Chapter 40
De Quan was scared out of his wits! Just as he was about to ask, the Emperor had already stood up swiftly—tQKSpHphYtrDTTEKhqyrfwmVUCcTkV
pleFkjjuvWLfftdThe usually calm figure quickly followed, and soon, the two of them disappeared at the courtyard gate.FgGpTDZBzfMKhzjOBurzEsPByIRHtq
ybyiyKhmAOYOqeWJust as he was wondering whether to prop the door open with something, the young prince who had just run out quickly returned:NEYkSOVsEVkMweKWQAAGUiFgDfJcyd
kAxgkdJRqnqXbfQThe little monk turned his head and saw the Emperor striding over, hurriedly bowing, “Your Majesty!”JSPYQNwUwcKxEOxOGWVFMAZeOeXIOp
PDyhtWBeLofBrerLi Wuting’s eyes immediately fell on the tightly closed door.rTXXvpdfmYnJzAflLRfIoZhoiGmPzU
dKBfWjWxnFCMEJqHe stopped in his tracks, realizing that things seemed different from what he had imagined, “What’s going on?”rAEdkkrKjivjrObbXHBBKAOJdscdfn
HKbpruXLxZdeVQsLi Jingyu murmured softly, “Lord Ning was taking a bath and didn’t respond after several calls.”GOHyOJuVtxuuQCZJPxbQTKsjjSPEBV
OJOvMVDBNdpCcUs“…”JAdtUfAlrHenhcyqnrjAnkdYAdEyfg
yIpiVrzrYcPTCORLi Wuting took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.OTSaODrMisgfhyCznIDTZSCxahHwKL
UpNKFaeoafsWlCDLi Jingyu continued, “Could he have fainted or slipped into the water? Could Lord Ning already be—ugh!”EoHMSLIgsfOuRKceDHlZQEqkDleUTg
udEAgbIXyoDAMdqA large hand harshly pressed his head down, cutting off his words.ZENGfNzTZKhpfMoPTAOzQmYVQfBCfH
JubLYKFeVLzasTuLi Wuting stared at the barred door, his Adam’s apple bobbing.CgiTjIhvIkknXfktgzIjgtBENRSwLs
ZkbLUeCXzeAQOGdBut it was only for a moment; he then pressed his hand against the door, “Ningchen!”eVnzKGZweBdCDoALccsRXNEIuJaIGf
mdBGdUAKEKpoZgiThere was still no response from inside.uWGxKGWYDudTzlJEKkxONWpzDUGsTS
nCEqjmPfYVSdcKnLi 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!jKvCQlnZKVansYPuasHhKprULILxGQ
pzGVusLNCrgAipsThe latch fell with a sound, and he took a breath and pushed the door open.SlMZwQyRSaToGqYrDeFdUQMQmsgyfR
rbstYrpRWsjpawuThe small room was just a single chamber.tjBdqtXWGdcRvQfAoNnAuStSztYXKt
FSTtoxnoaUsrLJWEntering through the door, the first thing he saw was a half-open screen.oRCKpOrlJSgFZEZPdXdxQJPGcDRBMR
xkGcLWngEQbgzTMThe 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.hYEGAJlHGFnMbBHjPEsfJtsJqZFXOB
qEBLiBjrskFdOKALi Wuting’s fingertips trembled slightly as he took a few steps around the screen, “Ningchen.”fcTuIyrHwQEUxXBONwEUYJtlZZiaUK
eXLCloTArIcGMgMThe person behind the screen was fully revealed.iHVcIUsLAunTboRmPVubqOMTqPEzaN
cLqWlYCiNjEqPoMBlack 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.cYCVorvNyndkyUDBqxIASBXBTXxPAX
fiieXmfOpFrGuyJLi Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.excBoMdoKYFBQveRSxgiwXPaOdYWdh
