Chapter 43
YQpXSqSkhwMFOBSnqlpzglrcxUJbSX
HKEQgEADGbTKfDTDe Quan suddenly slammed on the brakes and reversed.vltWVaJitFhvevGIZSlabnBUJKsWKe
QxkrymQjhAKHBIOHe focused entirely on the hands on his thighs and waist.AEJXcoSiGVfgqUggmEzSiLIdiwEXFf
hqoOxcouMWYFVqNWhen he regained his composure from the shock, he realized he was sitting in Li Wuting’s lap, who had wrapped his long arms around him.okeOlrhxEEhSOkXfJexZhtQxkelabT
sfOZOZcAkCnDXsNHe grabbed the collar for leverage, trying to get off the lap. As soon as he moved, his scalp was tugged painfully, “Hiss!” Immediately, the hand around his waist tightened and pulled him back—WckTHgeMRIGxrCDrKcSVccRlqXtEqm
HHlZrChMrrsxsiA“What are you squirming for?” Li Wuting said in a hushed voice. “Do you want to pull out your own hair?”bpKWOogTQKCypJqGHtkqAMksNorvgX
TkqRnybjeIASwxCNing Rushen’s mind was a mess, his waist was trembling violently, and he was enveloped by a layer of heat, with his earlobes and collarbone turning red.TiUJuXdFrVJBCMwqtbUGPVCWtQLbnl
vlZmKUOsiNXVLeSHis hair was tangled in the buckle, and his hands were pulling at the emperor’s belt, fiddling in front of the person.UzckgzaYxWOwROjHzJxRHpTFoOUtna
OhckrzmNUwKLlFRLi Wuting still had one hand wrapped around him.wDWXjUjVavkkfRuKNEllcgRzDyiscW
vwVFoVwwgZUOnwtThe wide sleeves fell down, blocking most of the outside view.SwFMZgsvBGQvODZJuJIydMYcoFoFJx
qrdnmsOzPcVbflhNing Rushen buried his head, tugging without success, his fingers bumping against Li Wuting’s abdomen.uwbhKKpACsnNrUBvoFVOJhiURcyAhs
XATeprPomTZzixLThe large hand around his waist suddenly tightened.lMLAEWbNLxcKVzwqazFFcrKVYjdBKw
IbkUSEPJkElRUxRThen his hand was pressed down—fuQPDYEHXkzWVDkwiqQoVqUYYRkkCt
BlTpphRbwotXvnU“Enough.” Li Wuting, as if unable to endure any longer, tightened his grip, pushed Ning Rushen’s hands away, and began to untangle it himself with one hand.UUphTchYbRjMrBTlNHadKdrIAOZlPh
PfuMGGwEtnrHtee“Move your hands away. I’ll do it.”xJkfyXnGFKhQtxGZKlgdTZlOTGYAuu
JGuHWLltZVoHGUFNing Rushen was burned by the warmth of that hand.fulJTdQoJNOOZPGHrFdiavnEIGWvlJ
DAlyegwiyYXFnouHis fingers bent in mid-air, then he grabbed Li Wuting’s collar, obediently allowing him to untangle his hair.fddJWmeJGwfYgfVhaJBnJrJbwasOBn
kAHwtbziQgTRIbBLi Wuting’s slender fingers moved deftly.IdiQBczlEcSrlCYpZwrUkutFizLdFg
DrAnsomzKXSYShkIn a few moves, he managed to sort out several strands of hair.EsZZbVKUiicpAjAQLvGiKAFRNDAzMK
XeShwedkdfTSFsPNing Rushen, watching Li Wuting untangle the hair, suddenly remembered how he had neatly untangled the red veil in the carriage last time.zQOSjGnrZQgIASBOYQYIbJgYjnAGCI
NvGIGcIBQqkIyCsHe suppressed his shiver and tried to divert the attention:kkjOFZNOaBhTyvTKuHCVQWzgFHXKVB
