Chapter 33
Ning Rushen’s fallen inner garment had been adjusted, covering that frost-white area, and his crimson outer robe was tightly secured.BNkNbdDqijsKwkwglUMEnikWNIsvnl
LhktgoZLagzaMGaLi Wuting scooped him up by the waist and placed him on the nearby low couch. “Open the window, summon the imperial physician.”uRKGuHtaQihsFCQXaRNmPhCYLivKpP
FGfZGiXsdiKevsyAs Ning Rushen was placed on the couch, he seemed to stir. He groaned uncomfortably and reached out, grabbing Li Wuting’s belt.EEklunLmadDiNGibDHhrZpqMUzBRvK
xtUEeQqWrkPXzuAHe 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.sVcyaHkxjAetzdfGXuNCMGsRlDIlHK
qPKqEAKgVOwnNSDThen came Li Yingtang, who had heard the news: “What happened to Lord Ning——”XMRahFcHdfrNChcjZQSrOEkrhqSynk
RUnogsElDcyxHWoLi Wuting glanced at him, frowning, “Lower your voice.”CWoBeDlmnWYrndRYuvypdHCzIgCNua
cftQbqKqvhZMaff“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…”PZaEUvxTjhQfNwcTXKwAHiHMlCDCvr
wInfVjZeQsqWnbz“No need,” Li Wuting said flatly, “Diagnose like this.”kHsjErWhTpZQqLbiuZuOeBFfmIfywz
YBYmxexPTTIepjdAfter a moment, the physician finished taking the pulse, “Allow this humble servant to administer an acupuncture.”DtLQkGnyVKIwCfZDftbUMYBfwBFLIu
HuLjFhHAFCrzyfANing Rushen was in a daze, falling into a stupor.jEPADsHFDNKPLVrMTHOHPQuzsdSByF
dzWWVfrdsokcIavHe felt like he was lying in a comfortable nest and couldn’t help but nuzzle with his head.LfssNghJnSNOBufyDoJNdXLWUiOZJQ
OZWPjuUTTXWRDrIJust as he was nuzzling, there was a slight tremor below.duNgOcPghLmbZovQKMVKINrfycLpJn
IwaMcvHwIWwRcmqImmediately after, he was firmly restrained, “Administer the acupuncture.”bvWQVuZxxlzJwpjPgoUWfzclvEJzhg
xxdmXXsESjCmkgMThe next moment, a sharp pain came from his hand! Ning Rushen shuddered violently, “Mm…”AAKTwEIKdbgmhEDvmUHKFcmUojWQrv
zRWuBtGaRJjviHjHis consciousness was pulled back a bit, and he vaguely heard fragmented voices beside him.aEgjXnJoKEoEhxBzHEkVYDgswHBxia
vcmiMeomVFsgIzIA steady, cold voice sounded above, “How is he?”hVAyhLcwrvqNmRMdBwNABMlGwUxgji
mIhNOwyFIicdMnpAnother voice, cautious, “Lord Ning… took medicine. Hundred folds incense… conflict, causing mild dizziness. But the lord is more sensitive, so…”qHhQKasRDesbEtveoOKnyRvCXORMim
FODTvbmleAQxIVL“More sensitive?”CBYnUjYCXtbIVbbDtYFBssRaovBUWj
QEyIfeKYnKaGTuI“Yes… it’s not a physical issue… perhaps a psychological influence.”tKyzFiIWTtVtonYoHZpmSMscOJRHWs
zrjpjEiXsQMoRQzThe conversation in the mist ended.ucbWBKlMhexRmXBMreCnkDHNnQcJTj
LYYkjRTWMARhIQbThe physician said he needed to administer more acupuncture. Li Wuting paused, then raised his eyes, “De Quan stays, everyone else out.”pCoGQjjYjGPxbFHUoIBGBXCOMtziRT
UzCzoJXUIECvBpD“——Including you, elder brother.”gpsgKExveuNrYwkNfxCVeBUVgGGByJ
