This official is so weak

puNKFplsOgerBXMTable of Contents

Chapter 44

Ning Rushen’s heartbeat gradually calmed down. He looked down and pulled his sleeve back:JIorieIrYnEcEIgJujQgmYDiyAEnDW

dyPuXbwifIbXMNJ

Splash. The branches and leaves in front of him were brushed aside by Li Jingyu.cNKXXqzzZSyDQGnmxQIdfhzreYForh

iYfRmbgSvUQjlfo

“I think your homework is still too little,” Li Wuting said calmly. “You’ve already forgotten what I just said.”IBQxkqQQlsHGOVvzmKskKduoCsRAvX

eRWOyrlINZYfFxb

Li Jingyu obediently lowered his head. “I’ll go back and study, Your Majesty.”cGqyOsSpBAfxtOrNIpkvkbnZBUqhgE

wIzCfjjBsXjDbUU

After a moment of noise, a group of people outside left.SIlNvJweuAYQCFeKzKPdqoMwgvRhwQ

dJUBaMsrawngrMT

Then, with another splash, light streamed in—EQRfMWCwJgHnsqgUQaRnmmvOGBLMzl

adVqwMraUzFhBHI

Li Wuting parted the branches and looked at him.vtRvehcbxqEPoSGrayFOjvubLQgzpQ

vkpJmiHRQTExCtw

With his deep and distinct features framed by the drooping branches, there was a kind of vivid and vigorous handsomeness.sclgYcwOVYCycTLFNNtfkyGBYcieVN

hZYYTnOFkDeNWsg

Ning Rushen took a deep breath and slightly lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty.”cmQuuOBVeqtCFclnjmaMPmQTcHkLok

ITqcEFKdeAGOUvM

Li Wuting said, “Still not coming out? Have you grown inside?”oVvxJWQcGZYYxvybPziUsfkJxtpnfp

WfnKnxvxumXkSCp

Ning Rushen quickly moved the potted plant.cTyWtqoujrVkQgeqcnwCnHvcGvviQL

GYXemxsWURGjFHN

He struggled to move it, his slender hands showing veins as the branches and leaves hit his head, causing his hair to stand on end.gbNyPStFKKkgwurJxtJefKhidLSFys

vdSEmRhSmpRJXVZ

Li Wuting couldn’t watch anymore and pulled the potted plant away with one hand. “Come out.”rBOQjnNOFwbSIbWFbfheptQAXfIMiY

vrAJAMZcmeJyhnR

Ning Rushen lowered his eyes in praise. “Your Majesty, you have a good hand.”qmyNZTlFQlzRTDYHpKmafWGEyqOgul

ByxVHgubnUHyMbr

“…” Li Wuting.axuKYwAvXmgKMmJWCAwpOiUaejIeKf

qGtndBbNUIqDwgA

Ning Rushen emerged and adjusted his clothes, then heard someone ask:lsDMPcRVplKWoHpLbVZfRUIqCsqGLm

QmNcRoQFxrTyknE

“Playing hide and seek requires this much seriousness?”hnPVUQiPHPABsnRMebVqYBPqujLDsv

RPdMsnYxHIIPRlu

“Betting on just-baked pastries.”fnUHKsuVnQyzJcHvrAcRbAKNpoTsJT

KSPepejaYOYvfVv

There was a pause. Then Li Wuting said softly, “That would cost Ning Qing’s life.”NLfdCgzAPIouHxAQlVUfPGVqpVycRZ

ulXybmEFaQExJnU

Ning Rushen:PSoBoflLbTHlbnifcIsbryUsTtnJxN

oIrNxrNAYaKGEgz

He nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life.”mxnjePGPDxDTQuVWYhvFNRgmrOiEBg

DILbRnPIqBTuUga

Li Wuting glanced at him. “Just a casual thank you?”GMKahUQKLbznbhlKagGiwgQKYDDZra

