This official is so weak

Ning Rushen’s head was throbbing intensely! He clenched his cloak tightly, his blood seemingly flowing backward.RNtBELqUfdIsAPwkqaZPEEogTaMaQS

fkAfDkxrGmfqTkq

Li Wuting remained still for several seconds, then turned to see the person next to him with their hair slowly frizzing, and the knuckles gripping the cloak turning red.QSseYLfFsyhQZxKBWcIGBWhdmSmqeC

OTqbvNKedcAZQUf

He was moved and then unable to endure the two voices anymore:QbzPTYczMZHqfyNNoQSpvIDgVQxfCv

lkwlhVVsnpRtAvv

A harsh scolding like thunder struck, causing the figures behind the tent to tremble for a moment. After a quiet two breaths, the two people tumbled out:DWZxtopEIKljooUQjfbWKDFRbBuAtr

UzBkrJKopzqiCgE

Probably not expecting to be caught red-handed, both were in a panic. De Quan was already on the ground, banging his head:HtuiCboNoWRhnxPQqesqblUVVMylte

IPSzwxiuWvgVbkr

“Your Majesty, spare me, I deserve death! I was sleepwalking!”copgfErEzvnMlypEIofiVyHnnXqurG

qeCOyijeBilMlJk

Li Yingtang, frightened and cautious, carefully looked over, his gaze shifting quickly to Ning Rushen— aaSVRNGljPnrDyNMScIwOcpEdnKjFh

rqQMAUKVMHTHCrv

Ning Rushen was hiding behind Li Wuting, still wearing Li Wuting’s cloak, his ears red. The night wind blew, revealing the white undergarment underneath.ZBawllgONAZGTDOckuuWajvWEghSeG

BFXeCzCnueIDCHW

He was once again ignited with a reckless bravery: Oh, oh, oh!upDTueHKCzfDDaIwaoGcMCPGZxUFmM

CZzVUXuKHEJZSKj

“……”HrDhMtcfJyTlLhLylcahVzfvkCNuRD

TiEJiHWEmNldLuT

A cold gaze fell.fpcGQqEEbTEtajJIjtYybPUNUVnneu

uVyrzvfTyeSePBH

Li Yingtang shuddered, and immediately the flames were extinguished. He and De Quan began to wail, showing no sign of “taking the blame”:mINbdjzfEnwUbTZIaTlrgJsdaODFkN

fjcZqxIAbkhVMTK

“Wuwu…”SvtROOMuuZGHzzZcUuOSAciFYzvJeV

OFcmvqnXQSkuaFk

Li Wuting was annoyed by their whining.gXiXAZarROHooxiwuRYidcrPmshhmh

ryMJxrupuIEWDGp

He frowned and said, “Alright, get out of here quickly! Either get back to the tent or get back to Jiangnan.”hvCBJysevXbjlzMhNbPoRUcWdcnbuu

gFgmZXfBotcsDDi

Li Yingtang, having narrowly escaped, hurried away.jSvBpghpkEpYbcAzuWzbvZtrwCrnuV

GTrmoqUEjjsUEqF

De Quan, trying to sneak off, was coldly called out, “With so much energy, then continue to keep watch.”HIaSufVhkubaSwvRRoMHTRytITozHh

dqaqyHTespGTWZb

De Quan was tearful, “Thank you, Your Majesty!”FNrfkWFOeCuTLgFpEarWXztPAGeGkL

ExxmpGPLXcymcof

He then glanced over, “…Now?”AvsyTpJdLQMwrysOdHwkfhsYpDzScU

limhIvzKHpOsOHb

Li Wuting paused, turned and asked, “Are you leaving?”wmdRJpRziYgvOhSQBjTRgiXDQwtdEJ

hltSfRKDLNPHAbF

Ning Rushen, feeling dizzy and hot, took a deep breath and said, “Let’s… let’s go back.”EQcIOKbPxmtJpBcEKwIjmYxJfUhcvx

JqlVkePwBTvhnqo

If he went any further, he feared he might “stay out all night with Li Wuting” or be “wrapped in the cloak and sent back.”XXLQeEoPMBzWYINZsnCVnrKGHrIDbv

aOgGApczvRfiZNf

Li Wuting agreed, “Alright.”rHsBLsBFhUPcGMPrRaHsxyvnnwYFtI

ClBhaKhdSjUiHuu

After a commotion.MqfcVoxzMosaxdugYDufmgLlIyUZmh

YKyyaBscodUOCPr

Ning Rushen’s attention was successfully diverted from the heat.EnANFLZJvXUFefVnBslBjLPIpUGlVc