KcosinVTHrrItCpLi Yingtang, “…”xWfQaZhteQKOnwPYtCWGVEuerbomMb
YDijkwJxgDTcwMPThe people in the hall scattered with a clatter.NKwGrOCbroLhtKOTYHzwoDHFYQbFGW
LIByYfEwinrRZXsNing 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…”mejizTigXJGOzNgCuCZyMfaNfYHTJD
dQWcvnWmwfLmbJDHis hair fell down, wrapping around a firm arm.oKmVGnwbvlErQyrnxQSeGmwOWqCMmU
ntkAsIxFUeSrlunThe hand pressed him again, “Stop squirming, do you want the needle to go wrong?”LkGhsxURwwKEbBIXSktaQDQUeSVPrY
uUMMnIGgCkYIuuSNing Rushen whimpered in his throat.OrDhNqiiiAcXtPgjKqfdRPWvwTUBVv
zjptLhyQedbZQPQA series of fine pricking sensations quickly followed.fEekErPXkTZEXOWBPKtAImcrfziJZE
eOaiEMpFckXOAIgAs 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.pFvAanxHyfKKVgpMilGnzroiQctGhR
sLHIPDUJTicPRyTThen he was grabbed by the back of the neck.btzSgCYKvIzlzoXTygtwFdwYKrAwTW
NcZXxpYdNJVbClwA rough thumb pressed against the tender flesh of his neck.KKyhSqaUqerZEDIAmiXjOuzuEaAMmz
IJzZmhaxZgmBUJQ“Mm…” Ning Rushen trembled, finally calming down.abvhsXVZlPulakslsuANaEFVkxMSBk
rfiIhGxBWTGJqtW·rFmuQiSRtMGwjFhrmicjbXXmSKsiSh
KgLNCeiJMjqHHOVIn the side hall, Ning Rushen quieted down.vsWXDjNSihQXWAwQVeMDNzixkoypkp
yyClYYJMCAZcrhaThe physician, however, was sweating profusely, not daring to glance around recklessly.wNgaypfOOfFrsjCYTwnCPeqgvlzbuf
pDplZdHvyCJAmCJIn front of the low couch, the emperor’s always neat dragon robe was now disheveled, and his once tightly tied belt was now loosened.bvvevDqrEtcZraQrNtBQeMZdFlwyXw
MiHgMlCZKEDsShdThe 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.jPUVZnWJtnFDZCKaZLzRkOnOdhEhVD
NsMkkwtqYmyqPmWThe crimson outer robe had fallen to his waist, the sleeve cuffs wrapped around his arm, piled on the bright yellow knee.DXzVlvahwYExCqlUDdAjwhMhGkbnEg
NsiVJJZJecplZFrThe physician, sweating, finished the acupuncture, bowed, and reported, “Your Majesty, we must wait about half an hour before removing the needles.”ouacTNUtWGPFCWsSWNTBTCIQtYCdIO
erNizkjmNzuGoUG“I understand.”MOWeemzfgrucXdSpALLQnCJoaTKDrZ
ThKuxGQiDCAYhDgLi Wuting averted his gaze, his scorching palm motionless on the waist.nlGwUEDHoDANFwWQJhfBYzzBdQgvIb
OlOIGSwNIThBrJx……IQHesEjvERAVmwDojwVjjvGkORPEgx
priybEOhDmMBuDgWhen Ning Rushen opened his eyes from the dizziness, he found himself lying flat on the low couch.FGLsPaOvIuvXYCWgjuqHxGFmiayfVp
bfGdBwJeMMGofdiIn his sight was Li Wuting’s cold, handsome face.RPoUScgcviKDiOfvUXQLckjGoCCqhS
tUpaKXyryUijVxGA lingering faint fragrance seemed to hover at his nose, and he mumbled incoherently, “Your Majesty, am I turning into a butterfly to fly away?”ACaBNsXaYVPKRJHWxjKAvOtUkddUEm
FIcyOlzWFxkOuCC“……What nonsense are you saying?”OBujRamjPJMQvEjWXNjHGSswzhFnXf
VeCNyCZHMweyBte“But I feel so light.”TJRFRclZShUjADfwjGBswSdoOMggFn
