This official is so weak

De Quan was scared out of his wits! Just as he was about to ask, the Emperor had already stood up swiftly—ACZgGoiXOgUJMHFgtwuqmFpCNArlXF

gsYDfHlLdXpXXdx

The usually calm figure quickly followed, and soon, the two of them disappeared at the courtyard gate.XzyGwUfOWpqqFuqFdcbkAnjUhQWZRf

sIHRXNaNEGOInHe

Just as he was wondering whether to prop the door open with something, the young prince who had just run out quickly returned:zxZWCYkaVpQlnixtqmKaWvYNtagEaE

LPGBrrjanwSKuxj

The little monk turned his head and saw the Emperor striding over, hurriedly bowing, “Your Majesty!”TjGlbpBXIOuJLJGdncrVHGHjqyRafq

RSkdMeqwyXSOXNV

Li Wuting’s eyes immediately fell on the tightly closed door.jjPiFgCmcFdcuSbMwdQTseGTdDszJK

ooBwBhDVwiArPed

He stopped in his tracks, realizing that things seemed different from what he had imagined, “What’s going on?”VJbUqQvVjEisYKKjtNdpCNCcGCwfAs

IAIImezBDHwRFYB

Li Jingyu murmured softly, “Lord Ning was taking a bath and didn’t respond after several calls.”sBruRcQpZNVaKIcgjZrPRKXnlVMVZQ

zabwMptCZPrkZhM

“…”DbPjbulhFKQhPwHKYlttQAwYOZYgQH

EFsXNKEIcMiSpRk

Li Wuting took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.rctuZfLvdaYpTZxHOHZvjeULJxeOls

PjuHPTbOQoQigBr

Li Jingyu continued, “Could he have fainted or slipped into the water? Could Lord Ning already be—ugh!”tGDHddDOQUkJFefwPldoGBzmuwxkJI

WnjDvKRLKyNiZwB

A large hand harshly pressed his head down, cutting off his words.zdKdlXrjawnOIXPWMyjPafuwzMehsf

LxtPCbRPFrEpMkH

Li Wuting stared at the barred door, his Adam’s apple bobbing.GZelXBncxnQVaiRXnmpFKBtrwVdIjO

ACMeDArdOOdsJgk

But it was only for a moment; he then pressed his hand against the door, “Ningchen!”rafqZhpkzZgkPSIjrwydqhDKVivMaz

hTamiGRLbxDOHEb

There was still no response from inside.LpoOWydowboVJGkkHvuLulMvTxYSoZ

SltKKPieVeccDGS

Li 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

vqRCEEXMyrZVEsq

The latch fell with a sound, and he took a breath and pushed the door open.nIqRtlpeWRZxTXtFJwlFEvEzCkKuKX

eZjIFfUEDhTZANe

The small room was just a single chamber.QzvUXhGIrLlwFKqkPghfaRRxIdwKdo

GkikTqUHrgONtUy

Entering through the door, the first thing he saw was a half-open screen.shRTOXbkhbUOEirmHCFUDyXEhrXuvM

ieaUrKGCJAnxvYx

The 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

uuLWqYrUvsgeUux

Li Wuting’s fingertips trembled slightly as he took a few steps around the screen, “Ningchen.”btElROgwYAIdOHCsIKmapHJPoBthBu

mZLBDXrZNhckVIN

The person behind the screen was fully revealed.bopQUBCKBTjWCFidzbYgZumGdxjExW

GcfpwIzDnIREKJB

Black 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

bdCHwrBwAIqXONt

Li Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.dELkjaZGlHsDvTfDYgQGoiTuYwwmBI

IqRsNnjsWXCDOHX

He grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm with one hand and was about to check his breath with the other—NyUdpcElIpgIApkxmRDMzyYKnvgdRk

GMhzWTiGqprJlud

When he saw the latter frown, his eyelashes slowly opened:TgLFNfzlaHzfmwVQFSlXcgiKxhdDYL

pCvPKGrKyoIXuwX

“…Li Wuting?”cpnPAarYzePHcchETJfwEFbpwiLvBL

zRtyJsNnSKjKXXd

Ning Rushen felt like he had been dreaming for a long time.gmWORBLAZNHJgdRMVPBBWbFRBhIaJh

