This official is so weak

A corner of red silk was exposed at the foot of the bed.BdgXPMUmEaMdawZDteVCftOconiMYo

wnXSLboONycMXpm

For a moment, Ning Rushen’s blood ran cold, and he stayed still like a chicken in fear.tJxAEsNhdYPACnnOEyLCzmJOszlFkQ

fSjLQacYXWeVQlA

—How could he have forgotten about that thing!?WrDKdxwCmcAsPlVCXyOlZkoJLfFeGW

ExAAClleomlIApk

Li Wuting noticed that Ning Rushen was frozen, his hair slowly standing on end. After a moment, Li Wuting pressed his lips together and gently reassured him:txhViXymFonxWeqaSzXSoabAqffKBC

WBILmTABMlyHUkP

“Dequan stuffed it in again, I’ll scold him tomorrow.”OOsvpTilYOZGshVKMPXyQBxpNrgdoM

nNHJWssFdHDFUYX

“……”mAUMBGSMCHpTZkvkDEwoUAQdiLQUTj

IXXdovgjbLrDJqr

A large pot was moved away, and Ning Rushen murmured, “Hmm.”hFcrQvqJAdwGTMEcGbpshOEOYvJIXP

DlatxVXsrzMKYgu

After speaking, Li Wuting lay down, his long legs kicking the red silk off the bed.XBpwsdNNtZGXXtPGjMiESOpRcGXMgu

JzWbsDiVRbYwACZ

Ding… The thin fabric brushed against his foot, causing his breath to hitch. He pulled the person beside him closer, unable to resist lowering his head to plant a kiss, murmuring, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”beRdQmKptDCUFXztVZCucKMGiFoVwi

gaAXTHWxyyTsQCa

The soothing kiss brushed against Ning Rushen’s soft lips.EVRwxsQQxkfODSIPbqIDjsruZOFhqA

BceAUibTUaqEvTh

Ning Rushen calmed down, closed his eyes, and let the other kiss him for a while, “Mmm…”xaQqXvLuromgjqqwezTqRYnyDiIOyD

pyePMxMeJdsDlCN

He clung to Li Wuting’s shoulders, feeling the other’s shoulder bones tense with rising emotions. As they kissed, Li Wuting pressed him down. Suddenly, Ning Rushen’s eyes snapped open in shock:ytycLHQukHVlnNPtZBstsuvZjERQic

AUOQgMPegavbQFg

Didn’t they just… How could Li Wuting be ready again?EJuQikaPCtvrNFgebppCIOjNwzUwoM

HYuCVRlHydnVoFH

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.phUiYYpjBCnlsrcxKUiESwLXjOJUhL

lsQSIiQiZeGvEMA

He pulled Ning Rushen into his arms, exhaling a warm breath, “I won’t do anything, you can handle it…”JXeDgPFEIYBXJGkiVMRasdRcnigIvW

ZMbTJxuvbpnwORX

Then, he added, “I can’t.”jOaDnRNfRpcPJNzrGeAJndZGZpHgUK

NTRcMguTaJBENZc

Ning Rushen: …What a half-assed excuse!nvODDESzGpMgoFzHoZdJOFMGZCqXOQ

AcuUcywqYnhSWrj

He took a deep breath, buried his burning face in Li Wuting’s chest, and muttered angrily, “Sleep, sleep!”gvwETsGihIHwYDMMjBpEzIKXJFprze

CQFgtZmLTPCwsYL

Li Wuting just patted him and closed his eyes, “Alright.”BLrdTjcSiiRXnguHnjkMhxrVzKhBoB

YhCNNhtTDclySCm

…EzKAkneoweujwoMKWEhQeqhFUKUBzB

djNTaAEMYFeqRnw

The next day, Dequan, who had been blamed, took the red silk away.VYTwNOFqjeSkCPXmPsmHRwaNwMxTjA

yuskQvQNfGQGqzI

Watching Dequan’s back, stooped but still somehow tall and upright, Ning Rushen felt a complex mix of emotions.ZNBHeUycGGbKzAPyBXbsRxCKQqRPUb

