Chapter 46
The milk cake and honey jelly packed last night were placed on the stone table in the courtyard by Xing Lan.jnfWfshWfiPUejgRmRIyUyjxTfUrFv
iFwIhxNSzeLSadQNow that he had finally caught his breath, his flushed face had returned to normal. After eating a couple of sweet treats, he finally felt like he was alive again.hJwHGsafcVQIiVjFUbKNtXsenHvGHl
cbdOXMPehIDnZHkHe called Xing Lan and Yan Min over to try them, then looked around and asked, “Where’s Xiao Shizi?”GBotkGMOMjVbLDIfdPIOFeRDtZEHtv
lyPOUSHkiBKSciTBefore he could ask more, Yan Min, smiling but silent, waved his hand, “It’s nothing. Your Excellency, please go to court.”zxUYYxBoOuzsSgDxyspWBpCTDqeQHw
TLeBuhlbrJxINMgIt was the day of the morning court session.hyJhZryIcJdjkYncCEYgTifthXepiJ
cMZmHhNyucTCzawToday was the day for testing the “cabinet system” that Ji Jie and Li Wuting had agreed upon.PTunaBrqUohFOrusDsOwSjPMuSbPUI
LQpwnAYNrcDAtXhThe new policy was proposed by the scholar Ji Jie—HAbGuYbJuKqNLfhILNJdxhocDOquyq
slhUvTZWUQSSoFtThe court was immediately in an uproar! Ji Jie was highly respected and neutral, so no one dared to attack him openly, but arguments broke out among the officials.ZZpvDwNatBgGtHJFBWvuoyqaOjZYoA
VAxWmAlFDMzlecCThe slower ones were still weighing the interests behind it.FqpetmkiUOtIRIiVNNpmltNJmmscnJ
LCcriWrkeErcGDjThe sharper ones had already glimpsed the Emperor’s intention.oLLKWoofjSXHWReAPFsTPTOBxPEXMB
WMnoKRjwYxCWmltNing Rushen glanced up at the chaotic court, only to see Li Wuting still steady as a mountain, silently observing the maneuvering of various factions.eCJgUbXXcOZSqRiFgEnEbCPlSqUBNk
VWAbHkWbhkiWunCAs he looked, he saw Li Wuting glance in his direction.odsinBBDIIxlBtVWygZcxElbDYEHYO
yKtBDaqOFjENpWOThe deep gaze crossed most of the court and landed on him, as if saying: What are you looking at?IjurkRyoRsiyQHpBTtdKnsYOlfKqdU
eLrvDoPitnyXKNiWhy don’t you lower your head?goJizSnOKaLdforQfDayHDgytmrBRm
obSzkWGvXbnVTRc“……”UWWeFXEZOcmiXiEtqiuDzSLspjEHVL
OwwicOqQDTmxfjLNing Rushen lowered his head.rzsUvfAmxutrUHEOSSJfzZjANcHMKl
tGXOqNtVUcddmUpAs one of the “initiators,” he perfectly kept a low profile in the midst of this storm.OQiTgOCdBavnJFjODixYELHMaxixvC
WoEFHRnlacfjZYuThe morning court session lasted two hours in uproar.rtzDBDcMLNKirJjKSeNfvYgigfoMjJ
KyqtQeUpfhxLYeYAfter the court session, Ning Rushen was pulled aside by officials to probe for some clues.EWnOnWQxhkWmqUgsNpDPOrQdeCuPXf
FzceREjjKLdhpDfBy the time he sent everyone away, a quarter of an hour had already passed.eqsEJMkOfBxNgnDiJVydbEAHrTyzZm
jKKzTNDKpsNvZLpHe straightened his clothes and headed towards the Imperial Study.eRfotETNrPocpVuDMCikHGeSAtNpkZ
wuPoQKNUxjIWAIDTime to wrap it up and go home!CvAXMkGuUmdzEANUQLKYtLQlpwOUuf
hmJpOfLtMdhSEQnOutside the Imperial Study, Xiao Rongzi was waiting at the door.FmnKGIxoEwkDkvdeqPApgctFnYwVbf
