Chapter 40
De Quan was scared out of his wits! Just as he was about to ask, the Emperor had already stood up swiftly—ACZgGoiXOgUJMHFgtwuqmFpCNArlXF
gsYDfHlLdXpXXdxThe usually calm figure quickly followed, and soon, the two of them disappeared at the courtyard gate.XzyGwUfOWpqqFuqFdcbkAnjUhQWZRf
sIHRXNaNEGOInHeJust as he was wondering whether to prop the door open with something, the young prince who had just run out quickly returned:zxZWCYkaVpQlnixtqmKaWvYNtagEaE
LPGBrrjanwSKuxjThe little monk turned his head and saw the Emperor striding over, hurriedly bowing, “Your Majesty!”TjGlbpBXIOuJLJGdncrVHGHjqyRafq
RSkdMeqwyXSOXNVLi Wuting’s eyes immediately fell on the tightly closed door.jjPiFgCmcFdcuSbMwdQTseGTdDszJK
ooBwBhDVwiArPedHe stopped in his tracks, realizing that things seemed different from what he had imagined, “What’s going on?”VJbUqQvVjEisYKKjtNdpCNCcGCwfAs
IAIImezBDHwRFYBLi Jingyu murmured softly, “Lord Ning was taking a bath and didn’t respond after several calls.”sBruRcQpZNVaKIcgjZrPRKXnlVMVZQ
zabwMptCZPrkZhM“…”DbPjbulhFKQhPwHKYlttQAwYOZYgQH
EFsXNKEIcMiSpRkLi Wuting took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.rctuZfLvdaYpTZxHOHZvjeULJxeOls
PjuHPTbOQoQigBrLi Jingyu continued, “Could he have fainted or slipped into the water? Could Lord Ning already be—ugh!”tGDHddDOQUkJFefwPldoGBzmuwxkJI
WnjDvKRLKyNiZwBA large hand harshly pressed his head down, cutting off his words.zdKdlXrjawnOIXPWMyjPafuwzMehsf
LxtPCbRPFrEpMkHLi Wuting stared at the barred door, his Adam’s apple bobbing.GZelXBncxnQVaiRXnmpFKBtrwVdIjO
ACMeDArdOOdsJgkBut it was only for a moment; he then pressed his hand against the door, “Ningchen!”rafqZhpkzZgkPSIjrwydqhDKVivMaz
hTamiGRLbxDOHEbThere was still no response from inside.LpoOWydowboVJGkkHvuLulMvTxYSoZ
SltKKPieVeccDGSLi Wuting frowned and suddenly spoke, “Step back.” After saying that, he drew the imperial sword from his waist and struck the gap of the door, bang!tVKSfEPPuDPsDXKWzRTAcXhpJUxAXh
vqRCEEXMyrZVEsqThe latch fell with a sound, and he took a breath and pushed the door open.nIqRtlpeWRZxTXtFJwlFEvEzCkKuKX
eZjIFfUEDhTZANeThe small room was just a single chamber.QzvUXhGIrLlwFKqkPghfaRRxIdwKdo
GkikTqUHrgONtUyEntering through the door, the first thing he saw was a half-open screen.shRTOXbkhbUOEirmHCFUDyXEhrXuvM
ieaUrKGCJAnxvYxThe crimson official robe and snow-white inner garment were casually draped over the screen, and the lingering steam had not yet dissipated. Behind the half-open screen, a slender white arm hung over the edge of the wooden tub.sVJhtGSqTFNJsLnndBeGhigqHJpQVN
uuLWqYrUvsgeUuxLi Wuting’s fingertips trembled slightly as he took a few steps around the screen, “Ningchen.”btElROgwYAIdOHCsIKmapHJPoBthBu
mZLBDXrZNhckVINThe person behind the screen was fully revealed.bopQUBCKBTjWCFidzbYgZumGdxjExW
GcfpwIzDnIREKJBBlack hair spread in the water, tangled around his shoulders and arms. Wet beads of water clung to the frosty white skin, about to fall. Ning Rushen rested his face on his arm, his complexion flushed, and his damp eyelashes seemed to flutter slightly.DIIVHdVCVvasBgrrrSoZuKIofywpev
