This official is so weak

Ning Rushen stared blankly at the cold, handsome face in front of him.HNUwfWCjnudJwJueWwrdBAMmSGYuUL

qiJRZPsQFxKOlua

The room fell silent for a moment, then everyone knelt down in unison, “We pay respects to Your Majesty!”TqLxqZXrgLyrTeNMgDyWXqhsWvsexk

aDlHRhsQAJZPJQc

Li Wuting’s gaze swept across the room full of blushing, bare-chested men from the Northern Frontier, “Hmm,” he grunted. His eyes then returned to the person in front of him. As Ning Rushen turned his head, he finally saw the faint vermilion collarbone revealed under the loosened collar of the other person’s clothes.TfgYEWQLpMCSKFQGYjIyPuUilDtlHO

gHSnPPtCFAPIMxS

He immediately felt a chill, and in a deep voice, he said, “Get dressed.”zwCuKREMMendRczJhfqTdriBUIgSpN

unKyrwCOYtByrpW

Ning Rushen felt the fingers at his side hooking, and with a shiver, he straightened up, dizzy, and lowered his head to pull the gauze draped around him.cgOYTbkIdwlAiBxIlycXjOyssjbubu

KnyWKYLuWScXFvK

He tugged a few times but couldn’t remove it; instead, he made his clothes even more disheveled.utbtvgREbWWjHumwxOfJmRNyHsNuTA

RrzqaSXnzwCuEwu

In his flustered state, he suddenly heard a voice in front of him, “That’s enough.”aIpsFMShyiCEbLmkCllSqfhQURNznQ

xriEkSJMHPrBcUd

Li Wuting pressed his temples and said, “Fix yourself in the carriage.”xyVbxQhZWvPFTawLDUyolSZyveMvKP

CNfGDmrjZIIGNQn

As he leaned forward, he was suddenly poked back by a whisk. He exclaimed, “Ah…!”mWFlukPdlyOOWcQZdfYgDZvBGlAzFq

ThtYzuRaThiOTUY

De Quan, intentionally or unintentionally, stood in front of him, his face unchanged.aMKktcUUeSEqtuWVIXUmXjdQvLwPKL

egsCfNUCAUjRbDW

In the brief pause, Ning Rushen had already followed Li Wuting out of the door, clinging to his back. As the door curtain fell, those in the room, including Huo Mian, could only vaguely see someone stumbling, then being steadied by a large hand.YNjkyiXBDkpilTKOAmVtxuZtSfMJuQ

MmgYuGuZaeEdwXk

Ning Rushen followed Li Wuting onto the carriage, with De Quan and Yuan Liu staying outside.SroAQlRCtKstGuXIwczcXgNfkESVIb

ivNqNQUTAXgIuvG

He clumsily climbed onto the seat, tangled in the gauze, and then finally heard the emperor-like figure in front of him unable to contain his annoyance, “What kind of messy things are you playing with? As courtiers, how can you dress so improperly!”SoJdOXynHNtqTwKBQcdiiYwJmEpszj

vETnRuYgRYiurRf

Ning Rushen sat in front of Li Wuting, looking at his cold face, and explained in detail, “This was accidentally pulled down and hasn’t been fixed yet.”xnTxqyUjyEGYFYBoodaXdRyrSLZWyJ

MuREqxWBHUtmqsv

“Oh, how was it accidentally pulled down?”KzrEsfYeKWwDaMxxjPutJvRizPvTon

XMKKeHSOIWXSszP

“When I was about to fall, I grabbed onto it as a life-saving straw.”awIaGxxwBpzSpVwhomwQyJxbTltzJc

cgdLYtqgXJvBHvw

The gaze from across the table lingered on his face for a few moments.CVKMEbfzAuwrRgslYThZbBMmvsNsgS

