Chapter 40
De Quan was scared out of his wits! Just as he was about to ask, the Emperor had already stood up swiftly—JxzYkvQxZwNxugvhSmqfWaVhqxZqwC
irDRlyGQXCLtcIyThe usually calm figure quickly followed, and soon, the two of them disappeared at the courtyard gate.xmfshqkNeVRRyBLLEEfiTzJDrDBjHs
SgpNQSKkosQbhZTJust as he was wondering whether to prop the door open with something, the young prince who had just run out quickly returned:lAQHZIxgvcvvlGfELJZZtfRMpWswJl
QITKvRhUKfiRCwzThe little monk turned his head and saw the Emperor striding over, hurriedly bowing, “Your Majesty!”lPDUwWQwdnlHUsiNtPqKRoGUornfJU
pySsTCackVghQOFLi Wuting’s eyes immediately fell on the tightly closed door.IjccUjDFLzFuKfgfsALDXHNSQVedsW
YBNXNXjGyfAwVwwHe stopped in his tracks, realizing that things seemed different from what he had imagined, “What’s going on?”QGrxshUPFlpcuHmxEZrbUkjTgmOImF
YmKajXkoVfscxWcLi Jingyu murmured softly, “Lord Ning was taking a bath and didn’t respond after several calls.”hCUjbsoNfAqnsAGheNOYMhhdvoGyrO
DcnGcPjEbURCQeN“…”CVVYSZsKcuURzGnrUSjqfFCzUpqALp
wNDnWFsUlkdxSYnLi Wuting took a deep breath, pinching the bridge of his nose.lbqlqlFtWWrkncknGbTBInBetoCVZM
onElrCZePoHkpMqLi Jingyu continued, “Could he have fainted or slipped into the water? Could Lord Ning already be—ugh!”VRzbZuwxgppxhmLOZjQVbbuezrnHXy
zZqCVjhnZJdprvCA large hand harshly pressed his head down, cutting off his words.IShiElxBCJIPQHroWOWlWUgWLBUSfF
LIwPfWQvRklUBUkLi Wuting stared at the barred door, his Adam’s apple bobbing.XjXbYTMBcrNxXWFHDQXSxEFSOGuhHP
OVYHKbrdmiEtEFmBut it was only for a moment; he then pressed his hand against the door, “Ningchen!”QqxSSboenWvohUAYlYpyMjfGqjumnf
SuNpcjVSthbUCKCThere was still no response from inside.NPQWmVvHpMeDpWysbAQWaVdaxbPwVw
VwRZBPGZHoiyoHOLi 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!wtGwZsJQzwCntrAtjyLLNEFCtJLPab
ntKfkJKwnjlqepIThe latch fell with a sound, and he took a breath and pushed the door open.sBHznJvqeRVhLdclcOzrEoZhuVuYbl
XEOsNAiQaLSFYdhThe small room was just a single chamber.vZxpTmfNyMwWkDjhgtzBNTvLZMIDij
afkNLdnnPdwuDVJEntering through the door, the first thing he saw was a half-open screen.glwnGAyWVSvFToOTDxOoGyICojVDPr
zkxIsddPXqyFevFThe 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.byXwEcjAGZIyuQgaTltqGpMvqaCRPl
GooExBLVzRpwrgCLi Wuting’s fingertips trembled slightly as he took a few steps around the screen, “Ningchen.”pUuYDeobLsCNjHkpPTfGdXZkbAMElr
YiZoaqHMPKVEPmmThe person behind the screen was fully revealed.dGuMMjRNfaGyswskeqCzJibrUtqVjN
rjRXPgMBxVikHJhBlack 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.lIfBqLWuEAujsLtgQqUysLJstlPNiC
SgqLwpVETLjplHTLi Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.hJHjIAmIYfMcGHpLNDYoktaWOiHzxE
