Chapter 34
Ning Rushen scrutinized it for a moment, then plucked it again, swallowing hard, unable to let go.TGXDzcNTOEngxugRbarAQjAbYMPcWe
AZnnTkTcgwVitVHHe held two oblivious fat pigeons, plucking their feathers while pondering: Prince Xuan only mentioned he would send a reply, but he didn’t specify how long it would take.sSkbOaBoZLlwcUVeyqGjzluHCBdehS
IUbkcrvNKgVairzWhy not breed these pigeons first, hatch some eggs, and raise a flock of little pigeons…UkfKSkBnEMdwdQBtQhfzVOjDatLIxq
kELyvSwIFHVRtDhThe more Ning Rushen thought about it, the more feasible it seemed. He called Shiyi, who was hanging on the wall, “Come here, help me put the pigeons in the cage.”iPjpmUirQrnJbzYiYFQDFeeModnHkM
uYQDOpagGSnNvlXShiyi nimbly jumped down, “Two today?”XdLXzkiYVCCGuPIeqIViXtWwvRXdbF
SPymaXWklqrNpIbNing Rushen, “Crazy Thursday.” Bought them at a discount.KfrQvmYqyEwuimuobduQbHSSZuVcnQ
JRCIUSrAXKWJMlJThat afternoon, a newly built pigeon cage was set up in a corner of the main courtyard.bSCSSYoUlnrsSqXioEGjoIjgcQXQEU
LaFphUvfwqAMtGVNing Rushen, thinking of future pigeon feasts, pampered them with luxurious food:TiuITBrCPxQgpZnDFUfLGUHjDtuNZo
PSTDJKfBPgCTIxf“Eat up, eat up, a full stomach leads to lascivious thoughts.”dxfxZQFQgguqERlRQnXjCpBDeZjyuI
fkUHzqfCHbsQfLCThe two pigeons finally realized they were living a canary’s life, flapping their wings in panic while uncontrollably pecking at the grains: coo coo coo!GtegqoXoOoBKmgbfABbfnkFRbbdaZU
APrcOLUhlnZOFtmBeside him, Yan Min curiously observed, “Master, are you keeping pets?”zYAWmfSlnOotkJVqXBsrWxxfWYbijX
BNEqbemKDWvxAPY“Uh… sort of,” Ning Rushen replied vaguely, then instructed, “Starting tomorrow, I will be serving in the Ministry of Rites, so I won’t have much time at home. Take good care of them for me.”TvCMppEiLbUaEPkSHAUNuROpOlrHQP
xuHuOJclExGcBzY“Yes, Master!”ARnWusFNTWqKSvsXsLXezuehuOUiGp
FiToJmjxMXINMIqNing Rushen nodded and happily returned to his room.ttNBiFqpWlbRNcgtSTpBZxRmUZcIRu
POTTMnVArGtVwltAfter he left, Yan Min glanced at the cage for a while, then reached out and flipped the pigeons’ tails:WhVnRKAtDKSOkShjAyozOGFVdLONpk
HaLyviWQzxFfHfoOh, both are males.BuiFbEZAonXftaVkdkoZXBPIyBozhA
QUhpIwVtqmsVeJs·OveigQpefTjNulXuqOXwQLVTipOJsc
ikxFNiBnSiEOFMcThe next day, Ning Rushen went to court.zPKdNUConZrGcMUWibqTyIYWJaPbum
HSTOBPKgvCkAgOTDuring the morning session, the decree had already been issued to the public, undoubtedly causing a stir among the noble families in the capital.mFXbIsllLvWDjGbSgQrXGAeSaStPGF
NMjERfbZZyJtUZVHe was secretly scheming, calculating in his mind:sfbmZPtatukHBuWMRiWKgRvtWLKBWP
shiRXfOYTIoQXmCHow to slaughter gently and without a trace?getJllhKNJeiDpZsSCZTHMrXdBdpAI
