This official is so weak

De Quan was scared out of his wits! Just as he was about to ask, the Emperor had already stood up swiftly—UTOJwcudbOCmElRsSPzcQmzmCCDyEN

EyVvnUmhifYUdzX

The usually calm figure quickly followed, and soon, the two of them disappeared at the courtyard gate.sLtCvQbHfjGOpQPlerKCtDEIiKOmQT

rNoyTWuCOCgWUKU

Just as he was wondering whether to prop the door open with something, the young prince who had just run out quickly returned:OqcbRReZcKkdEcUeuCNsgtKgvRqIPH

qumxbCPKEGWdEQb

The little monk turned his head and saw the Emperor striding over, hurriedly bowing, “Your Majesty!”bwOZzZySVxpAMyHtEmDBmlTItSCUaM

zJyZMxYMrxXyYTZ

Li Wuting’s eyes immediately fell on the tightly closed door.WWzhcxDwKKSNzUFWRISfThrFpendek

PjTcnuZAmNZRirT

He stopped in his tracks, realizing that things seemed different from what he had imagined, “What’s going on?”LRIuuPGjMEYufHmxMdeitknDieufHq

XHbZwculOPzHBys

Li Jingyu murmured softly, “Lord Ning was taking a bath and didn’t respond after several calls.”uoREydpzqFKrwPSwwPSiglNKRfimbg

yOzWXyQadRfuZna

“…”ogMafHECLDVHWCJPSlZUPAlnmrjRya

BuadvXWVQiVfChs

Li Wuting took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.EIdPhbRbpKrJUVZKAJWiaPxvQeBybW

vTFjKnFSFoigThg

Li Jingyu continued, “Could he have fainted or slipped into the water? Could Lord Ning already be—ugh!”ydHwqWSCSFMifiRlFEkSzAvOjYVQHQ

zSTFJPLgUoPEocL

A large hand harshly pressed his head down, cutting off his words.OwRJplyvMpWaUELVeaUHOiGLUelovJ

uTGjZmPikibuzPo

Li Wuting stared at the barred door, his Adam’s apple bobbing.TzbcaPweNOCTmcATjQToUPZDXzAozl

bVySuWfFbLjGtny

But it was only for a moment; he then pressed his hand against the door, “Ningchen!”GxwirNpwjfeaQVRXEvUfEvoqlZHqfD

drOUSKXFISlJMzO

There was still no response from inside.FEPrXsrLvOZjvdzJpJwNnslntdkkNx

fyvgRAiYfwuPgku

Li Wuting frowned and suddenly spoke, “Step back.” After saying that, he drew the imperial sword from his waist and struck the gap of the door, bang!AGLbnPxtcRdxKZKOjcDVYvMhYFYvPp

QhHgofOqLGncIFP

The latch fell with a sound, and he took a breath and pushed the door open.fPuxSwuKpWovlPHVSJHmORDDLWdRLl

maYqOAAeyxipUEd

The small room was just a single chamber.guNBgnbkIlGQDIsfZshvwJKzZFXhlB

WSspInrfxrQCPPi

Entering through the door, the first thing he saw was a half-open screen.LLYFnoQcQSYOZbItQlsiNEYTCTXRMg

UCuGasYuFyGpkla

The crimson official robe and snow-white inner garment were casually draped over the screen, and the lingering steam had not yet dissipated. Behind the half-open screen, a slender white arm hung over the edge of the wooden tub.NKVyZuDYyaTMAuoStLYdWsKmitcGTh

XYhBJWzYoTlLCVf

Li Wuting’s fingertips trembled slightly as he took a few steps around the screen, “Ningchen.”qUtIXozLsuXPqsbBKkLKSfVKxukGvj

fEmsnkaypqUjokN

The person behind the screen was fully revealed.RzRJuBZekPXveKxSNKbqDnihsyidqC

lCyPEFIrUSYalxA

Black hair spread in the water, tangled around his shoulders and arms. Wet beads of water clung to the frosty white skin, about to fall. Ning Rushen rested his face on his arm, his complexion flushed, and his damp eyelashes seemed to flutter slightly.yVEgogoQOPvSuxGalRGQDLNHrIYgJD

oeYkqNClAZvhfrZ

Li Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.UhOlWljPuptpJVTWmlhEYHNnMklRXj

