Chapter 31
Ning Rushen keenly sensed a hint of danger, but his curiosity got the better of him.ShyAzUkvHuJJTKCsmtxjlHHwLLNOWG
QWZgcTJvJWPyKaWLi Yingtang then rustled out the stack of papers.bEzkeEoyqgorJfYLawapNYEmprPuOh
ejVgsJvYOvcPsWMHolding the stack of papers in front of him, Ning Rushen hesitated, feeling as if he was about to open Pandora’s box.ktZjpyfhKeVRVImQiaVZgOpYsQBUQZ
lFTrQrPFhAjkYoHAt that moment, Li Yingtang’s eyes lifted, and a hint of urgency appeared on his face, even using a bit of scarcity marketing:xVrDNSJYeODsxpmVgUKFHcHBGJYmfk
XblVuyjodAcBSzVHe saw that the freshly inked pages had been stuffed into an outer robe by His Majesty Xuan.jJuEAsjZwuuMFPhXYxtopcysFXpXPc
vnvpUHMhbxvGkXs『… Silken threads and curtains entangled, that hand caused a blur of ink and the crumpled carriage swayed, his tears flowed down as he pleaded: Spare me…』ritEVqkzkPXLmpymGVFOpNpbaquXfA
WXPdnnpXBbebouYHis hand trembled, and his ears turned red with a roar—xZXqdktmtFkngVPtvAwFgzWtJKVXPS
XiWIKTbSAOjCpbjIt was actually smut! His Majesty Xuan was quite something!NrcRxDfjcrmRRrEjvGXwioohxhkbIO
rOtHXYJznjvckReNing Rushen was greatly shaken, continuing to read further.BhNHAuqdAmWVXWsfYADOVDZvlgSvoh
ZgfDuZMbdmuNvdiJust as he saw a character for “monarch,” he suddenly heard a commotion behind him. The next moment, a gust of wind passed by his ear—mingled with the startled greetings of palace attendants, “Your Majesty!”uoPcHUogxmLYtnbMaOlJVrmyWnciaj
LcAvwSHjLqvUdJFA large hand suddenly covered his eyes from behind.ntbVkbOagJSvlwWWvnIXnnNyTcJQtM
WvNAFHNINAoUORe“Mm!” His vision plunged into darkness.vQYuWnhTrKwzggKLiUMJlVOyuGegJp
IdPFCMySLdqEailNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, his back pressed against a familiar chest, and he heard a low, cold voice full of anger from above, “Li Yingtang!”ekPaJHIvFBkYMxzSKBkFscQsmHlEHK
wSVFWKArgUFUUkQ“…”jRLCDhDonnlghqElXSFsYUlTuHmsvC
gMYIxuBEwyrCqnuThe paper in his hand was snatched away by someone, and Ning Rushen’s heart pounded, “Your, Your Majesty.”IvHYfAgFHfBQFhDShyXdBVNCQICkGN
pduOYMcxgMJpsszWhat was happening? It seemed like he was caught red-handed.EucrqWOsEeXDQvJBeeVzWcrJwvvNSB
wPTOGtVySKhmRLGAfter he spoke, the chest behind him seemed to calm down a bit.cyHIOhBMGyByeujhUDILUxQMUQBEYm
soIpjQmOQShfmnRLi Wuting looked down.oCcRLhvTnrLpNrpTCOcEBIimyORvje
nKggvASeKBVdsJdIn the deep night, a bit of warm light from a palace lantern slanted into the pavilion, and the ear beneath his gaze was as red as vermilion, with a red mole looking even more striking.lSXYQPdwUNliHdJRdqUgIIwYAdpSwN
QrpnzKjGIWAZPtXLi Wuting released his hand.WObWJvDQDeIPrRqsrFDnrVzwUPuHLh
YMlwArUJMPDdRTaHe then coldly glared at Li Yingtang, “You have some nerve.”HHtsVZulmBtYYIEprWTdGIInbYLltT
dbeIurXnWybdDVuNing Rushen regained his sight and saw Li Yingtang trying to remain calm, one hand still secretly hiding the paper.hkbCtspwUuClaOaWXksHyJDMkSBYcw
