Chapter 44
Ning Rushen’s heartbeat gradually calmed down. He looked down and pulled his sleeve back:JIorieIrYnEcEIgJujQgmYDiyAEnDW
dyPuXbwifIbXMNJSplash. 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
eRWOyrlINZYfFxbLi Jingyu obediently lowered his head. “I’ll go back and study, Your Majesty.”cGqyOsSpBAfxtOrNIpkvkbnZBUqhgE
wIzCfjjBsXjDbUUAfter a moment of noise, a group of people outside left.SIlNvJweuAYQCFeKzKPdqoMwgvRhwQ
dJUBaMsrawngrMTThen, with another splash, light streamed in—EQRfMWCwJgHnsqgUQaRnmmvOGBLMzl
adVqwMraUzFhBHILi Wuting parted the branches and looked at him.vtRvehcbxqEPoSGrayFOjvubLQgzpQ
vkpJmiHRQTExCtwWith his deep and distinct features framed by the drooping branches, there was a kind of vivid and vigorous handsomeness.sclgYcwOVYCycTLFNNtfkyGBYcieVN
hZYYTnOFkDeNWsgNing Rushen took a deep breath and slightly lowered his eyes. “Your Majesty.”cmQuuOBVeqtCFclnjmaMPmQTcHkLok
ITqcEFKdeAGOUvMLi Wuting said, “Still not coming out? Have you grown inside?”oVvxJWQcGZYYxvybPziUsfkJxtpnfp
WfnKnxvxumXkSCpNing Rushen quickly moved the potted plant.cTyWtqoujrVkQgeqcnwCnHvcGvviQL
GYXemxsWURGjFHNHe 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
vdSEmRhSmpRJXVZLi Wuting couldn’t watch anymore and pulled the potted plant away with one hand. “Come out.”rBOQjnNOFwbSIbWFbfheptQAXfIMiY
vrAJAMZcmeJyhnRNing Rushen lowered his eyes in praise. “Your Majesty, you have a good hand.”qmyNZTlFQlzRTDYHpKmafWGEyqOgul
ByxVHgubnUHyMbr“…” Li Wuting.axuKYwAvXmgKMmJWCAwpOiUaejIeKf
qGtndBbNUIqDwgANing 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
KSPepejaYOYvfVvThere was a pause. Then Li Wuting said softly, “That would cost Ning Qing’s life.”NLfdCgzAPIouHxAQlVUfPGVqpVycRZ
ulXybmEFaQExJnUNing Rushen:PSoBoflLbTHlbnifcIsbryUsTtnJxN
oIrNxrNAYaKGEgzHe nodded in agreement. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for saving my life.”mxnjePGPDxDTQuVWYhvFNRgmrOiEBg
DILbRnPIqBTuUgaLi Wuting glanced at him. “Just a casual thank you?”GMKahUQKLbznbhlKagGiwgQKYDDZra
GaCUrJEQWtVlGZkNing Rushen was stunned by the question.QEtxwSXtXaPrVLOSQjLAFsYvPGIALA
TnqbWFPkLfYlRWFHe 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
mvpwAEXBWlGGapcLi Wuting, “…”TwBwEujJJEDQFMquOrhtLidyisdztd
bKDdrVbEraBVeBlHis gaze was silent and calm.iInogmsgGcrBUsTKQcTTvuqLxSgXwp
YgEUEVVSRahyaSSNing Rushen sensed something was off, touched his nose, and said nervously, “Then I’ll share half of the pastries with Your Majesty?”KKZMjZIdxexYygzRJzHwKmZCptazfg
TDIAZlyygKQioBdLi Wuting commented, “Taken from the ruler, used for the ruler.”msMVeBKDWMcsOmUFQVVrKDwzOiIGuk
QmwAEYpCccKOAle“…”srViNFmxtJqUVbAhdxIzCdXYYNGKTZ
GlWSlasnpBJSWhJWhat is he saying? That’s half of his life!dfKtlYaqwSFDyLnsMAGZcbOfLbDwbm
CmfhLqztuYjlsvlThe two stared at each other for a while.gHhXFDhlBsosalYUvrvDqaWoayVYsU
gZSRdAbSSZJLWNXSuddenly, Li Wuting extended his hand.UZpIAljJSWBwMCooCIrUAozUUYijou
FZiXRdWJXLreCxmNing 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
cRkRkWvnPvoErreHe opened his eyes to find that Li Wuting had already withdrawn his hand.LAkqKUXKbvuwubonOlUKkEbnVLMyPX
lkKObJDEEpkphvbHe 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
tuyFZTqKMRMvdqxHe took the remaining pastries back to the residence.pDwcebdJBerpRrklCVmSVuYaSLDong
ipBJKnKoJlYJAZtFacing Ji Taifu after a long time, the nervousness of silently “transcribing ancient texts” was brought up again.jNcxgxBoBNtJbBychyhSpdkrojWxOq
OiESyDgXhSHSFjBIn these past few days, Ning Rushen had been returning to his room to silently transcribe books whenever he was off duty.ZERArpOSroxOKfOUFXwNmJusIZVzcO