QQbHYwufdXEPqtt

Then Li Wuting’s expression softened a bit, and he said in a calmer tone, “Remove your life-saving straw.”tTwDJQmfhqSxYvKHLkZQphlMiOPGpn

uRKVQjHiLBlGMJJ

“Yes.” Ning Rushen was also uncomfortable with the entanglement. He lowered his head and began to untangle it.kbvpzOUlMtcsyvxFSsmKXbsjwfkJGV

sXLkDfHhFgsRgGA

The crimson gauze wound around his fair neck, over his shoulders and arms, and then tucked into the silver hairband. As he struggled, his loose clothes revealed his fair skin and white inner clothes.OsEsvrnXBaPkUghflDoLOjLevBfKdH

rtdPBrmWXsnDybQ

Inside the carriage with the curtains down, everything was blurry and indistinct.SLtIKLJSKDcOyhqTUOROJkydjrOBPX

odemcCoyonrBQJo

Ning Rushen was fighting a losing battle with the gauze when his raised wrist was suddenly grasped by a large hand.WNkDuvBRYlaQoSSGHyJiqdfENMauhN

qcQjEQWjOCpljpt

The rough and warm fingertips brushed against the delicate skin on his wrist.vnYAqJnlLjEEHySczJizXljiAliUGH

toxFOpYkDUzzzVw

The itch made his fingertips twitch, and he looked up, “Your Majesty?”PmbmllxyxNmHezXVfeiHNNQFYbBLUu

uTzjcLDafxqJxfV

Li Wuting sat upright in front of him, paused, and then pushed his hand away, “Come here.”nLpGXWOzjQjbAqzobhUWptnVHuSkmP

JGkNCQUjimCDXDU

Ning Rushen approached, puzzled.aNoBRnBnvbjxdqgOxQinJjLsOWJtDU

jOiSpoAksAcxdmj

The hand reached out and hooked the thin gauze.eFxriMMbyGilKcEGsukuVMSizfSToH

WjfTREKJuqvjLzE

Li Wuting kept his eyes down, not looking at the exposed collar of his clothes, and skillfully pulled the gauze open.jMjMoxvBYctEFtjBqtLqWziCqApxKR

QamgzHHYGSnEjJt

The chiffon rubbed against the fabric, making a rustling sound.bSRJHyZrJEGreeRSuqQYaWtktrqMno

EkgMcVEImCronLh

Ning Rushen felt like a bamboo shoot being peeled, gradually revealing its tender core.hlgyeYCiBzpBscDgSXLIZkohRowLOq

JncGeWrGtbNZhFU

He suddenly felt hot all over and started trembling slightly.YYXNCrTHLdNMipOcXXNaETXHSEWIMS

yWdzfIzKxCfSttj

In a clear and deep voice, Li Wuting asked, “Are you cold?”ZnMPHEJSeACczrVBAeahWuZuzYZlsl

BgTdKZXJKZgdEic

Ning Rushen’s eyelashes trembled as he said, “Hot.”LPzonjNDyGhjbVrxaTLpjUgCrVXGan

qabrNqnkybwNdUL

“…,” Li Wuting remained silent.qgTqduOeQcNCvgkVUqkxBrfMTZbjmz

fzFKcllLVHMqaDT

After a short while, Li Wuting finally pulled away all the gauze curtains and casually threw them aside. He then kindly straightened out the open collar, tucking it neatly into the belt.kbQzYjYGjgmpBbzmBgBJikTQCUSqiw

byWrrwhrysJaRzi

After finishing, he saw Ning Rushen still sitting there, letting others manipulate him, and couldn’t help but feel a headache. “Do you know what you’re doing right now?”KRGCtkZcsnfRsFuLJiljTDIibGPGvr

SBhlzdErEGibnlH

Ning Rushen replied, “Yes, Your Majesty, you are helping your subject…”XmbJayqwKGdxPfYFsHjYQqWoGwdSXk

lWFHOrskfVcSblS

What was it again? He thought for a moment, “To unravel cocoons.”KpOXvJUOaEKtfDOLyhRVEIviKOrwjo

ooktAsRYoHyishV

Li Wuting “…”eiSkwIcqjSEpwQgkdifidHQmSsUggO

ZSptazsrBXymwfu

“Alright, no more talking.” Li Wuting turned and instructed outside, “Back to the mansion.”dwMrVqlFBnzssMavfXFKDAZelmTIlt

HvKcshibdxxRVNU

The carriage slowly started moving.OngtNazWuStxfKaaSzoLpFCvLFHTpP

lfDrStjqilTvxiP

The gently swaying carriage became quiet for a while.ixaXEZVgOSkIKWEJcFgXSWseQLDXeG

KAqXMewFlKEssPH

Ning Rushen’s restless heat gradually dissipated, and he finally regained his senses, “Why did Your Majesty come?”UuRjdfAeCAPQbyKkoMVjywMOwJFoZQ

