Chapter 33
Ning Rushen’s fallen inner garment had been adjusted, covering that frost-white area, and his crimson outer robe was tightly secured.PhLEaZNhpcPrmGSWLEzAzQyQfLvnqn
PVsZsCMgiVSlTcSLi Wuting scooped him up by the waist and placed him on the nearby low couch. “Open the window, summon the imperial physician.”qjgpyZuWFWsKrMCGqctOIZUBmeTywf
oWoaLcaiwXDjEZxAs Ning Rushen was placed on the couch, he seemed to stir. He groaned uncomfortably and reached out, grabbing Li Wuting’s belt.QsZaPFeKVsjyVaeYGLHcYeqQpQpFAX
nIOzGiwVCdnfxyfHe 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.IIMnYUMOxZWjwHrLtQGAWDtqsxBcgU
eLKBrdDgcHLyxvCThen came Li Yingtang, who had heard the news: “What happened to Lord Ning——”LDdYmLCfrorwEVTcMHzuPvBitPNDkv
dyDMomguMYMBHfZLi Wuting glanced at him, frowning, “Lower your voice.”SgzeBtdQFjdsGObIYIvYSOLmpCswgP
yYqZWELYEFlQZUt“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…”MXnJNPLRwxsAnIpsjbkphaqTdVxPtP
tTVyUuITcZQbGNX“No need,” Li Wuting said flatly, “Diagnose like this.”chVfBBtxHDAQOVFJfxHsfuXGBvmNMT
ZaxuQwODWzMAcXmAfter a moment, the physician finished taking the pulse, “Allow this humble servant to administer an acupuncture.”cviuOrebVAzkLvbOToEzLjQYLSmFbm
GSDTpIiKwNmrOGWNing Rushen was in a daze, falling into a stupor.ENsjBTMVyxjLhgsISCiBizNoBGhmAu
HFRLkoUqIqqpcpMHe felt like he was lying in a comfortable nest and couldn’t help but nuzzle with his head.bnbbADutzuKMebTeADuLjxJWkDgOuF
prsqchBMMJQbwxMJust as he was nuzzling, there was a slight tremor below.QGoXtCrFSfeteAuCYwVhvgDqhfwmKK
XOVAxHMhaYninkCImmediately after, he was firmly restrained, “Administer the acupuncture.”MagEAVgOjMPqsrbkAZfsjAOneJOPzH
wKljxgZnucOhadlThe next moment, a sharp pain came from his hand! Ning Rushen shuddered violently, “Mm…”dxClpRwehMyKwcWbZoltQkvHEEWjWH
mRBsjtnrrUbVeaaHis consciousness was pulled back a bit, and he vaguely heard fragmented voices beside him.FDrmcidSqfywhTSCjYWdgMTpvvKQxQ
xBePTHJETVOZoSSA steady, cold voice sounded above, “How is he?”HFGRslppnXHrSuwwNXuEWEUKTbJXRm
nqOkwCHlmIKXzEVAnother voice, cautious, “Lord Ning… took medicine. Hundred folds incense… conflict, causing mild dizziness. But the lord is more sensitive, so…”jtOVKhEstvFTEIkjNuJwZJEqrGayst
peQIYezVXPydzPc“More sensitive?”tVicmcgVAVtzhbtpcdEZlDkSCMsmdo
ERjmVoPXzDeYWek“Yes… it’s not a physical issue… perhaps a psychological influence.”wxvzPnaHbGRwVOzQGGlsuOWQqvhdSn
yZXwAWVZXRICAtCThe conversation in the mist ended.YbqYPEGehuaYQOCIpIwOgeGBnrjcUY
UGKwViZbUqUsTkRThe physician said he needed to administer more acupuncture. Li Wuting paused, then raised his eyes, “De Quan stays, everyone else out.”MpCJAHllVLZwZbpgwPjuQfefymiOxl
xwbrdXFDAolKvcu“——Including you, elder brother.”FVNsBVLLMfFCnyImHpKwdlmQzOInGW
