This official is so weak

For a moment, no one in the imperial study spoke.ShypZpfkuaTIqBrLeFgyxKCOgfqWQH

GaelNWKKlWVBtjD

Ning Rushen swallowed and spoke softly, “A contract… it means a written agreement.”xzBCfmnLwFJMZabpkrmSRvCdyYcMZQ

QdYfdYecNRCdkSC

Wen Lang and Li Wuting both turned to look at him.kPKqhRqufzQhyqflymrTCmUHGsxUfj

XlROdYIfHEjzVIS

Li Wuting seemed to have a sudden realization, his fingers twitching slightly.hNVyaWTkxAjdrkUKLFLDReJqntuPhK

qEYaaqNKxRdZocT

Ning Rushen continued, “The other party probably feels that verbal promises are unreliable and wants a signed agreement.”XeKuTleoQUfmGOuqkrZMWBVdZonzje

MRlRiDUudQvkBbv

Wen Lang suddenly understood, clasping his hands in admiration, “So that’s it! Minister Ning is truly knowledgeable and talented—” He then sought Li Wuting’s approval, “Then I will send someone to…”aqbydihkPSOkTBjVxtQsskPDRPpyWi

GmDvrLjXtGrDomk

“Wait!” Ning Rushen couldn’t help but interject.OUwstzsnmIGTaloIGjOfMcMcwoTpHs

CYIbTBmJYItJDly

The thought that there might be someone from his “hometown” in this world made him both anxious and excited, and he could hardly sit still.SHclNDNBggTAQmNctgevsymWbKQoXQ

OpQIJXPqRkxKEZQ

He looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, I would like to go myself.”kKKDPdStfsUvOOoFJpVDTRRXnnDwfp

NgbpcsyOTzWGwrB

Wen Lang was surprised, “But it’s a group of bandits! Ah, but Minister Ning even managed to deal with the Northern Di prince…”VaxZzRkuiDgASCmJYnoPvjebxgBBVM

UYoxAxBplnFotbo

…He really didn’t do that!HQXFfSjqMWbxkDyiztDMUPegQiLJcb

YcTThNFfUGnFFsa

Silence filled the room for a long moment.LywqCafLvwIBEhDquaNZFPoTnEmlmi

BvuxLLOkyrPOkbS

Finally, Li Wuting spoke to Wen Lang, “You may leave for now. I will make the arrangements.”ZZjGxrjfBXDKDPstkaRHGnnnSdQvJa

ObsYCLfAYMwkgEU

Wen Lang bowed and left, “Yes.”zdbAqIGdfPnKdnaLJqKLFqfbYZEBfu

zqlRNQifKIiJqOn

After he left, Li Wuting looked at Ning Rushen, “You want to go?”jCKkrUbHTsvNjUTXumZJCwfUGIWeIO

IDCzfZjQAFbCvrQ

Ning Rushen moved closer, his eyes filled with anticipation, “Your Majesty, I want to go and see. Perhaps… it’s someone from my ‘Yuchuan’ hometown.”iHuOYNAmfQnBrwJdyqmqDCfHeSMRMN

gtCyzdLxdqUVoRA

“…”OjQATyThGZVsYiuiSJCEFpHIYkoLxb

vMDwpOKpPDCIfcK

“A ‘Yuchuan’ hometown.” Indeed—FoHnPlWgMyYAArcfdGIujICeczIBIB

HSoxKqxmikOOJrQ

Li Wuting pursed his lips, seemingly lost in thought. When he met Ning Rushen’s expectant gaze, he finally exhaled and reached out to take his hand, “Alright.”qVOGHHtsoHOkrKBVMDUsSlWyvCgCse

wRnmrMXnuxEYChj

“I will have my personal guards accompany you, along with Shi Yi and Lu Wu.”lroBOdiYLToKDaRSwzRFtuLPgnUnzU

dOfJhdyAHmNqxkt

His grip on Ning Rushen’s hand tightened imperceptibly.scgKyCXQNWgQeHQizNPpPfHtcjrQOF

noziBTzbNyPooOl

Ning Rushen, still caught up in his excitement, glanced at Li Wuting’s expression: What’s wrong?AbCdAScFfCiSGLdGxjCdTaudHihfNy