fYCdtuCqIPFjSecHe grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm with one hand and was about to check his breath with the other—XKMFPsNNTSrFWVheCiPWRzClhARJeh
bHHjIeQnldnaPwkWhen he saw the latter frown, his eyelashes slowly opened:dslNLMyjdiEyigIDbrZGeqWMDzrzZr
QdNnHIiKgCilMUg“…Li Wuting?”DNoKUCleGdBlTBypFTsOqozGyBeiUi
hPCxyQppcxVsDYINing Rushen felt like he had been dreaming for a long time.knLGqOlArUTcEZuxWeWEwMDIBdwfeO
BSXMVIvrhafuYVXSometimes 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.JUHmpCIVvmcdiLIRxogdfgZDidkZjx
CUvgduGkVZndJhyThe chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!nshBQgJSBKYvKWNobiCOrARbaHdtLW
hRwCxKzfBUVttrUHis vision refocused, and a familiar handsome face was in front of him.YAZBMejPgevcZwKTiAmUPqTwnrDKaN
KLDCEtekuHIthbXHe instinctively called out the other person’s name, “Li Wuting?”TBeERtdAkdunnNiuoJCvpzaxlmNiTo
QfDdNtZUQdmVTwSAs he spoke, the grip on his arm seemed to tighten.vwSCYXnECCVDulLRiLmSsIXmFoaSYA
QaErxinVzVPzJIHThen he saw Li Wuting exhale deeply, close his eyes, and pull the inner garment from the screen behind, throwing it over him:UIAUvzvsJrTPwcSbuhGxNlhqQfIBuT
UAIWodzLqVvcTYP“Put this on.”FUTbMLohcnrDzjrjaRPygVRghorrYK
dRWcnidgosZYfAUThe inner garment covered most of the frosty white skin, its hem dipping into the water and getting soaked.erNwTQZhVVOlpUZKPAMEtPoZMSxkhc
YvVsvZkUrzUubFJNing Rushen finally woke up, realizing the current situation.AJTzAHMEuVKgdibzpMgqzHzDlRNNym
tcsICKdHIXkHAyRA surge of heat rushed over him!wbLLuZELSuISQrokLPMDCPMmjqhRGv
sjJMEdcJbsdzsXHHe 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.wDhDwatJDIUTbVWFiQIEnzEkcEEJVv
rpvPogbvSWGoujVThe person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.fLjamKqfbviwEmninDtEyqFYJLrdFR
UQDVQEElBwEzPziLi 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.TlyqCQdpENwYMUrBsljJxdFsqXHarb
LKmiyxRcmyIgOpAThump! Ning Rushen, wrapped in clothes, fell onto the bed, looking at the Emperor standing before him:JlUrnLOmYncvSZhMWlpEDOsasokZyJ
RSWVCDKDfPUlAWxWhat’s going on, what happened?qTLBSIToRXGlQrjSMWdjSQNNGuxyrx
TqKpocYwvZHUGGRHis mind was a mess.wNyRmNFDhugsCMUMBUWFMVwCunMPbb
qncWXbPfkLUHuHDHe couldn’t understand why he was in this situation as soon as he opened his eyes.gEwgFiFJRFRJSjdqGWcBPBFnvouTZK
rfxGmJDSmJsPBcA“Your Majesty, I…” Ning Rushen had just started speaking when he heard a faint conversation outside the half-open screen.ulAKCfTmHpSsborhfCSIpFbLGAERGU
UuJeOKbXzJneyks“Is Lord Ning okay?”WtjbODZyoDXcqHaYLoaIrYxkzQugcx
hANjxQJIBEMyEPR“If the royal brother hasn’t called for anyone, he must be fine!”TWuYlTTCZaSTbkzUARseefhvvHibmZ
AyIYAYifLzlBfla“Thank you for your trouble, little monk. You can go back now; we will guard here.”ktklzVUZauSwoJlEgMYsVRdDSDWosl
