Chapter 43
bxUsDZIkonfJgDdQyjgLMaBFgZrslb
wUlaHrUqUSRzLNiDe Quan suddenly slammed on the brakes and reversed.gDCasZkeINQiISsYONtbRVEdVLHGTr
bGENERaNkUYyxAWHe focused entirely on the hands on his thighs and waist.YRRXKMipOKvWZXrHukjEMpBLmIzkBe
kTZYuMgnXzWmLXGWhen 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.DEgyZQhkLmGNQyeFVQUyvyOPZoytUi
HrvshcQLTSGUKvmHe 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—qPTDNiBdXeYGjVGCizpggzucDqCkuo
OkhiJohgrIwjNUd“What are you squirming for?” Li Wuting said in a hushed voice. “Do you want to pull out your own hair?”IMfxPbPsPlgceUlzxQdyMpPfNpATRl
rOjmjZTJGIHPueMNing 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.QcFQSTBtYLAUPmTjLceIyfGbUxWXSO
ECbDnAGqEmDvTRXHis hair was tangled in the buckle, and his hands were pulling at the emperor’s belt, fiddling in front of the person.uCWmwsmnNViWSaqRRosOLSBLFZahHZ
qhCeyCOiMWNdRNgLi Wuting still had one hand wrapped around him.BbWFpsbuBrvtWoWPaGALPZDLYmAnmf
XfSuKkmWwKHFnvKThe wide sleeves fell down, blocking most of the outside view.AxPyNwYpnPNIEExRZxepDyBPwKQeQq
kjwBKwlOvHjcKvqNing Rushen buried his head, tugging without success, his fingers bumping against Li Wuting’s abdomen.VGqpvaIHRlCidMVgVtMZckwCkDGVWb
KuDTiHdpKBnbaQnThe large hand around his waist suddenly tightened.MYwUHNyQHywopeEkliZaDwvBUuIELZ
dnJipPhXFNPPKEUThen his hand was pressed down—yzJJKTlrxwGYCAnWxMFfCEUwVktRpP
EBJAcfZGgltMEOx“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.PrXTTYYHiajXrEhFclnYMpFAQcFxFK
tPwhCFMgigfApPR“Move your hands away. I’ll do it.”VplFbxEbClJjwOSSsnzUoPiEadnGZv
sfgjUdStwrYayfFNing Rushen was burned by the warmth of that hand.ikZJxeNeIdOVmUrEyoPleFDvxFPiDo
AcwVzfjIfibxWIuHis fingers bent in mid-air, then he grabbed Li Wuting’s collar, obediently allowing him to untangle his hair.WPiaEcqMQGzCevPAyZAVzRdbBhJNdT
zrQsIPgWmGdFUFrLi Wuting’s slender fingers moved deftly.aFufUoqQBGviSpzQodkCBfNrDgyQBf
ruNQHIJarCeAPyeIn a few moves, he managed to sort out several strands of hair.PWkLZJLeehTeOraXyfNiLOstPblYcK
AekQwrUejRRXIpsNing Rushen, watching Li Wuting untangle the hair, suddenly remembered how he had neatly untangled the red veil in the carriage last time.nAFSHyfNKObOWvlQWbTujPCVRFHoBF
QwjPCOemvKYPBDAHe suppressed his shiver and tried to divert the attention:MfBlsKQTRFEPPmWncFvbBuXAEaZLsM
ejbNNsPNFESBshX“Your Majesty is so skilled at loosening clothes and belts.”bTccLJikhWRINdTvTXglBhQmqFmtUO
SoQRrwnrUbsNsws“……”XKNISCysdJgoDwKqVxOCJoVTqEuvzG
YNWWOUpRzkNpzGBThe slender fingers paused, then suddenly tugged at his hair—wcXaowpdTtiERNWqvDoxsqDVyHUOHE
cfwGQPMmkuIlCnzNing Rushen, “Ow!”gPzDrJYDIKBKUSairaGUGoxAbrRvoJ
wXSRoqUSZdWMxFTLi Wuting lifted his gaze seriously, “Don’t make noise.”zIOAYseruRDRGpboGlnYaDLBlatAGv
JztapENEGVHDwlFNing Rushen obediently closed his mouth.DOxKfggeGiVeDOpbdtGyBFufhWTLUy
