This official is so weak

The army, like a sea of red clouds, surged away in a dark wave.ivaLkZvybjlNBnNuaJEctukzKKEwwN

srcitwropjweBcb

Ning Rushen remained outside the city gate, dazed for a long time. He looked towards the distant horizon, where yellow sand billowed, his face burning hot and red under the sunset glow.XBtDavvgVrVrPUBOKWvHBLDmLcFOVa

ImLVfwYzLcwYMfj

His fingertips still carried the smell of alcohol, strong and intoxicating.ZtfFjtsldmOcCZoLRrsEtagaMjQtRE

VjcYUGGydcCgQYm

The moment of Li Wuting leaning down flashed through his mind:vNQGlMVLobDqaIYKejkJAENOVAnJXv

DhwxpvEqgXQANSB

The cold, hard edge of the helmet pressed against him, but the lips imprinted on his forehead were warm and soft. Before the thousands of troops, a kiss was placed upon him, scorched by the sunlight wine.ErPSPAdpFNhmpUbeRUmNXQecEKZQPm

dCzNocpRzxMTYQb

Ning Rushen, lost in thought, wondered if he had nodded at that moment…sYsWYsOBYLNPICkOZMYJDuXbzQMAUK

HZAysGriVBRCbVn

It seemed he had.FFMgJvvDfMktggaYPZzIrdFmITyCZX

XyajMzzWYAmPgWG

Then Li Wuting had smiled at him, stood up, and tightened the reins— the young emperor, full of vigor, led the thousands of troops into the vast northern desert.FAFWsYCxCpVdtTIRiQDSkzdsyOeLSH

tVrNriXlHmlnuOW

Ning Rushen raised a hand to his burning cheek.faNPWokPvclOiLOdZnnpKsUhYWaUlI

sSWcfmoyPwQaxOT

So, were they officially a couple now? When Li Wuting returned, would they…cWipDGExMAoKafUiyWYnBhxSTdiuiR

ylXBSGgvXLdlQTL

The more he thought about it, the faster his heart raced, and he quickly pressed on his chest.wAUUOoVKsmMioAYWkjALDcxHQBSNYJ

CtwpaOYZEocDgxW

Oh God, he had gotten himself a boyfriend who was an emperor.ghKzZaotYmHZMcrXPvGiwCLBOOOEAf

gUNzhPmYLJiyXLQ

Just as he was catching his breath, his arm was suddenly jostled.TvpRXbzLJlOMSdrKDlldeNOsMXKOcP

ntmUaPOzlZEmRrI

Ning Rushen turned to see Prince Xuan standing before him, looking puzzled.LEiFBOrTdMGqPsNyOVbIGARMMBkKWh

GnVqpyMUHUZdyEc

Li Yingtang, like a sympathetic and understanding flower, said, “Even though I know you miss His Majesty, we should head back.”zJfRpMZGOedGyyYumrzPEPMglulMTo

depYckKTmEqlZJM

He then noticed that the soldiers who had come to bid farewell were gradually returning to the city.sMrMgTBtYtoAXKglpXJGdknrUjiJfs

CWYwlhZyKJpdQSI

Ning Rushen agreed and turned to head back.SWXRVyPZkWMItUzqbrzFJTzgweYFvl

ATPalPseadmELlw

As he walked a few steps, he suddenly thought:kDJpHPfEOyZYElUiGkqoCGFkMtnkkL

UYhQBQZbNLiNyif

According to the position just now, the three armies might not have seen much, but Prince Xuan…SBipfUicEVOwXCrBDKmWTExvYtPtZN

IVeZrceZhBAMDAq

His heart skipped a beat as he glanced sideways at him.yyqFPXpIvWlzSzkOfIvdNoMlAByurw

EUpVUPyufvWvliN

As if sensing his thoughts, Li Yingtang suppressed the urge to smirk and maintained a calm facade.wXSjPDkrUtNnHEzWUrRWUNifJZGOyS

TGljNqwXUKRoLhj

“What are you looking at? It’s just His Majesty kissed you. What’s so— unexpected about it?”JsBSWyXFKJcLFyMcqYkegBbFPRHavZ

