Chapter 38

Li Wuting stood still for a few seconds before walking toward Fan Wan’s carriage.

Over there, Fan Wan was brooding when he suddenly saw the emperor approaching with the head eunuch, De Quan.

Startled, he quickly got off the carriage to pay his respects, “Your Majesty!”

Fan Wan, fearing he had done something wrong, was about to inquire when he noticed Li Wuting’s gaze passing over him and landing on the carriage behind him—

Ning Rushen, wrapped in a blanket, was sleeping soundly, curled up in a ball, with a flush on his face.

Fan Wan was completely at a loss, not knowing how to explain to the emperor why Lord Ning was inexplicably in his carriage and sleeping so soundly. He hesitated with his words:

“Uh, Lord Ning… came up to rest…”

With each word he said, the emperor’s face grew colder, until his voice gradually faded.

He was utterly impressed with Ning Rushen: the emperor was right next to him, and he could still sleep so soundly.

De Quan couldn’t help but whisper: “Ahem…!”

The cold air combined with the faint warning finally gently roused Ning Rushen from his deep sleep.

——He opened his eyes to see Li Wuting and De Quan standing outside the carriage, along with a sweat-drenched Scholar Fan.

Ning Rushen, now somewhat awake, greeted, “Your Majesty.”

He then sat up and peeked out, still wrapped in the blanket, “Is Scholar Fan coming with us too?”

Wait, what does “coming with us” mean?

De Quan couldn’t stand it anymore and reminded him angrily, “Oh, Lord Ning! You got on the wrong carriage, hurry and get off—oh, and return the blanket, don’t keep His Majesty waiting any longer!”

…Got on the wrong carriage?

Damn! Ning Rushen jolted awake completely.

…

He apologized to the bewildered Fan Wan.

Ning Rushen hung his head and followed Li Wuting onto his carriage: Come to think of it, it’s not entirely his fault… There were so many carriages parked outside, and he only saw the green one.

Back in his student days, didn’t he also get on the wrong bus?

Just as he was about to slide into his seat, he heard Li Wuting ask:

“Did you sleep well?”

“Well…” Ning Rushen started to respond but then, rare for him, a sense of caution arose, “N-no, not really.”

Li Wuting, “Oh, why not?”

Ning Rushen slowly slid next to him, “It’s not as restful as Your Majesty’s carriage.”

Sorry, Fan Wan, didn’t mean to put you down.

It’s just survival instinct.

Li Wuting’s stern expression softened a bit.

He gave an order to move out and then carefully examined Ning Rushen’s face:

“You’ve got marks on your face from sleeping, and you didn’t wake up even when I called you. You still call that not sleeping well? Then in my carriage, how much better can you sleep?”

Ning Rushen steadied himself in the swaying carriage, “Your servant could sleep through even if Your Majesty hammered on me.”

Li Wuting, “…”

After a moment, he said softly, “Then you might never wake up, Lord Ning.”

Ning Rushen shrunk his head in embarrassment.

The carriage moved forward.

After that comment, Li Wuting didn’t speak again, and the atmosphere in the carriage grew heavier than usual.

Ning Rushen glanced at him: What’s wrong?

Hadn’t he already admitted his mistake and returned?

Could it be that he felt embarrassed by getting on the wrong carriage? But, wasn’t it himself who was embarrassed…

Ning Rushen touched his nose and looked to De Quan for help.

De Quan gestured towards the pastries on the table, the blanket on the seat, the incense in the corner: Look, these were prepared for you by His Majesty. That shabby… green-curtained carriage couldn’t compare, could it?

His Majesty’s carriage isn’t like any other carriage!

And you got it wrong! Ugh!

Ning Rushen, “…”

So he was mad that Ning Rushen couldn’t recognize this noble carriage.

Ning Rushen murmured, “Your Majesty, I understand my mistake. When I came out, there were too many carriages parked outside, and I was dazzled. Your Majesty’s carriage is certainly different from the others.”

“Oh.” Li Wuting finally spoke, “How is it different?”