AcdAxqBgSdNAyBH

Is he worried about my safety…VyTeRUUnkuBzGAVxgLqATOevOngxnT

ffUfWVaeYFuGPoR

Or is he afraid I’ll be lured away by someone from my hometown?nBAzwpvoDbEhDgxKqpfEytfwnjqlgX

AZpjZydbRxDqnxE

He calmly squeezed the dragon’s paw, “Wait for me to return after the pacification, Your Majesty.”cmXQBOBFKZvxCGTUyQHVzyoGBUyEHn

mdqieFgXOTjqJNL

…VeTgXQAqRybHzKukJofrKBuAUEVQsN

yRvojHEZnQaYymS

Yaojin was two days’ journey from the capital.KApliqTJmcgANmKaEByDAFrdnAfRfn

wvgepYOwTkSTiHf

Ning Rushen prepared himself and set off with two of his close aides and a team of personal guards to Yaojin.ZsIUANbSkossjKiLtKHLlyvcPocsjN

hwlKWmsfVOnSyhZ

Mount Panren was located in the western outskirts of Yaojin City.qVEbPorbqFuoesiBJeNoZywYqQWWsY

DdBeEYJMTRhqoXk

When they reached the foot of the mountain, Shi Yi lifted the carriage curtain:QhbxAmsIRXbzrcldXBUZgRRDWktdwn

gKfhsEfhAmVEncv

“Minister, we’ve arrived. This is the place.”HaVpGIfEBDfzTMEADFwNOPComyJKcf

UVsBlsCvbvLIfhP

Ning Rushen stepped out of the carriage and looked up to see a familiar banner boldly hung among the trees:aOMFRRKakvJYQLNxDaeZOvBNtQcyzx

mcFiXZApOeDzTHj

[“As long as your thoughts don’t falter, there’s always a way to overcome difficulties.”]rDYLnzmKIuZIGnbawQxJdEeQDAFiXE

nHrVxopwcIiioeo

He took a deep breath: This feels right.JRdGLxEGpNsXrnUAQEQvjTvLVWKQpW

cnLpUdzPiICOxKH

Then he called to the guards to follow him up the mountain, “Let’s go.”SsUuONbxwTOxTVbnFmGcSZboVblpSc

AvnSdczqfrMOdAO

·lloqGeHydahrzxuWjVLHunPTXHYKnz

olJLowxXouZkIcO

The mountain path was winding and rugged, with dense vegetation in the forest.ZrdBNsaPdacJBBlXlktLZeBdXyPqtJ

yfILFxRxRBIdSOA

The bandit stronghold was built in the dense woods above the mountainside, making it easy to defend and hard to attack.nTXkzeuJWehsGQnukNRNchSsYlpPYk

sWCWTYVDApxqBvi

If a fight were to break out, it would likely affect the surrounding villages.VsccKPwNqzsqweqsGWhDtPYQgZrdEB

DhLtddcgkvUgbzz

Fortunately, the bandits had quieted down, and pacification would be the best outcome.UKwgTUvcLWcEjtCTmjFFKLAsvtTDtg

TiYsdBPfPUNZINv

The group arrived at the entrance of the stronghold.qTGRpKbRYYmefyXMpnsiAYpfobeMwP

GWllsqfmZsTqqmV

The entire stronghold was well-organized, and the bandits guarding the gate, already aware of their arrival, stood with long spears in hand:FxLkQBcKGdnLeDkQZtQXgRjCyyVwue

PAudPUencyWVrFn

“People from the court? What brings you here?”BFuLYVChGMvQBfmYuNXTvAaIUVEmgg

innLYKFOhrwgTaj

Ning Rushen replied calmly, “We’re here to sign… a contract.”cICYTrCgBWEVKRSjzknXGzbzjWlXlK

oiHSrpJOxDuAagE

The bandits seemed to have received some kind of order and turned to report inside.LxuAunZIypTSUdPifsSFHolKCVoZrG

