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.diAWLlFDGWfvlDsjhHBfWomNnlDaSD

vtllzUSBPPayxoP

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

zRxMLmqWgakDPqK

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

rSddLWRphhoppNE

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

dJLjqKTSTnjckfi

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

NbwPexegZRpZjKo

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

JrHNaKeTWXiMkJV

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

gtRuZzggGENaByd

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

PTaKwHHIPARFFQW

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

FulDTTkMGOzsspZ

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.YqFyRDZCmNUbgVXVqtjIMoevhdfrdw

ednhgcQwKXxaryO

He then suppressed his turbulent thoughts and looked around.vPokjRjoVsivbiAbdwNPsHcxWpDllG

jcqezfqTVULsSgA

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

ISJnZjVnvpDWBAs

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.CzSwegOhUcSSpVvuZUpYrNMvptcOgf

mNfNWSfpAfdsnbs

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

UeirgDBosKyoYGG

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

uIlNGpCLFVWECEK

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

gzIvdskZCtiauYP

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…elQBVdDLzFNZyhUVUySWlZakduljqN

wSnFRUwziSXqdzA

Ning Rushen felt suffocated just thinking about it:BiymhFTVDQzcupGSGJetxNFWzJKgAv

lzXImMrwCyGjtsV

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

wFxCQxtQLeJsILm

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

uATAUwCuNRdajIB

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

GqVsuRGhqYoOCpc

…qKaVhDJHwdjCcdQSKHLeohWmGSGcje

ShxxdBPZkZkVELk

After a while, the sounds outside finally stopped.fKQefAEAlSeePhMUigZHdotVzePYgq

zXptiarVxyddteo

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.”GmJAMCDmUvgEDAaZCYAocEQkjcrvFq

EzFaHBfwTGueJfl

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

aRDqgOIGqyPKMiC

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

FYEpisZxditXlqd

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

dPcxQBWBrbaHZRN

De Quan immediately lowered his ears and hurried away.uYIXUyOpsgmfdCKRurisTVDYKlsHKF

YKlHXHBRpRnMiFh

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:lXcHVcPcZUJgESkvMsXokOetDNbXXB

HXEKXVcvjFXFFjb

“You… I’m coming in.”sCndYPUojWvdMvcmAEdVxiDaExPiyR

lgoiPSBEmFQAxyS

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

OCoGHWADHRsAxBT

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

sdOzGOIeivsVHvi

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

pATlYYwiWAkzRKs

Ning Rushen had already put on his outer robe.yPBjaQumUnwuYflucgtmrGWdukcgru

VqBbZCFeNznlZXV

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.gSaHOeeYhTfNczOCgVJBXdMKLOJIYv

rZNoPLaFDbdSBxM

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

sssawoRVJFXkJJd

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

TBCCRHtTipxSVAR

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

SQpFxuNTudebJNj

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

WJNAdpEAnEtyPIm

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:zZQDQHEekUJuGQuzpVvWCCkTSljVpd

sUbCNtdNKrjpPiT

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

wkzBAQjxtpOFdhh

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

AccJzdVplcsdawd

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

FLWkwRdOJNZXOIM

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:duMPWxWUsheazANPITVTAWUcXewejL

ZOQYTPKmNQcGhTD

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

GNFbNKsZrigtjUZ

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

ECYKMXiBvyLjBhz

·ALBRiYNEChCAqXmOntrWaZtfCXSlti

sKRAwloNVfbNTuV

After he left,gYJvqHahVxJyKTJLktBQVeUnXzQmCF

NhbLdqvcgNLstEW

Ning Rushen splashed water and tidied up.NBOynOYWPZRYbJzGZIjORcMCpSVtfj

ImYHllieVZxEGzq

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

jtrwKLTMLtYAyZc

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

beDGmjlFAyrusMz

When he had finished tidying up and went outside,LaFGVeHZlcVoCfurdnOSOFZBRLSLBa

EWinqZXHuIDXalE

He saw Li Wuting sitting outside.dOdwVhchHUGvgWXbDTXHMLCLyTaOyf

ZqINLFIwXaNtIfL

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

oifLhfwgWQOtfOy

“……”JmBQtLxFMvAwZYEmDGwlsplyRRujsk

fmQYkeTNvblRsUz

Has the Duke of Xuan been possessed?VSKDmBVzdVAOvbFYRryxFcEYclniJD

IjRfuAdnMHCWHUn

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

anBOWiACzTziRMR

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

fsZgIMvcvamDDby

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

ZyjETfXTROkbBVZ

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

XpxEgPzpRFUswQR

“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.”cRpCqhFkoEdbJkMXcRuQSmKZgxePZM

