Chapter 31
Ning Rushen keenly sensed a hint of danger, but his curiosity got the better of him.pqiqNeNCsYSCZTeqWHEmPLExYfkxlT
ggZanMGJiHuzOABLi Yingtang then rustled out the stack of papers.QIvMPCidzRwnlbAhobmwrOKarGbBxu
JTjOjYhLwuPQkCYHolding the stack of papers in front of him, Ning Rushen hesitated, feeling as if he was about to open Pandora’s box.ooubvbtfszAXrgpTXadGzeFNlWObLg
fyFHEvCXrtJRdrDAt that moment, Li Yingtang’s eyes lifted, and a hint of urgency appeared on his face, even using a bit of scarcity marketing:oRvbZlfxHWkNzqaaWTtGueprwtESQn
MmJNUzbHyvqalJJHe saw that the freshly inked pages had been stuffed into an outer robe by His Majesty Xuan.SvHCwmFPIaYBmfNiMCRphCJbMlhEUi
SFQUKtUeRYjUrLN『… 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…』VrMvfleKuJjoyyyypxuVZePcGRMUBp
jZEHpSPvMYQzocTHis hand trembled, and his ears turned red with a roar—wPiFYzTaMFPGfkKEvtDbCaFwteJBbO
lYvqALfZVcKYTCTIt was actually smut! His Majesty Xuan was quite something!hTClPXRDiQagEPXZOQarxWNfuPrpXh
pEuAOzUQiYKlsgwNing Rushen was greatly shaken, continuing to read further.LWhjVzakKzucXRhCXdidfKFVRtkaRT
lWbhxGcrZSvqBpgJust 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!”YgKyxLcVpRSrIJpPqHSXspcHgzkXjz
kzepmMnCSGzygPeA large hand suddenly covered his eyes from behind.DtsWfqwgfFQkwoUIwMCrZuwrkJplpd
ibcBaHvryOhQEcp“Mm!” His vision plunged into darkness.DAfTZejVekKuTIuVivEbPULWKqeOPK
zPhjoyQgTEnsvFJNing 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!”zIErrinTPJJBaamUThoatMeByZUMwz
rzBDNKPROEzQcgE“…”gmXsDjRwZcDYJbyimanegWQLVRdCpA
ZMSyVhzZFTvxOfNThe paper in his hand was snatched away by someone, and Ning Rushen’s heart pounded, “Your, Your Majesty.”VZqvUjSXyYielTTUefkrbgHqUhDVxq
YdCTLwwzrFxraJQWhat was happening? It seemed like he was caught red-handed.FTcAWuupPwpfNlPZnmVuwYxedTWMHP
PdlnXewwyzMGAgaAfter he spoke, the chest behind him seemed to calm down a bit.QaQTxyOQJvyrABKNbwposqWGjlmtGB
ZvAiGbBYnCIeiyhLi Wuting looked down.MiOWqgKyXdHlQLgutzXzpPUAqGZKhr
LdBaCevMOqJgDlYIn 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.FRrKDqBEtWGmbHCTLmlDJaSRQupVEj
YbNgmtlQOPJrGdSLi Wuting released his hand.FDOuTfFHnnRsGpvmMDIENFIxnUOtEO
ZjxtsDaNjPDEVkHHe then coldly glared at Li Yingtang, “You have some nerve.”REgpdfUcjAABKJQcqIAeVfvPpHnmcs
sTURjGMCEVVOyvONing Rushen regained his sight and saw Li Yingtang trying to remain calm, one hand still secretly hiding the paper.nOlcWCoElEJCConJqPnFAzykNxKpLT
bYDuZqujcXdfuZp“Have I committed a crime?”ETtCdCuvQrTKzJJAwuCEslYrLVhcjg
XRNXHFDOlaXaLWzLi Wuting paused, “Disturbing the peace before the throne.”cWBEeSOxyoVNCIGLzkrTdRGwtWJUzG
gpXHmvPjzAXuTPXNing Rushen, “…”ejeaAvMZmCKNMmjsekrDiDfAkDLtAW
VgsyZZGMinafHAwThe 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!”BQTogYnlZkPMQiNRGDyfUXBtELnmbC
