This official is so weak

Seeing that no one had noticed the Emperor’s arrival, Dequan immediately issued a warning grunt: “Hng!”FZocdtoCSwCinkMxVBNtMXXipBmSog

duixZbhsNOpMsIb

A group of personal guards turned their heads upon hearing the sound and saw Li Wuting, dressed in a dark robe, standing not far away. They immediately put away their long spears.fnyarqKykGzBjxUSjXiLMBObcbPUzd

WLtfhPNhwhTFjvJ

Dai Wuping, not caring about anything else, began to cry as if seeing a savior, “Your Majesty! Help—”HgPwWvaiENMgOSyNcsGgJVtwEylHjM

HsIYoWWgLhaLJrQ

Ning Rushen momentarily envisioned a thief being beaten up during a home robbery and calling for help from the police.rngEbCdJKBWpbwjygwbKzSHrMPgaTu

cLvrgCCIsnFQVQx

Li Wuting’s gaze lingered on him for two breaths before he walked over and stopped in front of everyone.tCpjblSDZQakzEkTWBnOjrgzNqnUbD

OKrNzojGhnYuSPN

Before Dai Wuping could speak, Li Wuting turned and grabbed a handful of rice from the grain cart. The rice mixed with fine sand slipped through his fingers as he looked down without speaking.YomNOqUqVcsGTSfLeFgiFsJzSfnimd

OJSsJEeJpeFyrrM

Dai Wuping, lying on the ground, was trembling with fear. It was the first time he saw the new Emperor and found him to be completely different from what he had imagined.QYJusswhNFXveSiuCLARFTtqMQEgKe

OhgFmHxKRRamBdh

“Your Majesty, this sand is from the warehouse. The situation was urgent and we didn’t have time to sift it. We set out overnight, faced many dangers along the way, and the rain made things damp…”tnPRUmWMpJHbSitmhVWYXshzLgfJDs

OowrqEKvGejDPwO

A cold laugh suddenly fell from above:spsqBiQZOXiKhZaMRKqziCMhUBGitF

zLswiDlaNVULgqn

“Dangers along the way, damp from rain?”tHVkBhuNEipTyRZDSAFkwVKLJxZWnj

dOUFYJCeknjPton

Li Wuting finally turned his head, a hint of coldness in his eyes, “Do you want to see what kind of grain Prince Xuan sent?”pZNTBIFJMgRROXjehFwLWUHZqlEtoH

MuezsMvIfqnwGTb

Dai Wuping broke out in a cold sweat, opening his mouth in shock and silence.fSeeOQUuUCTsHYQbNeXhOcqDbqfuAC

ZwpJHtLqvGcvOHm

Li Wuting said淡淡, “Take him away.”eTcRzcmvmPnqzvsaecvjzgGVsyoKMb

MAMqKUfhzEoLXcE

Two personal guards immediately stepped forward and dragged him away.dWPwUBqOnKdxFMBSXhehZuBUnDYHRm

OSeVIAEoeUfclvo

Dai Wuping, panic-stricken, finally came to his senses after being dragged about ten meters and shouted, “Your Majesty, spare my life! I’m just in charge of transporting the grain, I’m the governor! I’m the governor—”NgiTsyiaiCxnCvpXvCLoEGdbRgMxHh

pwfIVyRGSwYQepq

The voice quickly faded away behind the city gate.nCJKdiPAldUeQJPeMnDOuAjRenJikZ

JmqHwFoEttgWbXa

Li Wuting instructed that the grain cart be brought into the camp for inspection, and the Dingyuan Army immediately got busy.jdeRLQTqefTeAQXYrJrEGWaUieWSdx

KnVxAnzqYmcbtHy

The surrounding personal guards dispersed.LGAZciMHkugTotnjvqzhYtRWjlDiBe

DRywSQhHVVjqWXT

Only Ning Rushen and Li Wuting remained in the area.LkzrFHHtxQLtSeYiYzAoFqQrtnDygk

tuSnzhXZRtzWoxU

Li Wuting still stood to the side, not leaving or speaking. Ning Rushen glanced over and quietly approached:VdduNrvPKRBcgTFYoVwgKLFqIaBuar

kIVaBRUOBRazJpq

“Your Majesty, why did you come personally?”SfWKYDUcXafOeGXRkjVCbUpyqlOWin

spbbcRrBkUADAnI

Li Wuting pursed his lips slightly, seemingly casually saying, “Am I, perhaps, a bit redundant?”OhvdvydAaErxrOBsxSOIQxfKoeuFgk

