This official is so weak

The milk cake and honey jelly packed last night were placed on the stone table in the courtyard by Xing Lan.xBtWXgxiCfYsmslEJKyUVKaPiNiZWB

oFIVMglnSmmxUig

Now 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.xqtcJZOXpTyYzYGUsGYavNhfXPxrbO

YNbSYvYHWMhbepq

He called Xing Lan and Yan Min over to try them, then looked around and asked, “Where’s Xiao Shizi?”ZdKNLDeCNJTEIwKKsYnRLbDVAkFHuQ

fWZcDrvOMxmVzNR

Before he could ask more, Yan Min, smiling but silent, waved his hand, “It’s nothing. Your Excellency, please go to court.”bGfFshLvVmpIvxylBqrYrWCFBssGYr

zXAxuRTZfvObVxr

It was the day of the morning court session.lCCdhltOAalOiGVWGxBaScqUsamWlQ

MKXOxHZRZHeUTsn

Today was the day for testing the “cabinet system” that Ji Jie and Li Wuting had agreed upon.KytIswdeUUwVzyOcMoxoIadYHxLdwY

KLSUeiaaNlqgKIh

The new policy was proposed by the scholar Ji Jie—VbeyDJpWJSwnBuEgmFBSwbzRjJeWbW

TdtspCpktplycuh

The 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.GwhCOetNTcqjesvgluhQPGGuHwFTXs

hMhVcnLLAYZdmaW

The slower ones were still weighing the interests behind it.dwpqOxbrXFzoJgIvTlVqCylCxpzhAA

fCNtciwyaHScjgt

The sharper ones had already glimpsed the Emperor’s intention.tJSlPlTtwlgUuymBzPfQWSDSZvQWrW

WRaVDBrAVaiVTsl

Ning Rushen glanced up at the chaotic court, only to see Li Wuting still steady as a mountain, silently observing the maneuvering of various factions.bhuxiNBawmkBSzoaKVrQiiMFvDxliJ

djSePlICYIANZOK

As he looked, he saw Li Wuting glance in his direction.QcRjHJiYvTmrunFwxMpxBXPqxDSwjn

oopKIuaCneQWRnD

The deep gaze crossed most of the court and landed on him, as if saying: What are you looking at?mvezXzTBNXEwxdAkdDOusyQklojIPS

GijoaOCxlLifWky

Why don’t you lower your head?SkEwiqMuHYTATclNRLJuOIIRJwboxQ

EwZedsvHluLAIdn

“……”EKYiksBjCOfGFqxkRisoGFHdEUdecB

wodmEqCOPxrgMOm

Ning Rushen lowered his head.ZGYjRFVLWacQnVtZtqlxHdTjZBbxKg

bXemtbFyHgzGLaT

As one of the “initiators,” he perfectly kept a low profile in the midst of this storm.qyWRAsalhRpbcvctJLqSwoHAjzFeBu

RfSJwWBZkKqzDQJ

The morning court session lasted two hours in uproar.XsmPVxIiGPfVPtnFNPoCpZLcPpJgNx

IrUmFlKGCapbjge

After the court session, Ning Rushen was pulled aside by officials to probe for some clues.WxVeKURjMLSrXVxuZHHjEYBDIrpxHY

QKYzDUMawBqnewT

By the time he sent everyone away, a quarter of an hour had already passed.BZELUSxZAqZRDynOjqiVVYMnLywVxr

GnZudllDgQDfesw

He straightened his clothes and headed towards the Imperial Study.pROeMHofqyzaDgxYzfwEwGlEsVMPuT

IvRmOGBdLOlyokg

Time to wrap it up and go home!ervSfJsofMAYOmedjcZWvDYFkwvgKh

tfChBrqpaxfmEXF

Outside the Imperial Study, Xiao Rongzi was waiting at the door.GvObtFqBdpeoaUvvVgCNDjuXJYSBUz

pGdbqghDSQBecev

Ning Rushen usually went straight in, but just as he was about to enter today, Xiao Rongzi stopped him:pNAQPQWkeOubiJtaiOqjLAinhWjHyP

yAjogUdDUXiyCUR

“Lord Ning, please wait a moment. His Majesty is having a meeting inside. I’ll go in and report.”PlajKaEabDsNjSKJWrSorWCRIqozoz

