one tael of silver.”QgwntJSfGcUNOOxGhmzLUDLKntodea

VINHBiOpJDjDcLN

A dozen faces hesitantly lifted.ClfKUSOLcHztUFhlZWIWkmuXhQQQNO

ngteIJRnapjTpvX

Ning Rushen expertly cracked open another walnut. “The first one to speak gets ten taels.”SNLzZBGPMrSzPhygOfyOIfYoVbXrOg

cayYTzypeBksuNN

In the next second, Steward Yan bellowed in a booming voice, “My lord, were you reincarnated from a starved ghost?!”uzMxiAkSgIuwPZnullEvmFHLJTjoZC

FVLDkjunwwPkJeq

Ning Rushen: “…”sYKYZsOfttwhfhZCvbHoDQtchbRJNS

kNSBZFNyBJxkVkN

·OAyFRhMUSePnnvSKgXCoYFdfTFHOPE

FFeRRToEWFdtzhq

Ning Rushen spent the entire afternoon paying to be insulted.yMljzzEruduGzkOCAgAmPGuJMnRnyw

aTrxcLYpTZSmwiX

At first, he listened eagerly, but by the end, his face grew numb.AYBwaNrJHreqPecCdFIWOymfTyTCjx

fgEMlzDyGveBZcH

—It was mostly trivial, petty matters, backhanded compliments, and the insults gradually strayed further off course. Towards the end, a young maid even blushed and shyly scolded:ziupJyHyaWVksJXUcCufsGxcuLMMWI

rthwUWsTWekKVmo

“Your robes are always open… you’re such a… disgrace to men’s virtue.”XojeRbReoLOJfyrYnAcCLlPuuocOvS

yBlJnKyiuqQvZIQ

Ning Rushen felt his head spinning and ears buzzing.tBEZXTcVKPJbVpFeFzZBamMLrnifHZ

XyEwmlnyvgNJbcI

What was all this nonsense?OPGCkEAGiQwhDNQQrwNVdOqJHzrxlo

oEdisQIaAHdMkbC

After all that, he hadn’t gleaned anything useful. No clue about his enemies, and still no idea how he had offended the new emperor.HCcIAOBEmIaDqPJokZSScOAeZVxker

GRyJTLDIEMtngqi

“That’s enough,” he said tiredly, waving his hand. He instructed Yan Min to distribute the reward silver and headed back to the main house. “I’m going to take a nap. Wake me up before the evening banquet.”HiFKMzVaaubrZltpfDsPUTOyAPiscm

tpKBbIHnWKmnmcT

Yan Min, clutching the silver with reverence, bowed deeply. “Yes, my lord.”aDIBQgCBTTFYbkodSnSNcPCFSqtRgW

SheLCvuCFraFIhR

…CIKgEsDkJKVblepzeqDggRzpGExqsQ

KVZCVhzbwNpzWzg

In the imperial study at the palace, a figure knelt silently before Li Wuting—it was Shi Yi, the Jinyiwei (Embroidered Uniform Guard) assigned to spy on Ning Rushen.GGIdDWQcszsEPIdLdZHlKPIDiseYDK

nCOavEubcSBtTsV

The room had long been cleared of others.vgMvjEkLxibkEIrlgfoMPkmubAigGo

MLCQDeicghDsFJz

Li Wuting looked at the shadowy figure kneeling before him. “Speak.”YUjgVdpjyEECxvYsrWOTGDAuYAdnhU

UQQdqIKCfKzTMmf

Shi Yi kowtowed and reported every detail of Ning Rushen’s return to his residence, leaving nothing out.nuzxmOpCUaTuMFAIEmMjayYkUXuhoS

tUQCSvbgOfdRGbL

When Li Wuting heard about Ning asking his servants to praise him, he let out a faint scoff.xHSlLIuYVasELLhvElaGUaSNQGzWql

dVolRuzbBpuONpt

But then Shi Yi continued, “After being praised, Lord Ning said: ‘Insult me.'”unNyPVhhHjomZfcKXwYcZOBENKuosS

QKysjETNnCrTfPi

“‘For every insult, I’ll give you one tael of silver.'”PNeIQSxpdqRyEZboqTEmtioenkbGgl