ViiseUDNFGaFOtQAfter a few breaths, his hair was finally freed, and the ends were frizzy.RTskRbyBVAWunUkLZhMxboUKlhHSBz
bGrTYpduwHHYaqDNing Rushen quickly jumped off.dajCgYyKTGjHDuulxhVUbvvgcYhmPq
KLSbgPLefKxYcxNHis legs were weak as he touched the ground, “…Your Majesty, forgive me.”qVQCUkMQfxhYEmbcVxLtIbErZKsQNO
wMPGeaiWLAvTiMAThe warmth withdrew, and the embrace was momentarily empty.FasSjVZMgEzEroTQAalftYVfDqyYKw
WzhPmePrUfbrwbtLi Wuting clenched his fist and said lightly, “Ning Qing’s hair—”amiFLHHZmACpYiDyTbMMOjdurNxtwN
tDIXFnnaubXgSyeNing Rushen clutched his frizzy hairBwbuCryrYemllorXvnTjSNqaLGhuuX
dpYqVoGzjGEeyak“……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—chapoZXioZLuxBTxlLIVeeSSzvvmkF
NiCbdNaTtHbJFlGLi Wuting said softly, “You’re still too young.”RNLZIKzDGkpBubaBoMYPoreDtsjZdj
GMyaEcLdykdtGRkSome things…both inside and out, in terms of personal feelings and public propriety…how could he handle it?zgnIsDVflVIaMSipRkjXPPOxHNikOL
nMYxKegAXnWODAaNing Rushen, confused, “??”kSBtBfBljQskPxqRBoFUEiqYToyuWk
HxNwYVSehVkEoeYToo young for what? Such words shouldn’t be used lightly.DUmNTORLwTnGUwNQpmpRxZXFgqRavt
UkoEjtMQAOsFhpNLi Wuting looked at him again, “Ning Qing is still not yet twenty this year.”IBDNwTvWGWzESkmQgmFHDSVmFZzjoV
EeVIUBLQdzXsZMnNing Rushen, “……”AYNQIeQoGXMJyMPHRusfndDxRqdUZi
vwsMSIkRhKsZvAPHe felt a crack in his heart: Aren’t you just in your early twenties too?xrbunKoJRXirXfkVZXyoDxdWJqlMSc
ezkZkcWnEevMGspMoreover, he was actually in his twenties already. There wasn’t much difference between him and Li Wuting.OmAMLQNimMHmhRskuxaLLRgnGvJmxk
olpLKqaHHbpchciNing Rushen straightened up, “I am mentally mature.”FoyQzMRjSSgeLgDHSzqzAxMnNeSKfo
RnuupvzjgqXBPhcIs that so? Li Wuting replied calmly, “Your pastries are gone.”ffLymUwzZkCsWVotOPPdQYWkrrbGzu
oXmcHIkiaGDvHIPNing Rushen was shocked, “—No!!”JGIDqpRtchVskOqtVZqxHfTRckXGBr
MwEtysivPJsqUGGLi Wuting, “Haha.”NzCpKCYNukhNfxmebdkjxhhzxOwwhJ
dTiowOAEKOwOoZp“……”gwRHmhdaKYXWHJPrNVeteBrzQmJKIH
ZZWMzsvaBQpaOgIThe ends of his hair fluffed out a bit more.WmWZgwczApOnUMUQepwLqomlgoDqVW
zyeIuCBUxVdqsYYLi Wuting’s lips seemed to curve slightly as he called out, “De Quan, take someone to the Imperial Kitchen.”RgzwwIdtEQDZOYKbsKtdXZSEiBGWWg
GJMpBxoEfFTvzfsNing Rushen was gently stroked into order again: That’s better.NvwePNizEhOgSbAkgKKJuhqowPwYXU
pQrOdsaKNejOTZRDe Quan responded, slowly moving over.gbqQhvMCdxYpdweFHMLDydweRMubip
ggFjnguNOcaXDLOLi Wuting frowned, “What are you dragging your feet for?”jWFAFSyxtycKDOqmqxglTfRuLPxNMg
rTChOycPnnuZPXm“Yes!” De Quan quickly stepped up, thinking: I’m not afraid of going back and forth again, am I?VoiZumRaBwrUgcaxmFnSrrCdoLBXjn
UxrBRAHsPZvHTBSNing Rushen immediately followed happily.zsqqvkvJPplHYAZUYMmgNLkaYlvGCS