JfgKUtqTHOXeQNV“Your Majesty is so skilled at loosening clothes and belts.”sefWLIfFhUqJALtOCTwWmUzclApinp
PjZfaqpRtmOIYOf“……”luZVRrdWtWzjyitmpDsxjMVSOdkkrL
kxUgcIWtgjVNIKXThe slender fingers paused, then suddenly tugged at his hair—rKQgkfPtRIetvGiJUrCLYOPdjJburG
xeyHafeyLSRkoXXNing Rushen, “Ow!”qwtPcAjzXvSAkztckZugVtwBcTRntY
JaKtGDUESfDUlqJLi Wuting lifted his gaze seriously, “Don’t make noise.”oLLMvfVyCbEerQZaInAPXPxcBNvqqw
RGqCZaSWQvMhXvnNing Rushen obediently closed his mouth.atgQCEQYnsqRJKlHlpJlxsMGSFOCGE
SjPROrajAKhWTjrAfter a few breaths, his hair was finally freed, and the ends were frizzy.szhlTWSdXciogXqcQvHTjsdFQAFfjd
ONdiSfshAPkKtCQNing Rushen quickly jumped off.GbnCORvfNzUmLDsKlgOmaiKUoDmoQM
BGSlJbSRpThwvLnHis legs were weak as he touched the ground, “…Your Majesty, forgive me.”YukGISItzLFPmkLBRWOQNzvDGCelwT
dTcpuQFCUCpxYKKThe warmth withdrew, and the embrace was momentarily empty.qiduNFDNYxkZPJYBGGKyjoQHiLVJhN
iNpdxGhBzvEKTqJLi Wuting clenched his fist and said lightly, “Ning Qing’s hair—”OSCkpPiZthAYebRYThoxsdLfLMqqed
YPMrUwvxVyVtKmhNing Rushen clutched his frizzy hairZRVXpjitMFWttWsZtJVZgnyRyyOmzu
fYjBxGngJNdHbks“……Forget it.” Li Wuting looked at his flowing black hair, which hadn’t yet reached shoulder length, and his face still looked quite youthful for his actual age of thirty-five—zAnpyMxTYFYzJJLWPAMhVwsgoGweZM
FLkbWvaVWJLAjmtLi Wuting said softly, “You’re still too young.”JgAMEZApQNxSJZLJiwfcfXBhuDMqmU
vdxMdidfebxZpJPSome things…both inside and out, in terms of personal feelings and public propriety…how could he handle it?HCFKVUhILMBoacoumXaMYKmmmuGDcc
JbftKdSdfaeuTcoNing Rushen, confused, “??”EGvaQkwDhjRNNGcoGxdBqqkipUoAeK
naBcBFZUvbwvGPMToo young for what? Such words shouldn’t be used lightly.QFNQsNipANAhbvnpSmHQTRkoMYyISH
LiKxOKdtLvCqnnjLi Wuting looked at him again, “Ning Qing is still not yet twenty this year.”agGdMrwBTgTFSFwgGnnpMljlZMxYlm
pOBGnYFPtpazmntNing Rushen, “……”uxEVlQFRlnPUAvBWyUzdeGAXXMUOsv
lNrtOukKSARcyZgHe felt a crack in his heart: Aren’t you just in your early twenties too?rEENkvTaTarXvMCEJLDghELmiyNltK
BEcGphgRonavgSpMoreover, he was actually in his twenties already. There wasn’t much difference between him and Li Wuting.ipnhKBSJrHxRRjcBZiwQITqsnmmAKe
gkkrgFgwsRAdjtcNing Rushen straightened up, “I am mentally mature.”mkqgNGQkgZwapwyBbiMjchwWOshXnq
ViwQKFZGsMVSincIs that so? Li Wuting replied calmly, “Your pastries are gone.”aekPdtjfmalCeIQvXioLtWMpoGXpjw
prcYtsQWaVPgNdsNing Rushen was shocked, “—No!!”ktnuDWhRDgNpwkYqdcqQmSfUhRwOmD
ZOePUuEtFNyGZrKLi Wuting, “Haha.”qveacqZTQtvxfNIseeRZpXahMzOdim
xSNUVWRnfxLVGEc“……”TTnrRIYxGAWWeCqokfswQpCAbQrjpP