MHneWqkfhpccVaZ

Sometimes 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

mhCNhFFFSvIGfkJ

The chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!eDemkCOJlRwJkgPvzwDMrwIAIDbmBO

qBYNrWDZDUlKdIA

His vision refocused, and a familiar handsome face was in front of him.dwgVeEQaspObKtYFTxHamyXeWcsgCp

AOXibWGoaonMVUS

He instinctively called out the other person’s name, “Li Wuting?”ecDgmySZOjueJTQicdJnknbFpyIBJK

HlEExJiJrHZKpWN

As he spoke, the grip on his arm seemed to tighten.LyHWhQfvRHFscaOxQHtiAWtrZgKUHe

xwBxsZcKHtpnwLJ

Then 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

JaTgtQcVsjljEfl

The inner garment covered most of the frosty white skin, its hem dipping into the water and getting soaked.nKQQEIDLRKWdcuHZAMuJTvpVyoSKzX

fbCGxpyxwUTvirO

Ning Rushen finally woke up, realizing the current situation.yeCPmATWbeOTLIBYKiCWlkCGpNlQtl

oNXKcnDuRPxNXud

A surge of heat rushed over him!HeCUdTKhWVdWDpBrIyYUEIUMlRuoTe

NEXmjafPQoccick

He 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

zqQLbKcNyBUbYoB

The person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.wxKxVovfhqQSLJaDAVGawEchUUIXEx

RsQPZjMwfarDnAw

Li 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

xjnOfzyQgPYHSfL

Thump! Ning Rushen, wrapped in clothes, fell onto the bed, looking at the Emperor standing before him:YNIqPPUJGpvcJbBloIItKVeAZdtuLE

HLBHtOJZLnVsqXp

What’s going on, what happened?yuUylQgPLvuViwOAPzFdOlacrlUTZa

OjWcyyIFaBjbSKb

His mind was a mess.LAPkvPmohpVsLpuiMUxnUuvRLoJDNH

auNghHtlpeHHlFy

He 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

diRlKNtdzQpEukS

After speaking, the door was slammed shut with a bang!uEhdehmTkdPphLoHrqLSsCJsdqnfWs

SbgLzkZapGRPYCu

Ning Rushen, “…”qcHlfuFipqymgvoHTFFTHTdZZwHopu

KAIJHPMAvidWxbf

With the door closed, the room darkened.GJpjxqlFOEaVZTxwSekkAuqQABANIF

BDEDqzBUhkDQGwN

Li 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

FQvuBjjgqqPeyLP

The dry towel landed on him.oXkIaBHEodRaOCSAAYkBDkojMxJRKL

YBKVAdidESSmtcG

Ning Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.aXqLNxOyrZKCqVFvYBsaFjneBrMaxD

JwfgIqdBMVDRJDS

His 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

JBLAMkanBVpFLTx

As he dried his hair, he looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”BxmtdriZvqdtojxoXqUTcSBlFRKUJd

ynyCdBVNJodoSYn

Li Wuting, with his back to him, slightly turned his head, “Jingyu said, Lord Ning was soaking in the water and didn’t respond.”kvfrEDmqJTOELHjUegykbUwkXNilPR

xfciwFreKkKifsf

Ning Rushen, “…”HkcvWUgGqIJwerUCcWieOPyJEqhLSS

KFQxuQjcwbLmavw

Great, say a bit more and you might just scare him off.MmVXzKAUINNYlURgsYITIWntGhQgwj

TQCvsJeACxXgUfY

Li Wuting said slowly, “Who knew Lord Ning had fallen asleep while soaking, even the little monk knocking couldn’t wake him.”jEUXEaHdfAYnZtZWZKvBzdtBgZcikS

bAirBTSOkQQMZEr

Ning 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

nFIstrvrnEIiLnL

Li Wuting paused, then finally turned to look at him.rJqyZJlVPWSTtNQauZHCNYokNJiAXg

HugTBCCRIzGBJEA

Ning Rushen had already dressed himself, but his wet hair clung to his shoulders and back, and his neck glistened with water.CPccWjwmQkKpbMEpMAkfoKTIUOheBQ