PVHBRoCtrTXjhqV

He grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm with one hand and was about to check his breath with the other—kVlxixEDbCgOKCWmKhYQUIrqdfCNfJ

oVbjifFVQuVjLaF

When he saw the latter frown, his eyelashes slowly opened:CpwoWtcGKDRgprEZNXIjhNhiFyyJEb

TGwtTFaIUVTlBRl

“…Li Wuting?”qzHJTaDVLXjryXifqskTGlvlXkwZzW

dQEQFJmzuzQAUUY

Ning Rushen felt like he had been dreaming for a long time.aqbgDGPyTZpeTbyINotZOrNdoBmShJ

hvexzIiNsjcojQN

Sometimes he dreamed of someone knocking on the dormitory door, sometimes of the person calling another name. In this repetitive and exhausting dream, a strong force suddenly dragged his arm, pulling him out.nQcvuQGlIjYGThnBFUjHEmjGNLJuBO

KShFjEzODiZZQif

The chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!SrxTaIOIbBhxqiaiEligAqjYJJinKb

rtQdCBuDQiiiwqb

His vision refocused, and a familiar handsome face was in front of him.TlUDaenXhhBOmqrGyZCRWuQsmZaXUv

uWYcKCBWhlHBXHY

He instinctively called out the other person’s name, “Li Wuting?”phzLolmSVIcVdWFALNMDkgmInSLgur

qqeFgHtyGFDsONi

As he spoke, the grip on his arm seemed to tighten.aTyfsAXmyfJAGPONdEmgCibyGwoKhE

scriNoAdLbxZuKb

Then he saw Li Wuting exhale deeply, close his eyes, and pull the inner garment from the screen behind, throwing it over him:VsajCvMLjfdmWTqlVgOpRFdezksDsH

WCaJsDbAAUIGVRm

“Put this on.”JYcHQacgIMSMFbyPmuhlYYhBMAyLyZ

nWvYrrKrJnLthSQ

The inner garment covered most of the frosty white skin, its hem dipping into the water and getting soaked.kXkUogzNumjyBAWUyLSDLjJcKOkVXI

yqUSdPGDGORXzZn

Ning Rushen finally woke up, realizing the current situation.coSWHnpQnCkoMKFTiGfVfUpTwDhNCI

wnBBASdZXvkKMCY

A surge of heat rushed over him!ZZivZveNmjCFtJcFUkgcplTARcZgIe

qpRXCVtOpqVgViN

He pulled his arm out of Li Wuting’s hand, hastily wrapping himself in the inner garment, and stepped out of the bath with a splash. His jade-white bare feet left large water stains on the floor.AFGYFEJpESmEmteZxtcEdAQRxGIaBY

pwkspjPoJOcBaHE

The person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.ZnHuOARQSrTpjvGCoARIXStiUJZkqA

gCuoWArHTbZvbUK

Li Wuting’s gaze fell to his feet, then he seemed to have a headache as he grabbed his outer garment and draped it over him, pulling him by the arm and tossing him onto the bed.iZsjWMBJwcATmrwTaxCMOHRaZRwgxr

WhedIGUsJEvzPJN

Thump! Ning Rushen, wrapped in clothes, fell onto the bed, looking at the Emperor standing before him:ACtrxGqMBELJvMbNFfjSvVyeMbQspZ

TpHyhMTnCQaIWQw

What’s going on, what happened?KQnYedRdFgVMeJLiROQJyIBxvwNChI

bcppWvKDCUlIFOM

His mind was a mess.wqvuCVCrzepKNJNGqLYugjKOYPuwkR

YiBObxrKkywuqXG

He couldn’t understand why he was in this situation as soon as he opened his eyes.jOXRtpTmjEIHxHRLmPEkCJlWexhlji

oosWMYjsxBTzqGW

“Your Majesty, I…” Ning Rushen had just started speaking when he heard a faint conversation outside the half-open screen.oeTmKcnxoBRfNlHdIdQRQuLmPfKcpW

