Chapter 26
A small storefront, yet business was booming. As Ning Rushen and Geng Yan strolled by at mealtime, they found the place packed. In the noisy lobby, only one round table near the window remained empty.otRCHDWwQcUwyymAcrPPUhzbhxKsCP
uwhiTQqQReZFlVzGeng Yan ordered a few items and then asked, “How did you manage to get into the palace last night? Did something urgent come up?”wSPjVLjurHvbMlmlyAOENtHYxXYBAH
vYoZKypSZWkzitpNing Rushen absentmindedly replied, “No… just wanted to grab a bite.”HpIqYbJPkrTYwBUtRDjxxwEjgcjYqi
JmnUwlAgjKuqbVgHis mood suddenly became complex and hard to express. Seeing Ning Rushen’s casual demeanor, Geng Yan couldn’t help but tease him.QQyRhIIevQnpgQVirftlnTokmGylWk
LQHyIGYQPpCjYubAs they began to chat, voices from the bustling lobby behind them interrupted. A waiter hurried over and said, “Excuse me, the restaurant is nearly full. Would you mind sharing a table with other guests?”LZdaBktNJEULEWaSqqZfoKrGJCAibx
ucjmQeljhRnlkfHDressed in luxurious attire, with fragrant sachets and jade belts, they approached the table. When Ning Rushen looked up, he recognized the young men in noble attire, especially the leader—Yu Tiao.uJpBmfPoWhjqwjUKhvINRBdpTVZovV
PtxKGJsVrVzUPriThe two groups locked eyes, the atmosphere tense.SiGkbzhZciExEcuyCSXaPgnaSgygJj
SEecPfqkVOfJHFdYu Tiao spoke first, neither friendly nor hostile, “Oh, who knew someone was making such a grand display, occupying a whole table. It turns out to be Lord Ning.”XRlMVumXMgcWcZbxobEKzynZXUdNXu
eCylEEOKVxvvHmoNing Rushen replied calmly, “Oh, so it’s not about sharing a table, but about sharing fathers.”iwBwmlTiCmVJYqVgjhcHNytGYjzqCw
MRwdFUtXXkEWsaoYu Tiao was furious. “You…!”UBYCJRRhvTMXswRNMAhCJiEbtGbPyq
XklpIPqzzlgBobMThe waiter nervously wiped his sweat nearby, “Gentlemen, please be civil.”mEFxJAZtvzVugCZKrKlTsyWuXkwZGn
BFbsTQmMhyTwwEBSeeing the young nobles still standing at the table, Ning Rushen was considering whether to trip them with his leg or lie flat on the table to block them from sitting down…srqRvbDCioehAcKqPdteRNrGRuWhbU
PyvfDcXuygJPpIxA voice interrupted, oblivious to the tension, but quite familiar.LxuwGmbvSxINcMcRmsotZbHkfxwhAS
NfaajYSSVqvTxDwNing Rushen turned and saw Yi Shiyi holding two bags of freshly baked pastries. Recognizing him, Yi Shiyi nodded in surprise, “It’s you, sir.”cNldGcbttnYkJGWRcqbuTDCrfQDvec
itVTgjMplGiaDQANing Rushen thought, Why is it you?BtyqYatXtUuIvqaLObVBYVXnGlWCxS
VfhFlpctPvSaXbjSeems like buying pastries allows for a flexible schedule.kgOqjAklaDbegGkoxGahVpQtFLFTAO
haFWAqPMPUMSVGYYu Tiao and his friends frowned. “Who’s this?”UvfMqIGchwaUaGivLtwPQhdCqoWtHb
IRQAdmHOtagojVPNing Rushen glanced around and suddenly changed his mind, nodding toward them, “Please, have a seat.”XxwSDdVfIJaccpUKCnGohbgRrgRdWk
TGflyYIfCCwBKacYi Shiyi graciously took a seat beside them.ddPxkNJINwPpAROFzxcTZbbzFvEYQf
cWvbxuoOJpKzrxQYu Tiao and his friends exchanged glances and sat down as well.cktXMpYwOlvwgwhCFeLfepWMTOlNzU
