This official is so weak

Li Wuting’s gaze lingered, carrying a faint, amused smile.NiVFMLOcegHoBqYGozDqHcDBlltFPG

nzgdkNzlfHMribq

Kong Shuyuan scrutinized him with suspicion, as if trying to figure out which strand of hair could possibly offer him protection.YUHLBBdCgXCPksEzqKywznXlrvQFVs

gJLAyCLTzXheZdq

Ning Rushen, who was struggling to keep his composure, finally spoke softly:oJwtGqPEXaEumXfmwxbtYULKrDNveR

vFUfDlzbLEVNhPq

“…What are you smiling at? Aren’t you going to say something or dismiss him?”tgOCNBNCbcmQiNcialRrHXXfLMhszW

DsQmwWsVbzYtGZI

He pursed his lips and started to speak, “If His Majesty doesn’t need—”RgrrFyTteMqdkjeDbmnBwwerYsBQZV

KFVsCYroHcrSpFd

“I need.” Seeing that Ning Rushen was on the verge of exploding, Li Wuting quickly interrupted, “Come in.”OYenuLZmSctUzilwVAbcWlpWGinYXu

lXXqSpxnubRzlae

Finally, that was more like it.bjpZivDcjaBGsOkbEgwJCBZVOcVujw

UMwraBNuseQKNky

Ning Rushen exhaled a breath, closed the door, and stepped inside.ynmNrEQBOhCNAlPXSmVWoOndiHAYcr

QZANBNLICJkwLax

He glanced around the room. “Is His Majesty still discussing matters?”DRgKDcxSTczGERPswwHJoNLwUNsAqM

vePbEuNPqQknmnH

“Yes, regarding the bandit problem,” Li Wuting gestured for Kong Shuyuan to continue, then said to Ning Rushen, “Sit and listen.”sMqFivJfIimZGSxsCPPHgOHjZmoVzx

GjtWNmmzUJmVfQC

Kong Shuyuan acknowledged and resumed speaking from where he left off.cKZRSmtiHQPenOLzWHRXausGbjVPYU

ecKBNKTnaAykbVu

There was no chair by the bedside, and the prefect was standing.tiDpxpMbCcCFHdcxteyZqdyeLBhnna

DqFDRjVfQqszySb

Seeing that the space beside Li Wuting on the bed was vacant, Ning Rushen naturally sat down.KPbtLEcNYLTtlnsGStmKIQNTytnyMc

trNbKpEWGcRVbRt

He sat directly on the emperor’s bed.aBLQfWxDduWWzLwZttgaAAHsaxbvHR

xgwlwtHEYlNNhAz

Kong Shuyuan’s voice abruptly halted, his astonishment rendering him speechless:BGHSXPvSAHMdDhvIcnlpOcUrdBlByS

kFUnBRiKXmMwtEZ

This… Is he really allowed to sit there??MjzZbNixtzPwaGQckVEwmRoKNljHwO

OCUEGWwRoCweryH

A calm voice from the front asked, “What’s wrong?”dcPYRdEndsfEPwZnZSxWVdrtHYDhoh

jfmQZQpSFUMrPSk

Kong Shuyuan quickly suppressed his thoughts and continued, “It’s about the Renshan outside Yaojin City. Since the nineteenth year of Chengping, bandits have been causing trouble there, month after month, without respite.”ndqFEJHvQzcrHDpOEInWxyLlPWSIbz

zvPuWVLeYnENnOA

“But from the moment His Majesty personally led the expedition, they suddenly quieted down for two months. We don’t know why.”obMEOFpKrnVsgXFaZepupKaYLcGtvb

lMjKJevtEzOlwJE

Ning Rushen leaned forward slightly, “You didn’t investigate?”CIfvYWHBmZjNEzqOmobepeYdNbWWcq

FqaDNbsGSzQRCWS

He had just finished bathing, carrying a light fragrance and a bit of dampness. The hem of his sleeve draped over the edge of the bed, overlapping with Li Wuting’s dark robe, brushing against the latter’s hand, causing a faint tickling sensation.zHekJZHIveyPJcxrLfLKzEEAVBZsyL

