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—uSmrBweaAqeJOtSClWBXPdbPXwTrrF

QbnenMUJUzmdZWs

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

vlRSwZXoCLBVaNP

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

YZFsSUbEMYdIAlG

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

OGdqDxcQHukcrzs

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

cRkMqgcOdclDTQO

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

hsFBbTpUscMoXBR

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

zckwIIRCfrCWPoV

“…”pehrdWjjUgHHwIbUfNRsKvrioWTXkc

oqHgAXGrALbXFrI

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

WRuYtjwEvfcVBfA

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

dcdCrVATvDJkRcC

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

oXWFbBFXahwoKML

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

BJecLFRsgIELZoT

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

NCFDRKiBFvDyehY

There was still no response from inside.pBASpIkhVmOeySHjPoQNReAtDNPusL

gxjzbWXguWicEqn

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!GhkEKmYtfpgzXgdFVMjGeanQpxgbka

DVQsMCxpPnyNnSW

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

DpzYVNsRIDtTgfo

The small room was just a single chamber.MFrLoVsglYjnLDKgOMIWtgqWuGoCAS

gsXzxYBgPQIGAcf

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

WYJMgCJpvlCDtCZ

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.HisTExrzuRqxudnGaTaFkRgygYBDcM

LzcbqojLMWUSBRI

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

bQMqWWGgumPoJin

The person behind the screen was fully revealed.bnFuIwlRrZliHAuvXLUDtdkFOvGyzW

sLOVGaMKvwWiZGb

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.AXXPvGNWFmVOJasqSyvnVpBrjOXXdv

xRIxgvQRrNZOgGu

Li Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.WAJRHfvqomMWYxCoMOUthbTpZpaXbe

DASQTXvRZHFAksL

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

XpSrrokAKrBWjNA

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

lGbbeveZCTAVbcm

“…Li Wuting?”BwMERDElzwYsZuPBsYYyyDbYeUnPyk

oVEPGmoebfAIbGu

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

ajGWlkSxAzlTbsO

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.ZlKIBpzTxcSCCLUksWoONhtauHWgGd

hxqXtZdfqgvxAVM

The chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!ETszijBFhGVfdikyZzQLyjTpIDJWsH

aIuAGiJSBxotwTQ

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

HavBUOrPGecurtv

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

BaKLFplxIVyLpSZ

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

tPIenXiLHDPtBLS

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

QEeDZToiMwCeeoN

“Put this on.”BSIuJkdENjJHAlwiHsBnOSMSWLPhKZ

SInalToFvgxIvjj

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

KHFymeMUoPhzcGY

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

mlEwQadODxbrLSp

A surge of heat rushed over him!AYQqjvyVOMaxmpGHMzRglVaJyIWPvO

cTwLXhVaXzswlFr

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.eAqVUMBeOFurunOgKqHFnALcbfXJMj

kGoaeRRPcXvIlED

The person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.XuIqFGUysGKOFKXlbxCstsIXShGJRm

IynSJvgjSjPDsww

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.nRNErBitSTEGHemSaSxkHSfhKDOFKq

SKjpopyVGthkoRT

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

ZmqyBHKjLtOTtuj

What’s going on, what happened?jLFRLQPMxykBtskbcaeMeuvjADItoG

oOqbJZdkzPMLiHk

His mind was a mess.ngUVPMPqJbiDFyirCpTSbjIcLbLaBV

KpRbImZYGZKNVhH

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

idTEnphsUNiUBAm

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

oYxcDtmcaWHuiSJ

“Is Lord Ning okay?”BRtZqJfKLlNubNEMAiVTdMouIZZYhN

nriDLPcmhWCFgjq

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

dMkBYxbastEgKMd

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

cwkaSLzjIUwEVHX

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

vGOPTZgnYmTfDjG

Ning Rushen, “…”ApXelpXXLjsSbIXLiSjIjaXTAxyFXO

YwHnILOFpdgnEyK

With the door closed, the room darkened.gDwsTeucAJLMUeFDAUkuXGevnHkmfx

vVgWtcqdXtVXxjk

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.ezfetTUglaeBVxkkHFwCUxPxEiQLCe

wxkbhEwwpajfqrp

The dry towel landed on him.uaUoPnsUYGBjLJHyeVgWynsJYwyjhb

pIFMKqPBpdqNjyD

Ning Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.ZmAAObampguIrJariicnxKmARveMSP

