This official is so weak

Ning Rushen’s head was throbbing intensely! He clenched his cloak tightly, his blood seemingly flowing backward.lqgQOckrKCzdaOHacfFQcPgfsGnsca

GWoUowCipAdYYrq

Li Wuting remained still for several seconds, then turned to see the person next to him with their hair slowly frizzing, and the knuckles gripping the cloak turning red.zxrBiBZqbbqCascvAUEcVeUONykiZv

cSnylXiLvTKeZpf

He was moved and then unable to endure the two voices anymore:TeqaEYPniBdfUPxRTuOWuviSLgSpKK

ibGmgvVVRIcirmX

A harsh scolding like thunder struck, causing the figures behind the tent to tremble for a moment. After a quiet two breaths, the two people tumbled out:XTnkTUmvLlPJpIZiZMPQazjErswrMY

YPiZojhQgRfrzXO

Probably not expecting to be caught red-handed, both were in a panic. Dequan was already on the ground, banging his head:YxZaZqgtEIOFfZXiOTwOVQXLmPgHzR

AjlcNkKMeoENWpM

“Your Majesty, spare me, I deserve death! I was sleepwalking!”WZvSfUoWiVetcQRwMywAQfERGLRNUF

DkkGXleejEEWDtI

Li Yingtang, frightened and cautious, carefully looked over, his gaze shifting quickly to Ning Rushen— TEhzMqbpMDYwnybaayqlFpOrDzeyTm

IHQoaMMBOfyUHGS

Ning Rushen was hiding behind Li Wuting, still wearing Li Wuting’s cloak, his ears red. The night wind blew, revealing the white undergarment underneath.xfmDJPUWsZgwbnEIpnhBQXZLdCEPAU

ApibpXPTNEhAYzS

He was once again ignited with a reckless bravery: Oh, oh, oh!tOEpSfgIcvjAMUmvlYkEPqPSRdRLeo

ysrdPYvIXtEEnjK

“……”fLPAqMXwPTlLNEDJeTAbDvkrKCmQzG

NXpBHJrqGvPfIVV

A cold gaze fell.PyBPhBkxJEukhFnpSiEexyAZvmIuJd

zmAEDkztzaDUKfm

Li Yingtang shuddered, and immediately the flames were extinguished. He and Dequan began to wail, showing no sign of “taking the blame”:PhqQfvKKRjVIhQiYWhhfdIehHKTkts

POWlXUYhslTvmRE

“Wuwu…”NtaSTNxsFmoEVFvbhgalYSxHDxoCbW

tAdUFeyijVRcoMm

Li Wuting was annoyed by their whining.ghVvHFzhDIfJwlmGmdakhxijmJPOHy

LbckvSNMhjKeVoK

He frowned and said, “Alright, get out of here quickly! Either get back to the tent or get back to Jiangnan.”TQbrxscPkptjuGqlsEaQJToJBdAzny

qGytEtKHGnDlBmc

Li Yingtang, having narrowly escaped, hurried away.qOBKUVFNrsUTRTinYyJXSzkNDpIIDr

WEKKUlUnlHZemdA

Dequan, trying to sneak off, was coldly called out, “With so much energy, then continue to keep watch.”KkcQJpfYzuMFEEwuQCTVdzGQRJYeRX

hrZUvGbMqEPjjos

Dequan was tearful, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”DlzwJYagLJAjplfiPnKenJzYdrkUCZ

wHhhFZLPrAidPPo

He then glanced over, “…Now?”ZBGvtqqKFxIMKnNtLhXFbpRySDGIed

jzcNqjzkVJqJCxJ

Li Wuting paused, turned and asked, “Are you leaving?”iXoaaMpFnUGzOvwKhWOnjFczFgPuhy

RliSOLeQaEAsfYR

Ning Rushen, feeling dizzy and hot, took a deep breath and said, “Let’s… let’s go back.”PMKGXQoMDHfOEFldigaVOZhFcsDkkT

VVIAYKSIDXxIhpT

If he went any further, he feared he might “stay out all night with Li Wuting” or be “wrapped in the cloak and sent back.”xWjNmiCOhLytteATodZbUtVWFVUGOl