NimxjACUDRFHsos

Ning Rushen, “?”XHjrDdwLhOuqgODFCKteOimIJfRyPc

ktEuylQqhPXvlfd

He looked at the slightly tense jaw of the other.rovJmDtMzHRqLbgmCrPQLyDxUSOdQG

ODUtFsVxghDARdk

The Adam’s apple moving on his side wasn’t entirely indifferent.yjGibiRUPDGMXHDDJqTHDVKUROsGyk

JGnUWsdUKeezvES

“……”zHcvnWWneKLGjIEFhpPbMatseoOoBl

TIxOGPFSzIxQSyu

Could it be that Li Wuting came specially to support him?GqBdNZkfFjcTQBwuNLPJBXdpXCFjPT

ZJJeCYZSwFftkrm

Ning Rushen suddenly felt a novel sensation: his heart felt like it had been soaked in syrup, with a hint of happiness.yMPttVAckdFjMsEmnbuMfrDWiOsXBY

WSpnJLiQMkZrUha

He looked at Li Wuting’s handsome profile.mEvNPkHbtNBoxoBnpAZUDydcZoWDSF

PIPosCexWpltGlF

After a pause, he turned his head and said, “Your Majesty arrived just in time. But if I acted first and reported later and had him tied up, would it be reported against me?”HTwruyxuNVbBmEhArifPBQVGqeecpO

ZLkjKaaDOvwJEjx

Li Wuting’s tense jaw relaxed a bit, then he lightly pressed his lips down, “It’s fine, with me here.”hvqEaJgVRjIdmYZqwRkRZqMlMWGBBT

uWgtHFWWaCjNjCB

Ning Rushen also pressed his lips down, “Oh.”cTraxOoXIMbXDgIfdjKaAGZMDOQrte

ayUEPOFCPtMHxwc

Not far away, Dequan, after finishing his sweeping and turning around, saw Li Wuting’s expression:dlLjmxLeVVNeYzeHabIGHqnPkrVwmY

IOMcoQjKRIHTaGY

Oh, the Emperor is actually happy again.BUOfuLMvnJHVvtMZipQbDUjoKKYknI

jfYMOeoUMWAYPxR

Xifang had been falsifying grain supplies.ZbabjgSvrJyEeDEcYjYsdUbduqMbQN

RESHsgxPAkQQELt

From the grain transport officials to the governor of Xifang, all involved officials were held accountable. The Emperor’s order was issued directly from the border and was handled by the Imperial Guards, directly under the Emperor.mJBqoLcSZpTNjPScWEgfyTzhWygNbM

yuNTWcvkSasVlcK

Xifang was undergoing a swift and severe rectification.tZumrNDVPtKQfAxHKijolFnFcddrDE

WJTBhixynyoQAzO

The aim was to uproot the lingering corruption from the previous emperor’s era.tiXlvjeKixaaByvLyMAjmXQoAhRlUQ

MjhPksCGxsWEigR

For the missing grain supplies, Li Wuting ordered a replenishment from Beian, as close as possible.DYKqKyiTfdgJqdfiOSLatRHaoYCRKc

vlctgmMArVMvYBP

That night, Ning Rushen sat on the edge of the bed, “From Beian?”IzlzVHZVbenCoLRYJCZWifPwnmiXtY

iOkbAUStommqhfL

He had just finished bathing, and Li Wuting was standing in front of him, watching him dry his hair.qRGpgVCcILtagCXRbrRHzHjXwbZCXL

HaDwPusAnmSEEAn

He was rubbing his hair, “Is it so urgent?”FGapWGZFMcoqxitBQFMZdeTTtoiexd

uyZcNnACtUtnOSH

Li Wuting observed him rubbing his hair messily, his knuckles moving slightly, “Yes, the troops haven’t moved yet, but the grain supplies should be prepared first. A major battle could break out at any time, so the earlier the grain is transported, the better.”HJZnAELeGEOdJNjAXVqAcIIOfTOjHa

zWYTaAABqxPptcS

“So, what are we waiting for now?”IYvGxGkPtFawWSkuficAsyuyPNtYdA

vEsoyHbpQmCBQMf

“Waiting to see who will lose their composure first.”kQmFBXhppGunvgbvCaPEoGIrRqWmWp