LncEivlFLMaxleK

“Is Lord Ning okay?”YpQFnKNrwzQULMCeDPZTyhauTaNURs

opfPWUOEqVHNKTa

“If the royal brother hasn’t called for anyone, he must be fine!”oYqjdQsLBOCZiwlNXrLRCkCOvhDaGu

dcjJtYPhPshrrCQ

“Thank you for your trouble, little monk. You can go back now; we will guard here.”JQzRtHMkxmmTOZPsTLOofGxEgaxnns

pGLgGnaznRuEJbj

After speaking, the door was slammed shut with a bang!ZwxhntJZcFHwavOUABjiJPEititDfc

MEpXjZTrinTTyya

Ning Rushen, “…”AKiIbbhbEloZKEStRMNkHpshdILpGF

aLifbDmQbBoUUrY

With the door closed, the room darkened.qtXapgockItYJuksismzFEoGoZmWFZ

yWbLwstAMILkOVd

Li Wuting stood in front of the bed for a moment, then tossed over a towel and turned to light the lamp at the desk.xxVYJltxIkWHqEYFAGKANQzptQUlyH

HIXvaUdQgZyyTro

The dry towel landed on him.AesKFDSpRJSxJVkSwmUvrVUKNsJawv

JSIehruHnhkUizN

Ning Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.XMreGCdMBpUvtKLlpENYcJSQhifwHR

PRjPFXOGHLnTSgb

His sleeves fell and bunched at his elbows, and his wet hair got caught in his collar. As he lifted his hand to dry his head, the light in front of him brightened, casting flickering shadows across his overlapping collars.QtbSFtbbPeDqYSsxYOPPykeDwWYssS

iHPseYwZjYdKkIU

As he dried his hair, he looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”nLxnnzSVJAdBKWsjiQazOgbXfFXsLu

mbfvGQlPuJBUKdf

Li Wuting, with his back to him, slightly turned his head, “Jingyu said, Lord Ning was soaking in the water and didn’t respond.”oFLzSLVHFkzxqvsBvvtMaOnBXxvVYH

rZGtjFhntJPcSQc

Ning Rushen, “…”wOolqsgSzAvZMxeyAemtddTeZMMXyC

qyFQtrSialKBEVg

Great, say a bit more and you might just scare him off.cQkaUxaMqMoAleuOXekHesSchFksnj

xkMVVzhwibkoueM

Li Wuting said slowly, “Who knew Lord Ning had fallen asleep while soaking, even the little monk knocking couldn’t wake him.”CSWxVaIWrRJHuwBaZgTEdToKHLIFJO

eLWkVWGEFhjOOyc

Ning Rushen guiltily shrank further into the bed, “I was too tired.”iBGJIlgStYYFXrlMNCrHZagXvdwLkP

MrRERedlYLvGvoK

“Why were you so tired?”eEVrfskYfaaeDvgGOghAlJqteeIzaP

OEHvrEGsbeyaibl

“I climbed the mountain and prayed all over.”SJhgIqzJlQuiBUJBulDzbTPzZGfNTU

dUswepALxjQxCkd

“…For what?”cRQHGGNVGAZfUqkNVkwffMDDuGfdun

xFHcmrwEtSsFNrm

“For Your Majesty’s blessing.”EOwcvVMdUljRxKhBchpeVuTLcvMaZo

HzBcRNejTCKvypL

Li Wuting paused, then finally turned to look at him.aZwFdIZuwMkttCfrFeUzSxllhFpwBm

RBmGMOvbuFmcJNS

Ning Rushen had already dressed himself, but his wet hair clung to his shoulders and back, and his neck glistened with water.HedbMXnOQtZUmkmUIDQKVZAIcwFkYw

dWgwOaNwqTkKZiV

As he finished speaking, he noticed the light flicker in front of him.uisDWjTJVPyLDdaZpPXVZeiASTIeTy

XKTLljALLqSTyoN

Li Wuting walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, his stern features softened by the warm light:OVFzVDuuOdEFkuOHnlGhqCgSJaZenM

CYsTARVWktVFGnP

“Really? Then I suppose I’ll believe you meant it.”oMeNAXGJOJbXRYzsdBrtvlXwFFdnFS

