This official is so weak

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

rLQWqOfbzKUCQPO

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

mAfPwqHIOPyrlES

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

GJfAJvckuzbsnTx

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:qJLMzpVZIOafXjxfykMxIYiZjDsRVs

xAkbIYzFUrePAKa

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

lktophCJopANSIA

“……”YwlBfEnxdfiZrHAJLHeaSsYmybydJT

jdCEwhazvAdwHAV

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

mOUdlrTpSwRgpEN

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

PDJzKpGfuidcmSi

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.”zrKhXTNEQpuTOyipggRAjwYHwhCBhO

CScbQiRIVNKTxXq

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

BKELuyPauOvcEol

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

YAXpNQranWKfPwa

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:bbJjMYvliUKKJdhsdexuaXywYhgSTL

DfEDbhZCnOBbFDR

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

lLwLPPNuvmvaBts

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.ymhsyHlMbiQaqurDnWRxYWmARjAODT

rMtlOqpZXDEXMiE

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

mmWPEBpQwyzAwtB

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

OPDrcBgnwsmbgoa

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

TFTTOEzcWUGUHVo

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

CszBRGMGHnMaLTu

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

GdFrQRUtougQBlF

…EYiOWFVpYmAdfZYOMUMzqSCRTyKdmF

OLuZwiJfLEVbnsR

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

rusbhYdXinIHihd

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

sYPLCjvzDbbAdvD

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

ayMcsLnyVmOwlpA

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

MvpkvbMSVglzLpi

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

zLmXoCcatCHOLTG

“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—”lsNHZJbQTniNuxxDaOCODDMTJHBNyZ

SnKThoarCdmNSZA

Bang, “Ouch!”xNUheVlTpHtgruHWILQHSSgJIjbkPH

BiKzJuFWTeGNVpf

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!”BdfLnKWmuGKiNkwdtwVyPWkjqeYJaJ

vcyVUIQqtmTKVDo

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

xdGqlQPhOIlUyUB

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

cKreMXVafbEmbsK

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

WejyGxPBUefLXzl

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

toHaXOYXbfBOpHG

Ning Rushen nearly choked!PbYuBeMmyOehmPhJIFbMkApjIwOods

XYUFDGGEvlziNeF

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

eASpKdUywsDicFz

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

aMyBaHjYSoZmfLr

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

ItVNjdfmftbXRjG

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

ImzcKCAeBFCRZOS

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.sGWiLWhWwwoHDEfnsEQtuyzZstBxIp

MqvfsXnvrMvuzWN

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

GOhFQNYHNJYVYjU

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

FVhWPYwKqpjqKhr

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

AEiINMVZDRvgbCf

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

pVkUTbQBMmMkCzT

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

HOhXTVvmxJVVjgS

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

KKvuXKPoIIrBThO

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

rcZjQvkXUCOodah

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

vWgDUzCfTaDEYkt

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.knkPPGpOqrHwlHVVQubHkHhdBQJeHB

dNYLIHPRkzhLPEs

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

nlmmTeSqzdNCiGn

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.qmhOoyabPnIMqtrGgBkwISNjezBEEu

oOtnTxalbIVFSWM

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

keGnVerMgoxqVUX

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

AliOISutPUHujqe

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

iovshLPQgZEsaFp

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

fQwkiMUfpSPwKOo

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

eqEMfPFWUDommny

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

eEePWMFxTKPzfek

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

mweljRkMgUBoVCt

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.QsjPrtJSMgoITdarjLqoFypCaShkkh

ohcMlbLXBQLxlRL

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

uVpSovvtlUnRXar

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

evAtfyYqgEoiOgp

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

JMDZTjJjbVrXxmr

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

LHgJEOdfrauOdcc

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.TQfkueQqukzDcbwzNftRozBXXVHPpb

omKqNdTvrzmLSDG

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

KrgZivGDtzaYMYF

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

gUvGmZHVBotMvUU

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

aIOWiHxFjfghyID

Like: You’ve done well.WnADaPrDLuJUFjEVyIWpudVukHpcri

eFFTQaMNYJgLaPX

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.bSYMGJsJgUwFSVTFOpyuDPJFpBdKYL

JCAeLTMUgKDQLCj

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. oJzlwKGgCChQLWUFtcSpWYKBuTzAch

PHQtHGkuojHcZMs

…clokAJgIqDIdpbZldmJJGxqOAMQAPk

lXQyheGNKjzwNbc

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.HBbyVQiAIOEvyMidZaXYluhrApMpaG

oAIUtKnmXWQswgN

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

BGPEBFrlFcjFClC

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.”JJqRIrSMgiQJozevKSPYbLORGfSExj

bcNNqzcjprhYwfR

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

PGIMmcqBeKJcyih

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.”EkAGIXEFKpBAzMhUzduDIhxAavIBgU

qICuKETzbIBWctZ

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

gvIhsDGvRcgRYri

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

HTwaTBAqhwPWTsU

The group then exited the tent together.SldZrZwpVoTEakwLhgYtoNNPxMaidJ

JTlWbeQhUMtFfsA

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:zdSwHAtVDftIPkWHeDoYaHUDKgxAPo

mLvSUYqTFDhxXuH

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

BojmRHhXxkqLkSH

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

RYHZEpTqBVFDvst

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

qZAPKQZBgNkKaEo

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?”qVUyekDnzGQUMOtPpGcPYlkGERXNcC

ipvsxpTaJfkfdHb

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

iboSuvSrQDoLufR

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

RYraeSHzKVcQgGW

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

OkVeyQPNSNonMPE

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

slIBRPuUgOkGwbD

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

uLQFLyXAoMKAXTu

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

LlskPtuayLbLuon

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

FyFPpaYzXYCRvhA

“Humiliation.”SZkKoIxuPDRdrvUQWbyOqKXtjwbXSq

STNEQGZgRaDVGbD

“……”IGbFnIuoPcFYUgGOuXkseSzHgheLHH

tdirHgghUBHOUIP

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:ISTPiLwiFOuxKFlsBqRnhQytwVjlJV

