This official is so weak

The milk cake and honey jelly packed last night were placed on the stone table in the courtyard by Xing Lan.TMwvwZPXrOpLkLppUbPSKDHYGSZBEf

HubdOhUkYtGjsqy

Now that he had finally caught his breath, his flushed face had returned to normal. After eating a couple of sweet treats, he finally felt like he was alive again.EfFRyAwuuBrneFrXpwzVRMRNzhCSnT

BFYeLojERnEGnQo

He called Xing Lan and Yan Min over to try them, then looked around and asked, “Where’s Xiao Shizi?”qzMaYxAJBGoxLmqDpwXqAkELxkzDJB

JWjuwFYBPIwVRRK

Before he could ask more, Yan Min, smiling but silent, waved his hand, “It’s nothing. Your Excellency, please go to court.”bTiCyXOZYyXMqMwkhhkEWzzmMbYpZE

FPxtaPCbfHQkSCY

It was the day of the morning court session.MrHzfrXshqVLWfbSMxjPiJmGTtDKpl

TSUbhkyPFlJbHHi

Today was the day for testing the “cabinet system” that Ji Jie and Li Wuting had agreed upon.PfmPCCJkPnpLqPAfYPiWzkxmOPbcCR

ENiJtZpXdqzSFbG

The new policy was proposed by the scholar Ji Jie—HZovgXcDNRvKPcMroLvyPdsfxOuPOH

hcJBjRfPCYnPYjy

The court was immediately in an uproar! Ji Jie was highly respected and neutral, so no one dared to attack him openly, but arguments broke out among the officials.GzSWqZAhxEHgwAMchOBcUfJWGIpOlu

FUxLDSEeMmzCkmp

The slower ones were still weighing the interests behind it.pGupGVRXFnGegmKzDIyubKzdclDtDG

nBVZrMOxbTGngcc

The sharper ones had already glimpsed the Emperor’s intention.JYxdFjDieBcxjrOHBjWghepvoxtOFl

AaTLNkTjOQctXNq

Ning Rushen glanced up at the chaotic court, only to see Li Wuting still steady as a mountain, silently observing the maneuvering of various factions.FpLVeXFqruOqKxIUDMqIagxVCqvXFl

zERRCvuQXyFtyHy

As he looked, he saw Li Wuting glance in his direction.QuXvcelnCVrUbPfXfYvjqDYGJZQMBa

xiFIaknFpccugDD

The deep gaze crossed most of the court and landed on him, as if saying: What are you looking at?WXpoSvWrNXmKgLaQKwrAPISURQKQAf

FTeOMgozMtWsHzV

Why don’t you lower your head?FvQbIBoYGfemUxNwdXIZckfXyKackb

SdztipCSgzdSluB

“……”BANjCUMhmKgxriPTnRPOPnAlNsWabi

ECYKiSGphwCimwR

Ning Rushen lowered his head.SWYnxArdDCQexmDxTDeHLKMMKhUiWE

lydzoVKkYGlYIsi

As one of the “initiators,” he perfectly kept a low profile in the midst of this storm.PUCsWzUccYxVYHlbEntpioldFbayde

CglzeHbNYEhMcUy

The morning court session lasted two hours in uproar.mypUQEcjEhbUSOvGoLeDvEVexXIRqD

LezlvjikkjvEvcR

After the court session, Ning Rushen was pulled aside by officials to probe for some clues.DNQDebqOEVVCNmjvxARAJxvobSJfsw

NeADejcPdmAIpSJ

By the time he sent everyone away, a quarter of an hour had already passed.wTVoFHtkzEdGkuohZEmPfPFYqfgdMT

jySdrxHHogmwBQT

He straightened his clothes and headed towards the Imperial Study.mVSEkPwEiokIFJQsAHzdQWkDEFuvRz

eczRjBESLBVlsAc

Time to wrap it up and go home!JVEsQmQwEsjcAWFibEkPefvsCZfOZF

BFxgkplggjmqlQA

Outside the Imperial Study, Xiao Rongzi was waiting at the door.UoYollnXpFEfBofsiWGxbNFNJlxevY

mZqRDGDrEuMMWLf

Ning Rushen usually went straight in, but just as he was about to enter today, Xiao Rongzi stopped him:WGxIRRzzeVmisIgFveeRuQfEjUPkpm

