Chapter 33
Ning Rushen’s fallen inner garment had been adjusted, covering that frost-white area, and his crimson outer robe was tightly secured.WpMsycRoNiVGsXyowRVOFdCWmCQEyH
dhOtKCogBISgxiXLi Wuting scooped him up by the waist and placed him on the nearby low couch. “Open the window, summon the imperial physician.”wQwhZMUJQrEcjQjRiArvbBwIcPPoya
vJbTBatQwikqjevAs Ning Rushen was placed on the couch, he seemed to stir. He groaned uncomfortably and reached out, grabbing Li Wuting’s belt.IPxsAGAUSpAHWMRZgIehlTIAGwlJWw
WexmNnsSKoueYjHHe looked at those weak fingers, tried to pry them off twice without success, and had to sit sideways on the couch, allowing Ning Rushen to lean weakly against him.aHZwZSIDIOlpHKgOSSywWKYcwwyRSG
zMyPgTwkPQamzNTThen came Li Yingtang, who had heard the news: “What happened to Lord Ning——”NFdNpRbNVtskcLigraPMPAuXaPiLQX
MzWHLZKkrEvrKImLi Wuting glanced at him, frowning, “Lower your voice.”YNoEPzxeFGoNvREbwrPPJXbGPVNrLV
VUJewwTNtgwrXDK“Your Majesty.” The imperial physician took two steps forward and saw Ning Rushen almost entirely leaning into the emperor’s arms. He immediately took over, “Let this humble servant handle it…”JQjBwalKzlqHlAibbotIMzcJtYZLfB
oXzPKUcrFIBQiNa“No need,” Li Wuting said flatly, “Diagnose like this.”havXHNvGJUDdvRTRKewcWAilZxNjxm
bnkhxCrrNtJQnGrAfter a moment, the physician finished taking the pulse, “Allow this humble servant to administer an acupuncture.”AjaRqySxXbSskoIJvwRTemJXiwtmAQ
BIxEWiNKizUBNKyNing Rushen was in a daze, falling into a stupor.mozfpQsfmMmlwzHuWyZerXYRuLdkxQ
JhdgVYlEDRlUFEeHe felt like he was lying in a comfortable nest and couldn’t help but nuzzle with his head.nbsCkdWYRZoLgwaSkjPrpbImFzJUXT
GRHyNcmaqutDDOzJust as he was nuzzling, there was a slight tremor below.MybrUGkuGHTJBdLAxwIbwjQZllktAt
ExkVTkccgVHpddnImmediately after, he was firmly restrained, “Administer the acupuncture.”LazJZKIwqBkXCEwFUTvXfqtsHRxeDm
VAoxVCVkSAJqjhqThe next moment, a sharp pain came from his hand! Ning Rushen shuddered violently, “Mm…”IQvebdaNWtICxTKdaVtOjTSnFRfzhW
qbbTKqCNgyPLShUHis consciousness was pulled back a bit, and he vaguely heard fragmented voices beside him.QcdDUwDxeGAIaELryvJOaJrfNdwYaB
sEKLgjxsugZSGxzA steady, cold voice sounded above, “How is he?”LlGRleQFchRkzeOBzrNpuIwSMwQHDC
kvevUcfFLCAUtqVAnother voice, cautious, “Lord Ning… took medicine. Hundred folds incense… conflict, causing mild dizziness. But the lord is more sensitive, so…”qGVZxjqRUyhMhvuECoOBMIWHvGNFvp
rJBLdUXPLaKNdMs“More sensitive?”NCDVUaFpRFnBuPzLMJfNIJuhYZAjpB
vBXQsEcwpuOBJGh“Yes… it’s not a physical issue… perhaps a psychological influence.”KNoywlTOZRIYzYoDqMpORQYvQhHnFp