tKbTTubcKklUdwM

“Hmm.” Ning Rushen thought about the recent various conflicts, feeling a bit anxious, and was momentarily distracted.elWAMejjKEvaMEiJFTkgPdpzZulTFd

cYukNPNEAAALKeQ

Suddenly, his hair was pulled away from his hands.SZpavrkvzgShrSljRaWZlgOFZrkyQk

zKtUHSNQbPqioTE

He looked up and saw Li Wuting holding a clump of his tangled hair, asking, “What are you wiping off?”QhMmEuMHyOfznfrLJkLWJcCwpqbNBA

yLAtidOIltFyvip

“…” Ning Rushen awkwardly pulled it back, “A kind of attitude.”zZglYiJCErrGrstGMAHStQgxfFcinC

OZZXSuBOndoxqUD

Li Wuting was silent for a moment, then took a handkerchief and rubbed his hair, making it fluffy and dry:JtuWAjbudaJHWDsRCEOkbiAJptHIkB

CDmcoyLjnSIECdM

“Alright, get some sleep.”ptLExaoKzPedfDCaEjvZgJtyvoQexo

nsMQpRCQTtIEKBT

Ning Rushen felt like he was getting used to being rubbed.uSQoMhTjWDKOpKHqyucPnVnDRbmqdz

MMGIREydnsuZqmI

He gathered his dried hair, sighed, and settled back into bed, “Your Majesty, good night.”KhBGGZMaMiDihITHYGqRtFsKZDwBuX

QvpXYTFTtaPlfiF

The candlelight was soon extinguished, “Good night.”bQieBIDKRxlayLMBXmgsRMWYlkkjJi

opCkUYuWwHcGYaB

…Perhaps it was from the earlier confrontation with Dai Wuping.SDXVKByHOMKxEsoSbJKMFtdApxYCjE

KzHrTTQhoYuWUPe

Ning Rushen fell asleep quickly after lying down.ZQimogeGFlEsJQHhbaWFjNYOcOPPdY

qkUPcRGMfNVIMHO

Moonlight filtered into the quiet tent, and a dream had just begun to form when it was abruptly shattered by the sound of galloping hooves racing into the camp—CSjNcYAoBfzrmZZIKRUUvVjHCBsOpS

KZIqfQpCHkBLaWx

“Enemy attack twelve miles out! Enemy attack!!!”vhTKsiXEjrxGLvhajUSlkpRqmScXmS

WbODxICfQNCQAyI

Suddenly, the camp was brightly lit.BaMObOYdHkWksiZbMXgLAoIjtiIaTo

qvdjtBmzoshEOVf

Ning Rushen woke up from his dream: Enemy attack!?XdbuiRygRBPwHCbBTMmwGocTKzhMmB

ZsminbZvDtHgVSV

As he propped himself up, he saw Li Wuting already in armor, holding a sword, quickly stepping around the screen.VydKaZkzccrdnglJGGZenYbxibPpbc

fXWwvIMiIfIHGIe

The silver armor reflected a sharp cold light.rJyZzpuFQoJSoOQXIEBSSwftIVXMUY

VtgONECRGPJECap

He threw off the covers, his heart racing, “Your Majesty!”TmvsSjBuuBoGOMIgUrcIikcjHaSlvD

iwJaqncbzBeWudW

This was the first night attack from the Northern Di, coming swiftly and fiercely.NRrXdvmkNHBfjHpqrIOEXfOHuEAYfp

uKbpsdqNGVmzhmA

Li Wuting’s steps slightly faltered, then his sword hand tightened, his breathing quickened for two seconds, and he placed his palm on Ning Rushen’s neck:XlLFwtTyezSoipBXhMvwfgBMoiUmrK

EhWFSNYWTgkpOkQ

“Stay here and wait for me to return.”PwZKvDempxeJhKFiGtFIXqcyZcKabm

nxeWGErVjVnNDJW

After speaking, he lightly touched Ning Rushen’s neck, then turned and swiftly left.UbrvzEQVCCwwlFtNeZTSlXtpvoVbpu