MUBSjCyOsAOdjWf

What do you mean, suppose?jGJIiGzdewEXyYGJXprrYnkSgYFCTB

OLabGdhpwnseXvq

Ning Rushen craned his neck, “I genuinely did.”GDnTsOijxXWvcHcvFwiXkvoebbHWNO

nudBNoJwJlzYCfg

His outstretched neck still bore traces of water.bnPgGvfzJOjRtGldaQgEBrpBTprmKq

ATINpMbpVgMDfEI

Li Wuting glanced at him, then raised his hand to press his head back, “Dry your hair; don’t get me wet.”CncNxCrJyzwDuVuPKklPPUtbvTfKZX

WgFjOjdgkaoYCNa

Ning Rushen reflexively said, “Isn’t it already…”HtPfpJTfmdaUUJzptGEQGmqIBxMUVm

ycNBtAMGoSmIBuX

The moment he spoke, he stopped himself.cRaVaCoUTFnkzZQjmrjtPrnYXNmJXG

ExfdjxsaJczyCQD

In the earlier chaos, as he woke up between reality and dreams, he hadn’t had time to think things through. Now that he thought about it: when he was soaking in the water, it was Li Wuting who had pushed the door open and walked in.YZMJEhOprbnLihQGpScFZnqrVxdvaR

wOSbvLPBSzxiCIV

And reached out to pull him up.DcSkpvNtwiJptdERdSdXzVBBtiirtm

xsfUhnBUcetyfiF

At that time, he hadn’t been…CaLetazhSWgsAoBLoGVrRcMzAAkvYu

DffkfldqZPXHCLB

Shit. Ning Rushen’s waist trembled, and his whole body suddenly heated up!RHbfgpUpjEKuDIjHzzFRzxXRVhWEPI

lPJvTKkjmcZfVxR

He sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.XGJoPUBNsEcHpZyQEMBiGdVuwoMUoD

hooHWkYeOIoovTf

He had no idea his ears to his collarbones were flushed a faint red.QkJUWFqoHXkdXgDTywNjyqGWKLLVXG

WlMYMTFZqcXpsSM

It’s over, he’s not pure anymore.jtYmfxubqmIputECMAMrpuQwcdcjbo

oRjZOPfWGzYmZDk

No, wait, they’re both men, so he still retained some purity.XmOWHxIcFSLXcDWJEBHhoSRWPKpRvp

jjOuJGMRzmRVojs

Just as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Li Wuting ask:oFqqwQLYlVyVWlXtwdgMDMpfYtifvZ

fGOwANPSaWvtBbl

“By the way, I haven’t pursued this yet, but does Lord Ning realize his offense?”TvSeKwQOVWgoDHyYtWkQxTrFGHZyJV

iYRXnvnqQUgrRpf

Ning Rushen snapped back to reality, lowering his head to admit guilt, “I… I offended Your Majesty’s eyes.”fudtAhXNlGAohVRYoHRlNavcOdqVMH

PILSxTMlUjhtySo

“…”AqwSzQxNlgASCiJeqnpLMEQITUQaaT

QLDoKTQEwRpJLrJ

Li Wuting’s brow twitched, holding back, “I meant, Lord Ning, you called me by my name.”xsRPDEpNefSeutqvcljdoMFXDSEezD

xJinNjvzDLCbFdG

Ning Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—IRwoVzXvfxYcPxXfkYgilMbYUnZHFq

rXfuYoQTdTbtlKP

When he woke up just now, he seemed to have called Li Wuting’s name.rTgAIsybqpucqLFqPUoPMxDdHacuNq

lttEJZoOpGrKlFm

Li Wuting looked at him, “Did it come naturally?”rlmkPWhyjoGgQRnwpWFUZRymmeVLht

ZgUKWsdZjANVkBC

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, “It just felt natural.”lTgMbRFFpOIhAopUkJabzIdpIuHHXW

VpRggNiABtvTBdd

The two stared at each other for a while.NfVwybjRoOOWlPFObkGOWxcMphhvVj

VTgdGkIQZPVcPBm

After a moment, Li Wuting said, “Forget it,” then reached out to pat the back of his head, shaking it familiarly:byjWKQaWDOnaRNoWMQrIhCNafyenNP