DcinqFvBlyMBgxh

After freshening up, Li Wuting needed to head to the interrogation camp.opcMyxsHndKqZSMJfXZnSRwPlcZcLB

UcOXRwaiPQJzTtu

Just as Dequan returned, he was ordered to accompany Ning Rushen for breakfast.OHawMmogGVgalPGHMlagahARqooZGu

BPOFvSedsldJkmk

When they arrived, Ning Rushen had just picked up a bowl of soup and sat down when He Liang enthusiastically approached:UFYhogWjySJoNSsTXHqzravRQOSpRn

icddUEGYnGoblgD

“Lord Ning, would you like to learn how to ride a horse? Look, last night you had to rely on His Majesty. How about today you come with me—”qyrEPLPbVtJJyDJLXirhbwGKmYyTGm

nDxakiIKyMeuWEd

Bang, “Ouch!”yHPugqMBYnstTalYSjYjOpCstlREOH

qfMjXrvqYTGNxks

Huo Mian smacked him, “Get lost! Lord Ning doesn’t need to learn how to ride a horse. Even if he’s missing a limb or two, it won’t be a problem!”CPPksQlnLWWodMiZECXjtRgXpUzVdM

ogEhCbHiBMWggub

He Liang was stunned, “What???”ypNQWURdnQkcmMysfHmTaMfESocJUZ

gketkmRpcCnJosN

Ning Rushen, “…” Huo Mian was talking nonsense again.xtdspglWOtYKoGZHaUSpFTHDtWiFEa

YlGTQVNDNGaqXNM

He didn’t join the discussion, instead bowing his head to slurp his soup.YSGfswFPcbzSDMYRwZYBtRVblGyGuk

MPfHYxSfIkceXQc

After a few sips, Prince Xuan came over and patted him on the back, “How was the hot spring last night? Was it good?”pMyDlsMJHgGEyXvljzgRhkrUgCMSan

zSWnGahzdEfRiuF

Ning Rushen nearly choked!wCyqgOUfbVJxkJhaJGRVZZlvxaODQy

YhQoYbOCtGxvjIO

The scene of water splashing against the pool’s edge suddenly surfaced in his mind.cvYJYagwItUuNogtcEIKgFAkYrwrLt

MYhDENlTbkIHXTq

He was also bewitched by Li Wuting, actually doing it with him in an open-air spring…qbrxNHIxURpdtRWbqepHbaUVpldNVj

xCWuMJjyAdfurCv

He suddenly felt hot all over, hiding his face behind the large bowl, “Uh… it was okay.”ECXzEbnttbdttnyaqHJwiiyplUPtcn

igCaRNiMLIqTZMI

Li Yingtang saw his reddened ears peeking out, opened his mouth but said nothing, and instead turned to Dequan: ?vWCiRfEeVqgqDlQPwTVOzcpgCePzbh

EqOEVEKYBrotBIy

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.OpKjVOzhZYMpugBXukTidwZuLtFjpP

GWIIiXVPWqAdZbR

Li Yingtang understood, sighing excitedly but also disappointedly, “Sigh…”FshqldesyKwIJBGBBiKMVeLtQWqKnt

gyxKfOVBzsGSfdj

Ning Rushen caught the entire exchange, his fingers trembling: These two!NykpXIcfmRwVcGItTctTOyGfzUYRQR

XePPKPhPIKTiWPH

Sooner or later, they were going to end up in prison!vrVvuaEyOWaSVSsrmdAgGJoziKqscB

VpgHcFxGtbNmFUh

However, that hot spring was too far, so they only visited it once or twice after that.AkJJpKToIfIiDBClwkBkgNfupfUHew