MragidpBwongYrI

Ning Rushen felt the area he had been touched warming up. He put on his outer robe and followed him out.luQmsHLJjuZjUurexTRKbrBsRhzbBi

goKYmqgqJRwrpEJ

Outside the tent, the troops had quickly organized.RbfgWmhhhXPGyYtpcqAvjIAbFBlWTj

aAvAOjIYsPfSBxU

Li Wuting, Huo Mian, and other generals gave their orders, mounted their horses, and immediately headed towards the twelve-mile mark—QWaMZQpiURYmYCRQwATpRICkLnNrCj

xwRmQtqJBwDSnTB

The army disappeared into the night like a black dragon in fierce fire.uprhrPtYZhouKcfiSeCYXddfWdBdJk

FgwKuHSAxKrxuCR

Ning Rushen stood at the gate, watching the army depart, feeling the cool night breeze, and his heart grew warmer, pounding fiercely.oHldOlbRuVkvOkiKdozAePTpBKOfov

SBdoJblklwVoZXz

After standing for an unknown amount of time, someone patted him on the shoulder, “Let’s go back.”vqsaSCNvgFNgHEtiqBXZJFrAXqgCfQ

DDHyNCOJrzWkYYg

He turned to see Prince Xuan standing next to him.HnsGSimIbUcqEuqGsiwGTdqvBJbhBF

QzOByEslwWXYoUd

Li Yingtang had a rare serious expression and glanced towards the edge of the night, “The night attack won’t last too long, and there’s also His Majesty and General Huo.”jViekJjngnrNcphyWxLiBlvfXqWXAm

DBKdrtvWVSkUKfL

Ning Rushen forced himself to calm down, “Mm.”qrXAmqDazqZDXYYHekneZnuIKTOFqX

KUyTgkONGshjplR

The two turned and walked back into the camp.kFUQAxicuBZAPtwURzZFZaAKZpwZSV

PPvEmFCOGXiGeLj

He suddenly remembered, “Why did the Prince just arrive? Where were you just now?”HxVPbnFOmbgXekIgixBVOpjTnqcdYP

JdwCDbnGeugEgQD

Li Yingtang’s eyes shifted, as if tears were about to fall, “…General Huo was ordered to tie me to the bed, and he hurriedly didn’t untie me. I… had to use a lot of effort.”tQUJXXmvJfNLiNjsQeuGzXZdIDrrCD

HBNyfYysnPgzDYA

Ning Rushen, “……”QVYGqqNlKedMDxmuKWhWZEDtniyHAO

zJFwhKNtjQgakzS

He felt complicated: So, you were still tied up.pGikOMdfXSkkIgGYwksYiRKSlEOhHZ

bJjLcRpMTwmDgPQ

The waiting time felt particularly long.VeqKAueJYqqOinJywdPyZDkSklbayH

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Ning Rushen did not return to the tent but sat by a pile of wood where he could see the gate, waiting for the army to return.MVipRdPioLYgcYnihTpyCiPYxjTYtO

JxbQzYFCFpjQZVK

The night was filled with the sounds of insects and rustling grass, and the crackling of the fire.vjYNNTleDQVVRgPaCICrHPDgfsztOe

hCVTYFftYXHYqlE

As time passed, the night remained dark and heavy, and his heart felt like it was being scorched by flames.SfgXYtRQnYEdgZfskqIZcQJvqqxYRX

jAlAwsxNXkqSocK

After an unknown period, the sound of hooves finally reached the ground.tdLbxdJiXrmLvjcvvyvsYEyFxueCNG

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Ning Rushen quickly got up and saw a streak of red breaking through the darkness, charging towards him from the horizon—kLvTDjEHOUYjFnJpbXaneonHJYUkzZ

zdZTuOuNpNzdQgP

The army was back!jsPtJpsIEmcIRuAaQSyleabehwLliJ

sbXcEZhHHkbZqiP

As they drew closer, he saw Li Wuting in silver armor leading the way, with a massive army following closely behind. The battle flags fluttered, and amidst the fierce atmosphere was a smell of blood.vnxxDRwZpKaYINJPKfMnJgogavGvma

UkBLQqkJDwkVjBG

The soldiers in the camp came out to greet them.wCnpIHebwFeZFpmiEAdjCohHvhUPsG

VoCBVhdWOapLETa

Li Wuting reined in his horse, the steed rearing up in front of the camp.XdRThweNxrymoQgDsUCBZAlPPCShib

hZuEmThaGMpPmDH

Ning Rushen met his dark, night-like gaze, his throat tightening, “Your Majesty…”oPzzzTylQRQcKRPNbNGzPcmmDEQqKj

tEHheMTiLBwsJFa

Li Wuting’s expression softened slightly, then he dismounted amidst the soldiers’ welcome and instructed them to attend to the wounded.GzPIcBsdaqrqBLuhfzMHhmKhPlJCfS