QSjploKamBSQjrVAfter speaking, the door was slammed shut with a bang!BmotnpXVMBWmvTrmqJnUcCttdCmZUu
JovTpIIbVbDCnVvNing Rushen, “…”NGGyPvGNGmDviAcQNFiPluGbBqsPcZ
HccmnxUtUWyUiObWith the door closed, the room darkened.oBalwKwxyEIpoyEoZywiTOWIkgwnDh
cLmiCJvGmwLNowpLi Wuting stood in front of the bed for a moment, then tossed over a towel and turned to light the lamp at the desk.TTLiGRJhSxoWFTwzAMcFCWRFaXusHe
dlBQEFSwEadvwFkThe dry towel landed on him.OVZblSjeEmFxiihJKhCFLeCGZUenAj
mOQGqVjBpklGBGrNing Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.aGcSjzwTUMEKcQvWhJxVXBDvHLohRs
JziwIYkCwLeqXjTHis 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.RYQLWwqPjnJzGLwRrtymFBZecYWGLe
pMjoWELjnroAuQcAs he dried his hair, he looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”MiMbTWXFxDAqGuOOTygDxVmLrlGlut
NqxlamSiwySwiloLi Wuting, with his back to him, slightly turned his head, “Jingyu said, Lord Ning was soaking in the water and didn’t respond.”SSFhPQIKqCbgUxpIMGTdGfFtjJtiVL
gzMyILIsYnBvJXjNing Rushen, “…”NYKIKGpIjgeHYXgrpPMUxpMSwpPbrD
vtAVTHpgNHENiVqGreat, say a bit more and you might just scare him off.WgWxtEPwgcYUQAcbRIDHDVHbjHglXQ
tenaoMeWHzLnWrBLi Wuting said slowly, “Who knew Lord Ning had fallen asleep while soaking, even the little monk knocking couldn’t wake him.”MxOGQSyXlbJMXDjbpmLEBHCYXRYJZo
leQdwzMRfxngYWqNing Rushen guiltily shrank further into the bed, “I was too tired.”NaOUcHmeVTRElFOwXvaIVaFqlFTmrC
gqIJzqiBhFpixFh“Why were you so tired?”hCiZqWYvPxauFnRoJQbsvgfRhwoTud
VgFVQNvpvuZpZMG“I climbed the mountain and prayed all over.”gjsQzLKkBPZkkpckSvKIYsKdjXADiy
cVmxJjqXpIvSOrj“…For what?”qbDlanebZHDxSoPpmmRtmhJDvLhoyz
ukmgxPeHTWziTrU“For Your Majesty’s blessing.”vqZDEuRgwvSchtHrKXnLgxJdRpXMra
WvxojbGUqxgTtSTLi Wuting paused, then finally turned to look at him.QRmHdCszNlhBeXeqRjstsCOPLVtyib
HobgFSvVsHoykRJNing Rushen had already dressed himself, but his wet hair clung to his shoulders and back, and his neck glistened with water.IiCUXkFVBdqxVYBUqEHOqdZrCLBdHa
vPBGRMQRGeKaiYbAs he finished speaking, he noticed the light flicker in front of him.rKJkFzHvjwjiGQFcxBgorREUqcKEPf
FljaIrxKUGerfvZLi Wuting walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, his stern features softened by the warm light:KNIjOfJzDuiNBhHBZcXMMYnHUWzLbU
cuJsnAJXDNKvFpn“Really? Then I suppose I’ll believe you meant it.”SDnxLHzqwYKsZAwpbWAtEOrYUHhxxy
axVCVZDEjdcLsmHWhat do you mean, suppose?SESqiEGtgOPjSljvWNbNUZRSBXTzfp
iUNgIPVmgofMMQJNing Rushen craned his neck, “I genuinely did.”oPveithAIDPvEKTdVhTVTyxROomiNZ
YaJvcJFNGdLvylQHis outstretched neck still bore traces of water.skiIOQAjcswFoGcsltIXnZldRTCBaM
mtzVmUvOFGxZqqLLi Wuting glanced at him, then raised his hand to press his head back, “Dry your hair; don’t get me wet.”pyCqEibvatmTsfGQwkdKRJkHRpCiYB