CFCqcUJowlzBrvv

Ning Rushen nodded, “I’ll wait.”NrUoPrJigNYkmLCwMFEmGvkiaGGxup

WOpJpRJeMCLkEAq

He stood outside with his hands in his sleeves.PmKNhVCAFNGmtAYrCkprJPbgLzpMDc

nxIbxswxcVSflxy

However, 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:UBOvuvvSpLfMDMLNbHylMysiUCieuZ

ypQnebuRAvDFbYH

“Lord Ning, it would be best if you went back for now.”pLzBTtLzwAmRswIIhvjJSHhOYmXAZp

LVbMkLbkSyXmRZj

Ning Rushen was puzzled, “What happened?”OkYejNEJbxfgEqtsjvqAzobJmKljvH

WcdbUHckyFqFCel

Xiao Rongzi whispered, “The Emperor is in a bad mood. As soon as I went in, I heard the Emperor say: ‘Get out.’”AktWIQIEHlXLMWNvGESRrXjxETnZYR

LtwcTylTjcQYPol

“……”walyZsQEiWUGvoEZnqEizOYIDuCJGf

sRZnCmNofcLKvOq

If even getting out was said, how bad could his mood be?kQCLdjwpYIgbGHWChCcGqqArolpoBh

HzJRhEKKTtokmJW

In 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.PnJydyunsgRASsYpqqpXxcsuwzMfPt

LjddTphxOakdheD

He asked quietly, “Do you know the reason?”GtSpmTxcxCArWfmsVPZGCOwKKFWvWM

wVVdlFGmIKTeQWB

“I don’t know. I just saw Master Lu reporting inside.”UPOaNAgkOSyUfchiqbYLtzjWSbUdqg

MoxqBKCLWurLBgy

Lu Wu…? Could it be that something was said by a minister about implementing the “cabinet system”?XhKTbacsyWPVsuWiIaBgdmqciTAqxp

SuRnFMaAZFmQOhO

Ning Rushen tentatively suggested, “Should I go in and persuade His Majesty?”InHBhIejlHkbQrBhodEeLxDvdlVbPz

szIYdemScFTKfmH

Xiao Rongzi advised, “My lord, it’s better to go back.”mshKhUjYDvQqWPQoIztaVcCUJszWzy

HHToYyPKXIPFajt

He had served the Emperor for so many years and had never seen the Emperor’s face look so terrible.DSIZqydUBXurbfulGfHqpzLtWZFjFz

ayLyqeSHszVyrMh

He didn’t know what Master Lu had said.sfkuPDCKQKlqrBbmfDeCZAQCHbAAZP

bXGxaszLHnEAbRy

Ning Rushen had no choice but to agree, “Then I’ll go to the Ministry of Rites.”aVgNdZLPYYeIRQtVTsAEmFWVTeaxjc

RLRVstMUouQNbbC

He turned and left, pondering:ZtsLJCuwukPpwNhPMolYBtGnGxthJI

DoaXojyqvEpToSo

Since it was Lu Wu, it probably had nothing to do with him.vShaWVowoHOZVfOzRouekAdZmbhoIc

BzgcnYjfocPrhXo

By the way… he hadn’t seen Shiyi all morning. Where could Shiyi have gone?DjNRikJcwRHAaVXOXNthbeXFStoohW

RpZuAibafJoIHrG

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was extremely tense.krpixcONHGLBejTeEYtoVvZktITLYV

xEndwzwUWwPglTY

All the servants had been sent out, leaving only the anxious De Quan and Lu Wu kneeling before the Emperor.lEoheiilZYfOcENDfXnoFDxNEGvjgi

JYDwYqxqhldxNHY

Li Wuting kept his eyes downcast, his thin lips pressed into a straight line.TLNTSlnMzOFtXjFsrqtZzTJWLOIhFs

AEhkXYIqBMFqeUq

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice:DPYqfvuIFTxYsyZyIGmiKFkHFzjlRZ

QJeJsqeghaZLMFT

“Repeat what you said just now.”cnhGSkEKikznxBLoXxsBWWuGsPtidR

cWepaiIplBYuWTr

“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.”tezMmguAAvOOlCWpNPoXlFqmsfbhZh

vWsDAoLFTjNFiIb

He summarized, “Presumably, the formal proposal will be made soon.”dNGtDryamzXwLuHAOmLaVGMGCAVIMc

jzvQnlagvrIkiQK

“……”WmBLGRIExekHScBvcmFIfbOTnkYBUI

yUpORBDtTaRtkrt

Once the words were spoken, the room fell into dead silence once more.OpwOoUuHbCbXDMYBOrsAjeCHLDuHzV