FmsRByLjDkELmFP

Li Wuting glanced at him lightly, “To deliver rations for Lord Ning, but it seems Lord Ning is dining elsewhere.”NRfheqNhxnAzNSrGzCBAiYFcXaugnL

oyWzPObcqbXnDxs

Ning Rushen’s Adam’s apple moved, “What rations?”ZoRECYLoaeJXaqdPdsqhZxaHARAjux

IerNfHcRdCdjFSr

He tapped on the low table in front of him, indicating the meal box.KKizTRQrseGwNnKBudtlpzsCtWlZiO

iWgsKQdUOyICfUt

He reached out to open it, revealing a delicate and sweet box of pastries, all to his liking. Ning Rushen’s mouth watered, “I… I haven’t eaten any rations either, I’ve just been drinking.”FXQMnxTqYxmpzWFNCyblIPBSDgAyNB

QASPJIuziBrCjFk

Li Wuting immediately looked cold, “With your current state, do you not understand moderation? Do you want to ruin yourself and lie in bed for another ten days?”VsAbniTzVZLLkHTYvZwFxkhUeExeDg

BVWUyHqrIXwCrXh

Ning Rushen’s face showed a simple and straightforward longing.LjnBTspNQsWnCIQmPmkjnBxcCspDUR

bNaWASmOGHpqSnW

Li Wuting’s brow twitched. He didn’t want to dwell on this topic with a drunkard. “Forget it, eat your pastries.”vLDsBzjJPtFhKNxzjqkWRScHCHBIDC

uboyFTyPhgabuBh

Ning Rushen immediately reached out.aOzffPYgVxKjTNMiUGAcCtmHTSWQPW

CiMfLkFGpJxVcvf

He had just come out of the Huaigu Tower and had handled chess and card tools.embBxaGptJgPDSCKvFPOQsCXAlpnDM

BqhyIkHrkDYOQhP

Li Wuting slapped away the dirty paw and said, “Go clean up—” He paused midway, feeling a sudden itch in his palm.LUQevFfLyBwMiLfaMEyVfPLpgqPFeL

OsAGrUHsensfcGP

He glanced at Ning Rushen, then at the pastries in the meal box, and then, not forgetting his initial intention, picked up a piece. Li Wuting deliberated between his over twenty years of gentlemanly conduct and feeding the cat for a few breaths.oGclzcVfSRaGDlJnnphVesKiZeRBcV

PKPnDmVzZgMQhzS

Then he said, “Come here.”DSfcXUkmyHpaWuzUgEDjaRfrTnMpno

otUZZsFUyXGvsMz

His slender, jade-like fingers held the exquisite pastry like a jadeite.CtQIUnqEbxMwJaVvltDwjUAEMfSIDR

lpBmsjFfBnDewCQ

Either way, it was pleasing to the eye.vMdwZSkCaMkCWzTbZIrvhoaZvQgqbF

SVRlehPOVoKRaEw

Ning Rushen’s mind was blank at the moment, so he leaned over as he pleased and began to eat small bites from Li Wuting’s hand.JOVKUGksQfuheDRpnsXCVtGWSBqmlX

DxTIPSitobXJbnd

Li Wuting lowered his gaze.YLbCJvowOrMQzBoDPcdytwjJhhVicc

WegahpZTauWgvaF

He saw Ning Rushen’s long eyelashes drooping on his eyelids, his soft and fair cheeks puffing up, enjoying the food.zTJKJovbUrTXKJyqfOWedVMoTMViMt

nbaqBWTakZaJNpP

His heart, which had been neglected, was smoothed out a bit.NAfvvFtxjUSgCBNNmwyVbDHIBsdeds

FsfHMlhMPDhesvY

Just before the lips touched his fingertips, Li Wuting adhered to the last etiquette between sovereign and subject and withdrew his hand.XNdLfVAbaymJoychbmhxlmhgAtkche

xndYkXXQrmlfZkQ

…gUFJPrPLDDckXbAPVVWxPoNGOvcFNJ

jREANiychMXOQlf

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of the Ning Mansion.CJvsCKcVtKRBazJimBuWcCWVAhamiI