YjjgdKXCgNYkZke

Li Wuting agreed, “Alright.”zTqvIusMOqXLBIYsXvRlXoqOOJXMsb

ndrlERNeuDUAwfV

After a commotion.SDtfrMVXFCJkIOUytiasHuuoAtBSKR

xTlEqMvFaIQxbmr

Ning Rushen’s attention was successfully diverted from the heat.smNPFmODfrLTankgwTNMDORMdqcNgV

ipaopKMcfyGFdRy

He returned to the main tent and quickly went to bed.szxmwwfYUEwwxaYETtdVJpqOHiuRgn

gDaEqAimQExSeCD

But just before falling into a muddled sleep, he wondered—eikwhekXHtyapSKRuUHkqpWlHKlbPa

pjJyKaDPVODAPVy

How did he naturally end up pulling Li Wuting’s cloak around himself when he went out?CqbhgzHpCkyqFFKZWgMRheuLoxJnis

JrSyQVKFqvfANbj

…HuVewJNXHpWngXKYnmSnKsXLkpgmmG

UiYRFMlJTKeIEYq

The next morning at breakfast.UVbjyYcjhLOtsVKLabUDyeobYARtSu

FneTulYxLBOexRd

Ning Rushen served himself some food and sat next to Li Wuting as usual.MXHwaLAASVNJFulhsKvwzjrqfHAsol

GnfVvMcTybTcxaA

Perhaps because of last night’s “plot” being exposed.FmoNjbHYkxJWpuJUactiWUmjSacyPg

ZCngipViPNhNHaQ

Dequan was now acting submissive and serving the spoon, while Xuan Wang held a bowl of thick soup and sat opposite the two.iNziTPKIODcsWKQifFvJPszchqsBJC

XKFPvOCieYbpPII

He didn’t say much but occasionally made muffled sounds of “Uhm… uhm…!” as he sipped.vOJBsBMbNfeCbpFoOXxgodcLHMRMwy

VkOuhbzbULLQKzO

Ning Rushen tightened his grip on the bread.FVHmWBCBiPEHBvUxZtWFMzADJaiGoZ

IPGBsxGLiCOTNsC

—His hands itched; he really wanted to hit someone.cwsLUTWoLuisqKvXjyyKoseLAPpmxJ

hgVvyujhmwIAKKU

Just then, Li Wuting casually spoke to Huo Mian, “Tonight, bind Xuan Wang to the bed.”yTATwVHLlsuLZaeeROIrWPUwcEBfjz

LTTIKbXJTFsNQNl

Li Yingtang was startled into a hiccup.ecUdJwFBCcBfOkjXrhavivIazigcwe

eWmRKxBQoAKVWLy

Huo Mian first shuddered, then the image of the forcibly inserted novel flashed through his mind! He nearly blurted out:RwewsFksZoEEMRQxpkvOWqxiFDSVgq

jTMAexyiZdHNIxc

Just like how the King treats Ning Lang?kDfEzbTotwgOBZIZxjtkYgeZKxsJYq

eltsYHGAMwhTOzq

After a moment, he calmed himself, “Yes, Your Majesty.”xhZiRulGXDQqlhATajhfQLeuKBcSvE

buMbeOubDxKAsZE

Ning Rushen saw his unusual expression and leaned in, “What’s wrong with you?”aYmYvFLfMYqzgcwBmxwwRUrwhDLofd

SuqkLRTWwQbaQYI

His clear and bright features suddenly came close.OaygabfFpWNgxYdFaNncxSflCGzDDY

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Huo Mian thought of the slowly opening door to the new world and still hadn’t recovered, waving him away:lPkVEgpsrtyIPbLtrnhcplUKMEBwuj

wndOLObryNPieqC

“You, don’t talk to me right now.”qonPYwOoIxwgGlwnGioQefgVvfWRtm

kQknCucrrihTzIY

Ning Rushen: ??? What’s his problem?MQreesJiecCilFdxXdGLYACZGWpqJz

odjfwFSirAouFas

·pbDuxlubcrkxqLRwZtCDqHtXOOSMnv

ckHVXPWalrcQTPs

After Xuan Wang was ruthlessly punished by Li Wuting, things finally settled down for a few days.OeOOoEzyqEckiIgdAZdocNzIRjGxPC

flKxcDffJqQLOQg

Ning Rushen returned to the normal world—qQGemgAYkPSthALhSikMfUWmqUzohs

YcQGzwmcDFYiByi

Except for Huo Mian, who occasionally appeared enlightened and clear-headed, as if he had accessed some unknown realm.lPtjKtUazIGYLLwobhjciGJZfVaodY