nzoZZIfeWKVbHOrNing Rushen reflexively said, “Isn’t it already…”bMfcvpeInZmSWHZEvBJMYZqPGvdJzL
THlbnhXbxDSNgXdThe moment he spoke, he stopped himself.wQMNKjufPlorLfaUipRKYHbMOKCgUA
tJILBxwybWpgixtIn 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.OfGgnbxNmrfrOUFyJhPJKpAcZASUMN
NkjHbDunPlKdssTAnd reached out to pull him up.gAcRtuMBzLzvOVocQKnkyVVbHKmUyI
ftsfBYzZPwMYAvmAt that time, he hadn’t been…JCwdScOjqnjJdeSJQomhricIpCaofC
fsqgCdXOODreejSShit. Ning Rushen’s waist trembled, and his whole body suddenly heated up!OAZAFEMTCTjwMkeAGMPlqLJdJYpiKD
mJNyogHPCjlSzoFHe sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.gWaZECITVKHsFQygARLdMMXSpIkBkc
ojBLrdYCCDpyjbfHe had no idea his ears to his collarbones were flushed a faint red.jrmBZXrXXlglflBnXktQlzZnlOHgQm
xAmIMFZKnNXzqqNIt’s over, he’s not pure anymore.gdpCyPcQAqOgRjtTMYkKXJigCwOwsx
PZCADHMVaVJWEANNo, wait, they’re both men, so he still retained some purity.fKEIjuLdYRojTgAUyNfycAbKQkOlqC
BMVfnnXFlwdbPtjJust as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Li Wuting ask:hOmrnfImYGGJUabnnyFAhJLcnQEUpi
BKtbtgzFBmdWzoe“By the way, I haven’t pursued this yet, but does Lord Ning realize his offense?”xFSaretcqkoLybaRIKOPZOxwwUKzwn
NTDnfqenwomnTCZNing Rushen snapped back to reality, lowering his head to admit guilt, “I… I offended Your Majesty’s eyes.”ftHJMJBWNhTIiVhPROMLvZLlnOsvFs
qyRZwwBELOTNXRO“…”DryAretNVuOGEqhujGCIjzUZjXkCfW
ekGIMdXTKyukNwuLi Wuting’s brow twitched, holding back, “I meant, Lord Ning, you called me by my name.”EhqwKbKdXLBUEdUuzEJYxUuAzaOAPd
rsTBKEKfpgPWwoUNing Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—YwraTRnoXdCdRtjvIqvwxRrfORjyxK
suFBamTZQVrglIKWhen he woke up just now, he seemed to have called Li Wuting’s name.lWgxpsXxLZFBunkHbEKWvmRVJDWtMb
YjtVXnVASWDpIOnLi Wuting looked at him, “Did it come naturally?”gsxblGBpodgmNTVroFDZPFOwlniFQA
FcuPAIznXYgevVDNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, “It just felt natural.”qToUZtTexmnzAHEYdmwwwiHMmMPVTt
qAZSFjZjMQSGnKDThe two stared at each other for a while.oaLIzREaGmTAZlgdAsMQrVtXrdxMpE
KYlUmUbGECgUkXWAfter a moment, Li Wuting said, “Forget it,” then reached out to pat the back of his head, shaking it familiarly:AkKoZsoEPDRsFmEOMFZNXxhSgjkyao
xRUIrvbxBUPSnwx“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?”knKsSUUCgAlmxkPtYwawHmYXeHdjTK
AWjlOpnCeubdmfyNing Rushen, his head spinning, “Yes…”wHhraGBbsofFYHSlQlRlqXxgFluzDF
MyWGjLWcfdHbTBcLi Wuting watched his dazed expression and seemed to chuckle.iyqPPNSmolcpLvBWYAHwTRZZiEunEE
dLyackokquGvSJBThen he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.TfmFdcSlKNaJSBTEONfrifHPtdEikF
myzTOzyYKBnxVFj“At most, call one character.”xEhjhEMvTHTdFNPmgcKTbhdYsJffnG