ETweRALQkjpAyRq

As he moved, his cloak fluttered, revealing the blood-stained silver armor underneath.niWgqNoMHevtRikSHwsCrBWsbfqiqp

UHLlGKVjylXNSQR

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at him anxiously:BjeoIWDlylRVAxpVUKMawKaJFMOBXd

nXQSHwtqmgQgCnl

— Is he injured!?ICpmjYZGDcBHjenLjgpjjcjJSeVsiQ

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Noticing his gaze, Li Wuting turned and whispered, “It’s nothing. Go back to the tent.”BfQixXHmQgInVLzKwFivxGxcoUokuI

ZykAXUhdiaPmnHX

Ning Rushen, deeply worried, followed him, “Mm.”CZbTHdPyrNbaJwbSJKlTHVNTBoCIgu

zNjNtXAqJWgdGFl

Li Wuting glanced at his worried expression and smiled slightly.epjYcsZZGLKhMdrTPaZREkYBUWcrvx

mruQnWancFPQEEz

…yAcnAvWjfwXeSidnFPnabGpgrngHaz

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Back in the main tent, Li Wuting removed his battle robe.yfCHTIeqRwkzAoswkcJEnXgLEnsIgv

JUYegONgsvDWbkA

His left arm had a cut, but he didn’t make a fuss about it, only asking Dequan and the military doctor to come in and treat the wound.WbHvLpFpazZJvtdiBnwGUXnLUvzdhx

mKCKXmmyRrCXMcD

Ning Rushen watched with a heavy heart and asked anxiously, “Is it serious?”IzbflUxnEuhaDqbkGSQqrMtWbOnudB

CBfhTNaizobzYlB

Li Wuting’s gaze fell on his furrowed brow, “It’s fine. Most of the blood on the armor is from the enemy.”cwKtmSkfmoYarObJzgITcseVVUjDsk

uqepgiwDmYyLSPU

Ning Rushen felt a bit relieved: That’s good.GRnwJIbrzNffmenAwfzDcvcmBvvArp

zkmtWuYJzfXvEYq

After the military doctor finished bandaging, he gave a few more instructions and left.QGUDymrAEVXRtEDAAFaRetfVlIeZCx

KpBkSsmmOkaBDrj

Dequan, worried, said, “Your Majesty, you’ll need someone to keep watch tonight. Should I…”ewWxGMirpYDFjEQCAgSJNfFeBeIWYG

vGvzfYxOxYyZUjc

He hesitated, glancing subtly at Ning Rushen, “Have someone come?”poNkyawmbeYDeitJHjEjeXhjnywzhz

roQwUXkRaWuUhvv

Li Wuting’s throat moved but remained silent.QRBHynyXYaNSeOZvgCYXTZWFYPKySK

AnFfHOWDcYyQIAA

Ning Rushen, unable to take his eyes off Li Wuting’s wound, said, “Why not let me do it.”OBcBEOQiHCrphMeoPLNsPUMWJHLVCR

ffiwJyNqWxcgIDP

Dequan acknowledged with a quiet “Mm” and quickly left.QDaTydfRSkfmauPriIgBzXgWxoUAQZ

uOkyYnPjCZYnqDL

A single candle was left burning in the tent, casting a warm, dim light through the screen onto the bed.FbdfjmvZUpKuNUazgOuoNFTRfaDHkt

iyPZeaGZsJLnyDL

Ning Rushen sat on a nearby bench.vGveiqgXBveXcnUHKgawXwjLqNmWCS

vJsDeDSIwarejTL

With no one else around, he leaned over the edge of the bed, quietly asking, “How did you get injured, Your Majesty?”SuvdChKPilkqIHvDjPjQyGNOzHCpsL

hcNVMkzDhzoOZVB

“It was too dark at night, and I didn’t notice the ambush.”MzneBPQZqcdEErQTZdfLmIUrKwTeuu

QxVzOEkhZjRnPDs

“Oh.” Ning Rushen’s heart tightened, “Hidden and crawling.”SGYJafoQEbzMXNSNOOtixGXGEdrSpP

fsrXzYYaoiGuwWA

“…” Li Wuting.tnpPSUZSKnXMLHxbNTmTTLfrlRsLNG

PgRbTNdoZwhDudi

He was leaning over the edge of the bed, talking to Li Wuting.feZwTMeYUdECAevXKkNBycVHPOANLM

viPqSelmPLwVvcy

The bedding in the camp wasn’t well-matched, and the bench was almost the same height as the bed. As he spoke, he leaned over with his black hair hanging down onto the bed.hsZkCgQuTBLbPkNenjRXEmhDGLqqkS