ybGYYmzyldKEmIbLi Yingtang, “…”MRyxryKrAmIMyyHxpAxGusJdSWWfLm
ZcWvDRiqbOVLmuPThe people in the hall scattered with a clatter.vxyXdLbpfmpgtdoKLWPljtAqmWWVYe
McwXNLxvOORwnrVNing 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…”vvNpxzuFDCEnANtozGwcZMBQXGHtJx
HiqHgdyEzqxooIsHis hair fell down, wrapping around a firm arm.jcXuramXZgZssKlUmANZoWYPEhZuOl
FyyRQqvZPzFQdwjThe hand pressed him again, “Stop squirming, do you want the needle to go wrong?”PPeXgxxfdPjldpYsbdmjvHXUpLoZgn
AdEyyTKMETsGjWTNing Rushen whimpered in his throat.fCxfyNgXMYZplUikgrnFAOpCymEtZY
iTPgrAtilXhCGqrA series of fine pricking sensations quickly followed.mXkRwqhygFEtHBvgMRUWQBEErGqkUA
YIZOtNzOQKPoHxEAs 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.wMoCSyNWmQKoLRXMPactEcvlKERKaZ
wwgLKYQkwUEsHcWThen he was grabbed by the back of the neck.qOuQouKxGueDIuPfGtiidYJjqKkvDj
HhdabjHNFkkBSdfA rough thumb pressed against the tender flesh of his neck.dGFTPgbbnMyoKkhynbwwJtAHIRjYae
rosFqJydaJInwEb“Mm…” Ning Rushen trembled, finally calming down.RXxGLWrDwcGwrNJMMMamwYYVXZsqRy
kEZdiLKtRIcdCaL·jtxLILsmUeQPcrUJAbAluMVktKMLbs
fHChHwDqFRjKfMaIn the side hall, Ning Rushen quieted down.glvFZwytaebIOlnAmkhFqmphFvgoYk
wVabeWxzCtxHDKNThe physician, however, was sweating profusely, not daring to glance around recklessly.oUCiKSwnuypusTIMppqMBSOYpoXrzB
uBKFKUzYUCFGdjPIn front of the low couch, the emperor’s always neat dragon robe was now disheveled, and his once tightly tied belt was now loosened.xioTPVAvkAzIurHRrMFQhQJjtSvJmE
cGTBitpxCkAiuWOThe 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.BPyDCCTkvxKrUGDacLrrNspqaBhSWk
gJdmoWtavJmcSjmThe crimson outer robe had fallen to his waist, the sleeve cuffs wrapped around his arm, piled on the bright yellow knee.CaUsUAFyxYMmfhMbbxwweBtuYHnxLz
ZXamXkvGYByYTHOThe physician, sweating, finished the acupuncture, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, we must wait about half an hour before removing the needles.”wHIjxWETFsZTFUmIKadXeXJhLWckRT
TlnhzSqFwMMRRFg“I understand.”yUxiPBaTEbnAnoDzqbYQnQLODZrmpo
kLawHbxFrAiRtUILi Wuting averted his gaze, his scorching palm motionless on the waist.FncdvPSzqVcvhezWUdLOVJpbxVYskj
MSNRwQfdRWJvxxz……ozqOaRPHXCEibjEowHyzyDdXbUlkPy
XPIyQhNDMVUPQfHWhen Ning Rushen opened his eyes from the dizziness, he found himself lying flat on the low couch.yVROJUGFzYmXTLgpTZZGnGaEWKYiCX
EAlSvwKJBicLxsaIn his sight was Li Wuting’s cold, handsome face.EOPlqCWBDnsUuzrMHUcdXVUeXnAlrb
oVowSVMLAVoQwLaA lingering faint fragrance seemed to hover at his nose, and he mumbled incoherently, “Your Majesty, am I turning into a butterfly to fly away?”jmPTlSqpcYQhkSnsiDhzJriavVHXXB
YoGRYERBCjtoMtS“……What nonsense are you saying?”XAndQajCQqWpnwtkluLZPgKoVWrQwG
KNuvNRhjgWNmeGO“But I feel so light.”GZhMFnnYQnzeXWptqhhehXJboxVxrP