VGpycuFZEGxOdFP

Li Wuting’s expression turned strange.jmcAZbqrLbxYPEPnzIdlCdDUrIVvaG

JnqMxxpjpWiPbye

Shi Yi, in perfect mimicry of Yan Min’s booming voice, said, “The steward then asked, ‘My lord! Were you reincarnated from a starved ghost?!'”ROceveWJxHmzACipqFoTgjcpnUyydQ

pvSzbSGVsRKdaoW

Li Wuting nearly choked on his tea.FNPWSuWtOrjYTRWqDRLCqEGYeUKRfj

PZoTGdmfeRadikO

Shi Yi, utterly oblivious, continued his report. “Another maid scolded shyly, ‘My lord, your robes are always open… you’re such a… disgrace to men’s virtue!'”vXOYyeYYXVqvEbqJvTmMuKJYhTSnTZ

FLQjyZtuakmIzVk

Li Wuting: “…”LEoqDhHGFQBQUdYndvMmdnpdXKNROP

CJzrmASZTtqpwJF

Shi Yi added, “Lord Ning blushed and discreetly pulled his robe shut…”GRjmKJcnxiSEYEptoHohNMuXcZNoQZ

bssxTqzkqGocGhi

Li Wuting interrupted, “Shi Yi.”qxVtgFNNRTFgiGfeACqCzNvmxYbKyA

TiwaLbwXyilSXSy

Shi Yi immediately silenced himself, lowering his body even further.jdyDHMZVjeZuADRfBhstkDmwhqZgCK

MUJVUHeScFyugYf

Li Wuting stared at the Jinyiwei before him, feeling like his mind had been stuffed with a bunch of absurd and trivial matters. Rubbing his temples, he sighed.gWtYBpjkhheenDjKiVlZOuwtUINDBl

oVApyMZcvqXEbfm

After a moment, he spoke, “Leave, and continue your surveillance.”dmGwjRMiQGivAJkuxcimcoYVccnlWr

zWotQAERltVkWIA

Shi Yi kowtowed again.BbRjlVkCtYItGYegVLtFMLzFovurSy

VfAbghXqUjeeSaP

Just before leaving, he heard the emperor’s voice, now with a dangerous edge, “And next time, if you bring me this nonsense again, don’t bother coming back.”FvFDtyLCybgFBVrmTAXJcnAaDaOokr

ALdriySibnrOMLZ

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”quvcifoIitekheOTFHZRxkJTOJBKJv

GIIMVgQDiGWBKsw

…xKeCFYzCJzjLiIrRfYWehefmPONNTw

LSdJkpHCtOXYXXg

Ning Rushen slept until nearly dusk.UuJFlOmquyRkqVviMvXQukimaJyiUT

NlmBmywlyHhnCYr

When the knocking on his door came, his mind was still foggy. The windows were tightly shut, and the room was dim. In his grogginess, he almost thought he was back in his dormitory.lEtXGjJGLXulkcOIAPptDFUrQbhEcs

YkmcNllhaZXskGO

Ning Rushen propped himself up, mumbling as he called out to his roommate, “Erkang—it’s so dark in here. Why didn’t you turn on the light?”tAiSXZCskroXptioUljbPvXdOJncZx

WSctivRZSpxuiHC

The door creaked open, and a familiar voice answered, “My lord, it is I, Yan Min.”yQsbevPlKwDhbOUgzfRYhRLqNZfHdZ

QuyRVucdlOFwjWV

The lamps were lit, casting a warm glow across the room.nyXVUxFTEoqTwZfzGhhnwAvQBLMQSt

lsFxJetJbHZzmso

Yan Min stood respectfully by the bedside.jltferdZctNLVRjMhrHHVzJawRXNAH

plxhlHHzacXVgSN

Ning Rushen snapped awake.ejsNPMAGQkDysTOFtuqjekREAXsaDh

pmRvwjvFmFufzIV

He nearly forgot—he had traveled to another era.GuMbyevfRiGkNYCYrPnEcKEVqglczc

ofyWEArpzOHlgsh

Rubbing his throbbing temples, he patted around the bedclothes, mumbling, “Erkang, where’s my robe?”qNYnPJKgVjTXCsdyvMdMqLllCGpwLc

xcBcaFPrxZBcVam

“Your lordship’s outer robe is hanging on the rack,” Yan Min said as he handed over Ning’s cloud-patterned red robe. “And I am Yan Min.”BoksETovAHNldeoclZHfCPcieOQDSF

fhcfPHSpzikVWma

Ning Rushen took the robe, refusing his help to get dressed. “Alright, I can do it myself. You can leave now, Er… Yan Kang.”pueMxsWdpxjyxVlkSPoxfNXDckPyCE

WLmECJHoONGNSEM

Yan Min: …iJnkyiaTBqzqlniIeaSvauamHsaHDa

NYRkkZwFPlYaCII

By the time Ning Rushen entered the palace, the sky had already darkened.sYTdwlHUenKKwqHuhFYdKJZyJIFUid

