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—JxzYkvQxZwNxugvhSmqfWaVhqxZqwC

irDRlyGQXCLtcIy

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

SgpNQSKkosQbhZT

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

QITKvRhUKfiRCwz

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

pySsTCackVghQOF

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

YBNXNXjGyfAwVww

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

YmKajXkoVfscxWc

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

DcnGcPjEbURCQeN

“…”CVVYSZsKcuURzGnrUSjqfFCzUpqALp

wNDnWFsUlkdxSYn

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

onElrCZePoHkpMq

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

zZqCVjhnZJdprvC

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

LIwPfWQvRklUBUk

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

OVYHKbrdmiEtEFm

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

SuNpcjVSthbUCKC

There was still no response from inside.NPQWmVvHpMeDpWysbAQWaVdaxbPwVw

VwRZBPGZHoiyoHO

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!wtGwZsJQzwCntrAtjyLLNEFCtJLPab

ntKfkJKwnjlqepI

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

XEOsNAiQaLSFYdh

The small room was just a single chamber.vZxpTmfNyMwWkDjhgtzBNTvLZMIDij

afkNLdnnPdwuDVJ

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

zkxIsddPXqyFevF

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.byXwEcjAGZIyuQgaTltqGpMvqaCRPl

GooExBLVzRpwrgC

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

YiZoaqHMPKVEPmm

The person behind the screen was fully revealed.dGuMMjRNfaGyswskeqCzJibrUtqVjN

rjRXPgMBxVikHJh

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.lIfBqLWuEAujsLtgQqUysLJstlPNiC

SgqLwpVETLjplHT

Li Wuting’s gaze steadfastly avoided the water.hJHjIAmIYfMcGHpLNDYoktaWOiHzxE

fLMneEGYNSWlOUb

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

fwJRVtqcZlaRcAb

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

hBRrCMQzqHYjedf

“…Li Wuting?”gIthlOlxmhedyxRcRRlqCAlhmRCFlQ

PjYQWbDRBKmrpwh

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

HWpnnKvExVzfQWH

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.XYMfHKvFGDjeCDcZniFdThRmKWZXGq

BcHCogiUcmYqzmw

The chaotic dreamscape dissipated in an instant!pmyAcYJdNUzQPMKEewZeDSWiatcsWd

JKUdvKHgVBkjzZJ

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

YykabtQyRSVmraK

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

LwJakCMVGVCakTv

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

lwLPzUQUiNWyaLK

Then 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

byDUbhbLpkEgKCJ

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

UkJqyAFNjbbhXrr

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

fyCLmxqUPkCAmZx

A surge of heat rushed over him!eaAiiWgAHhdreUYPNNEKPXZLECWCPI

RDciLQLaRuhXihP

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.jBBBnWKYIjWtoBlEWOxRCxoQSritwb

GybbgSvTRtMpNPu

The person facing him opened his tightly closed eyes.wcEdmCKYbTAoIpreqLQrmbELOFYwlA

eOFWMdvsVSPbrpn

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.QnVcIbCNdAreQlLxxBcUmsQLIEmvxJ

lFPzYDWgihDEQWW

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

bTBHBKUgAhfygSh

What’s going on, what happened?uswcWSUXxcwpQrdNmZvKxrxVWEaBHu

jSViUxiKdTuUHWM

His mind was a mess.QDiRFMoMuRFIkSLUVSnyPwaBykvreN

AfuCjjgkDuwjmEg

He 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

xVugMxIXowIypqm

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

VADIPwJRbrIvtki

Ning Rushen, “…”nEAjINsnRlcweWqIUXVofsFzWkLgXg

lxNmZBVAHvwFIKA

With the door closed, the room darkened.EmLifzgyUIhitDptnIuLGvdSvVOSzs

HtDXwGeqzHObzSJ

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.ffpcICyZihiwwxXcrAypJOBiwgYdBp

hSJnPakieTSpbOU

The dry towel landed on him.IYjvGFfQCRLamDjqipbqbuaYArIwoQ

PmBupuXAevVAdjN

Ning Rushen quickly grabbed it to wipe his hair.nMxWOGooYpAYZaudSKzzQsnFsYgrnD

ggcCiUoMfezGpKz

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.CHZJOETYrmZjaYrSiPbyNRMSLlfLnk

