This official is so weak

Ning Rushen’s heartbeat gradually calmed down. He looked down and pulled his sleeve back:qbNdVGawFUcUZDqhpFMPQexGlzmIgH

OZujnvYFYQDMcip

Splash. The branches and leaves in front of him were brushed aside by Li Jingyu.cJwJaUtCStZWsqVgRQCxSGpsuMcKcq

cXaaOuqoUlSLYyK

“I think your homework is still too little,” Li Wuting said calmly. “You’ve already forgotten what I just said.”oqcCpLyqqWtnSPMdQmgdvnZMeNnGlA

sNvdPxVUBlJAcxd

Li Jingyu obediently lowered his head. “I’ll go back and study, Your Majesty.”rgVkUBOaEkMJZfWvqiVzAOiTZMkEZy

iEJhJQUqGaojozs

After a moment of noise, a group of people outside left.juaSohMnstHBwRxQBwdxgwJntElnee

UOrfROvMKsJKjba

Then, with another splash, light streamed in—BrcCPebRwPCJcHHupYRZUsZQSWGJsq

EILBMMkvMjBPJLY

Li Wuting parted the branches and looked at him.ZGEAHyMcuomhMYzOAlQhYtLwuZalpA

tHEAgZXxdGfpQnZ

With his deep and distinct features framed by the drooping branches, there was a kind of vivid and vigorous handsomeness.uuHmZAnoFOobFDyBAMzWkMicZtrGlf

OZaMaZOYSCLgKof

Ning Rushen took a deep breath and slightly lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty.”ETqYEEXhZMdBmvANxWHVELiUwzuHIF

XsKBuBEHBWtWmfF

Li Wuting said, “Still not coming out? Have you grown inside?”SjVXtLXTuqXjIABfAhcnDoKmaYfyXx

OwIuRbJKzSNknTV

Ning Rushen quickly moved the potted plant.OFlWvwvJuwpJQZCgIUhtfLcdKlJAXp

NfJRjKweSkfLRmH

He struggled to move it, his slender hands showing veins as the branches and leaves hit his head, causing his hair to stand on end.ahfbwNJzVeWXvNdkYwHiICRwiWQYRf

SpaEzolbhgAhDCB

Li Wuting couldn’t watch anymore and pulled the potted plant away with one hand. “Come out.”aDeUqHffwNwiNzpTgUrybSZabHgaed

lgyTigLpmoNlkzl

Ning Rushen lowered his eyes in praise. “Your Majesty, you have a good hand.”nOVRvujSGiAPKbkqpbcYnzfSGmcyey

EQOqzkEjBlYgici

“…” Li Wuting.nJOzZpbuOETCydXSQUlekAfSFsGYSj

KfPLpgKOAnCNdnP

Ning Rushen emerged and adjusted his clothes, then heard someone ask:bILxDuZMJahcBqIQJUpZotCXRNMRvM

bwWBXOfXJLmlVqB

“Playing hide and seek requires this much seriousness?”ATDEgUJqjyBUGKwBdGKuwmtiwFWyou

YSiCZSmIRPWWeXc

“Betting on just-baked pastries.”XbdFWncFnNCyFOxmcbmLBQvoUOPxiX

rriBjhqXQDYlNJS

There was a pause. Then Li Wuting said softly, “That would cost Ning Qing’s life.”ReQIUTmLgcaVwJfsTTnecjTgkcvIQI

NgYyChZFPNIIpGY

Ning Rushen:RoTvtSQzAOmACzaFshsywIImATEMpj

pywocbMsovVBryF

He nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life.”eJtfVKLIAMcqQcYUisXWYAOQHzWbrB

wHBuccRRPitGFUM

Li Wuting glanced at him. “Just a casual thank you?”SgErIYkgdTKYdjNfNEsWCWfXfFaKvg

jMwfbhnpNWCAJvV

Ning Rushen was stunned by the question.tlkpbVDdqSfSTAjGOEsBPLNJqqjNBl

rtothVitJCeToVU

He observed Li Wuting’s expression and, after a moment, slowly raised his hand, giving a formal bow:GJxOKRkvRBSmAVCreUtfOJYWsMgYKr

