Chapter 35
He followed De Quan through the corridor, turned a corner, and lifted his eyes to face Li Wuting, who was seated behind the imperial desk. Under the reflection of the intricately carved candlelights on both sides, the other person’s face appeared as cold as a jade carving.
Ning Rushen’s heart fluttered a few times, “This minister greets Your Majesty.”
Remembering De Quan’s reminder, Ning Rushen took a deep breath and spoke just as the other man’s thin lips were about to part:
He seemed startled by these words, swallowing back what he was about to say. After a moment, he pressed his lips together again, his Adam’s apple moving slightly.
Ning Rushen glanced over, wondering: What? Did he say something wrong?
His peripheral vision shifted towards De Quan, who averted his gaze as if nothing had happened.
Just as he was caught in suspicion, Li Wuting’s voice finally sounded from ahead. Probably due to the long silence, his voice was a bit hoarse:
Ning Rushen refocused, “Yes.”
Li Wuting tapped the desk, “You’ve been absent for seven days, and you come now just to ask for your robes?”
“…”
Ning Rushen moistened his lips: No, it’s because you summoned me.
Uncertain of Li Wuting’s intention, he cautiously suggested, “Or perhaps, Your Majesty should keep them for now?”
… What does he mean by keep them for now?
Li Wuting’s temple throbbed, “No need. It’s in the side hall, take it yourself.”
Ning Rushen agreed, “Oh, okay.”
The side hall was just behind the imperial study.
It was empty, with no palace attendants on guard.
Ning Rushen, familiar with the place, looked around at the familiar furnishings: Li Wuting had told him to retrieve it himself, but hadn’t specified where it was placed.
So he had to search around.
After a fruitless search, a thought struck Ning Rushen, reminding him of the time in the carriage.
He looked at the low couch, pausing before walking over.
The low couch faced the direction of the hall door.
Ning Rushen propped a hand on the couch, bending down to search. He lifted a jade pillow, and the flash of crimson just appeared in the dim light—
A hand suddenly reached from behind him, grabbing the official robe over him.
In the carpeted hall, footsteps were inaudible, startling Ning Rushen! He turned abruptly, his knees hitting the edge of the couch as he sat down.
The black sleeve hem brushed against the back of his hand.
Propping himself on the couch, he looked up.
He saw Li Wuting standing before him, holding the official robe and looking down at him, “Did it take you this long to find it?”
Looking up, his black hair and sleeves spread out behind him.
The two were so close, their knees almost touching. Ning Rushen reached out to take the robe, “The place it was kept was indeed quite cleverly chosen…”
Li Wuting: …
Ning Rushen tugged but couldn’t pull it away, looking puzzled: ?
The cool fabric of the robe clung to the large palm, seemingly dissipating the heat within it.
Li Wuting glanced at him, “Ning Qing isn’t planning to take the robe and run, is he? I summoned you here, and you don’t even ask why?”
Ning Rushen immediately showed a look of great interest, smoothing the tiger’s fur, “Oh? This minister is eager to hear the details.”
Li Wuting, “…”
Li Wuting chuckled, “Ha. Ning Qing returned to ‘home’ like a bird returning to its nest, unaware of the passing years. Even the street vendors probably know how well Ning Qing is doing, but only I don’t.”
… Oh shit.
He had forgotten about the duty reports.
Ning Rushen gripped the robe, his knuckles tensing nervously.
“Still not speaking?” The voice fell softly.
Li Wuting maintained the posture of handing over the robe, not letting go.
Ning Rushen had no choice but to face his deep and serene gaze, reluctantly beginning to report.
Both of them held one end of the robe.
In the quiet side hall, the smooth fabric of the robe reflected an ambiguous warm glow under the candlelight, giving Ning Rushen an inexplicable subtle feeling.
Especially as he reported, Li Wuting only responded with a few “hmm”s, looking down.
Ning Rushen felt as if he were being made to obediently confess his wrongs, a feeling both unbearable and vexing.
Curling his fingers, he belatedly realized:
… Could he have fallen into a trap set by De Quan?
Once the report was over, it had already been a quarter of an hour.
