Chapter 36
Ning Rushen’s hand trembled when he heard this, nearly throwing his short legs out.WPCAoVnpOhKMVHujnjsrMEPFfzFigz
WzdESzPajOdtzzmHe forced a smile, “It’s my clothes that got stained with the incense.”TVDbRvSBYfbSCfLUmpCVpsMSpMEQzZ
JnbXaCuewmbJJFTLi Jingyu blinked, “Why would Lord Ning’s official robe be stained with the emperor’s…” A large hand suddenly covered his mouth from behind, “Mmm mmm mmm!”gDEbuqcQSkXgVnGgCfVcVnQYxhHpcX
gJLsMdDPfpYVgCVLi Wuting stepped forward, eyes downcast, “Li Jingyu.”HlEzFrdmndnCEqJxtGyOhdOFTfbmrh
aJpXZCntiubVOkABeing addressed by his full name finally instilled a sense of reverence in Li Jingyu. He obediently slipped down from Ning Rushen’s arms and admitted his mistake, “This minister knows his error.”fvfsYrXaQsQRPzwQjOMhbjIUqXJMmx
mGiAuAfsHuDTAfCDe Quan immediately suppressed his bright smile and understandingly said, “This servant will take the little prince to the dining hall.”yUYCYiRVCMdIxZppRQRbyRuLKhFCNZ
yGzSurdSysOapClA subtle heat arose in Ning Rushen’s heart. He lowered his head to sniff himself, “I clearly aired out my clothes…”tRoGcJjXNiXUFuUnenQcREXfQSvDqm
ubwjIWhjYEBAZQlAs he turned his head, his slender neck revealed a patch of snow-white skin.npFEuDwfJKXiHjfcEtWHhqinLBlqCT
XcbyDwNyWUCrHdvHis delicate collarbone moved, exuding a faint warm fragrance.GmobvnLfFQxppqdQvoyflmNtsVxeen
cqplQXRMyWYSwPhLi Wuting stood half a step in front of him, tapping his fingers on the desk, “What, do you find my incense unpleasant?”RwVQVZAeZCmTlSUvPyfUuvHDfShiWA
UdvgrbasIPMsyPTHe pressed his lips together, “It smells too good. I can hardly handle it.”cYCSlwjIeELxJVSlNsLszRpfMXJNyF
mgdkZzvtwirXoMYWithout a word, he turned on his heel and left the room, “Follow me.”AExihjMITWoKTbaGNkLKxylywIXXHh
sChErKOyxjyauppIn the dining hall, all the officials from the Ministry of Rites were already inside, respectfully greeting Li Wuting upon his arrival.cyukQdoDvlrYBgaQHKRUCxhLTKzwkO
BIERgSipYVLSVvkLi Wuting said, “Sit as you please, no need for formalities.”oPrcsoLmlvrWqGmmCiktFubPOQsPZq
IUnwHcvmhNlUKZWAs soon as he finished speaking, Ning Rushen darted from behind him and sat by the rice pot, rolling up his sleeves.gyHUGhyadnzEqLPbLZJPoBSQwidNQT
yFGKbTWXbgxhFCN“…”qDYLDynhUzELOMzpoVJArMtLFTnFTT
HxcqWLgmRCTdKGfDe Quan’s eyes widened, his voice ringing out, “Ahem ahem!!!”rcDLfLPQYPMgMLAuUEyjmrZxXxPxQm
LOXnhrPHubxBESULord Ning, can’t you be more mindful?ENBhoJSudDczptDDodAvExdimWPCbA
KGXfzMZItyXLRLrIs your rice pot more important than His Majesty?xrzbvxebhkRKzqTjZQDRTwhOrPpJpG
nrNFzNZQxTYjnGyJust as Ning Rushen rolled up his sleeves and was about to dig in, he suddenly heard a familiar warning sound. He turned and met De Quan’s frantic signaling:nXHpJYsCjTWnVpHFUCynEHtxThTCHv