bdCHwrBwAIqXONtLi Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.dELkjaZGlHsDvTfDYgQGoiTuYwwmBI
IqRsNnjsWXCDOHXHe grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm with one hand and was about to check his breath with the other—NyUdpcElIpgIApkxmRDMzyYKnvgdRk
GMhzWTiGqprJludWhen he saw the latter frown, his eyelashes slowly opened:TgLFNfzlaHzfmwVQFSlXcgiKxhdDYL
pCvPKGrKyoIXuwX“…Li Wuting?”cpnPAarYzePHcchETJfwEFbpwiLvBL
zRtyJsNnSKjKXXdNing Rushen felt like he had been dreaming for a long time.gmWORBLAZNHJgdRMVPBBWbFRBhIaJh
MHneWqkfhpccVaZSometimes he dreamed of someone knocking on the dormitory door, sometimes of the person calling another name. In this repetitive and exhausting dream, a strong force suddenly dragged his arm, pulling him out.tuySKaRnPgVWbFFGdIrzMsvIBYIhFf
mhCNhFFFSvIGfkJThe chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!eDemkCOJlRwJkgPvzwDMrwIAIDbmBO
qBYNrWDZDUlKdIAHis vision refocused, and a familiar handsome face was in front of him.dwgVeEQaspObKtYFTxHamyXeWcsgCp
AOXibWGoaonMVUSHe instinctively called out the other person’s name, “Li Wuting?”ecDgmySZOjueJTQicdJnknbFpyIBJK
HlEExJiJrHZKpWNAs he spoke, the grip on his arm seemed to tighten.LyHWhQfvRHFscaOxQHtiAWtrZgKUHe
xwBxsZcKHtpnwLJThen he saw Li Wuting exhale deeply, close his eyes, and pull the inner garment from the screen behind, throwing it over him:xsmCzoiBpqwzjGgaXODqvhQzcrUoOo
TnOYoyvVaeIHeFt“Put this on.”ZWnXfAPcClopAkFCRcakUujdYNXiHR
JaTgtQcVsjljEflThe inner garment covered most of the frosty white skin, its hem dipping into the water and getting soaked.nKQQEIDLRKWdcuHZAMuJTvpVyoSKzX
fbCGxpyxwUTvirONing Rushen finally woke up, realizing the current situation.yeCPmATWbeOTLIBYKiCWlkCGpNlQtl
oNXKcnDuRPxNXudA surge of heat rushed over him!HeCUdTKhWVdWDpBrIyYUEIUMlRuoTe
NEXmjafPQoccickHe pulled his arm out of Li Wuting’s hand, hastily wrapping himself in the inner garment, and stepped out of the bath with a splash. His jade-white bare feet left large water stains on the floor.GjdetjOfNAuOUvEzoPsgDJEUBLhMff
zqQLbKcNyBUbYoBThe person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.wxKxVovfhqQSLJaDAVGawEchUUIXEx
RsQPZjMwfarDnAwLi Wuting’s gaze fell to his feet, then he seemed to have a headache as he grabbed his outer garment and draped it over him, pulling him by the arm and tossing him onto the bed.xzNydrbJkQmzblBIPeCxiSatnElrDl
xjnOfzyQgPYHSfLThump! Ning Rushen, wrapped in clothes, fell onto the bed, looking at the Emperor standing before him:YNIqPPUJGpvcJbBloIItKVeAZdtuLE
HLBHtOJZLnVsqXpWhat’s going on, what happened?yuUylQgPLvuViwOAPzFdOlacrlUTZa
OjWcyyIFaBjbSKbHis mind was a mess.LAPkvPmohpVsLpuiMUxnUuvRLoJDNH
auNghHtlpeHHlFyHe couldn’t understand why he was in this situation as soon as he opened his eyes.EdfTLzwuPvLgjOALkTBRgPYQYCfpCd
PfAvKtfisTQQuOS“Your Majesty, I…” Ning Rushen had just started speaking when he heard a faint conversation outside the half-open screen.JdEnSHYGwZnDjObAUAsJiuczViAsgc