IHJIYTZBPivfiELHe then quickly disappeared into the night.moPzNCjQaGfCORkwvDaxoUyWIAKTAz
VPTlYYuiyKHLIqWWith Li Yingtang gone, only Ning Rushen and Li Wuting were left in the pavilion.tdtnrteBPJWNLHLtHdxHcFaIYeKIVi
XnvUXLSZeShgtNoNing 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.aHgSltoerZkkzzOSkqzCRdCSbLtynY
DpSMMEplvbhSNJCSuddenly, Ning Rushen recalled: Oh, Li Wuting had also read it…SwUriiVzovYZZHOxcZwURunjwmDAFF
XYtCecMJBNuLkYKSo now they were smut book friends.SjLXSwnJQpDpUgUtGUsHCdEVzPjBNh
kBJZFbOBbZwPKNjThe air felt a bit still.PDgXtKStZFGynjhngiLgJEycpHrDhw
ubxtkAGAfsMfOHRNing Rushen softly spoke, trying to ease the tension, “Your Majesty, it’s really not a big deal…”bSWYUJwYQcTYZESsOwvlPlhuBRVzBM
ngZQYxnXHBzdJKKAs soon as he started, Li Wuting looked over, his eyes deep, “You think it’s no big deal?”iYJMHRLjvuCJcNoBTpfzYbtEyidkbm
ejjmXybLsrAeSZxNing Rushen nodded, “Yes, quite normal.”VUBBhsVXsbrYYRHUQcqiuNpIMQPxPV
NbVSacUtXdaqVPzLi Wuting, “Quite normal?”ZMmPsiSppjzeLXUVMoknPpbTNouDKx
EHmLbNxBMxiGUpE“…” What was wrong?whKJcupLLvFWyouqXanFhGnOLbwPNR
FrymtOIVunXFmOnThey had discussed much worse in the Twelve Forbidden Topics; this was nothing.aAnBFUvvRKQndffysHiwOuvPjuDbCq
fgEiwPtUYlwXdjSThe two stared at each other for a moment.qiZgtxMlzJDrVrAucNhSirRKfZvUkm
CPpYpXZTjmVrknqLi Wuting lowered his eyes, seemingly in thought, then suddenly asked, “What exactly did you see?”ezzWZBOKUFEcxZxKtYNBpSDQscZDXJ
ymixoFBlRniBkoINing Rushen was startled for a moment: Could he even say this?aaHRsFwNNjLOkALXTdechUKmgUudHj
QGGradOjnAOMuWPHe mumbled, “Just… this and that.”BOCvcCtQTGgVpHsaPQJpBXQccRJGxW
rsNePtQfVkorLYyLi Wuting was silent for a moment, then asked bluntly, “Did you see the protagonist’s name?”WloQjLXAYtPYsVufJgrxibnPVmyCQM
NLLsgStRiWDvLOr“…There was something with ‘monarch.'”eqPoayBWnzpAYtUkQEKqomPzpdlPsg
iGZudUmeOAQBoOF“Just that?”ptzKkNWmXsNQoNYvqSHpahCNlPzqYZ
zAVVZjrpALksxYGNing Rushen leaned in, seeking clarification, “What else?”APzBWroEloQcyxdWRAtISeUqBQlWpd
TnhezNbWFFeIikkLi 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.”ZYAvscsiQjtftHxTXxscwahaBcTJVm
FRhmanarIYKwFIhNing Rushen reassured, “Rest assured, Your Majesty, my mind is still completely empty.”rLDvrwfoLZxnQRoMWKFxdrBfOekbCP
oBmdXEyfvebRBra“…”yQMqIKGuEUQYxmsnJWvQvJFQfGdJLQ
CinaFQmOVCBFOtwAfter a moment of speechlessness, Li Wuting’s lips twitched slightly, “Forget it. It’s fine to be empty. Tomorrow, come with me to restock.”SyDpzGLXZcHNGxyUhnIgcUBAloggiS
EAtQjVsnCKsqcir“?!” Ning Rushen: What???CPfUDzKfVvsAOqeCfColoDofRckYEE
cDmcnOouwMHaWdb·PxxijuewlwkYTxVJSxAUngYhlpzeWQ
ewlrgUHcrjBLtuwThe next evening.JCPqIGUuYGPKosiFmixYZOSCGubbHr
sNaPUSkACEAyWYRNing Rushen, following orders, accompanied Li Wuting to a bustling night market in the city.RRHdWczWQcwcYnSsokpcOCOGGFHdcu
LeRaTpFcMkPKndKIt was the busiest time of the evening.LdPreemtnfzDDxOWLndtEfaVvvKPpI