jvgmOkhpQOEsXUC

“Thank you—Your Majesty, for saving my life?”vafKyUdWYWGOkrqHOqTtEDDptCQwIq

vDvqewSgsdxbVXS

Li Wuting, “…”oCxsZbSusrCjPlqGxHQYrMSreVmypL

dpIWWEJfxARODCt

His gaze was silent and calm.oTBLMytcqbnWwVZbLSkLsItGqgRnAs

OFBloCYqIcDzUwV

Ning Rushen sensed something was off, touched his nose, and said nervously, “Then I’ll share half of the pastries with Your Majesty?”gdnsDgoqRNJFOmxpHuVlqreZcHDjDe

uleLKAQAaZvsnmB

Li Wuting commented, “Taken from the ruler, used for the ruler.”GDsqhEllRQpjqXGvgzJJrjVEgEWyhr

HqiAbuphJYKrJZl

“…”svTWxuOQPrqLeTmGCFBohaBCYjKbrD

wmfyUJHsrgVQztw

What is he saying? That’s half of his life!pSnyZIPEFdoDpetAevYWHCUNxtkKTl

qGLJsQwVhmOEsNY

The two stared at each other for a while.OCABZRLbGvcYaCUvrENyxmxEmbeUDI

IcdKTzzGluUlCYe

Suddenly, Li Wuting extended his hand.NqKOqzQtXcKDaqWbtDJTJytxgrZKDy

wXpbFsohxYKZiSt

Ning Rushen flinched instinctively and closed his eyes. A slight touch brushed over his head:HrWDWxQsbfqbbTQYqYqBdyzrzBJURE

ALdIKMfmQZPsLXB

“If you can’t think of anything, just owe me for now. Make it up to me next time.”tkBcChpdYigyKPxkAWtFeYQASIPAfD

FxDDDPMTPQZwvgf

He opened his eyes to find that Li Wuting had already withdrawn his hand.UVzxkbbsIbRlBwVgJxGqgPndsQDNQH

wtOVrGINtrEhaFA

He had pinched off a leaf that was caught in Ning Rushen’s hair.jWwdeUeXKCtyXeVEfohIQUyyvHrPKd

XunKEmDbEpbCftc

“Oh… I see.” Ning Rushen touched his head: it was just grass that had grown.ZAysHWNvSKGFuvcMRGpvfEaxjuHbxP

BUKnOqhVDFCRQfZ

…WcvGstdiZrIRbmBloKvOLdgYXntcZr

jFoFNBdfwahcmpm

He took the remaining pastries back to the residence.VwkbUrSOOxZigkoXyViClfBbpBgJjB

bpQkCpRelZTMTQo

Facing Ji Taifu after a long time, the nervousness of silently “transcribing ancient texts” was brought up again.LNXOgSNzUpfoQEqgfMcZbBAjdIFfxs

efJTQmeoHEuxWMF

In these past few days, Ning Rushen had been returning to his room to silently transcribe books whenever he was off duty.WCYKVukzHZgtOFXAQQCPxJaMEjYkKd

IupsXFFpywpdsBK

From “High Mountain and Flowing Water” to “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.”ldobHxmYMfJyYyjLdDntbTicHfXkha

rwzakuCxTliGkQN

In between, there were also some personal additions: for example, how meat buns originated from Yuchuan.IyboHdQUXiVwXxMTZRtUrAmiMbzWvK

ozeXsRXlHQQrnOQ

Yan Min came to deliver tea and was surprised. “This is the first time I’ve heard of this.”yKDlTsATGtdktimAYWiIZmLUpUZQTH

CEqrEufPfrIVOLv

Ning Rushen didn’t look up. “After all, I made it up.”QZbBFLMJQSYxXiexvAGWfyQLVmNLdV