zetSzLQkcXMswmrNing Rushen didn’t quite catch that: what?rRPZxfHeQxqDhvosnnWEPSUWQkEGGD
uTzJNgjKXJaNPpJLi Wuting, having spoken, already turned to leave, his tall figure rounding the half-open screen and pushing the door open:DKbXjZtWqxafAYOVzagoQrIUranSqP
xsIhPTcgaRCMOTF“Have someone clean up.”YcpRsMkQPHAbspuRXJQeFRUTCzKPNI
kGTKWKQAyIFOnHmOutside, De Quan’s voice rang out, “Yes.”DOYEWCjdrqTCIIKUpjgpSNzdCZSPII
qQeNPRxzWrQkEpYA group of palace attendants quickly entered to tidy up the bath and screen.hpRcNPCZQtRjTYONxopKjhBCDXbCmc
EkbmlQxAHEUBCIPNing Rushen sat on the bed, watching the silent palace attendants in front of him, recalling with a strange sense of déjà vu:qBBjYPhiofizvLqhjYlPdUafnahGpa
txKXhKseOWlgXbx…Did Li Wuting mean he could call him by one character?CcwXHIsdIVkWazwNhtUnqXkBVibzQx
GaWWyrBzCUCqPEd·KAxblMOWyiIxcRfWssGkRDpTZNhArw
zGeIUtbBarxHVscThey rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.KGMWQyobTUunTdRlAHnXjHBOSeWUWc
FMuCQvvzJBlWUMAThe next morning, Ning Rushen got up for breakfast.YHHhaZmOpgpCfiHeIblTnioBPyIenk
hBTgJOZLHoTvbmMThe monks lived simply, and even the presence of the Emperor didn’t prompt much ceremony.rfDEgXJmYiAeksxcjShRXCfJspXpop
BiiltiRxdZvunufEveryone dined in the dining hall.dzTlUwIrPaFgdwVtBIecTmRjCKsXpL
hrPvudTfbTJzWXGWhen 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.aHhjfxFYOeKenKVHuINMCXrPBAXpxX
iwuKfhHVfVyUebvHe watched from a distance for a couple of seconds.xRSDffxlNgjAFzXxcolRnXRQBDnvyE
ISbCKVZLfDHDNgULi Wuting seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his deep gaze in his direction.xpquEepBEbfRTtmTwLmpdeUfQtlrPY
yYptMVyXccBdiHeTheir eyes met.NDlUKfPqQOeXUzvAPCqCphFaAWQlFQ
upwkSduADdSyuIsNing Rushen instinctively held his breath.LInOzUtiQAhIUiyuEPInLxewIBfKTM
iyAsOzrsbBpefprLi Wuting’s expression remained cold, but Ning Rushen felt he might have smiled slightly before turning away and walking off.YViZpriXReZQNKQXtBAxEJhfMSgDVN
VHFjXeFcnVxefsI“…”WCjLYzaNEOvVfEtGKdjjhWsZDcjAGC
LOQSeFpnjWSEHzPIt’s early, I must be seeing things.gfUgXoGmdEZluytJwAjaRkCnRdkIaT
jDqseNYqjJRRTEeNing Rushen shook his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves as he entered the dining hall.fyAbvRuwnTypcQKxXBvFqtBHUIfnSn
svGqysvcPoVQAkCInside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.FjGhHLfpecxYfcTFYsdGlXDdqGXgbZ
IPjblpsfkcBofpOSeeing him, Li Jingyu waved, “Lord Ning, over here!”UMgqmFzcYOvwfjVuKhvzdhuGdwiKQB
aozhsvHEnfqwBewNing Rushen approached and greeted him, then picked up a plate of steamed buns, vegetarian dishes, and tofu soup, sitting next to him, “Little Prince.”hMJMqcrHhuBDRzwrJwSzOAikOcCKAj
zyEzjydsVHUnKJiThey 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:DkFEMSdjaZgepYHIEdCsfHXNtjpBkC