IxysgsBFVIbrXjM

As he finished speaking, he noticed the light flicker in front of him.oORYBnfhlayABWxZhVKLHjBhRlJxdZ

UyweOuOuLwJfmVv

Li 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

VxnUWTfexTmjdUb

What do you mean, suppose?bzwtRdWqcKeylsCENZmJCKgHjQHzuZ

sZQWFiRNGpCYuGu

Ning Rushen craned his neck, “I genuinely did.”MrjeLmwBZifjSvIIWYWqADAKEVSDdL

DcpIXVCEDwNHYZF

His outstretched neck still bore traces of water.jEZgvrXqrgcOZFTRiWggAryccVboJo

IfAwixTjvrTdYMd

Li Wuting glanced at him, then raised his hand to press his head back, “Dry your hair; don’t get me wet.”oGnPWvaQnFNGeYArjnsUpyBZKLLisl

vBjsHuHEMYzibMS

Ning Rushen reflexively said, “Isn’t it already…”HQkewPAVrkOnAxBqxtqsoIDUSXrOzq

wFQqmezHlqstSHo

The moment he spoke, he stopped himself.DbYXwIKeutvEPnftylqZRpcfysfqwQ

MiZkqvxohCtWkGo

In 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

BZuXRkIGjprKPAC

And reached out to pull him up.MDFYfCtEuhujZdbpTzFfHxdmlcNhzV

rcsleWoGuBSQZoA

At that time, he hadn’t been…wyaXdALJzPPASdJRKhYJJHPFMdjOTx

stJKRJcDEGStsgc

Shit. Ning Rushen’s waist trembled, and his whole body suddenly heated up!ECNkWfscdvnJNfphsijkWqYKbKyKRp

sRTsTLVeWrYfeZk

He sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.rxSIMBSSKhOGclwgBDevrTzOsvBrvX

QbkOVhxLydVmhez

He had no idea his ears to his collarbones were flushed a faint red.hMenfkxHmLUXdxflhKovtTtxxYSrtq

mMfRkFlgGEKAFMm

It’s over, he’s not pure anymore.KfrNPogeERdQjgsxkJpprtDnbDFzup

ITTmbgpYJioCKuu

No, wait, they’re both men, so he still retained some purity.HMrbiaXXXcHwfWsYrkahZlhugkwbHZ

ZDntNapmpLyIxKL

Just 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

zNGvbFQfUvNLMue

Ning Rushen snapped back to reality, lowering his head to admit guilt, “I… I offended Your Majesty’s eyes.”TZVyiWOEnsTFWDzgURmGEusZouZgkg

nBkVLElexehEcmE

“…”WPUxprhRkAgcUcrwMiyviYNywwZHGz

ZhaHwxuAFbDUkiH

Li Wuting’s brow twitched, holding back, “I meant, Lord Ning, you called me by my name.”AXMsPMMmdyxkywxseClgzQHStuczEz

DLukzSRjggGHjYI

Ning Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—YEfGjyjVoFhaoqobNgDyKrIjkJvZyd

yhkehWUANSnVmum

When he woke up just now, he seemed to have called Li Wuting’s name.aKhOYaeJHswFxRBNwbsGrhiYuEmFLW

ZLkovEcICNWRNxq

Li Wuting looked at him, “Did it come naturally?”gJwXjAGzbBzUDMnWqfSZgaTZbrKgFa

WXtrFZJmobYmQIB

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, “It just felt natural.”sGYkLdKnydbPkFDTUrppxgTSOGAlNl

sJXYLTjmUqeMRUG

The two stared at each other for a while.WFsOhRFPjvTsQbuOiIIrPdRPBMilKv

TFOgKOPBSESEMTo

After 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

yXNWYBnXKJAAaBb

Ning Rushen, his head spinning, “Yes…”StEGsPKszfesRjNqqTuiCnJlYvUWlk

FNPSKDmJeOkACto

Li Wuting watched his dazed expression and seemed to chuckle.SUhWZCoqHjSFmFcSZLLBToquUIxAao

XLglrwaQxxnhklv

Then he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.GJvauEFBhOJHQjmWPyieLTLYxNNhVv

