Chapter 43
OcYQTizGQPhDasIGvrroEFoAZVAsDm
rMCVfzGeCaKgecHDe Quan suddenly slammed on the brakes and reversed.eEMmClKtHHHvZkOARBDIVvkLsXUjWj
zIMoAECnRCLCmiLHe focused entirely on the hands on his thighs and waist.wJpZXlFlQhSbcfOtUyGdPIvNSFzqKh
IKuelAksJghxXRFWhen 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.SgiJAqNJnBmLdlZgzNwMhPYLByYAlL
nJSXmagFEtgmxbcHe 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—rJlOVarSryHlmmkQyCuEFriyctcWzT
kGGqYbgTIQsZDtW“What are you squirming for?” Li Wuting said in a hushed voice. “Do you want to pull out your own hair?”UgyjrRVHXdDmMXYpgRYnMScIJPcGBt
NQCxSPMfuEQFPhFNing 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.HDwFOHwGBMMSCWqClcaAWeoRFqNebI
QZBdfZBjsgabTewHis hair was tangled in the buckle, and his hands were pulling at the emperor’s belt, fiddling in front of the person.AAoTKHFiVgoqlTkluAkvesgLIjkjKQ
AbMSedMAtOAgarfLi Wuting still had one hand wrapped around him.HKtkpHtbqKEbXXZrEidqIsLOsmDfgv
WeMEzqoHdnmJynDThe wide sleeves fell down, blocking most of the outside view.eVbsEnQiMonsWVSKkUwBqgPBwSSHqZ
HzpbBpZYlGtbHsHNing Rushen buried his head, tugging without success, his fingers bumping against Li Wuting’s abdomen.jQYZpLmzcnEeKLALnPztivrwRgwYrO
JlfHsSsZEpUtSaNThe large hand around his waist suddenly tightened.SHsvYVnrtLbvEKSrywgHnogtkcCfuK
poLdDdieqCfWEQGThen his hand was pressed down—zHOfFDXEoTpngFMquHKpqvBJfeXQHb
iZxpgdLBseSBrYE“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.HxRmjHKbwyMSxpuWofMAoGMKehaEjH
BSFshtWMHzvoaTe“Move your hands away. I’ll do it.”LHLJtHvBDVqZYfTIBgKoUwptGsYhMX
NQPfkkFeArBHZsBNing Rushen was burned by the warmth of that hand.eansdsybtkpixyDeJzUewNIYvDGLhG
tbjCWwwgArKAxviHis fingers bent in mid-air, then he grabbed Li Wuting’s collar, obediently allowing him to untangle his hair.ZNGeBiIrIbBClSFqSDkESKQafEcUdB
IeZDSbCwOYTBIIzLi Wuting’s slender fingers moved deftly.JOGoicEvXZwSqbHTVwldcRQghnlVkb
GyfhXaBKzZaXTJKIn a few moves, he managed to sort out several strands of hair.TJWMmLcLNpHizOZgwsDrLUlFWxaOxV
JKfeKVnKqvbakmMNing Rushen, watching Li Wuting untangle the hair, suddenly remembered how he had neatly untangled the red veil in the carriage last time.qzeFVBQSETKBbwGyynzMjRYTjfwEHz
aPOtqlvRUaMCoaxHe suppressed his shiver and tried to divert the attention:TJiZTHukVoLUTwkxnwlAXWwnjiTBSD
MBXelUEhaXrUZjJ“Your Majesty is so skilled at loosening clothes and belts.”tfCYXtKHGZVeptylTbZBWhbslmItRq
KuseiuvzCZTDgwI“……”NlLlWeAjcMptOmkOUfZpoQonnhDvPL
WLUopAaEDABsFcPThe slender fingers paused, then suddenly tugged at his hair—XUrMudGuHvvXEfOLturjWdKClUqcMf
BAXatzhmFItpvBbNing Rushen, “Ow!”OcyRzFWxrRBKBDGKlrzRJUAqLwdKLf
WZAyOirbYipWrZaLi Wuting lifted his gaze seriously, “Don’t make noise.”cCUNPOCNimNDVMGToBgPALsNfqGRPM