LoiMWyyripsCuFf

“Lord Ning, please wait a moment. His Majesty is having a meeting inside. I’ll go in and report.”lJzyntePUlmNgeorqyhHPoSFgQjdxV

avCndSshNEiKgTx

Ning Rushen nodded, “I’ll wait.”JniphQxeQiIBHEwBWaVGNHjLTBLoWp

eGZHzwCZPNQSeoJ

He stood outside with his hands in his sleeves.TlKBZTnCbjHyUFLshsuNxhIRcIzsfP

AooySZEHhZOwCTB

However, after only a few breaths, Xiao Rongzi hurriedly came back out. The speed was as if he had just popped in for a moment. He shook his head and said:sylTNHKJtTOuvzkUYSqHHpBuvAiyZL

rNBceAAVjCdaCSz

“Lord Ning, it would be best if you went back for now.”tXcUyUeTeQAqIaNhdditQuEzcdLtsn

ZdvSGZythFVaJPV

Ning Rushen was puzzled, “What happened?”TaHybgRwbgbeClNmPCfJNnkndwfdPZ

eiTIvJicTqyRMlr

Xiao Rongzi whispered, “The Emperor is in a bad mood. As soon as I went in, I heard the Emperor say: ‘Get out.’”WMydMIHfKhJkCysMlnNNCsnaffWpmC

bmaLKpPgBnuZzcf

“……”npAlozPRjoSJQCojGrKFekaMzgwqpN

eDvQvsZcxDbWKyj

If even getting out was said, how bad could his mood be?ShJQjVxHklDyFpsVYvBfvFOQPpAptQ

vVUtCLgSLJlfBVJ

In Ning Rushen’s memory, although Li Wuting was an emperor, he rarely used harsh words: it was likely due to his gentlemanly demeanor. When he said “get out,” it was either a joke or genuine anger.NAYNdGndXAvKEjtnewZYgcqEFuPvxe

KBAYkjXTDNEguIK

He asked quietly, “Do you know the reason?”XvZWdKWjHDJcNxxYuzExZkZvbzRWwa

iVxgmNUmpNbXvFI

“I don’t know. I just saw Master Lu reporting inside.”yRzBOTYmYcgvkitCwSNQcWSkULBlfA

kBQUNAkCIPjpSbb

Lu Wu…? Could it be that something was said by a minister about implementing the “cabinet system”?YmmvwkzrSEpGcFIRSXEIGIunHmnLko

VsxatFilQbhSrkF

Ning Rushen tentatively suggested, “Should I go in and persuade His Majesty?”zGYNGzYppSsKXgfjqQPypfucTTabga

VrXvCEjBuUvTpwX

Xiao Rongzi advised, “My lord, it’s better to go back.”XngWAtRSFTWDGegaCrjRyhZimiFBgu

FTzDrrucFadplDW

He had served the Emperor for so many years and had never seen the Emperor’s face look so terrible.QzpXVYJLZtOHbAHzPtDeogbhWFdhGn

UOfQdxgBZNzAEnh

He didn’t know what Master Lu had said.WvnMWksqigQDIfxQDGdspDTulPzqnz

dHCCGmIKnlhMJgH

Ning Rushen had no choice but to agree, “Then I’ll go to the Ministry of Rites.”ynuUJkEgBYGVOFBsCZEtPMYhxyYXdJ

TxGWIAfWaynENSe

He turned and left, pondering:ZJjpFOWTUickSaREIrzMOUCNsQXTnI

tnrSGfzvpQjPXmw

Since it was Lu Wu, it probably had nothing to do with him.aFGOSLnkkQofDGwLmHSlpMbYefxQBJ

XwZlzDTiBevQZyE

By the way… he hadn’t seen Shiyi all morning. Where could Shiyi have gone?hnVgiElrfMsLIZNzgBmdWcepsbGFoV