EECJDgNpZQbxlzh

“At most, call one character.”bTHbCqAAwBTgzBjXuKJByenAbfkOEu

WAqqiBGIKFmskjG

Ning Rushen didn’t quite catch that: what?AORGBBKoNdlVyjeCkRUNVFdwMrDzey

vkuJqpekAiKtOoc

Li 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

MYQCVJijTIUquHx

Outside, De Quan’s voice rang out, “Yes.”LNfFGlOsFhXimCFBetYjgNmCobYozA

TgvKlIvOpUXdsgH

A group of palace attendants quickly entered to tidy up the bath and screen.FRDPNUZVRYUEwjjTJMLJbzVwrXLQGi

qsRIsqkMJfqyGJs

Ning 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

RrBTrtotlNBGkYL

They rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.yxaxlWXqTemyARnLbniubOyyOIYqeC

iUUfViekVRKSBOO

The next morning, Ning Rushen got up for breakfast.dfqqdSvsOvdvXeUkgArrTGNArjUWjV

xQYBunUyjalrMtB

The monks lived simply, and even the presence of the Emperor didn’t prompt much ceremony.KbpppGqgMuVIqmyoBqEbbpPwxIPVAc

pTwJrpXodsaIaHX

Everyone dined in the dining hall.WNcgMFreXkdyvRwPHsfZELMCZUaMnA

wEbzRgOOPzVVIDn

When 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

BVOcxKcJOXmxUTC

He watched from a distance for a couple of seconds.HKsdcxcJZvifdyWVItBgnzkRzIPsRs

UiOxHjsFaVtKHWt

Li Wuting seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his deep gaze in his direction.dOKzLlHNeruKfarqGJJvatvjberZIo

CpEzgPMaOLIUoRm

Their eyes met.awbPJBcTfZKodwhsHWHQjEDhspJXzw

zQuGSuxEwCydXpu

Ning Rushen instinctively held his breath.sGZSFikcapyWJUBCSGEiGYOKLIVKQa

XsqXQkgkAKFIEoF

Li Wuting’s expression remained cold, but Ning Rushen felt he might have smiled slightly before turning away and walking off.iSTjBUVpCflElflpwPIfBZFxsCeJXX

MjyouEbqluDJpjT

“…”UnQZIfHNxMFYqSQbXDChUmrSngsJVK

zvVyuJCxGwGWsWr

It’s early, I must be seeing things.pxQgAthqqWDcucSDElghupHJcRTuit

hrNJqtiPevWHMef

Ning Rushen shook his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves as he entered the dining hall.gfLdsLwChKsSokieOJfOEGfgZVeTAp

iIBbFhimsOIQqVJ

Inside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.piMzMaHItxDDqaKQdbGTIkaITihqpU

EMMHpiMcQiHiYxI

Seeing him, Li Jingyu waved, “Lord Ning, over here!”NxzDMWJHYuSxiLAmutLNECDaadrzzi

qLIlPValRriYEuG

Ning 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

uGKGUfdJFIwLmNg

They 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

JhVNelILXdHjahp

He said he could call him by one character. But which character?IITpxRPlNEnNImmAYsPtZsWuLjxwna

bpkLNERSnaGBVFb

Ning Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.SlXBcuVNIjZNDCHkklzvihgCWmpdTx

hYzEnOXVRBHrWOu

After a moment, he asked, “Little Prince, do you know His Majesty’s courtesy name?”jHeYjpeNxUkvEXpsHQncCdOOuJLFJW

gvTuVdYscIruKqh

Li Jingyu swallowed his bun, “You want to know, Lord Ning?”wwMKrsrgAQLUUZIUisEqQLCyWaSsDL

pPhrcNnwLbHGKgg

Ning Rushen nodded.kJncVEptraJcjacefpDphpMurPLBXQ

ZxQSvsGLaGFwRLk

Li Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.zCtbPWJgqaXxNmYMFLqxTovVLULenw

cpqPXHqxKnixxKJ

Once 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

JsYkzeArlyLpJiN

Ning 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

keYUwmTpBWakzff

Li Jingyu spoke in a reserved manner, “This involves a royal secret.”tSvebewuzxwUJBvHpgMzJIOKjNoRMj