WhsFzRllBUbpCms

Lu Wu, kneeling at the desk, was bewildered.rfvuWzEqoqHFFPFAEYtiAOvTcTSpAv

BPuFUzgcapjwDkW

This 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.BGxWuxdcoatryMIYseZMBEQtUpyuGz

RBKgqxRnpdPmhhP

He hadn’t planned to report this to the Emperor—lnTXDDEPZjsiPpSnWtZFPOqkoGcbBB

MBPFoiJpKTgRbmw

The Jinyiwei monitors whether officials form cliques or engage in corruption, and Lord Ning was not involved in either.kByapcLnENnLXGchlsqTupGPgJyqFp

gnQxGqDmfZzqoJs

It was likely that Shiyi hadn’t reported it either and had just been inquiring out of curiosity.ocmTdxmAoFJmMuLGNKUGrWSUJZLKJB

aNjiyBQGhGVPXgT

But since the Emperor had asked more questions about Lord Ning last time, he decided to mention it.UNAJxpoiJrJcwocRRaOivONWMDUVHS

eJGXVNioaGALTSc

He didn’t expect this would lead to—IMXpXDJdjEnCRbWIsqcwYrbGiSFrsx

LqErCJCPrurPGLh

“Jingjing?” A cold laugh suddenly came from above.rWQHYFEyIpfeRHXRaUtIKDUBFvOLgS

UFnNOmTFrOEgEEo

Lu Wu snapped back to reality and looked up.VVUMwNaqxOsDwBMjvcQcejKTvwHbsD

KbyEBTZhskPYMnY

Li Wuting’s brow was furrowed, his tone indifferent, “Even mentioning the name, how intimate.”wxjaVCqfuWPNzGfGGvNLBkPeYVMeDX

aZqLQVMsOQHAozr

De Quan was sweating and quickly said, “Your Majesty, there must be some misunderstanding! You know how unreliable Shiyi’s messages can be!”UrVtRRQAXNMsrMxvXSNBSlslgPVCgH

kVgtmlkVDDaGIEq

As if thinking of something, Li Wuting’s expression softened slightly, “How did this information come about?”QqHtrFNmaSZiNrKXmPSSXlRXeEFVBa

unQlZYPARhkaVlz

“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.”GoGApvloRnvqpFxIWinXEcdNZBGYuP

DJkkxUGNZcQazIo

Lonely.gXjttuwaEcGNodmFQWwkFwoXnrYbdS

wcJrQMHobtyQmli

Li Wuting closed his eyes and pinched his brow.wyHVgdfUpxMxuToddDNvSSOydcGXjX

CZtDoEIKInhYTgF

The 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…wfPpkCByBXRpFvrkSzNiGPANKNxRCv

LIOJhpgAZAfJTsT

After a moment, he said hoarsely, “You may leave.”rzRcJMZrRoASPgCWesIAkcpYvucqFE

OOtZjMAkxzgGazb

Lu Wu bowed and started to leave.QwvkIqUCxkBifZXyYjxlJUsPsMbNpp

uFNSzUYXTStXZLd

He was suddenly called back, “Wait.”dOraZzlmhrGRxOmeiDaEpblSysVjRH

gBIROpObmoSaZSc

Li Wuting pinched his brow and said heavily, “You should also investigate. I want to see who this ‘Jingjing’ is.”YirgttRZURSHxVJkuyMwHGzVMFeuXq

uRxygxkgcswyRoH

Lu Wu complied and turned to leave the Imperial Study.ZvhAKDGRrWJyjDyXylEgszfHhCfhLn

GtHgyOPGddctZkY

…apAAmVqpsWnYclgkVIMoKwtwHRhFJR

PDYfCmJVABNkJkp

After Lu Wu left, the room remained tense.kDlHvimyiruBKCacDMCVUlHUwoBoOM

WTXXulznpkbmieM

Li Wuting pressed his brow and remained silent.kSvrGSobLosXJgmPSqRmvmuwCecCEx

qJzClkZFQLmflPY

De 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.jZoxIJWKOcXfdZEGDWBLKDjqqomuRm

mqAgIqciJiszUEv

But the Emperor insisted on maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor.IWqFuCRRLTAblyoQWJWKlKrFdlJvNq

nTMYkyjQVZWUvsa

Now, Lord Ning was about to get married!arODKOjsrsDpjVgZloHCfKsqZfmZLD

JUrvETWFSliTdNK

The Emperor must be furious… really furious!GYEFPHaArAEjBFUNKwrZVxCXakProG

bnlJauRBptciAoH

De Quan, determined, advised, “Your Majesty, why not be straightforward and—”TlycWCGXlxLypRdxaFZEcvPoiUpeAt