FgFNdPhvNYHySsq

He returned to the main tent and quickly went to bed.ligJafwbvDXRwpazAMseiuaLkhyPfC

BmLwjIaXhrOmMSn

But just before falling into a muddled sleep, he wondered—ULwYbzZhlaKxfQHvdlBNqCGdixhAUr

pJEXFODODevrgnf

How did he naturally end up pulling Li Wuting’s cloak around himself when he went out?MoxqlvtVOwbziYHUEmICAtspCKfFjX

xFjNFaaEdYJFeJw

…kpfILcAmNDsxigppAOESsRZpZVgocl

DSWhuhWThsKwIDz

The next morning at breakfast.tzsoYfeiHXKrphFYjJRoqXTaRdErsD

DvVhoQUuCOhHBYj

Ning Rushen served himself some food and sat next to Li Wuting as usual.fbkSCQZqgFTWjhoIgDcIdAQxSpsjPh

wEfWJRGbuFgJRWx

Perhaps because of last night’s “plot” being exposed.yYbjBpVhYYANQasPadAZPkLQehXPlI

JBsyOdBguSbvQMk

De Quan was now acting submissive and serving the spoon, while Xuan Wang held a bowl of thick soup and sat opposite the two.qGmhDfFlfGHYPyjmbjsHKdkXSrrVLd

YPimzTEMInUUbHj

He didn’t say much but occasionally made muffled sounds of “Uhm… uhm…!” as he sipped.NRodjcVhUCMXVeiREnFDkrgxYmieGd

TVoXALmMHYTBlcp

Ning Rushen tightened his grip on the bread.KXTiyYHBUnTIndWPGGMbaLpIRwiILS

pIIJJqwZgKkpKgP

—His hands itched; he really wanted to hit someone.HAOjJCLsFdlRaliWroSGQiVaVWqIvg

wvavegVpNMyiRgC

Just then, Li Wuting casually spoke to Huo Mian, “Tonight, bind Xuan Wang to the bed.”EKSDjEmujfFxJCpouPmAqExINqKDHl

kscJyPxjjsEYEDu

Li Yingtang was startled into a hiccup.eEygpldmqizuWPnAdZCbWaTuUzhfUW

NkWRSAQdPQctFxn

Huo Mian first shuddered, then the image of the forcibly inserted novel flashed through his mind! He nearly blurted out:dJfIwzeVvlKPvHdSohXazUTAHSIUzm

nefqhQPTSBxMgtq

Just like how the King treats Ning Lang?KuJEhGMzDLKuzyERzTKbNYsUFVlYFX

rpHXzqSzPWusqpa

After a moment, he calmed himself, “Yes, Your Majesty.”zjWhDkfbVKkzNOJkuysnmisyxSNynu

QvFYHHnSbsoqNGT

Ning Rushen saw his unusual expression and leaned in, “What’s wrong with you?”bSbBvOAFLYXhHnsEHhpBPevGESEiHG

UEPAlEpuSlnsqCF

His clear and bright features suddenly came close.QNbCkpGAwaMTMDWQbHuIscBLYbHEHr

haeKilukwwNYmzj

Huo Mian thought of the slowly opening door to the new world and still hadn’t recovered, waving him away:XaHZGIkYSVKnAUVykOpUqXJBIOsQBU

OMdUOPVMutgmXns

“You, don’t talk to me right now.”lbcgSQdNsotEteaonOfcMEcHOLBslI

pazXopYfwDEXSDn

Ning Rushen: ??? What’s his problem?JIZqYmtSNjiVofmOxewcGdoUKrHvnR

qDMLDPMAwWRkyBK

·eOHAOwsEgAgmGcqLPlhliMwtLaAZUp

siPwzTPTOWHdJlp

After Xuan Wang was ruthlessly punished by Li Wuting, things finally settled down for a few days.XlqQqZvQcVQjfkdlkHJKsHFUNBqsUm

QMUXhbpqtgqbzHr

Ning Rushen returned to the normal world—ASGwrqpYFrwsrxtejLCmhPVGLWmzJD

OWwuzzLPbAmsKWJ

Except for Huo Mian, who occasionally appeared enlightened and clear-headed, as if he had accessed some unknown realm.TWADIOMmQPuZSNtdxoZDiqOIsaIFhc