OxAlsgGUfwqAzJN

“……”SzPtMFZEZhWoZAkJPJCFviEpwepekS

kSgWAjHgGCfwkAw

Ning Rushen took a deep breath: But your voice cracked.OnhZripDCCLyqsnlonQsIORXhhWjEk

SqxCEkesubzwqBm

…nhGJlvIbVmGDWXcBvQrGVnZhwmCIUZ

AkPQDQedzEjnIjj

Back at the military camp, the place was empty without the large army.TGXvbcFVyhBvFQCrwEyyoNguYdLjzX

LkmYQFfVUuHwsql

The remaining soldiers were rearranging the tents.qHCweJfSpYgTHSqOfFjRzLCwrhNOfL

QhUQOxaJvrKjrSQ

Ning Rushen glanced at the central military tent, then at the royal family member beside him, and said, “Why don’t you move to the main tent, Prince? I’ll stay in that small tent.”VqfpwfYAGNJinraICJBGLXaeulWSdK

gBcPICpWEKTlkBV

“Oh no, no,” Li Yingtang waved his hand, “That’s not my domain… Besides, I’m used to the current environment. You should stay there.”SujmMUXxdabjbLKmynnqtHHNlwyqWv

LAMzfvUNrvyAKYE

He said this, rubbed his hands, and stylishly went back.hDiFIHucnGPjwpaSQaLQFYYvonORxZ

UfjSYgSKPmCsswI

Ning Rushen, “……” Alright then.KDAKbDeejahjhcgbXylpvCTJogtwzg

uicMaJmhQJzyZHY

Though the army had left, there were still other matters to attend to in the camp.LWUCfqrocOUTqZTXQEbuQzoeynOyiD

PuiickQBZBKygFO

He was so busy during the day that he hadn’t noticed much, but when he returned to the main tent at night, he realized it was unusually quiet compared to usual.InoysHLaDYkmHKZUdUYeYuHfMdwIOS

tAxoIPEWfwOpAuL

Outside was quiet, and inside was also quiet.CYsKUzRdjDbDccILDJvBUxUKuKyxsp

AKNLcYVvvONQwJt

Only the candlelight flickered through the screen, casting a soft glow into the bedchamber.eLfIRIxFzyokCfLaWONsdxciODtVib

cciVkpjWEEDeHZT

Ning Rushen turned off the light and lay back down on the bed.KFRQnffeLFYIpXbICiZYTxqGUQnupi

qGlHrwwfzKkXkTQ

The cold moonlight seeped in, and as he tossed and turned, he remembered that at this time yesterday, he was still lying in Li Wuting’s bed, tightly embraced, falling asleep to the sound of the other’s urgent and heavy heartbeat.iHBgspxacHVuIKqRwBiiMnTfVGTyXD

bdAMIsctiHMOKpr

As he thought about it, his whole body suddenly felt warm.MDKLvIcSiBxXKIEQKvKgGoTULFQjFL

UoQRYZAlbRelwbw

It seemed like the sensation of being held in Li Wuting’s arms still lingered on him.rYHbBVKqOLNMbFmXYaBLgpmMpcrJrK

fQyXcErFPTsQYkV

“……”BzgsPzEVsZLUywgHbZfceoPlYNuGVy

jWXdqnfzmXcRlIf

Ning Rushen tossed around and couldn’t sleep, so he sat up.DaeROdxTwUbIuHPKrXnMAWrxwQmuTn

EeUGMbtBacvsNzj

After a moment, he lifted the blanket and went around to the screen.tpMucUlaHxHucSrpTEuIYdWojWAGOm

UVtzYbRiuonRrZc

The area behind it still looked the same, with the bright yellow blanket neatly spread out on the bed.KLoAbdVnmamMxFyuTdeLRPqWEJeaoG

txrryWyDCdPuzaw

Ning Rushen moved over and sat on the edge of the bed.dTLfGUwPPcpTlCJiNJECCgzPLZwyJT

YTTzdOBWnbQqONl

He touched the smooth quilt beneath him and still felt too embarrassed to snuggle into the big golden bed.dioGMbRtjBCHjifqpEWSzKaxvmcgkj