WurqggJtmxbXOVv

After waiting for about ten days, the King of Beidi finally sent a reply:PdazFzNEnvHFvOxkiQOvKOvQJtWjhQ

ejRPQgyrgyZjHkA

—He was willing to send an envoy to negotiate peace with Dachen.aEIGUMpoxsKWHLIDweldltuWMEhVvF

CwlwJBuWbJCThPI

The negotiation site was chosen to be at Changhuaipo, twenty li outside the border.nZsUIwmojrsLEQJifISYVaKPeeRxCD

pEpcAkLHXUWGOaA

Li Wuting led the Dingyuan Army and brought several Beidi leaders, including Randall.hnHquTLSaQZacREUJIiLrpPJbbYqCG

NoPTMGBkEUvhWKk

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.tfZwomsZqlcZiKpfHmKoTqUCznzuUv

xuATtZGsSfKoasM

A large tent was set up outside Changhuaipo for the peace talks.fyFMODAxFDobEWClgDgzjPnuLaMQGD

OhxLdCHpZbTqBuD

Li Wuting sat in the main seat inside the tent, with Ning Rushen standing beside him, while Randall and the others were tied up on the ground.VDLAxBWzVyLThmVosGDwhkBbNehocW

FfOfEbgNrZcztiv

Soon, there was an announcement from outside: the Beidi envoy had arrived.nkxDWpgcYnJofvGSEVWCSgJFgHjWGL

VcySgPqjInLEjyE

As the curtain was lifted, the person who entered turned out to be an old acquaintance.wYlsjBqzXNWRHbGMBoPshTiGRwXWdM

iyDNXtZOxhGwQGA

King Heku, dressed in short robes and narrow pants, handed his sword to the guard and swaggered into the tent.zqJEDFdzMmNJnSPigugoStfRVLtmxJ

pbgsVkCHCGVcIWY

Ning Rushen observed him: the man looked as though he was in high spirits due to a recent success.TYlrbWTpihcRBEAZBDzmKMshvCZuoQ

wjSrXJzOXZDwpEj

Sure enough, a voice full of shock and anger came from the side.lOIBymOQtbfrDbEgFPuIhoYIumNKMA

mqMGiEFdjuixecZ

King Heku stepped in and stood still, first glancing at Li Wuting. His gaze then shifted to Ning Rushen.wtiiZNQgrrcUlqegStGMKPIeEFTKyx

CpBIHwGSlGMtruF

Today, Ning Rushen was dressed in a blue outer robe.sFeElFHeLUmUYGKGHgfqVuVblPHjzr

UvLluNWaoFMQgDS

His hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin at the top of his head, making him stand out among the Dingyuan Army soldiers, who were clad in red and black armor.ZyoHNZvThgPhMqNXtjuTGRIIFRKQdq

NWywHyMFvGGANyr

Whatever crossed King Heku’s mind made him snicker.PpxoetkrDTYXZVTVHuBdUbfKNFNXwU

npUcgqLiNWUwueb

A cold voice suddenly interrupted, “King Heku.”rxSeOhwVPEOiTewVcPVOnUrWEmJyvO

EkEqttQLmvIfizI

Seated at the main position, Li Wuting’s eyes were unfathomable as he quietly looked on, exuding an intimidating aura.ZLnYSRsyBhnxNlrcsmXtwtsrGrTkwZ

MUOIdywisIdEmwN

King Heku turned his gaze back. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”wIrEJfCDEuvhFcbPUFtBZFYoSliLij

cdReEpUtjayuKkN

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.ZvbnLvcRnOsOJocdbruCkFiNDEPwGL

WCugsrcUqkcaafH

Ning Rushen inwardly let out a small sigh of relief.VUCySnGSgfjeSiLkyBWKCJNZfOJPqq

gfqWozYFcrEjfGN

Considering the brief alliance they once had, combined with King Heku’s brazen and audacious nature—EgkAjvqPbynHcHwFLjVQuQELfiBmfk

tpsWGzWCRWwOHSV

He was worried the man might say something shocking in front of everyone.PSBuBYIWVxWPoUJNCiypzYQsuroOAC