fLMneEGYNSWlOUbHe grabbed Ning Rushen’s arm with one hand and was about to check his breath with the other—TGRvLUNZFytgUiVCDrdEFbWDtMRAhL
fwJRVtqcZlaRcAbWhen he saw the latter frown, his eyelashes slowly opened:pYUIhAnwTvGoDsdNsGzkEyGHvtzkyz
hBRrCMQzqHYjedf“…Li Wuting?”gIthlOlxmhedyxRcRRlqCAlhmRCFlQ
PjYQWbDRBKmrpwhNing Rushen felt like he had been dreaming for a long time.ROJCLlbZodIIeNCHhyALSfWjtfekCm
HWpnnKvExVzfQWHSometimes 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.XYMfHKvFGDjeCDcZniFdThRmKWZXGq
BcHCogiUcmYqzmwThe chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!pmyAcYJdNUzQPMKEewZeDSWiatcsWd
JKUdvKHgVBkjzZJHis vision refocused, and a familiar handsome face was in front of him.xdlzzfkZkUdbOpLFcdIuTuZhPfMaUa
YykabtQyRSVmraKHe instinctively called out the other person’s name, “Li Wuting?”IutdXSuqYprOyxFZfzFAtXrHABFCRx
LwJakCMVGVCakTvAs he spoke, the grip on his arm seemed to tighten.eaSlKDUEzgtsLtGKNsQVGJzUFxMVot
lwLPzUQUiNWyaLKThen he saw Li Wuting exhale deeply, close his eyes, and pull the inner garment from the screen behind, throwing it over him:WhhyPzISRfaJlvKeJBpEBGWFhkltrl
eRKvNGaSMgphWaV“Put this on.”vOAbCBGALscuQJXmuiZsYpqhWXUxSH
byDUbhbLpkEgKCJThe inner garment covered most of the frosty white skin, its hem dipping into the water and getting soaked.OqiRhkEAiNVGrdADqyeVLhhzLxAymU
UkJqyAFNjbbhXrrNing Rushen finally woke up, realizing the current situation.UGJtELzTIPCnBBwtcnhBhLXtgVQvBz
fyCLmxqUPkCAmZxA surge of heat rushed over him!eaAiiWgAHhdreUYPNNEKPXZLECWCPI
RDciLQLaRuhXihPHe 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.jBBBnWKYIjWtoBlEWOxRCxoQSritwb
GybbgSvTRtMpNPuThe person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.wcEdmCKYbTAoIpreqLQrmbELOFYwlA
eOFWMdvsVSPbrpnLi 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.QnVcIbCNdAreQlLxxBcUmsQLIEmvxJ
lFPzYDWgihDEQWWThump! Ning Rushen, wrapped in clothes, fell onto the bed, looking at the Emperor standing before him:DmuXTmMzKSqddYtzgfYhfQADNNgWcc
bTBHBKUgAhfygShWhat’s going on, what happened?uswcWSUXxcwpQrdNmZvKxrxVWEaBHu
jSViUxiKdTuUHWMHis mind was a mess.QDiRFMoMuRFIkSLUVSnyPwaBykvreN
AfuCjjgkDuwjmEgHe couldn’t understand why he was in this situation as soon as he opened his eyes.VhRAXWhlFVKqOMQmvazCgpRGBOxbfs
yZSQzddjqWSMbDy“Your Majesty, I…” Ning Rushen had just started speaking when he heard a faint conversation outside the half-open screen.ZsbXmcSlelhzGsglhxsMyEDpiXNJGv
DNQiqYKplNgmZDg“Is Lord Ning okay?”vEJRfSmARclvgYNtLmnOvwHQKmXgyl
VuEFMuyUcKrRFep“If the royal brother hasn’t called for anyone, he must be fine!”wuvDxdoZMNWKgfasQCnldTGkPCAdgO
CePoVxPKzJTWAiQ“Thank you for your trouble, little monk. You can go back now; we will guard here.”vurjwHNGHYMLwjwrBphmAGkcqSNXQW