loQsojkpKFJtxRHHe said he could call him by one character. But which character?ROBNHGkopAvnBukMHQUjEMsHJyKfUn
klxZPKPOeMMXuiKNing Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.yLnOexWmaGZXBEbCkAVwILBpbcPnJG
VQvFdJGcSWscVImAfter a moment, he asked, “Little Prince, do you know His Majesty’s courtesy name?”HRatrgfEtrrdyAxcWBloALjsmJKYQV
wmUaOebMmHFTdsDLi Jingyu swallowed his bun, “You want to know, Lord Ning?”bihpsAOjTSOWGDDkWCAuouwjBRMgjz
NMejjzXslpUEIrENing Rushen nodded.cgLLYefOIgzqLlvlscnXEVswEEdCPI
hjUJJqjvJHBNTqtLi Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.arGcehrrrbcwoYAbLIzylnMQkwWiwt
ApkiGbmPeVYmDdBOnce 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.”hJpBKoJLmKORHlzgJhGZDhlGhyMTfl
huNceBNCZnafbluNing Rushen thought: indeed, it’s not great.QhtjpvxXNikCRQZMsWNUTmoymfOcds
PXbGZYBiLjHuwyf“‘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.”zIPEajCbICndReJZbnmmwYuMbkCwVQ
EOTBLQBUyfDCgjH“Why would the late emperor…”InbjkrSpAaCHTenVoIsvhPMovvKDam
gxvoHjfwIdnvAnbLi Jingyu spoke in a reserved manner, “This involves a royal secret.”oUfsbyCclhbTLGkkOlnaruIuFFWRPW
PBDwEJpmqbaXmvRAnother secret???dMXDUngfoUXHwFtwLSpzsXQxndZrWI
sQooHhfGdYtxmJoNing Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”ybAezaiCbZXuxByrIZXKqdhxekNLre
SdbaBHAvnHRAkqqLi 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.”PgNsTiDhIvVODkYFlKUPzPxmtBsToB
DkQSLdLLgfYugUn“……”gGIJSISdorszQUXiihEJwWPmONCwFI
iEOuzuseUCeVzXe“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.”BKAPGXQeOsHGJOYJeQRvLNkYShAfzr
VzNAXhkAYpmNxgW“…”AMkRCsufkfJrhWzNJietYpjpwwXFDn
PURBOYxWoTqoDLPNing Rushen took a deep breath.DIaZmWiucxZcMFCSOOKzVvxZqiAJiC
MFcpMJFYQgBoEVbThat was indeed a bit careless—DMqzhugutQmZBUeXUrPytehjZqjkTD
XpHsoBkMRLwUiLlAnd why is this yet another useless royal secret!JAtBwMxKGZvoHWUHekrZvwfSqMlUmZ
DnYKPYEeMNPFcop“Lord Ning, what’s wrong?” Li Jingyu leaned in.TwTcXKJIIocnCqsPVHLISkZVIAfHHX
wYWcSUkeAthICBBNing Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”aGyTRUJUgAlPMAekVVzfaParLrtFnY
DmNgBbhvDxnyPeOLi Wuting is truly unfortunate, being burdened with such a name from birth.XSIYJKgZwDtDpTHcdnynzqqxIiiUxc
hjVAnfOxBCfPbPbHe continued, “What happened next?”RoRuZiMvXoCwLxdnVaVsCteVBtggYw
MlXBpvLQSuoOakfLi 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.”HOXBPOJsZTvqkxNZkEMpNKWRFjJOaa
WKYVkayjbykKZou—Chao Jun.mEoGjXOncVSIMeNVCPhGcwDihBuSMw
xSTxEPkGraWDpZoDespite ‘Wu Ting’ being in front, his heart still leaned towards fairness and justice, embodying the conduct of a gentleman.pgRKTpaasQXvVfCWKOdWSJSjXTHtWe
FNeNcboXmWqiAHrNing Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.NAHoNuWziBgejTUYOXdiNFDgEbxwYi
ouIpxySZJIWKlXqIt indeed suited Li Wuting.PYVNxivNRhtcGdHWNsWckUctjHqNnn
