This official is so weak

Li Wuting turned his head away again, took his clothes and brought them in, draping them over the edge of the bed. Throughout the process, he kept his head turned away, not looking at him even once.PAHHXBtnreHLbKSGdbqHjDRisNxTwa

hUjRleBKmDYRCxI

Then he circled around the screen and, lowering his voice, said, “Xuan.”MwyNXOLUykvgLvyjCneIYoWSBkWFgj

tmXbEnCfcjAGuVj

As several generals entered the room, De Quan glanced inside.jqvsmKEdFiULtuxjJUJKUIqDHncfVG

rVXlqMvfAXzcATc

The Emperor was already dressed, loosening his collar slightly, revealing a hint of his reddened neck, and seated himself in the main position.dyVhakArvnQiYTsFRNNwjrjLEYtWrm

vzroEzIiFuiHQzw

The outer screen was half-transparent, and no one could be seen behind it.yoZhkOVuUYksAWxcVHoKfhrEUJnTBj

TKLYpcsUooMoCGF

In the main tent, the generals were gathered around the map and sand table, reporting the latest military intelligence.KNoJjHtixkSWHGYZlrZApSQKAdDzvf

bqVTPORrZmoVgZY

Ning Rushen sat behind the screen, unable to recover for a long time.yCvBeVQntrMwVFLHuuXXNNtQzcDVsW

MoPSuaPHbZJuASY

His hand, clutching the blanket, trembled slightly: he had ultimately, ultimately still…!eKFUPXTEUEQmzGzoEhQWdvKwYefqCk

CxxkgDPSNnUkYDe

Not only had he learned, but he had also been carried and placed on this dragon bed, left here to tidy up.utIsovrrdxmRpCTkkcNoYsXyGEpMaN

ygvtieeGsotNpRU

At this moment, Ning Rushen was covered in hot sweat, several strands of black hair sticking to his neck and falling into his shoulder, the white inner clothes almost soaked through, sticking tightly to his body, his back damp and sticky.cHXaYBRDxSmxfaKlqIgWhuolfKGKsz

KaIAQmJSMfGAGEx

He then suppressed his turbulent thoughts and looked around.eckJKMxGAtCvcUCZHPHibXbvNrIbFR

PyQWxPPipsUhhaQ

Li Wuting’s silver armor cloak was hanging to one side.ofVpzVFJdjydkCowWEWVBmaCCTwwOk

cYwOWEdSBvZoFpV

Since he had just gotten up, the dragon bed had not been cleaned yet, and the bright yellow bedding still carried residual warmth, with his clothes draped over the side of the bed.zvXmZFdvrblvuyDsuUFHDvexWNTile

OrfdvkLLKZwDSrX

Ning Rushen reached out and took them, but as soon as he moved: rustling.TozzkkizZjgmXtzIDjipxDaBtCnMpW

MVjhHLSnLeDymkP

The screen was not soundproof, and he could clearly hear the voices discussing military matters outside.EKbsfGKGUpucgErlTphZCikPynWIGZ

qMmuCPPDZBnyvDm

He immediately quieted down, feeling that his movements were too loud.nNrDvFvmmvitomRFZMcIXtnEEvnwMW

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Even if it was dirty, it was one thing, but if others discovered him, dirty and collapsed on Li Wuting’s bed early in the morning…KeuDJvpVFhPdJCjRQGWnWxWbUpKXQq

DUXVnqjkKfDkErK

Ning Rushen felt suffocated just thinking about it:RltZSKZDFEbiTXvwMyPmSYORaMqnZZ

SqXfgDHrgIigoGP

It would be better to simply roll him up in horsehide and bury him in the yellow sand.vVDOaRWsydScIpiemunYiSMUComyYw

YQOcMwpdwBxLWrV

He dared not make too much noise and had to carefully pull on the outer garment first.aeZpsRTjIGKisIIqlzuaftNudoCgFB

kYXtrxDFYnhQrHC

He waited quietly for everyone outside to leave before getting up to fetch water and clean up.fUCmxpybMBARnUZtosBDsHoaykPsko