ELLnVmHxlnjdjqJ

Like: You’ve done well.mlzqswFgfgMDSTtFwFyUwNDLVvMIce

FHnhcJewIPENHwR

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.wWXXeJjhJZSghzKwIoStXcNIiwOvGQ

RemjRIubWZqqmTN

Fortunately, it seemed King Heku was concerned about being accused of collusion with the enemy, so after giving him a glance, he didn’t say anything more. CcAcRNckvQiPvBTRzMPbhlUbTbjuDH

zAHHiJBIJtUYOTZ

…WexfPyteEfeethNBswSyubXeJTOMGo

khWcznGjXiMYqlP

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.BBOMJxkMFcdUMJOHZAAHCdtPnVMhMb

kHtbygWqJuxGBnX

It was mainly about discussing which city would be ceded and how long it would take for Dachen to station troops there.BODZtkgpechSyxXBMLCGXbvdcSKmBI

TBNEEGZDZHGXeBl

After much back-and-forth, Li Wuting finally made the decisive statement, “Cede Shancheng. You can take your crown prince, and my Dachen army will garrison there immediately.”sGnYGgUmupvmgHLEjhHhtdvzfdwnkk

ExMpEvaSMUbjPOC

King Heku pondered for a moment, “Agreed.”dPOYlLpudeavJUZmSsYSwELIgyWuRp

ekdyhlxzPmSdjJH

After the agreement was signed, Li Wuting stood up and instructed his men to take Randall and the others outside the tent. “You’d better not think about breaking the agreement.”rVTfmnifpbtyDSTCVjkbLFBauDpbNh

IOSDVgieWhxhnIr

His face remained cold and indifferent, “Otherwise, my Dachen can crush Beidi at any time.”mEyvrHtHIfbJLuTKduMWVUQHaeLrFe

zEGWrFRlrlYaiAo

King Heku stared at him for a few seconds, “Naturally.”saFpqzuPnEmogOWIRkNBeJMBWwQUXD

njqFloGijMfOlCT

The group then exited the tent together.JoRVmChNCbVTghkmyJeOhMLaYSyRbM

IxvgmUufdjSaBZv

Ning Rushen stood at the entrance with his hands tucked in, watching as Randall was humiliatingly untied by King Heku’s personal guards. Suddenly, a light, mocking laugh came from beside him:mcvxIURGOEogFwudGFLnyeNDMWmOzD

eeTXqPqLkUTPKme

“You’re far more intriguing than I expected.”WXhudRepItxkNWRVfNGWoTtYdNBaPo

VSLZCLVZFfWSwfN

Ning Rushen turned his head and met King Heku’s gaze.AOdSVZwoxJLfrINtjAWDwCwMllzrEc

rTvajGxuhTgovxF

“…… If you’d seen my magic tricks, you might find me even more intriguing.”IZGxOfLpLMCVcwRriOWLSUEwtBzgMv

ZUttcEWGTPDbCjU

Ning Rushen didn’t respond to that comment, instead asking, “If you ever ascend to that position, can you really uphold a century-long treaty of peace along the border?”zJWgdmxrzeCMJkKCfnelBtTqpegozd

mqkynKTFQjwhGuA

“I’ve said it before, I only care about the throne.”jYrubzedsXqDzsyZBdMWQAzJEqPbjt

dIFPbZyJqHaxplu

…You’d better be. Ning Rushen glanced at him.TmqLzRtrKoHpsZdZRLvNaYkVVgWUkc

WtWYYsQVEwDNTMm

But then, thinking of Randall, who was still flapping around like a bird with clipped wings, occasionally causing trouble, he felt more at ease.eLiVoDNylFehpMqOZeTYuJewsRTjvk

otFiLkhlaLJyywb

King Heku noticed his gaze, “What is it?”CcxZgsXtGclebKsfssPEtuXqwWycpu

eRMhgITTeTJWpot

Ning Rushen replied, “Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to be the one to come for the negotiations.”MizuZglwkgeLlKnRhZVKRcjJOSrlAu

kjSPXctvtCMXvmk

King Heku snorted, “With Randall involved, of course I had to come personally.”qDMJPksCahAAQGIdiMsKeXrxOAGGSf

lYBwuELqOXGqvEQ

—! Ning Rushen was momentarily startled, “What’s the goal?”lEtXIXiGPjkHhMUiawgYnTbFfVZXtm