NcNPbOiOFhJNQri

A cold glare from Li Wuting stopped him mid-sentence.GKyCPXIfIfSGgdhdRHbXqNvMsoIHMb

ZUUUwJctqkafXMh

Li 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.uwkHoJBFdiQAKMjwqQsSuOOsYwnSzi

jUAoAxhQAWbYDFQ

De Quan, frustrated, could not help but stamp his foot: Oh!rWOKlYAeSUVJhaewRxPlTrySGvZKME

tbkyLyYUTPadRBz

“……” Li Wuting looked over, “Why are you so anxious?”PAvJfsyorhhIeORWziSKrtqgrxyiSF

yKLCyoJDXQaOPxA

“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.”mzKNigSfXphaoaTgNqJyiXnTYWytmM

NFpQMYMDZNPfCZq

Not just him, but also Prince Xuan and Prince Jing—weren’t they thinking the same way?ALAQZycoUeubmCihZFWCbhQJsqmKFP

soccSKLQTKULwAY

So that’s why it happens again and again…spKOxltsXjptlOoUflqGxdYXVrESoN

lTvFTfSNunUnkSP

De Quan sighed deeply, “Your Majesty, you should consider yourself more.”mYtdPcegSwEqOMFVsCDCHTOlBrWCbW

BIuXYCqcpXnXZcj

The study fell silent for a moment.RqQGwdNjcTOLPHCFCHRQcpdPuCbDBo

VvxfoGeexJAUUew

It 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.DgKlUygSaqHvfEdUHJVrPiJJZWdFvB

WvnqCMrEOLdARbd

After a while, the Emperor spoke, “I understand.”yIdQsAYbfKmkNUEyiuELYuWiFGrrnh

SNDjPdmyaKKEtkr

De Quan was overjoyed and looked up.GXQSQIzPHjFQueoCdCDjwcsggtKvdW

eAnIuQASkNLuJKv

But Li Wuting sneered again, “However, before that, I need to see why that ‘Jingjing’ caught his eye.”vTvMKHhHEGZWkkbJZXUxDjlibusegA

NQXtUGZvxngACGg

“……”EfOmazUmkuhiSeFNYWzXmOCDOsiacP

olOroKNvVWLWiEM

The cold tone was like a chilling wind.mHRBesWTPtuQsMJsRxDKyWQZeCIQyo

rqiDOuVTxkvImth

De Quan lowered his head, shivering, “Your Majesty is wise.”kbTclRdDNXogoEsNtdqDXmyStLPQCJ

RWbhWqSFwOWDBBF

·iaOFuniBrwrUSFayHHKnStJMIarWbb

GQpdmIcRRnVfAMP

These days, court affairs were busy.RzqHSYroAzNSoeEUBTnxRxLHBKDpiY

lQDFybGuBQvPfde

Ning Rushen hadn’t been able to visit the study for three or four days—EKdQgywkZVEQQTdchecsozEOUdFjel

EECRnJKeFhZBxfu

The 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.BWTWSuxEZOplgzwavbpPNatSYykUHo

SxpurJSknZuekoW

At the same time, the market supervision office was bustling with activity.gNFXipRNopVfROpSbsVYAhuQqZDDIm

ofZWDUlrixfqGPE

Next month is the Chengtian Festival, the “National Day” of Da Cheng, and the families coming to bid are almost breaking down the doors.WrOCRTgczLrjwyzllmtgHkMbQtoBoJ

BEniqeDExPuzZOQ

So the days passed in a flurry of busyness.dVCgyqOkryVRMmNUghqUNebhAihjDk

HkzYKQFmyZhMhJG

On the evening of the fifth day, Ning Rushen finished his shift at the Ministry of Rites.AoMxDmvHCdcHCEPijmvylBahrviyuD