HaesfLxOcKyoJad

Ning Rushen had a gut feeling not to ask too much and simply disregarded it.YPLZXqEyoTYUZsbgEzdICftsmkSErz

EVzxjIycwRTotwe

The days passed like this for a few more days.RvZhmcusJuFTSGnckWYofQmXQpNVRd

JBWpgDVnBtzzsod

Tonight, before going to bed, Ning Rushen drank two extra cups of water.WrGpdqcDcfaMtiHZIzLpsNTsUcWGty

EujOcaTrOiiMHBE

It wasn’t long before he woke up in the night, needing to go to the bathroom.wZIQaNMzJcTAwduvWENxFIWsPjrKtX

mBkjdYGlcYUBEur

The faint light coming through the tent was enough to see the surroundings, and there was a chamber pot under the bed.mnufTRKeJuJUljQOeIQjUbTyvTFSiT

EVDeXxzGnFINGJE

However, thinking of Li Wuting just a screen away, he felt embarrassed to use it.hQRJGhwoYtsWRbdFiPRzRAJKGjjwrA

SxkkZAHVeeeZGQh

From what he remembered, Li Wuting had not used it either.wezeZvxzOyWPshBgfZmsWrddFTlvZM

umLAyAzDMYoOwiL

Ning Rushen decided to lift the blanket and go outside to use the restroom.MzqhvOCtlhoSYEBIRBSjZnysZmQyrC

ArjYqSbeTxeNJzL

As soon as he made a sound, he heard Li Wuting’s slightly hoarse voice from behind the screen, as if waking from a light sleep:nWFHPCevJrTpDmUnvlsvYGJVuqNhUx

lpOSiZSWIucAVjM

“What’s wrong?”ZReFtpJOfghnAWFCUdBuMYMXPlCYwX

gYbqlzfjsLlkXVC

“……I need to use the restroom.”oITyoOidzQpPOWYUaUnxSlaBHCEIHp

RCEaJwnitiptjqi

There was silence for a few seconds behind the screen.RBVccdnogpeplbNXHlXArtZvFDaJzf

FLReqPUZRlROOGB

Li Wuting did not ask why he was going outside but paused and then asked, “Do you need me to accompany you?”cRGNjGvICOOxHepxofgqCKWkmobjES

JdvHCjKfvVTyuYL

“!” Ning Rushen almost lost his shoes:wlBYOkwSiYSrdBGVmhJONDhNbSBfQU

wTFnVBAlbWqDuCl

How would he accompany him? They would talk and laugh their way outside, then Li Wuting would wait by the door, and when he came out, they would talk and laugh their way back?zmOyErLSsewKzBSWFQTkGWAVsgZFNx

NLiuIQUbCGbtnZr

He paused and replied, “No need, Your Majesty.”gRYwHkCuDSyEleyPIxEydbBykZwgdJ

aKIUQBHMFKRYQGD

There was a subdued “mm” from behind the screen.gvJnaDpBIDiDADcjQSmhXTHwBSNarV

NSddSuhWnBIkdoG

Ning Rushen put on his clothes and slippers and went out.qtiUkIvNCthReeORqUqTIfMeXNpuko

yyJejMqwophPRjg

…cmjuYlbdhbnWRRWOElsWtRRbhOjeeI

lFMMrDoJQAYOTKU

The camp was still lit by three or five torches, and he passed by several patrol soldiers.aqIAEmmkcArcrQRkrOHtJZVCzorDNG

cPfEvuCdYgdcSPi

After returning from the restroom, as he walked past Huo Mian’s tent, he suddenly heard a burst of lively laughter from inside:kpGhNWFLMuQchYoYKWGTGaVIHQbikj

roqZXgmfwhUZBiu

“Ho haha…”WMqHCYUQIHeqDDpxpCCTLmnITItNJd

mTbOdcwDCbNPKGy

“Puh uhm uhm…”poJSeJSJCtxxUqrJLmCjclvEZWVVlX

cEHrmfqmQdhZfxc

Ning Rushen stopped abruptly and turned his head: ?UUEpbiFCSFgqBFonebrepbVoMvlDiJ