xVugMxIXowIypqmAfter speaking, the door was slammed shut with a bang!ZlrUxpcLgkXRQkoBbBBsMmEspMvRRe
VADIPwJRbrIvtkiNing Rushen, “…”nEAjINsnRlcweWqIUXVofsFzWkLgXg
lxNmZBVAHvwFIKAWith the door closed, the room darkened.EmLifzgyUIhitDptnIuLGvdSvVOSzs
HtDXwGeqzHObzSJLi Wuting stood in front of the bed for a moment, then tossed over a towel and turned to light the lamp at the desk.ffpcICyZihiwwxXcrAypJOBiwgYdBp
hSJnPakieTSpbOUThe dry towel landed on him.IYjvGFfQCRLamDjqipbqbuaYArIwoQ
PmBupuXAevVAdjNNing Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.nMxWOGooYpAYZaudSKzzQsnFsYgrnD
ggcCiUoMfezGpKzHis 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.CHZJOETYrmZjaYrSiPbyNRMSLlfLnk
aZTwWokdjxfGCEgAs he dried his hair, he looked at Li Wuting, “Your Majesty, why are you here?”mmGhWbYgBHHIfIKMjnCbQBSzUOGhCI
rZnygrczmaNmVJzLi Wuting, with his back to him, slightly turned his head, “Jingyu said, Lord Ning was soaking in the water and didn’t respond.”gTfyagqtdgHSTmgvaUIkiOcGhyLiXp
sGfIQwCfWhdyRqBNing Rushen, “…”OxzpRzYLVRwJrZOXOvWXZoOoZofykX
crrhFfBNMIaVcDyGreat, say a bit more and you might just scare him off.azSqGLnDlpFLagedzgDhmdwMXeywaB
oaQiyBvOKJmexQiLi Wuting said slowly, “Who knew Lord Ning had fallen asleep while soaking, even the little monk knocking couldn’t wake him.”fvPHfzYUVLodZLOzdVBBhiptKrGVuI
mkngRmrPKGOrmTXNing Rushen guiltily shrank further into the bed, “I was too tired.”fQWVKytBSKBGfnIjcTFDRJKgUsDzai
froDHSRxBeSkJzY“Why were you so tired?”NUVXkEBuIkwvhEGfxZBTQMEJgiOOZb
zPxxmssZuGmASSd“I climbed the mountain and prayed all over.”tHMSJOvpRMegqvutMviIzCtgsZApHN
phqDQQtGWbbENQa“…For what?”szDTxoZsmDxCBCDePHNoiqZhXgNAYA
yaNTRQmfWHlJjys“For Your Majesty’s blessing.”BExzSahmGBlWTaaJsPaQYJytEHsKDh
BAtcStlsVRhYYPcLi Wuting paused, then finally turned to look at him.wcWSnPACOyTtBKAIuUdBfTdchyTfHA
twBVkKlwTlgqvcXNing Rushen had already dressed himself, but his wet hair clung to his shoulders and back, and his neck glistened with water.ZQxwyajXwOFQBpaSVVaqfHtFzKRACO
gjelNrRbUScVfIrAs he finished speaking, he noticed the light flicker in front of him.NZRGxiSNAsxBsVvNrkjiVZoUczfuoQ
HqjOwjiMmjhpcaHLi Wuting walked over and sat at the edge of the bed, his stern features softened by the warm light:kCFDhvHMWzhdfTSZYcCQVzTqMPySIP
jghllTxIAMwRzCW“Really? Then I suppose I’ll believe you meant it.”RZdvdFqnRTbpRMjtqsLWCPNUmxZvod
TmtABSArsrgbckvWhat do you mean, suppose?nacbAqUVadfmFEnIOzEofkWstaSzfN
BkuLuHENbFbnmxHNing Rushen craned his neck, “I genuinely did.”NPePDxKhsrOPxUPLlYAEHjWxJOGtZD
LglMqONpMiUsBMWHis outstretched neck still bore traces of water.GPYfQsFQxKsEtaHSUGYxAYrkZmbUIl
NOtIspJoryrkZqzLi Wuting glanced at him, then raised his hand to press his head back, “Dry your hair; don’t get me wet.”SwlppgLzPyfEoiSNVqGsKIExChqIVk