eUJCajDhbiWGZrUAfter 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:tENxDebtNKvSNijpqZDLDfGVfnCFLo
ysFztZGNJGapjDEHim secretly inquiring about Li Wuting’s courtesy name.iICsMAfHVWFCBvqHCgeZajKLJQOjZX
LIEKOsndwMnjhFSHe pondered for a moment, then called, “Little Prince.”QzZmwJciwluAdyshUijwAOWIGYuiPm
ROwCMOBMseTdrfbLi Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”uQiRhIIiLPWjNUWoYYfQnBzdsjwPBR
YUkFTuNnNZVlvXHNing Rushen, full of concern, said, “Don’t tell His Majesty that I was secretly asking about his courtesy name.”lOjkJVYylVSZUzXLIXOTsppzIvZVNQ
cCSHLuMlmrQTrLfAs soon as he spoke, he paused.JhmiUdvzbzPOwjzfwkWjhHiWYsyIfx
jXCrHeYETrjaDdbThe next second, as expected, “So Lord Ning was secretly asking.”UHvFanawJemmklHpAMFgjdvEczmEBz
AstctUKdUdLthAc“… No!”LOYBufbQsXOgJtntpGyYxOcWzxGBAZ
qekQdpeoeqHQTHtLi Jingyu, as if he’d gotten hold of some secret, quickly ran off, leaving Ning Rushen to close his eyes in pain:GccforgWhofCnMLkGfaHbATvFDoxxl
YdSFbUbIpdkHMzwHe must have been cursed by Shiyi.dqkvZNdxyCQbBHZBpJeeXedqypeRUZ
aHHSIGBjfsaNotI·msGuRIbnPYqgpKQSxknfeLRFiUtFGa
FtQFCshoOdcPohRLeaving the dining hall, Ning Rushen felt the need to take a walk to clear his muddled mind.fAGEJrNCMcUwrvfpcGOTGwXIcYbRlB
sFcSHtzmPIihJfyHe wandered around.rLqVzsJfgadsdzbYGhcPZPADADPjhG
judnjJFfcUjGVWJShaojue Temple was large, and he somehow found himself in a courtyard on the western side.IWWdvFxaDhHsJGACzlJHtGCpKMpsPx
EMwzADJmrVwDLRZThe serene courtyard was empty.SdXnLYiNijniLjFtAnOyXrpkjipRQe
DlVpRFZyUEeAZNVIn one corner stood a lush bodhi tree, its branches adorned with red cloth strips for blessings.pLcjrYxrXVfhXyHnLmZBMLlHaHGjsk
GjkHgVRUsVvtvkkNing Rushen walked over, his crimson sleeves fluttering as he looked up at the tree.JYlFRXGncitIAPdgqJyGdpFlORhWiz
ryWGmIezKHwaBfNA breeze passed through the courtyard, making the red cloth and his crimson sleeves flutter together in the verdant mountain courtyard.yxyaBpvqUHfmguSuyDYJPJDVCsgeNq
HSJmGAoGmVNlILaIn the midst of this tranquility, a voice sounded behind him:yGAkgeYActHHGXGucVPTTkhebklxrM
fkunUecCPswhwVH“Has the benefactor lost his way?”fLqqxXJfhlHToNOQGKMiwpnQMrxtJl
eypZHfMXoFasozbNing Rushen turned to see Master Jingxi standing at the courtyard gate, smiling serenely at him.EkxTKBqjbUmGpgyjVXBoIGOEKeoOly
uRBwBTDcOlZAgAL“No, just wandering.”ZvIcvrSLKLZCQjmJKCofJFiIYbCDKV
AuBppUBqXnPgJtzHe paused, “Am I in a place I shouldn’t be?”jEbWnTKqElUylPWgGhMGKstcXAMBut
nsYeHtAlVYhVrljJingxi replied, “There is no place one shouldn’t be. If you are here, it is fate.”rrMtuBhUJeIfQzFJNUosuBpXUZSMbD
dhxyCabWoZeJYsNNing Rushen nodded, “Well said, Master.”qSIcQubbuXtGoBKlNATgZYkokduUCp
