This official is so weak

Li Wuting turned his head away again, took his clothes and brought them in, draping them over the edge of the bed. Throughout the process, he kept his head turned away, not looking at him even once.iuQuWgZLCXqpPxCNpMPizDcYcDamnD

pHCXGkfvURILqTc

Then he circled around the screen and, lowering his voice, said, “Xuan.”UvIoDKpZNOZAKkopWrfqjupyRuIJlt

DrwJEpIMIcTWkum

As several generals entered the room, De Quan glanced inside.caOLfhCaAkLpspvuHsvJnvHhBPMdtA

bKqjbWgSvBIrXGC

The Emperor was already dressed, loosening his collar slightly, revealing a hint of his reddened neck, and seated himself in the main position.vkxveSrOyRKZlrrUfbVOBIxvnhomMZ

sYaUmvtKbbPJMsg

The outer screen was half-transparent, and no one could be seen behind it.yuzbnlIWJmEwpDEmQMTlZtTTIpXfAx

trOyfXuoYLNVfIi

In the main tent, the generals were gathered around the map and sand table, reporting the latest military intelligence.gjXIDZYaOMfRUhzvuQxIGulLlTtGvL

jtxNnxOSNCMcVRG

Ning Rushen sat behind the screen, unable to recover for a long time.BvGzksXMWLcEmxsLbzMpcLFUsLtupC

xYowbqIzmDSJoFk

His hand, clutching the blanket, trembled slightly: he had ultimately, ultimately still…!YAaTTwBNqDfiNqqKVWrqBgniFfiqsK

nRZWKRJrLZEuDto

Not only had he learned, but he had also been carried and placed on this dragon bed, left here to tidy up.fkBQNxzrwIAJJcxxTswEdEIvpSDgfW

KrpmPYZXDfmEmAM

At this moment, Ning Rushen was covered in hot sweat, several strands of black hair sticking to his neck and falling into his shoulder, the white inner clothes almost soaked through, sticking tightly to his body, his back damp and sticky.WozBfOydKtzozCfvKTAtYeeeWMicxz

VIzAdnUirqwDzrD

He then suppressed his turbulent thoughts and looked around.MihnlEhkYZjRhxhQYdYxlfYfFwTclF

EXsQMNcJjCRGlEP

Li Wuting’s silver armor cloak was hanging to one side.zbzocoDEpmolqklNxrZZbdhlkFQUFR

jfxrrtQJPPHHPQr

Since he had just gotten up, the dragon bed had not been cleaned yet, and the bright yellow bedding still carried residual warmth, with his clothes draped over the side of the bed.pTbGGyEwFMAEXWVZFzntMSJjxHWKEp

mhncyLQLckrOXvs

Ning Rushen reached out and took them, but as soon as he moved: rustling.BlccBUshKWmZtuldNvnfvxssjKiBFn

FQXqhHKjlREJxEf

The screen was not soundproof, and he could clearly hear the voices discussing military matters outside.bfEcaVdpgpzkirurhVtEhekIFGICkg

NAaCwhlxtyvIcfu

He immediately quieted down, feeling that his movements were too loud.RVzPaMGixhIBEGbzRsWXBpIZxjNGIV

JvnkzBUEhmavrbo

Even if it was dirty, it was one thing, but if others discovered him, dirty and collapsed on Li Wuting’s bed early in the morning…EWXkXTlZTMdsrhZeRqcjfqRtzzlLBv

BUeSHspdCxOaXcp

Ning Rushen felt suffocated just thinking about it:mBEaZQedezxLukCzEJRylZNVhfKHPe

SYfNEiZZXMTakdU

It would be better to simply roll him up in horsehide and bury him in the yellow sand.UjctKVHqRRfcVCqlYHQcjQtegAqqPp

qlufSNyprakkGka

He dared not make too much noise and had to carefully pull on the outer garment first.aCaYvSVwRTXOUdeWgwDhkaVOEzpEAU