uhYXIORQOFJwcIWRemember His Majesty!JrMHCPusTEuAGJuherwCQOFZXhOFTT
NMgVGkzxadqBqdp“…”QIlelPenFQdvWjoEopJVWwNTrpEiIh
IEwvMTizGKJjoMQHis gaze swept the room, noticing that the other officials were cautiously seated according to their ranks, surrounding Li Wuting like stars around the moon.pDULdRrDlnTyAMUKnHdxmqANhKxeFo
IvyXafNBxHatGQROnly he was left with the big rice pot, positioned diagonally opposite Li Wuting.JXPozujCKNixTDymEiWsjCdilzKUUY
ZkUiqkILxReLMbhAs far as possible.ztdHxMpVNwErRPTzlvPrHOuSZIyHWT
DHAdjsslYiJKgxvNing Rushen swallowed: gulp.oxZlLCAcRhmwChmUgslpVSNGdhuryJ
hkIUkbnKKgdBaVBWhat happened to sitting as you please?IJAriXjDhuLAIbcUYuOGkryvNisPRP
sguTmIqrFkmHXAiIn the quiet dining hall, De Quan, Li Jingyu, and all the officials from the Ministry of Rites were staring at him…tScfeWEiFdcKhCgxQjCqBsVYlYaOjC
uSfqJfnkqOjaRfoLi Wuting said nothing, only lifting his eyes slightly.RPWIENtRvqDrSdEhhduWJBZISwrUKC
SQpJzkkEOVOpNNsNing Rushen felt a pang of guilt.fZcSGQLEBthGpfSXCefuBbTqCLRBCM
gwdtRCkJbsVyJiCHe pondered for two seconds, then had a moment of inspiration. He stood up and filled a large bowl of rice, placing it in front of Li Wuting:UbeeGcAiLUAjdvccBCYsiwigMNwsji
CHCOOetgNCUjfen“This minister was serving rice for His Majesty.”xtDWjJdXwdDwMsLIWqJIoREeDPeUQZ
BRTgUQZGBGZZxNdThe bowl of rice was piled high, almost overflowing.bjcEiweQlzRJgXKRUeXZMWzbAtBNJA
CEpqLrtQCnPhOZBEveryone fell silent, “…”LfISbKKTGELufEHPjmhbxnYldEMWaK
AfALivjZeOWVfZZLi Wuting glanced at it for a moment, “Lord Ning, I don’t even know where to start with this.”pLZOAPteTVkTjepkNLUAOyCiEwWDYw
ymCLxTYYHYOxPiUHe commented lightly, “It doesn’t look like you’re serving rice, it looks like a challenge for me.”KnhIVjrqyZgDmcVKssRnqHCypSvSur
bZCuuAauYEiGUCENing Rushen: …qoDbdLlrVeohAkRtBetoPwbYAUkFwz
VlEmJNOuFpczHhsHe lowered his head in shame, “This minister was too reckless. I’ll serve a new bowl for His Majesty.”TEdPiBZQZGExgksrxGktFROQgqKuZD
mAlvcjuKMgYnZoZAs he spoke and prepared to leave, he was stopped:SdZglXHJxcEinlRkWNbWBqOrFCiHRp
GVUgjzaJGYOVfUj“Forget it. I’m not that hard to serve.”XhwAodRWcuEpfVifSnbQqsIJtGoluO
qKfsUjzVZmBtIkO“?”xoXKNSmCfYMISwKpsddcrcfJTIfXuD
gEjIInfrgZyPYbRNing Rushen turned back to see Li Wuting taking an empty bowl and personally scooping half a bowl of rice into it.EqUsCtFgBPrhqhZECRRzbOKETdvjmC
AqcOtBITSMWNsEYThe entire dining hall fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.NCZrVtrTqTFnoseusZkZmRyBCZxZva
baFpAUylRqmSELOAll the officials stared in shock at the emperor’s humble act.dHxlKlSsKsLjgDzZawDSEZqlEOnjFt
rrDIqqrQiDXQNCcAfter scooping the rice, Li Wuting placed the bowl beside himself and said to Ning Rushen, “Eat.”MhZHtKOIpHYwQaBWyEkFvcQCEKUqDA