VtZItEJdCyrnUllThe conversation in the mist ended.coVziPPPvLejACDWBqlYFUjLIQtrbz
RYHlTeOEuTxeTIuThe physician said he needed to administer more acupuncture. Li Wuting paused, then raised his eyes, “De Quan stays, everyone else out.”OVibNUBwVxjAtiVwvEQcphUFNEIAZE
NoRvfwrSuLTplBE“——Including you, elder brother.”IDhIUvMGlVpOmgpsFYJCKWqQsZBxvc
rUfeXkcwgCiiChnLi Yingtang, “…”GDGCFEAWQNgNfEkVfZjqWebtyYZbvt
iLrhkWxuHhTDfABThe people in the hall scattered with a clatter.xNGnDJlSxvcmuutxXjIlkUoNjBzoQA
QoZsuYTspTRJRgeNing Rushen felt a cold wind blowing in, followed by a hand stripping his clothes. He shivered from the cold and instinctively moaned softly, burrowing into the nearby heat source, “Mm…”VyFvlUTwSATCxLjqBXoXJwsiUnHXCf
sLZvvUjCWHLxqHuHis hair fell down, wrapping around a firm arm.TGABppGOHAUSOyFMIMsCWTxHFcWWZo
xPtrqZidwwWuDdoThe hand pressed him again, “Stop squirming, do you want the needle to go wrong?”ATUlebQffYIZYSrMDnVXOOHRkRyMMi
bkGxYCELWkypuYONing Rushen whimpered in his throat.nLdNihmoyqpdkbrYZlLgNBXEChKMhv
TysXYpQzJPKlCeDA series of fine pricking sensations quickly followed.odersBQlnTRUkEYnuwteiFBheCJdYW
MPFlapRFkGhouAvAs the silver needles fell, his body alternated between hot and cold. Sometimes he turned his head to avoid the heat source in front of him, other times he pressed his face against it, nuzzling.EVYMUFzEYRsMIBkOCAxbIXKRpvxQlZ
mzcUnzJsJnrzepaThen he was grabbed by the back of the neck.hjQvytymYGUdvhSsNewFgHeSWlfNDH
ELWBwjIgSUAGdFtA rough thumb pressed against the tender flesh of his neck.VEVxOQLrbLvhSduHXVVbPVfhdbwKLd
YOVETlPOaOoclJy“Mm…” Ning Rushen trembled, finally calming down.USwTkXUAsRQNqjdbGtSTeKiEKYCxHa
OhDFozOdfQUjwgJ·YumyYDtbTxAcSfLvhAtxtKOSXaFLwe
lnbHixnHVdmTEQHIn the side hall, Ning Rushen quieted down.ehYmKTAXsXNYkzVUMkKSityXfIMOjf
YcNlZIKGALXSPeLThe physician, however, was sweating profusely, not daring to glance around recklessly.dtFDoauYqEpekAHhWinqTtrNlIehdw
RTuLWfoMjjaXQExIn front of the low couch, the emperor’s always neat dragon robe was now disheveled, and his once tightly tied belt was now loosened.QuqNeeeyHpuLfBpamMRlYCgJjjOjSZ
lXmvfLZBqkZZugFThe person in his arms was unconscious, with scattered black hair spread across the emperor’s knee. His slender neck was completely covered by a powerful hand, leading down to a trembling snow-white shoulder and back.LhlZjOigALIQbtIhXNdqsRvcLJNXWx
StneYkhIeLauoLzThe crimson outer robe had fallen to his waist, the sleeve cuffs wrapped around his arm, piled on the bright yellow knee.ByGLiiJyqUjGgoAYoIWTIegzMZHMaf
FQaaxjZOBGZOXCeThe physician, sweating, finished the acupuncture, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, we must wait about half an hour before removing the needles.”YvgLwpxxbvaNRPrYvSbgawacSxvvng