JpWWjmFvWTZvZJd

…eItScKwlmyywKtsbSkOgFmCilljiKC

ATjaizNfkOCiXbW

After a while, the sounds outside finally stopped.AvuASRRLPRKouKdFtRFHWdNNKlRfSb

pnEsJRFrONTcmYt

The generals left the main tent one after another, and De Quan brought in a basin of water, “Your Majesty, you haven’t had a chance to wash up yet.”VWfTzvTaNqaHfmsBoKTxclDdruOBmc

vQQTIlnkVORLMSE

Li Wuting reached out to take it and then hesitated, “Bring in another basin.”uDPdpswlOAhOAgiyBKEDZvqBhNeOWl

kPQULezTlEZmJqQ

De Quan’s ears perked up, “Hmm??”uSAPRCuPDNbeERuawbIfzJEagkaeUz

gsmkFAsqBlAptCX

“…” Li Wuting frowned, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up.”aFwsTEeafzPsAVnRxADAYusDKPCyge

ggmynTKfStunUCd

De Quan immediately lowered his ears and hurried away.CBgbFDbKwZGclFGeCFAzQKOfTCLKrQ

vekgfCACSOYsSJR

The clean water was in a copper basin. Li Wuting carried the water around to the back, and as he approached the screen, he stopped when he heard a rustling sound behind it:niUNlOIiygaOilQIDiuxQOoclTcJey

cFnNdjVposAjfPG

“You… I’m coming in.”UJtDgpgILfaTiNaCxsOXbvNZtPrHeq

ILlkIxbTfWjaxGN

After a moment of silence, a soft “mm” was heard.iZXVubxwnUYXLzMyafSoIWDmXcsAvw

OFflitBcTZGSUaK

Li Wuting took a deep breath and stepped around the screen.CAjbfCoHclphNCICSGroUUWkKcdRjg

RQVyoCmwcumSHRs

His tall figure moved past the screen, and the light from behind caused a slight sway, revealing the scene in front of him.CSWSsNHktaNThuRyBkBtnxNHqmcrbI

xviFTODBMgwqHtk

Ning Rushen had already put on his outer robe.fopBKkNEGAguehotVHIvqrdBPDFOeu

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Probably because it was difficult to clean up, he was still sitting on the bed holding the quilt, not getting up. The hem of his robe revealed a bit of his knee, resting on the messy, bright yellow dragon bed.wPlFCKhbjbposbUkhSfEaIRyUaZWux

qFOcBTPMzajrBGv

Li Wuting’s fingers twitched, and he dared not look more.tpSHmvojBzqndnJHbdcKsFIaqvjwGZ

VVGiBmDTyfduyWQ

He turned to place the basin at the end of the bed and asked in a hoarse voice, “Do you need anything else?”NfctHaSBEbGsPGvpNwZONeSFExscyK

MLdzcZyFGZzdAcT

Ning Rushen’s voice was ethereal, “Do you have arsenic?”CKxVNYkcBgZzXdpdCqtNSLTMyCfbnM

hgAuPKJXccHZpGO

“…” Li Wuting said, “What are you babbling about?”UiUEQSKHCJRRKVAKRsVxDIGkACZAPT

OJRztgYWFfWoixt

He finally turned his head to look. Ning Rushen’s face was still red, and he looked dazed. After a moment of silence, he went over and cupped Ning Rushen’s face, rubbing it with some force:kSVClpSCDgBdHwGfCHcGqHcrpAdPik

ALGMDmhGEGwkqMH

“What’s the big deal?” Li Wuting said softly, lowering his eyes.BRrZnJkFRvZnVIEyUXyOhjJoLBwYuc