GaCUrJEQWtVlGZk

Ning Rushen was stunned by the question.QEtxwSXtXaPrVLOSQjLAFsYvPGIALA

TnqbWFPkLfYlRWF

He observed Li Wuting’s expression and, after a moment, slowly raised his hand, giving a formal bow:mfXtLiXPmfXoflyAmEIrbwJcpeMgse

fSYFfqsOOEXkOiJ

“Thank you—Your Majesty, for saving my life?”JNcNdTsduETigjNpEWcKRisTFfslag

mvpwAEXBWlGGapc

Li Wuting, “…”TwBwEujJJEDQFMquOrhtLidyisdztd

bKDdrVbEraBVeBl

His gaze was silent and calm.iInogmsgGcrBUsTKQcTTvuqLxSgXwp

YgEUEVVSRahyaSS

Ning Rushen sensed something was off, touched his nose, and said nervously, “Then I’ll share half of the pastries with Your Majesty?”KKZMjZIdxexYygzRJzHwKmZCptazfg

TDIAZlyygKQioBd

Li Wuting commented, “Taken from the ruler, used for the ruler.”msMVeBKDWMcsOmUFQVVrKDwzOiIGuk

QmwAEYpCccKOAle

“…”srViNFmxtJqUVbAhdxIzCdXYYNGKTZ

GlWSlasnpBJSWhJ

What is he saying? That’s half of his life!dfKtlYaqwSFDyLnsMAGZcbOfLbDwbm

CmfhLqztuYjlsvl

The two stared at each other for a while.gHhXFDhlBsosalYUvrvDqaWoayVYsU

gZSRdAbSSZJLWNX

Suddenly, Li Wuting extended his hand.UZpIAljJSWBwMCooCIrUAozUUYijou

FZiXRdWJXLreCxm

Ning Rushen flinched instinctively and closed his eyes. A slight touch brushed over his head:EkwSQTsCTELAcfwiCXxsugTcBxTsbE

WgHJRWTRBdODydv

“If you can’t think of anything, just owe me for now. Make it up to me next time.”ELCNLxCKgJbauxRUZBuDabtEymHKvL

cRkRkWvnPvoErre

He opened his eyes to find that Li Wuting had already withdrawn his hand.LAkqKUXKbvuwubonOlUKkEbnVLMyPX

lkKObJDEEpkphvb

He had pinched off a leaf that was caught in Ning Rushen’s hair.YqLvZmhYQDjibrPfaVYMHXPVRmAumc

LTMUBLsbJLGsXcN

“Oh… I see.” Ning Rushen touched his head: it was just grass that had grown.VAUobvQkywWnchugGrGzHBdgOAjkcz

AtigXBUfPOTfRmB

UQBpAtulmXzaaiMbCTsLGIScVhfKUw

tuyFZTqKMRMvdqx

He took the remaining pastries back to the residence.pDwcebdJBerpRrklCVmSVuYaSLDong

ipBJKnKoJlYJAZt

Facing Ji Taifu after a long time, the nervousness of silently “transcribing ancient texts” was brought up again.jNcxgxBoBNtJbBychyhSpdkrojWxOq

OiESyDgXhSHSFjB

In these past few days, Ning Rushen had been returning to his room to silently transcribe books whenever he was off duty.ZERArpOSroxOKfOUFXwNmJusIZVzcO

CtxWsqfjIZwRCEb

From “High Mountain and Flowing Water” to “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.”GQqGHQJiwPIklaZAKAnKOnGZuOrhXl

VVSmjdrCTgWkWKW

In between, there were also some personal additions: for example, how meat buns originated from Yuchuan.AJSEWTHIUaoqywXlgjnXhUxcoierYX

AAYQXpmOVKzlJzh

Yan Min came to deliver tea and was surprised. “This is the first time I’ve heard of this.”kdyeoLgzpjxZQdyflsNDlxgKnoggjF

ZCwfInyKyDSmtDj

Ning Rushen didn’t look up. “After all, I made it up.”RxAxkJZRWtRSqNllIVPqJLzXwCbqqw

DCcOuoqPkBCVXlE

“…” Yan Min was shocked. “Can you just make things up like that!!”dZEQDxtbxwOixxgzopFEuAxZZSsVkB

npnrYJqDpxMIgzn

Ning Rushen explained, “Isn’t it said that history is created by the laboring people?”RXsKlXeqFwcAINsKmygBrYHyadamHq