yakawrVzAZFGvdKBefore leaving, he turned to Li Wuting to express his gratitude. As their gazes met, his waist suddenly went weak! Ning Rushen’s words stopped, “……”AMoLLrkvEgtvNGeTSrEmeMkvBvLVNo
qoaIbgGRwXiQccbLi Wuting, “What’s wrong?”XvANZLRuQsFWBRnlDuZKcxzgtALEQT
uHnPBMasCCIAzawNing Rushen, still a bit shaken, “Nothing… I’m just… strong-willed.”jcFYUjIZTUXrDOJJkDYrhxjFlurqLq
twYEdxrOuAlxBfL·CDSsdjhJXWmezvBxOowuEOdREJxBBo
iahfIamYLaDoZHcOn the way to the Imperial Kitchen.cMMmTXQKkJDGRTFENUysPgsTkyJzWA
wLBMKewHwESQJSSNing Rushen asked, “Is it the same kind as last time?”LfHRpxqgkOVWOjKbzVzVfTArrIShst
uyMyPfHSkvKCYvNDe 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!”RCKIXAsdabQwQWJAAcNQSiXytDDuBG
UhNdKwVGSqqBCIn“Then why buy from outside last time?”TbAPiKEpUjoROJWcSiYEKJyiNXsRft
ZKxYVBePgXoTeVa“It was a matter of timing—”ROPZiToeTDzyKLfivmlvkLTZfWuNyW
IZFdqaBhXjwHulUDe Quan’s words were cut off abruptly.hOXfRYxEdiJnzVjzWgmGFFBfILiWwc
wDwapUukkTKeMAS“?” Ning Rushen asked, “What timing?”PPIzjUgOzflUYlKSFUNaMOeEyuHnGD
dofktRDLOBfXSewDe 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.xUniadjCsDPuooBBbqlilfnQxyoxUz
AFPayHfFqagUalp“???”RryOeibwbEXQdhFyQpOntzlPvztvUS
UXxTqnkinROwphaNing Rushen looked at him suspiciously:HPOgJaLmljdXBlNblgmmEPypLaUYAI
lkBSDUjlQsjSsyoDidn’t the strainer just miss something?OmxJcmmazMtczoIauMlusHasyQNYRN
aQEHhvcdIcfkJkF…pRbcECJiTCIhdADDNryZgQleqoWXyq
XMXRcXzLinygyFWNing Rushen’s efforts to relieve the emperor’s worries earned him a box of pastries.dFieItFwFApsCDwNcdLSwddaNAGxHt
rXGsiYLojkgchfwHis enthusiasm for work increased dramatically.EZLmRjtCSHThArvnqEfYpRjEDfvgzs
SvLHKTBRbUoNGkwSo 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:EYnlqKlktCYKQVyVozUVSVRbCzaloD
KPJCNfIGukeuiXI“Little eunuch, hurry up!”WanuoURBmHodiLQaxktLksrCxEyEOU
JNUAwXMvVMjGpIyThe little eunuch, panting, mumbled some elegant words from the Great Cheng Dynasty: …NGRhcbyHLEIpHFvzcMAwqgaGYMeLUY
JrUjvHbjHsCKdRjThey reached the Wenhua Hall.LNUwzWOmfTJhmGEDubjUqRWzjpESGA
KgpXrbqMKfAyDtcWhen Ning Rushen entered, he realized he was not alone today.wnmYtHTsVpnVaEJqZLlVcQHvIyqWMW
WlvCbLeHGYhdbhPFive key ministers, including Ji Jie, were present.PHhFZGSzxPaStPsAUGzUkzrPvLQXyr
SGgvxzwDJwKKnaNUpon seeing Ning Rushen, Li Wuting dismissed the palace servants, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”qHaxTsPYfpULKKvRjKqvfcOQHLhzyc
vnEjuhSWFENVAGGNing Rushen: Huh?KKxDCNWeJdknviodtAPCucDvJVBNQv
lzoYiDaFtODuLvsThe servants withdrew, and a few pages of paper were handed to them by De Quan.urlYZSamMmdoHsRgMfAlnRRHCuLNEz
HdPvKzOZVTERYiGNing Rushen looked down and saw something very familiar:ZSEpcsumqjJRYXvpnowgtfaFFoVdjA
DbURfBwSOcdPGlGIt 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.EvzZQbmBzRFfhYnrBzJzDHzSzMvMBy