RjYYDVvbTxpvsDa

He waited quietly for everyone outside to leave before getting up to fetch water and clean up.TFFODbVmEzvDQfuqwVIWIEdqfCANba

NTVnTbXjoUydfnW

…QekfDWtMzoaLEWbfivgwiudDbosUnY

prhvPSAQvPwuxSH

After a while, the sounds outside finally stopped.lyEQHyeDsMyThyKUdVdFrrxSvdZjsd

AOxhgJKBEVJyRAU

The generals left the main tent one after another, and De Quan brought in a basin of water, “Your Majesty, you haven’t had a chance to wash up yet.”AyaxNBrCjzTNqFuDrnFZCQFisiuIwZ

tpemQuIGIFsOYvb

Li Wuting reached out to take it and then hesitated, “Bring in another basin.”ADAPrYfFiZYBVNabBWtylmfeMEbkEL

GtGwENoCObPpMVU

De Quan’s ears perked up, “Hmm??”HpDGHjVUXlpftIIGPLzYJiqsaJHXdR

zPkReLiEVeXonEf

“…” Li Wuting frowned, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up.”USKylkMlpGVnIuRzichFeegRckReUC

npkIHWsUlMTvXKH

De Quan immediately lowered his ears and hurried away.zGPBHFlkJoOkJKxVTpcNoriBdybYAn

XCbOWdpeJrsLmDI

The clean water was in a copper basin. Li Wuting carried the water around to the back, and as he approached the screen, he stopped when he heard a rustling sound behind it:deXfPKILPyvQfhAQEsacjGNhmnXPxH

qzqiRDCzGJFLOKo

“You… I’m coming in.”ZBLqCjCjnufCEHuUzRZUqMgLANtEKa

IwtJYlOYyqgAqhI

After a moment of silence, a soft “mm” was heard.fYbOtSBWzUdHURrGyhQfMUubNTSGcS

pNZYrxeiqulffQJ

Li Wuting took a deep breath and stepped around the screen.WVilyWyNxnIkeHHimLAzyRHzdzmUwz

LMuBgpHkdCAQbqB

His tall figure moved past the screen, and the light from behind caused a slight sway, revealing the scene in front of him.vuhYPrVqqwPWBhDAThmvTMtRAaoPVC

gTNXpajmXyiOXZI

Ning Rushen had already put on his outer robe.jTSYGWgJErUnMvMPRqBjBKEebLusSb

ZBRBegHWmWotTHo

Probably because it was difficult to clean up, he was still sitting on the bed holding the quilt, not getting up. The hem of his robe revealed a bit of his knee, resting on the messy, bright yellow dragon bed.IVpeojgXkauwPKGZCmZZfMHcyxcAnY

cbozGCeuCUKgEqP

Li Wuting’s fingers twitched, and he dared not look more.VkDcZvZZhkqGWKrqdLqzcnwypqEPfR

fsSpUGPCfOCVxrC

He turned to place the basin at the end of the bed and asked in a hoarse voice, “Do you need anything else?”mYltYNkluNybgfCwVgHylOHmJEocok

qvlkxmyIsKOUxRZ

Ning Rushen’s voice was ethereal, “Do you have arsenic?”JMidiCzfQWAayIKRxvkaGNmVsbtYJm

iwBbYrXuwdHZZgG

“…” Li Wuting said, “What are you babbling about?”tZthAahVASfkoWvWjQJbenvKYCmhdZ

ZxpHcUrQGDLKOgP

He finally turned his head to look. Ning Rushen’s face was still red, and he looked dazed. After a moment of silence, he went over and cupped Ning Rushen’s face, rubbing it with some force:YvevsjuDMrROVVomDCvVyRozcVPNrO

QzoMuNXWameJWwe

“What’s the big deal?” Li Wuting said softly, lowering his eyes.EEgwkynxXCbqeBsMtOcsZFzKuvNXKF

nbWXCfbwmcMZJWP

His rough palm scraped across Ning Rushen’s cheek.vuflSMGCQnobGGHrfLCKZZmSEZGIAG

LkkTwChCjjlUyEb

Ning Rushen gasped and was instantly jolted back to his senses: “Mmm mmm!”rydOkIBFwyUTyhdspBpAmosIIHKlLL