ANEFTYoIXEdMGycThe ends of his hair fluffed out a bit more.isGXiAJVyLxawjGmcTQBkAKtTsFXyR
WmDXbvZDPbrwuHbLi Wuting’s lips seemed to curve slightly as he called out, “De Quan, take someone to the Imperial Kitchen.”GswgIqadDEtIRxvjwbCwmjYLWpLfTR
XpBGzXBQSkPNIPGNing Rushen was gently stroked into order again: That’s better.bnCedsgKegWEqTTeRtZcrGYiUOtSkT
TWJFOVPulaWLzoCDe Quan responded, slowly moving over.NcxreVcwyvYDZAAGfLSVROuxGWeRtG
wILwDQUQqeqsdMbLi Wuting frowned, “What are you dragging your feet for?”UupKFOVSKrwzcsTrODPeaiSIPYJONE
cScfALuHmjONfgk“Yes!” De Quan quickly stepped up, thinking: I’m not afraid of going back and forth again, am I?CQsMhJeCoEPInUlrPBfRPeHTHxgjET
QxeVuLGNnDZhLmLNing Rushen immediately followed happily.NnLRpMQOvsWwKxZWejMPTzyelyVilS
OfWBjcRfbyzJtejBefore leaving, he turned to Li Wuting to express his gratitude. As their gazes met, his waist suddenly went weak! Ning Rushen’s words stopped, “……”ysgVhVJJFGxDrUAHmwaEkADYcODSJY
vyUiNpVmiuLoZpvLi Wuting, “What’s wrong?”QOtWPInJGKfHNFPVBDAJhdJdyVlXTs
cnPszAKMCZZAxJsNing Rushen, still a bit shaken, “Nothing… I’m just… strong-willed.”kgYFLYFBzevJSWxbXMsiTAGaDOMIbS
AuINQRcuFfGDuNm·blTEibdZMZRgWwKXjsAGKwUphVlOuR
qeQIQGbgjxdubCUOn the way to the Imperial Kitchen.tiYbNalEXnXRsFOMqwlHCdJrTRglmX
PIgRxwbWuIJkECxNing Rushen asked, “Is it the same kind as last time?”cXhmVOfcPXBCWQLnVHlxXaDENPUerS
NjPtkZGZuMmAqmVDe Quan said, “The last box of pastries was bought outside. You can just have the Imperial Chef make them the same way this time—after all, nothing beats the Imperial Chef’s creations!”foEiojEWKtpTODHkpKquhlPtbGHbrF
YQekDapMPrIEjqJ“Then why buy from outside last time?”IDRmvUNZVWXxkPSkZhAAMefCULgAWs
whVHSLDVpacoXTS“It was a matter of timing—”CDcVVaIatchlFnvuMviXlxeaIEYQzB
gMZmBepWvuHwAeiDe Quan’s words were cut off abruptly.gZmieLltgOmNQvNrCFblbNencfnxDx
QrkayPRneLxvWwC“?” Ning Rushen asked, “What timing?”OaYiuZxnkFLFYQMloMEDqytxSbbayb
zDUhsdrrInWMfuiDe Quan had already changed the subject, “Oh, nothing, we’ve arrived… Lord Ning, please go ahead!” He then hurriedly pushed him along with a dust whisk.QBScbZRsxfqooLcpBuVurEMkPDWaPz
GYwNIUsCytckuVw“???”srEfSXWOILQKNuqCpyYZXorTZQIeki
mZiXduPBmkqIrRXNing Rushen looked at him suspiciously:gHMSpCJyvrDCThELviCxsCyvXxxqEI
zpwWkhdzuhmnGoEDidn’t the strainer just miss something?ojlGwMUXyCuRGDVhbnRWVuNceQaCoS
RIQVqubcrPBYWWX…zHFGHHMjLCMgNjTlkvRxICOQmmWPgv
uergUqqpVfAKEhkNing Rushen’s efforts to relieve the emperor’s worries earned him a box of pastries.SZysjjXzlsIVMNmslSbxpkzVeyweUP
xFdosfTPhvNyeDpHis enthusiasm for work increased dramatically.vnZjtcuJNXVsLaZEEppoYeSOFnYpiS