YWJgeBxZNzxClPj

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

xlAlxCAnkoFVEJi

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

YtImrzqEQgJkkOK

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

VZdCyJZdzbDhgsV

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

gABywOiRVesvVoB

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

jKQfzwSGpeyVMOH

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”ZIImcSRXfQwmBCyYMeiLiijCPiOqVC

oHRHLVrFQkhOYVG

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.VsORbYHmoVKIMgTqHoPaCTRjjWnUfG

VrIpxSPsIiifxEW

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

zplxaPQAOyVXmaS

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?”GSlaWvTcCdjtJRUYBeFDAYKDjLeCul

bzZBvjBxaSSrDCp

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

lIhlLaVvwbFdBdD

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

HEXamBYRKykSoUu

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

uvTLcXKqmeyAyAW

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

QWpDGfRLAIgUEsX

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

ZURqJNIcVKWLRCY

——Return to the capital.eqKuyPJNoTVxEADlgifdkkWYYYrtbZ

SJSSIupcOlIMcnq

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

KKgXiKHeqVeSxGn

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:rfWHEidNCyOBdUKOlCLpdbtLCBUXUg

TIKHbprSuazZszb

Had the little short-legged one grown up?uGQGudFkYLIvgyHHeFJGijfknvyXBz

RWvMeatyXwAOyao

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?peWGsTSDuZLimPUILhDtzDfVPCMeba

ouDYuJREcABCvow

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

SCglCXvGQrZjysp

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

ezsvPSSItNONiSr

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.”RqwPLmFizelBaTkMcCgxXeXsLsnHrJ

wiicFUmmOWrusfo

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.dMinmYsEYqfhGNKywvQcECSgtzymfC

WMOVfSXzrSGHzUO

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

BdWGETPlQVjZTZW

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

PyuTAlsOUqaJocV

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

HsFmyEwvWhFVhKr

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

GFqFtwdbUwzVnGV

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.JqocnEkePKOYLFuFHEdztwPeIomfxU

ytQXYgZKHZzjVBq

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:MiAKURmEQxddRONNtaxkAdKXhzOnQy

hYTOHcOerBqSzSU

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.nkTCCdpErenjuSRVOBdKhpZiOmSQzz

IBpqAOmjyrlNRLW

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

gbRsCnEydoAnKdd

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

UUCeykMOHPpmbEz

…hYdNesBHzxNrUkPJOEdJRokWxtQnkl

OLgZQYWtgKWNogp

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.VYFHTKFvMPmvLnmiYsjhZZYuFlsbay

QfwQRSJkRrOZynd

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

qkTwOgblrUlSzPP

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.WjPefDEQMKOYJYTlWTEJqBrRjqoiic

RnuJXoXKuObjIwE

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!”TkBAVSyijEMjiDKoVEMSxoxDbcohvg

yLABJxQpsnkSiVM

His colleagues gathered around:RmkbwhZvoTWibQnMXyBAHhXGLZRqBM

cibOlkTCkqBjJug

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

OhCLhdsyhxbjFWn

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

loNODxhhJUVMAjh

“Oh, what about him?”caLTeLSIEoUJgKKsrUDYtdAAfmmcig

ptSKPGnfrgOMdaO

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!”TuKOHdyQGlnFSNEajLEjeBnPZEDpln

rxfUZhuwSQHdxXC

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

zGhTZGwTvsqIJoT

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

nngjAoCuJxndJqE

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.cyLYQWKqwfayXwjWnutqxuAxHItyYe

eeSCOYmEzKWbGQx

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

hCsSUndGVuIatMB

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?”YhBxSOOJwlZpfLgbaUlxOYCSfXWnyU

YreTkuFSnjyVdgY

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.”NrbyREIqTvLCEgftLQuyXBvVRlsuZp

UQbfNBcRkdCRQVf

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

mpzLFNloGHsSTJu

“Exactly.”UEzdjYoCBXFhyohKVemsFzMrSnfEgU

pyZDiJSVIeERWnV

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

CyTeTOsgnllkGal

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

tMwSuwpMLaXEgUI

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

FKIiJxsyveWIiKE

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

YblmwWxchDOfOMR

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?”qRaReGHmNAGxjvHvRkcYDZcjZRADkd

BPQpObvFgrocffw

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

gpyZfflJXFWbnCs

“What kind of rewards and honors?”UXkfMyAmgdtcSdruJohuhlosPKUtkR

NybYSGghudjQSwQ

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.”RWwWajnyoSPiuWiAODYhFdaowPKIdN

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“…???”qFhsCxcFmqkcqNLpyTSrejokkmBNjv

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

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