AepDiGzoMbHWfsf

After coming back to his senses, he hugged the quilt and saw the tall figure standing at the bed. Instinctively, he pulled back his knees and quickly gestured for him to leave:uuCxyrDMkSDmoBKlqINxRBbteNQbkZ

VpAgJepOssoUlkI

“You… Your Majesty, please go outside first.”uyzqtwKIpjCEPLjrBfzwNRNnZSFXfP

KiKjxBiAHwLxiXc

Li Wuting withdrew his hand, watched him breathe out a sigh, and turned to leave.WYEQkBNAhGhJnDsDxXeYjKxONWhXex

hEVbcwwhkgIGAMx

·xdDwYwTqeqFtHfvBqNhccLxitKvqpl

euuOIcJhXwTrTBR

After he left,CoWudHkZJXmQELKCHwJsbVEvMHEHLj

MNHujYyyqCkTvgn

Ning Rushen splashed water and tidied up.IYMenfyCrxDnxEGtEoEuqLwUhFntZr

UweBLRfWGbcLDzB

He got dressed, turned to see his quilt and the clothes he had changed out of still piled on the dragon bed—KeHsGOjtrrjxsPVZfiRPkHfjfGRaEt

iOoSoNSmIXyPQpT

He quickly gathered them all and carried them back to his own bed.efGLqJlDRcpKPsFWGOPafHjEdsLeTj

nAWPzmOPAOuoLSC

When he had finished tidying up and went outside,NfVegbcWQksyhjQasRMFmXCpaKVXPl

XgEwtxfIBmaoUuK

He saw Li Wuting sitting outside.ilJtdIBhMBZLVJefmBwKEthiXtZZwU

LkNdCpfteEHnnVM

Breakfast time had already passed, and Dequan brought some flatbreads and jerky. Seeing him come out from behind the screen, he immediately grinned: “Hehehe…”XPcnwdobZWQVedvbMlfGLjYrDFRLuB

VuDuNdERBpTZMAQ

“……”wlBoLHKAwdiWMVXfUAzaXIdgXKgPUx

phcdClgsZFdnxmD

Has the Duke of Xuan been possessed?AApacZDubThCYlQpumVUXGHTlXEfqY

NZyMBLtNsJsIavp

Ning Rushen felt his scalp tingle from the grin and turned his head away, sitting down next to Li Wuting.CunPyggVKQEbdncsQZhinQEQTXiEuy

xquoPspKSnatAva

Li Wuting pushed the meat pie towards him, “Have some.”LWIhKrSWPCBeiLLMBzPepTBmmqmQGm

FgXTvZzWcGPBkCa

“Yes.” He forced himself not to think about the morning’s events and shifted the topic to the military information he had heard earlier:nPXdBCOXRKEJTJKStbQtkliZjwmXeb

aqCycqwnDyrlDaY

“Your Majesty, what’s happening with the Northern Di?”lsNPevcqvayWsILtJrAMJgFibbBhfX

TtxFzNSaMkVpWaB

“He Ku Wang has gathered all his forces and is heading towards Longyuan Pass. He has also allied with the Wuxian and Gan Ta tribes, marching south in a major offensive.”ESyWihfwHhjbNexvfZreQsUNRjESJI

UtoSTNWjTopCvwI

Li Wuting tapped his fingers and snorted lightly.gfkVgRtDZFKHvMzYvtOIkjLwPDQwKy

TuYBJOpzYSCUzNu

Ning Rushen felt a tightness in his chest:SMRGPBbKrDnYVyVKWTcimyXARBEDGA

EzpWtCfKDmAORlv

So far, the skirmishes have been small-scale attacks and defenses, not involving a full-scale battle.pkGHWfEzUndtsjMkhaLncFHFEYnRvH