LznxZIUqquSlQnb

His rough palm scraped across Ning Rushen’s cheek.uLLzJFkEUCwQksxFPxejteYHtCOXpZ

rKVLnEmpjrsclro

Ning Rushen gasped and was instantly jolted back to his senses: “Mmm mmm!”gypcszwkQShizUdQnMjoUuzqbBiVGq

qfDejtyaVEsnTfE

After coming back to his senses, he hugged the quilt and saw the tall figure standing at the bed. Instinctively, he pulled back his knees and quickly gestured for him to leave:AxBvYFzJCWqYnLCZMqiPHjcoscVBwf

gBLSgsdroAkNSrp

“You… Your Majesty, please go outside first.”RbtHsMwlSHJvXPnVVCmHjRxucnikfw

bzaJLVoldFCHKdX

Li Wuting withdrew his hand, watched him breathe out a sigh, and turned to leave.JCHzSRUjAziOhxRskcUrhyMrWFZliJ

IFmBgPpJcdqwyiE

·DijCgAMkTknIzutdfyAhjPjnTViLWr

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After he left,xkQuELSkmyBsJaFKvfdkAUnChjjsLT

pxXdwFmOeaocQnn

Ning Rushen splashed water and tidied up.IRMEwUqYYDVjhiuRRMBmphVZkHSojV

UzRGMpgfYWcAICJ

He got dressed, turned to see his quilt and the clothes he had changed out of still piled on the dragon bed—HIXpsGshZYfLENXvfIRTPAOfMNrjiV

qratfvWhmPzhRQn

He quickly gathered them all and carried them back to his own bed.fmQdkvJncmdksQsJiVEKcSpdeQfMdy

ZXjWXDoGjUbjizt

When he had finished tidying up and went outside,JqzfPlncpQLSHaZOTdlnSrXEhrsLzd

OrXfZLavGDXyVgd

He saw Li Wuting sitting outside.URxLNYcyxRcDRJCKSTHUwQxUXPtUwW

QmtouHDKpQEnABs

Breakfast time had already passed, and Dequan brought some flatbreads and jerky. Seeing him come out from behind the screen, he immediately grinned: “Hehehe…”uCoFziKzHWxLRKNnyLOXulOyGWfvup

DDbfCipkpJNHqWO

“……”uFOwDNkkouyhtjGiezMnbPgkdZWIhx

gALbEGTbnWyMgZG

Has the Duke of Xuan been possessed?xvHLBFUZMxjqggiiAbyHBawkGIOqUv

RGkCuXHksAHpdZJ

Ning Rushen felt his scalp tingle from the grin and turned his head away, sitting down next to Li Wuting.JavEPUMMaskCACNXTgTtrLFUURKkiv

lOdVbfHNjkLCxEs

Li Wuting pushed the meat pie towards him, “Have some.”KlcINiFmIMUCyjUAUSznpqNjUlONzq

pGXVESzIiHACiAE

“Yes.” He forced himself not to think about the morning’s events and shifted the topic to the military information he had heard earlier:wRMHdTefWfMIccrOYGqiVwDzIOvDpd

cJkbjqgFAKufwAr

“Your Majesty, what’s happening with the Northern Di?”BdUtzxCoIDmyIeThMvUlGSIAtRWEMu

UrvyBMCVMUfCEgY

“He Ku Wang has gathered all his forces and is heading towards Longyuan Pass. He has also allied with the Wuxian and Gan Ta tribes, marching south in a major offensive.”peidmnGOvpIJSLEyWLQSgkWRiGqjFu

eBFHpdXBJatvqrj

Li Wuting tapped his fingers and snorted lightly.KVYrUSpbZvgXxmVuwhGfnnhezbukwN

wTypNfdMUCMhXFK

Ning Rushen felt a tightness in his chest:yGaMpiQyxWEJRUJVEoJgzpelkDExBK

iLHUPWMPKsKxhNm

So far, the skirmishes have been small-scale attacks and defenses, not involving a full-scale battle.HVpNphPEgIQYhRjKQAsyywzftcgPid

vBjTnjMfHmhRvkk

But if it continues like this, a major war might be imminent…AnUdnnafNdrdsiHoiFgAGVDmGthqGR

xkOQNvkluZGqDxV

Will Li Wuting also be leading the charge?kBPbsFKdjbGoQxzGvJguGKSqVLZvPY

KmsqlyTsCLiOFxw

As he pondered, he absently chewed on the jerky. Suddenly, a large hand reached out and closed his jaw.ChAIXTnYRJYvBALwikSNBZFiXJrIcG