fWdgJElPytvVpKx

…Were these two possessed?jOjYYVGmrVgGDTBlJqLyUazePfBTNH

XWToXFrRVmsMfrm

He was so startled by the laughter that his tailbone tingled. He took a deep breath and hurried back to the tent.ANCBjDQLQQPSgNcAVSiyvrhPkjhNrW

xRMFEyuMwbrrKSY

Entering the dim tent.cHSCWEMcNuRjdckiEazWFFzPTpLvdn

IGgnLFNrptchowk

Ning Rushen seemed to still hear the echoes of the laughter. He stumbled toward the bed and accidentally kicked the screen with a “clang,” “Ouch!”TLjIaaKAwKKzutbEoCAaVAAILAYjBK

hAtcJmQPOguGEfi

He pulled back his foot in pain, supporting himself against the screen.gzzQHhkFHwYFUyoYxSYjbVgmhZHkHG

AGtJdzXTCrRVtZL

Soon, a figure came quickly, grabbing his arm:RiXasJvNanoshZRHlwOlzRbYoEBjrl

aXnnhKbTDnnPKfs

“What’s wrong?”qunAfxLRMQjYnvplKmkOuhoGbajAaD

dGfvWOYqgaPekjI

In the darkness, the figure’s outline was blurry. He felt a warm breath and the hand supporting him was warm and strong.CUlqRKfuBZveOulnwUbQCXVspkEJJl

uuDhEWHPclgLqzN

Ning Rushen instinctively leaned in and said, “I kicked my foot.”svsWtDxbvBdvczmdYtfERbLTnCKvvZ

SKUAyULbAElwmGy

“……”IZgYyLJyhuveqfRuvdTUpbTVbEAUbt

esUjTHiWLnsFCdg

The long arm gathered him up and carried him to the bed.DvxurUSdXRpKavbPEgqzQPBnOuaiil

lvPgBqifLzkWZjH

The candle was lit, and the light was dim.QfFHFoLVttUYEKftuvSnEALdpRirNm

gRpdeENkPhhWHMf

Ning Rushen looked up and saw Li Wuting, fully dressed, standing by the side, his narrow waist and broad back visible in the candlelight. Li Wuting lit the lamp and then returned to sit in front of him.djQbkfPLXrcAulPmIGwrYAgDGVSUxF

DkpolmhkwhOYFin

Ning Rushen bent his leg, “Your Majesty?”kBdvbdiZnwrDdjaKZvxEVsJSwUsgdy

YGThMqhilvwzOvR

“Don’t move.” Li Wuting lowered his eyes, holding his retracted ankle and pulling it closer, “Let me take a look.”UWXXcPrBMYqTQCdILrwGRSohRGJUDG

tLRTvovCTWRhufx

The rarely touched ankle was held by the rough hand.CqXKDwIIUzEHBKvCuyjfccpSHNNuSH

RVlDZKsUjbcLWHR

Ning Rushen shivered sensitively, and the next moment, he found his foot resting on Li Wuting’s thigh.jaOlKuNwHsQEoUYTkoVCXHZxUjkznY

RVyAKxMhYUzkAfh

The jade-like foot resting on his thigh looked glossy and white in the candlelight, like warm jade. The toes were red from being bumped, with a little blood.zNnBpWQqdRZTdkunwgRzQAjmbwvIJd

iQcUIYYLQyWFbsj

Li Wuting gently rubbed it, “Does it hurt?”vvnBqSrBExUfzjWHueGXiRcHfUlTlT

IHtENnlCyzTPQwW

Ning Rushen wasn’t in much pain, but he felt feverish all over.JRkMDltunFjskSeRhkNdOVfPWcxOEt

MOTLHPUWQgoAxwi

He clutched the thin blanket under him, looked at the dragon-like thigh he was resting on, and swallowed before saying:VDqmIPMDJQCUEnhnXbbDejQrPOTLRt

ROGQxBpotugponE

“Your Majesty, this is not proper.”LMRKnQhoHqdNbubANWFlxQTzHbDHnE

UPLkQDGWkCmmOHm

“Ning Qing still knows propriety?” Li Wuting sounded curious.ufpjEvdqkvCYSvCYjGLSQxGTutkRcK

HnUrojruICvwssq

“……” What did that mean? At least he knew more about propriety than Guan Fan.KGsQlQewmEGfpppjINIkQXXNmgxyHM