QVpDqMwcooftRLpLi Wuting turned his head and ordered, “Administer two more needles.”sjvoCrqytSBQZwlrlSJqDSzqwnLoux
oFmdXrzhKaIXWbeNing Rushen shivered and instantly woke up, “Ah, I think I’m back now.”DAuhXtIDtSeDgpnNsHdcbVGMgxMQGS
ozDckrRvNEMosZiLi Wuting chuckled softly, “Heh.”hsQGPiNWALBJIYbvyCiWhYcdfWXbaR
YhTxLOorZKBsfdGSeeing him awake, the physician retreated.XkEyujSMuhNWQUNqtsANUlotIgbpCm
iNxkremfPKcwjjLNing 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.wDfWiDyRldGOoPUukuZmFPYmrouYjf
WsomMMzxvWLkEgFIt was quite tight.JUncQpSrIkFQuaJLuBrEBSrZnGsYxy
AkbsWvwsXjunNgaA voice suddenly came from the front, “What’s wrong?”OUJUIvpoYZKWBajdOahMVxQvTZfvUL
mAyAWSVCdJAAFHq“Nothing…” Ning Rushen regained his composure and asked, “Your Majesty, what happened to me?”qJlBhwJzBkZGScCNlWbwVRtChYHkQM
PEnUlUtQQfUdDALLi Wuting said, “There was an ingredient in your medicinal treatment that conflicted with the incense.”poAWFrpAvRQwsDZqhEaFNKPImbqdjX
yLfmiOgMbsXHAcxNing Rushen opened his mouth.njfqQRxRflkuFqJBFXAyQdzRBeqblb
BAPIKgVuyiQTXflAfter a moment, he pretended to be upset, “Ah! I knew I shouldn’t have taken that medicine.”yKGSuroasxvudDpMzcpYjhwgVLRbhz
uFqYNUzRzsptPzDLi Wuting met his gaze, closing his mouth skillfully, “You shouldn’t have, so I had the physician prescribe new medicine for you.”AAwEsqbiOwMYmNRMNKLWlWgKbapoRB
UBxCjdvEcgQszpGNing Rushen’s lips trembled:…YTLWQWxYMOHRKjvfdkyWQIZaSKNCIv
pevRmOtEyTjalldThen tears welled up a bit, “You are truly too kind.”MoMLYFmYZjVaQSUozSvKoKUytAOdFp
qjmVyPTMoAJUioHLi Wuting accepted the compliment with a smile, “Heh…”awpLSThOtyKGxxHRXIhifRPOhZQgAA
ibxMNcTLxVuwDFWAt this moment, Ning Rushen’s face was still somewhat pale, with tear-filled eyes and a sickly flush at the corners.QcwSUhsSlHRmInUeylnJYfveTRrXiE
OGvPLMqmHNGlTZlHe looked oddly pitiful.yaWivmMHqdeuTbwaZGJPAqPdSpORRz
OKnBnRPrMbmOZQiLi Wuting’s gaze lingered for two seconds, “Alright, get some rest.”BLBiCpGWLeELYtCeKOqHrWWoRkJMdO
WQmWaepemZhqxWKAfter saying that, he turned and left the hall.wrSUTctxdLYzJcqFnbsjcaWHVURNoL
KNlecLgdZkMyxIr…NXxzsxFzCjjDrJBuNLsInVVzIgshvA
ynMbbWCqxuhHniqOutside the hall door, Li Wuting said calmly, “That type of incense will no longer be used in the palace.”zjEbNUmSMEkcvGTPOdGHEFDPaNQOYj
PcEVTluWLAYokJNDe Quan understood and bowed, “Yes, Your Majesty.”oyZxwOkOEbEvIZFQrbeVUCjsolXZCc
gCeqmaudadncwOXLi Yingtang was still waiting outside, “How is Lord Ning? Can I go in and see him now? I won’t see anything inappropriate, right?”FHLwNZJAzvIOoYpvhgoUkjUlzteQIu
iPhNzHOjFeJDqxwLi Wuting glanced at him, “What do you think is inappropriate to see?”TIRPciBkWXJBQJKTDdAHXmBYRWosJl
VZCSSxYGbCjRoemLi Yingtang quickly slipped away, “Nothing, nothing.”XqguIpBchMpejnhLSfjFEKXtnWtnzX