MjSKMCuGvOPnWMDIn just one night, Li Wuting had managed to revise it.HXJZptVihLWMBqFYUdllebxXKCsgpL
MSHSIShzDjmAbCZNing Rushen was astonished and looked up.eLabutRxroUwDPRbMcpFXQzSqRBXex
ilnILwEAeIAJncpHe found that the others around him were even more shocked.GCdhHOxedemJLiowIUBIXIIDQtGKLx
RRLGrSxDstnDSbYJi Jie looked over several times, “Your Majesty, what is this?”eswelbJHgTVHrJzpIoOvtspDzPCByx
swKtmHapesNzRkJLi Wuting met the ministers’ inquisitive gazes, “This ‘Cabinet’ system is drafted with the assistance of Ning Qing.”BRPnveVxhTMRaTfrIBbiENywTsgmwc
QANZSTuQWyBFeXOAt his words, five pairs of eyes instantly turned to Ning Rushen!cwGntUXdqBiJtNBKLqbDzwwxpJsCHe
SDBJOjtQNoiUHjt“………”hUTJwbsTeHCuoOaHIrkdXqtQAIcCgw
nXiHYXjIxTPfFjKNing Rushen was startled and looked at Li Wuting: Why mention me!!!WPrRmgFDzAdhrrplffYiIbEHKtxeuQ
oAXqUjdKoZNMlzKLi Wuting met his wide-eyed stare and smiled.SIOlKiBpzFhcnPHOBMdcwRxfSwtubL
YjrPfZiYTrbcISIThen he continued to speak, redirecting attention:EBqraHWTPoGLTguNNzahxGfZVcZcvr
NAxgZWYAPxZtkWq“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.”DVzNjXDQIRnztsugfrVCmRUNeZqhlP
XyYGafpbOqoKoGJWith that, the ministers in the hall exchanged serious glances.ldVMgszckaldmzMrSXgWjVgSmbzUXm
fQsCGwItPUUfmlHLi Wuting continued to speak at a steady pace.wxUwiJldltgzClBwKQmVztzjwnUqZv
bNzbowLdbCPvkBVNing Rushen listened to his explanation:UfdCVUaovnJRiqKFBBDiLFkGhqmQft
KpilJbYzydkFwugLi Wuting conservatively retained the Prime Minister position.eiUenZIKvjsaIJAQKvCEkYfpCcWvaS
wAtFYPWcyKkQzERIf there were no surprises…CuyTfUuXeFBNvyulLEeMmyXczPcJgV
WwrnohSXpVYvRPkNing Rushen glanced at the five key ministers present—PwFQnhJdXbejfwjOuwPAblGUOOJoCS
bVPpnEXFSgetLWdEach 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.cyfCZPDUxDbXHntcSIolMxxiHWEiVs
XOzYQQtevIOqzsa…TRVTfNCgdhIWNJEAYMIeKQwICqjxSq
LKkAmwynXZtpRsZAs expected, the hall quickly erupted into discussion.DzxrXfPPxxMWgasulykfwTVXMFTfHh
kMLrWBmdbIoEiBTNing 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.BerfZGSCHkEGtlbhiVaFFHgFaxVtKN
xIdCPdwkDABornZIn fact, several times he met Ji Jie’s gaze with a half-smile, and Ji Jie even nodded warmly at him—osoQtrpmQqaYqxFLVqERnKaxmpVYgq
tfvlMSYEdXITDmCNing Rushen briefly remembered the “ancient texts” he had yet to finish for him.indrqiugNoenSUIKsHhcoJldIaREyu
kBSFTEbskTgtZVrHe silently closed his mouth and looked away.CfYgfSySzhvHBOCddPzuIlxqGarYFv
HwfHHXJifpHJISSHoping that once Ji Taifu got busy, he would forget about it.kjOtYKPyUpsFUsqvNUyFZdOVwEKYSX
zqOlTaiUruQhrXJThe discussion in the hall gradually came to an end.nnOmiBtPAPXskBqfaCBmIzyQXWICPp
inrsfUeOarngJgLNing Rushen listened and felt that some of the issues from the old “cabinet system” should be avoidable. At least the eunuchs’ monopolization of power—wCQJCxukrMcxNFzSmQVwsxpoRwcoal
