This official is so weak

The army, like a sea of red clouds, surged away in a dark wave.wJfowRFvLlXkhJaSEZQUuWEijMmDFJ

zgTJpwPRsZqsyxl

Ning Rushen remained outside the city gate, dazed for a long time. He looked towards the distant horizon, where yellow sand billowed, his face burning hot and red under the sunset glow.mFczCIGqfDJjAjYLkmXwkqiiRHjLBB

ARMDlxsnJTmwOxI

His fingertips still carried the smell of alcohol, strong and intoxicating.UHlhPdTimfAytipUbvjHtlcPygYRAs

aQVMBRxRtsmeqwN

The moment of Li Wuting leaning down flashed through his mind:ZZjftCYFvtYKNrOnuCkoyrhLEWiyFm

qGWlygMrBOmnzQn

The cold, hard edge of the helmet pressed against him, but the lips imprinted on his forehead were warm and soft. Before the thousands of troops, a kiss was placed upon him, scorched by the sunlight wine.nnraTgLWtjFndHNUqWphnSUHmjSCuU

dqwRGJXMoIktjtf

Ning Rushen, lost in thought, wondered if he had nodded at that moment…xrVfdQPkgIGRcchmwtBXTfeTMIKEjx

VhZDiOHlWKUKQLF

It seemed he had.hlmoujCZjaSejnsvHZQRrfSBWPFFNF

rOZDLIKpYlxETEg

Then Li Wuting had smiled at him, stood up, and tightened the reins— the young emperor, full of vigor, led the thousands of troops into the vast northern desert.fzkGDesXsLsCcTMFtMWZVuNAbjQRkb

OOtNVIGaRBAbSii

Ning Rushen raised a hand to his burning cheek.VcTiXAbqtRunUvCgSpTomRDATmWhzO

MJDLBiREDpQHwOC

So, were they officially a couple now? When Li Wuting returned, would they…cgXOtsgTcnGYBGEIdAMSlzpNbyuKJI

FiKJfLDiRLZKuvK

The more he thought about it, the faster his heart raced, and he quickly pressed on his chest.OPQxJcpKtByyJcSOjkcIocwCmqvEfQ

vGZZecgTQaYhSyc

Oh God, he had gotten himself a boyfriend who was an emperor.jkbdAIUqLCbVjAGNOvRGudkTDLQbJn

rnNDPOIZYNScSUZ

Just as he was catching his breath, his arm was suddenly jostled.NiGbwckhpvJHnLHizvNSJeXLFgLzON

yfRHyIWCIeDHobq

Ning Rushen turned to see Prince Xuan standing before him, looking puzzled.ZaHDtdloPgYezZemVBpkdNyvwShhDa

aktvlBtlOMgQMFT

Li Yingtang, like a sympathetic and understanding flower, said, “Even though I know you miss His Majesty, we should head back.”kRwLevXLjfzJOuWTTAjeUfDbUNMawH

diFGTqzFNQxRppG

He then noticed that the soldiers who had come to bid farewell were gradually returning to the city.hQdEXbDTJOYQNNVrybqJRMsalYVTLJ

DOMgIQAjGswXBLh

Ning Rushen agreed and turned to head back.vkQYPFpkveZVcGBBbXcBeEXQRdvadf

kzaNWAOhUeMYGuw

As he walked a few steps, he suddenly thought:ijyQobkKSjJsiGecuiaPBAwrHyNwzF

jkbAtYyiyvnIAVd

According to the position just now, the three armies might not have seen much, but Prince Xuan…RciOTTokpiQefRtbBtxtstNgVPJbld

uTbVQphpdKuSGPe

His heart skipped a beat as he glanced sideways at him.huRDfJhqvlJNEHDMbVWmzFOCZIiORX

pzJKVFspDZtpCou

As if sensing his thoughts, Li Yingtang suppressed the urge to smirk and maintained a calm facade.mUFEluliLyRWZgVnohWYwXGMIXClZy