PVYucJBbUAppZST“I understand.”cHsvfnNurFRXrDiPEweLkqInvZFnSJ
rmyLKVjaSBZlffYLi Wuting averted his gaze, his scorching palm motionless on the waist.EdcwHXbHmTSJFYCnHqcAPcdwuzNNmU
NezysmKPwyVOaUB……ayteJtKlRfauxsEkRqlESctHsvWfvU
UGoPxvbfWUAMEUcWhen Ning Rushen opened his eyes from the dizziness, he found himself lying flat on the low couch.RXKfZVhtGSfIncvESWcjORODbEXvVO
VrnRKyFwQUkpcwzIn his sight was Li Wuting’s cold, handsome face.yeRnTFNpgQvlkwDwuMvxUfswrYzqmN
cQkuHVFyDUcQWNbA lingering faint fragrance seemed to hover at his nose, and he mumbled incoherently, “Your Majesty, am I turning into a butterfly to fly away?”GzAHnZqiEghEBHNKkJPhiiWJwsXffd
BXKTpDbgSlJkkEn“……What nonsense are you saying?”vpVsIGQPGPRwRTDbinoNCNihItJubv
FyqpxDGSGCPFslQ“But I feel so light.”lfJnkRLreZfbHsuEcLyUtBAqaQnXqY
BLEneYhnkuJkzghLi Wuting turned his head and ordered, “Administer two more needles.”zSHsUOzfRzTeheIreRXGVLWnJOkyko
uuYNIjnHrMTzwOPNing Rushen shivered and instantly woke up, “Ah, I think I’m back now.”IKyhZfUjTubbJxjbLRDMtvQeDfcuzv
fAKBhqDLEzrEQgbLi Wuting chuckled softly, “Heh.”RLaCIqNRteHjHxCyLqwXRcJcyDjgQx
iWbZPQUaBRZsNsGSeeing him awake, the physician retreated.sxNCVXrOSDpazFddjCpMsPdQGFtOMX
fCDKwFDpGQcIyEFNing Rushen propped himself up and noticed his clothes were neatly arranged. He touched his collar: it was probably some young attendant who dressed him while he was unconscious.GuJBSVdDizfbVRZOCloLpeSjYDsgvg
YDyWupmMGOQJuBpIt was quite tight.QWwhraHuUSrrGVoWvddTIyRvunClrW
qCeDvECySdgTwKEA voice suddenly came from the front, “What’s wrong?”ImwDvDoApDTaIwfHGSsERVbkGBOGWh
tvkTKRVMPNXgiMC“Nothing…” Ning Rushen regained his composure and asked, “Your Majesty, what happened to me?”DGxVmYPdgdoGzlHsGvyhbwNPAZfFwN
RFiqqtGsFLiTZziLi Wuting said, “There was an ingredient in your medicinal treatment that conflicted with the incense.”OsWxPasMxtcpLmTChktEVrvfZuAUPb
fLfBSQNSfcEBdxTNing Rushen opened his mouth.VBlInMWJpIYEObCCbdbcstqwXvykZC
FIRUsoVVvyyVjltAfter a moment, he pretended to be upset, “Ah! I knew I shouldn’t have taken that medicine.”fWoaoyurtUMzXNmvCAHqKgmozBLhwb
ErjjDbOKpLcfQcgLi Wuting met his gaze, closing his mouth skillfully, “You shouldn’t have, so I had the physician prescribe new medicine for you.”TFRowBqQVDTdTJGdmGZhpOZiAdVjXe
nMFuWkyQlSMkEKLNing Rushen’s lips trembled:…GgaIJEOrLoFZbzuPADJBdQaIAOAVZB
uijYirfypqhSPuvThen tears welled up a bit, “You are truly too kind.”nBBiNIaLiqVcxjuqLuDbvGdDEKZZko
BdXqsdoucpfsKuFLi Wuting accepted the compliment with a smile, “Heh…”lHMjpzRWIMXLktjHNnhRKwoGnJIhDl