BsEclFnukRrDnEGSo much so that when he was summoned the next day, he was full of energy, as if he was going to eat rather than work. Halfway there, he even gently urged the leading eunuch:zmvFVboJcBtulSdnPLQcLJkjGprSvK
VjrKfytTJIBhpqa“Little eunuch, hurry up!”uhVZyfOiYidrBTCCHKJpwgyUezYCrF
wPovakicQLEsGKlThe little eunuch, panting, mumbled some elegant words from the Great Cheng Dynasty: …INcEXoiibXiHEyBOOtfOOuMeyyeqjU
yUNYKilFEBdewhgThey reached the Wenhua Hall.MmcyNtBBuXbflMHjuzGMpQGStipSyG
OmeEWAofaDVjMUYWhen Ning Rushen entered, he realized he was not alone today.aeWfvExvDzArbNyMxYlXufheZpbsal
xteZkePTWvBBEcdFive key ministers, including Ji Jie, were present.XiiEPgRoRboQqhRkujohePOnUGLNto
CxTqUIXAPsNGCSVUpon seeing Ning Rushen, Li Wuting dismissed the palace servants, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”IkEziHcDEUsifuhaXmjFWEMkLhxjZn
EDbVBHWcTsuBscFNing Rushen: Huh?vSMasbPMyodzAKZRhuYApgOCWJHAbK
HivYWEebQWOANgaThe servants withdrew, and a few pages of paper were handed to them by De Quan.NvzqKXHCWTPoEQevjMybJrLaxuAGBN
SThzheJDOSmckoFNing Rushen looked down and saw something very familiar:HXMiMRgQJseQdcGYijwHFzitNBfVja
QDugbxUahtNPvNuIt was the power division plan Li Wuting had proposed yesterday. However, it had now incorporated many elements of the “Cabinet” system, forming a unique system distinct from the “Ming Dynasty Cabinet System,” tailored for the Great Cheng.dXZFyqHUshDtMzMdSjgLgkyRnKzkvI
DnkAbgTNwPfhXCUIn just one night, Li Wuting had managed to revise it.WRHMMLaalWQrBYDyysjbuXsnjJfLLp
DuubypEGrztwAitNing Rushen was astonished and looked up.KOgidIapVIKIbAYklzSdBaeNAbQFBQ
XnXkJWrdghFhXxkHe found that the others around him were even more shocked.YNKGrnnFBwBgkymsqeysZhpQMxsefh
QCMGZrxppDGvXyCJi Jie looked over several times, “Your Majesty, what is this?”RBHmszdTjAXzHzugbrCpFHclAvkaeZ
pvvmNNIoeotoFaMLi Wuting met the ministers’ inquisitive gazes, “This ‘Cabinet’ system is drafted with the assistance of Ning Qing.”vVTqcsGSsEFTBDlZIFvEryIvEuuWtk
wZwngooKVoTYSBUAt his words, five pairs of eyes instantly turned to Ning Rushen!paWldZARmscXQOwSdzexJieBwWgpoZ
malOYSfpZHFlXLQ“………”lrCzbYmkOeymAYhzSuvbMPoNNwVhzu
ViraAGKZLYrolKBNing Rushen was startled and looked at Li Wuting: Why mention me!!!wfufwkREpzxEltgIdEsthUhQNVgUUx
QIHgaRjJrwXIhvPLi Wuting met his wide-eyed stare and smiled.aGvDKDhjCFlIYZTknZqhcBYuHwTDLb
xLbOzYQMYlTClAyThen he continued to speak, redirecting attention:qoIvpAWsqmiSGdcLtwUlyPodqKzMLJ
HHrTTRfyfCbWdeN“I intend to establish a ‘Cabinet,’ promote talented officials to assist in governance, consolidate scattered powers into this system, and in the future, select the Left and Right Prime Ministers from the Cabinet.”xBmmogJEyUOHjBFiFEhxtZzJriBFns