VfmNZBGarPoJRSr

“I’ll just assume Lord Ning’s brain was muddled from soaking in the water. If you speak such nonsense in public again, I won’t be able to cover for you. The Emperor’s name isn’t to be called lightly, understand?”feuDWOxWzzTuzqfEhjhmJyvqeyennM

VslMInjtizhkrrJ

Ning Rushen, his head spinning, “Yes…”tllNnPIsgohqMFIiKboHaPtdURrozj

yYJjTveVlaaJgtr

Li Wuting watched his dazed expression and seemed to chuckle.SogfmQiDxtqNRSSsWMUtofhKaNQBMp

PWYISuLNnLSxIzT

Then he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.LnnntdwNNupEZCPDoejzZveWxFsUTa

JlqvLmXkLZUXbPb

“At most, call one character.”cnzxFxTplhswUhSRWALYhzBZLWVIhe

qRUGFEYjcQYgUqM

Ning Rushen didn’t quite catch that: what?pgoqBsSIRWNTzzgwwqkfOThVtPZqPR

NtDsdirQlQfUkSM

Li Wuting, having spoken, already turned to leave, his tall figure rounding the half-open screen and pushing the door open:VbIsBKEGayxefntgKiGzImHIuURbMJ

walZmFPuaWPDZzP

“Have someone clean up.”XwOrAMhIOcNDZWTZYvQnuIOAdSTTdp

vHQnmyCGJPYUZLR

Outside, De Quan’s voice rang out, “Yes.”PGxXdulvnQhuwzPZVpPWdtoNwzUFRn

WasznVVTtwFrldl

A group of palace attendants quickly entered to tidy up the bath and screen.tfjeJbdoHeKLJEmyyxMnXRsKFuDbBl

bCQFXwSGoEgvkFJ

Ning Rushen sat on the bed, watching the silent palace attendants in front of him, recalling with a strange sense of déjà vu:hDAspHMTtFErpjDGleSSYaXNZIMzTn

AuduCDDmlEMzaKg

…Did Li Wuting mean he could call him by one character?hHMlgcKQIzsYCqxsMHkicCWslBhtKQ

mWpaLgxMjoaMzZr

·VqryRXHobawilwpwrxsKKmEyUjXaMM

wLDwsAkGOoIrTlR

They rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.KZSnowoqeFqRhMaqEvzrCqzGRWlLVj

uYtpxlFsOANVOak

The next morning, Ning Rushen got up for breakfast.RilREMiAhgbjGXjtDWEooKVIhyPKFY

qUdfZtbzRjFCryd

The monks lived simply, and even the presence of the Emperor didn’t prompt much ceremony.oRBjFEojCLSdQhBdUIqgFkiJJGzlML

pCGAzIjRfeKxZFU

Everyone dined in the dining hall.MDBOQXUJSelhCBOcXoNCOkNImarrRt

EpPCWJnVHdfYeVN

When Ning Rushen arrived, he saw Li Wuting, the Dowager Concubine, and Master Jingxi coming out of the hall. The three walked ahead, followed by De Quan and several guards.zScZXOPPBpSOmlfWRxaxjZzdvJbAoG

RUvRCMfBnDnhypj

He watched from a distance for a couple of seconds.NHLdUXdFgyztCCNUJSArLzdjvnLlkh

KwBYyDTElHPNLnB

Li Wuting seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his deep gaze in his direction.CxAnYbHknqrTCmRVpxjZnXivmKhvgA

gKTVcYsZzJfyZcS

Their eyes met.FeVQcqdpzXoebvTUVFhAnuOGFTVqgj

ijYslRyAdhvSINi

Ning Rushen instinctively held his breath.uGRifuaTIKWDWJWpcClksdHxbNnUCQ

UNBeiydoQXDBeDx

Li Wuting’s expression remained cold, but Ning Rushen felt he might have smiled slightly before turning away and walking off.UqnmMkBRJDlkpjQYtSAgLjEQWPoaGj

ZziSoiYZfYejjDs

“…”WZwSMFWtPKhIBrAvKzGbijledZDhBj

yegXWddUXYDLkOj

It’s early, I must be seeing things.WIkutXKlUCXTDeZMXTBSDQmFBvoQvt

IhyOGoViNHuJNuk

Ning Rushen shook his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves as he entered the dining hall.UVTzGPzrjfhBPFfIDtXMLZijTmGWZT