VeiGiyRylRrwXXbLi Wuting turned his head and ordered, “Administer two more needles.”wkkBgoEsWgBkObVJNmoChaOVqBDLgh
DOtYaVBKxlNffTmNing Rushen shivered and instantly woke up, “Ah, I think I’m back now.”XfIdSUBLTsWgRdObeMMWscoAVIWUyp
jDZqXAbBzUKZevsLi Wuting chuckled softly, “Heh.”JaPxCuLmpgcVOFsaEblsawlAItpfIB
nyNimDdFfKvGKxCSeeing him awake, the physician retreated.AKdRiybpqBTwmWMhNVqdpRVtmEpxvZ
nQPufJnIciuYWlBNing 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.tzBfctieOkGxEdWHDJHKzJQfIeVbHj
HqhZSnqnBxyLdipIt was quite tight.ceVVGyglxQiyVRugZSROkPPANHRuHV
AiYGkYjMiivMYEmA voice suddenly came from the front, “What’s wrong?”ECOVBxlXPyGZNVEnYXqzauiIlvZpPa
oUqQNNdGCaKyeTK“Nothing…” Ning Rushen regained his composure and asked, “Your Majesty, what happened to me?”vrEZxGNyUCHHeTJvDeRGPgfYleQCuH
iHHbFucBPoEoBXBLi Wuting said, “There was an ingredient in your medicinal treatment that conflicted with the incense.”QMDlRHTxscredAGdqiAnBJDUHEOoYX
kSLTRYgHpXajcOrNing Rushen opened his mouth.FQklwPQkKLDiXJEXJncNvpHPzQcXXW
dkUdXIJWmiVhWitAfter a moment, he pretended to be upset, “Ah! I knew I shouldn’t have taken that medicine.”QDJqxrPvOQUISNeLvtZEJpQdWXzpIK
arIcdHFuoXQKarELi Wuting met his gaze, closing his mouth skillfully, “You shouldn’t have, so I had the physician prescribe new medicine for you.”GFBAJXjekLDFkSESlOwRAQnNbNyuiF
UIJkiAqTKxYaZCBNing Rushen’s lips trembled:…EMCwsXPOJajuNqttPdMLXvcEZtzZRA
swsfdcAaCotcXhFThen tears welled up a bit, “You are truly too kind.”MlMVMmeRwAunTZqjsbQEwRSsPQNTwP
YNUoOwJAzOcVUHRLi Wuting accepted the compliment with a smile, “Heh…”RzgavADmweySzIagKAhxAfkZTPajCW
MhPHKWbOCgwMcuVAt this moment, Ning Rushen’s face was still somewhat pale, with tear-filled eyes and a sickly flush at the corners.DWOgqjRhWknvfoEnoqYGfESaQwDicf
ZfjEVdrFetQsZUrHe looked oddly pitiful.BnyxwhWTExBToqONUfMWJrYGwjsJcN
eFDxyqxHmnGyJgGLi Wuting’s gaze lingered for two seconds, “Alright, get some rest.”wecaYhSWfhaysaYLoYawlvJzJinBhP
rvhgpdFCaOQIUvBAfter saying that, he turned and left the hall.RgKEzjCpANGCLMNdFzyHNoIloiTSHa
BtYJrzaJivVeMGX…UykeUKHTKNsAEerPOodtsSxBPRvIEh
JwLxpVeAQbIGJknOutside the hall door, Li Wuting said calmly, “That type of incense will no longer be used in the palace.”YzvJoHLzJlbPTAhYVCfhEvaMiEHjUh
wlXMErljwwFqLxQDe Quan understood and bowed, “Yes, Your Majesty.”GyQGZchGImyeegAKKBqFprMUqSpPkQ
cnpBHTGBitoOLqtLi Yingtang was still waiting outside, “How is Lord Ning? Can I go in and see him now? I won’t see anything inappropriate, right?”drXTrNNGChaWQxvWwXYYAgfEgXApIv
nrFZNAeVvzeCFOQLi Wuting glanced at him, “What do you think is inappropriate to see?”oQgARUOilkxmUukNBcjbSbqjHzomTu
kWpzBITgIwSmkhhLi Yingtang quickly slipped away, “Nothing, nothing.”VcQzNkHIAwyiJoBRMpAQeiIfNmgGOf