YJsfLlVGpRjOIqnAfter contemplating through the morning session, Ning Rushen had a rough plan. Just as he was refining it, he heard De Quan’s long and thin voice from above: “Dismissed—”bHdPiPHtuHvOiKnrKNnwBipjaVghXi
gbiNsUbMlFesfXBHe snapped back to reality and looked up.HOSBtSHtUAPogTSlgnYewQUjumyOKo
OzmauRGdgJXLWqdHe saw Li Wuting stand up, the bright yellow dragon robe accentuating his cold, handsome profile, exuding an unattainable noble dignity.bypnjmXRUKwmfNtiFtxeWlMhOKmMXh
LWjKBXeWonTdexdNing Rushen was momentarily dazed.tfogQycfWABbzraWazCWhCrsLQBkIz
yYzZjwmRpqpYmfXHe vaguely recalled that when he was in a coma two days ago, he seemed to have grabbed onto something and climbed for quite a while. If Li Wuting was the one taking care of him then…KWHkGZedgSsVuRsicshBcDzpXMMmdO
XIHunsQqYrwyRyrHe licked his lips:wjBqfsTUwYHkxsZvWoLEamMrvaYHKW
hjAhfpeMgSHebcoCould it be that he had turned this dragon robe into a cat climbing frame?vhrKKLpGngeBGeJRTReYLvoCTfNAop
BVyfcexgHsvUzeYWhile he was pondering, Li Wuting’s figure had already disappeared behind the hall.GeezrZdNNuJCauysjBCdesSOpzGgcP
RujgSLDzeXsilrcNing Rushen hesitated, unsure whether to go to the Imperial Study to report.ElYvLkmVNsWcVkmtroWQScJkGJtYkH
AdGwElADIeDwUYM“Master Ning—” At that moment, Guan Fan approached from the other end, enthusiastically turning him around to face outside the hall:zxIulkpioZcgpAHLiRnoHoifrGVjTG
qSsKCYzZvOBLgqJ“Let’s go, time to head to the Ministry of Rites!”BXalyuxVagDoXKTjYcYSEGAqmpdWOp
SSZoUrrslqiNjCU“…” Ning Rushen was half-pushed out, “Oh, okay.”wxshBNMNJdcyWoMVqyHSAHTIDAkPHz
fIHmIscJGPlnmhQNever mind, Li Wuting hadn’t summoned him anyway.FIWsjvYXUqBstBUigfKEqYlAmHLACA
OQtcXpDQplFAzOcThe two chatted as they walked out of the palace together.WDZmpMjvHiosXbtBtQhJHGqUzxUTcf
uJWMRrGZPddoZyDTheir scarlet official robes fluttered in the wind.itwHauypHzmNodcghCcnZZJtTYyYVC
OIBCfuuPmSdUBAhOne was the Minister of Rites, and the other was the City Supervisor, a position technically below third rank but almost independent of the Ministry of Rites’ jurisdiction, holding real power comparable to that of the Minister.jZyznYfuApPYzzIFcGnTcKGnHEZSEE
wjyWUXEQzbftAxaFor a moment, the distant court officials speculated:mFWTayaxdnKjYGzMqWaOmbUkDeOllj
eGGcRlwnODQEjVCWith the decree just issued, causing turmoil among various factions, these two top figures of the Ministry of Rites must be discussing countermeasures in secret.LLIRpdYrfUqqnKGWTnilxgzeLOhQFa
QQsLxFHIzorkoPt…svbPKbqczQgnoEjoGuVljaEmwqmXMs
UYYEbANybUJCDENOn the long path outside the palace gates, Ning Rushen asked excitedly, “What are we having for lunch today?”qnygMuzuJNmcHmVMVwdpXUaaQeUJop
IqMkdYGrcWeycWiGuan Fan replied, “Braised eggplant, fried four treasures, and roasted goose!”RdgTybMTCZYcLxNXafimplcAoUfnyl