KdIKijDhCvAwaes

Li Wuting’s gaze fell, his fingers barely noticeable as they twitched.heUeCRIbTOSnxtEBJPUuFiomzVnxKl

ywjvlwPAoeMPFQb

Kong Shuyuan replied, “Yaojin’s military strength is limited; even maintaining security is a challenge… We really didn’t dare to rashly venture into the mountains.”QDCEIVZkuiinURqkzHPlZYxAIqLAsZ

WDnPctrxZslTbib

Ning Rushen nodded and sat back, “I see.”vaKVkSRtpyOzujCktsRnzwpSAKswZM

dApHuiAXNwFWDJJ

His clean and soft profile briefly passed in front of Li Wuting.TIEiQtlkURLOxnkchLnPRKTRqjoRbJ

TOtGsGgoDoTeuvl

Li Wuting lowered his eyelashes, sinking into his thoughts:TkHSlyPnWscOvdkRUpKzRrWWwoyPHW

StbTQeTxIGXVywg

If he remembered correctly, the bandit problem in Yaojin was reported to the capital in the second year of Chenghua.hJjlTDvnRVojCJMvyUaOXPQhVWplSv

VUGZGwXVNLVXlSs

In the previous life, the war with the Northern Di lasted for five months.TFYQwlOcRXuwfJOGxULGREWsxazqjg

QItcftKBBTFNbTp

During that time, the bandits of Renshan took advantage of the emperor’s absence to wreak havoc in Yaojin. But this time, they suddenly went quiet… Why?gWgpKleIvoQnfyWjUWeKvtJxMPEqvB

bcHCVPcnqmazWfs

The room remained silent for a while.QDYnhZzUGvccpOFwNyTzSIAWYMQjeN

uScNqBSbcQgtvLB

Until the flickering candlelight slightly shifted, and the prefect’s bent back began to ache, the emperor finally spoke:YfRXHixNvkKvIakLSxAhihqLoABBeM

anuVcmQrnRfZukh

“You may leave now. I will handle this matter.”DiIsiQYpwCRAiLkSPkDhMQmzxejHhv

ULFKkpiyOUwUgpW

“Yes, Your Majesty!”xCCbacTvtlBaHvfPpwHbbWujziTRBP

XHVPXneRHdTbfdu

Kong Shuyuan quickly responded and, as he stood up, glanced over once more.JzUrvmhywXomkmHGZvvnqEmAlWuUFH

mKAiXVCXNYfYWlL

He saw the handsome emperor sitting upright, while the young minister beside him seemed lost in thought, with slender, pale fingers resting against his lips, his snowy white robes spreading across the bed.OhWdSYlLLehszUBLnKmiOtvMfibEzk

nHxwfgoZkrsRqMa

The emperor’s long black hair lazily draped down, with a few strands winding near the emperor’s hand.DtjubOspxMfXLekgQqCEKorNNinYsQ

iSTfIBbwpztBKYO

Kong Shuyuan felt a pang in his heart, inexplicably afraid to look any longer, and hurriedly bowed and left.bXqewegyTNkdeSctnZvvvnEoccalam

votLrPFYiINLfio

…EmzeaVnryFgZywwbNhpWtBYlSrxxwZ

vVhgUFOpDolwcfO

The door creaked as it closed.NCvhxqUAaEcIUzbqJvXFApJfdOwzxt

WKMcYmfugianlYS

The room fell silent for a few seconds. Ning Rushen was still lost in his thoughts.wwIYvsGzNGMfdLfILDAUdNWmamRjyI

ThfjDlDTbyQyXDY

Suddenly, he sensed a gaze on him from the side. Turning his head, he saw Li Wuting looking at him, with a hint of warmth in his eyes:sRdlzgVTohDOCWLQqOZDZIyeDJMUYA