XDdfsEvXznOpbvMInside the hall, Ning Rushen was leaning on the couch, lost in thought.FitaUqSKVVsDvldSVItqVaCpDKIYkQ
WDauWRsuqcYUOAXHe felt desolate: those needles from the physician were so ruthless, could the prescribed medicine be anything but bitter?MlTYYonwtccjBSKgAhEDBsGvFlIfgz
OwxrwHGquYwxqYDWhile he was wallowing in self-pity, Prince Xuan slipped in, “Lord Ning, how are you feeling?”ZjrzFNJmvJyuRitdvbzbiEEqeHgctt
dsHWYZTvBdCqBnmNing Rushen weakly said, “I feel completely drained.”MqdQuCayzuetZJEOURBazkwADSvtbt
yJEJPEpZcQtXXSB“Oh no!” Li Yingtang was immediately distressed, “You must take good care of yourself, otherwise, how can your body withstand such—”JIjcDdaZuaOEfaJJcMpdbXgzPyDMmG
lOBNuQExUGtMcGFNing Rushen snapped out of it, “Withstand what?”LGbsUmVCJOqcGUfqvJqJPStApOmRSd
phHiCFaSehKpJLLLi Yingtang hesitated, “…Day and night toil.”FDRstMztFOzoCIyLeAlJozlgDhVVLc
oscfStqkOdZLMjqNing Rushen reassured, “You worry too much, Your Highness.”CxEgRdKKFaFxHWvdgDonuTtxdgQTQW
hVumyAbQKBkrwkxWhen had he ever toiled?kisSHqWRrQNbKxsUegiNJMGMyoTrpo
ysIIOUcPVZzuMjeLi Yingtang, “…”KbyXqmScGxSMNDLXppeqSndKPsGcrv
IJmkKSJuLvmVfadThe two exchanged glances for a moment, then tacitly changed the subject.AfTFPSMbjqwwozxYZDeQVpJpRQXcQM
YSETqaHLUHQhGFXNing Rushen said, “Speaking of which, the physician’s skills are indeed remarkable. To deduce the cause of my poisoning from the incense.”IjJLRFVsSBlbhVLhSiEMeArPKeFThB
sTwaugywRbNLpuF“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.”yCNQgyXZZHfwyvCKhNtomVobKfdjKP
XMGYdIFSjDLnkvtNing Rushen: ?acTgUkzyqattFxsPFAmZmyjBjknIzr
zaYJCRRvhLvTLNh“How did the emperor know it was the incense?”EjehDjRaDCbUFyWSrtbkKLRIgVTxHK
mpEWZDtGQhhWOpCLi 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.”UxpQWDYlFXshxwZJKlAnhqYgamCAfM
CdmklUVtbKJQyupNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly recalling what Jing Yu said:lNDtYLvckuiOyXXiipJKKIQzuwCCAV
OmfmHkLpLHsMJmmIn 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.AjDfcnYBjoPDwUFyvEFiKvkkcZAqCs
ICWPpsUBWYBflHyHe muttered a couple of acknowledgments.OelEuiQDCDWBBvbHjhadBMZcJnygbQ
WEzilbtSWKMHJrKAs soon as he finished, a wave of nausea surged up. Ning Rushen leaned over the side of the couch, “Er——”gHxdsFtEFyZCUdBDQnNmvTMddxoXDx
RpUBCiuPDRXPmoILi Yingtang, “…”HxEYWsGXHdurMcTMpmyWrGkRkzeHqH
ENSqfGBqccsksmkHe timely excused himself, “Alright, you rest.”aiJyxzpRulQgxSvkraGowBwLvRAhbY
OiwyILLYKNIEZPQBefore 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.”xqMRhWOUxUWJRBwhNEYHDwcJQhZujt
bztpUPczdgBKARN“Never left it to anyone else.”KsfDCyEBgZzvDMWAfcHXeicSYDvqAm
QTNkxFUiZDXcecN……Is it Your Majesty? Ning Rushen wanted to think it over, but his dizzy mind couldn’t handle it.xhqqvuGDJbIeTuOVsTiQSmpaZEOTkX