XOoqpFuxBgFbEKM

As he walked back to his residence, he happened to meet Lu Wu coming from the opposite direction.JEGhMkZTNPJOStMlbpFgzgVhnCCpNq

OeIwCwuuGKcsyNB

The two exchanged glances, and Lu Wu stopped.LfqvLvseoshatYdNozejIucDtNfvJS

eDUWqxIqjfRWSrz

“Lord Ning.”EiUPWHmywxCLPQYosQcuHRucamUdWk

MFPxlCTZnPwAaJX

“Here on business?” Ning Rushen asked.DfxEsVEiviuOwaZINQpMvZUfBBPhbO

ThfQlDEwNnEvwpA

“Just finished.” Lu Wu paused, remembering the meals Ning Rushen had once shared with him, glanced at the evening sky, and kindly said:qkgdeKhWXgdHNylmyMloGXLkAEzqgr

lphZDfgnyezfirz

“Lord Ning, it’s best not to sleep too soundly tonight.”RutAGNbpVQGnmIgFJyEqVdcHdsXVQe

wFasnKiKpwOmoIz

“???”CJHLDtBWxRuwlmduRNVrHFNAMymYNk

pEkNwJdlytyGgQe

Ning Rushen seemed not to have heard clearly, “What?”zVNAAEghYpEnbMCgWrshTKgjamzSnq

VusCHUTSkiWBHeK

But Lu Wu had already shaken his head and vanished in the direction of the palace.mlthwzcdHgDypNLiUqRKnixvYUbSDo

unfrxzEtylZUNQr

…What does this mean??weNuKPDpPzPgTRaPNnEHXUUQxJxMTe

kMvPVwLTeAWGjxY

Ning Rushen returned to his residence, puzzled.kzMAeTrrlqkDxyVKYDZHpkLtnccYrj

JYHozeiuzFwuRbk

As 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:selfTgFjNmxiEHZektfHNhBrVqJYwW

HuvzIZLupjXwQbs

“I’ve found out. They’re all here.”wPrJYQzJSokgMGeAjFPyTMWaVOPcZg

ZNwjcqspYnObUwm

“So many! …And so detailed, from appearance and physique to interests and hobbies. Which one do you think the Lord is interested in?”QJmkndyYPoVXyPJCztrweOrYNgTJJU

ZmYyultAtyiUziG

“Ask him directly.”cxoPPixyYRBogHNPmKlOgyoEaRpDeu

hhlqLoZEqUcTzDn

“The Lord has been busy these days! We’ll show it to him once it’s ready. As servants, we need to be perceptive.”xvqlQSeCCIXPYSadVTgukzGuSycvLg

uzUbrtunhiZdbAT

“……” Ning Rushen.yrehlNiJgKmvVFAPLLlsbGloyEhmWQ

BciHQiArAYSdkUw

He 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:lDZQRvcouaDrggMbXvVxBKxHKZbmjj

ihAfEuEMrhAlOvP

“What exactly are you plotting?”vFZnZDhAVeeFDTPolHKNFEbKuJPgHe

GDFltACkdEEhOvt

Shiyi and Yan Min were startled!ACLaMeFuFTnuGtxemvQftmCkRPsrBg

XCZSRRXhvGSXAmo

They turned, holding the paper, “Lord, you’ve returned.”NqBfLxEbfaqlpSDaosdWqpjRAUOmHr

kCffvqPatetSsnp

…hraZLrhHOPCCzYopShfjWrXBsqeGvC

yvPjppIykKtNHoa

Meanwhile, in the Yangxin Palace of the palace.GOMcvyeYZcgNugePkyoyCIUczrTzHK

uTOzGHisOJmwZUZ

Lu Wu knelt before the Emperor, “Your Majesty, there is news.”HsXJwpHwLzmLeTBNMilYdVFOLdcAVb

MtwJevDaHfShorX

Li Wuting, sitting behind the desk, curled his fingers and said, “Speak.”QxMguDXsBMiPkjKmJuJlTMOFBeGDIF

hGWVBQzzDPgqDvp

Lu Wu replied, “Your Majesty, the accurate information has been brought back to Ning’s residence by Shiyi.”CWblBuZWmgEzPSbhPeKjcSEndpWErL

ddSsCxqNvKrCmrv

Li Wuting’s voice turned cold, “Then what did I summon you for?”eFYopMEkTpdqVUipcxeVPxghJMGSga

mqRxPhNmwoSrKnp

Lu Wu kowtowed, “This matter… is hard to explain in a few words.”ItHwCdZkAuzlZeJrgYOigSyQqIAzuN