BhuNjawUQygZAge“Is Lord Ning okay?”CjXqrGKpYkhAyEuGOiLixiPAulhEkm
qQDPXSLgoSLBEID“If the royal brother hasn’t called for anyone, he must be fine!”aJfGpxBLEJvrDXfJxzHUeDBwBoEfun
KSXfwZyQVEMrHqo“Thank you for your trouble, little monk. You can go back now; we will guard here.”VcBXxKbRkIaRXXAtoyiJdPoFlyZMsq
diRlKNtdzQpEukSAfter speaking, the door was slammed shut with a bang!uEhdehmTkdPphLoHrqLSsCJsdqnfWs
SbgLzkZapGRPYCuNing Rushen, “…”qcHlfuFipqymgvoHTFFTHTdZZwHopu
KAIJHPMAvidWxbfWith the door closed, the room darkened.GJpjxqlFOEaVZTxwSekkAuqQABANIF
BDEDqzBUhkDQGwNLi Wuting stood in front of the bed for a moment, then tossed over a towel and turned to light the lamp at the desk.dRLkKIdXPEwKjGBwXQQlVGtKVRgXle
FQvuBjjgqqPeyLPThe dry towel landed on him.oXkIaBHEodRaOCSAAYkBDkojMxJRKL
YBKVAdidESSmtcGNing Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.aXqLNxOyrZKCqVFvYBsaFjneBrMaxD
JwfgIqdBMVDRJDSHis sleeves fell and bunched at his elbows, and his wet hair got caught in his collar. As he lifted his hand to dry his head, the light in front of him brightened, casting flickering shadows across his overlapping collars.jWPCrGFkUFoqwjlkZpEVASipheAFgI
JBLAMkanBVpFLTxAs he dried his hair, he looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”BxmtdriZvqdtojxoXqUTcSBlFRKUJd
ynyCdBVNJodoSYnLi Wuting, with his back to him, slightly turned his head, “Jingyu said, Lord Ning was soaking in the water and didn’t respond.”kvfrEDmqJTOELHjUegykbUwkXNilPR
xfciwFreKkKifsfNing Rushen, “…”HkcvWUgGqIJwerUCcWieOPyJEqhLSS
KFQxuQjcwbLmavwGreat, say a bit more and you might just scare him off.MmVXzKAUINNYlURgsYITIWntGhQgwj
TQCvsJeACxXgUfYLi Wuting said slowly, “Who knew Lord Ning had fallen asleep while soaking, even the little monk knocking couldn’t wake him.”jEUXEaHdfAYnZtZWZKvBzdtBgZcikS
bAirBTSOkQQMZErNing Rushen guiltily shrank further into the bed, “I was too tired.”IGGPmLGHMjvCgbAmccYwzDNEEdTYzU
gpYCJsmBgOThyWY“Why were you so tired?”ZzuCkZjhRufNHNrbAFpjUxWeSBcNRY
mKxoGaqwdBkToXJ“I climbed the mountain and prayed all over.”svndeJAXCeggzUzycpPLCexLKZedTs
gUvHUKzMQBJBaGN“…For what?”rZPcjiEoWodkprFXfOAfWQZOqcomHy
nwgUwAGwSZPtfqX“For Your Majesty’s blessing.”MWBSrHgkUNiayYnWuPZrktRYJzZwKL
nFIstrvrnEIiLnLLi Wuting paused, then finally turned to look at him.rJqyZJlVPWSTtNQauZHCNYokNJiAXg
HugTBCCRIzGBJEANing Rushen had already dressed himself, but his wet hair clung to his shoulders and back, and his neck glistened with water.CPccWjwmQkKpbMEpMAkfoKTIUOheBQ
IxysgsBFVIbrXjMAs he finished speaking, he noticed the light flicker in front of him.oORYBnfhlayABWxZhVKLHjBhRlJxdZ
UyweOuOuLwJfmVvLi Wuting walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, his stern features softened by the warm light:NdZkgxYyagekaMUMYTHxOugnieSHRh
spURccBwLQYDjhF“Really? Then I suppose I’ll believe you meant it.”GCBsHOYhVRmhhVPWLJZYyJplMuFYQh
VxnUWTfexTmjdUbWhat do you mean, suppose?bzwtRdWqcKeylsCENZmJCKgHjQHzuZ
sZQWFiRNGpCYuGuNing Rushen craned his neck, “I genuinely did.”MrjeLmwBZifjSvIIWYWqADAKEVSDdL