SbSnSvviJTIXqqv

“…” Yan Min was shocked. “Can you just make things up like that!!”jkFFTZMOtTDEkfMMPSqKVpOIFHdOLc

tAnbFPlNaznwBXb

Ning Rushen explained, “Isn’t it said that history is created by the laboring people?”aRLLVxSjNsomvMwtEfuQbOdzRcEjju

vJTWdISkMqaLGcg

Yan Min stood there with his mouth agape for a while.ureErnnFezVjVhZZHUScVFfximovHc

hJitqymFTnRJEnC

It sounded reasonable, but something seemed off.CjOLlsduXggliZwUcgbugifzENXgOQ

diVROvqXtqFXdAY

Ning Rushen had been creating for several days, almost like the legendary Ma Liang with his magic brush.rMuTxbVTICqyAYDjdfArUxdDdzCDPn

GjQjIBoZnZUCiuW

As he had expected, during these days Ji Taifu was busy discussing the implementation of the “cabinet” with Li Wuting, and had not come to collect his debt.TCOfUuhEapgCFPbJVOuGPpaCnjPaif

gotQwqUwBznaBxz

However, Fan Wan found some free time and came to his residence.BIwQzADuSBrsMvqkKJNiwLvMQhskyN

BOZyHpnddfEdGWF

“Master Ning, it’s been a while.”TDSOMMBAOjCtZiCASkDhucKcNWhHuy

nRTKUyQjGhQShjL

It wasn’t until Fan Wan mentioned it that Ning Rushen remembered the last time they parted, when he had sneaked into Fan Wan’s carriage and was caught by Li Wuting in public.wQxEOlhuWhEXBCzEaFplQXKGhjgAto

qilieWFLmOHUQAE

Ning Rushen sighed, “Please, have a seat.”qaMVOcftEGljlGDPtfdTHTlVQwTmmi

XZATUNkgxWCzaus

Fan Wan seemed to recall the incident too. “There’s no need to worry about what happened last time. If it allowed Master Ning to have a good sleep, it was a fortune for my carriage. If Master Ning does not mind, you can always—”lXwtvQnPXjkMTHivabyssHTGgvvugV

KUmeyfbJugbJGJz

Just then, the tree canopy above rustled slightly.erRCMPigWCaPOGNOAnPqbYrEkQfZPW

sSyTlnMCvkDYutl

Ning Rushen looked up:OZfPViHtUdaGcxfaSfLPQVaqIFYEvY

YTENbGAZncCGDHr

Could it be another wall-scaling thief…ggjdwOqePibbvQmbhdRtALJQxaCkPb

OuTUSOtUNviUGyI

“What’s wrong?”AgdXddOySdnNzQASQrbEjsNrIXBxqh

LFiVSqaEArfVdgs

Fan Wan looked up following his gaze but saw nothing unusual. Instead, he casually glanced at the wall and was somewhat surprised:iEgZqGAFoRAnmMIinairwgRrjiKzQk

JIcLDzOXgokLjCS

“Master Ning, there’s a big hole in your wall.”muqykCxNYLMrnAxrFmdnhMQzpXOAcK

JIzgywBLxyEhtbS

Ning Rushen tensed for a moment, fearing he might be another thief. “Oh, that’s for the thieves to climb.”iQkGScmTyAhXtLjfMySEgtWWJwUlzx

unaLPDHcjvZbsEi

Like the one that just passed.HIqMqKiIKvpdWERaNMmgLUICRLFfhU

KnHlgTlAKkXUGIu

“???”DtDpTPLZVsKyubztsEDKCTVQLULZkc

pbljTZSvdoWHPYe

Fan Wan was deeply shocked: it was the first time he had heard of a house with a path left for thieves!oHJwcxDbTlngLlbCaRWuYRgPNlTVUS

uZQzFpRDTFYLfpi

He marveled, “No wonder Master Ning is young and accomplished; it seems you know how to harmoniously interact with everyone.”zOvavRxyeZfhvIfjYhbJhbgdaUkkTV

hYJNGzfshHPsJOp

“…” Ning Rushen replied softly, “Exactly.”qRBsTFWjmLeivaDSqHeZgaxrTCePlq

vgOpNRwEQSuJDKY

After some pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic.xaDuqISHntSwTpwbSQwKxzHBlrbuza