IVSCegxoAlkUhwDAs soon as King Xuan left the hall, Ning Rushen fell asleep.ItxvRUHcfHfcLOXEZvUhcAVvZEJscL
lTLwuZzjZqZjMvDHe slept for about half an hour.tdYVMsbuKIsCUBmyVgQKMmljcRTTnH
ifQJacdPgeyebpKWhen Ning Rushen woke up, he rubbed his head and prepared to resign from Li Wuting.PkZzgFOPhKXbnkprxAdbNoGYkUJyYH
LZCktmBhmpAPOEsAs he stepped out of the hall, he saw Xiao Rongzi waiting outside.pcKRWhzXGDgemBrYzSrIlDnImMHOzH
YLSVpDuehFbydkEXiao 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.”wdjhTGpFdBjRLMQkEMuvhorWAcTZah
DRbyoyWFZgNbOfmNing Rushen thanked him and followed him out.pNnqUhGusVwPkWHcWIbhjYMyDcyaJQ
veZEMUsFAfxuvHo…XQHwYKVUnkjWYKwOZwtoLvuHkrXqLt
yTDWhtOlmIKuVkFBack at his residence, the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital had already been delivered, with large packages piled up in the yard.hKnsLPQoEXgUVQoIYAVPXxfUMDQuvZ
BIozNdNgoLrsPVGNing Rushen’s steps faltered slightly as he entered.xCyySSMBkapEHhsdaOdEJlScwHnTLk
jNcACdyftEAZkVsYuan Liu was shocked, “Sir, where have you been!”UPzjGPbfOEfNVHQmOXwQHvYvmGTWqd
LqCgjiADoDGeSIXXing Lan babbled on, “Oh my, so much medicine, it’s enough to soak you in it.”cuXbRnLhEwqXZfxkBpFXFoCXakxEvO
SrVvPosUJKYDNzFNing Rushen:……wUEVOSLqeMUfweWsBVzxuhNouPlWkB
WULlWzQaPnqkvnkWhat, is he an Oreo?esmtcRCcnYbeVycglsIzoLYecluXMa
uUeutfjXTlzWYexHe replied separately, “In the palace. It’s unnecessary.”YjOsICmcRbGoUEsOqzCIhsctTOqtLY
uHdMfmGvHuDctYqThe two were still asking questions with worried expressions. On the side, Shiyi, who was always observant, began to read the situation and subtly moved.GdMRtjPxyzlfTfncQrMUupRPPjjFFF
sUiEjghFkyjaEVXNing Rushen waved them off, “It’s nothing, I’m going to sleep.”vKaAyosuBJoCPzSamNaCpEWYPzClEw
HlNdcjXcVZCjcCdHe went into his room and closed the door.YMzturxreCRsJERTVHFNdiaZWJeuZJ
MPGlrvjAPBNOxewStanding by the bed, he started to take off his outer clothes.EAYXPnQRNBJNBhGBgzGEgGWyyhKsOG
yMLpeRuykpLHQhYAs 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.lfwsFnctSGCzitkhoZGThtELPdXVmi
kmknMUpTtLYGjKE“……”zabpVhRuUOehRopkhpqJUEYyhDUSbj
AkKRrOrAXCbTZTwIn the dim light by the bed, he realized it.iTVjZyLTGOfnrVcBxBvPpoMNuAvUIr
AisznDngXdboHGwSo, when he was lying disheveled by the bed, was it Li Wuting who helped him dress?nhdafAJJhBSmEOHWtTJklVvoeRHIUE
bRogfwgtkpCnCiYThe thought made Ning Rushen’s back inexplicably warm.zQeqIYHavTWvarxRQMyVQNcyfOixUb
exYLCnwgzWIHpyAHe 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.TnlTglyvHLUXOduCzLAhFONuFehgEP
vSRWmwKMMhpLcMjHe laid his finely made new clothes on the spring stool.xkzPttovXuClpLUtMkTjotArpcUOTL
bUwgcBICWPPkeAvHe paused, suddenly remembering that he had left his official robe in the palace.ZbBisOyQNUJqLLHlorKTGJeiswjOPI
mhorqirSpdhCQiZLuckily, there were replacements at home.sduMfZTxopVoyNNvgFjlvBEhVhFSRV
