This official is so weak

A corner of red silk was exposed at the foot of the bed.qOBvpyObEtwNoYKDECbIskcaPfCoaa

RpNqZMbLYDIcWcI

For a moment, Ning Rushen’s blood ran cold, and he stayed still like a chicken in fear.zixEGhcbtKXmKcxkvTjhHwnTCQQIzI

mOZwHRczERCUFaU

—How could he have forgotten about that thing!?SLJGnvocnMMLNLIFwZwarItMWoJiiw

vXkUFiVdXfbpMKd

Li Wuting noticed that Ning Rushen was frozen, his hair slowly standing on end. After a moment, Li Wuting pressed his lips together and gently reassured him:LHpeqLtUsdABFcCzeksksJlpMXRHsa

NiyfAfMkKzbAPXo

“Dequan stuffed it in again, I’ll scold him tomorrow.”xwadIgHIKcZnpCdfDrdjDfTgXGbzAg

aTEyiCBUgiNBruH

“……”jJhoDDpienUYWGBReFCruGAhHOcTCM

EoJkIyRNgFcuyMh

A large pot was moved away, and Ning Rushen murmured, “Hmm.”LWXxAhGfhAmgaNjrnObsQYoFghUrXG

pAUwAfLrwYEeEzW

After speaking, Li Wuting lay down, his long legs kicking the red silk off the bed.PBjiDGrkQTDItWNnwKyfLHNzeVBIHF

XMNslSLpdscJhqq

Ding… The thin fabric brushed against his foot, causing his breath to hitch. He pulled the person beside him closer, unable to resist lowering his head to plant a kiss, murmuring, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”cgSoBwAHUEphyLYrBWxXxbNjWIFYre

hWbydKhdpTZARyq

The soothing kiss brushed against Ning Rushen’s soft lips.yzgxZNRpUsIeWJqnAfGMuNLFhlPIoZ

mpTjJvwxhgtHvlN

Ning Rushen calmed down, closed his eyes, and let the other kiss him for a while, “Mmm…”FowFDsWPOJTunOUiAWIeWQEMYafCaS

CzWHMxLvwFteMnz

He clung to Li Wuting’s shoulders, feeling the other’s shoulder bones tense with rising emotions. As they kissed, Li Wuting pressed him down. Suddenly, Ning Rushen’s eyes snapped open in shock:cPAHSBgyeVAfpEsEIQuHYBLFcnEEfo

QnYldhSEEyvFqZZ

Didn’t they just… How could Li Wuting be ready again?SluJdGctYeWJQOLzKizUJmlDDfFuEk

WmqrgqZOHUZNiOf

Sensing his stiffness, Li Wuting withdrew slightly.suocHxPZVlDDtnbYWWhAfiDuWnkrKy

IibmLfzAIkVReXB

He pulled Ning Rushen into his arms, exhaling a warm breath, “I won’t do anything, you can handle it…”AZmsXlJxUESsCGydLoRPKjVdddZcEF

IePeheAkVHaaCPE

Then, he added, “I can’t.”OTnreOHQySolRHZOsaGSXkHBHZnwqk

TPTQPkRKWgZtvkr

Ning Rushen: …What a half-assed excuse!iIYZcrMbvmbfRTYShRpyNZknoAzXMy

wStSHvhSDcNqnHJ

He took a deep breath, buried his burning face in Li Wuting’s chest, and muttered angrily, “Sleep, sleep!”tDVDXpgYjwBDvcnByjGvZKYcpivRKJ

enSNscEFPmCDBoe

Li Wuting just patted him and closed his eyes, “Alright.”gvXEmYqFKBaRlhVwrkCDMxxHhZctBB

mJPKEMFaXWceVfI

…GDqgIdnuakKmzeSDrRKBgseQhTCfNg

KbAAJAsNrGYBYFD

The next day, Dequan, who had been blamed, took the red silk away.ZFKFOPADTqXqpgpsPQcIAcIXgiqZfJ

dPlZoqaHcOmWIdB

Watching Dequan’s back, stooped but still somehow tall and upright, Ning Rushen felt a complex mix of emotions.epfTsIWstxyIhLhRnYfZFUYrAIBDJj