dzMRVPojEvtTWQlThe 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.NfopEHutOVirFlQmMJxGCtENjcYOfB
SutwQCANUjIcPHgAccompanying them were De Quan and a few plain-clothed Jin Yiwei.QwVRJwHraDuCCztncJRuklPgSPzJBm
cwbNzkCVOtaEgDQLi Wuting was dressed in a sky-blue robe with silver embroidery, standing out in the crowd with his clear and distinguished appearance.dpZcLHnAmdFRtmhvUOVhFHHHUQFwgi
PYzrJOxMllsBxvQNing 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.lrCRKbXoNkMiTEdqeyHlwNUuluXqGM
WxONPxyhtDVUtcjLi Wuting turned his head, “…”LNRKNBgzwJUDuEvDcmMsmMpnTDoWMi
wedOzBXDRQLsIJLNing Rushen apologized, “I lost control.”PFqJqqzWEfvapoTkZgbWtNRiODcThb
EjPLUfMVrpKbBRMLi 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?”QNdwWcbJwMJMqaUQRUPDMHJKnyVWUb
PXiZnmHDglnCEuPNing Rushen, dazed, “Mm.”YyQvxqBeVkyLNFsQYGAeZuwonyLEgB
szJyVsakQkpGGkNNot mentioning it was better, because once mentioned, he remembered again.aUneUVezlfmHQSvPvWbhBDxXIqvufg
uQDOjCNFIRPGRwMHe 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…eqYXkWWOsFvcwwnJWFIAPdxkkaNHdY
kgfrInRZpzPtGLJWhen he woke up, he was covered in a cold sweat.lbQyjUDwCtxKdYCISTswoEKbCGgcIL
JiUSwVqbtEbuvnmHe still hadn’t fully recovered.TBQUmwNSFdOnAjcHtxZSkUHYnicOGV
ptQAXtmzQneuuLEHis Majesty Xuan’s collection really packed a punch.ixLcDBeJmJdPfFHTdbQpaKRBDKmNiC
BAgzIVZUTTVVByxNing Rushen was lost in thought when he suddenly heard Li Wuting call, “De Quan.”eOUvFucwdwSvHycbRjcrvhqbNmouFG
aMzeKWYPNwOWhcBNearby, 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.”sCyJkpZXwUmKhNdHHmLzaqGFDsyFxS
oXYEFBlmlENkfvLNing Rushen: ?nRmsOLnANrTfUbGbOrClyxBUTMOnXZ
XhZWLInFiomUVXQLi Wuting, “Clear your head, so you don’t bump me into a stall.”qWJoBhqMmrhuQBgLgTfWlbBYcRamyW
mhFvTMELYWIPZSs“…Thank you, Your Majesty.”YZiPNuhTdNRXFZKebyjWKHbMtmFAPd
vdvXWvDnRVKYDFOThe sweet and sour taste of the hawthorn stimulated his taste buds.qrygQmclPPVLFiLqVqSjlKwYgflKwt
oYUTAYaHOiCclgPNing Rushen instantly felt much more awake.hyxqToGBOnUTYBjdOojQcTfdDjAkiy
YVCjwPFaEFDmUYcHolding the large, bright red candied hawthorn, he looked at Li Wuting, his eyes visibly brighter, “I’m clear-headed now.”nZWqHhbxUWSgjcZxRDbuwbAPTJgavP
FwkVLpFNMBQrkMFLi Wuting glanced at him and chuckled.LKXwSDCGwniGbYKzuDLqcjsLeEWhxG
UoPKKYNeIZIeooQHaving 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.bVWsGKmJgdtSgGbVQDDyMkGHPIOKBu
UZbqMPGnCaafGTABy the time Ning Rushen was satisfied, they had toured most of the market.wcsYxGMtPXATjcYJRFHAetQyuPXPAL
mQXlUoIwRudWJsSThey stopped by a street near Huaiming River, watching the boats race on the riverbank, surrounded by cheering onlookers.JCZJiKxyFwNBtscpwKQqswpRvFcjol
MwkeQApBqLOcYAbThe emperors he had read about were all different.JOSlESZqQlgjKBnfqzubevnjImGZRr