aZTwWokdjxfGCEg

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

rZnygrczmaNmVJz

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

sGfIQwCfWhdyRqB

Ning Rushen, “…”OxzpRzYLVRwJrZOXOvWXZoOoZofykX

crrhFfBNMIaVcDy

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

oaQiyBvOKJmexQi

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

mkngRmrPKGOrmTX

Ning 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

BAtcStlsVRhYYPc

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

twBVkKlwTlgqvcX

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

gjelNrRbUScVfIr

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

HqjOwjiMmjhpcaH

Li 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

TmtABSArsrgbckv

What do you mean, suppose?nacbAqUVadfmFEnIOzEofkWstaSzfN

BkuLuHENbFbnmxH

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

LglMqONpMiUsBMW

His outstretched neck still bore traces of water.GPYfQsFQxKsEtaHSUGYxAYrkZmbUIl

NOtIspJoryrkZqz

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

XdDiDTVuoHbCTCw

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

mTpOiyuGdIDIlgr

The moment he spoke, he stopped himself.rptLwuWAwdBfsKnwavIrQivxOzxCho

dnvYDTVplnggDGo

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.HbedxQsFCvjqJdqfdBVUgdycgyJtqu

iTTQteasAQVXvZG

And reached out to pull him up.jbeBEHxJsXNtzNwbepSmriQhFjySvd

IYraunahKzzRbfn

At that time, he hadn’t been…jZXRvKmRjdNhbQvcgNYHjAXdnnFLuG

nLKrgqzJkoOXuNB

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

JOTZqHpryVzaAOC

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

tgMCPUtXuATeIXT

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

VKqwYopgzqcAyTS

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

mCISxpsmfmQmydR

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

lzkyDyPbIkgKOgN

Just 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

SbIviDSLSvNkdkO

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

YnuROeEVDpvgYFG

“…”qAspjJtZWDpmvFoCfQzOFUbTxAmUvL

zFQKSHaQNpYbsgU

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

uxzMJEemvICgKnh

Ning Rushen froze, suddenly realizing—kHEXuVwEKdPBbdRluRzaqhDQNeqxAC

loTnIBANzxKeCNE

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

FnhWttBhsKaEFhR

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

enhandYZeZWtbcF

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

mjpjaMLtcjGopAw

The two stared at each other for a while.OEaALKVrMKcgeHdvqHUGCvtJeHAXGY

HIcgEwYolhrrowG

After 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

kYXDuubypoKURou

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

xBRUWPqVGMuWPJq

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

UfFQWGtzkglGdyw

Then he withdrew his wet hand and stood up.rSTRTUrZzacYvChYTTBMoleNWLNhBU

ebmmEblcMbxakXo

“At most, call one character.”BnjDwKMxQTjxVBUnhzWWPrAVgDrBCB

TOTNlNIUVYNHbvW

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

DIaIljKklyFYwsW

Li 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

bsjjDfpcRzHNiBC

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

EpDrkqeUoKBsNZi

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

uveEIhasmyEmSoE

Ning 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

XknOeCMpJSjTNlg

They rested overnight at Shaojue Temple.rUTtEEGzBREEfTeOAiplngXSdcPklZ

vQNKLJeNuAZDFXC

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

YHHoLCScSUAfzGV

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

uuzEnnzxSOKgeib

Everyone dined in the dining hall.LkDMcBppFMuHSICXusVeBXwosRXToh

TfjWbXnIKojlUdW

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.CglBCFJypyJvPEyPTGXsDGdIinZSRF

XvgPmpuwgBKpoYr

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

fOaJlfuHJUhtIxz

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

GiSPAjiqIiXrIRL

Their eyes met.LfoGhfdeuCSrtOcwGmOKSxePMlfyKn

BIKvRRKjGQkRQmS

Ning Rushen instinctively held his breath.SYdUjkeZUmzETPzopYWOPVVpEiBhsF

kLauFQHkyjpeVab

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

hpKIvtAhqWEsNKp

“…”rVzzprJdYqyomCxjzkdrHUYvWVHPvL

oLldgNMFsYhyWLZ

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

wQXrVLIoVRenhdW

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

peuINovRrbfpDvp

Inside, Li Jingyu was still finishing his meal.gVzhQjDAxjYDdPpnlEIkFidsQsQxdX

TiDwphuNTmeBAcW

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

MnlZaexVoddqGJz

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.”dQJFHNnbnpTrIvagPaSBGnfgumAhmj

LGENBXHxjLCXyJs

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:SMpQQTpKEbhItpPDvowhNMunNgcUlV

SwOJvXRNUgNCYIe

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

KzMMwixCFuZjIKT

Ning Rushen glanced at the short legs beside him.xhNzSauYBHwmnUFxakeJjGAMqRqPCk

LaIToOgaEZwVLyR

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

cWQzRYVbwqzkXGH

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

DDbzuzRgWtOkDmq

Ning Rushen nodded.WgfiJqLGeBbRMCkrXdnTnQIVDoWJZR

dyPYrRJugMhELxr

Li Jingyu waved away the surrounding attendants.ZdSOlLxLmsYNZTDlyBwVnuSGMseDVT

WvBLWrbFPrAihOg

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.”pDKqzwBaEjGXjXWWIXqicMIyJoJSji

