Chapter 31
Ning Rushen keenly sensed a hint of danger, but his curiosity got the better of him.amJxDbmVvCUvQBfANltakeWoTHaHBl
BwEavPfBjXQVHRMLi Yingtang then rustled out the stack of papers.vjZsZTqMPuabIYTuhbIldHdBOScmQv
DWceBOtKbeGQkSeHolding the stack of papers in front of him, Ning Rushen hesitated, feeling as if he was about to open Pandora’s box.epkhwDYgGCQVduxvnunfXrRYathXjC
eBNIzJDEDRmhwJlAt that moment, Li Yingtang’s eyes lifted, and a hint of urgency appeared on his face, even using a bit of scarcity marketing:niwbRLjTnvJZvTJkrOvNSrqetgktlo
KElBphFOagNDUCvHe saw that the freshly inked pages had been stuffed into an outer robe by His Majesty Xuan.cUsWjhXtpQxZyivWIhKwjcKkgfewgF
INdhWMJUbmpIzVV『… 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…』RbAYFckfIxiYDeCJXxKYQbynQtXaiP
AaKtrCAaHNEfUFzHis hand trembled, and his ears turned red with a roar—jroUfEojpkwCegkZVPewyXcpHBxtGM
hCIGLUykmUcNrLfIt was actually smut! His Majesty Xuan was quite something!FbOqwXbcBJRRZhvAqQlXUHvayEnKAr
ySavEUSSwQheGYQNing Rushen was greatly shaken, continuing to read further.DwcFUkXHiyhqadxUZnYDareFqkVXSo
muHzZcSCFVCEvAPJust 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!”QsRuBsmTrXPhAFGhhzpmxtSFDaAHMV
WKyNyKFZOlRLhONA large hand suddenly covered his eyes from behind.ZljCNFudtPZqvEnaLizRDzkSrhleGw
MVlRlgxMFBFihZU“Mm!” His vision plunged into darkness.uatvGYvuLtojiKwPtNOPEtNLAfVOBo
fIvJWTpvcjlZoDxNing 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!”gTebWwlnrUwyURpIZUeUwxbuUsKKLW
TwPKjiMxqxZVVqJ“…”MlqkxBViYnhWZnPnLsrinacSQTeTKx
ICPmIfkQRtrmpwXThe paper in his hand was snatched away by someone, and Ning Rushen’s heart pounded, “Your, Your Majesty.”BipNlXkMuAJnwOeFkTjguShWBSSZNj
NpmlnulQqWlXJiZWhat was happening? It seemed like he was caught red-handed.uCALenxXahSOYRDTVYmQgELfmWxVgU
NbrQDlnUZNsUWFXAfter he spoke, the chest behind him seemed to calm down a bit.ltZkilJGwHYWwXpUThljSMFXSmcstS
NttSvuaPdTiulPcLi Wuting looked down.kEzWwcYiuocRasPlNgqdozfNisgukL
ihdWVLjjRqjeaKqIn 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.yrmejKvUOgNxnNdtccfGQIuqCBgIdw
WAQDuWPgDgcaBVYLi Wuting released his hand.mwfpBzpWrzuGIfjLiYjpAIjETIPbEO
wrfBQFTEsdeRxqCHe then coldly glared at Li Yingtang, “You have some nerve.”iGnOBYVYvwWFjkmGYUHvkHyMWATJoL
mUYPfnJNspYlvBZNing Rushen regained his sight and saw Li Yingtang trying to remain calm, one hand still secretly hiding the paper.jySfjSQnXxjmaXRUxormmhzoWqOCtg
pYFEnmBnROGgZJo“Have I committed a crime?”udwiPlvlwUKWikswfHqEgVfzxYYqdQ
QzXPuakDLUgzPkdLi Wuting paused, “Disturbing the peace before the throne.”gQZpcTAqPWLuWmkNJfzFHjfuHtHbDv
ihqzPOwImrwdKNkNing Rushen, “…”BqLngWxiVlquwWAQGwqqnFgoWmHBfg
PulIFAfujEWrNpYThe 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!”EIWyjJJvFTwMSmppBSCblSkdjioqSg
BSxpzPEOoMuwwqJHe then quickly disappeared into the night.NvNvLCSwdIZGyyQcTVeXJQBcMUNIbo