DfXoOAFGafvgVYv

But if it continues like this, a major war might be imminent…VGcqUAwzzfFLlwBtwAsYZScuWMAYdD

nQxtZDZSAUsAIDB

Will Li Wuting also be leading the charge?gDHUYNzgTcyVCfBZrTLfkqckUwTQAA

zpXeMOVklitJbnm

As he pondered, he absently chewed on the jerky. Suddenly, a large hand reached out and closed his jaw.ggcwNJHxfLkZobcAqnJVkfSOUWAyRo

vMxlDBNPWqOmbJR

Ning Rushen: ?RXOOaOgrAPYCLJlIEveWtTQIREXTVV

SZWKkvcMteDgatl

Li Wuting said gently, “Ning Qing, your precious food is about to fall.”OsFULVncjJYOgWHYLuNLAfiyOKkIaY

OlGpbTtpECYFGrJ

“……” Ning Rushen pulled back.yqzYHYAggNGeAdIOyFpWeyZuslgCEA

qVIAeZNXNcHTBkH

“What are you thinking about?”udMwkDpTiEGhZiNUBIjbKKIsIKZKeV

JXbHuZdzZcSwgCR

“I’m just a bit worried.”lBOpsPRfVqoZsPFMDfPSyhZmvsUNhK

UYZdicyzVSpqsFK

There was a brief silence, “Worried about the war?”kYVDASYNxxaIvJzWNVrfmEKZTOzRfw

tyCFUplaAnUghcx

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.jpXSeXaGFQcLMZDUtDfgojucKZTnPX

TxTIotoacvoDWxD

Meeting Li Wuting’s calm gaze, he hesitated for a moment, and his emotions were suddenly magnified:IImXaOMgkeIFKilOryQHTgHDkJaeEG

MEkhhpOMICSKtZi

“…I’m also worried about Your Majesty.”IpXydUfxEHpklUiQzcxYQiJQYblNMF

DlwZNLVDKwlvhRH

Li Wuting’s breathing seemed to have been disrupted, “Hmm.”BojrWOogMyRqhiLngdhaqjuCCbcCJG

nxAAyOVEosKPQmY

He then calmed himself and said, “Don’t worry. The Northern Di is not solid internally, and the remaining tribes like Wuxian and Gan Ta have their own agendas. When the time comes, they will naturally fall apart. The victory of the Great Cheng is only a matter of time.”qHNtOVfefUpUoXOGiZvuObFKChoyoB

xGhGuenvVKyFNBt

Only a matter of time. Ning Rushen asked, “Is there enough food and supplies for the army?”fhzBSLLBcZHMlcBtzDHNgnBZdRytcx

pFUwAfWWkuFbNeu

“Before leaving the capital, I issued orders to procure supplies from other places. One batch is coming from Jiangnan and another from Xifang. They should arrive at the army soon.”iywPAxaxwsdolIyHRWsvIsBznmqyws

TWSRYeQnKTVyvLN

Issued orders before leaving the capital?qGRKNcPDqsbkHaKBMYnuSzRZiCcOHz

RdEMqFBRefLcGpT

Did Li Wuting anticipate a food shortage in the northern frontier?PkHptJvqEvsfcCMVCqKWXPaLiSmKyS

cnWvdwaQLiQecZL

Ning Rushen was puzzled, “How did Your Majesty know?”iBUTCbEsnIhQohwzIDxWdcDDAIklng

lUQvVmOpNnOVIEf

“朕…” Li Wuting’s voice trailed off, and he looked at him with a half-smile, “Would you like to know?”gGYaEyhYGVLHATKgcrEcnGvtVeARjN