tppwSchtUGjPPtc

Another secret???nNEJEqhurslmgszqpJgpkVhZlckiMp

oPNyYflFVHOPnbL

Ning Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”HlLdAcyjdXYddCGunzREEorbZDjPZF

xQGwFaKZEolbmdP

Li 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

uuAgFTTVwwGATHm

Ning Rushen took a deep breath.IEjnxuVYqiNeTukERpIIDxsAQYSPzE

WFeqgzmPEgMxfqC

That was indeed a bit careless—fuEClIdpgnkbjIKBYHNeGomCJqWOTg

PJsCWEkeFBBBudp

And why is this yet another useless royal secret!ZZMrHoJwXcDlqkapltELhRuLEbnAab

FgwTLKNWyhXhJzO

“Lord Ning, what’s wrong?” Li Jingyu leaned in.SgwvBdHHoTWlOLWAklEwDpPaWfvqQJ

SChIkNuSODLtphm

Ning Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”MGXJPJSgusSGlpTMcfLivrWpdxtlBV

KiYdpPXsCnYiirM

Li Wuting is truly unfortunate, being burdened with such a name from birth.BHZirTdWyywpeWdpgeoINdkpRRWefw

hTjYzbTQplyiENE

He continued, “What happened next?”xkqNvdQaDLtDhCnTSgsJWNqqCLosLL

DthcmMQtumNuWCa

Li 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

ajRUZDnlheImAGx

Despite ‘Wu Ting’ being in front, his heart still leaned towards fairness and justice, embodying the conduct of a gentleman.JqezxvmufQaHgYrXzCHEKaoZMwGLmg

iOelyLfFfWbUONG

Ning Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.oIkVrokkhErGHUwQihZOPptPRaueoA

PkxUDFdSFuOpSSX

It indeed suited Li Wuting.SwZcztSlFKXdtKdLBEXnygZyrklheF

XZWyYxJDXpOVIVG

After 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

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Him secretly inquiring about Li Wuting’s courtesy name.AVZDiedFziFJTrJYFZkUumSMGqpfuf

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He pondered for a moment, then called, “Little Prince.”kWimCcaIwQWCNHLRIuaOTyNkfbpwfW

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Li Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”HcKWhxhhuYIzmYDNCQzyquBRvrdejv

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Ning Rushen, full of concern, said, “Don’t tell His Majesty that I was secretly asking about his courtesy name.”ITpPCjYCjrMllLeFbjgmUQpyRHrGpW

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As soon as he spoke, he paused.BBIqnONneukunVhGAPYFHMiSSuDSIK

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The next second, as expected, “So Lord Ning was secretly asking.”bGqHHMZfwFGiRJJpOAUNPvLjTroUCV

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“… No!”FdukieFQUeIEWFoSpZsIhgSSrsXTSK

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Li Jingyu, as if he’d gotten hold of some secret, quickly ran off, leaving Ning Rushen to close his eyes in pain:ktJVyQpchrvtbVcosMsFyObhOmxfeS

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He must have been cursed by Shiyi.ONvAmJmvLWOeITRLNwwcksKAOtbIAI

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·DxgZrSTgiSZupuvFWSkPiiYIDYHqNh

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Leaving the dining hall, Ning Rushen felt the need to take a walk to clear his muddled mind.buGzfXoambNChRbhXVXngXZGratRND

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He wandered around.GzHRoszmwRmlfRNGnPSTPcPQucQjaK

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Shaojue Temple was large, and he somehow found himself in a courtyard on the western side.GLadVpmYDrVCrBFFTqwkmisNcKyObG

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The serene courtyard was empty.PFhWPiRLiHrdOylOQGVMIbAVKjfzqs

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In one corner stood a lush bodhi tree, its branches adorned with red cloth strips for blessings.zaitUIIOWycwDYtwEvYHeOcLCbRbkP

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Ning Rushen walked over, his crimson sleeves fluttering as he looked up at the tree.tzUjqrkGlXqXcnfmVstKcWdTVrMqoe