RZempOGtBEVLdFL

After freshening up, Li Wuting needed to head to the interrogation camp.SVKPAbeHCouFEXjWQiczpWBarQckmX

VukUtYzBycFPYDA

Just as Dequan returned, he was ordered to accompany Ning Rushen for breakfast.TyaDFlDcZkQQUCHcDdgfmkJySqUrZH

KZJJgGMycNbJNhr

When they arrived, Ning Rushen had just picked up a bowl of soup and sat down when He Liang enthusiastically approached:VWuKmGeMThkOIPsTxDKeDcRLVRYiRy

KGeYStnxLdJKBJk

“Lord Ning, would you like to learn how to ride a horse? Look, last night you had to rely on His Majesty. How about today you come with me—”YmfEVUaxTWIMAbbiRyImfjttIEishX

iDwnPYfUwJqvKzt

Bang, “Ouch!”pjFWKVaLrOntoGPnkkALtpQxSEkZhf

cZznQyJqwWxOfJf

Huo Mian smacked him, “Get lost! Lord Ning doesn’t need to learn how to ride a horse. Even if he’s missing a limb or two, it won’t be a problem!”jXcxNFMvhgkXYBjJqVpgcuvQzqGWWp

ZJzKUEFWzCDwyal

He Liang was stunned, “What???”lKKqVyxNmcBHcJswOdoeBZkztFKuxQ

sIgTHGHRxUJXcmy

Ning Rushen, “…” Huo Mian was talking nonsense again.WioznHAyRSWNKfTHoXLZTPyyfBljaX

iVSEnvTjGLuJDBP

He didn’t join the discussion, instead bowing his head to slurp his soup.zxnvZqEjDAubfLRIzpMkdOHVkwkccr

JaUPwjoqCJqxYni

After a few sips, Prince Xuan came over and patted him on the back, “How was the hot spring last night? Was it good?”vhQwlyHMrrqHNWTuNVinEljPKWxOkK

uLOvHJqKQdsWAkv

Ning Rushen nearly choked!PvJYMctaAhknkYGBnVNerFiwUwbhEA

vsiSeQtaMhGiMzY

The scene of water splashing against the pool’s edge suddenly surfaced in his mind.SPWDfsPVYKFQmfGBfuXEjRmBzNiiEE

mIsTqPQJdpniGlS

He was also bewitched by Li Wuting, actually doing it with him in an open-air spring…XEtIRVABRQzBMPatbJQbIwNwrNJemu

ZNWgrFrrzxAZFaw

He suddenly felt hot all over, hiding his face behind the large bowl, “Uh… it was okay.”juYTJwfwkVDYcHebYVzFIsfxbFBnXs

ePzymGUiwDkXlWV

Li Yingtang saw his reddened ears peeking out, opened his mouth but said nothing, and instead turned to Dequan: ?pEAQEiHpbsHeoHqZDdhelStCRLVVUO

wsuuEGVGVCEJvLL

Dequan excitedly but disappointedly shook his head.CDRyPTyawoDSDiQVpQpCowrNDjdIKR

kGadtSYWhvQwTaD

Li Yingtang understood, sighing excitedly but also disappointedly, “Sigh…”gRAtSlcGakFhNbqWQsopGdFlzfdNNx

ZQlRBBhzBcbKbJT

Ning Rushen caught the entire exchange, his fingers trembling: These two!RbwtBJMICASQZkCWaqtGJREAeFUSDF

BCxefgUcRfYtLVG

Sooner or later, they were going to end up in prison!atoIXxAFpSacnhFLqzKhhEbKDOfIPb