GkCVudkJQWkILyjNing Rushen hesitated, “But…”ikcVqoCOhtVPutiaYIXIIVDTUnSXkT
EBOdJhbGHqjUQrELi Wuting, “I said, no need for formalities.”SJenYWVDqWwewXHeFxEMBFWDhEAQsD
LMkpkjXNsgELACHNing Rushen swallowed his words and sat down beside him, picking up the bowl to eat:ydEWVxVQSlduYCHwLQwSwrgDpDwXqA
HztiaQdxmQVRXvBBut, this isn’t enough for him…GnrIQOIzfdHTHWOkokkKUMjBovOKyA
gQLBRxepjJUNYsjAs Li Wuting began to eat, the other officials finally started moving cautiously.SebMBWYMmrNxZAtiAhehHuJELcLvPD
wmdoPUPfChQOnQWFrom across the table, Li Jingyu glanced at Ning Rushen, then at his own empty bowl:THYgdcKEyGSGvdUTAIwvxDjbfQUAmJ
gPrYfygNpiiiiakAs expected, it’s different, and he still wants to fool me.UFibauHkLbRNlJBRDxpPYdMDwBEiCh
TEmbMzNfGsyuYChAfter lunch, Li Wuting still had other official duties to attend to, so he took Li Jingyu with him as he prepared to leave.mxbrmdlHlnNHAzUQbZjhYKLsOwnnhY
guialQVbyfqGlhnNing Rushen escorted them to the gates of the Ministry of Rites.IgXDjMkoiCEfQMnQoKzBvxdYPcwumB
xazLyeAGBwwABTuLi Jingyu looked at him eagerly, “Lord Ning, I’ve learned a lot today. Thank you for your guidance.”JPchjKIQCUyFtrrSFLlPHBHhDLvJfQ
rdMujbovMGOENlP“……”SMPrMTMpblJqzmCLdsOODbWgEhHMoc
voUbzSmADmYdzOlThe devil’s whisper briefly surfaced in his mind.JnZxLjnzWNoNJLzUBnOwaZmhTLebyd
lDylZscoWSJJZdYNing Rushen took a breath, “I don’t dare take credit. It’s all thanks to your talent, Your Highness.”tJPNKpVmFVidNemGAeDLKENGgKxMoq
mJquTXGnDfPUILeLi Jingyu wanted to say more but was suddenly picked up.lfeWFoEKwkpPicALIUTfbWCnOugrZh
yLqLzXEIMMRRbiy“Ouch!”SBaniiFDVeruEYaMtFGPpMXsTNyHtV
SPqNPhqabmUePHnLi Wuting calmly said, “You’ve learned well. As a reward, you can copy your homework three more times when we return.”KSJxFJXDbJajVWiWAOThcFbdUEoxBc
xEfxUfAYqHsEsDrNing Rushen was momentarily transported back to his student days:aOXOMbQHIAWwbbpSGLcovqotmeuINu
zWKcvFslAAaXvct“Happy birthday, here’s a workbook for you.”CrrHVwOKQWmxSQvTFfhVefGSLXVTPk
zEBOdYpVELZoRDFRoyal families, from top to bottom, are truly all dark-hearted.pNyPSFzAXEAMSmTMLejuMmEPLafRgl
VXAnATzXOFojamJHe watched with mixed feelings as Li Jingyu was carried, sobbing, into the carriage. After a respectful farewell, he suddenly saw Li Wuting lift the curtain and turn back:QDLYSAoEKtiFSbCYooGnKhnhhRPgym
waWxuwVvziPyCMz“Don’t forget the palace examination in a few days, Lord Ning.”LhmwDBTakibYttGNTWqedRHjJxdofW
fhwypaOFJXcaOtRAs he finished speaking, his gaze seemed to linger on Ning Rushen’s official robe.BBXJRZMBdAfZADgIcJbGzBhXbEdtaO
VCdwBAowmOtvhOgThen the curtain dropped, and the carriage sped away.LlLsTFKJRpIkeZGMpxnrEZKNocWRnq
rfzgcbJWMVXVhkMNing Rushen unconsciously tugged at his collar: He had indeed almost forgotten that the palace examination was coming up in late May.zskuRGCkUHERPGmyjSgVafQwWkxtAk