WbGDWnPUpMdSawW

Ning 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

GnOWmOQLeBdmnMm

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

ppvfifoSjTcNUkx

Another secret???rUwwBSxxGlUWVMEjIwcGPgBOOWuXjw

HxFUHtVoXVEaUUg

Ning Rushen felt tense, “Hmm.”prCElgzXwlbJcVaQGQzjmIsvDHYNqo

tGKMggNhBAriKng

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.”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

TafbnLyeYpOTiJB

Ning Rushen took a deep breath.UYrWCyDQcbEWpELiTYHTfsFckZfoiX

EEhjryssrqaWorD

That was indeed a bit careless—kIifupGZzNHzwFmlZEQlFfFtGliaBC

OtuhdavkNVFBZAS

And why is this yet another useless royal secret!gxLNBDFervoNXpepsqnXxluQdppAHx

wfBLCbOCaSBMXSV

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

NQYuyoMikFTSIby

Ning Rushen calmed himself, “Nothing.”RXbnygwdGVyELjdKruXppxxBxqCUpm

hDioXKyzMOSQEhR

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

SCEJLmcBSpjPTqR

He continued, “What happened next?”GQlEnavNvfmeuZLIJtEUcoQoGCqvWu

QTxdnobfEYundNW

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.”lIZiNlahzeEwEhCcapSQsaoVQtptoT

dSIhKXWFNIlVwky

—Chao Jun.KtVnhOGqDDTejQGINEYEASkjJsEMdi

KkCnWYytkGzSDkm

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

QZdbkRslNDYkZvR

Ning Rushen silently repeated: Chao Jun.IeqwwERaXmpXQrUPMdCGIyBJFDqIzu

CIcCCbiRxwDltrI

It indeed suited Li Wuting.TJAvQnmIwRCMokCgNiPMCbqyMnzqyr

gsWQBHuostmqMdU

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:BRPiUqjNyluFOOydgRaOEEAApYJqGn

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

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

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Li Jingyu looked up, “Hmm?”RXrNRWoxCWMCtXbKUPsmrsRfiUXJDU

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

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As soon as he spoke, he paused.YXiKgSWxGeKLRDOxsUeziBQwTqmKIK

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

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“… No!”xVFxrkaBPnTjaniddolzGowrMNZTwc

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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:XXviwvVEAnPZciziNQZENsWykcsdAt

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He must have been cursed by Shiyi.JnPeiwjmTsFKmLnNxIYuZkuSsFQzaO

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

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He wandered around.AbuFYkcbIsXJgTaVgiAbJGLuihyUKH

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

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The serene courtyard was empty.zlPvywGLjvawgFOINivkBGggtGagkO

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

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

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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.mNTEVcCKJDLRNQNdJjkyDVesIXRHKD

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

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“Has the benefactor lost his way?”mtjHaCqkikdwvZiyFseDsWtuIlqAcR

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

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“No, just wandering.”DNpYuuMQozDwgadwIjHqtqBqDEMXOH

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

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

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

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

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He saw Jingxi still smiling kindly.gNoKwzNoYdwtnRrNcwiyxgljSNhpkP

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

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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.”YKXIrOpcThZzHrNXbFdyXfPszguJCL

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

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Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat.DsgKUXmCXoZrjhJCQlIRlteDfpmDEq

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Those few words echoed in his mind.RUGhAzyhlNnRDhvimjTCpoZqOKWplP

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

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“Master, you mean…”AkoAHyhXdsRXPMfAyIUMwmtdLSKLOz

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

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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.”axzuZolalwQeYumFpnQlXbVSGcZPzj

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

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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.ypQIwcejHSGuxhEMnyfUsyjDVuZdty

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

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Dreamt of three versions of Erkang.stFhAyVabotrlFjudeZYzRJhQdGsUx

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“Does the benefactor wish to return?”HvJTLOhSKtAYAqBWJUOBWwXahercPI

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“I…”KBrUtyiGRjIGKuGzYGczYoVDxXsxlT

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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:cjCTFtYQkwDsIPvCeVjcbVhaXiLqlF

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“Can I go back?”kOrZMzwJcfvtwjELSeZwpQvpajICEl

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

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

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…WknRvGzZnKsMVxIWVMHjHyQvecOJiQ

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

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Li Wuting stood a step away.iuvxONKRgUKkZCCMrvApgMZiLwgVks

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

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