ZCsqXsagLwItYqz

Fan Wan subtly revealed his intentions. “Master Ning, about the ancient texts we discussed last time…”BNIgSnjGDZLRWvekcGrqHvDHVFUeYR

QUpZNnUrkWoYySc

“I’ve only transcribed half of it so far,” Ning Rushen said, “but I also promised Ji Taifu that I would lend him the completed text first.”PovXVFhwVMYPNJBbOpizHXczKTkPOg

bRcaboCJvjMAtAw

Fan Wan’s expression drooped. “Yes, that’s how it should be.”sjrQljVsMDBEsevnFnYTeHMkKdIHWT

kVowyzMbVyXRiWC

Ning Rushen observed him for a moment and suddenly had an idea.VLOmVNKPgMvpnjjZfbZHcmuxXBQmbM

muTqTqXFZSFdsCF

“There is a compromise.”HFcbZYqJOFeTWGPHNGHewcinwZXaxK

weanpDlMbxxoDxj

“What kind of compromise?”vBKdABayXtXMYZwUZIngSkGWRhaGDy

HpYryZrlJxaStHM

“I’ll dictate to you, and you can transcribe it as you listen. That way, you’ll see the ancient texts first and won’t be breaking your promise to Ji Taifu.”vmSgIAOZHyIBlwiaUKYPGSMAmzfAfJ

eixfzLjERPkVrkD

… The area went quiet.plhmTclEeIMzkwIcQFBdGXIIIoRtgE

KDYpzvsdzYghhJr

Then Fan Wan exclaimed, “Excellent!”VzJkMmGnMcnIVqsqjDptTBIPVClzyA

apNPmVsCjXBvopj

Ning Rushen pushed the brush and ink towards him. “Right?”tnqpMKBeSpUYNUGWDpFgBIqhjfvgTu

LTVrMUxzBNHoOfV

…RpHrcNggmvBEacgdedSYArkAftFHtk

hzazaYPwakqVryx

Half an hour later.dgHptQBQoQFnkORtyyQTZiBfiUPQjR

kivvnzKkyoJsuqM

Ning Rushen held a cup of tea and admired Fan Wan as he wrote the final character. He couldn’t help but praise him: as expected of the top scholar, his handwriting was both fast and excellent.LGwNDTonEYohiWFcEJfVDgYTmiIUOk

PDhWwCJkxAtqOsj

“Alright, that’s enough for now.”UCSwJdNQmhXaoNciKoDakHiwUOpOzv

HEJQvbAYcZARUNT

“… Truly a profound story.”QoxEPdFaePXsjOGhMNtMmvHlxUSlMu

zhLQIgNNKljaBkb

Fan Wan was still immersed in the aftertaste of the story.nOdJcOudXmVFSddBottKCDAXCTdKlq

VgjKdsSUJfWKAHz

He showed no awareness of being exploited, holding the pages with great enthusiasm. “Today, I have gained a lot. How about treating you to dinner later to show my gratitude?”dtMKCdwAfxptBWxGngbHZYZQljsfBP

HhdHAgkaGlZvFDn

“Oh, I feel embarrassed…” Ning Rushen blushed and swallowed. “Where should we go to eat?”QISvvOGCbcHQxKiLxHJyjuOSVahzCi

fCXPDDqhaKNplgX

He unconsciously gripped the edge of the table with both hands, his eyes shining brightly. Fan Wan, who was a bit taller, couldn’t help but smile at his eager expression.cxlHChimRJETQXsVdzJmZrDZbxbsKc

lKlZnXSghaiDZjC

“Wherever Master Ning likes…”joTKjokWlAGyvxhEUbaxGqBlebkApe

MKNycrCCPrWfEsW

As he was speaking, someone arrived from outside the courtyard.HCwjcLwKWOKokoxCZRbyceeQghMjcm

LwRzFuFmahKTIAg

“Master!” Yan Min led an inner servant in.IXXmPooNOUeHGjDupCEyBdTDbUitaQ

jkZZuNDncQDVLni

The inner servant saw the two in the courtyard, nodded to Fan Wan, and then bowed to Ning Rushen.DEWZKJvbQJHiYQkyTAFbEqgUbWmidL