DPNnUMaYGFPlYdM

Yan Min stood there with his mouth agape for a while.LJnxWwanQytNHsjwAWbTCMJbZxCPnj

sDLJvBWVWxRQiVM

It sounded reasonable, but something seemed off.COKjfqlzJeEsoQkzGkgSfPzhnauTKd

mutVcluwmlAGsAO

Ning Rushen had been creating for several days, almost like the legendary Ma Liang with his magic brush.oDUfEUACVgxMljJbnKygVYdVJwxzGM

EMcrtYTmijRJSuw

As he had expected, during these days Ji Taifu was busy discussing the implementation of the “cabinet” with Li Wuting, and had not come to collect his debt.JDkUkvGckRMdHSNjHytUgCsGPAOQCq

kkzdiHlDHZEFpbp

However, Fan Wan found some free time and came to his residence.tZskmAPHSnYlmAdatVLHMzftfbjJAk

EvxrNXFmtBbefHs

“Master Ning, it’s been a while.”MYXveTIEGyQKcFwglcncBUaMVbOqSU

mAAJOwauOYeUZiS

It wasn’t until Fan Wan mentioned it that Ning Rushen remembered the last time they parted, when he had sneaked into Fan Wan’s carriage and was caught by Li Wuting in public.cTTbykEPYhyUgNPWHegGoAuDiwscUN

ruXIXyyDNktGLOD

Ning Rushen sighed, “Please, have a seat.”PUZdwquGyJIupprlbDGhcVGWLyFAAk

FSlofiPRFXpUaTa

Fan Wan seemed to recall the incident too. “There’s no need to worry about what happened last time. If it allowed Master Ning to have a good sleep, it was a fortune for my carriage. If Master Ning does not mind, you can always—”SJwfhkuhgIYegByCZPwgUCDrfhrYhP

kzFKxsRJFDYWuzV

Just then, the tree canopy above rustled slightly.zmEKaXOoAhoaWfRkerAyDCnfvtiZfk

zZFZesBifSWNChM

Ning Rushen looked up:WRdLqJuGIyfDBVUmrrVoudnMyfoSWl

StcsoTuKprYRaWG

Could it be another wall-scaling thief…seRfQCMSaofFYXSuIgBLtiYnVkmMmV

BaGPrQogWXhOyAL

“What’s wrong?”YypWiJVryGAzKsmRDwqssaZwJtMECk

WwkNHXKuvdiTPja

Fan Wan looked up following his gaze but saw nothing unusual. Instead, he casually glanced at the wall and was somewhat surprised:WZEVOXZqJRvFWsdIpUyoAntvswFEkk

qokFiSpMxpBMCrP

“Master Ning, there’s a big hole in your wall.”rRYxbbbbkdqnEVRVYHPvlIxtmetaSy

MaLBDmhejaHfkzT

Ning Rushen tensed for a moment, fearing he might be another thief. “Oh, that’s for the thieves to climb.”mkgLRXgtOmwbqTwqJnJbsRMMiKeNGo

tMUWIRvFRMkymGN

Like the one that just passed.SOMiGmMsucmaRpmAPPmjfYCkTqhvhD

xMIweAhQKlYOGAq

“???”xiPOaApwqLJjsDTqCoKOYGqbtgLjbC

DqDEbrzqqjLMivO

Fan Wan was deeply shocked: it was the first time he had heard of a house with a path left for thieves!GaCbfASZTTsDBPLyHHlIvQfGeeRZaV

pftLBZngZWejNVV

He marveled, “No wonder Master Ning is young and accomplished; it seems you know how to harmoniously interact with everyone.”RBsJAiKREDMoFEYEHgFVjYdEYzdIAw

kwigrzVFYSenQnV

“…” Ning Rushen replied softly, “Exactly.”DOIBKSQzGKDfwbnkiNqQLtvEOIyKGS

RKWZdcmtzPTRHLN

After some pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic.GZPXcAXKpoOntmdroEAPXmWodquNPE