nPEDiixoJAOJmgE“Have I committed a crime?”PMNuYDuwFAVmygiWLRmBsVulreiuRg
DayHTkKcujKRMkhLi Wuting paused, “Disturbing the peace before the throne.”GfjmdTTLsjRAIZEnoHqUyPgUgfpnVs
RIiKWhkLfSeZegbNing Rushen, “…”suiZBXbiAvIrKWEXLmhxdkxiePZdtr
vfKxCZPKaQmCiCEThe atmosphere in the pavilion grew even tenser. Seeing the situation deteriorate, Li Yingtang took off before Li Wuting could speak, “Ah, I just remembered I need to accompany my mother consort, I must take my leave!”QrmRpmhBMbsNZptJLHXRwUzKQiXczR
vqXUqUggWtxfOqHHe then quickly disappeared into the night.LdBgBvkvkbBjXUIiFHNTsOvhGavUHe
DLLpXuwncxBzvutWith Li Yingtang gone, only Ning Rushen and Li Wuting were left in the pavilion.kezriWVxLTSNcAoFhBwuSNtzJPAErL
QUrtBHlgvnQdlhBNing Rushen felt a bit awkward, having been caught red-handed with smut by his superior. But glancing at Li Wuting’s expression, he seemed even more uneasy.SjQHdByxKVVzTMfrYQUwoEdkYIpZPi
IzvGlmgjhWxHHTYSuddenly, Ning Rushen recalled: Oh, Li Wuting had also read it…deyTSeeLIYitYpVDLDbeNqVIqQmAFP
MEtqHlbxVrdGfFLSo now they were smut book friends.WomKQGffDcCIwkmnAjwRkBQbUmQjpU
XcqwwnilYgKGlKSThe air felt a bit still.RtNYebvTYZxlkCNBaZWuJEdlTpJlgt
cCxUCyIsBUYcPwpNing Rushen softly spoke, trying to ease the tension, “Your Majesty, it’s really not a big deal…”AzaZlViFLMVjGQdMfAcqUmKlTjAOQV
AmnYomnQlZqwmHZAs soon as he started, Li Wuting looked over, his eyes deep, “You think it’s no big deal?”cfZwWsGilSAxmHEFBttTWXrnPFoTwY
XGbtQELWLezQVOuNing Rushen nodded, “Yes, quite normal.”ujrFnlXpBMGkrpfjjxtIvNfwTIvtLV
mNzCddBFRTcjivRLi Wuting, “Quite normal?”KqlAziVdDwZNrMPCimwMYDeaNMccHF
yDtyxQHGTqCCTQG“…” What was wrong?eZJRVOQCqbXdvCdIDkgxGGjVZyiiuY
tdTxXnNyztFqoMjThey had discussed much worse in the Twelve Forbidden Topics; this was nothing.urvEgJOVKddLYvxMIAUqcqshjsuPbn
jGRzQaaDRkyvEmfThe two stared at each other for a moment.kjajbULXkfRaksWOkfHDLVMVSuCzhN
cclKGPGHThJoQUeLi Wuting lowered his eyes, seemingly in thought, then suddenly asked, “What exactly did you see?”IVWDkShgSxZIWUZsjQEFPWmvhMBkkj
gjtfLvHeZPsZzMFNing Rushen was startled for a moment: Could he even say this?cywmeyrvUHVFqYOVmHjpDCaMzSKwkq
zQHHDunqQSUbDvKHe mumbled, “Just… this and that.”YxDtQrnxcbCCdfXwOmUADsXTGAEnIC
LoTtJaptGAmMpnjLi Wuting was silent for a moment, then asked bluntly, “Did you see the protagonist’s name?”ZEEotOYWbBjmpXVdxKcGBfkYfxiQRk
MipysnFgULQRHpA“…There was something with ‘monarch.'”AWJfITrZWXTTGhXnyHPtPdUiWKhJbh
rbToZYJkIjSbgQl“Just that?”fZpOCqdonXitGNneWQScDZtEgVslwY
ZKxdEkADjLLJXZFNing Rushen leaned in, seeking clarification, “What else?”ioRyrkHGGohZEfVBysumHQzExPurmm
QKfuUtMMMJDayOeLi Wuting scrutinized him for a moment, seeming relieved, then pushed Ning Rushen’s head back, “Nothing else. I told you to speak less with His Majesty Xuan to avoid filling your head with nonsense.”uKteIejyhGHLBFEZcUOefPkTpSnKMV