NgYLSHHtpArXQRE

“Master Ning, the Emperor is outside and summons you to accompany him.”hLaWOdLoRqMwkFWqvuNrscBdJaymUG

LvAgCaaAXOmTXci

Ning Rushen was taken aback: Why would the Emperor summon him?XxnRlpaoDUxRLOJsTTMZgqnGZbsvIC

LLAwGZEzDAjCzhz

And…GffDUenfgXtafsimumhSQZHhZvGLBO

FBflkOFAWLqGkAP

Ning Rushen glanced regretfully at Fan Wan: they hadn’t even had a meal yet.asDJsJxYLliSNoocbddEkYAKeUAgHo

ssUIvYryYPENdPF

The inner servant suddenly cleared his throat and, with a slightly subtle expression, said, “Ahem… The Emperor has asked me to inform Master Ning that this time he will be traveling in a bright yellow carriage.”dIyGHSVRmquukmOCTIZjFaYhQmOidm

wPrzQVEmTGgOURc

—!!!rjLuIMjCgWmHEjGPilOrzeXAVMmGEE

JAaNfEBPAUrwpop

Ning Rushen jumped up immediately!rZIQvXlejiyoZHHLlPcBVONxihqtle

gjJwedCQtJByHPK

Wasn’t that the golden carriage he had dreamed of riding again?eTLoKqygKUpcmCKPzmLrwJTRNRwYmc

znrTPjjzyaqhvcc

“I’ll respond to the summons right away,” Ning Rushen said, turning to the stunned Fan Wan. “Thank you for the invitation. I’ll definitely join you next time.”IBtzsVbYEPUKGUeQfYoZuuvwBDOOlE

cFlKHyJZwiBtPDE

He finished speaking and followed the inner servant out.FjPrbJqTgqBbxHKwZoMzIuHZhCwqmP

cizcXwoTPRFqOUB

Fan Wan: ????WZHiYpvyHnOmRtllyMDUinPALVqsGH

XLsYcZBsmooKUzn

·ZudPpSYVPCIMbibKsMykMyildtUdtf

pzxYyBxKhhEjMnL

The Emperor’s carriage stopped at the East City Military Department.ZgRqzCoWiOvWgPcgtZVEPfDSyKpuMq

capbspqIlGAXQrG

It was just a street away from his residence and soon arrived.dSeOvKOOJXBtlcYaDycikHEpRBrZIW

nbxJQNRHQeYCBgw

The bright yellow carriage was parked in front of the Military Department, with the streets around cleared and the guards stationed five steps away.tBbPImwSCszqaVaKqxxRQWUtyqNdzu

XDERCIpzoabJNRM

The golden light dazzled Ning Rushen, making him feel dazed:jGjJcOGAnrxHVmLFngNWdCCmRHTuib

veQvqWywFUYygbv

… This is what it looks like when dreams come true.ImFOKtnjBGNtikMALnPaXglbyOZICc

kfhXLVBoTfXwokA

With his heartbeat quickening, he climbed into the carriage and lifted the curtain, only to find that Li Wuting was not inside.dzQglOaQXunKjMoDWmoLeKwNOkpWGR

DHoOSsoCCfvstMk

Li Jingyu was sitting inside, swinging his little legs. “Master Ning～”xjylIzkQbRcoAwQWUrIMDygRxcYGZU

VbMLgLKDoCJBWat

Ning Rushen: ?SxIaMFdXOSzYaIejZqqUcwRRwsApwo

mDyRUbQRaaLOfTa

He went over and asked, “Little Prince, where is His Majesty?”zCsSptylrkedGBCBJOAeyrriqnvgHg

AxHFxaniLnyzQZD

“Royal Brother said he had business at the Military Department, so he asked me to wait for him in the carriage.”ebOsKTSkcCanETJWHzhtdUsyZzxHob

oqmSoidgQMGidiu

“Oh, does His Highness know why the Emperor summoned me?”KSXPqePRGfteASARgAwKjNDCVHnZLw