WBcMzYImLHypZHW

The two got off the carriage.GlgWARRDkPSMnFCHXgSjCKdCyUDgVO

xDfCXYMOiHpQaUt

De Quan lifted the curtain and saw Ning Rushen with flushed cheeks, moist eyes, and a satisfied look on his face. The Emperor beside him had a normal expression, only his fingertips seemed to have some pastry residue.gJsVdWvqziaECdkdeoPzLSxPfEBvFo

GnoSmWxmoiMvPkQ

Before he could take a closer look, he heard the Emperor instruct, “Take the food box.”XBclomWemZnZPZcTikftKGawGOmCwL

TUPPHuMOxaKeXBB

Immediately, Li Wuting reached out his long arm and dragged the person into the mansion.ydZwsTWnEjYZsnLrcVNgifWSijEYbn

AqvUlwoHQNwSrHc

Ning Rushen was carried back to the main house smoothly, and when he entered, he was thrown onto the bed with a “plop.”TTdTHOGodVpMHBZymHXjxuCsJJbqHm

nZRitkBjYFqInhZ

“Ugh…” He felt dizzy and rubbed his forehead against the bed before pushing himself up.eTXVLNQhwJISmcrltqyTWhjHZsZedJ

yzzoRNTrucDLhvA

Xinglan, who rushed over upon hearing the noise, was startled by the scene!VqRgzTiIYVOYlhqNnASQclMGXXgkxO

FBgdxQaDmTlXLIN

After hastily greeting Li Wuting, she turned to fetch hot water, muttering repeatedly in disbelief, “How did the master end up in such a state, in such a state…!”vFWyTWYWdFkxDuMqBFCtMjkKEgYNjr

TPivdzXSAIfTxdD

Ning Rushen, “…”JvhkbaYSfHMGsgSibDQqkJeSWDLMvM

umgKEhdCQPXFmJX

Watching Xinglan run off, he glanced around.goIliQyhwDMRLIOLmYwsbYDpiPPLgI

LYQfulgrBxfDnqQ

Li Wuting stood tall with his hands behind his back, his figure looming against the light, in front of his bed.FJMVeCBUGLzZlsOgSiUyDzrFcryRZM

aAunfBQkCQSmpCG

Ning Rushen subconsciously grasped his belt, puzzled, “Your Majesty, aren’t you leaving yet?”IrKHtGdnByimKFZyYwvDipEywrPlmt

OwwkIJIFNDwLfvw

Li Wuting sneered, “Use and discard?”jiNGmMkvQxOUqGuuldCAQAYSLIGWLV

PzNNySJRykqnnlq

“…” Ning Rushen groggily pondered; why did that phrase sound so familiar?eDIUigofKNwiExQwXVSdRwzcDXdEDw

walYwImRntCDhvB

Soon, Xinglan returned with the hot water.YnBuspRFHgnzHkuCbYBDNhpRZaxhZZ

aHUqPhKTRbKSmAr

Li Wuting still stood by, observing with his hands behind his back.slnJpUkKaRZalpJMHUFHWyrLrivhFI

mJDaIMAHUDOOGvn

There was a face towel floating in the basin of hot water. Ning Rushen reached in to wash his face, then rubbed his wet hands on his face.sYhrslFYIAWgixNdskZfKBoyISieYm

CixynXNTEsbFuSM

Xinglan was alarmed, “My lord, use the towel!”CLKiFFfrLPfoAGnGzlQogtoHZSJkgP

lMouQWdnEtrdHLa

Li Wuting, “…”bPDYrGtgZaDEFFOMnHVKPqjmqTIHPj

biQgHCObQNPrzUq

After a bit of struggle, Ning Rushen finally cleaned his hands and face.EtDrfdwSauSvwYEqEpjvCWxBCutaNE

soVkFAiqkDAPzTz

His mind, in a whirl, cleared up a bit. He realized he had been terribly disrespectful to the esteemed Emperor.ysrWEeoOXQDkSSBooGmOifvmYvzxNR

vknmPmKAafAgMol

He immediately straightened up, “Your Majesty.”ulOyXMmgYtfxRDlmoNkwvotjEXRTCH

xzuxzwSysSkLIeE

Li Wuting coldly chuckled, “Do you understand your offense?”lapjCGdBwXQlYZpyofSNBBNfCDIxMQ