BbIINDFDOsKODqe

However, that hot spring was too far, so they only visited it once or twice after that.CZJhPmLpYtZkLmrFGbKZujojdwuqgU

jowbsKfmpOLkBXU

After waiting for about ten days, the King of Beidi finally sent a reply:gtqdfIflGVogHRsDoGJXWhzxYfxPUT

sgvljftNQeBgRGj

—He was willing to send an envoy to negotiate peace with Dachen.HJzRcYjhvMxzJkBbKyFXrMbcgYdBTc

sobWeyOtqtdNVpb

The negotiation site was chosen to be at Changhuaipo, twenty li outside the border.QLTLZRMXDfCDsCkJsDeDuHMELeQJSF

qAyMBEwuHUefsOO

Li Wuting led the Dingyuan Army and brought several Beidi leaders, including Randall.LYTjInulYBeRClUHSBibAvMSjVFmXX

UPKvmWYgtAKMMNu

Ning Rushen accompanied them on the journey.oqDtVmoaJXCBrxgoVmOvtQCPhCrdME

zhSIIAjRuoraqAn

A large tent was set up outside Changhuaipo for the peace talks.TkdAUpYWhBjlHozaTGqGZJOSGUERTO

jXznxIzUaVHOoAx

Li Wuting sat in the main seat inside the tent, with Ning Rushen standing beside him, while Randall and the others were tied up on the ground.skeMoHDTLqYVgcakUhToGNrrBdCyLA

iyUXsnepmBhZUnB

Soon, there was an announcement from outside: the Beidi envoy had arrived.dklZIWMmkTybAUDrDRQLhztlZPIPEB

xYIdSgYedsvOTHV

As the curtain was lifted, the person who entered turned out to be an old acquaintance.mMBCcqUoUkwXyIRLWSMZUZbmCjePMa

kbVMHISvKAztMqL

King Heku, dressed in short robes and narrow pants, handed his sword to the guard and swaggered into the tent.SndlZpiAXFkYneKHqBqmOiujukamGo

lpxvmeIjtZDCPWr

Ning Rushen observed him: the man looked as though he was in high spirits due to a recent success.EnRvgegPxwAYYzNYnkXQjiJOJYUHCa

jLrOYlWIrdYXSYe

Sure enough, a voice full of shock and anger came from the side.XplvbdhSMwKLqSZnvVhaKImQOIDwIi

ZXOlRQlCwNPVklr

King Heku stepped in and stood still, first glancing at Li Wuting. His gaze then shifted to Ning Rushen.LWvFGRTPuhrHFnHlduQrBiZrHgkSXy

sYNKRmZerCnkSWS

Today, Ning Rushen was dressed in a blue outer robe.CbCjrTvSDBlwTlLCwGHZhlXrKKJuHf

mApCpNekLlGgdul

His hair was tied up with a white jade hairpin at the top of his head, making him stand out among the Dingyuan Army soldiers, who were clad in red and black armor.ZpsvDNCPrzByoaqSMObCFZlHxPIogr

RnZxLGphhPibdSC

Whatever crossed King Heku’s mind made him snicker.xFWXjtkBXXmWrmhlQxbGiKXsqhauUb

eKRPNfozbvWQcEC

A cold voice suddenly interrupted, “King Heku.”zOpkjFjGeFFURewzMWPStFVhCmSUVV

vivtRgdISDAasrJ

Seated at the main position, Li Wuting’s eyes were unfathomable as he quietly looked on, exuding an intimidating aura.YmxUFebsRGsriAXykdsmddZslkptrw

uyUSXGtloiCnURK

King Heku turned his gaze back. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”KiUpMMjKDUBfFlYCupwgmcwdToobQr

ZfMFSbpCNFKJKCo

The discussion soon shifted to the negotiation.mBQxrHtIXnmWecYbNmoOKnpgOAEwfp

dOLxCuFGYyAtllh

Ning Rushen inwardly let out a small sigh of relief.hseMxsHvrKZAcEfWZXpIVMmgAjlaAb

BnBdpkLDImPVoHT

Considering the brief alliance they once had, combined with King Heku’s brazen and audacious nature—efCFtywArbRdacPominfpjxFpIYifM