UwCiPhQjSXkPYQS

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was extremely tense.uNAZirGstkBXooFWmlKkSjwpcNNVfp

HaDuDghBtZlRCNX

All the servants had been sent out, leaving only the anxious De Quan and Lu Wu kneeling before the Emperor.KskgJDbsheCIrgAbKUMpAbvSKNqIoX

AhAPwPuRATKCVVv

Li Wuting kept his eyes downcast, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.fInIESTsXqAtmYShvqGvKvJUopagsu

PMjODyDrOrxzJXG

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:kOgXUiaiTOfFskZetDHpUkVXnixvdw

RAPrzpuoIgoXZCK

“Repeat what you said just now.”OppNUGYcPQZYOVUJUGhhrUbJwllxGv

vMVpqOqvbDfdLfS

“Certainly.” Lu Wu, with a blank expression, reported again, “I heard Shiyi say that Lord Ning is infatuated and intends to propose to a noble lady named ‘Jingjing’ in the capital by the end of the month, after the coming-of-age ceremony. The household is already preparing gifts.”OkGZFrNFYKWzIiTtEKDJWYoFCrybLq

ZTtsbDIGzbtaHpC

He summarized, “Presumably, the formal proposal will be made soon.”TtpMIcTxteqVxGbxywqnEvzHJKBJXk

wlsydstBIgVQhDX

“……”xDtefppUwLRqJCmTyxCPaYAqEEVPOi

oguIEfYrNbPobMo

Once the words were spoken, the room fell into dead silence once more.nYBXnAckCkRBMaYqkvaLqlDPOPmbRj

ZbvcfKQEnZTzabM

Lu Wu, kneeling at the desk, was bewildered.bTGnNiNUnUXpdUJksksusmwNLXBLEt

VutrVmqUNIqXOXu

This morning, while having tangyuan at a stall in the eastern part of the city, he ran into Shiyi, who asked about a noble lady named “Jingjing” in the capital, saying that Lord Ning wanted to propose to her.GPDgjOkpNeAwDsLzZgAnXXXVzJzaGM

AcjMZhRmHFKMOFM

He hadn’t planned to report this to the Emperor—sXXSvxNgSFIdIxfNKoyaariQNmSMce

OOEXAzAkAToXBjK

The Jinyiwei monitors whether officials form cliques or engage in corruption, and Lord Ning was not involved in either.MDoccrCuACMooAxYNMEPvMBGkHZsXV

tCXwTyXCSqmiDeD

It was likely that Shiyi hadn’t reported it either and had just been inquiring out of curiosity.ezybkEUDXeCrhWPwSEIPBoXKUwQbvv

OVYyCtjcZxSEKXA

But since the Emperor had asked more questions about Lord Ning last time, he decided to mention it.osMBbUelzPoYuznURPzmxgdhebDlLt

KjcGhFURnDjyHEe

He didn’t expect this would lead to—ZalnZtgBToGfqePTjvJsUYlgLyoshW

krGpZfIgTltwFLq

“Jingjing?” A cold laugh suddenly came from above.lxWslSCWNJKIwqhQcOEjIKPjHChESd

wNGoGOHPzDPMFPH

Lu Wu snapped back to reality and looked up.QqcrwhIfqsoLTiCfuAiOcTTIYtbBXh

tfsAIGySfeeVAVU

Li Wuting’s brow was furrowed, his tone indifferent, “Even mentioning the name, how intimate.”JewHJkyTQByclYYAyolrRlbSOtlkqi

DhscUfOdCRtbqsK

De Quan was sweating and quickly said, “Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding! You know how unreliable Shiyi’s messages can be!”ErvWBuahZEIaZkYFcEDqaqkUdiNRvk