DcpIXVCEDwNHYZFHis outstretched neck still bore traces of water.jEZgvrXqrgcOZFTRiWggAryccVboJo
IfAwixTjvrTdYMdLi Wuting glanced at him, then raised his hand to press his head back, “Dry your hair; don’t get me wet.”oGnPWvaQnFNGeYArjnsUpyBZKLLisl
vBjsHuHEMYzibMSNing Rushen reflexively said, “Isn’t it already…”HQkewPAVrkOnAxBqxtqsoIDUSXrOzq
wFQqmezHlqstSHoThe moment he spoke, he stopped himself.DbYXwIKeutvEPnftylqZRpcfysfqwQ
MiZkqvxohCtWkGoIn the earlier chaos, as he woke up between reality and dreams, he hadn’t had time to think things through. Now that he thought about it: when he was soaking in the water, it was Li Wuting who had pushed the door open and walked in.SxYcJDLCMolpSHTtTBkwNUmqhnTECA
BZuXRkIGjprKPACAnd reached out to pull him up.MDFYfCtEuhujZdbpTzFfHxdmlcNhzV
rcsleWoGuBSQZoAAt that time, he hadn’t been…wyaXdALJzPPASdJRKhYJJHPFMdjOTx
stJKRJcDEGStsgcShit. Ning Rushen’s waist trembled, and his whole body suddenly heated up!ECNkWfscdvnJNfphsijkWqYKbKyKRp
sRTsTLVeWrYfeZkHe sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.rxSIMBSSKhOGclwgBDevrTzOsvBrvX
QbkOVhxLydVmhezHe had no idea his ears to his collarbones were flushed a faint red.hMenfkxHmLUXdxflhKovtTtxxYSrtq
mMfRkFlgGEKAFMmIt’s over, he’s not pure anymore.KfrNPogeERdQjgsxkJpprtDnbDFzup
ITTmbgpYJioCKuuNo, wait, they’re both men, so he still retained some purity.HMrbiaXXXcHwfWsYrkahZlhugkwbHZ
ZDntNapmpLyIxKLJust as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Li Wuting ask:errlNNlGUVuNGUazkgmQircqmlFMKf
kLFSwkRmZoAMGrf“By the way, I haven’t pursued this yet, but does Lord Ning realize his offense?”QaRZDOYuWBgXqnsxXkuNszrcqgwSNc
zNGvbFQfUvNLMueNing Rushen snapped back to reality, lowering his head to admit guilt, “I… I offended Your Majesty’s eyes.”TZVyiWOEnsTFWDzgURmGEusZouZgkg
nBkVLElexehEcmE“…”WPUxprhRkAgcUcrwMiyviYNywwZHGz
ZhaHwxuAFbDUkiHLi Wuting’s brow twitched, holding back, “I meant, Lord Ning, you called me by my name.”AXMsPMMmdyxkywxseClgzQHStuczEz
DLukzSRjggGHjYINing Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—YEfGjyjVoFhaoqobNgDyKrIjkJvZyd
yhkehWUANSnVmumWhen he woke up just now, he seemed to have called Li Wuting’s name.aKhOYaeJHswFxRBNwbsGrhiYuEmFLW
ZLkovEcICNWRNxqLi Wuting looked at him, “Did it come naturally?”gJwXjAGzbBzUDMnWqfSZgaTZbrKgFa
WXtrFZJmobYmQIBNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, “It just felt natural.”sGYkLdKnydbPkFDTUrppxgTSOGAlNl
sJXYLTjmUqeMRUGThe two stared at each other for a while.WFsOhRFPjvTsQbuOiIIrPdRPBMilKv
TFOgKOPBSESEMToAfter a moment, Li Wuting said, “Forget it,” then reached out to pat the back of his head, shaking it familiarly:sgXaaDWgShgZIMNXMdHlmnuQgSIjbN
KRFPMKsIEmoNyQL“I’ll just assume Lord Ning’s brain was muddled from soaking in the water. If you speak such nonsense in public again, I won’t be able to cover for you. The Emperor’s name isn’t to be called lightly, understand?”rAiYhjNRyzdaidYYoxJZcMVFnDtCaI
yXNWYBnXKJAAaBbNing Rushen, his head spinning, “Yes…”StEGsPKszfesRjNqqTuiCnJlYvUWlk
FNPSKDmJeOkACtoLi Wuting watched his dazed expression and seemed to chuckle.SUhWZCoqHjSFmFcSZLLBToquUIxAao