bHUQgxhBFZMLrWgWith Li Yingtang gone, only Ning Rushen and Li Wuting were left in the pavilion.wjPHMoPiziyzUbpuSiwyxWazzxCUik
trzQYdFVbfcVJazNing 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.jUipTlHcGHCNGJOfQHMIReBbrqYdpF
ZkcwaZKDwFItMkeSuddenly, Ning Rushen recalled: Oh, Li Wuting had also read it…ilSHoRFGnyymoqZWnPySsEdlNdaJAV
owjSgAvPIFcVOYWSo now they were smut book friends.dLsPBphkgjhERjFhfQDeEoATpjqzcL
sjcHMEvtqDlsyjvThe air felt a bit still.GCFMfPlfSQLglLXOBYTRMtpSiaTAKU
lZWpMYQebdQYTWINing Rushen softly spoke, trying to ease the tension, “Your Majesty, it’s really not a big deal…”lMMOAcpMeFfcnXxbpVIRzBfussACMW
byVzwrszHAahHhyAs soon as he started, Li Wuting looked over, his eyes deep, “You think it’s no big deal?”HvbBldTOGuWBJxkGjxVyJxcIQcJKVG
qOLQSQIjWlxWtaQNing Rushen nodded, “Yes, quite normal.”lWTdXWcrrKzMDQqVSfgldjrmpfirtV
EpOfGkiZNxJntVCLi Wuting, “Quite normal?”SGmQhONYzlaOjQXNQWsqREagjZLkwR
NeMrNJHGifWOiEG“…” What was wrong?YAPrkZepbFOJiPgTKxZeyIVTXxsKld
kICCsosIZXLtZalThey had discussed much worse in the Twelve Forbidden Topics; this was nothing.lLZniEhLJbJvnzlaWlCgJwtiaCWgJT
CALTxiguqbAmFFMThe two stared at each other for a moment.kredjRIhSSbVnmEERvBMUPQqRdSGGE
wbRaWZFDeBBrQpvLi Wuting lowered his eyes, seemingly in thought, then suddenly asked, “What exactly did you see?”iUsywqaWNMTAHwxWzTuiKIjzFkjsEH
zMdazwkEuaCkVkiNing Rushen was startled for a moment: Could he even say this?tCSxxlfmyCyxAPiQDSkmbkmUwhCqJw
gTDMYpvJzdVkrijHe mumbled, “Just… this and that.”kOzLQbwDZugAiiZwJGlrCsyZDpvGqC
YIXXUVCcfuQLZBpLi Wuting was silent for a moment, then asked bluntly, “Did you see the protagonist’s name?”jurEOfhmpTomNMUwUKerwdgoZsZHqR
apAVjYnWxmEYbIe“…There was something with ‘monarch.'”nUhhDXRVTCNnyXjjPqFaaCNRFRKbrT
WAuyLLeIeXmgiDi“Just that?”zGRPSiIyypAeZSmYBeBCvmqkCQBHAk
SOpBWLhalpTDyXFNing Rushen leaned in, seeking clarification, “What else?”TvqfWOSCWdksEmlIFHIExGalxeWFac
KpdoiavtQOGxStSLi 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.”IelutiElUxuWEsTlEpViJsHAhlrJtq
spYcQwMXKlKekezNing Rushen reassured, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, my mind is still completely empty.”SiVmbELctFGnmlgEJPghMddSPovMNr
HuxfNkrWIeWhwyS“…”zQlEZHRaSnTiPqAbXppSEZsRIepWAb
kLHXflmbPCHHgisAfter a moment of speechlessness, Li Wuting’s lips twitched slightly, “Forget it. It’s fine to be empty. Tomorrow, come with me to restock.”rTZgbnFawdnfKIfvmaNfAxPqUOVhDV
dcmGFVYWPjsxZNp“?!” Ning Rushen: What???LBSQlImVdBguEGwdkxQJIVJjNPDYxF
oLtICFvVLCuoTFd·fbAydLlMautvKQNaDmPzDmqrRsAnce
WtpaEsDJHEFfOnJThe next evening.YbvNQhYecZzIJCXjOYHXzZrOZlrZBn
hQyQWBjgRlevodZNing Rushen, following orders, accompanied Li Wuting to a bustling night market in the city.zFCNMmlNIJPeBxrmMxKpTkbegTuETu
aKoqdYQNMbCQKJEIt was the busiest time of the evening.JoWlBcXAyNgqIjklQXPjvdcUKZqreC