vUysWCPTQovtmKcNing 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?”AyDtotRgSknlWTyPIZEHZGkvjrZDHx
UtxAJPYvadzJxhT“… Stifled.”SJdwNJgUvpWeQIHWEuyELcSfbdstSA
AqUUuWhdsWqPXDgLi 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?”GOsRAkMcLdDjotQcbXuWiAytzTEDuR
ILpbCoKwFjJZplNNing Rushen looked at him, his heart stirred.ZddHtjQUmHmxvVpwslRrtVwWinXAFq
RrwvcmuBwZmZSJjLi Wuting turned to him, “What, did I say something wrong?”lUenyMhIFIVUIrynZCHOvtQHgJsCmP
cILwfbLtpSZbWNN“No… what Your Majesty said is very true.”EaFSrPlVtGfyAlDUTzwqNjOTRNIWnl
upRsynvxCyyySORTheir gazes met, and in Ning Rushen’s eyes reflected the surrounding warm yellow lights, his gaze seemed to hold countless unspoken words.rvcThsGNubTDzsDWiLClrQElHojmij
vPhLvdKYBAcpnFuLi Wuting lowered his eyelashes and softened his voice, “What does Ning Qing want to say? Just speak freely.”JThRrNfjSEwxykyoagIaSgeCZjtyzS
uNTMtqfrvEeqIeXJust speak freely.GjMhCIBKQqwUEJHKaIEkteETTAqXhY
FYWSnkhEYyiCGtZNing 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—”WffHOZKHgblRdxPCMGVIEfdjpoerhb
CTjnAUyrLSetoHGAs 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…”TOuDuWxUBugcfFhnQQUlioninaIYGQ
YpPrBAPYpmvSqOpPerhaps he didn’t expect the countless unspoken words in Ning Rushen’s eyes to actually turn into real words.OBmyXXGeNRHmeLFaBFLanbmkfHEqFM
kShCqgtVodQGlfFLi Wuting was completely taken aback.lHtPfCRYrSxhqaBNLLPGMCkXnpASke
PrSRBgBtMOENBJLHe couldn’t get a word in edgewise throughout.BhuBNygfwcwNBXHriAkfFRzZzXkytp
RbBXcTjHZbDheZZNing 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.VAJORivomcctFcFaIvHPKjrgRZfEQl
JYhXWsTitjvhJxLLi Wuting’s expression was unreadable.SEiNDGNqWnWeiDODtiXKkjqFYOxojA
wCgGZFmwYgZXMpHThe Jin Yiwei looked at Ning Rushen with a mix of respect, as if thinking: He really knows how to exploit.vKkXXvqoIBpsBZsegJJcWapiqOXGqH
EppzEIxIIZOHOnkNing Rushen, “…”KHLiOylpYTUxkKfnzgjzpOJRTjaoyM
yXjoDVmIumUIByNHe 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.”qpMQSCoZijNjDTCRikhogpzwrfLFnw
TyHlNMSKfCkKtwlLi Wuting, “…”YJGkwLDrPVGajlMKiPOBHRwwwODbmL
vXcgEQunaesWFxxAfter a moment of silence, he lowered his head and examined Ning Rushen’s head.BpBTiSlMrLbqRGvpTEdpSWTBodtVDp
wFDVNgaRokqJJpTNing Rushen instinctively touched the top of his head, “What’s wrong, Your Majesty? Am I bald?”EBsGTKkDVbKGHYMYzPOKxENRsukYdP
TKMGInbVzjoDdsl“Not at all,” Li Wuting said pointedly, “It’s pitch black.”rzmMChKmyDuDxUstGtiZtYAHsZhOpx
qTDChAtweMdiPPgNing Rushen: …GuvgupAKnIrRHNmnCiQsawcGzMIYEM
mhbgSYeKwzYZbiv·IdJqkCdytyHzehIuFAFaWnQszClUpL
WMMILwROwAKxPLGThey had almost finished touring the night market and were preparing to leave.uvulsSkbixkkTBpkuPdwVqJlZOoxds
tqbfiXWbaDCKygxThe 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.”BjrLpLFbySSNqTprvRTFLAKJIRVpEF
tqENeiGUbbzraXSNing Rushen: ?NujvjqfSJxgkfZWWrJexgLXXIyCagG