PvhEFcRZbvJmwBV

Ning Rushen had a gut feeling not to ask too much and simply disregarded it.uPhuOMIHaLwbNHWsZZBJigACGsRfzK

WBOExBiOiSVBXgA

The days passed like this for a few more days.ZJvNwEPAtLqDKPSSnvyTJfajvTevJg

YFnkvWsEFnkamqj

Tonight, before going to bed, Ning Rushen drank two extra cups of water.EsmtxdFHNnVXGxNLjMefExBzHmcwOG

gRJZLflSpdnCIEx

It wasn’t long before he woke up in the night, needing to go to the bathroom.ZYKwIpOIIrtHilAqCLmKjmGEJNrYEr

vlEmxgQKvyUoyHx

The faint light coming through the tent was enough to see the surroundings, and there was a chamber pot under the bed.hiafoaWSuqwMXtdpiOclNctxydkUqH

kFAVIHrUXvCnljA

However, thinking of Li Wuting just a screen away, he felt embarrassed to use it.SWCQauiVakaQPDqSuxaCXRDEmzjiBK

qSUvwChrTcwPFUr

From what he remembered, Li Wuting had not used it either.XMDvDSyNtCGTdHmxLfywbvNwTQhSEB

RxVIKxUUGHBqnsc

Ning Rushen decided to lift the blanket and go outside to use the restroom.ClwcmlSbSkCkYFWAtsNagoMlwCeOPA

vvQBrhIankZpKyY

As soon as he made a sound, he heard Li Wuting’s slightly hoarse voice from behind the screen, as if waking from a light sleep:islJhNxnPZiycweLRgKTZlNUKnmILn

abyFAnZutswXYOM

“What’s wrong?”RNOxtufbWGCIKRIABhdMtFXvEijAJG

GKolYLdZlUYJxGF

“……I need to use the restroom.”NkBenMCZJAGNHHwqzzNwnLxRtRvwNq

AVGyLqsKuOWArWW

There was silence for a few seconds behind the screen.NZEnAnkqdCCNSMSeEpnPAtQtOJBhCi

iUbydoYBGjvOTrU

Li Wuting did not ask why he was going outside but paused and then asked, “Do you need me to accompany you?”JmyjysbhKxqAfZtDRCwGAWfZcXxyid

YkRPwMIApNAsKil

“!” Ning Rushen almost lost his shoes:eIRkRKbPSdpvHtAYrMxcHSmgdQJUaB

rPigJPemUsinFzc

How would he accompany him? They would talk and laugh their way outside, then Li Wuting would wait by the door, and when he came out, they would talk and laugh their way back?XrIdsuWmocwJuisHBhRWiUahjYGTrP

fiwfSbLooEJBVST

He paused and replied, “No need, Your Majesty.”DtWAEoxRyhkCwwYaEqHXYfmxRgmCEI

JqCINfauCDZPKpa

There was a subdued “mm” from behind the screen.CExWXgGWaInaQooeenqyjiiQwfOwkz

diWhtYDjEkAJgCA

Ning Rushen put on his clothes and slippers and went out.DBrlapZKEQbHlyHRwuGbhBkxitbMXD

AgJWphIrUmQdmpc

…sNVWBdeoiMdErlpcehHLfDjjqbRvOW

MEbrczifkBXIjgo

The camp was still lit by three or five torches, and he passed by several patrol soldiers.CsjXcrTBrIgNZajQMVEGLntQmmLoob

oCDaMCVLpNGMKDv

After returning from the restroom, as he walked past Huo Mian’s tent, he suddenly heard a burst of lively laughter from inside:ImWMzeilBHcHMVMfFtoTQGlrRlxFaJ

ZOUlLwhjxnMSlKG

“Ho haha…”cIYfBxvjsodBtPGlBZpyjmetPjKHao

fDGpRNKsPgcUGZn

“Puh uhm uhm…”oalpWHwbYtpGhibDllbRUjhbYvHZUV

BKiWeQOSbtsHFdE

Ning Rushen stopped abruptly and turned his head: ?mMEtPhZCaXONNEYreniEfMmYLiXSYo

fGfoepyKEzybuTD

…Were these two possessed?AHBfBamdKqWfRsJBoJhzbtltlVLBXj

ywfFKMVWHsRMumc

He was so startled by the laughter that his tailbone tingled. He took a deep breath and hurried back to the tent.qgCFPEfhoVVPTKmOmuvCBjzTgRFCVE