QcywvmyDrthPYAtInside the hall, Ning Rushen was leaning on the couch, lost in thought.CvUOprVpfwBvvGKHqjRtXigUGbYIuk
UwCFXCOzhWEbAMqHe felt desolate: those needles from the physician were so ruthless, could the prescribed medicine be anything but bitter?auzXhBbtLqBXZnyCmRheFknGyIcBir
uOnYRNCgOdkeLktWhile he was wallowing in self-pity, Prince Xuan slipped in, “Lord Ning, how are you feeling?”IdxeteQnsccGKFfssETLCwzNwlUMFg
FQDRYCvdJvHrbnXNing Rushen weakly said, “I feel completely drained.”OumPaupzCGFIFAJFgIueQsdYVLdDss
GhMOnRTPPAxVMLO“Oh no!” Li Yingtang was immediately distressed, “You must take good care of yourself, otherwise, how can your body withstand such—”mDdAMbyHQzhSKXBWfSWfZsSNazXbgE
fFwWpWazimqqtcXNing Rushen snapped out of it, “Withstand what?”isXmbRmIhtKtNMmUdiJOUUDKoEgTuY
CsnVKPOJmVwbWIBLi Yingtang hesitated, “…Day and night toil.”fFxKJkVivCPfIICOEEQkfkUupjvpGL
rMANcybDWGyZNOiNing Rushen reassured, “You worry too much, Your Highness.”vaOPSikNgOfgItYWrIChECTNHrwvdH
LnqvHmsAKNPhVNqWhen had he ever toiled?UhkZKSwyJvbMEcTjbFVzfnCFbXcfEk
acHrPSOnKPdaVVvLi Yingtang, “…”KMiVjoJrYOrSMbbXGtfSRrPLSaReZS
hcXjlgkbAMmvZXJThe two exchanged glances for a moment, then tacitly changed the subject.FlSDinssicusFfNteoLSEAtdBhKUJj
RsADvufpiAwTWMoNing Rushen said, “Speaking of which, the physician’s skills are indeed remarkable. To deduce the cause of my poisoning from the incense.”YIJoXzrLltWIUkrThktvrURehdCvKU
erXdbgjKtSlgqZM“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.”SRNQcbnnBJnvFNiSfbvKzKeuOSrLXv
tHtWylqMYHvXCUXNing Rushen: ?QaKPlySzdwbtXPcWPHCyUuqpkjjjbU
TUVaUOAcfrVNiCX“How did the emperor know it was the incense?”ErFsUqVIrVtFaYSmNwEYjzayFOstVN
RSwXEgTlSvdgtfKLi 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.”EcxVKPKIkMVcgjvuYPuRMobsvqxmZw
tsdTqgRGhlrmRvjNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, suddenly recalling what Jing Yu said:KRtBqTsUBnrtBRlFhvGklXaMHBUdAn
QSXvZMwfoepxOqbIn 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.slEckMfRMbfhLkeHxSovYxnjVUPnZr
lCRwyVdSBQdoiKHHe muttered a couple of acknowledgments.FcJAUEIyVFWfbzYhGhHfrXRWulWUhm
VFsUOROMcBeNhfaAs soon as he finished, a wave of nausea surged up. Ning Rushen leaned over the side of the couch, “Er——”HOhWYapypiBBxZifvhfNTbwpONTPiK
wbHHtcHnebspDxOLi Yingtang, “…”VkeImZLutIBevbxyqqeHXzbqkVsRaP
PNjNzdxSKpdezmtHe timely excused himself, “Alright, you rest.”QXxObzGnoSCvoPfYlKbiubOyDCBwHG
LEKRJaiAdyrLqizBefore 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.”MjSrreikCLYIWBnosQXWekosbeafxS
wLoUKbDpyykesDd“Never left it to anyone else.”hHtaGZpazQwuMzCrUcyaWPYNukChLk
GIjHzQHqyWyKJPV……Is it Your Majesty? Ning Rushen wanted to think it over, but his dizzy mind couldn’t handle it.brrKAtSqvqxdgbDkZVjwCGYYpBTLyV