LSavqgvcvzpjbRF

While speaking, he suddenly heard Li Wuting ask:JDGaHMBDKuptSeedTFAzrNXGUdfIMf

EYwnlznRgnMTBzX

“You still have to keep watch all night. Is it… difficult?”bvWzNxbXClcOMxvnWnvbFDjuZneCJt

JFxDMLTBATbaoaH

Ning Rushen paused, “What?”qnkZblcdBWIMzpdPiuFtVbhVJcbMvG

BgKlewaHTQaQQGb

Li Wuting’s thin lips pressed together, seeming to deliberate for a while, but finally, with a flushed neck, he asked as naturally as possible, “…Do you want to come up?”YNVFdcIXNxBjapwxrZrKbimwxlpHEE

lxPxFoAybzWeFiA

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned, his heart racing:jPAbccnppMswsRQIyipRZMzCcSvGkf

USUXyQHAEaRNnfV

…Come up? Onto this dragon bed?CtGVIkqLNOuxpIJyqFSvZEylwKRoEF

mLFgGGpAoPPcpoC

He looked at him, and in their silent exchange, the dim light from the side reflected in Li Wuting’s eyes.tGisrUCJxEwOmXNnrKjOqgRsCSinmO

fppFtVENqGsAjXk

Ning Rushen took a few seconds to catch his breath, “…Okay.”ZRxtaPVpGIstRJBcgYYSMccFxJerSq

vJyWSRFZwmtkbLe

Ning Rushen had been on this dragon bed before.RBVjlVQmVZAsYgmOEHPVurgLDCmCCJ

aGZHqLhbsZMARdZ

Li Wuting, with his left arm injured, lay on his side, making space for Ning Rushen on the other half of the bed.RHhXqAOwGEToHLdMRoFvySYsVEIbcY

NWMEbDPsIqWemSr

Ning Rushen took a deep breath and tried to compose himself as he lay down.tZSUqSmxpRpXMWadJFJpBphlXNYWCc

NzljWFGJZAekbDc

The bed was small, and once he lay down, he faced Li Wuting directly, his line of sight meeting Li Wuting’s Adam’s apple and neck. The close proximity made the elevated body heat almost palpable, carrying a faint smell of blood from the wound.tCwRCmoyGeWMzNhsoLqIRzfLaNIuXz

fzewxinuEtudBIK

Ning Rushen, trying to calm his racing heart, gently touched Li Wuting’s arm, “Does it still hurt?”cNpSiRQwTEGLWvnIDdHUrOcVbxwpWM

VKfCbxUNeQerSyT

“It’s okay, just uncomfortable with it hanging in front.”kIRzUsqkjuimdqWdGUCiRnNufcdaFE

UKPdyJYDKplGzXh

Ning Rushen glanced at Li Wuting’s sideways position, “Then…”ygaRQVobMsQBGVVolhAtKDPELbGOkA

kOmivfPetpieuBn

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Wuting moved his hand around him and placed his palm on the back of his neck, supporting his arm. His large hand gripped the back of Ning Rushen’s neck and squeezed it twice, “It doesn’t hurt now.”JMVCGoseafUzhjPMvOxZJwvnpmozhK

MOoVDIoZphqUmen

Ning Rushen was suddenly encircled in front of Li Wuting, his eyes widening:KVYGLuTYdKLRPSBrMNORSRzHmhJPXC

AxNecLklygjuUCz

What? How did I get held like this?SRSQAQzujHxvhZaxAlwnEtPVvhITEe

bGXqdzLjOVuTrEj

His neck pressed against Li Wuting’s palm, and his shoulders trembled slightly. Considering Li Wuting was injured, he dared not move, only managing to call out, “Your Majesty.”dmBjAyXfJhdpQzUbGdNsfGigsqaBDW

NTbdBTHvYEvnbPy

Li Wuting tightened his grip a bit, his voice low and hoarse, “There’s no one around.”DycXjFuLlxGoaafixdCmqjFQuppxUd