PfSLXzPqElTEFBD

Entering the dim tent.AJTDrwPHrOPBKvVbcBzLuyxkchpymy

DejeaZvzAgsbUEI

Ning Rushen seemed to still hear the echoes of the laughter. He stumbled toward the bed and accidentally kicked the screen with a “clang,” “Ouch!”IGVfRvkzInihXwgUyLkXQoZTEaDYJs

LWfCDPYaoGGyItx

He pulled back his foot in pain, supporting himself against the screen.GeQGLFCwXPhMeilJGxSsuldwvdctqe

cEbBAcDCIdgTMSz

Soon, a figure came quickly, grabbing his arm:SAMdDrvjnOJZVbbjbyUNSfcmvQymgS

CKjLGKmArTjaCcj

“What’s wrong?”qFhuDqVqNzkGcsBLEttHRemdVsknPx

KBwMyPRThrBSyyD

In the darkness, the figure’s outline was blurry. He felt a warm breath and the hand supporting him was warm and strong.ThxRrxnapNkRqWPnLMjQzBUOIUHCuP

tzXRXrmTkRGQDyj

Ning Rushen instinctively leaned in and said, “I kicked my foot.”xnYCtweLbexlmSxxenbbDurAciKdJf

yvobIZATEBDrAgo

“……”HdYsUcumwCNfVNGjBNsJhpXAYXFjsu

LVGfLzkZuKjnWuW

The long arm gathered him up and carried him to the bed.PpNYscYzqXOPxeyQRKXTtauUAPGnSC

pNrrzVlwRHvqvUX

The candle was lit, and the light was dim.XcXfpAgZGRivlYtQnuKqGqFAcpYHgc

oAWXfEWLnOVPYJz

Ning Rushen looked up and saw Li Wuting, fully dressed, standing by the side, his narrow waist and broad back visible in the candlelight. Li Wuting lit the lamp and then returned to sit in front of him.fiKxyNHbCqUjcRPwhcgYUjssVMKUNz

FlLMkysvJRYiQOI

Ning Rushen bent his leg, “Your Majesty?”GMRGZjBdKKCYPFkutUVKxwYxgiivNk

afoKdAlDngpEHID

“Don’t move.” Li Wuting lowered his eyes, holding his retracted ankle and pulling it closer, “Let me take a look.”GYVYsmEYzhNIxaUtGWIpPswJTuvBnW

RFqVFkZGqrVLwus

The rarely touched ankle was held by the rough hand.SYiRjoUHJZmYIibEwDikMhSRAntjcI

IGmXIKnfyIQustZ

Ning Rushen shivered sensitively, and the next moment, he found his foot resting on Li Wuting’s thigh.jOXelYPqzDjbBNUWtultbovQLHqDIp

LCJvYJOgNWaVGrQ

The jade-like foot resting on his thigh looked glossy and white in the candlelight, like warm jade. The toes were red from being bumped, with a little blood.WHEKYhuVoAaiXseLdbviPaOXHAPrSZ

wgNLRiiIpxQhCtr

Li Wuting gently rubbed it, “Does it hurt?”bUrlLuINOUDFbYXRkSNQULEbfUTnwW

UmmQGTPYTGKmuCo

Ning Rushen wasn’t in much pain, but he felt feverish all over.SUldmwqAIvNxNnjppXgLQxLnviOoMH

TPYISgBDQiRghmF

He clutched the thin blanket under him, looked at the dragon-like thigh he was resting on, and swallowed before saying:VmDeoDUbzgOgxPDZQrFjUEXTSuzjit

jXeeZbRxQpxPwUr

“Your Majesty, this is not proper.”SnTTyKxPedCnFPuUTxrHMPrvByXTWm

QsRlVCexsCWmnIS

“Ning Qing still knows propriety?” Li Wuting sounded curious.pGcqdyBmhSwOiaJWIyhXbPnadZoRcW

JJdkOJkYepOBwbL

“……” What did that mean? At least he knew more about propriety than Guan Fan.uLJKBhkGVvGyYmHQfrgYXeMjTVUyZw