ywEwpDQYRQFBwPCNing Rushen reassured, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, my mind is still completely empty.”GoGEXuAiWbTqTxzxZLwfnDjrYdvaWx
MLTojFvwZLYUhkX“…”XZWNvrVOIekgQBCrgivMFINLHMoVCH
PovVZPcguDutuyyAfter a moment of speechlessness, Li Wuting’s lips twitched slightly, “Forget it. It’s fine to be empty. Tomorrow, come with me to restock.”UqzBFzuivNTZGYvtBFKFboQCLVvpZO
nySRPQtLzOdxGSh“?!” Ning Rushen: What???uIJGbVPLiIOjfuDVcFIffkUPehwuzx
XbfLCVPjcuwgSDX·uQnADbqvdjYiJOJUXLlWraYtCqvfxI
qHRHjCMsaYMRDPnThe next evening.clknmaVVSoCnpjQnkAcaNVSBPeTCAb
cNUdfeUIcFpHXlqNing Rushen, following orders, accompanied Li Wuting to a bustling night market in the city.UPXGVuShxGAtQdoWmuMWpbIBhqxXHn
bWSrfkzCtdUbdUZIt was the busiest time of the evening.qnCDVDTXADiyTrLYiFgLfmuEGJzxnn
tKqmHNkNXMJTpIEThe market was festively decorated, with lion dances and dragon parades. Vendors were loudly hawking their wares, and people in new clothes with herbs pinned to them were laughing and chatting.zXVWmRtcBhDKhhtJcyJjzTqvCLyuUK
ecaByvAIsCWsbnAAccompanying them were De Quan and a few plain-clothed Jin Yiwei.FuHXdPISJFRnNmiqdAFCllUAotYhBt
tibvDoXZFtHOFdWLi Wuting was dressed in a sky-blue robe with silver embroidery, standing out in the crowd with his clear and distinguished appearance.yniFJbQziywmSIbPYFkLzjDMcqZzIS
HDXAvKbrskrJbhdNing Rushen walked to one side, his eyes dazzled by the bright lights and Li Wuting’s luxurious attire. In a moment of distraction, he bumped shoulders with a passerby and stumbled into Li Wuting’s side.AOiKbLERqkZWdAMoUiSPbrVuAGozfU
mEfObJzoQqEEFYlLi Wuting turned his head, “…”RTWVeDvLBpeoOBdVHctSxpugQhfZLg
TpxlRxthSTUpujONing Rushen apologized, “I lost control.”mNLXMaEAdjOtvFkMjYSaQyUBsRpYRj
ysVRLmZlTNxjcQkLi Wuting took a deep breath, restraining himself from commenting on Ning Rushen’s choice of words, and scanned the surroundings, “Your eyes are wandering. Didn’t sleep well?”YFWWuPmPpWtbYtvQqVktkcAKUWoMru
LBIUlJvhiyjbfdTNing Rushen, dazed, “Mm.”hAcMytlJXtybFikNWkWTVRMOkRVidT
ZlsvhjxhlrjbzOXNot mentioning it was better, because once mentioned, he remembered again.LQeHIUnJkYEakECAfDkHtxTilHGjun
BarWBdKYlOTvbdXHe hadn’t slept well last night, his dreams filled with silken threads and curtains, a swaying carriage. He vaguely saw a familiar crimson curtain, entangled in some way, only remembering that the curtain was tightly pulled, one end firmly tied to the carriage frame…cxXdagQBBkLCKqjuxFbZNCJEHuTqgD
vmyvuGXpkkPrKrnWhen he woke up, he was covered in a cold sweat.rIhJiGJfwwRJWWMQAiiWGqJKsWHaOm
HxPjgPHbzZpFMdMHe still hadn’t fully recovered.zZFMgRLfJUCHyGzBnVgwWINMPFxUkm
hefnRcDnenIFINeHis Majesty Xuan’s collection really packed a punch.yxIPqejkwQMxaDPVkAdblHNUWbwqNi
SOnEeiJgiavKtQPNing Rushen was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Li Wuting call, “De Quan.”HsRlAqFnwApKoWaJIrArHMXLyKJRXF