WnFZFNKkRgfOAeu

What? Ning Rushen, feeling dizzy and disoriented, realized something, “…Chaojun?”IHccGkgTvhTrKWdHmxRORWUCLuABUT

EkaHkBSbwoHagBY

His breathing became disordered.YAKVdrFMmZFuEfcsDVczzVDELmnMmT

OTtmDWWViEHLFHE

Li Wuting responded, “Mm.”LVAZJbSOSzjHzCPgcPFZSaAWxBJdUV

hsGqdrlVawMPMpQ

Suddenly, he moved again, leaning in and resting his forehead on Ning Rushen’s shoulder, adjusting his breathing.GgsooiWUbnuqsCzNHZUOomSQIfXEII

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Ning Rushen’s heart raced, his throat constricting.mTiuDYAXVYwZkocVtPPyzdZdJmBmFt

HPPwjHkLQHhEUOb

He looked down at Li Wuting, who had a slightly furrowed brow and a rare look of fatigue, making him seem momentarily vulnerable.oFNtmYsmnqnRZughboaSQtCkzfvfXK

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But in an instant, that vulnerability seemed to be an illusion.EjthMjqACedomNwqRZeIZktxApABft

IPkCipcMAMJOnRT

Li Wuting’s strong and broad frame, the unyielding new emperor of Da Cheng, held him securely.pLRFSZdqQTQNakahpYnQWcXDKwAzdE

ghHDCEDGUXJiZYT

Ning Rushen’s nose inexplicably felt a bit sour.tAlvLhVewBEAdIQVsHGtjPFJPqyDSh

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He clutched Li Wuting’s clothes and leaned a bit closer, snuggling into him.klfwmHpmcyHkcZTfNwILZywYOZvnOk

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With no one else speaking, after Ning Rushen called out “Chaojun,” Li Wuting seemed content and gradually slowed his breathing against his shoulder.wHsdMnzNwHDOrsiDpmiFsSGXfvvZVC

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Ning Rushen gazed at his stunningly handsome face and eventually fell asleep in the dim light of the extinguished candle.uKIDUlUNAQWLzcsUEtHcHonUULnYoc

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…qOLUZpCtPxbiKEGyeHIXgxWMSeWxbF

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The next morning, he woke up to some movement.VjwFwkInjBsLMONCjFRevgCFCzKMPj

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Because he had been worried about Li Wuting’s injury, he had woken up several times during the night, never truly resting.ijKkwJQQMkzVaLqDuuBRZsdElQJCII

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When he sensed movement beside him, Ning Rushen opened his eyes.fxEUpoKABhsoCHwDUXtlMAgcdOcOAB

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Not wanting to wake him, Li Wuting remained silent, simply propping up his right arm and preparing to get out of bed.ztOfyAsHwDBkftJTiCTZsjMFxnRAIW

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As Ning Rushen opened his eyes, he met Li Wuting’s gaze.GMybmmaKqOgOvLTolEgBuLbJlLwvBI

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Li Wuting’s movement paused as he lifted his eyes, his expression still carrying the morning’s drowsiness. His slightly open collar revealed a reddened neck. He was kneeling beside him, facing him directly.RUhwOlserasPaJqQxALDPFEAdDjUJS

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Ning Rushen’s gaze dropped, and his breath caught suddenly.iQjmWMTIZUkyhhVhEodOjqlQvKUifB

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A flush of heat enveloped his neck and face!dHHNhqPxqmDWLFlGytcdFAfrwjgXei

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Before he could react, Li Wuting quickly adjusted his collar and got out of bed. He glanced at Ning Rushen’s expression, slightly pursed his lips, and said calmly:bNZMngGKVkqjmpBzDXlvbPIRoMAkbX

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“It’s no big deal.”qQxyqXLUHmPvGRJKYhOseTGScuwYxz

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After speaking, he dressed and left.WFGeMoxTwDOMdReBpGfnWnzzOIwyAG

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…IpbvqGHIhAEUwCZGyNsSLGnzFfrIBF

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After Li Wuting left, Ning Rushen lay in bed for a long time, unable to gather his thoughts.SheSUtubsxUkJjWKIuxhrBYClQUTSf

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In the midst of his still racing heartbeat, he recalled the fleeting glimpse he had seen and trembled uncontrollably:BHnGSKleIUEIITkfbUNTGxQrAwxlPJ

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…That was definitely not “no big deal.”vVdASowPidIYnSZBfxkiGZTEZLeHdU

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