AUeyFnGqkwcbMQINing Rushen obediently closed his mouth.yMyYnjAXbEyWkBnmRWGYUPyuQjXqtf
xlcpUtGDWSqOuEVAfter a few breaths, his hair was finally freed, and the ends were frizzy.GQmKVcLZQYHhasaeBkoHcEEMJNEmdR
zHexEqlZyyhtFMCNing Rushen quickly jumped off.mEdLbtqTQDZRiimfSNERLwkdndSiPn
qFTIViRbJJVEGDgHis legs were weak as he touched the ground, “…Your Majesty, forgive me.”hvZTxgdfhChUDUWIevoCsnNIyXxSGi
gZdCoAXWyULfzPWThe warmth withdrew, and the embrace was momentarily empty.MFDCgHGDiOjwcdLWLGExaRzmjReBjy
HYOTVBtRxcdoDMGLi Wuting clenched his fist and said lightly, “Ning Qing’s hair—”DToVzGoaWHfoLGQchTArsFSEuXUaHu
SVPicvDNtwYckONNing Rushen clutched his frizzy hairKMPlAGhhfmykRvlpzCRDCLUbNztEPG
EKqbyPBkdqTBmQR“……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—OPUrHvJzqnCwmBnCybZsIHHhHetpDb
vLouvxEQGzaslMELi Wuting said softly, “You’re still too young.”cHYaJaIPYYDuFOVOPVTspJZzxNQMyd
tgiMqgOJQSAgCRHSome things…both inside and out, in terms of personal feelings and public propriety…how could he handle it?uaKSqWGHpzzviBtEEfKvruMyCSMfPo
NlNYfAvZSIApJmPNing Rushen, confused, “??”ZXiZBobhWbNTRLuIjCGkSfNskPmnTM
SNCuIBcsnQzpFkCToo young for what? Such words shouldn’t be used lightly.UDrkbGqyCcYuwFMtqayxqZpRjBaStX
ZUfGuFWtTpmyyEyLi Wuting looked at him again, “Ning Qing is still not yet twenty this year.”QPKXthuHjwjYIYiajVjLvhNWXFXTqJ
phgbUkIQkXGRGuVNing Rushen, “……”IXHtBdPxMYntXPvBoPQjJoRkjXVUzl
oXHpkftdfdtRwAeHe felt a crack in his heart: Aren’t you just in your early twenties too?agyfMVaQSNNXWrqgWbuewHXJdWXhTc
rGGvzxSOBSUgTPdMoreover, he was actually in his twenties already. There wasn’t much difference between him and Li Wuting.iVWNpOYQkFXxGRDZFvsCvfGJymKXrw
rNMdGiBXyryOsGSNing Rushen straightened up, “I am mentally mature.”YcpkjBgeBgHUItEggdpBfAReljPSjj
KXzDCKeKXQTzkNwIs that so? Li Wuting replied calmly, “Your pastries are gone.”tCMVnxJyaBzhgPqjBGhIJljwXlvtvZ
CiZBPpSffHzwGxSNing Rushen was shocked, “—No!!”pNOqpUEWljNaJSSqdXVHBerqaFmCRf
SMdheyusrNVuUSkLi Wuting, “Haha.”MYEzARXPXRVAhsxeudUUINvhlcZSlF
bapgytOnhCeuzGR“……”XJHfKFJPVqTJhqRmOCgVgBYNaQEpZm
ZijanHtVPguWirOThe ends of his hair fluffed out a bit more.jFFqxKMxkqFyNXjbIfCVZLwESDMfIf
ciscyAGWYrJCMqwLi Wuting’s lips seemed to curve slightly as he called out, “De Quan, take someone to the Imperial Kitchen.”XQbbTHbNIJhSGzEyKTvGDQPEjLgVoC
hczekSaLjYvNFEuNing Rushen was gently stroked into order again: That’s better.DYXiRYBhNgRmQTMRAEnwlktNlXQTVt
skBJNwWkFjtAEZPDe Quan responded, slowly moving over.gEkcAZExxSQFLxYdViOTTxvxMYtpom
aIfzwwHRQtyAYMHLi Wuting frowned, “What are you dragging your feet for?”RThgqorbXTHNYhmyHxJxDWEnfvmVYP
SuNARntYWvPdfbD“Yes!” De Quan quickly stepped up, thinking: I’m not afraid of going back and forth again, am I?lfxEhsygQMpFdFMOPHeruubfkxviOE
fLCGFkCtkKmwAYONing Rushen immediately followed happily.FvfLAWjkFCurBYqjrdOnZRVHIcWejP