KJUtsPeKNXgdSwj

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.WpjfbjNCovhipVujwtdTaqSPFGDUZv

rkmsCoSBOZWuSQA

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

OwAiENrDCCgNfUn

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

BJJFJDllLmYHKkX

Ning Rushen, “…”JNLZRCSZcGnCfUoaEWJhsXcmMXYMTN

ZIcyJvNyzSUKPhm

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

GtMjLJimuxPXTek

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

cGOfYbTOLIjXmBH

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

JBawcqaCbYWtxsE

“Why were you so tired?”cHUJZMgmHrHHLQjaeTDNuEbRTWnNPq

MGQRbHwzzzezQDW

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

dMIdFSIRrxdTLWe

“…For what?”ENsQkINSaMARYdkshOevXzXrFZAqgk

mDYvhuufjlfoHHX

“For Your Majesty’s blessing.”eBSyKHkfUVkcDCkUzqLLOcJZRWAnmP

zJDlyFreLUogomi

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

ZwHYplYOstbmdym

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

PINPCFdLClOWBqW

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

LQaLetGMAvRXFeV

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

VIrpZYQqGpxCyGY

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

hagqpzvYlIeMhCk

What do you mean, suppose?OYNPRTAetsblShdaScuEYeHosCFbao

TzLnGdWUsaUMsBx

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

LstXprznsxjwHKV

His outstretched neck still bore traces of water.xkEHorpEHbInMBQAOrGklwXCJWWneQ

TICqDGQACBBzDZx

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

PenkAiAXYlgupCd

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

iwOIateIATRAGZG

The moment he spoke, he stopped himself.JFsKrxOAcirNBVAZvksiqMmNBYdeCM

dGukXzDEVxzlDbK

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.jFdnwOuiUzfmLyEdtDFJTVakNcBCIp

KkZiauQSGDWeDwH

And reached out to pull him up.RabkFWHApqdHZgyxCntrAvSHTNqcrb

wuYSqBCjlnfElJe

At that time, he hadn’t been…cCYGrZtjEYMHUStcrMwNdPEQvxwERw

PILHIJwgACaTToV

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

nSAXcuTmhyKJhMN

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

CoDEjLyxvpEZIiu

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

YCQMoKORiSloulq

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

dmQfNXpBNIVxNDr

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

GwknciwwtAXZENy

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

vmtunPmlVToDXVI

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

FawctrroWYHYWvS

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

hPTRGuFMifAbZky

“…”xYuEERrRkYMkvbYzXPIeRWFdEUGFCg

XmzOyRoHfEsfmgE

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

vrJHdAxUpmKPUka

Ning Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—AXDkGMMxVRFAkKrDTBiJPwMybDAMsa

RgFZwsBxKJlqumZ

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

fLryjjEbaDCgHuA

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

YRMOgLdNhHAeDVO

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

fGLMZHurGQOVfqX

The two stared at each other for a while.bahRfEBpQNLsRvFksuOrtxilWbXGMN

eIiYFPjIYbmztcI

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

NDdCoSVAEzNHbLd

“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?”aCAQYMWfUUEgGQwMWZrfxyWDwuuBRi

xSHRwobRLvSwuQo

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

bkTdTdCyIUeTzmd

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

oZRAtIXTAiwNTvL

Then he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.oJKwSLwCOwtylIbAOLrmLNBHOrkfKH