aMLdmYflwwtiolAWith that, the ministers in the hall exchanged serious glances.KmEeTjNwQpCJGBBTynTYLNEXlhjopE
WZgwgWhJQcnkEHRLi Wuting continued to speak at a steady pace.flXExAJzEaFKyTZsMoOTObIENxUeKQ
kTPRDtuDiUsVXMHNing Rushen listened to his explanation:UeUkZHgKrqiyyerbefEqDfzYhlnNKU
DlggrLyknYekHbULi Wuting conservatively retained the Prime Minister position.eWEnYtRcTeQpUPrVrsrMMRVzkTYLVL
iVgauAtAGndDBCUIf there were no surprises…PdAkmzUdgAeoQqPvrBrVEUsIFdwKVy
CtluWiZmQZVpbWHNing Rushen glanced at the five key ministers present—FtcaWEcjMDCqyKsezEnQZpcztdHCAm
XSqIDRitYQUewwCEach of them had their own faction and leaned towards the new emperor. They would likely be the first to benefit from and support the new policy.mmMEqqALZpbmfIvpSgOtbwvScYyafN
BkGlNZhVtHqOkoR…tAcFWLNIkWwwuhpflRyrnIqqnNTixh
cosZDRVgZwWoOGYAs expected, the hall quickly erupted into discussion.gXaMrugjgRKPDdBozSiuupLgilwzCz
hAIKHKpsMXTIMzrNing Rushen stood by, listening with his hands in his sleeves. Since he was one of the “initiators” of the new policy, the high-ranking old officials had no objections to his presence.tISRKIJOOjBLdZlGyUxdZgeMFVSMLF
yhjAfVswXiOmDOnIn fact, several times he met Ji Jie’s gaze with a half-smile, and Ji Jie even nodded warmly at him—oNpjqKyiFalcpFrPfXaQQFWEqRkGzf
LqCBSBqjVbjojGHNing Rushen briefly remembered the “ancient texts” he had yet to finish for him.tFSWksMqyiytcGxicXBpqVulgPlwAL
rgMmMxPFcymBEOhHe silently closed his mouth and looked away.oknNioAhGwqmACRCPBTGvAJbSmukpH
VrKAaNonqluBLrrHoping that once Ji Taifu got busy, he would forget about it.whHHLVrhSgXaMZirddcmnwEcgKBrZz
cbyaDySnHijZYjnThe discussion in the hall gradually came to an end.LHjHWdNZweklgtaNxEQOhxKSPTROJo
BhZRJRvDmCCCtzhNing Rushen listened and felt that some of the issues from the old “cabinet system” should be avoidable. At least the eunuchs’ monopolization of power—KMxCAkZJJBLxCPeIlQOkgxfDiplhfr
qrorhMhPucyJexAHe glanced at the side, where De Quan, lost in his own world and occasionally chuckling, was—nOtSWUksMmDHeyVEuSIzNNZVlfblVc
kvQuZtZAaSilemqHe had no idea what the other was here for.xHCMQiVKsKiuXiblKWMWRHCtQBwJJC
TDOQEacoxfMjpWEWhile pondering, Li Wuting spoke, “Minister Ji and Minister Guo, please stay. The rest of you, please leave.”NCgwIMXmsffIKZYovplVVudodNtfki
TtBkEgkMaLGtVhONing Rushen came back to his senses and replied with the others, “Yes.”JcrqJJPzVQTjPaMJJdzQNUWPECFStE
LpAHvhgHIoLLEKfAfter speaking, he looked at Li Wuting.GJpRkMGIujxpaKiELiaLqosNEZoqsO
QPXmiDygHdBXsAzHe met Li Wuting’s gaze, which was directed at him over the heads of the crowd. Li Wuting’s lips moved as if to say something, but then he stopped.qDNHLxSjFvewQooFTVaoOSsYZqZkpo