LDEQnzMHqUtvLZHBefore leaving, he turned to Li Wuting to express his gratitude. As their gazes met, his waist suddenly went weak! Ning Rushen’s words stopped, “……”tHNQFsDGkHoPqhKEYLPYfvLxhUbPfQ
oCwMtSmNOqGRuyfLi Wuting, “What’s wrong?”dpENUejnzGdLRZSoQOQubFsNluKveN
nVEDZlyjxIrNyENNing Rushen, still a bit shaken, “Nothing… I’m just… strong-willed.”EtJtBSiBQEHsaHKdTVqdregdKdtPWy
RlbUmmixaFDaYiT·vifoAvWQZUjfQaDmxNOWbcdsVsokda
BJMowpQbkPwNscWOn the way to the Imperial Kitchen.VMEoMZYqxveesYOmMRPVTSjWgAwVNS
xmkEwwZMaLqajRGNing Rushen asked, “Is it the same kind as last time?”RNyeKCbRzwdOTJXdrRihwgBnDAxGCy
VvBJsDvIPetkukPDe 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!”hkVRbwCHBZxQDXCbopkCLcTnTNvXeQ
JnaFqvSNWPMJGGI“Then why buy from outside last time?”yvAXvvuMLJWafnVhrPxVOyYoxsBSoW
yXvycWYyYGmogGS“It was a matter of timing—”EVaamzSsUZwkbgpeUPQiyBAGPZsyTz
obfusfEUotNhOhCDe Quan’s words were cut off abruptly.PZcvKgPmWTakQBZQurXcMrlhzpTWmu
VoXHCayNTNkmObl“?” Ning Rushen asked, “What timing?”fXnInzCKLbulSMjSDkxqyvKbtUtvdA
heLPRkvTwHenLxaDe 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.VzxsXOzKUvTtHrmEEAIXGTDrAwxwNC
uJemDmxABuzxAeq“???”tkbmHmYdgmsRVsySYjogtcGQeVtZJY
nERLXyikoWGXkhzNing Rushen looked at him suspiciously:kTBMhwfENcRbsYzfQkDmYmYYnqLsnX
MBWiLtyfbezAynkDidn’t the strainer just miss something?WgFlUayiGzaihzWPBngEMEtFEjuxxR
QJcelvKDnggSKCU…igrwQngntMDbBtbvDreJmvFaMFCaNN
OZlTYYopOKxqtDFNing Rushen’s efforts to relieve the emperor’s worries earned him a box of pastries.vHoVchyWXuSbYhxMGYhCdXICigJtRu
uKwyMQykTWqWzjEHis enthusiasm for work increased dramatically.EiIiSrJNOSwZHenbCdZdNHuAJHcmqX
SMJcrOqsvIWGFzGSo 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:cHLBeqjjjbYhJzoMWBsCiEiWFQnELL
ufLBFRTkCEBqsdm“Little eunuch, hurry up!”EPoKJSQVulhvkHMgpAZzYasVFKXcaS
GevElyBVodMxpcbThe little eunuch, panting, mumbled some elegant words from the Great Cheng Dynasty: …aXXYoRZAyehsTBKKRDBbQHLMvTcPcN
YIHavBFIxiVSZkvThey reached the Wenhua Hall.cyevidJrSTGIGySMvsfXqkTnpXRuVL
psBbbrvEBtwsmCYWhen Ning Rushen entered, he realized he was not alone today.OjiIGLqgwrLPNqziEfvKzNAGJjfJmg
fKOYCoulSeSbZccFive key ministers, including Ji Jie, were present.ZkkBOdhucmoYkdJaTBpofTAPynjRng
vMejHChqwVdOusVUpon seeing Ning Rushen, Li Wuting dismissed the palace servants, “Since everyone is here, let’s begin.”PmfpwsclPuLnAQJUuCTiaCYmSJLMPy
akLlSXsofqHOoykNing Rushen: Huh?QYpAlBsweFIueGfAxIvtdKoYIQrbPl
eWeyFGkvZXvycLtThe servants withdrew, and a few pages of paper were handed to them by De Quan.oCMMyRpnVulwApChozvgDFVRqaziRX
QDsfSjbzOQqCvklNing Rushen looked down and saw something very familiar:SUhKtVuJYVCgOQTGbLBwKbZyTrLueP
SCMVYYXhyKzXScSIt 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.cGgKWTcnRCpPpkiJGrOIbMGcAxdGPq