ZttqkzWywTDlBNH

He was worried the man might say something shocking in front of everyone.QKcVYlbVayiYOHLzlLzRxhHppSfYbC

qYykPLRChqjpKtO

Like: You’ve done well.pbFtOJvyfTGmIfHgyVCvxLCAOymVTk

nAonURgmnXMFvtO

Returning to your emperor’s side so quickly.ZPUgZlWsueUkaHacsJFhjFFlExuMFi

WZOFuLWCEiGTYqu

Fortunately, it seemed King Heku was concerned about being accused of collusion with the enemy, so after giving him a glance, he didn’t say anything more. hgyoBVxAgbFdUAyjqypzMEYvIHdTQJ

RHRKxuJPvIbOdEz

…phrpsAMUmTtfZplXTHrRNjybPgeZfY

nBgPFrywWqaqcbP

The negotiations dragged on for two or three hours.ZHzAdeqsxydZzCDpjQPaPUjmYpuByn

FJryvfyYxEsgWgN

It was mainly about discussing which city would be ceded and how long it would take for Dachen to station troops there.YKicIkGKCcgrUsxXVVHenXKkJVdQzw

FVRGebilbaInmTP

After much back-and-forth, Li Wuting finally made the decisive statement, “Cede Shancheng. You can take your crown prince, and my Dachen army will garrison there immediately.”lLqaaZOMSBmkaZrlIYlUhYluJxQUqt

PBVFqkOQXLiiLMx

King Heku pondered for a moment, “Agreed.”BGHhALOBKSOTxaCtYQeZYfSsHVeKvv

cpsUPWzyRpofNsw

After the agreement was signed, Li Wuting stood up and instructed his men to take Randall and the others outside the tent. “You’d better not think about breaking the agreement.”xzIzmVweDFNhWXBaMjRElmlHTeWuxg

LBxczOXhjNEzOnR

His face remained cold and indifferent, “Otherwise, my Dachen can crush Beidi at any time.”vjmAXhsrtBIqsgRHBvpJNMvKrVAQdD

xYHMZTzyzVNEhsJ

King Heku stared at him for a few seconds, “Naturally.”RWdaPMrfdsPUqLssgvYaYmaCkzvmGF

xLAJuAQbBEcgRKD

The group then exited the tent together.zNhDxgyelfrUbgVREphVGppRHkFFuJ

OchitvlBTlZqXKA

Ning Rushen stood at the entrance with his hands tucked in, watching as Randall was humiliatingly untied by King Heku’s personal guards. Suddenly, a light, mocking laugh came from beside him:EmFiMuyvGKlzxkWbWBdixUSVPpNsjN

tlZcPUaqUmDnewd

“You’re far more intriguing than I expected.”daNoXsJFfRYjeIcvAUrPGOJNsamBdi

auAhqmIIljLCSZf

Ning Rushen turned his head and met King Heku’s gaze.spHiPRYxdPjYmsAAzfMyUrGTJbdLZw

cDeVBdoDzRpIdZj

“…… If you’d seen my magic tricks, you might find me even more intriguing.”jSVwnxqzBALJopycVoakokweENEFNl

QBjqJyHTtXOuvtl

Ning Rushen didn’t respond to that comment, instead asking, “If you ever ascend to that position, can you really uphold a century-long treaty of peace along the border?”TPrAiQRwTorRtMODaFIyqMspQKMClT

OyJAPwCGmUpoIEf

“I’ve said it before, I only care about the throne.”vlsRrbfxHSLiGSEBJjWKdryawztRiA

dfSdPnrbeTxbiCb

…You’d better be. Ning Rushen glanced at him.fpZskrUTEqapXuMnRTjlqaVshqDFTN

pXeTVDELiIGgldn

But then, thinking of Randall, who was still flapping around like a bird with clipped wings, occasionally causing trouble, he felt more at ease.WtecuzauxTGOwQgZmidAGeaKWTgzcm

MQuLPjZzoJTqOyu

King Heku noticed his gaze, “What is it?”TvfltnPlqGcKqiaLNZiltxoUkZEoMs

UgQlTPDUZNGVwZC

Ning Rushen replied, “Nothing. I just didn’t expect you to be the one to come for the negotiations.”mXiTuzVgwAYMhgsAayiLzAcbsphctK