XLglrwaQxxnhklvThen he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.GJvauEFBhOJHQjmWPyieLTLYxNNhVv
EECJDgNpZQbxlzh“At most, call one character.”bTHbCqAAwBTgzBjXuKJByenAbfkOEu
WAqqiBGIKFmskjGNing Rushen didn’t quite catch that: what?AORGBBKoNdlVyjeCkRUNVFdwMrDzey
vkuJqpekAiKtOocLi Wuting, having spoken, already turned to leave, his tall figure rounding the half-open screen and pushing the door open:hXxJFJJaFjQAbuBpBjUJuDINhJWSwt
zkyiCztpyhKDSPf“Have someone clean up.”JsjXzlXeHCFvsStTRLjmktFEpuhTuo
MYQCVJijTIUquHxOutside, De Quan’s voice rang out, “Yes.”LNfFGlOsFhXimCFBetYjgNmCobYozA
TgvKlIvOpUXdsgHA group of palace attendants quickly entered to tidy up the bath and screen.FRDPNUZVRYUEwjjTJMLJbzVwrXLQGi
qsRIsqkMJfqyGJsNing Rushen sat on the bed, watching the silent palace attendants in front of him, recalling with a strange sense of déjà vu:XZCWIORjmpinsLXApyfnvzEHSQivUF
KCGnYlKsvsSlzpJ…Did Li Wuting mean he could call him by one character?UitxKGyvSpSMVUzwrKRJvAzwoBpyNO
xfqIZvVjXjcKrFq·imLGOREFIRyxdkKnvXOyNssOKVkzfO
RrBTrtotlNBGkYLThey rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.yxaxlWXqTemyARnLbniubOyyOIYqeC
iUUfViekVRKSBOOThe next morning, Ning Rushen got up for breakfast.dfqqdSvsOvdvXeUkgArrTGNArjUWjV
xQYBunUyjalrMtBThe monks lived simply, and even the presence of the Emperor didn’t prompt much ceremony.KbpppGqgMuVIqmyoBqEbbpPwxIPVAc
pTwJrpXodsaIaHXEveryone dined in the dining hall.WNcgMFreXkdyvRwPHsfZELMCZUaMnA
wEbzRgOOPzVVIDnWhen Ning Rushen arrived, he saw Li Wuting, the Dowager Concubine, and Master Jingxi coming out of the hall. The three walked ahead, followed by De Quan and several guards.oZlUICrjjGgDJfbawqSRxnuJsosCri
BVOcxKcJOXmxUTCHe watched from a distance for a couple of seconds.HKsdcxcJZvifdyWVItBgnzkRzIPsRs
UiOxHjsFaVtKHWtLi Wuting seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his deep gaze in his direction.dOKzLlHNeruKfarqGJJvatvjberZIo
CpEzgPMaOLIUoRmTheir eyes met.awbPJBcTfZKodwhsHWHQjEDhspJXzw
zQuGSuxEwCydXpuNing Rushen instinctively held his breath.sGZSFikcapyWJUBCSGEiGYOKLIVKQa
XsqXQkgkAKFIEoFLi Wuting’s expression remained cold, but Ning Rushen felt he might have smiled slightly before turning away and walking off.iSTjBUVpCflElflpwPIfBZFxsCeJXX
MjyouEbqluDJpjT“…”UnQZIfHNxMFYqSQbXDChUmrSngsJVK
zvVyuJCxGwGWsWrIt’s early, I must be seeing things.pxQgAthqqWDcucSDElghupHJcRTuit
hrNJqtiPevWHMefNing Rushen shook his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves as he entered the dining hall.gfLdsLwChKsSokieOJfOEGfgZVeTAp
iIBbFhimsOIQqVJInside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.piMzMaHItxDDqaKQdbGTIkaITihqpU
EMMHpiMcQiHiYxISeeing him, Li Jingyu waved, “Lord Ning, over here!”NxzDMWJHYuSxiLAmutLNECDaadrzzi
qLIlPValRriYEuGNing Rushen approached and greeted him, then picked up a plate of steamed buns, vegetarian dishes, and tofu soup, sitting next to him, “Little Prince.”rqJUpoezXPLSmXvjllkMKsHTDuacFD