bdPkFQzdvgoutHUHe then turned his attention back to Minister Ji and the others.jnPsjDPCFADTDeIAFMFHotqmFNvAvb
TgMoNvjQQrZkANNNing Rushen: ?porMjBCzxdYZrZJvWUFnrSZfJHpFZa
eBCjzpqDjfcMxjXWith a faint sense of confusion, he exited the hall.YdtzhEBcpuZizdeLSrjCDVZjJXbNRt
iXqJoGJsdAytQPFThe other three ministers had already left quickly. Ning Rushen had walked a few steps out when a young eunuch hurried after him with a food box, “Master Ning, His Majesty has sent this for you.”jlOjwaGMFoQmjlWuNzyyIHmAiCJNit
MsotXwhwYteZOhzNing Rushen was startled for a moment, his heart rate quickening:WCjMAicGfcXdVNaEZYywEWLTvFNRtE
XUHVXKogKQzuCTLHe thought there wouldn’t be any today…sIZiWRcbdkhwYkzWrQrJBSMOPCyKVK
HwzKNbhhdpcmUsV“Thank you, Your Majesty.”ctAtHtQwRgiYPUcDdKtkIrwgcNfwwk
vQbHepkSGsFjhrXHe said, tucking the food box under his arm and walking away with a satisfied expression.WlfPQvisgWyCpkTVUDHjbiZjzvCSgl
cJGrDLoZwdscKUaLeaving Wenhua Hall, there was a shortcut through the Imperial Garden.DDTSrfkiMmieFprligLEearkqasBAj
nxVRNKWaXBFpgxEAs Ning Rushen entered the garden, he saw a group of palace servants ahead. A familiar childish voice came from that direction.BCTGoWShGpkfjEIfTaBRsruUYLhLrJ
rteLJuetPXLhjMwHe paused for a moment, and as he turned a corner, he saw the short-legged figure.GeXElwvujmKKfItjfMCNaAinHxUCpl
KEgPotTAFJNtBLVLi Jingyu, with keen eyes, turned around, “Master Ning!”AHYobSTDAktcEMTgttSLnDZGcTWJYA
kVrCNbqCibsEIOjNing Rushen approached, “What is Little Prince doing here?”xOXTWFQnMNEhFyfItiPHPcJrfqTlHG
DekMfXMshkyURAW“Waiting for the Emperor, but I heard that the Emperor is in a meeting.”BVXdpQKEzfMhRBFoXyTXRYLeSYKhfF
mIjPdXQIAfdpywZSo you were just playing hide and seek.XmTmvUDsmjWegVmAkIUmeCXxwzlQze
OzqYfhADudMxeRzHe said, “The meeting should be ending soon.”SaHuKXVhsvqgQqTtZDncBZKjNepQQx
itqvQhxXgNGrskE“Oh…” Li Jingyu glanced at him, his black-and-white eyes turning, “Since there’s still some time, Master Ning, play with me for a while.”wULkvDLvhWauXxvFQCFwAyYABTgAJg
epRyoFRqtoJuYLa“What does the Little Prince want to play?”OXgylCufrufQFYtlOFXYAfhKaVrhaY
aRdVAGbOTrTLMJy“Hide and seek?”VwpmjeiCJMrKeCfWozGtIcnyeJpTeX
ZUEeaIKFKZqijAcNing Rushen thought for a moment, “Alright.”DCirARokgnfIxpUYAPOubVxSpJikGw
sZRMBkSFXEKHjfEThe palace was guarded by soldiers and attended by palace servants, so it was relatively safe. But considering the Little Prince’s penchant for tricky hiding spots, Ning Rushen decided:lQYHNcdrJWYyBWkCsXGlqBNTxtWHEL
FHtSNlWvfCvULjT“I’ll hide, and the Little Prince can seek.”ihFpNPgauWdJUnZekXseRMFzXfMEra
jROdeSfamAkElCALi Jingyu eyed his food box, “Hmm, if I find you, your pastries belong to me.”ngjbwXJfKgFMjnbenRYpGtFVcDBBUh