fscfgaXfmFoKJHd·NhkWoJbMKLEJgRNjDhMaiLjwvqRwTN
blQFgmTDOBXyozVThe palace examination of Dacheng was held in Baohe Hall.MLCCsXsfqUDTZvLfuBWYPaMkJMbQjU
cNxVdzLGAdsFqCFOfficials of the fifth rank and above were allowed to attend and observe.WcVskldMhyNqErfRUMcOQYeldyRiMH
kWNYXdEhBdYfFTKOn the day of the examination, Ning Rushen entered Baohe Hall with a group of officials. The hall was spacious, bright, and grand, exuding the utmost imperial majesty.RifzeoSZWBoLUdZHYQOwPlQnUUzZGp
dlgxbEgKWgJCrCAOfficials stood on either side of the hall, leaving the center space open.kIMbZCLlWlOjCFbzDkOyoHZiEuOdTw
IEXrKnckorXFPjVNing Rushen was positioned on the outermost row, facing the incoming examinees directly.sLhyxKiJyUXGwcNBNSlzvddzCBHSMr
FVdfPXAvGhpdsztHe instinctively touched his belt:fNkwrzTFcWshrIvIvTlUKIfGyliyJd
aHHghiAwWmpAeyeFront row seats, too bad there’s no sunflower seeds…PBTdaksbkEVWrFtJIfzRvmBkRqSgEX
SukEFOtcaQCTjJdJust as he was thinking this, the bell rang with a hum.xxUBhLrUreIVNadLplIAKSMBATOHXM
qptnZKrkqaJnANeLi Wuting, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, took his seat above, and De Quan announced in a drawn-out voice:VMsIcaQvGjGTTLnPfqTpncOlsqMARt
eFxWZsuyjipeyYq“Announcing the entry of the examinees to meet the emperor—”CbbDErOFYBqiBGqLmigsJbNFsfngjt
NZKOoSrbxRnpTVCA group of examinees followed the ceremonial officers into the hall.QYHALapGLgRYtWhzhYHmAwrVutxxod
gwpgvooHmxjOOMGNing Rushen, looking around, saw mostly unfamiliar faces, recognizing only one, “Zhao Shuai,” known for robbing the rich to help the poor. As he observed, he inexplicably felt a subtle gaze on him.OyagZMgLYzKzlAHWxueavHuEkrnJMv
rmPHZUkCvspkslJ“……?”GDvhJCryWSAEhJqYfgsGXzAaohLHcs
iuICFZoqsSgrGwmNing Rushen checked himself: Was his belt not tied properly?DCYiKmdzZXzggKZOGEjpYjJCiDAqxl
eyMWxWJaQifCcsfThe vice minister of the Ministry of War couldn’t help but whisper, “Lord Ning, you were the top scholar previously.”WSLZWGjQzsTqLpRDOsrvivcbKfvToi
NnstoYjAsQGqXciNing Rushen suddenly understood, “Oh, that’s right.”AxHnNGLzRnhEfCKDmWXkjYIiNZrHYD
prmmMbLXjTKLWWUThe vice minister of the Ministry of War, “……”vHvaEayRXaXUAxOuGbCyHaKmxaxfzF
ejUrbbazTfSYkMTEveryone in this hall is striving for this, can you not be so nonchalant?zAueTqgPobmWTsjAnzQgQxXZqlEKgu
RTZGIQZkwKilIIXOpposite, some wanted to curse but held back.XrsRLLbmnuoghWHDyblVxLzsTiscBf
dURKIXrcMSDpnPeNing Rushen didn’t explain further: He was no longer a top scholar, just Li Wuting’s sharp, fragile knife.SsFLPEXFWKIysqmEpVRSWdCVebEAoO
fDEexsSBhaGfBrk…DHuaSjPcReAuqqzzZMJwHbNQGncjvD
EyyhKOwJbiPkdupBefore the examination, there was a series of elaborate palace rituals.HMLGxPvsBhVsFePiPHifbgDRahuMfo