nAZzpyqHTlXiHKnThe waiter hurriedly brought the menu, calming the situation at the table. Ning Rushen looked at the group in front of him, realizing he had inadvertently brought together people who shouldn’t be together.OQiRAZPjiaDTKssdlSaQogBPgMKazi
ZgaaKHHVlhbNtsXIgnoring the people across from him, he turned to Yi Shiyi, “What are you doing here?”SIUjweOCGyLYIdmxKyJywGNvOEiFSG
vGVQollqFRCCOtYYi Shiyi replied, “I lined up for pastries all morning and got hungry. A friend mentioned this restaurant in the west of the city, so I came.”WXmKcdFaLvLVduAnUORGrXdJSkGFSx
oyKqZjuTgcCzvmCNing Rushen thought, …UsfWUKkImIiFmwKuMPQbFflxaqCITk
ObVuQZmxbSnlrFHAs they talked, the dishes they ordered arrived one after another.TmaxHcKIHXmvmcsLodJlLhNkPTmcvv
QkmGvuOzNFbPwNyNing Rushen picked up his chopsticks and started to pick at the dishes on the table, while the conversation continued on the other side.IruKtnuuuTlmJAtLxZwZWDwPdpvlUw
CKNQRdhfDcLGncj“I heard someone who was seriously injured and sick for a long time, but still seemed able to eat and run.”dAbHPPqGQWYLWcAejKtvtSudJLDFSH
JTUGgrdoongCoTE“Without adding some spice, how can things be made big?”ckisDPCwxdhwWRbzjMzTQQcyEUreZW
WyZIiyUmMfBzKxTSnap! Geng Yan slammed his chopsticks down. “You mother——”zaCaeItYiLhiFywpyubUkpoIkvMyJw
OKBBvUKeLGylbSuNing Rushen raised his hand and closed his jaw.tMLsrIpWHYQFEslTZryJWIXxLPhlTr
rSsupOQwjFSLNywGeng Yan, “Er…!”oovUulxqNcKAzteKbuxYzGoWBrHuzQ
ZWeyhUkvQEeADawNing Rushen caught a glimpse of the grass on the wall gently swaying again, and then changed the subject:PQaPqZViIcKBKsjVdWEylPnIJHVCPk
NSAWAJCUCHLMdjD“Discussing court officials in public, do you know what crime that is?”VIDtTPUJxSyWmXmxcogKyNYWUkMNKM
nVYCvuWVvZhNrvjYu Tiao was immediately ignited by his words. “What, Lord Ning is going to report to the court again? You can try, let’s see if the emperor will punish you!”pPdVKDuPJvltIxKNKQCFDgnLxeQtUB
DhCzdenMAQhdGLnAnother young man from a noble family chuckled, “Don’t forget, Lord Ning is an orphan… Oops, I misspoke. He’s a lone seedling, neither high nor low, probably doesn’t understand the weight of the noble families.”rUzntFqtNLcRbraONAEzwgXzfxdGil
eoRFzjkWJOdQZCpSeeing their arrogance, Ning Rushen knew they were completely unaware that they were about to be dealt with by Li Wuting—fvGCMMMkglHDPaKbSPmHsZLIJDhueo
nSIfvNCuieSNbMcAfter all, their families were not punished when the Cui family fell.lKbFtapsANMYuxzhQbvJNaVIRTmGwx
wKolQYKOAqazrIAEven after the incident with the horse riding, the Yu family’s examination qualifications were not revoked. They probably thought the young new emperor was still wary.krMKacvwKRrJxgxAOhdMbQOmoPiQDG
oNbhpwRUJzrNhLrJust stay out of trouble and you can still get by…KdFVkgXcrzcpnXFSwCitxbnHCVniCa
JulRIhnTicWvWLWNing Rushen scooped up some salty tofu brain. He didn’t say anything, but the others became even more arrogant, the conversation even vaguely touching on imperial power…jkXaBWSckUbekNRhyovIKlrLvPbHfL