HuLfuqQaWMVuKtv“…” Ning Rushen instinctively hugged the food box tighter, “What if you don’t find me?”BbmObCuugLsTFwJsAfPaNShyJOORrn
zolToIZvOJGcITILi Jingyu thought for a moment, “Then I’ll tell Master Ning a little secret.”cxMriTfHmjrdBzbbdfcxFvDVlcvWgr
EJaifhdIqXBHyudNing Rushen, “Will it be another scandal?”hXbZeWEWiZsZGpZPLanhbIcUNaHYHX
ZOTomkNKnnIXUCWHe was no longer interested.icnDfDtpAYsXqulsIogQEhbuPIrjrE
mRiZSJsLIEBcqRx“No.” Li Jingyu said mysteriously, “It’s a secret about Master Ning.”WOiiytksZgVJSEZZhJZdQCBKfeLWxP
mofkKmnmMYJUAbL“????”rJpfAIFYxlGWdlqBgVTwCAzrdyoeFr
LBCpFVnStCoLaKaNing Rushen was greatly shocked: He didn’t even know his own secret and was going to hear it from someone else?eTGHLtnxLfpyXbrmFITAiAKBLnoYbY
cQpdHjmNkFtdcAEHe opened his mouth, then nodded, “Alright.”hPPJHJZQMfRuDQrvPRuRlcRfwZuToJ
txZoTnDYYqRAHBc…zquepiIHIcuyKhtmapgEokjHgZusvs
yTksAQhVwuuqZscThe Imperial Garden was large, with many rockeries and pavilions.dOCGgbtmMDKcugGUJxQzVUqDJLoQCN
RyENLAfOKUKZAHXNing Rushen walked further in and soon found a rugged and unique rockery behind a flower grove.eHxiJbqTAmhNpnYtKykkQJWJyCJKdw
kpdJKNbyxXcePjUHe circled around and found a recessed stone cave.tsDyeEpGFUkzscYyOumqlbIYOnFmjK
hVDRnjDzBzULGhNNing Rushen measured himself against the size of the cave: doable.OfKLFyKYzSBRcJEoPVZHXlEIWBzqCD
qscRQPMFPBktPniHe squeezed himself in.YXofTKMLGSpfukYHpeGZAWZWVjiIUc
mIButFvymzJoNPYBefore that, he moved a large potted plant nearby to block the entrance.VPuwMylhsHAwKERUOHjvPaWCctYJMY
KcuRQAgsZwugbRgAfter hiding, Ning Rushen quietly waited for the Little Prince to find him.iZwBCeqRDkrIrMrxvMIemJSOXGdixJ
NSQhHPyLxnDBrhtTime passed bit by bit.AyzEHFjjegTNaIWXsgzMLZHHSMdBKq
ZtkklkKmfcSootMHe didn’t know how long he waited, but finally, there was some movement.XlRUXUWlcJeUvsuEvJaIJRKZNFLBRD
mtVKoLcqLUyGFdTNing Rushen, hidden in the stone cave, listened carefully.ZUbaSeutOLyYHmADpaCvDgtVUTVahT
JXsydtbTGKrbiNuHe could hear Li Jingyu on the other side of the rockery, possibly climbing somewhere, with palace servants shouting, “Your Highness, don’t climb!”BYRpKjqgZXIRycFMIwjdIMIFIwUjKp
AKgbCSPACogQwphA few minutes later, the noise grew closer.azSotPckDeMXIoRodmwMnEwBuhpvtX
JNusNmTyfrEBBTANing Rushen adjusted his hiding position: tight!xSwClTFWrmYDUGoGhpOXiBQbCDoXDE
NaTDSxbjrtldxdnJust as he was holding his breath, another noise suddenly came. Then he heard palace servants exclaim:gzsBcCYCyIWvOeQQalVQpafzmCEfDZ
cWZVwPNPaAcWdCI“Paying respects to His Majesty!”kugtSjdMTMMupIZagfPFwrkDOpkAVV
ohvgruWXpKlCwHn“………” Li Wuting?VpHEjWfzTvZcaUEBGbHMdrhPYUJNDb
gIgalmctCYgyiseNing Rushen swallowed hard.yhYDvwbyPxtmfqMUPlnuwZnSwEvWXP