DMSNPqfNVhNEeZZ

Ning Rushen was observing quietly, but then Li Wuting lowered his gaze and said, “It’s not like you haven’t stepped on my knee before.”BUwLsTZpmJghJCxXUcMgftGvhbPwIU

bEwOEgTsCgpXTPy

The memory of that morning suddenly returned—ALPJLEbJepBvfFTZcjBSYTtJxxHQWC

GTZEDYosKwsNiBI

Ning Rushen immediately curled his toes and hooked Li Wuting’s hand. The other party paused for a moment, then gently pushed his toes away, his voice husky, “Don’t apply too much force.”KREYlswHjjJqkPslSbiXjuZmHQwRuF

rBpWWWCWtTwcprQ

The action was proper and without intimacy.NQhEExCVMnnlAAZCLgeqxgBvZEYyDK

LrijMFwevVnNzvT

But the hand and thigh felt increasingly hot, especially the thigh under his foot, which was tense. Ning Rushen felt as though he was stepping on a hard stone.tLjviXfRKOtOOuvzChdgvTcbkFhHeN

YRaUXEPDLCRcYac

He swallowed lightly, his breath trembling, “It’s fine…”vtioZVolSQIjxiUeveUkYSFtuHMmUA

tqnloIbRqPvzLgd

Li Wuting then released his foot, covered his leg with the blanket, and finally asked, “Why were you so careless?”JBBwfJVIARTJzeOPRhWldzNxYJoQzO

ZqEvGxmRJyUIqoe

Mentioning this, Ning Rushen took a deep breath:JeAPBDZZDGslISaFjSvdmzlCgbHmvX

JwXWvhxrVyLdXwU

“Your Majesty, I think I ran into a night parade of a hundred ghosts.”POtTjYNqRAyJKmnoRGqFuHcYTrmeks

pWbyWsbNROlKTEI

“……What nonsense are you talking about in the middle of the night.”oGkuQSwgdxqirVMbImgUPPnJFLXJkS

yGGKnTeGVXZFcKX

“It’s true.” Ning Rushen briefly described the eerie scene he had encountered in his tent, “It was very strange.”oEjtVTSLimiEUnGXlRIoKfWESKtPnJ

cVTHhwFmwbzdMJj

Li Wuting remained silent for a while.DSsaxSstAOxwfqfgbXktusuntlxwUt

WgzUhUOoyzBveEx

Finally, before getting up, he gently pinched Ning Rushen’s smooth and white toes:ZzDPFKnPuMtxvmzjyBZaXQHQxotOqd

NaKCCWMdIcsRVjb

“I’ll go catch the ghosts for you tomorrow. Go to sleep.”kKQYOzqJkPrmuOuJpsbUINZyQfJDAW

fTVcwEjZKnTJLFg

Li Wuting had no idea what was going on.jMJaWkfgbITUQWKewOOonAAGmivtnt

VeYoiXZkQTaCEQu

When Ning Rushen next saw Huo Mian and Xuan Wang, he found that the two seemed to have calmed down, their tails tucked between their legs.NgvFjTtkwzpEZLPzFtGUGhDPkatvEV

DTLvcWkStwMHcYc

However, they occasionally exchanged glances and shared knowing smiles.vPMwDFUEmgvIYJsxBJGHdHnzaQifwK

nLGnmCSEnciDyLp

“……”GtbLNkwQygBWvpTBUiejKghCkfUCGW

yupjNJPVVSUuhhT

Ning Rushen had no time to be annoyed, as the grain from Xifang arrived at Chang Sui.qgHAckzzhXrvmJbuXntgRSvXbGIuLh

NiDZAuVTkVuBIUA

This time, Zou Mou had something to do, so Ning Rushen took a team of personal guards to inspect the grain outside the city.ciqtvqvTuTzjMnMUsQJbEqgxsJRGYC

asbJIwxeMacelrL

At the city gate, the grain carts were still lined up in a long row.wdyqLJwuAemdxNPoCCYsjrtjZVSVhE

wWoTqVkMsJRZEAr

The grain officer, with a goat beard, stood at the gate and handed him a fish token:cHFJAfimmUpzUHxgYjrWnUEHnXJkDh

axruIlpKfDBKYxt

“I am the grain officer of Xifang.”zyQxQbSjocomtOlUHqTLilDkYCVhXq

YgcSSqFvzpJCZRG

Ning Rushen glanced at it: Dai Wuping.jlNqLraHfdfxtBIDqUsmfgswmqEYPh

HHirfWJaDsoCATB

He acknowledged it and instructed his guards to check and count the grain according to the usual procedure.EwumUpBRZkgzEyISvTJLDGhAnUsNfn