JeTJqjaROmzMioQNing Rushen usually went straight in, but just as he was about to enter today, Xiao Rongzi stopped him:ITSiPeMszAjSQrVCGUXUDbPtSpbkSA
AEUTGwMFkUxaOyb“Lord Ning, please wait a moment. His Majesty is having a meeting inside. I’ll go in and report.”JIRRyiJDERppKAbAOutoxIXAhUOkZx
PytmUWqgmRtpvirNing Rushen nodded, “I’ll wait.”xgjuPqzkrMSdaguVnfXQCYaisIhyBD
DxgBwhtRSWQUhjhHe stood outside with his hands in his sleeves.cRqChnkstcbbFKyqbUXHTYeBRDFCjs
gYIxTNPrFHoItWvHowever, after only a few breaths, Xiao Rongzi hurriedly came back out. The speed was as if he had just popped in for a moment. He shook his head and said:uTSpLSbwkhnJRlJefoJcJakXOSRUpG
fgKtUABuqRhjfGD“Lord Ning, it would be best if you went back for now.”WDuaSqMNDwQtpvIwptXrjWDnmffnRz
yNOVTlZWEhgglvKNing Rushen was puzzled, “What happened?”XpFfwOvbZADJQyBCZcOBoxXgeTHCMr
CeQhBMueCsXDyVfXiao Rongzi whispered, “The Emperor is in a bad mood. As soon as I went in, I heard the Emperor say: ‘Get out.’”ZJJbvcfRPpWtEdqppPNsesvAUADoRi
moWWduwYbWtWFia“……”ayJpXNQuSbtIHsFrdYWBBRvfbvaPPV
TaEErZtTKNTtzPpIf even getting out was said, how bad could his mood be?kAhWopKMHxjRBTQoMGrpydOvmkUvQv
nZfECYgRvMtkphiIn Ning Rushen’s memory, although Li Wuting was an emperor, he rarely used harsh words: it was likely due to his gentlemanly demeanor. When he said “get out,” it was either a joke or genuine anger.KnMvtwEHvBudSlwoZcrmCamrNleTXM
wMOSoYKHrWTdXTqHe asked quietly, “Do you know the reason?”panwHOOtNZTKPkiLVtdyiPNGFktSbk
uPDGHXcwVNjOPNa“I don’t know. I just saw Master Lu reporting inside.”fiqembGHunQnCvUlCVNqaIaifOtEkn
oSzscwlBydgfGMvLu Wu…? Could it be that something was said by a minister about implementing the “cabinet system”?srAoBuXxQnJpMElzskxSIEbWFjjwqy
EOtjHZpvRYEctrPNing Rushen tentatively suggested, “Should I go in and persuade His Majesty?”PnXaeRgywPvmYcAuaAZgdzIhfCDoJQ
wOIwAEqXybSXtwNXiao Rongzi advised, “My lord, it’s better to go back.”PyedAbrDhXiKfEMKRgVXaDFZTHkfxi
IgdrHIyOOTItQpKHe had served the Emperor for so many years and had never seen the Emperor’s face look so terrible.IxhgPRhqwYQrGRxgPUaIsYzAFqymWP
nSRZwalKbuxUlIxHe didn’t know what Master Lu had said.XhhOfXdYDjiYbuRIjCcqGjGmoAvwaA
sqYUIFaMRtfkPUNNing Rushen had no choice but to agree, “Then I’ll go to the Ministry of Rites.”VMNUFgczidWemjgNeMnSSvsuGOjyqb
jaJdDZnAqDwkinUHe turned and left, pondering:SaXUxsKDjgXhTQbqCWFnMLDqcCGgDr
KscEQCUjwwDCjIESince it was Lu Wu, it probably had nothing to do with him.ujpmPMxKLAuupXfPAdRwxqtPvtPrIt
XvTCMJalZMWhuTkBy the way… he hadn’t seen Shiyi all morning. Where could Shiyi have gone?yRYhxlyEdzcHclZxDwaCAefgjePYMO
ebQtgwZSdcgcjyRInside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was extremely tense.vdAnREqldeXFrocmMOsEhBEVYFbBwH
zcrEBEbPdgotbkxAll the servants had been sent out, leaving only the anxious De Quan and Lu Wu kneeling before the Emperor.irTTYtnHzeFySSLjyWUkcDXyhSlVBQ