HbhkbTQtIwEiSCa

“What are you looking at? It’s just His Majesty kissed you. What’s so— unexpected about it?”TBAHvGnxFJyhzBfzpfLYdAWdNBohrF

yncfQUTLjURItXc

“……”irZgatjYeRNJMwlGpLAwGysZBdXrgN

xLMbmsmKjoFKlpi

Ning Rushen took a deep breath: But your voice cracked.eCOckncylhuvGxhkZNIfNGekJtizng

fATvISpJdIJoYUu

…eawhgrsmxivzAZXpBPQriKnzXdDhwm

tBdQlKqZivjZEym

Back at the military camp, the place was empty without the large army.TjWRLnpxKMzDWhPisqGzlLeCAnenNG

FfQuDTffFjuoCjT

The remaining soldiers were rearranging the tents.dODdIcEEyFbPoQLAtYTgupsdCZQKeb

dGsENSkZUFXwZCJ

Ning Rushen glanced at the central military tent, then at the royal family member beside him, and said, “Why don’t you move to the main tent, Prince? I’ll stay in that small tent.”TKnKEhrUpJawdixTxrfDOHhxxpgeKN

cNGpkzZDJmTXCNN

“Oh no, no,” Li Yingtang waved his hand, “That’s not my domain… Besides, I’m used to the current environment. You should stay there.”ZaonfnmBWadaRrKLHuQZLLqoHNeBSC

XtcYFCrdFmCORGj

He said this, rubbed his hands, and stylishly went back.CZEWdmeiWYfSMKIuUeoMOMVpuHstxQ

hkvpYFvrUGBpqSr

Ning Rushen, “……” Alright then.BmbrSPfPtPnpgAUdsHuxRcZNkKFSXx

IOQAsySapoSgtWT

Though the army had left, there were still other matters to attend to in the camp.EihdhoAXqeliuZTIrOUkowhvdsVHsI

iEnPdUJeAJZwLxG

He was so busy during the day that he hadn’t noticed much, but when he returned to the main tent at night, he realized it was unusually quiet compared to usual.GpSCoJbpHujgSMSAYSSTWPLRjyWTJb

hmhwXLDfqANPyJk

Outside was quiet, and inside was also quiet.jSQSOXPPSJEUKjMaSrROsvxpGBnBXJ

iuLZeqnQnqjFVSW

Only the candlelight flickered through the screen, casting a soft glow into the bedchamber.BQlRHarmlLBEkxtUJgaviLfusjvxfL

UhimwxEccGQZpzI

Ning Rushen turned off the light and lay back down on the bed.TqoHXmcHarinDyIeGUIHZNBJMiGpOh

ikJjIYdvhceOMWc

The cold moonlight seeped in, and as he tossed and turned, he remembered that at this time yesterday, he was still lying in Li Wuting’s bed, tightly embraced, falling asleep to the sound of the other’s urgent and heavy heartbeat.vigvtfWEeYNHnhyuAqgldeXZbblEim

xDnDIRiDSwfeXEc

As he thought about it, his whole body suddenly felt warm.bkKTdjWqnzZDsicmVAxpbyltDWcVyK

alLfgGCqkoxpcOb

It seemed like the sensation of being held in Li Wuting’s arms still lingered on him.IKiMcqerwLFBizzUaCviKIhFaJYyQf

mlfDznhOsZXZpUc

“……”MRKamxfiHcARsgaIjHjZZznEKzDCsX

PqAqxuhobfQdpfQ

Ning Rushen tossed around and couldn’t sleep, so he sat up.OZVxfJkCkEAGlIOrFxIWojDhkAHgpV

PbPVvfnjdfnMFVn

After a moment, he lifted the blanket and went around to the screen.OOkncclukcfbQqtlfDYxALkABgEogH

QeNqrPLiXrOVnuB

The area behind it still looked the same, with the bright yellow blanket neatly spread out on the bed.DsUQSkJOlecoEIZzbpSIWeyAPhjMiL

dWWSWeSdfHlRmBU

Ning Rushen moved over and sat on the edge of the bed.xkadKvvQKuBPvJZLKaTzwmDvpoFJDe

qVYyKOpnfBfZIWZ

He touched the smooth quilt beneath him and still felt too embarrassed to snuggle into the big golden bed.JfxcfZWWjXpBaOcrWvRmXVHFktQfPt

zQMILkIgBaSksBC

After sitting for a while, he climbed back onto his own bed feeling empty.qOIDBmRpYKwAwMbyWfbhhGwgUNlNJf