GdIcoFWcfuinOYrThe 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.qSpjjHqqUTDWAFGAliHhBUqIwBScuB
ZVOsJLrZsTIpiOmAccompanying them were De Quan and a few plain-clothed Jin Yiwei.IsYrIeZCBGZOSAWHZwHXHDYxvnZqrc
XZKSvviShRUDiHvLi Wuting was dressed in a sky-blue robe with silver embroidery, standing out in the crowd with his clear and distinguished appearance.wJMLMgUbkxkdImTtdalcnZKonjkaia
QoHUxsgAYkkhVVkNing 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.CYpjbYWjJSZWSKWRxcHidwzLlcpVMS
noiTsfddffGDQcELi Wuting turned his head, “…”OJwNQjcxIQwzkmxShuujrclgBFgLow
hSzvaVAOJfwQSGRNing Rushen apologized, “I lost control.”gxHAWYWHkdyFhHwYdjBeTSFJKgmXdn
tWWHQQbGuaPtIeSLi 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?”kRHEugVAAHGLQCJLKGpTfcdBXOKVgU
MahbyswZbNqQZKfNing Rushen, dazed, “Mm.”hasOhmkCGlOGHpOmZtYHaakxzwHaDb
lDrfuGvEjbyUETlNot mentioning it was better, because once mentioned, he remembered again.nujZYbyqCqlrRCDFNQtFfvDHkAYXZG
UoXiewavrmkJsSeHe 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…ZZqXbtsTVsweMDXWSmtEzhsvTYJQiw
UfRXTIQvGfQvPNNWhen he woke up, he was covered in a cold sweat.DTjlMdcQwjAssSsrxDrdMlWjOszYDk
ymvKpdlWmUFaTlsHe still hadn’t fully recovered.gezVmqMUSApNDGAectyTdpGKqMGAZY
omyuYydnYQTOMdbHis Majesty Xuan’s collection really packed a punch.AWnjXjXcHQfCybFzPfRWcZKaMloqYm
njVkKxTDmDrUROQNing Rushen was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Li Wuting call, “De Quan.”IwWshPKaJwyBEQSGNPpZsdCmaAbSnQ
MEVFMpdexyiHQieNearby, 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.”XnfIkRyFzdugEVZKxeTdwDSniySQYQ
WBuXwUmmIeMpYydNing Rushen: ?AXPDyvaJPWkIoeZznHXdPSaTJZNaYl
dPrkyKmZqSYmVNLLi Wuting, “Clear your head, so you don’t bump me into a stall.”UiLpewiFSMRiHIsRyhDOMTLhgILgwH
CxTpbNYGmvVVdbr“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”KzOBYLapdVtkdseLJjYnZLsStGoCjg
jnQhrCYhzgrziYjThe sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn stimulated his taste buds.SxJtolUAfcpVAKkQEEaZRqyozSCjDd
TXnghmfgTRbfeYfNing Rushen instantly felt much more awake.JnaHbYuCxWOeAwKnPZnSUVPFifskaH
WQWVYCflkOIrSyAHolding the large, bright red candied hawthorn, he looked at Li Wuting, his eyes visibly brighter, “I’m clear-headed now.”SQflAnfZMDAkXtUVmkenotpoiJFkAm
rYwUXhtxLOelkioLi Wuting glanced at him and chuckled.tVzjCeHSxvygHWzAxvsHHNuZcHGMjz
fKpOlphXYoFSTqqHaving 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.iUibQFUHLlaWeZVMZZYnjXSZsDzaLC
YmorfaEzLoyOiwuBy the time Ning Rushen was satisfied, they had toured most of the market.YYnaIheTqxaSKaGHxoLfWgFhBqpygt
wpFkIvbYIltXEgjThey stopped by a street near Huaiming River, watching the boats race on the riverbank, surrounded by cheering onlookers.cxzgoOgkjzOXIvWzemzMMOkLuyLzgn
VlNmAnUGdqqYPaRThe emperors he had read about were all different.uXGAWItNPrbVJIxiBjYFSLdkmcAIKW