“……”

Ning Rushen was suddenly stumped by the question and looked around furtively:

“The carriage curtain is green, the cushion is green-gray, the carriage walls are silver-gray. There’s a blanket, a low table, and De Quan…”

“Heh.” Li Wuting sneered and completed the list for him, “And two windows, a carriage curtain? Lord Ning could be even more perfunctory with his answer.”

Ning Rushen: .

Seeing that the emperor’s anger was not diminishing but increasing, he resolutely made a guarantee, “In the future, even with my eyes closed, I can recognize Your Majesty’s carriage!”

There was a silent moment in front of him.

“Recognize it with your eyes closed?”

With a swish, a two-finger-wide silk ribbon was pulled from the lid of the food box and fell in front of him.

Ning Rushen: ?

Li Wuting looked at him seriously, “I want to see how Lord Ning can recognize it with his eyes closed.”

Ning Rushen, “……”

No, he was just exaggerating.

Li Wuting was still waiting expectantly.

Ning Rushen swallowed, paused for a moment, and then reached out to take the ribbon and blindfolded himself.

The cool, silky texture made him shiver slightly. He then heard the low voice in front of him say, “Recognize it.”

“Yes…” Ning Rushen’s heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

Without sight, his other senses became more acute.

At the same time, he felt a sense of insecurity.

Ning Rushen first tentatively touched the cushion under him. The fine, soft fabric revealed the hidden texture of the embroidery, making him realize that the seemingly simple cushion was intricately crafted.

He then moved from the cushion to the carriage wall.

The firm wall didn’t seem to be wood but was covered in silk, meticulously detailed.

It truly was different from other carriages…

Ning Rushen carefully explored his side inch by inch, knowing that Li Wuting was sitting nearby. He deliberately avoided exploring in that direction.

“Have you recognized anything?” Li Wuting suddenly asked.

“The cushion and the carriage wall both have hidden patterns…” Ning Rushen replied in the direction of the voice.

One hand was still propped on the side, and because he was speaking, he subconsciously tilted his chin up.

The obscured vision blurred the distance between them.

Li Wuting looked down at the person who had leaned closer.

The black ribbon covered his eyes, leaving only the straight nose and slightly parted lips visible. The combination of pale skin, dark hair, and red mole made his face strikingly distinct.

His voice deepened, “And what else?”

“The… the carvings on the table corner…”

Ning Rushen’s hand groped along the edge of the table.

He focused on not touching Li Wuting, unaware that he was about to fall into the emperor’s arms.

De Quan, kneeling in the carriage corner, peeked discreetly and couldn’t help his racing heart: Lord Ning looked like he was unknowingly throwing himself into the emperor’s embrace…

With the carriage swaying, Ning Rushen stumbled forward.

A large hand suddenly caught his shoulder just before he collided with Li Wuting—startling Ning Rushen! He moved his hand forward, touching something firm and warm.

The hand on his shoulder quickly pulled him back.

Cool air rushed in again as Ning Rushen hurriedly pulled off the ribbon from his eyes, his heart still pounding:

“Your Majesty?”

“Sit properly.” Li Wuting remained indifferent, “You’re about to push me out.”

Ning Rushen, “……”

He wasn’t! He hadn’t even touched him.

Push with what, his 1.8-meter presence?

Li Wuting seemed to understand his expression, his gaze falling on Ning Rushen’s fingers, “Are you recognizing the carriage or me?”

He was referring to the touch just now.

Ning Rushen thought Li Wuting was exaggerating but, knowing he was in the wrong, he decided to placate the emperor:

“If I recognize Your Majesty, then I recognize the carriage.”

Li Wuting paused at his words.

Just as Ning Rushen thought he would be scolded for being perfunctory again, he heard the emperor’s voice soften:

“Now you can recognize it.”

“……?” Ning Rushen blinked.

Li Wuting moved on, gesturing to the food box, “Are you going to eat? If not, De Quan will throw it away.”

Why waste good food!

Ning Rushen quickly dragged the food box over to himself, “I’ll eat.”

Li Wuting tossed the blanket onto his lap before sitting back and closing his eyes to rest.

Ning Rushen draped the blanket over himself and nibbled on the snacks in the now serene carriage.