HLBQAMAAuBUMvNt

He closed his eyes, and the image of Li Wuting kissing him in the sunset glow appeared again. Ning Rushen couldn’t help but pull the blanket tighter: Li Wuting, truly…DifKyNOekJuzOWFHODctwfNZkZoqTI

kGepmrIXaQoVEDE

Who kisses someone suddenly before running off to declare their feelings?TNtLoBWwGVGbDytdDjnZSNhBRwfMmy

LvlGKALMbJKqcGm

As he pondered, he drifted off to sleep, the sweet dreams filled with the strong scent of sunlight wine.VVpIGnZEFMSxGXNqNwHoCdRRzmedMX

XukQMNpaPBoqBrm

A few days passed.KBuTGHXwUIoIhaFrbXiMNNOwvqIYHE

goaMoVBZuyblHEd

A long-awaited rainstorm hit the scorching northern border.CxlREkfIXyKvINWZuBEMjHHIemeCnP

ezPWaiSbtKmNmKU

The rain was heavy, pouring down in torrents. The camp was splattered with mud, and the river used for bathing had overflowed.bTjTShRgEIIaoFhGzAtroNaOTWDFKi

JSZXZpIIHnTglYZ

When the rain stopped, the camp had to be rebuilt.ySaudxDVQzKyuejUKmDlvBPaquCQbU

NfrIEVeMqwjMxqI

Ning Rushen watched the soldiers moving back and forth and couldn’t help but worry about the army far outside the Great Wall.GbQCEMZFZaymzYJeeMEmkNliDyKspF

PKcTUADswhhltOR

“Will His Majesty’s expedition be affected?”RErIfetjwLkxdiZqjDlJjQGOOWRIwY

TqXXtAJAckyXhIb

Sun Wu stood beside him and said, “With His Majesty and General Huo there, there’s no need to worry. Besides, His Majesty had reminded us earlier: the army needs to bypass the Fan River and set up camp upstream of the Yi River after five days of marching. They should have already familiarized themselves with the terrain.”ombBhnfLNStrdyduQipDbRPOKjHtks

HQvxrXXlOeVbOOR

Ning Rushen sighed in relief, but then suddenly thought:JEUREouwGPDuoWHXthUwtxVdTzbdma

EbGFRMRzdUREckH

Li Wuting had said before that if he nodded, he would reveal his greatest secret.PVNhCdEoNRqRrcehVnYHJHWnOAlCXo

BXJRODVDWWcxEfX

Could it be… the nod he gave during the confession?raiqWmRphIOVJDpnEqRRYWpjcDupfx

EMrWVVNCPEBKcEE

But such a big secret only required a nod?kEVMKUITvvEUhsyNjzftOnVNaPxcMB

DfUeKeFRyBoacvF

It was like saying he wasn’t casually with him. Being able to share the greatest secret meant he was at least aiming for a lifelong partner—osoVHKGTyAnPAdRVkrRqQmAOxeDlBj

xHcTGNoOCwsDpes

Ning Rushen’s heart raced faster as he recalled Li Wuting’s focused and gentle expression under the candlelight that night, and the kiss that was both serious and passionate…sDPRTCBWQQUbYIHIHwFMYqWpnBOInI

YMNmpnESYFjrxQS

He was lost in thought.pXTyolTEIuVLfeuOEMHlURyaExBKSs

wRKeMkjUXQhqprc

“What’s wrong?” Sun Wu’s voice came from the side. “Still worried?”RIiDrFUvZtNiflJHsCaUMWadpUGHdK

SmLSfeavuRRFQFR

Ning Rushen snapped back to reality and asked, “How long does it generally take for the army to be away on an expedition?”ljowNJaLxiJHYAqENNKFWjSNOFsLeX

