This official is so weak

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

iIGTZJrIQFdyIRG

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.dTtPZoRHSXqAdxyaBtzjNHJvFxiuzh

YBdjNkLRAdDdUhJ

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

xdXruZdvevIdHqW

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

hqGQSzjRgKKQJom

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.zTxUZFVwXiLCtFobiZlWdOTNUvPloJ

DBQgDUonJOXiCyr

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

VVQOopssQMEBSBZ

It seemed he had.mFsFbqCtoLOHVkhxlDHPydvunlzuDc

QEXGzNagizHAeaU

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.KwSDxbcULePAaRnpccduZIMZMeiNaB

KPHJetAJmjpSlUQ

Ning Rushen raised a hand to his burning cheek.eotgIcqypIDMNRHSBxoWdwpJcGIzPM

XhORYmsOejqlOFn

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

xviEKCqQNwPcaPd

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

ZdzuRXlSpXDndIj

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

yPDDzYFdPgmWLkN

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

iXVuEnUTQreJlGc

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

lKFVOBXXTuGKTcG

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

ySxpzsgdcJeLYHs

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

eyMmxSFPnKjGiSU

Ning Rushen agreed and turned to head back.cLkdcFScuVuBcoqwzlTmPsdyrDYSEm

BtYznZHEYwuTtqt

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

URbODSaVBwMrDfV

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

EBhodSqzzLfFijE

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

bbgUMrkxfOOPnRb

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

CPzqLXJVwpoTKnY

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

ORCvCbJnFyvaaGk

“……”gizLFKYlNrfqTcEskBUtOzUtHqqyen

OCKaOOGkpGMxECJ

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

peCrJpwmmYfydkJ

…moYwVhyWZfBTzXLCvldKxIvziyhRSb

GnAuQEiGULOLZTN

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

IbREHZHPcoKVnmi

The remaining soldiers were rearranging the tents.qlwhTOBOrRirdNGthcvaxeCVfHxtiu

hPfiRliloCSwYoh

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.”oSKGpfFKdCMLRhqSfYLuNqaXJTzIej

gTIkPrMmNeIeeFl

“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.”UPTmZNtsXHNhwpONaNqksiqgTdXLTa

VlYOVxdvEWJuZRO

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

sruKtwOuNAJnAfA

Ning Rushen, “……” Alright then.msgcUmAPZhtobEtJuFFQFEdRKBfSAp

MVvNarIgJmNTxTA

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

HzXGuRUUlximQkN

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.YrEcHaQSRjoXjdqWAQUVCbEWTukbmR

bcgijCJxNwEapBM

Outside was quiet, and inside was also quiet.tIDwGMBOutnmYqHshHHeLxlrhplsut

rVmeXGMdVyNtqjV

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

aKsTZZMQLtIZEFq

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

jJFmHxRhAyPLsBQ

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.hlvNFuFtJJqQFzuSVyyfsYXeQuNvjq

FAcKtAhEFICpMgV

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

VFVoWiZSXJaITQn

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

xYHXbAAWdiPNcdS

“……”bUmgAfxFERVgiGgiBYbjuDFjsbXlyL

dVkYVRtOzkMjLRi

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

lDqVNXlkwKpEQox

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

xSGHPnmzcXMmLiW

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

OXNiIeVzyaKOGVw

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

yQnZyfdNGKvQpZS

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

rOAGmMjSSeCufwz

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

lTObhboThOGqMTf

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…KouzSdzsjCIuxANytCrKxzHOPMpUgT

xwMyGpbTuAIsqgA

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

wuBWPKFcEyOTLsn

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

irPkeFTNzWGlIcP

A few days passed.EtzSxCNRLbbHamXQaTAMMgNBhKVGwD

lmNgQCMpwxHYqGW

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

aXXpweMBukyEUnd

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

DTmMCtZvGQjoLix

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

JRORzfpqoBVVgvI

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

regGqCwJPsfbFWc

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

HChzNDMZkyXukYy

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.”PpPKLnNxHLRKpiJdISNQdghMDPZghJ

mdfRyMSBAaDeTBx

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

FkEWlHskyIsKPvL

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

UeZlfXbnXdcJHZm

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

YyhHdccwDFssIWC

But such a big secret only required a nod?grLteLnWcWJoHUsTLKNYPvWaqrtjgy

CZQlWiWLszSwuFw

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—MBusBPUedpzzLwtshOfqdnlqQYDkTx

mKgHPSGXIzmFLKD

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…LSAGoEOhoXlLbZJqUrEEmcpoHVILjV

SPSjaoheqvdOTOb

He was lost in thought.lmkfpICNvGwNgCTQNrNqYshwvTEdja

cKvEodGMqTFWcyz

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

SVyUiVRpazqZuFW

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

dtdFpixOBIWNbji

“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.”KYgkLURyHUAwpQnoDbrzhCbWQevRQQ

LKFLsmtzOczbzzq

“How sudden?”YAqvNCiTunHyqDQcZwJeQuGxzEDhaF

JZhPERyUpijWFvD

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

mtApShluCZifiqi

“……” That would be quite sudden.kDEGldeFFStRHCpkSYrzIwfesmsnaS

exJNrVioAhmgCJM

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

MiBKJffiCvWCZrk

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

fwVZTyNTEUgVyzG

·SpLCZcrWUWGfirYiGIOnzlFSVRfXkt

kfSowfWAlMQGiLJ

There was no news from the front line yet.dWHnzPfbRdEwuxAijguTLWYEXANbCd

mGbAHGZIwhaTFDM

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.mTCPsTitEUsOxkCzsmqkmpNdzPEYoi

sXwoAkLUUfpAWHI

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

FBzOyhMcfbpurDi

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

RevIpWDLoDraHDi

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

eUwiZdzqttmUGvZ

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.FnglxzaAThmVCtbZzIwqIRvEkrqNAg