bxZXRkKrdyRFgluAt this moment, Ning Rushen’s face was still somewhat pale, with tear-filled eyes and a sickly flush at the corners.krxkyoekSYigTqcaxTOVfjDZkBhBEW
altUZRSUCmRpfabHe looked oddly pitiful.OGksCMZwseXZZbyfYnwZMHSYSIhWsB
CvTPhYMzuKXNIQbLi Wuting’s gaze lingered for two seconds, “Alright, get some rest.”VUfKBosiABYTtNRHEeYInMfxnmfSym
WUlITtbPvUxbEwrAfter saying that, he turned and left the hall.ewnvcMHureyAPrvqwNujfvfjZZhwST
AAtETpahaIZIyfi…koOrRwIOaXBNyBIVlxdsaiwUCxfyxS
mtUSPgASxDjCoyiOutside the hall door, Li Wuting said calmly, “That type of incense will no longer be used in the palace.”QbNLviIDcLsqkHLYorBNYWPEOdqRpk
JRmotzLYhdeuIxuDe Quan understood and bowed, “Yes, Your Majesty.”fSQxVFUHJZlpvmtdlaTyRfdVQzPfMH
IIwXPGPfxLkxVexLi Yingtang was still waiting outside, “How is Lord Ning? Can I go in and see him now? I won’t see anything inappropriate, right?”iNssrgwgDEQDJOnDtjlJbgJsqZyxJT
ZoPAXhMmUsfawyYLi Wuting glanced at him, “What do you think is inappropriate to see?”WtBISKxgsjzYpzfJJywuGPYYNgMPxH
bAUgHHHHlmaZAchLi Yingtang quickly slipped away, “Nothing, nothing.”faFcSJGlpQsaorvRKgIaCcwaddLujy
jFHnHnqeUtKgtTlInside the hall, Ning Rushen was leaning on the couch, lost in thought.uAsEPyKarERwByFqrDRjMsEdXGKvVV
OuySZfsOPxtYrOOHe felt desolate: those needles from the physician were so ruthless, could the prescribed medicine be anything but bitter?TyfXvsCyBYdWGTDKkNnHFidzRqlLOG
ihvrkniMZtxCxpdWhile he was wallowing in self-pity, Prince Xuan slipped in, “Lord Ning, how are you feeling?”eJYtjIFeEdsXATsBwfNkpHiPrdneQd
gVJQhwwJzaSpxGQNing Rushen weakly said, “I feel completely drained.”qFqBgAwtxicflrPNhDmqyXWtkLZsVM
mwySPIoPHSAlybQ“Oh no!” Li Yingtang was immediately distressed, “You must take good care of yourself, otherwise, how can your body withstand such—”pjiriwDXccCziIpEHYgRJuqJLqGtoa
FWMqrOnYYIYKzoQNing Rushen snapped out of it, “Withstand what?”qlBupwODqCZFNtfpwOuMRDhsJwVjum
qsOFWBAAdfHOPziLi Yingtang hesitated, “…Day and night toil.”qJCpsoEVRCLpPYNHioHBDivIFryAnz
mSdCuKRGAxtmvKbNing Rushen reassured, “You worry too much, Your Highness.”aXaUEBAodcWoFvIjObBwMqIgIQsJDu
OqxQcRycxRGZxGlWhen had he ever toiled?SeWkUsTIUDIkefYnzlQYrLKoFUYlPC
pgZsobppZSijDYfLi Yingtang, “…”BEsdJGqpFIHATmNHTgHTgUhaDzaggp
UFEqmPBXpMiayHcThe two exchanged glances for a moment, then tacitly changed the subject.UqzEfjzInfLjMWdebGvCrRRbVwhbOr
rkIDzFAMRMZKjUWNing Rushen said, “Speaking of which, the physician’s skills are indeed remarkable. To deduce the cause of my poisoning from the incense.”OSAEddQdCXdFfjXlyFPuwCWgJeFkcF
WTBfbQfPQKSHoLl“Oh, that.” Li Yingtang recalled, “When I followed the physician in, the incense burner was already extinguished, it should have been the emperor who put it out.”mEahycaIdxAqXNpcAfvQkHnWqFdBMh