NfHLIcwzlqiEAJe

After sitting for a while, he climbed back onto his own bed feeling empty.XUNFUaGzhfISFLuFpvqUmWadIYhMHs

UwSubVwCJcjmwTT

He closed his eyes, and the image of Li Wuting kissing him in the sunset glow appeared again. Ning Rushen couldn’t help but pull the blanket tighter: Li Wuting, truly…OqAgxHtRUOuXUyiEsIiTXEASIAUgTT

sKWINElLYqOCcGZ

Who kisses someone suddenly before running off to declare their feelings?oCPedxKNDKkrBzVrQvfjoSzmvAwruq

QclMjOEnzuBFCvT

As he pondered, he drifted off to sleep, the sweet dreams filled with the strong scent of sunlight wine.NSDEFsWHDJOMBNVFJzUnycUGOIqmdS

uguNdyVnLOLSVne

A few days passed.puNjaKKjHhSaDqRfDLhDkcEkSzYXAS

AozcYsUaTSTaUss

A long-awaited rainstorm hit the scorching northern border.lUxxRwGWaPlzrPKMiFovNASUSFxoEq

EKNyxwYKOyFUKZc

The rain was heavy, pouring down in torrents. The camp was splattered with mud, and the river used for bathing had overflowed.OSxTJbGBgMapJZLCJDacKziUvAySfO

UNDeOchNJUwjVJm

When the rain stopped, the camp had to be rebuilt.yDoSHvYbiwbJprpESnqnuJwTWOlPvb

dUTbIMEDsbjXciv

Ning Rushen watched the soldiers moving back and forth and couldn’t help but worry about the army far outside the Great Wall.EePXvQKftGUwnFsCLSBCSgMHesSjrp

aKQCmInzfUqDxaB

“Will His Majesty’s expedition be affected?”dcMhfAnZDqDSATradEdaFIDQDYAfQS

qeGtyICfxGmCbhE

Sun Wu stood beside him and said, “With His Majesty and General Huo there, there’s no need to worry. Besides, His Majesty had reminded us earlier: the army needs to bypass the Fan River and set up camp upstream of the Yi River after five days of marching. They should have already familiarized themselves with the terrain.”aTiaQbTDDXUegOZlISZXVVKOLZwhml

HViQyQkbghLOmbB

Ning Rushen sighed in relief, but then suddenly thought:YqxmiqWDPhoueVrQyLRynOjFPTLZRM

AHVTPimtfuukNkJ

Li Wuting had said before that if he nodded, he would reveal his greatest secret.qOrAFeiRYAJDSouPdKqzgFKFYrlJDs

vEWrHnCQdCMOjjP

Could it be… the nod he gave during the confession?ZOOctcTkCarVVNqfllfavxkNFEswQq

lpTaqYfZyyPWaVG

But such a big secret only required a nod?lYvvihHfbnfbmNQlUwziBwUZobwpDk

drIlAKoUnqPuKfB

It was like saying he wasn’t casually with him. Being able to share the greatest secret meant he was at least aiming for a lifelong partner—PyRZdjEqEYgttGpROaxMqenFGKaBxg

kLySfUtLynitLNx

Ning Rushen’s heart raced faster as he recalled Li Wuting’s focused and gentle expression under the candlelight that night, and the kiss that was both serious and passionate…yalipTWKhbkXeDBwCxrJcMXtdrYaWK

iiXCjeRvIDCJdqZ

He was lost in thought.qvxZBYrzVrMzBoEXaJzhVqfZeNpvZF

XsksWsBjePxkQfy

“What’s wrong?” Sun Wu’s voice came from the side. “Still worried?”XmfDPohjENiDdyvEkbvzyKFOiorQSR

eFHVcfYynsHXKok

Ning Rushen snapped back to reality and asked, “How long does it generally take for the army to be away on an expedition?”ptcuFOoDXLlDYMvLkXPkGONYdYeCXN

fAyRgDiVqHUZFEv

“That’s hard to say. An expedition can last from three months to half a year, depending on the situation. However, if something unexpected happens, it could end quickly.”yzOLybpgDDvzWpOrxdVeHhdhlupImg