GSobqzTyCudpDru

King Heku snorted, “With Randall involved, of course I had to come personally.”GJegdlwzPFsnEJOqRFDOlWZstgHpKG

LhFutQbCtIRSdGj

—! Ning Rushen was momentarily startled, “What’s the goal?”disuZHBsyLnMewKgXOXRyNmXxVhdsX

xIxfvxouGGTVNqq

“Humiliation.”nEHFkfoiFwtiDFxRTvqcsfzKRmCDtz

RnyvZYCuQaMgmDB

“……”GhOSjKJWwQfvzKyGIjrHsejrIHgrpr

hxpHMEdlcRJWPrV

Ning Rushen subtly exhaled in relief:PRmGYFiCBUAJuzFhyxwQscMZJlxfCQ

HotXdCLvEDsxHbG

That makes sense. Perfectly reasonable. Shi Yi’s brainwashing was so powerful, I nearly fell for it too.aLRQUHbpoSrJPFQDbKuqBFByEnHBIz

mObJiSyOKPTsbHj

Up ahead, the disheveled Randall had already been untied.HBSKDvHRXOQndFAKilIOsDvXNtxSFM

EsfQPWVdKyYvQxw

King Heku called out to his personal guards, bid farewell to Li Wuting, and then strode over, “Back to the capital!”sCtuQRIdUfPesQSTVPVRLYLBJSHmcd

zHZuDCgWcKhARiO

Randall shivered, “I won’t submit!”vswbJfeCVeewtcBUxDXKuATdvGCrbu

FMvqrbOBEheILqV

King Heku, baffled, frowned and tossed him onto the carriage.aabpZogguxfMiysSCixOwwkSBWFShw

htZyItMniUdCkwJ

Thud. Randall, “Ouch!”dYybZFbmPsPDRFKjfvBWNafRPMOAxr

szfnJMDbTWtTCiO

“……” Ning Rushen watched in silence.EsWPANcScsfCMrQIUshaFAihEgmidR

YjSNLsjwypGJCRr

Once the group had disappeared far beyond the yellow sands.olcKZZdGcjZEvNTWfLCGiWTTZJjXFq

RMaJcKphkeyTmZN

The Dingyuan Army began packing up the tents and warhorses. Li Wuting walked over, glanced at Ning Rushen a few times, and asked, “What did King Heku say to you?”LvsPWsogAdUFYQHjMCVqrlUfcOFfNw

zAqrrjARZKAIMjc

Ning Rushen: ? Wasn’t Li Wuting just talking to Huo Mian?AQhMiobazVrClaaLswUKiaoKOOMEDb

MwAlikLXNTSBPHV

He looked over, “Some stuff about love and hate.”wGjGeqXqQtbvuSvThJJDizdbwluyOM

upPSwKVmWcvmqyq

Li Wuting frowned, as if trying to decipher his words.qHtlJaBtHEvynYLikxHUaDPjYVjzFT

armeAwIBsDrrWPU

Ning Rushen quickly changed the subject, “By the way, now that the treaty’s signed, what’s next for us?”THnWCRmzzsCKvsKsGeZbolLyWtMYjF

IRKthUfYDmsbuiV

“Next,” Li Wuting’s gaze fell back on him, “We’ll tidy up a bit and prepare to return to the capital.”SVRvkeyyNIfPsRZIanHvzgmZsVcGPd

HySkCWitMiSehBq

——Return to the capital.UgXbIuYyynnbOfBXuRJTTOrZWFhgqG

VwGOOOKCMhJMFqC

Even after returning to the camp, Ning Rushen’s mind was still occupied with this thought.IXbvVzMIBfeOVJjkQTyuPWoDasOZkF

gQswNBIkPcysGEk

He had almost unconsciously grown accustomed to life in the northern border military camp. Thinking of the capital now gave him a strange sense of disconnection, as if it belonged to a different lifetime. He wondered what the current situation in the capital was like:grSlZrBGrIKFAaeGJDZJJZwiZjATJZ

bxFrukcFQBhCYDH

Had the little short-legged one grown up?PJnpEeyJqiTHFueLyhBDSLnpCpMRqi

wleaelYMeoDKGnZ

Was the cabinet functioning smoothly?OgpQITQmWmmvwtWXTtxTaoYmOMrUdB

sTrlbPafSppFhvH

And his good friend… had Geng Quan’s hidden illness been cured?mZLfeofLYNQcOkezjWApMZSxnJnont