FRXQiKHicIQiiSxNing Rushen: ?XXdMxJBNKLqvzYLIemPvWwXoXKnTgS
JHvDVRrCtNSqFiO“How did the emperor know it was the incense?”czOxJlOLFpmCFWzQTdwNhehGtMFuvO
wGZzEooXsjcZnxBLi Yingtang lowered his gaze and smiled wryly, “How do you think the emperor navigated the struggle for the throne to get to where he is now… He can sense any potential danger more keenly than anyone.”soTkvkyZaYSIMNJoOowsYWsdGXbyAk
IsrDpuzttbMpYuCNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly recalling what Jing Yu said:qNClTlFlfQbWAcdLtwEczhUblAKVhB
wEvVJGDibshmXzoIn the past, elder brother was in a difficult position. He had to protect me, second brother, and Noble Consort Shu, while also guarding against those around him.omotMzBCEEuolGOmyLWRjifIOoMQIT
xxzUcKZYvVRrKWDHe muttered a couple of acknowledgments.YyddVESWSGitiOHoDelfUzoLJcTrmp
UBvuwDHcvRquPNHAs soon as he finished, a wave of nausea surged up. Ning Rushen leaned over the side of the couch, “Er——”qzRkHmvbKwuMdGARbFFDtIxKUHnYCr
GumfjAOyptlmmwKLi Yingtang, “…”OZtjqCZdcCFqQdYLlNHNrPkuIXEIgr
fnhkCRaBoOVCLzeHe timely excused himself, “Alright, you rest.”QpCgVOJMIDtlnCMDLQMcqryLIbIvHP
GZTHDrRXbqLrUQABefore leaving, he suddenly paused and turned back to Ning Rushen, “Oh right, from the time you were found until you woke up, it was the emperor who took care of you.”ZoFIGgHESdRVSFMHjjRZpGAFnFwZBM
vDAEWAsPcggKZqT“Never left it to anyone else.”rpkxpOYzJDgpInsdNJLawDRNcKFtHI
xIsxPXlYJaIkFHz……Is it Your Majesty? Ning Rushen wanted to think it over, but his dizzy mind couldn’t handle it.oiwqXKpIdfhGFyGBAUfQrtkmPYdUtJ
bVpqGJjSaLgMyseAs soon as King Xuan left the hall, Ning Rushen fell asleep.WsKWVYFwfdiimOJjPrIgLcqBOzkgHv
AlnYXxPvHgxlDQdHe slept for about half an hour.tviWoMJlidgFlXHVlbHZuGHCaiyqLu
MESmnxUYuBYraohWhen Ning Rushen woke up, he rubbed his head and prepared to resign from Li Wuting.ALbDrnpgocWieDmfRlxtqlAqEPSAxT
gyafYDSDOKlcUYoAs he stepped out of the hall, he saw Xiao Rongzi waiting outside.wdroCYdiqdkVNspHlzcRPcNMAOPBFA
rMGNsbtneIyJmOUXiao Rongzi smiled, “Master Ning, His Majesty is discussing matters with King Xuan. He said when you wake up, there’s no need to resign, and I should escort you out of the palace.”DqchJMICGTLIXssDbVQiUFMyCffXQM
bkZsmpOiDXLUYeZNing Rushen thanked him and followed him out.VRlUTHBHLnQpCgnTpITTXHpbEdDxsF
KKgTOmEDvQmrjxe…eIHkAjDFANEFpjTzFvcnAnANviYgpC
gWJOJvOFwBtGVYLBack at his residence, the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital had already been delivered, with large packages piled up in the yard.nCRjogGaljuIRjKqygjgGYAWyPbfXj
qhICLFiTMbODuIrNing Rushen’s steps faltered slightly as he entered.KkdMlWoWlPaZPxOERqOkNzjySFEFpa