qznuJyXYNDOrMRcLi Wuting kept his eyes downcast, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.IsOOSbEcDcqquOfWvHMftQYWsdNJdF
LdeimIDuHpaGrCeAfter a long silence, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:nsfcUcjcLHjfVRVXWnVGuMjRkTKNKy
xxeuslRwjRcuYRY“Repeat what you said just now.”NYvVTrZrUrzjOQVQfPsuOCnXJQYace
TvoPzpfMGxCzxBO“Certainly.” Lu Wu, with a blank expression, reported again, “I heard Shiyi say that Lord Ning is infatuated and intends to propose to a noble lady named ‘Jingjing’ in the capital by the end of the month, after the coming-of-age ceremony. The household is already preparing gifts.”KOfbDFQmndhJuNOJSZHFCYMNLYRdNF
wxTkBMStmvNzClhHe summarized, “Presumably, the formal proposal will be made soon.”iojPqVlBfYgRFfbdhCQbahzCnKSGPD
nqetUCbaZroYPmC“……”lhVCiywWfBLpnvUOWARfPEVWxmptQD
bhoOGHsLxIkhkAlOnce the words were spoken, the room fell into dead silence once more.FFzgHNFVDaZAvdmwSFMJRBmIqMfTIa
GIvmFWyJyrBcssELu Wu, kneeling at the desk, was bewildered.McfvkCUkHvxNVdtMMoxbuCRvEjghHB
PpUxrhcHtPVKuPcThis morning, while having tangyuan at a stall in the eastern part of the city, he ran into Shiyi, who asked about a noble lady named “Jingjing” in the capital, saying that Lord Ning wanted to propose to her.BhmcBOnmLxXXfJnGTqLFnnKaKHpFws
CXRJglKEwuEvOVDHe hadn’t planned to report this to the Emperor—LryEJoRYtIJCrIiZlucdDkWFSpqzeK
EhXrJosXuOHqqfiThe Jinyiwei monitors whether officials form cliques or engage in corruption, and Lord Ning was not involved in either.WvyVwqAQocUXcDPqlyrUUywfnexHJW
MCxqGeTJItkjpXCIt was likely that Shiyi hadn’t reported it either and had just been inquiring out of curiosity.ztFpMlQIvXfrLSHqAFRKYiTamQOSvx
RpWctsifSxEvBApBut since the Emperor had asked more questions about Lord Ning last time, he decided to mention it.bCcdhnTMtuLszqdpJxcApocQdfXyCX
OtHxmAlSPwSXQnJHe didn’t expect this would lead to—lvnQlyXlaPDvBLpWJJGEpQZGxoiIqk
aXKeRToJDKYzvHd“Jingjing?” A cold laugh suddenly came from above.xwPmCYbVfGZfqSvHKYcZXFFVoraTis
HcQgYlaDZGazPXvLu Wu snapped back to reality and looked up.HOhZnoTdSHdvgxDTnzEaMmjdqiGkUD
pctuqFxTmBTFXetLi Wuting’s brow was furrowed, his tone indifferent, “Even mentioning the name, how intimate.”LrgHeNDtTMJHRXombxeGltkrSjTnhR
odOneimiCeNKjlfDe Quan was sweating and quickly said, “Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding! You know how unreliable Shiyi’s messages can be!”NLasODJrBgksDzenrLnWMmLcKKMwaI
iWfEtYgOPNdcNlhAs if thinking of something, Li Wuting’s expression softened slightly, “How did this information come about?”PCCUtJRykiGtKmvYJIscOkCxfMsfES
MFIGSPxHrhSEcWj“It’s said that the steward from the Ning residence went out early this morning and immediately asked Shiyi to inquire.” Lu Wu recalled Shiyi’s earnest tone and added, “—Lord Ning must be feeling lonely.”YjAWYDmkpcxunicAeOpSpOHYnSkUJw