uGKGUfdJFIwLmNgThey greeted each other and began eating together. As Ning Rushen chewed his bun, his mind drifted back to Li Wuting’s parting words from the day before:mNFTSAKjnIkoGssAUTyofsBRKyRdEZ
JhVNelILXdHjahpHe said he could call him by one character. But which character?IITpxRPlNEnNImmAYsPtZsWuLjxwna
bpkLNERSnaGBVFbNing Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.SlXBcuVNIjZNDCHkklzvihgCWmpdTx
hYzEnOXVRBHrWOuAfter a moment, he asked, “Little Prince, do you know His Majesty’s courtesy name?”jHeYjpeNxUkvEXpsHQncCdOOuJLFJW
gvTuVdYscIruKqhLi Jingyu swallowed his bun, “You want to know, Lord Ning?”wwMKrsrgAQLUUZIUisEqQLCyWaSsDL
pPhrcNnwLbHGKggNing Rushen nodded.kJncVEptraJcjacefpDphpMurPLBXQ
ZxQSvsGLaGFwRLkLi Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.zCtbPWJgqaXxNmYMFLqxTovVLULenw
cpqPXHqxKnixxKJOnce alone, he leaned in and whispered to Ning Rushen, “It’s a long story… You should know, my brother’s name isn’t great. And that name was given by our father.”QoNSCCGYmCGaTRonyGODZqzbzJZaKJ
JsYkzeArlyLpJiNNing Rushen thought: indeed, it’s not great.xOQttCWHdVHFffanjrXSQZuszdwLCj
tpaQOVQcjSlKurD“‘Ting’ represents the court, power, and justice, but putting a ‘Wu’ in front seems to deny Li Wuting’s potential to ascend the throne from the very beginning.”kFzmCHfImfXCRyGRORxknyGCKOpfXT
PpHFaWNOCVcHTNB“Why would the late emperor…”uprYxybOXUKhTHDQRLQSSIkNFWuFnj
keYUwmTpBWakzffLi Jingyu spoke in a reserved manner, “This involves a royal secret.”tSvebewuzxwUJBvHpgMzJIOKjNoRMj
tppwSchtUGjPPtcAnother secret???nNEJEqhurslmgszqpJgpkVhZlckiMp
oPNyYflFVHOPnbLNing Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”HlLdAcyjdXYddCGunzREEorbZDjPZF
xQGwFaKZEolbmdPLi Jingyu continued, “I heard that Father initially named my elder brother ‘Yuan Ting.’ ‘Yuan’ means the beginning. But because it was written hastily, Mother mistakenly read it as ‘Wu Ting’ on the spot.”tiGAjmCyHhakPoSJPDdnrVEfWsHAGA
zYXjYCNMgBXWRPf“……”xgUpZWZXoAcTKFSFNmuqHJLsGvJBOq
vAkOkDFGGywHRuZ“Father couldn’t admit it was his sloppy handwriting, so he nodded and said: ‘Yes, it’s Wu Ting.’ So, my brother was named Wu Ting.”yiXOiiLMLwHcFlxXuTzipAChiUcgxF
EFaxEiVyQuwsgVM“…”rNEiqfYoiqyVBsGSBOpEKFQwLEbHVi
uuAgFTTVwwGATHmNing Rushen took a deep breath.IEjnxuVYqiNeTukERpIIDxsAQYSPzE
WFeqgzmPEgMxfqCThat was indeed a bit careless—fuEClIdpgnkbjIKBYHNeGomCJqWOTg
PJsCWEkeFBBBudpAnd why is this yet another useless royal secret!ZZMrHoJwXcDlqkapltELhRuLEbnAab
FgwTLKNWyhXhJzO“Lord Ning, what’s wrong?” Li Jingyu leaned in.SgwvBdHHoTWlOLWAklEwDpPaWfvqQJ
SChIkNuSODLtphmNing Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”MGXJPJSgusSGlpTMcfLivrWpdxtlBV
KiYdpPXsCnYiirMLi Wuting is truly unfortunate, being burdened with such a name from birth.BHZirTdWyywpeWdpgeoINdkpRRWefw
hTjYzbTQplyiENEHe continued, “What happened next?”xkqNvdQaDLtDhCnTSgsJWNqqCLosLL
DthcmMQtumNuWCaLi Jingyu said, “Later, when my brother came of age, Father had already passed away. At that time, there was a struggle for the throne, and no one performed the coming-of-age ceremony for my brother. So, he chose the name ‘Chao Jun’ for himself.”WQbBkHbfALNBVCxdvksUMGJIDeCYFN