WssiRxPARVBwBuDJust then, there was a loud bang!fxUQWijXGCvseJuGgFpsoHfqrCTSiE
zkheEJRzLKppwYDA dark and chilly long knife slammed onto the table, abruptly silencing the table.JnJNYBVzZFDUJRzeGTnMbGTozKtsoM
SibABTFybODQbNeShiyi put down his bowl. “Say one more word, and I’ll beat you.”dBRXOGzSQaKCcKsjgWlRdDUtDINllK
HjJSwFdxMDVlesCThe young men from noble families fell silent.FPkoAxFrJrfZsSrjiCkPXpzngiZkuk
ZLKBWLeDrkSqeoFYu Tiao trembled with anger and muttered, “Evil tyrant!”pKWyUjKIsyqfpvVdqwdNtsGZognZfU
dcbGJYOvekwxLkkNing Rushen thought of Shiyi’s master and couldn’t help but laugh.mTEjKUrcrPCGBcLgesmJPzmWXXcjee
uARNAfofEOnvydPThe tense meal ended.FpntlEQYdtIlFezSjhTCnOTUkHyUtz
ivLoPVjftuNUgunAs Yu Tiao and the others left the table, they couldn’t help but mutter threateningly, “We’ll see.”CKRlqAlTKiAzvaLtPBZbOkVLBKlnND
SFSBtUiDKEAGeNwNing Rushen smiled, “Goodbye.”UeEOprJXKdfcbpOQxhopfXlJwKqWzv
mYFjdWAetSvTImuThe group frowned and left inexplicably.vgtlZbEcIvSekURAcIttMEsquBcqXd
CanxkPWhNMnpNwHAfter lunch, Ning Rushen and Geng Yan left the restaurant and strolled through the streets.nRypZsLYJehODmwajjynWirUHNBeLa
UXZpBwxPtPKOmqvShiyi was sent back to the mansion along with the baked buns.jsxpTBCdPmrJXlTUzppjxbkfnbjBFf
hzqTKGPftmJlZivNing Rushen folded his hands. “Can these noble family kids pass the imperial examination?”sbAKcERtaEVBnuqYzfFiZxQvJWlYsl
wonuiWzFYscVKwVGeng Yan said, “The children of the noble families in the capital have been studying at the National University since childhood, so their starting point is naturally different from that of the common people. Moreover, most of the examiners for the imperial examinations are also graduates of the National University…”tJrCGfULJzVDBKMZgixeYDmXnucAmp
JqoSvaQbmpWpdYRNing Rushen understood: It was like an enhanced version of their own school’s advantages.ImcoXBMpHAbxQgXZuFhAeGozcIEMge
CzxelTanWdShWLDWhen the topic turned to examinations, he simply called for Geng Yan, “Let’s go take a look at the Ministry of Rites.”HNNKYqsNYxGSiBNylxpDvqJMgoKGxP
rlCBgYxZAIyBxtyThe journey from here to the Ministry of Rites was not far.bLQrFBFobeszDRBLSoIMCphaQEqZrC
woQhZoCztphOPOlBefore long, Ning Rushen saw the gate of the Ministry of Rites.MSzUPyFOkJFYtcdjQLlObwPUFFOTfE
MySEeexnCsYUaeDAs usual, he walked in as if he belonged there, and from a distance, he heard his friend calling out to him, “Minister Guan—”XkrgulbVqkZxyxvUUuLFHLZOZeAHqt
IaGMyTtqCnRDbwbJust around the corner, he saw a row of guards standing in front of the hall door.jSGCTHWgRpNPQmrzZYBaxADYsMJptx
ugrpACNwPCpufhCNing Rushen’s steps halted, and he instantly felt a sense of foreboding.ANoWsPzhcdDFreFshQonNWRfoFnpbR
QVNEmTNeeCzEhVpThe next moment, De Quan’s smiling face appeared, warmly welcoming them, “Oh, Lord Ning, Minister Geng~ Are you here to see His Majesty, who is inspecting the Ministry today?”XOKQSHjyboruciLplvcCdSOUchEgBw