vfUxNcCrpUgENTY

“At most, call one character.”nhjkBHIKVmXQDsEeQolOmOiJBVbvfP

XEpMNwTNbWMYuIo

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

HEUEMiCxYTMYnQa

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

uMbGTIGnbvneDsF

“Have someone clean up.”JThuulYOUohEZFvfSGpldNqNbuEtJq

vlJSOMdfRdWDFhz

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

GscMSWBKUCVpBRX

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

RUwBkNslrxKxhMA

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

JnPmIUQXFjzsMyr

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

uxiuqjOXPzTbOKp

·TWOcSNwaAPZflBiHxXbTBnnkzFcGmF

JjzXdzIaGBYiUmr

They rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.zdHXyWKIsHrabKriRhItfWsXeVBMBf

wYRRZtRlgPCcqpO

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

kPVxVgiMDDQsNWg

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

eEogKxAWFJofYdY

Everyone dined in the dining hall.PMlmwrSqoXaeCGPNvkqoLJgCiUZEML

tkksvdCnPfHOBtV

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.PZBrIlhUxhJxSOagGqgzjeAnCnJhGj

oxSthmGDONLKQlr

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

TRbhxbhSxWtcoGk

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

CrlxiONZYgDSJoe

Their eyes met.AvyvxsNVEZtZBvAogSNMDvPBgqBnAB

sBcmXcvAnUaHWUf

Ning Rushen instinctively held his breath.PjxwzeDFFSvlsxgyzOhxTaNEhlIFMf

pAqQTMQosdAoDwA

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

SCzYrTbNiXbVKPq

“…”vGCVaBkKYkZiNaVNoHwfifQYevfgRF

EoLCztoSZlgpFQi

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

JgDyauulFTcfFGq

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

lZzsFJQIxFEmGVh

Inside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.vlkacXalWLuLcqGCSEoRhcKSjLrbcu

NNCIKfmtntjMPbp

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

tJDiBsaARWsxQmZ

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.”XijpCBohXsuEdpVxTkYnmjtXrYHDON

AdcnqjINNwcqZgD

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:TDQhtHQjIWlVEDrhHiRUFwpkZkEmNV

AfaPmjweBZrzriL

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

aWuSnkeLRclGeuC

Ning Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.RUrctQBhUEyqlIfakWDSyYwpWFOUAJ

oNHkTWSMCtQaksC

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

SVEvtKarDcrbDRy

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

aNojCpuHaglnWhs

Ning Rushen nodded.UPKwxfyipHKTsdZMvMWbTVVMVmHAye

eIWSPdHmrEgsPTg

Li Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.mDOQOfbGLMZaBjVtCyCtyyrkNbhsxq

BOuCwZtdyDnnpsg

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.”vqRjBAlYDtjVFGYvrgtgnaakTSgCbZ

ZGdQpRnGnUnGnUs

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

lTnbtAhwVqnqUmy

“‘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.”nuOcvtjlKvBdNPbfHkByQBgJgYdjyn

JAEgcACKcwCneeP

“Why would the late emperor…”bGKbwyeosXudkYMGpMQvXTmHOiNbMW

ENzgeoBVjMTOcMx

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

UuCLDUGuXfrAxRo

Another secret???LLkorAutSCegGKviWXqCWSZYtyeKNj

ZjudCSseczScHSC

Ning Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”JlPUKDvicfLhDShkuvmvKdrYrnhZJi

sjVHnShXYhwmhDP

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.”iCsUgUIYzhJWQxIDAcbIGJqiNSrIua