MyDDYOGXavNjwCS

Ning Rushen was observing quietly, but then Li Wuting lowered his gaze and said, “It’s not like you haven’t stepped on my knee before.”AwPMDriWMVaufIleXQoGJEurTKlAUT

OmPyOpzPeiVKdyW

The memory of that morning suddenly returned—KBrjOWbeuhfZSNcBZLyJqRlZDquewc

pNqFxgUlzHIHbMa

Ning Rushen immediately curled his toes and hooked Li Wuting’s hand. The other party paused for a moment, then gently pushed his toes away, his voice husky, “Don’t apply too much force.”poxddEpZsmjHJuNgYVHaxUAVuwRNuR

UTnGluvjKzFDDqx

The action was proper and without intimacy.txlgPXQEkVjdfRlilNVbNDzQYllOsd

jOKrYblGpChZMtj

But the hand and thigh felt increasingly hot, especially the thigh under his foot, which was tense. Ning Rushen felt as though he was stepping on a hard stone.pywkGegVxqpNkKiUeebThXpyccXgUr

YsSQBJmCImQxUTS

He swallowed lightly, his breath trembling, “It’s fine…”iVsoqlaJzIRPAJPusITnHGNWwjIytL

wSungKglUnEFJVL

Li Wuting then released his foot, covered his leg with the blanket, and finally asked, “Why were you so careless?”mNkfavKMFYXDFCDBtSJuWEoriCbSwO

iEBnItEeCAJDFEx

Mentioning this, Ning Rushen took a deep breath:UjZpUKpqCOzJQrrKMICliqUfZWFGaB

SHCWPzSBoZYARUC

“Your Majesty, I think I ran into a night parade of a hundred ghosts.”RREFcaKbpxHvEddCufvWohRFQbEWSc

tJNvCrqCqmhoFBO

“……What nonsense are you talking about in the middle of the night.”NJtmutYHSKhBiOmspSqYKuiqaCcrJB

MbMMOeEdcMqKjei

“It’s true.” Ning Rushen briefly described the eerie scene he had encountered in his tent, “It was very strange.”AEJtjLTwHQkcuuKMcqEXXgEbLafven

QeodfnnTLoFlqud

Li Wuting remained silent for a while.IfEMkfbdhzgzXhRLhVEKnOENmTlWdw

aWfCtTBHKRPeNck

Finally, before getting up, he gently pinched Ning Rushen’s smooth and white toes:XcqOHHReuQbAmGwBgKoaBqHzTbSsFt

CgyzmTJxsxIOWzL

“I’ll go catch the ghosts for you tomorrow. Go to sleep.”ZDLVwJSHPSTdpRedGFoMNlYaipQvJC

ESIJRhqdzgumGjw

Li Wuting had no idea what was going on.VjJXTXbczESSLPSDczqSDGcWCCBMZG

ZYuRDBQsvhWXgZQ

When Ning Rushen next saw Huo Mian and Xuan Wang, he found that the two seemed to have calmed down, their tails tucked between their legs.iJgEjTmumiPDioSGTStsWHARsuHxiM

JhUHyXsIQSZwJvQ

However, they occasionally exchanged glances and shared knowing smiles.cGUlUvMAyRczAhdNNTmYyxyJhvDOTh

RQJaDVUGCTdJcOt

“……”olHHIxCgYojhRjIfbTEgHKpdVrHOLy

gHpIEGlDckOcdqh

Ning Rushen had no time to be annoyed, as the grain from Xifang arrived at Chang Sui.njqMYzTTkqWcdcZpyVccmYtcSKkPgb

NRlFWRvACmLUcvF

This time, Zou Mou had something to do, so Ning Rushen took a team of personal guards to inspect the grain outside the city.RgZuISWIILChYILNMFowZUdczXUooj

ByPIoELPYCOraiA

At the city gate, the grain carts were still lined up in a long row.hkwqMOECzdUqslGntzLYpvDseujIkF

zfTyfjikWzEfJVk

The grain officer, with a goat beard, stood at the gate and handed him a fish token:KpYFZmpNomqCspbmzYsQbsucFxlQGG

lBPABWmiBrwwiXQ

“I am the grain officer of Xifang.”SVmGbPhsUavNwMNilYmSIoDMRYzEFT

xzVBRPbHWFqhacM

Ning Rushen glanced at it: Dai Wuping.CBafmPGyXBNiyPlftHkeyfbfosezPG

TYxMLjwuureRQZb

He acknowledged it and instructed his guards to check and count the grain according to the usual procedure.UXnryicVFHfFRXQIupYiSwcwcRBvYf

bbzxgRUqGODbZTn

The grain carts entered the city in line, and the guards at the gate poked each cart with long spears— mYbfiWBtmObnHnZebHkiVWadkSQygD

qvSSIklGVHaVHPK

Dai Wuping’s expression darkened, “My lord, what’s this for?”cbpmOjhSLgizWTtKxLaQvXKtQZeypJ