CHpnyqeIbKStGId

The banquet had been fully prepared, with golden pillars and beams gleaming under the bright lights. Under the guidance of the eunuchs, Ning took his seat among his fellow Hanlin Academy colleagues, seated far from the main table at the front.AHchxIEgOPSGqqYEQorlqkKTBwnAbA

wRuPySNkarbYpcj

A short while later, the imperial procession arrived in grand fashion.uxmMvBwCyLPukTJMsbtrhhZyRtPdWY

LHVLtuPUmSEmJLA

Li Wuting, dressed in dark robes, took his seat above them all.zlNWlsBELXAKKwpiFjjYESSUxkOqvD

mJrZoAEaulMUnZu

Ning Rushen glanced at him from a distance, and Li Wuting seemed to notice, his gaze briefly resting on Ning with a subtle, unreadable expression. But with the dazzling lights and dancers in the way, Ning couldn’t be sure.IZdHnCcqXQEvehSEEQjritwJGsErqd

geFVAHLeqnQyCoM

He rubbed his chin, thinking, Probably just my imagination.MFTssVXcWcdvwSyiWlLRsuJYnkodox

hxTzuvyudEEIZJP

After the rituals and formal greetings, the atmosphere gradually loosened. As the wine flowed, the emperor rose and left the banquet, and the mood became even more relaxed.nExQpXpqCYJoJvUFXKibNMHwhxlrIT

oApObyHQfjBhkGg

Ning’s colleagues all raised their cups toward him with enthusiasm. “We hear that Lord Ning will be serving directly before His Majesty starting tomorrow! The emperor’s most favored official!”RILvPPQQOIasMtewABpfkTWZWnTnAY

ToXGWhMmFxZTgua

Ning Rushen: Who’s been tattling now?ogJhkdiVLamWrJwkhZexGTqummxEjX

YCpaqtbZNhzxjcW

“Ha! Don’t act like you don’t know! The imperial decree was delivered to the Hanlin Academy this afternoon. We all know!”TNuFFPSvwvrYhwqrZJcsrutOAYuTXe

dnnXyDpshgrbgoH

Ning choked on his wine: So it’s from the emperor himself!lNaVwnJEsgQiuwcfjKENoeGJKxikDQ

zhlHHxcnAnfroYB

The toasts came one after another, and Ning Rushen found himself getting hotter with each drink. Just as he was contemplating an escape, a familiar mocking voice rang out nearby, “Hmph, retiring to the countryside?”iVpdTiWTxbATYKeoiargSRHJKFxnyt

gkiXFIovgULhEsE

He snapped his head up.IEINsKRpOzJtAjsIYeBnbJFvvluuae

NwwNrzZEXIHHmkk

There stood Geng Yan, holding a cup, with a look of disdain.KKQwzyhYhzTKsWzOIBASarihUUKboc

qZDBqSNRfwALMDn

A perfect shield! Ning grabbed onto him as if he were a lifeline, pulling Geng in front of him as a human barricade. “What? You have something important to discuss with me?”ZhYcopelQOTsRYPplirjdSelUpuZMv

HusXkkyQUdCTsnh

Geng Yan looked bewildered. “Huh?”SNiSZpwrZzBsLVdmBOGZuaNJIkZruS

ZEYgRojcLLONNNd

Ning furrowed his brow. “A personal ailment?”ernzjJsAouopJKhjDOZfKBITfpiYWh

CYguNfVkGJgdUTV

“…” The colleagues who had been coming to toast them exchanged awkward glances and quietly dispersed.QMNKirSUhAPTzhfPNYGcAgYBtvIaRq

ubJxnwtUqQcKwOc

Geng Yan finally realized what was happening and slammed his hand on the table. “You son of a—”HCJJZNfPrCuoUPrVrJItGjhTsnrVjU

IsodpNeLeQVltbE

Ning hurriedly poured him a cup of wine and handed him a walnut. “Calm down, calm down.”MtcrtAIUuwhnuqXcAgjLpdbEmYruOB

TMJnXCurjHgRuEq

“Shameless!” Geng cursed before glaring at him. “Hypocrite.”cMbmDSGJWAFhqrFslMnpTpzqGHjjKw

BSTenHrEiIIKzEm

Ning sighed and explained, “I really did request retirement, but the emperor insisted on keeping me in the imperial study.”EgZqvWUXPJcGesEuBDqKDtgmRtGXoH

bJHCGILaeSVjIXi

He was being sincere, but even he felt a little guilty as he said it. A quick glance confirmed his suspicion—Geng Yan’s fists were clenched in his sleeves.pRKzjLBsySBwLyBtkmXlnoiOMSNEqS