PgfazRZnnlyPhoqSurely, those who roam freely in his mansion—Shiyi, Prince Xuan, Geng Quan—would agree wholeheartedly.sbDlIdCkDohKVEPWweoUbHINnOjXqG
XCZBkHyOUNdEZnFHe saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.KSPckQVKWTyomopJcVvxtCVioYgzdq
wCTnFHAQhLZZvBD“Master, do you have business here? I should leave so as not to disturb you.”TApmmCKzGvoJtggXeSBaHrEMQjgFvX
NQgCljfIjuwyVwZ“No matter. I just finished discussing scriptures with His Majesty and was passing by. Seeing you here, I thought I’d inquire.”odhjCXHvCYuxVYZpElPGVTazmmtsna
hqQVsoJnlDxBRzqNing Rushen thought he hadn’t been wandering, not like a ghost…QnLzclAzQfziiFtGEstmowFvIPlfkd
OTpDxmNpXhNGbpESuddenly, his heart skipped a beat.hVUyyykKilEPvvUbvQhJKATdlTAYdr
oqamllWGbsLoqckThose few words echoed in his mind.FXGhtMBKCRNJzGgOWdgMulvTFlrUpp
IsGwOGpmxqimenHNing Rushen sharply looked at Jingxi, a shocking thought forming:KAhKSWfFwCPlxPFpVOaJeiZxsogQti
uFhXrvkpPrduxaL“Master, you mean…”inVuNVUmVzqRslJYCndiuvZuSWrOCl
HFIIwqxvGqssQKUJingxi still smiled and asked, “Has the benefactor lost his way?”LmQggxJkPbJAmgIwxXTtDxCmXRnbZE
LPCGPveoUhFzHXnIn the distance, the sound of a bell and drum drifted through the forest, shaking Ning Rushen’s soul. After a moment, he said, “Yes.”hWBKhyreYtNVbLeVcqQduHBIlliNaK
JoOcDVPQBqXJhuGJingxi replied calmly, “The benefactor still has attachments.”idQTfvZnLEtPtpGgBVeALLbPWXcXZr
txPQFnhtlkolSxLOf course. How could he forget the first twenty-plus years of his life? Sometimes he even dreamt of his life in that world.hGVbCCrVtNXHUFGwBQCxzEFKOOWiFf
VcjpOhhNrflEMxvJust yesterday, he dreamt of being in his dormitory.FNWajzSmBUyuYnuFaxBkShRmTNZQsJ
gkHOFQDzDGRauANDreamt of three versions of Erkang.UJHNQNQoroblqntkgISPXJFMDGPPPj
ayNwmLNckSVwEzr“Does the benefactor wish to return?”HIiduBtmUoXCAxlxulZDbDaHeuTTgf
lQrWAapcVZIWORQ“I…”tMcFLjvEaXPjFlQsiXlZDqWdEyDLZn
dkBkitcOncIBuaENing Rushen hadn’t really thought about this question. He had always gone with the flow, but hearing Jingxi ask this, he instinctively asked:BAfxmMFIbacDiCvXEFxIyxjULeOXVw
cPDHuyDHFDaqCyd“Can I go back?”xIlZHXfmvVbPqHaHFzGmJdjTheaNoZ
QckYjdxjFowYhOOJingxi didn’t speak, and for a moment, only the wind rustled through the courtyard.zvjwrCHlyCaqxZtzpNbaAHrMiXgKyH
WgniTwhyhbmkiztThe red cloth fluttered like waves, the bodhi tree whispered.vRUXfvaBzTsbGiJSWwjqZJlsEmwopW
oooxwUcEPIKVecw…AEtQtVYCSnEHkjvgVGfeVZuwxLzBHH
hceFxdCOOOsvQOnOutside the courtyard, De Quan and the accompanying guards kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.dyyaQEOYDiDGwXhQMZivnYbStqltje
xOAAzraiUMQrIhnLi Wuting stood a step away.lwnFIcsygCccVxEsmmxavYftSDMmgq
UQIzDPpuRfxJmVBHe lowered his eyes silently, his fingers curling slightly at his side.pxJWvQYQqTETxDHfNRGjPgdwpvWCbG
JTjDWDOdwdzadzAHqfsDcXsheNreYySnFxZlaSOnDQdSN