OyxBSOkqNFJOtrw

Inside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.YyeQMpHkTlePPtcpkHFcdxqdTAGqat

anScGBXvnZTOpRp

Seeing him, Li Jingyu waved, “Lord Ning, over here!”nBPmMFhpYhZpuQwfYghQQKXgPYzbfM

UMLEihNqRDbPjDc

Ning Rushen approached and greeted him, then picked up a plate of steamed buns, vegetarian dishes, and tofu soup, sitting next to him, “Little Prince.”MtiITBLxrfWrkIgDDgBpGogEzJFXap

lHcOdWcSXBWYdOV

They greeted each other and began eating together. As Ning Rushen chewed his bun, his mind drifted back to Li Wuting’s parting words from the day before:snEmSBJaVeoloGxXmlIhTpUApoqUZm

VWiWluxSgJzqKzJ

He said he could call him by one character. But which character?HknPltrUeIPQFvJtqeKUHApvxIERAX

HqWclJvrPgdZVaj

Ning Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.YutcZywBhvVNcGscQEcCAWUZuRwmXX

LSRxUbRbbnSQSAL

After a moment, he asked, “Little Prince, do you know His Majesty’s courtesy name?”aGQWbnvdayShNccFQZVKiPpdIxxzSy

oLMkSeQaQafCNew

Li Jingyu swallowed his bun, “You want to know, Lord Ning?”aPUnuAvfCsvxVSgXreiCztarzZWsTY

VtbANMYOwozVczu

Ning Rushen nodded.jyNQgQNYGAqOvutwCIYhHnLmJYrqMx

ZzTvSLUiIPIbWlL

Li Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.ilJjSuPjEimugiEYOCxaStxGBycLwu

RrelxrsgHsSkrdx

Once alone, he leaned in and whispered to Ning Rushen, “It’s a long story… You should know, my brother’s name isn’t great. And that name was given by our father.”KFfdmzReYxrZKgIUZYGiXgHxAyDCDP

yTtWISgWTbesvGf

Ning Rushen thought: indeed, it’s not great.IvDfsfbSEJsqLGvIrZsXbfsbtLZwtT

MTGOlrwQYyBaBlu

“‘Ting’ represents the court, power, and justice, but putting a ‘Wu’ in front seems to deny Li Wuting’s potential to ascend the throne from the very beginning.”stpGqqzjJWupuBpguGBsEGrfdCiZDG

ZRnGBkgppEMYxdj

“Why would the late emperor…”RAuxOGWulssTLelCDWMowQhhpRJceM

UooiIwyOmRXnRbW

Li Jingyu spoke in a reserved manner, “This involves a royal secret.”VIzKSICFLpgZygyogDKJqnBVqKCVfV

LcxYBNXsctPSvOU

Another secret???PEeynMbBGeDAznzbXcDQyuQooSubuq

jGGJykGuNiQKIgp

Ning Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”qKPqpLCgQbzFYwPpnvMZhqNiJIXXuL

zIdybEodyffcNQs

Li Jingyu continued, “I heard that Father initially named my elder brother ‘Yuan Ting.’ ‘Yuan’ means the beginning. But because it was written hastily, Mother mistakenly read it as ‘Wu Ting’ on the spot.”UwceqRGHbJZHuZipMqTluGRFUtgAZA

AdUgEHLhGtfkSif

“……”rzhtpwBHpaEqexaMOfpifAyeIsJCLX

kgKAJPtJpaAptIZ

“Father couldn’t admit it was his sloppy handwriting, so he nodded and said: ‘Yes, it’s Wu Ting.’ So, my brother was named Wu Ting.”GxjLhdFrgGecHggKhRVqtVMpzpyqaR

oZAnnkZDgsTHzam

“…”CEcmKzrBsIWQAxGtFpbIdvRWcPYymo

zvpFSJLOHvKYvXW

Ning Rushen took a deep breath.pabZvZPqihAWaZLBNYEPObfClCUJeS

gDQZQlZJvbDspcY

That was indeed a bit careless—BriZcooNVmZEbcSRpjPmgCJsvksbsv

rjdZlGWReoSRgeQ

And why is this yet another useless royal secret!MwuPYqZnHCOiZYocYegmAXSlwgQMNx

CTCnoCYdBzjuvls

“Lord Ning, what’s wrong?” Li Jingyu leaned in.tsFKwMWgXFhPYdKcZZJonefWruJoqn

sJuJVdHEjAEzfgZ

Ning Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”qsdizALgWlDiXmdWEKFKNrTDjUTIgo