jSaGCSZfCOPcbtAFinally, the examination began.pALNXZJlnKDkxiwWWMlRoPzbRfxFVQ
tuLkNauBEEyzfHbLi Wuting, seated above, selected examinees based on their papers for questioning.PYLJpkWIYkaKbHTPWqYKqVfNtqyFYJ
VLzjxEdnAfSYdxfNing Rushen listened to the recitations of classical texts and policies in a daze. After an indeterminate time, just as he stifled a yawn, he suddenly heard the sound of paper shuffling stop.PcpAzPPaybmOCuYFiZtkkRirkWDQHd
AdzrrPERdwxTFGDLi Wuting’s cold voice dropped, pointing out three examinees in succession: “Evaluate the official appointment system of Dacheng.”fLJXXlrXfjoVAycFJXBqFnOZCzMjUb
vuxsHiLpbsmJwKCEveryone in the hall was instantly stunned:vwnecftNXxVOgWWqaatSekUHQXpbPc
WMXQJEMnrwlisFSThree at once?TQskJknUkseTlawAIpMdckeBCvHILx
illYnNLfZPLprVGAnd on such a critical topic!WmLbkVBLwmBlWpGROCautEutiRLPfn
pYgrtCnrOehKffaNing Rushen was immediately alert, looking up at Li Wuting.yqWxIZoRApumlwwPmnRtLkqjSPIMxT
qxevzfTkDbLbkMqLi Wuting showed no emotion, merely watching the three examinees who stepped forward. They were already sweating profusely, losing their composure before even speaking.gaulHJnLqoKySVeMdrQKjymDSlQJWq
SclxyBUWRKjgDGdAfter a few moments, one examinee cautiously began to answer.cpWVhiGPAmAkweCMmJzcJIEnyPAMFt
TxVfhIAiwaxgiLFNing Rushen found the voice familiar but couldn’t place it.izUuRnWlkvuulUvdYGxVbwpgRbWlUv
ToBoetZsVrHoKYhAs he observed, he noticed Geng Yan across the hall frantically signaling at him with wide eyes, nearly bursting, his hand in his sleeve.uuEkdOggSgnieYPCyJaHUYiBBvzUFf
gxaeCHKSqzTLKVgNing Rushen: …?mRyclfYWOVeluwJnjOgljezaGcXVve
akvIbObdJOenONUWhat madness was Geng Yan up to?SNDXKsCQqoetJJIOToORVufkRKIWBU
WhVsllmpQZAWIyEJust then, the examinees finished their answers.uvpkheZkTMJPMzrHYTnkyyxRfSQYpS
KwfntuWxFfsOPrvThere was a brief silence before the emperor’s voice, calm as ever, broke it, “Really? Do you not think our dynasty’s selection process should favor those with refined qualities and elegance?”slwYEzczzWOpBHdIobEjmdVSMghTJl
VQstGatRzyLDglHNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat!cvTtIvJsmASHitUIARKHoYCFITcdwr
XclotZLfXTVGpYgThe examinees in front were also stunned, their faces turning pale as they knelt, trembling, “Forgive us, Your Majesty! We spoke nonsense… Please have mercy!”WXMKgpuhvSKmCLIYuRETOtFRybpTzW
hMmELNlUAPadPhzNing Rushen suddenly remembered:WyakRSCJoAizYrjJttTujzbbWcbMxe
oUJWTZYwLGwCnKVWeren’t these the ones who had previously gossiped about him being chosen for his looks?mCztXNuxIUpxBxnpdwTAPyjkpJLCJn
hskgvlmWKbZaqtFHe glanced at Geng Yan, who winked flamboyantly at him: Remember now?slJhRJNeDldDdopBbOfKxbnSDUCiDE
HIFvriGsuUSLEDJ“……”sBLheLiIVEJeatNvQjSMIdgWVnCXXt