ZAekiSWTpdbVFpgNing Rushen, “…”qjYhmZApDnFWvObDUuJDExnXvzzudy
MmLERMRDymmHvxqHe didn’t know, he was just a little kitten.iIyQyXNOJNScMMUiLJZAMprNRsasJL
GxfzpzBpXWUYsJsGeng Yan, “…”XErouNJVWpiqYcAYAwMSXGBusTezNc
UviDNgYztFPKLIDGeng Yan glanced at him quietly.zuSSIDvrLIXrIUrXRqcPWrJJUvtwcd
ltBLwLcLLVKnhOgNing Rushen silently conveyed to him: This time, it really has nothing to do with him.xfZpyAUgLXixIRtwPBqrejOApZPFZe
DWptwCfoXZGnFrIThe two followed De Quan inside.UTgmSBqWAxYepytThwLfPATjLvnIbK
MoNHvxJBTpxYFSTInside the hall, officials were waiting, Guan Fan and Huo Mian were there, and Li Wuting was standing in front of everyone, turning to look at Ning Rushen when he heard him.fSAJDsdJXtmsaqpefwRgQOKqxggMfw
PPOqUTaaVlDJlWY“I pay my respects to Your Majesty.”BmVndGmOMJDzqohPGToljrmtkENgFL
kASkHyAKWMnmFGhAs their eyes met, Li Wuting didn’t ask him in front of everyone, “Are you here to mooch a meal again?” But Ning Rushen inexplicably sensed something in that calm gaze: Ha.JOHDHGwWXEDnybtBLoRLGjZfSDOWKZ
rREdbBvhJaTNcrWHe, “…”lhlgaMmVLmChGDmdwiSLyLswqlGVEY
JPYdlgnrToHLKIyIn that moment of eye contact, the gaze across from him suddenly fell.TmKcnnSEJZSeOZveckPWFYNXenOHKA
TQhmyyrKwvOXsIBIt fell on his neck.KTrexzdHaqhdJLAWobhHPncIWyKxgY
lNJQuIbaZteOJEFJust then, Huo Mian came straight over, “Hey, are you injured?”vImIZaacEJDpeYNLWnOQwYAUYAuciz
pamjtzjojAYGkgvNing Rushen touched his neck, subconsciously glancing at Li Wuting.fSYffCDBUyqyDcnCwqfIigWIcwSbjo
SvDkMTUJMYprpXnLi Wuting: ?axLkNRbWbjVnpmtrFBHwnjTfSVFPMy
UJezhuHcsJBXHLINing Rushen replied, “It’s an allergy, I scratched it.”BSrJkEiMkusrYjAxZorRWZWWwpvBaC
lOoiwImckFUtNrkHuo Mian kindly reminded him, “Oh, you shouldn’t eat randomly outside.”sAntPZaXgcwOcHJNlQnherMJXDKFWl
MYbFjGsYQmtiqhF“…” Outside. Eat randomly.nqNXhzTZXdzeguwxTBREbkDjoUFtyW
jHGLMZYpyrhyYosHe stepped on a landmine!PdklqCzETQqXtCGZITaeEkCjLbcwTB
iiUJiacnsOiqitkIn the next moment, from the other end, there came a faint, almost imperceptible sneer: Hmph.etTDBFsywmDNUiVvPaJyLZjlkHrbnI
leoEZNKMtePtZuoNing Rushen braced himself and said, “No, I always eat carefully.”ljHDyyYNBilgoFfxiVXZEHtEaGYxxY
bMkUTyVsalWVUrDHuo Mian showed a shocked expression once again!cffnYsuyaTLSKSJvQYKSbJoBoPYykz
HLfrABgyTGPnwvoThe imperial carriage remained at the Ministry of Rites, and no official dared to leave until Li Wuting finished his inspection and left the main gate of the ministry. Geng Yan then tremblingly pulled Ning Rushen along, saying, “Let’s go quickly.”xWfIKYlRuSTWIOddyvbzXNStXDUwAB
HAjMENHEhgfyvJMAs soon as the two stepped out, De Quan came running over, saying, “Lord Ning, His Majesty is summoning you.”hEtLbQpDDwkPlYdXQjeIINaejKezrw
atVrybXRpuUdzvlNing Rushen felt as if an invisible hand was gripping the back of his neck again.uvsQrrobBMnTGVuoJNVSGWshKWQUOB
lsnJiIEVeBQORAVHe glanced at the nearby green palanquin carriage, patted Geng Yan, and followed.xOpgGvqcGOfwVNGRCIniJXGmsNPHNX