LefnuWDIvAJaluR

It 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.LIDdpetWuxUWSAutyySDxAgSVvNpgx

zIvZezsJUOjTcdC

There was silence above.VKrRYXXBtgYmUQCTlJlMTErjFDuLwQ

oeMhzPfTsqmAYEJ

De Quan, observing Li Wuting’s expression, said, “Your Majesty, it has been several days since you last spoke to Lord Ning.”ZGOGiUkTfASVttyEFIDxvDNGKjfsSl

fldsttOEqEyvvqx

Li Wuting pressed his lips together.MbZNQSlnbiOHKpllluEThoWtWPMDxv

ByCSCsqYnDvHoYd

De 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.”tuVtVOVJUcyPvsPUHqZBIJlBECLngL

RQzCgHrlFcPejcP

De Quan spoke with a hint of sarcasm, “Let’s see what this ‘Jingjing’ is all about…”qPBhbgzDesKPiqgvMonUhtgIponRjW

oMtqhpyGgwIIDxe

“Enough.” The cool, clear voice cut him off.ZDomSzZmhhdmegRQGXUbpkcRjsmtqR

HizyJSHzcJZofcr

Outside the palace, dusk had already settled, deepening into twilight.kmkJtlXBaSGqZYHQokFOTPBzCBiTeF

aEXjZwIQSmxAwym

Li Wuting stood in silence for a few moments, then rose and said, “Prepare the carriage to leave the palace.”rcxrYXFelfGdJHBmLljSyIoMFeHCpo

WIecYdUttmwoGXm

“—Yes!”JwEcvOPYfMIZSicwnUJCaErpoMsXcW

XCsnFhzekoagleN

·tndwOLhHfxhSsxKNJXZROeiaBctMZc

MoatkLTPvcoiNZi

At Ning’s residence.YJmQQtQuODBBhyjUpcmMJmuFBJxlVK

SGRcGUKyKOKMhpM

Ning Rushen held a full page of paper, his breath catching.MCPqulndZvosLUvaLIukIOnYXUAAlR

iIOUsARxqVNQhLw

He hesitated for a long time, trying to maintain a calm voice as he asked, “…What are all these?”hDGkVgrobXiwOPKJfkuWnOLVEqESfF

UyhlUeSfunkfnYE

Yan Min glanced at him, “Jingjing… and the others.”yQxKqNmvWIUINprLLfMRsYuYjEIlkb

SkLBxXpEPnfliXR

Ning Rushen, “………”XtuToMLXReaPeYhxkFjzZXYUwLDLvW

ppVRbFfxFCRGuzY

He took a deep breath, supporting his forehead, “That’s not what I meant. I was asking about…”GomjegViiweaAmwVGOOJEYVfdqLnyV

FFGavOIsQjKtoHJ

“What, these aren’t it?” Yan Min didn’t understand.feaBHQdQCzmVDDBjMqcJgoymbPNtMo

sFpXRDPIHyoJDAR

“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.”ESgRPiknKQzalvAJhleEZfsxYzBbey

jpVIDHAooZNlMNW

“What about the others?”urqsOOIEocfJQGFblFuneeOkmJDmsp

YQiXSwFMXbAYWvk

“None of those either.”bpqefiFJJnnydkAikykWJVPySVQQHY

EHoUUgPsmGYOZRU

Ning Rushen waved his hand, “Leave me alone for a while.”wHciMOJizLmnvDZVsxwmaaayOXwZaj

FbnwqQqhLDeIMfo

Shiyi and Yan Min reluctantly said, “Oh.”XwyzmarIQptIbCTpvuWwnIVtYOPNWw

zPmBbiizDAWtXAQ

After dismissing them, the courtyard fell silent.hHemzItSPpsPJDwXZmBATemvbafCFJ

ljrSYQlCUJGIBGV

Ning Rushen moved a lounge chair to the front of the courtyard and casually placed a lantern beside it.BmipXJWRyrbGQBemiaDdYCArDBBkPp

WPVKClmYRbDZeOv

He reclined on the chair, feeling utterly exhausted.AiZBbUoDTcXrjFWdOghzEsOwRkcuJI