wpoBRPJGRMgWodeLonely.sKcoAEQTvTQiCrITnPHviHGqpAtpxD
uyfezxbYssJDIwjLi Wuting closed his eyes and pinched his brow.hidZnHpahedCLSZipCDQiEXmdpgPsn
RwAyvXQUTSntmDtThe scene from last night of lifting the curtain to get into the carriage flashed in his mind. As a gentleman, he tried not to think too much about it…oAlcYmbHrfHeRxMuXiwWIAEAYSrJxP
tgwBCrNCPKpsECKAfter a moment, he said hoarsely, “You may leave.”MSipKxmDfaHMjdxNFhmvlYovLMELif
lGxKaQVhTefqEqqLu Wu bowed and started to leave.bxNdkEWgGWFuYcLjHXUXNgckEGkXRQ
pUkWIqWGlPmuewpHe was suddenly called back, “Wait.”YLnPbUXobRVOKZQjvpDYZNhLoqSNKf
wOLobGJmYoNtduQLi Wuting pinched his brow and said heavily, “You should also investigate. I want to see who this ‘Jingjing’ is.”WnydDaHMyObMVAWtydbpfCygVkurQl
POiniSvbpiSckNlLu Wu complied and turned to leave the Imperial Study.NcdtkpJhLvDNPNhOZWwHDllpZKSisd
WUMyGquNcnVmNlf…JCvcjDsiKzhugbviUWQgHAKHieKFlX
WzeeJyQYDNzKBuDAfter Lu Wu left, the room remained tense.VGpRrAiWJSVuahAWHJbBMQpomBAiTI
nRQefaRvqNtcrxsLi Wuting pressed his brow and remained silent.AepnDwarhWfzRGYsRqXUQkcPhFnNWy
NoSguDqoicTWWRKDe Quan, beside him, was burning with anxiety: The Emperor, being the ruler of the nation, could decide on anyone with just a word; there was no need for such convoluted measures.EgRIHmzUMPhzEvgUVqSAziVaKhrYPC
jQbVixZOlJNyhdNBut the Emperor insisted on maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor.NrIzaNfsWWfswOoJoAMWaeHLqnkcuq
zCEYcTmchHCRRPSNow, Lord Ning was about to get married!WZIQxNNlzMNnWQujDBLIbQzMZIQgar
uTcEQnZcWvZDcvYThe Emperor must be furious… really furious!WcqFhIWZWxrlMkLmOZXEVPLhIwxVpv
fSJUvasOGFUoCzpDe Quan, determined, advised, “Your Majesty, why not be straightforward and—”HolCOXVxIKVGzQqumnKQYlGpgKsIfr
pvYXbmFSKnAWIquA cold glare from Li Wuting stopped him mid-sentence.KpYVPgGbCZqaTBGDfkhVZlTWIHQley
CIKaIwYyJjjeezZLi Wuting glanced at him for a couple of seconds before slowly looking away, “I have said I would not force him. Otherwise, if he leaves, I…” also cannot retain him.YAqbLbeJGpLbohUKHHxiJhrpthfZZu
KVRrUNEZPlIUennDe Quan, frustrated, could not help but stamp his foot: Oh!PcKwgLzycrdSOaEpZTuxqigFIygQjM
HgaSuEpValqsLiU“……” Li Wuting looked over, “Why are you so anxious?”HoBTUSYBplpqJuxtTMbMotnbvwnosC
BFyWaNECFHAqVae“Shouldn’t I be anxious, Your Majesty? After so many years, you’ve had no one by your side…” maintaining your virtue, avoiding anyone. De Quan swallowed the rest of his words and continued, “It’s rare to have someone who genuinely cares; I hope you get what you wish for.”RRHTmATJynyHEyBwezagdPFMJjqTyD
LssSYBltxByYpVONot just him, but also Prince Xuan and Prince Jing—weren’t they thinking the same way?fiYEDMpihyyujbcMOrXJyQMAnvfSds
xijHUyEmKTUWsSASo that’s why it happens again and again…tbtHtEhoZYNJbuKQYvzaKoZgMfazzW
HhZlEKscaChfZDcDe Quan sighed deeply, “Your Majesty, you should consider yourself more.”gcXwYvpuyIfnPOvpLZpPJtsKZKcgeY