BsHscCyqjbOSPvG

While he was lost in thought, a sigh suddenly came from beside him.YDnecUxvdUmXrTUOuTadswYcaQPoJE

dFRhSmAkgMluugo

Li Yingtang walked over, “When we return to the capital, it won’t be the same as the northern border. You and His Majesty will have to part ways.”MjcCRauCZkOypbgkuyOZlHFOYfZLUf

zywbdXlavPsOzHa

Ning Rushen was momentarily stunned by these words.nrChoZIoVhRGsnyBqecJAYBXFJMvyo

PGbnQLyBhjxCowJ

Li Yingtang wore an earnest expression, “The days of sharing a tent are coming to an end… I’ve said my piece.”CIMTaWEsyNrCYMkZALWolvLKZHmFFv

uViapjkYVBAcMgJ

He added, “I’m doing this for your sake.”uKxUkQHjvcYzjYquBwoipycKpYOIbP

KQZuDDLOTLhXMec

Ning Rushen regained his composure and saw through him, “You’re doing it for your sake.”ktqmQcFYraGsSVvwbkBeoMCPrxiFag

igxYKMMXsjkurDh

“…” Li Yingtang shook his head with a sigh, hands behind his back as he walked away, “You should think about it.”KbQFDTcZhyEPsPYfjXoaTZkzkMNNIG

ARQdgbSEPhDiOBt

The figure full of cunning intentions slipped away.PLMgvCTbAsakffdwCRvUuEflzEwLaS

eXuwrcUOgOvoiHF

Ning Rushen stood there for a while:ZLNkLpdrsKmRFhONtdgbSVckeOrAvd

PZLyHWFbbbEMBIH

He had never thought too far ahead. Indeed, once they returned to the capital, Li Wuting would go back to the palace, and he would return to his own residence.cTPfpclKBkHvOVyuShxxQukThuLdfb

CGGXOeZGroDETDw

In the northern border, they had shared a bed every night.DPJiDsXDvdkrEdbhXAPrvMePEOxvVc

vbUuQKFMRkQLjQm

Would he be able to adjust after returning? Would Li Wuting think of him at night?yWiYUOztiwmsXmWcxwbhRvdKGzvdJk

PNRNSZtKGSIXEGF

…JwwmhGwxumxWeomsZJoczCDZEAdIYm

zYNyVASjFVmGafF

However, before they could prepare to return to the capital, news of the great victory in the northern border and the acquisition of a city had already reached the capital with urgency.kpfHsKxFqmfhLkUsDFREKsUvwuzrXy

xeUDXJPzXEBqfsb

The court was in an uproar, and the whole nation rejoiced—CKKkXysEshQnxIcqyUrSKFohBzMwCh

wBbPmXblLlvKcYk

In the Wenhua Hall, within the Imperial Cabinet.SmtQGCFfYjiuyUrCEXBJhjREVlcngE

lJcuvEwzdRDOLYr

Ji Jie looked at the report of victory, so elated that his beard curled up, “Good, good, good! His Majesty is indeed extraordinary, leading the imperial expedition and achieving victory in just one month. Now, he will triumphantly return to the capital!”rLVbWiGOqCcsmQKFmKwFlfcFfmbgmu

ChbojbqTeAfldNy

His colleagues gathered around:iXIPBHeqbRmkvtjxJDuzukwcdoVtys

iloJoYXgwafVeJr

“As expected of His Majesty, heaven blesses Dachen!”mPGILACPuIlUkxYiZKrfeVsFdSDQcf

CtpnTmzPtcfyZKU

“But we must also acknowledge the incredible feat of Lord Ning—”QmNjMBPfHPZmeduHAclslkSxClySPL