kQvzxQRwsJjRoEn—Chao Jun.jgdDSLZMWJgTtixMUtlGtWaxSgITeo
ajRUZDnlheImAGxDespite ‘Wu Ting’ being in front, his heart still leaned towards fairness and justice, embodying the conduct of a gentleman.JqezxvmufQaHgYrXzCHEKaoZMwGLmg
iOelyLfFfWbUONGNing Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.oIkVrokkhErGHUwQihZOPptPRaueoA
PkxUDFdSFuOpSSXIt indeed suited Li Wuting.SwZcztSlFKXdtKdLBEXnygZyrklheF
XZWyYxJDXpOVIVGAfter finishing breakfast and hearing an absurd royal secret, Ning Rushen was about to leave when he suddenly thought of the way the little prince spoke—this might turn into:wkJndCeRIQQmKeGAIFwXcYVnUuiERt
uAidlpfwtmCSKRWHim secretly inquiring about Li Wuting’s courtesy name.AVZDiedFziFJTrJYFZkUumSMGqpfuf
BdrVQhSvrbCKelMHe pondered for a moment, then called, “Little Prince.”kWimCcaIwQWCNHLRIuaOTyNkfbpwfW
AYCHGCqHegYYGJLLi Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”HcKWhxhhuYIzmYDNCQzyquBRvrdejv
ypgcJkTJJWGnDftNing Rushen, full of concern, said, “Don’t tell His Majesty that I was secretly asking about his courtesy name.”ITpPCjYCjrMllLeFbjgmUQpyRHrGpW
oCZKhQDLPVRjqgaAs soon as he spoke, he paused.BBIqnONneukunVhGAPYFHMiSSuDSIK
hfWupjiQEcrcbWhThe next second, as expected, “So Lord Ning was secretly asking.”bGqHHMZfwFGiRJJpOAUNPvLjTroUCV
JQojntubrxwckBO“… No!”FdukieFQUeIEWFoSpZsIhgSSrsXTSK
vQdgpfKrAcyatlFLi Jingyu, as if he’d gotten hold of some secret, quickly ran off, leaving Ning Rushen to close his eyes in pain:ktJVyQpchrvtbVcosMsFyObhOmxfeS
MocEPMNtoNisVqWHe must have been cursed by Shiyi.ONvAmJmvLWOeITRLNwwcksKAOtbIAI
pVxsdysYtulzpMb·DxgZrSTgiSZupuvFWSkPiiYIDYHqNh
obkpNlaZJTiNdWBLeaving the dining hall, Ning Rushen felt the need to take a walk to clear his muddled mind.buGzfXoambNChRbhXVXngXZGratRND
yEpsiLoRUgWPNkNHe wandered around.GzHRoszmwRmlfRNGnPSTPcPQucQjaK
FnSLOvZdMOmJJuFShaojue Temple was large, and he somehow found himself in a courtyard on the western side.GLadVpmYDrVCrBFFTqwkmisNcKyObG
KZFXiljDmvcnoWDThe serene courtyard was empty.PFhWPiRLiHrdOylOQGVMIbAVKjfzqs
bixyuIzpsXwuwpnIn one corner stood a lush bodhi tree, its branches adorned with red cloth strips for blessings.zaitUIIOWycwDYtwEvYHeOcLCbRbkP
OjJvcYPdFyGzdnCNing Rushen walked over, his crimson sleeves fluttering as he looked up at the tree.tzUjqrkGlXqXcnfmVstKcWdTVrMqoe
eBeNCtnuqEBEAjtA breeze passed through the courtyard, making the red cloth and his crimson sleeves flutter together in the verdant mountain courtyard.TFCSrIlQEuXXcudxjXfguOzrEyKknn
nETMvDjKHnoecPbIn the midst of this tranquility, a voice sounded behind him:uiNfGWWLufskrvFGErGwpTDSjabTDX
MWBNxKTlZXaLMBv“Has the benefactor lost his way?”tvlVwdoSZQwhNnShQjaKXSXsKrHvId
XQMPibIwnTsgsWzNing Rushen turned to see Master Jingxi standing at the courtyard gate, smiling serenely at him.dwfVsIfSRquoVjWEhloPpyaLCaMiFO
cYLGZnMFCjNBwdA“No, just wandering.”LhnjvnVufMobNuaMjeKGFilkHagkKg
WEaCxuLgInHWudsHe paused, “Am I in a place I shouldn’t be?”oCqHGwxZqwHXxybdtDyJOekFuRjxka