There was a few moments of silence before Li Wuting spoke in a softened tone, “I knew it, Ning Qing always does a good job.”
As he finished speaking, he released his grip, and the official robe fell onto Ning Rushen’s lap.
The soft fabric draped down, and Ning Rushen hugged his robe. Perhaps it was the candlelight reflecting off the material, but his fair face seemed tinged with a faint blush.
“Is Your Majesty satisfied?”
Li Wuting’s gaze fell, “Yes.”
Ning Rushen hoped, “Won’t you hold me accountable anymore?”
Li Wuting chuckled, “I’m not that petty.”
If he truly wanted to hold him accountable.
No minister would dare be so disrespectful, sitting on the couch while reporting to the emperor.
Ning Rushen felt relieved, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He lowered his head and folded the robe, “Next time if I leave my robe behind, Your Majesty can just summon me to fetch it or send someone to return it.”
“No need for such trouble,” Li Wuting said indifferently, “after all, Ning Qing does wear out his robes quite often.”
Ning Rushen recalled the pile of clothes he’d taken from Li Wuting: …
He felt embarrassed, “Your Majesty is considerate as always.”
“Hmph.”
With both new and old issues settled, Ning Rushen followed Li Wuting out of the side hall.
As soon as they exited, he saw De Quan quickly retract his head, pretending to stand guard with an indifferent expression.
Ning Rushen, “…”
Even his eyebrows were raised, and his neck was all twisted.
Li Wuting cast a casual glance.
Then he told Ning Rushen, “Alright, you can go back now. Ning Qing, don’t forget your old duties because of your new position.”
Ning Rushen promised, “This minister will handle both.”
Li Wuting had grown accustomed to his phrasing, so he didn’t say anything more.
Just as Ning Rushen was about to leave, Li Wuting mentioned, “Oh, by the way.”
Ning Rushen stopped and listened attentively.
“Stop trying to make two male pigeons incubate eggs.”
“…???”
…
Ning Rushen returned to the manor in a daze.
As soon as he entered the courtyard, the pigeon cage came into view.
Suppressing his turbulent emotions, he didn’t even have time to put his official robe back in the house before summoning all the servants.
Ning Rushen looked at their familiar faces and spoke with difficulty, “Did you know these are two male pigeons?”
Yan Min, Xing Lan, Yuan Liu, and Shiyi: “Yes.”
Ning Rushen, “…”
He took a deep breath and finally couldn’t hold back, “Then why didn’t anyone tell me!!!”
Yan Min was puzzled, “What’s wrong with male pigeons?”
Oh, right. Manager Yan didn’t know he was trying to breed them.
Ning Rushen endured his dizziness, pointing a trembling finger at Shiyi, “What about you?”
Even Li Wuting knew, so it must have been Shiyi who leaked it.
Shiyi calmly said, “I thought you were trying to prove something.”
Ning Rushen opened his mouth and looked at him: Prove what!
Prove that willpower can overcome biological facts!?
Shiyi seemed to realize something, “So, can we eat them now?”
“…Forget it.”
Ning Rushen thought about his recent attempts to force them to mate, feeling deeply guilty. He turned to open the pigeon cage, pulling out the two fat pigeons, “Let them go, and get a female one instead.”
As he spoke, he tossed them into the air—
Flap!
The two fat pigeons flapped heavily a couple of times before flying back together. They gave Ning Rushen a reproachful look with eyes full of betrayal, then turned their tails and went back into the cage.
They even cleverly pecked the cage door shut, clank!
Ning Rushen, “…”
Ning Rushen, “???”
Yan Min said from the side, “Sigh, raising them with such fine food and in such close quarters every day, it’s only natural they recognize their owner.”
Ning Rushen hugged his official robe and peeked out, “Oh.”
The sustainable development plan fell through.
Ning Rushen had no choice but to continue raising these two male pigeons that neither could be eaten nor reproduce.
The official robe left in the palace was retrieved.
The next day, he decided to wear it.
The robe draped over him emitted a faint fragrance, just like Li Wuting’s.
A slight heat spread from his back.
Ning Rushen tugged at the collar to air it out: it must have absorbed the same incense after being washed by the palace staff.