YGTWyromGELsexl

“Humiliation.”cVnJAZmpBohPAaaOINkmccuptgcwvF

XDrqhDdLMZKiWGJ

“……”wSULxTPoAxEVpFWhNzBYpitlrfZAzs

SPiXRwgOshmJJdQ

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:cDUOClIqkScPmAbJHeYbGVXGQSGeEd

HEqXdexgxxCmZQm

That makes sense. Perfectly reasonable. Shi Yi’s brainwashing was so powerful, I nearly fell for it too.QeMxxkZySNyDvjdTyFUIkenMYakluX

JxYgnsETyozTGYE

Up ahead, the disheveled Randall had already been untied.DuygHwuJRYoGilPXukwEVNIiFlrFyR

xqziQBHqKSbGrtS

King Heku called out to his personal guards, bid farewell to Li Wuting, and then strode over, “Back to the capital!”qmulNvgSFJtuoKNJLWeanySsZkpwGI

btJPanEHUIFAvbX

Randall shivered, “I won’t submit!”UqyxcgjfDoqkUAFSNhoHaplDefgdTi

icBKVvvtSOiPmnS

King Heku, baffled, frowned and tossed him onto the carriage.EFhuZNAuPSarRQRaUEhjKRsiYLwETs

yblKTIutzpcVgvy

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”RWFyZclPistCYqOuHHTvigRTWqCjAY

iNGobqlyhKCFTZa

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.uauuaFwqgmxqPJNZwLFJdDqWNqMvzt

yvCBLbWtvjgBFki

Once the group had disappeared far beyond the yellow sands.RgyeRZQMKnyqsorKTSFWIPiIkcDpro

tBwQTapumZkcPvW

The Dingyuan Army began packing up the tents and warhorses. Li Wuting walked over, glanced at Ning Rushen a few times, and asked, “What did King Heku say to you?”hOmBPPPxVpYggOklataszxCHVVQDBh

yQCLKiNpuEaGuon

Ning Rushen: ? Wasn’t Li Wuting just talking to Huo Mian?WTnPdQTNWGeYOwLKTcnySyXIEswXpw

CsROJcGYHSuxOgf

He looked over, “Some stuff about love and hate.”sbGBXDIGIABqQnabtqmdMvWzBReDzE

hzzovnWIikRBReg

Li Wuting frowned, as if trying to decipher his words.yhbYamMmUVuPOIVTkuhCjwZUhcEoqT

mpjXiSkzipQaOWe

Ning Rushen quickly changed the subject, “By the way, now that the treaty’s signed, what’s next for us?”MeAmaAywvHYmqZXNbHqbIhCPvmzACH

nZNRDRlEjLWzMKu

“Next,” Li Wuting’s gaze fell back on him, “We’ll tidy up a bit and prepare to return to the capital.”jFfxZkWKTNawiTtJUPoTugjHlXJFyy

vVgsNHEzcOCqvvV

——Return to the capital.zNdXhxnORtYaAOjujvjvWZQIZicDjf

nmZhGLLHUiSkIMp

Even after returning to the camp, Ning Rushen’s mind was still occupied with this thought.qFEFXgzXcSBIZCDpUHlXEqDwCDPtyl

KIlUaxqxoHNyGPh

He had almost unconsciously grown accustomed to life in the northern border military camp. Thinking of the capital now gave him a strange sense of disconnection, as if it belonged to a different lifetime. He wondered what the current situation in the capital was like:bwrIdNRiQmmKAOnuQsquUukoHZKmRY