WFmconCaORjAFuY

“I was wrong, Your Majesty.”gBYGJgGxiqQIwRFeFAgDhizBLpQYMF

TNBiPKmQKoSTdtc

“Is that all?”FhOTatMSADACXfZZccLWaGscWqhUne

atTYNbJDBkIYDrq

“…” Ning Rushen thought for a moment, then, in a manner reminiscent of his past apologies, he grabbed the sleeve in front of him, “I was wrong, Your Majesty.”oQhkmCngPqjypYXjkEhiMCgHhooHbi

aSyCEyncULDXWPO

Li Wuting, “…”ESfXKZFRcDAMmgQsLqBcCghgvITaDx

hklZvMwqBJMjEyL

After a while, he softened his tone, “Forget it, this time it’s noted. If you make another mistake, you’ll be punished together.”gXXZYXVyflHmPwrmzBQiwHXRXLAUGp

ISczEHsoJpONzjt

Ning Rushen nodded vigorously.BxJJRrdhPjJdEQYBYBmFcaXaEMWNgI

IsRdadIlEkiaJUs

Yes, yes, yes, we’ll talk about next time, next time.IIbsBQPliwFJzNycANlrOyYqVmEivN

XTlnUfYiWdrEHLb

Seeing his expression, Li Wuting restrained the urge to punish him, turned, and left.eSswMaRxyKxjeKRdkFHmCTLtmOcRDk

ZOfHoeJiwQlUPoX

Outside the courtyard gate, De Quan was respectfully waiting.AIILSkcmGtAZPRymKmKgWcHGIqWTSI

htfYJAJTsDJeHjE

Seeing the emperor coming out after only a short while, dressed neatly, he couldn’t help but sneak a glance and was then called up:RDjXQRSmmopoiNSeWSemlxZGrFVXCm

zNuIAdBBnluaNlw

“Return to the palace.”PoaOpNFXvlNbEEmUzmoHQjLhcUToco

kGsWzbhlvzPbjiE

“Yes, Your Majesty!”VJhHAUwgblFdmzGCrxKQPNJUbOlxZP

GkuoyirpWjvMMYl

The servants of the Ning Residence hurriedly saw off the imperial carriage.ilUtOcypfytslfnklvzpawZEPsitrq

AaKOlhTwJEaPYBC

Once back in the carriage, Li Wuting lifted the curtain and saw the bundle of crimson gauze still draped over the seat, strikingly eye-catching. It carried a hint of the sweet wine fragrance from a spilled wine cup, intoxicating.ZqTMqmfaAFbExuglLxNGPDpmeEoqBN

NmAIGYtgXdJrHyE

De Quan tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, this?”kSvkzqyaKJaLLIdsfGQMKStgfEDlKg

PNnQhmIZUzdEtuv

Li Wuting glanced aside and sat down, “Put it aside.”rwCpDlZTmkmDmPBZdqPtrEoldzywHI

PWHyujhtESDYGsW

He didn’t say to throw it away, so De Quan gathered it up.yeVZWdnGTcJLGBorhysbqICMpCuBLu

CRKgzfxdOnhrsys

As the carriage swayed back to the palace, De Quan neatly folded the red gauze and tucked it behind the cushion before getting off the carriage.tRaqmqAwbLRRajzIgjelzRAKcXwGjT

yUMCGBbnXapgfsE

Feeling pleased with himself, he thought, “I’m quite clever.”hsDkvDsfhUyYvaPhWYKZEcMMiPjcol

gvvfmmhxhtGmpVx

---

After Li Wuting returned, Ning Rushen took a bath and went to bed, feeling dizzy. He slept deeply until early the next morning.UwrcxAobKYyefwYabnnYNDHnDBppfM

GzDsSdBpOJDTmVC

Upon waking, he felt a splitting headache. “Did I hallucinate? I didn’t see the old lady, but I saw the living Yama…”pCPfNXXtrAnFZvkcWkRnKbwYsUZMbJ

gJodipTlbmhaQRw

In a daze, Yuan Liu walked in, “My lord!”DhXBiBIJEwscwzaZWQFVzxgpblAtOE

oklzEYbamexwSQH

Ning Rushen, trying to sound casual, asked, “How did I come back yesterday?”OviKetpdHEdXoIpXwdnBPruNaHjQtg

ZEsqDCwmaDSrogH

Yuan Liu replied, “My lord, you were brought back by His Majesty.”CfiFJdZuNpROQEvhJamJkAovfkaRNf