Halfway through eating, he suddenly recalled:

…Why did Li Wuting ask him to wait in the carriage for half an hour?

After the Qionglin Banquet, the newly inducted scholars began to assume their respective duties.

With more hands available, some were assigned under Ning Rushen, significantly lightening his workload.

As the imperial examination period concluded, Huo Mian and the Dingyuan Army, responsible for the military examination, were also set to return to the northern border.

The Dingyuan Army departed hastily.

When Ning Rushen returned home from work, he found out that Huo Mian and his men had already left, but had sent some gifts: a small knife from Huo Mian, along with various items from other personal guards, including food and playthings.

A large pile of items was laid out on the table.

Looking at them, Ning Rushen felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

He fiddled with the items for a while, thinking: the men were already far away, and it would be too late to send a return gift.

“Parting is inevitable,” Yan Min comforted.

“But I must repay the brothers’ kindness in some way.”

Ning Rushen sighed softly, then walked to the pigeon cage and melancholically grabbed a gray pigeon. “Think about it, only you can make it in time.”

Yan Min: Hmm?

Gray pigeon: ?

Ignoring the wide-eyed stares from both Yan Min and the pigeon, Ning Rushen wrote a letter to Huo Mian, named the plump pigeon “Gray Fertilizer,” and then tossed it into the sky along with the letter—

He told the pigeon, which was trying to return to the cage, “If you come back, I’ll cook you. If you flee to Huo Mian, you might have a chance to survive.”

With a flurry of feathers, Gray Fertilizer flew off in a panic.

…

The next day, Ning Rushen went to the Imperial Study for duty.

As usual, he rolled up his sleeves to grind ink for the emperor. After a couple of strokes, he heard Li Wuting’s indifferent voice:

“I heard Lord Ning sent provisions to the Dingyuan Army?”

“…… Well, that’s one way to put it.”

Ning Rushen sheepishly corrected, “Just a small token of appreciation.”

It might not even be eaten.

Li Wuting, “Oh. Lord Ning seems to get along quite well with the Dingyuan Army. They usually dislike civil officials but seem to have a different view of you.”

Ning Rushen felt a strange pressure from the praise, “It’s… it’s from visiting the general’s residence and meeting them a couple of times.”

Recalling the start of it all, Li Wuting paused for a moment.

Then he changed the subject, “You mentioned practicing archery. Are you still practicing?”

“……”

Ning Rushen swallowed, “I’ve been busy lately, practicing occasionally.”

“Well, there’s nothing urgent today. Go practice.”

“?”

As he spoke, Li Wuting took the ink stick from Ning Rushen and dismissed him, “You don’t need to grind ink; there’s enough for me to drink. Go to the archery pavilion and practice. I’ll join you after I finish these documents.”

Ning Rushen looked at him, mouth slightly open, “… Yes.”

The route from the Imperial Study to the archery pavilion was familiar.

Ning Rushen didn’t have a servant guide him; he went on his own.

The archery pavilion was located by a lotus pond near the palace’s east gate.

It was summer, and the pond was full of lotuses. A winding bridge led to the archery pavilion, meandering along the shore.

As he crossed the pond and approached the end of the bridge, he encountered a large entourage—

It was the Dowager Consort Shu, whom he had seen once at a palace banquet.

Ning Rushen bowed, “Your humble servant greets Dowager Consort Shu.”

A gentle “Hmm” came from the front.

He stepped aside to let her pass, but the maroon skirt hem stopped in front of him, and he heard a question:

“Are you Scholar Ning?”

Ning Rushen looked up to see Dowager Consort Shu observing him.

Her expression was calm, with only a simple wooden hairpin adorned with a carved peony, making her appear dignified and elegant.

Ning Rushen was puzzled, “I am.”

Dowager Consort Shu examined him closely, her gaze lightly sweeping over his features, “At the last palace banquet, Tang’er mentioned that His Majesty holds you in high regard. I saw you from afar. Today, by chance, I see that you appear to be a broad-minded person.”

…So, Prince Xuan truly paid attention to his affairs.

Ning Rushen, “Thank you, Your Highness and the prince, for your kindness.”