TDGRJSJeMXnzcfUJingxi replied, “There is no place one shouldn’t be. If you are here, it is fate.”OPcjKrisKfgKijAnrrIiwAKlZcPNtz
xPBcIqpQXXDonibNing Rushen nodded, “Well said, Master.”vkaKembEorXnchvkdreDsXgbgIJCXz
CfBqSpsqnyHfpydSurely, those who roam freely in his mansion—Shiyi, Prince Xuan, Geng Quan—would agree wholeheartedly.XEOpOSBLWNApAqXFFPvmgTySULikkj
ZhfFbDadWjveSVAHe saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.TWTNuUsmTmLdNHSrmMQvjSIqQMlBvW
VjpaqZZJsYXVEGg“Master, do you have business here? I should leave so as not to disturb you.”YRmiGqukRWVkdVqKZpAGbvwfBNlXzi
SkjshdnSScDeIxJ“No matter. I just finished discussing scriptures with His Majesty and was passing by. Seeing you here, I thought I’d inquire.”QylXYyFipWJeaeBesuEaxABOuMFyQD
wWcLKlvaUbyNDwYNing Rushen thought he hadn’t been wandering, not like a ghost…OSCEysFTxTwOTdjnwOvWmaTESeaRHS
kXdHiCkUfQRSwJbSuddenly, his heart skipped a beat.VMPCcxRMgSkrkulMmBcAGpRmzuJYou
hktuWnqjNPAbeUHThose few words echoed in his mind.SCvzldZDxBuuKlsGTrrgGpWWPaTeFM
NtwnqlDvESCZHHiNing Rushen sharply looked at Jingxi, a shocking thought forming:kSVEXtdxnoPcafISAeQhcglGhURfTu
LsLtGEZxclVPIgO“Master, you mean…”EHmeMsJkZrKuWtpHVPPJCQgyApNWBJ
cUDTTMqrBRfDdRsJingxi still smiled and asked, “Has the benefactor lost his way?”ziZSQkqHzAUDHeDMcnDjdecychlpCM
aucHcdiFUNuuWamIn the distance, the sound of a bell and drum drifted through the forest, shaking Ning Rushen’s soul. After a moment, he said, “Yes.”SsxRaXdRTELdnMSVXZtkGtHvjXozle
CAwCFlGQWBAcgewJingxi replied calmly, “The benefactor still has attachments.”PRzjhtFkfViuFHGLJddchuRCOjlejr
faRLPvPVFuHVoBmOf course. How could he forget the first twenty-plus years of his life? Sometimes he even dreamt of his life in that world.PDypBVoPHaoVBotDOApasgHRHMVbsK
ZDLlDJYRtZzkZydJust yesterday, he dreamt of being in his dormitory.tNBUoXjOrdjAkCfOpAdSpbLYcZbxfO
bJXyPFYABbXeOsEDreamt of three versions of Erkang.orWzkWwYouOkuyyZfCePaYjtNQhNQD
IMUAFKVRwqSotBQ“Does the benefactor wish to return?”mcFpRUSEpUyDlueFFvcLQXnppcIPDz
eEglHmxTJpczZlQ“I…”rqCjIcZXzLMDduoLKWtZiuifCVxITq
xMieweCvVEYCsmaNing Rushen hadn’t really thought about this question. He had always gone with the flow, but hearing Jingxi ask this, he instinctively asked:lwtCJMZeMzpcVzizCSFpTmXLskOjrJ
iYGITMCpksAGMHt“Can I go back?”FDxYiHdBeWCzhaPGIYkvrXzpvDlBUk
iOSXhrIFNwlwkinJingxi didn’t speak, and for a moment, only the wind rustled through the courtyard.CYvYHiYZdBtAUFmfMasWvIENamAPzK
FFxGxCYAlvtPKPyThe red cloth fluttered like waves, the bodhi tree whispered.CfBYfSNpBcDqZBEJGQWQliEfHltAgX
CUlFRwdFmlqQRcm…uxOwYYqLUSvqhnAhsbYiUXnPsIOtsT
cLQnyKadlgJVXFNOutside the courtyard, De Quan and the accompanying guards kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.sBWnFxmTgRNRuuWPdBMTQaoucNIhJM
qbPupvOFbAoHvEDLi Wuting stood a step away.xrCwYkuNNYBKnMSobpJtagcGKiXdLp
HhMIBVjefTTfNgUHe lowered his eyes silently, his fingers curling slightly at his side.jJVNQpusQAGVlBArtrTMbDDorvcyYR
coXzYQgknFSxFGBRAmTgeBXhdHSqqQITTrIvtrcOyvNeV
Did he hear everything ??