lrGPXKPMOqNAvEOIt seemed that the shovels were being used to lift tiles.ijeIKLqdbqnvBiZgNDgIUnJHhgSsIn
ddeyIeKHUGYSXfGAn unexpected incident had occurred during the palace examination, leaving everyone guessing. Although no one knew exactly what had happened, judging by the Emperor’s reaction, it was likely that these people had failed.EnjsczoyMAeWFnXWVGOAayaBhRTJhn
WByYdLJOYtBpAkJThe best outcome would have been to retain their status as tribute students and send them off somewhere.fgfXPYljaxzQIcTEiRrjBWHJqtqiVj
OuGkDiXAhWyucNUGeng Yan had made gestures to Ning Rushen: “Vent your anger.”IZTGwrEYZrpqZDlOIDIyuExyKNJYRY
LIecfOzbsnfzHTxNing Rushen had mouthed: “Dream on.”yRtjEyxKQSONynFbcYMHPKAEumwowZ
bFfVjOKeiDjRXYLGeng Yan: …GmBJWGaRZHGqzyAyEoaPsdUcxoXeLw
aWmtLzuMVmnTPbKNing Rushen had turned away and ignored him. This complicated little dog was always thinking about unrealistic things.djoImSgjdnuetOZaYypYZVcWSMZOfy
oteBpluDRvRhRvfLi Wuting had always been impartial.NzoOiQCAsYWjkhadxDlUlmNZbDUREi
xodojxnKkBhNmkwMoreover… he had glanced at the immovable figure above: they had no personal feelings involved.vrVdBJKyAQzqjIzDvsNsdYzELYGUGw
TVgFdRjUyTAaDxE—SJUnVRgwbFGAZsEtFUFvpUxnzXldRb
GqMeeUToPlJyzyNThe palace examination had finally ended.WIZblsTsuJJrFAFkuGuvesYvtGAJlJ
pnhwNuwKUSgNXRHLi Wuting had personally appointed the rankings from the top scholar to the others: “Tribute student Fan Wanwen, talented and outstanding, will be the top scholar; tribute student Zhuang Qin, will be the second place; tribute student Qi Siy, will be the third place.”HpqdOOVwJiuNiYmHdcqAkxLtPOhRZA
lyroEYcMEjqHbQtThe top three were set.haHwZhObbaWYImCRqYDapukPILYdak
nQnVjJACQmJmTgrLi Wuting had also assigned several positions and instructed the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy to make arrangements. The four examination banquets would be held on another day.sDaNbeTLMadYIUCxprDveEhDFFrlha
XwqbVHEzuNSoTiRWith the palace examination dismissed, Li Wuting had left.hiJolhomPCPvwXNQDwdmxGBCQnuuQH
TykbbqZhNiGkwAANing Rushen had reflected on the names just announced.IxmlqFaDUUpnSmPGbenlSjaqCDYAIw
FvVmzVHKrFggYVjA scene in the imperial study flashed in his mind:HuYnvUfUDpnbgpUomnDmUKEbysrIcr
eDnxmoRVyiuHgpwAfter the last list of candidates had been released, he seemed to have seen red marks next to a few names at the top. The top three this time seemed to be among them?jrBjCAGLQPHQdLAkxNrzwoiumaTsNJ
GVDgqgDLqDHHEAwAh, no. The memory was vague…EdTKuQONkfsRjbaUhfqTUipYfnfdZN
kfnVfhiknmfdjYKAs he struggled to think, Geng Yan had suddenly rushed up to him, “Ning Chen, you say—”BgFzytXtMxfpWUFldsleRwQvxditfT
yQvRrLspPcmWovFThe sudden loud volume had immediately disrupted his thoughts.ICfwECzdZKsemFyJYUNelUZxbmZTJy