ADAMfgiZqBtMiMG

Ning Rushen nodded eagerly.KHPqVgcbHXOxZDVbzSUglgVWSVBlCg

OUvIvuPzsdKzZhc

Li Wuting then pointed at him, “Come closer.”zXpzTLyCcNaQwnIfKxOdMTAoYWkKwS

TmGSJzEPPzbrpMj

He skillfully cupped his ear and leaned in: ?fEIwFbexzrVKbnQGdijZkLOShmspKc

OUGbTNsTeGexgzW

“……” Li Wuting observed for a moment, then moved his hand away. Once Ning Rushen’s ear warmed up, he whispered with a smirk, “This is my biggest secret, not something easily shared.”IizorOxICxWUWJJcWzPEkVOZTYVZPs

pHzpdejqwwDEcUJ

Another big secret?ZckrNryKRLfVDSSHuhSMcOnUdtTKwL

xyrEBdiLsmjyisV

Ning Rushen was anxious, “Then how should I learn about it?”hviLnEcxxeFdfjPBZZgaxCfPHCpJnJ

WJmEUcjpfXDnloh

There was a brief silence, followed by a warm breath:ojtvZKfNXNRgYaftKtNEDmDBbjhiqP

ZQyMGxDFwZwdrbf

“If Ning Qing wants to know, it doesn’t have to be so complicated.”seByNjtnFEnhatURFlCTjWgnIPCtqJ

UMkEfpUeTqLnzPC

“Then it’s—”cNgjuqanigpxIAfipCgcDYQFfgOGIH

QILpPEmMRvxxoEq

Suddenly, his sensitive earlobe was pinched.liehQrFGqbovuXfjKjQYcoPUobaCUh

mRNwGmYlEwOFvbm

Ning Rushen flinched and turned his head in surprise, his ears turning red. Up close, Li Wuting looked at him with a serious gaze, “Just… nod.”hXsjcEbOxhexbRathIHOIxAkoTQOes

aTKsFsAKJJDthqM

……What?UbiRnOBrJWqBaoZVOqQTAKmAAQCmfX

VyVDjExfdBgvhgT

His heart raced, feeling as if something was veiled in mist, faintly revealing the landscape.HGNMImUltpogTXVSNpGiZXFKFMiPbh

VHhdvdkAZvphBBo

Ning Rushen swallowed and nodded: hmm.aAkpCbDAOLBPBMHFLjNxUhHrHEBris

ezHKchiOJImCVbX

His jaw was then held by a hand, “Not right now.”CbVcaeOYNdfWWSCdTWWdWKmmLAoyse

YHTMoTBHOsqDGHb

After saying this, Li Wuting released his grip, patted his dazed head, and stood up:WOMviYHCVfkhlHOTggdQrPDvvkyLwU

XVSIZKKOTgVgrcl

“Finish your meal, then let’s take a walk in the camp.”nCcyzEihJjiYAcYXxctYWvePEQTgxy

tVMAefyiaxXEAWS

Two days later, the supplies Li Wuting had mentioned indeed arrived.KuYgoacsYTqhUUxZrgveHcqSVSGOOF

ujNMfdVuQhfunKz

The convoy reached outside Chang Sui City.BuAjYbILlKYuuHLaXXXuoCQWHigOPr

PuVeAtOhyyiNtbM

The garrison outside the city reported in, asking the army to send people for inspection.oHzHbAQYDCQTGxKjQrmHhZeKweYHtQ

OPIvlqVcAoKgICS

Military officer Zou Mou, who was in charge of the inspection, had a team of soldiers with him. Upon seeing Ning Rushen approaching from the main tent, his eyes lit up and he immediately grabbed him:oeOSOuxVScigUMagNdDmsouLsWEqFg

rtxEWVXMZHvXagy

“Lord Ning! You’re just in time. Aren’t you the supervising general? Let’s go outside the city to inspect the supplies together.”NpomlrNzidbWxqVvBgDeBcmYRmYGOC

rweVJEAkUyCSjQd

Ning Rushen glanced around, “Does inspecting supplies require this many people?”eXJqSMrNzcTrDRcnsiZFAEjuvefmDq

cGlsThQHlDJhYqR

It felt like they were about to rob the supplies.SOsLqVewOJVTLcYXtbmvPwdzppysPe

EWzrIMDDxTmHtiw

“Of course!” Zou Mou dragged him along:nMnZQsHBfGeVcsNuizldSwMvcQlfVC

zwfxdZwBAxktadI

“The reason the supply carts are stopped outside the city gate is that they need to be inspected before entering the city. Especially in times like these, we must guard against Northern Di spies sneaking into the city.”LHBiVBWRgpVjgmxJKBdxmylDoaVEyZ