uqSqwAkLSfEnSCUNearby, there was a stall selling candied hawthorns, their red, glossy surfaces glistening. De Quan, perceptively, responded, turned, and bought a skewer, handing it over, “Lord Ning.”yEyoLZKbmAvVDJhzUOorMxxslynlgq
CSodqqHebAvbRlONing Rushen: ?BaNkzAQaMxbxJBIEaRkXOErvRQmwPJ
VkUiiaSMejeZQDhLi Wuting, “Clear your head, so you don’t bump me into a stall.”cSiUVVDFequOgeHajzjBpvLaOlzFqP
ZsNnbelSIcfuyfK“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”rjeRJqcFHkGjheRDeehahMFbUTchNM
kvFjRioDLYMsHvxThe sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn stimulated his taste buds.sqBChsWnWQGqhRgnryINypNusMqzZl
XDUbwPCtAaHWsHMNing Rushen instantly felt much more awake.EPtFRPuMEdPAOwXEWlRVDtZKeTmmND
OxSGTgIAEHnbRnsHolding the large, bright red candied hawthorn, he looked at Li Wuting, his eyes visibly brighter, “I’m clear-headed now.”vPKREqjGNOGXMahrjPBVvKjrsozasO
pwKajrLbPzfgPqcLi Wuting glanced at him and chuckled.qFVMcUNtfuYyQEcINlXTQdgjinHXuO
sFtHJePmlwzlrIxHaving opened the door with candied hawthorns, Ning Rushen continued to snack his way through the market. Perhaps because it was a rare festival, Li Wuting didn’t stop him.ThlsCOJuRJTTHvOlUgKWAleCAWGCnM
ddHxBdMlPRwvpwXBy the time Ning Rushen was satisfied, they had toured most of the market.BNWKKwOmEVXutyTXRGFzbqILPCPGKw
gTLkyVwuOPUrAjhThey stopped by a street near Huaiming River, watching the boats race on the riverbank, surrounded by cheering onlookers.XHthKlGHhhNCPeIacCUBnfBZDOaUAZ
mRnZFCufAKXQRzGThe emperors he had read about were all different.OvgySWZUFzyLKYluqdlqFhYZETEBrg
gRRZYOwOixyqTeaNing Rushen glanced at Li Wuting beside him, “Your Majesty, do you usually feel stifled? Do you wish to share in the joy of the people?”oVdSwvaPZCtWTAaxZpJoYVBMhSxqMP
NRbzznuoHEgHcyS“… Stifled.”vLucNgwZWrjMpiBjuFFACdsGhuGJwf
CCKYhvXtxCQOmdrLi Wuting ignored the first part of his sentence and gazed at the bustling, cheerful street market in front of him, “The joy of the people is my joy. If I stay in the high positions of the palace every day, how can I share in the people’s joy and suffer their hardships?”bNRvthsHxqKAWrOIXqgQwgNPzFqJPi
AOkleEIHDiHgoKlNing Rushen looked at him, his heart stirred.mCleSsIXeiJfjQWAOmuHKDaEKmLMeV
MVqbBCEJZxvGKlQLi Wuting turned to him, “What, did I say something wrong?”rePltKwwYRfoSorffvrwGhfeQzLnMm
IRaNOYVebAmtqdk“No… what Your Majesty said is very true.”fAwMMMAbLGBPkwXPubkIuCbGHprkGn
NKiEBTAzIZZzThlTheir gazes met, and in Ning Rushen’s eyes reflected the surrounding warm yellow lights, his gaze seemed to hold countless unspoken words.DJxxlbyUVUmeWruIJZQZNfUcXBBuea
hcRsMCdqHQTmMYuLi Wuting lowered his eyelashes and softened his voice, “What does Ning Qing want to say? Just speak freely.”adRqjYfTWFzKyUHFPFvynaAXTPobov
sBDarwRPyKVrKUgJust speak freely.CMGlmDBzvVSiBfXQXwpswXbkckGxQo
jsvFjrbEbHnnWYUNing Rushen then turned his head and looked around, releasing those countless unspoken words, “Your Majesty is wholeheartedly for the people, but how can such expenses be borne by the small national treasury alone? In my opinion, we should seek sponsorship from the major families—”ChNxRODrdmOvSNpxGBfJRoitcoRPZp