YuTCzPOlerZvCOT

Soon, there was a commotion from within.vCgWMgxPomjZsRajjtIaWjTSAXmIkM

YgflMYMmLpLcwKG

Ning Rushen stood at the entrance, peeking in, his heart pounding with both anxiety and excitement:OzLYeSVZuVmRNpDReDpPFGegfratwy

FnxvhexMyUFaOTk

Could it be someone from my hometown? I wonder what they’re like.KPJytFTjbfvrvTLBADLuCpHANYBYPl

aeYDGyhtBmXgyee

As his thoughts raced, a group of people approached.GefZFsEBguZmGSkuiztKpSvODBkZSw

oQQlyFJixdjFGSu

The leader was a tall, handsome man with a healthy tan, dressed in a practical short robe, his features relaxed—likely the leader of the stronghold.tdIXNTdpvChpIPlRZXjHeHqyfjhmSB

iMUNBOeYJAEMBnL

Behind him followed a group of bandits.AiDplOpsJtEskGirYIBEcioJdBBGPw

EbxlXykRdqkqNjm

As Ning Rushen observed him, the man walked up to him, “Are you the court official here to sign the contract?”SWagJxZygYNTWquZrgHgZfWPSfRjcR

tuOFPVrLLrfvUtO

Ning Rushen looked at him and nodded.uFPgNDmsQnSLwVpcUyXwjrUsITkOSR

eVXYcWQKoUilAul

Before he could say more, the man suddenly raised his hand: With a rustle, the bandits quickly moved to either side, staring at them menacingly.EccBkrRyXVvUShTzLcedCgxkINwZJo

fXuuEmpuFbfoGrz

“Come in and talk.”ilCQzNGPjOCVJLWCKeeoJZFPGnNqeZ

IDJWAqTtejlsMrK

The glint of blades made Ning Rushen’s hair stand on end.fgOvyIZVDcmwYQplNNtJbRnCNGKwBU

gsINQYXRCphTEqb

—What’s going on! This fellow is so fierce!kDsejSUMUPFGUiwPglJdZSLaLtfjBC

OScrbsbQIFebXvn

The leader had already turned and walked inside.gFecyhmOYTXnQJwhCoZGJptLTGNSjX

ncpeiCupukrVaKp

The personal guards, seeing this, also drew their swords, standing protectively around Ning Rushen, “Minister, let’s go.”qcnEPXsKojKJNeOPbXBdSqMvRJbFXk

XuaRlVDnCnMLKCn

Ning Rushen swallowed the words he had prepared for the reunion.ymyPcndNwrISAzdqppAZKbsEbRdwbN

jizaXaafZRKweXR

In the tense atmosphere, he slowly suppressed his excitement and carefully walked in, thinking to himself:UzvAJQBAYGmgvImzGKTbgDokdlBGOw

yjcQGzCHTFSrJmB

Is my fellow always this imposing?JhzGhjuCKjGTpDMdTHCEBaDocajjDd

MKnADeiqToAYrpf

Or is it because he doesn’t trust us? Or does he have other plans, intending to wipe us out?mCGNXqhhjnTVTojNEryIXhdZMXhAuw

nDyjgKfuMCRAYsu

He pressed a hand to his chest, deciding to remain calm and probe further as the situation unfolded.JHmHsNOwpzDWCyGhOCidhfbQJkJKqQ

jkDYjAyJZGnfPAH

…zVJwsKOdkwKAQsOVlCeKevAIhjXRLb

rKNjevjODATDkjB

They followed the leader into the stronghold.NSmvtaqwQUuGrTlEAWVaBQYiIMNehg

srJkcYQhZgiCqKn

The surroundings were filled with simple houses made of earth bricks and straw, with basic wooden boards and stone tables as furnishings, and weapons like spears and arrows hanging everywhere.pILdlRHKPLvpzlQsUexQYFpCYZCpEB