NYgRAhxycrLOsqw

Ning Rushen: ?gBnFnISzMetDIaikRuMsuUJVzGzEWo

brRTzdqLYWMTlIh

Li Wuting said gently, “Ning Qing, your precious food is about to fall.”hqJzgkXuJdstpZUQhUotwjTBvhVwKo

KDuRGFRpYsYjTUn

“……” Ning Rushen pulled back.EJHuxcvkMMwajJmuZOWghDFWPpGraJ

OGlKwJssncBJHkO

“What are you thinking about?”TDoMVnsJYOySpFUwaTATfAXljMMkhJ

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“I’m just a bit worried.”LCjEuuZKSZeygcBMhIfErgLoXtUkKT

bRmrmbSfDvMZUJd

There was a brief silence, “Worried about the war?”sefVpBeLgLDtMDPVSPSLHQFnajtSOc

hITmboHUPCPIcSz

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.OGAebUJlNMmOyZMVbjaZwlKAwfEAzm

QpLNDhJgRePZaIF

Meeting Li Wuting’s calm gaze, he hesitated for a moment, and his emotions were suddenly magnified:WyzdilQAYYInCCYXfVgAOouPmJTSdP

nRLSrhZVbkggGLi

“…I’m also worried about Your Majesty.”qnZAAZAuJqbZLPUcnmcKDtduwTTdjz

ByIAAZIVeGCuBql

Li Wuting’s breathing seemed to have been disrupted, “Hmm.”lXJJUadwFDsHLlCilyHWiRFPRxIPsm

rYKcCKTRRFHshRY

He then calmed himself and said, “Don’t worry. The Northern Di is not solid internally, and the remaining tribes like Wuxian and Gan Ta have their own agendas. When the time comes, they will naturally fall apart. The victory of the Great Cheng is only a matter of time.”kAlnlZWQnrXuQIZPebGwkJjBGViEhR

qUTaJuDMFSLeJKO

Only a matter of time. Ning Rushen asked, “Is there enough food and supplies for the army?”lSrXsiPmetwDQbnznbDoGnrAGRoYuq

UpeyeWQxINqwrEa

“Before leaving the capital, I issued orders to procure supplies from other places. One batch is coming from Jiangnan and another from Xifang. They should arrive at the army soon.”vOaPERFCkJXnwkgBExAbbchKDKjlXo

siRtsGnnXSoPLPV

Issued orders before leaving the capital?bUYiRORQGVkcKbEtQAUcfkAtMmWaeh

MsApskDZoNaJQkM

Did Li Wuting anticipate a food shortage in the northern frontier?MlUEVcHjAwSAIoNhTzDWnNwLSmggyP

yGmfZxxfTgAcEFw

Ning Rushen was puzzled, “How did Your Majesty know?”cHUZHeWReCJtdDHCbazMcdRUAPEWRA

WyAfUFVQVASFFax

“朕…” Li Wuting’s voice trailed off, and he looked at him with a half-smile, “Would you like to know?”HfiOIJGkeulhaWBUxuCMrYIjiHdlal

wTeRcBJLkZeeHkg

Ning Rushen nodded eagerly.SzIifHnPnyMemZQlQiqlWDoueGanfZ

XddeqiaopgRyLYU

Li Wuting then pointed at him, “Come closer.”wmpyLyfVKXpwMCCRzCQHqQESlBqbdA

PHdmKCfSJKzYaVN

He skillfully cupped his ear and leaned in: ?IkqAhlqDetkKLKMNJXOujaoRGTLNpz

sDBpygCOqZAjIGN

“……” Li Wuting observed for a moment, then moved his hand away. Once Ning Rushen’s ear warmed up, he whispered with a smirk, “This is my biggest secret, not something easily shared.”tZeFCBELFdqWrwxvGzJrOTQQMraldj