HXVKjHPyREPovtBAs for the one in the palace, De Quan would probably take care of it.fUreVhkIFrxzLJGdGwCwYfAejrKWAn
kYWUKRmgoXmSAVE·PtbXIkAPDvvVeAYEOlrkmPLLkaRHwq
iBWNWewAkTyMZLaAfter a night of rest.VGZUOqqGSuQdzipmKhOPNgAmUDyxAL
NwjFNphWuRxHMOsThe next morning, Ning Rushen was woken up to attend court.VYhaPVuxVGYBxWkfrnVpcoiqesxymT
RCYMTXMiyVOxxkDHe wasn’t seriously ill in the first place.sJWZWPGvwxYgTRmZroyrYyqxqfbqok
kxJydCIOUCJnHZTThe 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.xqZddRgCHeyDJbkRhXesSfOFmSBPYW
PebeHlQXUPCuLcjNing Rushen comforted himself: Who else is as dazzling as a star?VDuHUowiedFDISCTYhPLOXfSesrcRa
qQJzSjVkLrKTfNn…cnpsImCzRdggQlwqfUvmtyaiNeoKqI
pYHOhOzuLcOsmmkWhen he arrived at court, King Xuan was indeed absent.TgIjQjVVMmbQaqpNRZHWbhdrQjORRg
SzPcMcvkwhVMccLHe must have been on his way back to Jiangnan.JSvnUVqbSLZNEsnCQyCBmONTNwQAYY
hbRNKMDNOWJAbCeNing Rushen sighed: He didn’t stay for King Xuan’s favorite moment at noon.MhftSteknPlhQbDmiFdpmuhBftFUjE
pZNNWKDdcDxNpeaBut his sigh didn’t last long. In court, new regulations on aristocratic business recruitment were issued swiftly—PGpmyTDZqfeLOlOLvTTsJKjgLwqaZM
ODBOgwNIBvYorFLLi Wuting sat above, calmly delivering a speech that combined imperial tactics of persuasion, promises, and distribution of benefits…orjjIyXqBmbTQpVTujNRxcEFZmmwnP
xqEfbAtQtDimGmTLeaving the ministers bewildered.RZGCchJEmlmbajtlffegqweyofhPNc
emDKbGMFpOERacqNing Rushen’s gaze remained clear.rQgyCFwoGAZauTznRlPBTrlXacJciT
iLmpXeigFsRCqYlThis had nothing to do with him, he had always been pure as snow.lxPOFESAvGAZPowJpkiNiJmXpDdqSs
WyyQvmyLcPqaaqxHe absentmindedly spaced out in the line.sZAgXtPvPJQiIbIwCTwfrBiiLtSPUJ
cbdMKGsNuodDahZIt was unclear how long had passed when the hall suddenly fell silent, and De Quan’s fine voice announced his name:pKEOMIbYzCNmnwfxdCUOZHyWEPIuMW
OsriaXTzIAMCphM“……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——”fsrsDQxJngVddinWzoLLoyKMuisrMz
pvzklRumYxOPJKLWith those words, the hall erupted in an uproar!BeFGvlulzTNNxOELYEhkYwPotRQmwb
HvunukdAjZsZbwUNot yet twenty, and already a third-grade official…CUHXvXfmUNXnOEdpyiBWzABVBHYeRL
RgYLuNKcCZKSLldNing Rushen was shocked, abruptly looking at Li Wuting: You’re setting me up for failure!GyJPcBdDvBivKuihGGxYfhSPllitZc
QvfEyFfoaARkNFPTheir gazes met across the court, and Li Wuting’s eyes seemed to say: What are you waiting for?pqXAACtZwGbSxhCSvrXNXINFWUWWgK
uDhnPJkxesQGVMW“……”DtjOxlYzfEGosJJipUbWlPjsDvMisb
OqjRCPbWUlvAUKyHe braced himself, “I, thank Your Majesty.”LAHwQygEGndOGsxMJkcifIYJybIDdT
LQGMKnzqsyEYuHvThe surrounding looks were full of curiosity, amazement, and dissatisfaction, with constant murmurs… Among them, one gaze stood out.siiKdwPNTnlkSWthNLcfESlKtDEtjL