HrVdXQbjqquthwb

In the center was a flat open area.CNAiIebYXnbbslXoGYUSrIAapIvBGv

vDYeQhMNgegomRK

A clean wooden table was set up in the middle.oDEyhPSBrhFVeYTbYbjEctmObUanaj

dmdzSlSaGvAjYkm

The leader walked over and sat down at the table with a commanding presence, patting the edge of the table, “Sit.”kKiITAUfUuSyGVDYyCfJenfdgrfzPR

xLdrCSaCZccrTlj

Ning Rushen composed himself and sat down.nJzRSynUuhyeqdaanQRtbPhdYTQVVX

vCZrgDWmTaMsvBm

As he got closer, the man’s features became clearer.fgTKViUFwKFWWSahedFDElVBnDpony

wfCjvTqnyUlKSsW

At first glance, he was strikingly handsome.wTlUCFKYZhTbDWShGVteaUbjwlMojb

REXwXpJXZgRNINx

But upon closer inspection, his bright and lively eyes were familiar, revealing a certain clarity of… foolishness…KTIcNehPyLvKxsfrjmeLFQFDuxKIZV

FAHYBkjwQRybgxy

Ning Rushen sighed softly: Could it be that, like me, he’s also a college student?prZnCTZerHJRbFkgKtKSZkxLpADZvv

FWYlLIMTuRYsGTb

Ahem. The man cleared his throat, “I’m the leader here. Are you the court official here to sign the contract?”MNRpeJVrGcaJGvtgcHWUkxUgDdikXS

pFTdqNTddRyRXBn

Ning Rushen nodded, “Yes.”DCzqKFRhiwqkxakGslVFiWYiRIEPMS

pPoTHeQPSYAAfkd

The man looked skeptical, “Are you sincere about pacification? You’re not planning to trick us into coming down and arresting us, are you?”lJsPiXdSQLusFdCYPOIQHUQjcsWqOm

tkwINLuQSmApeWL

“No, we’re here in good faith.”AyXbAGExBZabJoiIVdIRReBMCICRwr

AePpnhJpWcEcwCW

He handed over his official seal as proof of identity.AcLotfatHNoaratttlemZOYJeOfFXL

HWeHWidbtIoKiHS

“You’re quite straightforward.” The leader took it, “The court hadn’t responded before, so I thought you weren’t interested.”lhgyTHWjWpELsmHxUfLIoZVYEwXONx

DnAOlgEtwaInVkr

Ning Rushen: …pVqMWODPcBFETCvBrvZBiQHjzYLWIh

gxNUWGAeRiWmFAu

That’s because no one knew what a “contract” was.SPnmhmfIFkHlQFsDWJbvcaSOtVSGAE

mPdqNoTkVsWEsLF

Thinking of this, his heart began to stir again.gOaUmJxpPWGmMDyKkxrkVzgHHHJlEz

dJPoCiOztnRAFfQ

While the leader was examining the seal, Ning Rushen carefully studied his expression, “Can I ask you a question?”eoPlgWdohGlvJrxUoeeYhWyLVJVRfl

sZxtZQiZcwmyjvl

“What?”WJPCguvjYTbZdtvxOMpsBDAFGzxAPi

HAolzClosmrkKGN

“How much is a shirt?”REGvUfMjXhHBYazsocurzfbFmJDIEv

bNsGvmFEoHUSUua

The man was startled and blurted out, “Nine pounds fifteen pence.”mbUajTzjyLlKsFfKxUsqfLJgQCNqdp

zdjCWDhbQcMivst

Holy cow! Ning Rushen matched the code, his excitement surging: It’s him!lzgQnMOtYxDcIDaaxmScRbNNcbtrGC

QJfxHHzMXNTmocv

Before he could say anything, the man’s gaze fell on the seal, and he suddenly froze—his hand holding the seal trembled, and he looked up abruptly!jTdNMmLTFMKIjZQsTRnGixtacKWepr

kktIDuLfdaqznYH

His eyes flickered with a similar mix of caution and curiosity:MqRQGCJsjcxumvPTaYQYoIepYcCSja

MAKoIyUIMrhtxRc

“You… can you bring me a bowl of five-grain fish noodles?”rULcBxEfeuzjqFCxmquJXBscTShgHi

HhbgABvdpfAaihZ

“?”qXjUbLZyVttXaQhsqXGpLkjOWgKxfY

hoBxaLAdjeTbJXM

Ning Rushen’s thoughts came to a halt, his eyes widening: What!?hQpFLFTstFhXaCaiwMguDllZfOVyod