tDaLsohFXaxiiuYThe study fell silent for a moment.rdUTXBQkEYuLQxSrYpCspemMpVpdEj
PjCmHbTbbVDLCZTIt was as if everyone recalled the hardships and bloodshed from the past, where Li Wuting had protected those around him while climbing over thorns and obstacles.cjQVzAIJJmOVEdAKHknrgkXbJkyQdl
IrHRQhRlGzacDgcAfter a while, the Emperor spoke, “I understand.”hvPxTefbKCpafsEvjCmJEqbMjGbMIl
DbwtSZARERAbdfzDe Quan was overjoyed and looked up.NGheMoQvYXUNAnxicNqbPSWFqISfAq
ddwhxWxNFrpxxfBBut Li Wuting sneered again, “However, before that, I need to see why that ‘Jingjing’ caught his eye.”jmegLeqGirRIadqtKyHTrMYvWpANPp
VDzJalcdxDQvCMw“……”ARIIyISsrUTxHVFaeRxOFWVuvudroQ
WwExWsdStCGfBRAThe cold tone was like a chilling wind.TTAYuUCLKGcvLDLNJeXMhBGpuXrPqr
maoyjjhySqalEFGDe Quan lowered his head, shivering, “Your Majesty is wise.”qEltCCfxmWJsQeGnBRrrKOuORcHVcP
rGHyvUmwbPfWIiL·XadlMQrBHpOMhzzuHhsirSdGSUBsya
cUvXgEMFnByZEzWThese days, court affairs were busy.lCWrcOkfHYqskWsbBWrJmWsZnStyvz
RHOWrKWNTMLiQaqNing Rushen hadn’t been able to visit the study for three or four days—IuvBcoRzrSWyEXRwtWRrxulytNUgoy
UgxheWuwenKSdqYThe draft for the “cabinet system” stirred up hidden currents in the court. With petitions and waves of courtiers flooding into the study, he couldn’t find an opportunity to attend.CRcCjvefoOUNfDCVhzQwWtVhoglpUk
GUCNMjUGIkZnuHWAt the same time, the market supervision office was bustling with activity.YOZoDtAfHIYQZkfpPRhpUBpNmwxzWV
XlDmIhVROqoRKVANext month is the Chengtian Festival, the “National Day” of Da Cheng, and the families coming to bid are almost breaking down the doors.WuCCiKaKDlqiuxTNfqAZXAcyUziuAo
iZBJBFGdjFzBFrhSo the days passed in a flurry of busyness.SREqPYWDRWMvDgDtNPbWhQFjMgcurh
MRzoGveVALzuekNOn the evening of the fifth day, Ning Rushen finished his shift at the Ministry of Rites.xuiVZswQGHucShcwdMQnySauEgCwdg
AhaOhBFYEzxrYmxAs he walked back to his residence, he happened to meet Lu Wu coming from the opposite direction.nbvmapRZOOgihinJMaDdjRbavSbmXI
sKcCVmtvLYAQtbCThe two exchanged glances, and Lu Wu stopped.ChdopfwXlKGOyWrCtrUwCJQBCIkQZR
CuHEUhINqXZBxSQ“Lord Ning.”QxVsrBMxVQawQdnxMnZQdORgoeTXTJ
BbeReejbVDYfmAk“Here on business?” Ning Rushen asked.IYehqVNqBcMhChQXioFSmSCRCVFwOb
SdAYZultCBkNpqy“Just finished.” Lu Wu paused, remembering the meals Ning Rushen had once shared with him, glanced at the evening sky, and kindly said:mlrHrrfgIaLJRUuJKrOMjFSlTYubYR
geMDtwqKOWLPgDi“Lord Ning, it’s best not to sleep too soundly tonight.”euSQETweDlvzogFZKDrOvawscjwcLk
cdQFYdehEJDHqGn“???”BTZtxXnlGkGbsYTGdlbeisAEYuvaMZ
xhnLKkDIIOAUfAdNing Rushen seemed not to have heard clearly, “What?”MHJVmOrfKakvosmRcQhfmpDHEaSRNu
eDpubEgqaenxWAmBut Lu Wu had already shaken his head and vanished in the direction of the palace.sEokujKijLMQqwugRrwfoCaFBtAqdv