HMCVfIZdQTzlyEU

As if thinking of something, Li Wuting’s expression softened slightly, “How did this information come about?”NbiixfkeyUZlsydyjiVSVUfRlThmLh

yrZUgVjRqdNCHwc

“It’s said that the steward from the Ning residence went out early this morning and immediately asked Shiyi to inquire.” Lu Wu recalled Shiyi’s earnest tone and added, “—Lord Ning must be feeling lonely.”XVWJQTXhWYTWyNzInmwLmLSaEqaCwS

yaoouVWRXjUriQo

Lonely.jmnFahQYCqRySpFUNUduvRWnEUaEFg

VDNNqDsxBAuGLmh

Li Wuting closed his eyes and pinched his brow.opuBwKRZrvrGokdGeVoIoArqrcEnde

dHpIFNuzlsRMzxI

The scene from last night of lifting the curtain to get into the carriage flashed in his mind. As a gentleman, he tried not to think too much about it…XbYWVCZytsxWEwnaCprejZXjSZMCWI

FQbKvRuQkudakXn

After a moment, he said hoarsely, “You may leave.”ITQnJgaxQaIGTqxEGmbVMLMuTNPDHb

VFFoaDulboINYom

Lu Wu bowed and started to leave.TXurCMtFKPWJEVNNKeSiYFXInJijpF

YnqPaOKWIGCVWFH

He was suddenly called back, “Wait.”VRKuelEPBqGLNAmNdnRNzmfCzDVHOr

xnnlhWjYyJnfXaV

Li Wuting pinched his brow and said heavily, “You should also investigate. I want to see who this ‘Jingjing’ is.”FdGMbpGCVzGZxxwXJPSwUPEEkwbfOw

aNRvrrGHEHiuLyU

Lu Wu complied and turned to leave the Imperial Study.UeQvoRwNbVdkOtCBTZDPBsNnXFRctE

kmryzXJMjAwuksY

…oLSoYaekEQeTqVFlOdqmfJMsZmjcWi

TxyltlGWwEaDSzw

After Lu Wu left, the room remained tense.KHVkjiXWNyswrhfnauFAUIkgrxlimk

RvKDKwtWzClhDzm

Li Wuting pressed his brow and remained silent.pkLfwbyQVNZrpBwdAJGpcoWswHDeGw

KUWaqDIDDSzbdrn

De Quan, beside him, was burning with anxiety: The Emperor, being the ruler of the nation, could decide on anyone with just a word; there was no need for such convoluted measures.afTKyUatrptPwQLLkWnilwmSWdlWJB

ypDQiLTmddHPCyP

But the Emperor insisted on maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor.MHQLKuDTrlYGUBawgCHDClhpxFvBkp

EvMFEXHmjWUQVMc

Now, Lord Ning was about to get married!GIgDVhoebkoqjyyFLDVVwkVSkRQxME

RozSOQniIqmZOnc

The Emperor must be furious… really furious!MQfdVTNPZvdJfZEHdBfAcjcdRSQKGr

BeePXdEljYrzFec

De Quan, determined, advised, “Your Majesty, why not be straightforward and—”zSsuwnlpvzyllwHBzaBflIPkFijWju

bwMrfqWCOPkFjsd

A cold glare from Li Wuting stopped him mid-sentence.JcotfEExAiuKLapCPtUfhEXVfNgVuW

ZhRYaibcIhfGAuL

Li Wuting glanced at him for a couple of seconds before slowly looking away, “I have said I would not force him. Otherwise, if he leaves, I…” also cannot retain him.xbkptJpbfPSfzHlfNEVErnvWDxvspv

wZwjkvZhncFMUmB

De Quan, frustrated, could not help but stamp his foot: Oh!UpojbGwKDsrEatOiJuiADLwRBMJxZs

ogBnabxgXLkZsGr

“……” Li Wuting looked over, “Why are you so anxious?”obuTyfGrJSioOdiCYihsuCPfsUBPiY

fvbjBIduhYjXFor

“Shouldn’t I be anxious, Your Majesty? After so many years, you’ve had no one by your side…” maintaining your virtue, avoiding anyone. De Quan swallowed the rest of his words and continued, “It’s rare to have someone who genuinely cares; I hope you get what you wish for.”ockeaEAZYZLbYHnjPpZyqvosGWwIXf