CWupWMBtPrRLbMTAs soon as King Xuan left the hall, Ning Rushen fell asleep.NsusvKYJbFwwCqKYDPEnMbdzQVdxEa
vymjPlwxubKiysdHe slept for about half an hour.SutPYqyhSSPFXVUhwTKebljMqexjNc
papAurLwmbxzDoBWhen Ning Rushen woke up, he rubbed his head and prepared to resign from Li Wuting.tmsSIUnblDAhKRMvnrfBVaogZGFwGY
FeslxcyzCtirSMOAs he stepped out of the hall, he saw Xiao Rongzi waiting outside.KzmhnsPYIvqBUwGvbugHxaEBthyTWr
DlvcrZbTSwxdyboXiao 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.”PqRwxnblkRAaiSuqNhloVZxvfEfiwQ
kPqjvtTNFBIasGRNing Rushen thanked him and followed him out.BJZHfDFbGBaZUEYDVfcrYxZryhvUfl
ZaGCvPrnXEyeXgC…egnLpoUNWFXzEXLeKKEsdUNBhwtXvs
BwchZcASjgXTokpBack at his residence, the medicine prescribed by the Imperial Hospital had already been delivered, with large packages piled up in the yard.cLJiemzuZNBWVVEaSoMoFsyHgiRPxh
oRzlFwHDXuvYXIjNing Rushen’s steps faltered slightly as he entered.oUDOqWpBIJMtJhXVQMaOCMDDhPHZTT
ZwJnleQIHSasTLEYuan Liu was shocked, “Sir, where have you been!”plOUVnUsxmPeeHLlDliSopjzfMbzrh
ysvCLzBHnzuytcWXing Lan babbled on, “Oh my, so much medicine, it’s enough to soak you in it.”HeIdNWOEfWrdjqGlNcsJugppFcyglZ
vhWHQdAZtOBqTBtNing Rushen:……axYPVooGezDJWEwXvEnfrouixEIjsA
pIABYHdElTxbNAXWhat, is he an Oreo?rdrGoJRKbdtzRRARQlsTxKSlfRrfzU
TNqMpxFmqRiEcDBHe replied separately, “In the palace. It’s unnecessary.”zbBRLCmenULvkAQitQvToOSBgHuzRj
VLrkMnnHyQcziGtThe two were still asking questions with worried expressions. On the side, Shiyi, who was always observant, began to read the situation and subtly moved.KHZRzzKTcRRBEXhJXoNfkeSDktsjHp
KUsNtPpHZJnBLbaNing Rushen waved them off, “It’s nothing, I’m going to sleep.”elzJeurCcWxetFsRQJtWMqusqGuCWi
viuItIdLyrjYoohHe went into his room and closed the door.AONpSDgRKAcTJEstErCEoFvyDuMSbn
ulHhDTSQqfendWLStanding by the bed, he started to take off his outer clothes.SeiyxcpmHXzFBHvtpcARKhOCpPnRJH
dODLCTmpTDnRtGUAs 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.abmwwUPdcOwNGOfIzBIvNffRuCwWHy
ohdmebxAOmjVctM“……”bYzPdNBxajgQJAlIKVvnIdtcvEYjJN
modGgozezxNDXtfIn the dim light by the bed, he realized it.uYRKXGMyMcgQbXzgymXrpdameXqUbL
iWmcabzDzWoRoyRSo, when he was lying disheveled by the bed, was it Li Wuting who helped him dress?jbQSVApWviddAvqMbjuGSNfOMryzVj
MOfqvdZPIFaNleBThe thought made Ning Rushen’s back inexplicably warm.CTpLFuTmmasiSydulmjAeBQjGSFwGz
LEupKUSvFROkCFDHe 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.WJjoEvmhOVxIvOdlvzWmhJRgijmjbA
xOVcBWcAXprvErVHe laid his finely made new clothes on the spring stool.TQvKJXqVVvdQIkuANzUzITBuprmWqo
tiDbtUqxXcHivRMHe paused, suddenly remembering that he had left his official robe in the palace.xcvEJTKXIpziOzCWcFYgWpZigRYQEc
vHafACANbNWqrKVLuckily, there were replacements at home.MixELHNtmSYmJrEYxzXeYKNXOAlKMq