elQXpVrOVjxaCnL…What does this mean??PRdBjCfxsIMVjMejcehnfvlOrQcaQs
PHcyHhxTfxvEpCfNing Rushen returned to his residence, puzzled.VyTHBXvkKXqGSzIHEeRnqrLSBzxAWU
dvtzOkzCqDsfSUUAs he passed through the front hall, he heard familiar voices coming from behind the courtyard door. It was Shiyi, who had been missing for a few days:MOfgOLXZjGfqBbLftTZjXgYUqJqmYZ
UAuKJlSIsLLXimh“I’ve found out. They’re all here.”oFdZcaetmwqeCDwWbWpouLIxOEGLiJ
SyfmPjoTkfQUJFR“So many! …And so detailed, from appearance and physique to interests and hobbies. Which one do you think the Lord is interested in?”DfFskQVPvbSDUmPgrxMXSTDKRoZMBz
DOUIcykcAIBBbps“Ask him directly.”eyMMmwGDWdeeOVDmrNgLsdifDGRDYm
mpUGwOmJimkyThM“The Lord has been busy these days! We’ll show it to him once it’s ready. As servants, we need to be perceptive.”dequBRxGDugTtKagzNWkyUyTRBRVOT
qAvTsQSDBwmnNdh“……” Ning Rushen.fVNRgjicgWFPYJNcxnZIUvRRUlYdkp
SnatffRNyvIZiDGHe could no longer hold back and walked around the courtyard door to see the two people mumbling with their backs to him, and humbly asked:EoGovWyOobJAreUezNfLuMLyqeArRM
IUNtSKIJIlcKKaK“What exactly are you plotting?”ViRadhKhYCDdttSQEBfbimIsBItJvi
RCREJanFfXCzNzfShiyi and Yan Min were startled!OreCpMCVeZmMUiMpOyPTKIfpxyvqGn
EeMpJFfZMlhAFVoThey turned, holding the paper, “Lord, you’ve returned.”ZRhorDuQOrOIxayjJjQwaICzRblKRo
QLtlVASsUKFsRrj…TQNZRgAWpHggbnZLodgmmxrPVYjCmh
QUWWyPVZJQsjbxMMeanwhile, in the Yangxin Palace of the palace.KgwHhtspvgqZfBKdQeGOOxZHMKsyMG
QzBgDJNIOkeAuVKLu Wu knelt before the Emperor, “Your Majesty, there is news.”YbRUsJXymWmTcFMizhtXWOLcZdnCJQ
WIsOEeLEctpZZUpLi Wuting, sitting behind the desk, curled his fingers and said, “Speak.”EWYNvjGrGiVHjqMMcsgsnWugEQADct
iQFEvpMAJXCIkfdLu Wu replied, “Your Majesty, the accurate information has been brought back to Ning’s residence by Shiyi.”CjXcmdGxPfbaDitcuRtnIEOdGEHIhw
uMylOomxDYjofSXLi Wuting’s voice turned cold, “Then what did I summon you for?”vTugFjVPoQjjBFUEdZOKRTixmPuSAL
KFRrrpbNqSNTJQBLu Wu kowtowed, “This matter… is hard to explain in a few words.”DIuQNozPKYYRROMhMDHsPodOfNGZRv
pXpjZMYrvGLVGJLIt wasn’t that he wanted to shirk his duties. There were simply too many people on the list, and he didn’t know which one it was. It seemed it would have to be identified by Lord Ning himself.vWGUtoiuCaUNuAgqxFiDxWRyNPDuzg
bPbEJeuomvJHttdThere was silence above.MLELJYLBZICKRjzmPxVmiMpZjYZDNe
OKBjDDWYcpQLuPGDe Quan, observing Li Wuting’s expression, said, “Your Majesty, it has been several days since you last spoke to Lord Ning.”thGaFxlkxAKWCaLjEADKNYPRrkUYNF
NpJPCiDGISjDSTYLi Wuting pressed his lips together.xJBijbKukQANDUmUNCMSWFGuLqjUAW
DeGTbqVXiCzmEmaDe Quan recalled that during the court sessions in recent days, the Emperor’s gaze had lingered on Lord Ning a few times, clearly deep in thought. He speculated, “It’s a good opportunity to clarify things.”udomOIHELauiSXvVBgibHgjZdfYSEG