QUOOrIeblRMmNUe

“…”gOvGhaUzoFgjHuWgvLcyeMyCckvByG

ZSHmCBJwQkvuonS

Ning sighed again. “Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger.”sRbWuWcpijqWrnHGXmvdbdQuORzaQR

uZyGqvrPJjOjAxH

The knife-like gaze softened slightly.jXiUofOFSYfKIBkRzPqVtrFoNhOpBD

TrLJrKNFgJimpFK

He swirled the wine in his cup with melancholy. “I wonder how long I can hold on.”TaKlgUkFCpVSGMIwTUjengfFGCAymS

skQssQxgzsoZifx

The tense sleeves gradually relaxed.ujALAmsNTzpsEEiQCLNRMszbQwyHlR

YapiykigEwPNXwn

Geng Yan, after considering Ning’s predicament, nodded. “That’s true.”RIGAUhUaJQpwXeUnPuYuFeNlsaQuLQ

OJPNzzsmMmdaiEA

Ning took a sip of his wine, feeling quite pleased. He’s surprisingly easy to fool.UFMjzHqXjBoRHoSUxRuIAoyNevFAbn

ZEWnNXYIPjqRJIZ

Taking advantage of the moment, he glanced toward the emperor’s empty seat. “Why hasn’t His Majesty returned yet?”bebpZRwFSScDFfGRmHEvUKEGvPBwKE

EqLJKxluvHPJIeP

Geng Yan gave him a strange look. “You don’t remember?”svzyWPUNpctysNkoanHaWTovuhpTIw

usAOGmURMzlgdBD

Ning blinked. “Remember what?”IVySiMakkVMkykmJjNZRYFkPjTtoXf

uPUMFAlSuprbDmD

Geng leaned in and whispered, “The emperor is probably at Changning Palace. His late mother, Concubine Xian, used to live there.”MoRzUroyJQNbfVEKGeOesLciZIQllV

MAzIptCUCuKJFkW

…iDJXehmRVVqcvFxGCkuUvXqmSJaxPt

yhqJwuuZwCnIQGC

As the banquet drew to a close, Ning had overheard a fair amount of palace gossip and drank more than enough wine. The heat and alcohol surged within him, making his head spin and his body flush.emIGjvHBEVRNdtNnkxujWElLAnBUXe

njfKWdrUDMhzfYF

He excused himself from the banquet.iXotFaZdNBDAavGGavExSkJvLoGKkg

EJrmMiNdsxkTITf

Outside the palace hall was a tranquil lake, hidden behind a canopy of trees, cool and peaceful in the night.cqSQLWZRuhjIMiwfpURodXHheChGpu

VvItgrEyJRPpnKW

Ning sat on a stone near the lake to cool off, letting the evening breeze blow over him. He pulled open his robe, his flushed face and neck reflecting the shimmering light of the water.urVUUwuEXRpBoARomIvSBepLaZWKje

MhPRPTxyvdEKwst

After sitting there for a while, he faintly heard De Quan’s voice coming from the path nearby, “Your Majesty, it’s cold tonight. Please put on a cloak.”KVEUXujxNyWexwJCLAWhpalIphzXGT

qHVDMLyzzwaycLX

There was no response in the quiet night.WiMYupYRYwbCMhLmPVTIQLyGlCKcOJ

CiLMJdpjNvuOKpI

The emperor? Ning stood up groggily.UtKxZashfUXXDhYSMTpumbfbgdMIHB

yPnoqFymObhBtBY

The grass at his feet rustled, and immediately, De Quan’s sharp voice rang out, “Who’s there?!”yyiUbNEyZdVFINSaHnLEJvYkqLjgJs

hpyOQvTCImwPJJC

A row of bright palace lanterns instantly illuminated the path by the lake. Ning looked toward the light, and his flushed face and bright eyes were suddenly caught in everyone’s sight—QvQZUtuulktnJIaAzRrQlPbSIxZRjw

NzNShWwjZpCdwWl

The once serene atmosphere shattered.EWJzJLVbXmQMFJpotSqGCYCfsxIrUR

woUDLsTMZpOQFnK

De Quan, startled, exclaimed, “Lord Ning?”CkSBQiKmqdDicRFbGllkeChQbLpPxe

BYLtzvIxbuzvNkC

Ning Rushen stood frozen, not responding.XKSTWhKIRAIMVLZnwDHiVgvDtQhrex

dBuIeSYmGaQbOCu

He looked at Li Wuting, who stood in the night in his thin robes, and absentmindedly blurted out, “Your Majesty, perhaps you should wear a cloak.”ZuIJwmNhakFeoMDFVvEZcgTwEhSCLa