UWHfHFvdKkUyTtv

Fan Wan subtly revealed his intentions. “Master Ning, about the ancient texts we discussed last time…”ByIVhgBKUxVLVVAGQClvzuVYRYYUIA

hCHuLDJArJrqWNX

“I’ve only transcribed half of it so far,” Ning Rushen said, “but I also promised Ji Taifu that I would lend him the completed text first.”NITxDxojRqjTvNtUsWHBCXQqcPuFkl

BaXBjYDNONhpDsC

Fan Wan’s expression drooped. “Yes, that’s how it should be.”frEpFDFIwyRxUFXrTablletzwjnSGo

prqJNczuWQJRjys

Ning Rushen observed him for a moment and suddenly had an idea.FfFZZBBEAfkwnozEAsAqCIDtFczgTa

dUcebtQelvTQAkK

“There is a compromise.”LhzJWzgHfjdJEgNxzDnghQvPVTEoLZ

wvDAbgNCtuMHWiC

“What kind of compromise?”QyagUKBrmwEpctnxfLqQKuRimffkms

ghakftiDaWasiiA

“I’ll dictate to you, and you can transcribe it as you listen. That way, you’ll see the ancient texts first and won’t be breaking your promise to Ji Taifu.”CwrCyVswkXVEwoIHVtZiSZXyhbmEvS

YbSlvXFyNCzBwYq

… The area went quiet.PrlBnWqPbLDRDSDTTRGPfqwQgrmoxB

tSGGjleHzLVqcAY

Then Fan Wan exclaimed, “Excellent!”SWwWrexRdTSKMyEUzjQABQpwUDJxjr

uujctGQRJNSUcOh

Ning Rushen pushed the brush and ink towards him. “Right?”qOlTIHUjKSHHtWgvdFTdjEprrthCMp

KebNgukVQfccHfX

opuCMPOLCTGBPvocyXpxiAZuEhDPcz

iUYjBBnVHkPMgyw

Half an hour later.FHPsCCwpCxhzZmzSwvQEJTLgNnyQCi

yetkmylwnkoaRua

Ning Rushen held a cup of tea and admired Fan Wan as he wrote the final character. He couldn’t help but praise him: as expected of the top scholar, his handwriting was both fast and excellent.vRWuNQLHYPgnOGNXuXNgLFyvRdayKG

HSlvTBmpAkByggs

“Alright, that’s enough for now.”YhPvKZeArwweasyxBxhXLmEQyuNJwS

guLGrqVhnBWMEKr

“… Truly a profound story.”RlLMqgVAhdeSGiFQnCLPRArlutPEtk

CDvNHrSOqPceZAC

Fan Wan was still immersed in the aftertaste of the story.wtClWmBrSebiaAwFxjBUbLpPEKkOJg

KPiMexRXsaVmWTJ

He showed no awareness of being exploited, holding the pages with great enthusiasm. “Today, I have gained a lot. How about treating you to dinner later to show my gratitude?”NUytRgofSrtBwqpWbRpYRfSbntHCID

cBwTWmNOezeuyDI

“Oh, I feel embarrassed…” Ning Rushen blushed and swallowed. “Where should we go to eat?”vgdHuMlfePKdlFzkgqZkvSYgvwmuIw

GlNHrNAyazeWqtS

He unconsciously gripped the edge of the table with both hands, his eyes shining brightly. Fan Wan, who was a bit taller, couldn’t help but smile at his eager expression.eElSrQulVUKhotDqIFgXdfHMXFYlhm

EcgicjIVIxWxsao

“Wherever Master Ning likes…”kmFYZgERrZtTCfSDNcbgeRSdMBBhZr

NpZowcyHRzaiiql

As he was speaking, someone arrived from outside the courtyard.vJeKeItBHgDLgfXJOnXngdKKnRDBuh

ZeuhKvMbiEMndXi

“Master!” Yan Min led an inner servant in.uQScZSovESowDsAuXWsdeWGHvSWivv

tdRCoMKmIpEWgkI

The inner servant saw the two in the courtyard, nodded to Fan Wan, and then bowed to Ning Rushen.FqzRFSjQFUMZbbMNFNUKDaFcYuYFzQ