cspYEMobFPZgfPuThey lifted the curtain and entered the carriage.HshSyXaGqLKcvKYPRJicFlPgEWcHVg
XfbVciZUYsxEwltInside, Li Wuting was seated upright, with a finely crafted glass box on the table in front of him.pkSlmiIuriUyNJTlhSQoMdZOvlgxEV
tciuOjiFDneWvPeLi Wuting said, “Take the ointment.”ATyrHAMLCxNEQHNVOOwiRVNXYuXlKA
oStoZmouyDpbZGpNing Rushen hesitated for a moment, then took it, somewhat surprised, “Thank you, Your Majesty…”bWdNcwcOghzKWZvbgvOYmajxqvfcty
eHlFwcZdOElkRouThe imperial family even cared about after-sales service?dJFUdkILIHXJANHIkDfgdRpkvgwIiq
ddIihTBeqkWAorMSeeing him take it, Li Wuting asked, “Have you seen a doctor?”JlfwMXdIjPuaMifeBYnQVLDnahrgBd
HdMFcQNATMfkPEbNing Rushen replied, “No, it’s just itchy. Scratching it will be fine.”ppPndDOnqGtKCGEBhYPrCCTaECXBDP
fEBeQMjUNEYLejbLi Wuting frowned.KXssnywjmVjzrbCvTfRlUqxboXKQwg
iUpQYLBfoyIqEtODe Quan immediately interpreted the emperor’s meaning and pointed out, “How can this be allowed? At least we need to know what you’re allergic to.”wgOtrFJCUItOHgydJrmWDEJYUbRcQt
ZFmyXnjIRKlWDjWNing Rushen thought of yesterday’s imperial meal and his throat twitched suspiciously. He calculated, “I can eat it again and eliminate them one by one.”RlIfNSVGrKqUXchKaSvlogTPilbtNz
ZSfcNboMFBFTGVKLi Wuting said, “…”SVbTeeqSUYZImrgiJRpGlXleFTsjsg
doJKrqwjWDyDszgHe praised softly, “Ning Qing’s medical skills are still so simple.”iPvHGleNqzwWWpjcbfRDZzrCLtCNiG
HPwMUkydAXLawwdNing Rushen blushed and said, “It’s all from our own country.”PlXgPnZThQbwYNVHegdoIARLWapjzI
MjuHsTHFlcmIEcrThe carriage couldn’t stay on the street for too long.pWJfzCqxXKEVvBqWRUdNVBmyKuYkie
DNjRgxbhRBuTETHNing Rushen took the ointment and was about to get off the carriage.nNbgLpVZutwgUIbbSOzTZytiYeYpcI
SYcqeYAVCkPklyaHe turned to open the curtain, his black hair draped behind him, a ray of light shining on his neck, highlighting the mottled light red marks.wsAVJltNnKqaCidEnheQeWjYbWhndZ
iRLJrJVjqsmbEww“Take a cloak.” Someone behind him suddenly said.MPCpBEbFnHjprrKeXlulcVQuvkwxuX
RlwBBoWYmZOzuelNing Rushen turned his head, puzzled.SzLLzcxRmGwZUMSALxxTojLtaWUPCI
LEhOxGpKDtoPSucDe Quan had already understood and handed him the cloak.GXWEWAODcXKLxTZXimfUWSPKoFgmFc
wHdzTvXDuSxbGdANing Rushen hesitated, “… Your Majesty, I’m not cold today.”vLXCUQOnCuLFGkMGunCAArYTcrogAe
OmJNQKvKNxIWxGiOr rather, he was feeling heated after arguing.ArEphMwjcvYLiGWdzlOyJLHmyLAJVj
GhxLATbRkGnWhBA“Cover up.” Li Wuting glanced briefly, “It’s not appropriate for an official representing the court to wander the streets with such… scratch marks, it’s not dignified.”uhKCYIyAdbqvPUoKCjHdMAkicmbSMS
NKkCpybBFAkcIhv“???” What’s wrong?crsFSfSUfQmkhrhnaWcuCkjUEzZUSW
bVddChSgInnBYmxNing Rushen said, “Will it make all the officials of our dynasty feel uncomfortable?”GhKxkNrxMHJKpPZgNSVIhCPqUrghpd
FLfXsoKvNnVzHWlLi Wuting replied, “…annoying.”yICgrBitrhWUyJynlSyPRFzvWIFawx
GgfYqJetyjSJJwpHe then drove the person off the carriage.daoONBxOsraJZTUZHiyorMmnikHgwX