XdDiDTVuoHbCTCwNing Rushen reflexively said, “Isn’t it already…”YbFJXTgGYApmzNwGpNkchNMUrmGIon
mTpOiyuGdIDIlgrThe moment he spoke, he stopped himself.rptLwuWAwdBfsKnwavIrQivxOzxCho
dnvYDTVplnggDGoIn 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.HbedxQsFCvjqJdqfdBVUgdycgyJtqu
iTTQteasAQVXvZGAnd reached out to pull him up.jbeBEHxJsXNtzNwbepSmriQhFjySvd
IYraunahKzzRbfnAt that time, he hadn’t been…jZXRvKmRjdNhbQvcgNYHjAXdnnFLuG
nLKrgqzJkoOXuNBShit. Ning Rushen’s waist trembled, and his whole body suddenly heated up!UictfVaCxLnUgEGwvcMmRdLzgMUqJX
JOTZqHpryVzaAOCHe sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.YtiSfWLqdHTQvyrCEOsPDAUMaZrvBW
tgMCPUtXuATeIXTHe had no idea his ears to his collarbones were flushed a faint red.kBqbrSiTAvSHzYmHspkhvaUjlwBpEr
VKqwYopgzqcAyTSIt’s over, he’s not pure anymore.pGaoochbaUtbUPtfvVFnoPwGyHCFYt
mCISxpsmfmQmydRNo, wait, they’re both men, so he still retained some purity.GqXWlzinYAWJBJVDUHrQZhEZndwAEM
lzkyDyPbIkgKOgNJust as he was thinking, he suddenly heard Li Wuting ask:gNXIkhsVSUtwPncGsMhtzyDOITAhiU
crqAMAdbrPnjBKa“By the way, I haven’t pursued this yet, but does Lord Ning realize his offense?”fzAvbGqGXckTkcHFCwVNHtuqrumtpq
SbIviDSLSvNkdkONing Rushen snapped back to reality, lowering his head to admit guilt, “I… I offended Your Majesty’s eyes.”kkojKactnKvOTqwlUDLTDFrZwDGQXx
YnuROeEVDpvgYFG“…”qAspjJtZWDpmvFoCfQzOFUbTxAmUvL
zFQKSHaQNpYbsgULi Wuting’s brow twitched, holding back, “I meant, Lord Ning, you called me by my name.”fIzrveTuIDGPKaTYTbpmMQBrduZicj
uxzMJEemvICgKnhNing Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—kHEXuVwEKdPBbdRluRzaqhDQNeqxAC
loTnIBANzxKeCNEWhen he woke up just now, he seemed to have called Li Wuting’s name.NNyFWxtccNbNINWvXnjmuHujjrffzr
FnhWttBhsKaEFhRLi Wuting looked at him, “Did it come naturally?”UjyGUNiLczejoCINnAAQqhfqiGLsUi
enhandYZeZWtbcFNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, “It just felt natural.”uTeNGpMROkNDLYsgajQlzwWLOUGuhW
mjpjaMLtcjGopAwThe two stared at each other for a while.OEaALKVrMKcgeHdvqHUGCvtJeHAXGY
HIcgEwYolhrrowGAfter a moment, Li Wuting said, “Forget it,” then reached out to pat the back of his head, shaking it familiarly:rhlNyhsTaDRmENvnihpxAUjrPbofCd
VHLfyCZIYedqGez“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?”KnStHxGgzbPKSguiSoePCasgyNiQqH
kYXDuubypoKURouNing Rushen, his head spinning, “Yes…”TIESjhCrPePrZszLYfOvQGdbvyIZSx
xBRUWPqVGMuWPJqLi Wuting watched his dazed expression and seemed to chuckle.EyueTmFwPnVDPtBLunscTyCIHlZvRQ
UfFQWGtzkglGdywThen he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.rSTRTUrZzacYvChYTTBMoleNWLNhBU
ebmmEblcMbxakXo“At most, call one character.”BnjDwKMxQTjxVBUnhzWWPrAVgDrBCB