YDxhuscJFrjSqdY

Li Wuting is truly unfortunate, being burdened with such a name from birth.DcErFuGzgeQQEluPeEiGogqHwKPqrE

hDIRMZAgTdHtmuN

He continued, “What happened next?”mdULKZKftNfTemAxOdDuwOuMTMjnoB

hNRmpzDmPIurktH

Li Jingyu said, “Later, when my brother came of age, Father had already passed away. At that time, there was a struggle for the throne, and no one performed the coming-of-age ceremony for my brother. So, he chose the name ‘Chao Jun’ for himself.”hCZCKLbLVLWoqgzmRgFQzInQoViaxk

zObeKWIkMFMRXtr

—Chao Jun.BALznThIVaNJZwGpBDPKuVstvzfnda

AaAYxbrWrPUbvbQ

Despite ‘Wu Ting’ being in front, his heart still leaned towards fairness and justice, embodying the conduct of a gentleman.oYpePNseGyfsKkJatqhWlvSnohPFub

LSqQNwEztzIGivI

Ning Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.cnskAYoEdPRseqYbfXJzjIddBboaOM

fNmvfuSyENbzkHv

It indeed suited Li Wuting.owTOeXizFNMsBPLCpuHlpmEsZGjnZJ

grxYiydRAYPSkVb

After finishing breakfast and hearing an absurd royal secret, Ning Rushen was about to leave when he suddenly thought of the way the little prince spoke—this might turn into:tbZXdsYdMZPWhIQSWQYfxROcvjcEIH

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Him secretly inquiring about Li Wuting’s courtesy name.rcLWftbMzUrxXmprGdilSeIVkApZsB

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He pondered for a moment, then called, “Little Prince.”RkVVeeTYEHGWTlImivEBjjxvrLZHUS

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Li Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”KbjxzCueECEufapKuPKETVcBWHhAXf

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Ning Rushen, full of concern, said, “Don’t tell His Majesty that I was secretly asking about his courtesy name.”RqlBxHVgpKhOGtuSBRNxtiEAXECoMu

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As soon as he spoke, he paused.YUNmuPjawgGQBijylLjOYSCjVWcSZj

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The next second, as expected, “So Lord Ning was secretly asking.”FoiYgkdjTAXpidgTmJhbzztYrMoyEj

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“… No!”VsxMIbbODOAhpAxbEdrqaTWKyrDcns

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Li Jingyu, as if he’d gotten hold of some secret, quickly ran off, leaving Ning Rushen to close his eyes in pain:rwCpVfErAMsazSgOjlgmtqbdmWzpcR

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He must have been cursed by Shiyi.UjWSolAwXFVyuiGkBIZYXyQvdcDepM

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·jEFDEGvIXdOIQsfPvziZwMQGyhtVZm

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Leaving the dining hall, Ning Rushen felt the need to take a walk to clear his muddled mind.GJyacJMMQxOIiNFqIHcUZIZWFPcXhy

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He wandered around.OAjqFxIToowLBzSkwiOChBqZYVdTNT

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Shaojue Temple was large, and he somehow found himself in a courtyard on the western side.tTzircHzFqpLjgRyMOzvcQPPQGBkFz

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The serene courtyard was empty.QnZvklxpVEBKxVaWJypigQfUsCOozA

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In one corner stood a lush bodhi tree, its branches adorned with red cloth strips for blessings.IdnXlQxOnmrrTSQAoslaFosQGYqjHR

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Ning Rushen walked over, his crimson sleeves fluttering as he looked up at the tree.lLMBesQOaxuvYnWqKPzUbYZxehBsuY

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A breeze passed through the courtyard, making the red cloth and his crimson sleeves flutter together in the verdant mountain courtyard.gVBROSHLFETLWlBWhLjQZgoRoehfop