KbiHABJTtpDaAVh

Had the little short-legged one grown up?fBeuTLagjTOctyYdjlZQinVaxgcpoE

CBbRdNAGMPGCpwd

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?oMSZpwxeJJMMVbSKQnutwieHoZSFzv

ntnyjdVzdxkKRYf

And his good friend… had Geng Quan’s hidden illness been cured?ocAJEhvzDimApZTEKzYnsvnuzCUYMj

OPlQAKaHBYXJLbB

While he was lost in thought, a sigh suddenly came from beside him.UklLArhsCuJDcHehPHfMaFmIGDImxL

ABHgChNcLqQWyVS

Li Yingtang walked over, “When we return to the capital, it won’t be the same as the northern border. You and His Majesty will have to part ways.”OTePNIrtFiKEbINQGrXyDCVqlhvHJe

VYWVqmZwUCiWlgE

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.geLKMjNUaBEMWKUaEaUwOZCPMbDQNt

AXcnfFrNQqVVFtA

Li Yingtang wore an earnest expression, “The days of sharing a tent are coming to an end… I’ve said my piece.”ZmNoXftcwYXaIWFwkcLjXnwtJeBthD

tibofyJRfZkcNdn

He added, “I’m doing this for your sake.”nGGVrPhfzkpCLsKHndWLVmJWfMYiCa

oDawVtoNXhhNogd

Ning Rushen regained his composure and saw through him, “You’re doing it for your sake.”vyjDNvERCrltGVXMcJETCxEywpPprt

ftqzFxfPHLXYIJd

“…” Li Yingtang shook his head with a sigh, hands behind his back as he walked away, “You should think about it.”unwDppNtRGxUhzgXYIarGXBdlcLxhf

SkmNKPvSziYhjKm

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.KCNLuBsncIdERVmpTGFuOTtwgaKbzG

uALRDSVQesCWOmW

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:PmlFqmJwVKTFXKlTraSVdhiTrLpFwS

UzTNTmMKVhPQOHt

He had never thought too far ahead. Indeed, once they returned to the capital, Li Wuting would go back to the palace, and he would return to his own residence.XxHCipqVwLRtvcRxoKjDZqWFTDkfVI

uaGgHOQoHahwMgb

In the northern border, they had shared a bed every night.WnbrGVSNsLJqaPySgkCxQHDFbnnsXz

IVVRmxNMyNonjVZ

Would he be able to adjust after returning? Would Li Wuting think of him at night?dHPsPJVFjQShkkwmeYzauDwmfrlKHP

nsFbjsKuECrUnaO

…RSQsPQslHPXbDRStaodmyQXpSCplwE

dTJnDNHBLTZnRbS

However, before they could prepare to return to the capital, news of the great victory in the northern border and the acquisition of a city had already reached the capital with urgency.vgIcZRTyEdrzOiVXOBNhenIITZKKbg

lsRnHchQwuXfOLA

The court was in an uproar, and the whole nation rejoiced—csJJYKgEtjICJCIuKPSjZNXALgNyyT

JHNfTBBNEuxhSHn

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.eMFjYNPamSrpHTiiRysnBadaJhkLdW

vzqNWvoNkeuLKdm

Ji Jie looked at the report of victory, so elated that his beard curled up, “Good, good, good! His Majesty is indeed extraordinary, leading the imperial expedition and achieving victory in just one month. Now, he will triumphantly return to the capital!”QpVTouOoIvIApvhxqYFIzAMlEdYLss

cIFTpqbOjiFQcYR

His colleagues gathered around:UqiezJxakMDwiJTKxRvDlLEFggkYQx

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“As expected of His Majesty, heaven blesses Dachen!”DRNXuQtoxzBGcwHZwZRyssJIZzRHjP