zxSgdKjjVnYpacaAs for the one in the palace, De Quan would probably take care of it.dqAbPTFbkOzljjspmKIzalNlJeUEmX
VCHXqjqOMACylHf·DtsoxRxWEhbsaFTFNtiYUCbYismEOC
WpISmNvjqdQsJOwAfter a night of rest.iiDEvravCDdCdoQwoEADfXxpheXLgQ
CowpUVXOAjQGcbdThe next morning, Ning Rushen was woken up to attend court.PRUhqjkFETOsAHwiVjIyLSqTDeauPf
XbrHQvCxHAxbctIHe wasn’t seriously ill in the first place.LKFOVBXvSjapuljpIjOgKNMkCwJEtW
YReDXecCMDAxihnThe 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.XbaqlsiwONTwzGMOFoPnTAfCouWSZL
CyCzxxZHcPHLLZuNing Rushen comforted himself: Who else is as dazzling as a star?EAmahXpToGQMBdzSYcEUZnHoVXuOjy
XBLkQygIGyxipSG…jAeyWpVUUMdpJfUlDRpEUJZNTJTCSp
tKlBIOvXwXRahXIWhen he arrived at court, King Xuan was indeed absent.rYRkTLTFFlHUdxuhMquPbTAvyhqjQN
bnrswtGSVIlRKjnHe must have been on his way back to Jiangnan.iciMqrHhivZaUsVuhHJKfEDCRWJyyA
WjyqVlJPqyktoxDNing Rushen sighed: He didn’t stay for King Xuan’s favorite moment at noon.AOMQQylwzCwHtLXCpuXSwzMyaTaFZZ
CQqUahGgRVRAtBVBut his sigh didn’t last long. In court, new regulations on aristocratic business recruitment were issued swiftly—OfQwLNyqIlvxGWwYVqwhlfwzbhfjYr
swalFrNzNQiLTODLi Wuting sat above, calmly delivering a speech that combined imperial tactics of persuasion, promises, and distribution of benefits…RcVsuruwqtrNzwrySLDnOXJwAybPxV
fWnBZhnAGTBpKofLeaving the ministers bewildered.MdVpsjSZtRmgSdhbTIkXjWumVxfrJb
RPIdKcBIgHgvgTINing Rushen’s gaze remained clear.AWCjfDmSycwUnHvUeWMULNvWgewdam
GlyqCWIBfBCelQeThis had nothing to do with him, he had always been pure as snow.dLTgfeYeDvClrcVUHerZgtAgNVLTgF
OtfGPHyEjhbAirdHe absentmindedly spaced out in the line.BglsGgVbPlYCnmBmXMiztOisyZTHsE
eonDMMIOkulPCSkIt was unclear how long had passed when the hall suddenly fell silent, and De Quan’s fine voice announced his name:dpmHXiSvCacOUymoxuUAvezOiqOshq
AzJCFftfjxZrZRT“……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——”kgZyWKwwIYgQKbXxVNUODWzSlBvDNs
ENIPCGsKBNgyjfQWith those words, the hall erupted in an uproar!VPitlFMuJZROroRCjMmzGHJTbXzwfH
wPSjJNEFATdIDUHNot yet twenty, and already a third-grade official…nSKNmjRuzbajjEmGdOqfYehLWHfrro
tebOUzARjCaEFXhNing Rushen was shocked, abruptly looking at Li Wuting: You’re setting me up for failure!oCAMPMocJsdShyKQJWZTaIiQfykRdP
AKQwyKvuawbIujvTheir gazes met across the court, and Li Wuting’s eyes seemed to say: What are you waiting for?msmuGcMmdzKHmkcBQgvzWnMPmGgHOe
PztYAOtwNgnPJAh“……”PCydcxjIVjIGpPLCvMHXZbrKIDxvVH
rXNGSfGFsuPASzNHe braced himself, “I, thank Your Majesty.”VDEflXLIcQzPpDJNMVMDmkPrPuFjWR
iiJeKtsVuORXzfmThe surrounding looks were full of curiosity, amazement, and dissatisfaction, with constant murmurs… Among them, one gaze stood out.RBXGykWCbxOVpeVWtPHxoXAHqCToqN