nbpdEuPoWtfQmYg

“How sudden?”HAfHpHFCojmVNHXavNLeIIwlekYDqI

ZCaudNHYLykHWGD

Sun Wu answered bluntly, “For example, if the Northern Di King dies.”ETRQpkluejVgDmNrtTHpcEazjiVBKQ

fPMQbltvhyXJmRB

“……” That would be quite sudden.VZVeCjlxLnSmQrkrvpOTDYWLYAIPaA

JWRSmveRbjHFFYq

Ning Rushen asked cautiously, “What if it’s not so sudden?”jmCBbyKqKMxqWeNySLrxmtVUzqMjeC

bPZxFtsMotFebfi

“Then it would be if the main general was captured,” Sun Wu said.nldaUqlQVbQVmnnnXWwERAmLXXLKLn

mseQsjDCgUgnhuR

·NsTApMFxfZqkXblcZjEOWCfnpQfLrO

KlqpvMUJsdahijH

There was no news from the front line yet.fwfyEUkWRqIQvaNvphCLhQYLlAyNNV

gvdocjpekaYzuUR

At the rear, a guard reported that the supplies from the Northern An had almost arrived, but due to the heavy rain yesterday, the mud on Lu Ma Road had caused the supply carts to get stuck.YMUjIajXzFwNCOTTYeJhJCxxffoblC

VgAluAruYFyBTCi

Sun Wu was frustrated and wanted to say something but waved it off. “Forget it, let’s just go retrieve them.”BgtsPjgSKUDkLiBKhTSlENPlSoKFnq

QgmhyMtbBEIyZfE

Ning Rushen was used to handling supplies. “I’ll take a team to get them.”fsYZppozdbBDqlgTEfHpleUWEfMIfv

QQqDvVFBHRjomoM

Sun Wu thought for a moment. “Alright.”iILuvwBdRUOFvPyXehQzmpmEvbhGVO

ITEjzmclMfaEqmv

When they set out, Ning Rushen realized that “Lu Ma Road” wasn’t outside Chang Sui City, but rather outside the neighboring Long County, close to the border between the two countries. It was a road specially built for commerce.cTYRZtHrcgFxSeuBtwwVoRgAoGoHUd

iTYyFnVnvHLohOW

He changed into light and convenient common clothes and led the troops out.CoowhkvbRarvDyXnsadKrEldkjHHEl

WFwVAhYmwPBTxis

As they left Long County and reached the outskirts of Lu Ma Road, they saw a convoy of supply carts struggling out of the steep muddy path.HjxLojdSzxqcFcYEtozQyIUdqEvYuk

xISgkTSDDaVIgek

The group was covered in mud.gvikdMVjjcPMcBUwUlXbCJBOsOFZmN

OSEiQaaiTnhcfuX

Seeing them come to retrieve the supplies, the supply officer hurriedly bowed and apologized, “I failed in my duty and caused you trouble!”BJHTSGeyeRPtkoJHgzTUVEQapDQLoW

AQeQTUuBegUVkRu

Ning Rushen checked the supplies and saw they were of good quality:zkfsLnWpkiRTqACVXVyIcoFgMSOOfF

kzBrxMJhMKblPRV

Not a corrupt officer. He generously said, “Let’s head back to Chang Sui first.”CjrQnpkEmBbWMoHBiNfEGaAjkaEqoC

rvdAJhoIsbGeJAe

“Yes!”lkOrSkyuiBQXbsIOxslYosKnpjtBdK

wsDmaMpUjgnVKPn

There was still some distance from Lu Ma Road back to Long County.JqTEmxGRPIKgXwfYwrjsksbZEHxPxM

FPvOyvwLYUtMOTq

As they traveled a bit further, just as they reached a crossroads surrounded by barren grass, a slight tremor came from the ground where the wheels had rolled.JWHnprWvcJchhClDYfVZnxpvKFoaOb

gcBaTMoZhAhqTWr

One of the guards suddenly alerted, “Wait!”hSsWUqqgXeimEgtEmHlhhZjuitzgNg

CvBEoOvDvitdNNC

Ning Rushen’s heart tightened as he raised his hand to stop the convoy, just as the sound of urgent horse hooves approached—IHjilxlYwlMHeMefAQrNHLpYOEXqSF