yvWrMORboBpvYrwNing Rushen’s mouth watered, “Oh, roasted goose sounds good… Speaking of which, I’ve recently raised two fat pigeons. Once they hatch some chicks, I’ll treat you to a pigeon feast, Lord Guan.”eYUqmropXlaZwZnCykfgDmxjhALNPM
MGvjQNjZxVSyewLGuan Fan suggested, “You can also keep some pigeon eggs.”UbbhRfpKFaZxSDdhRFCaOQWjdXIHlN
nEZzIoKVsKCqIKvNing Rushen realized this was a great idea, casting an admiring glance: indeed, the older, the wiser, not missing a single detail.OXFMnPlrCScJWDtGiXvMhKyNJaQNlO
oGTFykrkuMhhEnxThey arrived at the Ministry of Rites in a cheerful mood.yMPNkHjbbknbLQGECSLPCbBwQAhuVb
gKnPBSgiaBeCZtBNing Rushen’s office was set up separately. After parting ways with Guan Fan, he entered the room, finding it bright, clean, and neatly organized.jUZpjHCVDlScfRBiqvZxKYVnwYpGhA
OLzaKjaciRBtftvSeveral officials assigned to assist him were already familiar with him: “Lord Ning, this is our first time doing this. What should we pay attention to?”qSVdbudhSXjlEqXZRZUtuJMnJYxfNV
AqeCnTbPvIWoPclNing Rushen sat down, “Just make sure not to show your tails.”MUtSFkXxglkPghOyYREBgyzzgoOmTp
sdGPZDUaixfsTIT“???”TvVJgcyfAhKcxsDAQMLJzMLCdsehVp
bmPXYfiXetqBsze“Oh, I mean, try to be kind and show our sincerity and benefits to the others.”YhGxswQyBpgceEKLNyGiDTtzWNxWHE
MaRLBGkgeUFBFaWThey forced out a smile, “Like this?”SZwsGrAykIgzanAKFrzUkqUYnvfEdj
YUttllsfbuCKKEJ“…” Ning Rushen sighed, “Forget it.”RJCHYgWvgBSnmhXobFJKXytQIbKAjH
GFNjusBFVBIwZLIAll he could see were weasel tails.ZlZzjLSUeLsDqWXRphgyNLiGtSzpAu
dHwgJgBrfACXdSR·LVGDzrvOPsXHdexAMvXQhpZhyfsRSi
TwaCMgILnHgPwdIToday was the first day of the decree’s implementation.RLGjcJxVlAfPekSXQBQFWCjUvHcOsH
RtcQszTJtNjYDccMany noble families were still observing, and by the afternoon, the office remained unvisited.BmKQohSsCFFtbaZMFBccWAzvmgBCGk
wOyBDTyQgXFXThROnly the people he sent out came back to report, “It seems some family servants are outside investigating.”KKEiJBMZHoaBJzDQLUCnIyWgQEsjje
AjQkShMpnKzAZve“Lord, we can’t advance like this.”JRBuvrAfJxCQhachekXIqBTXnvjuNW
ECBmjwPFDFyVSJaNing Rushen leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers, “Hmm…”SFAvDXGPbMJSFzEuKiTFVJHDOZweaJ
viSeOttwKFlmXhhAs he pondered, the reporting official watched him, sweating a bit:vxyevShTnqcQmsLyVDMxuIPWqNqRdV
parFpnuecSFAzyXTruly the Emperor’s favorite, mimicking the Emperor’s posture and expression during his inspections of the Ministry of Rites…ggongTTjsNTjWsAjbTKhjpHmTurgRi
pIMtxuJTNCFjxlz“Alright.” After a moment, Ning Rushen wrote on a sheet of paper, “Take this to a guard at my residence named ‘Pata,’ he will know what to do.”kwlisEjMfEvDizzqBFZRWPAQpUiLRk
EmENSIPrlQeEZaKThe official snapped back to reality: What? Pata??ypVSvguUaNaNpgRmWlhlTVyJtoVElf