XAVvXIkyrEukcMT

“Every cart of supplies must be thoroughly inspected. We need to poke around with that big spear!”kvDCbJzdCgNieHwayyWEHOfalLlHzX

RUHbQIBbNQseaVO

When he said “poke,” he clenched his fists tightly.LpsOSglzxndQIcKRYkfrlZCpOVkSrR

bjfOabocVFGYorm

Ning Rushen, alarmed, glanced at him and said, “Alright.”hVbXAHKtewWIpfBXysfaBceQEAWEir

ytdVDtApAcDIPRG

The group quickly arrived outside the city.pvnWJrzuxAvnDfcGcLbIjUsrVzdjjw

nYXZtsCJSOKpvFK

The convoy of supplies was vast, with carts filled with grain lined up in a long row waiting for inspection.ssmEMBgsbnQXnhHehfdbxZYKvszZyo

NYvmmEoSKWhmVKL

The supply officer was waiting with a fish-shaped token outside the city gate.GBunISALCVGAelQhnkGcdvlpeTvZmX

OSkXOplIlPuuNRG

Zou Mou waved for the soldiers to take over the inspection at the gate, then handed Ning Rushen some paper and a pen:NwTmOZkgyReeQHFdzDNiyZiGvaJwFD

MSokPKCSDVLFFri

“Lord Ning, you’ll be responsible for counting the supplies over there.”DNeyEjSpuejGiQeSFrjvQkUGnYDTog

YvCglmNMqAWTLsk

Ning Rushen nodded, “Got it.”lLezumGTXfABGKpznwXvLgvfWgaPHR

pwaYncugTfpljio

The initial inspection only required counting the number of supply carts. A more detailed check for spoiled or mixed-in sand would be done once the supplies were brought into the camp.cFCIyJSAotgSNOAGhYCyfDCerKAssv

qRcDUbeVETnJknC

It was noon, and the carts of supplies were glowing golden in the bright sunlight.rSXfEkBGNUvydbtedgBAyyOzNpklYA

ynhTFzJQCBIYYzq

Carts of supplies passed by him one after another.vOmcgfCGNUwaYLOCvdgXqfrBcGBfTL

DIirDsaFJKxMkCh

As Ning Rushen squinted in the sun, counting the carts, he suddenly heard a familiar sigh drifting by:gZNKqYQDfhQdgxBDgXCCQzhcRyOABd

HwomOrtUWVZRWfL

“The land of the northern frontier is so vast…”PuBmoRobYixYvyQaGXYrYQGilLVMrC

JsuAxNqJMjvTsQe

Ning Rushen: ?QxaVSfoITHeuYmxerBqvjgyXfkAoTr

IzPxQmrekQZgUWu

He looked up and saw, among the supplies just moved, a pair of bright eyes peeking out from beneath a pile of straw.dYUrrKIMiOHOcxmMpVwiKYIfJSIiZo

LliRgKcHzsMVFdq

The Duke of Xuan had a strand of straw hanging from his forehead.DOvKVRPvhuaxvPCtHlTtuaBaqdTodb

iUuTarCBMGUIMzn

After sighing, he seemed to sense something and turned his head, meeting Ning Rushen’s gaze: “……”PNzqrXwZbUVbPzkbLxiqcKwbghRwPD

RUHZehEVEPTWZbD

They locked eyes, and the Duke of Xuan casually said, “Hey.”wwxpTPHbyAVJbksOGUjEOiAHNlaxxa

xFPvIUNSTQlXfGb

Ning Rushen looked at the long spear less than three carts away from him, his eyes trembling violently.XRqXQpzZLmsSBRIFtbXpNKlcLeyrOD

MCqtEJoUyUBSTbl