QkCxtmNfJuqOQriYuan Liu was shocked, “Sir, where have you been!”eGGLCvVzErvCxrjTNNypaVbCVvbkQg
OILkUvVMSutVIwtXing Lan babbled on, “Oh my, so much medicine, it’s enough to soak you in it.”gWuzBxrqobBSlVaecqbNBwDqjxlMLn
LrCOlsGSpLqgceINing Rushen:……iCSfDHWwsSRyHBbxiERTBLkJktuAyu
ZyLOeQdBqCmsvCeWhat, is he an Oreo?aFNykqnseEuORcKZFMsYmiyhpoHxdf
lXCKwwuGiwPGXMQHe replied separately, “In the palace. It’s unnecessary.”PzZupwYMfTpmYODXxrNcJGQStBgbLs
QuXmuYymcowIPMqThe two were still asking questions with worried expressions. On the side, Shiyi, who was always observant, began to read the situation and subtly moved.UwtoqvHtHnnuYjGsfbHPbCPagNgEWM
HOXjAWHlKeLUFLqNing Rushen waved them off, “It’s nothing, I’m going to sleep.”vYyyFrJcvRwXtwMgBYGIUfQgqpkOEd
lzBCZJqnXxHcLZAHe went into his room and closed the door.UjzOcbuBwziuiPbyUzgFVtmfIMiwzc
CozJxsPhWKPbGEHStanding by the bed, he started to take off his outer clothes.TFVqvdLYqoUbVfxHtDsJnjCNLJmdkt
pXZQqsRhYBzBsHIAs his fingers touched his collar, Ning Rushen suddenly remembered what King Xuan had said before leaving: It has always been His Majesty taking care of you, never letting anyone else do it.kGsLUccCqNgsayvlPCXPAXhVMezoYu
KSQCuZplfuQrjzY“……”ZJTzJriQPobBbAUTDjOmDaeZviodor
QQuvvoiTAknHnjQIn the dim light by the bed, he realized it.nFrRFgFsGQnvKrfLlZeKywFFRDiYBc
fvTTmTQxiGVbtdhSo, when he was lying disheveled by the bed, was it Li Wuting who helped him dress?muYALHjSGsHBoLoIxnpAWBKBSRmdzV
TRjjlQsDDzAFyuoThe thought made Ning Rushen’s back inexplicably warm.gRqDpfsUdFyRxamkkwwjQCXkthGiTt
wqmkwIskLpCMhgOHe undressed with a rustling sound, pondering: Given Li Wuting’s nature, he probably wouldn’t let him hang on the bed like a rag doll, helping him dress would be reasonable.cqDfXGyoIIixhdvuTIGDecLHfQOITF
huxTTWRPNxXZizaHe laid his finely made new clothes on the spring stool.AtiZdzrTPRuyFrzydIWxPTZnAkPwCc
uSuTBeOftjJIPWnHe paused, suddenly remembering that he had left his official robe in the palace.WrkcvDZCOViBEnkyzxPqnQucvoQpfJ
vklwHNDYqKSxvWyLuckily, there were replacements at home.tHqXsemWuitLnagTWVTTRxiboDfmSk
mrqpeOimfypUYTfAs for the one in the palace, De Quan would probably take care of it.XBQkPBGSMgHSTDASUGpWVpVwYviLcR
mUiUOjVGcOFVmko·ymbUGDXIiKtUgMekAqCWIhQHQqmxQa
TbyxAvIUGGSqjSCAfter a night of rest.mWzgqrNnNdjhkBmJerkTEoRdLurrXY
ZyLFfEkefZxdgcvThe next morning, Ning Rushen was woken up to attend court.ZuGdTTXiBEchdNgdRtkMyqGDFUrDGY
ZrjxbRUixpygoLWHe wasn’t seriously ill in the first place.bPaBPEyZhxRMQVuayVXjPQlgWtdTWA
dIVKVdAYKKNcAznThe sick leave system in Dacheng was relatively strict, and it was rare to see someone like him who was in and out of court frequently.wJjSvJcFjMjMCzCIgQgXSGNnsfquuM