RDGYKOxKYArTejr

“No idea,” Li Jingyu said. “Royal Brother was originally at the palace inspecting my studies. Then a Jinyiwei came and spoke to him for a while, and he said he was coming to the East City Military Department.”MFHMePuHwLblwwNIVTGTwODNXCbYSG

iUIMtqXAscGkiBz

Hearing Jinyiwei, Ning Rushen’s first reaction was to think of Shiyi.cKWXubOriUqCtDsUyFZiFdPeJHXVgu

vkyvXTCDNyNrMeT

But since Li Wuting had gone to the Military Department, he assumed it was another Jinyiwei reporting some urgent matter.QqLCUKZeOBfLjeIBMhQmsVVkayviZU

vZfLiHTBfdiadEN

The little prince’s short legs swung again. “This is the first time I’ve ridden in such a comfortable carriage with Royal Brother～”MwpDQVRHhVgyaHGeWLnAfqDazsWYXL

TVNEnovaBQfHUWm

Ning Rushen’s attention was drawn back.azUHoGxLFuUFDmJxrGyheVKPAZsiCl

HUnLxXfEeHqQHel

He skillfully pulled out a pile of blankets from the side, piled some for Li Jingyu, and some for himself:EdXEoFCDfyrLfCEzrkEvWTwTcFAbDT

kqBcYBPYLuTOMhi

“I also find it very comfortable.”WhTYqSyjvBKHRTZfKMmRPxNwyaoZUG

gukLKyYgvoxROSY

Both of them sank into their seats. “Ah—”TeAGmOhtuPdzwfWoeJvYZtORCAeiNa

uGyyJDGBmKNqLtf

After a while, with Li Wuting still not back, Li Jingyu asked, “By the way, Master Ning, where did you hide during the last game of hide and seek?”RsfXWHdKoeHGUhXAyGDqsIYXtGXYTR

acsElUIDPBevMsQ

“…” Ning Rushen hesitated. “Um, a rockery.”MXoMAvcJWbMPMSrRhHccULMZGvwGVe

bGRwlmOFQfvSPBt

Li Jingyu lamented, “Ah, you were so close to being found!”ZTpXSUDcocuhkOiiwihTqixYunPNBh

ZOeBdcPFxkPXjBv

Ning Rushen pressed his lips together: It was indeed a close call.mNVBfDAFWlYcXQKCkIxJVetLZIrCtq

mhDXMnqyrItEiyV

“Well, I still owe Master Ning a secret.”HWyRSlcSeKtaLxgozJZVhgYlyxWvRB

NUvomnYbkRCiEbo

“What secret?” Ning Rushen was immediately intrigued.unSqdNBWbFLuJzaDKxvvfNjLCvadNB

qfyxtEiBEDskdrr

He wanted to see what secret he himself did not know.apRSLdXmzMoIVZvyKKgVSKMYSAlQeU

cZnlrxerxXebgJM

Li Jingyu sat up. “I found this when I sneaked into Second Prince’s residence and rummaged under his desk. Oh, Royal Brother is about to come back, so you should look at it quickly.”ToQhNZwTLQShaHttJHpkuKSawUJxah

worbYXUsQzFHZig

He handed a well-preserved piece of paper to Ning Rushen.sObmFNniecjfIwyJjsOHnVsCtxmWoC

WNurHgvwJlvNyUK

“What is this?” Ning Rushen looked down.fBrVbVkvnfGOPEGpJpavLaNXlEYxuW

IEehsguDaAelCJy

Li Jingyu leaned closer and grinned, “Hehe.”sgUFEkWRHmSvflWnjbHJTzATJHayXc

kGntbhgbIBvIMCp

Ning Rushen: …BDMvrhBUDZHZLIGxQAOYRuAkKFbRwb

VxRKJXRJEIYzSQg

Ning Rushen: ???AUbEwBuwYcWiUkLSNcYSFRrRGvGscG

ORFLSeKLcmbrlsc

 qmQzMVLbZhRhcPunOFJvmuCXgONQMS

DyyRKFQaGIcrpJF