rqxpxBdwhDquZJyNing Rushen had pushed his face away, “Your voice is so loud.”nUFreHTgHYEhsJIaeEVXEiPXZmBVga
SXXxCGyxtOkTIJCGeng Yan was as energetic as a lunatic. “Got some free time?”QxsdHlyiGPoqFROmcGkgMCJQxsUYDJ
BBExkQbEytLNiSF“No,” Ning Rushen thought of the three who had just been dismissed. “I need to see His Majesty first.”ORIXgkkfMeshyKvecAzfxwxjODmqbE
OGYFlXAanqREfiY“Oh, oh, oh! Of course, of course~”WUIywcpKJpUraOYkpNNQdIAypGiJLv
nrhVWIOhptCxqyS“…”rQiPnBLRiAOrFjiaNshulZemdJUcBu
DyqbvyLgIwrwmvtHis hands itched badly, wanting to twist that dog’s head off.KpAOmqvifhUautEhbkRPmKglUlKneX
iUJXbhkMFTdcWIzAfter bidding farewell to Geng Yan, he followed the path to the imperial study.kHYttxQbsIWNtBnEwTettNrOJrAbHb
bqsKxGZGkhfMZUIUpon entering the imperial study, he saw Li Wuting, who had just washed his hands, drying his fingers with a handkerchief.NeFHXSOUZCdHGJmTrFlKgiMSdrMRxj
wZcmxUctgeeGlZKThe tall and upright figure, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, seemed to have descended from the clouds right before his eyes.APmoGwrKUThNQNBjRgzFsbCbVPhZFt
AcvSMYTFWZRlToBNing Rushen leaned in, “Your Majesty.”QbXgPcgeqEXzmQsqWuFjQzwLqewROs
QsVZdjPinVcRyMcLi Wuting glanced at him. “Why are you stretching your neck like that?”TsQSgqvMudYcdxeAayuVpfccflDuzZ
tUdPgfQIOVLgUYP“…” Ning Rushen pulled back. “Listening to the Emperor’s edict.”yMZgiFsHMKZvgMTeBXJNdqVlyNcmaJ
QRUtFqHANLBMhqQLi Wuting settled into his seat behind the imperial desk. “What does Ning Qing wish to hear?”XMQWzCyuorbDnHoyfGLpvpxxtGvpgV
PGVyjHDFxoAHcXeNing Rushen prepared his words. “The three people at the palace today, did they commit some other offense?”QXLsBTjJQIzQSnkfifzVhgCcnOSMiq
pKdbSihjDnORQNg“Why do you ask?”NtmWIxEJXQLBYtZbdIFdGlTjFJPGYZ
UokccQQbgCsWIfH“If there was no other issue, why did Your Majesty dismiss them?”ubUKPbOOcBTCDfZqIcaoeIQkAzHjRf
rcIcveWoBeBNxdBAfter asking, the room fell silent for a moment.aniUNLNiXrbASqOLEToRgsGGKJQrKl
yrBdkTCvxayHlFLThen, Li Wuting looked up, his tone calm and unhurried. “Does Ning Qing not know why?”dDvqsiMtSmwJMdNudSrauoJKmacmlX
ZbLyRzDmqHvjrACNing Rushen met his deep gaze, feeling inexplicably unsettled. He touched his nose. “It couldn’t be because they discussed me, could it?”HsQRSrZfSdISuqjOcECiCovbWWUfQl
CHVCxqSMtZbYxfp“Zhen…”XsrLAchTyfcfPmpqAtnuZkJzBbwiSL
GZjDsplPSDcUnslLi Wuting was about to say something when he suddenly stopped.ADHAsGdccaggMZDYraregfQJYjKrKJ
BLLjIRjCJSxSLlPHe stared at Ning Rushen’s uneasy face for a moment before curving his lips into a mysterious smile and said:UmmVJaZmdBNymQnztkJQfpAcYBBVoD
xRkvgdcmyMcOANj“Oh, why not?”PDuMosnotqydpEpiXFzRmlxUbMbXBx
UpiAhgoVePNlfzMZtIzRTiVsCxgAquyuChfVqFpUYFqXA
Please tell me he’s finally ready to play. 🙀😻