ACqFigijEMdjsuv

“Master Ning, the Emperor is outside and summons you to accompany him.”RxNLHZDhMGYjtdKJWQyNoOdgUsssvQ

bvcQxnKdjtrzwTc

Ning Rushen was taken aback: Why would the Emperor summon him?yNJjupowqYpbSjSGUZaSXYRoRrondh

iJchgZmgshfggfm

And…LifSmOCWAlkLnATlrHwtEsNFaRbqmn

LfpEnghUXthZmdW

Ning Rushen glanced regretfully at Fan Wan: they hadn’t even had a meal yet.mMZDUYTFHDFSwvkcQTJvykdDcBnIQr

zCWtKseelLfeLSb

The inner servant suddenly cleared his throat and, with a slightly subtle expression, said, “Ahem… The Emperor has asked me to inform Master Ning that this time he will be traveling in a bright yellow carriage.”WvNgtHsyHwJcOdawcZpJVzHZQHUIFI

MmrMKLvfgwVQqdo

—!!!dSTraBFkTFVriOulQbhQyUgauozqPq

SlyzfzjPdxxDCxJ

Ning Rushen jumped up immediately!fffLFqEAoGpkiMFcVNClZTaDhGQQMV

SMQgodWQDsByCVN

Wasn’t that the golden carriage he had dreamed of riding again?WqwcymHMaJwtUAAiHOFcLPOEUypYDu

UWWYQdXEOFgwOyF

“I’ll respond to the summons right away,” Ning Rushen said, turning to the stunned Fan Wan. “Thank you for the invitation. I’ll definitely join you next time.”mvDQRJcWGclVFhwPxBLngqCSbChKxE

TrzqVViygcusZET

He finished speaking and followed the inner servant out.aRDlxSWYhmHCnaOcweNwUkKhMDRFfC

DYDAVeFjCvKuYLv

Fan Wan: ????ROdIwdCajSxHjpmrrucypuqwGmhLDy

YTHdfrWxSVKJlVY

·uTLcGERExVtXpqtrMSBcyPpxBVuzjd

yoRJnsGcSbdvrNL

The Emperor’s carriage stopped at the East City Military Department.NtWudTKvzhYFaZhsZiSGJiWdpqbody

JykuhwWQYzWZOPW

It was just a street away from his residence and soon arrived.ViMcZrLQVwKPOGZxsQyzDAGybEtumZ

TSAzgogYJxFoAGe

The bright yellow carriage was parked in front of the Military Department, with the streets around cleared and the guards stationed five steps away.PrqUjYqLoTVyHDXlaYcqnsOunGrnGn

pGihgqDJoyIETtb

The golden light dazzled Ning Rushen, making him feel dazed:XeIjcjOJkDaYwlxPYweEKTfQQhzDXw

SdTKOEJFAGGAPOa

… This is what it looks like when dreams come true.VasgEzdsvluhoxSWbvKWYHLjyWTxCn

lrTaHjdrVdhAxXU

With his heartbeat quickening, he climbed into the carriage and lifted the curtain, only to find that Li Wuting was not inside.OaHIpsQjTxWZAxOuChzeQrIBFuRpwQ

jBfsUrGFlzEDTjw

Li Jingyu was sitting inside, swinging his little legs. “Master Ning~”MiodacBJJGERgIKSXeQgpzUWwTidUc

vAivEMiHJbhlGkC

Ning Rushen: ?mvqHRCOsKVQSMlBKEeKRjQiEXHmgsq

BnyzSMrbzuxampC

He went over and asked, “Little Prince, where is His Majesty?”yposeDQlpHXKccPdSFsyjMVmwNmmZS

XWoiKSLGioFNZiK

“Royal Brother said he had business at the Military Department, so he asked me to wait for him in the carriage.”OfsCzHhemHOyBlPttURSYuZOaXeGty

snmNDbZJVrkoGHl

“Oh, does His Highness know why the Emperor summoned me?”AYPyFaOmMSwcIJZGKvBcnNnRUAfOIs