cYrXnQmoUvUgPHFHalf an hour later.TvJPeMqvAEBrWctnFzhlEAqcqUCTbA
FXNfntHFHMZkBqfFive or six well-dressed individuals holding greeting cards walked into the Ministry of Rites.GPUatrVoMpxTxXjXFSEXeARwOhGqZk
PHFbMJKEqUyBrZFThe servants observing from afar saw this and hurried back to report.FQzwMmSbMJHTBjeYExsYZdgBYsVtrS
iAutkFequvtryQdIn the office.yqnKHVcmKQZoKKQwxiirPezDMaGHya
pZLnYNGyBjGCjXsNing Rushen watched as Shiyi and the others, disguised as stewards and heads of noble families, filled out the bidding forms.UGAateMiSNmdFmbEmMvaRolkVQPkeY
lpTiqkRJOHUqyKY“Just fill in a name… Don’t write Pata. Yes, fill in those sections too; the act must be complete.”mApUSwarKYIzNAuFmpbjwvqcCEJjDS
OQMkOuYsVHJGoXn“After filling them out, line up in front. Tonight, I’ll let you join the Ministry of Rites’ dinner; I’ll inform Lord Guan.”RgJrTKmteYcdxzCZkslhpKelCKTqpq
JzYQLTReqwkdLOSAs they lined up and filled out the forms.woLFSLTNvJBetWfLwyaRTMbWUUyrtc
yCYfawCPTGIZzgENing Rushen’s eyes caught a familiar face. He racked his brain:sqoNbERPfZLJLYWotKIMVduRXOcmBc
nBJAgFcrPUSJUsF“…Lu Wu?”MViKImmThrXxNsEysDygPaWdsvAPzE
MljoaPZvdKGbhFdLu Wu nodded calmly, “Lord.”OVZJIxuepyPBvOtPbdlgdZlJrFteyA
byPjHJQdDneDXGSNing Rushen turned to Shiyi: ?unKdmKVBSAERaHuUbELTnZBasuLaqr
WnleErRZGdxUmeIWhere did you pluck this guy from?eSlwhVusbpVqZNDYiSUIkCQWzEIAKT
TSkrzLGVFnTtxgdShiyi explained, “A fellow Jinyiwei. Saw him eating sweet dumplings on the street and recruited him on the spot.”FysicsZSvWmlhqEBfJzMzlrXeyymAV
CPblVmwvpgorNKiNing Rushen thought of Lu Wu, who had accompanied the Emperor, and looked at Shiyi with difficulty: No, this is the “former colleague” who replaced you at the Emperor’s side.YeylDwfpiFvBvRhJvfckjWBMszzyGL
PbvTsWpdrTJKQDWHe didn’t say it aloud, only remarking, “Thanks for your help.”pWiJkNxaOTucNeyShbBeHjknwlMekH
ZTTxubJlRIgzOVGAs they were filling out the forms, a subordinate led a young man in a dark blue brocade robe inside:LWNpzahbijeSQhNJsutsRQocXEpwqr
fUNMyTnytKisUHQ“Lord, a representative from the Lu family is here.”ECDhoImNTlHCLAZMOnXzoeaUIEkfwp
kBWDDnPgPJfgWpJThe young man was startled by the line!bBRwxrlpjgNMlSnvlHVgGszNWVdtDT
zPpvyVUGJnwdwfDHe looked over from the end of the line, “Lord?”lAFvSFsugogvjSPfdASTvnxZoURCpF
siCNuqFMmreILMH—Oh, he’s here.KMdaMtQZiqpkHjDTGvLxiZPBqzqnfK
BqyBfAThwVSPzFQNing Rushen sat up straight, “Don’t worry, there are six families ahead of you. Please wait.”IwLbMRtiMhnnUPdZECBiIGAPKqypxY
TrsEYbUHrfMrtoM“…?”yCffrIsaAbXGexmUcfCNqDqZQGXBGX
hiBKVjGVXGDUkcJWhen it was the young man’s turn, two quarters had passed.gvgrhRbRxBMAoiUneanUYPHrZpMdYK