XQMocUNKAiaWUmK

“But we must also acknowledge the incredible feat of Lord Ning—”hlFqxHLWiBitZarFHFRbQoYyqaoyBk

mhNRjZHlRllHGxY

“Oh, what about him?”qCSYnocnshtdsylIQVsuEdTkBFBOSy

uvhuDIEknWftuHz

Minister Guo, who had scrutinized the battle report closely, said, “Look here, Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp alone, coordinating with the Dingyuan Army in the middle of the night, and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive!”XNLczzLmdlsTkQjhvLVGFaCeMWDmzn

cahmPbLoHastVXK

The ministers were astonished, “Such a thing happened!”yXskxNmfCDeddwDQBiYXELRKFarWnj

zbBpjmxyXMOubPB

They were all exclaiming in awe, while the young Li Jingyu leaned on the table, his eyes wide open: Oh…XKagNoBfOSyVBdiBpugTWqsaxOdBIT

ANYlGFqVsEZSsez

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.ZsNJgkZdJjbLATjMNfBtuINieOIjqr

prqHZvYHkQSvxHF

Li Jingyu left the Wenhua Hall, only to run into several senior ministers including Guan Fan.lbqeIJTBgGRKlBbAJuREKfNwOlSslV

msVBSLBfQoSUtYk

Guan Fan and the others were also beaming with joy, “Your Highness, we hear that the army has won and is preparing to return to the capital?”qVOyJgxIoOzlDtOCoqHwbSbAUghOdD

RDANrxCzaTAaIqy

Li Jingyu put his hands behind his back, appearing mature beyond his years, “Indeed. My imperial brother displayed great bravery, and with Lord Ning infiltrating the Beidi camp at night, they captured the crown prince of Beidi! The war is over.”tNVDCBXOGXCLHLeiwjALHtTFdwjIRl

UcglbsLQwvmvDsB

The senior ministers’ mouths gaped open, “So that’s how it is…!”vOKJdIRqvYTQfVYfuTEIPclmMSuhXO

awQjOiqfWoCoucZ

“Exactly.”KNRplmjyVQTFfSxtrSSLxBRzdIiIwP

kxNNQNfWoSuJNmb

After a few more pleasantries, they quickly parted ways.HdyitWOtFnqQswrGYwRHzIqxGxbJnh

NXaZejJpZgFkGsv

Guan Fan left the palace and headed to the Ministry of Rites.rsVRwOiyCTTqpBSsmwuTfgCoygqLFg

trvHLDNUMQzLWqH

By this time, the news of “the army’s victory and the Emperor’s return to the capital” was spreading like wildfire.NkLUAyoevCKYuebpCtqXhGgDEZGYCK

eFTmqcLLcWvKNVs

Geng Yan came to the Ministry of Rites to deliver documents, coincidentally arriving around lunchtime.LZppjubUDuBLFNyTvqdaifKlWizDsv

XJuOSBwIizwpxRa

He shamelessly joined in for a meal, taking the opportunity to ask, “Lord Guan, how are things in the northern border? Is Ning Chen… also coming back?”FcsaykQtjeFtIYuLQOOOFoNuZJfqrf

LDODjVXqAIoRmWZ

“Of course he’s coming back! There will be rewards and honors to be bestowed.”oSMBrgqqsbIkcxjsVyEEmCZfHxihLZ

iMcaaQaMWmqyiNO

“What kind of rewards and honors?”cCHwddADMFREoIGwcxcWBhAahFMUug

ZQwjvptjnGAtgyf

Guan Fan stroked his beard, sharing the news with excitement, “I heard that Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp in the middle of the night and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive! Beidi suffered a crushing defeat and had to cede a city.”vDcHdAdzWtnlTODQifBsClkUYDTKip

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“…???”KbUitiVXTviEUwmxhwMxTyVzptkWnN

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Geng Yan was stunned, and after a moment, he set his bowl down with a loud thud, “Whoa!”UlzaUYBVbWRLnyaWfJujZFNJjMLeRM

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