aejuMnnPNFnyjdSNing Rushen: .hpBTcPnhBkwgkfoxBjpExoddWoAyYO
mogEmkbkNQATUHrAfter returning home, he still sought out a doctor.upCRjyloRqbfjxEhYgbhXPBKKeoNSB
OZlAuKCTqsLtFJuMedical skills were limited in this era, so although they couldn’t pinpoint the specific allergy, they prescribed some medicine and listed some foods to avoid.XdwSjXPFEkEegRJsmRLjdZtVLwGMXf
xctNHNdcIGsCIvIAfter applying the ointment, the red marks on Ning Rushen’s neck disappeared.ntdUloPvPttSkYeZNvkyfHWueZiRXn
igGEOiRVcnysEGoThe interview was in three days.rXPkeuvahbCEgJgYaTWEMzdCDhlLoQ
xEXnwofgsQhzXpSHe leaned on the low couch beside the table in the room.pGpOFxLYCAnxNjUGJiySlApNQMYzJY
vwZyvAXbDgXjSHDGazing thoughtfully out of the window for a moment, he then got up, took paper and pen, and began to write.ELLlhHAXlAVyGMvaYGkGkoDQRbDfzz
FeAgMelrsAIsDkGPage after page, the strokes flowed from his pen.NgAOtEgzwPgNaWGdkcYQExDXUbCINd
LwlltXLHPbDjlBnHalf an hour later, Ning Rushen looked satisfied at his masterpiece: Li Wuting had allowed him to express himself freely, so he had done just that.YVaAjPkOTROrrdKwQSEooNMQNKAFeJ
sPZrDgBNyDiJpqO…LbIcuDmoixhxvrHDXpqAwZvUMmOSTF
aJJzsoVKdYENkPnThe day of the interview arrived quickly.tzXfkaxZvlfbNBNfEMkjAaXHByGrZI
dfLhHmMfwswjzDkThree days later, the weather was clear and refreshing.OMBBOFaZvbVuTiVKvJuyaVPyusxFkU
JIQqAkCTTxhEUIJNing Rushen changed into a crimson official robe, took the stack of papers he had prepared, and set off for the Imperial Examination Hall.skyPpEEoXhTOULrwVpDbSceRZGGzby
KjVcVtMNvcOartDAt the same time, in the palace.ZhTZmMnMfPsBoHdPllDWvmSGKHCliV
jHJlglDbWRWjmkYPick One knelt before the throne, faithfully reporting.jyexhVDrZvkgVFBYTOkWufkjuNcCxr
wjHJLHvajogspGAHe was reporting on the incident at the restaurant in the western part of the city. Li Wuting stood in front of the steps, listening and then sneering, “In the eyes of those aristocrats, am I so easily manipulated?”mzimTUqhSYpaMCUwaoluuJgelBMgtm
ikfOwYRBXRosgeJPick One added, “The Yud family even said Your Majesty is a tyrant.” The word “tyrant” was emphasized, sounding particularly sinister.yiLTDIsRwPJhqELdXHXZpQazdMBNBy
eWZcZLjdHZyWeZJLi Wuting’s eyes suddenly darkened.avdhlkVdJmWoSRADfgiBrsuWcCHCyg
twDRSPCnxgqKqIO“How dare you!” De Quan quickly scolded, then turned to Li Wuting, “Daring to slander Your Majesty deserves death! Your Majesty, please calm down. Let Mr. Ning take care of this today!”EqMEkXjMncrOpbGzwbnCxgcJAgbAuw
AXyXhYdvmsYZPRbThere was a moment of silence in front of the steps.ZuBEoGVvMScdTJOoozDDFTmDTWYDjO
OsuBhXaeUUDEJreThen Li Wuting spoke slowly, “I want to see what he plans to do.”pNIUNyrFsNJvIpPpgeRDeeieVDxkgn
rBxGjVGIjNXwvVq“Yes.” De Quan immediately ordered the carriage to be prepared.XAwVwraPxSBwpmYcEPkWzhVOPEFcEd
vrqvqUcLFlYojEHJust as the imperial carriage was about to depart, Li Wuting paused.oViNZniTfgOyEwXAUyLKlloxjbFGwC