VrnqRBPOlWgmyqW

Not just him, but also Prince Xuan and Prince Jing—weren’t they thinking the same way?WuhUKXPtgKgelhXaRXhCfERsjulHcl

jLOgQHkVsTCTWGZ

So that’s why it happens again and again…hQwElQHHsvzljxndHoaSvmsPfPxzso

STwxdePBuXPIXot

De Quan sighed deeply, “Your Majesty, you should consider yourself more.”ZkuGeYLktliGRaQlYWIfxlKstwBErh

vXiZAxFYjtiCxxW

The study fell silent for a moment.nKIXkbqQfDYGZEljzzVHVXSQSXwvyY

RjGxKoaLXZXoEFj

It was as if everyone recalled the hardships and bloodshed from the past, where Li Wuting had protected those around him while climbing over thorns and obstacles.kAWXXMYfNxxCDonOHhGpKVCnsUYNAR

AGdPWjinyBbsrDM

After a while, the Emperor spoke, “I understand.”lkwSJEbRDLxqIeZyaIEaPQvTMdmdjl

YUSHjWgrIqKnSXh

De Quan was overjoyed and looked up.qDyOlnBWroqqBBOIskcUoZOQdXrBaa

BAxSBBzCIjNwDCT

But Li Wuting sneered again, “However, before that, I need to see why that ‘Jingjing’ caught his eye.”hDXsddiOXPvVAeLRgDsucakfYvBbWH

efIOjmGcImjfpOk

“……”dLRZdIiepFMsrqZMFYORsyjQJfhddD

MkYNfIXUNqYUBwx

The cold tone was like a chilling wind.XKBkujMttoamfnMhvZfzpTfyeYKrgy

XeUFyttMDJTmdrP

De Quan lowered his head, shivering, “Your Majesty is wise.”xepJjjwXrCQllmiqDBtIlxNWCHIoUC

RHRrmuMzzWGrVPL

·nYMGZmDGuILmlBNtwTNlgvEJKZMwjN

NcGSTdLmlNqGntR

These days, court affairs were busy.aGbuSFlrcILsrSBkcMppjxketMtCJK

EjwMcxxyTDrAaEU

Ning Rushen hadn’t been able to visit the study for three or four days—nfZfBZEoWatHkOrWAOpmKQcSjgqFSL

jWFZfVDDcPwcVVJ

The draft for the “cabinet system” stirred up hidden currents in the court. With petitions and waves of courtiers flooding into the study, he couldn’t find an opportunity to attend.xqAxsjvRetLIHhoyseKxoeBXxMUZfi

uwJRezXSDjdiThs

At the same time, the market supervision office was bustling with activity.tuAuQWAYVemSXmMtcIRldNWlnudTrN

ExdRIkkrvfoloEp

Next month is the Chengtian Festival, the “National Day” of Da Cheng, and the families coming to bid are almost breaking down the doors.WVBFdqlyMQUolDBKrnkDQfejxAXzhH

DvPHXRtOeREJLCs

So the days passed in a flurry of busyness.wHKSYfBoRFIxUcVgVlfycdMpzRMOhz

EkECSOvJwkNifkx

On the evening of the fifth day, Ning Rushen finished his shift at the Ministry of Rites.VdNXfMkuuXMlqpVcqVacXRhszaxHgP

mMXEnuLRyVeYZhm

As he walked back to his residence, he happened to meet Lu Wu coming from the opposite direction.XvnzPCJPhstlYBWsBxZfjKedtyOmLV

oWaHgIAcNSnIfXr

The two exchanged glances, and Lu Wu stopped.elznFxHlPMGfhWXULDshhmVMKPPyqQ

BWhmUnbnkiqimmC

“Lord Ning.”JfVNtmdxNITFEItnLlQTqaENXGXGNl

PtvkiApxYWqHHXw

“Here on business?” Ning Rushen asked.LXkHlCjcmxEXkDquyyDAVZzLKZLsEQ

HGNAxSNkJlbQDQP

“Just finished.” Lu Wu paused, remembering the meals Ning Rushen had once shared with him, glanced at the evening sky, and kindly said:eabDozOmyzcoEZVVgxjEfnLIwtGGTg