DdkAtVNBDKqgDzf

Ning Rushen replied, “To check for any hidden spies.”fAmfJwCmrfQMWUNPFMUGDnMrQCQINS

xQiuzotUBeQZGuN

Dai Wuping forced a laugh, “Who would be foolish enough to hide among the grain…”UcEwdTupyYJEFgRqrpIRpjkKYsuxzr

FaMgDRADkaRFGyl

“Don’t say any more.” Ning Rushen interrupted, sensing a potential insult to the imperial family.ZaEMjyeqcRJGXimFZvIzrvvmIGBdJn

HSApGkrBLkWbSpZ

Dai Wuping was puzzled, about to ask something, when a voice suddenly came from the side: “Eh?”QGWoeoKubfZhZiPNkTXijOmhOtJZoP

qOkVGIQrAVvhlkB

Ning Rushen turned to see one of his guards looking uncertain, “What’s wrong?”NsnYRXLifgScAdzTvqnIabVGCwkvNl

PjKMqxZXRsPVdMd

The guard said, “Lord Ning, it feels off when poking.”nFEuTDchRsfboidjhxPyZgnebrsZum

zoYeZjaXiAstTYS

Ning Rushen’s suspicion was aroused, and he immediately halted the line.MGWxPRchxiwbthWrGswbykcWnJjaUA

MnizKuAmBdMgtBc

The grain carts were overturned on the spot, revealing fine sand and some dampness mixed within the grain.PGGtjveraSHHuWPxMpHWDTlgCHIBLq

akMdYtvAQPTBpIa

He was immediately shocked and then filled with anger.fUqzpWEbkTFWrgWvCkndrGXkjSoMhA

RQPvAQQFIzPPJNw

“Dai Wuping, what’s going on here?”UDvtCWptrQAWVuKehpSPYMZbAXepMw

jgGvzSYYEpjeeVw

“Ah? This…” Dai Wuping, not appearing flustered, came over and pointed, “These are unavoidable residues from the warehouse. It rained on the way, so they’re somewhat damp.”bGOOHJYtLvJuuWPJmsrUMUVPfMAuFZ

yYujhdEzKYMFkqm

“‘Somewhat damp’?”hhWMeRmCEzIRXFRJrkqOmzOFBQflyq

JavVkGBXWfNzNlS

Ning Rushen was infuriated, “Did they swim here?”SNIvkEfSqSlHhmYKcjCVCYvlRsJysG

bkUUZuQmETVvFNK

Dai Wuping, being a local official, was used to manipulating situations.RgLTpAXVJCQcRuNQekFqLcViOTGDjn

BUqHgDVzbKkAsUU

Seeing Ning Rushen as young and seemingly weak, he immediately used the bureaucratic tactics, preemptively accusing:KClggtiZrmFZMTDnDGkYtpDriAwPZn

IhiMMgEEmyEvPcg

“We’ve endured hardship transporting the grain for you, and now we’re met with endless troubles.”HzXZLFicwmEeTtnKEtBJsolIivYvny

chFULZEZtAwAJtm

“These are good rice saved from our Xifang. Could it be that you don’t appreciate them and only want the best rice?”UFLvPlgpSfsaXctchRDptORdHrrsbI

KIDDuYWbStHkGhX

He quickly placed the blame on Ning Rushen.kkpmZOzzyvmNRyuXxxGMjTAbahhoOo

iNawFVKjQVytHyR

The atmosphere at the city gate became tense, and nearby guards quickly returned to report to the camp.oSSnOmMMHrqesrqTisfitlFHbTDKha