IJgmeMsSKoAmXJr

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

jeCzBImowwDFrUH

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.izstKEUCmNqdfthTWoROuDGgcEZipk

uTCQopJQrRFpagi

The group was covered in mud.CigILBCebldmCorrQuDJkqdVzRaZze

WyDoiFyHrXOdrAM

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

CAoZqJFWumMoZOw

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

uyMRfTLiVFzSuuS

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

ATGzhSyNryOCHsp

“Yes!”ZREZxllsNapphyAxPltjMbzvQAEFbv

LENJZPpiFqQaHwW

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

cJUxqDIVXHAWELc

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.ZySluQLNtDBaCKKqCavUnbByFVrJnl

cjKFIpqsjhblNkj

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

TPFhCfsnOvbzqIp

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

TaVVxOLsnQBmwrx

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

tBGSRDcDXzCTVvU

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:jsPoSBodDbNzpqRBkXkJwRUZNLztIa

dkEhMUHQTGQJLJg

“Intercepted! Capture them!”zmfXLDeEoQqRbJiRNDVYYqYObaHTjO

jWtfpZkRPQSZHeW

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

gqyTtXuevAjNsYf

Why would they be here?cbPOfiLmpBPNzFKVPZooscsygEbxFi

SqEodjoyPjCUcwh

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

zhkjjtfzhtFxcIF

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

plBaEOxTttlCzCw

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

nWKqmRmiHfMuQLn

Who could it be? The Great Prince?iPWgQmXGRYnAsKXTMwZfPYzVuvWaUf

FYyFNjSzwUwqwrp

Ning Rushen tried to stay calm amidst the chaos.pPModqxFDpOcuNKniASQjvCFNRZXEd

PFENyfZTLcxzsRo

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.SKCDkiteMlWtPQhxbOetVASDNNludW

DBqIyfBtAUacilN

Without hesitation, he fired into the sky:MYCRKaTXPgDZLgbeGefnCfyfvaZRcS

loVbYcxFlypMSGa

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

uYjNDgbXlHHmjPZ

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.GShkUZVffURXOdZnUtjufJuKAOAlnD

DFPuwovlAvfMRYY

While sending the distress signal also revealed his position.QZDRWgGblRhFfKAFIgANFFGgUmReAF

oPFOpwUBSnMYBRL

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.iZnrvIZlsNgeWKVwJatrcNApDTjJZx

btMTpwHjUDjcrao

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

NTJwKIPwFCDUsnD

And pulled out a handful of peanuts.LwpsOvKYcJjAqxlstiMNlBCwjrhFEN

FBAwpLYZqTcAlPW

Ning Rushen was shocked: …Damn!tWBfopuOovjyAdooQsMThGKckTPIto

BAOoUCZkBLOvoPN

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

GnijAKvwHfxnuoD

“Master Ning, you should hide!”CVnyfAWawoirRYpnBptMwdHutVIimy

IrgqPkGJpxpksxz

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

XPpkTyxykrHshIf

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

HGMSyJzxiTKoqRw

Ning Rushen: …………!!????JGGSLghsQolCPRevfQdpqAYBphGUEE

bIJYNvdZthgzhxr

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

uJefRQNQMFvlwmV

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.MbiiXRMbjjveQhwYFYtoNohvTLTonv

QCBzZfxSnezbAWq

……UwsWIcuOhNShBoGyDGlEFtFMqEVomX

nPGyJhgzyplxRdt

When he woke up again.wLuXaAcoQvjUZblIXXSgQhUCVcHgJK

uLxngWNTJwJaiEf

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

ouPthcHsgunuMWi

The back of his head still throbbed with pain.HgIJnoqGwjbloquPEvwAQuehrwarwp

oblXedMzldjVzgv

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

DSwLXbxgqvcUqSz

A vast desert all around.psISIwSigIKXAAGBSChTDsnaABCLec

PYGMGbtPAorGGXR

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

LchrHgAGdxTaQYS

The Northern Di soldiers behind were still shouting:tAkJlFQOhcQCKLuEdAuzMQUSmAuzSy

QKXbKbEhRUPnGst

“The Dingyuan Army is too fierce.”HYHYzSQeYUMokCwfhpaVkaOLQfjFCa

vOkbcpLhNLkNiyi

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

BIMhhIHSYnaJwAu

“……”DyoyyqUKEWxVsBRBwcUCNxeNEnNPqo

MBGNpEWrsGcJyAR

Ning Rushen: ?ffSOhZzPOFtheUJNIEOxCQeNQsavGr

opzYHzlFHTgBIPf

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

GZJezJpdNygcQNR

Author’s Note:qWZKOCCPHQuxrVkENHyNiHObIOUJLN

KcyGWGFZIjeRNzn

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

aogJWAiLqIloeww

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

pOAniEHJubDLVXU

Northern Di Army: ???pniiwZSuPVPgCyFifnSXzbJrzPOGoE

nSfBwaLcPAnhJNu

*GzkANezLyNBCIiWXolDgHPQrpdZBPC

hdtmkKMoszGeQbM

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

cFwPtkhZiPlthZN

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

YIcxjRjMKmuqsom

No abuse, it’s sweet and pleasant～qdSJpXKqYiGoosPCBWPUAlSrqDNkZb

XCmgLylmQdbLMOt

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

xGDMcgnnBkjUnvD