CtxWsqfjIZwRCEbFrom “High Mountain and Flowing Water” to “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.”GQqGHQJiwPIklaZAKAnKOnGZuOrhXl
VVSmjdrCTgWkWKWIn between, there were also some personal additions: for example, how meat buns originated from Yuchuan.AJSEWTHIUaoqywXlgjnXhUxcoierYX
AAYQXpmOVKzlJzhYan Min came to deliver tea and was surprised. “This is the first time I’ve heard of this.”kdyeoLgzpjxZQdyflsNDlxgKnoggjF
ZCwfInyKyDSmtDjNing 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
npnrYJqDpxMIgznNing Rushen explained, “Isn’t it said that history is created by the laboring people?”RXsKlXeqFwcAINsKmygBrYHyadamHq
DPNnUMaYGFPlYdMYan Min stood there with his mouth agape for a while.LJnxWwanQytNHsjwAWbTCMJbZxCPnj
sDLJvBWVWxRQiVMIt sounded reasonable, but something seemed off.COKjfqlzJeEsoQkzGkgSfPzhnauTKd
mutVcluwmlAGsAONing Rushen had been creating for several days, almost like the legendary Ma Liang with his magic brush.oDUfEUACVgxMljJbnKygVYdVJwxzGM
EMcrtYTmijRJSuwAs 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
kkzdiHlDHZEFpbpHowever, Fan Wan found some free time and came to his residence.tZskmAPHSnYlmAdatVLHMzftfbjJAk
EvxrNXFmtBbefHs“Master Ning, it’s been a while.”MYXveTIEGyQKcFwglcncBUaMVbOqSU
mAAJOwauOYeUZiSIt 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
ruXIXyyDNktGLODNing Rushen sighed, “Please, have a seat.”PUZdwquGyJIupprlbDGhcVGWLyFAAk
FSlofiPRFXpUaTaFan 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
kzFKxsRJFDYWuzVJust then, the tree canopy above rustled slightly.zmEKaXOoAhoaWfRkerAyDCnfvtiZfk
zZFZesBifSWNChMNing Rushen looked up:WRdLqJuGIyfDBVUmrrVoudnMyfoSWl
StcsoTuKprYRaWGCould it be another wall-scaling thief…seRfQCMSaofFYXSuIgBLtiYnVkmMmV
BaGPrQogWXhOyAL“What’s wrong?”YypWiJVryGAzKsmRDwqssaZwJtMECk
WwkNHXKuvdiTPjaFan 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
MaLBDmhejaHfkzTNing Rushen tensed for a moment, fearing he might be another thief. “Oh, that’s for the thieves to climb.”mkgLRXgtOmwbqTwqJnJbsRMMiKeNGo
tMUWIRvFRMkymGNLike the one that just passed.SOMiGmMsucmaRpmAPPmjfYCkTqhvhD
xMIweAhQKlYOGAq“???”xiPOaApwqLJjsDTqCoKOYGqbtgLjbC
DqDEbrzqqjLMivOFan Wan was deeply shocked: it was the first time he had heard of a house with a path left for thieves!GaCbfASZTTsDBPLyHHlIvQfGeeRZaV
pftLBZngZWejNVVHe 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
RKWZdcmtzPTRHLNAfter some pleasantries, they finally got to the main topic.GZPXcAXKpoOntmdroEAPXmWodquNPE
UWHfHFvdKkUyTtvFan 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
BaXBjYDNONhpDsCFan Wan’s expression drooped. “Yes, that’s how it should be.”frEpFDFIwyRxUFXrTablletzwjnSGo
prqJNczuWQJRjysNing 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
tSGGjleHzLVqcAYThen Fan Wan exclaimed, “Excellent!”SWwWrexRdTSKMyEUzjQABQpwUDJxjr
uujctGQRJNSUcOhNing Rushen pushed the brush and ink towards him. “Right?”qOlTIHUjKSHHtWgvdFTdjEprrthCMp
KebNgukVQfccHfX…opuCMPOLCTGBPvocyXpxiAZuEhDPcz
iUYjBBnVHkPMgywHalf an hour later.FHPsCCwpCxhzZmzSwvQEJTLgNnyQCi
yetkmylwnkoaRuaNing 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
CDvNHrSOqPceZACFan Wan was still immersed in the aftertaste of the story.wtClWmBrSebiaAwFxjBUbLpPEKkOJg
KPiMexRXsaVmWTJHe 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
GlNHrNAyazeWqtSHe 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
NpZowcyHRzaiiqlAs he was speaking, someone arrived from outside the courtyard.vJeKeItBHgDLgfXJOnXngdKKnRDBuh