TNJHUwGYXrTXngl

“Did you come specifically to see me?”DPkasTMTIFHGlnJcJwDNAQgrCZIrgw

cRhaoNeKewSXoSn

Ning Rushen’s ears grew hot at the question.fuCXTYfoCcrezAqqLLVsmhaLEjSrHm

icUSQhlPHkOkywN

He thought, who else would I be here to see, Dequan?ztuqTEHehdnvnEwNhhRSGOovcbkqpg

rVmVjyZLETrHDYI

He forced himself to sit upright and spoke seriously, “I heard from the servants that there was a bandit disturbance nearby. I was worried that it would be too dangerous for Your Majesty to be stuck in the dragon’s lair alone.”OZhJmXtIjzFWeOVSBtoDNcDvAehvKh

PpJGTsPwkEFufyd

Li Wuting chuckled lightly, “Oh.”KGHeHqnMolVzDoLgSzhSWZnWhqDOff

ZlhorOgkoDdzYXX

Ning Rushen suppressed his embarrassment and changed the subject, “By the way, where’s Dequan?”xxmGNVqIcOmeqVSvmdJUztmVfmUojs

GceTxjYDVVopeFP

“I sent him out on an errand.”vQrebSMfFeMlwHTEONfZOgIEhdRqJw

mCQqvJkRmLfakGN

“Oh.”KbJVDsneRQmmyxGPSWPWzjBMwYVmch

KyqZeHhOifqStCq

As soon as the words fell, the bed was silent for a few breaths.BEkLEkmiDAaFFYOqbxgrIlhzNJDlkT

CDbkfLzmfcmGwdy

Just as Ning Rushen was wondering if he had been too forward, he was suddenly pulled closer—xsgwlCftjbImMynopmcEJkufGzcCVy

JrumnIyIGvdyKgc

Li Wuting wrapped an arm around his waist, seemingly unable to suppress his emotions. He lowered his head and licked at Ning Rushen’s lips, prying them open.QnuyEQCYxNWGfcskLQfBobaVyMiaji

puWvCGfXhftjpku

“Mm…” Ning Rushen’s breathing became erratic, and he quickly melted into the kiss, his waist softening as he fell back.bwKfdazXMpcTCOLBqiTUbRqeqcAyCQ

aeeCzVYuEwmLIpA

His hair spread across the pillow, entwined with the heated breaths between them.qqofmNgEUpojFtPgjGlJkdXpNyyknJ

kvCdyLtIAlJgPdq

Li Wuting propped himself up and looked down at him, “What made you think of coming to see me?”vASFuHxMUeHtggJejJrxrpNHjHrRvL

EVOLwfhGFDABKtP

Ning Rushen’s face was flushed with heat, and he couldn’t find the words to respond.kCmPdTMAToWICAAadBsARrKbHRPYqv

lARokCxMxTGvPCu

Underneath the gentle and refined demeanor, Li Wuting’s voice was husky with suppressed excitement as he softly asked, “…Did you miss me again?”vkEpwAzEJLSXNGKRDytLYeJWTccWkk

ijIEpOxzAcovDsO

Ning Rushen shivered at those words.zscUgcIwZqHgpuFBpnaQzeOEUhhjfb

oEizYeYBQzmqgwB

Feeling the rising tension between them, he brought his knees together, trying to prove his innocence, “I… just came to accompany Your Majesty…”weEReNRJiOubkfsWVyqGHCWVHasHGC

JzjPKcYfTdsIhST

Li Wuting lowered his eyelashes and let out a faint laugh, “Then it must be that I missed you.”HrJQRsUhSxUhGSqQQbjUuvaKIfbHjb

dClbVDOjkzZCJds

Ning Rushen suddenly looked up at him.jbQQMVTVqcORRBDLMnLncHEvTjPalf

bYvPADSpSGSybUS

The usually composed and restrained emperor had become aroused because of him…GIHUfesDPhzhyQipbVTcXupFtSZFCS

QVCeDonMZVaSlGj

A wave of heat washed over him, and he too closed his eyes, feeling stirred.EcknXZFjtvDbaKeTcVqpDklSifYOxy