XUwuzGmXqkiBvUX

In the next moment, a group of people charged out from the side!WBxFFmUivWDSYrOrtPREUziLYBDeGr

qbooqhhDINNdPuO

The newcomers were all tall and wearing the attire of the Da Cheng merchant fleet but headed straight for their supply carts, speaking in the Northern Di language:qNrVmWlsGrIKRkJPUDIymGWtNcqMEr

DWvHkxBIxNKyJeI

“Intercepted! Capture them!”zzIPzolzUzkiJnxWzEIVTRskfPkoYA

wblbbbkcAxZcbDU

Ning Rushen’s heart skipped a beat: Northern Di ambush!SRyKUHKBRXTsETszVhoPjubHowxqFt

GmrDonDfTBGDrxy

Why would they be here?vlOfukwICxCblJoVPlCPYJJzgQhSUm

jTnPmihvsiVDHIq

With no time to think, the two sides were already engaged in fierce combat.XXLRcBaughoCQFQOHRoYFBKOiTrsTQ

RaQMexDHGbpTkSV

A personal guard, recognizing something, called out, “These aren’t the troops of the Northern Di King He Ku!”aKxzgsiYghXyrMrjleKtBbXRuUjSHv

jmcNFLZqGpMyqYU

Not the He Ku King who was fighting in the front lines with Li Wuting, but Northern Di troops—hZxUUWrGocUdpzXRVjLgeZJaFGeuVE

uqsPWgGNNrySYIY

Who could it be? The Great Prince?TnBlkTRtDDyUJazDMXHEMWZKyjbeTE

TrMMAEEBFqJzvQc

Ning Rushen tried to stay calm amidst the chaos.hmuiKAPqWxSWZjUqNiRGAImIBqMMmN

UIZPMhNMxiGScPc

Taking advantage of a momentary mix-up in the battle, he quickly hid behind a supply cart and pulled out a signal gun from his sleeve.BRLnSMobXBsRIHBciVzmOOTGDWoZkQ

iQmGMUcnzpPvZDg

Without hesitation, he fired into the sky:XUZrIyluDBgRaLYUoYayRldpGJOhgM

QbezMkzgzSOqAMB

Boom! The signal shot soared into the sky, trailing smoke.bTKoNdFgyWLoYIOLGWygcoPHYieTMM

ofZbqgpfMJGDOZb

The signal was enough to let the sentries at Long County see the request for reinforcements and hurry back to the camp with the news.gJthNERrfLQYXTqJRuMFOrLFWZspqv

wMWruTzjUIjJpRp

While sending the distress signal also revealed his position.gdjJtqPCQdcNmjfREGegjGSslvFSFK

ytZXvGbRwYxraKY

Ning Rushen pressed his back against the side of the supply cart, hearing the Northern Di soldiers shouting something—probably that there were more people behind the cart. Then, the sound of hooves and footsteps rapidly approached.NflaleLBCSbVqzVRJAFOklnOBJvqid

QGepBzPvGmgxgxW

He quickly checked his waist: Was there anything useful…vEqSHxDywQnSgJCjqxaxnGDcciCChd

egSrJxSWuMSzZym

And pulled out a handful of peanuts.lsxTOrvxoednTFomkhYkvTDDeJXziO

rsfPwCSQMxxRhtG

Ning Rushen was shocked: …Damn!NPmXNxYSGNYEpfjVEqwnfZSweKXqcf

ZQFscsUaoecDNOn

At that moment, a personal guard suddenly sprang up beside him, threw a spear to block the attackers, and then quickly said:kPOfdzgBxJTDVogxfFyeIzsokulTBp

CgdBOBHJeXnyvkn

“Master Ning, you should hide!”XotxYvFmzSewUUrHZSWwCaCiGxsfIW

SyGyALvZYwwMDfs

Ning Rushen nodded and was about to get up and sneak away.IhLdpIVggvLSGyWyYRLYkNmGMVdcrM