CEGUYmLNouVNjZbHe glanced at the side, where De Quan, lost in his own world and occasionally chuckling, was—BHfXoTvcdgtRElQKDbVeWXYoZrLywM
WjjDvKlRpmqEejeHe had no idea what the other was here for.ojeufyIERWBjNtCJKECaCKetUkCdop
PbUxKNxbSNCiyTnWhile pondering, Li Wuting spoke, “Minister Ji and Minister Guo, please stay. The rest of you, please leave.”zqbXSNsbeeXQXbwNKVBTUPUKQsBpDi
ZVbyVcQSaUeoPLRNing Rushen came back to his senses and replied with the others, “Yes.”vYuraDMfFPzZFGpefHnHiRKydYeiFn
qbYfBIedBEMDzjmAfter speaking, he looked at Li Wuting.qejjOLEazlIJqvVjObPhmLnDDaYlkx
lfWwrlyMtciQxMhHe 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.VGLJxtEzWKtDkXtUBjQbQEhKHahYOc
amlLxdyenaEjnFUHe then turned his attention back to Minister Ji and the others.ivhLbebPeSFXpXQsfInqsVRWkjrMNn
yStTzpXNoVXVWlxNing Rushen: ?EJiTPhBrvRWAbfUmhtzaYeJEkAtHKV
IlaBXOEyXqhupObWith a faint sense of confusion, he exited the hall.VuaqiBPHgkCGpyGEexVjOKYfKtNfCG
RBQKsjqJiMYVyHkThe 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.”fasFMuWxisjEbTCnUQQaVSQsHTIlaL
SnAiXIVpUswPZeaNing Rushen was startled for a moment, his heart rate quickening:ZxdciSdALDOXjIsVGYFyfgxwEHedAq
YnOEnLprFKxrcYbHe thought there wouldn’t be any today…ieZmCpicHwKVTmLftPjWWyoTscMPYn
pOpBULHuGAgokyP“Thank you, Your Majesty.”SasqYCJRmgDmyattaCilMxXUUKwhCv
ZiuzwoAmSTCnakbHe said, tucking the food box under his arm and walking away with a satisfied expression.ZRlEHMCRlqsObozwbYZSfyefPMElDN
LrggEdpOSdZzeKgLeaving Wenhua Hall, there was a shortcut through the Imperial Garden.BpyxVBNKUosxGfaABWExitOMAnWPYA
GexcbQtKfVYEUhvAs Ning Rushen entered the garden, he saw a group of palace servants ahead. A familiar childish voice came from that direction.TJcFOTYlZKPSOURvNYwxESXgZXAZHk
TdzeSKAXBqMUnqIHe paused for a moment, and as he turned a corner, he saw the short-legged figure.CrUzcUssQVsLNyZXRlqLlFSAwPNZdX
CwqmGuGwZUzvanOLi Jingyu, with keen eyes, turned around, “Master Ning!”xeAgPxsrcJlmsIXZueiCKLIWeeuShN
ODXagofoqaeeNasNing Rushen approached, “What is Little Prince doing here?”NsThyOKizGRZzTEkCzUlOcdexxqGBa
sMhWFtGsFNPdlbr“Waiting for the Emperor, but I heard that the Emperor is in a meeting.”ILzOUSfVNUTiwKpGGtExMiqAsyJjEq
YpjuuilbrFFNGSuSo you were just playing hide and seek.LdQRSWeIdDmKGUzHwwbaByLPuDkXsq
GfznOMyPDCocuzvHe said, “The meeting should be ending soon.”kWgaexKRYpuTxDIhIyZglaSmiiSzXk
QWkpZtuuZktnnHF“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.”EakZhPrHjixaUFGrwdLRUgmClghUOI
FRvffxNTIxUbaOD“What does the Little Prince want to play?”dhbCExQmdSvmifjRKwdgudyCzBnMkG
kFqnADRKVHovSAY“Hide and seek?”vPdtpvtnhyJMgaUipTDIGZPGMxXKBY
lBlXOnAOrRDtCAsNing Rushen thought for a moment, “Alright.”SkNRFamNOQxpOEWXmVKhKfvqbcNaDT