WDPRzyvvFRgVbTK

A kiss fell from above, and the bed curtains were drawn down.ibPgxiyFzLcDGSlwFMaQAjLhwDCPEl

UXbbCIQzjgVbejm

The white gauze obscured the candlelight on the desk, casting shifting shadows as garments slipped to the floor.SYfcidAMCWqVjSGGIDJheuBYUczswr

dOJDhiGOQjnSukc

·mbpbyveNRGfVQXJCypgZIHRmuYuuNF

ifTgsFPNWEjCuGD

The next day, Ning Rushen got up from the dragon’s lair.bwjQJIooLtLjhqmgGcCezMPeoqfxOh

ijhuilPhuxLJrdj

Dequan had already deftly brought hot water while tactfully keeping his senses shut.CfLXNqWpLGMWSEfHQZnkdJUBlqJFOh

wHhnyyIkspRGknm

Ning Rushen steadied himself, got up, and after washing up, walked out the door, only to see that the guards in the courtyard all stared straight ahead, acting as if they hadn’t seen anything.laITCFdgkHhsjzVHHKXqHugzhRNuJX

gODcenIhLVvuIeq

Li Wuting stepped out as well, adjusting his robe, “Let’s depart.”DljXRgCdCGcpAfdBHhmwfHBLWvvZHg

AHrBqnUCMGizfox

Even though there was a bandit disturbance in Yaojin, the imperial carriage couldn’t stay there for long.FWCPbkDlTyNSSrzyXVlrWfTTEPrPtN

EOsqqFWsFoXUdEh

Before leaving, Li Wuting gave an instruction, “Strengthen the city’s defenses. I’ve already sent orders overnight to have reinforcements from the capital stationed outside the city. People will be sent to deal with the situation later.”CfSmVuvPRyhQuycXPrxzYNQrlBFEPS

fxPRABZwLWDPccb

Kong Shuyuan repeatedly kowtowed, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!”xHSGndRRzFTYQbkpJZZqTJqFsqHaey

dFQbSbnEsCtvpwk

After leaving the governor’s mansion, the group set off on the road again.VBNccKwEKwaychAptlIhLXLfyKeNFa

DHklLtosDbmCzhs

Yaojin was very close to the capital, and after two days of travel, the city gates finally came into view.iwLUlYFBavbzCFMbCzaryXNUEScyZW

klelhVsDjpitvaV

Ning Rushen lifted the curtain of the carriage, feeling a surge of excitement.tatPoWMndXljVkKORTwZMAgKTypyok

HzOZpzqYeqGFuqC

As soon as the carriage stopped, he followed Li Wuting out.fcrieAOPJzXWDCZLQxCHbyKwwshypP

HYpKNUqrMKUEKHV

Outside the city gates, civil and military officials had already gathered in anticipation.EgacxYaaLwVAWhMKavqTIpCHtsBrYS

PtJqZpmsXbQEhSR

Under the towering city walls, the officials looked up expectantly at the ancient road, where dust swirled in the air.xrKVJbfRAYHfAeaMUlUzegJdAxpwul

mmkhWOxjomjLBNW

Ji Jie stood at the forefront, leading the cabinet ministers. Under the vast sky and distant outskirts, a chorus of voices rang out:LfbbLiqemnGfLnZCxUjZPrHkYVvtmC

ObZMWXJKdrhadki

“Your subjects welcome the return of the imperial carriage!”ZNrQXVpRLcHyhgBMciQNVDJIBRPKhw

mlMYGoRoEggEeXQ

“Long live His Majesty, long live, long live!”AUNxtjkyXBhPMKwOTiMUrHacuqEDIE

ZLQknVTgrJAwIKF

Li Wuting raised his hand, “Rise, my beloved ministers, let us return to the palace.”ZWpGarLThAPuClOmBMahXyUypBYcwB

eaVqMScuoIzuuPi

The officials rose in unison, stepping aside to form two lines.ieKqgfMACfoiZAMXJUTtCrwTaRBUmT