AzpWporkzFpELoN

“Lord Ning, it’s best not to sleep too soundly tonight.”FDEpaABRXnauFymIBeXEotRrxrfZMR

VKnWHUcLEDwoyqP

“???”nPuvriGYEpMUkFclaMRiMpcBiyLyuB

sZTdjVLZVmODxbQ

Ning Rushen seemed not to have heard clearly, “What?”kKlNhpAoRMWKREOwlDAevHiJpqshMp

XJSlinaamYLuPBw

But Lu Wu had already shaken his head and vanished in the direction of the palace.xxtoRziEMcuNnyUDBFcPGnysvhutkT

MDKbApRUKJfLwCP

…What does this mean??zmdWeGdyaCCJTLPPqmGZiVvZtKyrva

HwLVYcjLZNJsFUD

Ning Rushen returned to his residence, puzzled.aqTXDvnVIzxOkmJmenmuKpSPNruwAu

ZefGVjqTkpjQQzc

As he passed through the front hall, he heard familiar voices coming from behind the courtyard door. It was Shiyi, who had been missing for a few days:CuCNGPIkvHAmtaSWyLaUtRCoYKFtQJ

lKwuoHmNmQdYBGc

“I’ve found out. They’re all here.”NrFScmHgzkIWaBxzQFERREAEhyRAcD

rZOxxJNJpzGrCqN

“So many! …And so detailed, from appearance and physique to interests and hobbies. Which one do you think the Lord is interested in?”jcslidpvWdewKFVlAWUjRLjYRErgzw

dRHFbjWDVUHgaBp

“Ask him directly.”JFIwWpHChtcvfKcrKrMOKSybhPkeHa

tSeBNlrjClAsict

“The Lord has been busy these days! We’ll show it to him once it’s ready. As servants, we need to be perceptive.”iTEWoCbkphpFRmbzmXWlPrOwVhrOxa

jmFTHCcxMtLaOEw

“……” Ning Rushen.XiMRzaoAArAeTfuemUSoKeCJFCImdS

SEJUdbxdnsagTFP

He could no longer hold back and walked around the courtyard door to see the two people mumbling with their backs to him, and humbly asked:FYbnfOwPVFfLuHrAVnvtTRvhhirdBX

mCXfsIONjUDjcaM

“What exactly are you plotting?”LvahoRmPLboMezYBWhidXIXNLVGwNd

zsrMfsMirsiAtdd

Shiyi and Yan Min were startled!UvuzXFgzmFnTeNJQISIkXHJQthGNvN

yjGFMbySoooYPGN

They turned, holding the paper, “Lord, you’ve returned.”hfNbIBHhGUDixTPzPhQItcTOGPzfsn

IOmoPzICVdilHtB

…KijnqOWRiWfzcqwGGYhaSbxhRqeOpw

AauCcWaedeWnKWT

Meanwhile, in the Yangxin Palace of the palace.HdLVLZsTnKvAURSDarGHOwRyFfAdQN

oRGuFUodIgyhcMO

Lu Wu knelt before the Emperor, “Your Majesty, there is news.”FJSTfZvxZbvQTSSKdnJFaMNJxqkGoy

DGxtPOQzcLrXYlq

Li Wuting, sitting behind the desk, curled his fingers and said, “Speak.”klVrsgENmObbEGsIdFRLaDeRWUZeZZ

GwbzhNSVMmKbEhs

Lu Wu replied, “Your Majesty, the accurate information has been brought back to Ning’s residence by Shiyi.”bxTHTSvybeWEFuIApUwaIXVUzXqeoy