fXNaRWdCFDIbZMSIn just one night, Li Wuting had managed to revise it.JPEoZWxDhJVFeDNwcxqoGpXqyOwkbq
ifIjUpNFygQyVFhNing Rushen was astonished and looked up.uEScdFuPcXADqNRxwjqLTUlDKrlFJB
WdmWbVaOAJNcyiKHe found that the others around him were even more shocked.DjopLmdyTXhMgplbbLbVTglbOSgSfd
GelhRZIsXccaUaZJi Jie looked over several times, “Your Majesty, what is this?”OnLkNtLCwxySgBxWZwZtaUvfqmZHBH
DLZYVUsPuJcADXfLi Wuting met the ministers’ inquisitive gazes, “This ‘Cabinet’ system is drafted with the assistance of Ning Qing.”qfoKZFhCxPxXxWQhPpKFEinvsACTNr
NOfZLSoZHhQWdOzAt his words, five pairs of eyes instantly turned to Ning Rushen!EMjDvUshmzyAqcwMSHzLFZmuXnfBEJ
mkInGvhmCPPQEdX“………”aSRAdcvBZMjvYlwIubwNomhGlwrLeR
tTMmxyXHigTHLPlNing Rushen was startled and looked at Li Wuting: Why mention me!!!zGMoYUgyVSuwiKiraBpPxfomHFiLfj
bNBdVAsgrLJEHNmLi Wuting met his wide-eyed stare and smiled.TJOtKKQFMuSlbUotOpwGkllqhLROlJ
VyXaoVhPSqGmesLThen he continued to speak, redirecting attention:XFQExinpLJHwfLZOnossntSyegtGyk
FlzjOPiswdrULPJ“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.”nogOxCCzczwdvJxZIWtfrqqcOiuRZn
IAihhRNIYHxxXxYWith that, the ministers in the hall exchanged serious glances.gToJrjfzjfiksexoHwPwXZHKORpQrj
JrHBjTmVYxclSlcLi Wuting continued to speak at a steady pace.UJYvgXVWmZmitToXwQNyZErmWpelxu
asuoYPhzyGKycZdNing Rushen listened to his explanation:zLYDhMNcBcnpSOuAIZoBANdxIaOuPc
ndivqmIyCGIAMaOLi Wuting conservatively retained the Prime Minister position.IVHpnxJdToiQtKyWVyVOvadhYrbFkP
YaUvyVJaNQeLNAuIf there were no surprises…RrFHeJtfUIYFWveOvEPBsHGCZWCRdx
tMDiIJsgPfXmedANing Rushen glanced at the five key ministers present—sVxsyinACaQWlpTRSFstfIwLdjJmYj
XNLdCbeVePVGULvEach 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.KBLbOYNcbYvfWaDJTGiaLfKvhhViqi
BjPsJtnabrHdsHM…bGcxdDvNDThRmcVYDZTnTQpHpAcVFL
zgAJFTLdeNYfNCbAs expected, the hall quickly erupted into discussion.ARTsPOlXZZvXyyNxdkRHIRkLAHbdeh
TfLokPSRTPBatUYNing 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.CSFBrpYiZtCldrjHBuvVLuWdKSDzjB
rLnsoPpOSwCBZPFIn fact, several times he met Ji Jie’s gaze with a half-smile, and Ji Jie even nodded warmly at him—PjFNQWnQbAlXWkrcfBiNPKdtSkHzNM
dELcbkuZILggSCzNing Rushen briefly remembered the “ancient texts” he had yet to finish for him.DQlLntGZAfzUVOrNbKeQODxUnWYogd
rAWKLInCEJdGHvLHe silently closed his mouth and looked away.GSovxaYSaMUUDDZNthlmbKybGZBboD
wTXFcGPwIoqcUEgHoping that once Ji Taifu got busy, he would forget about it.dSpkPivGKVUIgOTiheusZqSSKgWmtc
vFnByEcurzyOEPkThe discussion in the hall gradually came to an end.nnvxefMbqnLOuqYpBRCHiOCALlTIGX
hBgIZrdwKdXtrAFNing Rushen listened and felt that some of the issues from the old “cabinet system” should be avoidable. At least the eunuchs’ monopolization of power—cjTiEPBbKplWdklhOJvTWlysqxFbSj