RGZBlPotKfxcFmi

The word “brought back” was quite vivid.RFMClUCkYqMssklGRzSoHdgiCVEzcD

JqeAcRQwAXXRJgP

Memories of his death surged in his mind. Ning Rushen finally remembered some scenes—the hand that took away the gauze, the bed obscured by darkness, and the words, “Next time, we’ll be punished together…”xoTPLxuisfwpxxRLDhkjOSwxzLQglb

SQogFHsuhvpZgGQ

“No… my head hurts so much, it feels like my brain is going to burst.”qZLzglkJNTdewEXBylmjrkIKoIrGsK

UdFLHcUHlZaNTQB

“My lord?” Yuan Liu approached, “Are you attending court today?”xhcokpHOfnYecSdJmLMTZUAqUGcOwi

EUqEFRTHURiAEEp

Ning Rushen took a deep breath, “I am.”NfSxcRfCinZbNMHlpxASlIUwmDqKwC

fWPUXkuOEBQPfCk

---

The morning court was relatively mild.QuVsBrMGWHFfqoxaWZCzrHqtRzMLYw

uHKSRaPITXVlpwo

The reports were mainly about trivial matters from various regions and preparations for the upcoming Duan Yang Festival.HeElGtRHtCYjtOgWTYBgFdbPAhgfWY

TgvIbTXtwOSqqbB

During the court session, Ning Rushen relaxed a bit.TowKYvtDqkKqBfiJSTPBYUKBSCaUpl

OLOfGvJEPJufgCI

After court, he rubbed his newly grown brain and headed to the imperial study.hSrrjlpihVrYaFFSMlyPrywPPnXcLc

UXpGxocBKtUzAPR

He felt a bit nervous as he entered, unsure if Li Wuting would pursue yesterday’s matter. However, when he cautiously approached, he saw Li Wuting sitting upright behind the imperial desk, looking composed and unaffected.QGWNwpjtXkdkVRvoQjlzVUtjOxRnSH

XJZcuURrCjfXISH

Ning Rushen spoke, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”HBbgAJLioqymQrDIKGVzZjrtzwbsYh

ujlPVNrtcArqgtF

Li Wuting glanced up from his work, “Hmm, come over and grind some ink.” After saying this, he calmly returned to his documents, as if nothing had happened.NIGOvFMrdSAJVgrXBqxINuMQPXeCIe

zoNbZKdEhzMVlor

Ning Rushen breathed a sigh of relief: “Looks like we’re turning a new leaf.”PPpxmJfkAeflfXYmgqRRZqHaSoNsia

osFcEXObqAayBsk

He stood aside, grinding ink.MCPiRhdmjosgADoWnbjTqEIMvIMMyo

zPArSqEeTrnfbjy

During this time, the Minister of Rites, Guan Fan, came over and reported in detail with Li Wuting about the preparations for the Duan Yang Festival banquet and the folk activities:GzhxFtGpZTOzbZCgXwpVgraFgvdKDG

qpJnjPxlRHLeAtS

“…Everything is being procured according to the specifications of previous years. Additionally, regarding the palace banquet, I wonder if Empress Shu and Prince Xuan will participate?”klGsYpcuZHdEBHwzCcPFRSYuhdXCPR

ausofaoNYLMRVZu

“For Empress Shu, I will send someone to inquire.”NZXKbhRbnkYPnwzODGyXahVpvVKsRp

oywDHnSRxhbpYct

Li Wuting paused, seeming somewhat troubled, “Prince Xuan is already on his way back.”nHMHQOSleVHENGHbJdBuPIGxFpNuUr

RbaBOrlluZEsYxd

Guan Fan bowed, “I understand.”CgPNMzVHbeIBWDexMiKLrUnDmOUiBw

cyvoTbJspCHVNDt

After Guan Fan left, Ning Rushen seemed lost in thought, “Prince Xuan is returning to the capital?”bHnkWDtsCjppqwTvvcfseyIhQDCEqf

lrGOSwoNOzaLtTf

“Yes.” Li Wuting paused and asked, “Has he contacted you?”awMBSdKVBskFBdaxTwFJtvOevhJFkf

dbBXuzLGEBCGVCT

Ning Rushen thought of the fat pigeon and said regretfully, “Not yet cooked.”wwEFhmuuJSmaargUPLkOKgnnQkJgIx

vioziMOoevrPxNk

“…”YhLyrHlZkmNfdJOurOjagUIByhxsnb

tgjDhNNLQDSpaBF

Li Wuting inexplicably drew a conclusion from his nonsensical answer and waved his hand, “Nevermind, there’s nothing else today, you may leave.”sOTGiiMpwugPbFTYLBiytmohUPGcAK

zSBrnLvPmnnYLFX

Ning Rushen acknowledged and left the study, but before he could exit the palace gate, he saw Huo Mian waiting at a distance.BipJbbCJChPAJQvsBQSTHQBURVhluD