AnNyfLteEWfjpfT

“……”ThPqCgZAsnTTgorHnKMheYGUaaMePv

bRIuFeIuYxGMjDr

“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.”lmCcVPFmrfeAecnqRouQcZmnkdiOuE

ckrhKrPOXAJXIEU

“…”jkmpqzyJwRlwmYLLXcWCWFaYzZahIm

mCMAhpgqnSMlLVP

Ning Rushen took a deep breath.ipPBIMCnyFZKHJBFIqTfUbtKyaRNrj

voeqMcZQsNvxJAE

That was indeed a bit careless—rYFxNlhTmdsLPeItdlputVtdoPGvnL

QSHDreLCINSVXNp

And why is this yet another useless royal secret!dAEYxGYIDDViUlaYsQWosWmqSdSNHG

BIdCKJjmQMdrApE

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

nySNvqPyTYmJfYD

Ning Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”OZbqFiswISrPSTRZOcrfABpeUBXHVZ

ybBjKQcrwckjxGt

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

ACDqOtCuhHFOmKa

He continued, “What happened next?”QhPWobWDfpYjMOEyVUxmiYOEexrcZP

dARDKAUybdFNbaf

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.”pEbadcztriAOUZxlFWxPhStjXhVbgH

CJwEEzKQQgPzxOH

—Chao Jun.zfsWUEcGxwNOvPOqAziWKoeBVVCQUw

ZRQSFWRbGKGANBP

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

heZcIlUixRmhegX

Ning Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.aFpijYTzFaqrgwxIReXNwpJDgnlXBH

pGmaDHBkGYHGnRX

It indeed suited Li Wuting.jNpnhRxbiyKdjtGfsVpJueJihbvgRv

lZvwkZJCseMtpJC

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:WoJNyQgpoBXSNVgUMrhuKUPlefOpAI

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

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

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Li Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”mvXgHIfDEgRwTCQrlJfFZYWZUaSVdK

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

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As soon as he spoke, he paused.IoOiytogvjGsUgpJmDPbzGUklNbtLQ

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

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“… No!”vkgCqGsoclXLnLkYpAZewFOwueSVPJ

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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:qBgliMGdeLcknFKQUefuDtxiJAnGwP

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He must have been cursed by Shiyi.QBDiJyBNUygYtQkKLhhVvwGBwGKIbS

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

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He wandered around.RHRZXREAUTrtxqGNBNXKkGZwBjcbkG

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

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The serene courtyard was empty.RifWUymMcAOZnBHJfKuvXiXTdXyBFn

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

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

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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.BJmHEgkZQMMBaWehjNLvHmeqlTkeju

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

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“Has the benefactor lost his way?”KBQwzfAbGVHocuIdLozqUKPeFkvqMh

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

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“No, just wandering.”dhOvXAbouYtcAhVJjfAjpZGTMZHfDD

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

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

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

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

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He saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.mvpdOomXJmQJxybKMtDUdvwbWDoHAZ

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

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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.”huZDEijjxyDfVWFECgOdpHpowGyBQb

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

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Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.zBfHfzqypTDwgXyUiYrZdbjfMtHhOU

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Those few words echoed in his mind.sEaoXinQsghoEwfzztOvsmojwgsPQl

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

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“Master, you mean…”pOteWLgFisRXllevUhzaJLaJjRkcLF

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

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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.”sTrnTgqnyXiLOwijciQJSqhAThouEA

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

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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.pwMCcwUnSJxpQvMRqTHMhsIbPbPkDi

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

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Dreamt of three versions of Erkang.tbKuVJSspaOphdHhNytIWzDZtZgAjI

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“Does the benefactor wish to return?”mbgpEJmuVcrVcFNScjoZvHYdBLnLcO

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“I…”sGsYciJhaOMUZggGJdRytZcJkaEDqU

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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:ujjNnLLBXESLAkEMncTXoaLTQIxYJg

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“Can I go back?”MwlIqhCMMpuoOiXtXpRcyoIQdUKyaC

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

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

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…SUMuRpvKVbpkHXJBpiQIvxrYAAHlfB

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

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Li Wuting stood a step away.iQywdFkJpyXowEmxWbgHrbiDWDyjHR

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

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