JRwJWalXYYQaoIj

The table fell silent for a moment, and as their gazes met, they both dropped their pretenses. Ning Rushen finally couldn’t hold back and stood up, “Erkang—!”YlYblQjQFENbksxJxrxdUsIoxpKskH

uFNNZIrYSXnhalT

Sun Shaoyong’s excited expression froze, and he slammed the table in anger:wWygbTaIsnjRxHtONvMaKZnAnLmgSR

GQtpamBuqEBJZLQ

“…Who the hell is Erkang!!!”grhukUPqJMBHskxRYvpsADzzwpItop

gdYLqlvJiPJZPoE

·BVFdGiITIVooWsRPbNCXQielkKbCUS

zqpOWrtmHbwbWTX

A roar echoed through the mountains.plllXcwhPAYjJrZtUXcfZUwaXSIjJM

pnYQjWyFWcZuWxg

Sun Shaoyong was about to curse but stopped himself, ultimately overwhelmed by the thrill of the reunion. He grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm and shook it vigorously, “Hey! Rushen, Rushen…!”xaGlnOJZgCgcVmQUuGyXYsbDytqIVV

ASzxgyctEanLoKC

As if remembering something, tears welled up in his eyes.kTJNmHNMCHwenyMSJzwbMKmRvmEVrC

aUFKJliahSALLoA

Ning Rushen was also brimming with excitement, “Sun Kang!”RZEbCLKkTXMKXFkvfgCkRLjpWBaCRR

rJiyKcMwyzWwwIn

The two of them gazed at each other tearfully for a moment before realizing the surroundings had grown quiet. The bandits and the guards were all staring at them, puzzled.DXootpLBhikGqOYPbKNdrdZgXJeXLK

hqgKOypcwfWHrro

Sun Shaoyong quickly waved his hand, “Everyone, disperse.”KoLdvXXqbNzlBIKpyrfqrtOMUmopDa

PqeUZlpDtvwiLBC

Ning Rushen also turned and instructed, “You all may leave now. I need to have a private talk with the leader.”IxbrKWfqfKxhiisakCzFGiysiWimSI

ydaXLNIfZyGeqVC

Shi Yi blinked, a thoughtful look in his eyes as he led the guards away.xQWioSaoRoYpOyTWMkJgoPDfsAHXAU

EcoMauVtekbZkJk

Once everyone else was gone.rhbvkGRVKzxOvKkvvMmigCFxwcrDGA

qsXxRFXuWEcFMdk

The two of them finally relaxed, slumping into their seats.MNskaTgGmHrYVfNDsLKVfdYZHUBPOB

oiLmcyLcIBWDyws

Ning Rushen, “You still love your fish noodles so much.”QgAsMCvetapLnmIGBNEbvpuhKZwWTD

oMuMuoXBPGxdhCF

Sun Shaoyong, “Cheap and filling.”jruPjEYYDRTaCLiHqkVhandkCwBkPT

YyPYkQcTsnvwLGE

Ning Rushen gazed at the sky for a moment, then suddenly remembered the intimidating display earlier and kicked the man, “What was with the grand entrance? Trying to scare… make me rich!?”zjCwiBoOnFVIgHIkwUaXshjtzTNbjL

CLYufRSTVIbYJaZ

Sun Shaoyong was equally frustrated, “You brought so many soldiers, I was scared too!”TzYUmrkaiuWOFtAgWLfqMUvOXWtxwb

ghLhNhFtJNuaJqL

“…”PzBoBNeUlXCaZmNExVWeaWdOVJKsWo

FCtnRjkGbAMCIlv

“…”wbscrWfuhHZiwrdBRWtSqFzryuhAKj

fypimJDYglNrQVz

The two of them stared at each other in silence for a moment, then let it go.cjKhzBSxtiGOodQTJCaqnWEoesdrKf

qoJcyIXWkOMJTTP

Ning Rushen asked, “What’s your story? How long have you been here?”rRDIBtduMBJktRKbfEIEThqQmdhggg

gEDnZZYWudJdidt

“About two months.”LDvXBecfUaZyGDyjTBOHqkXrWZALCf

EzpTnLPWVwaodFx

That would be around the time Li Wuting led the expedition himself.VlgidkGbLBOhdAFwzYNHxtJGYJGnaK