bZhxJhlNjqsUcBeDe Quan spoke with a hint of sarcasm, “Let’s see what this ‘Jingjing’ is all about…”wdglJtWVGDxuYyhdylfynASnafiTJx
URAIZADGzdKcmrT“Enough.” The cool, clear voice cut him off.MUYIBZNZKVBLwvuppEdWVQgKkZMSLn
EsSQzZqzogYDuGYOutside the palace, dusk had already settled, deepening into twilight.IirOifscyjVEfCzCJLYhfnbCHDMlpG
NbkpKQScPwzMsCWLi Wuting stood in silence for a few moments, then rose and said, “Prepare the carriage to leave the palace.”mUOlMEcDcNJPPnnGWpFReRZPFTgIVt
NInRnQUplWogWbl“—Yes!”OzfLKQuWkZVSQZPgRNtgjcWTTRRAIp
QVLDPapXKuiVSBf·wZmSvaznxfPOkUknkEiUsaRyvgDIeW
ivTTtbZFueehHgaAt Ning’s residence.tBFCaLeJDgRMirtOvXVZrKkxPafAZH
mBxOtNIVdLLvFRxNing Rushen held a full page of paper, his breath catching.RpluinixnnNYDZMlAhaCEqESwMdwwz
pyXTLfnEcoiqUmtHe hesitated for a long time, trying to maintain a calm voice as he asked, “…What are all these?”nldRnxXHecZzzjknVemRqeLvSJnhbQ
TCMCtOXaYQJHUsCYan Min glanced at him, “Jingjing… and the others.”SXcLDUQqGtiLCdTCFVPoBebdesfdmd
wFfszuufkJwifNxNing Rushen, “………”tumhOlqWDkCAxWHiGUayoFPbGOhoJf
zrWgsLJUkwkFYVTHe took a deep breath, supporting his forehead, “That’s not what I meant. I was asking about…”ynNKxKzZQblcZvLjCBLcbzKcdXTLBn
dfPsgZbqWWdkIzz“What, these aren’t it?” Yan Min didn’t understand.ZcxKgMdZSeGsOZEpJkcDNmqbUlVfYx
aFzbFxrPqhITBVy“No,” Ning Rushen said, feeling dizzy again. He decided to cut off the topic entirely, “Forget it, don’t bother with this. Don’t look for any Jingjing.”qziZbfTxbvJrTmbynGnhpjFCqwVBRD
SavnYqxCzzYkUAQ“What about the others?”ABoGtQuxRrWndMpcnjLlmRSawPKSMd
OGCiOpjWKJBulyr“None of those either.”aDWQYYDHqKtNOvcPZqeCOQsEUXmUIm
FTMWQAftLNPqpuHNing Rushen waved his hand, “Leave me alone for a while.”yPjCDRfScdsbztFTVagOpiMEvCTclJ
xxoeRqyYUqvuiAeShiyi and Yan Min reluctantly said, “Oh.”ilHyIpipmVvfLNAxYFLOsjoSfYEOsT
quwCvMFpxkDtdZHAfter dismissing them, the courtyard fell silent.GEiOVaNtejHjIKCWnhRxhmwpdtLPpF
giFiOupxFNTxtyMNing Rushen moved a lounge chair to the front of the courtyard and casually placed a lantern beside it.JSHajwomUdmEkQHnlvfZoAYmShWOtG
ZiQxIPoYEJuGhoOHe reclined on the chair, feeling utterly exhausted.fLSaFyhQGAYxBdLlwMXhHONGzWddiK
rVKzUfvTfmAdlJHWhat are all these matters?CGCEbDzWiRFQnoiIczpWTzGhUVwwKB
fStgyGScTHPXBkAHe had never thought about marriage. That morning, he had simply been poisoned and dreamt about—EkWOuNYtUkuEXyfKMAsdgYsRrYSnJN
eHgEivwzPpFRyjHNing Rushen’s thoughts paused, and the lingering dream reappeared in his mind.deqZBHQEyMveRleHbHGFJlPGIHQKoJ
kZgOaSptqGyoXoLA wave of heat spread from his tailbone.ECFNtmAlqOZdbhKKlytbqAxjrxdIWh
jhMhAWdtbLAgHkEJune’s weather was already hot, and he quickly broke into a thin sweat.NRopfFvJIhRPXOGzmbTeDNqoCICzfy
lPBTkBxntKgfwNIThe trapped heat took a while to dissipate. Ning Rushen decided to take off his crimson outer garment and drape it over his shoulders, wearing only a white inner garment underneath.DAvOUcAVAukMyFxLwOvEliZkWzfeBC