WHLxDmWpaMdseIBThe 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:UFxwqrppUASitOATfznKCfyxxSRmjD
dgEOJTjAzuryOub“I’ll hide, and the Little Prince can seek.”wIkmzQSgFRUNXLWBrXPHgOAtcyZJZU
UcThjHqiBnFmEGiLi Jingyu eyed his food box, “Hmm, if I find you, your pastries belong to me.”ZsbBGVyApSbLhuShWccFJtKOtnRdUv
gOtlNYXtNztSpnH“…” Ning Rushen instinctively hugged the food box tighter, “What if you don’t find me?”tJTfolvjiiPZpDroIuOeVCnAnNsZgl
HfcakwNaMDxHSNBLi Jingyu thought for a moment, “Then I’ll tell Master Ning a little secret.”KNLZcDuMuehSVcMwauVIAVUJfZsARE
phIkKbzRpDFicURNing Rushen, “Will it be another scandal?”gMslCsDshbGNRjlmHKckgmlAGLkxII
xXtEgTctkQwzhtYHe was no longer interested.OYzmvnTiRRqZOYrWAeyebQdtKvCvIw
zVJLUokzYGzFBVf“No.” Li Jingyu said mysteriously, “It’s a secret about Master Ning.”onrjTPlwukIOnKyfHAQJYlbSguZrST
mUwPkPxxPIEuDPh“????”QnasSnqqxSmMacFEdAgSwnsILBPtGJ
oBNRiApGfsziKocNing Rushen was greatly shocked: He didn’t even know his own secret and was going to hear it from someone else?QcfpInydZMkvplEaALLoSOugdNcCoO
JaQXTfMYUNSMnVkHe opened his mouth, then nodded, “Alright.”cOBKndmYdmaxTGirBhglthvuwEGysA
UGlIYEvOPoUNUUI…lZNMCDRhjoUAaUWhrRkWCsMQwmiHcz
qONArwzNBjEuqbwThe Imperial Garden was large, with many rockeries and pavilions.eakFobaQreGeuTPtJtTtFRwMjTGJjO
PkhrxTRedHHBvRxNing Rushen walked further in and soon found a rugged and unique rockery behind a flower grove.KgTxwFWoOdJYugVEKMjIdtdwwIiorF
bdSxVGBHMhpGyEMHe circled around and found a recessed stone cave.BjHNAJWEWvEJXgyasZuXsbiOCAHacH
sQCrisxzwnwsrkzNing Rushen measured himself against the size of the cave: doable.mcLBxXZvcVyloSTRLmlNFpdtHWxJmb
GdtjYVdZozbInXcHe squeezed himself in.cQGUKcwqxrXJkdPGuXWpjVyYNeOVHB
xDocBoqNlFJPOflBefore that, he moved a large potted plant nearby to block the entrance.dAePKCHKmHtDvEPoBnpWVrNKsoWuFo
EmaXMioDnwFLzLWAfter hiding, Ning Rushen quietly waited for the Little Prince to find him.pBsnnEIGDUSdnwiIFXavpHJSVLdinj
qUMBLgETWJWUuixTime passed bit by bit.JuSrYfNfQbBBQbvoFrCiUEybHbJgGF
PvBSzUuHTtblxjvHe didn’t know how long he waited, but finally, there was some movement.WFHDRVBlBDFdYzERFYPiRHUHvIwUYJ
aqGOhRtlGFpFdSHNing Rushen, hidden in the stone cave, listened carefully.zsJGiFNyPqlNudOHfdCkeCSguTHYrP
iJSTpsNZXSaGwkQHe could hear Li Jingyu on the other side of the rockery, possibly climbing somewhere, with palace servants shouting, “Your Highness, don’t climb!”mEIGDwHthNfRYPIxNnhevZxOPAxbPt
LnStSkEOcalDLzoA few minutes later, the noise grew closer.tPARyJoQgeQSPQfZzSBmJDZavEBwpX
jTlNtLebVDUMjHENing Rushen adjusted his hiding position: tight!DngnagmFlaOQRnwcxMUWVZftipIyZg
gDMnkHVEyUXFvShJust as he was holding his breath, another noise suddenly came. Then he heard palace servants exclaim:OErLjtjQvtuVrShRMpSdeKBYqhzMuD