TOTNlNIUVYNHbvWNing Rushen didn’t quite catch that: what?vzCNUFLDRdSecPfDikhbKnpyhlJojg
DIaIljKklyFYwsWLi Wuting, having spoken, already turned to leave, his tall figure rounding the half-open screen and pushing the door open:PDkLiVmQpVANHjEDMJuLdoXCrzBfOJ
LaYWtMBNWWZdiqj“Have someone clean up.”IrUMPYzsDdGVyFuXYAkGPEtpWgjRCH
bsjjDfpcRzHNiBCOutside, De Quan’s voice rang out, “Yes.”eGsuijNWkUavOBGaecialKSRBKQGQZ
EpDrkqeUoKBsNZiA group of palace attendants quickly entered to tidy up the bath and screen.SxAIoxtBXBKZydgUdAvhcsHZlvSeLZ
uveEIhasmyEmSoENing Rushen sat on the bed, watching the silent palace attendants in front of him, recalling with a strange sense of déjà vu:wdqnDwUvMCqfVwyCakzhgICfaYXskN
ncdeXNGkdrgYPIh…Did Li Wuting mean he could call him by one character?ELNsQUczglOVvweNjErYUgGhAKoTKs
MKxhsbrXLIbXkez·ZKmNxIKIFDoAMUsRKFMIEWRohODiNU
XknOeCMpJSjTNlgThey rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.rUTtEEGzBREEfTeOAiplngXSdcPklZ
vQNKLJeNuAZDFXCThe next morning, Ning Rushen got up for breakfast.hRbUJABxcuRcIyiVsrwCgZtPDaoozn
YHHoLCScSUAfzGVThe monks lived simply, and even the presence of the Emperor didn’t prompt much ceremony.CRhJqHGnZEQhFUmhnVhDwQkJRsyHqC
uuzEnnzxSOKgeibEveryone dined in the dining hall.LkDMcBppFMuHSICXusVeBXwosRXToh
TfjWbXnIKojlUdWWhen 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.CglBCFJypyJvPEyPTGXsDGdIinZSRF
XvgPmpuwgBKpoYrHe watched from a distance for a couple of seconds.lipOABrAybnEFDBufxRnqfupBrtqIg
fOaJlfuHJUhtIxzLi Wuting seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his deep gaze in his direction.CeDCmzeCKcWNQCLYeepqKTAdRfXGRE
GiSPAjiqIiXrIRLTheir eyes met.LfoGhfdeuCSrtOcwGmOKSxePMlfyKn
BIKvRRKjGQkRQmSNing Rushen instinctively held his breath.SYdUjkeZUmzETPzopYWOPVVpEiBhsF
kLauFQHkyjpeVabLi Wuting’s expression remained cold, but Ning Rushen felt he might have smiled slightly before turning away and walking off.JJddcmIVjADrMvcASiwHuYHmlFBEqb
hpKIvtAhqWEsNKp“…”rVzzprJdYqyomCxjzkdrHUYvWVHPvL
oLldgNMFsYhyWLZIt’s early, I must be seeing things.HHCqaJlmJBlYwWQTBlgpcYJwGfOEcH
wQXrVLIoVRenhdWNing Rushen shook his head and tucked his hands into his sleeves as he entered the dining hall.fhTRvIpURXNVjaZOOEqZTwylpqvllN
peuINovRrbfpDvpInside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.gVzhQjDAxjYDdPpnlEIkFidsQsQxdX
TiDwphuNTmeBAcWSeeing him, Li Jingyu waved, “Lord Ning, over here!”LrubHLkdLuOrtXsBHNoSZQymTtzwQJ
MnlZaexVoddqGJzNing Rushen approached and greeted him, then picked up a plate of steamed buns, vegetarian dishes, and tofu soup, sitting next to him, “Little Prince.”dQJFHNnbnpTrIvagPaSBGnfgumAhmj
LGENBXHxjLCXyJsThey 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:SMpQQTpKEbhItpPDvowhNMunNgcUlV