KVyEUqSPbGXisYP

…foTpQcfJYkevjlZspTawLhAyyAYnkd

skwFuKzosuQPOMr

In the military camp, in the main tent.ypaSrlwPpnMZHOPaLUUVGYlCblUNPM

AqqyRPeOhXwTAna

Li Wuting, frowning, was arranging the sand table while De Quan stood quietly by his side.KHkoADCWPGPbWjDApMgMpMUAvpXkdI

eCtnaxLUDgLuHEr

The tent was filled with a tense silence, and the emperor’s expression was solemn.AaIziaqjWsFuHsPoSOGtkkLbHuVcvf

OwgnTDknQBLoUMt

At this moment, a guard came to report:opSyqdjmtUyWBAIuTBSKRNzASfthUc

eYNWObnAuZqujLG

“Your Majesty, something has happened with the grain inspection team outside the city!”akssYPhaIhCvnrUbYVTGFiKJHPaAkN

PjcnzUOgkbaBsWb

Li Wuting’s heart sank, and he called for the guard to come in, “What happened?”IxudPdqmYOAlUYYrLGnSRgpdWgTygi

MWPHNhjVjzYgsBu

The guard knelt before the emperor and reported the details, “The grain, approximately only sixty percent is usable.”vDSlHlSIYjmQTLydtVQmGjYhJWHeNq

AOaKnCjSjYPxhCY

Li Wuting’s brow furrowed in anger.HPWHDMKYTmPGZgTZCNUUQPmsFHeSAb

euIDQBwHzWuRCXt

He tapped the edge of the sand table with his fingertips, sneering, “These local officials are so far removed, they’ve become petty tyrants. How dare they falsify grain supplies and think they can deceive me!”wuUKWcPhfahnRrtjlfNBMGPnDjEzCP

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He paused and asked, “What about him?”fNUmuihXxHWMWRFbiQMClkobZoABbJ

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The guard understood “him” and quickly clarified, “Lord Ning is arguing his case, but the grain officer refuses to admit it and is making things difficult for Lord Ning!”uupWveXLtLzOKaqsyKqorUFBUpaDQY

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De Quan immediately cursed, “They must think Lord Ning is easy to bully! Alas, Lord Ning is so soft and weak…”IOyrKdVDUNuLByZrJmVKVpqttWDJbU

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He spoke while glancing at the angered emperor beside him.SfvjwosDnLgTPIerqXDZYJbDXKHrYR

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Li Wuting pressed his lips tightly and his chest heaved, “Take me there.”JObQptoJqJqziZYaldehkYBmegONEv

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The guard exclaimed, “Yes, Your Majesty!”fggpqkXBmiUNCZYJLhfqYBwIeHbPIl

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A group headed towards the city gate.QicajLnPhffpPCZTrUHAsVPagTkeQr

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From a distance, they saw a line of grain carts blocked outside the gate, with a crowd gathered around.OiiSfRbZfPlosgVePbpbxDUptkYvGO

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Li Wuting’s gaze was grim as he walked quickly forward.BOtfgEyhZlULrsjSCfZdduXEXionpC

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As he approached, the scene at the city gate became clear. The sounds ahead caused him to stop abruptly.nXcpmpddEVmbevXtPIoqClakYvYhlI

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Ning Rushen was standing behind a group of Dingyuan soldiers, who were holding long spears against the grain officer’s neck:goApyrSQJeWLppRTTVpGZergZzMICl

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“Dare to deliver such poor grain, I’ll skewer you right here!”lKjYgcdioCRzunrogZOzbcjeujDoER

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“And still dare to be rude to Lord Ning, hurry up and apologize!”OuOeMnhalZybkICryjjDEQBpoawFBQ

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Dai Wuping, seeing such ferocious soldiers and the sharp spears pointed at him, was terrified and immediately knelt to beg for mercy:YLyTGZpUZHEqRlzFWrnbhFvndDJngn

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“Your Excellency, my apologies, my apologies!”ayLEwlVGuVcJfTghiXfuLLYqqqSxEx

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Ning Rushen, appearing delicate, covered his ears, “The noise is so loud.”oiMMxLLWZQeSmpeBAbfiztIsNLesWj

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The Dingyuan soldier poked again, “Are you trying to scare Lord Ning on purpose?”cyknQWAqfQCnyCVxxEisGrwjuDfSZM

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Dai Wuping quickly knocked his head on the ground, “I did not!”BzbjTJkFMYAuqFNPrxwLoBScjmvtZK

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Li Wuting, “………”JFIvfpdHxZrWsslgyihBGTelwEAGgS

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