ELfvWhdeZOnQqjbAs he spoke, he pointed around, “Like those dragon boats, the lanterns on the riverbank, and the lanterns along the ten-mile street, all should be funded by the families. In return, we… Your Majesty can grant them naming rights, and in the corners, note: Sponsored by such-and-such family…”hshRJGlUaPaKjFcQxJsMjpUiAvovvc
FRjovgYTXRLWGpBPerhaps he didn’t expect the countless unspoken words in Ning Rushen’s eyes to actually turn into real words.xuIvaeQlhkMBfWQMGJmiGeTLwrcOSi
gApZdoJMbMHefUDLi Wuting was completely taken aback.OXIOzbDvziDPBMSzbbuNqpnjlfIxUx
IfbGFDRVNnbEzrsHe couldn’t get a word in edgewise throughout.CUKQRsgiToMBKSjeTJZkgcUDYkhdnW
RpchUEwHYTBoMfLNing Rushen passionately elaborated on his grand vision, even asking for a bowl of icy dessert halfway to soothe his throat. When he finished painting this vivid picture, he saw that Li Wuting and the group of Jin Yiwei beside him were all silent.fQtCNTczJmLtImwJxYZbsIbHXjBejx
tLPDLMWuSlpcpuHLi Wuting’s expression was unreadable.UgjoxhOKMfBWOvlAbChRhryvKCVVVn
aspxXaGcpvWuXIxThe Jin Yiwei looked at Ning Rushen with a mix of respect, as if thinking: He really knows how to exploit.QWQKAxciwtVYaDmjvPwRPWoMnfPglY
mNGhkFNVilbKzzhNing Rushen, “…”dRwBsabSPDSbgqZLIXMkGBHenuHRJv
SlrtVNdYtvjGZJFHe lowered his eyelashes and gently tried to make amends, “This is an opportunity for their reputations to spread far and wide. Your Majesty… is truly a benevolent person.”pORoqLgpTJdFRnruxQCpDXfmAhRKuU
CiglTemwMsqVcyyLi Wuting, “…”AwBOApczhhDjIJwnfxIzokwHPqzimd
diRcgYpnFkpQduHAfter a moment of silence, he lowered his head and examined Ning Rushen’s head.KHyQLCILhuyFuKiTnmCxIUUwnpZSxI
GAxrbmaDVRGmdoUNing Rushen instinctively touched the top of his head, “What’s wrong, Your Majesty? Am I bald?”RCgCTGfgGfAUzDrMuWKPcmpBDQTIty
OxxMOYkkhGmQCFB“Not at all,” Li Wuting said pointedly, “It’s pitch black.”rPZHoNmNaTSnbogYOxbOneXVthFfVS
ZdmVXUMAmcrwmdENing Rushen: …beeWyvcXKAyvBxJprjTEffHzIDXdku
SzJVybQGxDYYhsO·OxYLGKOrjGDVlFCUnExZDdFGXBmcvp
JhpnLxQvCZNSdeZThey had almost finished touring the night market and were preparing to leave.iSEtTYNJRgcMsbUTzkQknPucOIajKI
nKHckAUlEsFLuYDThe group walked along the Huaiming River bank towards the exit of the night market. After a while, Li Wuting said, “What Ning Qing said is very good, cutting expenses to benefit the people. You will be in charge of this matter.”giAJaKNxKgOBuUYhFszeaEfJtqLiJl
WzDPjDRLoAZNNZrNing Rushen: ?MqBhVeCDcxIMaHAnFVKZdMPwkpFcWD
cpDuxmjQskNRLfCHe glanced at Li Wuting, his mouth slightly open, “Your Majesty, shouldn’t this be the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites or the Ministry of Revenue?”gBIxOtITnPUjBhvxAExnJAsGwINOPU
FFOtguzCzTRqXRm“They are not as capable in this area as Ning Qing.”XXCnAlMWFPAdCnmPwLYxmTwxNljzRQ