YEBXkDqwXLZMZcuHe looked at Pick One. “Is that all?”KzdNalgQXwGXEkIWazxBpmeVwpFzVd
XXbThuhQvJBkkbHPick One replied, “Yes, Mr. Ning has recently enjoyed eating pancakes and sends someone to queue up for him. From morning till night, every day without fail.”aLIpZeEZXKueRjNupoJuHEABBXwPtl
ZCFsjFJlGiVXwqJLi Wuting remained silent for a moment. “It’s not easy either.”RRTRXENrYBJJmxGNSFpzqSlltEsxYw
hMvhlvpwkHzrKrZPick One became excited, “Not hard!”flGMNBqdffioinukaFGCnswIPTCTaP
qpofViZsXXtlsosLi Wuting glanced at him, “…not talking about you.”IMTMAzrrcnttpNyzfOuJscRQOysPwq
MNQueUdkeIxMQVxThen he left the palace.VhytwtRFsoBREQdeDrbERnytoDdsXn
GcMVBmGKhphwOkxMeanwhile, at the Imperial Examination Hall.xHUKChnTbnnUVsSMmBhCBfxvBDkkaD
tsGUDDEOdqiXrRaA curtain was drawn in the courtyard, concealing the view inside. The examinees went behind the curtain one by one to receive their number plates and then entered their respective examination rooms.gcdFLBpduPJZMjSXYZvJpAcIBzJxqR
QpPkxEaoIfkdGWrIn the Jia You Examination Room, Yu Tiao entered.shlgvRpjQBbmHKXRPQHdbOsISEnGHs
FzKAjJfIImYAnKwUpon entering, he was surprised to see several familiar faces inside, including the sons of the Wu City Garrison Commander. He was stunned, “What’s going on?”hgLHPOgfrCXjwKIHwrfQTzYouikNVb
mshVnWQxykILDkHThe others looked at each other, “Wasn’t it supposed to be random?”dYfOiVTIfHKjaQdCQTczamiCgdWUYr
vKQiXXNyJDVFVfsYu Tiao couldn’t figure it out, so he sat down, reluctantly suppressing his anxiety, “Never mind, just pass the interview first.”zrRJbQicJNtOnmEcOTPqxloIrJQWNI
NYySuHnNmOnfTJw“That’s right, we also need to see how Ning Chen will react!”OHXFSKdjqQtBVpOUNlpCURbvbmsfqT
ZZjhhoquySrlWVmJust as they were talking, footsteps were heard from behind the examination room.WxZbEMYZZPAUdoNnUDXSjelTxFgcAd
YaIvBPZKJvfsbKmThe room fell silent instantly.mzoBbqvHoLjJWdCnVURJQqvLrYDdiO
tNGiwdECmrpOBKvAmong the examinees, there was a man dressed in a crimson official robe, with a goose pattern shimmering on top, exuding an air of nobility and clarity.kQKGaQKqdpQGQJlrsgmMDIpmBKtwqj
vFKtwENmJlCLoZjNing Rushen walked to the front of the chief examiner’s desk and smiled slightly.KVmWRgVImFxVyYATMkBqJIgsHkvFgM
DflxSklxHjajkYkIn Yu Tiao’s mind, there was a sudden buzz! His face turned pale, staring incredulously at the person standing in the position of the chief examiner:pOTCkCfqdqdLDInvWIgwbhJecVhIEC
hwnLiEaNKYGUqPkHow could it be Ning Chen!?tNroVfmkVehgRvmraVDgpQPcbtxIpv
yuwEEnXKDUUWTXGSeveral other sons of aristocratic families were also shocked, as if they had lost their voices.mmyhDQPOtCXDlhCjxhKLZPKYjsJhJO
jRAtfTgpFPgamptNing Rushen smiled at the stunned group, raised his chin as he did that day at the restaurant, and said, “Please, be seated.”AdZqkREbFQdgtYWXeSNJSwNpUGuOaj
TGBMXQOLUTMGJOlAfter saying that, he pulled out a chair and sat down, indicating the start of the group interview without a leader.cSaUjaJHTvLMYEFVIrLNPZVJoyafvQ
WvszPVJDZWGmSzipTNRxbojZsHJGGwTUsLUaXoSaMLDCe