eCyrJFCfEBAonEDNing 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?”gPRDLzEEXPsCMEHBKUyNhVWcSUNVFk
mzpoxIZfRcseYcH“… Stifled.”WwHkiqodyakyfvviqsOppdrVNGertC
epyhsCoAUgsLKeYLi 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?”QGOavsRUjHWKBqKWCktslmGsCUqhRl
VpsVtauRVaLttmFNing Rushen looked at him, his heart stirred.OpieBlOUVXnroHaYlmwemexAaTIOwc
SUmDfvTQCWMgKBgLi Wuting turned to him, “What, did I say something wrong?”UpmFsyZhFUwWwcQmHwZlDOgNhUrEOT
jWLwgiHAJigSAyl“No… what Your Majesty said is very true.”qrdrlMQhmIXwELfIUtIOnfbNxPfezH
YgkLUTxIiQcnKKvTheir gazes met, and in Ning Rushen’s eyes reflected the surrounding warm yellow lights, his gaze seemed to hold countless unspoken words.FmJlzItFDhYhXfJJLwszBBeIixulgi
XrWmaMerZOBLkrALi Wuting lowered his eyelashes and softened his voice, “What does Ning Qing want to say? Just speak freely.”phvvODAmGsRZPWdjdtQGjvgIiddRBp
VOHJrwFPHpngVpBJust speak freely.WuDLyNszLElZtUNVJpYNUbgHsPflKo
SVCYcSnWDamUcJKNing 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—”yQHsXahvXaeOAHHalzqRQHjdBLnIsm
LaHMdCHWLYXLBuyAs 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…”BBbVoImCWpMVNYYuaZhoDWxNAoxgfe
YzfTHwEqPZBItsGPerhaps he didn’t expect the countless unspoken words in Ning Rushen’s eyes to actually turn into real words.AgBOHGpViOPWoqLWQPBbrsUgoSkKAC
jjVGfHXQBdfgRqqLi Wuting was completely taken aback.niNPLhPExGVlKzfNOdoiqesAUCjkoe
QedEGlyAyDxuJegHe couldn’t get a word in edgewise throughout.tgSbJkcqiJWUNEeNbBacnCjABKhSle
jpeeSayajKaxqDaNing 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.LoVjLkGYWgITzFBZFgxlLmiPdILcKK
OUPvfDIuWkItJpnLi Wuting’s expression was unreadable.GcmSRsEdRjOukgkTUFvHzEuPQlRHew
FPANcDTPzWtFtgLThe Jin Yiwei looked at Ning Rushen with a mix of respect, as if thinking: He really knows how to exploit.RsaoznlrGJGVTWrBjNltDbLlyiItZm
EXtPnYfqBYyNqNWNing Rushen, “…”NIHqddERDRtoJqKuLoVQguHsknnnbX
QwCZIdUUnZWRzfIHe 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.”ZMIZTBbKMEcKpUcbyQKOnZTpxdufOk
EuMLQPcHZJfFtDZLi Wuting, “…”HmHjciKlPfqMOtPptKpJYIRPYIruDj
ZqTYgpifMbZzGBZAfter a moment of silence, he lowered his head and examined Ning Rushen’s head.nVHajAJAZgODgeSwwabMPDNZElfwtp
AAYnWhmxAxPjpaNNing Rushen instinctively touched the top of his head, “What’s wrong, Your Majesty? Am I bald?”pHiWhBEVSdhIrmOaSpbUcBVqfkifJx
fuwiyXZlrbYWkoL“Not at all,” Li Wuting said pointedly, “It’s pitch black.”yrQZtfTroARMkqvmWVDmbAsHmwYKrq
zEiaBcwAbUqlsMmNing Rushen: …cVdEZJPaIQqRLopobWjjZrBfGXEzdH
LyVpDsBupfTJsEX·XMgufhneryzQsidITbOPtEMsEHJSjz
uItSkvAdKCnjYvyThey had almost finished touring the night market and were preparing to leave.PWMmAPObCYhbjxnfuyaKmxjlcCpPyU
GJZuIxYWiJmPxQuThe 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.”LJdyGdHdomZcdJRWnDqRtPjsFWwMRq
ONXlqnnYSJNqoBMNing Rushen: ?tcfquOukSijzGBJqmatFyxNCOfTigs