IUIWVxNfXjTUESRHe glanced at the side, where De Quan, lost in his own world and occasionally chuckling, was—ahtFVWRxuEYbumxNlPKqwvOygvPGxB
PaKNLsQvbcISbhQHe had no idea what the other was here for.lVWfmnogzbaaPZSVYDYAsfhBtZDfAi
ptTNLHuHWOrIFeSWhile pondering, Li Wuting spoke, “Minister Ji and Minister Guo, please stay. The rest of you, please leave.”TulggibDbZSNewMgapYmiZQdXVwXRA
jaqNrpzDoOkYONQNing Rushen came back to his senses and replied with the others, “Yes.”QUyiydxcrIjhJyIYJtlrjjUPVkGPQL
ejwyuEAlcpUAbBCAfter speaking, he looked at Li Wuting.RsnrQxmrSopHgTekUMhBbFRrfOUIHd
PaTRITHZOurcaRiHe 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.wFLoKQtDmfgSAcfdJwLQExuEYjEOkE
qDehEiynEVMbVMKHe then turned his attention back to Minister Ji and the others.UIsNYQUrdfnMUOuqwjdwFfrySRFzgZ
sAmTeGjRITMRVwBNing Rushen: ?sPITWWrCufeKoISSGEWZsEbCxljnzY
mkOyCQEmwuQJisMWith a faint sense of confusion, he exited the hall.jgrhelVdJTUEaihSgYxcEcGSGQTcsJ
BXFZblfnqVSqGikThe 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.”mLDKSPpwnuGaDiWCuYFhqnXDMuANfl
qiIoapOxqTvlAEsNing Rushen was startled for a moment, his heart rate quickening:xwifiQRtfdQeMoORskjKcDjQhNJqZf
bXWHLjTyCbVzADiHe thought there wouldn’t be any today…PMofSYoKaUNxSaqRAQcJkZDBmOKBVx
JVWozlgolRNjsaG“Thank you, Your Majesty.”fjLobEfOYLvnqBuKtBTyRCvjvWfqJV
zKQmEHOUEThMQScHe said, tucking the food box under his arm and walking away with a satisfied expression.ybHhOpshCbGxeQkPeXpAoqpIbUhySa
PCHSNsKqjqaWNwpLeaving Wenhua Hall, there was a shortcut through the Imperial Garden.HFtJdsBalPDrHQFduzVtJKwkXBNjbh
FEMJVjYpPSSvrKVAs Ning Rushen entered the garden, he saw a group of palace servants ahead. A familiar childish voice came from that direction.BcdTfKcxYMMpeVopYXecOEHIdEpvlX
LNkLbOvSQDOKNoqHe paused for a moment, and as he turned a corner, he saw the short-legged figure.jNqWBnqnWibUQyCTHzbszYGUgapkXn
lVaRNIpNogsIqGZLi Jingyu, with keen eyes, turned around, “Master Ning!”LSLOMYFQwXmUmuIkUEoOlWBGvtKLbV
nHTffvLBZgYAdKMNing Rushen approached, “What is Little Prince doing here?”xEqiKNBNeCfDkRzcZlssRulRWpsWYP
uCwugNsMKSQrPmh“Waiting for the Emperor, but I heard that the Emperor is in a meeting.”kxVKePJYFyvBuNLbYJLFGjAtxdZbPJ
trYmOzpBuBYIhlxSo you were just playing hide and seek.cYNgCQZkCVRxsUSlmGpQXlGOaapkQK
zmSdVDCyzeTIYycHe said, “The meeting should be ending soon.”aUvLtEOpMXNWrbaubRnPiyLfCiVdxu
ihYLfSxyiZeBinb“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.”vMtdHJUwlTBpQVHrWxRsjnFDSwAvMg
JnOakTDZhgGjXGT“What does the Little Prince want to play?”gLOYiFFGFFOjwnUOTgymveMCjWegSB
sZtKMoINhywTJtA“Hide and seek?”DKghBIemoJdqcdyVYyOdSWdPEMRyxJ
uiBRBSmwCFftQCfNing Rushen thought for a moment, “Alright.”oDFUzTuywhofNMHYibVGoMxzYdOutq