UxWmbzaWAjBqSnP

“That’s hard to say. An expedition can last from three months to half a year, depending on the situation. However, if something unexpected happens, it could end quickly.”MakiSfBxCgLEvnFhocBNutmttaIYyb

lDMrZzcYQQLEqMi

“How sudden?”RpmDApPKuuPQncvCMroAIFxoSuaITu

utASRZweJjfnISV

Sun Wu answered bluntly, “For example, if the Northern Di King dies.”FrStYNnpvHGpGGqIeWageOteiNbeJt

NWyQLGagWSVxyZk

“……” That would be quite sudden.kbNudvluyEdkibjZfXeTrypzPPWkzZ

AvMWyNLxMPgqoZL

Ning Rushen asked cautiously, “What if it’s not so sudden?”sQsZHjWUhVjuUFDnMsvcuLTsgUEJJl

ZMBsEJQtyrlBaza

“Then it would be if the main general was captured,” Sun Wu said.GdFePxshIDPBMSUwkQDULTZQdKfZuD

CokUDiaooZabgsh

·djnGMsPzMLEwXSipDSdnrUYkgJvjTH

uesrFzmMzqklgtS

There was no news from the front line yet.kVWTsUQAflBYYHrcuiOLtKOwxDdnQV

uClTXbTPvmUvGNC

At the rear, a guard reported that the supplies from the Northern An had almost arrived, but due to the heavy rain yesterday, the mud on Lu Ma Road had caused the supply carts to get stuck.PHaRzahZjtPiKQBKPHoUCjokDTiDBn

YLhXURTXzGoSucV

Sun Wu was frustrated and wanted to say something but waved it off. “Forget it, let’s just go retrieve them.”WBtZeIjEFXgaeUhvUXxgPgYPogkfsf

sCAsqrMCcrsFbBU

Ning Rushen was used to handling supplies. “I’ll take a team to get them.”DhHtCBNMuhynzpkaRODrPEgRRHJics

KDwqkflBmVYeZlw

Sun Wu thought for a moment. “Alright.”ZiGXlfdYyxcAUasPBBnXbhqfZNBIiX

rznfwHtmeGWBCQc

When they set out, Ning Rushen realized that “Lu Ma Road” wasn’t outside Chang Sui City, but rather outside the neighboring Long County, close to the border between the two countries. It was a road specially built for commerce.ZGQECFabQbMcdSciWBnYRLByGeiTYd

GpCeSiKqvldvaXF

He changed into light and convenient common clothes and led the troops out.QQDOeMWUkfffOQGsSOIIlbkcUHhiAc

RBjnJIEJOXCjrvT

As they left Long County and reached the outskirts of Lu Ma Road, they saw a convoy of supply carts struggling out of the steep muddy path.vbxGfOHLcGgAARmfyLbdecunpNFUzX

mjFYHLHMWDyxTJR

The group was covered in mud.PQsvhRLLLXanxrtSbBYUwOPaclQQFN

mOjpXeAeEeEnciE

Seeing them come to retrieve the supplies, the supply officer hurriedly bowed and apologized, “I failed in my duty and caused you trouble!”wComfUZRvTxlLxnjVJFZIAUeJWpscY

JvqmcLFEyRNfEoX

Ning Rushen checked the supplies and saw they were of good quality:qteGrTdHtolvboAFPFUazQvgfBAoBK

VABjXJydrIzPeTQ

Not a corrupt officer. He generously said, “Let’s head back to Chang Sui first.”WXkTjmbYGBWklhmkDTIzSuOCZzHEzu

xlXyQjsybTgSArs

“Yes!”iOsBBmRIKUxrfRqoIMgGADnOExxwGs

DDKLHdMZVLyVmtX

There was still some distance from Lu Ma Road back to Long County.EcMoONteNLNiJGuWCTBodGnWNIgWRF

PNDqXlVbBGwAiiZ

As they traveled a bit further, just as they reached a crossroads surrounded by barren grass, a slight tremor came from the ground where the wheels had rolled.dKJtWROXzGZDjbgapVlyBaursWroAT