QVdUpRKPSHbnCxYNing Rushen looked up to meet Guan Fan’s eyes.GRXlUAVFMhADWgaYorOqAnsyPWfzqC
lsikMurtOMSBSkOGuan Fan gave him a warm look: Hey, family.QXEFpxutPUBtIWSakcDLlhaAcGyvtS
ntubLdltOVGqIWENing Rushen:……pNQvwaYlNVbEZtRbCUblEVAsMbjgpW
tsQUEjsLFLsxdHjIn the end, someone managed to scheme and succeed.aFanSjsuWxHgymiirmWfndMrFNSTvJ
hNySusaoqtwXWNw…knAxFkrHdzLTyvMRtRkrPDlLZEQYtv
mLdXGkfMjrYXIhgThe Office of Supervision and Censorship was a position specially created by Li Wuting, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites responsible for propaganda.YNnJagchdjAeNoSZjLskMCdmALXAxf
WjUZbpWBalHPuSxThe interests of various noble families still needed to be balanced.AOGUiHBuxFRMKpUOBUDJffrkoqLHJI
MMHyWEIsyWFTAaNAfter the morning court session, Li Wuting convened a meeting with the six ministries.SqcXTrnQPTNgCczVdPDiPJlCbVxUFF
oICOqmrgEIrRTYJNing Rushen, not required to be on duty in the Imperial Study, quickly slipped back to his residence.QoVDBUKtOaaSHhiPDZIrwlWsgRALlH
KfoRoqmytVFSimsReturning to the Ning residence, he entered the main courtyard with his hands tucked in his sleeves.grbtcYkGdQcCMWtTBMVOOerBApirdT
GaRaKuYTnPaotLaAs he stepped into the courtyard, two shadows suddenly flew overhead, followed by two loud flapping sounds—nBpshaarcrSAoUkYNDxugvbZROEfqb
dsUPAEjMIEjoVNaTwo fat pigeons fluttered down onto the stone table.UfmtfpvTtFhkLQCjFlYqcaluRzOsay
LQVjHkotdSXlYGzNing Rushen was startled, “…”XahFSTJSajovUuiCbZikxezgWIPzKS
SXCYAHICmRsudqIWhy are there even more now?vinKUoIbixmmjlHyldsJQvxkLWBTvF
FapgaWqzJvMPNYqRemembering his previous experience, he fished out a thin tube from the pigeon’s feathers, shook out a rolled-up paper, and opened it.WRupojnWpBwmgmsXgEUfDZgQyQDzwo
keFaIJicPmsQnYUOn it was written in a hurried scrawl:DctjcnDbDjlStcvmwiZtZjvxPkoUSJ
lqsMqdGOQLfriPF“Lord Ning, I hope this letter finds you well.UXlSrJkgXnnHqASmoDpRymtUCSMrMc
XtqPEVeHzdtXmQsSince 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…GfqKdTRSPHTRsWiIteARmnDcQphMxz
dDtAygPtgDcMNIhAfter 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.nINkykqhMjRnLNbfUYUOivUjDPoDqE
TnRRyrSmewkyAbePlease keep one for correspondence and use the other to make soup.xeZXJcXVEzDpcklEOHfwpMctJuxcSR
MGjUUInJikltwQyLooking forward to your reply. Ying Tang”wzZgQcTtawKiDkiJccXFfeeaFSDNPx
xfcYIZQXTouxQySNing Rushen, “…”MbHnboHhlIgEHasjavTSPYwNHxEbYP
bOwihUZyTyrUFoTHe put the letter away and looked at the two fat pigeons in front of him.UoOmsCuiBMcpCTLmdBMMVqHWeVpFzJ
TBKcofUKifKuyYLThe two pigeons looked up at him with innocent and clear eyes: Coo coo coo?wAoDrRnHcKnYdYRkEWKELXPUdSpEsw
MKpuWVnunFXVPYDNing Rushen fell into contemplation and silence.DXcvdFtcLesFIUrrSusyFohUzvwOby
EknOnmROUjYlezccjDyhWZjGFmbYIWGCgcleTsyNKjgmN