SvZLcrwsMqDzsPcNing Rushen glanced at the form information: Lu Ke, from an old pastry family in the capital, with some ties to the Imperial Censor.GygtZkvcekTOPZmZUBpZnFBqBoJlRy
aJjpoigmcGGmIbmHe looked at it and placed the paper on top of a stack of registration forms.qvDiZcLcAMexZTgNMmTvCEmzFpPmvr
svxWbUowgbXeJsCLu Ke was immediately alarmed, “Am I at the bottom?”uAlXgEmKYnFocSXglkUHIbWsBxUiyS
SjglOEoYfZlIVkc“Don’t worry, it’s just based on arrival order.”KoMvUThmchioSVFuOBleWarKODjkqm
bBfBfGhLrAsOjtpNing Rushen gently explained, starting a detailed conversation.bSLvAzmwrntrFxgQDUiuHEhcrtQruz
bDWpznzkZqiEVBZFrom strict screening criteria, to rare promotional spots, to advertising benefits, and long-term returns…yWIoqILyXwECRNfguTwLvspDQpqxgf
kUncKHhjVoPEwmjHe made it sound so reasonable that Lu Ke was dizzy:gEPFkxxiwrCjdDXQmyWDyWlwZUvkuK
eMbOvZeLONbSujF“So, do you think I have a chance of winning the bid?”kSgblPCZgxWcYwemrJNDkRIrAXroWT
RYiQqvcLuVtciSm“As it stands, you have hope.”ozBvvpyvwNMANVmakPCfJbjjhTsqMo
cKXPMxtTAiTJVAXNing Rushen looked at him kindly, “I will post the bidding prices here, and you can check them daily. If you wish to revise your bid, you can do so at any time.”atyZQXOniIsclcSOrmQEJKLRUqnkVK
QpTfLUlNWYQeGeHHis fair complexion and clear eyes, along with his soft voice, made Lu Ke feel he was kind and gentle, and so good-looking…XcppmexWyadGNsTgQVEkfSpRjUDTyA
VifBVOKWzjTKQTTLu Ke unconsciously held his breath and lowered his voice, “Yes, thank you, Lord.”rXXqlSQJLNIHCfFRMjcsmZwaCCHmlZ
tDZylYwYtpDDACVNing Rushen smiled slightly, “Take care.”OOYzVzJYTUAwVoyzsyIlACIoAWzaOU
dRHmsQSgLNGZOcZAfter Lu Ke left, the extras and subordinates all looked at him in unison.gQjtJHeKNOjinnpZlHAGpSSjSPxABE
VHYFuIiqJIezPfwNing Rushen retracted his smile and instructed, “Negotiate like this, understand?”HtHwgcjRhPCuZGSvlZEofylUOOMiaO
HXURkLJQipIGmPeEveryone, “…”HpgaFLZAWzaJUAsCoedJbMtWKYEcLw
VDEGhOZIKfhTDTHYou’ve completely fooled him.cboNwJpubTRajqLNvmIaJHHYmlPOEn
srLqCNiBJsPLYlsCompetition and news spread rapidly.JcIYedFYlMrCrytbkxcJyNjjCDjFlc
rDusUOuseYJpZUvWithin two days, more and more noble families sent people to submit their bids.KbZvnfbQKvLunyftfNUzLhfjVZfOgL
AuWblsrXuhzkCycEach of them hesitated as they entered, and limped out.IWRRcQIigcbnnDZxImnkuLCeHEBUlj
kTQzqdDpqMNaSdxDuring this time, the group of actors dug up from the mansion and the Jinyiwei office came daily, following Ning Rushen to freeload on the Ministry of Rites’ “working meals.”yxRffweGkBNlmBkHuGQTIfSIvNlzVI
PKCnRkitCslvsByGuan Fan rolled up his sleeves and ate with Ning Rushen, sighing, “Lord Ning, why do you bring your family along?”VrtJkpvXOulbvlXIubviPKCjIehrua
bWlbvCiEZUfCouzNing Rushen slurped his food, “We’re about to get rich, so we should pay them some appearance fees.”wAHeIgprATytyjoNjjZTLudauVYRsY