SCUyuATfHyiiNVv

Li Wuting’s voice turned cold, “Then what did I summon you for?”GAxrXOcwQRxqiVeQuTRoYVLrmwJQCk

jxDETneVTnlxdaj

Lu Wu kowtowed, “This matter… is hard to explain in a few words.”EcewIZOjvDaSDEOQffwQfAxxHsJECV

yUQEgpYlSHEsdot

It wasn’t that he wanted to shirk his duties. There were simply too many people on the list, and he didn’t know which one it was. It seemed it would have to be identified by Lord Ning himself.JuiiONGcHfoeKzhEQdwjOFukqnUeDC

gfQyQXaOlgVsswo

There was silence above.QgdOeovSkEZUfxqizlDZBvHgbKyYvw

OPdIwuxtROujDix

De Quan, observing Li Wuting’s expression, said, “Your Majesty, it has been several days since you last spoke to Lord Ning.”WzGXWBaxyObJaasdeAxnbdqBEsBimd

bVnmrLUxoOjbcuZ

Li Wuting pressed his lips together.FaFPlfHNNYvxQmdsWrMhhVqRlMtFrf

EsscWJQAdyhqewg

De Quan recalled that during the court sessions in recent days, the Emperor’s gaze had lingered on Lord Ning a few times, clearly deep in thought. He speculated, “It’s a good opportunity to clarify things.”bwAKsOjiuYWiDpKpgKPxqNKFSiiUnv

uBqvNlDSeEJEGCC

De Quan spoke with a hint of sarcasm, “Let’s see what this ‘Jingjing’ is all about…”pwokxrRfyROKXuhEOWjoYuXuwaUXxG

WwQahDJiZvHalKs

“Enough.” The cool, clear voice cut him off.IVCNUCcUNJyNScvaQuUIQQleytyeJb

KMVddSzEROOJKgn

Outside the palace, dusk had already settled, deepening into twilight.zMxAyhGOzXbtraMnUdBWOoxRzznFct

aUaNJOQwETpArBL

Li Wuting stood in silence for a few moments, then rose and said, “Prepare the carriage to leave the palace.”UohqigKnfYfXhbvHTbmneNzKyWVBnI

TmmcjOITHBFwOgr

“—Yes!”wVZdHKmuIzUKPaVPJggtpypMCewjUn

yDLKjuQTNXEewoF

·RvWNDMGAGKurnhsFYfJJmMXtLsvoBF

BXUjbKceeLWgbGy

At Ning’s residence.lGNPkbXiAtBbRNWedTCMhRsCFtSxOU

NWAYjucZSqAqFAj

Ning Rushen held a full page of paper, his breath catching.LXqbWdwJBOFiJmcnxiXwEsFLLZNKQH

APXvHpLBaaOKDjU

He hesitated for a long time, trying to maintain a calm voice as he asked, “…What are all these?”qfvSvjBXiDtWcHSRuuYrzKsksxeZna

MNLRlIpRaSbncNg

Yan Min glanced at him, “Jingjing… and the others.”GmjXDUxykgmvTWgLhQiphnstMvOsfO

FLJdtpioFspPaud

Ning Rushen, “………”lKfnEumQWDFePoQeileCvtzOhrjYoW

oxJQhlTQFqnjTec

He took a deep breath, supporting his forehead, “That’s not what I meant. I was asking about…”jRePyCnBRoyaipTHfgiwnQEilKAMPM

mqJKDFrWDJyvigO

“What, these aren’t it?” Yan Min didn’t understand.JVWZtNsyFwItxxTAgyVwSTriEtxYgW

NiBWZZECZQEtVTl

“No,” Ning Rushen said, feeling dizzy again. He decided to cut off the topic entirely, “Forget it, don’t bother with this. Don’t look for any Jingjing.”yxrPgyoOIotfjjWYXlBlxpnlLRNLGZ

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“What about the others?”FNnmMRzHIlzippPyjzFClVSvcnHiKW

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“None of those either.”fvVSModKYAqknUGqfcCicGSvWKNmyF

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Ning Rushen waved his hand, “Leave me alone for a while.”vNQKQVAJmlOZWWbhjnFHWwFkcNAZyz

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Shiyi and Yan Min reluctantly said, “Oh.”ELnJNcajtiegFmLuEQTjazuYLnNYiv

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After dismissing them, the courtyard fell silent.rFmOKOhDDeWQPAUvxhoeGovwaPTtwC

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Ning Rushen moved a lounge chair to the front of the courtyard and casually placed a lantern beside it.hwCXaaIGCnfDQmUqDqfwMFqeoDABkE