ASeoHLZhrLguqOf

Standing beside Li Wuting, Ning Rushen couldn’t calm his racing heart: they had finally returned!sahZRrowwWlZXanEUyJMweLscyLZHI

doSUaFVoNgbdvtS

He looked around nostalgically at the familiar faces, but his gaze suddenly paused as he locked eyes with Geng Yan in the crowd, who was staring intently at him: Whoa!pnNLSdpgTiCNTrfviFKBJuRYYKzPAh

KsrxKpMAqNpBHAx

Their eyes finally met.WFQjQIaIryTbIgaJNEcHpVmTybYEqM

SuIKYXiLvdKFisC

Geng Yan, excited and a bit mischievous, gave him a thumbs-up, nodding in approval.iNfLkbXMVJToywjMxhBKnTBAwZZWfN

PCSbrPPnVhNEdSP

Ning Rushen, “…”zYLrsbnEDSXlJnXcFjsVhZHMudBlvG

FZJUyXxzIAAwMMx

A few months had passed, and he was still as eccentric as ever.JcYAwHSQoGkVATZHckKqqvaNdRfAyY

wOaxXVLwECyMRul

…KABrQIaxcoRkytMlLmrcPhqIRdKNNN

RXOnZWuGyUagcoM

The group returned to the palace in grand fashion.oRlzrRjkUReMRNUvBTapdeUmqtJVyT

OWmShcElvHakVKr

Li Wuting still had nearly two months of state affairs to attend to, so he summoned the ministers to Wenhua Hall.vBKYFdTdRVDysplQbidpKhgJETFuiA

QACFdVOHcjETljV

Ning Rushen stopped in front of the palace gate, ready to return home.TiLiOabImEkBABVEbjFrLglVHOHPCm

NeRnajHRzUeEokX

Yan Min had already prepared a carriage, waiting for him.CmYvUoyOgUenmKTRZTLtJGchzMnQgn

ivaWkAEdrDSftKP

He glanced back at Li Wuting, who seemed to sense it and also turned to look at him.sijzCrPmGKBbhlLdzluVNpjzTYHUaN

rByyYwkJIkAkDYD

Across the throng of officials, their eyes met.bVKLmksDGRUcmmXXbdbtQvPaPttLTc

GkZzrxMGieCekxp

No one knew how drastically their relationship as monarch and minister had changed in the northern frontier.oRydLrpyKvBLelKIFVYlpspvOfDNam

uIsmRHBPnppMlaE

Ning Rushen’s heart beat a little faster, and he mouthed the words: I’m going home.sozWgQrXLvRhfGLNKsLxAjbhddafSI

cdILzuGPWntBeVK

Li Wuting smiled and lightly blinked in response.QSWXdsiIiYFiZdVHUZkTMuDZIzgYxx

wDZKDcuTjmtrWem

In the broad daylight, Ning Rushen felt as if his heart was soaked in sugar water, filled with a secret sweetness.lIajIjkBsQBWRUhQyALIFmPmbTjPMr

RdYHffekliGmOcj

He turned and got into the carriage, “Home.”LMYhPXuHiEwpLlBVZvzUQKcrYPiAFL

nxKUOJCcvhchXou

At the Ning Residence, the hallways were bright and immaculate, with festive carved lanterns hanging at the entrance.gKgAAAMVzPyoRRsdQTUqzUmxYaLCBC

AYmyGdlxVdmxNut

As the carriage pulled up outside the main gate, Xinglan, Yuanliu, and the others rushed out to greet Ning Rushen from a distance:GLGMDXfxQNOsNRsPhvhyPxTmjNGQyW

DrRVXEXLjnrjRIG

“It’s the master! Our master has finally returned!”sweHBEbrLIdvsUSQKdNKyCjQCgtkQj

mtpPbSUkASAfrIh

The crowd welcomed Ning Rushen into the residence with warm water, rich broth, and sweet treats.sTDQaTvEpmAyPLkXUmURyekqXZsaWx