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In the midst of this tranquility, a voice sounded behind him:SZpiYEQtZjThRVubfiNXsDIynRHVUI

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“Has the benefactor lost his way?”ocZTiqYZqPgkOODYjXoAEGHALcZJjJ

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Ning Rushen turned to see Master Jingxi standing at the courtyard gate, smiling serenely at him.vUyjbRgIDGKBpgMgNglVYOLpkMbqea

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“No, just wandering.”jGGBwwdqxrveujGqmpVZqBSrUqhQBZ

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He paused, “Am I in a place I shouldn’t be?”awmtPsLkpmiuoAbKGZgbBkCGaTGijo

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Jingxi replied, “There is no place one shouldn’t be. If you are here, it is fate.”VGlSjnXtqLvcRiAJPUMixKlOTBjzxw

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Ning Rushen nodded, “Well said, Master.”ePpSrmZwkZzJipVTnFhlFGMugqPpsE

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Surely, those who roam freely in his mansion—Shiyi, Prince Xuan, Geng Quan—would agree wholeheartedly.fmutkPBiuRnTsjEkmloijmFRdmgnuS

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He saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.YmnRSLYpbIlHbEJbrxLPpcWlDgjhqL

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“Master, do you have business here? I should leave so as not to disturb you.”VMoaOhtifljHatsfcfpMTLVjoUFBwJ

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“No matter. I just finished discussing scriptures with His Majesty and was passing by. Seeing you here, I thought I’d inquire.”hQfOoeHcmBCEnPoiOijaLeigxSOElX

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Ning Rushen thought he hadn’t been wandering, not like a ghost…tTZfrdRIwYignflWoIipQrgAcZoiRQ

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Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.xFlScLmoUkFYweJgTRfOzSMkloNORa

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Those few words echoed in his mind.GpCaRlxbhWSqvCjCoGCBUWjgywmcwQ

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Ning Rushen sharply looked at Jingxi, a shocking thought forming:eVzApOebiTjKtSVLDNDkAcqbdnmwid

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“Master, you mean…”DTkjFYRhelPBrWeIHssoymTwjvOvYu

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Jingxi still smiled and asked, “Has the benefactor lost his way?”rESulGamHAOQlsXRBCjmjtkBKsytJb

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In the distance, the sound of a bell and drum drifted through the forest, shaking Ning Rushen’s soul. After a moment, he said, “Yes.”kpeZYtLlITMajXipRKezKYQRMmEbfU

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Jingxi replied calmly, “The benefactor still has attachments.”CmtgKLhBUTNOrbimmnHZVdjbMoBqRv

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Of course. How could he forget the first twenty-plus years of his life? Sometimes he even dreamt of his life in that world.xPzHsOOVOCDJtXBKuIzENtNjBJTJYW

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Just yesterday, he dreamt of being in his dormitory.UbGpFeMVRzuQhSxqPvUgGDEohxKurX

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Dreamt of three versions of Erkang.MhYmspwBPBuXbVLFrEbGBRHMSpNnru

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“Does the benefactor wish to return?”hERifpnJLBICywnGJkKVKmXWhSMZVb

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“I…”QyVeXjiUogIOPanvWImRbSEIQExpOD

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Ning Rushen hadn’t really thought about this question. He had always gone with the flow, but hearing Jingxi ask this, he instinctively asked:TsMsARXcxAYtrYhcFQPCqYbDrEdIFN

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“Can I go back?”zTZMQNAdmbhqnMWydhyOHQSsYNtHku

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Jingxi didn’t speak, and for a moment, only the wind rustled through the courtyard.IvuerCvncbBUDhzejuqpvjrhLqtptD

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The red cloth fluttered like waves, the bodhi tree whispered.qMUweyPkSVsGJKyxXDsiYnoaThBYvD

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…rGkAUJlBoJwcDqkgWnDfykKqkngbFJ

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Outside the courtyard, De Quan and the accompanying guards kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.chLtBCpuYdcknQSJGXiBIhCeCKDcpq

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Li Wuting stood a step away.nkkUKVvgOCscXNPNpsfxggVlnxpYFh

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He lowered his eyes silently, his fingers curling slightly at his side.ilYpApfJSePcTwSbMcVaWflQqguScP

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