wcGTfGJemXaFOxfThe 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:smDrsZvdUkjdcyIPWaweOPYqnksJjr
rIeOXiAOukzmdaS“I’ll hide, and the Little Prince can seek.”vOVxyFTMdWqJJXZhirvMdnAOBYNwwX
DvjUXsItnFrjAomLi Jingyu eyed his food box, “Hmm, if I find you, your pastries belong to me.”MyhpRsXpvTJChiLtElzJmdVyyWITiM
PusaeTLbdzxgQda“…” Ning Rushen instinctively hugged the food box tighter, “What if you don’t find me?”JkqIcbFNMQCwJjNvnOIEHWhyGvoKct
qkyiKEtgXgLhfIALi Jingyu thought for a moment, “Then I’ll tell Master Ning a little secret.”kjpDxhujmrsqgMRFegnNOUYuwypaMe
EZRVMDxsVgGLgTmNing Rushen, “Will it be another scandal?”zvTDcrjNknedjUyYwFNQdaYzkpcoTD
PVeFxAHZQuXlxZPHe was no longer interested.vzxaZqVUwqUFLWsVjFrUIyIOlLzvqs
UanOInSAiNmUbUd“No.” Li Jingyu said mysteriously, “It’s a secret about Master Ning.”TAWJZAcfsTIsKkGeoejdPkifHUCvit
cDafBYTEjLKBPMO“????”DzxOiAYddfLWPnBmEsqJUkqQaEShNf
EJQgXEoPuCkDwkoNing Rushen was greatly shocked: He didn’t even know his own secret and was going to hear it from someone else?ymZFrEeTsEZsuglKJvkeiolLKNuVDf
zXEZVQvzeskEjEiHe opened his mouth, then nodded, “Alright.”pmUrhDwxLyOSmYMRlzrsIalJsaBEKy
qJkaCeuGfHyEhnx…TvpejGDIXddpXeBGObUXDXmHIfHBGj
PCfRVgnmVIBVZYsThe Imperial Garden was large, with many rockeries and pavilions.sVHILZWwNehjUsnXsqlcaMXrLGHJSv
BDaGCVyLWoLfSXFNing Rushen walked further in and soon found a rugged and unique rockery behind a flower grove.CgbwtiQXZpRbvtDZDmOlffLLHbPQcF
ijIBdWmAYTXISScHe circled around and found a recessed stone cave.HjkfhGHAnaaoJPglTjAeXcJaafTaLY
UipGBWlpWXkCTiFNing Rushen measured himself against the size of the cave: doable.DPCbzwlBfKGAQSZcCmomhIfdCUprgt
mfyagvnUcqWuLMCHe squeezed himself in.UIuTevdrJgaVmkcnFOfaNNBwNiSbyh
thnyUJzenVnEJgPBefore that, he moved a large potted plant nearby to block the entrance.jqfivhBVVHEUhjifJFBczFBrmQBfDQ
kRYknOwalXTKtSRAfter hiding, Ning Rushen quietly waited for the Little Prince to find him.svXFDXcQElEXkUzylKChAxxBpRDrph
UWnujlOCdtZbjqBTime passed bit by bit.UrZZeIRgFGaFlbXKfYVhSIWcHRdMPA
vMyodIjPgQRMdKIHe didn’t know how long he waited, but finally, there was some movement.xOozcDsWPQIUFRKoZQLHDbbCIzVrxf
oNMvxlRydyQNxwHNing Rushen, hidden in the stone cave, listened carefully.QJPxhUTPYyxpSQUaktpiqCtumZAPxn
VOhNdTAPuCbPKDhHe could hear Li Jingyu on the other side of the rockery, possibly climbing somewhere, with palace servants shouting, “Your Highness, don’t climb!”wBPIICzSLoiOfmockspDgRsYLFCdcy
elzuMTcXKdGwixrA few minutes later, the noise grew closer.WJxdrrzqeRRGXNGlTHWPtlHguzBqlg
xydeAxWyMlzHLbjNing Rushen adjusted his hiding position: tight!prRXFlvTaGQOzAQBQDiXrZrcCtkSDO
konGwoZuKKEgoqKJust as he was holding his breath, another noise suddenly came. Then he heard palace servants exclaim:loGEXnhiTxlwhjmkhYysgufUMnikQq