VNOHcxUiXvzpHsC

Seeing him, the tall and straight figure of Huo Mian shook slightly, beckoning to him.MIalEYbyvHXyLKGziGJnzVefrXPUnk

IeGBcjzNMTUQDDF

Ning Rushen walked over, “General Huo?”yrYCamtLgkPXUzeyORuduIBGKBFBYo

XSmmusUbKBLTFca

What’s up, another celebration for turning eighty?zKDuKAGiEnqMGsUTtafMhPHoVlHyMM

XbonaTKkLVSaXuH

Huo Mian looked him up and down, trying to confirm if he was unharmed, “You went back yesterday, did you not get punished?”niWbWsHDkySCnYDGrhEIHFpJecBksi

hNYVWkZoEDjMPke

Ning Rushen shook his head, “His Majesty said to record it for now, and punish later with accumulated charges.”AoIBhJrFPjLDgNYgXDbuebPzssDMoc

rOLiDuTtXQVDfPX

Huo Mian sighed in relief, “That’s not too bad, just a suspended sentence.”gFLFgEDIRPADkYwzRepNCaTbygyMno

GCWPFrlbQkuFWyk

“…”qMRwGoBPYBOAXEGmZHulhnFOchyvzO

CDXzeruFTyZwTMj

“By the way, why did His Majesty come? Is there something urgent?”hsBLMAMwpNIlsNTIlgTuPmdPbQgpkY

XHuqznfGFquwILN

Skipping over his inauspicious relief, Ning Rushen thought carefully, “It seems not. I can’t remember clearly, I just remember eating a lot of snacks.”BEFhBruAyDozXvUpRxdIKTWsyYgnev

kppckIiByWomBSc

Huo Mian: …?EnZgqNGNdbsSDoSyTVZpbqpzGReQON

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Huo Mian was silent for a while, “I don’t quite understand.”CiNkWCiFLhFDScGzXxkaSqjZZFTKnx

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Ning Rushen nodded, “Neither do I.”fABMUjcMNstjMsGpyDIpJvLeblSTbz

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Being unceremoniously taken back by Li Wuting, eating some snacks, and then being sent back to his residence, was it just to catch him and have snacks?etjBkgkiJqgHSKpHJfNrmgmRSlqXIZ

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Unable to understand, he simply attributed it to his new brain not yet fully developing, waved to Huo Mian, and left.vejcqmnbueFADzPXIGmoRusKHQJtjR

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…nodfkyaMiuVqVsSJiySFYIPUeCqsUz

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Ning Rushen returned to his residence and stayed quiet for a few days.tCGhsMzKBFrZZZQvocxYWOfKvrphBi

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Five days later, it was the day for Prince Xuan to return to the capital.WFiAJIWLtbrtZwtIiUQUKhrGmvQzAT

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That day, he figured he had nothing to do, so after the morning court, he was planning to ask the eunuchs if they still needed him for duty. However, halfway there, he ran into Li Wuting and Li Jingyu.NNnIWakmSKeHcMErqiNhZMmplXtrir

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From a distance of about ten steps, Li Wuting looked up.INZcFGkblRQIIwtYreixjqznPJjMWg

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Ning Rushen spoke up, “I pay my respects to Your Majesty and Prince Jing.”XxihQnvODMQQYIaMoaMrjzyaKvXujD

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Li Jingyu ran over, “Lord Ning, we’re going to pick up Second Brother, come along!”grxPIAusrnDHFAXMqBokzTHiJVipcg

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“?” Ning Rushen asked, “Isn’t that unnecessary… Will Your Majesty personally go to pick him up?”zdCdwrwlngBGRSxogkkIzMKCfHMAkJ