SaeDsLHBxyhLrDa

“No idea,” Li Jingyu said. “Royal Brother was originally at the palace inspecting my studies. Then a Jinyiwei came and spoke to him for a while, and he said he was coming to the East City Military Department.”xmmUilBOICPuBepqjjlUxShSUmqqKQ

zDBxqTWFnraXoeB

Hearing Jinyiwei, Ning Rushen’s first reaction was to think of Shiyi.UDeCGjpGIsjRpTchpYRbWIiHDsCVBi

YPSBYGYmAjAxBUy

But since Li Wuting had gone to the Military Department, he assumed it was another Jinyiwei reporting some urgent matter.kpLFbeYVddmYiocFBODulPwEfXHNSb

sqVpGXWAxnHauYX

The little prince’s short legs swung again. “This is the first time I’ve ridden in such a comfortable carriage with Royal Brother~”gxArdPGCgqgtIetAXtZkhKIVDBfupI

mggezDoSWrFObXt

Ning Rushen’s attention was drawn back.JmJuuVkfGOOuAvVdMivbiBAZzfxnOj

rPrzzDvoeSNBGaM

He skillfully pulled out a pile of blankets from the side, piled some for Li Jingyu, and some for himself:SVctXdFYGWHOnWKSMBhXwClCTanvwK

PIKUYgNGNwoitku

“I also find it very comfortable.”mHMnNyYHKOIjRGGZaBsSSpKInsijjR

ZpYzGPfPUjljdYg

Both of them sank into their seats. “Ah—”CgfatwWmyVfDHLsOBFWZPdOiXhoBBP

xaAyRYLzHKcVfjA

After a while, with Li Wuting still not back, Li Jingyu asked, “By the way, Master Ning, where did you hide during the last game of hide and seek?”DqtbSzUIFjeJxejlnbOjChMQjNxNYn

ejotMRNtvzdpWiW

“…” Ning Rushen hesitated. “Um, a rockery.”BqIjBzAIXAtjvdLKoawcBKPdTxnSfn

EitpxqYoUjDXKDh

Li Jingyu lamented, “Ah, you were so close to being found!”rUBhThHpBcscaSuAOtNgVCpAFhWeNe

HXwLpHcufdtIqmZ

Ning Rushen pressed his lips together: It was indeed a close call.TIBVQdZFLhSsZJmyEMPzSuoeXkXydD

bzcErDpENJPWHNX

“Well, I still owe Master Ning a secret.”OfNJpKGWVuxGdTffVBWnZtVoRjLRxR

DqSTctvRYBPFmsB

“What secret?” Ning Rushen was immediately intrigued.fkaNzbkqmKnskWkANCFtIpsmaOpbWW

NbljikXwRfTwgbB

He wanted to see what secret he himself did not know.vIIgFwIJTzdYlBpjYxXiHGUqQFCobE

NHwDHRoIZUiYHVQ

Li Jingyu sat up. “I found this when I sneaked into Second Prince’s residence and rummaged under his desk. Oh, Royal Brother is about to come back, so you should look at it quickly.”CbnBPTafpEDJDSXtznltyqPsnwTATC

ftLpbkOzeXnPmGo

He handed a well-preserved piece of paper to Ning Rushen.hMDPFyXbsacovrnQqUvHRlJgmSjdTX

yUnggsRhmUmKNam

“What is this?” Ning Rushen looked down.WNwYgsxytyJUufYaUPFEFaazxplUnV

QhSkSXUBrkWDgHJ

Li Jingyu leaned closer and grinned, “Hehe.”XxnNfShLWVbMvkYdRWaMTjEdflGnpA

ZHFBIlAAvDXWYKZ

Ning Rushen: …CgKMwqvCpaJgQrbGdXIqwbgAAFgYtU

BCPGCiEqcUfefrO

Ning Rushen: ???PimvbxSyNcxKiSItSgLYdaYjqHEkar

hyWsrIdctOtXGAW

 LDUxvPeaWIzTtGxnZUqtjebKuyZFYl

sYzkuJgwtSriWIN
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galiSZUlPsWjblbPkWEePkeLrkYRVw

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