XcDACckYKjUjhAU

But a hand grabbed his waist, and the guard recklessly lifted him and tossed him into the supply cart with a thud!OqtuKuOBryrdBxEQNXtECqdjyZbaKM

FeMjdqSnQZbzhDo

Ning Rushen: …………!!????ARHRqbKVqGMIgkuhyZGOZBADxEdaxd

vZkzZvJrzFMmkVQ

He couldn’t react in time and fell headfirst into the cart.DEgesWvVdLcsuNkFbEYljeygzObgom

mXQbMdQLIVAvnaT

Bang! The back of his head hit the edge of the cart, a dull pain surged, and he felt his hairpin press against the edge, coming loose. He then fainted.DRiEXpAikOpsLRRGPsOXpfWRmsMhMt

DoilnFzXTvHkHbi

……hEPTkRLSDGTZDfxGTubirToPXKyDwQ

NfnJULfgDlRhkDw

When he woke up again.uoxxfUCKtgKqebHXJECmwFtlZzTkkR

hazIaCSAKBRVKdu

He saw a pile of straw in front of him and felt like he was being wheeled forward.bqvgZRrbYHdQwjUoyNIYLodNcwOzjn

rMmMjXIXizfNhgC

The back of his head still throbbed with pain.fzqWGhmtAsTkWHPWdHDOHRGXIpkVrV

hAifswGnPdNejxc

Ning Rushen pressed his head, rustling up and peeking out, opening his eyes to—zfDEttHRUgAYQdENJwICKZsvSyhfjv

PYdKBSRbXDvNAvx

A vast desert all around.EmIgBkBVwinRiXZPbQCfeGtGzcihGA

bPiAPiRYkPkXbjw

The yellow sand was marked with hurried hoofprints and cart tracks from a hasty escape.RamGjBIsCNlzvwZwNZVxyErUwQomSp

MSpQequPpiKoHOa

The Northern Di soldiers behind were still shouting:EyENTyhLLXmtNtXlOEiTUjGzowDcJW

pmNipmsmzzQOSpb

“The Dingyuan Army is too fierce.”unVPkbCJXhXRwYklJLoRrFAhqdhIRW

VeQobEfaCwLzixH

“Luckily, we got three carts for the Great Prince. If we don’t hurry, reinforcements will arrive!”IgBRMVwDBJvnUcoOEgajToIRuofxsD

GMPZfaOWqvVUumT

“……”rgAzOdiAjXDWPkrPCgLWDkmsezCIvd

UsFtsQUSKVhojBv

Ning Rushen: ?KIuaiVxulKXibegLTdWgorRRIlmVuC

eFOMvkNCVHPwRcJ

He clung to the edge of the cart, wide-eyed: Where is this???MRLkPAWjFLofBKjNYgaKxvorZijQyN

JesiLtStOCeuDvq

Author’s Note:kVlYSxPQHzAfweGycqbvPXRFfesscX

KOVrWyfPBvLUCNx

Breaking News—The despicable Northern Di have stolen the Imperial Cat!ywQXIVfdUnmdyKOtBEDlmekvJGXLtw

mUXcrEGyVfLUXtt

Li Wuting: !!! (My delicate, helpless cat!)yjfsAnHhVDSxlvZGdZnnaIBBFcifqp

DNFkkCyHscwisrw

Northern Di Army: ???smKPoFxGArOklTBeczXZMWoHMKvamj

jlpHWwcMwYXESxu

*TGcuoZOEXEDZBqMmndBGsjolwUvSEu

NLlDREDYDnaRLyP

Ning Cat: I’m coming, I’m coming to Northern Di.uipXFZnYfAfkTTOBNOlERFDvHQBbCO

FxjtQfMBTbjefUD

Let’s catch a big rat for His Majesty as a token of affection. [Start, hunting time]KwqDsaapYcqNLeSDafJongwNewOJsh

ZmKIYFpGuDhWxht

No abuse, it’s sweet and pleasant～EaTmNuEdXpDzlgrfXtLuOHpyZDpyDb

CEyGJOGPxlrakpv

These two chapters will tie up some previous plot points.TIeLUopEBEaNLxQXTnzkVZAbDqmcOz

mXmRHmoxsrqEAbn