HEWKIqcCPotWQDl

Li Wuting: “…”BuCvvmKvmUmIXbHzhtCeiLflAPjXoo

nuTYbhMloxIaZtI

Ning’s hair had fallen loose, some strands slipping into the open collar of his robe, his whole body radiating the heat of alcohol.HaLkIPUaYoJGspdViWSwswDZoGKwxm

rIeIyfGjGHNLaec

The moment Li Wuting saw him, the Jinyiwei’s report flashed through his mind:axnqiByiGsqzXndwoabhpmQkaSIKOv

VWRBoHIUGFarTxU

Starved ghost reincarnated, disgrace to men’s virtue.kPYOtmDdkWlQcslMFvtGJfaUEvCwHK

RrznbrjchbFZCOe

Seeing Ning standing there so casually, De Quan was already panicking, stammering, “Oh no, Lord Ning must be drunk! Hurry and bow to His Majesty!”uLVTLyzXAWBzVbfYjswXrFOZCEToKP

YLznAgGxbLnMMRs

Though Ning’s mind was hazy, he still understood what was being said. He took a few unsteady steps toward Li Wuting.NeGrRHDSAUKFWWxxHRKhysQYloWrko

oHFuCdlhthSGNvd

De Quan gripped his duster tightly, terrified that Ning might accidentally offend the emperor.AbjiNOIuJUjNWemUaPmrKcIGJgDUGl

NOTXqfAAVQiYoRQ

Ning stopped in front of Li Wuting, swaying slightly as he bowed. “Your humble servant greets His Majesty.”TJGfXwKWlzKHAodmicUhIRmxfobvdQ

jGWhhxboimtSBxc

Li Wuting glanced down at him. “Why are you here?”fIBDwEVFqCxsebIkGRQenQLyOCroDV

CUuQpWpsaNeNZKT

“Cooling off.”GVoeSQkflSfBoYeyNlcMOrxtMuLoAa

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“This is not a place you should be,” Li Wuting said, his expression betraying no emotion. “Go back.”AMXsINXGUdMpnKizSYdEFginNcfHgh

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“Oh.” Ning Rushen blinked once, then sluggishly added, “Your servant takes his leave.”PzmAWpovJaPtHHJSutMXRcQzykwsRd

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He turned and began to walk away, his crimson robe fluttering in the breeze, the silver embroidery on his belt accentuating his slender waist.qjjDEGkUJuLmtPCnbUGLdTsXtGXChk

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Li Wuting glanced at him briefly before averting his gaze. His voice remained calm, “Return to the Yangxin Hall.”GnumCgKQDEVGwbTBKgQTIPxuIJxLjn

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“Yes, Your Majesty.” The rows of palace lanterns swung as the entourage turned to leave.AbXVFcLIdzidbiIlVVcMeghxxNtnly

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They had barely taken a few steps when suddenly, from not far behind them, there was a loud “splash” from the lake.JGWzvJttwVyOYnJKpfzqBgwYpuLpNh

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Li Wuting turned his head.tZiWfncHdUQutyUwIeZPzivjqHbGbh

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There, the figure who had just been wobbling away had somehow managed to fall headfirst into the lake, his upper body now submerged, and he was slowly sinking further down the bank, bubbles rising with every second.ZulpNkeMFMGkdWmfLhROUDGMoDwCht

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“…”csshgTMjIfWihpTpGOuOpyApHCZDhD

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De Quan’s face went pale in shock. “Lord Ning!”jaPulabbrkBzGyOKQFHGnLpdlDPrGz

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The palace servants rushed towards the lake, but Li Wuting’s voice suddenly rang out, “Hold on.”vDOvIrkCJbwObnAJNPqmAXJWtAAUOU

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“Your Majesty?” De Quan looked up in confusion.gmnFNkBIPaPWkfRKfswHvpbXFKEXFG

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For a brief moment, Li Wuting’s gaze darkened, though it was fleeting.DZcwBpUxUMKSlPZQivwaqweFKWxJdD

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He glanced again at the bubbles coming up from the water, then, pressing his fingers to his brow in exasperation, said, “…Forget it. Pull him out.”dvJsdjUFZKNYZteBrwFKIdAoQPfVjx

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