GBawELFgeiWwBSrAfter putting on his clothes and leaning back, he glanced at the paper in his hand:rWawyblDvwshERpEjtWTpebZmmDbeV
cEmfkcgUTHkrZqQHe had to admit, Shiyi was quite the professional at gathering information.EREtWjdEzaBvmdNOttFxSGKeTrHsBg
fhKwbRSJjyBHPUWBut he had taken professionalism too far—QaeefAhmQCBUGdJEIlvHVItjUDbexJ
hfKYGStxXqjUUQWThe list included people he had visited the same bun shop with; those he had brushed past on a certain street; even those with no interaction but with similar patterns on their clothing…BIVnTGnreDzCNwfHhFrQNWAgBOtwAE
GylDasDqAvuwMxOIncredible. Ning Rushen looked further down the list:tOAQhIMZHLPkIBafanBbuOStetQwgZ
wuYsOUePRsjlPQdWhy is even the young daughter of Minister Ji included?qicSDdoIgWpQCEGXhITnKaeKMRXVIt
xRpGJrYCzbHunJyHe felt dizzy and rubbed his temples with one hand while holding the paper with the other.XGSkwBraApBALtrEejcgfNYLgPKHPH
yYOMvSiGbzibnaxThe white cuffs slipped down from his forearm, and the crimson garment hung loosely on his shoulders. The warm light from the lantern illuminated his profile in the dim courtyard.ltfAzbmAIeDEmhzuTNnaoMpPGQmHiQ
AaBdABwrLoBSwxBFrowning and closing his eyes, he appeared languid and weak.loDcKLXxdmwAfabpfApgNTkCZDqEur
AnudtJhMHnxJltnAs Ning Rushen massaged his temples, he faintly heard some movement outside the courtyard, but it was quickly quiet again.QKkCmSJqYJPECPbwFsnvNhqIOdBAUo
aYAKpbCfGBwmenHHe didn’t pay much attention and stood up, preparing to put the paper aside.MHQLLjmLOOPlxfLrmJlzFVrTjNTsXG
jemJawEnmbfDvYEA shadow flickered in the distance.LIedRtkUDrMXUGzYdZFuMrWwmEJPQa
lQCfWQYGSTVLNuUA figure appeared at the courtyard door, and Ning Rushen looked up to see Li Wuting standing in front of him.VjxVgXSsKGcbJinZVvQpSxrTLPyKKk
waNbaDsmlTBlhFSLi Wuting was dressed in dark robes, as calm as the night. Having not seen him up close for several days, his cool and handsome face was strikingly captivating.ASKnZuvxPadoIrGpXuHXOXCYWIAHVI
PKRyaeSnDkztiVKNing Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he froze, “Your Majesty?”oGHzuDwXBhzaDVesprGJtMyWIJbHsl
fiUQKkEvOrIiColThe paper in his hand reflected the light, revealing a full page of names.ZYZKFqZaCXFCgpPiHuzCqcyVoXnydu
CzhsOZGfoITXkwcLi Wuting’s gaze fell upon it, seemingly stunned.IuRDQNLmsWSvsVcKFyBIAbcBxcujzb
RXIYsGVeRjEtyYxThe two faced each other in the quiet courtyard for a few seconds.MmhdiRlsabfEiaeufPvSeQaEDsdqmk
ELmhVosXNrxrttpNing Rushen was about to speak when Li Wuting, with half-closed eyelids and pursed lips, saying lightly:FKJMjOAqBIPMAySVWQMLMCTiKICmTI
hmWkPDRjVawkRob“Isn’t there a bit too many of these Jingjings for Lord Ning?”kgHcqrhETizaxmyBGEjsNQPfrSUyxG
rUSHKcIcBwdOnMDfQCzTSrNyPgJdRBbcoKbKnoRYfEFoO
ZpFLgysJZujbOOTgvUsnDMVyleqSUSXQXRjcNrmOagzvN