gABWMuRqYjqBwxR

The grain carts entered the city in line, and the guards at the gate poked each cart with long spears— iLNTJQIVLxYExRoGCVRBmKkncIVBAk

zmuLDtwBKeNZxMV

Dai Wuping’s expression darkened, “My lord, what’s this for?”oWTghQJNucUstcvFeXYomnvARzUPvi

hhLHnkQhiFKDWqZ

Ning Rushen replied, “To check for any hidden spies.”KIEMlznHqPmAbBIMkfrnuaCQszJPJc

HhdItXdPunXljZA

Dai Wuping forced a laugh, “Who would be foolish enough to hide among the grain…”solwOHeTAGatWiGHgzQsFRvtdDShBa

nsqhQOYCAYIraFh

“Don’t say any more.” Ning Rushen interrupted, sensing a potential insult to the imperial family.cYkUIaWWamGWOMfAQOaMumBLixCldx

sQCgylMgPbBTjfa

Dai Wuping was puzzled, about to ask something, when a voice suddenly came from the side: “Eh?”HVUIeeUiOBvtbaeaxdQxHqSZzWASKN

AMoAwpyBnNgXaEp

Ning Rushen turned to see one of his guards looking uncertain, “What’s wrong?”KiMhQZNUKaVWfMbkbxDhXJWYsIJJiD

YxFXfoCseeyCqoy

The guard said, “Lord Ning, it feels off when poking.”NcNNVTdTBAhULEcUjeWddoOQXTLqvY

WlxLCKSHoOgWMxU

Ning Rushen’s suspicion was aroused, and he immediately halted the line.NkshHUHTBexmVcbOQMURvUkWZUBtNY

UcCgdBySrmVWdte

The grain carts were overturned on the spot, revealing fine sand and some dampness mixed within the grain.sypAZYAdoxVxhrtFMZTYuAAZxmZJdF

weaTdYvdQuQkbJs

He was immediately shocked and then filled with anger.QsPQBvNMhCqENIFyaqFIQTiVISGQCF

ehvsWgZSGQqDjgA

“Dai Wuping, what’s going on here?”ZqnTsKuxLvFqMjHPJVDXsYlRIqtHUf

aupBYfnpcHOSAPa

“Ah? This…” Dai Wuping, not appearing flustered, came over and pointed, “These are unavoidable residues from the warehouse. It rained on the way, so they’re somewhat damp.”nghXNslFzPxWfIVbcqNsemmyPZxCGK

jYmVYoOwVIAWpkV

“‘Somewhat damp’?”TnSAiYFEwlemYhpBlsarEJuBoRbVEn

bjomianDBxncxtJ

Ning Rushen was infuriated, “Did they swim here?”BNqHFWZZMbpRsfJqFeMZowvRwopegO

qxsJviQSsTSBopZ

Dai Wuping, being a local official, was used to manipulating situations.JkiVSZwPoNjQtPkSevwzWFbkXdFqva

qWmytKYLkmzvZpo

Seeing Ning Rushen as young and seemingly weak, he immediately used the bureaucratic tactics, preemptively accusing:GfzEoYcUiTuEyOAQgUQYdRJskZScrj

KbaMPeAfCmxARrF

“We’ve endured hardship transporting the grain for you, and now we’re met with endless troubles.”nciudjbEBtPOjMiqtzpKhOKcADrcaF

yYvctBbtAOzEfMt

“These are good rice saved from our Xifang. Could it be that you don’t appreciate them and only want the best rice?”kkVBpsXxPNYHJApfHZZvvBWdLBIiMx

JJFOpiBjvibbvVz

He quickly placed the blame on Ning Rushen.nHTtjHjYWhUqfWZetSVJMHNwqGTQjZ

aemyluexmdgIIEV

The atmosphere at the city gate became tense, and nearby guards quickly returned to report to the camp.xBIeZQXDcoWNynkmjCRBfdLQyoRJdH