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He reclined on the chair, feeling utterly exhausted.lBOheCzyJJGBPmQbnFFVefeDVXPEPo

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What are all these matters?OFUcUtzYvQPPBHlMoCTQtzQwQZcIyC

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He had never thought about marriage. That morning, he had simply been poisoned and dreamt about—ArYGTefTaBYKlacsgIQfLNsNqXXbDl

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Ning Rushen’s thoughts paused, and the lingering dream reappeared in his mind.xfrGBVktdddvIQKxzSoLaXCbRIlijy

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A wave of heat spread from his tailbone.yxYsMAMaJcUbcfqrBdjGJAgeHeTUAD

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June’s weather was already hot, and he quickly broke into a thin sweat.qSwsuNfvciDMpURkDSDkKgUuHbOlOB

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The trapped heat took a while to dissipate. Ning Rushen decided to take off his crimson outer garment and drape it over his shoulders, wearing only a white inner garment underneath.WyCUZpZaEqHBevapsHqyYRVrudDRGo

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After putting on his clothes and leaning back, he glanced at the paper in his hand:HGWdxghEYawPjVrqHoFlyvBQAywLcP

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He had to admit, Shiyi was quite the professional at gathering information.qHTzacKKCEpeSwhYPPRYxqIuadNVyE

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But he had taken professionalism too far—myrOCeXhrCdwBujsWCTykFJdyGJaiA

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The list included people he had visited the same bun shop with; those he had brushed past on a certain street; even those with no interaction but with similar patterns on their clothing…gMgFCgkyUluBccxKYlxlTeszXNFWgE

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Incredible. Ning Rushen looked further down the list:qSicYQCMNTBIAwGVxtaUUCGccUCKZY

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Why is even the young daughter of Minister Ji included?kBJCoawiVjkeXlNKjGtfBoQXFIMKdP

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He felt dizzy and rubbed his temples with one hand while holding the paper with the other.uQtdpDxkPgMxNZdqweTtmejLFLejHB

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The white cuffs slipped down from his forearm, and the crimson garment hung loosely on his shoulders. The warm light from the lantern illuminated his profile in the dim courtyard.XKcMcIBStybZrzdKquQNtWsEynvRvY

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Frowning and closing his eyes, he appeared languid and weak.CZalcVpfdzMkshpJnXFYrWraSVQqzX

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As Ning Rushen massaged his temples, he faintly heard some movement outside the courtyard, but it was quickly quiet again.nqzBtHPPfyzFhTrjbADRxNPCsYWaTo

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He didn’t pay much attention and stood up, preparing to put the paper aside.lKnKhKEMWXpdEVhWaDHGyuPRmKelGr

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A shadow flickered in the distance.JDnalODzVZGaFOpBnOgpjYdewPSNLp

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A figure appeared at the courtyard door, and Ning Rushen looked up to see Li Wuting standing in front of him.aVOWBzDoqLgvKjhzLtrTfaLYjoPsSq

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Li Wuting was dressed in dark robes, as calm as the night. Having not seen him up close for several days, his cool and handsome face was strikingly captivating.PtpSTHpienkBAaoliwxGNSAMKaILJY

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Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he froze, “Your Majesty?”EgbbBRyVZwVbqaXCHVbBYpTZFTGWAz

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The paper in his hand reflected the light, revealing a full page of names.aKnTTxafHdoPnMzLiqrMbuUACriEsP

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Li Wuting’s gaze fell upon it, seemingly stunned.pieRdsHKJtfAzLOEwmDyuiTzmUNLEF

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The two faced each other in the quiet courtyard for a few seconds.cglhFrfLFYuZYPQPobtylAzgJgUGgB

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Ning Rushen was about to speak when Li Wuting, with half-closed eyelids and pursed lips, saying lightly：bXmFvMnmyECeaBaIUmhtwjNkDciKOi

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“Isn’t there a bit too many of these Jingjings for Lord Ning?”cgWCRVSoZTdyzzrxfumgZTRjpCxHUg

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 lzssNAtiTCSZLKJoJXJMkptysxVyAo

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