GzziWNfPxqXvqTo

“Master, this broth has been simmering since noon.”xgWJtPmOMgxyCBCLMfChQLnYAzfdaK

MvHDLHMJfWqCdyC

“Dragon beard candy from the southern shop—hasn’t it been a while since you’ve had some?”hboQzRNqpRppkhuxIslGSZbFNNtQEx

sULnMQWeaFbrsCR

Ning Rushen, with his arms full of food, looked at the bustling crowd surrounding him, and a sudden sense of belonging washed over him.yNcpqHQGOKbDUgfvoDeQiAZZXXEmbZ

EvqeDhPuljhxLYh

Feeling touched, he picked up a piece of candy cake and started to munch on it.PwgQEsafRXRWJhqWDKpGukvqFwHcDt

hhuhVgorpYqljsG

Yan Min, concerned, said, “Master, you’ve suffered; you’ve lost weight!”GkHgJQddLsFyTvZGYZrgVghJmGulLN

QwuyWsMDVqTyKsO

Xinglan chimed in, “The sandstorm out there has made our master even paler!”kDZbrIDZFTgTOXrrCyHkKxSGSgLJqh

OCDgLHwtvhXtERj

Ning Rushen paused: …zHLUaykdJHuXuCKreQtTtQeqAoFRQO

PazJbYSufEuFrOI

What, did the sandstorm give him an exfoliating treatment?xuzExIkyypgEWCaKdtKXvVLuoxjtLy

lBdjEvPzxpzJSWy

Listening to their exaggerated remarks, he took a sip of the hot broth. After some murmuring among themselves, Yan Min clapped his hands:XVGVcjyApFXeTOFequtvWntNvsCpGg

RcziODDBBHPTbLf

“Hey! Enough about that, let’s talk about something cheerful—”BavZWlfGjOBHjbnZVTynrlfNNPwdQA

pAlcmnxbLjYKmyi

“We’ve all heard about how the master captured the Northern Di prince alive! That’s a great achievement!”LwHGDxIKWTgNmvGeYPJbvgbXDAbaJC

YSTYiwXmmvxtyqi

Ning Rushen choked suddenly: How did they all…jEkEUqySjPavViyZEgudfnrjfvaArh

obsdTBbhYeVcPCw

—Where on earth did that rumor come from!?XeYwJZRMqPDoJRmIEMznoybqTpYpyh

qFYocgWiKXOapPI

He clarified, “There was no capture. It was an inside-outside coordination that allowed His Majesty to lead the Dingyuan Army and capture Landale alive.”BWKpKvxTqBhcImmVLVRaGADwRcjJCr

spoJvYBVFJwiXYP

At his words, the crowd let out a collective sigh of regret: Oh…udGsZnBBktCYAQUQqWxiTjqXBOUkqM

eMIJOsqIPOSNqKC

Ning Rushen: Enough already, what exactly are you sighing about?FeKihDdqgqOguHIrOijtUaXpazMYMH

CQiMQSHEOAaxBpD

As dusk approached, he stood up and waved his hand, “Let’s have a family feast, everyone at the table!”xyrrNNLFcJnUajxPjxUNnaBzTPWcnp

tbTxLKnPKHypQJe

The crowd cheered, “Oh yes!!!”gCzrRTgIkdllEzSgUcqWjAajcvXRDM

LScJpLRqXpgxqeq

…kNsGzfJhTptHOwwigqNnUoAcjmKUmO

LmtfSNmYMPgHccj

After a lively family feast.JVfVjAnalczIycpZHjMBdnaFDNzgZv

gZDDWBLLYEqbMMD

Ning Rushen returned to his small courtyard to lie down.hMiPYZbBVffaolsrPmBfQqPYGAIReI