xvIQswiSAjRkNFXHe 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?”hAZbnfDYdxyIqFKOZlvJIGyWUNPzUR
zuZdCmwEeWGZJaN“They are not as capable in this area as Ning Qing.”KhcmwmpOrtyWNlgbGVRhENikgEbccg
DDTwhmlPcruVndOLi Wuting said it casually, then glanced at him, “Ning Qing seems to have a talent for fighting fire with fire.”HKoUopqYxnuWKjZvnoeUOXFCauiREo
MBGwtrgNwrrQEosNing Rushen squinted slightly: Was it an illusion?vwErdRIbSPVHkmLVTBaaRjTqHnlFVa
LTSuPtYxAknhCmsJust now, his lip movements seemed to say, “Fighting evil with evil”…rEmkvyxxKvIrFGzIVbuMakGOJxDoVW
TmNtCeGikSQwuomWhile 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.GExfHsNzmUIoJWLMvziAEEdhKTLtjP
IJzwaSAqsLCNiBH“We’ll discuss this matter after the festival. Let’s go, let’s return to the mansion.”bgiZHQpigGPDySaypZywkkLBWKVUMk
DIhGQTvtuBCMTLMNing Rushen’s attention was quickly diverted: Let’s go?RlGwLJtBolerPQdwawDnrbJEiAgDSr
sBkPQmXosmhIcBiBy the sound of it, Li Wuting intended to escort him back?unqErVYThNRZsaVYWZyOmRfVJBCaXk
mPOWiLhrbvgtbJiHe felt flattered, waving his hands, “How could I trouble Your Majesty! I can walk back by myself.”FtGhoNYIvUSXQfLJGuGbTOsCjEggqT
NKlEFzMpKuOWEEiLi Wuting didn’t stop walking, “I’m afraid Ning Qing will be bumped into on the street again like last time.”IoETUbZWZvpRyrZAkgZBqlfKSxwJTR
SPOnNDxLJCYjNfjNing Rushen’s cheeks reddened slightly, his eyes softening.oLJOZXjrChghftXMdVnmHpLlzRGUYx
eOmCSlsfHnDqwyiLi Wuting, “And then someone will accuse you.”opcqyIpMpaTsJRYfiBqDSSgbHOQgva
bDwbjhVIfQtqrPLNing Rushen, “…”DIBtgJvMIJwjsDnsGBfZNzvZiUyByK
QZGFOaoDKSAYxkGHe really shared the people’s hardships.sskdDHhTpyeprNpCnWVpjVOPInKMfq
pznRaxnUHYXuBegThe Ning mansion wasn’t far from here, so they walked.VZSbfEJImiMEqvzdkirVRgLLKTVqNh
IrdGdxKfdVQBFDoFrom 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.uUMUASWnaKHuoqZyrAGKmDcBIcOZOd
jReozMdJclYHPuZNing 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.lsJTzkpaeZsmGehlPmQSSbBWKaFxOP
AmRIILjRCXiDUwgBoth stopped simultaneously.MQGrxzfmKnaxqCdzISmNydsDAeXIea
EAyxunAIcZIWjcoUp ahead, Li Yingtang was climbing on Geng Yan’s shoulders. A casual conversation drifted from below the wall:wHjyyHDZpaOeTOJdpVoBuypzrxbTcg
ticLapUNIBEZeSo“You said you often meet His Majesty here, is it true?”zvPxNjRioxawGiNnylMDrdCfAnqsvQ
UYcRRMqGQYuoRkj“Nine times out of ten. My lord, have you climbed up?”pRVGRfCEILGWhRVijPVDqXJJubqeLC
UMhxsihhpmCOlCN“Almost there. It’s so dark in the courtyard.”RCUlbkMhEsExpMNCKTejlRQPpHUIQI
ATAaRrXNsPYwjfJNing Rushen, “…”MdScsslqvivMpccRIsjduEWpRUwGIy
RBtPsrnKjjDGIIfLi Wuting, “…”CWcntdKEoBneUUkNqSUnzkuOxbctRa
ZDCKIcxMQvWYZFzAfter a long pause, Ning Rushen whispered, “Your Majesty, am I seeing a pervert?”fLdRXOTeebntYVPWPJtCAOWMJjxTKO
nQkdExWclYbgDVjegjVfILHcqJnmtRHTwxCeDdqVLPcMh
CqTIpHFVhyPHHisTXJZyNkPthKFEkPqAvTarWjTppzZyv