ZeuhKvMbiEMndXi“Master!” Yan Min led an inner servant in.uQScZSovESowDsAuXWsdeWGHvSWivv
tdRCoMKmIpEWgkIThe 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
bvcQxnKdjtrzwTcNing Rushen was taken aback: Why would the Emperor summon him?yNJjupowqYpbSjSGUZaSXYRoRrondh
iJchgZmgshfggfmAnd…LifSmOCWAlkLnATlrHwtEsNFaRbqmn
LfpEnghUXthZmdWNing Rushen glanced regretfully at Fan Wan: they hadn’t even had a meal yet.mMZDUYTFHDFSwvkcQTJvykdDcBnIQr
zCWtKseelLfeLSbThe 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
SlyzfzjPdxxDCxJNing Rushen jumped up immediately!fffLFqEAoGpkiMFcVNClZTaDhGQQMV
SMQgodWQDsByCVNWasn’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
TrzqVViygcusZETHe finished speaking and followed the inner servant out.aRDlxSWYhmHCnaOcweNwUkKhMDRFfC
DYDAVeFjCvKuYLvFan Wan: ????ROdIwdCajSxHjpmrrucypuqwGmhLDy
YTHdfrWxSVKJlVY·uTLcGERExVtXpqtrMSBcyPpxBVuzjd
yoRJnsGcSbdvrNLThe Emperor’s carriage stopped at the East City Military Department.NtWudTKvzhYFaZhsZiSGJiWdpqbody
JykuhwWQYzWZOPWIt was just a street away from his residence and soon arrived.ViMcZrLQVwKPOGZxsQyzDAGybEtumZ
TSAzgogYJxFoAGeThe bright yellow carriage was parked in front of the Military Department, with the streets around cleared and the guards stationed five steps away.PrqUjYqLoTVyHDXlaYcqnsOunGrnGn
pGihgqDJoyIETtbThe golden light dazzled Ning Rushen, making him feel dazed:XeIjcjOJkDaYwlxPYweEKTfQQhzDXw
SdTKOEJFAGGAPOa… This is what it looks like when dreams come true.VasgEzdsvluhoxSWbvKWYHLjyWTxCn
lrTaHjdrVdhAxXUWith his heartbeat quickening, he climbed into the carriage and lifted the curtain, only to find that Li Wuting was not inside.OaHIpsQjTxWZAxOuChzeQrIBFuRpwQ
jBfsUrGFlzEDTjwLi Jingyu was sitting inside, swinging his little legs. “Master Ning~”MiodacBJJGERgIKSXeQgpzUWwTidUc
vAivEMiHJbhlGkCNing Rushen: ?mvqHRCOsKVQSMlBKEeKRjQiEXHmgsq
BnyzSMrbzuxampCHe 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
zDBxqTWFnraXoeBHearing Jinyiwei, Ning Rushen’s first reaction was to think of Shiyi.UDeCGjpGIsjRpTchpYRbWIiHDsCVBi
YPSBYGYmAjAxBUyBut since Li Wuting had gone to the Military Department, he assumed it was another Jinyiwei reporting some urgent matter.kpLFbeYVddmYiocFBODulPwEfXHNSb
sqVpGXWAxnHauYXThe little prince’s short legs swung again. “This is the first time I’ve ridden in such a comfortable carriage with Royal Brother~”gxArdPGCgqgtIetAXtZkhKIVDBfupI
mggezDoSWrFObXtNing Rushen’s attention was drawn back.JmJuuVkfGOOuAvVdMivbiBAZzfxnOj
rPrzzDvoeSNBGaMHe 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
ZpYzGPfPUjljdYgBoth of them sank into their seats. “Ah—”CgfatwWmyVfDHLsOBFWZPdOiXhoBBP
xaAyRYLzHKcVfjAAfter 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
EitpxqYoUjDXKDhLi Jingyu lamented, “Ah, you were so close to being found!”rUBhThHpBcscaSuAOtNgVCpAFhWeNe
HXwLpHcufdtIqmZNing 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
NbljikXwRfTwgbBHe wanted to see what secret he himself did not know.vIIgFwIJTzdYlBpjYxXiHGUqQFCobE
NHwDHRoIZUiYHVQLi 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
ftLpbkOzeXnPmGoHe handed a well-preserved piece of paper to Ning Rushen.hMDPFyXbsacovrnQqUvHRlJgmSjdTX
yUnggsRhmUmKNam“What is this?” Ning Rushen looked down.WNwYgsxytyJUufYaUPFEFaazxplUnV
QhSkSXUBrkWDgHJLi Jingyu leaned closer and grinned, “Hehe.”XxnNfShLWVbMvkYdRWaMTjEdflGnpA
ZHFBIlAAvDXWYKZNing Rushen: …CgKMwqvCpaJgQrbGdXIqwbgAAFgYtU
BCPGCiEqcUfefrONing Rushen: ???PimvbxSyNcxKiSItSgLYdaYjqHEkar
hyWsrIdctOtXGAWLDUxvPeaWIzTtGxnZUqtjebKuyZFYl
sYzkuJgwtSriWINgaliSZUlPsWjblbPkWEePkeLrkYRVw