TtmPGqMyjbmPldw

After several months, the trees in the courtyard seemed to have grown taller. He leaned back in his familiar deck chair, feeling the long-missed peace and comfort.gdPHhTMXkfAvxstzWZlQwWuLvBNsil

xCMXngfzMPPuLHK

As he was relaxing, Yan Min came in with another pot of tea:bUFlCewRFXSGBsRuwZYNBwBCtNojhA

hJLoyDpqMPleJJZ

“Master, why haven’t we seen the little guard?”ErqqiJwFtUOdphhvRicvTENbGARwzw

OHhURbdqKfFyreN

“…” The deck chair creaked to a stop.JKonzldtPeLVaXemCvGoBvIAkNjYnx

xEdEnHSoueAereH

Ning Rushen blinked: That’s right, where are Shiyi and Lu Wu?XMDxAwawLgFsEtQManORndbKBIvAMT

oniXEbycmIeTmxZ

They were with him all the way back to the capital, but seemed to have disappeared since entering the city.SqzEIALAhmzfhaaqOTwONbUBDsZFPB

bgiQPgSDlHzuvoL

Could they have gone home ahead of time?orlwSQPmHbLkdTVzgqbGoEowhqRVPQ

UrTvTSHTQEOnZka

Casually, he said, “Hmm, they probably went home.”ksyLzeixNFiAzVTWMhgkFidAmkoLKk

AlzsZJhclxqGyrb

Understanding human nature, Yan Min didn’t press further.pcwixUGlBJVnxwsSKGhEGTzzzTQMud

eHWrDMhhCPLnFWQ

Ning Rushen guessed they had received a royal command and didn’t dwell on it. After washing up, he prepared to retire for the night.ALfSqqLGmWemOBbxcSEsGsyKLbCsis

FzDmnXhzQLifaeh

The main house was dimly lit.CQckpGXEpCKcrzyzgCFaYmgbuUwXhH

tiEOSrGRWpAqjpy

The moon hung high above, and the courtyard was quiet.klelQRvzPWuuxaBPLAIlJhvYBEjBOB

xFBhzDfwOWbtmpo

Ning Rushen sat at his desk, organizing the gifts he had brought back from the northern frontier, when suddenly, there was a knock on the door.UNAlRvzDyFGWoltMPEcYafpuoelazn

ZPKuJPTOZHvxDlo

Click.peMOwiJzkxWuyUaTjBowefNLvaaDKP

DwmRfPRlcILNikw

…Shiyi? He looked over, “Come in.”uexEhaacqvBLIPvMMluYoBoGCKedcN

AIKlCVrsedRVveS

The door opened, and Shiyi walked in holding a roll of paper.VAkGtcCZfaZpTrNKxsbfqIuEOxkLXG

LVTRcESZRPEAIcD

Ning Rushen blinked: What’s that?ygosecHrbyBryAKOEhsXAfHgJZtOiR

BCnvmpxJZJUUOGE

Where did he come back from?sLfYQPDWqUCKHxiaHgPHAFIWfizOYu

cvexYXbCOPqNedi

Shiyi walked straight to the desk, unrolled the paper, and under the candlelight, several intricate hidden door designs were illuminated—sWTWjoQiIjCrnmEjebGXNksauDrVQL

UVbllvtmMwlhZEl

Ning Rushen was startled: What is this????XqaAyDfXdlhWOKIcDlhyetGbHJBlAR

SNogWrAOeNsgKgd

Shiyi asked, “Do you prefer a revolving door, or a sliding door?”KOsmeHqRnIoDRutflIVapmBkqhjoLb

YwRCNVUNyhjtVVk

Ning Rushen stared at him in confusion, “What?”UwhatZCrDzJUtFmNrNvifzpfvQclzm

wfalFUrwAtmEBrF

Shiyi, his expression unchanging, said, “Nothing, it’s just a door.”ZEHZxSKAeCwvRLhZXqgLxjATQsjhHJ

WlzKKpXOlRAyLUB

After a pause, he added, somewhat conspicuously, “I’m just curious, asking randomly.”GJBSaLFwQwugjWhlaeueMXKncadjYs

nITAiPucJvPHCcF