hNmGllizJMwRYpwNing Rushen looked up to meet Guan Fan’s eyes.bGZeCFnLhNaUobndUptweJxlvlDvzr
eMmCVycTJPdTRfdGuan Fan gave him a warm look: Hey, family.fnjyVaPigbIxCNhMaZbDAJtcVnPTOU
hEwQFGXJRMXcghiNing Rushen:……kyDvOFbrGReBMbrRDzJfspFwYgiCKF
xkzPkQHYxssvCkIIn the end, someone managed to scheme and succeed.MqSfsNiaXByDRYdjXPLvDtRRRPcfmF
hsluROLALPTJCnA…XouIiSkZUJNpxpLmapnPaHXGyZMZfh
yFjIFyYMBVGBwBjThe Office of Supervision and Censorship was a position specially created by Li Wuting, under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites responsible for propaganda.JptWVLSfsQSmTnyeoBPoxRFxkXcFvG
BPrjaeVRMkwUACUThe interests of various noble families still needed to be balanced.vXSLiSJncnkZmesceCUjlvzKpKrBXv
WZZwgGlLjUWoGVwAfter the morning court session, Li Wuting convened a meeting with the six ministries.bfWQUltYJJuRgCDmhHaxKrSrgFSkzH
pYIpRgszhRZIQgANing Rushen, not required to be on duty in the Imperial Study, quickly slipped back to his residence.lONBvafzgRyVnyupTcGsimdEMUEIDA
ZVIuKCVPNDtIuhJReturning to the Ning residence, he entered the main courtyard with his hands tucked in his sleeves.IRrzjEWONGPEFERtMJkOVcXxDiOYXi
pJBQevWUKmXkIteAs he stepped into the courtyard, two shadows suddenly flew overhead, followed by two loud flapping sounds—GjEFLLkxvmbsbnuOvBHTdELbasQXwz
tfoQhqHPCHXtVkhTwo fat pigeons fluttered down onto the stone table.HFaVaBCjroZdENqrbrqFIPkQymwoZx
luSJxDpAFIMGPFHNing Rushen was startled, “…”xydxCYZhjSsMVdnLGjdYlanlbwMQZK
SxLZGqeDICQhhiYWhy are there even more now?JFDwAIWKTEqxfcBpFUVavubVPZuQvQ
YRRJlhaSUykFeGDRemembering his previous experience, he fished out a thin tube from the pigeon’s feathers, shook out a rolled-up paper, and opened it.TmZOjhkSTRjqhVlXGLPgORapFvvfUR
VcnHiJhvLaxrNCdOn it was written in a hurried scrawl:WKKxanoKYidFigbmXGFiVYQeeMFzpJ
KRBdsmdJJMEIUVa“Lord Ning, I hope this letter finds you well.LpwHasOrDpzHkCOiuUQuTkFanDkBBu
kkOdQjiqnPaRAbnSince 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…cGrjCeLwFQcLSQybEIXtAijBTsYxbT
bABHfuVdfwZcqKdAfter 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.OwYhOuVMgCFTLqzRPNfvUDuydrHtEV
TvMBVAWqFucsevUPlease keep one for correspondence and use the other to make soup.tquRqUBUCDPBfHadZGuRofDWBGEUEF
YYGCBUobjscJlWPLooking forward to your reply. Ying Tang”JhAqnNDyZAfxGTDEEkoIUQibSVDVLO
iFzQxAngOpYpCqcNing Rushen, “…”dcFztCJFFcgZNaXZGdhALBiDwfKovI
hsetiaLIQJqckSrHe put the letter away and looked at the two fat pigeons in front of him.QBKlhUBMaDkxQPtFXjIIAbxyQUkqTW
TXPbOSmxKekpTeOThe two pigeons looked up at him with innocent and clear eyes: Coo coo coo?GsgBPmOptHlleNtcBozMKFnhkxviOi
VmfTUSKOaJUWMfENing Rushen fell into contemplation and silence.GkcgjUtwwReuJsCFxCPWcGyKasUreJ
kDHHMuPrVdkngDrBsOyGzOPofoocsJOzFVcjIQnXBegJb