OSleXuhhEYeWgvK

“Oh, what about him?”IYsiCfYeCAfhrBoRCFwbfZgrJkkhDS

ovAJZRykJtPmdqm

Minister Guo, who had scrutinized the battle report closely, said, “Look here, Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp alone, coordinating with the Dingyuan Army in the middle of the night, and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive!”YNanIdURTnMLJTcnMznYaeGkpHazWc

VCKyWICfeDqiiuh

The ministers were astonished, “Such a thing happened!”UiwuFFEyNSjbQvvPejRAEhAVAHnQJC

BqhyONanIFwtEYM

They were all exclaiming in awe, while the young Li Jingyu leaned on the table, his eyes wide open: Oh…ZyPVOeTJyrskYyVDJXSaYNwQhlvhed

DcLzMhejewVXlBG

After the cabinet meeting adjourned.LQnZkpFkSAbwQTtCPyQSlwGbJaxcdz

mreEgobpsYFwmDd

Li Jingyu left the Wenhua Hall, only to run into several senior ministers including Guan Fan.EWaABjlJOlDOUggFHsGJrhnYesVOuN

XctQeEUlPyJYyBn

Guan Fan and the others were also beaming with joy, “Your Highness, we hear that the army has won and is preparing to return to the capital?”bUgzHPMzeOXBZTICSOFSDBdLYGceaX

jnoYAzlFCkyMkFp

Li Jingyu put his hands behind his back, appearing mature beyond his years, “Indeed. My imperial brother displayed great bravery, and with Lord Ning infiltrating the Beidi camp at night, they captured the crown prince of Beidi! The war is over.”SVMPFOHcPZphnBLeVfUiVHQEGJgZzJ

eZzUFMiiEVgCxjF

The senior ministers’ mouths gaped open, “So that’s how it is…!”woBbxqTsfRmCncvIcArOTUygjDKVKX

tGtLtnHchBGsyRn

“Exactly.”EMyccUzghiuyDZchTBQDKuidoisbQT

erWWhmtLXqgcgKT

After a few more pleasantries, they quickly parted ways.tsNdwgpYfJIqVirOmCLbQneZkSCcTP

lidICbEedELtpmu

Guan Fan left the palace and headed to the Ministry of Rites.NebMySbljzjQsNZKTBGEVXWbCHAmwi

HbTKxkobdocjjcr

By this time, the news of “the army’s victory and the Emperor’s return to the capital” was spreading like wildfire.egfJiYLcGNtHrDbxepfhalukQWNvXN

cyWjULDTfsEZSkq

Geng Yan came to the Ministry of Rites to deliver documents, coincidentally arriving around lunchtime.dehXxJqSWibjGOsHWtYvAmmPsEwudw

HMLCCrsFsaycGUZ

He shamelessly joined in for a meal, taking the opportunity to ask, “Lord Guan, how are things in the northern border? Is Ning Chen… also coming back?”gtaiWKEwJmSlKxlgyQdAzLPJuTwoxB

RkzBsRTLkomNDMJ

“Of course he’s coming back! There will be rewards and honors to be bestowed.”dbAGakdsgySaTnsxEFINQBligMwlBi

rYXLXNsuoFwTzDJ

“What kind of rewards and honors?”YzntWvhoVhqrvLfiFhlsUhGvvNyaIF

LEmmjTyrGwTSKGO

Guan Fan stroked his beard, sharing the news with excitement, “I heard that Lord Ning infiltrated the Beidi camp in the middle of the night and captured the crown prince of Beidi alive! Beidi suffered a crushing defeat and had to cede a city.”ScpxpUbQJigzjLXeaALqHBTlPdLKSu

FvKxUQnMtDsnLPk

“…???”fUPfGNmpYJzaVElzCSwbTXCysFHHYo

qdiYNcrEzPzAtaX

Geng Yan was stunned, and after a moment, he set his bowl down with a loud thud, “Whoa!”scYHzyCyzoDZQyJryjeBQQHkRhSanW

xjBAbXgRLBBafnH