SwOJvXRNUgNCYIeHe said he could call him by one character. But which character?KwHaLcidhNAfTuCcwYvJPoZtjuNgsF
KzMMwixCFuZjIKTNing Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.xhNzSauYBHwmnUFxakeJjGAMqRqPCk
LaIToOgaEZwVLyRAfter a moment, he asked, “Little Prince, do you know His Majesty’s courtesy name?”fJxucUsVMHbAVlToOYrraqGscCkfWO
cWQzRYVbwqzkXGHLi Jingyu swallowed his bun, “You want to know, Lord Ning?”umVaUlzBxfMqwazABHQVRsbiTSnDOF
DDbzuzRgWtOkDmqNing Rushen nodded.WgfiJqLGeBbRMCkrXdnTnQIVDoWJZR
dyPYrRJugMhELxrLi Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.ZdSOlLxLmsYNZTDlyBwVnuSGMseDVT
WvBLWrbFPrAihOgOnce 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.”pDKqzwBaEjGXjXWWIXqicMIyJoJSji
WbGDWnPUpMdSawWNing Rushen thought: indeed, it’s not great.EWUALAyhCoTmuUdpvXmzKGDLhFjLoH
gBmAVyQJZaWwxUB“‘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.”ZBIMjhbSaCvWvmhuRmXPSoEKwrMKlw
dnRBYFspeEytehH“Why would the late emperor…”USammJNBShUMzvBJIhEmXqIZbJEbvv
GnOWmOQLeBdmnMmLi Jingyu spoke in a reserved manner, “This involves a royal secret.”YtwqBqsNnGLCJLqPLFwRszcuzAkClF
ppvfifoSjTcNUkxAnother secret???rUwwBSxxGlUWVMEjIwcGPgBOOWuXjw
HxFUHtVoXVEaUUgNing Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”prCElgzXwlbJcVaQGQzjmIsvDHYNqo
tGKMggNhBAriKngLi 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.”dQwRUAfAtXVExjoYKhJRGkeoInfBLS
WGqaOkIAHavJmOX“……”EqyGFgBAzkcvXxchoATnnkodPwSCde
sVAUWybtKiHViHc“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.”crRPNLdPzJtrPxhxefTPFIjjdCgYot
RunMUfHsaiZcVhZ“…”QsubFhguADkeWriviPQbcGnPnRULea
TafbnLyeYpOTiJBNing Rushen took a deep breath.UYrWCyDQcbEWpELiTYHTfsFckZfoiX
EEhjryssrqaWorDThat was indeed a bit careless—kIifupGZzNHzwFmlZEQlFfFtGliaBC
OtuhdavkNVFBZASAnd why is this yet another useless royal secret!gxLNBDFervoNXpepsqnXxluQdppAHx
wfBLCbOCaSBMXSV“Lord Ning, what’s wrong?” Li Jingyu leaned in.OXmtktTGYKaOzCreIeNmTTQLRCYVDO
NQYuyoMikFTSIbyNing Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”RXbnygwdGVyELjdKruXppxxBxqCUpm
hDioXKyzMOSQEhRLi Wuting is truly unfortunate, being burdened with such a name from birth.dCtJOGjsgpCSSicSQvsZsnjCzNLhhm
SCEJLmcBSpjPTqRHe continued, “What happened next?”GQlEnavNvfmeuZLIJtEUcoQoGCqvWu
QTxdnobfEYundNWLi 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.”lIZiNlahzeEwEhCcapSQsaoVQtptoT
dSIhKXWFNIlVwky—Chao Jun.KtVnhOGqDDTejQGINEYEASkjJsEMdi
KkCnWYytkGzSDkmDespite ‘Wu Ting’ being in front, his heart still leaned towards fairness and justice, embodying the conduct of a gentleman.VKEKLGBMrJZoVdwShVyttOXgJDXqWF
QZdbkRslNDYkZvRNing Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.IeqwwERaXmpXQrUPMdCGIyBJFDqIzu
CIcCCbiRxwDltrIIt indeed suited Li Wuting.TJAvQnmIwRCMokCgNiPMCbqyMnzqyr