dZARPvqXmmzwnJPGuan Fan, having learned many new terms these days, agreed generously, “Indeed!”KszRDVBaTLJnacxJoAukaPWWIfZDEO
dMrEsVjMdiZvJBFThe visiting noble families were endless.RxFcBVhEZnGULoLkYpuCRexuxFszHu
YUHXmpneqxYjIjwFor five or six days straight, Ning Rushen ran to the Ministry of Rites right after the morning court, busy as a bee.KnounyUSOxXUNOwfIPLwBdrPguSANG
kaaITHgUPJMInUxAt night, he finally had time to check on his fat pigeons:bHQZVXBHYLsQOGfOHTuVtclhFNCDaP
dnkTtzkIhywnOjYDid you lay eggs?pGYieeTQrYIvWUBRudxGCCZSrzHKGk
NkhnuMxTMbPJlYbDid you hatch baby pigeons?LSqbJlgxhuMEXwkLvGFBnirezqiNyN
jXFNSeQOZUNCySuHowever, after a week, the cage was still empty.wJwRdHzOyLEBftvjtxaUoVJgXetZmU
fFJAruIKePasrXsNing Rushen sighed while holding the cage: Living together without love is truly a pile of loose sand.rmwKvSqazLzplZdTssbNUphcDIPMAR
OCitaxCKMeaLkei…jURVaZIiwxatVGqdZqVyBPJNELaIbX
LDGaiumHMrmKFoBHe was here waiting for the pigeons.ckzrQwwKioqsYTwoFQgLDPEnMvHOny
aOrlunkofwlEcNNHe didn’t realize he had neglected the person on the throne for several days.mqmlThTIJKrpBBwHANCSIdKecPycPn
VSJPWkJVSMAUOlkIn the palace, within the Imperial Study.vZjDinyZPvxOuWSaxDUaEVcntnGzHg
EhOSpazJkkNUOguAs night fell, a few intricately carved lamps were lit.VrFJshUNiOLaaFDTGjqRTiOQxrUXuF
MVmqXUpHJZKfkUvLi Wuting was sitting behind the imperial desk handling state affairs, his thin lips pressed into a straight line, and his deep features cast shadows in the candlelight.wIwuTOzlSTuOyrrpWaseBvVkkweoDd
NfFNPHZjAaELzvZThe palace attendants stood quietly on both sides with their heads lowered.ZAdvhtfDgYYTcKuaOByfiHNGRUqrnG
qTGtPWochVbhbqpIn the silent space, the pressure was inexplicably low.cpYGSdnrxVAXOunmTOkLxlwwTzlvvo
xmHPRzleSjybCDHDe Quan was worried on the side:HbOJlTkVqiuInFvnEdmdBhaIoUlBeY
EcBKeZanzVmQPRbSigh, it’s been so long. Ever since Lord Ning went to the Ministry of Rites, he hasn’t come back for a single day, completely forgetting about His Majesty!eVzMsPIxwQIXInHpSMLifZjwOOLzKM
otUrcCVgKkkzIzzThere was a sound of a brush being put down on the desk.YYvWZypvxcvLZaTNjTJDZtAXRICmmm
xOVRMEDhBHALERNLi Wuting had finished his work and rubbed his temples, calling out, “Lu Wu.”bJJzIACuaaBXCZtANVNCfLIpubJEzX
yIDMGzoqPuidgFaA figure immediately appeared before the desk, “Your Majesty.”eRavNzzfmxzvqafuJIPxuaThmCoKle
mhkiaRObLHzrEAlEvery Jinyiwei guard had their own code name, serving as the emperor’s eyes and ears. If there was nothing urgent, they would report to the emperor every seven days.LFuSwklJsmwTjFMoIQaRmKzAqxeczi
bXDcswvZWCEfdSGToday, it was Lu Wu’s turn.GMSYxoBpiDSWmztLSSHhjOilyEFUib
JytkKLZbCgHywDqLi Wuting said, “Speak.”UYFJTWIUBJSVAnhcWovbMzHTGsKjoM