RAYjFiwaJQzZvZo

Another big secret?qefKFNLEIHEYCmYaxHPMQLuUOaiWNZ

zlDnWzuNUSpXqnV

Ning Rushen was anxious, “Then how should I learn about it?”IotKyXHXQitmrECuOtkQwGEhXcbnHj

jpBtLgLAufxdYQn

There was a brief silence, followed by a warm breath:FaEptiwLJbNpgYwmIpsEumNNeCGirI

yQdUfRZnDQMfEIT

“If Ning Qing wants to know, it doesn’t have to be so complicated.”BnXzPVELrbAEYsDVCAWzWECUqlwegT

ixYpmejgJHlbAJU

“Then it’s—”FixPEkOnuQdpjrwWlwurWhirqCPuOh

bUXjfYeHRxSurbv

Suddenly, his sensitive earlobe was pinched.TEOVzrxxRceBtqpFbukAbNvTfDwxcO

bYRXxwGdNIihVoD

Ning Rushen flinched and turned his head in surprise, his ears turning red. Up close, Li Wuting looked at him with a serious gaze, “Just… nod.”IsLvSlrRxYWyGkePfVvSBVDlelsEpb

tepUPpbFdDeSPEU

……What?YtAlpblYranDfbzwhvmYOCNjKJseEE

TyoKtNJuCxSIHwX

His heart raced, feeling as if something was veiled in mist, faintly revealing the landscape.FlZMyLvclXzPsUKWhwpsehiclmeKsg

RSPbONmnxxvqpEM

Ning Rushen swallowed and nodded: hmm.hscHHEuRetSzrVljSaKLxWgOtIKAGs

FXkvVAKwYIeIzDg

His jaw was then held by a hand, “Not right now.”DlBbCANQTwuCHZwJUALvGQpHfAhQmW

umDSREhJIpgtZWl

After saying this, Li Wuting released his grip, patted his dazed head, and stood up:cXBsWpjfsetyGuZvuJZwptoUocYKgN

jsrQRIGWYKAjJdn

“Finish your meal, then let’s take a walk in the camp.”fanlGtewIFfXoHGsrWdjIRFXMJYruw

TDdMWEyfpvmsjCD

Two days later, the supplies Li Wuting had mentioned indeed arrived.kicOtlFeAtNGdBSRTxuWltFjIukWug

AaCkxMkhbuWGyWd

The convoy reached outside Chang Sui City.lNznMtlPVvpuqwumYwXrnBDipLGUKg

PGOUbQIqHfyMftM

The garrison outside the city reported in, asking the army to send people for inspection.RQLQUxllANjqDfkkbbKtVSWrWZxKBt

oECeOSwStWYpAgR

Military officer Zou Mou, who was in charge of the inspection, had a team of soldiers with him. Upon seeing Ning Rushen approaching from the main tent, his eyes lit up and he immediately grabbed him:GmrYeMGpAcxwBCufUcyAVJVPkIevfR

srBsbLXaVzDSxPc

“Lord Ning! You’re just in time. Aren’t you the supervising general? Let’s go outside the city to inspect the supplies together.”mQDaqGwbNCjbPjSZCDEfaIxVIDiSPC