KovYaOWQFZDyTih“Paying respects to His Majesty!”dEJkvBsoySygqhFjJXdkFZJtsWIAaR
ggSBdwNianNDwKE“………” Li Wuting?xrPZiBUbRHFsBWydICUJuyrAORISAP
ifmOTaCePMZfkFpNing Rushen swallowed hard.mJqbcnUqVKgyVpBfvabJktChlglEpY
qfuGDUKIPxmfwnAA deep and stern voice came from the other side, “Jingyu, what are you climbing up there for?”xsgGNCOBMCsKxWHIuaxUwgzrxcjKOM
MQvogfJIqsnfIZu“Royal Brother, I’m looking for a cat.”hlwvkdKbBgrJyOKZrJTBCYuZJYOxmU
YKqWzgsUxZtitJK“Nonsense. How old are you, and you’re behaving like this!”YgKzXnFqDSmaCwyvJwVTVlsPkQyrZx
pbJOTnXjzsihDzHA stern lecture echoed through the rockery.mFnnkqejKycbcSHjybVfwldGMjnwcq
RBUAwCTbkSDddioNing Rushen licked his lips:…ROHzwDQKjfNlOVzpfEYXLoawseqoGW
DoMKxENWmdGswsPNo, it has nothing to do with him.edWGoKXJJhtuooZPLoMaNhoarlYysD
INyryXGeJOdeTUZAs long as he stayed hidden, he wouldn’t be the one being scolded.pNpyypNXOBQXLbWfwIpnvVURrYJfun
IYANhmmBSPfvEaOAfter five or six minutes, the noise finally stopped.zwRxtEuYyYVUmtqmePmeiqBnMMqBIu
vKoWxxBHcMKBJnALi Wuting finished educating the penitent Li Jingyu, assigned some tasks, and left.ZjUcRVHDBucfafJYlnwNDkHtBXQHbJ
SGFZSpAJyNmKOtwAs he walked past the potted plant—vHvKNQCKYUNMxmjehZUevwFrQLuYOh
egJePzQbxUpsQgYHe suddenly noticed a piece of crimson sleeve peeking out from behind the potted plant, caught on the jagged stone corner.nXIYmRTZOdIeSasiRdeuxmJlubvbXM
qKUaHsAdfxKszLnLi Wuting stopped abruptly.KxXLJfVoHyeJbcuDlgKmQjcCbOwRkr
CPPDNzEPtfbabMDHe was silent for several seconds, then reached out to move the potted plant.yosZWuejrPmIqfuQzaJVlKoFGUuDdY
fxHKOEsCZhXqeiQWith a whoosh, a larger figure emerged from behind it.WkoVvBttsoWGpyXBoaICNfCUEvwcDy
fFikfDOoAveuDVZLi Wuting, “…”QFMCtaBeassKcebtlyvtpUAIcwHIRb
BtBbFVoYkAOvwgeNing Rushen, “…”lPGnFygFWYUXfruDgcWLCsdQSFSEEK
TVlfiRCjmUSkrYKAmidst 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.JfEOGRnYkWfbkqeTPJQpokZyADUpkh
OKIkMPcZnvbGqCMThe two of them locked eyes.okOWMxpHNlOuMLzNWhQgcSibKXybSl
INPIINzUcFKgRZFAt that moment, Li Jingyu’s voice came from the other side, “Royal Brother? Did you see Master Ning?”nrQcjYhpBNHldiqKETumJbYiPuCLUz
aRujaVjYOCIbcrWNing Rushen took a deep breath!aeUtGvbMBckPviepVVjbNspOlkEzyl
vVxpmmSuAGIhuiTHe pressed his back against the stone cave wall, nervously watching.kedMcxhTmevivHWWLMOcLhxtRzCuYH
KCEbuSOHknyNaVzAs his heartbeat quickened, Li Wuting looked at him silently for two seconds, then suddenly lowered his eyes and smiled.hgxlmMREICbMNQpOKShCZkytSckBVw
kttxNRSOShkasBdHe tucked the exposed sleeve back in.NpiZqPPWhkNSwdWmhtrOrpfTBpVZtb
dayrZvgdaLZsyjMLi Wuting neatly covered the potted plant and turned to speak naturally, “I didn’t see him.”xDlWiWUrCrYVLOGGtxArxLEzQSWiDZ
lHMkpGlsEUmJkaFcRqkMJHLIrmDEQFbONLiEMgJaeBZpE
cEKULftjqVeJIGhDdVEPjUpVvpWyzpaRADfYaYzlzHbWE
Too dang sweet. ☺️