XKnUNiNGoUWkPrM

No wonder the bandits in Yaojin quieted down then—it was because a socialist successor had arrived.pyHGiFVhOuWYVJsNiQHMiCTijrsspM

FKCwRyxKETncoiO

Ning Rushen sighed, “How did you convince this group to accept pacification?”tqRlnvpurhjUhPPTQHjddLkdyXCgRG

dFplBQKLeSctIwB

Sun Shaoyong, “Taught them two months of ideological education.”AqMkqPrroRNzKpxewPtKMRYbNtCuVM

lnEejgGdcCkSHMF

Ning Rushen, “…” As expected of the school committee.FlomAEbnCobnysFCWqVWmWmTNhpTcK

SAcqBwTcVRfOuFX

He looked at the man with respect, then heard Sun Shaoyong ask, “How long have you been here? How did you end up here?”xjdTVqEVzxIcGHLxoSxYEVSwRNvHdC

mXWRTIqXHbuPoub

“About ten months.”VUKoNOjyxIbchsqfQvTEYvogEmJsKI

cdZiwWhRbgiPOGE

Ning Rushen tucked his sleeves in as he recalled, “I just tripped on the stairs, and when I woke up, I was here. What about you?”KfFNWtKkCRAmkowsBaKrfPykcHGaYA

UOapjZKvxpNcrjp

“Well, isn’t this a coincidence!” Sun Shaoyong clapped his hands, “After you fell, I carried you to the infirmary, but I missed a step and tripped too!”XnxredfkIhBcBzVXYHoAKuaHUpXzUk

BMqGBOfmCURLWmr

Ning Rushen, “…”GENCDstSqWVIEGmgxfJStWwFFCbKnM

CmTiUdAnrXQBxRE

Such identical falls…tnMotsmbKIhbFSteNiwdNZxkhRUnfB

tnVsikkhmJRonlb

Wait, does that mean I got hit again?PFoRQmbCTblgAVnTmkyFvzVnpidjSd

FpZVGsBVGammQiy

He moistened his lips and silently looked at Sun Shaoyong.BpYaglBCsgTZLJNIHclSuYVsWpxfcc

YWriUXNjVsRgKEa

Sun Shaoyong, having excitedly finished his story, also realized the issue and fell silent.pIqZVtnHxSSmJdhhZzCcZDEsAosSXU

WxLjFZpymyLhaHZ

After a moment, he awkwardly changed the subject, “Anyway… we both fell.”DZpLDJCGumrqHQBPbcaJTzQyFcbCRS

cjbwcfZPsVWHBYQ

Ning Rushen sighed, about to ask more when his thoughts suddenly paused, “How long after my fall did you fall?”rEHOCyEbBBZDlPiJMniSuuLOzDRHNH

wPmSUUhVDwoxHkL

“Hmm… about half a minute?”KuTavjCfjHKRojziYQnNhGesDCTELs

iIFNbRMtdLxbxrd

Half a minute, roughly six months later than me.nMvVwAYeNEowoJoYiaSqItXLqABxTx

lSuNmpLrekMzGzc

Ning Rushen’s heart stirred: Is it a coincidence?pueQpCYWIulcoWGJLylyrphNLjHnYL

xdlbmCdOOfDqzvT

Or is the time flow between these two worlds proportional?kMwcVvgdFQrLRaQjYMOOydQdExIYrn

twpJSxqIUXjgcSd

But with only him and Sun Shaoyong here, it’s probably impossible to verify.eNdViHVPCzFoMyKlegUwdhcastDVUv

fFiljxXmDoFPhqD

As he pondered, Sun Shaoyong suddenly slapped the table, interrupting him.ZHHbBHQXyiWzpEdrXSNnfYUZiJIszx