RhHxlnaPkCKvwrgLu Wu bowed his head, “There have been no major events recently. This humble servant has been staying with Lord Ning at the Ministry of Rites all day.”DomRvPDIBCjtApwfXXXauDiaQuBAjH
zlIOWLNjKBiekJg“……”FXvCtEdsKBFfBlRFGnJTGaCUBKunQo
PiELzhMevTwgxbvAfter a few seconds of silence.LmXVKTDnnQbgDLIiZGrtbfZlHoFmjO
oaOIvFlMVfBAKcFDe Quan felt a chill:rfcbqhHFcNOWVHZbjQpWfqcCbmGWpD
IZfEWaasMzPVpflHis Majesty hasn’t been with Lord Ning for days, but this guy is with him every day. Really knows how to hit the sore spot!uveAseETOZYtzmgCybLRvHgKcTBGBB
ruvXKYQOfHWSDJALi Wuting’s voice came again, “Oh? What has he been doing?”gxagwHzHgLjkbBiHEQxditFXExbWQP
DNuCPKIFKwBoQHjLu Wu, unaffected, reported expressionlessly, “Lord Ning has…no, has caused over ten noble families to compete fiercely, with the situation looking very favorable. He also brings everyone to freeload on the Ministry of Rites’ working meals—”CjkNoYokbpsfOXKMQgBPQpRgmtctiY
FRqdOJFnsfmCuFPRemembering the meals, his throat moved suspiciously.cviJkFcaDpRSUPOAgJtlsQEYwcWUlM
zybIguydpIzaGCWLi Wuting tapped the table, “And after work?”iGyGtmjuhikiNpzkrCtWXriNMdRtgK
QPbvcWqQAHJxyCcLu Wu recalled Shiyi’s sharing, “After work, he goes home to force two male pigeons to lay eggs.”RYUqASmAgkdyeplquHwvlBhzHdBjzo
GKsOssPPogHBCOnLi Wuting, “…………”thKNECrggAtSIqdgwpBvvqbCJzxxYc
ELWwWnqwTtdpJzMAs if he didn’t hear clearly, “What?”ORJYRvoPbyWvVOpcASLrBvKHtAesWO
dranDGZZsfxDLfWLu Wu, “Forces two male pigeons to lay eggs for him to eat.”iBQrqphdLqcmzMQElsrNwVrNzuKvdO
vbHzwrjDseQZMjKThere was no response for a long time.NxqxCXsZORJhmXcgErzdFhINDrbalM
MUbqPJsQNOQNVSoAfter a while, the emperor’s voice, seemingly calm, came, “He has the leisure to do this but hasn’t come to the Imperial Study even once?”SBUDDySyJsdiXliIIRQsJXuiPvpgwQ
QDIbEjZvGNvZFGi“Enough, you may leave.”hdmNRqIDVrhVuxBIuskEdJwyvapJss
uBVFurYwPZgfJQeLu Wu bowed his head and disappeared instantly.fkSSQavqRcTmHaoAZlowzpfWwMqvrv
vCAMxLGkUlMPgsbIn the Imperial Study, De Quan was furious:YZHjSDtMmERtYKLtOBCdOIADkHwzun
uEazhpvtQGUqHrBLord Ning, how could you not think of His Majesty more often!BAZyGqgHiiSyHNKWxikhvavVDAeiSH
xVJvncvQBbTVgQHHis official robe, which had been washed clean, wasn’t thrown away or sent back but was placed in the side hall of the Imperial Study.MlAztsbeaMnUXOFDjKCNhGSgznHrMl
LARugrqBlbTEEtJWasn’t it obvious that His Majesty wanted to return it personally?qXmstydPRFobXfAzupeCIofRJnVVZP
zONLzkrPwsKgADIDe Quan felt he had guessed the emperor’s intentions correctly, just frustrated that Ning Rushen hadn’t come.pSvchSOZAahKaNCxbUulbDdeOzrdDV