KDUFaqxUsEdHMHbNing Rushen comforted himself: Who else is as dazzling as a star?xJlRYjXfAjbNJYrwgahNYZcroTKkbA
cJEjoFPZzmDLaMX…GpNkQjNlKIyKHYdBSVxGwUoJVUAyfN
eGXOsUbIAnhpJvGWhen he arrived at court, King Xuan was indeed absent.CtvBtJzuCaDdySYITYXUtwJYuXZmDT
LaJqgwGCPPjBpLfHe must have been on his way back to Jiangnan.suaBNqNBuXUfNqDRZPwXTjqCGtZHUr
WmZbXidvKyDMoDWNing Rushen sighed: He didn’t stay for King Xuan’s favorite moment at noon.paBNMuCTuuRELElYikqbRrJonukcMV
WNqNPbCfESViWuRBut his sigh didn’t last long. In court, new regulations on aristocratic business recruitment were issued swiftly—XPUyHJPHnnGFNqIgEcBmRQuWNgZJtl
RQtwzwZuuzHofEJLi Wuting sat above, calmly delivering a speech that combined imperial tactics of persuasion, promises, and distribution of benefits…JkIwazSkLTGHIOYCVMABEJJuzToYps
tFWiSTRoQjwePTlLeaving the ministers bewildered.PjTzPfoItpdmWYzHHwUAVOaHlaDVoN
TeEJieNpCzErWILNing Rushen’s gaze remained clear.dLUzSPaUEvhtbyLCpUYYwLjZvwlkth
WAbzTpHoQhJluOLThis had nothing to do with him, he had always been pure as snow.apllmjKFiGBAITTrYsBEqIAzpXhkZX
MfUlfMhAxgvTQDxHe absentmindedly spaced out in the line.vJrfmclkwOkhOcjmslUVYHxUuDardg
rFHKOnEiSNkKANJIt was unclear how long had passed when the hall suddenly fell silent, and De Quan’s fine voice announced his name:PRdLESBPOjKAtTukaJaDiJAKYOBvAU
FpcUJLAyrNgyDsi“……Special appointment for Ning Shen as Director of Market Supervision, responsible for business recruitment. Rank: Third Grade, affiliated with the Ministry of Rites. By imperial decree——”yDvpjWNaKRQLiBhBEqoswnEJnmyfhG
CknralCyoLqVOHPWith those words, the hall erupted in an uproar!aQjNNEWLWXXVPBgXvlGNkiUMkDgEry
zsWgAZJMJYvrQinNot yet twenty, and already a third-grade official…LxTpJQLPirPkKnhgeYruigFGmHQZDH
wJgaNzIQEZRgnxTNing Rushen was shocked, abruptly looking at Li Wuting: You’re setting me up for failure!cjijOyHZTlPwcpMbMYgBNqVklOplBQ
dKMcSpUBuThvNLwTheir gazes met across the court, and Li Wuting’s eyes seemed to say: What are you waiting for?bDUcLbiQnVVTCXTMdEnGMCBfQUgPpW
nsuVJShNGTxzHXD“……”tAywtliCiGvtyeesfdwIpxQYHBuXkW
SKwmBygBcRBubJLHe braced himself, “I, thank Your Majesty.”fWnqfoVBkanLKfpZbcoUojUYckCPts
fqslWGFdzMyUXplThe surrounding looks were full of curiosity, amazement, and dissatisfaction, with constant murmurs… Among them, one gaze stood out.qmRGAwraFKthVvlKqJtAaAIBJoPhst
sepdPQFtRHGxfHlNing Rushen looked up to meet Guan Fan’s eyes.vpiTTicEhiRfexRvfpzvQqNVbHmybY
LpvLflxjidOTVyaGuan Fan gave him a warm look: Hey, family.RtwtZnLCXvAfedmdXOYMdQLxzWxtBc
TnXvrpWCBdnnsNVNing Rushen:……QgXMAljxYPqMQnlzXeyhUaSUsoVmsG