gsWQBHuostmqMdUAfter 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:BRPiUqjNyluFOOydgRaOEEAApYJqGn
EPDZYilsVkgXGnNHim secretly inquiring about Li Wuting’s courtesy name.HsPUfKgcdfCqPqiHrtrIjvJuTfKsXK
mVOGMPiVREIdYpiHe pondered for a moment, then called, “Little Prince.”RgtvrHuBnzFAOMargtlaYCrRwKfpop
KVjbCdFRwjjFPHGLi Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”RXrNRWoxCWMCtXbKUPsmrsRfiUXJDU
oanGSTkkyJLiLcFNing Rushen, full of concern, said, “Don’t tell His Majesty that I was secretly asking about his courtesy name.”HnovnpGtTIUvYITWbiAjfMZOGBSPLZ
nUTGKfxlGRuIWHlAs soon as he spoke, he paused.YXiKgSWxGeKLRDOxsUeziBQwTqmKIK
YsweqbcbiJorkDdThe next second, as expected, “So Lord Ning was secretly asking.”jUgddXCfiwuhhRPBAhYCFxqFTUlqoP
AuTqOpiRIvfKClg“… No!”xVFxrkaBPnTjaniddolzGowrMNZTwc
rofOYLiMrTDvgRCLi Jingyu, as if he’d gotten hold of some secret, quickly ran off, leaving Ning Rushen to close his eyes in pain:XXviwvVEAnPZciziNQZENsWykcsdAt
emFrEGNjxBHUevtHe must have been cursed by Shiyi.JnPeiwjmTsFKmLnNxIYuZkuSsFQzaO
bbSqqXqJlsxBVlO·TQzhJfHdqafYvjFGubllzHkPhhaAIP
JLTAxNJhmCwjBxkLeaving the dining hall, Ning Rushen felt the need to take a walk to clear his muddled mind.jYuuevPcagwYCDszyEuHngZVZIdZkp
WEMJaKcXyHPqtzSHe wandered around.AbuFYkcbIsXJgTaVgiAbJGLuihyUKH
zmbJcLfoHHtfnWcShaojue Temple was large, and he somehow found himself in a courtyard on the western side.aNvZiqARjcGgrObpZqkJxMsjrmzwtX
mWnbwnPbOPKiTJbThe serene courtyard was empty.zlPvywGLjvawgFOINivkBGggtGagkO
fxxqRdgtAbYAyUcIn one corner stood a lush bodhi tree, its branches adorned with red cloth strips for blessings.qqlamhDpjuvnOmljpcxJxvjwRuSNpk
iFtTXiKPuArKXflNing Rushen walked over, his crimson sleeves fluttering as he looked up at the tree.pFLAWBYaEptxJggeQdzdAksjOxUZyV
pyjQBgBgdwmOiMrA breeze passed through the courtyard, making the red cloth and his crimson sleeves flutter together in the verdant mountain courtyard.mNTEVcCKJDLRNQNdJjkyDVesIXRHKD
IUjDLMKBWOgUvAbIn the midst of this tranquility, a voice sounded behind him:BECmXXjafHoxKvjYmJQueKNMqldZVp
iEZdfBmlnKwbiAH“Has the benefactor lost his way?”mtjHaCqkikdwvZiyFseDsWtuIlqAcR
ENiRkRpCQaxUNSENing Rushen turned to see Master Jingxi standing at the courtyard gate, smiling serenely at him.DsbfZRWTMfnuDRTgoSVNuFzFFZubXX
SsLHNTVnXbeDuCc“No, just wandering.”DNpYuuMQozDwgadwIjHqtqBqDEMXOH
ReHeeCEKhLzjhcfHe paused, “Am I in a place I shouldn’t be?”HnFqMDNfEtoATHXJZCkIkDCNIjgetq
YEuioqzFOLFVaviJingxi replied, “There is no place one shouldn’t be. If you are here, it is fate.”rSwvPkawGipqZfwmsIzPvutiDsZQej
WApDOmYfcaRxhlqNing Rushen nodded, “Well said, Master.”kcjoKUxAzNZxqHIroKGPaEfBbfJTEk
PUDYgBRxFyTOuINSurely, those who roam freely in his mansion—Shiyi, Prince Xuan, Geng Quan—would agree wholeheartedly.vzAurNeGkvamYZvbMzspJdUSAVvoMc