SzATNnCKgPmhFec

“Hey, weren’t you here to pacify us?”dKDSQIZSnzMmjMWlcfNQQKVJgqyGkG

zEmelihZRMDPuqk

Sun Shaoyong looked around with a sigh, “Since it’s you, I feel better about it. Let’s get this over with. This little shack is really…”jvTtgQtMQjFJCQZKrDUAEYymhZlLCo

IKNzsOsoDvfUgUg

Ning Rushen glanced around, “It’s quite poetic.”OpRhqzydycHYOUIiGQfsIeiPtvPmBq

VbIasKAuVHZTGdD

“Where’s the poetry in this!?”ZDlGEqFyvRCjyzovLiPBFlWHunWgSP

jGicrelGcLaOsoo

“Like ‘The Song of the Cottage Broken by the Autumn Wind.'”kdFKvvOumRMJWTnPFtpGGCaGtHqsau

uzVOicotZOzXJMf

“…”SwRnBgVjGTobslFomEqzbBanqfwiSR

VmQnDnBwMdTAyVD

A bit poetic, but not much. Sun Shaoyong wiped away a tear of bitterness and looked at him, “You must be doing well, huh? What have you been up to as a court official?”HOHLdcvNyszfjAHNaYEDUkDRJYPNUe

JziSJKOqfBUVlXq

Ning Rushen thought back, “Just attending court, going to the Ministry of Rites, the Grand Secretariat, and the imperial presence on rotation. Went on a mission to the border, took a stroll through the enemy camp, and came back. Got a big mansion as a reward, and now…”LcLkTTEOzPcazaYBWkerprNEdYiqxw

MviUsYDGvmmGSNM

He suddenly stopped.QlIMJxFYvNayjbASXkfaHXdKRkUIAA

cwcKrInwuouEgBL

Li Wuting’s face flashed through his mind.UJEjpVpKsrFBmIyMzgkEGHpzjbFknM

NMCssnQdjVtbfVn

Ning Rushen’s heart raced: Now, he’s in a relationship with the emperor…VCYgBkduiqipFOKVhKiXUouoyqEqTE

loBBDoRhztfJpHR

“Huh?” Sun Shaoyong had been listening with bated breath but suddenly noticed Ning Rushen’s pause, his gaze drifting, his face flushing slightly with a hint of springtime joy. His radar instantly went off—BaqXeylPMQiCiQMnrsDDBrtOinXOhd

LQWYdURhrhahyGc

“You… you’re not in a relationship, are you?”IXXOkkaKZHZOoWYbIxfieyOfywFMmn

xzeVqNVloOcUalr

Ning Rushen was startled by his sharpness, pursed his lips, and averted his eyes, his ears turning red.DipFvfBtiicxaRDSRtazrtLJcPRLat

BWdWJZdBQoVmDaB

Sun Shaoyong was dumbfounded, “Holy…!?”WKUIdjDQuFNnVjYYrmvCkSWEsmNJlD

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He pulled Ning Rushen back, “You’re really in a relationship? Wait, at your age in ancient times… you’re not already married, are you!?”LPYMIuBBliJeEaCTVsbYgUYtyYlABi

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Ning Rushen covered his ears, his face red, “Well…”SnAmdhyZgVXsAlFojdIhdGtaMLbxxj

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He’d already addressed the emperor’s mother as “Imperial Mother,” so in a way, he was married, right?zyjcLYbFWOFHjZrfbcaPQdoqECPpQM

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“Holy cow, you got married young!”lEjFQMgKRPjKLXshVsIGehBfFtTkDx

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Sun Shaoyong was shocked for a moment, then eagerly probed, “What’s she like? Let me see~”ZHVTcEYEpwWoIvbykuxhNvztCIYNor

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Ning Rushen looked at him, “Are you sure you want to see?”kqbGZmvgWhaQPqErpUnxwtwYPDsxCM

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Sun Shaoyong nodded excitedly, “Yes, yes!”WXbJaOmXzZdANkiKgHxjcibVzpaAgr

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Ning Rushen smiled sweetly, “Then pack your things, I’ll take you to meet him.”KskAhDvtHjxWMMnGpmwNrKzkkFZjsL

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