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Li Wuting sneered, “I’m going to see if he’s brought anything he shouldn’t have.” If he has, he’ll be sent back immediately.IQGxusjVzqBteqKWIIxOGkdjfUALFc

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Ning Rushen: ???rvLOPAIWIHqzvgPfgccEQtHVopXeax

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He hadn’t even asked what shouldn’t be brought when his hem was pulled down. He lowered his head, and Li Jingyu climbed up to him and whispered, “It was Second Brother who asked me to call you together.”keRRnpJfHASABnkryCXuGtdzFHhQxi

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Ning Rushen was puzzled, “Why?”XpCocCjEMzsVPDuunKxDaJjzrTNpHi

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Li Jingyu said, “To talk about secret matters of the inner palace… Ah!”auMTuEXLhmTNGGfPHgAWGFbgQikEHU

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A large hand suddenly reached out and grabbed him away.TAqShQlqJcXeWyWvyfTEzOXEBVqJoF

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Li Wuting glanced at Ning Rushen, “Doesn’t Jingyu’s way of speaking make you shake?”QXHnCSIDWHkxdKUoynFqsvWIVDpLKD

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Ning Rushen asked, “What?”IHaBMSblbrLPXNFjkPbfnfZRvfSdNb

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Before he could react, Li Wuting had already lifted up Li Jingyu, who was struggling, and walked forward, calling him along, “Keep up.”beFzItneAYnZuyjEvCIiMHDcHqgcvm

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The green bamboo carriage was already waiting outside the palace gates.tbXGxyoebZCprVAASCtwXUjbSPDarS

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The three got into the carriage, with De Quan serving on one side.EUNpoGDPNAnQrhFtanEJqbhYANVzhc

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The carriage rattled its wheels towards the South City Gate. Ning Rushen looked at the familiar furnishings inside the carriage and felt memories flooding back:UHypFmfembjaQSnhEvWrQoauizNOuX

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Such as how Li Wuting’s hand had pulled the gauze curtain for him.GqqSUYnyCgqrMFXarEaGTOXAlsCvqM

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And how that hand had elegantly closed his robe.nGOqwQoudTkrESZciiRgFQjOijuuss

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Ning Rushen glanced at Li Wuting, only to see him with a cold and calm profile. Thinking of his gentlemanly demeanor and his love for the people, he felt reassured.JIxEKFtoUgeWqAfYzQRhBVWJgWTLzw

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He turned to play with Li Jingyu, “Little Highness, don’t stuff the pastry into your mouth.”TAsEetIdknGEDEXymUwPLGyIYtiXzS

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“Ah, can’t Lord Ning do it? Ah——”CXAgmtHwFewmelcVkzmwmzzAdiKuXu

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Li Wuting, “…”hUEzLtUvwZwIeRouMJNFWhsjzktAqi

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After a while, as the carriage drove on, Ning Rushen and Li Jingyu finished half a box of pastries and prepared to wipe their hands.bfXfDhpvzLGFiGFmYDdlblIfqWCBac

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Ning Rushen was about to get a handkerchief for someone.CThzSZkNhxDGWMOpDQxWRUzxhWGeTd

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Li Jingyu suddenly turned his head, “Huh? There are handkerchiefs here too.”XWrQKQyzSPEDeHqdgyKmNFtRMOueUi

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Ning Rushen looked over and saw Li Jingyu vigorously pulling something out! He then pulled out a long scarlet gauze from the seat cushion seam—a familiar and glaring color of gauze.RGftGefRtjWSGlHKadhLqhcNwmaHwT

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The carriage instantly fell silent.LtCNBaGjUbgjIfZiXuCvPAcMeaLsKd

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Li Wuting, “…”FlIhXYVLLvpPHpzwODWmlgdQkCyozF

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Ning Rushen’s pupils contracted as he looked at the person!GNlZAqHxOfNYvkuaDrpBdEGYLfjnRw

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Li Jingyu also turned his head, “Imperial Brother, what is this?”YQbGjtNyRrNVUtaRbaaJonluDEjMKp

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In the corner of the carriage, De Quan buried his head and curled up into a ball.RaYUjmlnZucMmhpipNjBrUUzoFkTqO

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Li Wuting remained silent for a long time before gently saying to Li Jingyu, “Your Second Brother has returned, and this is used to ward off evil spirits.”JMWtyeuNmyquosxHDbQETUHorkksRm

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