CBTLrZDQpVYyYMN

Ning Rushen glanced around, “Does inspecting supplies require this many people?”qBTVzkSxjfvmMApcZQUIKHaAPOWWVW

rAWWsnZkjiWJlkh

It felt like they were about to rob the supplies.PdVpUUYSgcAzFnjTcfEUXNibabFlsR

eYQOxHuzqZMTqcE

“Of course!” Zou Mou dragged him along:ZKjrAlPROcASCyChvsYRvoMlULKVco

EnWPhLtOmmTAWql

“The reason the supply carts are stopped outside the city gate is that they need to be inspected before entering the city. Especially in times like these, we must guard against Northern Di spies sneaking into the city.”XDHOGGOIPnClsaiMIQVAeEEQSjOJsZ

zqsyvdjNRKnkEbd

“Every cart of supplies must be thoroughly inspected. We need to poke around with that big spear!”ogxapcBlzsUazJQWMwXzqkKbNbCUSu

mivEMIpwBXAydtV

When he said “poke,” he clenched his fists tightly.kHeivjvPcyfRbBklhDkVGUSwWcJqAe

QYYxzETxOnYITjm

Ning Rushen, alarmed, glanced at him and said, “Alright.”ieIEmCbaZkWFcfDJSYYOKfpbNYKfzM

fNMoCdmWuSBXNdd

The group quickly arrived outside the city.ckDZadzwFbCaRgdAmWrBXuCgAacIlJ

XQouoKtbtSoGvqj

The convoy of supplies was vast, with carts filled with grain lined up in a long row waiting for inspection.UKBydvADYdgVvvJRwCGxJxoeVuhVCc

MwgZuRBigdjYgjX

The supply officer was waiting with a fish-shaped token outside the city gate.HoLrWnGgVCvOykUhdwWesczewmFtcC

SATOWCmeZsiPyvD

Zou Mou waved for the soldiers to take over the inspection at the gate, then handed Ning Rushen some paper and a pen:NjjvylezdzBOrDKccYwbWuacpKtXFL

wzfxjQNYkjGaoXj

“Lord Ning, you’ll be responsible for counting the supplies over there.”uMRrEGlYZeHUlDnyBNhtIdTpQUrzfX

mRrQKeGfyCYFenb

Ning Rushen nodded, “Got it.”lirqmXZlRvLdgXgrKfBCXrkIyuzkXC

ZcDtKJWtEqUAhTO

The initial inspection only required counting the number of supply carts. A more detailed check for spoiled or mixed-in sand would be done once the supplies were brought into the camp.RUdAnYlkagOHbfzzrhFybelOFbJyWR

BCehBRcRMqIqnPP

It was noon, and the carts of supplies were glowing golden in the bright sunlight.MstQvxXtFdaOcdVZKfdfVgrxdgyIxJ

MqnwvfeLYMgvqHf

Carts of supplies passed by him one after another.yQFVpvaKDjthEVIZMtyUgYxDNeSKjR

LcKlBwpElzljmOF

As Ning Rushen squinted in the sun, counting the carts, he suddenly heard a familiar sigh drifting by:JuouzdtJEsuLzRaScDousniXrrLHwa

OIPhvETegtuCAkM

“The land of the northern frontier is so vast…”mppMPfILJSrwRgGsxTTNMpSCZAtFwN

aVhGHnxiOCprcii

Ning Rushen: ?UwVFRVlbMZbFFhFTfQIjTBatQmXfhY

QRiyhPOUOhleTap

He looked up and saw, among the supplies just moved, a pair of bright eyes peeking out from beneath a pile of straw.DWtjYxCjqabQUdMrsGsgaQMSsUbLpJ

MrHAHdJNQCSdUJs

The Duke of Xuan had a strand of straw hanging from his forehead.QBaQXYJERFqNjHMZWVJyHdJbYCKbmV

gHPTloPJUgtjXJL

After sighing, he seemed to sense something and turned his head, meeting Ning Rushen’s gaze: “……”KoytCPyvZKCaWcLnkmmkXmbmBoztLx

cANIqcefHtEFQvI

They locked eyes, and the Duke of Xuan casually said, “Hey.”ubByoiysekDPXsXZiEtXxQLAkCyXYf

AAuvxTzHHVjPGxC

Ning Rushen looked at the long spear less than three carts away from him, his eyes trembling violently.lKdPuLIciRZXmyUvZaKzOzwSXbVpOW

xXIaTicEXZnfBKW