EPDUdPRERfFgStq

What are all these matters?aoBOHoLRDQsZjpQGJUKqSOWlGlmNzV

pDNiVdQKWGELDWq

He had never thought about marriage. That morning, he had simply been poisoned and dreamt about—UixiRfKSYNjpENLNluGlDoZFEHLQpk

LvdWYvSrmPCqogZ

Ning Rushen’s thoughts paused, and the lingering dream reappeared in his mind.QbVEexmZxARgFTMFKSgpiijhacmAUM

aMXbnfcCMfnXcfg

A wave of heat spread from his tailbone.HDLJPVsaZrHcjMJGxBbUXnLutzPFAX

UJxqNoSFxPjJNVk

June’s weather was already hot, and he quickly broke into a thin sweat.wEjyTioQnGiYKuGOaHKEItbWKkhfMy

YqONyioawGMMMqx

The 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.DEssotiQQpqugirUjvlZvFwgjXNmDh

bVnUYkkaoRPjVIL

After putting on his clothes and leaning back, he glanced at the paper in his hand:ZdgdaFuwUPfecGdIRnUcsdmIHRvfYg

BQLDrmsfJhpagEm

He had to admit, Shiyi was quite the professional at gathering information.GBJytYrgTjrdEVcfPBPWkmGNzyWLaQ

XDJVDWVGsgPcpkF

But he had taken professionalism too far—owYnckLSvMWWNQBtKFYjzJuaGsJwuK

OiarypeZMwLliRg

The 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…WwCTBFkDJuHibJClMMqzescRHHcXLl

VpdUAFONzuyphmt

Incredible. Ning Rushen looked further down the list:IhbeLNQQXRIBoQkvmtKxoFLqqRnIrT

LkITWlJCVVhqpkW

Why is even the young daughter of Minister Ji included?sSnFXbaXfsepWhRXOlxAspqLCsLrOg

zKPHoyvLTBhGxlm

He felt dizzy and rubbed his temples with one hand while holding the paper with the other.cYTRQwHhKsFqIwtmkUVbvElXMzrsrs

yGSSyOQRHhcGgOq

The 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.vbXCSHQTyuNsLNkElkJiUWuxWZUFqs

oAjcCxhNvvmjDdx

Frowning and closing his eyes, he appeared languid and weak.brtEvadIXRjZNMfaaNFMgELzpLZyde

UyanjjFduXbAWyd

As Ning Rushen massaged his temples, he faintly heard some movement outside the courtyard, but it was quickly quiet again.wQRrEborPvrCfMmVeYgZKAWeeqRhkM

FoOrwJysTBTcrsS

He didn’t pay much attention and stood up, preparing to put the paper aside.KXXPQVkVkGMdUwPNRqIaKErFxIrUYo

AMPcsDdmPDCrwaK

A shadow flickered in the distance.HWzVEIcYWMjsmDMDgIubLDLzJDArNQ

jMwOIKYudKyPoHe

A figure appeared at the courtyard door, and Ning Rushen looked up to see Li Wuting standing in front of him.jPbmSTUAcGJvjNKfWQxBLDXoJlnQnW

HffwmKFQySYwpdz

Li 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.rGdSPpxlSOSzNBlWJsATVNnmkcdUtq

XkqOJltOhWUxwaM

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he froze, “Your Majesty?”OFBASqecKvQWrqykBqhBlkcRwcheCA

MeIjOiwKfSLNLos

The paper in his hand reflected the light, revealing a full page of names.PiySdIOmKeoHjoTIgxOhiLCFAYAToY

oZqcWYPdbWeWfvw

Li Wuting’s gaze fell upon it, seemingly stunned.VOXzdrKLGfKUyYngBdmfkyNoYXmbyc

kafJlnBtvSCbgrY

The two faced each other in the quiet courtyard for a few seconds.ntAterKbjxvAbXTTfrzReMQfnLTOFB

krXoYQzGlVSxJno

Ning Rushen was about to speak when Li Wuting, with half-closed eyelids and pursed lips, saying lightly：gsxzsrljxfsDJXdCoSwQAQKoJLbeJE

fIRiqfVlAtzhULp

“Isn’t there a bit too many of these Jingjings for Lord Ning?”FsGramgjlcTqwzpXGGfUmvinOWfGPU

FsdslIMQosLmWQy

 hOtQgtabpCnRSINRsvbtfrHNKiBmjd

eFagxYWMFPXEKEW