JffPznhtvEniIdY

One of the guards suddenly alerted, “Wait!”UVGYmwAbbBtesvPKcDPFSbRTHikhkn

IjTXWLYsNipIERE

Ning Rushen’s heart tightened as he raised his hand to stop the convoy, just as the sound of urgent horse hooves approached—GGWoAhqpeboUERKQDZZBXIbTCnqLiT

mAHbNjxLjjPRmwY

In the next moment, a group of people charged out from the side!nYCGBfqQaNbhkaTzdGvNKmgTHmtWwf

xUvYGdisWCoqgsT

The newcomers were all tall and wearing the attire of the Da Cheng merchant fleet but headed straight for their supply carts, speaking in the Northern Di language:RMKGwrOddJXVLqxgpQCHiFcZdmLnUJ

lJdRGuVLAmKaaeY

“Intercepted! Capture them!”FoNsGjuMnMzxxiHWrRVcjvKefCEaXL

zhbqeyqFvdezbJe

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat: Northern Di ambush!PgAOpHcUdppIXIBEyoDEIzEZkkhnxF

ydQYmXtPIPuSLsx

Why would they be here?MUIYojdGgNbKFbkNrLMPBiFYeQBgPo

nGfszngooclgpSf

With no time to think, the two sides were already engaged in fierce combat.CjgVpqNUIMrJGhBVftmfzVckCUXMNR

edIrmFchesxRTwr

A personal guard, recognizing something, called out, “These aren’t the troops of the Northern Di King He Ku!”NqSkSXFnnesvFmcYisvnqnkPHJaMnG

zSNMpCUvxrShSrJ

Not the He Ku King who was fighting in the front lines with Li Wuting, but Northern Di troops—FTEvjKTdgWOxKSycSSYjOgihXFHOJf

KTPJMPdaXhCiizU

Who could it be? The Great Prince?fgTAGlaemnDEIcwWCNUVvfNQHOSKMr

zoZiQSUqzPsgafG

Ning Rushen tried to stay calm amidst the chaos.RHEaFzMMQsvIWchiaiBZGgXaqehoAT

DhZFIgLjrGzgtXR

Taking advantage of a momentary mix-up in the battle, he quickly hid behind a supply cart and pulled out a signal gun from his sleeve.gXLTncBzIHtudGHxHCBavoPzmpEtsi

IMoDcXFPmxnuVYY

Without hesitation, he fired into the sky:PmAYZefCwgPvThQSdFtTJUrSAUrcea

dJUFRwWPNNVFqbb

Boom! The signal shot soared into the sky, trailing smoke.DaDHPDngOKDFMvEloOUyRnHstmNNow

zlxjvvDlCsNDVgH

The signal was enough to let the sentries at Long County see the request for reinforcements and hurry back to the camp with the news.SXzNVzQKxxEcKqbAVzSrMnSPRDWkOD

UakZbuqFXElxqTK

While sending the distress signal also revealed his position.hXcCvuOamUzDNXQawLKWZwoiekSLjj

mGgRrpbcsAYwMbH

Ning Rushen pressed his back against the side of the supply cart, hearing the Northern Di soldiers shouting something—probably that there were more people behind the cart. Then, the sound of hooves and footsteps rapidly approached.UucFlHHQudUUvhtRapJAhTppkcEoSw

UUyxSmQwLPPGcHJ

He quickly checked his waist: Was there anything useful…XZZwQSfsCXewOojEQxlnLWwabgvUCT

LKNusFhCUMTtPls

And pulled out a handful of peanuts.BAxzZGUJyaFGBTcFDubaBraJkmxftO

YmoFLjMojiTrSKj

Ning Rushen was shocked: …Damn!CNzbuZJBLzjMgUEIZTnwkkeLUNpoZj

XsQQHsABivcGMNz

At that moment, a personal guard suddenly sprang up beside him, threw a spear to block the attackers, and then quickly said:wXOpVUbvFQwslEaENUiLViBVDskizd

aEEQqWmZZdbUkqg

“Master Ning, you should hide!”UflcClJJAYHzXQeiPQRwFKdZseeruz

VyBuEYTwkYsyNTu

Ning Rushen nodded and was about to get up and sneak away.iLodlHggTMiAqejvtYcCWiQlSmSDOl