iKrfYaAcKCKaINK“Paying respects to His Majesty!”oSFiyyJDmCCniPRcUORemCUUhUPgay
epIyzrWLUEQYPAs“………” Li Wuting?xDjHvuhlLNWFrpWbAIWESrYWbfYbGg
yqPliPOzuuThsWNNing Rushen swallowed hard.OduOikmZQECiAJzNlvBDnSvclSUfVC
OtpasGDvnPYaLvQA deep and stern voice came from the other side, “Jingyu, what are you climbing up there for?”cdfSZNMgmbiylugjjnftEODxjlMTFj
FJuaKlJWQRfBuhb“Royal Brother, I’m looking for a cat.”HdwedDruhwbYdzANCxrcwaygTUuAVu
sGFoviRZnGYiwQa“Nonsense. How old are you, and you’re behaving like this!”IPTyWbbnnglSbyabtLUllNkfxFHXOz
cnFNSHYGEQUQyfPA stern lecture echoed through the rockery.fQNtjNvwMttaOswysWOSHWYfFvOPEz
cffULyYGsAMDlPkNing Rushen licked his lips:…namYBYycAaLGMqZEZGfjPNyipmRMUK
zCJUIKfpbWmtuWZNo, it has nothing to do with him.lEgDfeFBFInsLyQQwkUBCMZzoOPyHK
DdiAgjloYMheYsuAs long as he stayed hidden, he wouldn’t be the one being scolded.qTqifRklHTXnWzKvAbVzWuutBmWazG
GuLgDNmjkcbyEvyAfter five or six minutes, the noise finally stopped.SOwffsREcmqJxwSXXdTEvMdTxjhkGD
yjDXNEbxmSZFrtmLi Wuting finished educating the penitent Li Jingyu, assigned some tasks, and left.aGGmlwQKwIbUbSwuTCDmtYdZEzKSHi
HAygfJDhYwhHVUzAs he walked past the potted plant—isTxrUOjQTpEVmGNcUDcNUgjyDcGgI
XYXtrEJujrrCfnkHe suddenly noticed a piece of crimson sleeve peeking out from behind the potted plant, caught on the jagged stone corner.ovsUidgwFOBgHkLjFCTQoLDmzxYjqm
mkzuRCTkCdNCTWdLi Wuting stopped abruptly.PRbKZruMRXUcsvwpgTeSawmdnFncOe
prLJaCiylNteUgfHe was silent for several seconds, then reached out to move the potted plant.qQdmshsQThutdmklnhMHtkKjvDRiRr
uqaInlmTVJHuvKIWith a whoosh, a larger figure emerged from behind it.ULNHfCroSSpLWZSEgiBdXdemNnfAtv
wUjvaaafqSUpttgLi Wuting, “…”SVKjmDgZIhPJfIZnMbleJNXuwPmBDw
EHQdTmgiuhwsVyzNing Rushen, “…”ZuqnFiwqoERlDPgIrvRluIAaIqDskZ
BGXuvNRttrVdbaXAmidst 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.RzAyKmrCPjyXbflsmYummQdPYjHaYe
RXGDzHmFzKJNJJSThe two of them locked eyes.YemoAcoawUVgedIjwiuFXjcvLwJEzj
SyqIfgtaiHeQdUUAt that moment, Li Jingyu’s voice came from the other side, “Royal Brother? Did you see Master Ning?”jvfslRazvoPMGVYFQPYWAKDPEsAoWp
cFMkQyeZnBAwMDjNing Rushen took a deep breath!GSzuRdavZmGNBzPqLqsAlNVHfjVvvD
ajLASuMHKHZKqukHe pressed his back against the stone cave wall, nervously watching.NtRiFXfZQcYFbGGwNzMkXkeSKvayzk
QNHyAMcKTMOmGHUAs his heartbeat quickened, Li Wuting looked at him silently for two seconds, then suddenly lowered his eyes and smiled.xbPISltSWqwJeRDNjVDychtVMbjJko
gXepPQlIoBexItoHe tucked the exposed sleeve back in.gYxuqsrAAMXwbtbmcDvVEVALdZnGtC
sdhtzsnBLQSFLJULi Wuting neatly covered the potted plant and turned to speak naturally, “I didn’t see him.”LXNlBRGwKFWPFmedTYdgATQkmcdRYD
yHCDfddOEMrTFCIkYNxxbIBwcIbrPFCtSGrCaAzZzJpgt
tvoiOUuhtlnIdRVggyHwPcdZSIAXTCbzXxAIsgrmycWYF
Too dang sweet. ☺️