BEPXLLJrdiGeVeTHe was so anxious that his throat was dry. Looking at Li Wuting’s cold expression, he bravely spoke, “In this servant’s opinion, Lord Ning is too busy. He’s done such an outstanding job, yet hasn’t come to report the good news to Your Majesty!”QGzPAxHECEzrsPOOeGMUhbaTwpjZPk
vTYHzEdPjMdYbvjLi Wuting glanced at him indifferently.wfoVonnMoRzxkBbWJNrgVSSYhSgljw
BXhBpoSAiMBMyyEHe didn’t know what De Quan was guessing, but he wasn’t wrong about one thing…dXaZIywlNpboArfEAMUGFvpcaGXOCt
qJyjUQBEYCklQTlAfter working so long, it was indeed time to report.TzfluNDkyCYrKtYeiIZLSSCTJsOJAL
wOpKnrLWiSHBMVOLi Wuting lowered his lashes and pondered for a moment, unable to resist the slight itch in his palm, “Summon him to the palace.”YDGnPmMzEYDspcSHrCSJSAjcbvtIcH
fahEoowBPsErsVtDe Quan was overjoyed, “Yes!”ZrjLELdnfTsrPlmqvyMJNVucHaJpQy
txsSveKvFEJoIeN·eDeGuBgJvynLtckgIFkDUHyJaOFUCs
GyCqkwlyUgoRTbJNing Mansion, main courtyard.BzFYnhboAlvCxBVLaEvJPfQMfswiNv
QyjooZShXzYIPFUNing Rushen didn’t know that the pigeons were both male. He was squatting by the cage, trying to matchmake them.WIPlbTwdeUTYQduHuzWsIPQRXMJRpR
gFTAplmJWJrYObVMuttering, a palace attendant suddenly came:UHSVVRUHcWPANQFQqDNKoxadDOpRjD
AkacOGwpMgPGuax“Lord Ning, His Majesty summons you.”dFbxEJMPkukvYbmrdRzHJmEOImxrwC
FocKbjbbGaVlaazNing Rushen turned his head: …at this hour again?zEaYxleWiLJNrJbJgaPgMRXWKpqDoQ
coUMboFjjpoXYapHe followed the young eunuch into the palace, and as he approached the Imperial Study, he saw De Quan hurrying out from the door.FbnigikwgEaqAYIluglwNqdDAfsgGe
KLgTkWhfCmejUiQ“Father-in-law De, long time no see.”ycBbHYWyNRAyGvIwztlgkkvRXDupBO
eGkbREPGGcuJXSy“Oh Lord Ning, you know it’s been a long time!”MTkkTaAsDWrncMhIxlOmoIFvUoiUyf
rOlhsrwFMKnkLvVDe Quan approached quickly, lowering his voice, “Later, when you go in, ask His Majesty, ‘Where are my clothes?’ Understand?”RhSwNTDPqkjIvrMldkXxtlwCPxQkbI
EbikhSKSpFpkRtxNing Rushen: ???sdmPVObwjhYrWEFAXvqqOeOkyDkcLU
EyrMewzLsLqEiAcHe was shocked: No, he didn’t understand—uJTQFvRRcCLLpkVEXrbdCublBfDBMf
sSIpmiSpuumuypXDe Quan, “Have I ever harmed you? When have I been wrong?” His Majesty must be waiting to return the clothes personally.lJyNEqmvTZWBFPvIXsIMwrdTzBatTc
HbKzNFpYXJJQpTBWithin a few steps, they reached the door of the Imperial Study.sfZmKTMyoJGJZTQvztFYVUXlBdvbtu
EJkfzqAqLysNwqwNing Rushen was puzzled but recalled: It seemed he had never been wrong.TrIsKLjlzINOGOqJnmLQpiOuMPCDoJ
rEgfCpMXhcVXkzDDe Quan whispered, “Remember?”kCltmuyENkHghArJcjrhPkKCXSzUrY
gdCeehBJsWJHhoENing Rushen agreed, “Remember.”voSOZbjDdmVClYxgKIKsIGnPOcNNdO
kiEDwlAuGsTeBPYAs he stepped into the Imperial Study, he silently repeated: When I go in, ask—FOkkOqMKctPwQaeRLINPRxnrFEWscW
vIBiGXqKIGRFHLv“Your Majesty, where are my clothes?”NVyWnkEfkZEiqeGrcRCWdXVWasdcVZ
OvMzICglQmnifYeYXDGVwWNCAUIOdEWvWqaUKXxQxmnVQ