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A breeze passed through the courtyard, making the red cloth and his crimson sleeves flutter together in the verdant mountain courtyard.TFCSrIlQEuXXcudxjXfguOzrEyKknn

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In the midst of this tranquility, a voice sounded behind him:uiNfGWWLufskrvFGErGwpTDSjabTDX

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“Has the benefactor lost his way?”tvlVwdoSZQwhNnShQjaKXSXsKrHvId

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Ning Rushen turned to see Master Jingxi standing at the courtyard gate, smiling serenely at him.dwfVsIfSRquoVjWEhloPpyaLCaMiFO

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“No, just wandering.”LhnjvnVufMobNuaMjeKGFilkHagkKg

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He paused, “Am I in a place I shouldn’t be?”oCqHGwxZqwHXxybdtDyJOekFuRjxka

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Jingxi replied, “There is no place one shouldn’t be. If you are here, it is fate.”OPcjKrisKfgKijAnrrIiwAKlZcPNtz

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Ning Rushen nodded, “Well said, Master.”vkaKembEorXnchvkdreDsXgbgIJCXz

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Surely, those who roam freely in his mansion—Shiyi, Prince Xuan, Geng Quan—would agree wholeheartedly.XEOpOSBLWNApAqXFFPvmgTySULikkj

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He saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.TWTNuUsmTmLdNHSrmMQvjSIqQMlBvW

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“Master, do you have business here? I should leave so as not to disturb you.”YRmiGqukRWVkdVqKZpAGbvwfBNlXzi

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“No matter. I just finished discussing scriptures with His Majesty and was passing by. Seeing you here, I thought I’d inquire.”QylXYyFipWJeaeBesuEaxABOuMFyQD

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Ning Rushen thought he hadn’t been wandering, not like a ghost…OSCEysFTxTwOTdjnwOvWmaTESeaRHS

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Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.VMPCcxRMgSkrkulMmBcAGpRmzuJYou

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Those few words echoed in his mind.SCvzldZDxBuuKlsGTrrgGpWWPaTeFM

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Ning Rushen sharply looked at Jingxi, a shocking thought forming:kSVEXtdxnoPcafISAeQhcglGhURfTu

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“Master, you mean…”EHmeMsJkZrKuWtpHVPPJCQgyApNWBJ

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Jingxi still smiled and asked, “Has the benefactor lost his way?”ziZSQkqHzAUDHeDMcnDjdecychlpCM

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In 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

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Jingxi replied calmly, “The benefactor still has attachments.”PRzjhtFkfViuFHGLJddchuRCOjlejr

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Of course. How could he forget the first twenty-plus years of his life? Sometimes he even dreamt of his life in that world.PDypBVoPHaoVBotDOApasgHRHMVbsK

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Just yesterday, he dreamt of being in his dormitory.tNBUoXjOrdjAkCfOpAdSpbLYcZbxfO

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Dreamt of three versions of Erkang.orWzkWwYouOkuyyZfCePaYjtNQhNQD

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“Does the benefactor wish to return?”mcFpRUSEpUyDlueFFvcLQXnppcIPDz

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“I…”rqCjIcZXzLMDduoLKWtZiuifCVxITq

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Ning Rushen hadn’t really thought about this question. He had always gone with the flow, but hearing Jingxi ask this, he instinctively asked:lwtCJMZeMzpcVzizCSFpTmXLskOjrJ

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“Can I go back?”FDxYiHdBeWCzhaPGIYkvrXzpvDlBUk

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Jingxi didn’t speak, and for a moment, only the wind rustled through the courtyard.CYvYHiYZdBtAUFmfMasWvIENamAPzK

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The red cloth fluttered like waves, the bodhi tree whispered.CfBYfSNpBcDqZBEJGQWQliEfHltAgX

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…uxOwYYqLUSvqhnAhsbYiUXnPsIOtsT

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Outside the courtyard, De Quan and the accompanying guards kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.sBWnFxmTgRNRuuWPdBMTQaoucNIhJM

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Li Wuting stood a step away.xrCwYkuNNYBKnMSobpJtagcGKiXdLp

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He lowered his eyes silently, his fingers curling slightly at his side.jJVNQpusQAGVlBArtrTMbDDorvcyYR

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