Dowager Consort Shu glanced at him again, “It seems that Lord Ning has a connection to Buddhism.”

Ning Rushen thought he was quite easygoing:

“I do feel quite peaceful and accepting.”

“……” Dowager Consort Shu paused, “Peaceful and accepting?”

Ning Rushen, realizing his casual language, gently corrected, “It means having a calm and serene disposition, going with the flow.”

Dowager Consort Shu nodded thoughtfully, “This is the first time I have heard such a description.”

The two unexpectedly struck up a conversation on the bridge.

When Li Wuting finished his documents and came looking, he saw the familiar figure of Ning Rushen chatting with Dowager Consort Shu, surprisingly having a good conversation.

Li Wuting quickly approached.

The palace servants all bowed, “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Ning Rushen turned at the sound, “Your Majesty.”

Li Wuting glanced at him, then greeted Dowager Consort Shu, “It’s been a few days since I’ve seen you, Mother. How have you been?”

Dowager Consort Shu warmly replied, “I have been well, feeling quite peaceful and accepting.”

“……” Li Wuting, “??”

He paused, then quickly looked at Ning Rushen with a deep and meaningful gaze.

Ning Rushen lowered his head guiltily.

Fortunately, Li Wuting didn’t seem to want to pursue the matter in front of Dowager Consort Shu. The conversation shifted to other topics:

“In a few days, it will be the Tianzhu Festival.”

“Yes, I have already…”

“This year, I wish to visit Shaojue Temple to pray. Your mother’s everlasting light is still there.”

Li Wuting paused, “Alright.”

Perhaps mindful of the presence of servants and officials, Dowager Consort Shu did not delve too deeply, only touching on some memories of Consort Xian.

Ning Rushen listened quietly.

From the bits and pieces, he sensed that Li Wuting’s mother was likely a gentle and bright woman… except for the matter of the fingernails.

As he pondered, the two in front finished their conversation.

“I’m feeling a bit tired; I shall return.”

Having spoken more than usual, Dowager Consort Shu took her leave and returned to the palace with her entourage.

The corridor quieted down again. Ning Rushen was watching Lady Shu depart when he suddenly heard a voice beside him:

“Fufu da?”

He: “…”

Li Wuting looked at him with a half-smile, “Those nonsensical words of yours, you even dare to teach them to the imperial concubine now. Your courage is really growing, Ning Qing.”

Ning Rushen lightly defended himself, “Just a little hometown slang.”

Li Wuting sneered, “Slang from Yuchuan? Do all Yuchuan people talk like this? What else is there? Tell me more.”

Ning Rushen could only brace himself and argue, “That’s right, we just double the adjectives and add a light ‘da’ at the end to make it sound cuter.”

Li Wuting digested this for a moment.

Then he looked at Ning Rushen, tapping his forehead with his long fingers, “So, for example, here in Ning Qing’s head, it’s empty da?”

Ning Rushen: “…”

Don’t use such a cute tone to say such sarcastic words.

…

Realizing the conversation wouldn’t yield any benefits, they moved on.

Ning Rushen followed Li Wuting towards the archery pavilion.

Thinking of the Tianzhu Festival they just mentioned, he asked, “Your Majesty, where is Shaojue Temple? Is it far?”

“Not far, it’s on Shaoguang Mountain to the west of the capital.”

A few steps out of the corridor, the bright sunlight made the ground look clean and bright. Li Wuting looked ahead, his dark robe brushing against the wind:

“I will also go then, and Ning Qing will come along.”

“?” Ning Rushen was caught off guard but, as usual, accepted it, “Yes.”

He soon became interested, “Is Shaojue Temple very spiritual?”

“Very,” Li Wuting thought of something, “especially Master Jingxi’s fate predictions.”

Ning Rushen saw that he believed it.

He thought, could it be that Li Wuting had his fortune told too?

Li Wuting met his overly inquisitive gaze and smiled slightly, “It was many years ago.”

After speaking, his gaze turned forward, seemingly falling into a distant place.

…

Many years ago?

Ning Rushen thought, wouldn’t that be during his childhood?

He leaned closer, “So, did they predict Your Majesty’s true dragon fate?”