KuWdXEeBBzSzKscLi Wuting said it casually, then glanced at him, “Ning Qing seems to have a talent for fighting fire with fire.”BzGJJUwfZrmbuTVnfqIwksioclLhRg
fkYhzwGyJOEnKBcNing Rushen squinted slightly: Was it an illusion?kHgPPpsUbsFsfwcTzzLlbQgQWuzeyg
InlaJJWauEJVaGHJust now, his lip movements seemed to say, “Fighting evil with evil”…ylycDwbGdCwjAFYbPyFapRyObdyfJN
PRBucAomusQLYTcWhile talking, they had already exited the night market, and the crowd gradually thinned out. Li Wuting seemed to be in a good mood, with a faint smile on his lips.eZfEAgYidsuARyrMjTlVJneLYbckYP
ixTKCctpzSnuxdS“We’ll discuss this matter after the festival. Let’s go, let’s return to the mansion.”IfqrBAFqNZgiBWqRDAtryaodXWmirw
ZexXjTRsfTZUnVENing Rushen’s attention was quickly diverted: Let’s go?EjdPdpjTEyoNuBNfMHSOOBoixpNozW
NXVrtslpLsHeXpXBy the sound of it, Li Wuting intended to escort him back?HbLRnaJBKvslpvvOUlnNZOXMKxzbdQ
tOAhSYalxEqQluRHe felt flattered, waving his hands, “How could I trouble Your Majesty! I can walk back by myself.”KQgklEtsAPKZxFywcgmhgfEFWlXAOC
giXHKBfNzHKzpYDLi Wuting didn’t stop walking, “I’m afraid Ning Qing will be bumped into on the street again like last time.”OpclxCjhYgUAJXSNNdZjyfIYoApGRh
caJcUKWSvcGbVazNing Rushen’s cheeks reddened slightly, his eyes softening.nPtLSpgScVWbfTvRLpPpZZpJAXQUsz
ACelJDireieuNBaLi Wuting, “And then someone will accuse you.”xQpEFtuOKqJnKMkguuCISejTLifEKc
jnodUzCzzjvCXLxNing Rushen, “…”oDzWRoKvPazqtLYQXrKwNeJIblxWZR
tKqKRwkeQACBAEsHe really shared the people’s hardships.qnoBkogqiAWIDEVgylZyntkvTkTHhK
ZBFyDzFMmvoQEbVThe Ning mansion wasn’t far from here, so they walked.mKCpAMiaqhoHereHGnBEcpVbGgrwGh
xEykbVgvQFPsjQFFrom this direction, they could pass through a small alley that circled behind the main courtyard of the Ning mansion, which was quiet and less crowded.etnPhsIIVsjWrhWlGcPivmyWVMYeua
RrRxankmspzryyHNing Rushen and Li Wuting walked into the alley and, just after turning a corner, saw two figures climbing the wall of the main courtyard in the dim night.DxQhAXfWAMQvdLwcffvEgedgZsWDmr
QEDBRkBroGKmMYrBoth stopped simultaneously.DEFRqTYsoLDPKKSpPogVPyItlVokKJ
NcmWxCWFUkJDFvsUp ahead, Li Yingtang was climbing on Geng Yan’s shoulders. A casual conversation drifted from below the wall:ekPsQZhovzqCpfLwmkRGxmsABoJvjR
ZvUvLFNoZMFgIHI“You said you often meet His Majesty here, is it true?”fFsqxPSkiVUMfUVQHWQrxlrWDbFnDw
fDDxrLfGRNsvaRu“Nine times out of ten. My lord, have you climbed up?”fLHdjkTeyDiFLelMcFnKLHmzsYvAyM
AJnUueVvVHLevHq“Almost there. It’s so dark in the courtyard.”cqcLwXxjMgYQgsLNJLnwDPZpsomCMY
einvQjLPEdIHKLpNing Rushen, “…”BeucridddLsMhlQUDJCFwWlbSoxNsd
NBBRPeqriCwjadULi Wuting, “…”BtgqlbqwstRqpqzNXrdrYBuHjjSLsp
SVqSdjxfVrrobPkAfter a long pause, Ning Rushen whispered, “Your Majesty, am I seeing a pervert?”dDlqduIPEBKRZkLjmTDbbIuZQIiiBk
yzLVBLRykkLrmCbNMOijSwzyeuWnFzQgjXSmaTyxoXvNC
IuzqmNvRiQaHJhWlKwqVjRYHldWkSqggEyTlgXcwLzUtp