iaxRgommztoFTzjHe 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?”FaaPZSAlvQqmSEFkWRbSNvhwJWmDNm
rfOMDDtjHpBomKE“They are not as capable in this area as Ning Qing.”KCQSFWNJVUTEYvutMwcEYlVvvBWdFb
ChYJSFvuGRvbrmVLi Wuting said it casually, then glanced at him, “Ning Qing seems to have a talent for fighting fire with fire.”IauPMZEQVwtINAFWxEXHVozITAnXcr
VygwPSQZCSGWReuNing Rushen squinted slightly: Was it an illusion?PVJEIgnlbqGNxmCUHzvupNLDfZJHWv
BnLIQoyAlxGWkJEJust now, his lip movements seemed to say, “Fighting evil with evil”…IFisFPEohwwJNnvtJSyPVscXDrKGyZ
vcFROTrLlvkTAqzWhile 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.BZIiSncWDFovHCIfFDIALfTbwVLHQg
GIIkvZiaXRVIVFe“We’ll discuss this matter after the festival. Let’s go, let’s return to the mansion.”yfaDbFcQsOcIehlQBZQqAIcCbjOBfa
psLFgYcMBQXpejfNing Rushen’s attention was quickly diverted: Let’s go?lxBEfXsdztKUSXayHRzFzIuEMSsoPi
OyfOMejGQwIhzyzBy the sound of it, Li Wuting intended to escort him back?ARYkbKPEMMUaBxdwzlQLbMLfBwLqjk
RwhPYliYszXjhABHe felt flattered, waving his hands, “How could I trouble Your Majesty! I can walk back by myself.”ecLaGKNplVJvJuzTotgzrFmqlOFhQW
OwupIUwwCbUvgRQLi Wuting didn’t stop walking, “I’m afraid Ning Qing will be bumped into on the street again like last time.”JEhETrQvbDjdPHujRMnWAjWOVJlAeh
VVITcxnGpAsSutBNing Rushen’s cheeks reddened slightly, his eyes softening.bzQLIciTAoAgBPmWDdEhugtrrzsiDu
ObyqYddQMAsYHUVLi Wuting, “And then someone will accuse you.”MLSsjdDzpiPehZAJsLPqiiPalIxCDL
hkQDweidxTQNqcMNing Rushen, “…”XhZqgCNHLxKVkZwMAgeXHzAouvDdEU
muFDpOZQHyMePNlHe really shared the people’s hardships.GKhVPNzFXnQhnCnOqCmfVnpXKitdog
vmyEoCDxOqDvLIwThe Ning mansion wasn’t far from here, so they walked.DucJHApFKbDVnpHZWpslzRYTuQUwLe
fxwaqiOlnTWcEcXFrom 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.ZzjJdXBpDMWMzBReuwGAmffsmNPkGU
MHoLxOlJUCTldCQNing 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.azrsCashWquXehqjRsBUlFEbgSMNjg
hHfTMDbQacTjpxiBoth stopped simultaneously.uJiukFpCJETNfBGszniFVOHAkYUQvh
hmAzQbNbHVyIRikUp ahead, Li Yingtang was climbing on Geng Yan’s shoulders. A casual conversation drifted from below the wall:jggPTlOeFWMycYDagFKzvEkwlFZqhJ
NAQpWCiUrkJugmx“You said you often meet His Majesty here, is it true?”szycDzKpWiJdrZCjuuJLhGHnyBBEqB
DqDIrUUZJUmZOZk“Nine times out of ten. My lord, have you climbed up?”wQwgIzGtZxRmYzygPuEjSDGZhJBItT
fQhQWwmlQtjjXpR“Almost there. It’s so dark in the courtyard.”aWyeikNUIwdxgVQSTUoFVDeOdmFOhu
AFBQlWLiVylOPOQNing Rushen, “…”vQqFyTRnqWksbxfWtRraAoDbAifCYt
JbTBnjKkqHNZGaOLi Wuting, “…”ALxzbjpFsHZxKiyNbXOBhCbFknxaNx
vtzYWXAVCGhCLaCAfter a long pause, Ning Rushen whispered, “Your Majesty, am I seeing a pervert?”GBdsvNnSqEdYXOPJtypxhDaoWcGAbk
HencfmlkGDpydXAPdHYVIONOZhjvmUcmkAnCyiZMjmueO
dnRmRQfuNPwXRnZmVeobVEGTTapeOHaVSkWVUDBgGkLDY