wDdePHOZPnoXEGX

Li Wuting tapped his fingers and snorted lightly.zbvrUWFkJLDfHTNRCbGLgjSSNeKiNv

TisLlCXeIiTHBjA

Ning Rushen felt a tightness in his chest:WWmXZlVmyHIuZEpmpLfunyHHcQDTYi

uLvZMOHifSeQCxt

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

LtyoLrQxLiVNrYv

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

pTKdhxgvRMPolvk

Will Li Wuting also be leading the charge?lyOEuuVnEuaowxXvmaYjDBQzpMJUqO

HseSaXQzWrpvvwS

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

eUjaxmKnqJdMBcz

Ning Rushen: ?AwdUmlfAjRwkJskUqlRmQjwOjsKCvr

XdDUSeydezxWVvP

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

sOuubdhMdlpRrUf

“……” Ning Rushen pulled back.TRsIrVRwbLdurTvEBaLQwGVIornoVw

lLDRxyAldClMJVd

“What are you thinking about?”RpNGhhJvTQEbgtnnyBiBKXTPhmCkrs

NSanJRjCkUzFrWL

“I’m just a bit worried.”GngzsGpgEFoOQrWAjJeznURfILPeWU

ynXOlqnfQrqAuwD

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

wUjxtfPOOECFENA

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

ZqSWNuFaavIuzaD

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

CXPjzSYVPBVKnjZ

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

RHwQhVheqygceIy

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

OiKqwxqWJJLHkrF

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.”SLIBiCOsImQtSxwEKPCCByIqQKwhYs

pNdAlTbDhXtCEDG

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

TvhHBnsnoAonCEz

“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.”XHrmcIWeYkvjzUKaxyzCGzcgXHDzVe

FtfzkhJGKYyAmNr

Issued orders before leaving the capital?TGMUBxXIwoRaiVnLeNKckNmhzOnysm

daQHrkPcKolOEnA

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

vOlWAuFaDNGQzIU

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

TNWGSiOVwOJjcKL

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

KypkplLdHJdrSZM

Ning Rushen nodded eagerly.SabjXRBoVCxUmDemcSVNsfZMcUjNtC

iTDebRBmrDTBZdr

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

ywqcxjOCyFbCQfg

He skillfully cupped his ear and leaned in: ?xaYRYjobUgVHNVOPpRXEJMXgVMnFWF

LFsAHAwHaMuwuAk

“……” 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.”xQUekCZiCxbBbLHQQrxiFmRKUNXhXD

BfXMbKNINKzLHkn

Another big secret?OsdxnzPVCdrFsbsaTmVwcjLKjimloO

ViMsQDKKmrmBzlg

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

SwOYBadqmMnDoye

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

qcEUnJwxPlaPodP

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

SwKUJnZxCQouYWd

“Then it’s—”tLHvfjZTpljGOJxsQsmqWkwyJxeIwi

FEWaEapDvVTEZkg

Suddenly, his sensitive earlobe was pinched.qGFJZiwOmldKZLNJqcqyJkXydydAvb

JHEVVuXOAtrJIlG

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.”bOQOVuTvcXVDSoKlykZYUxPsbzaOiN

bOYyizPsFTebeTY

……What?iLEpgwpopWTPiWAnqXHRFFSrreKqtb

TWRqIADKhooyEjw

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

BsBBseNvtuibldo

Ning Rushen swallowed and nodded: hmm.soRIEYlCCHWsuwHeiNgOeLeLoJkPBS

vDzlkQjCcnECQrX

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

LilgAcvPtOKJwBz

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

LVEGkGzhuZkEAXu

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

NiccZmYIdNRQfyY

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

ILkQBVYBcHDoALT

The convoy reached outside Chang Sui City.SKKePsShggNuONMHIDAYQBUzbnTeCt

YWSLmqlpoPZoZFC

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

elcdnqtuDmPhLri

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:RJGrNRcijdtkjKJZSzlEMqemRspUIf

ftvQEeLTlTlldRn

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

vyamkisIxhkdFow

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

FSUnSdOtSoNkCcQ

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

WqNZwPWBoUhHtWX

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

wVZDXsBPrTplgzu

“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.”aymIwyprrhesdKDYTPSssKcMMjQFdZ

hgYBtSjSSwoaKEX

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

SLOQXRdTPeSmeay

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

InEseykpXrlxlHJ

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

ssqnDltiEDIRNVD

The group quickly arrived outside the city.njMiVWLhcWCPAhHDidjFrHAUSOIbXp

PcsWfpfylyPpCRg

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

idgvOiWhBgHcLaP

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

ApsibpGHgpmEBJc

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

qgyLVBcqIstlqei

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

EGqyTDCVHBzzNQo

Ning Rushen nodded, “Got it.”oAvyQlIxKRJkBtjkygRlZBCFaVYbhh

FDjyrQyffpaaKyn

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.FYperbWSsERaFkabZkwphTRHwVuFfQ

pUQLQQDbfRxligQ

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

PTwHSupygwHnmBc

Carts of supplies passed by him one after another.pkQRTiQmXVTAmXdhzkLJNCErJhvVLk

VTeprqQpZcJjwPa

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

VTqzuImdYsyJWOj

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

GwguxfouHlnLjcK

Ning Rushen: ?AocEpHyNydDPRcjulwvsaZCnqnOzEG

cBmRfYLoFUSVYpA

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

DyvnIcGciRuDuad

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

PYgHhhDvXLfKjFq

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

bVwmagwnLBiqTyi

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

xhobEHfHQNKbuQT

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

dQfAxCfRtXEfLne