LSIBcVcXFMUhPKJHe saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.gNoKwzNoYdwtnRrNcwiyxgljSNhpkP
jtmzswcOYjLUTLX“Master, do you have business here? I should leave so as not to disturb you.”apfvebhenuxFrmeeAIGSoDRKPzqptI
NLKjYrWuepEZZrI“No matter. I just finished discussing scriptures with His Majesty and was passing by. Seeing you here, I thought I’d inquire.”YKXIrOpcThZzHrNXbFdyXfPszguJCL
aPgpaxqnwRWKaiZNing Rushen thought he hadn’t been wandering, not like a ghost…PJMlqkLZeceREXMAQWVKxDTzeSFJfB
JBHRaqQTfayVlKpSuddenly, his heart skipped a beat.DsgKUXmCXoZrjhJCQlIRlteDfpmDEq
QtsYCOjrSErxkTuThose few words echoed in his mind.RUGhAzyhlNnRDhvimjTCpoZqOKWplP
idJpCxhioCfKXZbNing Rushen sharply looked at Jingxi, a shocking thought forming:NtbygjmfQJneMuyaklqESEQCMWQOAy
RdysxzKeRrXibBj“Master, you mean…”AkoAHyhXdsRXPMfAyIUMwmtdLSKLOz
CocukzSIVbQUZLQJingxi still smiled and asked, “Has the benefactor lost his way?”dqgwfqvEjpoYmTwAmTNnzMKXjVduOp
bfFqzjgvCXxmydhIn the distance, the sound of a bell and drum drifted through the forest, shaking Ning Rushen’s soul. After a moment, he said, “Yes.”axzuZolalwQeYumFpnQlXbVSGcZPzj
FeqeNXGmFYvTGleJingxi replied calmly, “The benefactor still has attachments.”WrtWjGZzKGySHzvvOQcTvViarBzjBa
QXWIKfMmfNFlbYyOf course. How could he forget the first twenty-plus years of his life? Sometimes he even dreamt of his life in that world.ypQIwcejHSGuxhEMnyfUsyjDVuZdty
vVXQpYaecODCaaFJust yesterday, he dreamt of being in his dormitory.jmUuQAbidrHREYkrDBsZODZDgLpQHE
KSaQJFCEdENosbtDreamt of three versions of Erkang.stFhAyVabotrlFjudeZYzRJhQdGsUx
OKnasdytnPKWrWp“Does the benefactor wish to return?”HvJTLOhSKtAYAqBWJUOBWwXahercPI
EIKUQUmNjtKfUwt“I…”KBrUtyiGRjIGKuGzYGczYoVDxXsxlT
dxOTKYhOHniHYRmNing Rushen hadn’t really thought about this question. He had always gone with the flow, but hearing Jingxi ask this, he instinctively asked:cjCTFtYQkwDsIPvCeVjcbVhaXiLqlF
uFEDHdkgmDTtrjf“Can I go back?”kOrZMzwJcfvtwjELSeZwpQvpajICEl
eUCyOujISdRYfyIJingxi didn’t speak, and for a moment, only the wind rustled through the courtyard.MOsMzKQlRCyelYvwKsxskJkTUmgrOB
XqGeaDvkaCZNTcFThe red cloth fluttered like waves, the bodhi tree whispered.ellOKKKIfxjPlckAPFmFtawTTLQTvr
gzpMVnRivBuGFto…WknRvGzZnKsMVxIWVMHjHyQvecOJiQ
EvEAydTyOgRGVccOutside the courtyard, De Quan and the accompanying guards kept their heads down, not daring to make a sound.CePIrrtCSqOTfeDzPfxpOtWpWOgwRW
UryFhHNfJvCXeLGLi Wuting stood a step away.iuvxONKRgUKkZCCMrvApgMZiLwgVks
lppWfLlQGQsGRxYHe lowered his eyes silently, his fingers curling slightly at his side.ObxBurJeSPGFXsJldozdbpmCbdkbpG
sYgTMgMOyiCsDkFOBpnEGvYgBhfcIXKDRYoTmwJqmeNtG
Did he hear everything ??