As he was cooling off, Yan Min entered from the doorway:
“Sir, what are you flapping around for?”
Ning Rushen let go, “Ventilating.”
“…?”
…
At the palace, after the morning court session.
Guan Fan wanted to call Ning Rushen to the Ministry of Rites again.
Remembering yesterday’s lesson, Ning Rushen waved him off and turned to head to the Imperial Study for roll call.
Upon entering, he vaguely heard voices inside.
When he reached the interior, he found Li Jingyu also in the Imperial Study. Hearing the commotion, the two brothers stopped talking and looked at him.
Ning Rushen saluted, “Your Majesty, Your Highness.”
Li Jingyu’s eyes lit up, “Lord Ning!”
Li Wuting glanced at him, letting out a faint, mocking hum.
Ning Rushen asked, “Does Your Highness have something to discuss with His Majesty?”
Li Jingyu replied, “I need to report my studies to my brother.”
Ning Rushen nodded, indicating it was none of his business, “I shall take my leave then.”
“Why are you leaving so quickly?”
Li Wuting suddenly stood up and said to Li Jingyu, “No studies today, accompany me to see how Lord Ning performs his duties.”
“…?”
The Ministry of Rites wasn’t far from there.
Ning Rushen led them to his office, Li Wuting having changed into casual clothes, accompanied only by De Quan and two personal guards.
The Emperor’s presence caused the entire room to jump up in shock, especially Shiyi and Lu Wu, who came rain or shine for meals, reflexively prepared to kneel.
Li Wuting casually waved his hand, “No need for formalities.”
After speaking, he sat down with Li Jingyu beside Ning Rushen’s desk and gestured with his chin, “Just do as you normally would, don’t mind me.”
Ning Rushen hesitated:
If it were normal, that stool would be used as a footrest.
He sat down, lifting his robes, “I obey.”
Today’s visitors from noble families were also incessant.
Some didn’t recognize Li Wuting but were intimidated by his cold and authoritative presence, their demeanor immediately diminished.
Ning Rushen took advantage of this and handled matters even more smoothly.
Initially mindful of Li Wuting’s presence, he became increasingly engrossed, his eyes bright, face flushed, as if entering a state of self-forgetfulness.
Li Wuting never interrupted, quietly observing Ning Rushen’s focused and animated expression: delicate and lively features, a slender figure that effortlessly managed the complex noble affairs of the capital with deftness.
Even leaving people feeling grateful.
Li Wuting’s lips curved slightly.
…
After the first wave of visitors.
The bidding on the public board had multiplied several times.
Ning Rushen finally had a moment to drink tea, gulping it down.
Li Wuting glanced around at the tense, waiting crowd, “All of you, leave.”
“Yes!” The group sighed in relief and dispersed.
The two guards remained outside.
In the office, only Ning Rushen, Li Wuting, Li Jingyu, and the silent De Quan remained.
With everyone gone.
Li Wuting asked Li Jingyu, “Did you learn anything from Lord Ning?”
Ning Rushen almost choked, looking at Li Wuting: was he asking Jingyu to learn… officialdom tricks?
Li Jingyu turned to Ning Rushen, half understanding.
Ning Rushen could only diplomatically teach, “You need to say the most wicked things with the purest face.”
Li Wuting, “…”
Ning Rushen, “Did you learn, Your Highness?”
Li Jingyu thought for a moment, “I did.”
It was nearing lunchtime, Li Wuting stood, “Let’s have lunch at the Ministry of Rites.”
With that, both of them brightened!
Ning Rushen and Li Jingyu sprang up from their chairs—
They were face to face.
Li Jingyu jumped off the stool, bumped into Ning Rushen’s knee, and spread his arms, “Ouch!”
Ning Rushen caught the little legs.
Then he felt a sensation as if being sniffed.
“?” Ning Rushen looked down, “Your Highness?”
What is he sniffing?
The head in his arms rubbed around, then lifted.
Li Jingyu looked up, with the most innocent face, said earnestly, “Lord Ning, you smell like my brother.”
Ning Rushen, “…”
Li Wuting, “…”