dkWDrFDhJldUdscA deep and stern voice came from the other side, “Jingyu, what are you climbing up there for?”lOGooYyYhaxNVqlDZeSEEzDIxxDwcl
dyLxxtUbqhYtAAE“Royal Brother, I’m looking for a cat.”MTxeyJKnrEcEbtZzCcWtLnIskOucMx
OfjkEMWMMxSsGPC“Nonsense. How old are you, and you’re behaving like this!”jUtegquweHFlzhRWwZDQweDTsInwZE
cYmZMCHYpUiAMaJA stern lecture echoed through the rockery.jVqqJLAfcBHBBcjjLOTddJJLmqAjLr
VCFyYFHmFfigUXxNing Rushen licked his lips:…nsyLEDTQaKYpXsKZBSeaPYUOWpAueG
rkdWWvLkOFyYhkYNo, it has nothing to do with him.aLUozKIsCaMzMVtrPcxAkoSyufIdWb
cPDyWMuaexvpuEkAs long as he stayed hidden, he wouldn’t be the one being scolded.mhzawEbExHfXOcKiBnoDtuanpLWWvO
mAxFxXZjZLXKJvlAfter five or six minutes, the noise finally stopped.LnxMcEnhXhFgbXcZwFsxciCqqJUBdw
LeSecSuvypbdwCQLi Wuting finished educating the penitent Li Jingyu, assigned some tasks, and left.cYUWWQgTdncAgxvnHXzHwilHobmaVU
KPCDOjjaYzxTqhhAs he walked past the potted plant—OUDcWWqjuulyLEkQzPXAfugGxqwoKP
cZzqhKFjdJcNwVRHe suddenly noticed a piece of crimson sleeve peeking out from behind the potted plant, caught on the jagged stone corner.cArpWrEcrBwrMxahwvLPkeALlcIAxc
SniweceuczLgeEzLi Wuting stopped abruptly.qRxrGWHPodyqPRHvLuPXSxEUrNjulx
adVMmArEXhgYntlHe was silent for several seconds, then reached out to move the potted plant.QBOIosbkdJelmiRYwUoAxqZdIhRljq
qSvKGoahMrONHTNWith a whoosh, a larger figure emerged from behind it.kHvCqtdmUliSAZQCXtOyalALbWKXdc
qxcxtkeQLYdXHjhLi Wuting, “…”GEaURCQpgyBzwpgFBPlMMMTkBgTbMK
oscisqfjoeRxehKNing Rushen, “…”ckFrSdrLFFcouVUbXSoqqutvrQuYuP
rXlyywfDTbdzdZxAmidst the verdant and fluttering branches, Li Wuting’s tall figure blocked the entrance to the stone cave, his calm and handsome face lit by backlight.PVhEpCotCFxKMducTuKAoIZeyVQCKg
YfwuQRuSGhlCeOnThe two of them locked eyes.XPZgnHsvbJMJqeBnCMORtZqTlWAqYr
FJywvvhCaVKglfxAt that moment, Li Jingyu’s voice came from the other side, “Royal Brother? Did you see Master Ning?”zLLZEfVlmvpTmsxcWkTiHzPLHcwUxe
mrBIsEwdxclmblhNing Rushen took a deep breath!MXdqetixJuvjZlpzFJbyMPdTyIIhzf
gDjRUvsytyXWFnYHe pressed his back against the stone cave wall, nervously watching.bvppUdcGxSOsPlXEoxHtyJMBQEWlgN
GAfmGAOTQDknXaHAs his heartbeat quickened, Li Wuting looked at him silently for two seconds, then suddenly lowered his eyes and smiled.hmEHssDxsSsGXRcxZeMxdSwmQhYYQM
VxHQvdjvGjGsVsKHe tucked the exposed sleeve back in.dEVXgasJkcXHJGZwZPzouNMaRDbAtz
YnlrbVFuapTgqVyLi Wuting neatly covered the potted plant and turned to speak naturally, “I didn’t see him.”BYZStMwrZIBOESfWhEYwjgrXqxMFmy
tFpMZKporZHOYoejcwFJDcaRgSyGtTImaVyjsJiFAaReU
RBHUUABVsmaBgeWXFGAFzPytEeHqyyausYwHMGKOlrovQ
Too dang sweet. ☺️