QjkfTWpDQcIdgmqIn the end, someone managed to scheme and succeed.eQprVhWWFtPtTcuybMYaTALQnQKPYA
eyKMmoDwRXGmSke…uPWxUUSvsFelmfBvMbQCSoWtKQfQeH
BYufuucFZlqREssThe Office of Supervision and Censorship was a position specially created by Li Wuting, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites responsible for propaganda.efVFDKPpLtCJAFvRsLCHxCLlbGNArq
REBgtRRlgzkrunhThe interests of various noble families still needed to be balanced.fMJMehUKijXyEEbEZhJtTMZOwGwsGY
RCrMlqWxsCRRBHFAfter the morning court session, Li Wuting convened a meeting with the six ministries.eSiCeuXGiyhiubnXSTMtfFuAoWAMjv
TGHuSIhxJboffsLNing Rushen, not required to be on duty in the Imperial Study, quickly slipped back to his residence.LOubKenpwvULFhCLHetnYznBfvSufM
aoBHzAObmhxEgvvReturning to the Ning residence, he entered the main courtyard with his hands tucked in his sleeves.XzbxwRfAuurGTPmHNlBqLIjdkymNrW
TvPcwgHUrTSQXDxAs he stepped into the courtyard, two shadows suddenly flew overhead, followed by two loud flapping sounds—hGEIGnzzsQKEOvzhpnWUJTeqilSzAG
okwcePEmJiqOJRWTwo fat pigeons fluttered down onto the stone table.WyDUUGkpxhGjYzIXdPUMEbeeVHXaZL
HqUtVFNeYCCYxxmNing Rushen was startled, “…”EwoMICmufnLSznlLkKYhLrGRmEPtSL
hRpjihlFyysbhwqWhy are there even more now?cpsrJGpiBnNnqGJWbhsFhAgdYWhvjk
dUpCEIPPLpmELttRemembering his previous experience, he fished out a thin tube from the pigeon’s feathers, shook out a rolled-up paper, and opened it.zmyGgNTXnMxcbRUMPXZuxLrUDhUwnU
FryJeWNpgAUxdfzOn it was written in a hurried scrawl:zrKrvGmzFGueLrxfJykOlBfFzstPqz
OubsuyETUiyDzOO“Lord Ning, I hope this letter finds you well.KyXdiCuQtXurAUPhnhKceSJyGOlDhC
fPQAamqUdcaNXnBSince we last parted, everything has been fine. By the time you receive this letter, I will be bumping along on a long official road. Oh dear…ZVrVIGOgNcetSrhbvlCGihtwzwQzgn
oEVxXdwLwIFRJmwAfter the last letter, I have come to understand His Majesty’s nature and your gastronomic preferences, Lord Ning. This time, I have specially sent two fat pigeons.qcyxcXHfPPNFzykfJkEbhyRmUSpMKp
rVGHAWEBiittIzrPlease keep one for correspondence and use the other to make soup.EuwMbxwvltpXawxoEIuoqfFWLZKPYU
GeqTRaWBUzGqhSPLooking forward to your reply. Ying Tang”cCFGsqnxgtGjeBkNniEvoqrJmlHqHu
lbpHhDSROjdGhNFNing Rushen, “…”orEwBHRvTUcYufLxSPgfQULaQCVokJ
PwsJokUNzSYixjsHe put the letter away and looked at the two fat pigeons in front of him.gdFkRKLNXTlmftVrSWrVtmtLgrcwCW
BAAwTFeXrUEFOtjThe two pigeons looked up at him with innocent and clear eyes: Coo coo coo?WoEnIuKGPtPnWnFHfzasLexyFJLLnT
pzsyTjXtzzBXmCGNing Rushen fell into contemplation and silence.nyCtvigtkjWKcrBrnJkhmdhNtBujOf
FyYUUZxRGUWwpfDszjBsTvBSJyvMSpxBBuPrPHcWBtPBx