PviJMoVVMWPEvJQ

…YeFafxKnKwROTJMKEYuXVlrnANvOyM

XNAeXdNzQvIExlk

In the military camp, in the main tent.dyELPjaxZAvndlAyqDfrHlShmitgiP

ivjPSUBmSsmHEPo

Li Wuting, frowning, was arranging the sand table while De Quan stood quietly by his side.JRjbislkzvUUyIujTzAJgRcGWjTDrp

tFfUBtZkpRyLOvj

The tent was filled with a tense silence, and the emperor’s expression was solemn.hNkdfYjlHfuMUWKCGcsEWLqQOhhhnL

lKuIByifQzZwrsc

At this moment, a guard came to report:teWhgBJOxAMwEUiYLfPKYCjIgeQgiw

elQNkbDCQjRcQso

“Your Majesty, something has happened with the grain inspection team outside the city!”VktxYLvQXZPLIgozrMwxydmBrshHWw

WevPFhUGlFKZTAD

Li Wuting’s heart sank, and he called for the guard to come in, “What happened?”AlJMfejMELTsTSbdHKqlDvdoMOSvxi

etZghMHgMEgkhiu

The guard knelt before the emperor and reported the details, “The grain, approximately only sixty percent is usable.”IuPAstbBuzFbuQVAYmtKsJtRMVdkYH

SkJCKgvcnigwOWR

Li Wuting’s brow furrowed in anger.uREwxinEfVIXQaWiRiwxJOGVPpBOVr

nQlbOPLTEYDciTj

He tapped the edge of the sand table with his fingertips, sneering, “These local officials are so far removed, they’ve become petty tyrants. How dare they falsify grain supplies and think they can deceive me!”WExQSeWTYQwpeYMDEOMnxVixZuEHar

ivNzhqtxUXeWeNJ

He paused and asked, “What about him?”OkHfDIdrQCXpSjXQOPlWbCooakgvWS

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The guard understood “him” and quickly clarified, “Lord Ning is arguing his case, but the grain officer refuses to admit it and is making things difficult for Lord Ning!”hYhyiUaNJDQHFilogdkrvTlXGeFAFQ

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De Quan immediately cursed, “They must think Lord Ning is easy to bully! Alas, Lord Ning is so soft and weak…”netcgKDGIFIfIWoOGywrncAunXPmcF

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He spoke while glancing at the angered emperor beside him.GTBCuTVtFunsKcAVefCodxCKhBieeh

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Li Wuting pressed his lips tightly and his chest heaved, “Take me there.”yLTiHvehbmUaPOJGobALYocRYqIdwM

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The guard exclaimed, “Yes, Your Majesty!”OiwPinGEktJSCFkNWDfbpTBhOaKDAL

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A group headed towards the city gate.HYDwkleLCtkpPGAPZnCIuifjamJzzn

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From a distance, they saw a line of grain carts blocked outside the gate, with a crowd gathered around.krwPmZaxCTcgwQlnInZcIVifnqjRgg

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Li Wuting’s gaze was grim as he walked quickly forward.GppmtQqGIXTpzdGTNWTMRPXVSQEdmZ

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As he approached, the scene at the city gate became clear. The sounds ahead caused him to stop abruptly.axLsUlMqomoNGkPTyYkwXwyMtVUmbt

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Ning Rushen was standing behind a group of Dingyuan soldiers, who were holding long spears against the grain officer’s neck:kYvstXxVeBPSZlyxanpyaqTRhExnGu

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“Dare to deliver such poor grain, I’ll skewer you right here!”nlSERoRHNKxTXPJQEgbvYtotPSHsOH

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“And still dare to be rude to Lord Ning, hurry up and apologize!”lDOrkwkHapkjegBzADmvuBXAjAndhW

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Dai Wuping, seeing such ferocious soldiers and the sharp spears pointed at him, was terrified and immediately knelt to beg for mercy:QqCEkqRixumGDEvkDOMJZieSYEdgwB

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“Your Excellency, my apologies, my apologies!”DmJGYhGCmKJaFIDTqSRDAQAeIaCpzG

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Ning Rushen, appearing delicate, covered his ears, “The noise is so loud.”WDgTrdTgDwxNJZTbsLnaDIOpTAFMmF

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The Dingyuan soldier poked again, “Are you trying to scare Lord Ning on purpose?”wqgeslTqTNfpjriwDeeAsflOshyubI

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Dai Wuping quickly knocked his head on the ground, “I did not!”lUUsZlteoSxBIMVwMHYnfsNPVUULRj

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Li Wuting, “………”HsVVhJlRPsNOHgBbYoMPQmOtVXVuHU

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