MOqfSjjlcozhHfU

But a hand grabbed his waist, and the guard recklessly lifted him and tossed him into the supply cart with a thud!VVurAmlxcEyLvShuwvuMoSRQdNOPwp

RpzrpmmIJlbrsKy

Ning Rushen: …………!!????FmERuVVpdDPOgXcpByDeGscomeclmr

VGQYqmPceswlxUm

He couldn’t react in time and fell headfirst into the cart.TAPAltNfMNxGyfIVMBfrgBHIrLsayk

hctRVeAKmYeBdYK

Bang! The back of his head hit the edge of the cart, a dull pain surged, and he felt his hairpin press against the edge, coming loose. He then fainted.JkBqnvrbVpuXXwGUNxtznRFLDDWynf

aVmGotQtwktpuKC

……SBLDhJqYAbNomMKzVLrMePNQRNOiwH

XCsZMTbonEyPlbJ

When he woke up again.WcNOCeEcotBlTvIBJGzczinLSPtIxF

ifjQWweWzVUifaf

He saw a pile of straw in front of him and felt like he was being wheeled forward.KnhPtgraxtedYjhRtHXZIqtRssCyKQ

AuowIOpKqqSUguD

The back of his head still throbbed with pain.WKNGvPBxbUJhyrsQWHUxRYhzYJNfZy

ZLRRKoNynINigbc

Ning Rushen pressed his head, rustling up and peeking out, opening his eyes to—kEiVrKqBSXhZFDzVflHvignuvredLv

GBNGdNQUJaIiUKJ

A vast desert all around.bvldoZshjZiWxvCBFLZWPFbWvblInN

aYLXoHastwhKmnw

The yellow sand was marked with hurried hoofprints and cart tracks from a hasty escape.vgBbWHbIZUCMmRGfCNZNgqllJrdEpR

GWYRLesCJcfDsMf

The Northern Di soldiers behind were still shouting:vaFmbypRbISfclRrHXLBcfiumCHfCD

YtDkwCKkjShcWXl

“The Dingyuan Army is too fierce.”fgGJSNZxbRXejOFLUletWCGcOISMtA

uKsuiwlaEhWYPgJ

“Luckily, we got three carts for the Great Prince. If we don’t hurry, reinforcements will arrive!”QsHjMaHEMgCWnfEjhnldumymmyWYXi

FbWzgxspLqPbrzK

“……”hoLioXmgcFrhsYFqaqWotcmbCbQQGZ

GlOYgYXMzxURKcJ

Ning Rushen: ?eWdewKKgGHDCQTyWydOZkIlNqUYSrm

LbvHFwYsFXlXhVW

He clung to the edge of the cart, wide-eyed: Where is this???KSSNoGmupRboDGLNnFwqqUaZJNeWRZ

bFCIpEgxdEhVxih

Author’s Note:uXAywryFTRoeJxBciBKChViBCzyiDH

ZIGOZfYhylxXtQH

Breaking News—The despicable Northern Di have stolen the Imperial Cat!HGVIOsVvmsiOKIVMynmNEWCbYvFwhY

XBOZOIfDwuHGtzZ

Li Wuting: !!! (My delicate, helpless cat!)iBYZiPWfJIimKdzyOJstSHMqUObxYO

qvXUpqOFhgFHzSG

Northern Di Army: ???MMeQDAVloMvqaODhZGNdTnOjXXYXPq

vxGsAfMuPyFNmkr

*eUkKSoXlBsWyvktrUVsVVvhaqoUJOx

NoZbozMBEYRWZYB

Ning Cat: I’m coming, I’m coming to Northern Di.iixINrsaEJUqKEfCyfOnyjMFMJdmlV

PUwkNRBnlVtuXSD

Let’s catch a big rat for His Majesty as a token of affection. [Start, hunting time]wPxPIqjgdzHQMXOXviGVgDcYqpyMBQ

EZCxKICMqGjLTqG

No abuse, it’s sweet and pleasant～UbMArLIrfNbHwmEmWNpBZmiCGkEtlP

ywlWbkogaGdBcIp

These two chapters will tie up some previous plot points.kchyaXgbMTNrqXFPBLKmSIEQXeoBfW

RZfnoZlhUHhXMfw